Eat Richly

Ramen Setagaya

2009-10-13T18:44:00.000-04:00

Ramen Setagaya [141 First Avenue (bet. St. Mark's Pl. and 9th St.); 34-A St. Mark's Place (bet. 2nd and 3rd Aves.); 90 University Place (bet. 11th and 12th Sts.); Menu (actual menu more extensive)]

A Japanese import, this burgeoning ramen empire is for pork lovers only; vegetarians need not apply. The specialty here is the Shio Ramen. The salt-based broth is really something else and (as far as I know) it is unique among the many ramen joints popping up all over downtown. Coupled with slices of fatty pork, a soft-cooked egg, and of course, a healthy portion of chewy ramen noodles, it provides a richness of flavor not easily equaled. I highly recommend that you give it a try. I don't think it's for everyone, but if you consider yourself a noodle connoisseur, you must at least be aware of what's out there. If you're extra hungry, start with the gyoza.

The University Place location is the biggest of the three, and with multiple locations, you'll never be waiting around for two hours at Setagaya like you might at Ippudo on almost any night of the week.

Lam Zhou

2009-10-09T18:07:00.000-04:00

Lam Zhou [144 East Broadway (bet. Pike and Rutgers Sts.), Menu]

Also known as Lan Zhou, but always known for great noodles, this is not a place that you go for the ambiance. You do, however, go here for excellent and authentic Chinese noodles and dumplings at very low Chinatown prices (dinner will cost you less than $10 for sure). Oh, and most importantly, you go to watch your noodles get made in front of you!

The experience of watching hand-pulled noodles get made is something like this, but louder and more like magic. A ball of dough becomes the noodles in your soup in a matter of moments and Lam Zhou is worth the trek for that reason alone. I recommend the Beef Soup Noodle for the tender chunks of beef and the best broth. Other options like the pork or duck can have meat that's too bony and bothersome to eat. In addition to noodle soup, the dumplings are a must. They are thin-skinned, filled with pork and chives, and taste very similar to many of the dumplings I had in Beijing. Overall, Lam Zhou is a great Chinatown experience and a good place to kick off a night out on the Lower East Side.

Matilda

2009-10-04T00:07:00.000-04:00

Matilda [647 E. 11th St. (bet. Aves. B and C), Menu]

Mexican + Italian = Matilda. It's a combination that I can truly say I've never seen before and at Matilda it's pulled off wonderfully. In my visit, my friends and I stuck to the simple small plates and I must say that I'm excited to go back and try some more. For starters, we had the guacamole and the bruschetta. The guac had both a twist and a kick to it that was different from the traditional Mexican flavors. Better yet, in addition to the standard tortilla chips, it came with warm, freshly baked focaccia bread for dipping. This was an inspired idea. Meanwhile, the bruschetta also managed to straddle the line between the cuisines (jalapeno olive oil is a pretty clever ingredient) and I would definitely order it again.

For our main course, my friends and I split the tacos so that we could all have one each of the three on offer (you can only order them in sets of three). Each order came with even more guac and was delicious, but if I were alone and had to choose one, I would take the Alla Fiorentina, which features rare filet mignon and does the best job of incorporating both sides of the Mexican and Italian cooking styles. In terms of decor, Matilda is sleek and well-designed, but not intimidating. When you sit down for dinner there, see if you can find the drink menu...

La Carbonara

2009-09-22T23:44:00.000-04:00

La Carbonara [202 W. 14th St. (bet. 7th and 8th Aves.), Menu]

After opening earlier this Spring, La Carbonara has quickly become an Eat Richly favorite. Part of it is because it's about 100 yards from my apartment, but most of it is because it serves very good Italian food at very reasonable prices. Whether eating in the restaurant or ordering take out, the food is fresh and the service is prompt and friendly. It's amazing to me that there aren't more restaurants like this. Why are there so many places charging $17 for a bowl of pasta?

In terms of specifics, all of the pastas are under $10 and I have sampled a wide variety. My top three are the Rigatoni (with eggplants), the Tagliatelle (with shrimp), and the Spaghetti (with meatballs). I recommend sticking to pasta for takeout/delivery, but if you eat in the restaurant, the Short Rib is an excellent choice as well. In addition, the wine list is full of affordable bottles ($20-$30) and the atmosphere is lovely for any occasion. All in all, I highly recommend La Carbonara for lunch or dinner...and I'll have to try their brunch!

Pinche Taqueria

2009-09-07T12:31:00.000-04:00

Pinche Taqueria [227 Mott St. (bet. Spring and Prince Sts.); 333 Lafayette St. (at Bleecker St.), Menu]

You want some high quality tacos with high quality ingredients? You've come to the right place. The owner says that they are the "only authentic tacos in New York." I say that I don't care. They taste great and they're relatively cheap. The only problem really is that they're fairly small. But that can always be solved by just ordering more of them!

I usually find that three tacos is enough to shut me up though and I like to diversify my portfolio by going with one each of Al Pastor, Pescado, and a rotation of Carne Asada, Carnitas, and Camaron. The Al Pastor and the Pescado are the standouts that I would recommend the most, which is why I always order them. I also like that all the tacos come with a little bit of guacamole already on them (unlike at some places...Chipotle, I'm looking at you).

Both Pinche locations are small and offer the same menu. Much like Daruma next door (to the Mott Street location), Pinche is a great place for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.

Daruma

2009-09-05T11:58:00.000-04:00

Daruma [227 Mott St. (bet. Spring and Prince Sts.), Menu]

I don't know about you all, but I am ALWAYS on the lookout for good places where I can get fast, cheap and easy solo meals. I'm talking about places where you can spend around $10 and be in and out in under 30 minutes (or faster if you do takeout). Daruma is now one of those places for me.

Situated directly next door to another spot that fits the same bill (Pinche Taqueria), Daruma is a tiny Japanese restaurant that specializes in yakitori, known to the layman as "meat on a stick." Sure they offer sushi and other small plates, but that's not the main draw. Each yakitori skewer costs a very reasonable $2 and they have 16 different options across the spectrum of meat, fish, and vegetables, so there is something for everyone. The menu even offers photos of each one so you know exactly what you're getting into before you order it.

The two times that I have eaten there, five skewers have been enough to leave me sated, although if you're particularly hungry, you might want to try six or get an appetizer. My fave five selection is: Yotsumi Chicken Tender, Gyu Tender Beef, Bacon with Scallop, Shu Mai, Grilled Salmon. Each skewer is packed with strong flavors, nothing subtle, but they taste great and are quite addictive. Go alone or in a small group, so you can sample a few more options, and you'll definitely leave satisfied.

Num Pang

2009-04-13T22:03:00.000-04:00

Num Pang [21 E. 12th St. (bet. 5th Ave. and University Pl.), Menu]

Vietnam and the bahn mi better watch out because Cambodia is fighting back with Num Pang. The sandwiches may be smaller (and more expensive) than the bahn mi that I am used to, but they pack some serious flavor into that package. My choice for the evening was the Pulled Duroc Pork and I'm still trying to figure out why I didn't order a second one as soon as I finished the first. I can't wait to try the catfish (also on my list for next time is the corn). The ingredients are good (every sandwich comes with your choice of filling along with cucumber, pickled carrots, cilantro, and chili mayo), but what really makes the sandwich is the bread. Baked by Parisi Bakery, these six-inch rolls are heated and cooked to the perfect consistency: hard enough to provide resistance, but soft enough to bite right through. The combination of flavors in each bite is completely addictive.

As far as the facilities go, this is largely a takeout (and soon to be delivery) joint. You order downstairs and there are a few seats upstairs, but if you're with more than one or two people, you should definitely take it to Washington Square Park, Union Square, or your apartment...if it lasts that long.

