Nancy816's Profile
Boston Gastropubs?
In terms of defining a gastropub, i think Lord Hobo is the best example. Loosen up the definition a little, and Highland Kitchen takes the cake. If you ever find yourself in Corona Del Mar, CA, you can visit my personal golden standard of a gastropub:
http://www.thecrowbarcdm.com/index2.html
Which restaurants serve grass-fed beef?
Assuming everyone is still interested in this, and has much difficulty finding grass-fed beef in Boston as I, I'm posting a handy link:
http://www.eatwild.com/products/massachusettsresources.htm
Phantom Gourmet
Yes, it is an hour long commercial at all times. What's worse though, is almost every episode is the same, and decidely not gourmet. Give yourself a dollar every time you see an episode that's not about pizza, chicken wings, subs, mozzarella sticks, and the like. You'll stay a poor man. This show should be called Frat Gourmet... and sponsors.
Yet, somehow I accidentally watch it every weekend. I would love to see a newcomer on this scene that speaks to creative, local, and truly good food "worth driving to". I like TV Diner better, but only slightly. Who wants to start a new show with me? Ahh, me and my lofty foodie dreams.
Butchers in Brooklyn Hts/Cobble Hill
Omg, I loved that article! I forwarded it on to my 3 friends that got obsessed with OD with me. Love it! I mean, you do have to wonder what is in that man's fridge!
Liberte Yogurt - Moka
I see this brand in a lot of the nicer corner stores and markets. I don't think you have to go out of your way to find it- just keep an eye out. I can at least say they have it at Whole Foods in Union Sq, Dean and Deluca in Soho, and the deli on Spring bet Lafayette and Crosby where I buy yogurt in the morning sometimes.
farmer-centric restaurants
In Manhattan you should try Back Forty in the East Village, and in Brooklyn Franny's in Prospect Heights. I've heard something about The Good Fork in Red Hook too, for a bit of an excursion. I don't know much about that one though so I could be wrong there. Oh, Siggy's in Brooklyn Heights and I think Superfine in Dumbo, but I could be wrong on that one too.
How can I get Blood Orange juice in the US?
I've seen, but haven't tried, a carbonated blood orange drink in a lot of corner stores around NYC and in some airports. I tend to buy my own and juice them too. I've had blood orange juice out on occasion, but always fresh-squeezed. Tazzo in Brooklyn Heights has it sometimes, in season.
After work drinks/food in SoHo/NoLita - help!
I like Cafe Noir after work. Depending on how many people, Bread is good if you're eating. Ther's a couple places on Elizabeth that I like- intimate little bistro places with great drinks. I wish I knew the names. I like 8 mile creek too. Fanelli's can be fun too.
Is dip as good as I hear?
I agree with all. In a word, skip. It's a niche concept, poor execution.
Foie Gras?
For take out, Dean and Deluca all the way. Hudson Vallley, aka local Foie Gras. How perfect is that?! I'm an addict.
Authentic Irish Breakfast?
I haven't discoverd any real standouts for an Irish Breakfast in NYC, but I do have a couple of old standby's. Puck Fair is pretty good. If you're ever in Boston, however, Gerard's in Dorchester or the L Street Diner in Southie all the way.
TOP 5 RESTAURANTS WITHIN TEN BLOCKS
Ok, well I've got South Brooklyn Heights. Fyi doesn't actually include much:
1. Fatoosh Cafe
2. Atlantic Chipshop
3. Cafe on Clinton
4. Tazzo
5. Teresa's
special dinner in Brooklyn, Sunday Night
Noodle Pudding on Henry St. in BH or Grocery on Smith St.
Brooklyn Heights Brunch
I've never been to Jack the Horse Tavern, but Superfine is a personal favorite. In fact, I'm going there in about an hour!
Butchers in Brooklyn Hts/Cobble Hill
I live in this area too, and as of New Year's resolution #1, I only eat grass-fed meat (read Omnivore's Dilemma). I had to go on a disheartening search including 5 local butchers. This is what I learned: They "sometimes" carry grass-fed and/or organic meat. Obvi none had anything organic except chicken any time I've stopped in. However, those 2 places are great, as are Prime Meats in BH for non-organic.
If you want grass-fed (I know you didn't specify), organic, local meat, it's readily availableat the famer's market in Union Square- maybe at Prospect Park too, not sure. I've been buying meat at Union Square once a week after work since the New Year, and I've tried various vendors. I've been pleased every time.
Your personal 20 most visited restaurants (share them!)
This is a fun question! The places I go to most frequently are by no means what I would say are my favorites... well maybe some are. Ok here we go. Keep in mind that I live in Brooklyn Heights and work in Soho. This will explain a lot.
