March 31st,
Ok......Jimmy's isn't a restaurant......but they serve food, so it counts! Jimmy's is actually a tiny little shiny silver food cart that parks itself on 72nd and Columbus, Monday through Friday during the daylight hours. I know, I know, it seems ridiculous to write about a food cart, but this one is special. From what I can surmise, it is run by Jimmy and his son. They are the only two in the cart every day. Jimmy takes the orders and the money, and his son cooks the food. They both have sweet eastern European accents. (At least that is what it sounds like to me.....but I don't know how good I am at deciphering these things.) Your food is made as you watch. It isn't sitting around in some bin. I am telling you it is good and.....there are always lines. The other day, I heard someone say they walked several blocks to find this food cart ......and they brought friends. I am personally addicted to the egg and cheese croissant. I mean it when I say that. I have eaten that one particular sandwich so many times that they ask "The usual?" when I arrive at the cart and once, they even gave it to me for free. It is always the best $2.50 I ever spend. Jimmy's is worthy of a space on my blog.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Bar Americain
March 20th-
I watch him on TV, but I could no longer remember what his food tastes like. It was time to go back and visit one of Bobby Flay's restaurants again. Since we haven't been to Bar Americain in at least two years, and I remembered it fondly, I decided we must go there tonight. We arrived at nine and the place was hopping! After being seated near, but not too near, the open kitchen, which is cool, I looked at the cocktail menu hoping to find the maraschino cherry concoction that was given to me on my last visit, but sadly, it was not there. I consoled myself with a champagne cocktail instead. I forgot all about the champagne cocktail! And how could I? It's adding a simple little sugar cube with a dash a bitters.....and poof! It's a new drink! Delightful. Back to the menu....my eyes then went straight for the hot potato chips with blue cheese sauce. I had to have them. Lately, I've been obsessed with upscale chips and dip. I don't know what has come over me, but it has been one enjoyable obsession! Very tasty! I think I prefer the homemade chips with creme fraiche and caviar from Pravda, though. It must be the Russian in me. We also had a basket of various breads brought to us at this time, and I love a good cornbread! This one had teeny tiny bits of jalapeno in it.....tasted great with a bit of butter. Next, we had the dish I could absolutely not leave without having.....I have been enamored by this since my mom made her version of the dish she tasted in Seaside, Florida at the Great Southern Cafe........gulf shrimp and grits with bacon, green onions and garlic. Perfection! The grits were creamy and tasty....and the shrimp was so so good. I just want to say, good grits are amazingly delicious, but bad grits are just disgusting.....trust me.....I tried the bad ones the first time I attempted to make them.....now I respect them. Getting back to the meal.....we then moved on to the red pepper crab cake with red cabbage slaw and a basil vinaigrette. It was prepared the way crab cakes should be prepared.....so you can actually taste the crab and not just the cake (breading) part of it. The slaw was surprisingly yummy.....it looked like a garnish I would leave behind, but when I tasted it, I changed my mind. The basil sauce was the clincher- so fresh, so perfect with everything else. We found ourselves sopping up every last drop. For the main event, we chose the porterhouse lamb chops served with sweet potato gratin, tangerine hot sauce and fresh mint. I was not disappointed. The lamb was tender and juicy, and I loved the sweet potatoes with that texture instead of the mashed version I am used to. We could not fit one more bite of food into our mouths after that, although I was very tempted to try and stuff the blueberry lemon crepes with brown sugar brown butter down......next time.
