UWSEater's Profile
Tuscan Station at Wedding
If it's your wedding and it's what you want to have, then do what you want to do. Don't worry how it "looks", if it's going to make you happy to have it, then make yourself happy.
Having recently gone through a wedding and picking out food and menus and everything else involved in planning, the best advice we got was to take everyone else's opinions and ideas with a grain of salt, and do what we want. (We also paid for the wedding ourselves, so perhaps we had a bit more directorial control of everything, but it was the best advice we got.) You hopefully are doing this once in your life, and if I'm throwing a wedding for 100-150+ people you can be sure I'm going to serve the food that makes "me" happy.
As for us, we did an oyster bar, charcuterie (pates, cured and torchon) with pickles, a cheese and crudite along with breads and some fruit. We had everything available at 2 or 3 spots so that people could get everything in one shot. It worked well for our group and we were extremely happy with the outcome.
Upper west side-ish Good Mexican + Margaritas?
Noche Maxicana does drinks. It is very bare bones, but good for what it does. They'll make you Micheladas in addition to standard margaritas. They'll do frozen margarita's as well. Out of all the options for mexican food, with drinks, this would be my choice on the UWS.
Feeding my pregnant daughter in NY next month.
For The Spice / Chocobolo combination you could do it on the UWS now.
Spice is on 81st and Amsterdam, and a location of Chocobolo opened at 71st and broadway, or thereabouts.
It would be a quick cab, or little bit of a walk to get between the two. Not the most glamorous part of the city, but definitely kid friendly.
There are other dessert options in the neighborhood, like Levain (massive, chocolatey cookies), Magnolia's, Jacque Torres, Good Enough To Eat, etc... that are a little closer than chocobolo
As for dinner on friday without dressing up too much, perhaps Rouge y Blanc in Soho? Relaxed atmosphere, but really good food. Also maybe ABC kitchen, don't have to get too dressed up to head there, and pretty solid food. I also like Perilla, great place to eat at the bar, or have a relaxed meal.
Dovetail?
In regards to your list of similar places Dovetail fits in around the middle top for me.
Tocqueville, EMP both are betting looking rooms, Dovetail looks elegant, just not as opulent looking as those other two. I'm not crazy about Jean Georges, and think SHO was great, but the setting was a little dated looking.
I don't think you'll go wrong going there, but if you want to investigate other options I'd suggest Picholine, Boulud Sud, Lincoln, Corton and perhaps Aldea.
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Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010
Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023
Tocqueville
1 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003
Picholine
35 West 64th St., New York, NY 10023
Dovetail
103 West 77th Street, New York, NY 10024
Corton
239 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Aldea
31 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011
SHO Shaun Hergatt
40 Broad St, New York, NY 10004
Lincoln
142 W 65th St, New York, NY 10023
Boulud Sud
20 W 64th St, New York, NY 10023
My annual request for help...anniversary dinner...
Perhaps you had an off night at Dovetail, but in the many times I've eaten there since opening, I haven't had a bad meal. Atmosphere isn't "cozy" or kitschy like Forgione, or as opulent as Tocqueville, but iI find it complements the aesthetics of the food pretty well.
I really like Tocqueville as well, Aldea is pretty unique in design and food. Perhaps look into SHO as well. It's a little out of the way, but the food is really high quality. While the decor and atmosphere doesn't seem to be a crowd pleaser on this board, the food you get for the price there more than makes up for it.
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Tocqueville
1 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003
Dovetail
103 West 77th Street, New York, NY 10024
Aldea
31 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011
SHO Shaun Hergatt
40 Broad St, New York, NY 10004
Where can I find Orange wine?
You can look for lopez de heredia at Astor Wine.
http://www.astorwines.com/SearchResultsSingle.aspx?p=1&search=10562&searchtype=Contains
They are an old winery that produces some really high quality wines.
67 wine or beacon might have some vintages on the UWS.
Wine searcher shows some more NYC stores with availability
http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/r+lopez+de+heredia+vina+gravonia+crianza+blanco+doca+rioja+spain
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Astor Wines & Spirits
399 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10003
Beacon Wines and Spirits
2120 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
67 Wine & Spirits
179 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10023
Country Breakfast on the Upper West Side?
