bklynbiker's Profile
Upscale Mexican birthday dinner
Thanks much all. I emailed links to my 3 and let b'day pick after doing his own research, and he's gone w/ Suenos, which seems a good choice. Toloache wasn't considered because of location, unfortunately. It's a Sat. night and no way would any of us want to go to Times Sq. on a Sat. night -- just a personal quirk but we're all of the same mind on that. Would try some other time though. Yerba sounds really good too, but if it's a tad cramped as I 've heard, think will reserve for a 'just we two' dinner when we're downtown already. Will report back on resulting dinner next month. Tx again
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Toloache
251 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10019
Suenos
311 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011
Upscale Mexican birthday dinner
small party, just we four. Not blow the bankroll, but something elevated from standard Mexican for special birthday dinner. Looking at Crema, Maya and Suenos. Thoughts? If it matters, it will be a Saturday night in early November. Thanks thoughts
Best pizza to order at Sally's or Pepe's in New Haven?
How late are these places open weekenights? I expect to go through New Haven around 9 or 10 on Thursay and would like to try one.
Craft or special dinner for son
Was there last night (April / '11) -- we got muffins.
Burger Joint - slipped?
Not even their smaller size, or flatter shape? (compared to a fat , 8 or 10 ounce behemoth, i mean...). I thought that was one of the characteristics of Calif. style burgers
PSBKLYN Park Slope
Not been, but $26 for hangar steak and $19 for shepherd's pie seems a bit steep to me. Then again, with this neighborhood who the hell knows what will strike a chord.
Burger Joint - slipped?
OK, I've been a big fan of this place, though not a regular by CH standards. Let's say once or twice/year since it opened. I've called it my favorite in the city pretty much since then. Last week was a big miss. Halfway through I commented that it wasn't up to par, and my dining companion said "I was JUSt thinking the same thing." We both felt it was bland, missing the char/crunch, and just an overall 'bleahh' /dull burger -- not only not the city's best, but barely even decent. So my question is, for those who go more often, has it slipped? Is there a new manager or owner? Have they changed their supplier , recipe or cooking methods? The burger's also seemed bigger, by the way, which to me was not a good thing. I've always preferred their smaller, Shake Shack/California style patties. Anyone?
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Burger Joint
118 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019
Thai Lime & Chili Peanuts - Trader Joe's
thanks good idea. i've been buying the mixed nuts, but i too somewhat resent paying the premium when i'm satisfied with, even prefer, the peanuts. i'll try using peanuts as filler though per your idea misterbill
Just moved to Park Slope - where to eat and buy food?
Re: Bonnie's, opinions are definitely mixed. I'd say the lovers outweigh the haters (or 'shruggers'). I'm definitely in the latter category, plenty of raves, but also lots of naysayers, just FYI. Interested if you go where you fall in.
Drinks before concert, midtown 'nice' place
Tnx, all suggested were noted for future ref. , we ended up a Modern bar. nice choice, a tad noisy, good service, reasonabe prices and taste drinks including their modern martnin, infused w/ cilantro and lime, which clearly to everyone's palatte, but i had two! we'll be back .. lots of good seating choices too
Drinks before concert, midtown 'nice' place
Meeting some of the guys before a concert this week in midtown. We want to have cocktails somewhere walking distance away. Former "go to" was Villard Houses (sp?) in the old Helmsley Palace but believe it's been closed for few years. Thoughts? Have done Campbell Apartment so along those lines and might choose that. Any other suggestions?
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Campbell Apartment
89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
Cafe Moutarde in Park Slope Closed
And the last time we went in for a drink and some frites, that odd configuration led to us asking if we might sit at one of the tables in the bar. Despite the restaurant being virtually empty , we were told they were reserved for dining. Also had comically bad service last time we had brunch there, and even my followup emails went unanswered. Can't say I'll miss anything about the place, except maybe the decor, which apparently is the one thing, along with the name, they've definitely changed.
Costco meat & fish trip report, not sure about quality & value
Thank you THANK you Janie, well said! This knee jerk 'support your local whatever' is a luxury (I mean, I do, sometimes, it's a mix...) for people who have the disposable income to, in effect, 'buy' a salve for their conscience. How nice for them ...
Cafe Moutarde in Park Slope Closed
Let's hope they're 'renovating' the service. Not to mention the very ordinary food. Ironically, the decor was the strong point! Oh well ...
Vue Bar 4th avenue hotel -- now serving dinner, anyone tried?
They're on restaurant.com, which is incentive for us to try a new place, unless we've heard it's awful. Nothing on this one yet though -- anyone?
Does anyone remember this candy bar?
Bounty bars are widely available in my area (Brooklyn NY) -- even in delis. I'm sure you could find them online or any Brit specialty place
Does anyone remember this candy bar?
There's a British version currently available in gourmet or Brit shoppes and online, it's the same thing as Marathon, called a Whirley-somethingorother. If you want a Marathon this import is out there!
