Slob's Profile
Any great places for a cocktail and people watching?
Hi, folks. Coming in tomorrow for a very brief stay. Any great cocktail joints that serve excellent drinks and are good for people watching?
We have been to Death & Co. and the other specialty cocktail joints like that and PDT, etc.. That's not really the vibe we're looking for this time, as those places are a little quiet and too dark.
We're looking more for a spot that is more upbeat and vibrant where we can be nosey and make fun of all the hipsters and "fierce" chicks. Not a "night club" with pounding techno or any of that stuff. Just a great spot for cocktails and people watching that isn't too dark and quiet. Cool music like Bill Withers, Aretha, etc. would be a major bonus.
We don't really care what neighborhood the place is in because we're cool with zipping around anywhere in the city.
Thank you!
Is Momofuko Milk Bar worth a second chance?
I've been 3 times, and most of the things I had were eminently forgettable. The only thing I really liked was the corn cookie, and I think they got rid of it.
Finally made it to Shopsin's!
No. I didn't take anything home. I MADE them from scratch myself at home.
Kesté Pizza & Vino -- August 2009 report
Sally's certainly passes the eye test. That pie looks delicious.
Maialino - Anyone been?
You're right that the portions are rather small. That is the amatriciana dish that I had. Pretty sure that's the only amatriciana dish on the menu. We couldn't get over how tasteless the carbonara was aside from the overwhelming black pepper flavor.
Maialino - Anyone been?
We had dinner there on Christmas night. The hostesses were very smiley and cordial. Terrific greeting.
We had early reservations at 5:30, but they were already out of the sweetbread appetizer, which was very odd. So we went with the pigs foot and beans app. The tiny amount of meat on the foot was very tasty. The beans were also delicious, but there just wasn't enough meat on the foot to make it a worthwhile app.
We ordered some roasted potatoes off the sides menu to nibble on, and they were pretty tasteless.
I had the Amatriciana (sp?) and my beautiful companion had the carbonara. I thought the Amatriciana was delicious. We both thought the carbonara was super bland. The only flavor we tasted was an overpowering black pepper.
For dessert, we had the apple cake, which was very moist and tasty and the pine nut lemon tart, which was also quite delicious. It was very lemony.
The service was pleasant and attentive.
Overall, I'd give it a B. I'd probably go back but definitely wouldn't consider it a destination restaurant. It's a beautiful room though.
Kesté Pizza & Vino -- August 2009 report
I had the sausage pie, and it was a dreadful puddle of mush. I'm not one for purees or artichokes or any of that other nonsense on a pie.
Cliche "one night" request by jaded californian
"What's the highest quality cocktail I can get on a Tuesday night at 8pm _in quiet surroundings_? Death and Co, etc, all sound quite busy, but maybe not on a tuesday? Before dinner, after a long flight, I'll trade some peace and quiet for some quality."
Take a look at Summit Bar in the East Village. VERY inventive cocktails from master mixologists. Cool setting and vibe with really nice bartenders.
Cliche "one night" request by jaded californian
"Is Minetta Tavern all that? "
My answer is a resounding no. It's one of those over-hyped places. I certainly wouldn't go there if I had one night in NYC. I wouldn't even go there if I had 10 nights. Maybe if I had 15.
Anyone open for cocktails and nice snack/bar foods on Christmas night?
We actually mustered up the courage to leave the cozy confines of our Columbus Circle hotel at around 10pm to brave the wind and rain and cabbed it down to The Summit on Avenue C. Drinks were great, the bartenders were super friendly, and the eclectic music mix was just to our liking. Excellent place.
Anyone open for cocktails and nice snack/bar foods on Christmas night?
Thanks for the heads up, Andrew.
Anyone open for cocktails and nice snack/bar foods on Christmas night?
We're having an early dinner tonight at Maialino and might wind up hungry later tonight and in the mood for some nice Christmas night cocktails. Any suggestions?
