NYC - One if by Land
 

I just saw on their website that they are offering Sunday brunch for $35 per couple. I'm not sure how long it will be offered but if you're going to be here soon, that's a great deal. www.oneifbyland.com to see the menu. I'm going for the first time this Friday and I can't wait!

For most NY'ers this is similar to Tavern On The Green. Very few I know have gone amd the few that have did not like it. Yes it is a romantic setting on a quaint block but it does not have a good reputation.

i couldn't possibly disagree with you more aduchmap. i had literally the most special meal of my life when i was there, and in all my years in new york, never heard 1 bad word about it, and it couldn't be further from tavern on the green, which is a "scene/touristy" place not a "foodie" place.

Well since I have my trusty NY Zagat right in front of me (aka the NY Foodie Bible) - let's compare (out of 30):

One if by land:
Food: 23
Decor: 27
Service: 24

Tavern:
Food: 14
Decor: 24
Service: 16

I think that speaks for itself.

This brings into view another question and that of usefullness of Zagat's.

If you look at the most visited restaurants they are the middle to more expensive and known restaurants. Ambience sems to have disproportionate importance.

For example Tao gets a 22 and the food there, we only went once, was unacceptable.

Casa Mono gets a 25 and is no where the best tapas place in the city.

Lupa gets a 25, we have eaten there 2 or three times and do not get it.

City Bakery where they truly know make croissants, scones, and pies only gets a 21. It is nosiy, crowded, and self service.

Even though Zagat's is more egalitarian than most, the dinners are clearly more wealthy than most and it seems they care more about trends, comfority, chefs, and atmosphere than the food.

We have voted every year for I do not remember how many years, but we specialize in good expensive restaurants which to get short shrift.

I will keep my eye out for NY'er who likes OFBL. however.

Aduchamp - I definitely hear what you are saying. I as well have had my minor differences with some of their ratings - mostly because food is so subjective to begin with. For the most part, I find them to be fairly accurate and a very good resource, though. I've never been to a place ranked a 14 and thought it was a 26 or vice versa.

As a side note - I thought Tao deserved a 22. Also - although Spanish - I don't think Zagat classifies Casa Mono as a tapas specialist.

Jarred, my Zagat is used for address and phone number reference only.

I find the rating useless.

I second GoT. Zagat is most certainly *not* the NY foodie bible! If you are a NYer... shame on you....

I don't think Zagat classifies Casa Mono as a tapas specialist.

We have there a couple of time to give it a fair chance cand Batali does not call it a tapas place but a taverna. But it looks like a pato, and quacks like a pato....

Personallly it left we cold.

Please try Xunta or Bar Carrera the food and the atmosphere, though very different are very good.

To each his own. I am a NYer. I don't live by Zagat, but I do find it invaluable as a resource. If you have a more comprehensive, up-to-date, and useful book of almost 2000 restaurants in NY - I'd love to know.

Time Out New York Guide to Eating and Drinking.

i too, am with gotravel. i read it for reference of course, but do not take the numbers so seriously, until i go myself or if someone i trust goes. but yes, it does seem your info jarred is pretty telling. enjoy "craft", btw gotravel. haven't been yet. speaking of batali, had a fabulous lunch last week at "del posto". and after eating like kings in barcelona, i love casa mono.

I don't know how I got cornered into the position of defending Zagat - that was never my intention - just said that I thought it was a good resource and pointed out a comparison between 2 restaurants. Never meant to start a debate - sorry.

JarredK....When your position on a publication that it is a "Bible" of anything at all, you are the Defender, automatically.Thats how it happened.

I too use Time Out NY.

Last year I bought Michelin for NY and never again. It is so francocentric as to be useless.

for NYC restaurants, I use menupages as more of a reference than Zagats. Zagats is more of a popularity poll. I have been disappointed time and time again ny deceptively high zagat ratings for popular restaurants.

Thanks Beachboi - perhaps I was a bit flippant in my use of the word "bible." I was not aware of the strict literalism of many of the posters on this board.

Apparently, though, it seems like most everyone who has responded here has a copy of Zagats but doesn't use it - sounds just like the Bible to me :) (said jokingly and hoping this won't turn into a religious debate).

Well, I guess I must be neurotic 'cause I kinda use 'em all - Zagat's handy for addresses and info, NY Mag and the Times for a certain type of critical response, TONY, and the food blogs (andrea strong, eater, chowhound) for even more diverse opinions.

And I guess that's the operative word, right - it's all subjective opinion . . . we've all read some things and had different experiences sometimes - I usually take this stuff with a few grains of salt - and if you've ever read about how Zagat is tabulated, it will make you pause.

As for OIBL - I gotta say - I've lived in NYC for 35 (fairly food obsessed) years - I even lived around the corner from OIBL for 5 years and - I've never been there. I don't think I know anyone who HAS been there - my impression is that it's a kind of an overpriced version of Tavern on the Green - the food can be a bit more consistent, the atmosphere is "romantic" - in a knd of Nora Ephron movie way . . . not my taste. but I could be wrong - maybe Dohlice will kindly report back?

I only have Zagat's b/c I'm always getting promo copies of it through the office, from my credit card issuer, the cable company, etc. Agree that it's more of a reference guide for phone numbers and addresses than anything.

I use menupages.com all the time, and usually cross reference with nymag.com and time out.

You can also search for restaurant reviews at NYTimes.com under in the dining and wine section.

I have lived in NY my whole life and had never been there either! I too had heard mixed reviews and didn't want to spend the money on a mediocre experience. The night I went was during restaurant week and sometimes the restaurants don't offer good meals on that menu (a big mistake in my opinion). I have to say - it was absolutely fantastic. The food was great, service wonderful and the restaurant itself is beautiful. My husband and I had the same appetizer but different main and desert courses. Everything was delicious. We'll definitely go back, even at full price. My husband wants that Wellington and it wasn't on the rw menu!! I don't "hate" Tavern on the Green but I also wouldn't consider it a must, but OIBL is not anything like that. Definitely not a tourist trap and a lot of the other diners had obviously been before and the people ordering off the restaurant week menu (other cheapos like us haha) were definitely in the minority. I was half expecting canned romance and unremarkable food but got an exceptional meal and one of our best dates. And you don't get a better place for an after dinner stroll!