Critique my selections please.

[annie23]

Traveling to NYC for a few days with my sister. We have chosen Babbo, Red Egg for dim sum, Milk Bar for a quick snack, Chelsea Market for the lobster rolls at the Lobster Place and donuts at Amy's Breads, Sushi Yasuda and Nobu 57 for sushi and Balaboosta because it looks interesting. Love all the recommendations I have found on this Board and know you can help us make this trip even better.

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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

Sushi Yasuda
204 E 43rd St, New York, NY 10017

Nobu 57
40 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019

Amy's Bread
250 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

The Lobster Place
252 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

Red Egg
202 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013

Balaboosta
214 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

[sgordon]

My initial reactions:

Swap out Red Egg for either Nom Wah Tea Parlor (traditional selection, incredibly cute little place, recently revamped by the 20-something nephew of the old owner), Dim Sum Go Go (more "modern" dim sum) or Jing Fong.

Prefer the Lobster Roll at Luke's. As to going to Chelsea Market - it's nice. If you're a home cook you might want to do a little shopping for (non-perishable) ingredients you might not be able to find back home. Buon Italia has pretty decent prices on Italo-centric stuff.

I'd also skip Nobu (either location) for sushi. More of a place I'd go to for composed dishes, though I think for Japanese plates they've been outshined by a number of other places: Kyo Ya, Soto, and Nobu's former protege Morimoto just to name three. If it's sushi you're looking for - Yasuda, Sushi of Gari (though it's been awhile since I've been), Kanoyama, Jewel Bako, 15 East - all good options.

I like Balaboosta. It's not something you see terribly often. For "fancified" / modern Middle Eastern I'm not sure you'll find better (or any?) in town. Also, their other place, Taim, makes the best falafel in town for my money (and yes, I know that declaring anything the "Best ______" is likely to open a sub-thread of 100 replies stating contrary opinions...) and their "Sabich" sandwich is pretty awesome (if quite messy to eat...)

I am not a donut afficionado, so I will leave that discussion to others who have done more fieldwork on the subject...

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Taim
222 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10014

Soto
357 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10014

15 East
15 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003

Buon Italia
75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Sushi Yasuda
204 E 43rd St, New York, NY 10017

Dim Sum Go Go
5 E Broadway, New York, NY 10038

Gari
370 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024

Sushi of Gari 46
347 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036

Jewel Bako
239 E 5th St, New York, NY 10003

Kanoyama
175 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Nobu
105 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013

Jing Fong
18 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10013

Nom Wah Tea Parlor
13 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013

Morimoto
88 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Kyo Ya
94 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009

Red Egg
202 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013

Luke's Lobster
93 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009

Balaboosta
214 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

[annie23]

Wow, so many wonderful places to go and so little time to do them. Have taken all recommendations and streamlined our selections. Will post when we return. Thanks to all who have replied.

[annie23]

One additional request please. Seeking a Japanese restaurant for sushi rolls with cooked fish. Also would love creative Japanese creations. Any ides?

[windycity]

Ditto on swapping out Red Egg for Dim Sum Go Go and on going to lobster roll at Luke's. Although if you want to check out Chelsea Market for other reasons, there's L'Arte de Gelato with great shakes and gelato.

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L'Arte del Gelato
75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Dim Sum Go Go
5 E Broadway, New York, NY 10038

Red Egg
202 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013

[InfoMofo]

Great suggestion, but it should also be noted if you're going to the high line that L'arte also has a cart up on the high line at around 13th street or so. If you're going up there already you may be able to go there direclty. They don't have the same selection, and for all I know they jack up the prices, but it's an option.

[ChefJune]

<Swap out Red Egg for either Nom Wah Tea Parlor (traditional selection, incredibly cute little place, recently revamped by the 20-something nephew of the old owner), Dim Sum Go Go (more "modern" dim sum) or Jing Fong.>

I haven't been to all those places, but I definitely prefer Red Egg to Dim Sum Go Go.

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Dim Sum Go Go
5 E Broadway, New York, NY 10038

Jing Fong
18 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10013

Nom Wah Tea Parlor
13 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013

Red Egg
202 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013

[kathryn]

I hope you already have a Babbo reservation. If not, I hope they still have some open tables, otherwise the wait can be very long.

I'm not sure I've heard many people rave about the lobster rolls at the Lobster Place. My two favorites are at Pearl Oyster Bar (with mayo, sit down) and Luke's (less mayo, counter service, they also have a truck).

My favorite doughnuts are at Doughnut Plant (cake doughnuts only) and Peter Pan (raised, check the Outer Boroughs board).

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Pearl Oyster Bar
18 Cornelia St, New York, NY 10014

Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

The Lobster Place
252 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

Doughnut Plant
220 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011

[annie23]

Yes, we do have a Babbo reservation and consider ourselves lucky. We only chose the lobster rolls at the Lobster Place because we wanted to see Chelsea Market. Is it worth our trip there or should we go in another direction?

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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

[wew]

Other direction. Can't say that time spent in the Chelsea Market is time well spent. If you follow Kathryn on Pearl Oyster Bar rec you might try her fish sandwich which will make one jump up and down while singing.

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Pearl Oyster Bar
18 Cornelia St, New York, NY 10014

[InfoMofo]

I personally do like Chelsea Market and the Lobster Place, but all of these things are very subjective.

