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Eatmywords

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Posts posted by Eatmywords

  1. Don/Jon,

    You ordered perfectly. We got to try almost everything on the menu and it was all prepared at such a high level and by a super attentive/friendly staff.

    For a casual, hang out place I don't know many restaurants devoting this kind of attn to ingredient qlty. -And at very reasonable prices. Many of the dishes could be served in higher ends at double the price.

    The pork ass-shoulder and sea urchin w.tapioca balls/tofu were among my favorites but really there wasn't one dish that disappointed. So much of what Ssam is doing is unlike anything else in NY and for that alone they should be commended.

    Super meal. Super people. Thank you all so much.

  2. But quite frankly, NY has the worst dance scene of any major city in the world (to the best of my knowledge)

    That's crap!

    I can't believe I see so many people saying that NYC has such a bad nightlife/danceclub scene when there are soooo many options on any given night, so much so that people from all over the country and the world come to NYC for it.

    It really depends what you are looking for; are you there for the music, the sound system, a particular DJ, a particular crowd, an "underground" feel, a Miami chic feel, etc. etc. - it's all happening -

    I've been in your situation before, and if you are with a group of girls you're not going to have trouble getting into most clubs, and what you want is in the West Chelsea area i.e. Stereo, Crobar, Home, etc. feel free to PM me I'll sort you out

    Right on Raji

    I think what Nathan, others and even myself fail to accept is that we're not in our early/mid twenties anymore. Dance clubs are geared to this demographic not ours. As we get older our idea of good places to dance, which invariably comes down to the music and clientelle, diminishes rapidly.

    That said, I still love to go dancing and try to accept the environment as "today's scene". As for big clubs, I've been to Pacha and Crobar recently and enjoyed them both very much. Both of them draw some of the best dj's in the world.

    I think the best way to go dancing in NY is to decide on the music and go from there.

  3. If you don't feel like trecking downtown after your mediocore meal at Carmines (really, why are you going here? You can get this food anywhere. Take them to Otto) you can try Ava Penthouse/Lounge on 55th and Broadway in the Dream Hotel. -About 15 flrs high, it provides pretty views of TSqr, a funky vibe and only 11 blocks away. You could walk off the spag meatballs and chicken parm. :raz:

  4. Eatmywords:  huh?  I've heard you use the term plenty of times.  you know exactly the gum-chewing while wine-drinking demographic that I describe.  who do you think composed half of our Hamptons house?

    everyone should see slkinsey's post and link on the nightclub thread.  like I said, its not controversial to anyone in the industry.

    Yea a few times, like when someone appears or talks like they've stepped off the set of Saturday Night Fever. The broad generalizations you're making are blown way out of proportion and based much more on your personal opinion.

  5. thanks for the link.  Meghan pegged it exactly on that thread.

    ......pegged what?....that you're a bigger snob than she is?

    This current day B&T breakdown is ridiculously stupid. Yes, I agree in the The 70's, 80's and even 90's you could make some broad distinctions in both appearance and behavior but those days are gone.

  6. I've never been to the old location but the new one is sleek, modern and fun......a beautiful space all around. Even if you're not a fan of modern/Scandinavian decor the place is stunning.

    What was lousy?

  7. EatMyWords:

    Several times I have heard comments from people (primarily in other cities) about that "great NY restaurant" -- Tao.  I imagine that there is some sort of word of mouth effect as well. 

    For example, Batali famously doesn't hire PR firms.  But he doesn't need to.  Never discount the celeb effect.  That seems to be very important to tourists and the B&T.  (never mind that actually finding a celeb eating out in NY on the weekend is pretty darn rare -- although I did recently see a certain personage eating with someone not his wife and forty years his younger at the Spotted Pig on a Saturday evening (but it was also at least one in the morning).

    If your going for drinks, aesthetics and ambience Tao most certainly can be a "great restaurant".

    Btw, that was very considerate of you to keep the cellebrity anonymous!

