SugarRush08's Profile
Birthday Options -- Discuss!
We ended up going to Alta and loved it. The pastrami lamb pita pocket was a standout, as was the broccoli. We'll definitely go back!
Birthday Options -- Discuss!
Hi 'hounders!
I've been in the middle of a hectic project, so I'm a little late in planning my own birthday dinner... There are so many places I've got on my list that I'd love help narrowing it down.
The basics:
WHO: Me and the SO (mid-20s)
WHAT: My 26th birthday dinner
WHEN: Any time between Friday and a week from Friday (this Fri would be nice)
The specifics:
AREA: Manhattan (wherever!)
CUISINE: No Japanese or hardcore, old-school French; love anything ethnic (Thai is a fave); Italian and modern American are also good
PRICE RANGE: Max $50/pp, not including wine/tax/tip
AMBIANCE: Nice enough, but nothing schmancy; relaxed, welcoming, not annoyingly trendy/hipster, touch of romance would be nice
OTHERS: I have a major sweet tooth, so excellent desserts are a plus
Ideas:
- Alta
- 'Cesca (already made a just-in-case reservation)
- Kuma Inn
Places I've loved: apizz, Mercadito, Scarpetta, Essex (for brunch), The Holy Basil
Places I've really liked: wd~50, Aureole, Park Ave Fill-in-the-season, Tabla (meh), Stanton Social (circa 2005), Kittichai, Spice Market, Quality Meats, David Burke Townhouse, Giorgio's of Gramercy
Dissapointments: Paprika, i Trulli, Il Cantinori, Market Table, a voce, good, Agave
Any and all suggestions welcome! Thanks!
Black Label Burger vs. Minetta Burger at Minetta Tavern?
Going to Minetta Tavern tonight and debating which of the two burgers to order. Has anyone tried them both? (I plan on ordering fries, so there'll really only be a $1 price difference because the BL burger has fries included already...)
Thanks, 'hounders!
Langham Dining Room -- Worth It?
As a Christmas present, my parents are treating me to dinner at The Langham Dining Room. I'm a big Top Chef fan and Michael Voltaggio was my favorite from this past season. I currently live on the East Coast and don't come back to Pasadena much, so I figured this would be one of my only chances to sample his food.
That said, I'm curious to know if people think the experience is worth it. My three family members and I have healthy appetites and, from what I can tell from people's Flickr photos, the portions look small. (I'm guessing we'll do the 5-course menu... Has anyone done it? If so, did you feel satisfied afterward?)
I know it's not *super* expensive, but it'll be four of us dining, so it's a decent chunk of money that I'm asking them to dole out for one dinner... I'd hate for everyone to leave hungry. My other concern is that Chef Voltaggio's preparations are a little avant garde for my mother (she enjoys fine dining, but isn't terribly into "molecular gastronomy."). Do the flavors hold up to the artistic plating?
Thoughts?
Choose one please
Any decision on this? I'm going to David Burke Townhouse in a few weeks and am debating what to order. I'm between...
Apps:
PRETZEL CRUSTED CRABCAKE
CRISP & ANGRY LOBSTER (DB signature, correct?)
SHRIMP CANNELONI & ROAST PRAWN
Entrees:
ROASTED STUFFED ORGANIC HEN WITH BACON AND LOBSTER
HANDMADE CAVATELLI & BRAISED SHORT RIBS
ROASTED & CRISPY SEAWATER SOAKED ORGANIC CHICKEN
Anyone have suggestions? Must-tries?
After-Work Tea Spot?
Can anyone recommend a good spot for grabbing after-work tea with a friend? I'm looking for something on the UWS that's not as hit-and-run as Starbucks, but not as intensive as Alice's Tea Cup? (Something more along the lines of SubtleTea in Gramercy....)
Thanks!
Romantic Streeterville Lounge/Resto?
Hi again everyone!
Going to visit the SO for Fourth of July weekend and am wondering about any small, romantic restaurants/lounge in the Streeterville neighborhood. (Something that's an easy subway/bus ride works too.)
Cuisine can be anything (though I'm a little pizza'd out), neighborhoody vibe is generally a plus (though I know it might be hard to find Downtown), affordable ($30-40 and under/pp; a little more is okay if you're throwing in drinks/wine). Or is there a great new restaurant or bar that I should know about? Or maybe a cute, not too crowded spot for a picnic? (I realize that may be impossible given the holiday weekend.)
Thus far, I know we're planning to do lunch at either avec or Blackbird and then drinks at the Signature Room at some point.
Thanks all!!
Indian Dessert -- Basundi?
Thanks waylook. As far as I can tell, it's definitely basundi (that's how my boyfriend and his family say it and a bunch of recipe results came up when I typed it in.), but perhaps I'll venture to Jackson Heights and try my luck. I've been meaning to go there to explore anyway. Thanks again!
Indian Dessert -- Basundi?
Does anyone know where to find an Indian dessert called basundi? It's a milky, kind of soupy dessert with slivered almonds.
Birthday Dinner for the Big(?) 2-5
I'm not really one to celebrate my birthday in a huge way, but I'd like to go to a nice weeknight dinner with my best friend since I'm turning 25 this March. I don't have a specific price per person, but I don't want to break either of our branks. I live on the UES and she's on the UWS, but I'm totally gung-ho to go to any neighborhood (and she'll do the same since it's my birthday). My favorite types of cuisine are Thai, Indian and contemporary American, but I'll eat pretty much type of cuisine. (Least faves are fussy/traditional French and seafood-only establishments.)
