Restaurant Seating somewhat OT VERY OT

You are correct about the lack of sophisticatiion (though that does, or at did, seem to be changing). OTOH, I've always great fortune there when dining. Now, I do agree that some of the top chefs' places do seem more bistro, or even "automat" in their tables, chairs, and table spacing. The only reason that I will accompany my wife there is to dine at Michael Mina's, Charlie Palmers, Picbutto, Andre's, or similar, and over the last few years, I've always gotten good tables with prior reservations. Unfortunately, it has not been so good in some other places. I also refuse to bribe the staff for good tables, though that might be the modus oprendi for seats at a show, or elsewhere. In my case, about the only times that I do anything but wine and dine there is with reserved seats, so I just pay the rate for the placement that I want. At least the "all you can eat buffet," seems to be a thing of the past, or my poor wife would have to travel there alone!

I've got a tasting dinner at Aureole and their five-story wine cellar that I'll post next week.

Hunt