Locanda Verde or ABC Kitchen?
Mar 30th, 2013, 05:40 AM
#1
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Locanda Verde or ABC Kitchen?
Which is better: Locanda Verde or ABC Kitchen? Have res at Gramercy Tavern, but we're in from out of town - not bringing 'dressy' attire. So, we need to choose a different restaurant. Unlimited budget.
Mar 30th, 2013, 09:00 AM
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You don not need to "dress up" for any of the 3 places mentioned.
There is no way to say which is better.....all of them have good food and ambience. Have you tried to get reservations at AMB and LV? Both are pretty difficult unless you are willing to eat before 6pm.
Other casual places you could consider include Perla, Minetta Tavern, I Sodi, Ma Peche, Perry Street, Bar Room at The Modern. No need to dress at any of those.
Above all, I might try The NoMad. Men do not need a jacket there and the food is superb. One of our favorite local places.
http://www.thenomadhotel.com/#/dining/menus/dinner
One of the other spots we have returned to again and again is Marea, on Central Park South. No need to dress up there either, and by that I mean "nice" casual wear, not shorts or t-shirts.
You'll be hard pressed to find better pasta anywhere in the city right now.
http://www.marea-nyc.com/
A well-known Spanish chef has just opened Manzanilla on Park Avenue. I have this on my list, as we had some good dishes at the namesake place in Malaga.....not tried this one, but surely very low key and easy to get in now, before the reviews have come in...
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/13/di...anzanilla.html
There is no way to say which is better.....all of them have good food and ambience. Have you tried to get reservations at AMB and LV? Both are pretty difficult unless you are willing to eat before 6pm.
Other casual places you could consider include Perla, Minetta Tavern, I Sodi, Ma Peche, Perry Street, Bar Room at The Modern. No need to dress at any of those.
Above all, I might try The NoMad. Men do not need a jacket there and the food is superb. One of our favorite local places.
http://www.thenomadhotel.com/#/dining/menus/dinner
One of the other spots we have returned to again and again is Marea, on Central Park South. No need to dress up there either, and by that I mean "nice" casual wear, not shorts or t-shirts.
You'll be hard pressed to find better pasta anywhere in the city right now.
http://www.marea-nyc.com/
A well-known Spanish chef has just opened Manzanilla on Park Avenue. I have this on my list, as we had some good dishes at the namesake place in Malaga.....not tried this one, but surely very low key and easy to get in now, before the reviews have come in...
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/13/di...anzanilla.html
Mar 30th, 2013, 10:57 AM
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Not sure if "dressy" or "dress up" is the same thing.
I don;t know any restaurant where "dressy" attire (dark suit and cocktail dress or similar) is required.
There are a few places - but not too many - where men are required to wear jackets. But business casual is acceptble almost anyplace.
If you're coming in summer and thinking of cut off jeans and flip flops - that's a different issue.
I don;t know any restaurant where "dressy" attire (dark suit and cocktail dress or similar) is required.
There are a few places - but not too many - where men are required to wear jackets. But business casual is acceptble almost anyplace.
If you're coming in summer and thinking of cut off jeans and flip flops - that's a different issue.
Mar 30th, 2013, 11:49 AM
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The only restaurant I've been to in the past few months that had any sort of dress code was Jean Georges, and even then, they offer to lend jackets to men arriving without. And even this has varied with each particular dinner.
NYT: What is the difference, to you, between "dressy" and dress up?
Surely if you ask 100 people you will get 100 responses.
NYT: What is the difference, to you, between "dressy" and dress up?
Surely if you ask 100 people you will get 100 responses.
Mar 30th, 2013, 01:53 PM
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Had dinner last night at Tocqueville (excellent, by the way). I wore a turtleneck sweater under a Cashmere sports jacket (with trousers, of course!). I was not underdressed; in fact, several fellows were in shirtsleeves and some even wore jeans. Very very few places have or enforce dress codes of any kind anymore. To me, that's a shame, but that's a whole other story.
A few weeks ago, post-Met Opera, we dined at Marea. Suit and tie for me and, it seemed, most other men. Maybe Marea uses the old practice of relegating more casually dressed parties to more obscure tables. That's definitely the case with Del Posto, where we saw men in jeans being taken with their partners to far distant corner tables.
A few weeks ago, post-Met Opera, we dined at Marea. Suit and tie for me and, it seemed, most other men. Maybe Marea uses the old practice of relegating more casually dressed parties to more obscure tables. That's definitely the case with Del Posto, where we saw men in jeans being taken with their partners to far distant corner tables.
Mar 30th, 2013, 05:13 PM
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IMHO "dressy" implies some sort of celebratory occasion and I would assume is a dark business suit for men and cocktail dress or similar pants outfit for women (sounds like sequins or similar). Not necessary in any restaurant ever.
