ChowDiva's Profile
Rehearsal Dinner- Around $40 Per person w/ wine and beer included
Looking for a nice spot that can accommodate approx. 20-30 people for around $40 per person, with all wine, beer, tax, and gratuity included. The Bryant Park area is preferable, although anywhere in the city would ultimately work. Italian, French, an Irish pub, general American food would fill the bill, nothing overly "fancy" but would prefer to not have Chinese. I am desperately searching for a spot so all recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Financial District- Cannoli on Cedar near B'way
I just walked by the various food carts and vendors located on Cedar between B'way and Church and there's a guy there selling cannoli using fresh organic cheese. I didn't have time to get all of the details but the cannoli was excellent. The filling was light, creamy and sweet, the shell soft but not stale, and one end has the traditional chocolate chips and the other pecans. I really enjoyed it...but now I am afraid that knowing he's there I may end up eating too many cannoli. Apologies if this is something already posted on but i work in the area and have never seen him there before.
Searching for Chicken francaise in Bklyn. Queen on Court St.?
Vinny's on Smith Street in Carroll Gardens usually has chicken francaise. Tonio's on 7th Ave in Park Slope also has it.
Yankee Stadium Food Review
Where do I begin...
My first complaint is the beer selection. Bud...Bud...and more Bud. Yuck. The "Beers of the World" stand was a joke. They had 3 selections behind a folding table. I think the selections were Heineken, Becks and yes, Bud. Compared to Citifield's International Beer Bar (An actual circular bar with upwards of 15 selections) the Yankees take was just pathetic. I guess the bleacher creatures are satiated by that Budweiser schwill.
The food stands were your standard “same old same old”. Hot dogs that have been sitting on the grill for hours to be placed on stale buns. Pretzels and nachos that I barely even glanced at knowing that it was the same old corporate crap that the Yankees (and many other ballparks) have been slinging for decades. The new “Asian “ options left me unsettled. Who really wants to eat sushi or a ramen bowl at a ballgame?
The Lobel’s sandwich was the only salvation in this food wasteland. Thanks to “BigA290” for steering me in the right direction. The meat was tender and juicy, although I would have preferred it a touch rarer. The horseradish sauce gave it a nice kick and the roll was soft and fresh. The Johnny Rockets I also consumed was possibly the most disgusting mess of a food trough I have ever laid eyes on. To compare the burger to Wendy’s is being very generous. The meat was thin and flavorless, smothered in some indistinguishable sauce on a mealy bun. The onion rings were a slight step up and I maybe I would have enjoyed them had they been even remotely warm. The kicker to the whole Johnny Rockets food debacle was that NONE of the items ordered (friends also ordered the burger and fries which were soggy and tasteless) were even remotely warm. Straight up cold and cold, fatty food is just nasty.
I hate to make the comparison, and team allegiance aside, Citifield blows Yankee stadium away in every conceivable way. The staff at Yankee stadium were rude and tyrannical. There was nowhere for us to actually sit and eat the food in the immediate area of the food stands. We would have had to trek all the way back to our seats (which were in the very last row) trying to juggle our food and crappy beers. My opinion is they did not consider the fan when they designed this stadium. It is a shrine to Yankee legends and a beautiful field for overpaid athletes to strut their stuff. Yes, I understand that the game should come first…but if you spend over $1 billion on the construction of a new stadium you think you could have put a little effort into considering that people might want to relax, have a beer, and eat their overpriced Johnny Rockets at a table? Poor, poor planning.
E.6th street Indian food
I like Spice Cove. It's not as tacky as some of the other places and I think the food is always tasty and fresh. It's BYOB during the week.
where to get sea salt caramel in the city?
Though not technically "in the city" NuNu Chocolate (Boreum Hill) and The Chocolate Room (Park Slope) in Brooklyn make some really great sea salt caramels. I prefer NuNu's. Both are only 3 stops or so from the city.
Hungover and Hungry- Park Slope, Boreum Hill, Cobble Hill
I have suffered through this day and am counting down the minutes until I can go home, put my pj's on, and lay in bed and watch movies. I am looking for some good delivery options in the above environs for hearty comfort food. I usually do Thai but am feeling the pull toward something new. All recommendations appreciated.
