TJ47's Profile
Vegas - hilton, cocktails and Batali
A few questions - Ive looked at the board, but would like a little more specific guidance.
Im in Vegas for the next three nights and have been booked at the Hilton. Is there anything worth eating there? Or should I just use my hand and hail it out of there. Along the line, any good bars/clubs there?
Drinks - are there any cocktail bars in Vegas that are in the same vein as Drink in Boston, or the many high-end artisan places in NY (Mayahuel, Little Branch, M&H, Death&CO, Pegu, etc). Im talking great cocktails with fresh artisanal ingredients, not just a place to get a good G&T or check out a few hotties.
Batali restaurants - how do these places compare to Babbo and the other Batali high-end places in NY? In particular, how is B&B? Does it come recommended? Is it the best in Vegas for Italian, at least at the price point? Whats the ambience like? I will be either alone or with a few other guys, so Id prefer a laid back environment.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Food & Wine cites six Boston bars among 2009's best
I just saw that Neptune Oyster has Lobster Spaghettini on Monday nights. This is one of my favorite dishes (if you ever have the chance, Batali does an excellent version served at a number of his restaurants). Any thoughts?
Food & Wine cites six Boston bars among 2009's best
These are great recommendations, much appreciated. We will definitely check out Drink. Im leaning towards Neptune Oyster, but seem to have a hankering today for some old-school Italian. I checked out Prezza and Taranto and they are a high-end relative to what Im looking for. Any old-school Italian places that come highly recommended? Think South Philly or Arthur Avenue (though the quality is more miss than hit). Marco Cucina Romana seems closest to the mark so far.
Food & Wine cites six Boston bars among 2009's best
Preferably including, but somewhat flexible. Im actually more interested in excellent food in a lively atmosphere than an elegant one. For example, if you know a trattoria or brasserie that you think is fantastic, I would prefer that over a three-star Jean Georges experience (not that we would get the latter for 75 bucks in any event)
Food & Wine cites six Boston bars among 2009's best
I am in town for one evening (tonight) and dont know Boston at all. With that caveat, are any of the places that you recommend at all convenient to Rowes Wharf? Would you recommend any of them to a greater or lesser degree based on the fact that it will be a Monday night?
Am also looking for dinner, in the 50 - 75. range. A colleague suggested Little Italy or the Back Bay. I wouldnt touch Little Italy where Im from (NYC) so Im skeptical.
I apologize for not going more background on my own, but I just learned about this trip and have to leave shortly. Thanks for any and all thoughts about what one should do with only one nigth in Boston.
Riveria Maya
Not sure of your wedding party, but I dont believe that Maroma allows children. In fact, many of the nicer smaller properties in the Yucatan dont seem to allow children (I have learned this, as I research a trip for my wife and two small young ones).
Vegas - Strip Malls and Trendy Scenes
Ramen suggestion is much appreciated. No better drunk food in my mind. I usually take advantage of the noodle shop in the Mandalay Bay, but it sounds like Sushi Yokohama Kaigenrou might be a better choice (if a bit farther from the tables :))
The Himalayan also sounds great.
Any recommendations from anyone on a particular spot in the LV Chinatown that stands out? Any vietnamese places that anyone would recommend? If Ramen is a great drunk food, Pho is a great hangover food.
Vegas - Strip Malls and Trendy Scenes
I just remembered that Rosemary's isnt really well categorized as Italian food either. My bad. Great food though. And will remain a mainstay on my Vegas list.
Vegas - Strip Malls and Trendy Scenes
Thanks for the suggestion. Have actually been to Rosemary's a couple of times. And always enjoyed it. I definitely see how you think it would fit my request of strip mall ethnic. I guess being from NYC, I never think of italian as ethnic food. Thats just the normal fare :)
Anyone have any thoughts on othr places?
