431484 Wed Aug 15 06:31:08 -0700 2007 6 18 Manhattan 0 2847221 off to a slow start- our reservation was at 8 and no food hit the table until 9:45- which was actually ok with us, we're on vacation and don't really care. definitely could have ruined the meal in a different situation, and did sway our initial inclination to do the tasting menu. Wylie was looking extremely worried, I would say they were way way in the weeds for a bit there. But once the food started coming, all was forgiven. we started with two apps- foie gras with mole lentils were a stand out and very clever- no actual lentils in the dish at all- here is where molecular gastronomy really makes sense instead of being just 'playing with your food'- foie covered in a mole sauce would likely have been unappealing and overwhelming. octopus was delicious and the egg/beets/olive dust with chorizo sauce (sounds disgusting written out like that), but it was fantastic. The quail with banana didn't impress us too much- not sure what was going on with that dish. mains were duck- this came with a snow pea sauce which added a brightness and unbelievable flavor, and pork belly- (had to snicker when Walter, our waiter, asked, "um. do you like fat?",,,we assured him that we could handle the duck and the pork belly- it was funny). Once the food got going the pace was great- Walter did wine pairings for us and did a great job- got a little tour of the kitchen and got to shake chef's hand- honestly, I've always loved Claudio Aprile (big guy at home in T.O.) and this guy made him look like a clown. outstanding- would totally go again- all that with wine and a great tip for $300- the tasting menu with the wine would have been $360 plus tax. Wed Aug 15 06:31:08 -0700 2007 45437 nummanumma 1 2847699 Great review, Nummanumma! Thanks. Wed Aug 15 09:01:40 -0700 2007 2847221 64215 cimui 1 2847888 did you have dessert? Wed Aug 15 09:54:26 -0700 2007 2847221 15968 lanadai 2 2848861 just more wine- my man Walter brought us a little marshmallow thingy- im not much for dessert, and by that point was full to the brim with the vino! Wed Aug 15 13:42:12 -0700 2007 2847888 45437 nummanumma 2 2849150 That is a shame - the savory does not, imho, compare to the out of this world dessert tasting menus. Next time I go there, I will eat dinner first and go just for dessert and wine. Wed Aug 15 14:49:31 -0700 2007 2847888 13105 john 3 2850528 Second John Thu Aug 16 05:18:35 -0700 2007 2849150 110996 LeahBaila 3 2858581 I've done this, and it was fantastic, just walked right in around 9pm on a Sunday. We actually composed our own tasting dessert menu, though, since I wanted to try many, many of the desserts on the menu. Sat Aug 18 18:56:19 -0700 2007 2849150 10936 kathryn