Good (Yeah, that's the name of the restaurant)
Rating: Safe
The aptly named restaurant, Good, doesn’t temp foodies with the promise of the holy grail of sumptuousness, but it does deliver on its name. The space is simple with a 10 stool bar up front. It’s really pretty non-descript, nothing original or particularly inventive (as the straight-forward name implies). But it does do the trick if you’re in the area. Full review here.
The Mac Smack Down - the top mac & cheese in Manhattan
There I was yesterday on the treadmill, trying to hide the fact that my tshirt was unusually tight around the midsection...and not doing a very good job of it. Sucking in and running at the same time is much more difficult than I thought. Over the past few weeks, I tried to pretend it wasn't happening, then I tried to pretend that I didn't know why it was happening. But when you've downed 42 different preparations of mac & cheese over the course of 2 months it's hard to deny what's going on.
Read the full article here and see the top 10 list
Raisins, You are On Notice!
I recently asked the question, "Does anyone really like raisins? Not just tolerate them, but really like them?" on facebook, and the overwhelming response was this: (while some people do like them in trail mix or just by themselves) we certainly don't want them mucking up our baked goods. Arguments were made for including raisins in some holiday dishes - and even in a grilled cheese, but over 80% of respondents didn't want them in their cinnamon rolls, their cookies or their bread.
Look out, raisins, you're officially on notice.
The STK Review
Rating: The food is addictive, the crowd not so much.
If you can ignore the snobnoxious crowd around you, you can't miss with STK. The food is great, and the space is cool. Full review here.
Restaurant Openings in NYC
The Breslin
This is the much anticipated restaurant from April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman (the pushers behind The Spotted Pig). It just opened at the end of October, 2009, and they currently are only open for breakfast and lunch from 7AM to 4PM. It's at 16 W 29th Street btw Broadway and 5th Ave. Official site here: http://www.thebreslin.com/
Tipsy Parson
The people behind Little Giant opened this sister restaurant just a couple of weeks ago, and there is already buzz around it. I've always enjoyed the upscale comfort food at Giant, but it was never as good as I wanted it to be. Here's hoping Tipsy (with a reportedly better kitchen) is an improvement. It's at 156 Ninth Ave near 20th Street. 212-620-4545. Their website isn't working for me right now, but here it is: http://tipsyparson.com/
Maialino
I believe I've been to every Danny Meyer restaurant in the city (for the uninitiated, a couple of his places include: Gramercy Tavern and Union Square Cafe), and each one is addictive in its own right. So, his latest, Maialino (meaning "little piggy" in Italian), should be no disappointment. It's in the Gramercy Park Hotel, so you know it won't be cheap. It's at Lexington Ave and 21st and the number is 212-777-2410.
Mermaid Oyster Bar
I kept telling myself that I have to get into Smith's for a proper dinner. I guess a lot of people were saying that, because Smith's closed. It's now an offshoot of the Mermaid Inn Dynasty. It opened Nov 11th, and the address is 79 Macdougal Street (near Bleecker). In addition to the usual seafood you would expect from these guys, they also feature at least 14 different types of oysters (that change often).
The Sfoglia Review
Rating: Highly Addictive
Finally. A destination restaurant in the upper east side. Really. Chefs Ron Suhanosky and Colleen Marnell-Suhanosky over-deliver again and again with their sublime Italian fare. If you're not groaning during your meal here...well, you're just not alive. Full review here.
La Esquina Reviewed: Safe but cool
If you've ever wondered what Lucy felt like in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, you should check this place out. It's an underground (somewhat) secret restaurant that requires a reservation and some detective work to find the entrance. The experience is worth the trip, though the food is unexciting. Full review here.
Latest Recession Specials
Sunburnt Cow and Bondi Road - I love the brunch at both of these Australian spots (they are sister restaurants), and they have extended the hours on their "endless brunch." It's now from 11AM-5PM on Sat and Sun. That means more time for more bottomless drinks and great food for only $18.
Ikea - Ok, it probably doesn't qualify as addictive, but it does win some quirky points, and given the state of the economy, this might be more appealing than it once was. Ikea has a rib night every Wednesday. You get half a rack of ribs and two sides for $7.99. I've heard it's much better than you would expect.
Craft Steak - Their new bar menu includes lots of great items in the single digit range. Astonishingly, the following items are only $6.50 each: fried mac and cheese (which I tried recently - thumbs up.), foie gras & bacon croquette, and sliders w/ balsamic onions & truffled pecorino .
Shorty's 32 - I recently had dinner here for the first time, and it was solid. They are offering a 3 course prix fixe dinner menu for $25.
A Voce - A great restaurant that I have yet to review that now has a bar menu that includes smaller portions of many of their main entrees at lower prices (most under $10).
The JG Melon Review: Barely Safe
I don't get it. One of my go-to sites for restaurant reviews reco'd this place as a top pick in the city. It's ok, but it is no gem. I know there are plenty of people in the UES who swoon over this place, and they will not like this review, but after eating there I was thinking "are you kidding me? This is it?" Full review here.
