New York City Restaurant Fav's
Nov 18th, 2008, 06:05 PM
#1
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New York City Restaurant Fav's
I'm headed to NYC for the weekend after Thanksgiving - and I plan to eat as much food as possible. So I was hoping to use your experience. I should be able to eat for under $75 (not including alcohol) and they need to be fairly casual, I'm not taking too many dressy clothes.
Since there are a zillion good restaurants here, I thought I would ask for some specifics....
1. Breakfast place near Times Square - real breakfast, doesn't have to be fancy. A good diner would be good, but crepes won't scare me off.
2. Favorite Italian Restaurant - In or out of Little Italy. We just came back from Italy a couple weeks ago, so I'm looking for authentic.
3. Your favorite restaurant in Manhattan - any place, no minimum or maximum price required.
4. Favorite Asian restaurant. We like anything Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian - you name it. What's your favorite?
Since there are a zillion good restaurants here, I thought I would ask for some specifics....
1. Breakfast place near Times Square - real breakfast, doesn't have to be fancy. A good diner would be good, but crepes won't scare me off.
2. Favorite Italian Restaurant - In or out of Little Italy. We just came back from Italy a couple weeks ago, so I'm looking for authentic.
3. Your favorite restaurant in Manhattan - any place, no minimum or maximum price required.
4. Favorite Asian restaurant. We like anything Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian - you name it. What's your favorite?
Nov 18th, 2008, 06:27 PM
#2
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Favorite Italians:
Babbo - fabulous, expensive and impossible to get a table.
Spigolo - 2nd Ave and 81st St 212-744-1100
Il Buco - like being in a Tuscan farmhouse - 47 Bond St (Bowery and Lafayette) 212-533-1932
Favorites:
(in no particular order)
Gotham Bar and Grill
Aquagrill
Bouley
Peter Luger (Bklyn)
Gramercy Tavern
Etats Unis
Hope this helps.
Babbo - fabulous, expensive and impossible to get a table.
Spigolo - 2nd Ave and 81st St 212-744-1100
Il Buco - like being in a Tuscan farmhouse - 47 Bond St (Bowery and Lafayette) 212-533-1932
Favorites:
(in no particular order)
Gotham Bar and Grill
Aquagrill
Bouley
Peter Luger (Bklyn)
Gramercy Tavern
Etats Unis
Hope this helps.
Nov 18th, 2008, 06:35 PM
#3
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CPgirl, has provided a great list! And at them all and you can die happy!
If you can't get in to Babbo, go to Lupa, the cheaper more casual cousin. I have to say while I enjoyed our one experience at Babbo, I actually like Lupa more -- it's so delightfully casual and the food is wonderful.
Your breakfast place near Times Square? Maison at 7th and 52 (?) is very good. More diner-like and cheaper -- there's a coffee shop at the corner of 43rd or 44th and 8th on the west side of the street that's really popular and good and cheap.
If you can't get in to Babbo, go to Lupa, the cheaper more casual cousin. I have to say while I enjoyed our one experience at Babbo, I actually like Lupa more -- it's so delightfully casual and the food is wonderful.
Your breakfast place near Times Square? Maison at 7th and 52 (?) is very good. More diner-like and cheaper -- there's a coffee shop at the corner of 43rd or 44th and 8th on the west side of the street that's really popular and good and cheap.
Nov 18th, 2008, 06:47 PM
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I am no expert on NY restaurants, BUT I loved Lupa the one time I was there for the same reasons NP mentions - "delightfully casual" is a terrific description, and delicious and fun.
Fabulous home made croissants can be had at a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop on 6th Ave. (Avenue of the Americas) between 40th and 41st St. on the same side of the street as the Marriott Residence Inn.
Fabulous home made croissants can be had at a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop on 6th Ave. (Avenue of the Americas) between 40th and 41st St. on the same side of the street as the Marriott Residence Inn.
Nov 18th, 2008, 07:50 PM
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SavTrav,
Here are my favorites -- but first, good diner near Times Square = The Red Flame, next door to the Algonquin Hotel on 44th Street, between 5th and 6th, north side of the street. Cheap, good diner food.
OK, on to restaurants:
Orso (46th between 7th and 8th??) -- Italian, simple but sophisticated and thoughtful. Convenient before the theatre.
Balhthazar (Spring Street in Soho) -- I had some of the best steak tartare of my life about a month ago; so good both my young teenage daughters had to order their own.
