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GETTING YOUR RESTAURANT a four-star rating in the New York Times is a big deal for Big Apple eateries.
Currently, just five restaurants hold that distinction.
That number was six until a couple of weeks ago. Per Se, in the city’s Columbus Circle area, had attained its four-star rating following a stellar 2004 review just weeks after it opened and another review in 2011.
In the years since, standards seem to have dipped. When NYT food critic Pete Wells went there for dinner at the start of the year, his four-hour meal came to $3,000 (€2,750) for four.
So, you would expect a fairly sensational experience, right?
Not so, says Wells:
I don’t know what could have saved limp, dispiriting yam dumplings, but it definitely wasn’t a lukewarm matsutake mushroom bouillon as murky and appealing as bong water.
He concluded his review by giving the restaurant two stars, which is NYT for “very good”.
In response to the review, Per Se chef Thomas Keller, who holds seven Michelin stars, didn’t respond angrily, instead apologising.
In an open letter he wrote:
“To us, it is imperative that we improve and evolve every day. We constantly examine ourselves, our menu, our service and our standards.”
“Regretfully, there are times when we do not meet those standards.
The fact that The New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells’ dining experiences at Per Se did not live up to his expectations and to ours is greatly disappointing to me and to my team. We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest standards, but we make mistakes along the way. We are sorry we let you down.
“We are confident that the next time you visit Per Se or any of our other restaurants, our team will deliver a most memorable experience.”
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3000 dollars for 4 people? 3000 dollars for 4 people?
Only 500each
I wonder if they have an early bird menu?
Maggie – there is an app on your phone called Calculator- try using it.
It can save some embarrassment
3000 / 4 = ?
Good burger and a feed of pints is cheaper and better.
750, all the other things you could do with that money
527 Big Mac Meals.
Want a job in a bank Maggie?
Plus a bottle of wine for $1,000, that’s what you meant isn’t it!
500 each plus 1000 for the tip?
@Maggie. Give us a loan of 3000 n fifty ‘s and I’ll fix you up next week with a hundred crispy twenties.
Half price wings on a Wednesday I hear!
Cost me 400 euro for 2 of us in a 3 star michelin on the Amalfi coast in Italy a few years ago. Champagne made up 120 of that. Was worth it as a once off experience.
630
People eating there, don’t need to look at the price. But for normal mortals,save yourself the embarrassment and go to KFC
3000 divided by 4 equals 750 not 500!
I know restaurants in this country that would charge that kind of money if they thought they could get away with it, people are so gullible paying good money for what ends up as s#ite.
But they can’t so they don’t?!
€687.27 at today’s rates
Per head.
No food is worth that much, and the hungry, no doubt, pick at their bins.
Ahhh no……. I’ll nerver have another opportunity not to go there again.
That was a grown up response. Amy’s Bakery would have had a different take on things!
First. World. Problems. Give me a Shepherd’s Pie anyday…
Between this and Cat lady it most definitely seems to be a slow news day
Roast beef and a pint for 12.50 in Witherspoons in Swords on a Sunday afternoon …. Michelin star restaurants me arse.
How about sending the reviewer to the White Moose Cafe – would get some very interesting responses from the owner to the review
Beans on buttery toast with a nice big mug of tea…€1
A promised refund would have been
A promised refund, or a free follow up meal of equal value, would have backed up the sincerity of his ‘apology’.
These eateries are mostly “the King’s new clothes” type of self deceit. If grilled unicorn testicle was on the menu it couldn’t be less ridiculous or costly.
But, if idiots want to pay these prices, by all means let them. They must be very insecure…..
I’d expect the meal to immunise me from all possible health ailments for that price
How the fcuk is this news
I wonder how he will rate mcds table service???
The Sultan of Brunei one paid 1 and a half million pounds for a one month stay in a posh London hotel with his family. He gave the staff a £142,000 tip
How is this a story ????…
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