actarheel's Profile
Sunday in Naples - Best Pizza?
We will be on a cruise that makes one of its final stops on a Sunday in Naples. We'll only be in town for the daytime and we've been before, so are going to skip the trips to Pompeii, Capri, etc. What we'd like to go instead is go (with our kids) for a great Naples pizza experience. Not sure how being in port on a Sunday will affect our choices. I think a few are closed? Would love for 'hound input to get us to the best spot in terms of pizza, location and overall experience. Any favorite gelato spots to top off our outing would be fab. Thanks!
Istanbul - Proposed Itinerary - Input Please!
I wanted to post with a bit of a trip report as we just returned from Istanbul. Thank you for all of the suggestions and ideas. We had an amazing trip. Everyone doted on the kids left and right and we all had a fabulous time.
We did end up eating at Antiocha and they were not only accommodating with the kids, but gracious. The food was delicious - the meze, the meats and we had probably the best Turkish Coffee of our trip.
On Saturday, we ate in the bazaar at Kara Mehmet for lunch. It was lovely to sit outside and eat and we had quite a feast. Everything was fresh and hot and perfect. Saturday night we ate at Lokanta Maya. It was a bit more upscale in feel, but we had a fun time nonetheless. My son gobbled up my sea bass and my daughter made quick work of the lamb. It was on the pricier side, but we enjoyed a nice evening out.
Sunday we went on a bit of a wild goose chase to find Giritli (wrong spot according to Google) but we found it and were so glad we did. It was quite empty for lunch, but the staff were so gracious with the kids. It was indeed a beautiful garden and the meze selection vast! As the bread came out, I pointed over to the kids about where the baker was baking it and next thing I knew the kids were over there and getting to bake their own bread. Because it wasn't busy, the baker let them help and they had a blast. The food was fresh, bright and made for a perfect afternoon sitting outside and enjoying the setting, the food and white wine.
Sunday night we did the Kebab Crawl and it was a lot of fun. Our guide painted quite a flowery picture of the various establishments and characters we'd meet and the kids enjoyed being fawned over and doted on. Football was the order of the evening and by the time we made it to our last stop for dessert my son was a Fenerbaci fan and was high fiving the staff over the replays. We definitely tasted some unique things we wouldn't have tried otherwise, but I will say that I think we enjoyed some of our other Kebab food just as much. All in all, well worth doing.
Thank you again 'hounds for helping us plan our trip! Oh, we also really enjoyed the various sweets at Hafiz Mustafa as you come back to the Sultanhamet side from the Galata Bridge. The ice cream vendor next door was also a hoot with his antics and had the kids in stitches.
Istanbul - Proposed Itinerary - Input Please!
I've been pouring over the boards in preparation for our upcoming trip to Istanbul. I will be traveling with my husband and our two children, ages five and seven. They are adventurous eaters and dine out frequently, but I'd still like to make sure our choices are fitting. Here is what I have so far. Would love input - what would you add/change/skip? Any foodie/not to miss spots for sweets or Turkish coffee?
Thanks 'hounds!
Friday - arrive
lunch - Galata bridge fish sandwich?
dinner - Sultanhamet Fish House (near hotel) or Antiocha or Mikla (too formal/fancy with the kids?)
Saturday
lunch - at Grand Bazaar - Kara Mehmet Kebab, Burç Ocakbasi or Havuzlu?
dinner - take ferry to Ciya Sofrasi
Sunday
lunch - open to ideas (might do a Bosphorus cruise?)
dinner - Kebab Crawl with Istanbul Eats!
depart Monday mid-day - any spectacular place for breakfast?
Cask - Murray Hill
Went tonight for dinner with a group of seven. Food was all quite good. My salad was tasty and nicely dressed and the crab cake was yummy (although definitely not light). Servers were friendly and the place was packed. Nice call on the suggestion of this spot. Thanks!
Prague Help?
