22 replies to this topic

[crazeegirl]

My wedding anniversary is coming up in August...after going back and forth whether to go to Maestro or Citronelle...I got reservations at Per Se in New York. I hope Per Se lives up to its reputation. I still have reservations for Maestro that I have not cancelled yet...I shouldn't forgo the Per Se experience, right?

[bilrus]

My wedding anniversary is coming up in August...after going back and forth whether to go to Maestro or Citronelle...I got reservations at Per Se in New York. I hope Per Se lives up to its reputation. I still have reservations for Maestro that I have not cancelled yet...I shouldn't forgo the Per Se experience, right?

If you've got the reservations - go to Per Se. We went for our anniversary last year and loved it. This is the one meal that I'd rank above the one I had at Maestro for this year's anniversary.

But when you're talking about places at this level, sometimes ranking them doesn't do them justice. They all do what they do well.

My one word of advice. Don't go into your meal at Per Se, or any of these places for that matter, with unreasonable expectations. I think I did that at French Laundry and came away a little disappointed (well, that and my Taylor's Refresher meal you read about on the other thread). But at Per Se I knew what to expect and it exceeded my expectations.

No meal is going to be perfect - just let the overall effect take you over and you'll be happy.

[crazeegirl]

Did you do the tasting menu + wine tasting? Or should I just order wine by the bottle?

[bilrus]

Did you do the tasting menu + wine tasting? Or should I just order wine by the bottle?

I had the Chef's Tasting menu while my wife had the Vegetable Tasting menu - a nice way to be able to try more dishes without a fuss. And several of the Vegetable dishes were highlights of the evening. We each had the wine pairing, with different wines paired with the various courses.

It is a lot of wine - I am a big guy and not exactly a lightweight and I was feeling a little silly by the end of the evening. But I've always enjoyed having wines paired with my courses to enhance the food and to try new things. My wife prefers getting something she's sure she'll like to have throughout the evening.

[Keithstg]

I had the Chef's Tasting menu while my wife had the Vegetable Tasting menu - a nice way to be able to try more dishes without a fuss. And several of the Vegetable dishes were highlights of the evening. We each had the wine pairing, with different wines paired with the various courses.

It is a lot of wine - I am a big guy and not exactly a lightweight and I was feeling a little silly by the end of the evening. But I've always enjoyed having wines paired with my courses to enhance the food and to try new things. My wife prefers getting something she's sure she'll like to have throughout the evening.

Just to echo Bill's comments - Per Se is well worth the trip. I've been three times since it opened (once for business, twice for fun), and really recommend it. The wine pairings are a good idea, and I think the tasting menus are a must. My wife and I each had the Chef's tasting menus, although they did bring us different dishes at some points, which was a nice touch as we were able to taste some things off each other's plate.

If you ask, you may be allowed to tour the kitchen area after service, which was neat.

[crazeegirl]

We each had the wine pairing, with different wines paired with the various courses.

When I was there early August, the sommelier said that they did not have wine pairings. We went with his recommendations, and started with champagne, a 1/2 bottle white from "beverly hills" and a bottle of pinot noir.

[DLB]

I am planning ahead, and would like to treat my wife to per se for her 30th birthday. We would like to go OCT 27th, 28, or 29th. Does anyone have any good tips on how to get a reservation. I am prepared to be on the phone for an hour starting Aug 27th

[Hannah]

Per Se reservations? Redial, redial and more redial. If you can do it on two phones or with two people, it ups your chances.

[Pete]

Scalini Fedeli has a new (opened about a year ago) restaurant called Piano Due http://www.pianoduenyc.com/site.htm Has anyone been there?

Also, for those who have raved about Per Se I HAD a reservation for six for late January. I just found out the prix fixe is now $250. Remembering how expensive the wine list was at the French Laundry I am assuming that wine will run at least $100 per bottle and all six of us drink. Some a lot! With wine (4 @100 + other drinks), tax (10% or so in NY) and tip that will total out about $2,500-2,600 for dinner. I just cancelled. I'll go back with my wife and invest $800 or so for the both of us. I have personal resistance to $250 prix fixe and over priced wine lists.

Maestro and Citronelle now seem like absolute bargains.

FYI, I believe that Per Se includes the tip in their prix fixe.

[Keithstg]

FYI, I believe that Per Se includes the tip in their prix fixe.

That is correct.

[bilrus]

I just found out the prix fixe is now $250.

The website still says it is $210. Did they just make this change?

[Joe H]

I was quoted $250 per person and told that this amount (defined as the "prix fixe") would be charged to my credit card if we were no shows. Additionally, if we cancelled within 48 hours I would be charged $150 per person. Both of these were from American Express concierge who made the reservation for me. Bill, I just looked at the website and it does say $210 for "all menus." I have to wonder if the website has not been updated because I confirmed the number (I was really surprised!) with American Express. It is possible that they made a mistake but it seems unlikely since that is the amount I was told they would charge my card. I also suppose it is possible that they are charging an amount MORE than the actual prix fixe amount. If the later is true it seems to me to be outrageous! I suspect this has become a case of how much can we get for our meal? Robuchon at the Mansion in Vegas is prix fixe $350. In Europe Jean Veyrat charges Euro 350 (about $475 prix fixe) which, to the best of my knowledge is the highest of anyone.

