Unique New York Gastronomic Experiences

[maylinglai1]

Given that Luxury Link members tend to enjoy something a bit different, I thought I'd start a thread of Unique New York (hard to say) Restaurant Experiences. Certainly one can go to Per Se, Jean George and all the 5 star amazing luxury restaurants that are easy to find and look up. However, there is a sea of restaurants that a person visiting for a very short period of time would miss. Mine are below, but I'm hoping fellow New Yorker's will post their favorites for me to try :smileyhappy :

Yakatori Totto - I highly recommend making a reservation at this packed hidden Japanese gem. And don't expect sushi. It's all skewers of grilled seasoned meat. All of the skewers are really great no matter how exotic they might sound to someone not use to Japanese cuisine. This is the type of Japanese that even the most meat and potato person could enjoy!
http://newyork.citysearch.com/profil...ori_totto.html

Jin Fong Restaurant - Great for bigger groups. If you can't go to Queens for Dim Sum, I recommend this place for very the best dim sum in NYC. You won't find it on the web, so you'll find few to no Chinese people at this restaurant. Here's the address:
18 Elizabeth St
New York, NY
10013-4802

Rice to Riches - A rice pudding version of a Uber-trendy Ice Cream shop. My favorite is Marscapone. During your visit to NYC, if you are anywhere near this place, stop in and sample their stuff
http://newyork.citysearch.com/profil...to_riches.html

High Tea - Four Seasons
I still think they do the best job of the places I've tried in the city. More relaxed and comfortable than the Regis, slightly more upscale than what is offered by a few of a few of the mom and pops, and just plain better than what is offered by most of the museums, the Four Seasons has a great afternoon Tea Service. I would make a reservation, though I've had mixed experiences walking in without notice.

[maylinglai1]

I have another one. If you can't go to Szechuan China, I recommend the following in Manhattan for Szechuan Hot Pot.
Wu Liang Ye (only on Lexington. Not all the locations have hot pot)
http://newyork.citysearch.com/profil...estaurant.html
They, however, only have hot pot during the winter months. I prefer it to Szechuan house in China town, as I find the cuts of meat slightly fresher and cleaner.

[imbues]

The Best Jewish Food in NYC

It would be nice to have a thread like this about all the major cities. NYC is known as the deli mecca and the best Jewish food available. There is nothing like eating a home style baked knish. I love to eat all kinds of knishes, potato, kasha, tofu with rice and raisins, yum.

Yonah Schimmel's Knishes Bakery is the best for knishes.

Editorial Review for Yonah Schimmel's Knishes Bakery

In 1910, a struggling young Bulgarian rabbi by the name of Yonah Schimmel opened this humble knish shop. Nearly a century later, his family still turns out some of the city's most beloved baked goods. The soft ball-sized knishes, filled with everything from potato to cheese-and-fruit mixtures, are all-natural, hand-shaped, and baked in old-fashioned brick ovens. Most get theirs to go, but there are a few tables and chairs for sampling the simple deli fare.

[CMDAVILACLI]

I cannot even imagine picking justone or two fantastic dining experiences in New York, when half of my day while in "the city" is spent eating! (And no, I do not weight hundreds of pounds/kilos... lots of waking hours and even more walking hours during the day!)One truly fun place to go for the Jewish deli experience and it's not expensive at all is Carnegie Deli. And the other inexpensive fun place is Becco's where you can eat all you want of their special pastas of the day.Sounds tacky, but it's not at all.Becco's is owned by Lidia B, the same owner of Felidia's... one of the truly fine restaurants in NYC. Plus the wine list at Becco's is really reasonable. Both of these are located right in the heart of Manhattan, close to Times Square.

[maylinglai1]

cmdavilacli! Come on! You should put a few more for the visiters.
Here's one.
Restaurant Riki
http://newyork.citysearch.com/profil...rant_riki.html
Authentic izakaya as in Tokyo. It's mostly Japanese ex-pats.
Not trend or stylish at all, but yummy and different. The menu can be a little overwhelming if you are not familiar with this type of food. It is a very big menu.

[maylinglai1]

I found a great Szechuan Restaurant today.

Ollie's Midtown. I like it much better than Ollie's uptown. They primarily do food from the Sichuan region. The Dan Dan noodles went over really well. They have some fantastic fish dishes and a lamb and fish clay pot that requires a call to the restaurant about 4 hours in advance.

Happy Eating!
http://newyork.citysearch.com/profil...s_midtown.html

[Mountie]

maylinglai1, I always enjoy the Nathan's Hot Dogs served at Shea. Maybe it is the cracking or poping sound as much as the taste when I bite into one of them. On the other hand, maybe it is really the environment. I don't get the same same feeling at Yankee Stadium. Just my thoughts!

[maylinglai1]

Great picture! Yes Nathan's hot dogs rock!! Not just your opinion. How about the street meats? I think there's a vendor in the 50s that is particularly yummy. the one that always has the really long line.