Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this establishment for a complimentary event. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
A Tasting Event at La Maison Du Chocolat, UES, NYC
Category Archives: MANHATTAN
Desnuda, Williamsburg, NYC
Laut, Union Square/ Flatiron, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance:☆☆
Cost: $$$
Must try: Salt and Pepper Squid, Mee Goreng
Il Punto Ristorante, Hells Kitchen, NYC
Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this establishment for a complimentary meal. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Paname Restaurant, Upper East Side, NYC
Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this establishment for a complimentary meal. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Wa Jeal, Upper East Side, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆
Ambiance: ☆☆
Cost: $$ ½
Must try: Wok Roasted Diced Chicken w/ Thousand Chili
Tabélog Meet and Greet Event at Skál, Lower East Side, NYC
Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this establishment for a complimentary meal. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Balaboosta, Nolita, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆½
Service: ☆☆☆
Ambiance: ☆☆½
Cost: $$$
Must try: Fresh Burrata, Israeli Street Fair, Kanafeh
Lure Fish Bar, Soho, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆
Cost: $$$
Must try: Big Bash Burger, Lobster Roll
Brunch at Lafayette, Greenwich Village, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆☆
Cost: $$$
Must try: Soft Scrambled Eggs Vol-Au-Vent
Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Chinatown, New York
Food: ☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆
Ambiance: ☆☆ ½
Cost: $$$
Must try: Rice-noodle rolls, Shrimp and Chive Dumpling
Jaiya Thai, Murray Hill/ Yorkville, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆ ½
Ambiance: ☆☆ ½
Cost: $$
Must try: Special Sauce, Indian Curry, Laad Na
Musical Mondays and Le Cirque’s 40th Anniversary at Le Cirque Café
Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this establishment for a complimentary meal. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Da Marcella, West Village, NYC
Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this establishment for a complimentary meal. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Angus Club Steakhouse, Midtown East, NYC
Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this establishment for a complimentary meal. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Pastai: An Artisan Pasta Bar, Chelsea, NYC
Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this establishment for a complimentary meal. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Sel et Poivre, Upper East Side, NYC
Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this establishment for a complimentary meal. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Dovetail, Upper West Side, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆☆
Cost: $$$
Must try: Potato Gnocchi, Hamachi, Cured Carrots, Chocolate soufflé
Hakkasan, Midtown West, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆☆½
Cost: $$$$
Must try: Dim Sum, pumpkin-duck puffs, Chicken Sanpei
Thelewala, Greenwich Village, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆½
Service: ☆☆☆
Ambiance: ☆☆
Cost: $
Must try: Chicken Phall Roll
Thelewala, as its name suggests, has recreated the street food experience right here in New York City.
Situated on MacDougal Street amongst numerous tiny eateries, Thelewala offers stiff competition to Kathi Roll Company that is situated diagonally across.
The concise menu here offers uncommon variations on kati rolls which they call “Famous Nizami Rolls”. There are several fillings one can choose from with both vegetarian and non- vegetarian options. My favorite was the spicy Chicken Phall Roll.
Thelewala also offers other street style food ubiquitous in Kolkata. Do try their Jaal Moori which is a riff on the more common bhelpuri. It is prepared with puffed rice, peanuts, red onions, potatoes, lime and oil (ask for mustard oil which is the authentic version vs. olive oil)
The owner Shiva Natarajan’s who also owns Chola, Dhaba, Bhojan and more, is a native of Kolkata – where street food reigns supreme. As I too am of similar origins, I can tell you that Thelewala is the real deal.
Here is some of what we ate:
Phuchka
Jaal Moori
Chicken Malai Roll
Chicken Phall Roll
|
|
* Restaurant Name |
|---|---|
| Thelewala | |
| * Overall | |
| ★★★☆☆ | |
| * Neighborhood / Cuisine | |
| West Village / Thai | |
| * Street Address | |
| 112 MacDougal St. (Between Minetta Ln. & Bleecker St.), New York, NY 10012 | |
| * Phone | |
| (212) 614-9100 |
Bohemian, Greenwich Village, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆☆
Cost: $$$
Must try:The Bohemian Tasting
Ever done the secret dining circuit in New York? If not then Bohemian is a great place to start.
