Hiya!
Going to nyc this friday to next thursday. I have made a list of places I wanna try, but I wont have the time for them all. Going with my bf.
Any of these I should scrap? Already got a reservation at Don Angie but other than that nothing. The words in parentheses is just for me to remember either where I found it or what to get from there. Thanks!
by elfhavoc
44 Comments
wouldn’t bother scrapping because it’s highly unlikely you’ll get a seat at all of them. you’ll have some great meals, just play it by ear and try and hit up whichever ones are most convenient at the time
This list stresses me out- I get you’re trying to be organized but not sure what you’re going for. What’s your budget, what kind of food do you like?
Yasouvlaki is an UES neighborhood restaurant. There’s nothing special about it.
The two best restaurants on your list are Torrisi and 4 Charles, which are amazing, but will be very difficult to book, so you’ll need to get creative (or lucky) to book them.
I thought Raf’s was just okay but the chicken was fantastic.
Ci Siamo is very good but I don’t know if it’s special. I’ve been twice but probably won’t go again. Should be bookable, though.
I’m assuming you have resy notify set for 4 Charles because the odds are very low for dinner and if something opens up it’ll be either very early (4pm) or 11pm. You might have a shot at brunch. Would personally skip Casa Carmen (unless it’s gotten better since I went) and Balthazar (more for scene than food)
I would look at some of the other lists on here people have posted for short trips. This is kind of all over the place and has a lot of trendy overrated spots sprinkled in.
skip bubby’s porto rico, grace street
Kind of shocked there’s no pizza or bagels on here.
Skip Balthazar, yasouvlaki, and bubby’s. Go to Golden Diner during the week for their pancakes instead and don’t skip the berry compote 🙂
imma be honest this is a pretty boring list. way too much italian and mexican. NYC has tons more to offer, i’d suggest branching out.
Don’t waste your money on Balthazar. There are much better places with history, cheaper prices, and much better food.
Also chez ma tante isn’t worth it either. Very mid.
balthazar. also the third of the list will scrap itself lol you won’t get a reservation there.
I am a big fan of Porto Rico but not for drinks.. you go there to buy beans.
Yasouvlaki is nothing special. If you want Greek, head to Astoria to one of many great places. I was disappointed with Ci Siamo. Porto Rico is for coffee, but there’s plenty of coffee around.
I’ve always thought Bubbys was fine, but hear it’s a crazy scene these days, gotten so expensive, and not worth it. I prefer Clinton St for pancakes, at an off time. Or try Golden Diner.
La Bonne Soup is not something I would go out of your way for. Try Au Cheval for a burger if not 4 Charles- but both hard to get into.
Cut yasouvlaki
If you’re planning on going to Chez Ma Tante for brunch; I would consider Taqueria Ramirez across the street since you have Carnitas on there also. While in Greenpoint, The Snail would be a good option if you’re looking for a 4 Charles alternative since the head chef is an Au Cheval alum. Otherwise have fun!
Without really knowing what your focus is … here are my thoughts;
Skip – Porto Rico, Grace St, Balthazar, Yasouvlaki, Nonna Dora, Bubbys, La Bonne Soup, Da Toscano
Pick between – Ci Siamo, Don Angie, Torrisi. Ci Siamo will be easiest of those to get into.
If you want one French bistro type place – Minetta (walk in early for a bar seat) Chez Fifi, or Le Veau D’or if you can get reservations.
Pick between Birria Landia, Los Tacos, and Ramirez.
Search this sub for spots in Chinatown in manhattan sunset park and flushing (if willing to venture out into other boroughs) and do a little casual crawl or pick a spot for dim sum.
Add a bagel, a pizza spot, and a classic New York deli (all easily searchable here).
Do you not like Asian food? Massive gap without any Japanese Thai or Korean.
Try one of the recommended Thai in Queens (Ayada/Saranron). Go to Clinton St or Golden Diner (hard to get into) for pancakes instead of Bubby’s. Swap Au Cheval or Monkey Bar for 4 Charles.
