Confessions of a New York Foodie

202

2010-07-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

75 9th Ave (b/w 15th St & 16th St)

Visitors come and go, but memorable brunches last a lifetime, or so the saying goes.

For my most recent visitor’s last meal in New York City, I insisted on brunching it up Manhattan Style at Chelsea Market. His flight was a late afternoon/early evening, but we had just enough time to grab a late brunch following a 10K run (or in my case crawl) through Central Park with the New York Road Runners. Yes, I run, too.

I surprised him with 202, a restaurant set in the center of a clothing store in gorgeous Chelsea Market. The place was mostly empty as brunch was nearing a close, so we had our choice of seating.

We started with cappuccino and juice. My guest ordered Buttermilk Pancakes with blackberry compote and crème fraiche.

I had the Lentil, Beet & Artichoke Salad and a side of Fried Green Tomatoes.

I wanted something light, which I found in the salad. The tangy vinaigrette dressing perfectly complemented the lentils, beets and artichokes served adjacent a mountain of arugula. It looked and tasted refreshing, like New York City on a cool spring morning.

The fried green tomatoes encompassed in mozzarella cheese were good but not great. They sat heavy on the palate underscoring the lightness of the salad. However, I was warned in the name, FRIED. I barely managed a couple of bites before insisting my guest eat the rest. He passed on the opportunity.

He enjoyed the pancakes topped with a blackberry puree and crème fraiche. It was maybe his second time to have the sweet sour cream and could not get enough. The pancakes were fluffy and filling, like pancakes should be.

The Market is an experience inside itself. Had we more time, I would have given my guest the full tour of the Market and gotten lost inside a sample sale or three.

202 is more about the scene than the food. Yes, the salad and pancakes were good, but at the end of the day, they were salad and pancakes. I could have made either myself, and experimented with various toppings along the way.

Would I go again? Yes, but only for the clothes.

DAMAGE ~ $50

VERDICT ~ PASS

Shake Shack

2010-05-18T19:22:00.000-07:00

366 Columbus Ave (b/w 77th St & 78th St)

With the onslaught of warmer weather, I keep my eyes and ears open for milkshakes and sandwiches around the city. When a co-worker mentioned the vegetarian-friendly mushroom burger at Shake Shack the same day it was featured in the local paper, I took that as my sign to visit immediately.

Not patient nor brave enough to withstand the line at their original Madison Square Park location (which can take upwards of 2 hours), I ventured to the Upper West Side. I ordered the vegetarian mushroom burger, fries topped with cheesy sauce, and the Natural History “Crunch-stellation” shake in honor of the place being literally across from the Natural History Museum.

’Shroom Burger

Crisp-fried portobello filled with melted muenster and cheddar cheese, topped with lettuce, tomato and ShackSauce

Cheese Fries

Topped with Shack cheddar & American cheese sauce

Natural History "Crunch-stellation"

Vanilla custard, malt, Valrhona chocolate crunchies and chocolate toffee

All I can say is thank you Danny! Danny Meyer, the genius behind Shake Shack (plus a number of New York City staples including Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, and Tabla) has my complete respect and adoration. The vegetarian ‘Shroom Burger was delicious! At first glimpse, I thought the staff forgot the cheese. Once I bit into the crispy sandwich, I was greeted by gooey warm muenster and cheddar completely encompassing a Portobello mushroom. Yum!

The sandwich itself was small, maybe about half the size of a normal burger. However, upon finishing it, I realized it was Danny who had the size of burgers correct; the rest of the world had them wrong. As for the fries, they too were delicious, but I prefer them without the cheesy sauce topping. They are tasty in and of themselves.

As for the shake, don’t get me started. On second thought, do. Anything that contains Valrhona chocolate has me sold before tasting. Blame that one on InterSportsWriter who exposed me to the finer dark chocolate in life. The frozen custard used in the shake was as dense as it was flavorful. With a number of toppings and mix-ins to choose from, there is something for everyone. They even have a flavor of the day! It was strawberry rhubarb during my visit.

For those brave enough to withstand long wait times, there is a shack cam on their website where you can check the line beforehand at their Madison Square Park location. Also, there are a couple other shacks opening up this Summer, including one in the Theatre District and one on the Upper East Side.

Later that day, I saw Shake Shack in Time Out New York. Good choice.

DAMAGE ~$18

VERDICT: GO NOW!

Dawat

2009-11-27T13:35:00.000-08:00

210 E 58th Street

Recently, I have taken a love of Indian food. Looking back, it was inevitable. I am vegetarian and love spicy food, although my first few encounters with it did not favor to my fondness. But I kept trying. Or rather, my friends kept trying until they found me the perfect Indian place. I can tell you what that place is not—a Midtown East eatery called Dawat.

A restaurant’s atmosphere can make or break a dining experience. Dawat’s broke mine—twice.

The first time InterSportsWriter and I visited, we were seated next to an overtly loud woman with a noticeable Southern accent and what appeared to be her colleague who listened indifferently as she dominated the conversation. Usually, this is not bothersome except the place was empty.

The second time we visited, we were seated at the exact same table in the nearly empty restaurant, and once again the woman adjacent us dominated the conversation in unusually loud undertones. She did the majority of the talking in between taking numerous phone calls in front of her colleague; the only difference was she lacked the Southern accent of her predecessor. This time we asked to be moved, and fortunately the server granted our request immediately.

Regarding the food, we started with the following:

Onion Fritters (crisp light, chickpea flour batter dipped, onion fritters)

Vegetable Samosa (spicy seasoned potatoes and peas wrapped in light pastry)

We shared the Vegetarian Thali consisting of the following:

Farasvi Bhaji (green beans cooked w/ freshly grated coconut)
Saag Paneer (spinach puree w/ cubes of paneer cheese)
Gobhi Aloo (potatoes, cauliflower & Indian spices)
Sindhi Karhi (vegetarian stew made w/ chickpea flour & vegetables)
Pulao Rice (Indian rice)
Poori Breads (deep-fried puffed bread)
plus a variety of Chutneys & Relishes

I am obsessed with samosas and found theirs amazing. They were just right in terms of crispness on the outside and flavorful on the inside. The fritters, however, were slightly dry and bland in taste.

The entire main dish was wonderful. The Vegetarian Thali appears to be a small meal but is just right for 2 people without leftovers. My favorites included the saag paneer and the gobhi aloo. It’s hard to go wrong with either staple Indian dish, yet I still found myself craving more after they were finished.

The complementary papadum (thin crispy Indian wafers) served with a trio of chutneys at the start of the meal is a great way to wet your taste buds, but beware of where, or rather who, you are seated.

I have yet to visit India, but I imagine Dawat comes pretty close to the real thing. The owner, Madhur Jaffrey, is an Indian actress and food writer. If I worked in the area, perhaps I would order takeaway, but as far as a repeat visit in person, forget it. The outdated décor and older clientele who insist on taking personal calls at the table and practicing public speaking are too stuffy for my liking. The only thing “haute” about Dawat Haute Indian Cuisine was my blood pressure upon leaving.

DAMAGE ~$65
VERDICT: Pass

Schiller’s Liquor Bar

2009-10-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

131 Rivington St (b/w Norfolk St & Suffolk St)

Weekend brunch is a highly coveted activity for many New Yorkers. Thus, it is not uncommon to walk down any street in Manhattan on Saturday or Sunday afternoon with every Brunch spot packed to the brim. It is uncommon, however, to wait several hours for a table at the brunch spot of your choice—in my case it was Clinton Street Baking Company. I finally convinced InterSportsWriter to come down to the Lower East Side and meet me for a taste of their infamous pancakes only to learn the wait time was over 2 hours.

With his passport in hand (being from the Upper West Side), we walked 2 blocks south to Schiller’s Liquor Bar, owned by the same people as Pastis and Balthazar. The restaurant was nearing capacity when we arrived, but we had no trouble obtaining a table.

For our meals, we ordered the gorgonzola omelet w/ home potatoes and a sour cream & hazelnut waffle topped w/mixed berries.

The omelet was amazing (as many things with blue cheese usually are); the waffle, however, left me confused. There was no sour cream to speak of, and it was not until InterSportsWriter dissected it that the hazelnuts clumped together in the middle made themselves known. The maple syrup is made with bourbon, adding a nice change of pace to an otherwise standard waffle.

Overall, I was pleased. It’s hard to go wrong with an omelet featuring gorgonzola cheese as the main attraction or a waffle with alcoholic syrup for that matter.

One last thing worth nothing about Schiller’s Liquor Bar is the bathroom. It features a large communal wash basin reminiscent of a 50’s diner, which is probably what the owners intended.

Of the three, I still prefer Meatpacking’s Pastis, but Schiller’s is not a bad second.

DAMAGE ~ $30
VERDICT: Go

Trattoria Dell'Arte

2009-10-03T13:12:00.000-07:00

900 7th Ave (b/w 56th St & 57th St)

Evenings of attempted Rush tickets to Wicked, a popular musical currently on Broadway, are typically followed by lavish dinners in and around midtown.

The formula for Rush tickets is simple: arrive at a certain time (usually 2 hours before the show), put your name in a basket, and hope you are 1 of 13 individuals called to purchase 2 tickets at a fraction of the cost for the same evening’s performance. Otherwise tickets start at $117 per person.

Last Thursday, chances of scoring discounted tickets were even slimmer as I was late getting off work, and InterSportsWriter was left to fend for the both of us. I arrived just in time to watch the lucky 13 collect their tickets, my evening companion not amongst them. I knew dinner reservations had been arranged should something like this happen (we are going on 0:6). 1 hour later, we were seated at Trattoria Dell'Arte, an Italian eatery located in Midtown West, 2 blocks from Central Park.

We started off with the 3 Vegetable Sampler: Brown Lentil & Corn Salad (plum tomato, thyme & balsamic vinegar); Sautéed Swiss Chard w/ roasted garlic; and Sicilian Eggplant Caponata (sweet & sour eggplant, plum tomato & olives). The appetizer was great (minus the eggplant which I was unable to digest due to a preexisting allergy). Still I sampled it and secretly cursed my stomach because I knew more than 2 bites would leave me curled up in a ball for the rest of the evening.

Next came the vegetarian pizza divided into 4 with each section featuring a different topping: artichoke, wild mushrooms, eggplant and peppers. I left the eggplant to my dining companion, saved the artichokes for later, and inhaled the mushroom and pepper squares. They were amazing.

The crust was thin and crunchy like a pita chip; the oblong-shaped pizza had just the right amount of sauce, cheese, and vegetables. Even for 2 people, it was enormous! It’s no surprise that it boxed up awkwardly and was not quite as amazing the following day. The crust was soggy, and my impatience got in the way of preparing it properly to obtain that unique crispness I experienced during the initial meal.

Dessert topped everything off with myself having the lemonata cheese cake and InterSportsWriter having chocolate ice cream. My selection was fantastic: creamy, dense, and lemony. My companion, however, was dissatisfied with his choice and left over half of it behind.

Besides their signature pizza and one expansive antipasto bar, the most obvious thing worth nothing about the midtown eatery is the décor. The walls are painted in soft pastels and covered in enormous sculptures of the—umm—body. From noses to breasts to butts, Trattoria Dell’Arte has it all. The unique decorations provide a nice topic of discussion should conversation lag.

The bottom line: go for the pizza, gawk at the décor, and avoid the chocolate.

DAMAGE ~$100+
VERDICT: Go

Gramercy Tavern

2009-09-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

2 E 20th Street (b/w Broadway & Park Ave S)

Birthdays come but once a year (still far too frequent in my opinion). This year, as I prepared to enter my quarter life crisis, InterSportsWriter did his best to help me forget my woes of growing older with a surprise dinner at Gramercy Tavern. What a dinner it was!

We both ordered the Vegetarian Tasting Menu consisting of the following:

Radish & Kohlrabi Salad
Country Egg

Sugar Snap Peas & Cucumber

Barley Risotto
Baby Carrots, Shiitake & Spiced Almonds

Warm Salad of Vegetables & Black Lentils

Spinach Fettuccine
Green Garlic & Mushrooms

Petit Fours

It took us a while to settle on a wine. The waiter suggested a Riesling Austrian called Stift Göttweig, a compromise to my dry, crisp preference and InterSportsWriter’s sweet tooth. One sip and I could not have been more pleased with the outcome.

As for the dishes (starting with my least favorite), the amuse bouche served at the start was odd in flavor and unimpressive. Everything else, however, was spectacular. From the initial radish salad to the barley risotto, the food was a feast for my eyes and mouth. The final entree of spinach fettuccine served with whole garlic cloves tasted especially unique yet not overpowering as one might expect with garlic.

We also ordered a plate of five cheeses. Despite the fact I no longer recall our various selections months later as I write this, I do recall the taste—perfection. Murray Greenberg, former owner of the infamous Murray’s Cheese in West Village, would be hard pressed to find a more delicious serving of coagulated milk (besides his own of course).

The plates were perfectly proportioned allowing for fullness without the feeling of being stuffed. The waiter was very accompanying and patient, especially as we discussed the pros and cons of the meal using him as a mediator.

For dessert, InterSportsWriter had the peanut butter-wafer-chocolate-toffee selection; I had the rhubarb shortcake. Both were amazing, but not near as good as the main courses.

Friends and colleagues have always raved about the upscale eatery located off E 20th between Broadway and Park. Following my quarter life crisis birthday dinner, I understand why. I now join the countless patrons who place Gramercy Tavern amongst their favorite eateries in New York City.

With its innovative menu, impressive interior, superb service, and amazing food, Gramercy Tavern is a place I plan to frequent (and recommend) often. It’s perfect for special occasions, get-togethers, Monday nights, Tuesday evenings, Wednesday aftern—well, you get the idea.

P.S. Did I mention there are complimentary chocolates at the end of the meal? See Petit Fours.

DAMAGE ~ $300+
VERDICT: GO NOW!

Grom

2009-08-20T03:51:00.000-07:00

233 Bleecker St (@ Carmine)

A recent excursion to Italy has left me with a poor beginner’s version to Italian, a couple pounds heavier, and a nasty addiction to gelato.

As such, when NYLawStudent suggested a trip to Grom, what kind of friend would I be to deny such a request? More importantly, immediate action was necessary to fend off cravings until I make my way back across the Atlantic.

The line that never ends, also known as the line at West Village’s Grom, gave us a chance to review the menu and discuss our preferences. I chose 1 scoop of Bacio (traditional Gianduja chocolate w/ hazelnut chips) and 1 scoop of Crema di Grom (w/ Battifolo biscuits & Columbian chocolate chips).

My partner in crime had 1 scoop of Stacciatella (w/ Columbian chocolate chips) & 1 scoop of Caffe espresso (w/ Guatemalan Genuina Antigua coffee).

Despite the snobbishness that results from having the real thing in Italy, I enjoyed my selections. The Bacio was amazing, but to a hazelnut freak such as myself, I expected it to be. Crema di Grom had a slightly odd dark chocolate taste but was good as well. NYLawStudent enjoyed his choices, but made the mistake of comparing Gelato to Blue Bell. At the sight of my oncoming breakdown, he took it back and apologized.

Overall, the gelato was smooth in texture and creamy in taste. Italians might scoff, until I remind them that Grom itself comes from Italy. Indeed, I spotted Grom while roaming the streets of Venice. It hails from the Province of Torino in Northern Italy.

When every other stand is a geletaria; when you wake up and shake because it is almost noon and you have not had your first scoop of gelato yet, relax—you're in Italy. To go from having gelato 4 times a day to once a week (if that) will be tough, but when the cravings get out of control, I take comfort knowing Grom is a short distance away.

DAMAGE ~$5/ small cup—2 scoops
VERDICT: Go

Ouest

2009-06-28T21:21:00.001-07:00

2315 Broadway (b/w 83rd St & 84th St)

Ouest (pronounced West) on the Upper West Side is a 2 story French eatery catering to those who appreciate the finer things in life—namely great extra virgin olive oil and more extra virgin olive oil.

A number of various cuisines were discussed for dinner one Saturday evening, including Italian (proposed by InterSportsWriter) and Mexican (proposed by myself). Ouest was chosen due to its relative proximity (less than 10 blocks away) and a particular food item to be discussed shortly. Immediately after being seated, we were given a bread basket served with a special almond paste mixed with olive oil.

I ordered the Earl Grey Martini to drink, which is essentially grey tea infused with gin. I’m a huge tea person. With gin being my liquor of choice, I thought my drink amazing. It had a refreshingly light taste and crisp feel.

