When the weather is disgusting and cold as it's been, sometimes a large bowl of spicy Pho is all you need to take the edge off. Set in a small, but comfortable space, Bao Noodles delivered so much more than a good meal. Not only was our waiter patient with our questions, he was so friendly, it was hard for us to get moving to our second location.
After a day of shopping, the girls decided to get some Pho. One beef, one chicken, and one spicy beef and pork, hue style. Within minutes the giant bowls of soup were at our table and we were all working away. Whether you want to do the fork/spoon method, or my preference, the chopstick/spoon method, you're going to quickly be warmed by whatever dish you decide to eat. There are non-soup dishes, lots of slow braised iron pot dishes, and a plethora of rotating specials, including ice cream. Try the durian ice cream if you've ever been tempted but didn't want to purchase the fruit itself and fill your apartment with the stench.
While the restaurant is small, they take reservations, and despite the website warning, they did accept credit card. I plan on going back and trying the salt and pepper shrimp. Yum!
WHAT TO BITE? Spicy beef and pork - hue style, $8.95.
Showing posts with label Date Place. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Date Place. Show all posts
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Ethos, 495 3rd Ave (btwn 33 & 34th)
I came to Ethos for the first time with a friend when we were just wandering the area. It looked go, so we went inside for a "light" meal. Greek food is great for that. Since that first time, I've been back a handful of times with friends and family and never have been disappointed. The restaurant has large windows which open onto the street during the warmer months, and the high ceilings and exposed brick walls dotted with paintings and greek pottery make it unlike many restaurants in the area.
I almost always try something new when I go there, but I always start with tzatzki. Theirs is one of the best I've had, it's so tangy with the perfect balance of lemon and herbs. Their pita bread is also fantastic, definitely not what you get at the grocery store. Not even close. They bring you your check and dessert, which I think is one of the most fantastic things restaurants can do (even if it means they pad the prices a little to compensate) and, I'd love to go here with someone greek who can tell me what it actually is. It's a little cake, drizzled with honey, that's fluffy and filled with some sort of creme/custard. That's a poor description, but regardless, it's delicious and something I definitely look forward to at the end of my meal.
NOTE: There is another location in Midtown East (51st & 1st)
WHAT TO BITE: Tzatzki, $6.50 to start, charcoal grilled whole fish, $25.
I almost always try something new when I go there, but I always start with tzatzki. Theirs is one of the best I've had, it's so tangy with the perfect balance of lemon and herbs. Their pita bread is also fantastic, definitely not what you get at the grocery store. Not even close. They bring you your check and dessert, which I think is one of the most fantastic things restaurants can do (even if it means they pad the prices a little to compensate) and, I'd love to go here with someone greek who can tell me what it actually is. It's a little cake, drizzled with honey, that's fluffy and filled with some sort of creme/custard. That's a poor description, but regardless, it's delicious and something I definitely look forward to at the end of my meal.
NOTE: There is another location in Midtown East (51st & 1st)
WHAT TO BITE: Tzatzki, $6.50 to start, charcoal grilled whole fish, $25.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Paprika, 110 St. Marks Place (btwn 1st and A)
Gnocchi might be one of my favorite dishes in the world, but hardly one of my favorites in this country. So often they are too dense, too starchy or flavorless. Paprika surprised me. A Northern-Italian inspired menu that brought simple mountain food to the East Village. Typically I eat Southern-Italian food because those flavors are more recognizable and thus more prevalent in American cooking, but up North, they know what they are doing. Especially when it comes to the gnocchi.
Paprika is a small restaurant, so I wouldn't bring the whole office here, but it is on a quiet tree lined street away from the annoying NYU kids getting piercings in god knows what places. The restaurant has an Italian charm to it, like you just came in from hiking in cinque terre and you're starving for dinner. What Paprika serves you is a dish that has layer upon layer of flavor. It's simplistic and complex at the same time, comforting and inviting. If a bowl of pasta could wrap itself around you instead of vice versa, this is the place I'd come.
WHAT TO BITE? Homemade Gnocchi with Prosciutto, Sage and Tomato Sauce, $12.50.
Paprika is a small restaurant, so I wouldn't bring the whole office here, but it is on a quiet tree lined street away from the annoying NYU kids getting piercings in god knows what places. The restaurant has an Italian charm to it, like you just came in from hiking in cinque terre and you're starving for dinner. What Paprika serves you is a dish that has layer upon layer of flavor. It's simplistic and complex at the same time, comforting and inviting. If a bowl of pasta could wrap itself around you instead of vice versa, this is the place I'd come.
