Mario Battali's latest effort kicked off with the right note hosting Narciso Rodriguez's post show party for his Fall 2006 collection. It's worth noting that the chef in the kitchen is not the face on TV. Instead, Mark Ladner, former Lupa chief, is the maestro behind bollito misto, lobster risotto, and tripe alla parmigiana. While there are tiny little stools for purses just like at Alain Ducasse, the Italian cooking here can never be the haute French of Alain's whilst they're still parading the innards past the diners. Nonetheless, now that Battali has gone sceney, the foodies will have to fight meat-loving models for their way into this spot where the food is good just not the first priority it used to be for Mario.

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