As a starter, my dining companion raved about the Truffled Omelet Soufflé with Mousseline Sauce. We ordered 2.

For the main course, we were crippled in vegetarian entrée choices (there were none). Thus, we opted for dinner size portions of the following appetizers:

Goat Cheese Ravioli w/ Tomato, Pancetta and Basil

Chickpea Pancakes w/ Green Beans

The key ingredient at Ouest is extra virgin olive oil; I nearly asked for a glass of it. From the initial almond paste served with the bread basket to the omelet soufflé, my taste buds remained on cloud 9 throughout the evening.

The omelet was light, fluffy, and fantastic. It falls into the top 3 things I have tried this year and might just be one of the best things I’ve had in my entire life. Like certain bars that have a 2 drink minimum, I would suggest Ouest have a 1 plate minimum and that plate be the omelet soufflé. It was this particular dish InterSportsWriter used as leverage to convince me of Ouest in the first place.

The goat cheese ravioli and the chickpea pancakes were quite good, but as stated before, the soufflé and the bread basket almond paste trumped the meal.

My only complaint was the utter disregard for vegetarians, at least according to the dinner menu entrée list.

DAMAGE ~ $120
VERDICT: GO NOW!

Mole

2009-06-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

205 Allen St

Craving Mexican food one Sunday night, a friend suggested dinner at Vamos!, a Mexican eatery in Stuyvesant Town. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived at the late afternoon/early evening hour of 10p.m., the restaurant had closed; my cravings had not. So I interjected with a tiny eatery I spotted off the Lower East Side called Mole.

As soon as we arrived, we started off with tableside guacamole and “Crepas con Huitlacoche,” 2 homemade crepes with black corn mushroom in creamy poblano sauce.

For the main course, I ordered the “Chiles Rellenos,” 2 fire roasted poblano peppers stuffed with queso fresco and served in fire roasted tomato sauce.

I blocked out what my dining companion had because it contained meat.

The mushroom crepes appetizer was by far the tastiest plate. I was impressed, but then again, how often does an appetizer trump the main course? Is that even allowed? The guacamole dip was not bad, although mine is better.

I found the main dish slightly overkill—my peppers were literally swimming in tomato sauce. Maybe I ordered soup. It’s been a few weeks since I visited.

We also had a side of nopales asadas, or grilled cactus, which turned out to be the most disappointing item of the evening; dry and bland. We barely managed a couple bites between us, but only out of obligation to our wallets rather than our tongues.

What I remember most about the evening was biting into my poblano peppers to find a toothpick. The server explained the toothpick was inserted to hold the peppers in place during the preparation of the dish. Unfortunately, it was too late; my taste buds felt jaded and my stomach remained uneasy throughout the remainder of the meal.

Looking back, I’ve had dishes where toothpicks are added to hold everything together, but this particular one caught me off guard. I apologized to the server for assuming the worst, but it was still hard to convince myself the toothpick was intentional and necessary.

Although the service was good, I can’t say I’ll be back. The menu was not impressive enough to warrant a return; and the complimentary salsa was weak, somewhat of a deal breaker in the land of Mexican restaurants.

DAMAGE ~$80 (CASH ONLY)
VERDICT: Go

Sarabeth's

2009-06-11T20:54:00.000-07:00

423 Amsterdam Ave (b/w 80th St & 81st St)

I would bet the average New Yorker dines out significantly more often than most people in the rest of the country. Being no exception, if I were to blog every last place visited, I would have little time to do much else.

Whether or not I review a restaurant depends largely on the food and the service. Sometimes I write to warn others; sometimes I write to urge others. The Lemon Ricotta Pancakes at Sarabeth’s on the Upper West Side fall into the urge category.

InterSportsWriter and I made plans for Brunch one Sunday morning and nearly abandoned our idea at the sight of the large crowd waiting for a table to open up inside. I insisted we check the wait time anyway, and as fate would have it, they had a table for 2 available. Seconds later, we were seated ordering beverages.

My Brunch companion had been to Sarabeth’s many times and, knowing my appreciation for foods of a lemony sort, urged me to try the Lemon and Ricotta Pancakes w/ Fresh Berries. ISW also said the Spinach & Goat Cheese Omelet was worth trying, so we ordered that as well.

Looking back, my taste buds shake in anticipation at the thought of those pancakes. I'm not a pancake person, yet Sarabeth’s has caused me to reevaluate my feelings about flat cakes. They were the best I ever had in my life and easily fall into the top 5 things I have eaten this year. The omelet was the perfect fluffy balance of goat cheese to egg and spinach.

I was highly impressed with the meal and the service. There are several other Sarabeth's around the city, including one on the Upper East Side and one in Chelsea Market. There is no doubt I will be back, the question is how soon.

DAMAGE ~$50
VERDICT: GO NOW!

Pukk

2009-06-09T19:50:00.000-07:00

71 1st Ave (b/w 4th St & 5th St)

Note: When looking for a cheap reasonable place to dine, avoid Nolita.

A friend and I wandered aimlessly for 2 hours around the area looking for something good yet reasonably priced. Along the way, we stopped for cupcakes and cheesecake but soon found ourselves craving something more substantial.

She was visiting from out of town, so I knew it was up to me to find something. I suggested heading east and bingo—staring at us from neon green lighting was Pukk, a vegetarian Thai eatery off 1st Avenue.

The place was slightly more than half full on a late Friday evening, so we had no trouble getting a table.

We started with an appetizer called Spinach Toast, crispy fritters with spinach and lime sweet chili. The fritters were delish and the lime sweet chili was a nice compliment to the spinach.

The plethora of mock meats on the menu had my dining companion fooled. She didn’t realize Pukk was completely vegetarian until placing her order, Pad Thai w/ chicken. At this point, I informed her everything was soy based. Thankfully, she is an experimental eater, so I knew she would appreciate the change (at least that’s what I told myself before stepping through the door).

Meanwhile, I ordered the Massaman Curry w/ vegetarian duck (curry w/ sweet potato, onion, and peanut).

I really loved my dish; the curry could have been a tad spicier but nothing a little hot sauce didn’t fix. My companion enjoyed hers as well, but pad thai is pad thai. It’s hard to go wrong with such a staple dish unless you really try.

As pleased as I was with the meal, I was even more pleased with the bill. Under $20 (before tip) for what we ordered seemed like a crime. I have not had a full meal for 2 people this cheaply since The Ed Sullivan Show was the thing to do on Sunday night.

Pukk is the perfect place for those looking to eat a decent meal without having to take out a small loan to do so. The cocktail menu is quite impressive, and there are several desserts I look forward to on a return visit, probably with a vegetarian friend or another unsuspecting omnivore…

DAMAGE ~$23
VERDICT: Go

Aureole

2009-05-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

34 E 61st St

Situated between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue on the Upper East Side was a two story restaurant from the Charlie Palmer Group called Aureole. I use past tense because as I type these words, Executive Chef Christopher Lee is preparing the last plates for his final evening at 34 E 61st Street’s Aureole; the restaurant closes tonight. It is this closing that prompted InterSportsWriter to make reservations for 2 at one of his favorite dining halls in the city.

The Charlie Palmer Group is a collection of restaurants, wine shops and boutique hotels across the country under the direction of master chef and entrepreneur Charlie Palmer. Palmer is famous for his Progressive American cooking, or the art of combining distinct flavors and unusual concoctions.

Evidence of Palmer’s unique creations can be found in the following 9 course Vegetarian Pre-Fixe tasting menu served during our visit:

(no pic)

Wild Asparagus w/ Asian Flavors

Summer Squashes feat. Burrata Cheese, Honey Mustard & Baby Greens in a Lavender Rosemary Dressing

Artichoke Ravioli feat. Tomato, Capers & Black Olive in a White Wine Butter Sauce

Green Asparagus feat. Watercress & Frisee in a Morel Mushroom Cream

Forbidden Rice feat. Ramps, Rhubarb, Fiddle Head Ferns & Pistachio Nuts

Spring Vegetable Tasting feat. Fava Beans, English Peas, Apricot Chutney & Chanterelle Mushrooms

Coconut Tapioca w/ Cherry Compote

Vanilla Buttermilk Panna Cotta feat. Strawberry Rhubarb Sorbet, Toasted Cornmeal Cake & Lavender Meringue

Warm Chocolate Banana Tartlet w/ Salted Caramel Ice Cream & Macadamia Croquant

After the tasting menu, I understood why my dining companion felt so strongly the establishment; Aureole is dining at its finest. The Vanilla Buttermilk Panna Cotta might be the single best thing to grace my lips in 2009, which is saying something because I have tried some pretty spectacular dishes this year.

Following the Panna Cotta, the Spring Vegetable Tasting and the Artichoke Ravioli were my next 2 favorite dishes. I didn't care so much for the white foam served with the Warm Chocolate Banana Tartlet; it looked and tasted like soap. In addition, the Rhubarb served with the Forbidden Rice was not so pleasing, but everything else was perfection.

The meal was bittersweet in a sense because I knew it would be the first and last time I ever visited the famous Upper East Side establishment. However, the good news is they are relocating to the Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park.

DAMAGE ~$135 (pp, 7 course tasting menu)
VERDICT: GO NOW! (once their new location opens)

teany

2009-05-27T20:19:00.000-07:00

90 Rivington St

It’s tea time at teany.

Despite my obsession with coffee and the jitters that result when I don’t get my fix, I’m actually a tea person. I wake up with tea every day and wind down with it nightly. Thus, a visit to teany on the Lower East Side not only makes sense, it is expected. I ventured here one afternoon following an eventful afternoon of watching people dance their way down Broadway during New York City’s annual Dance Parade.

The tiny vegan eatery opened by Moby and his ex-girlfriend Kelly Tisdale features 98 different kinds of tea and a decent selection of salads, soups, sandwiches, and breakfast items. Though crowded, I scored a table upon arrival.

I tried their “Hairy Crab Oolong” tea and a cup of lentil soup. Service was a bit slow and my tea was forgotten (I had to remind the server), but once everything arrived, it was very tasty. The tea was hot and flavorful with a distinctly peachy aroma; the soup was chunky and thick—the way soup should be.

I entered on an empty stomach. A pot of tea and a small cup of lentil soup left me full and satisfied. There is an interesting selection of vegan desserts, but my sweet tooth was not up for the challenge (rare but it happens). The place did feel a bit pricey (oolong tea starting @ $7.50), but all in all, teany is worth checking out.

There is no doubt I will be back. Hopefully the service will be better the second time around.

DAMAGE ~$15 (CASH ONLY)

VERDICT: Go

Billy’s Bakery

2009-05-25T07:05:00.000-07:00

184 9th Avenue (b/w 21st St & 22nd St)

Holy Cupcake! Billy’s Bakery offers a variety of baked goods with one specific goal in mind—to satisfy your sweet tooth.

And satisfy my sweet tooth it did, so much that I teetered on the brink of nausea during a recent visit to the tiny Chelsea bakery.

The following was consumed in one sitting:

Chocolate Cupcake w/ Buttercream Icing.

Slice of Peanut Butter Pie.

Butterscotch Mini-Cheesecake.

Amongst my sugar overload, what stood out were the pie and the chocolate cupcake. The buttercream icing was superb; the cupcake itself was creamy and moist, ranking among the best I’ve had in the city. The pie was like biting into a jar of creamy whipped peanut butter topped with nuts and chunks of chocolate. The cheesecake, however, was somewhat disappointing; overtly sweet and dry.

Apparently, the bakery is known for their red velvet cupcakes; they were in the middle of making a new batch when I went. Rather than wait for them to finish (and endure creepy stares from onlookers noticing the drool creeping down my chin), I checked back two days later and bingo—red velvet cupcakes galore!

I had one red velvet cupcake and a slice of their banana cake (I couldn’t resist). Once again, yum and yum. I’m not sure if the red velvet is all it’s cracked up to be but it’s worth splitting with a friend. The banana cake, especially the icing, was so delicious that I still recall the taste clearly as I write several days later. This is worth stealing from your friend.

There are a couple more items I plan to try on future visits, and with a location opening up in Tribeca mid-June, that visit will be soon.

Recommendation: I would shy away from their cheesecakes but definitely try a cupcake or 4. If you order a plethora of desserts, try not to consume them all at once.

DAMAGE ~$20
VERDICT: Go

Ost Cafe

2009-05-21T20:36:00.000-07:00

441 E 12th St (corner of Avenue A)

Ost Cafe, located in the East Village on the edge of Alphabet City, easily falls into my top five coffee shops in the city.

NYLawStudent and I stopped in for a late afternoon/early evening coffee on a Friday. I had a large mocha and a cookie sandwich cemented together with Nutella. NYLawStudent opted for an iced coffee.

Everything was perfect and delish. I expected the cookies to be hard and stale given the time of day. In fact they were the opposite; soft without being crumbly and ideal for coffee dipping. The coffee was smooth and allowed me to forgive myself for passing on Abraço’s coffee (don’t give me that look…they don’t have chairs and I didn’t feel like standing).

Perhaps the true selling point of Ost Cafe is the atmosphere. With large windows and ample natural light, it has that open airy feel of quaint European cafes. Its location away from the larger avenues of 1st and 2nd is perfect for catching up with friends or enjoying a latte with a good read. They offer free WiFi during the week.

DAMAGE ~$7.50
VERDICT: Go

Bread Tribeca

2009-05-17T22:00:00.001-07:00

301 Church St (b/w Walker St & White St)

A 24-hr visit to New York City is not complete without the staple Sunday Brunch. For this reason, I insisted CanseoTaris and I feast at the prime Brunch hour of 1pm, several hours before she had to catch a flight back to Texas.

We ended up at Bread Tribeca, not to be confused with Bread off Spring Street. Despite not having reservations on Mother’s Day, we were seated immediately. I ordered a latte; my companion asked for a chocolate potion of deliciousness…more on this later.

For the meals, CanseoTaris ordered a salmon dish, while I had their specialty for the day, the virgin frittata w/ goat cheese, arugula, and tomato. It was one of the only items on the menu I could order.

The frittata was good but not spectacular—is there such a thing when it comes to frittatas? CanseoTaris really enjoyed her dish. The side salad that came with the frittata was a nice touch to finish off the meal.

Looking back, I should have brought a tape recorder to remember exactly what CanseoTaris ordered to drink. Her request was vague, “I’d like something cold with chocolate.” The server completely understood and returned with something light, cold, and chocolaty. It was the perfect drink on a gorgeous Spring day.

The space was open and airy, reminding me of Montreal cafes. Service was on the slow side. I can’t say whether I’ll be back due to the limited Brunch menu, but I will never forget that amazing chocolate drink.

DAMAGE ~$54
VERDICT: Pass

The Chocolate Room

2009-05-14T05:14:00.000-07:00

86 5th Ave, Park Slope, B’lynDid someone say chocolate?

InterSportsWriter did, so ISW, CanseoTaris, and I ventured to Park Slope’s The Chocolate Room following dinner in Williamsburg one Saturday evening.

After a short but excruciating wait (no reservations accepted), we were seated at a table for 3 and proceeded to pour over the vast menu.

CanseoTaris, still full from dinner, ordered a small scoop of Sorbet Valrhona Chocolate Ice Cream.

Meanwhile, the true chocoholics at the table, InterSportsWriter and I, split the following:

Black Bottom Butterscotch Custard

Brownie Sundae w/ Hazelnut Ice Cream

Chocolate 3-Layer Cake

CanseoTaris’ ice cream was very tasty, but the butterscotch custard blew everything else away. It featured a thin layer of chocolate syrup on the bottom, and I just couldn’t get enough. It was so good that I hardly remember the other 2 desserts. However, I do recollect the cake being slightly on the dry side and us being unable to finish it. I don’t recall the brownie sundae at all. Not sure if that’s good or bad…I blame the custard.

If you live in Park Slope, you probably frequent this place often. If you don’t and are now considering subletting your apartment to move within walking distance from this chocolate fortress, just remember they also have a location in Cobble Hill.

I felt absolutely no qualms fueling my addiction to chocolate because I was surrounded by a room full of like-minded souls. Thus, until I figure out a way to sponsor myself a trip to Belgium for “research,” Park Slope’s The Chocolate Room will have to suffice.

