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From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

I've had really great experiences at Devi during RW...

kellyxrene at 9:49AM on 06/27/08

From Talk

Saag anyone?

This will maybe gross everyone out, but I make this incredibly lazy saag using canned spinach - it actually works really well since you're already sort of halfway there getting the right consistancy. I sautee ginger w/ coriander and garam masala, add fresh tomatoes and the (drained) canned spinach, then add heavy cream (or greek yogurt, depending on how healthy you want to be...). It's so fast. Otherwise, I use the same-ish recipe with fresh spinach and cook it for 1/2 hour or so.

kellyxrene at 4:41PM on 06/19/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

I spend much of my time on the road in a touring band - last summer we were rolling through Chapel Hill, NC and found an elderly man on the side of the road selling sweet sun tea. It was incredible, and no other summer beverage I've had since has really been able to cut it...

kellyxrene at 4:59PM on 06/16/08

From Talk

Vegan recommendations in NYC. Please. Thanks.

angelica kitchen - sometimes a little bland, sometimes awesome. 100% vegan
kate's - trashy vegetarian junk food. always good!
red bamboo - my favorite, but only if you like fake meat
chennai garden - mind-blowing south indian
hangawi - vegan korean, a bit pricey. also, for your fancy meal out, i'm pretty sure that grammercy tavern does a vegetarian tasting menu (that they could probably also make vegan?)

i'd avoid the 'vegetarian' places in chinatown - always seems like veggies covered in doughnuts in a super-sweet sauce.

kellyxrene at 3:10PM on 09/21/07

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Recent Comments | Response to Comments

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

I've had really great experiences at Devi during RW...

kellyxrene at 9:49AM on 06/27/08

From Talk

Saag anyone?

This will maybe gross everyone out, but I make this incredibly lazy saag using canned spinach - it actually works really well since you're already sort of halfway there getting the right consistancy. I sautee ginger w/ coriander and garam masala, add fresh tomatoes and the (drained) canned spinach, then add heavy cream (or greek yogurt, depending on how healthy you want to be...). It's so fast. Otherwise, I use the same-ish recipe with fresh spinach and cook it for 1/2 hour or so.

kellyxrene at 4:41PM on 06/19/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

I spend much of my time on the road in a touring band - last summer we were rolling through Chapel Hill, NC and found an elderly man on the side of the road selling sweet sun tea. It was incredible, and no other summer beverage I've had since has really been able to cut it...

kellyxrene at 4:59PM on 06/16/08

From Talk

Vegan recommendations in NYC. Please. Thanks.

angelica kitchen - sometimes a little bland, sometimes awesome. 100% vegan
kate's - trashy vegetarian junk food. always good!
red bamboo - my favorite, but only if you like fake meat
chennai garden - mind-blowing south indian
hangawi - vegan korean, a bit pricey. also, for your fancy meal out, i'm pretty sure that grammercy tavern does a vegetarian tasting menu (that they could probably also make vegan?)

i'd avoid the 'vegetarian' places in chinatown - always seems like veggies covered in doughnuts in a super-sweet sauce.

kellyxrene at 3:10PM on 09/21/07

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

Collegekid19 asked for an Italian restaurant. Del Posto is nice. I don't know exactly why, but, while there and even later, I kept thinking "nice!".

Purepumpkin at 5:15PM on 07/23/08

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

Inspite of the pitfalls, I love RW. I find that, if I arrive early (even without a reservation) for lunch and look well put together, I almost always get seated. On the one or two occasions when this strategy failed, I did get seated at my second choice restaurant.

I agree with the praise for Danny Meyer's restaurants. I go to Gramercy Tavern during restaurant week and during the rest of the year. I always feel welcome.

Besides Gramercy Tavern, I love Aquavit and Oceana. The salmon at Aquavit is transcendent. The food overall at Oceana is subtle, beautifully presented, and memorable.

One place to avoid is Grayz. This is a midtown restaurant owned by Gray Kunz, a celebrity chef. It is located in a former Rockefeller townhouse. Aside from the historical interest, I have little good to say about the restaurant.

The staff at Grayz resented serving an inexpensive meal. For each of three courses, there were only two selections. There was loud Hispanic music. The food was bad.

What can I say? Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Purepumpkin at 5:12PM on 07/23/08

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

My favorite was Mesa Grill, Aureole was fine but they run a summer special throughout the summer, they may not even officially participate. Trying to get into Gramercy Tavern and Eleven Madison Park is just an exercise in frustration for me. I would've called a month in advance but just forgot about it and now both places are booked solid. This year I am going to Tabla with my sister, not my original choice but like others I feel Danny Meyer does the most honorable job with RW. We'll see how it goes.

sugarstack at 9:06AM on 07/21/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

Thank you for participating, and congratulations to our winners:

mayam
fritesandfries
reneerobinson
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Winners have been notified by email and also appear on our Contest Winners page.

