selizara's Profile
Trip to Six Flags - Stops Along the Way?
A friend and I are renting a zipcar in NYC in order to get in some good rollercoaster action before the park opens up to all the kids still in school. We'll have about 3 extra hours on the car after the park closes before we need to get it back to NYC. Anything good worth stopping for along the way back?
Loves: seafood (especially fried clams.) Will try anything else if it's good!
Where do you buy your soft shells?
I was only willing to pay the money when they were good-sized crabs. The problem with Citarella was that the crabs were pretty measley the first time I saw them this season and they were still charging $3.99 for really tiny crabs...the kind that you would need to eat 3 of to make a normal dinner portion. A few weeks ago I got two really nicely-sized crabs for $4.99 each and it was worth it because they were plump and delicious.
I would go to Chinatown except that I really am afraid of cleaning the crabs myself. (And I know that sounds ridiculous since I basically ask for them to be killed when asking to be cleaned, but whatever.)
W 114th St: good eats nearby?
I second both Thai Market and Henry's - two of my favorite places in the neighborhood.
Service at Zabar's?
Honestly, it's been a while since I asked for "help" at Zabar's because I have my routine down (first olives, then cheese, then get tickets for both deli and fish counters, go to whichever number comes up first, then go to other, then bread counter, then jet out of there as fast as possible.) However, when I do need to know something, I try and ask the guys behind the deli counter as they usually first worked in other parts of the store or have worked there for a long time - they are all very knowledgable about what is available. I have found that the staff on the floor really doesn't know much about what is around.
'Cesca UWS waste of money
I am an official 'Cesca hater.
They have a good "scene" for the UWS but Tom Valenti was what kept this place going food-wise. Now that he's gone, the food is just lackluster. My most recent meal (which, admittedly, was more than a few months ago) included a burrata special that was basically just cheese on top of some wilted arugula. Sorry, but I can do that in my apartment. The linguine alla vongole was fine, but nothing spectacular (can't blame them for the sand in a few of the clams, that happens everywhere.)
What I couldn't stand was paying such expensive prices for food that was "just okay." It's simply not worth the expense. Most importantly, however, was the obnoxiously snooty service. I hate it when servers assume you don't know anything...and then go and pronounce things incorrectly (my favorite mispronunciation is "bruschetta.") Add a wine list priced way too high, and you've got a place that I've finally convinced my parents never to go to again.
Fruit and Veg Market in or around UWS?
There is a farmer's market in Lincoln Square on Thursdays and Saturdays. 4-5 booths covering fruits/veggies, cheese/bread and other baked goods.
Sun. evening deals?
All options are good. 11 Mad best for elegant ambiance, USq best for more casual (though lunch there is quite businessy) and Gramercy Tav I think has the best food.
Sun. evening deals?
Compass at 70th and Amsterdam has a Sunday-night wine special: all of their bottles of wine are 50% off (no exceptions.)
Lincoln Center Diners
Check out Nanoosh which is a couple blocks north of Lincoln Center on the other side of Broadway. Great hummus and mediterranean-style wraps.
New Thai place on Upper West Side?
Are you thinking about Thai Market at 107th and Amsterdam? I have been there once and definitely enjoyed it.
In New York terms, is cheesecake = butter cake?
Cheesecake does not equal butter cake (a butter cake would be your typical baked cake layers with frosting.)
I think what menupages has is their custom cake menu, and not their regular menu (which is not available on their website either.) You may just have to call them to find out what kinds of cheesecake they have!
Bakery Around W. 23rd Street
Definitely La Madeleine, they are lovely.
Another option is Billy's Bakery, which is 9th Avenue between 21st and 22nd. Very different from La Madeleine (LM is tres French, Billy's is more like land of the giant cake slices.)
Hip spot on the UWS w/good food, naturally!
