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Per Se vs. Eleven Madison Park

hopkins_student

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My wife and I are planning a four day trip to New York in October. We're going to eat well while we're there, but we're planning on eating really well at least one night. Our thought is to do either Eleven Madison Park or Per Se. For background, we've been to The French Laundry and loved it, so I'm sure Per Se is a safe bet. What are your thoughts on how we should handle the situation?

Also, I think my parents might be there for a few nights and they're not quite as into haute cuisine as we are. Can anyone make any suggestions for a few really great places that do less adventurous cuisine? Thanks, H_S.
 

gdl203

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Per Se for sure. EMP is great but they're in different leagues altogether, food and service wise.
 

kwilkinson

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Originally Posted by gdl203
Per Se for sure. EMP is great but they're in different leagues altogether, food and service wise.

Don't let gomestar read this.
frown.gif
 

ter1413

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PS for sure...
 

alexg

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Originally Posted by gdl203
Per Se for sure. EMP is great but they're in different leagues altogether, food and service wise.

I'm not so sure. I'd say the service is different, but not necessarily better at either restaurant. Per Se is very unobtrusive and the service seems more rehearsed. Everything gets to your table exactly when it's supposed to, your water gets refilled without you noticing, it's pretty close to perfect. While EMP isn't far off from this level, they make up for any imperfections by being so friendly. I was there alone, and 4 or 5 different people came to check on me and make sure everything was alright and talk about the food/beer I was drinking. I'd still recommend Per Se for the sole reason that it's Per Se, but you're not going to go wrong at either restaurant. The sturgeon sabayon at EMP is still one of the best things I've ever eaten.
 

gomestar

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Originally Posted by kwilkinson
Don't let gomestar read this.
frown.gif


I don't disagree. Very different restaurants and a different scene. But it should be worth noting that it's also a different world price wise - the basic menu at EMP is like $100 a person, and the wine list is rather reasonable, while Per Se is $300 a person with no other options other than the bar. And Per Se's wine list is absolutely outrageous.

If I'm with friends and family, I'd prefer EMP, if I'm with somebody of importance, Per Se.
 

poorsod

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Blue Hill at Stone Barns tends to have simpler food and is also excellent.
 

Mark from Plano

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Originally Posted by gomestar
If I'm with friends and family, I'd prefer EMP, if I'm with somebody of importance, Per Se.

lol8[1].gif


Don't let your friends and family read this.
 

SpooPoker

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Originally Posted by gomestar
If I'm with friends and family, I'd prefer EMP, if I'm with somebody of importance, Per Se.

I absolutely agree with this.
 

Manton

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The Per Se wine list is a giant extended middle finger at the diner.
 

Manton

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Originally Posted by hopkins_student
? Please explain.

Horrendously overpriced. It's not only that there are no values; there are no non-insults to your intelligence.
 

hopkins_student

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Originally Posted by Manton
Horrendously overpriced. It's not only that there are no values; there are no non-insults to your intelligence.
I see. And is $90 corkage even within 2 SD of the mean in NYC?
 

JayJay

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Based on my dining at both, I'd recommend Per Se.
 

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