smdavid's Profile
Best olive oil to buy in Manhattan?
Also check out Zabars, Dean and Deluca, O & Co (Grand Central Station). I love Spanish olive oil but am also a big fan of Castelas EVOO from Provence.
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O & Co.
249 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
Culinary Arts Degree in NYC
I was laid off from my job and am considering a career change. I was thinking of going back to school to be a chef. Have checked out several schools in Manhattan and am interested in
either the Chef's Program at the Natural Gourmet Institute (I like that it emphasizes health
supportive cooking and is mostly plant based. I am not into meat cuisine.)
or the Pastry Arts and Baking Program at the ICE (my friends tell me there are better income opportunities for pastry chefs) . The tuitions costs are steep so I want to make sure I make the right decision.
1) Which program do you think is better? 2) Is it too old to be a chef in your mid 40's?
Thanks for your feedback.
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Natural Gourmet Institute
48 W 21st St, New York, NY 10010
Brunch in LIC or Astoria
For something more traditional, Sanford's on Broadway and 30th Street. Good value and they play jazz music.
Take-out Roast Duck and Roast Pork
Where is the best place to get inexpensive take-out roast duck and roast pork in Chinatown. I usually get them from Big Wong on Mott b/w Canal and Bayard. Thanks.
Se Ja Meh-- What to order at Korean Restaurants?
Keep it simple. Pajeon (scallion pancakes), Chap Jae (vermicelli noodles with veggies, meat seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil. Bulgogi (grilled marinated sirloin you wrap in lettuce and top with fermented bean paste), kalbi (bbq short ribs). Served with an array of kimchi (pickled veggies). If you order at least 2 meats, you can grill them on your own table. If you don't want to smell, have them do it in the kitchen but you take the fun out of it. Enjoy.
Causal Lunch near 40 West 57th St.
Mangia 57 W 57th. Downstairs is good for a quick lunch (salads, hot entrees, pizza, paninis...) and upstairs is full-service. Did I mention how good their food is?
menupages.com
mangiatogo.com
Apizz wine list help
Dolcetto from Piedmont is a bit of a lightweight. Nero d'Avola is an easy going wine with nice spice. If you want more body with soft tannins, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (least well known of Tuscany's big 3) from a sangiovese strain Prugnolo is a good choice. But I would choose the Chianti Classico which has a character of its own with a nice body, fruit depth (has spice), good tannin and great acidity which makes it food friendly. Good luck.
Italian restaurant for two.
Next time you're in NYC, Le Zie in Chelsea. Cara Mia and Roberto Passon in Hell's Kitchen. Passon has a prix fixe lunch for $13.95.
Any new tea shops worth trying?
Must try Radiance Tea at W 55th b/w 6-7 Avenues
www.radiancetea.com
good Asian noodles in Midtown
Get the gyoza at Menkui Tei. They are delicious.
Also try Menchanko-Tei (other location @ 45th b/w 3rd & Lex)
43 W 55th
(between 5th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas)
New York, NY 10019
(212) 247-1585
www.menchankotei.com
Chinatown Frozen egg rolls
Where can you buy frozen lumpia (thin egg rolls) in Chinatown? Thanks.
Dinner in Midtown, Maybe Near Penn Station?
Nick & Stefs (steaks, some seafood) by MSG. Maybe Bar Breton (french bistro) 5th Ave b/w 28-29.
Help Me Find the Best Mexican Restaurant in NYC!
Also try Crema in Chelsea & Hell's Kitchen (get the wild mushroom roll appetizer) in Hell's Kitchen.
Non-stuffy lunch near Rockefeller Center
Wow. Good luck spending $20 an entree at Bar Americain. That will probably get you 1/2 dozen oysters or a salad. Check out Mangia on 57 off 7th Avenue next time. They have a full-service dining room upstairs. Even downstairs, although more casual, is nice especially in the summer . The food is excellent though from the salads, to the paninis, hot entrees... Or a bit of a walk is Roberto Passon (Venetian) @ 50th and 9th with a nice prix fixe lunch for $13.95 except they have less items on said menu now.
Birthday cake for Manhattan Concierge type
For something good yet inexpensive, Financier with several locations all downtown but they will open in midtown soon. www.financierpastries.com. Even Mangia (have you tried the dulce de leche) makes good cakes too. Or the chocolate bee cake from Black Hound.
Best Mexican in NY
For cheap eats in NY
(good tacos)
Tehuitzingo
Mexican Deli
695 10th Ave, New York 10036
(Btwn 47th & 48th St)
in Astoria:
Tulcingo (good tacos)
25-26 Broadway
Los Portales (good mole sauce)
25-08 Broadway
Best Chinese Food in Astoria, Bayside, Whitestone ?
For Chinese take-out in Astoria (Szechuan/Hunan/Cantonese), Hunan @ 24-14
34th Avenue 718-937-4958/8945 b/w Crescent & 24th Street. Good, inexpensive and they can cook any dish to your liking. I always ask for extra dried red peppers, chili oil and hot mustard. And the guys are nice too.
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Hunan
24-14 34th Ave, Queens, NY 11106
Where is the Best Dim Sum in Manhattan? [Moved from The Best board]
Check out Ocean Jewels
(across from Flushing Mall)
13330 39th Ave
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 359-8600
7 Train to Main Street , Right on 39th
Clean, good dimsum selection, moderate prices. They are just stingy with the chili oil and hot mustard.
Same owner as Adaro (9W 56th, Pan Asian) Heard it closed down.
Where to buy shrimp (and veggie) dumplings?
There is a store across from Top Ten Cuts at 32 Pell Street that sells a variety of frozen dumplings. Don't know if they are still open though. Think it was called May May.
Union Square- Latin American, Tapas, or Mexican
Themey alright but it depends on your preference. I like tapas from Spain. Tia Pol is great. And they have a nice wine list. Worth a try.
Union Square- Latin American, Tapas, or Mexican
Boqueria, Socarrat & Tia Pol (a bit of a walk) for tapas, Crema & Suenos (new Mexican). Good Luck.
Union Square- Latin American, Tapas, or Mexican
Boqueria, Socarrat & Tia Pol (a bit of a walk) for tapas, Crema & Suenos (new Mexican). Good Luck.
Where's a not loud but not too fancy place for a group birthday dinner?
Try Tia Pol (tapas), Le Zie (Italian), Safran (Vietnamese). The food is good, inexpensive and they all have private rooms. Too bad Adaro (Pan-Asian) closed down. Don't know if Ise or Riki (Japanese) can accommodate your group but check them out as well. Better yet come to Astoria or Long Island City. We have a lot of great restaurants in the neighborhood. Good luck.
