So okay, Armondo's is not Da Silvano or any of the top-rated Italian restaurants in Manhattan. As others have stated, it was and presumably still is a nice, white tablecloth, sit-down neighborhood restaurant, in an attractive setting, with a full bar, serving decent Italian food. We had one not-good experience there with a scallops dish that was sub-par, but on many other occasions we enjoyed the food (especially their grilled fish over garlic spinach and their mushroom ravioli) and the dining experience. It gave people in JH a choice that was not Indian, Tibetan, Thai, Nepalese, or South American, for times when what was wanted was something plainer, for their kids, for the in-laws, whatever...in other words, a choice of an American-style, old-fashioned Italian restaurant. And there were plenty of people who wanted that and still do. I have missed Armondo's!
Because it's not a temple of gastronomy, and maybe does not offer "true formal" service (or whatever is the opposite of "pseudo-formal" service) does not mean it doesn't have its place. I find it very curious to make the leap that if people in JH like Armondo's they won't like the sort of restaurant Redge is talking about— the implication being that their taste is not refined enough. Makes no sense to me. There is room for all kinds of places, serving a variety of needs and tastes. No?
That said, if Redge is looking for assurances that there is a sufficient audience for a really innovative, upscale restaurant here, and frankly, I am not sure there is. People seem more interested in a comfortable, family friendly but still attractive place, serving well prepared food made of excellent ingredients. They are not necessarily looking for the next big breakthrough in cuisine in an upscale, formal atmosphere. I think people would be fine with going to Manhattan for that kind of experience, and they won't be doing it every night. That's why they live in JH. If they had the money and inclination to eat at very fancy places all the time—I just don't think they would be living here.
I am thinking of a friend who married an affluent guy who lived on Park Avenue. She visited me here, and we had lunch at E77 and walked around a bit. I suggested she bring her husband out sometime to dine at one of the interesting places here. She said, "Well, he really doesn't go to that sort of restaurant." For him, I assume, only something on the level of Odeon or The Gotham Grill or Per Se would do. I think people like her husband are the main market for very upscale restaurants, and those people don't live in JH. This may seem blindingly obvious--and it is--but I am trying to make a distinction that is meaningful for Redge and partners, I think. Yes, there definitely is a market for an American/European nice, but fairly casual restaurant—bistro, gastropub, however you want to identify it—but not a very fancy, formal, upscale place, featuring unusual cuisine at pretty high prices. IMHO.
I am looking forward to The Queensboro, hoping it will hit the sweet spot for a different and nice dining option in JH.