Casual place for a group of 6 (book club), Between 14th and Bleecker?

Hardly. Usually five people order dinner and drinks and maybe one or two will only drink. We're all former waitresses, we're not doing that. Thats why I'm looking for more of a bar atmosphere than restaurant so I don't have to make reservations.

fornaio in Manhattan

Casual place for a group of 6 (book club), Between 14th and Bleecker?

Hi all,

I'm trying to pick a place for our six (sometimes 7) person book club to meet. Something casual, where we can drink and chat and someplace with the option to eat, but won't have a problem if one or two people just have a few drinks.

preferably wallet friendly, but we'll eat anything. Ideally between 14th St area to Bleecker, west side, as some people will be taking the path train home.

Also, somewhere that can accomodate 6 people walking in on a Tuesday night at 7 fairly easily.

Considering Lederhosen in W. Village, or Las Ramblas, if they took reservations which I doubt...

Thanks!

fornaio in Manhattan

ISO Your Most Tried-and-True Healthy Vegetarian Weeknight Staples

There was a recipe in the NY Times a couple of years ago (also on smitten kitchen.com) for sweet potato lentil curry that we love. the yield is huge and doesn't take *that* long to cook.

Two favorite vegetarian shepherds pies: cook lentils (de puy) and drain. Mix with a carrot and piece of celery (tiny diced) and sautee with half of a 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes, salt, and smoked paprika. top with mashed potatoes, bake until bubbly and the potatoes are browning a little.

OR, saute one leek, one carrot, half an onion, clove of garlic. add about quarter cup of wine to deglaze, then add a can of rinsed white beans. season with salt, pepper, thyme. then add a cup of broth, cover, and let it simmer for ten min or so. Put in a casserole, top with mashed sweet potatoes and bake it up until the potatoes are toasty.

Quesadillas, with beans, veggies, a sprinkle of pepperjack cheese.

Eggs, in huevos rancheros, quiche (ok, not the healthiest but occasionally).

Big salads with dried fruit, blue cheese, and maple glazed pecans.

Chili, made with morningstar grillers crumbles and beans.

fornaio in Home Cooking

homemade snacks to accompany beer?

thanks for the other thread-- I did some searching before but didn't turn that one up. that has great tips!

fornaio in Home Cooking

homemade snacks to accompany beer?

Hi all,

We're trying to come up with a food gift to give my father in law for father's day. He loves beer, even talks about retiring from his job and working as a volunteer at his local brewery. So we're trying to come up with an assortment of beer snacks to make and mail to North Carolina (from NY), to accompany a gift certificate to his favorite wine/beer store in the area.

Any suggestions? I'm thinking some kind of spiced nut, maybe a hard cheese from Murray's, but please, I need more ideas! any suggestions are very appreciated! I'm blanking on good, savory salty snacks to make!

fornaio in Home Cooking

Brussel Sprouts

I made the cream braised brussel sprouts last night from All About Braising and they were fantastic. Just a little heavy cream (I used half and half), some lemon, some butter, and salt. I pulled the recipe from blogspot.orangette.com.

fornaio in Home Cooking

UWS Dinner on Saturday

Hi all,

I'll be on the UWS on Saturday night for dinner, and I'm stumped. I searched the boards, but nothing really jumped out at me, and I know very little about UWS dining. Any suggestions for a casual but nice dinner, entrees in the under 20-25 dollar range? We like all food, so what is your favorite UWS joint?

Thanks all.

fornaio in Manhattan

Lunch near Chelsea Market, w/ kids

Hi all,

I will be meeting my mom, aunt, and two preteen cousins near the Chelsea Market this Saturday for lunch and was looking for suggestions for restaurants near there. The girls are pretty good eaters, but wouldn't go for Thai or sushi suggestions (I already tried to suggest Thai food).

Reasonably priced would be ideal, lunches around or under 15 bucks each, and we'll venture outside of the immediate 9th ave area, but I don't want to stray too far from the ACE train since they will be hopping the subway to a play after lunch.

