Yaxpac's Profile
Best bagel in Chelsea or Gramercy/Flatiron?
There is also another Murray's on 8th ave and around 20 or 21st.
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Murray's Bagels
242 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011
15 East @ the bar; advice?
The sushi bar at 15 East fills up quickly as it is small (I think it it 8 or 10 seats).
I think that you are getting into semantics with the person who answered the phone.
when I have been to 15 East the waitress always asks if we would like to leave things in the hands of the chef. she doesn't call it omakase, tasting menu or whatever. it was 140 the last time i was there...i think that it says 120 on the menu, not sure. it is one in the same.
Recommendations for a Beerhound in Manhattan?
One place that i did not see mentioned above that is very close to where the OP is staying is the Guilty Goose. They currently have Green Flash IPA on tap right now and it is fantastic. Their beer selection is always top notch albeit a bit more limited than the bigger places. However, there is never a crowd and the bartenders are knowlegable about what they are serving.
I like the Guilty Goose quite a bit. It is a nice low key place with fantastic beer and there are always seats at the bar. Sometimes it is nice to get away from the crowds at places like Ginger Man, DBA, Rattle n Hum, etc.
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Guilty Goose
131 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011
any seafood markets left in manhattan?
I am curious which place in Astoria that you are referring to. I live in Astoria and after Marino brothers closed there is not much in the way of a good fish store.
I usually head to Chelsea for the best selection and quality. Eataly has great quality too but is ridiculously priced.
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Eataly
200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010
15 East @ the bar; advice?
The wine or sake pairings make for a truly sublime experience.
The sommelier is great and he did a combination of wine and sake pairings for us the last time. It was spectacular but literally double the price of the meal.
Omakase for two around $150. Other sushi rec's?
I like Inase on the Upper East Side for that price range.
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Inase
1586 1st Ave, New York, NY 10028
Momofuku (which one) or Jungsik - not sure which to choose
I have not been to Ko...but I echo Cheeryvisage's sentiments about Junksik. Our meal there was fantastic and I also enjoyed their wine pairings quite a bit.
Lunch at 15 East. Help!
Yes, Masato does work lunch service.
the lunch omakase is indeed different than dinner. but if you specify that you want the full dinner they will oblige.
I enjoy the overall experience at 15 East over Yasuda but they are very different places.
Sake bars with amazing food/tasting menu
I would also add 15 East to the list. Their sake pairing with the chef's tasting is fabulous.
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15 East
15 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003
Best sushi in Manhattan
I find Seki to be a very good chef. I enjoy sitting in front of him at Hatsuhana. I find the other chefs to be a significant step down.
About Shinbashi...I have had dramatically different experiences over 4 visits. As mentioned, the only way to go there is to sit in front of Nakajima on a Thursday or Friday. I did enjoy his sushi quite a bit, especially his conger eel. However, I was VERY off put by the service there, especially by Nakajima himself. There was a clear separation between the Japanese clientele and the non-Japanese clientele. It was to the point where it became uncomfortable and to be frank...it pissed me off. I don't need to be clearly mocked and joked about as if I didn't "understand" what I was eating. When discussing Shirako I was spoken down to like a child, followed by rousing laughter amongst both the chefs and the patrons. I was hesitant to even post this but it should be known, especially with the chearleading for this place that often occurs on chowhound.
I have never felt this way at any other restaurant of any designation and for this reason, I will never return. There is better sushi elsewhere in a much more comfortable setting. There are too many caveats to getting the "good stuff" there that does not exist at othe places.
Service aside...the sushi at 15 East and Yasuda is heads and shoulders better than Shinbashi (with Nakajima on a Thursday or Friday).
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Shinbashi
7 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017
Best sushi in Manhattan
I find Masa's eel at 15 East to be at least as good if not better than at Yasuda. It is his trademark item.
Jewel Bako
The shelf life of sushi is very short too so eating at the bar helps limit the loss in quality. Otherwise you get cold rice and warm fish.
Sitting at the counter is always far superior to eating at a table for sushi. it is just not the same.
Fresh suckling pig -where to buy?
just a suggestion...be sure to specify the size that you want and not just "suckling pig". I have been offered 20 lb pigs almost every time when I have asked for sucking pigs. A true suckling pig seems hard to find sometimes.
Masa review (is it worth it?)
$95 for 1 scoop of ice cream? i don't care if it had diamonds in it...that is comical.
MA PECHE = NO!
I have had some very good meals at Ma Peche but i have to agree that the steak frites there was lacking...at least for my tastes. The whole sous vide preparation seemed to fall flat for me as the steak was a chewy and fatty mess. There was not much edible meat on this cut. I recognize that it is a ribeye and fattier than a strip but this was just a hunk of fat.
the pork chop on the other hand is fabulous.
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Ma Peche
15 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019
15 East - my new favorite Sushi restaurant (now with 3 kinds of Uni!)
Chef Masato recently had two types of uni from Japan in addition to the Santa Barbara and Maine...Hokkaido and another place that I forgot. Amazing stuff.
The Maine uni is kept soaking in Maine seawater to keep it fresh. I think that adds a lot to the briny taste. just delicious.
Seeded Watermelons-- extinct?
there are plenty of seeded watermelons at the Union Square farmers market. they taste great too. Red and yellow...with seeds .
Yuba Restaurant – A New Generation of Chefs and Excellent Innovative Japanese in the East Village
I just heard that Masa is opening a new place in either SOHO or Tribeca and that Chef Ruan will be the head sushi chef there.
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Masa
10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019
Katz's salami hard vs soft?
I haven't had one of those for a few years...love them though.
When I used to get salamis there I would try to get one that one somewhere in the middle but on the harder end of the spectrum. Not soft really but not totally hard, definitely want lots of wrinkle. I would tell the guy behind the counter this vague description and he would feel a few until it felt right. It usually worked out. If it i was too soft, i just hung it up for a while until it got to my liking.
Where do I find slider buns in queens?
Martins' makes slide rolls...so does Pepperidge Farms...
The Bizarre(?) Bartender of Blind Tiger Ale House, Manhattan
no, right on red is not allowed anywhere in NYC proper.
In some parts of Philly however you can make a left on red.
Does cooking steak from frozen make it retain its juices better?
I freeze burgers intentionally before cooking and they are most definitely juicier than a burger that was not previously frozen. The difference is dramatic. I usually let them defrost partially and then cook on the grill.
The Bizarre(?) Bartender of Blind Tiger Ale House, Manhattan
+1000. We have a winner...could not have said it any better.
Help Me Catch up on David Chang/Momofuku
I think that the pork chop for 2 at Ma Peche is very good. I prefer it to the steak frites.
The pork buns are indeed incredible. I had high expectations due to all of the hype but they delivered. I like the fact that they seem to always give you one fattier bun and one that is more lean.
If they have it at Milk Bar the asparagus salad with pickled ramps, peekytoe crab and lemon was incredible and refreshing on a hot day.
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Ma Peche
15 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019
NW Astoria - intel on Sabri Nihari Grill and Lorusso? (LONGISH)
Thank you for the heads up on the Split Pea soup. I would never have ordered it otherwise.
It is indeed a special soup. I was very surprised at how good it was, especially with the homemade slices of garlic bread croutons.
Where to Find Whole Roast Pig?
great idea. thanks. I had some fantastic roast pig at a place in Jackson heights too but I can't remember the name for the life of me.
do you have any suggestions on a place in Woodside? I am in Astoria so that would work very well.
and thanks for the heads up about Mooncake Foods. i will check that out as well.
