dr. katz's Profile
mixologist class--recommendations?
I took a class at the Institute for Culinary Education on 23rd off 6th Avenue. It was taught by the bar manager at Savoy in Soho. I thought it was a lot of fun and covered a lot in about 3 hours. We left with a book of recipes. The class had about 10 or 12 students. You might be able to fill the class with just your party, not sure. I really recommend it.
Subway to DiFara?
DiFara has fantastic pizza, but as someone who is pregnant it is one of the last places I would want to be. It can be very hot and stuffy in there, at times crowded, limited seating, etc. Also, the wait time for pizza can be excruciating. Again, I love DiFara but can't imagine going there with the temperature over 80 degrees, and forget when it's nearing 100. And yes, this all belongs on the outerboroughs board.
Nice Dinner in Brooklyn...suggestions please
I do like Olea. I will see what others think. I haven't been in a while. I think we've all been to Locanda and I agree it's a lovely setting, but I did not love the food or service. We're mostly Brooklynites, but I was just wondering about new-ish places (last year or so) I haven't gotten to yet... Places that take a reservation, not necessary, but definitely a plus. Thanks!
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Olea
171 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Nice Dinner in Brooklyn...suggestions please
I am looking to take a friend out to dinner in Brooklyn. We may be as many as 5 going. I'd like something that feels celebratory, but not say, the River Cafe, maybe more along the Saul. Is there anything new out there? Entrees no more than mid-20s, I'd say. Anything in Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Fort Greene, Williamsburg, etc. neighborhoods. Thanks!
Friedman's Deli in the Chelsea Market
I have never been to Friedman's, but have wondered myself. However, I recently saw that Dickson's (the butcher in Chelsea Mkt) has some good looking sandwiches...roast beef, chicken salad. Their meat is great and I think the sandwiches are in the $7-8 range.
KINDER EGG CRISIS
Sorry for the late reply...it being after Easter and all, but I saw them today at the Italian place in Chelsea Mkt. They are in a display at the register. They seemed to have quite a few left at about noon today-Monday.
Fresh Roasted Sliced Turkey?
Can someone direct me somewhere that I can get tasty in-house roasted turkey that I can use to for sandwiches to make at home/bring to work for lunch? (Also, a place where the product turnover is pretty fast.) Definitely not anything processed--organic/free-range would be great, but I'm interested in any suggestions. I'm in Chelsea, so the closer the better. Thanks!
I need a suggestion for breakfast in or very near Chelsea Market on a weekday
I love the cherry cream scones from Amy's. Also, there's that place sells clothes and food, 222 or something?...people love their scones but I've never had them. It may just be a weekend thing, though.
Brooklyn Heights: 2 Days, 10 Women
I have not been, but I heard a rave review from a friend of Bread and Butter, which is in the space that had been Le Petite Marche, and I believe is operated by the same people as Le Petite. It's more comfort food and not trendy, but my friend really enjoyed her meal. I am not sure if they can accommodate your size, but you can call and they do take reservations. It's on Henry St. next to Noodle Pudding.
I would agree that DUMBO is not worth the trek. It's a bit a of a wasteland and somewhat hard to navigate if you don't have a specific destination.
I'd go in the direction of Cobble Hill and I'm sure you can find places you'll enjoy.
Dinner suggestions for end of August-Help Please!
We will be visiting Chicago from NYC at the end of August. Mostly, we plan to try some deep dish and hot dogs and other casual food. I would appreciate suggestions for some dinner places as well. The places I'm considering are Perennial and Mado--leaning toward Perennial. What other places would you suggest? How is Table 52? We were hoping to try Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard's new place, but it seems it won't be open in time. Not really interested in a steakhouse or anything too pricey. We are staying at the Westin on Michigan Avenue. Thanks in advance!
Your top Fort Greene/CH Eats
I like Choice Market on Lafayette & Grand, for coffee and some prepared foods, including some pretty good soups. The place seems to drive some people crazy but I think they do a good job of offering a lot and shifting over from one meal to the next. It's not really a sit down place--counter service and one not very big communal table. There are benches outside also, but sometimes there are smokers sitting there. They have some good healthy options, I think. A few months back, the owner opened "Choice Greene" on Greene & Grande, basically 2 blocks away. This is more of a market, with lots of cheeses, veggies, fish and some prepared foods, including some pretty good, fresh, but pre-made sushi.
