Ask Alex What to Eat: Archive

Nov 6th

Very Good Seafood

Alicia Asks: “Do you have a recommendation for a very good seafood restaurant in Manhattan? This is on behalf of my father, who is a huge fan of yours!” Very good seafood gives me a lot of room so here are my thoughts: If money was no object, every time I wanted to eat fish I would go to Le Bernadin. I know it’s been around forever and some fear that it’s a little...

Nov 6th

Oct 28th

BYOB Birthday Dinner

“I am looking for a restaraunt for my bday dinner with a big group of girls. I want somewhere cute, but not too expensive. I was thinking about BYOB, but I know it is hard to find a good spot.” Unfortunately I didn’t get any contact info for this question but I wanted to put up a quick answer for a place that I absolutely love. La Sirene is a really sweet little restaurant in...

Oct 28th

Oct 3rd

Crickets...

Hey everyone! Sorry for the quiet around here lately. I’ve actually been planning my big move out to the west coast. The future of this blog is still a bit unknown but of course I am always here to ask. In the meantime, I have started a new blog, TellAlexWhatToEat.com. It’s my start to learning the ins and outs of the LA dining scene. Check it out!

Oct 3rd

Aug 25th

Catching Up

Richa Asks: “I’m meeting my best friend (who I haven’t seen in 8 months!) in manhattan on Saturday and we are looking for a casual, yet up and coming place to have lunch and drinks. Our conversations go for hours, so we want to be able to hear each other speak and preferably have outdoor seating. This will probably be the last time we see each other for quite some time and we...

Aug 25th

Jul 28th

7 tags

Happy Hour on the UWS

Sara Asks: “I need a Happy Hour place on the Upper West Side for tonight for 3 girls to catch up. Cheap drinks and eats. Any suggestions?” I haven’t been yet, but I’ve been hearing some really good early feedback about Gus and Gabriel Gastropub on 79th between Amsterdam and Broadway. It’s diner/bar food done well — I’ve heard unbelievable things about...

Jul 28th

Jun 24th

Fish, Steak, or Italian on the East Side

Amanda Asks: “I’m going out tonight with a group of 5 and we are looking for somewhere in the Gramercy/Midtown East area (as long as it is in close proximity to 26th and 3rd ave). The only stipulations I’m getting from the people I’ll be dining with are that it’s either Italian, Steak, or fish, and that it has a great atmosphere. One thing I know is that I’m...

Jun 24th

May 6th

Wine and Some Food Near Times Square

Hilary Asks: “I am going to a charity event in Times Square and need to find a place to eat afterwards around 9pm. I don’t want to stay in Times Square but it needs to be somehwere relatively close. I’m looking for small plates/good appetizers, strong wine selection and a lounge-y atmosphere. Needs to have a bit of style to it. Suggestions?” My first suggestion would be...

May 6th

May 1st

New and Trendy

Greg Asks: “i want to know your 3 favorite new restaurants that you would send me to with a few friends…one criteria is it is downtown…the other 2 criteria is of course the food and the other is trendiness…good looking crowd…weight those 2 criteria 50/50 interested to see what you come back with thanks” I really like Scarpetta, on 14th and 9th Ave. It’s...

May 1st

Apr 26th

Springing

Emily Asks: “Lower Manhattan around 6:30/7pm — preferably within short walking distance of Broaday and Grand St.. Pretty flexible about cuisine (not feeling like Chinese, Thai or Vietnamese though). What i do want is a place to enjoy the beautiful weather. Outdoors, rooftop, giant open windows/doors or just a nice view. Also, would prefer not to break the bank on this one. Just want...

Apr 26th

Mar 30th

Large Party Coming into Town

Phairgrrl Asks: “I have a party of 11 relatives who’ll be touring NYC all week in April, and staying in the 20s near Park. While we are going on Friday night to Pastis, I need some othger easy dinner options for a large group… including one which wouldn’t require a reservation. Are we doomed to TGI Friday’s? Please say no.” One place that I like a lot for large...

Mar 30th

Mar 25th

Chelsea American

Lauren Asks: “Looking for a quick sit down place in Chelsea with good all American food that isn’t TOO pricey. Any suggestions?” I’m not positive I’ll be on the mark here, but for ‘American’ food in Chelsea my favorite places tend to be local food-oriented places serving great food. My first suggestion would be The Green Table at the Cleaver Co. in Chelsea market...

