blakegwinn

On 3/14/2011 at 5:33 PM, doctorwibble said:

The bloke and I are off to New York at the end of the month. Some friends from Baltimore are coming up on the Sunday and we'd like to go for a leisurely brunch to catch up over good food and a cocktail or two. Where is great for brunch these days?

Thanks in advance.

I have to agree with Weinoo, good food and leisurely are tough to find. I might have something for you though. This place opened about a month or two ago and I went to brunch there with a party of 4. Very nice space, good food and we had a deal for unlimited mimosas and sangria which I think you can still get if you look to the right hand side of the page I linked to. The food was probably not at the same level as some of the hot brunch spots like Breslin but we also didn't have to wait 2 hours for a table. They take reservations (very rare for good brunch spots) and the space is new and on a side street so there wasn't a huge crowd pushing us out after we were done eating.

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Frankies Spuntino 17 Clinton Street and Cafe Pedlar (zoramargolis)

Options near the Met include eating before you go or leaving and going to another part of town to eat. Seriously.

BTW, are you referring to the museum or the opera?

If you are talking about the museum go to Cascabel for tacos or Luke's for lobster rolls.

Hello all...need help. I am going to New York on 1/8 and need a restaurant recommendation. I wanted to go to Per Se but it is closed for winter break. I will be with my family of 5. Four of us eat everything...the 14 year old..not so much. I was thinking Del Posto but am totally out of the loop on what is going on in Gotham. Any suggestions for a special occasion? Thanks!

I mean, if you can afford it than you should definitely go to Del Posto. A month or two ago it got a fourth star from the NY Times. I think they said it was the first italian restaurant since the late 70's to get 4 stars.

Heading to NYC the weekend of December 10th (the SO has never been to NYC during the holidays and I finally gave in). I know the city will be a made house, particularly b/c we will be hitting the tourist traps that are the Rockefellar tree and all of the surrounding holiday trappings.

That said, I'm driving in early in the morning and will be heading out of the city around 9 or 10. As is normally my MO, (travelling in from eastern PA / NJ) I will probably hop on the ferry in Weehawken and jump off in midtown. Any recommendations for lunch / dinner options that aren't a 40 dollar cab right away from everything would be very much appreciated.

Would love a spot with decent beer for lunch and anything is fair game (from casual to fancy) for dinner...but I legitimately have no clue what my options are since its been awhile since I've done the midtown (or anything out of the Bronx for that matter) thing.

Daisy May's is really close to the ferry terminal. If you have a busy day planned though, a stomach full of bbq might not be the best start. Honestly there are a ton of cool places on 9th ave. Just head over and start walking north. 5 Napkin for burgers, Empanada Mama or Rice and Beans for latin, Yum Yum for Thai, Two Boots for pizza, Casselulla for cheap wine bar type food. You really can't go wrong. Afterwards Roc center is easily walkable from any of those places (except Daisy Mays might be pushing it if the cold is a factor).

Five Napkin Burger, Hells Kitchen, http://www.5napkinburger.com

(Make a reservation, the place is apparently always packed. And very very noisy.) And they now feature Dogfish Head Brewery beer.

The one on the UWS is usually easier to get in to. It's a couple of blocks north of Zabar's on Broadway. If you aren't crazy about the fries they let you do half and half with onion rings.

I will be in NYC during the July 4th weekend for a family get together. My husband and I will probably go out with another foodie friend for some meals, but I also have the daunting task of figuring out where to go for 10 adults, 4 kids, and 2 toddlers. They are not particularly adventurous eaters, hate vegetables, love beef, lobster, and shrimp. I know they would be just as happy eating at Red Lobster, but they are asking for my opinion since they enjoyed every meal I have arranged in the past from Cantonese to Korean bbq to Thai. Our hotel will be near Battery Park and I figure Chinese would be perfect for a big family meal. I know the best places are in Flushing, but for convenience sake, what is your favorite Cantonese and dim sum place in Chinatown? We are also kind of close to Little Italy. Italian is also good served family style. Is there any moderate priced Italian place? What about decent pizza without venture into Brooklyn and wait hours in line?

