I ate there once on a trip to NYC. My luggage was lost and I had a reservation that same night I arrived, but had traveled in sweatpants. I wasn't sure what to do.
When I called the restaurant to ask if I would be admitted, Mehran actually answered the phone himself. He said that it would definitely not be appropriate to eat there in sweatpants, but then started asking me about how tall I was, how much I weighed, etc.
It turned out that he and I were almost the same size, so he told me to show up 30 minutes early. When I got there, Mehran loaned me his own incredible Brioni tuxedo!
Needless to say that it was the most incredible meal of my life. The biodynamic steak (which we also slaughtered together -- he gave me an apron to cover and protect the tuxedo) was perfectly prepared and better than anything else I'd ever had, including the time I had real Wagyu in Tokyo. That evening the side dish was 17 different potato varieties, all baked and prepared "all the way." So I unfortunately haven't tried the asparagus yet, but have heard from friends it was also terrific.
I think you should leave a Google review describing something you “ate” there. There is a review that includes surf n turf and the owner responded to say it was a fake review because they don’t serve surf n turf! Potentially you could get a response with an outlandish review?!!
The steakhouse story is juicy! My immediate thoughts is that it could be drug related where a "steakhouse" is just code for something else. It could also be a swingers party. The possibilities are endless!
Fascinating about the steakhouse. Part of me wonders if they just said No to see how serious and determined you were. What if you have to go back multiple times? Also sounds like a good novel plot-angle: Fictitious (or not!) 🥩 house in NYC which spurs local resident to get investigative on her own...discovers something totally unexpected, etc.
Am I wrong?
Also: What’s wrong with a baby sipping a latte? Why not?!
Aharon has it: Spock is the parenting icon of a generation. If I had a kid with access to photon torpedoes, the galaxy would have burned down multiple times. Though that would probably happen if I had a normal kid too, so grain of salt.
Hi Anne, the restaurant is actually only accessible during the second phase of the red moon in a leap year, every time that occurs on those years. Hope that clears things up
all this about ghost kitchens but never heard of a fake kitchen! very interesting. somehow reminds me of this karaoke bar that was in a strip mall in my suburban home town - as a kid whenever we passed it my mom would insist it MUST be a mafia front, because no one was ever in the parking lot. possibly it was just an unsuccessful karaoke bar, but either way it eventually closed. this did train me to believe that any very uncrowded restaurant could be a front - not very likely but does make a good story.
I totally enjoyed Aharon's parenting advice. I can't help but remember Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" when the question concerning what to do with babies comes up... 😅
And as always, I admire your intrepid investigating spirit, Anne. I bet this won't be the last time we read about Mehran and 224 East 83rd Street! It's even MORE mysterious now!
Aharon -- thank you for revealing yourself -- your writing is snappy and entertaining. Now I understand why we get your opinions frequently. Whether talking about fantasy baseball, microcap stocks or child rearing, it is best just to remember "1) It's easy 2) You're doing it wrong". I believe these aphorisms guarantee success whether an advice column, a self-help book or simply having an engaging conversation with a friend.
I just saw a headline for the BEST method of parenting: the kids grow up in a nurturing environment and the mom's have a REAL helpmate...NOT A MAN who just adds more work!
‘Mommunes’: Mothers Are Living Single Together
Women are joining forces under one roof, using the age-old power of sisterhood to split the household bills and raise their children.
So I tried to see if there was a DM function but I couldn't find it.. I have a restaurant mystery for the ages: Why hasn't the L abd B Spumonu Gardens in Dumvo opened? Construction was finished years ago! They even gave out free pizza and told everyone they were about to open mid pandemic!
but I feel like if THEY wanted us to know Eater would have done a feature or something. Please find the answers! Be careful!
The steak story is killing me! You are such a great writer! Thank you for taking us along on your journeys and sleuthing. If I ever get to New York City, I hope to run into you on the sidewalk somewhere. Keep up the excellent work!
I ate there once on a trip to NYC. My luggage was lost and I had a reservation that same night I arrived, but had traveled in sweatpants. I wasn't sure what to do.
When I called the restaurant to ask if I would be admitted, Mehran actually answered the phone himself. He said that it would definitely not be appropriate to eat there in sweatpants, but then started asking me about how tall I was, how much I weighed, etc.
