rose water's Profile
Need lunch recommendations in Murray Hill
Ravagh spectacular, huh? I wrote them off years ago (along with just about every Iranian restaurant in NYC), but would love to revisit if they've improved. Can you tell me more? Thanks!
Where art thou, really good hummus and baba to go? (OR: A Sahadi's in Manhattan?)
The thing about R&Ds is that the smokiness permeates everything--dried fruit, sweets, etc. And the prices there, and at Kalustyans's, will have you hopping the train out to Sahadi's in no time.
I like Moustache for hummous, Alfanoose for baba, but no, there's nowhere that compares with Sahadi's breadth and prices in Manhattan. (Or proximity to Damascus's awesome bread).
Old discussion etiquette question
You can do either. More than anything, it's most helpful when you're specific. So if you bump the old thread, or start a new one, telling folks what has piqued your interest, and what questions you still have is most likely to get you helpful responses. For example--it seems that Kalamazoo Burgers is really popular. Is that still the best? What about the best burger place with humanely raised happy cows/ good beer/ beet slaw/ what have you.
What else can I use tahini for?
What fabulous ideas! Keeping kale salad, and warm squash salad ideas in my brain.
I am not a tahini fan, but do use it liberally in hommous--it's amazing how much richer, and more flavorful hommous gets when use use lots and lots of tahini.
When I visited a friend in Palestine a decade ago, our rich, delicious breakfast was bread dipped into tahini, with a swirl of pomegranate molasses on top. It's like like concentrated pb&j.
CHOW Restaurant Data Export Tool Now Available on Your Profile
The export feature as it stands does not provide a mechanism to save the most useful content that's about to be eliminated. I explained my thoughts more here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/827433#7136190
"Restaurants" Database To Be Eliminated
I see this as a very big loss, and am concerned about how it will play out.
For one thing, there's a wealth of info there. Every time squid kun links to a restaurant page, I'm amazed about how much content is there. Photos of menus, tips on how to navigate, photos of storefronts... It's a huge treasure, and such a shame to dump it.
From a community perspective, it is a huge loss to eliminate what was clearly a labor of love by squid kun, Melanie, rworange, jen kalb and others to consolidate info in a focused way for all of our benefit.
From a CH boards/discussion perspective, eliminating the autolinks may render many archived threads useless/incomprehensible. I know there have been a number of discussions where people discuss places at length without mentioning them by name, then include the link to the restaurant. Am I right in understanding that these will all vanish when the restaurant pages go? By the same token, it's incredibly helpful to have the links mentioning restaurants that have closed denoted as closed. This keeps archived posts up to date, particularly for people visiting or unfamiliar with the local area.
The other huge loss to CH boards/discussion is the specificity the restaurant links provide. Having address info and a map on the sidebar helps to contextualize the information provided in a more offhand/freewheeling/sprawling discussion. Reading about a tantalizing tip, and simultaneously figuring out where the place is located makes it much more likely I'll make it there (and eventually report back). Especially in NYC, and I imagine on boards for other cities, where there are tons of visitors, having this easily accessible level of detail makes the board much more of a resource.
The download option isn't a fix. Before it vanishes, I'd love the option to download the restaurant pages updated by squid kun, store away jen kalb's in case I ever visit Italy, and copy MMRuth's NYC shopping list. The names (without address info, current restaurant page info, or anything else) of the 4-5 pages I "wanna go" is of no use.
Need the ambience says "Wow! We're not in Kansas anymore!"
Katz's only has one location, on Houston St. From there, you can check out Russ and Daughter's (wonderful smoked salmon and other "appetizings," classic NYC place), and Il Laboratorio di Gelato (incredible gelato with wonderful flavors) on the same two block stretch.
There are now many Shake Shack locations. You can choose depending on where you'll be for other activities. The original, in Madison Sq Park, is the only outdoor location, tends to have very long lines, and is right across the street from Eataly (another food tourist destination in its own right, and which engenders strong love it--the selection!-- or hate it--the prices! crowds! mall-ish-ness!-- reactions). The Upper West Side location tends to have much shorter lines, but the competition for seating can be intense and unpleasant. Never been to Times Sq or E 86th.
Best Oatmeal in NYC?
When I lived in the East Village (years and years ago) there was a place called Bagel Zone on Avenue A (btwn 3rd and 4th St). Their oatmeal was amazing--topped with steamed milk, cranberries, blueberries and honey.
They've been replaced by a place called "Native Bean" which I think has the same owners and same staff, and there was a report here a while ago that their great oatmeal is still around and still great. But it's been years and years since I've been there last, so I hope but don't know that it is.
Grand Sichuan Chelsea for a birthday party on a Saturday night
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/736719 has many solid recommendations. I was there recently with a big group, and our meal was awesome. I am still craving the spicy pickled turnips.
Wherein We Beg For A Way To Unsubscribe From Posts
So well said, and so convincing. Yes, let the cautionary reminder survive!
Bay Area Chow Hound in Manhattan right now for 5 more days - need recommendations!
And if the latter, try Ssam bar instead.
Pok Pok Wing – Delicious New Thai Chicken Wing and Other Thai Specialties in the Lower Eastside
When I went they said they were planning a full menu in Brooklyn, but the Rivington St space has a very limited menu. Got the papaya salad (which was at the upper limit of my spice tolerance, and quite good) and wings (delicious fishy/garlicky/crispy/savory/sweet). My one Pok Pok trip in Portland years ago was amazing, and memorable; I'm very excited to have them here, and to have more on the way.
