NOLITA/LITTLE ITALY FAVORITE EATING PLACES...tips from a local
Dec 13th, 2019, 12:00 PM
#21
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Thank you for that tip, on Emporio. Once again, I wrote a long thread and was interripted by a fake ad from some one purported to be from Flash Drive. These fakers only appear when I attept to post on Fodors, never had them appear on any other site.
So will make this short so I do not waste time:
If one does not worry about finances, or about noise, I highly recommend Frenchette for lunch. This restaurant in Soho/Tribeca has reeived glowing critics reports, including three stars from Wells of the NYTimes.
Two of us had lunch there on a weekday, at 1:30:
The bill came, for two of us, to $142, including one glass of wine, each.
Bread was charged at $8, an all-to-common practice in Manhattan for the past few years. Yes, very good, but for $80??? I will leave that decision to the individual.
Two of us shared the brouillade, a painstankingly difficult/time consuming dish to make; these scrambed eggs were was with a hefty helping of Peconic Bay snails, Long Island's alternative to the escargots of Burgundy and other areas of France. Superb. One could have stopped right there and had a fantastic lunch. ($26.) Lots ofo butter!
We then shared to main courses, both of which were superb:
Half a lobster bathed in butter, served detached from, but including, the shells: ($34)
Duck Confit: One thigh, served with beans, did not ask what kind but they were wonderful, not Tarbais. ($24)
So you can see that prices are elevated for, apart perhaps from the lobster, which sells in NYC markets now for about $10 a pound, fairly humble ingredients. The duck confit is offered as a lunch special, with dessert and a glass of wine and coffee, for a very good price (see menu above).
All in all, excellent place. Nothing earth shattering if you have been to France outside Paris. Very trendy, as far as NYC goes.Too noisy at lunch to make me want to think about going for dinner, when prices would be much higher. Lovely, kind and excellet (and not haughty), service.
If I lived within an easy walk, I would go often, for lunch only, with people who would appreciate the level of the kitchen.
FRENCHETTE:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/d...t-tribeca.html
Lunch_11_25_19.pdf
If you are looking for good bread, GRANDAISY BAKERY is just a block to the north; their Pan Pugliese si a NYC classic, akin to the Sullivan Street bakery's loaf that goes by the same name.....
So will make this short so I do not waste time:
If one does not worry about finances, or about noise, I highly recommend Frenchette for lunch. This restaurant in Soho/Tribeca has reeived glowing critics reports, including three stars from Wells of the NYTimes.
Two of us had lunch there on a weekday, at 1:30:
The bill came, for two of us, to $142, including one glass of wine, each.
Bread was charged at $8, an all-to-common practice in Manhattan for the past few years. Yes, very good, but for $80??? I will leave that decision to the individual.
Two of us shared the brouillade, a painstankingly difficult/time consuming dish to make; these scrambed eggs were was with a hefty helping of Peconic Bay snails, Long Island's alternative to the escargots of Burgundy and other areas of France. Superb. One could have stopped right there and had a fantastic lunch. ($26.) Lots ofo butter!
We then shared to main courses, both of which were superb:
Half a lobster bathed in butter, served detached from, but including, the shells: ($34)
Duck Confit: One thigh, served with beans, did not ask what kind but they were wonderful, not Tarbais. ($24)
So you can see that prices are elevated for, apart perhaps from the lobster, which sells in NYC markets now for about $10 a pound, fairly humble ingredients. The duck confit is offered as a lunch special, with dessert and a glass of wine and coffee, for a very good price (see menu above).
All in all, excellent place. Nothing earth shattering if you have been to France outside Paris. Very trendy, as far as NYC goes.Too noisy at lunch to make me want to think about going for dinner, when prices would be much higher. Lovely, kind and excellet (and not haughty), service.
If I lived within an easy walk, I would go often, for lunch only, with people who would appreciate the level of the kitchen.
FRENCHETTE:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/d...t-tribeca.html
Lunch_11_25_19.pdf
If you are looking for good bread, GRANDAISY BAKERY is just a block to the north; their Pan Pugliese si a NYC classic, akin to the Sullivan Street bakery's loaf that goes by the same name.....
Last edited by ekscrunchy; Dec 13th, 2019 at 12:05 PM.
Jan 10th, 2021, 01:33 PM
#22
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My new favorite, Italian (Bolognese) from a chef who worked at Osteria Francescana (among top 5 in the world in San Pellegrino ratings) and Hosteris Giusti in Modena (dying to go there!!) and it now chef at :
REZDORA, on east 20th street near Gramercy Park. Just had lunch there with my cousin, in an isolated outdoor booth. with great heating. (I swore a long sleeved cotton t-shirt).
Second time we have been there, first was my birthday a few months ago; open now for lunch and dinner; will make dinner items for lunch with advance request; their website does not seem to work so I present this.....
