Jill's Profile
Restaurant R&D – Chowhound's List of Manhattan’s Most Compelling Restaurants
I like the Campbell Apartment, but I have to respectfully disagree with Beach Chick. Not even close to the best lounge in NYC. It's generally over-crowded, over-priced for the drinks offered and way too loud to have a decent conversation. It's fine to meet for a quick drink early in the evening on a weeknight before heading home and the space is nice, but otherwise, nothing special.
Restaurant R&D – Chowhound's List of Manhattan’s Most Compelling Restaurants
I know I'm late the the party, but I completely agree with tpigeon and cross Pastis, Balthazar and Buddakan off the list. I think I'd probably also exclude The Spotted Pig (eh...what's the fuss?).
Rooftop drinks @ 205 Fifth Avenue?
I paid almost $5.00 for a seltzer water there...carbonated water...
Service is terrible, the crowd is juvenile (and I fit the age range according to another poster...I'm not a senior citizen), the bar and wait staff are insufferable and the mixed drinks (according to my friend) were just okay at $15/drink. The view is wonderful, but oddly, isn't enough to get me to go back. It's too much of a cheesy, poseur haven. There are better spots.
Which steakhouse of these three would you go to?
Keen's. They have several very nice private rooms, the whole place teems with old New York history, smoke-filled rooms and testosterone. The steaks are very good, as is the famous mutton chop. It's fabulous.
Dinner tonight before Broadway show...
Queen of Sheba is a nice Ethiopean restaurant on 10th between 45th and 46th. It's got plenty of delicious veggie options, fair prices and a nice atmosphere.
Bagicha - New Indian Restaurant
So, last night, my friends and I had dinner at a new India Restaurant called Bagicha on 79th between Broadway and Amsterdam. It's only been open for two weeks. Here's a brief run-down.
The atmosphere is sparce, but very nice although the lighting was a little off...a bit too dark. Service was extremely attentive if not somewhat overbearing. We went late and were the only customers, so the waiters, having little else to do at that point, stood about 10 feet away and watched us eat. Kind of annoying. They did not rush us at all, which was nice, considering that they probably just wanted to get home.
However, the most important part...the food...was great! For apps, we had the aloo tiki and the bhel puri. Both were excellent (and fashionably presented!) which is not how you get either dish on the streets in India, but we didn't care. They were yummy. The aloo tiki was in a perfectly spiced tamarind sauce which we were ready to lick off the plate. For entrees, we had baby eggplant in a peanut curry sauce, paneer with peas and fenugreek and a beautifully spiced dal. We also got a very nice basmati and some garlic naan. IMHO, it was one of the more authentic Indian meals I've had stateside.
Check it out! It was excellent.
Best Oysters in Manhattan
I just had a half dozen FANTASTIC oysters at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central. The rest of the food was just okay, but the oysters...WOW!
East village casual dinner
It's definitely moderately priced. I went with two friends and we ate a ton. It came out to being about $50 per person, but we didn't have any alcohol, so there's that...
Breakfast on Upper East Side
Peter's is also not very good. I ordered a breakfast burrito there once and it was served to me wrapped in paper and then in foil and was cold in the middle...as if it had been frozen. I could have had better food at McDonald's.
East village casual dinner
Pylos is very good if you like Greek food. Nice space and good service to boot!
Best Wine Bar
I've been there. It's very small and the food is very simple...meats and cheeses mostly. I think they use a toaster oven for a few of their plates (which isn't a knock, necessarily...it serves it's purpose...but just an indication of the tiny-ness of the place.) I think it's worth a visit.
Best Wine Bar
I should add Aroma on 5th I think and the Bowery. Really nice space...candle-lit and cozy with good small plates.
Dining Solo
You can choose almost any upscale restaurant with a bar for dining solo...if you don't mind sitting at the bar. I love to eat at the bar because, depending on the bartender's temperment, you can have a great conversation with your meal (only if you want, of course.) Beppe has a very nice bar, as does Perilla and Grammercy Tavern for dining solo.
