Cinder811a's Profile
Falai, Barbone, Lil Frankies or Frankies Spuntino for tonight?
I wanted to try the panna cotta w/strawberry puree at the panetteria but they were out. I was kind of glad though, because the Black Moon Cake was so good! Though the dinner menu there looked simple, I'd still be interested in trying the lasagna (saw it being prepped behind the counter and it looked good). Caffe Falai, however, is next on the list!
Falai, Barbone, Lil Frankies or Frankies Spuntino for tonight?
agree on the lighting. very strange! I also thought it was a little warm in the restaurant (other people have posted the same), maybe it was because we were seated near the heat lamps?
Falai, Barbone, Lil Frankies or Frankies Spuntino for tonight?
Went to Falai last night. It seemed a little expensive for the portions, but I don't think they were miniscule, as other chowhounds have posted. We split the saffron pappardelle with cremini mushrooms, ricotta, and fig, which was outstanding. The homemade pasta was soft, and light. They also split the dish for us, which was nice. The breads were also delicious, and we were able to try them all- focaccia sprinkled with sea salt, rosemary and brown raisin, onion and fennel, and the black cabbage (our favorite). My boyfriend had the rabbit- the presentation was beautiful- esp the way the rib was arranged. The only thing that was not so stellar was the accompanying salad- it appeared to be something akin to a warm fruit salad, which was a little strange for us. I had the duck special, which was duck confit in a phyllo shell atop a bed of black trumped mushrooms and topped with a piece of seared foie gras--- amazing! We skipped dessert and instead went across the street to Falai Panetteria (dessert for 2 as much as it would have for just one of us at Falai). After dark this place transforms from casual cafe to a more intimate 'nook'. My boyfriend had the flourless chocolate cake and I had the Black Moon Cake (chocolate mousse with a semolina biscuit base)--- I loved my dessert!!! Picked up a black cabbage boule and cream filled bomboloni to go (I believe the pastries are discounted in the evening--- totally worth it!). Overall liked my experience at the Falai restaurants.
Chikalicious Puddin'--- worth it?
I tried Chikalicious Puddin'- the chocolate, vanilla, and brioche varieties last week and wasn't that impressed. I thought I'd like chocolate the most, it was actually more bitter/tangy (than sweet) for my liking. Vanilla and brioche were good but I was underwhelmed for the price ($4 and change)... I'm curious as to what others think, will this place last???
Alone in West Hollywood
So funny that you recommended this place! I was just out in LA (from NY) and ended up here late night on a Thursday. We had copious plates of nachos and the enchiladas... I don't think it was amazing food but it served its purpose, and it was definitely cheap. I think I remember the guacamole being served in boats (for fries) and it was runny, not chunky and thick like it should be!
need dinner rec for midtown east
I live in MTE. Crave Ceviche Bar was interesting, but could get pricey. We sat at the bar, and the waiter was rather pushy (but in a cordial, salesman-y way) and insisted that we order about 3 dishes pp, which I think would have been way too much (my friend and I- two women, shared 3 dishes between us and it was the right amount of food). Because the concept is ceviche, there are complex flavor combinations involved in each dish (marinating different meats or seafoods with different herbs, seasonings, and the like, and combining w/ other ingredients)... I think having multiples of these types of dishes pp could get a little overwhelming for the palate. It's an interesting idea, but a little too complex for my taste. I would suggest that if you ever go to Crave, stick with 2 dishes per person MAX and then see how you feel (if you want to order more)
I'll have to check out Our Place, thanks for the tip!
Pre-Theater meal
Based on some reviews from newyork.citysearch.com, I went to Basilica Restaurant (Italian) last year prior to seeing Wicked (? I think). The prix-fixe menu was super affordable- 3 courses for under $25 or $20, something like that, plus a free bottle of wine I believe (not top-rated Wine Spectator wine, but free wine nonetheless!). The food was good, not great. The service was lacking--- even though we had a reservation we had to wait at least 15-20 minutes for our table (making us nervous about being able to enjoy dinner + get to the theatre on time). There was also no place in the restaurant to wait (no bar). We were eventually seated, and made our show on time, but dinner felt a little rushed. If I were to do it again, I would have reserved a table at least 15 minutes ahead of when I actually wanted to be seated & served. If you were looking for a solid, relatively inexpensive meal, this is the place, just take necessary precautions!
Pink Pony
Yes, funny that you mention it because I was kind of freaked out by that, even knowing that that was not quite what I looked like in real life!
Perbacco - East Village - thoughts?
