615462 Mon Apr 27 16:29:07 -0700 2009 36 18 Manhattan 0 4633906 My boyfriend and I are celebrating a joint b-day weekend in NYC and we are both big foodies. I work in the food industry in Boston so we have both been to a ton of places in Boston and are excited to try new things in New York. People at my work have raved about Momofuku, so I'm considering that. Any thoughts on which one? We are excited to try anything interesting. We both love ethnic restaurants. We also love restaurants focused on local and seasonal products. spicy food and really really fresh seafood are a plus (not necessarily together) thank you! also, if it matters, we are staying in a hotel midtown Mon Apr 27 16:29:08 -0700 2009 36361 thunderbug84 1 4634017 Hopefully you've seen these... Don't Leave NY Without Eating http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/610739 Best brunch: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/598414 Three week chowfest http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/611116 Londoners Seeking Top Restaurants in New York in June http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/612723 Help narrow down must trys for 3 night anniversary foodie trip!? http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/596477 For Momofuku there are FOUR restaurants/locations. One is a bakery (takeout, counter service). One is reservations only (can be made online) and is very small and is very hard to get into. The other two don't take reservations, really. Which one have your coworkers raved about? Differences between the Momofukus (excluding the bakery which is the newest): http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/517026 How much are you willing to spend maximum, including tax, tip, and drinks (wine, cocktails, etc)? NB: places with great atmosphere/history/a name often don't try very hard in terms of food, ditto to those with a view (seriously the best skyline views are OUTSIDE of Manhattan you know?), Tavern on the Green is a tourist trap, Little Italy is also a tourist trap, Magnolia Bakery is not that good despite what all the Sex in the City bus tours say, try to stay out of Midtown (many places are either touristy or overpriced). What kinds of ethnic cuisines do you like? What do you find interesting? Do you mean more like hole in the wall places? Off beat? Molecular gastronomy? Places that only specialize in a single type of food? My off beat itinerary for foodies might be Shopsin's, Ukrainian East Village Restaurant, Sushi Azabu, Amy Ruth's, Crif Dogs, Sripraphai, Di Fara, halal chicken and rice (53rd and 6th), Szechuan Gourmet, Kabab Cafe, and/or a trip to Flushing, Queens. There are some great local/seasonal restaurants in town (Blue Hill, Gramercy Tavern, Savoy, etc.) but they tend to be on the pricier side. List of farm to table places: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/612196 For spicy food, how about Sichuan? Szechuan Gourmet in Midtown is some of the spiciest in NYC. It is excellent. For fiery Thai, I would head into Queens (which you can post about on the Outer Boroughs board). My general impression is that Boston is probably better for cooked seafood although if you are willinng to spend the money, Le Bernardin is excellent. For sushi, Sushi Yasuda is probably the most revered place on these boards. Mon Apr 27 17:04:16 -0700 2009 4633906 10936 kathryn 2 4634038 Thank you! You have just replied to my post today 'Help Me Decide -24 Hours in NY' with this post. Mon Apr 27 17:12:06 -0700 2009 4634017 155034 alwayscooking 2 4638397 Sorry Kathryn, I just realized that I didn't reply to your Momofuku question. My co-worker raved about the Ssam bar. However, after checking everything out, I'm considering either Momofuku Ssam for lunch on Saturday (is it incredibly hard to get a seat?) or Momofuku Ko for dinner on Saturday. Wed Apr 29 06:57:56 -0700 2009 4634017 36361 thunderbug84 3 4638429 Momofuku Ssam for lunch on Saturday is not incredibly difficult to get a seat. Momofuku Ko is. Wed Apr 29 07:12:47 -0700 2009 4638397 10936 kathryn 3 4735159 Thunderbug, for what it's worth, I walked into Ssam Bar on Memorial Day weekend on Saturday around 1 in the afternoon and was seated right away. There were a few other open tables and loads of space at the bar. Since we were only 2, we pulled up some bar stools and chowed there. Don't miss the pork buns. The beef tendon is also interesting and quite tasty. Have fun! Tue Jun 02 06:57:09 -0700 2009 4638397 290386 canadianbaconette 1 4634722 For spicy food in Midtown, go to Szechuan Gourmet, 39th St. between 5th and 6th Avs. (as recommended by Kathryn above). For local and seasonal, the name that comes up most on this board is Blue Hill, which is expensive and where I've never gone. Seafood: "good seafood nyc" thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/593672?tag=search_results;results_list