centrejack's Profile
good brunch east village
I have never had trouble getting a reservation for Brunch at Five points the day before. They do have a lot of walk ins so it does get busy, but with a day or two notice and a little flexibility you should be able to get a table.
A couple of recommendations -
I had a great pork dish last time - it was a confited tenderloin. Also the baked eggs with polenta are great, and you can't beat their burger.
Good luck
last minute, i know...traveling hiccup...now need christmas reservations...help!
We are spending Christmas eve at Five Points - very well thought out fresh new american, not too fancy or stuffy, but nice room that is decorated for the holidays.
Good luck.
Florimond - Grape Mustard
It is a dish they serve there - I think they probably named it - it isn't anything crazy. It is basically Beef two ways - one is a type of steak maybe entrecote and the other is a small pot of braised beef cheeks.
Need to find chocolates for my Dad...
Kees is the best - amazing hand made chocolates - order early she even shuts the store down for days at a time during the holidays to fill orders!
Florimond - Grape Mustard
We had a wonderful meal at Florimond on Thursday night, and there is one thing that we want to bring home with us from the meal.... The excellent face-en-face was served with a grape moutarde. Does anyone know what the proper name was for that incredible condiment and where we could buy it before we leave Paris tomorrow?
Pre-Trip last post
Great! I look forward to meeting you. We have never done anything like that before so it should be a fun adventure.
Pre-Trip last post
We are going to eat at Florimond for Dinner on Thursday night, and we will be eating at Hidden Kitchen for Dinner on Saturday night. Do you have a classic bistro you could recommend for Friday night?
FYI we chose Hidden Kitchen because of the familiar friendly dinner party vibe in lieu of another one on one dinner for the night of my partner's birthday.
Pre-Trip last post
First of all thank you for all of the advice and insight over the last couple of months. We fly out on Friday night, so now I am panicking a little bit. Below are my notes:
So here is what I learned… I think. If any of you have time help me narrow down in each of the "categories" below or feel free to comment on incorrect or incomplete info.
Bistro and Brasserie prices – 30-140 euros per person (service included but a few Euros is a nice gesture)
Fine Dining – 200-500 per person
Staying in the 7th (Latour Maubourg) there are good and affordable options around the corner from the hotel.
-Chez les Anges – Modern Bistro – 32e menu
-La Source – good for breakfast or to grab a Kir
- Florimond
-Leo le Lion
- Petit Troquet
-Au Bon Accueil
-Café Constant
In the Marais
- le Dome du Marais
- Le 3
Other than Marais or 7em – Casual and somewhat affordable
- Le Comptior
- Fish
- L’Epi dupin
- Aux Fin Gourmet
Good Restaurant options for the birthday meal (80-120e per person)
- Violon d’Ingres
- Les Ormes
- Maceo - Leaning towards this one for the Birthday – do the price ranges above apply?
- Vin sur Vin
- Le Clos des Gourmets
Macrons
- Laudre is a must and the one in the 6th is less crowded – do these travel well in case I want to grab some to bring home as a gift?
Doner Kebabs – the best ones are in the 10th
Notes Not sure
- W at the Warwick – In my notes I wrote ugly building charming restaurant – good food good buy – anyone care to elaborate?
- L’Orme – out of the way – is it worth the travel time? Any info on price range per person with wine (less expensive wines are fine)
Paris- Holiday Markets and Eats
thanks Dodo, I was in Strasbourg 13 years ago, so I am sure things have changed.
thanks for the recommendations.
Paris- Holiday Markets and Eats
When I studied in Strasbourg the Holiday Market around the cathedral was incredible including the special holiday baked goods, vin chaud, etc...
We will be arriving in Paris on November 29th and Departing on December 2nd. Are there still traditional holiday markets in Paris? When do they begin? Any recommendations on can't miss treats?
Doner Kebabs?
I am heading to Paris in a few weeks for my first trip since I studied in Strasbourg while college (12 years ago). One of the inexpensive street foods we used to eat all of the time in Strasbourg were Doner Kebabs which were like Gyros, but seemed to be spicier and a little more interesting. Often times the same places also sold falafel. I would like to experience these again while in Paris. Any suggestions on places to grab one. We are staying between Les Invalides and Musee Rodin.
New Yorkers in Paris - price ranges
I will check out the Bistro - I am sure the staff at the hotel can make great recommendations.
Thanks Gratin - I have been to the Musee Rodin, and it is one of my favorite places in Paris. I actually chose the hotel because it is nearby. I first visited Paris when I was in College ('94) and I had a moment in the garden of the Musee Rodin. The sun was shining on an unseasonably warm day in February. I was strolling through the garden with a fellow student. I looked up at the casting of the Thinker with the shining dome of Les Invalides behind him. It was an inspirational moment. I know this sounds cheesy (and I love Fromage) but it brought to mind my college's motto and we both said it at the same time - Doctrina Lux Mentis (Learning is the light of the mind).
