Manhattan weekend visit food itinerary

Thanks everyone for the great recommendations! We ended up hitting most of the places and a few of the ones that were recommended (Il Laboratorio de Gelato and Yakitori Totto).

Interestingly, we found out that Katz's Deli is closed on Sundays (I didn't know that before). Thought it might be helpful for people to know incase they're planning a weekend trip to NYC.

prasnation in Manhattan

Manhattan weekend visit food itinerary

Interesting, what makes the yakitori at Totto/Tory's/Tori Shin restaurants better? Is it more authentic? How so?

prasnation in Manhattan

Manhattan weekend visit food itinerary

Oh! Taisho, yes, exactly! On St. Marks, not on Astor Place.

I haven't heard of either Pegu Club, PDT or Death & Co. - where are they located and what would you recommend getting there?

Good tip on Il Laboratorio de Gelato, I'll have to look into that one.

prasnation in Manhattan

Manhattan weekend visit food itinerary

This is interesting. I watch his shows and I didn't know that he's not associated with either Les Halles anymore. Given this new information, I might have to switch to elsewhere. Would you recommend Bouchon? Or any other parisian cuisine restaurant instead?

Thanks!

prasnation in Manhattan

Pho favorites, Mtn.View & Sunnyvale

I second KathyM's suggestion of Pho Queen. Initially, I had my doubts about the place, but once I tried their pho, it compared very well with my favorite joint Pho Bang (on Tully Road in San Jose).

Their pho extras like scallions, fatty broth, beef balls offer a nice option to mix and match if you're tired of having the same Pho Ga, Pho Bac Dac Biet, etc.

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Gyros in South Bay

Thanks KathyM, all of those sound interesting and worth a try. I've been to Great Mall several times, but I've never noticed Sam's Kebabs & Gyros. Will definitely have to be on the lookout next visit.

prasnation in San Francisco Bay Area

Manhattan weekend visit food itinerary

A year after relocating, I'm visiting Manhattan again this Memorial day weekend to eat at my favorite joints. I'd love to hear feedback of my selection, updates on whether quality at any of these places has changed, or new interesting competition has sprung up, etc.

Without further ado, here's my itinerary:

Saturday
- Brunch at Balthazar
- Late lunch at NY Noodletown - soft shell crab, salt baked squid, and off-the-menu "watana-maoyofan" (white rice with curry beef strips and whisked lightly cooked egg swirl)
- After-lunch dessert at Ciao Bella - trying the hazelnut and/or lime flavors
- Pre-dinner slice of pizza at Ray's in SoHo
- Light dinner of yakitori at Astor Place (don't remember the name of the restaurant)
- After dinner drinks at AngelShare (secret entrance through another Yakitori place) - best apple sour martini
- Late dinner at 53rd and 6th gyro food cart

Sunday
- Pre-lunch snack at Chinese Mirch (indian chinese at 28th and Lex) - appetizers crispy okra and chicken lollipops
- Lunch at Roomali's (27th and Lex) - indian wraps with spicy chicken kabobs
- Late lunch snacks at Katz's Deli - half sandwich pastrami on rye and half sandwich corned beef on rye
- Pre-dinner at Cuban place on Lafayette St. next to Prince St. (hole in the wall) - best cuban pork
- Dinner at Les Halles (Anthony Bourdain's restaurant)
- After-dinner dessert at Serendipity 3 - frozen hot chocolate

Yes, I know I'm crazy (and will probably be sick of food), but I only have 2 days and I must eat at my favorite joints :)

Thanks for all feedback.

prasnation in Manhattan

Gyros in South Bay

Thanks Lando and boopa. I'm going to try both Joe the Greek cafe and Gaters. Will report back with reviews on each.

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CHEAP GOOD GYRO IN MANHATTAN

During the 3 years that I lived in Manhattan, there was no better place to get a good gryo than the food cart at the corner of 53rd and 6th (right next to the Hilton). This gyro food cart is legendary (people from Connecticut and New Jersey drive to eat here). Expect long lines (even during snow in winter).

The gyro is open-style. A round container filled with your choice of meat (chicken, beef, mixed) with salad (recommend that you pass on this) and saffron rice. Sauce is a must, get some of the hot sauce and white sauce (recipe of which is a secret).

In the later years, I had been frequenting the food cart on 52rd and 6th on the same side as the other cart. His chicken is much more tender and he adds green onions for a slightly better taste.

Both cost $5 and are great for dinner or a late after-clubbing stopover. They are open from 7:30pm till 6am.

prasnation in Manhattan