foodadelic

Luu's Baguette

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:35:00 -0500

Finally! A Vietnamese shop that I can look forward to going to that’s not in Chinatown or Queens. I’d call it a gem considering the neighborhood it resides in which is Murray Hill/Gramercy. It isn’t exactly Viet food-esque popular in this area. You go there for Indian, Italian, American, whatever but NOT VIET.

There are two Vietnamese restaurants on 3^rd ave, and I remember at least dining there once to give it a shot. It’s just not traditional pho (beef noodle soup) and costs more than it should, but hey, I get it, rent is probably costlier in this part of town. If it at least tastes authentic then the price is totally justifiable, but you can’t justify paying more for essentially less.

Luu’s Baguette opened its door November 1^st and I was so excited to try their Banh mi and Pho; just two out of many dishes I grew up with. And I must say, I am loving this place!! My new neighborhood spot!

So far I’ve had their Banh Mi Dac Biet (BBQ pork, cured pork salami, & pork roll sandwich)-> this was mediocre, Pho Tai (raw beef eye of round noodle soup)-> defininitely competitive with other authentic Viet Pho restaurants, and Bun Xuong Nuong (grilled pork chop over vermicelli noodle) -> pretty standard.

I can’t stress enough how great it is to have a Vietnamese establishment which holds true to good Pho in my neighborhood!!I am going to bring everyone into my hood to eat with me!

Also, turns out that this family run business also owns (in the family) this grocery store which specializes in Viet goods in Chinatown. (A shop that I’ve been going to with my parents since I was born)

Come one, come all~!! You will be sure to find me here more often than not.

Luu’s Baguette
134 E.26th street
(btwn Lex & 3rd)
New York, NY 10016
(212)679-8881

IL Cantuccio- Tuscany's Specialties

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:52:00 -0400

Biscotti, the biscuit we all love to dunk into our coffees, teas, or hot chocolates. More correctly known as Biscotti di Prato, or Cantuccini.

One night, I accidentally stumbled upon this cute store front in the west village which had displayed an enormous sized focaccia bread in the windows luring any eyes bestowed upon it. Then, I see a woman through the windows, gently slicing up pieces of fresh biscottis and placing them delicately into wooden baskets. So, what do I do? Of course, I go in and see what she’s selling. She immediately offered a piece of her “work”. It was an apricot biscotti, and after my first bite, I was sold. Call me easy, but I was impressed and all I wanted was to try every single type of biscotti that she had to offer. I remember there was hazelnut, almond, fig, prune, chocolate, apricot, and I think I also bought a bruttibroni. She said it would be magnificant and when I asked what it was, she said I didn’t need to worry. Mysterious? Yep, but I took it anyway and it was an almond paste dough that was crispy on the outside with a chewy soft inside. Magnificent!

I can not wait to go back to try other things on the menu, such as pizzas, and bread! Lots of it! Especially the focaccia!

91 Christopher Street
New York, NY 10014
Tel: +1 212 647-8787

Another amazing NYC rooftop!

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:56:00 -0400

Just when summer is about to end, (really sad!) I found this amazing space with great view and what better than some BBQ?!?! I was sooo SOLD before even having step foot inside. Best part is, it ended up being even better than I ever imagined.

PH2. Penthouse 2 at Mondrian SoHo is opened weekly on only Mondays and to anyone (no need to be a hotel guest) for beers, cocktails, wine and BBQ! Super chic, magnificent views and just down right gorgeous design and space. Chef Sam Talbot launched this event which kicked off August 15th, 6pm to midnight. See menu below.

Fish Taco with Mexican Corn.

Spicy Italian Sausage w Heirloom Tomatoes.

The View

This definitely makes it on the top of the NYC rooftop list! Don’t forget cash only!

Mondrian SoHo’s
9 Crosby Street
Btwn Grand and Howard
(21)389-1000

Red Rooster - A fine Harlem spot!

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 20:21:00 -0400

Hello foodadelic-ians! It’s been awhile since my last post, but that does not mean that I haven’t been eating and/or exploring; it just means that I’ve done a piss poor job at spreading the word and documenting. I finally figured out why I haven’t been updating my meals. One major factor is that I was discouraged when I lost my new store bought camera. It was upsetting but I’m over it and I’m back!

Red Rooster, located in Harlem (right across the street from the famous Sylvia’s) is opened by Chef Marcus Samuelsson serving comfort foods with roots of American cuisine. His menu really shows his interpretation of American comfort foods through his origins being Ethiopian born with an adoptive Swedish grandmother. He was famous at the age of 24 for Scandinavian restaurant Aquavit.

