danger_doug

Ate at Joy Burger Bar tonight at the corner of 100th and Lex. It's a newcomer to the neighborhood (they haven't even started delivery yet). It's styled with a retro vibe-- tin trays, coke in glass bottles, lots of chrome, but doesn't overdo the nostalgia (like an EJs). It's counter ordering, and they'll deliver to the tables. The burgers come in 3 sizes (Munch-- slider, Midi and Maxi) with the most expensive $5.75 with any one of 10 sauces (from mayo, BBQ to Black Olive Paste to chimichurri), with and lettuce, onion (raw or sauteed), tomato, pickle and jalapeno if desired. Avocado, chili, portobello, roasted peppers or egg are $.75 extra. I had the maxi (8oz) with lettuce tomato jalapeno avocado and onion-- really tasty, done exactly as ordered. The fries are thin slices (like thick potato chips) and were salted and seasoned well (tho a bit odd looking). Onion rings were big and crisp, and the Sweet Potato fries came with maple syrup for dipping (which was amazing). My companion got the turkey burger and declared it the best she's ever had-- well seasoned. The homemade lemonade was tasty with a mint sprig in it. The menu also has sandwiches (including schnitzel) and salad, milkshakes and smoothies. A great, solid addition to the neighborhood, and well worth the trip... Amazing burgers orders of magnitude better than, and half the price of Burger Heaven. Probably one of the 15 best burgers I've had in the city and they're still working out the kinks. Love to hear what anyone else thinks.

While I see the lunch date has passed, two interesting options in th neighborhood are Itzocan Cafe (a combination of mexican and French) at Lex and 101, and Don Pedro's at 96th and 2nd (Caribbean/Cuban)...

Kin Khao on Spring Street has some of the best Green Curry I've had and is a nice place for celebrations...

Thanks everyone! Very helpful!

I was looking to get some good soul food, and have been hearing that Amy Ruth's has surpassed Sylvia's as the place to go... Any first-hand reviews of Amy Ruth's or other soul-food restaurants?

The UES H&H sucks. I like Bagel Express on 94th and 2nd... nice and chewy

I'm partial to Maz Mescal on 86th street. Good food, nice atmosphere. Yum.

Does Pio Pio count? They're pretty close to a one-dish place... Also, on Schimmel's: They're tasty, and the one product line addition I've sampled, the Sweet Potato Knish, is very good, if non-traditional.

I've been pimping sweet-n-tart here for a while in various threads... Standout dishes include: Chili Orange Beef and Chicken-- crispy, tart (appropriately enough) and delicious. One of my favorite dishes in the city La Mein with ginger and scallions very clean, insanely fresh noodles Dumplings-- they have a dumpling trio which are fresh and savory I've had a decent portion of the menu and it's been generally delicious from Wannam (?) style noodle soup, which came with the broth and fresh noodles separated so the noodles didn't overcook, Salted Pork Chops (mini, two-bite chops, similar, it sounds to Pan's dish, but with a salt and pepper coating in place of the sauce) to Beef Congee with Pepper, to even their Moo-Shu. I went with several people who weren't adventurous and went with Roast Pork Fried Rice and Boneless Spare Ribs, neither of which was exordinary in any way shape or form. My only complaint is that they aren't particularly adept at bringing out courses altogether-- at lunch it can sometimes take 10 minutes between the first dish and the last for a small group. It seems they have dim-sum on the brain.

Big old-time Steve's fan (the one on Columbus at 75th(?)) and so hearing about the new mix-in, went over to the CSC on 2nd and 86th. Massive line. Instead of helping the line move, they were singing. I was hoping for ice-cream, not stand-up and left. Also not a big fan of spit in my ice-cream (as they were loudly singing WHILE preparing food)

America, the "I can bring a kids birthday party here" restaurant near Union Square serves Navajo fry bread. I recall it being uneventful, like all of the food there...

Pan: Sweet-n-Tart has the best Orange Chicken/Beef I've ever eaten. It's one of my favorite dishes in the city... lightly breaded, with a flavorful, tangy orange sauce...

There's a great chicken kabob and falafel vendor on Duane (or is it Reade) 5 yards West of Broadway on the North side of the street that has actual honest to goodness lines. Delicious delicious delicious. He's gotten some press for his food. And there's a baked potato vendor a few squares of sidewalk towards Broadway.

Sounds yummy. Do they carry fresh stuff or just the packaged (though truth be told, I like Mrs. Adlers gefilte fish better than fresh)? And while we're on the subject, this Sunday, March 21st, the Pickle Guys shop on Essex will start selling their freshly ground horseradish (the employees grinding wear gasmasks)... Yum!!!

I was out at Pearson's on the East Side this week and was somewhat disappointed. I didn't think it stacked up well against Blue Smoke (which I expected), or even Virgils (which I didn't)... As reported by others, almost everything was bland underseasoned, and the ribs were not particularly smoky-- the extra time hasn't changed things. The Pork ribs were a little tough as well. The Beef Ribs were very meaty, almost perfectly cooked but again underflavored. The Carolina-style pork was oddly pretty bland too-- the sauce was mild, and the brisket was dry (not at all like my mom's, though we forgot to ask for second-cut). The sauces on the table (medium and hot) weren't anything special and not much help. The two dishes that I thought were exceptional, though, were the BBQ beef, damp but just short of dripping with a tangy sauce (that didn't seem to be the same one as on the table), and for dessert, the Peach Cobbler served piping hot with ice cream!

I just hope that the white "coney" hotdog isn't named after the coney island whitefish! EEW!

Capsouto Freres is a lovely dining experience, with a diverse menu. The duck is delicious, and the Chocolate Souffle is particularly good (order it before dinner)...

Is Tomoe supposed to be on the same tier as Sandobe, better or worse?

Thank goodness. It could be the worst chinese food I had ever tasted-- greasy, soggy and mean service.

Even if the science is inconclusive (which I would doubt-- as in courts, reasonable doubt doesn't mean no doubt), I say err on the side of not killing people...

I'm with Scamhi! Nha Trang is consistently delicious. Just yesterday I had their barbecued beef cubes which were simply remarkable, and their squid with chili and lemongrass singlehandedly put my faith back into squid dishes...

A little out of town, but Chuck's Spring Street Cafe, Princeton NJ has my favorite wings. Also has the distinction of formerly being owned by the Menendez Bros.

New Green Bo on Bayard Street is supposed to be good-- excellent dumplings. I can't vouch personally though...

Sorry, guys-- Nathan's Coney Island! Inconsistent as hell, but when they're done right, f'in brilliant. Plus, they have the fork. Outside of that, Chat 'n' Chew has some pretty excellent Sweet Potato fries...

JohnJohn: Did you stop at the Knish Nosh while you were there? It's good combo... No Yonah Shimmel's, but not bad.