bss25's Profile
Paris // Honeymoon Must-Trys
It's clearly not the food -- not to be dismissive but we don't enjoy going to Rao's due to the food (thought admittedly it isn't bad). It is a dining experience that not many are able to enjoy in a lifetime and something that is way off many folks radar screens as it relates to a NY unique experience. Basically saying we'd like to also try any unique destinations that aren't down-the-middle in Paris in terms of traditional Michelin stars, etc.
Paris // Honeymoon Must-Trys
My wife and I will be in Paris for 3 days during September and looking for must-try restaurants during our trip. Quick background -- we hail from NYC and have eaten at many of the fine dining restaurants in the states and looking for other once-in-a-lifetime experiences (ala Ko, Alinea and to a lesser extent Per Se or something like Rao's). Money is not really an object so any and all suggestions are much appreciated. We've tentatively booked Taiilevent for dinner on the first night and are considering Robuchon for dinner on another night (though we've been to his restaurant many times in NY so don't know if it is worth trying in Paris).
Honeymoon Restaurant Recommendations // Paris
My fiancee will be in Paris for the first 3 nights of our honeymoon in mid-September and looking for some "must-try" restaurants / bistros during our time in Paris. Currently, we plan to try Taiilevant on the first night and would like some other great restaurants to consider. By way of background, we are from NYC and would list the following as some of our favorite "high-end" restaurants -- Blue Hill (both restaurants), 15 East, Vetri (in Philadelphia), Asiate, Per Se, Eleven Madison Park and Le Bernadin to name a few. Any and all suggestions are much appreciated.
Wedding Rehearsal Venue Suggestions for 70 Guests
My fiancee and I are getting marrried in September in NYC at The Yale Club on a Saturday evening. We are looking into wedding rehearsel venue options for the evening before (which is a Friday evening) -- that said, she is from NYC and I've been in the city for coming up on 10 years so looking for something that would be unique and a contract to the wedding (which will be more formal). Any and all suggestions are appreciated -- wrt a budget, would like to stay under $10k all-in.
CABO -- Foodie Input Needed
My fiance' and I will be spending Christmas and New Year's in Cabo and looking to finalize our restaurant selections. We will be staying at one of the Pueblo resorts but are willing to travel for dinner. By way of background, we are from Manhattan so have experienced alot of very good cuisine over the years and just looking for great food and great ambience.
The last great meal we had was at Vetri in Philadelphia which was truly a delight.
Below are the ones that we are definitely thinking of trying and looking to round out the list:
+ Market Jean-Georges
+ Esperanza
+ Agua
+ Hacienda
+ La Fonda
Also, if there is a must-try for New Year's eve, I'd love to hear about it.
Many thanks.
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Market Jean-Georges
Km 7.5 Carretera Transpeninsular, San Jose del Cabo, BCS 23400, MX
TOM: Tuesday Dinner -- Diner Beware...
While I don't typically provide feedback on my dining adventures, I felt compelled to comment on a recent experience at TOM: Tuesday Dinner by Tom Colicchio. I went with my fiance on Tuesday night with high expectations which were unfortunately not met -- I'm not sure if it was a function of having set the expectation bar too high or the overall lack of a wow factor. While a few of the 10 courses were truly unique and innovative, the majority of the courses were ok to good at best. Not to say ok to good is bad but when you are paying $250/head, I expect something to really blow me away (ala ko or per se) but wasn't overly impressed by anything.
Less than OK -- sea bass w/ cuttlefish
OK to Good -- fried green tomato "blt", ratatouille, frogs leg w/ buttermilk chutney and curry, ravioli w/ white truffle
Good to above average -- pouen duck, rabbit leg, partridge
The 2 dessert courses (an apple cake and chocolate/banana tart) were the best courses of the evening and I don't care for dessert.
The experience overall is very nice as the Craft private dinning room is well put together with a unique angle into the kitchen but the prices just don't jive w/ the quality of the food. However, the service was outstanding w/ knowledgeable staff and servers.
Diner beware....
