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Was that you??I've been working an Ireland Tourism gig at Grand Central Station for the past week and ate there (Lex and 41st) 3 times. Huge portions with their plates.
I used to live a block away from that spot. It's decent. They have good burgers and perogies but I think it gets more hype b/c of the ethnic feel and the fact it's open all I night. I prefer Coffee Shop in Union Sq if we're talking diners. The Churrasco Steak Sammich is solid. A bit touristy but the wimmenz are
My favorite place for brunch in the EV is Esperanto. Damn good deal for brunch on Sundays and of course a nice view. Here's their brunch menu. NYC folks will know how cheap this is for a quality meal.
I used to live a block away from that spot. It's decent. They have good burgers and perogies but I think it gets more hype b/c of the ethnic feel and the fact it's open all I night. I prefer Coffee Shop in Union Sq if we're talking diners. The Churrasco Steak Sammich is solid. A bit touristy but the wimmenz areMy favorite place for brunch in the EV is Esperanto. Damn good deal for brunch on Sundays and of course a nice view. Here's their brunch menu. NYC folks will know how cheap this is for a quality meal.
never heard of that spot. Aaaannnd we're finally moving back downtown, so we'll get to go- although not to our "real" home, which is still being worked on. 
..... Stuy Town, here we come! (Wife lived there a few years before moving into our spot, so we're familiar with it).
I used to live a block away from that spot. It's decent. They have good burgers and perogies but I think it gets more hype b/c of the ethnic feel and the fact it's open all I night. I prefer Coffee Shop in Union Sq if we're talking diners. The Churrasco Steak Sammich is solid. A bit touristy but the wimmenz are
eta: coffee shop has ALWAYS had hot girls working/eating there. it's a mystery of the universe. and the food's not bad and they have a full bar. B-Bar (formerly Bowery Bar) is an ok backup, bumped to top-choice if kids are involved... that was our standby brunchspot with Jr)
I actually was going to suggest B-Bar as my back-up for a good place with drinks that won't break the bank. Easily one of the best gardens/outdoor spaces in Manhattan. I used to live on 6th btw 2/3 so that was my choice spot on Sundays when I had sleepovers......When I first moved to NYC in 99, Sunday brunch was incredible here. So many wimmenz, good Euro crowd and champagne flowing (lots of champagne being pored on people's head.) It's now a more reserved spot but still equally good on the food front.
Dunno about shark. We moved into our spot when Clinton Bakery was still pretty much a bakery with a little takeout section. When they opened the restaurant part, we were there religiously every weekend- those ####### pancakes have crack in them or soemthing (it's the maple-butter). But then the tourists started showing up (and by tourists, I mean people from outside the neighborhood) and the line started forming. We stopped going when you had to show up an hour before they opened just to get a freaking table. Not worth it. And getting it to go loses some of the crack-deliciousness.... although the wife would sometimes get them delivered for dinner. And they're even backed up during the week. #### them. (my wife laughs at my fury over local spots getting popular and too crowded for us... I"m looking at you, Stanton Social)For weekend shark, Angelina's on A between 2nd and 3rd... but you have to go when the French/Moroccan owner is cooking and not his Mexcan sous-chefs (who don't give the love to the food in the same way). It's nothing special for the most part, but their French toast is almost equivalent to Clinton's pancakes. And no lines.I used to live a block away from that spot. It's decent. They have good burgers and perogies but I think it gets more hype b/c of the ethnic feel and the fact it's open all I night. I prefer Coffee Shop in Union Sq if we're talking diners. The Churrasco Steak Sammich is solid. A bit touristy but the wimmenz arenever heard of that spot. Aaaannnd we're finally moving back downtown, so we'll get to go- although not to our "real" home, which is still being worked on.
..... Stuy Town, here we come! (Wife lived there a few years before moving into our spot, so we're familiar with it).
eta: coffee shop has ALWAYS had hot girls working/eating there. it's a mystery of the universe. and the food's not bad and they have a full bar. B-Bar (formerly Bowery Bar) is an ok backup, bumped to top-choice if kids are involved... that was our standby brunchspot with Jr)I actually was going to suggest B-Bar as my back-up for a good place with drinks that won't break the bank. Easily one of the best gardens/outdoor spaces in Manhattan. I used to live on 6th btw 2/3 so that was my choice spot on Sundays when I had sleepovers......When I first moved to NYC in 99, Sunday brunch was incredible here. So many wimmenz, good Euro crowd and champagne flowing (lots of champagne being pored on people's head.) It's now a more reserved spot but still equally good on the food front.
Clinton Street Bakeryis the shark move if you want pancakes. Their menu has options though and a great spot for breakfast. Just go mid week b/c the place gets murdered on the w/e.