The thread isn't exhaustive, but is good to look through. For "ethnic," you really have to specify the ethnicities you're interested in. A price range is also helpful. Mon Apr 27 22:18:12 -0700 2009 4633906 17058 Pan 2 4635377 Sorry, I wasnt very detailed in my post. Regarding prices, we are happy to spend some money for a place like Blue Hill, etc. We aren't planning on doing anything crazy expensive like Le Bernadin or Per Se, but we are happy throwing a more expensive meal into the mix. Regarding which ethnicities I'm interested in, the reason I didn't specify is that I know for a fact I don't know every style of ethnic food available in NYC. So, I'm honestly open to anything. For example, years ago someone recommended an amazing little Venezuelan place in the city that was just a hole in the wall with incredible arepas and fresh juice. I never would have thought to write a post asking for something like that. So, I'm happy to leave it in everyone else's hands. All recs are more than appreciated!! Tue Apr 28 08:01:01 -0700 2009 4634722 36361 thunderbug84 3 4635665 OK, cool, it might be helpful to tell us what Boston is good at (and what you like to eat) and what Boston not so good at to give more of a jumping off point. However, for the best of the best, I recommend you spend some time in Queens. Here's a recent thread started by someone from Boston: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/597525 A big discussion of more obscure, unique, unusual non-Western restaurants in the city: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/549769 Rare or unusual ethnic cuisines: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/382942 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/442254 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/453435 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/478515 Tue Apr 28 09:27:40 -0700 2009 4635377 10936 kathryn 4 4637838 Thanks again kathryn. You are awesome. As for good things in Boston, we are able to get amazing sushi, super rustic french and some really good Indian restaurants. I think that Szechuan Gourmet sounds awesome and has made its way to the top of our list. Also, we were just in Guatemala and the food was insanely good (we had everything from street food to fairly nice restaurants) and it has me craving South American food. Just throwing that out there. Thanks again for all of your resources. I have a lot of posts to start reading! Tue Apr 28 20:42:41 -0700 2009 4635665 36361 thunderbug84 4 4637853 Actually, I just realized a way to take care of my Guatemalan food craving. Who does killer huevos rancheros? Tue Apr 28 20:48:23 -0700 2009 4635665 36361 thunderbug84 5 4637967 Someone will undoubtedly direct you somewhere, but I have to say that huevos rancheros are not a strength of New York. I get mine when I go to California (or New Mexico, or Colorado). You might also check the Outer Boroughs board. Tue Apr 28 22:39:31 -0700 2009 4637853 17058 Pan 6 4638360 Good to know. Thanks Pan. I feel like when people try a certain ethnic food for the first time, its often dinner. I love breakfast/brunch and I'd hate to overlook it! Are there any ethnic restaurants that do a really good breakfast/brunch? (No dim-sum though... I had that the last time I was in NYC and its readily available in Boston.) Wed Apr 29 06:43:58 -0700 2009 4637967 36361 thunderbug84 7 4638456 Most ethnic restaurants in Manhattan that serve breakfast/brunch tend to serve a take on Western brunch. Morandi, ino, Public, Prune, Belcourt, Veselka, Pylos, Tia Pol, Double Crown, Boqueria, Aquavit, Fatty Crab, Turkish Kitchen, Calle Ocho, Momofuku Ssam Bar. The Stanton Social does an interesting, eclectic brunch based upon food from around the world: breakfast bruschetta, huevos rancheros, pierogi, french onion soup dumplings, sliders, fish tacos, pizzetas, and latkes. Some places to get traditional ethnic breakfasts are listed here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/04/dining/reviews/04unde.html?_r=1 http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/breakfast/47394/ I'd also add Downtown Bakery as a possible place for huevos rancheros if you are really craving them. Wed Apr 29 07:20:20 -0700 2009 4638360 10936 kathryn 8 4640014 I don't agree that Aquavit's Sunday smorgasbord, with its focus on herring, salmon, and smoked fish, is a "take on Western brunch." There are no typical breakfast foods like omelets, French toast, pancakes, etc. Wed Apr 29 14:16:34 -0700 2009 4638456 13867 RGR 9 4640247 Good call - I'd momentarily forgotten about Aquavit! Wed Apr 29 15:11:56 -0700 2009 4640014 10936 kathryn 7 4639913 If you want a full-on South Indian vegetarian breakfast or lunch, go for the savory pancakes (utthapams, masala dosas) and iddli at Saravanaas, 26th St. and Lexington. Another possibility is to go to Cafe Mogador, St. Marks