LA Hound Food Itinerary This Weekend

[js76wisco]

I used to live in NY and visit quite frequently. Been in LA for about 10 years. My first inclination when I come to NY is to eat Italian, pizza and steaks. I'm posting my itinerary and would love feedback on some new places that I haven't tried. Just got off the red eye and had a cheeseburger from the Burger Joint for breakfast.

Thursday dinner - Convivo
Tried to get into Scarpetta but only had very early or very late. We'll probably try to get into Scarpetta on Sunday night. I've never eaten at one of Scott Conants (sp?) places but hear great things. I've been to many of the top Italian in the city. My favorites are Elio's, Il Bagatto, Babbo and Barbone. Are there any other new Italian places opened within the last few years you would suggest?

Friday lunch - falafel at Taim.

Friday dinner - pizza in West Village and lobster rolls at Pearl Oyster Bar.
Trying to decide between John's, Joe's or Keste for pizza. Keste gets good reviews but not as many comments so hard to decide. I've had John's and Joe's, both of which are good for Manhattan.

Saturday breakfast - Prune

Saturday lunch - pizza in Queens or Long Island (I grew up here so no need for any help here). Pizza in Queens and certain places in LI cannot be beat. I grew in Queens and nostalgia plays a factor but the best pizza is in Queens.

Saturday dinner - steaks at Bryant and Coopers in LI. If you've never been this place is fantastic.

Sunday breakfast - bagels at Daniels or Pick a Bagel.

Sunday lunch - Porchetta and Pommes Frites. I've read mixed reviews about Porchetta. These two spots are pretty close to each other so I thought it be nice to have some fries with my pork. Is Porchetta worth the trip from the UWS?

Sunday dinner - hoping to circle back to Scarpetta. I'm open for other suggestions as well.

Other places I want to squeeze into my trip are Kefi, Shake Shack and Chickalicious. Thanks for your feedback and suggestions.

[bbqdawg]

I recently ate a sandwich at Porchetta and thought it was excellent. I really loved it. Many posts have complained about the meat being dry, but my sandwich was very juicy. Being from North Carolina, I eat a lot of roasted pork (NC BBQ) and Porchetta compares favorably with the best I've had.

[Simon]

Sounds like a good trip...

-- definitely go to Scarpetta....you could even go there on Thursday and eat in the walk-in bar-area (and eating at the bar itself is actually my fav way to dine there)...i recommend the asparagus soup and the black cod...

-- Kefi isn't worth your while...that Greek place on 3rd St in West Hollywood (blanking on the name, the one w/ the outdoor area in back) is far far better...going to Kefi would a waste of time on such a short trip...

-- while Shake Shack is a fun place, the long waits are silly, and while the burger is good, you have far better burger places all over LA...(Apple Pan is superior, and most trendy diners like Fred 62 are better, and while the ShSh meat quality is superior to Tommy's and Carney's, you might wonder what all the fuss is about.)...if NYC had something like In&Out, Shake Shake would be out of business (or at least be devoid of such long waits)...but i have nothing against the place, so if you are nearby and want to see what passes for a top burger in NYC these days, give it a try...

-- you might want to squeeze in a Banh Mi at Saigon Bakery or Nicky's...

-- Malatesta, a casual, semi-outdoor Italian place in the Far West Village is a great summertime place in NYC...grilled lamb chops, squid ink pasta w/ octopus and mushrooms, grilled calamari salad, and bottles of Greco di Tufo are all yummy...a great way to while away an early eve...(no reservations, but go at 5:30 and you'll be fine)...

[LeahBaila]

I love your honesty and straight-forward writing, Simon. Agreed with Malatesta and Shake Shack, 100%.

www.thelunchbelle.com

[Simon]

thanks!...glad you like Malatesta too...i went there a couple weeks ago for a friend's bday dinner and it was really delicious...in the past, i've sometimes thought that the food is merely good and the summery vibe is what makes it special...but on my last visit, i thought that squid ink pasta could hold it's own against any pasta dish in town, and the lamb chops were especially juicy and generously portioned...