Vegas - Strip Malls and Trendy Scenes
Im in Vegas this weekend with a buddy and we are looking for two types of places:
Strip Mall ethnic - We have been to LOS and Michoacan (not sure if I remember the name right - its the one with three locations). Big fan of the first, not so impressed with the latter (a Mexican restaurant that replaces the traditional cooking ingredient of good old rendered lard with olive oil is not really for me). What should we try next? In particular - vietnamese, chinese, taco truck mexican, afghan or middle eastern, korean, japanese, etc.
High end trendy - We would like at least one high-end meal with great food. However, Im concerned that some of the better restaurants (charlie trotter's, Guy Savoy, Robuchon, etc) will be too formal for our tastes, at least on this trip. My guess is that we will be well lubricated by the time we get to dinner, so what would otherwise be an elegant, slow-paced tranquil dinner is not going to work on this trip. We want a place that is fun and great for people-watching on top of great food. Any thoughts?
Last - any thoughts on oldschool/throw back bars or dives would be well appreciated. We have been to Peppermill many, many times. Anything else we should be checking out? Doesnt have to be on the strip.
Thanks.
One night in Bangor - Lobster?
New Moon looks fantastic - but Im not sure they would be pleased to host 8 guys who just got released from their families for four days. I expect this to be a loud and boozy evening. Any thoughts on a local watering hole other than the Seadog? I dont usually enjoy doing my eating and drinking at chains, but maybe an exception can be made for "small Maine chains".
One night in Bangor - Lobster?
canoeing the st. croix, I believe. Not sure of our drop-in spot. Its a four day trip, and someone else is planning it.
Capt'n Nicks sounds like it might fit the bill. "Popular", "traditional" and "local" are just what we are looking for.
One night in Bangor - Lobster?
Thanks - any thoughts on either the Muddy Rudder or the Seadog? Should I be looking elsewhere?
One night in Bangor - Lobster?
Myself and 7 others are stopping off in Bangor for one night before starting a multi-night canoe trip. I have searched the board for restaurants in Bangor and the pickings seem slim. I take note of Ichiban, Cafe Nouveau, Bangor Wine and Cheese, and Seadog. However, we were really eager to get a good Maine Lobster dinner on our one night not camping. Any thoughts? What about the Muddy Rudder, would that fit the bill?
We are also looking for a good pub/bar to throw back several local microbrews. Our fallback at the moment is the Seadog. If anyone has any suggestions for a good/great local pub (and even better if it serves good food), I would be delighted to hear it.
Thanks.
Ramen near Bryant Park?
Thanks all - I checked out 41st street. A ton of good stuff there, but no ramen. While there, I remembered the kwik cart on 45th and 6th avenue, so I headed over there. Great lamb/chicken over rice.
Ramen near Bryant Park?
Is cafe duke a ramen shop? japanese restaurant/grocery? I have never heard of it.
Sapparo is very good, but I think its too far away for today. Usually, I like Men Kui Tei, but that is also too far away.
Ramen near Bryant Park?
what is the japanese trifecta? Are the japanese trifect and the grocery store the same thing?
Ramen near Bryant Park?
I have a meeting in midtown today (42nd and 5th) and looking for a decent ramen place within a four/five block radius. Any thoughts?
1st timer lookin' for local fare..
Shrimp and Grits may be lowcountry, but they often have them at Elizabeths in the Bywater. And they are pretty great. As is weekend breakfast/brunch generally. You should definitely check it out if you are looking for local spots.
On the Fried Okra, you could try Praline Connection. I dont actually think much of the cooking there generally, but they do have heaping servings of Fried Okra.
Red Beans and Rice - Check out Mandinas, Two Sisters, Dunbar's - all serving pretty good versions. If I remember correctly, JacquesImos does as well, though Im not positive on that. For all that, I gotta say that Im pretty happy with the red beans and rice from Popeye's. Which reminds me, Fiorellas has pretty good red beans and rice as well, along with some smoking fried chicken.
