Weekly NYC Blog Post - 9.17.2013

CHELSEA

The Park
This is SUCH a beautiful restaurant.  I've been wanting to try it and finally had my opportunity when our new coworker started.  Thanks for lunch work!  I insisted on sitting in the garden area and ordered the beet salad with sunflower seeds and goat cheese to stay with the theme.  The food was as beautiful as the restaurant although maybe not as flavorful as I would've hoped.  This would be a GREAT date spot or girl's dinner night.  I would definitely come back even if it is just for drinks.

Photo Credit: www.thepurplepassport.com 

EAST VILLAGE

Black Iron Burger
I've found myself taking unique ways home from the Lower East Side just to contemplate stopping in here again.  Finger-lickin-good burgers.  I had the Classic with lettuce and pickles and then I added caramelized onions, spicy mayo, cheddar cheese and a fried egg.  It got all over my face, fingers, plate and lap... and did I care?  Absolutely not.  I WILL be back here.  Probably this week.  Oh, and they have damn good cider.

Photo Credit: Black Iron Burger Website

Paul's Burger
Another great burger spot where yet again I went with the burger that featured a fried egg (Texas burger).  Not quite as good as the Black Iron, or as messy, but the wait staff here is a riot.  They have a milkshake called the "Michael Jackson" and when we asked "why that name?" the waitress said, "because it's half black, half white."  Hilarious.  Definitely a dive but a great place to stop after a long day of Beekman beers or 13th Step sports.

Photo Credit: Paul's Burgers Website

Photo Credit: ubmassive.blogspot.com

Poco
Talk about one of the worst brunches I've had in Manhattan.  In fact it might have been the worst!  I ordered "The Cure" which is soaked tortilla, salsa verde and queso blanco topped with two fried eggs.  It was the only thing on the menu that even looked appetizing.  The resulting dish was far from it with rubbery eggs and chicken that looked like it'd been carved out of a can.  And the tortillas were definitely soaked... soaked and soggy.  Writing about it is making me nauseous all over again!  The one redeeming factor was the throwback 90s jams featuring Backstreet Boys and TLC.  I will NOT be back.

Photo Credit: Loyalpages.com

 

Porchetta
Great pork sandwiches to go but way over priced for the size.  I only buy them when I am already on my street and too lazy to walk anywhere else.  Also be careful... the crispy pork fat is sometimes a little harsh on the pearly whites.  Bite down with caution.  I like it in a pinch though!

FLATIRON

Flatiron Hall
Definitely doesn't have the amazing crowd atmosphere of its brother, Houston Hall, but I didn't mind taking a load off here after work.  I thought the food had more variety, although I LOVE HH's wings and grilled cheese.  Do not leave here without trying the pastrami Reuben spring rolls and the crispy tater tots with bacon and aged cheddar.  I would've ordered three orders if they weren't so expensive.  I think next time I'll hit the downstairs area which is accessible from the slightly hidden staircase in the back of the restaurant.  Bring a coat though... when I checked it out last time it was FREEZING down there.

 Photo Credit: Flatiron Hall Website

Ilili
I came here for restaurant week and the three of us ordered a ton of plates so a little hard for me to remember what exactly we had.  However, I do remember the wait staff being above excellent, the food being very tasty and flavorful and the restaurant being pleasing for everything from a girls night out to a romantic date setting to diner with the parents.  One of the better Middle Eastern restaurants I've come across in the city.  I'd come back here!

Photo Credit: www.nycgo.com

 

 

NOLITA

Vig Bar
One of my friends is a bartender here so my experience might differ but Vig bar offers everything from a casual hangout spot late on a Sunday to a massive weekend night dance party especially in the backroom.  Great beats!

Photo Credit: www.cvent.com

NYC Weekly Blog - 3.20.2013

Sorry it's been so long (AGAIN) - Work has been crazy.  But I've got lots of goodies and this time they aren't all just food!

CHELSEA

Intermezzo
I showed up at Intermezzo for their infamous Saturday brunch.  I had no idea what that meant.  What it meant was walking into a restaurant where a transvestite in drag was yelling at all the birthday guests to do a dance off.  Ok, not what I was expecting, but... HELL YEAH!  And you would never know from how nice the restaurant looks in pictures online!

Photo Credit: Intermezzo Website

 

The rest of the brunch was absolutely nuts with people dancing on tables, cheering and singing.  And to top it all off it wasn't that expensive considering the copious amounts of alcohol we downed.  Oh, and I should mention that the pancakes with strawberries and bacon were some of the best I've ever had.  I probably don't need to go back here since there are tons of places I need to see first but if someone wanted a birthday party suggestion I highly recommend!

EAST VILLAGE

Bob White Counter
This place is Southern in its soul and the fried chicken platter reflects it.  Just enough bread, just enough chicken.  The mac n' cheese was perfectly burnt on top and the fried okra, which I'd never had before, was incredible.  Everything was just so juicy!  The only thing that needed a little help were the biscuits which were a little too dry.  I would totally eat here again!  It's a great East Village brunch option.

 Photo Credit: www.thegothampalate.com

 

Dieci
Another place that I found while running around the East Village and I liked the looks of it from the outside.  It only has a handful of tables which makes it feel intimate although maybe slightly crunched for a date which is why I was there.  It was also REALLY hot inside because they wouldn't leave the door open (apparently it is a health hazard).

