Steve R.

Dated a Priory boy summer after graduating HS and one of his classmates wound up on my freshman hall in college. World = officially too small.

My parents don't live in town anymore or I'd have been back more. In reality, I've been once since 2000 -- for my oldest friend's wedding, at the "new" Westin right next to the new stadium. I felt like it wasn't even the same town.

Grew up eating at Gitto's, Amighetti's, Benedetto's, Tony's, Anthony's...and I'm not even remotely Italian! Used to love the "nouveau" cuisine at Cardwell's at the plaza once I could drive myself there, though.

I wouldn't even know where to begin, now. At least Blueberry Hill is still around...

I taught at Southwest High for a year while I was there in the late '70s... does that count? I'd add Kemoll's to the list of Italian places I remember fondly. I've only been once since it moved from the N'side to Downtown but I loved the place. No one for fishbowls of beer and all you can eat pasta or greasy fried chicken at Randazzo's on the Hill? Or McGirk's for wings on Fridays?

I recently checked out Big Jimmy's Kum Kau Chinese Take Out for gebaby (who really liked the book) and was amazed by the photo-illustrations in this book. Since it's based on the real Kum Kau in Brooklyn, I was wondering if anyone ordered take out or eaten there before?

Nope, havent. But I might check it out now that you've mentioned it. It's in Ft.Greene, near the tennis courts I use, so why not? Here's a link you might look at: http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/kum-kau/ From the looks of it, it's probably a decent local place, of which there are hundreds in Brooklyn alone, with a fiercely loyal local following. Pizza places and Chinese take-outs inspire this in NYC. But it doesnt look like much more than that and the fact that I've never heard of it means it cant be all that, doesnt it?

So...I know almost nothing about NYC, and have been tasked with finding a good, reasonably-priced restaurant (median = $20/entree) close/within a couple of subway stops to Midtown/Times Square. This is where it gets a bit dicey: I need a place that can accommodate a party of 15 on a Friday evening (we are seeing a 7:30pm show, so we're planning on eating around 5ish). To complicate things even more, I have at least two vegetarians in my group, and one person who doesn't eat anything green. Should I just throw in the towel and plan to eat at Subway or is there something out there for me? HELP!

There's a bunch of restaurants up and down 9th Ave in the 40s-50s & 5pm is not a busy time for dinner. Pre-theater crowds places at 6pm or so. At any rate, assuming you're not also looking for top tier eating, I'd recommend Uncle Nick's, a Greek place on 9th between W.50-51st Sts. They can handle 15 at the restaurant or next door at their "ouzoria" (or something like that) and the menu is diverse. Lots of spreads that a real vegetarian would be fine with & great fresh fish for those that arent too strictly veg. Within your price range as well.

Hi Steve! Two meals in one week is a pretty strong recommendation. I will check out Talula. I am hoping to get to NYC sometime this spring - will let you know.

Versailles is tonight. I am looking forward to comparing it to Little Havana. My friends who live here say the people watching is better at Versailles, but the food is better at Little Havana.

We didnt make it to Versailles (which is quite the room) or Little Havana, but we went to Puerta Sagua (in SB) and to Isla Carnerias in the Little Cuba area. We liked I.C. better... nice home cooking. But both were basically diners... with Cuban, instead of the usual NYC Greek, ownership.

See you sooner or later.

I am back in Miami for a few days, and will be dining at Versailles and Little Havana. Also planning another trip to Captain Jim's in North Miami for some fresh fish and conch.

We were there for a week in early Feb. and had dinner twice at Talula, which says a lot in and of itself. Wrote it up on Mouthfuls & CH if you're interested. Also liked Michy's, especially if you're sharing with 4 or more. So, when do you come to NYC... we have Cuban places too, you know.

Hey guys - going up to NY in a few weeks and planning out my eating. Joe's had been a potential on the list for xiao long bao, but reading above I guess that is no longer the spot. Any other recommendations? Or just forget xiao long bao and do otherwise.

So far on the list is: Caracas Aprea Bar, Tiam Falafel, Momofoku (Noodle bar and/or bakery), Sobaya, Macondo, Boqueria.. any other ideas? Thanks!!

