Hi,

I live in Italy but am spending a long chunk of time in NYC over the next few weeks, and I'd like to eat some great, fresh Chinese food in a pleasant, quiet setting. Also, some great Indian food -- north or south -- that is not greasy or heavy. And finally, a really good Greek (or I'll go with Lebanese, or even Turkish if it's great enough, fresh enough).

I really don't care about the price. I only care that the food is done well and that the dining is a bit gracious. (I know where the good cheap dives are.)

Any exceptional restaurants in Manhattan that fit the bill?

Thanks!

hi,

Greek
Pylos
128 E 7th St, New York 10009
Btwn 1st Ave & Ave A
Phone: 212-473-0220

Indian
Baluchi's
275 Greenwich St, New York 10007
Btwn Murray & Warren St
Phone: 212-571-534

have fun eating
sheryl

Thanks. It's a start. I've also been reading good reviews of the greek Thalassa in Tribeca, and mixed reviews for an Indian place called Devi. I'm very tempted to try Our Shanghai Tea House. Anyone been there?

Also, I probably eat good Belgian as often as I can.

For Indian, I'd highly recommend Chola. I was sent there by a friend who is a major foodie - like major, major, major - and is Indian himself - he says it is his favorite Indian cooking in the city. Actually, E 58th St between Park and Madison has a few very good Indian restaurants including Dawat. They're not the cheapest in the city, but quite good.

I'd recommend that you get a copy of the Zagat guide, if you don't have one already.

Thanks, David.

I'll check those out. I usually find Indian food in the city too greasy, so it would be nice to have food that's well-prepared. I know it's not cheap to run a good resto in the city, so I'll pay for it. It's only money -- and it's better than indigestion.

Zagat has never worked for me. I try the places, and I've come to the conclusion that Zagat favors the witty aphorist, people who like big portions, and people who like "fun" waiters. I'm not made of money, but I've had it with mid-priced Manhattan restaurants, and I like quiet conversation over dinner. If I have to sacrifice ambience or save money, I'd rather eat off pushcarts or in the many good hole-in-the-wall places, and spend what I save on excellent food in a quiet setting. I just had a good experience at Pinche Taqueria in Soho. Excellent cheap Tijuana food, practically no place to sit.

I've had the best luck with the restaurant reviewers at New York Magazine. As far as I can remember, I don't believe I've ever shared the tastebuds of a single food critic from the NY Times. I find London Time Out terrific; New York Time Out clueless.

My biggest problem with NYC cooking (after living in Italy) is fancy treatment of everything in combinations that don't go together (i.e., cumin-scented mango-radish slaw with wasabi-mayonnaise in fried yucca nest dusted with fennel pollen.) Is it to cover up that the basic ingredients don't have any taste?

Anyway, enough of the rant! I'll see if I can find some lovely experiences, or else just picnic by the Hudson.

farinata,

You might find CitySearch and Menu Pages can help you choose NYC restaurants (CitySearch is good for other cities and for things besides restaurants).

I don't eat out much for the reason you stated, so I can't speak to Sheryl or David's suggestions. However, I work for an Indian who liked Baluchi's. They offer half-priced lunch specials during the wk last I heard. They have locations all over NYC besides the Greenwich St. location. He also liked Amma on E. 51st St.

I hope you have a pleasant stay here.

Hi,

Thanks for those recs!

Truth is, after going with some internet-based recommendations on a local Chinese, I've started cooking at home. Mussels in wine. Tomato and avocado salad. Strawberries and chocolate. Tasty! Cheap! And I use the dishwasher.

The weather is fine. But I miss Italy.

Mmmm sounds good. Glad you've found what works for you.

If you don't feel like cooking, Joe's Shanghai has good Chinese food in a simple setting. There are two Manhattan locations that I know of. I can recommend the one in Chinatown; have heard the one Midtown isn't as good.

Have you been to the farmers' mkts around town? I go to the one in Union Square on Weds and Sats (not sure if it's there on Mon and Fris too).

Try "Dim Sum Go Go" in Chinatown.

Silly name--great, fresh food.

Also if you do a search on this forum, you will find some previous threads on NYC restaurants. With some good ideas.

jan

Some more Chinese suggestions, although some restaurants have already been mentioned here and in other ST threads.

The steamed vegetable dumplings at New Green Bo are incredible and made on the premises daily. It's all I ever order, and I always take out several orders to freeze and nuke later (not my favorite way, but not much else to do when you don't have a kitchen).

The turnip cakes and red bean cakes at Joe's Shanghai are also amazing and inexpensive.

NYC Restaurant Week is taking place July 21st-25th and July 28th-Aug 1st. It's a wonderful opportunity to try out many top NYC restaurants for a three-course prix-fixe meal. Lunch is $24.07 and dinner is $35.00. Taxes and tips are extra.