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Thoughts on Per Se Restaurant- NYC

post #1 of 41
10/31/07 at 4:04pm
Thread Starter 
Invited out to dinner by an acquaintance for a 9 course dinner engagement. Frankly, I am a light (and exceedingly picky) eater, though it was a generous offer for him. Have you frequented Per Se, and what are your thoughts on the menu and atmosphere?
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post #2 of 41
10/31/07 at 7:33pm
It's a Thomas Keller "chain". The tasting menu, the 9 course event you are going to, is great. Just enjoy.
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post #3 of 41
10/31/07 at 7:41pm
The food is very well-executed but in my opinion is a bit boring. The room is quite spacious and the atmosphere is conducive to tuning out the city for three hours plus. If you are really that picky, the fixed menu could be a problem. As for not having a large appetite, not to worry. It is not as much food as it may seem. They wine list is excellent, including some gems by the glass.
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post #4 of 41
10/31/07 at 9:58pm
Can't tell if you are a foodie or not. If the latter, don't go.
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post #5 of 41
11/5/07 at 1:23am
I'm going to guess a person who lives in NYC and has not heard of Per Se and/or considers himself a "picky" eater is NOT a foodie. Perhaps if the OP will close his eyes and try everything he's given he will be converted. Keller's restaurants are a Mecca for food in America, along with such luminaries as Alinea, The Inn at Little Washington and Chez Panisse. To decline an invitation or to refuse to taste something there would be regrettable. I say go for it.
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post #6 of 41
11/5/07 at 1:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sygyzy View Post
Can't tell if you are a foodie or not. If the latter, don't go.

Huh? Why would you say that? It's Per Se, not wd-50. No need to be a "foodie" - whatever that means - to appreciate exceptional food and superlative service...

Per Se is a fantastic dining experience. Make sure you budget accordingly on (a) money, (b) time and (c) appetite. Just go with the flow and enjoy, I cannot imagine how anyone would not like the food. I could understand how someone would not like spending 3+ hours at a dinner table though.
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post #7 of 41
11/5/07 at 1:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by karensaw View Post
Invited out to dinner by an acquaintance for a 9 course dinner engagement. Frankly, I am a light (and exceedingly picky) eater, though it was a generous offer for him. Have you frequented Per Se, and what are your thoughts on the menu and atmosphere?

I dont think yo being a light eater is going to be a problem. The courses are not too large. I have not been to Per Se or the French Laundry however I met Thomas Keller when I was in LV at one point. My old roomate from hs owns a truffle company and knows him personally. He's an amazing cook and is absolutely nuts about the quality of products being used in any one his kitchens. When buying truffles from my old roomate, it seemed like a drug deal. He laid some out on the table in the kitchen and Keller only kept the best (this was out of what my friend thought were the best hes seen) Keller told my roomate to only call him when he has the best hes ever seen. Food is great and reservations are not too easy to get so I would not pass this up.
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post #8 of 41
11/5/07 at 1:37am
You will be full. Not 9 large courses, but they do add up...

One thing you have to try is their gin & tonic. It is maybe the best you will ever taste. Fantastic drink. I think they make their own tonic water or whatever...
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post #9 of 41
11/5/07 at 1:44am
^^ How much does it end up costing per person ball park. 300-400 per person? I would love to go but being a college student its hard to find people willing to spend that much money on food. I would do it in a heartbeat though. I am planning on to go the French Laundry sometime in the future with my old roomate. Kellers invited him several times..
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post #10 of 41
11/5/07 at 10:07am
The menu is $250 (I think...last time I looked was about a month ago). So $500 for you and your best girl, plus $100 for a bottle of wine. $600. Now, I thought that the menu said service was included in the $250; but, if not tack on another20% to that.

GDL...have you been to wd-50? None of my friends will go and spend that much when half of the things on the 10 course tasting might be disgusting. I'll either have to go it alone or take my BF since I will of course pay for him to go.
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post #11 of 41
11/5/07 at 10:39am
I did go to wd-50. Some hardcore "foodie" friends visiting from Seattle wanted to go there. 4 out of 4 of us were disappointed. Some of the food was great, a lot of it was just a gimmick though, and some of it was just bad. But above all, service was simply unacceptable for a restaurant of that league and price point. Seated nearly an hour late on our reservation, drinks while waiting were not comped (nothing was), amateur waiters... Not a great show.

I know that people are pretty divided on this restaurant (roughly 50/50 from my experience) but bad service pushed us to the "thumbs down" camp
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post #12 of 41
11/5/07 at 10:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoRon View Post
I'm going to guess a person who lives in NYC and has not heard of Per Se and/or considers himself a "picky" eater is NOT a foodie. Perhaps if the OP will close his eyes and try everything he's given he will be converted.

Keller's restaurants are a Mecca for food in America, along with such luminaries as Alinea, The Inn at Little Washington and Chez Panisse. To decline an invitation or to refuse to taste something there would be regrettable. I say go for it.

Chez Panisse isn't a Keller restaurant.
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post #13 of 41
11/5/07 at 11:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stax View Post
Chez Panisse isn't a Keller restaurant.
Neither are Alinea or The Inn. I think you misread the sentence
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post #14 of 41
11/5/07 at 11:44am
That's what I was worried about...I didn't want to spend $300 AND get that LES/Hipster attitude from some server.

Maybe I'll wait until I rack up a few more OpenTable points for the $100 dining check.
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post #15 of 41
11/5/07 at 11:48am
Honestly, you may end up absolutely loving it. I don't regret going, although I wouldn't go back. I'm not sure I'm really into high-tech molecular cuisine after all...
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