Looking for any Traveler/Foodies (though I rather hate that term) in the NYC area who might be interested in forming a small group to try some more ethnic cuisines throughout the city and boroughs. Let me know.
Question
Posted on Dec 02, 2010
40 Answers
If anyone's interested in Turkish food, "Akdeniz" is absolutely exceptional. Here's the webpage:
http://www.akdenizturkishusa.com/
I highly recommend it; definately my favorite restaurant in NYC!
Posted Dec 02, 2010
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AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
Hi Kirk. Please count me in. I'm sure I could round up some friends as well. I think this is a great idea! I keep telling myself to hit some ethnic restaurant - for God's sake I live in NYC -but yet I end up in Italian and American restaurants. So yes, I'm totally in.
Posted Dec 02, 2010
Add a commentLooks like we've got a great group. I'll compile the names of folks interested and update it here. And we'll shoot to plan our first outing after the holidays. Looking forward to sharing a meal, meeting some great travelers and sampling some great food!
Posted on Dec 05, 2010
Sounds interesting . . . Keep me posted.
Posted on Dec 31, 2010
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
Ooh, I would love to be part of this! Speaking of ethnic cuisine, do you know if we have any Tibetan places in NYC? I was just in Toronto and was so impressed with the food scene including Tibetan so I've been wondering..
Why do you dislike the term foodie, by the way?
Posted Dec 02, 2010
Add a commentI don't know any Tibetan, but will check around.
As for Foodie, it seems to have taken on an air of snobbery (at least in the NYC food scene) and not the exploration and enjoyment of local cuisine. Maybe I'm too cynical. I just like food. A lot. Ha.
Posted on Dec 02, 2010
Ryna I believe there is a tibetan place near st. marks - maybe 9th or so? I believe it is called Tsampa.
Posted on Dec 02, 2010
Thanks, I'll check out Tsampa.
Posted on Dec 13, 2010
there's lots of himalayan food in queens! i like lali guras and thakali kitchen in jackson heights.
Posted on Dec 15, 2010
Tsampa's not that good and it's freaking expensive! It's traditional Tibetan but it's not seasoned very well and it's so bland compared to proper Tibetan food. You should head out to Jackson Heights! The Yak is pretty good. I attached the address. Don't go to Shangrala on Roosevelt, they are not so sanitary...
These directions are going to sound strange but here goes...
You can't see it on the google maps, the stairs to the subway are in the way, but there is an Indian / Nepali place right around 69 74th st., Jackson Heights, queens. This place has pretty good momos - tibetan dumplings (there's one place that has better momos, but it's a street car and I've only ever seen it late at night outside this one Irish bar that all my Tibetan friends frequent). You have to order the momos from the Nepali place in the back of the restaurant.... The sweet chai in the Indian side of the shop is also really good. It cost a dollar and is REALLY HOT. I always burn myself...
This one is going to sound even stranger... There's a cell phone shop down 74th street a bit, I think it's the AT&T (Google maps says it's right next to this place). It will be on the left hand side when you're walking away from 7 train in the direction of Patel Brother's. If you walk into the cell phone shop and straight back, there's a Hindi / Tibetan music video shop and also a little restaurant. This place is really good! You can get Tibetan Tea there, it's called Bhoe Jha, but to warn you - it's salty... And, one of my favorite dishes is called Laphing, LAPHING IS TOTALLY NOT NORMAL TO WESTERN TASTE... There's something similar in Korea, it's kind of a jello textured substance in broth with a big scoop of Tibetan chile on top. Momos from the Nepali place and Laphing together are rad but people may look as you a little strange...
If you feel like taking some Tibetan chile home with you, you can also buy some from the cell phone shop. I think it's about $4 but they may charge you more if you're a westerner... ;)
Happy hunting and good luck!
Posted on Dec 16, 2010
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
I'd love to join you. I always visit places, then crave the food I try there, yet never get around to trying the places in New York that serve it. Think there's a place we can get Brazilian moqueca?
Posted Dec 02, 2010
Add a commentLooks like we need to check out this place...
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/neighborhood_eats&id=7260104
Posted on Dec 05, 2010
Yum! Let me know when you get this going.
Posted on Dec 05, 2010
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
Sounds like fun! Wish I was in New York! My parents are coming down to Phoenix from Missoula for the holidays. I just sent them a list of different ethnic restaurants in case they want to eat something they can't get in Missoula while they are here.
Posted Dec 02, 2010
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AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
What a great idea! We should start one in San Francisco. Meet-up once a month.
Liz - how about Phoenix?
Posted Dec 02, 2010
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Kirk, I used to live in NY and spent a lot of time exploring the outer boroughs for food. There is one book that I would highly recommend to you and your group: The Chowhound's Guide to the NY Tristate Area. It was basically my Bible for jaunts to Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn.
http://www.amazon.com/Chowhounds-Guide-York-Tristate-Area/dp/0143034405
Posted Dec 03, 2010
Add a commentLove Chowhound. Will add this.
