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Entries from Talk tagged with 'NYC'
Indian food in Manhattan, NYC?
What's the best Indian restaurant in Manhattan (not Queens)?
Fresh whole wasabi root, kaffir limes in NYC?
Does anyone know where to get them?
I'm off to NYC..
Can people give me their top 3 food related activities to do, I'm going on Friday for a week. I'm staying in Tribeca, I would be very grateful for any ideas.
Coming to New York soon - Where do I buy the *best* ingredients?
I am coming to New York on Monday for a week. I have visited a lot over the years, but this time I have got an apartment for a week at 1230 York Ave. A friend describes one famous retailer as "Fur coat and no knickers". What I want is food with real flavour and not get fooled by the big shiny retailers. Can anyone tell me where is best? We'll be eating out a fair amount, but not all the time.
We have managed to get a table at Per Se on the Friday. How much are we going to enjoy it?!
Roast Pork in Flatiron NYC
Does anyone know of a good authentic chinese place in/around the Flatiron area? Ideally I'm looking for a spot that has their roast meats hanging in the window. trying to avoid having to go to chinatown on my lunch break again...
Eating out in SoHo, NYC
I'm looking for a place to eat in SoHo thats a good for a group of 6 - relaxed with some vegetarian options. trying to stay in the $20-30 range pp (without alcohol)... not looking for chinese or italian. any suggestions? thanks!
Mom visiting! Help! (NYC)
My dear old (well, not that old) mum is coming to town to visit me from Chicago this weekend. Being a poor college student, I would like to show her some places that are fun and unpretentious, but perhaps slightly more expensive than what I would normally buy for myself. We're both fairly adventurous eaters, but I'm not looking for something with a fussy menu that lists each and every far-flung ingredient the kitchen has. I'm also not looking to break the bank, just something a little snazzy (aiming for $100-150 total, including drinks and tip); in the general downtown area (east side or west), or north Brooklyn. Some places I've never been to and am considering: Momofuku Ssam (though I frequent the Noodle Bar), Spotted Pig, Marlow & Sons. Any help would be much appreciated!
Pink/Curing Salt in New York
Hi - I'm trying to locate curing salt/pink salt in new york city. every place i have found online charges ridiculous shipping fees for 8-16oz (about 4-5 times what the product itself costs) - does anyone know where I can find this in new york?
good food near St. Luke's Hospital on West 114th Street, NYC
A friend just had emergency triple bypass surgery at St. Luke's Hospital on West 114th Street and is now complaining about hospital food. Can anyone recommend restaurants near there with good (and healthy) take-out? He remembers from college days forty years ago a good Hungarian restaurant near Wien Hall. Is it still there?
NYC Lower East Side recommendations, please!
Hi, NYC food-savvy people!
We are a group of 15, needing to make a reservation in the LES. We were originally going to Café Mogador, but they can only accommodate a group of 12. Looking for something cheap, as we are mainly writerly, new entrepreneurial types -- and also with vegetarian options (one gal is also gluten/wheat-free, egg-free, and nut-free, in addition to being a vegetarian, but I won't ask you to go there...)
locally grown food
Can anyone recommend some restaurants in nyc that serve locally grown food?
Introducing NYC to my boyfriend...
I am headed to NYC next next weekend and have already begun my mental checklist of eats. I am a relatively easy-going vegetarian (I eat fish). Boyfriend, however, is allergic to raw fruits and vegetables, dislikes fish, and is generally a picky eater. (The boy doesn't even like chocolate that much.) If I could take him to a good burrito place, he'd be thrilled. Let me know where I could venture, in Manhattan or Brooklyn.
Chinatown, SOS!
Okay, I know it is last minute but I can't help it. I'm taking friends to eat lunch in Chinatown,NYC, today. I love New Chao Chow( per Ed Levine), but I need alternatives, fast. HELP!!!!
NYC Indian Restaurants
What's the best Indian restaurant in Manhattan these days? Extra points if it's near Chelsea. Thanks.
CRISPO'S
I remember hearing a lot about Crispo's in NYC last year and have not heard much lately. Can anyone tell me if it is any good, any suggestions as to what to get, etc.