Now, on to the food!

We were given a chickpea dip with bread to start. It was unnaturally bursting with flavor. We practically licked the saucer clean.

So, to start, we ordered a few menu items and shared family style. The corn bread was okay/nothing special. It came with honey butter and tomato jam.

Dirty Rice & Shrimp- Aged Basmati, Curry leaves, Almond- It’s a party in your mouth!

Pulled pork

Jerk bacon & Egg! - Brown beans & Pikliz

For our main course, we had the Fried Yard Bird, Braised Short Ribs, & Mac&Greens with side of Creole Red Grit in Shrimp, Crab, Chorizo and Cauliflower in balsamic.

My favorite main is the braised short rib. It was perfectly tender! The fish dish is also a good one to get (no photo).

Aside from the food, the scene is full of energy. If you get a chance to sit on a communal table, you meet the most interesting people, and depending on who you sit near or if you make it fun, it can turn your dinner into a fun fest and an all night-ish!

The crowd is very mixed, I saw tourists, New Yorkers, local neighbors, Wall street crowd, creative/artsy industry people, and all ages from 21 to 85.

Join the fun!

Red Rooster
310 Lenox Ave.
btwn 125th & 126th
New York, NY 10027
(212)792-9001

Beauty & Essex

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 21:59:00 -0500

GORGEOUS, SEXY, FUN, ….and pink champange in the ladies room EQUALS GOOD FRIGGIN’ TIMES!

I must have spent 4 hours here from 7pm dinner (walk in) til about half past eleven. And that was just the two of us (C, who IS a great dinner/drinking companion).. BUT, imagine having a chicas night out?!? I’d be here for hours and hours and endless hours.

First, you enter through a pawn shop. There are locked cases everywhere and guitars hanging along the walls and a bouncer next to a giant door in the corner through this store. This door leads you to a beautiful, dark, chandeliered, sexy restaurant with THREE floors of fun.

Inside the main floor, is a bar and dining area. We indulged in countless cocktails and tasty small plates.

I am pretty sure this is the Emerald Gimlet: ketal one, basil, lemon nectar, fresh lime juice. I stuck with this cocktail all night.. plus I didn’t think mixing different cocktails would have been smart especially after pink champagne in the ladies room. (will elaborating further after writing about the food!)

So, where do we start?!? Here’s a shot of the damage done by two hungry foodies!

We started with bite size caesar salad, compliments of the chef. Delicious! Who knew caesar salad could be so tasty in bite size form? Awesome idea as a hors d’oeuvre. (duly noted for future events)

Charred Shishito Peppers- My new found love. These peppers are delicious; you’d find a spicy one out of maybe 15 <—— that’s a guestimate, could be more or less. They are addictive: once you start, you just can’t stop. These are not the best I’ve had; besides Barcelona, Spain, Boqueria in Chelsea does it pretty well.

Lobster Tacos: beer battered Maine lobster, red cabbage slaw, jalapeno crema. These amazing little tacos are great! Remember to squeeze your lime to multiply the bursting flavors.

Garganelli with spicy veal bolanese. The presentation was pretty; tastes good but not great.

Roasted Bone Marrow: rioja braised shallot marmalade.

Crispy Horminy: charred corn, lime, cilantro, chile pepper.

Branzino a la Plancha: bone marrow gremolata, silky potato puree, petite salad. I usually order branzino where ever I see it on the menu. It is definitely one of my favorite fishes.

What a meal!! Now for the best part of the night, as you may heard already, Beauty and Essex’s ladies room is gorgeously designed for women to feel like beauty queens. There are beautiful lamps in each bathroom stall and the entire room is covered in mirrors, many old school perfume bottles, sofas, and a mini bar with bartender!! They serve complimentary pink champagne. I guess the idea is to refill our bladders after we let it all out and I read from here that Rich Wolf (one of the owners) said “My vision here was to create a place where women could come and get a break from dinner or the bar upstairs and relax with friends. And I thought, if she is on a bad date, she could come down and call her friend to rescue her”. I applaud this great concept!

After dinner and the bathroom fun, we went for yet another cocktail upstairs, the more loungy part of the restaurant. There was white fur along the walls by the staircase as we walked up. And the bar! How gorgeous!

Needless to say, I look forward to a girl’s night out at some point! Do give this place a visit, very very worthwhile.

Beauty & Essex
146 Essex Street
(btwn Stanton & Rivington)
New York, NY 10002
(212)614-0146

Waverly Inn

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Wow, I had such a great time that I wanted to jump right onto my laptop as soon as I got home, but after three glasses of Barbaresco, I went to bed and slept like a baby. I was so content and couldn’t be any happier.

