mc22's Profile
Le Castelas Sivergues - Lunch or Dinner?
Report! We went for lunch. And we enjoyed the roast pig, so that again answers that question! (It was a Sunday).
It took quite a while to drive up there, but that's because we were coming from the market at L'Isle Sur La Sorgue (though we spent the night in Saignon - go figure).
Very welcome! I learned that the key is just to say you have a reservation, no matter what (we did). But if you didn't, lie. Lie like a rug. There was plenty of food. (That is if you aren't a huge party). Was glad I didn't have to worry about that though!
The set-up was a little strange in that there was a big lunch area in one place and then a separate private party down the hill a bit. I don't think it was a wedding, I decided it was a vows renewal and my significant other declared me the cheesiest person in the world (pre-cheese course!) But what a fun spot!
Other aesthetic observations: I had heard much about the goats, but not so much about the pigs?! If you don't like farm animals, avoid avoid avoid. I thought they were kind of fun if occasionally disruptive. There are a lot! And they are under the table and nosing you from behind. The goat was positively civilized in comparison! My best mental image of the day was a pig trotting long between tables looking as pleased as could be - with an oversized baguette clasped firmly in his jaw.
I would also note that a major difference (I would imagine) b/w lunch and dinner is probably the number of kids. There were 30 or so kids under age 10 running around that Sunday. I would imagine the number is less for dinner? I like kids, and they were cute with the animals, but if you don't want to feel like you are part of a 2nd grade field trip you might want to err on the side of dinner? Unless you have kids to bring with you! In which case I can't think of anything more fun!
As for the food - delicious, of course. Although that is 50% the food and 50% the atmosphere. And you really do feel like you know a special secret when you get up there - albeit a secret you share with many. I very much enjoyed the country pate to begin - the lentils were nice but a little soggy. And the charcuterie. The cheese plate was beautiful! An education in and of itself with all sorts of varieties - I would have loved to have someone explain them, but as it was I just enjoyed. And I was ready to buy honey at every farmstand we passed after enjoying it with the cheese.
The roast pork was great and a lot of fun - it did feel freshly prepared. Although it was a bit sad to look down at Wilbur just as I was biting into his brother. Vegetarians, beware. The red peppers and lentils were lovely, but this place is not for you!
Thanks to all for the info and suggestions.
Eating and Sleeping outside of Paris (very long)
I know I shouldn't be using this site for travel info, but given that the travel is food-inspired, this is the best community out there. THANK YOU. Seems perfect. I will totally start working that into my plans!
Le Castelas Sivergues - Lunch or Dinner?
Kurtis, so helpful! As was your entire trip report! You literally inspired the entire vacation! (I'm in Paris, so that was easy to make happen).
Wanted to pass that along so you could feel good about having disciples following you to deliciosness in Provence. And thanks for that info - I'll probably stay elsewhere as I am not such a morning person and wouldn't be much fun around then anyways!
Eating and Sleeping outside of Paris (very long)
Mangeur have you stayed there or just eaten there? I didn't see much about the accomodations on the internet, but it sounds great! (In the midst of trip planning myself!)
Le Castelas Sivergues - Lunch or Dinner?
Planning a trip to the region and would love to visit. It will be late June, so not worried about the light. Would y'all recommend Saturday dinner or Sunday lunch? Also if doing Saturday dinner, does anyone have experience with staying there? Or somewhere nearby?
I've searched all over the place and found lots of cool pictures and descriptions of the road, but nothing concrete. Thanks for any help you can provide!
Le Reminet or Drouant (or elsewhere?)
My significant other arrives next week - Sunday is his first night ever in Paris. Which restaurant would you choose and why? I hear them both mentioned in the same breath. We're both in our late 20s, so I'm looking for somewhere not too stuffy, but it doesn't need to be trendy either. I'm open to other suggestions too - just want to make the night memorable. I kind of like the idea of walking from my apartment (the Marais) to Le Reminet, but there's a nice walk to Drouant too!
Also thoughts on the 40 percent off deal on lafourchette? I was going to go for that if we chose that restaurant...
Thanks for any help you can provide!
Seder Potluck help!
I'm going to a seder dinner and bringing a veggie side dish. I was thinking of roasted asparagus? Something easy? But what would travel well and be appropriate?
Any suggestions much appreciated!
