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March 12, 2009

Confirmed: Arby's Planning to Take Gage & Tollner Space

Looks like we were right: A fast food restaurant is indeed trying to take over the former Gage & Tollner space at 374 Fulton Street on the Fulton Mall in Downtown Brooklyn. The Daily News today reports that the chain known for its roast beef sandwiches submitted an application to the Landmarks Preservation Commission in January to modify the historic interior. “We’re keeping everything in place, and anything we move in will be nonpermanent and easy to move out,” said Raymond Chera, the franchisee behind the project. “It will probably be the most beautiful Arby’s ever.” And you better get used to the idea of being surrounded by Arby's: Chera says he plans to open 41 locations around the city over the next decade.
Arby's to Move into Famed Gage & Tollner Digs [NY Daily News] GMAP
Another Rumor: Fast Food for Gage & Tollner Space [Brownstoner]
Rumor Mill: Gage & Tollner Space Leased? [Brownstoner]
Photo by Dania Hurley

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Comments

Had an Arby's roast beef a few years back...lots of grizzle. Can't compare to the Neba of upstate NY back in the 70s.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 12, 2009 9:03 AM

I bet this does well in that location.

“It will probably be the most beautiful Arby’s ever.”
That's great because most people go to Arby's for the wonderful decor and ambiance.

Posted by: Biff Champion at March 12, 2009 9:05 AM

Speechless.

Posted by: Brooklyn Chicken at March 12, 2009 9:06 AM

I thought for a second it was April 1st...

Posted by: Heather at March 12, 2009 9:08 AM

If I were named Brooklyn Chicken I'd just be happy it wasn't a Popeye's!!! :)

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 12, 2009 9:08 AM

i love when new yorker's get into such a tizzy and angry about chains coming in, but then when chaings get built, they all flock to them like cracked out pigeons on on a hotdog bun. deal with it. nyc isn't special anymore.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 12, 2009 9:10 AM

sad. but it'll probably do well there. i do love me the jamocha milkshake (if they still have that).

Cracker Barrel, please slip in and take this.

Posted by: goldie at March 12, 2009 9:12 AM

"If I were named Brooklyn Chicken I'd just be happy it wasn't a Popeye's!!! :)"

Or a Pluck U. (best fast food restaurant name in NYC)

Posted by: Biff Champion at March 12, 2009 9:12 AM

There's a junk food junkie in all of us rob, no matter how often we seek the finer things like white truffles, prosciutto di parma or a nice Amarone.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 12, 2009 9:12 AM

hahahah i dont even know what those things you mentioned ARE, dave!!!

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 12, 2009 9:19 AM

It's not just the junk food chains. While having a mix of chains and small shops is probably healthy, what's happened to Manhattan (for example) over the years is just not right. New Yorkers love to blame out of towners and transplants for this proliferation. I think New Yorkers are pretty much themselves to blame. Granted, tourists don't help the situation.

Posted by: heck_of_a_job_brownie at March 12, 2009 9:23 AM

Great if you love over-cooked, over-salted, tasteless roast beef sandwiches. Classic Jersey Turnpike food.

Posted by: Suburbandude at March 12, 2009 9:23 AM

Kelly's Roast Beef out of Boston would be better.

Arby's is alright, but Boston knows how to make a mean roast beef sandwich.

Posted by: christopher at March 12, 2009 9:24 AM

Well, you can't stop a landlord from renting to whoever comes along with the deepest pockets. A chain is going to be a much more attractive tenant than what you may prefer as a better quality mom & pop store. Capitalism, economics, America. Live Free or Die.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 12, 2009 9:27 AM

here's the thing. straight and simple.

native REAL new yorkers LOVE when nyc finally gets the chains that the rest of the country have.

snobby transplants flail their arms around in a huff saying OMG this isnt fair! i moved to NYC because nYC IS is different and IM DIFFERENT! and im cultured!!! and im so much better than the rest of the world!!! this isnt fair! stay in the midwest! stay in jersey!!! PLEASE PLEASE dont let another chain come in. yet all they do is want a Whole Foods on every corner (even in the ghetto). hypocrites much? they need to get over themselves.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 12, 2009 9:29 AM

Not true Dave. I HATE fast food. I never eat it. Sure when I was younger I had the occasional burger, but now never! I haven't been to 95% of fast food chains and I'm sure I'm not missing much....except clogged arteries.