NYC: Inexpensive and Elegant
My husband and I will be in New York for two weeks. He hates to pay for fancy-pants restaurants unless it's a special occasion, and he knows the restaurant will deliver (something besides bragging rights, that is). We'll be staying with a long-time friend who will be celebrating a "big" birthday. She is not a fan of the funky. OK. There will be a blow-out celebratory dinner, I'm sure. But besides that, I will be caught between the two of them. Please, help! Do you know places that are delicious, elegant, and good value?
Friends Arriving - Where to get Pizza?
So I have three friends arriving tomorrow and they want "real" NYC pizza. Looking for pizza and a soda, around $15/person, where do I take them? I was thinking the UES John's (better quality than the other locations), but there has to be better pizza out there. Ideas? Thanks!
Your recent favourites?
I'm back in NYC for a couple of days, and would love to hear of any recent and much-enjoyed food-related finds you may have come across in the last few months... it seems as if things are changing even faster than usual, these days, and a lot of my old favourites are just GONE.
I want flours, not flowers
Remember the scene in Stranger Than Fiction when Will Ferrell's character brought Maggie Gyllenhaal that box filled with different types of flour? I want that! I can never ever find cake flour -- how about you all? And I live in NYC! Can anyone recommend a place to find different types of flour, or do I need to order online?
New York Bakeries
I'm headed off to NYC in a few weeks and am hoping to find a few bakeries to stop at. Do you have any favorites in the city? Do you know of any (ahem) healthy bakeries? Ones that specifically focus on making lower fat or lower sugar treats?
I'm really pretty clueless and I'd love any suggestions!!
NYC Restaurant Recommendations?
I haven't really explored NYC before, and I'm heading over there to meet up with my boyfriend at Grand Central this coming weekend. We're total foodies, so we're looking forward to two great lunches and an even awesomer dinner, but we don't know where! We pretty much decided the first lunch would be a nice trad'l Jewish delicatessen, Katz's (from this website's great recommendation), but other than that, we're not sure. Help?
Informal/casual lunches (if you have a better deli to suggest, please don't hesitate, Katz's isn't set in stone), and nothing more expensive than $70/person for the dinner (sorry Le Bernardin!). We are definite meat-eaters, and every type of cuisine is pretty much up for grabs, although we do like to be adventurous, so I guess Italian and American foods are out. I'd love to hear your suggestions and why! Thanks everyone!
Georgian restaurants in NYC?
hi! i've been looking for a georgian restaurant in the city for some time now. does anyone have any recommendations?
Stuffed Pizza in NYC
I would appreciate if someone could suggest where I could get a Giordano style stuffed pizza in Manhattan. Where was the best stuffed pizza you found in NYC?
Cheap Eats, Upper West Side
My girlfriend and I are heading down to New York for our upcoming March break (which happens to start in February). We'll be hanging around the Upper Westside for most of it, checking out museums and what not. While we have most of our nights planned out already, our afternoons are fairly open.
Any suggestions for some quality, student-priced lunches around there? Preferably something beyond typical diner food.
Manhattan Dining For A Large Group Of Teens
Does anyone have any suggestions for decent and reasonable food for a gaggle of Atlanta high school kids coming to NYC to see plays and take an acting class? Including chaperones the number is 26. They are staying at the Edison; one of the plays is at the Roundabout, the others in the theater district. Please don't mention Tad's.
Quick! Affordable (AND tasty) New York midtown dinner ideas?
I know midtown NY isn't always the greatest or most affordable neighborhood to eat in - I'm more of a downtown gal myself. But I have a friend who's staying at the Hilton at 53rd and 6th and I need a restaurant suggestion for tonight. She only has about 2.5 hours available so going farther downtown isn't going to cut it. Something casual, inexpensive to mid-range ($40-50/pp), where having some wine won't totally break the bank. Thanks for your suggestions in advance!
Pizza Pilgrimage to NYC- where not to miss?
In about two weeks, I'm headed to New York City (for the first time) in order to embark upon a Pizza Pilgrimage. I was born and raised in the Midwest, and grew up either with uninspiring tasteless flat pies, or doughy Chicago cheese and marinara sauce casserole. Given the fact that I've only got two days to experience The Big Apple, plus the need to navigate the city relatively inexpensively, what are the pizza places I must not miss? It's easy to find Top Ten lists, and many share at least a few places- DiFara's, Una Pizza Napoletana, Lombardi's, etc- but if I had to choose... where would it be?
Where can I get a good king cake in NYC?
Where do I find one?
Jamon Iberico in NYC - I understand it is available now.