I'm not a huge fan of Good Enough to Eat. It's okay, but not stand in a line for an hour good, but not many things are. Weekday waits aren't usually that bad, so if the menu looks good to you, then go for it. I do like the bacon waffles, but everything else I've had isn't too great. Biscuits are dry, pancakes just okay, and omelettes serviceable, but no great shakes.
I prefer Cafe deux Margot down the street, better coffee, good eggs, better pancakes than Good Enough in a brasserie/ cafe atmosphere. I also enjoy Fairway Cafe more than Good enough, and the pancakes (slightly larger than silver dollar) are the best on the UWS. Neither are very special occasion looking spots, but if you prefer good food over atmosphere and hype, those are my recommendations on the UWS.
I'd second Kathryn's recommendations for spots out of the UWS for weekday breakfasts.
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Good Enough to Eat
483 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Cafe Deux Margot
473 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Fairway Cafe
2127 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
Rehearsal dinner for 75 people
I just went through this, and although only for 26 people a budget of 75 with tax and tip and alcohol is tight, depending on the style/ level of food you want.
Kefi on the UWS can get you in at that price, and number of people.
Not sure if Momofuku would be able to fit you for the Bo Ssam, but budget wise it would be close.
Jane on Houston could possibly be worth it.
We also looked at Hearth, Locande Verde, Tocqueville, Meatball Shop, and a few others as options, so if any of those interest you I can fill you in a little more on what I found.
Outer Boroughs, Frankie's 457 could possibly fit you, and be close on your budget.
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Kefi
505 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024
St. John the Divine and Zabars - Am I nuts?
I second the idea of grabbing food at Zabar's and heading over to riverside park. Head down to the water and eat on one of the benches along the waters' edge. Very enjoyable way to relax on a Sunday morning, I often do this on the weekend, or even after work with a bottle of wine.
If you also want some bagels, head across the street (80th) to H&H Bagels and pick up some hopefully hot out of the oven bagels. They're not the best, but are pretty good.
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H&H Bagels
2239 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
ISO inexpensive bars in Upper West Side
Depends what your definition of fun is.
For dive bar atmosphere, you aren't going to beat Dublin House on 79th and broadway or Malachy's on 72nd and Columbus.
For Beer Pong and Frat Boy atmosphere you can check out Bourbon Street, Jake's Dilemma, and the Gin Mill.
For good to great beer, and a bit more relaxed atmosphere you can head to George Keeley's or the Dead Poet. Food here is pretty good as far as the bar food in the area goes, and both play good music (not the Bon Jovi/Bruce/Journey mixes you'll hear at the surrounding bars)
There are also a number of good wine bars, Tangled Vine, Tolani, Barcibo that are on the UWS.
Also a little further up is one of my favorite bars, Ding Dong Lounge. A great dive with classic punk/hardcore posters adorning the walls, a pool table, vintage video games, and a decent beer selection.
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George Keeley
485 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Barcibo
2020 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
Bourbon Street
405 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
The Dead Poet
450 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Jake's Dilemma
430 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Gin Mill
442 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Ding Dong Lounge
929 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10025
Dublin House
225 W 79th St, New York, NY 10024
Tangled Vine
434 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Tolani
410 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Malachy's
103 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023
Need BIG country-style breakfast in NYC (other than Clinton St Bakery)
Square Diner is pretty close (tribeca), and I'm sure they'll fill him up.
@ Leonard and W Broadway.
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Square Diner
33 Leonard St, New York, NY 10013
Tasting Menu at Mahattan restaurants
I'd suggest Tocqueville. Recently did a modified tasting at lunch there. We each got the Prix FIxe (3 courses) and supplemented it with 2 more apps and another main course. They split the apps and main for us, so we wound up with a 6 course (plus amuse, etc) that left us both stuffed, and the cost was definitely less than $125/per person.
We ate at lunch, and the room was not that full, and service was fantastic. The Foie gras was great, BBQ beef cheek fantastic, and their "Peking" duck was one of the best duck preps I've had.
They also have a lunch tasting menu, but we wanted to choose our courses, so that could be an option too.
Rehearsal lunch location
I'm looking for a location for a rehearsal lunch for roughly 30 people for first weekend in September. Probably need a private dining room, but have been striking out on our first few choices. Really would like Tocqueville, but PDR can fit maybe 28 max, Telepan is the same story.
Thinking something along those lines, as our wedding will be more relaxed with roast pig and much simpler food. Cost up to 50/pp for food. Was also thinking about Bouley, or perhaps Savoy.
