Returning food visit, what would you change or suggest
I'm returning to NYC in late July primarily to eat. I will be on my own so real fine dining/upscale is not top priority. Here is a list of some places I've been and am thinking of going. Coming from SF what am I missing or would you suggest trying that I don't have listed. Will be in NY for 5 days.
Also, have not ben to any of the cocktail bars that are often listed on CH. How are they for solo visitors wishing to try some creative cocktails. And should add any wine bars worth checking out?
Have been to:
Bagels: H&H / Essa / Russ & Daughters
Deli: Carnegie / Katz / Stage
Pizza: Arturo's / Artichoke / Di Fara / Johns / Grimaldi / Lombardi / Keste / Motorino / Patsy's (e harlem) / Joes / Totonnos
Dogs: Grays / Papaya King / Crift
Burgers: Burger Joint /
BBQ: Virgils / Daisey May / Blue Smoke
Steak: Lugers / Keens
Italian: Al Di La / Bar Pitti / Bottega del vino / Becco / Dell'Arte / Esca / Cacio e Pepe / Lil Frankies / Lupa / I / Inoteca / Otto / Po / Maialino / Peasant / Scarpetta / Robertos (bronx)
Others: Gramercy Tavern / USC / Modern bar room / Degustation / Balthazar / Pastis / Schillers / Minetta Tavern / Spotted Pig / Spice Market / Tabla / Bar Bouloud / DB BIstro / River cafe / Momofuku Saam / Ma Peche
Breakfast: Clinton St Falaffel: Azuri cafe carts: 53rd & 6th and others
Spanish: Tia Pol / Casa Mono / Las Ramblas
Fine Dining: Per Se
Thinking about the following:
Burgers: Shake Shack
Bagels: Murry's
Italian: Locanda Verde / Babbo(bar) / Via Emilia (for Lasagna) / Torrisi(sandwich_lunch) / Da Andrea / Picolo Angelo / Eataly
Steak: Old Homestead
Falaffel: Taim
Japanese: Yakatori Totto
Thai: Zabb Elle
Chinese: Xian
Others: Prune(lunch) / Breslin / Txikito /
Will be in Boston just before so leaving out chowder, lobster roll etc
What should I leave out or fit in? Thanks
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Russ & Daughters
179 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
Taim
222 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10014
Spotted Pig
314 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014
Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
Da Andrea
35 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011
Azuri Cafe
465 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019
Old Homestead
56 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Via Emilia
47 E 21st St, New York, NY 10010
Txikito
240 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013
The Breslin
20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001
Eataly
200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010
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Ok, so thanks everyong for all the in fo thus far. I'm still a few weeks away from my trip but have sort of dwindled things down a bit. I guess ultimately I'm looking for foods I haven't tried, cant really get in SF bay area, are unique to New York or are so delicious restaurants/foods that they shouldn't be missed. So here is what I'm looking at right now.
Queens over Brooklyn: Day time half day trip. Have never been to Queens and after research seems its ethnic food is quite unique. My only food visits to Brooklyn are Al Di La, Lugers and Di Fara. Must amit Mile End deli looks enticing.Eataly: If just for the experience of walking around.
Xian
Locanda Verde: Love Italian food and the menu einterested me particuarly the tartare and gramdma raviol.
Via Emilia: Love lasagna, here its really good. Is it?
Zabb Elle: If I go here and Sripraphai in Queens am I duplicating. What dishes stand out at both?
Caracas Arepas: The few in the bay area I have not enjoyed all that much and supposedly here they are great?
Shake Shack: I'm sure I've had similar in SF area but seems its an institution that at this point I should try for myself.
Yakitoro Totto: Love yakatori and its open until 1:00am for at least one late night craving.
WD-50: Seems tyo get rave reviews as well as supposedly having great cocktails. Is it similar to anything in SF area.
Shopsin: Seems wildly interesting or uinque need to try and decide for myself.
