Tomorrow, Frank Bruni reviews Benoit, Alain Ducasse's new casual bistro in Midtown. Today, the Eater oddsmakers have set the action as follows:

Zero Stars: 4-1
One Star: 2-1 √√
Two Stars: 4-1
Three Stars: 60-1
Four Stars: 10,000-1

Frank Bruni isn't going to give Benoit the cockpunch that Platt did, but we've got to consider the fact that Benoit really hasn't gotten much positive buzz from anyone of late. Plus, our meals there put the food at highly uneven and included a roast chicken so dry Ducasse should have spent a night in the clink as punishment for letting it out of the kitchen. But, the Bruni's trey at Adour bodes well for Benoit; this, the moderate price point, bustling lunch business and Ducasse's track record should keep the new place clear of the goose train. As for the good case scenario, of a deuce, it just doesn't seem in the cards. The bar for casual French food is pretty high in New York—see also the sweet sweet Balth or Nougatine—and while some day it might, Benoit just doesn't stack up quite yet. Mark it, people: The Eater bills are on one star this week.
· Benoit [NYT; after 8:00 PM]

√√ denotes the Eater bet.