NoMad vs EMP for 50th dinner

Hello, all.

My husband turns 50 next month and I'm trying to figure out where to take him. He loves EMP so I thought NoMad might be an interesting surprise for him. Is it up to snuff and special occasion-y enough? I don't need anything terribly fancy - food is most important - and I'm wondering which venue to choose between the two. Which would you pick and why?

Thank you!

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

swanky UWS dinner recs please!

Thanks so much, everyone! Picholine sounds like the winner but if you come up with any other stellar ideas, please post. I'm not going to specify which room - we'll just see what happens.

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Picholine
35 West 64th St., New York, NY 10023

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Chelsea nice enuff for adults but with little kids in tow?

Those are all great options. Also, if it's a nice day and you feel like a stroll, Gradisca on W13 can't be beat for good food and kid-friendliness. Grand Sichuan and Legend are pretty good with kids too if your pals want Chinese.

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Grand Sichuan
229 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Gradisca
126 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011

Legend
88 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

swanky UWS dinner recs please!

My husband and I are going to something at the Beacon for his birthday and I'd like to take him for a memorable dinner before the show. All I can think of is Telepan but we've been there a couple of times already and I'd rather try something new. What are you favorites these days? Much obliged.

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Telepan
72 W. 69th Street, New York, NY 10023

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Nice/upscale resto with good vegetarian options

Another vote for Boulud but you have a lot of fantastic options. We recently had a great vegetarian meal at Tocqueville, which is well worth a trip with or without a vegetarian. Not sure how upscale you want to go, but you will do well at EMP, Per Se, Devi (but service is odd there), and Blue Hill, to name a few. Personally, I'd go with Tocqueville or Cafe Boulud and you probably won't have a hard time getting a reservation at either.

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

Cafe Boulud
20 East 76th St., New York, NY 10021

Blue Hill
75 Washington Place, New York, NY 10011

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Child Friendly in Chelsea for a Friday or Saturday night dinner?

Chelsea Ristorante is nothing special but there are always kids in there and the menu is pretty straightforward and solid. Our favorite kid-friendly spot is Gradisca - they adore kids and the food is generally very good. Both places have a full bar for the adults. ABC Kitchen could work if the kids like to eat early, but you'll need a reservation.

Eataly is a zoo, even worse weekend night, I think.

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Gradisca
126 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011

Chelsea Ristorante
108 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011

ABC Kitchen
35 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003

Eataly
200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

NYU Medical Center area, low 30s and 1st Ave. Any good eats?

I have spent a lot of time over there and my favorite spot for lunch, dinner, or takeout is Ali Baba on 34th. You are wise to avoid the NYU food. If you're up for a bit of a stroll, you're not far from many good Indian options in the upper 20s.

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Best reasonably-priced Indian in the W Village or Soho?

Surya on Bleecker is reasonable. I haven't eaten in the restaurant recently but it's always been pretty reliable and solid. Plus it's comfortable and they have a full bar so your pals can relax after all of that walking. There's also Bombay Talkie but a) that might be too far for you and b) is a little pricier, I think.

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Bombay Talkie
189 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

where to get fresh wild blueberries?

We were at the Abingdon farmers market this morning (open every Sat) and they had plenty.

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

(Fine) Dining in the West Village

There are a lot of great recs here. I'd also add I sodi on Christopher.

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Birdland - To eat or not to eat

Are you looking for something close to Birdland, or are you willing to travel?

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Birdland - To eat or not to eat

I haven't eaten there for a year or two but, assuming nothing much has changed, I can tell you that the food is perfectly average. I wouldn't seek it out but it's not disgusting. If you are fussy, get something light during the show and then go out for dinner elsewhere.

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Far Far West 20's

Also, I'm quite fond of La Bergamote, a great place for croissants, pastries and sandwiches.

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La Bergamote
169 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Far Far West 20's

Whoops - typo on my part.

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Far Far West 20's

Grand Sichuan on 9th and 24th for Chinese takeout and/or delivery. Co. is right across the street.

