Dining with Docdekay and Assassin

assassin · Jun 23, 2003

This is just a convenient thread for Docdekay and myself, as he is attempting to school me in the finer points and unearthed treasures of NYC dining. You are welcome to view and comment on his suggestions, or laugh at my attempts.

Assassin Query 11: Lunch with Japanese client in Midtown, reasoble price.

Docdekay Suggestion: Sushi Yasuda, 204 E 43rd St.

Made reservations for 1:20 today. Client was very impressed with the establishment. I was correct, there is no name, just a picture of a fish. We got the sushi/sashimi special. 3 types of sashimi, thinly sliced (tuna, whitefish, and a diiferent whitefish). I had eel roll, and 4 pieces of sushi (tuna, baby scallop, eel, white tuna) and an order of japaese sea urching (doc suggestion), while he had shrimp, orange clam, tuna, squid, and the salmon roll. Came with a small salad/ginger dressing. Served with green tea and a different dark tea for clensing the palate after the meal. Sushi pieces were small but excuisite. Client had a great time, and was impressed that I tried the Sea Urchin. We may return on Thursday for our exit meeting. No drinks (can't order if he doesn't), total including tip $50.

Grades: Quality A+, Value A, Ambience/Atmosphere A+, met target goals A+.

Thanks Doc.

Any suggestions for Thursday? He is checking what kind of food the GM likes.

LogansRun · Jun 23, 2003

Don't know my Japanese business etiquette (would really hate to make a boo-boo and lose face) but does it have to be another Japanese restaurant?

assassin · Jun 23, 2003

No. The GM is American which throws a kink into it. Will find out tomorrow his preference. All suggestions welcome. If it sounds interesting, may go there myself or with colleges for dinner.
Dining on the company's (clients) money is fun.

docdekay · Jun 23, 2003

Assasin
I'm glad you gave them such high marks. How'd you like the sea urchin? If I could afford to eat that every living second of my life, I would. Custardy, sweet, and breezy all at the same time. What really impressed me about Yasuda is the depth of their selection. I remember having to choose between six different kinds of Spanish Mackerel. Now those are some decisions I would like to have to make day after day.

Let me know what kind of food he likes and I will point out a few recommendations. Let's hope its french and I send you off to Alain Ducasse.

assassin · Jun 23, 2003

First time I really liked sea urchin here in America. I had it in Japan and it was delicious. Little more work to do here in the office, then off to dinner, somewhere.

I just posted the info on Las Vegas, if you are interested.

Did you get in on the BHB "losers" contest?

assassin · Jun 23, 2003

Left work at 9pm and was tired.
Went to Chiam, Chinese resturant 160 E 48th (3rd and Lex) onthe way back to the hotel (also like S. Dynasty up the street).
Crispy shrimp balls appetizer, Grand Marnier shrimpt main course (they make it with carmelized walnuts, yummy), and fruit platter (pineapple was delicious, cantelope good, the melon sos o) for desert. Not bad for a $30 take-out.

Trying to get people together for Thai tomorrow or wednesday.

Any other interesting Chinse (don't say Mr. K's) in midtown?

lander · Jun 23, 2003

the only thing I fancy on those Japansee menus is Sake, Sake & MORE Sake

docdekay · Jun 23, 2003

Mr K's blah blah blah
Shun Lee blah blah

If you notice one constant when I recommend restaurants its that they showcase REGIONAL ingredients. I am too tired to really give you any extensive writeup (tomorrow buddy), but I have to recommend Grand Sichuan International on 9th avenue and 50th (I think). There are as many Grand Sichuan's as there are Original Rays. This place is a must. I know you are prolly looking for something on the east side, but the only thing I know thats even comparable on the east side is Wu Liang Ye on 86 b/w 3rd and lex.

This food is VERY OILY and LAYERED with HEAT. Most people cannot appreciate oily food, but in this case it is both deliberate and necessary. Oil (or fat) is a vehicle for flavor. Its practically the foundation of Sichuan cuisine.As much as I would like to go on, I'm beat. I will expound on this tomorrow. Its food for thought, tonight.

assassin · Jun 23, 2003

To quote my former asian non-sexual flirtation
"yeah, yeah, yeah"

Thanks again, chat tomorrow
gotta sleep myself soon

assassin · Jun 24, 2003

The GM is not a Japenese fan, but like more traditional Chinese. Needs to be close to 47th and Park.

My two thoughts were S. Dynasty and Chiam. The controller likes S. Dynasty.

MY team is having a group dinner tonight, tried to get them to go a little further out to you recomended thai and chinese, but they want to stay close to the Marriot, 48th and Lex. Big boss man like S. Dynasty, and we never have problems there for a party of 10.

Any recomendations for large parties, generally non-adventuresome poeple, in the area of the Marriot Eastside.