Best thin pizza where I dont have to wait in a loooong line?
I shared a couple of pies with friends last week at Gruppo (Ave B) which were phenomenal. I'm not usually a huge fan of thin crust but theirs was really excellent. The mushroom pie with truffle oil and the meatball pie were both winners.
Rehearsal Dinner- Bryant Park Area
I will be getting married at Bryant Park Grill and was wondering if anyone has suggestions for a very reasonable restaurant in the vicinity for a rehearsal dinner? Italian/American/French options are best. Looking to keep it to about $30-$40 per person, with food and wine/beer. The location should probably accommodate between 25-30 people. Nothing fancy, just looking for a nice place with decent food. An nice Irish Pub would even be acceptable. Outdoor space/garden would be a bonus. Thanks!
East Village/Union Sq. Area- Need Good Spot with Grilled Fish/ Steak Options
Thanks Pan!
East Village/Union Sq. Area- Need Good Spot with Grilled Fish/ Steak Options
Thanks for the suggestion of Pylos. It was perfect! The scallop and octopus appetizers were wonderful. I had the grilled whole fish which was fresh and fabulous.
East Village/Union Sq. Area- Need Good Spot with Grilled Fish/ Steak Options
I am trying to follow the South Beach Diet so that I can fit into my wedding dress in a couple of months. This is my first time going out to eat and would like to go somewhere that has a good choice of protein options. Would love a round of clams or oysters on the half shell for an appetizer and a nice lean steak or piece of grilled fish for dinner. Should have some good choices for my friend who is not concerned with diet and entrees under $25. Any ideas?
Slow Cooker/Crock pot Pulled Pork Recipe- Anyone Have a Great One?
My so and I are thinking of making pulled pork sliders to bring to a superbowl party this weekend. I am going to purchase a slow cooker and was wondering if anyone has a great recipe for crock pot bbq pork shoulder? Thanks in advance!
Want overpriced, flavorless food options with short snooty service? Go to La Esquina!
Friends and I dined at La Esquina this past weekend. It was an effort to get a reservation but it was a spot that we all wanted to check out. The ambiance is fantastic but that is where it ends. Service was rushed and inattentive, leaving us all with the feeling that the waitress thought she was doing us a favor by taking our order. There was no follow-up to see if we were enjoying the meal or if we needed anything else. The food was less than mediocre and we all laughed at the fact that the cricket tostones were the best thing we ordered all night. I think it's pretty bad when you order lump crabmeat tostones, carnitas taquitos, truffle quesadillas, carne asada and what appeared to be luscious large, head-on prawns...and you come away from a meal saying the crickets were indeed the most tasty item sampled. The food was simply lacking in flavor. The prawns were dry and rubbery. The carne asada was delivered to the table cold and shockingly...it was 4 small pieces of sliced steak with a heinous potato gratin side dish. The dish was more than $30, if I recall correctly. The margaritas were $14. Though I am still one of those people who believe that $14 for a cocktail is just absurd, I knew what we were getting into beforehand so I expected it. But the margaritas were just typical, the same thing that I can get at my local Mexican joint for $6. The bottom line is this place is nothing special aside from the hype. With all of the great places in NY to eat, La Esquina is another place that has succumbed to trendiness and attitude, leaving behind any real consideration or respect for the reason people are going there…to eat!
Friday drinks near Tia Pol (10th Ave at 22nd st)
Half King is a cozy pub/restaurant around the corner
August in the W. Village
It's a very cozy space. We had the oysters, the tarte flambe, the short ribs (I think?) and a fish dish. All were excellent and well worth the price, which is fairly reasonable for all of the quality ingredients used in the preparation.
Any place open on Christmas Day for Lunch or Dinner?
I posted on the Brooklyn Board but now it looks like we may be changing our meeting point to my parent's area in Suffolk, LI. Anyone know of restaurants on Long Island (preferably Suffolk...like Islip, East Islip, Patchogue, Babylon) that are serving brunch, lunch or dinner on CHRISTMAS DAY?