My vice is fine chocolate and I'm sticking with that.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at March 12, 2009 9:30 AM

Hyuk hyuk. Or, should I say, cluck cluck.

It's not the fast food in Brooklyn aspect, or Arby's on Fulton aspect, but an Arby's in the beautiful, landmarked Gage & Tollner space that boggles the mind.

Of course, there couldn't have been a better fast(er) food aesthetic fit for that space than TGI Friday's, and it didn't last. So, I guess I'll just have to hope that Arby's does well enough to keep KFC at bay.

Posted by: Brooklyn Chicken at March 12, 2009 9:33 AM

As the snow flies
On a cold and gray Brooklyn mornin'
A skanky new Arby's is born
In the ghetto
And the Asshats cry
'cause if there's one thing that they don't need
it's another skanky restaurant chain
In the ghetto

People, don't you understand
the Asshat needs a helping hand
or he'll grow to be an angry old man some day
Take a look at you and me,
are we too blind to see,
do we simply turn our heads
and look the other way

Well the world turns
and an overleveraged Asshat with a runny nose
plays in the street as the cold wind blows
In the ghetto

And his hunger burns
so he starts to roam the streets at night
and he learns how to steal
and he learns how to fight
In the ghetto

Then one night in desperation
a the Asshat heads to the Arby's
He buys a gun, steals a car,
tries to run, but he don't get far
And his mama cries

As a crowd gathers 'round an angry young man
face down on the street with a gun in his hand
In the ghetto

As her young man dies,
on a cold and gray Brooklyn mornin',
another Whiole Foods opens up
In the ghetto

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 12, 2009 9:34 AM

LOL dave good one (and i rarely read song lyrics or made up lyrics when they are posted but i read that one!)

*rob(

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 12, 2009 9:38 AM

I guessed right!!! Arby's it is! (not that I'm happy about an Arby's - yuck)

Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at March 12, 2009 9:40 AM

Brooklyn Chicken has it right...its just the outrageousnes of them occupying THAT space.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 12, 2009 9:43 AM

Yo Rob,

Gross generalization much?

I'm a native NY'er who used to hate the chain store invasion, but I grew up and realized that I could vote with my wallet.

Don't like chains, don't patronize them

Posted by: Troy McClure at March 12, 2009 9:43 AM

Pathetic . . . just pathetic.

Posted by: PropJoe at March 12, 2009 9:44 AM

What is that pressed meat stuff? Do they call that roast beef? What color is it? It's not reddish, it's not brown, it's sort of grey.

Posted by: PPSer at March 12, 2009 9:46 AM

bizarre.
I am not a hater of fast food. But Arby's is poor excuse for roast beef. Seems like some funny processed meat to me.
Even upstate where I go on wkends - when driving past those kind of joints, Arby's has very little business.
Will have shorter lifespan at that location than TGIF or whatever was there before.

Posted by: Petebklyn at March 12, 2009 9:47 AM

I like the following:

An occassional Whopper...though haven't had one in maybe 8-9 months...none around me here in Manhattan for lunch and I sure as hell won't go there for dinner

McDonalds Saudage Biscuit...a block away from office..once every two weeks.

Outback bloomin onion & prime rib...I used to live on East 54th and there is one on E55th but I haven't been there since 2007. They make a very good prime rib there. We've argued about this in the past but I believe that location may have an upgraded menu. I think it was THL who agreed with me.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 12, 2009 9:48 AM

I thought that Amy Ruth's soul food restaurant was opening there at one point. Did I blink and miss the grand opening/grand closing? Or did that deal fall through too?

Posted by: frugal1 at March 12, 2009 9:49 AM

Is it just me, or does anyone else find the idea of an Arby's in the old G&T space kind of funny. What's next - a Wal-Mart in Park Slope?

