paddlestick101's Profile
Paris: Le Chateaubriand vs. Le Comptoir du Relais
Oakglen, thanks, but that was an unnecessarily rude comment.
I've spent the last month reading books, blogs, and websites--the Paris food scene can be overwhelming in its amazing scope.
I know Michelin and Zagat are major guidebooks, but without buying the books, the information shared here isn't necessarily readily available. Now that you've helpfully shared that they list restaurants open on Sundays, I have a direction to go, since as I stated it has been difficult to find an organized breakdown.
You're right it may be basic research, but I was feeling overwhelmed, and I come here for a supportive food-loving community, not judgmental condescension.
Paris: Le Chateaubriand vs. Le Comptoir du Relais
Do you know if le chateaubriand is open on saturdays and/or sundays? Finding a good dinner option for restos open on sundays is proving difficult. Thanks!
CSA Farm weekly home delivery in LA?
just bumping this thread to see if there has been any news with any of the above mentioned (or new) CSA/delivery options for fresh produce? thanks
Thai in NYC??
i went to some other nondescript one in the HK area but it was just average. i havent tried the yum yum or thai thai (sp?) ones, so i can only speak on pam real and heng2 around there. of course it's personal taste, so try it and let me know what you think. cheers!
Thai in NYC??
Preface: I know I always read about Sripraphai (never been) and Wondee Siam and Pam Real in the city, but I have to say I've always been disappointed with the latter two, both locations of each. (I know we all acknowledge Thai food in the city isn't the best. I'm from LA and I think Thai food is better there. but I still search here because I still crave it like crazy.)
I'm going to go out on a limb and recommend one that I've never seen anyone write about but that I just happened to try: Heng2 on 10th ave and 51st. I love it because the food is tasty (i'm a sucker for pad see ew, curry puffs, beef (and their pork) salad,) the decor is contemporary and stylish but not pretentious, the prices are GREAT for the city (eg $7.95 for pad see ew with chicken or beef), and the portions are large.
i bring all my friends and they all really like it. so it's not written about much but it's one of my favorites. give it a try! i'd love to see them stay in business!
LOOKING FOR RUSTIC RESTAURANTS IN NYC LIKE FREEMANS
Last I saw (2 weeks ago), Friend of a Farmer was closed for remodeling. Maybe they've reopened now, not sure how the atmosphere has since changed.
Where to buy BISON short ribs near UES?
union sq market would've been perfect, are they open tomorrow? we're cooking tomorrow. otherwise i'll check out GMM. thank you JeremyEG!
Where to buy BISON short ribs near UES?
My date and I are cooking at his place and i volunteered to pick them up. We'll be cooking on UES, or anywhere off the 456 line. Are there any markets/butchers that you know that sell bison? Thanks in advance!
Your Ideal meal at Scarpetta?
i went last night and i'm sorry to report that i was a little disappointed after all the great reviews. they seated us 40 minutes past our res time without apology, so that i already felt a little unwelcome.
Bread Basket-awesome, love the mascarpone butter and warm stromboli
Creamy polenta-everything everyone said it was, creamy, tasty goodness, our favorite dish by far.
Duck and foie gras ravioli-a little overwhelmingly heavy, not as well executed as Babbo's similar dish (think i saw a comparison somewhere above), i couldn't even finish my share.
Spaghetti with tomato/basil-maybe it was overhyped. it was good but not great, i can see why people love it for its comfort food quality. i didn't taste the just-picked-from-the-orchard tomato quality though :(
Capretto-it wasn't tough or dry, but i also wouldnt say it was tender or moist, and it lacked much flavor, sorry to all you fans.
Banana budini-it was still good despite not being a banana fan, enjoyed the caramelized top.
overall my friend and i enjoyed it but it didn't live up to the hype. maybe it was an off night? anyhow thanks for all the suggestions, they were helpful in directing our ordering strategy!
Your Ideal meal at Scarpetta?
what if you don't normally like bananas--is it one of those things that you'll still like, or steer clear from? i'm going tonight, can't wait to try these helpful suggestions!!
Does Mayahuel serve food?
if so, how is it? (their website is under construction.) thanks!
New (last 3 yrs) noteworthy places?
i'm sorry i can't figure out what "Eastie" means? i can't believe there's so many new ones in the last few years since i moved! thanks!
Bouley - Tasting Menu or A la carte?
any more recommendations? i'm taking my bf there for his bday today and would like to know more about what to order a la carte. for the foie gras dish, are you referring to the one in the 'panache of 3 salads' or the NY state foie gras alone, or both? (ie, i'd rather get one and try another type of appetizer, but don't want to miss the best one that you're talking about). also, i'm between the cod, halibut, and black sea bass for the entree--any advice? thanks!
Any tips for a Babbo first timer?