I've heard that Jamon Iberico is now being imported in to the US - and sold in few places in the City. Does anyone know where to find it?
NYC Commercial Kitchen
I may not get any responses to this, but I might as well try. I have an opportunity to do some baking for a store. I am a home baker, and must find a legitimate commercial kitchen in NYC, that is not crazy expensive to do my baking . I know there is the one in Long Island City, but I would rather do it in Manhattan. Any suggestions??
Best places to eat in New York City
I'm taking a friend to NYC on Saturday and would like to know where the best places to eat are. I need a restaurant that is casual attire (not Le Benardin or Per Se etc.) that has really good food. I've heard a lot about The Spotted Pig, Union Square Cafe, and Gramercy Tavern. Has anyone ever been to any of these?
Upper West Side, NYC
I'm moving to the Upper West Side of Manhattan next week (in the early 100s) and I had a few questions. Where is the best place to grocery shop, eat, grab an espresso, etc?
What is your favorite BBQ joiint in NYC
I am on the search for the best BBQ in NYC. Rack and Soul? Blue Smoke? Waterfront Ale House?
Una Pizza Napoletana NYC - Closed? On Vacation?
Headed over to UPN ~6pm on Saturday for an early dinner to find the place shuttered up. No sign of life, and none of the businesses on either side had any idea what the deal was. I plan to be back in the city next week and will try again if this isn't a permanent closure.
Buying bulk food in NYC?
I am more and more interested in buying certain food and cooking items wholesale, such as Kosher salt, pasta, oils (olive and grapeseed), butter, and even some dry spices such as black, white, pink and green peppercorns. I have started my own "research" but was wondering if anyone had any suggestions and experience in this. Thanks!
Bitter(s) in New York
Anyone know where to find Angostura Bitters in New York? I feel like I'm on a search for the freaking Holy Grail here.
I know hindquarters can be made kosher by special butchering.
But where in NYC area can one buy kosher hindquarters?
good reasonable restaurants - UES
I am staying at 72nd and 3rd. next week and need some good dining advice in the neigborhood - both bars you can eat at and restaurants. thanks.
What has happened to 'City Bakery'?!
I've eaten at 'City Bakery' since they were at their original location on 17th Street, and over time, it became THE place where I met friends; the baked goods were lovely, the atmosphere pleasant (particularly up in the balcony), and the location very central. The shop had an air of effortless, yet unrelenting efficiency that characterised similar establishments in Italy, where I grew up. I cannot precisely remember when things seemed... changed.
Suddenly, the staff was very different, more evocative of a Dunkin Donuts than a moderately upscale bake/coffee shop. The sense of efficiency was gone. The baked goods were frequently heavy or soggy, as if they'd been rushed into the oven without adequate rising time. The seats of some of the stools broke from their posts, and were not replaced. I came to dread going there. Last time (late November 2007), at least, the naked seat-post had been replaced with ordinary stools.
I know another branch of the bakery opened in LA, and the negative changes do date back to about the time that the owner was no longer around on a full-time basis; I also know that new business makes heavy demands of its owner. Still, it seems a shame to drop the ball on what was a really good thing.
Has anyone else noticed this? Any thoughts as to whether this slide is likely to be long-term?
traveling to NYC alone in january
i have some places in mind...i know i MUST eat at spotted pig, momofuku and blue ribbon bakery - but where else? i want to do chinatown and brooklyn (already thinking about grimaldi's). i am not flush with money, but want a nice time. thanks! i know there are a lot of this kind of topic on the serious eats talk threads, but thanks anyway!
Treats truck
Has anyone who lives in NYC seen the "Treats Truck"? I just read about them in my new Food & Wine. I had never heard of them, but I went to their website, and, apparently they have been around since June 2007. Anyone tasted their goods?
Milk and cookies lovers, look no further!
I thought that I had tasted what could be the best chocolate chip cookie in the city...at Chocolate Haven, at City Bakery, Levain, etc., but last night, I was floored by a dessert that topped any of those experiences. Next time you're on Houston street, head over to Houston and Thompson. Jane serves the best damn milk and cookies dessert that I have ever had. period. Robyn, this means YOU!
Group Dining-NYC-Need Help
9 people. $150 a head total. nothing too adventurous but a place with good food & a good atmosphere. any help is appreciated. oh, i would pick a steakhouse bc that is always easy but we have one vegetarian. thanks
NYC Help: Wine and Cheese in Hell's Kitchen?
