ForkAndPen

OPEN Restaurant

ame

ok it might just be me but this dish sounds like it could be amazing:

Lissa's Staff Meal with Cuttlefish Noodles,
Quail Egg, Sea Urchin, Wasabi and Umami Soy Sauce

I have to go to ame one of these days.

Kosher Chinese in the Bay Area

I am Jewish, though I do not keep kosher. That said I grew up going to a religious elementary school and high school. Many afternoons in high school we would leave early (cough cough) and go get kosher chinese food in Manalapan or Deal New Jersey. Was it the best chinese food - not really - but for my kosher friend's and for me to an extent it was glorious - it was exotic. In NYC you have kosher chinese everywhere but I hadn't expected to find any in SF. But there is a place - Shangri-La Vegetarian Restaurant. I can't wait to go. I wonder if they serve french fries?

(photo from Museum of the Jewish People Online)

Crab Season

It is almost crab time in the bay area people - are you ready? This year we will all have to eat just a little bit more crab to help out all those fisherman that will be hurting around here.

Gridskipper helps with places to get the crab.

Oh and let us not forget R&G lounge.

Joe's Pizza - LA

Joe's Pizza in NYC is not my favorite pizza of all time but it is some damn good pizza. Now suprisingly, at least to me, there is going to be a Joe's Pizza - LA!

Thrillist talks about the history of Joe's and bottled tap water.

(from thrillist.com)

I think I am ready to do a eating tour of LA:

Joe's Pizza
Father's Office
Pizzeria Mozza
Bastide
Patina
A whole bunch of ethnic eating

I bet there is so much more. Ya know, it is good fun to explore a new coast.

Oysters - the marshall store

The Marshall Store
19225 State Route 1
Marshall, CA 94940-

Oysters and I have not always gotten along. I was intimidated by the shucking and the shell in general. I have had some not so amazing oysters in the past. And overall it has been one of those foods where I kept saying - is this really what everyone gets crazy about. Over the past 2 years though i have been trying different oysters and it is fast becoming a favorite way to start a meal (or in the case of last weekend - make a meal).

The Girl and I ventured north from san francisco and had a great weekend hiking and marveling at an area of california we have never really explored. On highway one we had planned to go to the re-done nick's cove but then I read about the marshall store (just before nick's on ca-1) and new that we had to try it.

The marshall store is a fun easy going place. It definitely knows it is a popular place for foodies and tourists a like but is still no nonsense and honest food. And boy is it some good food. The clam chowder was stuff i remember from the jersey shore but with better clams. Strong clam flavor - rich but not overly creamy with a good amount of dill, pepper, and potatoes. Then the oysters came - I am still thinking about them. Raw, BBQ, and Rockefeller. All very good but the BBQ ones were a little too good. I am thinking about leaving work right now and going to get some (its only 8:49 and i have no car - still i am thinking about it). The raw ones had the perfect balance of briny and plump and everything you want out of a fresh raw oyster. The BBQ ones had all that wrapped in a lasagna like blanket. Tomato paste, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, and bread crumbs are my guests but the sum was more then just that. It was a revelation. The Rockefeller oysters were good but a little too much in my opinion. Spinach, breadcrumbs, lots of butter - oh it was good - but just hard to compare to the BBQ ones (odd side point i just read here that oysters Rockefeller back in the day had absinthe in it).

Here are pictures to make you all jealous that you are not at the marshall store right now:

Bay Area Dining Group #1 - Pacific Catch

While sipping some good wine and eating an average yet over priced steak, a few friends of mine, the girl, and I talked about starting a dining club. Simply a group of people that get together every week or so and go to a restaurant. We are going to try to vary the price range and type of food. And yes if you were to take the name above and make it an acronym it would be B.A.D.G - yes we are bad.