I heard good things about it but I would be interested in other Russian/Eastern European recommendations. Doesn't have to be in the East Villiage.
Yeah, Clinton is a waste of time now. I was saying during the week it's not bad for breakfast/lunch. I go there when I don't have to work mid week. Prune is another spot I like down there. I don't know anything about midtown brunches...used to work up there on Park/47 and run for safety on the weekends/nights...I'd just hit the quick salad/sammich places up there or get all fancy at Le Bernadin, Smith/Wo's type spots on the work dime. Smith and Wollensky's has damn good burgers though. Reasonably priced at about $15. And good call on midtown prices. You have to head West (Hells Kitchen) to find value and that's hella far.
Always liked the Coffee Shop. Been there many times. Union Square in general is a good place. A number of good bars and restaurants and that farmer's market is good too.I will have to check out Esperanto. Sounds very good.I used to live a block away from that spot. It's decent. They have good burgers and perogies but I think it gets more hype b/c of the ethnic feel and the fact it's open all I night. I prefer Coffee Shop in Union Sq if we're talking diners. The Churrasco Steak Sammich is solid. A bit touristy but the wimmenz areMy favorite place for brunch in the EV is Esperanto. Damn good deal for brunch on Sundays and of course a nice view. Here's their brunch menu. NYC folks will know how cheap this is for a quality meal.
Prune!!!!!!! #### them too. (and their good food, dammit).a place opened across the street from Prune called Joe Doe... not bad, IIRC.And dammmnnnn- I wish I could hit those fancy places on work-dime. I've never even eaten at Le Bernadin, and always wanted to.
Bowery Bar used to have nice women too... not so much any more. lol at the 60-70%... what's the other 30-40% based on?
we used to go here for the good food and view but also to see if we could pick-up the waitresses. It worked out about 20% of the time we'd actually get a number. Getting a call back was another story. I speak a little Portuguese so would always hit up the Brazilian girls and it would occasionally work.
Yeah, I hear you...that was during my banking days when I had an unlimited expense accounts = ordering from the right side of the menu =
:foie gras: now since it cuts into my bottom line I'm all about the cool, reasonable spots that cute girls frequent - Franks, Supper, Prune, Esperanto, Employees Only, Fatty Cue, and Boom Boom Room for drinks if I'm trying to get fancy wit it.
Always liked the Coffee Shop. Been there many times. Union Square in general is a good place. A number of good bars and restaurants and that farmer's market is good too.I will have to check out Esperanto. Sounds very good.I used to live a block away from that spot. It's decent. They have good burgers and perogies but I think it gets more hype b/c of the ethnic feel and the fact it's open all I night. I prefer Coffee Shop in Union Sq if we're talking diners. The Churrasco Steak Sammich is solid. A bit touristy but the wimmenz are
I love Austin but miss NYC 
Russian Somovar - 7th Ave on 30thI don't really like russian food but this was pretty good.
Not to mention friend of a farmer or blue water grill with a trip to Side Bar for Sunday football. Love this area.Always liked the Coffee Shop. Been there many times. Union Square in general is a good place. A number of good bars and restaurants and that farmer's market is good too.I will have to check out Esperanto. Sounds very good.I used to live a block away from that spot. It's decent. They have good burgers and perogies but I think it gets more hype b/c of the ethnic feel and the fact it's open all I night. I prefer Coffee Shop in Union Sq if we're talking diners. The Churrasco Steak Sammich is solid. A bit touristy but the wimmenz areI love Austin but miss NYC
my ex had an awesome apt overlooking Union Sq. Love watching old films of all the great hip hop and breakdancing battles that went down there back in teh d. I'm also a big fan of Flay's Mesa Grill. It's just down 16th on 5th and has a great brunch special. I'd take family and friends there when I wanted a more mature environment (34/M). Republic gets old if you eat there too much. First few times it's good. Big fan of Ottos on 8th and that Brazilian pizza shop on 12th/Uni....two of my favorite pizza spots in NYC
I smell your pain...A good friend of mine lived next to that LA gym and we'd go to Merchants b/c it was convenient. They had some decent dishes but def overpriced but one of the few options in that area.
going to try this pork belly sandwich today. :droool:
:yum:
:nom:
it was excellent!!!!! almost ordered another!
Le Bernadin is high-end more than "trendy"- always one of the best ranked restaurants in the city. What kind of food/price/scene are you looking for?
More of the high-end places. Not sure if I can get into Le Bernardin so I will need a few back ups just in case. Thanks for the help.
