I've done both...one year (maybe 2021?) I went alone to St B for 10 days. Went to Bonito the first night. But then a friend joined me for the last 4 days, and we went back to Bonito at a table.
Memories tarnished..but I'm calling out this outrageous behavior...
- Thread starter hydraaa
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bkeats
Senior Insider
I started my career a bit west from you at the Brothers. Were you at Bear at the end when JPM took over? I knew a lot of people there. Felt bad for them when they got taken out of their shares at $10. Felt envious not too much later when I got $0 for mine. Didn’t ever meet Ace but he seemed like a much more in touch CEO than Dick. But Jimmy seemed to be a little out there. I’ve recovered from that and have moved around a little. Just started a new role after a nice 3 month garden leave of which I spent a month on SBH. Was marvelous. Very little high end dining during that time. Spent most of my time in casual local places. Got to know the owners of La Casina and Mapo. Spent a lot of time sipping beer and chatting with Camille at Ti Corail. When they see you show up a couple of times a week at the same places people start talking to you. Living in NYC I don’t see much reason to chase high end dining on the little island. Frankly when it comes to sushi style food and cuisine like Bonito, NYC has so much better. But that view is pretty awesome. Maybe next time I’ll just go for drinks like some others have done.
I worked at Barclays at one point but I wasn‘t around when this event happened but I heard some pretty good stories. $62 thousand bill for wine. Might have even impressed Dave Barry for spending more than $16,000.
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Llama San in NYC is most similar to Bonito's particular style.
The cocktails at Bonito are a sight to behold. There's one called (I think) Bathtub Gin, and it's served in a mini bathtub with lots of bubbles. (I'm still an apertif and then wine person, but they're pretty to see other people ordering them.)
The cocktails at Bonito are a sight to behold. There's one called (I think) Bathtub Gin, and it's served in a mini bathtub with lots of bubbles. (I'm still an apertif and then wine person, but they're pretty to see other people ordering them.)
bkeats
Senior Insider
Sadly closed. But the chef opened Papa San in Hudson Yards which I have been wanting to try. More casual place. Really interesting menu to me. A fraction of the price of Bonito.
We agree with most of everything posted here. My wife and I have been going to St Barth for years and have noticed the difference. But it still is our happy place. We have learned that many of the retailers and restaurant don't care about us and are only looking for money. But, there are many more places where people, mostly locals, that are caring and honest. We don't rent through an agency anymore, direct from the owner. The restaurants we frequent never have tried to screw us. We believe there are many more places to go then the tourist traps. So, be smart and enjoy it.
Even if it was classic vintage...not even close...I have a few magnums of 1990 vintage...about as good as it comes...auction value is $1200....I know my sh*t when it comes to wine....this wasn't even gouging...this was committing wine assault...Wow. What a crazy story. Thankfully he mentioned the price (or your son was savvy enough to ask) and didn't try to sucker him in and then hit him with the bill. That would have been borderline criminal and disgraceful. But, it seemed he only asked and your son rightly said no. Not sure how horrible that is even if a little rude and presumptuous? We love Nao and unless it has changed in the last year find it pretty reasonable all things considered. They have a Premier Cru Chablis we always get that is pretty cheap actually and we find the service to be great but of course it's year to year at places like that. Hopefully your story is more a one off than a new MO for Nao. Perhaps your son should be flattered that they thought he looked so "well to do"
My main question is what the heck was the bottle exactly that they would charge that price for even if he requested it and they didn't try to sell him on it? It couldn't have just been a "regular" recent vintage of Dom Perignon could it? Was it a classic vintage? That's an absolutely insane price for just a regular old bottle of Dom.
It looks like Christmas and New Years is open season for the billionaires who just expense it with their companies...I'm a tax consultant as well and know exactly how they do it...
This is the 1920's...out of control...the only question is...Is it 1923 or 1928? If you study history, unfortunately we end up in a World War at the end...
great post...I got "lucky" and got out of most my Bear stock...I prefer the low key, local places like you in SB, but haven't been there in 8 years because of Covid, etc...had a bunch of friends at Lehman....not Barclays...send me a DM if you would like...would love to talk more...
A common theme shared again. Surely discouraging but know that less aggressive and fair value places are still in abundance.
To us, "a view of the car park" during an evening dinner can be VERY festive and charming!
Let the Bezos, Bradys and the hip hoppers have their fun. But for me, some nice cheese, ham, bread and a good bottle (or two) of wine on our patio deck overlooking the beach or hillside is.....sublime. No tip required!
"There is no shame" - Mario
To us, "a view of the car park" during an evening dinner can be VERY festive and charming!
Let the Bezos, Bradys and the hip hoppers have their fun. But for me, some nice cheese, ham, bread and a good bottle (or two) of wine on our patio deck overlooking the beach or hillside is.....sublime. No tip required!
"There is no shame" - Mario
JEK
Senior Insider
ripped off...it was assault and battery with a magnum of Dom...I guess there is one good thing to say...as a father...taught Jr. well...
money doesn't buy class...
cassidain
Senior Insider
quite so
BND...thanks...you get to our age and you hope you taught your children well...newly engaged couple...yes we are so happy...my son hit the lottery when he met her...btw...her parents who we had to our home for our first meeting...they were polish immigrants...came to US in 1988...nothing in their pockets...he worked his butt off...went to school at night...retired an executive from a big bank...raised 3 daughters...All very successful...my future DIL is the baby...that's the type of people we want coming to America...
Actually, disappointed in Tom the Goat......but didn't expect him to be hangin out with the beautiful people...but these days the $$$ speaks...guess Gisele did a number on his head her with banging her Ju Jitsu trainer...and then having his kid...
