Thanks for this report. I'll definitely be trying the Lamprie.

Thanks for this insight. We will not be there on a Sunday so a la carte will be the route. Any specific recommendations at either establishment? Which were the memorable dishes at Sanrasa?

Hey Ziggy41, did you get a chance to try out Sanrasa? What did you think? I am planning a Sri Lankan lunch on Staten Island around Christmas in combination with a ferry ride. I'm leaning towards Sanrasa based on convenience/location.

OK I'm now having commitment issues. Reading this board it appears that Tocqueville is very well-regarded. Based on all the above criteria (food, comfort, value) would this be a better option than Blue Hill or Gramercy Tavern?

Ack! There are too many great restaurants in this city.

Yes I am definitely planning on requesting the window table for our lunch at The Modern. Much thanks to everyone suggesting this path.

Any opinion on Blue Hill vs. Gramercy Tavern?

He's coming from CA, but will very quickly get back into his routine (wake at 5 am, lunch at 11, dinner by 5). I just know that I have had several experiences in NYC going to establishment that are not ready to serve at the time they say there are open and want to know if Prime Meats is such a place.

For Turkish, I love Limon in Murray Hill. Very small space and very reasonably priced (or at least it was when I last went there a couple years ago).

Any updated experiences on Prime Meats? I'm thinking of taking my Grandpa here on a visit around Christmas time and would love to hear about recent experiences. Is the pork chop still the bee's knees?

Also, I see they open at 4 on weeknights and on weekends. This may sound odd, but has anyone eaten there that early? Is the service/food up to par or does it suffer based on the shift just beginning? I've had some bad experiences with early dining in NYC so just though I'd ask.

Thanks!

Thanks for the feedback all. It looks like the tasting menu at both places (based on availability and duration) is a no-go. I'm going to have to take a serious look at each place's a la carte/prix fixe offerings to come up with a final decision.

By way of update, I am now considering either Gramercy Tavern or Blue Hill for this dinner (the others being just a bit too expensive I fear). What I would love are comments on the offerings of these two places. Specifically:

- What are the details/logistics of the Farmer's Feast at Blue Hill. What is the price? How many courses? Is it always offered or does it have to be requested in advance?

- Do people prefer/recommend the tasting menu or prix fixe at Gramercy Tavern? I am assuming the prix fixe is three courses (at $88 it'd better be more than just the two courses listed!). Is the tasting menu worth the step up in price ($116)? About how long would you estimate the 6 courses take to complete?

- Any comments on the relative wine selection and pricing at either restaurant is also very appreciated. From their websites, it appears that Gramercy's list is more extensive but Blue Hill's is more economical. Is that fair?

- Lastly, which one offers more comfortable seating? Noise level is not as important as my Grandpa having space to sit down and stretch his legs a bit.

Thanks a bunch!

Grandpa lives in Southern California. He eats pretty much anything, not fussy at all. I am planning a separate Italian dinner in Brooklyn (separate post) and just want to have one meal that is a nice representation of what Brooklyn does well.

I suppose there are non-food-related things to keep in mind, mainly that he likes to eat early and doesn't like cramped spaces. Any place that offers legroom and can provide excellent dinner service by 6 would be worthy of note.

Thanks!

Would Noodle Pudding and/or Queen be deserving of consideration for this dinner as well?

Hi All!

I'm attempting to revive this thread for the purely self-interested reason of picking a place to take my Grandpa when he visits Brooklyn. Based on the above (and my own insight) I'm thinking one of the following:

1) Henry's End

2) James

3) Colonie

4) Prime Meats

Thoughts?

Region is not a concern. He doesn't need red sauce and checkered tablecloth Italian.

I've been to Amorina and thought it was serviceable, but not memorable. Is Aliseo a big step up? I have to say its online menu looks pretty minimal. What dishes stood out for you?

Yes I'm aware of the no-reservation policy at Al di La. Probably leaning towards Locanda Vini e Olii for that reason. What about the value at Locanda? I've read a lot of comments that it has gotten really expensive. I've also read that if you are not "in" with the owners service can suffer. Is that a fair assessment? If I spoke Italian upon arrival would that help any?

Thanks, am I right in assuming that is a recommendation and not just a spelling correction?

Hey There!

My Grandpa has requested an Italian dinner in Brooklyn for his Christmas-time visit. I am considering the following:

- Al di La

- Aliseo Osteria del Borgo

- Locanda Vini E Olii

What do people think? Do any of the above really stand out as "special" experiences? Or is there another more worthwhile choice?

Thanks in advance!

Based solely on food, how does Marea compare with Bernardin? What exactly makes Daniel more "fussy" than the other options?

This is a great idea, especially since my Grandpa is no night owl. I'm actually thinking that The Modern would be a great lunch spot in tandem with a MoMA visit. Bouley's lunch menu also looks great.

I am having trouble deciphering the Jean-Georges online menu. Is there a big difference between lunch and dinner?

