NYC restaurant recs

[swissmama]

DH and I will be going to NYC on Friday for a week. I have never been (and I am really excited to have a week away with DH without kids!), and I'm looking for restaurant recs. I tried using the search function, but it's not working for me. I'd love to hear about some good places from people who have been there and love it, rather than randomly choosing a place while we're walking around. DH likes everything, and I like most things except seafood.

So what are your favorite places to eat in NYC? (Breakfast/brunch, lunch and dinner)  TIA!



edit for spelling

[Deleted]

There are SOOOOOO many. With your parameters, my list would be like 200 restaurants long

Are there any particular types of food you want to try?

[swissmama]

Haha, fair point.

We love Indian, Middle Eastern, Italian, Mexican (there is no good Mexican here in Switzerland).

I've never had Ethiopian, and I'm curious to try that.

Also, maybe somewhere with good cocktails/beer and good food for a relaxing evening?

And of course pizza, and burgers and... (we love food!)

Does that narrow down the parameters at least a little?

[mbcdefg]

Aug 12, 2014 7:58:00 GMT -5 swissmama said:

Also, maybe somewhere with good cocktails/beer and good food for a relaxing evening?

Do you want craft beer? If so, check out Blind Tiger, Rattle n' Hum, The Ginger Man, The Burp Castle (all in Manhattan); and Barcade, Torst, Bar Great Harry (Brooklyn).

[mdgirl]

If you like Indian and you're going to be in SoHo or the UWS for lunch, Hampton Chutney Co. is really good.

[Deleted]

I am not helpful on Indian or Middle Eastern (so I'll page sa because I bet she has ideas) and from what I understand from friends from California, there's no good Mexican here either

My favorite Italian restaurants:
- Frank (East Village; cash only)
- Bar Pitti (Village; cash only)
- Piccolo Angolo (reservations required -- call a week or two ahead) (West Village)
- Malatesta (West Village; cash only)
- Lupa (Village)
- Locanda Verde (Tribeca)
- Rubirosa (Nolita -- note, this is kind of a pizza choice too)

Pizza:

If you want a slice:
- Joe's (West Village)

If you want a whole pie of New York-style pizza
- John's (West Village location is best, but Times Square is also good)
- Grimaldi's or Juliana's (just over the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO -- walk there from Manhattan!!!
- Arturo's (not as good as the others, but they have jazz and a cool atmosphere)

If you want Neapolitan (Italian-style) pizza
- Motorino (EV)
- Keste (WV)
- Forcella (bonus: you can try the fried pizza!) (EV, Gramercy, or Williamsburg)
- Co. (Chelsea)
- Don Antonio (Midtown West)

If you're willing to trek to Brooklyn and spend hours getting your pizza:
- Lucali
- DiFara

Fancy burgers:
- Spotted Pig (note: wait will be hours) (WV)
- Minetta Tavern (tough to get a dinner reservation so you may want to get a brunch/lunch reservation or eat at the bar) (Village)

Not fancy burgers:
- Burger Joint (Midtown West or Village)
- Corner Bistro (WV)
- Shake Shack (literally everywhere)

Fancy brunch/breakfast:
- Balthazar (THE quintessential NY breakfast, particularly on a weekday) (Soho)
- Locanda Verde (Tribeca)

Not fancy brunch:
- Amy Ruth's (soul food on Harlem; go early afternoon on a Sunday for great post-church people watching) (Harlem)
- Clinton St. Baking Co. (fantastic pancakes; super long waits)

Not fancy breakfast
- Le Bonbonniere (WV) -- classic divey lunch counter
- Murray's Bagels (WV or Chelsea)
- Ess-a-bagel (Murray Hill)

And that reminds me -- for lunch, Katz's is super touristy but totally worth it. Russ & Daughters is also very good.

Some helpful round-ups:

Touristy restaurants that are actually good: newyork.seriouseats.com/2011/07/12-tourist-spots-in-new-york-that-are-actually-good-best-restaurant-in-nyc-first-time-visitor.html

Essential NY restaurants: ny.eater.com/archives/2014/07/best_restaurant_new_york.php

Oh, and cocktails -- none of these are places I eat at, but I'd recommend Little Branch (WV), Employees Only (WV), The Tippler (Meatpacking), or Bathtub Gin (Chelsea)

[ohyouknow]

I tried Katz's a couple weeks ago....it was good, but be prepared for the prices. A sandwich is $20 (no sides, just pickles and mustard), and a slice of cheesecake is $12. This was to-go, the wait to sit down was over an hour. I personally didn't think it was worth it, but obviously hundreds of people do, lol.

[swissmama]

Thanks for the great suggestions! Keep them coming!

[sa]

v Knows me well. I love giving restaurant recommendations.

So admittedly, I am not a fan of Indian, however, I have heard countless raves about Tamarind Tribeca:

tamarindrestaurantsnyc.com/

As for Middle Eastern recommendations:

-Ariana www.ariananyc.com/

On 9th Ave between 52nd and 53rd is really good.
It's an Afghani restaurant, hole in the wall type place. My husband likes Kabuli Palow w/ Kofta Kebab and I like the Aushak or Mantwo (which is a new addition to the menu and not on the website). I also recommend ordering the Happy Tea - which is black tea with cardamom.