In October, I was up in New York City for a visit. We had dinner with friends of the family, and their son is living in Manhattan. After dinner, he steered us to a wonderful wine and cheese bar in Hell's Kitchen, but I can't remember the name of it. The focus was primarily on the cheese, with the wine list created to complement the selections they had - overall, a very lovely experience! Anyone have any ideas?
What is the best vegetarian restaurant in E. Village?
And please don't sayCaravan Dreams or Angelika. I am looking for new places to eat in my 'hood...
Sushi - in Manhattan
I'm coming to Manhattan this week and have reservations at Nobu, however I've seen very mixed reviews of Nobu.
So, I am looking for alternative restaurants for Sushi
Need NYC group restaurant recommendation!
Hi, all -- it's time for another birthday celebration in lovely Manhattan...but we need help deciding where to go with a large group! We've done Otto, Dim Sum Go Go, and Korea Town....Help! Looking for great food, good prices, and nice atmosphere. Thanks in advance!
NYC: McHale's is gone, where's the best bar burger these days?
Hey New York, need advice on where to get the best bar burger now that McHale's is gone. Which place is most like McHale's and has the best burger? I need a pub, not a fancy restaurant or street vendor.
Lobster Cantonese in Manhattan or suburbs?
Does anyone knows where I can get Lobster Cantonese in Manhattan or suburbs.
Soto Sushi
There has been talk on Ed Levine Eats prompted by a negative comment elsewhere. Serious Eaters who can afford it should flock to this restaurant as soon as they can. The first time I went alone and had an assortment of nigiri sushi for a bit over $50 that was absolutely superb. So I went back with my wife and we tried the omakase. I have been to Japan many times, eaten sushi there frequently both as host and guest. I have eaten at many of the places in NY and LA that people who know sushi regard as excellent. I can say without reservation that Soto-san served us a meal that has not been bettered in my experience (who knows which is the "BEST"?). The meal cost $220 for two with a generous tip and no alcohol (although with a bottle of—God help us—Norwegian water). The restaurant is elegant and the service very attentive. I don't know of any upscale restaurant in New York that would give more overall satisfaction (of whatever kind of cuisine it serves) for less money. Get there while you can and try to reserve two places in front of or what appeared to be even more interesting, in the two places beside, Soto-san, so you can see him work.
New York Foodstuff--Mail Order
I'm moving from San Francisco to New York in a month, and for my going away party, I'd like to showcase some New York food. Any good mail order ideas?
Fun, yummy, sushi place in NYC
I need your help again guys. I have an ex boyfriend coming into town. He loves sushi. I would like to take him out to a place that is unique, a lot of fun and not too pricey. Help me out!! Please:)
where can I get the ingredients for authentic chicago style dogs wholesale in NYC for my restaurant??
where can I get the ingredients for authentic chicago style dogs wholesale in NYC for my restaurant??
anyplace to buy the peppers,seeded rolls etc??
Best San Francisco style sourdough bread in NYC?
I have yet to find a great SF style sourdough here in NYC. Has anyone else had luck with this?
Manhattan bakery
I want to open a bakery in lower Manhattan. Any advice as to what are the next dessert trends, or what the area needs?
Any thoughts on Lure Fishbar?
I'm having a dinner gathering there tomorrow night for my birthday. Was wondering if anyone has recommendations as to what to try, etc?
Where in NYC can I find chicken feet for soup?
Well, there's question, pretty straightforward.
The feet need to not be attached the chicken. The chicken needs to be dead. The feet need to be clean, or at least cleanable.
And please, if you're going to say "Try Chinatown"--yes, but does anone know of a shop or an address specifically?
I've already tried Jeffrey's in the Essex Market, Lobel's, Dean and DeLuca, Eli's. Anything else? A free quart of chicken soup to anyone (in NYC) with a good answer.
Traveling to NYC, any kid-friendly restaurant recommendations?
My family and I are headed to NYC over spring break this year, and I was wondering if anyone has any kid friendly restaurant recommendations. Our son is 3 yrs old, and well behaved in restaurants. We love gourmet food, and have been to NYC a few times before, although sans child.
We are considering Mario Batali's OTTO as an option... any thoughts on this and other recommendations? Thanks!!
-Sarah
Favorite burger joint in NYC???
