The very strict policy of tasting menus at Jean Georges...am I overreacting?

[eviemichael]

Hi everyone. Since I have recently booked Jean Georges, I read over the tasting menus online, excited for our anniversary celebration.
My boyfriend hates the taste of caviar (no matter how many times or how many varieties i have fed to him) and I called to make sure there would be able to be a substitution. In both tasting menus, it is in the first course.
The woman on the phone quite bluntly stated that unless there is an allergy, this is against their policy and it would be difficult to do so. I emphasized to her that both tasting menus offer caviar in the first course and my boyfriend just doesn't eat it. So she put me on hold for 7 minutes and returned saying that "probably" the kitchen could make a substitution (but reminded me once again that this is against policy). Then I asked if we could add a dish to our tasting menu. I'd like to try the foie gras brulee. She told me that this was also against policy and that depending on the manager that night, I may or may not be allowed to do this.

I could order a la carte, but getting 7 courses a la carte is significantly more expensive than the tasting menu option.

I understand that tasting menus are carefully structured and thoughtfully prepared. And that adding and subtracting dishes may disrupt the rhythm of the kitchen...But I've been to many fine dining restaurants in my life in many countries, and have never received such attitude about replacing one item or adding a supplement.

I've read about the willingness of places like EMP to cater specifically to the tastes of customers in the gourmand menu, so this kind of attitude from Jean George annoys me...
I was very polite and patient on the phone- For a restaurant of this caliber, I would expect for her to have been equally friendly.

Am I overreacting?

[Farfalle]

Are you overthinking this just a bit? You'll be fine, enjoy the dinner.

[eviemichael]

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies!

Well, I called just now and spoke to a manager- I didn't mention the rude hostess, because I'd feel guilty if I got anyone in trouble. I told her that I wanted to make sure we would be accommodated for my boyfriend's dietary preferences, etc. And I wanted to make sure we could add a course to the tasting menu.

She was a total 180 from the woman I spoke with this morning! She (Katerina) went out of her way to let me know that they will adapt the menu to make sure we were happy. She was very sweet.

You guys were right, the hostess just was out of touch with how things work in the restaurant and was probably having a bad day or something.

It's just a very special night we are trying to plan so I got all crazy about it...:)

[ml77]

I don't think you got "crazy" at all. You were very reasonable in your requests, your proactive attempts to inform the restaurant of your needs, and your response to their poor initial response. And now you've been rewarded for your polite but persistent efforts with the meal you deserve. Well done!

Please come back and let us know how it goes.

[eviemichael]

thanks ml77! :)

i will certainly report back with detailed reviews of each restaurant i visit. ive been dieting lately so i keep obsessing over what i plan to be a very gluttonous trip in NY!

[buttertart]

Considering that even Per Se has no trouble with substitutions, I would say this was a bit much on the part of JG. Other posters' comments that the waitstaff is likely to be more accommodating are probbaly accurate. However, the one time we went to JG we were told that we could not have the tasting menu (our reservation was at 10) and were treated less well than patrons surrounding us (no marshmallows for YOU, Brooklyn nobodies!). It left a bad taste in our mouths and we have no plans to return. Have dined at virtually all of the other top tier restaurants in NY (as well as in several other cities) and have not encountered such shabby treatment.

[thew]

you're overreacting, they're idiotic.

[bronwen]

I agree that it is a good idea to bring it up when you are actually there, I love Jean Georges, they will work with you. If you call and start asking for all these substitutions they'll just label you a troublemaker!

[ellenost]

JG's response is strange (especially for a restaurant of their caliber). I've made similar requests at EMP (gourmand menu) and Momofuku Ko (my sister doesn't eat pork), and neither of those restaurants had a problem with substitions or omitting the pork. Maybe you should try EMP or Ko instead.

[travpard]

no pork at a David Chang place? did she leave hungry?

[ellenost]

Not at all. Many of the courses don't have pork at all, and what courses did, they prepared without pork. We've done both lunch and dinner. She enjoyed it so much, that she wants to return.

[travpard]

lunch AND dinner at Ko?

would you like a new brother?

[Wilfrid]

The attitude you encountered was unhelpful, unreasonable, and generally untypical. You did the right thing in calling ahead to indicate those preferences, and restaurants - especially of that calibre - are usually much more helpful than that. You are not overreacting. Consider canceling and going elsewhere and letting the organization know why,

[Cpalms]

order an expensive enough bottle of wine and they will bring your husband a hot dog if he wanted one, just kidding (sorta), i'm sure they will be much more accomodating when you are there...

[Jane A.]

Hostesses generally don't know much about the dining room beyond the table layouts. Either call again and ask to speak to the manager or Maitre 'd, or just deal with it when you get there. I've always found them extremely accommodating - and let's face it, it's the most expensive stuff that you want to skip. it's not like you're asking for a double order of caviar!

[travpard]

i am sure once you are there your waiter will be much more accommodating than the hostess. waiters work on tips.

worst case scenario- more caviar for you.

[eviemichael]

you're probably right, I didn't think of that.

and yes :) more caviar for me, but no first course for my sweetie...oh, well. :)

[kathryn]

I've been to JG and added on extra courses (mine was dessert) and the server was perfectly cordial about the request!