[Wilfrid1]

This should be fun. And after that awful murder last week, right across the street from Alias, it might be timely to remind ourselves that this is now one of liveliest neighborhoods in Manhattan for eating and drinking.

East side of Bowery across to the water. South side of Houston. The lower boundary, I think, is Canal Street, tyhen, making a right turn, Pike Street down to the East River. I think we should save both sides of Canal and Pike for Chinatown.

Starting with general food shopping I am using Essex Market regularly now for meat and for Mexican and other ingredients; produce is not top quality but ridiculously cheap.

[omnivorette]

Loreley. But what "best" is it? Beer garden? German pub?

[Orik]

'inoteca for cheeses and wine
ILDG for ice cream
Loreley for spaetzle

[Orik]

and I think the block of Grand between Christie & Bowery is in the zone. Some good chinese butchers and greengrocers there.

[Wilfrid1]

Yes, Chinatown is hard to keep within boundaries.

'Inoteca, yes, if you can get in. What's "ILDG"?

Inauthentic, but big and tasty tacos de carnitas at AKA Cafe. Weekend brunch in a bento box at Chibu.

[Daisy]

The Doughnut Plant --'nuff said
Verlaine---for fancy cocktails
Russ and Daughters
Katz for pastrami sandwiches and hot dogs
Grand St. and environs for interesting things sold off carts by Chinese people ( I know, but it's not really Chinatown is it?)
Di Palo's

[omnivorette]

El Castillo de Jagua
Congee Village


Haven't been:

Apizz
Paladar
Natural Restaurant

[omnivorette]

Good music venue with edible food: Piano's

[Wilfrid1]

I don't think El Castillo is that great, but haven't been in a long time.

Alias usually requires reservations for dinner, but if you go off-peak or snag a seat at the bar, they have good hot sandwiches and thoughtfully composed green market salads. El Cibao across the street has been praised by the New York Times for its chicken hero, but we've never been able to find out why .

Lotus Club on Clinton is equally happy serving you booze or cappuccino, and has a nice, relaxed atmosphere. Bar with arty installations and pinball: Max Fish.

What's that pickle store called? We're not big pickle eaters - anyone recommend it?

[Orik]

the pickels are good. I don't remember what they call themselves these days.

ILDG = Il Laboratorio del Gelato

[omnivorette]

There's Gus' Pickles, and then there's the guys who left Gus. I think they might be called The Pickle Guys ?

Both good.

http://www.nycpickleguys.com/

[Abbylovi]

'inoteca for the truffled egg toast.

I just recently went to El Castillo and I have to agree.

[Wilfrid1]

Picklechef?

It's something like The Pickle Blokes, but more American. Pickle Guys?* Some connection with Gus's, I think, but I can't recall the details.

Verlaine does have nice cocktails. The other good place to get a cocktail or fancy liquor in the neighborhood is the bar at WD-50.

*Omni already suggested this - it sounds right.

[Daisy]

omnivorette, on Jan 31 2005, 12:17 PM, said:

Haven't been:

Apizz
Paladar
Natural Restaurant

Paladar is OK, but nothing special. And it gets really,really crowded and noisy. It's very inexpensive, though.

[Wilfrid1]

Bereket's kebabs are perhaps overrated, but they serve them all night.