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/06/d...ete-wells.html
REZDORA, on east 20th street near Gramercy Park. Just had lunch there with my cousin, in an isolated outdoor booth. with great heating. (I swore a long sleeved cotton t-shirt).
Second time we have been there, first was my birthday a few months ago; open now for lunch and dinner; will make dinner items for lunch with advance request; their website does not seem to work so I present this.....
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/06/d...ete-wells.html
Jan 11th, 2021, 09:12 AM
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BV: That means a lot to me, thank you and I hope all of you, and yours, are well and plowing through these difficult times. We FINALLY got the ability to stream Netflix and Amazon Prie, after many years of doing without for reasons neither we, nor any of the pros we called in, could figure out. Finally a guy from Spectrum set us up with equipment we already owned, the only flitch is that the wiring is outside the cabinets not tucked away inside, so cannot close the cabinet doors. Looks bad but cannot complain. In the spring I will try to find someone who can work this out...
Please try REZDORA if you are near East 20th Street near Park...just superb pastas; we got vongole and also cramelle with butter and sage ( both from dinner menu; they are flexible although we came for lunch). Cousin had veal cheeks--to die for..must find out if I can order these from butcher and make my own....... Also gnocho frito...take a look at menu; not cheap, and portions are on the samll side but service is perfect and the cabins are warm, xozy and well insulated from neighbors.....I took off my fuzzy jacket and quilted coat and sat in a long sleeved t-shirt when temps were about 30F-degrees. I even had a Tramonto Spritz cocktail!!
https://www.graphmenu.com/rezdora/
Please try REZDORA if you are near East 20th Street near Park...just superb pastas; we got vongole and also cramelle with butter and sage ( both from dinner menu; they are flexible although we came for lunch). Cousin had veal cheeks--to die for..must find out if I can order these from butcher and make my own....... Also gnocho frito...take a look at menu; not cheap, and portions are on the samll side but service is perfect and the cabins are warm, xozy and well insulated from neighbors.....I took off my fuzzy jacket and quilted coat and sat in a long sleeved t-shirt when temps were about 30F-degrees. I even had a Tramonto Spritz cocktail!!
https://www.graphmenu.com/rezdora/
Jan 11th, 2021, 09:22 AM
#25
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Thanks so much! Just wrote up a long response about my lunch yesterday that I lost somehow.
We asked for two pastas from the dinner menu, and also had the gnocco frito and the veal cheeks, which were to die for--I must try to get these from a butcher!!! (The veal cheeks)
Looks, it is not cheap, but the cabins are so warm, I szat in a long-sleeved black t-shirt in 30F weather. Very insulated from your neighboring diners. Service is sublime....they advised me on which dishes I could order to take home to partner and which would not travel well, without my asking. I did not pay so do not have the final pricing.
For apps, we had the fettunta with an order of stratciatella (cheese which I adore, available at EAtaly and DiPalo). By the way, DiPalo takes phone orders and has the ready when you show up.....I often go on Saturday morning for their eggplant parm, some cheeses, and they also carry great bread from Sullivan Street and other bakeries. Just prepare to call over and over again...... And you can also buy veg at the Chinese supermarket a block south on the east side of Mott Street.
The two pastas ordered in advance at Rezdora were from dinner menn, the clams and the caramelle (sweet, with butter and sage and crumbled amaretti). Marvelous but agaain, portions are not large, so you are paying a fairly high amount. I even had a cocktail with vodka, an Amaretto Spritz see menu below, which is menu for dinner). They are SO accommodating. I think without going to the highest tier price-wise, thism ight be the best Italian right now in Manhattan, as long as you arae ok with food from the Bologna area, NOT from the red-sauced South. (For the latter, Carbone is always reliable and portions huge enough to share)
https://www.graphmenu.com/rezdora/
We asked for two pastas from the dinner menu, and also had the gnocco frito and the veal cheeks, which were to die for--I must try to get these from a butcher!!! (The veal cheeks)
Looks, it is not cheap, but the cabins are so warm, I szat in a long-sleeved black t-shirt in 30F weather. Very insulated from your neighboring diners. Service is sublime....they advised me on which dishes I could order to take home to partner and which would not travel well, without my asking. I did not pay so do not have the final pricing.
For apps, we had the fettunta with an order of stratciatella (cheese which I adore, available at EAtaly and DiPalo). By the way, DiPalo takes phone orders and has the ready when you show up.....I often go on Saturday morning for their eggplant parm, some cheeses, and they also carry great bread from Sullivan Street and other bakeries. Just prepare to call over and over again...... And you can also buy veg at the Chinese supermarket a block south on the east side of Mott Street.
