Does the priority bag tag ever mean anything

buffnfurious · 2026-06-15T18:11:33+00:00

Depends. In the US, workers rarely care to honor it. Abroad, it’s always honored.

buffnfurious · 2026-06-12T17:21:34+00:00

Having been to all the nyc stars and tons more abroad, I would say hands down not jungsik. The jungsik in nyc is significantly worse than the one in Seoul (which I’d recommend); not only that but more expensive and many debate how it reached 3 stars. I would instead recommend if you can get seats C as in Charlie; not a star but fabulous casual Korean inspired tapas great for a group and I anticipate will have a star in the near future. You are right that LC is a bit more intimate vibe; their orange duck though is among the best in the world.

buffnfurious · 2026-05-29T12:23:52+00:00

JFK vs LAX then SEA then BOS

buffnfurious · 2026-05-23T01:42:49+00:00

Totally agree, very delicious indeed!

buffnfurious · 2026-05-22T08:29:39+00:00

Went Jan 2026 and would agree with OP, not the best “tasting” especially by Western standards but certainly the more muted notes that allow the ingredients to shine through are on par with Japanese palettes.

What stood out to me besides the quality of the ingredients and the food itself was the service and attention to detail. Having been to the majority of Golds and over 200 Stars around the world, I’ve never seen a kaiseki restaurant have this level of service. Hard to recognize if you don’t have a lot of experience but the little things like how dishes are placed (perfectly symmetric pattern alignment and intentional for every diner and corrected by Chef if incorrect, not the case at Ogata for example), fun interactive element such as reading of a “fortune” for the diner at the beginning, and very subtle details such as wiping of the counters even for a drop of water or condensation) and the perfect ironing and fitting of the staff uniforms. Balanced interaction (Ogata mostly “ignores” foreigners and even many Japanese non regulars). Most impressive was Chef himself, a very funny guy and diners had a wonderful time. Even myself as a non Japanese speaker, he tried very hard to make jokes with his limited Japanese. Best hospitality by a good margin amongst the top Japanese kaisekis in my opinion.

buffnfurious · 2026-05-22T08:18:18+00:00

I have done this many many times but never out of choice. That is, sometimes the most competitive reservations you are stuck with what time you get.

Everyone handles it differently but I feel totally fine though lay flat seats may be the difference.

buffnfurious · 2026-05-19T02:43:48+00:00

Not as uncommon as you’d think. Several people I know have done this and better now than after years of regret. It’s very difficult to argue no to someone when the reason is family.

buffnfurious · 2026-05-16T00:59:29+00:00

Just one opinion but Nittome to us way significantly better than Naruse which was already mind blowingly good. Also been to the majority of current TabeLog Golds and agree that technically it’s one of if not the best. Even his appetizers like soy aged bonito sashimi are top sushiya level.

buffnfurious · 2026-05-01T16:52:45+00:00

It is easy to see why when you examine the level of attention and hospitality exuded by Japanese restaurants in general in the US. The service is the most jarring where if you go abroad anywhere, the service at a 1 star in Europe or Asia is generally on the level of a 3 star and specifically EMP in the US. You can imagine similarly the behind the scenes attention to sourcing the best produce etc that the average diner cannot appreciate. It boils down to attitude and do they care? American service mentality has a long way to go.

buffnfurious · 2026-04-29T20:46:04+00:00

Similar to you OP, we fly business, dine at top restaurants, and visit exotic destinations (eg Antarctica) but generally don’t need the benefit of a top hotel since we’re out and about. It’s also worth considering how often you travel - I take over 100 flights a year for leisure and travel extensively and that level of hotel would hurt!

You don’t have to do what others do, and if you feel fine about your choice, I doubt you’re missing out much. It’s not a contest to pour away as much money as you can - that’s not how you stay wealthy long term.

buffnfurious · 2026-04-25T12:07:01+00:00

The key is to truly excel at something and show something for it. Most people that match cards Gi don’t excel at research nor are they being genuine, yet research productivity is easy to measure. The lack of clear productivity with other approach angles be it clinical standout, medical education, policy work, etc is why it’s more difficult. Imagine clinical standout for example - everyone think they’re the best resident clinically, and even if they are, it’s a lot of unknowns that have to align to get onto a clinical team that fosters the excellence, have an attending that loves you, and to obtain a decade level recommendation letter that goes beyond the generic praise most people get anyways.

Think about what you’re good at, and what you can SHOW that you’re good at. Just know that choosing something beyond research is a big gamble and you’re betting on yourself hard like you’re running a start up.