Dive Bars - I would skip Coop's - good food, and a good destination if you are looking for food and bar in the same place, but pretty touristy at this point. Not a place where Id go just to have a drink. There are a ton of dive bars in the Quarter. Which ones? The ones that look like your momma wouldnt want you to go in.
If you are looking for bars with food that are local, check out Parkway Tavern (and sit in the bar), Liuzzas by the Track, Elizabeths upstairs, Cooter Browns, even Domilises. All of these places have bars as part of the general feel of the place, even though none of them is really a bar first and foremost (except maybe for Cooter Browns).
For straight local dive bars, I would also recommend Snake and Jake's, Circle Bar, Ernie K Doe's, Vaughan's (Thursday night - maybe Kermit will hook you up with the red beans and rice you are looking for), Mid City Rock n Bowl, R Bar (bit on the yuppie side, but a lot of fauborg marigny neighborhood there, particularly earlier in the evening on weekdays) and Les Bon Temps Roulez. These arent all dives, per se, but they are all pretty great bars where locals go.
I dont know anywhere with beignets other than Cafe Du Monde. And contrary to what seems to be universal opinion, I wouldnt recommend going there to anyone. The last few years it always seems filthy, the coffee is less than mediocre and its often crowded. The service is at best indifferent (which is fair enough at a coffee place, but not if the coffee is crap as well). This place might have stood out before the advent of the coffee bar, but I dont see the point any more. Id skip the beignet and have an extra piece of fried chicken :)
Best restaurants outside New Orleans
Sounds good. Im down in NOLA for a four-day weekend this weekend coming, and was looking for a reason to go for a drive. I used to go to a place called Whitey's closer to New Orleans that basically only did boiled crawfish, but I dont think its there anymore.
Best Barbeque shrimp in NOLA
Liuzza's by the racetrack for a more casual neighborhood place. Was open at jazzfest so I assume it still is.
Best restaurants outside New Orleans
Can you give a little more feedback on Hymels. Whats the restaurant like - upscale or formica tabletop? Whats the crowd like, etc.
Is it like the places that were out on the Lake near Metairie? Or would we need reservations?
Jin Jean's Lounge
A follow-up to my earlier posting on Boutin's. Kermit Ruffins is playing at a place called Jin-Jeans on Sunday night. The menu looks like good solid local specialties, more on the soul side. Anyone ever been?
Boutin's Restaurant
Im going to be in NOLA this weekend for the Offbeat Awards. Have a lot of great meals lined up, but wanted to see if anyone knew anything about Boutin's Cajun Restaurant in B.R. Is this the real deal for cajun food and dancing, or just a Mulate's in disguise?
Best Mexican food?
Panama Hat above referred to Taco trucks. Do the trucks have consistent locations? Can you help me figure out how to find them? ANd what their hours might be?
Thanks.
Bramble?
I was recently flying Virgin Airlines and had a delicious drink I would like to make at home. Virgin called the drink a "Bramble". It was gin based, with crushed ice and either had muddled blackberries or some sort of blackberry cordial in it. I dont know what, if any other ingredients it contained. It might have had a twist of lemon.
In any event, the blackberry did a great job of bringing out some of the different essences in the gin, while softening the gin considerably. Certainly not the drink I would want if I were in the mood for a martini, but a very nice alternative to the G&T, gimlet, etc if you are looking for a nice summer afternoon drink. Anyone able to help me with the recipe?
Best fried chicken in NYC?
I have been to Charles, M&G, Amy Ruth's, Spoonbread, countless Dominican and chinese places and most definitely to Popeyes/
Best Fried Chicken hands down is Jacques-I-Mo's. A lot of their food is hit or miss but the fried chicken is phenomenal. True for the original restuarant in New Orleans as well. A little pricier than, say, Popeye's, but a huge portion with good sides. And you can get an Abita Restoration while you are there, which is a very tasty and hard to find beer (I think its a limited edition, perhaps with proceeds going to restoration related to Katrina?)
