List evolution

Worked from home yesterday and took the opportunity to not only get household chores done to possibly free up time to go to AC, but also to hone the list (thanks to all the co-workers who had input. Preemptively saving money is awesome). Oh and I tried out a new place last night.

Little Owl (American, west village, $$$, ++): Very solid, tasty albeit not very creative food, reminds me a lot of the White Dog Cafe in philly. The simplicity doesn't take away from the deliciousness in any way, no surprises pleasant or unpleasant (incidentally, what I like about high-end steakhouses and burger places as well when you get a craving for a certain taste). Great date place, cozy, good for intimate conversation, getting a reservation was apparently harder than getting a reservation to Gramercy Tavern, so we went early as walk-ins (it was already packed). Pork chop and meatball sliders were the best dinner I've had in a while.

Casa Mono (Tapas, irving place, $$$, ++): Very bold and unusual flavors (Basque), you're either going to love it right away or hate it (and if you hate it, there's a good chance you aren't paying since you probably didn't pick the place out). I happened to love it, although it's hard to describe, think of it as a dim sum version of a chef's tasting menu at a higher end restaurant. Drink lots of water in-between courses to cleanse your palette.

New list, in order of urgency:

Mexican: Maya, Rosa Mexicana, Zarela, Zona Mexicana, Pampano Taqueria, Mercadito, Mexico Lindo, Caracas Arepas Bar, la esquina, canyon rose
BBQ: Blue Smoke
Steakhouses: Keen's, Dylan Prime, Strip house, Spark's, STK
Japanese: Yasuda, Tomoe, Nobu, Yakitori Totto, Tori Shin, matsugen, Abuyriya Kinnosuke
Fusion: Momofuku Ssam, asia de cuba, buddakan (nyc edition), double crown, spice market, vong
American: Momofuku Ko, Gramercy Tavern, Blue Hill, Gotham Bar and Grill, Veritas, Aureole, the redhead, Blue Ribbon, Perilla, Hearth, Porchetta, eleven madison park, wd-50, Bar room at the modern, the black cat, Irving Mill, Market Table
Fish and Chips: A Salt and Battery
Italian: Babbo's, Scarpetta, Minetta Tavern, Cipriani, Il Mulino, L'Artusi, convivio
Seafood: Pearl Oyster Bar, Mary's Fish Camp, Oceania
Fried Chicken: Mama's fried chicken, Pink Teacup
Burgers: Corner Bistro, the spotted pig, prime burger, TJ O'Brien, Wolfgang/Luger lunch, Rare, rathbones, delmonicos, Diner, westville, db bistro moderne, walkers, all state
French: Bouley, Butter, Balthazar, cafe boulud, Jean Georges, Per se, Le Bernadin
Spanish/Tapas: Degustation, Alta