tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post3471029604969556846..comments2024-03-26T00:10:40.751-04:00Comments on Reggie Darling: Why I Will Never Eat at Per SeReggie Darlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-53034217439902530972012-10-29T14:01:04.491-04:002012-10-29T14:01:04.491-04:00RD, Ugh! Why would you even want to dine in the TW...RD, Ugh! Why would you even want to dine in the TWC? The room, from the pictures at least, has that ghastly corporate board room look- like an upscale chain hotel...at least Grenouille has ambient charm! Knowing the huge check was coming would give me serious indigestion anyway. Dean Farrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11651467227402717540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-32046200755241467372010-12-31T03:02:21.868-05:002010-12-31T03:02:21.868-05:00I wrote an entire essay (I think you would have l...I wrote an entire essay (I think you would have loved it) about Wolfgang Puck in the early days....and Spago.....and how he fired his jerk on the phone who spoke to me just like that guy did......as soon as Wolf found out!<br /><br />then, after 5 paragraphs.......I pushed the wrong button......and poof!<br /><br />oh well.........Wolf fired "Henri"...maybe Mr. Keller doesn't know.<br /><br />He was lovely when we were at the french laundry 30 years ago...not pretentious at all........<br /><br />who knows?<br /><br />I wouldn't go there either!Penelope Bianchihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07044698051543677637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-570296716902335692010-10-13T14:58:15.653-04:002010-10-13T14:58:15.653-04:00We had lunch last Thursday at Bouchon in Yountvill...We had lunch last Thursday at Bouchon in Yountville. (and isn't Yountville lovely!) The food and wine were delicious, but the dining room was deafening and oh my, the service. Lunch for six lasted three hours. The two-top next to us turned over twice during our meal.<br /><br />Dinner that evening was at Bistro Don Giovanni in Napa. MUCH more relaxed, excellent service, and every bit as tasty.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18003316530755458623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-36032792281547338732010-10-11T12:49:30.721-04:002010-10-11T12:49:30.721-04:00HUH? per se has dreadful interior design, I don...HUH? per se has dreadful interior design, I don't even know what to call it... <br />I couldn't eat in such ugly surroundings anyways, I have a very sensitive stomach.<br /><br />Very true about London, but one excepts snobbiness there, in NYC it just doesn't have the same charm.Ullahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05190800242127014491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-87689402010131189412010-10-11T12:36:59.546-04:002010-10-11T12:36:59.546-04:00I have never suffered anything quite like that, no...I have never suffered anything quite like that, nor even close; Thats really outrageous! I woudldn't go at all after that, not even if they paid me!ArchitectDesign™https://www.blogger.com/profile/01481754380363676771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-77557929257972871632010-10-11T11:39:19.926-04:002010-10-11T11:39:19.926-04:00hi reggie,
i was sent her by edith hope and am no...hi reggie,<br /><br />i was sent her by edith hope and am not disappointed. normally i would read a few pages of a new blog before i comment, but i can see that it is not necessary for me to do that here.<br /><br />i think thomas keller is a god but you can never eat at per se b/c then this killer story would be ruined. <br /><br />~janetthe gardener's cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447809353998632722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-79933296926591784172010-10-09T21:08:25.572-04:002010-10-09T21:08:25.572-04:00In 1998 we were living in London and invited frien...In 1998 we were living in London and invited friends to join us for dinner at Gordon Ramsay's L'Oranger in St. Jameses. Reservations were made and on the day of the reservation we received a call to reconfirm, which we did. When we arrived at the restaurant at 8pm there was no one there. The door was locked and there was hand-written "restaurant closed" sign on the door.<br /><br />What was totally weird is that this was one of the top restaurants in London and there was no one there assisting guests who had reservations. NO ONE!<br /><br />It was the day Gordon staged an infamous walk-out of his restaurants L'Oranger and Aubergine after a feud with his backers. <br /><br />So "screw you dear guests". Kinda like Per Se.Pimm's and Lemonadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10196654433736616445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-16896727222430836182010-10-09T20:28:30.538-04:002010-10-09T20:28:30.538-04:00I have yet to dine in a place that is so outstandi...I have yet to dine in a place that is so outstanding that it merits such a ridiculous treatment of its patrons. Honestly, I do better than most in my modest kitchen,Easy and Elegant Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09951907004091808223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-82931892249037746492010-10-09T12:52:15.806-04:002010-10-09T12:52:15.806-04:00I tend to eat in places where the only question is...I tend to eat in places where the only question is "Do you want fries with that?", but this was a very funny post even to me! I love the idea of the benefit meal - to get the marvelous food in salubrious surroundings while raising money for a good cause seems perfect to me. How about hosting one at Darlington so we can all enjoy it vicariously?