Schiller’s Liquor Bar

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

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

Grom

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

Pukk

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

teany

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

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

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

The Chocolate Room

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

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

Mesa Grill

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

Homunculus

@}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

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

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