Thanks in advance.

fornaio in Manhattan

Budget Meals, no meat

Thanks for all the ideas so far-- my shopping list for this week has a bunch of new ideas now. Isn't it funny how sometimes you just forget about foods entirely? I used to eat polenta all the time but I think it has been years since...

fornaio in Home Cooking

Budget Meals, no meat

Ahh, thanks for the link. I did a bunch of searches before I posted this, but had trouble finding posts like this one.

fornaio in Home Cooking

Budget Meals, no meat

Hi all,

We're trying to save money for our wedding (yay) and some unexpected dental work that has sprung up (boo). We're trying to cut back on our food costs because of this, but it has been hard because we both love to cook and eat. What are your favorite meals that don't cost a lot of money but taste great, and would satisfy a fish eating but otherwise vegetarian couple? And if they yield leftovers, even better!

We've been eating black bean quesadillas, roasted vegetables over rice, tofu curries, soups that yield lunch for a week, pastas, etc, but I'm looking for some "why didn't I think of that?" meals.

Thanks!!

fornaio in Home Cooking

Not sweet treats to mail to nursing home resident

Hi CHers,

My fiancees grandmother is in a care facility in Georgia, quite a distance from our home in New York. We've been mailing her care packages every few weeks of cookies and treats, but we're trying not to encourage her sweet tooth too much. Does anyone have any suggestions for food gifts that can travel well and aren't dessert? Something she can open up and instantly snack on, as she can't exactly cook or reheat what we send?

I'm stumped, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

fornaio in Home Cooking

pumpkin butter recipe for gift-giving

There was a recipe recently on www.smittenkitchen.com for pumpkin butter. I made it and it turned out great-- careful not to overcook as I had some darker spots from scorching. But it was delicious.

fornaio in Home Cooking

Caterer suggestions in Monmouth County?

Thank you all so much-- I had no idea how to even start! This is a huge help!!

fornaio in New Jersey

Caterer suggestions in Monmouth County?

Hi all,

I'm having an at-home wedding in Monmouth County in the spring of 08 and am currently looking for a caterer. It will be small, about 60 people, and we want to make it all small, passed plates, starting with cheese and fruit and leading up to more substantial small plates like crab cakes and shrimp tostones.

We plan on making some things ourselves ahead of time, and I plan on making my own cake, so it will actually be light work for a caterer, more immediate heating and cooking, and serving. Since this will be a small job, we're struggling to find someone who 1, would take on this small job but still 2, provide servers and 3, bring their dishes, glassware, etc.

Does anyone have any suggestions for accomodating, small operation caterers who make great food (of course)?

Thanks for any suggestions ahead of time!

fornaio in New Jersey

Indian in Jersey City [moved from Mid-Atlantic board]

Amiya... I think it is on Montgomery Street, but it is by the water.

fornaio in General Tristate Archive

Brunch, with bellinis and reservations...

Hi all--

I've done some searching and got some ideas, but I feel like I'm missing the perfect solution. I'm planning brunch for my good friend on her birthday, a Sunday at the end of the month, for about 5 people. I know the birthday girl has a love for bellinis, so I was hoping to find a brunch spot that would offer them, along with a place that would take reservations.

I've considered Jane, which has a modified Bellini, and Five Points, though I've never been there for brunch and don't know their drink offerings.

I'd like to keep the location to below 23rd street-ish, as some are coming in via PATH.

Thanks all!

fornaio in Manhattan

Help me use up my rosemary

I bought a bunch of rosemary for a dinner party that never was (that ice storm in the Northeast was a pain), and now I'm on a quest to use it up before it goes bad.

Last night I made rosemary crackers from this post (http://www.chowhound.com/topics/278744) and they are delicious. But I still have quite a bit.

I know I can freeze it, but I'm just looking for some ideas for things I can make with it.

Thanks!

fornaio in Home Cooking

Grown up Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese

There was a place in my neighborhood that recently closed called Melt who made a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches. My favorite was called an Ugly American, and I swear up and down it was absolutely delicious, but I agree the ingredients do not sound appetizing.

American cheese, peanut butter, banana slices, and orange-fig jam on a country white bread. I know, but there are a good amount of people who knew Melt that would be able to convince you how amazing the combination was.

I also love muenster, avocado, and tomatoes together.

fornaio in Home Cooking

Fast, tasty K-town cuisine?

