New York City Restaurants

[Michel Abood]

The BLT Group did too, saying they wanted to make sure their employees could get unemployment before the tidal wave of requests hit. Maybe that was USHG's rationale too. This is going to be bad, very bad. My heart goes out to all the hard-working restauranteurs affected.

[Dennis Atick]

The BLT Group did too, saying they wanted to make sure their employees could get unemployment before the tidal wave of requests hit. Maybe that was USHG's rationale too. This is going to be bad, very bad. My heart goes out to all the hard-working restauranteurs affected.

It is so sad. Metro-ATL restaurants are basically shut down and many have started Go Fund Me pages for the thousands of food service workers laid off this week. Switching over to curbside takeout service is a temporary and very small patch, but dark days are ahead.

[mark rudner]

just for shits and giggles in these stressed times, how about posting what and where you're ordering take-out
dentice?

[Robert Dentice]

just for shits and giggles in these stressed times, how about posting what and where you're ordering take-out
dentice?

Well we started out strong on Friday at Secchu Yokota. We went over for lunch and decided to have a picnic on the street!



Then Atoboy on Saturday.

While Renee made Chicken and Morels in between.

Then BOOM I was hit with the flu. I am pretty sure it is not COVID-19 but Renee did come into a direct contact with a client who tested positive and two or three people in my firm have tested positive so I am laying low.

Stay tuned for hopefully more take out!

[mark rudner]

Be well Robert. I heard Riesling May in fact be the cure

[J a y H a c k]

Be well Robert. I heard Riesling May in fact be the cure

ABV is too low. SAXUM!!

[Jay Miller]

Best wishes Robert, take care of yourself!

[Zachary Ross]

You ok Robert?

[Robert Dentice]

You ok Robert?

Thanks for asking, finally over it after two weeks! Had my first glass of Riesling last night, after two weeks of no wine, with Cagen delivery.

[Jay Miller]

You ok Robert?

Thanks for asking, finally over it after two weeks!

Very happy to hear it!

[Len Fox]

Hi Robert
So pleased to hear you are well and back at it again. What was it some 3 weeks ago my wife Meri joined you for a casual lunch and now the world is a different place. Aaron, Meri and I are well, ensconced in our apartment in Helsinki. We've had a very nice take out meal from one star Inari and tomorrow to celebrate our anniversary a take out from1* Demo.
Eat well. Drink well. Be Well.

[Robert Dentice]

Thanks Jay and Len.

Len - Yes that lunch seems like a long time ago! I was looking forward to doing it again when you were available. We still can it just might be a bit longer out.

[Robert Dentice]

Sad that this thread is dormant! I will add some thoughts on recent delivery meals / take out meals.

Cagen - They are killing it! Last nights meal was fantastic!



Ops - Had to Uber over to pick it up. My overall most enjoyable take out meal of the pandemic. It just made me so happy. Will be going back this weekend.

Rezdora - Only ordered once but it was impressive

Secchu Yokota - Ordered a few times getting better each time

Atoboy - Ordered a few times getting better each time

Jua - Only ordered once, the chicken was very good

I would also add the USQ Farmers Market has been very good. Ramps are in season!

[mark rudner]

nice work robert!!
as you can imagine i have no such access to great food out here
keep it up and c u soon

[Robert Dentice]

nice work robert!!
as you can imagine i have no such access to great food out here
keep it up and c u soon

Do you have open a Farmer's market?

[mark rudner]

read a piece in a recent dining section of the nyt and they mentioned a company that ships their pizzas from napoli and the price wasn't silliness.
i think i ordered 5 margaritas for about $60 and it included shipping.
yesterday the box arrived and it was perfect. fantastic shipping materials, although it's a lot of material to throw away.
last night we set the oven to 425 and 11 minutes later ate a pizza that's 90% as good as something like keste, starita etc

i highly recommend giving it a try for those of us who don't have access to what robert d does

https://taliadinapoli.com/

[Faryan Amir-Ghassem¡]

RD - is Ops operating on different hours? Might bike over there (or to Leo) for a pie...

[Robert Dentice]

RD - is Ops operating on different hours? Might bike over there (or to Leo) for a pie...

Ops is pickup only, you have to call ahead. Hours are Wednesday to Friday 5-9:30, Saturday and Sunday 12-9:30.

[Paul Jaouen]

Sad that this thread is dormant! I will add some thoughts on recent delivery meals / take out meals.

Cagen - They are killing it! Last nights meal was fantastic!

The only food I miss during these self isolation times is sushi. And I really, really miss it.

[Mike Cohen]

The only food I miss during these self isolation times is sushi. And I really, really miss it.

