Starting this one off.

Looking for a good restaurant in Soho for a business meal (someone else's expense account). Something that will mightily impress, but not overwhelm--it becomes a topic,not the topic. Food is primary, but ambience is very important as well. The ideal setting would probably be about halfway between noisy and intimate, probably leaning only a little toward intimate to make conversation easier. Having a bit of a scene is good for the occasional distraction, but don't want too distracting. One that's hip, but not tragically so, in order to be able to sit and talk and not get rushed out the door nor annoyed by people trying too hard. An up-and-comer place that's getting nods but hasn't been overwhelmed yet because it hasn't been reviewed in the TImes, or one that is just far enough past that review that getting a reservation won't be a problem but the food is still top-notch. Open to any cuisine.

Suggestions?

I would say Lupa, The Dutch, Parm (but it'll be really busy right now), Rubirosa, or Osteria Morini are all solid choices. Hope that helps.

Enjb.com

I know, his restaurant is way North, but still...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204323904577038221385865832.html

What non-energy foods are people using during rides?

I like pop-tarts in the winter on easy rides, particularly in cool or cold weather. They don't get stiff thanks to all the chemicals.

we had some very tasty ramen last night at a place in Prospect Heights called Chuko (Vanderbilt & Dean). started with a bowl of roasted brussels sprouts, dressed with fish sauce, peanuts and jalapenos (amazing - seriously, the best brussels sprouts i've ever had), and a small plate of salt-n-pepper chicken wings (these were tasty, but nothing to write home about).

for the ramen, we shared a bowl of spicy ground pork kimchi ramen (on special last night) and a bowl of pork bone ramen with scallion, egg, mustard greens and crispy pork belly. pork, pork and more pork. all very tasty!

no doubt there are better ramen places in town, but this was a nice treat on a cold tuesday night....

Posted By: Dan ReinersWhat non-energy foods are people using during rides?

fig newtons all the way

on my first bike trip ever, when i was 12 or so, my dad and i were hauling up this (seemingly) endless hill. it felt like it took about 2 hours to get up (it was probably a mile long) and at the top, this (seemingly) bad ass mountain biker came by with neon toe clips and a pony tail (JP?) and told me to eat fig newtons when riding. "it's real fruit, dude!" he said. i thought that was pretty cool, but yeah - probably the healthiest snack you can find at a gas station.

paired with a Nesquick chocolate milk . . . devastating.

Malt loaf is very tasty. It's not so easy to find in the city though

Posted By: WilliamDC

Posted By: Dan ReinersWhat non-energy foods are people using during rides?

fig newtons all the way

on my first bike trip ever, when i was 12 or so, my dad and i were hauling up this (seemingly) endless hill. it felt like it took about 2 hours to get up (it was probably a mile long) and at the top, this (seemingly) bad ass mountain biker came by with neon toe clips and a pony tail (JP?) and told me to eat fig newtons when riding. "it's real fruit, dude!" he said. i thought that was pretty cool, but yeah - probably the healthiest snack you can find at a gas station.

paired with a Nesquick chocolate milk . . . devastating.

+1 on the fig newtons, yo. love the fig newtons.

I have been kind of burned out on the sweet stuff, particularly the clifbar/lara bar all that other stuff. I've been bringing string cheese along for some rides, but I don't know if all that dairy is all that good for me on long rides. Also I am less concerned about spoilage during cold winter rides, where body heat is keeping it from freezing solid, but cheese in your back pocket on a 5 hour summer ride isn't as appealing to keep the furnace going, and potentially a recipe for gastrointestinal disaster.

What savory or less sweet foods are people eating. I like the fig newtons idea. Anything else you've got?

Went to Gran Electra in Dumbo last night. awesome Mexican with really great list of tequilas and mescals on the menu, and a to die for michelada.

I have to recommend the carnitas tacos (pork shoulder goodness), and the chorizo quesadilla. On the pricey side, but cheaper than some similar places in Manhattan that profess to have authentic mexican food but use canned vegetable escabeche and don't make their own tortillas.

http://gothamist.com/2012/03/28/inside_gran_electrica_dumbos_new_ta.php#photo-1

Alan Lim rice cakes baby!