Posted on Dec 05, 2010
I'm traveling to New York next week, kind of a last minute trip. Could any of you guys tell me your favorite foreign restaurant? I need some foreign food! Thanks!
Posted Dec 03, 2010
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I like Victor's Cafe for authentic Cuban cuisine.
Posted on Dec 04, 2010
Pylos - a wonderful Greek restaurant in the East Village - 7th St between 1st and A.
Actually, just about every restaurant on that street is fabulous and ethnic. The arepas at Caracas are amazing!!
Posted on Dec 05, 2010
I added a map for Caracas on 7th.
Posted on Dec 05, 2010
Italian - Peasant on Mulberry
Greek/Mediterranean - I'll second Pylos on 7th or ilili on 5th
Pub Food - The Breslin or The Spotted Pig
Japanese/Sushi - Saka Gura, Sushi Gari, or Sushi Yasuda
Latin - Rayuela in the LES
Thai - Land on the UWS and UES
Mexican - La Palapa
Indian - Tamarind in Gramercy
So many great places, these are but a few. The most "authentic" though are in Queens. There you can find virtually any cuisine in the world. They even have an authentic Paraguayan restaurant and it's the only one I could find in all five boroughs.
Posted on Dec 05, 2010
As for 7th Street, it's indeed a little food heaven. Check out Porchetta across the street. Super authentic Roman pork sandwiches. Chef's name is Sara Jenkins, she just opened a small restaurant up the street called Porsena (named after where she grew up outside of Rome). Great simple Italian food. You HAVE to get her lasagna. It's amazing.
Posted on Dec 05, 2010
kirk, i've heard about porsena...been dying to go there! i also love Ilili -just got back from lebanon this summer and it's awesome!!
i would add to your list betsy, Il Bagato on 2nd ave...you know an italian restaurant is authentic when they refuse to serve cheese on any fish pasta.. i also really like del'anima Market Table is good for just american cuisine. for pizza i like Motorino...pretty close to real pizza in italy, and for sushi I agree Sushi of Gari on upper east side. also there is a little gem called B cafe...it's belgian food....good beer too. it's on the UES too, but i think they just opened one on UWS.
good luck!
Posted on Dec 07, 2010
oh and also Num Pang is another little hidden gem in union square area...12th street i think....cambodian sandwiches....amazing. but really just a take out or lunch type of place...there's not great seating but you have to go!!
Posted on Dec 07, 2010
i was with Ashley when she went to ilili (http://www.ililinyc.com/) and can second her recommendation. it's fantastic!
Posted on Dec 08, 2010
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
Count me in. I love checking out the multitude of restaurants in this city. I'm moving to Brooklyn so ventures into the outer boroughs would also be a great idea.
If you need help putting this together, let me know. I'm willing to help out.
Posted Dec 06, 2010
Add a commentAFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
i am totally down! would be super fun...lemme know if you need help organizing!! i did a 'supper club' with my friends once...we all traded off picking the restaurants. we could visit a different 'country' each month.
Posted Dec 06, 2010
Add a commentAFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
I'd love to do this! I'm always looking for new places to try and cuisines to sample!
Posted Dec 07, 2010
Add a commentAFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
I eat out a lot and would love to join! My only question is: How do we define "ethnic food"? What might be "ethnic" to you might not be "ethnic" to someone else.
Posted Dec 09, 2010
Add a commentPerhaps "ethnic" isn't the proper term though I define ethnic in the most liberal sense. I simply mean I enjoy all styles, variaties, and approaches to cuisine. You can tell a lot about a place's culture through its food.
For me it can be as simple as an Italian restaurant that focus on Emilia-Romagna cuisine or a street truck featuring traditional foods from the Balkans of even a little Paraguayan restaurant I found in Queens. It doesn't matter really. I simply want to share good food with good people and have a great time doing so. And also hopefully learn a little about that regions cuisine and how it came to be and any significance it might have.
Posted on Dec 10, 2010
I agree that food is an important component of enjoying and learning about a different culture. It always bothers me whenever I meet someone who's afraid to try something outside of their comfort zone.
As for my last question, I just find the term "ethnic foods" to be very politically incorrect. It comes with my field of study and line of work. Let me know where that truck featuring food from the Balkans is parked. I miss qyfta!
Posted on Dec 10, 2010
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
Hi Melissa, I think you are here next week but just wanted to let you know that AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can sign to the meetup group for future events here.
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
apologies for the delayed reaction - please keep me posted on the NY food/dining group
Posted Dec 13, 2010
Add a commentAFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
"Gastronomies" is the term I use! And you can add to that exotic, eclectic, etc. :) Kirk, your group idea is great! Please make one of the gastronomy ventures at Toloache where you must try grasshopper tacos.
Posted Dec 14, 2010
Add a commentI suggest you check out this website: http://iwantmorefood.com/
Jeff is a Queens guy always organizing events just like this--particularly via his "ambassadors" program, in which someone knowledgeable about a particular culture's cuisine "leads" a dinner at a local restaurant serving that food. I'm on his email list but haven't been able to make any of those dinners yet. They sound great though.
