hello from the big apple

[cape chef]

Just came in today with my wife to pick up our two daughters who have been in the city since wednesday. My sister in law made a rez for us at Ruby Foos,uptown. Well the place was packed and as a chef my adrenaline started pumping as the front of the house worked the crowd. There are three levels, First level has maybe 25\30 tables with a sushi bar as a focal point. The second level (you walk up a large stair case) with asian frou frou stuff displayed. On this level is an open finishing kitchen, and on the third level is about 20 tables. I am guessing that the three levels when full would seat 300 + diners. Me and My sister in law started with a :ginger: martini and jill had an asian margarita. Vox vodka and ginger liquer made up the martinis,a little plum wine instead of triple sec was used in the margarita. the girls had shirly temples. I must say that it took quite some time for our server to make contact with us (this always turns me off) But she turned out to be a real pro and managed to handle at least six tables at the same time. we decided to share some dim sum tamarind bbq pork spare ribs, fried shrimp wontons and shiitake pot stickers. All three had thed same dipping sauce ? oh well...on there own they did have nice texture and flavors.hot towels with lemon was a nice touch to clean our sticky hands. I would have enjoyed different dipping sauces though. For our entrees Jill and janice shared a sushi platter of tuna,fluke, bbq eel,spicy tuna roll,california roll. the fact that the sushi bar was so busy helped with the turnover of the raw seafood. The tuna was excellent,sweet and fatty. all the others were your basic sushi, not allot of suprises. I had the three flavor whole fried fish (red snapper) It was scored to the bone and very crisp, almost all of the snapper was very moist and sweet. it was served in a wok to your table with a tamarind based sweet and sour sauce, alittle to sweet for my taste and a touch of heat would have been nice, But all in all it was very good and my girls loved looking at the whole fish staring back at them. The girls shared a grilled free range chicken teriyaki with baby corn and snow peas. decent, but not out of this world. we passed on dessert because we are making chocolate fondue at janices place Over all I found Ruby foos to be a "pretty ok" spot. Service was good and the food was good and the prices where fair. If you are looking for true,bare to the bone asian cuisine go to china town, if you want good food,good service and a funky looking place I can recommend ruby foos.

[Jim]

B-
We are heading to Susanna Foos in Philadelphia in February. It is suppossed to be the ultimate in Chinese with French focus. Sounds like you may like this place a little better.
If we get a group together, we can arrange for the chef's table if we have 8 or more. You in?

[Melina]

Sorry I missed you and your family cc.
Next time maybe.I love chinese food because it's very light and healthy.

Ruby Foos is average I think.

Ask your sister in law to show you those basements in China Town that cook the best food in the world.

A chef can appreciate those.

[momoreg]

RF's is on the Upper West Side, right? Good review.

I agree about the best Chinese food being in China town. Best pan fried noodles are at Big Wong. (I think on Mott St.)

We may be having lunch in the city today, as a matter of fact...

[Ruth]

I am originally from philly and you will be dazzled at susanna foo's. have fun

[cape chef]

We continued our journey downtown, (I love it there)

We walked all over the place,Found a cool museum, I think it was on prince street called the "new museum"very modern stuff.

I really wanted to check out rauels or Quiltys but they were not open.so we found this cute little place on cornelia street called "home" very small and informal.Cozy tables and excellent bloody marys I had scrambled egss with spinach,leeks and cornmeal fried oysters, Really good.Jill had a grilled vegetable muffalata and the girls had omellets.Janice had a salad (boring)but first she had a lovely black bean soup with cilantro sour cream. Nothing really fancy but very good.Just a comfy little place. I walked into "balthazar" to take a peek, The place was jamming with excitment. I love to see a busy restuarant downtown.

Once again the city opened it's big loveing arms to me and my family.
Be back soon
cc

[momoreg]

You inspired us... We spent the evening in Chinatown last night. Had delicious duck soup and lobster with scallions down on Mott St. It's nice to hear you liked Home. I was there about 3 years ago. It was REALLY crowded, and I think it was a bad night to eat there. Maybe it's worth another try. But being so close to John's Pizza, I don't know...

[cape chef]

We tried to get into Johns Pizza, No way The line was out the door and down the block. So we "settled" for home. But really enjoyed it. I wish we could of gotten together,That would have been fun
cc

[Suzanne]

I'm soooooooo glad you liked Home. It is a really cozy place, and the food is gooooooood. We had a delightful Thanksgiving dinner there some years ago. The owners (David Page and Barbara Shinn) have a cookbook out called Recipes from Home that has become a big seller. Since they are known for stuff like their homemade ketchup and their chocolate pudding, I'm not surprised. One or both of them is from Wisconsin, and they make great use of "real American" foods. They also have a farm out on Long Island and are big on the chef/farmer connection.

However, sad news: I've heard that Quilty's is closing. It's been one of my favorite places -- one of our "birthday dinner" treats. Katy Sparks, the chef, is simply a genius (and I do not bandy that word about). Be on the lookout for where she goes next. Unless she stays home with her child (who is about 2? or so) for a while.

[momoreg]

Next time, CC, just say the word, and we're there! Maybe we can coax Suzanne to come out and play too!!

[cape chef]

Momoreg, It's a date.

Remember shrooms coming in on the 26th.
Suzanne, can you come out to play?
BTW...I enjoyed thumbing through "Homes"book. And yes we had the home made ketchup
cc

[momoreg]

Oh, thanks for telling me. I didn't have it written down. Now I do.

[Suzanne]

Already put it in my 2002 calendar! Can't wait to meet my new "friends" and discover yummy stuff with you.

A safe, happy, healthy New Year to all!

[Kimmie]

It makes me happy to find you back to normal again, going out and enjoying what the Big Apple has to offer!

Any of you on Time Square tonight? Hubby and myself will be watching, by the fireplace!!

Happy New Year everyone!

[cape chef]

Just a quick note to all...

The Big Apple is awesome and there are a lot of great things to take advantage of ...fine cusine (of course!) and many reduced theater and other venues special ticket prices.

The Ruby Foo's choice was based on trying to find an appropriate place for my nieces (11 and 7 yrs. old), and despite the fact that everyone was tired (we saw "the Blue Man Group" the night before), the choice was actually a pretty good one.

'Home' was great as well, the next day... after touring the streets of soho and building quite the appetite, 'Home' had what we needed - even though John's was where we were headed (there was a line, though... ughhh.)

Anyway, enjoy The City... the food and the spirit is definitely on its way back!

c.a.n.