We're going to "The City"

I've lived in the Bay Area for over six years now, and it's really hard for me to imagine living anywhere else. In some ways, I've truly become a San Franciscan -- I hate it when people call it "Ess-Eff" or "San Fran"; I wax poetic about our produce, our people, our attention to what's going on in the world... I love this place, dammit.

But it's still not "The City". It is very much "the city"... but not "The City" with capital letters. That honor, that nickname, will always be reserved for the place I grew up. And though I haven't lived in New York in over 15 years, most people will still tell you that I have a very New York sensibility about me -- it's amazing how many people ask me if I'm "from the East Coast", despite my lack of an accent.

All that said, it's hard to believe that C and I have never been to The City together -- it's a place we both love, and have both been to since we were married, just... never at the same time.

As it turns out, we both have to go for work in a few weeks, and it happens to coincide with his birthday weekend. So, we're sending the dogs to their sitter, taking a couple of days off, and spending four days in Manhattan. We'll probably head to the Island for a day to see my cousins, and so I can show C the house I grew up in, but other than that, we're just playing in the city.

We have several reservations already... New Yorkers, let me know if there is a place we can't miss... and, if you want to weigh in on the Aureole vs. Bouley debate, please feel free.

On Sunday night, we have late reservations at Babbo (YAY!), while C's birthday "lunch" on Monday, before we head to the airport, is at Gramercy Tavern.

• I'm considering doing Bouley for lunch, and perhaps Aureole for dinner -- or would we be better served going vice-versa? I'm also planning to eat pizza - lots of pizza.  What else can't we miss, people?

Comments

[Amy]

It's been a couple years but I loved eating at the Bread Bar at Tabla. Highly recommend it. And now that 2nd Ave Deli is gone, nothing beats a pastrami sandwich from the Stage or Carnegie Deli.

[Chubby]

What about grabbing a snack at the Shake Shack during a walk in the park?

[Gerald]

I'd highly recommend Shake Shack, but unfortunately, it's closed during the winter.

As for your Bouley vs Aureole debate, I haven't been to Aureole yet, but I did go to Bouley for lunch and it's an amazing deal! I did a post on it a couple months ago here.

[Jennifer]

How great to have such a strong connection with two wonderful cities!

Enjoy your time in The City together!

[chuck]

bouley does not get the recognition it deserves. while i didn't have "the lunch deal", i did have lunch over the late summer. my review here:

Bouley lunch review

i will also have to recommend Momofuku for a lunch/late dinner - puts Slanted Door to shame:

Momofuku dinner review

[Alder]

Good lord, do NOT waste your time at Aureole for lunch or dinner. Don't get me wrong, it's a good restaurant but it is far past its prime.

Jean-Georges for lunch without a doubt and Bouley (a must) for dinner.

I don't recommend lunch at Bouley, simply because I think his work shines more clearly over more courses than you'd get at lunch. Besides, at dinner you can drink a lot more and the wine list is excellent.

[David]

Salted Croissants at City Bakery!

[Lenn]

Looking forward to finally meeting you...we'll have to work out details!

[Gerald]

Also, if you have time, check out one of the soup dumpling places in Chinatown:

Shanghai Cafe
Joe's Shanghai
New Yeah Shanghai Deluxe

The soup dumplings in New York blow away the ones in San Francisco.

[shuna fish]

You're from the Gisland? Who knew?

Anyways, here is my short list:
Prune for dinner. There is nothing like it here! (make reso now and tell Gabrielle I sent you.)
I agree with Alder. you are better off at Daniel or Jean Georges for lunch.
Pretzel Croissants at City Bakery. Perfectly balanced pastries!
Ice cream, no matter what the temperature is outside, at laboratorio del gelato on Orchard street.
I prefer John's pizza "at" 6th ave around the corner from Murray's cheese shop.
Steamers and a steamed lobster at Pearl on Cornelia st. Dinner, get there early. It will bring you back to your childhood!
The best croissant is at Cafe Claude on West 4th st near the Christopher St subway station.
The best snacks can be found on the edge of SoHo at Sullivan Street Bakery. Those potato breads can replace a significant other. Also next door is a woman who makes Greek yogurt and both make a fine breakfast for walking around the city!

Please bring me back a dessert menu from Gramercy & Babbo and Jean Georges, if you go. . . If Gina (PC) is at babbo that night please tell her a hello for me. JG is really special, I hope you make it there. And you can walk across the street to look at Masa and Per Se...or go the other way and enter Central Park...

Have so much fun wherever you eat. Tell my hometown I say hi.

[Fatemeh]

WOW - thanks everyone!

Sounds like Bouley is in and Aureole is out to be replaced with either Jean-Georges or Daniel (thanks Alder & Shuna!)

I can't believe I didn't mention City Bakery - perhaps it was a foregone conclusion? We'll definitely make it there a few times, I'm sure.

I really don't know what to do now that 2nd Ave is gone. I'm so bummed but I'm sure we'll figure something out.

Shuna, we will try to do you proud, and I'll pick up the menus for you as much as possible. I'm glad to have a SoHo recommendation as we are DEFINITELY going to Kee's for a box of those delicious chocos. You've given us a ton to chew on (hah!), THANK YOU!

Chuck - thanks for the Momofuku rec - it sounds interesting, and will be a nice relief to our bank account.

[shuna fish]

I know it's not the same as 2nd ave but one block away is the best Ukrainain diner: Veselka at 9th and 2nd (my dad lives at 311). Get a cup of the cabbage soup, potato pierogis and a raspberry blintz last. Also they sell their dishes which come with their own unique sense of humour. In October there was a banner there which read:

TRICK or BORSCHT

[haddock]

I'll second Veselka. Many an evening was spent there and at Kiev. I'll also 2nd Jean Georges, although it's been a while since I've been to The City (which I agree can only be NY).

My personal fave pizza is Stromboli, corner of 9th St & 1st Ave.

Have a great time.

[Julie Conason]

I adore both Veselka and City Bakery, frequent haunts of mine. The full afternoon tea at Payard is quite delightful, as are lunch or dinner -- or just a box of pastries to be chosen and eaten at your leisure. Bouley is wonderful, but in all honesty, I like Daniel Boulud's cuisine even better, so I'd probably choose Restaurant Daniel for the big splash dinner. The Bread Bar at Tabla is another perennial favorite -- and right next door is another wonderful Danny Meyer restaurant, Eleven Madison Park. Gorgeous setting, fantastic service and glorious food. Or, speaking of DM and his restaurant empire, you might want to combine a visit to the MOMA with a meal at his newest resto, The Modern -- also gloriously beautiful and resplendent in all aspects. And for pizza, come uptown to the original Patsy's and have your pie under the full-length portrait of Frank (Sinatra that is) -- and I'll give you the up-and-coming East Harlem tour. Or else go to Lombardi's in Soho...

[Melissa]

Derrick & I had some _serious_ cheese fondue at Artisanal, and a most interesting, wacky, and delicious dinner at wd-50 during our last visit. I felt like all we did was eat while in Manhattan, but damn, so good!

[Fatemeh]

Julie, you ROCK. Thanks for all the recos! I can't wait to check some of these places out. I'm actually on the red-eye tonight for a quick in-and-out trip, and I'm thinking I might try to hit Pastis or The Modern for lunch tomorrow!

You can't like the name San Fran or ess eff, only people who are from here know why we call it that.