I watch him on TV, but I could no longer remember what his food tastes like. It was time to go back and visit one of Bobby Flay's restaurants again. Since we haven't been to Bar Americain in at least two years, and I remembered it fondly, I decided we must go there tonight. We arrived at nine and the place was hopping! After being seated near, but not too near, the open kitchen, which is cool, I looked at the cocktail menu hoping to find the maraschino cherry concoction that was given to me on my last visit, but sadly, it was not there. I consoled myself with a champagne cocktail instead. I forgot all about the champagne cocktail! And how could I? It's adding a simple little sugar cube with a dash a bitters.....and poof! It's a new drink! Delightful. Back to the menu....my eyes then went straight for the hot potato chips with blue cheese sauce. I had to have them. Lately, I've been obsessed with upscale chips and dip. I don't know what has come over me, but it has been one enjoyable obsession! Very tasty! I think I prefer the homemade chips with creme fraiche and caviar from Pravda, though. It must be the Russian in me. We also had a basket of various breads brought to us at this time, and I love a good cornbread! This one had teeny tiny bits of jalapeno in it.....tasted great with a bit of butter. Next, we had the dish I could absolutely not leave without having.....I have been enamored by this since my mom made her version of the dish she tasted in Seaside, Florida at the Great Southern Cafe........gulf shrimp and grits with bacon, green onions and garlic. Perfection! The grits were creamy and tasty....and the shrimp was so so good. I just want to say, good grits are amazingly delicious, but bad grits are just disgusting.....trust me.....I tried the bad ones the first time I attempted to make them.....now I respect them. Getting back to the meal.....we then moved on to the red pepper crab cake with red cabbage slaw and a basil vinaigrette. It was prepared the way crab cakes should be prepared.....so you can actually taste the crab and not just the cake (breading) part of it. The slaw was surprisingly yummy.....it looked like a garnish I would leave behind, but when I tasted it, I changed my mind. The basil sauce was the clincher- so fresh, so perfect with everything else. We found ourselves sopping up every last drop. For the main event, we chose the porterhouse lamb chops served with sweet potato gratin, tangerine hot sauce and fresh mint. I was not disappointed. The lamb was tender and juicy, and I loved the sweet potatoes with that texture instead of the mashed version I am used to. We could not fit one more bite of food into our mouths after that, although I was very tempted to try and stuff the blueberry lemon crepes with brown sugar brown butter down......next time.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Fred's
March 16th-
Fred's is the kind of place that you can go anytime......brunch, early dinner with your honey, late night out with the girls.....anytime. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed. The decor is dark and cozy, and the walls are lined with photos of neighborhood dogs like Fred, a black lab. If you bring in a framed photo of your dog, they promise to hang it up. It's charming. The food would be best classified as American......sandwiches, salads.....and the best thing on the menu.....the mac and cheese. I am telling you, this is hands down the best mac and cheese you have or will ever put in your mouth! The cheese is just perfect.....white cheddar, not that scary orange stuff.....and oh so creamy. There isn't anything avant garde about it.....nothing fancy or experimental. It's just classic, dependable and good. It isn't greasy, and it isn't chalked full of dry breadcrumbs- I hate that. I suggest you go there with good friends.....(like I did.....with Mike, David and Javi), get a nice bottle of wine, and slowly savor your classic pasta over enjoyable conversation. You can't go wrong.
Fred's is the kind of place that you can go anytime......brunch, early dinner with your honey, late night out with the girls.....anytime. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed. The decor is dark and cozy, and the walls are lined with photos of neighborhood dogs like Fred, a black lab. If you bring in a framed photo of your dog, they promise to hang it up. It's charming. The food would be best classified as American......sandwiches, salads.....and the best thing on the menu.....the mac and cheese. I am telling you, this is hands down the best mac and cheese you have or will ever put in your mouth! The cheese is just perfect.....white cheddar, not that scary orange stuff.....and oh so creamy. There isn't anything avant garde about it.....nothing fancy or experimental. It's just classic, dependable and good. It isn't greasy, and it isn't chalked full of dry breadcrumbs- I hate that. I suggest you go there with good friends.....(like I did.....with Mike, David and Javi), get a nice bottle of wine, and slowly savor your classic pasta over enjoyable conversation. You can't go wrong.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Pravda
February 27th-
I was perusing the Zagat Bar and Nightlife book, and happened upon a section entitled "Vodka Bars". My heart raced! Oh my god.....this could be my nirvana! We picked one to try first...Pravda. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to go that weekend. This only increased my curiosity and desire to experience all that was Pravda, and made it the first priority of the weekend to follow. Well, the next weekend finally came, and off to Pravda we did go. You enter as if you are going into some private basement, and when you open the door, you enter into Eastern Europe.....and are greeted by someone with a Russian accent....what a fantastic cozy, romantic, cool vibe! There are two dimly lit bars, one as you enter, and one pretty private one upstairs- both are inviting. The dining area pretty much feels like a big hip bar....in a good way.........very casual, but chic. You could come here in vintage clothes with long black gloves, all decked out, or casual in jeans and a jacket.....or most perfectly, in all black. The menu consisted of mostly cocktails and vodka from all over the world, and even some infused versions exclusive to Pravda. There was only a small portion devoted to food, but with what it offered, you didn't need any more. I was dying to try the homemade potato chips with creme fraiche and caviar.....so we ordered those first. Oh my god! With vodka......there is not better complement. I was the happiest girl in the world.....I had vodka, potatoes and dairy.....and we just started. The first vodka I tried was the fig....it really did taste like a fig newton to me. Nathan had the black currant.....it was bright pink and a little too sweet, I thought. After that, we went straight for the Russian stuff, I moved on to the Kutskova, because I liked the way it sounded when I said it, and Nathan to the Jewel of Russia Classic. Mine was way smoother. As for food, we ordered the crispy potato pancakes with Scottish smoked salmon. They were delicious.....not too greasy and heavy like a lot of potato pancakes I have eaten. Of course, I had to order the beef stroganoff. It came with a biscuit instead of noodles, which Nathan preferred. It was a more original way to present the dish, but I still like the noodle version better. The mushroom sauce was divine, but the beef itself was a little tough. My mom still holds the record for this dish, I'm afraid......not that I wouldn't eat it again, because I would eat it this very second if given the opportunity. We wanted to linger, but the vodka was now hitting me and we had to go......but I am already dying to go back. There are so many things on the menu I still need to try. If it were around the corner from my place, it would be difficult to convince me to go anywhere else. I haven't been this excited about a place since Jane, with her heavenly fried poached egg over beef carpaccio.
