[jokhm]

My culinary school is organizing a VERY small trip to New York City next week from Montreal. Unfortunately, for many reasons the class trip went from 15 to 5 people not including the chef accompanying us. As of yet, no single events or even a simple itinerary have been planned. So, at this point I am starting to get all our thoughts together on where to go and what to see. There is a lot evidently, which is why we chose to go. I am also quite sure that there are quite a few things that you all might know about and would recommend we check out. This could be as broad as you wish... We have interest in the markets, the general tours, the landmarks, the RESTAURANTS, the schools etc. We have limited time obviously but a discussion about this, and maybe a further one for other cities would be quite an interesting task.

Let's begin - Speak up everyone


Jokhm

[Suzanne]

Since you're here as I type, first, WELCOME!!!!

We put together a jaunt last January when Shroomgirl was visiting from the Midwest -- you might want to do a search on her name to find the thread. In the meantime, I'll look and add the link to this thread when I find it.

First edit: here's the thread on our dinner at Craft

Second edit: and here's the description of what we did and where we went

[jokhm]

Ah Wow, I had trouble finding anything. Although whatever I came up with was quite insightful. **** of an interesting group on these boards...!

Give me some time to go through all that.. Thanks for the help!

Jokhm

[Suzanne]

Well, it helps that I was one of the people involved! Actually, I think there was one other thread in which we talked about different possibilities and worked out the details, but even I couldn't find that one. Still, I'm glad you're finding those helpful.

[jokhm]

Helpful indeed. Wow, I can't thank this board enough. In fact your trip seemed so complete and fulfilling that I may as well model this one after it. At least your dinner at Craft was reviewed so incredibly that it would be silly for us not to include it next week. I've printed out your itinerary and will present it to one of the others that is helping with the planning this weekend. I am also interested in seeing one of the Culinary Institutes while we are there so I've begun kicking around the idea with another board-member about visiting ICE. I'd love to have others' input on a tour like that.

Thanks again!

Jokhm

[shroomgirl]

ICE was incredible.....love the pastry work rooms....tempering machines, top of the line equipment, great instructors.....

It was a blast and the weather was so mild for the end of Jan.
Cabs.....cabs are a good thing, wearing walking shoes OH SO IMPORTANT.....having a drop off point for purchases, and oh yeah forgoing 1/2 gl of cider!! (right CC?). The Union Square market is worth a walk through. All of Danny Meyer's restaurants are within walking distance.
Zabars was not on the list but it is always a treat.
hmmmmmm.....so many things to do and see and oh so little time to do so.....but I'm always up for a challenge.

[jokhm]

Hmm another push for visiting ICE. Upgrading that to a MUST now on the itinerary. Thank you very much. Trying to just pile in as much as your info as possible now!

Oh yeah, what are prices like at Craft. I have an idea is dollar sign representation but that is all. I want to juggle around both the cheap but landmark and expensive but required restaurant visits.

Jokhm

[jokhm]

Hmm.. Answers only lead to more questions!

So far, beyond some of the critical visiting points I added the following from little bits that I've read from all of your posts here and there:

-Buon Italia
-Amy's Bread
-meat packing district
-The Vinegar Factory
-Royal Crown Bakery
-Fat Witch
-Zabars

Is there anything I should specifically know about these places before I begin located them on the map and setting up my schedule? Also, I have a decent list of options for both lunch and dinner, maybe requiring a few more ideas for some. However, I have yet to find a general concensus on places to eat in the AM. I don't mean breakfast only. I'd like to go try some of the best Dim Sum, traditional breakfasts, very-late-night eateries, etc. If any of you NY'ers could run through a sample of your favorites I am sure that I will have more than enough to try and look forward to. Hopefully we can begin another debate, as I know that I could spend hours detailing my preferred Montreal restaurant hot spots.

So far I have some interesting things planned: Trips to some of the suggested markets, a tour through Chinatown and little Italy, a tour of ICE, a dinner at FCI, another at Craft, and a few other little things. Sound good?

I seem to be a last minute planner....

Thanks again!

Jokhm

[Suzanne]

How many months will you be staying?

For lots of discussions of dim sum, I suggest you have a look at the Manhattan board of Chowhound.com. Don't post the inevitable "where's good for dim sum?" but do a search (sometimes it works) or just scroll through the whole blessed board. Personally, I like Dim Sum GoGo, The Nice Restaurant, and a place that used to be called Triple Eight (but now I think is just Double Eight, don't know why). But there are so many places that I've never tried. And my current fave in C-town doesn't even serve dim sum; Great NY Noodletown serves noodle dishes (doh!) and roasted/barbecued meats, dumpling soups, etc. mostly at ridiculously low prices.

Speaking of prices: Craft will NOT be inexpensive. In fact, it will be very, very expensive. It is very, very easy to order way too much, since everything pretty much is à la carte, and everything is tempting (except the potatoes boulangère ). If price is an issue, you might go next door to CraftBar, which is more reasonable and also has incredible food of a similar ilk.