between Av. A and 1st. They serve an excellent brunchy breakfast every day, and their lunch is also quite good. I think you may find their Moroccan, Middle Eastern, or Halumi Eggs interesting. I like all three of them but tend toward the Moroccan Eggs, which are made with a tomato-based spicy sauce. I ask for their harissa sauce, which is delicious and very chili-laden. Wed Apr 29 13:46:44 -0700 2009 4638360 17058 Pan 3 4635722 In midtown, it's not a hole-in-the-wall, but if you like Greek food -- and especially fresh whole grilled fish -- you might want to give Kellari Taverna a try. It's on 44th St., b/t 5th & 6th Avs. http://www.kellaritaverna.com Further downtown is their excellent sibling, Kellari's Parea, on 20th St., b/t B'way & Park Av. s., which we frequent since it's more convenient for us. http://www.kellari-parea.com In the more expensive, though hardly outrageous, category, I highly recommend Tabla. The unusual Indian-inspired New American cuisine with its subtle interplay of textures and flavors is superb! http://www.tablanyc.com Tue Apr 28 09:40:15 -0700 2009 4635377 13867 RGR 3 4636190 The Venezuelan place you're alluding to is Caracas Arepa Bar, 7th St. just east of 1st Av. Lots of hounds love it, but I think it's merely good and nothing outstanding. I really love only one arepa there, the jardinera. Ethnicities that are well represented among Manhattan eateries (though not necessarily at all price points or evenly distributed, geographically) include Italian, Chinese (Sichuan, Cantonese, Chao Zhou, perhaps Fuzhounese; I think Shanghainese is not very strong here), Japanese, French/French-inspired upscale, Dominican (mostly cheap, very informal places, such as rotisserie chicken specialists), and of course American. Some cuisines that are more or less ably represented by a few places include Indian, Korean, Afghan, Levantine, Maghrebi, Argentinian, Cuban, and Ashkenazic Jewish. Other options are available in Queens, so post to the Outer Boroughs board if you're interested. Note that I left Thai and Malaysian off my list for Manhattan, and there are a larger number of Chinese, Korean, Latin American, and Indian restaurants in Queens, too. Tue Apr 28 11:40:19 -0700 2009 4635377 17058 Pan 4 4641267 Based on my experience in Boston , you good "red sauce" italian , so skip that here,,, the seafood in boston is on same level in general as New york , not better ,, Skip Jack's is on par with Aqua Grill,,,,, Le Bernadin is superior to any seafood restarant in Boston. Kyo Ya ( cooked little Japanese some raw) ,is something that I dont think youll find in Boston. The sushi in NYC is also something to try, 15 east, kanoyama, yasuda, Sushi Gari, Jewel Bako ,,are different than any in Boston. Cantonese food is similar in Boston Ctown. Big Nicks Greek Diner hamburgers better than places in Boston...Katzs deli a must ,,, Thai food you have,,but it's spicey so if you desire Thai ,try Toon's on bleecker st. its 2 blocks from Magnolia but don't go to Magnolia it's horrible. Eat in the meat market , perhaps Pastis or Buddakan, its a fun area. We have some really good steak houses in NYC i.e. Wolfgang, Peter Luger,( bklyn) Mark Joseph and more ,,, better than what ive had in Boston.. The Chowda in boston is the best ,,and the baked beans,, so dont have that here.... Bocqueria I recommend for spanish tapas or Degustation .. Petite Abeille for waffles or mussels Wed Apr 29 21:40:32 -0700 2009 4636190 118604 foodwhisperer 5 4641372 I know that Boston has red sauce. What I don't know is how their non-red sauce Italian compares to Manhattan's. Wouldn't you agree that Italian food is well represented here? Lots of places, and quite a number of good ones. And I'm not talking red sauce. Wed Apr 29 23:12:28 -0700 2009 4641267 17058 Pan 6 4736623 Just chiming in as a New Englander formerly of NYC, I agree NY has special non-red sauce Italian that's not as available up here (particularly outside of Boston)...based on some recs from this board I just had a great meal at Convivio that I definitely wouldn't be able to duplicate in Boston, and I'm sure Babbo and others along those lines are similarly excellent standouts. Tue Jun 02 13:41:32 -0700 2009 4641372 91237 hollerhither 1 4734406 Thanks for all of the responses. Here is what we are planning: Friday dinner: Szechuan Gourmet Saturday Lunch: Momofuku Ssam or Otafuku or Cafe Asean (depending on how crowded places are) Saturday Dinner: Blue Hill Sunday Brunch: Cant remember the name... my friend who worked at Per Se recommended it. I'll let people know the name when I ask her again. Mon Jun 01 20:04:28 -0700 2009 4633906 36361 thunderbug84 2 4734438 > Friday dinner: Szechuan Gourmet Note that they stop serving dinner around 9ish or so, don't get there too late! > Saturday Lunch: Momofuku Ssam or Otafuku or Cafe Asean (depending on how crowded places are) Otafuku is