New York City Trip

cmcadams · 02-09-2007, 03:03 PM

At the end of April, my wife and I are going to NYC for our 4th anniversary; we don't buy presents... we just take a trip. I know of the typical RUB and Daisy May's, and I'll stop at Carnegie and/or Katz's for pastrami.

What I want to do, though, is have a meal at a chef's table at a nice restaurant. Does anyone have experience with any place in NYC with this that they can recommend? Or just a favorite nice restaurant that I can check into?

Plowboy · 02-09-2007, 03:27 PM

Like the kitchen at Willie B's?

Wine&Swine might have some insights since he is a chef himself.

What kind of cusine were you thinking of?

cmcadams · 02-09-2007, 03:29 PM

Um, Willie B's might be a bit too smokey for a chef's table. :)

I wasn't thinking really anything, but now that I do think about it, probably French or New American.

BigBarry · 02-09-2007, 03:59 PM

It's REALLY difficult/expensive to get a seat at a chef's table but you can try for mid-week for a better chance.

If you like live Jazz in a cool enviromnent (re-designed old auto repair shop), I love the Garage www.garagerest.com in the west village. Food is awesome with a 10 piece jazz band most nights (free).

French - no contest for value and quality: Chez Napoleon http://www.cheznapoleon.com/dinner.html. Incredible little old lady chef, 20 tables, great service (yeah, in a French restaurant). Escargo is awesome.

If you also want to experience traditional NY food - go to John's pizza in the Village http://www.johnsofbleeckerstreet.com/

Best brick oven pizza in the world!

Enjoy your trip!

Don't forget the best and free view of the NY skyline - the Staten Island ferry. Depart at sunset, stay on boat and return to nighttime skyline!

cmcadams · 02-09-2007, 04:03 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, barry. We were there a few years ago and took the tour around the island on boat... great views. It was a lot of fun.

Sledneck · 02-09-2007, 04:56 PM

Forget about french! The croatian have the best food http://www.triorestaurant.citysearch.com/ I am biased but this place is one of the best restaurant i have ever been to

BBQchef33 · 02-09-2007, 04:58 PM

Tribecca Grill is definately my favorite. Its a nice place in tribecca on Franklin street. (owned by robert DiNero).. Somewhat small and moderately priced(for Manhatten). Thats about one of the only places I'm willing to cross the nassau/queens border for.

The filet mignon is the better than most streak houses. I've gotten the seafood too, which is excellent, but then i feel guilty for not getting the steak. :) Great wine selection too.

MilitantSquatter · 02-09-2007, 07:22 PM

Too many too choose...it's hard to go wrong...

Italian - Try one of my favorite TV chefs, Lidia's two excellent restuarants - Becco or Felidia... Becco is a little less pricey than Felidia but still a great higher end Italian meal..excellent service and real Italian food. Felidia has a very exotic menu. Becco is the best bet if you don't like experimenting too much.

http://www.lidiasitaly.com/index2.htm#Restaurants

If you want a high end NYC steakhouse, there are plenty and most are great (I'm partial to Sparks Steakhouse) but for a real nice atmosphere, consider Wolfgangs's on Park Avenue.. It is the former dining room of the Vanderbilt Hotel dining room. The owner, Wolfgang, was the head waiter for many years at the famed Peter Luger Steakhouse in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

http://www.wolfgangssteakhouse.com/

Del Friscoe's also has a nice trendy atmosphere and it's right across the street from radio City Music Hall..

http://www.delfriscos.com/newyork/

BigBarry · 02-09-2007, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sledneck

Forget about french! The croatian have the best food http://www.triorestaurant.citysearch.com/ I am biased but this place is one of the best restaurant i have ever been to

Sled,

Nice place - I'm sold! I will put it on my places to visit list.