On the fence: Babbo/Kyo Ya/Takashi/Cafe Falai(decent food relax and people watch)/Kin Shop/TaimRuled out steakhouses even though its one food I love can have back home but if craving hits might have to go. Love Mexican, not sure if there is anything unusual or so good that is not in Bay Area.Love so many foods, all ethnic types,spice etc that its very difficult to decide in advance. I notice I don't have much in the way of seafood. One place that looked really good is Marea but sometimes when dining alone try to avoid upscale places unless can get a bar seat. Finally some of the things that I have most enjoyed on past NY visits. Azuri cafe-falafel/Di Fara-pizza/ Lugers-steak/ Modern Bar Room/ Maialino/ Per Se/ Cart food-late at night/DB Bistro-fois gras-truffle burger (although too expensive) /Katz-pastrami/Clinton St-banana pancakes/Inoteca-truffle egg toast/Criff dogs/Grimaldis-I thought good but also walking back over Brooklyn Bridge/Blind Tiger-grilled cheese/Russ&Daughters-bagel w lox
I'm Hungry! Can you help me figure out what I want to eat> Thanks
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WD-50
50 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002Caracas Arepa Bar
93 1/2 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009Marea
240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019›9 Replies-
re: mick
Instead of Mexican, go more Latin. I think the Red Hook ball fields Popusas are superior to what I had in SF, if you're near one of their other concessions (instead of going to the ball fields). Cubanos, Mofongo and that kind of thing maybe? Margon is a popular lunch spot for Cuban Sandwiches.
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Margon
136 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036-
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re: mick
New York is home to the largest Puerto Rican and Dominican community in the US. A dish like Mofongo would be hard to come by in the Bay Area.
If you're really looking to branch out, El Malecon is a great Dominican/Carribean diner.
La Fonda Boriqua, Sofrito and Casa Adela get high marks too.
Cibao in the LES is cheap and really good place for a pernil sandwich or rice dish.
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El Malecon
4141 Broadway, New York, NY 10033El Malecon
764 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025Sofrito
400 E 57th St, New York, NY 10022Casa Adela
66 Ave C, New York, NY 10009La Fonda Boricua
169 E 106th St, New York, NY 10029Cibao
72 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002La Fonda
1634 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10029-
re: sugartoof
sgordon
Jun 7, 2011 08:18 AM
I'm a big fan of Cibao, or at least two items from the menu: their Cubano and Mofungo. The Mofungo's the best I've had in the city, lots of crispy bits and whatnot studded throughout. And the Cubano's the best I've had since the (sad) shuttering of Spanish-American Foods on 13th, my old standby. Get one of each and you won't need to eat for the rest of the day, all for $10 or so. (You might also need a nap, granted...)
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Cibao
72 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002
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re: mick
Locanda Verde is a great choice. Note that you can also dine at the bar if you wish. Good cocktails, too.
Zabb Elee and Sripraphai have some dishes in common (larbs, sauteed vegetables with crispy pork, papaya salads) but also special dishes.
More on what to order at Zabb Elee%3
http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2011/0...
But at Sripraphai, the dishes are (I believe) more central Thai.
My favorites that also aren't on the Zabb Elee menu (leaning towards curry and carb-y dishes)%3
6 Crispy watercress salad
N5 Drunken noodles with chicken
N9 Kao soy
C21 Penang curry
C22 Massaman curry
C25 Green curry with duck
Coconut rice
There's tons of debate regarding Sri on the Outer Boroughs board.
Babbo, Kyo Ya, and Takashi are some of my absolute favorite restaurants ever. Kin Shop may not be necessarily if you are already doing Sripraphai and Zabb Elee.
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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011Kyo Ya
94 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013Takashi
456 Hudson St, New York, NY 10011Zabb Elee
75 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003-
re: kathryn
Kathryn re:
Baabbo Kyo Ya and Takashi, which might be best for solo dining possibly at the bar and atmospheric whatever that might mean.
Also, WD-50 worth a dinner? The above would all be dinner choices as well as Yakatori Totto need to pair it down and seems heavily on the Japanese end.
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WD-50
50 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002Kyo Ya
94 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009-
re: mick
Babbo has a small bar where you can dine. You may have to wait for a seat; the front room contains both the bar and some tables reserved for walk-ins, and waiting area for those waiting to be seated, as well as the host's station. It can get rather crowded there. It's best to go early or late. I believe you have to talk to the host if you wish to dine at the bar, as they manage all of those seats as an extension of the main dining room.
For Kyo Ya, there's a sort of "sake bar" area in the middle of the room and the chef's counter in back. The chef's counter is pretty fun but I think it might actually be better with more people so you could share dishes and/or get the kaiseki tasting. The chef is very friendly though.