It was a random Tuesday night with one of my food lovers in crime out on an adventure. Do we dare step foot in the reputable Waverly Inn without any reservations?!?! OF COURSE WE DO!

We were both virgin diners here and had never made the effort to go. Finally, we both casually decided to go and maybe by chance, can dine at the bar. Luckily for us, we only had to wait a mere 20 seconds to grab 2 seats at the center of the bar. Unbelievable! The service was impeccable; nothing I have ever read about on the Waverly Inn. The barman was super accommodating and nice, not pretentious or pompous at all.

First we are started off with complimentary in house baked biscuits with honey butter. ADDICTIVE. Warm, sweet, savory, buttery goodness.

Then, from the small plates menu, the crabcakes. Good but nothing mind blowing. The salad was nice. It was unique and refreshing with a kick.

Crab Cakes With Old Bay Aioli with apple, and celery root salad.

NEXT, the dish we’ve been waiting for that’s not on the menu but known as THE signature dish to get———> Mac & Cheese with shaved (at your table) white truffles. (now you can exhale) The $125 dish is best when truffles are mixed in. So dig, scoop, stir, and indulge!

Finally, stuffed and satisfied, our last dish arrives. We made just enough room in our stomachs to taste this excellently prepared plate. The pappardelle was super fresh and silky textured. The braised rabbit tasted simliar to chicken except it’s much more delicate and tender.

Braised Rabbit with housemade pappardelle and butternut squash.

I am all thumbs up for the Waverly Inn. I know it sounds very mainstream and not a “find” but I think it’s worthwhile to go to, at least once for the experience, the scene, the $21 wine glass, and the $125 mac & cheese. Another plus is the way their entrance is set up. It’s cute and its exclusive feeling is as if you are walking into someone’s townhouse. Beware that there is no phone number to call for resevations. Test your luck and walk in.

Waverly Inn
16 Bank Street
New York, 10014

**apologies for the quality of photos that are taken from my blackberry camera.

Ilili - A Traditional Lebanese Find

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

I’ve always been intrigued about Ilili on 5th ave. At least 5 random people in the same month have recommended this place to me. It’s the first Lebanese cuisine I’ve tried. I had such an amazing time! It definitely helped that my friend Inky is the Pastry chef. The experience was impeccable and memorable.

The menu is unbelievably expansive. You’d probably want to dine here few times to get the full breath of what they have to offer. But here are a few of the first items to try.

Duck Shawarma-Duck magret rotisserie fig green onion garlic whip

Lamb ribs- burned strawberry scallions a la plancha

And for the life of me, I can not remember what this is…

Falafel- fried chickpea & fava bean dumplings

I believe this was one of their specials… and it was amazing.. orgasmic status!

Kibbeh nayeh beirutieh- steak tartar, could have lived without ordering.

HUMMUS

Complimentary goods.

Warm yummy pita bubbles

Try any one of their fish dishes, also ask for the special market fish

I couldn’t decide which one for dessert, so I did what any normal person would… and got all three!

Kanfe Bil Jibneh- upsidedown sweet cheese tart w sesame pita pillows and syrup. THIS IS A MUST TRY. If I had to choose, this is THE one dish that they have perfected. It doesn’t get any better than this!

Labne Cheesecake Napoleon - strawberry compote, black pepper granita - this is full of bursting flavors that actually work if you are the adventurous type.

Ilili candy bar- choc. kataifi crunch, choc ganache, pistachio & fig caramel, warm choc sauce. THIS IS ANY CHOC GIRL’S HEAVEN.

I feel an upcoming visit soon to refresh my memory on the foods offered here. It’s a fun experience and even if you don’t have time for dinner, snacks at the bar work equally well. Another plus is that their cocktails are nice if you are into mixed drinks.

*UPDATE 11/28/10 - First time ordering the brussel sprouts and they are amazing. Love em! These are no ordinary plain brussel sprouts, the concoction of flavors were done so well that I can still taste them. YUM!

Ilili
236 5th Ave
(btw 27th & 28th St)
New York, NY 10001
(212) 683-2929

A Bite At The Bar...

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 01:00:00 -0400

Resto is a neighborhood Belgian restaurant. Its cute and cozy appearance is what lured me in.

So I plopped myself down at the bar and ordered some bite sized foods. Of course an order of fries were immediately placed. They were delightful! In addition, the presentation was so pretty as the holder had a side pocket for one of the 10 offered sauces.