When people say "dress" for a restaurant that usually means a jacket (but not necessarily tie or suit)for men and women wearing a dress (daytime) or nicer pants/sweater/top. (Does not include tatty jeans or sneakers)
Not be be offensive - but I have seen tourists enter a nicer restaurant - family with tween kids - in holey jeans, misshapen tee shirts and plastic flip fops (IMHO appropriate only for cleaning out the garage - or fast food/chain restaurants).
When people say "dress" for a restaurant that usually means a jacket (but not necessarily tie or suit)for men and women wearing a dress (daytime) or nicer pants/sweater/top. (Does not include tatty jeans or sneakers)
Not be be offensive - but I have seen tourists enter a nicer restaurant - family with tween kids - in holey jeans, misshapen tee shirts and plastic flip fops (IMHO appropriate only for cleaning out the garage - or fast food/chain restaurants).
Mar 30th, 2013, 11:17 PM
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I would second ekscrunchy (hi you!) on NoMad -- Daniel Humm is doing brilliant food there, but it is pricier than the other 3 the OP mentioned. I would also say that you might be a bit more comfortable there a bit dressed up. Not that you have to, we've spent the night in the hotel (what a treat -- like visiting Paris) coupled with dinner, but it's become a bit of a scene so you'll want to be aware of that, especially if you're going on a weekend. You definitely need to plan ahead for that.
I like ABC Kitchen. It is definitely more casual (the wait staff wears plaid shirts) than Gramercy or the NoMad. I've had several nice brunch/lunches there.
I like ABC Kitchen. It is definitely more casual (the wait staff wears plaid shirts) than Gramercy or the NoMad. I've had several nice brunch/lunches there.
Mar 31st, 2013, 04:47 AM
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Hey, Jen! The hotel looks like a marvelous place to decamp for a few days, or weeks!!
My default dress is well-cut black jeans and a stylish top (sorry for lack of descriptive adjectives here!)
One thing I will say is that the lunch menu at ABC Kitchen does not show off their best dishes, in my own opinion. (I order the suckling pig at least half the time.....excellent and not around at lunch....if you go there, dinner would show off the menu best)
Yes to Tocqueville.
We are very lucky to live in this city now, as far as food goes! All the places mentioned are almost certainly to be counted on for great food.
OP mentioned no budget, so why not include 11Madison in the mix? (I've not been since they put the newest menu in place, though)
My default dress is well-cut black jeans and a stylish top (sorry for lack of descriptive adjectives here!)
One thing I will say is that the lunch menu at ABC Kitchen does not show off their best dishes, in my own opinion. (I order the suckling pig at least half the time.....excellent and not around at lunch....if you go there, dinner would show off the menu best)
Yes to Tocqueville.
We are very lucky to live in this city now, as far as food goes! All the places mentioned are almost certainly to be counted on for great food.
OP mentioned no budget, so why not include 11Madison in the mix? (I've not been since they put the newest menu in place, though)
Apr 1st, 2013, 05:14 AM
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You guys are awesome! I'm going to to do both restaurants. And you've sold me on NoMad and the other places, as well. And on the whole "dressy" attire issue: we're from Southern California and the people here think dressed up is pants instead of shorts or lounge clothes and a T without a cheeky comment on it or a surf shop ad. Ay ay ay. I, for one, am NOT of that ilk! It's black, black and blacker clothes for me!
P.S. have a res at Blue Hill and wondering if it's worth the hype? How about Waverly Inn, too? Yea or Nay?
P.S. have a res at Blue Hill and wondering if it's worth the hype? How about Waverly Inn, too? Yea or Nay?
Apr 1st, 2013, 06:20 AM
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Waverly Inn is definitely not worth the hype, and I have mixed feelings about Blue Hill. If you were going to the farm, I'd say absolutely. I've eaten at the restaurant in the Village only once, and I found it to be a mixed bag.
The food was decidedly good but very unadorned and simple. That in itself isn't a bad thing, but it's also quite expensive for what you get. At some restaurants, I can see on the plate what I'm paying for (a complex preparation I could not possibly do at home with incredibly imaginative ingredients). I don't feel that at Blue Hill. It's basically meat or fish or vegetables on a plate. And I've never said this about any restaurant in NYC, but the portions were oddly small. I'm sorry, but $35 for a 3-ounce piece of venison with relatively little else on the plate seems a bit much for me. And $18 for beet salad? It's a salad and it's made of beets.
Wines were particularly expensive (almost no bottles under $60, and this was over a year ago).
The experience at the farm is much more elegant and unique, though no less expensive.
The food was decidedly good but very unadorned and simple. That in itself isn't a bad thing, but it's also quite expensive for what you get. At some restaurants, I can see on the plate what I'm paying for (a complex preparation I could not possibly do at home with incredibly imaginative ingredients). I don't feel that at Blue Hill. It's basically meat or fish or vegetables on a plate. And I've never said this about any restaurant in NYC, but the portions were oddly small. I'm sorry, but $35 for a 3-ounce piece of venison with relatively little else on the plate seems a bit much for me. And $18 for beet salad? It's a salad and it's made of beets.