For Takashi, I think they have 6 seats around a prep area, so it's actually fun to sit there and watch them make some of the dishes. It is pretty solo diner friendly in terms of seating arrangement and watching the chefs. I think Takashi has the slight edge if you wish to try tendon, heart, stomach (first, third, fourth), intestine, tongue, etc.
I've not been back to WD-50 in some time but a friend went recently and did speak highly of it. I really respect Chef Dufresne and all that he's done but I think maybe his flavor combinations just aren't for me.
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WD-50
50 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011Kyo Ya
94 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009
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For a special Japanese go to Kyo Ya.
You have shown willingness to travel to Brooklyn so try Queens Thai at Sripraphai or Chao Thai. In Flushing the Golden mall will contain Xian, the lamb noodle place, and a whole bunch more. All have extensive literature for your 7 train trip.
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Kyo Ya
94 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009›4 Replies-
re: wew
Thanks for Queens info. Been reading anout Zabb Elle in Manhattan lately, any comparison to Sripraphai or Chao. Kyo Ya looks great. Got my work cut out for me with new recos and trying to decide on places. Sort of aiming for foods I can't really get out in the bay area or restaurants/foods that are just over the top in their deliciousness.
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Kyo Ya
94 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009Zabb Elee
75 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003-
re: mick
Windy
Jun 4, 2011 07:25 PM
Hey Mick, I'm planning a similar trip at the end of this month.
I got lots of great recommendations for foods that are hard to find in the bay area.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/786665I used to focus on pizza and pastrami in NYC, but happily we don't need to worry about pizza any more. So more time for Greek, Eastern-European Jewish, and Dominican.
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re: mick
i'd say both Xian and Zaab-Elee are musts...re: Zaab-Elee vs Sripraphai: Zaab-Elee is Isaan food which harder to find made-well (anywhere outside of Thailand and Laos) than are the central Thai dishes that Sri makes well...so i'd say go to Zaab-Elee
for Japanese, consider going to Soba Koh in the E.Village and getting the cold inaka soba...
i'd also rec addining Kin Shop to your list...it's great for bar dining and the bartender makes excellent cocktails...
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SobaKoh
309 E 5th St, New York, NY 10003Xi'an Famous Foods
81 St. Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003Kin Shop
469 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011Zabb Elee
75 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
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You can get healthy vegetarian leaning falafel all over the Bay Area, so I wouldn't bother with Taim. It's more West Coast style than authentic. SoomSoom or Hoomos Asli are some substitutions.
Burgers are a notable hole for you, it sounds like. Shake Shack will just be a copycat variation of Taylor's. I'd say try Molly's, or any of the other thick patty, hearty pub style burgers NY does so well.
ining solo for a steakhouse might be tricky, but Strip House has won over most hardened steak fans, even some of the Lugar's die hards. The sides are the key.
Mile's End isn't in Manhattan, but for deli foods, it's worth an excursion into Brooklyn. In fact, since you sound more accomplished than most locals, food wise....I'm going to suggest you take a look at the outer boroughs board, and look into food trucks, and more cheap eats.
Caracas Arepas would be a place to check out. I'm not aware of anywhere in the Bay Area serving the same style arepas.
New Amsterdam Market is worth a visit.
Falai was a good suggestion, and the Lafayette location has an expanded lunch takeout shop now too.
La Columbe for a dark italian roast espresso spiked iced coffee, olive oil cake, or croissants seems to be a crowd pleaser, even with West Coasters.
Breslin is okay but the best part in my opinion is spending time in the Ace Hotel, and you can do that with a visit to Stumptown, where they now have Cafe Pedlar, Milk Bar, and Bouchon (I think) baked goods.
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Molly's
287 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010Taim
222 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10014Shake Shack
Madison Ave and E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010Caracas Arepa Bar
93 1/2 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009Hoomoos Asli
100 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012Falai
68 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002La Colombe
270 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012Strip House
13 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003Stumptown
18 W 29th Street, New York, NY 10001The Breslin
20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001Soom Soom
166 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023New Amsterdam Market
South St Peck Slip, New York, NY 10038›18 Replies-
re: sugartoof
sugartoof Thanks, great suggestions will look at other falafel places. Have had only Azuri cafe in NYC how does that compare to Taim and others mentioned?
