Two chefs, one day in New York - where to eat?

[foodie22]

I need help!

My fiancee and I are chefs on SF, and we always wanted to eat our way through NYC. Just found out we have to fly out there for a weekend at the end of the month, but we'll only have Sunday and half of Monday to tour the city. I'm overwhelmed because there's too much to choose from! He's Italian and in love with old fashioned nostalgic American cuisine, I'm American and obsessed with new & crazy exotic places. I also like places that promote ethical practises like sustainability & locality. We eat a lot and want to eat all day. Please suggest some things!! I'd really appreciate it!

[foodie22]

wow you guys are great! Thank you so much for all the suggestions!

[Daniel76]

Certainly recommend lunch at Jean Georges.. Momofuku ssam bar is great.. The Modern is great. Casa Mono you can grab some things at.. Pop in and get an Uni Sandwich at El Quinto Pino.. You have a Chinatown.. Little Italy sucks. San Fran has much better Bakeries then Manhattan.. Have a good time.

[sgordon]

WD-50. For the old-fashioned nostalgiac American, get the corned duck on rye crisps to start and the Kobe flat-iron as an entree. For the crazy/exotic, start with almost anything - the popcorn soup or foie gras are both good - and the scallops.in spice bread consomme for your entree.

Just my two cents.

[thew]

degustation
public
tailor

[rrems]

Degustation is closed Sundays.

[Cpalms]

for chefs, I would think Momofuku Ssam has to be on the list somewhere. David Chang is probably the most well known and influential YOUNG chef in the states right now and besides its easy to get into..

for old school take RGR's tour or just go to Katz's and be done with it. Better yet, go to Peter Luger's in Brooklyn for quintessential NYC expirience and the best steak you will ever eat....

This was posted on another board but the psoter did NYC in a day and a half, these people can EAT.... http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?s...

[financialdistrictresident]

Falai.

[financialdistrictresident]

edit, totally misread the OP's request. Must have just seen chefs and Italian and suggested Falai. RGR's LES tour is a must. Enjoy your visit! fdr

[rrems]

Many if not most of the best restaurants are closed on Sunday. Jean-Georges is a great idea for Monday lunch, but if that doesn't work out, go to Perry St. for Sunday lunch. For Sunday dinner, you might like Perilla (new American) or Crispo (interesting and moderately priced Italian). Marseille has very good French and Moroccan food and is open Sundays too.

[steve h.]

i think san francisco is a great food scene. as both a contrast and complement to your city, i would suggest a dinner at babbo and the bar at sushi yasuda for monday's lunch (noon to 2 p.m.).

[sugartoof]

I would suggest a steakhouse, maybe Strip House. Jean George is worth visiting since it's such a top notch operation. Stanton Social for a small plate approach to brunch that's fun and actually works. Shopsin's brunch is also nearby for quirky New York, and some eccentric combos. Sugar Sweet Sunshine bakery is nearby for cupcakes, and Economy Candy is a fun stop for an old fashion candy store. You're also near Kosar's Bialey, but not on Saturdays. If you have time, a walk on Bleeker to visit Murray's cheese, Faicco's Pork Store, Amy's Bread, Rocco's Pastry Shop, Ottomanelli's butcher for window shopping, and Porto Rico Coffee importing is nearby.

[Brian S]

Yes, you should definitely visit Jean-Georges for lunch on Monday.
http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.co...

Please remember that many top-notch restaurants are closed on Sunday.

[kathryn]

Some possible itineraries:

Schedule 1: Wake up early and go to Patisserie Claude for freshly baked croissants. Then get some espresso at Joe on Waverly. Or go over to Balthazar for some light breakfast pastries (I recommend the brioche, fruit foccacia, or chocolate bread); you can get them takeout from the bakery next door. Then take the train out to Brooklyn to grab a late lunch at Di Fara. Have a slice or two, but don't eat too much. At precisely 3pm, call PDT to make a late reservation for two (say 9:30pm or 10pm). For dinner, show up early at Babbo (like 5pm) to grab a bar seat and feast yourself silly, and take advantage of their wine list. Afterwards, walk over to PDT (or Death & Co if they are full) and have a cocktail at the bar. If at PDT, you should have at least one hot dog. They are deep-fried (not breaded) NJ style.

Schedule 2: Go to Clinton Street Baking Company and have the blueberry pancakes or their breakfast sandwich (with bacon). Then, take a nap or try to walk it off. Finish off your day with an early dinner at Momofuku Ssam Bar. Make sure you try the steamed buns. Then stop into WD-50 and have their dessert tasting menu (I think the sweets far surpass the savory dishes here). Then amble over to Tailor, and have a cocktail at the lounge downstairs. I like the kumquat caipriniha or the kaffir collins. The miso pork belly here is also awesome.

Schedule 3: Do RGR's Gustatory Tour: Katz's Deli, Russ & Daughters, Yonah Schimmel's, Ray's, Kossar's, The Donut Plant, Gus' Pickles, Il Laboratorio de Gelato, and Economy Candy. Add in some Chinatown flair (dumplings) and cupcakes from Sugar Sweet Sunshine.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/530587

Schedule 4: Eat well in the West Village. Stop in at 'ino and split the truffled egg toast. Then go across the street to Blue Ribbon Market and get some of their fantastic bacon bread. Grab a cup of coffee at Jack's Stir Brewed and one of Aunt Rose's famous chocolate chip cookies. Then walk over to Kee's Chocolates to get some delicious chocolates. Walk down to Sullivan St. Baking Company and get some of their Roman style pizza for lunch. Then walk back over to the West Village and up Bleecker St to hit up Amy's Bread, Murray's cheeses, Grom, Cones, L'Arte De Gelato...

Other takeout treats:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/514186
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/230431
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/325343
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/449805
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/445373
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/366985

Eats for visitors:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/510567

Cheap eats and street food (makes it easier for you to try lots of thigns and stay under budget
)http://www.timeout.com/newyork/articles/features/9142/the-new-york-cheap-eats-pyramid
http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/33526/
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/features/diningandwine/columns/25_and_under/index.html

Best under $10
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/390555

[kobetobiko]

Hi foodie 22,

I think kathryn's suggestions, especially schedule 2 and 3, are spot on! I won't change a thing. They will meet all your desires and culinary interests (nostalgic American cuisine, new & crazy exotic, sustainability & locality, etc).

Kathryn, you are so darn good!

[Spends Rent on Food]

I'll lob some options out there to get this thread started:
1. WD 50 - for your Crazy/exotic side
2. Blue Hill - to satisfy your sustainability cravings
3. Spotted Pig, Prune, Blue Ribbon - just all around great places for good food - not sure if it qualifies as american food - but they're what I'd categorize as 'chef's restaurants'
(as in places where chefs go to eat consistently good food).
4. There are also some very NYC specific things you may want to try: Pastrami at Sarge's or Katz's - you should be able to fill your nostaglia quotient at either; H&H Bagels also a good stop for a bagel fix.
5. Pizza at Una Pizzeria Napolitana or Artichoke depending on if you want NYC pizza or pizza Napolitana.

This list is a bit all over the place, but just thought I'd throw some options out for everyone else to debate.