Q: positive

A: I could eat Italian food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day... and it's because of places like this that the cuisine has won me over. I so wish there was a Rao's in my hometown! It's old school and they know how to do it right. The decor is certainly nothing fancy. It is based off the original restaurant in NYC, and both locations keep Christmas decorations up year round and have pictures of celebrity diners covering the walls. However, what it lacks in "prettiness" it more than makes up with in the food... The food, oh, the glorious food! I admit that I'm a carboholic, and their bread basket offers a variety of tasty options. They also have one of the best caesar salads around, so my husband and I usually split one to start off our meal. The most recent dish I tried has been my favorite to date... Penne Vodka. It was a simple dish, but the sauce was just perfect! My dining companions all favored this dish as well out of our particular selections, but they did enjoy their own entrees very much to say the least. I know my husband loved his monsterous portion of lasagna. Rao's will continue to be a go-to spot for my husband and I when in town. It never disappoints when you're in the mood for a good, hearty Italian meal... and for me, that's often.

Q: positive

A: My first visit with a friend and won't be our last. I had the oxtails and my friend had the jerk fish (talapia). We sampled each others and both agreed they were delish! The oxtails were so tender and the rice, cabbage and plantains was also very tasty. It's close to home too!

Q: negative

A: There's overrated and then there's Au Pied De Cochon. Worshipped by the New York Times, celebrity chefs, and self-described "foodies", Au Pied De Cochon has the reputation for being one of the best restaurants in the city. It's undeserved. Here's my theory as to why the hype: it's greasy and unhealthy comfort food dressed up as haute cuisine for so-called foodies who claim to like fine dining when in reality they secretly crave greasy and unhealthy comfort food. In other words, it's fast food for pretentious people with big wallets. For all the ink that's been spilled over chef Martin Picard's "masterful synthesis "of the high and the low (a fusion of fine dining with blue collar working class grub), a poutine dressed up in foie gras is still just a poutine (only with more fat and cholesterol). Call me unimpressed.

Q: positive

A:
Not one bit of snootiness at this french restaurant. Everyone was very friendly! Our group had 5:30 p.m. reservations and we were running late, but they were very accommodating and didn't mind at all. (10 girls sharing 2 bathrooms = running late!) We were greeted by a spunky french guy when the elevator doors opened. We requested that he take a group picture of us and he was happy to do so with 3 different cameras. Our waiter was very nice. Ambience was nice and the view was awesome. Everyone enjoyed her food. I got the Char Broiled Filet Mignon with Bearnaise sauce, which I recommend. Other things that the girls tried that they loved and would recommend: *Baked Alaskan Halibut, Braised Vegetables, Tomato Confit, Pistou Bouillon *Filet of Sea Bass, Fingerlings, Double Smoked Bacon, Crispy Potato, Petit Mache *Semi-Boneless Roasted Chicken, Green Beans, Crispy Potatoes *Sauteed Pork Chop, Mushroom, Cracked Corn, Celery * Great side order: Gratinee Creamed Spinach and Mushroom 5 stars for service, friendliness, quality of food!