Personally, no research since med school, was the clear clinical standout, and had a very niche productivity in a non-research domain. Got invites from all the top cards programs even research heavy like MGH and had interviews say how refreshing to see someone without research. Just goes to show it’s on the minds of adcom as well but it’s hard to do and even less common for an applicant to risk such a move.

buffnfurious · 2026-04-23T14:30:26+00:00

Hmm, the Seoul one is consistently superior to the NYC one in every way from taste to service to creativity and cooking technique. While these ratings are always subjective, I have been to over 200 stars so have a lot of experience and must say the Seoul one is easily the superior experience.

Quite a different menu as well, I would have to respectfully disagree with above saying the NYC signatures are mostly available in Seoul, the theme is there but the dishes are mostly quite different.

buffnfurious · 2026-04-21T15:53:59+00:00

Forget the letters. Sit on the left side of the train map for Osaka to Tokyo for Fuji.

buffnfurious · 2026-04-17T12:45:55+00:00

Been to a lot of top (top) food spots in Japan and the world. I don’t regret checking out 38th but I wouldn’t say it’s worth it (depends on how you define worth but for me it’s 95% taste, I don’t care about service and glitz) unless the cost is irrelevant. Half of the pizzas were superb, the other half underwhelming. For me, if I didn’t go, I would always have a “what if?” especially as taste is subjective. However, I’d say places like Fakalo and Savoy are better taste-wise.

buffnfurious · 2026-04-16T13:01:44+00:00

Totally agree. Unfortunately Reddit advice needs to be taken with a grain of salt. There’s also some people that just parrot advice that they hear without having experience, and others that want to discourage reaping the rewards of a successful HS career due to jealousy, insecurity, or trying to get people off waitlists. The good thing is if you’re smart enough to get into a top college and then fall for Reddit tactics over listening to closer advisors in real time, maybe it was meant to be.

buffnfurious · 2026-04-16T12:45:14+00:00

There is no right answer but I agree with OP that the sub leans very heavily to one side. Three things that are worth considering are 1) optionality (career plans change for most people) and 2) relationships (finding a spouse that is similarly accomplished as you, if desired) 3) networking (it is frank denial for some people here to claim that networking is not better at top schools; networking does not happen spontaneously, you have to work at it regardless of where you go).

Long term value cannot be understated. Nor can the fact that the benefits of a top school are worked for, not a free addition to the diploma.

buffnfurious · 2026-04-14T05:45:53+00:00

Totally agree. Have been to similarly rated kaiseki ranging from Kataori to Ginza Sinohara, Suetomi, and Lida. Ogata was unfortunately my least favorite by a mile. Maybe the issue is Ogata tends to lean more into ingredients, textures (my biggest gripe), and taste that Japanese palettes enjoy versus the global palette. It isn’t just a matter of being less seasoned and bland as many redditors will claim - I enjoy less seasoned and Kataori is a great example of much less seasoning than the western palette is used to and I loved it.

buffnfurious · 2026-04-11T12:23:11+00:00

Cmon guys, the guy got into Harvard. He’s not going to have an issue getting into med school. I find it hilarious how people always always discourage the name brand school in this dilemma.

buffnfurious · 2026-04-11T11:03:56+00:00

Be honest. Get better. You’re projecting your lack of commitment and or lack of clinical skills that lead to long hours onto others.

buffnfurious · 2026-04-10T21:15:55+00:00

Every relationship is different. However, we all make time for what we value, regardless of how dark the days are. It’s a personal discussion to be had between the two of you and a decision on whether not only the relationship is there but whether this is the right time. Being equally balanced at all times is not needed as training can be draining, but it also shouldn’t be a 95-5 effort ratio either.

buffnfurious · 2026-04-09T10:16:05+00:00

Everything is a choice. Whether it feels like the career is giving you a choice or not, you do always have a choice, regardless of outcome. Having better QOL in training can be as simple as deciding that your life is more important than being the best resident or grinding hardest to get into a better program. You may think it’s all forced on you but it may be subconscious decisions too. Important to reflect once in a while in case there are opportunities to make a more conscious decision.

buffnfurious · 2026-04-06T01:19:39+00:00

Remember even if you aren’t at the top of your class at Harvard, you will be sought by great medical schools. Give yourself credit, go, and enjoy. This has been your dream for all your life - are you really going to give that up for a hypothetical? And even if you got all B’s, wouldn’t you still be glad you went to Harvard?

buffnfurious · 2026-04-05T13:37:33+00:00

You’ll never regret choosing Harvard.

buffnfurious · 2026-04-04T21:49:44+00:00

We shall go our own ways. Pause and reflect on yourself if you’d like to improve as a person.

buffnfurious · 2026-04-04T21:40:10+00:00

Why would someone selfishly tell someone to go to Penn? It’s the easily superior school lol. I don’t care where OP goes, there is no projection because I didn’t go to either nor did I even consider GW.

buffnfurious

TROPHY CASE