If you do end up cutting out Chelsea Market, I would go to one of the Doughnut Plant locations for donuts instead of Amy's.

In either case we are definitely splitting hairs on a lot of these recommendations. You have a great list here and you will have a great time.

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Amy's Bread
75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

The Lobster Place
75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Doughnut Plant
220 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011

[loratliff]

I like Chelsea Market too. I think it's a fun stop and every out-of-towner I've taken there has enjoyed it, so I think it's worth going.

I eat the Lobster Place lobster roll from their Bleecker location pretty regular and it's just fine for a quick lunch.

Having said that, I've never seen doughnuts at Amy's? I'm admittedly not at the Chelsea Market location very often. (I live around the corner from the Bleecker shop, though.)

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The Lobster Place
252 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

[ooglewoogle]

I third Chelsea Market. Love Amy's, Ronnybrook Milk bar and a slew of other places. Again, I'm an out of towner myself....and every foodie friend I have taken with me has loved it too.

Also, on my last visit, I recall that I had my best coffee in the city at Ninth St. Espresso.

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Ninth Street Espresso
75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Ronnybrook Milk Bar
75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[annie23]

Thank you for your "third." When a tourist, do as tourists do. So we will decide for ourselves. This Board is such a wealth of information.

[loratliff]

Ditto. Ninth St. Espresso is my favorite latte in the city.

[InfoMofo]

LOVE Ninth Street Espresso. The staff may seem a little unfriendly but that's just the piercings. They are extremely good at what they do, and pull the best macchiato I've had in the city. I love just drinking an espresso at their countertop; there's usually live music nearby or something interesting going on to make it worth the time.

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Ninth Street Espresso
700 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009

[coasts]

I also really enjoy Chelsea Market and often take visitors there. when combined with the High Line and Chelsea galleries, you've got a full day at little cost.

when in the market, find jarred peppadews at Manhattan Fruit Exchange. these are worth lugging home, both yellow and red.

http://www.peppadew.com/homepage/

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Manhattan Fruit Exchange
75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[asiansupper]

Balaboosta has nice ambience but food is ok

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Balaboosta
214 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

[annie23]

Would you recommend another place?

[asiansupper]

What kind of cuisine/atmosphere are you looking for?

[annie23]

The cuisine trumps the atmosphere for us. Just excellent food that cannot be found in the midwest.

[asiansupper]

You could try going outside of Manhattan: Chao Thai, Ayada Thai, Sripraphai - this board has many reviews on them.

The non-sushi breadth of Japanese food in the city is also amazing -- a few specialty faves: Kajitsu (shojin), Riki (izakaya), Yakitori Totto (yakitori) etc

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Riki
141 E 45th St, New York, NY 10017

Yakitori Totto
251 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019

Kajitsu
414 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009

[kathryn]

Even if the OP eats a lot of steak at home, I doubt it's in the style of Takashi, which I recommend.

For Thai, Zabb Elee. Perhaps Rhong-Tiam though it's been a while since I've been.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/774798

And Xian Famous Foods. You definitely won't find Xian food at home!

See also:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/786665

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Xi'an Famous Foods
81 St. Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003

Takashi
456 Hudson St, New York, NY 10011

Rhong-Tiam Express
31 E 21st St, New York, NY 10010

Rhong-Tiam Garden
154 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Zabb Elee
75 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

[princeofpork]

You will have a nice time. Nobu 57 is not worth the cost. After Yasuda you will be dissapointed.
Hit up a steak house like Strip House when you are here. Or maybe 2nd ave deli for pastrami.

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Nobu 57
40 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019

Second Avenue Deli
162 E 33rd St, New York, NY 10016

Strip House
13 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003

[annie23]

Thank you for your honestly concerning Nobu 57. When in Manhattan we always try to eat foods that we do not have at home. Steaks are a mainstay in our menu here, so another ethnic reservation perhaps.

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Nobu 57
40 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019

[nmprisons]

where is "home"?
when are you arriving?

[annie23]

Home in in the midwest and we are arriving this weekend.

[thew]

ethnic? what does that mean?

[annie23]

Perhaps I did not use the term appropriately. We just seek out foods that are not as abundant in the midwest--asian, etc.

[Bkeats]

I agree that Nobu is not the place for great sushi, but the food is still good. I never pass up the rock shrimp tempura in creamy spicy sauce and the wagyu beef dumplings so I still think its a place to go if you're looking for something that you can't get in the midwest. Another suggestion in the asian camp that's not in the heartland yet would be Ma Peche. There's a Milk Bar attached so you can kill two birds, etc...

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Nobu
105 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013

Ma Peche
15 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

Momofuku Milk Bar
15 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

[kathryn]

I 2nd the 2nd Avenue Deli, and would consider adding on Katz's, Russ & Daughters, and RGR's LES self-guided eating tour:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/493333

Note two changes: Guss's Pickles has closed, so substitute The Pickle Guys, on Essex just off Grand. And the correct address for Economy Candy is 108, not 145.

Also, you should add some pizza to your itinerary.

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Russ & Daughters
179 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002

Katz's Delicatessen
205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002

Pickle Guys
49 Essex St, New York, NY 10002

Economy Candy
108 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002