JRinDC's Profile
Need Recommendation: near 55th and 9th
Well, I need to update you all. I ended up at none of the above and had an amazing meal at Danji - a new Korean fusion place on 52nd near 9th. http://danjinyc.com/ It looked interesting so I went into the bar, and found inventive cocktails and small plates that were simply stunning. The chef/owner Hooni Kim, cooked at Daniel and Masa. I only had time to try two things. One was a miso beef stew with organic tofu, it was rich, spicy and delicious. The other was spicy pork belly sliders with scallions & kochujang. I know its hard to do a bad pork slider, but these were the best I have ever had hands down. I highly recommend this little place and will hopefully get to some of the others (or come back here try the short ribs or sablefish) on my next trip.
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Masa
10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019
Danji
346 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
Need Recommendation: near 55th and 9th
These suggestions all look great. Thank you. I'll let you know where I end up.
Need Recommendation: near 55th and 9th
Going to a show at the Ailey Citicorp Building this weekend. I would like to find something fabulous either in the immediate vicinity or between there and Lincoln Center. Any good options? -- I'm from out of town and love dining in NY at Cafe Boulud, EMP, Blue Hill and Per Se, but I'm not looking for anything quite on that scale (though if EMP were closer, I'd probably hit the bar and order a few apps).
I wish I could steer you all a bit better in terms of price and cuisine, but it doesn't matter. I'm dining solo so would be happy to consider a nice bar or a trendy spot for a not too long meal. I was debating (and here's quite a range, I know) hitting a wine bar like Ardesia or Bar Boulud or maybe Seasonal or Sugiyama. Only criteria is something delicious and in spitting distance of the Ailey. It can be cheap or pricey.
Thoughts? Thanks!
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Sugiyama
251 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019
Bar Boulud
1900 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
Ardesia
510 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
Dinner at Le Bernadin -- Which menu/dishes? Also lunch suggestions needed
Hello knowledgeable Hounds!
At last I get to return to NYC and have a reservation at Le Bernadin. I've been to many of NYC's best but not yet had the privilege. Which of the menus do you recommend? Are there any dishes that I really should not miss? Are pairings worth the $100 supplement?
Also, depending on train schedules I may have a chance to get two lunches. Looking for interesting suggestions. I was thinking I might try to go back to Eleven Madison, because I love it, but two enormous gastronomical fests on the same day may be a bit much. Area of the city is flexible, but at least one lunch should be in striking distance of Lincoln Center if possible.
Thank you!
Looking for Dupont Circle recommendation
There's only street parking, but I had a very good meal recently at Firefly on New Hampshire Ave, and the wine list there is quite good and reasonably priced. Also near Dupont, I like the Tabard Inn on N Street. You might also consider Vidalia on M Street, which has valet parking.
There are, of course, also the usual steak houses, Mortons, Ruths Chris, Sam & Harry's etc., which if nothing else, will all have large and expensive lists of Cab.
HELP - NY Foodie in DC - One Night Only
Corduroy hands down. Bourbon Steak is a chain, why come to DC for an experience you can have in a dozen cities? DC celebs seem to like Oya, but since I haven't dined there I can't comment except to say that no one I've talked to about puts in the top for food in DC.
DC - One Night Only - What's THE Restaurant?
Komi, Minibar, Palena -- yes.
But I would add Rasika. Best, most creative Indian, perhaps anywhere in the country.
And Restaurant Eve's Tasting room in Old Town, Alexandria. Best tasting menu in the city at the moment.
A perennial, if less expensive, favorite -- Zaytinya.
With apologies to Michael Mina, Bourbon Steak would not be on my list, but I tend to shy away from restaurants that are essentially national chains, regardless of how celebrated the chef. Why go to Bourbon Steak DC, when there's Bourbon Steak Miami, and Bourbon Steak Detroit, and Bourbon Steak Scottsdale, etc., etc., etc. Stick to homegrown talent or innovative new restaurants from visiting chefs.
