kelea's Profile
WD-50 Tasting Menu
Sounds like no tasting menu for me :( We only have 2 hours...but based on what uwsister said, doesn't sound like a bad thing. I don't care for dessert (i know blasphemy).
Any dishes not to miss? The aerated foie for sure but I'm not sure about entrees
Was sooo looking forward to Eleven Madison Park, but...
Surprisingly I know this has affected a couple of my meals. Once at Calle Ocho my friend asked the waiter why we were getting such good service (i know weird question but I was not at the table at the time) and the waiter said the manager told him to give our table special attention cause I go there frequently (and always via open table for booking)
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Calle Ocho
45 W 81st St, New York, NY 10024
WD-50 Tasting Menu
Hi Hounders,
I'm finally getting a chance to go to WD-50. Does anyone know how long the tasting menu will take? I would like to do that but we have time constraints...
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WD-50
50 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002
Which ONE tasting menu?
Agreed...it's just harder to swallow when all my other meals at Dovetail have been pretty much on point, and the one time I take my parents to treat them, it just was unsatisfactory. Granted, it could have been a lot worse, it just left a sour taste in my mouth after perfect meals I've been fortunate enough to experience in my "Eat my way out of NYC" rampage I've been having.
Dinner for a group of 10~12
I would do the whole Shebang at Atla. It feeds about 10-12. Runs at $420 for the food. With your $100 pp budget, you can easily add a couple dishes and drinks and be under.
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Alta
64 W 10th St, New York, NY 10011
Which ONE tasting menu?
I just had dinner at Dovetail this past Sunday with my parents. While the food was absolutely delicious as before, the service was really disappointing. It wasn't rude or snotty just missed a lot of points.
Just a couple of examples - 3 of us were expected to share 2 cornbreads while everyone else in the resto for the # that match the people at their table. The wait between courses were long and draggy. No one swept our table after the entree till I flagged someone down. And we were the only table to not get the complimentary dessert at the end. (I know this is a touchy subject since the EMP debate). I could have asked for it, but at that point, I was so deflated, I just wanted to leave.
I know none of them were huge errors, but a culmination of like 7-8 mistakes one after the other just made it snowball. I had emailed the place, and got a simple apology. I still feel a little peeved..but I'll get over it. It was my last meal at Dovetail sadly.
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Dovetail
103 West 77th Street, New York, NY 10024
Was sooo looking forward to Eleven Madison Park, but...
ANin, if you read my post above you will see that one off experience is not the reason to change your plans. I went there as a first timer and had a delightful and delicious experience. No bias or preference to those around me who might be regulars. To ensure a little omph to your dinner, I would call the restaurant and have the hostess note that you are celebrating your BF's birthday.
Was sooo looking forward to Eleven Madison Park, but...
For me, Thomas Keller has been my idol for 10 years. I love his philosophy towards food and ingredients. And cause of that, I wanted to see what he envisioned in the space that inspires him to create the dishes he does. Seeing the kitchen at Per Se made me respect and love him that much more.
That being said, Per Se and French Laundry would be the only kitchens I would ever really want to tour of.
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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
Was sooo looking forward to Eleven Madison Park, but...
I hate that i'm going to be sound like a bandwagon fan but I'm not a regular by any means. My visit to EMP (just last week) was my first and only to ANY of Danny Meyer's establishments. The service I received was stellar - attentive, friendly and not intrusive. Warm, pleasant and smiling at all times. I would consider i was the youngest in the resto that night (in my late 20s but look younger) made no difference to the staff (I'm only saying this, cause I know a few posts on diff top restos have indicated that younger guests gets the short end of the stick)
I didn't get the tour which I wasn't expecting but I did receive the digestif (which I sadly could not appreciate). The only 'downside' to my meal is that because the initial payment discussion was overhead by the waiter that my friend wanted to treat me, the waiter took both our cards, and only billed my friend. Not really a true downside i guess...
Was sooo looking forward to Eleven Madison Park, but...
@ellenost Five visits to Per Se!!!!! I'm so jealous. I had to save up my bonus just to go once :) I was lucky that on my only trip they graciously accepted my request to have the kitchen tour as a going away gift to myself :)
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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
poco brunch
Definitely, it's not an upscale place so I think kids will be fine. Plus the Lobster mac&cheese would great for any kid foodie. It does get a little noisy though.
