I never thought of myself as a “foodie” until I heard Ruth Reichl interviewed on NPR 12 years ago. I was very pregnant, and often enticed by foods I'd never found before appealing! A former restaurant critic for (now editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine) Reichl was being interviewed about her then-new book, Tender at the Bone. I mentioned it to my husband, who bought it for me, and I read it while on maternity leave -- aloud to my infant daughter -- savoring every word. (To learn more about Reichl and her books, go to http://www.ruthreichl.com.)
What I love about Reichl's books is that they're experiential -- you feel like you're in the restaurant... you can imagine the taste of the foods she describes. (This was also her approach to writing restaurant reviews. Since she knew that most readers would never actually go to the restaurant, she wanted them to feel as if they'd been there after reading her column.)
Last week at dinner, I had a similar experience with food writer Stephen A. Shaw, when he told me about four little-known New York City restaurants with fabulous food and reasonable prices. (Those restaurants are listed below.) Stephen is a James Beard Award-winning food critic and the founder of eGullet (http://eGullet.com), a culinary web site with the motto “Eat. Chew. Discuss.” Stephen's got a new book coming out on how to eat like a native in Asian restaurants. Look for an article with him in an upcoming issue of Bottom Line/Personal.
Kampuchea
Excellent, eclectic Cambodian-influenced cuisine. Very casual.
78 Rivington St. (corner of Allen)
212 529 3901
http://kampucheanyc.com/
Szechuan Gourmet
Best Sichuan in town, alarmingly spicy.
21 W. 39th St. (Btwn. 5th & 6th Aves.)
212 921 0233
Burger Bar @ Beacon
Charbroiled Niman Ranch burger with fries for $12.95, no reservations, six seats.
25 W. 56th St.
212 332 0500
http://beaconnyc.com/
Lansky's Deli
Faithful reenactment of an old-school neighborhood kosher-style deli.
Very useful place to know about in this area.
235 Columbus Avenue (between 70th & 71st St.)
212 787 0400
http://www.lanskysnyc.com/
Jun 16, 2009 at 9:59 AM So the first thing you talk about on your blog is one of my favorite subjects...food!
Living vicariously through restaurant reviewers is what I do best.
There is nothing like enjoying a good meal apart from the setting that you eat it in. Ambiance, warmth and care are the crucial elements that make or break a restaurant. It is what makes a great experience, truly memorable.
Thanks for sharing Margie! I look forward to your blog and this was a great start!
Aviva
Jun 16, 2009 at 11:03 AM Margie, Congratulations on your blog, and thank you for starting off with food and resto recommendations. Even though I live in Midtown, I'm often the last to hear of treasured finds. Til next we meet, I look forward to keeping up with your news on the blog!
Best, Collette
Jun 16, 2009 at 11:28 AM The Burger Bar @ Beacon? Now I know where to take my 17-year-old son who has recently eaten his first hamburger (don't ask!!) and is now on a quest to find the best burger in the world. This recommendation should cut my search time significantly so that I can find places to feed my finicky vegetarian daughter - perhaps Kampuchea!! Had you not blogged, I'd still be brown-bagging it in the city!
Thanks, Margie!
Ellin
Jun 16, 2009 at 12:05 PM Nice blog Margie. I enjoyed reading it and youknow what a foodie I am.
Mazel Tov!
Jun 16, 2009 at 12:08 PM Margie,
You've done it again, found another fabulous format to share your brilliant ideas, yeah! I'm forwarding your suggestions on to family and friends in hopes we can schedule a date to get together at Kampuchea. Look forward to reading the article in Bottom Line on how to eat like a native in Asian restaurants before we venture out!
Thanks for keeping me in the loop,
Pam
Jun 16, 2009 at 12:50 PM Let's meet at Lansky's for lunch!!!! Like the blog concept- timely. Smart girl.
Jun 16, 2009 at 12:57 PM Margie-
Great blog and a great idea to start a list of reasonable and reliable foodie haunts. We swear by sobaya, a noodle shop not far off astor place in the east village.
Look forward to your next installments.As we scale back, I would love something on affordable luxuries such as small pieces of jewelry (earrings, maybe?)