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Tom Tuesday Dinner
47 E 19th St, New York, NY 10003
Large Group Dinner -- 10 ppl on a Saturday Night
Looking for suggestions for a 30th birthday party next Saturday night for 10 people -- there are only 2 prerequisites -- good food and good drink. The majority are from NYC if that helps.
GIANT BLUE CRABS -- WHERE TO GET IN B-more?
I want to order 2 dozen giant / behemoth blue crabs for my father on Sunday for Dad's day -- however, I am out of state and looking for recommendations for large blue crabs that are both flavorful and full of meat. Preferably on the north side of Baltimore as someone will need to pick up and my parents live up 83 near PA. Price is a non-issue so look for truly great options for the largest and best crabs for Sunday. Thanks in advance.
Birthday Dinner Quandry - Bouley vs. Corton
So my fiancee is taking me out to dinner on Saturday night for my birthday and I am trying to decide between Bouley and Corton. I've eaten at most restaurants in the city but these are two that I haven't had the luxury of trying and really looking forward to. My tastes tend to be fairly progressive with a penchant for good seafood. Wine list isn't terribly important but new and innovative food is. That said, I also like variety and a bigger section. If you've eaten at one or both of the above, would appreciate feedback from recent visits - both pros and cons.
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Corton
239 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Easter Trip to Puerto Rico: 4 Night Dinner Lineup Needs Feedback
Background: My fiancee and I are spending the Easter holiday in PR and currently live in NYC
Food considerations: we've been to most all restaurants in NY and are looking for the following during vacation - restaurants that have cuisine we can't get in NYC and top restaurants in the area
Current dinner reservation lineup:
+ Friday: Delirio (Chef Alfredo Ayala has come highly recommended)
+ Saturday: Brother Jimmy's (we are staying at the ESJ and I want to be able to watch the NCAA Final Four games and have drinks)
+ Sunday: Budatai (Chef Roberto Trevino's showing on Iron Chef suggests food should be good)
+ Monday: Aquaviva (based on friend's suggestion)
Basis: constructed based on prior trips, suggestions, Chowhound Boards, T + L, Top Chef, Food & Wine, and other various sources
Conclusion: looking for suggestions as to places that I may be missing and whether I should change the ordering of restaurants
Other points: considered the following but excluded - Dragonfly, Parrot Club, Pikayo, and BLT Steak
Any and all feedback is much appreciated.
Engagement Dinner in/around Baltimore - First Weekend of March 2010
I am inclined to do Charleston if they can accomodate us as $$$$ isn't really an issue and could probably do $150/person which is broadly in range with my expected budget....has anyone done a private party at Charleston???
Engagement Dinner in/around Baltimore - First Weekend of March 2010
thanks for all of the suggestions - it has been helpful.
so i am inclined to shoot for reservations at Volt at Frederick given that I have been to most of the suggested restaurants and overall underwhelmed given the level of cuisine we are used to in NYC - it just doesn't compare and want something memorable...
any thoughts on schwan grille?
Engagement Dinner in/around Baltimore - First Weekend of March 2010
Any suggestions in/around Baltimore region? As background, the girlfriend (soon to be fiance) and I live in NYC (though Monkton is where I was raised) so have a broad selection of dining options on a regular basis. That said, her parents, brother, and grandmother will be coming down for the weekend to celebrate so trying to balance their tastes with our tastes (also, my parents, sister/sister's boyfriend, and grandparents will be joining). We will likely cover the cost of the dinner and would prefer to keep under $1500 for the food and drinks. There could be a few more additions to the party and any suggestions/thoughts would be appreciate. We live close to the Milton Inn and have eaten there numerous times - haven't been in years but would be open to all ideas - thanks in advance.
