mlle_mustard's Profile
Hungarian cuisine
I remember hearing that it was one of the largest expat communities in the world. I took Hungarian classes at Rutgers, and that was given as an explanation why Rutgers teaches the language. There was also a Hungarian cultural center and the like in New Brunswick. No decent restaurants, though, from what I remember.
Restaurants everyone loves--except you
Frankie's 457.
I used to more or less live around the corner. It was spectacular as a neighborhood restaurant. Waiting 2 hours+ for a table? I don't think so.
German/Austrian
I went to Edi & the Wolf the other night (their 3rd night of service!). It's fabulous. Great food, a really good & reasonably priced selection of wine and beers. They've got Stiegl, plus a wheat beer and about 4 other choices on draft. They've got a decent selection of snack-sized stuff, too (the liptauer & bread was great), if you just want drinks and nibbles.
I Iove Cafe Katja, but Edi's going to seriously tug at my loyalty. It's much larger than Cafe Katja, and there's a pretty decently sized bar space, so you could actually go with a bigger group of people, which I wouldn't recommend at Katja. I'd say for fun & lively, plus the thrill of going someplace new*, Edi's your place.
And, if you don't like it, Zum Schneider is a minute away.
* Don't let the new thing scare you off. Service was great and I didn't notice any real kinks the night I was there.
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Cafe Katja
79 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Zum Schneider
229 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009
Edi & the Wolf
102 Avenue C, New York, NY 10009
Brunch with Parents in Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill
I totally agree with the above that Union Smith is awful.
I'd suggest Alma, on Columbia, which isn't that far (I'd walk over almost every single weekend from Carroll Gardens for brunch!). It's "Mexican." They've got an amazing view of lower Manhattan. Lovely cocktails, and the Mexican coffee is great (with tequila) is excellent on snowy awful winter days.
Usually people want to sit upstairs on the roofdeck (which is enclosed in the winter), but I've always preferred downstairs. There's never a wait for a table downstairs, and the service is better. They should be able to accommodate 8. I like their brunch menu much better than the dinner menu: the flautas are excellent appetizers, and they've got good guacemole and chips. They've got a range of sandwiches (tortas) and brunchier items. I'm a fan of the chilaquiles (with a poached egg, and unlike most chilaquiles I've had elsewhere, but far better!), and they sometimes have really good specials. It's reasonably child friendly. There is a steep flight of stairs-- although maybe there is elevator access from the bar below?-- which might be a consideration if you're got anyone with mobility issues.
I like Alma a lot.
Frankie's will be packed, and unless they take reservations for larger parties, I imagine you're in for a long wait. Prime Meats would be another option, but honestly, I'm not a huge fan, and the French toast is better at Frankie's (they use a different bread, oddly, at Prime Meats; it's just not as satisfying). There's also Buttermilk Channel, but again, the wait might be crazy.
Petite Cafe is super cute and not at all expensive; I don't like their homefries (I have had some BAD potatoes there), so that's a deal breaker for me, but it is a charming place with very nice staff. But, again, it's not the greatest food along that particular stretch.
Clover Club is awesome for a boozy brunch, particularly when brunch consists mostly of gin fizzes (that is, a proper Ramos Gin Fizz with egg whites). Oh, yum. But, the damage to your wallet would be substantial in that case. Let's just say it is a good thing I was very tipsy from the gin fizzes when I got the bill, as it helped dull the pain.
The Cuban place on Smith has fabulous coffee, but the food has always been forgettable. I used to grab a coffee to go from there and then have brunch elsewhere (yes, seriously; I'd always get a cocktail at the intended brunch destination, so the waiters seemed to forgive that obnoxiousness!).
I love brunch, and I used to brunch every Saturday and Sunday in Carroll Gardens, so I've got strong opinions on the subject!
Zwickl (Zwickel) Beer????
Thanks for the helpful suggestions, TongoRad. I just wish I had the time (and money) for a quick jaunt back to Vienna to truly get my fix this year!
Zwickl (Zwickel) Beer????
Has anyone seen any Zwickl beers anywhere in NYC? My search here only turned up something in Milwaukee.
The only place I know of is Cafe Katja, which I actually haven't tried, but my sense is that it's more a restaurant and less a bar where I could just sit and drink beer (and they don't seem to open until 5, and yes, on a lovely almost springlike day, sometimes I want a drink a bit before that). But, please correct me if I'm wrong and Cafe Katja would be fine just for drinks...
Late Friday Dinner in Brooklyn
Elecsheep9, I totally agree with you about the fried chicken! Blue Ribbon is soooo much better. I put off getting it for the longest time because it's so expensive (for fried chicken!), but it is mighty fine. Also, I remember being terribly disappointed with Buttermilk's waffles. Really bland.
In New York for a week — did I pick restaurants well? (Brooklyn Edition)
I second (or third?) the suggestion of Al di La over Prime Meats. I'm not a pork eater so I can't speak to Char No. 4. If you do end up at Char No. 4, definitely go to the Clover Club. Clover Club also does brunch; from what I remember, the food is fine, but it's the gin fizzes (with egg) that lure me there, which is why I can't really comment too much on the food... Oops.
