Nicolle's Profile
Your spectacular NYE's dessert!!!!
I don't cook with much chocolate...but since you're open to ideas! How involved do you want to get with the recipe?
A few simple ideas - simple to execute but get that WOW with a nice presentation, and would go nicely with prime rib (comfort) dinner:
- pecan pie (I can share my mom's stellar recipe if you'd like)
- pumpkin custard
- apple crisp (really, my fav is thinly sliced baked apples w/ topping sprinkled)
- poached pears
NYE Finger Foods
Ina Garten's stuffed mushrooms
fried chickpeas (i've never tried with sage, but with paprika is delish) - http://www.chow.com/recipes/11203
herbed potato bites w/ goat cheese - http://www.whiteonricecouple.com/gardening/roasted-klondike-rose-potatoes-herbed-goat-cheese-thyme/
Spankitopia bites - http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/blog/2009/11/08/spanakopita-dip-big-wow-with-little-effort/
I'm still narrowing down my menu (just 4 of us) but these are still in the running - simple, comfort food with a classy & gourmet twist!
Restaurant that feels like a bit of an adventure
aww that's a bummer...I had heard the food wasn't special...but not that bad! I loved the concept. :(
Cooking class for couples?
Ditto the Social Table...she's wonderful. I went to my first class a few weeks ago, and wanted to take a client next week - but her class sold out in 12 minutes! Book early!
Vegetarian visiting New York for the first time! (on a budget!)
It won't be the cheapest meal but for a vegetarian foodie...if you have a friend or two and share a couple appetizers and an entree or two...I would consider it money well spent. :)
How to make a NYC bachelor party special?
I agree with Kathryn. My boyfriend had a similar dilemma - his buddy wanted his bachelor party in NYC, and not as much for the x-factor as the food & a bit of old-school glamour.
Not sure if you're staying overnight, but they got rooms at the Ritz, had a drink in the bar there, went to Keens, a cigar bar, then part peeled off and part continued on.
Buddakhan's good but I don't know that I see a group of guys really loving that up. Perhaps Spice Market? They have rooms downstairs that are a bit more private but still give the cool vibe. You'd be downtown then and could head to the Brandy Library.
birthday dinner date
I haven't tried Perbacco or Peasant and do want to. I walk by Apiary all the time and it never seems to have much energy...
My boyfriend also likes low key restaurants, solid food, nice ambiance but not scenes. We both love Grape & Grain - romantic, yummy food, decently priced wine - and he LOVED their soundtrack.
Supper would be one to consider - it's dark, comfortable & cozy, inexpensive - you could split two delish appetizers, an entree, dessert and reasonably priced wine - and have enough left for an after dinner drink.
AYCE (all you can eat) sushi in NYC?
Hands down, New Ashiya in the EV. I take plenty of clients out to enjoy higher priced sushi, and New Ashiya's rolls rival pricier versions. Their rolls do have a balanced amount of fish vs. rice. The sashimi is better during the week, on the weekend it's thinner and not as precisely cut.
They have an all you can eat and drink special for $30. It gets loud...and has an NYU crowd on the weekends...but try it out!
Vegetarian visiting New York for the first time! (on a budget!)
You MUST try Dirt Candy. It'll be a meal to remember - the chef works wonders with vegetables - enhancing their natural flavors vs. trying to remake them into meat based dishes.
http://www.dirtcandynyc.com/
Restaurant that feels like a bit of an adventure
Perhaps Ninja? http://www.ninjanewyork.com/
I haven't been but have heard it's a good experience place - food's ok but nothing special.
good date spot in the east village...jack's luxury oyster bar? degustation? perbacco?
I just saw this - the portions aren't large but they're satisfying.
We ordered:
4 appetizers (white bean dip, Baby Arugula Salad, Tuna Carpaccio, Baked Meatballs)
3 cheeses (Artisanal Cheese Selection, don't recall what)
1 sandwich (Mozzarella)
1 pizza (Artichoke)
dessert (I don't recall)
And had well more than enough food - my boyfriend tends to overorder, still.