    :laugh:

  8. Oak, do you think it's possible that Nathan has this rare "inside track"? He's been kissing Bruni's ass for so long that he just might have formed a telepathic connection through his colon right up to his brain. It's kind of like the movie "Being John Malcovich" but instead of entering his brain through a little door, he goes through the rear. I think it's quite possible Nathan knows every thought Bruni has before he has it not to mention his next bowel mvmt.

    :biggrin:

  9. "I don't doubt that Bruni thought that "more than a few dishes weren't so successful.""

    I doubt it. 

    I think he really, really loved the food.  But was absolutely poisoned by the front of the house.

    Haha.....dude, thats nuts.....why would he confuse your (supposed) ignorant Times readers with such comments? Clearly, he cites the kitchen's shortcomings (as Oak pointed out)

    Don't forget, a key to good service stems from an efficient, consistent kitchen.

    :biggrin:

  10. Wow!  Bruni essentially just docked the Russian Tea Room two stars for service (its clear that he thinks the food is three star quality)....especially service v. price.  I do have to say that the service he describes is inexcusable. 

    Looks like this is an especially egregious example of the front of the house hurting a great kitchen.

    I guess one thing is clear, this is one case where he certainly wasn't recognized.

    Nah, he found enough inconsistencies with the food that they weren't getting anywhere near three:

    "More than a few dishes weren’t so successful" and "In terms of food and all else, the Russian Tea Room doesn’t add up neatly or quite make sense".

    Overall, I liked the review very much. For a change he really sticks to the food, menu, service and atmosphere providing for what appears to be (I've never had the pleasure) to be an accurate take on RT.

    Is your boy evolving?

    :blink:

  11. I don't really have a favorites list (I'm more of a scotch/whiskey guy) but I recently discovered (through a tasting at my local wine store) a new brand called 42Below. I tried the Honey infused. Let me just say to you vodka lovers that this was the best flavored vodka I've ever tasted. I bought a bottle and have enjoyed it neat or with a couple cubes. I highly recommend it (if you can find it).

  12. On my first visit to Zabb City, I chatted up the waiter about Sri Pra and the Zabb Queens location.  Asked about how they tuned the spicing on 13th street and then said make it regular spicy for them and, man I could barely eat the food.  It was HOT.

    It's great having this joint just around the corner.

    Nice to know they'll kick up the spice factor. I was sure of this and happy we weren't set on fire.

    Did you hear that Nathan? You can still take a girl there and show off your unparalleled resilience to spicy food. :wacko:

    Now, if only they did some business they might make it past the new year.

  13. Wow, great pics Gabe. Food looks so colorful and inventive. Nice touch on the course with the knife! :smile:

    I checked out Noma's site. I was curious what the cost might be since I've heard that fine dining in Denmark and Sweden is astronomical. I see DKK 635 (about $120) for the 7 course dinner prix fix. Is that right? Seems well worth it. Interesting they charge the same price for the pairings.

    I've always wanted to visit Scandinavia now I really I want to go.

    Great post, thx

  14. I went Wednesday with my girl and Nathan. It's a tiny little box of a room, nicely decorated w/warm modern tones. Maybe 20 seats. Besides another couple we were the only table. Depressing considering the food is fantastic. We started with:

    Curry puffs; stuffed with potato, onion and ground chicken. Delicious airey, light pockets, not over fried (as they can often be) with a rich, mostly potato filling. I didn't notice the chicken but it didn't matter. They were awesome.

    Fresh Roll (summer roll) was ok. Very fresh ingredients, cool temperature, chili vinigrte. Pretty standard. (I was a bit disappointed when I realized they left out the smoked tofu. Apparently previous diners were turned off to it so they nixed it (w/out telling us). Whatever. (I guess It's stuff like this that Americanizes Manhattan Thai compared w/Queen's). I think it would have been better had it contained the tofu.

