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“The Tasting Room”

Occasion:	Cuisine:	Area:	Cost:	Rating:
Night Out	New American	Soho	Moderate	Good

Sarsour, formerly of Chicalicious. We loved the massive Devil’s food cake sandwich filled with bittersweet chocolate mousse ($8), and the caramelized apples, served with cornmeal cake and delicious buttermilk ice cream ($9).

The service at the Tasting Room has been up and down. While the staff is knowledgeable and friendly, on our first night the pace of our courses was achingly slow. We waited about 45 minutes for our appetizers (and in that time frame ate way too much bread) and could have watched an episode of Lost in between apps and entrees. But on my second visit though, the kitchen had clearly gotten it together and wait times between courses were normal.

I have to be honest here, I miss the old Tasting Room. It’s just not the same in the new restaurant. But I guess that’s not the point, to be the same. We have to allow people to evolve and grow, and we have to allow for restaurants to do the same. I do love a lot of things about the new restaurant, especially the spectacular new bar and cocktail program. And I give Colin a lot of credit for his steadfast dedication, and his almost religious dedication to the Greenmarket. Every ingredient used in that restaurant, other than the lemons and limes for the bar, is sourced from a local farm; even the onions and carrots used for mire poix. There is a purity to that practice that is truly inspired, and that comes through in the intense flavors of the food. Now, I may not have loved every dish coming out of his kitchen, but there were enough there to make my heart race and want to return. And Renee is still there, doing her thing, sharing her sweetness, making sure her guests are taken care of.

Change is hard for everyone. For the guests who crave the sameness of the past, and for the owners who have to adjust to a new, faster pace and a higher volume. It will take time for everyone to get used to the new place. But it will happen. And if you have a few drinks at the bar, it will happen even quicker.

The Tasting Room is located at 264 Elizabeth Street, between Prince and Houston Streets, 212-358-7831 www.thetastingroomnyc.com

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Posted: October 1, 2006

Other restaurants in Soho :
+ Balthazar   + Savoy   + Blue Ribbon   + Lupa   + Public   + Kittichai   + Lure Fishbar   + Barmarche   + Porcupine-- CLOSED   + Ama   + La Esquina   + Jerry's- Closed Now   + The Tasting Room   + Papatzul   + Shorty's.32   + The Monday Room   + Ed's Lobster Bar   + Aurora   + Provence   + Tailor   + Hundred Acres   + Delicatessen, By Guest Reviewer Julie Besonen   + The Mott   + The Dutch   + Cherrywood, by Guest Reviewer Dara Pollak   

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