Keene's (36th Street between 5th and 6th) -- Old traditional steakhouse; great steaks, great cocktails.
La Grenouille (52nd Street, just off 5th) -- French, the MOST fabulous flowers; lunch is more in line with your budget. Wear the nicest of your casual clothes here! If I could afford it I would eat here every time I'm in the city.
The Oyster Bar, Grand Central Station.-- A dozen oysters and a bloody mary? Heaven.
Cafeteria (119 Seventh Avenue in Chelsea) -- Killer brunch place, 'Sex and the City" set.
Chinatown -- I have eaten dim sum in every nondescript "hole in the wall" place; discovering it yourself is half the fun. Sorry no specifics...we like to wander and see what looks authentic and good!
Have a ball, I'm jealous and hungry now!
Here are my favorites -- but first, good diner near Times Square = The Red Flame, next door to the Algonquin Hotel on 44th Street, between 5th and 6th, north side of the street. Cheap, good diner food.
OK, on to restaurants:
Orso (46th between 7th and 8th??) -- Italian, simple but sophisticated and thoughtful. Convenient before the theatre.
Balhthazar (Spring Street in Soho) -- I had some of the best steak tartare of my life about a month ago; so good both my young teenage daughters had to order their own.
Keene's (36th Street between 5th and 6th) -- Old traditional steakhouse; great steaks, great cocktails.
La Grenouille (52nd Street, just off 5th) -- French, the MOST fabulous flowers; lunch is more in line with your budget. Wear the nicest of your casual clothes here! If I could afford it I would eat here every time I'm in the city.
The Oyster Bar, Grand Central Station.-- A dozen oysters and a bloody mary? Heaven.
Cafeteria (119 Seventh Avenue in Chelsea) -- Killer brunch place, 'Sex and the City" set.
Chinatown -- I have eaten dim sum in every nondescript "hole in the wall" place; discovering it yourself is half the fun. Sorry no specifics...we like to wander and see what looks authentic and good!
Have a ball, I'm jealous and hungry now!
Nov 18th, 2008, 07:50 PM
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yes, nice list from CPG, although I'm not a Bouley fan, and I'm sure CPG hasn't been to the new Bouley, since it has just been opening this past week or so.
Can't help with the Times square breakfast too I would just walk up 9th Avenue until I found the nearest diner.
Favorite Italian - certainly not anything in Little Italy. Lavagna, Scarpetta, Lupa, Babbo, Giorgione . . . . all good, all for different reasons.
Favorite restaurant in Manhattan - this week? this month? Momofuku Ssam Bar, Blue Ribbon Bakery, Snack Taverna, Aki on 4th Street, Scarpetta, Mary's Fish Camp, Jing Fong, Casa Mono, Tabla Bread Bar . . .
check out menus and prices at www.menupages.com reviews and blog at www.nymag.com and www.nytimes.com/dining
Can't help with the Times square breakfast too I would just walk up 9th Avenue until I found the nearest diner.
Favorite Italian - certainly not anything in Little Italy. Lavagna, Scarpetta, Lupa, Babbo, Giorgione . . . . all good, all for different reasons.
Favorite restaurant in Manhattan - this week? this month? Momofuku Ssam Bar, Blue Ribbon Bakery, Snack Taverna, Aki on 4th Street, Scarpetta, Mary's Fish Camp, Jing Fong, Casa Mono, Tabla Bread Bar . . .
check out menus and prices at www.menupages.com reviews and blog at www.nymag.com and www.nytimes.com/dining
Nov 18th, 2008, 08:14 PM
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For genuine romano try Cacio e Pepe
Old Favroites
Gotham
Acquavit
Closest to Spanish Tapas Bar
Xunta
Very good tapas
Tia Pol
Pizza
Lombardi's
Pizza Fresca
Luzzo's
Best Jewish Delis
2nd AVenue Deli
Katz's
Chinese
Big WOng-down and dirty
Dim Sum
Jing Fung
Sweet n Tart
Golden Unicorn
Gelati-
Il Labotorio de Gelato
Grom (An Italian chain)
Feench Bistro
Kasimir
Cafe DeVille
Old Favroites
Gotham
Acquavit
Closest to Spanish Tapas Bar
Xunta
Very good tapas
Tia Pol
Pizza
Lombardi's
Pizza Fresca
Luzzo's
Best Jewish Delis
2nd AVenue Deli
Katz's
Chinese
Big WOng-down and dirty
Dim Sum
Jing Fung
Sweet n Tart
Golden Unicorn
Gelati-
Il Labotorio de Gelato
Grom (An Italian chain)
Feench Bistro
Kasimir
Cafe DeVille
Nov 19th, 2008, 04:47 AM
#8
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Wow, thanks so much for the great response.
