Via Della Pace

Read this review http://knickstweets.net/knicks-news/dining-opining-knickstweats-at-via-della-pace/ albeit from a non-traditional source for food critique.

That aside, it sounds terrific, anyone ever been?

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Via Della Pace
48 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

mkad in Manhattan

Best dishes at Convivio???

don't everyone reply at once...

calling RGR, Drkstar etc. Give me some guidance over here.

mkad in Manhattan

Best dishes at Convivio???

What are your favorites and why?

Are there any dishes I'd be a fool to miss out?

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Convivio
45 Tudor City Place, New York, NY 10017

mkad in Manhattan

HOUNDS PLEASE HELP...Need a recommendation for party of 10 at a restaurant similar to Eleven Madison Park

including alcohol...i think we'll order a few bottles of wine, maybe some cocktails. not a big drinking crowd...last year we had 2 bottles of wine or so and round of drinks.

mkad in Manhattan

HOUNDS PLEASE HELP...Need a recommendation for party of 10 at a restaurant similar to Eleven Madison Park

sorry RGR...my boss is driving me a little insane and I apologize. I don't think he really wants anything like Eleven Mad except the ambience, and that is where the confusion lies. What started as a fun project has turned into something of a nightmare...again, all apologies.

I think he wants a big round table, that is not too stuffy, and the food should be excellent (but perhaps not per se, daniel, etc.). I think the budget should be around $150 per person including beverages.

I thought about Keens, and may go that route, if he concurs.

Ever been to Brasserie?

Perhaps we can start over???

mkad in Manhattan

HOUNDS PLEASE HELP...Need a recommendation for party of 10 at a restaurant similar to Eleven Madison Park

I have been to ben & jacks 3 times...once it was less than memorable (probably because we were a bachelor party). Look, we can go make this a post on steakhouses, and I know B&J's gets mixed reviews, but not worth it. My preference is striphouse, but they have nothing available. Again, the large round table thing is very important.

mkad in Manhattan

HOUNDS PLEASE HELP...Need a recommendation for party of 10 at a restaurant similar to Eleven Madison Park

Thank you RGR...I am going to look into these options tomorrow but we might just wind up going to Ben & Jacks, which I know offers big round tables, is not too noisy, and has availability.

mkad in Manhattan

HOUNDS PLEASE HELP...Need a recommendation for party of 10 at a restaurant similar to Eleven Madison Park

RGR...I trust your recommendations as I have been a hound for years, however, my boss will never allow $2800 before alcohol to fly. Just wasn't a good enough year. We prob wouldn't choose the Gourmand option @ Eleven Madison so the argument is weakened.

That said, since I trust your recs, please give me 5+ places closer to the less expensive pre-fix options.

Best,
Matt

mkad in Manhattan

HOUNDS PLEASE HELP...Need a recommendation for party of 10 at a restaurant similar to Eleven Madison Park

Have not tried Alto yet...have read mixed things on chowhound. Please sell me.

mkad in Manhattan

HOUNDS PLEASE HELP...Need a recommendation for party of 10 at a restaurant similar to Eleven Madison Park

There is no way we'll get a reservation on short notice at Per Se and it is definitely over the budget. I love the suggestion though. Perhaps, we should stay within the Eleven Madison Park budget.

Thanks,
Matt

mkad in Manhattan

HOUNDS PLEASE HELP...Need a recommendation for party of 10 at a restaurant similar to Eleven Madison Park

Couldn't get a reservation at Eleven Madison Park but would like a place with similar ambiance (high ceilings, round table, roomy, on the quieter side).

The cost per person can be similar or slightly above Eleven Mad.

The food can be anything...Italian, American (steakhouse), French, etc.

I already tried and failed at Gramercy Tavern, Striphouse, and Gotham.

Thanks a ton,
Matt

mkad in Manhattan

Crispo or Aurora Soho?

Went to Crispo and it was excellent. Before I go into the details...rrems, you need to check out Aurora in W'burg...outstanding rustic Northern Italian cuisine.

Back to Crispo...

Started with the the hot cherry peppers stuffed with prosciutto and provolone (and olive oil)...they were tasty but really firey, and we had to resort to eating the stuffed goodness and leaving some of the peppers behind.

Then we moved on to the antipasto of prosciutto, soppressata, parmigiano, provolone & Ccponata...in a word, outstanding. Delicious and fresh and paired well with the bottle of Nero d’Avola, "Don Antonio" 04 we ordered.

We then shared half orders of the carbonara and veal meatball special. Both were delicious and really large for half portions. The carbonara which everyone recommended was perfection...nice leaner chunks of pancetta and just really fresh again. The meatballs were up there with some of the best I've had (not quite Piccolo Angelo, Le Zie, or I Trulli, but really good).

Finally, we had the roast pork shank for a main. However, by this time we basically had room for a few bites each and I had to take it home. Very succulent, although kind of overwhelmed with apples IMO.

The service was a bit rushed at first for a 10:00 reservation, but we took our time and were one of two couples left at restaurant to end the night. Back to the stuffed peppers, one runner made a somewhat rude comment kind of in amazement we didn't eat all the peppers (maybe he didn't realize we ate the contents of the peppers). And still, this didn't detract from the meal at all.

Well, now that my mouth is watering and my stomach is growling...I can only say thank you for the recommendation and I will definitely be dining at Crispo again in the near future.

Thanks again...mkad

mkad in Manhattan

Chowhound Challenge...hidden gems for dinner tonight near USQ around 10:30 PM

I guess I am looking more for a hidden gem (if that exists in the hood) with intimate/cozy setting, but a bit of life to it at 10:30. Italian is always my go to, so I guess I'd like to change it up a bit. A great/affordable wine list is key too.

Been to:
Blue Water, Pipa, Paul and Jimmys, Via Emilia (not since it moved), Beppe, Mizu, Yama, Los Dos Molinos, Friend of a Farmer...

Not sure USC fits the bill.

Does that help clarify?

mkad in Manhattan

Chowhound Challenge...hidden gems for dinner tonight near USQ around 10:30 PM

Fellow hounds, looking for a spot walking distance from Union Square that offers a great dining experience at around 10:30PM for a couple.

Should be high quality food (obviously), not overcrowded, but not empty.

Open to any cuisine.

Tried Casa Mono but they only have 11:30 reservation which is too late. Not trying to break the bank so keep it in the Casa Mono price range.

mkad in Manhattan

Crispo or Aurora Soho?

Lucia...Crispo or Craft? I know they are completely different restaurants.

mkad in Manhattan

Crispo or Aurora Soho?

Haven't been to either, although I have been to Aurora in Williamsburg and think it is great.

mkad in Manhattan