krystle920's Profile
Catering Advice for Wedding - Fairfield County!
We are getting married next August 2012 in Fairfield County, and our venue allows outside caterers with no extra charges.
I wanted to ask if you have any suggestions for delicious, yet reasonably priced caterers in the area. Most vendors we've talked to so far are quoting around $70 per person including cocktail hour and a 3-course sit down dinner. Ideally, we would like to keep the cost to $50 per person total. It should also already include labor costs and bartending outside alcohol we will buy from a retail store.
Looking forward to your suggestions and any other advice. Thanks!
Sonoma - best using Visa Signature
We're planning to spend a day in Sonoma in September, and avail of the free tastings using our Visa Signature card. Although we're primarily red enthusiasts (cabs, pinots, but not so much red zins), we are open to any type of winery featuring really good wines. Question is - among the wineries listed in the link below, which do you highly recommend? We are driving from San Rafael for the day. Thanks!
http://usa.visa.com/personal/visa-signature/sonoma-wineries.jsp
Best upscale Latin
I know Latin is not particularly a strong suit for New York restaurants in general. I am still a big fan of Rick Bayless places in Chicago. However, we really want to eat at a nice Latin type restaurant that has good atmosphere. Any of these places recommended? Comments/thoughts? What other places should I consider? Thanks!
Zengo
Industria Argentina
Cuba (Greenwich Village)
Yerba Buena
Negril Village
Nuela
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Industria Argentina
329 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013
Cuba
222 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012
Negril Village
70 West 3rd Street, New York, NY 10012
Yerba Buena
23 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
Zengo
622 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016
Nuela
43 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010
Reasonably-priced wine flights?
Any recommendations for restaurants with reasonably priced wine flights? We are looking to create our own wine pairing menu, but seems like most places pretty much just charge the actual cost of 3 glasses of wine as opposed to smaller pours. It would be great if there is a place with $10 wine flights or even up to $15. Looking for a restaurant that also serves good food, not just meats/cheeses. Thanks!
Ocean City - what are the must-eats?
We are going down to Ocean City from NY/CT this weekend and I just wanted to get the Chowhound take on the must-eats in the area. We are a couple in our late 20s staying at Ocean Breeze Hotel near the boardwalk. Open to any type of food.
Here is the list I have so far:
Meals:
-Hula Grill
-Pure Tacos
-Smitty's Clam Bar - byob, right? still weird that Ocean City is a dry town.
Snacks:
-Johnson's Popcorn
-Curly Fries
-All Natural Pizza
-Is Mack & Manco worth a try or overrated? What about White House Sub Shop in Atlantic City?
Ice Cream:
-A La Mode Ice Cream
-George's Ice Cream
-People seem to like Betty's and Hobby Horse but it seems their ice cream is just Hershey's and Breyers.
Thanks!
Beer Pairing Dinner for Birthday
It's my fiance's birthday on Sat, July 23rd, and I'm looking for a place either in Manhattan or Brooklyn that is serving a beer pairing dinner. I know restaurants usually have this every now and then, but it seems really difficult to find a beer pairing event if you're focused on a specific date. I'm also open to other similar ideas like if there's some sort of guy-ish type dinner event that day.
Another option is to go to a restaurant that would have a good selection of beers and relatively gourmet food and create a pairing ourselves. Maybe something like Freemans, Vinegar Hill House, Char No 4, etc. Basically not stuffy but still relatively nice atmosphere.
Thanks!
Martha's Vineyard - Summer 2011
I can't seem to find Atria's bar menu online. Do you know how much items are on the bar menu?
Martha's Vineyard - Summer 2011
How would you compare Flatbread Company with gourmet pizza places in Boston and NYC? I remember American Flatbread being pretty good in Vermont. Not sure if Flatbread Company is good just for tourist town standards or overall. I saw it was a chain.
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Flatbread Company
110 Albany Tpke Ste 913, Canton, CT 06019
Martha's Vineyard - Summer 2011
What are your thoughts on Biscuits and Sidecar Cafe in Oak Bluffs? Seems to have good reviews. What about Lookout Tavern and Slice of Life?
Is State Road worth a trip without a car?
Martha's Vineyard - Summer 2011
Memorial Day is coming up. Martha's Vineyard 2011, here we come!
