NY Food Tour / Spring Break '08

[anthonybishopric]

Hey everyone! This is my first post on eGullet, so I'm still getting a feel for the forum business. I want to share with you what I'll be doing for Spring Break this year: a food tour of New York. My roommate and friend Bryan Zupon has inspired me to not only take this trip, but also to document it in some meaningful way.

My major goal for this trip is to get a feel for some of the tastier food in the city and to learn more about food and drink in general. I'm excited about being able to post on a forum like this because it will give me an opportunity to get on-the-fly advice and suggestions from people that have more experience with 'fooding,' such as yourselves. Bryan's helped me figure out most of the restaurants I should go to, based on cost and deliciousness.

While I'm still in school at Duke University now, I basically have been, and continue to be a computer programmer working part-time or full-time, depending on when you ask. Of course, along with programming comes the need for excessive amounts of coffee. It just so happens that I love coffee but I have been so busy drinking too much of it to really notice the subtleties, so my next goal while I'm in NY will be to find, learn about, and enjoy good coffee and espresso.

Here is my plan of attack. I have scheduled two restaurants every day for lunch and dinner, and either between them or before lunch, a trip to a café. Once I get to New York, I'll first set up digs at my Aunt's apartment (she is generously letting me sleep on her sofa during this escapade) and then start eating the next day.

My tentative schedule is here.

I fly into New York on March 7, in the evening. You'll notice that I haven't scheduled anything for either Saturday, which is on purpose in case Auntie wants to make a meal or go to one of her dining recommendations (last time we went to that revolving restaurant in the Marriot @ Times Square, which just seemed overpriced and slightly nauseating). However, if you guys have suggestions for places to go, help a tourist out. My flight back to North Carolina is on March 16th, giving me 8 solid days of food exploration to have fun with, plus a lunch on Sunday.

Between now and break, I'm going to try and get a camera so I can document my journey visually.

[elicious]

I have been to Blue Spoon for lunch but I don't drink coffee so don't know what it's like, but I love the atmosphere there - I hope you enjoy it!

[anthonybishopric]

Here's a different representation of the same schedule, with times, location, etc...

[daisy17]

I think you chose extremely well. Most of these are on my list of absolute favorites in the city.

I like Joe for espresso - there are several, and the 13th St one is very close to many of your stops, most notably Otto. They also offer classes on espresso and coffee - Joe

Looking forward to a full report!

[kbjesq]

I'm not from NY and unfortunately cannot add anything substantive to the discussion, but nonetheless, welcome to Egullet!

And please get a camera! If there's one thing we like around here, it's photos of food and food-related activities.

Again, welcome, and I look forward to reading and seeing your posts and photos about your spring break.

[Pan]

Just a warning on Setagaya: You may have to wait a long time to get in.

[victornet]

I would absolutely add one of the Momofuku restaurants, preferably Ssam bar. And if you don't get into Gramercy Tavern (which would not be on such a short list for me (think David Bouley instead), though I have not been there in ages which renders this judgement very fuzzy) you might console yourself with some fried chicken at Dirty Bird to Go on 14th St.

Of course, after reading Bryan's amazing description of his European tour, I'm hesitant to argue with your crash course. I've taken it slow myself - when I was your (presumed) age we foodies were just slowly venturing out of Chinatown.

[weinoo]

A: Welcome to eGullet. And to New York.

B: There are no bars on your list.

C: Gimme Coffee is at 228 Mott and might be added/subbed - great espresso and they have a Clover. Abracco (86 E. 7th) is another possibility - no seats in either place, though.

I don't know that I'd go to both Otto and Lupa on such a short trip , though they're both really good...but kind of similar stylistically.

How about Casa Mono, Tia Pol, Boqueria - something along those lines?

[kathryn]

For coffee: ditto on Gimme Coffee and Abraco. I might replace the Tasting Room's Wine and Bar with somewhere else -- maybe Kyotofu? Chikalicious? Cafe Grumpy?

For bars: PDT? Death & Co?

The only restaurant I really go to these days in the Times Square area is Szechuan Gourmet. Esca? db bistro moderne?

I noticed you don't have a lot of Asian on your list aside from Tabla (which isn't Indian, per se, and which I don't think is as good as the rest of the places on your list) and Setagaya.

Edited February 27, 2008 by kathryn (log)

[daisy17]

I don't know that I'd go to both Otto and Lupa on such a short trip , though they're both really good...but kind of similar stylistically.

