sonyako's Profile
need private room w/tv for viewing dinner/party - below 30th, low-med budget
Ok..a tall order here.
I am looking to have a small-ish, classy celebratory dinner, about 15 people, many vegetarians in a private room somewhere in Manhattan, below 30th street is ideal.
It would need to have a TV as this is a viewing party. Also the room should hold more than 15 people as there would be another 30 people joining after the smaller dinner.
I've done this before at The Spotted Pig, but I think our budget for this is a little smaller, and there are more vegetarians involved.
Anyone have any suggestions?
thanks!
Sonya
Where can you buy Haagen Daz Fleur De Sel?
I had some about 2 months ago, purchased from the Key Food on McGuinness Blvd in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. That was the only place I had seen it. It wasn't bad, but I agree - wasn't as delicious as I wanted it to be. My problem was the chocolate covered caramels were SO hard. I guess it would have been better if I had let if soften a bit first. On another note, I picked up some salted caramels from the Ft.Green Flea last sunday made by a local company called NuNu....THOSE were great!
greenpoint mini update
The old Shanghai Lee looks like a Korean BBQ joint now. The taco truck around bedford an N.8 is called "Endless Summer" run by a couple of dudes in bands....one of which is a pretty hilarious comedian - the "Jensen" of Earles & Jensen....i digress. They seem to run out of food pretty early, but the one seitan taco I had was quite good.
Private dining in Williamsburg?
Believe it or not, Diner has a private room! Actually, it's an airstream trailer set up for private events. I couldn't tell you anything else about it but it would probably be worth scoping out. I ate dinner one night in the front area and a group of people came in for a dinner back there....looked to be around 20 people or so? Good luck!
Mexican Around the Graham Ave Williamsburg Stop
El Loco Burrito is on Graham, just steps away from the L stop. I get delivery from them all the time. It's basic mexian...tacos, burritos etc. Nothing too creative. I've heard plenty of comments on them on these boards, and I think Mexican food is VERY subjective, and I personally have no problems with El Loco Burrito. 345 Graham (also a location on Bedford) http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/food/loco.html
They have reliable delivery and quite good homemade salsa. Grand Morelos is a bit more of a walk, and indeed closer to the Lorimer stop, but I got my husband the most amazing birthday cake from there and was drooling at the food they were serving.
Where to Buy Tahini Sauce?
I have found tahini to be available in most grocery stores. I don't think a special trip is necessary. good luck!
Wedding reception in Brooklyn for 130 guests?
I had my wedding reception at Bubby's and it was great! Very reasonable sets of options for food and drink and at the end of the day my guests were happy and full. I had pie instead of wedding cake, which Bubby's is well known for. good luck!
Juliette in Williamsburg
Thank god this thread got started/revisited. I think I was one of the first people to post about Juliette, and how great it was when it first opened. I went last night for dinner and it was VERY troublesome. I know this board is about CHOW, but the experience I had last night with service was horrendous and unacceptable. 4 of us sat on their gorgeous roof deck and ordered appetizers and entrees. We didn't get our appetizers for an hour, after having to ask where the hell they were ...there were cheese plates and salads...no biggie. It was another hour after that when we got our food. The waitress was apologetic, which was nice - but she totally lied and said there was a party downstairs, which there was not.
We decided we'd rather go to San Loco than to wait any longer for our food. Once we told her we had to go, the food magically arrived. Thank god it was good. But seriously - this was a great place and the service is such shit that I won't be going back. The first few times I went there I raved about it as the service had been excellent, which as we all know is a rarity in this neighborhood. Looks like they've caved.
Looking for hidden gems in Williamsburg/Greenpoint
I just have to second the previous commentor's mention of Valdiano on Manhattan Ave. I love sitting in the back of that place for hours. Those guys will take care of you and the food is Sicilian I believe. The gnocchi is delicious!
Fresh Fruit in Williamsburg?
I don't know if you mean market like store, or market like greenmarket - but there is a lovely greenmarket in McCarren Park every Saturday. As the season goes on, more vendors will be there but Red Apple Orchards is there every week with great apples, and tree fruits for the most part.
Otherwise, I don't know where in the 11211 you are, but I am just over the border in Greenpoint and I get my fruit at Rachel's Garden on Nassau. There are many more fruit stand stores on Manhattan Ave, but I can't vouch for too many of them.
Maybe someone can comment on the fruit selection/quality at Tops on N.6th?
