Yet another very bad, but very funny, NYTimes review, this one by Bruni, of restaurant Ninja. The restaurant was apparently was not harmed by the review; it remains open 7 years later:

http://events.nytimes.com/2005/10/26...rest.html?_r=0

"Well I must say - I completely get what Patrick is saying."

Thanks, Tom, for understanding. But I realize there are many New Yorkers who will never understand why people from other places seek out the "busiest" and most "over the top" that New York City offers. They really don't understand why we wouldn't want to seek out the subdued, quiet, or the places most like what we have at home. When someone says, "oh there's a great little Thai restaurant in a quiet neighborhood in NYC" I think "then why don't I just stay home in Lambertville and eat at one of our great little Thai restaurants?". I am likely to seek out what I can't duplicate at home. It seems odd that this happens more with New Yorkers than people in other tourist destinations. I can't imagine locals in Las Vegas saying, "avoid the Strip. Vegas has nicer areas" or people in Miami saying "don't go to South Beach, there are prettier little neighborhoods away from all those crowds at the beach". Of course, the locals may not spend all their time at those places, but at least they usually understand why visitors would want to spend time there, because for most people, those things ARE indicative of those cities.

But there are plenty of people that will seek out out-of-the-way places that are noted for great food. These are not necessarily in quiet areas, and they are not necessarily quiet restaurants.

I had (a fantastic) lunch at Mission Chinese in the Lower East Side this week. It may have been far from Times Square, but the tiny dining room was certainly not quiet, nor was it anything like what most people would find in a Chinese restaurant in their home city. Almost every evening, there is a line of people waiting to get a table. I would imagine that many of these people are not locals.


I was in Vegas for 3 nights about a year or so ago. I ate no meals on the Strip, but I did have two dinners (so two out of my three dinners in Vegas) at one of the best Thai restaurants I've ever visited. (Lotus of Siam--Not subdued, and far from unkown).

People that love the Food Network shows, and fans of big, boisterous chain restaurants, will flock to Guy Fieri. I'm pretty sure that the drinks will drive the business, not the food.

<<But there are plenty of people that will seek out out-of-the-way places that are noted for great food. These are not necessarily in quiet areas, and they are not necessarily quiet restaurants.>>

I don't think Patrick is saying there are not such people. Good for you that you went to Las Vegas and didn't eat one meal on the Strip. That obviously works for you but it doesn't mean it is the "right" way to do things for everyone. I have been to Las Vegas too many times to count and I don't think I have ever eaten off the Strip and have also had some very good meals. On the other hand, a restaurant like Guy Fieri's wouldn't interest me. Different strokes.

"But there are plenty of people that will seek out out-of-the-way places that are noted for great food. These are not necessarily in quiet areas, and they are not necessarily quiet restaurants."

Surely this was not meant to relate to anything I said? Because clearly it doesn't! Talk about missing the entire point of a post!

Well Patrick, I totally agree with your 9:45AM post.
It is SO spot on.
:-)

Patrick: I merely picked up one point from your post and meant to illustrate, with my own post, that there are many tourists who want to seek out places that are different from those they have at home. But being different does not necessarily mean places like the big, brash chain places in TS. I have no bone to pick with you and no desire to get into any kind of dispute, so will leave it at that.

Tom: Agree with you: that there is no "right" way to eat for everyone.

I was amued yesterday to see that there was a line stretching about a half block in length to get into John's pizza on Bleecker Street. Most of the people on said linen appeared to be tourists, or at least that was my take from a quick look. Across the street, there was no wait, and several empty tables, at Keste, which is a local favorite for great pizza. Not making any point with these observations, just making an....observation.

Guy Fieri is form he Sacto, CA area and wen to a local school which he supports reguarly. He also often visits Sacto on his DDD show. A very positive article appeared in the Sacto Bee regarding Guy:

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/17/499...fieri-has.html