Stars: $$$ 1/2
Price: $$$
Weirdness factor: 2
Piola
48 E 12th St, New York, New York, United States
Piola was recommended to me as a place to interact with Italians and enjoy an authentic Italian gastronomic experience stateside. It didn't disappoint.
The restaurant is easy to find, about 1 1/2 blocks from the Union Square station.
Piola is mainly a pizzeria, but also offers salads, some pasta dishes, and a selection of meat and fish appetizery-things. It's quite authentically Italian, as there are many pizza joints, especially in Rome, set up with menus just like this.
The pizza menu has about 40+ different kinds, such as the "Siracusa" with mozzarella and artichokes or the "Giallanera" with eggplant and bell peppers. And, just as you'll find in Italy, there is a selection of "pizze bianche", pizzas without tomato sauce. I'd rate Piola's pizza crust a 10/10 - delicious. You can even see the pizza chefs hand rolling out the dough in the centrally located, open kitchen.
Each pizza is a managable 4-piece custom creation, and prices range from $10 to $16 depending on which you choose. You can even make personalized additions and substitutions; I had them put bell peppers on my "quattro funghi".
One high point are the $9 daily deals; your choice among 4 or 5 pizzas/pasta dishes, a soda, and (I believe) salad for a fixed price.
Piola has an acceptable wine list; I recommend asking your (authentically Italian!) server for a suggestion, as the wine we picked (the Piola house blend) was absolutely atrocious, especially at an exorbitant 25 bucks a bottle. Next time I'll try the "kiwi caipiroska", which looks awesome from its advertised picture.
Piola hosts events throughout the week; while it was pretty dead during the day (when we went) it becomes a cool local hang out at night, particularly on a Monday (when there's live music from 5-7 with drink specials and free finger food at the bar).
I'd recommend Piola for its relaxing, loungy atmosphere and authentically Italian staff, not to mention the delicious pizza.
Pretty averagely priced eats in NYC, and a nice experience overall.
Showing posts with label new york. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new york. Show all posts
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Popei's - Local flair and local fare in Central Long Island
Stars: ***
Price: $$$
Weirdness factor: 3.5
Popei's Clam Bar
451 Middle Country Rd, Coram, New York, United States
Located smack-dab in the middle of Long Island, Popei's is about the localest of seafood joints you'll find. This place is particularly good if you're in the mood for a low-key, family-style seafood atmosphere, but the reasonable prices are really the main draw.
Although we were there on "ribs night", Popei's has a different all-you-can-eat special every day of the week. They're particularly renowned around here for their $30 snow crab leg special, on Tuesday and/or Wednesday. It's probably a good idea to check their website ahead of time to find out what the special will be for the night you plan to visit.
All the dishes are served in large, family-style portions; they can definitely be taken home in a doggie bag for the next day's lunch.
We each had a (decently priced) local draft beer, and the fried oyster appetizer (which was my favorite of the items we ordered). The oysters were large and juicy, the fry coating was light and not greasy at all.
As for entrees, I was less impressed. I had the Stuffed Eggplant (eggplant stuffed with shrimp, scallops, sealegs, broccoli, & ricotta cheese then topped with marinara & mozzarella)and my friend had "Mike's Unforgettable" (tortellini in a cajun alfredo sauce with shrimp, scallops, sealegs & veggies).
In case you were wondering, "sealegs" is just a euphemistic term for "fake krab meat", and I'm sorry to say it comprised the majority of the "seafood" in my dish. Hers was a little better, as she had visible tortellini, but I was hard pressed to find a single piece of eggplant until after 5 minutes of digging way to the bottom of the hot mess that comprised my dinner plate. To be fair, I wasn't really that hungry; if I had been, perhaps I could've given a more positive review. But I barely touched my food (I was a little turned off by the "sealegs", honestly) and gave the leftovers to my family. I think next time, try to stick to the basics (fried shrimp, fra diavolo whatever) and stay away from anything smothered with melted mozzarella, as you can't see what you're eating (maybe they do that on purpose...?).
