NYC Restaurant Guide |
This restaurant guide has food and decor reports on New York City restaurants. It is intended to help you locate restaurants by food type and location, and gives you opportunity to critically review and report to us your findings on new restaurants in the NYC area that should be included in the guide. We make every effort to be accurate. Please e-mail us if you find our information or coupon to be inaccurate or out of date.
If you would like to submit a restaurant review for consideration, please use the review form including the Style (Type), Name, Location, Telephone Number, Average Meal Prices, and your review details and favorite dishes. We reserve the right to include, exclude, modify or remove any listing at any time for our own reasons. . . . Last changes: Dec 2004
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Gaylord 102 Lexington Ave btwn 27/28 Sts (212)686-1422
Area: East Midtown ** Type: Indian Ambiance: Intimate, Semi-Formal ** Dress Code: As you wish
Low light, carved highbacked laquered chairs, soft music and broad brush temple motif murals create the atmosphere. Here in the heart of the original Little India area of Manhattan (pre-dates sixth street), Gaylord carries on its long tradition of serving very fresh, fine Indian dishes.Our Mulligatawany (yellow lentil) soup was wonderful. And the subtly spiced bright Green Pea Soup made from scratch from fresh peas was almost chartreuse and enchanting. The Papadam is mild unless you request one that is very peppery. Try the Shami Kabab -- only one of the more unique offerings here, made of finely ground lamb flavored with fresh mint. We had our favorite Mango Lasi, which was smooth and luxurious with mango pulp puree.
Gaylord has some really great breads to accompany your meal. We loved the Onion Kulcha and (not on the menu, but ask) the Peshwari Naan made with almonds and sweet spices. The special Gaylord Baked Eggplant is lightly flavored with a sweet and sour tamarind sauce and is excellent. Chicken Kurma Muglai style is very tender, aromatic and rich. Mushroom Saag flavored with basil completes the vegetable part of our meal. Next time we want to try Salmon Masala or Shrimp Tandoori Masala and Lamb Madras and Keema Motor.
We like all the Indian desserts on the menu, which include Ras Malai and Gulab Jamun, but today we enjoyed the jade green homemade Kulfi of pistachio and cardamom flavored frozen sweet cream sprinkled with pistachio chunks.
Price: 25 * Reservations: Accepted * C.Cards: All Major [INVITATION]
Haveli 100 Second Ave / 6th S (212 ) 982-0533
Area: Gramercy [East 14/23] ** Type: Indian Ambiance:Attractive, formal, relaxing. Low light. Dress Code: Any, but dress well.
White glove service with full expainations from our waiter, Islam, very good food, interesting decor, warm atmosphere, recorded Indian music. Try to sit near the second floor front window. Its not so much the view as the glass itself that lends the charm (you have to see it).Papadam with condiments is served before you order. Specialties include Crabmeat Pathia cooked with lentils and hot spices; Goat Rogan Josh from Kashmir; Madras Lamb, Chicken or Beef in special southern indian hot sauce with a touch of lemon. Dozens more, all served with a fluffy pilaff of Basmati rice. The large tray of assorted Chutneys and Condiments is worthwhile for a group of four or more One of our favorites is a house specialty served only in this restaurant called BALTI (for the bucket in which it is served). It can be made of succulent lamb, chicken or goat, has a hint of coriander and aromatic spices. Another very pleasant surprise was the artful manner in which an unpresuposing dish of potatoes, peas and califlower could be made so fascinating and delicious by a wonderful mix of sweet spices. The breads were good, too. A very light poori came with the Tandoori mixed grill appetizer (impressively presented, with the poori floating like a cloud above the plate, supported on toothpicks). The paratha can be served stuffed (Allu Paratha) or plain (we prefer plain, so we can pick up food with it). Nice selection of wines.
Considered even within the Indian community as one of the fine restaurants of the city.
