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kiworan79 Nov 3, 2006 03:04 PM

Where to eat in Hell's Kitchen???

Recently moved from the UWS to Hell's Kitchen. Have already tried Taboon, Nook, a bunch of different chinese restaurants, Pam real Thai. Any good places that I shouldnt miss? Also -- looking for a good butcher in the neighborhood.

  1. n
    NicoleFriedman Dec 13, 2006 07:05 PM

    I LOVE Bali Nusa Indah- while I've never had Indonesian in another restaurant to compare it to, the specials give a great variety and the flavors pop.
    Another good bet that no one mentioned: Meskerem- excellent Ethiopian (though I do prefer the branch on West 3 and Bleeker/McDougal)

    1. j
      judychoe Nov 6, 2006 05:30 PM

      Recommendations:
      Nook
      Becco
      Vice Versa
      Et Cetera
      Bann (@ Worldwide plaza - the only Korean in the area)
      Tulcingo Del Valle
      Cascina
      Kyotofu (for dessert)

      1. l
        lesliepc16 Nov 6, 2006 04:07 PM

        I just moved from Hell's Kitchen to the UWS.

        My fav in the neighborhood is Wondee Siam (the original, 9th between 52nd and 53rd on east side of street)
        I'd specifically recommend the Thai crispy duck with basil, Thai crispy pork with basil, beef noodle soup, Kee Mao Gai 'Thai style'. More authentic, no ambiance.

        Azuri Cafe for falafel (51st between 9th/10th)

        Managannaro's Grosseria specifically for their meatball parm (9th btwn 38th and 37th).. there are 2 Mangannaro's. I'm talking about the one that looks dingier, further south. Be careful though, the service can be rude, but I think it's worth it.

        1. k
          kiworan79 Nov 5, 2006 02:37 PM

          Do you really like it? We walked by last night, and it looked interesting, but has received mixed reviews. Worth trying?

          1. b
            blueollie Nov 3, 2006 11:17 PM

            44 1/2 & 44x on a good night
            pigalle on 48th & 8th - great all around bistro
            shimizu or pacific echo for sushi
            empanada mama for quick bite
            hell's kitchen
            esca
            marseille
            el nidito for mexican
            angelo's or don giovanni for pizza delivery

            the bf & i like blue point for crepes, would not adventure too far on the menu though, and the bartenders are not too drink savvy (sad to say, even with basics like a bellini)

            indian is tough around here...or at least, in my opinion
            xing was okay, but like the earlier post, have not been in about a year

            avoid:
            carribbean spice

            has anyone tried ecetera on 44th?

            2 Replies
            1. re: blueollie
              Peter Cuce Nov 4, 2006 08:11 PM

              Why avoid Caribbean Spice? I like that place.

              1. re: Peter Cuce
                b
                blueollie Dec 12, 2006 03:29 PM

                when caribbean spice was "island spice" i found the food to be consistantly delicious and loved eating there. However, since the change, i've spotted LARGE roaches running around (and not once...), found the roti and dumplings to be less than diserable and as a person with jamaican heritage, I'm very dissppointed in the overall quality. my 2 cents.

            2. Nosher Nov 3, 2006 09:55 PM

              We like:
              Market Café on 37th/9th Avenue-- our favorite spot in the neighborhood.
              Amy's Bread & Sullivan Street Bakery
              Tehuitzingo
              Tulcingo del Valle
              Lali
              Vynl
              Renaissance Restaurant/Diner for salads
              Breeze Thai
              Burgers & Cupcakes

              We're not fond of:
              The Blue Point
              Amarone
              Lucky Burger
              Fat Sal's Pizza (avoid! avoid!)
              and as much as it pains me to say it, Uncle Nick's

              Just a sampling, though.

              Nosher

              NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com

              4 Replies
              1. re: Nosher
                m
                Marco Nov 5, 2006 02:53 PM

                Where is Tulcingo del Valle located?

                1. re: Marco
                  k
                  kiworan79 Nov 5, 2006 03:43 PM

                  On 10th, between 47 and 48th.

                  1. re: kiworan79
                    Nosher Nov 5, 2006 08:48 PM

                    Close. It's on 10th between 46th and 47th.