On the upside, they do have a huge menu: if it swims in the ocean, Popei's probably carries it. They also have a "landlubbers" menu for those who don't eat seafood. Another high point is their full bar and outdoor seating area. The drinks are priced pretty well, you can smoke out there (which, believe me, is very important to the regulars), and the service was excellent. Our waitress was friendly and seemed shockingly normal compared to the roughness of Popei's' patrons.
The clientele, as you may imagine, is comprised only of locals. Think: 45-year-old-townies looking for a good time. Whether you like this kind of atmosphere is moot- on a Friday or Saturday evening, be prepared to deal with loads of drunk, possibly rowdy, but ultimately fun-loving bargoers. If you're not really into that kind of scene, the indoor dining area is decidedly more low-key and family friendly than the outdoor tiki bar, so make sure you sit inside if that's the case.
All in all, Popei's is reasonably priced, for both food and drinks. Seafood restaurants are getting more and more expensive and Popei's manages to keep the costs down. There are so many chain-alternatives, such as Red Lobster, that it is tempting to ignore local places like this. But if you're in central Long Island, and you're in the mood for seafood in a relaxed atmosphere, Popei's Clam Bar is definitely worth a visit.
Price: $$$
Weirdness factor: 3.5
Popei's Clam Bar
451 Middle Country Rd, Coram, New York, United States
Located smack-dab in the middle of Long Island, Popei's is about the localest of seafood joints you'll find. This place is particularly good if you're in the mood for a low-key, family-style seafood atmosphere, but the reasonable prices are really the main draw.
Although we were there on "ribs night", Popei's has a different all-you-can-eat special every day of the week. They're particularly renowned around here for their $30 snow crab leg special, on Tuesday and/or Wednesday. It's probably a good idea to check their website ahead of time to find out what the special will be for the night you plan to visit.
All the dishes are served in large, family-style portions; they can definitely be taken home in a doggie bag for the next day's lunch.
We each had a (decently priced) local draft beer, and the fried oyster appetizer (which was my favorite of the items we ordered). The oysters were large and juicy, the fry coating was light and not greasy at all.
As for entrees, I was less impressed. I had the Stuffed Eggplant (eggplant stuffed with shrimp, scallops, sealegs, broccoli, & ricotta cheese then topped with marinara & mozzarella)and my friend had "Mike's Unforgettable" (tortellini in a cajun alfredo sauce with shrimp, scallops, sealegs & veggies).
In case you were wondering, "sealegs" is just a euphemistic term for "fake krab meat", and I'm sorry to say it comprised the majority of the "seafood" in my dish. Hers was a little better, as she had visible tortellini, but I was hard pressed to find a single piece of eggplant until after 5 minutes of digging way to the bottom of the hot mess that comprised my dinner plate. To be fair, I wasn't really that hungry; if I had been, perhaps I could've given a more positive review. But I barely touched my food (I was a little turned off by the "sealegs", honestly) and gave the leftovers to my family. I think next time, try to stick to the basics (fried shrimp, fra diavolo whatever) and stay away from anything smothered with melted mozzarella, as you can't see what you're eating (maybe they do that on purpose...?).
On the upside, they do have a huge menu: if it swims in the ocean, Popei's probably carries it. They also have a "landlubbers" menu for those who don't eat seafood. Another high point is their full bar and outdoor seating area. The drinks are priced pretty well, you can smoke out there (which, believe me, is very important to the regulars), and the service was excellent. Our waitress was friendly and seemed shockingly normal compared to the roughness of Popei's' patrons.
The clientele, as you may imagine, is comprised only of locals. Think: 45-year-old-townies looking for a good time. Whether you like this kind of atmosphere is moot- on a Friday or Saturday evening, be prepared to deal with loads of drunk, possibly rowdy, but ultimately fun-loving bargoers. If you're not really into that kind of scene, the indoor dining area is decidedly more low-key and family friendly than the outdoor tiki bar, so make sure you sit inside if that's the case.
