Serious Eats: New York
Bruni Betting, Upper West Side-Style: Bar Bao and West Branch
Fried quail and duck confit "choucroute" from West Branch.
I'm not trying to steal Eater's Bruni Betting thunder, but I feel compelled to weigh in on the two restaurants Bruni will review tomorrow, West Branch and Bar Bao.
Serious eaters know I am a big fan of West Branch, and why not? Serious chow, not too expensive (given the level of cooking being done there), and a great neighborhood feel. Plus, it's two blocks from my house. What more could a serious eater ask for? The only problem is West Branch's instant popularity. It's hard to just drop in without a reservation. If I were a Bruni betting man, I would put even money on two stars. Eater and I agree on this one, though Eater has the odds of a deuce at 2-1.
Then there's Bar Bao, which I am going to review in the coming weeks. Michael Hyunh's restaurant in the old Rain space is flat out the best Vietnamese restaurant I've been to in New York. I know some Yelpers disagree, but I urge all serious eaters to find out for themselves. Another good thing about Bar Bao: unlike West Branch, Bar Bao has not been immediately mobbed. You can walk in without a reservation, though who knows what will happen after Bruni's review.
I feel like Frank Bruni is less surefooted when it comes to Asian restaurants, but I'm confident he will recognize the inherent quality of the food at Bar Bao. Again, if I were a Bruni betting man I would take 2-1 odds on two stars. From the odds differential you can tell I'm less confident of this prediction. Eater disagrees with me here. It's laying 2-1 odds on one star. Anybody else want to place your bets? The betting window will be open until Bruni's review is posted.
West Branch
2178 Broadway, New York, NY 10024 10023 ((b/n 76th and 77th Streets; map)
212-777-6764
Bar Bao
100 West 82nd Street, New York NY 10024 (b/n Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues; map)
212-501-6764