This is a great restaurant for "fun" French food. It's in a bright old warehouse building at the western edge of Manhattan. The staff is delightful - friendly and attentive and they're willing to make adjustments to the menu. You can even park on the street nearby (I first went here when I lived in Riverdale).
They offer a reasonably priced "menu" at dinner ($35), Lunch ($24) and brunch ($25). They also have a "souffle bar" at Brunch and Lunch.
We decided to go for an early dinner this week. Both Chris and I had the special, Softshell crabs and thought they were delicious. We asked to omit the the accompanying mashed potatoes opting for a mixture of sauteed green vegetables. Unfortunately, the sauce served with the crabs was too thick and heavy--the good news is the sauce was just at the side. Chris liked her vegetable terrine starter, but my "Saucisson Lyon' (large garlic sausage in a pastry crust) was cold and unappetizing.
We shared a blood-orange Souffle for dessert that was wonderful. So was the expresso.
The bottom line is I keep going back to this restaurant because it seems like it should be wonderful - a nice space with an interesting menu and a great staff - all at a reasonable price. And Zagats gives it a respectable 23 for Food. This is not a place for gourmet dining with the sometimes inconsistent food and the heavy sauces. Some of the food tastes like it was prepared much earlier and warmed over--but, if you choose carefully, you can have a decent meal.
Zagats says...
Located halfway to Joisey in the middle of nowhere (aka west TriBeCa), this glorious oasis of civility has delivered delicious French bistro fare for decades; its pretty, red brick-walled high-ceilinged room provides all the creature comforts, with unpretentious yet delightful service icing the cake.
Capsouto Freres
TriBeCa 451 Washington St.(Watts St.)
Manhattan, NY 10013
212-966-4900
Monday, May 22, 2006
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Not-so-Prime Steakhouse
Prime Steakhouse & Grill
Franklin St.
Lenox, MA 01240
(413) 637-2998 (413) 637-989415
http://http://www.primelenox.com/enox.com/
Franklin St.
Lenox, MA 01240
(413) 637-2998 (413) 637-989415
http://http://www.primelenox.com/enox.com/
Monday, May 08, 2006
What were they doing in OMAHA!!
Christina and I recently went to Omaha for the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting. This is the so-called "Woodstock for Capitalists" where Warren Buffett, the "Oracle of Omaha" and his sidekick "Charlie Munger" preside over a meeting with an attendance of over 24,000. On the day of the annual meeting itself, they take questions from the audience for almost 6 hours--no other company or CEO does anything even close to this.
The meeting lasts the entire weekend beginning with a cocktail party in a huge Berkshire-owned jewelry/gift shop and ends with brunch at the same store on Sunday. Stockholders are offered discounts of up to 30% on all the high-end brand name merchandise (Cartier, Baccarat, Lladro, etc.). Saturday is devoted to the formal meeting and Q&A session. It begins with a humorous movie poking fun at Buffett and Munger and introducing all the companies they own. The theme this year was Buffett's 75th birthday and featured appearances by a parade of stars and celebrities - including Jamie Lee Curtis, Bill Gates, and the whole cast from Desperate Housewives. The attendees include many families who have owned Berkshire stock for up to 50 years and attend as a sort of family outing. There are also students who have studied Buffett and Berkshire eagerly taking notes in the audience, as well as representatives from the traditional analyst community and journalists. The questions though mostly came from individuals and range from the Company's planned succession to what their thoughts are on the current boom/bust in real estate.
You may wonder why we would attend the annual meeting of a company that was in OMAHA! Well, this isn't just any meeting. Ever since we began reading the now famous "letters to the investors" that Warren Buffet sends to his shareholders every year, we've wondered what it would be like to attend one of these gatherings. Well, this past weekend we found out. This is the biggest event seen in the city and we discovered the importance of making hotel reservations EARLY. The downtown hotels are sold out often a year in advance. We managed to find rooms at Harrah's Casino in nearby Council Bluffs, Iowa--an experience in itself!
At times the weekend resembled a revival meeting with Buffett and his longtime partner (and Vice Chairman) Charlie Munger offering as much investment philosophy as specific answers. Some of the very candid responses included:
Bottom line? We'll be back next year! But for one day less.
