Gorilla Bob's Profile
Does a Chinese restaurant exist in Manhattan that doesn't drown its dishes with brown sauce, black bean sauce or other jarred glop?
Try Shanghai Cuisine, New Green Bo, or NY Noodletown (Chinatown. all on Bayard St.), or Plump Dumpling (E. 11th St.) And that's just for starters.. Good Chinese is to be found, you just got to dig a bit.
Where to buy Coca-cola (without high fructose corn syrup)?
I've heard tell of this kosher Coke for years, but I've never seen it. I drink Boylan's (made with sugar), or Manhattan Special (sugar), or Mexican sodas (sugar). Whole Foods brand soda is 1.99 for a six pack, and the ginger ale is excellent. Avoid the cola, which has a weird flavor (as does Boylan's cola, though I love Boylan's Black Cherry).
Best Falafel in NYC?
Completely agree with Dorian, Azuri is amazing!!!!!!!!!! Everyone I bring there is thoroughly bowled over. The guy makes good soups too, and shawarma. And the chicken livers are to die for. Waterfalls, on Atlantic Ave. is also pretty good, but Azuri is tops.
Port, any recommendations? [Moved from Manhattan Board]
I'm not much of a wine drinker, but I do like port. Can anyone recommend a decent brand? I recently acquired a decent bottle of Ramos Pinto Tawny Port from Portugal, but I am by no means an expert.
recommendations for restaurants 2nd or 3rd avenue, 20's to 30's
There's a nice Afghani place, (Bimyani or something like that) on 3rd in the upper 20s. Also good German place, Rolf's, at 281 3rd Ave.
Your personal 20 most visited restaurants (share them!)
1, New Green Bo
2. Paquito's
3. Shanghai Cuisine
4. Stromboli's Pizza
5. John's
6. Banh Mi place on Broome St.
7. Pam Real Thai
9. Yum Yum Thai
10. Johnny's Reef Restaurant
11. Central Buffet
12. Gordon Ramsay's Maze
13. Veselka
14. Ukrainian National Home
15. Artie's Deli
16. Cafe Azuri
17. Rainbow Cafe
18, Totonno's
19. Plump Dumpling
20. Opa Opa
Beard Papa
I've only eaten the creampuffs, and are they delicious! I think the vanilla and chocolate are best, but whod'a thunk the Japanese would be so into creampuffs? Live and learn.
Tried Gordon Ramsay's London Bar yet?
The place is great, I ate there a few days ago and had an amazing culinary experience. I'm still basking in the afterglow of the food. Well worth the money. The staff is extremely helpful, and the headwaiter answered all our questions about the food knowledgeably and without condescension. I ate off the ala carte menu, and can heartily recommend the divers scalloops, the pork belly, the risotto with wood mushrooms, the lamb shoulder, and the chocolate fondant dessert. Fantastic! I think Ramsay is a genius.
Anybody been to Gordon Ramsay in New York Yet?
I just had a meal at the London Bar, and it was amazing! It's a very pleasant, if some what sterile, space, with a definite retro-60's feel to the design, but the staff is extremely helpful and pleasant (and knowledgeable. The headwaiter answered all our questions about the dishes without any condescension). The food was fantastic. We ate a la carte, and I can heartily recommend the pork belly, the divers scallops, lamb shoulder, risotto with wood mushrooms, the carpaccio of tuna, and the chocolate fondant dessert. My one critique would be a few of the dishes were a touch salt heavy, but that didn't distract from the brilliance of the preparation of most of the food. I was completely satisfied by my meal, and would definitely go back for more. Ramsay is a remarkable chef, and his ideas about food were obvious in the dishes. I was basking in the glow of the food days after. Ramsay is no mad scientist like Willy Dufresne, but someone who serves perfect versions of whatever foodstuffs he chooses. It's an older attitude towards the culinary arts, and one I believe in wholeheartedly.
Chipotle vs Benny's- any others??
Personally, I like the burritos at Paquito's on 1st Ave. & 9th st. They also have an outpost on 2nd or 3rd in the 20s, and in Hell's Kitchen off 9th Ave, under a different name. Though for what it is, Chipotle's is not horrible.
Chinatown Dumpling Tour
I'm very fond of the soup dumplings at New Green Bo on Bayard, or the same dish at Shanghai Cuisine, also on Bayard. And, after Green Bo, you can cross the st. for dessert at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. If you're feeling perverse, have the durian ice cream. Smells just like the fruit.
Grand Sichuan for take out...which one?
If I'm not mistaken, the two are not related. The Times did an article on the tortuous relationship between all the Grand S. places. I do know the one on 24 is related to the one further up 9th between 50-51st, and another branch opened on St. Mark's. The food is prettty decent. I love their sesame noodles, and Mao's Red Pork with chestnuts.
Oyster Recs??
Aquagrill, at the corner of Spring st. & Broadway, does an oyster happy hour, and the quality is excellent. I believe the max you can order at happy hour is 16 at any one time.
Centre Street Quick Lunches
I'm fond of Central Buffet, on Centre a block above Canal. All the options aren't equal, but you can't beat 4 choices plus rice for 5 bucks. (5 Choices without rice). The best way is to scope out all the selections at the steam tables, and then make your moves. The bathroom is not the cleanest. It is sort of like a Chinese greasy spoon, but I appreciate that.