Pravda, I am in love!
I was perusing the Zagat Bar and Nightlife book, and happened upon a section entitled "Vodka Bars". My heart raced! Oh my god.....this could be my nirvana! We picked one to try first...Pravda. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to go that weekend. This only increased my curiosity and desire to experience all that was Pravda, and made it the first priority of the weekend to follow. Well, the next weekend finally came, and off to Pravda we did go. You enter as if you are going into some private basement, and when you open the door, you enter into Eastern Europe.....and are greeted by someone with a Russian accent....what a fantastic cozy, romantic, cool vibe! There are two dimly lit bars, one as you enter, and one pretty private one upstairs- both are inviting. The dining area pretty much feels like a big hip bar....in a good way.........very casual, but chic. You could come here in vintage clothes with long black gloves, all decked out, or casual in jeans and a jacket.....or most perfectly, in all black. The menu consisted of mostly cocktails and vodka from all over the world, and even some infused versions exclusive to Pravda. There was only a small portion devoted to food, but with what it offered, you didn't need any more. I was dying to try the homemade potato chips with creme fraiche and caviar.....so we ordered those first. Oh my god! With vodka......there is not better complement. I was the happiest girl in the world.....I had vodka, potatoes and dairy.....and we just started. The first vodka I tried was the fig....it really did taste like a fig newton to me. Nathan had the black currant.....it was bright pink and a little too sweet, I thought. After that, we went straight for the Russian stuff, I moved on to the Kutskova, because I liked the way it sounded when I said it, and Nathan to the Jewel of Russia Classic. Mine was way smoother. As for food, we ordered the crispy potato pancakes with Scottish smoked salmon. They were delicious.....not too greasy and heavy like a lot of potato pancakes I have eaten. Of course, I had to order the beef stroganoff. It came with a biscuit instead of noodles, which Nathan preferred. It was a more original way to present the dish, but I still like the noodle version better. The mushroom sauce was divine, but the beef itself was a little tough. My mom still holds the record for this dish, I'm afraid......not that I wouldn't eat it again, because I would eat it this very second if given the opportunity. We wanted to linger, but the vodka was now hitting me and we had to go......but I am already dying to go back. There are so many things on the menu I still need to try. If it were around the corner from my place, it would be difficult to convince me to go anywhere else. I haven't been this excited about a place since Jane, with her heavenly fried poached egg over beef carpaccio.
Pravda, I am in love!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tiffin Wallah
February 21st-
Saturday, we had the day off and I was in the mood for Indian food, so we made our way to Curry Hill, and landed at Tiffin Wallah. We have been here before, and liked it, so we thought we would try a few other dishes. The inside is clean and modern, and always full of Indians. The menu is huge. Today as I looked around, it seemed that everyone was ordering dosas. Nathan ordered the paneer masala dosa and liked it very much. I thought it was good as well, but dosas aren't my favorite thing.....too much bread for me. I ordered the paneer masala with rice and raita. My entree was a bit sweeter than I like, and had big chunks of green peppers in it. I don't really like green peppers. I like the flavor, but not the consistency. It seemed to be more south Indian in style. All in all, it was ok. It won't be the restaurant I have to visit everytime I go to Curry Hill. I will keep searching. I still like Indigo on the upper west side the best.
