DavyTheFatBoy's Profile
In desperate need of Dinner Recommendation between 23rd & 8th in Chelsea...
I second Co and Junoon. Also, Eolo is an excellent Sicilian Italian restaurant on 7th Ave at 21st St.
Babbo vs. Del Posto
For me, Babbo is a very good food restaurant, and if you sit upstairs, very comfortable and excellent service. Del Posto is trying too hard, too fancy, and the few times I've been there the food fell down. But we mostly order veggie on the lower price scale, if you want uber-fancy and meaty, I can't advise. If your goal is to blow a lot of money, Del Posto is a better bet.
The Manhattan Pizza Crawl, 2012. Maffei, Co., John's of Bleecker, Keste, Rubirosa, Forcella.
Next time you are on Bleecker Street, you really need to try Pizza Roma. Totally different than Neapolitan style, but really excellent in my book, right up there with Keste and Co. but nothing like them at all.
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Pizza Roma
259 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
Italian Dining
Only went to Osteria Morini once - the squash filled pasta was awful, with the squeeze bottle squirt of "Balsamic glaze" and a most un-appetizing color. I forget what my wife tried, but leaving 2/3 of our meals on the plate didn't raise on the slightest interest from the staff. Knowing at that point that we'd only be there once, we both ordered desert, and frankly I can't recall what it was.
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Osteria Morini
218 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012
Minetta Tavern/ Locanda Verde or Maialino for Vegetarian Brunch
This vegetarian would choose Locanda Verde. But still don't expect a huge number of choices. Carmellini likes his meat.
Travelling to Italy with many dietary restrictions
You probably need to seek out vegan restaurants to meet your overall needs (no dairy eggs or meat). Or bring your own food or cook yourself. But vegan places tend to have a lot of soy and nuts.
In my experience as a vegetarian visiting Italy, most mainstream restaurants think that anchovies and bacon are both perfectly okay for vegetarians. I can handle that in small doses, sounds like you may not. Alcohol is probably also a frequent ingredient in sauces. It's very uncommon to use or serve cheese with seafood in Italy, so that might be a direction to go, especially if you stick to simple grilled fish and seafood (although some might baste with butter).
Revisiting Florence 50 Years Later
Cibreo and Cibreo Trattoria are still there, and for a pure foodie thing probably places to go, but I really enjoy the same chef's "Teatro del Sale" across the street for the entire experience, food and entertainment.
Il Buco Alimentari e Vineria
As vegetarian's we found the menu incredibly limited and were not wowed by our food. Wells ladled on the praise a little high, but he was clear that it's all about the meat. He also made it seem like a little burst of Italy in NY, but in Italy we rarely find such a limited range of non-meat items on the menu.
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Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria
53 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012
Needed: good Mexican delivery in Greenwich Village
We like the Mexican food at La Camelia on Downing Street a lot. We eat it there, haven't tried delivery but I assume that they do.
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La Camelia
64 Downing St, New York, NY 10014
Looking for upscale-rustic Italian + critique my lineup
I Sodi on Christopher Street is delicious straightforward Italian (Florentine), all about the food and excellent service. Not much tomato. Quite small, you need to reserve.
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I Sodi
105 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014
really truly good pizza
Zero Otto Nove
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Zero Otto Nove
15 W 21st St, New York, NY 10010
Inexpensive place near NYU
Indian Creperie on Bleecker has excellent Dosas.
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Indian Creperie
190 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012
Italian Restaurant???
Authentic Italian food and good wine would be had at I Sodi on Christopher Street, which would easily fit your budget. If you are alone you might enjoy eating at the bar. Small, friendly, unique place with excellent food, not red-sauce or checked tablecloths.
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I Sodi
105 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014
Fresh locally roasted coffee beans near the Village or Chelsea?
I make cappuccino at home every morning. Finally making the move from pre-ground Illy to burr grind at home just before brewing.
I'm used to Illy Medium Roast espresso which I've been using for ten years. My wife and I detest burnt tasting coffee, not looking for over-roasted beans, even though the greasy shiny look is appealing. We do kind of like the slightly sweet "Cafe Vergnano" they sell at Eataly (half the price of Illy). But their grind was too coarse, and again I don't want beans roasted in Italy or Seattle, I want beans roasted in NYC.
Where should I be buying my beans? I'd prefer to buy from a NYC based company which is roasting in NYC. I'd prefer not to purchase from an out of town national chain like Whole Foods even if they are supplied by a local roaster. I figure that roasting adds around 100% to the value of green beans, would like to keep most of that 100% in the city. My first home-ground brew tomorrow will be with "Heartbreak Espresso" from Cafe Grumpy. Who and what else should I try?
Porto Rico banned me from the store fifteen years ago after they refused to honor a discount they promoted in the Villager newspaper, so I'm not eager to go back there, although there's little likelihood they'd remember me. Unless you tell me their beans are fantastic. Is McNulty's still a player?
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Cafe Grumpy
224 W 20th St, New York, NY 10011
Porto Rico Importing Co.
201 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012
McNulty's Tea & Coffee
109 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014
Sirtaj is gone
You are not the only one. It was our goto for Indian delivery for over ten years. I liked most of their veggie dishes - Navrattan Curry, Alu Gobi, Saag Paneer. Will be missed.
