Tal's Profile
J & G Grill at the St. Regis Park City
New Yorker planning a week trip to Park City, Utah. looking for one or two exceptional dining experience. Have eaten at Jean-Georges in NYC and (obviously) think it is SPECTACULAR. I know J and G grill will be nothing like NYC, but I want to know if it is worth it. Other recos welcome.
need to get a very good bottle of wine around 14th and 7th Sunday
Is Union Square Wines open on Sundays?
Momo Ssam- 7:30 table for 4. How long will I wait??
And what snacks should i order at the bar while I wait....
Good lunch spots near 57th and Madison
I work on 59th and Lex. Yummy gourmet deli- Sunberries- on 60th and park. Chop't salad on 56th between Madison and Park. Next to Chopt is a Cosi, Fusia- quick asian, including sushi, not spectacular, emphasizing the quick- on 56th and lexington. If you are willing to take a walk on a nice day- 805 3rd avenue between 49 and 50 in the crystal pavillion food court is Pampano Taqueria. Delicious!
the momofuku's
I can only speak to Noodle and Ko, as I have yet to visit Ssam. But I can tell you taht Ssam gets rave reviews. Noodle Bar is just that- a casual noodle bar that happens to serve the best bowl of ramen I've ever had. Now, I must admit, I haven't had that many bowls of Ramen and I've never been to Japan. But, the ingredients are amazingly fresh and the combination is just to die for. The pork melts in your mouth. They also have a Kimchee Stew on the menu that is also amazing. I really credit Chang for using the highest quality local ingredients. If you are a fan of the locavore movement, he hits it right on the money. Great pork buns and shitake mushroom buns too. That's as far as I've gone on the menu. But everything looks smashingly delicious. Be prepared to wait for a table. But, It's worth it.
Ko. I was fortunate to get a reservation the very first time I logged on to the reservation system. A total fluke, I know. I got a 9:00 pm on a Tuesday night. This was a great 2.5 hour experience. Notice how I didn't write mind-boggling, or amazing, or any other strong adjective. I don't want to set you up with too high expectations. So, when you're done with your meal, i do hope you are blown away. Ko is a $85 (? right? I forget already) 9 course meal. About 12 seats (? Right?) around the bar of the old Noodle Bar where you are thoroughly entertained watching a team of 3 prepare your courses. Chang sometimes stands around and watches the magic happen too. And frequently asks diners how they are enjoying. This is far from the fanciest expereince you will have. Very simple decor and table settings. Waitresses that serve drinks and check your jacket at the door dressed casually, rock music playing loudly enough that it can get annoying if its a bad song but just right if you can rock to it too. Same kind of locavore expereince as Noodle. Dishes are inventive and delicious- I don't want to give too much away, but there is a sashimi course (wish I could've had it- I'm pregnant and the chef prepared something special for me. Not my choice- I would've eaten raw fish prepared by Chang, but seemed that the chef didn't want to take the chance. So instead of serving raw, he quickly seared... amazing. Great consummes with oysters, one with crawfish. Scallops. Also a dish with potato chips that I loved. Short ribs. A foie gras dish that I could've done without (please don't shoot me). I'm not revealing much on purpose. I thoroughly reccomend trying your hardest to beat the reservation system. It's totally worth it. An expereince, to say the least.
Enjoy.
Pizza Family-Dean's
I went to UWS Deans on Sunday night. Shared a small pie, small salad and a side of Meatballs with my husband. really impressed with the space, pizza was great, salad was delicious- arugula with sun dried tomato- meatballs were left to be desired. LOTS of big groups. Will for sure go back, next time with a crew.
Craftbar
Chow-ers-
Thoughts on Craftbar? Going tomorrow (saturday !!) night around 8:15 with a dinner companion. I'm pregnant- so that rules out drinking, anything raw, and unpasturized cheese. But, I generally LOVE to eat, and not just because I'm pregnant. Hearth ranks on the top of my list. Searching this site, mixed reviews pop up. Looking for a lively atmosphere with good service and delicious-close-your-eyes-to-chew bites. And we don't want to break the bank....
Thanks!
Wine bar recs
Try Bin 71- 71st and Columbus. Great wine list, very reasonable. Good small bites
New Sushi on Amsterdam Avenue in the 80's?
There is a new sushi restaurant on Amsterdam Avenue in the 80's- down the block from Haru and next door to that dreadful greek restaurant. I believe there is a Chelsea Location as well. Can someone tell me the name of it? And, comment on quality and price as well if you can.
Thanks!
Guantanamera- Midtown
Any feedback on this Cuban spot on 8th and 55th? Free hand rolled cigars? Menu looks interesting and really reasonable.
Upper West Side...anything good?