Think I've got to try Shake Shack have avoided to long. Have had Taylors or new name Gotts many times and thanks for reminding me I have had a burger at Molly's, which was quite good. Like the Falai take out idea and Caracas has been on my radar so might have to check it out. Out here there's Pica Pica in Napa and now SF. IMO its allright. Mr Pollo in SF does apepas have heard some good things but haven' tried. Trying to work in some time to get out to Queens but seems there is an overwhelming selection so not sure where to start> Thanks again.-----
Taim
222 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10014Azuri Cafe
465 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019Falai
68 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002-
re: mick
squid kun
Jun 4, 2011 05:57 PM
>Trying to work in some time to get out to Queens but seems there is an overwhelming selection so not sure where to start
Start here: it's a fresh Outer Boroughs thread on Queens restaurants ... http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/787411
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re: mick
You'll find the sensibilities in Brooklyn are similar to San Francisco at times, and it will open up a whole new world of fun options. Most of it is easier to navigate than Queens, and it's not as daunting as the endless ethnic eats of Queens.
You're right about Mr Pollo, he does make both styles of Arepas, but not with the options or Caracas (although, they're pretty open to requests). Pica Pica sure looks equivalent though.
I've never been to Azuri, so I wouldn't be able to compare, but they're all what's come to be known as "Israeli style", which usually means thicker quality pita and a lot of condiment options. Taim isn't traditional. They make a lighter, healthier tasting falafel and then offer hot sauces which I'm convinced is the real draw, and all that most people are tasting there. Falafel shouldn't taste like junk food, but it shouldn't taste like health food either.
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Taim
222 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10014Azuri Cafe
465 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019-
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re: mick
From Chelsea, walk to Penn Station and take the LIRR. It has stops in Woodside and Flushing. It's only about 20 minutes.
From the Woodside stop it's a only a few blocks to Sripraphai. From the Flushing stop, you're right in the middle of a ton of great food.
There's even a discount on weekends under the CityTicket program.
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re: mick
sgordon
Jun 6, 2011 11:34 AM
I'll say (much as I like Chef Falai's various restaurants) that the new take-out place - Bottega Falai - isn't necessarily anything to go out of one's way for. It's mainly a coffeeshop, with pastries, a few sandwiches, and mini-grocery with the kinds of things he uses in his kitchen, and the couple of dried pasta brands he'll use at home (his restos only serve fresh pastas) - think, like, a 30 square foot version of Eataly. The macarons I found fantastic, with a real intensity and depth of flavor I haven't had elsewhere, but this is coming from someone who isn't a big macaron-head or even has much of a sweet tooth. Maybe a "traditional" macaron is supposed to be more subtle, I dunno. But I liked 'em. And the coffee is good.
Caffe Falai, next door, is a nice spot for a casual lunch or dinner - not a destination restaurant like his flagship (just plain "Falai") but very good for its price point, and nice big windows to watch the streetlife of SoHo wander by while you dine and sip a glass of wine or two.
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Falai
68 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002Caffe Falai
265 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012Bottega Falai
267 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012
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sgordon
Jun 4, 2011 01:31 PM
Burgers:
Shake Shack is worth it, just try to go during an off-hour because the lines aren't necessarily worth it
Bagels:
Skip Murry's. Stick with Russ & Daughters. Just have a different lox than you did last time, if you don't want to repeat.
Italian:
You can't really count on getting a seat at the Babbo bar, though as a solo diner it might be easier. If you go that route, have a back-up plan in the area.
Torrissi - I prefer the turkey to the chicken parm, as far as the sandwiches go at lunch. YMMV.
Locanda Verde - great.
Eataly - worth expolring once. If you're going to eat there, I'd do lunch at the vegetable or fish resto, unless you want to do a fancy dinner - then go for Manzo.
Other Italian place worth considering: Falai, for something more modern but still hearty (think Batali meets Wylie Dufresne)
Speaking of Wylie Dufresne... dining at the bar at WD-50 ain't bad for a solo diner. Friendly bartenders, great creative cocktails on a level with many of the "advanced" cocktail dens popping up around town (Death & Company, PDT, Mayahuel, Ward III, etc... all of which will be happy to serve a solo drinker, mind you)
Steak: If it ain't Keen's or Luger's, I don't see the point in bothering. I mean, you don't go to steakhouse for the creativity. You go for a well-aged steak. Might as well go to one the best and not mess around with the hundred or so second-tier places. But that said, if I were travelling, I wouldn't use a meal on a steakhouse, personally. I'd go for something more "only in NYC" / creative chef / etc. (Granted, I live in a city with two of the best steakhouses in it to start with..,)
Falafel: Taim is great. Be prepared for a line, depending what time you go. The Sabich is awesome, also.
