preppie foodie's Profile
Are you a recipe hoarder?
I know, I just can't help myself, AND I am single so though lots to try, I keep things thinking I might make them for a dinner party "some day." I have been able to keep the cookbook thing under control due to space limitations in my apt but food blogs are my DOWNFALL. I read them at lunch at work, print out and then take home where I put them in to plastic sleeves in a growing series of ring binders organized according to first/main course/sides/ desserts & appetizers. My one way of vaguely managing them is to periodically sit down and remove anything I haven't made or is too much like something that I think is better. I do admit it can take years before I will throw one out! Not perfect, but somewhat helpful. I periodically flick through to remind myself of things I loved making and just forgot about. The nice thing with the glycines is that they are spatter proof.
What Fairway items do you recommend?
total agreement on the meat/fish. I love their roast chickens--delicious and very reasonable. The cheese counter is cheaper and has a greater variety than citarella or graces. Love their bran and morning glory muffins (they freeze well) and also the balthazar bread supply. Their house brand coffee is also a good value.
Pastry chef / London Chowhounder visiting NY, need your help please!
hi! Union Square Greenmarket is the largest on saturdays but it gets crowded fast. try to be there before 11am--can stop at City Bakery for breakfast! I'd also suggest Levain Bakery on the upper west side. Insanely good cookies, muffins, etc.
http://www.levainbakery.com/
167 West 74th St New York, NY 10023 • T: 212-874-6080 • Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 9am-7pm
Agree that Payard isn't the same anymore. In terms of pastries, you may want to stop by Financier. They are an expanding chain of french patisseries/sandwich/salad etc cafes that are dotted throughout manhattan, largely downtown though.
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Union Square Greenmarket
Broadway and E 17th St, New York, NY 10003
City Bakery
3 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011
Levain Bakery
167 W 74th St, New York, NY 10023
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 3rd quarter 2011 [Old]
MASSIVE yay for the Dark chocolate nutty Bites--my officemates are now also addicted. Other yeas
chicken tikka masala (I see many others love it too)
chipotle hummus--nice smoky spicy kick
multigrain bread (I think that is what its called)
earl grey tea: great taste and super cheap
new huge tubs of greek yoghurt (FINALLY!)
Grace's Marketplace vs Eli"s Manhattan
I too live equidistant and I basically don't have much to add though I do feel that recently citarella's prices have gone up while the quality has gone down. I've lived in the neighborhood since it opened. Their fish is better and they have a larger butcher selection but prices can vary between the two--with one thing bizarrely much more expensive than at the other place.. Grace's layout can be maniacal when busy but I find their produce, partiucularly their mesclun mix, seems fresher. I must admit though that I end up hopping on the cross town bus and hitting the 72nd/broadway TJ's...
Whole Foods UES - Rumor or Truth?
I've heard rumors that it, or a Trader Joes, may go into the old 72nd street cinema space on third ave --possibly why victoria's secret and the bath/body works stores left. now its just the poor runner's roost hanging on by a thread....anyone else hear this?
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay thread - 1st quarter 2011 [old]
Yays: the mango/organic yoghurt parfait. Great for dessert though a tad on the sweet side. Macarona almonds with dried rosemary--way too tempting, Bay Blend/Hawaiian blend coffee, the multigrain pita crisps--apparently they have sesame in them but my bag didn't have any hint of it, rosemary ham, triple ginger crisps, mini pitas. frozen shrimp. Crabcakes are a good quick dinnerin a pinch--get the tartar sauce to have with them.
Nays: mint/vanilla yoghurt. Just tasted sort of odd and slightly chemically. I've also been unimpressed/let down with their muffins. Salmon sort of meh--just not as good as fresh.
Buche de Noel (Yule Log) - who has the best?
Financier is making them this year. Not sure if its too late to order but you can look online and see. I've never tried their buche but their pastries/baked goods are excellent so I would give them a try as well. Payard's is fantastic. Still in mourning that they left 74th/lex...
stuffed pork loin
agreed! and Mariacarmen, yours sounds great too! I've also done minced dried apricots with some apricot jam and minced shallots
Pork Loin leftovers - what to do?
