62 replies to this topic

[IanT]

I'm planning a long weekend in NYC with my wife and would greatly appreciate your input (again). The current plan is to arrive Thursday afternoon, leave Sunday night and stay at the Standard. Ideas for meals:

Dinner Thursday: Yasuda.

Lunch Friday: Somewhere within 20 minutes-ish walk of the Meatpacking District for a late lunch. I was thinking Korean fried chicken in Koreatown (Bonchon or KyoChon?), the duck lunch at Ssam Bar or Empellon?

Dinner Friday: Pre-theatre drinks and post-theatre food. Suggestions for cocktails near Theatreland? Initial thought is returning to Minetta for dinner, we loved it last year but maybe we should try somewhere else?

Lunch Saturday: Somewhere in/near Soho. The Dutch doesn't sound like the answer. Public maybe (we love Providores)?

Dinner Saturday: Brooklyn Fare (if we can get a table, I have a reminder in my calendar). Tasting menu at Roberta's is Plan B. Yes, I realise I may need a Plan C...

Brunch Sunday: Red Rooster (followed by exploring a bit of Harlem).

In the past few years we've been to Per Se, EMP, Momo Ko, Ssam and Noodle, Minetta, Peter Luger, Yasuda, Kuruma, Maialino, Fatty Crab, DBGBs, Katz's and lots of other places I can't remember right now.

Thanks in advance, I promise to be very helpful next time any of you are coming to London.

Ian

[GordonCooks]

I'm planning a long weekend in NYC with my wife and would greatly appreciate your input (again). The current plan is to arrive Thursday afternoon, leave Sunday night and stay at the Standard. Ideas for meals:

Dinner Thursday: Yasuda.

Lunch Friday: Somewhere within 20 minutes-ish walk of the Meatpacking District for a late lunch. I was thinking Korean fried chicken in Koreatown (Bonchon or KyoChon?), the duck lunch at Ssam Bar or Empellon?

Dinner Friday: Pre-theatre drinks and post-theatre food. Suggestions for cocktails near Theatreland? Initial thought is returning to Minetta for dinner, we loved it last year but maybe we should try somewhere else?

Lunch Saturday: Somewhere in/near Soho. The Dutch doesn't sound like the answer. Public maybe (we love Providores)?

Dinner Saturday: Brooklyn Fare (if we can get a table, I have a reminder in my calendar). Tasting menu at Roberta's is Plan B. Yes, I realise I may need a Plan C...

Brunch Sunday: Red Rooster (followed by exploring a bit of Harlem).

In the past few years we've been to Per Se, EMP, Momo Ko, Ssam and Noodle, Minetta, Peter Luger, Yasuda, Kuruma, Maialino, Fatty Crab, DBGBs, Katz's and lots of other places I can't remember right now.

Thanks in advance, I promise to be very helpful next time any of you are coming to London.

Ian

My Saturday lunch spot always seems to be OTTO, always consistent (and relaxing)

[Stone]

I'd avoid Bon Chon. I've been to one on 2nd Ave a few times. While the fried chicken is fine, the other stuff I've had there is awful. And I'm a pretty easy grader.

I also find that Otto, never great, has slipped a bit. But the bar is still fun and the gelato still great.

[changeup]

I'll second avoiding Bon Chon.

Duck lunch at Ssam Bar is epic. Empellon isn't open for lunch.

After your Saturday Soho lunch I'd shoot over to Ansel Bakery for a Kouign Amann - an insane instant classic addition to NY's food scene.

[Anthony Bonner]

Thursday Lunch - Ssam seems a longer than 20 minute walk from MePa and I just don't think its worth it anymore. Neither Empellon is open for lunch AFAIK.

My go to in that MePa adjacent west side nabe on a Friday would be Txikito - tho being a Londoner I think you have better Spanish options at home. Pearl Oyster Bar is nice for a casual lunch (don't go to Mary's BTW). Minetta is as well obvs. Aldea is also a decent choice and open for lunch (tho I have never been to lunch there, only dinner).

[AaronS]

bon chon is a bad idea.

the rotisserie duck over rice at ssam is really great, the other food on the lunch menu has been okay.

my auto correct changes ssam into scam.

[Daniel]

I have been out in Manhattan perhaps less than 20 times in the last three years. Is Bar Centrale still a fun spot for Pre-theater drinks.

[Daniel]

In terms of Soho, would you try the places from Parm or Torrisi? I have not been to either but, I would like to. I also use to like Balthazar.. Just in Noho you have that new place that opened under Il Buco. Nolita you have Emporio which I like and Rubiroso which I have yet to try. I also really like this homey style japanese place called Omen.

[Nathan]

For Friday lunch near the MP I'd go with the Spotted Pig (perfectly civilized at lunch), Perry Street or ABC Kitchen.

eta: Fatty Crab is open for lunch and it's right there....but then you've been there before.

[IanT]

Thanks guys, all very useful.

So Bon Chon is definitely out, is there anywhere that does great Korean fried chicken? My wife has a secret love of KFC hot wings (she is perfect in every other way, honest) so I suspect she would love Korean fried chicken.

I've been to Otto, loved the gelato but don't think we'll return on this trip. Will skip Txikito also as we've been to San Sebastian a number of times and, as AB says, we have some pretty decent tapas now in London.

Pearl Oyster Bar is a great suggestion for Friday lunch. Its between there and the duck at Ssam.

Torrisi or Parm are good suggestions for Saturday lunch, thanks. Anyone been to Public recently? And Ansel Bakery looks awesome, we'll get there.

Friday night drinks and dinner suggestions still needed. C'mon Sneakeater, I am counting on you...

[Daniel]

Thanks guys, all very useful.

So Bon Chon is definitely out, is there anywhere that does great Korean fried chicken? My wife has a secret love of KFC hot wings (she is perfect in every other way, honest) so I suspect she would love Korean fried chicken.

I've been to Otto, loved the gelato but don't think we'll return on this trip. Will skip Txikito also as we've been to San Sebastian a number of times and, as AB says, we have some pretty decent tapas now in London.

Pearl Oyster Bar is a great suggestion for Friday lunch. Its between there and the duck at Ssam.

Torrisi or Parm are good suggestions for Saturday lunch, thanks. Anyone been to Public recently? And Ansel Bakery looks awesome, we'll get there.

Friday night drinks and dinner suggestions still needed. C'mon Sneakeater, I am counting on you...

look into bar centrale

[Sneakeater]

1. Duck at Ssam for lunch.

2. I don't get Public.

3. Friday.

a. Pre-Theater Drinks: either Lantern's Keep, for good New Skool, or the ground-floor bar at Sardi's, for good Old Skool.

b. It's hard to recommend anyplace in the Theater District for dinner. The only place I'd say is notably good is Esca (with some side trips to the much less notable Chimichurri Grill when one is not in the mood for fish). If I were you, I'd leave the area. You can't do better than Minetta, which remains my favorite restaurant on the Island of Manhattan. But if you want someplace newer that you haven't been to yet, a place I now push is Empellon Cocina. I'd also recommend Acme (which the lateness of your dinner might make possible).

[Sneakeater]

Actually, I'm not counting Yakitori Totto as being in the Theater District. It sort of is. Definitely a great spot.

[Nathan]

True....and Esca really is excellent.

[changeup]

Actually, I'm not counting Yakitori Totto as being in the Theater District. It sort of is. Definitely a great spot.

It is a good spot. And if you get there early enough, Totto Ramen (same people) is also quite good. But get there at open if that's an interest.