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Chef'Testants are No Match for Eric Ripert

Where: 155 W. 51st Street [map], New York, NY, United States, 10019
February 5, 2009 at 10:44 AM | by BS | 6 Comments

The Top Chef'testants had a particularly tough time with this week's challenge--reproducing a dish from guest judge Eric Ripert's legendary seafood restaurant Le Bernardin. We were a little disappointed with the chefs' output (especially Leah, how did she not go home?!), but the episode certainly did get us salivating to try the real deal--Ripert's classic French dishes like black bass tartare, poached escolar, and pan-roasted monkfish.

So we're wondering--just how hard is it to get into Le Bernardin nowadays? Reservations are notoriously difficult to come by (on the first business day of every month, they become available for the month after that, and their phone lines get busy quickly), but it turns out you can get around that if you're willing to eat super-late. We just did an OpenTable search and found tables for two available tonight at 10pm, and Friday and Saturday at 11. Not so hard after all!

Of course, you still have to be willing to pay for all that fishy goodness. The lunch prix fixe is $68, dinner is $109, while the extravagant chef's tasting menu is $185 a head.

Oh, and bonus news for all you Ripert-heads: Looks like he's enjoying this TV thing. Ripert will get his own show, "Avec Eric," coming to PBS this fall.

· Le Bernardin [Official Site]
· Checking In At Jamie's Place [Jaunted]

Photo: [Bravo]

6 Comments

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  1. juliana

    Jaunted Contributing Editor

    i really dont understand

    how are leah and carla still on this show? or even fabio? stefan is going to win it all that's pretty much a given but hosea will give him a run for his money.
    February 5, 2009 at 10:46 AM
    #Permalink

  1. Victor Ozols

    Jaunted Editor

    I think

    last night's episode shows that the producers are more interested in amping up the drama than cutting the weakest chefs. It was clearly edited to make people think Leah was gone, and then, surprise surprise, the better chef is sent packing.
    February 5, 2009 at 10:54 AM
    #Permalink

  1. juliana

    Jaunted Contributing Editor

    have you eaten at centro?

    that's where leah works. its right over a subway and aside from being rattled during your meal, the food is just so-so. i got bombed there off of white wine but i also do that on my couch on a tuesday so i guess that's not saying much.
    February 5, 2009 at 11:44 AM
    #Permalink

  1. BS

    Jaunted Contributing Editor

    Centro

    Yeah I was less than enthused there as well...Leah has been promoted to head chef since she went on the show...haven't been since she took over though.
    February 5, 2009 at 12:50 PM
    #Permalink

  1. bbagel

    Jaunted Member

    Not so fast

    Leah should have went home, yes, but Carla is a total sleeper. She's quirky (or maybe just straight up weird), but she's growing on me. And being in the top 3 the last two weeks has totally legitimized her. I thought that last season was in the bag with Richard, but was surprised when Stephanie won. So I will not be betting on Stefan. My favorite at the moment is Fabio. And he's hilarious.
    February 5, 2009 at 1:54 PM
    #Permalink

  1. rdmcgeorge

    Jaunted Member

    Careful

    Don't give it to Stefan yet. I gave it to Blais last year for the entire second half of the season and then he laid an egg on the finale.
    February 5, 2009 at 1:54 PM
    #Permalink

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