I've tried the baguette 3 times...I kept hoping my experiences were anomalies...but I'm sorry to say that the baguettes are not worthy the trip. Not at all.

Neither is a bistro.

Heheh.

I like La Mangeoire, but "fantastic" is an extreme exaggeration. It's fine for what it is, but nowhere near "fantastic."

Given the parameters described by the OP, I heartily second the recommendation for Benoit.

La Silhouette is not worth a visit. The food is not worthy of the place's reputation, not by a longshot.

Taam Tov

Obviously the 5 year old will sit in a regular chair - but what are you planning on doing with the baby - bringing in a carseat, or.....?

Does anybody know if they've started baking baguettes yet? Their oven was supposed to arrive by the end of April but I haven't been there since...

The food is better at Babbo. But I'm not a big fan of either restaurant.

Don't go there with this person - go elsewhere with her, and if you want to go to EMP, go with someone else.

Definitely Hearth.

I hope the food is better than Heartbreak's was.

The fried chicken is not "amazing," and while RR is a fun scene, the food is not special.

I think the food at El Paso is mediocre and it's a really lazy kitchen. Don't bother.

Cafe Ollin on 108th

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Cafe Ollin
339 E 108th St, New York, NY 10029

Cafe Sabarsky

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Cafe Sabarsky
1048 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028

What is your budget? King's Carriage House is a sweet place, but the food is not good. Do you have to stay in the east 80s?

ellenost, I'm headed to Bouley for lunch (weekday) soon...any current recommendations for/on the lunch menu? I haven't been in quite a while.

Thanks.

Agree with this completely - except if you do the Tavern Room at Gramercy Tavern you'll be fine at 5:30 with the kids - just not in the formal dining room. You don't need a reservation for the Tavern Room.

I have found Agata to be reliable in the cheese department.

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Agata & Valentina
1505 1st Ave, New York, NY 10021

That's it - I'm finished buying cheese at Fairway. Too many times I have gotten cheese in poor condition, way past eating condition, ammoniated, overrripe, and just not good quality. Today on 86th St. was the last straw. And this is over time at all 3 Manhattan stores. Clearly they have no quality control given their size and rapid expansion, at least not in the cheese department. That's it - no more cheese from Fairway for me.

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Fairway Market
2350 12th Ave, New York, NY 10027

Fairway Market
2127 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

Fairway Market
240 E 86th St, New York, NY 10028

Any number of stores in Greenpoint
Also try Schaller & Weber

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Schaller & Weber
1654 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028

This is a pretty good new butcher in Harlem. Nice cuts, good quality, reasonable prices.

But the main guy has never heard the word "offal" before. At least not before today. I mean really, a butcher that doesn't know the world "offal" ?

And no, they cannot get tripe. "Too difficult to get," he said. Hmm.

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Harlem Shambles
2141 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026

Leelee's rugalach are very good indeed.

What type of fish are you looking for? Wild, farmed? What type?

Lexington Candy Shop may be a step back in time, but most of the food is lousy, the service obnoxious, and it's rushed and uncomfortable and not a place for a group of 8.

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Lexington Candy Shop
1226 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10028

Atlantic Grill

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Atlantic Grill
1341 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10021

Russ & Daughters is not a restaurant.

Every pregnant woman makes her own decisions about she will and won't eat. Best thing is to call the restaurant well ahead of time and tell them what she won't eat and they will accomodate her.