Le Boite en Bois
75 West 68th Street
I could hear the thumping of the phone as the reservationist dropped it twice while I made the reservation. His profuse apologies lent an element of charm and humanness to this often-time rote process. I was looking forward to seeing by friend Rene from Southampton, New York (not Hampton Bays) and her daughter Foster who was visiting from her teaching job in Egypt. Rene, Foster and Ed were already waiting when Lily and I arrived. Did they make a mistake? Was this really a table for five people? Or squeezing five people into a space meant for three was the only way the restaurant could accommodate us that night. The delicious food and wine list were well-priced, and there were several interesting specials. La Boite en Bois is a charming bistro with a well-meaning, attentive staff. But would I return post-Epiphany? Je ne sais pas. Giving us a small table cramped my style. However, my fellow diners enjoyed their food and viewed cramped as 'cozy.'
Friday, December 30, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011 Fatty Crab
Fatty Crab
2170 Broadway
Last minute decision to venture out locally on Christmas Eve left us with limited options if were to follow our Restaurant Epiphany credo, i.e. no repeats and "A" inspection ratings. We had passed "Fatty Crab" numerous times when it was warm enough for people to dine outside, and it looked inviting. A hip waitress with an attitude took our order and delivered a $14 undrinkable glass of white wine in this wannabe upscale Chinese restaurant. Let's put it this way---if you want way-overpriced Chinese food that is served on undersized plates in a college-bar type setting, Fatty Crab is the place to go. I was happy when my fortune cookie arrived.
2170 Broadway
Last minute decision to venture out locally on Christmas Eve left us with limited options if were to follow our Restaurant Epiphany credo, i.e. no repeats and "A" inspection ratings. We had passed "Fatty Crab" numerous times when it was warm enough for people to dine outside, and it looked inviting. A hip waitress with an attitude took our order and delivered a $14 undrinkable glass of white wine in this wannabe upscale Chinese restaurant. Let's put it this way---if you want way-overpriced Chinese food that is served on undersized plates in a college-bar type setting, Fatty Crab is the place to go. I was happy when my fortune cookie arrived.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011 Momoya
Momoya
427 Amsterdam Avenue
This upscale UWS Japanese restaurant confirmed our reservation the same day with the admonition that if we were ten minutes late our table would be history. We arrived on time only to be told that our table was not quite ready. Oh well! The contemporary setting was intriguing with slabs of marble that formed a sushi bar. Everything was above average------the food was well-prepared, the service was cordial and attentive, the presentation was lovely and the noise level was appropriate---- but there was a disconnect. A restaurant needs to make a client feel special. I wanted to feel that it was of the utmost importance that I return again and again. Alas, ................., we were merely the 7:30 PM reservation.
427 Amsterdam Avenue
This upscale UWS Japanese restaurant confirmed our reservation the same day with the admonition that if we were ten minutes late our table would be history. We arrived on time only to be told that our table was not quite ready. Oh well! The contemporary setting was intriguing with slabs of marble that formed a sushi bar. Everything was above average------the food was well-prepared, the service was cordial and attentive, the presentation was lovely and the noise level was appropriate---- but there was a disconnect. A restaurant needs to make a client feel special. I wanted to feel that it was of the utmost importance that I return again and again. Alas, ................., we were merely the 7:30 PM reservation.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Friday December 9, 2011 Spiga
Spiga
200 W. 84th Street
Dined with our cousins Alexandra and Howard at this local UWS spot after a tour of Alexandra's studio. Both involved climbing stairs, and both venues were worth the climb. The serene lighting of Spiga welcomed us in to this cozy restaurant that already was filled with diners. Spiga's menu of Italian cuisine included a large variety of appetizers, pastas, entrees and cheeses which was served by attentive staff. Thankfully, wine was served in lovely glasses instead of the run-of-the-mill insitutional type. Spiga is a find and recommended although Spiga might want to consider warming up their delicious bread for breadaholics and sprucing up the presentation of the tasty desserts. Bueno!!!!