Frites

The mussels were okay.. I could have probably done without them. The quality of the mussels were below average but on the flip side the broth was amazing (the type of amazing where you would drink from the pot). Maybe it wasn’t good mussel season at the time, but it won’t stop me from visiting this restaurant again to try other foods on their menu.

Moules & Frites dijon, house bacon, parmesan, onion confit, tarragon, green curry, lemongrass, coconut milk, kaffir lime, tomato, anchovy, chilies, parsley.

Lastly, this is ABSOLUTELY A MUST HAVE IF YOU’VE MADE YOUR WAY TO RESTO. Two words: Deviled Eggs. It is a bit different from your usual deviled eggs though. The layers, flavors, and textures are brilliant together. This is definitely on the list of top deviled eggs in NYC.

Deviled Eggs- crispy pork toast, charred green onion

All washed down with fruity belgium beer. Raspberry is by far my favorite flavor. Don’t even bother to try the others.

Raspberry lambic (belgian beer)

Resto! I will be back for dinner/brunch soon! FYI- You can throw Large Format Feasts where you can pick an animal from their farms and the chef will prepare a meal for the group.

Resto
111 E 29th Street
New York, NY 10016
(btw Park & Lex Ave)

The Boathouse

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:00:00 -0400

This is the perfect spot to take anyone you are trying to SUCCESSFULLY impress. It truly is the fastest way to feel as if you are in a place outside the city without actually travelling outside the city. I had an amazing dining experience at The Boathouse, mainly thanks to Sous Chef Andrew Chang.

I would recommend visiting at least twice. Once in the daytime to brunch so that you can sit outside and enjoy the view (which I have yet to do but can confidently suggest that it will be good times) and once for dinner (which I have done!) I had dinner here early summer. The night air was cool and breezy. It wasn’t hot, humid, or stuffy at all. It was perfect.

Table location: lakeside view, in the center of the dining room, open air. This is the life….for at least the few hours spent here!

Initially, my thought process on choosing The Boathouse as a restaurant would be for the view…ONLY. Any place that already has a winning factor going for them, would result in extremely disappointing food. This usually is the case. But after tasting many many menu items, I was wrong, very wrong.

To start, we had a taste of almost everything on the starter menu. Their heirloom tomatoes were plump, juicy and deliciously succulent.

Yellowfin Tuna & Baby Arugula- cucumber and sesame.

Jumbo Lump Crab Cake- marinated cucumbers & caper remoulade. You can see the giant lumps of crab meat from the picture. This is a dish that I could eat all day! The cucumbers were excellent paired with the crab cake.

Hamachi Tartar- trout caviar, basil, and toasted pinolis. Your teeth just sinks through this fish. Extremely easy to eat and sensationally tasteful.

Onion Soup- Really nothing exciting. I am a huge fan of French onion soup and that may be the only reason why I actually enjoyed this soup special of the day. However, it is wonderfully prepared. The texture is practically perfect and consistently smooth.

Duarade Royale- roasted baby eggplant, artichoke puree and sauce gribiche.

Double Cut Berkshire Porkchop- sunchokes,confit pearl onions and pickled peach. (Ain’t it a beauty?? I am such a meat lover)

And finally, Pan Seared Colorado Rack of Lamb- creamed spinach and lamb jus. Just a bit on the fatty side, but who ever said fat is bad?

The sides: Hand Cut Steak Fries (cover photo) & Au Gratinee

Below is the dessert menu, not too extensive, but I had the pleasure of trying nearly every item. I attribute that to having the honor of sitting with a table full of pastry chefs and Sous Chef Andrew. THANKS!!

Homemade Ice Creams and Sorbets- DELICIOUS! I especially liked the fruit sorbets. I can remember how it tingled my taste buds and how close it resembled biting into the actual fruits.

Cinnamon Creme Caramel- roasted pineapple, candied lime. Loved the pineapple chip in the middle, and I never would have imagine the citrus working so well with the creme caramel. Innovative!

Warm Chocolate Dulce De Leche Cake- vanilla ice cream, mango caramel sauce.

Tapioca Pudding- strawberry-rose sorbet, toasted pistachios

Biscotti, Brownies, and Cookies- Even with an incredibly exploding full stomach to the point of getting sharp pains, the biscotti was well worth the try.

After the feast, we desperately needed to walk it off. So we were privileged to tour the kitchen.

…we toured the outdoor space

…walked by the express cafe (which I strongly feel that the Boathouse knows how to run their business). Part of being able to successfully do this is knowing your customers and demographics. Not everyone at the park have the time to sit down or is readily dressed to impress. This accommodates those who want quick and fast gourmet food and service.

Well done Boathouse!!