I'd have to go with corner bistro however the beer join at le park meridian follows a close second...what's your favorite and name 3 reasons why! :)
Best sushi in nyc?
I prefer Sushi of Gari - what are your thoughts?
Favorite Burrito in NYC?
I know NYC isn't supposed to be a burrito town, but I know there are some great ones in the city. I've recently experienced Kitchen Market and I'm in love. Any other suggestions?
What is happening with Chinatown? Lots of closings..
The bahn mi post made me think -- there used to be a good Bahn Mi place near the highway overpass (of course I can't remember its name), but it's closed and so has both Sweet and Tarts. Are rents going up? Why does there seem to be a lot of turnover in NYC's Chinatown lately?
Best Bahn Mi in NYC??
Just wanted some input ...is it at Saigon bakery on Mott? or does someone else have a nice hidden gem?
Where should I eat on the UWS tonight?
I'm looking for a cheap but filling entree and a good glass of house wine. We went to Shun Lee last night, so our allowance is mostly spent, but we're happy to pony up for a good plate. Suggestions?
Why is the price gap between the truly great NYC restaunts and the merely good NYC restaurants narrowing so much?
I feel as though a prefix at a top NYC restaurant has hovered at the $85 - $100 range (excluding Masa, Ducasse and Per Se) whereas the cost per person to eat at an average/good restaurant in NYC has become nearly as high over the past 10 years. I now pay about $150 for 2 people no matter which good/avergae restaurant I eat at for dinner.
What's a great festive holiday restaurant for a small company in NYC? Good food, fun times.
Looking for a festive holiday restaurant to take the company (small company, only 4 of us) where we can enjoy great food and atmosphere. Last year we went to Bouley and it was a wonderful experience, wanted to try Gramercy Tavern but no reservations available. Any great ideas, they'd be much appreciated. Thanks.
KL
Why is Lonesome Dove Western Bistro getting killed?
I've read several reviews of this Flatiron District restaurant (in NYC) and it's just getting hammered. After having eaten there, I don't get it. The reviews I've read (Cuozzo in the Post, NY Ragazine, Bruni in the Times too I recall) kill this place, like a bad Broadway premiere. It's like, they WANT to kill it, and I definitely sense some East Coast bias in the tone. Everyone agrees that the steaks are great, which I know gets a big whoop here because alleged Luger waiters are all getting backing to open their own cattle pens. But if they're great, they're great. The reviews don't seem to even enjoy the idea of a game-based menu, and on top of that the execution at LD also gets crucified. Anyone else eaten there care to share? I will admit the lighting for menu reading purposes is bad, but overall there are far worse places in Gotham that get coddled by comparison.
What's going on with burgers in the city?
In my neighborhood of the Village, there are so many high end burger joints opening and in the process of opening. On 6th Ave. near 12th street the guys who own BLT Prime seemed to have opened a burger joint and
ISO Good Soup joint in the East Village
My boyfriend works from home on 3rd Ave and St Marks. He's a fan of various soups and stews: lobster bisque, chili, tortilla soup, clam chowder, and more. There's not a Soup Man, Pax, or Hale and Hearty in sight. What to do? Can anybody recommend a good soup joint, especially for to-go or delivery?
Maffei: What are we missing?
Venerable lunch counter / slice haven Maffei is right around the corner from our office (at 6th and 21st), but we haven't enjoyed as much as we feel we're supposed to. What are we missing?
Love/Hate Mama' Mexico (W 102 & B'way)
This place has probably the best, freshest, most carefully prepped Mexican in the city, and yes, you do pay for it. Don't believe me? - Do a dry run by ordering a basic combo platter, all items you've gloopity-glooped through at other places before. Here, the tamale is pristinely executed, with a firm, flavorful delivery, and the chile relleno is far more than a melted block of spicy Jack ensconed in a pepper. Chimchangas? Awesome. I could go on about the food...
