foodluvngal's Profile
Sunset Park restaurant needed for group dinner
Miriam -
I 2nd (or 3rd? 4th?) Pacificana. Great place for a large group. No liquor license, however, but they do serve beer and wine. 55th Street/8th Avenue. Ask for Jimmy (owner). Great guy and very accommodating.
Best Falafel Manhattan?
I never see Murray's (on 1st Ave. between 15th & 16th) mentioned in Falafel discussions. Am I the only one who loves his Falafel? Also, the Baba Ganoush there is out of this world, as is his homemade hot sauce.
Simple (No Ham) Pea Soup
Can anyone direct me to a nice bowl of thick and delicious Pea Soup? So far, the best I've found is the Falafel Truck (Moishe's?) that's occasionally parked in front of Bad, Breath and Beyond on 6th Ave, but I never know when he'll be there and, if not, where else he might be. It needn't be strictly vegetarian, just no ham.
Flagel-late Me!!!
Yes. David's on 1st between 19th/20th has 'em. So does Bagel Boss, also on 1st between 15th/16th. But I must say I still can't resist the conventional bagel at Ess-a-Bagel...
Hot sauce - who has the best?
You really should try the hot sauce at Murray's Falafel on 1st Ave at 15th Street. It's a delicious, homemade compliment to what I think is one of the best falafels around.
Pita Grill--Worst Falafel Ever!
Murray's - on 1st Avenue between 15th/16th. Delicious falafel and pretty much everything else!
What's especially good to buy at Zabar's?
There's a vast selection of prepared foods which, I'm sorry to say, should be avoided at all costs - consistently disappointing.
Upstairs, check out the gadgets/housewares/pots & pans, etc. Great selection and usually the best prices in the city.
Zabar's Coffee? Ask for this blend...70% French/Italian+30% Mocha. I like it ground on #1, even for a Melita-style coffee machine. Delicious, rich cup of joe. Yum.
Hop Kee
Last night I went to Hop Kee. This is nothing new. I've been going there for 25 years. However, I've noticed the prices have increased dramatically, even more since they were featured on Bourdain's No Reservations. I mean, $16.95 for a plate of snails in blackbean sauce? $12.95 for sauteed water-spinach?? Come on, already. OK. I realize it's not 1980 anymore, but there was a time that a group of hungry eaters could go to Hop Kee and struggle to spend more than $7.00 a person. Last night ran over $25 apiece.
I'm a big fan of the other joints covered on that particular Bourdain show, but I'm afraid my Hop Kee days are over. Alas...
Challah
The place on 1st Ave, next to Murray's used to be La Bagel, now it's something like Bagel Brothers, I think. In any case, they have an excellent challah.
Dark meat turkey
Nowadays the NYC Dep't of Health has made it very difficult to find dark meat turkey, what with their ridiculous food-temperature safety laws and all. Sarge's deli on 3rd and 36th usually has a whole roast turkey with dark meat available. Also, there's Clover Deli on 2nd and 34th (take-out only) and Petak's on Madison around 89th/90th. (Also take-out). I've seen it at Eli's Vinegar Factory if you really want to over-pay for it.
Chicken Necks - Where are you?
When I was kid my mother used to make a chicken fricassee using, amongst other things, chicken necks. I've been to Chinatown, (Manhattan and Brooklyn), a bunch of Spanish markets along 4th Avenue in Sunset Park and have not been able to find them anywhere. I don't get it. What? Are they breeding neckless chickens?
I know Whole Foods sells them (organic, skinless and remarkably overpriced), but there must be someplace else I can find them, skin on and priced like, oh, I don't know - maybe chicken necks? Fairway has a package of "Backs and Necks," but there are not necks in those packages - only backs.
Any suggestions?
16th and 1st
Douglas525 - I agree. Lucky Chicken can be hit or miss. I always tell them to pick me out a "nice, juicy one" but even then I sometimes get an overcooked, dried-out one. Big Arc is usually better, but they're chickens are generally smaller. I prefer their grilled kabobs. Also, if you go in they have tons of interesting-looking-not-on-the-take-out-menu other stuff I've yet to try. Fresh fish, stews and lots of bean/veggie sides. It's true, however - the above-14th-street food around here has never been so good. At least not for the past 30 years I've been living here.
16th and 1st
Big Arc Chicken has a delicious "Super Meat and Chicken" Combo for like $10. Lot's of grilled meats + rice, veg, salad + pita. Also, tons of other stuff and reasonable.
Murray's Falafel is terrific. (I'm interested in why "Sugar" finds them to be "gross?") Their food is consistently good and the place is clean and cheerful. They have a $9.00 combo plate where you choose your 3 salads (Baba, Hoummous, Taboulie, etc.), served with falafel balls and pita. Don't forget their homemade hot sauce. Delish.
The pizza place you tried was probably Adriatic and I agree it's mediocre, at best. I prefer Frank's on 1st and 22nd, though even that's not great - just OK. (But much better than Adratic, however.) Posto on 2nd/18th is much better.
Ess-a-bagel on 1st/21st is terrific. I like the Baked Salmon Salad on a scooped-out Pumpernickle (that actually tastes like Pumpernickle!) Bagel. (They do not toast, so don't bother asking.)
Where can I buy A LOT of tomatoes
If you have a car, drive out to Brooklyn to a place on 3rd Avenue around 25th Street called (I think) Rossman Farms. This place has the best deals on the freshest produce - a fraction of Union Square Market prices. Plus, they'll further discount if you're buying bulk.
