bpearis

I was told by a sushi chef at the now-gone Sushisay in NYC (now Sushi Ann, still very good) that the mark of a good sushi restaurant were the tamago and the kohada (a mackarel / sardine like fish that I think is cured to some extent). if those were good, you knew the rest would be too.

didn't this open over a month ago?

They are beautiful and the icing is great but I've never had anything but a totally dry cake from them. As far as Grimes vs. Azimov, it seemed like they both liked some and disliked others.

well jason, you said "nothing about that sandwich says diet to me." you can understand that i might take this as your (educated) opinion of the actual sandwich, rather than the marketing campaign (which may or may not have completed its life-cycle yet). and the sodium still doesn't matter. The Bayless commecial has mentions the fat content, haven't seen the other two. I've been on the fence about this whole thing but after seeing the commercial a few times, it's pretty embarrassing for Bayless if you ask me.

I get a cubano from Margon about once a week. It's great and only $4. The one at Chickenbone Cafe (which they call the BFC -- "Best Fuckin' Cubano") really is good too, but a bit fancy-pants and pricey ($13).

Is that just near the pedestrian entry to the bridge? I run from Manhattan to Williamsburg and back regularly, and caught myself briefly considering it as a mid-run snack. Not a good idea on second thought I'll try it soon. Thanks for the tip. It's about four blocks north of the pedestrian bridge i think, maybe less. Slightly off the fish taco topic, if you ever go to Bonita for brunch, have the pambazo. it's sort of the mexican equivilent of the monte cristo: chorizo, avacado, potatos, crumbly cheese and crema on a roll. The whole thing is dipped in mole and grilled. Awesome.

Bonita in Williamsburg (Bedford @ South 3rd) makes excellent fish tacos. Just about everything is good there, actually. Also the Bright Food Shop in Chelsea has good ones, if memory serves.

I'm just adding in my two cents mainly because it's nice to see Joe Pernice get props on this site. Joe's a food fan, you know and actually has a cooking video on the Pernice Brothers website. It's a bad analogy that shows he's maybe a bit out of touch. I'm not a huge Grimes fan but loved that piece about the chicken that showed up in his back yard.

why would i be joking? i wasn't claiming it's the best burger in new york. but it is very delicious and everyone i know likes them. the meat is good and they're only $2. don't knock it till you try it. not destination food, but if you happen to be in the neighborhood... a mere five or six blocks from peter lugers. sorry, thought this was a more general thread about good burgers in new york and didn't fully realize the steingarten-esque nature of the quest.

It probably doesn't warrant a trip just for this, but my favorite favorite burger is made at this izakaya-ish place in williamsburg called Snacky. They've got Japanese, Chinese and Korean small plates, most of which is good. Sake, soju, beer, no booze. Really cute place. Anyway, they make this thing called The Popsie Burger, which uses these sweet Chinese buns, provolone cheese (i think) and a spicy mayo. Instead of fries you get shrimp chips. It's really cute, sort of like a slider but taller (because of the bun, mostly). No relation to Pop burgers (Snacky has had Popsies for over a year). Snacky 187 Grand Street between Bedford and Berry. 718.302.9800

It's been around for a long time, first in the east village and then moved to the upper east side a couple years ago. I lived around the corner from the EV location and thought they were good, but I have a place in my heart for White Castle. The veggie sliders were actually very good too. Not that this has anything to do with this thread. Someone mentioned BK and McDonalds in England. According to a freind who went to London recently, the UK versions blow the US chain's burgers away.

Yes, it is. I'm looking at the takeout menu RIGHT NOW. 507 9th Avenue. I'm not doubting that there is another restaurant in NY called this, but that's what they're calling it. It's a recent menu, from the last six weeks. Call them and see how they answer the phone: 212 868 7780. EDIT: juiceman, didn't notice until just now that you brought up the upscale Salon Mexico in your post above.

is it really? then they changed their name yet again. it was something after Los Dos Rancheros. i miss the days of going to LDR for "cheap tacos" and then hitting the bellevue across the street til all hours. a perfect night. Yes, really. I'm looking at a takeout menu right now. I've found the tacos to be on the dry side, but their enchiladas mole is surpringly tasty. Authentic, I don't know.

It's now called Salon Mexico. It's not bad, but no great shakes.

Is Tenaka the most-recent Jewel Bako chef?(ie the one after Kazuo Yoshida left for Brasserie 360.) Anyone know?

tehuitzingo is great, discovered the place a few months ago (work near there). the nytimes crowd should die down by middle of next week. they've got around ten kinds of tacos, plus sopes (though the ones at matamoros in williamsburg are better), quesadillas (not like the southwest quesadillas...the huitalacoche ones are excellent), tortas and more. on weekends they make tamales. as for the tacos, they are the best. i like the enchilada pork ones the best. they also have a little condiment station with red and green salsa, refried beans and lime wedges so you can dress them up yourself. you'll stuff yourself silly for about $7.

for some reason i was thinking of "Hot Child in the City" by Nick Gilder. In my mind I managed to make the lyrics fit.

I believe that was Nick Gilder.

Viet-Nam is no more. It is now Doyers Street Vietnamese Restaurant. They had a Grand Opening sign up on Saturday. Didn't go in.

thinking of going here tomorrow before a show at bowery ballroom. what else do you guys reccomend there?

Totonno's is my personal favorite NY pizza place... and pizza. The only major place I haven't been is the original Patsy's. The very middle is a bit soggy, but it is great, great pizza. Goes great with the Rheingolds they serve there. If you've never been, it's worth the trip to Coney Island.

les halles fries are the best i've ever had. it could have something to do with the bernaise sause they serve with them -- that stuff would make cardboard taste good.

Tototonno's Pizza is a must -- in my opinion the best in NYC. I guess part of it may be the atmosphere, the cold Rheingold beers but, apart from a soggy (dead) center of the pie, their pizza is worth the trip out there alone. EDIT: I can't spell.

over the last week... sophies on e. 5th st -- smoking like the law never happened. no signs up saying you couldn't smoke. belvue bar on 9th and 40th -- ditto collins bar on 8th and 45th or so -- signs up that say no smoking, but one or two guys in the back, not at the bar were smoking. but mostly the place stunk of popcorn. rosie's greenpoint tavern in williamsburg -- previously one of the smokiest bars in the WB, they're enforcing the law. tons of hipsters forced outside in the cold to puff away.

The first time I had the Chihuaha dog I thought it was one of the best things I'd ever eaten. The second time wasn't nearly as good. Two factors were involved I think. One, the second time the hot dog wasn't as salty. Two, the first time I was drunk. Slightly off-topic, I tried Blue 9 Burger last night. The place looks as if Ikea designed a burger joint, but feels like it was created by marketing majors as a senior project. Apparently, B9 is based on In-and-Out Burger, which I've never been to. But I thought it was a superior fast food burger, you could definitely tell the burger was fresh meat. I liked the cheeseburger a lot. On the disappointing side, they offer this mango-chili sauce for the fries which has almost no flavor whatsoever. Blue 9 is at 92 Third Avenue (around 10th street).