GNRs/Dining in General in NYC

I'm travelling to NYC on vacation in about a week and a half for about a week. I've been once before and spent my time going to more touristy places at and around Times Square. This year, inspired by the year of eating at GNRs in Chicago, the girlfriend and I are interested in going to really good local options and exploring more of the non-tourist areas of New York.

I think we are open to most kinds of food, although offal tends to squeek the girlfriend out a bit.

As a secondary question, since it is restaurant week in New York, and we are planning on going out to some 'nicer' meals as well, is there any recommendations from the participating list: http://www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek?cid ... estaurants or just recommendations for nicer restaurants?

bjackson wrote:I'm travelling to NYC on vacation in about a week and a half for about a week. I've been once before and spent my time going to more touristy places at and around Times Square. This year, inspired by the year of eating at GNRs in Chicago, the girlfriend and I are interested in going to really good local options and exploring more of the non-tourist areas of New York.

I think we are open to most kinds of food, although offal tends to squeek the girlfriend out a bit.

As a secondary question, since it is restaurant week in New York, and we are planning on going out to some 'nicer' meals as well, is there any recommendations from the participating list: http://www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek?cid ... estaurants or just recommendations for nicer restaurants?

A friend was just in NYC a couple of weeks ago and raved about the Breslin. I've also had great meals at The Spotted Pig and Resto. Just keep in mind that b/c of RW, it may be less about where you want to go than where you can get a reservation at this point. I'd get some things booked since if it's anything like restaurant week here, the good spots will book up...

Have fun and report back!

My wife and I were in NY at the beginning of this month for a 4 day binge. We had the option to go to either "Colicchio and Sons" or "Breslin" for Sunday brunch. We chose Colicchio, and it was good, but in a span of 24-hours earlier this week, there were two different segments (one on "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" and the other on "Unique Eats") about Breslin's lamb burger. It's supposed to be incredible. I'm experiencing a little bit of buyer's remorse.

Of the places we went, here's what makes me want to get on a plane and go back:

Shake Shack in Madison Square Park
Imagine sitting in a park bench, enjoying the late night air, gazing at the illuminated Empire State Building peeking up over the treeline, and eating burgers and frozen custard. The Shack Burger is the most enjoyable burger I've ever had. And the flavor-of-the-day "Banana Cream Pie" custard was amazing. The texture was silky and smooth, but you could taste every part of the pie, including the crust.

Shopsin's
A unique NY experience. To pick an item on the menu is to decide what you desire most in life. I chose the "Calico" sandwich: egg salad, bacon, cheddar, pimento white toast. The extremely small store is in the Essex Street Market, which Saveur just wrote about, and which is a couple blocks from Doughnut Plant, where you'd be wise to try the tres leches.

Yakitori Totto
You'd need a reservation here. Just great yakitori, and watching the grilling action was a lot of fun.

Enjoy your trip!

Anko wrote:To pick an item on the menu is to decide what you desire most in life.

Very poetic...I love it.

Are you still not allowed to order the same thing as anyone else?

Khaopaat wrote:Are you still not allowed to order the same thing as anyone else?

Yep, no saying "I'll have what he's having."
No groups of 5.
No taking too long to order.
No taking pictures of the food.
And careful with the custom requests.

After reading about all the "rules" in various places, I was a little intimidated about setting foot in the place. But after reading the book (which is a great read), I realized that they're just the wishes of someone who wants to run a GNR, emphasis on the "neighborhood", not a tourist attraction. So as long as you're considerate of the servers and friendly to the other patrons, there's no worries.

The great thrill was talking to the man himself. When he takes a break, he just perches himself in a chair in the middle of the traffic and surveys the scene. As I paid the check, I thought about what to say. I wouldn't have put more thought into my opening line then if I was approaching Eva Mendes in a bar. Here's what I came up with: "So, that was great egg salad. Have you ever tried using Japanese mayonnaise?" His eyes lit up and we had a delightful conversation about the difference between Kewpie mayo and Hellmans, the desired texture, and how Julia Child's egg salad is the ideal. It was awesome.

