Nathan

Heston Blumenthol I believe ← right! not the former Clinton aide...

yup. Mesa Grill is hardly a highly-regarded restaurant by NY'ers. (note: I had a perfectly acceptable brunch there a couple years ago. I'm sure one could have an adequate dinner there.)

whoops...MiniBar. I need to make it there on my next D.C. trip.

I can't figure out why people think most food in Manhattan is delivered. I wish that were true. I live within 10 blocks of 4 or 5 full size supermarkets, several large delis, many speciality stores, not to mention Fairway. Someone sure as heck is shopping in these places. What I do think is true is that Manhattan has more of the small speciality stores that are gone elsewhere. Between 96th Street and Houston Street for example there are probably at least 50 bread bakeries and 20 plus meat markets. Not to mention at least a dozen large speciality markets and quite a few cheese stores... You like Chocolate? We have at least 10 high end chocololate stores where you can spend $50 plus a pound, heck, we can do $100 plus a pound if you want. There are also quite a few independent health food stores. Like to buy fresh coffee? Try Porto Rico Coffee or McNulty's or or. Ten plus fresh pasta stores. Its true that real estate is rather expensive around here, which means we don't have giant supermarkets. But most people don't do one stop shopping either, they buy what is best at different places. ← most people here don't cook. they get deliver/takeout. throw in that practically all of the grocery stores do deliver (for those who do cook).

I assume you're talking about Trio in Evanston where Grant Achatz was doing molecular cuisine. Almost three years ago Achatz left Trio and opened Alinea which is full fledged avant-garde. WD-50 in New York is molecular. so is Moto in Chicago. FoodBar in D.C. the Fat Duck in the UK...Sidney Blumenthal's place. indeed, restaurants all over Europe are working in the El Bulli milieu. some successfully, some not so.

or good cupcakes at Magnolia....or Ssam Bar being merely burritos....

well...yeah...a basic 1:1 takes two minutes to make (literally). no need to boil it.....just measure and then shake really hard for a minute. then shake it the first few times you pour it. its really that simple.

somehow I doubt egullet has thousands of noob lurkers

"Didnt have desert there, but got some cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery (which are pretty much heaven in your mouth). The last day i ate at Momofuku Ssam bar (nice little korean buritto place) and Ruby Foos (GREAT dim sum)." I take it you didn't check the relevant forum threads before this trip. edit: glad you enjoyed your trip and thanks for reminding us about Gotham B & G...a place that despite its excellence is too easily forgotten about.

its true. most people get their food delivered. on the other hand, NY's sheer size means that you can find almost anything...somewhere... but when you compare a NY supermarket to a contemporary supermarket in another American city's suburbs...you'll cry. (in a nutshell, even the best NY supermarkets kind of suck....its a size/space issue I think). as for restaurants, more information on your preferences and price ranges would be good....so many options.

prices vary from $8 to $150. most are in the $10-20 range. some portions are appetizer sized...some are entree sized...but the menu isn't split between the two.

I don't think anyone eats well in Montauk...except at uber-expensive catered home parties.

because Ssam Bar doesn't take reservations at all...its a bit easier for walk-ins. so I'd make that Saturday. as for Lupa...make sure you tell both the maitre d that you're looking for a table and then tell the bartender that you're looking to eat. that way you'll get whichever spot opens up first...either a table or seats at the bar. you're in luck that the summer is NY's "slow season" as so many people are out of town.

the seafood at Lupa will change virtually daily. if they offer anything baked in salt (usually branzino)...get it. baked goods don't really interest me so I can't help you on that.

I'm very very happy with the following recent concoction: The Wry Mule: 2 rye (Rittenhouse Bonded) mint muddled with .5 simple syrup (or you can use .5 mint syrup) .5 lime juice. shake. collins glass or a tumbler. top with ginger beer to taste. (I used Reed's) on the rocks if you like...or without.

1. I would choose Lupa for the entirety of its menu. 2. the Otto menu has 10+ veggies dishes....all of the verdure options...I usually get several. 3. if you like ice cream, the olive oil gelato at Otto will blow your mind...but you could just stop in at mid-day and get it.

I'm thinking that gin with some lime and cucumber would be my next move. Of course, I don't have Hendrick. Just some Tanquerray. Unless that's really going to be offensive, I'll give it a whirl tonight. I also like the idea of a gin sour with cucumber. Maybe even something like a Tom Collins with some muddled cucumber? That might work. ← well..the point of doing it with Hendrick's (is it not available there? I thought it was pretty widely distributed) is that Hendrick's is pretty distinctly cucumber flavored... doing it with a more juniper-forward gin is going to give quite different results.

that implies he had to return to Ninja at least once...ya gotta feel for him.... I could see how a couple restaurants only need two visits: Max Brenner, Ninja, Katz's...but I would hope that the vast majority of the time he visits at least three times.

Tell me about Otto...is it just pizza or do you have some personal favorites? ← I actually rarely get pizza there. I generally make a meal out of the carne, paste and verdure. the wine list and cheese selection are excellent. the gelato is the best in NY. the menu is here: http://ottopizzeria.com/menu.html ← Would you go Otto over Lupa? Are the pastas homemade and equally good at both places? I really do appreciate all your insight ← the pasta at Lupa is better. how many are in your group again? a party of two never has to wait too long to eat at the bar or at a table at Lupa.

Tell me about Otto...is it just pizza or do you have some personal favorites? ← I actually rarely get pizza there. I generally make a meal out of the carne, paste and verdure. the wine list and cheese selection are excellent. the gelato is the best in NY. the menu is here: http://ottopizzeria.com/menu.html

Le Zie is a neighborhood place that I've never heard as highly regarded. there are probably 50 places similar to it in Manhattan.

Erm, no. I believe that you are thinking about Tasca. Alta (54 West 10th Street, in a townhouse with a slightly below-street entrance) is a different animal entirely.I'd go with Alta over Lupa, myself, but I feel like Lupa hasn't been the same since Mark Ladner took off to Del Posto. Either are good choices. Momofuku Ssam Bar is a must; I'd skip Noodle Bar for the comfort issue I mentioned abovethread. ← What would you suggest at Barbone? I am definitely going to momofuku...probably Sunday night and just need to decided on the other one. I would like to have some good Italian that is not really heavy. Our chances of getting into Lupa are probably not too good so I need a back-up plan. Nathan, what would be your next choice if Lupa doesn't work out? ← for Italian in that price range? for Batali -- Otto or the enoteca at Del Posto (which has an excellent prix fixe deal). other possibilities: Peasant. Inoteca. my meal at Barbone was so-so but I've heard enough good things to give it another try. haven't been to Il Posto

after a few cocktails I can't think of anything better to wash it down with than a hot dog or burger. and the kitchen is the Crif Dogs kitchen anyway

sorry, I brainfarted. I was thinking of Tasca. must check out Alta.

yup. I could see how for some it could "get old"