calconscious's Profile
Tocqueville - review
Went to Tocqueville this past Saturday. The staff was very pleasant and warm without being intrusive but the food I felt was mixed.
Shared food with my partner - so we had the butternut squash risotto (appt. size) and it was delicious - creamy without being mush and the mushrooms were just the correct amount of earthy flavor - also had the special appt of the day - a caviar topped poached egg - extremely good but not sure it was worth the $60.00 supplemental - I expected a bit more flavor to the caviar it was good but leaned toward t he bland side.
For our entrees - the Black Sea Bass was excellent and the broccoli rabe was excellent - pungent without dripping in olive oil - but the big disaster of the night was the crispy chicken and porcini mushroom - others raved about it (so I guess that's why there are 31 flavors) - I found it horrible. It felt processed - like it came from a supermarket freezer. I am really only writing this to let others know that not everyone likes this dish and I think the raves that I read on Chowhound need to be tempered. For me it was a huge rubbery tasteless mess - no nuance of flavor or sense of freshness to it. We were fighting over the sea bass and rabe!
I am glad we went - but probably wouldn't seek it out again - too many other choices in this city.
New to the Upper West Side
love Cafe Frida - on Columbus btw 97 & 98 - excellent fish tacos
agree Luke's Lobster is a really welcome addition.
Grandaisy Bakery has the best pizza (my bf hates it) - i recommend the cauliflower.
think the new place Atlantic Grill - is very good and somewhat reasonably priced - don't know that it is a destination place if you live in another part of the city - but for a nice consistent meal - we've had great success there.
- to each his own - but Nice Matin always seems to be recommended - so plenty love it, but I have never what I would consider good food there and the atmosphere is excessively loud - don't get that place at all.
... have fun!
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Grandaisy Bakery
176 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023
Nice Matin
201 West 79th Street, New York, NY 10024
Atlantic Grill
1341 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10021
Cafe Frida
368 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024
Luke's Lobster
426 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Tocqueville or Adour ?
celebrating our 7th anniversary - was thinking of Del Posto - but should have been thinking of it earlier - of those that still have reservations for Jan. 22nd - Tocqueville or Adour? We haven't been to either - any clear favorite?
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Del Posto
85 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Aureole or alternative?
looking for a quieter restaurant in mid-town. I have been to the bar room at Aureole and liked it for a cocktail - but peaked in at the dining room and it looked a little claustrophobic. Would like to know peoples experiences there. Am tempted to sit in the Bar and order a la carte - but not sure it would be all that cheaper and the menu is more restricted.
also am considering Insieme. I have heard mixed reactions to Insieme - It would be Thurs. Dec. 2nd between between 6:00 and 6:30.
Any thoughts or other suggestions in midtown?
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Insieme
777 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019
Todd English food hall
I went with two friends who were not thrilled about eating there (so admittedly we went in with a bit of reluctance) we walked around and walked out. I thought it was small and narrow and confusing. Different places to sit - but not sure if you could order from the entire menu or just what they were serving at that "station". I enjoyed his food at his other restaurants - but this is in my own opinion - not a great place for more than two at a time - it's all counter seating.
OLiO?
Just read a good review in Gothamist about OLiO ... Would love to know some hounders personal experience of it?
have u run into this in high end restaurants? (la grenouille in this instance)
I just called La Grenouille - thanks to my fellow chowhounders confirming this was a bit unorthodox. Thank Buddha I did. I talked with a manager and feel 100% better about it. It was explained to me that the restaurant lost an arbitration where a diner took home some fish and then got sick - it was deemed since their license was not a caterer they were liable. And given yesterday was so hot there were uncomfortable with diners taking home fish. I really do feel so much better for asking. It was a very pleasant conversation and more importantly - I really like La Grenouille and now look forward to going back.
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La Grenouille
3 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022
have u run into this in high end restaurants? (la grenouille in this instance)
Went to La Grenouille last night. Food was fantastic. Went with the lobster ravioli - decadently rich butter sauce - wonderful chunks of lobster - partner had the mushroom risotto - he loved it. We both got the dover sole with mustard sauce - as delicious as everyone says - and we finished with two souffles - I had the pistachio (divine) my partner the chocolate (he loved it - I preferred mine - which makes for a more enjoyable dinner anyway ).
