Someone asked me to post so here it is. My running list of my favorite 30 in NYC. All in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Other boroughs are too far from me. No pricy Michelin or Omakase. All under $100 per person, although some may be tough to stay under these days. Feel free to list yours.
Manhattan
Pure Thai Cookhouse
Tia Pol
Rezdora
Milu
Anton’s
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
Song’ e Napule
Jeju Noodle Bar
Balaboosta
Leitao
Via Carota
Foxface Natural
Hearth
Claude
Fiaschetteria “Pistoia”
Pig and Khao
Pinch Chinese
Raoul’s
Thai Diner
Wayan
19 Cleveland
Nish Nush
How do you get out of Claude for under $100 a head?!? I think the last time I was there it was easily $250 or $300 for just me (t&t included). Granted, I had a whole bottle of Champagne to myself ( ).
Well, yeah, but pretty sure there is nowhere you could get out for under $100 a head if you get a bottle of Champagne for one. And perhaps not nearly as fun, but you could get out of Claude for $200 if you were meeting a friend for a glass of wine (or two), or even splitting the least expensive bottle of Champagne, and four dishes-ish where none is the dover sole…I think the point @Ziggy was making with the price point was that he was not recommending Le Bernadin-kinda pricey restaurants. And in that realm, Claude is definitely in the ballpark of less expensive, potentially “favorite” spots. It is certainly on my list, if I was making one. (Whereas, though I loved my meal upstairs at Penny, there is no way to get out of there without spending the kind of money you suggest.)
Well, $20 small plate (4 options) + $40 large plate (most of the mains around 40). For some that’s a complete meal. You even have room for dessert. Amazing what you can achieve without alcohol in NYC
Or I can sit down and try to only order the bottle. Just as likely.
Interesting list. I might have to try Tia Pol again. It’s been 15+ years. Haven’t been back since Alex & Eder left to open their own places. What do you think of La Vara?
Tia Pol would be at the bottom third of the list if I absolutely had to rank them (please dont ask). My last meal there wasnt my favorite, but I still like the place. The food may not be as refined as say Txikito and Salinas, but it feels closer to a Spanish Tapas bar and I can just pop in without reservations.
La Vara was one and done for me years ago, when Alex still owned Tia Pol and I believe two others. Havent had the urge to come back
Thanks a lot for your list, Ziggy. .It will be very handy in future!
Of the ones I know, I agree with you in full. We had a couple of dinners at a few of these just after they opened; we kept returning to Wayan, Rezdora and Pinch Chinese to sample more dishes. Thai Diner–great even for take out (make a stop along with a visit to DiPalo!)
We paid in the area of $130 or so for two of us at CLAUDE (maybe even less) but that would have been without alcohol and with a couple of shared dishes, as I remember.
Another place I like a lot in the same ballpark price range is KOLOMON.
I’m saving my Cugna jam that I bought in Piedmont for my next excursion to Dipalo.
Cant wait for my next visit to Claud, although the new place upstairs complicates things. Do I want to go upstairs or downstairs.
While I’m here, I want to express my love and support for Fiaschetteria “Pistoia”, after my Sunday meal. I dont think you’ll find a more Tuscan menu, and more general Italian feel in NYC. I’ve only been to the East Village location, multiple times. The menu hasnt changed much since day one. The same awesome Picci Cacio e Pepe, Zucchini flan, San Danliele Prosciutto, Crostini with liver, and Tiramisu. The Gnocchi wirh rib ragu and truffle pasta were great as well this time. House wine always fantastic, tho I made the mistake of ordering an ok Nebbiolo this time. Skip the lone main too, and just concentrate on the pastas. Some of the best in the business. When you survive this long on Ave C, you are doing something right
Ziggy we sat at the bar, as I remember. (My memory…??). We liked the food and the place, a lot but never did go back. Will have to put it on my list for a return visit.
You have just introduced me to something new: Cugna jam! When I first read this I thought it was an alternate spelling of quince, and then I thought it was made in Cogne, Aosta (always wanted to visit since reading Plotkin’s “bible” about that town)…but I see, neither is the case. I do remember heaving home about a dozen unusual jams from Piemonte, including something with “tears” in the name. Beautiful jars. I probably have some still gathering dust in the dark end of the cabinets. (vintage jam??? reminds me of that long CH thread where poster was crowing about the “aged olive oil” he was served at Eataly. That was the only time I got into a real dispute on that forum. Whoah…really off track here…
).
