red sauce Italian near the Theater District- Trattoria Trecolori, Puttanesca or somewhere else?

Trecolori is a solid choice, you will have a nice meal there. I've ordered the gnocchi with eggplant and the chicken piccante, both were great. My husband has had the linguine vongolle and really enjoyed it.

ciaobaby in Manhattan

are great Oven Baked Fries a possibility?

I think the other key is not to crowd too many potato wedges/fries on to the pan together. If they're too tightly spaced, they will steam rather than crisp up.

ciaobaby in Home Cooking

BLT Prime or Primehouse?

I really like BLT Prime, much more than Primehouse. I think Primehouse is technically more "formal", but in my opinion the dining room has a weird vibe, something with the lighting maybe. Also the service is not as good at Primehouse. BLT Prime is dressy casual with a fun room and pretty great food (delish sides, and the popovers are amazing).

ciaobaby in Manhattan

Need suggestions pronto--planning a dinner for my boss!

Thanks so much for those recommendations, I am going to try to get in to Standard Grill or Freeman's (Bobo and Scarpetta already shot me down). Any other ideas out there in case I can't get a table at one of these spots?

ciaobaby in Manhattan

Need suggestions pronto--planning a dinner for my boss!

Hi all--

Been living in NYC for five years but rarely get out to enjoy the hip, new restaurants when they first hit the scene...I guess I work too much! My boss just let me know he wants me to plan a dinner for 10 ppl for this Thursday, so maybe a bit last minute to get in to the really popular new places? Restaurant can be anywhere in Manhattan, price is no object, but I need to be able to get a comfortable table for 10. He simply requested a "hot, great new restaurant"...so that really could be anything. These are youngish, uber successful guys who like a scene and great drinks, but the food should be very good as well.

Any suggestions are SO appreciated! Thought about Minetta Tavern but I'll never get a resy...is Standard Grill good?

ciaobaby in Manhattan

Columbia University Area; best chinese food (delivery)?

Try U Like Garden on Columbus and 105th, they should deliver to you. They're new to the neighborhood, and I really welcome them because our chinese options have been slim. This is not gourmet, but really scratches that cheap chinese food itch. Fast delivery, very fresh, never had a bad meal from them. Try their combination plates, that's the best value, and plenty of food for 2 meals.

ciaobaby in Manhattan

Columbia Area } Where to get a good burger?

A little late to the party, but my vote goes to Shannon's on Rt 40 in Ellicott City. All the food there is solid and dependable, but the burger is always my choice. Great char, juicy patty, veggies always fresh. And they cook a perfect medium rare!

ciaobaby in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Rosa Mexicano UWS Lunch Tomorrow?

Rosa has some pretty tasty items on their menu. The guac of course, and they have a crab empanada that is very good as well. Their ceviche is always very fresh and enjoyable. For an entree, their carne asada tacos are really great, they use a wonderful cut of steak and it's just the right amount for lunch. I am not a fan of the pomegranate margaritas, but their regular margarita on the rocks is always awesome.

ciaobaby in Manhattan

BLT Prime or BLT Steak?

Hi all--

I did a search and could not find a topic addressing this...I'm taking my fiancee out for his birthday a few weeks from now, and am trying to decide btw BLT Prime and BLT Steak!
I've never been to either restaurant, and the menus/prices look almost identical...what am I missing? I hear great things about BLT Prime, but BLT Steak is supposed to be amazing as well.
Price is no issue, I want to go to whichever one has the best vibe and obviously the best food!

Any insight would be very helpful!
TIA!

ciaobaby in Manhattan

Upper West Side . .Best Delivery

Yuki Sushi--best sushi on UWS, fast delivery, try the yanagi roll
Tomo Sushi--closer to your apt, cheaper than Yuki, still very good
Taqueria y Fonda--delicious authentic mexican, make sure you verify your order before hanging up!
Indus Valley--a little pricier than many indian places in the nabe, but the specials are totally worth it
Gabrielas--fast delivery, great mexican food, pricier than taqueria
Henry's--upscale american comfort food, try the roast chicken
Toast--just moved down to 105 and Bway from the 130's, delicious burgers and great homemade fries
Subsconscious--this place recently opened and has surprisingly good sandwiches, nice variety, and you can order online

I second metro diner and flor de mayo as well, always fast, always good and filling. Rack and Soul is very hit or miss, some nights it comes fast and tastes great, other nights you'll wait more than an hour (for bbq!) and the food is barely passable.