Kyoto Sushi in Greenpoint?
I tried it on Saturday night and I was pleasantly surprised. I guess my main concern was the freshness of everything since I can't imagine they're too busy. It's the pessimist in me. The salad was excellent. The miso soup was bland but the sushi was great, fresh and sizeable. I have to disagree with jmp34 about the "Chinese" style thing. I don't really know what you mean. They have a large menu, and no Chinese items on there, but standard Japanese menu items and some inventive sushi too.....they also gave us some free California rolls because we spent over 30$.
speaking of Bubby's and Pie...do you have a fave?
My wedding there was excellent. The food was great and the staff was wonderful. It's a great big space...and to clarify, it was a the Bubby's in Dumbo, not Tribeca. I liked that there wasn't a "site fee" per se....which if you've looked into other spots in NYC for a wedding, you probably have run into that. We got the whole place and selected from a variety of menu/catering options.
We had a tasting once we were a couple of months away and we all loved the Salmon and the Chicken. We didn't like the Catfish at all though. The sides were excellent. Agreed on the mac and cheese. We also added a salad and some apps. Plenty of menu options and they're flexible.
The place is HUGE and we could have fit many more people in there than our 120 guests. Highly reccomended. And for the record we chose Apple Pie, Cherry Pie and Strawberry Rhubarb. YUM!
Kyoto Sushi in Greenpoint?
I'm glad to read about it here. It's 2 blocks from my house and I can't imagine a stranger spot for a sushi restaurant than in a deep Polish neighborhood. I will try it soon and post a report!
Brooklyn (Greenpoint) [moved from Manhattan board]
No comment on the Sea suggestion.......ugh.
Wild Ginger recently opened a spot on Bedford Avenue, so if you are looking for this near Wiliamsburg/Greenpoint, that's the nicest place around...and it's even Vegan. Bliss is great too but it's not "special". If you want the city, Gobo is a special night out Vegetarian place that is delicious. It's in the West Village.
good luck.
indian in williamsburg/greenpoint
You are indeed speaking of Imperial Palace, on Manhattan Avenue. General consensus other than the above post is that it's the best indian in the williamsburg/greenpoint area - not that there is much to choose from.
However....I will say that I tried to order delivery from there on valentines day and after 45 minutes of calling their three numbers and getting a bit of a runaround, they said they were too busy to deliver.
Their food however IS good...much better than Taj Mahal, which I find VERY oily. Their breads are fresh and entrees are sizable. It's also a catering hall, so if you go to eat there in person, you will be eating in a mostly empty catering hall, with no ambiance. Sadly the neighborhood lacks more options, but its worth a try.
http://menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&restaurantid=39508&neighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=0
-sonya
Dressler in Billyburg...any good?
I went there about 2 months ago and haven't been able to stop thinking about the crispy artichoke salad someone mentioned above. The service was good, the food was good, and the restaurant itself was gorgeous. Considering the other restaurants in the Williamsburg vicinity, this is a welcome addition. I hear they have brunch too, which I will try soon.
Ribollita
Um...how do you fry soup? I think you have Ribollita confused with something else..or please explain.
I have come to the conclusion that the only way to even come close to this soup, is to make it yourself. Of course I haven't tried yet, but every time I see it on a menu in NYC I order it, and it always sucks and is nothing like Ribollita I have in Florence.
New french Bistro in Williamsburg, Juliette
Good! I'm glad others have checked it out. I went there for brunch on marathon Sunday, and I even made reservations since I figured everyone would know about it by now, but only a few tables were taken. It looked like more people were coming in towards the end of our meal, but it won't remain a secret for long.
I had a great brunch. French toast, perfectly cooked. My only complaint was that it was topped with bacon, and I didn't recall it being noted on the menu. I don't eat a lot of meat, so I want to know when it's on something as an added bonus.
It came with a side of potatoes, with a little topping of hollandaise, which satisfied my savory craving too.
XXsonya
Divine Follie Manhattan Ave Greenpoint
I used to order from there when I lived around the corner. Their pizzas are amazing. It's so cute and it doesn't seem like people really go there, so I'm happy it's still around. They really try. Last time I went we sat in their outdoor area, which was quite nice. Thanks for posting. I should go there more often.
-sonya
New french Bistro in Williamsburg, Juliette
Ate at Juliette in Williamsburg tonight after husband walked by during renovations a few weeks ago and notice it. The place is next to Sparky's/Egg in the old Red and Black space. North 5th off Bedford.
