It’s always a tough question to figure out how long you should wait before salivating at a new restaurant or in the worst case scenario, getting indigestion. Sometimes even soft openings are tricky as so much is still under the stranglehold of limited execution. How long should you wait when there is a new chef? When the restaurant has changed its focus?

All good questions–No simple answers. Part of me loves trying something so new that few people know of its existence. The other part of me waits and watches. Sometimes when you travel and you are in a city with a new restaurant opening, you can’t wait. You’re there. You have to sample.

Such was my recent trip to New York City. The Standard Hotel deemed it was ready to open its restaurant, The Standard Grill. They were right. Even though the menu was still being tweaked, under the heading, “Preview Menu,” the chef who had previously cooked at the now shuttered Lever House, knew what he was doing. The staff understood the dishes and for a relatively new restaurant in the hyper trendy Meat Packing District (West Village), they had a winner. Interestingly, the prices were quite affordable as opposed to some of its long-standing neighbors.

Had to try it for breakfast, too. Now you’re talking real winner. Same great friendly service. Same wonderful outdoor space, but the smoked salmon and smoked sturgeon platter defined a trip to New York. Don’t forget the coffee; comes in its own little pot.

Yes, you can preview a restaurant, especially when it is delivered by smart restaurateurs and well-trained staff.

Go.