Best of the Buzz : The Early Verdict

Surveyors Weigh In: Chicago's L2O

BuzzEditor — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:30:00 GMT

L2O

photo: Steven Johnson

L2O

2300 N. Lincoln Park W.
(W. Belden Ave.)
Chicago, IL 60614
773-868-0002

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
27	29	27	$151

An “artistic triumph”, from the “smart”, “cutting-edge setting” (frosted glass, space-age white seating, secluded tatami room) to chef Laurent Gras’ “brilliant”, “daring combinations” served “impeccably” by a “smooth” staff, this Lincoln Park seafooder creates a “memorable” “escape from everyday life”; the mostly prix fixe–only menu highlights seasonal shellfish and global artisanal ingredients, but given the “astronomic prices”, it’s not just the fare that “blows you away.”

This review offers a preview of feedback from a small surveyor sample

Key to Zagat Ratings

The Early Verdict: Boston's La Voile

BuzzEditor — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:47:00 GMT

La Voile Boston Brasserie

261 Newbury St.
(Fairfield & Gloucester Sts.)
Boston, MA 02116
617-587-4200

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
26	26	23	$62

“Magnifique” is the early word on this Back Bay bistro where a couple from Cannes provides “reasonably priced” “genuine French” “classics” and “absolutely delicious” Mediterranean fish dishes augmented by “a fine wine list”; “terrific” imported decor (zinc bar, red velvet banquettes, nautical lighting) that’s just as “warm” as the “knowledgeable” staff has surveyors “hoping” it’ll be “here for many years to come.”

Based on the reviews of initial visitors

Key to Zagat Ratings

The Early Verdict: NYC's Perilla

BuzzEditor — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:05:00 GMT

Perilla

Photo: Noah Kalina

Perilla

9 Jones St.
(bet. Bleecker & W. 4th Sts.)
Manhattan, NY 10014
212-929-6868

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
26	20	24	$65

Season one Top Chef winner Harold Dieterle hits it big again with this much-“hyped” Village newcomer that “lives up to the hoopla” with its “fabulous” Eastern-accented New American fare, “outstanding” service and overall “warm”, understated vibe; it’s been packing ’em into its “intimate” “dining car”–like quarters from day one, first-class prices not withstanding.

This review offers a preview of surveyors’ feedback

Key to Zagat Ratings

Read Member Reviews of Perilla

The Early Verdict: NYC's Kobe Club

BuzzEditor — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 17:41:00 GMT

Kobe Club

Photo: Noah Kalina

Kobe Club

68 W. 58th St.
(bet. 5th & 6th Aves.)
Manhattan, NY 10019
212-644-5623

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
20	22	18	$146

A “mind-blowing” variety of Wagyu beef (domestic, Australian and Japanese) “like butter” is the thing at this slick new Midtowner from über-restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow; “happening” types gladly “risk their lives” beneath a ceiling hung with 2,000 “samurai swords” in its “cool”, moody space, but the real danger may be the “out-of-this-world” tabs.

This review offers a preview of surveyors’ feedback

Key to Zagat Ratings

The Early Verdict: Central Michel Richard

BuzzEditor — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:23:00 GMT

Central Michel Richard

1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
(11th St.)
Washington, DC 20004
202-626-0015

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
26	24	24	$58

At this “sleek” French–New American bistro in Penn Quarter, patrons can “experience Michel Richard’s talents at a fraction [of the cost] of his more formal flagship, Citronelle”, via “delicious”, “interesting takes on everyday dishes” – including an “indulgent” lobster burger – along with selections from a “well-priced” wine list; although a few find it “noisy” (expect a “hot bar scene”), most praise an “attention to detail” that extends to “friendly, informed” service.

Based on the reviews of initial visitors

Key to Zagat Ratings

The Early Verdict: Napa's Go Fish

BuzzEditor — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 13:31:00 GMT

Go Fish

641 Main St.
(Mills Ln.)
St. Helena, CA 94574
707-963-0700

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
24	23	21	$52

“Love” the “gorgeous redo” of former tenant Pinot Blanc exclaim enthusiasts of Cindy Pawlcyn’s “exciting” addition to her wine country stable (Mustards Grill and Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen), a somewhat “barnlike” yet “somehow very comfortable” Eclectic seafooder in St. Helena with an “efficient” staff with “movie star” looks; “what a super menu” – the sandwiches are “outstanding”, the fish “exceptionally tasty” and served with “interesting sauces” plus there’s a “magnificent sushi” bar masterminded by Hana’s Ken Tominaga; still, a few fin-icky sorts find “service variable” and the fare “disappointing.”