WHAT TO BITE? Homemade Gnocchi with Prosciutto, Sage and Tomato Sauce, $12.50.
Convivio, 45 Tudor City Place
I can't even imagine eating an eleven course tasting menu. How do diners not run out of room at Eleven Madison? After trying Convivio's four-course prex fixe, I was definitely down for the count. Roll me home (fortunately you can because Tudor City is on a hill!)
When you first walk into Convivio, the bar and lounge area is replete with deep colors and draped in velvet. You expect Dracula himself to be dining there. But then you turn right to the hostess stand into a bright room, crisp linens, silver chargers and bucket seats. The waitstaff is dressed in white and accented with orange cuff links and ties. Why do I recall what my waiter was wearing? Because he was the most intriguing waiter I've ever had. He was knowledgeable (not annoying), attentive (but not hovering) and most of all he was patient with our questions.
I'd recommend what to eat at Convivio, but when I went to do just that for my parents, I realized the items on the menu were seasonal, and had already shifted to the next palate. Everything was well prepared, perfect portions and delightfully seasoned.
WHAT TO BITE? The prex fixe, $62. Be adventurous.
When you first walk into Convivio, the bar and lounge area is replete with deep colors and draped in velvet. You expect Dracula himself to be dining there. But then you turn right to the hostess stand into a bright room, crisp linens, silver chargers and bucket seats. The waitstaff is dressed in white and accented with orange cuff links and ties. Why do I recall what my waiter was wearing? Because he was the most intriguing waiter I've ever had. He was knowledgeable (not annoying), attentive (but not hovering) and most of all he was patient with our questions.
I'd recommend what to eat at Convivio, but when I went to do just that for my parents, I realized the items on the menu were seasonal, and had already shifted to the next palate. Everything was well prepared, perfect portions and delightfully seasoned.
WHAT TO BITE? The prex fixe, $62. Be adventurous.
Jane, 100 W. Houston St. (btwn Thompson & La Guardia Pl.)
How could I have any trepidation about visiting the Smith's sister restaurant, Jane? I didn't, and I was well rewarded with a delicious meal. My dad has called me on more than one occasion to meet him at Arturo's next door for pizza, but this chilly fall evening, I was all about Jane.
Slightly smaller than it's East Village twin, the Smith has a warm and inviting atmosphere with small tables that allow for privacy and quiet conversation. Whoever does the lighting at these two restaurants is a genius, because everyone looks wonderful. The bar/waiting area is on the smaller side, but unlike some restaurants, who will for now remain nameless, there is somewhere to sit or stand while waiting for the remainder of your dinner party.
The stairs leading to the bathroom slightly terrify me. Maybe it was because of the 4" heels and lack of a banister, but I managed to get up and down without wiping out. The service was fantastic and when the check came there wasn't a single gasp in awe of the bottom line.
I would recommend Jane for a date or dinner with friends, especially those picky eaters who don't want their food covered with sauces made of words they cannot pronounce. I wouldn't necessarily come here with a large group though, while the high ceilings give the allure of more room, it is designed more for intimate dining.
WHAT TO BITE? Grilled pork chop, with mac n' cheese, $20.
Slightly smaller than it's East Village twin, the Smith has a warm and inviting atmosphere with small tables that allow for privacy and quiet conversation. Whoever does the lighting at these two restaurants is a genius, because everyone looks wonderful. The bar/waiting area is on the smaller side, but unlike some restaurants, who will for now remain nameless, there is somewhere to sit or stand while waiting for the remainder of your dinner party.
The stairs leading to the bathroom slightly terrify me. Maybe it was because of the 4" heels and lack of a banister, but I managed to get up and down without wiping out. The service was fantastic and when the check came there wasn't a single gasp in awe of the bottom line.
I would recommend Jane for a date or dinner with friends, especially those picky eaters who don't want their food covered with sauces made of words they cannot pronounce. I wouldn't necessarily come here with a large group though, while the high ceilings give the allure of more room, it is designed more for intimate dining.
WHAT TO BITE? Grilled pork chop, with mac n' cheese, $20.
Peasant, 194 Elizabeth Street (btwn Prince St. & Spring St.)
I went to Peasant Friday night for dinner, a nice little Italian place down the block from Public in Nolita. It's Christmas, and as soon as you walked in, the place reminded you of the holidays. They have two large brick ovens in the back, open kitchen, and a tasteful Christmas tree in the corner.
