Food: ☆☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆½
Cost: $$
Must try: Chocolate Green Tea Lava Cake, The Harvest
Spot Dessert Bar, East Village, NYC
Sel et Poivre, Upper East Side, NYC
Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this establishment for a complimentary meal. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
LIC Market, Long Island City, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆☆½
Cost: $$
Must try: Frittata, Soups, Brownie
Milkflower, Astoria, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆½
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆☆½
Cost: $$
Must try: Meatballs, Queen, Brussels Sprout
Dovetail, Upper West Side, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆☆
Cost: $$$
Must try: Potato Gnocchi, Hamachi, Cured Carrots, Chocolate soufflé
Hakkasan, Midtown West, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆☆½
Cost: $$$$
Must try: Dim Sum, pumpkin-duck puffs, Chicken Sanpei
The Butcher Bar, Astoria, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆½
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆☆
Cost: $$
Must try: Pulled Pork, Marinated Chicken
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.
El Anzuelo Fino, Jackson Heights, NYC
Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this establishment for a complimentary meal. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
I was recently invited to El Anzuelo Fino, a family owned Peruvian restaurant, which has locations in Jackson Heights and Woodside in Queens.
What I went in expecting was a Pio- Pio styled Peruvian meal (not that there’s anything wrong with that) but the experience I came away with was something completely different.
Boris Torres, the son and face of the next generation at El Anzuelo Fino, is a professionally trained chef as well as an architect.
Both professions require fashioning an art form and that is exactly what Torres does on the plate. He is a truly gifted chef who is pushing the boundaries of Peruvian food into modernity whilst still staying close its roots and heritage.
Torres schooled me throughout the meal on the complexity, depth and phenomenal ethnic influences that have fashioned Peruvian cuisine. Each dish that was presented to me had a little history lesson on how its flavors borrowed from its cultural past.
Be it African, Chinese – “Chifa”, Japanese –“Nikkei”, Spanish or Italian, Torres’s creations pay true homage to a gastronomic heritage that is so rich. Take the classic favorite “Lomo Saltado” for example, which is made with sautéed beef tips, onions, tomatoes, reduced with soy sauce and served over French fries. What seems like a crazy combination of flavors actually works beautifully! Look at all the cross cultural pollination going on in that dish!
The Anticuchos con Papa or veal hearts drew on African heritage whilst their superb Ceviche draws on Spanish influences.
At El Anzuelo Fino, do not miss trying the Corvina, which is a firm-fleshed South American fish. We sampled a Ceviche and an “A-la- Plancha” version of this fish and both dishes were spectacular.
El Anzuelo Fino, in my opinion is truly a gem of a find. Located in its unassuming digs one can really find artful creations of seriously tasty, home-style Peruvian food here.
I, for one, am a fan!
Here is some of what we ate:
Canch
Ceviche de Corvina
Anticuchos Con Papa Y Choclo
Pulpo al Olivo
Corvina A La Plancha
Lomo Saltado
|
|
* Restaurant Name |
|---|---|
| El Anzuelo Fino | |
| * Overall | |
| ★★★☆☆ | |
| * Neighborhood / Cuisine | |
| Jackson Heights / Peruvian | |
| * Street Address | |
| 8601 Northern Blvd., Jackson Heights, NY 11372 | |
| * Phone | |
| (718) 426-8660 |
El Maguey y La Tuna, 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.
I was recently invited for a press dinner at El Maguey y La Tuna, a family run Mexican restaurant on the Lower East Side.
Dressed in simple yet homey surroundings, El Maguey y La Tuna is exactly the kind of place at which I would have hoped to find the BEST Mole Poblano I have tasted in New York City!
There is a reason why this dish is so good here. It is hand made from scratch over several days by Mama Cortez who doesn’t even use as much as a blender to aid her art.
Preserving family recipes is what makes El Maguey y La Tuna a rather unique spot. Every dish on their menu has a reason for being there. The origins could be from a grandmother, aunt or uncle or a favorite post-hangover remedy (that’s where the Chilaquiles come in).
The daughter Maria, who usually handles the front end of the restaurant, is equally adept at cooking and managing the kitchen when she is needed to do so. Here, everything is a family affair.
El Maguey y La Tuna offers a wonderful selection of food from rural Mexico in a place that tastes and feels like home. They have a full-service sit-down bar with specialty cocktails such as Jalapeno Margaritas, Dessert wines and Mexican Beers. They also offer Brunch on weekends for $11.95 which includes a cocktail!
With food so good, people so authentic and a price point so reasonable, I don’t see why El Maguey y La Tuna will not be on my multiple return list!