Oh, and HELL YES to the suggestion for Barcade. It's a bar! It's an arcade! It's Barcade! Sorry. The 12 year-old boy in me just came out. Great beer selection with arcade games (only a quarter). They've got Tapper. If you're near Barcade, there's Dumont ... and Spuytin Devil ... and...
Late Friday Dinner in Brooklyn
I think I am the only person who hasn't been blown away by Buttermilk-- but I haven't eaten there since last summer, and then I only ate there probably 4 times for dinner and once for brunch. I'm guessing it's gotten a lot better since then? Frankie's will be very busy around 10: it will be packed and there will be a wait. You can go across the street and get drinks at Minibar, and they can call when something opens up. While I'm no longer a huge fan of Frankie's-- don't get me wrong, the food is fine, but there's too much hype and too much effort for a place that was a really good neighborhood spot-- the beer & avocado salad is awesome, I like the crostinis (especially the ricotta one), and I always enjoy the lambrusco. And the prunes are good for dessert. For dinner, I don't really think Prime Meats is worth it, and I wasn't totally impressed with any of my cocktails there, and I've had wait staff that didn't know how to properly pour the beer. (All these places are within about 2 blocks on Court).
I just realized this is a really complaining post! Sorry! These places are all good, I guess it's been too much overexposure for me (used to live very nearby).
What about Al di La in Park Slope if you're cabbing it anyway?
Lunch near MOMA?
Hopefully this isn't coming too late. I just started working at MoMA and have been exploring my lunch options. The best so far: Cer Te (on 55th, between 5th and 6th)-- I totally loved the Chubby Chinese Girl sandwich. I often find myself grabbing something at the Biryani Cart (46th and 6th), but that doesn't work in this weather unless you have someplace to eat at. I end up walking down to Cafe Zaiya frequently (I like getting out of the office, so the 10+ block walk is nice). Midtownlunch will have more suggestions.
Anyone tried Cer Te's Peking-Duckish Midtown Sandwich Winner?
I had it today (as did a coworker). We were both really, really, really happy. It is such a great deal. Extremely tasty, nicely spicy, great bread. We were there around 1 pm and had no problem ordering it.
Non-Pork Ramen (And Maybe Curry)
I was at the midtown Menkui Tei about 3 hours ago! I had the only non-pork option on the menu! I was thinking exactly the same thing as the original poster.
I didn't know there was another Menkui Tei... thanks, I'll have to check it out.
what to do with a bottle of Maraschino liqueur?
One of my favorite drinks is something called the Tennessee (or so the bar in the Rialto in Cambridge calls it). It's rye, maraschino liqueur, and lemon juice, more or less 1:1:1. It's refreshing, not cloying, and packs a punch.
[MSP] - Trader's Joes - Minnetonka
The one in Brooklyn on Atlantic Ave seems bigger due to the architecture, but the lines can be painful. Well, not as bad as the one on 14th.
Yeah, I go to a lot of Trader Joe's. I move a lot. All of you near Minnetonka are lucky with your TJs!
Late Night Dinner in Minneapolis
Thanks, guys! I went to 112 on Friday night and it was excellent! I got there around 11, and the place was packed, but I was seated within a few minutes in a nice booth. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in town!
[MSP] - Trader's Joes - Minnetonka
There is a liquor store-- sadly, I was there today (Sunday), so I didn't get to scope it out. No booze on Sunday is cruel!
Farm-to-table restaurants in Ames and Des Moines?
Forgot to mention: get dessert at the Cafe. They have great pastries, tarts, and sweets. Actually, get dessert at the restaurant, and then get something to take-away as well.
[MSP] - Trader's Joes - Minnetonka
Yipppee! Sorry, I like the cheap booze selection at TJs, and I currently live someplace without one. I'm looking forward to stocking up on cheap bubbly. I'm really looking forward to my trip to Minneapolis this weekend!
Late Night Dinner in Minneapolis
Do you think a reservation is necessary for a late night dinner? I'll be in Minneapolis this weekend and was thinking of trying 112 thanks to its rave reviews her! But, I figured I'd go late, probably no early than 11....
Also, can you eat at the bar at 112? I'm traveling alone, and I usually prefer eating at the bar to a table when I'm solo.
[MSP] - Trader's Joes - Minnetonka
Any word on if this TJ's will have a wine/liquor selection? Sorry, I'm not from MN, so I'm not sure if grocery stores can even have this stuff. Sadly, TJs is on my list of places to when I'm in MSP in a couple of weeks.
Farm-to-table restaurants in Ames and Des Moines?
There are only two decent restaurants in Ames-- The Cafe, as mentioned above, and Aunt Maude's. Both are owned by the same people, both have menus that change pretty regularly and try to incorporate locally sourced stuff. Maude's is the fancier of the two, although you wouldn't feel out of place in fleece. I like the Cafe better, actually.
A lot of places in Ames seem to be closed on Sunday nights, but the Cafe is open at least, but I think Maude's is closed.
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Aunt Maude's
547 Main St, Ames, IA 50010