Reviewed as having bad service, I want to amend that by saying the service isn't bad, but the front of the house was. While I understand a reservation doesn't guarantee you that you will be seated immediately, it does give way to a little common courtesy when the diners have been waiting for 20 minutes. The front of the house didn't acknowledge us standing near the bar, nor did they come over to say "oh I'm terribly sorry, you're table will be ready in a just a few minutes". This left a bad taste in my mouth, because as most of my friends know, I don't like waiting. I can't get terribly mad at the restaurant, in part it is not their fault. I unfortunately have many friends who are consistently late to dinner, causing our reservation to have upwards of 30 minutes added to the table's allotted time, resulting in the next seating being late. So I understand, but that doesn't absolve you from some pleasantries in the meantime. As for the actual dining service, it was impeccable. Our food came out quickly, our waiter and busboy was attentive in filling our glasses with water and keeping our table neat.
Now onto the food. I have to say the aroma of freshly cooked bread and slight smokiness of the restaurant made me salivate as soon as the bread and fresh ricotta cheese was placed in front of me. Not to dive on one's food but, that's pretty much what we did. The rest of the meal with a nice mix of Northern Italian classics done simply, and the fire hearth certainly added a flavor to the food you can't get with a gas range. I was thrilled to see a white pizza (it bothers me that they call it Pizza Bianca, because that's just bread with olive oil and seasoning on it, despite the literal translation in English) with mortadella on it. Who doesn't love a fatty piece of meal with pine nuts? I was so stuffed with bread and cheese and crackling pig skin that we didn't even try dessert, but I did see more bread puddings shot out of the kitchen than appetizers so, they must be doing something right.
The restaurant itself is dimly lit and the space is rather large so it's nice for a date because you can actually hear the person across from the table. Also, I must say, that the size of the table itself was fantastic. So many times I find myself crammed onto a tiny table that barely fits a dinner plate and a water glass. When I first sat down I though "wow, I'm really far away from my dining companion" but, shortly thereafter I realized how fantastic it would be to have a bread plate, water glass and my entree on the table at the same time. Kudos to you, Peasant.
WHAT TO BITE? Cotechino (fresh pork sausage and warm lentils), $16
Reviewed as having bad service, I want to amend that by saying the service isn't bad, but the front of the house was. While I understand a reservation doesn't guarantee you that you will be seated immediately, it does give way to a little common courtesy when the diners have been waiting for 20 minutes. The front of the house didn't acknowledge us standing near the bar, nor did they come over to say "oh I'm terribly sorry, you're table will be ready in a just a few minutes". This left a bad taste in my mouth, because as most of my friends know, I don't like waiting. I can't get terribly mad at the restaurant, in part it is not their fault. I unfortunately have many friends who are consistently late to dinner, causing our reservation to have upwards of 30 minutes added to the table's allotted time, resulting in the next seating being late. So I understand, but that doesn't absolve you from some pleasantries in the meantime. As for the actual dining service, it was impeccable. Our food came out quickly, our waiter and busboy was attentive in filling our glasses with water and keeping our table neat.
Now onto the food. I have to say the aroma of freshly cooked bread and slight smokiness of the restaurant made me salivate as soon as the bread and fresh ricotta cheese was placed in front of me. Not to dive on one's food but, that's pretty much what we did. The rest of the meal with a nice mix of Northern Italian classics done simply, and the fire hearth certainly added a flavor to the food you can't get with a gas range. I was thrilled to see a white pizza (it bothers me that they call it Pizza Bianca, because that's just bread with olive oil and seasoning on it, despite the literal translation in English) with mortadella on it. Who doesn't love a fatty piece of meal with pine nuts? I was so stuffed with bread and cheese and crackling pig skin that we didn't even try dessert, but I did see more bread puddings shot out of the kitchen than appetizers so, they must be doing something right.
The restaurant itself is dimly lit and the space is rather large so it's nice for a date because you can actually hear the person across from the table. Also, I must say, that the size of the table itself was fantastic. So many times I find myself crammed onto a tiny table that barely fits a dinner plate and a water glass. When I first sat down I though "wow, I'm really far away from my dining companion" but, shortly thereafter I realized how fantastic it would be to have a bread plate, water glass and my entree on the table at the same time. Kudos to you, Peasant.
WHAT TO BITE? Cotechino (fresh pork sausage and warm lentils), $16
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)