I think we would've been content with
2 appetizers
pizza
sandwich
What're your favorite pre & post dinner drinks? And your late night go-to choices?
Hi all - I'm looking for a new drink...and figured Chowhounds were the best place for recommendations!
I'd love to hear what your favorites are...mine are currently:
Pre-dinner: Dirty Martini (vodka, I know but I like it and I strongly dislike gin)
Dinner: Wine (usually red, but occasionally a white or rose)
Post-dinner: port, old fashioned, espresso martini
Late night: Guinness or vodka soda
Occasionally: Bloody Mary, Margaritas
What are your favorites? Or any you'd recommend I try (especially if your favorite flavors are similar)?
good date spot in the east village...jack's luxury oyster bar? degustation? perbacco?
I'm a fan of Grape & Grain - intimate & cozy for a date yet lively & enough space to be comfortable/EV vibe-ish. Share some small dishes, enjoy a bottle of good (and inexpensive) wine. Also has good beer selection & music (low but nice.)
Girls Weekend: Where to take 8 mid-20s wanna-be-foodies?
Thanks for the ideas guys - I'll let you know where we end up - tossing some of them out to the girls!
Girls Weekend: Where to take 8 mid-20s wanna-be-foodies?
Thanks so much!
I still have a few weeks to plan but you can see the challenge to this! No wonder tourists end up in Applebee's in Times Square - there are always too many of them to fit anywhere else!
I've been to Terroir, it's wonderful but definitely too small.
The transportation & locations for everything can change - I'm more concerned about finding places for a group of 8 to eat & drink than sticking to a certain mode of transportation, area or plan for the other activities. I'll plan everything else around food & drink! :)
Snacks could be savory or sweet - again, just somewhere that 8 people can pop into w/o making a mob scene! Since we'll be shopping around - perhaps somewhere in chinatown for dumplings and then a dessert stop.
Like the brunch suggestions but I was hoping for somewhere a bit more upbeat - will likely end up somewhere LES or EV and then head up to Central Park. Balthazar is definitely an option.
Cuisine's for Saturday night - not sushi or indian - like tapas or small plates to share. Could be American or Italian or Asian Fusion...
Girls Weekend: Where to take 8 mid-20s wanna-be-foodies?
Hi Chowhound Crew -
I've been reading & trying to sort this out on my own...but would love any & all help! I've lived here for 5 years and definitely have my favorites...but they tend to be smaller venues that a group of 8 women (mid-westerners) will take over!
What are your suggestions for brunch, lunch, dinner & coffee/snacks?
They can be in any neighborhood - I plan to take them shopping/sightseeing thru Manhattan and will map it out accordingly.
As for price - I'll need to balance that out for them but we want at least one good dinner (under $100pp) and the rest good finds (at least under $50 for dinner, $10 for lunch/snacks)
Most of the girls have lived in or at least visited NYC, London, etc so we're really just looking for good food, atmosphere & prices to enjoy conversation & new/old memories! Of course, I'd like to show them the inside view and get them to love it and move here!
Tentatively I'm thinking:
Thursday night: East Village drinks (everyone gets in at different times and I live around there). Perhaps a wine bar (like Ten Degrees but it's a bit small)
Friday day: Breakfast enroute to Century 21, snacks while shopping in lower Manhattan/Soho
Friday night: dinner & night out. Had thought about Highline for decent Thai, Meatpacking scene without getting too involved and then make our way to a comedy or burlesque show. Good bar/lounge after.
Saturday day: Brunch as we make our way to Central Park, window shop along 57th St, pop in a museum or two. snacks or drinks along the way as we make our way back to East Village to get ready for dinner.
Saturday night: Dinner is the main event - had thought perhaps Fig & Olive but don't want to have both nights be in the Meatpacking...cause that isn't really my preferred scene, it just seems to better suit 8 women. Perhaps a rooftop bar after dinner or a good dessert stop after.
Thanks for your thoughts & suggestions!