Holey Cream, new HK bakery/sweet shop; open on Xmas
Ortho, thanks for the tip on Holey Cream. We stopped by today based upon your post. We LOVED it. We had the red velvet cupcake, the peanut butter crunch ice cream and a "guinea pig" sample of a new apple spice donut that the proprietor had just concocted.
The place has only been open for 3 days, so I hope they do well. The donut was hot, fresh and delicious. The ice cream was awesome with huge chunks of peanut butter in it.
Best of all was the red velvet cupcake. We used to think Two Little Red Hens was the benchmark for red velvet cupcakes, but this one was better. HUGE, soft, fresh, no graininess at all in the frosting, and full of flavor.
As ortho stated, the owners are SUPER nice too. Hit this place up.
Scarpetta Review
We're going back for the 2nd time on Christmas Eve. Can't wait. I loved my first trip. We had the polenta, the risotto, the spaghetti, the foie gras ravioli and a dessert that I forget. It was so great we might wind up having all the same stuff again. The pastas were so awesome that we avoided a main. We'll probably avoid the mains again.
Maialino - Anyone been?
I was just about to post this same question, as we have reservations on Christmas night. Hopefully, some more folks will respond to this post. I'm interested in hearing about the best dishes and what, if anything, to avoid.
Finally made it to Shopsin's!
Steak, we loved the mac n cheese pancakes so much that I decided to make them at home. And they were just as good. I even added delicious crispy bacon to the ones I made and then incorporated a Clinton Street Baking style maple butter syrup. MMMmmmmmm. Shopsin's is a gem.
Best pizza ever!
Funny how that works because I think Co. is infinitely better than Keste. I've only been to each place once, but I found the Co. pie MUCH more flavorful without the gross sogginess of the Keste pie.
ISO Lemon Ricotta Pancakes-Theater District
I agree with a213. For some crazy reason we waited an hour to be seated at Sarabeths then overpaid for marginal pancakes. I'd never go back.
Trying to decide between Apizz, August, Aldea, and Perry Street
Only one I've been to is Apizz, and I thought it was excellent and fits the bill for what you're looking for.
Kesté Pizza & Vino -- August 2009 report
That is one thorough post, tupac. I didn't care for Keste at all. I thought the crust was way too soggy the one time I went. I understand that that's authentic and all, but I guess I just don't care for authentic.
How does Motorino compare? I'd like to try Motorino, but if it's as soggy as Keste I might skip it.
Degustation: Review + Photos
I thought it was good. My girlfriend didn't like it at all. We haven't been back, but if I went back I'd probably order a few items off the menu instead of doing the 10 course again. Too many items out of the 10 that we didn't love.
And the entire experience lasted too long for us. We're not the type who like to sit around and linger for a couple hours. We get bored and uncomfortable.
Happy Garden Palace
Thank you for taking the time to craft such a thoughtful response, Pan. I really appreciate it. My one and only venture into Chinatown was to Red Egg for dim sum, and I have to say we didn't love the place at all. There were a couple decent items, but the overall meal was mostly very forgettable.
The tangerine beef and fried chicken at Cantoon Garden sounds like it might be right up our alley. We also love a really nice fried rice. Haven't had many great fried rices over the years, but a good one is really special.
Happy Garden Palace
Pan, I notice you post a lot of helpful comments on Chinese cuisine. Could you give me your top 5 Chinese restaurants in Manhattan and your favorite dishes. I have yet to enjoy any Chinese food on my various trips to NYC, and we have another planned for next week. This might be the time for us.
Top 5 Most Underrated Restaurants in NYC
The only thing underrated about Porchetta is just how bland and average it is. I think that opinion needs a lot more hype.
Alternative to PDT bar
PDT=douchey anyway. Death & Co. is way better with a very cool bunch of bartenders.
Is Shake Shack's B line normally slow?
I've been twice and didn't see anyone in the B line either time.
Finally made it to Shopsin's!
I like that they cook the cheese and little crisp on the mac n cheese cakes. Nothing better than some burnt cheese. YUM.
Finally made it to Shopsin's!
My girlfriend and I prefer the mac n cheese over the slutty. But the slutty are VERY good too.
