Almondine's Profile
Midtown East Dinner for 10 - Is there anything interesting?
Need a restaurant for a midweek business dinner for 10 in Midtown/East Midtown/Grand Central. Price up to $100 pp. Mixed group of NYers who are sophisticated people.
Nothing too ethnic and no steakhouses, but would like something interesting. Need to be able to talk and a private room would be ok, but not required.
Hoping someone out there might have some ideas.
Really appreciate any help.
Almondine
Wine Bar or Tapas in Midtown?
Need a place for a few girlfriends in their 30's to meet up for drinks and eats after work. It seems like all the great wine bars/tapas places are in other parts of town. Please let me know if I'm missing something I should know about in Midtown!
Looking for something fun with great wine and eats, not a staid sit-down place. Bar or restaurant bar would be fine if its somewhat upscale.
Really appreciate any thoughts.
Telepan: Eating at the Bar?
Terrific! Thanks so much for the response. Great handle too!
Telepan: Eating at the Bar?
Has anyone done this? I have never been but was thinking about going tomorrow night for an early dinner (around 6ish). There will be two of us. I want to be sure the chances are good that: 1) we'll be able to score seats; 2) the seats have backs; 3) the bar is a comfortable place in general to eat (e.g. its not in the vestibule or otherwise overly cramped). We typically enjoy eating in bars, the fall menu looks good and we have reason to go out tomorrow night, so would love any thoughts you have about this plan. Thoughts on the menu are welcome as well. Thanks very much.
Champagne Grape Pizza at Grandaisy
Its back! Had my first (and second) slice yesterday. Still unbeleiveable. Proper name is schiacciata d'uva (see link below for info and photo). Amazing with a hunk of blue cheese and a glass of port for dessert. Strongly recommend all to try if you can hit a Grandaisy easily. The one on 72nd Street still had plenty around 6 PM yesterday. Its usually around for a month or so during the early fall.
http://www.grandaisybakery.com/pizza_schiacciatta.html
Any favorite places for a tagine?
Thanks for reporting back. I think you should give Cafe Epices a try.
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Epices
103 W 70th St, New York, NY 10023
Any favorite places for a tagine?
Also had a great visit and good eats in Ouarzazate, which was one of my favorite spots in Morocco. Have looked for good Moroccan food in NYC and have really not found much.
I thought Zerza was OK, but not special enough to try a second time. Will be interested in your thoughts. I've been to Cafe Epices on the UWS a few times, but can't remember if I've tried the tagine there. The brik and bastilla are usually pretty good. Its a nice spot and would probably be worth checking out. Am interested in the "unique" description of TTG and will add it to my list to try. Thanks for the tip.
My default is to make my own tagine, which I've had pretty good luck with if you have the time. Its actually pretty easy.
UWS Dinner Delivery (66th and Columbus), need rec's to add to our rotation
I don't know how long its been since you tried CC, but it fell off our rotation list for a while a couple of years ago, when we also found it to be consistently too dry and underseasoned. But for the past 18 months or so we've never had a dud from there. In fact I've had it about three times in the past two weeks (I know I know ... BORING) and its been especially good lately. Even the next day. Maybe its time to give it another try? Also, can't beat that lightening fast delivery.
FWIW, I personally don't like Fairway rotisserie chicken. Maybe I alwasy buy it too late in the day, but I find it really dry and tough from sitting under those heat lamps in their little plastic green houses all day long. I also think the quality of the chicken is not great. if I'm going to do rotisserie I think Citarella's chicken is better. They do smaller batches and have a higher turnover so the chicken doesn't sit around and I think its more moist and flavorful.
Finally tried Pinch and Smac last night and was pleasantly surprised. For wat it is, I thought the arugula salad and a pizza was pretty good. Also agree Freddie Pepper's empanadas are a good bet. Pizza is also probably the best NY-type slice in the immediate nabe, but nothing special. They also deliver. Best are slices from Grandaisy, but they don't deliver and they close at 7.
