SIT DOWN * EAT * AND SHUT UP and other New York City, NY Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: La Mela

There are very few times when eating out has been an honest culinary delight for me... Dining at La Mela was one of those times. If you want authentic NYC Italian cuisine you need to visit La Mela in Little Italy. The food is out of this world (and my grandmother is Italian, so I know a little bit about the difference between good italian and spaghetti o's).

Not only is the food wonderful, but the dress code is right up my alley: Come As You Are. When the restaurant's motto is "Sit Down, Eat, and Shut up" - you know you're in the right place.

Favorite Dish: Although I've only been there once, I'm going to have to push the 'Family Style Menu'. The platters of food keep coming and everyone at the table shares the dish. One price for everyone ($32 a head for just food, $58 a head for food and unlimited wine and beer), no decisions to make, and 5 courses of some of the best Italian food I've ever tasted.

They kick it off with a basket of real Italian bread, WITH A REAL CRUST. This is very important. :-)

Note: A bottle of wine will be open on your table without you having asked for it. If you choose the $32 per person meal, you will pay for this wine by the glass, so if you are on a budget just order a water and leave the wine be. If money is no object (and you can drink your fair share) I would suggest getting the $58 per person option that come with all the wine you can drink.

Now the important part ~ THE FOOD. They start you off with a must have: Tomato and Mozzarella... and they don't skip on the portions either! Follow with some hot Antipasti: Cooked red peppers, asparagus, stuffed mushrooms, and some type of cheese stuffed pasta I couldn't identify except to know that it was delicious. The next course is of course... what else... the pasta. Rigatoni in red gravy, plain and spinach tortollini, and gnocci. And just when you think it would be a mortal sin to consume any more fabulous food, out come the meat platter. Shrimp marinara, Veal in lemon sauce and garlic chicken.

You sit back, loosen your belt and sigh the sigh of the gastronomically content....

.... Then they bring you the dessert. Is it fabulous? I'm still smiling.

For Photos of all the dishes mentioned here, please visit the La Mela website listed in this tip.

MANGIA & Enjoy!

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 212-431-9493
Address: 167 Mulberry Street, Little Italy, New York 10013
Website: http://www.lamelarestaurant.com/first.htm
Other Contact: info@LaMelaRestaurant.com

Restaurant Name: The Sunburnt Cow

One of only two Austrialian restaurants in all of Manhattan. Excellent food with a funky casual atmosphere. How excellent and how casual? I tasted one of the best steaks I've ever had at The Sunburnt Cow, and it was served to me on a paper plate. You've gotta love that.

Favorite Dish: Appetizer:
Grilled Veggie, Tomatoe, and Fresh Mozzerella

Dinner:
Wildfire Spiced Flatiron Beef Steak
with roasted garlic, goat cheese, tomatoe and croutons

Skewered Opal Valley Lamb on the Barbie
over grilled polenta and haricot verts

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 212-529-0005
Address: 137 Avenue C between 8th and 9th streets
Website: www.thesunburtcow.com

Restaurant Name: Serendipity

If you are the John Cusack fan that I am, then you are already familiar with this way cool eatery in NYC. The Serendipity Restaurant made history by being used as a location shot for the movie of the same name, Serendipity. I know the place was a hot spot before the movie came out, but now everyone knows about it so it can sometimes be difficult to even get in there. The wait is worth it though, so I certainly recommend going.

A word to the wise: If you are planning on going on a Friday or Saturday night be prepared for a wait of, at the very least, an hour or more. That's insane, right? But it will be fine if you do what I do, which is get there, put my name in, and have a few beers at this dive bar down the street. By the time you've had a few drinks it will be time to go back and ask if your name has been called.

Once you get in there you'll be happy you waited as you check out the funky, eclectic decor. Wild decorations give the whole place a Shabby Chic Cafe/Flea Market feel. Right up front by the hostess stand is a mini shop full of crazy little trinkets that have a total 'Serendipity' feel.

There are two floors for seating, but upstairs is where the scenes from the movie were filmed. My favorite seat is upstairs, a table right by the front window. That way you can look out on the street, and the people below that are waiting to get in.

This place isn't just all celebrity hype either. I think the food is great and rather reasonable for New York. The Seredipity staple however is a crazy dessert called the Frozen Hot Chocolate. And yes, it is both frozen and hot... don't ask me how they do it. This dessert is what Serendipity is known for and some people come here just to order dessert and nothing else.

Favorite Dish: Of course, the Frrrrrrozen Hot Chocolate! It's a must have at least on your first visit.

I've also ordered the Vegetarian Chilli which I really enjoyed.

Also on the menu could be a celebrity sighting, as many famous New Yorkers have been known to frequent this establishment - Keep you eyes Open!

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 212-838-3531
Address: 225 East 60th Street, New York, NY
Directions: Between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.
Website: http://www.serendipity3.com/

Restaurant Name: Carnegie Deli



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Theme: Deli
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: 854 7th Avenue (at 55th Street)
Directions: Midtown Manhattan/Theater District
Website: http://www.carnegiedeli.com