Has anyone ever tried the FreshDirect turducken?

An addendum to my original post...

In what has to be the worst case of poor reading comprehension ever, I read the shipping charges wrong. Shipping isn't $100, the *total* was $100. So basically, the shipped bird would cost the same as the FreshDirect bird would.

So it's off to the Internet I go! I get the feeling that the FreshDirect bird would be a turducken in name and concept but not in spirit, missing out on the classic Cajun spices.

giantcrazy in Manhattan

Has anyone ever tried the FreshDirect turducken?

That's a great catch MVNYC. Between that, and the fact that the stuffing is 'cranberry stuffing', I'm leaning back towards CajunGrocer. Sure, it'll cost me another $60, but I think the final product will probably be better as a result. Certainly more authentic.

giantcrazy in Manhattan

Has anyone ever tried the FreshDirect turducken?

Yes - novelty is definitely not the right word. What I meant was it'd be a novelty for this crowd, same as the smoked turkey (which I make a few times a year at home for myself, so it's not new in any way).

Surprised that I've seen FD sells out of these things, but can't seem to find a single source online whether it's any good. Also curious as to whether or not they're made by FD or they just acquire a truck of frozen ones from a provider.

Makes me wonder why none of the LA places have just made a truckload of 'em and sent them this way, to sell locally and offset the ridiculous shipping charges.

giantcrazy in Manhattan

Has anyone ever tried the FreshDirect turducken?

I've never tried a turducken and wanted to give it a run this year.

I'm stuck between cost and taste. I'm hosting Thanksgiving for a crowd (like I do every year), so I'm already on the hook for a bundle just to feed everyone. I usually do two turkeys (one roasted in the oven and a second 'novelty' style turkey, either smoked, fried, deboned, etc.). This year, I was going to make #2 a turducken (not sure you want to make your #2 a turd-anything though).

I know the turducken's main appeal is it's novelty, although that doesn't mean it won't/shouldn't taste good. My best bets would likely be something that's been mainstream reviewed like Hebert's Specialty Meats or CajunGrocer, but those will require $100 in shipping alone.

I've been contemplating finding a local seller just to avoid the shipping, but since I'll be in for a c-note at least, might as well go whole-hog and get the one shipped (it's not just the cost, since I'm not at home during the day I wonder whether the thing will arrive fully frozen).

Long story short - has anyone tried a local turducken that they can recommend? I see FreshDirect is selling them, but searched thoroughly and couldn't find a single review for it. I've seen some mentions that either Wal-Mart or Whole Foods sell them at some locations, so I could make a few phone calls and take a ride if that's the case. The FreshDirect bird(s) would be the best option if they're good, simply because it's the best combo of price and ease ($100 would get me a 13lb turducken at my door).

Help?

giantcrazy in Manhattan

10th Anniversary - Advice requested

RGR - thanks, both for the post and the well wishes.

I'm going to skip Chanterelle this time (only because the wife is a big fan of Italian), but will keep it on the back burner. Despite living in NYC, we don't get out nearly enough (too many kids and not enough time), but I'll have to make an effort to fix that.

giantcrazy in Manhattan

10th Anniversary - Advice requested

You know, I decided to bypass OpenTable and call direct, so I managed to get in at 7:30. A bit early, but that'll have to do.

Thanks all!

giantcrazy in Manhattan

10th Anniversary - Advice requested

I'd have to reserve Convivio for a future outing as well - if I escape for less than $250, she might have the word 'CHEAP' tattooed on my forehead on the way home.

giantcrazy in Manhattan

10th Anniversary - Advice requested

I did consider Scalini Fedeli, unfortunately they haven't had availability for this Saturday earlier than 9:30 PM for awhile. Looks like a great place for a future trip though.

giantcrazy in Manhattan

10th Anniversary - Advice requested

The wife and I are celebrating 10 years this weekend (her more celebrating, me more lamenting the money spent on her gift). Wanted to find someplace intimate with excellent food; romantic being the priority, but not at the expense of food (and something I can reasonably score a reservation on at this stage).

After a bit of experimentation and some deep reading, I think I've narrowed down to Chanterelle or Bouley. Admittedly, she's more a fan of Italian food than French, but I can't seem to find an Italian place that serves both purposes; some with great food, some somewhat romantic, nothing for both.

Not much of a foodie myself; am I going down the right path here? Are these both solid options, or have I missed something? Is there an Italian place that fits the bill?

giantcrazy in Manhattan

Need a bachelorette party recommendation

Thanks Hurner - I caught both of those in a quick search, but only one had a couple of recommendations (and not many opinions back on those to boot).

giantcrazy in Manhattan

Need a bachelorette party recommendation

Apparently, private rooms are out because of the semi-flaky nature of sis-in-law's friends, which may make the number of people who show up vary by quite a bit.

giantcrazy in Manhattan

Need a bachelorette party recommendation

Hehe, torture anyone long enough and they'll be nice and thoughtful when you're done ;)

Given the list of people I think they were aiming for Italian or continental. Sadly, there's a few in the crowd who absolutely refuse to venture outside their comfort zone.

giantcrazy in Manhattan

Need a bachelorette party recommendation

I'm posting this for my wife who is now in the process of ripping her hair out over making a reservation for her sister's bachelorette party in about a month.

She's looking for a venue in Manhattan (preferably downtown but not requierd) for 20 women (give or take) with ~$100 per person cost. Preferably something festive and big enough to accommodate without requiring a separate private room.

She had two restaurants recommended to her:
- Da Silvano
- Po

From a quick glance of Chowhound and a couple of other sites, I thought I'd tell her to look into:
- Mangia e Bevi
- Asia de Cuba

My wife wanted to find the place she had her party, but it's been almost 10 years and all she could remember was Casa or Mama as being part of the name (shows how well she was paying attention, eh?).

Any thoughts from the Chow faithful on the places listed here for this outing, or whether there's another place they should consider? Of all I've only been to Po and Asia de Cuba, and Po struck me as too small for that type of party.

Thanks!

giantcrazy in Manhattan

Mission Impossible - Group Dinner near Carnegie Hall - HELP!

Thanks all for yesterday's suggestions.

Ultimately, it went to Victor's Cafe. I think all things considered, it went about as well as it could have (given that everyone I had to deal with was as inflexible as possible). Place was visually appealing, festive ambiance.

Food was overpriced, but that's tourist central, so I went in expecting that. It was good, not great, but in the end it fit us all comfortably, the service wasn't bad, food was OK and the atmosphere was good. Had it not been for the kids (and what turned out to be inclement weather in the end, after being a beautiful morning), we definitely would have gone elsewhere (the area just doesn't lend itself to my kind of dining), but all things considered I thought it went well.

Thanks again all for some very helpful suggestions!

giantcrazy in Manhattan

Mission Impossible - Group Dinner near Carnegie Hall - HELP!

Victor's looks interesting...

Trattoria Dell'arte seemed to be a contender, but I'm not sure. Can't tell from the photos what the places looks like inside (yes, it's this painful; it actually matters that the place looks nice).

giantcrazy in Manhattan