CTSmokehouse · 02-10-2007, 05:03 PM

Not too fast Curt. For one of the most memorable meals in N.Y.C., Balthazar is the place. www.balthazarny.com/home.html . I spent one of the most romantic foodie evenings with my wife for a significant birthday dinner. It is a Brasserie. Everything is great. It is a hot ticket. The table in the far right corner is secluded and at the same time romantic with a view thanks to the mirrors of everything. The service is phenominal. The food is hearty and very well presented. Braised Short Ribs are to die for. They have an Oyster Bar the best this side of San Francisco, with offerings from both coasts as well as north from Canada. The Brunch is one of the best in N.Y.C.. We have the Balthazar cookbook and use it all the time. We took the cooking course with Lee Hanson, one of the Chefs/Owners. Duck a l'Orange Balthazar and Pork Milanese are two of our favorite every day recipes. If you are interested in a reservation I have an in.

As for Deli's, Carnegie has more atmosphere than Katz's. It is less off the beaten path. I dare you to finish the Woodie Allen! But at Katz's you can sit where Harry met Sally!

Yours in BBQ,

Cliff

cmcadams · 02-11-2007, 08:19 AM

Cliff, thanks for the suggestions. I was just talking to my sister who was having brunch in the city... at 3:30. I tried to tell her brunch is between breakfast and lunch, but she didn't get it. I think we'll try Katz's this time, though I do like Carnegie. Both have great stuff, so we'll spread it around a bit.

We may have to go to Balthazar for another meal, but I think John (wine&swine) has us set up for our anniversary dinner, at the River Cafe in Brooklyn.

CTSmokehouse · 02-11-2007, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmcadams

We may have to go to Balthazar for another meal, but I think John (wine&swine) has us set up for our anniversary dinner, at the River Cafe in Brooklyn.

That's a great choice and romantic! Great view of Manhattan. Save room for the pickles at Katz's... they are started with real south of Delancy dirt....

Yours in BBQ,

Cliff

02-09-2007, 03:03 PM	#1
cmcadams Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-15-06 Location: Waynesville, Ohio	New York City Trip At the end of April, my wife and I are going to NYC for our 4th anniversary; we don't buy presents... we just take a trip. I know of the typical RUB and Daisy May's, and I'll stop at Carnegie and/or Katz's for pastrami. What I want to do, though, is have a meal at a chef's table at a nice restaurant. Does anyone have experience with any place in NYC with this that they can recommend? Or just a favorite nice restaurant that I can check into? __________________ Curt McAdams Livefire Blog Livefire Whisky CBJ, some comps, a few awards, Certified Artisan Steak Taster. XL Big Green Egg, Bubba Keg Convection Grill, Weber Kettle, Charbroil Infrared and mad livefire cooking skillz! :)

02-09-2007, 03:27 PM	#2
Plowboy somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 10-09-06 Location: Blue Springs, MO	Like the kitchen at Willie B's? Wine&Swine might have some insights since he is a chef himself. What kind of cusine were you thinking of? __________________ Pork Pullin Plowboys (and Smoke on Wheels) Save a hog, ride a plowboy! www.plowboysbbq.com Todd Johns (me); Blue Springs, MO Randy Hinck (PigBoy); Concordia, MO Andy Groneman (Hodedo); KC, KS (Cameo Appearances) FEC-500SS; FEC-100 (Right handed); FEC-100 (Left handed); Country Smoker Tailgater; Big Green Egg (2-large, small, mini); Cookshack Pellet Fired Charbroiler

02-09-2007, 03:29 PM	#3
cmcadams Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-15-06 Location: Waynesville, Ohio	Um, Willie B's might be a bit too smokey for a chef's table. :) I wasn't thinking really anything, but now that I do think about it, probably French or New American. __________________ Curt McAdams Livefire Blog Livefire Whisky CBJ, some comps, a few awards, Certified Artisan Steak Taster. XL Big Green Egg, Bubba Keg Convection Grill, Weber Kettle, Charbroil Infrared and mad livefire cooking skillz! :)

