Steve R.

Spent 2 nights in Tampa about 3 weeks ago and I'm afraid I wont be of much help to you, except to strongly warn you NOT to go to Sidebern's. One of the worst meals at this price point that we've had in years, more to do with the chef's "innovative" combinations of too many ingredients that didnt work together at all. Nice looking place, nice bar area, good drinks, friendly (but not informed) service but the food... Unless, of course, you're in the mood for a good piece of fish, coated with a nice spice rub, sitting on horseradish mashed potatoes in a strongly flavored pork jus. Just as described on the menu (dont ask what I was thinking in ordering this). Bern's, on the other hand, was a great surprise. Four of us ordered a 36 oz filet to share and it was right up there with other very good steakhouses (dry aged). Cant compare it to my hometown (Brooklyn) Peter Lugers since I didnt get porterhouse, but I'd be eating at Berns if it were in NYC or anywhere I visit. And remember that all the extras (soup, salad and a lovely large baked potato w/the works are all thrown in gratis). By the way, the wine list is tricky. They've apparently stuck to their concept of adding a % to the price they paid for the wine so the best bargains (and they are incredible bargains) are the older vintages that they bought years ago at low prices and have stored (perfectly) in their cellars. Of course, this requires real knowledge of which old stuff will open and which will be useless but our, luckily, our friends have their own cellar and knowledge and found 2 bottles at dirt cheap prices from the '80s that were incredible. It's a major schtick place but, in my opinion, worth the visit if a)you're a rabid carnevore & b)you dont mind or enjoy a show for the tourists.

Ruth Lafler, Robt Lauriston and Melanie Wong would be a good start, in my opinion. By the way, we really liked La Ciccia, a family run Sardinian place, & 1550 Hyde (which might have closed).

It's one of those places where the whole is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. I'd never recommend it as a destination for its pizza, although they've gotten the grilling thing to the point that, with the interesting toppings, its more than mediocre. I'd never recommend going for the pastas either, although I've never had one that I wouldnt get again. The wine list by the quartino is way above average, but there are other places that make me happy (ie; Terroir) as well. Same with the cheeses and the meats. And, c'mon, can you really try to convince anyone other than a vegetarian to go somewhere because the $4 veggie bowls are incredible? Only the gelato stands above the rest of the world. But, put this all together and Ginny & I had a great late lunch there (again) this past Saturday. The beets, the faro, the eggplant caponata, the spicy broc. rabe & the other veggie we had (cant remember which one) were up there with the best $20 ever spent. The "quatro stagionale" pizza was tasty. And the olive oil and dark choc. gelatos made the day. A quartino of a not so dry white for me and a fruit forward red for her and we were content.

Otto - Fifth Ave off 8th St. Call them 1st Congee Bowery (on Bowery of course) for non-dim sum meal (get the fried chicken, get the congee, feel free to get the other stuff too)

Several months ago, he was in Brooklyn and signed the Ad Hoc cookbook we bought. He also was gracious enough to take a picture with us, holding our new book. When we were in Napa a couple of months ago, we were unable to score a reservation at Ad Hoc, even when we went there in person to see if they'd take a walk in & flashed my wife's I-phone picture of us with Chef Keller holding their book. Did get a laugh out of the hostess though. Nothing like NYC chutzpah. It all worked out, as Bistro Jeanty was great that night. No fried chicken but excellent food. Just sayin'.

I was very sorry to learn today about Stephen B's passing. Even though we're in NYC, I had spoken to him several times over the years and then finally met him last autumn at the picnic. He was an intelligent, thoughtful person with a great sense of humor. I'll remember him fondly.

Yes, there are fine places in Manhattan's C'town & I'm sure you'll hear all about it. But I recommend that you visit Chow.com & look at the Outer Boroughs posts for Flushing, Queens recommendations. And, my favorite remains World Tong (or whatever they've renamed themselves) on 18th Ave and 75th (?) St in Brooklyn's Bensonhurst section. It's near a subway and near Villabate bakery (Italian) as well.

Well, if you consider this past May as recent, here's my long CH post: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/622037 We've been a # of times & have friends living there, but I think that this was our best trip for food. We always like going to Alan Wong (& this was no exception), our experiences at Town & 3660 On the Rise really added some good solid well prepared food at decent prices & our Helena and Tai Pan meals were great. I really recommend Matthew Gray's "Hole in the Wall" tour if you like those kind of things and the Farmers Mkt. was fun too. But I'm just repeating my CH post. Have fun.

Nice ordering. For anyone going in the future, I'd recommend making sure that you have room for dessert and that the dessert be gelato. Meredith makes the best olive oil gelato (really) in NYC and the rest of the changing flavors are usually worth exploring. The coppettas are more involved and also well worth it.

