After seeing Kerry James Marshall, we wanted to sit down for a half hour or so with a glass of wine or a cocktail, but it was just after 2:30pm, and Flora Bar was "closed" to us, though still full of diners and drinkers. I understand taking a break to allow the kitchen to switch gears, but surely they could continue serving from the bar? A wasted opportunity, for them and for us.
7
Walk down Mad Ave on the west side of the street to Laduree near 70th and have a fabulous pastry for dessert afterwards! (I am tired of macaroons in general but their pastry...the pistachio one...)
You might not be able to afford the art but you might afford the caviar coated omelette. ( Anyone else here remember Elsie's cream cheese and caviar sandwiched..?) Lovely that the Met has a decent place to eat ... the best thing I have found is the lobster roll on the roof garden, altho for years I chowed down on the rib roast beef on Friday evenings!
Can't wait.
You might not be able to afford the art but you might afford the caviar coated omelette. ( Anyone else here remember Elsie's cream cheese and caviar sandwiched..?) Lovely that the Met has a decent place to eat ... the best thing I have found is the lobster roll on the roof garden, altho for years I chowed down on the rib roast beef on Friday evenings!
Can't wait.
1
It's a good review. But there's something so disturbingly representative of this cultural moment about the fact that a former sculpture garden is now more restaurant seating.
9
Expensive restaurants like this don't belong in museums. And the museums shouldn't charge admission. Art can be a luxury good if you're compelled to buy it. But viewing it shouldn't have a prohibitive cost and people of modest means should be able to get something to eat that's modestly priced.
21
Flora Bar is one of the few places that this Left Coasty has visited, before Mr. wells got there. To be brutally frank, I was not pleased. IMNHO, the room and the décor were too puffy. The food was certainly adequate, but I always had the feeling that someone in the back had been playing with it. And Ahem, I do have a problem paying $ 18 for six anchovies, no matter their good flavor.
The brief video clip leading into this review was sort of fun. A little farther down, I was relieved to note that it was an enhancement and not a replacement for the expected slide show. No, Mr. Wells (and Mr. Sifton) please do not even consider swapping one for the other. The weekly collection of 8-15 pix but non-staff, contract photographers is always a highlight and yes, those boys and girls who produce the weekly dose of Food Porn, are gifted professionals. Please, guys, don't even consider it.
The brief video clip leading into this review was sort of fun. A little farther down, I was relieved to note that it was an enhancement and not a replacement for the expected slide show. No, Mr. Wells (and Mr. Sifton) please do not even consider swapping one for the other. The weekly collection of 8-15 pix but non-staff, contract photographers is always a highlight and yes, those boys and girls who produce the weekly dose of Food Porn, are gifted professionals. Please, guys, don't even consider it.
5
Wonderful, witty review as always from Pete Wells. I really enjoyed reading it. I enjoy reading his reviews as much as the food when I have it at the restaurant and he is just so spot on with his comments. He is without a doubt the best food reviewer. Now, if only people had the same sense of humor when eating my cooking!!!
3
I am pleased that Ligaya Mishan continues to review restaurants offering food I actually want to eat.
3
stop referring to beer served at a proper temperature "warm beer." No doubt this reverberates from US servicemen posted in Britain during WWII where they were forced to drink real ale for the first time, as opposed to the swill they'd been raised on, which was (and is), thankfully, served so cold as to cover its wan flavor.
5
I was thinking the same thing. No one drinks "warm" beer. That is a tired cliche. Real Ale is served at cellar temperature, as opposed to ice cold.
1
Over the years I've become a bit of beer snob compared to the slop I used to enjoy, that is still readily available everywhere. Regardless, no warm beer for me, proper temperature is cold.
2
Very interesting review, though I was surprised that you only gave it 2 stars. What you wrote reads much more like a 3 star review! Can't wait to try it.
8
Let me explain. If a couple each had the shrimp sashimi, the omelette, a glass of Sicilian white, the chocolate and coffee, they'd spend $250. Still so enthusiastic? Thought not!
11
A restaurant in a museum needs to be open for lunch on the days the museum is open. Service is chilly at best.
6
Reading the review helps (among other things). It says:
"Flora Bar is not trying to be a utilitarian cafe for museum patrons who knocked themselves out taking in Kerry James Marshall’s show upstairs and now want a cheap, filling meal. That job goes to Flora Coffee next door, where you can get sandwiches and pastries during the day."
"Flora Bar is not trying to be a utilitarian cafe for museum patrons who knocked themselves out taking in Kerry James Marshall’s show upstairs and now want a cheap, filling meal. That job goes to Flora Coffee next door, where you can get sandwiches and pastries during the day."
2
You're the one who isn't reading, typ64. Kay is talking about what Flora Bar should be trying to do, not about what they actually are doing. Kay wants more than a sandwich and thinks that if a restaurant providing them is going to exist, then it should do so whenever the museum is open. The operators may disagree with her, but that doesn't mean she is wrong. I think she's quite right indeed.
2
"Kay wants more than a sandwich and thinks that if a restaurant providing them is going to exist, then it should do so whenever the museum is open."
People can always "make" rules on what restaurants or museums should do. Reality (e.g., economics) is another thing.
Since the restaurant is open in the evenings, then the museum "should" stay open after 5:30 pm on weekdays, right?
Please read (again) the section I quoted. It is very informative. Thanks.
People can always "make" rules on what restaurants or museums should do. Reality (e.g., economics) is another thing.
Since the restaurant is open in the evenings, then the museum "should" stay open after 5:30 pm on weekdays, right?
Please read (again) the section I quoted. It is very informative. Thanks.
Why is this preciosity-laden, superlative-dripping review on the front page? Does the NYT realise how many millions, perhaps most, of its readers avoid NYC like the plague and will never set foot in Flora Bar?
4
I also dislike New York City itself, but The New York Times does have "New York" in the title, which makes it literally entitled to write about things in New York.
8
NYT readers avoid NYC like the plague? I doubt it.
6
I've seen this before and it always baffles me. If you really don't like New York City, why are you reading a review of a New York City Restaurant in a New York City Newspaper? And then take the time to tell us all? Why?
Nice review Mr Wells. I really like what the Met is doing in the Breuer and now I'll have to eat there next time. Thanks.
Nice review Mr Wells. I really like what the Met is doing in the Breuer and now I'll have to eat there next time. Thanks.
7
Oh, how I would love to dine at Flora Bar and enjoy that purple endive and a great and appropriate wine, but I live down here close on to Mexico in the world famous arts community, Marfa.
7
I'd like to go just slightly off topic and congratulate the photographer(s)s and stylists who give us the images for these reviews.
I see an awful lot of food photography these days. Stress on 'awful'. Even in respected international journals, the shots are poorly designed, and can look like they're shot on a phone with on camera flash.
The photos in the Times are alluring without neglecting their purpose.
Bravisitude!
I see an awful lot of food photography these days. Stress on 'awful'. Even in respected international journals, the shots are poorly designed, and can look like they're shot on a phone with on camera flash.
The photos in the Times are alluring without neglecting their purpose.
Bravisitude!
15
So precious.
8