    Esan grilled beef salad w/tossed dried chili, mint, onion, thai herbs and lime juice was out of this world. I can't really explain why it worked so well (as I'm a novice w/Thai food) but I'm guessing the Thai herbs, lime juice, qlty of beef and amt of grilling make for a wonderful salad. (I hope someone on here tries it and breaks it down better than I can).

    Mains:

    Zabb Pow Pow Pork with onions, scallions and chili paste. Simple dish. The pork strips had a tender yet crispy quality. Was very good just lacked some veggies.

    Kee Mao Noodles w/chicken sauteed w/basil, shoots and Chinese broccoli. - Loved the giant noodles. Haven't seen them this big in too many places. They keep this dish simple and let the ingredients do the talking. I liked that it wasn't too oily as this type of dish can be.

    Finally, the peanut curry with Seafood (shrimp, calamari and baby scallops) done in a thick red curry/coconut milk sc w/eggplant, peas, basil and peanuts. My favorite. The shellfish were super fresh, the sc stuck to the rice like a cream sc should. The flavors in this curry were beyond what I've had in NY so far......lots of layers. I'd go back just for this dish.

    Perhaps this Zabb is a bit more Americanized than some would like. And I say that regarding only the level of spice (the Queens branch is reported to offer insanely spicy fare) and not the authentic complexity of their cuisine. This worked fine for me and my girl as we don't have a high threshold but appreciate some spice. Perhaps, the moment someone inquires of the spice level (as we did) the turn it way down. I'm sure if you let them know you want the real deal they'll comply.

    For me, this place was better than Pam and not too far behind Srip. I'll have to give it another shot to justify (and I surely will).

    I really hope everyone reading this gives them a shot. Judging from the business we saw (none) I don't know how long they can sustain. (Hopefully take-out will carry them till word gets out)

    FYI, it's byo so much savings to be had!

  15. I enjoyed that quote, too.  But then again there was the one about winning "America's Next Top Pharmaceutical Research" where I like, "umm, ok?"

    Anyway, those reviews were fair I think.  I'm surprised Eater tried to low ball Toqueville to one star.

    Yea, I didn't get that either. Maybe insinuating they're risk takers? - Willing to take a chance on a new space? ehh, I don't know

    Yea, I don't argue the ratings (even though we had a very disapointing meal at TR when it first reopened). Its the content, or lack of, that pisses me off.

  16. well, I called this one.

    money quote: "The Tasting Room is like a vegetarian restaurant that won’t come out of the closet."

    that is seriously funny...and true.

    That was funny, but this one is better:

    "The new space is a drag, but lost coziness isn’t the culprit. Found ugliness is".

    Too bad his witty remarks don't add much to the scope and critique of the food. Re Tocqueville, he goes over only four dishes. I wouldn't mind hearing about a few more esp for a two star. Do they even serve apps? -Not one is mentioned. And I'm not a big sweet tooth but is more than one dessert offered?

    He prefers to concentrate on their moves and the effect a new space might have on a successful operation. Sure it's worth a mention but really who gives a crap?

    Looking frwd to next weeks tangents.

  17. In terms of a decent/nice place close to your show, I agree with Sneak on Taboon. They bake their bread in a brick oven as your seated and it goes insanely well with the house hummus and other sprds.

    10th and 11th aves are more a cheap eats area and can be a bit desolate and seedy in some spots (at night). If you don't mind you might like to try Tulcingo Del Valle. -The well spoken of taco/mexican place on 10th and 47th. (It's very casual and knowing a little spanish helps). I love the tripa and lengua (tongue) soft tacos. The mole is pretty good too. -Many would argue it's as close to authentic Mexican as NYC offers (whatever that means).

    For a fusion take (on Mexican), Hells Kitchen continues to do very good business. I haven't been since Sue Torres was cooking but it's full everytime I pass by and the menu is always interesting.

    Grand Sichuan as Tommy noted is the best call for Chinese. If you want Thai, many would say Pam Real on 49th btwn 9th/10th ave is one of the best and very authentic.

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