L.A foodie needs NY recs

[martha03]

Hello. Hola. Guten morgen.

I am going to be in NYC next week, and I want to get a true chowhound's New York. there is no kind of food that I categorically don't like, except crappy food. As long as it's good, I'm in. L.A. does Japanese and Mexican better than anybody, so I'm mainly looking for:

Chinese
Italian
Upscale American
Weird hole-in-the-wall places that sell fish eyes, frog balls, cow tongues, etc.

Any suggestions?

[Ruxshire]

Gramercy Tavern in wonderful

[kathryn]

Hi there! Here are some threads you might find interesting, targeted towards NYC for visitors from Los Angeles.

Clueless LA couple coming to Manhattan
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/561395

Angeleno in NYC looking for cheap eats
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/635360

2 days in Manhattan (started by an LA hound) :
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/625302

For Chinese, I highly 2nd scoopG's suggestion that you get out to Flushing.

For Italian, do you want red sauce Italian American? What's your price range? A lot of the high quality, really good Italian places are going to be booked up already since you are coming next week and it is also Restaurant Week here in NYC. Ditto for Upscale American.

Offal and game/unusual meats are some of my FAVORITE foods, here is a long list I wrote up for another hound:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/636471

And another relevant thread:
Just arrived in new york, looking for charcuterie and nose to tail eating.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/583207

[kathryn]

Almost forgot these "best of NY" threads for visitors...

**Don't Leave NY Without Eating... (don't miss this thread)**
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/610739

NYC for visitors:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/597021
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/610107
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/604369
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/605545
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/603298
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/589834

I highly recommend RGR's self guided Lower East Side Gustatory tour:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/493333

Best pizza in NY:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/611116#4589924

Places under $10
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/622841

Best brunch:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/598414

[a_and_w]

As an Angeleno who lived in NYC for many years, I strongly recommend you follow kathryn's tips. Another great resource is RGR, who has wonderful recs for visitors, with a particular emphasis on the Lower East Side. Finally, please, please, please ignore the guy on the LA board who recommended Tavern on the Green. Everything about that place, from the bad food to the depressing ambience, is just awful -- avoid it like the plague.

PS: You should repost the list of your favorite LA places -- there are many transplants who can point you to comparable restaurants.

[Ann900]

Yes, Tavern on the Green is just sad, sad, sad. The absolute definition of a tourist trap. If you must go, just go for a drink in the outside garden- but be prepared to pay.

[martha03]

Thanks for the recs! Tavern on the Green, from what I know of it, sounds like a place I would avoid naturally. It's seems like when people come to L.A. and go to Universal City Walk expecting authentic culture, when all they end up with is a bunch of Nebraskans looking for the same authenticity. Not that there's anything wrong with Nebraskans.

As for my favorite place in L.A., I love:
Animal
Father's Office
Ruen Pear
Marouch
Akasha
Terried Sake House
Cobras & Matadors
and about a thousand taquerias

to name a few!

[uwsister]

I also love Father's Office -- maybe Spotted Pig would be of your interest then? NYC gastropub w/ a great burger.

[scoopG]

Hi martha03 and welcome to CH. While Chinese food in the SGV may be better than NYC, the Chinese food in L.A. is not. The "search this board" function on CH is a great tool. Let's start with something hard to come by out west: Fujianese Cuisine. These newest Chinese immigrants are spreading west from NYC.

Fujian Noodle Shops:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/492376

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/504362

Two Best Fuzhou Restaurants:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/483902

Best Sichuan in Manhattan:
Szechuan Gourmet:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/459240

http://events.nytimes.com/2008/07/23/dining/reviews/23rest.html?scp=1&sq=szechuan%20gourmet&st=cse

Best Chinatown Restaurant:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/531040

You may want to consider a trip out to Flushing. Queen's is one of the most diverse places in the country with over 140 languages spoken.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/636409

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/627227

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/612697

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/628938

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/din...

[uwsister]

IMO Chinese is also better in L.A. with a possible exception of Szechuan. East Asian food in general are better in L.A. but if you like sushi, Sushi Yasuda is still the best in the U.S. as far as I'm concerned. I've been to a few top sushi spots in L.A. (Zo, Mori, Sasabune, etc. not Urasawa though) and I prefer Sushi Yasuda.