The Boathouse
E 72nd St. & Park Dr. North
New York, NY
(212) 517-2233

The House

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:00:00 -0400

Adorable three floored, revamped carriage house in Gramercy! Classic interior; floor to ceiling windows; great service; and two must try plates off the menu.

The very first time I stumbled upon The House was last year for my birthday dinner celebration. My friend tried to surprise me with the restaurant, EXCEPT we got lost for a brief 5-10mins looking for it! (Thanks G). More recently, I went back for another birthday dinner (Thanks B&J).

I have a natural tendency to order mac & cheese everywhere and anywhere that offers it on the menu. The House has the top best high-class mac & cheese. Sometimes classic is good, but sometimes luxurious is better! The House’s mac & cheese is quite special. It’s not truffle oil (common in most restaurants) BUT it’s WHOLE TRUFFLE pieces. Disgustingly sick! -in a good way, of course. It’s so unique from ordinary mac & cheese that the menu labels it in quotes. “Mac & Cheese”. If I were you, I’d run out to get some…NOW. Okay, maybe going now is a bit unreasonable, but ASAP. If there is any value to add today to my readers, this would be it.

“Mac & Cheese” - summer truffles, asiago, farmstead cheddar.

While you’re at it, the next best thing to try is the Duck three Ways. Confit, smoked, and foie mousse.

Duck 3 Ways- the foie is my favorite out of the 3.

Other dishes worth noting:

Seared Diver Sea Scallops - sweet pea puree, hazelnut sherry glaze

NY Strip Loin Sandwich- toasted flat bread. carmelized onions, smoked aioli, fingerlings

Deviled Eggs was once categorized as simple foods that I would never order if it was available on any restaurants’ menu. Over the past years, as I find new and fun companions who enjoy food hopping with me, I’ve come to terms with the “deviled egg”. It’s SO SO SO gosh darn good! It seems simple, but once it hits your palate, it is a party in your mouth. I’ve become a fan! The House offers Deviled Egg Tasting on their appetizer menu and it’s perfect for people who like variety. All of these below are great - my favorite is caviar and creme fraiche. (How typical huh?!!?)

Cavier and Creme fraiche

Jalapeno

Bacon and Eggs

Lobster

Everything you order is pleasantly displayed, tastes great, and what more can you ask for when it’s a cool vibing place. BUT THE MAC & CHEESE ALONE, IS A GOOD ENOUGH REASON TO GO!

The House
121 East 17th Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 353-2121

Flex Mussels

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 01:00:00 -0400

If you are a mussels kind of person, this is absolutely 100% a place for you and your taste buds. It will rock your world!

Flex Mussels has only been opened for less than two years and their original location is in Prince Edward Island, Canada. I’ve been tipped that they are in the process of opening another restaurant in the West Village. (Actually, just found out that it’s officially announced on their website)

The menu is mostly mussels in different broths. It should cater to most people as they offer a variety of selection in broth styles. The menu explains it all, as the names of each are region based names.

I am DYING to go back!

Also, I find that usually when restaurants specialize in one thing (in this case mussels) everything else is mediocre. BUT, their desserts are surprisingly delicious! If it wasn’t for the waiter informing us that we HAD to get dessert, I could have easily walked out of there without having any.

This place makes it to my top restaurant list. It has all the essentials that I look for: DECOR/ATMOSPHERE/VARIETY/FOOD/SERVICE.

It is definitely worth the trip to the upper east side. If I lived in the neighborhood, I could see myself become a regular.

Started with 1lb pot#1. SOUTH PACIFIC: kaffir lime leaf, cilantro, white wine, lemongrass. MY FAVORITE OF THE NIGHT.

I could drink this brothy goodness if I had it at home. LITERALLY PICK UP THE POT AND GULP IT DOWN!

Pot#2- NEGRIL: red peppers, jerk, dark rum, tamarind, lime. Full of flavor, bursting with spiciness. (My mussel loving friend’s favorite of the night)

Pot#3 -The number 23- changes daily. Mine included clams and shrimp in Old bay/clam broth.Not really sure what else is in it…I was so overwhelmed with the meal that its become a blur like a drug.)

Hand cut fries- usually a standard rule to pair with mussel consumption.

Something healthy to add- Spinach (not a necessity but we wanted to look like healthy foodies)

Awesome donuts with different fillings- Nutter fluffer, Prailine, Salted Caramel, Blueberry.

he scrumptuous donuts came with a drink from heaven- the sauce! SERIOUSLY, you have to get this when you come here!

The nutter fluffer or fluffer nutter- It was a special I belive with fluff (Marshmellow) and peanut butter.

