NYC 2009

Sorry about this, but a search for New York wasn't very helpful. Also, the landscape is a little different in 2009 than it was a few years back. So, my wife and I will be in New York for a wedding this March, and we were hoping to a hit a nice restaurant or two. The problem I have is two-fold: 1) we don't want to pay more than $200 for the two of us, max and 2) the selection is a tad overwhelming, especially considering every high-end place has at least one low(er)-end sister or brother spot, and often more than that. I mean, Mario Batali alone oversees an empire, as does Jean-George, Daniel, et al.

Add to the confusion a bevy of current or ongoing deals being offered to lure people to these places in these troubled times and I just don't know where to start. Nougatine? Momofuku? Babbo? Can a New Yorker or frequent visitor help whittle things down for us?

I would PM "hungryinchicago" who frequently posts on this board about his disappointment in Chicago restaurants in comparison to his/her native NY counterparts.

It seems like they have recently moved here so NY's finest may still be fresh in their mind. If you search their posts, you may be able to find a few NY recs "hidden" among the lively chatter. They also have a blog.

Please share whatever you learn. Thanks.

Mrs. Davooda and I (and the couple we dined with) really dug Babbo on our last NYC visit. We felt for the quality of the food and the wine suggested by the sommelier that we did very well for the $400 check (not including tip). Maybe - just maybe - one of the benefits of the economic downturn is that you won't have to spend an hour on the phone, redialing and redialing, trying to get through to make a reservation - at 10 am exactly 30 days before you wish to dine. That seemed over-the-top to me at the time but, then again, the meal was wonderful and we still talk about it.

Same foursome also dined at Asia de Cuba in the Morgan Hotel. We also left happy after dropping $320 plus tip. We had one of the side tables (we didn't want to sit at the huge shared table that runs down the middle of the room), the service was excellent, the portions were huge, and the food delicious. Unlike Babbo, though, Asia de Cuba projected an air of pretention which was off-putting to me.


Davooda

There was an article in the New York Times on-line that talked about how some big name restaurants in New York are becoming easier to get into and might even offer some incentives. Read more here. (registration might be required)

Davooda wrote:Mrs. Davooda and I (and the couple we dined with) really dug Babbo on our last NYC visit. We felt for the quality of the food and the wine suggested by the sommelier that we did very well for the $400 check (not including tip). Maybe - just maybe - one of the benefits of the economic downturn is that you won't have to spend an hour on the phone, redialing and redialing, trying to get through to make a reservation - at 10 am exactly 30 days before you wish to dine. That seemed over-the-top to me at the time but, then again, the meal was wonderful and we still talk about it.

Same foursome also dined at Asia de Cuba in the Morgan Hotel. We also left happy after dropping $320 plus tip. We had one of the side tables (we didn't want to sit at the huge shared table that runs down the middle of the room), the service was excellent, the portions were huge, and the food delicious. Unlike Babbo, though, Asia de Cuba projected an air of pretention which was off-putting to me.


Davooda

That's Asia de Cuba being Asia de Cuba. I've never been overly thrilled with their food, but the fact that it was featured a number of times in Sex & the City means that it's got this air of exclusivity. It's ok, but I can name about 20 other places in NY I'd rather spend 300 bucks on dinner for 2.

It's ok, but I can name about 20 other places in NY I'd rather spend 300 bucks on dinner for 2.

jpschust - it was dinner for four, as indicated by "foursome" in the post, though I doubt that would make a difference in your assessment
Honestly, I was unaware it was featured in Sex & The City as I am not a viewer. I had heard the food was good and the decor was cool. I felt it delivered on both counts. Also, it was a short walk from there to a rooftop bar we wanted to check out that was really awesome!

Davooda

Below is a list of places that I recommended to a few family members traveling to New York last year. Some of these clearly fall outside of what the OP is looking for, but perhaps they will be useful to someone else. The list is not in any particular order.