Aruba Restaurant Report
We just got back from 8 days in Aruba and wanted to provide a review of our restaurant selections from best to worst (the worst was comically bad)
- Madame Jennette: service was top-notch (thomas was our server and really was a pleasure); the restaurant is a bit off the beaten path but worth the journey; excellent, fresh grouper; do not order the tuna (it is not fresh and needs to be shipped to Aruba)
- Flying Fishbone: great romantic spot if you can get a seat on the water; food was good overall - carib lobster was perfect, seafood platter was exceptional, calamari was ok; very far away in savanetta
- Papiamento: really cool atmosphere with seating around the pool; bathroom had a live tree going through it
- Pinchos: excellent chicken satay and peanut sauce; nice location overlooking the water
- Old Man and The Sea: similar to Flying Fishbone but not nearly as good - one only needs to make the trip once to Savanetta and that should be to Flying Fishbone; same setup and atmosphere but marginally worse food and overpriced
- Casa Tua: went on New Year's day for pizza - the service was attrocious
- Screaming Eagle: one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had; our waitress did not speak nor understand english; the place advertises itself as a restaurant and lounge but we were told they did not have a cocktail menu and the only cocktail we could have is a "vodka cocktail" - we asked what was in the "vodka cocktail" and were told it has vodka and "some other good stuff"; we then inquired about the tuna and were told it is caught by the restaurant's boat offshore (which we knew wasn't the case after our dinner at Madame Jennette); at this point, we receive our apps (which weren't bad) and then received the entrees at the same time - we asked for our waitress who said we should eat it all at once and was better that way so then asked for the manager who agreed to take the entrees back and bring them out in 20 minutes once we were done our apps - however, our entrees come back 45 minutes later literally ice cold - at this point, we had enough and asked for our check which we paid and left. Do not go if you do not need to - eater beware.
NYC-Hound in Philly - ONE NIGHT ONLY...
NYC-hound will be in Philly next Tuesday night for a little rendezvous with an old college lady friend and looking to do dinner. Staying in Center City so flexible wrt to suggestions so long as it is cabable. Also, I spent 4 years in Philly during the early 2000s during college so have tried a significant amount of Philly restaurants. Specifically, I am looking for recommendations of new places that are must trys for one meal only and/or japanese/sushi joints (I have done Morimoto already). Also, not interested in formal restaurants (no LeBec/Lacroix) though I used to adore the Striped Bass. Thanks in advance.
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Morimoto Restaurant
723 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA
Center City Cafe'
2 Public Sq Ste 125, Wilkes Barre, PA 18701
Aruba - Dinner Lineup Review (12/27 - 1/03)
So here it goes...
After doing some research, I put together the following list of restaurants for my upcoming trip to Aruba with my girlfriend from 12/27 - 1/03.
What I am looking for specifically is if I am missing any must trys in Aruba and if there are any on the list that need to get replaced for one reason or the other. By way of background, we have spent alot of time in the Carribean and more interested in restaurants that are on the water, outside, focus on the local cuisine than an italian restaurant (for example). Also, we live in NYC so do alot of eating out to begin with so looking for a unique and differentiated experience.
Also, the lineup has been confirmed wrt actual days so if a restaurant is better to go on some days vs. others, that would be helpful to know.
Lastly, are there any that we should consider for New Year's Eve dinner?
- Flying Fish Bone
- Gasparitos
- Madame Janette
- Marandi
- Old Man and the Sea
- Sunset Grille
- Pinchos
New/Hip Restaurant Suggestion for Client Dinner
I am looking to schedule a catch-up dinner with a high-ranking C-level executive of a large corporation. We have a strong relationship and have tried many different restaurants/cuisines over the years (Daniel, Vong, Bobby Van's, Hallo Berlin in Hell's Kitchen among others) but looking for something that is new/hip but not too expensive. I have come up with the following range of ideas and would appreciate any feedback on each restaurant or additional suggestions that may fit the bill. FYI - the man likes to eat...ALOT.
- A Voce Columbus
- Civetta
- DBGB
- Marea
- Minetta Tavern - if we can get in
- Scarpetta
- SHO Shaun Hergatt
- Standard Grill
The Harrison - Superb
had dinner at the harrison last night for the second time and had an absolutely sublime meal - in my opinion, the harrison is totally underrated but produces top notch food. the grilled octopus app with feta, cucs, and mint was perfect, double softshells for entree were as good as anything I had on the MD shore as a kid. gf had artichokes and softshells - definitely worth the trip. crowd was predominantly locals and some folks from citi. highly recommend and would be interested if others have had the same experience.