First place to try was Pacific Catch in the marina. We started off a few doors down at yuzu
while we waited for one of the only tables in the very small very crowded pacific catch. I hear the food at yuzu is not that exciting, though I have not tried it. Yuzu did have something going for it, they were having a special on one of my favorite beers - Hitachino nest red rice ale. They also had the white ale which is very good and then i braved one i had never heard of called Koshihikari Echigo Beer. I actually didn't like this one at all. Strong rice flavor with kind of a coors light aftertaste. Oh well - our table was ready at pacific catch and so i downed the beer.

We ordered a few different items. There were crisp and nicely salted sweet potato fries that were surprisingly good. The warm edamame with sea salt was better then most Japanese places in town that i have been too. Fresh, flavorful, and with plenty of sea salt. Oh and not wet with cooking water like you sometimes find. After that most of us ordered wasabi bowls. A big bowl of seaweed, daikon, rice, ginger, wasabi and most importantly pieces of ahi, ahi poke, or grilled eel. This is some straight forward food and rather cheap. If it was off the mark you would know, but they hit on pretty much everything. Yeah it isn't easy to get a table and the place is a mad house but damn i can't wait to go back.

Here are the pictures (click in for more):

Driving out of NYC to San Francisco

Thats right we got out of dodge. The girl and I are moving to California. What a crazy time it has been planning all of this and now we are finally doing it. We are crossing this great country of ours over the next 8 or so days. So far it has been a little tiring but overall a lot of fun. We stayed our first night in Cleveland where all the great restaurants are of course closed on Sunday. We are right outside Indianapolis, IN tonight and just had a great meal. Pictures and info tomorrow.

city view in san fran

Tastingmenu.com thinks about dim sum.

Har Gow at City View.

"I find that it shines a white hot spotlight on the quality of a restaurant."

Knife + Fork (mini review)

Two dining comrads and I had a meal last weekend that took us all by suprise. A new place in a sleepy (as much as a street in the east village can be) east village block caught our interest by how empty it was and what it was serving. After a few walks around the same old places we always eat at, we looped back around to try the place. And yes the name did make me smile. Coincidentaly it is the name of an Australian wine maker that the chef went into business with so that he could serve their wine (we had the Shiraz - standard but good).

Thoughtfully composed (and very well executed) plates of fresh and vibrant flavors came out and made us all rather happy. The chef is young and Irsih and is fun to talk to. The tasting menu is only $40 and it knocked me out. Make sure to ask for the duck - you will not be sad.

Go - eat there - you know you are all dying to try something new that nobody is talking about. There won't be a line. You don't need to make a reservion. You might even be the only diner (like us). In a few months this place might be mobbed.

I am working on a full review - hopefully with pictures if i can get back there in the next week or so.

Knife + Fork on menupages

Lost in Paris with nothing to eat

Never again shall I be in Paris and not know where to have a bite. Oh that was a very bad meal.

The 80 best places to eat out in Paris (via The Observer)

Is it time to try a Goodburger

I have been trying to eat a little better lately (gasp!!) - but i might have to break and try this place soon. Nothing gets me excited like a burger.

check out some talk about GoodBurger here and here

(image from nytimes )

burger burger burgers yum

Straight from Andrea Strong

News from Shake Shack: OPEN THROUGH CHRISTMAS EVE!
Danny Meyer and Richard Corraine’s fantastical burger and frozen custard wonderland in Madison Square Park will host its 2nd annual Shacktoberfest from Oct 3rd to October 9th, featuring a special holiday menu. They are also starting breakfast on October 17th, and will extend their season, until December 23rd.

Hometown house

Go Hyang Jip (Hometown house in english)

(nytimes photo - Joe Fornabaio for The New York Times)

Korean food is the new Japanese food in new york.