I know this doesn't fit exactly what you are asking for but you guys should really consider a trip up to Stone Street. In the summer they close off the whole street and cover it with picnic tables and all the restaurants serve the picnic tables in front of their restaurant. It is walkable from Battery Park and if the weather is what it's supposed to be, it should be a great atmosphere. Adrienne's serves very respectable pizza or you could go to Ulysses next door for good quality American bar food. They have very nice weekday lunch specials.

walk-in, 8:30 on a Saturday night...so we weren't expecting to get seated immediately!

Last time Beth and I went we were with a couple of friends who came up from DC. We walked in on Friday night at around 7 and Bobby Flay walked in right behind us with three 14-15 year old girls. Both of our parties were without reservations. Bobby's wait: 5 minutes. Our wait: 90 minutes. Jerk. Not that I would refuse if I were famous, but it's fun to hate ESPECIALLY on him, so...jerk.

I liked the atmosphere at Ippudo more than the ramen - based on one visit each, I strongly preferred Momofuku Noodle Bar which is much smaller. That said, this was back when David Chang had only one restaurant, so who knows?

I like the actual noodles at Ippudo better than those at Momofuku but Momofuku's broth and pork toppings are better than Ippudo. That being said, I think they are very close in quality. I typically find whichever one I am currently eating at to be the best.

Re Otto: I highly recommend the pasta dish with pulled pork shoulder and tomato. Beth has ordered that dish all of the three or four times we have been there while I have tried to venture out and try other dishes. The dishes I have tried have all been good but I always end up trying to negotiate some kind of halfsies swap for some of the pork shoulder pasta.

We're heading to NYC this Saturday and meeting up with friends. Thing is, they found a babysitter for only a few hours don't necessarily have the time for a long wait if we go to Momofuku Ssam or Motorino, which could easily be packed with folks. If eating on the early side is okay (i.e., 5:30 to 6:00), how likely will we have to wait at either of those two places?

Right now, OpenTable has a reservation available at Convivio for 6:00. Should I just take that, or gamble on Ssam/Motorino (which are just around the corner from each other)?

One Saturday at around 6pm we walked up to Motorino after being quoted an hour wait at Caracas Arepas. Motorino said it would only be about twenty minutes so we defected. This was about three weeks after they had opened the East Village location. I can't make any promises but I haven't had that much trouble going before 6-6:30.

I don't like Momofuku Noodle bar at all. I once had an extremely salty ramen there that was absolutely inedible.

Wow, that is really surprising. I have always had a great experience here. I really like the version with the pork belly and egg.

Thanks! Regarding Momofuku - I have heard the buzz, but don't know anything about them. If we just wanted to pop into a place for lunch or brunch, what would be the easiest/cheapest? The one concern I have is that I'm not necessarily on a budget (although I can't do Le Bernardin prices all weekend), but my friends who live in NYC are so I have to be considerate of them. There will be some opportunities to eat without them though.

Noodle Bar for Ramen. Also if you just want to try the steamed buns you can get them at Milk Bar (the dessert place).

One thing I was thinking about, I've never had banh mi and I've heard it's really hard to find good ones here, so I was thinking maybe nyc might be a good place to find it. Any ideas or am I totally off base?

Num Pang on 12th. Mentioned it upthread. I have been to 2 or three well-regarded, more traditional banh mi locations (including Nickys which is close to where you will be staying) around town. They were all very good but none of them came close to Num Pang.

Also, any good recommendations for places in the East Village, in any price range? We're staying right by the Whole Foods on Eldgridge St @ Houston. I know one of my friends who will be traveling with me is a fan of a pizza place near there (I think the one he mentioned is Lombardi's), but we'll only do pizza once I would think.