All in all, Popei's is reasonably priced, for both food and drinks. Seafood restaurants are getting more and more expensive and Popei's manages to keep the costs down. There are so many chain-alternatives, such as Red Lobster, that it is tempting to ignore local places like this. But if you're in central Long Island, and you're in the mood for seafood in a relaxed atmosphere, Popei's Clam Bar is definitely worth a visit.
Sushi Damo - Pricey but Nicey sushi in shi-shi Columbus Circle
Stars: **** 1/2
Price: $$$$$
Weirdness factor: 0
Sushi Damo
330 West 58th Street New York, United States
Sometimes you just crave sushi, even if you're in one of the most notoriously expensive areas in Manhattan.
Such was the case for Sushi Damo. My father and I chose this place because we happened to be in the area, and I WANTED JAPANESE RIGHT THEN AND THERE!! Lol... not really, but kinda. We knew this restaurant would be expensive going in, based solely on its location (hey, it's Columbus Circle, what'd you expect?), but we also figured it would be better than trekking all over to god-knows-where, trying to find a cheaper place to eat in a different area.
Both the exterior and the interior of Sushi Damo are quite modern and sleek. Everything is very streamlined and minimalist-looking. Basically, it looks expensive. The service was friendly and we were sat right away.
We each had a Sapporo draught beer (at 7 bucks a pop-but hey, it's Columbus Circle). We had tea as well, but ordered beer for the main reason that Sapporo on draught is kind of hard to come by.
Although the appetizers were priced pretty well, (the miso soup was very tasty and for $3 was a veritable NYC bargain) I wasn't about to pay a whopping $6 for edamame, Columbus circle or no. That said, the shrimp shumai were probably the best I've ever had: delicate and light, with just the right shrimpy aroma. Those were quite delicious and garner my highest recommendation of the items we ordered.
For a main meal, we chose to get two rolls and split them. I don't know about you, but I tend to judge a sushi place on their "special creation rolls", because these often disappoint.
We got a Passion roll (spicy tuna, salmon, yellowtail and seaweed salad with fresh salmon outside, formed into the shape of a heart *see photo*), and a Tokyo Rose roll (blackened tuna, shiso -I'm a sucker for anything with shiso- daikon radish sprouts, and panko bread crumbs, topped with spicy tuna and 3 kinds of fish roe).
I gotta say, Sushi Damo really stepped up to the plate -- these rolls were delicious and beautifully crafted. I'd say Damo could give my old standby Ichiban a run for its money, if each roll weren't a good 6 or 7 dollars more expensive and soup were included (which it isn't).
All in all, I rather enjoyed Sushi Damo. The atmosphere was nice and the food was excellent. The only downside is that you'll definitely be paying at least $25 per person for a full meal (but hey, it's Columbus Circle... what did you expect?). For more economical (and more authentic) Japanese food, check out St. Marks Place. However, if you're in the Columbus Circle area and are looking for an elegant experience in Japanese cuisine, Sushi Damo is a nice choice.
Price: $$$$$
Weirdness factor: 0
Sushi Damo
330 West 58th Street New York, United States
Sometimes you just crave sushi, even if you're in one of the most notoriously expensive areas in Manhattan.
Such was the case for Sushi Damo. My father and I chose this place because we happened to be in the area, and I WANTED JAPANESE RIGHT THEN AND THERE!! Lol... not really, but kinda. We knew this restaurant would be expensive going in, based solely on its location (hey, it's Columbus Circle, what'd you expect?), but we also figured it would be better than trekking all over to god-knows-where, trying to find a cheaper place to eat in a different area.
Both the exterior and the interior of Sushi Damo are quite modern and sleek. Everything is very streamlined and minimalist-looking. Basically, it looks expensive. The service was friendly and we were sat right away.