Babbo - Need Menu Recommendations (TMW Night)
Going tomorrow night for my girlfriend's birthday and would like to get some suggestion on what to order - is the pasta tasting worth doing or should we go ala carte? First time to Babbo and looking forward to a great meal - any and all insight much appreciated.
Back Forty - Crab Boil (A Disappointing Experience)
I agree that the season is early but not an acceptable excuse for serving poor crab - if the crab isn't good, don't do a crab boil. I would assume this is a pretty simple concept but maybe not. Also, I think one of the other big issues is that they boil the crab vs. steaming MD style - this coupled with molting could create the outcome from last night.
Hon - spot on assessment - while there is no time like summer time in Baltimore to eat crabs on the deck with a cold beer, there are plenty of places to get them year round.
As for Back Forty, first time there but really enjoy Savoy (their sister restaurant in SoHo) which has been pretty stellar on numerous occasions.
Back Forty - Crab Boil (A Disappointing Experience)
We did the 9 p.m. seating - were you at the 7 p.m. one?
Back Forty - Crab Boil (A Disappointing Experience)
Were your crabs mushy like ours? I know it isn't very difficult to steam crabs so just wondering if that is their style, if so, they should consider spending some time on MD's eastern shore to better understand the spicing and technique.
Green beans and potatoes were well seasoned but not accustomed to eating w/ my hands (though that didn't stop me from indulging).
Back Forty - Crab Boil (A Disappointing Experience)
My GF and I went last night for the season's first crab boil at Back Forty and were pretty disappointed and underwhelmed with the quality of the crabs. While the price tag was right ($40), the preparation and flavor of the crabs wasn't very good - having grown up in Baltimore, picking crabs is a summer tradition which led me to have high hopes. Not the case as the crabs were extremely overcooked (except for 1 batch) to the point of being mushy and the seasoning was fairly limited. Furthermore, the crabs were on the tiny side.
Glad we went for the experience but will not be going back anytime soon.
Not sure how the crabs are at the Hideaway in Tribeca but will try over the next few weeks and report back.
Do any others have suggestions/feedback?
Thai in Washington Square/West Village?
Any recommendations? Just moved to Waverly and Mercer from SoHo and looking to find some good thai restaurants in the new neighborhood - any and all suggestions welcome and appreciated. Thanks.
B-Day Dinner in June - Need Advice on Options
As background, the above 6 are basically the ones we haven't been to in the city (she was born here and I have lived here for ~10 yrs).
Yes - everything is fair game. If there is any I am obviously missing, would be interested for your thoughts.
Adventurous, portions don't matter, wine isn't terribly important and desserts are probably the least interesting to us (for perspective, we usually find that 4 or 5 good appetizers, well done, tend to create a better food experience than an app, entree, and dessert).
B-Day Dinner in June - Need Advice on Options
I am working on scheduling my girlfriend's birthday dinner in June and wanted to solicit thoughts on the following (assuming I can get reservations):
- Babbo
- Blue Hill (we went to Stone Barns and really enjoyed)
- Bouley
- Corton
- Gramercy Tavern
- Mas
We care most about great food; good scene is definitely a plus but not a deal killer.
Saturday Night B-Day Options
entirely fair point - i was just using as a point of reference
Saturday Night B-Day Options
We went to Ko last summer and really enjoyed it so I think Degustation is the final choice - will report back w/ a summary
Saturday Night B-Day Options
To throw a few more out there - any thoughts on Mas Farmhouse or Blue Hill? As a sidenote, we have been to Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Westchester and thought the meal was absolutely fantastic so any thoughts on the one in the village would be appreciated.
Saturday Night B-Day Options
Thanks for the color - i should have provided a little more context. Born and raised in the city and live downtown so make it out quite frequently - my suggestion was Corton but fully booked through May (so will have to wait). We really enjoyed Ko and my understanding is that the setup at Degustation is not dissimilar. I have been to Tailor and while it is great for cocktails downstairs, i was never overly wowed by the food as you noted. Also done Daniel many times so not wedded to BB. My gut tells me A&D or Degustation - any courses that are must trys?
