daisy17

We stayed at the Pueblo Bonita Pacifica just past Cabo San Lucas - got a great rate on Expedia, and we absolutely loved it. Incredibly relaxing, very quiet, beautiful grounds, no scene, no kids permitted. Smaller and much newer than the ones you mentioned. Most of beaches are no swimming b/c of the crazy riptide, I think that's limited to the Pacific side though. We found some amazing food though, described in my previous post. Cabo's beautiful, especially loved San Jose del Cabo. We rented a car, which I highly recommend - we were able to explore both towns and went to Todos Santos. Feel free to PM me if you want more info.

Pegu is only about four or five short blocks from Babbo and I believe is the closest bar that's been mentioned. I agree with Sneakeater - Pegu's cocktails are better than Employees Only. Little Branch, however, is amazing and should not be given up on. It reopened earlier this year and indeed has stellar cocktails. May not open until 7 or 8, not sure if this is convenient for you. Keep your eye out for Sammy, the Australian hottie behind the bar.

I think you should call my mom.

Mom says potato starch or cake meal.

Oh, I love this thread. When I was a kid I could not stand having different foods touch each other on the plate and couldn't go near a mushroom or an onion. Love mushrooms and onions now, and I intentionally mix food on my plate or on my fork at every meal. I have serious texture issues with certain foods: sushi rolls (the combo of the rice and seaweed is revolting to me yet I love raw fish), beets, runny eggs, hard boiled eggs. Can't stand the smell of tea or ginger ale but I'm pretty sure that's because I associate them with being sick. The mere thought of biting into ice cream makes me shudder. Can't do it or think about doing it. Realized early in my waitressing days, hanging out in the kitchen, that I couldn't tolerate cilantro. Like couldn't even be in the same room as it. On a recent trip to Mexico I decided to adopt Jeffrey Steingarten's extinguishing-food-aversion philosophy and was determined to just eat as much cilantro as I could (it was fairly unavoidable anyway, it being Mexico and all). Piled it onto tacos al pastor. Intentionally ordered red snapper slathered in cilantro and lime. Delicious. So I'm over it. Have embraced cilantro, even had it in my kitchen the other day. Am currently working on olives.

Excellent suggestions, thanks very much.

The Ritz at Battery Park has good views of the Statue of Liberty/downtown, and is close to Tribeca . . . . I think the bar upstairs is called Rise. The bar at the top of the Peninsula Hotel (5th and 55th) offers great views of midtown. This is so cheesy that I can't believe I'm suggesting it, but the bar on the 7th or 8th floor of the Marriot Marquis hangs right over Times Square and makes for an excellent NY view, and then there's the restaurant/bar on the top of the hotel (yes, the one that revolves, just kick me off egullet right now, jeez). Stone Rose in the Time Warner Center is on Central Park - it can be fun but I didn't think the cocktails were very good. Trendy/crowded. I've heard excellent things about the Brandy Library, which is very close to Nobu. No view but it sounds very cool. Or you could go classic old school New York with Bemelman's, or to one of my new favorites, The Pegu Club or Little Branch. No view and not traditional NY since they're new, but they make some of the best cocktails in the whole city!

Funny you should mention it - my reaction when asked about CIA was that they should go to Blue Hill at Stone Barns for dinner instead.

A work colleague asked me if I knew anything about the restaurants at CIA in Hyde Park. (Most of the people I work with really only talk to me when they need information about food, but I digress.) Any suggestions/info would be appreciated.

Visited Sripraphai with my intrepid dining companion on Saturday night. Took 45 mins by subway from Union Square and it would have been just fine with me if it had taken twice as long. Holy crap. It would appear that I have never actually had Thai food before. We started with the roasted duck salad and the papaya salad with dried shrimp, followed by tom yum pork leg soup. Was astounded by the clarity of the flavors in each of the dishes. For entrees, soy sauce noodles with chicken (smoky and sweet) and beef massaman curry. Delicious then and for leftovers. It's probably a good thing that Sripraphai is in Queens, or I'd be eating it every night.

Sure you've all seen green starfruit, but my fearless travel companion in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico had to snap a photo of these yellow/orange ones. Because we're dumb, we did not buy and taste one. Too busy eating tacos and chilaquiles.

I'm always a fan of Bread and Snack (inexpensive, delicious Greek food).

I second Marquet Patisserie - their fruit tarts are absolutely delicious. Also still love City Bakery on 18th between 5th/6th, not for a cake, but for excellent desserts/tarts/cookies. A friend of mine loves Duane Park Patisserie in Tribeca, on Duane between Hudson and Greenwich.