If you're willing/able to get to Flushing, Queens (the original home of the 1st Joe's), here are 2 threads about places you'll like way more than Joe's (chowhound is still full of good posts on the Outer Borough board... not so much for Manhattan):

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/497820?ta...dy;topic-497820

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/451804?ta...dy;topic-451804

If you're only going to be in Manhattan, NY Noodletown is still worth the meal (although they dont have soup dumplings). And on Eldridge St (off Grand), Vanessa's dumplings and sandwiches are still very good as well.

just back from NYC and had to respond to this. My teen daughter and I have been to Joe's and Yank Sing in the past two months. We did not think they even compared, with Yank Sing coming out WAY ahead. Our meal at Joe's was so disappointing. We tried all the dumplings and none had "soup." While the seafood ones were still ok, the whole point was supposed to be the soup. Our main courses were mai fun and a thicker pan fried noodle with seafood. These were nothing special, and much greasier than most chinese places where we eat in DC. The dumplings at Yank Sing were perfect. The only problem with Yank Sing is that as a dim sum menu, so many things look good and so many carts are passing your table, that it is easy to run up a significant tab in no time ($80 for 2, no drinks except tea). The only dish there that we would not order again was a stuffed/fried crab item which was only ok.

Further disappointing about Joe's was that we had two dirty glasses, and one with something floating in the water, a dirty plate, the table across from us had dirty napkins and other things under the table, and the bathroom was not clean. Perhaps my expectations were too high.

Joe's is not well regarded here in NYC (neither the original one in Flushing, nor the main offshoot in Manhattan's C'town) & hasnt been for quite a few years, so your experience doesnt surprise me. Unfortunately, although I know of quite a few really great Chinese places in NYC that rival anything in S.F, none of them are Shanghai based cooking. This afternoon's foray to World Tong for dim sum with 6 other food board members confirmed that NYC can keep up with SF in this area and my recent dinners at 5-6 Szechuan places in Flushing, Manhattan and Brooklyn make me believe that we're fine in that regard as well. If you like these Chinese foods, I'd suggest you focus on them next visit. I can supply specifics or you can go to the Outer Boroughs Board on CH... it's still the home of many reliable experts in Chinese foods and where to find them.

My friend ended up taking me to Terroir in the East Village last Saturday. The wine and food were both outstanding. Mmm, bruschetta with whipped lard, aargghh.

Not to mention the chopped liver. Did you have time to actually read the wine list descriptions? Entertaining as hell. Great place.

There's another good one a few blocks down Atlantic called Brazen Head. That area and Williamsburg are probably your best bet if you want to be able to hit a whole bunch of spots walking.

A short list would have to include Beertable in Park Slope, which is expensive but has a mind blowing selection of bottles and four taps that are always incredible. The Gate (also in Park Slope) has had some pretty amazing stuff when I've been, as has Barcade & Spuyten Deivel in Williamsburg. DBA also just opened up in Williamsburg and I'm sure that will be great.

This list doesn't pretend to be anywhere near complete. Beertable is my personal favorite.

If anyone's still interested in this, go to Chow.com and, on the Outer Boroughs board my friend Bob Martinez is doing a series on beer bars in Brooklyn.

Post 'em up, if you wouldn't mind. Some of us still like to visit Brooklyn from time to time

Beer bars.... a taste of one block's goodness. Start with Atlantic Ave from the waterfront: Montero's (west of Hicks) is still not completely revamped to fit the youngstas and there's a good mix of all ages/types in this old line longshoreman's place. Floyds has decent beer and the claim to fame of indoor bocce; Waterfront Ale House has a very large great selection of tap beer with the added attraction of good food, especially burgers and pulled pork sandwiches (both places between Henry/Clinton). And blues some Friday nights (Poppa Chubby plays with the bar band).

And a note on the bad: dont buy the hype... Farrell's in Park Slope is crap and has been for years. Plastic containers of Bud & none of the old hang out crowd that one would expect after watching Harvey Keitel in Smoke (that's the block from the film).

PM me if you want a list of beer bars in Brooklyn, there are a bunch of good ones.

Give me your list (pm would be fine if you dont want to hijack this thread too far off course) and I'll add some for you. I live in Bklyn and have done so for much of my 55 years.

Anyone know of any great Amtrak promo codes to NYC? Need to go up for a meeting, grab a pastrami sandwich from Katz's and bring home a dozen H&H bialies for the holidays, and would like the extra $ to spend on food instead of transportation. Already have info on buses, but might fare better on the rails with the snow this weekend.

Thanks!

Not a clue to what you asked but, as always, I'll stick my nose into what you didnt. Why go to H&H for bialys when you're going to be at Katz' and Kossars bialys (Grand St.) are closer and better? Just sayin'. Happy Holidays.

Almost six years ago I first promoted Osteria Alle Testiere on Chowhound's International board. It had never been mentioned there or, to the best of my knowledge, on any other internet board before this. I raved about this 30 seat, two seating a night with no menu nondescript treasure and now almost every guide book and internet message board also raves about it. It is worth a visit.