Saturday, we had the day off and I was in the mood for Indian food, so we made our way to Curry Hill, and landed at Tiffin Wallah. We have been here before, and liked it, so we thought we would try a few other dishes. The inside is clean and modern, and always full of Indians. The menu is huge. Today as I looked around, it seemed that everyone was ordering dosas. Nathan ordered the paneer masala dosa and liked it very much. I thought it was good as well, but dosas aren't my favorite thing.....too much bread for me. I ordered the paneer masala with rice and raita. My entree was a bit sweeter than I like, and had big chunks of green peppers in it. I don't really like green peppers. I like the flavor, but not the consistency. It seemed to be more south Indian in style. All in all, it was ok. It won't be the restaurant I have to visit everytime I go to Curry Hill. I will keep searching. I still like Indigo on the upper west side the best.
The Kitchen Club
February 14th-
For Valentine's day, we struggled to find a restaurant that didn't bind you to a prix fixe menu. I hate prix fixe. Your options are reduced, and you are committed to a certain amount of food.....always too much for me, which either leaves me feeling guilty that I wasted it, or gluttonous because I didn't. We finally decided on The Kitchen Club. They had a prix fixe menu, but also let you choose from their usual offerings. That I can handle. We had been here once before, but it had been so long ago, that all I remembered was that the food was good, and there was a cute little French bulldog who sauntered around from table to table looking for samples. It was crowded when we arrived at nine thirty, so we were led to the tiny bar area, (Chibi's Bar), in the back to wait for our table. My first order of business was to see if the Frenchie would be dining with us that evening. It wasn't difficult to locate him, since I had to literally step over him to get back to the bar area. I was happy. The wait was short, and we were seated and handed the menus to look over. We ordered drinks, Nathan, red wine and sake for me, which took so long to get to me that they gave it to me for free. Nathan went with the prix fixe Valentine's day menu, while I ordered, as you can guess, from the regular menu. First, came our appetizers....dumplings, the specialty of the house. We had crab and duck with ginger. Both were good, but we agreed, the crab, (which happened to be on the special menu), was better. Nathan had the steak, which was good, but nothing to write home about. On the other hand, my miso black cod was melting in my mouth! It was pure perfection! After our entrees, they brought out dessert. The menu said it was to be chocolate cake with espresso gelato. I felt bored. I've had this before. That is, until it arrived and I put the best piece of chocolate cake I have ever eaten into my skeptical mouth. It wasn't the sickening sweet taste of sugar that I remembered from chocolate cakes in the past. It was bittersweet heaven! The gelato was a good complement. We left the restaurant happy.....and I even got to feed the Frenchie (Chibi)!
For Valentine's day, we struggled to find a restaurant that didn't bind you to a prix fixe menu. I hate prix fixe. Your options are reduced, and you are committed to a certain amount of food.....always too much for me, which either leaves me feeling guilty that I wasted it, or gluttonous because I didn't. We finally decided on The Kitchen Club. They had a prix fixe menu, but also let you choose from their usual offerings. That I can handle. We had been here once before, but it had been so long ago, that all I remembered was that the food was good, and there was a cute little French bulldog who sauntered around from table to table looking for samples. It was crowded when we arrived at nine thirty, so we were led to the tiny bar area, (Chibi's Bar), in the back to wait for our table. My first order of business was to see if the Frenchie would be dining with us that evening. It wasn't difficult to locate him, since I had to literally step over him to get back to the bar area. I was happy. The wait was short, and we were seated and handed the menus to look over. We ordered drinks, Nathan, red wine and sake for me, which took so long to get to me that they gave it to me for free. Nathan went with the prix fixe Valentine's day menu, while I ordered, as you can guess, from the regular menu. First, came our appetizers....dumplings, the specialty of the house. We had crab and duck with ginger. Both were good, but we agreed, the crab, (which happened to be on the special menu), was better. Nathan had the steak, which was good, but nothing to write home about. On the other hand, my miso black cod was melting in my mouth! It was pure perfection! After our entrees, they brought out dessert. The menu said it was to be chocolate cake with espresso gelato. I felt bored. I've had this before. That is, until it arrived and I put the best piece of chocolate cake I have ever eaten into my skeptical mouth. It wasn't the sickening sweet taste of sugar that I remembered from chocolate cakes in the past. It was bittersweet heaven! The gelato was a good complement. We left the restaurant happy.....and I even got to feed the Frenchie (Chibi)!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
La Portena, The Place, Cafe con Leche, Cafe Luxembourg, Papillion, Water Moon, Barbao
January 25th-
I have neglected to write about my restaurant experiences for a long time, as you can see by the title of this blog. So, since I happen to be experiencing a bit of insomnia right now, I am going to give a very brief word on everything and vow to do better next time.