It's alot else that irks, though. The service is way, WAY too stuffy, from the besuited and betied maitre d' at lunch to the plurality of servers just standing around, like sentinels ringing a fort. They're also overdressed. There are always the wallet-gouging specials, even at lunch and even with an 8-page menu. (Just ask not to hear them - they'll make it stop.) Service takes awhile, but only because it's DELIBERATELY slow, to artificially formalize the dining experience. This is also another place that insists upon dining clusters - if there's one other occupied table in the whole place, be sure you'll end up sitting right next to it. But my big peeve is the customer-assisted Changing of the Table Paper, in which after your meal and before the dessert course (and by the way, no one there cares whether you're actually having dessert - YOU'RE GONNA HELP CHANGE THE PAPER) a sentinel with a fresh piece of white table paper will come over, say to you "Change the paper", and expect you to lift up everything off the old table paper so the paper can be changed. You've got your hands full managing a 15-month old? - too bad, change the paper. Busy reading the latest installment of Connolly's "The Overlook" in the Times Magazine? - too bad, change the paper. And of course, you've already asked for the check before the paper sentinel appears (didn't I mention that?).
I'll return for the food and the home proximity, but pretty soon, we're gonna decline the paper change just to test the waters of defiance...
I'm looking for good chinese delivery in Chelsea. Anything especially good out there?
I'm new to the hood and am craving some delicious fried rice.
Coq au Vin: HELP!!
another insipid coq au vin at La Mirabelle on w86th just west of Columbus. is there anyplace in manhattan that actually serves this deeply rich dish instead of the watered down versions found at everyplace i've tried (except see #1) ?
addendum:
#1. the best i EVER had was at Artisanal, which unfortunately was removed from the menu; however, Terry Brennan was gracious enough to respond to my email & offered to make the coq au vin, given several days notice. a very nice touch by Chef Brennan!
#2. as much as i want to "love" La Mirabelle, each time i have gone, the food is amazingly bland, & nothing stands out throughout the entire menu + the specials. the average age of its regulars appears to be ~70, maybe that's why so bland; however, the service is quite good, & pleasant. is there any hope for a real bistro on the UWS, & i don't mean the terrible café luxembourg, the faux nice matin, etc, etc.........
Pink Tea Cup on Grove between... Bedford and Bleecker. Yummy Brekkers
Pink Tea Cup on Grove between... Bedford and Bleecker. Yummy brekkers.
90 Moustache on Bedford and Barrow. FANTASTIC hummus, but incredibly rude service. I think they're almost proud of that reputation...
90 Moustache on Bedford and Barrow. FANTASTIC hummus, but incredibly rude service. I think they're almost proud of that reputation...
Cozy Spot in West Village
I'm looking for a cozy little romantic restaurant for a dinner for two next Thursday. I'm thinking one of those sweet little places in the W. Village. You know, candles, quiet, brick and all that stuff. But it doesn't necessarily have to be the West Village if it's a nice spot. I'd also like to stick below $20 a plate. THANKS ^_^
Fascati Pizza - Henry St., BK Heights.
Fascati Pizza - Henry St., BK Heights. I like this pizza. It's simple. It's NY. It's good, and I like the fact that (I think) it's a family affair - I believe the junior generation of Fascati's run the joint. I admit I have only had regular slices there, so I can't speak for the rest of their offerings, but I'd be interested to know if the famous and favorite contributor SLICE has any commentary. One last thing - I find the exterior of the place so UGLY that I almost didn't try their food, but I'm glad I got over it. As for the Chinese place next door with the same type of signage - never....
World Cup Watching
Any ideas on a French place to watch the World Cup final on Sunday for a couple of adults and French 2 teens?
thanks!
YumNYC
(soon to be YumLA)
mary's fish camp
had the fried clams at the bar last nite. just don't know what the big deal is.
true, they are not like howard johnson's frozen clam strips, but what is???
true, they are better than the insulting offering at ditch plains; however, they have very little of their "bellies", & sadly,don't come close to any of the "shacks" on the way to, & in the Cape. i find it fairly incredible living in manhattan, there doesn't appear to be anyplace to find delicious fried clams with belly
the only above average part was the excellent tartar sauce. to add insult to injury, mary is not shy about prices, but has the nerve to serve wine in heavy little "juice" glasses. either charge less, & or buy some real wine glasses.
& still never ceases to amaze me what new yorkers will put up with as regards to quality & outrageous prices?????
any manhattan suggestions for fried clams (EL's favorite) & fried shrimp?
Union Square, New York
Union Square, New York. June 8, 2006. There aren't enough great food trucks in the world anymore.
Shun Lee Palace
Shun Lee Palace, 155 E. 55th St., New York. Still good, great room, enjoyable to look around.
