Best Eats! Best Bars! here and beyond
I have some serious foodies coming for a few days. These people can eat :shock: and they eat well =P~ So here's my worry and the question:
What is the best of brooklyn??
Food and Bars?
They're coming from LA and they do enjoy a good goth or punk bar scene as well as a fancy 'dress-up' resturant.
I know all the dives and gin joints I like, but I don't know if that's what they'll be wanting out of a "New York" experience. I need something you can't find in LA or anyplace else!
I'd like to hear your favorites, hands down, places to eat and drink, high end $$$ and low end $.
HELP? :?:
PS.. if you have absolute must go places in Manhattan, tell me!
What is the best of brooklyn??
Food and Bars?
They're coming from LA and they do enjoy a good goth or punk bar scene as well as a fancy 'dress-up' resturant.
I know all the dives and gin joints I like, but I don't know if that's what they'll be wanting out of a "New York" experience. I need something you can't find in LA or anyplace else!
I'd like to hear your favorites, hands down, places to eat and drink, high end $$$ and low end $.
HELP? :?:
PS.. if you have absolute must go places in Manhattan, tell me!
Comments
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Two steak houses that I really like, both kinda pricey, but on opposite ends of the spectrum -
DelFrisco's on 6th Ave around 50th is a really schmancy place. The service is typically top-notch and the food and drinks are great, too.
Sammy's Roumanian Steak House (LES) is a trip. Not schmancy, but schmaltzy... literally - they have bottles of chicken fat in syrup bottles on each table. The food is good, it would be adventurous for out-of-towners, and you've got about a 95% chance that Fiddler on the Roof will break out. Oh, and you can't miss the bottle of Belvedere Locked in a block of ice (last I looked, it was $88 ). It's vodka! In a solid block of ice! You drink it! -
If you want to do BK, you can't go wrong with Peter Luger's. That is, if you can get reservations or don't mind waiting a while as a walk-in. I went with about 10 people last year and it came to $90 per person with one or two drinks.
There is also a fine chain of restaurants in Brooklyn called "White Castle". The quality of both the beef and the available sides is excellent, the service is fast, and reservations are not required. -
Oh my gosh.. I love the idea of doing lunch at White Catle and a later dinner at Peter Lugers!!
Two opposite meat experiences.
From expeience.. If you are willing to eat late at Lugers (even on weekend) you will get a reservation. Don't go weekend eve nights without reservation. -
for fancy, i don't think you can beat sorrel. really. that is the best food ever.
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Some real NY places:
Totonnos
Peter Luger - if not for steak, for the lunch-only hamburger
Katz's - followed by gelato at il Labortorio del Gelato
i'll post more if i think of them. -
Totonnos is the shit.
PLs is good, but plenty of other good steaks as well (including the often overlooked Keen's).
Fries at Pastis.
Dinner at the bar at Gramercy Tavern
A burger at Fanelli's
Cheese at Artisanal
I have a favorite East LA margarita place, but not gonna share that in public lest it's overrun by Brooklynians ;-)
Oh, I have plenty o'places....Have to think on it some more. Perhaps I'll get it together and PM you. -
willregistersoon wrote: Some real NY places:
z
Totonnos
Peter Luger - if not for steak, for the lunch-only hamburger
Katz's - followed by gelato at il Labortorio del Gelato
i'll post more if i think of them.
Almost totally agree..
Have the Gelato at Dante -
well, you've got the beef covered . . . Lugar's
WhyFi, I always heard Sammy's Roumanian was insanely expensive beyond what you get...do people from LA actually want chicken fat in maple syrup bottles?
I'd go to Brighton Beach for an only-in-NY vodka-mad dinner instead . . . a big goof at Primorski's perhaps? The Georgian bread is great, and they have a vegetarian platter if any of you are That Way. Go to M&I International Grocery while you're on the strip -- it's a real kick for the grocery obsessed - Eastern Bloc goods!
They have better Asian and Mexican in LA, so I'd leave that out.
Unless they want to take you to Nobu.