1. Barney Greengrass
This is a great deli. They are known for their smoked sturgeon and
salmon. Note that what they call an "appetizer" of lox, salmon, or
sturgeon, which includes a bagel and cream cheese, is more than
enough for breakfast. The scrambled eggs with onions and salmon,
listed under "specialties," is incredible. (We saw Mario Batali having
breakfast here, which I guess could be a positive or a negative. But it was
fun since I was reading Heat at the time.)
http://www.barneygreengrass.com/welcome.php

2. WD-50
This is one of our favorite places. We went there first a few years ago,
and again on our most recent trip. The chef/owner is Wylie Dufresne
(hence, WD) and he's considered an up-and-coming star chef [edited to add:
he has now moved past the up-and-coming stage.]. The food
is a little eccentric, but not over the top. We did the
tasting menu this time, which is $115 per person, and lets you taste a
little bit of a lot of different things. I think I'd prefer to order
off the regular menu next time, though. If you like Moto in Chicago, you'll
like this place.
http://www.wd-50.com/

Long discussion on the Egullet forum:
http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=53751

Older review from the New York Times:
http://events.nytimes.com/mem/nycreview ... A9659C8B63

3. Momofuku Ssam Bar.
This is a Korean-based casual restaurant that uses high end
ingredients and takes the food "up a notch". We went for lunch, where
they have a build-your-own wrap sort of idea. It was incredibly good
and very interesting. They have a more extensive menu at lunch.
http://www.momofuku.com/

The New York Times did an article on Momofuku Ssam Bar right after we visited:
http://events.nytimes.com/2007/02/21/di ... 1rest.html

Egullet discussion: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=92127

4. Jean George
We went to Jean George for lunch. They have a small plate menu for
lunch in which you get two courses for $28 and each additional course
is $12 (we split 6 between us, which was too much food. I'd say go for
4-5 plates for two people). The food is incredible -- it didn't seem
to be simplified versions of what they serve at dinner. The room looks
out on Columbus Circle and is a nice space. You need to make
reservations, and be sure you specify you want to eat in the main
dining room (they have a second room with a different menu). This was a great
way to eat at Jean-George on the cheap!
http://www.jean-georges.com/

New York Times (focuses on dinner):
http://events.nytimes.com/2006/04/19/di ... 9rest.html

Egullet forum: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=52318

5. We went to two places for NY style pizza on our last trip. My favorite
was Patsy's, in on 1st Avenue in East Harlem. They have an old coal oven. Note that
there are many pizza places in NY called "Patsy's," but most are part
of an unrelated chain. The one in East Harlem is the original, and
apparently much better than the other locations. We also went to
John's pizza in the Village, which was also great. My wife liked
John's a little better than Patsy's.

Patsy's
2287 1st Ave, (between E. 117th and E. 118th Sts)

John's
http://www.johnsofbleeckerstreet.com/index.html
278 Bleecker St.

The block of Bleecker street that has John's Pizza also has some other
great food stores, including Murray's Cheese shop, Faicco's Pork
Store.

Murray's Cheese
http://www.murrayscheese.com/
Here is an Egullet forum on the best pizza places in New York:
http://forums.egullet.com/index.php?showtopic=35551

Faicco's Pork Store:
http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7 ... store.html

6. Pegu Club: This is a relatively new, higher-end cocktail lounge
(aka a bar) [edited to add: it isn't new anymore]. They might have
food also, but we went for the cocktails,
which were incredible. We went before dinner and the place was getting
pretty full. I could imagine it would be jam-packet in the late
evening.(The owner used to work at Bemelman's -- see below)
http://www.peguclub.com/
New York Magazine article: http://nymag.com/nymetro/food/features/12509/