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

ice cream cake?

Does anyone know where I can find a non-Carvel ice cream cake in this town? Someplace in the West Village or Chelsea would be ideal but I'm flexible. Thanks very much.

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Italian dinner for 13 including kids

We have a toddler so Chelsea Ristorante is in regular rotation. Sgordon's description nails it - it's nothing special but they are family-friendly and reasonably-priced. I've taken my parents and grandmother there on several occasions and they were all happy. I wouldn't call it festive, though, and there's something a little cheesy about it, but the food is solid and the service attentive. The other family-friendly Italian place we frequent is Gradisca. It's probably a bit pricier than CR but the staff is fantastic with kids and the food is far better. Also take a look at Intermezzo. I haven't been there since they changed management but believe there was a recent posting here about how good it was.

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Gradisca
126 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011

Chelsea Ristorante
108 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

3 night visit: Scarpetta and Blue Hill booked; final dinner?

Take a look at Maialino too. Great wine list without a huge markup. Not huge, but interesting. Oh, and the food is great too.

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Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Anything open today (on July 4th)?

Check out opentable.com to get a sense of what's open and available today. You can search by neighborhood.

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Can I bring a kid to Recette?

She is just about two and doesn't make a lot of noise. However, I try to be respectful of those around us, who don't necessarily want to hear a kid babbling when dining. She goes out with us a lot - Barbuto, Locanda Verde, and ABC Kitchen are recent venues - and, if dining with her, we'll eat at 6:30 or 7. If Recette and casual and kind of loud, I think we'll bring her.

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Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

Recette
328 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

ABC Kitchen
35 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Can I bring a kid to Recette?

She's pretty well-behaved but I try to limit her dining to loudish places so we don't disturb everyone around us. Should I get a sitter? Thanks.

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Recette
328 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Need advice on choice between Crema and Suenos

Yes, I agree with JungMann - neither restaurant is really worth a visit. Personally, I'd go with Suenos if I had to chose between the two because, while Crema has nice cocktails, the food tends to be overdressed and too heavy. What about Rocking Horse? It's not spectacular but it's in the neighborhood and the food is better than that at Crema or Suenos.

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Crema
111 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011

Rocking Horse Cafe
182 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Suenos
311 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

cafe loup or danal

I love Cafe Loup but for the atmosphere, not the food. If the birthday boy wants a solid martini and a burger, the Loup is for you. Otherwise, the food is overpriced and nothing to write home about. Haven't been to Danal in ages so I can't comment there. How far are you willing to stroll? I love I sodi on Christopher but maybe that's too far? Good food, good bar (and wine list), and good volume.

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Danal
59 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Cafe Loup
105 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

unfrosted cupcakes, ideally west village/chelsea area

I called Billy's and it turns out they can provide what I need. Thanks, folks.

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

unfrosted cupcakes, ideally west village/chelsea area

Hello. I'd like to do some sort of cupcake decorating activity for my child's birthday. A better mother would bake the cupcakes herself, but I am too lazy. Any ideas where I could get unfrosted cupcakes? Thank you.

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Best Veggie Burger

Give Tiny's a shot. Great fake meatball parm hero too.

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

lunch in Chelsea tommorow

Check out the Zampa menu. While there are often several egg and french toast dishes, they also offer pasta and sandwiches and have a decent wine list.

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Zampa
306 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10014

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Lunch near Joyce Theater

I second the suggestions above. Also, La Bergamote on 9th and 21st (or 20th?) has good sandwiches if you want a quick bite. Murray's on 8th bet 22 and 23 for bagel sandwiches of all varieties.

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La Bergamote
169 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

clembeauchamp in Manhattan

Please help! Need to plan NYC wedding in 5 months! With amazing food! Venue suggestions?

Friends of mine were married last year at Westbeth. Small wedding, dj, and a buffet - you bring in your own caterers. I can't speak for the budget, sorry to say.

clembeauchamp in Manhattan