Top 5 Most Overrated in Manhattan
For all the complaints about Lugers' service, or cash only policy, or remote location, having been there several times none of those were issues for me. Service was , well, serviceable (sorry!), there was an ATM nearby, and I live in Brooklyn. But I just never found the steak (yes, the porterhouse signature steak) all that transporting. Good, yes. Worth the money? I didn't think so. Best I ever had? Definitely not. And no, I'm not a 'filet mignon' fan, and I do prefer aged steaks and know the difference. Definitely nominate as overrated, although that's a minority stance.
Do you ever like the crappy better than the excellent?
Iced tea. Only from a mix, with lemon and sugar please. Guess that's because I don't like black tea. The 'fake' stuff is more like slightly herbal lemonade. Or something. Love it!
Food that Most People Love and You Don't...
Most people love canned peas and creamed corn??? WTF???
Food that Most People Love and You Don't...
Lobster. Marshmallow. Anything maple flavored (no wonder I left New England!)
Food that Most People Love and You Don't...
Have to say I love beets, but I DONT think most people do. In fact I think they're often on people's 'hate them' lists, so not sure why they'd be included here ...
desserts a lot of people do not like but you do?
Think it's much more popular in Europe, where they like and value and nice crispy meringue. Made them once or twice, fairly elaborate versions, and it basically took all day. Fabulous, though
desserts a lot of people do not like but you do?
Agree, I think the main reason people who dont like canoli don't like them is because there's so many BAD ones out there. I always remember the time I went to an 'institution' in NYC's Little Italy and got a canoli, which was SO tired I actually unrolled without breaking the shell! Mmm, tasty ... As to tiramisu, I think it mostly suffers from a lack of consistency. Every time I try it (not a big fan, admittedly..) it's wildly different. Sometimes nearly all creamy and gooey, other times dry, cakey with some cream, sometimes super boozy, other times seemingly 'virgin'. So you never know what to expect when you order it, which I think is a big problem with it.
Haagen-Daz Five - a different opinion ... great ginger
Good to hear because my first try with this line, the Brown Sugar, was borderline inedible. Chalky, mouth-coating texture. Flavor was ok I guess, I really didnt get far enough to judge fairly. Although it carried an aftertaste even with that small amount. But that texture, did anyone try this? Arent they meant to be experts? I know it's lower fat than the regular line, but I love gelato, which also traditionally carries a lower fat content.
Haagen Dazs Five: high overrun?
Who knows what went wrong with this line. It's not the low fat aspect, I love gelato which is really creamy but lower fat than premium ice cream. I've only tried the Brown Sugar, and it wasn't so much the flavor, though it did carry an unpleasant aftertaste. It was the chalky, mouth and tongue coating texture. Yecch. I'm hoping to salvage with shakes or frappes, maybe. Or a small scoop on a nice cake might work or alongside a tart. But on its own, well, lets say I can't remember ever dipping into a fresh pint with a spoon and stopping after the equivalent of about two smallish spoonsful.
Naples Resturant Rec's
Funny, I had trawled chowhound for just such recommendations, seeking a nice 'gift certificate' holiday gift for my dad, who lives there. I ordered on the phone (I'm talking about La Playa/Baleen here...), gave all the info, mine, his, credit card # etc, even dictated a message for the enclosed card. It never arrived. I was never billed. A called 3 weeks down the line turned up no sign of any order/transaction etc - nothing. Nada. Zip. Not what I expected (obviously) from a highly regarded resort. Experience gave 'dropping the ball' new meaning. I'm actually back on here now looking for other recs, and was amused (but not really..) to find La Playa/Baleen again, so couldnt resist adding my 2 cents.
Popcorn for gifts, what kind/brand?
Thanks much! WholeFoods didnt have it but I might just call the company, barring that just buy the best i can find. Or what seems the best...
Popcorn for gifts, what kind/brand?
Want to make some caramely/spicy popcorn clusters as part of cookie/chocolate gift boxes this holiday. Never done them but they sound easy enough, have some recipes to try. Q: any recommended brands? I dont want to go crazy expensive, but figure something above supermarket level. There used to be something called White Cat I'd buy in the 80s when I made a lot of popcorn at home. Or does it matter at all, and should I just use supermarket/Orville? Thanks any advice!
Best Mexican food in NYC
Alma, the place that charges extra for rice and beans even with an entree? Surely you jest, or Sunnidae should, along with Shirley and many others of us. The place where an herb crusted fish on the menu when ordered is delivered in a substitute form -- they went with fennel. Now for those not acquainted, it's akin to NyQuil-lacqured fish - yummy! My 'clean plate club' gold star dinner left his untouched. One bit maybe, gag inducing. Then that tab , eek! If you must go, get drinks, any are fine, chip and salsa, enjoy the view upstairs on nice evenings and move ON for an edible meal.