The two pastas ordered in advance at Rezdora were from dinner menn, the clams and the caramelle (sweet, with butter and sage and crumbled amaretti). Marvelous but agaain, portions are not large, so you are paying a fairly high amount. I even had a cocktail with vodka, an Amaretto Spritz see menu below, which is menu for dinner). They are SO accommodating. I think without going to the highest tier price-wise, thism ight be the best Italian right now in Manhattan, as long as you arae ok with food from the Bologna area, NOT from the red-sauced South. (For the latter, Carbone is always reliable and portions huge enough to share)
https://www.graphmenu.com/rezdora/
Nov 13th, 2021, 09:27 AM
#26
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New fave: THAI DINER, corner of Mott and Kenmare.....great staff..not too $$$$.
Always go now when I go south to DiPalo for my Italian cheeses and pre=made eggplant parm....lovely peope..call ahead or prepare to wait...
This is big birthday week so chose Cervos on Canal, far east....no reservations but we can go at 5pm......next day: La Vara in Brooklyn..Spanish from the North of Spain.
www.cervosnyc.com
www.lavaranyc.com
Had booked Marea on CPS but think cancel due to price and no longer offerrig whhole fish, only filets for $$$$$....can cook this at home although obviosly not as good....I think I am done with all these $300 pp dinners.......try once if you are from out of town but open that wallet..big time...
Always go now when I go south to DiPalo for my Italian cheeses and pre=made eggplant parm....lovely peope..call ahead or prepare to wait...
This is big birthday week so chose Cervos on Canal, far east....no reservations but we can go at 5pm......next day: La Vara in Brooklyn..Spanish from the North of Spain.
www.cervosnyc.com
www.lavaranyc.com
Had booked Marea on CPS but think cancel due to price and no longer offerrig whhole fish, only filets for $$$$$....can cook this at home although obviosly not as good....I think I am done with all these $300 pp dinners.......try once if you are from out of town but open that wallet..big time...
Nov 17th, 2021, 07:00 AM
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Next new fave but no reservations:
CERVO'S on far east Canal Street near corner of Ludlow. Seafood and a good lamb burger! Prices fair. Go at 5:30pm or before. Packed by 6:30pm....
CERVO'S on far east Canal Street near corner of Ludlow. Seafood and a good lamb burger! Prices fair. Go at 5:30pm or before. Packed by 6:30pm....
Jan 10th, 2022, 06:27 AM
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THAI DINER on Mott Street..open all day. We have been taking out from there when we shop at nearby DiPalo market, which is a must for food lovers. I've probably mentioned all this before. But the pad Thai at Thai Diner was really good and they have outdoor seating. Oh, great, I've already mentioned this..the perils of old age and carelessness!!!!
We are in NYC but not eating out much at all except for the very rare food delivery..I swear there are more delivery people on bikes than there are cars in Manhattan. TAKE CARE WHEN YOU CROSS THE STREET! No joke!!!
We are in NYC but not eating out much at all except for the very rare food delivery..I swear there are more delivery people on bikes than there are cars in Manhattan. TAKE CARE WHEN YOU CROSS THE STREET! No joke!!!
Apr 11th, 2022, 11:02 AM
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Sorry for being so elusive..more cause I've not been anyplace outside the apt due to virus and lealth issues....never made it to Florida (no skin off my back!!) this winter...hope to write more if travel and eating outside get going.... meanwhile thanks to all for keeping me afloat!!! Much love to all!! ek
Nov 25th, 2023, 04:28 PM
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UPDATE: Among best NYC meal we've had this year, 29th Street and Broadway; belated birthday dinner:
KOLOMAN..many details online, have no time to go into all of that but the Schnitzel, and the service, and the gougeres, etc were divine. Named for Koloman Moser; gorgeous details......will go again if Ii am lucky! Highly recommended!
Chef was at Batard in Tribeca which I also loved but this place is far less noisy! Worth a visit for the design alone!
We loved it! And to top it all off, taxi driver from Dagestan refused to take money from us, telling me he felt I had such a "magical spirit!!" When does that EVER happen in NYC? Of course we paid him very well....fabulous conversation about Russias's leader, etc..that is why I love taking taxis in NYC!!!! Lovely evening after some very difficult weeks with death in family....
https://kolomanrestaurant.com/about
KOLOMAN..many details online, have no time to go into all of that but the Schnitzel, and the service, and the gougeres, etc were divine. Named for Koloman Moser; gorgeous details......will go again if Ii am lucky! Highly recommended!
Chef was at Batard in Tribeca which I also loved but this place is far less noisy! Worth a visit for the design alone!
We loved it! And to top it all off, taxi driver from Dagestan refused to take money from us, telling me he felt I had such a "magical spirit!!" When does that EVER happen in NYC? Of course we paid him very well....fabulous conversation about Russias's leader, etc..that is why I love taking taxis in NYC!!!! Lovely evening after some very difficult weeks with death in family....
https://kolomanrestaurant.com/about
Nov 27th, 2023, 09:27 AM
#33
Thank you! Koloman is now on the short list for my January birthday visit to NYC. Cold weather and Austrian food seem like a good fit. Gougères. Salmon en croûte. Sounds good to me..
Sorry about your difficult weeks.
Sorry about your difficult weeks.
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