Just wanted to post an update about our weekend. We had a great time, although the weather was not stellar. We had a lovely dinner at U Male Velrby on Friday night. They were very kind and everything was nicely cooked. I didn't realize how small this spot was! On Saturday, we met up with my two girlfriends who texted that they were having a drink - where of all places? Tygra! We walked over and joined them, but were quickly ushered back out as they don't allow kids. So, that answers that. My friends enjoyed their drinks, but that was all we managed. Dinner was at Lokal that night and it was perfect. Convivial atmosphere, hearty food and interesting tastes of local specialties. Just had trouble dragging my five year old away from the smoking side (as that is where they were showing hockey on a giant screen TV!). The half marathon was on Saturday morning and we enjoyed a fun post-race party of sorts at U Flecku. They were welcoming of the kids and we had a large table and enjoyed just hanging out over beers. We then went to dinner at Sansho, which was excellent. I enjoyed everything from the cocktails to the varied courses brought our way. Standout for me were the soft-shell crab sliders. They were also terrific with the kids, who devoured their calamari fritti and chicken with fried rice. Excellent meal and I would definitely recommend it. Thank you for all of your posts, which helped make our trip a success!
Dabbous, London
Went tonight for dinner and everything was uniformly excellent. From the fennel salad to the barbecued iberian pork, everything was inventive while still delicious. Wine pairings were spot on as well. An excellent evening, particularly at this price point. Staff was attentive and chef was gracious as well.
Recommendation for husbands birthday - we are foodies but i am pregnant
For what it is worth, I dined at EMP when I was pregnant and they were incredibly accommodating and I thoroughly enjoyed my meal.
Szechuan Garden, Phoenix Garden or Tang Pavillion?
We are meeting my parents after a Sunday matinee for obligatory "Sunday night Chinese." There will be seven of us and we're looking for best overall food quality (not concerned as much with ambiance). Which of these (or any other mid-town option) would you suggest?
Family Birthday Dinner - the right Italian choice?
My parents and sister will be dining with us for dinner in early April. It is both my sister and my son's birthday. We've been everywhere from Lupa to Babbo, Scarpetta to Malatesta, Frank to Frankie's Spuntino. What I'm looking for is excellent food that has some straightforward options to satisfy the birthday boy. I don't want the menu to be too newfangled, as he would really like some calamari fritti and yummy pasta. Neighborhood not important, price not that important. Thanks, 'hounds!
Last Minute Recs [London]
Nopi would be nice with a group - http://www.nopi-restaurant.com/
Afternoon Tea in London with Children?
Grosvenor House has a special tea offering for children - http://www.tea.co.uk/guild-members/the-park-room-and-library-at-grosvenor - looks worth considering.
One Great San Francisco Fine Dining Experience?
Another good point...I will stay tuned to the SF board!
One Great San Francisco Fine Dining Experience?
My husband and I will be coming to the Bay Area in early October to celebrate his 40th birthday. We'll be heading out to Napa for two of the three nights, but will have one evening in San Francisco. We're looking for a special meal - tasting menu, ideally with wine pairings, that is extremely well executed with service to match. I've been pouring over the boards and am a bit conflicted. From the menus alone, Quince seems to be top on my list (but saw mixed reviews on the boards?). Saison looks great, but don't really want to do a $500/chef's counter and I don't get much from the regular menu? Benu looks interesting, but the current tasting menu didn't wow us. Atelier Crenn also came up, but not sure the cooking will live up to the hype/techniques? Manresa looks fabulous, but don't want to go to Los Gatos. We are game for adventurous, but not for the sake of it. I suppose our preferences tend towards European/French but we really enjoy Farm to Table and Contemporary American. So SF 'Hounds, where would you send us?!?!?! Thanks in advance....
Prague Help?
My husband and I and our two children (ages 5 and 7) will be traveling from London to Prague for my birthday weekend in March. We're meeting up with two of my American girlfriends and we will be running the Prague half marathon during our stay. We're very much into food and our kids are pretty adventurous, but a nine course tasting menu like Degustation is not in the cards. So, 'hounds where would you send us for a few good lunches and dinners? We'll be staying right by the Charles Bridge. Ideally places that takes bookings as we'll be a larger party. Lokal? The Golden Tiger? La Bella Canzone (as per Kukubura's post) for a good pre-race meal? Thanks for your help in planning a great weekend!
Hot new restaurants in London?
How about Bocca di Lupo? Great small plates. Modern, inventive Italian.
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Bocca di Lupo
12 Archer St, London, England W1D 7, GB
Atul Kochhar's Meza (Soho, London)
The prices did stack up, but the food did not live up to the hype. The server we had knew nothing about the menu and was utterly helpless, so that did not enhance our experience. There were definitely a lot of people around the bar who appeared to be having fun, but as far as the actual food, I was not impressed.
Date Night Spot - Between Florence and Siena?
