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I've spent the last few days back in New York, and other than being COLON-BLASTING COLD, it's been a pretty uneventful trip. I had a nice kobe filet that wasn't really worth the absurd premium, but now I can say I've eaten it sober, so I can trust my memory.

The high point so far (I flee this godforsaken icehole tomorrow) was dinner tonight at Jean-Georges. While the service was the worst of any Michelin-rated restaurant I've ever been to, I have never wanted to lick a plate more. I can remember a time when I really didn't like ginger, but it seems like a silly, silly memento of my distant past.

By "worst service", I don't mean anything especially pejorative. However, I decided to go solo so I could enjoy the meal and not feel decadant if I ordered too much (oink), and the courses were just a little bit rushed. More than once, I had barely finished a dish before the next was on its way. The waitress I had may also have been rather inexperienced as she seemed a little nervous. Maybe she heard of my superstar status and was awed. I felt awkward asking her any questions about the dishes because she looked as if she was really on the spot and unprepared. There were also a few times that I sat there like an idiot because their pace was just a little bit off from mine and I sat with empty plates, glasses, etc., for a few minutes too long.

As for the food, I have become one of those people who sounds completely dorky and pretentious when it comes to criticizing dishes. I remember reading a review, I think of Bouley, where someone complained that a dish was cooked about thirty seconds too long.* I remember rolling my eyes and wishing it wasn't some loser webpage so I could share it with other people. What sort of prat would be so particular?

It turns out, someone who ordered the salmon tonight at Jean-Georges. It was tasty and wonderful, but it was definitely a little overdone, and literally by about thirty to sixty seconds. It was just barely past the preferred peak of preparation. Whether it was carryover or actual cooking, I'm not sure (this was the trainwreck dish), but it was definitely not how I'd expect salmon to be served.

On the bright side, this restaurant is hella inexpensive for its rating. I definitely think it's not a three-star restaurant, nor even really a one-star restaurant, but it's quite nice anyway. I think I'd prefer to go with a group of people so we could focus on something other than the food. Alone, the culinary experience isn't quite strong enough to form the backbone of an evening out.

* Edit: It turns out that the restaurant was actually Jean-Georges, and the review is here.

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