DAMAGE ~$55
VERDICT: Go

Zenkichi

2009-05-12T16:49:00.000-07:00

77 N. 6th St, B'lyn

It’s no secret that when dining out, I do extensive research on the restaurant and the menu. Before even walking in the door, I know exactly what I am going to order, what it will taste like, and how much it will cost.

As a result, InterSportsWriter has gotten into the habit of denying me my preview glory by refusing to disclose any details regarding the venue and cuisine of our outings.

Our latest excursion had me and CanseoTaris, a friend visiting from Texas, on the L train to Williamsburg. We exited the Bedford Avenue stop, where InterSportsWriter joined us. We were led to the end of the block at what appeared to be a shack. No sign, no hoards of people hanging about, just a wooden shack. Whatever was behind that wall better be good.

Arriving just in time for our dinner reservation at Zenkichi, a modern Japanese Brasserie, we followed the hostess through a maze of bamboo sticks to the second story and were seated at a semi-private dimly lit booth.

All three of us opted for the vegetarian six-course tasting menu, with CanseoTaris not wanting to feel like the odd one out in the presence of vegetarians.

The following is what graced my lips that evening in order:

Silken Tofu w/ Tomatoes

Spring Vegetable Tempura w/ Shiitake Mushrooms & Broccoli Rabe

Grilled Eggplant

Oven Roasted Japanese Mushrooms

Agedashi Goma Tofu w/ Scallops in light broth

Each of us ordered different desserts and rotated them around the table:

Chocolate Fondant w/ Raspberry Sauce

Black Sesame Ice Cream

Grapefruit Agar Gelee

Let me start by saying what stood out amongst the dishes: the Spring Vegetable Tempura and the Oven Roasted Mushrooms. Both were made to perfection and tasted superb.

What did not stand out was the eggplant (I am not a big fan in general), and the initial plate of silken tofu was a bit too silken for me (see texture of pudding). Also, the goma tofu in light broth was too watery for my liking.

As far as the desserts were concerned, the fondant was amazing; the ice cream was good; and the grapefruit gelee was gross (DISCLAIMER: I don't like grapefruit). InterSportsWriter, however, enjoyed it.

I was wrong about the modern Japanese Brassiere being good. What lay beyond that wooden wall was fantastic! For CaseoTaris, Zenkichi happened to be her first dinner in New York City. Needless to say, she was thoroughly impressed. I loved the layout of the space, despite the dim lighting and getting lost in the maze of bamboo sticks several times on my way back from the bathroom.

Meals are as much about the food as they are about the experience; this was one to remember. A Japanese eatery with a vegetarian tasting menu is practically unheard of. I’m not sure if I will be back, but I will definitely recommend this place to everyone I know. Be forewarned, they only do dinner Wednesday thru Sunday.

DAMAGE ~$48/pp tasting menu
VERDICT: Go

The City Grill

2009-05-03T21:29:00.000-07:00

269 Columbus Ave (b/w 72nd & 73rd)

Meh.

A word used to describe a recent visit to Upper West Side’s The City Grill. Scoping out the menu beforehand to ensure I had options, I agreed to meet my dining companion at the American eatery for dinner.

Side note: Menu investigation only works when I know where I'm eating in advance. Otherwise, expect a mild panic attack while I grapple with finding someone with phone internet.

It was through this initial research that I learned their fries were something to try. With a little help from the server, I ordered the artichoke and spinach cheese dip appetizer and a portabella mushroom sandwich with fries for my entree.

My companion had mushroom ravioli in a tomato cream sauce.

The fries lived up to their expectations. Everything else, however, was meh. Average. Bland. Blah. Normal. Not bad, not great, just average. I was not impressed by the overall quality.

The artichoke dip was decent but somewhat bland in taste. The starter bread basket was ok, although one of the rolls felt like I was tearing into rubber (are rolls supposed to be that hard?). I had a bite of the mushroom ravioli; it tasted undercooked. My companion had no qualms, so I’ll call it al dente.

We completed our evening with caffeine. I had an espresso macchiato; my companion, a regular cup of joe. Thank goodness the macchiato was fantastic. Next to dessert, I can’t think of a better way to complete a subpar meal but with a great cup of coffee. Unfortunately, the desserts (like the menu) looked unimpressive.

I only finished half my sandwich and took the rest home. Currently, it sits in my fridge enduring insults from my organic skim milk, feta cheese crumbles, and cage-free brown eggs labeling it “glorified diner fare.” Oh well. At least the prices were reasonable.

DAMAGE ~50
VERDICT: Pass

Allen & Delancey

2009-04-29T21:19:00.001-07:00

115 Allen St After a day of fantastic films at Tribeca Film Festival, I wanted to complete my Saturday with an even more fantastic meal. I made reservations for 2 at Allen & Delancey for 10:45, allowing barely enough time for InterSportsWriter and I to trek our way from the festival to the restaurant following the day's last film.

To get started we both order glasses of wine, despite the tempting cocktail menu. It took a while for the complimentary bread to arrive, but I later found out the chef made it special as the regular bread contained bacon.

We ordered the “Crispy Polenta, Mushroom Ragu, Artichokes, Sottocenere Fonduta” for the appetizer. Polenta is made with cornmeal. That evening might have been my first taste of polenta, and all I can say is WOW. It was incredible. I can’t believe I’ve never had it before. The cute little mushrooms were a nice touch as well, in taste and visual stimulation.

For our main course, we were rather limited in options, or should I say option. The only thing we could eat was risotto. Opting away from rice, we talked the waiter into letting us order something off the menu, which turned out to be a mixed veggie platter with mashed potatoes.

Although the potatoes were fantastic, I was saddened at the final outcome of the entree. We shared it because there was nothing else to order.

The dessert, however, was a completely different story. Not only did it improve my mood, it made my experience at Allen & Delancey a memorable one. We ordered the following 2 desserts:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart, Whole Milk Sorbet, & Whiskey-Vanilla Milkshake.

Chocolate Coconut Cake w/ a Thai Coffee Sorbet & Caramelized Bananas.

If it looks and sounds fantastic, believe me when I say it was. The peanut butter tart was filled with a warm chocolate ganache that was out of this world. The milkshake was the size of a shot glass, but it turned out to be just right to finish off dessert. The chocolate coconut cake was great; I stopped myself halfway through because I realized my dining companion had yet to try it.

The server was attentive and friendly, especially after learning InterSportsWriter and I were vegetarian. I loved the intimate atmosphere and could see myself coming back. My only qualm came from the lack of vegetarian options; I nearly walked out after taking one look at the menu. What stopped us was the fact it was 11 at night, and I don’t do 24 hour diners.

To the chef:
Please add 1-2 more vegetarian dishes to your menu. There is no doubt I will return (especially after learning a former Death & Co. bartender designed your cocktail menu; no wonder it looked so impressive [see Death & Co. review]). However, I would like the option of ordering something other than rice and vegetables. It is somewhat insulting to drop $100 on a meal without really eating anything, if you know what I mean.

If you need help, my tastebuds are more than happy to offer up their services free of charge.

DAMAGE ~$93 + tip
VERDICT: Go, but be wary of lack of vegetarian options.

Puglia

2009-04-28T20:55:00.001-07:00

189 Hester St

Have you ever been somewhere so bad that it’s good? That’s what happened during a recent visit to Little Italy’s Puglia. I made several fatal mistakes over the course of the evening, which ultimately killed the night and led to my worst dining experience thus far in New York City.

Mistake #1: Suggesting Little Italy for food. WHAT WAS I THINKING??? Can you say TOURIST TRAP CENTRAL? I won't compare it to the "food" (I use that term liberally) in Times Square, but it was a close second.

Mistake #2: Little Italy ≠ Pizza.
In our quest to find something relatively decent, my dining companion and I asked a restaurant host where to find the best pizza in Little Italy. He directed us across the street to Puglia.

He must have really hated us.

Mistake #3: Stepping foot inside Puglia. The décor was awful. Think communal seating, outdated décor, and a live keyboard player. The inside echoed, and there were several big groups making the entire place feel like an outdated bar rather than a restaurant. I asked the server how long the guy would play, and he assured me only a few songs. LIES I TELL YOU! He played on and off the rest of the evening.

Mistake #4: Staying. Had I not been so hungry, I would have left immediately.

I began the evening with a glass of white wine. Not only was it warm, it took forever to arrive.

Next came the appetizer of stuffed mushrooms, mediocre at best. I secretly prayed the food would get better. We followed the mushrooms with fried zucchini. I asked for a side of ranch dressing; the waiter brought bleu cheese instead. Barf! I might have thrown up in the bathroom had I not been cautioned about the conditions beforehand from my friend.

Last came the pizza. It was undercooked, raw, and doughy. The sign outside claiming “brick oven pizza” should have read “raw dough with toppings.” My companion and I barely finished half before asking for the check.

When I think back on the evening, I laugh. I’ve been to some pretty awful restaurants in the city, but nothing like this. If you want to ruin your evening, come to Puglia. If you’re craving pizza, walk a few blocks to Spring Street and eat at Lombardi’s.

DAMAGE ~50
VERDICT: Pass

Mesa Grill

2009-04-22T05:31:00.000-07:00

102 5th AvenueMeet Chef Bobby Flay’s New York installation, formerly known as Mesa Grill and located in Flatiron.

InterSportsWriter and I were browsing the area on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon, somewhat on the hunt for cupcakes (although neither of us had officially declared that our purpose), when I realized we had just enough time for a late Brunch. I suggested Mesa Grill because I had my eye on the Southwest eatery since first walking past its multi-colored sign many months ago.

We were seated immediately. I skipped my standard coffee and brunch cocktail and went straight for the main course. We ordered the following:

“Scrambled Eggs ChilaQuiles,” roasted tomatillo sauce, white cheddar cheese, and sour cream.

“Ranch Style Eggs Tostada,” w/ crispy flour tortilla, ancho chile tomato sauce, white cheddar cheese, and sour cream.

Ancho chile tomato sauce is basically a chili sauce sans meat. Everything was great. Looking back, I might have preferred the food a bit spicier (or perhaps I should have asked for some Tabasco), but overall, the food was very good.

The restaurant itself was 2 stories and very spacious. Because I’m so used to overcrowded, cramped Village eateries, I truly appreciate a decent sized restaurant on the rare occasions I eat at one. The size and interior of Mesa Grill were absolutely perfect.

If you are craving Southwestern grub, this place is a must, at least for brunch. Be sure to try the grits; they are fantastic. I’m told this place is not so vegetarian friendly come nightfall, but I shall save that visit for another occasion.

DAMAGE ~ 30
VERDICT: Go

Candle 79

2009-04-20T17:06:00.000-07:00

154 E 79th St

For the record, anyone who is vegetarian automatically gets promoted to my new best friend. InterSportsWriter and I sealed our new best friendness at an Upper East Side vegetarian restaurant called Candle 79.

To get started, I ordered the PB&J smoothie and a glass of white wine.

For the entrees, my dining companion and I ordered the chickpea cake with mixed vegetables topped with almonds.

We also had the cornmeal crusted seitan served over mashed potatoes and spinach.

What is seitan? Seitan is made from wheat gluten and is used as a protein substitute for meat dissenters. It tastes better than it sounds—I think.

Seitan’s chewy texture did little for me and my tastebuds. The chickpea cake was not much better. Both entrees were somewhat bland in flavor. The fact that I preferred the mashed potatoes above all else says something about the meal. Maybe I’m just not a seitan/chickpea cake kind of person. In addition, the cake was dry.

Maybe it’s me, but the PB&J smoothie was also a disappointment. Once upon a time, I was in a serious relationship with my blender; my mornings and afternoons were not complete without some form of protein shake/smoothie. You can imagine my despair when I realized I could have made the exact same “PB&J” shake at home, only better, and not been $8 lighter.

The service was great on an early Thursday evening, and had I not been rushed to catch a boat (literally), I might have tried dessert. Sadly, this place will not get my business again.

The owners also have a sister restaurant called Candle Café, a vegan eatery of which I have not been and not sure I will. However, I will give them props for the inventive dishes. Chickpea cake…Who knew?

DAMAGE ~ 80
VERDICT: Pass

Homunculus

2009-04-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

@}1)$6%*, Brooklyn

I have a secret that I can no longer keep…Are you ready?

The best eats in New York City are undisclosed to the public eye. I’m talking no advertising, no number, no signage, and no listing. Word of mouth prevails entry into such eateries and even then, it’s best to know somebody that knows somebody who can guarantee entry.

Upon hearing of such a place called Homunculus in Brooklyn, I had to go immediately. I suggested the place to my foodie group, who loved and jumped at the idea. In fact, the idea was so popular, our group requested 2 seatings because Homunculus could only accommodate a limited amount of people at a time.

Friday night one month later, DeeScreenWriter and I joined my foodie friends at Homunculus in Brooklyn for the first seating. Picture this: 9 people gathered around 2 tables for a 6-course pre-fixe meal out of an industrial loft.

We were started off with bread and butter followed closely by a cup of soup.

The next appetizer was something I was not privy to eat as it contained meat. As the only rebel in the group, the chefs quickly scrambled to accommodate my vegetarian diet. I was given a plate of various cheeses instead, which I was quite pleased with.

Following that appetizer, we were each given a palate cleanser, then served goat cheese and asparagus soufflés.

My main course consisted of sautéed mushrooms and a celery puree; everyone else had the puree with some type of meat.

After the main course, we were served a salad topped with walnuts and a unique pesto dressing.

Dessert was a flourless chocolate mousse cake with ice cream.

One word: FANTASTIC. SUPERB. SPLENDID. Pick and choose which dish I refer to; they were all great. My favorites were the chocolate cake and the salad; the pesto dressing was unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. I do not recall what was in the soup but only that it was delicious. The celery puree was also very good and unique.

At the end, we were served complimentary coffees, courtesy of one of the cooks who is/was a former barista at Cafe Grumpy.

2 words kept coming up over the course of the meal: butter and chemistry. The chefs told us butter was the key ingredient to their food; and they worked endlessly to achieve the perfect chemical balance when deciding on different courses.

If you are looking for a true New York experience, this is it. Kudos to the chefs of the “Brooklyn Eat-Easy” for going out of their way to cater to my needs.

For those that are wondering, the word “Homunculus” refers to the tiny person inside our brain. Because this place is so secret, I am unable to disclose the exact location and address. I will say it is in a warehouse like building several blocks from the subway. For now, they only do dinner on Friday evenings, and I know they are booked at least one month in advance.

If you are interested, message me and I shall email you a flyer with all the information.

DAMAGE ~ 40 (set pre-fixe price) (CASH ONLY) (BYOB)
VERDICT: Go

Prune

2009-04-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

54 E 1st St

When I dream of Brunch, I long for overcrowded, loud places with extreme waits and overpriced food. Why? It builds character and leaves you with a lasting impression. As a result, you generally expect more from the food and service.

Should the restaurant deliver, you brag about it to your friends and experience long lines on repeat visits. Should it fail, you caution others through flyers, posters, billboards, whatever means necessary to prevent them from making the same mistake.

Prune, located off Allen and Houston in the Lower East Side, is exactly this type of place. I’ve had my eye on its door for many months. One Sunday afternoon craving eggs, Bloody Mary’s, and coffee, I went. An hour 30 minutes later, my Brunch companion and I were seated.

I ordered Huevos Rancheros, baked eggs in tomato and chili sauce with black beans and avocado. My companion (with slight coaxing from myself and the waitress) ordered Spicy Stewed Chickpeas, butter-crumbed eggs with chickpeas served over flatbread.

What exactly is butter crumbed eggs you ask? Pure deliciousness. The more technical description is poached eggs covered in Prune’s own breadcrumb-like concoction.

Everything was really great. At the end of our meal, I ordered a Southwest Bloody Mary from Prune’s eclectic Bloody Mary menu. I asked the waitress to substitute tequila for another liquor I can tolerate (tequila makes me nauseous). It was very good.

Although I was disappointed that most of their other Bloody Mary options contained some form of meat or clam juice, I could not help being impressed at the large selection, each priced at $9. The unusually long wait was a small sacrifice to my above average dining experience at Prune.

The place is pricey, but I left with my stomach full, taste buds satisfied, and bank broke. Mission accomplished.

DAMAGE ~52
VERDICT: Go

Shi

2009-04-05T20:02:00.000-07:00

47-20 Center Blvd, Long Island City

Saturday evening, a colleague recommended a sushi bar in Long Island City. On the edge of Long Island City overlooking the East River sits Shi, a spacious Asian Fusion eatery that tastes as good as it looks.