Jun 16, 2009 at 1:01 PM Thanks for starting with Ruth Reichl. I've also listened to her audio version of Garlic and Sapphires which goes into greater depth on her restaurant reviewing (and elaborate disguises). I love that she talks about places I know so well--like Swanky Franks.
You're off to a great start!
Jane
Jun 16, 2009 at 1:09 PM Great blog, Margie! I will definitely check out these restaurants. Turns out I live one block from Lansky's!
Looking forward to reading more.
Jun 16, 2009 at 3:38 PM Margie,
I usualy do not like blogs but yours is great. Your father will be especialy proud.I love to read about really good, healthy affordable eating places. Even though I have moved to LA, I will try some of these spots upon my frequent return trips to the East.
Keep u the great work.
Alan Rapoport
The Hollywood Headache Doctor
Jun 16, 2009 at 3:57 PM Margie,
Congratulations! Awesome blog! This is exactly the information that I want to know! Thank you! Keep it up!
Best,
Lyssie
Jun 16, 2009 at 4:39 PM Margie, You are so right about Ruth Reichl...she once wrote an article about desserts in New York City that was a masterpiece! I think you could gain weight just from reading it.
Jun 16, 2009 at 4:54 PM Hi Margie,
Welcome to the blogosphere! I love how short and concise your post is. I am curious as to whether whichever infant daughter you read Ruth Reichl to is a foodie now?
I look forward to reading more posts!
xoxo
Sandy
Jun 17, 2009 at 6:34 AM Your blog is a fabulous addition to your website and so much in character with the altruistic nature of the amazing business established by our awesome Dad. I look forward to trying all of those restaurants. I thought I was an expert on NYC restaurants but never went to any of them! Your fan, Shereebee
Jun 17, 2009 at 7:01 AM One of the core experiences of good food is all the ceremony around it, what leads us to anticipate and then to keep reliving great meals (however we define that term) and makes them far more than mere sustenance. That includes the ceremony of our modern hunting, gathering, and preparing. Finding and navigating restaurants, appreciating food with "virtual eating," is certainly a lot of that today, and I like your phrase. You really do provide some good tips in so many areas for "virtual living" -- and I not only like them, but when I'm smart I use them in my real world, too! I am printing out your blog so I keep the eating tips in mind for when I am in NY! -Mark
Jun 17, 2009 at 10:08 AM Brilliant.
Jun 17, 2009 at 11:27 AM Glad you are talking about my favorite subjects--food and restaurants (other than my family). Please keep the suggestions coming.--Linda
Jun 17, 2009 at 11:36 AM Thanks for the restaurant tips. I think Steven Shaw is a dining genious, so I defintely will be stopping by all of his frugal picks.
Jun 18, 2009 at 12:00 AM Margie, you're making me miss New York!
Jun 18, 2009 at 6:08 AM great start to your blog! looking forward to more...
Jun 18, 2009 at 6:49 AM Well, Margie, you got me with the best Sichuan in town.I can hear those chopsticks clicking...
Glad to see you are taking on blogging - and I look forward to reading more! --Sheryl
Jun 19, 2009 at 1:59 AM HI, Margie...all this talk about wonderful food !!
We are at our home on Lake Como in Northern Italy with great food all around us.
If any of your blogger family is travelling our way, we'd be happy to pass along some restaurant/sites for them to visit...HI to the BOARDROOOM gang....best, Ken and Daria Dolan
Jun 19, 2009 at 5:00 AM These blogging interconnections can be fun. By serendipity, two good friends who are art-loving foodies are now traveling in Verona, so I can take up Ken and Daria on their offer! -Mark
Jun 20, 2009 at 4:53 AM Mark...Verona is absolutely beautiful at night...lots of outdoor cafes/bistros.
We went to the opera there and saw Romeo and Juliet's balcony !!
...hard to find bad food !! best k. and d.
Nov 25, 2009 at 10:08 PM This is a cool screen idea ! It is very interesting indeed.Thank you for your info.i love to read all info.
Nov 27, 2009 at 5:31 AM I needed this info thanks mate
Regards