Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

No, his restaurants live up to the hype and deliver flavor, period.

Naked Emperor, my ass. Yes, you could get fried chicken at Popeyes for a much better deal, but that is not Momofuku's peer and it has been established that the quality and taste of this is among the best in the city. You are in a nice restaurant, not a fast food joint. Compare the price to other upscale comfort food places with the city's best fried chicken: Blue Ribbon ($25) or the Redhead ($17), heck even the Korean fast food places will cost $8-9.

So yes, I'd pay an extra $3 to have superior chicken with superior condiments in an actual nice restaurant, and not be a chump.

I think he has cleaned up the drugs, since his daughter (or even before) but not the drinking. Less, I'd assume. But when he is on the job, he's gotta drink with the locals!

For those of you, like me, who can't make it to the Lower East Side before work.. a *small selection* of the donuts are sold at places like Joe - The Art of Coffee, Dean & Deluca, Citarella, and Oren's. The Art of Coffee is the only convenient one for me, on the weekends, and usually has only a coconut filled yeast donut and 1-2 cake donuts, and a cinnamon bun.

Lady M's rocks! But you pay the price for it...

They doing this at Grand Central too?

"Call Christine Quinn, Mayor Bloomberg, Tom Duane, Deborah Glick "

Are you freaking kidding us? Yes call the mayor to save a dump...

I agree with the letter, though I will say I actually like The Best Thing I Ever Ate... actual star chefs sharing stores about good food. I have added several items to my To Eat list in my Blackberry.

I was so jealous, the guys working the pit at Bakers Ribs were making a special treat for themselves - jalapenos on the grill, stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon. I was going to offer them money for one but I knew they wouldn't do it with 500 people watching!

I liked it a lot. I love that it is real, established, top chefs. To those who complained about the roster and the lack of more big names, remember that these ARE big names, and from more than just the usual 2-3 big cities. Remember this is just season one - presumably they wanna roll this out for a few years. As much as I am not a huge fan of Gael Green, I like that these real chefs have a panel of three real critics.

Schlow summed up what I like most of all, that is was a humbling experience for the losers. In the same way that I actually like Bobby Flay better, after getting his ass kicked on Throwdown for a few seasons. Also shows just how hard the regular Top Chef season must be.

So awesome! I ran into Thu shopping in Soho in May. I think she was totaly surprised that someone recognized her, she was taken back a bit. Cutely embarrassed! Love her. I am going to tell everyone I know to watch.

Good luck Thu!

I used to drink only organic milk, but then I stopped caring so much. Sometimes I get it, and sometimes I don't. Nothing wrong with regular local milk or eggs.

The LES has been a favorite haunt forever, but haven't gotten to go since moving neighborhoods a few years ago.

FYI - The truffled egg toast is not only godly, but very easy to prepare to impress loved ones on Mother's Day or breakfast in bed. In fact, here is a How To video from an 'inoteca chef from a few years ago: http://www.savory.tv/2008/09/06/truffled-egg-toast/

He sweet pad certainly features a shrine of NYC service staff. I'd bring 2 girlfriends. And a guy. And some mace.