Great restaurant with patio for small wedding
It's not a restaurant, technically, but I looked at the Hudson Hotel for my wedding and I was blown away by their outdoor space. It would accomodate 35 people nicely.
Should I visit Brooklyn for a meal?
As a partial respondant, I'd have to say yes! With the weather we've been having (warm, cold...warm, cold) you never know...maybe you will catch a warmer day while you're here.
A few places close to or within a 10-15 minute walk from the Bklyn side of the bridge:
River Cafe (upscale, perfect classic NY "view")
Grimaldi's (pretty famous pizza joint, though most will argue there's better...still a very decent pie)
Noodle Pudding (above- average neighborhood Italian)
If you take a 10-15 minute walk there are a few pockets of areas which afford quite a selection of different restaurants and cusines. Take a stroll and you will find some good eats on Smith Street, Court Street or Atlantic Avenue.
Any place open on Christmas Day for Lunch or Dinner?
We would prefer to avoid Chinese, but if it's not possible, so be it. Any recommendations in BK Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill or Park Slope?
Wedding Cake??
I am getting married in September and we are ordering our cake from City Sweets & Confections. This cake operation is run out of "Once Upon a Tart" in the West Village by Deborah Lauren. Her ingredients and designs seem to be top notch and she's charging about $7 per slice.
Help plan our trip to NYC more inside
1. Do Luger's for steak if you can get a resrevation.
2. Dinosaur BBQ is awesome and IMO better than any on your list.
3. & 4. Wouldn't be on my list but different strokes for different folks. I'd skip both and go to any of the Momofuku joints instead.
5. For whole pie, I'd go to Lombardi's. For pie by the slice, try Artichoke pizza. I posted earlier about their sensational Sicilian slice that I still can't get off my mind.
6. I had an amazing meal at Casa Mono a couple of weeks ago. Each plate was better than the next. The steak dish in particular is a stand out as were the pumpkin croquettes. But the space is small so I'd go at a more "off" time.
Other ideas:
Check out Shopsin's on the lower east side for breakfast or lunch. Their menu is very unique and creative. I'd alos go to Pearl Oyster Bar for lobster rolls. Spotted Pig is another spot that would be nice to try at an "off" time. Corner Bistro for burgers. Good luck and have a great trip!
Artichoke Basille's Sicilian Slice...Pure Heaven on a Buttery Crust
This is my second time stopping in for the sicilan slice and I have to say that the crust on the Sicilian possibly makes this the best slice in all of NYC (IMO). The crunchy, buttery crust is amazing...the sauce is a little sweet with just the right amount of garlic...the cheese is good quality and the perfect amount...all topped off with fresh basil...Amazing and completely crave-worthy.
Hounding for Butternut Squash/Pumpkin Pasta
I was at Downtown Atlantic this weekend and they had a pumpkin ravioli with gorgonzola xream sauce and walnuts. I believe Frankie's on Court Street also has a butternut squash ravioli with brown butter.
Champagne Cocktail
I was at the bar at the St. Regis about 5 months ago and almost keeled over. If I'm not mistaken the champagne I was drinking was $27 a glass. Avoid the St. Regis. You can have fantastic and more inventive cocktails for far less in places such as Death & Co., PDT, Employees Only, Milk & Honey, The Pegu Club, Flatiron Lounge, or Tailor.
Cocktail with St. Germain
Anyone know of a place that serves a cocktail made with this liquer? The place doesn't have to be fancy or super trendy. I'm just looking for a spot to pop in on my way home today and try before I buy. Smith Street vicinity or 5th Avenue (Park Slope) location preferred. Thanks!
Cocktail with St. Germain
Anyone know of a place that serves a cocktail made with this liquer? The place doesn't have to be fancy or super trendy. I'm just looking for a spot to pop in and try before I buy. Downtown location preferred. Thanks!
Fleur De Sel or A Voce for X-Mas Eve Dinner?
Mostly everyone's opinions seem to lean toward Fleur. I wanted to make a reservation either today or tomorrow. Anyone for A Voce?