The meeting lasts the entire weekend beginning with a cocktail party in a huge Berkshire-owned jewelry/gift shop and ends with brunch at the same store on Sunday. Stockholders are offered discounts of up to 30% on all the high-end brand name merchandise (Cartier, Baccarat, Lladro, etc.). Saturday is devoted to the formal meeting and Q&A session. It begins with a humorous movie poking fun at Buffett and Munger and introducing all the companies they own. The theme this year was Buffett's 75th birthday and featured appearances by a parade of stars and celebrities - including Jamie Lee Curtis, Bill Gates, and the whole cast from Desperate Housewives. The attendees include many families who have owned Berkshire stock for up to 50 years and attend as a sort of family outing. There are also students who have studied Buffett and Berkshire eagerly taking notes in the audience, as well as representatives from the traditional analyst community and journalists. The questions though mostly came from individuals and range from the Company's planned succession to what their thoughts are on the current boom/bust in real estate.
You may wonder why we would attend the annual meeting of a company that was in OMAHA! Well, this isn't just any meeting. Ever since we began reading the now famous "letters to the investors" that Warren Buffet sends to his shareholders every year, we've wondered what it would be like to attend one of these gatherings. Well, this past weekend we found out. This is the biggest event seen in the city and we discovered the importance of making hotel reservations EARLY. The downtown hotels are sold out often a year in advance. We managed to find rooms at Harrah's Casino in nearby Council Bluffs, Iowa--an experience in itself!
At times the weekend resembled a revival meeting with Buffett and his longtime partner (and Vice Chairman) Charlie Munger offering as much investment philosophy as specific answers. Some of the very candid responses included:
- Views on the role of traditional Wall Street deal makers - a total waste of time. Add no value, just make money for themselves. They'll never deal with them.
- Discussion of hedge funds - great at making money for their principals, not investors. But there are too many of them to continue to make money even for themselves.
- Thoughts about the housing bubble - they don't know when it will bust, or how, but it is very unlikely to have a good outcome. Reference to the "internet " and "tulip bulb" bubbles.
- Outlook for the dollar - unlikely that the huge trade deficit will not have some impact on dollar. They can't predict how much, or when; but the direction is clear. They have moved from currency hedging to investing in global companies. Announced the acquisition of an Israeli tool maker.
- An answer about investing in technology - they have a very simple philosophy about investing, there are good ideas, bad ideas and things that are just too hard. Technology is just too hard to figure out. They stick to what we understand
- Thoughts about Ethanol - stupid idea (this according to Munger), demented to think it's a solution for the energy needs. Must have meaningful efficiency improvements and conservation (this from two Nebraskan!).
- Rational for acquisitions - very interested in good businesses looking to monetize their net worth. Looking outside the US for the first time. Will not enter into an auction or buy from a "financial manager" - only someone looking to continue to manage the business. Criteria are outlined in the Annual Report. Buffett meets with 40 groups of students each year looking for ideas. Has offered a bonus of one Class B share (about $3,000) for each student if idea has been used (one was).
- What they thought about offering dividends - not in his lifetime.
- How they would deal with inheritance - all his Berkshire stock (about $35 billion) will go to charity on his death. He doesn't believe he can work to earn money and give it away at the same time (a la Bill Gates). Thinks it's schizophrenic.
Bottom line? We'll be back next year! But for one day less.
Self Proclaimed "Foodies"
There are those who eat to fuel their bodies and then there are the "Foodies"! Epicure, defines a foodie as, "a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment of food and drink". I'm not sure how you get to be a 'foodie', but perhaps it's genetic??? You know you're a foodie if:
* you begin making plans for dinner right after breakfast
* you order what's in season at Starbucks
* you know the name of the chef at the local diner
* you worry about the "terroir" of chocolate - or even know what terroire is~
Our friend Steve always kids us when we get really involved in a discussion of food, where the best places are to eat and what we love about the combinations certain foods and wine. He would never consider himself a 'foodie', but we've noticed that he's come to appreciate a better quality of wine and occasionally is willing to try something outside his comfort zone!
This past week we joined premier 'foodies' Sheila and Joe at a fine resturant they discoverd in Chelsea. "Crispo" is undistinguished at first glance and realtors would not say that it had 'curb appeal'. However, don't be fooled. This is a wonderful place; cozy, with a long, comfortable, bar as you walk through the door, inviting tables in the main room, but the real secret is the garden with a retracting roof AND a wood burning fireplace. The back wall has an incredible collection of meat slicers from past eras and it was a relaxing to sit out there on a warm spring evening with the sound of a trickling fountain in the background. Sheila and Joe had been to Crispo before, but had not yet enjoyed the garden so it was a delilght for the four of us. Joe and Paul quickly made decisions about the appetizers and both Sheila and I agreed that we could have happily made a meal of those selections alone. For this night we were unanimous about the favourites: Rice Balls served with marinara sauce (be sure to ask for this when making this selection), stuffed hot peppers and sausage wrapped in sage leaves. We also liked the ricotta with truffle oil and the eggplant caponata.