I was surprised to hear that Grom is in NY, I'm pretty sure we got Gelato there in Florence and it was really good.
I have a lot of great ideas now!
I was surprised to hear that Grom is in NY, I'm pretty sure we got Gelato there in Florence and it was really good.
I have a lot of great ideas now!
Nov 19th, 2008, 07:15 AM
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SavTrav - yes the choices are endless - all types, budgets, favorite this week, etc. You've gotten great suggestions - just depends what interests you.
Grom is here! - ciocolatto (sp?) extra noir - had it in Florence too.
One more for something different:
Pampano (contemporary Mexican - known for seafood)
www.modernmexican.com
209 E 49th St 212-751-4545
mp - no, I haven't been to the new Bouley yet. We don't go often (just for special occasions) and it's always been wonderful. I liked the original location on Duane the best.
Grom is here! - ciocolatto (sp?) extra noir - had it in Florence too.
One more for something different:
Pampano (contemporary Mexican - known for seafood)
www.modernmexican.com
209 E 49th St 212-751-4545
mp - no, I haven't been to the new Bouley yet. We don't go often (just for special occasions) and it's always been wonderful. I liked the original location on Duane the best.
Nov 19th, 2008, 07:37 AM
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If you do not mind eating later, if you call Babbo during dinner service the evening you want to go, there will usually be a table open. Sometimes you can get a not so late table doing this--cancellations.
You will not find "authentic" Italian in Little Italy. I like Bacaro and Falai, both on the LES
Japanese, I like Sachikos on Clinton Street. Bond Street and Blue Ribbon are also fine, Blue Ribbon can be annoying though--I'm more sensitive to UES trash and B&T than others though.
Favorites:
WD-50
Sachikos
Bouley
Cabrito (not high end, but authentic southwest mexican--NOT burritos, but fish soup, slow cooked pork, etc., good cocktails)
Fatty Crab ("Malaysian," not high end)
Moto (in Brooklyn)
Sweetwater (in Brooklyn)
Schiller's (faux bistro--breakfast, brunch or lunch only--atmosphere more than food)
You will not find "authentic" Italian in Little Italy. I like Bacaro and Falai, both on the LES
Japanese, I like Sachikos on Clinton Street. Bond Street and Blue Ribbon are also fine, Blue Ribbon can be annoying though--I'm more sensitive to UES trash and B&T than others though.
Favorites:
WD-50
Sachikos
Bouley
Cabrito (not high end, but authentic southwest mexican--NOT burritos, but fish soup, slow cooked pork, etc., good cocktails)
Fatty Crab ("Malaysian," not high end)
Moto (in Brooklyn)
Sweetwater (in Brooklyn)
Schiller's (faux bistro--breakfast, brunch or lunch only--atmosphere more than food)
Nov 19th, 2008, 10:18 AM
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CPG - glad to read on the other thread that your DH is doing a bit better . . . in my experience, often times after surgery just ridding the body of the anaesthetics ( which can take several days) does so much to change the patients' mood. And adding ice cream TO the body does so much too!
We had a couple of great meals at the original Bouley on Duane Street years ago - and then two- "not worth it" ones on W. Broadway . . and stopped going. But maybe the new one will be great. Maybe that's a good goal for you and the DH when he's better.
Pampano is a good suggestion - delicious, but pricey, high-end Mexican seafood.
CB - ohhh Fatty Crab - I love Fatty Crab. And Blaue Gans. And Cafe Sabarsky. And Hill Country. And Moustache . . .
We had a couple of great meals at the original Bouley on Duane Street years ago - and then two- "not worth it" ones on W. Broadway . . and stopped going. But maybe the new one will be great. Maybe that's a good goal for you and the DH when he's better.
Pampano is a good suggestion - delicious, but pricey, high-end Mexican seafood.
CB - ohhh Fatty Crab - I love Fatty Crab. And Blaue Gans. And Cafe Sabarsky. And Hill Country. And Moustache . . .
