New York City : The Early Verdict

The Early Verdict: Tarry Lodge

BuzzEditor — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:02:00 GMT

Tarry Lodge

18 Mill St.
(Abendroth Ave.)
Port Chester, NY 10573
914-939-3111

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
24	24	20	$50

Chef-superstar Mario Batali and partner Joe Bastianich have “knocked it out of the park” with this much-“hyped” revamp of a beloved Port Chester tavern, now showcasing their brand of “true Italian” cooking like wood-fired pizzas and “exceptionally crafted” pastas, all served with “superb” wines in a “lively” (some say “deafening”) gold-hued setting; throw in surprisingly “reasonable prices”, and it makes a “tempting” suburban “alternative to Babbo” – “if you can ever get in.”

This review offers a preview of surveyors’ feedback

Key to Zagat Ratings

The Early Verdict: Perilla

BuzzEditor — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:01:00 GMT

Perilla

Photo: Noah Kalina

Perilla

9 Jones St.
(bet. Bleecker & W. 4th Sts.)
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: Hill Country

BuzzEditor — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:04:00 GMT

Hill Country

Photo: Noah Kalina

Hill Country

30 W. 26th St.
(bet. B'way & 6th Ave.)
212-255-4544

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
20	18	14	$34

Bringing Texas Hill Country to Chelsea, this “noisy” new BBQ specialist in a “beat-up honky-tonk” setting offers an abundance of “wet-nap comfort food” that’s ordered “cafeteria-style”, “served on butcher paper” and consumed at long “communal tables”; surveyors’ reactions are mixed: fans tout the “delicious brisket” and “cool” atmosphere, foes fault the “overhyped” grub and “tedious” “serve-yourself” process (“I like to be waited on”), and both camps agree it’s a bit “overpriced considering the lack of service.”

This review offers a preview of surveyors’ feedback

Key to Zagat Ratings

Read Member Reviews of Hill Country

The Early Verdict: Kobe Club

BuzzEditor — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 17:37:00 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: Morandi

BuzzEditor — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 15:42:00 GMT

Morandi

211 Waverly Pl.
(Charles St.)
Manhattan, NY 10014
212-627-7575

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
19	18	19	$54

“Can’t-miss” Keith McNally does Italian for the first time at this “buzzy” new Village trattoria featuring the über-restaurateur’s usual transporting atmospherics – in this case, “Tuscan farmhouse” chic via weathered brick walls, wood plank floors and miles of Chianti bottles; behind the stoves, “ambitious” toque Jody Williams (ex Gusto) turns out an “inventive” seasonal menu that’s undeservedly “secondary to the scene.”

This review offers a preview of surveyors’ feedback

Key to Zagat Ratings

The Early Verdict: Provence

BuzzEditor — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:48:00 GMT

Provence

photo: Noah Kalina

Provence

38 MacDougal St.
(Prince St.)
Manhattan, NY 10012
212-475-7500

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
21	20	20	$57

SoHo Francophiles “feel the Mistral blowing” at this ever “charming” bistro that’s been “newly reopened” by the team behind Cookshop and Five Points; the “fine food”, “attractive” setting and all-weather garden room seem “better the second time around”, though word is it’s a “little pricier” now.

This review offers a preview of surveyors’ feedback

Key to Zagat Ratings

The Early Verdict: BLT Burger

BuzzEditor — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 14:46:00 GMT

BLT Burger

470 Sixth Ave.
(bet. 11th & 12th Sts.)
Manhattan, NY 10011
212-243-8226

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
19	15	17	$25

Laurent Tourondel’s BLT empire expands southward with the arrival of this “upscale” Village burger emporium, whose determinedly “nothing-fancy” decor and “distracted” service ensure that the focus remains on its signature item; though surveyors split on the patties – “tasty and juicy” vs. “skimpy” and “overrated” – there’s agreement on the “good prices”, “deafening music” and “long waits” for a table.

