I'd like to give a "meat share" as a holiday gift to family in NOVA. Anyone aware of a reputable butcher, gourmet store or specialty kitchen/cooking store that offers them? Open to any kind of meat...bison, organic chicken, heritage pork, etc.

I'm even open to seafood/fish if that's available.

I'm trying to book a reservation for Saturday June 23 for my anniversary. Since we rarely get to run into the city for dinner (ah, life with a baby!), I want it to be as perfect as can be!

Was originally thinking of doing La Bernardin or EMP, but decided I wasn't in the mood for precious and fussy elegance.

Looking for something more downtown that has a lively atmosphere, but still has exceptional food. I'm open to all cuisines.

I'm currently holding reservations at:
Lupa
Raouls
15 East (I know the sushi gets great reviews, but is it a sleepy place?)

Any other recommendations? Less concerned about $ and cuisine. More concerned with killer food and good energy. I'd also be open to a no-reservation place, if it meant we could sit at the bar and have drinks beforehand. We've already done Gramercy Tavern, btw.

I plan to make a bird and dessert, but don't want to be in the kitchen all day making sides. Anyone know if there's a place I can pre-order or just pick-up some sides on Thanksgiving? Last resort is grabbing some prepared stuff from Whole Foods.....but I'm hoping to find something more special. Don't need a large quantity. Just enough for 3 or 4.

I know it's too late for your pizza party, but there's a Mozzarella "factory" behind the library on Leonard & Devoe. During the week they leave their door open (on Leonard) and you can ask to buy directly from them...as they're making it.

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Pecoraro Dairy Products
287 Leonard St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Prune is WONDERFUL. I highly recommend. The plates can be small and the tab can grow easily. Along the same lines of well-done, semi-creative American cuisines...

I love Back Forty in the east village. There's no reservations, but the bar area is a fun wait.

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Back Forty
190 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009

Prune
54 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003

How about getting Greek food in Astoria? I think it's only a 15-20 cab ride from LaGuardia, so it'd definitely be "on the way." Search for best restaurants in Astoria and I'm sure you can find some good options!

If you're willing to walk a few more blocks, maybe Pipa in ABC Carpet would work? I know they serve brunch until 5pm on Sundays and it's a big space. I've also heard great things about ABC Kitchen.

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Pipa
38 East 19th Street, New York, NY 10003

ABC Kitchen
35 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003

I second Back Forty for brunch - solid menu, great atmosphere and nice staff. I think Freeman's is over-rated, but the novelty of dining in that back alley may be worth it for you. If you're looking for a more unique menu I would also consider Prune for brunch, although you can't make a reservation.

For dinners I would do Babbo and Minetta. Maybe Public if you want a more polished, SoHo scene.

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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

Back Forty
190 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009

What about a schaum torte? Super easy with tons of egg whites. I typically do a lemon curd and fresh berry topping, but if the butter's a problem...I'm sure you could find another yummy topping.

Headed there tonight and would love to know what other standout dishes are on the menu? Or...anything that's so-so and worth skipping?

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Blue Ribbon Brasserie
97 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012

Thanks everyone! This is a great list.

My husband is a huge oxtail fan, and I'd like to take him someplace for oxtail on his birthday this week. We used to go to Momofuku Noodle Bar for the oxtail stew, and he loved it.

Any new favorite oxtail dishes? Would like mid-range pricing...$15-$30 per entree. But am also happy with a cheap Asian oxtail dish, as long as the atmosphere is still pretty cool.

thanks!

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Momofuku Noodle Bar
171 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

I'd like to take my husband out for a surprise birthday lunch next week and thought I'd try a restaurant participating in Restaurant Week.

Anyone have any recs? Mercer Kitchen? I'm open to all cuisine, except I can't do sushi b/c I'm pregnant.

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Mercer Kitchen
99 Prince Street, New York, NY 10012

I've had a late-night dinner at Uncle Nick's Greek restuarant. They have big entrees, but also really good appetizers and small plates.

http://www.unclenicksgreekrestaurant....