Mandoo (is that what you're thinking of yumyumyogi?). Regardless, Mandoo is delicious and when I worked in the area, we were able to sit down and eat and return to the office in plenty of time.

fornaio in Manhattan

leftover polenta

I love polenta pan fried for breakfast. An over medium egg over it, and some tomatoes if they are in season, and it is my favorite breakfast.

fornaio in Home Cooking

Inexpensive near Public Theater/Astor Place

Hi all,

I searched, but couldn't find quite what I was looking for. I'm heading to one of the Under the Radar shows at the Public this weekend, and am at a blank for where to eat near there. I'm looking for somewhere two people can eat for under 30 dollars or so. I'm thinking about Bianca, but I'd prefer somewhere that wouldn't have a long wait. Any other suggestions?

Any type of food is fine, but one of us is doesn't eat meat (but does eat fish).

Thanks all!

fornaio in Manhattan

Restaurant near Arts Center in Newark, NJ

Maize, in the Robert Treat Hotel is nearby. Never been, but I've heard good things.

Also nearby and delicious is the Savoy Grill
http://www.thesavoygrillnewark.com/savoy.htm

More casual, and a couple of blocks further but definitely walkable is an Irish pub style restaurant/bar called Hamilton’s Pub (27 Central Ave).

These are all very close to NJPAC (I work in the area). have fun!

fornaio in Mid-Atlantic

Coffee and linger?

My two favorites are Think, on Mercer Street by W. 4th and
Jack's Stir Brewed on W. 10th between 6th and 7th.

fornaio in Manhattan

best pasta in nyc?

Bianca-- again, not the best, but pretty amazing.

fornaio in Manhattan

Calling all favorite fish dishes

My favorites are tilapia with dijon mustard spread on it, topped with bread crumbs and pan fried in olive oil. I also love tilapia topped with sauteed spinach and tomatoes.

And one of the best fish dishes I ever had came from a whole foods recipe-- salmon baked in couscous with pine nuts, raisins, olives, capers-- the recipe can be found here as well. http://wellfed.typepad.com/well_fed/2006/01/salmon_in_a_cou.html There's some chopping involved, but it is mostly a throw in the pan and go meal.

fornaio in Home Cooking

Cooking Classes

Institute of Culinary Education on W. 23rd Street
http://www.iceculinary.com

fornaio in Manhattan

Review(s): Piadina, Lupa, Peep

One of those catch up with old friends, let's get dinner! kind of weekends...

Lupa--
what more can I say that hasn't already all over this board. It was amazing. We drank bellinis at the bar while waiting for our other friend, had a lovely glass or two of a white wine the waiter suggested. We shared the sunchokes and the brussel sprouts to start, and it was the first time I ever tried brussel sprouts and loved them. I went with the popular chowhound rec of the bavette cacio e pepe and it was amazing. So simple, but the tastes came together so well, and no one ingredient was overpowering the others. For dessert, we shared the tartufo which was chocolate heaven. Despite the other two saying they only wanted a bite, we cleaned the plate rather quickly, and washed it down with some very strong coffee.. I cannot wait to go back.

Piadina--
Nothing was wrong with this meal, but nothing really wowed me except for the space. The basement restaurant was phenomenally cozy, the type of place you just want to stay in and drink wine all winter long. We shared a spinach piadina, and I had the rigatoni with ricotta salata and eggplant. I expected the piadina to be a bit more hearty, more like the stuffed bread my grandfather makes, but it was quite good. The pasta was cooked well, the sauce was good, prices were low, service was pleasant. Just nothing really overwhelmed my tastes. I have filed it away in my memory though for those cold, winter 'where should we go for a drink and a snack?' moments.

Peep--
Well... I didn't love it. There was no wait for 4 people at nine o'clock and we were seated right next to the bathroom (THE famous bathrooms). I've been to SEA before, and I believe they are somehow associated, right? so I was ready for the loud, loud music but I still walked out somewhat exhausted from it. I think the meal went on a downward slope as it was delivered--
drinks were amazing-- lychee mojitos and a strawberry lime drink were delicious.
The appetizers were very good-- taro spring rolls, calamari in a spicy dipping sauce, and peppercorn dumplings.
Entrees-- they lost me. I had the crabmeat and rice and shrimp grilled in the banana leaf, and it just wasn't there. The rice was okay, but the shrimp were kind of gross.
I think the (somewhat creepy) bathrooms are still the draw here.

fornaio in Manhattan

Cheap Coffee / Muffin type place in the West Village??

Jack's Stir Brewed on w. 10th. They offer the 4 dollar lattes, but you can just get a basic cup of coffee, and I like the space a lot. Small, but warm and cozy.

fornaio in Manhattan