My experience last night:
We sat downstairs, and although I expected the random music for a nice restaurant (from other posts), it was refreshingly unpretentious. Plus I was happy I wasn't trapped in the broken air conditionered upstairs (which they said would be fixed by today). The server was nice and mostly just corroborated my pre-researched choices, though she wasn't very decisive in choosing between top contenders. Sommelier knowledgeable and unpretentious.
For 2, we did the CH recommended 2 antipasti, 2 primi, 1 main, 1 dessert:
1-Lamb's tongue vinaigrette- could hardly identify the tongue (which seems to be a good thing)-nice mix of flavors and textures; lightness of vinaigrette a nice contrast from rich flavor of thinly sliced mushroom-looking tongue
2-Pig Foot-very unique, crispy, and flavorful, but got monotonous (to me) after awhile
3-Mint love letters-excellent flavors. if you don't like lamb, i think you'd still like this since the lamb-y taste wasnt strong; however if you don't like mint, it's bursting with mint flavor (which i love); i think the freshness of the mint is also a nice antidote to the rich meat. however, my bf says he doesn't usually like mint, and he enjoyed it. the red sauce was very good and garlic infused tasting. although the love letters are also ravioli, our 2 pasta dishes seemed very different because of such different sauces and flavors.
4-Goose liver ravioli- Divine! basically, wonderfully, foie gras raviolis. so deeply rich and indulgent, with a rich balsamic reduction sticky sauce. i loved the contrast of flavors (again), but my bf thought that the sauce was overpowering the flavor of the goose liver. i loved it though, it was my favorite dish.
5-Sweetbreads-nice light vinegary sauce. i thought the sweetbreads had a nice flavor and texture (soft, not too dense, interesting). sauce was my favorite part of this dish, though i wasn't blown away. i'm now curious what the pork chop would've been like, but i'm glad to have tried some of batali's offal.
6-(seasonal) Honey pine nut crostata- I was disappointed it wasnt the seasonal fresh fruit crostata, but it turned out to be really yummy. caramelized honey and creamy pine nuts with a custardy filling and nice crust.
It was a very nice evening; not the best foodie experience I've ever had, but a very solid, satisfying meal. Enjoy to everyone going soon! :)
Any tips for a Babbo first timer?
when are you going pastry? maybe i'll see you there :)! i will report back with a very full belly i'm sure!
Any tips for a Babbo first timer?
thank you for your suggestions and well wishes :)! so then, if only one, the beef cheek or the goose liver?? or the love letters...hmmm, so many choices!
Any tips for a Babbo first timer?
this thread has been very helpful and timely since i'll be going to babbo tonight with my bf for the first time for my birthday. one question: most recommend 2 pastas and i'm hearing a lot of votes for the beef cheek and goose liver ravioli; would it be too much ravioli to get both as the 2 pastas, or should i try 2 different types of pasta?
thanks!
Roadtrip to Woodstock, VT & Lake Sunapee, NH from NYC picks?
Coming up (like everyone else!) this weekend for the foliage, and planning to drive up through Western MA (Stockbridge), Grafton, VT, and Woodstock, VT. Staying in Bristol, NH for 4 days, and want to do the scenic drives around North Conway. Just made reservations at Simon Pearce, and any other recs for that vicinity would be great! Cozy, quaint, local places with good food in scenic areas is the idea (ie not necessarily fancy).
thanks in advance!
Brunch before Yankee game
Anywhere near the B, D, or 4 train that is a cute brunch place for 4 people, that's not too fancy for people dressed for the game, but good for my out of town friends to appreciate ny brunch? and not TOO long of a wait for people without reservations!
Thanks!
30th bday bar/lounge
Hi everyone,
It's my 30th birthday in a couple weeks (Saturday night), and I want to have a little get together (about 15 people or so) for drinks after dinner. I would like the environment to be fun and energetic, but without a monster load mass of people, in a nice place but not so new/trendy/hip that we can't get in, or where i have to pay for crazy bottle service amounts. I would love an outdoor/rooftop bar to enjoy the weather, if there are any that aren't terribly trendy or expensive. Also, the guests don't know each other very well or at all, so I'd like a place where there are enough people around to distract us from the awkwardness of a party where no one knows each other, but again, not so many people that we are packed in and can't move.
So basically, a fun relatively nice place, preferably outdoors but not a requirement, with good energy (no dives), but not so intimate that it's quiet and awkward. I want a bar more than a club, but a place with a cool dj and space to dance would be cool too. some friends have suggested The Park and Thor, any other suggestions?
Thanks so much!
Quiet Cafe for Reading
are you thinking of Doma Cafe on Perry St.? or where is Modo?
west village picks
no only for brunch, and the lighting, atmosphere, and food were great for that. havent had dinner though.
