Bill L's Profile
LES favorites
I don't get to the lower east side very often and I know there is a lot of good eating to be had. Any guidence for a place to go for dinner? Not necessarily looking for street food, although always interested in hearing about very casual eating as well. Thanks.
Union Sq. Cafe - What to Order?
their current scallop dish with corn and polenta is not to be missed, likewise if they have the sliced string bean, pea with mint salad. the chicken breast is a sleeper that is quite good. if they have the corn soup with creme freche you should try it. the duck is good.
Bar American - Tired
I have been eating at Bar Americain for a number of years and have enjoyed the food, service and decor. However, over the last year it seems that the place is just phoning it in. If I am not mistaken, they have not changed the menu at all in a very long time. I ate there earlier this week for the last time. Nothing was particuarly bad, but everything seemed a little tired. We startted with oysters and clams, neither of which were particularly good. When I pointed out to the waiter that they didn't taste good, he advised me that they were from the West Coast. Huh?? About a year ago I mentioned to the manager that while I enjoyed the food, I thought it might be time for a change in the menu. He agreed. That was a year ago.
Bobby Flay needs to check in on his restaurant. Or maybe he has given up on the restaurant business and is now just a celebrity chef/TV personality.
PS - had a similarly "phoned in" meal at Mesa Grill a couple of weeks ago.
New Greek-influenced on W. 52
Would like to check it out but can't remember the name. I think it is just off Fifth Avenue. Thanks.
Suggestions for taking a 16 year old to dinner in the LES
I've taken my 16 yr old to Schillers with good success. It's sort of hip in a way a 16 year can understand and the food is worth eating.
DESI DELI
I echo the other reports. No real compelling reason to eat there, although it is passable.
Rosa Mexicano-Union Square Review
I'll bet the wait staff could have told you the margins on the quac and the special drinks they try to get you to order. Sometimes the food is pretty good, but the ambiance seems to be about commerce. Try Crema for interesting Mexican food.
Bar Americain - Review
Can't believe no one has mentioned the trio of artisanal hams or the grits with shrimp and bacon, both exceptionally good and unusual items. I think they do a pretty good job overall. In fact, my biggest complaint is that they don't change the menu enough. I've had lunch there a half a dozen times over the past year and have had very good experiences with the food and service overall.
Azuri Cafe - closed for renovations.
the "Holy Week" you refer to is called Passover. He may well be open later this week, just a guess.
Bar Americain for Lunch Tomorrow
I've eaten there for lunch a half dozen times in last year or so. I find it to be uniformly good, sometimes very good, other times just good. Dishes that stand out in my memory include the grits with shrimp and bacon, the trio of artesinal hams, the chicken pot pie, vidallia onion soup. All in all, I think it is a very professionally run reataurant where the ingrediants are of good quality and the service is very competent. Not sure I'd want to do a special celebration there, but a very solid choice.
Lure Fishbar
ate there a few weeks ago. all the food was very good. it's a bit of a scene and very noisy, but all six people at our table really enjoyed their meals.
What to Order for Dinner at A Voce??
first of all, you can't miss, whatever you order. To start, the ricotta cheese is a must, as are the duck meatballs. But I have yet to have an appetizer that wasn't great - beets, calemari, antipasti. The pastas are great. If they have the gnocchi, go for it. As for meats, the duck is otherworldly. The steak is great. The fishes are fine, although they don't pack quite the same "wow" as the other dishes, but they are very good.
Coal or gas for the outdoor grill
I have long been a propoent of using charcoal or woods for grilling/smoking meats on the outdoor grill, and take great pride in my ability to work a charcoal/wood fire. However, the allure of a simpler set-up and the degree of control one can exercise, not to mention the generally larger cooking area that gas grills (i.e. the larger Webers)can provide, is staring to seduce me.
Coal or gas? Is straying from natural materials going to condemn me to an afterlife in a Dennys?
Good breakfast place in Chelsea
I second Cafeteria. Have had many business breakfasts there. Very relaxed atmosphere and the food is pretty good. Very light and airy with good people watching.
Bruni/EMP and Bar at the Modern
Danny Meyer just can't catch a break. Bruni gives EMP and The Bar three stars and yet the review leads off with nasty things about Tabla, USC and Gramarcy Tavern. Seems to me that Frank should focus on the restaurants he's reviewing and leave extraneous comments to his blog or a non-review food piece.
Madison Square-area drink before dinner at A Voce? Ordering advice also appreciated!
Everything is very good at A Voce. Having said that, the house standards for starters are the duck meatballs (more than just duck in them!) and the creamy ricotta which is usually a special. The pastas are all great, the duck is spectacular, as is the steak pizziola, which is occasionally a special at dinner, though it is on the lunch menu. You can't go wrong, whatever you order.
Sarge's
With the demise of the Second Avenue Deli, Sarges has become my go-to deli. On a good day, their corned beef and pastrami are very good. On off days, so so, but they are pretty good more often than not. BTW, their hotdogs tend to be mostly perfect and well-complimented by a nice soft, warm bun. Best hot dog I can remember eating since Second Avenue.
Also, I have used them for delieveries and they show up on time to the minute. Pretty rare.
Del Posto - unimpressive and empty
Had 13-course tasting menu at Del Posto yesterday for lunch. The first thing that impressed me was that the restaurant was not even half full, either when we arrived at 1PM or when we left. Of the 13 courses, some were very good, some were just good and some were fair. The service was efficient, but not particularly warm. And the half (60%?) empty room was somewhat tomb-like. Would be hard pressed to ever want to go back.
What does it mean when a snazzy restaurant is not even half full during the busiest time of year?
Headed to Blue Smoke, What Do You Recommend?
Chicken wings, sweet potatoe fries, fried chicken, beef salt ribs, memphis ribs
Paradise Cove Beach Cafe???
Coming to LA from NY for long weekend with family (kids are 15 and 10). Is this place a reasonable call for kids who have heard of Malibu or is it a touristy rip-off? I'm not expecting a chowish meal, just looking for atmosphere and view. Thanks.
Gusto vs. A Voce:: What's best???
A Voce is as good as good gets in NYC restaurants these days IMHO. The food is sublime and the service is Meyer-like. Not been to Gusto, but eaten at A Voce 6-8 times and have loved everything they have served, from apps through dessert. Their pastas, meat and fish entrees are terrific. This is not a case where the apps are over the top and the main courses are not quite as good. Whatever you end up doing, you would be well-served to check out A Voce.
Moving to West 60's from Hell's Kitchen
Going from a true Food Emporium to what seems like a wasteland. Any chowhoundish places for lunch in the West 60's? Help!
telepan or eleven madison park?
Ate at Telepan friday night. The meal was fine, if I lived in the neighborhood, I'm sure I'd return. EMP is a much more impressive space. Menu is a little fussy, but incredibly well prepared. It's probably going to set you back a little more than Telepan.
Osteria del Circo
First visit is on Thursday for lunch. What do people think? Any suggestions? Thanks.
Best corned beef sandwich in Manhattan?
I would have to agree with Sarges. On a good night it is very good. The real deal.
Of course, up until a year ago the answer was Second Avenue Deli.
Gourmet's Top 50 Restaurants 2006
maybe he'll do as good a job as chef humm at eleven madison park
my top three square pizza slices -- any others i should try?
Ben's Pizza on Spring Street next to Metropolitan Lumber. Try the one with onions and fresh tomatoes.
