237480 Tue Feb 26 18:55:44 -0800 2002 12 19 Outer Boroughs 0 1258988 I would like some feedback on the above. I am taking a good friend who is battling ALS to dinner on Thursday. She is somewhat picky and basically eats chicken, some fish and pasta. She loves dessert. Can anyone tell me their favorites of the restaurants I mentioned or add any other favorites. I was thinking of Noodle Pudding also, but I have been there too much recently. Traveling is no problem. Thanks, Denise Tue Feb 26 18:55:44 -0800 2002 0 Denise 1 1258991 grocery is a lovely restaurant -- all of these are very close quarters -- will your friend be comfortable with that? i love the desserts at the grocery tho i have to say that i love summer and sitting out back for dinner. not quite possible yet. Tue Feb 26 20:09:05 -0800 2002 1258988 0 bean 2 1259002 Can you give me an idea of the menu at the Grocery? She has no symptoms physically yet, only her speech is going so it's hard for her to talk. I have to consider some place that's not too noisy. Thanks, Denise Wed Feb 27 07:07:30 -0800 2002 1258991 0 Denise 3 1259003 i am sure if you call them, they will read or fax you a menu -- and i am sure they would make something special. it's a small joint...if you went early it might be ok. Wed Feb 27 07:30:33 -0800 2002 1259002 0 bean 4 1259008 I would definately recommend Rosewater. It is a small tranquil space with excellent food and great service. Wed Feb 27 10:06:48 -0800 2002 1259003 0 DeeDee 5 1259010 Your choices for a wonderful dinner in Brooklyn couldn't be better. My vote goes to al di la. The galleto is just wonderful (you said your friend likes chicken)--top quality, grilled and lightly sauced. For pasta (another of your friend's pleasures)the beet ravioli, malfatti (a swiss chard dumpling/gnocchi type affair)with brown butter and sage is to die for. If your friend wants a pasta/seafood combo she can have the the pasta and clams--I haven't had it better anywhere. Desserts are homemade and fabulous-- the ricotta tart, the pear and chocolate cake--anything--all are simple, elegant and delicious. Hot tip--go early--around 6-6:30. You'll get a seat. Then you can just relax and enjoy yourselves. Great Italian wines, too! Wed Feb 27 10:22:19 -0800 2002 1259008 0 micki trager 5 1259052 I'd, what is it at this point - third? fourth? the rec. for Rosewater. I went there for the first time last week, and was instantly smitten with the food, atmosphere and staff. My friends and I got there about twenty minutes before closing time, and inquired about the likelihood of the kitchen being open for a bit. Not only did the host (who turned out to be one of the owners) invite us in with open arms, but assured that even if we weren't there right then, they'd still have to be hanging out for a good while longer, so just relax, etc. Duck timbale and skirt steak were sumptuous and the panna cotta nearly caused me to weep in a most unseemly fashion. All patrons seemed relaxed and sated and I cannot believe that it took me a year and a half to finally eat there when I live just around the corner. Also - chatted with the owner for a while, and he told me the business had taken a real hit with all the unsightly, dusty construction which has shut down Union Street for many months now. Might not hurt to toss your business in their direction. I love Al Di La, but on my last visit there a few weeks ago, it took absolutely ages to get a table, and the food was good, but not sublime as on past visits. Last time I walked past Vaux, there was paper covering the windows. Anyone knows what's up? And now that Mike & Tony's is kaput, what's happening in that space? Kat Wed Feb 27 15:57:09 -0800 2002 1259008 0 Kat Kinsman 6 1259061 From what I've heard on this board, Mike & Tony's is not closed, but is retooling its kitchen. I thought it would have been open by now. I'm wondering about Vaux too--I just ate there 2 1/2 weeks ago. Wed Feb 27 16:27:59 -0800 2002 1259052 0 Stephanie L. 7 1259138 Yeah, someone on this board said that Mike & Tony's is planning on re-opening with a less expensive menu. I wouldn't be surprised if Vaux has closed--there never seem to be very many people in there. I've been once and really enjoyed the food. I had mussells in the most incredible creamy, mustardy sauce. And the frites were perfectly crispy and salty. I'll be sad if they are closed--and guilty that I didn't patronize them more often. Thu Feb 28 11:21:36 -0800 2002 1259061 0 JessicaSophia 3 1259007 Al Di La is one of my personal favorites but it does get noisy and it is crowded and often a wait unless you are there when it opens. Of the places you mentioned, I think Rosewater is likely the most tranquil. They are all excellent places, though, I think. I wish your friend well. Wed Feb 27 09:44:58 -0800 2002 1259002 0 Zephyr 1 1258992 I adore Al Di La. I always order the malfatti as an appetizer (it's spinach dumplings in butter sauce) and the beet ravioli in butter parmesan poppyseed sauce. It's excellent. It does get crowded, and I don't believe they take reservation. It's best to go right when they open at 6, or go around 8:30. Tue Feb 26 21:22:46 -0800 2002 1258988 0 JessicaSophia 1 1259035 I would voite for Rosewater. I went there last Friday (they do take reservations for two) with my husband and we had the most delicious and relaxing meal possible. Husband had the mussel fatoosh to start and I had a salad of bitter greens and beets with a lemony feta dressing. We both had fish for entrees, cod and bass respectively. Both were served with some roasted winter vegetables (leeks, baby brussels sprouts etc.) Dessert was a pistachio "soup" served with coconut ice cream. Seriously, I think they may put valium in the appetizers, because we both left perfectly sated and indescribly relaxed. Enjoy! Wed Feb 27 13:24:48 -0800 2002 1258988 0 Miss Poste 2 1259120 Thanks to everyone for your replies. I think I will either take her to Rosewater or Smith Street Kitchen. It's not easy and it's not because of her illness. She is picky to begin with and she follows Jewish dietary laws (though she is't Kosher out of the house). She only eats certain fish (has to have scales) and pasta. She won't eat chicken out of the house. I called Rosewater and two of their entrees have pork. The entrees sound great to me. I will let her look at the menu and if that doesn't work we will drive to Smith Street Kitchen. I called there too and they have salmon and bass on the menu. Thanks again. Denise Thu Feb 28 06:37:32 -0800 2002 1259035 0 Denise