For great neighborhood restaurants, some places come to mind:

Minetta Tavern. OK, not a "neighborhood place"...more of a scene and a destination, but the food is great and they have, IMHO (and that of Frank Bruni) the best steak in NY.

Tia Pol and their new sister restaurant (whose name I forget): great for tapas.

Soccarat (sp?)--on 19th; best paella in NYC.

Go to Momofuku Ssam bar. Fabulous.

Go to the Bar Room at The Modern. I know, not a "'hood restaurant" but you'll love it.

Yes, Shake Shack in Madison Square Park is a must.

Sichuan Gourmet on 39th near 6th Ave is also a must. Best Chinese in NYC.

If you let us know more of your preferences, I can add more. I lived in NYC for 12 years and although I live in Chicago, I go to NYC every week (tues to Thurs) for work so sort of live in both cities.

Taking notes for next biz trip - thanks!

And waving frantically to second the Momofuku Ssam bar suggestion. Last trip, a coworker and I headed there - called for reservations and got them for same night (and walk-ins are possible). I was a bit concerned it might be more trendy than fun and delicious but should not have worried. Super food cooked and served by a great team who are infectious with the fun of fabulous tastes. (And if they have the Apple Kimchi on the menu, please bring me some!) (Don't miss the stroll next door for desert at Milk Bar too!)

I lived in NYC for a long time, go to The French Roast, two locations one in UWS (one I would always go to) and another down by Union Square. It's open 24 hours and the food is amazing, really great french bistro, nothing is comparable here in Chicago city that I have experienced.

The French Roast
http://www.frenchroastny.com/index.php

Don't forget Katz's for deli, NY Noodletown (Hong Kong-style in Chinatown), Crif Dogs (Hot Dogs with an attitude on St. Marks Place), and an egg cream (Gem Spa on St. Marks Place is a good place to try one). Of course, there is pizza, but several threads describe New York pizza in loving detail. Also, you might enjoy some of the New York cocktail bars with their speakeasy styles (the closest in Chicago is Violet Hour). I recommend Apotheke on Doyers Street in Chinatown, but Little Branch in the West Village is also good. For a less speakeasy vibe there is Pegu Club on West Houston.

On the restaurant week list, I recommend A Voce, Aquavit, Aldea, Alto, Cafe Boulud, Gotham Bar and Grill, The Modern, and Nobu. Most of these only have special lunches, but Aquavit also has dinner. I had a wonderful meal at Aldea (a Portuguese inspired restaurant with a hot young chef) a few months ago.

Hello all,

Thank you for all of your suggestions! I'm too tired at the moment to write up a full trip report, but I went to many of the places you all suggested and had a wonderful foodie trip. Ill give a little blurb about everywhere I went.

Shopsins - Was so good, I went back twice. Just amazing food. I wish I had more words to describe it, but if I lived in new york, I think I would eat Mac n' Cheese pancakes for every meal.

Momofuku Ssam - The daily special grilled octopus might be one of the best things I've ever tasted.

Momofuku Noodle - I'm sorry Tampopo, but my heart no longer belongs to you. Best Ramen I've ever had.

Momofuku Milk - Ehh, cereal milk is interesting? That being said the cinnamon bun pie was easily the best dessert we had on the trip

Pegu Club - I went here last year and didn't much care for it. This year my opinion really changed. It had some interesting
inventive cocktails, and the Tantris Sidecar was the most interesting riff on a sidecar I've ever had.

Please Don't Tell - I really really enjoyed this place. The atmosphere was exactly what I'd hope for in a 'speakeasy' style place, and the drinks were phenominal.