Wines were particularly expensive (almost no bottles under $60, and this was over a year ago).
The experience at the farm is much more elegant and unique, though no less expensive.
Apr 1st, 2013, 09:27 AM
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Agree with Doug. I would skip Blue Hill in favor of some of the other spots mentioned. IF you like that pure farm-to-table ethic, you might do better at Hearth. For a bit more embellishment, but still fairly strong on seasonal produce, ABC is a good bet. These, in addition to NoMad. Again, you need to reserve far in advance.
If you cannot get into any of the places mentioned, you can add Ai Fiori to your list......strong on pasta and other primi.
http://www.aifiorinyc.com/file/5717/...r=0&navpanes=0
If you cannot get into any of the places mentioned, you can add Ai Fiori to your list......strong on pasta and other primi.
http://www.aifiorinyc.com/file/5717/...r=0&navpanes=0
Apr 1st, 2013, 05:43 PM
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Thank you SO much, Doug and ekscrunchy! I am cancelling my res at Blue Hill - don't need to eat trendy micro-portions just to say I dined there. And Waverly Inn is out now, too. Honestly, we just want a cool, hip place that has GOOD food. That should be easy in the BEST city in the world, right? Thanks, all of you! : )
Apr 2nd, 2013, 05:01 AM
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I would head for NoMad, if you can get a table. All the world wants hip, cool with good food....so you really need to book way ahead. Blue Hill is not trendy, just so you know.
Fallbacks for me are usually ALDEA, MA PECHE,and others, which are easier to book than some of those mentioned above. TERTULIA is also a personal favorite. No reservations for small tables, though.
http://chezsardine.com/#/home
Fallbacks for me are usually ALDEA, MA PECHE,and others, which are easier to book than some of those mentioned above. TERTULIA is also a personal favorite. No reservations for small tables, though.
http://chezsardine.com/#/home
Apr 2nd, 2013, 06:10 AM
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Eksrunchy
We finally went to Tertulia and it was disappointing and expensive. The food did not taste like Spanish ingredients or preparation and their unique preparations were just so-so. Ironically Mario Batali and a posse sat down at the table next to us and I am not a big fan of Cafe Mono either.
We like Nai, which is not even in Zagats, and just this week we went to La Boqueria on 19th Street which is superior Tertulia.
Sorry.
We finally went to Tertulia and it was disappointing and expensive. The food did not taste like Spanish ingredients or preparation and their unique preparations were just so-so. Ironically Mario Batali and a posse sat down at the table next to us and I am not a big fan of Cafe Mono either.
We like Nai, which is not even in Zagats, and just this week we went to La Boqueria on 19th Street which is superior Tertulia.
Sorry.
Apr 2nd, 2013, 08:26 AM
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Ah, yes, I had completely forgotten about Ma Peche. It's the one Momofuku restaurant where you can make reservations for something other than one of the special meals.
I thought the OP had already decided to go to NoMad. If not, then that fits the bill nicely as a trendy restaurant, and it's possible to get a reservation if you eat early and do it a month in advance. Otherwise, impossible.
I thought the OP had already decided to go to NoMad. If not, then that fits the bill nicely as a trendy restaurant, and it's possible to get a reservation if you eat early and do it a month in advance. Otherwise, impossible.
Apr 2nd, 2013, 08:41 AM
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Desfile de Monos (??) : Hola!! I have not been to T. in a few months. I am not sure he is trying to replicate Spanish ingredients, but perhaps to work with the best of what he has on hand here. I have some respect for the chef gleaned from reading of his cookbook and trying a couple of dishes. But would never say that Tertulia is an approximation of what one might find in Asturias, which I believe is where he honed his skills. I hate the no reservations policy, there and elsewhere...
Never mind..would love to meet up with you sometime at the Spanish place of your choice..
As an aside, a place I tried in Malaga has just opened a branch here in Manhattan, but from the location, Park Avenue south, you will draw your own conclusions...I've not been yet and never did get around to writing it up here...Manzanilla (see my post above)
Never mind..would love to meet up with you sometime at the Spanish place of your choice..
As an aside, a place I tried in Malaga has just opened a branch here in Manhattan, but from the location, Park Avenue south, you will draw your own conclusions...I've not been yet and never did get around to writing it up here...Manzanilla (see my post above)
Apr 2nd, 2013, 10:23 AM
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That would be wonderful to meet up. I knew you have yards and yards of experience eating your way through Spain. Or can try Manzanilla.
The fellow at Nai imports many of his provisions from Spain. He makes his tortillas to order and refuses to put dates wrapped in bacon on the menu until he perfects his own version. The dates in bacon at La Boqueria were pretty good.
The fellow at Nai imports many of his provisions from Spain. He makes his tortillas to order and refuses to put dates wrapped in bacon on the menu until he perfects his own version. The dates in bacon at La Boqueria were pretty good.