Check out a good review of the above place in this weeks times.

nyc fall list

25 places i want to go to in new york this coming fall and winter:

1. Craft
2. Jean-George
3. La Bernadine
4. Daniel *(done)
5. WD-50 *(done)
6. Sushi Yasuda
7. Pearl Oyster Bar
8. Babbo
9. Lupa
10. Del Posto
11. Serpheati *(done)
12. Executive Penthouse Club - Steakhouse
13. Sakagura
14. Dim Sum - chinatown
15. Totonno's
16. Grimaldi's
17. Lombardi's
18. Burger-Joint (LeParker Meridian)
19. Gramercy Tavern
20. Union Square Cafe *(done)
21. R.U.B
22. Hearth (kitchen seat)
23. Jewel Bako
24. Chikalisous
25. Nunzio's Shopsin's (what! i can't change the list)

Random picture of the day

Happy cakes from Black Dog (i think that's the name - internet failed me on this one) in the East Village - 2nd ave and 10th or so.

Hojo no more

(from HoJoLand.com)

I small part of me died today...ok maybe i bit dramatic but when I read that the HoJo in times square closed its doors last week, I felt like I grew up a bit. I am sad that i didn't go the last night (i didn't know it was closing) but am happy that in the past few months I have gone twice. It was a old place from another time. It was like that even when i first went there. My family's tradition was to come into the city early on a saturday. My dad and I would deposit my mom at the TKTS line and then we would go to HoJo for some ice cream or food. So it wasn't the nicest thing to do to my mom but usualy we were there early so she would join us soon or we would bring her something. Something about the simplicity of the place still brings a smile to my face. I think a lot of people will be sad to see it go.

Read about the last night at HoJo.com

Thanks HoJo .

Dinosaur BBQ

I finally got my BBQ . It has been eluding me for a few weeks ever since i didn't get to go to the big shindig in new york and ended up going to a family function (a wonderful one at that) in north carolina only thirty miles away from an even bigger bbq shindig. I even had the taxi driver try to find a place near the airport and he did but it was closed. Oh well - last night Dinosaur was BBQ and I was happy to be there. The food was average - i have had better pulled pork and better bbq chicken. The beef brisket was fine, thought its hard to compare because I haven't tried much bbq brisket. The ribs were unfortunatly out and I have a suspicion that is the best of their bbq. Druken peel and eat shrimp were mighty fine as was the fried green tomato. But overall i just like the place. Fun people - lot's of beer on tap and you get a good amount of food for your buck.

Next stop is R.U.B

Kohr Bros. Frozen Custard

A blast from the past yesterday. J and I frolicked on the jersey shore eating our way down the boardwalk. One of the highlights was definitly a large Kohr Bros. Frozed Custard - orange and vanilla swirl on a cone. I use to get this all the time when i was growing up. I always thought it had its start at the jersey shore but no - it began a long time ago in coney island. 5 cents a cone and they went like hot cakes (or well at least like ice cream). Check out their site.

momofuku yum

I enjoyed a fine meal the other night at momofuku in my old neighborhood (east village). I have wanted to go to this new ramen place since well before it actually opened. I for some reason or another just never got around to it.

I am not a ramen expert but I do know a thing or two. I ordered the momofuku ramen - which comes with Berkshire pork and a poached egg. The broth is fine but not what I am use to over rai rai ken. But the more and more you slurp the broth the taste comes out. Not overly porky like some and so a bit easier on the american palate. Its overall a good broth. The noodles on the other hand are dandy - the second you bite them. Soft as can be, maybe a tiny bit too soft, but they taste very good too and go with everything. The pork is out of this world. Overall not the most traditional ramen but still great in my book. I rounded out the meal with a cold beer and a cherry vanilla ice cream from mary's dairy accross the street (insert drool here) .

Capogiro Gelato Artisans

Thank you to Saveur for this one:

Capogiro Gelato Artisans in philly - i am so going here or ordering this soon.

Some of their flavors:

Avocado
Fragola con Dragoncello (Lancaster County Strawberries with local tarragon.)
Lime with Cilantro
Rosemary Honey Goat Milk

Gone to Italy

Be back soon (maybe...)

ramps,wine, and royal milk tea

A very nice new york night. After work I found myself at Otto ordering a quartino of Rosso Piceno from Laila . It was delightful. The bartendar gave me some advice for my upcoming trip to italy. And off I was with my charred ramp and bufala mozzarella pizza. Sitting in washington square park the city fell into a dance. Bite of pizza - dog walks by. Bite of pizza - a couple smiling and eating ice cream walks by. A few more bites of pizza and its all gone. On my way to the train I pick up a royal milk tea cream puff at beard papa . Ahh a good night.

