shaiken's Profile
Restaurant w/ Private Room for 20-25 Northern Westchester
Hello -
We're planning a Friday evening dinner in early December for about 20-25 people including 8 kids, 9-16.
I just got pricing / menu information for the Bedford Post and their minimum is higher than we'd like to spend - $3,500.
It will be a family dinner the night before our son's Bar Mitzvah.
Any ideas for a fun place with great food and a lovely room that could accomodate us for $2,000 or less?
Thanks!
Tall Order: Outside Sunset Dining- is it possible in Manhattan?
I love to eat, but I'm geographically impaired. Ooops!
Shrimp Club Sandwich in NYC?
I had a great shrimp sandwich at Ocean Grill on the Upper West Side. It was the Crunchy & Spicy Shrimp Sandwich (tempura crisped shrimp / avocado) and it's not _exactly_ a club, but it was divine.
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Ocean Grill
384 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024
Tall Order: Outside Sunset Dining- is it possible in Manhattan?
How about Riverpark? I haven't been, but it looks beautiful and the reviews I've read have all been positive.
http://www.riverparknyc.com/
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Riverpark
450 E 29th St, New York, NY 10016
Cocktails Outside Before Prune Dinner
Macondo looks great, too. I think we'll do Cooper Square this time, but I will definitely keep Macondo in mind for future cocktail / tapas situations downtown! Thanks!
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Macondo
157 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
Cocktails Outside Before Prune Dinner
Trilby looks fabulous. I think we'll do that, especially since there's rain in the forecast. We tried Jimmy last week and loved it. Definitely recommend for a pre-whatever cocktail. Thanks!
Cocktails Outside Before Prune Dinner
Three girlfriends and I are dining at Prune next Friday and we'd like to have cocktails before (or after) in an outdoor garden or roof bar. Some options I've found are Sweet and Vicious, d.b.a. or Jimmy at the James but wondering if there's anything a little closer or just neat that I haven't come across.
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d.b.a.
41 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
Sweet & Vicious
5 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
Jimmy
15 Thompson St, New York, NY 10013
Birthday Eats and Drinks Tonight - Finishing Touches - Stumped for Pre-Dinner Cocktails
You know, I really wanted to love the Campbell Apartment. We took friends from out of town last year for post-dinner drinks and while the room is gorgeous, the drinks were, literally undrinkable. We had to send them back! We had their special punch drink and I don't know if the bartender went out for a smoke and left the bus boy in charge or what, but all six of us were horrified. They made us something else which was equally dismal and though we all had a good laugh about it later, I don't think I can bring myself to go back, unless I'm waiting for a train. But then, I'd probably just go to Cipriani or the Oyster Bar!!
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Campbell Apartment
89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
Birthday Eats and Drinks Tonight - Finishing Touches - Stumped for Pre-Dinner Cocktails
I didn't even think of Lincoln. Great idea!
I agree, the Modern might be our best bet for pre-dinner.
Thanks!
Birthday Eats and Drinks Tonight - Finishing Touches - Stumped for Pre-Dinner Cocktails
It's my birthday!
We have dinner reservations at 8:30 at Alto (53rd Btwn Park / Mad) and an 11:00 reservation for post-dinner cocktails at Milk and Honey. I have the rooftop bar at the Empire in mind for a final night-cap since we're staying near Lincoln Center.
What to do before all that is the problem.
We're meeting my sister-in-law around 6:30-7:00 for pre-dinner drinks and because of the rain / wind forecast, I figured it made sense to do that close to Alto. We plan to have a drink at the bar at Alto as well, but I wanted to do something else first. Normally, I'm a mid-century modern girl and The Modern, Casa Lever and Sprig are all under consideration. However, because it's a special occasion, and the weather is awful, somewhere with big, comfy chairs, moody lighting and maybe even a fireplace appeals. I know all the nearby hotel bars would work for that, but I'm not sure I'm in the mood for that either! Gilt, which looks a bit cold, is probably the closest to the restaurant. Finally, I just came across The Bar Downstairs @ Andaz and while it's a bit farther, it looks lovely.
How about whoever can make me the best Lemon Drop Martini wins? I'm late to the party, and have just noticed that vodka is liquor non grata these days, but I've also recently discovered how much I love the perfect sweet tartness of a good Lemon Drop.
