The strawberry granita is on Telepan’s special menu for its 10th anniversary.
“Best of” lists tend to generate fierce debates, and in olden times even led to fisticuffs, back when people wore fisticuff-links. Can I get a rimshot please?
Rotisserie chicken is an underrated dinner option, and the Upper West Side has some of the finest chicken in the city, according to Eater. The website highlights Fine & Shapiro’s birds: “Lots of flesh on the bird, with a skin only mildly salty and sometimes crisp.” Citarella’s “cheap and unfussy” chicken also got a mention (though it’s referring to the downtown location). Not mentioned: Pio Pio’s amazing Peruvian chicken smothered in green sauce. Just saying it makes me want some.
Bloomberg has put out a list of the best UWS restaurants for eating with clients, friends and family. It’s got a mildly condescending headline like all stories about Upper West Side restaurants (“Good Restaurants on New York’s Upper West Side Exist (Yes, Really)”) but the choices seem pretty solid (though generally pricey). For clients: Jean-Georges/Nougatine, Dovetail, Telepan, The Leopard at Des Artistes and Gabriel. For friends: Kefi, Salumeria, Boulud Sud, Mermaid Inn and Cotta. And for families: Isabella’s, The Ribbon, the Boat Basin, Barney Greengrass and Red Farm. Read the whole thing here.
Guest of a Guest has its own Best list, and it’s a little less pricey: Absolute Bagels, Burke & Wills, Calle Ocho, Fred’s, Jacob’s Pickles, Mel’s Burger Bar, The Meatball Shop, and Tom’s Restaurant.
Telepan at 72 West 69th street is rolling back the clock on its Price Fixe menu to celebrate its 10th anniversary. “For one month only, from August 17th through September 20th, we’ll offer Telepan’s signature tasting menu at the same price we featured when our doors first opened: 3 courses for $45, or 4 courses for $55. In other words, we’re throwing back to Telepan circa 2005! (We’ll also be offering our regular à la carte menu during this time.)” Congrats to Bill and the staff at Telepan.
I ate lunch once — and it was enough — at Isabella’s. The portions were so small (and I weight 97 lbs) that — oh well –it wasn’t enough.
The only chicken that I can eat is the plain organic one from, yes, Fairways. All others (including Citarella’ and Zabar’s) that are ostensibly “plain” are loaded with garlic.
Correction — it was not at Isabella’s but at Gabriel’s that I encountered the microscopic food portions.
I have eaten at Gabriel’s on many, many occasions. I’ve eaten there as a single, I’ve eaten there in a group of eight. Not only have I never encountered any portion one would call minuscule, I have never had anything short of terrific. Excellent, knowledgeable service, superb wine list. Gabriel’s is up there with Da Umberto, Felidia, in my book.
What, they did a chicken piece, and failed to mention either Malecon’s on 97th and Amsterdam, or either Flor de Mayo location? Just how deep did these folks drill for their data, anyway…?
Second Jim Ryan’s Flor de Mayo rotisserie chicken recommendation. The bird itself is nothing special, maybe, but it’s very judgmatically seasoned. Also you have to love a restaurant whose takeout-menu covers date to a time when nobody thought to put “(212)” before the phone number!
I’ll third Jim Ryan’s Flor de Mayo rotisserie chicken recommendation. The fabulous shrimp fried rice as an accompaniment doesn’t hurt it, either.
AGREED, El Malecon is arguably the best Chicken Joint in NYC and the least expensive. That being said, The Ribbon on 72nd Street has awesome Fried Chicken and is quickly becoming the Diner I’ve always wanted for the UWS
Chirpin Chichen still not bad especially da ribs…
The Chirpster is the best. And the people are so friendly.
The West 70s are the pits for food. We ain’t got nothing.
Aw, it’s not that bad, just lacking variety. Dovetail, Cesca, Tessa, Cafe Frida, Caffe Storico, Salumeria Rosi, The Ribbon, Cafe Luxembourg, Burke & Wills/Cricket Club, Ocean Grill, RedFarm, Gari, Gray’s Papaya, GrandDaisy, Levain, Beard Papa, Maison Kayser, Ella, Irving Farm, Saffron, Pasha, Shake Shack, Sushi Yasaka. I’m sure I’m missing things. In the past I would’ve put Grand Sichuan and Legend in there, but their health inspection ratings have been dire.
I used to enjoy Grand Sichuan. Then they got closed for health violations, and reopened with a C. Imagine how bad it was that the best they could do was reopen with a C. Just vile – no thanks!
Warique is amazing — the green sauce is great. They’ll also let you BYOB for a very small corkage (I think it was $15)…..
oh, flor de mayo is outstanding. their peruvian spiced chicken is fantastic.
Just ate at Telepan the other night – it was a wonderful meal, as always. Top-notch service. It could be a good Ouest (r.i.p) alternative. The Flor de May roasted whole Peruvian chicken is delicious. I never understood Isabella’s popularity. Very mediocre food.
We like Les Mirabelles. I guess its reputation is pretty much confined to its neighborhood, although I found out about it from a wealthy East Sider.
My husband likes to go there on Fridays for the generous bouillabaisse special.
I could eat 5 cups of their crème brûlée.
The staff there is so warm and real.
Shhhhhh … keep it quiet about La Mirabelle or the trendoids will start flocking in and ruin it for all of us. Good food, quiet atmosphere, polite crowd, lovely staff … and when Madame is in voice, a spirited rendition of “La Vie En Rose”. What a concept!
I hope that they have a long run on their lease, wcsnyc.
Wouldn’t want to ruin a perfect thing.
No Cafe Luxembourg? Haven’t been in a while but I have pretty consistently enjoyed dinner there.
I passed by the Luxembourg tonight. Although Monday is supposed to be the slowest day for restaurants, there were elbow-to-elbow diners. I don’t think there was an empty table.
It was late when we appeared for lunch, and there was only one party left. But they didn’t say they couldn’t serve us.
We probably got whatever was left.
I never went back.
My above comment should have been part of Comment “1” about Gabriel’s, and placed under “Bystander’s” reply.
Wondering why no one mentions Fish Tag on 79th, between Broadway and Amsterdam? No sign except the banner so it’s hard to find, and not open for lunch, but the food is very good and the bar also nice. Same owner as Kefi.
How about dishes with chicken in it? The little hidden gem on the Westside is the delicious Indian restaurant Alachi Masala on Amsterdam between 83rd and 84th St.I especially love their chicken korma. It is the best I have ever tasted with subtle hints of rosewater. And their tandoori chicken is to die for. It is so reasonable and you can bring your own wine!