New York Lunch Recommendations

My husband and I are heading to New York, Long Island actually, this weekend to visit my parents. We are going to be in Manhattan on Friday afternoon/evening and whenever we visit the city we like to maximize our eating schedule. For dinner, we're planning on Pearl Oyster Bar. One of afternoon snacks will be pizza, locale to be determined. The jury's still out on our lunch. Any suggestions. I'm looking for something that would balance our other selections as well as something that we really can't find in Chicago. Any suggestions?

If you like cheese, head to Artisanal in Mid-town. It is a french bistro/fromagerie. I have found no place in Chicago that is its equal when it comes to cheese service. The french onion soup was delicious and I've heard nothing but wonderful things about their grilled sandwiches for lunch.

Their regular menu is here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... riant=TFCV

and you can find their massive cheese list here:
http://www.artisanalcheese.com/cheese/ac_lookup.cfm

They have a full cheese menu in the restaurant and will prepare any combination into a 3- or 6-cheese plate.

Artisanal is at 32nd & Park Ave., 212-725-8585

Amazing - that was the one place on our list so far. My only concern was whether it would interfere with our pizza consumption later in the afternoon. But then again, I like my cheese.

An obvious sugestion is Katz's Deli, as Manny's be damned, there is nothing quite like it in Chicago. Duke the pastrami slicer for better effect.

One thing that I love in NYC that is pretty much non-existent in Chicago is Jewish/Dairy places. The problem is, they are getting to be pretty non-existent in NYC too. B&H in the gentrifying lower east side has its flaws, including none so sparkling sanitation, but it still fries up a mean blintz. Actually, I'd love to know myself where a good dairy place is these days in NYC.

In a similar vein, nothing in Chicago comes close to Russ and Daughters for noshing.

I cannot remember where I mentioned this, but breakfast/brunch at Balthazar is one of the great treats of NYC. You get to be "in" without the hassles of dinner. The pastries are outstanding and the room is perfect in its hyper-perfect too good to be Paris way.

For pizza, have you considered Otto?

An obvious sugestion is Katz's Deli, as Manny's be damned, there is nothing quite like it in Chicago. Duke the pastrami slicer for better effect.

One thing that I love in NYC that is pretty much non-existent in Chicago is Jewish/Dairy places. The problem is, they are getting to be pretty non-existent in NYC too. B&H in the gentrifying lower east side has its flaws, including none so sparkling sanitation, but it still fries up a mean blintz. Actually, I'd love to know myself where a good dairy place is these days in NYC.

In a similar vein, nothing in Chicago comes close to Russ and Daughters for noshing.

This thread is sounding a lot like my recent trip to NY. (Balthazar, Artisanal, Katz's Russ & Daughters) There is truly nothing like Katz's or Russ & Daughters in Chicago. The pastrami at Katz's is the real reason to go. R&D is great, but it's a deli and you'll need a place to take your food to set up a real meal.

MAG wrote:My husband and I are heading to New York

Melissa,

I'd suggest picking up the current The Art of Eating (2004 Number 66). "Why, Where, and What to Eat in New York."

If you can't find a copy I'll drop mine off for you Thursday.

Enjoy,
Gary

Here's a really up to the minute guide.

http://www.oldandsold.com/articles06/ne ... y-51.shtml

Oh, and if you have a chance to catch Lunt and Fontanne in The Guardsman, don't miss them!

Mike, that site's fantastic. Rob, I think for pizza, we're going to Lombardi's in Little Italy, would love to head to Brooklyn, but I think our plans will keep us in Manhattan, particularly lower Manhattan as I'm a big fan of the shops in NoLita.

I'm in the minority, but I prefer Barney Greengrass to Russ & Daughters, especially if someone in the group wants meat.

Mostly, I like eating the best chopped liver in the world along with my smoked fish plate.

within walking distance from the MET, is a great little deli that was bustling the day i ate lunch there......

E.A.T. Deli
1064 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10021

it was by no means cheap, but it was worth it. incredible sandwiches, soups, salads. the lunch is the style where you order from a counter, grab a #, and get seated while waiting for someone to bring the food over.

great experience.

I concur with your choice of Lombardi's Coal Oven, MAG, though I must admit that John's Pizza (44th and 8th) in midtown is worth the visit just by virtue of the fact that its a fabulous room, a converted church with lots of character and stained glass. Its a darn good brick oven Pizza, too.

If you're looking for unusual, consider A Salt & Battery on Greenwich Ave between Seventh and Eighth Avenues. Its a traditional Scottish fry shop where you can get everything from fresh fried fish and chips to a deep fried Mars bar.

If you're in on Saturday and in the mood for brunch, Good which is also on Greenwich Avenue makes the most spectacular lemon ricotta pancakes I have ever had in my life

Can I plug my favorite Not About Food thing in New York now?

Where to get Thor his own Trilobite.

My absolute favorite place for lunch in NY is a Cuban placed called Sophie's. There are several locations in the financial district (all the way downtown).

Not only are their Cuban sandwiches good, but they have about four or five daily specials which sometimes include oxtail (my favorite!), roast pork, Cuban style beef stew. All very homey with black beans and rice. Everything is $7.00.

19 Maiden Lane
205 Pearl Street
75 New Street
96 Chambers Street

Shirley

No judgments here (sort of) but is this the place that makes "Cubans" on Italian garlic bread?

Shirley, you may want to give Havana Chelsea on Eighth Ave around 16th Street (my memory is failing me a bit onn the exact location) a try. They make an excellent cuban sandwich and also have a steam table of several other excellent dishes.

There's also that Cuban Chinese place a little further south on Eighth Avenue. I believe its called La Chinita Linda. Skip the Chinese, but give Cuban section of the menu your undying attention. The shredded beef is excellent as are the deep fried boneless chicken chunks.

Both are served with this huge pile of pillowy yellow rice and red beans. A little dash of hot sauce here and there and you have lunch or dinner fit for a king for around five bucks.

A good soothing (sometimes needed in NYC) Japanese place is Honnamura (think that is how it is spelled) in the Soho area, i think on Mercer

I think psychchef may be referring to the soba noodle restaurant Honmura An. I haven't tried the New York branch, but the original in Tokyo is great. Best buckwheat noodles I've had outside of the buckwheat-growing regions of Japan.

Buckwheat noodles aren't for everyone. In fact, I don't eat them much in general because prefab versions don't hold up well compared to other noodle alternatives (udon, somen, kishimen, etc). Honmura An makes the noodles in-house (at least at the Tokyo flagship), helping to maintain the necessary toothsomeness and buckwheat character.

One note of caution regarding price/portions. Assuming the portions are in line with those in Japan, you'll get a first-course-pasta-sized serving of dressed up soba for $15-20.

Happy eating,
Mumon

Honmura An
170 Mercer St. (Between Houston and Prince Sts.)
New York , NY 10012
(212) 334-5253
Lunch: Wed-Sat 12pm-12:30am
Dinner: Tue-Sun 6pm-10pm
Online menu: go to menupages.com

MAG wrote:My husband and I are heading to New York, Long Island actually, this weekend to visit my parents. We are going to be in Manhattan on Friday afternoon/evening and whenever we visit the city we like to maximize our eating schedule. For dinner, we're planning on Pearl Oyster Bar. One of afternoon snacks will be pizza, locale to be determined. The jury's still out on our lunch. Any suggestions. I'm looking for something that would balance our other selections as well as something that we really can't find in Chicago. Any suggestions?

So, where's the report? What's good?

Forthcoming as with a post on our experience with roasting a 75 lb. pig in La Caja China.