UWS Dinner Delivery (66th and Columbus), need rec's to add to our rotation
You should definately try Chirping Chicken if you haven't yet - is one of our standbys. The chicken is usually very good, the fries (both regular and sweet potatoe) are decent and the delivery is very fast. I don't recommend much else there though, so have some backup sides at hand to round out the meal (we keep Fairway cole slaw in the freidge for this purpose. FWIW we think CC's is terrible).
Also, would recommend avoiding Brother Jimmy's.
GREAT PLACE FOR BUSINESS LUNCH NEAR GRAND CENTRAL STATION?
I have had several successful business lunches at Metrazur on the balcony inside GCT. Food is solid, service is excellent, tables are well spaced and there is the built-in spectacle of moving people and a beatiful space. I typically end with the cookie plate which has been the highlight of the meal several times.
Need Champagne Grapes
I know they're out of season, but has anyone seen these anywhere lately? Need them for next week. Thanks so much.
West Branch Restaurant?
Has anyone eaten here more recently and can provide some thoughts? Am considering it as a place for a two couple dinner with good food and comfort (reasonable noise levels so we can hear ourselves and a decent 4-top table) the most important factors. Thanks in advance.
Lunch w/in block of Chambers or 14th St Subway
Sounds good. Thanks so much boccalupo!
Lunch w/in block of Chambers or 14th St Subway
Need to meet someone for a business lunch on Monday. SInce we're splitting the distance and in order to make it easy, I really want to find something within a block of either the Broadway Line's Chambers Street (Chambers & West B'way) or 14th Street (14th & Seventh Ave) Stations.
Pretty open to any cuisince, really focused on finding a nice place (but not too nice - nothing really high end) that is super convenient. I can't think of anything and am really hopeful you can help me.
Thanks so much for any ideas!
Champagne Grape Pizza at Grandaisy
Have really been enjoying the season's speciality "pizza" from Grandaisy on the UWS lately. It has a superbly chewy crust and is covered with fresh champagne grapes, fennel seeds and a drizzle of olive oil. I know it sounds kind of funcky, but it really is incredible. Cut into little slics and served with some cheese its an exceptional app with drinks. My current favorite yum. The signs say its going to have a limited run based on availability of the grapes. It also has a special Italien name which I've forgotten and I think its tied to an Italien festival/holiday. Anyway, I highly recommend checking this out while it lasts.
Surprised this hasn't been posted about yet - or if it has I missed it and apologies to all.
Very Nice/Fancy Lunch in Berks for this Friday
Am heading to the Berkshires on Friday with my 70-something mother for a special lunch. Is there anywhere with a really nice/fancy lunch in the Great Barrington/Lee/Lenox area someone can recommend? Somewhere like the Red Lion or the Cranwell with good food, and preferably with an outdoor terrace or patio. I've seen the Church Street Cafe recommended elsewhere on this board and that may be my default, but I wanted something a little fancier for my Mom if I could find it. Thanks for any/all suggestions.
quick! CA Chow in for today need dinner idea
I third Perilla and you can make it more quick and flexible by dining at the bar if that appeals to you. Ate there last week and had a terrific meal. Get the spciy duck meatballs and the banana dessert.
Another choice is the Red Cat, which I also love. But that's in Chelsea (10th & 23rd). Can also have a wonderful meal sitting at the bar there too.
Fresh anchovies & sardines & smelt
Zabars has incredible fresh white anchovies flown in from either Spain or Portugal (I forget) that are marinated in olive oil with garlic. They come in vacuum packed containers that are refligerated over by the sliced-to-order salmon. You should call before you go because they only get them in certain days and they go fast. They are terrific as a treat with a drink or as tapas on a slice of a fresh baguette.
Best of the UWS (a la RGB's best of LES tour)
Add the new Grandaisy Bakery on 72nd off of Amsterdam for a slice of potatoe/rosemary pizza. And I think Absolute Bagels on B'way around 106 are the best bagels on the UWS.