I was looking for an inexpensive yet tasty dinner in/around the East Village/Alphabet City and came across a couple positive posts for Perbacco, an Italian tapas restaurant. Though the posts were a bit dated, decided to give it a try. Went early (around 5PM) on a Sunday night and the place was empty (which was a good thing). It's a pretty small restaurant so I could imagine it being kind of a bother if the place was packed and you had to wait for a table. We were a party of 3 and ordered 5 small plates and 1 pasta dish- which was the perfect amount of food. The service was attentive (then again, we were the only ones there)--- after we placed our order, a basket of tasty breadsticks and slices of bread, along with a dish of small olives and oil were set in front of us. Our water glasses were always filled, and delivery of our plates was well-timed. The plates came out in pairs- first, the arancini, five pieces housed in a brown paper cone with a bright marinara sauce and the crostini with walnut, honey, pear and pecorino. The crostini was a little over-honeyed but tasty. Next came the homemade cured beef tenderloin carpaccio with arugula and parmesan cheese mousse (I forgot what the cheese mousse was after I placed the order- it looked like a cross between a sour cream and a chevre) and the lamb skewers. The carpaccio was more thickly sliced than I was used to, also a little more moist, but again, not necessarily a bad thing. The lamb skewers were small (3) but juicy and succulent. Last came, the potato gnocchetti with sausage, stewed leek and pecorino cheese and the polenta with fontina and thinly sliced truffle. The polenta was deliciously cheesy- a nice bit of comfort food- and still warm and bubbling when it was served. I think the gnocchetti could have been served a bit warmer, and that the sausage stood out more than the pasta itself. You could really smell/taste the fennel(? I think) in the sausage. We each spent about $25 pp (sharing the 6 plates, no drinks) including tax and tip. I would definitely come back for a 2nd visit when I'm in the mood for variety on a budget. I'm not sure I was wowed, but I'd give it another shot/try more from the menu, or sample one of the entrees. Has anyone else been recently?
Pink Pony
I agree. I went last night with a group of seven. We had a reservation, but there were still tables available on a Saturday night. I'd pop in if I was in the neighborhood, but wouldn't go out of my way to come here again. Decor is kitschy and the waitresses all have that LES funky style going on. Our waitress spilled wine on the table (at least they were paper tablecloths) every chance she had to pour! She was not particularly attentive, and service was quite slow.
I had the cassoulet, which was decent. More like a stew than a chicken pot pie, it had sausage (not made with pork), lamb, and white beans with a duck confit. It was served in a ceramic pot with some greens dressed in balsamic on the side. I think it cost around $16. Our group split 2 bottles of wine and plus gratuity I paid about $30 total for dinner.
Centro Vinoteca -- review
I went to Centro Vinoteca last night with 3 other friends from work--- 3 of us came all the way from our office in CT just to have dinner here. We had a 7:30PM reservation; 3 of us were on time, 1 (who works in the city) was late due to a meeting at work which ran over. At 7:40PM, we learned our friend was in a cab on her way, and we immediately informed the hostess. She told us she could hold our table for 3 more minutes ONLY before she had to release the reservation. (3 minutes precisely? Who says that?) We asked if we would sit down and order drinks/apps while we waited (to compensate for holding the table), upon which she insisted that she could not seat us until we were a complete party. She then proceeded to define what comprised a complete party in a condescending tone. We're not morons (we are three successful, female young professionals with college degrees), and understood this as common restaurant policy--- however, we could have done without her rude delivery.
Granted, our friend ended up being 20 minutes late, which we acknowledged. When she (our friend) approached the hostess to explain, she told us we could wait 12 minutes (Note once again the overly precise, potentially anal tendencies...) to see if a table adjacent to the bar opened up. With that remark, we made calls to other restaurants in the neighborhood while waiting. During this time the hostess did not check in with us, update us on table status, nor look at us--- she did not do anything to acknowledge our presence as customers. She made no attempt to be accommodating whatsoever. It was evident that we were not going to be seated at a proper table as long as she was in charge. The best we could hope for would be adjacent to the bar (and given her attitude, even that would have been a long shot). The decision to eat someplace else was obvious, so we ended up at Cafe Cluny, within walking distance of Centro Vinoteca. Though bustling when we arrived, they were able to take a party of 4 on the spot (8PM), with friendly service and good food to boot! (Cafe Cluny is on W4 and W12th.)
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In contrast, I dined at Blue Hill a couple of weeks ago with one other guest, and we arrived 10 minutes late for our reservation. Our table wouldn't be ready for another 10 minutes still, and the hostess invited us to have a seat at the bar and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine until our table became available (...and we were the late ones!).
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I recognize that the circumstances in these two situations are different, but the point is that certain treatment by the service staff sends a message. The staff at Blue Hill sent the message that they had a desire to keep me as a customer and that my business was appreciated. The staff at Centro Vinoteca, by being so dismissive, sent the message that they had no desire to serve me, that my business was not appreciated, and that I was not valued as a guest.
I do not intend to return to Centro Vinoteca, and judging from the majority of reviews here, it seems I would not be missing out on much anyway.
Greenwich, CT- Rebecca's or Polpo?
Thanks everyone for your help! Sounds like polpo is the winner!
Where do I get roasted corn on the cob sprinkled with mexican cheese?
Cafe Habana!!!
Greenwich, CT- Rebecca's or Polpo?
If you could choose 1 of these places for lunch, which would you choose and why?