Barcibo has a very "hip" atmosphere but I'd have to echo the comments of someone about Wine and Roses - the wines are nice at Barcibo but the food leaves lots to be desired. To be fair, they cook in a kitchen that is approximately the size of my linen closet. However, I find that the cooked foods are only so-so. A better route is to just graze on the nice selection of meats and cheeses.
Favorite Oatmeal in Manhattan
'wichcraft has great oatmeal. It's $4. Steel cut oatmeal with cinnamon brown sugar butter, toasted nuts and dried fruits.
Best burger on the UWS?
The PJ Clarke's UWS burger is ok but nothing to write home about.
Shake Shack - UWS
I think my head might explode. This is the best news I've read all week.
And also the worst news for my diet. I used to be able to fend off Shake Shack cravings with laziness about travelling down to Madison Square Park. Now I'll only have a 7-block buffer. I'm totally screwed.
2nd best pastrami sandwich
I think their pastrami and corned beef are excellent, but there is very little else on the menu that I like. The matzah ball soup is good, but the noodle kugel and the potato kugel leave lots to be desired.
Still worth it for the pastrami/cb though.
Gramercy Tavern (formal room)
I wore black pants and a nice buttown-down tailored shirt when I was there last month. Women do not need to wear dresses but you will see them dressed like that (I just happen to hate wearing dresses in the middle of winter.)
Where to eat/ shop and be a foodie around the UN
oms/b on 45th between 3rd and Lex - Japanese omsubi (sp?) which are these little awesome rice balls filled with yummy treats (like edamame, or hijiki, or lobster salad) and wrapped in seaweed. They also, completely inexplicably, have clam chowder that tastes exactly like Progresso's canned version (maybe it is Progresso's canned version!) But the rice balls are awesome. They have a different variety every day. Best value is in the "sets" which are 3 set rice balls with a cup of soup.
Which Sarabeth the tastiest?
I think the CPW one is tastiest, because tasty means not having to wait in line (they're the only one that takes reservations.) In general, I frequent the UWS one and it is just sooooooo good. The clouds of heaven better be filled with Sarabeth's scones.
Favorite tiny restaurant?
I love the Hummus Place on 74th and Amsterdam. It's got about 6-8 tables depending on how many people are there, in the basement of a brownstone, and the hummus is unbelievably tasty. Fresh pita, too.
71st & Amsterdam
Definitely Earthen Oven for Indian.
Best bagels are at Absolute Bagels which is at 106th and Broadway (or somewhere near there, I never remember and I just keep walking up the east side of Broadway until I find it.)
I agree with Chirping Chicken for emergency fast delivery of rotisserie chicken.
New Pizza Town at 78th and Broadway is great for slices.
Fairway Cafe has excellent burgers and a good breakfast selection.
Bar Boulud - should it even be open yet?
My mom and I had a reservation there for next Sunday, and I just booked Market Table instead (we haven't decided which to go to yet.) I know they're quite different, but we figured since it's a Sunday night and we can get in to places easier than usual, it might be worth a try.
I'd love more opinions on BB - it's in the neighborhood and we'd probably rather not travel downtown, but will if you all have been so disappointed.
Compass on the UWS ?
I would continue to choose Compass for pre-LC stuff as it is a reliable meal and earlier reservations are almost always available just a few days before. Dovetail is another place that I'd rather spend more time in...the food just lends itself to relaxation.
weight watchers?
Other places that I have been successful:
Kiku Sushi - 9th and 24th - they have a great lunch special with 2 rolls and miso soup and salad for $7.95. Many other sushi restaurants have similar lunch deals. Just be sure to ask for the salad very light or free of the ginger dressing as it can be high in points value.
Citarella - great for fresh fish. They also have some excellent prepared dishes, like poached salmon, etc. If you get a big enough piece, you can cut the portion in half anf make it into 2 meals.
Bottino - 10th Ave and 24th - some lovely salads on the menu like a roasted beet salad with a little goat cheese, a perfect lunch
Shaffer City - oysters are low in points value and high in yum - a great "indulgence" on WW