Help me choose one of 3 for our annual NYC visit!!!
You could go to the Burger Joint at the Parker Meridien for lunch. They have very good burgers and it's hidden away in the corner of the hotel lobby, which makes for a fun little retreat.
I'd go to Gotham for dinner...but it is kind of quiet. Great food though.
Best Wine Bar
Bin 71 on 71st and Columbus is really nice if you're on the UWS. If you're on the UES...try Pudding Stones on 3rd between 82nd and 83rd (I think...). Both have nice wines and good food, including small plates and entrees.
Best Falafel in NYC?
I think you missed Bread and Olive...there is one in mid-town (45th between 5th and 6th) and one on John Street between Broadway and Nassau. Their falafel has very nice spice and they're always fresh. The hot sauce is good (but I can't speak on the tahini...I don't tend to use it.) It's a great spot and there are plenty of side salads to choose!
E 80's or upper 70's not precious place!
I just went to Persepolis with a friend and we order a bunch of the appetizers. They were all delicious and we were absolutely stuffed when we left. That being said, I've had several entrees there which were very good...try the lamb and don't forget the sour cherry rice!
The best place you have eaten in the past 4 weeks in Manhattan.
Persepolis on 2nd between 74th and 75th. My friend and I ordered a bunch of apps and everything was delicious! We could barely walk when we left.
Great Jones Cafe is repulsive
Ahh, you have to take it for what it is...a gritty, somewhat legend-y, New Orleans diner with a New York attitude. It's okay and if you go in knowing that, you can have a great time.
Mermaid Inn UWS
Did its location in the East Village close or are the owners adding a second restaurant?
I love lobster rolls so that's what I've had there (and they're good!) but they do have other food which my friends say is tasty.
Lardo in NYC
GO STEELERS!
Okay...lardo...if you're interested in finding a good lardo at a restaurant, the one at Del Posto is delicious. I'm generally not a big fan of it but I was seriously depressed when I realized that the last of ours was gone. Cesare Casella offers a nice one too at Maremma.
Restaurant Recs
The 7 course tasting menu at Annisa is fantastic, as is the service and the atmosphere. Never been to August so I can't compare it for you.
Best Italian Restaurant in Midtown
Brio is on 61st and Lex. It's a nice little bistro-style spot near Bloomingdale's. Good pastas, pizzas and wine. It's also great to sit outside if the weather is right.
Your Fresh Direct picks?
Their dolmas are to die for...I'm craving them. To try to satisfy that craving immediately, I went to a Greek market on the UES and bought some. They didn't even come close. I don't know where they get them at Fresh Direct, but they are awesome.
Best Shawarma in Manhattan?
I'm a BIG Bread & Olive fan. Their shawarma is delicious, but it's chicken or beef...no lamb. The sandwiches are $7.00 and the platters are $12.00. Platters come with bread, salad, hummus and rice.
Best quality lunch food-by-the-pound in midtown?
So glad you're enjoying it. I find I can eat there a few times a week and always be happy with what I've gotten.
Best quality lunch food-by-the-pound in midtown?
Even better than Dishes in terms of prices, selection and quality is Manhattan Cafe on 45th between 5th and 6th. While they may not offer food that is as ambitiously "gourmet" as Dishes, they do have a lot of unique foods to choose from and it's almost always very, very tasty at half the price of Dishes. Check out their udon soup counter. Yum! They also have pre-made boxed lunches which are a great value, made to order thin crust pizzas, fresh cut fruit by the pound, and sushi. Another huge plus is efficiency. You can get in and out of Manhattan Cafe twice as fast as Dishes, which is just not set up very well at all and is always a chaotic mess at lunch time.
Songs for the Portuguese?
Are there any stand-out Portuguese restaurants in the city that are "Must Try's?" I have a Portuguese friend who is a little homesick and is looking for some familiar comfort food.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