For what it's worth, I like Otto more than Lupa & we go to both pretty often. Lupa's pastas tend to be saltier, the veggie small dishes at Otto are much better (& with more variety) and Otto's wines by the glass are usually better chosen. Of course, Otto also has the full selection of Meredith's gelato and copettas, while Lupa only has one or two. Both are comfortable places, but we like eating at the bar better at Otto as well.

If needed, another good option in the immediate vicinity is Redhead (on E.13th betw.1st-2nd Aves). At that hour, it's usually doable to walk in and get seated within 15 minutes at any of these places.

1- Although I still go to Vanessa's on Eldridge St, the dumplings are no longer consistant, with thicker, doughier shells at times. Many of the other places written up on CH as "the best" are also thickly wrapped. Maybe Weinoo knows of something there or on the LES, since he was writing about a dumpling walk on his blog not long ago. However, if it's not just dumplings you're after but street food, I'd recommend the carts dotting Grand St from Eldridge to the heart of C'town. Everything from tripe to rice noodles stuffed with various "things". Vanessa's has decent mystery meat sandwiches as well. 2- I love Arturo's... a piece of old NY. The pizza is still quite good and the place is the opposite of yuppie. Salads are ok there but dont expect much from the other dishes... overcooked (but edible) old school red sauce pastas and "find the chicken inside the breading" parmagiana. Worth going to. STAY AWAY FROM GRIMALDI'S (the place in Bklyn under the bridge). Tourist trap, greasy and a line out the door. Motorino in the East Village and Keste in the West Village are hot spots. If you're looking for something this Sunday (12/13) afternoon in NYC, folks from another food board (Mouthfulsfood.com) are getting together at a "bar with bar food" place in the East Village (Jimmy's, E.7th betw. 2nd-3rd Ave) starting at 4pm or so. Consider this an invite. After the welcome I got at the DR picnic and at Dino's a couple of months ago, it's my turn. Verrry informal and mediocre food. Good bar. eta: nothing like going back over a thread and noticing that you not only have been to Arturo's, but I've already said that I like it. And mentioned Motorino and Keste. Okay then.

No, but I realllllly recommend taking the morning Pink Jeep tour. Seriously... it looks like tourist crap but it's great.

mispost... will try again later.

mispost

Redhead - E.13th St just off 1st Ave (toward 2nd Ave).

Nice catch on Szechuan Chalet. It's #1 on my list, as it has strong buzz from friends who I go to Flushing and other Sichuan places with.

Well, we're back in NYC and I have access to a computer after days of withdrawal. My world is orderly again. So, before it fades into distant memory, I wanted to let you all know how great the picnic was. Not only am I now able to put some faces (and families) to the names I've known, but, damn, you can cook!! Just about everything was great (although Gennaro's contribution almost makes my wife want to read food boards... almost. Can those things be mail ordered?). Seriously, thanks to all for being friendly & welcoming -- we appreciate it. Let us know when any of you are in NYC. No, we wont cook for you but we'll steer you right and maybe even provide company . Heather: what a time to miss your 1st picnic. Would've been great to see you again.

We're driving to the picnic after a couple of days in Baltimore, so bringing DiFara pizza from Brooklyn is out. It doesnt travel well and, if it did, I'd eat it waaaay before I got to the picnic. Anyone know of anything in Baltimore that we should bring? I'm sure that we'll find something. Looking forward to it.

We had a nice meal at Seven Fish (quiet, New England-y place) in Key West (off the main drag by only a block or two) last February. I'd recommend it... although the chef did seem to have a tendency to put a couple too many ingredients into each dish, most of what we ate was fresh & flavorful. In Miami, our 2 meals at Talula were the highlight and I'd return there in a minute.

Things are clear in Brooklyn. Looking forward to it & to meeting several of you I know from other boards, including an ex-Denverite who just watched the Rockies go down in flames.

My wife and I might be in Baltimore the picnic weekend & are thinking of driving down for this. That is, if you'll have us I mean, who could doubt that a jaded food board veteran from Brooklyn would be a fun addition to the event?

Repeat after me: "Katz is for pastrami, Katz is for pastrami..." Not corned beef, not hot dogs, not even knishes. Pastrami. And a Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray or Black Cherry. And make sure that they cut the meat from a moist, somewhat fatty piece (you'll get a taste but, more importantly, you'll see the piece that the guy is cutting from... dont hesitate to ask for a different piece, as they have several going at once under the counter... just tip nicely). Sorry about the Russ experience. I just saw this thread & would've sent you elsewhere. So, where in Bklyn were you going?

There is a very active Seattle group on mouthfulsfood.com and I'd check there for recent updates. They all seem open to folks coming into town. I wouldnt recommend it if I didnt do the same thing here on dr when I'm heading to D.C.

It's funny because, even though NYC is now in the midst of a rash of very good new pizza place openings (Keste, Motorino, Co....), Arturo's just sails along with a good reputation. The owner is now gone but his wife runs the place and there's a new generation of 20-somethings alongside us 50-somethings keeping the place busy. Glad you found it.