February 2012
3 posts
7 tags
beechers
Lunch: Beechers (Flat Iron: 900 Broadway)
One of my favorite lunch spots in the neighborhood. This shop specializes in in-house made cheeses. With this cheese they make great grilled cheeses and tomato soups! The combo sets you back a bit at around $14.00…but is well worth it. Perfect rainy day treat!
5 tags
choshi
Lunch: Choshi (Grammercy: 77 Irving Pl)
Wednesdays at Choshi: Unadon Lunch Special miso soup, salad, rice, grilled eel and pickled vegetables… $11.00
Note. They accept credit cards but they seem to always over charge, double charge or add extra on gratuity. Its better to pay in cash here.
5 tags
financier
Lunch: Financier (east village: 2 Astor Place)
Grabbed a quick sandwich and tea from Financier. I’m usually not a fan of pre-made sandwiches but this one was not too bad. Also teas and coffee come with a madeleine.
January 2012
8 posts
7 tags
Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain
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Evening Treat: Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain (513 Henry Street, Brooklyn)
Traveled back in time at Brooklyn Farmacy. This charming shop offers all things sweet, classic and good. I had the “hot flash float” (hot chocolate with pistachio cardamom ice cream) I will be dreaming about it till I return.
5 tags
avoce
complimentary bread and ricotta
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spaghetti alla chittara: hand cut pasta, goat sausage, chilies, aged caprino
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Lunch: Avoce Columbus Circle (columbus circle: 10 Columbus Circle)
My favorite part about Avoce is the complimentary ricotta and bread, if I could I’d just come here for that. The pasta however is excellent. I’ve never been disappointed here.
5 tags
cafe gitane
Lunch: Cafe Gitane (nolita: 242 Mott Street)
I used to love Cafe Gitane, however its been awhile since I’ve been back. I’m sad to report that I’m a little disappointed. I had the cous cous with chicken, however the chicken was really dry and over cooked. It might be a bit before I come back here.
6 tags
peking duck house
peking duck
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general tso’s chicken
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sliced beef with scallops
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Christmas Dinner: Peking Duck House (chinatown: 28 Mott Street)
Had a really nice Christmas dinner for a great value! $35 per person gets you a soup, appetizer, peking duck and two entrees of your choice.
6 tags
birdbath
Afternoon Snack: Bird Bath (soho: 160 Prince St)
City Bakery’s Birdbath Bakery satisfies all my cookie cravings. If you’re a ginger fan the ginger cookie will surely make you happy.
6 tags
barney's: gaga's workshop
candy from papabubble
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chocolate lips from SweetBliss
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Afternoon Fun: Barney’s Gaga Workshop (upper east side: 660 Madison Avenue)
Loved all the edible treats in Gaga’s candy shop!
6 tags
dell'anima
Bay Scallop Crudo croccante di maiale, avocado, pickled onion, preserved lemon
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Brussels Sprouts: red onion, smoked pumpkin seeds, dried cherries
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Malloreddus: wild boar ragu, pecorino romano
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Cranberry tart with ricotta cheese ice cream
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Dinner: Dell’anima (west village: 38 8th Avenue)
The menu changes constantly and the food is always...
7 tags
cafe sabarsky
Glühwein hot spiced red wine, unsweetened, orange & cloves
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Käsekrainer Mit Sauerkraut & Röstkartoffeln: smoked bratwurst stuffed with cheddar cheese served with sauerkraut, roasted potatoes & dijon
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Brezen & Handelmaier’s soft pretzel served with händelmaier’s mustard
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Apfelstrudel
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Erdbeer - Hollunder Mousse Torte layered...
December 2011
10 posts
7 tags
redfarm
Shu Mai Shooters
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Dried Scallop & Chinese Sausage Fried Rice
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Jumbo Shrimp & Pumpkin in Lobster Sauce
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Katz’s Pastrami Egg Roll
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Chocolate Pudding
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Dinner: RedFarm (west village: 529 Hudson St)
RedFarm is a fun and modern take on dimsum. The food is playful, fresh and delicious! There can be a bit of a wait so go early!
6 tags
taste of persia
Lunch: Taste of Persia (union square holiday market)
Discovered a great food vendor in the union square holiday market. I tried the vegetable soup which was a blend of noodles, beans and herbs, topped with fried mint, fried onions and fried garlic.
