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.
Showing posts with label Murray Hill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Murray Hill. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Jackson Hole, 1611 2d Ave., (btwn 83 & 84th)
Jackson Hole apparently has some of the largest burgers in Manhattan. I believe this, not because I've eaten one, but because I've been at the restaurant and seen it happen. This was part of the 15+ years of my life when I wasn't eating red meat, so I came here with a friend and had a chicken sandwich. It wasn't anything fantastic to write home about, but it was massive. The side of fries was massive too. I'm not sure who they think they are feeding, but it is great for sharing with a friend or loved one, because you probably shouldn't eat the entire thing. Unless you're training for an eating competition, or if you lost a bet at Mad River the night before.
It's a no frills place, with some tacky decorations on the wall but simple (huge) burgers. Give them a shot, see what they are like, and feel free to report back. I should return now that I eat red meat, but with all the burger joints out there, I have a lot to get to!
WHAT TO BITE? Beefburger platter, $9.90.
Brother Jimmy's, 1485 2nd Ave (btwn 77 & 78th)
If you went to an ACC college, at some point you will find yourself at a Brother Jimmy's. When I first moved to the city, a friend of mine would organize saturday game days at the upper east side location, which I believe is considered "the original". I also had the pleasure of living 2 blocks away from the upper UPPER east side's bait shop on 92nd and 3rd, which my roommate and I found hilarious to visit in our PJs one night.
Brother Jimmy's is loud, and if there is a remotely interesting game on it's going to be crowded, but if you are fortunate enough to get a table facing a TV playing your game, you will not be disappointed. Aside from the $2 PBRs, Brother Jimmy's also does a swamp water, which is a ridiculously sugary mixture of various mixes, alcohols and who knows what, doused in ice and then presented to the table with about 20 straws and a plastic alligator. The waitress blows a whistle as she brings it to the table and everyone hurridly sucks away only to find out 2 minutes later it was probably the worst idea they'd had in a long time. Not to say I didn't have my fair share of swamp waters, but when you're 23 you're not exactly making the best life decisions.
Just about any night of the week is going to be hopping, so it's good to go with friends, large groups, or even a date if she's into that (and there are many of us who are!). The Bait Shop has a huge back room great for alumni gatherings, and the lexington avenue and union square locations have some outdoor seating.
WHAT TO BITE? Nachos, $12.50, to accompany your Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich, $10.50 - when asked your choice of side, steer clear of the fries and find your way to the mac n' cheese.
Brother Jimmy's is loud, and if there is a remotely interesting game on it's going to be crowded, but if you are fortunate enough to get a table facing a TV playing your game, you will not be disappointed. Aside from the $2 PBRs, Brother Jimmy's also does a swamp water, which is a ridiculously sugary mixture of various mixes, alcohols and who knows what, doused in ice and then presented to the table with about 20 straws and a plastic alligator. The waitress blows a whistle as she brings it to the table and everyone hurridly sucks away only to find out 2 minutes later it was probably the worst idea they'd had in a long time. Not to say I didn't have my fair share of swamp waters, but when you're 23 you're not exactly making the best life decisions.
Just about any night of the week is going to be hopping, so it's good to go with friends, large groups, or even a date if she's into that (and there are many of us who are!). The Bait Shop has a huge back room great for alumni gatherings, and the lexington avenue and union square locations have some outdoor seating.
WHAT TO BITE? Nachos, $12.50, to accompany your Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich, $10.50 - when asked your choice of side, steer clear of the fries and find your way to the mac n' cheese.
The Barking Dog, 150 E. 34th (btwn Lex & 3rd)
My dad and I ventured to the Barking Dog around St. Patrick's Day because I'm pretty sure he wanted some Irish food and I'm also pretty sure Mom was out of town and making Sheppard's pie for one is entirely too daunting a task.
You have to be a dog lover to like this place because plain and simple, they let dogs dine there too. With so many buildings in Manhattan no longer allowing dogs (or only allowing them to be a measly 20 pounds), it's nice to find a place where not only are dogs allowed, but are welcomed.
Service overall, especially on a busy Saturday brunch can be a little slow, and I've had friends tell of mixed reviews with the food, but I've always had a good meal. As crowded as it gets it's never too loud, and the Murray Hill location has some outdoor seating which is especially nice if you're with your puppy (and yes, they will forever be puppies).
WHAT TO BITE? Wild Mushroom Omelet w/ hashbrowns, $10.95. I forget if my dad liked his...
You have to be a dog lover to like this place because plain and simple, they let dogs dine there too. With so many buildings in Manhattan no longer allowing dogs (or only allowing them to be a measly 20 pounds), it's nice to find a place where not only are dogs allowed, but are welcomed.
Service overall, especially on a busy Saturday brunch can be a little slow, and I've had friends tell of mixed reviews with the food, but I've always had a good meal. As crowded as it gets it's never too loud, and the Murray Hill location has some outdoor seating which is especially nice if you're with your puppy (and yes, they will forever be puppies).
WHAT TO BITE? Wild Mushroom Omelet w/ hashbrowns, $10.95. I forget if my dad liked his...
Paquitos, 175 3rd Ave (btwn 16th & 17th)
Mexican food growing up was either when mom had taco night, or if the family happened to be in Connecticut and stopped in at Pancho Gringos. When I left for college, I was introduced to "fast-food" Mexican (I didn't have Taco Bell until I was in my 20's) when Chipotle joined my culinary conquests. It was wonderful, and I even made sure to stop at the ONLY one in Manhattan, at the time, when I was home over winter/summer break. The line would go out the door, even when they weren't giving out free burritos, and it still does today. This is not a post to hate on Chipotle, I will forever love you, but you lack nachos and sometimes, that's what I want with my tacos.
For some reason I was dying to have a good tamale and decided to try the hole in the wall next to my apartment, because my hole-in-the-wall Chinese place had turned out exceptionally well. Paquitos, with a few locations in the city (link goes to the one in the East Village that has a full bar and outdoor seating) was exactly what I was looking for. I went in for a tamale and came out with a small Mexican-American feast. Their pico de gallo is the freshest, most flavorful topping I've ever had and their menu, only about half of it is shown online, is always growing. The portions are massive, a burritos and nachos can easily serve two, and they are absolutely accommodating when it comes to substitutions. Oh and the sweet plantains, though they don't always have them, are done just right. It's a no frills place that has exactly what you're looking for, even if you didn't know you were looking for it. The Third Avenue location has ample seating inside, and although I usually eat at home, you could definitely sit there and devour your food, I don't think anyone would mind.
WHAT TO BITE? Carne asada burrito, $6.75 and nachos (add pico de gallo!), $3.95.
For some reason I was dying to have a good tamale and decided to try the hole in the wall next to my apartment, because my hole-in-the-wall Chinese place had turned out exceptionally well. Paquitos, with a few locations in the city (link goes to the one in the East Village that has a full bar and outdoor seating) was exactly what I was looking for. I went in for a tamale and came out with a small Mexican-American feast. Their pico de gallo is the freshest, most flavorful topping I've ever had and their menu, only about half of it is shown online, is always growing. The portions are massive, a burritos and nachos can easily serve two, and they are absolutely accommodating when it comes to substitutions. Oh and the sweet plantains, though they don't always have them, are done just right. It's a no frills place that has exactly what you're looking for, even if you didn't know you were looking for it. The Third Avenue location has ample seating inside, and although I usually eat at home, you could definitely sit there and devour your food, I don't think anyone would mind.
WHAT TO BITE? Carne asada burrito, $6.75 and nachos (add pico de gallo!), $3.95.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)