This review offers a preview of surveyors’ feedback

Key to Zagat Ratings

The Early Verdict: STK

BuzzEditor — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:53:00 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: 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: Porter House NY

BuzzEditor — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 17:01:00 GMT

Porter House New York

photo: Liz Borod Wright

Porter House New York

Time Warner Ctr.
10 Columbus Circle, 4th fl.
(60th St. at B'way)
Manhattan, NY 10019
212-823-9500

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
23	25	23	$92

The ever-evolving Time Warner Center is home to this new “cosmopolitan” steakhouse from Michael Lomonaco (ex Windows on the World), serving a “solid” American grill menu highlighting dry-aged prime beef and an extensive array of seafood; Jeffrey Beers’ “handsome”, Mission-esque design is just as cosseting as the food, and there’s a “nice buzz” in the bar area as well as “spectacular” Central Park views in the main room; as for the cost, it’s certainly “expensive”, but prices “aren’t out of line with other restaurants of this type.”

Based on ratings and comments from early visitors

Key to Zagat Ratings

The Early Verdict: L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

BuzzEditor — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 17:01:00 GMT

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Four Seasons Hotel
57 E. 57th St.
(bet. Madison & Park Aves.)
Manhattan, NY 10022
212-350-6658

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
27	25	26	$157

Top toque Joël Robuchon makes his “thrilling” NYC debut with this “sensational” New French cafe in the Four Seasons Hotel that turns out a “world-class”, pared-down menu emphasizing small plates and tasting options for “steep”, “comparable-to-Paris” tabs; the dining room features both sushi bar–like seating around an open kitchen as well as a handful of tables, but most agree that “sitting at the counter” to “watch the chefs at work” is “more memorable”; P.S. the “less crowded lunch” may be the “best time to go.”

Based on ratings and comments from early visitors

Key to Zagat Ratings

New York City : The Early Verdict

The Early Verdict: Tarry Lodge

18 Mill St. (Abendroth Ave.) Port Chester, NY 10573 914-939-3111

The Early Verdict: Perilla

Perilla

Photo: Noah Kalina

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

The Early Verdict: Hill Country

Hill Country

Photo: Noah Kalina

30 W. 26th St. (bet. B'way & 6th Ave.) 212-255-4544

The Early Verdict: Kobe Club

Kobe Club

Photo: Noah Kalina

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

The Early Verdict: Morandi

Morandi

211 Waverly Pl. (Charles St.) Manhattan, NY 10014 212-627-7575

The Early Verdict: Provence

Provence

photo: Noah Kalina

38 MacDougal St. (Prince St.) Manhattan, NY 10012 212-475-7500

The Early Verdict: BLT Burger

BLT Burger

470 Sixth Ave. (bet. 11th & 12th Sts.) Manhattan, NY 10011 212-243-8226

The Early Verdict: STK

STK

photo: Noah Kalina

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

The Early Verdict: Gordon Ramsay

Gordon Ramsay

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

The Early Verdict: Porter House NY

Porter House New York

photo: Liz Borod Wright

Time Warner Ctr. 10 Columbus Circle, 4th fl. (60th St. at B'way) Manhattan, NY 10019 212-823-9500

The Early Verdict: L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Four Seasons Hotel 57 E. 57th St. (bet. Madison & Park Aves.) Manhattan, NY 10022 212-350-6658

18 Mill St.
(Abendroth Ave.)
Port Chester, NY 10573
914-939-3111

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

30 W. 26th St.
(bet. B'way & 6th Ave.)
212-255-4544

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

211 Waverly Pl.
(Charles St.)
Manhattan, NY 10014
212-627-7575

38 MacDougal St.
(Prince St.)
Manhattan, NY 10012
212-475-7500

470 Sixth Ave.
(bet. 11th & 12th Sts.)
Manhattan, NY 10011
212-243-8226

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

Time Warner Ctr.
10 Columbus Circle, 4th fl.
(60th St. at B'way)
Manhattan, NY 10019
212-823-9500

Four Seasons Hotel
57 E. 57th St.
(bet. Madison & Park Aves.)
Manhattan, NY 10022
212-350-6658