<br />xox<br />HermioneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-62757128626700423442010-10-09T07:41:52.685-04:002010-10-09T07:41:52.685-04:00Mrs. Marciano: Thank you, Reggie endeavors to amus...Mrs. Marciano: Thank you, Reggie endeavors to amuse his readers.<br /><br />Hamptontoes: Thank you for visiting and for your comment. Reggie is heartened to learn that he isn't the only one who has had such an experience.Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-91746029767837969692010-10-09T00:02:47.724-04:002010-10-09T00:02:47.724-04:00I have just found your blog and must say, I love y...I have just found your blog and must say, I love your style of writing! I'll be checking in with you often. Your phone conversation sounds like some kind of joke, but having had a similar experience I know the reality of your situation. There are far too many amazing restaurants in the city to go where you have to beg to get a seat...that is so not my style.Hamptontoeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05728092071090568167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-32621195236612173232010-10-08T20:52:51.770-04:002010-10-08T20:52:51.770-04:00Reggie,
So funny! I agree with Lindaraxa that not ...Reggie,<br />So funny! I agree with Lindaraxa that not since, "The Theatuh," have I chuckled so! What said it best was: "But the tab is what I remember the most about eating there."<br />Enjoy L'Absinthe - life is to short and too sweet!<br />Barbara (Mrs. Marciano)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-86232533510194022432010-10-08T20:40:55.138-04:002010-10-08T20:40:55.138-04:00DED: Reggie adores a cozy bistro, and if he had to...DED: Reggie adores a cozy bistro, and if he had to eat a final meal it would be in one. However, he still likes going out to swell restaurants from time to time, but makes sure he only goes to ones that will take a reservation from him with pleasure. <br /><br />Anon 3:05: This is the conversation exactly as I recall it.<br /><br />Lindaraxa: You are a treasure, indeed.<br /><br />BarbaraG: Most amusing, thank you.<br /><br />CJ/Rick: I stayed on the line so long because I found the conversation absolutely fascinating...I had the same reaction when studying the photos, too. Thank you for your comment.Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-35602829426175924572010-10-08T18:56:24.726-04:002010-10-08T18:56:24.726-04:00One summer abroad I... I won't go there. Plea...One summer abroad I... I won't go there. Please tell me you're pulling my leg. I can't believe you stayed on the line so long. Sooner or later these types of establishments fall by the wayside.<br />It's a shame you weren't trying to go on one of the days the above photos were taken. It appears there were plenty of tables available at that time.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16189300421202451256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-17565783338396662122010-10-08T17:51:54.661-04:002010-10-08T17:51:54.661-04:00Sir Reginald -- one correction, if you please--
yo...Sir Reginald -- one correction, if you please--<br />you, a mere mortal, I don't think so.<br />Just say no to hauty attitude.<br />BarbaraGBarbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17502598839290385634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-61451294237755766212010-10-08T15:27:35.702-04:002010-10-08T15:27:35.702-04:00Well, dear Reggie, it was the only thing I could t...Well, dear Reggie, it was the only thing I could think of... it is so unbelievably rude it's comical. I bet Jon Stewart would kill for that script though!lindaraxahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15721286284279902181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-41487962965977917492010-10-08T15:05:06.631-04:002010-10-08T15:05:06.631-04:00Clearly this is embelished. The restaurant takes ...Clearly this is embelished. The restaurant takes reservations two months in advance, not six. Additionally, even if they did have a policy such as you described with regard to their waitlist they would never explain it to you in detail. Nice 'story' though...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-47717483727043973142010-10-08T11:48:14.642-04:002010-10-08T11:48:14.642-04:00The best restaurant experiences I've had are o...The best restaurant experiences I've had are only sometimes at the best restaurants. As I get older (and poorer---bankers are not the only ones), I grow impatient with pretension confused with elegance. At my last outing at our own local fine dining temple, martinis arrived with fruit flies floating in them, crabcakes were frighteningly less than fresh, and the owner less than smooth at dealing....give me the great little bistrot every time. The grand joints were fun in my youth, but been there, done that.The Down East Dilettantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13950254669198151850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-20648980518642926512010-10-08T06:36:55.900-04:002010-10-08T06:36:55.900-04:00Lindaraxa: I don't think I was being taken for...Lindaraxa: I don't think I was being taken for a fun ride, I recall that the person I spoke with was actually quite knowledgeable, and spoke with authority (and her speech about calling back at ten am the next day was obviously one she'd given many times before). Obviously, Reggie thinks this is a funny story, or he wouldn't have shared it with his readers.