Most Interesting Dinner In NYC?
Hi
The boyfriend and I are celebrating our anniversary in August, and rather than do a fancy-shmancy dinner at one of usual suspects, we want to do something different. We want an interesting dinner, something unique. It doesn't have to be fancy, it just has to be GOOD.
We're really adventurous eaters, our only "no" is offal. (I tried...I tried so hard to like it, but just can't)
We're thinking maybe a traditional meal from somewhere a little off the beaten track? Maybe going for the best omakase or mole in town? We don't care if we're eating out of the side of a truck, sitting communal, or are the only english-speakers around.
Our budget is 100 per person.
Thanks!
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Sik Gaek in Woodside and get the massive seafood platter that comes with a live octopus.
While there is nothing too particularly outstanding about the platter besides containing a ton of seafood plus the live octopus which boils to death in front of you, it's quite an experience.
It's $100 and has enough food to feed an army. Brings friends, lots of them.
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Monica
Jun 27, 2012 06:58 AM
If you don't mind traveling, how about Russian dinner experience in Brooklyn? I think Anthony Bourdain once did a show on this. The restaurant is almost like a big club with lots of entertainment so you watch the shows and have dinner and drinks together.
Or if you don't mind going to Flushing, I had the most amazing dinner at this Chinese restaurant. The menu consisted of some of the freshest seasfoods like hairy crabs and other sea creatures you normally don't see. It was an experience as we were the only non Chinese people there. We were a large group so we also had a whole roasted piglet but i guess it's not for 2 people.
or how about turkish dinner with belly dancers? Maybe Le Souk?
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Several of the really good diners are gone from Manhattan i.e Market Diner, Moondance. Anyway,,, there are several coffee shops that are virtually diners but just don't look like diners.
Here's 3 interesting ( to a point) diners in Manhattan,,,, Empire Diner ( always thought of as the fancy diner, with it's candlelight),,, Tick Tock Diner ( a real diner, but it's counterpart Tick Tock on RT 3 near the Meadowlands) is way better and was on the show Diners , Digs, and Dives or whatever it's called. Brooklyn Diner ( on 57th St) has great pea soup with hot dogs in it, and several other good dishes. Of places that are coffee shops but are really diners,,, Big Nick's on Broadway and 77th ish, street..... it is run by Greeks , which is very good for diner style food, their burgers are perhaps the best in the city. The variety of the menu is as astounding as Shopsin's.. That's it have fun,,, I do not recommend The Square Diner in Tribeca ,,,Yuck›4 Replies -
$100 including tax and tip or before? What about drinks or wine?
It's best to give a per person value for food only.
Related discussion though some are likely out of your price range:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/855308›12 Replies-
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re: wheatxtoast
Off the top of my head, I'm thinking the Vault Tasting at WD-50 ($75). Or the cheapest kaiseki option at Kyo Ya ($95) and hopefully you can still book the private tatami room.
You could also arrange something at Public, I bet. Some sort of your own tasting menu. It's adventurous without relying too much on offal. You can try kangaroo or venison if you haven't had it before.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/798958-
re: kathryn
been to Public :( had venison lots, and kangaroo isnt very special (bf lived in australia)
WD 50 isn't what I'm looking for.
really looking for something different...but thanks!
it doesnt have to be expensive! Like i said, we're fine eating in a back alley as long as its good.There's got to be an amazing ethopian restaurant or special, back alley Catalans place out there, c'mon this is nyc!
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re: kathryn
OB tip: Bukharian jewish food (central asian jews) in Rego Park,Queens. Ate at Cheburechnaya last year and it was good, not necessarily revelatory, but for sure incredibly interesting.
The food is vaguely middle eastern, indian, russian/israeli, kosher so dairy-free but meat heavy, including bread/meat combos cooked in what are basically north indian style tandoor ovens. non-offal "interesting" options include the lamb fat kabob, which is what it says - maybe 3/4" cubes of pure lamb fat (picture bacon minus the lean), tandoored until the edges are crispy.
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re: wheatxtoast
if you search on the outer boroughs boards for either bhukarian/bhukaran and or cheburechnaya there are some posts debating the merits of the various options and what to order. the breads and kebabs were great - the salads run towards the hearty vegetables pickled end of the spectrum (russian influence) but are quite good.
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re: wheatxtoast
Cheeryvisage
Jun 26, 2012 03:36 PM
What about Jungsik? It's one of my favorite restaurants in the city! On the less expensive and less formal side, I suggest Rouge et Blanc. Both restaurants serve fantastic and interesting food.
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re: wheatxtoast
uhockey
Jun 27, 2012 07:08 AM
Okay, after gettting over the laughing fit induced by "The Best Omakasa in town" with a $100 budget, I'd suggest Annisa - it is "fine dining" enough for a special occasion, but the food is different from the usual suspects. Cafe Boulud could be another thought as Gavin's talents cover a broad range of cuisines, yet all of it is delicious. Aldea is also a thought.
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re: uhockey
yes omakasa for 100 pp would be difficult to find.....
Annisa, Boulud, and Aldea are not what I'm looking for, I'm trying to find something different than a usual date night place. But I'll certainly keep them in mind for the next time we go out for a dinner-date. :)I go out for dinner for work a lot, and this is probably a question for another time, but how are they for groups?
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