What are the must-eats this summer? Art Cliff Diner for brunch, Larsen's and The Bite for sunsets, Net Result for lunch, Offshore Ale for beer.
What are the new classics? Open to any type of food - brunch, lunch, dinner, ice cream, beer, etc. Preferably something more reasonably priced. Thanks!
Lunch around Pawtucket and Central Falls
la sorpresa was just ok i thought. i've had much better empanadas before.
what's at caprichos antioquenos?
how much are dishes at rosa's kitchen?
Lunch around Pawtucket and Central Falls
too late! i just had tacos don nacho for lunch.
Lunch around Pawtucket and Central Falls
I work near Pawtucket and Central Falls, and I'm looking for recommendations for cheap ~$5 lunch spots in the area. I'm open to any type of cuisine, but preferably something relatively quick and tasty. Bonus points for hearty, authentic ethnic food (latin, african, asian, etc.). Chain restaurants or fast food are also acceptable (once in a while you just have to have one). So far, I've tried or have heard of the following places:
Taqueria Lupita
La Sorpresa
Tacos Don Nacho
Garden Grille
La Arepa
Stanley's
Tierras Latinas
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La Sorpresa
61 Cedar St, Norwalk, CT 06854
La Arepa
574 Smithfield Ave, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Garden Grille
727 East Ave, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Late dinner near Hilton by Union Square
Thanks for the input. I'm craving Asian comfort food today so I prefer Chinese/Vietnamese/Thai. Would it make sense to walk to Kim Thanh? Are there other places that are closer and safer?
Late dinner near Hilton by Union Square
I wasn't aware of the safety issues. It seemed on Google Maps that it was only 5 blocks (half a mile) away from my hotel. Would you really recommend taking a cab for that?
Late dinner near Hilton by Union Square
Any thoughts on Lahore Karahi, Thai House Express, Lers Ros, or Kim Thanh?
Late dinner near Hilton by Union Square
Arriving late on Thursday night so I'm looking for a place to grab a quick dinner within a 10-15 minute walk from the Hilton (O'Farrell between Mason and Taylor). I'll be dining alone so I'd prefer something quick and reasonably priced. R&G Lounge looks good, but they close at 930 pm. I probably won't be eating until 10 pm or so. Any recommendations in the area? I'm coming from NYC so prefer something unique to SF. Thanks!
Visiting Boston for the weekend from NY - what are the must eats?
Thanks for the input on Brookline. My boyfriend is really into craft beers so we try to make it a point to try a local brewery or place with good beer selection. You're right though that NY already has tons of places like that. We are already planning to visit Sam Adams on Friday. Would it be worth it to go to John Harvard's or something? Also, is Brookline even a must-see neighborhood or is it Allston/Brighton? Looking for a neighborhood with more of a Brooklyn or East Village vibe. Thanks!
Visiting Boston for the weekend from NY - what are the must eats?
We are staying at the Four Points Logan (which is actually by Revere, MA). Would it be possible to drive to Scup's on our way to Boston? Also, which roads on the way to Boston should we not use to avoid tolls?
Visiting Boston for the weekend from NY - what are the must eats?
Ah great idea, maybe it's a good pre-dinner thing. Although maybe not right before Neptune Oyster or Island Creek!
Visiting Boston for the weekend from NY - what are the must eats?
I would be interested to know why you don't like Muqueca. I'm also on the fence on Orinoco because one of my favorite restaurants is Valencia Luncheria in Norwalk CT where they make really awesome arepas, empanadas, and other Venezuelan food. Baraka seems promising. I've never had Algerian-Tunisian/North African cuisine - is it similar to Moroccan or Ethiopian?
I have to admit I've deliberately not included Chinese food because I've been spoiled by Cantonese food in HK and Southern California, and also because we have tons of Chinese in Flushing. How do Boston Chinese restaurants compare in general?
Visiting Boston for the weekend from NY - what are the must eats?
Thank you for all the responses. Here is my updated list:
dinner:
-Helmand
-Neptune Oyster or Island Creek - which is better? Island Creek seems cheaper?
-Casa Portugal - seems better than Portugalia?
brunch/lunch:
-Scup's
-Durgin Park
snacks:
-Speed Dog
-pastries from North End
drinks:
-Publick House
I haven't completely ruled them out yet, but what are your thoughts on these places?