1. Siggy's in Brooklyn Heights
2. Atlantic Chipshop in Brooklyn Heights
3. La Esquina
4. Gourmet Garage in Soho
5. Balthazar
6. Cafe Luluc in Carroll Gardens
7. Noodle Pudding in Brooklyn Heights
8. Superfine in Dumbo
9. Lombardi's
10. Mooncake Foods in Soho
11. Fatoosh Cafe Brooklyn Heights
12. Pacifico/ Trout Cobble Hill
13. Cafe on Clinton Cobble Hill
14. Joya Carroll Gardens
15. Otto
16. Teresa's Brooklyn Heights
17. Bar Tabac Cobble Hill
18. Congee Village
19. Ruben's Empanadas
20. Puck Fair
New England Seafood joint
I just went to Ed's Lobster Shack for lunch today, and got the fried oyster roll... and it was amazing.
Island Creek Oysters
I am from Braintree, MA, which is close to Duxbury. They catered an engagement party I went to over the summer in Kingston, MA and I've been hooked ever since. They are so briny! Easy to find in Boston, hard to find in NY!
grass-fed beef
All of you people rock my world- thanks! Applewood has been high on my list, and I just made plans to go to Back Forty tomorrow night. Thanks for the websites too- I am always on Michael Pollan's and the Locovore's website already. This is a great little reference chain we've created here!
Best Pancakes in the world--Hookset NH!
Umm,what about Polly's Pancake Parlor? 11 people have written and no one even gave it an honorable mention? I'm confused. I know Polly's at least rocks my face off. Seasonally, of course.
grass-fed beef
I just checked out their menu and a couple of reviews based on your recommendation, and OMG, I'm obsessed. Thanks!
Intermezzo
I lived in Chelsea for a couple of years, a few years ago and had been there a couple of times. Both times I thought it was okay, mainly just because it was close and good for an Italian craving. I happen to have randomly eaten there on Friday night while in the area, and it was a huge disappointment. Well not all of it, so let's take it step by step. Drinks- thumbs up. I got a peach nectar (or something) martini with crushed red pepper flakes, and my friend got a blackberry martini made with puree. Both delish. I got a salad- I forgot what it's like to live in a neighrborhood where you pay through the nose for nothing. It was lettuce, and 1 heart of palm. Bad and way overpriced salad. Eggplant parm- comfort food, perfect. Not something I normally would order. Really good. But then again, how hard is that to mess up? Dessert- Panna Cotta. I have a huge Panna Cotta fan first of all. This was so gross. a really jiggly, awful texture. Disguisting. They had biscotti in a jar near the door. I had to get up and get us some to get the taste out of my mouth. Surprise, surprise- very soggy.
grass-fed beef
I am right there with you on this quest, only mine comes from reading Omnivore's Dilemma. I've been cooking a lot of grass-fed meat myself, which is readily available at the Union Square Farmer's Market. Finding a restaurant that serves grass (or hay-fed in Winter) is tough. Here's what I know so far: Siggy's on Henry St. in Brooklyn has a grass-fed beef sandwich. Craftsteak has a grass-fed steak section, but obvi expensive. Blue Hill also, and also pricey. I had the venison there and it was amazing, as were the beets, but I digress. I've heard about Community Restaurant in I think the Harlem/ Columbia area, and Brown cafe downtown, but I haven't been to either yet. Ok, so I would LOVE some more places to try if you know of any. I've decided to only eat red meat if it's grass-fed, which is seeming to turn me into an accidental almost vegetarian... Thanks!!
Saturday lunch party in Brooklyn
Maybe Pacifico? That's pretty spacious. I like Pit Stop too, but I guess that's more of a summer place with the garden and all... I really like Cafe on Clinton, but it's probably bad for a big party, Frankie's too.. I think Superfine is a better idea though.
Scene stealers: Preferring the condiment to the main ingredient?
OMG, all of you people are my soulmates. Fyi my favorite condiment is eggs. I call it nature's condiment. Because get serious, a fried egg is an amazing condiment. Growing up I wanted to open up a restaurant called sauces, and have a bunch of sauce choices for whatever you order. I also wanted to be a boxer, so take it with a grain of salt. Now I'm trying to start my own home made sauce company. Anyway, I friggin love you people.
SOHO area lunch?
I recommend Mooncake Foods. I work in Soho and get delivery from there all the time- it's seriously amazing and cheap. I've never been in the restaurant, but I have read reviews about the atmosphere and it sounds lovely. It's on Watts at Thompson. I don't know Watts, but I think it's somewhere near the entrance to the Holland Tunnel. Seriously amazing. Balthazar is a classic too, on Spring.
Please help with my (long) random list of places to try
Grayz rocked my face off, to be blunt. I went there for work, and thankfully didn't have to see the bill. We sat at the chef's table, which was in a little room by the kitchen. The chef came out to talk to us 4 or 5 times. Anyway, every course was completely amazing, and there were many. I wouldn't even know where to start explaining. It was all seasonal food with a lot of local meat, which I am all about. For a splurge- 4 stars.