Anyone have any experience setting up a lunch for that size and price range, any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks
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Telepan
72 W. 69th Street, New York, NY 10023
What to order at Keen's steakhouse?
I've eaten in the main room, the Lincoln Room (fantastic surprise birthday party) and the pub room. There are a handful of decent red wines in that price range. I think we had a 50 or 60 rhone and a california pinot or two and couldn't complain about any of them, although between the steaks, mutton, bacon and the chestnut soup, the wine was the least of my worries.
special anniversary dinner
Picholine and Dovetail come to mind as two restaurants that fit the bill.
You also have Jean Georges and Nougatine in the lower UWS (columbus Circle) which are worthy of a splurge and celebratory meal.
Picholine has the best service I've experienced out of the 3, but I find myself eating at Dovetail more often. The food is slightly more consistent at dovetail, but I also really liked Picholine, I even wound up proposing to my fiance after my last meal there.
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Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023
Picholine
35 West 64th St., New York, NY 10023
Nougatine
1 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023
Private Room / Chef's Table
Tocqueville has a very nice Private dining room overlooking the main dining room. Very nice looking room, and the food is pretty tasty as well.
Best beer selection in Manhattan?
Whole foods or even Barzini's on 91st and Broadway should definitely have it. Fairway on 132nd probably has it as well.
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Barzini
2455 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
Buca Pizza on UWS?
Went last night for an early bite. We started with meatballs and a quatro formaggio and a margherita pizza . Meatballs were tender and tasty, nice bright fresh tasting sauce. Only complaint with them would be that there were only 3 of them, and they were smaller sized meatballs (1 inch or smaller diameter).
Pizza's were fantastic, the quatro formaggio was a white pizza with spicy sopresetta. Fantastic crust, not too oily with the cheeses and the sopresetta, and good char.
The margherita was even better. I think the oven was a little low when our first pizza went in, but by the time the second was fired, it was definitely up to temp. The crust had a few char marks on the top, and the bottom was nice and crisp with a few char marks as well. No flop on the tip of the pizza and it held up well as it cooled as well. Sauce was good, nice and bright, not too sweet, and the mozzarella was pretty good quality as well. Both pizzas had a perfect amount of salt, and the chewiness of the crust was spot on.
The calzones (two we saw go out) looked fantastic. One was a dessert (nutella) and the other the only one on the menu. Both looked great, and I can't wait to give them a shot.
The place is tiny though, and seemed to fill up real fast after we sat down at 6:30 or so.
I enjoyed it as much as Motorino or Keste, when everything lines up, it's a really good pizza.
Think I'll try and make it a pretty regular place on my pizza rotation. 103rd is becoming a greate pizza block between there and Sal and Carmine's. Two very different pizzas, but both very good in their own style.
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Motorino
349 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003
Apiary or Dovetail?
I think they are a little different in terms of level of food and atmosphere. Apiary was a little louder and more boisterous than Dovetail, so depending on what you're looking for, that might influence it.
Dovetail has a number of amazing dishes (beef cheek lasagna, lamb loin, squab) that I really enjoy. Apiary has very good dishes as well (cod, although it is a different prep now, chicken and the pork chop), but not always at the same level as Dovetail. I don't think either is a bad choice. Dovetail also has the interesting Monday night Vegetable based menu, and Apiary has no corkage on Monday's, if that matters.
UWS restaurant rec for tonight - nice, but not formal, not focused on seafood or cheese
Fatty Crab, or would that food not work for your husband.
Kefi is much more relaxed, food is very good, and has a wide range of selections.
Salumeria Rossi, very good italian, not too uptight and you can sample a lot of different things for not too much out of pocket.
Recipe is also a nice little spot with solidly made food and an inviting atmosphere.
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Kefi
505 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024
Fatty Crab
643 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
aldea, dishes to avoid and must haves
I've sat at the chefs counter twice and had issues. Forgotten courses, incorrect wine poured. Liked some of the food, but service was definitely an issue for me.
Whole Animal Catering NYC Area
I'm looking for the same thing. I'm contacting Resto to see what their options for catering are.
Did you find any other restaurants or caterers?
Celebratory Dinner - 4 Options
Thanks for the info so far. I'm not holding reservations at all 4 places. Actually only have the one reservation so far, but won't have an issue getting reservations at any of the 4 places.
