Extra Virgin/Gusto

May 30th-

Extra Virgin

I met Nathan just outside the Metro stop at 14th near Balducci's after he was done working and we walked over to Extra Virgin. We had been there before, and I really liked it, but we haven't been back since. They don't accept reservations, so coming from the Upper West Side to stand outside in the cold to wait for a table has never been that appealing to me. Today, however, was a beautiful day. Since we were there so early, we got right in anyway. We usually go somewhere for drinks, then dinner, but Nathan was very hungry, so we did the opposite. We began with a cocktail. Nathan got his usual vodka gimlet and I, in spirit of a beautiful summery day, asked for a watermelon martini. It was fresh and fantastic. They then brought us some bread and olive oil. I don't usually care for the bread, but since this place is named after the olive oil, I figured I should try it. It was worth it. The olive oil was very good. We decided to follow our usual strategy of two appetizers and one entree, all shared. Both appetizers came at once, even though we had specifically asked for them to be brought to us one at a time. I guess, that concept was too difficult for our waitress to comprehend. The first thing I tried was the Roasted Artichoke Parmesan with poached egg, pancetta and hollandaise. I could have eaten that three times in a row it was so good! Every item was perfect, and the combination was delicious. In fact, I really wish I was eating it right now. Seriously. Who could bring that to me right now as I sit here writing this in my pajamas? Anyone? Next, I tried the Prosciutto wrapped Sea Scallops with truffle whipped potato, porcini sauce and red grapes. I think Nathan liked this one better than I did, although it was very good as well. The scallops were moist and tasty, but I had to peel the fatty limp bacon off the sides of them in order for it to be appetizing. There is nothing I hate more than fatty, limp bacon. It should be outlawed. I enjoyed the truffle whipped potatoes.....I am always willing to try potatoes a new way....one of my favorite vegetables, and the sauce added a nice rich touch to the dish. Our entree was then brought to us.....Halibut simply grilled with fresh herbs, tomato carpaccio, arugula and extra virgin olive oil. It was a prefect description of the dish.....very fresh, good quality.....simply delicious. Nathan wanted dessert, so we ordered the strawberry cheesecake. The strawberries and the puree that accompanied the cake were good, and the whipped cream that was on top of the cheesecake was obviously freshly made and delicious, but the cheesecake itself could have come out of the freezer section of any random grocery store. I do like this restaurant.....hip, tasty, in a fun neighborhood. We will keep it in our list of places to return to.

Gusto-

So, the Geeters (aka what we call Kevin and Debbie....this was all Nathan's doing....I won't even try to explain that one) were on their way back to their hood.....which we were in.....so we decided to find a place to hang out and have a few drinks. Because it was such a nice night, we walked around for a bit, but there was only so much my heeled feet could handle....and oddly enough they always seem to give out on this same particular corner. Tonight we decided to go to the restaurant we usually stare at from across the street.....Gusto. As I went to the ladies room to refresh myself, Nathan ordered me a drink. I told him to surprise me. He did well. When I came back there was a beautiful sunny limoncello awaiting me. Yum! Shortly after that the Geeters joined us. They ordered more drinks.....some Moscato.....and some dessert.....a lemon cake of sorts and something ice cream like with chocolate....both obviously forgettable. The service was wonderful, though.....and ooooh.....the limoncello.

Gyu Kaku/Karaoke One 7

May 24th-

Gyu Kaku

We met Kevin and Debbie at Gyu Kaku in the east village for Japanese BBQ dining. The hostess leads us to the back of the room to a booth with a gas grill in the middle of it. The waitress explains to us that we pick various items off of the menu and then cook them ourselves on the grill. So, we choose shrimp, scallops, Chilean sea bass, beef, mushrooms and sweet potatoes along with rice and the Gyu Kaku salad. The food comes out staggeringly which gives us time to cook and enjoy each dish. I find it both easy and fun to cook our own food. Kevin and I end up being the chefs, since we have the easiest access to the grill. Everything was of good quality and delicious, but ended up being a very light dinner for me, since I didn't want to eat any of the beef.....(because I cannot get this horrible cow story out of my head)...... and am not the biggest fan of rice.....great if you are following the Atkins or South Beach diet! Light is not the best idea, however, when the sake is a flowing.

Karaoke One 7-

To Karaoke One 7 we did go. Under the circumstances, I was much more up for karaoke than I would normally be. We were lead to a small private room with a big tv, two microphones and a couple of books full of song choices. I really like the private room aspect of this. I don't think I would be up for randomly singing at the top of my lungs solo in front of a group of strangers. I think that would just be an annoying experience for them to have to listen to me, and vice versa. However, a private room amongst friends is entirely different. We were all eager to belt out some tunes.....and that is exactly what we did. A great time was had by all.

The Smith

May 2nd-

Before seeing "Love, Pain and Vice Versa" at the film fest......(which by the way was great), Nathan and I went to The Smith in the East Village for dinner. The place was hopping.....full of stylish, young people out with friends. It had a very modern feel. We were early, so we had a drink at the crowded bar while we waited for our table....amazingly enough, someone was just leaving, so I scored a seat. No fancy cocktails today....just wine. (After all, we have to stay awake for the movie we were going to see afterwards.) They serve the wine to us in regular short drinking glasses....not wine glasses, not even stemless wine glasses....just plain glasses. It was refreshingly unpretentious. We were escorted to our table pretty much on time. The menu was interesting.....some comfort food, like burgers, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese, and also some light salad and fish dishes. We chose the Crab Hush Puppies with Old Bay Aioli to start with. I didn't think I would like these when we ordered them. (Nathan wanted them.) I thought they would be greasy, heavy, bready and tasteless, like all of the hush puppies I have ever eaten in my life, but I was wrong. Although fried, they were only a touch heavy and not greasy.....and there was a lot of crab in each puppy. The aioli sauce was the best part, of course. I live for sauces! It was plentiful as well....which made me happy. There is just nothing worse than skimping on the sauce as far as I'm concerned! After that, Nathan had the Cheeseburger Deluxe which came with fries, and I had the Lamb Schnitzel which was served on a bed of mashed potatoes......nothing wrong with that! Why we got two entrees, I don't know. Our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs, because it was way too much food for us. One entree would have sufficed. The lamb schnitzel was very good. The outside was covered in Panko and Parmesan, very crispy......total comfort food. The burger was full of flavor.....but gigantic! With the bun, it must have been six inches tall! The shoestring fries weren't greasy, but they weren't really anything special. Besides the food, the service was friendly and attentive, and they have a photo booth in the basement where the communal bathroom is. You can take the standard four photos for three dollars....fun! We will return.