Sorry to gush, I just can't wait for this trip. Thanks for the recommendation and the good wishes.
New Yorkers in Paris - price ranges
Thanks ChefJune (I miss March!) and f2 these look great, and Maceo really fits the bill for the Birthday.
If you have any recommendations in the Marais they would be greatly appreciated.
New Yorkers in Paris - price ranges
Thank you! it sounds alot like New York prices - if it were only in $ instead of Euros!
I have laid out a couple of key meals below - I know everyone asks for recommendations so thanks for your forebearance.
We are staying at the Hotel Latour Maubourg in the 7th near Les Invalides and I think we are directly across from the Latour Maubourg Metro and near the RER station.
General recommendations - somewhere to grab breakfast near the hotel would be great. When I lived in Strasbourg I loved my petite pain au chocolate in the morning, but I need a little protein these days. So somewhere with more than just pastries would be ideal.
The day we arrive - dinner - Any recommendations on the lower end of the Bistro/Brasserie range for the first evening near our hotel would be wonderful
The Birthday Dinner - the most important meal - Any recommendations in the 80 - 120 euro range per person. Will travel. this is for my partner's birthday and I would like for it to be a special meal. To give you a picture of what he likes - In New York some of our favorite places include
The Modern (barroom), Lupa, Babbo, Landmarc, el Parador, March (now closed), - In other words great food, but not too pretentious. Only other restriction is that he doesn't eat very much fish or organ meats (I love both!). He Loves a lot of French Bistro and brasserie fare, but neither of us have had a lot of Haute Cuisine, and I want to make sure it is somewhere where he will not be intimidated by the ambience or the food. Sorry if I am creating too many contradictions. Ask me questions if you want more specifics.
Dinner - final night in Paris - Preferably something in the Marais (gay-friendly) in the 50-80 Euro range. Maybe something a little bit different (keeping in mind the fish and organ meat aversions above).
Thank you for your help - I always try to return the favor on the Manhattan boards.
Has anyone made ricotta?
Hey stranger - it is one of my dreams. I have always wanted to try it. Wanna come over sometime and do it as a project ;-)
New Yorkers in Paris - price ranges
I am taking my partner on his first trip to Paris for his Birthday. The trip is a surprise, and I would like to go ahead and do some meal planning and budgeting. We will be there the last week of November (runs into December). I haven't been in Paris in 10 years, so I don't know what to expect for price ranges. Warning, once I understand price ranges, I may ask for recs.
I am much more adventurous than he is, but when we are abroad he will try anything once.
Could someone provide some basic price ranges for:
Bistro:
Brasserie:
Restaurant:
Fine Dining:
Thanks for your help.
Help me plan my menu - essence of spring
I don't know if any of you listen to Splendid Table on NPR but Lynn has a segment every couple of weeks where someone calls and lists a few ingredients and then she is allowed to add 3-4 additional ingredients and make suggestions for a menu. In the spirit of that I wanted to throw out a list of things I picked up at the Union Square greenmarket today and see what my fellow chowhounders could come up with.
FYI I am cooking for two
a small rack of lamb for two (not a full rack)
Garlic Scapes
fingerling potatoes
Scallions (absolutely beautiful this time of year)
fresh organic ricotta
Fresh Rosemary
Fresh Thyme
Fresh Chives
Strawberries
Fresh cilantro
mixed fresh salad greens
beautiful french breakfast radishes (the ones with the little white tips)
sugar snap peas
I have a fully stocked pantry, and of course staples like butter, eggs, etc.... I have plenty of dry ingredients like rice, various pastas, etc...
To make this fun, lets say you can leave out 4 of the ingredients.
Thanks for your suggestions, and I hope this is fun for everyone.
Favorite Restaurants in Manhattan
Momofuku is very good but is at a very very different price point than the others it is a very different type of dining, less expensive and more rushed. I really like the Modern - the service is nice, helpful, and casual enough in the BarRoom, but what I like the food and the room - the room is fun and laid back, a little boisterous without being too loud, and not too fancy but definitely a little more glamorous than Lupa. The food is excellent with a lot of seasonal influences and fresh flavors.
I hope you enjoy your trip.
A porky problem
Manhattanite here I live in East Midtown near Simchick's the butcher. He doesn't have Hog Jowls and can't get them. I need raw hog jowls to cure my own Guanciale - I would prefer high quality like an organic heritage breed. Any suggestions? Do you know any of the Union Square greenmarket vendors that I could call in advance to ask them to bring some with them Saturday?
Thanks for your help.
I made bacon!
My next project is Guanciale which is a italian styled salt cured hog jowls. I am making it to use in Mario Batali's recipe for carbonara and al'amatriciana. let me know how the smoking goes.
Really important dinner for 2 - Scene, Food, want it all!
