SCARR’S PIZZA
Thanks to @vinouspleasure pleasure for this nudge (his current favorite slice, after all!) for my house guest and I who were heading to the Angelika. Best NY slice in recent memory, perhaps ever! We were going to taste test at Joe’s after the movie, but it was still raining, and we were done with feeling soggy for the day.
NUAA TABLE - Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
This is definitely not the typical neighborhood “thai” - but a refined and stylish spot, with refined and creative takes on traditional dishes and polished, friendly service. Our meal was a mix of dishes that read more thai and a few that reflected the chef’s NY experience (the latter, excellent tea-smoked pork ribs, and well spiced roasted brussel sprouts,
I was on my way to Scarr’s the same day, but had to make an emergency trip to Brooklyn and settle for a terrific slice duo from Lo Duca in Newkirk Plaza. Six brothers run the place. Chanced are named Lo Duca
How did they get those dumplings purple and gold?
I think I didn’t take any pictures, but had a “last night” omakase with my L.A. friend (who had never had one) at Tanoshi. No corkage fee for your wine bottle (in fact, no help opening it beyond the loan of a wine key–proud I managed not to cork the thing!), and they gave us a bucket to keep it cool. There are two halves of the restaurant, and we were in a small space with a sushi bar and 5 other diners.
Omakase was just over $100, and we splurged and ordered a couple of extra nigiri pieces from the long list on the wall. My friend (whom I met during my first grad school experience thirty years ago) and I very much enjoyed this no frills, delicious meal. Fish was all uber fresh, and I took great delight in watching her enjoy every new bite. She didn’t really know what to expect, and was blown away by the experience and let me know it was the best sushi dinner she had ever had.
There are three seatings (6:00, 7:30, 9:00) and we ate at the early bird one. I had been a bit worried that we might feel (be) rushed, but really not so. I would call the service efficient rather than rushed, and we felt that we were ready to leave and had enjoyed our meal at the end. I don’t remember if we were offered anything for dessert, but neither of us would have ordered dessert in any case. Still, N.B. the neighborhood (York Avenue between 73rd and 74th Streets) is kind of a wasteland (at least it seemed so to my clueless eyes). I didn’t see a little cafe or ice cream parlor, but perhaps there is one around some corner…Also, they have a 48 hour cancellation policy. It’s a small space, and I imagine the margins are very small indeed. Still, worth the trip, IMO.
Here’s an article that explains the dumplings better than I can. https://hot-thai-kitchen.com/chormuang-flower-dumplings/
I assume the gilding is added, perhaps with a brush, after cooking. Its a remarkable thing to see in a NY restaurant
Wow, thanks @JenKalb! Butterfly pea flowers! Would not have come up up with anything close. And as a bonus, the article you flagged explained how the petals were made! (I didn’t want to even think about asking that question!)
I’ve been there for lunch. It was ages ago, but I remember it being very good.
Ha! I thought of you, thought it a place you would enjoy! It does look like it has been around for “ages,” and then some! Very relaxed! 
This reminds me a lot of Kalaya in Philly. Gorgeous dumplings there as well, and refined, upscale Thai food.
So, second night NYC. After lunch at Los Tacos No 1 Midtown, I was invited for dinner at Le Pavillon, the Boulud restaurant at One Vanderbilt.
Starter was a positive surprise: the plate looked a bit ordinary imho but the ris de veau were good. 7.5/10.
Main was a Dover sole, but crusted in some concoction of herbs and breadcrumbs. And then paired with brown rice. I actually had a hard time eating it: the rice was too salty with a weird aftertaste and the fish was dry and tasteless. The coating didnt’t help at all either. 6/10.
Dessert was appel strudel with ice cream - always good but hardly a special dish.
My dinner partners had duck (good) and lobster (somewhat disappointing) as mains.
I’d rate it 7/10. The restaurant lacks a bit of soul imho and that was shown in the dishes.
What are the sweetbreads sitting atop of? More rice?
Yes, I believe so, but quite soft, and tasted a little sweet. Did not make a pic of the menu.
Oh. Well, that’s def a weird choice.
We are planning a group dinner the week before Thanksgiving — if you’d like to join, please dm me with what days work for you.
Overview of one week NYC.
Oceans (near Gramercy). Went there three times. They have a diverse menu: I have had a lobster roll, filet mignon and sushi rolls. It’s one of my go to places when I’m in NY - as a European this is what I want from a NYC restaurant. It’s just very American/NYC and without wanting to be anything else.
Los Tacos No1. Went there a few times for lunch when I had meetings nearby. Always hits the spot.
Pastis (Gansevoort). Went there for lunch (hamburger) and afternoon cocktails. Great place: buzzing at 4PM with people drinking cocktails and having oysters. Another very NY place to me.
Mari Vanna (Park and 20th). Russian friend brought me here and according to her it’s very authentic. I had a great borsjt and beef stroganoff. Buzzing on a Monday with a live dj and people celebrating.
35 Sushi West (uber eats). Pricey at 60 usd for a platter of I think 15 pieces but great quality.
Rosie’s (near Bowery). Mexican with a nice terrace outside on a lovely warm Saturday afternoon. Had a few tacos and margaritas.
Jin Ramen (UWS). Probably my favourite dish of the week. Outstanding bowl of ramen.
I was a bit under the weather so feel I could have done more but overall very happy with my choices!
Takeout from INDO JAVA Grocery Store https://www.instagram.com/indojavagroceries/?hl=en
Our dinner tonight was a super delicious Nasi Ikan Dabu Dabu, roasted mackerel with fresh dabu dabu sambal, rice and other delicious accompaniments from the refrigerator case. The separate (cooked) sambal was wonderful. Meal included a delicious green vegetable and an egg and slices of fried tofu and temeh, as well as the fish with dabu dabu, rice and sambal . This dish came from Ramayana Restaurant and Grocery in Philly, which also seems highly recommendable. https://www.facebook.com/ramayanadepot
Indo Java sell fresh meals on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from different sources. highly recommend a visit.
The Beef Rendang from Ramayana Philly via Indo-Java in Queens was also delicious.
More homestyle / less intense / less spicy than nyc-area restaurant options.
Generous portion of meat.
@JenKalb I’ll be curious how the other (nyc) rendang is when you try it.
Here is the Ikan Rika, also from Ramayana I bought and we consumed tonight every bone licked (lots of bones but very removable and the white flesh was delicious) and every ounce of sauce. Ingredients say fish, red chili, coconut milk, turmeric. Yes - but kaffir lime, and other things too! It was great.
