The Cardinal on East 4th Street has incredible food and is quite inexpensive. Outstanding bbq, great fried chicken, all with superb sides. I've never had a bad meal here.

I went shortly after they opened and my meal was a horrible, greasy mess -- some of the worst Thai food I had ever had. Upon reading the above review, I will definitely give it another chance.

They do have it at Eataly -- I just saw it the other day.

I love the restaurant, Tipsy Parson @ 156 9th Avenue, between 19th-20th Street. Great food, lovely service with attention to detail in a wonderfully designed space. Either before or after, go to Bathtub Gin, a bordello style bar @ 132 9th Avenue, between 18th-19th Streets for some delicious cocktails. Both places are unusual and unusually good. Enjoy!

www.tipsyparson.com
www.bathtubginnyc.com

I love the broiled lobster at El Quijote at the Chelsea Hotel, on West 23rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenue. They take a lobster, split it down the middle, put buttered bread crumbs on each half and stick it under the broiler until it turns hot and bubbley. You get a choice of homemade soup or salad, potato or vegetable and the 1 1/4 lb. lobster for under $25.00. Make sure you sit in the front room so you can enjoy the scene and check out the fabulously funky wallpaper. It is a Spanish resteraunt, opened in 1930, but I always opt for their broiled lobster -- it's never let me down! Good food and a bit of history included by dining there. Enjoy!

www.elquijoterestaurant.com

Try Knickerbocker's Bar and Grill, 33 University Place @ 9th. Street. Great food, festive and a real NYC local restaurant that is not a toursit trap. I've never had a bad meal here -- their steaks are incredible. You might even and get lucky and run into "Mr. Big", as he lives across the street and is there all the time. Happy Holidays!

www.knickerbockerbarandgrill.com

I couldn't agree more about Flex Mussels -- horrendous food and lackluster service. Have been to them all, and they're all bad.

I would definitely recommend Gene's, on West 11th Street. It has a very 50's vibe because I don't think the decor has changed a bit since then. When I went there the first time and they put a relish tray (celery, carrots and radishes) on the table, it brought me right back to the 1950's. I've always enjoyed going there -- a real time warp in a city that moves faster than time.

I also go to El Quiojte's quite often -- I love their broiled lobster special. If you go, make sure you sit in the front room with the great wallpaper. I noticed in an earlier post someone said that this place was not good, but, I disagree.

Try Tipsy Parson, on 9th Avenue and 19th Street. Food is outstanding and atmosphere is lovely. Check it out. Here is their website:

www.tipsyparson.com

Whoops, I just noticed that they are not open until 5:30 pm on Saturday. Sorry.

Glad you feel the same, bifpocaroba -- it's a hidden gem, isn't it?

I love the food at Tipsy Parson, on 9th Avenue and 19th Street. Excellent food, lovely/funky decor and a really great atmosphere. I had the pork chop, which was heavenly, and my friends had the shrimp and grits,the arctic char and the duck. Make sure you get a side of grits with cheese -- to die for. When you are done with dinner, there is a very cool "speakeasy" type bar just down the street named Bathtub Gin. It's at 132 9th Avenue, just a few doors down from Tipsy Parson. You have to walk through a coffee shop to enter the speakeasy, and when you enter the bar, you are in a world from days gone by -- it looks like a real bordello. On certain Sunday evenings they have a burlesque show, and it is a real class act.
I think for someone out of town, Tipsy Parson for dinner, and Bathtub Gin for an after dinner drink would be something rather special.
www.tipsyparson.com
www.bathtubginnyc.com

I used to love Strip House, but the last 3 times the steak has had no flavor -- it looked beautiful, charred on the outside, rare on the inside, but there was absolutely none of that great steak taste we carnivores crave. The sides were great, I love the decor of the place, but I came for good steak. Each time I said, okay, I'll give it one more chance. After 3 different meals with lackluster steak, I will not return.

