I really wanted to eat Chicken Pot Pie. So I Googled “Best Chicken Pot Pie NYC” and Serious Eats said it was at Penelope near Kips Bay.
So Sam and I went to eat it. It was pretty pricey at $18. You can buy a lot of Swanson for that price. But it was pretty good. Nice creamy filling.
There sure were a lot of Asians in this place.
Penelope – 159 Lexington Ave (btwn 30th & 29th St) New York, NY 10016
I’ve always heard how good Peter Luger’s burger was. Only thing though is that it’s only served during lunch, which is hard to get to if you work in the city. Also knowing how rare it is that I’d be going to Peter Luger, why not just get the steak? Well, Todd and I took a chance during a snow day and it really did suck trying to get there. Although the bus stop was right across the street from me and the ride ends right near the restaurant, I stepped in a big slush puddle and got totally splashed by car. I guess that’s why we have snow days. Anyway, it made it easy to get a table that day. I think you usually need a reservation.
We both got the Burger $11.95 with cheese ($1.50 extra). Fries and bacon are extra. It was a decent burger, but I was pretty much disappointed …I think from the high expectations I had for it. The Cheeseburger from The Grand I had twice recently is so much better. Anyway, it’s not really that bad. But if you get a chance to go to Peter Luger, yeah, share a big steak. It’s a lot more expensive, but worth it.
I just now noticed that the restaurant is called Peter Luger. I feel like everyone calls it Peter Lugers or Peter Luger’s. Even Johnny Carson called it Peter Lugers.
Peter Luger – 178 Broadway (btw Driggs and Roebling) Brooklyn, NY 11211
Sam and I were trying to get chicken pot pies, but the restaurant we tried to go to was packed. Everyone wanted pot pies. So we ended up walking into Chez Le Chef, a French restaurant in Murray Hill.
It was definitely interesting. We didn’t know where to go and didn’t see anyone, so we walked upstairs to the dining area. Then we heard a voice asking us how many we were and then told us to sit at a specific numbered table. There were a lot of fake flowers and some cakes in the corner. It felt like we were in some old lady’s apartment, peeking into the back room. Then out of no where, walks in Chef Federic, who has this awesome white mutton chop and mustache, dressed in full on French chef outfit and tall hat. I was like “whoa… holy shit.”
We got the Prix Fixe Lunch special $15.95. 3 courses served in 25 minutes! I’m not sure why they stress the time. I’m not sure if that means it’s quick or hey, you’re going to be here for a while.
There was a Japanese menu on the table. I wonder how often they get Japanese people. I tried to get Sam to order from it.
I got the Pumpking Ginger soup. Pretty good. Sam got the Mixed Greens salad which looked good.
Sam got the breaded flounder fish and I got the Hungarian Goulash (special of the day). Pretty decent.
The desert plate looked really good. I nibbled on it.
I kept thinking the whole time that I want to go up to Chef Federic and say, “Chez Le Chef, you outdid yourself once again!” I feel like his look and appearance was just asking for it.
Chez Le Chef is really an interesting experience if you like that type of stuff. I don’t know if this ironic food blogging. I don’t know anymore.
Chez Le Chef – 127 Lexington Ave Apt 2 (between E 29th and 28th St) New York, NY 10016
I was wandering around for Christmas Eve and so many places were closed. I ended up at Dar 525 on Grand. They had a TV playing soccer and it was quite empty …but everywhere was empty.
I got the Kafta Kebab lunch special (ground lamb kebabs with Pita Bread, Green Salad, Rice, Humus And Babaghanouj $8). It was plenty of food and really good.
Dar 525 – 525 Grand St (btwn Union Ave & Lorimer St) Brooklyn, NY 11211
Mother’s has a good lunch special. Todd been telling me about it, because it seems like he has it three times a week. It’s a Pat LaFrieda burger or veggie burger with fries (regular or sweet potato) or salad and half pint of beer (which is small if you were wondering). But all this makes for a really good deal for $10. The burger alone any other time is $9 …and that doesn’t come with fries.
It’s tasty food. The burger is good. I really like the sweet potato fries and the spicy mayo sauce. It’s a good lunch special –served noon to 5pm everyday.
Mother’s – 347 Graham Ave (btwn Conselyea & Metropolitan) Brooklyn 11211
I finally tried the Prime Rib Hash ($18.50) from Keen’s Steakhouse in the Pub/bar area. It was good! I love potatoes and meat all smooshed together and crisped up. However, I expected the Prime Rib to be more rare, like when you usually get Prime Rib …pink looking meat. The meat was cooked all the way brown. I feel like I would like it more if it was more rare. But they do give plenty of meat through it.
Keen’s Steakhouse – 72 W 36th St (between 5th & 6th Ave) New York, NY 10018
Pollos USA has big plates of food for pretty cheap. $10 or $13 plates. They mostly all include meat, rice, beans and an egg. I got the #9 $10 plate (Carne Asada) –steak with chicharrón and plantains. It’s not bad for the price. A lot better than I expected. I love the Picante green hot sauce. It’s similar to Sophie’s green sauce. Dine-in and you can have as much green sauce as you want!
Pollos USA – 108 Graham Ave (between Mckibbin & Seigel St) Brooklyn, NY 11206
I walked by B&D Restaurant one night and thought it was B&B Restaurant. I was like, how did they change the size of this place? Then I realized I was on a different street …29th Street. B&B is on 26th Street. But it’s between the same avenues. And they look the same. And have the same type of food. And have almost the same name. Weird.
I went there with Sam for lunch. Same deal. $5.99/pound. And just like the other place, they’ll round down and just say it’s $5.
B&D Restaurant – 163B West 29th Street (between 7th and 6th Ave) New York 10001