How about Casa Mono, Tia Pol, Boqueria -  something along those lines?

←

Mitch makes a really good point about Otto and Lupa. (I'd personally do Lupa over Otto.) His other recs are also among my favorites, especially Tia Pol.

Please don't take Gramercy off your list. I assure you - it is still excellent.

I'm not sure if you're dining alone for some of these, but many of the places you name are perfect for solo dining at the bar (Lupa, Otto, Tailor, Balth, Momo).

And if you end up with room for another serious dinner, or if your aunt is particularly generous (it's on the $$$/blowout side) I'd recommend Cru. (I know, I always recommend Cru. That's because it's phenomenal.)

Does your other dinner have to be in Times Square? (can't tell) If so, maybe Insieme or Le Bernardin?

Edited February 27, 2008 by daisy17 (log)

[anthonybishopric]

I like Joe for espresso - there are several, and the 13th St one is very close to many of your stops, most notably Otto. They also offer classes on espresso and coffee - Joe

Definitely looking into it. I still have a few days that need coffee breaks.

Just a warning on Setagaya: You may have to wait a long time to get in.

Well taken. I mean, I'm pretty much eating for one at all these places, except for Jean-Georges with my Aunt, so hopefully it won't be too bad.

B: There are no bars on your list.

Yeah, they're not listed right here, but I'm checking out PDT and Death & Co., among a few places. I've also heard that Tailor's cocktail program is pretty sick, so I'll probably try that out.

For coffee: ditto on Gimme Coffee and Abraco. I might replace the Tasting Room's Wine and Bar with somewhere else -- maybe Kyotofu? Chikalicious? Cafe Grumpy?

Kathryn, why would you replace TRW&B? Does Kyotofu have coffee? (not doing tea, really)

For bars: PDT? Death & Co?

There we go.

The only restaurant I really go to these days in the Times Square area is Szechuan Gourmet. Esca? db bistro moderne?

I noticed you don't have a lot of Asian on your list aside from Tabla (which isn't Indian, per se, and which I don't think is as good as the rest of the places on your list) and Setagaya.

I've got Momofuku Ssam Bar on the list too, giving me three "Asian" food places. Bryan asked if I would rather go to Devi than Tabla, which seems more Indian, so I'm also not super positive on Tabla as well. In terms of overall variety, I want to sample a lot of different types of food, but I'm missing out on a few key genres that I wanted to do (eg. Burgers, niche food, etc...) so I'm trying not to overload on any one kind.

Yeah, the whole Otto vs. Lupa thing is bothering me too. One suggestion I got was to remove Otto and put a Spanish restaurant in its place; weino suggested Casa Mono, which is looking good.

Please don't take Gramercy off your list. I assure you - it is still excellent.

I have heard amazing things about this place. It's not going anywhere.

Thanks everybody for your feekdback! I'll report again once more develops.

[daisy17]

You have to go to both Death & Co and PDT. Sit at the bar. Talk to the bartenders.

[kathryn]

Or: stop into Otto one afternoon, get an olive oil gelato at the bar, and then be on your way.

Kyotofu definitely does cappucinos, lattes, etc.

I haven't heard anything, about the Tasting Room Wine Bar since the "main restaurant" opened up in Nolita. It just didn't seem special or unique enough to go out of your way for if you're visiting from out of town.

[AEK]

QUOTE

Please don't take Gramercy off your list. I assure you - it is still excellent.

I have heard amazing things about this place. It's not going anywhere.

Thanks everybody for your feekdback! I'll report again once more develops.

Consider moving Gramercy Tavern to a weekday so you can eat in the dining room. The Tavern Room is good, but the main dining room probably fits the purpose of your trip a little bit better (plus its about the same price at lunch). Getting a reservation early in the week shouldn't be to big of a problem. I was there today and it was only about half full.

[anthonybishopric]

Or: stop into Otto one afternoon, get an olive oil gelato at the bar, and then be on your way.

Kyotofu definitely does cappucinos, lattes, etc.

I haven't heard anything, about the Tasting Room Wine Bar since the "main restaurant" opened up in Nolita. It just didn't seem special or unique enough to go out of your way for if you're visiting from out of town.

←

Ok, checking out Kyotofu, I'm really interested in the Japanese influenced dessert thing going on. I'll put Tasting Room on hold unless I get the urge for coffee during the off-hours.

Olive oil gelato sounds delicious.

QUOTE

Please don't take Gramercy off your list. I assure you - it is still excellent.

