The Best Food in NYC!

[The Benniest]

Question for both New Yorkers and people who have visited. In your opinion, where is the best place to get the following:
Chinese
Italian
Good 'ol fashioned hamburgers :D
MexicanSorry..I'm a little out of it today and can't think of any other types of food. If you can think of any others, please list 'em!

Thanks!
Ben

[nyc_obsessed]

Well for Italian, personally I think Paesano's of Mulberry St. Awesome italian food, pretty "cheap" prices too.

Mexican, haven't had much of there, but did eat at a place called Cancun, near Columbus Circle....had really good Mexican, but nothing to really compare it too there.

Both restaurants are mostly locals, not touristy places :)

[The Benniest]

Awesome! Thanks nyc_obsessed.

[The Benniest]

Does anyone know long it takes to sit down/order/get the food at Paesano's on Mulberry Street. I'm going to try and meet some people on the forum when I come in about 2 weeks and I'll only have about an hour to eat when I'm going to be in the Chinatown area.

Thanks!
Ben

[OmegaNYC]

Usually, I'll head out to Queens if I want something ethnic ( like Chinese, or Mexican). For some reason, it just taste better than ethinc foods in Manhattan. I guess it has to do with the fact that Queens is home to a hell of a lot of immagrants. Though I'm not knocking Manhattan; Manhattan has great ethnic restaurants as well. In Queens, if you head to Flushing, there is some great Chinese and Korean restaurants. I like the East Manor Buffet. Great Food! For Mexican, try Jackson Heights. JH has some great vendies who sell Tacos, Burritos, empanadas, etc; for the same price as a hotdog or pretzel in Manhattan ($2). There are some Indian restaurants there as well (along Broadway or Roosevelt Ave.)

[The Benniest]

Thanks for the reply Omega. While there, I'll have to go check out some of these places you mention.

Thanks,
Ben

[The Benniest]

I was talking to a friend this morning and they recommended of these places:

Wo Hop (http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?restaurantid=2297)
Big Wong King (http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&restaurantid=2128&neighborhoodid=24&cuisineid=0)
HSF (http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7113373/new_york_ny/hsf.html)
Grand Central Terminal Foodcourt
Pie Company (not really a restaurant, but was told about)
Juniors (some type of cheesecake place)Anyone ever been to or ate at these places? I'm a sucker for chinese food so she took that to her advantage when listing places. :D

Thanks!
Ben

[NoyokA]

Its funny you should mention Wo-Hop 17 Mott Street. That's my mothers favorite Chinese restaurant. Personally I prefer more Americanized fare but the food here is very good, you walk downstairs and you are cramped in with other diners (you'll probably be the only non-Chinese diners there but thats a good sign), its cheap and portions are large. Menupages is a good guide for whats good although I suspect some of these places are rated by the owners, so check Time Out New York which is almost always spot on.

[The Benniest]

Its funny you should mention Wo-Hop 17 Mott Street. That's my mothers favorite Chinese restaurant. Personally I prefer more Americanized fare but the food here is very good, you walk downstairs and you are cramped in with other diners (you'll probably be the only non-Chinese diners there but thats a good sign), its cheap and portions are large. Menupages is a good guide for whats good although I suspect some of these places are rated by the owners, so check Time Out New York which is almost always spot on.
Thanks for the reply Stern.

Yes, she mentioned something about the upstairs/downstairs. She said the upstairs is good, and the downstairs is for the brave. :D Agree?

Excellent that the portions are large. Good late night meals at the hotel. ;)

-Ben

[Encideyamind]

My kind of thread.

[The Benniest]

I agree Encideyamind. I can't wait to go to and try some of these places. :D

[brianac]

For those with a sweet tooth.

http://gridskipper.com/364959/new-york-i-drink-your-milkshake

[The Benniest]

For those with a sweet tooth.

http://gridskipper.com/364959/new-york-i-drink-your-milkshake
Yum. I'll definitely be checking out the Brooklyn shop because from the looks of things .. it's close to my hotel.

Thanks Brian!
Ben

[The Benniest]

Does anyone have any recommendations for breakfast/lunch in Harlem or Washington Heights? I'll be in these neighborhoods on a Friday in July, so I plan on eating somewhere in Midtown before the Bryant Park Film Festival at 5:00 pm.

Thanks,
Ben

[CMANDALA]

You might want to try this hipster restaurant on Jackson Avenue in Long Island City.

It's not every day you can enjoy lamb of rack.



http://home.nyc.rr.com/rs301/5308D0616.jpg

http://home.nyc.rr.com/rs301/5308D0615.jpg

[The Benniest]

I will keep that in mind CMANDALA. Thank you.

Has anyone ever heard anything about Sylvia's Restaurant (http://www.sylviassoulfood.com/) in Harlem?

Thanks,
ben

[brianac]

O’Reilly Dines in Harlem, Talks About It, Then Hears About It

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/09/27/nyregion/27oreilly.xlarge1.jpg Nicole Bengiveno/The New York Times
At Sylvia’s, 328 Lenox Avenue in Harlem, patrons Wednesday had something to talk about over their iced tea: Bill O’Reilly’s memory of his meal there.

