Thursday, December 23, 2004
New York Food Diary, Day 1.
Brunch-
Grand Opening of Gala Manor, Hong Kong-style banquet restaurant, Main Street, Flushing:
Dim sum
Ten minutes and two complaints from dad before tea arrives; inauspicious beginning. Meal features sickly sweet honey-glazed cha siu bao, okay shrimp dumplings, bland and springy stewed tripe, decent chicken feet.
Decor is Cantonese psuedo-luxury, with a faux marble path illumined along the sides with airplane-style lights leading through the dining room, illuminated translucent-red columnades and green effect lighting running along the tops of the walls. For all the cheesiness, it manages to look better than most other big dim sum houses, if only because one isn't completely bathed in blood red.
One thumb way down for Gala Manor, though it was only their first day.
Bill: $17 for two and a half people (mom joined in middle of meal).
Dinner
Alta, "tapas" restaurant Tenth Street between Fifth and Sixth Ave, Greenwich Village.
Very good:
Dates rolled in bacon, artisanal goat cheese dessert, caramelized cauliflower with manila clams, chorizo and raisins.
Good:
Roasted duck breast (though it didn't taste like duck), sauteed foie gras (which didn't taste like foie gras).
Blah:
Chorizo-wrapped shrimp, roasted brussel sprouts, lamb meatballs.
Thumbs up for Alta.
Bill: $150 for three.
Post-dinner filler:
The "recession special" from Gray's Papaya: two dogs and papaya shake.
Bill:$2.75 for one.
¶ 9:33 PM
Brunch-
Grand Opening of Gala Manor, Hong Kong-style banquet restaurant, Main Street, Flushing:
Dim sum
Ten minutes and two complaints from dad before tea arrives; inauspicious beginning. Meal features sickly sweet honey-glazed cha siu bao, okay shrimp dumplings, bland and springy stewed tripe, decent chicken feet.
Decor is Cantonese psuedo-luxury, with a faux marble path illumined along the sides with airplane-style lights leading through the dining room, illuminated translucent-red columnades and green effect lighting running along the tops of the walls. For all the cheesiness, it manages to look better than most other big dim sum houses, if only because one isn't completely bathed in blood red.
One thumb way down for Gala Manor, though it was only their first day.
Bill: $17 for two and a half people (mom joined in middle of meal).
Dinner
Alta, "tapas" restaurant Tenth Street between Fifth and Sixth Ave, Greenwich Village.
Very good:
Dates rolled in bacon, artisanal goat cheese dessert, caramelized cauliflower with manila clams, chorizo and raisins.
Good:
Roasted duck breast (though it didn't taste like duck), sauteed foie gras (which didn't taste like foie gras).
Blah:
Chorizo-wrapped shrimp, roasted brussel sprouts, lamb meatballs.
Thumbs up for Alta.
Bill: $150 for three.
Post-dinner filler:
The "recession special" from Gray's Papaya: two dogs and papaya shake.
Bill:$2.75 for one.
¶ 9:33 PM