I am always a fan of Veritas. Some people don't like the room, but I do, and I've always found the food/wine/service to be consistently stellar. There's a separate thread on it somewhere here . . .

My top picks in midtown west are Le Bernardin, db Bistro and Baldoria. Just thinking about Baldoria's vitello alla milanese and meatballs makes my mouth water. Would be a good choice for a larger party of 8.

I've had several very good meals at Gusto, most recently about three weeks ago at the bar. Loved the focaccia (topped with seasonal fruit - figs/pears), the tomato salad in summer. Very good slow roasted pork, meatballs and risotto, didn't love the pappardelle con cinghiale. I recall reading recently that the chef is/was leaving, not sure if that happened yet and what impact it might have.

Glad to hear that some of you enjoyed dining out last night. Just read tales of horrid v-day restaurant experiences on eater. Pretty much illustrate why I don't go out to eat on annoying (IMO) holidays. I'm with Alchemist - pizza and movies on the couch sound divine to me.

Herme's chocolate and caramel macarons are absolutely phenomenal. I've never been a big fan of the crazy concoctions when it comes to macarons. I've always thought his are unparalleled.

What a coincidence - I'm going to PV in a couple of weeks also and have exactly the same question. Also, has anyone been to La Palapa?

On a recent rainy day we were on a used food/cocktail book expedition, and Strand pointed us to Joanne Hendricks Cookbooks on Greenwich St., 212.226.5731. Joanne is enthusiastic and had some very interesting books . . . what a find! As mentioned previously, Bonnie Slotnick also has an excellent collection and is extremely helpful.

George, you're right - I edited my post - in fact, every time we told someone we had reservations at Mi Cocina, they asked us if it was Mi Casa . . . . thanks!

Also just returned from a trip to Cabo. Stayed at the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, which was all things relaxing, restful and mellow. Excellent all around. Highlight of the trip was Las Ventanas. From the minute we were greeted by name at the entrance, I knew it was going to be special. We were led down winding pathways over pools, past lit torches to the restaurant. Cocktails in the lounge. Lovely. It was a bit chilly out when we were seated at our table near the pool and heat lamps. The hostess offered to bring us ponchos to keep us warm. Decided we were all having the tasting menu, which was as follows: "Tlacoyo" with spicy cactus paddle and mozzarella cheese & "Ceviche" marinated with olive oil "Campeche" style "Albondiga" with lobster and tomato sauce & "Sope" with crab meat and "chile chipotle" Roasted red snapper fish with green tomato rice & parrot fish with corn puree and mole rojo Grilled loin lamb with asparagus & roasted prime filet mignon with "Mocajete" sauce Dessert deserves its own post. Each course consists of both tastings described, so there was quite a bit of food. My friend who cannot be in the same room as cilantro explained her aversion to our server. Each course was delivered and described to us, with an observation to her that whatever cilantro was in our dishes had been thoughtfully omitted from hers. They also served us a soup course which was not on the menu, black bean and smoked potato for two of us, tortilla soup and smoked potato for the cilantro hater b/c the black bean was prepared with it. OK, I'm going to cut to the chase. The food was phenomenal. Never had lamb quite like this before. Really, fantastic food. I do believe that the service was nearly the best I've ever had (exception is Per Se). Our waiter, Alejandro, was attentive and approachable, anticipated all of our needs, and made our night very special. By dessert it had become chillier, so he just moved a heat lamp closer to us. We didn't have to ask. The whole night was like that. Desserts were outrageous. We all agreed that the banana and chocolate creme brulee was the most sublime. I loved my apricot souffle with chocolate sauce - very interesting texture. Last night had dinner at Mi Cocina in San Jose del Cabo. Beautiful candlelit garden with waterfalls and attentive service. I don't recommend sitting right next to the waterfall though, as I could barely hear my friends speak during dinner. Started with a watermelon cocktail which was refreshing and delicious. I had a chile relleno with spicy lamb and cheese, really good, and lamb for an entree. Very good, perhaps a little fatty, but well-seasoned and tasty. Friends enjoyed sea bass and seafood risotto.

You could sit at the bar alone at Craftbar or Gramercy Tavern and have an enjoyable time. Highly recommend both for solo dining. Also could go to Hearth (at the kitchen pass), Mary's Fish Camp (counter), and Veritas (bar) . . . . All have great food too.

Le Bernardin!

My favorite lunch-alone places are Craftbar, Lupa, Mary's Fish Camp.