Scarpetta tonight
havent been before and very excited... Besides the spaghetti and the polenta, is there anything on the current menu y'all would particularly recommend?! Thanks!
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Scarpetta
355 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10014
One-year Anniversary on the LES
I like Antibes. Would be well within your budget. And it's got a very friendly vibe. Also what about Sorella?
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Sorella
95 Allen St, New York, NY 10002
Dickson Wine Bar?
Just did a search and nothing came up! What's the verdict from the chowhound community? I love banh mi, so I am intrigued...
Best coffee house to study with WiFi in the East Village/LES?
What about Falai Paneterria? I love the atmosphere there, and I'm pretty sure they have wifi. At least I've picked up a signal there.
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Falai Panetteria
79 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002
Fun spot for group of 10. Looking for fun scene and good food. Any suggestions please?
Agreed. For some general ideas that get thrown around here a lot: Stanton Social? Freemans? Locanda Verde?
I think Hill Country can be fun for a big group like that - so easy to split the check and coordinate the meal and such - but it might not be a "scene"
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Hill Country
30 W 26th St, New York, NY 10010
Stanton Social
99 Stanton Street, New York, NY 10002
Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013
The Bar Room at The Modern - ordering strategy?
I enjoyed the Tuna Tarte. The textures make it a bit more unique than your average dish. They were out of steak tartare the night I visited.
This may sound unconventional, but if either of you is an ice cream lover, I actually ordered their trio for dessert and it was delicious! It was a warm night and I just wasn't in the mood for something too heavy. I was really glad I went for that! There's also a fromage blanc sorbet that may be my favorite flavor ever.
Casa Mono vs. Peasant vs. Sorella
Thanks! (See below :)) I like loud and cramped, so bring it on!
Casa Mono vs. Peasant vs. Sorella
I posted earlier about planning for a sibling visit. And then it came! I took them to Dell'anima last night for dinner - so delicious. I thought the risotto was a little strange in texture, but the cabbage addition to the gnocchi was amazing. The bruschettas were hit or miss but a fun presentation. And the charred octopus. Oh my. I will dream of that for months. I love octopus, and this was just a great example of the dish cooked right!
For tonight, I have reservations at Peasant and Casa Mono (was covering my bases) and I was also considering Sorella, which I think has space. We are a group of 6, so kinda big for Casa Mono. On the other hand, Italian two nights in a row could be boring. But my brother is a picky eater - do any of you have experience at Casa Mono with a) a group of 6 or b) a somewhat picky eater? (steak is fine. sweetbreads, not so much - that sort of eater). I'd like to be more adventurous but I've only been to any of these restaurants on a date and on an off night, so I don't know how they would translate to a group on a Friday night... Thanks for any insight!
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Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003
Sorella
95 Allen St, New York, NY 10002
pizza and beer second date
San Marzano in the Lower East Side. It's not cozy like a wine bar, but good ambiance, not-too-casual, and they have shockingly reasonably priced beers. Okay, not super fancy beers, but Blue Moon for $3, Blue Point Toasted Lager/Magic Hat #9 for $4, and Sam Smith Oatmeal Stout or Duvel for $5! That's ridiculous! Also, the pizza is pretty tasty!
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Blue Moon Mexican Cafe
1444 1st Ave, New York, NY 10021
Blue Point
662 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036
San Marzano
71 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002
single female in nyc drinks and food at the bar
If it's not obvious from my post above, I do this all the time and I live here. And I LOVE those suggestions. Thanks eeee! You are so right about how it's fun to watch ceviche prep. I love Oyamel in DC for that, and I went on a ceviche pilgrimage last time I was in Lima!
single female in nyc drinks and food at the bar
As a youngish female though, I like bars that make me feel comfortable, which is different from bars that make 40-something men comfortable (not sure what you are...) So I would reply with places that aren't like Cheers and also where you aren't going to get hit on. Also places that aren't chock full of people on a romantic date. So I agree with your statement, but I think you can answer it independently too!
Brunch with the kids-theatre area but will roam if needed
Alice's Teacup? Little girls love that. This isn't as fancy, but a burger at Burger Joint in the Parker Meridien could be a fun adventure. Norma's on the south side of Central Park could work well too - it's delicious. Last place for 7 year old girls: Serendipity 3. A ways away, but so fun for kids.
