492058 Thu Feb 21 17:15:41 -0800 2008 0 18 Manhattan 0 3422431 Had lunch at Esca today. Hadn't been for a long time. The crudo was wonderful albeit miniscule. The maccheroni with crab and sea urchin was very good. Then, in the middle of the dining room sat a large group featuring what I thought at first were the "before" and "after" shots of a diet commercial. Two men with ponytails-one huge-one thin as a rail. Mario Batali and Willie Nelson make for an interesting sight but I guess they both enjoy good food in Mario's restaurant. Thu Feb 21 17:15:41 -0800 2008 10173 guttergourmet