Back Forty

picture from serious eats

Fantastic

I was impressed with everything they had at this place. Even the cocktails were completely amazing- I don’t normally order cocktails with a meal, but they looked so delicious I had to try them.   I was interested in them because they’re known for using local farms so their menu changes seasonally, which I generally think makes the food taste fresher. The result was a fantastic feast.   I would recommend ordering a side, all three entrees ordered were massive amounts of one item- for me it was the chicken.  Mind you the chicken was perfectly cooked and so delicious I have day dreams about it and sure there was a spoonful of potatoes hidden underneath, but I think that next time I’ll plan on sharing the entree family style and ordering sides.

190 Avenue B at 12th street, New York

Great Jones Cafe

I can’t get enough of this place. I have a problem when I go there- I always try to order something different every time, but inevitably order the Jambalaya, because it was so good every other time I’ve gotten it. Also the cornbread is comparable to Brooklyn Star’s (my highest honor): just a little bit of jalapeno, and topped with honey. The other night I ordered pecan pie, which I have to admit I’m normally not so huge a fan of pecans (probably from a childhood of gorging myself on pecans off the playground trees during recesses), but the pie was pecans at their best. I highly recommend it. I’m actually not as big of a fan of their brunch menu as I am of their dinner menu, so I recommend trying it for lunch or dinner.

Great Jones at Bowery

Ippudo

Photo from newyork.seriouseats.com

As a pretty big fan of the low key, Ramen bar scene, I was initially skeptical of Ippudo’s fancy façade and long waits, despite Renee insisting it was worth it. Though it’s definitely not for a casual ramen night, I have to agree, it was worth it. I had the Won Ton Ramen – the soup itself was a little plain but the won tons were really tasty. Chris had the Classic Ramen and though it was gone too fast for me to try, he claims mine tasted like ‘canned chicken noodle soup’ compared to his. I’m assuming that means it was amazing.

There are a couple of disadvantages, for example, all of the chefs yell something to you in Japanese upon entering the restaurant, and there’s an hour and half wait on even a week night. Also, the prices are a little bit higher than normal ramen and you can easily drop a lot of money there on all of the tiny but scrumptious appetizers.

65 4th Ave, between 9th and 10th streets

The Smith

The New York magazine wrote a review describing this place as having “good, honest el cheapo grub”. I don’t know if perhaps things have changed since the Smith has opened, or they have a different version of “el cheapo”, but I wouldn’t describe this place as a great brunch deal. Most entrees were between $14 -18 and all the brunch drinks were $11.

The food was pretty good, but I don’t think the food is what’s bringing people to The Smith; it was completely packed with hip, attractive NYU students. This place is always busy, so you can expect to wait a while and like I said, the food was good but I don’t know that it’s necessarily worth waiting.

On a side note, for all my architects, they had great bathrooms.