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Burger Joint
118 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019
Serendipity 3
225 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022
single female in nyc drinks and food at the bar
Love Ten Bells! And I had a great time ordering the restaurant week menu alone at the bar room at the modern tonight. and i'm a single female :)
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The Ten Bells
247 Broome St, New York, NY 10002
Help me plan for my siblings' visit! The pressure is on!
Oops! My bad! I was thinking of this thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/706238 but it was referencing your recommendation of Seasonal...
Help me plan for my siblings' visit! The pressure is on!
To give you a better idea, I was actually really intrigued by the mentions of Casullela (I think you are a fan RGR?) but then I saw they don't take reservations and that seems too risky!
For someone who feels relatively familiar with NYC dining, I'm finding that introducing it to my siblings is tricky! Maybe because I am trying to plan extra hard :)
For pre-theater I was also thinking about taking them to Burger Joint for something unconventional, but then I realized we would smell like burgers all evening!
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Burger Joint
118 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019
Help me plan for my siblings' visit! The pressure is on!
Ooh I like that idea. I knew I might get in trouble for the Convivio :) It just feels a bit more expense-accounty than the places I generally enjoy. Not the food, but more the crowd...
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Convivio
45 Tudor City Place, New York, NY 10017
Help me plan for my siblings' visit! The pressure is on!
Oh good! I know an actor, so we got tickets reserved through him for Shakespeare in the Park - it's making planning a lot easier. Will rethink Freemans - I thought the out of towners might get a kick out of the alley thing, but I think New York is probably impressive enough in other ways! One last question: are there any places around Moma y'all would recommend for dinner? With a group of 20-somethings? I feel like Convivo for example is too stuffy. I love the Bar room at the modern, but they are all booked up (thanks to restaurant week!) I used to like Insieme... less fancy is fine too... good pre-theater prix fixe?
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Insieme
777 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019
Help me plan for my siblings' visit! The pressure is on!
So I have now decided to do Freeman's one morning for brunch. Which means I have two dinners... is it bad to have them all downtown? I had also thought about Perilla as an easing into NYC place, cute, etc. but now I am thinking it might be too sedate.
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Perilla
9 Jones Street, New York, NY 10014
Help me plan for my siblings' visit! The pressure is on!
I have been reaching out to chowhound a lot recently, but y'all are so helpful! My siblings and their significant others are coming to town - my brother's girlfriend has never been to New York before and I want to plan out a great weekend for them! Their visit coincides with restaurant week too... I inadvertently made reservations at a couple places with that menu. We're all in our 20s but I would describe this as a low-key group overall. Dinner will be our main activity probably - they aren't big drinkers, but I think fun cocktails and beer lists are always a good thing :)
They are here for three nights. Thursday night I have a reservation at Spice Market for restaurant week. I am thinking of changing that to Apiary, which also it turns out is doing restaurant week. I thought the girlfriend might get a kick out of meatpacking, but I'm not so excited about spice market and have been dying to try Apiary? What do y'all think? We could also fit in a PDT visit with Apiary or similar, which I think would be cool...
Friday night I am deciding between Perry Street (restaurant week is there too!) I also made a reservation at Casa Mono because tapas seemed fun. But then it occurred to me that the girl who'd never been to New York might really like Freeman's... and we do have a group of 6 that night...
Or maybe I should do Freeman's for brunch? We are splitting up Saturday night - two to Shakespeare in the Park, two to a concert at Citi Field and two to a Broadway show, so I was thinking maybe a picnic in Central Park or something early and easy.
So I guess my question is, what do you think of my restauarant picks, those of you who have entertained visitors? Do you think any of these would be bad with a group of 6? I know Apiary can be loud, Casa Mono is small, and Freeman's on a Friday might be suicide... am I overstretching?
And am I missing any better alternatives? Whew!
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Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003
Perry Street
176 Perry Street, New York, NY 10014
Spice Market
403 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10014
What's NEW?
I moved away from DC around a year ago... looking for something new when I come back to visit. Favorite restaurants are Cork, Granville Moore's, Central if we're feeling fancy... anything I'm missing? Would love some suggestions!
Salted caramel ice cream
This might be a little out there but... Lulu and Mookies on the LES can make it for you. They make icecream flavors with liquid nitrogen - it might be an interesting thing to try!