Scratch Lombardi's and go to the new Motorino. You could also hit Caracas Arepas (1st ave and 3rd). Very affordable (50 bucks for drinks, appetizer and dinner for 2) and very good. If you get there after 6-6:30 prepare to wait for at least 30-45 minutes up to an hour outside. I will tell you a secret that for some reason people have yet to figure out in my last few visits. You can wait around the corner at Wechslers (on 1st). Grab a couple german beers and split a curry wurst while the rest of the people in line shiver. Just make sure and get back 10 minutes or so before your quoted time is up. FYI wechslers is cash only as are a surprising number of smaller restaurants in NYC. After dinner walk you could back towards Houston on 1st and stop at 3rd st at this place called the bean for really good coffee or a dirty chai. If you want to catch some after dinner music go to the Living Room just south of Houston. Very mixed crowd (some hipsters, some old hippies) and a mixed bag with the music (I stayed for three sets on my last visit, A sheryl crow knock off, an awesome looping cello player, and left during a U2 cover band) If there is a well known band playing they might charge a cover. They usually have a few solid local beer choices on tap such as Kelso or Six Point.

*Also if you get tired of waiting for Caracas, like I did one time before I discovered Wechslers, the place Luke's which is next door has good crab shack type fair. Lobster rolls, oysters etc.

I'm also with Waitman on Chelsea Market, didn't get the hype.

I admit it is kind of anti-climatic, especially on weekdays. On weekends there always seems to be more going on like demonstrations, designer sample sales, Food Network filming, tastings, free salsa lessons (the dance not the food) etc. But I do admit I was let down as well the first time I went. I think it was the word "market". Now I just try to think of it as a really awesome food court servicing High-Line walkers and I am less disappointed.

I will be making many trips up to St. Vincent's Hospital (170 W 12th St) over the next few months to visit a family member. I am looking for good lunch places for a solo within walking distance of the hospital. Most lunches will be quick, but I also welcome recommendations for more leisurely lunches. I have already done Gray's Papaya and Famous Ray's.

I would be walking over to Num Pang every single day. Every sandwich I have tried there has been fantastic. Not a traditional Banh Mi but so so much better. If you want a waiter service lunch hit Cafe Asean. Great food very nice atmosphere (especially the greenhouse/garden seating they have in the back) and cheap enough that you can go every day. Also you can easily grab Murrays bagels for breakfast. It is only a block or two from St. Vincents. If you ever want to kill an hour or two walk down 7th about 10 minutes and there are just a ton of options. Wilfie and Nell, Mary's Fish Camp, Cafe Condessa and Gottino are all in that region south of the hospital and north of the Christopher St. Station. I have really enjoyed the first three and have heard great things about the fourth. Also the place where I buy my coffee beans is one block north of the hospital. It is called Irving Mill. Really good coffee and espresso, some egg sandwiches and pretty good baked goods. I spend a lot of time in that area so if I remember something else I will let you know.

If the weather isn't prohibitive and you aren't too time constrained I would seriously urge you to push south of Christopher Street Station at least one day. Starting at the station, heading south and taking a left on Bleecker will take you past Mercadito Grove, Hummus Place, Bleecker St. Pizza (my favorite single slice pizza in NYC so far), Joe's Pizza, Blind Tiger (one of the best beer bars in Manhattan with some food which I have never tried), Keste, this really good hot dog/korean fusion place (will look up the name later), Murray's Cheese, Amy's Bread and Grom. Just a murderers row.

I haven't been to the city in 10+ years, and this is my kids first trip (ages 10, 12). So we need to check everything off in one long weekend:

Deli

Pizza

Chinese/Dim Sum

Something Mario Batali - my kids love Iron Chef America

We already have tickets for the Statue of Liberty Crown, Tim Burton exhibit at MoMA, and Phantom. What are the other must-hits for kids?

Help, please!

