NYC dining rec.'s

[emilycat]

Gosh, I almost feel silly asking for restaurant suggestions in a city that has so many options, but I'll be going up in a couple of weeks with my dad and my sister, and wondered if you guys had any ideas for some really stand-out places.
First, my sister is 15, and not incredibly adventurous, so as much as I love the stuff, things like sushi are not an option.

I'm looking for places with innovative (but not terribly so) menus that leave a great impression in your mind (and on your palate http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif ) either because of their quaintness or authenticiy or simply because the food is just delightful...French and Italian would be safe choices.

Also, have any of you been to a place called Barefoot Contessa? The author of one of my favorite cookbooks makes reference to it all the time, and I'd love to go there if it's as good as she makes it sound.

Thanks, all! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Em

Oops, I was bad and didn't search before I posted this -- there is already a thread on it, but I'm going to be greedy and ask if there are any more ideas out there. venus --The "tiny places in Little Italy" sound just like what I love -- do you have any specific favorites?

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 01-02-2001).]

[Susan]

Hi Emily~

Can't help you with restaurant suggestions (never been to NYC-yet!) but here is the web site for The Barefoot Contessa http://www.barefootcontessa.com/welcome2.html

~Susan~

[diane]

I went to NY the weekend after Thanksgiving with 10 girlfriends. The first night we all ate at Carmine's and it was wonderful! I had been there about 5 years ago and it left a great impression on me so I suggested it this time. It is family style Italian food (Large servings and you share). We had 2 appetizers, 3 salads, 5 entrees and shared everything and even had food left over to take back to the hotel. The total ticket was about $160.00. You can't eat that good anywhere. Great atmosphere and is on/near Broadway. It is listed in the NY travel books. Everyone wanted to eat there again before we left but we never had time.
Let me know if ya'll eat there.

[Laura B]

Emily - You MUST eat at L'Ecole, the restaurant for the French Culinary Institute. It is WONDERFUL. They have a fixed price menu of around 30 dollars per person for a four course meal. There are lots of options to choose from on the menu if you eat before 8 pm. Before 8, the chefs cook and each course has several options. After 8, the students cook and the menu is set. I guess that is because they want the students to focus on being able to make just a few things. I have only eaten there once, but everything I put in my mouth was divine. You will need to make reservations ahead. I had the steak as my entree. Can't remember right now what my other courses were, but they were all great. Go to www.frenchculinary.com (http://www.frenchculinary.com) and look for the link for L'Ecole. You will be able to find the phone number, address (it is in SoHo), and see the menu. I know you will love it! Please tell me if you go there.

[BetsyF]

The Barefoot Contessa is in the Hamptons (East Hampton, I believe) which is about a 2-3 hour drive from Manhattan, depending on the traffic. Sorry I can't suggest current choices, it has been years since I lived there. However, I would try the web page for New York Magazine, or various travel sites for NYC. Often when I travel, these sites have reviews from recent visitors, and links to the websites of individual restaurants, including menus, wine lists, etc. Have fun!

[greta]

emily,
ooooh, so many choices! but, here are a few of my favorites.

josie's restaurant---i really think this is one you'd enjoy. here's the link: http://www.citrusnyc.com/samples/index.html
look at the menu, and you'll see why i think you'd like it! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

gennaro's--a small, out of the way, italian restaurant. known to be one of the best italian places in town and won't cost you an arm and a leg.
665 Amsterdam Ave. (bet. 92nd & 93rd Sts.) New York, NY, 10025-7430 (212) 665-5348


maya--upscale mexican (no burritos, etc..)
check out the website: http://maya.citysearch.com/
i always get the red snapper. it's amazing. my dad, who is your basic meat and potato man, was able to find something he enjoyed.

i could go on, but those are 3 of my favorites...not touristy. just good food.

ENJOY!!

[MrsReber]

Emily, I see you found the other thread, but
I will have to second the recommendation for Carmine's. It's a fun and relaxing kind of place, but can get very packed. How long will you be in the city?

[BarrieCov]

Hi Emily!

I work in NYC and eat out probably more than I should. Carmine's is a good rec, but a little touristy. If you want to go to a quaint Italian in a great, funky neighborhood, try Da Andrea's on Hudson Street in the West Village. There is also a cute, new Italian in the West Village called Gnocco, on 10th Street between A&B (cash only though). Also a fun neighborhood, especially if you are with a 15 year old.