Angel's Share - The 'looser' of the bars we went to. Still very good, but I didn't feel like the bartenders really had a whole lot ability themselves, besides executing the recipes they were given. My manhattan was far too boozy (looked to be a 6:1 ratio of rye to vermouth. at $15, I would have preferred Carpano to (what appeared to be) Stock). The other drinks, inversely, didn't have enough booze in them. (As my girlfriend pointed out, there is a bottle of Hypnotiq behind the bar, so how good can it be? ).

Lombardi's Pizza - They stand by being the first pizzeria in New York, and I really really enjoyed this place. It felt like a 'hood' pizza
joint, but with a crust that rivaled Spacca Napoli. I think I still prefer the toppings, etc at S.N. but this was very very nice.

Shake Shack - Went to the location on the upper east side and then ate in Central Park. Excellent shake, excellent burger. Long line.

Mesa Grill - Excellent dinner here after seeing a show. Roasted corn soup might be the best soup I've ever tasted.

David Burke Townhouse - Best service I've ever had. Amazing pretzel crab cake appetizer, and mint chocolate chip cake dessert.

Morimoto Sushi - Went here for lunch. The best quality fish I've ever tasted (note I haven't made it to Katsu yet, so this could change). The bathrooms were just amazing.

Katz Deli - Didn't really like it here. Pastrami was good, but I got frustrated with the ordering process and price.

Nanoosh Hummus - Hummus chain in NYC. Good hummus and wrap. Very bad service. Almost left without paying after waiting ~25 minutes after eating without being acknowledged.

Il Labratorio Del Gelato - Biggest disappointment of the trip. Every thing we had was very good, but didn't have any of the interesting flavors listed on the website.

Sarabeth's - Great brunch, wasn't very interesting food compared to brunch places in Chicago (Southport Grocer, Orange, etc), but executed very well and had an excellent atmosphere.

Anyone interested in Shopsin's should try to rent/see the documentary "I Like Killing Flies", about Kenny Shopsin. Very interesting.

Did you try the specialty dogs at Please Don't Tell? I tried the Wylie Dufresne dog (deep fried mayonnaise was a toping) and the David Chang bacon-wrapped, kimchi topped dog. The Wylie Dufresne had my heart. The tater tots were spectacular, and I don't like tater tots.

Definitely worth eating while you quaff. I didn't love my cocktails.

DutchMuse wrote:Tia Pol and their new sister restaurant (whose name I forget): great for tapas.

I serendipitously wound up having a light dinner with friends at Tia Pol last night. The food was pretty spectacular and very affordable by NYC (or other standards). This was the first good dining out experience (other than laudable meals at cheap Arab/SEA joints) I have had in NYC since moving back here.

Silky, blackened veal tongue on toasted bread with pickled onions, an assertive, peperry mizuna salad, unctuous squid in its own ink, and a well executed version of the tapas house standard, patatas bravas.

They have a rather paltry selection of wines by the glass, though the two reds I sampled were tasty. A minerally sherry that I swear tasted like foie gras finished the evening for me. No booze unfortunately. I was pissed - I told the bartender that I am an alcoholic* and require distilled spirits. "We have sherry" was the reply. Ditto from the server lady. Huh? Do you know the difference? No calvados in a freakin spanish joint??

Tia Pol
205 10th Avenue # 1
New York, NY 10011-4719
(212) 675-8805

*Not really, I just like booze. WTF no booze?

Last biz trip to NYC, we met up with my brother for lunch and he suggested Gramercy Tavern - it seems that if you go right at noon to the bar, you can easily get a walk-in table in the bar area and have one of the best lunches ever at a very low cost. (The roast beef sandwich is ... stunning)

Followed up with gelato at Eataly and some time ogling the goodies there.

So glad the original poster enjoyed Ssam and Milk Bar - I'm hoping to get back soon!

I met a friend for lunch on the upper West Side recently, He suggested that we meet at 5 Napkin Burger, a kind of fancy pants burger joink on Ninth Avenue at 45th Street. They advertised a "Burger for Two" made with short rib and brisket. It was quite good. Probably 16 oz (2 patties). Mine was served served with gruyere, a rosemary aioli, lettuce and tomato.