Freedom and capitalism are wonderful (non-snarky remark).

Posted by: benson at March 12, 2009 9:54 AM

The angus mushroom swiss burger for 4 bucks at McDonalds tastes great and is a steal. It is like Smith and Wollensky's compared to the so-called "roast beef" at Arby's.

Posted by: Suburbandude at March 12, 2009 9:54 AM

looks like yesterday's dream of a more upscale beautified fulton street took a step backwards.

Posted by: goldie at March 12, 2009 9:56 AM

quote:
What's next - a Wal-Mart in Park Slope?

that's called the food co-op. same mentality and kinds of people who shop at both places (and im not knocking either.)

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 12, 2009 9:56 AM

Frugal, the Amy Ruth deal fell through. I was looking forward to it :( I guess I'll have to continue to trek to Harlem for it.

Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at March 12, 2009 9:57 AM

Rob have you ever been to the Park Slope Food Coop, or a Walmart?

Think first. Then type.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 12, 2009 10:08 AM

"What's next - a Wal-Mart in Park Slope?"

From your keyboard to God's ear.

If Wal*Mart ever opens in NYC, it will immediately be one of their very best-performing locations, just like the NYC Targets, Costcos, and Home Depots. That's what happens when New Yorkers vote with their pocketbooks - they show their love for big box retail.

Posted by: Sparafucile at March 12, 2009 10:10 AM

"And the Asshats cry" - classic. People want an upscale place like G&T, but few actually would go...you get what the market will bear.

Posted by: jawbreaker at March 12, 2009 10:11 AM

People had their noses in the air, but TGIF's was well suited to the space, with their faux Victorian decor. I guess under the present economic conditions, it is inevitable that only a chain would be able to come in. I would think one of the casual restaurants would have tried, like Olive Garden or Red Lobster. Both of those would have coined money. I guess the restrictions of the interior might have scared off some businesses.

I am glad the interior is landmarked. It's beautiful, a vanishing look at old Brooklyn. If it hadn't, I'm sure it would have been stripped in a heartbeat, and made to look like 99% of the storefronts on Fulton, which have no charm, no design whatsoever.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at March 12, 2009 10:14 AM

We bought Ruby Tuesday's stock last week. Going to the Times Square location for lunch today. Will report back. Stock price movement oftentimes has no correlation with whether the food is good or bad!!!!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 12, 2009 10:16 AM

> "And the Asshats cry" - classic.

Agreed. Nicely played, DIBS.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 12, 2009 10:17 AM

Sparafucile,

I read somewhere (curbed, maybe?) that Wal-Mart is taking over the Virgin space at Union Square. How nice, Wal-mart and Whole foods within a block of eachother. Too bad Circuit City's gone, that would be a trifecta of retail.

Posted by: Troy McClure at March 12, 2009 10:19 AM

so sad - I was really getting my hopes up about Cheesecake Factory.

and as a native NYer - I grew up on the Lower East Side when it was dangerous and scary - totally agree with *Rob* - not thrilled with over-saturation of chains, but was so psyched to get a Red Lobster and would kill for Cheescake Factory (I really have a minor obsession with this place). I love that Target is just 2 subway stops away. Ikea is a good walk on a nice day. Admittedly I was even excited when Starbucks first arrived.

Posted by: columbiatch at March 12, 2009 10:21 AM

I really think that Arbys will fail. That is a big space. The chain has moved away from the old roast beef into "fresh' sandwiches that are anything but (sort of like the late Spicy Pickel).

How cool woudl be to have an old-fashioned southern style cafeteria there?

Posted by: BH76 at March 12, 2009 10:25 AM

Wal-Mart in Union Square? Is that true? Hate me if you must, buy hooray! I love Wal-Mart (employee trampling aside).

Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at March 12, 2009 10:28 AM

I accidentally ate at a Red Lobster south of Times Square once. The lobster tail appeared to be comprised of polypropylene. My dining partner's fish was cooked under the razed earth policy.

Posted by: dittoburg at March 12, 2009 10:38 AM

Don't mind chains. Love fast food. But Arby's blows.