South Brooklyn Pizza
There's a narrow new little pizzeria on Bleecker street just off MacDougal called "South Brooklyn Pizza". I had sicilian slice that was definitely in another class than Ben's or other typical NY Pizzerias. This was more in the general style of DiFara, with Grana Padana grated on top. In my book, vastly superior to Artichoke Basil up the block. I liked the crispy bottom crust (like the old days when they nicely oiled the pan for the Sicilian pies). I added some of their free hot sliced peppers which were a great addition.
This will be my go to place in the neighborhood for a sicilian slice.
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Percy's Pizza
190 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012
Chipsy - new "Belgian Frite" and more on MadDougal
In the former Hummus place, a few steps above street level is this new shop specializing in french fries and other fried foods (Oreos, Pickles, etc).
I had their "Masala Fries", which were perfectly prepared crispy crunchy outside, soft inside and not at all greasy, dredged in some Indian spices. I liked them much better than I expected and will return. This may not have been the perfect appetizer before a potato stuffed Dosa at Indian Creperie around the corner - slightly heavy on the potatoes - would probably marry better with a Kati Roll from right next door to Chipsy.
They also have plain "Belgian" fries and many choices of mayo and non-mayo based dips. Note that they are all vegetarian here, unlike "true" Belgian fries done in beef tallow. For me the lack of a tallow is a plus.
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Chipsy
99 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
Indian Creperie
190 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012
Indian Creperie in Greenwich Village
Agreed, the dosas here are very good. Had the Onion Chile Rava Masala Dosa. I much prefer the filling here, but Sarvannas may have the edge on the Rava Dosa. But both are very satisfying. I actually thought the coconut chutney was better here, sambar a toss up.
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Indian Creperie
190 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012
A Tale of Two White Truffle Dinners: Sapori D'Ischia Truffle Festival 2011
I had a similar dinner here last night, the dominant flavors are truffle-oil. We did not enjoy our meal, perhaps we've been spoiled with Truffles in Italy. In the heart of Piemonte you pay $30 or so for one dish with a generous shaving of truffles, so to expect a three or four course truffle dinner in NY for $60 to be of the same quality is wishful thinking.
upscale indian for lunch
Junoon is outstanding for lunch. They have a $25 or so lunch special which has plenty of delicious choices, including a vegetarian Thali that I like a lot.
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Junoon
27 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010
The Dutch or Buvette?
They are both very good, you can't go wrong. Come back another time and try the other one.
Best price for good quality Parmigiano-Reggiano in Manhattan
Joe's Dairy or DiPalo for me...
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Joe's Dairy
156 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012
Is the Osterie d'Italia 2011 worth getting?
We've used the Slow Food Osterie D'Italia on trips to Italy for the last ten years and found it to be a great guide. Moat of our favorite meals in Italy came through the Osterie Di'Italia. We also like Gambero Rosso (and now use their iPhone app). The one problem with the Slow Food guide is that it is big and heavy, and you either tear out the pages for the region you are going to, or shlep the whole thing. After reading this thread, I just found that you can now buy an eBook version that works on any computer, iPhone, Android, etc. Not sure if Kindle will open generic epub books or not.
http://ultimabooks.simplicissimus.it/catalog/product/view/id/1874/s/osterie-d-italia-2011/
Although their registration page has blanks for IVA number and Coda Fiscale, they are not required. I paid by credit card, but PayPal was also an option.
"Italian bread"
Grandaisy is the the result of a breakup of Sullivan Street Bakery's two partners, and it's excellent and very similar. Sullivan Street bakery itself is now mostly commercial, but has a public counter at 533 W 47th St. The original location on Sullivan Street is now Grandaisy, Roman pizza and breads as good as ever.
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Sullivan Street Bakery
533 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036
Grandaisy Bakery
73 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012
Restaurants by Sheraton Fourpoints Manhattan Chelsea
Corner Cafe on 6th Ave and 24th actually has excellent bagels. Crispy outside, chewy inside. No special ambience or history.
Co (Company) at 24th and ninth is a great place for pizza. The prix fixe Indian lunch at Junoon on 24th between 5th and 6th is excellent and affordable, get's pricey at dinner. For Chinese, check out Legend on 7th Ave at 15th Street. Grab an Italian sandwich at Salumeria Biellese at 29th St, they make their own cured meats.
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Salumeria Biellese
376 8th Ave, New York, NY 10001
The Corner Cafe
729 6th Ave, New York, NY 10010
Legend
88 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Junoon
27 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010
Italian Waiters
At Da Umberto my waiter was from the Arthur Avenue part of Italy, I'm sure he speaks Italian.
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Da Umberto
107 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011
Family dinner near Astor Place Theater
Five Points (sister to Hundred Acres) and Chinatown Brasserie are both excellent restaurants near the theater that would work well for a family dinner.
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Five Points
31 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012
Chinatown Brasserie
380 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012
Hundred Acres
38 MacDougal St., New York, NY 10012
Near Sunshine theater (Houston St. & 2nd Ave.)
We like Boca Chica at First and First. I usually have their vegetarian green chile which is very tasty. They have a number of other non-meat/fish choices.
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Boca Chica
13 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
Kosher-friendly Restaurants
I've been curious to try VaBene, a kosher (dairy) Italian restaurant on 2nd Ave in the 80s. Would have of course have more than 3 or 4 choices, and would presumably even have rabbinical supervision. Has anyone been there? Any good?
Anyone know anything about Balkanika coming soon on 9th Ave in HK?
You can find menus for almost any NYC restaurant on Menupages.
http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/balkanika/menu