Torrisi is very difficult to get into as well, plenty of suitable Italian or French substitutes within walking distance. Some classic pizza pies like Arturos are close by.
dont go out of your way for los tacos. do go out of your way for taqueria ramirez
Ya gotta scrap da Bubby’s
GO TO TORRISI – it will be the best you have on this list.
If you’re going to trek to Lori Jayne (which you absolutely should for their steak frites and burger!), then go to Nenes for their birria tacos and Taqueria Al Pastor for their Al Pastor
There’s a Bubby’s in the airport now. Do with that what you will.
Go to the queens night market on sat! Also ci Simao is good but portions are tiny and in the soulless Hudson yards, I think it’s a skip
You’ll have a hard time getting a reservation at lots of them. 4 Charles will be almost impossible
I’d break it down into different neighborhoods and see what makes sense and is close to each other based on your activities that day. Do not skip Taqueria Ramirez 🙂
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If your going to chez ma tante, skip carnitas Ramirez and go to taqueria Ramirez
honestly the only one’s i’d keep are los tacos, ramirez, don angie, birria landia, torrisi, 4 charles. rest are just fine, nothing special
Los Tacos No 1 is waaaaaack
This list is really boring.
Los tacos is okay but I think you should prioritize carnitas Ramirez and try los Mariscos too (they are owned by los tacos but they focus on seafood).
I didn’t love Nonna Dora or Don Angie.
However, I do love Torrisi, Los Tacos, Ci Siamo and Birria Landia. 4 Charles is also very good.
instead of tacos no 1 go to tacos el bronco restaurant in brooklyn (truck is good too i just prefer the restaurant)
Instead of 4 Charles do monkey bar. I would stop in to make a reservation rather than the Resy app. They usually save a couple tables for walk in reservations
Yasouvlaki is one of my favorite neighborhood spots, but I wouldn’t make it a destination unless you’re already in the area.
Skip Bubbys
Scrap Bubby’s and Balthazar. Neither are worth the hype.
Scrap 4 Charles if you don’t already have a reservation. You’re not getting one now.
skip the mexican until you make it to the west coast
some of the restaurants can be replaced with:
oxomoco
le bernadin
semma
sixty-three clinton
zou zou
gramercy tavern
I’d skip ci siamo, it’s kind of corporate, there are such better vibes at small places
Los Tacos
Wow! Sooo overwhelmed with all the responses and goddamn I though I loved food but I sure have boring taste!
To everyone asking! Not that into asian food but cause we dont do it too well here in Norway. So id like to try japanese, korean and chinese at least. I think thai and viet would be cool to.
Im half south asian so Sri Lankan is fine but Indian is usually a bit boring. Also know a michelin chef in London making it so I feel like had my fair share of good indian.
LOVE american pizza and bagels, but there are so many places and every post is just people disagreeing so I just blanked out and dropped it. But if anyone want to rec me places, I would love that.
Generally feel free to send your recs in the post or on message and I will be so grateful❤️ im so excited for this trip. Went in 2019 and was struggling eating so cant remember a single good meal haha this is my second try
Personally grace street isn’t worth it so far I think leña at little Spain has a better basque cheesecake
I worked at Balthazar for years. I would scrap dinner and go late (past 10:30pm for dessert and drinks). At that hour you can sit in the back (ask for something in the 50s) and get the ambiance without the price tag. Everything more fun there late night when a touch less busy. Worth that experience. NOT worth overpriced french fries.
If you want a ton of options, the oculus right by the World Trade Center has a ton of food vendors outside from lunch until 4-5pm on Friday with tons of great variety from a bunch of local restaurants
Balthazar is an iconic downtown NYC establishment and a vibe. Not sure why it’s getting so much hate.
Alternatively you could do Pastis but I recommend going to Balthazar for the experience if you’ve never been.
Signed, a resident of 11+ years.