Dining alone (!) at Per Se next week - Questions!

[TheReturnee]

Questions for my Chowhound sempai! I am dining alone at Per Se next Wednesday. Like a good obsessive gastronomist, I have been checking the daily menus, to try and gauge what might be on the menu when I go. Hopefully white truffles! Hopefully wagyu! But all of that aside, what is this extended tasting menu I keep reading about? Should I ask for that? (Since I also see bits and pieces about solo diners at Per Se getting some extras [awwwwww!], am I to expect those? Seems presumptuous!) When I go, I want to not think about anything, hence all of the prep work!

(Solo diners 4 ever!)

The Returnee

[arturusthorne]

Out of curiosity, how was it? We had been planning to try for reservations for dinner in January (as a Christmas gift to ourselves) but then found a lunch reservation for Saturday the 16th and may end up going that route... and now that lunch is an option, we're debating the extended tasting menu, too. If anyone has any thoughts or recent experiences to share, I'd love to hear them - hadn't expected to suddenly find lunch at Per Se as an option in two weeks, but we're excited!

[jon]

we had lunch at Per Se a few weeks ago on a Sunday (not the extended tasting menu) and it was one of the best dining experiences we've had. they have a smaller 5 course menu on the weekends, but we went with the chef's tasting menu. everything was great, except the cheese course (a mini grilled cheese with tomato relish) which was a bit bland. actually, we were so stuffed that we couldn't finish the mignardines, but they boxed a lot of them up and sent us on our way together with two sleeves of amazing hazelnut sandwich cookies (one for us, one for our babysitter, but both really for us).

reservation was at 1:30 and we left around 5, which let us watch the day turn into night.

[ellenost]

White truffles are appearing on the Per Se menu as an option with a supplemental charge. When wagyu is on the menu, it also has an additional charge. If you're interested in the extended tasting menu (I've done it and it was the best meal I've had at Per Se in six visits), you should call ahead to request it. The meal takes more than 5 1/2 hours, and there are more than 20 courses; the cost was $500. At my fifth visit I received for the first time one of the extra courses. I wouldn't expect to receive any of the "extras" so you won't be disappointed if you don't receive these, and will be delighted if you do. I am confident that you'll have a wonderful time!

[TheReturnee]

Thank you! Yes, I see that white truffles are appearing now, but it hasn't been everyday! (The hen egg raviolo preparation from the other day sounded very drool-worthy.) I was thinking, too, assuming, say, both appear as supplements on the same evening, the cost on top of the regular tasting menu would make it more than the extended menu's cost. Did your extended menu include the staples, like the Oysters & Pearls?

[ellenost]

Yes it did (always one of my favorites). My extended tasting menu was at lunch (started at 11:30 and ended with a kitchen tour at 5:15). Since there were four of us, for several of the courses, we were served two different but similar dishes with the idea that we would share and get to sample more dishes. I agree with you that the cost of the extended tasting menu is a better value than the regular menu with the additional charges. There were no additional charges for the foie gras and the dish with black truffles.

[arturusthorne]

Not to hijack the thread, but do either of you have any tips for getting reservations, particularly for the extended tasting menu? I've been once, 2-3 years ago, and got lucky with a last-minute opening that popped up on open table. I assume that the recipe for success is the usual "call early and often" - anything more to it? We're hoping to go in Jan/Feb for our usual holiday gift to each other treat meal, so time's drawing near to start trying to get in! Thanks in advance!

[TheReturnee]

I called right at 10am NYT, waited on hold for 10 minutes, and got my table. The old fashioned way, as it were. They called today to confirm my reservation, and I asked about the extended tasting menu. I was told a manager would follow up to discuss.

[kathryn]

A friend of mine called this morning and got a reservation for 12/17 since the books for 12/17 opened today. Since she wanted a Monday, I think it may have been slightly easier.

[ellenost]

Just called Per Se to inquire about the extended tasting menu (yes, it was so good that I'm interested in having it again!); the price has increased to $650 per person, and is only available at lunch due to the length of the meal.

[TheReturnee]

Yes, the maître d' just called me and told me the same thing (a day before my reservation). I'm disappointed, of course, but happy to hear it's because they only offer it at lunch. Was worried it was because I'm on my own!

[PorkyBelly]

wow, thanks for the info. i was planning on requesting the extended tasting for an upcoming dinner thinking it was going to be 500pp. I will have to reconsider now.

[uhockey]

...wow.

http://endoedibles.com

[kosmose7]

I'm not surprised. My extended menu normally started at 12:00 noon and I finished at around 5PM. Thanks for the info.

[ellenost]

Just made a reservation at Per Se for the extended tasting menu; the price is now $600 (probably the $650 included a supplement for white truffles since it was during the season).

[calf]

Wow… So I finally tried the Vegetable tasting this weekend, and couldn't even finish the last course. How does one survive the extended tasting?

[PorkyBelly]

Just had the extended tasting menu on Sunday. They are offering it for lunch and dinner now.

[uhockey]

They've been offering it for lunch since at least last March...

http://endoedibles.com

[PorkyBelly]

I was commenting on the post about it only being offered for lunch.

[ellenost]

When I spoke with Per Se today and back in November, they said that since the extended tasting menu usually exceeds 5 hours, they are offering it only at lunch. If you had the extended tasting menu at dinner, they must have made an exception for you.

[uhockey]

They offer it at both lunch and dinner - have for quite some time - at least dating to 2010.

http://endoedibles.com

[ellenost]

Based on my conversations with the restaurant, Per Se says they are no longer offering the extended tasting menu at dinner. I had read earlier reports of the extended tasting menu served at dinner. It seems Per Se has recently changed its policy, and will now be offering the extended tasting menu only at lunch. Perhaps they may make exceptions.

[deepfry7]

If you don't mind me asking - how much was it?

[PorkyBelly]

It's 600pp for lunch and dinner.