The UWS side Shake Shack is right next to the Natural History Museum. If you go to the Museum they make it look like you have to buy a ticket but it is really suggested donation. I live a few blocks away, go all the time and have never been shamed or given any type of hard sell by the cashiers to give more money than I do. You don't mention if your kids are boys or girls but if girls, I think a perfect day would be breakfast at Alice's Tea Cup (a tea shop a few blocks south of the museum on Columbus Ave.), walk up to the museum through Central Park, go to the museum for a bit, ice skate at the museum's rink and then hit Shake Shack for a late lunch. After lunch you could walk the two blocks west over to H&H/Zabar's and get some bagels/rugelach to take back with you or just browse for a bit.

If you go to Otto, don't use that for your pizza outing. Stick to the pasta, small plates and charcuterie. Also if they are big Food Network fans you should walk the Highline Park and finish off at the Chelsea Market which is where the Food Network Studios are. There are a few studio spaces down in the market where, on occasion, I have seen various shows filming. I saw someone else mention the Tenement museum which is a great museum but I think it skews a little older than Ellis Island. Not sure if the kids will find it as engaging. I do highly recommend it however. If you do go, there is a gelato place right across the street from their bookstore which is pretty good but keeps really short hours and is usually closed when I go by. If it is open you should grab some. It is also very close to Katz's so you could knock your deli visit out as well.

Oh one more thing, I think if you are going to do Pizza you can't go wrong with Lombardi's. I know it isn't the top pie in NY right now but it is still very good pizza, you get to see what is left of Little Italy and the kids can tell everyone they went to the oldest pizzeria in the country. If you go there save room for dessert and go across the street for rice pudding. There is a place called rice to riches with all different flavors of rice pudding to choose from.

Socarrat Paella Bar on 19th.

Going up to NYC Sat Aug 1st with wife to Celebrate Anniversary and see Steely Dan at Beacon Theater at 8pm. Staying at 53rd and 7th, looking for recommendations nearby. Esca could be a choice, any opinions. Really think I should stay on west side 40s or above.

Thanks

Mark

Price along the same lines as esca?

Speaking of dirty pool...

Michael, you set up some kind of pay-per-click arrangement with youtube didn't you?

You know, Hitler had a dress code that he enforced on the Jews too...

You've just been Godwinned.

Wondering if anybody here had any thoughts about this place. I've walked by it many, many, many times in Silver Spring, but never been bothered to go for no reason in particular.

Beth and I used to love this place. It's perfect for a quick bite before a movie. The food is better than your typical counter-service "fast-food" plus you can get some pretty decent wine with your dinner. The burgers are solid and we always enjoyed the sweet potato fries but ask for them extra crispy. Also not sure if they still have it but there was a really good jerk chicken wrap. The wine (by the glass) selection isn't groundbreaking or anything but it seemed like every time we went we ended up being there during some type of promotion or happy hour or something so it ended up being cheap. The service was always fantastic. There was a red-head/blond lady and an asian guy that used to work the counter who were both probably in the top 5 friendliest "fast-food" employees I have ever encountered. You should definitely drop in next time you are walking by.

I wasn't suggesting this weekend, just that if we do make plans to go as a group, there should also be food involved!

Yeah this weekend would be tough for me for a few reasons as well. I don't think it opens until August and also I live in NY. Sorry I was just thinking out loud.

Sounds like fun. What's an appropriate place to dine after the movie to discuss?

Blue Duck Tavern?

At any rate, the movie's being promoted as a conflation of Julia Child's chipper My Life in France and the blook in question.

It is in Godfather II fashion going back and forth between Child(Vito) and Julie(Michael)..... Ugh I just reread that sentence, do I have to uncheck male on my driver's license now?

Had any of you read the book previously? I am just wondering because I found the book really tedious and kind of whiny and I just wondered if anyone felt the movie was better than the book.

I haven't read the book but I didn't think she was whiny to the point of being annoying. A lot of that probably has to do with casting though. Amy Adams just comes off as so happy and bubbly you don't really notice that she is whining. If a lot of her lines were read on the page I can see how they would annoy.

I like Boylan's Root Beer. It's not quite as sweet as IBC and has sort of a dark caramel aftertaste that I really like

The best root beer in the world (fact not opinion) is Sprechers which used to be sold at Adega when I lived in Silver Spring.