Patsy's Pizza - East Harlem

Bistro Fare

Its seems that almost every place I eat out has some connection to french food. A cooking class I recently took was 'Techniques in fine cooking 1' - all french techniques of course. I at the same time I am just starting to really enjoy true french cuisine - especially the more homey or low key bistro fare. So yeah I feel a mission coming on - new york has a lot of bistros.

MenuPages has a section

Have any recomendations ?

To compare them fairly I should order the exact same thing - what is the litmus test for a bistro ?

Email me if you have any ideas

Kitchen 82

A place I think I need to try out:

Kitchen 82

A night at Per Se

I was recently lucky to eat at Per Se with my girlfriend. I have been thinking of that night a lot over the past two weeks. Was it the best meal I have ever had? This question doesn't seem answerable any more. I can say that it was one of the best experiences of my life. Food over the past few years has become very important to me. I am interested in chefs, restaurants, cooking, food science and countless other areas that only a few years ago didn't mean much to me. And the French Laundry has a lot to do with this. I read online the story of meg and jason , read The Soul of a Chef, and was hooked. I needed to know Thomas Keller. Eating his food was never a reality for me. I didn't have the money and was all the way in New York. When Per Se began I became exited. This was a possibility. And it has now happened.

All of this makes it tough for me to be judgmental of my night at Per Se. But I can say a few things. The service was hands down the best I have ever had. They were classy and sharp but not at all condescending. One of our waitress was talkative when we asked questions but left us alone other times. The service seemed almost effortless even though we both knew that it was anything but.

We ordered two tasting menus - yup they let you do that. That means you get about 24 different tastes of food on one night. Did you hear that! It excites me to just write that. A few tastes still stand very strong in my memory. The tuna tartar and salmon tartar ice cream cones given to every diner at Per Se and French Laundry. The powerful snap in taste wakes you up. Wow you think this tuna is amazing. And the salmon was soft - salty - excellent. And I have to say with this first corse I really reveled in how cool my girlfriend is. She actually with no pretension at all bit the bottom of the ice cream cone and sucked out some of the tartar. This was a good start to the meal.

The bread - oh the bread. One in particular - fresh made potato bread. Crunchy on the outside - warm and soft inside. Sweet bread taste that can can only exist in bread only a few hours old filled this little nuggets. But the bread was just a vehicle for the best butter I have ever had. We found out after a new little tin of fresh butter was given to us, that it was Animal farm butter from Orwell Vermont (told to us by our waitress). Ohh I just noticed that I can order some of that golden butter online.

More moments - duck. I have had duck before. But it never tasted like this. This was close to perfection. On one fork I had a good chunk of Pekin duck breast, dandelion greens, and a poached apricot. They tasted so good together that it was as if no one had ever had duck before if they had not tasted this exact dish I was having.

Ravioli of forest mushrooms - I knew I was going to like this but I had no idea it was going to be as good as it was. Rich mushroom taste - port wine sauce - thin wrapping. Those are some lucky mushrooms!

Fleur de lis - a rich buttery cheese so wonderfully paired with cherry marmalade and a celery seed biscuit

I even got to see the kitchen and meet the chef.

wine - the menu - and some pictures soon.

Per Se

guess who is going to per se !

where to eat in 2005

New York metro reports on the places to go to in 2005.

A dinner at Poetessa

With a new place right across the street its tough not to go. So last night I ventured with a lovely companion over to Poetessa which took over the old East Post spot.

First thoughts - nice place. They have a pretty good vibe. Its dark but not too dark. Once and awhile the music got annoying but besides that they kept up that east village kind of fancy thing. Of course Mermaid Inn right next door looks like it does it much better.

