Where to Eat Next?

[financialdistrictresident]

Getting restless. Maybe it's Spring fever. Where to eat next?

Le 'Atelier de Joel Robuchon is hard to top. Been to Degustation. Falai is a favorite. Per Se is NOT on the list. Been to Cru, The Modern - Dining Room. Allen & Delancey disappointed. Just got a gift certificate to Annisa.

Casual favorites (not "bleeding edge") include Marseille, Pylos, LaVagna, Duane Park, Acqua, Table Tales, Casa Adela, etc.

Prefer downtown but will venture out for excellent food. Not into hype, scene/trend, big, loud.

[royalbev]

Apizz (LES) and Irving Mill are must-tries. I had a terrible experience at Olana, but maybe I need to go back since everyone seemed to really like it. Blue Hill, Casa Mono are close seconds.

[Raisel]

Del Posto

[wingman]

Have you been to Mercat yet? Interesting wine list and a fun menu. Guess it might be considered a scene but that's not why I enjoyed it.

[financialdistrictresident]

wingman, walked over to Mercat last night. We didn't have a reservation but a few tables opened up shortly after we started a nice bottle of rioja at the bar. The bar had plenty of room, the chef's table near the open kitchen had some availability as well. Tables are pretty close in the main dining room but loud wasn't an issue last night. We didn't check out the tapas room downstairs. Definitely would not want to come here on a weekend, when the scene factor might kick in more. Service was attentive. Pacing between a few courses was slow (better then all tapas arriving at once). Now for the food.

We nibbled on some young Spanish olives as we reviewed the menu.

Tapas:

*Padrones (blistered shishito peppers) - delicious, we asked for some bread to accompany them
*Croquetas (chicken and mushroom) - crispy and warm. Good.

Cuina De Mercat:

*Anec (peking duck, poached pear, chocolate and cinnamon) - this was amazing. This is the best duck I've had since the duck at The Modern Dining Room.

*Navalles (razor clams) - they were out of octopus so our server suggested the razor clams. Very nice. Cooked perfectly.

Catalan menu:

*Spring vegetables wrapped in eggplant with manchego & cranberry reduction. The manchego & cranberry sauce was so good.

Desssert :

*Churros & chocolate sauce - delicious, didn't think I would ever find churros like this in NYC. These rivaled ones I had in San Diego.
*Espresso

Thanks for the recommendation.

[Spiritchaser]

EMP or Picholine. Recent trips to both were once again outstanding.

[financialdistrictresident]

The squab tagine sounds amazing. Did you have it? Also like Picholine's support of organic and sustainable farmers and fisheries. SO participates in an organic food co-operative.

[rrems]

I would definitely add Picholine to the list. I just checked the menu and there are some new dishes, including the squab. I hope to get there in the next couple of months. Did you catch kathryn's post about EMP? It's very tempting too.

[Spiritchaser]

No, I had the Classics tasting menu (I wrote a brief review a couple weeks back). There were so many other things on the menu that I need to try and I have no doubt they would be just as great as what I had.

[financialdistrictresident]

Thanks, Spiritchaser.

And other hounds for all your great ideas. Once we decide and try we'll report back.

[LeahBaila]

Market Table is fantastic

www.thelunchbelle.com

[financialdistrictresident]

What makes it fantastic? We both cook so it needs to be more than fresh, green market, local food to interest us.

[rrems]

I agree. I was disappointed in Market Table and felt it was overpriced. For the same price you can go to Perilla. No comparison.

[financialdistrictresident]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Help me choose:

*Olana
*Fleur de Sel
*EMP
*GT (dining room)
*Bar Blanc

Also forgot to mention SO is into wine (think wine list like Cru, LaVagna, The Harrison, etc.), and we prefer NOT to go to brand new restaurants.

[rrems]

As far as food goes, I would look at the menus and see what appeals to you. You have some great choices, but they are hard to compare. As to wine, EMP has the most extensive (and expensive). whereas Olana has a smaller but interesting list with more down-to-earth prices. Bar Blanc has a small list and is on the high side. I'm much more impressed with their food than with the wine. Haven't been to GT or FdS in a long time.

[financialdistrictresident]

rrems, thanks for your thoughts. I'm looking at the menus right now.

[xigua]

rrems and idia steered me to a very pleasant meal at Olana last friday.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/503632

[idia]

Superb list.
You must do them ALL!

[financialdistrictresident]

idia, I like how you think!

[rrems]

Olana definitely. And have you tried Bar Blanc? A bit sceney but the food is fantastic.

[kobetobiko]

Hi FDF,

You probably have visited Blue Hill and Gramercy Tavern (the dining room) in the past, but when it comes to spring, these two restaurants always serve up great dishes with spring vegetables.

I also saw that the Spring menu for EMP is up now!

[financialdistrictresident]

Hi Kobe,

It's been awhile since I have been to GT. Probably before the current chef. Might be worth a revisit. Not been to Blue Hill but would probably visit the one Upstate. EMP might be it.

[280 Ninth]

Try Savoy, on Spring near Crosby. Food is good, though not stunning, service is terrific, and the space is warm. Nice place to spend an evening.

[idia]

Try Olana and Fleur de Sel. Both top dining venues.

[financialdistrictresident]

280 Ninth, went to the Savoy when it was new and food was surprising, used to go every New Year's Eve.