200 W. 84th Street
Dined with our cousins Alexandra and Howard at this local UWS spot after a tour of Alexandra's studio. Both involved climbing stairs, and both venues were worth the climb. The serene lighting of Spiga welcomed us in to this cozy restaurant that already was filled with diners. Spiga's menu of Italian cuisine included a large variety of appetizers, pastas, entrees and cheeses which was served by attentive staff. Thankfully, wine was served in lovely glasses instead of the run-of-the-mill insitutional type. Spiga is a find and recommended although Spiga might want to consider warming up their delicious bread for breadaholics and sprucing up the presentation of the tasty desserts. Bueno!!!!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Friday December 2, 2011 Sidecar
Sidecar
205 East 55th Street
This restaurant is located above the busy watering hole at P. J. Clarke's, and we met our friends Warren and Amy at this spot they recommended. It is always disconcerting when one has to cool your heels waiting for the maitre d' who is seating other guests or smoozing with her friends. Luckily, Amy was seated already and waved us to our table. Charming place with brick walls and enough room between tables. Alas, the specialty is steak and since neither Ed nor I partake of cow, we searched the menu for reasonable choices. The menu was limited, but we found alternatives. The food was not properly seasoned and came up short on presentation. The quality of the bread is usually something you can depend on in New York City restaurants, but here, the bread was rock-hard, and we had to ask for it half way through the meal.
205 East 55th Street
This restaurant is located above the busy watering hole at P. J. Clarke's, and we met our friends Warren and Amy at this spot they recommended. It is always disconcerting when one has to cool your heels waiting for the maitre d' who is seating other guests or smoozing with her friends. Luckily, Amy was seated already and waved us to our table. Charming place with brick walls and enough room between tables. Alas, the specialty is steak and since neither Ed nor I partake of cow, we searched the menu for reasonable choices. The menu was limited, but we found alternatives. The food was not properly seasoned and came up short on presentation. The quality of the bread is usually something you can depend on in New York City restaurants, but here, the bread was rock-hard, and we had to ask for it half way through the meal.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Wednesday November 30, 2011 Donguri
Donguri
309 East 83rd Street
My friend Bernadette Conaty is the producer of "Evening of Shortplays Showcase" and the show was scheduled for this evening at 8PM at the Saloon on York Avenue and 83rd Street. Selected nearby Donburi, a Japanese restaurant, on 83rd Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue. Made reservation on Tuesday and they called to confirm on Wednesday.
When we arrived, we were led to our table and our name was artfully displayed in a metal reservation holder on the table. It is a small, bright restaurant with about 12 tables. Our server bowed as she presented our lovely drink menu. We ordered "draft" saki, and she poured the aromatic beverage into colorful glasses. Our dinner menu arrived, and although the prices were on the higher end, we decided to live the 'good life' and order an appetizer to share and our entrees with a side bowl of rice. That turned out to be a problem. Although the service was impeccble and the food was tasty, the portions were incredibly small. The entirety of Ed's entree of grilled uni was served in a clam shell and my sashimi was limited. We should have known something was up when our tofu appetizer came with miniature spoons. We were hungry. We eyed our neighbor's tempura corn dish and decided to throw caution to the wind and add that to our order. The dessert was a decent size but who can make a meal of green tea pudding with one dollop of vanilla ice cream.
The staff bowed again as we left but it was too late.
309 East 83rd Street
My friend Bernadette Conaty is the producer of "Evening of Shortplays Showcase" and the show was scheduled for this evening at 8PM at the Saloon on York Avenue and 83rd Street. Selected nearby Donburi, a Japanese restaurant, on 83rd Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue. Made reservation on Tuesday and they called to confirm on Wednesday.