Update (4/22/09):

I tried the catfish and it was just as delicious as the pork, if not more so. It featured a significant piece of fish, along with the same great bread and regular toppings that make Num Pang's sandwiches such a smashing success. I also had an ear of corn. It was well-grilled (good consistency, not too dried out) and well-flavored with the chili mayo and chili powder, but I wouldn't consider it an essential accompaniment to the sandwich. It is, however, a very good complementary dish.

About Eat Richly

2009-01-15T15:30:00.000-05:00

As a lifelong New Yorker, world traveler, and someone whose day almost invariably revolves around food, I am a go-to resource for my friends about where to eat in New York City. So I figured instead of spending so much time responding to phone calls, text messages, and e-mails, I could just send everyone to EatRichly.com instead. That was in November 2005.

Some site re-designs, a logo, and nearly 200 restaurants later, I think that things have worked out pretty well.

If you like what you see, please support the site by purchasing some Eat Richly merchandise! You can find t-shirts, hats, mugs and more at the Eat Richly Shop.

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions about the site (or you want to have to meal with me), please contact me.

Zerza

2008-02-03T16:18:00.001-05:00

Zerza [304 E. 6th St (bet. 1st and 2nd Aves.) 212-529-8250]
Lovely service and great food make this East Village Moroccan restaurant a great place to try something different. The atmosphere, which includes music and sometimes belly dancing, lends an air of authenticity to the proceedings. As for the food, there are a couple of good appetizers to try. Depending on your tastes, I would recommend the extremely sweet Saganaki (fried Feta cheese with pure honey) or the Marinated Tomato Salad with Feta Cheese. For my main course, I was desperate for some cous cous, so I ordered the lamb variety. It was excellent. The lamb was succulent and the blend of toppings on the cous cous was wonderful enough to make sure that I cleaned my plate. The tagine was good as well. Try a red Algerian wine, which is sweet and a fine complement to the food. If you feel like relaxing, top things off with a hookah.

Za Za

2008-02-03T16:17:00.002-05:00

Za Za [1207 First Ave. (bet. 65th and 66th Sts.) 212-772-9997]
This sister restaurant to Mediterraneo serves up food just as good, but it is almost never crowded and it delivers! Za Za is especially good in the summer when the back garden is open and they offer an incredible $10 lunch special.

Yuka

2008-02-03T16:17:00.001-05:00

Yuka [1557 Second Ave. (bet. 80th and 81st Sts.) 212-772-9675]
An all-you-can-eat paradise and long-time favorite among me and my friends. For just $18.00, you can stuff yourself with tuna, salmon, and other favorites until you have gills. Unlike most places with this same deal, the fish is pretty high quality. For those without such a large appetite, most other food is fairly inexpensive as well. And portions tend to be huge.

The Yale Club

2008-02-03T16:15:00.001-05:00

The Yale Club [50 Vanderbilt Ave. (at 44th St.) 212-716-2100]
See how the other half lives at this fine dining experience. Choose from one of three dining rooms: the Tap Room, the Grill Room, or the Roof Dining Room. The Roof Dining Room is the fanciest, but I usually take my meals in the Tap Room. The two best options here are both lunches: Sushi Tuesdays (an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet) and Seafood Fridays (an all-you-can-eat shrimp, oyster, and crab claw extravaganza). I also recommend Pasta Pasta on Thursday. Note: Meals taste better when you are wearing a suit.

Won Jo

2008-02-03T16:13:00.000-05:00

Won Jo [23 W. 32nd St. (bet. 5th Ave. and Broadway) 212-695-5815]
An excellent Korean BBQ restaurant. They have all the standards and they taste very good. Also a nice atmosphere and the grill is powered by real coals that they bring to your table. Prices are standard.

'wichcraft

2008-02-03T16:12:00.000-05:00

'wichcraft [49 E. 19th St. (bet. Broadway and Park Ave. S.) 212-780-0577]
For those New Yorkers from New Haven who miss Gourmet Heaven. 'wichcraft allows to create your own sandwich from an array of delicious ingredients. But it comes at a price, an expensive one. The sandwiches are good enough, however, to merit a visit anyway.

Turquoise Seafood

2008-02-03T16:09:00.003-05:00

Turquoise Seafood [240 E. 81st St. (bet. 2nd and 3rd Aves.) 212-988-8222]
Owned and run by a friendly Israeli man, this seafood restaurant offers fresh fish from around the Mediterranean. The setting is beautifully designed and there is excellent food to go along with it. Good appetizers include the Homemade Tzaziki, the Grilled Vegetables, and I would think the Zucchini Medallions as well. As for main courses, you must have fish, either whole, or prepared in one of a variety of ways. The Chilean Sea Bass, the Red St. Peter's (Tilapia), and the Salmon Fillet en Papillote (cooked in parchment paper) were all especially good. Then, if you're not too full, top your meal off with an exquisite molten chocolate cake.

Tsuki

2008-02-03T16:09:00.001-05:00

Tsuki [1410 1st Ave. (bet. 74th and 75th Sts.) 212-517-6860]
An absolute gem. I am consistently amazed by how many excellent sushi restaurants there are in New York. Like many of the other ones, Tsuki has a very modest decor, but some fantastic fish. You should really make sure to treat yourself here, and here is how you should do it: Start with the 3 Salad Appetizer, which is definitely big enough to share between two people, but also worthwhile for a hungry individual. The Lobster Salad is particularly delicious and can be ordered with just seaweed (no Hijiki) in an exquisite combination. For the main event, go for the Omakase if you've got the money, but there is also a more affordable way to taste some of the best fish available. In this case, I am referring to the Tsuki Selection, in which you get six of the chef's best cuts of fish along with the fantastic Volcano Tuna Roll. In fact, this selection is big enough that you could certainly share it with someone else, along with one other roll (perhaps Salmon Carrot Sauce?), and feel full. Finally, if you still don't feel full (or even if you do), top off your meal with the Mochi ice cream. Get chocolate and vanilla. Both are excellent and come with very sweet and tasty mountain berries. On the whole, Tsuki is a very good alternative to a place like Sushi of Gari because it is cheaper, much less crowded, and of similar quality.

Tang Pavilion

2008-02-03T16:07:00.000-05:00

Tang Pavilion [65 W. 55th St. (bet. 5th and 6th Aves.) 212-956-6888]
For my money, the best deal on Chinese food in the city. Not only is the quality of the food arguably as good as anywhere else, but the prices are not too high. There is something for everyone here, although I usually start with the Egg Drop Soup with Crab Meat, before ordering Lamb with Broccoli in Hot Sauce, Beef with Shredded Peppers, and Shredded Chicken with Snow Pea Leaf. But almost every dish I have tried has been delicious.

Taco Taco

2008-02-03T16:06:00.000-05:00

Taco Taco [1726 Second Ave. (bet. 89th and 90th Sts.) 212-289-8226]
It's another solid Mexican restaurant on the Upper East Side. I especially liked that they made the guacamole tableside. It had nice chunks of avocado and was spiced to your liking. Not surprisingly, tacos were the choice for a main course. The Carnitas were my personal favorite, but the Carne Asada was of similar, solid quality. For drinks, the mango margarita was very good, albeit somewhat overpriced. Overall, this is a reliable neighborhood Mexican restaurant, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.

Tabla

2008-02-03T16:05:00.000-05:00

Tabla [11 Madison Ave. (at 25th St.) 212-889-0667]
Not your cab driver's Indian food, this high class fusion establishment will leave you wanting to come back for more. As with its sister restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, the setting is spectacularly designed and includes beautiful views of Madison Square Park. As for the food, dinner upstairs requires you to order from a Prix Fixe menu, but that still leaves you with plenty of mouth-watering options (although it will set you back a pretty penny). The Tabla Crab Cake is fantastic, with the avocado giving it a nice flavor and the papadum "bowl" making for a clever presentation. As for main courses, I found my Baby Pig to be extremely tasty and the Elysian Fields Lamb and Black Sea Bass were also delicious. No dish was an Indian standard, but each one certainly had Indian influence and flavoring. I highly recommend a visit, and for a more Indian (and cheaper) menu, check out the Tabla Bread Bar downstairs.

