utekai's Profile
low budget vegetarian near times square for my sweetheart and me
Can anyone suggest a few low to mid budget vegetarian or vegan spots and these can be regular restaurants with good vegetarian dishes. Thanks a bunch!
good eats in fort wayne, indiana?
Not sure about Powers, be suspicious. It's kind of like a poor White Castles with more onions on the tiny little burger. I think you're better off at White Castles.
I'm not sure if it's new, but I only recently came across O'Donnel's Irish Pub downtown. Great food, great beer selection. But back to the food, really decent portions (half or full, and if you finish the half then you are eating too damn much) and interesting stuff like Corned Beef and Cabbage that is really quite nice, or Irish Stew (hey, it is an Irish pub), and of course Fish n Chips in those big, big portions that leave you with a stuffed look on your face if you manage to finish it. I go there for beer, but sometimes score food and am always happy as I stumble outta there.
I'm very glad I found O'Donnel's because Mad Anthony's has really started going downhill. Last time I went I got served beer in dirty glass. Didn't realize it at first, but noticed something on the outside of the glass and wiped it off, but as I tipped it toward the bottom, saw a piece of something stuck to the glass on the inside that the bartender said was a piece of cheese (well, let's hope it was, but it sure didn't look like it). Not sure how you pour a beer into a glass without noticing that stuck to the inside of it. Because it's a brewery I've got a soft spot for this place, but the poor service and things like this dirty glass have halted by further visitations. I could mention the few times they were serving skunky (i.e., infected and smelling like a dirty dishrag) beer, but that was only a few times.
Club Soda: uh, nice name, but something just ain't quite right about this place and I think it may be on the way outta there.
Coney Island: Got to write some more on this place. Yeah, steamed buns filled with hot dogs. You just gots-ta go here. Forget Powers and come here. Downtown on main streeet. Don't want the 'dogs with everything'? Then go for some beans, or chili. It's a landmark and will be there for years and years to come. But you should still rush to get there.
Renton Update: Please post favorite places
Back in town for a few days, and here's an update:
Saigon Pho: ok, they seem to have peaked and slacked off somewhat. Really getting average to perhaps even lesser. Next time going to Pho Hoa to give it a whirl.
Melrose Grill: Wow! I like this place. Great steak, and they care how they cook it (I mean really, really care and they get it right), a rather decent wine selection, and nice little touches that show they care about the food. I will continue going here. Always leave satisfied. If you nit pick, go elsewhere, but if you just like a damn good steak and a nice accompanying wine (or a 9 lb Porter), go here.
Finnegans: in downtown Renton, apparently under new ownership. It's a friendly place, and if you're local, you probably may visit, if coming to Renton, not really worth it. Decent beer selection but out of Guiness on my last visit ... uh, how can that be, a bar named Finnegans and out of Guiness beer? Some of my co-workers really like the food, but I think it's just regular bar food with a slight upscale twist. I go there for Manny's.
Red House: well if you like bottled beer in wide selection of choices or Washington wines, and eclectic dishes (Elk for instance), this is worth a stop. I like it, and will return, more than just once. Even though I'm a Manny's and 9 Lb. Porter fan in draft form (can't get it any other way), I stop by here to get stuff like Smoked Porter from Alaskan Brewing or an Oak-casket aged Yeti (which you just gotta try). Even though you can get Yeti in lots of places (if you know where to get great beer), somehow this place is still worth a stop.
good eats in fort wayne, indiana?
You've got it covered pretty well. Just want to add a couple options.
Munchies Emporium and Mad Anthony Brewhouse (same place, two rooms) for those wanting less upscale and maybe some beer to go with their food. Hand made pizza dough here, you can smell the yeast, and generally decent beer (though not as good as the brewery in Lafayette). They offer some decent sandwiches and often have bands on Friday/Saturday.