Any brilliant ideas???
Oh, and once tomorrow's hangover subsides, we have brunch at Locanda Verde, a matinee and then dinner at Graffiti.
My kind of birthday!
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Milk and Honey
134 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002
Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013
Casa Lever
390 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022
Teeny Tiny Custard Tarts
Tea party was a great success! We ended up just using custard and jam for fillings - We had so many of those, we didn't get around to making the apple pastries. The girls also enjoyed just the empty tart shells.
Thanks again!
Teeny Tiny Custard Tarts
Great tips, everyone, thanks! I'll let you know how they turn out. I'm really craving some ganache now! For the apple pastries, I saw a recipe where you just lay a very, very thin slice of apple or two on top of a flat piece of pastry (shaped with a cookie cutter), then sprinkle butter, cinnamon and sugar and bake. Sounded too easy to pass up.
Teeny Tiny Custard Tarts
My eight year old girls and I are having a little tea party tomorrow and we want to try out the teeny tart and pie tins my mother gave us. To make things easier, I have some refrigerated pie crust and a can of English custard. (I thought we'd also do some simple apple pastries with thin slices of apples, and some cinnamon sugar and butter.)
I assume we bake the little tart shells first, then fill them with custard, but do we bake them again with the custard?
Also, can I flavor the custard with lemon juice or will it curdle.
We're also making traditional tea sandwiches and we'll be drinking Arnold Palmers.
I hope the stuffed animals appreciate it!
Thanks,
Sue
Need new brunch places around Westchester/Fairfield!
Napa at the Marriott serves brunch. I haven't been, but have heard good things.
The Flying Pig in Mt. Kisco does a nice buffet.
And if you feel like splurging, there's always the Castle in Tarrytown!
SFF (Single Female Foodie) Seeks Some Ideas for Solo Toronto Weekend
PP - I love it! Has the makings of a Nora Ephron movie. I'd love to hear about your plans for NY. Drop me an email if you want to share - I know I love talking about my upcoming trips, but not everyone is always so enthusiastic to hear about them.
All of your recs are great and good to know I can get a non-evening meal at Black Hoof Cafe. Throw in a massage and a new pair of shows and it's starting to look like the perfect weekend.
Looking forward to hearing from you - a kindred, hungry, wanderlusting soul!
sparmet@optonline.net
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The Black Hoof
928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA
SFF (Single Female Foodie) Seeks Some Ideas for Solo Toronto Weekend
Great review, gourmetnista. Looks / sounds fantastic, AND, they serve lunch. Definitely on the list. Thanks!
SFF (Single Female Foodie) Seeks Some Ideas for Solo Toronto Weekend
Thanks, SWS! All of your suggestions are on my radar, except for Gallergy Grill. I'll check it out. I'm a sucker for a gorgeous room.
They'll have to roll me home.....
SFF (Single Female Foodie) Seeks Some Ideas for Solo Toronto Weekend
Yes! L.A.B. (Live and Breathe, I knew - how I can mis-spell three letters, I do not know).
I will cross off Spendido. Maybe have some late afternoon tapas - sounds like a good way to squeeze in another dining experience!
I've read some good things about Origin. I'll take a closer look.
Dim sum is great, but I think more fun to do with a crowd.
Thanks for the help! I'll report back.
SFF (Single Female Foodie) Seeks Some Ideas for Solo Toronto Weekend
One more.....just came across Colborne Lane. Maybe instead of E.A.B.?
Too many restaurants, too little time.
-Sue
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Colborne Lane
45 Colborne Street, Toronto, ON M5E 1P8, CA
SFF (Single Female Foodie) Seeks Some Ideas for Solo Toronto Weekend
I'm a mid-40's New Yorker, leaving the family behind for a weekend of eating / sleeping / wandering / relaxing / shopping & dreaming in Toronto in July. I've booked at room at the Thompson and while I have not researched all of the transportation options, I'm willing to hop in a cab (bus / train / whatever) for a good meal! From Friday to Sunday I'll be able to get in 2 lunches, 1 breakfast, 1 brunch and two dinners.
