NYC Blog Post - 11.18.2013

I've been traipsing all over Manhattan....just can't be contained!

CHELSEA

Colicchio and Sons
This place is right across the street from work and yet the only time I've ever been in here was for a quick round of drinks back when I first moved to NYC.  A coworker of mine and I decided to hit it up for lunch.  I had the pork chop which was huge!  It was perfectly cooked and sent me straight in food coma.  The wait staff was very friendly and the place is modern, light and well-decorated.  I would definitely come back!  A great lunch spot for work.

Photo Credit: Colicchio Website

Rocket Pig
Just had this for lunch today.  Biggest sandwich ever.  So delicious.  Think ciabatta bread with thickly sliced pork, apple chutney and then I covered it in coleslaw.  I only made it halfway through the sandwich before gifting it to a coworker reluctantly... I knew I should keep tupperware at work!!!  I would totally split one of these next time... especially at $14 a pop.  A liiiittle steep.

EAST VILLAGE

Giano
This place is right across the street from me and has intrigued me for the past few months.  I had a great glass of rose on their back patio when the weather was still nice so when my friend stopped by for an impromptu dinner this seemed like the perfect option.  It was super crowded and yet the host worked it to find us a table without much of a wait.  Our waiter was SO charming and walked us through the menu with gusto.  I ordered the pasta special as my main dish and the Crocchette di ricotta e tonno (creamy and crunchy tuna and ricotta croquettes with arugula salad and balsamic reduction) which was one of the best dishes I've had in awhile.  I would 100% recommend this place for a date or an intimate dinner with a friend since it's quiet enough for a good conversation without being "dead."

Photo Credit: Scoutmob.com

Kelly's Sports Bar
Why have I not been here before?  It's down the street from me, it's a HOCKEY bar, and some of the best buffalo wings I've ever had.  I went there this Saturday to watch the USC game.  It's super small and was very crowded but our group of five were still able to find a seat or two.  Love this place.  Definitely going back.

Photo Credit: Kelly's Website

La Palapa
Went here for brunch last Sunday and was honestly really let down.  I've passed it a couple times and the street view is SO cute.  Then I end up eating there and my enchiladas were terrible.  Looking around the table, nothing else looked particularly good either.  The staff was really nice but I definitely won't be back.

Photo Credit: La Palapa Website

One and One
I've been here for beers on a weeknight before but had no idea how crazy it gets late night on the weekends.  A crew of us (mostly guys) rolled in here at 2am this last Saturday and had no problem getting into the debaucherous downstairs dance floor where we danced for a couple hours to nostalgic 90s hiphop classics.  I'll be back.

Pie Face
NYC welcomes one of the best Australian meat pie chains around.  I scored a BBQ pulled pork pie yesterday for my Sunday lunch after hitting up the movie theater.  A tiny bit on the sweet side but a delicious pie that was nice and hot.  I'd be down to try a few more flavors before I make a final decision on this one.

Revision
What IS this place?!?!  I have no idea whose idea it was to go here (late night on a Friday) but I LOVE it.  The bar has the coolest interior design and was pumping with people and dancey music.  100% will be back.

Photo Credit: RevisionLounge.com

FLATIRON

ABC Cocina
ABC Kitchen being my tried and try favorite restaurant in NYC, I jumped on the chance to try ABC Cocina when my mom was in town the other weekend.  I brought two of my friends along for brunch (2:30pm was the only available time on that Sunday) and we murdered the menu.  We tried SO many things:

• Guacamole with Sungold tomato salsa and warm crunchy tortilla chips - the guacamole was surprisingly spicy and the chips were nice and hot.  Delicious.
• Jamon Iberico de Bellota - Iberico ham has been a favorite dish of mine since spending most of a summer traipsing through Spain.  Anytime I can find it in America, which isn't often, I always order it.  Even when it is stupid expensive.  I'm just a "nut" for this nutty ham.
• Raw shaved brussel sprout salad - eh boring
• Gooey spicy ham and cheese fritters - these were so crunchy and salty and cheesy... mmm.
• Sweet market pepper and potato empanadas with lemon yogurt - too potatoey
• Field green empanadas and tomato jam - These empanadas were much better!  The tomato jam was just sweet enough.
• Arroz con pollo, crackling skin and lemon zest - we were completely stuffed by the time this showed up so lucky little ole me stole it home as a leftover.  It was just as good the next day as I'm assuming it would've been that day.
• We ordered the flan for dessert based on a friend's recommendation and I have to say it.was.terrible.  I hate flan.  I still hate flan.
• Torrentes with lime and rosemary cocktail - This is quite possibly the best cocktail I have ever had.  It was refreshing and tangy and even a little spicy.  I would go back JUST for this drink.

Photo Credit: ABC Cocina

 

 

 

 

 

Manzo

My first time sitting down to eat in Eataly and I was pleasantly surprised by my meal.  I started with the Roasted Beets with Hazelnuts, Goat Cheese and Black Truffle Vinaigrette.  The beets were ripe and large and there was plenty of goat cheese.  I followed that with the Vesuvio with Spigariello and Sweet Italian Sausage Ragu which was nice and hot when it arrived.  The pasta was perfectly cooked, clearly fresh, and covered in just the right amount of sauce.  It was a lovely dinner.  I highly recommend as a place for a client dinner or parents.

