I’ve been to three of Keith McNally’s current nine restaurants, and I must admit, I’ve never been a super fan. I found the food at Pastis (in 2008) extremely mediocre, the crowd obnoxious, and the service less than stellar. I have never returned. Schiller’s is a stand-by on the Lower East Side, but never first on my list of repeat destinations. Although I’ve never dined in Balthazar’s restaurant, I do stop in the bakery often for iced ginger citrus tea and what I think are the city’s best croissants; I’m sure I would enjoy brunch there immensely.
After reading this article, I am in love with McNally. Like want to quit my job and become a server at one of his restaurants (not really, but it’d be fun). I’m now on a mission to try the rest of his places, and I look forward to the new neighborhood Pulino’s.