I'm of two minds in putting together my list of options. There are some nicer places I've been dying to try, but I generally like a more relaxed, unpretentious environment. Would love to hear your recs, as well as your opinions of the restaurants below!
Market Table
Eleven Madison Park (which I know it's technically "French," but the menu looks delicious and I've heard raves from everyone I know who's been there.)
Perry St.
Kittichai
Devi
The Orchard
Almond
Perilla
August
Little Owl
(Since it's a special occasion, I'm leaning towards Market Table or EMP.)
Some of my favorite places are apizz, Spice Market, Caracas Arepa Bar, Elio's, SEA (in Brooklyn), Sripraphai, Gramercy Tavern, Park Ave Winter, Rocking Horse Cafe and Essex.
Thanks, all!
Truffle Butter in Streeterville?
Apologies if this isn't the most appropriate spot for the post, but does anyone know where I might be able to procure truffle butter in the Streeterville neighborhood? (Specifically walking distance from McClurg Ct. & E. Ontario St.)
I tried calling Fox & Obel, and they said they don't carry it...
Thank you so much!
Quick East Village Brunch?
I was thinking an hour or so? Maybe an hour and a half, so I guess that's not terribly quick.... Sit-down is totally fine. Looking to spend maybe $20-$25/person. Waiting in line not preferable, but fine if absolutely need be. Window of time maybe between noon and 1:30 to start/sit down.
Any thoughts on Life Cafe or Mudspot?
Quick East Village Brunch?
Hi Chowhounders!
I'm looking for a fun place to do a quick brunch tomorrow in the East Village. It'll be myself and another girl in her mid-20s. Not looking to spend a whole lot of money. Any type of food should be fine.
I've heard 7A is yummy (think she's been there), been to Cafe Orlin (was fine) ... Any other brilliant ideas? I'd love to be able to make a reservation, but no res is ok as long as lines aren't horrendous. As far as timing goes, I was thinking noonish.
Thanks all!
Thanksgiving Turducken in Chicago?
Hi everyone!
I'm spending Thanksgiving in Chicago and my boyfriend is interested in making a turducken. Does anyone know a grocery store near/in Streeterville that carries them (and would possibly allow a customer to pre-order one)?
Thanks!
Mercadito vs. Mercadito Cantina (in the EV)... the difference?
Hope it was helpful! Which one did you end up choosing and what'd you think?
Basundi in NYC?
Does anyone know where to find an Indian dessert called basundi in Manhattan (or a short subway ride into the boroughs)? It's a milky, kind of soupy dessert with slivered almonds.
Thanks!
Recs for Weekend with the BF
Thanks, Gwen! I really appreciate all the details and recommendations.
If anyone else has something to add, please do!
Mercadito vs. Mercadito Cantina (in the EV)... the difference?
Hey there -- hopefully this is helpful!
AMBIANCE: Mercadito = small, but enough space at tables. Best if you sit downstairs. Can be loud depending on the crowd. Cantina = cramped pretty much no matter where you sit, unless you're at the table facing the window in the front, and loud.
FOOD: Awesome at both. For Cantina, I recommend doing the taqueria (build-your-own) option. The carnitas tacos are fantastic. For Mercadito, I recommend the estilo baja tacos.
DRINKS: Again, awesome at both. At Cantina, recommendation = Papa Low made with their sake-based Tric-quila (passion fruit, papalo, jalapeno, salt & pepper rim). At Mercadito, recommendation = Margarita De Pepino (cucumber, lime, chile de arbol).
PRICE: Overpriced, regardless of which you go to. The taqueria option at Cantina is probably the best bang-for-your-buck option.
If you're looking for something conducive to conversation, then I'd side with Mercadito.
Good luck!
Recs for Weekend with the BF
Hi everyone!
I'm visiting my boyfriend for a weekend (I've never been there before) from NYC and am looking for recommendations.
Background:
- In our mid-20s, like most types of cuisine (esp. Indian, Thai, Italian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean), would definitely like to try some great Chicago pizza or a Chicago dog and he tends to like more neighborhoody places (vs. "sceney")
- Not looking to blow a ton of money ... Dinners: one nice dinner would be fine, but would prefer to keep dinners around a max of $60-80 for 2 people, not including bev/tax/tip; Lunches: cheaper and quicker
- He's living in Streeterville (E. Ontario St., btw McClurg & N. Fairbanks cts.) and we'd probably need to take public transportation or walk to most places
- Places that we don't need reservations ahead of time would be preferable
Meals: A late Thurs dinner, lunch and dinner Fri/Sat/Sun, possibly a brunch
Was also thinking of getting drinks at the Signature Room as opposed to dinner since I heard the food wasn't great. Good idea?
Thanks in advance for your recs!
69 Restaurant — Dollar Bill Tradition?
JBau—any clues as to why/how the dollar bill tradition got going? Or anyone at the restaurant who might be able to tell me? I asked the last time I was there, but no one would give an answer.
Thanks!
Lunch in Santa Monica without donating a nut?
Fritto Misto's fantastic! Hands down my favorite reasonably priced Italian in the LA area. Try the Santa Fe Ravioli or the Atomic Pasta.
http://www.usmenuguide.com/frittomistomenu.html
69 Restaurant — Dollar Bill Tradition?
Hi all,
Just wondering if anyone knows how and/or when the dollar bill tradition started at 69 Restaurant on Bayard Street. I tried asking the waiters there and just got smiles...
Thanks!