Posted by: BklynJace at March 12, 2009 10:39 AM

By the way, am I the only one that had noticed the arby's "hat" logo on the commercials looks like a cock? (to be blunt)

Posted by: tybur6 at March 12, 2009 10:49 AM

"I read somewhere (curbed, maybe?) that Wal-Mart is taking over the Virgin space at Union Square. "

That was a false rumor.

Don't even know what to say about Arby's.

Don't eat fast food, so it doesn't really affect me.

Posted by: 11217 at March 12, 2009 10:50 AM

I would love Arby's in NYC (although wasnt there one in the village that closed?) but renting this space, with tons of extra costs and headaches due to its landmark status doesnt bode well for the geniuses that are making these business plans.

Posted by: fsrg at March 12, 2009 10:50 AM

Oh man. Arbys? We al know fast food is low quality, over processed glop but Arbys? My friend worked at Arbys in college. "Roast beef' my ass. Their 'meat' came in a giant bag of liquified goo which was then boiled to make it harden up for slicing.

Enjoy!!

Posted by: MAT at March 12, 2009 10:54 AM

Perhaps they should just make it a museum and have people pay to see mannequins eating lunch. No landmark headaches.

Posted by: tybur6 at March 12, 2009 10:54 AM

i bet none of 11217's friends eat fast food either.

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 12, 2009 10:56 AM

Please don't read any sort of racist remark into this because it's not meant to be such, but people reading this blog really aren't by and large Arby's target audience I would think.

Just like many of don't probably shop regularly at Fulton Mall (yet it's wildly successful and thriving!) Arby's will probably be a total hit too. Nothing wrong with that.

The world doesn't revolve around the readers of Brownstoner.

I know. I'm shocked too.

Posted by: 11217 at March 12, 2009 10:59 AM

MAT - did your "friend" also have a brother who died from pop-rocks or woke up with spiders all over his face after chewing Bubble Yum?

-please stop spreading B.S. urban legends

Posted by: fsrg at March 12, 2009 11:01 AM

11217 - please speak for yourself - Per Se may have been the best meal I ever ate - but I for one never turn up my nose at Fast Food - except Burger King - as far as I'm concerned = horrible

My biggest gripe is that there are virtually no Taco Bells in NYC and please - Roys Fried Chicken (also very hard to come by except on the Turnpike) is about the best Fried Chicken you can get for almost 1000 miles.

Posted by: fsrg at March 12, 2009 11:06 AM

Taco Bell - You mean the place where years ago the woman ate a burrito from there with a sack of roach eggs and they then hatched inside her...?

Yeah, I'll turn up my nose to that.

Posted by: 11217 at March 12, 2009 11:12 AM

Arbys is exactly what you get. More nasty overprocessed unreal food.

So many people raised hell about Amy Ruth's being put in that spot. A place which COOKS real food and not heated up processed food from a micro wave.

I think the problem is that if Amy Ruths was put in that spot, spot it would have given the nasty steak house over at the Marriott some competition.

Brooklyn is getting to be such a turn off.......

Posted by: The Who at March 12, 2009 11:17 AM

Hey 11217, since we're talking food here... Did you make it to that new ramen joint on 4th Ave?

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 12, 2009 11:17 AM

I didn't make it Snark. A friend called and we ended up going to Ghenet again actually. Delicious.

I'm going to try to get down to the Ramen Place this weekend...I'll keep you posted...

I've been hearing some good things though...

Posted by: 11217 at March 12, 2009 11:23 AM

Brooklyn (and Fulton Street) is big enough for chains AND small specialty shops. Both have been successful here. Personally, I never eat at Arby's, but I can see it working here.

Posted by: East New York at March 12, 2009 11:25 AM

TACO BELL OMFG! PLEEEEEEEEEEEEASE !

wait a second. DUH there was a taco bell on delancey when i lived on the lower east side. it closed down a few years after i was living there :( there was one girl behind the counter with purple contacts who used to flirt with me cuz i had the same purple contacts she did :) and there is a taco bell on 14th i believe now that i think about it too..

does bk have a taco bell? i'd LOVE LOVE LOVE for a taco bell to go into the spot where that A&S or whatever deli cold cut place was that just moved recently on 5th avenue.

