Last Minute Decisions - Help Appreciated!

[jovialetr]

Hi all,
Long time lurker, first time poster here. I am in Manhattan this weekend (yesterday -Tuesday). Help would be much appreciated. I promise I will report back.
I've been reviewing this board for a while and have planned my itinerary based on all of the excellent and comprehensive reports. I am trying to decide between a few different options for pre-theatre dinner tonight and pre-theatre brunch/lunch tomorrow.
I have reservations at both Keens and Toloache tonight (seeing Memphis at 8). I also have reservations at Maialino tomorrow for brunch (obviously not near theatre district, but play is not until 2). I am considering forgoing Maialino tomorrow and going to Keens tonight and Toloache for brunch/lunch tomorrow. Any feedback on Toloache's brunch?
If it helps this is the rest of my itinerary:
Yesterday: The Modern Bar Room for lunch (excellent - had upside down tuna tarte, lamb & goat cheese terrine, cod and beignets) and Babbo for dinner (shared mint love letters and sweet potato lune). Amazing suggestions!
Today: Brunch at Minetta Tavern; TBD btwn Keens and Toloache for dinner
Tomorrow: TBD between Maialino and Toloache for brunch; Momofuku Ssam Bar for dinner
Monday: Lunch - Keste; Dinner - The Dutch
Tuesday: Lunch - EMP; flight home
Thanks in advance!!!

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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

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

Toloache
251 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10019

Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

The Modern
9 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019

Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

[bronwen]

It's Tuesday so you're having lunch at EMP - I like your list by the way. Did you go to Keen's or Toloache? I loved Memphis - great show!

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Toloache
251 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10019

[jovialetr]

Thanks! This board really helped out : )
Yes, just had lunch at EMP this afternoon. Amazing. Had black bass, ricotta gnocchi, bone marrow crusted beef and sheep's milk cheese course for dessert. They also made a variation on an egg cream; a tomato tea that was very concentrated and flavourful and a sturgeon sabayon (sp?). All excellent. I also enjoyed the bread service with the different types of butter and also that they gave me a little chocolate gift for my bday.

I ended up going to Toloache, which I enjoyed (especially the guacamole and tuna ceviche). Never made it to Keens unfortunately, so it will be on my list for my next trip. So many restaurants and not enough time!

Yes, I thought Memphis was a great show (even though we ended up seeing the understudies for both main roles - still great)

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

Toloache
251 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10019

[RCC]

Have had Maialino brunch twice now and continue to not being impressed. Forego.

[jovialetr]

Ended up missing out on Maialino because we went for a walk in Central Park and ended up making an unexpected detour to the UWS. Ended up going to Barney Greengrass and to Levain Bakery for the Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie.

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Barney Greengrass
541 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Levain Bakery
167 W 74th St, New York, NY 10023

Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

[jovialetr]

Ended up going to Maialino for dinner tonight instead (was at The Dutch the other night late night, so cancelled tonight's reservation). Maialino was excellent - glad I made it there.
Thanks to the board for all of the awesome suggestions! I'll report back on everything when I am home and have more time.

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Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

[kathryn]

Great itinerary; my only change would be to go to Motorino for Monday lunch instead of Keste. Also when at Ssam ask about the daily specials as they are not printed on the menu.

Personally, I wouldn't do steak as my pre-theatre dinner because I'd fall asleep in my seat! Also KateMW has a good point -- if you want to do the burger at Minetta and Keens for dinner on the same day, that's a bit much. Given that, I guess do Toloache for dinner and Maialino for brunch. But you should still drop into Keens after the show for a drink at the bar.

Have a great trip!

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Toloache
251 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10019

Keste Pizza & Vino
271 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

Motorino
349 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003

[Nancy S.]

I'm going to second the motorino switch.

[jovialetr]

Thanks!! I ended up going to Toloache for dinner. Had frutas guacamole, tuna ceviche, brisket tacos and pear margarita...all very good! Ended up sharing the black label burger and shirred eggs with morels and chevril...both excellent...I paricularly liked the shirred eggs..great brunch dish. I'd ask why Motorino over Keste, but I know there are already numerous threads on that topic!!! Would sharing a brussel sprout pizza and margherita be good choices? I always like to compare the margheritas.

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Toloache
251 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10019

Motorino
349 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003

[kathryn]

Motorino is less wet and doughy than Keste. Keste is more traditional "Naples" style pie.

At Motorino I'd share the soppressata picante and another pie. They usually have a daily special, too.

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Motorino
349 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003

[jovialetr]

Thanks, Kathryn!

[KateMW]

I think Minetta for brunch and Keens for dinner would be a lot...That's a lot of meat in one day!

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Keens
72 West 36th St., New York, NY 10018

Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

[jovialetr]

Haha....yes, that is what I was thinking, even though I am not sure that I will get meat or the burger at Minetta and might stick with one of the brunch choices, which will make a difference in my choice for dinner I guess! I was leaning toward Toloache for dinner because of that though, as I think I will most likely end up sharing the black label burger and one brunch dish at Minetta. Thanks!

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Toloache
251 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10019