[Keithstg]

I was quoted $250 per person and told that this amount (defined as the "prix fixe") would be charged to my credit card if we were no shows. Additionally, if we cancelled within 48 hours I would be charged $150 per person.

Per Se only has 16 tables, and is probably still the hottest reservation in New York. Do you think that the no-show charge is excessive?

Per Se is expensive, no doubt. While I haven't been to Robuchon at the Mansion, or Guy Savoy (in Vegas) yet, my gut feeling is that $250 is better spent at Per Se, and the wine markups will be lower. Per Se also will accept corkage....

[Sthitch]

I was quoted $250 per person and told that this amount (defined as the "prix fixe") would be charged to my credit card if we were no shows. Additionally, if we cancelled within 48 hours I would be charged $150 per person.

I made reservations for lunch on a Sunday in February, and was told that no shows and cancellations made less than 48 hours before the meal would be $150 per person, and the hold message for Per Se quotes $210 per person including gratuity.

[dinwiddie]

Per Se also will accept corkage....

Yes, but it is $90 per bottle.

[Keithstg]

Yes, but it is $90 per bottle.

Yep, and the bottle may not be on their list. While this is no deal, it does beat paying some of the mark-ups, especially on their bordeaux selections.

[qwertyy]

Getting lunch reservations at Per Se for a special occasion during a quick trip to New York is luck. Sitting down at Per Se and having the sommelier approach you and say, "The chef would like to cook a special meal for you. Is that acceptable or would you prefer to order from the menu?" is the grace of God.

It also makes me want to reconsider my career in government and follow my brother's footsteps in the restaurant biz because he clearly has better connections.

Twenty courses, ten wine pairings, and four-and-a-half hours later, my brother and I were giggling like schoolchildren. A table for two nearly as large as my bedroom, a view of Columbus Circle and Central Park, and impeccable service didn't hurt. Every dish was a visual masterpiece that capitalized on the best of ingredients treated with the best of European and Asian technique. Among my absolute favorites (and I have to say "absolute" because we're really splitting hairs here) were:

"Tartare" of Kindai Bluefin Tuna
Grilled "Pain de Campagne," Summer Vegetables "Cuits et Crus," and Summer Vegetable Consomme

White Truffle Oil-Infused Custard
With "Ragout" of Perigord Truffles

Pan-Roasted Maine Sea Scallop
Summer Truffles, Warm New Crop Potato Salad, Watercress and "Pomme Mousseline"

Blueberry Sorbet
Cornmeal "Financier," Macerated Blueberries and Vanilla-Scented Yogurt

The wine pairings were inspired, with the showstopper being Copain Pinot Noir "Tous Ensemble," Anderson Valley 2006, matched with roasted squab, apricots, and glazed sunchokes.

The was one small miss with the fois gras "peach melba," which neither brother nor I finished, despite the fact that foie is his favorite thing in the world (aside from his sister of course), but we're just talking degrees here, and we just made the judgment call to keep that space in our bellies open for successive courses.

Truly, the entire experience was stunning. I consider myself lucky to have been able to eat at Cyrus, Arzak, Komi, Citronelle, the Inn at Little Washington, and other extraordinary houses in the last few years, but this edged to the top of that list. Stunning.

Two people, lunch: $940. And it was worth it. I'll be rattling my tin cup for change on the corner of 18th and Columbia for the next few months, but I'll be smiling.

[Walrus]

You have no idea how jealous I am! It seems like every time I make it up to NYC, Per Se is clooooooooosed! Some day...

[jpschust]

First trip to Manhattan since BLBaby was born. Alone!!!! One dinner free. Meeting a friend for dinner on election night. Cocktails will be important. Before, after and during dinner. Mr. BLB will be texting me as results come in. Price not a huge factor. Totally not interested in WD-50. Not going to spend a day on the phone trying to get into Per See. Staying near Park 28th and Park.


I've loved Hearth, liked Babbo a lot and L'Imperio remains in my memory as one darn perfect meal. But I want to try something new.

Eleven Madison Park seems the obvious choice. Right?

Am I missing something?

Thanks!

If you do want to go to Per Se I'd call the day before and throw your name on a list and be flexible with the time- it's very very likely that you'll get a table

[mtpleasanteater]

This will come off as a sarcastic response but in all seriousness Per Se's lounge is very good, and is definitely walkable.

[RWBooneJr.]

I just noticed that Per Se is listed on Open Table and they actually have tables, albeit only 4-tops at slightly odd hours. I also noticed that the tasting menu is now $295. Anyone been lately? And how hard is it to get a seat in the salon?

[Joe H]

Just an observation: $295 prix fixe + wine + tax + 20% tip can equal $900-1,000 for two people for dinner. I'm not surprised that a four top is available.

[RWBooneJr.]

Service is included, but point taken. It's still a damned expensive dinner.