How about dicing some of it and putting in a hearty salad? Can use mixed greens, maybe with some thinly sliced raw fennel, goats cheese, a little beets, toasted nuts or some sort, maybe some roasted sweet potato?
Best/top places for special dinner near the Harvard Club (West 44th St.)?
hi! I've worked at rock center for 10 years and all the suggestions are great. There is also oceana now just over on 49th/6th (for lunch or dinner) which is lovely (but bernadin is better) and for breakfast/lunch, Financier has opened in the Fox news building on 48th between 6th/bway (open mon-fri), They have great pastries/muffins/croissants/sandwiches and if you want a light lunch, sandwiches,etc. Very good. Another option for you to check out is the website Midtown lunch.
have a great visit
DBGB for Dinner: What to Order (or make sure I don't!)
Hi Everyone! thanks so much for your replies. We had some hits and misses but I definitely want to go back. Hits were: special shrimp flatbread with arugula and chanterelle and some sort of cheese (insanely delicious--order it if you see it on the specials) which was probably the hit. Chacuterie plate: solid, but I think the one at his lincoln center location is better. Merguez sausage was a hit as everyone suggested and we also tried the Parisienne sausage which was kind of meh. Quality was great but it just wasn't anything special and the beet apple slaw had too little apple in it which I think would've helped. There was also a special cold ratatouille soup which had a fanastic crostini with it but the soup itself was somewhat between a soup and a dip. The red pepper flavor kind of overwhelmed it a bit. Matzoh ball soup had mixed reviews from the group due to individual opinions on matzoh ball consistency. We had a decent bottle of rose and some profiteroles (also good, though were cream, not ice cream but excellent dark chocolate sauce). There is an interesting peach/red currant sunday as the seasonal option but no one wanted it but me and we were too full to get a second dessert. It was a great value for what you got and service decent. Sorry no pics!
DBGB for Dinner: What to Order (or make sure I don't!)
Hi fellow hounds! Have a table for four of us at DBGB thurs nite. I searched the boards but nothing specific about what people loved (or didn't). Any suggestions would be great as well as anything that we could share--we all love food and no picky eaters in the group. THANKS!
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DBGB
299 Bowery, New York, NY 10003
Searching for a great croissant - my report
I would give Financier a try and I'd love to hear your report. Though still in mourning for Payard, they are decent. They do a good almond one...
Drinks before concert, midtown 'nice' place
If you want a more modern vibe, the bar room at the Modern could be good and if you want to be outside, the rooftop bar at the peninsula--could be a bit touristy but fun and different to be outside. Another option might be the bar at Oceana--haven't been there yet but walked by and the space looks great.
Where can I take a Serious Foodie in UES/Yorkville?
I second the Spigolo vote! if the weather is nice, you may be able to go without a reservation. Also Cascabel has fantastic tacos (the steak is my fave) though its tiny and packed. They are close to each other so you can check them both out and decide. JG Melon always reliable for a burger though waits can vary and be warned--house charge or cash only. Cafe d'alsace great too but more of a fall/winter place to me with food more on the hearty side but also a great option. good luck and let us know!
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Spigolo
1561 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028
israeli couscous newbie: suggestions for lunches I can take to work
Hi there! I bought my first bag of Israeli couscous and would love suggestions as to a)cooking it as the instructions on my bag were sketchy to non-existent b)lunchtime salads that I can make the night before and then pack up to bring to work (we have a fridge). I eat basically everything, can be meat or meatless, just good and with lots of flavor!
German Food in Manhattan?
