Champagne Velvet

With 420 New Seats to Fill, Restaurateur Banks on Buzz - New York Times

IN Philadelphia, where the dining scene is a fraction of the size of New York’s, Stephen Starr dominates. He has 12 restaurants there, soon to be 13. His pull is like that of the New York restaurateurs Danny Meyer, Drew Nieporent and Stephen Hanson combined. His openings are guaranteed to attract attention.

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Morimoto, opening Tuesday, is at 88 10th Avenue (16th Street), (212) 989-8883; Buddakan, opening in mid-February, is at 75 Ninth Avenue (16th Street), (212) 989-6699.

Morimoto in Philadelphia remains my favorite restaurant, the $120 omakase still the best meal I have ever eaten.  I can’t wait to go to the New York version.  I’m concerned about the usual slow start and getting the service to the appropriate, high-quality level but excited all the same.  Buddakan is fantastic also and I can’t wait to see if they one-up the size of the Buddha compared to the one in Philly.

So about this secret cookie shop - the cookies are fantastic and it’s an incredible addition to the neighborhood.  Make sure you try both the oatmeal raisin and the chocolate white-chocolate chip.

From Consumer Reports, When buying organic pays (and doesn’t)

Bottom line according to them is that most produce is worth it, seafood isn’t.