Some places I would NOT recommend. Nothing bad, just not worth seeking out:
Orso. Used to be great but the menu has been reduced to nothing interesting.
Chow House. Good when it opened but went downhill.
Ai Fiori. Expensive and not worth it. You can do better for the price.
Mino Brasserie. Seemed promising at first, but ultimately nothing special.
Empellon Taqueria. Menu became small and never changes. Used to be great but not any more.
Wow! I was going to comment that Orso is usually a reliable pre-theater spot, but before I shot my mouth off (giving myself a gold star here), I went and looked at the menu. There’s really nothing on the menu! Four main courses! No mussels, even.
All to say, thanks for all this info.
Isn’t it sad? None of the dishes we loved over the years are there anymore. Calf’s liver, quails, seafood salad, etc. all gone.
Same, but it wasn’t my money.
I pass this place a lot. Can you elaborate on what you like about it?
I had a few very good meals there last year, though the service was terrible every time.
I want to get to Lungi one of these days.
A friend went to Indian Accent recently and reported very positively on the food, so it may have had a turnaround like some others you mentioned.
This is too bad. Their food used to be both interesting and excellent, but I haven’t been in a very long time.
Of course. It’s mainly small plates but also a few large ones. Regardless, portions are generous, so we order 4 small or 2 small and one large. Dishes we like are yuzu pepper shrimp, deviled eggs, chicken wings, chicken quesadilla, miso cod cakes. I’m looking at the current menu and see there have been some changes, so some others we have had are now replaced. That’s a good thing because we go there a lot and it’s always nice to try new dishes. We always get a bottle of rose because it goes well with everything.
Ate last night for the first time at King. My cousin and I really enjoyed the meal. On the expensive side (we had a bunch of wines by the glass and probably should have just ordered a bottle), but the food was unfussy and delicious, a combination we both enjoy. We shared panisse, artichokes with goat cheese and tapenade, and incredible meatballs. Then we both ordered the scallop main course served with a salad of blood orange and puntarelle. That salad was also simple and totally sublime. We shared the rhubarb clafoutis for dessert served with vanilla ice cream. The whole meal: a total treat.
NOODLE LANE in [ Park Slope, Brookyn - cant believe I havent mentioned this place which succeeds the same owners successful Smorgasburg stalls. Ive been there 3 or 4 times now, and the cooking is good - noodles and other dishes -yesterday I had dry pot cauliflower seasoned with some pork belly and lots of shrimp paste and garlic - it was terrific, the cauliflower was the chinese open green type, and it was a very satisfying dish even without rice (my dining partner did give me a bit of her chow fun. Eggplant was also good. Limited cantonese and szechuan menu, I havent tried their soup dumplings yet. https://www.noodlelane.com/
Return trip in party of 4 to Rana 15, an very nice Turkish place 4th Ave and Union Street in Park Slope (next to R station for non-nabe follks) We repeated our consumption of the Rana dinner with gives everyone an ample chance to sample 8 stellar appetizers and 4 meze, along with a large salad (this one had chopped apples, fennel, tomatoes and pumkin seeds with the arugula), and good flatbreads and follows with entrees and sides (for 4 people, 2 of each). Selections vary seasonally; we had the lamb chops with apricots and peppery brown butter (5 for 4 people) and the grilled dorado, plenty for 4. The dishes, including fried califlower with labne, a delicious labne with more brown butter infused with chile and garlic, garlic shrimp, roasted cherry tomatoes, and mussels stuffed with rice, were excellent, a great deal for $45 per person. Kind service, cocktails and a limited range of wines, including good turkish wine, avalialble Highly recommend!
Service-y!
Their formula for the number of entrees included is obscure - when we went with 3 people there were 2 entrees also - we had originally intended to go with 5 so we dont know if we would have had an extra entree with that number. of diners. But there was certainly plenty of good food included in the meal and an ample selection of entrees - though the one vegetarian entree selection was NOT on offer. Most of the other tables were ordering a la carte but the Rana’s Table Feast is definitely the deal. They also have an ample brunch/Turkish Breakfast and I hope to sample sometime.
Looks very good (though 5 lamb chops for 4 people is just mean)
we didnt fight for the fifth, so all was well! the browned butter was killer.
That looks fabulous Jen, thanks for sharing!
The amount of food including one regular size main shared between 2 is correct. Its just that they dont really make it clear on the menu, so some are surprised. You should try Brunch
RYNN (East Village) - Another day, another terrific new Thai. Opened by 5 women, all worked in various Thai and Japanese establishments all over town. A nice mix of classics and modern, a fun drinks menu in a stylish room
Tum Strawberry - Really excellent and refreshing mix of strawberries, grape tomatoes and gooseberries. Spicy, vinegary, very pleasant tang. Reminds me of a fruit salad we had at Kann, the toughest table in Portland Or. Might become the signature here.
La Tiang - Sautéed Shrimp and Pork wrapped with egg nests. Pretty good, not great. Fairly basic taste, but a feast for the eyes. The only dish I’d pass next time, but I still recommend trying. Because Eater and others like it.
Kee Mao - Like Butter Chicken or Tikka Masala at Indian joints, my kryptonite. Cant pass on it no matter how good the rest of the menu looks. This one is sad looking, but excellent tasting. The calamari can be a little less chewy but the shrimp more than made up for it, and the chili notes spot on.
Nua Yang Jaew - Grilled thin Ribeye North Eastern Style - Another good one. Nicely marinated, fatty in all the right places. But most important was the dipping fish/chili sauce complementing the rich beefy flavors very nicely. Not terribly expensive at $28 but doesn’t come with anything else.
Mango with Homemade Butterfly Pea Sticky Rice - Another Thai dish I cant pass on, but almost always disappointed. This was a good version, but I wasn’t satisfied with the sweetness. The Mango really took charge, more than I prefer. Pure Thai Cookhouse version ruined it for me. But I’d still get this. Mango is seasonal, and its the beginning of season now. They even have a drink called “Not Mango Season”.
that looks wonderful, thanks for the report!
There seem to be a ton of new thai places of late. That and indian.
Same 
Ramen Misoya, a little hard to find as the address is 535 Hudson and the entrance is on Charles. I forgot to photograph my big bowl of white miso vegetarian ramen, so just picture a big bowl of white miso vegetarian ramen (with egg, 500-degree fried tofu, menma, bean sprout and scallion). The broth was medium-bodied with a hit of sesame, and you can jazz it up with housemade togarashi.
I remembered to take a picture of this nice poached oyster appetizer with scallion and kombu.