Price: 22 * Reservations: N/A * C.Cards: MC,VS,AMX,DSC,DC [INVITATION]
Kitchen Club 30 Prince Street at Mott (212)274-0025
Area: Little Italy ** Type: Eclectic Euro-Asian Ambiance: Homey, warm ** Dress Code: Any
Some places are just Different (with a capital 'D') and this is one of them. Highly praised in the (temporarily) out of print guide 'Dining Smart', the Kitchen Club is owned, operated by, cooked for, supervised by and is in every way the creation of a most extraordinary personage. Marja Samsom (mar-ya), a cordial, open and strong personal is originally Dutch, and over the years has always cooked for others. Starting before her teen years cooking for family, she progressed to cooking once a week for appreciative friends (the Kitchen Club), and now cooks every day for an appreciative public which ranges from the uptown well-to-do to Village artists.The restaurant consists of a room seating about 32 persons at tables surrounded by an eclectic display of old photographs and documents collected over time. The cooking is done from an area behind the bar, and you can watch and even talk to the chef (Marja), who often comes out from behind the stove to talk to guests whom she knows well, or who express an interest in food or in her history or philosophy of restauranteurship. That philosophy is to be concerned with carefully chosen taste combinations, while preserving a strong interest in health (all the animal products and many of the vegetables used are organically raised,.. some on the farms of her friends! Many if not most of the recipes are uniquely hers. There is a strong Asian influence in the menu, primarily Japanese (no, not sushi). Note, also, that the list of specials for a given day may be almost as long as the fixed menu. Marja not only cooks lunch, but serves it as well until this writing. She seems to be an ageless bundle of energy. She allows herself the luxury of a waiter or two at the dinner hour, however.
After picking at a very good, warm semolina bread (baguette) with triple cream butter, we sampled several offerings at Kitchen Club starting with small dumplings of crabmeat and scallion, fresh enough to still be swimming, and mushroom dumplings coated with sesame seeds,.. firm and flavorful. Another appetizer arrived, looking like beansprouts at first, but actually was comprised of tiny, long-stemmed enoki mushrooms, marinated and topped by bits of cod roe cured in salt and red pepper. Then a bit of Black Trumpet mushrooms with goat cheese in a sauce of white wine, shoyu (soy sauce), a bit of cream and fresh ground black pepper. Finally a sample of Dutch smoked eel with thin slices of marinated Japanese cucumber and shiso (a mint-basil leafy green) arrived. It was white, velvety, oily and reminded us of smoked whitefish. Very good, indeed. A light, refreshing endive salad with walnuts, blue cheese, apple and sesame concluded our pre-entree items. Throughout the tasting, we enjoyed intermittent conversation with both cook and waiter, as their time allowed.
Our main dish tonight was fillet of grilled salmon with a dipping sauce of orange and ginger and sides of Kale and escalloped potato au gratin. Each was masterfully done and delicious. A special of the evening, soba noodles with enoki mushroom and in a homemade chicken stock with just a tiny hint of Bonito was also very good.
The purist will go for Marja's famous Dutch apple pie. It is a crustless dozen-layered apple pie with only token amounts of sugar and cinnamon. But for us the individual size Linzer torte was really a treat, and although we could have used more filling to offset the nutty crust, it was yummy. There was a fabulous ginger ice cream tonite, very creamy, very good. The richest of all, however, was Marja's chocolate mousse. This smoothest of the smooth was served in a small decorative porcelain crock with a tiny spoon. Made from famous Valrhone French Gourmet Chocolate, it was the chocoholic's dream come true. Though small, it seemed to last forever as we savored each tiny spoonful.
UPDATE: Marja wants us to tell you that Kitchen Club has a Sake Bar where people can smoke, snack and drink Sake! This is a restaurant to try. Please print the invitation below, or tell Marja that you read this review. And don't forget to make reservations, especially at night! AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE PARTIES up to 25 guests! Bon Appetit.
Price: 36 * Reservations: Advisable Always * C.Cards: MC, VISA, AMEX [INVITATION]
La Bella 581 2nd Ave/32St (212)683-3889
Area: E.Midtown ** Type: Italian & Pizza Ambiance: Ital/Euro Din. Rm ** Dress Code: Casual
A preliminary look into this establishment revealed separate dinning room reminiscent of an Italian Villa hidden behind a more modern but classy Pizzaria front area. It doesn't take long to discover the selection of wines, with emphasis on the Italian, of course, and to settle down in the the homey atmosphere of this proud family's dining room. The Calcagno family has been operating for almost forty years, starting in Brooklyn and now spread out to several locations. You will find Joe, the owner, here, acting as head chef and manager.For a light snack or appetizer, we really adored the Pinwheels, a spiral twist of pastry-like dough layered with cheese and spinach and lightly spiced with oregano and garlic (we think). The most popular appetizer is said to be the Scicilian Rice Ball, filled with ground meat, peas, ricotta, fried and quartered, sauced and topped with melted mozzarella. Don't miss the homestyle Chicken Soup Italiano, another popular house special.
Rigatoni LaBella is the restaurant's signature dish. Made with griled chicken, broccoli and fresh tomatoes in a cream sauce with a splash of vodka. Fabulous! Another great choice is the home made Gourmet Manicotti, with zucchini, ricotta and romano cheeses, grilled chicken, artichoke hearts and topped with sauce and mozzarella. Of course, if you're out for a pizza dinner, this dining room is the best place in the neighborhood to order and eat-in. Pizza with Italian wine!!