We each had a Sapporo draught beer (at 7 bucks a pop-but hey, it's Columbus Circle). We had tea as well, but ordered beer for the main reason that Sapporo on draught is kind of hard to come by.
Although the appetizers were priced pretty well, (the miso soup was very tasty and for $3 was a veritable NYC bargain) I wasn't about to pay a whopping $6 for edamame, Columbus circle or no. That said, the shrimp shumai were probably the best I've ever had: delicate and light, with just the right shrimpy aroma. Those were quite delicious and garner my highest recommendation of the items we ordered.
For a main meal, we chose to get two rolls and split them. I don't know about you, but I tend to judge a sushi place on their "special creation rolls", because these often disappoint.
We got a Passion roll (spicy tuna, salmon, yellowtail and seaweed salad with fresh salmon outside, formed into the shape of a heart *see photo*), and a Tokyo Rose roll (blackened tuna, shiso -I'm a sucker for anything with shiso- daikon radish sprouts, and panko bread crumbs, topped with spicy tuna and 3 kinds of fish roe).
I gotta say, Sushi Damo really stepped up to the plate -- these rolls were delicious and beautifully crafted. I'd say Damo could give my old standby Ichiban a run for its money, if each roll weren't a good 6 or 7 dollars more expensive and soup were included (which it isn't).
All in all, I rather enjoyed Sushi Damo. The atmosphere was nice and the food was excellent. The only downside is that you'll definitely be paying at least $25 per person for a full meal (but hey, it's Columbus Circle... what did you expect?). For more economical (and more authentic) Japanese food, check out St. Marks Place. However, if you're in the Columbus Circle area and are looking for an elegant experience in Japanese cuisine, Sushi Damo is a nice choice.
Les Halles - High end Bistro fare in Midtown
Stars: *****
Price: $$$$$
Weirdness factor: 0
Les Halles
411 Park Ave South, New York, New York, United States
French bistro-brasserie Les Halles, once a New York landmark, had somewhat fallen out of favor, due in large part to the recent surge in popularity of Italian cuisine. However, probably because of head chef Anthony Bourdain's hit show on the the Travel Channel, the restaurant has enjoyed renewed renown.
We went early on a Sunday evening. At first it was relatively empty, and I thought our reservations had been unnecessary; however, as the night wore on the place filled up considerably, proving that the bistro hasn't quite lost its prestige just yet.
The cozy brown and gold colors and dimmed lighting made for a really enjoyable and intimate setting, quite evocative of dining establishments in France (despite the fact that the tables are so close to one another I could've joined in on my neighbors' conversations). Also, you can see into the kitchen, something I love in a restaurant. The service was impeccable (perhaps because I was scribbling in my notebook the entire time?). The waiter seemed to appear out of nowhere to refill our wine glasses and fold our napkins into scallops, and all three (4? 5?) of our attendants stopped by regularly to check on us.
Skip the French Onion soup. It's one of my favorite dishes and I always order it, but this was probably the worst I've ever eaten. Equally unimpressive was the pork confit with cornichon... it was fatty, salty, and overpriced.
However, the disappointing appetizers were no indication of the rest of the dishes.
The main courses are hearty and decently sized, with distinct flavors, simple ingredients, and a surprisingly authentic Frenchness. My duck, truffle, and potato hachi was delicious; the hangar steak was perfectly cooked and the accompanying shallot reduction was one of the best sauces I've ever had.
The choco-banana tart was quite tasty, and if you're a chocoholic, you can't do much better than the decadently rich house souffle -- oh, and by the way, both of these desserts were great, but their greatness was heightened by a snifter of vsop cognac...very highly recommended... :)
The wine menu is extensive and exceptional(notably offering a $400 bottle of Bordeaux), and so is the selection of aperitifs, cognacs, and especially eaux-de-vie (rarely seen in American restaurants, but run-of-the-mill in France).