Also don't want to leave out some of the small Mexican hole in the wall places starting to sprout up around South Calhoun street, run by some hopefuls who obviously don't have much startup capital, but are making some really good and apparently very authentic but simple mexican fare.
I usually visit the Coney Island shop on Main every time I go to a hockey game, and leave through the kitchen for a little bit of an Americana diner view. Try the beans too, not just the coney dogs on steamed buns.
Fort Wayne, Indiana Mexican food
Fort Wayne has a growing hispanic population, with Mexican grocers and bakeries AND some really interesting startup restaurants that are very authentic. If you want a nice dining experience, that's not what I'm writing about here, rather I'm writing about some hole-in-the-wall place that you'd NEVER go into without knowing. They're sprouting up here and there, run by entrepreneurs who have a good cook standing behind them, but very little startup capital. One place is on the corner of Calhoun and Woodland, across the street from an Asian grocery. They are located in a former (and maybe still sometimes) used car dealership, and you have to look to find their Tamaleria sign, but that's what they make and they're worth the trip to get a dozen. I will sometimes drive 40 miles there and 40 back to pick up a dozen of these tamales. They make other stuff too like burritos and such, but tamales are their specialty. Generally they're selling food carry out, but they do have a place to sit if you must sit. I get the tamales and sit outside in my car for the first. Everyone I've taken there and given the customary tamale too once outside the door and in the car has been surprised that such good tastes come out of this place. They're just as good the next day warmed under cloth towel in the microwave.
Pho in Seattle without MSG
If south, try Pho Saigon in Renton. A small family run outfit. They make natural broths, not the reconstituted stuff, so easier to get with no MSG. I'm a little prejudice though, I love this little place, and they have some Thai dishes too. It's downtown on 924 Bronson Way. You'll probably pass by Armondo's on the way.
Renton Update: Please post favorite places
Not many recents posts on the Renton area. Would like to get some of your favorite eateries.
The Whistle Stop Ale House (did I get the name right?). Beer selection is great. Haven't had the food.
Saigon Pho (across from the coffee place in the old gas station with coffee so good it will wake the dead). I love this place and go here all the time, everytime I'm in town. Good pho, reasonable prices. Small seemingly family run.
Red Housee (name???). Plenty of beer varieties.
Stanfords: pricey but always good.
Azteca: Pretty basic stuff, nothing special, but ok.
California Pizza Kitchen: I like. Seems a little pricey for pizza, but a good menu.
Claim Jumper: Why do I even write about this place. Too high prices and almost a bad experience every time. From the warm tea that the waitress pee'd in to warm up, to the inchworm making it's way across my mashed potatoes. The Claim Jumper is worth the mention just to state how bad and overpriced this place really is. No kidding, when I pointed out the inchworm, the waiter said, "Don't worry, it comes from the Kale." He did take my plate away, then didn't offer to bring another. Nothing but a sorry from the manager. Uh no free dessert or meal, NOPE, nothing but a sorry. Apparently this type thing happens too much for them to comp a meal.
Newport Bay (name???). On the corner. This is a pretty boring seafood place. Nothing special.
Here's my short take on Renton, and you can see I'm woe-fully devoid of great eateries. I'll provide another update in a few days as we check out some more restaurants in Renton.
how is havana central?
I've eaten there for lunch a number of times on Times Square. Usually get tamales, black beans and rice and a beer or mojito. Their mojitos are good, though depending on who finishes it, sometimes a tad sweet. I love their tamales and have eaten them about 8-10 times. 16 oz beers, not the 14 oz glasses the Irish bars seem to be using.
For supper one night had the seafood paella, and it was rather unremarkable. The black bean soup good, but again unremarkable. This place is usually full around supper time, but the bar usually has a spot or two open.
I like it and will be back.
Rosie O'Grady's Times Square
Not sure if the same, but on 7th Ave, on the corrner, but definitely UP from 46th. So not the same, though the restaurant you refer to is still there, but this one must be up around 50th and 7th.