I've got to go to bed now, but I hope this helps you some.

[jokhm]

Months? Haha Thats great!

No no. Make that 3 days. Maybe my food focus is a little fanatical. I love the idea of Craft so as long as it is under $80US for a meal I'll keep that plan. If it turns out not to be, oh well. I don't 'have' to stay 3 days...

By the way... this Chowtown is the most amazing site I've ever seen! Thanks a lot!! (Behind this one of course)

Jokhm

[shroomgirl]

See who's cooking at James Beard House....best deal in town.
Guest chefs from all over the country outdoing themselves.
Craft for $80 doable.
Zabar's definate.
Check out Ciao Bello
hmmmm....Momo what was the name of the great Italian store that makes the most phenominal mozz ever....olive oils that are to die for etc....hole in the wall, but will prepetually be on my agenda...Spring St? its in the Guide book.
There are various locales to find bread from alot of bakeries...the bread in Brooklyn can be found in Grand Central Station, the bakery is not exceptionally worth an hour drive.
Some of the Jewish delis are wonderful
Payards candy shop was some place I REALLY wanted to go but we didn't get there.
Dean and Deluca is ok....Balducci ok...FAIRWAY too cool (this is a not to be missed.....)
So when are you going....????? Can I come play?

[foodnfoto]

Here are some of my favorites-

Check out the Chelsea Market-lots of different food vendors from seafood to bakeries to restaurant equipment to a store with every italian import you can imagine.

Breakfast at the Pink Teacup in Greenwich Village is always fun. Waitresses with attitude, but fast and yummy breakfast any time of day. You almost always are treated to a brush with celebrity-great soulfood too.

Forget Balducci's-it's gone to the dogs since Sutton Place Gourmet bought it out. For truly upscale, fancy groceries, go to any of the Garden of Eden stores, though the best one is on 14th St between B-way and 5th Avenue. The one on 23rd between 6th & 7th Aves. is good too.

As for great grocery stores- venture up to Harlem and go to the Fairway on 125th St. and 11th Ave. (right off the Westside Hwy.) The store at 79th pales in comparison and the staff and clientele are much friendlier! It has the best cheese selection I've ever seen. The coffee is roasted on premises with a big selection of organic at very reasonable prices. Many people I know who have lived and worked (in the food biz) downtown for over 30 years have never gone there-a cryin' shame!

If you like imported specialty beers, go to the Burp Castle. It's got a 10 page, double-sided menu with every European microbrew imaginable. You are served by monks and sit among the "brew reverent" in quiet surroundings (the monks assure the ambiance). If you want rowdy, walk a few doors up the street to McSorley's-the oldest bar in NY. Both are located on 6th or 7th St off of 3rd Ave. I've usually had a few by the time I get there and forget which street it's on.

If you can manage a trip to Brooklyn, go to Sahadi's on Atlantic Ave. It's got the greatest selection of middle-eastern foods anywhere. If not Brooklyn, definately check out Kalustyan's on Lexington Ave. and 28th St. There are herbs and spices there that I've never heard of and terrific mamouls too. Bazzini's in TriBeCa is also great, but I've forgotten the address.

One more thing to try--take a stroll south down 10th Ave (or is it 9th?) from 42nd St. You'll walk under the bus entrance to the Port Authority station----Yeah, it looks like H-E-double chopsticks, but the assortment of small ethnic food stores is not to be beat. There is a man there that makes the best Greek yogurt and taramosalata! He ships it all over the country from his little dive store. There are Caribbean markets, African markets, Indian markets, and Hispanic markets galore, plus a few small bakeries that are fun too.

I don't eat at restaurants too much--we prefer to spend our $$$ in live jazz venues and off-broadway theaters. If you like it too, there is always someone good playing at the Iridium across from Lincoln Center. Les Paul plays frequently on Monday nights. "Burn This" with Edward Norton is also a great show if you can snag some tickets.

Oh, the best late night hamburger? The Corner Bistro on Hudson and Jane St. in the west village. Just my 2 cents. Good Luck and have fun!

[jokhm]

WOW. I'm leaving in 3 hours! I'll be there by 7am!!. This is nuts. I'm printing all that up and reading it on the bus so I can memorize it! The Jazz is perfect, and seeing Norton like that is perfect as well. Incredible! Thanks guys! Maybe you can meet up with us - a small group of chef wannabes - and help us eat New York

I'm staying at the Skyline Hotel, 49th and 10th ave. (212) 586-3400

I may be staying under the school's name: St. Pius X, ask for Joel. But that is probably an unrealistic way of reaching me.

Anyway, thank you all for your quick help and advice. Email me or post quick if you want to organize some way of meeting up, as it would be a pleasure to do so.

And please... if anyone is coming towards Montreal in the next while, let me know before making your plans. I'm an overly critical food NUT, as many of you are as well. I'd love to see my criticisms go to good use like that.

Jokhm

[Suzanne]

soussweets