It’s been a while since I dedicated an entire newsletter to answering reader questions, which might lead you all to think that I don’t want them anymore. That is not the case at all!
So here’s a public service announcement: Please keep sending your pressing restaurant questions along. I read every single one, even if I can’t answer them all. Simply shoot an email to [email protected]. This week, I’m tackling seven questions from the “Where to Eat” inbox. Hopefully a few of them will spark joy or answer a question you didn’t know you even had.
Where to eat: French-style whole duck
For us old-timers who love the crisp roasted whole duck, French-style, with some sort of a delicious fruit-oriented sauce where should we look? I am a fan of Peking duck and many of the plentiful duck breasts available, but a really good roasted crispy, but juicy whole duck is hard to find. — Sandra J.
French-style roasted duck is such an old-school dining favorite that you have no choice but to get it at an old-school restaurant like Chez Napoleon on West 50th Street. Since 1960, the restaurant has specialized in classic French cooking, including roasted canard à l’orange with orange glaze and wild rice for $40. It’s a half duck, but no less delicious.
Where to eat: The best Caesar salad
Who makes the best, true, traditional (perhaps even table-side) Caesar salad in the city? — Bill S.
Let’s be honest: This being New York, the title is shared by more than one institution. For an old-school tableside version, try Pietro’s on East 43rd Street. If you like a classy kale Caesar, then drop by the Odeon downtown. My personal favorite is the bread crumb-dusted Caesar at the Fly in Bed-Stuy. Or you could take the advice of my friend Jill, who loves Caesar salads so much that she once had a Caesar-themed birthday party. Her favorite is at Bernie’s in Greenpoint.
Where to eat: On Arthur Avenue
Any suggestions for a special occasion spot on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx? — Gale C.
Easy peasy: You need to make a reservation at Mario’s of Arthur Avenue, the 105-year-old Neapolitan restaurant. This red-sauce spot touts itself as a “casual dining” restaurant, but tell that to the painted frescos and vaulted ceilings.
Where to eat: Great beans
After our apartment dinner parties happened to feature delicious bean dishes twice in a row, my friends and I officially branded the gatherings as “Bean Dinner Club.” We’re looking to take the show on the road and would love your recommendations on the best beans in the boroughs. — Joe W. (Captain Cannellini)
First, this is a wonderful concept. In your pursuit of great beans I’d try the Parmesan-braised beans at Ci Siamo. (Find the recipe here for your next club gathering.) In Brooklyn, there’s the butter beans at Ops, and the fava bean purée at Roman’s, which is the absolute best after trying many pale imitations. And when in Queens, go to Maharjaha Sweets for the puri cholay, a stew of chickpeas served on fried puri.
Where to eat: With a stroller
Best places to eat with a stroller? Miss going out but strollers are not always practical despite going to restaurants with outdoor seating. — Florencia M.
The aptly named Maman location in TriBeCa famously has stroller parking. I also reached out to confirm that all the locations of this French bakery chain are kid-friendly — they are — so you can rest easy knowing that you can walk right in. Also, breweries! Lala’s Brooklyn Apizza at Grimm Artisanal Ales has a spacious indoor and outdoor area that plays host to plenty of families on weekends. And my final piece of advice: If you go right at opening time, most restaurants are stroller-friendly. Don’t be afraid to kindly ask if they can store your stroller while you eat. You have as much of a right to dine out as anyone.
Where to eat: With a teen near Carnegie Hall
Any recommendations for dinner out near Carnegie Hall with a teen who prefers quieter restaurants while the parents prefer really good food? — Lauren F.
I cannot, will not stop recommending La Bonne Soupe. It is so unfussy and good and I hope it will be open forever. If you want a more varied menu, try the American restaurant Blue Dog on West 50th Street, which has the kind of foods teens will enjoy (fried mac and cheese balls) but with the quality ingredients an adult can rock with (charred octopus with chimichurri).
Where to eat: Frogs’ legs
Not sure what’s going on with La Grenouille, but we think it’s time to find a new place that serves delicious frog legs. We’ve looked around, but no luck so far. Hoping you can offer a suggestion. — Lucy G.
This reader sent this note when La Grenouille closed for a few months at the end of 2023, but it’s now reopened. That said, the building it occupies is up for sale, making its long-term future a bit unclear, so here’s an alternative: It’s not a French treatment, but I suggest going for the frogs’ legs at Nudibranch in the East Village, which are prepared with galangal, ginger and lemongrass. Yum!
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