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I’ve always been a big fan of Top Chef and other cooking shows, and I finally got to go to a classy fine-dining place (Eleven Madison Park) in NYC this past February. This was pretty much up there with going to my first Lakers game or seeing Pete Sampras playing at the UCLA courts while I was walking back from class. (It was, however, significantly more expensive than either of those). I’m sure if I ever get to see live Starcraft it will be the same feeling. It’s been a bit too long for me to do a really detailed trip report, but I thought I would relive some good times and maybe some of you guys who’ve never gone will find it helpful. Some things I learned and experienced:
1. It will cost you an arm and a leg. Well, you probably could have guessed this right off the bat, right? The Valentine’s Day 5-course tasting menu was $130/person for dinner. Wine is of course more. We didn’t splurge and go with the 8-course menu for $180. It goes without saying that it was by far the most expensive meal ever experienced by this starving student.
2. During your time there, it will be worth every penny. What do you get in return? Utter and complete devotion from the staff. A confirmation call from the restaurant the day before. Incredible professionalism in the service. And the food, of course. If you can be bothered to notice, you will realize that the timing and execution of every single course is impeccable. Every dish seems to arrive at the perfect time and looks exquisitely beautiful. The waiter will introduce each course; your water glass never goes past half full; there was a guy whose (as far as I could tell) major responsibility was to inconspicuously scoop bread crumbs off our table.
3. The food tastes even better if you know something about it. Ok, this is where my years of watching TV finally paid off. My advice, if you’ve never gone, is to do some decent research about the restaurant and the food. Check out the menu. Look up all those crazy French words. For an easy and fun read, check out Anthony Bourdain’s book, Kitchen Confidential (or at the very least read the section about what separates the pros from the amateurs). It’s just like how concerts are always better when you know more songs.
4. Relax while you’re there and don’t be afraid to ask. You shouldn’t be lax in some things, e.g. dress well if it says jacket required and be on time. But once you’re there, just remember that you are going to be footing the bill at the end of the night. I was pretty stiff and nervous for a while. Things got a little better when the couple right next to us spilled wine rather embarrassingly and ungracefully. Nothing like that to take the pressure off, right? Back to the original point, don’t be afraid to ask about anything you don’t understand or are just curious about. The waiters may act formally (or not), but they’re all very knowledgeable and very willing to share.
5. There is more than meets the eye. On the menu, that is. You might not think 5 courses is much food. At these places, however, it’s all about the “freebies.” The bread/butter basket (although varied and delicious) was expected. However, we also got a hors d'œuvre platter (five kinds two each), a gougère basket (the best cheese puffs you’ll ever have), and a very spiffy looking box of chewy exotic-flavored candies, probably a Valentine’s day special. If you’re an average eater, you will be very full at the end of the night.
6. Remember what you ate! I really wish I had gotten a copy of the tasting menu, as memories fade fast and menus at these places are always changing with the seasons and trends and whimsical inspirations of the executive chef. Sadly, I can only recall bits and pieces. The 1st course was diver scallop with black truffle. I’ve always heard black truffle described as “earthy” and “pungent.” After tasting it I would agree that those descriptions are decent, but really it’s just a very unique (and alluring) taste that you’ve probably never come across before. The scallop was of course perfectly seared on the outside and luscious on the inside. The 2nd course was an artichoke dish with bacon and tomatoes. Surprisingly tasty, although not as memorable now, almost 6 months later. 3rd course was an exquisite seared fish course with an amazingly light citrus sauce. I thought this one was lick-your-plate good. 4th/main course was lamb, potatoes, and veal sweetbreads. Sweetbreads are the thymus glands of various animals, which sounds disgusting. However, they are quite popular in fine dining. I understand that there is a bit of an ongoing crusade in these circles to make “leftover” and “unwanted” parts delicious. I have to say it took me a while to “acquire” the taste, so to speak. But now I’d really like to try them again. I’m not even going to try to describe the taste, although I believe it works well with Asian flavors.
That about does it. I'm definitely going again when the time is right.
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I'm hungry.
and Yes, good cooking is a luxury every human should enjoy and experience at least once.
I experienced, tried and loved it the time I had in the Legend of the Seas (the Royal Caribbean Cruise, brag time mother fuckers!).
It was by the time of christmass, and everything was so great placed, the attention is amazing, and you really get to appreciate what these people do for a living (I'm thinking of taking a chef course, I love cooking, and I love trying new ingredients in normal stuff).
So yes, I loved your entry!.