I stopped in here last night and sat at the bar. Service pretty prompt even though this place is typically crowded, and sometimes its hard to sit at the bar. I stop here now and then.
Last night had oysters on the half, and they were really fresh, slightly salty like a good oyster should be and just right on the spot good. Though this is a steak house more or less, I followed it up with fish and chips. Not particularly remarkable, but still quite good.
Great late night snack for me. I recommend it.
Beer is Food, Where are the Best Beer 'Establishments' in Manhattan
What can I say, but I like the suds. Hoppy, cold lagers, warmer ales, thick stouts, spicy wheats ... I like them all. If you've ever had a Manny's in Seattle, or a fresh Zhigolovskoe on the streets of Minsk, or a short Guiness in Shannon Airport ... well, then you feel me, right?
So here I am in Manhattan for a few days of R&R and needing that large selection of beer that life has brought to me elsewhere. The selection of the few places I've been so far, is just slim. I want to see 50+ draughts and a few hundred bottled selections. Smoked pork shanks like in Munich bierhausen would go nice too, but now I'm just dreamin', this is NY after all, and not Munchen.
WHERE IS THIS PLACE? BEER ME!
i'm alone and need a place to eat for dinner 2nite
Took that advice and tried B. Boulud. Appetizer of lightly pickled beets spritzed with fresh horseradish, followed by canard confit (roast duck) over mixed beans. Accompanied by two reds, the last a Crios Cabernet that finished very nicely. After some thought had Abricot Roti, an excellent pistachio cream with dollop of apricot sorbet serving as the topping of fresh roasted apricots. A couple light biscotti and slivers of apricots dried finished that dessert. Overall a pretty darn good dining experience, like a five dollar milkshake in Jackrabbit Slims, if you know what I mean. Not overly large portions, but I'm not part of obese America and disdain the huge portions of chain restaurants. These portions were right on the mark. I did have a late lunch, but left quite happy. The first red just didn't finish well and I asked for the Crios, and they didn't charge for the first. With tip came in under eighty. I'LL BE BACK! Now where have I heard that before?
Breakfast near 48th and 8th
Just came from breakfast at Pigalle. Eggs Benedict, Natural Yoghurt and fresh Grapefuit juice. First the gripes, the yogurt came with a piece of bacon and a couple bits of other things scattered around the top, the juice was warm and in general the waiters were a little sloppy in both actions and dress. It's certainly a diner atmosphere. This place is well established and seems to be popular. The eggs with the Benedict were perfectly poached, and just to get the same eggs I'd go there again. The ham so so, and the sauce great. I'd recommended it overall. Westway is another place I've eaten at, and is more of a pure diner than Pigalle, and like the wait staff at Pigalle, somewhat sloppy.
Pearl Oyster Bar -- Review
Just went on a Saturday (last night). Showed up at 5 til 6pm, and got a bar seat with no wait. There was a line when I got there of around 20 people, andd people wiating when I left (only about 8-10). Service pretty good. Had the combination seafood cocktail as a starter, and could tell the freshness, particularly of the oysters. The crab claw was very good. However, I do think this kind of combination takes away some from specificity of seafood tastes that make seafood so enjoyable. Next onto the lobster roll, and as many say, there is a lot of lobster. Actually it seems to be all lobster pieces in a mayonnaise sauce on top of a bread roll with some lettuce as garnish, accompanied by salty fried potato slivers called french fries. (These are very thin about the size of flattened matchsticks as compared to regular french fries and freshly cooked.). The lobster roll gave me the lobster texture I love, but not the lobster taste. Couldn't tell if it was the mayonnaise or something else, but it was just not as flavorful as I had hoped. I'm a lover of simplistic dishes, and this is a rather basic and simple to make dish, yet it left me wanting something more. I'm left with the feeling this is not so much a great dish, as a greatly hyped dish. Overall pleasant experience though, and would recommend POB, but just not at the top of a list.