Sushi Yasuda

2008-02-03T16:04:00.001-05:00

Sushi Yasuda [204 E. 43th St. (bet. 2nd and 3rd Aves.) 212-972-1001]
Treat yourself to a uniquely fantastic sushi dinner here and you will not be disappointed (and if your wonderful girlfriend takes you, things will taste even better...). The fish is fresher and more diverse than at any other sushi restaurant this side of Tokyo. Make sure to choose your fish wisely and look for the freshest fish of the day (they give you a menu for this). I also recommend trying some of the fish that you don't normally see, such as Tasmanian Trout, Fluke, or White King Salmon. If you can afford it, certainly try the Omakase. The decor is spare, but classy.

Sushi Seki

2008-02-03T16:03:00.000-05:00

Sushi Seki [1143 First Ave. (bet. 62nd and 63rd Sts.) 212-371-0238]
Absolutely outstanding. The most unique and delicious sushi I have had in New York. I highly recommend Seki's Original Special Recipe Platter. It may be a little more expensive, but it is worth every penny for the creative combinations of fish and sauces. For those not inclined toward sushi, the Beef Negimaki is tender and tasty, and you can't go wrong with the Chilean Sea Bass. But I would still insist that sushi has to be the ticket to a splendid meal. Seki is only open for dinner, beginning at 5:30 PM, and due to the small space, you must make a reservation ahead of time if you want to eat dinner any time from about 7:00 to 9:30 PM. After that, tables and the sushi bar are often available, and amazingly the restaurant is open most nights until 3:00 AM.

Sushi of Gari

2008-02-03T16:01:00.000-05:00

Sushi of Gari [402 E. 78th St. (bet. 1st and York Aves.) 212-517-5340]
Make sure to get a reservation for this fantastic sushi specialist. The fish is so fresh you might think that it's still swimming. A little more expensive than most, but the food is worth it. Definitely get a dish with fish, sushi regular is a steal at $22. But the good stuff costs a little more. The Chef's special sushi is incredible, but it costs $75. If you want something special, but also fantastic, for a more affordable price, try the Tuna of Gari for $43. Another small Upper East Side location, Gari has a sister restaurant simply called Gari on the Upper West Side which is equally delicious I'm sure.

Sushi Lounge

2008-02-03T15:59:00.000-05:00

Sushi Lounge [132 St. Mark's Place (at Ave. A) 212-598-1188]
All sushi is 50% off all day. And it's pretty good too. Also, they have a fantastic happy hour deal on drinks from 10 pm to 1 am every night ($6.25 pitchers of Kirin!). I had the Zaru Soba, which was decent, but not exceptional. All in all, however, this is a solid option for downtown sushi and a good way to conserve funds if you are going drinking in the area.

Sparks Steak House

2008-02-03T15:58:00.000-05:00

Sparks Steak House [210 E. 46th St. (bet. 2nd and 3rd Ave.) 212-687-4855]
Despite a fantastic wine list, this "not-quite-Luger's" -y hideaway, is not quite as good as Luger's. But it still serves up a terrific sirloin in a classic steakhouse setting and is more than worth a visit if you do not want to make the trek to Brooklyn. I suggest starting with the Fresh Bufala Mozzarella with Sliced Tomato and then going straight to the steak. Wine lovers will also appreciate the vast selection of bottles available.

Sotto Cinque

2008-02-03T15:57:00.000-05:00

Sotto Cinque [322 E. 86th St. (bet. 1st and 2nd Aves.) 212-472-5563]
With nice new digs and a location on 86th street, Sotto Cinque has stepped things up a little bit. On the other hand, they are not exactly living up to their name, as only the three most basic pastas cost less than $5. But luckily, none of the more expensive "standard" options cost more than $8.95. I recommend the Rigatoni Cinque, which is very similar to Penne alla Vodka, costs just $6.95, and is rather tasty. Sotto Cinque is an excellent place to go for cheap Italian. If you want the real high quality stuff though, you're gonna have to pay the price and probably head elsewhere.

Soba-ya

2008-02-03T15:56:00.000-05:00

Soba-ya [229 E. 9th St. (bet. 2nd and 3rd Aves.) 212-533-6966]
A worthy rival to Soba Nippon, and perhaps better than SobaKoh, Soba-ya is well worth a visit for lovers of the buckwheat noodles. The flavor and texture of the noodles here are fantastic, as the full influence of the buckwheat can be felt in every bite. The soba is not cheap for lunch, but it does come with some excellent side dishes (such as salmon or tuna sashimi) that fill out the meal nicely. In addition, the green tea is extremely high quality. Make sure to ask for it. There are other dishes on the menu that are supposed to be good as well, so there is also something for non-soba lovers. Try to come on the early side for dinner because the restaurant is small and fills up quickly.

Soba Nippon

2008-02-03T15:55:00.000-05:00

Soba Nippon [19 W. 52nd St. (bet. 5th and 6th Aves.) 212-489-2525]
One of my favorite lunch spots, Soba Nippon grows its own buckwheat for its fantastic soba noodles. My favorite is the Zaru Soba lunch which comes with a salad and tofu sushi. I will often supplement this with a toro scallion roll, showing that this place is not one-dimensional, but the noodles are clearly the best and superior to any others I have had in America.

SobaKoh

2008-02-03T15:54:00.002-05:00

SobaKoh [309 E. 5th St. (bet. 1st and 2nd Aves.) 212-254-2244]
Top-notch soba in the East Village. You can just get the classic Zaru Soba and you'll probably be happy, but I recommend getting one of the (cold soba) specials instead. I got my soba with soft shell crab and the taste of the shellfish definitely enhanced my soba experience. And if you're in the East Village early, they have a prix fixe menu available until 7 pm every night.

Slice, The Perfect Food

2008-02-03T15:54:00.001-05:00

Slice, The Perfect Food [1413 Second Ave. (bet. 73rd and 74th Sts.) 212-249-4353]
Pizza that's good for you? And Vegan? And Kosher? That's right...and it's only at Slice. All these things might sound scary to pizza lovers, myself included, but I have to say that the pizza here tastes very good. It may be overpriced and the pieces may be too small for my liking, but you cannot complain about the taste. And the taste isn't just good, it's different and unique. So I encourage anyone and everyone to give it a try and find something new that you just might like better than that something old.

Silver Star

2008-02-03T15:53:00.001-05:00

Silver Star [1238 Second Ave. (at 65th St.) 212-249-4250]
An old Berger family favorite, Silver Star is a nice, reliable, Upper East Side diner. The French Toast is particularly good, the pancakes are solid, and portions in general are huge of course.

Silk Road Palace

2008-02-03T15:51:00.000-05:00

Silk Road Palace [447 Amsterdam Ave. (bet. 81st and 82nd Sts.) 212-580-3465]
The food here is mediocre to bad. But the wine is boxed, jugged, and free. Unfortunately, too many people know about this place and it is often crowded with a B and T crowd. I recommend Columbia Cottage instead, but Silk Road is more convenient for most people. The Road brunch will always be a dream of mine.

Shun Lee Palace

2008-02-03T15:50:00.000-05:00

Shun Lee Palace [155 E. 55th St. (bet. Lexington and 3rd Aves.) 212-371-8844, also Shun Lee West at 43 W. 65th St. (bet. Columbus Ave. and Central Park West) 212-595-8895]
These two restaurants serve excellent Chinese food in classy settings. The prices are rather high though, so these can't be places that you visit regularly. I especially like starting with the Sizzling Rice Cake soup. Another good dish is Neptune's Net, and most of the beef dishes are delicious.