Japanese:
Yakatori Totto is good. For upscale you could check out Soto, Kyo Ya, or Kanoyama. Also Kajitsu for truly amazing Japanese vegetarian (I know... but really, they're a standout - Grant Achatz is crazy about them....)
Chinese:
Xi'an Famous Foods is a must-try. I'd say go to the Chinatown branch on East Broadway as it'll probably be the least busy at this point, now that they have two other branches in Manhattan. I like the pork burger, the spicy cumin lamb noodles, and the Mt Qi pork noodles personally. But everyone's got their favorites
Others%3
Prune is great, lunch is a good way to try it.
Breslin: If you liked Spotted Pig, you'll probably like The Breslin. I like 'em both.
For more fine dining, if you haven't been to Eleven Madison Park... well, they're kind of awesome. Of course every time one mentions them it tends to bring out a flurry of pro-and con- comments about them. from every side.
nd you can try your luck every day a week beforehand at the Momofuku Ko lottery, of course. Good place to dine solo, I think.
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WD-50
50 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002Russ & Daughters
179 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002Yakitori Totto
251 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019Taim
222 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10014Soto
357 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10014Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011Keens
72 West 36th St., New York, NY 10018Shake Shack
Madison Ave and E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010Spotted Pig
314 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014Murray's Bagels
500 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011Kanoyama
175 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003Falai
68 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002Kyo Ya
94 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009Please Don't Tell
113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009Momofuku Ko
163 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003Prune
54 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003Death & Co.
433 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009Kajitsu
414 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009Mayahuel
304 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013Ward III
111 Reade St, New York, NY 10013Xi'an Famous Foods
81 St. Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003The Breslin
20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001Xi'an Famous Foods
88 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002Torrisi Italian Specialties
250 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012Eataly
200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010Manzo
200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010Xi'an Famous Foods
67 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013›7 Replies-
re: sgordon
sgordon Thanks for the WD-50 idea not sure how I've missed it this long. I hear you on the steakhouses and will google the Japanese restaurants. As far as Eataly was just going tolook around maybe have a pizza or some pasta. And like the suggestion on R&D, will probably try Murry's since will be staying in the general area. Thanks again.
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WD-50
50 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002Eataly
200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010-
re: mick
Murray's really slathers on the cream cheese so I'd ask them to go light for you.
For Eataly, go on a weekday, before the lunch rush. Weekends are madness.
For Japanese, also add on Takashi.
Prune is also good for brunch. Locanda Verde also does a mean breakfast/brunch. And has a nice cocktail list. Ditto for the Breslin.
lso, having breakfast at Shopsin's is something to look into as an "only in New York" thing.
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Shopsin's General Store
120 Essex St, New York, NY 10002Prune
54 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013The Breslin
20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001Takashi
456 Hudson St, New York, NY 10011Eataly
200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010-
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re: mick
I personally love Shopsin's and think the food is great. Cash only, BTW. Must try dishes include the sliders, mac and cheese pancakes, slutty cakes, any of the "Pete" dishes. They also have good sampler platters.
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re: mick
sgordon
Jun 6, 2011 11:48 AM
I'm gonna +1 for Shopsin's. I like the food - it's nothing fancy, but it's not like anything you'll find anywhere else, either. It might be a little pricey for what they serve.
But that aside, it's a NYC institution, there's no place like it in the world. Granted, Kenny's not there as much as he used to be - and when he's there he tends to sit quietly, just talk with his regulars that he knows. His reputation is, as is the case with many iconic figures, a bit exagerrated - he's not as prone to tossing people out as the stories would have one believe. (Now watch, I'm gonna get kicked out for saying that and blowing his rep)
But when I'm craving a ridiculously over-the-top brunch, there's little betta than the Mo' Betta - a bacon (or sausage) & egg sandwich using two of the famous mac-n-cheese pancakes for bread. (And a side of corned beef hash, thank you.) There are some great sandwiches on the (constantly expanding) menu, too - for all the love No. 7 Sub gets for their wacky creations, Kenny's been putting seemingly bizarre combinations of things between slices of bread for a long time already.
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No. 7 Sub
1188 Broadway, New York, NY 10001
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