Miss Needle's Profile
Wildwood/Cape May Questions
Thanks for all the replies! I only have one dinner as I already have plans for the others. So I think Urie's and Blue Claw are out as they aren't open for lunch. About Lobster House, I was thinking about having lunch on the dock, not the formal restaurant. Just wanted to order some shellfish and perhaps some fries and eat outdoors. Looks like Mad Batter and Washington Inn are the favorites here.
And I'll definitely keep Harry's Corner in mind if I decide not to do Maui Dogs. I know you guys really seem to like it but I'm wondering if it's worth it for a couple of non hot dog lovers. In Chicago, I loved Hot Doug's because they had a wonderful selection of very interesting sausages to choose from. But I see that Maui Dogs just carries just one kind of sausage. Are their burgers or chicken good?
anyone tried aarpan indian on 5th ave?
Thanks for your review. I also find that kinara is probably the best in that area. So I'm looking forward to trying aarpan soon.
Where can I find the best soup dumplings in Manhattan???
Dang, I should have hauled myself out to that Goody's when it was still open. Probably would have put them out of business. : )
Wildwood/Cape May Questions
Will be in the Wildwood/Cape May area in early June and have 3 lunches and 1 dinner to plan. Open to all cuisines (except Italian) and price points. Bonus points for things that I can't get in NYC (eg. waterfront dining, good Cajun/Creole). This is my tentative itinerary:
Lunch 1 -- Maui Dogs -- should probably say that I'm generally not a fan of hot dogs. But the place looks cute and there's other stuff on the menu.
Lunch 2 -- Raw Bar at Lobster House
Lunch 3 -- Mad Batter or Freda's -- which is more interesting with better executed food? I wish I could find a lunch menu for Freda's online
Dinner -- Washington Inn or 410 Bank Street or Peter Shields -- any thoughts?
I'll be driving back to Brooklyn and hoping to stop by the Bar Room @ Nicholas in Red Bank for dinner. Open to all other suggestions.
Thanks!
Where can I find the best soup dumplings in Manhattan???
Don't know about Rego Park's Goody's, but I remember when the xlb was $2 an order at Manhattan's C-town location. Unfortunately they had a limit of one order per person. Otherwise I would have ordered 3 of them and eat them all in one sitting.
Where can I find the best soup dumplings in Manhattan???
Thanks Kathryn and cheery. I've been to Chinatown Brasserie but not Red Farm. I agree that CB's xlb are the best I've had in NYC. I've consumed an entire order by myself. I'd like to try Red Farm at some point but am too impatient to deal with the waits.
Where can I find the best soup dumplings in Manhattan???
Is there saffron in Chinatown Brasserie's xlb? I don't recall tasting that.
Mission Chinese Food
Have been to the SF location once. Thought it was good, especially the kung pao pastrami as it punched me in the face with its spicy, salty and sour flavors. Some people dismiss Mission Chinese Food because they're comparing it to other Szechuan restaurants. Best way not to be disappointed is to appreciate it for what it is and not compare it to Szechuan Gourmet, Legend, etc. I don't know what the NYC prices will be, but the SF location's prices are extremely reasonable considering they use higher quality meats and donates 75 cents from each entree to charity.
I will wait a while before trying the NYC location as I like to give the place some time to get their rhythm going. And hopefully it won't be as packed in the coming months as I'm guessing it will be tomorrow.
Fei Long Food Court, Sunset Park
I agree that the fish with bamboo shoots isn't that great. But I didn't think it was very sweet -- more sour than anything else. But it looks like sweet and sour sauce. As they also have sweet and sour fish on the menu, I figured that they used this sauce as a base and add a bunch of sugar to it.
Favorite Paper Towel?
Enthusiastic vote for Viva. Bounty may be considered high end, but I find Viva more absorbent.
Per Se and Momofuku Ko on Consecutive Nights?
I think this is fine. You can just take it easy for your other meals. If you were planning to do both in one day, I'd probably say that you would need to rethink this.
Who makes the best bone marrow ?
I'm actually surprised that so many of you don't like Prune's bone marrow. I thought it was even better than at St. John in London (even though they use the same recipe). Perhaps I just got really lucky and got a good piece.
