The Extended Tourist's Pizza Review

I spent most of my day today eating pizza. I schlepped to Brooklyn via the subway to try Di Fara's and alas, there was a scheduled service interruption and had to take a free shuttle to Ave J, well not quite right on the stop. I had to walk a bit in the rain. I muttered, I hope I made the right decision nixing doing touristy stuff to have pizza at Di Fara.

Boy the old man did not disappoint! I had the regular pie by the slice and the crust was thin and crispy and the sauce was on point. I looked around the counter afterwards to see if I could try the square slice as well. I was a bit apprehensive to approach the younger guy taking the orders as I've heard from waiting customers that they will serve you when they feel like it, or when the pies are ready. Hmmm...well, somehow, you have to get their attention or get an eye contact, and luckily the younger guy saw me (again) and asked me what I wanted. I said, would it be possible to get a square slice...and can I request my own topping. He was direct to the point but wasn't rude - he said to just tell him what topping and they will make it. So I chose the porcini mushroom and boy, they don't scrimp on the toppings. If only I didn't have Franny's on my next go to place, I would have ordered more Di Fara slices! It was very good and definitely worth the trek to Brooklyn.

Franny's was thin crust pizza the sauce was good although I felt the topping wasn't as generous as Di Fara's. I am not sure if it's because they are cooking using different ovens and perhaps Franny's cannot add too many ingredients or else it would not cook evenly? I just ordered their basic tomato, basil and buffalo mozzarella. I love thin crust though and will be back to order other types of pie.

Di Fara - definitely up there and it's not hype - it really is THAT good!

GoChow in Manhattan

Trip Report & now going back & need recs

No problem. I went to Graffitti tonight and it was superb. I had the watermelon feta salad with mint sorbet. Interesting combination of flavors but it worked. I also had chickpea crusted skate with mint yogurt sauce. Crunchy skate but moist inside. Then I had braised pork buns with apricot chutney. I thought it was better than ssam bar pork buns?!?!

I did drop by ssam milk bar for horchata soft serve and took some chorizo challah home. :) It was loud at ssam, I had to eat outside in the cold/rain.

GoChow in Manhattan

Trip Report & now going back & need recs

I believe we ordered the pork buns and some type of salad with boiled egg and peas. I think those were my "hits". The misses were the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes and the chicken fried chicken. I am trying to remember based on my memory of the pictures I took when I dined there months ago :) Good luck on getting a table!

GoChow in Manhattan

Trip Report & now going back & need recs

Hello All - I made it to your city and I will try to do a post while I am able to breathe from all the food I've tried for the past two days...so far. Sorry in advance for the length.

Kathryn, thank you for advising me about my back-up plan in case my flight was delayed. I didn't realize how long the travel time is from the airport to downtown! Anyway, I did go to the Modern but alas, the kitchen is closed on Tuesdays. I think it probably is because the MoMa is closed on that day as well? I walked by DB Modern and it was closed as well and not to open until 5 or 530. So I walked to Grand Central Station to get some sightseeing done and stumbled on Golden Krust for Jamaican patties at the lower floor. I got the jerk chicken - it wasn't the greatest but it was good enough to satisfy me for the meantime.

530pm rolls around and I show back up at the Bar at the Modern. I ordered the slow poached farm egg with maine lobster, green asparagus and sea urchin froth. It was served at some jam jar type of deal and the food was delicious. I also ordered the grilled yellow fin tuna with crispy sweetbreads. The yellow fin was very fresh but I thought the sweetbreads were too tiny to make an impression. Perhaps it was there to give a crunch to the dish. Minor issue though and both were good. I was surprised as to how crowded and busy the place was. It sure was a good find and will definitely be back when I have the time.

After the theater, I called Degustation and told them I will be early. No problem they said. I try to find the place and stumbled on a bar, I walked in and asked "Is this degustation?" The bartender was like, no, this is the fish bar, but would like a drink anyway? Uh oh. So I keep walking and pass by Jewel Bako and figured I'm at the right place. I find it and there were about 8 people dining. I chose the ten course tasting and all in all, I thought there were stand outs that I would order ala carte the next time I visit. The other dishes were just not awesome. My favorites - seared pork belly, avocado, pickled watermon with heirloom tomato, the sardines, wildboar with tomato, and the almond soup with champagne grapes.

Day 2 - I did not head out as early as I expected and arrived at Clinton Street Baking Company an hour after they had opened. Alas, there are people waiting outside for tables. I figured how hard could I get a seat for one? I've mentioned the awkwardness of dining alone at a very fine dining place but the beauty of being solo is I can get squeezed in a bar seat - well no luck with this place. There are two bar stools facing the window but a solo diner has already taken the spot and it would be a tight squeeze for me to sit there unless we knew each other :) I also spied that she is eating the famous blueberry pancakes - the serving portion was huge and indeed the pancakes are fluffy. I finally get seated 30 minutes later and the solo guy diner next to me also had the same pancakes. His order arrived and I can see from the corner of my eye, he is folding his long sleeve shirt as if I challenge has arrived and he is going to task. Alas, he gives up and barely eats half of it.

I ordered the southern breakfast and it came with fried green tomatoes, cheese grits, sugar cured bacon and 2 eggs. Since I have never had grits nor fried green tomatoes, I have nothing to compare this dish to but man, it was heavenly. The grits were just the right consistency - not too thick nor runny and very cheesy. The fried green tomatoes were crunchy on the outside and inside, juicy and tart. Sugar cured bacon...I love bacon and I love sugar in my meats...so it was a no brainer. Jackpot. I was eyeing to order a half blueberry pancake half brioche french toast but I asked and the kitchen told the hostess they could not do that. Oh well, like what I've been advised, the portions are huge! I move on.