Off the delivery topic, if you want a great soup or salad near your apt, try the Westside Market at 110 And B'way. Open late and they have really great prepared foods!!

ciaobaby in Manhattan

Atl City--Borgata restaurants??

Thanks to everyone for their valuable input!! Looks like Old Homestead is the place to be, and I look forward to our dinner!

ciaobaby in Mid-Atlantic

Atl City--Borgata restaurants??

Hi all--
I'm heading to Atlantic City this weekend, staying at the Borgata. I'm looking for a solid, enjoyable dinner for 4 people on Saturday night. Price is no object, would like a good variety of drinks and/or wine. I am trying to decide between Bobby Flay Steak, Old Homestead, and Ombra.

If you were to have dinner in the Borgata, which restaurant would you choose? Is there a better option that I'm missing?

I'm not familiar with any of these places so any help or input would be VERY much appreciated! Thanks in advance!!

ciaobaby in Mid-Atlantic

Esca or Neptune Room

Hi all-

My seafood loving father is coming to town on Monday and I'm trying to decide where to take him for dinner. I've narrowed it down to Esca and the Neptune Room, I live on the UWS so both are relatively easy to get to. I know Esca got raves in the NY Times but it seems many people on this board don't share the same opinion...is Neptune Room a better choice? I feel like Esca has a more appealing menu as my father loves Southern Italian cuisine, but if it's not executed well, we're better off somewhere else.

Price is no issue, would love a nice wine list and great service is a must. Any thoughts?

ciaobaby in Manhattan

Spanish?

Looking for excellent spanish cuisine, doesn't have to be tapas but that's ok too. Neighborhood is flexible but would prefer something on the west side. Price no object, would love a good wine list.

Thanks in advance!

ciaobaby in Manhattan

Baltimore Birthday Dinner?

Party of 7 looking for a celebratory atmosphere, preferably something ethnic, maybe along the lines of small plates. Price is no object. Adventurous eaters accompainied by cautious grandparents, so nothing too out there. Any suggestions?

ciaobaby in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Grocery stores near 105th and Central Park West

Your best bet is to head towards Broadway. I live at 105 and Riverside and usually shop at the Westside Market at 110 and Broadway and Garden of Eden at 107 and Broadway. There's also a D'agostinos at 110 and Bway (I think it's overpriced), and a Gristedes at 103 and Bway (rude employees, dirty).

I use fresh direct for the heavy stuff...milk, juice, laundry soap...but both Garden of Eden and Westside are great for produce and prepared foods.

ciaobaby in Manhattan

I need an amazing birthday restaurant

My family will be visiting NYC the first weekend of August to celebrate my 23rd birthday. Dinner is on Dad, so money is not really a concern.

Only thing that's "out" is sushi, as Mom doesn't eat it, any other cuisine is fair game. The family tends to like Mexican, Southwest, Middle Eastern, and New American. The place needs to have really great drink options, as well as a decent wine list.

I'm tempted to go to a Dylan Prime type place, but I'm looking for something a little more celebratory, without ending up at Tortilla Flats.

Places that have been hits in the past include Mesa Grill and Rosa Mexicano (not the best, I know...) I think aside from the drink options and the above average food, service is key, my Dad can get a little tense when we're stuck with an incompetent server (you know the type...)

So basically, any budget, any cuisine but sushi, great drinks, great atmosphere, wonderful service. Any great suggestions? Does such a place exist?

TIA for any help!!!

ciaobaby in Manhattan

Connolly's vs. Connolly's

Hello All and Happy New Year!