Unfortunately, Les Halles is pretty pricey, starting at about $10 for apps and entrees in excess of $40, and remember, that's not including wine, coffee, dessert, or tip. But the good news here is that at least you get what you pay for, something quite refreshing in a town where a bottle of beer can cost upwards of $10.
High prices and crappy onion soup aside, if you're in the mood for a delicious dinner in an intimate and charming atmosphere, you can't do much better than Les Halles.
Price: $$$$$
Weirdness factor: 0
Les Halles
411 Park Ave South, New York, New York, United States
French bistro-brasserie Les Halles, once a New York landmark, had somewhat fallen out of favor, due in large part to the recent surge in popularity of Italian cuisine. However, probably because of head chef Anthony Bourdain's hit show on the the Travel Channel, the restaurant has enjoyed renewed renown.
We went early on a Sunday evening. At first it was relatively empty, and I thought our reservations had been unnecessary; however, as the night wore on the place filled up considerably, proving that the bistro hasn't quite lost its prestige just yet.
The cozy brown and gold colors and dimmed lighting made for a really enjoyable and intimate setting, quite evocative of dining establishments in France (despite the fact that the tables are so close to one another I could've joined in on my neighbors' conversations). Also, you can see into the kitchen, something I love in a restaurant. The service was impeccable (perhaps because I was scribbling in my notebook the entire time?). The waiter seemed to appear out of nowhere to refill our wine glasses and fold our napkins into scallops, and all three (4? 5?) of our attendants stopped by regularly to check on us.
Skip the French Onion soup. It's one of my favorite dishes and I always order it, but this was probably the worst I've ever eaten. Equally unimpressive was the pork confit with cornichon... it was fatty, salty, and overpriced.
However, the disappointing appetizers were no indication of the rest of the dishes.
The main courses are hearty and decently sized, with distinct flavors, simple ingredients, and a surprisingly authentic Frenchness. My duck, truffle, and potato hachi was delicious; the hangar steak was perfectly cooked and the accompanying shallot reduction was one of the best sauces I've ever had.
The choco-banana tart was quite tasty, and if you're a chocoholic, you can't do much better than the decadently rich house souffle -- oh, and by the way, both of these desserts were great, but their greatness was heightened by a snifter of vsop cognac...very highly recommended... :)
The wine menu is extensive and exceptional(notably offering a $400 bottle of Bordeaux), and so is the selection of aperitifs, cognacs, and especially eaux-de-vie (rarely seen in American restaurants, but run-of-the-mill in France).
Unfortunately, Les Halles is pretty pricey, starting at about $10 for apps and entrees in excess of $40, and remember, that's not including wine, coffee, dessert, or tip. But the good news here is that at least you get what you pay for, something quite refreshing in a town where a bottle of beer can cost upwards of $10.
High prices and crappy onion soup aside, if you're in the mood for a delicious dinner in an intimate and charming atmosphere, you can't do much better than Les Halles.
Banana Leaf - Decent cuisine in Curry Hill
Stars: ***
Price: $$$
Weirdness factor: 3.5
Banana Leaf
103 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York, United States
A friend of mine who had never been to New York City recently came to visit. We decided on Indian food, because it is a rarity where he comes from. We took the 6 train to 28th street, an area I affectionately refer to as "Little India" because there are literally about 100 Indian and Pakistani restaurants in a 5 block radius.
We chose the Banana Leaf, which advertised itself as "brand new". I had never seen it before, I just "got a good feeling about the place".
We quickly scanned the menu for beer, hoping to get a couple of Kingfishers in us before the meal was out, but they did not offer it! At first I thought perhaps the owners were religious and therefore didn't provide beer. HOWEVER, during the course of the evening we saw a server come out (twice!) with beers for a group at another table. They must have asked for it specifically. Maybe the place doesn't have a liquor license and all the alcohol is served secretly?! Strange. Instead we had cups of chai, which was tasty, but overpriced. I think next time I'll stick to water.
The food, on the other hand, was pretty good. Averagely priced for Indian, about 12-18 bucks for an entree.
