Anyone been to Toque lately?

[OliverB]

Haven't seen any mentions on this board in the last year or more, but I've requested to go for dinner on Tuesday night for my birthday and am wondering if the lack of discussion (APDC etc is mentioned daily) is suggestive of anything?

Also, while I'm a fairly adventurous foodie, I'm not partial to tuna, salmon, sea bass and most freshwater fish- just have no personal penchant for it. I eat all other seafood however and meat/game, without saying. I am wondering if I should go for the tasting menu and whther it needs to be accommodated in advance with special notice and/or if it will affect other's at our table if they opt for a la carte since it will surely draw out the length of the dinner. How long should be expected for the degustation menu; 2 hours??

Lastly, two of the diners accompanying me will have special requirements - one has celiac and is allergic to gluten, the other a vegetarian. Should I call ahead and request special attention to their meals or would this only be necessary if opting for a tasting menu with dishes prepared around these requirements?

Other than that, any advice on must-try plates or feedback from recent visits?

Thanks!

[mkdundon]

Was there this past weekend (03/12/2011). The food was superb, the service exceptional and the wine list satisfying. I'd fly back up from NYC to eat there any time. This is the restaurant on which people should be heaping praise, not Garde-Manger which was awful.

[OliverB]

I've also had the best cocktails in the city here. I'd almost go just to sit at the bar and order drinks, they were that good.

[klagirl]

anyone tried their lunch offerings? starts at 25$ a plate. sadly nothing inspires me much in it right now..had their tasting menu once, several years ago, was wonderful, but can't afford that anytime soon...

[mystikdrey]

The only time I've been there, I had the tasting menu with the wine pairing and it was SO worth it!!
You should call them ahead and ask if they can manage something regarding the allergies/food ethics of your party. I'm pretty sure they could accomodate you. :)

[OliverB]

Any recommendations for the main course... duck magret, beef ribeye, cavatelli with foie gras shavings, chicken with confit and lobster mushrooms in camomille sauce?

[Maximilien]

Nothing on the menu inspires me.

I'd probably go for the fish.

[Maximilien]

AFAIK, "tasting menu" are usually served for the whole table; and I'd say it should last about 3 hours (for example, I was at a non-fancy restaurants 2 1/2 services, and we were there for at least 3 hours )

Me think you should all go for individual dishes; it's easier to manage allergies, food ethics, ...

Max.

[OliverB]

Thanks for the advice!

Too bad because I was looking forward to trying their degustation menu which seems to be the highlight, but I guess it can all be ordered a la carte so we'll opt for individual dishes.

[OliverB]

Also, how often does the A La Carte menu change and is it seasonal or weekly?

Is the menu on their website a sample only or reflective of the actual offerings? I only ask because it's somewhat limited given the food allergies and restrictions with the others in my party.

Lastly, are the seven-course tasting menus only offered per table; in other words - could we opt for the tasting menus for some and a la carte for others?