To get started, I had miso soup while my colleague had wonton. I also ordered veggie rolls with avocado, cucumber, and asparagus. My main dish was called Mapo Tofu, soft tofu in a spicy sauce. Dessert consisted of a chocolate cake topped with ice cream.

Everything was good, but the Mapo Tofu really stood out. The veggie rolls and miso soup were the standard you can find at any sushi bar. However, the mapo tofu was a first for me, and I was quite pleased with my selection.

When I think of tofu dishes, I imagine tofu paired with vegetables, noodles, rice, etc. Mapo tofu was simply tofu in sauce, yet it more than satisfied my arrogant tastebuds. It was so filling, I only managed a few bites before boxing up the rest.

The chocolate dessert was amazing. By the way, the chocolate dessert was amazing. Lastly, the chocolate dessert was amazing. Did I mention the amazing chocolate dessert? You get the picture.

I found the atmosphere lovely and roomy. I didn't feel like eavesdropping on my neighbor’s conversation, something which inevitably happens at far too many places in the city due to space limitations.

Many New Yorkers hate leaving the city (unless for vacation and then it’s all about Florida). However, I can assure you Shi in Long Island City is a safe bet. One stop from midtown off the 7 is not going to hurt.

I recommend checking out Shi, then going for a stroll along the Promenade, located behind the restaurant. Bring your camera and/or binoculars to take advantage of Manhattan’s spectacular views. When your heartbeat starts racing after it realizes you are no longer on the island, calm down, take deep breaths, and remind yourself how close you really are.

DAMAGE ~ 80
VERDICT: Go

ChikaLicious

2009-04-01T23:05:00.000-07:00

203 E 10th St (b/w 1st Ave & 2nd Ave)

3 words: CHEESECAKE-ON-ICE.

Just one of the desserts to expect at ChikaLicious. Although it might not look like much from the outside, the desserts emerging from this tiny eatery barely seating 20 are sure to blow any dessert fanatic’s mind.

Over the past several weeks, my sweet tooth has gotten out of control. By this, I mean finding myself in line for cupcakes in Chelsea despite being late to meetings or my face glued to the windows of chocolate shops in SoHo hours before they open. A week ago, I stepped out of a bar in Alphabet City and smelled chocolate. It was midnight; there was no chocolate to be had.

Imagine my delight when InterSportsWriter suggested we meet over dessert; not dinner, not drinks—just dessert. Wednesday evening, we set out to calm my cravings at where else but a dessert bar run by Chef Chika Tillman called ChikaLicious.

Each dessert is priced at a pre-fixe of $12, which includes Amuse Bouche (a small serving of sorbet intended to prepare tastebuds before the main dish), a Dessert Choice , and a finishing of Petit Fours (an assortment of tiny goodies such as coconut marshmallows and chocolate truffles).

Unable to choose just 1 or 2 selections, my dessert companion and I ordered the following 4:

Fromage Blanc Island "Cheese Cake."

Almond Cake with Toasted Almond Chantilly and Espresso Granita (shaved expresso ice).

Warm Chocolate Tart w/ Pink Peppercorn Ice Cream and Red Wine Sauce.

Sorbet w/ bite sized pieces of apple pie in Caramel Soup (exact name unknown).

We paired our desserts with glasses of Moscato d’Asti, a sparkling dessert wine that was sweet in taste and perfectly complimented our selections.

To describe each item would be completely unfair to my readers and the restaurant. You must try it for yourself. I will say my least favorite was the Almond Cake; I did not have a most favorite but felt partial to the tart for obvious reasons (see addiction to chocolate).

The menu changes weekly, with the exception of the tart and cheesecake, the two most popular items. If you're a cheesecake aficionado, put ChikaLicious on your list. Did I mention cheesecake on ice?

Part of the appeal of this East Village eatery is the experience. How many people can say they have been to a gourmet dessert bar and ordered a pre-fixe dessert? If the place feels pricey (like it did to me), I recommend ordering a pre-fixe dessert paired with a glass of wine for $19, then heading across the street to the sister restaurant Dessert Club ChikaLicious, which only serves cupcakes, cookies, and pudding.

A better idea is to go with a friend, order your individual desserts, eat yours quickly, then distract your companion long enough to inhale his/her dessert before running across the street and buying $2.50 S’more cupcakes for each of you. Trust me on this. Your friend will thank you, once the anger subsides.

DAMAGE ~75
VERDICT: Go

Freemans

2009-03-30T20:18:00.000-07:00

Freeman Alley (off Rivington b/w Bowery & Christie)

Dear New York,

Please keep surprising me with your hidden little gems.

Love,

NYCFOODIE17

Nestled at the end of Freeman Alley off Rivington is a cute American eatery called Freemans. The place is virtually hidden from public view. I discovered the restaurant while walking around the Lower East Side one morning and made it my primary objective to eat there immediately.

Saturday afternoon, my dream was realized as I arrived at Freemans 30 minutes before 4pm, the cutoff time for Brunch. The place was packed but I scored a table within 5 minutes.

I started off with a latte and an artichoke dip for an appetizer.

For my entrée, I ordered their version of Eggs Florentine, featuring eggs and spinach in a skillet topped with gruyere cheese, served with buttered sourdough bread. I ordered a side of cheesy grits and gave my sausage links (came with meal) to my dining companion; he ordered chip steak served with eggs on a baguette.

Everything from the latte, to the artichoke dip, to the butterscotch bananas foster with salted caramel ice cream for dessert (I couldn’t resist), was delish. My cup of sugar with splashes of expresso and steamed milk, I mean latte, was literally one of the best I have had in the city; so good, I nearly got one to go the following morning.

The gruyere cheese served with my main dish was a first for me. It had a pungent odor but meshed well with eggs and sourdough bread. However, I doubt I would order it again simply because the smell was a little much.

There is an intriguing cocktail menu worth checking out, possibly on a repeat visit when I need to impress out-of-towners with my knowledge of hidden eateries.

The restaurant specializes in “Rustic American Cuisine” and definitely has the same vibe; think part hunting lodge, part Connecticut home. There is taxidermy on the walls, slightly disturbing but not overwhelming as several other places in the city.

It is on the pricey side, but so are most places in Manhattan.

DAMAGE ~60
VERDICT: Go

Sticky Rice

2009-03-29T10:49:00.000-07:00

85 Orchard St

A Thai eatery in Manhattan that’s BYOB…Where do I sign up?

I hit up a Lower East Side Thai eatery called Sticky Rice Friday evening in celebration of its BYOB policy and reasonable prices.

To begin, I ordered 2 appetizers: vegetarian dumplings and fried tofu, each served with their own sauces. For the main dish, I ordered a low-carb vegetarian pad thai on special (more on this later) along with sides of sticky rice and corn on the cob to compliment the meal.

The vegetarian dumplings were delish, the sauces pairing nicely. However, the fried tofu was not. I questioned if they came from the same kitchen or whether the server thought we ordered dry bread because that’s what it tasted like.

Did you know you can have pad thai without noodles? You can when it’s low-carb. I was shocked and slightly disappointed when my dish arrived sans rice noodles. Now that I think of it, the menu tricked me. Nowhere was there any mention of pad thai without the signature ingredient. This is when you say, “Umm, hello? Low-carb? What did you expect?”

Whatever. The items listed in the description—egg, tofu, mushrooms, asparagus—were too good to pass up. The lesson learned here is ask before ordering.

Overall, the food was good, especially the corn on the cob. My companion brought a bottle of Riesling, which paired nicely with everything.

Sticky Rice is worth checking out, if nothing else but for the prices. $41 for everything we ordered felt like a crime. Make sure you bring a bottle when the menu fools you like it did me.

By the way, they serve green rice.

DAMAGE ~41
VERDICT: Go, but beware of menu.

Smörgås Chef (Dinner)

2009-03-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

283 W 12th St

I tried; I really did. I’m open minded. People and places deserve second chances, right?

Several weeks ago, I was contacted by the chef of the tiny Scandinavian restaurant, Smörgås Chef. He found my brunch review unfair and offered me a $50 gift card to try again.

Despite my reservations about revisiting the same place twice and my initial experience leading to the unfavorable review, I gave it another go. On a Friday evening, I invited DeeScreenWriter and a colleague to join me for dinner at the West Village eatery.

We were seated in a cozy booth shortly after we arrived. So far, so good. Then I glanced at the dinner menu and things started to get rough.

For the record, I don’t know the first thing about Scandinavian cuisine, nor have I visited the northern European region. However, I imagine there is more than rice and veggie burgers for vegetarians to eat.

Not at Smörgås Chef. Whereas, for brunch I had a plethora of options to choose from, for dinner I had 2; risotto with mushrooms, asparagus, and balsamic vinegar or a standard vegetarian burger. I chose the risotto.

There was nothing spectacular about my rice. I could easily have made it myself, which was disappointing considering the length the chef went to accommodate me. I do not recall what meat dishes my dinner companions ordered, but know they both enjoyed their entrees.

Pluses for the evening included the specialty cocktail I ordered (visually and tastefully stimulating) and the intimate atmosphere/décor, different from when I came during Sunday brunch.

For the three of us, the total bill came to around $80. After the gift card, we split the remaining $30 and paid separately. My colleague’s credit card was charged twice, but I later found out the server reversed the double charge. Apparently, he also believed in second chances.

I get that chefs take a lot of pride and enthusiasm in their restaurants; I take a lot of pride and enthusiasm in reviewing them. What I don’t get is why a chef would go thru the trouble to contact me and offer me to come back knowing I am vegetarian and expecting me to be thrilled the second time around. Oh, and the dust on the glass bottle décor I complained about in my initial review was still there.

Overall, Smörgås Chef is a cozy eatery, but the food leaves something to be desired.

In the meantime, I am re-examining my philosophy on second chances…

DAMAGE ~80
VERDICT: PASS

R Bar

2009-03-21T19:09:00.001-07:00

218 Bowery

Is it possible to be angry at a bar? Not the bartender, not the doorman, not any particular person, just the bar itself? That is exactly what happened with R Bar and I on Friday night.

I was invited to the Lower East Side lounge to celebrate a mutual friend’s birthday. What I intended to be a semi-enjoyable evening turned out to be anything but. My first encounter with animosity came from the mandatory $2 coat check. Others have said it; now I will shout it:

IF YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE A COAT CHECK MANDATORY, MAKE SURE IT’S FREE!

I would rather be charged a $2 cover than have to pay a mandatory coat check fee. My initial reaction was to bolt. Unfortunately, because it was not my birthday, I stayed.

My second encounter with animosity came from the music. The DJ was awful, and I’m being nice. I cringe at the thought of the music as I type these words. He/she would play a good song, followed by three bad ones. There are poles but it doesn’t matter because the music kills any desire to dance. I’m usually pretty open when it comes to club music, but I actually found myself pissed off at the DJ. That has NEVER happened before.

The biggest deal breaker came from the crowd. I have not felt so much like a sardine since Thursday nights at Stingers during my university days. To get a picture of how packed it was, imagine Rockefeller Plaza 2 weeks before Christmas. Now replace the tourists with college students…

Highlights for the evening include the awesome wall décor (old rock star icons in black & white); the bartender recalling my current choice cocktail by heart (gin & tonic); and a couple interesting people I met throughout the evening, including the friendly bouncer who watched over our party of drunk and the random people who danced with me on my way out the door.

There are too many other great places in the area. Hold onto your coat and save your money on this one.

DAMAGE ~ $8-11/ avg. per drink
VERDICT: PASS

Raines Law Room

2009-03-18T11:16:00.001-07:00

48 W 17th St It’s time I let the cat out of the bag. There are a handful of places around the city I refuse to blog about simply because they are too special, and I rather surprise people personally. Raines Law Room was quickly becoming one of those places. Because the place is brand new (i.e. still off the radar of New Yorkers), I decided it was safe to review.

I have been to Raines Law Room a number of times. The Flatiron speakeasy that opened end of January 2009 might be my favorite bar above 14th Street.

For my most recent visit, my drink companion and I were led to the open kitchen in the back of the bar while we waited for a table to open up. The kitchen features a large island where customers can watch the bartenders work their magic. Since I had tried nearly every gin cocktail on the menu by this time, I chatted up the bartender/mixologist for a recommendation. I told him I was craving berries, lime, and honey. We decided to drop the honey for a more favorable drink he had in mind.

We were seated at a yellow couch near the entrance. 5 minutes later, our drinks arrived. Typically, the drinks are served with popcorn but we ordered a cheese and olive tray instead. I was expecting something slightly fancier than what we received; 2 different kinds of olives served with sharp cheddar cubes. For the price, it was very disappointing.

On the other hand, my drink was fantastic (it always is). I have no idea what the particular concotion was called but know it contained blackberries and gin. I was very impressed. I do not recall what my companion ordered but suspect it contained vodka. He was quite pleased as well.

Pluses:
EVERYTHING
(see host with French accent; knowledgeable bartenders; doorbell entrance; open kitchen; dressing room bathroom with sliding door; cozy Harvard Law School décor; chill atmosphere; background jazz music, etc.)

Minuses:
Olive tray; pricey

I recommend going to Raines Law Room now. Stop reading and go. It opens at 6pm. If it is before 6pm, go stand in front of the door and wait. If it is packed, put your name on the list. The host will call you. I promise. He has my number memorized. Maybe. Probably.

If you are a tourist looking for a nice speakeasy, Raines Law Room is it. Trust me on this one. You will have better luck of getting in than some of the city’s better known speakeasies. Just don’t go when I want to go; I don’t like waiting.

DAMAGE ~ $13/per drink
VERDICT: GO NOW!

White Rabbit

2009-03-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

145 E. Houston St

Saturday night, I found myself at a Lower East Side lounge called White Rabbit. I arrived at 10:30 to a half empty venue that filled to standing room only within a couple hours.

WestSideSurfer and I had not seen each other for many months and scored a comfy seat away from the main bar to catch up as much as the evening would allow.

The lounge was your average Manhattan size bar with plush seating lining the wall. My favorite part was the music. The DJ played many old school beats that I rarely hear nowadays. Because I am completely out of the music scene, I appreciated the familiar jams and even caught myself dancing to a few.

On the back wall, a projector displayed old episodes from In Living Color, something I have never seen in a bar. There are three bathrooms, so the wait was never more than a few minutes. White Rabbit also serves food, though I did not notice anyone eating.

I cannot quite put my finger on it, but something was off about the evening. Perhaps it was my watered down gin cocktails, the old In Living Color episodes (I have never watched a full episode in my life nor do I want to), or maybe the crowd (possibly BTCer’s). Whatever it was, the place definitely did not feel like other Lower East establishments in the area.

The coolest thing about White Rabbit is the name. I doubt I will return save for a networking event or something similar.

DAMAGE ~ $8-11/ avg. per drink
VERDICT: PASS

Sueños

2009-03-11T18:42:00.000-07:00

311 W 17th St
My first outing with my new foodie friends found me in Chelsea at a Mexican spot called Sueños. Run by executive chef Sue Torres, the restaurant features great food, cute décor, and attentive service but lacked two slightly important factors.

I tried to convince myself our group of eight would not receive preferential treatment, although I knew the deal. My feelings began with the complimentary arrival of cornbread and their house refried bean dip. Mashed refried black beans topped with tomatillo sauce and cilantro made for a delicious starter while we scoured the menu for options.

The majority of us stuck with the $30 pre-fixe menu, served nightly before 7pm. As the only vegetarian at the table, my choices were simple; I had none. For my appetizer, I ordered the only option available to me, guacamole dip with chips and a tortilla.

For my entrée, I convinced the waiter to let me substitute the one vegetarian dish on the regular menu for the pre-fixe, Grilled Vegetable & Goat Cheese Enchiladas topped with Salsa Ranchera.

I had the Guava & Cream Cheese Empanadas for dessert.

From the initial black bean dip to the three bites I managed of my goat cheese enchilada entrée (I was stuffed by this point), everything about the meal was great. The guacamole dip was good, but I dare say mine is better (I have yet to try any dip comparable); the guava empanadas were sweet but not overwhelmingly so; and my enchiladas made a nice lunch the following day.

Despite the fine food, I was slightly disappointed with the menu. While my dining companions were thrilled, I felt slighted at the lack of veggie options. Should I return, I would be forced to order the same Grilled Vegetable & Goat Cheese Enchiladas again. In addition, most Mexican dishes are served with rice and beans; not so much at Sueños. One person in our group asked for it on the side because he did not feel right eating Mexican food without it.