6 tags
Norma's
Waz-Za waffle - fruit inside fruit outside, crackly brûlée top
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Light And Healthy Egg White Primavera Omelet
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Brunch: Norma’s (midtown: 119 W 56th St)
The portions at Norma’s will leave you feeling full for most of the day. The food is great, its fresh and well seasoned. The service however is not so great. We couldn’t get a recommendation or a smile...
6 tags
breezy hill orchard
Dessert: Breezy Hill Orchard (union square holiday market)
Nothing gets you into the holiday spirit like visiting a holiday market. I especially love getting the ginger snap cookies with a glass of cider. These cookies are especially good as they are the perfect combination of chewy and crunchy.
4 tags
homemade
Dinner: Homemade
Simple dinner made at home. Roasted tomatoes, herbs, goat cheese and bread. Accompanied by a wild rice and mushroom soup from a New York Times recipe.
3 tags
morey saint denis
Wine: Morey Saint Denis
2007 Georges Roumier, Morey St. Denis, Clos de la Bussiere
This is a nice red from one of the smaller appellations in the Cotes de Nuits region of Burgundy.
3 tags
fairytale brownies
Special Surprise: Fairytale brownies
I received a nice surprise in the mail, as a congratulations for a new venture that I have taken on. It was a delightful and delicious treat. I shared the box of 16 brownies varying in flavors with my colleagues.
5 tags
Alstede Farms
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Afternoon Trip: Alstede Farms (chester, nj: 1 Chesterfield Drive)
Had the intention of apple picking at Alstede Farms… unfortunately we arrived six weeks too late. The apple trees were all bare… next time we’ll all remember to check the calendar before venturing off. The day wasn’t a total waste though, we took advantage of the corn maze and the...
6 tags
Tompkins Park Green Market
Morning Treat: Tompkins Park Green Market (east village)
I love the Sunday morning green market in Tompkins Park, its small but you can get all your produce needs. I especially love hot apple cider when its cold outside… it instantly warms you up inside.
5 tags
grimaldi's hoboken
Lunch: Grimaldi’s (hoboken: 411 Washington Street)
Attended a really nice baby shower at Grimaldi’s in hoboken. I’ve heard a lot of great things about Grimaldi’s, there’s always a line under the Brooklyn bridge location… that one is the more well known location. I wonder if how different the various branches are, nonetheless I had a really nice time. The...
November 2011
18 posts
5 tags
patisserie claude
Brunch: Patisserie Claude (west village: 187 W. 4th Street)
This unassuming French pastry shop with its modest interior is packed with delicious delights. I had the ham and cheese quiche which was a savory treat. The croissants are also a must!
5 tags
marharlika
bangus: whole baby milkfish
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chicken adobe: soy sauce, garlic, coconut vinegar
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pampangan style sizzling sisig: pig ears, snout, belly (broiled, grilled, sauteed) with garlic sauce
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Dinner: Maharlika (east village: 111 1st Ave)
The service here is great, they are friendly and offer great suggestions. The food is very rich and pretty meat-centric, make sure...
6 tags
basta pasta
pesce crudo del giorno: fresh fish carpaccio of the day
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grilled calamari with broccoli
linguine ai ricci di mare: linguine with fresh sea urchin & basil in pink sauce
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Dinner: Basta Pasta (flatiron: 37 West 17th St)
Japanese take on Italian, the two types of cuisine make for a delightful pairing. Basta Pasta is one of my favorite places in the city. You walk...
7 tags
mille-feuille
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Brunch: Mille-Feuille (westvillage: 552 Laguardia Place)
Go around 10am… thats when the croissants come out of the oven. Its quite possibly one of the best croissants that I’ve ever had, its buttery, flaky and worth all the calories. The kitchen is visible from the moment you walk in, you can see and smell all the wonderful treats that they are being created....
6 tags
Homemade: Thanksgiving Desserts
pumpkin pie from Four & Twenty Blackbirds
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homemade pineapple cake and chocolate chip cookies
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Had a delicious selection of desserts. The first being a traditional pumpkin pie from Four & Twenty Blackbirds…absolutely delicious, the perfect pie.