When we arrived, we were led to our table and our name was artfully displayed in a metal reservation holder on the table. It is a small, bright restaurant with about 12 tables. Our server bowed as she presented our lovely drink menu. We ordered "draft" saki, and she poured the aromatic beverage into colorful glasses. Our dinner menu arrived, and although the prices were on the higher end, we decided to live the 'good life' and order an appetizer to share and our entrees with a side bowl of rice. That turned out to be a problem. Although the service was impeccble and the food was tasty, the portions were incredibly small. The entirety of Ed's entree of grilled uni was served in a clam shell and my sashimi was limited. We should have known something was up when our tofu appetizer came with miniature spoons. We were hungry. We eyed our neighbor's tempura corn dish and decided to throw caution to the wind and add that to our order. The dessert was a decent size but who can make a meal of green tea pudding with one dollop of vanilla ice cream.
The staff bowed again as we left but it was too late.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011 Bali Musa Indah
Bali Musa Indah
651 9th Avenue
The goal was to find a restaurant near by to the Broadway theater on West 42nd Street. After rejecting three Thai restaurants that looked like they were part of a chain, we saw "Indonesian restaurant" in the window on this uncolorful restaurant on Ninth Avenue. But, Indonesian food. That sounded appealing. The food was spiced and prepared just right and the size of the portions was more than sufficient. Novel idea for rice---glutonous triangles of rice. However, the decor was non-existent and somewhat dreary.
651 9th Avenue
The goal was to find a restaurant near by to the Broadway theater on West 42nd Street. After rejecting three Thai restaurants that looked like they were part of a chain, we saw "Indonesian restaurant" in the window on this uncolorful restaurant on Ninth Avenue. But, Indonesian food. That sounded appealing. The food was spiced and prepared just right and the size of the portions was more than sufficient. Novel idea for rice---glutonous triangles of rice. However, the decor was non-existent and somewhat dreary.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011 Buffet de la Gare
Buffet de la Gare
155 Southside Avenue
Hastings on Hudson, New York
We met our friends Jim and Laurie at this lovely French restaurant that was filled with Westchester diners and is steps away from the Hastings on Hudson train station. Authentic touches to this charming French bistro include the accent of the woman who took our order. Presentation of the food was done with flair although the seasoning needed a heavier hand. Tasty warm bread!
155 Southside Avenue
Hastings on Hudson, New York
We met our friends Jim and Laurie at this lovely French restaurant that was filled with Westchester diners and is steps away from the Hastings on Hudson train station. Authentic touches to this charming French bistro include the accent of the woman who took our order. Presentation of the food was done with flair although the seasoning needed a heavier hand. Tasty warm bread!
Friday November 18, 2011 Laut
Laut
15 East 17th Street
Birthday dinner for my sister Sue at this Malaysian,Thai restaurant off Union Square. Varied menu and attentive service. Ambience and food is typical of this type of cuisine. Nothing over the top. Try peanut and dried anchovy snack!
15 East 17th Street
Birthday dinner for my sister Sue at this Malaysian,Thai restaurant off Union Square. Varied menu and attentive service. Ambience and food is typical of this type of cuisine. Nothing over the top. Try peanut and dried anchovy snack!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 Sinigual
Sinigual
640 Third Avenue
Ole! Birthday dinner for our niece Rachel at this busy Mexican restaurant near Grand Central Station. Guacomole made to taste at our table. Sizable portions of tasty food. Welcoming, accommodating staff. Lovely gesture of bringing gratis birthday flan surprise to Rachel!
640 Third Avenue
Ole! Birthday dinner for our niece Rachel at this busy Mexican restaurant near Grand Central Station. Guacomole made to taste at our table. Sizable portions of tasty food. Welcoming, accommodating staff. Lovely gesture of bringing gratis birthday flan surprise to Rachel!