La Portena-
This restaurant is actually not in Manhattan, but in Queens. It was recommended to us by Jessica and Ralph, would drive us there and back, which is the only way I will happily leave the island. The food was very good, inexpensive and plentiful. My favorite was the chimichurri sauce, which I not only took home from the restaurant, but also ate in some form for breakfast for about a month afterwards. Ooo.....I think I will have some right now.
Ok.....I'm back.
Cafe con Leche-
This place has the best coffee in all of Manhattan. It is the first place Nathan and I had breakfast after we moved here, and it is still my favorite. Top dishes are the eggs benedict, empanadas and rum cake. The condiments they offer are also delish! I put their garlic sauce on everything I can. Hmmm.....I wonder if I could get a jar of that, too?
Papillion-
This is our "go to" restaurant in an area of Manhattan where there aren't as many good options. It's a great place for a drink, since there are two huge gorgeous wooden bars, one upstairs and one down. The word seems to be out, because it is always crowded for happy hour. The food is pretty good, too, which is why we keep coming back.
Cafe Luxembourg-
This is my new favorite neighborhood French restaurant. I love the atmosphere. I love the food, and I love eating at the bar. They have good, classic, French food. Giorgio Armani himself was dining here one of the nights we went. I will be back.
Water Moon-
My favorite neighborhood place for happy hour! They have delicious sakitinis and yummy sushi which you can get for a great price at the bar before eight. We go here regularly.
Barbao-
Tonight, or should I say last night, since it is now six in the morning aleady, we meet the Geeters at Barbao for drinks before heading out for dinner on our own. It used to be "Rain". The interior is mostly the same as it was before, but more inviting and warmer. There are little couches and upholstered chairs in place of the tiny ottomans from before. It was great for drinks.
The Place-
This is where we actually went for dinner. It is the cutest, coziest little place- perfect for a cold winter's night, which is was. After having a glass of wine at the bar, we were seated in the dining room. Nathan ordered the short ribs with mashed potatoes, and I ordered the cod with celery root puree. We each ate half, then switched. Both dishes were perfect, but we favored the cod. For dessert, we had the creme brulee and espresso. I loved it. I had a wonderful time here. It's a great place to relax and have good conversation with the one you love.
I have neglected to write about my restaurant experiences for a long time, as you can see by the title of this blog. So, since I happen to be experiencing a bit of insomnia right now, I am going to give a very brief word on everything and vow to do better next time.
La Portena-
This restaurant is actually not in Manhattan, but in Queens. It was recommended to us by Jessica and Ralph, would drive us there and back, which is the only way I will happily leave the island. The food was very good, inexpensive and plentiful. My favorite was the chimichurri sauce, which I not only took home from the restaurant, but also ate in some form for breakfast for about a month afterwards. Ooo.....I think I will have some right now.
Ok.....I'm back.
Cafe con Leche-
This place has the best coffee in all of Manhattan. It is the first place Nathan and I had breakfast after we moved here, and it is still my favorite. Top dishes are the eggs benedict, empanadas and rum cake. The condiments they offer are also delish! I put their garlic sauce on everything I can. Hmmm.....I wonder if I could get a jar of that, too?
Papillion-
This is our "go to" restaurant in an area of Manhattan where there aren't as many good options. It's a great place for a drink, since there are two huge gorgeous wooden bars, one upstairs and one down. The word seems to be out, because it is always crowded for happy hour. The food is pretty good, too, which is why we keep coming back.
Cafe Luxembourg-
This is my new favorite neighborhood French restaurant. I love the atmosphere. I love the food, and I love eating at the bar. They have good, classic, French food. Giorgio Armani himself was dining here one of the nights we went. I will be back.
Water Moon-
My favorite neighborhood place for happy hour! They have delicious sakitinis and yummy sushi which you can get for a great price at the bar before eight. We go here regularly.
Barbao-
Tonight, or should I say last night, since it is now six in the morning aleady, we meet the Geeters at Barbao for drinks before heading out for dinner on our own. It used to be "Rain". The interior is mostly the same as it was before, but more inviting and warmer. There are little couches and upholstered chairs in place of the tiny ottomans from before. It was great for drinks.
The Place-
This is where we actually went for dinner. It is the cutest, coziest little place- perfect for a cold winter's night, which is was. After having a glass of wine at the bar, we were seated in the dining room. Nathan ordered the short ribs with mashed potatoes, and I ordered the cod with celery root puree. We each ate half, then switched. Both dishes were perfect, but we favored the cod. For dessert, we had the creme brulee and espresso. I loved it. I had a wonderful time here. It's a great place to relax and have good conversation with the one you love.
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