Chow Baby's Profile
Osteria del Sole finally gone?
Marshall's sticker on the door says "SEIZED".
Does that mean something good?
It's been a downward spiral in there since the owners parted anyway.
Greek wine bar?
I should mention my intention is to familiarize myself with Greek wines.
Thanks for the responses so far.
Greek wine bar?
I'm looking for a wine bar that specializes in Greek wines.
Willing to travel.
Any help?
Thanks.
Eleven Mad or Gotham Bar and Grill?
Which one would you choose for a special occasion?
BBQ close to, or in, Dallas.
Big Al's, the name, sounds like good BBQ.
Is this a solid recommendation then?
BBQ close to, or in, Dallas.
Is Sonny Bryan's a walk from the hotel or should I get a cab?
Thanks, everyone?
BBQ close to, or in, Dallas.
I'll be at the W Hotel on March 1. It will be my first time in Texas.
Where can I find some good grub. I would love some BBQ.
I'll probably have a car.
So, I ate at Fiamma last night....
Fiamma is surprisingly ordinary while inexplicably pretentious.
Bruni loses one credibility point on this one.
Great SoHo restaurant for 14 people for Saturday night 40th birthday bash
Aurora SoHo.
http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/45252662/new_york_ny/aurora_soho.html
Babbo VS Del Posto VS Felidia Comparison
Having been to all three, Babbo is the only one I'm looking forward to again.
All three have great food and outstanding wine lists.
All three cost the most any one person should spend on one meal.
Babbo employees, however, display a welcoming demeanor....Not in a "Welcome to New York!" kind of way, but in a "I know you've brought a bunch of money, so let's get you a memorable meal." kind of way.
Does that make sense?
I'm not taking anything away from the others, I just mind the high price tag of Babbo much less. I feel I'm getting more than just great food and wine.
That said, there's this: Felidia serves more traditional Italian food, which might be more palatable to your mom. Just a guess.
Need a sceney lunch place for a Thursday....
Perry St is a great idea for me but may be wasted (told you I was obnoxious) on my companion.
Did I forget to mention lunch is on me? And I know I'm in for $300 at Il Mulino later that night.
What's up with Balthazar during the day?
Need a sceney lunch place for a Thursday....
I need a sceney lunch place for mine and my cousin's birthday.
She's turning 27, I'm turning 39.
I'm not gonna be happy, so the food better not push me over the edge.
She's no foodie by any means and is a picky and basic eater.
I'm an obnoxious food and wine guy.
Italian would work, but I'm going to Il Mulino with my wife later that night, so I'd prefer something else.
Downtown strongly preferred. I'm thinking Meatpacking District or SoHo (where I live).
Any suggestions?
Thanks, all.
Espresso: Why the Chowhound insistence on authenticity? [Moved from Manhattan board]
So, the gist of your post is that you feel people like what they think is good coffee (espresso, cappuccino, etc.) but good coffee is technically no good?
You obviously have no respect for the craft and skill that goes into manipulating and extracting the desirable flavors and oils of a simple roasted coffee bean.
From bean selection to roasting to coarseness of grind to portafilter fill level to tamping pressure to machine bar rating and temperature to extraction time and cup temperature to cold milk temperature to froth temperature....it's a serious process for those who care.
Like fine wine: The rewards are very personal.
If you don't get it, do what works for you.
where wise guy eat ?
Areo in Bay Ridge.
But I'm warning you, if you go you will see a lot of colorful characters and the women who love them. Keep your eyes in a neutral place and your comments to yourself until after you leave the building.
Here in NYC, there is F.illi Ponte Ristorante, but the crowd there is sort of diluted with Wall St. guys pretending to be masters of the universe.
Recommendations at Lupa
I don't get it when people don't get Lupa.
It's one of my favorite Italian restaurants in NYC and my wife and I go there about once a month or so. Luckily, we live a short walk away.
The food is outstanding. The service can be spotty, but if things aren't going your way just speak up and they become more attentive.
I like to get the Trippa alla Romana, but I realize that's not for everyone. After that, the bracciole is second to none. Try the brussel sprouts with parmesan cheese.
The wine list is very well thought out and hits every palate and price range.
Italian Wine Merchants question
It's not a friendly atmosphere. They take themselves VERY seriously and, in my opinion, take the fun out of wine.
Granted, for them it's a business, but I think they fail to realize that for most of the rest of us, wine is a hobby to enjoy.
I used to really like the store before they put together the super grand exalted tasting room and doubled all their prices.
I've had much better experiences at the light-hearted but HIGHLY informative classes at Vino on 27th St.