We also had homemade pineapple cake and chocolate chip cookies which were also delicious treats! The pineapple cake...
4 tags
homemade
Dinner: Homemade Chilli
One of my favorite things to make when the winter weather comes is chilli. Its healthy, hearty and really simple to make. What I have here is 3 cans of beans, 2 carrots, 1 onion, garlic, ground turkey, tomato sauce, tomato paste and stewed tomatoes.
5 tags
Homemade: Thanksgiving Sides
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sweet potatoes with pecan and goat cheese. recipe here
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roasted carrots
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dell’anima brussels sprouts with cherries. recipe here
My favorite way to have brussels sprouts… discovered at one of my favorite New York restaurants. The dried cherries is really what makes this dish.
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modified grandma’s green bean casserole. recipe here
...
4 tags
Homemade: Thanksgiving Turkey
Thanksgiving Dinner: Homemade
Happy belated thanksgiving! Spent about four hours with this thirteen pound bird, one hour prepping and about three hours cooking it. In the end it was a success… juicy and delicious.
(thanksgiving post 1 of 3)
5 tags
Zaitzeff
Lunch: Zaitzeff (east village: 18 Avenue B)
Great burger served on a Portuguese bun… the bun is actually my favorite part, its soft and a little sweet! Pair the burger with a mix of the regular and sweet potato fries, its delicious! Its never crowed and the food is great!
7 tags
ChikaLicious Dessert Club
greentea cupcake
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adult chocolate pudding chilled
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Dessert: ChikaLicious Dessert Club (east village: 203 E 10th St)
A lovely little place with great Japanese inspired desserts. Its a bit cramped inside but all the desserts are handheld… perfect for taking on the go.
5 tags
dbgb
Brunch: DBGB (east village: 299 Bowery)
The typical brunch portions at DBGB are so small, so I decided to go with the turkey club. Nothing that special… but good.
6 tags
Paulus Hook Brick Oven Pizza
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Dinner: Paulus Hook Brick Oven Pizza (jersey city: 84 1/2 Morris Street)
I have no idea where to order good pizza in Jersey City. Paulus had decent yelp photos and reviews so i gave it a try. Its hard to say if was good or not as the pizza arrived room temperature. I ordered half spinach and sausage and half hawaiin (the hawaiin is the midwest in me).
Anyone know where to get...
5 tags
papabubble
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Candy: papabubble (soho: 380 Broome st)
What’s not to love about Pappabubble! There is such a sweet scent when you walk into the shop. All the candy is hand made right in the store, you can see the candy makers twist and pull the sugar strands turning them into lollipops and little hard candies. This shop is a real treat!
5 tags
homemade
Breakfast: Homemade
My breakfast version of Bluehill’s mushroom and egg dish. Not exactly the same but good none the less.
7 tags
homemade
Dinner: Home
Homemade tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich…the perfect cold weather meal.
Tomato soup: fresh tomatoes, carrots, onion, garlic, tomato paste, vegetable stock, basil and cream
Grilled cheese: cheddar, gouda and fontina
5 tags
blue hill
this morning’s farm egg: local mushrooms, tuscan kale and lardo
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hudson valley duck: roasted and raw fennel, baby zucchini, seckel pears, and “bio char” onions
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yogurt snow with concord grape jelly
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Dinner: Blue Hill (west village: 75 Washington Place)
I try to go to Blue Hill farm every summer… for some reason it never works out. Blue...
6 tags
Frankies 17
House-made Pappardelle with Lamb Ragu & Tarragon$19.00
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Dinner: Frankies 17 (lower east side: 17 Clinton Street)
The pasta at Frankies 17 was not as good as I had hoped it to be. The actual pasta was good however the sauce was very watery. It was also pretty pricey for being it was. I have no complaints on the service.
7 tags
21 club
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Dinner: 21 Club (21 West 52nd Street)
Underneath the kitchen of the 21 club there is a secret wine cellar, which is only accessible through a two and a half ton brick door. The secret cellar is actually located in the building next door, which allowed it to remain undiscovered during the prohibition era.
Today, the cellar houses the 21 Club’s wine collection, which include...