Ouest on 84th and Broadway. You may go a couple $$ above your "per person" but the food is delicious. There is also an Italian place on 84th between amsterdam and broadway called Spiga. I've never been, but I've walked past a number of times and it looks interesting. The menu looks good too. I've eaten at the Neptune Room a couple of times and enjoyed the experience. Seafood on Amsterdam and 85th.
overrated restaurants
The first time I went to Hearth, I was in love. Roasted hen of the woods- sublime. Killer, melt in your mouth gnocchi. This time, I ordered the seared scallops for $31, and they gave me TWO. yes. TWO. And there was NOTHING chocolate on the desert menu- a travesty. If I ever go back, I will sit at the bar and eat mushrooms and gnocchi. that's it. nothing else.
Brunch in the 40's or 50's- west side. Not too expensive.
Looking for a nice brunch spot on the West Side 40's or 50's. No Norma's, please. And nothing else over the top expensive...
HELP! Bridal Shower for 70 people
Yeah, it was a while ago... my mistake... should've investigated further! Good luck Yeahlb.
Landmarc Time Warner or Tribeca?
When I went, we had a reservation for 10 and ended up being 13 at a round table. We were tight, but nothing uncomfortable and they were very accomodating. The restaurant is always full but never feels too crowded. With a big group, you'll probably be seated upstairs. Landmarc Tribecca will never bomb! Get some ice cream cones for desert! The 13 year olds will love it! ALSO, they have cotton candy for desert. Not on the menu, but order it!
Landmarc Time Warner or Tribeca?
DEF tribeca over time warner. Cozier. and I think better...
HELP! Bridal Shower for 70 people
Wow. 70 for a bridal shower... big .
I went to an engagement party at Tomato's in Chelsea that was great. Rented out the entire restaurant on a sunday monring. Google it.
Quick Review: The Orchard
Went to The Orchard Saturday night. 10 pm reservation for 2. Arrived on time and was seating promptly- very interesting space with romantic lighting. We were given a choice of 2 different tables and after we sat at one and decided we wanted to sit at the other one, we moved ourselves. Servers, waiters and hostess were fine with the move and were pleasent and accomodating. Menu was limited but interesting. Ordered a delcious cocktail- belvedere, blood orange juice, basil, lime juice. We inquired about the size of the flatbreads, told they were small so decided on two flatbreads to share and two entrees. Trumpet Mushroom flatbread was delicious, braised shortrib flatbread was good, not as great as the mushrooms. I ordered Hen of the Woods Ravioli, my husband a Hankerchief pasta with a duck confit.
I'm not sure if it was because we were one of the last reservations of the evening and they were trying to get rid of the "extras", but our main courses came out and we were overwhelmed at the amount of Mushrooms on the Ravs and the amount of duck confit ragu on the Pasta. They could have made 4 dishes with the amount of mushrooms they put on my ravis and another 4 with the Ragu, and cut the price in at least half. I LOVE, LOVE LOVE hen of the woods and I could barely finish all the braised mushrooms on my plate. The duck confit ragu was very very rich and there was so much of it we could barely finish that as well!
We finished with a tartuffo that was delicious, but didn't seem homemade...
All in all, my husband says he'll never go back, but he's pretty harsh on restaurants. I'll go back, but for drinks, wine and flatbreads (YUM), and skip the main course.
The Orchard or Barrio Chino
Which one for Saturday night? Around 10 pm. I have a Reso at The Orchard, but I'm wondering if its worth the wait at Barrio Chino.
Any input appreciated.
Upper West Side fun
what about Celeste? good italian, good prices, kind of a good nyc experience?
A Fish Called Avalon
Is it worth it? How's the atmosphere? Bringing a few guests from overseas next week and I'd like for them to have a good South Beach Experience.
Where to find Chimay cheese in NYC?
REALLY... I would have to agree... 4.99 lb? CRAZY. it was 15.99 the last time i saw it.
Land Thai UES - awful!
Are you talking about the west side location, or the east side? I like west side Land for take out- never eaten in, though. I've heard bad things about the service on the west side.
Street Fairs
I think they are all the same. Except if you go to one that specifically markets something different- like that bar-b-que themed event... but the ones that you run into on broadway on every block, every weekend... same food, same vendors, same cd stand, same jewlery, same grilled corn on the cob *yum*
On an Investment Bankers Expense Account
I think the timing is open. It's not a set date, but rather an open invite to use an expense account for dinner. Any time, any place...
On an Investment Bankers Expense Account
Aren't I lucky?
Let's not get too crazy. Nothing in the league of Per Se. I've been to Gramercy Tavern, WD-50, Hearth, Lupa, and I'm sure a couple others up there I haven't thought of. If you had the pick of the pack, where would you go? What about Babbo? Worth it?
