Category: New York Restaurant Reviews

119 Sullivan Street between Prince and Spring
212/343-0404
about $125 for two, with two drinks, without tip

Every time I go to Blue Ribbon Sushi, I’m always surprised at how low the sushi prices are. For Japanese sushi (listen up, Tomoe fans!) the choices are always fresh and of high quality.

Their uni, fluke, yellowtail and toro, whether sushi or sashimi, are consistently buttery. The ankimono, monkfish liver, is also a favorite of mine. I like their tatakis and I alternately order from tuna belly to salmon to yellowtail tartare when I visit.

253 West 11th Street corner of West 4th
212/229-2611
$120 for three, BYOB, with tip

I find it hard to pay for grilled portobello mushrooms with goat cheese or for a bowl of endives and beets but Tartine lets you bring your own wine without a cork fee so I willingly shell out my $8 for each dish. Heck, I even shell out $40 to pay for my share of a $120-dinner which consisted of two bowls of mussels, five snails, grilled salmon, a baked artichoke! Some of my favorite dishes include: salad Basquaise with roasted red bell peppers and eggplants with basil and arugula, garlic saucisson in shallots and chives dressing and roasted pears sprinkled with prosciutto.

But Tartine is so much better during the fall when produce is more than acceptable in New York City. If you can spare 45 minutes and wait for a table outside, brunch on a Saturday morning is superb. No matter when you go, save room for dessert. Their tarte tatin and chocolate meringue with ganache are delicious with that bottle of wine you’ve been saving.

237 Grand Street on Bowery
212/431.0998
about $50 for two, without drinks, without tip

We wanted to stay away from Canal Street to celebrate Chinese New Year and Jase suggested that we do hot pot instead of dim sum. Who am I to say no to soup even at 11am?

For about $20, one person can have his own hot pot of either vegetables, seafood, beef or both seafood and beef (“surf n’ turf”) in his choice of broth. The fee includes a bubble tea under $2.75 and a few dollars for gratuity. It’s a lot of food for one person and I prefer the Shabu Tatsu way of sharing one big pot, family style but when it’s cheap, you can’t help but eat.

105 Hudson Street at Franklin
212/219.0500
$200 for four, with a few drinks, without tip

I went back to Nobu five years after my first time. Nothing has changed except that maybe Leonardo’s posse doesn’t stop by anymore. Their black cod with miso is still very delicious and their yellowtail tartar with caviar still kick my sinuses. Their sushi and sashimi are still worth holding for–they still had four ladies answering the phones during lunch peak next to coat check–but with numerous sushi restaurants in New York City, you can skip Nobu especially if you’re not using your boss’ expense account.

But if you’re like me and you’re still hungry after a $200-bill for four, the warm apple tart topped with ice cream and served with honey sesame sauce will make your eyes roll. The chocolate soufflé cake with shiso syrup and green tea ice cream is also a great way to end your meal.

541 Amsterdam Avenue, corner of 86th Street
212/724.4707
about $40 for two, without drinks, without tip

An institution more than just a trendy brunch place, Barney Greengrass serves the best smoked sturgeon in the city. The fish is perfect with scrambled eggs and onions even at $14 a pop. It’s probably the only place I’d actually enjoy salmon and lox with potatoes and not cringe at the $44 bill for two at the end. (No worries, that includes coffee and orange juice plus toasted bagels and cream cheese.) If you like your caviar, this is the place to order them. They even deliver overnight to your house in the Hamptons, you know, if you actually have a home in the Hamptons.

Matzo ball soup

Cameron’s salmon with eggs and onions

They don’t need your business at Barney Greengrass. They do well with just the upper west side residents lining up outside during the weekends. The service is too hasty but attentive in that New York City kind of way; don’t expect to be buttered up here unless you’re a regular or if your name is Richard Dreyfuss. (I only name him because I’ve seen him eat here during one of my visits.) The maître d’ screams to get your attention when it’s your turn to be seated but the food is too good–and the day is too early–to pay attention to such trivial matters.