We ordered two appetizers. The Fonduta e Pane Tostato (Fontina cheese fondue) - which was ok but was really just cheese poured over break. I think for like 8 dollars they could have worked on this one. Put the cheese in a ramekin - and serve it with really good bread - a fig - and some kind of meat. It would then be great. In this incarnation it was only ok. The other app was gulf shrimp on Tuscan chickpeas with lemon and olive oil on top. I liked this but feel it needed just a bit more flavor.

The entrees got better (I have learnt though that you need to question a kitchen that can do entrees better then appetizers). We ordered the Ossobucco and the Gnocchi. The gnocchi was good - not great. The amaron infused sauce was real delicious but might find a happier home on top a steak of some sort. The gnocchi were different then I am used to - small and not very starchy. The "wild bird" ragu was ok also but really lack much flavor. The lamb shank was a different matter. Tender as can be and with a real balanced taste. I didn't get much of the Meyer lemon gremolata the menu described but the Tuscan kale made me very happy.

To round out the dinner was a bottle of Castle Rock cabernet sauvignon. Real fruity red that went well with the meal. Dessert didn't blow me away but a Cappuccino pudding (its billed on the menu as a crème brule but no no no it is not one) and almond honey cake with lavender ice cream went very well with good strong coffee.

Overall an average meal with a somewhat above average price. Will I go back - well I wasn't going to but while writing this I kind of want to try the steak. I am always willing to give a place a second chance.

LA Burger Roundup

Everyone knows (or should know!) that I love burgers...and so I really enjoyed reading about the LA Burger scene at the food section. Go check it out.

Eat your flakes

Ok so you have probably heard about this one. Its been in the news but I just think it is worth putting up here. Here is the concept - cereal restaurant - oh yes it is the wave of the future. When I tell people about this they usualy say thats a stupid idea. After a few minutes though people usualy concede that they would try it out. I bet this is doing rather well.

Cereality

Poetessa

Right on my block - such excitement - East Post is gone - and Jewel Bako takes over the world!!

The Strong Buzz (via Andrea Strong)

A few pics from Laos

Courtesy of Brian

Kosher food that doesn't suck department

I guess I missed this one:

"Singular Sensation
Restaurateur Joey Allaham isn’t lacking for confidence: He hopes to parlay his success at the Prime Grill kosher steakhouse into Solo, his new and—wouldn’t you know it—solo venture in a notoriously unlucky Sony Building space. (Remember Berkeley Bar & Grill? Or Shallots?) Here, though, the menu is kosher Mediterranean with a dash of Asian, an unusual fusion concocted by chef Hok Chin and evident in dishes like tamari-miso-glazed Chilean sea bass with truffle essence and Dover sole with litchis and champagne beurre noisette. The culinary crossover continues outside in the atrium, where the Kosher Kiosk dispenses approved Danish and cinnamon buns baked by Swedish pastry chef Morgan Larsson.
550 Madison Avenue, at 55th Street
212-833-7800" (via New York Metro)

And the menu (..no prices..hmmm)

Peter Luger vs The Jews

A few hours after my oh-my-I-have-tasted-steak lunch (my first) at Peter Luger, an odd thought came to me.

I think I have come up with the ultimate one-day-break-from-being-kosher meal*. The idea is not to go so crazy that you feel such guilt that you run away from being kosher, at the same time though you need to have something special. Here is the menu:

1. Peter Luger Steak For 2

2. Creamed Spinach

3. Fried Hashbrowns

4. Ice cold Brooklyn Lager

5. Optional: Tomato + Onion salad (not really un-kosher enough)

*This post is dedicated to my friend David B.**

**This post in no way recommends said David B. break from being kosher (well maybe a little).

The restaurants are coming

New York Magazine's Fall Restaurant Preview

Best Fortune Ever

(Picture courtesy of Marianne)

Restaurant Week 2004: Il Buco

Cozze - sauteed Bouchot mussels with lovage and chili flakes

Vellutata di Melone - chilled crenshaw melon soup with crisp Jamon Serrano and aged balsamic

Polenta con Gallinacci e Zucca - Anson Mills polenta with chanterelles, baby zucchini and marjoram

Tagliatelle al Ragu di Agnello - fresh egg pasta with Jamison Farm lamb ragu

I can't recall exactly what the dessert was - I think it was a lemon tart - but I can say for sure that it was so good it hurt.

