I asked a Dallas restaurant consultant who eats in NYC for R&D for some advice. He sent the list below the jump. Need some great cheap good eats for two gals at Lex and 49th. What do you think of his list?
1. Momofuko Noodle Bar – gotta go to a David Chang place. Been there before and couldn’t squeeze it in this time. But it is a steady place and worth the time.
2. The Dutch – Andrew Carmenelli, hot chef A little all over the board but generally a good room and some worthwhile food.
3. Osteria Morini – Michael White classic Italian. I like the room and the classic, rustic Italian fare. No special dish to recommend.
4. Ippudo – best ramen noodles in the world takes patience to eat here, always a two hour wait so put your name on the list and walk to any number of great places close by but return back when time is up – best ramen and pork buns in the city – and blistered shisito peppers with orange citrus salt
5. Hill Country BBQ – my bet for best NYC bbq not as good as my last visit but still better than others by a head. pork ribs and moist brisket are standouts.
6. Blue Smoke – Danny Meyer bbq disappointing across the board – just not much soul left in this place.
7. Dinosuar BBQ – never been but sounds like a must it’s a trek to Harlem and though the food is good, it’s more the overall trip and crowd that makes it worthwhile.
8. Maialino – Danny Meyer pork place I sent you the pork face salad photo from here and that, unfortunately, was the highlight of this visit. food surprisingly mediocre.
9. Eataly – Mario Batali market just a great place to spend some time – pizza just OK and pasta a bit better but overall a treat for all the senses.
10. Ess a Bagel – best breakfast bagel you ever chewed on still the best!
11. Minetta Tavern – great steak place and voted best burger NYC they were just a notch off on this visit but overall still a great room to have a protein meal in.
12. Shake Shack – If you haven’t been, it’s probably a must stop Danny Meyer nothing out of the ordinary about eating a burger and custard in 40 degree temps on a park bench.
13. Rickshaw Dumplings – just great dumplings now, unfortunately, I’d have to say ‘just very good dumplings.’
14. L’Apicio – NY Times 10 ten 2012 Italian pretty room and pretty food but nothing over the top great about it.
15. Prime and Beyond – mid-range steak place, great burger too straightforward and good. best place to pass the time while waiting for Ippudo table, it’s just around the corner.
16. The NoMad – NY Times top 10 2012 one of the best stops – more elegant and ‘fine dining’ experience in a atrium-like room that is more European than NY.
17. Moti Mahal Delux – best butter chicken on the globe did not get there…..damn.
18. Calliope – NY Times top 10 2012 very lively and small dining room and very inventive and worthwhile food ideas. in same area as l’Apicio and Il Buco so worth seeing all three.
19. Perla – NY Times top ten 2011 absolutely hands down the best burger of the visit, just so flavorful and unique. Michael Toscana came to table to accept our accolades and he seemed like such a nice guy that we awarded him best restaurant of our visit. just a short walk from Minetta Tavern.
20. Il Buco Alimetari E Vineria – NY Times top 10 2012 Tried as we may have, didn’t save time for this place.
21. The Spotted Pig – a Bloomfield and Freidman collaboration, gastropub. The absolute best grilled cheese sandwich I’ve ever stuffed in my mouth. Excellent blue cheese burger as well. Interesting room too.
22. The Public House – a chain but I hear great things about the straightforward design and space in general. Didn’t get the chance.
