*Sigh*

(If you think a different time would work better, better post soon!)

Grand Sichuan–well, I don’t know that location; but the one in the theatre district is quite big and tends not to be too crowded, in my experience.

I’ll eat the Zaro’s Penn Station version if nothing else comes along, but Jake Squid is right. It’s more for sentimental reasons than because they’re still any good. Tsk. :/

Everyone have a great dinner. :)

Grand Sichuan is good. also: Chinese: sharing: sociable.

But pizza is also sharing: sociable.

The one thing that worries me about Grand Sichuan that NYC Chinese places are often crowded and noisy, making it hard to hear what other folks are saying (my hearing isn’t great). I’m in this for the conversation, not the food, so I want to be someplace I can hear people - such as the balcony at Totonno’s (which is available Tuesday night).

I tried calling Grand Sichuan, but the language barrier prevented me from being able to make my question understood. So let me ask the people here who have eaten at Grand Sichuan: Am I wrong to be concerned? Do they have a back room we could request/reserve?

If someone can reassure me that my worries about the noise at Grand Sichuan are misplaced, then we’ll eat at Grand Sichuan. Otherwise, it’ll be Totonno’s, because I know they have a (relatively) quiet spot we can eat.

Does 7pm work for everyone?

but yes, you can probably find those in yer basic deli.

pretty sure at least one of the food court joints in Penn Station sells ‘em.

If you’re into baking, there are actually good recipes online.

Sure, Squid. Blazing heat, a kitchen the size of a broom closet, and a four-hour-minimum tempwork commute every weekday. I’ll get right on that.

Funny, funny man. Why don’t you update your journal more than once a season ? :p

Find a bakery that isn’t Starbucks. Or a reputable-looking deli. There have to be one or two of those still left somewhere. :/

The absolute best bakery in NYC for both black&white cookies and for 7 layer cake has, unfortunately, closed. I haven’t found a substitute yet, but the Zaro’s black&whites that I had 4 weeks ago sucked. I’m very, very sad about this. Any NYCers have a bakery suggestion?

If you’re into baking, there are actually good recipes online. You have to try a couple to find the variation on the cookie part that you like best, but being on the west coast I think that’s the best way to go.

I miss them so…

At this point, of the suggestions offered, I’m leaning towards either Totonno’s (2nd Ave.,
between 26th & 27th Street) - pizza, some decent-looking non-pizza options, plus it has a private party room we could probably reserve.

Or Grand Sichuan, on St. Marks between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, which three different people have said would work for them, which makes it the leading vote-getter. (Grand Sichuan also has a few other locations we could consider).

I’m also thinking of 7pm, although I’m pretty flexible on this score, so if people would prefer that time or a different time let me know.

Last chance to get your opinions in, or make new suggestions (please suggest specific restaurants!), before I make my decision! I’ll make the final decision within 24 hours.

Also, please let me know if you can put me up for the night on Tuesday. :-)

Just a request from Kim, Matt, Sydney and Maddox currently on vacation in Michigan!