Sharaku

2008-02-03T15:49:00.000-05:00

Sharaku [14 Stuyvesant St. (bet. 2nd and 3rd Aves.) 212-598-0403]
Located on one of the few true East-West streets in Manhattan, this friendly East Village spot offers good Japanese food at affordable prices. But for the best deal, make sure to go here on a Monday night, when you can get a wonderful prix fixe special loaded with soba, sushi, soup, and edamame.

Shake Shack

2008-02-03T15:48:00.000-05:00

Shake Shack [Madison Square Park (at 23rd St. and Madison Ave.) 212-889-6600]
Your arteries will not thank you for going here, but your taste buds will. I would try the double Shack burger with that special Shack sauce (similar to every other delicious special sauce it is Russian dressing-y). Make sure to ask for your burgers rare or medium rare, because medium is the default. Also go for a milkshake.

Shanghai Pavilion

2008-02-03T15:47:00.000-05:00

Shanghai Pavilion [1378 Third Ave. (bet. 78th and 79th Sts.) 212-585-3388]
This new Upper East Side restaurant serves excellent and distinctive Chinese cuisine at affordable prices. If you want to, you can create your own dishes, but I would recommend choosing from among the specialties, including Green Tea Chicken.

Sezz Medi'

2008-02-03T15:46:00.000-05:00

Sezz Medi' [1260 Amsterdam Ave. (at 122nd St.) 212-932-2901]
A taste of Italy on the Upper West Side. Pizza is the way to go here. If you're hungry, order a full pie for yourself. If you're not that hungry, order a full pie and take the leftovers home (or I guess you could share it with someone else...). My Margherita with Prosciutto was fantastic. If you really don't want pizza, you could try a Panuzzo. This is something like a calzone, but with less cheese. It is very filling as well, however.

Sel et Poivre

2008-02-03T15:44:00.002-05:00

Sel et Poivre [853 Lexington Ave. (bet. 64th and 65th Sts.) 212-517-5780]
This cozy French bistro serves up a tasty, traditional menu at reasonable prices. The best time to go is actually on a Friday or Saturday night when you can enjoy steak frites or any chicken dish on the menu for only $12.95. Bon appetit!

Scalinatella

2008-02-03T15:43:00.003-05:00

Scalinatella [201 E. 61st St. (at 3rd Ave.) 212-207-8280]
High-end, fantastic Italian food. The setting may be a little crowded and the prices may be a little high, but the food is always most important to me, and it is excellent here. They even give you two incredible free toppings for your bread (some diced zucchinis in a brown sauce and a seafood salad of sorts). Listen for the specials, because there is usually something particularly good there.

Sakagura

2008-02-03T15:43:00.001-05:00

Sakagura [211 E. 43rd St. (bet. 2nd and 3rd Aves.) 212-953-7253]
Such good food, and such small portions! This extremely authentic Japanese restaurant, located in the basement of a midtown building, will not let you order sushi deluxe, because sushi is not even served here. But excellent and creative dishes are certainly on display. Most of the dishes are served tapas style and the food arrives extremely quickly. Try the roast deck negimaki and the deep fried shrimp balls to start. For more entree-like fare, I suggest the toro with citrus ponzu sauce and the even better beef with citrus ponzu sauce. The beef comes raw and you must cook it with lard on a hot stone. It is remarkably flavorful. I topped off my meal with a bowl of udon noodles and mushrooms. Unfortunately the only problem with this restaurant is that if you have big appetite, you will leave hungry unless you spend at least $50. All this and I haven't even mentioned the sake. Sakagura offers an extensive sake list, even going so far as to suggest appropriate pairings of food and sake. It is definitely a classy restaurant (and apparently it has quite the lunch special too).

Saigon Grill

2008-02-03T15:40:00.002-05:00

Saigon Grill [620 Amsterdam Ave. (at 90th St.) 212-875-9072 and 1700 Second Ave. (at 88th St.) 212-996-4600]
Similar to Asia Grill, these two sister restaurants offer typical and tasty Vietnamese dishes at low prices, especially for lunch. Sushi is also offered, but I would recommend sticking mostly to the Vietnamese.

Rosa Mexicano

2008-02-03T15:38:00.000-05:00

Rosa Mexicano [1063 First Ave. (at 58th St.) 212-753-7407]
The guacamole is to die for at this trendy, upscale Mexican eatery. The rest of the food is delicious as well (and I recommend the trademark frozen pomegranate margarita as a drink). For main dishes, I was especially fond of the Enchiladas de Jaiba and Mixiote de Cordero (lamb shank presented in parchment paper). Let me warn you that this place is only open for dinner and is ALWAYS crowded (there are other locations on the Upper West Side and in the Union Square area).

Roma Pizza

2008-02-03T15:37:00.000-05:00

Roma Pizza [1568 Third Ave. (at 88th St.) 212-369-3455]
Formerly La Mia, this place will always be near and dear to my heart for the countless slices I ate here during and after school for many years. The slices here are always reliable and tasty and the prices are reasonable as well. For some reason, the delivery is not quite up to the same standards, but it has been awhile since I ordered from here so maybe times have changed.

Rockefeller Center Food Court

2008-02-03T15:35:00.000-05:00

Rockefeller Center Food Court [30 Rockefeller Plaza]
The place to meet if you work on Park Avenue and your friend works on 6th Avenue. I'll always have a soft spot for Manchu WOK, mostly because they will call me "Young Man" until I am 50 (don't worry girls, they will call you "Young Lady" for just as long). And their combination plate is surprisingly a little above mediocre. The ubiquitous Hale and Hearty is predictably solid. I'm not sure what everyone sees in Cucina & Co., but it is there. Mendy's, Tossed, and Two Boots round out some other places that deserve consideration. Only one major problem: getting a table at lunch time can be a battle, but if you are vigilant and aggressive you should be ok.

Raku

2008-02-03T15:34:00.001-05:00

Raku [57 W. 76th St. (bet. Columbus Ave. and Central Park West) 212-873-1220]
Top-notch sushi on the Upper West Side at typical sushi prices. I highly recommend that you visit Raku for a meal. Start off with some excellent Edamame with just the right amount of of salt on it. Then, order the Raku Sushi. This dish offers two large pieces each of 4 of the most popular cuts of sushi (salmon, tuna, eel, and yellowtail), along with a roll of your choice (get the Spicy Tuna roll). The fish is extremely tasty and I loved the sliver of avocado on top of each piece of salmon. This will now be my go-to Japanese restaurant on the Upper West Side.

Quattro Gatti

2008-02-03T15:33:00.002-05:00

Quattro Gatti [205 E. 81st St. (bet. 2nd and 3rd Aves.) 212-570-1073]
Authentic Italian food that tastes better than most of its neighbors. I liked the Linguine alla Positano, but I would also recommend the Branzino. A little expensive, but far from outrageous considering the quality of food and atmosphere.

Pylos

2008-02-03T15:33:00.001-05:00

Pylos [128 E. 7th St. (bet. 1st Ave. and Ave. A) 212-473-0220]
Enjoy fine Greek food in a wonderful atmosphere at this always-crowded East Village restaurant. All sorts of classic dishes are available, and I would recommend starting with the grape leaves and the meatballs. These two appetizers offer good contrasting tastes and textures and are best to be shared among 2-3 people. For my main course, I chose the Cornish Hen and enjoyed it thoroughly. It was sort of like chicken, but with more flavor. Other good options are the duck breast or a fish dish. Also, I would say that Pylos would be very nice for a dinner date, but make a reservation first!