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 12, 2009 11:25 AM

Arby's? In that space? Weeeird.
If I really want a hot roast beef I make the trek to Bensonhurst and visit John's Deli. OMG. YUM.

http://johnsfamousdeli.com/

Posted by: ennuiater at March 12, 2009 11:31 AM

I haven't been to a Taco bell in many years but I do remeber the ground beef being particularly good and free of the usual grease & fat. Taco shells always fresh as were the lettuce, tomatos and salsa. I was very surprised.

Pizza chains, NO.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 12, 2009 11:32 AM

Has Taco Bell improved in recent years? The last time I went was in the 90s, and they literally assembled all of the "food" with spray nozzles.

Why in the world would you want a Taco Bell on 5th avenue, when you have an actual taqueria (Rachel's)?

"Well, to each their own, Snarky, to each their own," he muttered to himself.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 12, 2009 11:34 AM

Snark;

Isn't that amazing about Taco Bell? The last time I ate in one was about 6 years ago,when I was in a rush in an airport between flights. As I stood there and watched, I couldn't believe how "industrial" the "food-assembly" process was. Perhaps this goes on in many restaurants, but do I have to look at it? Have the good sense to keep it out of view, at least!!

Posted by: benson at March 12, 2009 11:43 AM

Snark - Sometimes a place like Rachels is great and sometimes Taco Bell hits the spot!

Dont be such a snob - just because I like Fine Italian Asiago doesnt mean I cant sometimes appreciate some spray chedder on a Ritz cracker

Each type of food fills a niche; its not a comparison and life is long enough that there is plenty of time to enjoy it all.

Posted by: fsrg at March 12, 2009 11:46 AM

Benson - frankly as someone who knows who and what goes on behind the scenes at many restaurants - including some of the finest; I kind of appreciate that at Taco Bell the food goes from the sealed dispensers to my food with minimal to no human touch and its all within view.

Posted by: fsrg at March 12, 2009 11:48 AM

Oh, I have my fast food moments, fsrg, worry not. The last one was the KFC on 4th Avenue.

I won't be making that mistake again.

Sometimes I miss working in Metrotech because at least you could get "good" fried chicken there. Popeye's... mmm-mmm.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 12, 2009 11:50 AM

quote:

Why in the world would you want a Taco Bell on 5th avenue, when you have an actual taqueria (Rachel's)?

YO QUIERO TACO BELL! (i love the chihuahua)

NO YO QUIERO RACHEL!

sorry but i just love the taste of taco bell. i have tried rachels tho so ill give that a try, how is the pricing?

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 12, 2009 11:51 AM

There was an Arby's in the basement/food court area of Manhattan Mall until a year or two ago. There are still a few out in Queens, one on Queens Blvd., and another visible from the expressway. There's one in Jersey City too in the mall but I'm rarely there. Can't think of any others that I've seen but there may have been one on 14th st at some point years ago. The only thing I usually get is the Jamocha shake, like someone mentioned above.

Also, nice job on the lyrics above, daveinbedstuy. I don't usually read shit like that either but I did this time and that was funny.

Posted by: EnglishKills at March 12, 2009 11:52 AM

Pricing at Rachel's is pretty good. They've been having specials, so take a friend for the two-for-one nights. Tuesdays I think.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 12, 2009 11:59 AM

the one thing ive noticed about "real" taco / mexican food places tho is that the food, specifically the shells on tacos hard and soft are always SO greasy. i like that the food in taco bell is surprising very very ungreasy. perhaps it's all the preservatives but i dont care about stuff like that really. i tried one mexican place on 5th ave when i first moved in... mexical? i think that's the name, it's on a corner maybe near garfield. the food seriously tasted like dish soap and my friend kristy got ill from their "beergaritas" but im always open to trying new places as long as the price is right and the services arent skimpy.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 12, 2009 12:09 PM

My friend from Oklahoma called it "Taco Hell." Never eaten there.