Besides the menu, my other complaint had to do with the ambience. With a name like Sueños, Dreams in English, I expected a slightly more Mexican vibe than what I felt. I know I am in a good Mexican restaurant when I am tempted to order in Spanish and drink Margaritas, despite my opposition to Tequila. I have been to several other Mexican eateries in the city where this has happened and I left wondering who swiped my passport.

With the exception of the lack of options for vegetarians and the Mexican-less vibe, I enjoyed Sueños and would recommend trying it at least once. I doubt I will be back because I don’t like ordering the same thing twice. If you like Pablo Picasso, be sure to check out the bathroom while you are there.

DAMAGE ~ $40
VERDICT: Go

The Bean

2009-03-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

49 1/2 1st Ave (@ 3rd St)

When I asked NYLawStudent to recommend a good place for tea in the East Village, I was hesitant when he suggested The Bean. Under the impression The Bean was more coffee than it was tea, I envisioned overpriced Lipton tea bags and bright lights but agreed to meet there anyway.

Upon seeing the vast tea menu, I was intrigued and enthused. I ordered a medium Ruby Slipper (blood orange and pear) and two overpriced pastries; NYLawStudent stuck with a latte.

As a tea aficionado, nothing particular stood out about my tea except for the color, a pinkish red resulting from the blood orange. However, my pastries were a different story.

The first pastry was a triple chocolate mousse cheesecake. It was soft and sweet without going overboard on the chocolate (despite the name).

The second pastry consisted of a chocolate teacup filled with vanilla custard and topped with mixed berries. By the time I worked my way down to the teacup part, I was stuffed and only managed a few bites of chocolate. Overall, I was pleased with my selections, but my wallet was not.

My initial reaction to The Bean was correct; it is more coffee than tea. That said, the vast tea menu is nothing to scoff at, and the pastries were very good. The medium-size internet cafe was filled with students writing papers, discussing midterms, and checking email. If I were a law student or undergrad, I could see myself enjoying the studious atmosphere. I am neither, so the place was not exactly my cup of tea (no pun intended).

I doubt I will visit The Bean again, partially due to the fact it is a chain (there are a couple locations in the city) and partially due to the expensive pastries starting at $7.

DAMAGE ~ $16
VERDICT: PASS

Jake's Dilemma

2009-03-08T11:03:00.001-07:00

430 Amsterdam Ave (@ 81st St)

Friday night, a friend and I found ourselves foraging the Upper West Side for a good place to grab a few drinks. DeeScreenWriter suggested Jake’s Dilemma. I had been once before and remembered having a relatively good time. Thus, Jake’s Dilemma it was.

The divish bar consists of two main areas and a basement nightclub. The front bar has booths, one pool table, and a beer pong table; the back room is reminiscent of an old law school library with couches, books, and tables; and I only passed by the nightclub on my way to the bathroom. The bar was crowded when we arrived at 11, but it emptied out after a few minutes allowing us to score seats in the back. We stuck with pitchers throughout the evening, ranging in price from $13-18.

The best part about Jake’s Dilemma is the crowd. ComicJoy joined us and what followed was an evening of laughs, cries, over-the-top story telling, and crowd mingling. A group of friends chatted us up because they were so impressed by ComicJoy’s enthusiasm. A couple hours later, I had tears coming out of my eyes from laughing so hard. Overall, I had a great time and could not have asked for anything more of the evening.

Despite the location and the feeling you might be at a college fraternity party, the atmosphere is unpretentious. Everyone is there to have a good time, throw back a few, and mingle. They also serve food and have a cheap happy hour. I cannot say if I will be back, as I am not in the area often, but I will recommend it to friends looking for a decent place to drink on the Upper West.

DAMAGE ~ $20
VERDICT: Go if in the area.

Smörgås Chef

2009-03-02T12:14:00.000-08:00

283 W 12th St

Painted in yellow on a cute corner in West Village is a cute spot known as Smorgas Chef. Sir Fancy Pants chose the Scandinavian venue as it featured a reasonable pre-fixe Brunch menu.

We were seated immediately at a table for two near a brick wall separator. I got started with a café au lait and SFP, a Bloody Mary. For our meals, I ordered the Eggs Florentine with salad, and SFP had baked eggs with their version of hash browns.

Because I was not in the best of spirits when we visited, I barely touched my coffee and ate half of my meal. The entrée came with a mimosa, which I took a couple sips of before passing it over to SFP. Luckily, my stomach came around later in the afternoon and was pleased with the leftovers. SFP enjoyed his baked eggs, and his potatoes were very good from what I tried.

Despite the delicious food and the cute décor featuring funky light fixtures made of glass bottles, I cannot recommend Smorgas Chef. The brick wall separator to the left of me had literally an inch of caked on dust. As any true restaurateur can vouch, the little things matter just as much, if not more, than the big. The glass bottles scattered as artwork around the room looked as if they had not been cleaned in years. It frightens me to think of what the kitchen looked like.

The eatery has four locations around Manhattan, so no doubt you might stumble upon one someday. Enter at your own risk…

DAMAGE ~32
VERDICT: PASS

Fat Black Pussycat

2009-03-01T19:15:00.000-08:00

130 W 3rd St

Fat Black Pussycat seems to be a favorite among locals. I know this because I have been here several times with various friends and get random phone calls from them weeks later at 2 in the morning asking me for the exact address (W 3rd St & 6th Ave).

The bar/lounge features one pool table, booths, bar seating, and an adjoined lounge area with funky chairs that might have come out of the 18th Century.

Fat Black Pussycat is a very different experience during the week as opposed to weekends. Throughout the week, it is a nice relaxing spot to catch up with friends over a couple cocktails. On the weekends, it is standing room only as BTCers cross over and get trashed. It is extremely noisy and expect to get wacked by pool sticks as you cross the single pool table to get to the women’s restroom (directly behind it).

There is a huge black chandelier (close to the size of a midtown studio apartment) in the center of the main room. The adjacent lounge features a flat screen with creepy images playing throughout the evening, probably stolen from Tool music videos.

Downstairs is the Village Underground (and more bathrooms). During my last visit, friends and I started off in the basement nightclub, coughed up the $10 cover charge, and snagged a corner booth for the five of us (actually we reserved it; someone in our group celebrated a birthday that evening).

The house band onstage called Unionn was a mixture of reggae and funk, jazzing up familiar beats with their own unique style. The crowd was young, fun, and full of energy. Everyone in our group had a great time, both upstairs and down.

With cocktails at $7.50 and specialty drinks starting at $11 downstairs, Fat Black Pussycat is a spot not to be missed. There is no question it has the personality and energy of New York. Unfortunately, it gets too crowded for me on weekends.

DAMAGE ~ 8.50
VERDICT: Go… but only during the week

Diablo Royale

2009-02-22T20:51:00.000-08:00

189 W 10th St
Picture this: me walking through West Village craving a Bloody Mary and Sir Fancy Pants, a Mimosa. Add a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, a Mexican eatery called Diablo Royale, no line, and you have my brunch experience last weekend.

Given that Mexican is my favorite cuisine ever, I could not resist stopping in for a quick bite and dragged SFP with me. We sat at the bar, ordered drinks, and decided to share one brunch entrée of my choosing.

I ordered the Huevos Rancheros—scrambled eggs with ranchero sauce, black beans, and sliced avocado over a crispy tortilla. I also asked for a side of chips and salsa and SFP ordered a side of bacon. Everything was good, but not spectacular.

It’s hard to go wrong with such a staple dish as huevos rancheros. What did stand out about the meal was the drinks. You know you’ve had a good Bloody Mary when your lips are on fire and your throat burns, yet still you continue to drink the spicy beverage because it is that good.

This was not the case at Diablo Royale. The Bloody Mary was good but nothing worth going back for. However, the Mexican hot chocolate I had at the end of the meal was noteworthy, something definitely worth having again. It was thick and had a slight kick to it. The tortilla chips were also very good but on the salty side.

The spot is cute and relaxed, but there is better Mexican to be had in the area.

DAMAGE ~36
VERDICT: PASS

S & S Cheesecake

2009-02-19T13:00:00.000-08:00

222 W 238th St, Bronx

Say hello to the nation’s best cheesecake, at least according to Zagat’s. The pies emerging from S&S Cheesecake are packed full of the freshest, most natural ingredients for a taste unlike any other.

I trekked out to their ONE location in the Bronx, rang the bell, and bought 2 small cheesecakes: original and carrot. Sir Fancy Pants, 60sBumbleBee, and I shared the first slice of the original. Although I am not well versed in cheesecakerey, SFP and 60sBumbleBee are, and both died upon their first bite. No really; I had to revive them to help me finish the slice (which I did by giving them more bites). 60sBumbleBee did not want to carry on with her life because she knew she would never have another cheesecake as good as S&S, at least not until her next visit to New York.

Original

What makes S&S cheesecakes so good? Perhaps it is the fact they use only the freshest ingredients in their pies—no artificial anything. The cakes are dense and creamy with no funny aftertaste. Perhaps it is the crust; baked to perfection without being crispy, soggy, or flaky. Maybe it’s the fact they have not sold out like so many other places (see Junior’s (yes I said it. Have you been to Times Square??)). Every single S&S cheesecake comes out of the tiny windowless warehouse off 238th Street in the Bronx, as it has for over 50 years.

Carrot

As I write this review, I am eating one slice of the original and of the carrot. S&S Cheesecake is the real deal. It has set the bar so high in cheesecake land that I will never be able to eat another slice of cheesecake without thinking of S&S. In fact, I am not sure I will ever be able to eat another slice of cheesecake from anywhere other than this place.

S&S Cheesecake is open M-F 6am-3pm. If you can’t make those hours or are scared to trek out to the Bronx, the surrounding stores sell their cheesecakes plus several other stores and restaurants throughout New York City. They also ship to anywhere in the United States. Pies come in 6 varieties and start at $12 for the original New York Style when you buy it from the warehouse. Cheesecakes are certified kosher.

DAMAGE ~24
VERDICT: GO NOW!

Flatiron Lounge

2009-02-18T13:34:00.001-08:00

37 W 19th St

Flatiron Lounge is a speakeasy designed to be not so speakeasy, rather just easy. It has that exclusive relaxed vibe without being too exclusive. It is not well known enough to be a hot spot for tourists, but it is arguably one of the top three bars in Flatiron. If you disagree with my statement, please do tell in my comment box.

60sBumbleBee and I stopped by on a Saturday because we were in the area. She ordered a drink called the Cherry Royale (although I don’t recall what the ingredients were) and I ordered something off menu called the Jitterbug (substituted with gin and made with honey). Both of us were pleased with our drinks.

Cherry Royale

Several months ago, I would have given this a RUN! Now that I have been there a few times, I realize the atmosphere is just not there. I blame it on the location. The Flatiron District has one cool building, perhaps you’ve heard of it. Other than that, it’s a dead neighborhood. Walk around any night of the week; the streets are bare. You might even feel like you’re in midtown. Flatiron Lounge is primarily a space to be used for a couple cocktails following a long workday. Other than that, I would steer clear.

Pluses include the eclectic drink menu and a bartender that looks like Adam Brody. The bathroom has some pretty cool jazz art, and there is a downstairs near the entrance of the lounge, but I have not seen it in the three times I have been—the last two times it was closed off.

Although Flatiron Lounge is one of my favorite spots in the city above 14th, there is a serious disconnect in terms of what is happening in New York City once you cross that street, largely due to the young student populations of NYU, the New School, and Cooper Union, all located in East and West Village. I won’t be going back to Flatiron Lounge unless I am above 14th and can’t get into the latest speakeasy that just opened two weeks ago on 17th…

DAMAGE ~28
VERDICT: Go…but only for after work cocktails.

No. 28

2009-02-17T21:30:00.001-08:00

28 Carmine St

Got pizza? West Village does.

It is not my intention to scope out every pizza eatery in the Village; it just works out that way.

Sir Fancy Pants recommended No. 28, aka 28 Carmine, on Saturday night after I mentioned 60sBumbleBee and I nearly braved the lines at Grimaldi’s (supposedly the best pizza in the city) but decided against it due to the cold weather. No. 28 was closer and the wait was only 10 minutes.

SFP, 60sBumbleBee, and I were seated in front of the brick pizza oven and its master, away from the overcrowded main dining area. We ordered two 18” pizzas from the 19 combinations. SFP and 60sBumbleBee shared the Pizza Marinara with garlic, red chili peppers, anchovies, oregano, and cappers; I had the Pizza alle Patate with ricotta, potatoes, walnuts, and rosemary, which I also shared with my dining companions.

My pizza came on white crust pizza bread without tomato sauce because (as told by the waitress) the acidity of the sauce ruins the pizza. Potato as a pizza topping was a first for me, an interesting combination with the ricotta cheese and walnuts. It was good, but I would have preferred the crust to be crispier. SFP and 60sBumbleBee enjoyed both pizza selections.

No. 28 is a true Italian pizzeria. From the Italian flag over the entrance to the Italian speaking staff, you feel as if you are getting the real deal without actually traveling to Naples.

My biggest gripe about the restaurant was the cleanliness factor; my silverware and the brim of my wine glass were dirty. Unfortunately for No. 28, spotless utensils and drinking ware is a must, especially if you expect me to refer your establishment to my friends.

DAMAGE ~60 (CASH ONLY)
VERDICT: PASS

Extra Virgin

2009-02-15T06:15:00.000-08:00

259 W 4th St

Saturday for brunch, Sir Fancy Pants, 60sBumbleBee, and I sat down in a West Village eatery called Extra Virgin. I picked the restaurant based on the location and several reviews I read on yelp.com claiming Extra Virgin as the best Brunch ever.

To get started, SFP and I ordered a Mimosa and a Bloody Mary respectively; 60sBumbleBee stuck with tea. For our main courses, SFP ordered baked eggs with a side of bacon; 60sBumbleBee ordered the omelet of the day, and I ordered the Virgin Frittata with goat cheese, tomato, arugula, and basil pesto.

The Virgin Frittata can best be described as a Greek style omelet. It was twice the size of a regular omelet and the texture reminded me of a quiche. I also ordered a side of Fries with Gorgonzola Fondue for the table.

I recently developed an addiction to blue cheese, and the fries with the gorgonzola dip were nothing short of amazing. Besides the Gorgonzola Fondue, nothing blew me away about Extra Virgin. My Bloody Mary was watery and weak; my Virgin Frittata was somewhat dry (I nearly asked for a side of Hollandaise sauce); and my café au lait was too watered down to be considered coffee. I was more excited about eating my meal for lunch the following day with my own olive oil and vinegar than I was while at Extra Virgin.

On the other hand, SFP and 60sBumbleBee loved their dishes. SFP was thrilled at the many strips of bacon that came on the side for only $5.00. Each plate ranged in price from $9-13, relatively cheap by West Village standards, and the portion sizes were quite big, almost to the point of overwhelming.

Although I was impressed by the Mediterranean influenced varied selection of Brunch dishes, the hype surrounding Extra Virgin combined with my unsatisfactory drinks and meal ruined it for me. I would go back for that blue cheese fondue…

As we were leaving around noon, I noticed there was a wait to get a table. I suppose the place is more popular than I originally thought.

DAMAGE ~84
VERDICT: PASS

Little Branch

2009-02-13T10:34:00.000-08:00

22 7th Ave S
Milk & Honey is one of the most popular bar establishments in New York City due to their unique drink concoctions, their highly skilled bartenders, and the satisfaction once you finally obtain entry. The only way to get into Milk & Honey is to call during the day and make reservations for the same night. There is one problem; the phone number is unlisted and nearly impossible to find. Add to this they change their number every few months. Even if you do manage to score the number, chances are it will be different by the time you call.

So I did what any other suave New Yorker would do. I visited its’ sister bar Little Branch and asked the hostess. Not only did she give me the wrong number, she claimed she had to research it first and to check back with her before I left. Had I not been so focused on obtaining that damn number, my experience at Little Branch might have been more relaxed and merry.

Several times, Sir Fancy Pants and I made plans, but for one reason or another (e.g. long lines in the rain, time constraints, etc.), they fell through.

We finally made it in around 8:30 on a Wednesday evening. Upon entering the front door, we walked down a tiny flight of stairs to the underground bar. The hostess took down my name and said it would be a 45 minute wait to get a table. Because we had dinner plans after, we left after one drink.