This review offers a preview of surveyors’ feedback

Key to Zagat Ratings

The Early Verdict: NYC's STK

BuzzEditor — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 16:07:00 GMT

STK

photo: Noah Kalina

STK

26 Little W. 12th St.
(bet. 9th Ave. & Washington St.)
Manhattan, NY 10014
646-624-2444

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
22	26	20	$65

Appropriately set in the Meatpacking District, this “sceney” new steakhouse tweaks the genre by featuring a “chic”, “lady”-friendly vibe (chops offered in “three different sizes”) and “less testosterone” (“no sawdust on the floor”); the “sleek” digs mirror its “trendy” location with a “crowded”, nightclublike setting that includes dim lights, thunderous acoustics, “spotty service” and a “young” crowd, “bouncing from table to table between courses.”

This review offers a preview of surveyors’ feedback

Key to Zagat Ratings

The Early Verdict: NYC's Gordon Ramsay

BuzzEditor — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:50:00 GMT

Gordon Ramsay

The London NYC
151 W. 54th St.
(bet. 6th & 7th Aves.)
Manhattan, NY 10019
212-468-8888

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
25	25	25	$122

“Perfectionist” British chef Gordon Ramsay makes his U.S. debut with this “top-end” dining room in the new Midtown hotel London NYC, an intimate, “elegant” chamber with an “understated”, “smart” look; the “glorious” New French fare (now overseen by chef de cuisine Josh Emett) is “perfectly cooked”, abetted by a “terrific wine list” and “warm”, “flawless” service; no surprise, it “ain’t cheap”, but most agree it’s “well worth the money”, and the “equally fantastic” adjoining London Bar serves as a more casual counterpart.

This review offers a preview of surveyors’ feedback

Key to Zagat Ratings

The Early Verdict: LA's Pizzeria Mozza

BuzzEditor — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:24:00 GMT

Pizzeria Mozza

641 N. Highland Ave.
(Melrose Ave.)
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323-297-0101

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
26	19	22	$39

“NYers, eat your hearts out” jeer Angelenos over Mario Batali and Nancy Silverton’s “winning pizzeria” in Melrose serving “glorious” pies that early converts dub the “best in LA”, complemented by a “superb” list of “modestly priced” Italian wines; it’s “hard to get in” the “bohemian” space where there’s “little wiggle room” and the “noise is on steroids”, but the “attentive” staff “keeps tables turning”, and while cynics find it “overpriced” and “so trendy it’s silly”, others insist it’s “reasonably priced” and “worth the wait.”

This review offers a preview of surveyors’ feedback

Key to Zagat Ratings

Best of the Buzz : The Early Verdict

Surveyors Weigh In: Chicago's L2O

L2O

photo: Steven Johnson

2300 N. Lincoln Park W. (W. Belden Ave.) Chicago, IL 60614 773-868-0002

The Early Verdict: Boston's La Voile

261 Newbury St. (Fairfield & Gloucester Sts.) Boston, MA 02116 617-587-4200

The Early Verdict: NYC's Perilla

Perilla

Photo: Noah Kalina

9 Jones St. (bet. Bleecker & W. 4th Sts.) Manhattan, NY 10014 212-929-6868

The Early Verdict: NYC's Kobe Club

Kobe Club

Photo: Noah Kalina

68 W. 58th St. (bet. 5th & 6th Aves.) Manhattan, NY 10019 212-644-5623

The Early Verdict: Central Michel Richard

Central Michel Richard

1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (11th St.) Washington, DC 20004 202-626-0015

The Early Verdict: Napa's Go Fish

Go Fish

641 Main St. (Mills Ln.) St. Helena, CA 94574 707-963-0700

The Early Verdict: NYC's STK

STK

photo: Noah Kalina

26 Little W. 12th St. (bet. 9th Ave. & Washington St.) Manhattan, NY 10014 646-624-2444

The Early Verdict: NYC's Gordon Ramsay

Gordon Ramsay

The London NYC 151 W. 54th St. (bet. 6th & 7th Aves.) Manhattan, NY 10019 212-468-8888

The Early Verdict: LA's Pizzeria Mozza

Pizzeria Mozza

641 N. Highland Ave. (Melrose Ave.) Los Angeles, CA 90038 323-297-0101

2300 N. Lincoln Park W.
(W. Belden Ave.)
Chicago, IL 60614
773-868-0002

261 Newbury St.
(Fairfield & Gloucester Sts.)
Boston, MA 02116
617-587-4200

9 Jones St.
(bet. Bleecker & W. 4th Sts.)
Manhattan, NY 10014
212-929-6868

68 W. 58th St.
(bet. 5th & 6th Aves.)
Manhattan, NY 10019
212-644-5623

1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
(11th St.)
Washington, DC 20004
202-626-0015

641 Main St.
(Mills Ln.)
St. Helena, CA 94574
707-963-0700

26 Little W. 12th St.
(bet. 9th Ave. & Washington St.)
Manhattan, NY 10014
646-624-2444

The London NYC
151 W. 54th St.
(bet. 6th & 7th Aves.)
Manhattan, NY 10019
212-468-8888

641 N. Highland Ave.
(Melrose Ave.)
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323-297-0101