What about Blaue Gans down in Tribeca? They've got the curry wursts, brats, and a great wurst platter, great spaetzle (one of my german/austrian restaurant tests which they passed with flying colors), vienerschnitzel prepared four different ways (I stuck with the traditional and it was nice and crispy and came with delicious potato salad). also traditional german/austrian beers on tap. Was there fri night for the first time. It can definitely hold a big group too if you need a table for 8-12. They also had a good looking dessert menu but we were too stuffed. My one caveat is that I had probably the worst waiter I can remember. She seemed totally checked out but compared to the warm welcome by the rest of the staff, I hope it was just an anomaly or an off day. I would still go back.
Lunch at La Grenouille: what to order?
Update: Fantastic from start to finish. The service was amazing, it was as if they were mind readers, with perfect pacing and just the right amount of friendliness. Had the pate de campagne to start (excellent, so fresh), which came with a tangle of frisee, shaved cornichon and carrots as well as some crusty wheat toast, had the dover sole--fantastic! nutty light delicious, all that my fellow hounds promised, and ordered the chocolate souffle (sadly no caramel that day), friend had the mushroom risotto (another great call) followed by the chicken paillard (looked solid and well executed but not very remarkable), was brought delicious extra dessert (we shared the souffle) and also had typical little plate of petit fours/nuts. The only minor disappointment was the coffee (bland and not very strong). We had wines by the glass that were excellent and priced in line with any hotel/comparable restaurant. Two hours later, I floated out back to work. If you want to experience the vanishing world of formal French dining, this is the place to go.
sf visitor looking for great burger in pub/bar/casual rest bar and good bowl of pho
what about JG Melon on 74th/3rd. It may be too out of the way but one of my favorites in the city. Small, pubby a bit of the upper east side crowd but great burgers, cottage fries, etc. Be warned, its cash only.
"Ladies Luncheon" Sandwiches
try William Poll on Lexington Avenue and I think 74th or so. Fantastic chicken salad ones...could fit the bill but they are not cheap. Good luck!
Lunch at La Grenouille: what to order?
thanks MM Ruth! A great review and I am already praying they have the caramel souffle! Thank you too fm1963 and I will make sure to give a full report!
Lunch at La Grenouille: what to order?
I'm taking a dear friend to celebrate her 40th. Any suggestions or things to avoid? They got a solid review in the Times recently. Also, any sense of the wine list would be great as yes, it will be a nice long lunch!
Best Birthday Cake on the UES?
I'd also try Financier. Their pastries are excellent (payard level) and there are a few in Midtown (including Grand Central station) and a nice one with a restaurant in the back at 54th/1st. I think they'd definitely have a comparable cake.
Cipolla Rossa - Where did they go?
I know, I've been wondering the same thing. I got their answering machine too but haven't heard anything. Does any chowhounder out there know what's going on? I really liked their food...
Fresh Pasta - Carnegie Hill/Yorkville?
What about the takeout/grocery section of Sfoglia? I think they might have pasta but I know their hours of operation are pretty limited. No idea of price but close by enough for you to investigate.
Best French bistro in NYC??
sad news, btsqnyc, Payard has SHUT! There was a rent dispute with the owner. He did set up a small space at some jewelry store on madison ( I am sure some chowhounder will know the name!) with a limited pastry,chocolate and macaroon selection. MARDISK: the other option which is even closer for you is Financier. There is one on I think 1st and about 53rd or so with great pastries/croissants, salads, croque monsuiers, etc. It is nowhere near as elegant as Payard but perfect for breakfast/light lunch. For dinner, I've always had good luck at Jubilee which has great moules frites/steak au poivres and profiteroles. It is a neighborhood place and tucked away on 54th between 1st and 2nd
Quiet, low key restaurant for parents in midtown east, UES
Two more votes for Theodora or Jubilee. Both are very good and reliable for parents (mine have been to both) . I might lean more towards Theodora as its a bit quieter than Jubilee--my father is a bit hard of hearing though he won't admit it--and he found it easier to hear everyone. If you do go to Jubilee, great moules, steak au poivre and the profiteroles are fantastic. save room! For the future, JoJo is perfect parent dress up place.
Make My Mom Happy- Brunch WIth MUSSELS
jumping on the Jubilee bandwagon....also have amazing profiteroles--save room!