7. Bemelman's Bar at the Carlyle Hotel. We went here last year and
loved it. There is a pretty steep cover charge (I want to say $20 or
$25 per person), and the drinks aren't cheap. The drinks are
incredibly good. The waiters are very professional and more formal
than in a regular bar. There is usually someone who plays piano and
sings standards.
http://thecarlyle.com/entertainment.cfm

New York Magazine profile: http://nymag.com/listings/bar/bemelmans_bar/

8. Etats-Unis. Despite the name, this place is more New American than
French. It's a small, very cozy restaurant. One of my favorite places
in New York.
242 E 81st St
New York Magazine review:
http://nymag.com/nymetro/food/reviews/r ... nt/n_8659/


9. Craft. We ate here on our previous trip and really loved it. This is
Tom Collichio's restaurant, though he seems to be creating an empire
around the country now.
http://www.craftrestaurant.com/

Egullet discussion: http://forums.egullet.com/index.php?showtopic=4080

10. My sister and I went to Peter Lugar's for my birthday a while ago (when
we both lived in the area). This is the best steak I've ever had. My sister- who doesn't
generally like steak - loved it.
http://peterluger.com/

1995 Ruth Reichl review:
http://events.nytimes.com/mem/nycreview ... A963958260

11. Greek food in Astoria Queens. My favorite place is a seafood
restaurant called Elias Corner. Incredibly fresh fish; expertly grilled.
http://events.nytimes.com/gst/nycguide. ... 2207986269

12. Katz's Deli
I'm sure you've heard of this place. The hot corned beef sandwich is
incredible.
http://www.katzdeli.com/

13. Blue Hill. I went here a few years ago and loved it. New American.
This will be one of the top places on my list next time I visit.
http://www.bluehillnyc.com/main.html

14. Vintage Wine Bar. This is a wine store and wine bar that
specializes in New York state wines. Very good.
http://www.vintagenewyork.com/winebar.html

The above recs are great, but I would prefer Grimaldi's to Patsy's for pizza. It also gives you an opportunity to stroll around the Brooklyn waterfront/DUMBO area. Grimaldi's, in my opinion, makes the best NYC style pie out there and is somewhat akin to the neapolitan style we have come to love so much in the Chi.

Grimaldi's
19 Old Fulton St. under the Brooklyn Bridge
718.858.4300
http://www.grimaldis.com/brooklyn.htm

Thanks already for all these great ideas! Some I've been to before (like Grimaldi's and Katz's, both of which I will possibly hit again). Others confirm some of my initial instincts (Momofuku - though not the impossible to get new one, Ko, and maybe the Milk Bar rather than one of the noodle stops - and Jean-George). In fact, I just discovered that all nine or so Jean-George restaurants are offering an incredible deal - $25 prix fix lunches and $35 prix fix dinners, with only a few minor conditions. That may be the way to go.

Jeez, I love living and eating in Chicago, but there are some things NYC just does so much better. Pizza (I love Chicago pizza a la Burt's in particular, but in New York easy to grab quality slices abound) and bread, in particular. I would kill for a place like Sullivan Street bakery in Chicago.

Speaking of Ko, maybe it's old news, but their reservation system makes Schwa's seem reasonable. From NYMag:

The murmuring, deferential patrons who manage to find a spot at the modest, twelve-seat bar are chosen at random, by a computerized system that seems designed not to entice people to dine at Momofuku Ko but to drive them away. These seats can be booked only a week in advance, and only by logging on to the Momofuku Website. The computer begins taking reservations each morning at ten o’clock, and thanks to the legions of devoted and increasingly frantic Chang groupies (the 30-year-old chef was just nominated for his third James Beard award, and has been the subject of many glowing profiles in many glossy magazines), they’re gone not in minutes but in seconds. Under these trying conditions, getting in the door once, let alone the three times most critics prefer, could take months or even years.

