Swicks

Nathan, I actually left a message at Lupa, that might be a good spot if they can fit us in. I tried A Voce but they couldn't do it. daisy, thanks for the help. yes they checked pastis as well. Im going to call tia pol tomorrow. Freemans is a good call as well. As far as brunch, Im doing lunch at a dim sum place earlier in the week but a good suggestion.

And yet another.... Our dinner on sunday seems to be a problem, we have a large group 10 people. Any recs other than something like Buddakan? I was thinking perhaps tapas? Boqueria does not take reservations.... would tiny places like tia pol and casa mono accomodate such a large group?

Any recs for brunch on sunday with a large group of 10 people? I would have loved to go to Balthazar but they cant accomodate our party.

what exactly could be as good as In N Out?! ← Another discussion entirely, but few things really. I am lucky to have regular access.

Great thanks. I think I am going to stick with the modern, a fried that is going with us has eaten there and loved it, also he has a friend who works there.

Good to know. Still working on the friday res. I have Bar Room at the Modern and A Voce currently.

Good to know. Anyone have any thoughts on Peasant restaurant?

Would it be considered better than In N Out? (if you have had it)

I do agree, though it just gets so much talk around here.

Just noticed I am missing the spring re-opening of Shake Shack by one day! Dammit!

thanks again all for the info

Thanks for the info Mayur, I especially appreciate the Chinatown info as I have read the best of thread but it is tough to get a handle on.

good call on Chelsea Market

I actually called A Voce, they can't accommodate that large of a party but our party may be smaller now... In any case, is it that expensive? I will check online. Interesting to know about the Bar Room, maybe I will cross that off the list... I had actually thought about Mary's Fish Camp as well... For lunch on friday we wont be geographically limited since we will be out seeing the sites.

Hello all, I wanted to revive this thread because not only is my trip rapidly approaching but I also have a few more specific situations that need some recommendations. -Good morning coffee/pastries/bagels in the Chelsea area? (we are staying at the Four Points at 160 west 25th) -Casual lunch on friday, I was thinking maybe Dim Sum, Chinatown Brasserie I have read is excellent, any Chinatown recommendations? -Dinner Friday night for around 8 people, looking for a fun interesting place, nothing too expensive, maybe max $50 per person w/out drinks... some thoughts I had were the Bar Room at the Modern and A Voce, any other suggestions? Thanks again for the help! -S

that is it indeed, and you are correct, there is no website to my knowledge.

He's got Marcel, Top Chef finalist and Master of Molecular Gastronomy holding down the fort!

Spent some time here on Monday afternoon, really liked it. It is a cool open space, brick walls and bar in the center, very casual feel. Service was good, we had a cute, friendly waitress. Onto the food...we started with the mussels, which were excellent, served with a garlic wine broth and garlic croutons. Delicious, though one gripe was a lack of bread to dip in the leftover broth, thats the best part! We also shared the pork shank and the rock shrimp cakes, both were delicious, though a not as hot as we would have liked them. i think they are still working out some kinks in service. Beer selection is good with some local brews avaliable on tap, the Poppyfield Pale Ale was particularly good. We shared the homemade chocolate cookie which was extrordinarily disappointing, dry and crumbly. I am a big cookie fan so this to me was annoying. Overall I liked this place a lot and the menu had a lot of interesting choices, i would highly recommend this place for a casual meal or a drink.

Sounds like a great trip! For the high end dinner that first night you might want to consider Michael Minna as well, though if I recall correctly it didn't get great reviews on this board, alas I have not been. One place I have been which I loved was Boulevard, highly recommended. On Saturday at the Ferry Market building there are a ton of great food purveyors so you may want to just stroll and munch. here is a diner-ish burger place called Taylor's automatic refresher which is good as well, and also a few similar quick places if I remember correctly. Have fun!

damn you!

Good to know sisefromm. I haven't been since this past summer, I'll have to get back soon.

Aire closed down?? Wow, I'll have to investigate that. I hope this is not the case, this will be strike number two for the owner Mike and Chef Tony as they came from another place that closed down, Svelte in Corona Del Mar, which was also a favorite of mine. Both are very nice people and I think have good vision. I forgot to mention their wine list, i found it to be great, with a bunch of good moderately priced selections. I had one experience out of three where the food was mediocre, but i passed it off as a bad night.

Fine Dining, lets see.. Troquet is right near there, Scott's is what could be considered fine dining I think. There is also a Morton's steakhouse. One place that I absolutely love is called AIRe global cuisine, really great place, I wouldnt say its fine dining, but it is nice, and a very hip spot and vibe. Very interesting small plates menu.

I was actually implying that Chicago is more on the conservative side, lots of steak and potatoes joints, where as Vegs is much more out there. Kind of what elrushbo said.

Had dinner at Sam and Harry's in the recently renovated Mariott in Newport Beach. Despite being open a year(according to our server) I still don't think word is out about the place, it was pretty empty. Our server also mentioned some marketing disagreements between the hotel company and the restaurant, hopefully they work it out. Additionally I think it has been hard for them to steal business away from the well established Flemings down the street. Onto the food.... I went with my father and brother who both had the price fixe menu for Newport beach restaurant week which featured red pepper soup with crab or a house salad, filet mignon with garlic mashed potatos and a desert. I tasted both, the filet was very tender and delicious and the mashed potatoes were very garlic-y but delicious. I also had the red pepper soup with crab which was good and flavorful, very simple. I also had their bone in NY Strip, my favorite steak. It was delicious. It wasnt the most tender NY I have ever had but the flavor and juicyness were superb. We also all shared some au gratin potatoes, classic and delicious with cheese, cream, and thyme. We also shared the chocolate dome desert which was mediocre at best. We shared a bottle of Flowers Pinot noir, one of my favorites, it did not disappoint. Overall a good steakhouse experience, would I go there over Flemings? I don't think so but it is definately worth a shot.