My vote would be for Blue Ribbon. The marmalade cuts through the richness a bit.
Talde...is it worth it?
If not for Top Chef, I think Dale Talde would have been still cooking at Buddakan. Top Chef has most certainly helped him gain a lot of exposure. IMHO, if Dale did open Talde in Park Slope without having been on Top Chef, I think it would have been a great little neighborhood joint, especially since there's a dearth of decent Asian restaurants. But I don't think it would have been a destination place that it is right now. And I don't think I would have had to get there before 6P to avoid a two-hour wait.
Guide to the New World Mall Food Court
"I was particularly impressed by Loama Ma La Tang....if anyone could elaborate as how to order , i.e., do you select vegetables and choose your meats and seafoods separately....I thought I noticed a sign that indicated separate pricing for vegetables and pricing. Are there different sauces and levels of spiciness....or is it just one house special sauce?"
I think there's only one sauce but you can specify spicy. At New World Mall, I went to Tian Fu for the dish. I did try Laoma branch in Brooklyn. I prefer the Tian Fu. I got not too spicy because of my dining companion, and it was still on the spicy side. You just pick whatever you want and don't be shy about asking for more or less of a certain ingredient. I don't speak Chinese so I point. They weigh the veggies and meats in separate bowls and cook them together. Veggies like greens do shrink quite a bit so I would take that into factor.
Maui (Lahaina / Hana) & Big Island (Kona / Volcano Village) recs sought
Definitely go to Mama's when there's still sunlight out. I prefer lunch to early dinner because prices are a lot lower.
Fei Long Food Court, Sunset Park
I did try the fish with pickled bamboo shoots. Not really my thing. The fish was dusted in cornstarch and fried, but the cornstarch laden sauce rendered the fish chewy and not crispy at all. The flavor of the sauce was fine -- bit sour and slightly spicy, but the texture reminded me of the overglopped sauces at many Chinese-American restaurants.
Fresh turmeric root
Just wanted to mention that Integral Yoga isn't carrying it anymore due to it being out of season. They said they'll probably carry it again during the fall. I've gotten my turmeric root at Patel Brothers in Queens.
What's good near the last R stop in Bay Ridge?
This is probably too late, but Karam is on 86th and 4th Ave.
Talde
Pretty lucky you that you didn't have to wait. I dropped by this weekend before 6P and got the last seating. The people behind me had to wait at least an hour!
The short rib kare kare hasn't been on the menu in a while. I do find that the mains tend to rotate out versus the appetizers. I highly recommend the steamed fish in banana leaf with tomato turmeric. It's my favorite dish there. It's delicate which is a nice foil to the very assertively spiced dishes. I also tend to order my food with a side of white rice ($3 off menu) which balances everything out. There's only so much salt, sweet and sour I can eat without feeling sick. I do need some bland for balance.
I really wish they would have a dessert other than the halo halo. I do remember them having other dessert options when they first opened up but I guess it didn't work out. If you get there early enough, Ladybird Bakery is just a block away.
Anybody been to Boat House (Cajun seafood) in Brooklyn?
Wanted to report my on my experience. Finally did get out there and ordered some lobster, shrimp and clams in the rajun cajun sauce along with some fries. Cooking was a bit uneven -- shrimp was a bit overcooked and the lobster tail was a bit under. But it was still fine. Rajun cajun sauce is different than Boiling Crab -- less butter and less of a rounded taste. I prefer the sauce at Boiling Crab. I'll probably try to order a mix of different sauces next time as they also offer lemon pepper, garlic butter and the "whole sha-bang!" which is a mixture of rajun cajun, lemon pepper and garlic butter mixed together. Their "cajun fries" are just plain shoestrings. The one at Boiling Crab is coated with a cajun spice mix. I actually prefer plain fries as I think they're a better foil for the boiled seafood.
Service is well-intentioned but a little bit green. The girls they hire are very young and inexperienced. It was a bit difficult getting my order across because of the language barrier. But they do mean well, especially as I was asked over 10 times (not exaggerating) if I wanted my water refilled. The water came in an opaque soda fast food style cup so the waitresses could not see when it was gone. Note to soda lovers -- they have a $2 cup with unlimited refills.
