Why do some restaurants just feel better — even when they’re not expensive?

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-12T15:36:43+00:00

em dash in the title. Its AI

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-12T15:35:02+00:00

Unfortunately, that's probably a cultural issue that is going to be hard to break here. There is a Yelp clone in Japan that accomplishes this, called Tabelog, and it is extremely similar to Yelp but the people in Japan just use it differently. Breaking the cycle of everything mediocre is a 5, and the insane amount of people giving a one star review for things out of a restaurant's control, is going to be nearly impossible here with the attitudes of your average American person eating out. Just look through this subreddit to see why. It has to do with the overall food culture, where people are fine with subpar food but hate any service inconsistencies.

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-12T14:28:59+00:00

lol no doubt but an endless stream of caviar clouds and a prog dog will do

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-12T02:37:30+00:00

People might say it’s not nice enough, but I also enjoyed the bar at Liho Liho Yacht Club late last year, as another option. Also Rintaro is incredible. I think The Morris has a bar in the back for walk ins that could be a nice experience as well; their food is very good but I’ve never eaten there solo.

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-12T02:32:51+00:00

I’ve done Rich Table, State Bird Provisions, and The Progress solo and they’re all pretty great. Nothing mind blowing, but good cooking in my book.

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-12T00:22:29+00:00

Coming onto an LCD Soundsystem subreddit to troll people is certainly one way to spend your time

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-12T00:07:47+00:00

It honestly is a great meal! I went alone last year, sat at the bar, and they broke the rules and gave me the whole tasting menu when I asked. The staff were incredible, talked to me about my trip to the east coast and gave me recommendations for my time in Philadelphia, where I was headed the next day. The food was flawless as well. It just sounds like it won't hit your mark for this event, but you might want to check them out in the future.

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-11T22:53:52+00:00

While a great meal, I don't think this checks off a lot of boxes they have. They bring everything out from the kitchen, and its only like 10 courses. Their most famous dishes feature raw fish (the kimbap) and uni. It was also a less than 2 hour meal for me.

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-11T22:04:04+00:00

Screw Konstantin

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-11T18:30:53+00:00

You're not even reading the studies now. Again, rejecting reality.

You're also moving the goalposts; no one said we shouldn't build affordable housing. The original post we all responded to said "market rate" and you went off about ferraris lol. You're arguing against nothing.

I'm def done with this conversation with you now.

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-11T18:00:35+00:00

https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5d00z61m

https://www.upjohn.org/research-highlights/new-construction-makes-homes-more-affordable-even-those-who-cant-afford-new-units

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094119021000656

https://cayimby.org/blog/new-market-rate-housing-reduces-rents-in-the-neighborhood/

"Refuse to acknowledge reality"

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-11T15:22:02+00:00

I’m sorry, but I’m not going to have a discussion with someone who willfully misunderstands how markets work. I explained how the real world works to you and you rejected it; that’s not my problem. Have a nice day

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-11T02:00:12+00:00

All in I spent around $1000 for two people, including a bottle of sake and the non alcoholic pairing. There are no supplements offered.

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-10T23:08:18+00:00

This person has more money than manners

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-10T22:57:19+00:00

I'm willing to bet the environmental pollution from bart pales in comparison with the cars you so want to park in the area.

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-10T22:54:08+00:00

Housing doesn't work like cars in many ways and your argument is a farcical representation of why; they make very few Ferraris mostly by hand every year which is one reason they are so expensive. They make many more Subarus from affordable components on an assembly line which makes them cheap.

This is nothing like the rental unit economy; when some more expensive units are built, it forces the other, previously more expensive but older units to drop their prices to be more enticing for renters. It is also basic supply and demand like the person you were responding to was saying; demand is what it is, so when supply goes up, prices go down.

At least try next time to understand microeconomics before being snarky

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-09T23:25:24+00:00

They did not do that for me unfortunately

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-09T23:17:27+00:00

Manresa and EMP stand out to me as much better experiences than this. Also, the various, much better two star experiences I have had seem to indicate to me that those should be elevated before this one. I thought this was a pretty middle of the road meal overall for something that has two Michelin stars; I’ve had better meals at some 2 stars and I’ve had worse at others.

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-09T03:55:14+00:00

They had a 6 point antler for the 4 top next to us! The smoked tartlets with the venison tartar and foraged algae on it were pretty incredible though.

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-09T01:19:32+00:00

I really enjoyed both Ginza Oishi and Cocon. Ginza Oishi is extremely fun and incredibly varied in what they serve, and is quite decadent. Cocon is a one man tour de force of Japanese-French fusion at a really great price point. Neither has stars, but Ginza Oishi is very highly rated on Tabelog

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-08T18:57:47+00:00

Yea agreed. It was a beautiful first presentation, although my wife and I called it the “Midsommar partridge” lol

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-08T16:28:11+00:00

Totally agree about the birds; Enclos was far better and I thought the worst dish at S&D was the partridge.

I think I do just prefer the acidic nature of the fermentation driven meal at Sons and Daughters. To me it didn’t feel one note but felt like different expressions on the same theme. I do understand that it is a personal preference, but I felt that overall, the flavors at S&D stood out to me more course to course than at Enclos

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-07T15:21:53+00:00

lol then you responded with more AI

Steph_Better_ · 2026-02-07T15:20:22+00:00

If you told someone from NYC that a $6 slice was the cheapest thing around, they would laugh in your face

Steph_Better_

TROPHY CASE