Vinous's Profile
Review: Per Lei
Wow, am I surprised. I live directly across the street and have tried this place a number of times. Putting aside the Eurotrash decor and Eurotrash "scene" inside and outside (complete with thump-thump-thump-thump horrible music), this restaurant is completely form over substance. Service is completely inept, as they seem to hire based on looks and not experience or ability. I so much wanted to like this place, as there is so much mediocrity on the Upper East Side, but I can't wait until the inevitable and this place goes out of business.
Has anyone been to Rectangles on the UES?
Exactly. Not the best, but reliable. I live nearby and when in need of a fix for Israeli food, it works for me.
Best wine list in Manhattan?
Many great suggestions already. I agree with Hearth (Grieco is indeed a wine geek) and Veritas. Otto, for what is essentially a pizza restaurant, does have a fabulous Italian wine list. Peter at Otto is also a winegeek. Along the same lines, 'inoteca on the lower east side also has a terrific Italian wine list. I was there twice in the last few weeks, on one visit polishing off a very tasty 03 Giacomo Conterno Barolo.
If you're interested in bringing a bottle to a restaurant, check out this resource: http://nycorked.wikispaces.com/
Alloro - New Italian on UES
Although the photographs on the web look horrible, so much so that the decorator should be urged to switch careers, it's much less green in person. Well, the floor is green and there are green fixtures on the wall, and I was tempted to wear a green shirt just to fit in - but really, it's not so bad in person.
I liked the food. The swordfish in lavender was good. The fact that one can bring wine and pay a low corkage fee is also very appealing.
La Houppa or Brio for business lunch?
La Houppa is an under-the-radar, very reliable and very satisfying restaurant. I often go there for dinner with parents and out-of-town guests. Low key and solid.
Revisiting some oldies and still goodies
Let's start with RAOUL'S on Prince Street, where I used to go from time to time in the 1990's, but not since. I'm pleased to report two very positive recent experiences. The food is still quite good and the wine list has many decent offerings at all price levels. The artichoke, a big hit back then, is ok but nothing special. Fish on two occasions was fresh and tasty. Many happy patrons speaking many languages, all jovial. Glad this place has remained consistent.
Likewise IL BUCCO on East 2nd. Another place I used to frequent in the late 90's, still maintaining a high degree of deliciousness. The gnocci was decadent and required a visit to the gym the following morning. A whole branzino in a curry sauce was terrific as well. The wine list could be better, but the wine bar next door more than makes up for it with its copious offerings of good quality and affordable Italian wines and friendly staff.
TABOON on 10th Ave. A newer place than the others above, and always pleasing. The halibut entree and chicken entree off the regular menu (ie, not the specials) are repeat must-haves. Here the wine list is a bit pricey ($15 glasses of wine, where the bottle itself is about that price at retail), but the food is so consistently good that I am willing to overlook it.
'iNOTECA on Rivington and Ludlow. One of my favorites for years and I am always guaranteed good food and great wine. The truffle egg toast is not to be missed. The pasta-less eggplant Lasagna is outstanding. The Barolo list is so good I want to cry, with an '03 Conterno Cascina Francia at $175 that while seemingly expensive is a fair twice retail, showing amazing purity and no evidence of a hot vintage.
wine stores in Union Square
Union Square Wines is so overpriced, it's laughable.
Crossroads is fine, provided we're talking about a new release that's been on the shelf for two days or less. Anything older is likely heat damaged, since Crossroads cares nothing about proper storage.
Get on the Subway and go to Chambers Street Wine downtown, or Garnet uptown, or call for local delivery.
Parlor Steakhouse Review-90/3rd
Thanks for the review, as I live nearby. How was the winelist?
New Mexican Restaurant--York Ave
We did take out from Palacio Azteca five nights ago. The menu looked great and the upper east side is need of a decent, authentic Mexican restaurant to transcend the mediocrity that exists. Despite my hopes, this restaurant was dreadful . . . as in: AVOID. The Pechuga Asada was tiny, dried out and came with a scoop of pico de gallo and two scoops of dried out, cold rice. This entree was skimpy, dried out, cold and showed complete lack of care from the kitchen. They also forgot two dishes that we had ordered. The chicken tacos might have been good (they tasted good) but they, like the Asada, were dried out and did not come with the guacamole that was advertised. Honestly, we felt ripped off. The quality was not there, the portions were skimpy, and there was hardly any effort from the kitchen. We were insulted. The only reason I have waited five days to post is because I contacted the restaurant and hoped for a response, and none came. That they just don't care is very clear.
Quality Meat--Anyone Been Yet?
