Will Sam Sifton Call Per Se the Best Restaurant in NYC?

In the New York Times Magazine food issue this week, there is a little feature in which outgoing Times restaurant critic Sam Sifton answers questions about the best places to eat and drink in New York, and he gives shout outs to ABC Kitchen, Momofuku Ssam Bar, La Grenouille, and others. Most interestingly, he reveals that in his last review—which will drop in a little under two weeks on October 12—he will name the best restaurant in New York.

It has been speculated on Grub Street and elsewhere, that the Siftonator might go out with a four spot for Per Se. He's been in quite a bit recently, it hasn't been reviewed since 2004, and well, it's a way to go out with a bang (and to make good use of that disappearing expense account). One imagines it's a four star caliber restaurant and the Le Bernardin revamp was too recent. So is Per Se the best restaurant in New York. Period?

Either that or he'll review a Uzbek place you've never heard of in Bensonhurst.
· Sam Sifton, What's the Best Place in New York City [NYT Mag]
· All Coverage of Sam Sifton [~ENY~]