ukitali's Profile
South Street Seaport
I've only been to one place for brunch down there...Meade's Restaurant. Decent food, outdoor seating and unlimited drink special. Nothing special but I think option are sort of limited in the area.
Belated Mother's Day dinner
My brother and I can't be with my mom on Mother's Day so we're going to celebrate with a dinner a few weeks later on 6/3. Would like to keep it around $40 a person for food only. Preferably Union Square, Flatiron, EV, Greenwich Village locale (Chelsea or W. Village is ok too).
Her preferences: likes Mediterranean, Italian, Mexican, Tapas, plenty of veggie/fish options (she eats meat but not often), cozy, lively space (nothing too formal), wine/cocktails
I was thinking ABC Kitchen or Empellon Cocina? She/We tend to go to a lot of tapas places (small, sharable portions appeal to her) and she's liked Casa Mono, Alta, Tia Pol, Las Ramblas, Oleana (Boston) and Estadio (DC).
6 day food itinerary - please advise.
I work in the area and the Halal cart is fine for a weekday lunch or dinner but I certainly wouldn't take anyone, certainly not my in-laws out of the way for this cart. Is your hotel nearby? If so then I guess it's an ok late night option.
Tuscan Station at Wedding
I feel that sometimes people try to make their wedding food too "elegant" and guests go home hungry. Key is to strike the right balance between tasty food and something you and your guests will enjoy. Is this for cocktail hour? What other station are you thinking of having (besides sushi)?
Torrisi's Newest Chef's Tasting Menu: Review + Photos
I agree. My "interesting" comment was sarcastic though I can't knock the place since I haven't tried it.
Torrisi's Newest Chef's Tasting Menu: Review + Photos
Did some more research and apparently they use only American products in the restaurant. Interesting concept I guess.
Torrisi's Newest Chef's Tasting Menu: Review + Photos
They seem to only have American wines on their menu. It's the one thing that making me hesitate trying Torrisi.
Help...Guy Looking For a Fun Restaurant For 23rd Birthday With Friends: Must Have Good Food!
He said he wanted good, not really good, haha. I thought it was ok given the atmosphere. I feel like a lot of fun, birthday kind of places do not have great food unfortunately.
Bar Americain?
I've been there for business lunches otherwise wouldn't go out of my way or pay for a meal there.
Help...Guy Looking For a Fun Restaurant For 23rd Birthday With Friends: Must Have Good Food!
Standard Biergarten, Blue Smoke and Hill Country could work.
Fun New Orleans Style Creole Place Good For Groups
I've been to a couple work events/happy hours at Bourbon Street in Midtown and the food was pretty decent. I've never had food at Ninth Ward but it's smack in the middle of the EV and a good jumping off point for going out. Bourbon Street is big, has a bunch of TV screens with sports on and is New Orleansy looking while Ninth Ward is smaller, cozier but also has a back patio. I think the neighborhood around Ninth Ward is more conducive to a bunch of 20-somethings going out but 9th ave in Hell's Kitchen also has a bunch of bars. Really depends on what neighborhood you want to hang out in.
Manhattan virgin with adventurous palate
Only reason I recommended Veselka was the 24 hour option. I personally think their food is overpriced and not very authentic but it does the job at 5am. I am Ukrainian and definitely prefer Stage, Ukrainian National Home and Streecha for authentic, just like grandma-makes-it Ukrainian food.
looking for best deals on bottles of wine
For wines under $15 Trader Joe's Wine Shop on 14th is my go-to.
Inexpensive Restaurants in the Theater District?
Head over to 9th avenue. My favorites in the area are Uncle Nick's and Pure Thai Cookhouse.
Manhattan virgin with adventurous palate
Not necessarily "the best" but as a fellow 27 year old here are some my favorites:
Where's the best place to be outside while drinking a local brew?
-Don't know much about local brews but fave outdoor drinking places: La Birreria @ Eataly, Frying Pan, Met Museum Rooftop, Astoria Beer Garden, Zum Schneider, The Standard Beer Garden, brown bagging it in Central Park
Where would you drink a cocktail with some of your closest friends?
-I like Little Branch-small, intimate, great cocktails
Where should I satisfy the healthy eater in me after a turbulent evening about town?
-Healthy? Is a bagel considered healthy? Let's move onto the next one...
Where should I satisfy the drunk eater in me during the wee hours of the morning?
-I usually hang out in the East Village so my go-tos are Two Bros $1 pizza, Pomme Frites, Mamoun's Falafel, Meatball Shop, Artichoke Pizza and Veselka
Best dive bar?