Photo Credit: millefiorifavoriti.blogspot.com

GRAMERCY

Baohaus
Another one of those hit-myself-upside-the-head obvious restaurants I should've hit up by now.  Since visiting this place for the first time two weeks ago I've been three times.  I absolutely love it.  It's a tiny hole-in-the-wall with enough seating for maybe ten people but the chill atmosphere and hiphop beats make it one of a kind.  I highly recommend the Chairman Bao (Braised All Natural Berkshire Pork Belly Served with: crushed peanut, cilantro, Haus Relish, and Taiwanese red sugar) and the Birdhaus Bao (All Natural Fried Chicken Brined 24 hours and served with Haus Seasoning Salt, cilantro, crushed peanuts, and Taiwanese red sugar).  You may even run into me here.  Great for grab and go but there is a credit card minimum so beware.

Photo Credit: Hypebeast.com

MIDTOWN EAST

Hill and Bay
I managed to buy tickets to Ender's Game for the wrong day which then turned into the wrong time.  So we found ourselves an hour early for the movie and searching for something near the theater that didn't look like a cesspool.  Hill and Bay was like the bright light at the end of the tunnel.  We spent the next hour housing ciders, sliders and mac n cheese.  The pulled pork and roasted pepper/goat cheese sliders were delicious although a little small.  The mac n cheese left much to be desired as it was super cheesy with ZERO taste.  Gross.  Cool place... won't be back unless I find myself in a similar movie situation but didn't dislike it!

Photo Credit: Yas E. on Yelp.com

TRIBECA

Marc Forgione
Another one that I've been dying to go to but needed a good excuse (hello, Mom in town).  She and I feasted on a variety of the small plates such as:

• Kampachi Tartare, Avocado, Sechuan Buttons, Toasted Pinenuts, Saratoga Chips
• Octopus, White Beans, Cranberry Salsa Verde, Irwin Farms Baby Arugula
• Foie Gras and Bread Service, Summer Berries, Toma’s Wild Edibles

Everything was superb.  The Kampachi came with a little bud (for lack of a better term) that you swirl around on your tongue to numb it before you eat the kampachi.  This allows your mouth to really take in all the specific tastes of the fish.  It was crazy.  I wanted to order another one!  The wait staff was great, although they did take my mom's wine glass before she was finished (bad move with that lady).  Overall, it was a delightful evening and is the perfect spot for an anniversary, parent dinner or group of girlfriends.

 

 

 

WEST VILLAGE

The Clarkson
This is a favorite spot of one of my coworkers so we decided to make a pitstop on our way to Houston Hall on a random Thursday.  The place came across as a little austere for my tastes but we sat at the bar and the bartender was great.  He made me a specialty drink and it was so good I had him write down what was in it.  He wanted to think up a name for it so we suggested the "Laurel" since he was looking for something Roman.  I really liked this place.  I'd definitely come back.  Good spot for coworkers or a first date.

• Whiskey Rye
• Thai and cayenne pepper infused maple syrup
• Lemon juice
• Egg white
• Slow gin
• Thyme garnish

Photo Credit: Clarkson Website

Weekly NYC Blog Post - 1.16.2012

So I've had a ton of people visiting this week and have thus been gorging myself on AMAZING food. Take a look at some of the top foodie places in NYC to indulge your sweet and savory tooth.

GRAMERCY / FLATIRON

Eataly
Mario Batali's famous Eataly is a market and restaurant in one. Literally every Italian item you could possibly want can be found here from meats, sauces and pastas to chocolate, gelato and cheeses. I haven't eaten at any of the restaurants because I heard they weren't the best but that the retail items are definitely worth it. Next time I go grocery shopping (which is never) this is going to be my new #1 choice. Anyone coming to NYC needs to take an impromptu tour through it.


Gramercy Tavern
Gramercy Tavern feels like walking into old New York even though it's only been around since 1994. The restaurant is wrapped in murals by Robert Kushner and the service is impeccable. It's on the bucket list for NYC dinner but we went for lunch. We shared the burger and pear salad both of which were excellent although not necessarily "inventive." I really liked it but probably don't need to go back. Everyone should experience it once though.


Pipa
Officially in the top rankings of my NYC restaurants, Pipa is a very romantic restaurants with low lighting created by tons of chandeliers juxtaposed by exposed brick and seashells. The food is Spanish tapas and delicious. We had the Bistec flatbread (grilled skirt steak, goat cheese, tomato, red onion, cabbage, chimichurri, and jalapeño), the beef meatballs (sofrito, green pepper demi-glaze, crème fraiche, and tomato), the catalan spinach (sautéed organic spinach, figs or golden raisins, and olive oil) and finally the tres leches (coffee genoise, banana ice cream, dulce de leche foam, dark chocolate espresso beans, and cocoa powder).