For some reason, their menu of "Burgers For One" (10 oz)are made of chuck rather than the combo described herein. They looked good at neighboring tables.

5 Napkin Burger
630 9th Ave
New York, NY 10036
(212) 757-2277

Just to add my thoughts on Momofuku Ssam. Not only was the food great, but at least at lunch, when we were there, they have a $25 pre fixe that is one of the great deals around. Choice of one of three or four appetizers (including the famous pork buns), choice of one of several entrees and one of two desserts. If you're a big eater, you might find the portions small (they were perfect for me, but I'm a lighter eater), but the quality was tops.

I have to add that we found the Momofuku Dairy Bar completely uninteresting. We sampled at least five items (but not the soft serve), and all of them were overly sweet and with little distintive flavor. This is in contrast with the desserts at Momofuku Ssam, which were one of the highlights of the meal.

Habibi wrote:

DutchMuse wrote:Tia Pol and their new sister restaurant (whose name I forget): great for tapas.

I serendipitously wound up having a light dinner with friends at Tia Pol last night. The food was pretty spectacular and very affordable by NYC (or other standards).

I had an overnight work trip to New York and went to Tia Pol for dinner. On a Thursday night at 8, the place was jam-packed and it took a good 30 minutes to get a seat at the bar. Luckily the hostess kept me well-supplied with wine (Habibi is right... no hard booze).

Once I got my seat at the bar, the food started flowing. Small skewers of olives, pickled hot peppers, and anchovies got me off to a spicy, salty, vinegary start. Great way to wake up the palate. Blistered, salted shishito peppers were at least as delicious as Mado's. Razor clams were cooked under high heat (salamander? on a plancha?), which gave them great flavor, but were slightly too chewy for my taste.

Veal tongue slices were served over toasted baguette with pickled onions and a little cress, offering a balance of flavors and textures. Moorish lamb skewers with tender and flavorful, but could have benefited from a bit of char and more gamey lamb, but that's really picking nits.

Chicken liver mouse was served over toasted baguette, with a drizzle of Pedro Ximénez sherry. Holy crap. I love Rob Levitt's chicken liver mouse as much as the next Mado/Butcher & Larder fan, but this was on another level. Unbelievably rich and creamy, with that great livery flavor - the crunchy, toasted baguette offered textural contrast and the touch of sweet dessert sherry really made the dish. Just incredible.

I shared some of my dishes with my neighbors at the bar, and tried their pan con tomate and patatas bravas, which were both well-executed classics.

And then there was dessert. When I asked the hostess who had helped me pick from the extensive tapas menu, she answered "fried custard" without hesitation. Balls of leche frita were served with booze-soaked cherries. Hot, creamy, fried custard with a tangy, boozy condiment - what's not to like? As I mentioned posted this morning, it was the best thing I've eaten (recently).

I'll definitely be back, though I'll probably go Sun-Wed when apparently it's much more low-key.

-Dan

YourPalWill wrote:I met a friend for lunch on the upper West Side recently, .....on Ninth Avenue at 45th Street.

At the risk of being a nitpicker, that is not the UWS. That would be Hell's Kitchen.

I'm going to be in NYC for five days, staying/meeting near 35th and Park (Murray Hill).

I'm in charge of ordering lunches delivered for four days for a group of 20. Some will certainly be vegetarians (20%?) and some will not be adventurous eaters. I'll have to stick to a budget that maybe needs to average out at $15 - $20, including tax and tip (is that reasonable in NYC??).

All of my research here has me salivating -- but I'm thinking I have found mostly places for my own dinner, and not a lot of lunches.

Though I am wondering if Szechuan Gourmet would deliver lunch. And whether banh mi from Momofuku Ma Peche would be too weird for the people who will be at the meeting (my guess is yes; sigh). It's near 2nd Ave. Deli, but they don't seem to do vegetarian.