Prohibition

2008-02-03T15:32:00.000-05:00

Prohibition [503 Columbus Ave. (bet. 84th and 85th Sts.) 212-579-3100]
Try the mini-burgers...they are delicious. Portions are large, two appetizers could even be enough for a meal. Can also go here as a bar, live (mostly jazz) music every night.

PressToast

2008-02-03T15:29:00.000-05:00

PressToast [112 MacDougal St. (bet. Bleecker and W. 3rd Sts) 212-253-6705]
Quick, cheap, and delicious, PressToast has it all. I'm a slave to the chicken avocado, but the house salami and the veggie special with turkey are also can't-miss options. If you don't like any of their selections, however, you can create your own. I love the bread, served hot and pressed of course, but for the more carb-conscious among us, wraps are available too. Take it to go or order delivery because PressToast is not exactly a fine dining establishment.

Press 195

2008-02-03T15:26:00.000-05:00

Press 195 [195 Fifth Ave. (bet. Berkeley Pl. and Union St.) 718-857-1950]
Stop by this Park Slope panini shop for a tasty pressed sandwich in a low key atmosphere. Each sandwich comes on fresh Ciabatta bread and offers enough food to fill you up pretty well. I tried the #2 (turkey, brie, roasted peppers, garlic spread) and it was very good, while my friend had the #1 (turkey, monterey jack, cilantro, jalapeno mustard), which he enjoyed as well. But there are tons of other options, so be adventurous. Prices, while not cheap, are certainly reasonable.

Poke

2008-02-03T15:24:00.000-05:00

Poke [343 E. 85th St. (bet. 2nd and 3rd Aves.) 212-249-0569]
Recently expanded (although it remains crowded all the time), but still featuring BYOB and excellent sushi, Poke is the place to go for creative and delicious sushi. Poke offers a wide variety of specialty rolls with high quality fish. Too many rolls can get a little pricey, but sushi is expensive everywhere, so when you visit, indulge yourself. Among others, I recommend the Xmas Roll, Red Dragon Roll, or the Ninja Roll.

P.J. Clarke's

2008-02-03T15:23:00.000-05:00

P.J. Clarke's [915 Third Ave. (at 55th St.) 212-317-1616]
Totally old-school New York. And totally fantastic burgers. Bar in the front, tables for eating in the back. You can even enter on 55th Street (the Sidecar entrance). Also, the staff is friendly and they serve burgers until 3 AM.

Pio Pio

2008-02-03T15:22:00.000-05:00

Pio Pio [1746 First Ave. (bet 90th and 91st Sts.) 212-426-5800]
One of the best deals on the Upper East Side, this Peruvian chicken joint will fill you up with good food on the cheap. The centerpiece of the experience has to be a full chicken. This will comfortably feed three people, and maybe even four if you load up on sides. The chicken is tender and flavorful, offering both white and dark meat. As for side dishes, my favorites were the Maduros (sweet plantains), the Avocado Salad, and the standard rice and beans. All of these are perfect for sharing, although you may need two orders of rice and beans if you have four people. Make sure to show up early if you can, because this small restaurant fills up quickly.

Pintaile's Pizza

2008-02-03T15:19:00.000-05:00

Pintaile's Pizza [26 E. 91st St. (bet. 5th and Madison Aves.) 212-722-1967]
An extremely thin crust pizza with a totally original taste, Pintaile's is not for everyone. I would recommend it personally, and I think that is a slice that all New Yorkers (and even tourists) should try. If you don't like it, eat no more. If you do like it, you have discovered a whole new world of pizza.

Peter Luger Steak House

2008-01-29T00:27:00.000-05:00

Peter Luger Steak House [178 Broadway (Brooklyn, NY) 718-387-7400]
Simply the best, better than all the rest. Everything you have heard is true, except for the fact the waiters are not gruff, they just have personalities. Located just over the Williamsburg Bridge, Luger's is a steak-lover's paradise. Obviously you must order the porterhouse steak for the number of people in your party plus one (because you will all eat more than usual here). I also like the tomato and onion appetizer and one strip of the best bacon you will ever eat. The first bite of a Luger's steak is like eating heaven. Oh, and sometimes they give you Hanukkah gelt (little gold chocolate coins) at the end of your meal! Call ahead for reservations because it is always booked. Lunch is also an excellent option here if you have the time (and it will be cheaper too).

Penang

2008-01-29T00:26:00.000-05:00

Penang [1596 Second Ave. (at 83rd St.) 212-585-3838]
This chain of Malaysian restaurants is pretty good and not overly expensive. As with most of the Southeast Asian restaurants, I like the decor, especially the exterior of this location.

Peking Duck House

2008-01-29T00:25:00.001-05:00

Peking Duck House [236 E. 53rd St. (bet. 2nd and 3rd Aves.) 212-759-8260 or 28 Mott St. (bet. Chatham Sq. and Pell St.) 212-227-1810]
The Peking Duck is excellent, the rest of the food is pedestrian. I tried the special dinner where you get one duck and two entrees for four people. You are better off with two ducks. Worth a trip to either location just for the delicious duck.

Peasant

2008-01-29T00:23:00.002-05:00

Peasant [194 Elizabeth St. (bet. Prince and Spring Sts.) 212-965-9611]
If you can look past the pretentiousness of having the menu in only Italian, you will see that food here is very good. I especially enjoyed the Risotto Nero di Seppia (pretentious, moi?) and the butter that came with bread. Very creamy. The waiter, although not Italian, spoke "excellent menu" and was very knowledgable about food and wine.

Paul's

2008-01-29T00:23:00.001-05:00

Paul's [131 Second Ave. (bet. 7th St. and St. Mark's Pl.) 212-529-3033]
This burger is about as greasy as they come, but it's also very good. It's big and juicy and I recommend that you get it on an English muffin. I know that sounds weird, but trust me on this one. If you want fries, try the sweet potato variety. However, just a burger should be enough to fill you up.

Park Avenue Cafe

2008-01-29T00:22:00.000-05:00

Park Avenue Cafe [100 E. 63rd St. (bet. Lexington and Park Aves.) 212-644-1900]
If you are under 25, you should definitely go here for dinner one night. If you are 35 or under, you should consider it. If you are older than 35, I hope that you are smart enough to go elsewhere or wealthy enough to not care about paying too much for a nice dinner. You see, Park Avenue Cafe offers a wonderful deal in which diners get to pay their age (from $25 to $65) for a three-course meal any time after 8:30 pm any night. With this meal, you get the typical appetizer, entree, and dessert combination, and an excellent combination it is. The Goat Cheese Ravioli is one of the better appetizers, and both the Duck and the Lamb are wise choices for entrees, but most of the food is very good, so you probably can't go wrong with too many of the selections. For dessert, try The Chocolate Cube (mostly for its presentation) and if you are young, you can leave the restaurant knowing that you got a wonderful deal.

Parisi Bakery

2008-01-29T00:20:00.000-05:00

Parisi Bakery [198 Mott St. (bet. Spring and Kenmare Sts.) 212-226-6378]
Come around lunch time and the line might be out the door. But I would say that it's worth the wait for a real Italian sandwich. I went with a sandwich of prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, oil, vinegar, and honey mustard on a hero. After the first bite I knew that I had something special and after the last bite, I knew that I was stuffed. Prices are what you'd expect for a New York sandwich ($7-$10), but the value is definitely there.

Paprika

2008-01-29T00:18:00.002-05:00

Paprika [110 St. Mark's Pl. (bet. 1st Ave. and Ave. A) 212-677-6563]
In case you couldn't tell, I like to eat in the East Village. And I also like Italian food, so Paprika is right up my alley. Set in a cute and cozy Saint Mark's space, Paprika serves up good food at good prices. Start with the excellent Beef Carpaccio, and if you want to split it, they might even do it for you. Then, try one of the pasta dishes, either one of the multiple daily specials or one of the regular menu standards. The Pappardelle with Oxtail Ragu is rich, filling, and tasty, while the Gnocchi is top-notch. If you can still find room, finish off your meal with the delicious Chocolate Souffle cake. Drink-wise, I recommend a bottle of Menabrea beer from Italy as something different, or an affordable bottle of wine as something more standard. Overall Paprika provides a classy Italian dining experience and would make a good date spot (but is also nice as a restaurant for dinner with friends).

