Restaurants Thread

[MU82]

Is elite Custard better than elite Gelato?  I have some doubts. 

Yes. For one thing, you get more than 3 oz of Leon's for less than $8.

[Scoop Snoop]

Link, please.

Mike, this was a classic Muggsy response. Rather than asking "how do you get it opened?", he doubles down and then doubles down again because he MUST defend his statement. It is a plastic container, so you can turn it upside down and whack it hard on your kitchen counter to break the seal without risking broken glass. Of course, having "elite" power in my wrist greater than Muggsy's helps quite a bit.

We bought a jar opening device on Amazon and I no longer bother opening containers without it because it is SO much easier. I used it yesterday to open a vacuum sealed glass jar of Trader Joe's unsweetened applesauce. It's really good!

[cheebs09]

....how did Muggsy develop that elite wrist strength?

[MuggsyB]

....how did Muggsy develop that elite wrist strength?

Tennis, hockey, weights to name a few reasons.  My hands are gold and incredibly strong.  This is just absurd diminutive citizen bias. 

[MuggsyB]

....how did Muggsy develop that elite wrist strength?

Tennis, hockey, weights to name a few reasons.  My hands are gold and incredible strong.  This is just absurd diminutive citizen bias. 

Mike, this was a classic Muggsy response. Rather than asking "how do you get it opened?", he doubles down and then doubles down again because he MUST defend his statement. It is a plastic container, so you can turn it upside down and whack it hard on your kitchen counter to break the seal without risking broken glass. Of course, having "elite" power in my wrist greater than Muggsy's helps quite a bit.

We bought a jar opening device on Amazon and I no longer bother opening containers without it because it is SO much easier. I used it yesterday to open a vacuum sealed glass jar of Trader Joe's unsweetened applesauce. It's really good!

Muggsy understands which kitchen items are vital and those that are dumb.  He understands the value of a dollar.  I can open everything but Talenti. 

[MuggsyB]

Applesauce is also a problem.  Yuck. 

[Scoop Snoop]

Tennis, hockey, weights to name a few reasons.  My hands are gold and incredible strong.  This is just absurd diminutive citizen bias. 
Muggsy understands which kitchen items are vital and those that are dumb.  He understands the value of a dollar.  I can open everything but Talenti. 

     

Does Muggsy also understand what referring to yourself in the 3rd person reveals about a person? I doubt it.

[wadesworld]

Mike, this was a classic Muggsy response. Rather than asking "how do you get it opened?", he doubles down and then doubles down again because he MUST defend his statement. It is a plastic container, so you can turn it upside down and whack it hard on your kitchen counter to break the seal without risking broken glass. Of course, having "elite" power in my wrist greater than Muggsy's helps quite a bit.

We bought a jar opening device on Amazon and I no longer bother opening containers without it because it is SO much easier. I used it yesterday to open a vacuum sealed glass jar of Trader Joe's unsweetened applesauce. It's really good!

Who the hell eats unsweetened applesauce?

[The Sultan]

Who the hell eats unsweetened applesauce?

Me. It's naturally sweet to begin with. Adding extra sweeteners makes it way too sweet.

[Scoop Snoop]

Me. It's naturally sweet to begin with. Adding extra sweeteners makes it way too sweet.

Yep. I bought it while working with a restricted diet after dental surgery.

[MuggsyB]

Me. It's naturally sweet to begin with. Adding extra sweeteners makes it way too sweet.

It's a complete and utter disaster.  Sorry for your troubles.  I will now be more sympathetic to your posts. 

[Hards Alumni]

Who the hell eats unsweetened applesauce?

Me. 

[JakeBarnes]

Time to bump.

Everything is getting dark early and I try to make life more bearable by eating at good joints.

Looking forward to Cassis opening as I am a fan of Birch.

3rd coast provisions has an amazing happy hour lately that I will be utilizing for weeknight games in Milwaukee.

Haven't hit many new Chicago spots lately. Kinda stuck in a rut. That said, Doña Tola has been a go-to for the past few months. 

[MU82]

3rd coast provisions has an amazing happy hour lately that I will be utilizing for weeknight games in Milwaukee.

Just looked at the menu. Nice! Thanks for the recommendation.