I went for the bartender’s choice and told him I would like a semi-sweet drink with gin and honey. He replied, “Say no more.” I was served a concoction called Bees’ Knees consisting of gin, lemon, and honey. It was delicious but definitely meant for sipping. Sir Fancy Pants had another bartender’s choice concoction with grapefruit juice, which he liked very much.

Little Branch, what a little place you are. The outside exterior is completely unassuming; I would never have known there was a bar down below had Sir Fancy Pants not pointed it out. The place is made to represent a speakeasy with live jazz on the weekends. Inside, the space is cozy with only 5 or 6 tables for seating plus standing room around the bar. Cocktails are $13 a pop, but the interesting concoctions make up for the steep price.

The bathroom was nice and clean with individual hand towels for drying your hands. The entire visit was pleasant, but I could not help feeling discomfort over the Milk & Honey number.

DAMAGE ~ 29 (CASH ONLY)
VERDICT: Go

Centro Vinoteca

2009-02-12T09:39:00.000-08:00

74 7th Ave S Do you want to know one reason I love New York City? Plans that fall through.

Sir Fancy Pants and I had no intention Wednesday evening to visit Centro Vinoteca. We made plans to check out a tapas place in West Village. Tapas place was closed due to construction, so we stumbled upon the Italian gem off 7th Avenue. Well, not so much stumbled…we both walked by the place numerous times. Finally, we stopped to check out the menu. Five minutes later we were seated drinking water.

The hostess initially sat us near the window, but the table behind us was too loud, so I asked to be moved. Surprise! They have an upstairs; we were reseated at a corner booth on the second floor. Surprise #2: Restaurant Week! I had no idea Centro Vinoteca was even on the list, but since Restaurant Week has been extended through the end of February, we lucked out.

The waitress started us off with a bread basket filled with focaccia and European crusty loaf. Sir Fancy Pants and I ordered the following from the Restaurant Week menu:

SFP:
Appetizer: trio of piccolini shrimp & chickpea fritter with lemon aioli & truffled deviled egg
Main: grilled rack of lamb w/ black mission figs
Dessert: sweet tarallucci w/ salty caramel
ME:
Appetizer: sunchoke soup w/ hazelnuts, chanterelle mushrooms & hazelnut oil
Main: kabocha squash ravioli w/ walnuts, brown butter & vin cotto
Dessert: chocolate cake filled w/ chocolate mousse coated with dark chocolate ganache
Perhaps it would be easier to start out with what I did not like about my meal... the soup was on the salty side and the ravioli dish portion size was small (there were maybe 5 or 6 raviolis).

Other than that, everything was fantastic! The focaccia bread from the bread basket was literally the best focaccia I have ever tried. The soup was delicious, and the squash ravioli ranks in the top five Italian dishes I’ve had in my life (and no, I have not been to Italy…yet). Sir Fancy Pants has and nearly passed out when he tried my dish; it was that amazing. The chocolate cake was good as well, although it was not quite as impressive as the focaccia bread or my previous two dishes.

I also had a bite of the deviled egg that came with SFP’s appetizer and ate nearly half his dessert, both very good.

I am so happy we ended up here. The food was great; the service was great; and I will never look at focaccia bread the same. The only downside was the pricey regular menu.

DAMAGE ~ 120
VERDICT: Go

Revel

2009-02-09T13:17:00.001-08:00

10 Little West 12th St

What can one month's rent buy you in the Meatpacking District? A wedding reception dinner for 20. Revel is a decent size space that prides itself on its year round garden. This was my second time to the place, the first being a Halloween party in 2008 by bustamove nyc.

The venue turned out to be the perfect spot for the reception. The garden area sits around 40, so our group took up nearly half the space. The bride and groom prearranged a special pre-fixe menu for the occasion. As the only vegetarian, I had a slightly different meal from the rest. For my appetizer, I had polenta fritters with ratatouille; the main course was a rice dish with mixed vegetables; and for dessert, I had crème brulee.

My appetizer was delicious. It was a little on the salty side, but the ratatouille balanced it nicely. The entrée was average; once again it could have come from my kitchen sans recipe. The crème brulee was good, but I’ve had better. Sir Fancy Pants’ meal consisted of a crab cakes appetizer, the sirloin steak (the other option was salmon) and panacotta for dessert. One word regarding his dessert: outstanding. I am a newb in the world of panacotta, but my taste buds were mighty impressed. Even Sir Fancy Pants, well versed in panacottary, commented on how good it was. I also tried the third dessert option—tiramisu; once again, very good.

The best part about Revel is the crowd. Despite the fact it is located in über trendy Meatpacking, the vibe is much different than that of its neighbors. The people are much more down-to-earth and friendly; the aura of pretentiousness is not there like in the majority of places in Meatpacking. Plus, the manager went to great lengths to ensure our party was happy. The dinner was a success; everyone left full and happy.

Negatives include the women’s bathroom; there is one stall and the mirror is outside restroom. Also, the space was about half full on a Friday evening and never picked up. We stayed until 2am or later.

During both visits to Revel, the garden was enclosed with a retractable roof due to the season. With summertime right around the corner, I can think of nothing better than waking up on a gorgeous Sunday morning and heading over to Revel to enjoy Brunch in their open garden.

DAMAGE ~ A LOT
VERDICT: Go

PJ Clarke's

2009-02-08T16:20:00.001-08:00

915 3rd Ave (b/w 55th St & 56th St)

Silly me. What was I thinking? Going to a place with steak and seafood and expecting it to be vegetarian friendly. Friends were in town and insisting on steak as their last meal before their flight the next day. Sir Fancy Pants chose PJ Clarke’s as he had been several times and could vouch for the quality of the food. He assured me there were plenty of things on the menu for me as well.

NOTE TO VEGETARIANS: WHEN A MEAT EATER TELLS YOU THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPTIONS FOR YOU AND USES THE WORD SALAD ANYWHERE IN THE SENTENCE, THROW UP A RED FLAG. This means you’re screwed. Meat eaters do not grasp that not all vegetarians like salad and/or want to eat it at every meal. Imagine going out to a different restaurant each day with only one option on the menu: SALAD. It would get boring fast. You would probably be completely turned off to salad within a few weeks; the sight and smell of leaves might even make you nauseous. Now imagine living your life this way. Welcome to my world.

When we arrived to PJ Clarke’s Saturday evening at 9:30, we were told there would be a one hour wait for our party of 17. So we hung out in the crowded bar, located in a separate room from the restaurant. 45 minutes later, we were seated.

The waiter started us off with several bottles of red wine, white wine, bottled water, and more drinks. When I looked at the menu, besides salad and vegetable side dishes, there were two other options for me to eat: mac and cheese or a goat cheese omelet. I opted for the mac and a side of home fries. The rest of the table ordered steak and a variety of side dishes.

Once the food arrived, I was greeted by a plate of baked macaroni and cheese (served with peas) and a side of home potatoes. I also snacked on the closest side dishes: creamed spinach and button mushrooms in red wine sauce. Everything was good, but nothing struck out as particularly special. I know New Yorkers have a thing for macaroni and cheese. Although PJ Clarke’s is nothing to stub your nose at, I could have made the dish myself.

The service was great; our server managed to keep up with the demands of all 17 of us. I heard several of my dinner companions remark on how great the steak was; one commented that it was the best he ever had.

Given the limited options on the menu and the nature of the place (i.e. steakhouse), PJ Clarke’s is a miss. However, the bar (est. 1884) is one of the oldest in New York City (second behind McSorley’s Old Ale House est. 1854). In that regard, I recommend stopping in for a drink before heading elsewhere.

DAMAGE ~ $40 (my meal plus drinks)
VERDICT: Go...but only for drinks

One if by Land Two if by Sea

2009-02-06T09:22:00.000-08:00

17 Barrow St

Restaurant Week stop #2. With friends in town for the week, Sir Fancy Pants and I invited them to join us for our second Restaurant Week destination. One if by Land Two if by Sea, located in Greenwich Village, is an upscale American restaurant perfect for a romantic evening out. Given the friends were in town to get married, we found the venue rather fitting.

The four of us arrived just in time for our 7:30 dinner reservations and after checking in coats, were led upstairs to a small seating area overlooking the chandelier laden dining room below. To get started we ordered a bottle of Forest Glen sauvignon blanc priced at $48. For my meal I ordered the following: Butternut Squash Soup as an appetizer; Saffron Orzo (sans duck confit) for my entrée; and the Key Lime Cheesecake for dessert.

The soup was amazing. I was very impressed with One if by Land’s version topped with fennel foam. The addition of huckleberries provided a nice, semi-sweet touch to the classic soup as well. For the main dish, the saffron orzo mixed with peas and pea shoot salad was very good, cooked just right to allow the texture of the rice to perform the way it should, soft without being mushy. The key lime cheesecake was very good but on the tangy side. The honey tuile tropical sorbet it came with balanced out the tartness.

The Milk Chocolate Fondant, a salty sweet chocolate cake served with maple ice cream which Sir Fancy Pants ordered for dessert, was pretty amazing. Had I not wanted to order something different from him, I would have ordered it myself.

While I liked my entrée very much, I could not help feeling cheated at the dish and portion size compared to that of my companions. Given that it was Restaurant Week, I literally had one option to choose from; whereas, my carnivorous friends had three. Of course, I could have ordered off the main menu anyway and paid more, but that would defeat the purpose of the visit. I specifically made reservations to One If By Land because it was Restaurant Week.

HERE IS A SUGGESTION FOR RESTAURANTS WANTING TO CATER TO VEGETARIANS DURING RESTAURANT WEEK: LET US ORDER OUR MAIN DISH OFF THE REGULAR MENU, INSTEAD OF CREATING A LESS THAN AVERAGE DISH AND THINKING IT WILL SUFFICE. Vegetarians get this crap nearly everywhere we go. Steakhouses and chain restaurants are the worst. When you cut out our options down to one meager meal that you normally wouldn’t serve anyway, it is even more insulting and leaves a bad taste in our mouth. It would not be the first time I have been to a restaurant and had only one option to choose from, and unfortunately, I doubt it will be the last.

I will give the restaurant credit for the atmosphere; it was incredible and a live piano player located at the entrance of the restaurant played music throughout the evening. The manager gave us $60 worth of gift cards before we left, which could be customary at the establishment to draw in business.

OVERALL:
Décor: ++
Ambiance: +++
Service: ++
Menu: FAIL

DAMAGE ~ $240, or $60/pp
VERDICT: Go

Two Boots

2009-02-03T21:10:00.000-08:00

201 W 11th St

Say hello to the Hollywood version of yet another pizza joint located in West Village. Two Boots centers itself around pies named after pop culture icons, including Larry Tate, Cleopatra Jones, and “The Dude” aka the Lebowski from The Big Lebowski.

I stopped by on a cold but lovely Saturday afternoon and ordered a slice of The Mel Cooley: sun-dried tomatoes, basil pesto, and roasted peppers on a white pie. The place was small but uncrowded and I managed to nab a seat inside the New Orleans Mardi Gras themed interior.

The pizza was average and definitely not worth bragging about. The crust was crispy, but I would have preferred it slightly crispier; the slice did strike me as particularly fresh. The names of the pies were a bigger deal than the actual pies themselves, as many names are in New York City.

Although I might be back to try their garden slice, which looks like—you guessed it—a garden, I cannot recommend Two Boots. There is much better pizza to be had in the area.

DAMAGE ~ $4
VERDICT: Pass

Oh! Taisho

2009-02-02T14:03:00.001-08:00

9 St. Marks Place

Oh! Taisho in the heart East Village is a true Japanese establishment. One glance at the menu and you might think you are in the center of Tokyo, rather than New York City. The menu is in part kanji (Japanese characters) and part English, but there are pictures in case you get confused. Overwhelmed with the many options, I was more than happy when Sir Fancy Pants insisted on ordering for me.

With a little help from the waiter, I decided on one of their more popular sakes, and Sir Fancy Pants ordered the following for our meal:

scallops wrapped in bacon
quails eggs wrapped in bacon
chicken skin
quails eggs (for me)
tofu gratinee, no anchovies (for me)
tempura (for me)

Everything was unusual and delicious. The tempura was the best I’ve tasted in the city; the quail eggs were a first and tasted somewhat like deviled eggs; and the tofu dish was unlike anything I ever tried before. Made of silken tofu and smothered with cheese, it had a slight mustard taste to it. I am not mustard’s biggest fan by any means, but I actually liked the taste of the dish.

The server was walking around with a pitcher of what looked like hot sake, refilling mugs around the room.

I still have no idea what was going on with that place, making it all the more intriguing and worthy of a return visit. I did learn from the server “taisho” is the equivalent to owner in Japanese.

DAMAGE ~ $40
VERDICT: GO NOW!

21 Club

2009-02-01T20:19:00.001-08:00

21 W 52nd St

Twice a year, numerous restaurants in the city take part in what is known as “Restaurant Week,” offering reduced pre-fixes for lunch and/or dinner. When I saw 21 Club on the list, I booked a reservation immediately.

When Thursday evening came around, I arrived on time and was greeted by a doorman in a fancy suit and white gloves. Sir Fancy Pants and I checked in our coats, walked through the lobby, and were seated near the entrance of the restaurant in what is called the Bar Room. I was unhappy with the proximity of the table to the door, so the host arranged for us to sit deeper into the restaurant at a booth.

The server started us off with a bread basket and allowed me to sample a couple flavors of white wine; I chose the Chardonnay. Sir Fancy Pants ordered the Manhattan cocktail, followed by a glass of Riesling.

For my meal, I ordered the only thing on the Restaurant Week Menu for vegetarians: Red and Green Oak Lettuces salad as my appetizer, Mushroom and Butternut Squash Risotto for my entrée, and the Key Lime Pie for dessert. Sir Fancy Pants ordered the salad with game terrine as an appetizer, the Seared Sea Scallops for his meal, and the Crème Brulee for dessert. The high price tag on our dinner came from 2 pre-fixe meals at $35 each plus drinks and tip.

The only thing worth noting in both our meals was my lime pie. It was delicious and round in shape. I also liked the crème brulee, but Sir Fancy Pants said it was overcooked. Everything else was average and boring; I could easily have cooked the meal myself from scratch. Call me foolish, but when I drop $35 on a meal, I expect something more than what I can make in my kitchen.

I understand it was Restaurant Week, but I could not help feeling cheated and pissed at the limited menu I was presented with. If you are going to offer vegetarians one entrée to choose from, at least make it something worthwhile and unusual. Maybe this is too much to ask.

That said, the service was impeccable; from the wait staff, to the bathroom attendant, everyone was very friendly and attentive. The dining room itself was neat with toys airplanes and trucks covering the ceiling, gifts from former patrons. The horse jockeys lining the entrance are also gifts from former regulars.

21 Club has been around since the days of the Prohibition Era and, from the looks of the crowd, will be around for many years to come. Younger people want to visit because it is a famous New York establishment; older people want to visit because it is a famous New York establishment. Back in the days of the Prohibition, the owners had a wine cellar to next door to stash the goods (i.e. alcohol). One day the feds raided the place while the mayor was in the cellar. In order to get him out, police ticketed and towed their cars to allow the mayor to escape. The website lists its entire history, something worth reading up on.

Despite my pathetic meal, I would give 21 Club another shot for the right occasion. Steer clear during restaurant week, or at least order off the main menu. You will probably spend about the same anyway. Beware the fanciness of the place; guys must wear a jacket and preferably a tie; no sneakers or jeans allowed.

Kudos to the service, the décor, the atmosphere; criticism to the prices, the limited menu, and the poor selection of entrees on the menu.

DAMAGE ~ $156
VERDICT: Go, but not during Restaurant Week

Bianca

2009-01-31T07:48:00.001-08:00

5 Bleecker St

For TheStageManager’s last night in New York City, I took him and TexasThespian to a Lower East Side eatery named Bianca, a tiny Italian restaurant family owned and operated. It was my second time to the restaurant establishment, but I knew they had reasonable prices and delicious food.

TheStageManager ordered mushrooms with Ricotta cheese as an appetizer. The mushrooms were cooked to perfection, and it was served with a side of salad greens. For entrees, I had the ricotta ravioli with sage and butter. TheStageManager ordered the lasagna. TexasThespian opted to stick with appetizers as he had eaten a couple hours earlier. I loved my dish, but TheStageManager said his was lacking in flavor, something I cannot confirm or deny as it is made with meat sauce. For dessert, we ordered the chocolate mousse pie, another pure delight that my taste buds repeatedly thanked me for.

