Extended menu at per se?

[mjm1218]

So i've heard from multiple sources that it is possible to have additional courses or an extended menu at both the french laundry and per se. Is this true? I plan on going back to per se for my second time in about two months and I would like to know in advance. Also, is there a particular table or section of the dining room that is considered to be the best place to sit?

Thanks!

[nmprisons]

I would just call and ask. Of all the places in New York, I have found them to be the most gracious and accommodating.

I prefer the window seats, but there really isn't a bad seat there.

[Jayfor]

Thanks to this thread, I just got off the phone with them. We originally had reservations for two weeks from today for the regular $295 and changed it up no problem. They told me it's $500 per person. For anyone's information, I phoned right at 10:00 am both times and got through after about 1/2 each time.

[nmprisons]

awesome. i can't wait to hear your report.

[Jayfor]

Thanks for the vote of confidence even though that was my 1st Chowhound post. I promise you I'm no Uhockey but I'll be happy to share a few impressions. BTW, my wait time on hold was 1/2 HOUR each time as I left out the hour part.

[mjm1218]

Has anybody on this thread been to Masa? Would the 500$ be better spent there?

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Masa
10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019

[RGR]

I have not yet made my maiden voyage into the realm of sushi. But Mr. R.'s first sushi experience was at Masa. Yeah, he started at the top! :) He went with our son-in-law and a close friend, both of whom are very experienced sushi eaters. All agreed that the quality was fantastic. However, our friend felt that it really was not worth the exceedinly high cost.

I asked Mr. R. your question, and he said that if you love sushi above all other cuisines, it's probably worth going once. But if he had to choose between Masa or per se, he'd choose per se (which we've both been to) because it's the type of cuisine we most prefer.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[mjm1218]

Thanks for your thoughts and comments! The only category where the two compete in is food, as the service and decor is better at per se. Also, per se seems to cater much more to their clients and have a lot less restrictions (i.e. photos are aloud). So with this in mind along with your comments, I suppose I'll be going to per se!

[hcbk0702]

The restaurant service models are completely different (European-derivative vs. Japanese sushi/kaiseki). It comes down to preference, but the vast majority of diners in NYC will prefer Per Se's approach; after all, that is the familiar format.

Ingredient-wise, Masa stands completely alone in NYC. Per Se doesn't measure up in that respect. Also, unlike Keller, Takayama will actually be at his restaurant, preparing and serving food himself.

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

Masa
10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019

[deepfry7]

Hey hcbk, can you elaborate what you mean that Masa stands alone ingredient-wise? I've never been to Masa, so I'm curious. From what I've heard, Keller doesn't even talk price with his vendors if he thinks it's the best.

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Masa
10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019

[hcbk0702]

Mostly flying seafood in from Tsukiji, price be damned. There's a similar uncompromising approach to other ingredients as well, from white truffles to Kobe beef, even when it's kind of silly. Then again, Masa is a guy (back in the Ginza Sushi-Ko days) who would fly to Japan just to pick up fugu during the winter, and fly right back to LA. Every week. The money is spent on ingredients and their airfare: there's no unbelievably outfitted kitchen, no brigade of cooks, no multi-tiered towers of china for a single canapé.

Keller is very careful about picking purveyors, but he compromises sometimes. The cheeses, including the ones made specially for the restaurant, are sort of mediocre, Hudson Valley Foie Gras is used when Élevages Périgord isn't available, Kobe beef is usually not offered etc. On the other hand, the Animal Farm / Bordier butter situation seems fine.

Anyway, it's a comparison between two hyper-expensive restaurants. One just happens to be led by someone a bit crazier.

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

Masa
10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019

[deepfry7]

Yep, this is true. I lucked out and was able to get it at the French Laundry last year. Just call up Per Se and tell them you're interested in the extended menu. The supplemental cost varies depending most likely on the truffle season. It's probably an additional 6 courses or more from the regular tasting menu, plus some old time favorites like egg with black truffle (fantastic), and the famous "coffee and donuts" dessert. For me, it was an additional $150 (service included).

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

[mjm1218]

Do you think that it was worth it? and also did they give you a copy of the menu of everything you had that evening?

[deepfry7]

Ha. Worth is always such a relative thing. Someone might buy $1000 LV handbag and it'll be worth it to them.

But yes, I thought it was worth it. You only live once. I thought it was the best meal of my life. I thought Alinea was the best dining experience, but in terms of purely food, I give it to the French Laundry extended menu. I did the extended because just like you, I had the regular Per Se tasting menu previously and wanted to try something different at their sister restaurant.

Yes, they gave me a personalized copy of the menu at the end of your meal and if you want, you can get the menu signed by the chef de cuisine (and maybe Chef Keller, if he's around NYC) and have it sent to you to your home.

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019