-Karpaty Pub aka Sly Fox, Grassroots Tavern, Blue & Gold
Freshest seafood around?
Luke's Lobster, Mermaid Inn....there are many others but I tend to make seafood at home
The ultimate NY hot dog, where does it live?
-Not sure if there is one but try the recession special at Gray's Papaya
What to avoid at all costs even if others swear we must go?
-Do not eat anywhere in Times Square
Markets & Street Fairs
The Green Market has some prepared and ready to eat foods like apple cider, fruits, pretzels, cheeses and baked goods/bread but I don't think you can make a full meal out of it. Biggest section is on Fridays and Saturdays.
I know these aren't outdoors but Chelsea Market and Eataly are worth checking out for the food and atmosphere.
Bar recommendations near CRAFT?
Raines Law Room, Flatiron Lounge, Craftbar, Flute and Rose Bar are all within a few blocks.
Good Bar with food around Town Hall?
BXL Belgian Cafe on 43rd is a few doors down. Have been there a few times for happy hour and it was fun. Food looked pretty good.
Cheap Eats Near Times Square?
If you must eat near your hotel stick to places near 9th ave and avoid Times Square itself no matter how tempting and fun some the restaurants look. I work in the area and some of the places I've enjoyed or heard are good are: Don Antonio for pizza, Amy's Bread and Sullivan Street bakery for baked goods and lunch, Totto Ramen for ramen, Nook for dinner BYOB, Hummus Kitchen and Kashkaval for Mediterranean, Uncle Nick's for Greek, Lime Jungle for Mexican and falafel/halal carts.
We're not really supposed to give touristy advice but things you must do in my opinion: Central Park, Top of the Rock, walk Times Square, 5th Ave window shopping, walk around Soho, Greenwich and East Village, check out the Wall Street area and the World Trade Center Memorial. For food/tourist spots check out Chelsea Market and the Highline as well as Eataly.
Birthday Dinner recs in Chelsea/Flatiron for this Saturday?
Junoon? I've never been but I walk by on my way to and from school and it looks like it has a nice vibe.
Dinner around 42nd near (ish)helmsley hotel
Looks like it's on 42nd between 2nd and 3rd ave.
Byob in NYC
I like Nook in Hell's Kitchen, a pretty quick subway ride away. It's tiny but they do do take reservations....call earlier in the day for a table.
Weekend in DC-help me choose
Got back yesterday from DC and had a thoroughly enjoyable trip. Highlights were Il Canale, Baked and Wired, Pearl Dive Oyster Palace, Blue Duck Tavern, Dupont Circle Farmers Market, Estadio and Leopold's Kafe. We were able to walk almost everywhere and therefore felt a little less guilty eating such rich dinners. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Weekend in DC-help me choose
We're pretty flexible with our dinner time so Saturday we may just go early to one of the places that doesn't take reservations like Estadio or Hank's. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!
Weekend in DC-help me choose
Would love to but as I mentioned unfortunately out of our budget. Looking to keep it around or under $50 each for food at dinner.
Weekend in DC-help me choose
In the process of planning a last minute mother-daughter trip down to DC next weekend. Staying in the Dupont Circle area and likely hitting the typical tourist spots like the museums and monuments. No car so we'll be using the Metro. We're from NYC and like seafood, Italian, tapas and Mediterranean food (and wine). Some places that hit me while searching this board and other sites:
Blue Duck Tavern and Firefly (for brunch)
Little Serow and Thai Xing
Bibiana, Potenza
Rasika
Birch and Barley
Zaytinya, Agora, Estadio (my favorites of the bunch)
Bistrot du Coin
Any musts or avoids? Our budget is not in the Komi or Fiola range and while my mom is quite hip I think we want to avoid anything too, too trendy. For one of our dinners (Friday night) we're looking for a good seafood/vegetarian option. Any tips for cheap, quick lunches while hitting the tourists spots would be welcome. Also my mom has a sweet tooth so fabulous dessert recs (eat in or take-out) would be great. In general though we are pretty open to any types of cuisine. Thanks!
American breakfast for family - Union Square area
Had a poor experience at Friend of a Farmer for brunch but maybe it's better for a weekday breakfast (the lines at brunch did not justify the service and quality of the food).
In case you're looking for an alternative to pancakes and eggs you could try City Bakery, 71 Irving Place Coffee and Tea, Ess-a-Bagel or David's Bagels for pastries/bagels and coffee.
Best Fries in the U.S.
2nd Pomme Frites. They're served Belgian style, in a paper cone. I like them with Roasted Garlic Mayo or Sweet Mango Chutney Mayo.