On the other hand, if you are a *serious* wine drinker that has beyond a casual interest and posses an advanced knowledge of Italian wines, IWM has an outstanding stock of well-chosen labels.
2nd. Ave. Deli delivers while waiting on line...
I love how you took their free "treasure" and then went somewhere else.
That truly is a New York moment. Well done.
East Coast Pride - HELP
Take them to 99 Allen St for Fried Dumplings ($1 for 5) and pork buns ($1 for 4).
Joe's Pizza or Bleecker St. Pizza for the Nonna Maria slice.
La Nacional for Paella ($16 per person)
Otto for Italian wine by the glass, a plate of mixed cured meats (salumi) and a fun young crowd.
Chola on E 58th for an outstanding Indian food lunch buffet.
Yatagan on MacDougal for a gyro.
Giorgione for oysters, wash 'em down with their house prosecco.
Small Italian plates at Bar Stuzzichini.
Christmas Eve @ LUPA
Glad to hear you had a good experience.
My wife and I went earlier in the afternoon and enjoyed the Feast of the Seven Fishes. We let ourselves be talked into the wine pairing, which was well-prepared by the comely sommelier-stress, but we asked to be topped off twice as our festive drinking outpaced our food.
There was nothing wrong with the pace of the food or its quality at all.
Everything was delicious. Nothing was spectacular except maybe the stew (the pesce spada was pretty damn good, too, though).
After a couple of add-ons like coffee and a couple of bellinis, tax and tip, I wound up spending about $340.
Yup. It was a tough one.
The meal itself was very good. Just the price was a killer.
It was especially tough considering we'd just spent the same amount two days earlier at Blue Hill which was an absolute culinary experience and a flawless meal.
Merry Christmas.
A word about OSTIA on 7th Ave South.
My company had our Christmas Party there last night. We were about 50 people with some coming and going.
It was a cocktail party with seats for about two-thirds of the guests (my decision) which encouraged people to get up and mingle.
It worked very well.
They had 4 dining room servers, one outstanding bartender, two kitchen staffers and one of the owners who is a very gracious food and wine industry professional.
His name is Matteo.
They pass-served us outstanding tapas for over two hours and then buffet-served a seafood paella, a Spanish recipe pasta dish, sliced filet mignon and baby lamb chops.
The party included an open bar, minus some top-shelf whiskies, with some pre-selected Navarran wines.
The restaurant was closed for us.
The whole thing was extraordinary.
I won't divulge the price here except to say that it was considerably less than $5,000.
Other prices I got for similar arrangements started at $7,000 and went up toward $13,000.
I think this place is one of the few bargains in the neighborhood and I wish them well.
I thank the staff at Ostia for a job well done.
Irving Mill or Blue Hill NYC?
Special occasion. Spending money.
What's the better overall better dining experience in your (humble?) opinion?
Lunch Help: New Job, New Neighborbood (Varick&Spring)
I live next to Mooncake Foods and Lupe's and love it, but very often my wife and I will walk to Spring and Varick and eat at Tauro.
Tauro is absolutely the last great bargain in the neighborhood.
It is a Dominican restaurant with a very homey atmosphere and great food. Lunch costs 6 or 7 dollars including a meat dish with large side of rice and a bowl of prepared beans with something to drink.
That may not sound very appetizing as written but I urge you to try it.
Get the pernil (roast pork) or beef stew.
Piedmontese food in NYC?
The chef at Aurora SoHo is Piemontese and the menu reflects that very well. If you have a specific dish you would like that isn't on the menu, let Ricardo know and he will make for you just as authentically as you would hope.
I've been in Piemonte twice this year and Aurora is in my top three Italian restaurants in the city.
Osteria del Sole
What's going on with this place? It used to be very popular, but lately it seems to be empty most of the time.
I understand there was a parting between the owners but did the food suffer?
Da Silvano Tonight - any ordering recs?
Order the trippa.
It's the best in the city.
Party place for 40+ people....help, please.
I need to throw an office party for about 40-45 people.
We'll need food and an open bar but not a sit-down dinner.
Would love to keep it below 14th St, prefer SoHo or West Village.
Budget is around $75 per head.
The party would be the week of or week before Christmas.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
*SoHo residents*
Aquagrill is one of the most expensive restaurants in the neighborhood.
What am I missing?
I was thinking more like Lupe's/Cafe Noir/Lucky Strike....
*SoHo residents*
Where do you walk to for dinner when you don't want to make a big deal.
Under $100 for two, please.
Where to Buy Italian Beer in Manhattan
I don't think there's a deli in Manhattan that doesn't sell Peroni.