The space is small, so the wait can be long to get a table. All entrées are priced near $15. The restaurant may feel cramped (or cozy depending on what kind of mood you are in).

Bianca is one of my favorite places to eat in the city. I cannot stress how much I love this place; I know I will enjoy my meal and not cut up my credit card when I get home, especially since the place is cash only. I recommend running to the eatery as soon as possible. Do not let the long wait be a determent; there is a bar next door and the host will come get you once your table is ready.

DAMAGE ~ $75 (cash only)
VERDICT: GO NOW!

Death & Co.

2009-01-30T08:38:00.000-08:00

433 E 6th St

When I suggested an East Village bar called Death & Company to TheStageManager, he envisioned a dark bar scene filled with Gothic New Yorkers. Little did he know…

Death & Co. is a small lounge open from 6-12 every evening and does not accept reservations. The unassuming exterior (no sign or windows) leads unawares to view it more as an abandoned warehouse than a swanky bar. Once inside, the place feels like a spacious lounge, with everything having a golden hue including the furniture.

The first night I attempted entrance with TheStageManager, we were denied. The second time I walked right up to the doorman, asked if he had a table for 3, and was directed to a small booth to the left of the door.

Death & Company does not have bartenders; it has mixologists. Mixologists consider the task of making cotails a form of art; each drink is made with precision and perfection. Several of the menu options allow you to choose your own liquor, which is what the three of us ordered. TheStageManager had the Electric Koolaid Acid Test with Tequila, featuring blackberries over crushed ice; TexasThespian ordered the Little Kingdom with Cognac, a small but strong concoction; and I ordered the Black Market Sling with Gin, another unusual but good mixture.

As much as I would love to divulge my thoughts about the drinks, I would never do them justice. You must go and experience it for yourself. I will say, physically, the drinks were beautiful. The Electric Koolaid Acid Test and the Black Market Swing did very well in the taste bud department; the Little Kingdom was way too strong for me, hence the very fitting name.

There is a secret to getting in, but I am not exactly sure what it is. I have a feeling it has something to do with being a New Yorker (i.e. tourists unwelcome), especially after hearing stories of people denied entrance only to learn later that the place was empty.

Death & Company is one of my top five favorite bars in Manhattan. I loved the feeling of being inside the beautiful windowless bar hidden from the world and the uncrowded aura of the space due to the fact it did not let people in unless there was a seat available. The drink menu was exceptional, and I loved the plug-in-your-liquor feature on the menu.

Negatives include the doorman, closing at midnight, and the booth we were made to sit in (it was right by the door so we felt a draft every time it opened).

DAMAGE ~ $45
VERDICT: GO NOW!

Blue Ribbon

2009-01-29T12:36:00.001-08:00

97 Sullivan St

CanuckDJ raved about his favorite restaurant in Manhattan; a small SoHo spot called Blue Ribbon. He said it was his first visit to New York without a stop at the culinary treasure, primarily due to time constraints. The fancy eatery was on my “Go To” list anyway, but I could not wait any longer upon hearing this.

Late Saturday evening, I dragged Sir Fancy Pants and TheStageManager to Blue Ribbon. I put my name on the list and 30 minutes later, we were seated. To get started, TheStageManager ordered the Cheese Fondue, served with bread cubes, breadsticks, and sliced apples. I have no idea what cheese was used, but the presentation and taste were unlike anything I ever had.

For the main course, Sir Fancy Pants ordered braised lamb shank with red wine sauce; TheStageManager ordered steak with onions, mushrooms, green beans and fries; and I had the vegetable k-bob with pita bread and cous-cous salad. For dessert, my dinner companions both ordered the raspberry sorbet.

My vegetable k-bob was good, the cous-cous salad a nice touch to vegetables on a stick. TheStageManager mentioned his steak was about half the size of what he is accustomed to, but he was visiting from Texas, the land where they consume animals whole. No complaints from Sir Fancy Pants.

At $19.50, I ordered the cheapest item on the menu. Both Sir Fancy Pants and TheStageManager’s meals ran in the $30 to $35 range. Blue Ribbon is not the most vegetarian friendly, and the place felt pricey for what I had. Despite this, I would return for the right occasion (i.e., CanuckDJ insisting on Blue Ribbon during his next visit). The atmosphere was great and very intimate; the host was down-to-earth and accommodating; and the food was a feast for my eyes and buds, taste buds that is.

DAMAGE ~ $200
VERDICT: Go

Public

2009-01-28T13:26:00.000-08:00

210 Elizabeth St

CanuckDJ, Sir Fancy Pants, and I visited Public, a Nolita hot spot, for Brunch Saturday afternoon. A thirty minute wait was lightened by the offer to sit at the bar until a table opened up.

To get started, I ordered the Public Mary, Public’s version of the Bloody Mary. It is not listed on the drink menu of their website, and I can’t say I blame them. It was the best Bloody Mary I ever had. It was a refreshing take on the classic cocktail. Sir Fancy Pants ordered a Fig and Vanilla Bellini, which was light and crisp. Drinks for my meal included my staple Café au Lait and the Passionfruit and Orange Bellini, also very nice. CanuckDJ stuck with coffee and later on pineapple juice.

We were seated at a table near a brick wall towards the front of the restaurant. All three of us ordered some version of Eggs Benedict. I ordered 2 fried eggs on English Toast, which came with spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes. I also ordered a side of hollandaise sauce because I heard good things.

When the food arrived, I was disappointed. I quickly realized I had ordered the wrong dish. I could have easily executed the meal myself and I make much better fried eggs. The hollandaise sauce was good, but I was so disappointed with the rest of my meal that I barely noticed. Sir Fancy Pants and CanuckDJ had no complaints.

After our meal, we split a blood orange muffin from the table in the center of the dining room. It was good but nothing special.

Public is owned by a concept and design firm called AvroKO. In addition, they own recently opened Double Crown in SoHo, and do a number of other projects around the city. Judging by the scene and presentation at Public, the masterminds behind AvroKO know exactly what they are doing, but the chefs have a thing or two to learn.

The space was bright with high ceilings and mirrors along one wall, giving the appearance you were dining in a space much larger than it was. If you were to walk past the bar, you would come to the Monday Room, a small space with lounge seating, meant to enjoy cocktails or perhaps a muffin.

The bathroom had free bars of soap for the taking featuring the Public logo. In the center of the restaurant was a small table with different types of bread and muffins. If you wanted one, you simply paid for it with your meal.

There were 2 larger spaces enclosed in wine bottles that were shut off by a sheer curtain. My guess is those areas are reserved for larger parties over 10 or for a fee.

Despite my meal leaving something to be desired, I would be open to going back for dinner or perhaps Brunch, if nothing else but to have the Public Mary grace my lips again. If I do go for Brunch, I guarantee I will not order the same dish.

DAMAGE ~ $120 (Brunch for 3 w/ drinks)
VERDICT: Go

Lombardi’s

2009-01-27T10:29:00.000-08:00

32 Spring St

Yummy, yummy, yummy! A quest for the best pizza in the city is not complete without a visit to Lombardi’s. This was actually my second trip to the nation’s oldest pizza eatery (est. 1897) located in Nolita. I cannot say it took the prize for “best pizza in nyc,” but it definitely tied for third place.

TheStageManager (a friend from out of town) and I arrived on a Friday evening to a 15 minute wait. We took advantage of our spare time and immediately sat at the bar ordering a glass of wine each. About 10 minutes later, a table opened up on the other side of the restaurant. We were led down the dining area, through the kitchen, out the other side of the “U-shaped” restaurant and seated next to the brick wall on the right.

We ordered a medium size pizza with the following 5 toppings: red onions, olives, sliced tomatoes, red peppers, and ricotta cheese. Man oh man, was it delicious. I ate three of the six slices with my fork. I used to have a saying that you know you have good pizza when you have to eat it with a fork; that’s exactly what I had was good pizza.

The restaurant was big for Manhattan; people were not seated on top of each other as you find in many other pizza parlors. The medium size pizza was perfect for two people and the toppings were a delicious combo leaning on perfection. Although the pizza could have been a bit crispier, I enjoyed every minute of it.

The wait was not as bad as I expected; the server was friendly; and the prices were cheap. I cannot wait to go back.

DAMAGE ~ $40 (before tip) CASH ONLY
VERDICT: Go

Beard Papa’s

2009-01-23T12:34:00.001-08:00

5 Carmine St.

Oh...my…Cream Puff! What a lovely little delight you are! The tiny Japanese Bakery called Beard Papa’s, located in the heart of Greenwich Village, specializes in cream puffs and also features a couple other delicious goodies, including a Fondant Au Chocolate, which you heat in the oven until the chocolate in the center is melted. I ordered one of these and one original vanilla custard filled cream puff. Both lived up to my expectations. The chocolate fondant was amazing, especially for the cheap price, and the cream puff was light with a flaky outside and a creamy center.

Beard Papa’s features a different cream puff flavor each week, ranging from Earl Grey Tea to Strawberry. Their website cites them as the “World’s Best Cream Puffs.” I cannot testify the truth of this statement (as I am not well versed in cream puffery), but they were damn good. My mouth is watering just thinking about them.

DAMAGE ~ $4.75
VERDICT: GO NOW!

Bleeker Street Pizza

2009-01-22T14:19:00.001-08:00

69 7th Ave South Sigh. How I longed for Bleeker Street Pizza to be more than what it was. The tiny pizza parlor on the corner of Bleeker Street and 7th Avenue was cramped, dirty, and left much to be desired.

I ventured out to Bleeker Street Pizza on a snowy evening after learning the Food Network chose them as the "Best Pizza in New York." I ordered a slice of the Grandma (cheese pizza on a Sicilian crust) and was told to come back in 20 minutes when it was ready. 30 minutes later, I returned and was met by hostility by one of the workers behind the counter; he practically threw my slice at me. I brushed it off, figuring he was having a bad day.

I took the slice back to my apartment in order to “enjoy” it away from the hostile workers or the disgusting restaurant (there were crumbs everywhere). Unfortunately, there was no enjoyment to be had. My fresh-from-the-oven pizza was soggy and cold; I had to reheat it. The tomato sauce was sweet, and I would not be surprised if it was canned. The only thing making my slice bearable was the Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar I added.

I have had better pizza in the city, and I have had a better Sicilian slice in the city. Bleeker Street Pizza is NOT the best pizza in Manhattan, and the attitudes of the workers were a major deal breaker.

DAMAGE ~ $3
VERDICT: Pass

KGB Bar

2009-01-21T14:01:00.001-08:00

85 E 4th St. KGB Bar & Literary Journal is a place true to my own heart. The small space features a bar on the second floor and a theater on the third. There are a handful of tables available for sitting and the walls are covered with portraits of dead, important novelists and poets.

I hit up the East Village dive bar on a frigid Friday evening around 11pm, meeting up with a couple of my writer friends. I bought one drink for under $10, cheap by Manhattan standards. We stayed for a couple hours, enjoying lively conversation and watching several bar patrons suck the face off their significant others.

Had I done my undergrad at NYU, I could see KGB being a favorite spot following a midterm or for a cheap theatre show (tickets for whatever was showing upstairs on Friday night were $8). Since I did not do my undergrad at NYU, KGB Bar will remain an option in the future for a literary reading, as they host authors nightly before 9pm.

DAMAGE ~ $8
VERDICT: Go

Café Asean

2009-01-16T08:04:00.000-08:00

117 W 10th St. (b/w 6th Ave. and Greenwich Ave.)

Café Asean in Greenwich Village was suggested for dinner on Wednesday evening. Sir Fancy Pants and I arrived at the Southeast Asian restaurant to a packed dining room seating maybe 30 people. We were shown to the back patio, also seating for about 30 and covered in glass due to winter (apparently the back patio requires reservations during the summer). After a couple minutes, the server informed us space opened up inside, so we moved indoors.

To get started, I ordered hot sake and Sir Fancy Pants, a Japanese beer. For my meal, I had egg noodles with vegetables and tofu covered in peanut lime sauce; Sir Fancy Pants had a pork dish. The name of the plates escapes me as they were highly unusual.

Overall, the food was ok. My meal arrived in a big, white bowl. It featured two huge chunks of fried tofu with mixed vegetables, including two half slices of tomato, green beans, and carrots laid atop egg noodles. The peanut lime sauce was good, but I could not taste the lime and the server did not offer any. The tofu was great, oversized, and fluffy. Prices were cheap for the Village; my meal was only S10.50.

Space was cozy and the ceiling was littered with different colored Chinese lanterns. I doubt I will be back despite some of the appetizers looking very tasty. Although the restaurant was cute, the food was decent, and the server was attentive, nothing was noteworthy enough to warrant my return.

DAMAGE ~ $40 (before tip) CASH ONLY
VERDICT: PASS

Bar 89

2009-01-13T09:39:00.000-08:00

89 Mercer St.

Following Brunch one Sunday afternoon, I trekked over to Bar 89 in SoHo with Sir Fancy Pants. We were in the area and decided to stop in for a cocktail.

We sat at the bar; he ordered a Bloody Mary and I a Mimosa. There were 3 other people in the two story bar. The place was nicely decorated in a minimalistic modern design and each table contained a fresh purple tulip.

Bar 89 had over 20 different Vodkas on hand, including some I had never heard of like Pablo Picasso Vodka. It serves lunch and dinner and stays open until 1 a.m. during the week, 2 a.m. on weekends. It is the perfect place for after work cocktails, for a date, or a get together with friends. Drinks are average Manhattan prices ranging between $7.50-$14.00.

Do you want to know a secret? The real reason anyone ever goes to Bar 89 is for the BATHROOM! It is by far the neatest bathroom I have ever seen/used in my life. I heard of similar bathrooms on the Travel Channel and was super excited to experience it myself. Located on the second floor behind a wall are 4 unisex bathrooms with clear, glass doors. The moment you step inside, the bathroom door begins to fog up. A sign displays the word OCCUPIED in purple lettering across the now opaque glass. Each stall has its own sink, and when you step out you are greeted by full length glass mirrors and the bathroom door defogs itself immediately.

The entire experience, the bathroom and enjoying my Mimosa at the empty bar, was truly relaxing. I cannot wait to go back. Next time, I prefer to go when it’s later in the evening and busier so I can see how other people react as they trek upstairs to the bathroom.

DAMAGE ~ $15 (before tip)
VERDICT: Go

Pommes Frites

2009-01-11T12:06:00.000-08:00

123 2nd Ave.

Several weeks went by before I managed to make my way to a tiny fry place dubbing itself with “authentic Belgian fries.” Pommes Frites in East Village was recommended to me by a friend who lives nearby. The tiny restaurant nestled between 7th Street & St. Mark’s Place on 2nd Avenue that literally sits around 8 is known for having some of the best fries in the city and allows customers to sample their many sauces for free. The wait the first time I tried to go (over a month ago as the temperature was dropping significantly) piqued my curiosity. It was 1am and the line was out the door, despite the freezing weather. I put Pommes Frites on my list and promised myself I would come back at a more appropriate time.

That time came this past Saturday in the morning. I hit the place up right when it was due to open at 11:30 on the weekend. The sign read “Closed.” I hiked the block and returned 10 minutes later. The sign now read “Open” and there was a line. I barely squeezed myself in the front door.

I waited in line watching new batches of cut potatoes frying while the people in front of me sampled and ordered one of the 30 sauces Pommes Frites features with their fries. The fries are served in a cone and come in three sizes: regular, large, and double. Sauces are $1.00 extra, or you can order a combo of any three sauces for $2.50. When my turn arrived, I asked for a sample of the Sundried Tomato Mayo and the Peanut Satay. The guy behind the fry bar handed me a napkin with four small fries on it and a small dollop of both sauces. The Peanut Satay was too oily for me. I ordered a regular order of fries with a combo of the following three sauces: Rosemary Garlic Mayo, Sweet Mango Chutney Mayo, and the Sundried Tomato Mayo. I asked for it to go, and they also give a side of raw onions and regular ketchup with every order.

The regular portion was huge; it took me two settings to finish it. The fries were a bit on the soggy side, but the sauces were very good. The Rosemary Garlic had the perfect combination of garlic and mayo; the Mango was very sweet and tasted almost like Thousand Island Salad Dressing, and the Sundried Tomato was also sweet with a slight kick at the end. I did not favor one sauce over the other as all were equally delicious. The complimentary raw onions were a nice touch as well.