We will be staying at Corzano e Paterno with our family for a few weeks in July. My sister has graciously offered to watch our children for one night each week so we can enjoy a night out to ourselves. Friends suggested Osteria di Passignano for one night and we'd love chow input on the best food to be had in the near vicinity for our other evening. We'll have a car, but would like to keep the drive about 30 minutes or less. Any favorites?
Please Critique - Barcelona Weekend Itinerary
Yes, between the Universitat and Catalunya metro stops. Thank you for all of the input....
Please Critique - Barcelona Weekend Itinerary
My husband, two children (ages 4 and 6) and I are headed to Barcelona the last weekend in February. The kids have never been to Barcelona, but are well behaved and fairly good eaters. We are staying right near the Universidad de Barcelona. Here is our rough plan. I would be grateful for any suggestions/tweaks/changes. Thanks in advance for any help in making our weekend as yummy as possible!
Friday -
(arrive mid-day)
Lunch, Cinc Sentits (have a reservation)
(walk along Las Ramblas, Sagrada Familia)
Suggestion for the best place for Churros y chocolate?
(worth going to Magic de Monejuic for the fountain show?)
Dinner, Cal Pep (have a reservation)
Saturday
(walk around Boqueria, then maybe Parc Guell)
Lunch, Els 4 Gats (have a reservation)
(maritime museum and perhaps picasso museum)
(watch dancing in front of Barcelona cathedral before dinner?)
Dinner - no reservation - Cuines de Santa Caterina? Other choices - Quimet e Quimet (open for dinner?), Tapas24? Hisop?
Sunday - our flight leaves at 3 p.m., so would like to have an early brunch before heading out, but it will be before proper restaurants open for lunch - Ciudad Comtal?
Dining with Children in Barcelona
Is there a particular Trobador that you recommend? It appears to be a restaurant group? Thanks!
London - Roux @ The Landau
We went a few weeks ago. The room is really pretty, but we were expecting great things from the kitchen and were a bit let down. It was fine, but nothing outstanding - much better recent meals at The Square, Viajante, Chez Bruce, Trinity, among others. Service was spot on at certain points and then fell off at others. We left feeling underwhelmed.
Find me this Restaurant!
How about Corton in Tribeca?
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Corton
239 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Paris - Foodie Dinner and One Great Bistro in only Two Weeks?
We just booked a last minute weekend holiday in Paris and I need some chow help. Here is what I am looking for:
1) An excellent Friday evening meal in only two weeks time at a fairly high-end restaurant for two foodies who dine out quite frequently; we enjoy tasting/set menus and wine pairings, excellent service, but not stuffy for the sake of it, we are willing to travel to any neighborhood; price 150 Euro/person and up is fine; we love a good cheese cart and fabulous desserts as well; we like innovative food, but not creative for the sake of it and compromising on taste; Michelin stars are great, but not our sole criteria
2) A great Paris bistro experience for a Saturday evening with our two children and my sister; good food, warm environment, comfortable with children, but not "kid" food, any moderate price - looking for one quintessential Parisian dinner
Thank you, hounds!
Second date in the Gramercy, Union Square or East Village area
Kajitsu is an intimate, special feeling vegetarian Japanese restaurant in the EV. They have a four course menu that is $50/person. Graffiti is another good EV choice, although it is very tiny. Perbacco for Italian small plates in the same nabe is a great spot too.
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Perbacco
234 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10009
Kajitsu
414 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009
Mario's Pizza
147 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
Kajitsu
We went on Saturday night and had a wonderful meal as well. We also did the Hana menu and enjoyed each course. The house-made soba noodles were delicious and the presentation of each course was beautiful. The atmosphere was quiet and subdued. We almost felt like it was a private dining experience. Overall, a truly great find!
Best Canoli in Manhattan
Stuffed Artisan Cannoli on Stanton. They aren't traditional in as much as they have a variety of flavors/fillings - peanut butter, pistachio, PB&J among others, but they really are heavenly.
http://stuffedcannoli.com/
Please help with a LES food/drink hopping date tonight
My husband and I have a babysitter lined up for tonight and would love to try some of the cute/tiny/not fit for children type establishments we always walk by and gaze into. We'd love to make a few stops and are really open to type of cuisine. Obviously though, we don't have any reservations....We love a good cocktail and enjoy wine too. Really no parameters here. We've never been to Frankies Spuntino, so that was on the short list. Hoping for some 'hound help to create a fun date night out tonight. Thanks!