I have heard amazing things about this place. It's not going anywhere.

Thanks everybody for your feekdback! I'll report again once more develops.

Consider moving Gramercy Tavern to a weekday so you can eat in the dining room. The Tavern Room is good, but the main dining room probably fits the purpose of your trip a little bit better (plus its about the same price at lunch). Getting a reservation early in the week shouldn't be to big of a problem. I was there today and it was only about half full.

←

That's probably a good idea if they're the same price. I'll probably switch Tabla and Gramercy then (but I want it sooner! bah)

[Pan]

Anthony, I was thinking that a visit to Soba-Ya might be more interesting for you that a visit to a narrow ramen specialist like Setagaya. Now, I'm thinking there may be another reason for you to skip Setagaya. Look at this thread on Chowhound:

Setagaya Ramen "Blues"

[Alchemist]

Add Milk & Honey and Angel Share and Pegu club to your list of bars. They will give you a more rounded view of the cocktail scene in NYC

For a couple of quick simple cheap bites, if you are wandering around near chinatown go to Dumpling house on Eldridge Btween Delancy and Broom. Spend a dollar on dumplings.

Try to get to Nyonya on Grand and Elizabeth for the Roti Canai. With a beer it comes out to less than 10 bucks.

Have a great time. If you get home and you want to eat nothing richer than saltine crackers and cold pieces of iceberg lettuce for a week you did New York right.

Toby

[raji]

Setagaya's ramen will probably underwhelm you.

Go to Soba Totto - you'll get a soba specialist as well as the magic behind the Totto empire who is currently in residence there, rather than the other 2, Totto/Torys.

No sushi eh

[raji]

Anthony, I was thinking that a visit to Soba-Ya might be more interesting for you that a visit to a narrow ramen specialist like Setagaya. Now, I'm thinking there may be another reason for you to skip Setagaya. Look at this thread on Chowhound:

Setagaya Ramen "Blues"

←

The funny thing about that post on chowhound, is that I'm pretty sure Setagaya hasn't changed much at all; people were just slurping up the hype, as it were, when it first opened. laughable

[anthonybishopric]

For a couple of quick simple cheap bites,  if you are wandering around near chinatown go to Dumpling house on Eldridge Btween Delancy and Broom.  Spend a dollar on dumplings.

Try to get to Nyonya on Grand and Elizabeth for the Roti Canai.  With a beer it comes out to less than 10 bucks.

Have a great time.  If you get home and you want to eat nothing richer than saltine crackers and cold pieces of iceberg lettuce for a week you did New York right.

Toby

←

Cheap eats are where it's at. Thanks for the suggestions!

I get the feeling that I may only be able to afford iceberg lettuce and saltines for a while after this trip. Bryan did a week-long liquid diet after his European crash course that I found horrifying; I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Anthony, I was thinking that a visit to Soba-Ya might be more interesting for you that a visit to a narrow ramen specialist like Setagaya. Now, I'm thinking there may be another reason for you to skip Setagaya. Look at this thread on Chowhound:

Setagaya Ramen "Blues"

←

The funny thing about that post on chowhound, is that I'm pretty sure Setagaya hasn't changed much at all; people were just slurping up the hype, as it were, when it first opened. laughable

←

That's a shame because all I had seen was hype about the place. What do Totto or Boba offer that are particularly cool?

Also, if you guys have suggestions about certain dishes at any of these restaurants that you feel are too good to pass up, by all means, please let me know! I've heard rumors of tasty sweet bread at Casa Mono, for example.

[markk]

Bryan did a week-long liquid diet after his European crash course that I found horrifying; I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

The week-long liquid diet after a long European binge doesn't have to be financial - when you reach the saturation point (hopefully not before the end of your trip), the point comes after all that somewhat rich food that you just can't face food any more.

I was waiting to bring up the question of whether you're up to this kind of an eating marathon, and if you have an escape plan?

This has happened to me on several trips to France, and it's bad when you have a "big" gastronomic restaurant saved for the end and realize that you just can't face any more food. In one case, I had to cancel a 3-star restaurant because the thought of eating another big meal was impossible. On another trip, I had for months carefully researched Michelin restaurants in the region where I was going, and it paid off- the meals were spectacular. Of course, I'm older than you and Bryan, but on that trip, we lasted three dinners, and then had to take a break - completely disrupting our schedule and all the carefully made reservations. Though when I was in my 20's and 30's this was never a problem, because even though I'd wake up bloated, I'd skip lunch and find that my capacity for gluttony would always return just about 2 hours before dinner- thankfully!