Chcolate Bar at Bendels
Anyone been? Is this a reasonable place for two friends to meet for lunch or is it really just a bakery counter? Would want to go there around prime time on a Friday for lunch (e.g. sandwiches and dessert). Looking for someplace we can catch up that's a little different. Thanks for any insight.
can anyone introduce me to some great bakeries/cafes, etc??
No, Stuffed Monkey mean Cafe Margot, which is west of Broadway on 74th (Levain is east of Amsterdam on 74th). Cafe Margot is tucked into a side entrance in the Ansonia - there is no sign. Excellent almond criossants and coffee. A great place to get a bite and read the paper.
Levain Bakery is just a little bakery with no seating. The bread is nothing special although the chocolate bioche is excellent. Some people are crazy about their cookies which just won against Bobby Flay in a "throw down." I think they're good, if a little underbaked, but don't go out of my way to get them.
Buchon's Chocolate Cherry Bread
Very moist dried cherries and excellent chocolate chunks. This was truly the most delicious baked good I've had in ages. Devoured half the loaf myself (oink!).
Dinner and drinks in UWS
'Cesca is very convenient (on 75th, just east of Amsterdam) and is open late on Friday night.
Buchon's Chocolate Cherry Bread
A limited Valentine's Day offering, I was told through Sunday only. Bought a loaf this morning only because they were offering samples and once I tasted it I had to have more. Its unbeleivable. Its also $13, which is fair given the heavy amount of high quality chocolate and cherries throughout the dense loaf. I'm going back tomorrow for another one.
Grandaisy UWS - Oven Working!
No idea. That's just what I overheard the interviewer saying repeatedly.
Grandaisy UWS - Oven Working!
Was there around 11ish yesterday and bought 4 slices: cauliflower, bianca, mushroom and potato. Cauliflower was the only warm slice - crispy on the bottom and the florets were cooked perfectly, meltingly tender. This slice had the best texture (probably because it was warm), however I thought it was the weakest slice in terms of flavor. It needed fresh herbs or sea salt or something. Was overall pretty bland. Bianca was fine, probably sould have warmed it up before eating, but not as transcendent as I had expected based on reviews. Had an excellent texture. Mushroom was good - covered in black mushroom and crystals of salt. The star of the show was the potato with rosemary and salt. Wonderful flavors. I would happily eat a slice of this every day.
4 slices were $12, and the purcahse process reminded me of buying pizza in Italy, where a square is cut from the larger pie for each order. Help was very friendly and knowledgable. I was told pizza comes out of the oven late morning and is usualy gone by 5 to 6.
The owner, Monica, was there getting interviewed by a jounralist, who kept saying how brave she was to open in such a cursed location. This place is such a fabulous addition to the nabe we should all support it.
Simon Pearce in Quechee, VT?
Celebrating a special anniversary in the Quechee, VT, area this weekend and looking for a special dinner. Should we go to Simon Pearce or is there something better (in terms of food) in a reasonable driving distance that we should try instead? Thanks for any thoughts.
Best burger on the UWS?
Just had the Five Napkin Burger at Nice Matin. I thought it was pretty good, but not amazing. Obviuosly the name leads you to expect a big juicy mess. For the record I only used one napkin (and didn't even get it that messy). It was cooked perfectly medium-rare but I thought the comte cheese and aoli did nothing for the package. The fries were decent. Wouldn't go out of my way for it.
DB Bistro: Is The Burger enough?
Thanks for the rec RGR, I'll put the Pamplona burger on my list. Yes, I have been craving a really great burger and have meant to get to DB for years since its burger first hit the scene. I need to stay in midtown for this particular lunch this week, and based on all these posts think I'll cancel my res at DB and look for somewhere else. Maybe Anthos, although have been there too often to be excited about it.
DB Bistro: Is The Burger enough?
I am really disappointed to hear the so-so reviews of what I had been led to believe was The Burger. I guess my expectations really had been built up so maybe I'll rethink lunch at DB. Thanks CH'ers for your input. Invaluable as always.
