ACknowsStyle's Profile
Waverly Inn
My service was wonderful- I'm not a neighbor- had no reservations (Although i went on a rainy tuesday night) and my meal was delicious. The bread basket and short ribs in particular. The appetizer was the duck- and it was good, but not the best...but the main course easily blew me away. Loved it- not even for it's reputation. Kind of reminds me of Hampton's dining at places like "Il cappucino", very cozy like that.
Better classic Sunday brunch- Astor Court or The Boat House?
looking for the best classic Sunday Brunch in all senses of the word- puttin on the ritz.
Best value, atmosphere, mimosa's?
My top choice is the boat house, but... I don't wanna wait for the warm weather- if i do decide to wait, how much will I be spending there? Any other great alfresco brunches?
Astor Court? Your takes?
Restaurant Week: The Modern - Bar Room
Wow! That is an amazing deal! unfortunately, i've been there and hate their food...but still...
How much? 35?
Kobe Club Restaurant Week
Just a little report on Kobe Club for restaurant week-
Was there tonight.
Scenery lives up to hopes and more. It's like a castle inside. Dramatic, dark, beautiful...decadent. The front door is extremely heavy. Everything is really well done. The staff is extremely friendly and beautiful (Hostess' were EXTREMELY friendly, awesome, exuberant...not typical from trendy Manhattan fair) The waiter was attentive, smiley. Wonderful staff.
Food- very good. I don't know if i'd say the best out there, but easily worth every penny (especcially for the price of restaurant week).
Appetizers- my whole party opted for the beef cheek ravioli's- which were amazing, but very small in portion (However by the end of the entire meal, you are more then satisfied, so it works)... but this was the highlight taste sensation of the night, and the most limited.
They also gave a bread...sort of a roll with like heavy garlic? on it? Wonderful.
For our main course, we all had steak (when in Rome) and my entire group had the hanger (Which i would have tried, but we were kind of in a heated discussion, so i wasn't in a trying mood unfortunately), while I had the sirloin. Mine was delicious and served on top of this delicious garlic bread. We also ventured outside the pre-fix and each got a side (All of us got whipped potatoes with different toppings), I went with the lobster, which was another highlight. Fantastic.
The desert, although simple (berries and Vanilla ice cream) was a great sweet ending and made the meal perfectly. Unfortunately, the conversations weren't as pleasant- but what can you do?
Any other restaurant week talk? i've got reservations at megu next Tuesday.
Need something new in NE Queens
schooldya... I absolutely hate all those places...looks like we'll never do dinner lol.
The best place in Queens, Hands down, is Luigi's on Union Turnpike near like 200 and something street... It's a city restaurant that somehow got lost in Queens.
It's got the fun atmosphere of Pasti's in it's first room, the refined elegant dining better then most city places in it's back intimate dining room- and food far better then anything I've ever had. Easily the best Queens has to offer.
Best Russian For Groups?
Primarily, most of these Russians are actually IN Brighton Beach lol- so we're just trying to give them a taste of something different. Also, for the one's that aren't, the city is just the easiest, most convenient meeting space... What are the prices like at these places? Would I be able to do a party where we like pay by the head?
Best Russian For Groups?
Hey Guys-
Out of curiosity, anyone know any good Russian Reccomendations that i can throw a good party for a group of true authentic Russians?
Well priced, good ambiance?
Holiday party
Hey guyMaybe I'm on the wrong board- but for all you "going outers" that like to slip good food into your excursions, I'm looking to plan a very small (Very, very small) 6-10 people...no need for a private room or anything like that, night for the holidays... the night should include...
~ A very light dinner. Appetizers/tapas for the table that is continuously served throughout the night. GOOD food.
~ Drinks. maybe just bottles of wine or even one bottle of champgne. Definitely not LIQUOR people- and anyone that would be would order by the glass.
~ Some light dancing....nothing that you'd be bumping into anyone else. Very very low-key.
~ A great atmosphere. We're getting dressed up- and we really go all out. fashion-wise, some of us can even be a little "avante-garde" (Nothing too crazy) but we don't want to stick out like sore thumbs.
~ Nothing too young, nothing too old.
So far, our options include...
~ Wild Salmon- never been, but it has sort of a rustic, cottagy- Christmas look to it. I liked it. Looks upscale. I'd really prefer a different type of food though.
