fonduewcheddar's Profile
Lunch spot near 43rd & 6th
Olympic Pita is so so good for falafel. They make their own laffa bread on site and you can fill a container from their salad bar for free with your falafel.
If you need something closer, try Cafe Zaiya on the second floor of the Japanese bookstore on 6th between 40 and 41st. They have high quality prepackaged japanese food including sushi, bento boxes, salads and sandwiches and the cafe has a beautiful view overlooking Bryant Park.
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Olympic Pita
58 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018
Cafe Zaiya
1073 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018
Momofoku Milk Bar
I tried the captain crunch milk soft serve. It tastes exactly like the milk in the bottom of the bowl after you've finished your cereal. Only problem is that it was super sweet and I never liked captain crunch that much...
Coming to Cleveland in May
To be fair, I haven't been to Sans Souci in years (maybe since its decline), although I heard a rumor that they got a talented new chef. I'm sad to hear its gone downhill because it was always a special restaurant.
Coming to Cleveland in May
I'm sorry Winking Lizard has fallen out of favor...my favorite location is the one out on Miles Rd by the highway which is totally divey (also b/c of its proximity to all the strip clubs). They may be a chain, but they're homegrown and have solid bar food and one of the best beer selections in the region. What are your issues with it besides that it's "ubiquitous"? Aladdins is cheap, tasty, and makes everything locally. Whats to detract? Has it gone downhill lately?
Fat Fish Blue is fun and fills a cuisine niche, but save your $$ for your next trip to New Orleans and try something unique to Cleveland. And I agree, Sergio's Sarava doesn't quite fit the Diners Drive-ins and Dives request, but their happy hour is a great deal and they offer both food and cocktail specials. Plus its a fun atmosphere and sits at a Cleveland landmark.
This is slightly off topic but in response to Nancy: I recently tried Crop and Lola, and I thought they were both overpriced with mediocre food and service. Lolita's great and I love Michael Symon but I would expect two of Cleveland's premiere restaurants to have the resources to train a knowledgable and competent staff, and despite the high quality ingredients, the execution of the dishes did not merit NYC prices. I appreciate the effort, and I thought there were redeeming qualities to each meal--the decor at Lola is top notch and the cocktails are worth at least a trip to the bar; Crop seems to be one of the only places downtown trying to do the Locavore thing; at both places the servers were very friendly--but overall I've found my meals to be a better value (service, decor and food taken into account) in that price range at places like Moxie, Fire, Parallax, Sans Souci, and Chez Francois. Just my two cents. Any thoughts?
Coming to Cleveland in May
Hi! I grew up on the East Side of Cleveland, and here are some of my favorite inexpensive places to eat. I hope you enjoy your visit!
On the East side:
Tommy's (at Coventry) is possibly my favorite restaurant ever (and I live in NYC). inexpensive, vegetarian-friendly food, and the best milkshakes you'll ever have
Winking Lizard (multiple locations) for great wings, bar food, an awesome beer selection, and a giant iguana!
Sergio's Sarava' (Shaker Square) brazilian resto with a great happy hour including small plates and cocktails. regular meal food is delish too. they have outdoor patio seating in warm weather and sometimes live music as well
East Coast Custard (on mayfield Rd and at Shaker Square) has amazing frozen custard
Mama Santa's (Little Italy) has the best pizza in town and it's not very expensive
Aladdin's (Fairmount and Cedar) for delicious and inexpensive middle eastern food
Downtown:
Slyman's for really amazing corned beef on rye. George Bush ate here on a visit to Cleveland a few years ago, but don't let that deter you. pretty sure it's only open for lunch
Juniper Grill is great for breakfast or lunch. it's not a dive--more of a salad/sandwich place--but it's good food for a reasonable price
Li Wah is in Cleveland's teeny tiny chinatown in a building called "china plaza". relatively un-americanized chinese food
Uno e Bino - how to contact them
I lived down the street from Uno e Bino for a year. Try them at +39 06 445 4105. There are a few other great restaurants in the neighborhood, and if you're staying in San Lorenzo they would be worth checking out. For a real Roman meal, try a place marked "Osteria" at the intersection of via degli equi and via dei campani (I think it's really called Da Marcello). Another good upscale option is VinOsteria in via dei sabelli. In "piazzetta" there is a wonderful wine bar called Arco degli Aurunci, which has a large by-the-glass selection and a substantive aperitivo buffet. And for great meat, check out Rouge, which is past the tram tracks on via dei sabelli or via dei volsci--it's marked by a neon blue and red sign. Enjoy!!
Vineyards to visit in Trentino/Alto Adige/Veneto
Grazie mille for the wonderful advice! On a side note, I took a course with AIS/Bibenda in Rome but wasn't able to bring many of my materials with me when i left, so it's good to know duemilavini is online. It's a great resource. I will be sure to report back after the trip with all the details!
Vineyards to visit in Trentino/Alto Adige/Veneto
This is short notice, but I am leaving in a week for a trip to Italy, and I was hoping someone could suggest some wineries or agriturismi to visit in Trentino, Alto Adige or the Veneto that have good tours/unique wines and are open to the public (or by appointment) in the winter. My entire group speaks Italian, so the language barrier would not be an issue. Thanks for your help!
Why can't NY understand the croissant?
Try the croissants at Cafe Macaron (36th b/t 7th and b'way). Very delicious and their coffee is wonderful as well.