I've done all the foodie restaurants in NYC, so am looking for unique to Toronto restaurants, with lots of style / atmosphere, great local / organic ingredients and not a lot of attitude. This is what I've come up with so far:
Dinners:
Black Hoof / Cafe
E.A.B.
Spendido
Since I only have two dinners....do any of these do a good lunch? How far ahead do I need to reserve (I know Black Hoof doesn't take reso's)? I figured I'd eat at the bar at Splendido, so probably no need for a reso there. E.A.B. sounds really intriguing. What to do, what to do?
Lunches:
I figure one lunch I'll eat wandering around the market.
Any ideas for a second lunch....maybe somewhere with a great outdoor (roof / patio / waterfront) location since, hopefully, the weather will be nice in July?
Breakfast / Brunch:
Niagra Street Cafe looks good for brunch on Sunday (bacon jam? seriously?! Yum).
Ideas for breakfast on Saturday - or should I sleep in and order room service?!
Anything great I've missed, that is particularly suitable for a solo diner?
Thanks!
-Sue
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Splendido
88 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1G5, CA
The Black Hoof
928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA
Best Dinners in Berkshires
We're going to try to catch some 11th hour foliage and take advantage of The Old Inn on the Green's amazing Sunday night dinner and lodging deal in a few weeks. We're coming from Westchester and I hope to leave early enough to fit in lunch on the way there. I'd love recommendations for something totally different than the Inn, about half-way between Northern Westchester and New Marlborough. Maybe something with a more modern ambiance, since we'll be doing antiques and candlelight in the evening and something that has a good offering of lighter fare and fresh, seasonal, local ingredients - great salads, for example. We don't want to spoil our appetites!
Kosher Brisket Question ("Soaked and Salted")
So, my husband picked up a brisket from Sammy's in Bedford Hills and as I was checking it out, I noticed it said "soaked and salted." Not being very familiar with cooking kosher meat, I looked it up to see what that was all about. Now I'm wondering how the salting affects the preparation of the meat - i.e. do I not salt it before I brown it? Do I rinse the salt off? Do I just sprinkle some salt on anyway? Is the soaking / salting process like brining? If with kosher meat experience could shed some light before I cook this puppy tomorrow, I'd appreciate it!
Thanks!
-Sue
http://sammyskosher.com/
Bakery Near Floral Park
Thanks, I ended up with a lemon tart that night, but I'll definitely give the Tulip Bakery a try.
Bakery Near Floral Park
I'm in Floral Park and need to pick up a dessert for tonight. I was thinking it's a great day for apple pie. Any recommendations for bakeries in the area that make a great pie?
Thanks!
-Sue
Mommy and Me NYC Weekend
Vynl was one of the places I came across for lunch. Thanks for the rec - it's right near the theater, so should be perfect.
Mommy and Me NYC Weekend
I did take my son to Mars a few years ago and he really enjoyed it, but I don't think I'll go back. I think we're going to do Shake Shack for dinner and then find somewhere in Hell's Kitchen for brunch on Sunday. There seem to be a few options, so I think we'll just wing it for brunch. As for being 7, all three kids recently enjoyed lunches at both 15 in London and Jules Verne in Paris and actually managed to behave themselves through both. For 85 euros each at JV, it's a good thing they did, too!
Mommy and Me NYC Weekend
Wow - thank you! I don't know why I didn't come here first. I've been doing futile google searches all morning. Shake shack is a definite possibility - I haven't been but having been drooling at the thought of it for months.
Mommy and Me NYC Weekend
I'm taking one of my two 7 year old girls to the city next weekend for a little Mommy and Me time. We'll be staying near Lincoln Center and are planning to see the Gazillion Bubbles Show on Sunday at noon. I'm looking for dinner and Sunday brunch ideas - fun for her / decent food for me - that aren't over the top expensive. Dinner will be on Saturday. I'm tired of Ollie's and the food is pretty dreadful. A friend has recommended Mary Ann's, but I've seen mixed reviews - still a possibility, though. For Sunday, I'm looking for a typical NYC brunch, in a casual but pretty setting (live music would definitely be a plus), near the West 50's - we can walk a bit if need be and it's not pouring.
Thanks!
-Sue
Does really good hot chocolate exist in Stamford?
How about Chocopologie and/or Caffeine, both in South Norwalk?
