'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.
Showing posts with label chain restaurant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chain restaurant. Show all posts
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Shun Lee Palace
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.
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.
Saigon Grill
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.
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
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).
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).
Pio Pio
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.
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
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Penang
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.
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
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.
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.
Our Place
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.
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.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Kati Roll Company
Kati Roll Company [49 West 39th Street, New York; Menu]
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!
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!
John's Pizzeria
John's Pizzeria [260 West 44th Street, New York; Menu]
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.
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.
Ise Japanese Restaurant
Ise Japanese Restaurant [56 Pine Street, New York; Menu]
There are three Ise restaurants in the city, but this review of the downtown location basically applies across the board (the other two are here and here in Midtown). No need to mess around here, I recommend ordering sushi. All the sushi is freshly prepared, including numerous daily specials (these are pretty expensive, however). The more standard options are reasonably priced for an upscale sushi restaurant. I greatly enjoyed my Maguro Sushi, which offered me 3 pieces each of 3 different preparations of tuna sushi. You will have plenty of room if you go for dinner, but apparently the place is packed at lunch time, so beware.
There are three Ise restaurants in the city, but this review of the downtown location basically applies across the board (the other two are here and here in Midtown). No need to mess around here, I recommend ordering sushi. All the sushi is freshly prepared, including numerous daily specials (these are pretty expensive, however). The more standard options are reasonably priced for an upscale sushi restaurant. I greatly enjoyed my Maguro Sushi, which offered me 3 pieces each of 3 different preparations of tuna sushi. You will have plenty of room if you go for dinner, but apparently the place is packed at lunch time, so beware.
Haru
Haru [1329 Third Avenue, New York; Menu; (see Haru home page for more locations)]
Haru, a chain with locations all over New York, serves high-quality, albeit overpriced, sushi, but it's best attribute is probably its reliability.
Haru, a chain with locations all over New York, serves high-quality, albeit overpriced, sushi, but it's best attribute is probably its reliability.
Hale and Hearty Soups
Hale and Hearty Soups [22 East 47th Street, New York; Menu; (see Hale and Hearty home page for more locations)]
This chain of soup, salad, and sandwich shops is a reliable lunch location. They have a few solid soups available every day, but I always prefer to go for one of the daily specials. My favorites include Shrimp Bisque, Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato Bisque, and Chicken and Corn Chowder, along with other bisques and chowders.
This chain of soup, salad, and sandwich shops is a reliable lunch location. They have a few solid soups available every day, but I always prefer to go for one of the daily specials. My favorites include Shrimp Bisque, Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato Bisque, and Chicken and Corn Chowder, along with other bisques and chowders.
Gyu-Kaku
Gyu-Kaku [34 Cooper Square, New York; Menu]
A great place for groups, but also somewhere you could dine alone, this outpost of the Gyu-Kaku chain has some of the most delicious BBQ south of 32nd street. The menu has a lot of options for what you can throw on the grill (you have to cook it yourself), but I would recommend sticking mostly to the beef. The best option, of course, is anything Kobe. We had the Kobe Kalbi and it was simply fantastic. Almost as good however, and much cheaper, was the Harami, marinated skirt steak. A third good beef option is the regular Kalbi. Be careful when you are ordering because each portion is not that big and the tally does add up. It's worth it though. And if you can get there early or late, they have happy hour pricing on one meat each day Monday-Thursday. There is a second location in Midtown.
A great place for groups, but also somewhere you could dine alone, this outpost of the Gyu-Kaku chain has some of the most delicious BBQ south of 32nd street. The menu has a lot of options for what you can throw on the grill (you have to cook it yourself), but I would recommend sticking mostly to the beef. The best option, of course, is anything Kobe. We had the Kobe Kalbi and it was simply fantastic. Almost as good however, and much cheaper, was the Harami, marinated skirt steak. A third good beef option is the regular Kalbi. Be careful when you are ordering because each portion is not that big and the tally does add up. It's worth it though. And if you can get there early or late, they have happy hour pricing on one meat each day Monday-Thursday. There is a second location in Midtown.
Dallas BBQ
Dallas BBQ [1265 Third Avenue, New York; Menu; (see Dallas BBQ home page for more locations)]
Decent, but not great, cheap BBQ all over the city. Texas-sized drinks pack a serious punch. Perfect for large groups that don't want to spend that much. I usually order the Chicken and Ribs combo.
Decent, but not great, cheap BBQ all over the city. Texas-sized drinks pack a serious punch. Perfect for large groups that don't want to spend that much. I usually order the Chicken and Ribs combo.
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