I was very impressed with the inside. They gutted the old place and it's full on amazing french bistro in there. I'm not a fan of Fada, so for me this is a welcome addition. Apparently they've only been open a week, but it was pretty busy. I had French Onion Soup and some sort of salad that was goat cheese and rolled vegetables/eggplant, and my husband had a salad with goat cheese and oranges, and trout. It was all very delicious and service was super friendly and attentive - a welcome thing in this neighborhood. They were even playing french music....Jacques Brel, Piaf etc, which is nice.
Highly recommended from a long time neighborhood foodie...me!
xxsonya
eating out in Lake Como.....SW
I'll be in Lake Como - city of Como specifically - but willing to travel to other portions of the lake for good food. Any reccomendations? Tell me about your faves - gelato - coffee - pasta - seafood - you name it!
thanks!
-Sonya
help me eat well - 1 night in milan, 1 day in venice, 1 week in como
Thanks for the tips! We're actually staying in the City/Town/Village of Como, which is the Southern part of the lake. If we manage to get to get north, we'll check out Al Veluu. Tips on Como food seem to be hard to come by.
help me eat well - 1 night in milan, 1 day in venice, 1 week in como
I have been searching the boards, and have notes on some places, but not many reccs for como. I don't want SUPER fancy, I just want super good - not too touristy. Off the beaten path is excellent....especially Como area. I can't find many reccomendations for that neck of the woods.
Oh and while you're at it, is there a Tazza D'Oro (best cappucino place in rome) equivalent in any of these places?
Thanks!
SOnya
Your best vegetarian meal, not pizza, in Rome
Margutta was amazing. Down a cute little street that I was told Fellini lived on. We partook in the buffet and it was great. It was a while ago, so I can't remember what we ate, but we were indeed stuffed and happy.
bakeries in williamsburg?
I second the idea of traveling a few blocks next door to greenpoint. There are practically bakeries on every block.
Wouldn't it be nice if we have some good italian bakeries ala court street? What I wouldn't do for some amazing olive bread in wburg/gpt.
-s
At 'inoteca last night
Ha! I was there last night too. Agreed. It's one of my favorite places. I was craving the beets with hazelnuts and orange salad, and it didn't disapoint.
A lot of my foodie pals haven't been there due to the fact that it's always packed and there's always a wait. We waited for about 40 minutes, and I didn't care. I needed those beets.
We also had the truffled egg toast, salami plate, the arugula & ricotta salata salad, the polenta (not a big fan) 2 of the panini, and the rice balls. I can't remember what they're called. yum.
Just one taco, one at a time, in Williamsburg
They're opening a San Loco soon in Williamsburg! I've always found their tacos to be quite delicious. I'm happy to hear the reccomendation for Taco Bites. It's on my way home every day from work, but i've been wary. I will give it a try. Hey - what about El Loco Burrito - one at 287 Bedford and one at 345 Graham? It's not the best ever, but pretty good for the area. Excellent smoky and spicy salsa too. I have heard negative comments about it, but I've enjoyed every meal I've ordered from there...as recent as last night.
speaking of Bubby's and Pie...do you have a fave?
...does anyone have a favorite Bubby's pie? I'm getting married there in October, and instead of a wedding cake, we're having wedding pie.
For some weird reason that I haven't been given yet - we can only choose ONE pie type for our guests.
I'm hopefully going for my tasting on Thursday and will be tasting a few selections, but if anyone feels like sharing their favorites, I'm all ears.
thanks,
SK
Looking for Excellent homemade red beet borscht
You should go to Williamsburg or Greepoint. If you take the L to Bedford Avenue, and then walk South on Bedford, you'll find exactly what you're looking for at a place called S&B - on that first block between N.6 & N.7
In Greenpoint, just a few blocks away - pretty much every Polish joint will serve this cold in the summer, and hot in the winter....but it will be in a bowl, not a cup.
Yum...
Restaurant in Trastevere
I had one of the most memorable meals of my LIFE at Spirito Di Vino.
It's a slow food place, so make sure you have time and that you are hungry. I mistakenly went there on my last night in Rome, and I was SO tired, and I really was too tired for the experience...but it was amazing.
The owner is hilarious. We asked for a wine list, and he plunked a huge binder on our table and laughed. It was the biggest wine list I had ever seen. He sent over their great sommelier though.
I recall the location being very historical too...
http://www.spiritodivino.com/