Just as an aside, I read that post on CH and, several years later (2 or so years ago) went based on your post plus a bunch of subsequent agreements from CH, Mouthfulsfood and other board folk. We had a great dinner there and wound up sitting next to a woman who eats there 3-4 nights/week. Great owners, lovely place and clearly well known to "us folk" as we also wound up talking to a table for 6 from Park Slope, Brooklyn (we live in Brooklyn too). I hardly ever recommend based on one dinner but this was an exceptional meal. Nice post. Thanks.

EMP is absolutely the best choice, as long as you are aware of the price jump from Hearth et al. And, if you're looking for a very nice drinking place (wine, not cocktails), remember that the Hearth owners now have a wine and small plates place 3-4 doors down on E. 12th St. called Terroir.

We were there recently and had a very good meal at Sel de la Terre in the waterfront area near Fanueil Market. Looks touristy but is a very solid restaurant up there with the meals we had at similar price points in D.C. and NYC. And a wine list with some very unusual and well priced choices (stay away from the high end and look for the quirky... they excell at finding things). We also thought highly of a place in Cambridge with the unfortunate name of EVOO. They're into sustainable agriculture, slow foods movement, etc and are turning out some very nice results without preachiness.

I need suggestions for real Chinese food. My sister has finally discovered real food and I want her to understand what she has been missing all these years. We'll either be in Brooklyn (Carroll Gardens) or of course, Chinatown. I'm not looking to push her boundaries with frogs legs or pig knuckles, just get her to appreciate what authentic Chinese should taste like and move beyond her love affair with spring rolls.

In Manhattan, there are several Szech. places that are very nice for this purpose. The one on 9th Ave and W.24th St in Chelsea is usually convenient to those touring around & I recommend it if spicy isnt a problem. In Manhattan's C-town, there are a few dim sum places that are ok and one noteworthy dinner place -- NY Noodletown... just be aware that it doesnt look like much and has lots of those dishes she wont try. But the basics there are very good & it's very authentic...a good choice for you. Several of us go to Flushing's Chinatown regularly: Spicy&Tasty is probably the best bet if you're interested. In Bklyn's C-Town (Sunset Park), Lucky 8 is a good Cantonese bet.

All that being said, what you describe is someone who needs to put her toes in the water a little. So, right off Carroll Gardens, on Smith St's restaurant row, I'd recommend Chance. It's close enough and has lots of things to try in a nice middle class environment. If you're knowledgable and steering, you'll be able to find things to eat that are almost what you're looking for. There's also a place on Smith with a big bright name in large Chinese characters that some folks seem to like... I havent tried it but the menu is okay. Basically, that immediate area is not known for authentic Chinese. Resist the urge to go to the places that are on almost every block... none are worth it.

If you're in the neighborhood for awhile and want to know more local places to eat other than Chinese, get in touch thru pm or e-mail. There are plenty of good restaurants in Carroll Gdns, Bklyn Hts, Park Slope and surrounding areas. A lot of us food board folks live in that section of Bklyn and socialize quite a bit. Seriously... no problem.

I've been meaning to write about my trip to NYC this past weekend. Hearth was one of the places I went to on the recommendation of others on this board, and you can now add me to the list of fans. The food great, the atmosphere was very laid back, and the wine list was one of the most interesting I have ever seen. Our server was very knowledgeable and steered us toward the right wines. For the apps we got the grilled quail, grilled kona kampachi, and the summer salad. For the entrees I got the braised veal breast with sweetbreads, and my date got the ruby red shrimp tagliatelle. And for dessert, we walked over to Otto for gelato. The olive oil one was amazing.

For our two lunches, we went to a couple Japanese places. The first was Katsu-Hama. Deep fried pork. Need I say more? The other was Soba-ya. We got the shrimp and vegetable tempura with cold soba and the salmon sashimi rice bowl. Both were very good, but I was a tad hungover, so I think I would've preferred one of the soups instead.

We tried to go to Joe's Shanghai, but didn't have time. Will definitely go next time.

re: Hearth's wine list. A couple of doors away from Hearth on E. !2th St. is their new wine bar Terroir with an excellent list of tasting size and full size glasses of wine, as well as bottles and small plate food that's great.

re: Otto's gelato. Best in NYC. Olive oil especially.

Forget Joe's Shanghai.... much better places these days.

I'm heading to NYC in a month for a few days. We'll have 3 dinners, but one will probably be haphazard and too hard to plan for in advance. For the other two, I'm thinking Babbo and Hearth. I'm pretty well sold on Babbo just because I want to go there and have never been. Hearth I've picked up from other people's reviews. Any strong objections to my two dinner choices? Are there places to hit for weekday lunch that I should add on to our itinerary? (I generally try to load the food and cost more to dinner than lunch, but we won't be there long.)

