Recent Recommendations from the Experts! 8/25/11

Thursday’s are for sharing!

Below are recent recommendations the EE team provided to the needy, hungry & thirsty that wrote in to us. Need a recommendation? Ask Eatery Expert

1. Keepin' it healthy & fresh in Flatiron – Periyali (35 West 20th St. nr. Sixth Ave.)

Oktapodi Sharas charcoal grilled, red wine marinated octopus -- A must order!

2.  Hidden gem in Nolita - Ballato (55 East Houston St. nr. Mott St.)

Hearty Italian food since 1956. Ballato knows how to please!

3. Dinner date in the West Village -  I Sodi (105 Christopher St. nr. Bleecker St.)

Brought to you straight form Tuscany. The only difference is that they accept dollars, not euros!

4. First date pleaser - The Monday Room (210 Elizabeth St. nr. Prince St.)

Wine and cheese, please!

5. Group dinner & dancing - Los Feliz (109 Ludlow St. nr. Delancey St.)

A multi-level establishment, including a taqueria, lounge & a dining den!

6. Unique, non-traditional dining experience - Bohemian (57 Great Jones St. nr. Bowery St.)

True definition of a hidden gem. Some people know about it, but can't even find it! Sashimi to burgers, the food is all great!

7. Delicious food with private dining - Freemans (8 Rivington St at the end of Freemans Alley)

They've got 3 very unique and private rooms to accommodate 12, 20 or 30 guests!

8.  Chef's table downtown - Il Buco (47 Bond St. nr. Lafayette St.)

The menu is always changing and the food just keeps getting better!

9. Quality sushi and sake - Kanoyama (175  Second Ave. @ 11th St.)

Oysters, sushi and sake sounds like a perfect night!

10.   Happy hour in Flatiron -The Cellar at Beecher's (900 Broadway @ 20th St.)

Check out their grilled cheese martini!

Recent Recommendations from the Experts! 8/18/11

Thursday’s are for sharing!

Below are recent recommendations the EE team provided to the needy, hungry & thirsty that wrote in to us. Need a recommendation? Ask Eatery Expert

1. Pre-theater restaurant for "in-the-know" locals – DB Bistro Moderne (55 West 44th St. nr. 6th Ave.)

Pre-theater special for $45.  Tuesday through Saturday.  5PM - 6:30PM.  Also check out their special burger - one of the best in Manhattan.

2.  Outdoor happy hour for a large group on the LES – Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten (7 Rivington St. nr. Chrystie St.)

It's not the Hofbrauhaus, but could be wurst!

3.   Not a stuffy steakhouse in Midtown – Quality Meats (5 West 58th St. nr. 5th Ave.)

They're known for steak and seafood, but be sure to save room for dessert - the ice cream cake is a must try.

4.  Fusion in Flatiron – Basta Pasta (37 West 17th St.)

Japanese-Italian fare.  Say wha?!

5.  "Knock her socks off" romantic date – A Voce Columbus (10 Columbus Circle nr. 60th St.)

Chef Missy Robbin's has transformed this place into a pasta haven!

6.  Frugalistas seek fun night out in the West Village – Miss Lily's (132 West Houston St. nr. Sullivan St.)

Greenwich Village Jamaican jerk hut.  Bringin' the tropics to Manhattan, mahhnnn

7.  Pizza & wine in Chelsea – Co. (230 9th Ave. nr. 20th St.)

Brick oven pizza at its finest from the master's of Sullivan St. Bakery.

8.  Farm-to-table fare in the East Village – Prune (54 East 1st St. nr. 2nd Ave.)

Chef Gabrielle Hamilton's masterpiece.  Their brunch is one of our favorites in the city serving 10 different bloody marys! PLUS - their dinner is equally superb

9. Unlimited Drinks & Quality Brunch - Bocca di Bacco (828 Ninth Ave. nr. 54th St.)

Has lox ever looked so good?! $15 unlimited drinks?! Boozy Brunch in Hell's Kitchen has never felt so much like heaven.