DC's own best chef talent is Johnny Monis (Komi), Jose Andres (Zaytinya, Jaleo), Bertrand Chamel (2941), Ris Lacoste (Ris), Frank Ruta (Palena), Peter Pastan (Obelisk), Bob Weidemeyer (Marcel's, Brasserie Beck), and Michel Richard (Citronelle, Central), Cathal Armstrong (Eve). When Roberta Donna reopens Galileo he'll be on the list again too.
Aussie traveling for authentic american cuisine on a budget
Here are my thoughts for DC seafood -- Hanks Oyster Bar, Johnny's Half Shell, Pesce, and Hook are where I'd go for excellent seafood at reasonable prices. All are likely to have local fish and seasonal preparations.
For general American, casual but nice restaurants -- Cashion's Eat Place for dinner, brunch or lunch at the Tabard Inn, a meal at Two Amy's (pizza), or the bar at Palena (Palena itself is very expensive but the bar menu is not--best roast brined chicken in town).
Mexican Coke
I don't know about markets, but I know that the Taqueria (behind Johnny's Half Shell) sells it at lunch.
Greens Restaurant
Thanks. I was hoping for something more like Thomas Keller's tasting of vegetables that he offers at Per Se and I assume at the French Laundry. His former sous chef Eric Ziebold who now runs CityZen out here in DC also does and awesome tasting menu for vegetarians. Sounds like maybe Greens is solid and tasty but not worth passing up a visit to Ame or Yank Sing or many other places.
DC: early-ish dinner for a group of 10 that includes vegetarians?
I agree. Ethiopian may be the way to go. Heritage India is not dressy at all. FWIW, I consider Zaytinya and Jaleo to be quite inexpensive if you don't drink too much, especially given the quality. I was going to suggest Rasika, but that's probably out of range as well. Lebanese Taverna or Skewers comes to mind as lower priced options.
Greens Restaurant
I searched the board but didn't find much definitive on Greens, the vegetarian restaurant on the SF Chronicle's 100 list. I've enjoyed the Moosewood in Ithaca and can't make it to Napa this trip for Ubuntu. Is this vegetarian restaurant worth the trip? I'm not vegetarian but enjoy all kinds of experiences and would be interested to see if they can do high-end vegetarian really well. Thoughts?
Solo Diner visiting for 3 nights -- Help Please
My trip is coming up soon. Any final thoughts? How about more mid-end to inexpensive recs? I'm staying near the border of Union Square, Nob Hill and the Tenderloin at the Hotel Carlton (btw, is that hotel any good?)
Michelin San Francisco
I see Quince didn't even make the list. Any thoughts on that?
Dinner alone in/around Dupont?
The best options hands down in this area are Obelisk and Komi. Slightly less expensive (those are both tasting menu only) and also enjoyable would be the Tabard Inn. I think Cork is too crowded for a solo diner. i don't think you'll find anything special about Saint Ex or Sushi Taro. Hanks is tasty but did not inspire on my last visit. Taberna del Albardero is a very good deal for happy hour -- half price tapas are wonderful and they have decent Spanish wines by the glass. If you are into fish, Pesce is an enjoyable bistro serving simple fish dishes on P Street.
Would you consider Ethiopian? That's a different experience and there are a number of places east of theDupont/Adams Morgan/U street area.
BEST MACARONI AND CHEESE?
Todd Grey used to do a wonderful truffle mac and cheese at Equinox.
What is your favorite DC foodie restaurant?
CityZen, Palena, or Citronelle. All on the dressy side. Not sure if Citronelle requires jackets (but I would). The others do not.
Jacksonville -- The Row
This is a late reply, but I did end up eating at The Row and was not terribly impressed. Wine list is pedestrian and the food was uninspiring for the price. Also the Inn, for what it's worth, is charming but old. Staying there is fine if you don't mind the musty odor and occasional gecko in your room. I've stayed there a few times, but I noticed the humidity and must more on my last visit.
I did also get to eat a nice lunch at the Mossfire -- that was quite enjoyable. Excellent take on southwest cuisine at reasonable prices.