Monday, November 14, 2011, Gigino Trattoria
Gigino Trattoria
323 Greenwich Street
A little bit of Italy in Tribeca. Dinner with my mother and a family friend. The staff was very accommodating to this older crowd. A varied menu with many pasta and pizza possibilities. I went for a pizza with eggplant, mozzarella and basil- excellent. If you are looking to load up on carbs in pleasant surroundings, this is a place to try...........Ed
323 Greenwich Street
A little bit of Italy in Tribeca. Dinner with my mother and a family friend. The staff was very accommodating to this older crowd. A varied menu with many pasta and pizza possibilities. I went for a pizza with eggplant, mozzarella and basil- excellent. If you are looking to load up on carbs in pleasant surroundings, this is a place to try...........Ed
Saturday, November 12, 2011 Demarchelier
Demarchelier
50 East 86th Street
Went with our friends Jimmy and Martha. French bistro. Lovely setting and welcoming maitre d'. Good service, menu and food. Only disappointing glitch---took our order and ran out of one of the dishes. Not extraordinary, but should we ever break our pledge, this is a candidate for a repeat visit..
50 East 86th Street
Went with our friends Jimmy and Martha. French bistro. Lovely setting and welcoming maitre d'. Good service, menu and food. Only disappointing glitch---took our order and ran out of one of the dishes. Not extraordinary, but should we ever break our pledge, this is a candidate for a repeat visit..
Friday November 11, 2011 Alachi Masala
Alachi Masala
488 Amsterdam Avenue.
We had dinner plans with our friends Bernie and Heidi. A friend had recommended this restaurant and we had always wanted to give it a try. The food was typical Indian with many tandoori dishes on the menu. Food was flavorful but nothing really special. A BYOB policy is welcome for wine drinkers. Lighting was bright and harsh with tables relatively close so don't expect a romantic setting. Bottom line: reasonable food with decent prices, but no "warm and fuzzies."
488 Amsterdam Avenue.
We had dinner plans with our friends Bernie and Heidi. A friend had recommended this restaurant and we had always wanted to give it a try. The food was typical Indian with many tandoori dishes on the menu. Food was flavorful but nothing really special. A BYOB policy is welcome for wine drinkers. Lighting was bright and harsh with tables relatively close so don't expect a romantic setting. Bottom line: reasonable food with decent prices, but no "warm and fuzzies."
Welcome to Restaurant Epiphany!
November 9th, 2011
So there Ed and I were at the JCC listening to restauranteur Danny Meyers being interviewed on his formula to creating a successful restaurant in New York City. His customer-friendly model was very interesting. He mentioned that there are 19,000 restaurants in New York City alone and people in NYC want to be on the cutting edge and try new restaurants.
Cutting Edge? New restaurants? Generally, Ed and I go to the same restaurants all the time. And it is so boring! And the food is mediocre! It was at that point that we had the "restaurant epiphany." We decided that we would never return to the same restaurant. This blog will record our journey and adventures into the new (at least for us) restaurant world. If the restaurant is in NYC, it must be rated "A" by the NYC Department of Health. At this point, we are not ready to include take-out food restaurants. They can be do-overs. And last, but not least, if we find a restaurant that is extraordinary, we can re-visit that restaurant on a birthday, anniversary or if we want to impress a person with our savvyness about NYC restaurant life.
So there Ed and I were at the JCC listening to restauranteur Danny Meyers being interviewed on his formula to creating a successful restaurant in New York City. His customer-friendly model was very interesting. He mentioned that there are 19,000 restaurants in New York City alone and people in NYC want to be on the cutting edge and try new restaurants.
Cutting Edge? New restaurants? Generally, Ed and I go to the same restaurants all the time. And it is so boring! And the food is mediocre! It was at that point that we had the "restaurant epiphany." We decided that we would never return to the same restaurant. This blog will record our journey and adventures into the new (at least for us) restaurant world. If the restaurant is in NYC, it must be rated "A" by the NYC Department of Health. At this point, we are not ready to include take-out food restaurants. They can be do-overs. And last, but not least, if we find a restaurant that is extraordinary, we can re-visit that restaurant on a birthday, anniversary or if we want to impress a person with our savvyness about NYC restaurant life.
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