Raoul's Restaurant

When I think of the 1980's I think of .... shoulder pads, Madonna style laceless gloves, Jiffy Pop, wine coolers, scrunchies, breakdancing, mullets, hackysacks, TAB, Gordon Gecko, John Hughes movies, Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons work out tapes, valley girls, Dynasty .... the list goes on and on. However, I can't help but feel that the 1980's are making a comeback ... like it or not, look who is sitting in the White House, the ultimate poster boy of the 1980's! Above I mentioned how I became nostalgic for the video games and counter nerd culture, but how about the food -- where carbs weren't the enemy, but rather the recommended diet! So, I decided to go back to the restaurants that epitomized the high-flying 80's in NYC. We're talking Mr. Chow's, Indochine, The Odeon .... and Raoul's! Last night, I grabbed my date (Meri) and headed to Raoul's, the Soho institution that was the epicenter of the fashion, music, film and art scene of the 1980's. I was happy to see that it is alive and kicking (just like the other classics above) ... the bar was lively, the music apropos (think Kool and the Gang), the food was just as good as I remember, and honestly, the vibe was spot-on! I recommend the artichoke, the classic Steak au Poivre ... and for burger enthusiasts, the burger (only 12 available per night and has been hailed in Esquire as the best burger in America)! Check it out ... again (heard the weekend brunch is HOT)! As you now know, everything old is new again!