6 tags
21 club
october fest beer sampler with some bar bites
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Fish Tacos: soft corn tortilla, salsa verde, pickled onions and avocad0
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Fried ‘Buffalo’ Shrimp: spicy chili, celery salad, cucumber and goat cheese sauce
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Homemade Grilled Bratwurst Sliders: two Duroc Pork Brats, braised red cabbage, toasted roll
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Dinner: Bar 21 (21 West 52nd...
October 2011
24 posts
6 tags
Body & Soul
Breakfast: Body & Soul Natural Gormet Foods (union square green market)
This great vegan stand is in Union Square’s green market Monday and Friday 8am until 6pm. I stopped by on my way to work grabbed a delicious vegan scone. They also have a variety of veggie and tofu turnovers, as well as muffins and cookies.
5 tags
xocolatti
After Dinner Treat: XOCOLATTI (soho: 172 prince st)
I stumbled upon this sweet little shop in SoHo. It’s a new chocolate shop specializing in unique and interesting flavors. I got a small box of truffles with the following flavors: sake, rose cardamom, passion fruit and caramel. Yum!
6 tags
Imperial No. 9
east and west coast oysters
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heirloom blue corn grits & shrimp aged cheddar, ny state maple jus, slow poached egg
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seared scallops summer corn, heirloom tomatoes, romano beans
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Dinner: Imperial No. 9 (soho: 9 Crosby St)
The decor at Imperial No. 9 reminded me a lot of the decor at ABC Kitchen. The service was ok, my biggest complaint was that the server...
6 tags
big star
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beer battered tilapia, chipotle mayo, cabbage, cilantro, lime $3.
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Lunch: Big Star (chicago, il: 1531 N Damen)
I’m a huge fan of tacos… even though big star is more southwestern then Mexican its pretty good. I had the fish taco which was delicious! The crowd leans more on the hipster side, and seems to be the spot to cure a hangover. The patio is great and...
4 tags
Branch 27
Branch Bloody Mary: Reyka Vodka (veggie and meat skewer)
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chilaquiles: tortillas, chorizo, guajillo sauce, cotija, pico de gallo, poached egg
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potatoes
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Brunch: Branch 27 (chicago, il: 1371 West Chicago Ave)
I was surprised at how empty this place was for brunch… we were one of three tables. The bloody mary’s were only $5… you couldn’t...
6 tags
Telegraph Wine Bar
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caramelized seasonal mushrooms, pearl barley, vegetable demi, poached egg
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grilled flatiron steak, turkish cabbage slaw, molasses butter
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Dinner: Telegraph Wine Bar (chicago, il: 2601 N Milwaukee Ave)
I had a really nice dinner at Telegraph. The food was very rich but good. The service was friendly and very attentive.
It was a bit...
5 tags
longman & eagle
Brunch: Longman & Eagle (chicago: 2657 N. Kedzie Ave)
I heard this place was excellent for dinner, however I only made it here for brunch. It wasn’t too busy and the food was good, I only wish I had more! The service was also very friendly.
I had the Market Omelet with english peas, market mushrooms, ramps and the house made fromage blanc.
5 tags
the girl and the goat
oysters: wood fired wiley point, horseradish, bacon, preserved lemon
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bread: tortone, sweet onion butter, herb oil
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seared scallops: pumpkin brandade, fried brussels, pomegranate, spiced pecans
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chocolate bouchon: foie fluff, salted toffee, milk chocolate sorbet, gooseberry compote
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Dinner: The Girl and the Goat (chicago: 809 W Randolph St)
...
6 tags
dirt candy
mushroom: portobello mousse, truffled toast pear & fennel compote $13
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cauliflower: buttermilk battered cauliflower, waffles, horseradish, wild arugula $19
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Dinner: Dirt Candy (430 E 9th St)
I read so many reviews on Dirt Candy from yelp and was actually disappointed. The mushroom appetizer was good but the entrees lacked flavor. I came here with two other...
5 tags
Napa Farms Market
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Lunch: Napa Farms Market (sfo airport)
A delicious ending to my California trip. Napa Farms Market has a great selection of locally grown and produced artisinal foods and wines, which also make great last minute gifts. I was so impressed with the selection that I didn’t even want to board my flight. I had a margherita pizza from Live Fire Pizza which was delicious.