In Park Slope, you have always excellent usual suspects
especially al di la. and it's super well priced for the high quality.
stone park (best brunch, and deeelicious dinner at the bar with excellent cocktails -- subdued atmosphere, but not stuffy)
Sheep Station is soooo close, and super pleasant with the drinks and lamb.
Tanoreen is really really good Lebanese - it's in Bay Ridge, and miles above the Atlantic Ave strip of Middle Eastern.
In the east village, Momofuko and Momofuko Ssam is the place out of towners have heard about (the guy just won a James Beard Award for best new chef) AND the food is deeeeelicious. Must eat pork there, but equally superfabulous not-to-be-missed are the vegetable sides -- fresh pickle plate made with teeney vegetables from the farmers market, brussel sprouts that convert people to this lowly veg.
Prune is the other e.village place that has huge rep and good food - see if you can get a dinner res, or stand in line for brunch. It's tiny and some feel cramped, but I've always liked it. The bloody mary variations are brilliant. Suzanne Goin from Lucques in LA has done guest-cheffing there -- I think the philosophy is the same.
Best food: al di la and either of the momofukos. Neither take reservations, both have lines out the door that are worth going early or late to get in.
Food is so subjective tho . . .
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pitu wrote: WhyFi, I always heard Sammy's Roumanian was insanely expensive beyond what you get...do people from LA actually want chicken fat in maple syrup bottles?
Yes. If you like butter in your mashed potatoes (or liver and onions, etc), you'll love schmaltz instead.
The food is good, but as much as anyplace else, you're paying for the experience. It's a really good time. It's meal and entertainment wrapped up in to one package. My cousin and friend had such a great, zany time that they both bought t-shirts to commemorate the occasion, sad and cheesy but true. Whilst wearing the shirt back in Chicago, said friend actually ran in to someone that had been there, too; these two strangers launched in to a conversation about how great of a time they had on their respective visits. There's good food to be had all over the country, but if you're after an experience, few places are as unique as Sammy's.
Oh, the above being said, they don't cater well to vegetarians/vegans, unless menu changes have been made since I was there last. -
LES - Mexican.... I think it's called Barrio Chino or something... the name is only on a chalk board out front.... Broome around Orchard.
It's real small, real LES and really good. Their infused tequilia puts Los Lobos to shame. -
pitu wrote: well, you've got the beef covered . . . Lugar's
For Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, I'll concede to L.A., but I still think we have the edge for Chinese.
WhyFi, I always heard Sammy's Roumanian was insanely expensive beyond what you get...do people from LA actually want chicken fat in maple syrup bottles?
I'd go to Brighton Beach for an only-in-NY vodka-mad dinner instead . . . a big goof at Primorski's perhaps? The Georgian bread is great, and they have a vegetarian platter if any of you are That Way. Go to M&I International Grocery while you're on the strip -- it's a real kick for the grocery obsessed - Eastern Bloc goods!
They have better Asian and Mexican in LA, so I'd leave that out.
Unless they want to take you to Nobu.
In Park Slope, you have always excellent usual suspects
especially al di la. and it's super well priced for the high quality.
stone park (best brunch, and deeelicious dinner at the bar with excellent cocktails -- subdued atmosphere, but not stuffy)
Sheep Station is soooo close, and super pleasant with the drinks and lamb.
Tanoreen is really really good Lebanese - it's in Bay Ridge, and miles above the Atlantic Ave strip of Middle Eastern.
In the east village, Momofuko and Momofuko Ssam is the place out of towners have heard about (the guy just won a James Beard Award for best new chef) AND the food is deeeeelicious. Must eat pork there, but equally superfabulous not-to-be-missed are the vegetable sides -- fresh pickle plate made with teeney vegetables from the farmers market, brussel sprouts that convert people to this lowly veg.
Prune is the other e.village place that has huge rep and good food - see if you can get a dinner res, or stand in line for brunch. It's tiny and some feel cramped, but I've always liked it. The bloody mary variations are brilliant. Suzanne Goin from Lucques in LA has done guest-cheffing there -- I think the philosophy is the same.
Best food: al di la and either of the momofukos. Neither take reservations, both have lines out the door that are worth going early or late to get in.
Food is so subjective tho . . .
