Or blue hill stone barns, though it's over our price range..

Put in a call to Brooklyn fare but they are booked for two months in advanced and not taking any new reses for now. Two industry people I spoke to separately had bad experiences at babbo recently, so i guess that's out too. Deciding between telepan, hearth, and degustation now...

Well like I mentioned, I'm pretty open to price point and cuisine. But let's try to keep the food portion (pre tip, tax, wine) under $125 per person. And with cuisine I'm totally open. I'm looking to show him what a great dining experience can be like -- and preferably that it can be done without too much stuffiness.

I'm thinking of taking my new beau out for a tasting-menu-style dinner, as he's never been and would love to try it. I'm not really looking for the uber-high end, Daniel-type experience -- the less formal it is the better. And not Ko, since I've never really had a stand-out meal at any of the Momofukus. And though we love sushi, not omakase (for this particular meal). I'm open minded as far as price goes. We'll take a good room and warm vibe over white tablecloths any day (though obviously when talking about this kind of meal, I realize the fanciness is pretty much built in). Maybe Babbo? Or...?

The contract is still up on the site now, do you think that's a pretty good indicator they aren't full yet? I sent in my check just 10 days after they opened to the public, but haven't heard anything yet. Are they usually pretty good about letting you know they've received your app, do you know? Just don't want to get locked out if they fill up!

is the general consensus that cobble hill is perferred to carroll gardens? i much prefer the after-work tuesday pick up time to the saturday morning pick up of CG.

what about brooklyn heights (though i think they're sold out already), boerum hill, or dumbo/vinegar hill? from a glance it seems like the cobble hill csa provides a better value for more variety, but i'd love to hear more about anyone with experience with these csas.

Oh that's not a bad idea... Didn't realize they were open already. Thanks!

In fact, we really should stay in Midtown East since I'm picking my date up from his work in the MetLife building. I don't mean to be unappreciative! I just wish there were something in the neighborhood a little more suited to my tastes..

Any of the downtown spots hcbk mentioned would be great if only Yasuda were in the LES.

Apologies for being difficult. Just not used to *having to* choose something in the East 40s.

i hate midtown!

is there anywhere that is maybe a little more... not midtown? but still serves cocktails? am i asking too much?

campbell apartment is too stuffy for me, personally. and i loathe the carnegie club.

As simple as it sounds -- 9:15 reservation with Yasuda and looking for a pre-dinner cocktail or drink. Preferably a little lower-key than a lot of these big buzzy midtown joints, though we are also open to ideas. Doesn't have to be "romantic," but should be datey. Thoughts?

What are people's thoughts? I was leaning toward Kevin's at first but the Good Fork menu looks so good!

Help!

thanks all! in line with my better judgement (and everyone else's) i canceled by bhsb v-day reservations (60% more expensive than the standard price!) for a reservation at yasuda with yasuda (!) for the friday beforehand. very excited! we have a 9:15 reservation, which i hope was the right choice over bruni's preferred 6:00.

thanks for all the input!

As a point of full disclosure the debate is really between FC and BROOKLYN Fish Camp, but I figured this is the Manhattan board and in comparing the menus they seems almost exactly the same. Does this seem like sacrilege to anyone? I've never been to MFC but had a nice bar experience at BFC last summer.

Totally different, but what does the room think is the better choice for tonight?

I'll gladly avoid V Day on that recommendation, but I don't know if I can hold out until the harvest season! Do you think it would be a real mistake to go in February?

This is all really helpful!

Follow up for the BHSBers: Given the choice between BHSB on an ordinary weekend and on a holiday weekend (ie, Valentine's Day), which would you lean toward? We have V Day reservations now, but there are cons! 1. Pricier 2. Crowded (I kind of loathe dining out on the busiest days or at the busiest times). But the pros might be.... More interesting food/more effort into the special occassion? And maybe the dining room is going to be completely full no matter what weekend it is so it doesn't make a difference...? The V Day cost per person, I think, is $165, which seems significantly inflated from the normal (I think?) $105.