Agree 100%. At first their BYO policy was, bring something not on the wine list and corkage is $0, which is what the policy was (is?) at all of the Wollensky group restaurants. But that policy is not consistent. The manager told me of a "suggested" $10/bottle "for the waiter". Then it became a "mandatory" corkage of $10 . . . yet it's still $0 at Wollensky. They need to get the corkage policy straight. Once you factor in the corkage fee (and its inconsistent application), Quality Meats offers NOTHING more than any other steakhouse in town.
What to get at Les Halles?
I like the steak tar tar at Les Halles. It's prepared tableside, and they add a shot of cognac.
Fun and Funky Wine List on UES?
You're not going to find that sort of a creative wine list on the Upper East Side (unless maybe you come to my apartment), with the possible exception of Etats Unis and its wine bar. Uva is decent, and I'm sure you'll be able to find a good bottle of Nero or Aglianico or some other under-the-radar varietal, but Uva's list will not be anything like Hearth's.
Zoe Townhouse Review
Any comments on the wine list? Downtown Zoe is wine friendly, if I recall correctly.
Chef's Table at Park Ave Summer/Fall
Park Avenue Summer is (was) completely form over substance, and service is mediocre at best. You will be charged $$$$ and, I would guess, will walk away feeling that you spent too much and received too little. There are better options for a private area.
Need a GREAT Italian restaurant 50's, 6th to 8th....
Another vote for Vice Versa. Best Italian in the theatre district; a cut above the tourist places.
Tao gift card [Moved from Manhattan board]
There is a distinction. A gift card is pre-paid. Restaurant receives the money when the card is bought. It should not have to, months later when the card is used, allocate a portion of money received months prior, as a tip. Credit card pays the restaurant later, and can easilly separate the tip portion. In your mind, as you state, there is no difference, but in reality there is.
Tao gift card [Moved from Manhattan board]
Can you use it to buy a cocktail at the bar?
Btw, it shouldn't come as a surprise that you couldn't use the gift card for tip. When the card was purchased, the funds went to the restaurant. The waiter, a third party, isn't a party to the gift card transaction. The right thing to do is leave cash for the waiter.
Wine/Liquor store
One of the most overpriced stores in NYC. Sometimes their pricing is actually obscene.
Hearth or Cookshop
They are both good restaurants, but Hearth is a cut above Cookshop. You will have a more memorable, more special meal at Hearth. If wine list is important to you, Hearth's is way better than Cookshop.
What do you do when a favorite restaurant slaps you in the face?
The owner would certainly be interested in knowing that a long-time supporter was slighted by the jackass at the front of the house. You'll be doing the owner a favor, since the jackass probably pissed off not just you, but many other loyal patrons. If you succeed in alerting the owner to the problem, you might just be contributing to the place staying around longer . . . which benefits you also.
Need amazing NYC caterer
Chef and Co., I think in 18th or 19th Street. Julie is excellent and you will be happy.
Yuva (Indian restaurant, E.50's)
Yuva was excellent when Tuhin Dutta was cooking there. He's the guy who put Banjara on the map in the last 90's. I don't think he is at Yuva currently. Any further info on where he is cooking, and whether Yuva is currently good, is most welcome.
Buzina Pop disappointment (long)
Thanks for these reports. I live a couple of blocks away and have wondered about this place. There is just so much mediocrity on the UES, and it seems like Buzzina is right in line with the competition in this area. However, in this town, a restaurant that is merely mediocre is not a restaurant that will last long.
Is the buffet brunch at Brasserie 8 1/2 worth it?
It's not a bad brunch at all and in comparison to some of the other overpriced brunches in Manhattan, it is priced accordingly. We had a table for 9 and we all enjoyed it. Kobetobiko's view is right-on.
Per Se critical review
Thanks for the detailed report. Not surprising at all. I always thought that Keller is more pomp than substance.
Wine in Montreal?
New Yorker here, visiting Montreal for the first time in a few weeks. I hear that Canadian wine prices are much higher at retail. How about wine list prices? What are some of the better wine lists in town (interested most in Old World wines, rather than e.g., California wines)? Anyone know Restaurant Les Ramparts at Hotel Auberge Vieux Port, which is supposed to have a dining room in the wine cellar? Thanks for any help.
how good is brother jimmy's BBQ
It's not that good. It's acceptable but not more. Whenever I walk by it, the smell of stale beer comes out the door and brings me back to my fraternity house, twenty years ago. The inside is a lot like the fraternity house also.
Best Mac' n Cheese?
Just had this last night at Dumont. Seriously excellent Mac and Cheese indeed. Worthy of a trip to Williamsburg.
Passover in New York
I noticed that Jovia is doing Passover. East 60's. Give them a call and see if it's casual enough for you.
