Best Food in New York/New Jersey/Connecticut - Page 2

NYCGori · May 13th, 2009, 03:37 PM

Forgot one!

Brick Oven Gallery in Williamsburg (brooklyn) for pizza. The thin crust, oven baked kind. It's so good! Generously sized pizzas that are good for one hungry person or two restrained people are between $8-11 apiece. My favorite is a white pizza with truffle oil (that dirty-sock smelling stuff as someone on gs noted a few months ago) with goat cheese and wild mushrooms. They have the more standard varieties as well. It's a small place with a funky ambiance that is actually kind of romantic on a winter's night.

sumorani · May 13th, 2009, 03:46 PM

oo yeh Bamiyan is pretty good and i think they do say their food is halal but who knows.

Afro-Sheen · May 14th, 2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCGori

For the most delicious homestyle Palestinian food, Tanoreen in Bay Ridge (Brooklyn) is awesome. This is probably my favorite restaurant ever! Get their stuffed koosa (summer squash, stuffed with rice, ground lamb, and spices) with yogurt sauce! For an appetizer the eggplant napoleon is also delicious. A big meal for two will run you about $40.

For Arabic sweets, Laziza in Astoria (Queens.) Anyone here a fan of kinafeh? They have it there and when it's fresh it's delish. I think it's $4 a slice, but can't remember for sure.

For street food, Sammy's halal in Jackson Heights (Queens) is legendary. His cart is on the intersection of 73rd street and broadway. The lamb gyro with rice platter (my fave) is, I think $6. He often throws in a free soda if you're ordering more than one. He won food vendor of the year a couple of years ago at the Vendy awards.

For anyone who is a Thai food fan, you have to check out Sripraphai in Woodside (Queens.) If you love the super spicy, very authentic stuff, this is where you can get it. Dinner for two, $20-30 depending on how big your stomach is.

I really like the Afghani restaurant Bamiyan in Manhattan for their wide selection. Not sure if they use halal meat. Afghan Kebab House (several locations throughout the city) has a shorter menu but is also very, very good and I'm pretty sure they do use halal meat. Bamiyan is slightly more expensive--probably about $35-50 for two, while at Afghan Kebab House the range would be more like $20-35 depending on how much you eat.

For Belgian treats (they have a nice moules frites/mussels with french fries, as well as a terrific brunch menu with awesome waffles), La Petite Abeille has I think two or three locations in the city. I've found their location in the east twenties to be most reliable. About $20/person. Definitely not halal.

Just had some really good Pakistani food in Jersey City a couple months ago at a little hole-in-the-wall but now I can't remember the name of the place. I'll try to find out and post it when I do. They had really good pickle chicken especially.

I can vouch that Bamiyan is indeed a great Afghan restaurant. I believe the restaurant serves Halal meat, as that's what I was told the last few times I went. I recommend the mixed grill platter. They cook the meat very well, so it is still juicy & not dry & rubbery, but very flavorful as well. Location I believe was 26th & 3rd Avenue, on the corner. They even have window seats where the tables are low to the ground, so you sit on like cushions on the floor for dinner, I thought it was cool.

The paki place in Jersey City, was it Shadman?

Afro-Sheen · May 14th, 2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumorani

oo yeh Bamiyan is pretty good and i think they do say their food is halal but who knows.

At least a few years ago, they were listed under Zabihah.com & we had checked with the owner at that time, and confirmed it was halal/zabeehah, can't say about now.

NYCGori · May 14th, 2009, 07:06 PM

Afro, yes, I think it was Shadman----across the street is an old synagogue that I think is now actually a masjid. Is that the place?

njgal · May 14th, 2009, 07:55 PM

yup that's shadmaan - it's pretty good. I think their kababs are the best!

Sara516 · May 14th, 2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afro-Sheen

I can vouch that Bamiyan is indeed a great Afghan restaurant. I believe the restaurant serves Halal meat, as that's what I was told the last few times I went. I recommend the mixed grill platter. They cook the meat very well, so it is still juicy & not dry & rubbery, but very flavorful as well. Location I believe was 26th & 3rd Avenue, on the corner. They even have window seats where the tables are low to the ground, so you sit on like cushions on the floor for dinner, I thought it was cool.

The paki place in Jersey City, was it Shadman?

Yeah it's 26th and 3rd... i think last time i went there was before my wedding, and the decor is just nice!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afro-Sheen

Yeah the Newark one Amin's is cool, but a wee bit dirty it seems. But that was like 5 years ago when I used to go to school there.
.

Whenever my family would go to NJ, i'd see Amin's restaurant...but i'm not sure if it's Newark or the other location. I'd like to try that one day too... hmmmm...

Afro-Sheen · May 15th, 2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCGori

Afro, yes, I think it was Shadman----across the street is an old synagogue that I think is now actually a masjid. Is that the place?

Yup that is the place. I must agree, it is a hole in the wall restaruant, but usually great food for a very cheap price. Yeah sometimes they have their off days and serve something yukky, but typically it's pretty good for the price & your right their kebabs are really good. A lot of the desi folks in JC get catering from them for events as it is convenient.