~ Aspen- again- very Christmassy (This is where we went last year) but our group was much larger) and by now this place has bridge and tunneled out of control. I still like it and love the food, and it's great- but we're looking for something more upscale.
*Something men could get away wearing tuxedo's in*
~ The Soho grand- I've only worked shows here, i don't know much about the bar area. I'd love to hear people's take.
- Kobe Club- I love the private little tables they give, but again, I'd go for a different kind of food...and this is really ridiculously pricey.
Any other ideas are strongly welcomed!!
Please, help!
Small Tasting Review of Borough Food & Drink
What a bummer. This place sounded SO promising. Anyone have the mac and cheese pancakes?? I just thought it would be good for a low cost, fun night?
The williamsburg comment (3 hours for a contrived look) had me cracking up for hours for whomever said it.
Brunch - Balthazar or Stanton Social?
Balthazar gets my vote. Highly deserves the hype- stantons wait staff is some of the rudest of NYC- or it was when i went a year ago, so that could all be changed. Also, th e food is only OK. Balthazar, which I've had almost everything on their brunch menu (We get delivered from them all the time) is consistantly wonderful.
BEAUTIFUL restaurant Bette or...
That explains ALOT. This place is really going to go out of business with that kind of food- no joke. It's beauty cannot withhold the reputation of it's gruesome food.
BEAUTIFUL restaurant Bette or...
Well, I'm back with reports and let me first say; I should have put cuisine over style.
BIG MISTAKE on my part.
Yes, Amalia (My chocie after the wonderful reviews- and I thank you) was beautiful... although maybe so much so it looked like a Disney World attraction. In fact, it reminded me of being able to touch inside "Pirates Of The Carribean". But as far as quality was concerned for food, I really thought it was one of the worst places I've ever been- a surprise, since I was SUCH a fan of Aspen.
Starters- my party and I got the "bread trio" with the dipping sauce- avacado, pumpkin and I forget the middle? This was good. it was bread and dip. It wasn't out of this world. I love Avacado, so i was in Heaven, but... it was good.
Wine was a BIG issue here. The bottles are EXTREMELY overpriced, and really? So are the glasses. We ended up doing glasses, and the staff tried to be gracious about it- but you can tell they were not pleased with the fact that they were not getting a bottle out of us. I'm not really a drinker at all, nor was anyone in my party, and we were not going to spend the ridiculous prices just to impress- especcially when we were planning on having a full meal there. I'd really say the staff was only so-so.
Our appetizers came out, and I think I was the only one truly happy with mine. It was DELICIOUS. lobster and Apple Cider soup or something? Amazing. A taste sensation. The best thing I had there. (Actually, that's a lie, the wine was pretty good). My other friends got the bread (Which came out earlier and was shared with the table), and the potato from the "sides" menu- which is basically HOME FRIES. And they were bad. There is no other word for them, they were bad. They tasted like they were drenched in chlorine. We actually asked for salt and pepper to season it ourselves to make it livable- which is something we never do.
Next up was main courses. The potato friend got one of the ducks- i wasn't paying attention to which, and I tasted it- it was only alright. My other friend and I got the steak, and it was like...stripped from the cow. I LOVE a rare steak. I asked for Medium-rare. But this was oozing with blood. Undercooked beyond belief. My friend, who asked for Medium-well, (Doesn't have the stomach i do I guess) looked like she really got a more medium rare one, so by that analysis- order with care. I really do love a juicy steak, and thought I'd be happy, but after my first few strips, i felt myself grow ill.
They came with fries. These were french fries. Hello, Outback steakhouse. This is not "Gourmet French fries"... these were regular fast food chainy fries. Which is a laugh cause when you look to see what kind of food they serve it's "Mediterrainean fare"- Basically, they serve diner food on fancy plates.
Our dessert was even more boring. One was a coffee cake chocolate tart or whatever and the other was a turkish yogurt blah blah... it was a coffee cake and a cheesecake. Both were...in a nutshell...not worth the calories. They were on the bad side as well...
And even worse, it was EXPENSIVE. I have no problem paying for quality and dine out ALOT. My open table points are HIGH. But, other than decor, this was a wasted effort. Sorry guys!! I fear trying Bette now!!
Best scene-y place is KittiChai, absolutely delicious. Steak done right. Aspen? Wonderful.