Posted by: East New York at March 12, 2009 12:18 PM

Avoid both locations of Mexcal on 5th. One of them is not quite as bad as the other, but they are both pretty bad, so at the moment I don't recall which one is worse.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 12, 2009 12:18 PM

FSRQ;

I can appreciate what you are saying, but you are looking at it from a different vantage point than I. You know what goes on in many places. I don't. Perhaps I'm being naive, but I do appreciate some finesse in the way my food is prepared,even in a fast food place. Perhaps it's all show, but there is something to be said for that.

Posted by: benson at March 12, 2009 12:22 PM

"My friend from Oklahoma called it "Taco Hell." Never eaten there."

That's like in West Philly - there was a McD's and a BK on a very sketchy corner that everone called "McDeath" and "Burglar King".

Posted by: columbiatch at March 12, 2009 12:40 PM

Taco Bell rules - great stoned food.
I especially love the ones that have a Pizza Hut express in them - I can get a 7 Layer burrito and some bread sticks.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 12, 2009 12:45 PM

I was hoping for an OTB or a comic book store.

Posted by: Xander Crews at March 12, 2009 12:46 PM

You said that yesterday on the Real Estate office closing in PS yesterday, Xander.

Got nothing else?

Posted by: 11217 at March 12, 2009 12:51 PM

He also used in the Montague Street thread.

I'm guessing he had to lay off his writers.

Brother, can you spare a line?

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 12, 2009 12:53 PM

FSRQ - please elaborate on your visit to Per Se, I have a rez in a few weeks and I'm really looking forward to it.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 12, 2009 1:03 PM

This is reminding me how much I love A&W. Did anyone ever go there?

I thought they were long defunct but I stumbled across one in the Raleigh-Durham airport recently and the bacon double cheeseburger and the root beer tasted exactly the same as it did when I was 10. It's really good.

For some reason they never have the ice cream at that location though. Too bad because their soft serve is real milk. Or at least used to be.

Posted by: mopar at March 12, 2009 1:04 PM

root beer tastes like germolene

Posted by: dittoburg at March 12, 2009 1:07 PM

I remember having a friend who worked at taco bell in high school. He said that the ground beef started in a powder form and they would mix it with boiling water and it would magically turn into beef.

Posted by: boofer at March 12, 2009 1:09 PM

Isn't there still a Taco Bell at the entrance to the Fulton Mall near Flatbush and Fulton? Or Nevins and Flatbush, somewhere over there?

The most infamous TB was on Sixth Ave near West 4th Street in the Village. That was the one with the Ratticus 500 going on at night. I'm embarassed to say I ate there once, long before that filmed event.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at March 12, 2009 1:10 PM

Mopar, there was an A&W Rootbeer-Hot Dog joint in Newark airport as of Summer '06.

Posted by: EnglishKills at March 12, 2009 1:13 PM

"root beer tastes like germolene"

I don't know what germolene tastes like, but if the answer is "crap," the yes, I agree.

Posted by: East New York at March 12, 2009 1:20 PM

dirty_hipster - Not much to say - amazing place - everything I ate was incredibly good - get the Truffle pasta (add-on if you can believe it) and has absolutely ridiculous prices (no REALLY its insane to spend so much on something you are just going to pass out within 36 hrs) but you know that going in - so just enjoy it and ignore the bill.

Oh and like at any other restaurant like this - always get Foie Gras if available; You know its only a matter of time till its banned in which case every order could be the last (which always adds to somethings allure)

Posted by: fsrg at March 12, 2009 1:31 PM

fsrg,

do you work for Arbys? Do you work for their PR firm? No? Really?

It ain't no urban legend. Maybe it's changed but in the 90's that was FACT.

Posted by: MAT at March 12, 2009 2:16 PM

"Dont be such a snob - just because I like Fine Italian Asiago doesnt mean I cant sometimes appreciate some spray chedder on a Ritz cracker

Each type of food fills a niche; its not a comparison and life is long enough that there is plenty of time to enjoy it all."