02-09-2007, 03:59 PM	#4
BigBarry is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-06-06 Location: West Islip, NY	It's REALLY difficult/expensive to get a seat at a chef's table but you can try for mid-week for a better chance. If you like live Jazz in a cool enviromnent (re-designed old auto repair shop), I love the Garage www.garagerest.com in the west village. Food is awesome with a 10 piece jazz band most nights (free). French - no contest for value and quality: Chez Napoleon http://www.cheznapoleon.com/dinner.html. Incredible little old lady chef, 20 tables, great service (yeah, in a French restaurant). Escargo is awesome. If you also want to experience traditional NY food - go to John's pizza in the Village http://www.johnsofbleeckerstreet.com/ Best brick oven pizza in the world! Enjoy your trip! Don't forget the best and free view of the NY skyline - the Staten Island ferry. Depart at sunset, stay on boat and return to nighttime skyline! __________________ Greg Head Cook - Team BigBarryQ KCBS Member Webers: Smokey Mountains (2 18.5" and a 22.5") - Performer 22" Silver - Go AnyWhere Charcoal - Smokey Joe Platinum - Craigslist Silver Gasser BBQ - Bring Beer Quick! In the Land of the Pig, the Butcher is King!

02-09-2007, 04:03 PM	#5
cmcadams Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-15-06 Location: Waynesville, Ohio	Thanks for the suggestions, barry. We were there a few years ago and took the tour around the island on boat... great views. It was a lot of fun. __________________ Curt McAdams Livefire Blog Livefire Whisky CBJ, some comps, a few awards, Certified Artisan Steak Taster. XL Big Green Egg, Bubba Keg Convection Grill, Weber Kettle, Charbroil Infrared and mad livefire cooking skillz! :)

02-09-2007, 04:56 PM	#6
Sledneck is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 12-04-05 Location: Wantagh, NY	Forget about french! The croatian have the best food http://www.triorestaurant.citysearch.com/ I am biased but this place is one of the best restaurant i have ever been to __________________ [SIZE="3"][B][COLOR="Blue"][URL="http://bbqilluminati.blogspot.com"]BBQ Illuminati Blog[/URL][/COLOR][/B][/SIZE] [B][COLOR="Blue"][B]Disclaimer: The poster does not take any responsibility for any bad feelings or sense of exclusion that the reader of this post may have-whether real or imagined. Reading threads poses inherent risks. The poster of this thread would like to also remind readers to make sure they have a functional sense of humor before they visit any discussion board.[/B][/COLOR][/B]

02-09-2007, 04:58 PM	#7
BBQchef33 Grand Poobah and Site Admin Join Date: 08-11-03 Location: Long Island, NY Name/Nickname : Phil	Tribecca Grill is definately my favorite. Its a nice place in tribecca on Franklin street. (owned by robert DiNero).. Somewhat small and moderately priced(for Manhatten). Thats about one of the only places I'm willing to cross the nassau/queens border for. The filet mignon is the better than most streak houses. I've gotten the seafood too, which is excellent, but then i feel guilty for not getting the steak. :) Great wine selection too. __________________ Site Administrator and Grand PooBah CBJ with a Fuzzy Blue Hat, 18 Foot Competition Trailer, Customized Klose BYC, Custom Built Shirley built to feed our Veterans(A.K.A "Abrams"), 1 Double Barreled Lang 84, 1 Heavily Modified Bionic Bandera, 1 Custom Super Medium Stickburning Spicewine w/stoker, 2 XL BGE, 1 Mini BGE, 2 Pit Barrel Cookers, 3 WSMs, 3 Weber Kettles, an NB Hondo, A Modified Brinkman Horizontal, DCS 48" Grill, a Broilmaster P3, a Blackstone 36 and 17, a covered, pellet pooping FEC100, and our duck died. :( News Flash: "A mans worth is judged by the weight of his integrity " You know your getting older when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy Smoke on KC. WWW.BBQ-BRETHREN.COM