a take out window, BTW, so if it's raining, you'll have to seek cover on the sidewalk. Momofuku Ssam Bar is not that crowded for weekend lunch. > Saturday Dinner: Blue Hill Post-Obama visit, I'd make sure I snagged reservations as soon as possible. Mon Jun 01 20:14:48 -0700 2009 4734406 10936 kathryn 3 4735662 Thanks kathryn. I had no idea that Obama had gone there when I decided to go! I jumped on the reservation when I found out so we are eating at 11pm. They were really great on the phone though and said that they'd move up our reservation time if anyone cancels. Either way, I'm happy to get a table! Tue Jun 02 09:20:51 -0700 2009 4734438 36361 thunderbug84 2 4735786 So I just talked to my friend, and she recommends Five Points for brunch. Tue Jun 02 09:59:25 -0700 2009 4734406 36361 thunderbug84 3 4735910 I guess I'm still not 100% sure on my brunch choice. What do people think of Alfama? Also, is Norma's worth the high prices? Tue Jun 02 10:30:28 -0700 2009 4735786 36361 thunderbug84 4 4736070 I love Five Points (make reservations ASAP or face a bit of a wait!). Norma's is not worth it. Best brunch: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/598414 Tue Jun 02 11:12:32 -0700 2009 4735910 10936 kathryn 5 4736383 I'll take Prune or Clinton St Baking Co. in a heartbeat over 5 Points (particularly Prune, if u want something more out of the ordinary) although 5 points is decent...the only problem is neither takes reservations for brunch, I don't believe, and the waits can be long....skip Norma's Tue Jun 02 12:44:57 -0700 2009 4736070 10479 Cpalms 6 4736925 I'd say Five Points is nearly as good as Prune/Clinton Street if you stay away from the egg dishes (they're not bad, they're just not special), but Five Points is definitely less of a hassle if you can get a reservation. Tue Jun 02 15:13:54 -0700 2009 4736383 10936 kathryn 7 4737074 So what's good at Five Points" We've been there for brunch and was completely unimpressed with the ranchersos egg dish in the pan that I ordered. It was one hard egg dish. The ricotta pancake and, iirc, beignets were OK, but it's nowhere near the kind that Clinton Street Baking Co serves. Can't recall the other item that my companion ordered, but it was just eh. BTW, we got invited by a couple/friends for dinner and we left totally underwhelmed. So, what's good for brunch at Five Points? Tue Jun 02 16:08:58 -0700 2009 4736925 10578 RCC 8 4737146 Morning refresher drink, churros with Mexican hot chocolate, banana stuffed French Toast, bourbon vanilla french toast, bacon, and sausage and eggs on a biscuit. Usually the soup of the day or the open faced sandwiches (esp. if it's a pork based one -- they used to have a pork belly one) are good, too. As I mentioned, the baked egg dishes (ones served in a skillet) are unimpressive. Bloody Mary is good, but very traditional. It's not really fair comparing ricotta pancakes (which are naturally heavier and creamy due to the ricotta) with Clinton Street Baking Co's pancakes (which are buttermilk and have the eggs white whipped separately). Tue Jun 02 16:36:29 -0700 2009 4737074 10936 kathryn 9 4737164 Yes it was unfair of me to compare FP's ricotta pancake Even without comparing it to others, imho it still was not that good. I remember the churros and it was quite good and it every table around us seemed to have ordered it then Tue Jun 02 16:42:22 -0700 2009 4737146 10578 RCC 5 4736389 Oh and Shopsin's...love shopsin's! Tue Jun 02 12:46:13 -0700 2009 4736070 10479 Cpalms 6 4736928 Except Shopsin's is tiny, popular, and only serves on Saturdays! thunderbug84 needs a place for Sunday. Tue Jun 02 15:14:31 -0700 2009 4736389 10936 kathryn 3 4737302 Five Points has a very good brunch, and the room and ambiance are also pleasant. Tue Jun 02 17:42:43 -0700 2009 4735786 17058 Pan 4 4737787 Love Five Points for brunch - the mac'n'cheese is my favorite in the city. I think Jane is a very classic New York brunch place and The Smith is great if you want to eat "bad" food - by bad I mean totally and utterly deliciously and coma inducing, like the croaker - toasted sourdough rye, ham, fried eggs, and topped with gruyere cheese or potato pancakes with creamed spinach! I love Mercadito for Mexican as well as the taco stand at La Esquina. Also Caracas Arepas is great - Porchetta as well for all things pork - all in the East village and then you can drop by Butter Lane - best cupcakes in town! Also should hit up Chikalicious Dessert Club - I prefer it to Momofuku Milk Bar ( too weird for me). Kati Roll in West Village - sort of like "Indian" burritos. Love Po for Italian - and Blue Hill OF COURSE - but must be impossible to get into these days after Obamas visit. I lived in Boston the past 2 years for bschool - and I can't wait to move back to NYC in a month. You'll love the food! Tue Jun 02 21:06:01 -0700 2009 4737302 301812 YummyInTheCity