Everything on the menu looked good and there were at least three things on the nightly specials that I would have been happy to have. We all started with the same pasta course of "pappardelle with a wild mushroom ragout". Thank goodness that we shared this dish because the entree was yet to come! Christina and Sheila selected the seared scallops served with a 'carrot risotto cake' and roasted peppers--both agreed this was outstanding. Paul was happy with his choice of roasted chicken on the bone with a serving of polenta and some sweet peas. Joe raved about his Roast Pork Shank and especially liked the accompanying crispy onion rings. The meal was perfectly accompanied by a less well known red wine selected by Joe (Numanthia-Termes, Tempernillo '03) and topped off with coffee and a shared serving of warm chocolate chip cookies! Needless to say, we were happy to have a long walk after dinner!
This is a fine neighbourhood resturant with friendly staff and reasonable prices. By the way, if you enjoy drinking Cosmos, don't pass up the "Blood Orange Cosmo" on their special spring cocktails list.
So, send us your definition of a 'foodie' and let's compare notes!
Crispo
West Village
240 W. 14th St.(bet. 7th & 8th Aves.)
New York, NY 10011
212-229-1818
Zagats says...
Full of “robust flavors”, the Northern Italian food at this “hopping” Villager is served in “warm, romantic” quarters that light up an otherwise “drab” block; add “affordable” wines and a “transporting” “outdoor garden” and you’ve got a clear winner.
* you begin making plans for dinner right after breakfast
* you order what's in season at Starbucks
* you know the name of the chef at the local diner
* you worry about the "terroir" of chocolate - or even know what terroire is~
Our friend Steve always kids us when we get really involved in a discussion of food, where the best places are to eat and what we love about the combinations certain foods and wine. He would never consider himself a 'foodie', but we've noticed that he's come to appreciate a better quality of wine and occasionally is willing to try something outside his comfort zone!
This past week we joined premier 'foodies' Sheila and Joe at a fine resturant they discoverd in Chelsea. "Crispo" is undistinguished at first glance and realtors would not say that it had 'curb appeal'. However, don't be fooled. This is a wonderful place; cozy, with a long, comfortable, bar as you walk through the door, inviting tables in the main room, but the real secret is the garden with a retracting roof AND a wood burning fireplace. The back wall has an incredible collection of meat slicers from past eras and it was a relaxing to sit out there on a warm spring evening with the sound of a trickling fountain in the background. Sheila and Joe had been to Crispo before, but had not yet enjoyed the garden so it was a delilght for the four of us. Joe and Paul quickly made decisions about the appetizers and both Sheila and I agreed that we could have happily made a meal of those selections alone. For this night we were unanimous about the favourites: Rice Balls served with marinara sauce (be sure to ask for this when making this selection), stuffed hot peppers and sausage wrapped in sage leaves. We also liked the ricotta with truffle oil and the eggplant caponata.
Everything on the menu looked good and there were at least three things on the nightly specials that I would have been happy to have. We all started with the same pasta course of "pappardelle with a wild mushroom ragout". Thank goodness that we shared this dish because the entree was yet to come! Christina and Sheila selected the seared scallops served with a 'carrot risotto cake' and roasted peppers--both agreed this was outstanding. Paul was happy with his choice of roasted chicken on the bone with a serving of polenta and some sweet peas. Joe raved about his Roast Pork Shank and especially liked the accompanying crispy onion rings. The meal was perfectly accompanied by a less well known red wine selected by Joe (Numanthia-Termes, Tempernillo '03) and topped off with coffee and a shared serving of warm chocolate chip cookies! Needless to say, we were happy to have a long walk after dinner!
This is a fine neighbourhood resturant with friendly staff and reasonable prices. By the way, if you enjoy drinking Cosmos, don't pass up the "Blood Orange Cosmo" on their special spring cocktails list.
So, send us your definition of a 'foodie' and let's compare notes!
Crispo
West Village
240 W. 14th St.(bet. 7th & 8th Aves.)
New York, NY 10011
212-229-1818
Zagats says...
Full of “robust flavors”, the Northern Italian food at this “hopping” Villager is served in “warm, romantic” quarters that light up an otherwise “drab” block; add “affordable” wines and a “transporting” “outdoor garden” and you’ve got a clear winner.
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