Oh & just to let you know, next time you are in the area, there is this American Bistro across the street (Right next to masjid)...I don't remember the name...but they have AWESOME chocolate cake & also Amazing Shrimp with Basil Pesto Alfredo....it was awesome when I had it a few months ago.

also down the block is Ibby's falafel, which has good falafel also Shawarma. Ooh yummy.

njgal · May 15th, 2009, 10:38 AM

Afro - ohhh I love their choclate cake - great place to just sit outside in the summer

Afro-Sheen · May 15th, 2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sara516

Yeah it's 26th and 3rd... i think last time i went there was before my wedding, and the decor is just nice!

Whenever my family would go to NJ, i'd see Amin's restaurant...but i'm not sure if it's Newark or the other location. I'd like to try that one day too... hmmmm...

Sara if your in Jersey city visiting, then definitely try out the Amin's on corner of Tonnelle & St. Pauls. (Near Indian Bazaar) Try the spicy Black pepper Chicken...yummy. Also another new halal Indo-Thai place to check out, is on Newark Avenue in Indian Bazaar. "China Spice" is on corner of Newark & Tonnelle Avenue, and have offerings similar to that of Nanking, but ambiance is nice & food is halal.

Afro-Sheen · May 15th, 2009, 10:44 AM

wow you tried it? Yeah it is amazing!! And very nice to sit outside in summer...although I always sat inside in the AC

NYCGori · May 15th, 2009, 04:13 PM

Wow, some great suggestions on the Jersey side. My new hubby's family lives on that side of the river so I'll probably be checking out some of those places soon.

It's funny about Shadmaan---we did order a couple of catered dishes from there about a month ago for my nikkah--kebabs I think---the rest was cooked by the family--but I couldn't remember the name of the place until I read this thread. All I remembered was that it was from the same place where I had the good pickle chicken.

SID_NY · May 15th, 2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XChorniX

Tangra Masala on queens blvd in ny. love the food there, thai indian, usually crowded a small place but the food is awesome. love their falooda ice cream

Tangra Masala is one of the best desi restaurants and the thing which I like most is that you may get food as much spicy as you want and it doesn't disturb the taste at all. Its in longisland city on main queens blvd, so very much accessbile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XChorniX

Ali Baba somewhere in ny don't remember, probably long island. a very nice afghani restaurant, roomy and the set up is beautiful too.

Totally Agreed, Ali Baba is another very good restuarant. Its Turkish Cuisine actually. Um...I think their speciality is their Steak.. and kabab is no where near burnt. So it tastes delicious. Here is its address:
212 East 34th Street
(bet. 2nd & 3rd ave)
Newyork, NY 10016
Tel:212-683-9206 , 917-256-0104

(It has free delivery)

XChorniX · May 18th, 2009, 03:24 PM

^^no this one is not in manhattan its in long island

TofiBaba · May 18th, 2009, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XChorniX

^^no this one is not in manhattan its in long island

Yeah, its on Broadway in Hicksville. Hicksville is becoming another Jackson Heights.

Speaking of food places in NY and no one mentioned Junior's Cheese Cakes ??? That place is so yumm. There's one in Brooklyn and then they opened one up in Times Square in the city.

Another great Thai restaurant to be mentioned is Jaiya, which again has a location in Hicksville. I think they have one in NJ now.

Afro-Sheen · May 21st, 2009, 01:22 PM

I just had some yummmy Thai food for lunch (take-out), I still feel like there is a party in my mouth! For anyone around Union County, NJ.

Thai Kitchen
41 Mountain Blvd., Warren, NJ

I had the "Gang Dang" lunch special with Shrimp which is Red curry with coconut milk, basil, bamboo shoots, onions & peppers. It was deliciouss. It comes with white rice, but I think I had less than 1/3 of the rice and just scarfed the curry.

Another reccomended dish is Pad Kra Pao with shrimp - its sauteed with basil, onions, mushrooms and bell peppers in hot & spicy chili sauce. Yummo!!!!

njgal · Jun 10th, 2009, 12:27 PM

^ i'll have to check it out Afro for lunch sometime

Afro-Sheen · Jun 10th, 2009, 01:00 PM

Yeah I went back for lunch again yesterday and it was awesome!!!!!! The Thai Kitchen that is. I can still taste it....so yummy!!! hehe

jaadugar · Jun 10th, 2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCGori

Wow, some great suggestions on the Jersey side. My new hubby's family lives on that side of the river so I'll probably be checking out some of those places soon.

It's funny about Shadmaan---we did order a couple of catered dishes from there about a month ago for my nikkah--kebabs I think---the rest was cooked by the family--but I couldn't remember the name of the place until I read this thread. All I remembered was that it was from the same place where I had the good pickle chicken.

sorry could not resist to pick on it. Do you have an old hubby too?

njgal · Jun 15th, 2009, 02:03 PM

chocolate by the bald man Max Brenner - omelettes, waffles with drizzled cholcolate - everything is so yummy but it's packed. Plan ahead.

Buddakan - modern asian cuisine Buddakan NYC - little servings but food is to die for.