Restaurant Gift Card for Park Slope
Miss Needle, between Saul and River Cafe which would you recommend? It looks like $200 will definitely go further at Saul but if you had no monetary constraints, what would be your first choice?
This is a big thank you gift for someone who's helped me a ton so a couple of dollars is not going to be a big issue
Restaurant Gift Card for Park Slope
Thanks Amy, if I'm willing to go out of Park Slope, what would you recommend?
There's a place called the River Cafe that seems pretty solid. Any others like that? I would assume at least $250 for that which I'm also ok with
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River Cafe
1 Water St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
Restaurant Gift Card for Park Slope
Hi Hounders,
I'm looking to buy my boss a thank you gift as I am leaving my firm. He lives in Park Slope and I was hoping for recommendations on where I should purchase a gift card from.
I would like to stay under $200 and it should cover a dinner for two. (I'm assuming him and his wife would appreciate a nice dinner out away from the kids).
I know Al Di La is a favorite of the nabe but it seems a little casual. Any other reccos? Also for the reccos, please let me know what would be an ideal amount for a dinner for two?
Thanks,
K
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Al Di La
248 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Momoya for UWSer
For my UWS hounders,
I wanted to go to Haru for lunch yesterday but as it was memorial day, it was closed. So I ended up at Momoya for lunch with my parents. Would definitely recommend this to fellow UWS for a standard go-to japanese place (to add to the list of Haru and Tenzan). The lunch specials are definitely well priced (most things are around 10-15) with a healthy sized mixed baby greens salad (a step up from the usual ice berg and shredded carrots).
We had a 3 roll combo (salmon avocado, eel & yellowtail scallion), the sashimi luch (with 10 pieces of 5 diff fish) and a cold soba with tempura. All the fish tasted fresh and smooth. They were well portioned and well sliced. The soba was perfectly cooked and looks hand made. I can't guarantee home made but def hand made. Tempura (2 shirimp and 3 veggies) was crisp light and delicious. We also started with an order of agedashi tofu which was yummmerrrrs
Definitely another option for the nabe if you are in the mood :)
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Haru
433 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Momoya
427 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Tenzan
285 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10023
Looking for a bar/lounge recommendations
Wilfrid do you have any bars you would host a farewell party at?
My regulars (Bua and East Village Tavern) are both unbelievably packed on weekend nights...
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East Village Tavern
158 Ave C, New York, NY 10009
Bua
122 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009
Looking for great restaurant with nice outdoor seating
I just went for Brunch this weekendso I can't speak for their dinner but 44 & 1/2 in hell's kitchen has an actual back courtyard for outdoor seating, it's one of those rare locations in NYC where outdoor dining doesn't mean sidewalk and the screeching of car tires
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44 1/2
626 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10036
Help in choosing a restaurant from this list
Another for Scarpetta...it's a great atmosphere for a couple girls to gather and catch up. I've done it plenty of times.
Osteria Morini is delicious but like everyone said, it's really really loud and honestly for the price, your portions are tiny and you end up ordering a lot more.
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Osteria Morini
218 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012
EMP Spring Menu -- Recommendations?
RGR's photo is exactly that I had last night :) it was delicious...but I am a huge fan of fresh basil
EMP Spring Menu -- Recommendations?
To be honest, I think that's completely possible. the staff was unbelievably accommodating. the waiter didn't skip a beat when i asked for the onion for my 2nd. they definitely seem to want you to have the best experience possible. I wanted to do the tasting menu but I jsut went to Daniel on sat and Le bernadin on fri and I needed to start watching my calories ahahah
EMP Spring Menu -- Recommendations?
Hey Ellenost!
Dinner was delicious! It was my first (and prob last since I'm leaving) but it was definitely memorable. Per RGR's recommendation, I wanted to try the onion but it was listed with the proteins and I definitely wanted the lamb. I asked if they could give it o me as my 2nd course instead and they did!!
I went with the crab (which was a fresh, bright and flavorful peekytoe salad BEAUTIFULLY plated), the onion (and yes it is amazing..2 servings of tender roasted onions and wait for it...THICK SLAB SMOKED BACON...yeah i pretty much was in heaven), the lamb was served 3 ways (a loin, confit and braised in a ravioli) and i rounded out the dinner with strawberry which was served with basil.
my dining partner started with foie gras (served cold as a terrine which came with rubharb, black pepper brioche and a foie gras ice cream which i think was like pomegranate foam and a base of foie gras), it was followed by snapper (poached), then pork (a loin, a rack and belly) and ended with chocolate which was really really rich dark chocolate.