It turned out that he and I were almost the same size, so he told me to show up 30 minutes early. When I got there, Mehran loaned me his own incredible Brioni tuxedo!
Needless to say that it was the most incredible meal of my life. The biodynamic steak (which we also slaughtered together -- he gave me an apron to cover and protect the tuxedo) was perfectly prepared and better than anything else I'd ever had, including the time I had real Wagyu in Tokyo. That evening the side dish was 17 different potato varieties, all baked and prepared "all the way." So I unfortunately haven't tried the asparagus yet, but have heard from friends it was also terrific.
Couldn't help thinking of this famous prank: https://www.vice.com/en/article/434gqw/i-made-my-shed-the-top-rated-restaurant-on-tripadvisor
I think you should leave a Google review describing something you “ate” there. There is a review that includes surf n turf and the owner responded to say it was a fake review because they don’t serve surf n turf! Potentially you could get a response with an outlandish review?!!
The steakhouse story is juicy! My immediate thoughts is that it could be drug related where a "steakhouse" is just code for something else. It could also be a swingers party. The possibilities are endless!
Fascinating about the steakhouse. Part of me wonders if they just said No to see how serious and determined you were. What if you have to go back multiple times? Also sounds like a good novel plot-angle: Fictitious (or not!) 🥩 house in NYC which spurs local resident to get investigative on her own...discovers something totally unexpected, etc.
Am I wrong?
Also: What’s wrong with a baby sipping a latte? Why not?!
Michael Mohr
‘Sincere American Writing’
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
Aharon has it: Spock is the parenting icon of a generation. If I had a kid with access to photon torpedoes, the galaxy would have burned down multiple times. Though that would probably happen if I had a normal kid too, so grain of salt.
Hi Anne, the restaurant is actually only accessible during the second phase of the red moon in a leap year, every time that occurs on those years. Hope that clears things up
all this about ghost kitchens but never heard of a fake kitchen! very interesting. somehow reminds me of this karaoke bar that was in a strip mall in my suburban home town - as a kid whenever we passed it my mom would insist it MUST be a mafia front, because no one was ever in the parking lot. possibly it was just an unsuccessful karaoke bar, but either way it eventually closed. this did train me to believe that any very uncrowded restaurant could be a front - not very likely but does make a good story.
I totally enjoyed Aharon's parenting advice. I can't help but remember Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" when the question concerning what to do with babies comes up... 😅
And as always, I admire your intrepid investigating spirit, Anne. I bet this won't be the last time we read about Mehran and 224 East 83rd Street! It's even MORE mysterious now!
Anne -- Thank you for asking Aharon nicely.
Aharon -- thank you for revealing yourself -- your writing is snappy and entertaining. Now I understand why we get your opinions frequently. Whether talking about fantasy baseball, microcap stocks or child rearing, it is best just to remember "1) It's easy 2) You're doing it wrong". I believe these aphorisms guarantee success whether an advice column, a self-help book or simply having an engaging conversation with a friend.
I'm on the edge of my seat (well, keyboard). So many mysteries. Maybe Aharon can solve them all!
I just saw a headline for the BEST method of parenting: the kids grow up in a nurturing environment and the mom's have a REAL helpmate...NOT A MAN who just adds more work!
‘Mommunes’: Mothers Are Living Single Together
Women are joining forces under one roof, using the age-old power of sisterhood to split the household bills and raise their children.
Wow, Anne. That is a real Scooby-Doo Mystery. Be careful, please.
So I tried to see if there was a DM function but I couldn't find it.. I have a restaurant mystery for the ages: Why hasn't the L abd B Spumonu Gardens in Dumvo opened? Construction was finished years ago! They even gave out free pizza and told everyone they were about to open mid pandemic!
but I feel like if THEY wanted us to know Eater would have done a feature or something. Please find the answers! Be careful!
The steak story is killing me! You are such a great writer! Thank you for taking us along on your journeys and sleuthing. If I ever get to New York City, I hope to run into you on the sidewalk somewhere. Keep up the excellent work!
The Mystery! Why do they have a 202 area code (Washington DC) ? Hmm 🤔...