They have a lot of southern Indian ("regional", I guess) things, most notably an extensive selection of dosa. I will be trying some of them the next time I drop by.
I didn't care for any of the table sauces, even the green coriander one that I usually devour! The naan was cold, stale and not puffy at all. Next time get the roti or skip the bread altogether!
I tend to order veggie samosas everytime I do Indian, and these were pretty tasty, but again, a little pricey. They didn't seem to offer meat samosas on the menu (or maybe they DO have them, it's just a secret! and you have to ask for them specifically!).
The Tandoori Chicken was moist, spicy and served fajita style on a sizzling plate, it comes as a half chicken but the portion could have been bigger.
Chicken Tikka Masala was not spectacular, I didn't care for the texture of the sauce, and it was way too spicy for any human to eat. And I love spicy. I'm just amazed I didn't get heartburn.
Atmosphere was not wonderful, but they dimmed the lights and lit some candles so that was a bit of an improvement... there was music but they only played the same song over and over!
ON THE PLUS SIDE, however, my Chana Saag was delicious, probably the best I've ever had...and Chana Saag is *my dish*, I always get it! The service was absolutely impeccable; our waiters were wonderful, answered our questions, refilled our glasses, checked up on us, were polite and courteous.
It had some hits and misses, but all in all, Banana Leaf was a good experience. I will go there again next time I'm in "Curry Hill" and I'd recommend it to people looking to have a nice evening with excellent service and decent food.
Price: $$$
Weirdness factor: 3.5
Banana Leaf
103 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York, United States
A friend of mine who had never been to New York City recently came to visit. We decided on Indian food, because it is a rarity where he comes from. We took the 6 train to 28th street, an area I affectionately refer to as "Little India" because there are literally about 100 Indian and Pakistani restaurants in a 5 block radius.
We chose the Banana Leaf, which advertised itself as "brand new". I had never seen it before, I just "got a good feeling about the place".
We quickly scanned the menu for beer, hoping to get a couple of Kingfishers in us before the meal was out, but they did not offer it! At first I thought perhaps the owners were religious and therefore didn't provide beer. HOWEVER, during the course of the evening we saw a server come out (twice!) with beers for a group at another table. They must have asked for it specifically. Maybe the place doesn't have a liquor license and all the alcohol is served secretly?! Strange. Instead we had cups of chai, which was tasty, but overpriced. I think next time I'll stick to water.
The food, on the other hand, was pretty good. Averagely priced for Indian, about 12-18 bucks for an entree.
They have a lot of southern Indian ("regional", I guess) things, most notably an extensive selection of dosa. I will be trying some of them the next time I drop by.
I didn't care for any of the table sauces, even the green coriander one that I usually devour! The naan was cold, stale and not puffy at all. Next time get the roti or skip the bread altogether!
I tend to order veggie samosas everytime I do Indian, and these were pretty tasty, but again, a little pricey. They didn't seem to offer meat samosas on the menu (or maybe they DO have them, it's just a secret! and you have to ask for them specifically!).
The Tandoori Chicken was moist, spicy and served fajita style on a sizzling plate, it comes as a half chicken but the portion could have been bigger.
Chicken Tikka Masala was not spectacular, I didn't care for the texture of the sauce, and it was way too spicy for any human to eat. And I love spicy. I'm just amazed I didn't get heartburn.
Atmosphere was not wonderful, but they dimmed the lights and lit some candles so that was a bit of an improvement... there was music but they only played the same song over and over!
ON THE PLUS SIDE, however, my Chana Saag was delicious, probably the best I've ever had...and Chana Saag is *my dish*, I always get it! The service was absolutely impeccable; our waiters were wonderful, answered our questions, refilled our glasses, checked up on us, were polite and courteous.
It had some hits and misses, but all in all, Banana Leaf was a good experience. I will go there again next time I'm in "Curry Hill" and I'd recommend it to people looking to have a nice evening with excellent service and decent food.
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