232958 Wed Apr 12 15:02:42 -0700 2006 9 18 Manhattan 0 1236090 Someone here had recommended 71 Clinton Fresh last year and I see it just closed. Too bad, it looked good. What's the consensus on Alias? Or should I try Stanton Social instead? Anything else fun in the area (where I can reserve a table for 2 hopefully) on a Fri. night? Thanks for the Eatery info. If I had more time I'd try it, but we'll see what Blue Hill is like instead. Wed Apr 12 15:02:42 -0700 2006 0 Joanie 1 1236096 I like Alias for casual dining. Haven't been to Stanton, but based on reports Alias is much less of a scene. Entrees are competent and hearty - the best of the kitchen is usually in the vegetable sides and salads, generally market-driven and well-executed. Wed Apr 12 15:11:42 -0700 2006 1236090 0 Wilfrid 2 1240940 It's sort of missing the point to compare Alias to WD-50--the atmosphere at Alias is much more casual and more importantly you're gonna spend a whole lot more money at WD-50. And the food at Alias is invariably first-rate in my experience--and highly inventive. The menu seems to be updated pretty regularly (I was there last night and there was a bunch of new dishes). A great new duck breast special, for instance. The service was fine. And they have a short list of special drinks (a ginger martini is one). The desserts could be better, I'd say, but otherwise--it's a pretty amazing bargain Fri May 12 17:19:26 -0700 2006 1236096 0 Guihan 3 2761301 What's the atmosphere at Alias? I'm ok with casual, but is it funky/cozy/anything? I'm picturing Little Giant.. Wed Jul 18 11:17:56 -0700 2007 1240940 88455 Jel212 1 1236159 Alias does great food, a little bit of a wait on the weekends but most the places are a little bit of a wait in LES. Some great places to visit IMO are: Kuma Inn (philipino tapas) Il Castillo (spanish) Tides (seafood) Stanton Social (new american cuisine) Sachiko's (sushi) WD-50(expensive newage american) Wed Apr 12 19:46:10 -0700 2006 1236090 0 sammi 1 1236185 I have been very underwhelmed by Alias. As another poster suggested, it is okay for something really casual when you don't expect to be blown away by the food. It is nowhere in the same league as 71 Clinton (IMO). Thu Apr 13 09:15:59 -0700 2006 1236090 0 tracyk 1 1236223 Alias is a good, not-too-pricey restaurant. It's certainly not anywhere near as upscale as 71 Clinton, but it can be great--the best ancho-encrusted tuna I've eaten in a very long time came from Alias. But it can get loud and busy, so plan accordingly. Nosher Link: http://nycnosh.com Thu Apr 13 11:45:42 -0700 2006 1236090 0 Nosher 1 1236292 Stanton Social is, in my opinion, all style and little substance. The sliders are good, as are the French onion soup dumplings, but you will not walk out of there cheaply (or altogether happily). My only experience at Alias was also pretty underwhelming-- extraordinarly poor service, uneven preparation and presentation, and a pretty blah interior. The Orchard is probably the standard bearer in the neighborhood in the price range of Alias/Stanton Social. Tapeo 29 is an excellent bet on Clinton St., as is the criminally underrated (and almost-always-empty) Chubo. For a bit more than Alias, and about what you'd have paid at 71 Clinton, WD-50 is by far the best place in the LES. Another lesser-known spot is Grotto--Italian, with a garden. It's on Forsyth Street, and therefore less likely to be overrun by mobs from New Jersey on any given night. Thu Apr 13 15:50:54 -0700 2006 1236090 0 Jonas 1 1716621 I am a fan of Alias however it is definely the downscale cousin of the former 71 Clinton. To me Alias is more of a neighborhood joint that is consistently good. It is definitely a good bargain. The roast chicken is just great - one of the few things that carries over from the days when Wylie Dufresne was still the chef at 71 Clinton. Some background - Wylie Dufresne was the chef at 71 Clinton when it opened. He created some great dishes there and put together a great kitchen. The owners of 71 Clinton branched out and opened Alias. Wylie Dufresne, who apparently left 71 on bad terms, went up the block to start WD-50. That is the connection between 71 Clinton, Alias and WD-50. WD-50 is more upscale but worth every penny. Wylie Dufresne is a genious and his pastry chef Sam Mason is one of the greatest chefs on the planet. Wed Jun 28 16:01:24 -0700 2006 1236090 13788 antjones9 1 2761317 I've only been to Alias for brunch; I didn't find the food very good, but they do have the best fresh squeezed o.j. Wed Jul 18 11:21:12 -0700 2007 1236090 110996 LeahBaila