I think the food ath the Modern BarRoom is great and I love the atmosphere. I recommend it. I love Babbo, but it is relatively sedate despite there efforts to liven it up with Mario's iPod lists.
pork shoulder
I would recommend calling Simchick's 1st avenue between 51st & 52nd. A great eastside butcher that has been around for years.
Recs near the Waldorf
I guess I am not the only one who never goes out for dinner in Midtown East.
Recs near the Waldorf
I have an event at the Waldorf in a couple of weeks and a vendor wants to take us out to dinner after the event. I actually live in the neighborhood but we usually go out downtown. He has asked for a few recommendations and I was considering Pampano (I really like Pampano), Django (haven't been there in ages) - any other suggestions? I would like to make recs in a range of price points so he can choose what fits his budget. My only requirement is no Indian or Chinese and that it be within a few minutes walk.
Thanks for your help.
Flatbush Farms - Review
My partner and I made it out to Flatbush Farm on Saturday for dinner with friends who live in Prospect Heights. Here is my brief review. The food was well executed but the service and menu were lacking.
Ambience - I really like the feel of the room, appropriate lighting, it achieved a nice clean look without going mod. It reminded me of photos in an article I read recently about Fergus Henderson of St.John restaurant in London - but Farm seemed warmer. The garden in back was divine.
Service - Our server was competent, but I thought he was a little cold and judgmental. One of the members of our party asked for something to be left off of his dish and the server looked appalled. Get over it dude - it was a freaking French Dip sandwich - in my opinion the worst plate of the meal.
Wine - they have a nice little wine list that has very typical prices - we ordered a good Barbera d'Alba
Food - The menu and the specials needs an update for lighter spring food.
For example the special appetizers were frisee salads - one was with warm chicken livers and the other was with pork belly. To give them credit they did have a watermelon gazpacho as an appetizer special as well. I split the frisee pork belly salad with one of my friends, and my SO split another salad off the menu with our other friend. Our salad was well prepared - I mean who can't say no to pork belly? I actually liked the other salad better - it was served with a large piece of toast slathered with a wonderful duck mousse style pate.
Entrees - There were not alot of lighter spring choices on the menu for main courses either. The only fish was the fish of the day - Salmon. We ended up with two French Dip sandwiches, one salmon special, and I ordered the Cast Iron Chicken. To his credit the server warned us in advance that the chicken takes longer to cook. The chicken was the best dish it was served over greens and grits. Being a southerner - I do like my grits. The chicken was perfect - crispy skin moist interior. The greens had an appropriate amount of vinegar to provide some acid and the grits were fairly creamy without losing their texture. The salmon was pretty good as well and the French Dips were passable - but just ok.
Dessert - They had a special chocolate desert that we ordered to share and we ordered a strawberry shortcake. Both were good. The shortcake was a little too small, but on the side they served meringe slices toped with strawberries which I really enjoyed. The chocolate desert special was very good as well.
Overall I was hoping for a fresh spring menu and was disappointed. Maybe I set my expectations too high - but with a name like Flatbush Farm they are asking for those kind of expectations. They food was good but not great.
Next time in the neigborhood we will try some place else. Any suggestions?
Where should 50 women eat in Manhattan?
I had a bday dinner at Otto last year. We had the round table and there were 4 other large groups where they pushed together the other tables. If you plan far enough in advance you could probably reserve all of those tables. It is worth a try. FYI Del Posto will break the budget - as will several of the other options. Chinese is a good idea especially for one of the big places like JiFong.
lunch in midtown?
I haven't eaten at Insieme yet, but The Modern is one of my favorites - I have only eaten in the BarRoom and I love both the atmosphere and the food. Also, I like taking clients there because sharing small plates creates additional intimacy that is really nice to help get people to open up. We usually collaborate on what we are ordering and it serves as a nice launching pad for discussion. If they are uptight you may want to eat in the formal dining room that overlooks the sculpture garden.
$500, 3 people, where to go?
I also vote for Babbo. You wouldn't be stressed about staying on budget and could really enjoy the meal. One note about pasta dishes. I love all of the pastas I have had there except one - Mint Love Letters. Many people on this board recommend them so they may want to chime in - I would choose the beef cheek ravioli as a filled pasta instead. Maybe my palate isn't that developed but I think the Love Letters are out of balance. Also don't miss the garganelli the texture of the pasta and the earthy quality of the mushrooms is fantastic.
Where should 50 women eat in Manhattan?
The very back section at Otto might work. They normally don't do a single group bigger than 12 (I think) but you may be able to reserve the big round table as well as the other tables that they will line up next to each other there. It may be a long shot, but it is worth a try and you would get a Batali experience to boot.
craving restaurants serving super fresh, clean, simple flavors
It has been around for awhile, but I think Five Points does a great job with seasonal ingredients in spring. If it is a special I highly recommend the spring pea and mint ravioli in brown butter with sage.
