Actually, Steven Starr is far from going hungry. He owns a group of restaurant/bars in Philadelphia and is currently attempting to extend his empire to NYC. I’m not convinced that what is trendy in Old City will translate to New York. In the past month or so, I have sampled Starr hot spots Pod, The Continental, El Vez and Jones. Overall the food was satisfying, but not scrumptious (with the exception of a heavenly, passion fruit brulee I devoured at Pod). Interestingly, Starr has no training in the culinary arts, but it isn’t necessarily 
the eats that keep patrons shelling out the dough. The wait staffs are clearly trained in the art of the up-sell and the themed interiors filled with young patrons sipping cocktails are seductive. Starr clearly knows that the visual is as important as the edible. The furniture in Morimoto, which I haven’t yet been to, includes color-changing booths designed by Karim Rashid. Decorated to please the eye and tempt the wallet, Starr’s themed eateries do exactly what they were intended to.
Conclusion: Splurge on appetizers and drinks with your friends. Save on main courses; they’re not Starr’s main thing.
I didn’t realize until I read your column that I’ve also been to a Starr restaurant in Philadelphia (your description sounded all too familiar) Buddakan.
I remember the food being pretty good. I was there for a work-related event so we tried lots of dishes. But mostly I remember the HUGE Buddha in the main room and extravagant, hip decor. As far as the big buddha surviving in the big apple I have no idea.
So according to stephen starr’s website, he’s opening a Buddakan in nyc, but doesn’t have one there yet. I hear that you are a devoted Sex and the City watcher. There is one specific show that has the girls in a restaurant with a huge Buddha in it (the one where Samantha decides she’s a lesbian, not sure what year it came out) which just seemed a bit too familiar…. Do you know which one I’m talking about?
As for the Steven Starr places I have been to, Tangerine has been my favorite over all the ones you have visited. It was the best food I have had in Philly so far.
The restaurant that appears in Sex and the City is Tao. Same theme as Buddakan, but a different dining/drinking estabilishment.