I also love Castro's for delivery and I think Luz's rotisserie chicken is the best I've ever had. They deliver, but if you eat there, you can enjoy some pretty good cocktails, too. iCi can be kind of hit or miss, in my mind. I've had some pretty good meals there, but I find they are not at all consistent in their preparations. I have ordered the same thing more than once and each time it is prepared very differently from the time before. I've had some good meals at Olea, too.
Midtown west early dinner for small group
I am looking for a restaurant around 48th & 6th to have a mid-week dinner with a small group (no more than 7, I believe). We will be eating early since we have tickets for Will Ferrell's show at 7:30. We will be coming from various parts of Manhattan, Brooklyn & Bronx so it would be best to find a pretty accessible place with pretty fast service. Nothing fancy, but good. I'd say entrees around $20 or less. The only real restriction I'd say is not Asian as we all have likes/dislikes in that dept. and so every option will most likely be vetoed by someone. Any help is appreciated.
Hounding for Butternut Squash/Pumpkin Pasta
iCi restaurant in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill has pumpkin ravioli with hazelnuts and sage brown butter on their regular dinner menu. They possibly serve it for lunch too, not sure.
http://icirestaurant.com/
Wine / Cocktails in the West 90s
There's Pudding Stones West on 91st and Amsterdam. It opened about a year ago. I've only been a couple of times, but I thought it was quite nice. I've never been to Vero, so I can't compare.
http://www.puddingstoneswinebar.com/PuddingStonesWest/main.html
Nice restaurant with good wine list
Thanks. It looks lovely. I haven't spent time in Boston in a while so I'm pretty out of touch. I'd love to hear about more restaurants. Thanks!
Nice restaurant with good wine list
I am looking to get a gift certificate for a close friend for a "significant" birthday. It would be for 2 people and I would like to spend about $200-250. She eats fish, but no poultry or red meat and I think he will eat just about anything. They are somewhat adventuresome, but mostly, just appreciate good food. I think they're open to most cuisines. A good and interesting wine list, that will fit within the budget, is a must. They live in JP and have a car, but something within the Boston/Cambridge area is necessary as they have a toddler. Oh, and it must be a place that takes reservations. I'm in NYC, so it would have to be a place I can get the g.c. over the phone or through their website. Thanks for all your suggestions!
Where can I buy bacon?
I am looking to buy bacon that has minimal fat (a little fat is fine, but not like Oscar Meyer or other widely available bacon), but also not sliced too thick. Last I looked at Garden of Eden, they only have thick-cut bacon. I will be at the Union Square Farmer's Market on Saturday. Do they have bacon at the Farmer's Market or is there somewhere else, hopefully nearby, that I can get it? (It's to make Devils on Horseback--Dates stuffed with almonds,wrapped in bacon--if that helps you understand what I'm looking for.) I'll also be on the upper west side, so that's fine too. Thanks!
Gift certificate or great food delivery in Baltimore???
I am interested in getting either a gift certificate for a dinner out for my sister and her husband. I would like some place that I could get a gift certificate online or by phone, since I live in NYC. I would want some place not too expensive, maybe $75 for the 2 of them...that doesn't have to cover the whole bill, but obviously, I don't want them to have to chip in too much. My sister is not a big meat eater, so a place with some veggie/fish options would be preferable. Also, we got them a fondue set and a cookbook for Christmas, so I was also thinking of getting a gift certificate for a food delivery service. In New York, we have Fresh Direct which sells and delivers every grocery item under the sun. Is there anything comparable in Baltimore? Thanks!
UWS -- Dinner Date.. Help
It's not exactly the uws, but you may consider Roberto Passon, on 9th Avenue and (around) 50th Street. It's good Italian food and out of the 3 times I've been, twice I've been seated in the corner with the seating you request. They accept reservations (though I've never had them) so you could perhaps request that table. It's busy, but I've never had trouble hearing.