Our Place

2008-01-29T00:18:00.001-05:00

Our Place [1444 Third Ave. (at 82nd St.) 212-288-4888]
Good quality Chinese cuisine at not too terrible prices. I like the Chicken Corn Soup, Li Po Chicken, and Beef with Chinese Vegetables. There is also another location on East 55th St. bet. Third and Lex.

Orologio

2008-01-29T00:16:00.000-05:00

Orologio [162 Avenue A (bet. 10th and 11th Sts.) 212-228-6900]
A wonderful little Italian restaurant in the East Village, Orologio offers up a nice variety of delicious dishes at very affordable prices. If you're in the mood for a salad, start with the Insalata Dirucola Enoli (arugula salad with gorgonzola cheese and walnuts). Then, I would recommend a pasta dish. Two of the better options would be the Spaghetti alla Chitarrina (spaghetti with lamb ragout) and the Tagliolini Bianchi e Neri Piccanti (black and white tagliolini in a spicy tomato sauce). Bottles of wine are mostly in the low $20 range and the clock motif around the restaurant makes for a nice atmosphere. Finally, once you finish dinner, there are a number of fun bars in the neighborhood to cap off your night.

Oriental Noodle Shop

2008-01-29T00:13:00.000-05:00

Oriental Noodle Shop [135 E. 45th St. (bet. Lex. and 3rd Aves.) 212-697-2353]
I wasn't sure whether or not to include this place, but then I realized that I needed to provide the working classes of midtown with more lunch options. This place doesn't exactly reinvent the wheel, but it does provide solid, cheap Chinese food very quickly. So don't expect anything high class, but you should get your money's worth.

Oms/b

2008-01-29T00:11:00.000-05:00

Oms/b [156 E. 45th St. (bet. 3rd and Lexington Aves.) 212-922-9788]
A very good and unique lunch option, Oms/b specializes in rice balls. For the uninitiated, a rice ball (at least at Oms/b) is basically a small pyramid of rice wrapped in seaweed and containing one filling of fish, meat, or vegetable. It is reminiscent of a sushi hand roll. These rice balls are the main attraction here, but the small restaurant also offers traditional Japanese dumplings, soup, salads, and more. I recommend the menu Set A, which allows you to choose any 3 rice balls and any soup (I like the Miso) for $7.50. And if you like seaweed salad, their version is tasty and just $2 extra. Of course you can always go a la carte if you prefer. My favorite rice balls that I have tried were the Lobster Salad and the Eel. I also enjoyed the Shrimp Dumplings. But the selection changes daily, so look around and try what seems fresh. My one concern is that I wish that each rice ball was packed with a little more meat/fish.

OG Restaurant

2008-01-29T00:09:00.000-05:00

OG Restaurant [507 E. 6th St. (bet Ave. A and Ave. B) 212-477-4649]
A wonderful little find in the East Village, this tasty hideaway serves up Asian Fusion cuisine at very reasonable prices. All of the different dumpling options seemed good, but we went with the Signature Shrimp Dumplings and the Curried Beef. We were pleased. For my main dish, I enjoyed the Half Crispy Duck. The scallion crepes that came with the duck were especially creative. The Five Spice Chicken is another solid main course option. Finally, the service was extremely friendly, making the overall experience that much better.

Notaro Ristorante

2008-01-29T00:07:00.000-05:00

Notaro Ristorante [635 2nd Ave. (bet. 34th and 35th Sts.) 212-686-3400]
Exactly what you expect from a good New York Italian restaurant. Prices are reasonable and the food, albeit perhaps not overly creative, simply tastes good. As far as I know, this is one of the better options for Italian in the neighborhood. The ambience of the restaurant is nice as well. I recommend the Pappardelle in a tomato sauce with arugula and goat cheese.

Nooch

2008-01-29T00:05:00.002-05:00

Nooch [143 Eighth Ave. (at 17th St.) 212-691-8600]
You've gotta go to the bathroom here. No, seriously. But after that, you should probably eat here too and look around. The decor at this Singapore-based noodle bar chain is something else. As for the food, it is very affordable and it is also tasty. Despite being from Singapore, Nooch serves up traditional Thai favorites along with various Japanese noodle and sushi options. I would steer clear of the Edamame to start (not salty enough) and go with the Thai chicken drumsticks instead. This minced chicken on a piece of sugar cane may be greasy, but it gets the job done. For main courses, go with the noodles. I greatly enjoyed my Zaru Soba with Salmon Sashimi, and I feel that I might have equally enjoyed the Pad See Oui (luckily my friend ordered it with my advice). This place certainly stands out in a crowd of Eighth Avenue restaurants.

Nonna

2008-01-29T00:05:00.001-05:00

Nonna [520 Columbus Ave. (at 85th St.) 212-579-3194]
An Italian brunch? Yes, that's right, I had bacon and eggs here and they were very good. With a nice corner location, this is a good place to eat outside on a summer or spring afternoon. Also, the more traditional Italian food is supposedly pretty solid, so I plan on coming back at some point.

Nobu

2008-01-29T00:04:00.000-05:00

Nobu [105 Hudson St. (at Franklin St.) 212-219-0500]
Everything they say about how good the food is here is true. Dishes are small and not that expensive by themselves, but you have to order many of them to have a full dinner, so the bill certainly adds up by the end. Waiters are very knowledgeable about the menu and can help guide you in ordering, but I will recommend some dishes anyway. Try the Sashimi Salad, Rock Shrimp Tempura, Squid "Pasta" with Garlic Sauce, Chilean Sea Bass with Black Bean Sauce, Broiled Black Cod with Miso, and many others. The sushi is also top notch and not absurdly pricey. You might want to go for lunch if you are interested in getting a table here. Alternatively you can call far in advance for a reservation. Or visit Nobu, Next Door (which is literally next door) if you want a chance to get a table without waiting a month.

New Green Bo

2008-01-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

New Green Bo [66 Bayard St. (bet. Mott and Elizabeth Sts.) 212-625-2359]
Another cheap Chinatown joint, you will have a lot of options here. Because it serves Shanghai-style cuisine, New Green Bo offers the classic Shanghai Dim Sum. Steamed Crab Meat and Pork Tiny Buns (soup dumplings) are the way to go in this regard. I recommend splitting an order of these with someone else and then each of you should get one dish "Over Rice." The Chicken with Broccoli is a solid choice. Do NOT get the Stewed Beef unless you know a lot about authentic Chinese cuisine!

Mumbles

2008-01-28T22:30:00.005-05:00

Mumbles [179 Third Avenue, New York; ]

No, this is not a Dick Tracy theme restaurant. But it is an excellent family restaurant, or a nice place to go for a dinner with friends before a night out in the Union Square area. Prices are very affordable and the portions are generally HUGE. I tried the Maryland Crab Cake appetizer with the Penne a la Vodka and I was happily stuffed. The menu is fairly diverse with all sorts of options for meat, fish, pasta, and other dishes. And you shouldn't have too much trouble snagging a table, even on a weekend night.

Mr. K's

2008-01-28T22:30:00.004-05:00

Mr. K's [570 Lexington Avenue, New York; ]

One of the top Chinese restaurants in the city. Expensive, and popular among celebrities (they keep personal chopsticks for the famous people who visit), Mr. K's is a great example of fine Chinese dining. Be prepared to spend some dough and make sure to share dishes.