BEAUTIFUL restaurant Bette or...
Really appreciate the review, I'll take it all into deep consideration... and probably visit both. As far as Bobo, it's not on Opentable yet- I'm really a stickler for that, unless I'm someone's guest. Wanna take me? ;o)
Italian On OpenTable
Thank you so much guys for the recommendations. What are the best in values? I know A Voce can be VERY price right?
L'impero offering thousand points is a BIG bonus. Alto does too, but is pricier and more beautiful.
I wish Artisinal would offer a thousand points already so I could go check it out hahaha.
BEAUTIFUL restaurant Bette or...
I know asking of beauty is like... asking to be SHOT on this board, but I'm going to dare to, and like I've said before...please don't bother replying if your opinion is negative. I travel with an interior designer, I want to impress her, she loves nice atmosphere, end of story.
Anyway, my question is:
Better looking? Bette or Amalia?
I know that Amalia has better food according the board, but, since Bette was DESTINED to be popular from Sacco, it would have gotten bad reviews on this board even if it served heaven on a plate...cause no one could possibly dare to look trendy- so I'll overlook it.
Which is better LOOKING? Please, a kind soul, describe their atmospheres?
Which is better in value? More expensive?
anything else I should know of the two? I know Amalia has different rooms...should I request a certain room?
Italian On OpenTable
Basically, I'm at the point where I won't eat anything that's not on opentable...so, sorry Babbo- just not worth it. Opentable is the best thing that ever happened to dining, and makes you (Or at least ME) want to do it even more.
However, usually, my parties and i stick to restaurants that are NOT Italian, considering I come from an Italian family and I really just call Italian food...food. I get my full of it every day. However, my groups that usually consist of non-Italian's are looking to try it, and I wanna oblige.
Anyone know a GREAT Italian Restaurant on opentable that is all of the above;
1) Sceney- yeah, sorry, i'm a scene-hound! If you hate it, then I don't know what to tell you, don't respond. What's the point? You're better than me, I get it- except...you just waisted the time to respond. I love beautiful atmosphere, and so do the people I travel with....so very well decorated places would be excellent.
2) Delicious
3) Good in value. I'm not talking cheap, nor expensive- but worth every penny. Good pre-fixes are always great too. We usually order all courses, so a rundown of how much it would be per person.
4) Anything else about the restaurant I should know- if the plates are small, what dishes to get. Gimme info guys!
5) Bonus points! I'm always looking for bonus points, so if it offers a thousand points at any time, i'd be MUCH more game.
Any suggestions?
The Modern Bar Room?
LOL, Kathryn, you're correct on the "Pizza"....that was what it was called- but cmon, a pizza for all intense purposes. I'm not that fancy! The waiter also identified it as a "Pizza" when breaking down the menu, which he attentively did bit by bit while reccomending dishes... which I just think is going above and beyond. I like communication with the waiter. My waiter was a friendly asian man, who was just absolutely wonderful... and I don't know, I would say it was just him- but the entire staff was there clearing our plates and waiting on us. Really, superb that night. On the ball.
As far as consistancy- we can all agree on one thing- the Steak Tartare is apparently the best thing on the menu, cause it has raves from all of us. I didn't get the beignet's (sadness) so I can't judge, but my dessert (Pistacchio something) was great as well. The long island duck was excellent, yes.
Anyone else think the mushroom soup was nauseating? "Pizza" was lackluster? Even the original bread, a 50/50 experience?
What's up with the $17 burger at Markt?
Went the other day for a business lunch. Absolutely wonderful. Beautiful without being scene-y, and I went with a true Belgian- who enjoyed it very much. I had mussels in white whine and Spinach. splendid.
The Modern Bar Room?
I'd say the Modern's Bar Room is inconsistant.... it's either very good, or poor. The person I went with and I shared most of our meals (Which were small, but I thought well in proportion- I think the value was actually quite suffice cause the meals leave you surprising stuffed) and betweent he two of us, our meal was 50/50.
We tried to do some of the boards recommendations- we ordered the "coming up roses", and it was basically a jazzed up club soda for 12 bucks. I've seen it done elsewhere cuter too. (The whole rose petals thing)
The bread they brought out, once again, 50/50. They had baguet's, which were a little too hard...and truly wonderful rye bread. It was only the beginning of things to come being uneven.