Aki on West 4th
My boyfriend and I love sushi. Several years ago, before we moved to New York, we made a visit and happened upon Aki. It was the most amazing sushi experience we've ever had and it has been our favorite "special treat" restaurant" since. While I haven't frequented some of the high-end sushi restaurants like Nobu, I think Aki has to be one of the best sushi places in the city. It's moderately priced (we spent about $70 for 6 rolls, seaweed salad and a fancy appetiser) and the sushi is amazing. Honestly, it's ruined a lot of other sushi places for me. The seaweed salad has to be the highlight. The sushi is perfect and the seaweed wrapping isn't chewy and gummy like most sushi places. While the location itself is very modest (they can probably only seat 15 people total including the bar), I highly recommend Aki for some of the best sushi in town. (Make reservations if you can, as they're often too full on weekends)
Park Bistro, 414 Park Ave S, New York City
Park Bistro and Les Halles used to be related; not sure if they still are. Les Halles is more popular, but I much prefer the bistro. It's quieter, more intimate, and somehow a little more old world. Maybe it's the size, but the staff seems nicer and more attentive.
The food? Very good. Probably on a par with its former sister. The standard bistro fare of hanger steak is always a great cut of meat, cooked perfectly. Salads and poultry are fresh and tasty.
Sandwich Alert: Salumeria Biellese
So after Carrie was violently bitching about the lack of hoagie availability here in NY, Ed sent us down to Salumeria Biellese on 8th Avenue. The address is {378 8th Avenue, New York NY 10001}
Salumeria is hard-core old school. They make their own sausages and coldcuts in a tight corner store.
Mark, the owner, whipped up an amazing Sopressata, Mozzarella and Pepper sandwich that was out of this world served on a perfect Semolina roll about a 2 feet long.
Diane, of course, had to be different and ordered a Mozzarella with marinated sundried tomatoes.
Jed added some extra vinegar and peppers to his. Apparently, he knows better than Mark.
RUN, DO NOT WALK to the Salumeria and tell Mark that Ed and Serious Eats sent you!
Nice Philadelphia Girl Seeks Decent Hoagie In NYC
So, as you pointed out in your book, _A Slice of Heaven_, Philly doesn't get pizza right. But what Philadelphia _definitely_ gets right, is the hoagie. I dream of a nice Amoroso's roll loaded with ham, genoa salami, capicolla, and provi, peppers, onion, tomato and lettuce. It's not difficult. But for some reason, New York just can't get it right. I understand the Amoroso's rolls, but what's the deal with the lunch meat? My "hoagie" came with 2 pieces of ham and 2 pieces of provolone. Not only was there barely anything on it, but they were just slapped there. Big square pieces of meat cut thick enough to throw in a frying pan and feed me for the week. So I ask you, Ed, fellow Eaters, where in NY can I get a serious hoagie?
^ Exhibit A: witness the hoagie abuse...
^ Exhibit B: a proper hoagie with a serious amount of meat, nicely folded with love onto a high-quality roll.
Thai Son
THAI SON
Location: 89 Baxter Street, New York NY 10013
Phone: 212-732-2322
Cuisine: Vietnamese
After a disappointing Vietnamese meal at Saigon Grill on the Upper West Side (lackluster bun with beef satay and overfried spring rolls), I needed a culinary overwrite of sorts. I remembered having a good meal at Thai Son a few weeks ago and hoped to repeat that experience this evening.
While Thai Son wasn't quite as good as I remember it being on my initial visit, it impressed me more than did Saigon Grill. I ordered banh hoi bo lui ("grilled beef sesame on angel hair noodle with lettuce, cucumber, and mint leaves"), a shredded chicken salad (with its refreshing combination of vinegar, lime, and mint), and, of course, spring rolls.
Here, the spring rolls were light, crisp, and perfectly fried but could have stood some more filling and less wrapper. The beef dish was good, but the thin, crisp pork chops I had last time were better. Still, it's hard to beat anything marinated in whatever it is they use there, all wrapped up in a fresh leaf of lettuce stuffed with mint and pickled cucumbers and carrots (above).
This area of Baxter is chockfull of Vietnamese restaurants; Nha Trang and New Pasteur flank it. If anyone on Ed's site has been to the others, lemme know how they rate in comparison.
Craft, New York
Have you ever noticed the (very cool, very nice) tables at Craft are so large you need to shout across them to your guests?
The acoustics are good, the music great (right now they're playing Charles Mingus with Eric Dolphy), and the food's a little fussy (like the wait-staff) but nice.