                    Nosher

                    NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com

                    1. re: Nosher
                      m
                      Marco Nov 15, 2006 12:50 PM

                      Belated thanks to you both

              2. k
                kiworan79 Nov 3, 2006 06:32 PM

                Has anyone eaten at Xing? Or found a good Indian restaurant? I tried Kiran and Bombay Express, and was not impressed with either.
                I have to highly recommend Taboon. Service was amazing, and the food was excellent. I had the Osso Bucco and the meat literally fell right off the bone. The waiter recommended an Israeli red wine, which was a little green, but with about 15 minutes to breath, was a perfect pairing with two red meat entrees.

                2 Replies
                1. re: kiworan79
                  l
                  Lucia Nov 3, 2006 06:46 PM

                  I went to Xing probably about a year ago now and enjoyed it. It's a great space too.

                  1. re: kiworan79
                    m
                    martigrl Dec 12, 2006 03:57 PM

                    For Indian: Bengal Express (789 9th Ave, Btwn 52nd & 53rd). It's a tiny place with very little ambience, but the food is excellent (and inexpensive), and the staff is very friendly. It never seems to be crowded - I'm not sure why, since it's tiny, but I think they prob do more take out than eat in. Bangan Bharta (eggplant dish) is one of my faves.

                  2. m
                    mle18 Nov 3, 2006 05:25 PM

                    Vynl Diner, El Cid, Island Burgers & Shakes

                    1. r
                      RGR Nov 3, 2006 05:01 PM

                      A few others:

                      Marseille - http://www.marseillenyc.com
                      Le Madeleine (hopefully, it will remain open) - http://www.lemadeleine.com
                      Cascina - http://www.cascina.com
                      Roberto Passon - http://www.robertopasson.com
                      Uncle Nick's
                      Old San Juan
                      Amy's Bread (great bread + sweets, sandwiches, etc.) - http://www.amysbread.com

                      1. a
                        Alan Henderson Nov 3, 2006 04:45 PM

                        Esposito's Pork store is a fine butcher on 38th and 9th.

                        1. Peter Cuce Nov 3, 2006 04:25 PM

                          Great:
                          Good & Plenty To Go
                          Tulcingo Del Valle
                          Sullivan St Bakery
                          Grand Sichuan

                          Good:
                          Turkish Cuisine
                          Michael London
                          Afghan Kebab House
                          Rice & Beans
                          Oleang Thai

                          Decent:
                          HK
                          Bali Nusah Indah (good lunch special)

                          Bad:
                          Tony Luke's
                          Blue Point
                          Film Center Cafe
                          Yum Yum Thai
                          Tiny Thai

                          5 Replies
                          1. re: Peter Cuce
                            r
                            RGR Nov 3, 2006 05:03 PM

                            Peter, Do you mean *Mitchell* London? If so, his restaurant is Burgers & Cupcakes, and it's in the 30's.

                            1. re: RGR
                              Peter Cuce Nov 3, 2006 07:26 PM

                              Depending on where the OP lives, I think it's worth a mention. It's changed names several times but the menu has remained predominantly the same.

                              1. re: Peter Cuce
                                r
                                RGR Nov 3, 2006 07:45 PM

                                The place on 9th Av., near 36th St., that was formerly called "Mitchell London" became "Burgers & Cupcakes" several months ago when he re-tooled the menu with a focus on those two items. So, the menu is not at all the same as before. You can see it on menupages.

                                http://www.menupages.com/restaurantde...

                                He used to have a place near 41st St., but he was only doing catering there. He has also returned to managing the upstairs steakhouse at Fairway, but that's on the UWS.

                                1. re: RGR
                                  Peter Cuce Nov 3, 2006 08:52 PM

                                  To me the menu looks substantively the same as before, with Burgers & Cupcakes being more of a marketing idea than anything. When I stopped by a few ago, there was more stuff on the menu than shows on Menupages. Possibly it's changed since then.

                            2. re: Peter Cuce
                              j
                              John_Keenan Nov 7, 2006 03:18 AM

                              Agree for the most part (i must be the only person who doesn't _hate_ blue point). would add under Great Esca and Taboon. I like Chelsea Bistro for Burgers most of the time -- I think Island Burger can be a bit dry -- but their black and white shake at Island is pretty tasty. I like Oleang as well which is funny since Pam Real and Wondee are much better known. I think 44 and X is way overpriced for what it is and i've never loved Eatery or Whym though my girlfriend is a fan of both. I'll second Vinyl and add El Centro as well. Hell's Kitchen is great food and great deal and a great long line though you can reserve for pre theatre ... and shimizu is the best choice for sushi, I'm not fond of west side sushi and haven't tried sushi of gari yet.

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