Artichoke Pizza-the Secret
Followed your advice with a few variations. 1. Parked in front. 2. Went Sunday at around 7pm. 3. Waited for predicted thunderstorms - none came, so went across the street to the Qi Gong joint and got a GREAT 1 hour massage. 4. Staggered out of Qi Gong joint and saw that line at Artichoke was only 4 people so I finally tried it. Got the plain slice. After the first bite or two I thought it was really delicious, but by the time I finished it I wasn't quite as thrilled. I'm not sure why. Don't get me wrong. It was really yummy, but I guess I'm used to more pedestrian NY pizza. When I feel like "pizza," I'll probably go elsewhere, but I'm sure there'll be times I feel like "Artichoke" and be perfectly happy going back. Ahh, but that massage...
Skyway Malaysian
I know little about Malaysian food, but have been searching for that big bowl of Curry Noodle Soup comparable to what I used to get at the long-gone Happy Joy on the corner of Essex and Canal. I'm told it's a Malaysian dish, so if anyone here could tell me where I might find it, I'd be internally (sic.) grateful.
Comfort Diner: Major dissappointment
You want real diner food? Go to a real diner!
Eisenberg's is just around the corner from Comfort on 5th and 22nd.
Bean Salads?
Once, there was Benny's on Amsterdam around 76th Street, where you could get delicious cold bean salads like Lentils with Rice, White Beans, etc. Sadly, they're long gone from Manhattan and are now somewhere in New Jersey. I made the trip out there once, but I'd sure like to find someplace in Manhattan where I can find this kind of stuff. Any suggestions?
Best Sushi Below 23rd?
We like Hamachi on 20th between Park and B'way. Nothing fancy, just good, reasonable sushi.
Lucky Eight Fantastic -- Others in Sunset Park?
Was at Lucky Eight yesterday and also had the beef w/ pickled tulips. As Claire suspected, they are actually turnips. In any case, we thoroughly enjoyed. Pretty much everything we've tried (been going regularly for quite a while) has been pretty great. Order their "The Pride of Lucky Eight' - dried scallops, abalone and Chinese leeks stir-fried (as they put it) to perfection. The Peking pork chops here are terrific. They clearly use fresh, top-shelf ingredients and having tried many other 8th Ave. restaurants, this is, by far, our favorite.
New Restaurant at 18th & 2nd
A new place opened in the space previously occupied by Pongsri on 2nd Ave and 18th Street. I think it's called Lantern. Anyone tried it yet?
Best Korean BBQ in K-town.
Hi eatyououtof...
I know just what you mean. Something about it seemed cold and unfinished. On their web site, they make it look so warm and inviting, but it was anything but. I found the service to be good however but, as I said, we went early and the place was pretty quiet.
Best Korean BBQ in K-town.
Went to Madangsui last night. We had great service, but we went early and the place was pretty empty (thought not when we left)! The marinated Kalbi was delicious, as was the spicy pork.
For some reason, they brought out a separate little table-top grill for the bulgoki, which had a moat of water around the bottom, giving the final product a disappointingly bland steamed consistency. Everywhere else I've had bulgoki puts it right on the grill, which is delicious. Anybody know why they don't here?
The sides were very good and we, too, liked the spicy tofu stewy thingie and the bubbling egg-custard whatchamacallit. (Can you tell I'm not Korean?)
All in all, we really liked this place, though I still prefer the wood-chip style at Soot Bul, even if I do go home smelling like I've just been sitting around a campfire.
Looking for Best Sliced Tongue / Tongue Sandwich (Deli/Butcher Shop)
http://lostnewyorkcity.blogspot.com/2008/04/hot-tongue-is-hot.html
Thought you might enjoy this, and, BTW, the Tongue is delicious!
Where can I buy Paper Chef Hats in NYC?
Try Broadway Supply on 17th Street, just west of Broadway.
New to 19th and 2nd, need good delivery options
Wer'e in StuyTown at 18th/1st, so I know all of these places will deliver to you.
I agree that Cottage, which used to be pretty good, has plummeted since it changed ownership several months back. We've been ordering from Chef28 which has been OK, nothing more. I haven't tried Jimmy's yet, but will.
Murray's Falafel on 1st/15th is terrific for Israeli/Middle Eastern.
Also, try the "Super Meat and Chicken Combo" from Big Arc Chicken (1st/14th). Plentiful, delicious and around $11! (Ask for extra Tahini Sauce.)
Manna Kitchen on 18th/Park will deliver very nice Korean food.
We also like Lucky Chicken, 1st/22nd, but only for their chicken-nothing more.
Sarge's is OK for Jewish (not Kosher) Deli and, though quite a bit pricier, a far better alternative to run-of-the-mill diner food.
That's all I can think of at the moment. If anyone else can recommend good Vietnamese (Pho) in the 'hood, I'm all ears.
Korean BBQ
Peter - I trust your opinion, since you were so passionate about my post re: the Curry Noodle Soup at the now-gone Happy Joy. (I still haven't satisfied that particular craving...and posting those pics, while nostalgic, certainly didn't help!) How are the sides typically served with bbq? There's nothing more disappointing than bad sides, like that annoying potato salad.
Craving Pho in StuyTown
Thanks RGR. Tried Bao and was pretty underwhelmed. I've heard good things about Saigon Grill, but I don't think they'll come as far as StuyTown. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Craving Pho in StuyTown
I'm looking for good Vietnamese delivery in the Stuyvesant Town vicinity. Any suggestions?