Appetizers and drinks in Williamsburg
I am meeting a friend for drinks and light food at a strange time tmw in Williamsburg...I guess around 3:30. Does anyone have suggestions for a nice place that will be mellow, serve light food and great drinks at that hour? If not in Williamsburg, some place not too far from there, Bed-Stuy, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, etc. would work too. Thanks!
Need a bday dinner ft. greene or 5th ave
I would recommend ici on DeKalb in Fort Greene. They often accommodate larger parties and now they even have some sort of function room upstairs, I believe. I find them to be very helpful and gracious. Entrees are in high teens, mostly, I believe.
Good, moderately priced, near Columbus Circle
I am looking to have dinner somewhere near Columbus Circle this evening. I'm blanking on casual places (entrees around $20) in that neighborhood. Not really in the mood for Japanese or Thai or anything in that vein. A place with great cocktails would make it all the more enticing. Thanks!
moving to bed-stuy
I work in Bed-Stuy, near where you will be moving. Ali's on Fulton-about 1 block from Nostrand- has really good roti and polouri (sp?). I don't find that there's a lot open for lunch that's great, so other people may be more helpful with dinner options. Closer to Clinton Hill, I really like Choice Market on Lafayette and Grand. I heard the owner is also opening a cheese/produce place on Greene and Grand. There's a place (Brown Betty?) on Fulton and Grand that some people I work with go to, but I've never been. There's also Bush Baby, which is mostly a coffee place on Fulton and Bedford, that I can not recommend. Some people like it, but I have had too many frustrating experiences to endorse it. (And the coffee is weak!) There's definitely a lot in Clinton Hill and Fort Greene, which are so easy to get to by the C train or the bus.
Best Rotisserie Chicken in Park Slope and Surrounding...
I love the rotisserie chicken at Luz, in Clinton Hill/Fort Greene on Vanderbilt bet. Willoughby and Myrtle. I also like a crisp skin and 9 times out of 10 it comes that way, but I've lately made a point of requesting it, just to avoid disappointment. It's flavorful and I don't find it too salty. Also, cheap at $5 for half and $10 for a whole chicken.
Burger67 review: bottom line.... eh.
Although I did not have a burger, my experience was very disappointing. I got a grilled cheese with bacon. Now, I love a good grilled cheese and thought that perhaps I had found a neighborhood place that made one. How wrong I was! I asked what kind of cheese they had and I can't remember the list, but it was definitely nothing special...maybe American, Swiss and Cheddar. After inquiring what kind of Cheddar it was, (basically was it white or orange?), I was told that it wasn't white, but DEFINITELY not orange. Then, the guy added, "Everything here is gourmet, though." I was dubious, but nonetheless, ordered cheddar, hoping it would be white. I think my bread options were white and wheat, but I can't remember. (This was in November.) I was getting it to go. When I got it home, they had made the strange decision to stand the sandwich up on the diagonal cut of the sandwich, with each half standing against each other...not a big surprise that all the melted BRIGHT ORANGE cheese had fallen out. While putting the sandwich back together, I discovered that one side on the sandwich was burnt and black. I was so hungry and was in a hurry that I tried to eat it. Then, I found a piece of bacon that was a very strange greyish color, not like any bacon I have ever seen. Hungry--yes, but too repulsed to finish. The basic grilled cheese was quite cheap, like $4 or something, but with that delicious bacon, it came out to around $7. Next time I'm around there, I will definitely try Smoke Joint.
Savoy
I have a reservation for Savoy for 2 for later this month. I haven't been to Savoy in a number of years and have learned that it was renovated some time recently and my memory isn't that good, even if it weren't. Can someone tell me...is the fireplace upstairs or down? What part of the restaurant is quieter? Thanks in advance.
Dinner for 2 later this month
I am interested in taking my boyfriend out for dinner later this month for a meal HE would really enjoy. (We always seem to go places I would rather go.) He is not very adventurous, but enjoys good steak, fish, etc. The neighborhood doesn't really matter, instead, I care about finding a place with good service, casual, and food that's well executed, but not too experimental. I was thinking a good steakhouse that has other options on the menu, as I don't really eat steak, but that's just one possibility. Also, any suggestions for nearby cocktails would be great (or places that have a lounge/bar within). And, of course, it should be a place I can actually get a reservation at! Entrees probably shouldn't exceed $25-30. Thanks!
