Blue Ribbon

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

Bar 89

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

Balthazar

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