Dim sum should be an option to be considered.
Re: the brussel sprouts at Momofuku, although I agree they're delicious, in the interest of full disclosure you should have mentioned that they're paired with a kimchee puree and bacon, so it's not exactly a vegetarian option. -
Subject: Best eats, best bars!
The Waterfront Ale House (Atlantic Ave below Clinton on Heights side of street) for the real Brooklyn pub experience and the food is pretty good also. I think Tempo is the best local fine restaurant (5th ave & President). -
If they're into the goth/punk bar scene, maybe swing by Lucky 13 (13th b/w 5th and 6th - in Park Slope). It's a full-on metal bar.
I second (or third) al di la. SOOOO good. I also love Savoia on Smith Street. Great atmosphere, delicious italian (their proscuitto is AWESOME). Also had the burger and guinness pudding @ Alchemy last weekend and it was to die for. -
Are we talking anywhere or just Brooklyn?
Some of my favorite meals in NYC have been at:
- Degustation on E5th in the LES--reservations absolutely necessary but I love this place.
- Resto on E29th - great beer selection, some veggie options, good moules frites and basic Belgian fare.
- will also recommend Sammy's as it can be very, very fun.
- Sripriprai
- Prune for their burgers (which they only serve at lunch and is currently my favorite burger out there)
- Dumont in Williamsburg is a pretty safe bet and usually good
- Landmarc at Time Warner center is good and gives them a chance to see Central Park
- Pies & Thighs for some gritty oudoor prision yard eating
- Fette Sau, but go early (and BYOBBQ sauce)
Funny enough, the owners of Lucky 13 are in this month's Glamour discussing their sex life (and how tame it was). Slightly amusing and creepy. -
Yeah, neither of his places are for the veg set.
Re: the brussel sprouts at Momofuku, although I agree they're delicious, in the interest of full disclosure you should have mentioned that they're paired with a kimchee puree and bacon, so it's not exactly a vegetarian option.
I mentioned the veg because they are spectacularly good, not because I have a dietary restriction.
Momofuku Ssam does the brux sprouts fried very crisp dressed with fish sauce and kimchee puree - fish sauce is the non-veg component. Personally, I prefer the porky goodness of the original Momofuku, but the Ssam ones work for non-strict vegetarians who won't let a tiny bit of condiment/seasoning get in the way of their dinner.
Prune has lunch?
The first thing I ever had there was a perfectly roasted bit of capon on a big piece of toast, swimming in garlicy juices. So basic, so awesome. -
Corner Bistro in Manhattan.
You wait a bit for a table as theres no reservations, but the cheap (and good) beer will make up for the wait.
http://cornerbistro.citysearch.com/ -
Yes Pitu--LUNCH! the burger is only weekdays, tho. It's part lamb and part beef and they put it on an english muffin which soaks up every bit of juicy goodness and it is just about as perfect as a burger can be. Go!
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Tomasso on 86th St between 14t and 15th Aves in Dyker Heights. One of the best Sicilian places in the five boros. Alchemy on 54 5th Ave is also very good. Taro for sushi. Sammy's Romanian in Manhattan for obscene, artery clogging old style Jewish food. Tracks inside Penn Station for lunch. They have the best oysters on the half in NYC, cold and briny. Nathan's in Coney Island for the cherrystones, hot dogs (strictly tourist dogs), good burgers and great french fries and the beach. Gray's Papaya in Manhattan, W.8th and Avenue of the Americas for even better hot dogs. M&I Grocery (like Pitu mentioned) in Brighton Beach for Russian. And International Taste on 54 7th Ave in Park Slope for homemade goat cheese layered with fig or mixed with garlic, as well as a great cured meat and imported cheese selection.
I'm not a fan of Bonnie's and Sheep Station is okay. -
Thanks for all the info! I'm really excited to try some of these places.
As far as local stuff, I'll push for Al Di LA and Sorrel (Thanks Sweet Tea!)
I might go with them to Queens too.
But what about fave bars, say in the city. We'll be hanging at some point by Katz deli. I seem to recall a cool bar a few blocks away... memory's vague but it was grungey, rock/hip like scene?