My favorite steak, however, is at Knickerbockers at University Place and 9th Street. Their T-Bone will knock your socks off, and the creamed spinach and potatoes are stellar. They also have a kobe "tomahawk" rib eye, ny strip, filet, and their St. Louis ribs are great. I have been eating here for many years and it is always superb. It is a real local NY kind of place. The actor, Chris Noth, lives across the street and he is in a few times a week. It's just consistantly good, which is what I look for in a restaurant.
Wolfgangs is great, as is Keens, but Knickerbockers is by far my favorite, and I have never been disappointed.
www.knickerbockerbarandgrill.com

Your search is over! Go to IL VAGABONDO @ 351 E. 62nd Street, 212.832.9221. Go onto their website, click on media, and you will see a picture of their veal parm, and the chix looks just like that. I looked at your link, and the chix parm at IL Vagabondo looks exactly like that. Enjoy -- it's really tasty!

ilvagabondo.com

The BBQ at The Cardinal, on East 4th between Avenue A & B is to die for. They also do a killer brunch. Check it out -- the food is great!

I love BBQ, and have tried every place in NYC. The Cardinal, on East 4th between Avenue A & B is by far the best I've ever had. I've had their ribs, their pulled pork and their briskit, and all are to die for. Their sides are amazing, too -- incredible mac n' chesse and killer baked beans. Their fried catfish and fried chicken are also great. Their prices are very reasonable, and the place is clean. They have a great brunch menu, as well. Right now they only have been and wine, but will have liquor in 2 weeks. The chef/owner and his girlfriend run The Cardinal, and they're both very sweet. The chef /owner is from Ashville, North Carolina and his girlfriend is from Montreal. They also have a room downstairs for private parties. Check it out -- the food is incredible!

What restaurant has the best burrata in Manhattan? Thanks . . .

I happen to agree with Mr. Wells review. The pizza was too doughy and heavy, and the appetizers I had (rice balls, meatballs) were nothing special. The soft serve ice cream with dark chocolate and salted caramel sauce made up for it, as it was sublime!

I quite like John's on East 12th Street.

I am looking for the best lemon tart in Manhattan, preferably downtown. Thanks so much!

Right on, Leepa. It's all about money. Can you say greed, Paula? Don't you have enough money without selling your soul?

The ones at Murray's Cheese in the West Village are to die for!

I am from Algonac, Michigan and love Vernor's! I love how the bubbles and the ginger are so prominent that it makes you sneeze when taking your first sip. I always bring a few six packs back to NYC in my suitcase. Sure wish you could buy it here . . . . . .

Veselka, on Second Avenue and 9th Street has great beef stroganoff served over noodles. All of their other Eastern European dishes are equally good. It's not a fancy setting, but you'll get good home cooked meals at reasonable prices. Enjoy!

I took a walk through the Plaza recently, and I feel it has lost all it's soul. The Palm Court had the worst lighting I had ever seen -- very , very bright and terribly cold looking. Yes, the Oak Bar situation is sad. I loved the old Plaza, I just can't get into the new Plaza with no soul.

I am looking to see what you wonderful Chowhound's consider to be the best high tea in Manhattan. I've been to Lady Mendl's many times, which I love. Every since the Plaza Hotel has been bastardized, I won't step foot in it. Has anyone tried high tea in the Pembroke Room at the Lowell Hotel? Thanks for all your help . . . . . .

When it comes to foie gras, I love both preparations. It is that "melt in your mouth butter taste" I can't get enough of. I am looking forward to exploring all the recommendations on this post. Thank you! Mmmmmmm .. . . . . . .

Thank you all so very much, I am making my list out! Also, I apologize for the spelling error.

I would love to hear of the best places for fois gras in Manhattan. Thanks so much . . . .

Where can I find great large-sized coconut shrimp in Manhattan, preferably downtown? Thanks so very much.

Hey, foodies--where can I find the best Rueben in NYC? Thanks so very much.