tbear's Recent Activity
Chowhound Post
stakehouse Manhattan
There are endless discussions on this board about what is the best steak-house. The fight usually comes down to Peter Luger's in Brooklyn or Keen's in Manhattan They are both fantastic, but since you want Manhattan, Keen's it is. Do yourself a favor and get the porterhouse (and/or) a Mutton chop. I like to sit in the Tap room (near the bar) by the fire - though there are no reservations taken there.
Chowhound Post
Roast whole Suckling Pig for take-out or delivery
Daisy May's BBQ has a great whole pig, though it is not exactly an X-mas suckling pig...
Chowhound Post
Lobster Bisque Dilemma
That kind of was my point. MANY people cheat and use a roux. Ground shells, IMO, can add a nutty/bitter (unpleasant) flavor. DW's bisque is the absolute essence of the lobster, thickened w/ cream and the head meat/gelatin (ever noticed the gelatin in the head?) and cream.
Chowhound Post
Lobster Bisque Dilemma
Yes take the tale, claws and knuckles out and use them for something else - like dipped in drawn butter!!
But the left-over heads have a rich, fatty meat in them that can be picked out and added to a lobster stock/bisque, and blended in w/out toughening. I only know this from DW who does not use a roux, does not puree the shells and and still comes up with a perfect consistency and unf'nbeliveable flavor. Granted, this means getting elbow deep in lobster heads - which is why her bisque is better than mine...patience and persistence...not a morsel wasted. Perhaps its because she is old world.
Chowhound Post
eggs benedict on friday afternoon
PJ Clarke's (all locations) serve Eggs Benny all day and night. Or coarse, the original location on 55th and 3rd is the place to go..
Chowhound Post
BEST BAGELS IN NYC
I live in between the two, have eaten both many, many times. They are very different, but both VERY good...esp. in comparison w/ 99.9% of the bagels in the world. A warm Tal everything bagel was a true joy. Also, GREAT white fish.
Frankly, I expect my NYC counter people to be a little surly.
A real loss in my neighborhood...what next, Ideal Cheese???
Chowhound Post
Peter Luger vs. Keens
Lord knows this has been discussed time and again on these boards, but It is amazing to see how Keens has come from the dark horse to the favorite. I have eaten at Luger's three times, and Keens many, many times. To me the steaks are BOTH great, but Keens is a far superior RESTAURANT.
Chowhound Post
dishes they are not known for but delicious
Veal Parm at Palm Too.
Chowhound Post
Still lamenting closure of L'Entrecote (1st Ave & 57th/58th St.) Suggestions for a substitute?
Try the Veau D'or on 60th and Lex. It is exactly what you looking for...ancient, unchanging, quirky and good.
Only downside is that it was recently featured on No Reservations, so it has gotten busier.
Chowhound Post
The Palm - Opinions?
Stand corrected.."Parma" makes much more sense.
Chowhound Post
Tennis Anywhere???
Opia Restaurant, on the second floor of the renaissance hotel on 57th and lex, shows the matches and serves mimosas etc w/ breakfast. I only know this because my wife had family in town and we met over there for some pancakes (really good BTW) and they had the matches on a big screen - a nice diversion as I don't speak Flemish, and my wife's family does not speak English...
Just saw your 12-5 - - Opia, still a good place.
Chowhound Post
The Palm - Opinions?
Love that too...though I did end up marrying an old girlfriend, and couldn't be happier about it. Perhaps the Palm deserves another try...
Chowhound Post
The Palm - Opinions?
I have been going to the Palm Too since the mid 80s when my father started taking me there, and while I don't think it is ALWAYS the best steak (forgive me Dad, but Keen's rules) , it is consistent, and the staff have become like family.
I think one thing that is often over looked is the veal parmigiana. Remember, the original owners, when they got off the boat from Italy, wanted to name the restaurant Palermo. The rushed (or uncaring) clerk at the business license board wrote down Palm instead, and the rest, as they say, is history. The Veal parm. remains, however, and it is my favorite anywhere. (In fact, I have had it the last 5 visits).