We've obviously been cooking a ton and frankly have only ordered in (pizza) twice in the past five weeks. I do miss sushi, but that lack of places that I really enjoy by us makes it an easy pass for me. Where do you like to get sushi from by us?

I am seriously concerned for the future of OHS, Common Lot and other local favs.

[Ethan Abraham]

The only food I miss during these self isolation times is sushi. And I really, really miss it.

We've obviously been cooking a ton and frankly have only ordered in (pizza) twice in the past five weeks. I do miss sushi, but that lack of places that I really enjoy by us makes it an easy pass for me. Where do you like to get sushi from by us?

I am seriously concerned for the future of OHS, Common Lot and other local favs.

Me too. Keep debating doing the hour drive in and out of the city to get sushi but not sure if the sushi will even travel well enough to make it worthwhile.

[Jay Miller]

The only food I miss during these self isolation times is sushi. And I really, really miss it.

It's all your fault Paul. After reading this I started craving sushi so I called one of my favorite local spots to see if they were doing take out. It isn't Cagen level but it hit the spot. And it was an invigorating 15 minute walk so there is that as well. Got to check in on a lilac bush I enjoy visiting in the Spring but it was only just starting to bud. Everyone was observing good social distancing and wearing masks.

Weird to see the deserted streets as it's in a primarily office neighborhood near where I work.

[Paul Jaouen]

The only food I miss during these self isolation times is sushi. And I really, really miss it.

We've obviously been cooking a ton and frankly have only ordered in (pizza) twice in the past five weeks. I do miss sushi, but that lack of places that I really enjoy by us makes it an easy pass for me. Where do you like to get sushi from by us?

I am seriously concerned for the future of OHS, Common Lot and other local favs.

Mike, totally agree there are no places around here that I enjoy. My sushi places are all in NYC and therefore the craving. We cooked something like 36 days in a row and finally got take out at Le Rendezvous on Friday. I'm surprised that OHS, Common Lot and a few others did not try to do take out. I really hope they bounce back.

[Robert Dentice]

Pandemic be damned it is Ramp time and Ops is open and serving one of my all time pizzas!

[Mike Reff]

Made a chicken Tetrazzini, paired well with a Mezcal and Ginger beer!

[mark rudner]

https://ny.eater.com/2020/5/8/21248604/ ... oronavirus

some surprises on this list. clearly, this isn't the end of the bad news.

[Robert Dentice]

Sad day for NYC dining. Ssäm moving to the Seaport is just horrible. It is by far one of the most important restaurants in the last 25 years. The 3 star Frank Bruni NY Times review was a seminal moment in U.S. dining. I sat next to him on at least one of his dinners prior to the review. I think Ssäm was the soul of Momofuku.

https://ny.eater.com/2020/5/13/21257701 ... ng-changes

NY Times Review...worth a read.

https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/dini ... 3rest.html

[Robert Dentice]

And another blow to my beloved neighborhood - Jewel Bako closing. I can't tell you how many great nights I have had here!

https://evgrieve.com/2020/05/jewel-bako ... osing.html

[R@y.Tupp@+sch]

And another blow to my beloved neighborhood - Jewel Bako closing. I can't tell you how many great nights I have had here!

https://evgrieve.com/2020/05/jewel-bako ... osing.html

Sorry to hear about Jewel Bako. It was the first "real" sushi restaurant that I took my older daughter to about 15 years ago. While not a regular, I probably ate there with her about ten times. Also hosted a couple of Champagne dinners there.
These restaurant closings are just terrible.

[Victor Hong]

Union Square Hospitality Group dining rooms will not re-open until a widely implemented vaccine.

[Barry L i p t o n]

Sad day for NYC dining. Ssäm moving to the Seaport is just horrible. It is by far one of the most important restaurants in the last 25 years. The 3 star Frank Bruni NY Times review was a seminal moment in U.S. dining. I sat next to him on at least one of his dinners prior to the review. I think Ssäm was the soul of Momofuku.

https://ny.eater.com/2020/5/13/21257701 ... ng-changes

NY Times Review...worth a read.

https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/dini ... 3rest.html

Unusual choice of location for Ssam Bar, and seems like it would never attract the same level of locals. Maybe easier to get out of the lease there than the seaport? Sad news.

[Robert Dentice]

Sad day for NYC dining. Ssäm moving to the Seaport is just horrible. It is by far one of the most important restaurants in the last 25 years. The 3 star Frank Bruni NY Times review was a seminal moment in U.S. dining. I sat next to him on at least one of his dinners prior to the review. I think Ssäm was the soul of Momofuku.

https://ny.eater.com/2020/5/13/21257701 ... ng-changes

NY Times Review...worth a read.

https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/dini ... 3rest.html

Unusual choice of location for Ssam Bar, and seems like it would never attract the same level of locals. Maybe easier to get out of the lease there than the seaport? Sad news.

