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This is another one of those Upper East Side adventures restaurants. I went there with coworkers for a nice lunch. Who doesn't love Mexican food!?
The food was just a little bland. We all left feeling like it was only "ok" and not sure that we'd go back, which is really unfortunate because I love Mexican.
6.05.2011
Tre Otto - Italian - $$$
Website
I've recently been exploring a lot of the restaurants on the Upper East Side, now that I have a project in the area. I have to admit that this one probably has the nicest ambiance and was most alluring from the sidewalk. It has a nice wine bar in the front, and a very elegant, modern decor. I had been saving this one for a client lunch.
So we finally went and sat in the back garden area. Super nice and serene, it was wonderful to find a place with al fresco dining. Italian food, al fresco dining, they go hand in hand. The place was filled with many old, Upper East Siders, most of whom were ladies who lunch. Their faces were all so botoxed and so made up, I wondered how they would even manage to open their mouths to eat.
Anyway, the service was really poor. It took about 10 minutes to get some water. 15 minutes to get bread that I had to ask for. And then another 5 for our iced teas. I kept hearing the table next to us ask for the woman's personal pizza about 5 times--- they were there for an hour and 20 minutes, and finally left WITHOUT getting her pizza. At that point, I was cringing and hoping that this wouldn't be the same for my client lunch.
We ordered the calamari for our appetizer and then decided to share the parmigiana pizza. After about 30 minutes, we got both the calamari AND the pizza at the same time. I hate when you get the appetizer with the entree, i mean, what is the point of ordered the appetizer then?? The calamari was so dry that we left it untouched, it was definitely not fresh. The pizza was actually very good, but very messy. It was the kind of pizza that just falls apart, so you must eat it with a fork and a spoon- nothing tragic.
Finally, after we paid and left- we walked past the kitchen in a narrow hallway to exit, and I saw one of the waiters eating our 2 leftover slices of pizza. It just grossed me out. I mean, there he was, in the middle of the hallway, not hidden or tucked away in the kitchen, and he was eating our pizza off the tray that it was served to us on. I'm all about not wasting food, and keeping leftovers, but the sight of it happening before we were even able to leave the restaurant just made me feel uncomfortable. I felt bad for the Owner, because it really appeared that there was no order in her kitchen.
I think I might give this place another chance, but when it's less busy and less crowded. It just gets an "ehh" for now.
I've recently been exploring a lot of the restaurants on the Upper East Side, now that I have a project in the area. I have to admit that this one probably has the nicest ambiance and was most alluring from the sidewalk. It has a nice wine bar in the front, and a very elegant, modern decor. I had been saving this one for a client lunch.
So we finally went and sat in the back garden area. Super nice and serene, it was wonderful to find a place with al fresco dining. Italian food, al fresco dining, they go hand in hand. The place was filled with many old, Upper East Siders, most of whom were ladies who lunch. Their faces were all so botoxed and so made up, I wondered how they would even manage to open their mouths to eat.
Anyway, the service was really poor. It took about 10 minutes to get some water. 15 minutes to get bread that I had to ask for. And then another 5 for our iced teas. I kept hearing the table next to us ask for the woman's personal pizza about 5 times--- they were there for an hour and 20 minutes, and finally left WITHOUT getting her pizza. At that point, I was cringing and hoping that this wouldn't be the same for my client lunch.
We ordered the calamari for our appetizer and then decided to share the parmigiana pizza. After about 30 minutes, we got both the calamari AND the pizza at the same time. I hate when you get the appetizer with the entree, i mean, what is the point of ordered the appetizer then?? The calamari was so dry that we left it untouched, it was definitely not fresh. The pizza was actually very good, but very messy. It was the kind of pizza that just falls apart, so you must eat it with a fork and a spoon- nothing tragic.
Finally, after we paid and left- we walked past the kitchen in a narrow hallway to exit, and I saw one of the waiters eating our 2 leftover slices of pizza. It just grossed me out. I mean, there he was, in the middle of the hallway, not hidden or tucked away in the kitchen, and he was eating our pizza off the tray that it was served to us on. I'm all about not wasting food, and keeping leftovers, but the sight of it happening before we were even able to leave the restaurant just made me feel uncomfortable. I felt bad for the Owner, because it really appeared that there was no order in her kitchen.
I think I might give this place another chance, but when it's less busy and less crowded. It just gets an "ehh" for now.
Nyonya - Malaysian - $$
Website
Nyonya has been a long-time favorite place to bring friends when visiting from out of town. This place has amazing food, tons of character, and great prices. It's ironically located in the middle of Little Italy, right next to Ferrara's. It's always funny to tell people that you're going to Little Italy for Malaysian food, but hey.
When I recently went back, I stood on Grand St., whining like a spoiled teenager that my favorite restaurant got shut down..."how could they do this to me? it was one of my favorite places, I should have gotten a warning!...waaaa" is sort-of how it went... but then, i swear it was like harps were playing in the background when I turned to see that the restaurant had only opened a new, better location across the street. Phew!
This place is always worth trying, and is a nice change from the typical asian (thai, chinese, japanese) selection.
- Roti
(this thin, flaky bread that you dip in a curry sauce. you pretty much have to get this as your appetizer)
- Chicken Satay
(delicious juicy chicken on skewers, served with a peanut dipping sauce, sooo good)
- Spicy Crispy Squid
(exactly how it's described. I don't know that I'd order this again, but it was definitely worth trying)
- Pineapple Fried Rice
(just the right amount of sweet and spicy, always good)
- Can't remember what this was, but it was good!
I think in the end, between 3 of us, we paid about $20 each.
Nyonya has been a long-time favorite place to bring friends when visiting from out of town. This place has amazing food, tons of character, and great prices. It's ironically located in the middle of Little Italy, right next to Ferrara's. It's always funny to tell people that you're going to Little Italy for Malaysian food, but hey.
When I recently went back, I stood on Grand St., whining like a spoiled teenager that my favorite restaurant got shut down..."how could they do this to me? it was one of my favorite places, I should have gotten a warning!...waaaa" is sort-of how it went... but then, i swear it was like harps were playing in the background when I turned to see that the restaurant had only opened a new, better location across the street. Phew!
This place is always worth trying, and is a nice change from the typical asian (thai, chinese, japanese) selection.
- Roti
(this thin, flaky bread that you dip in a curry sauce. you pretty much have to get this as your appetizer)
- Chicken Satay
(delicious juicy chicken on skewers, served with a peanut dipping sauce, sooo good)
- Spicy Crispy Squid
(exactly how it's described. I don't know that I'd order this again, but it was definitely worth trying)
- Pineapple Fried Rice
(just the right amount of sweet and spicy, always good)
- Can't remember what this was, but it was good!
I think in the end, between 3 of us, we paid about $20 each.
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