Thanks for all the help, they'll be here for a while so keep em comin' -
As far as I've heard LA is lacking in some good pizza- Lucali's in cobble hill on henry st is really great, I like Franny's better, but a lot of people don't (they seem to think it's too much $$)
Applewood is my favorite fancy dining in the area.
Barcade up in williamsburg on Union St is a really great bar with old-school upright arcade games and rotating taps with awesome beers. -
Angel's Share has been one of my favorites for about 13 years. Take the stairs up to the second floor, go left through the restaurant and through the big door. Some of the best cocktails in the city.
No groups of more than 4.
No standing.
It's best to go early or late, because otherwise it can be a bit of a wait. -
it's been awhile since I ate there, but Le Bernardin was awesome.
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I have to agree about Luger's (which for me is my high end restaurant) and is my favorite place to eat in Brooklyn. I have never been to Al Di La but I know I would enjoy it based on the people who have raved about it.
For old world Brooklyn feel try Sams on Court and Baltic. Their pizza is really great and hasn't changed since I went there as a kid (even the waiter is the same). A very good old school Italian restaurant is Red Rose on Smith Street. For dessert you can get some really great pastries at Monteleones and home made italian ices at Court Street Bakery.
Of course you know my budget place would have to be Carneviento aka Gran Castillo or the ballfields at Red Hook. If you have a car and its a nice clear day - take your food from the ballfields and sit outside Fairway (great photo ops) where you can get Key Lime Pie on a Stick 2 blocks away for dessert.
I usually don't eat in Manhattan much but one of my favorite places to take friends is La Cucheria (I know that is not how its spelled) Plata Forma which is a free for all of eating at a fixed price. I really like Becco for their pasta specials. Both are reasonably priced.
We had friends come from out of town and we did an "around the world" trip by going to the different ethnic neighborhoods. I hope they appreciate all the work you are putting in to their visit. -
Mamacita wrote: But what about fave bars, say in the city. We'll be hanging at some point by Katz deli. I seem to recall a cool bar a few blocks away... memory's vague but it was grungey, rock/hip like scene?
That pretty much describes most of the bars in the LES. If you're looking for that experience, just go to the Ludlow/Stanton area and walk around. You'll run into tons of rockin'/grungey/"hip"/kitschy/trendy places. People-watching is fun, too. Personally, I like the East Village for a similar, but slightly more grown-up, vibe. By that I mean I think the EV is
slightly less trendy and more quirky/interesting, in general. But this is totally subjective, and my perception could be skewed. Don't want to get anyone fired up about which neighborhood is this way or that, or better/worse. It's all NYC, which makes it great in my book.
As for Peter Lugers, I find it a bit overrated, and most people I've talked to seem to agree - BUT it's a New York legend, so maybe your friends oughta go, just because. They can decide for themselves.
Re Bars: McSorley's Old Ale House (on E. 4th) is a pretty cool NYC
experience. It's the second oldest pub in the city. They only serve two kinds of beer - McSorley's Dark, or Light, and you have to order two mugs at a time. It's mostly big, old communal tables, which means you end up making friends with strangers -- I always meet a character or two when I'm there. There are tons of artifacts and old newspaper clippings on the walls, along with cobwebs, dust, sawdust on the floor, etc. The service is surly as hell, but that's one of the charms of the place. Gets crowded on weekends, but that's fun, too, if you're in the right mood. Always a friendly, boisterous crowd.
Have fun! -
MoiM, a modern Korean restaurant on Garfield and 7th Ave, after a long construction is opening on june 7th. Ate there for Family and Friend nights few time and will no doubt be one of the great eatary at the heart of Park Slope. Liquor license to follow soon. So BYOB...better for us!!!
Yippie~~~ :P -
parkman, you are starting to smell suspiciously like a shiller. beware, and tread lightly... Brooklynians can be very unforgiving to shillers. just sayin'
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Yes Parkman.. we shoot shillers first here and ask questions later!! Lol!!
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veets wrote: Yes Parkman.. we shoot shillers first here and ask questions later!! Lol!!
Perhaps. But in all fairness, he did post the same info in three different threads. :roll:
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