We are going to NYC during the last week of August for the US Open at Flushing Meadows and will be meeting up with 4 other couples from Canada, England and Scotland. We're all staying at a B&B at 81st and Columbus.

Daytimes are occupied, but we need some restaurant suggestions for dinner. We prefer to eat on the Upper West side because we'd rather be walking home after a good meal than taking a cab. The only restaurant I know of in the area is called Louiza's (sp?) at 81st & Amsterdam - it's Portugese and serves wonderfully hearty ethnic food accompanied by a great selection of Portugese wine.

Does anyone have any other favourites they'd care to share with us?

I've heard a lot of good things about Nice Matin. We haven't been there yet, but plan to.

As I posted on WS, I've heard a few raves about Picholine, but I missed my opportunity to go last time I was in town.

a

Have heard good things about Tom Valenti's Ouest and also about Aix, although I have never been to either. Have not been to Luzia's in years, although I also really enjoyed it when we went there.

I was underwhelmed when I went to Aix last year. Nice space but food needed a little work imo.

I would obviously defer to Jones on Aix as he has actually been there, as opposed to walking by and seeing that it looked nice, had a nice menu and hearing some second hand reports.

The kitchen could have been having a bad day - it happens. It is a very attractive space that is for sure.

Fair enough. When passing, I noticed that it certainly looked a lot nicer than the UWS restaurants that were around when we lived in NYC from '94-'99, and the UWS was a culinary wasteland apart from Picholine and Cafe Des Artistes.

I found Cafe Des Artistes to be not worth the money & over rated. I would not recommend it myself.

A bad day in the kitchen is one thing. But, we were there with another couple. The meat(s) that they server to us that day was not of the best quality. For $32.00 or so per dish, I can live with a little over cooked or under or something like that... But, the meat itself was not worth the money. They could have bought better quality meat if they charge $30.00+/per.

The dinner (with 1 bottle of wine) costs us about $200.00. No way, I say...

Is it still even open? I was not suggesting it, and have heard from numerous sources that it was over-rated and over-priced, but rather was referring to the fact that there used to be almost no serious restaurants on the West Side.

I suggest going to La Grolla on Amsterdam between 79th and 80th. Very good Italian food that won't break the bank. Good wine list, but if you mention Freud to Dan, the owner, I bet you get corkage waived. Check out thisAMAZING OFFLINE we had there.

jb

I read the comments about your off-line at La Grolla - sounds like a great evening! And since there are several in our group who are quite partial to Ilalian food, I will make a point of steering us there.

Your comment about "corkage" intrigues me - Is BYOB legal in NYC restaurants, or is it something you can get away with if you know the owner? You may have read (here or on the WS board) about the goverment of Ontario dangling a proposal to legalise BYOB here. I'm all for it.

BYOB is legal. Most restaurants will charge corkage of usually $15-25 per bottle. It is at the discretion of the restaurant though. Make sure you let whoever you decide to dine with know of your intention to bring your own wines.

jb

we used to enjoy, I have not been back for some time
Calle Ocho $45
West 80s
446 Columbus Ave. (bet. 81st & 82nd Sts.) New York, NY, 10024 (212) 873-5025
South American Fusion

We're finally going to Nice Matin this weekend. I've heard and read great things about the place. Corkage is $25.

My wife and I have each eaten at restaurant AIX on separate occasions (me for work and her with a friend) and we both do recommend it. I would look into restaurants outside of the area though as for a $5 cab ride you could get much better choices in other parts of Manhattan.

We dine in Manhattan at least twice a month and have visited restaurants all over the city.