By MANNY FERNANDEZ (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/f/manny_fernandez/index.html?inline=nyt-per) and JOHN ELIGON
Published: September 27, 2007

It was not your typical day at Sylvia’s restaurant, the famous soul food institution in Harlem. A CNN crew showed up around lunchtime yesterday, interviewed patrons and filmed some close-ups of a plate of food. Reporters cornered tourists with questions about their dining experience, and the restaurant’s regulars called, not to make an order, but to ask about the controversy.

The food, atmosphere and clientele at Sylvia’s were a matter of nationwide attention yesterday because Bill O’Reilly, the Fox News Channel talk show host, recently described being surprised to find that the black-owned establishment was as pleasant as other restaurants.

“It was like going into an Italian restaurant in an all-white suburb in the sense of people were sitting there, and they were ordering and having fun,” Mr. O’Reilly said on his nationally syndicated radio show on Sept. 19. “And there wasn’t any kind of craziness at all.”

His comments have outraged some black leaders and baffled black New Yorkers, many of whom said yesterday they were puzzled by what sort of craziness Mr. O’Reilly would expect to find at Sylvia’s, since the Lenox Avenue restaurant is a favorite of Harlem residents, international tourists and former President Bill Clinton (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/c/bill_clinton/index.html?inline=nyt-per).

Indeed, yesterday afternoon, as Mr. O’Reilly accurately described, iced teas were ordered with civility, not hostility. Servers behind the counter were shoveling ice into glasses and dishing out macaroni and cheese, greens, chicken and some of the other specialties. Black and white customers described Mr. O’Reilly variously as living under a rock, or ignorant of black Americans, or, in the words of one diner, George Hymen, 68, “nutty in the head.”

“The idea that people would be in here acting out, cussing, is kind of archaic,” said Beverly Wilburn, 63, a clothing designer who lives nearby and sat at the counter munching on a sandwich and sipping coffee. “I would laugh if I didn’t think it was sad.”

Some diners said they did not want to judge Mr. O’Reilly too harshly. Samuel Johnson, 49, who went to Sylvia’s after reading about the controversy, said he had met Mr. O’Reilly in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. He was working as a chef at a Lower Manhattan restaurant where Mr. O’Reilly had worked as a volunteer, serving meals. “When I heard the derogatory comments I was like, ‘Wow,’” Mr. Johnson said.

“Over all, I don’t think he’s a bad guy. He just made some bad comments.”
Mr. O’Reilly told The Associated Press yesterday that his comments had been taken out of context. “If you listened to the full hour, it was a criticism of racism on the part of white Americans who are ignorant of the fact that there is no difference between white and black anymore,” he said. “Circumstances may be different in their lives, but we’re all Americans. Anyone who would be offended by that conversation would have to be looking to be offended.”

Irena Briganti, a spokeswoman for Fox News Channel, said the network had no comment beyond the statement given earlier this week by Bill Shine, the network’s senior vice president for programming. “This is nothing more than left-wing outlets stirring up false racism accusations for ratings,” Mr. Shine said. “It’s sad.”

The Rev. Al Sharpton (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/al_sharpton/index.html?inline=nyt-per), whom Mr. O’Reilly had been dining with when he visited Sylvia’s, appeared on Mr. O’Reilly’s television show last night and said he wanted to hear the radio show before reaching any conclusions. “You and I have gone to dinner before in Harlem, and I’ve never heard you say anything offensive,” Mr. Sharpton said.

H. Kenneth Woods, the president and chief executive of Sylvia’s and the son of Sylvia Woods, the restaurant’s founder, seemed to take the publicity in stride. He said he was happy that Mr. O’Reilly enjoyed his visit.

“I was surprised that after all these years in business he would have thought that he would’ve possibly seen something different,” he said. “He’s welcome to come again.”

Mr. O’Reilly, who has earned legions of fans and detractors across the country for lashing out at Democratic politicians, illegal immigrants and a daily cast of characters he calls pinheads, found himself in the middle of a controversy caused not by a rant but by what he considered to be a compliment. Mr. O’Reilly’s Web site, www.billoreilly.com (http://www.billoreilly.com/), posted an audio clip of the show and asked people to listen to the actual broadcast and “decide for yourself.”

The strange tale of Mr. O’Reilly’s dinner in Harlem shows what can happen when a right-leaning talk show host shares a meal with Mr. Sharpton, has a splendid time and then discusses the experience in detail on a national radio program, diving into the thorny matter of white perceptions of black culture.

It started like this: Mr. O’Reilly treated Mr. Sharpton to dinner at Sylvia’s several weeks ago, to thank him for appearing on his television show, “The O’Reilly Factor.” On Sept. 19, on “The Radio Factor,” Mr. O’Reilly’s radio show, he talked about his experience at Sylvia’s, comments that went largely unnoticed until Media Matters for America, a liberal nonprofit group that monitors the conservative media, publicized them on its Web site on Friday.