There is such a thrill in going to that clandestine, unmarked restaurant with no published phone number that is hidden away behind a Japanese butchers store. I was expecting a super snobby, exclusive chic kind of atmosphere but what lies behind Bohemian’s doors totally disarms all of that.
Once you are buzzed in, the entire mystique melts away and what you are left with is a really inviting space, which feels more like being in someone’s living room. Here you are served rather remarkable fare by the nicest of people. Trust the Japanese to create the ultimate speakeasy!
At Bohemian, chef Kiyo Shinoki prepares Japanese inspired creative plates that are artful both in composition and presentation. Each dish is thoughtfully created blending Japanese cooking techniques to maximize flavors.
The Bohemian Tasting for $55 (6 courses) is a very reasonable offering which allows you to sample an array of different tastes. There also is a full bar with an assortment of Asian inspired cocktails.
Bohemian has a very a stringent reservation policy which is by phone only. They also ask for a referral when you call in.
Bohemian respectfully requests that their “secret phone number” not be published anywhere however if you visit their website at (www.playearth.jp) and write a a self-introduction to them and you might just find your way in.
Here is some of what we ate:
Farmer’s Fresh Vegetables Fondue
Washu-Beef Short Rib Sashimi
Uni Croquette
Pan Roasted Branzini
Washu-Beef Mini Burger
House Caviar Rice Bowl
Foie Gras Soba
Honey Lemon Pannacotta
|
|
* Restaurant Name |
|---|---|
| Bohemian | |
| * Overall | |
| ★★★☆☆ | |
| * Neighborhood / Cuisine | |
| East Village / Japanese / Steak | |
| * Street Address | |
| 57 Great Jones St. (bet. Bowery & Lafayette St.), New York, NY 10012 | |
| * Phone | |
The Nipponista Event at Maison O hosted by Isetan, Soho, NYC
Last night I was invited by Tabélog to attend ‘Nipponista‘, an event hosted by Isetan, the largest department store in Japan. Nipponista is part of a Japanese project called ‘Cool Japan’ and was created to transmit Japanese fashion, art and food information throughout the world.
Uncle Boons, Nolita, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆½
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆☆½
Cost: $$$
Must try: Chicken and Banana Blossom Salad, Khao Soi, Grilled Blowfish Tails
Uncle Boons is a wonderful downtown dining spot serving uncommon Thai fare.
This eatery was opened the by husband and wife team of Ann Redding and Matt Danzer, both of ex- Per Se pedigree.
The menu here shies away from the regular Thai offerings of copious amounts of curries, noodles, satays and so on. The selection here is limited but in a thoughtful way.
Many of the recipes used in the kitchen are handed down from Redding’s family – who was born in Thailand. Where else can one try delicate dish of tender charcoal-grilled blowfish tails served with a fresh green chili sauce or chicken and banana blossom salad with several layers of flavor and texture in every bite. The Khao Soi is a must try dish consisting of a flavorful yellow curry served with both soft and crunchy noodles.
The one thing I missed at Uncle Boons was spice. The menu seems to focus more on the gentler side of Thai food which is refreshing too.
At Uncle Boons the attention seems to be on creating a culinary experience that is a little set apart from the rest and yet authentic in its core.
Here is some of what we ate:
Spicy Roasted Chicken & Banana Blossom Salad
Steamed Egg wrapped in Red Curry & Kaffir Lime
Northern Style Golden Curry (Khao Soi)
Grilled Blowfish Tails
Water Spinach with Garlic
|
|
* Restaurant Name |
|---|---|
| Uncle Boons | |
| * Overall | |
| ★★★☆☆ | |
| * Neighborhood / Cuisine | |
| Lower East Side / Thai | |
| * Street Address | |
| 7 Spring St. (Between Bowery & Elizabeth St.), New York, NY 10012 | |
| * Phone | |
| (646) 370-6650 |
Masq, Midtown East, NYC
Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this establishment. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
I was recently invited to a press dinner at Masq which is Midtown’s little gem offering innovative American Cuisine with a New Orleans flair.