Can't agree more, fsrq.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 12, 2009 2:31 PM

Hmmm, still sounds a lot like the KFC legend:

- http://www.snopes.com/horrors/food/kfc.asp

And no, I don't work for Arby's, nor would I eat there unless you're buying me a brownstone to do so.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 12, 2009 2:31 PM

Thanks FSRG! I'll def try the truffle pasta if available.
I don't find it too crazy to indulge in a very expensive dinner a couple times per year. Fine dining is one of the things that differentiates NYC from Chicago or Los Angeles. To miss out on the experience to try one of the best restaurants in the world seems tragic to me.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 12, 2009 2:37 PM

I guess you haven't been to Chicago or L.A. in a decade or so, dhipster.

Christ, even Philly has what Bon Appetit called "Possibly the best Italian restaurant in America."

Yes, NY is the BEST in the world. That said, there are far mor places in Paris, Florence and many other places throughout Europe where the OVERALL dining experience is FAR better... not as much attitude and loud obnoxious people dining.

If you want the utmost dining experience in NYC that encompasses ambiance, service and food make a reservation at La Grenouille on E 52 St.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 12, 2009 2:42 PM

Thanks for the recs Dave. I haven't been to LA since I lived there when i was 10, and was just in Chicago for business. While I'm sure there are fantastic establishments that I would enjoy (I'm no snob), there simply isn't the concentration of 2-4 michelin star places that NYC has.
If there is a Chicago/LA equivalent to Jean Georges, La Bernardin or Daniel please let me know as I'd love to try.

Unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to visit Europe. I would love to go to Paris as I love french cuisine and assume it would be like visiting mecca.

I'm going to Chicago this weekend - any spots i should check out?

Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 12, 2009 4:13 PM

There used to be a secret taco bell in the Long Island College Hospital on Henry near Atlantic. Not marked from the outside. I'm not sure if it's still there though.

Posted by: zgori at March 12, 2009 4:16 PM

DIBS, about your trip to Ruby Tuesdays, I had a former colleague who, with three young kidsand lots of toys/dvds etc. to buy, said he bought Disney stock as a hedge. Are your lunches at RT's anything like that?

Posted by: slopefarm at March 12, 2009 4:17 PM

Coke/Pepsi tastes like lemon battery acid.

Posted by: mopar at March 12, 2009 4:44 PM

And Red Lobster puts that fake popcorn butter all over everything. It's really gross. I have a feeling their cheesy biscuits break the NYC law against trans fat. Everything they serve is whipped up in a giant vat somewhere in Ohio, frozen, and reheated in a microwave. I doubt they have a special vat just for the New York market.

Posted by: mopar at March 12, 2009 4:48 PM

GROSS!

Posted by: witchdoctor at March 12, 2009 4:52 PM

We need a Cracker Barrel in NYC stat.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 12, 2009 5:21 PM

Know what would be great? An In-and-Out Burger. I know they're only West Coast but that is some fine fast food there, and a company you can feel good about. Make mine animal style. Yum.

Posted by: I_haz_TWO_toilets at March 12, 2009 5:53 PM

MAT - its urban legend and no I dont work for Arby's or its PR Firm...in fact I predict that Arbys will be a FAILURE - if only because it is obvious to anyone with a brain that opening in an interior landmarked building is adding ridiculous and unnecessary complexity and expense for a fast food joint. Their site people are clearly morons - its not like there are not other nearby retail spaces available.

Posted by: fsrg at March 12, 2009 5:54 PM

Montrose, there's a Taco Bell at Livingston and Bond, but it's combined with a Nathan's and Pizza Hut and such.

Posted by: zinka at March 12, 2009 10:32 PM

Come on Roll & Roaster! What a missed opportunity!

Posted by: lapmax75 at March 13, 2009 12:13 AM

fsrg, it doesn't matter in the least but you don't know what you're talking about. First hand information is not urban legendry.

Posted by: MAT at March 13, 2009 12:19 PM

« Thursday Links Open Thread »

March 12, 2009

Confirmed: Arby's Planning to Take Gage & Tollner Space

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