There are probably a number of restaurants along that stretch of 9th avenue that could be a good fit for you, if you do some research on restaurants in Hell's Kitchen.

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Uncle Nick's
747 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019

I love having ready-made burgers in the freezer for easy weeknight dinners, but am getting bored of my standard turkey burger recipe.

Anyone have anything they love that's not just a standard beef burger?

Homemade Cheez-its? That sounds awesome. Would you mind sharing the recipe, Katie?

After 10 years, my husband and I are FINALLY going to see the Radio City Xmas Show. I'd like to make a classic NYC night of it and go someplace magical for a drink and bite afterward. Someplace with a bar menu would be fine. Would love a bar that has beautiful decor and/or xmas decor. Maybe something at one of the hotels nearby? Somebody recommended the King Cole Bar. Other recommendations?

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King Cole Bar
2 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022

Looking for a good happy hour option (for a Tue or Wed night) in the Uptown area that allows for mingling room for a group -- weather that means lots of bar space or having drink rails and/or high cocktail tables and stools.

What I'd like to avoid is having to commit to seated event at a bunch of tables, where everybody gets stuck in one spot, talking to the same person the entire night.

Herkimer? Bryant Lake Bowl? Other thoughts? Thanks!

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Bryant Lake Bowl
810 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN

Wanting to make a daytrip from NYC to an orchard in CT (ideally no more than 1.5 hour drive).

Any recommendations on orchards? Would like a wide variety of pick-your-own apples and a good market (baked goods, etc.) Would also like to make a day of the excursion and get lunch nearby -- a cozy cafe or diner. Nothing fussy. Preferably local farm-fare.

Thanks!

I haven't been in a while, but want to take my parents there. Is it still great? Any recommendations off their dinner or brunch menu? Or...if it's slipping...any other creative American places you'd recommend in the same price range?

Looking for a good lunch place around the 6-stop at Astor Place. Someplace for 2 people, where we can get lunch for under $25 each (including a beer or glass of wine).

Recommendations?

I'll be in Cape Town over Easter weekend. Do most restaurants close on Friday, Saturday and Sunday? Is Easter Brunch a tradition here like it is in the US? Do you need reservations?

I have a good list of restaurants recs. I'm more concerned with what may or may not be available over the holiday weekend.

thanks!

These lists are great! Thanks everyone. I'm a New Yorker coming to Cape Town for the first time in two weeks. Staying for 2 weeks. I'm wondering if anyone can give advice on wineries that are WIETA certified? I would prefer to only visit these wineries. My husband is not a wine drinker, and both of us prefer low-key, rustic environments to the snooty expensive tastings. We are also interested in organic wineries. Any recommendations?

Looking to buy 3 ducks for Thanksgiving. And recommendations on markets, grocers or butchers? Would prefer them to be locally sourced ducks.

Thanks everybody! Really, really helpful. I will plan to do 3 or 4 ducks. And look at Amanda Hesser and Ina Garten's recipes. Also, quartering or splitting them to all fit in my oven at once is a good call.

I want to make duck for thanksgiving. Preferably whole and roasted. But I need to serve 8 people and all the recipes I have are for 4 servings (one duck).

Anybody have advice on doubling? Can I roast 2 at the same time? In the same roasting pan? Or, should I section them? Any advice or insight would be helpful. Thanks!

I'm trying to find a good place to take 10 people Friday around 6pm. Ideally it would have interesting cocktails and the option to get small plates or some kind of food.

Prefer no Italian or French if possible (as the people are from those countries).

Open to all locations, but would love something below 14th.

Can anybody recommend some good food sources for diabetic recipes? Blogs, books or magazines?

I bought some Tolosana ("Prince") beans recently out of curiosity, but can't find any recipes online for them. The package suggests I pair them with clams/mussels...but does anyone have recommendations? Recipes to try?

I'll be driving from Mpls to Duluth for a wedding and want to take advantage of any special food stops along the way. Any recommendations? Burger joints? Fish sandwiches? Farms? Anything notable along the way -- or near Duluth?