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MAN BLOGS ABOUT FOOD ARE JUST SO EXCRUCIATINGLY MOUTH-WATERING TO READ.
/envy
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cool =]
the only nice restaurant i've been to is the French Laundry in Napa Valley. $240 tasting menu + wine pairing = ridiculous $_$
edit: menu -- http://www.tkrg.org/upload/fl_menu.pdf
sadly, i don't remember exactly what i had since none of the stuff on the menu seems familiar, but i do remember i had the foie gras haha
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17008 Posts
Oh wow. Nice experience 
Me and some friends went to go eat at the golf club on campus last year and the bill was 600$ including 238$ spent on steak T_T
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I kind of dislike places like that. Now I have no doubt they serve great food (as well they should for that kind of money), but I just dislike the general public, who are usually upper class snotty too-good-for-everyone-else middle-aged couples.
Maybe it's luxury everyone should try at least once, but only once. Utilitarianism must triumph 
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That sounds awfully delicious. ):
$130 sounds completely absurd, though. The most expensive restaurant I've eaten at costed me like $80 for both me and my date...I can't imagine paying even more than that for just ONE person, lol, fuck.
Definitely sounds like something worth trying at least once in your life, though.
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I took my ex to the Gordon Ramsay au Trianon for our 1 year anniversary. (http://www.gordonramsay.com/grautrianon/)
All together it cost 375e -_- that was waaay more then I was prepared to spend because I didn't anticipate the champagne and wine costs. 
Anyway, it was a good experience despite being expensive and not being able to really "appreciate" the food. Half way through the salmon sorbet with caviar I was wishing for a good hearty burger ^^. Weird dish of the night? A pear dessert with pop rocks underneath.
Like the OP, I was really impressed with the service and I wish I would have gotten a copy of the tasting menu.
EDIT:
A tip of my own: Ask to see the kitchen! As we were paying the bill, I jokingly asked and they gave me a short tour and introduced me to the head chef. I was really impressed!
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One more tip I've yet to take advantage of myself: Big cities like NYC and LA have this thing called Restaurant Week. According to wiki it runs twice a year. Basically, they have a specialized tasting menu for a fraction of what it usually costs (something like $20 for lunch and 30-40 for dinner if available I think). If you make reservations for any time that week, you're in the money. I've heard that the quality of food isn't quite as good as usual, but it's still fine dining and a great way to experience it for the first time since I'm sure they expect tons of noobs to go.
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Valhalla18444 Posts
I’ve always been a big fan of Top Chef and other cooking shows, and I finally got to go to a classy fine-dining place (Eleven Madison Park) in NYC this past February. This was pretty much up there with going to my first Lakers game or seeing Pete Sampras playing at the UCLA courts while I was walking back from class. (It was, however, significantly more expensive than either of those). I’m sure if I ever get to see live Starcraft it will be the same feeling.
i love this site and this game so much because of statements like this
that said, as someone who basically grew up in the kitchen due to having a mother well-versed and exceptionally skilled in this area, i know the pleasures of fine dining, and it is always, ALWAYS worth the money spent. It literally doesn't matter what the pricetag is if you go somewhere reputable, because what you get overall WILL be worth it
the creation of edible dishes is an art form, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. i wish i was well off enough to eat like that every day
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Valhalla18444 Posts
On August 05 2009 16:50 Robodude wrote:I took my ex to the Gordon Ramsay au Trianon for our 1 year anniversary. ( http://www.gordonramsay.com/grautrianon/) All together it cost 375e -_- that was waaay more then I was prepared to spend because I didn't anticipate the champagne and wine costs. Anyway, it was a good experience despite being expensive and not being able to really "appreciate" the food. Half way through the salmon sorbet with caviar I was wishing for a good hearty burger ^^. Weird dish of the night? A pear dessert with pop rocks underneath. Like the OP, I was really impressed with the service and I wish I would have gotten a copy of the tasting menu. EDIT: A tip of my own: Ask to see the kitchen! As we were paying the bill, I jokingly asked and they gave me a short tour and introduced me to the head chef. I was really impressed!
true fine dining is somewhat of an acquired taste. i would KILL for a salmon sorbet up to gordon ramsay's standards, but a few years ago, i'd think the same thing as you it's about time for a huge burger where's the gravy for these wicked steakhouse-style fries
you kinda have to build up the appreciation for finer foods (or have the upbringing i had hahaha, we were fuckin destitute sometimes but my mother is a goddamned student of the art) but once you do, there is no greater pleasure that i've found. yes, that includes carnal pleasures.
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EPT