I had the tasting menu ($89, plus wine pairings for an extra $48) at Tabla over the holidays. Tabla is also part of one of NYC's chef-empires (Danny Meyer's - Gramercy Tavern, Union Square Cafe), and the meal was outstanding. The service was very attentive and the food was really wonderful - Indian-influenced, but "upscale Indian" isn't accurate. The fish course was black sea bass in a green tea & saffron broth; poultry was stuffed pheasant breast with mushrooms and chestnuts; and the first course was Kobe beef with a rice salad. Really excellent flavors, and an impressive experience.



http://www.tablany.com/
11 Madison Avenue (at 25th Street)
212 889 0667

Here is a brief review of La Giara thanks to Kennyz for helping me find this place. Very reasonable prices. I just happened to order the wrong thing, but I still had a good experience.

I went to La Giara. You are right Kenny, it is probably a little cheaper than a Tavola, but the atmosphere is much more casual. They had a price fixe for $19.99. We didn't have this as we aren't dessert lovers, and would rather have had the salad. I had the Eggplant Napoleon,
baked layers of eggplant, tomato , smoked mozzarella & basil, and this was a good rendition. Jman had the spinach and goat cheese salad, which was nice. I had the special spaghetti of broccoli rabe and sausage. This dish was almost inedible, and I could only eat a few bites. It really was a pesto. There was so much garlic in the sauce, I couldn't taste the sausage, which was a shame because I asked if it was homemade, and she said that it was made in house. The pasta was cooked perfectly, and also homemade. The waitress asked if everything was ok, and I told her about the garlic issue, and she said the comment has been made before. Jman had the roasted rack of lamb with sauteed escarole, and he proclaimed them delicious. The waitress brought us a free piece of tiramisu, which was light and not too sweet. The service was very good, and the best we had in the city. The girl that served us was Croatian, and had a heavy accent, but she was very charming. I liked this restaurant.
La Giara
http://www.lagiara.com
501 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10016
(212) 726-9855

I also went to
Artisanal
2 Park Ave
New York, 10016
Reservations are a must 212.725.8585
The entrance is on 32nd between Park and Madison

We had really good food here, but the service was typical NYC. I guess we stumbled into a new "it" place. It was very trendy, and Mayor Bloomberg was there. A woman next to us said that it was becoming a very popular place. It's a fromagerie, Bistro, Wine Bar. We had cheese flights and wine flights. Had a nice salad frisse with the most tender lardons, I have ever had. Both of us had the hangar steak with frittes, which was very tender and very reasonably priced. I would return to this restaurant, but with a reservation. We sat in the bar, which was very bistro looking, but the banquet was very uncomfortable. The food served is the full menu.

Bumping this thread in case others are traveling to NYC (edited for typo) and might be interested in dining at Babbo. We liked it before and wanted to go again.

I called yesterday morning (8.20.09) at 10am ET and someone actually answered the telephone. I got a table at a decent time on the weekend night I wanted around two weeks from now.

I share this because in 2006, when we last visited NYC and dined at Babbo the first time, I called from 10 am tp 2:30 pm before I got through to make a reservation.

Perhaps the economy is having an impact on even the mighty Batali-Bastianich empire.

Davooda

We called 30 days in advance for our Babbo reservation, got through instantlty, and had our choice of time for a party of 5. As I reported, we very much enjoyed it, as well:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=25671

I just caught this in today's paper regarding Momofuku. Chang does seem to have a great publicist as well as his share of detractors based on the comments about the article. I've only seen positive comments on lth. Any thoughts?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 81526.html

I love Momofuku Ssam Bar...great food and shows Chang's style. Haven't yet been to Ko but my friends who've been enjoyed it.

Chang is a diety in NYC. I share Chang's own view that he doesn't understand why people see him this way and he doesn't think he deserves the god-like status. But he is brilliant and the food is brilliant.

Been to 2nd Avenue Deli [no longer on 2nd Avenue] a couple times in the last two years, and enjoyed it very much. Just good old fashioned deli fare, but a cleaner place and a more toned down atmosphere than similar places in Midtown.