[Leica] Re: NY restaurants

[lrzeitlin at optonline.net (Lawrence Zeitlin)]

On Feb 9, 2007, at 9:16 PM, Jerry wrote:

> I'm sure glad that I don't live in a picturesque part of the country.
> It means less tourists bidding up prices and making
> restaurant reservations hard to get. Like in Boston or New York.  I  
> had
> to make reservations a MONTH in advance
> for Raio's in NY!
>
> Jerry


Believe it or not, one of the very best restaurants in the New York  
area is Xaviar's at Piermont (www.xaviars.com). Zagat's rates it 29  
out of a possible 30. To quote Zagat's fulsome praise:

"Please let the food in heaven be like this sigh the sated at  
virtuoso chef Peter Kelly's magical Piermont gem. Exquisite New  
American fare, phenomenal waiters, beautiful china and glassware and  
a romantic, intimate yet elegant dining room make it the best on the  
planet."

I've been there and its all true. A bit expensive though. The prix  
fixe dinner is $60 without wine. ($30 for lunch) If you have stripped  
your wallet by buying too much Leica gear, the far more informal  
Freelance Bar and Cafe next door has food that is just as good at a  
substantially lower price. No surprise since they both share the same  
kitchen. The Freelance Bar has a no reservations policy and most  
weekdays it is relatively easy to get a table, especially if you go  
for lunch or like an early dinner.

Piermont is a peninsula extending into the Hudson River from the  
western shore, about 20 miles north of Manhattan. Easy to get to if  
you have a car. It used to be the eastern terminal of the Erie  
Railroad. Now it is an upscale art and dining mecca.

Now I've revealed the most precious gourmet secret of the Hudson  
Valley. Keep it under your hats.

Larry Z