Visit to NYC

[bigDAVE]

HELP! Going to New York with know-it-all brother in law.
Need to have some ideas. He leans toward BBQ, I want Italian.
Friends mentioned Blue Smoke and a small place named Tappo.
Any comments or other ideas?
Thanks,
Let's-Eat

[Pan]

Tappo has been closed for years. In its place is a very worthy restaurant named Hearth, which you can think of as modern Italian or American with very heavy Italian influence.

[Justpaula]

If your BIL leans towards BBQ, NYC may not be the best place for him to visit. ;) That said I am a big fan of Blue Smoke. Maybe it is not the best BBQ in the country, by the book, but it is darn good, their sides are great and it is such a fun environment with good drinks. For italian, as another, prevoius poster mentioned, they run the gamut here. And you can no doubt find the best italian in this country in this city. I have been to Il Mulino which someone mentioned, which was incredible...but pricey and I am not sure so much worth it. A lot of pomp and circumstance. I have also eaten at Minetta Tavern, which, maybe the food is not the best in the world but boy do they have great OLD SCHOOL New York charm. I would say you can't go wrong with a Batali joint for italian. All my eating in NYC I have never been to one, but I think I dropped enough hints to my boyfriend that he knows to take me to one for my birthday next weekend.

[MellieMac]

Yay Paula! I think we can all agree if you are looking for authentic BBQ, NYC aint your town. That said, Blue Smoke and Daisy May's...good choices with totally different atmospheres, Just depends on what you are looking fo.

[MellieMac]

Ok, I am going to give you 3 classic NYC Italians. All are expensive. I'd stay away from the new super star chef Italians, go for tired and true. Campagnola, Il Cantinori and Il Mulino. Any one of them sure to impress.

[MellieMac]

That's a yes on Blue Smoke. Also Daisy Mae's, which is more casual. Italians are a dime a dozen in this town. Can you be more specific about budget or neighborhood?

[Liskypisky]

I hear Blue Smoke is fabulous, so you can't go wrong there. Virgils in timesquare is touristy, but definitely some good BBQ, even my Texan friend liked it.

[MellieMac]

I dont think Virgil's would impress the know it all brother in law. And Times Square can be a huge downer.

[Liskypisky]

You are probably right, but it's still good BBQ

[RGR]

Anyone who has had the opportunity to have truly "fabulous" bbq in of the barbecue-rich states like North Caronlina would not use that word to describe Blue Smoke's bbq. Not that it's bad. Just pretty good. It is *very* popular so, while they do accept walk-ins (though it can mean a fairly long wait), it's best to make a reservation.

I haven't been to Daisy May's, but most people who have say it's excellent. It used to be just take-out; however, they've expanded into the space next door and now have lots of seating. Service is cafeteria-style.

http://www.daisymaysbbq.com/

[LFeinberg]

Agreed...Blue Smoke's BBQ isn't fabulous, however, they do make some really great sides!
Daisy May's BBQ is better than Blue Smoke's, in my opinion. The brisket is melt-in-your-mouth, yet still nothing like down South.

[RGR]

The sides are pretty good. I also recall having as an appetizer some delicious fried green tomatoes the first time we were there. They weren't on the menu when we went there again. The first time was during the summer, so maybe they were (are) a seasonal thing on the menu. We've only been there twice.