So in the event that your ability to eat that much food peters out, be sure you have some plans to salvage the "musts" on your list.

[anthonybishopric]

Bryan did a week-long liquid diet after his European crash course that I found horrifying; I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

The week-long liquid diet after a long European binge doesn't have to be financial - when you reach the saturation point (hopefully not before the end of your trip), the point comes after all that somewhat rich food that you just can't face food any more.

I was waiting to bring up the question of whether you're up to this kind of an eating marathon, and if you have an escape plan?

This has happened to me on several trips to France, and it's bad when you have a "big" gastronomic restaurant saved for the end and realize that you just can't face any more food. In one case, I had to cancel a 3-star restaurant because the thought of eating another big meal was impossible. On another trip, I had for months carefully researched Michelin restaurants in the region where I was going, and it paid off- the meals were spectacular. Of course, I'm older than you and Bryan, but on that trip, we lasted three dinners, and then had to take a break - completely disrupting our schedule and all the carefully made reservations. Though when I was in my 20's and 30's this was never a problem, because even though I'd wake up bloated, I'd skip lunch and find that my capacity for gluttony would always return just about 2 hours before dinner- thankfully!

So in the event that your ability to eat that much food peters out, be sure you have some plans to salvage the "musts" on your list.

←

Yes, I did mean to say that his purge was both financial and bloat-related. I've thought of a few ways to take care of this during the trip, and being my first time doing this sort of thing, I am trying to be a little pre-cautious.

- Aside from 3-course lunches, I will probably focus dinner w/o the appetizer or dessert and rely on my coffee adventures to fill those holes. This is both for financial and eating related issues. Granted, if I'm hungry enough, I may just go ahead and order the extra plate. I'd say my capacity to eat a lot is pretty good.

- I also kind of left the early hours of the day somewhat blank. I think if I start of the day, say at 9 or 8, with a light jog, that may provide the extra metabolic boost to make it through the rest of the day's eating. We'll see if I actually force myself to do this or what.

- While it's not classy, and I probably won't do it at more of the haute places, I may box up anything I can't eat and take it to go. I know my relatives in-town wouldn't mind giving up refrigerator space for leftovers from some of these places.

Overall, I'm excited to see how this plays out. Thanks for the advice though.

[Sneakeater]

Really it depends what the liquid is.

[Swicks]

As far as good places to dine alone, I really enjoyed the Bar Room at the Modern, but you have so many other excellent places on your list this may not be a high priority.

Additionally you may want to leave a meal or two open in case you want to re-visit someplace casual again. I am thinking Momo Ssam here....as when I went I wish I would have had room for a second visit.

Also, no pizza?

[raji]

For a couple of quick simple cheap bites,  if you are wandering around near chinatown go to Dumpling house on Eldridge Btween Delancy and Broom.  Spend a dollar on dumplings.

Try to get to Nyonya on Grand and Elizabeth for the Roti Canai.  With a beer it comes out to less than 10 bucks.

Have a great time.  If you get home and you want to eat nothing richer than saltine crackers and cold pieces of iceberg lettuce for a week you did New York right.

Toby

←

Cheap eats are where it's at. Thanks for the suggestions!

I get the feeling that I may only be able to afford iceberg lettuce and saltines for a while after this trip. Bryan did a week-long liquid diet after his European crash course that I found horrifying; I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Anthony, I was thinking that a visit to Soba-Ya might be more interesting for you that a visit to a narrow ramen specialist like Setagaya. Now, I'm thinking there may be another reason for you to skip Setagaya. Look at this thread on Chowhound:

Setagaya Ramen "Blues"

←

The funny thing about that post on chowhound, is that I'm pretty sure Setagaya hasn't changed much at all; people were just slurping up the hype, as it were, when it first opened. laughable

←

That's a shame because all I had seen was hype about the place. What do Totto or Boba offer that are particularly cool?

Also, if you guys have suggestions about certain dishes at any of these restaurants that you feel are too good to pass up, by all means, please let me know! I've heard rumors of tasty sweet bread at Casa Mono, for example.

←

Boba Fett? Boba Fett?

Totto, check the thread for Yakitori Totto. Soba Totto just opened and offers superb soba AND yakitori. You could kill 2 birds with one stone, altho those are 2 cuisines Japanese don't normally ingest in one sitting -