My issue - I eat smaller meals throughout the day and I knew it was a lot of food for me (in one sitting) so I only ate about 1/2 my dove sole - When I asked if I could take the remainder home - knowing I had a souffle coming - the table captain - gave a smile and shook his head "no".
Is it the rule at high end restaurants that taking ones uneaten food home is prohibitive? Would a small discreet container disrupt the floral arrangements (which were gorgeous an added a wonderful fragrance to the entire dining experience). I wish I had respectfully pushed the issue - it's Sat. morning and I would love to be looking forward to some sole for lunch. Instead it ended up in some trash can.
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La Grenouille
3 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022
Feinsteins?
thanks ellenost - We are going for drinks and the cheese plate. Yelp has some very unfavorable posts on food at Feinsteins - and if we feel hungry afterwords we may go nosh at the bar at the modern - a personal favorite.
Eleven Madison Park -- Salty Dinner
I love eating at the finer restaurants in NYC (and the not so fine) and my partner and I had a wonderful meal at EMP. However, I have learned to tell the wait staff "no extra salt" on my food - if it is already in the pre-prepared part of the meal fine. Just don't extra salt it. Jean George - my favorite restaurant in the city totally over-salted an entree once. And no OP - I didn't say anything either. I kept thinking to myself "well it's not like they are going to taste it now - after it has been served to me." But I have learned a lesson. Salt should enhance the food - I don't want to taste the salt. Am going to La Grenouille tonight - and I will request easy on the salt. I'm not ever going to eat an over salted meal again and I do think they are a little salt happy at the finer NYC restaurants.
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Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023
La Grenouille
3 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022
Looking for a quiet lounge
my partner and I crave quiet settings in nyc. one of our favorites is the Bar at Gilt in the Palace Hotel. A wonderful and generally quiet ambience, beautiful setting, non-rushed service and yes the food is quite good. I also love the Bar at the Modern - but for us (and it sounds like perhaps for you) that has to be more off hours - it can be crowded and noisy but the food is delicious and the atmosphere fun.
Feinsteins?
Am going to Feinsteins at Loews Regency to see a show. There is a food/bar minimum associated with the ticket price. I did a search and no hounder has talked about the food (which may be an answer to my question in and of itself). I have to decide between eating there or just a bar tab. Any experience of the food there would be much appreciated.
La Grenouille - must haves?
looking forward to dinner at La Grenouille this Friday. Any must haves? Looks like people here thinks the dover sole is a sure bet - anything else?
thanks
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La Grenouille
3 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022
questions about Todd English's Food Court at the Plaza
I have elderly out of towners coming ... I was thinking of taking them to Todd English's Food Cout at the Plaza but I have not been yet (always risky). What are peoples opinions - I did a chowhound search and surprisingly little came up. It does look expensive for what it is - but if it is good and comfortable and interesting NY experience could be worth it - chowhounders - what do you think?
Also - I am going to be with them in the south end of central park - say from the Bethesda Fountain down - seeing South Pacific - at Lincoln Center ... any other ideas for that area? They will not want loud or hip new york (late 70's in age) and would not want the Picholine type price tag - more casual but I would like it to be somewhat new yorkesque ... maybe even pain quotidien - if I can't find a meal for say under $50.00 - one drink and tax included.
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Picholine
35 West 64th St., New York, NY 10023
Good Bar Scenes for People over 40.
My partner and I love the bar at Gilt. I return to nyc on Saturday evenings - Penn at about 8:50 - at Gilt by 9:10. Quiet but still happening - and I like their bar menu as well. I went to Employees Only a few months ago - made me wish there was a chowhound for 45 and older... this post has me excited to try Angel Share.
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Employees Only
510 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Best Marinara Slice - No Cheese (and no soy cheese)
i love grandaisy - and they have an excellent - marinara pizza - also i love their cauliflower pizza - i believe their zucchini pizza has cheese - it's non-traditional pizza - but my favorite in NY.
Looking for two recommendations
I really like the bar at Gilt - at the Palace - walking distance from the Waldorf. Nice cocktail and bar food - but not an entire dinner - depends on how you eat. I like smaller portions so the romantic ambiance - the low density crowd and the the ability to hear the conversation make it a win win for me.
Also - it's a little more of a scene - but the Bar at the Modern - is really good - again small plates and can be loud but if you go a little earlier or a little later - a nice option.
