It's official - EMP grid is no more

[Spiritchaser]

http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.co...

[pizzajunkie]

Reply to original post - yes, I should have mentioned that in my lunch review - there was no grid at least as of Nov 14. We were simply asked to choose between the duck and the beef, and for any likes/dislikes.

[Scott_C]

Makes sense. EMP is now courting a different demographic with its extended and higher priced tasting menu.

[Sneakeater]

I'm sure this has nothing to do with the shellacking they got from the New York Times restaurant reviewer (in a non-review piece) for including the grid in the new tasting menu.

It's almost as if Wells has purposely held off on his review (after having obviously visited several times in preparation for filing one) in order to give EMP time to correct the perceived deficiencies he warned them of, in a non-review piece, so that he doesn't have to reduce their four-star rating.

Does anyone think it's unfair for the Times to give a restaurant such consideration?

I'm not saying it is. I'm just asking.

[MrGrumpy]

What's interesting to me is that Wells chose to publicize his reservations rather than discuss them with Humm privately. Wells is obviously recognized at the restaurant.

An EMP demotion would cause a stir, wouldn't it. More publicity for Wells, especially coming so soon after his Guy Fieri review.

[Sneakeater]

If Wells discussed his reservations with Humm privately, I would think that would be grounds for the Times to fire him. That would be entirely unfair.

(Also, the EMP demotion would have come way BEFORE the Fieri review: the "warning" piece, which clearly substituted for the review Wells would have been ready to publish, was a couple of months ago. I think Wells genuinely doesn't want to demote EMP.)

[pizzajunkie]

i agree, sneakeater.

[pizzajunkie]

I had the same thoughts/questions, sneakeater, regarding whether he was holding off and "warning" EMP before doing his review.

[ellenost]

Have you dined at EMP since the change?

[Spiritchaser]

Since the end of the grid? No. We been since they changed to the NYC homage but they still had the grid. We are dining in another week or so so we'll see if there is any noticable change.

[ellenost]

I'll look forward to your report. It's been almost a year since I've dined at EMP, and am very interested to hear about the courses (especially since I won't be able to make any selections other than the duck or beef).