Some of the comments came in an on-air discussion between Mr. O’Reilly and Juan Williams, a political analyst for Fox News Channel and author who is black. They talked about racial relations in a meandering discussion.

About black culture, Mr. O’Reilly said: “I think black Americans are starting to think more and more for themselves. They’re getting away from the Sharptons and the Jacksons and the people trying to lead them into a race-based culture.”

He noted that he attended an Anita Baker concert, and seemed surprised to find the crowd was “50/50, black/white, and the blacks were well-dressed.” He said the band was excellent, “but they were dressed in tuxedos, and this is what white America doesn’t know, particularly people who don’t have a lot of interaction with black Americans. They think that the culture is dominated by Twista, Ludacris and Snoop Dogg.”

Last night, Mr. O’Reilly said on his TV show that Media Matters had distorted “a very positive discussion on race,” an opinion echoed by Mr. Williams. Mr. O’Reilly said Media Matters, CNN “and the other media in bed with the far left” lied about what happened on the radio program. “My words on the radio were an attack on racism, that’s quite clear,” he told viewers.

On the radio show, Mr. O’Reilly had sympathized with black Americans who face personal insults because of the color of their skin. “We don’t need any racial tension in this country, we really don’t,” he said.

Assemblyman Keith L. T. Wright, a Democrat whose district includes Sylvia’s, said Mr. O’Reilly’s comments revealed his ignorance about black culture. “In the year 2007, if he’s surprised that black folks can sit in a restaurant and have cordial conversations, where has he been all these years?” he said.

Sylvia’s opened in 1962 and was featured in the Spike Lee (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/l/spike_lee/index.html?inline=nyt-per) movie “Jungle Fever.” It offers not so much down-home but brand-name soul food. There are two Sylvia’s cookbooks, Sylvia’s canned foods and even Sylvia’s beauty products.

Mr. O’Reilly had said on his radio show that he enjoyed soul food, and he gave Sylvia’s a stellar review. “I had the meatloaf special,” he said. “I had coconut shrimp. I had the iced tea. It was great.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/nyregion/27oreilly.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&sq=Sylvia's%20Soul%20Food%20Harlem&st=nyt&scp=1

Copyright 2007 (http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/copyright.html) The New York Times Company (http://www.nytco.com/)

[brianac]

Lots more articles HERE (http://query.nytimes.com/search/query?d=nytdsection%2b&o=e%2b&v=New%20York%20and%20Region%2b&c=a%2b&query=Sylvia%27s+Restaurant+in+Harlem&date_select=full)

[harsaphes]

Burger.....lucky strike
http://www.luckystrikeny.com/

[The Benniest]

Thank you Brian and thank you harsaphes.

:)

[NoyokA]

I don't know if I want to eat at a restaurant where its spelled Lamb of Rack.

[NoyokA]

http://home.nyc.rr.com/rs301/5308D0615.jpg

I don't know if I want to eat at a restaurant where its spelled Lamb of Rack.

[The Benniest]

I forgot to add that I'm looking for "sort of" fast food, or some food that I can get and go and maybe eat it in a park or a plaza through Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood.

I was searching through MenuPages this morning and came across a bistro restaurant called Park Terrace Bistro, which is about a block away from Inwood Hill Park. Anyone heard anything about this?

Thanks,
ben

[rachelol]

mexican food? go to Mama Mexico on 101st (maybe I'm a block off) and broadway. it's authentic and festive. I went to elementary school with the daughter of the guy who owns it. he always gave us free stuff--delicious

[The Benniest]

Thanks! I'm a huge of Mexican food so I may trip this out. :cool:

-ben

[kidicarus]

Mexican- Zocalo at 82nd and 3rd
- Mas Mezcal at 86th b/w 1st and 2nd
- Suba (moat around the dining room)- Mulberry

French- Marseilles- 44th and 9th

Pizza- Patsys on 116th St east (coal oven), or Johns at 43rd and 8th (awesome room)

Chinese- I can't eat it

Hamburgers- Island Burger- 51st and 9th

[The Benniest]

Has anyone been to Raoul's down in SoHo at 180 Prince Street? According to MenuPages (http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&neighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=72&restaurantid=4546&home=Y), it seems to be a pretty decent restaurant and the menu looks great, though sort of expensive.

Any opinions? Thanks.

Ben

[NYatKNIGHT]

In fact I had a juicy steak there just last week. It was delicious as usual, though the friendly and cozy atmosphere of the later hours was why we went plus it's right around the corner.

[The Benniest]

Thanks NYatKNIGHT. :)

This morning on the news that I watch (another plus to being out of high school) they said something about Joe's Pizza and Daisy May's BBQ (i think that's the name). Any opinions?

Thanks as always -
Ben

[Sunnygirl]

This is a good sight for anyone that is as OCD as me, and wants to make sure that the restaurants that they are interested in, haven't been cited for unsanitary or vermin violations... it's kind of gross... but good info to have... definitely made me nix some places from my list. :eek:

http://167.153.150.32/RI/web/index.do;jsessionid=3D16B2434E13AFC783E1E451DB2316 64?method=goldenAppleList