Let me know if you think it's really worth it / not worth it.

I know that these restaurants could probably not be farther from one another, but if you had to choose, which do you prefer? The atmosphere/room is not of concern, just the food! Would love to hear from people who have been to both.

Cheers!

OK, I realize that this is kind of a weird mashup -- Telepan vs. Marea -- but my birthday is next week and my boyfriend and I don't have reservations yet; my top choices were either of the Blue Hills, Babbo, Telepan, or Marea, but the rest are already booked. I know they are very different, but the price points seem somewhat comparable ($101 4-course prix fixe with wine vs. $89 without, and we're not huge drinkers). Thoughts? Which one do you all prefer, generally, cuisine difference aside? Or maybe something else all together?

Second question. My birthday is Thursday but my date doesn't get out of work until 7:30, and, of course, we have work in the morning. Better to celebrate on the day, on a less mobbed night of the week OR better to have the time and mindset to relax?

Thank you!

We're in Brooklyn, so I'd say it's probably too warm for any cold-weather foods. I think I'd like to do a main with a couple sides, instead of a one-disher like paella. As for what I cook, I'm pretty flexible and comfortable in the kitchen, though I make some especially mean mashed potatoes. The only limitation might be that I don't have access to a grill right now. Otherwise, the kitchen's fully stocked.

Hi all,

A man I have been seeing is coming over for our fifth date, and it is the first time I will be cooking for him. I want to make something impressive, but that doesn't scream "I spent all day making this." He's a pretty decent eater; I'm not too worried about him not liking any certain flavors. But I'm having trouble figuring out the most date-worthy meal.

Thoughts??

My boyfriend and I dined at Bolete (in Bethlehem) in November and LOVED it. We're not from the area but will be in Upper Bucks County (Kintnersville) for the long weekend. To our complete dismay, Bolete is all booked up for Valentine's day (we're only in town Sat and Sun night, and they aren't open Sun night). What would be a good substitute with the same type of food, quality, atmosphere, price? We're willing to drive a fair distance, so anything in Bucks County or in the Lehigh Valley would be okay. Thanks!

Can I buy corned beef brisket in a regular grocery story at this time of year?

i personally find the grilled to be less tasty. it's got a great flavor, but it's very One Note, and i get sick of it quickly. a poached chicken pho is going to have way more of a subtle ftaste

Hi all,

After an experience with a TERRIBLE Shanghai-style zongzi (from NJ), I'm on the search for the good stuff. May May Bakery used to have them, but where can I find good ones now that it's gone? The ones at the Canal St. Kam Man are passable, but does anyone know of any other vendors? Most of the street vendors don't sell Shanghai-style (meat only, no peanuts or eggs, rice coated in some sticky brown sauce), as far as I can tell.

Thanks!

I went to Xe Lua shortly after I posted and it was definitely closer to the version I know. I didn't like the extra veggies (carrots, broccoli) in the soup, but this will be my go to until I find something better...

I loved Pho Pasteur and even the viet place in the 88 food court. I never felt like I had a bad bowl of pho ga while I lived there, except, maybe, the stuff they try to pass off at Pho Republique

I'm looking for pho ga that's like the pho ga I knew and loved in Boston. Mostly this means poached, not grilled, chicken, lime, not lemon, and lots of thin slices onions. Any help??

Hi all,

I used to live Boston, where bowls of pho were a staple for me. But ever since moving to NYC, I haven't been able to find pho that's at all satisfying. I've read here and there on the boards that NY pho and Boston pho are different because the vietnamese restaurants here are run by Vietnamese who were living in china, but does anyone know where I can find the more Boston-like stuff? I'm talking poached chicken (not grilled) that's pulled and served in the soup (not on the side) with a very flavorful broth full of basil, cilantro, and thin slice onions (v important!).

Any help would be much appreciated! Banh mi here seem different too, but that's less devastating to me...

The rice is usually brown and savory with some sort of soy-based sauce (as opposed to white) and the filling in just braised meat (instead of also having peanuts, eggs, etc).