For out-of-towners, if you are looking for an authentic New York experience, Pommes Frites has it. Belgium is known for its frites, so anyplace claiming to have “authentic Belgian fries” is a must go. Although I have had better fries, at another Belgium restaurant no less, the damage to my pocket book was much more appreciative of Pommes Frites. If you have some time to spare, go wait in line, and get your frite on.

DAMAGE ~ $7
VERDICT: Go

Balthazar

2009-01-05T10:55:00.000-08:00

80 Spring St.

Balthazar, Balthazar, Balthazar…
How I longed to whisper sweet nothings in your ear.
Instead, you have left me bitter…
No. Stop. I don’t want to hear.
I really thought we could be happy,
but you lied and abused me for your own personal gain.
You hurt my pride in more ways than one;
Don’t call me. You’ve caused enough pain.

As the aforementioned poem states, my visit to Balthazar did not go quite as expected. After struggling for weeks to get Brunch reservations at the trendy French bistro in SoHo, owned by the same folks that own Pastis, I finally managed to nab Sunday Brunch reservations at 11:00a.m. A dream come true…or so I thought…

We were seated immediately upon arrival, three minutes after 11. The place was packed and there was a line out the door of people waiting to see if anyone failed to show up for their reservation. I ordered my standard Café au Lait to start. The server asked if I would like it in a bowl or cup; I said bowl. My cup of coffee arrived in a huge bowl as shown below. Little did I know, this was only 1 of 2 things worth noting about the popular restaurant.

I then asked for a mimosa and was kindly informed they do not serve alcohol until after 12 in accordance with New York State Law. Given that I had worked so hard to get into the place, I let this slide. I ordered the Eggs Florentine, 2 eggs served with spinach and artichoke. Sir Fancy Pants ordered the Eggs Meurette, 2 poached eggs served in wine sauce topped with bacon and mushrooms. The server informed me the Eggs Florentine does not come with English Muffins. Incredulous as to how they could serve Eggs Florentine without muffins, I asked for them on the side, which I was charged an extra $3.00 for in addition to the $18.50 pricetag of the meal.

After he put our order in, another server brought us a bread basket containing 4 decent size pieces of white and wheat bread. Then it was time for our meal. The Eggs Florentine was topped with Béchamel sauce instead of the traditional Hollandaise sauce. The sauce turned out to be dry and bland; it consists of only milk, flour, and possibly butter. I heard no complaints from Sir Fancy Pants.

The second thing worth noting was the Apple Tart dessert we shared following the meal. It was very nice and cooked to perfection topped with Vanilla Bean ice cream. I also ordered a Hot Chocolate. After two sips, I asked the server to take it off the bill. It looked like hot chocolate, but tasted like brown liquid and steamed milk.

The atmosphere was nice and open with high ceilings, and the bathroom in the basement had its own attendant. The service was also very good. Unfortunately, a good Café au Lait, a delicious Apple Tart, and attentive servers does not justify going back for Balthazar's pricetag.

I’ve done Brunch at Pastis; I left feeling delighted, satisfied, and open to going back. I don’t know what the owners were thinking with Balthazar. I really do not get all the hype surrounding the place. At nearly $20 a portion, it is not worth it.

Perhaps the only good to come out of this much anticipated visit to Balthazar was it broke (i.e. scarred) me of ordering my staple Brunch entrée of Eggs Florentine.

DAMAGE ~ $55 (before tip)
VERDICT: PASS

Galanga

2009-01-04T15:57:00.000-08:00

149 W 4th St.

Saturday night dinner was set in a normal only in Manhattan size Thai restaurant called Galanga, located in Greenwich Village. The place was about half full, and we were seated next to the brick wall, rather than the booth on the opposite side or the long table in the center. I wish I had requested the booth because I felt a draft each time the door opened.

Sir Fancy Pants started off with a glass of red wine and I with the Galanga Ice Tea, sake with lime juice and mint leaves. Next came the appetizers. We ordered the Corn Fritters. 5 corn fritters arrived on a small plate with a purple flower in the corner. The taste was similar to a corn empanada; fried on the outside with a sweet doughy mixture of corn on the inside, very good. For dinner, Sir Fancy Pants ordered the Drunken Noodles with beef asking the server to make it as spicy as possible, and I had the Pad Thai with Vegetarian Duck. I might have ventured outside my Thai food staple but did not due to a sense of urgency on the part of the server.

The food was your typical Thai food. Vegetarian Duck tends to be hit or miss, but I enjoyed it at Galanga. The rest of the pad thai was average. With the exception of the Vegetarian Duck, the rest of the dish was lacking in flavor. I ended up adding too much chili sauce and burnt off half my taste buds in the process. In addition, each time I took a bite, I felt something crunchy. This is highly unusual for a platter of pad thai. Sir Fancy Pants said his Drunken Noodles were not as spicy as he wanted, but overall very good.

The entire meal felt rushed. I did not have time to delve into the menu and see what else was available because the server kept bothering us. We got there late in the evening, so I am not sure if the restaurant was near closing time, despite several other people arriving after us. The prices are reasonable (on average about $10 per plate and $8 per drink). There is one bathroom located in the basement. The restaurant has your dimly lit, slightly romantic vibe to it. Unfortunately, I was too irritated by the draft coming from the door, the urgency of the server, and my roasting taste buds to notice.

I have enjoyed much better Thai food in the city without feeling rushed at about the same price. Save your money on this one.

DAMAGE ~ $43 (before tip) CASH ONLY
VERDICT: PASS

Empire Hotel Rooftop Bar

2009-01-02T10:04:00.000-08:00

44 W 63rd St., 12th floor

New Yorkers lead fairly busy lives. So busy in fact, we often don’t realize what day it is until we get to the office and, upon seeing nobody else there, kick ourselves for waking up early on Saturday, head back home, get into bed, and sleep through the rest of the weekend pretending it never happened.

That said, when New Year’s Eve came around, I did not see it coming until it was literally 48 hours away. I had been so busy just trying to get through Thanksgiving and Christmas, New Year’s Eve was the last thing on my mind.

I debated standing in Times Square with one million strangers for 9 hours, but decided against it due to a lack of public facilities and the chilly weather. My next option was buying tickets to a party at a bar/ lounge. My budget for the night was $150. Anything on 42nd or near Times Square was out of the question due to the massive crowds. I decided upon Stone Rose Lounge, an upscale bar overlooking Central Park on Columbus Circle. When I went to buy tickets the night before New Year’s Eve, the price was jacked up to $195 from $150 earlier in the afternoon. Sir Fancy Pants suggested the Empire Hotel Rooftop bar. He had been for a company party and said it was nice and featured spectacular views of New York from the Upper West Side. It was late, I was running out of options, and tickets were $125 each for the rooftop party. Empire Hotel it was.

After taxes, our tickets came out to $140 each. We arrived about 10:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. The lounge was smaller than I expected, two rooms, and about half full. The following is a list of pros and cons from the evening.

PROS:
1) Views: Lincoln Center, CNN Tower, Dakota Building, Upper West Side.

2) Proximity to Empire Hotel sign. Bar opens up to outdoor deck where sign is located.

3) Two full bars. Did not experience long lines to get drinks at all throughout evening.
4) Music was good- mainly older stuff from the past several years and some rock music.
5) VIP admission. Doorperson gave us pink VIP wristbands because she misread our tickets. VIP allowed us access to the second room of the bar, enclosed entirely in glass windows on one side.
6) The furniture was modern and spacious with many oversized chairs in the VIP area.
7) Crowd was cool and friendly.

CONS:
1) Appetizers included in price of ticket were far and few between. When servers did come through with plates of food, people attacked them, leaving crumbs in their wake.
2) No champagne toast. We ended up paying $20 extra at midnight for ONE glass of champagne. We then split that into two glasses to ring in the New Year.
3) No television screens. We did not get to watch the ball drop on New Year’s, as many other bars featured live feed of the ball dropping in their evening’s activities.
4) Due to the heat from the overcrowding of people, the windows showcasing the spectacular views were completely fogged up in the VIP area. Sir Fancy Pants said when he went the ceiling was open, allowing for some impressive views of Manhattan. The only way to get the views on this evening was to walk outside to the outdoor deck. The weather was freezing, so I did not last more than a couple minutes both times I went outside.
5) Lack of dance music/ eurotrance. I do not remember the DJ playing any techno/trance/dance music during the evening.
6) No dance floor. You danced where you were standing.
7) Half the bartenders did not know how to make a Tom Collins; it was hit and miss all night. For those of you wondering, Tom Collins is 3 parts club soda, 2 parts gin, 1 part sour, and sugar if you have it available.

I did have a good time but I feel like the evening could have been had anywhere rather than where it actually took place, in New York City. We left around 2:00 a.m. By that time, most of the crowd had cleared out. The place also had a fireplace, which is always a nice addition to any bar. The women’s restroom had four stalls and a bathroom attendant. I did not wait longer than 7 minutes to use the restroom. I cannot vouch for the men’s stalls.

I would not mind going to Empire Hotel Rooftop Bar again given the right occasion, such as a networking event, to impress out of towners, or warmer weather, but I will not be returning for another New Year’s Eve celebration nor recommending it to any fellow New Yorkers for New Year's.

DAMAGE ~$300 (or $150 each plus tip)

VERDICT: Go when it’s warmer

The Irish Rogue

2008-12-29T06:45:00.000-08:00

356 W 44th St

After attempting to buy Broadway tickets near Times Square two hours before the box office opened, I decided the day was not to be lost yet. What better way to spend a Sunday morning waiting to get tickets than at Brunch? Although I was outside my comfort zone of the Village, Sir Fancy Pants and I made a go at Brunch anyway.

The first place we checked out was Mercury Bar. We were in and out in three minutes. Although the place was empty, we were informed by the waitress they do not serve mimosas until noon. Something about being on a residential block. It was 11am. I hold mimosas in rank with my coffee for Brunch; I cannot have one without the other. No way were we going to stay at a place advertising $15 Brunch specials, including three complimentary drinks, without the ability to order the three drinks for another hour.

So we walked across the street to Marseille. Same story, different tune. This was unfortunate because I was looking forward to eating there; I will make an effort to come back one day after noon.

Finally, we went around the block to The Irish Rogue. With Brunch specials starting at $11.95 plus two complimentary drinks, I decided it would be our best option. The place was empty save a couple guys at the bar. We were seated immediately and both sat on the same side of the booth to watch the numerous flat screen television screens littered around the room. There was a European soccer game showing, which impressed Sir Fancy Pants because he had just come from viewing an earlier game of Liverpool v. Newcastle. He was more than happy to keep watching the sport.

I ordered a mimosa, a café au lait, Eggs Florentine, and a Hot Chocolate with Butterscotch (a specialty drink they serve during winter). The Eggs Florentine was not on the menu, but Eggs Benedict was, so I got them to substitute the bacon for spinach; the expresso machine was broken, so they brought me a regular coffee instead; and they were out of marshmallows, which should have come with the Butterscotch Hot Chocolate. Sir Fancy Pants had three mimosas (he got my extra that came with the meal) and steak and eggs. He said his steak was not as rare as he would have liked but cleaned his plate nonetheless. Our meals were served with potatoes shaped as chips, of which I only managed to get through about 1/3 of mine.

That being said, I enjoyed our meal. The Eggs Florentine were delish, and the Butterscotch Hot Chocolate was a delight to my taste buds and stomach, which normally cannot handle anything that sweet mixed with alcohol. Although I do not see myself coming back because I am rarely in that area before noon, I appreciated their prices and them serving alcohol when the next block refused.

DAMAGE~$38 before tip (2 meals + 1 coffee + 1 butterscotch hot chocolate)
VERDICT: Go if in the area before noon and want liquor

Heartland Brewery

2008-12-28T20:27:00.000-08:00

35 Union Sq West

Saturday night, I met up with my cousin at Heartland Brewery in Union Square. Him and 15 of his buddies were in town for the evening from Connecticut. The place was two levels. We had the upper left side to ourselves. The place felt unusually loud, and it took a while to get my first beer, a specialty wheat beer they have called Raspberry Blonde. This could be due to the sheer size of our table as well.

The beers ranged in price from $6.50-$14.00 depending on kind and size of glass (they offered a 23 oz glass). The Raspberry Blonde had a semi-not-too-sweet taste to it. Despite the fact I am not a beer drinker, I liked it. My second beer was a lager beer flavored with lime, also very good.

The waitress was friendly. Nearly everyone ordered appetizers and entrees. The final bill for the table came out to $788 (tip included). I managed some seasoned french fries from my cousin and mashed potatoes from Sir Fancy Pants; the fries were cold and the mashed potatoes were lumpy. The atmosphere was unimpressive. I felt more like I was in a Chili’s rather than a brewery.

DAMAGE ~$16
VERDICT: Go if looking for a different beer selection

Lounge 47

2008-12-24T13:08:00.000-08:00

47-10 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City

Holiday drinks were had at Lounge 47 located in Long Island City. Following my weekly writer’s meeting in the area, two other writers and myself trekked over to the lounge around 9:45p.m. Tuesday evening. The dimly lit lounge was about ¾ full off and on throughout the night. We sat in a corner booth.

The décor is your typical average semi-nice lounge décor with shapes and patterns used as artwork. Lounge 47 also featured an outdoor patio but was closed due to the cold weather. The inside space seats about 40-50 people, with several large round booths for bigger parties. The menu is heavily influenced by international cuisine.

I started with the chocolate martini and ordered a bowl of lentil soup. Both were good, but nothing special. My taste buds felt the soup was lacking in flavor, resulting in the addition of several teaspoons of salt. After the martini, I had a Tom Collins (my current cocktail of choice) to balance out the sweetness of the chocolate. The other writers ordered three beers and two vodka tonics. A bar patron offered shots of Jameson for the entire place. I passed as I still had to commute back to Manhattan.

Lounge 47 is a nice addition for the Long Island City community. Cocktails range in price from $7-10. I hear the Wasabi Deviled Eggs are a delight as well, something I look forward to check out in the near future. My advice is to go if in area and looking for a nice spot to enjoy a few cocktails and/or food.

DAMAGE~$65 (including my $6.50 soup + tip)

VERDICT: GO IF IN AREA & HUNGRY/THIRSTY

Great Jones Café

2008-12-23T12:40:00.000-08:00

54 Great Jones Street (b/w Bowery and Lafayette)

Sunday Brunch was had at Great Jones Café located in NoHo. Sir Fancy Pants requested someplace reasonably cheap, so I set to work and found a tiny café with supposedly the top Bloody Mary’s in the city. Given that many restaurants in New York claim they have the “best” of something (pizza, mimosas, hot chocolate), I decided it was worth investigating.

We were seated a couple minutes after we arrived. The small café was a couple people short of capacity in a space that seats maybe 20. This may have been due to the sub zero, frigid weather outside. I ordered the Huevos Rancheros [scrambled eggs on corn tortilla with ranchero sauce, sour cream, and cheese] with a Mimosa and a Café au Lait. The waitress looked at me like I was crazy, so I settled for the house coffee, which was included with my meal. Every meal on the colorful one page menu came with choice of cornbread or biscuit and homefries or grits. I got the biscuit and homefries.

Sir Fancy Pants ordered the Farmer’s Market breakfast, basically an omelet, along with the biscuit and homefries. He also ordered the Cajun Mary, recommended to us by the waitress over the Bloody Mary. The Cajun Mary was delicious. I highly recommend it to anyone who goes here; much like a Bloody Mary but with a spicier, more flavorful kick. The gravy had sausage in it, which was a bummer because I am a sucker for good white or brown gravy, a rarity in New York. Otherwise, I would have liked to try it…

The atmosphere was cozy and the crowd looked to be mostly out of towners visiting their New Yorker son/ daughter/ friend. I felt safe and comfortable inside the cozy space, but the place was pricier than expected, as the menu has no pricing.

Cajun Marys are the stuff that great Brunches dream about. The rest of the meal can be had or lost. My Mimosa was good, but not great. I enjoyed my Huevos Rancheros, not surprising given that Mexican Food is my favorite food genre. The home fried potatoes were good but nothing I could not whip up on my own; the biscuits were rock hard. I peeled away the salvageable insides. Mr. Fancy Pants enjoyed his meal as well, but once again, there was nothing special to it. The only reason to go back would be for the Cajun Marys.

DAMAGE ~$55
VERDICT: PASS