Restaurants generally get lots of incentives including free rent to go to places like South Street Seaport where the developers need help attracting long term higher paying tenants.

It is very sad the soul of Momo was the East Village and now they are a Private Equity backed company with locations in Hudson Yards, Time Warner Center, South Street Seaport and Las Vegas.

[Robert Dentice]

Union Square Hospitality Group dining rooms will not re-open until a widely implemented vaccine.

Well that is not happening for 12-18 months so we will see if they hold to this.

[Zachary Ross]

Sad day for NYC dining. Ssäm moving to the Seaport is just horrible. It is by far one of the most important restaurants in the last 25 years. The 3 star Frank Bruni NY Times review was a seminal moment in U.S. dining. I sat next to him on at least one of his dinners prior to the review. I think Ssäm was the soul of Momofuku.

https://ny.eater.com/2020/5/13/21257701 ... ng-changes

NY Times Review...worth a read.

https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/dini ... 3rest.html

Unusual choice of location for Ssam Bar, and seems like it would never attract the same level of locals. Maybe easier to get out of the lease there than the seaport? Sad news.

Restaurants generally get lots of incentives including free rent to go to places like South Street Seaport where the developers need help attracting long term higher paying tenants.

It is very sad the soul of Momo was the East Village and now they are a Private Equity backed company with locations in Hudson Yards, Time Warner Center, South Street Seaport and Las Vegas.

Totally agree. Hard not to feel that the soul of Ssam Bar will be gutted by this move. The restaurant was a mindblower when it opened and I have enjoyed eating there and observing the shifts in menu etc. over the years. I suppose I will give it a try at the new location, once history restarts.

[Jay Miller]

I ordered the Katz's dinner for 4 and it arrived Thursday.

So far:
The half sour pickles were very good (there was a choice of sour or half sour), the pastrami was great, the cinnamon babka was terrible (there was a choice of cinnamon or chocolate), the rye bread was good, the mustard was good. Still to try are the corned beef and the matzoh ball soup.

Edited to add: The matzoh ball soup was pretty bad. Not as bad as the babka, but not very good.

Edited again to add: The corned beef was pretty so-so.

In the end I'd say

Pastrami: A-
Half Sour Pickles: A-
Rye bread: B+
Corned Beef: C
Matzoh Ball Soup: D
Cinnamon Babka: F

[Ramon C]

Jay, eat straight from box or did you need to warm up the sandwiches ?

[Jay Miller]

Jay, eat straight from box or did you need to warm up the sandwiches ?

the meats come frozen in vacuum sealed packages and need to be thawed and then heated (they recommend 7 minutes in boiling water). I put the corned beef in the freezer and started on the pastrami.

[Barry L i p t o n]

The ones I got were sealed one pound packages, making the freezing option easy. Free shipping over $100, so that's basically 3 lbs of meat. One for now, two for the freezer.

[Ramon C]

Jay, eat straight from box or did you need to warm up the sandwiches ?

the meats come frozen in vacuum sealed packages and need to be thawed and then heated (they recommend 7 minutes in boiling water). I put the corned beef in the freezer and started on the pastrami.

OK, I misunderstood. Twice we ordered made sandwiches before, 12 of them. Came with all garnishes, the pickles and slaws. Ours were made/delivered same day.

[Michael Sopher]

I ordered the Katz's dinner for 4 and it arrived Thursday.

So far:
The half sour pickles were very good (there was a choice of sour or half sour), the pastrami was great, the cinnamon babka was terrible (there was a choice of cinnamon or chocolate), the rye bread was good, the mustard was good. Still to try are the corned beef and the matzoh ball soup.

Edited to add: The matzoh ball soup was pretty bad. Not as bad as the babka, but not very good.

Their soup is bad in the deli too. Sarge's soup on the other hand is awesome.... and the pastrami is my 2nd or 3rd choice in NYC

[Robert Dentice]

Since I can't post restaurant visits on this thread I thought I would mention that I was finally able to try Llama San as they are now doing take out. Llama San is focused on Nikkei cuisine. Easily one of the best delivery experiences since COVID started. We were craving something different than our usual rotation and this was outstanding / comforting. Can't wait to visit the restaurant.

https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york ... /llama-san


If by chance anyone happens to go to Greenport, NY I also had excellent friend chicken delivered to our hotel from a new spot called Ellens on Front - Sweet tea brined with hot sauce honey butter (on the side) and basil. Just outstanding!

https://www.ellensonfront.com/takeout

[Mark Golodetz]

I ordered the Katz's dinner for 4 and it arrived Thursday.

