Suggestions for Soho fun dinner spot and lunch/brunch ideas

We will be spending Labor Day Weekend in NYC staying at the Mondrian Soho. We have reservations for Corton on Friday night and Bar Bolud (pre-theatre) on Saturday so we have the great food higher end options looked after. We are looking for something more relaxed and interesting/funky that we can walk to on Thursday night when we arrive and also for lunches if we happen to be in the area. Any suggestions? We will have 18 and 14-year old daughters with us -- they happily eat anything at any hour but meat market bar scene is probably not ideal. The only real constraint is I have a nut allergy so Vietnamese or Malaysian food is not ideal.

Thanks!

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Corton
239 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013

lifeistooshorttoeatbadfood in Manhattan

Would appreciate local commentary on the Indie Cafe

A group of us are going to visit Chicago in the fall and are already debating which restaurants to try. I have lived in Japan and have a long history with their food and another foodie traveller is a Thai afficionado. Do you think both of us will be happy with this fusion?

Also, since its a BYOW, is there somewhere nearby that has a good selection or should we make a side trip en route?

Many thanks in advance for your advice!

lifeistooshorttoeatbadfood in Chicago Area

The best sushi in mid-town (eat in or take out)?

Ever since Sono (Yonge & Eglinton) closed we have been struggling to find a replacement for great sushi. A small confession here, I lived in Japan for a number of months so I really can't be seduced by not-quite-fresh fish put in a spicy roll and passed off as the real thing.

Any suggestions?

lifeistooshorttoeatbadfood in Ontario (including Toronto)

Help -- Business dinner (expense account) in Vegas....bad track record

We're going to be at Mandalay Bay but will happily hop in a cab to wherever

lifeistooshorttoeatbadfood in Las Vegas

Help -- Business dinner (expense account) in Vegas....bad track record

My colleague did the choosing last time so I can't remember the names....sorry. From a parameters perspective, if you were going to Vegas, could only eat at 2-3 fabulous places and were not concerned with the cost, where would you go? I personally prefer creative high quality contemporary fare vs large chunks of meat but there are a couple of people in our party who have mentioned a steak house so recommendations in both categories would be helpful. An interesting wine line is also a bonus (but only if the food is also great).

I was recently in Rome and opted for seafood, traditional Italian, a wine bar and "modern Roman" over the course of 4 nights so perhaps that helps?

I'm not interested in all-you-can-eat buffet, burgers, pizza, or cheap and cheerful. Its not that kind of trip......

Thank you!

lifeistooshorttoeatbadfood in Las Vegas

Help -- Business dinner (expense account) in Vegas....bad track record

I've been spectacularly unsuccessful finding terrific food in Vegas the couple of times I've been there and taken clients out so I thought I should consult the experts. I've found expensive restaurants and I've found really average food....and even expensive average food. Any suggestions? The only real limitation is a nut allergy which isn't a huge problem unless its an Indonesian or Malaysian restaurant.

Thanks in advance! Chowhounders have never let me down.

lifeistooshorttoeatbadfood in Las Vegas

Toronto foodies need local advice

Terrific -- thank you for the suggestions. We're going to give Mundial a try on Friday and Charlie Trotter on Saturday (we already had a reservation there, just wondered whether to keep it) and will report back. Many thanks!

If you have any earlyish Sunday morning breakfast spots to recommend (emphasis on good coffee and casual vs mountains of food) we're listening.....

lifeistooshorttoeatbadfood in Chicago Area

Toronto foodies need local advice

Two questions......we will be in Chicago for a weekend and want to have one special over the top dinner and one well-executed but don't drain the credit card dinner. For the OTT option we were considering either Alinea or Charlie Trotter any comments? And we would love to hear your suggestions for the other night.

Many thanks in advance for your help.

lifeistooshorttoeatbadfood in Chicago Area

Breakfast on the upper east side

Thank you all -- this is incredibly helpful.

lifeistooshorttoeatbadfood in Manhattan