Quince or Delfina?
I'll second this -- I called Quince and they told me they take reservations one month to the day. I called last week for my date in October (early in the day too) and prime time was already gone. I was offered 5:30 or 9:30.
Quince or Delfina?
So, which did you pick? Any report? Heading out there soon myself.
Dinner and Drinks - Birthday Celebration in DC
Firefly might be an option for you, near Dupont.
Solo Diner visiting for 3 nights -- Help Please
Thanks for the tip on Canteen -- perhaps I'll plan that for Tuesday instead.
Solo Diner visiting for 3 nights -- Help Please
Thanks for the tips -- noshing in C'town at lunch seems to make a great deal of sense. (China Star got great reviews about four years ago, but it's been mixed recently -- I actually have never been). Last time I was in C'town, I ate at Nanking, which despite its detractors, we actually enjoyed immensely. I just let them decide what to serve.
Solo Diner visiting for 3 nights -- Help Please
I've searched the boards and narrowed down my choices: I'm going to be in town in October from DC for three days. I'm thinking Quince for Sunday night. Lunch at Zumi and dinner at Canteenon Monday. Tuesday lunch may be catch as catch can, but Tuesday Dinner maybe Danko or Ame.
Is that a good itinerary? Any other options that are "must tries" right now? I'm interested in getting to Chinatown -- not sure if I'm quite as adventurous as I need to be for Jai Yun, but I'm tempted (there is NO good Chinese in DC) -- or maybe Slanted Door.
That and my past reviews should give you a clue. I want one or two high-end type experiences, but I'm mostly interested in just the best possible food and experiences I can't get here.
I'll happily post full reviews after my trip. Thanks!!
Sat. Night -- Source or Obelisk
Thanks everyone. Thought I'd update you. I went to Source and have reservations next week for Obelisk. We enjoyed Source very much but I have to say, I'm not blown away. It reminds me of TenPehn in its heyday, and I think the cooking at Cafe Mozu is a worthy (and cheaper) alternative.
I started with the butter poached lobster appetizer ($22) wrapped in picked daikon with a variety of sauces artfully decorating the plate. I wanted to get the suckling pig appetizer, but after having a pork epiphany at Eleven Madison Park in NY, I decided to try something different. I'm a sucker for butter poached lobster. I've had Thomas Keller's twice. To me the lobster meat was suculent but somewhat overwhelmed by the pickling flavors of the daikon wrap, and the sauces really overshadowed the crustacean. Very tasty but not brilliant. My wife went with a vegetarian version of their tuna tartare miso cones. Grilled vegetables over creme fraiche stuffed in a carmelized sesame miso cone. Very light, airy, delicious and a steal at $9. She followed with the Pan Roasted Rockfish, Red Thai Curry Shrimp, with Pineapple Sambal. I only had a taste, but the fish was perfectly cooked and the sauce a perfect mix of tang citrus and heat. I went with the Lacquered Chinese Duckling, Bing Cherries, with Stir Fried Chow Fun Noodles. The duckling, a waiter recommendation, was very well prepared, the sauce not too sweet, and the noodles were amazing. Deserts underwhelmed. They were tasty (molten chocolate for me and mixed berries for my wife) but there was nothing inventive about them at all. The wine list is fabulous but very dear. We enjoyed a half bottle of Gruner Veltliner and followed with selections by the glass. I will give our server credit -- we asked for recommendations on both entrees and wines and were not upsold in the slightest. Our waiter recommended a tempranillo for my duck ($14) over the Rex Hill pinot noir ($20), and was right on.
I'd go back. The food is excellent. The atmosphere is fun. It's got a cool vibe. The bar downstairs is a great place for a cocktail, but at these prices I'm not feeling The Source to be in the same category as DC's very best.
Jacksonville -- The Row
Anyone been to The Row in the Riverdale Inn? Staying at the inn this week and wondered whether to dine in or out? Any other recommendations?
Great food that won't break the bank
Zaytinya and Jaleo would both fit the bill in delicious style.