Here is some of what we ate:
Margarita with Jalapeño
Ponche
Taquitos Al Guacamole
Chiles Rellenos
Tacos de Pescado
Mole Poblano
Maria’s Mole Rojo
Pinto Beans and Rice
Chilaquiles
Black Beans and Rice
Homemade Mexican Chocolate Cake
Banana Pinata
|
|
* Restaurant Name |
|---|---|
| El Maguey Y La Tuna Mexican Restaurant | |
| * Overall | |
| ★★★☆☆ | |
| * Neighborhood / Cuisine | |
| Lower East Side / Mexican | |
| * Street Address | |
| 321 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002 | |
| * Phone | |
| (212) 473-3919 |
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 |
Juliette, Williamsburg, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆½
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆☆½
Cost: $$$
Must try: Eggs Forestière
Juliette is an ultra charming brassiere in Williamsburg located right next to the famed Egg.
Nested in an area where trendy restaurants open ever so often, Juliette has managed to hold its own. Offering a locally sourced, French inspired menu classic favorites with a twist rule here. The meal we had here was very solid.
The interiors at Juliette are French country whimsy. The space offers locales to suit every mood. There is a vintage barroom up front, a main dining room, a solarium adorned with vines and an extremely popular rooftop bar that is packed during warmer weather.
For those who care, Juliette was recently featured on Project Runway in Episode 9 (Let’s do Brunch)! That is definitely one way you can spend your time here by checking out the scene but for others like me…..the food will occupy you just fine too.
Here is some of what we ate:
BAKED FARM EGGS
SMOKED SALMON BENEDICT
EGGS FORESTIERE
|
|
* Restaurant Name |
|---|---|
| Juliette | |
| * Overall | |
| ★★★☆☆ | |
| * Neighborhood / Cuisine | |
| Williamsburg / French | |
| * Street Address | |
| 135 North 5th St., Brooklyn, NY 11211 | |
| * Phone | |
| (718) 388-9222 |
Aquavit, Midtown East, NYC
Food: ☆☆☆½
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆☆½
Cost: $$$$
Must try: Holland Herring, Scandinavian Bouillabaisse
Circo – Bollito Misto Week, Midtown West, 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 attend a media dinner at Circo, the whimsical, circus themed Italian restaurant run by the legendary Maccioni family.
The menu at Circo offers elegant, home-style, Tuscan fare inspired by signature recipes from the kitchen of Maccioni matriarch Egidiana Maccioni (aka Mamma Egi). The newly appointed Executive Chef Alfio Longo does a fabulous job of helming the kitchen at Circo with his signature contemporary flare.
Viroths, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Sightseeing in Siem Reap can be an endless day of spectacular sights. Angkor Vat is stunning in it’s majestic expanse and beauty as are other nearby temples.
At the end of a long, tiring day – the perfect way to unwind is to dine on a meal that is comforting and delicious. A perfect place for this is at Viroths.
Srey Koulen Restaurant, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Our first full day in Cambodia was spent hiking through the jungle, up a hill to Kbal Spean or the ‘River of a Thousand Lingas’.
This magnificent spot is home to a sacred river that gushes over a river bed into which thousands of Lord Shiva’s Lingas have been carved and other deities have been carved.
On our way back we stopped of for a much need break at a restaurant called a Srey Koulen, a typical tourist trap type spot which served decent enough Khmer cuisine.
Kitchen Angkor Chey, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Kitchen Angkor Chey is tucked away down a long narrow driveway, away from the hubbub of the main town.
The place was tacky at best – everything about it from its service to the food to the facilities was subpar.
Nest Angkor Cafe Bar, Siem Reap, Cambodia
My favorite temple in Siem Reap was the Bayon Temple which is within the Ankor Thom set of temples. To look at those gigantic, majestic faces that were carved atop the stone temples is quite breathtaking.
Just as spectacular was where we ate dinner that night in Siem Reap which just bettered our already perfect day.
Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Resort, Siem Reap, Cambodia
The Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort is a gorgeous property in Siem Reap, which is a well located between the monuments and the center of town.
Khmer Kitchen, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Ta Prohm in Siem Reap is probably the most well known of all the temples because of Angelina Jolie swinging through its ruins as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider.
This temple is truly spectacular with magnificent tree roots growing and twisting within and through the walls of the ancient stone temple.
Pub Street, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Pub Street in Siem Reap is where the party is happening every night until the wee hours of the morning.
Floating Villages of Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia
Our first evening in Siem Reap was spent on a boat tour of the amazing floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake.
Lake Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia. What is unique about this lake is that this body of water is constantly affected in size throughout the year by the rains and as it gets flooded with water from the Mekong River.
The floating villages basically follow the water for sustainability as they are all primarily fisherman who depend on their catch for their livelihood.
