Thursday, December 24, 2015

Christmas in NYC: Dining out

3 restaurants to (maybe) try


There are so many restaurants in New York it's impossible for me to unequivocally tout these three as the best, most worthwhile, or most convenient spots to dine — but I can only speak from experience. And these, each in their own way, certainly were an experience. 

#1 Alice's Tea Cup
Oh to be a little girl growing up in NYC and having mother-daughter dates to Alice's Tea Cup. If I day dream about it much longer my heart's gonna explode, so let me just say that this place is wonderful and magical and girly. We went to the location closest to Lincoln Center before seeing The Nutcracker. Could there be a more precious outing than tea and The New York City Ballet? Sorry not sorry!



My friends tell me that this location isn't even the most darling and whimsical of them all, and I still found it entirely charming. The three of us ordered the Mad Hatter for three, which was more than enough food and drink: a plate of scones (buttermilk for the win!), tea sandwiches, cookies, and dessert of your choice. I've died and gone to Wonderland heaven. 

#2 Rolf's German Restaurant
Experience. That's what this was — an experience. Do not go here for the food. We found it pretty bland and mediocre with a high price tag. Do not go here for the service — the one-eyed bouncer will threaten to call the cops to escort you out if you don't vacate your table in prompt-enough fashion. Yep, that really happened — and by "prompt-enough" I mean five minutes after paying the bill.



Do go here for the décor. It's like a Christmas bomb went off. If you want to eat at Rolf's, make a reservation. We made one a couple months in advance and it was slim pickings for available times. If you don't make a reservation, you can wait for over an hour in line, just to get a drink at the (very tiny) bar and immerse yourself in the ambiance. That's really all that's worth experiencing at Rolf's after all.

#3 Buttermilk Channel
Let's end on a high note! Luckily my friend and charming hostess, Rachel, lives near a Brooklyn hot spot: Buttermilk Channel. We got there before 10:30 for brunch (the place opens at 10) and were seated right away. Get there any later and you'll be waiting for a table.



The ambiance is cute and nice — not super swanky, but definitely not diner-y. The food was delicious. Rachel and I shared pecan pie French toast with a side of heavenly whipped cream, cheddar waffles, and hash browns. The French toast was caramelized and fluffy, the cheddar waffles hit the spot, and the hash browns were totally tasty (not bland). I would go back in a heartbeat! 

No comments:

Post a Comment