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The Three Tomatoes Presents
Intimate Conversations with Fabulous Tomatoes
An Intimate Conversation with Gael Greene
Jan. 27, 2009 at Etcetera, Etcetera

Well, let’s just start out by giving a big thank you to Gael Greene for letting us indulge ourselves a bit through her eyes. We loved hearing her describe food with such passion that we got a little flushed. Yes, it could have been the hormones, but more likely it was Gael’s relating food to a sexual experience.

Speaking of, we certainly don’t want to discount Gael’s 40+ years of being a restaurant critic, but we really did enjoy the titillating tales of her sexual encounters with Elvis and his fried sandwich, Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds.

However, we were dying to know her favorite spots to dine.

Gael ‘s #1 choice is Le Bernardin.  It is no surprise that this restaurant has been a top pick of New Yorkers for years. She recommends the 4 course tasting dinner and speaks highly of the chef stating “When he does a fish, you know what the fish is.” 

LE BERNARDIN
155 W. 51st St; (212) 554-1515

Here are some of Gael’s other favorites by cuisine:

SEAFOOD:
ESCA- Mario Batali, partner Joe Bastianich and chef David Pasternack’s  Southern Italian Seafood in the theater district.
402 W. 43rd Street; (212) 564-7272; http://esca-nyc.com/

STEAK:
STRIP HOUSE - where 2 people can dine for $100
E. 12th Street; (212) 328-0000

BURGER:
5 NAPKIN BURGER
630 9th Ave; (212) 757-2277

CHINESE:
Chinatown Brasserie
380 Lafayette St; (212) 533-7000

NOTEABLE CHEFS:
Zak Pelaccio at Fatty Crab
643 Hudson St; (212) 352-3590
Harold Moore of Commerce
50 Commerce Street (Barrow Street), Greenwich Village; (212) 524-2301

GOOD DEALS:
Cafe Fiorello (near Lincoln Center)
1900 Broadway (bet. 63rd & 64th Sts.); 212-595-5330; www.cafefiorello.com
Jean George- lunch two course meal for $28 in the formal dining room
1 Central Park W; (212) 299-3900
Fishtail- a David Burke restaurant. Sunday special, pre fix 3 course dinner for $20.09
135 East 62nd Street (Park & Lexington Avenues); 212.754.1300; http://www.fishtaildb.com



Host Valerie Smaldone (right) had a great time interviewing Gael Greene.
Event Sponsor Victoria Vinkor, (right) Prudential Douglas Eliman, picks the raffle winner -  two tickets for Broadway show, The Marvelous Wonderettes
Tomatoes enjoyed the music of classical guitarist, Virginia Luque.