The space occupies the first floor of a townhouse and is spread over four distinctive areas that flow one into the other. There is a full-service sit-down bar located in the front of the restaurant, which has a really cool horseshoe-shaped white oak bar. Here one can choose from a variety of New Orleans inspired specialty cocktails, an impressive selection of global wines and other premium liquors.
The restaurant then continues into a Lounge area decorated with eclectic vintage furniture and masks which leads into the main dining room. There is also private party area called “The Red Room” located in the back, which makes for a perfect space to host an intimate gathering of up to 45 people.
Co-owners George Chaprastian and Executive Chef Marc Getzelman make for a dynamic duo who truly have a passion for what they have created here at Masq. The place exudes warmth and hospitality from the minute you step in.
Chef Getzelman offers some really innovative fare with his New Orleans-inspired menu. You feast on delicious Mac ‘n Cheese croquettes, Crawfish Étouffée, Po’ Boys and their signature Jambalaya tempered with goat cheese amongst other wonderful eats. Do NOT miss dessert – their Sabayon was really refreshing and delicious.
With a spot like Masq in our midst, one doesn’t have to travel far to celebrate Mardi Gras coz here “It’s Always Fat Tuesday!”
Here is some of what we ate:
MAC ‘N CHEESE CROQUETTES
PROSCIUTTO FIG FLATBREADS
SHRIMP & CATFISH PO’ BOYS
CRAWFISH ETOUFFEE
JAMBALAYA
SABAYON
|
|
* Restaurant Name |
|---|---|
| MASQ Restaurant & Lounge | |
| * Overall | |
| ★★★☆☆ | |
| * Neighborhood / Cuisine | |
| Midtown East / American New | |
| * Street Address | |
| 306 East 49th St. (Between 1st Ave. & 2nd Ave.), New York, NY 10017 | |
| * Phone | |
| (212) 644-8294 |
Mozzarella & Vino, Midtown West, NYC
(I was invited as a guest to this establishment. All opinions expresses in this review are my own.)
I was recently invited to review Mozzarella & Vino, a brand new spot opened by veteran restaurateurs Gianfranco & Paula Sorrentino of Il Gattopardo and Leopard at des Artistes fame.
Located in the old Il Gattopardo space, right opposite the MOMA, Mozzarella & Vino is housed in a chic, inviting space that is filled with warmth and authenticity.
Mozzarella & Vino distinguishes itself from it sibling restaurants by offering a seasonally inspired small plate menu with an emphasis on Mozzarella di Bufala Campania DOP, Italian cheeses and affettati.
This affordable enoteca style restaurant also offers a full bar and an extensive wines list. This is one of the first spots in New York City to use an Enomatic wine serving system, which allows them to store unique high-end wines.
The kitchen is supervised by Chef Vito Gnazzo of Il Gattopardo and The Leopard and helmed by Antonio Savino. The menu at Mozzarella & Vino is quite simple but the flavors are truly authentic and the quality of food really shines. The best of ingredients are flown in twice a week from small artisanal farms in Italy. One can tell that in this kitchen there are no short cuts – everything is made fresh from scratch and is all really delicious.
Mozzarella & Vino is open everyday from 11:00 AM to 10 PM. The genuine affection and care taken of anyone who walks through the doors of Mozzarella & Vino is palpable. Its almost like you are welcomed home when you set foot in here and are pampered the whole way through with great food and wine.
Here is some of what we ate:
Bread Basket
Zucchini and Calamari fritti with spicy tomato sauce
Affettati & Fromagi
Smoked Mozzarella with Cherry Tomato Suace
Baked Rigatoni with Eggplant and Riccotta
Meatballs
Apple crostata with smoked mozzarella gelato
Mascarpone chocolate mousse cake
|
|
* Restaurant Name |
|---|---|
| Mozzarella & Vino | |
| * Overall | |
| ★★★☆☆ | |
| * Neighborhood / Cuisine | |
| Midtown West / Italian | |
| * Street Address | |
| 33 West 54th Street (b/t Avenue Of The Americas & 5th Ave in Midtown West), New York, NY 10019 | |
| * Phone | |
| (646) 692-8849 |