Until next time!

Flex Mussels
174 E 82nd St
(btwn Lex. Ave. & 3rd Ave)
New York, NY 10028
(212) 717-7772

Babbo

Wed, 19 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Italian food!! Hard to mess up, right?!?! But also very hard to find mind blowing awesome tasty Italian meals!

Babbo, is Mario Batali’s restaurant in the heart of West Village. It is incredibly well known and people can’t stop raving about it. Reservations are not easy to get and you can only make reservations a month in advance. Luckily for me, I got reservations! Of course, I deserve absolutely no credit since I was not the one holding on the phone to get one. (Thanks T!)

We both indecisively get the Pasta tasting menu, an 8 course meal, with the wine pairing. It’s what people swear by and rave as a “must-have”.

It was delicious!! I don’t think I’ve ever had a pasta tasting before; unless ordering tons of pasta dishes count.

Personally, I can not decide what I like more, Babbo or L’Artusi. I’m leaning towards the latter but Babbo definitely gives it competition. Maybe I will know for sure when I go back to L’Artusi for pictures, since I do not have a write up on them yet (did not have camera last time).

Here are the courses in order:

Nice and light to start the pasta tasting.

Black Tagliatelle with Peas and Castelmagno. Wine:“Greco di Tufo “Pietra Rosa,” Di Prisco 2005

Pretty colorful dish, weird ingredients but works well together.

“Casunzei” with Poppy Seeds. Wine: Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Emidio Pepe 2006

My favorite dish of the night by far. Aromas from the mushrooms are delicious as hell. THIS DISH GIVES L’ARTUSI COMPETITION!

Garganelli with “Funghi Trifolati”. Wine: Morellino di Scansano “I Perazzi,” La Mozza 2007

The pyramids below were okay…just okay. It’s good looking, geometrically, but not crazy with the meat inside. It just didn’t taste fabulous.

Domingo’s Pyramids with “Passato di Pomodoro”. Wine: Fumin, Esprit Follet Crotta di Vigneron 2007

BOLOGNESE! I used to taunt people who order Bolognese at Italian restaurants for being such boring bland eaters BUT I discovered a whole new level of BOLOGNESE…absolutely impressed with it. It’s also a good indicator of a good Italian restaurant from a shitty one.

Pappardelle Bolognese. Wine:Bolgheri Rosso “Le Serre Nuove,” Tenuta dell’Ornellaia 2003

Flavors were light and a good start to the next courses…

“Frittelle d’Ananas” with Ricotta Salata. Wine:Moscato di Trani “Piani di Tufara,” Rivera 2007

Rich, thick, and creamy chocolate with some spicy flavors!

Chocolate “al Diavolo”. Wine:“Sibilla Appenninica,” Le Caniette 1999

Tyrolean Carrot and Poppyseed Cake with Olive Oil and Orange Gelato. Wine:Moscato d’Asti “La Caudrina,” Dogliotti 2008 **AND they were kind enough to write “Happy Birthday” on the last course!”

This is a complimentary dessert, but I have no idea what it is because I was too excited to pay attention. Sorry!

Ice cream is immaculate! Loved the red sauce too, what a shame it is that I have no idea what this plate is at all!

As if THAT was not enough, they bring out a plate of almond Biscotti, Chocolate Baci, & Almond Meringue cookie. De-lish!

Babbo
110 Waverly Pl
(btwn Ave. Of Americas & MacDougal St)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 777-0303

Tidbit: Pineapple Surprise

Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Pineapple sent from Mr. Pineapple from Maui, Hawaii.

I know I’ve written about receiving presents that are delivered into the workplace before. I think that it’s such a good idea to do for someone. Especially if they are having a shitty workday. It’s out of the ordinary. It’s also unexpected which makes it even better of a surprise. It’s a win win situation, no doubt about it. Unless, you abnormal people out there don’t fancy presents or surprise packages. I guess I am just easy then. =) (NOT LITERALLY)

One of the most original and coolest presents that I’ve received is a pineapple. A fresh, hand-picked pineapple from Maui. I’m not sure if it was a present whose intentions meant “Hey! Since you couldn’t make it to Hawaii with me, here’s Hawaii bought to you (in the form of a pineapple which I love love love!) or “Hey! Sucks to be you NOT in Hawaii enjoying the perfect weather,and perfect pineapples”.

Either way, the thought and efforts were there and I applaud that. It’s definitely a pleasant surprise.

In this day and age, who really gets flowers anymore?? I can’t remember the last time I got them..maybe over two years? But then again, does edible arrangements count? Oh wait, I did get a beautiful spring mix for my birthday this year. They were gorgeous!