Nothing wrong at all with your 2 choices, although Babbo will be tough to get into. Hearth is on OpenTable and wont be a major problem. Hearth's large dining room is nice and not frenetic... it's not a typical East Village place; however, if you're more outgoing and interested in interacting (and there are no more than 2 or 3 of you), there is open "pass" (counter) seating right at the kitchen with only 4-5 chairs and it's first come first seated. I like both areas, depending on mood and company.

If you need a back up plan or a 3rd option, Ssam Bar is 2 blocks from Hearth and is also highly recommended. Counter seating as well as tables.

Lots of lunch ideas but Shtitch is correct that you should figure out where you're going to be and then figure out what good lunch places are nearby... many choices in all price ranges.

Happy Birthday.

There is also a pinkberry knock off that is better than the original right around the corner. I am blanking on the name but it looks just like a pinkberry. It's basically the exact same product, but with 10-12 different flavors of yogurt (not my thing, I go for the tangy everytime) and you get to fix it yourself with anything or amount you want and then pay by weight. This is awesome for us because at pinkberry you pretty much have to get that huge size and 3 toppings.

Go to Otto for gelato.

Indeed. I had a highly enjoyable meal at the kitchen pass a few months ago. Apps are $10-20 and entrees are $25- $35.

Tasting was $85. Or you could try Canora's new more Italian place, Insieme at about the same price point.

From experience, I think it's hard to get out of Hearth (or Insieme) for $100pp. But it's close and well worth the money.

Those rackets are for sissies. You're not a real tennis player until you can play with one of these:

No, I'm not in D.C.... NYC member, checking in once in awhile since I still think this is a great site. I still have my T-2000, strung, ready to play. Of course I still have my Tad Davis Imperial wood racquet as well. I play with the original Agassi Radical... I still have 2 left.... might have to get me one of the newfangled things they sell now, maybe with remote control so I dont have to run after the ball as much. Next time I'm in D.C. I'll bring them and expect a doubles game.

One of the restaurants I hit on my most recent trip to New York was Devi and the first thing that struck my wife and I when we sat down was the smell. The restaurant had the most pleasing smell of roasted spices I could ever imagine.

The meal I had at Devi last week was neither innovative or had great flavors.

My wife started with the grilled scallops a dish of contrasts, what little flavor the scallops had came across almost washed-out, the accompanying spicy bitter-orange marmalade was spicy but little else, the only redeeming qualities of the dish were the beautifully prepared cauliflower and a very flavorful roasted red pepper chutney. My starter was the Goan Shrimp Bruschettas a dish whose main ingredient lacked any discernable flavors of the sea, and made me wonder if they were right off the farm. The flavorful onion tomato marmalade saved this dish from being sent back.

For a second course I had the Masala Fried Quail, a dish that was memorable only for its heat, and wow what heat it had. I really would have loved to trade some of it for just a little flavor of the spice that was used, but all my palette got was a good searing. The accompanying potato salad might have worked with the subtler meat of fried chicken, but it was too much with the quail. What really disappointed me the most about this dish was that the frying was as close to perfect as I have seen and while I loved the crunch there was not much else to love. My wife’s Tandoori Prawns were made with the same bland crustaceans that were not saved by a soak in a pomegranate marinade.

The dinner was saved by dessert, both the fig cake and the Shahi Tukra were delicious, the later being a saffron flavored bread pudding.

We left the meal wondering where that wonderful smell was coming from because it sure was not in the food.

Since I'm never speechless, I wont say I am. How 'bout "stupified"?! I honestly dont know what to say, since your experience was so different from anything I've had. I'd say "off night" but it's hard to envision an off night that bad. Sounds like the seafood was either not fresh and/or stored poorly. I've had all the dishes you cite, including the quail, and the natural flavors have been vibrant. They have to be to hold up to the spicing. I'm assuming that you didnt speak to anyone about it? Although Suvir isnt around much, the actual kitchen talent is Hemant, who would have taken your comments and, I'm sure, offered other dishes. Guess I gotta go back soon & hope your experience was a rare exception. At any rate, sorry it was my recommendation that got you there.

I should clarify what I'm looking for too. Non-tourist places. Places off the beaten path are fine (but preferably not requiring a car!) and rather desirable. Places where the locals eat. Menus in English are not desired. Local food. I like all levels of food from joints, to market stands, to outside places on various piazzas to high end fine dining. I am an equal opportunity eater.

