What's the best place to eat in the tri-state area outside the city? My vote is for the Ryland Inn in New Jersey. I love that place so much.
Good point. Ryland Inn is French food, and they have there own garden in which they grow all the vegetables. http://www.rylandinn.com/ Location is Whitehouse N.J.
The Mayflower Inn in Washington, CT (fairly close to LRP), Restaurant X in Congers, New York (Rockland County), La Crémaillère Restaurant in Banksville, New York (CT/NY border near Greenwich).
Le Bec Fin in Philadelphia. This is perhaps the best restaurant in the entire country. While in college I would go there 2-3 times a week with my girlfriends and then to the Bellevue, Ritz Carlton, or Four Seasons for a night cap. If I did not blow all of my money on food, wine, and hotels, I would be driving a 275 GTB/4 right now. Oh well, I had fun. Ken
Hmm, hard to say, everyone is gonna have his/her pick, and no one have tried all the places to make a judgement, so it is kinda pointless. I am a food guy, period. I love food and I love to try different restaurants. I would say I have gone to more restaurants than most of people. I still don't think there is a restaurant that's much better than the rest, Union Square Cafe is pretty good in general, Uncle Jack in Bayside is good for steak. Lots of places are close enough too. There are some famous places are just overrated, like Jean Georges. There will be few TOP restaurant open in the new AOL building, this Japanese place will have tasting menu at $600 a head, I would be eager to try if it's really worth it. French Laundry is comig here too.
Restaurant Jean-Louis in Greenwich is excellent, superb food, personal and warm service, intimate setting. La Cremailaire in Banksville (Greenwich northern border) always was terrific, although it's been awhile since I've been there. Homestead Inn in Greenwich also nice. John
The Mill River Inn - Old Brookville/Oyster Bay Long Island. Excellent food and professional service with a small intimate dining room. I've eaten here several times and have always been impressed, compares to top NYC places.
How about Peter Lugar's in Great Neck, LI?? But you might as well drive to Brooklyn for the real thing...
It is junk. Brooklyn location is better, but still ... If you want steak, seriously go try Uncle Jack's in Bayside.
Uncle Jacks is an overpriced wanna-be hangout. You'd do better at the Sizzler. If you need steak, goto Bryant & Coopers in Roslyn, LI on Northern Blvd. For the best Italian food outside of NYC, you MUST go to Carmela's on Hempstead TPKE. in Franklin Square. By far the best restaurant around and very Ferrari friendly. You can go there and have a great meal, great drinks and a great conversation about F1 or Ferrais or any other type of automobile. Just a great place.
LOL, uh, no. Seriously, if you're on the Island, go to Commack/Smithtown to a place on Jericho Tpke. called Milano Grille; ask for Craig, tell him Carbon sent you... The food is awesome, the prices are great, the atmosphere is really nice, as well... i always get the veal, but the Penne A La Vodka is unbelieveable... Il Giardino is really nice; more of a stiffer-type romantic setting; very Italian atmosphere... Get a table way in the back with your significant other and get lost in the whole aura of the place... The veal is awesome...
Ah yes, Chateau Blanc fine decor, quick service, but a little less romantic for that big date. No, no relation unfortunately.
Uncle Jack's has real kobe beef, I don't know any other place around here does. TAO in NYC has fake kobe, few other places has "American" kobe, Uncle jack's is the real deal.
The best Chinese restaurant in the entire USA is: Koi Palace in the bay Area...I believe in Foster City or Daly City, which is in California.
IN the immediate area outside NYC, i am constantly amazed that places like Westchester don't support great restaurants. Here are a few that i regard highly: Xavier's, in Piermont, formal haute cuisine. Get the tasting menu and look at his older Burgundies. (At the price, you may only want to look). Flames, in Briarcliff, the only steak comparable to Luger's in Brooklyn, with a serious winelist and big lobsters. You can eat out on the patio in good weather. Ask for Nick. Walter's, in Mamaroneck- best hot dogs. Red Rooster, in Brewster- best "drive-in." Queen, in downtown Brooklyn, best Italian (alright, its the city, but not Manhattan). Ask for Frank. Old French- Buffet de la Gare in Hastings.
Wow, Queen restaurant on Court Street in Brooklyn Heights! That's a blast from the past and, if it is still the same as it was 15+ years ago when I lived in Cobble Hill, I would second WHart's recommendation. Great spot. As long as we're considering Brooklyn, Henry's End in Brooklyn Heights has long been a great spot, especially for exotic game such as elk, ostrich and alligator. And of course, the River Cafe on the waterfront under the Brooklyn Bridge has great food and a fantastic, romantic view of Manhattan. Both of those places have a 24 rating (pretty good) from Zagat's. And yes, Brooklyn is "outside of the City", that's what we liked about it. There used to be a couple of pretty good restaurants in PortChester: Two Moons, a sort of American nouveau gourmet comfort food place and Grill FX, which specialized in South African grilled foods. Both gone, and both much missed. I've been to the Willet House, a steak place in Portchester, and had so-so meals there. John
John, try Flames, get the aged porterhouse "double"; if you are a Luger's fan you will be amazed. The Queen moved at some point in the late 80's or early 90's, up the block. It used to be next to the porno theatre, and their pizza shop was on the other side. That whole block was razed. Their new location, about a block closer to the courts, is not as neoclassical; they got rid of the red velvet, crackly mirrored walls, in favor of a sort of Portofino moderne look. But the food is better than ever, they grow veggies, make cheese, pasta from scratch, many sicilian dishes, like a whole octopus with pignolia nuts.