Central Jersey caterers
We're looking for caterers for a party at home in the Watchung/Warren area, and would welcome your recommendations/thoughts.
My parents have been to parties catered by Bilbao catering, and thought the food was fantastic. The materials they provided re catering options seemed Spanish-inspired, which the guest of honor wasn't excited about. The other foods described in their materials seem much more generic, but if people have experience with them and know they're done well, that's a potential consideration.
Guest of honor wants more new American fare. Interesting, tasty, inspired, and not outrageously expensive would be great.
kid friendly restaurants around Orpheum theater (2nd ave)
There are dozens of options In the immediate area.
Cafe Mogador does a great brunch
Forcella for deep fried pizza
Momofuku Ssam/noodle/milk bar
Zabb Elee for spicy Thai
Much more casual
Caracas arepas
Xi'an famous foods
Need reservations
Dirt candy (inventive vegetarian)
There are tons of casual inexpensive Italian places. When I lived in the area Gnocco and Max were my favorites but I haven't been for years. Frankie's Spuntino has since opened up, and is close to where you'll be but not in the immediate area.
What NYC food item do you send to 75 people from out of town - other than bagels?
Lee lee's. Yes, they're great. But a very no frills joint, so you'd have to do the packaging/ shipping. Could combine with cookies from Levain on Frederick Douglass btwn 116/117
Change in the site header
Vote here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/828100 (and then, hopefully, they'll change it back)
New board name [moved from newly renamed Other Boroughs board]
the voting thread is here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/828100
MAS (La Grillade) - Wonderful
Stopped in last week for drinks, then ended up getting more and more food. Service was friendly and lovely--though we had originally intended to get only drinks they brought out amuses for all. Cocktails were fantastic, food was awesome (we got most of the vegetarian apps and sides on the menu).
Agree that outdoor signage was dark/subtle, but no issues with indoor lighting.
Under the radar Coffee Bar
Connie, assuming you didn't mean chowhound, did you mean cupcake cafe?
What Fairway items do you recommend?
re value/Eataly's produce--I think that's the case. As much as I've been surprised by high prices of most of the fare at Eataly, I've been surprised by how reasonable some of the produce is there.
re the OP's query--organic eggs and milk (though they're getting more expensive, and I wish they'd offer their house brand organic milk in 1 gallon containers); cheese (though more and more is prepackaged/precut); olive oil; fairway brand canned tomatoes; seven stars farms organic yogurt (and other yogurts).
Panade for Cream Puffs
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/768807
never tried it when Lau tempted me. thanks for putting it back on my radar.
Chinese in Manhattan for a mixed family- Dilemma!
When I went to Legend recently, the service ranged from grumpy (old staff and service I recognized) to completely clueless (new guy). I knew lot more about the menu than the server, and I don't know that much. I doubt it would meet thejulia's mom's specifications
La Marmite in Harlem
No, La Marmite is now on Adam Clayton Powell in the low 130s. Back when it was further south, it was on Frederick Douglass and 122ish. There are lots of other Senegalese places on and around 116th, between Lenox and Frederick Douglass.
Awesome Chicken Soup in Harlem
Went back for more, and they were touting their red bean and turkey soup (served up Wednesdays and Thursdays). Got more chicken soup instead, and it's a totally different batch. I now question whether there were dumplings in yesterday's; there are big misshapen lumps of potato, but no clear dumplings. And now there are lots of chunks of acorn squash. Much earthier and more savory this time. Still supremely comforting, and hitting the spot.
Homemade hot sauces in Chelsea/Flatiron
Out of your geographical bounds, but I love the harissa at Cafe Mogador.
Looking for Suggestions for edible upscale treats "basket" for our client
Cookies from Levain bakery?
Why are there no really good Indian restaurants?
Neerob in the Bronx has samosas in the latter style you describe, and they're quite good. Their food is certainly full flavored and spicy, though quite greasy. Some of it is amazing (mixed vegetable, spinach, and okra stuff, samosas stand out), but some (the ketchup-y flavored chicken) is awful.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/788859
Awesome Chicken Soup in Harlem
Nasty cold has me craving chicken soup. Whole Foods seemed like the easiest option, so I got a container of weak, watery, flavorless chicken soup. The broth at Fairway (my usual chicken soup go-to place) is much more robust and flavorful.
But then, I remembered that Lee Lee's had a sign up for chicken soup, so I stopped there. Thick broth, sweetened by large pieces of carrots, with big chunks of chicken, and misshapen dumplings. Totally hit the spot, WAY better than Whole Foods, just great.
Provided I don't just keep returning to Lee Lee's (and I likely will), where do I hit next? UWS/Harlem preferred, ideally something like the awesome Vietnamese chicken soup at the now-closed World of Taste in the Bronx.
In case you don't know about Lee Lee's, you should: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/346165
Chinese in Manhattan for a mixed family- Dilemma!
I'd vote for Cafe China as well, if you're up for Sichuan food. Though I've only gotten take out there, everything I've read makes me think it'll meet your mom's specifications. The food is awesome (and I prefer it over Legend and Szechuan Gourmet)
A Cafe China thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/808588