Along with your Expresso or Cappuccino, La Bella offers some delicious, rich desserts. The Mississippi Mud Pie has a thick chocolate crust and a rich chocolate mousse filling, while the Chocolate Cheesecake is light, thin-crusted and covered with white chocolate and chocolate shavings.
Whether for dessert or for a hearty meal, this hidden gem is a good bet. Tell them we sent you.
Price: 18 * Reservations: Optional * C.Cards: All Major [INVITATION]
L'Express 249 Park Ave South at 20th St (212)254-5858
Area: Gramercy ** Type: French Ambiance: Bistro, Crowded & Lively ** Dress Code: Any
24 Hours a day, L'Express serves tourists, neighbors, night-owls and fortunate accidental visitors its truly French fare, with specialties from Lyon. Staffed by French, American and other international energetic wait and bus people, you can be sure of excellent explanations of the menus (Dinner, Brunch, Late Nite, Breakfast and Lunch). We are only covering Dinner in this review, but drop in any time, of course. Sit at sidewalk level, just inside the tall narrow woodframed windows, or inside under ancient-appearing ventilator fans and dark tin ceiling. An ample selection of French, european and domestic beers and wines is available, and a full bar.Dinner may begin with a full bodied, dark Onion Soup Gratinée with rusk and Gruyere baked on top, of course. Worthy of service at Les Halles in Paris (where we had our very first one in the 60's). An excellent Paté with Green Peppercorn would be a good choice to accompany the two delicious breads that have already appeared on your table -- one is typical Bagette, the other a French sourdough. If you are ready for the royal treatment, however the Escargots aux Champignons (snail with tiny button mushrooms) in casserole with a marvelous wine sauce, no shells and only a bit of garlic are superbly executed. The Moules (mussels) mariniere are also said to be very popular.
Among the salads, our waiter highly recommended the Grilled Chicken Paillard with Agugula, Rosted Shallots & Garlic. However, in anticipation of a large meal, we opted for the lighter Endive & Watercress, zesty Roquefort, Walnuts & Beets, which was a perfect choice. Unlike some French restaurants, portions here tend to be rather generous.
While a neighboring table devoured huge burgers and shoestring pommes frites, we sampled the light Bisquebouille of Shellfish containing Large Shrimp, Scallops, Coquilles, Mussels, Lobster and squid in a dark, rich stock. Next came Grilled Salmon Dijonnaise with small sides of fresh cooked spinach and rice gently flavored with saffron and corriander. We ventured to try some of the house specialty dishes: Tabelier de Sapeur, Mesclun (crispy tripe with sauce gribiche), and Roasted Pigs Feet (Pieds de Cochon Rotis). Both were superbly done, but are items strange to the american palate, so be advised. The crowning dish of the evening was Medallion of Lamb Provencale, simple but elegant served with sides of mashed potato and barbequed leek -- delicious.
Despite having little room for dessert, we managed to savour and consume two delightful offerings: the Lemon Curdwas smooth and sweet with tangy Fresh Raspberry Sauce for contrast. And the Petit Pot au Chocolat w/ Butter Cookie was a thick slightly crusted pudding on top but pure deep chocolate liquid on the bottom, served in an individual casserole dish. Sinfully good, a chocoholic's dream.
Price: 24 * Reservations: Accepted * C.Cards: MC,Visa,Amex,DC,CB [COUPON]
Lombardi's 32 Spring St btwn Mott/Mulberry (212 )941-7994
Area: Little Italy ** Type: Pizza Ambiance:Simple Family Shop Dress Code:Not Important
This is it, folks. The very first Pizzaria in America was the one set up by the Lombardi family across the street from its present location. The decor is not remarkable, but the pizza is. They have a genuine coal fired oven. One of very few remaining. I don't know if it adds to the flavor of the crust, but their crust is thin, crisp and very tasty. They use fresh mozzarella (which they used to make in the old days, before becoming so popular) and San Marzano tomato sauce topped with romano and fresh basil. Pizzas are sold whole only, Large for $12.50, Small for $10.50. A large selection of toppings are available, including coal oven-roasted peppers, which are very nice, indeed. They have a specialty you won't find in the common pizzaria.. a fresh clam pie containing hand-shucked clams, oregano, fresh garlic, romano cheese, extra virgin olive oil and fresh ground pepper: $20/$16. The only other item of food on the menu is a house salad ov organic mesclun greens, mushrooms, onions, tomatos in vinaigrette - for two at $6. Beer is available. It's a bit of history for the pizza afficionado, with a friendly staff that serves proudly.
Price: 7 * Reservations: Accepted over 6 persons * C.Cards: Visa, MC [COUPON]
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