02-09-2007, 07:22 PM	#8
MilitantSquatter Moderator Join Date: 09-17-05 Location: Mooresville, NC	Too many too choose...it's hard to go wrong... Italian - Try one of my favorite TV chefs, Lidia's two excellent restuarants - Becco or Felidia... Becco is a little less pricey than Felidia but still a great higher end Italian meal..excellent service and real Italian food. Felidia has a very exotic menu. Becco is the best bet if you don't like experimenting too much. http://www.lidiasitaly.com/index2.htm#Restaurants If you want a high end NYC steakhouse, there are plenty and most are great (I'm partial to Sparks Steakhouse) but for a real nice atmosphere, consider Wolfgangs's on Park Avenue.. It is the former dining room of the Vanderbilt Hotel dining room. The owner, Wolfgang, was the head waiter for many years at the famed Peter Luger Steakhouse in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. http://www.wolfgangssteakhouse.com/ Del Friscoe's also has a nice trendy atmosphere and it's right across the street from radio City Music Hall.. http://www.delfriscos.com/newyork/ __________________ XL BGE (#2) & Performer Platinum Former owner: Jambo Backyard, Klose BYC, Lonestar Vertical offset w/ Insulated Firebox, Medium Spicewine, Pitts & Spitts, XL BGE (#1) & (2) Medium BGE's, 22" WSM & (2) 18" WSM's, 18" & 22" Weber Kettles Last edited by MilitantSquatter; 02-09-2007 at 08:28 PM..

02-10-2007, 05:03 PM	#10
CTSmokehouse is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-31-05 Location: Ridgefield, CT	Not too fast Curt. For one of the most memorable meals in N.Y.C., Balthazar is the place. www.balthazarny.com/home.html . I spent one of the most romantic foodie evenings with my wife for a significant birthday dinner. It is a Brasserie. Everything is great. It is a hot ticket. The table in the far right corner is secluded and at the same time romantic with a view thanks to the mirrors of everything. The service is phenominal. The food is hearty and very well presented. Braised Short Ribs are to die for. They have an Oyster Bar the best this side of San Francisco, with offerings from both coasts as well as north from Canada. The Brunch is one of the best in N.Y.C.. We have the Balthazar cookbook and use it all the time. We took the cooking course with Lee Hanson, one of the Chefs/Owners. Duck a l'Orange Balthazar and Pork Milanese are two of our favorite every day recipes. If you are interested in a reservation I have an in. As for Deli's, Carnegie has more atmosphere than Katz's. It is less off the beaten path. I dare you to finish the Woodie Allen! But at Katz's you can sit where Harry met Sally! Yours in BBQ, Cliff __________________ Member KCBS,Member NEBS,KCBS Certified BBQ Judge "The Twins" 2 BWS Fatboys with experience! NB Black Diamond with Mods,CB Bandera with Mods CharGriller Outlaw with Mods,2X WSM in Comp. Mode Weber Kettle 22" Gold, Kirkland Signature SS Gas Grill La Caja Asadora - Caja China - Cajun Microwave 1 "Primal Meat Smokers" BBQ Team Purple Primal Smoker Turtle! Last edited by CTSmokehouse; 02-10-2007 at 06:03 PM..

02-11-2007, 08:19 AM	#11
cmcadams Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-15-06 Location: Waynesville, Ohio	Cliff, thanks for the suggestions. I was just talking to my sister who was having brunch in the city... at 3:30. I tried to tell her brunch is between breakfast and lunch, but she didn't get it. I think we'll try Katz's this time, though I do like Carnegie. Both have great stuff, so we'll spread it around a bit. We may have to go to Balthazar for another meal, but I think John (wine&swine) has us set up for our anniversary dinner, at the River Cafe in Brooklyn. __________________ Curt McAdams Livefire Blog Livefire Whisky CBJ, some comps, a few awards, Certified Artisan Steak Taster. XL Big Green Egg, Bubba Keg Convection Grill, Weber Kettle, Charbroil Infrared and mad livefire cooking skillz! :)

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