Over all dinner was delicious. the crab, foie gras, onion and lamb are definitely highly highly recommended.
My meal was
44 1/2 Hell's Kitchen - Anyone been here? Or Suggestions for Pancakes that is not CSB?
I ended up sticking with 44.5 for convenience. A quick feedback, this place is adorable. There is a back courtyard for outdoor dining which I feel is near impossible to find in NYC.
Brunch was delicious! We ordered the crabcake benedict, the salmon benedict and the mushroom omelet. The omelet was really fluffy and delicious - the only down side was it was a little light on mushrooms. I didn't try the salmon benedict but the crabcake was one of the best I've had for brunch. The cake was all crab and almost zero fillers. I was impressed by how much crab was given for such a reasonably priced brunch. I would definitely recommend it for a simple american brunch in hell's kitchen
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44 1/2
626 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10036
Looking for a bar/lounge recommendations
Hi Hounds,
I'm looking for a bar/lounge in Manhattan to celebrate my farewell next month. The criteria are as follows:
- Doesn't get too packed (no sardines) on a Sat night
- Not an upscale bar (but no dives either). Would like something that anyone can get into with no issues from bouncers or dress code
- Has table service for bottles (like prosecco or champagne) and a great range of beers
- Average prices i.e. $6-9 for beers, under $10 for cocktails
- Food would be preferred since I will be there all night and I get noshy when I drink
- Preferably with music and a little dancing if people would like.
I'm coming up empty with choices. I have the Common Lounge in mind cause i know they have a great drink menu and easy to reserve a table but no food or dancing. Is this too much to ask?
TIA,
k
Le Bernardin - Three Strikes, It's Out!
I know I defended Le Bernadin in an earlier post but I felt compelled to do it again.
I just returned from an excellent lunch there. I took my parents there for their 39th wedding anniversary. I asked the maitre'd a couple days before if we could order the egg cause my mom is a big dessert person and they oblige albeit with an $8 per egg which I felt was acceptable.
The entire meal was impeccable with pleasant and helpful service. They helped my parents make the meal decisions as my dad can be a picky eater and he was so pleased with his meal. But to top it all off, without any other notion or mention of the anniversary from me, they surprised my parents with an extra dessert (no charge) of a passionfruit mousse and a candle with Happy Anniversary on the plate.
It was an absolute delight and I implore all you who had a horrid experience to please give it another chance. One caveat, I have only been for weekday lunches, never dinner.
44 1/2 Hell's Kitchen - Anyone been here? Or Suggestions for Pancakes that is not CSB?
Kathryn!! The resident brunch queen!! Thanks for the suggestions, I'll look into Balthazar. I thought about The Smith as well but it can get a little rowdy plus I've taken my mom to Jane a couple times, and wanted to try a diff place (although she does love the eggs benny)
I LOVE Locanda Verde but to say my dad is a picky eater would be an understatement ;) I'm not sure he would like the lemon pancakes.
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Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013
44 1/2 Hell's Kitchen - Anyone been here? Or Suggestions for Pancakes that is not CSB?
Hi,
I just found this sister rest of 44 & X. I'm looking for a place to take my parents this saturday for brunch. Ideally the place will have good egg's benny and pancakes, AND I want to be able to make a reservation at 11. I know CSB is #1 for pancake but my parents are in their late 60s and my dad gets grumpy when he has to wait around outside. Assuming we wake up early on Sat, I'll definite give it a whirl but I would like a good back up. This was the only one I found on Opentable that really fits the bill. Isabella's is my 2nd choice but they only have waffles, no pancakes. :(
Help Hounds?
TIA,
K
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44 & X
622 10th Ave, New York, NY 10036
44 1/2
626 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10036
Another Theater District restaurant question
Another to agree that it's not obnoxious. I'm of average size and there have been restaurants where the tables are so close together my non-existent butt has managed to knock glasses of water and bread baskets over.
Many NYC tend to be in very cramp spaces and it's understandable you do not want you guests to feel out of place.
Another suggestion might be 5 napkin on 9th ave
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Five Napkin Burger
630 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10036
Reasonably Priced Italian East or West Village
I love Spina on 11th and B. All their pastas are freshly made in house
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Spina
175 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009
