March 2009
28 posts
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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…...
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...
2 tags
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...