We've done everything but the gourmand at EMP, and while one of my favorite places and somewhere I usually direct people to, was thinking of trying somewhere we haven't been to as often as EMP.
I guess I can scratch Gotham off the list.
I had thought of Veritas as well, didn't wind up looking to much into it, maybe I'll look over it again.
I don't think either of us mind a half empty room as long as service doesn't deteriorate when the bulk of customers leave. I remember plenty of great meals at Fleur de Sel with a half empty room.
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Veritas
43 East 20th St., New York, NY 10003
Celebratory Dinner - 4 Options
I know this has been asked a lot on this board, but I haven't read anything recently about 2 of the 4 restaurants I am looking at for a celebratory, post engagement dinner this Friday night.
The contenders are
Eleven Madison Park - Gourmand Tasting
The Modern - Spring and Chef Tasting Menu
Gotham Bar and Grill - Chef's Tasting
Picholine - Menu Royale
I've eaten at both the Modern and Eleven Madison before, and enjoyed both. Never been to the other two. I really enjoy EMP, but my SO thinks it might be a bit too stuffy for her. I like that the Modern has 2 different tasting menus, so we can try more of what the kitchen has to offer, we typically do this at JG when we go.
I guess the big question is Picholine too staid for a jubilent dinner? Haven't heard much about the food there lately, but have always heard good things from industry friends in regards to it.
I think I'm leaning towards the Modern or Picholine, but could also take other suggestions.
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Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010
The Modern
9 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019
Gotham Bar and Grill
12 East 12th Street, New York, NY 10003
Picholine
35 West 64th St., New York, NY 10023
Telepan or Ouest
Ouest is definitely a little richer, more comfort food based. The tripe, smoked sturgeon, egg souffles, and any braised dish are terrific. I find telepan a little more refined, and that they follow seasons a little more literally, with mains getting getting lighter in summer and spring. Ouest does this as well, but not as much as Telepan. Both have great bars and bartenders, as well. Ouest can be a little darker and more intimate (depending where seated) where as Telepan seemed a little more airy and spaced out to me.
I like both, and you won't go wrong with either. I'd also look into Dovetail on W 77th. They have great deals on prix fixe meals on Sunday and Monday nights, and the food there is as good there (maybe a bit more creative with flavors and pairings) than the other 2.
Either way you go, you should have a great meal.
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Telepan
72 W. 69th Street, New York, NY 10023
Ouest
2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
Boston hound seeking a little guidance for next weekend
Two places that might fit the bill for more casual places (one italian, the other not) are Dell Anima, and Perilla.
Have been to both in the past few days after a month or two reprieve, and both were as good, if not better than I remember.
Perilla had an app of hand rolled farfalle with shrimp that I could eat multiple bowls off, it was one of the best things I've ever eaten there.
As for Dell Anima, had another great meal there, and I have found the pasta to be consistently well cooked, and flavors to be great. Had a tripe dish with tomato and mint that was outstanding, and the tortelonni and tajarin were standout past dishes.
I usually walk into both places, and don't have an issue getting a table for two, or eating at the bar at either location.
Convivio is also great for pasta, but I've had issues with service and other people dining there, so I'd rather go to Alta or Marea to sample chef White's cuisine.
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Perilla
9 Jones Street, New York, NY 10014
Convivio
45 Tudor City Place, New York, NY 10017
Marea
240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019
Soft shell crab club sandwich?
Recipe on Amsterdam B/W 81st and 82nd served one last year during the season.
Ketchup Chips? UWS?
Try any corner store, I know a few on amsterdam have them (85th, 87th, 88th). See the Herr's one there from time to time. Also check food emporium, I've seen them there as well.
Upper West Side recs
Recipe is open late (1 or 2 am, I think), although they switch to a different menu, but it still serves a good 15 dishes or so.
French Roast, Big Nick's are also open late, but neither is terrific. I do like the pastrami club at Big Nick's, but only because they cook the pastrami on the griddle like the greek sub places I had growing up. The menu there is so gigantic, so you can probably find something you like.
Not sure how late Gus and Gabriel's is open, but I'd check in there as well.
Half bottles of wine
67 Wine on Columbus and 67th street has a halfway decent selection. Haven't looked too in depth, but I remember seeing a good number of choices available.
They also have a website
http://www.67wine.com/index.asp
Where you should be able to see inventory.