<br /><br />Oh, and by the way, I'm working on my review of Swifty's, in which I also recall my times at Mortimer's as a laddie years ago...stay tuned, it's a bit of a romp!<br /><br />Columnist: I adored AbFab when it was on the telly here in the colonies, but I don't remember that episode. Sounds hilarious!Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-11588733683540076582010-10-08T01:08:17.930-04:002010-10-08T01:08:17.930-04:00Have you ever seen the AbFab skit in which Eddie i...Have you ever seen the AbFab skit in which Eddie is greeted by an art gallery assistant who has all the charm of your receptionist at Per Se? Eddie's response to her was: "I'd drop the attitude if I were you. You're only a shop clerk!". I was unfortunately able to use the same line with an "up herself" receptionist at Conran's Bluebird in the King's Road. Now of course they practically give tables away, and the food is very mediocre. These people have to remember on which side of the counter they are standing.columnisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03764365428633038329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-36667603898168363102010-10-07T23:55:14.785-04:002010-10-07T23:55:14.785-04:00Ancient: As always, wise and amusing. I count on ...Ancient: As always, wise and amusing. I count on you to get us a table for dinner at Rao's, as I know you are better at these things than I. Thank you.<br /><br />A&A: Reggie is pleased you thought the exchange worthy of a skit on SNL. He found it quite comical himself, and has played it in a number of drawing rooms over the years, to the hilarity of his audience.<br /><br />DocP: What a lovely story.Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-54064823454068360542010-10-07T23:50:56.677-04:002010-10-07T23:50:56.677-04:00Patsy: Doesn't it, though? I am sure that you...Patsy: Doesn't it, though? I am sure that your dinner in Maine must have been wonderful, and at half the price of what Reggie paid for his dinner at French Laundry 13 years ago!<br /><br />Baker Martin: I have heard from more than one patron at Per Se that Thomas Keller is a lovely person. Unfortunately it doesn't always trickle down to the people that work for him.<br /><br />Anon 2:37: Thank you<br /><br />Anon 3:36: Magnus raised an interesting point about the Pillsbury heir. He (the heir) wasn't particularly bright, and a rather nice fellow, so I didn't begrudge him at the time. I'm wiser now...<br /><br />Mary Beth: I don't wish Per Se ill, only that its staff (at least those who answer the phone) had better manners when dealing with the public.Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-45112565252911708002010-10-07T23:49:42.903-04:002010-10-07T23:49:42.903-04:00Incidentally, I agree with Jane. I think Reggie D...Incidentally, I agree with Jane. I think Reggie D was taken for a fun ride! But what a great story, almost as good as one of my favorites, The Theatuh!lindaraxahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15721286284279902181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-30708702940279716702010-10-07T23:45:15.216-04:002010-10-07T23:45:15.216-04:00Magnus
When I was in Brussels one year for my bir...Magnus<br /><br />When I was in Brussels one year for my birthday I decided to invite some good friends who lived there to celebrate for dinner at Comme Chez Soi, the Per Se of the times. It was my invitation but when it came time to order drinks my friend's husband said, "Oh, but we must celebrate with a bottle of Champagne" and proceeded to order the most expensive Champagne on the list. I thought, how nice of him, assuming he would pick up the tab for the Champagne at the end of the meal. Actually, insisting to pick it up. When the tab came, there it was, and not a move from said "friend" to pick up the wine!<br /><br />Reggie - One day having lunch with a girlfriend at Mortimer's, we were surprised to be seated in one of the "hallowed" tables by the windows. When Glenn B. came out and saw the mistake he tried to get us moved. Guess what happened next....lindaraxahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15721286284279902181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-61847236181928716342010-10-07T23:43:03.957-04:002010-10-07T23:43:03.957-04:00Belle de Ville: Interesting, indeed. Reggie is su...Belle de Ville: Interesting, indeed. Reggie is surprised the food was mediocre, though. TK is a master at his art, in Reggie's (one time) experience.<br /><br />Toby W: You may well be on to something. It's hard to live up to the hype.<br /><br />Stephanie: You are indeed correct: these are service establishments, a point lost on many of those involved.<br /><br />Jane: You are probably right! I hadn't thought of that.<br /><br />JEW: I am sure, that once through the door, one's experience at Per Se would be lovely. In Reggie's case, though, he was not welcomed through the door in the first place...Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.com