[js76wisco]

Thanks Simon. Haven't heard of Maltesta but it sounds great.

I was going to go to Kefi but a few of you have told me it's not that great. The Greek place on 3rd street is West Hollywood? Maybe Ulysses Voyage but thats at the Grove. I had a burger at Burger Joint but wanted to try the shakes at the shack. I heard the lines are ridiculous but was willing to brave it once. Are the lines smaller during the weekends at either UWS or Madison Park?

[Simon]

i believe the Greek place on W.3rd is called Sofi...just west of Fairfax, south side of the street...

re: ShSh, i think the UWS lines are prob a little shorter, but up there you don't have the nice shade of Madison Park to wait in...and on weekends on the UWS, you might have some additional crowding from the Museum of Natural History...

[RGR]

The best way to avoid the insanely long lines at the Madison Square Park Shake Shack is to arrive a few minutes before they open at 11 a.m., or very late in the evening (they close at 11 p.m.). I've never had a shake there, but the frozen custard is seriously delicious! There is a special "B" line for those who just want to order that.

http://www.shakeshacknyc.com

[sam1]

just a fyi, scott conant isnt affiliated with convivio...he had a falling out with the owner when he was the chef of l'impero, the former convivio. i had a fantastic dinner here recently. stick to the pastas...skip entrees. the cavatelli is heavy but fantastic...so is the fusilli with pork shoulder ragu. everything was excellent except they did rush our wine service to get us to buy more.

porchetta is horrible...if you want to be in the east village for lunch, try momofuku ssam bar...great lunch prix fixe there.

pizza in queens...the only one i like is new park pizza in ozone park. tangy sauce style.

[js76wisco]

What about porchetta did you not like? I've been to momofuku ssam a bunch of times and wanted to try something new.

[MMRuth]

If you are on the UWS - try the porchetta sandwich at Salumeria Rosi instead maybe. I've not been to Porchetta.

http://www.chow.com/manhattan_digest/...

[financialdistrictresident]

sam1, thanks for your thoughts on Convivio, maybe I should give it another try. We didn't have any of the service issues I've read about on this Board. Though I see noise could be an issue in the dining room.

[financialdistrictresident]

Bagels are already on your list. I plan to grab some Kossar's Bialies when I'm in the city next week. Cannot get good bagels/bialies outside of NYC. If you like Greek food (not sure how it is in LA) it's excellent in NYC. Head to Kyclades in Astoria, Pylos in EV, etc. Falai is very good for upscale, non-traditional Italian. Not a fan of Convivio, to be fair I've only been once. Locanda Verde (Italian) in TriBeCa is good for lunch. Aldea (Portuguese) one of the best, more surprising meals I've had in a long time. Really liked Graffiti (except for the space). Ditto Dessert Truck (it's fun and only in NYC). Belcourt in the EV has fried scallions. Street carts . . .

[financialdistrictresident]

Scratch the Dessert Truck for now:

http://eater.com/archives/2009/08/sta...

[Pan]

Wow, that sucks! Thanks for posting that link; I didn't know why they hadn't been around lately.

[js76wisco]

Thanks for the recommendayions. I had Kefi on the list but decided to go to Convivio last night. I'm going to try to either go there or Pylos.

Sad to hear about the dessert truck.

[financialdistrictresident]

How was Convivio?

BTW, Astoria Greek food is the best and least expensive IMHO. If you can get to Queens there are lots of recs on the Outer Borough Board. We like Pylos too. There are lots of threads on Pylos if you do a search.

[notsochubbychubette]

Keste for pizza.

[js76wisco]

OK. I was leaning that way since I never tried it.

Also forgot about Rafiki late night cart stop, Wafels/Dinge Truck and Dessert Truck for snacks.

[notsochubbychubette]

All great choices to be honest. Pommes=genius.
I'm craving them now myself (thanks!)!
You may want to make a dunpling stop too. NYC has some great ones.
Vanessa's on 14th
Prosperity - Eldridge Street
Fried Dumpling - on Allen Street between Delancey and Broome.
Dumpling man - St marks