I think you can walk to Times Square from the Waldorf - just my opinion - I have elderly parents and they could walk it no problem
good restaurant to propose
help - great friend is proposing to his partner when they come to visit NYC on May 14th. I recommended Gilt - before I knew it was a proposal - simply said they want a nice romantic restaurant - slight problem - Gilt has all that banquette seating - not the most private for a wedding proposal. I just called Daniel - of course they are booked - if any hounds has any suggestions for romantic and also private restaurant - it would be much appreciated.
Soho Hotel Bars
Hi Chowhounds
Going to the Leslie / Lohman gallery in Soho this Saturday evening. Would like a place to meet friends before or after - for cocktails & conversation. Recently, I've discovered I love going to some of New York's finer hotel bars because they provide a sophisticated atmosphere, lower noise levels & less dense crowds. Love the bar at Gilt. So am asking - any hotel bars in the Soho area that you would recommend?
Sugestions?
to me deadheads suggests communal happenings in Central Park - if the weather cooperates - i'd go to shake shack a few burgers and such to go - and play in the park.
Boston hound seeking a little guidance for next weekend
I loved scarpetta - take a walk along the new highline late afternoon and end up at meatpacking - go to scarpetta and early dinner at the bar - if there are only two of you - the bar could be a great option.
WOW cake
no thank you - - had to wikipedia "world of warcraft" - he is sooo not wow ... but thanks for clarifying
WOW cake
hi boston hounds - a friend is turning 50 this year and I am looking for a WOW cake - fondant and special decorating a must - I really don't know any cake bakeries in the area - (I'm a ny hound - but the party is up here ) ... any help is much appreciated.
from nyc looking for special SF dinner
Will be in SF in two weeks. Looking for one special meal. Tend to prefer quieter places. (this will be for a Monday, Tues, or Wed night so I'm hoping I'll be OK making reservations w/i a few days )
1) Which would you recommend for a special meal:
Boulevard
Danko
Mina
Jardiniere
fleur de lys
2)Also went to farallon a few years ago - loved it, is that still good?
3) Partner loves red sauce - so any recommendations for North Beach (I think that's your Italian section?)
4)will be spending an evening in the Castro any favorites?
thanks!
Lunch near Guggenheim....
I read recently that a nice restaurant just opened inside the Guggenheim ... not sure of the name - their web site probably has it.
Also - you could try Cafe Sabarsky at the Neue Museum (I believe 85th and 5th Ave). I had a nice lunch there.
Quiet Upscale Bar w/ light bites
Looking for a quiet bar that serves good appetizers / small plate / bar menu - for Saturday night. Price and cuisine not factors. Coming back to city late and don't want entire meal. More interested in a place to have a light bite and a cocktail with a friend at the bar. Nice but not a scene. Maybe a hotel bar? Was thinking the bar at Gilt? ... I know Gramercy Tavern has a wonderful lounge/bar - it just get's pretty loud on a Sat. night.
SMALL PLATES/TAPAS dilemna - recs needed
Second Alta - when out of town guest come in - there is the inevitable stop at Alta and so far everyone has enjoyed it. don't for get the cheese & honey as well as the brussel sprouts - agreed it is reasonably priced - but the cash only can be a pain to remember ... they may take amer. expr. which i don't have - if you go it's good to ask that.
La Grenouille bar?
I see on the Grenouille site there is a bar menu - looks great, but I can't tell if there is a good sized bar there. Have Hounders been to the bar at La Grenouille and if so can you tell me approx. how big it is? it sits 4 or 12 etc. Also - is it generally crowded or comfortable on a Thurs. Frid. or Sat. around 7:00 ...
Sat. night Drinks / Nosh
any suggestions for cocktails and a nosh on Sat. night? Am looking for an older quieter experience. price not determinative. part of town - well arriving in Penn about 9:00 - but could catch train to village or walk around midtown. Would like to stay clear of young "scene" places. To provide example of what I'm searching for - I like the bar at the Modern (love it actually) just not on a Sat. night at 9:00. Have been meaning to try the bar at the Palace - again, not sure of the crowd and noise level though - my partner is hearing impaired so we prefer quieter. thanks for any suggestions.
Gilt Bar at Palace
Thinking of going to the Gilt bar at the Palace on Sat. night. Would appreciate any input on the food - anything special to order? Also if you know, is there a dress code? How crowded on a Sat. night around 9:30 - looking for an older 50+ crowd - do not want a "scene". Thank you.
