Samuel Lipoff

Review of Thomas Keller, Per Se

Ever since I had read Service Included, by Phoebe ...

Ever since I had read Service Included, by Phoebe Damrosch, I have wanted to try Per Se. But I got a little nervous reading some more recent accounts that presaged its decline. Still, when the opportunity came recently I took it! And, wow, am I ever glad that I did. Everything was flawless from start to finish. Service was absolutely top notch, each course was delightful, non-alcoholic drinks were free (I really appreciate that, I mean obviously one is paying several hundreds of dollars a person here, but it feels nice not to get gouged a coke, but instead put that money and effort to the unique food and experience). In fact, what might have been the most special part of the meal was this exquisite white pu'er tea, but really everything from caviar to bread, Elysian fields lamb to sea salt, was just top-notch and spot-on.