Thanks Doc

docdekay · Jun 24, 2003

People without adventurous palates shouldnt be eating IMO

Let me see what I can do. I never eat with large parties so I dont know how accomodating any of my recommendations will be. I'll ask around my office (we're on 55th/3rd).

assassin · Jun 24, 2003

Gotta go back to work, came to the hotel to log in. Will try to get to the office between 5 and 6, if possible to view you r response.

By the way, you mentioned your background. Only tried that style 1x, would certainly be interested in your recomendation for that type of food.

Chat later

docdekay · Jun 24, 2003

There are a couple of foodies in my office.

One likes Chiam and the other likes Chin Chin.
Chin Chin is on 49th b/w 2nd and 3rd. Again, I have not eaten in EITHER of these, so I really cannot comment. Nonetheless, I do trust both of them.

Chin Chin phone 212 888 4555
I am sure that both of these places are Cantonese and cater to business men (like the group you're going with). Judging by the area they are in, their food is likely be geared toward an American palate. I feel better walking into a restaurant (not haute) and being the minority. Good luck. Let me know how it goes.

I am off to lunch. There is a great Turkish place on 2nd b/w 54 and 55. Mousakka with harissa and a nice sour cherry drink. Cant wait.

I can tell your interest runs pretty deep gastronomically. Get tomorrows NYT and read the the dining section front to back. Most of what I know today can be owed to William Grimes, Ruth Reichl, Frank Prial, Mark Bittman, and Marrion Burros. When Ruth Reichl left to become editor for Gourmet, it was a sad sad day.

Journeyman · Jun 24, 2003

Doc, I caught two dozen smalls today....not enough for the creme of crab Journeyman specialty , but a nice opening day out of peak season catch.....I`m fried like a lobster too!

assassin · Jun 24, 2003

I've eaten at Chiam (had dinner there last night as a matter of fact).

Chin Chin sounds like the place for Thursday.

Large party this evening decided on S.Dynasty. 7 people, I ordered for the table, appetizers to main courses and desert. My boss picked up the tab, but I used my frequent dining card and racked up the points. Peking duck was delicious, and they added a new entry, mango shrimp. My boss won't let me order the crispy jellyfish anymore, he nearly threw up when I ate it once.

I will definitely try the Turkish restaurant when my friend Deb comes to town. She is very into eastern european cusine (not my strong suit).

Thanks for the continued guidance. No time to read the NYT. I have to finish a draft report by tomorrow afternoon for my client. Work is 90% complete, so I just need to gather my thoughts for the observations and recomendations for process improvement.

Halifax · Jun 24, 2003

assassin:

I'm just now reading about your place of residence ("anywhere I can find asian women").

Just to rub it in a little, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: my girlfriend is 29 and Korean

assassin · Jun 24, 2003

Cool shit. I'm married to a phillipino. From my experience, Korean women are good in bed, the only problem I have is that when they speak their own language it sounds "hard". I prefer a "softer" tone to listen to, especially when I don't understand what they are saying.

Asian women kick ass. Only dated 1 non-asian woman from 18 until 28 when I got married.

assassin · Jun 25, 2003

Collegue is in from Boston, she staying in Staten Island but is meeting another friend in Brooklyn.

Superfine, 126 front Street let you know

Lunch tomorrow is at chin chin (per docekdays suggestion) wit 2 clients

Possiblyheading to Japan. Can you say Rapongi?

docdekay · Jun 25, 2003

Let me know how the lunch goes. I haven't eaten there, so unfortunately, I have nothing to recommend. I just got back from Wondee Siam on 9th ave. 'Yum,' a type of Thai salad, with Tsing Ha is the possibly the most refreshing thing you can have on a muggy night like this. They typically come with ground chicken, grilled beef, duck, or seafood. Remember me telling you that the quintessential Thai meal achieves perfect harmony amongst spicy, sweet, sour and salty? Well, my seafood Yum accomplished just that. If you've never had Yum take every pre-conceived notion you have about the typical American salad and throw it out the window.

Let me know how Chin Chin goes -I'm curious to see how you'll like it. Good night and enjoy your lunch.

assassin · Jun 25, 2003

Don't recall ever having Yum. Love duck and seafood though.
Dinner tonight was an adventure, my buddy took us 3 wrong subways and we ended up walking a good 20 minutes. Dinner was nice (party of 4, appetizers mussels, grilled vegatble and cheese pizza, and grilled calamari). They recomended the steak, which was delicious medium rare. Shares 3 deserts, lemon tart, flurless chocolate cake (delicious), and ice cream sandwiches (ginger snap cookies with a real snap, homemade vanilla bean ice cream, and caremel suace). Nice to dine with others (the girls are real foodies like you so its nice to get together with them).

may or may not log in tomorrow, depending on the time.
Did you see the cutie pictures?