Tidbit: Discovering A New Favorite "Fruit"!

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Pineapple Sorbet

Today was a cruddy day. The rain, the wind, the wisdom tooth pains. It is the perfect combination for resulting in cranky, moody, miserable ME.

UNTIL, I discovered sorbet in fruit shells!!! OMG, incredible. I’ve only had this similar frozen dessert in my neighborhood restaurant, Belvedere. But, now since I found it in a super store, I can enjoy them at home anytime I like. Although, it is not as freshly, homemade as the restaurant, it will just do when I have my midnight cravings. The bonus is that it comes in a variety of flavors, all of which I coincidentally love love love!

Mango sorbet in Orange shell.

Coconut Sorbet

If reading this tidbit caused you to feel the need to urgently know where to find my precious discovery, feel free to email me under the “Contact Me” tab and write an essay of why I should tell you where to find this secret gem.

Luke's Lobster - To Die For!

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400

I find myself talking more and more about Luke’s these days, and realize that I only wrote a few sentences about them in a tidbit without including any pictures. Also, I keep getting calls from people this past week asking for its location. So here I am writing a proper post on Luke’s Lobster! Easily inspired! A good thing?

Last year, I went on a lobster shack tour in Maine with some of my favorite people. It was the perfect way to end the summer of 2009. The view, the seafood, and the adventure was such good times. I had a blast. We ate nonstop everyday that we spent on this roadtrip starting from the second we exited out of NY (Roy Rogers in Jersey rest stops).

Lobster rolls, fried clam belly, and raw oysters were typical foods we ate repeatedly. In between the 6 meals we had per day, we’d try something new (ie: fries, mussels, chowder).

After this trip, I learned that fried clam belly is awesome; affirmed my love, my sweet love for crabs over lobster, for sure!, and that lobster rolls are just mediocre. I am not a fan of the ones made with massive mayo.

BUT, Luke’s lobster roll, in the East villiage, is to die for! It would be my meal preference if I lived 2 minutes away. Also, the crab rolls are equally at par with the lobster roll. Generally, crab rolls do not appeal to me. The whole crab salad idea is such a turn off and crab killer! HOWEVER, once again, Luke’s proves me wrong. Their crab rolls are amazingly delicious. Chunky crab meat, sweet, fresh, and just perfect. The rolls that this delightfully tasty sea crustacean sits and lay on plays a huge part in making the magic happen as it hits your mouth jolting your tastebuds. Lemonly, buttery, toasty, sea-meaty goodness.

…TO DIE FOR!!

Lobster Roll

4 ounces of lobster meat from 5 or 6 lobster claws in every lobster roll order.

This is a small crab roll (half of a regular).

That red claw in the background is really good sprinkled over your lobster/crab meat. Secret spices!!

I know many people who discovered this place and were hooked on it for weeks! Definitely stop in if you are in the neighborhood OR make a trip down, well worth it!

Luke’s Lobster
93 E 7th St.
New York, NY 10009
(Btwn 1st ave & Ave.A)
(212)387-8487

Baohaus

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The ever so popular pork buns made popular by David Chang of the Momofuku line, come a tiny shop in LES whose menu only serves these sandwiches.

One of my foodie loving chicas could not stop raving about this place. So I went. On my way, I discover from a colleague that he is friends with the owner, Eddie Huang. (small world, ain’t it?)

I like the set up of the shop. The trend that’s going on in the LES and East village is small specialty shops. Given, the limited space, these entrepeneurs have to be creative in designing what they have to work with. Appearance is not everything but I think it matters to some small degree. I am all about the feel and look of a place as well as the food.

Open kitchen! Tiny!

Typical drinks found in Asian/Hispanic supermarkets. I grew up on these!

Haus Bao- signature Certified Angus Skirtsteak Bao, Served with: Crushed peanut, cilantro, Haus Relish, and Taiwanese red sugar.

Chairman Bao: Braised slow and low using Niman Ranch Pork Belly, Served with: Crushed peanut, cilantro, Haus Relish, and Taiwanese red sugar.

Sweet Bao Fries: Sweet fried slices of Bao served with sweet sesame dipping sauce. (Not a fan at all and way too greasy)

Overall: I like! The salt & vinegar boiled peanuts are tasty too!

Baohaus
137 Rivington Street
New York, NY 10002
(near Norfolk)
(646)684-3835

O'Neill's Has The Biggest Chicken Pot Pie Ever!

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Cool Irish bar.. GI-NORMOUS POT PIE!