Photo Credit: www.chopsticksny.com

We shared a bunch of small plates (it's like Japanese/Italian fusion which was really interesting) but the only one that really sticks out in my mind were the berkshire pork buns.  They were juicy and filled with pork.  I think I ate the whole thing in one bite (I know so classy on a first date).  Everything else was good but not necessarily memorable so I didn't really bother to write them up.  I don't need to go back but I would still recommend it as a great place to catch up with maybe one friend (due to size of the place). 

Russian Turkish Baths
So a quick misdirection from food...but I've been trying to do new things in NYC outside of stuffing my face and running the street (and/or stumbling down them) so my friend and I decided to try out the Russian Turkish bath in the East Village on 10th St.  I'm VERY open to new experiences like letting fish eat my feet, chowing down on guinea pig and jumping off very tall bridges, but I have to say when you first walk into this place it's a little disconcerting.

But once you start to wander from room to room you start to kind of get into it (everyone is in bathsuits ps).  You realize that the people all kind of know each other like you've walked into this secret club of hot yogis (HOT yogis).  My favorite room was the "Game of Thrones" room (the Russian Sauna on the website).  It's filled with over 20,000 lbs. of rock which are cooked overnight. When it gets unbearable there is a little "sink" filled with ice cold water that you can pail on top of yourself.  SO COLD yet AMAZING.  I also recommend dousing the towel they give you and wrapping it around your head and body wet.  It will dry in seconds.

Photo Credit: Russian Bath Website

I had a little trouble with the heat but after visiting the baths I went for a 3 mile run that it was nothing.  I felt more energized than I have in forever.  I want a monthly membership.

In Vino
Okay so I love WineBar on 2nd Ave and 4th Street so I hate to admit that I cheated on them but I was just really jonesing for something new that wasn't as expensive as Terroir.  A friend of mine used to work at In Vino and said it was exactly what I was looking for.  I walked by In Vino saying to my friend "THAT looks like a cute place" only to have her say, "Isn't that the place we are going?!"  Whoops!  Must be a winner!  We sat at the bar and had a great time chatting with the bartender while eating cheese and meats and drinking wine.  He even gave me a little taste of some Amarone stashed in the back (mmm my favorite).  It was affordable, adorable and exactly the perfect place to a romantic date or a catch up with a close friend.  I will definitely be back.

 Photo Credit: In Vino Website

WEST VILLAGE

Brooklyneer
Holy hell, I stopped in at this place while realistically waiting for the line at Houston Hall next door to die down and please believe this place made a name for itself.  The Sunset Park sliders with slow-roasted Berkshire pork shoulder, smoked ham, gruyere, Pickle Guys half-sour pickles and spicy mayo are top three sliders I've ever had.  And the place was chill, dark and a great places to hang with the boys... or girls.  I'll be back.

 Photo Credit: Brooklyneer Website

Houston Hall
Uh oh... I see myself getting into a lot of trouble here.  The bouncer and multiple waitresses already recognize me and it's only been open a few months!!  This place is an old autobody shop turned beerhall that is dead Mon-Wed and CRAZY on the weekends especially for the day drinking hours.  The trick with the line is if there is one, go next door to the Brooklyneer and check back because it is very arbitrary and can go from 30 people in line to none in a matter of seconds.  Trust.  Don't give up.  It. is. worth it.

 

On one random occasion I actually ordered food here (horror?) and it was sooo good.  The fig jam, goat cheese and cured ham bruschetta was crisp, salty AND sweet.  I don't remember which grilled cheese we had but it too was delicious.  I can't believe this place is so much fun to party at AND has good food.  WINNING.

 

Hudson Clearwater
This place was recently added to my list only because I'd heard rave reviews.  Honestly, from the pictures I'd seen I wasn't THAT impressed but my friend wanted to meet there for drinks so I showed up.  The bar is tricky to find which I guess adds appeal.  It's on the corner of Hudson and Morton if you go by the address but it's a fake entrance.  Instead you need to walk along the north side of Morton to a little green garden door that leads into a patio and then into the restaurant.  Okay I started to be intrigued by the adorable patio and was fairly impressed by the comfy yet romantic interior.

 Photo Credit: dateswithkates.wordpress.com 

 Photo Credit: joannagoddard.blogspot.com 

I sat at the bar where the handsome bartender made me a deliciously refreshing, Upstate Rose, made with Applejack, Rye, Apple Cider, Lime, House-made and Pomegranate Grenadine.  After that I tried the Hudson Mule which was equally as good but tarter and lighter (bison-grass vodka, ginger beer, lime, and candied ginger).

The cocktails made me fairly hungry so I was forced to order the pan roasted quail with fennel, fernet cherries and pickled mustard seeds which is one of the best meals I have ever had.  Small but flavorful.  Those cherries were BOMB.

"Dinner" ended with the honeycrisp apple tarte tatin with sea salt caramel and chantilly cream which was good but a little bland even if it did smell amazing coming out of the kitchen.

I think my review says it all when upon leaving I told the bartender I'd be booking my birthday dinner here.

Coincidentally I went back for my birthday and it was JUST as good.  I had the herb-roasted beets, crème fraîche, toasted pumpkin seeds, and micro basil to start and the grilled hanger steak with thyme, potato-cauliflower gratin, kale and chimichurri.  Both were very good although the quail still reins supreme.

 

 I will be back.