-Azuri Cafe

On 51st between 9th and 10th.
Best falafel in the city (though Taim is a close second).  Good for a quick lunch.
Owner is a bit rough around the edges, but it's worth putting up with for a good falafel sandwich.  I know a ton of people rave about Mamoun's but it's gone downhill in my opinion - plus their falafel is not even crispy.

-Yemen Cafe www.yemencafe.com/menud.html

On Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn.
Oh my god the food here is sooooooo good.  Got rave reviews from my Middle Eastern in laws.
It's a bit of a trek, but the Brooklyn Heights promenade is not far and you get a beautiful view of the city.
I recommend the lamb haneeth or the chicken salta.  The portions are big an can probably be shared.  You also get delicious freshly baked bread, lamb soup (I don't even really like lamb, but the soup is divine), salad, and tea with your meal.  And it's cheap!

-Kabab Cafe

On Steinway in Astoria, Queens.
Unfortunately, this is really out of the way unless you're really feeling like Egyptian food, but the food is so, so good and it's quite the experience.  Ali the owner is from Alexandria Egypt and is quite the character.  This restaurant is the definition of hole in the wall - but the quality of the food is really great.  There's no menu.  He basically asks you what you want - "You want meat? I have lamb, beef, veal, chicken......" I'll take beef" Then he lists 10 beef dishes he has.  I recommend the appetizer platter to start. 

___________

As for Ethiopian restaurants. I have been to two:

Meske and a place on 9th Avenue in the 50s (I can't seem to find it so maybe it closed).

Meske was better than the place on 9th, but I wasn't blown away.  I liked Addis Red Sea in Boston better, personally.

I also agree with v in terms of Mexican.  My SIL is from California and says the Mexican we have here isn't true Mexican so I can't give recommendations here.

As for breakfast - Russ & Daughters on Houston in the LES.  It's so good.  They also opened a cafe on Orchard St. but I haven't been yet.
I also like Cookshop on 10th Ave for breakfast.  It's one of my favorites.


I agree with v for pizza recommendations.  Rubirosa is my number 1 spot and most requested place to eat by visitors.  I like the classic or the vodka pizza with meatballs and I get the Rubirosa salad to share.  Joe's on Carmine is the best for a slice.


I know you didn't ask for American Fare, but I'm going to recommend a few places I love and perfect for a date night:

The Nomad  www.thenomadhotel.com/

Mas Farmhouse  www.masfarmhouse.com/home.html

Hudson Clearwater www.hudsonclearwater.com/

Babbo (ok this is Italian, but I still wanted to mention - splurge on the pasta tasting)  www.babbonyc.com/

The last ones will require a reservation in advance.  I sometimes have better luck calling even if it says it's filled online.  Also, if your credit card has a concierge service, try using them too.

Have fun!

[sa]

Some Asian restaurant recommendations as well - just because I'm hungry and thinking of all the great food I've had in this city:

Ippudo - my favorite ramen in the city. There is one in Astor Place and one 52nd and 8th. Expect a wait - but they text you when you're table is almost ready so you can easily walk around and do other things.

Danji - Korean tapas style

Totto Ramen - I personally like Ippudo better, but still a solid choice. Also crazy busy though. If you're in the area and Ippudo and Totto Ramen have excruciatingly long waits, and you really want good ramen - Terakawa Ramen on 9th is also a very good choice.

Pure Thai  - Also on 9th Ave. Get the noodle soups with fresh egg noodles.  You will not be disappointed.  Best Thai food since my visit to Thailand.

Wondee Siam - Also on 9th Ave.  I've only been a couple of times, but both times everything we ordered was just great. So flavorful and the staff is very friendly.

Bond St - More upscale and therefore a bit pricier, but really delicious.

[swissmama]

Thanks everyone! And thanks to v and sa for such thorough info. I'm looking forward to looking into them all with DH. I can't wait!

[mbcdefg]

Aug 12, 2014 10:21:38 GMT -5 sa said:

-Yemen Cafe www.yemencafe.com/menud.html

On Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn.
Oh my god the food here is sooooooo good.  Got rave reviews from my Middle Eastern in laws.
It's a bit of a trek, but the Brooklyn Heights promenade is not far and you get a beautiful view of the city.
I recommend the lamb haneeth or the chicken salta.  The portions are big an can probably be shared.  You also get delicious freshly baked bread, lamb soup (I don't even really like lamb, but the soup is divine), salad, and tea with your meal.  And it's cheap!

Oooh, thank you for listing this! We visit family in this neighborhood sometimes, so it's nice to know of a good place nearby

[sa]

Let us know where you end up going and what you think swissmama

[v]

Aug 12, 2014 12:29:38 GMT -5 sa said:

Let us know where you end up going and what you think swissmama

YES!

I love New York trip reports.  Particularly those about food.

[Deleted]

Aug 12, 2014 7:58:00 GMT -5 swissmama said:

We love Indian

I really liked Junoon.