What makes a perfect first date spot? And more reader questions
Welcome back to Ask Becky, the highlight of my month, when I get to address your hyperspecific dining requests and, hopefully, deliver you hyperperfect solutions. I’m metamorphosing right now, shifting out of soup mode and into an ice cream and frozen drink mind-set. To bridge the gap, though, I’ve got three evergreen questions to address: where to find a no-notes, no-nonsense first date spot, preshow snacks near Madison Square Garden and, finally, a gluten-free pizza worth your time. Got questions for me? Send your questions over email to wheretoeat@nytimes.com or as submissions through this form.
Guacamole before the GardenWhere to dine pre-Harry Styles concert with two picky tweens, one with a sesame allergy? Would be great to be within 30 blocks of Madison Square Garden. Ideally noshes and nibbles so we’re concert-ready. — Danielle M. Greetings, fellow Stylers. I’ve got a fun one for you: Limusina is a cool six-minute walk from Madison Square Garden and strikes me as the kind of place tweens would like. In part because they flambé their queso fundido tableside, making sure to pause and ask if you’d like to take a video before it goes up in flames. On its face, the menu (which easily accommodates allergies — I triple checked) might not seem picky-eater-friendly, but any kid who likes tortillas and fried cheese will be happy here. The machetes, as they are known, are essentially foot-long quesadillas, which I imagine anyone can get behind: one is filled with stretchy, salty cheese, black truffles and a sweet layer of guava jam. The solteros, individually meted-out bites of nachos, are designed for perfect topping distribution on each chip. All of this goes down in a room (well, a 5,000-square-foot former parking garage) that’s a little glitzy and a hair over-the-top. Ultimately, I think Harry would approve this message. 441 Ninth Avenue (West 34th Street), Midtown, Manhattan
Gluten-free pizza is real and it can’t hurt youAre there any places in Manhattan or Brooklyn that have really good gluten free pizza?— Rene D. There sure are, and I’ve tried a number of them. Shout out to the gluten-free people in my life — you keep me current! The best I’ve had is at Hoek Pizza in Red Hook, a perfect neighborhood that you might be tired of me writing about at this point. To get down with a gluten-free crust is to anticipate a crackery, thin crust — think Chicago tavern-style — which I suspect is easier to replicate without the chew of gluten, than, say, a Neapolitan-style crust. Fair enough! Hoek outsources the crust from Venice Bakery to avoid cross-contamination, then cooks it in a wood-fired oven (because, the co-owner Anna Solomon told me, “you could cook a shoe with wood and it would be delicious”). Order the lovely fior de latte pizza or a prosciutto and truffle pie, and luxuriate in the ample outdoor seating. Then get a Fernet at Sunny’s after. 117 Ferris Street (Coffey Street), Red Hook, Brooklyn
The perfect first date barWhat are some good first date bars in Lower Manhattan? Places that don’t require a reservation but still have good vibes! — Melanie G. When I’m not answering questions in this newsletter, I’m answering questions from friends in my phone (which, to be clear, I love doing). Far and away, this is the most common one, usually on the actual day of the date. And while I have an arsenal of ideas depending on the asker, Soso’s is my catchall recommendation. It’s basically smack in the center — Centre Street, that is — of Lower Manhattan, right off the Canal Street station. There’s nothing particularly quirky about Soso’s, which is what makes it ideal for this use case: Just low light, comfy booths and lots of bar seats (not the backless kind, hallelujah). There’s also excellent classic cocktails and a notably creative nonalcoholic list. And if you want an excuse to keep hanging out order the fries, beef tartare and escargot, or go straight for the Guinness sundae. 191 Centre Street (Hester Street), Chinatown, Manhattan Read past editions of the newsletter here. If you’re enjoying what you’re reading, please consider recommending it to others. They can sign up here. Have New York City restaurant questions? Send us a note here. Follow NYT Food on TikTok and NYT Cooking on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.
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