The JoJo Review: Better than Safe
Jean-Georges has some amazing restaurants, including Nougatine and Perry Street (which is possibly my favorite lunch place in the city). So what’s going on with JoJo? Full review here.
The Kefi Review: Very Addictive
If you’ve ever been to a packed Pearl Jam concert, taken a stage dive, and done your fair share of crowd surfing, then you don’t have to avoid the peak dining hours at Kefi. For the rest of you: go early. The food is worth it. Click here for full review.
The Trouble with Tailor
Ever since I heard about the chocolate gnocchi and the cornbread ice cream at Tailor I've been wanting to go. I'm a huge fan of molecular gastronomy, and Sam Mason (formerly of WD-50) as the head chef just made it all the more appealing. Unfortunately, the kitchen abruptly closed over the summer this year for "a revamp" (according their recording), but it was to reopen in September.
Now that it's October, (and after checking the website to make sure it really was open), I headed down there eager to bask in the originality of it all. Unfortunately, when I arrived they told me that the kitchen was still not open (just the bar). Here's what the bartender said was the reason (video included in explanation).
New Wine and International Food Blog Launching
My friend Christine is launching a new blog about wine and food (from her travels abroad). Think about the reference in the name of her site (hint: it's from a movie). I dig it. Check it out here.
A Passion for Tomme de Savoie - or Why a Chef with Hot Hands Can't Make Sushi
The Casellula Pushers Interview
The word cheese is derived from the Latin caseus. Thus, it follows, that the wine and cheese café Casellula – which means little hut in Latin slang (Who says Latin is dead?) – would derive its name from the same root. And, come on, you know anyone who uses Latin slang to name their restaurant is going to be geeky-cool and interesting. Click here for the full story.
The Joseph Leonard Review
Rating: Addictive
With the relaxed atmosphere, the fully stocked bar, and the unpretentious staff, you might expect Joseph Leonard to be a local haunt for great bar food. Luckily, it is so much more. Full review here.
An Interview with Gabe Stulman and Jim McDuffy of the new restaurant Joseph Leonard
Gabe Stulman (of Little Owl and Market Table fame) just opened Joseph Leonard in the West Village on Waverly Place. I sat down with him and exec chef Jim McDuffy for some lessons in restaurants, cooking and philosophy. Click here for the full story.
I Attempt to Cook Babbo's Asparagus & Ricotta Ravioli and the Lamb Chops with Brocoli Rabe Pesto
I tried. I really did. It was delicious, but it was nothing like Babbo. Still, it's good for a laugh.
5 hours of cooking, $327 worth of groceries and a LOT of wine...
Click here for the full story...
New Recession Specials Posted
Recession specials continue with plenty of fantastic restaurants offering great deals. Even Lupa is getting in on the act and serving up cheaper fare - if you don't mind eating after 10:30. A few of the specials are briefly listed below, but click here for the latest list.
Allegretti - is celebrating their 1 year anniversary by giving away a signature dish and free glass of Rose to each table with a reservation. Aug 10-15 only. (I owe you a review on this place, but trust me, it's great.)
Anthos - extending restaurant week lunch special - $24 for 3 courses. They also have a $35 dinner special from 5PM-7PM daily.
Del Posto - $35 four couse meal. Any day but Saturday. This seems like an UNBELIEVABLE deal. I'm a huge fan of the food here, and I'm trying this special next week.
Hill Country - Mondays are all you can eat for $25; Tuesdays are 2 for 1 drinks.
Lupa - $26 three-course Tuscan menu. Sun-Thur after 10:30PM. It's amazing that one of our most beloved restaurants is offering a special like this.
Mercadito - all you can eat tacos for $21. This special is available all evening on Sunday and Monday and after 11PM all other nights. These are possibly the best tacos in the city (if you like corn tortillas), so for Pete's sake take advantage of this deal.
6 New Reviews Posted
I'm quite behind on reviews, but I was able to get 6 of the backlogged ones up.
Cafe Katja: Addictive
Affable intellectuals, low-key foodies and hungry ex-pats all cozy up to the incandescent-lit bar at Café Katja for some of the most mind-numbing Austrian food in the lower east side. (more)
Delicatessen: Safe
If you’re a New Yorker who has ever missed South Beach, then Delicatessen might be the place for you. (more)
Fette Sau: Very Addictive
Sure, I’ve had good BBQ in New York, but it was nothing like the stuff back home…
until Fette Sau. (more)
Locanda Verde: Mind Altering
My eyes were rolling back in my head and the walls were melting mid meal at Locanda Verde, and I found myself wondering how the food could be this good. (more)
The Redhead: Addictive
The Redhead realizes the potential that has rested in southern food since its inception and drags that heritage into 21st century New York. (more)
The Sunburnt Cow: Almost Addictive
This grungy/groovy dive serves great Australian fare. It’s the kind of place that can only be opened by a very special type of responsible slacker. (more)
Restaurant Recession Specials on the Rise in NYC
Who would have thought that the recession would give us more reasons to go out to dinner? Certainly not me, but with great deals from so many different restaurants in town (from hot dogs to high end French cuisine), there is actually something to celebrate. So, turn a blind eye to your flagging 401K, and maintain your restaurant addiction even during these difficult economic times.