So far:
The half sour pickles were very good (there was a choice of sour or half sour), the pastrami was great, the cinnamon babka was terrible (there was a choice of cinnamon or chocolate), the rye bread was good, the mustard was good. Still to try are the corned beef and the matzoh ball soup.

Edited to add: The matzoh ball soup was pretty bad. Not as bad as the babka, but not very good.

Their soup is bad in the deli too. Sarge's soup on the other hand is awesome.... and the pastrami is my 2nd or 3rd choice in NYC

The matzo balls at Katz’ could be certified as weapons and lobbed into Gaza every time they send rockets into Israel. Heavy nasty, all bulk rather than flavor. The pastrami is overrated but edible. But yes, the pickles are good.

[mark rudner]

c'mon dentice
there's got to be more food pics since last time
i for one am really missing your posts

[Robert Dentice]

Its been a long time!

Lunch on the street in front of Gem. First time I have ever had a Brandade sandwich. It is some form of Salted Cod. It was excellent. And so wonderful to see Chef Flynn and to be somewhat eating at a restaurant albeit on their front sidewalk.

[Dan Hammer]

I ordered the Katz's dinner for 4 and it arrived Thursday.

So far:
The half sour pickles were very good (there was a choice of sour or half sour), the pastrami was great, the cinnamon babka was terrible (there was a choice of cinnamon or chocolate), the rye bread was good, the mustard was good. Still to try are the corned beef and the matzoh ball soup.

Edited to add: The matzoh ball soup was pretty bad. Not as bad as the babka, but not very good.

Their soup is bad in the deli too. Sarge's soup on the other hand is awesome.... and the pastrami is my 2nd or 3rd choice in NYC

Sarge's at lunch has a full list of specials for $20, and they don't cheap out.

[mark rudner]

sounds like a great menu robert. just wondering how you sit outside in the sun when you always wear black

thanks for posting. hopefully soon it will go back to "normal"

cheers

[Barry L i p t o n]

I ordered the Katz's dinner for 4 and it arrived Thursday.

So far:
The half sour pickles were very good (there was a choice of sour or half sour), the pastrami was great, the cinnamon babka was terrible (there was a choice of cinnamon or chocolate), the rye bread was good, the mustard was good. Still to try are the corned beef and the matzoh ball soup.

Edited to add: The matzoh ball soup was pretty bad. Not as bad as the babka, but not very good.

Their soup is bad in the deli too. Sarge's soup on the other hand is awesome.... and the pastrami is my 2nd or 3rd choice in NYC

The matzo balls at Katz’ could be certified as weapons and lobbed into Gaza every time they send rockets into Israel. Heavy nasty, all bulk rather than flavor. The pastrami is overrated but edible. But yes, the pickles are good.

Mark, who is your fave for pastrami? I do love Katz’s, but agree on the other items.

[Robert Dentice]

sounds like a great menu robert. just wondering how you sit outside in the sun when you always wear black

thanks for posting. hopefully soon it will go back to "normal"

cheers

It was hot! We were ok for the first 20-30 minutes but ultimately had to move under some shade.

[Jay Miller]

The matzo balls at Katz’ could be certified as weapons and lobbed into Gaza every time they send rockets into Israel. Heavy nasty, all bulk rather than flavor. The pastrami is overrated but edible. But yes, the pickles are good.

Mark, who is your fave for pastrami? I do love Katz’s, but agree on the other items.

I'm not Mark but while I really like Katz's pastrami I think the pastrami at David's Brisket in Brooklyn is better. But they don't ship.

[Barry L i p t o n]

The matzo balls at Katz’ could be certified as weapons and lobbed into Gaza every time they send rockets into Israel. Heavy nasty, all bulk rather than flavor. The pastrami is overrated but edible. But yes, the pickles are good.

Mark, who is your fave for pastrami? I do love Katz’s, but agree on the other items.

I'm not Mark but while I really like Katz's pastrami I think the pastrami at David's Brisket in Brooklyn is better. But they don't ship.

Intriguing, and a quick search says ther are others that agree with you. But location is a bit off the beaten path for when I return to NYC.

Katz has no shipping for orders over $99. I live near LA, but the only shipping from Langers I can get is through Goldbelly which claims free shipping but charges $139 for 2 lbs pastrami and one loaf of rye vs. $102 from Katz's for 3 lbs pastrami.