I’ve been introduced to O’Neill’s from a regular goer, my Irish neighborhood BFF! It’s a pretty cool bar with a jukebox. He always likes to play DJ and put in his favorite songs…the majority of his picks are good, but some totally suck!

I don’t usually like to write about bars, unless of course, their food menu leaves an impression on me.

So here it is!

Their burgers are good for bar-like fast foods. They have interesting ones to spice up your taste buds from those Harpoons that they serve. But the real reason why I finally decided to write a post on them is due to the biggest pot pie that I’ve ever seen in my oh so short life. Impressive!

Hawaiian Burger: Pineapple, rasher, swiss cheese”

Here’s the close up (on the blackberry). That’s one huge burger!

Tipperary Traditional Chicken Pot Pie

One more thing that makes this bar awesome is the bartender, J. He is one hilarious lad and a huge bully! Beware!

O’Neill’s
729 3rd Ave
New York,NY 10017
(btw 45th & 46th St)
(212) 661-3530

Tidbit: Lebanese Bologna

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Sound gross?? BUT it’s actually hella good! I bumped into a colleague who offered me some. I was excited when I saw it but not initially because of its name (weird!). It is really tasty and delicious. It reminded me of genoa salami (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE!). There were countless days (and nights!) where I’d get half a pound of it and dunk them in deli mustard… I would do this regularly once a week. Well, Lebanese bologna is quite similar in taste and in texture but the texture is slightly (very slightly) towards the bologna side.

Thanks FH for bringing some back from Philly!

Eileen's Cheesecake

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Pretty good cheesecake! Many praise it to be the best in New York City located on Cleveland and Kenmare street (Nolita area).

I think it’s pretty good but NOT the best in NYC. I am not even a fan of cheesecake.. maybe a bite here and there but overall it’s just too thick and heavy. However, Eileen’s is good; it’s prettty light and fluffy but the downside is that there is less of a pungent cheesecake taste. (It’s always a give & take relationship in life. So unfair, no?)

Veniero’s is still my top choice for cheesecake in NYC. Even though some people will think that it is too commercialized due to popularity and ancient-ness…it’s still pretty darn good.

Delish!! I love the banana and cheesecake flavors mushed into my mouth.

Classic Strawberry cheesecake!

I like their concept for small size and portion…but my idea of cheesecake is a slice from a whole pie.

Eileen’s Cheesecake
17 Cleveland Place
New York, NY 10012
(212) 966-5585

Tapas at Tia Pol

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

All the way in Chelsea is where some great but hidden restaurants are located. Tia Pol is not one of them. It’s not the best that I’ve had and it is way over hyped by reviewers on the web.

I was not initially impressed with this place at all. Perhaps my expectations were off the charts…or perhaps I was too hungry to have gone to a tapas/small plates establishment. Nothing on the menu popped out at me screaming “EAT ME!” like it did the day before on menupages.com. Everything just looked uninteresting. BUT, thinking back, the main factor that plays a huge part in giving off this effect is the STARVING PART. I did like some of the small plates and looking at the menu now, I want to try some of the other dishes. The atmosphere is a plus and the wait isn’t too long. The good news is that the restaurant was fully seated (must mean the food can’t be too shabby) Regardless, this is not a place that I’d trek across town for again; only if I’m already in the area. Here are the things I’ve tried.

Taste: different

Pulpo la ideal-galician style octopus terrine

Taste: tasty

Patatas bravas-rough cut potatoes with spicy aioli

Taste: distinctive adobo, almost hides the natural flavors of fish

Pescado en adobo-crispy marinated fish

Taste: delicious, scallops perfect in texture

Scallops and ink rice

Taste: hearty

Navajas y almejas-razor clams and cockles

Taste: tender, crispy skin, but overall->not impressive

12 hour roasted pig

Taste: heavy cake, almond-y.

Torta De Santiago-spanish almond cake with dulce de leche and turron ice cream.

Taste: interesting, but sucked. Quality of the different ingredients did not help make this dish work.

Chorizo con chocolate palacios-chorizo with bittersweet chocolate

Taste: Absolutely mouthwatering. The custard had the right level of sweetness and richness. And the fried part adds to its bursting flavors.

Leche frita basque style-fried custard with drunken cherries

Taste: not bad. Cheese is delish, presentation lacks.

Plato De Quesos De La Casa-manchego, garrotxa and valdeon

We sat two in there! Unique seating!

So what are my thoughts? MIXED. I don’t love it, but I also don’t hate it. So I bid farewell and until the next meal…

Tía Pol
205 Tenth Avenue
New York, NY 10011
(btw 22nd & 23rd St)
(212) 675-8805