10. Awesome raw bar below 14th Street – Jeffrey's Grocery (172 Waverly Pl. nr. Christopher St.)

Local produce, bread, raw bar and restaurant? Sounds too good to be true!

Recent Recommendations from the Experts! 8/11/11

Thursday’s are for sharing!

Below are recent recommendations the EE team provided to the needy, hungry & thirsty that wrote in to us. Need a recommendation? Ask Eatery Expert

1. Weeknight dinner with the girls and a lot of wine – Malatesta Trattoria (649 Washington St. nr. Christopher St.)

Casual eatery serving some of the best Italian food this side of town. Don't miss their spinach gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce!

2. Great food AND cocktails to match on the LES – Rayuela (165 Allen St. nr. Stanton St.)

The indoor olive tree is just one of the many reasons why this place is awesome.

3. Fun double date in the West Village – Spasso (551 Hudson St. nr. Perry St.)

Their hand pulled stracciatella and toasted bread is a little taste of heaven!

4. Not your average wine bar – Felice Wine Bar (1166 1^st Ave. nr. 64^th St.)

As the name implies...you'll be very felice when you leave the place!

5. Spanish Tapas bursting with authenticity  – La Nacional (239 W.14^th St.)

Fit for King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain!

6. Upscale sports bar worthy of a chill night out – Warren 77 (77 Warren St. nr. Broadway)

New York Ranger Sean Avery owned.  Cool enough for an athlete, casual enough for the rest of us!

7. Weeknight dinner on a budget – Café Asean (117 W. 10^th St. nr. Greenwich Ave.)

8. Anniversary dinner in the West Village– Mas Farmhouse (39 Downing St. nr. Bedford St.)

Farm to table from the farmhouse...

9. Unique 2^nd date downtown – Desnuda (122 E. 7^th St.)

Oysters, ceviche and wine...very romantico!

10. Restaurant with some damn good beer– Jimmy’s No. 43 (43 East 7^th St. nr. 2^nd Ave.)

Over 50 different types of beer including some of our favorite local beers!

Recent Recommendations from the Experts! 8/4/11

You asked, and we answered.  Below are some recent places we sent the needy, hungry, & thirsty that wrote in and Asked the Expert last week. Need a suggestion?Write to us!

1. Happy Hour & dinner near Union Square: The Cellar at Beecher's (900 Broadway, nr. 19th St.)

Happy Hour from 5-7pm. Enjoy quality beer, wine & infused cocktails for $5-$8

2.  Great wine selection near Lincoln Center:  Bar Boulud (1900 Broadway, nr.64th St.)

Pull up a chair and enjoy some vino and amazing charcuterie & cheese. 

3.  The cocktails stand alone:  The Beagle (162 Avenue A, nr. 10th St.)

This is where the magic happens - try the Adonis cocktail (Fino Sherry, Sweet Vermouth & Orange Bitters)

4.  Yummy Thai food in Midtown West:  Pure Thai Shophouse (764 9th Avenue, nr. 51st St.)

Really authentic, delicious & the pork dry noodles are a must-try!

5. Korean but not in Koreatown & not downtown:  Danji (346 West 52nd St. nr. 9th Ave.)

Bring carnivores, vegetarians, super-picky and not picky at all and everyone will love Danji! 

6. Hidden gem in the West Village: Hudson Clearwater (447 Hudson St. nr. Morton St.)

Off the beaten path in the West Village, try the amazing entrees of Chef Wes Long.

7.  Great Beer Selection Downtown: Grape & Grain (620 E. 6th St. nr. Ave. B)

Top notch beer and wine selection, plus the food is scrumptious!

8. Quality brunch on the Upper West Side: Fish Tag (222 West 79th St. nr. Broadway)

The lamb burger is a brunch must-try! One of the best NYC burgers out there!

9. J-Date in SoHo:  Balaboosta (214 Mulberry St. nr. Spring Street)

Hummus served with a mortar and pestle - we're sold!

10. Juice Bar with Kale Chips:  Juice Press (70 East 1st St. nr. 2nd Ave.)

Try the Drink Your Salad juice -- talk about a burst of energy to get through your day!