kathryn

I didn't go yesterday, but went today from 12:30pm to 2:00pm. Little to no waits with a FastPass although I didn't even consider Salt Lick. Walked right up to 17th Street/Mike Mills station (only two people in line in front of me). After that, grabbed some sandwiches from Big Bob Gibson/Chris Lilly and waited maybe five minutes total. The sandwiches also seemed unusually generous, mounds of meat falling out of the bun. Then it was off to The Pit/Ed Mitchell's where the line was maybe ten minutes. Fiance even went back for seconds. Then we split a sausage from Jim'n'Nick's. I really loved the combination of the sausage, cheese, sauce, jalapeno pepper, and saltine. Our friend went back to 17th Street to get some ribs to taken home. He was gone for about 15 minutes. After two $5 lemonades from Eleven Madison Park, I thought briefly about trying Martin's whole hog or Pappy's ribs, but the crowds had become really thick, so we left around 2pm. The dessert selection seemed a bit anemic compared to last year with only watermelon and brownies available. No pie? I gifted the $4 remains of our Pass to a family with two strollers and a dog. Overall, my experience was perfect. Someone on Gothamist that a lot of the overcrowding on the streets and sidewalk area was due to the lawns in the park being off limits. It did seem off to me, as I recall previous years feeling like one giant picnic on the grass. The sidewalk area was a bit hectic, especially on Madison Avenue, where the picnic tables are. Things were a definitely less crazy towards 26th Street.

I was there on a Friday night several weeks ago. We walked in as a party of 4 around 8:30pm. The host wasn't sure he would be able to accomodate us which we thought a bit odd (the dining room was only 20% full). But sure enough, when we left after 10pm, the entire place was full. I agree with taion that the food at Tailor is better than WD-50 (it's much better now than when it first opened), and I agree with oakapple that the drinks have their own niche (fat washing! solids!).

I think I'm addicted to the Juliet & Romeo.

For Hudson Bar & Books, it's a cigar bar, and one of a handful places in NYC where you can still smoke indoors. In fact, that's the only reason my fiance goes there. As for Brandy Library, love those gougeres! However, all my cocktails there have been unbalanced (too fruity or too sweet, etc.). I think all of mine were free-poured. Wonderful service, though, especially if you are lucky enough to get Ethan.

I usually make batches of ginger beer using the Audrey Saunders recipe. Would ginger beer + simple syrup (1:1) be an appropriate substitute for ginger syrup?

I think people go nuts over Rhong Tiam because a good Thai place is so hard to find in Manhattan! You want fun, casual, Asian (or Asian-influenced), but still ambitious, although not necessarily with all the trappings of an upscale restaurant? Have you been to any of the Momofukus?

I haven't been to Roberto Passon and can't comment on the food.

OpenTable.com shows that Robert Passon has availability, you should be OK, as 7:30pm seems rather late for a pre-theatre dinner. (I haven't been.) I think your girlfriend is interested in Wondee Siam's "Secret Thai Menu"?

Kyo Ya is also just dinner.

No Mozza (LA), no Di Fara?

Here's is a very, very complete list of "Recession Specials": http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/11/recession_dining.html And eater.com has been tracking them in NYC for a few months now: http://eater.com/tags/dealfeed And also in handy map form (in the right hand column there is a dropdown menu where you can see neighborhood-specific maps): http://eater.com/archives/2008/10/eater_ma...on_specials.php The weekday EMP lunch deal was instituted several months ago IIRC, but the JG lunch prix fixe has been that way for a long while now.

Alona Berri's hours weren't clear to me, so I emailed to ask. They are currently: 12:30-15:00 and 19:00-23:00, closed Mondays all day and Sunday evening And Bar Bergara's hours are: 9:30 to 23:00 everyday, non stop

I made my reservation through the web site and they got back to me the next day. Very responsive.

Thank you! Has anybody been to Botin recently? I know it's very touristy, and probably overpriced, but was it worth it? I'm mostly interested in the suckling pig, and probably won't have time to do a day trip out to Segovia.

Ah, excellent, I somehow missed that was some 2008. We're going to be there from Thursday through Tuesday in July, and I'm wondering if we're going to be out of luck on a Monday aside from La Cepa.

Simon, the internet tells me that La Cepa is at (the very least) open every day: http://www.barlacepa.com/Paginas/paginas%2...les/indicei.htm

Has anyone dined at El Mollete? It got a mention a few months ago in the New York Times. I've been Googling for reviews but all I get are reprints of the NYT article.

Thanks to all that responded! Looks like a nice variety of options are available.

We're headed to Madrid, Barcelona, and San Sebastian for our honeymoon this summer and I was wondering where we could find high quality craft cocktails. Do bars like this exist in Spain? I live in New York and we have a host of them including but not limited to Flatiron Lounge, Pegu Club, PDT, Death & Co., Milk & Honey, etc. I'm more of a rum/gin person, future husband is more of a bourbon/scotch/tequila fan. I've been doing some preliminary searching and found these, any comments?: MADRID Makita Cafe Del Diego Cocktail Bar BARCELONA Dry Martini Boadas Ideal Cocktail Bar

Depends upon a) which vendor, b) what day you go, c) the weather, and d) what time you're there.

Simon_S, when are you going to be in San Sebastian? We are running into the same problem (weekend of July 3rd/4th/5th) for our Friday lunch meal.

A little birdie told me they will allow standing downstairs but not upstairs, so it will be a bit easier to get into than D&C or PDT.

Hudson Valley Foie Gras (Cage-Free) All process donated to City Harvest and Food Bank NYC Pork and foie gras terrine - cornichon, tarragon, 14 Roasted - pickled ramps, aragula, maple, 20 Whole Roasted - apricots, almonds, 110 Whole roasted for $110!

If you can't get into Death & Co or PDT, Angel's Share is a potential backup, as is the bar within Yerba Buena, but be warned that it's pretty small. And you can always get on the waitlist for Milk & Honey, they'll text when a table is free: http://milkandhoneynyc.com/

Hudson Valley Foie Gras (Cage-Free) All process donated to City Harvest and Food Bank NYC Torchon - nori, pineapple, 20 Roasted - cipollini onion, maple syrup, brioche, 20 Whole Roasted - apricots, almonds, 140 Tried the whole roasted. Enough for 6 people to each get a big chunk. Warm, toasted brioche, maple syrup were excellent accompaniments. New chicken fried chicken with ramps, morel, and egg yolk is also awesome.