Then, we went on to appetizers. I had the mushroom soup, my dining partner ordered the steak tartar (Which, I should have listened to our waiter- whom recommended that). Hers was EXCELLENT. Mine was unfortunately nearly sickening.
We shared a pizza next...which was just enormous compared to what i would have expected. This could have been our entire meal. I was expecting something completely different here. It was just drenched in onions...I don't even know how to describe it. It was certainly edible, not the greatest, but completely decent. If your an onion lover, and want to save...I'd suggest splitting it as an appetizer before main coarses...cause its ENORMOUS.
Next, our main courses. She had the Salmon, while I had the duck. Hers, this time was semi-typical...a little bland... while mine was perfect. Great potatos as well.
For dessert, they didn't have the beignets everyone raves about, but they did have this pistacchio dish that was out of this world. The French usually don't butcher dessert.
However, the most impressive part of the meal I would say would have to have been the service. Even though I wasn't in love with the food, I would go back simply for the service alone. Our waiter was impeccable, and we were doted on. Whenever we finished one thing, they were quick to get it away, and rush with the next thing we ordered- without being too all over us or be rushing us out the door. It seemed like everyone in the restaurant was attentive to our needs with a smile. Truly magnificent customer service- which the city is so very lacking.
I'd say 2 1/2 stars on the food. 5 stars on the service.
Sweet 16 for a foodie..a celebration in NYC
For a 16 year old? Sea in Williamsburg. It has the "Garden State" and "Sex and the city" reputation, it's CHEAP, and it's "sceney"... it's very young-friendly. And it has sushi. And good food. Really, this is the place you wanna go.
Megu Midtown is also really elaborate, but really expensivo. but very sceney.
Coming to NYC to eat at all ASIAN FUSION restaurant
Tabla's becoming huge for celeb spotting
5 Ninth - never again!
I was there the EXACT same night as you, and the EXACT same time apparently... and honestly...didn't even notice the place to be crowded. The rain seemed to keep most people away, the upstairs bar was empty, and the people were extremely pleasant. The service there is supposedly always slow, and yes...it was....but our waitress was very sweet, and the food? Really good. I actually had a surprisingly enjoyable experience, considering this was my third choice restaurant of the night after Vynl and The Spotted Pig (Don't ask about what happened with those two! Ha!) It made me a huge fan of the restaurant, and I actually thought..."Hey, i should come back!"
I guess they lost one customer, gained another lol.
That's too bad though, I definitely understand what you mean about their service being slow there. They should pick up on that. I guess I'd say give 'em another shot. If you like the place (And it's pretty, albeit so dark you can't see...) no use to give it up!
shake shack
I was on a job once and we got catered from either "shake shack" or "SUGAR shack". I could never remember the name. All I know, is the food was OUTSTANDING. I never hear of "Sugar shack" but, I hear of this "Shake shack" constantly....if it's the same, I see the big deal...the food is worth sawing my arm off over. However, we had like... more than burgers and shakes. In fact...there were no burgers. And no shakes. Is it possible it was sugar shack?
5 Ninth
Nero, you couldn't have said it better... on every single account. I know this is like... the oldest thread everrrrr.... but, I just went tonight (Call me a day late and a dollar short), but I guess nothing changed. Everything is still all pork, portions are miniscal, it's the darkest resuarant in the world (Although, like you said- pretty), and although the waitress was extremely nice, it took forever to get everything.
Still, a very pleasant experience though! lol... i don't know, the cuban sandwich WAS good. And I don't even LOVE pork!
5 Women at Buddakan tonite - what to order?
supposedly everyone says the edamame dumplings.
dinner before Angelika movie
Kittichai's a far ways down, but worth it. Dos Caminos is extremely close, but everyone on these boards hates it...but local wise, you can't beat it...it's like across the street from the Angelika.
Granddaughter wants "elegant," I want kid-friendly and reasonable prices!
How about The Blue Fin, with a matinee at a Broadway show? The Blue Fin looks really "decorated" inside....who knows- you might spot a celeb, and if you take them to one of the disney shows, or whatever, I'm sure they'd just be in Heaven.
Mexican
dos caminos is awesome. Honestly, I'd say stick to their appetizer menu, and order appz and drinks for the table