If you want to do something fun, you can also take her to tea/lunch. There are some fun little places like Anglers and Writers (also in the West Village on Hudson Street), or Felissimo's (uptown on 56th St. between 5th & 6th - near Bergdorf's, Henri Bendel's)

You can check out other NYC eating options on chowhound.com - lots of real experts there. Sorry so long, but I love NYC, and hope you have a great time!

[venus]

Hi Em! I hope you have fun here in NY.

I can't remember any names of the restaurants in Little Italy. I usually go in tiny little hole in the walls and have fabulous pasta for $10 a plate. There is a place called Il Bagatto on 2nd street (not Little Italy) that is yummy and much smaller than something like Carmines.

I didn't get to finish this before because I was on a *boring* conference call. ugh.

I can't remember what I put on the last list but I would like to add a tiny bistro called Rue B. It's on Avenue B between 12th and 13th or 11th and 12th. I had the most fabulous time there the other night. They serve "little dishes" and sandwiches.

[This message has been edited by venus (edited 01-03-2001).]

[hhcowgirl]

Oh, wow, so many to choose from. I usually make 2-3 shopping trips to NYC a year and a "don't miss" would definitely be Pastis. It's sort of on the edge of the burgeoning meat-packing district. Incredible food and wonderful selection, from everyday options like cheeseburgers to more innovative cuisine like ginger swordfish and exotic-sounding side dishes. I ADORE this place (in case you can't tell! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif)

Also, I would highly recommend China Grill (trendy Chinese food and really "with-it" crowd) and Il Cantinori for fine italian food in an intimate environment. But I woud get working on reservations now!

[SandyDee]

I am terrible. We were there in October and although we made a point to have 3 excellent meals I couldn't tell you any of the names!! How bad is that?? Cas what play did you see? We hit a couple while we were there.

[This message has been edited by SandyDee (edited 01-03-2001).]

[BarrieCov]

I second the rec for Pastis, and have also read some good stuff about Rue B on chowhound.com http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[cas]

Just went to NYC last week to see a play and have dinner. We ate at Remi's which is in the Broadway/theatre area. Excellent meal= everyone enjoyed their food and the service was great!

[emilycat]

Everyone, thanks so much for your ideas! I'm going to run this off and bring it with me, and I'll definitely use it as my primary dining resource. I'll let you know how it goes! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Emily

[laughsandlaughs]

My husband's and my favorite restaurant in NYC (we lived there up to 6 months ago) is the Blue Water Grille...it's mostly seafood cooked in an innovative way but not intimidating...and they do have some non-seafood entrees. It's got a cool decor that'll make you feel like you're getting the NYC experience without being so "cool" you feel out of place. They have a jazz band playing in the downstairs where you can sit or upstairs for a quieter setting. It's really terrific!

[Laura B]

Emily - I am SO glad that you loved L'Ecole as much as I did. It has been a while since my visit and I was starting to believe that I was building it up in my mind. From your reaction, I can tell that it really was as good as I remember. I don't care how many fabulous restaurants there are to try in NYC, my husband and I both agree that on every future visit to NYC one dinner will be at L'Ecole.

[hhcowgirl]

Okay, y'all have convinced me--I'm making one of my annual pilgrimages to NY in February and I am going to have to check out L'Ecole. Could one of you post the address? I'm sure I could find it in the web somewhere but Sunday is lazy day http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif!

[emilycat]

hhcowgirl,

Since I just got back, my memory's still fresh (I hope! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ) It's in Soho on 462 Broadway on the corner of Broadway and Grand streets.
You should definitely go...and in my opinion, the prices were excellent. It was 27 or 28 dollars for 4 courses...an appetizer, main course, salad and dessert.

If you ordered all of that in most places with comparable cuisine, you'd pay twice as much. And the wine list is really impressive too...but would you expect anything less from the French Culinary Institute? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Emily

[emilycat]

Hey, all!

Well, I just wanted to thank you all for your restaurant recommendations...I'll definitely be keeping these on file.

We didn't have a vast amount of time (only a 3 night stay), but Laura, you convinced me...and we went to L'Ecole on Friday night -- Oh..My..God (This should be said Matthew Perry style http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif I think I cannot remember a better restaurant I've been too, and just as you said, everything I put in my mouth was divine, from the Roasted red pepper and eggplant terrine to the rare-cooked pepper-crusted tuna medallions and white bean and lemon confit to the creme brulee. What an amazing place.

We also found this little sushi place in the West End that we all liked alot called Yoko -- nothing fancy, but everything seemed so fresh, and the sushi and miso soup were delicious.

And by the way, for anyone up there or planning to go, catch Jane Eyre if you can --I think it was the best Broadway show I've ever seen -- it was just an incredible performance.

Emily