It was pretty empty when I was there as well. Hope they stick around for a while as this type of restaurant isn't common in NYC. It may be hard to draw many people as the nearest subway station is about 1/2 mile away.
Best restaurants for low carb/paleo eaters when dining out
So sorry for ruining your low-carb fantasy! But if you're going to have the carbs wouldn't you rather have British style fried fish with its crispy puffy batter over the flaccid Korean fish jun? : )
Best restaurants for low carb/paleo eaters when dining out
Don't know how strict you plan to be but there's sugar in the fish sauce. And the fish in fish jun is dredged in flour before it's dipped in egg. The flour becomes imperceptible in the finished dish.
Steakhouses can work well for low carb dieters as you can have steak or some sort of plain broiled fish -- though I could never pass up on the fries at Peter Luger! Perhaps some Middle Eastern restaurants for baba ghanouj or kebabs? And I think some of the yakitori skewers at Tori Shin and Totto can be prepared with a simple sprinkling of salt.
Good luck with your new venture! How often are you planning on having your carb days?
Anybody been to Boat House (Cajun seafood) in Brooklyn?
Never had the fried calamari or gumbo at Boiling Crab. Seems like the seafood boils are what people do as virtually all of the patrons ordered that in California. Yelp reviews reveal that people who have had Boiling Crab before seem to be disappointed with Boat House. I'll want to try it at some point though not sure when I'll find the time to get out there. Guess I should aim for sooner as you say it was nearly empty.
Casa Mono - Amazing Spanish Tapas made with the help of men and 'heaven'!!
Salt level is on the higher side just like most of Batali's places. That said, I still enjoy it but have to remember to drink lots of water afterwards. I actually find prices to be quite reasonable since portions tend to be quite large. I think it's one of the better values compared to places like Tia Pol, Tertulia, Boqueria, Txikito, etc.
Best tapas in Manhattan?
I know the board is head over heels with Txikito. While I thought it was fine, I prefer Casa Mono as well.
Inexpensive Restaurants in the Park Slope Area
Hanco's for banh mi (they also have a limited Vietnamese menu). No waiter service but a comfortable seating area.
Lunch @ 12th Street Bar and Grill
Zito's Sandwich Shoppe -- Italian sandwiches
Chip Shop -- fish and chips
Nuevo Mexico -- Mexican
Bar Toto -- they have a $10 lunch special; food is just OK, but nice if you're looking for some outdoor seating
If you want to pick up some stuff and take it to Prospect Park, Russo's for gigantic sandwiches (1 feeds 2 people) and their fresh mozzarella. You can also pick up some cheese, bread and charcuterie at Blue Apron Foods and have a picnic in the park as well.
Per Se Lounge or Le Bernardin Tasting?
My info may be outdated as I haven't been there in quite some time but Per Se's lounge's dining is done on low tables akin to coffee tables. While I'm fine doing that for something like tea and dessert, I would find it uncomfortable to enjoy a fine dining meal in that setting.
NY first-timer with adventurous palate
Second Peter Luger rec for porterhouse steak. I haven't been to every single steakhouse in Manhattan, but found Peter Luger to be better than Wolfgang's, Keen's, Strip House, Porter House, etc. Their tallow-fried french fries are not to be missed -- so much tastier than fries made in vegetable oil and even duck fat. It's like the old McDonalds fries but ten times better. And I love their chocolate mousse cake (it's more like a pie). Rich and light at the same time.
When do you tip low (10% or less)
The lowest I've tipped is 15% and it would be because of incompetent service. I don't penalize the server if they're slammed, new, food is bad, etc. It is rare that I have tipped less than 20% but I have done so recently.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/811804#7278507
Is there a circumstance I would leave less than 10%? Of course. If the waitstaff were rude, condescending, belittling, etc. I can see myself doing that. But I guess I've been lucky because I've never encountered it.
Asian Market: Beverages
Generally found in Korean markets, I like the sac sac drinks. They're full of pulp so everybody may not like them. But I find it fun to play with the little pulp bits in my mouth.