Relish

I got this awesome friend who lives in Brooklyn. She knows a lot more about food then I do (her grandmother owned a restaurant for a long time)

a conversation between us about two months ago

AF (Awesome Friend) : You know you should check out Relish - the place is amazing - its in Williamsburg but away from all the stupidness.

Me: Yeah sounds cool - I don't know though I suck and will just forget about this place and not go because its in brooklyn

Ok maybe thats not word for word but its pretty close. I finally listened to my smart friend and went (with her on her birthday - yup it took her birthday to get me there). Great place. We sat in the garden and had quality food for pretty cheap. My halibut [**Edit : Scallops!! not halibut - how could I mess that up - so soft - seared - oh well the brain doesn't work sometimes **] was cooked just right and had this sauce - oh that sauce was addictive - slightly burnt butter with garlic, lemon, and ginger. The texture was perfect. I almost asked for a bit more then put my head down and remembered that I was given plenty. The desserts are not to be reckoned with either (and knowing people that work there as my awesome friend does helps the whole matter).

What have we learnt:
1. listen to your awesome friends.
2. Go to relish - I hear brunch is good too.

Super Pizza!!!

Look over there - its Galactus and Galactic Gal and what do they have with them - a piping hot pizza - Super hero pizza delievery (via nyc eats)

Union Square Cafe

A few months ago (on mother's day to be exact) I was lucky enough to take my mom for lunch at Union Square Cafe.

First impression of the restaurant for me was a mix of amazement at the excitment going on at 12:00 pm on a saturday (yes it was mother's day) and the calming affect the surroundings had on me. There seems to be sunlight in every corner of U.S.C bursting off of warm colored paint or large pieces of art. A couple by the bar, where we waited, yelled at the Maitre’D because there spot at the bar was occupied by someone else (who of course go there before them). Without even a flinch the Maitre'D delt with them and them smiled brightly. Her demenor seems to be a theme at U.S.C . For a few hours you are taken into the hands of Danny Meyer and Michael Romano and all along they are saying "don't worry this won't be a bumpy ride."

We sat upstairs which is equally as well designed as downstairs. Our waiter was rather informative without being pushy at all. His wine choices were all very well matched with the food we had. He even got my mom to try a light nappa valley red (can't remember what it was exactly - it was a few months ago) while she usualy sticks to white wine only.

Overall the food was so well executed that it suprised me. The food at first looks simple but the italian and american food Michael Romano prepars tastes sublime. The dishes we tasted seem sing out the flavors of the ingriedents in it.

Mom ordered a ratatouille soup which was heavenly. It was served warm but would be equally as good ice cold. The texture is very important with this soup and of course it was silky smooth. And lets not forget that smokey taste throughout.

Next came a rather new dish for me. Rabbit, leaks, and small curled pasta called "strangling the priest" (i can't remember the italian) in a garlic and olive oil broth. It was salty without being overpowering. This is the first time I have ever had rabbit and while it was not showcased in the dish the texture of the meat went well with the odd little pasta. There was no denying the freshness of trhe pasta with its sticky yet firm texture. And what a name for a dish!!

To the main courses. I ordered Seared Wild Striped Bass with Meyeor Lemon Buerre Blanc and Braised Savoy Cabbages with Apples, Celery Root & Roasted Shallots (thats copied from the menu - read it again - does it make you as hungry as me). I order fish a lot more then i use to in an effort to remind myself that properly prepared fish in a restaraunt can be center piece to a meal. The meyer lemon beurre blanc sauce still enters my mind sometimes. Sweat and Sour - light yet buttery all dressed up with apples, cabbage and oh yeah lets not foget perfectly grilled fish. Was it perfect - not really - but it made me gasp a few times.

