European vegetable and fruit purveyor coming to NYC. Where to eat?

[kochchen]

I am a danish chef turned vegetable and fruit purveyor. I deal only with seasonal and locally grown produce. I also employ various foragers and deal alot with leading restaurants in Copenhagen. Soon, I will be arriving in NYC and will stay for 3 weeks. I will be staying in Williamsburg, Brooklyn but will be discovering and dining in the entire city. I would love recommendations, so I can plan ahead a bit. I am interested in restaurant that are fairly vegetable driven, allthough I enjoy good meat just as much. I try to eat as seasonally and "locally" as possible and would enjoy restaurants that emphasise this in their cooking. I plan to eat within at both ends of the budget spectrum. What would you suggest?

[bookmonger]

If you're already in Brooklyn, there are some options there to check out. Roberta's grows much of their own produce on their rooftop. And I believe Northeast Kingdom grows much of their own produce and has some foraging going on as well. Both are in Bushwick, a short ride on the L train from Williamsburg.

And if you're willing to go further afield, The Farm on Adderley might also be of interest. The area also has some very beautiful homes if you like architecture.

[nmprisons]

I agree with many of the things listed here. If your will be here in one months time, call Per Se now (they take reservations 30 days in advance) and do their vegetable tasting. (Note that the $295 there includes tip) Few places are as concerned about their sourcing as Per Se.

Of the others listed, I am somewhat of a regular at both Craft and Blue Hill and enjoy their simple preparations. Have been to Blue Hill at Stone Barns twice and it is probably my favorite day-trip from the city. Head up to the farm, take a tour, bring a blanket and a bottle of wine and a date, have a picnic, walk the farm some more. Have dinner. It is awesome.

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

Blue Hill
75 Washington Place, New York, NY 10011

Craft
43 E. 19th St., New York, NY 10003

[kochchen]

Blue Hill at Stone Barns is starting to sound incredible to me. I will be sure to go there. I often hang out on farms in Denmark, but to fine dine the same place at night is new to me and sounds fantastic. If I am looking for a full out no expenses spared dining experience i NYC, what is the best choise? I was thinking about EMP. I like modern cuisine anddo not really feel that amazed by what I know about places such as Per Se, Daniel, Le Bernadin or Jean-George. They seem a little dated to me. Am I totally wrong?

[nmprisons]

You will get varying opinions on this board, but my take is pretty simple . . .

I would eat at Per Se over the ones you just listed (all of which I have been two at least twice, except LB, which I have only been to once) and do so pretty much every time. I am not sure what you mean by "dated," but Keller's (though Eli is really doing much of the heavy lifting now) food is the natural link between the farm-to-table stuff of people like Alice Waters at Chez Panisse (and Dan Barber at Blue Hill) and Grant Achatz at Alinea. The meal is not hyper-modern, but the menu is course after course of modern takes on traditional dishes and flavor profiles. If anything, I think it is designed to challenge traditional understanding of those dishes by integrating new techniques and local ingredients. When it is at its best, you think, my god, they just made that perfect, simple meal from my past 1,000 times better. There is nothing dated about that feeling. (I don't comment on wine service as I don't know enough to talk smart.)

My second choice from the group would be LB, as I am a huge seafood nut. Then EMP, which I have found to hit highs as well as anyone in the city, but the baseline is slightly below that of Per Se. The thing about EMP that sets it apart from the others on the list is an extremely well curated beer list and a great bar. It is also more casual than the rest (but not less expensive).

Daniel and Jean-George don't really do it for me, though the later has a great lunch program.

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010

Blue Hill
75 Washington Place, New York, NY 10011

[kochchen]

Thank you everybody for your help and guidance. New Question: In Europe, tax is included in the menu prices. I know that it isn't in the US. If I order a tasting menu in NYC that is listed at 110 $ along with an 90$ wine pairing. That is a total of 200$, but what would that check atually add up to? How do you calculate that?

[gutsofsteel]

Tax is 8.25%, and it is customary to tip 20% for service.

