One of my great teachers was the late Jean-Claude Vrinat of Taillevent in Paris.

I learned that you shouldn't take your most esoteric concept and fit it into the largest space with the highest fixed costs. It puts too much pressure on the restaurant to hit grand slams every day when there just aren't enough people who want to watch that sport.

Long before Starbucks popularized the phrase 'the third place' - somewhere to interact outside of work and home - it was neighborhood restaurants that helped to define places like Union Square.

It is sad that the more 'successful' a neighborhood becomes, the more it gradually takes on a recognizable, common look, as the same banks, drugstore chains and national brands move in.

The part of capitalism that doesn't work for me is when capitalists make decisions in the way that Adam Smith suggested, which is that as long as you do everything in the interest of the investor, you're going to actually make the best decisions for all other stakeholders. I don't happen to agree with that.

Restaurants and chefs have become followed by such a broad swath of the public, in a way that used to be reserved for sports stars, movie stars, and theater actors. Restaurants are in the firmament of today's common culture.

I'm a big believer that you can try to change the world based on philosophy, doctrine, and belief. But I think the thing that really drives the world is hedonism, the pleasure factor.

Every restaurant needs to have a point of view.

Be aware of textural elements throughout a party, like silverware, stemware, and linens. But the biggest element is metaphorical: it's your own touch. How are you making people feel?

There were plenty of people who didn't know that I played for United. I'm not one of those people that puts themselves out there. And I was never satisfied to be playing for United at 14 or 15; I wanted to play for Manchester United's senior team.

I don't really play off nerves. I just want to win.

When you score, you've got to be happy. It's only normal.

I've been through seasons where I've not played a lot of games, and its been difficult due to injuries and stuff like that.

Once I get into the box and get the opportunities, I have got faith in my ability.

I got Osgood-Schlatter disease in my knees because my bones were growing quicker than my muscles, and it's hard to get out on the training pitch; then, afterwards, you're in agony every single time you play football.

I've never asked or demanded a penny from United.

Fans are so important to football clubs, and you have to respect that everyone has got an opinion, but we have got to do our stuff on the football pitch.

I think it can be quite frustrating at times for anyone playing out of position, but you've just got to deal with it.

Things move on in life, and I think you've really got to make the right decision in the situation that you're in at that moment in time.

Jack Wilshere is a prime example of how things work. He went to Bolton and did really well, then he went back to Arsenal and really kicked on. It is something quite a few of the young boys look at and think, 'If he can do it, so can we.'

I think, first and foremost, Wayne Rooney is a class player. Wherever he is on the pitch, he can make an impact.

England against France is such a massive match; you can't get much bigger than that in European football. It's a huge rivalry.

Striker is my favourite position, but once I get on the pitch, whether it's out on the wing or in the middle, I just want to enjoy my football and try and produce as good a performance as possible.

When you are playing regularly, you feel a lot sharper on the pitch.

Once you play regularly, it just becomes second nature to do things on the pitch.

I've been playing for England at every single youth team level, so it's like a natural progression into the seniors, and I'm obviously delighted with my progress.

To be given the chance to play for United is a dream, and I'm always willing to go when asked.

I go into every game like I'm playing at school!

I think there's a lot of hidden talents at the big clubs that aren't getting the chance to showcase their ability.

Going on loan really benefits you.

Growing up at United and training with him day-in, day-out, you learn a lot from him. Wazza is always there, and you can talk to him. He has been through a lot of experiences in his life, and he is always happy to pass that experience down to the younger players.

Ever since I was a young kid, I've been playing for an academy with scouts all over the world that are looking for top players to come in.

You have competition throughout your whole life, and it only makes you better. That competitive edge gives you extra motivation.

When I get on that pitch, I want to make an impact. That's all I can say.

My mindset's just focused on looking forward, bettering myself, getting on the pitch, on the training pitch, doing what I can do to improve myself.

In professional football, there are always going to be critics.

Every day, in every single walk of life, you can do something good, and people will have something bad to say about you. You just get on with it and do your job as best you can.

When I'm on the pitch, I just want to give as good a performance as possible.

As a player, you have to focus on the match and not too much on the surroundings.

I prefer to play as a striker, but I will do my best and try to win the game for my team as long as I am on the pitch.

You can't be looking into the past too much about what you could have done; it is about making things right and learning from that experience and taking it into the next game.

That's the most important thing - once you're on the pitch, you need to do your job properly.

That's Manchester United for you, a never-say-die attitude as you see time and time again.

Being at United, you always get quite disappointed if you don't get all three points, as you believe you can go into every single game and win it.

There's no better feeling than scoring in front of the Stretford End.

Sunderland was a turning point where I changed from a boy to a man. It was definitely the right thing for me to go on loan to another Premier League club. It helped me beyond words.

I've loved my time at Sunderland. It's benefited me so much, as I've just gained invaluable experience playing week-in, week-out in the Premier League and mixing it with the big boys.

In your mindset, you just have to know there's going to be another opportunity, and you have to keep focused.

I'm not just a fighter; I like to give love as well. I'm a lover, too.

There is always room to improve.