The flatbread was amazing with the steak perfectly cooked and the bread not too soggy. The other ingredients combined to make this a mouthwatering dish. The meatballs literally melt in your mouth (yeah I said it). Don't let them take the dish away after you're done - the sauce makes a great dip for bread. The catalan spinach was also tasty but not as memorable as was the tres leches (I hate banana so they exchanged this for another scoop of coffee genoise). Regardless I would definitely come back here (although since then I've eaten at their sister restaurant ABC Kitchen which is even better so hard to say).


Union Square Cafe
This place felt like the brunch spot of a trendy grandma or the perfect place for a bridal party but I loved it. When you walk in there is a bar of whiskeys the color of worn musical instruments. Absolutely beautiful. We went for lunch and my dish was delicious. I had the butternut squash tortelli with cranberries, balsamic, and sage brown butter. The tang of the cranberries and the sweetness of the brown butter paired perfectly and the butternut squash wasn't too sweet which is often the case. I also tried the butternut squash soup and the lasagna bolognese with ricotta, pioppini mushrooms, and pesto, both of which were excellent. The lasagna was one of the prettiest dishes I've ever seen. I will definitely be back here for brunch.



LES

Beauty and Essex
So this place got me excited at first! You walk into what looks like a pawn shop and then walk through the back door into a multi-level lounge/bar/restaurant. The decor is very very cool but the clientele kind of sucked. We didn't stay long...probably thanks to the whiskey shots. I might wander back at some point but hard to say.

PKNY
I would've walked by this place assuming it was abandoned if it weren't for the massive line outside. Luckily, the bouncer and I had a great convo about the trials and tribulations of living in Compton and he let us in without a wait. Thank you USC. This place may teeter on having a "C" rating but I kinda liked it!



MIDTOWN

Yakitori Totto
So I'm a bit of a Japanese food snob having been to Japan and lived in Los Angeles, which I contend has some of the best Japanese food in the U.S. That being said, Totto was tasty!!!

Yakitori for those of you who don't know are essentially skewers of different foods. We also had a couple other dishes as well. Everything we tried was really good but I ranked them from favorite to least anyways.

1) Harami Skirt Steak
2) Maguro Zuke (tuna sashimi in garlic-flavored soy sauce)
3) Kawa (chicken skin)
4) Tori Dango (steamed rice dumplings with chicken meatballs inside)
5) Amakara Age (sweet spicy deep-fried chicken)
6) Bacon-wrapped asparagus

The restaurant itself is inconvenient because it's in Midtown and rather standard in terms of decoration but I will definitely come back for the food anytime I'm in this area again.

Photo Credit: Totto Website

SOHO

The Dutch
I've passed this place a ton of times and FINALLY had a good reason to go. The setup is pretty trendy, the music loud, the bar crowded, but it's a fun scene. I will be the first to admit that I was pretty hungover when we came here which is a huge bummer but even with that "hanging" over my head I can say that my dish, the pecan duck with celery and organic dirty rice and the brussel sprouts with bacon and horseradish were SO good.

I also tried the spaghetti with black kale carbonara and a farm egg and the heirloom cauliflower with pear and sage which were both good as well but not the best I've ever had. I do like how you smash/stir the egg into the pasta though - that was fun. Unfortunately I wasn't feeling that great and didn't get to try the dessert here which I'd been really excited for so I will definitely be back - probably for drinks and dessert rather than dinner since the wait is ridiculous.


NOLITA

1534
So I found this place by walking down the street, seeing stairs leading into a basement and walking down them. Sorry Mom; that happened. This bar is tiny, dimly lit, feels like a speakeasy (yes another one of those) and has STRONG drinks. My favorite part about it are the Bar Rules:

1. You must enjoy yourself here.
2. Do not take yourself too seriously.
3. Do not sit quietly at the bar. You must engage in conversation.
4. We drink to be merry not to be boring.
5. If a beautiful woman/man is by themselves, you must attempt conversation and attempt courtship
6. When an awesome power ballad is playing you must sing along
7. Never pass up a free shot from a staff member
8. Finally, bad decisions are celebrated here not condemned. . .No judging.

Photo Credit: Ashley S. on Yelp.com

TRIBECA

Locanda Verde

Ranking right up there with ABC Kitchen (that review is coming next week) and Pipa, this restaurant combines homey with classy. It also featured some of the best individual dishes I've had in New York like the sheep’s milk ricotta with sea salt and herbs, the lamb meatball sliders with caprino and cucumber (some people order these as dessert) and the tagliatelle with bolognese.

I also tried the Locanda salad of bitter greens, dried cherries, hazelnuts and smoked speck and the fire-roasted garlic chicken (you can actually order this for one person FYI) which were also good but not my favorites. The chicken was almost too garlicky for me. We topped the night off with La Fantasia di Caramello for One which features caramel gelato, sour apple sorbetto, pieces of apple, gingerbread croutons and peanut brittle with coffee caramel drizzled on top. The gingerbread croutons were AMAZING - I kept rooting around the bowl to find them all.

Yet another great date option (if any boys are reading this figure it out!) or a fun birthday restaurant.