No one ever believes me when I say this, but the Chowhound Italy board is great for this if you know how to use the "I'm in Italy for 3 days, where should I eat"? posts and look for long standing posters who live there answering. Maureen Fant (mbfant on CH) is a regular Rome poster who's a transplanted NY'er, living in Rome for many years, taking groups on tours of greenmarkets and local food places, then back to cook a meal together. Her posts on CH usually cut right to the heart of where locals eat. Example of a recent thread: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/475581 Another poster is jen kalb, who lives in NYC but seems to be very involved with the slow food movement and know a lot about eating throughout Italy. I've followed her recommendations and have usually found them to be excellent. And here's a thread that has an extremely long but good post by Gypsy Boy: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/467030 Take a look.

We ate well while there in October but did not attempt to spend our 4 nights ferreting out non touristy places. We only wanted to get places that cooked well, even if they did so mainly for tourists. With that in mind, I'd recommend Da Pietro, Via del Pianellari 19, a verrrrry friendly, family run place with excellent breads, gnocchi and house made pastas. Be warned: he calls himself the "King of Truffles" and will upsell everything to get you to put truffles on it for extra $$$. Just politely say no... they're not necessary and actually detract from the food's taste. The food itself is very good. La Campana, Vicolo della Campana 18 is also very nice. We had excellent fried scamorzza, fried brains & artichokes (well I did, she didnt) & other good things. Both are in the Piazza Navona section, north of the piazza around Via d Portoghesi, easily found. Have fun.

Any updates here? I hope to be in Firenze later this year for a few days and would love to know if there are any other places worth considering aside from what has already been recommended.

Grazie!

A little over a year old now, but here are some places from a write up I did elsewhere that you may not hear about otherwise:

--...into the Oltrarno for dinner. We love this section for its restaurants & spent much time there last trip. Of course, all but one of our favorite places are now gone but we went to Il Guscio, Via dell'Orto, 49, a place written up and recommended by "erica" on CH and, given its location, pretty much a locals' place. A moderately priced place, the food was excellent. We split a mixed appetizer plate of cauliflower mousse, bean spread w/orange, sopressata cubes & ribolla cheese in filo dough. Ginny then had the maltagliati (hand-made, hand-torn pasta) w/shrimp and zucchini flowers; I had the spaghetti w/ "fish ragu". For mains, I had veal brain w/roasted potatoes and veggie tempura; Ginny had "padella", seafood in liquid (mussels, clams, languestinos, shrimp). All excellent. With a Chianti Reserva '01, some water con gas, a grappa & a limoncello, it all came to 100euros (including a 10 euro tip). Back to the hotel and out cold by 11pm.

-- ...Omero, a place south of our hotel in the middle of a close suburb of Florence (you need a car to get here or a really good sense of the bus system). Beutiful sunset views west (of course) and north to Florence. Written up in the Access guide, so some tourists were there, but not many, since you really need a car to get there if you're not staying at a place nearby. The food is a little overpriced but the views and setting make it worth it. It's a "traditional" Tuscan menu, and a lot of the roasting of freshly slaughtered animals is done on site. Not a must but, if one has the time, recommended.

We also went to Trattoria Cammillo, Borgo San Jacopo 57/R (also in the Oltrarno), where we had been several times before on previous trips. Again, a very nice dinner, with many French, German & other tourists, for 90euros. This is a "safe bet" type of place, very well known, where nothing is exceptional, but everything is nicely prepared & we left well satisfied. Many rooms and, although it never looks too crowded, there must be well over 70 tables all told. And, of course, Nerbone, in the Central Market. A Ribollita for Ginny and a Bollito w/the works for me. Not to be missed. If you're not already convinced, the bollito is a sliced boiled beef sandwich on panini, dipped in broth, salted, w/salsa verde & some hot pepper sauce (3euros). Would've eaten more there but we had to leave room for the many samples given out at the Perini stand: they ply you with cheese, meats, even wines & roasted garlic. Dessert was sweet aged balsemic from another stand w/samples (we have no conscience). Gotta go to this market... gotta have lunch at Nerbone.

Have fun.

There are many Italian restaurants that are both good and downright inexpensive. Most are in and around the East Village (1st Ave, Ave A, B or C) but most are, especially on Friday nights, verrrrry noisy and packed with folks under 35 (not sure of your age, but you get the idea) once you're past 8 or 8:30pm. Then there are the better places like Gusto, A Voce, Insieme.... all possible thru Opentable.com but not inexpensive. However, if you're going for this almost $200/couple range, then my clear favorite is Hearth... get a side of gnocchi (seriously, dont forget this).