[21Jumpstreet]

Alinea loses a Michelin star. Whether you believe in the merit of the guide or its relevance today, Alinea being at the top of the game for so long is quite the accomplishment.

[JWags85]

Alinea loses a Michelin star. Whether you believe in the merit of the guide or its relevance today, Alinea being at the top of the game for so long is quite the accomplishment.

Only US restaurant outside of NYC and the French Laundry to hold 3 stars over a decade.  I'd argue it's even more impressive given the daring and off the wall way they have always taken to menu creation.  Plus there is absolutely an NYC bias/snobbery to Michelin rankings IMO

I've been lucky enough to eat at Alinea twice and once each at Le Bernadin and Per Se.  Eating at a really nice, well reviewed restaurant compared to Le Bernadin/Per Se is like riding in a 7 Series/S Class versus riding in a Bentley or Rolls.  Comparing that to Alinea or El Bulli or Noma is like riding in a S Class versus a hovercraft or the Batmobile.

It's a hot take, but I think at this point Per Se and Le Bernadin are very overrated.  Le Bernadin, honestly, to me is a boring restaurant.  It's a pretty static menu of classic dishes executed with absolute laser precision and perfection.  But unless you're a food critic or food snob, it's not going to stun you compared to other great seafood restaurants or dishes.  I enjoyed my meal there but it wouldn't even begin to sniff the top 25 meals I've had in my life (and those aren't 25 meals at bougie notable restaurants). 

Per Se is resting on laurels and Thomas Keller's name and reputation and French Laundry aura. Its stuffy, it doesn't feel like any meaningful attempt at a memorable experience, an overall "we're amazing and you know it" sort of vibe that isn't fully supported by the total offering.  But like Le Bernadin, I don't think they will ever lose the 3 stars short of Keller or Ripert passing away.  I will give Eleven Madison Park credit for changing things up and trying new angles.  I had zero interest in spending EMP prices on a vegan menu but I respected the effort and ingenuity.  And Masa is just a genius and that restaurant is a hospitality marvel.
 

[21Jumpstreet]

Only US restaurant outside of NYC and the French Laundry to hold 3 stars over a decade.  I'd argue it's even more impressive given the daring and off the wall way they have always taken to menu creation.  Plus there is absolutely an NYC bias/snobbery to Michelin rankings IMO

I've been lucky enough to eat at Alinea twice and once each at Le Bernadin and Per Se.  Eating at a really nice, well reviewed restaurant compared to Le Bernadin/Per Se is like riding in a 7 Series/S Class versus riding in a Bentley or Rolls.  Comparing that to Alinea or El Bulli or Noma is like riding in a S Class versus a hovercraft or the Batmobile.

It's a hot take, but I think at this point Per Se and Le Bernadin are very overrated.  Le Bernadin, honestly, to me is a boring restaurant.  It's a pretty static menu of classic dishes executed with absolute laser precision and perfection.  But unless you're a food critic or food snob, it's not going to stun you compared to other great seafood restaurants or dishes.  I enjoyed my meal there but it wouldn't even begin to sniff the top 25 meals I've had in my life (and those aren't 25 meals at bougie notable restaurants). 

Per Se is resting on laurels and Thomas Keller's name and reputation and French Laundry aura. Its stuffy, it doesn't feel like any meaningful attempt at a memorable experience, an overall "we're amazing and you know it" sort of vibe that isn't fully supported by the total offering.  But like Le Bernadin, I don't think they will ever lose the 3 stars short of Keller or Ripert passing away.  I will give Eleven Madison Park credit for changing things up and trying new angles.  I had zero interest in spending EMP prices on a vegan menu but I respected the effort and ingenuity.  And Masa is just a genius and that restaurant is a hospitality marvel.
 

Interestingly, pretty sure Masa also lost its third star. Per Se has been up and down for a bit, but Keller is arguably the most influential American chef. I was just out in CA wine country and tried to hit French Laundry and Single Thread, but couldn't swing it this time around. Never eaten at Le Bernadin, and I'm pretty sure my fondness for Chef Ripert comes from my adoration of Chef Bourdain. They had such a close friendship. Anyway, Smyth stays at three stars, so Chicago still has a presence. Happy eating!

Edit to add: huge fan of EMP's choice to go Vegan, I absolutely would have paid for that, but I LOVE vegetables. Not surprised they went back to meat.