Sushi rice, egg, bacon, brown sugar & some Parmesan... delish.

In the old days I would bring a small peanut butter sandwich smashed flat and cut into four. For some reason I stopped that practice, but I used to enjoy it. Tried it once with honey but it was a mess and I have white bar tape, so no go.

My friend Adam is hosting Franceso Moser for a dinner with his winery next week at Lunetta on Smith Street,
he still has a few seats available. Here's the menu...

1- White salad with smoked trout

2- Soft Polenta with speck

3- Braised Pork Sphoulder with paprika
Pickled cabbage & egg

4- Ricotta cake


See the attached flyer for contact info.

I've seen that stuff in Florence!

My birthday celebration plan solved. We are so in.
Thanks for the show!

Warning, shameless plug ahead. I know our club has a lot of foodies and at least a few professional chef types. My wife Sarah and her principle recipe developer have been working really hard this past year on a cookbook for Kiwi Magazine.

http://www.amazon.com/Allergy-Friendly-Food-Families-Gluten-Free-Dairy-Free/dp/1449409768/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

"Allergy-Friendly Food for Families" features 120 original recipes for every meal of the day, PLUS snacks, PLUS a chapter on parties.

1 in 13 children have at least one food allergy, so even if your clan is free and clear, there's probably a chance that you'll have to cook for someone with a food sensitivity. So...

If you buy one allergy friendly food cookbook this year, you should pick the one that addresses 5 major allergens and has something for every meal of the day. There are gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, egg-free, and soy-free recipes. More than 1/2 of the recipes are free of ALL of these, the rest are free of some combination of the above. All are color coded and tabbed for easy reference.

Hey Marc --the book sounds great... it surely has some cross-over with my quasi-paleo diet and so I just picked-up the Kindle edition. Looking forward to trying the recipes!

Cheers,
Norm

Thanks Norm! If you likey, feel free to write a glowing review on amazon! There is one wacky 1-star review that is full of lies (literally) and another 3-star review who is like, all complainy because she feels the allergy stuff is distracting. Hello!!! This is a cookbook for allergy friendly food recipes...jeesh. Anyway, thanks for picking it up!

will do!

Only if you truly do like the book and it's recipes. Natch.

Posted By: markusewiczMy friend Adam is hosting Franceso Moser for a dinner with his winery next week at Lunetta on Smith Street,
he still has a few seats available.

I reserved a table for 2... anyone want to be my date?

Wait Norm, shouldn't you be going to a dinner hosted by the Eddy Merckx character from As The Toto Turns? He talks like a caveman and hunting mastadons. Perfect for the paleo-diet.

http://nyvelocity.com/toto

Hmmm... and I might get a good deal on a bike at that Merckx dinner, so yeah, that does seem more attractive.

Who's in?

http://www.ediblemanhattan.com/event/edible-brooklyn-presents-the-great-pinch-tail-suck-head/

Posted By: Dan ReinersWho's in?

http://www.ediblemanhattan.com/event/edible-brooklyn-presents-the-great-pinch-tail-suck-head/

oh hell yeah. I'm in. a buddy of mine in the slope has a crawfish boil in his backyard for the kentucky derby every spring.....flies in about 50 lbs. of live crawfish from louisiana. bunch of people standing around a picnic table covered in newspaper, beers in hand, just going to town. let's do it!

Bought my ticket. Priscilla is a HUGE crawfish fan. She can eat her weight in them.

But Priscilla will be limited to about 2 pounds of crawfish. She's tiny, but not THAT tiny!

Full disclosure, this is shameless self promotion on my part. My business is launching a CSF in a few weeks, which is like
a CSA but with fresh local fish and shellfish. Here's a link to our site which has all of the info...

http://mermaidsgardennyc.com/csf/

Posted By: markusewiczFull disclosure, this is shameless self promotion on my part. My business is launching a CSF in a few weeks, which is like
a CSA but with fresh local fish and shellfish. Here's a link to our site which has all of the info...

http://mermaidsgardennyc.com/csf/

That looks great. Are you interested in working with other established CSAs? I'm part of one in prospect lefferts gardens with a Saturday morning pickup.