Chowhound Post
The Palm - Opinions?
I love Pic - always as sweet as can be, and in total control. Gus the long time Maitre D', and NY legend, has personally groomed her.
Chowhound Post
Per Se quality b-day dinner
It might not be a food mecca, but I went to La Grenouillie again the other night, and I have to say it is the most elegant restaurant in NYC, with incredible, pampering, service from a time past. I had lobster ravioli and braised ox-tail...both very good. The souffles are ethereal...though it is not on the menu, I always have the Grand Marnier...you just have to ask, which attests to their whole gracious attitude.
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Are all the lobster stocks salty?
Yes, lobster stocks have a natural saltiness. Do not add any salt until final seasoning of what ever dish you are making...though I would give the same advice when making any stock.
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Grand Central Market
FYI, the seafood stand closer to lex (farther east) is Wild Edibles, and is superior.
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Keens recent popularity due to Bourdain's No Reservations?
My favorite SH in NYC and it has been for ten years. I will also vote for the pub room, by the fire. Glass of Oban, Oysters Rockefeller and a Mutton Chop w/ sauteed sorrel. Wait, can I be there now? Please?
Chowhound Post
Donohue's Steak House?
The food at Donahue's is straight from 1975. Boiled Veggies. Lamb Chops (porter house cut) on Toast . Side of mint jelly. Surly bartender (Frank). Musty dining room. The restaurant time forgot...
I love it.
Chowhound Post
New York City-Raised Chefs?
Bourdain is from Jersey.
DiSpirito, I think, is from LI.
Micheal Lomonaco was born and raised in Hell's Kitchen.
oops, old thread.
Chowhound Post
Best Everything Bagel in NYC
Tal Bagel on 54 and 1st. Like all the above places, just take whatever is warm. Please dont ask them to toast, unless you love a blank stare.
Also the whitefish salad is fabulous.
Mention to H & H and Essa.
Chowhound Post
How do you use white truffle oil?
A single drop in scrambled eggs or a Swiss cheese omelet. In cheese souffle. In vinaigrette. In mash potatoes.
Remember, it can be very strong, almost with an overwhelming "petrol" smell- so take it easy.
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Private dining for 30-40 for wedding celebration dinner
Orsay on 75th and Lex has a really nice room, and is very professional, with very good food.
Keens has some really cool rooms but the food maybe too simple for you.
Chowhound Post
where to eat pre-concert near MSG
I always go to the same place pre-garden: Keens. Great steak, (great food in general), great service, fireplace in the pub-room, festive yet intimate, walking distance to MSG. OK not that serene, but its my go to. (46th and 6th)
DB Bistro is actually serene and elegant and may suit you perfectly.
Chowhound Post
NY steakhouse...worth it?
You asked a question, and got a pretty close to a consensus (rare, indeed, on this site), yet you are ignoring Chowhounders advice to go to Keen's. Wolfgang's is an IMITATION of Luger's - though they do have a damn fine steak. Luger's and Keen's are the real deal.
Chowhound Post
NY steakhouse...worth it?
Dont' fool around - just go to Keen's. It has an unsurpassed porterhouse (no you can't make this at home) and is the best overall restaurant of all the NYC steakhouses. If it is cold out, sit in the pub room by the fireplace. Again, the history of this place alone, you can not reproduce at home.
Chowhound Post
tenderloin help
This is not the PC or FDA answer but:
If you keep it in the cryovac, in a fridge below 40 degrees, the meat should be fine. If when you open it there is some discoloration, trim it off. Remember, great steak houses age their meats for up to to 30 days. Some use dry rooms, others wet marinades. Really the meat in your fridge will last a while - use common sense - if it looks and smells rancid*, it is. If not, it is fine.
*Just to confuse the point. - in NYC, the most popular aged steakhouses have meat that smell like aged cheese.
Chowhound Post
Keen's lunch feedback
or the Porterhouse for 2 or 3. Or be more adventourous and go for the Mutton Chop.