We've pretty much stopped going out since the kid was born 3 years ago, so with that caveat, here's the places we liked a lot (as top notch dining more than "trendy")- Aureole- French... not even sure it's still around, but some of the best service I've ever seen and delicious food. IIRC they moved, but might still be in the mid/upper east side.- Per Se... same guy from CA as French Laundry... Tom something? Most expensive meal I've ever seen (I think I'm still paying off that credit card)... delicious, goofy amount of courses, amuse bouche, etc (they had a freaking butter steward offering a variety of butters with your variety of bread). Our friend was a pastry chef there, so maybe we got set up with more courses than normal- seemed like we must've had 4-5 desert courses alone... started off "wow, amazing" and turned into "oh. really? more? heart attack?". Pretty stunning setting on Columbus Circle with views over Central Park, great service. Scary expensive.- Bouley Bakery... more of our locale (Tribeca), also French-ish, more down-towny and impeccable service (maybe more stylish/trendy). Probably our favorite place to eat (not quite as expensive as the above two, good food, more our scene).- The Japanese Iron Chef guy who had a place in Philly... he's got a place in Chelsea/Meat-packing district who's name is escaping me... fantastic Japanese food- IMO, better than Nobu (but maybe because we ate at Nobu enough over the years that we got a little worn out on their menu, which never seems to change that much). It's also a beautifully designed space by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando.- Stanton Social... more of a trendy scene (at least 2-3 years ago, when we last ate dinner there) in our hood (Lower East Side) with fantastic food.
Morimoto?
I would get as far away from Manhattan as possible on NYE.
Yeah- that's it. Speaking of NYE- that's where we were for last NYE. Delicious. I'm really interested in seeing what other people who are more current in their nightlife/dining recommend.
Seems everything is booked already. We may have to go to Times Square :(Yeah- that's it. Speaking of NYE- that's where we were for last NYE. Delicious. I'm really interested in seeing what other people who are more current in their nightlife/dining recommend.Jayrod- that Times Square thing is something I've never done and have no interest in. Too many people, impossible to get home afterwards, etc. Seems like a long night if you're here by yourself. Or, I guess, a way to hook up with other people for unique NYE. Dunno. Basically- I'm a misanthrope who loves living in a big city.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!Why would anyone want to stand outside freezing with no or limited bathroom situation in the cold herded like cattle with thousands of Idiots?Are you a Phish Fan? Phish is at MSG and some extras might be around. Govt Mule usually plays and lots of other shows through out NYC....
That's why I think Concerts on NYE are usually a good bet.... Normally regular price for the concert on a night with great music and people around NYC are paying many times more to be in some crappy crowded. Had the best time a few years back seeing Govt Mule and they broke out a whole night of Grunge covers.....
One of the best meals I have had was the lunch price fixe at Jean-George's Nougatine. Dinner would throw you back a number of more dollars, but they have a nice choice between Nougatine (slightly lower pricing and less formal/dressy) and Jean George's which is adjacent, both in the Trump at Central Park West.While I have not been there myself, Gramercy Tavern has always received rave reviews from whomever I know that has dined there.
Speaking of which, WTF ARE we going to do for NYE?
Gramercy Tavern is over rated food wise, but it is a scene for sure. For my money, Market Table is the best meal in the city right now. It is not, however, a big trendy scene. It's still difficult to get a table at peak times.
Tons of great restaurants you should be able to get into even if you can't get into these spots. One of my favorites is Blue Hill and I have rarely had a problem getting a reservation.Seems everything is booked already. We may have to go to Times SquareYeah- that's it. Speaking of NYE- that's where we were for last NYE. Delicious. I'm really interested in seeing what other people who are more current in their nightlife/dining recommend.Jayrod- that Times Square thing is something I've never done and have no interest in. Too many people, impossible to get home afterwards, etc. Seems like a long night if you're here by yourself. Or, I guess, a way to hook up with other people for unique NYE. Dunno. Basically- I'm a misanthrope who loves living in a big city.
I'm probably just going to go to a house party. Something low key.
Del Posto got a 4 star rating by the NY Times and is supposed to be as high end as it gets as far as food quality is concerned. I think it's a Batali restaurant.Periyali is a high-end Greek restaurant that I have been to many times. It's excellent. It got a 24 food rating from Zagat and even though it's not at the Le Bernadin level, you can probably get in if you make a reservation now.Seems everything is booked already. We may have to go to Times Square :(Yeah- that's it. Speaking of NYE- that's where we were for last NYE. Delicious.
I'm really interested in seeing what other people who are more current in their nightlife/dining recommend.
Jayrod- that Times Square thing is something I've never done and have no interest in. Too many people, impossible to get home afterwards, etc. Seems like a long night if you're here by yourself. Or, I guess, a way to hook up with other people for unique NYE. Dunno. Basically- I'm a misanthrope who loves living in a big city.
eta- Morimoto was at the restaurant all night drinking his ### off and pretty much hanging/partying with any of the diners that were interested... seemed like a cool, open guy.