-Muqueca
-Orinoco
-Baraka
-Teranga
For Trattoria Toscana, do you think this is a must-try in Boston or would I be able to find a lot of similar places in NY? I have to admit we don't eat a lot of Italian in NY because it usually is pretty overpriced.
Also, the budget I mentioned earlier is just prices for entrees in general.
Visiting Boston for the weekend from NY - what are the must eats?
We are visiting Boston this weekend from NY and we would appreciate your suggestions for must-eats. We are looking for places that best represent Boston cuisine or just do really good renditions of other cuisines. Budget is around $10-15 for brunch and $15-20 for dinner. Here is our list so far. Obviously, we need to narrow it down a lot! =)
-Elephant Walk - seems unique, is it worth it though?
-Helmand - how does this compare to Helmand in Baltimore? i remember that being fantastic
-Publick House - good beer, how's the food?
-Giacomo's - we just got back from Italy so looking for that authentic feel
-Speed Dog - how good is this compared to NY or Chicago dogs?
-Scup's - for brunch
-Neptune Oyster - seems pricey so we're on the fence on this
-Galleria Umberto - how different is it from other pizzas?
What is Boston's strengths in terms of ethnic restaurants? These places seem to have good reviews, but not sure if they're really good compared to say those in NY.
-Muqueca
-Orinoco
-Baraka
-Teranga
Lastly, for someone who has not tried these places, is it worth a try for the atmosphere? Is the food at least decent?
-Union Oyster House
-Durgin Park
Other recommendations are most welcome!
Another trip to Chicago and its suburbs!
We tried Frontera Grill for brunch the other year and it was good. The other Mexican places seem a bit expensive for our budget so I chose XOCO.
What do you think of Joy Yee in Naperville?
Another trip to Chicago and its suburbs!
Thanks on the Ann Sather's tip. Still undecided on Kuma's Corner, I do love good burgers, but not sure if I (or my companions) would want to wait an hour or so.
Oh yeah, I now remember why Hot Doug's is still on my list all these years. It's because we always go around Thanksgiving!
Is the traditional brunch at Bongo Room worth it or would it better to have lunch at XOCO?
Also, thoughts on Belly Shack? Seems like a unique concept, but no place to sit.
What are the good deals at Fairway?
In relation to the discussion of the new Fairway in Stamford, what do you think are the best deals to buy there? Someone mentioned mozzarella for $4.99/lb and the weekly deal of 1 L of olive oil for $4.99. Any other things that are must-buy? Please also mention how much it costs vs other places. Thanks!
Another trip to Chicago and its suburbs!
I've posted on this board for the past few years for our annual Thanksgiving trip to Chicago. I've eaten at many wonderful places, thanks to your recommendations. The premise this year is pretty similar - spending a day in the city for 1 lunch and 1 dinner, and the rest of the time in West Chicago.
Here's my list so far. Criteria is anything unique to Chicago or just a really good rendition of a non-Chicago cuisine. For reference, we are coming from NY. Budget is about $10-15 for lunch, and up to $20 for dinner. My list so far is:
downtown Chicago (1 lunch, 1 dinner)
-Hot Doug's - snack
-Xoco - is this ok for dinner?
-Wiener's Circle - snack
-Kuma's Corner - is it really that good?
-Ann Sather's - brunch
4 lunches, 4 dinners around West Chicago
-Harold's Chicken
-Bavarian Lodge
-Shogun - it's a family favorite
-Two Brothers
-Bien Trucha
-deep dish pizza - which one?
Any other recommendations? Also open to unique chain concepts (tried Steak 'n Shake and Potbelly the last time and enjoyed them). For reference, I've already tried M. Henry, Giordano's, Lou Malnati's, Gino's East, Portillo's, and Al's).
Thanks!
Brunch around Jersey City or Hoboken?
What are your favorite brunch spots around Jersey City or Hoboken?
Any halal "chicken over rice" type places in NY/CT?
I'm craving halal "chicken over rice" similar to the 53rd and 6th cart in NYC. Any places I can get this either in Fairfield or even Westchester county? I know there are middle eastern type places like Myrna's or Layla's Falafel, but it doesn't seem like they serve it. Thanks!