[kochchen]

Is tip calculated before or after tax is added to the check?

[gutsofsteel]

That's up to you. I usually pay 20% of the pre-tax amount.

[LNG212]

I thought tax is actually 8.875%?? Agree re: customary service.

[thegforceny]

ABC Kitchen

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ABC Kitchen
35 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003

[vegivore]

Not a restaurant, but I would check out the New Amsterdam market. They're on every Sunday from now until the end of the year. They usually have a forager there. There's also prepared food a lot of which is often prepared from local ingredients.

Most of the higher end restaurants use at least some local ingredients. In addition to what everyone else suggested, I'd look into Telepan, Mas, and Dovetail (especially the Monday vegetable centric menu.).

If you don't mind traveling, I'd also ask on the Outer Boroughs board. There's a lot in Brooklyn.

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Telepan
72 W. 69th Street, New York, NY 10023

Mas (Farmhouse)
39 Downing St, New York, NY 10014

Dovetail
103 West 77th Street, New York, NY 10024

New Amsterdam Market
South St Peck Slip, New York, NY 10038

[kochchen]

Thank you for the many suggestions. I will look into al of them. Just to clear up any misconceptions, I do not mind spending some money as long as the restaurant fits the profile I described. Are thre any local small farms around the city that is worth a visit? I already know about Stone Barns and will definately go there.

[ChefJune]

You should be able to hook up with local farmers at our Union Square Greenmarket. I'm sure many of them would welcome your visit to their farms. Saturday is the busiest (most farmers) day at the market. Some you might look out for are Keith Stewart, Rick Bishop, Eric Blew. The Greenmarket office I am sure would be helpful to you.

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Union Square Greenmarket
Broadway and E 17th St, New York, NY 10003

[Chuck Lawrence]

You may find this site of interest. They list some local farms as well as NYC events:
http://justfood.org/about-us

[Chuck Lawrence]

Craft
Craftbar
Collichio and Sons
Blue Hill
Franny's (pizza in Brooklyn)
Cookshop
Torrisi Italian Specialities
Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare
Momofuku Ssam
not local-centric but worth a visit:
Sripraphai - (Thai in Woodside Queens, great salads)
Peter Lugar (steak in Williamsburg)
Dim Sum Go Go (many great vegetable dumplings)

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Momofuku Ssam Bar
207 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Blue Hill
75 Washington Place, New York, NY 10011

Cookshop
156 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

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

Craftbar
900 Broadway, New York, NY 10003

Craft
43 E. 19th St., New York, NY 10003

Torrisi Italian Specialties
250 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

Colicchio & Sons
85 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[kathryn]

Overall, I don't think you're going to find many cheap local and organic and sustainable restaurants.

For meat, look into Takashi.

For vegetable driven cuisine, look into Kajitsu.

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

Takashi
456 Hudson St, New York, NY 10011

[michelleats]

I think there are a decent number of inexpensive places, though. Slice (a pizzeria) uses organic and mostly locally sourced ingredients and it doesn't look very spendy. I've not tried it, but I do hear good things.

There's Dirty Bird to Go, which makes pretty decent food at fair prices. It's admittedly not the best restaurant in town, but it's quite good for the price.

And there's Green Table in Chelsea Market. It can be uneven, but when it's on, it's very good. Prices for many menu items are quite fair. (http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/...) The grilled cheese sandwich is excellent and so are all the salads, made with noticeably fresh greens.

I'm sure there are more...

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The Green Table
75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Slice
1413 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10021

Dirty Bird
204 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

[penthouse pup]

Dirt Candy
430 E 9th St, New York NY10009
(Btwn 1st Ave & Ave A)

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Dirt Candy
430 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009

[gutsofsteel]

Craft
Gramercy Tavern
Blue Hill Stone Barns (especially there -they grow their own vegetables)

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Gramercy Tavern
42 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003

Craft
43 E. 19th St., New York, NY 10003

[kathryn]

2nd these, especially Blue Hill at Stone Barns, where you can walk around the farm before you dine.