Mar 25th

Sushi With Some Service

Yony Asks: “I have a family dinner for my and my mom’s birthday and we are trying to go to a nice japanese restaurant that has a good selection of fish for my father who is kosher. Usually on family dinners we like to go to nice restaurants that have a lot of people but we are big on having good service and try not to get too pricey. For example last year we went to Tavern on the Green...

Mar 25th

Comfortable Place with Parents

Arthur Asks: “My parents are coming into the city between Thanksgiving and Christmas… We are looking for a great restaurant that isn’t too touristy… Price isn’t a huge issue, just looking for a place with great great food and comfortable surroundings. Some of their favorite restaurants are Il Mulino (for the food not the extreme darkness), Babbo, Scalinaterra, Cafe Des...

Mar 25th

Authentic, Affordable Italian in Midtown

Allie Asks: “I’m looking for a reasonably-priced, lively and authentic Italian restaurant (less than $20 per person) located in the mid-town or Times Square area that can seat twenty people or less for a birthday event.” I’ve been thinking pretty intensely about your question and you might have actually stumped me — which might mean that there’s not necessarily a real...

Mar 25th

7 tags

NY Vibe in TriBeCa

Eileen Asks: “I am meeting one of my oldest friends who just moved to tribeca for dinner. He lives close to chambers & church, which isn’t the greatest part of the city for food at all. Do you have any suggestions for a restaurant in the area that is walking distance? I think the most important thing I’m looking for is a warm ambiance and a classic NY vibe.” I’ll give...

Mar 25th

Complicated Large Party

Hannah Asks: “I’ve got quite the restaurant question for you… there will be 6 of us on Saturday- one kosher, one vegitarian… I was looking for a mid-range priced place with a fun environment, good food (of course) and somewhere that won’t be too loud/hard to hear each other. I live in Murray Hill, two live in Gramercy and two out of towners are on 49th and lex…...

Mar 25th

Pre-Theater Near Lincoln Center

Michelle Asks: “I am going to see a play at Lincoln Center tomorrow night. I’m not very familiar with the area, can you recommend a nice place for my boyfriend and I to go before the show? No particular cuisine in mind but something good that’s not in the highest price category, Thanks!” Well my favorite destination for a pre-opera bite would have to be Bouchon Bakery in the Time...

Mar 25th

2 tags

Mar 25th

6 tags

Midtown Essentials: Sushi, Pizza, Bagels

Melanie Asks: “I live on 57th street and 8th avenue and have yet to find a good: sushi place, pizza place or bagel place in my area. I expected when I moved to NYC I could walk downstairs to my delicious morning coffee and bagel place. I expected every pizza and sushi place to have a New York superior stamp on it. Not so! What gives, Alex? Do you have any ideas?” Well first of all, you live 10...

Mar 25th

Mar 24th

6 tags

West Village First Date

Art Asks: “I need a nice, comfortable, romantic place to eat… Preferably in the West Village. It’s for a first date with a good friend, so it can’t be too extreme. Price doesn’t really matter… So far I’m thinking Extra Virgin, Otto, or maybe the rooftop of Sushi Samba.. But I’m totally open to suggestions!” I personally don’t find either...

Mar 24th

Special Edition: Lunch in Firenze

Andrew Asks: “I am going to be in Firenze this Thursday afternoon with my entire family and need a place to go to lunch… any suggestions?” For those of you that don’t know, I spent about six months living in the glorious city of Florence last year…learning Italian, studying film, and eating my way all over Italy. As one would expect, I know plenty of places to eat in the little city...

Mar 24th

Wine List in Midtown

Arthur Asks: “I am looking for a nice restaurant in midtown. The key requirement is a good wine list (red wine).” While I am not, by any means, an aficionado when it comes to wine (something I plan on correcting in the very near future…) I think I can point you in the right direction. Not knowing exactly how nice you’re looking for — or how ‘midtown’ for that matter — I’m...

Mar 24th

B-Day on the East Side

Michelle Asks: “I’m looking for a fun restaurant to celebrate a friend’s 25th birthday. We’re looking for good food, great drinks and a lively atmosphere in the east 50’s-60s.” In terms of some fun places around there with food that I like, there are only a handful of places that come to mind. Both of the ones I’m going to recommend are Mexican… because it doesn’t...

Mar 24th

Affordable Steak

Jed asks: “I am looking for a place where I can get a good steak for not an absurd amount of money. Thanks for the help!” There are a couple of really great places that I love for steak in the East Village… all of them relatively affordable. I think the key to getting a well-priced steak in the city is by avoiding the standard “steakhouse”. Check out some of the Argentinian, French...

Mar 24th