Nosher's Profile
Pam Real Thai
Well, I actually think the reviews on Chowhound have been pretty balanced, on the whole.
I know that every time I've jumped into a discussion about Pam and have brought up its total lack of consistency, I'm never the only person saying it.
And in the end, I think that's the problem. When Pam is good, it is very good (not amazing, but good), and when it isn't, it's subpar. The problem is and always has been that it's hard to tell which Pam Real Thai you'll get--the good one or the below average one.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Sushi Jun review
Told you!
Good to see some other people singing its praises now.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Zabb City
Zabb City just makes me sad. It's the sister restaurant of Zabb Queens, but it's only about 1/8 as good.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
real khao sui, anywhere in Manhattan?
We've had a few pretty great ones at Thai Market at 107th/Amsterdam Ave (photos and write-up to come within a week).
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Tout Va Bien?
RGR is being kinder than I would--the place feels neglected and depressing.
Food ne va pas bien either.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Has anyone eaten at Kingswood?
Yes. We wrote about it a few months ago (photos and the write-up on our site)--it's good. Each time we've been back we have had pretty solidly good meals. Nothing outstanding, but very good.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
where to find fresh kaffir lime leaves in nyc
Yes, they do. They're $7.00 for a baggie of them.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
any good bakeries in hell's kitchen?
Amy's. Every time.
For me, layer cakes are traditional birthday cakes though.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Spiciest Thai (or other) in Manhattan?
Zabb City isn't the same as Zabb Queens--the restaurant with some of the hottest Thai food in the city. We're not big fans of the Zabb City shop, for some of the reasons you mention. That said, we've had good luck getting spicy food (on request) at Chai Thai Home Kitchen on 8th Avenue and 55th.
Pam Real Thai will do it if you beg them, and Wondee Siam II will do it for delivery if you tell the server that you're ordering for a Thai person.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Urgent -- carp?
Hi j230,
Wish I'd seen this sooner--I have seen carp on occasion at the two fish markets on 9th Avenue and 39th Street, but not with any regularity. Chinatown might be a good idea, but quite honestly, I think a trip out to Astoria is your best bet.
But think of it this way--if you don't get the carp, you may just see the golden pig! Now Jezisek...that's another story.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Golden Unicorn, Dim Sum, downhill?
Yes. We wrote about Golden Unicorn earlier this year--it has been getting worse for a while now.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Lunch at Jean Georges
Yes, of course it matters, in that it is possible to eat two meals there and get full from one and barely satisfied from another. The tiny portions are no bigger than a few canapes.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Lunch at Jean Georges
It depends--washed out blue jeans: not allowed. But dark denim jeans that could pass for slacks: possibly. I've seen people with black and dark-wash jeans in there once or twice. But nobody is getting past the door in bright blue 501s.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Lunch at Jean Georges
Portions really vary--this is one of our only criticisms. Some are minute (the sea urchin toasts, for example), and some are rather substantial (the foie gras, for example). Ask your server though--they are well trained and know the menu.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Lunch at Jean Georges
Hi John,
Yes. Wear something nicer than the polo shirt and jeans--if you have a blazer to put over the shirt, you'll be OK, but in general, other people in the dining room won't be wearing jeans.
Yes also to booking for lunch. The room fills up fast.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Husband wants Lobster Dinner
If you want the lobster in its shell, I'd go to Mary's Fish Camp every time--the grilled lobster is one of the best around. Pearl Oyster is a close second for this kind of preparation. Now, if it's a lobster roll you're after--it's Pearl before Mary's.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Lunch at Jean Georges
We wrote up a visit to Jean Georges for lunch a few weeks back (the week before Bruni did)--there are photos and prices listed for the meal, but the short version is that desserts are $8, in addition to the two courses for $28.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
LIQUID PECTIN
I've bought it several times from the Food Emporium on 49th and 8th Avenue.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Best coffee cake?
The coffee cake at Doma is pretty excellent. They don't make it there, but I know who does: Jay Plus Dan (www.jayplusdan.com). I'd go for that if I were hosting such a party. And Scotch with coffee cake? Really?
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Restaurant around 54 and 10th area
It's the restaurant I mentioned above: Il Melograno.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Restaurant around 54 and 10th area
I'd go for Taboon or Il Melograno--both close and reliably good.
El Centro is great for margaritas and...well, there's the margaritas. We've got reviews and photos of Il Melograno and El Centro on our site, if you want more info.
Pam's good on occasion, but the place is really inconsistent.
Good luck,
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Best NYC grilled cheese
Sandwich Planet does a mean grilled cheese. Even better when it's done on stirato.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Soursop in New York?
I've seen guanabana (the same fruit) for sale at Tehuitzingo on 10th Avenue occasionally, but that said, I have not seen it there for a few months at least.
Good luck.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Where can I find burrata cheese?
It is indeed a regular feature at the Italian shop in Chelsea Market. However, it is called Buon Italia.
I've also bought it at DiPalo, and have watched it made fresh from curds at Agata & Valentina.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Gelato Ranking
I'm with you on #5--Ciao Bella deserves that spot.
But really, Il Laboratorio del Gelato is easily my #1 with Grom at least a few places down the list, and Cones below that.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Crispo or Apizz?
I'd say Apizz. Crispo is decent, but it can be very loud and very bridge-and-tunnelish, especially on the weekends.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Amy's v. Billy's for Cake
I'd go with Amy's every time, with one exception: Billy's makes the best banana cake in town.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Oms/B? Oms/B alternatives?
We're writing about Oms/b this week. I really like most of their omusubi, especially the made-to-order ones. Plus, the calamari salad is really excellent.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Should restaurant reviews include interviews?
Yes, there seems to be some issue here over what is meant by 'interview.'
Unless I were doing something descriptive, not evaluative, I don't think I'd ever ask a chef about her/his ideas.
Nosher
NYCnosh* http://nycnosh.com
Should restaurant reviews include interviews?
I do freelance food writing (including anonymous restaurant reviews). But for our website, my dining partner and I often do as justalittlemoreplease does and fact-check over the phone or by e-mail. And sometimes we do ask further questions of the chef or staff person about their background or perhaps to flesh out something we picked up on or want to know more about--but we never do an all-out interview as part of a review. Certainly nothing where the chef gets a chance to expound on what s/he was trying to do.
Anonymity is obviously important to us (hell, I wouldn't even let the New York Times print a photo of me without a disguise), and there are ways to have conversations with restaurant staff without blowing our cover.
I think some of the dogma on this issue comes from the idea that reviewers should discuss the restaurant visits as discrete moments in time and talk strictly about those individual moments. While I think it is important to privilege that data as the most relevant to a review, I think background and context make a review more enjoyable to read and often more useful, since real-world diners often want to walk into a restaurant knowing more than that the halibut is excellent. But as always, the food eaten trumps everything else.
Nosher
NYCnosh.com* http://nycnosh.com