I will definitely try to get to Momofuku Noodle for dinner -- do I need reservations at 7pm on a weeknight? And will go to Szechuan Gourmet, if I don't order lunch from there.

The meeting will be not far from Pepe Rosso, which caters panini -- anyone been there? Also, one day I will definitely want pizza -- I know there are lots of opinions about pizza in NYC -- thoughts on who would be good that would deliver to 35th and Park? Or maybe pide and shephard salad from Ali Baba Turkish Cuisine nearby?

I could obsess over this for a long time. Any suggestions?

Last spring I spent six weeks near Union Square and I posted about my experience eating sandwiches within 15 blocks of Union Square. I don't know whether any of these places deliver, but I particularly recommend Porchetta's (in the East Village) and Defonte's (an Italian sandwich shop). I also recommend as a very good choice for Bahn Mi, Baoguette (31 Lexington Avenue, between 25th and 26th, 212-518-4089).

My experience is available at:
Fifteen Blocks of Sandwiches

Habibi wrote:No calvados in a freakin spanish joint??

You do know that Calvados is not Spanish, right? Or am I just missing the joke?

We just got back from a lovely 5 days in NYC, and spent much of it eating, talking about eating, and walking to and from places to eat For geographic reasons, we had coffee one day at Stumptown (part of the Ace Hotel - where we were not staying) and lunch one day at Carnegie Deli and dinner one night at Sapphire Indian (quite a good option if you are seeing a show at Lincoln Center).

I'll be doing separate reports in the threads for restaurants that have them (Spotted Pig, Momofuku Ssam, Prune)

Based on recs here, we went to Tia Pol on Saturday night. We had a reservation, which is good because the place was packed. We had NO wait for our table, but no other tables were open. It was casual, and the food was good. Not exceptional, but I like Spanish food, and it was a fun time. Our waiter was very good, the wine list was fine, and we enjoyed ourselves. I didn't feel like it was a "spot the famous people" sort of place, either, though I think the 3 men sitting behind us were famous or local celebrities, something beyond just being regulars.

Tia Pol
205 10th Avenue # 1
New York, NY 10011-4719
(212) 675-8805

Sapphire Indian Cuisine
http://sapphireindiancuisine.com
1845 Broadway
New York, NY 10023-7622
(212) 245-4444

So, I finally got to go to Shake Shack yesterday, and managed to be both impressed and disappointed at the same time. The beef was delicious, and the fried mushroom on the shack stack was amazing, but... the bun. The bun! What the heck is up with the bun? Even toasted, the bun was way too soft and airy; it just couldn't stand up to the delightully greasy and cheesy burger.

It was frustrating, because I've never had such a beefy patty at that price point before. I came so close to perfection, then fumbled at the very last moment. I was still overall pleased with the experience, but I want go home, and fly back for a return trip with an armload of pretzel buns and kaiser rolls, and scream, "Use these! For the love of God, just use these!!!".

Or maybe not.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

OK, stop the presses. I've now been to Boulud Sud three times and each time has been absolutely exceptional. Its informal yet sophisticated at the same time. (Owned by Daniel Boulud, its next door to Bar Boulud, which IMHO is ok but not exceptional). Boulud Sud is just terrific with great food and a staff that seems to be loving every minute of their experience. This past week I was there and Danny Meyer (who's a friend) was seated right next to me at at an adjoining table--nice to chat and he seemed to be enjoying himself too. After Danny's party left, a family came and we chatted a bit. They were from Paris and at the end of their meal (yes, I guess I was there several hours I was having so much fun) I asked them how they liked it. "Exceptional" said the father, with his wife and daughter nodding in agreement.

Check it out--its not cheap but its not in the high price range either. Some of my favs there are the octopus appetizer and the lamb main course. Sommelier Michael Madrigale will wow you if you let him.

Sam Sifton of the New York Times likes Boulud Sud as well.