I drop by the Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery and got a lemon cupcake. Very lemon-y. I am not sweets and cupcake expert but I thought I would give it a try to see what is the fuss with the place. I think I still prefer Italian buttercream as it is very light.

My tour finally happens and as I had 2 hours to kill for my next one, I pop by Il Laboratorio Del Gelato. They didn't quite have interesting flavors today so I got the weirdest one I can find - Fresh Mint and Fresh White Fig. The mint was true to form, like eating menthol candy (?) while the fig, I couldn't quite taste. I might come back here as I am still eyeing my 2nd serving of Clinton's Southern Breakfast! It was that good.

I am very full, but the museum I went to had listed food places nearby for their guests. As if I need even a longer list! So I went to my staple - Doughnut Plant and got a Tres Leches. It was very subtle in flavor and not too sweet, the way I like it. Kossar Bialy was next door but I couldn't make myself go as I haven't had a bialy, didn't know what to expect, and was already so full that I wanted to make sure I know what I was eating. I walked to Prosperity Dumpling and there was a long line of people inside waiting for their orders. Because I was pressed for time to get back on my next tour, I asked the cashier lady "what is the order that comes out the quickest?" she goes, "fried pork dumpling with chives". 4 pcs for $1? Really? That is quite the bargain. So I ordered that and walked back to the museum. The dumpling was just okay. I felt that the crust seems too thick and the meat wasn't as rich and flavorful as it should. I might go back and try the steamed/boiled ones next time.

I do a walking tour, which I was thankful to be rid of all the food that I have been eating, then I was asking how to get to my next destination. I was advised to walk it instead of taking the subway. So I walked about 14 blocks or so and the first few blocks, I stumble on Pinisi. I tried to memorize and stare at most of the Chowhound recommended places you see so that when I do see it, I can recognize it withough having to check my list. I go in and get a red velvet. No review yet as it is sitting in my hotel room waiting to be eaten.

So I keep walking and saw the Arepas place. I grab a to go menu and keep walking. Finally, I see Redhead and walk in. It was only 5pm so I had to chill (literally) at the bar and wait for dinner to be served at 530. I overheard the bartender answer a phone call and someone must have asked what would she order, and she does mention to the caller that the most popular dish is the fried chicken. That was already what I wanted in my mind anyway (thanks Kathryn) so I get that and boy was that delicious - good crispy crust and moist chicken inside! It was served with a refreshing strawberry, almond, green salad and a corn bread on the side. I get the bacon peanut brittle to go and the guys sitting next to me at the bar goes "Now how do you know to get that? Besides, WHAT is that?" Hahaha.

I leave and get ready for my play. Then I go to Perilla and order the duck breast with curry, popcorn and pluots. Good dish but somehow, the popcorn kept bugging me. I guess there is a consistency with me and little crispy things on dishes.

That is all. It's been 2 days and have had a lot of great eats indeed. I will try to go back to the ones I liked and missed opportunity (gelato - I want more weird flavors to try).

Thanks to everyone for your help and always kind suggestions. I appreciate it. I will try to report again soon.

GoChow in Manhattan

Trip Report & now going back & need recs

Hmmm, can I show up at PDT then without ordering drinks (I don't drink) but getting the dufrense and chang dogs? Probably not, eh?

GoChow in Manhattan

Trip Report & now going back & need recs

Hilarious about the heart attack but I hope it does not come. Yes, I know it is way too much food that is not good for me. But I am in NYC, if it's a must try, I will try.

We do have Aji Ichiban and that place is dangerous for me as the weighed items can add up $$$ quick.

GoChow in Manhattan

Trip Report & now going back & need recs

the Redhead - I will try anything that is good, although I think I am getting waaaaay ambitious trying to jam all these places in one night :) I will remember to get the fried chicken. Thanks!

GoChow in Manhattan

Trip Report & now going back & need recs

I guess I should skip Crif Dogs and the Halal Cart on this trip as I have been to them a few months ago. I wanted to check out what the big fuss was about to the cart and it was good and cheap! I will check out Azuri IF I have the time and tummy room! Thank you for the recommendation and I will add to my list.

Also, I am dining solo on all of these and I find that my biggest challenge that I need to overcome is the awkwardness I feel when dining at a very nice place. Sitting at a bar I can deal with, but what I can imagine EMP and Daniel (I have been to the latter but was not dining solo)...oy, I think it will be very awkward unless it won't be too odd for me to read a book (?).

GoChow in Manhattan

Trip Report & now going back & need recs

Thank you Kathryn for even MORE restaurants for me to check out :) My list is growing by the minute. Thank you for the Bar Room at the Modern rec. I did need to find places like that which are open straight from lunch to dinner. The menu looks amazing.

I also have been wanting to see what the proximity of the various chowhound approved places are. I have made one for the East Village but perhaps way too ambitious consuming wise:

Start at Degustation - small plates
Pomme Frittes - self explanatory
Graffiti - small dishes
Momofuku Noodle Bar - pork buns
The Redhead
Artichoke - square slice only, right?
Crif Dogs and Dumpling Man if still can eat!

Sometimes, my trips are more of a "job" than vacation. But someone has to do it!

GoChow in Manhattan