I am coordinating a small midtown lunch this Sunday for 15 ppl. Due to some very unadventurous palates and budgetary restrictions, I have settled on Connolly's on 47th between Madison and 5th. I have eaten at the Connolly's on 47th between 3rd and Lex...are these locations fairly similar in terms of atmosphere, cleanliness, etc.? I remember the 3rd Ave location as being fairly laidback but very clean and pleasant enough. If there are any negative thoughts on the 5th ave location, I'm thinking I should change my reservation before its too late.

Any guidance?

ciaobaby in Manhattan

Lunch for 15 ppl in Midtown East on a Sunday...yikes!

Hi all,

Planning a small alumni function, need to find a place around the 45th/Madison vicinity that is reasonably priced and will allow me to reserve space for 15 ppl. Cuisine is not as important, but I would say a place that serves salads/sandwiches/soups and does them well would be great. Will be there at noon on Sunday. Need reasonably priced ($15-20 pp) and a decent amount of atmosphere/energy.

Any help is much appreciated!

ciaobaby in Manhattan

help! dinner with dad friday night

Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions! Ended up making a res at Otto, because Dad called me to stress the importance of a good wine list, and Otto seemed like the best bet for that.

ciaobaby in Manhattan

help! dinner with dad friday night

hello all--

my dad is coming in to town for dinner on Friday night, and I am completely stumped on where to go. he's really hooked on celebrity chefs after a suprisingly positive experience at mesa grill this summer, so he really wants to go to a celebrity chef restaurant again. the problem is its obviously way too late for a babbo reservation, and lupa didn't wow me enough to take him back there a second time. bar americain has been a total flop for me, so im nervous to try bolo.

is bolo inconsistent like mesa grill, or just plain awful, ala Bar Americain?

im really looking for ANY suggestions for a restaurant with decent atmosphere (no need for it to be romantic), a solid wine list, and excellent food. price is no object and im open to essentially any neighborhood. im not nuts on french food, wild game, or sushi. my father will eat anything and everything. we love anything with an ethnic flair more than we love a strictly american menu.

i know this is vague, but if you were taking your father out for dinner on his dime, where would you go?? thanks!

ciaobaby in Manhattan

Lebanese Taverna in DC or Cafe Divan in Georgetown- which is BETTER? help for this weekend???

Have not been to Cafe Divan, so I can't say with absolute authority which of those two is better...

But I can tell you that Lebanese Taverna is one of my all-time favorite restaurants, so much so that I make the hour long drive into DC or McLean to get my fix. Having lived in the middle east for several years, I have to say that their food is the real deal. Amazing spices, great textures, and a really fantastic menu with enough variety to please almost anyone.

The one thing I will say is to go with a lamb shawarma over the chicken option, as their chicken tends to be a little too dry for most tastes. Definitely go for their many mezze options, those are a meal just by themselves!

Ok I'm hungry now! Enjoy!

ciaobaby in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Help me out with a burger chain!!

Yes! Burger Street is the one! Man that was starting to drive me crazy...

Thank you so much for your help!

ciaobaby in Texas

New Job in Midtown...need help with lunch!

Thanks alot for all your suggestions! Will definitely make it a point to try each of these places. Glad to see midtown is not the culinary wasteland I thought it would be!

Thanks again.

ciaobaby in Manhattan

New Job in Midtown...need help with lunch!

Hi everyone! I'm starting a new job in midtown, 6th ave btw 44th/45th to be exact. Have been working in the financial district for way too long, and have absolutely no idea what's going on in Midtown as far as lunch goes.

I'm a fairly adventurous eater, with a love for all ethnic food, and am willing to travel up to 10 blocks in any direction for really good chow. I would love to know of some places that are fairly cheap, aka under $10 for a decent meal. I'm really just looking to go beyond the whole salad bar, au bon pain, chipotle rut.

Anyone that can help me out with some suggestions, it's much appreciated! Thanks!

ciaobaby in Manhattan