Morton's, The Steakhouse (Happy Hour)

2008-01-28T22:29:00.001-05:00

Morton's, The Steakhouse (Happy Hour) [551 Fifth Avenue, New Yorl; ]

Yes, they even do Happy Hour at steakhouses. And this is one of the better ones. The tiny burgers and mini steak sandwiches are absolutely delicious, as are the shrimp and oysters. Prices are extremely low, especially considering the fact that someone with a small appetite could definitely call this his dinner. Happy Hour runs from 5-6:30 PM and from 9:30-11 PM Monday-Friday.

Momofuku Ssam Bar

2008-01-28T22:27:00.001-05:00

Momofuku Ssam Bar [207 Second Avenue, New York; ]

It's hard to keep up with this place, especially considering that its name and reason for its origin, the Ssam (essentially a Korean burrito) isn't even on the menu anymore. But anyway, it's still a great place for a late night meal (it's usually too crowded at peak hours, although being able to wait in the back at Momofuku Milk Bar makes this much more tolerable than it used to be). The menu changes with the seasons and uses lots of fresh, local ingredients, so I recommend sharing some seasonal small plates and starting with the always there, always delicious pork buns.

Eat Richly Rating: One Star

Momofuku Noodle Bar

2008-01-28T22:25:00.001-05:00

Momofuku Noodle Bar [163 First Avenue, New York; ]

The place that launched an empire, Momofuku Noodle Bar has been through many incarnations. Right now I would say that it's best as a late night dining spot where you don't have to worry about crowds and can simply enjoy the world-class pork buns and a noodle soup in peace. Another option is to try the seasonal lunch or dinner prix fixe meal for what feels like a mini-Momofuku Ko experience. All in all, still a great little spot.

Eat Richly Rating: One Star

Mizu Sushi

2008-01-28T22:24:00.001-05:00

Mizu Sushi [29 East 20th Street, New York; ]

This hip sushi joint serves up solid sushi at expensive, but not outrageous, prices. They offer a great Maki Combo (Spicy Tuna, Shrimp Tempura, and Eel Avocado) and you should definitely ask them to ring the gong if you do sake bombs.

Mishima

2008-01-28T22:22:00.002-05:00

Mishima [164 Lexington Avenue, New York; ]

A solid sushi option, this restaurant serves up all the standard Japanese specialties. With fresh fish and reasonable prices, you should certainly enjoy any meal here. I especially liked the Spicy Tuna roll that was a little different and went well with my Sushi special dinner.

Minca

2008-01-28T22:20:00.001-05:00

Minca [536 East 5th Street, New York; ]

If you're looking for a hearty bowl of ramen noodles, Minca's the spot. But before you order the noodles, there are a couple of very good appetizers you should try for variety's sake since you are probably not going to finish the whole bowl of noodles anyway. The shrimp gyoza is simply excellent, made fresh right in front of you. In addition, the radish salad is very refreshing. The peanut-influenced sauce is wonderful. As for the ramen, I ordered the Shoyu Ramen and I was very pleased with my selection. My friends had the Minca Ramen and Toroniku Ramen, both of which were very good as well. These dishes were all extremely filling, pork-based, and very reasonably priced.

Melt

2008-01-28T22:17:00.001-05:00

Melt [440 Bergen Street, Brooklyn; ]

This trendy, yet unpretentious, Park Slope restaurant is a real find. The food is high quality, the service is extremely friendly, and the prices are mostly standard for New York. I say mostly, because there are deals to be had. I had an excellent prix fixe dinner for just $19, featuring an Organic Baby Arugula Salad to start and Chicken Breast with Mushroom Risotto to finish. And every Tuesday night, you can enjoy a brand new five-course meal for just $20! But if you just want to eat a regular meal here, you'll do fine as well. For starters, try the Warm Boucheron Goat Cheese. It goes down smoothly and is well-complemented by the tomato and figs. A solid entree selection is the Butternut Squash Ravioli. The Kobe Beef Burger is also very good, but you should try it at the bar for $10 (happy hour) instead of off the menu for $17. The menu appears to change regularly here, so if they do not have some of these dishes, be adventurous and trust the chef.

Eat Richly Rating: One Star

Mediterraneo

2008-01-28T22:16:00.001-05:00

Mediterraneo [1260 Second Avenue, New York; ]

A Berger family favorite for years, pasta doesn't get much better than at Mediterraneo. The pizza and other dishes are good too, but pasta is clearly the specialty (along with super fast service). Among others, I would recommend Tagliolini al Granchio, Linguine Nere all'Arrabbiata, Pappardelle all'Anatra, and Penne al Sugo Toscano, but every single pasta dish I have ever tried there has been delicious. This restaurant is almost always crowded, so if you can't get a table, I suggest a visit to the sister restaurant down the block, Za Za.

Eat Richly Rating: Two Stars

Maz Mezcal

2008-01-28T22:14:00.002-05:00

Maz Mezcal [316 East 86th Street, New York; ]

There's a general dearth of high-quality, high-end Mexican food in New York City, but Maz Mezcal is a solid outlet on the Upper East Side. The good food, along with tasty drinks, mean that this place is certainly worth a visit.

Maya

2008-01-28T22:12:00.001-05:00

Maya [1191 First Avenue, New York; ]

You may not have realized it, but there is such a thing as upscale Mexican food. And Maya serves it up with aplomb. The guacamole is a must-have appetizer and the Tacos de Punta de Filete (basically Filet Mignon tacos) are very good as well. For main dishes, I would recommend the fish, either the Pescado a la Talla (Red Snapper) or Robala con Hongos (Striped Bass). Make sure to wash your food down with a margarita (I like mango the best) and be prepared to pay for the quality meal you get here.

Eat Richly Rating: One Star

Marco Polo Ristorante

2008-01-28T22:10:00.001-05:00

Marco Polo Ristorante [345 Court Street, Brooklyn; ]

If it's old-school Italian you want, it's old-school Italian you'll get at this Carroll Gardens haunt. The main dining room is dark and decorated with images of Marco Polo and other Italian heroes. The menu offers up few surprises, but the large portions are nice for gluttons like myself. My friend enjoyed the Minestrone soup to start, and it was a massive bowl that almost a meal in itself. For my entree, I went with the Pasta Nera Adriatica (squid-ink pasta with seafood) and it was excellent. My friend's Zuppa di Pesce (seafood in a tomato broth) was less so. My other friend had a pasta special that was tasty. So stick to the pasta and you should enjoy yourself.

Mandoo Bar

2008-01-28T22:08:00.001-05:00

Mandoo Bar [2 West 32nd Street, New York; ]

It's all mandoo all the time at this Koreatown hangout. These Korean dumplings are handmade and served boiled, steamed or pan-fried with a variety of different fillings. For two people, I would recommend sharing one order of seafood/pork and one order of kimchee. The kimchee mandoo are particularly unique, offering a spicy sensation and fine flavor not normally found in dumplings. The baby mandoo are cute, but not really worth it. Stick to the big boys and eight to ten dumplings should be enough to fill most people up. Be wary of long lines at lunch time.

Eat Richly Rating: One Star

Lombardi's

2008-01-28T22:04:00.001-05:00

Lombardi's [32 Spring Street, New York; ]

The oldest pizza joint in New York (and America), Lombardi's is an institution worth visiting for that fact alone. Luckily, they actually make very good pizza too. Apparently I missed out by not having the clam pie, but I did try two other excellent options. The first was a basic Margherita pizza, which featured a very flavorful tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil. The second had toppings of pancetta, mushrooms, and roasted peppers, which was about as much as you should pack onto a pie. Each pizza I ate was cooked wonderfully, although I hear that sometimes they can get a little burnt, so watch out for that. Now as far as value goes, Lombardi's is a little overpriced and if you factor in the (usually long) waiting time, it's not somewhere that you would want to go on a regular basis (especially in a city like New York, with so much good pizza available). It is, however, somewhere that everyone should visit at least once, and it is definitely somewhere that I would go back to.

