459 replies to this topic

[omnivorette]

I went to La Palapa a couple of times when it was new-ish, and it was good. But that was a long time ago...

[Orik]

I've even been reading generally negative reports on CH, which typically means they serve poorer-than-military food.

I haven't been to the tea house already mentioned, but I'd nominate Cha-An on 9th street as a candidate. Very serious about the quality and preparation of tea (including setting water temperature to be just right).

[StephanieL]

I'm curious about Cha-An as well. I'm trying to go to the Slow Food Tsunami benefit there on the 31st, but right now I'm only on the waiting list. Podunk is very different--a sort of Minnesota meets the Adirondacks vibe, with flavored teas and homey baked goods.

[ngatti]

I'm hesitant to post this 'cause it's been so long, but the resto is still around. If someone can still confirm that the B&H Dairy has the absolute best cheese blintz's around.

[djk]

before the list is closed - i'd like to add assenzio as a sardinian pick. some very interesting bottles of wine, plus a full bar and tho i've heard that the pork is a little dry - the pastas and whole branzino that i've had there have been excellent.....not to mention the artichoke/truffle polenta, the fregola with clams appetizer and so on....(4th between A/B)

[Wilfrid1]

I'm hesitant to post this 'cause it's been so long, but the resto is still around.  If someone can still confirm that the B&H Dairy has the absolute best cheese blintz's around.

Oh yes, very good indeed. Good soups too. Best vegetarian diner, I suppose.

Edit: By the way, no reason to think the thread is closed. I was just sort of pulling the info together to see how it looked. Carry on.

[Tamar G]

Has anybody eaten at Radio Perfecto recently?  La Palapa?  Itzocan?

La Palala is across the street, but I don't feel the slightest urge to try it. Seems like a brunch place with guacamole. Itzocan will annoy you less than mercadito, but it's still not what you're looking for.

I liked Itzocan a lot, but I only had one meal there over a year ago. It's still alive and well? The decor was kitchy but the food was good and, most importantly, not overly Tex-Mex, which is what most of the cheaper restaurants that call themselves Mexican actually are.

[Wilfrid1]

It's still there, but I too only ate there once. Nice enough, but it's so tiny you need to plan ahead and make a reservation, and I never think of doing so. I don't know if the uptown incarnation is bigger.

Actually, on a similar note, Pylos is annoyingly hard to walk into; and when I recently gave in and tried to make a reservation, I was told they did not take reservations for two people! I've had that problem with singles often enough, but not with two's. Makes it a deal-breaker for me, because I know it's not a guaranteed walk-in, and if I can't get in there I don't want to be thrown back on the other Avenue A options.

[Ampelman]

I went to Angon for lunch the other week. True, it was raining cats and dogs, but there was only one other person eating there. I had the pani puri and the halim, and they were excellent, especially the latter. It was sublimely spiced and the sauce had an intriguing texture; I treated it as a soup and practically licked the bowl clean. While I was there, one other person came in to eat. As I was readying to leave, Nilufar, one of the owners, beseeched me to come "again and again and again". There was a hint of desperation in her entreaties.

I hope that Angon has enough traffic to sustain itself. It would be a crying shame if they went bust due to insufficient patronage.

After I left, it occurred to me that it might help for them to develop a lunch menu. I can see why they would not want to do buffet, and if the lunch turnout I witnessed was typical, even if they did, much of the food would wind up in the bin. But since people tend to have lunch in small groups (each diner there when I had lunch was flying solo) and usually don't want to eat as much as at dinner, it's diffcult to put together a diverse yet non-overwhelming meal from Angon's main menu. If, for example, they put together some thali trays, allowing people to sample a variety of their best dishes, it might increase lunch traffic and encourage lunch guests to have dinner there, too.

The service was pretty bad when I had an otherwise very good dinner at Angon in late November. When I went for lunch they had a large "help wanted" sign in the front window. Also not a good omen (I hope I'm wrong).

I intend to return to support this place since the food is so well-prepared and they really are trying, however I don't know if ultimately they will last. But I do know that losing Angon would be sad indeed.

[Wilfrid1]

In the early days, all reports were that they were swamped with customers and the fresh-cooking policy meant meals could take forever. For this reason, I held off going. Maybe it's just the effect of a snowy January.

[Orik]

a late saturday meal was quite good and there were no timing issues (although it was made perfectly clear that they're doing us all a great favor by being open in such weather). It seems like they're not very big on recipes though - vindaloo and liver fry were completely different than their previous version (liver fry made with whole livers this time, which were not overcooked, vindaloo not nearly as spicy as before). Anyway, I don't think there's much doubt that this is the best EV Indian.

[bonitobroth]

In the early days, all reports were that they were swamped with customers and the fresh-cooking policy meant meals could take forever. For this reason, I held off going. Maybe it's just the effect of a snowy January.

From my experiences from the last two months, you can walk into Angon and get a table pretty much anytime now. I don't really understand it because I think the food just keeps getting better. I worry they will close too.

[Orik]

From my experiences from the last two months, you can walk into Angon and get a table pretty much anytime now. I don't really understand it because I think the food just keeps getting better. I worry they will close too.

It's an odd fact, but still a fact, that in this neighborhood, they're considered too expensive for "ethnic" food. Same goes for Grand Sichuan, which tends to be relatively empty. And then you've got that guy selling pita for $17 with a line out the door. Go figure.

[Tamar G]

best cake: black hound bakery

Have not had a huge sample of their goods but their cakes are really moist and flavorful (and I don't like cake). Did have a hazelnut ball there where the mocha
buttercream inside was pretty tasteless, but the cake was very good.

[Rose]

best cake: black hound bakery

Have not had a huge sample of their goods but their cakes are really moist and flavorful (and I don't like cake). Did have a hazelnut ball there where the mocha
buttercream inside was pretty tasteless, but the cake was very good.

Ever think of doing restaurant reviews for the NYTimes?