Restaurant Critic Roundup: 'Time-Honored Cookery' Found In Boston

As always, the ratings range from stars to bells to beans, but every review offers specialized insight into the food, atmosphere, and service of eateries in each city's dining scene and the critics eating at them.

This week in Manhattan, Pete Wells finds lackluster and uninspired food at Le Cirque, but he hasn't given up hope yet. Fortunately, the service is impeccable and the host will charm your pants off — or, at least, your wallet.

If you're in Boston, Devra First recommends heading to Kitchen for a blast from the past. Chef Scott Herritt's newest contribution to "time-honored cookery" throws diners into the 1800s, at least in terms of food, without a single foam or emulsion in sight.

Pasta Folies disappoints Jodi Mailander Farrell, from the atmosphere ("the only signs of dining life being food stains on the paper menus") to the service ("we might as well have stayed home with a box of Barilla"). I guess the "air of despair" got to her, too.

From the East Coast to the West Coast, from North to South, the weekly restaurant critic roundup is here for all of your dining out needs.

 Restaurant Critic Roundup: 9/21/2012

Critic Publication Restaurant Rating
Pete Wells New York Times Le Cirque 1 star
Stan Sagner New York Daily News The Hurricane Club 1 star
Devra First Boston Globe Kitchen 2.5 stars
Jodi Farrell Miami Herald Pasta Folie's 2 stars
Michael Bauer San Francisco Gate Plaj  
Tom Siestema Washington Post Southern Hospitality  
Providence Cicero Seattle Times Collections Cafe 2.5 stars
Edmund Tijerina San Antonio Express-News Big Easy Cafe 3 stars

Check out last week's Restaurant Critic Roundup!