Blue Hill looks great. Have you had any experience with their tasting menu (Farmer's Feast)? Does anyone have any details on it (price, number of courses, etc.)?

I will be entertaining my Grandpa around Christmas time and would like to take him to a Russian/Eastern European restaurant in Brighton Beach. The only two names I am familiar with are Cafe Glechick and Cafe Kashkar. Do either of these stand out (good or bad) for you Brooklyn Chowhounds? Is there another option you think we should go to?

Thanks!

Hello Lovely NYC Chowers,

My Grandpa is coming to visit me around Christmas time. He has not been in over 5 years, and is relying on me to set the entire itinerary given an overall budget. I believe said budget will allow for two expensive dinners. For one, I want to do a steakhouse and have narrowed it down to Peter Luger (please don't comment on this choice). For the other I'd like him to experience a grand New York City dinner that combines atmosphere, service, and, of course, delicious food.

Considerations:

1) My Grandpa is an older gentleman and I do not think he would enjoy something like WD-50 or anything too experimental. That said, he enjoys ethnic food and is not at all fussy so the dinner doesn't necessarily have to be old fashioned.

2) Along the same lines, I don't think my Grandpa would enjoy a 4 hour meal. It's just not that comfortable for him. So mention of the relative speed of the various tasting menus is most appreciated as are recommendations of great a la carte or prix fixe options.

3) While we are willing to spend a pretty penny, there are limits. Thus, Per Se or any place where we would pay much more than $150 for food alone is a bit out of reach. Value is a factor, and any place with reasonable prices (for drinks as well) will get added consideration.

4) My Grandpa enjoys seafood so any place that excels in fresh fish certainly merits mention.

5) What I'm looking for is a special experience. Not necessarily over-the-top or ostentatious,
but a place chowhounds have had memorable experiences and would expect others to have the same.

At this point I am considering the following given the above parameters:

- Le Bernardin (the less expensive tasting menu representing the upper reaches of our price range)

- Gramercy Tavern (a place I personally have always wanted to try)

- Babbo

- Daniel (over $100 for 3 courses seems a bit much, is it worth it?)

- Jean-Georges (tough to tell from the website as there are various menus listed, but this one may be too pricey for us)

- The Modern (one thing I notice is that wine prices are high even for this caliber of restaurant)

- 21 Club (perhaps old fashioned but he might get a kick out of eating here)

Please let me know if any of these stand out to you or if there are any missing places you highly recommend.

Thanks!

There are tons of Pakistani halal places up and down Coney Island Avenue. Pakiza just north of Foster always seems to be busy.

There also used to be an Afghani place called Bahar right around there but it recently re-branded itself as a "Chinese Halal" restaurant.

Also, even though it is on hipster-ish Cortelyou, Cafe Tibet right above the Cortelyou Road station has great Tibetan food.

Mr. Hunt, I believe kukubura was requesting an elaboration on how you came to have coffee with Tennessee Williams.

OK so I'm only a few days from the most anticipated vacation of my life, and I am quivering with excitement. I now seek some specific dessert-related feedback from my NOLA and NOLA-informed chowhound brethren.

I have narrowed down the 4 major meals of my trip to Herbsaint, Coquette, Galatoire's, and Dante's Kitchen. (Also eating at Commander's but will likely get the Creole luncheon so no decisions to be made). My question is: At which of these I should plan on saving room for dessert?

In other words, if - given hypothetical digestive limits - I could only finish an app and an entree or an entree and dessert at each of the above restaurants which path would you advise? I don't seem to remember any dessert at Galatoire's being very hyped on this board but I could be mistaken. Is there any dessert that I absolutely shouldn't miss at any/all of these establishments? Or would I be better off with a less-filling after-dinner drink?

Just for context, I'm not a sweet-tooth per se, but if desserts are something a place excels at then I'd like to explore those. Extra points go to places who achieve sweet deliciousness without heaviness, since I'm not going to have much of an appetite at the end of these meals.

+1 to Mr. B's bbq shrimp.

Maybe Emeril's or Green Goddess.

Green Goddess recently lost its dinner service chef (Chirs DeBarr). Not sure how or if that will affect the dining experience but is something to keep an eye on.

I heartily recommend going to Mr. B's. While the bbq shrimp are not the easiest to eat, that is part of the fun (along with the bib and the $1.50 cocktails). Plus, they are so dang delicious. Mr. B's could sub in for Herbsaint for a lunch and Herbsaint could then move to a dinner.

Any updated reviews on dinner at Green Goddess sans Chef Chris?

Here is a rundown of my research (major emphasis on that word, these recs are not based on experience):

In French Quarter
- Brennan's (traditional, hearty, but expensive)
- Stanley (breakfast classics with a New Orleans twist)
- The Old Coffee Pot (old standby)
- Camelia Grill (not the original location, assume it has similar, diner-style food)
- EAT

Near French Quarter
- Lil Dizzy's (classic, southern brunch)
- Surrey's (might be a little far to travel, but highly regarded breakfasts here)

Enjoy your trip! I'll be in town around the same time.