TOD Three:
The first time der Brucer and I hit NYC together, we had tix to see
Forum in revival (by that time with David Alan Grier). Before, der B insisted that we head to the village for dinner, and by chance we were able to get a table at
Po, as walk-ins. It's a tiny place, and usually crammed with reserved tables, so it was a real chance that we were able to get in.
The meal was marvelous. Batali was experimenting with grains that night, not what one usually thinks of for an Italian restaurant. But one dish involved bulgar wheat, and there was a totally different grain involved with the main course. And it was amazing food.
Batali shortly after that moved on to Babbo, and then multiplied like a rabbit to the point that he isn't even in NYC all the time any more. And the new owners of Po have added a second outpost, in Brooklyn. And yes, if the opportunity came up, I'd gladly return.