Adam Kuban at 6:31PM on 07/07/08

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

I highly recommend River Cafe for lunchtime restaurant week. Great view, amazing food with several different options ( not just two ). And afterward you can walk over the bridge or lay on the grass under the bridge and enjoy a lovely day.

midgepingleton at 8:26AM on 07/01/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

I'm with mint juleps as well.

skyflyer3 at 2:21PM on 06/30/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

Alcoholic- margaritas hands down (fresh limes though)
Non Alcoholic- iced tea

LoriA at 1:22PM on 06/30/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

Gin and tonics are my favorite for something cool to drink while sitting on my patio.

minnebelle at 11:23AM on 06/30/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

Mint juleps! Forget mojitos, I prefer this classic work of art in bourbon, mint, sugar and ice - the perfect compliment to relaxing on a porch swing or rocker.

littlecabbage at 10:02AM on 06/30/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

Give me a refreshing Gordon's Cup made with cucumber and limes - you can add a splash of Midori for extra pizazz!

sluvis at 9:57AM on 06/30/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

I love a Sea Breeze - vodka, cranberry juice, and a squeeze of fresh lime. Ahhh!

whoizzit at 9:13AM on 06/30/08

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

Restaurant Week is indeed a great *idea* but you need to be aware of the pitfalls:
- huge crowds and rushed service
- restaurants that cut corners (i.e., chicken and fish, none of the signature dishes, etc.)
- getting shut out of reservations since you didn't call 28, 30, or 31 days in advance
- the *really* high quality and popular restaurants usually do not participate
- restaurants that already have a prix fixe deal that is in that price range (Devi, Tocqueville, etc.)

I've always had a good experience at any Danny Meyer restaurant. As well as restaurants that typically don't have a large lunch crowd but are popular for dinner.

kathryn at 10:47PM on 06/29/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

Cherry limeade, made with club soda and not plain water. Fizzy and fresh and cold, it hits all the right spots.

roserose at 6:29PM on 06/29/08

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

I highly recommend lunch during restaurant week because it is more affordable than dinner. But I did have a great time at Nougatine during restaurant week in February. The service was great and the food was generally the stuff you'd find on the regular menu.

The Gastronomer at 3:29PM on 06/29/08

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

@collegekid19--don't know if Ino does RW, but it's pretty inexpensive for a regular night out, and SO worth it!. We love love LOVE going there for the truffled egg toast and panini. Ino is one of my favorite spots in the city.

Restaurant Week is taking a beating here, and I think it's a great idea. My boyfriend and I are on a budget and don't get to eat at all of the fantastic places in NYC as often as we'd like. RW is a chance for us to try something that's normally out of reach. Once August hits, it's back to checking things off on the "Best Cheap Eats" issue of NY Mag! We love Restaurant Week! (almost as much as truffled egg toast...)

nosillak at 3:01PM on 06/29/08

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

I'm with SE. Check it:

http://gastrogirls.wordpress.com/2008/06/24/nyc-resto-week-rears-its-head/

100% agreed on NY Resto Week.

GastroGirls at 3:08PM on 06/28/08

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

I second Bar Room at the Modern -- had a terrific dinner last year. And Lupa for lunch; if I remember correctly, we got not three but four courses, all delicious. Worst was lunch at Asia de Cuba a couple RWs ago: it's a good thing the friend I went with and I like the same food, because get this, for the RW menu we could only order one dish from each course, to share! We couldn't believe it. The portions were decent, but it was just so bizarre. Don't know if that's still the case, but I would be wary...

harlem_panadera at 2:44PM on 06/28/08

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

Does Ino Cafe participate in restaurant week?
http://www.cafeino.com/

Has anyone ever eaten here? Worth a try?

collegekid19 at 4:45AM on 06/28/08

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

Any suggestions for Italian?

collegekid19 at 4:43AM on 06/28/08

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

The trick to keeping the price down is not to have wine or coffee. That way you can enjoy the meal and go to several different restaurants each year. I have had delicious meals at Eleven Madison, Park Avenue Summer, Crema (dessert disappointed). I look forward to it each year and have reservations at North Square, Perry Street, Artisanal and Le Perigord.

flakevanille at 11:34AM on 06/27/08

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

i had restaurant week dinners at fraunces tavern and capsouto freres and it was just like having dinner at a very large hotel function, complete with metal lids on the plates as they were sent out of the kitchen in huge batches. double yuck. i'd never go back to either place.

on the other hand, we had delicious restaurant week food at mesa.

cybercita at 10:33AM on 06/27/08

From Talk

NYC Summer Restaurant Week Recommendations (or warnings)

Cafe Boulud - I had one of my all-time favorite meals there for $20.01. Veal cheeks!

greenolivemedia at 9:51AM on 06/27/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

for me its gotta be lemonaide or a margarita...yum!

daisymay at 10:33AM on 06/26/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

i love tea and cranberry juice.... but, omg, the root beer floats post really zings... and lime sherbert with ginger ale!!

grtrossini at 10:40PM on 06/24/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

Root beer floats!

shandon at 11:49PM on 06/23/08

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