Posted Dec 15, 2010
Add a commentAFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
I'm in. Sounds great. I've been in NY just over a year (came from EU), so looking forward to discovering more culinary venues in the city amongst fellow travelers!
Posted Dec 18, 2010
Add a commentCool.
Posted on Dec 27, 2010
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
Man I'm jealous! I wish I lived close enough to NYC to join! Maybe I should start my own!
Posted Dec 19, 2010
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Happy to join. Let me know when and where. The big question is what ethnicity are we talking about?
Posted Dec 20, 2010
Add a commentWill do. We'll be starting in January.
Posted on Dec 27, 2010
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
No yet, we'll be starting in January. Will def let you know.
Posted on Dec 27, 2010
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
Hi Kirk,
Count me in too! Do you all have a location for the month of January yet?
Posted Jan 02, 2011
Add a commentAFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
unds good. you may want to set it up on Meetup.com which also has many other groups that do everything from Brunch, coffee, bars networking and wine and cheese events.
Let me know when you do I'll gladly join.
K
Posted Jan 03, 2011
Add a commentCool. I was thinking of setting it up on MeetUp. Stinks we have to go somewhere else to do it, but if it's an on-going thing it's probably the best way to do it.
Posted on Jan 03, 2011
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
Will do.
Posted on Jan 05, 2011
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
Hey Kirk, I saw your other Q/A thread for the NYC supper club update saying you could not update with most recent info on meet up. You should be able to go to the end of the this thread and either "answer" your own question or reply to anyone in the thread and the response will automatically go to everyone associated with this thread. Probably the best way to communicate to the entire group about Supper Club updates. Cheers, Dan
Posted Jan 04, 2011
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So Dan is that true on the reply on the thread that everyone gets the message? I added that as a fix since it did not seem there was a way to communicate with everyone on the thread at once. For example, I asked a question and was given misinformation. not on purpose, but that's what happened and I wanted to alert everyone of the correct information. There definitely needs to be better options with the thread communication, but thanks for the info.
-Diana
Posted on Jan 04, 2011
I will reply to the last message here then. Though I'm not sure everyone will see it.
Posted on Jan 05, 2011
AFAR Connect meetup in NY is now scheduled for 1.26 at 7pm. You can RSVP and sign up here. Have fun!!
Posted on Jan 19, 2011
Hi Kirk and everyone,
I opened a meetup group to help you get organize with the NY food adventures group :-)
http://www.meetup.com/AFAR-Connect/
Please join the meetup group and good luck!
let me know if I can assist.
Cheers,
Moran
Posted Jan 07, 2011
Add a commentHi folks.
Moran was kind enough to set up a MeetUp group for us. Want to plan the first dinner. Looks like Thai and Kin Shop. Place is small and hard to get in, so this will most likely have to be a small group to start, which is probably a good thing.
I'll be honest, I tried to say on top of everyone who is interested, but this thing kind of got splintered along the way and I find following things/threads/answers on AFAR is really hard and convoluted. At least for me. Sorry.
I do know you will need to sign up on MeetUp. Please join http://www.meetup.com/AFAR-Connect/ that Moran was kind enough to set up. I think it's a general AFAR MeetUp so don't be confused by the title.
I can't actually create the dinner events on MeetUp, so I'm not sure the next step. I'll suggest an idea there and then hopefully we can get it scheduled for a day that's good for most folks. Wow, this is complicated. Sorry. Just wanted to share some great food with fellow travelers. Still looking forward to it. We'll make it happen. Ha.
Posted on Jan 13, 2011
What a great time last night! Thanks to the intrepid ladies who showed up. Couldn't have asked for a better kick off. Know this is going to be a great time. Already excited for next month and the hand pulled Chinese noodles down in Chinatown!
Even snagged an AFAR poster. Woo-hoo! Thanks again for that. Very kind. Food and Travel for the win!
Posted on Jan 27, 2011
i heard! So great!!
can't wait to hear about your adventures next month...!
You can suggest the date and place when you have time on the meetup group and I will make it a meetup.
Yeay! Glad you had fun and thanks for the photo!
Posted on Jan 27, 2011
Sorry I missed this one. Keep us posted on next month's. Hand-pulled noodles sound great!
Posted on Jan 28, 2011
Hi Ryna,
I saw that you joined the meetup group so you'll get a notification about the new meetup there.
Thank you!
Posted on Jan 28, 2011
Kirk - Terrific that you've started all of this for the New York crew. Look forward to meeting you and the others who are creating the AFAR movement here. Love to join the group for an upcoming dinner. -Phil
Posted on Feb 05, 2011
Was such a great time! Great people, great food. I am already looking forward to our next New York AFAR Supper Club, though I am also very jealous of the San Fran Supper Club -it sounds like you all are going to have a blast too!
Posted on Feb 11, 2011
I'm quite a late-comer to this discussion but if you still meet, I'd love to be included now that I am in NYC more than ever.
Posted Jul 24, 2012
Add a commentIs the AFAR meetup group still the best way to stay on top of things?
Posted on Jul 24, 2012