The Lobster Place

2008-01-28T22:02:00.001-05:00

The Lobster Place [75 Ninth Avenue, New York; ]

While it's not exactly a sit down restaurant, The Lobster Place is excellent for lunch, and a wonderful place to pick up dinner. Located in Chelsea Market and offering the best of everything fishy, The Lobster Place serves very good soup and sushi, along with extremely fresh and inexpensive fish. Check their website for fish ordering and delivery information.

Liberty View

2008-01-28T22:00:00.001-05:00

Liberty View [21 South End Avenue, New York; ]

If Chinatown's not your thing, this is a solid downtown Chinese option (located in Battery Park City) with a separate menu of Chinese specialties. And as a bonus you potentially get a great view of the Statue of Liberty. My favorite dish of the night was Sliced Duck with Scallions.

Le Colonial

2008-01-28T21:58:00.002-05:00

Le Colonial [149 East 57th Street, New York; ]

Fantastic and authentic Vietnamese food is served in a wonderful setting that feels like Vietnam circa the French plantation scene from Apocalypse Now Redux. Chao Tom to start, along with Ca Chap and Bo Sate as mains makes a good meal. It's a little strange to pay so much for Vietnamese food, but everything's excellent.

La Palapa

2008-01-28T21:57:00.001-05:00

La Palapa [77 St. Mark's Place, New York; ]

After walking past this place countless times, I finally went in to eat here. It turns out that the food is pretty good, although not spectacular. Make sure to start off with some Guacamole which is excellent, but you might need two portions because each one is not that big. I tried both tacos and quesadillas. I preferred the quesadillas and would recommend the Bistec, which was noticeably better than my other dishes. It is also worth noting that the margaritas are very tasty and the food is generally spicier than most Mexican places I have been to.

La Paella

2008-01-28T21:54:00.001-05:00

La Paella [214 East 9th Street, New York; ]

Relive your time in Spain (or imagine what it might be like) as you enjoy tapas, sangria, and paella at this charming little restaurant. For the tapas, you're best off going with a big group so you can try a lot of different dishes without breaking the bank, but if you can't do that, pick the few that look best to you. I really enjoyed the stuffed squid with squid ink and tomatoes and the Basque salad (lots of smoked salmon). For the main course, you should probably get paella. I have tried both the Paella Basque and the Paella Negra. I personally preferred the Negra, but you have to like the whole squid ink thing to enjoy that. Both are very filling. For drinks, the sangria is delicious, although it didn't seem to be too strong (related?). On the whole, you should have a very enjoyable dinner and if you can make it for lunch they have great lunch special deal (soup/salad, paella, ice cream) from noon-4 pm every day.

La Giara

2008-01-28T21:52:00.001-05:00

La Giara [501 Third Avenue, New York; ]

A surprising find in the vast Murray Hill wasteland, La Giara provides good Italian food at reasonable prices. Start out with the Bruschetta (or maybe the Panserotti) before trying one of the many pasta dishes. My favorites are the Pappardelle with Duck Ragout and Spaghetti in Lamb Ragout and Pecorino Cheese. What can I say, I love pasta with meat ragouts! The service is friendly, albeit a little slow, but overall you should have an enjoyable meal here.

L'Absinthe

2008-01-28T21:49:00.001-05:00

L'Absinthe [227 East 67th Street, New York; ]

Outstanding French food in an authentic brasserie setting. Certainly an expensive treat, L'Absinthe is worth the money. My favorite dish is the rack of lamb, but you can't really go wrong here. A nice date spot for the well-heeled. A nice parents-take-you-out spot for the not-so-well-heeled.

Eat Richly Rating: One Star

Kunjip

2008-01-27T18:49:00.002-05:00

Kunjip [9 West 32nd Street, New York; ]

This place was jam-packed, but once I finally sat down here, I was treated like royalty, Korean royalty. The service was extremely attentive and it seemed as if the staff did not want any of its diners to lift even a finger. I started with the Man Doo Jim (steamed dumplings), before moving onto some delicious BBQ. All the regular side dishes were on display and my favorite BBQ dish was probably the Yetnalsik Bul Go Ki. All in all, an excellent K-Town dining option.

Kum Gang San

2008-01-27T18:48:00.004-05:00

Kum Gang San [49 West 32nd Street, New York; ]

Very good Korean BBQ restaurant in Koreatown. It's enormous and it stands out from the crowd with its waterfall up front featuring a piano player and/or a cellist on the top at peak times. Oh yeah, for food you should stick to the BBQ. I especially liked the Special Kalbi and the Miso Soup was a good starter.

Katz's Deli

2008-01-27T18:48:00.003-05:00

Katz's Deli [205 East Houston Street, New York; ]

A nice place to bring your hipster friends after you hang out with them on the Lower East Side. You can bond over a corned beef on rye (overpriced, but tasty), a bowl of matzo ball soup, and maybe for the more adventurous, a tongue sandwich. Huge, well-lit, and serving beer, this legendary deli is a good late-night option.

Kati Roll Company

2008-01-27T18:42:00.001-05:00

Kati Roll Company [49 West 39th Street, New York; ]

Long lines for lunch usually mean that a place is either very famous, very good, or very convenient for a lot of people. Since you've probably never heard of Kati Roll Company and it's not close enough to enough offices (and I'm writing about it), it must be very good. The clincher is that most of the people waiting are Indian. Whenever you've got the approval of your own ethnicity, you must be doing something right.

In this case, they are making delicious paratha bread wraps filled with paneer, chicken, beef, lamb, egg and more. Think of it as something akin to an Indian burrito if that's easier for you. I like to have two rolls, one meat (chicken or beef tikka) to start and one paneer to cleanse my palate. This is a pretty filling meal, but one roll just won't cut it. Be warned that even though this is fast food, you will have to wait around 10 minutes for your rolls to be prepared freshly even after you order. However, you can enjoy the pictures on the menu and the Indian movie posters on the wall while you wait for your delicious food. There is some seating inside, but this is a meal that can also easily taken back to the office. There are other locations of Kati Roll Company in Greenwich Village on MacDougal Street and in London!

Eat Richly Rating: One Star

Kang Suh

2008-01-27T18:39:00.001-05:00

Kang Suh [1250 Broadway, New York; ]

This 24-hour Korean joint is a solid place for late night cravings in Koreatown. As always, the menu is extensive, but I recommend sticking to BBQ. With numerous side dishes and plenty of meat, you're sure to wake up in the morning not sure why you ate so much.

JoJo

2008-01-27T18:23:00.001-05:00

JoJo [160 East 64th Street, New York; ]

Located in a beautiful converted townhouse, this elegant Jean-Georges restaurant serves up splendid French fusion cuisine. The setting is superb and the seemingly simple menu (main courses are named Chicken, Duck, Lamb, etc... although they rotate) belies a high level of creativity in the dishes. For starters, I recommend the Soft Shell Crab or the Warm Asparagus Salad, depending on which way your tastes tend to lead you. I chose the crab, and could not have been more satisfied. For an entree, I chose the Duck and again was very pleased with my selection. The fowl was tender and delicious, with a wonderful sauce to complement it. But if you prefer chicken, fish, or any other meat, I have a feeling that you will be equally happy. Finish things off with the Warm Valrhona Cake. Trust me.

Eat Richly Rating: One Star

John's Pizzeria

2008-01-27T18:22:00.002-05:00

John's Pizzeria [260 West 44th Street, New York; ]

This is the Midtown location of the chain of pizzerias spawned by the original John's of Bleecker Street. No slices is the rallying cry here, and it makes sense because the pizza is so good that you will want a whole pie. Nice group option.