Now we learn why my mom is way cool. With all the options in front of her she ordered a burger. And oh what a burger she recieved. I have travled to many a great burger place in new york, so I know when i see a worthy burger. Perched on a fresh bun with crisp bacon and double fried fries next to it, the juicy burger just beckons to be eaten.

No lunch is complete without a freshly made tart key lime pie paired with mint and pineapple sorbet.

Dinner plans

I think i might go to Chaa Chaa Teahouse tonight. I hear they have Durian ice cream!!

Drunk Meal #437

I have gotten drunk in many nice restaurants. Otto and Eleven Madison Park were two recent drunk eating expierences. But those of course were not drunk meals.

A drunk meal is defined (at least to me) as: A meal or food item gotten while walking home drunk from a bar far enough away from your apartment that the sudden urge to eat is too strong to stave off the first junk food you see.

But sometimes you do it right. And New York city has a very high good-drunk-meal quotiant. The pizza/fallafel factor is of course there but there are other drunk meals to be had. And last night for the first time I got a Gray's Papya hotdog and papya drink. Let me tell you its sad that I have never expierenced this instituion before. The papya drink isn't that exiting - a nice talcam powder taste with what I think was papya flavoring. But those hotdogs. Its not the best i have ever had i guess but 75 cents ( or the ever rising recession special -2 hotdogs and drink for 2.75) for a nicely grilled hotdog, a toasted bun, and all the free toppings you want, is well so damn beautiful it almost made me cry.

Thank you Gray's Papya.

(ok so I did not take this picture - Andrew Merelis did - i just swiped it from his site. Hopefully if he ever saw it on my page he wouldn't be mad especially because I am giving him credit. And giving him a link too - So everyone go to his page and look at his post on a rediculously indulgent food day)

Fish Pasta

Pesce Pasta
Trattoria
262 Bleecker St, New York NY

Last night I was treated to a meal at Pesce Pasta in the west village. A very nice neighborhood place that will probably stay the same forever. They have a formula, homey italian food focusing on fish. And while I was not blown away by anything in particular the meal was very good. The Antipasto Della Casa was well done. Grilled vegtables topped with olive oil sitting next to olives and cheese. We ordered the medium. We almost immedietly finished it and considered ordering another. My suggestion - get the large.

The fish was well prepared if not very exciting. The one fish dish that stood out for me was the grilled monk fish. It tasted fresh, spiced with what tasted like rosmary and pepper. The grilled tuna tasted like, well grilled tuna - not very inspiring. Swordfish and striped bass both prepared with leeks and capers in a lemon, butter, and white wine sauce were nicely prepared but lacked the level of quality and freshness as the monk fish. The mussels marinara were excellent mostly becuase the mussels tasted like they came from the water that morning.

So next time you are wondering around the west village with no idea where to go - try Pesce Pasta.

Gumbo Cafe

Some of that New Orleans flavor:

Importing Those Steamy Nights From the Bayou

I crave you!!!!

BB Sandwidch bar

Luckily yesterday My co-workers and I had no idea where to go for lunch. They decided on BB Sandwidch bar. I pride myself on at least knowing about all the restaurants near where I work and live, especially when it is a "knowen" place. But I had never even heard of BB's. And now I can't stop craving it.

About 2-3 years ago, every single magazine in new york wrote about this place. They serve one thing. An upscale cheesesteak really. Tender beef on a kaiser roll topped with a good amount of high fat white American cheese and 8-hour marinated onions make up the BB sandwidch. Then you say spicey or not - and some extra ketchup or a spicy ketchup based sauce is added. Thats it!! All this for $4 bucks. And it was damn good. It doesn't fill you up beyond belief but hey if you really are adventurous get two. I just know I will find myself walking to West 3rd this weekend and accidentaly running into BB Sandwidch Bar - "oops I guess I will just have to stop in and get one".

Eating at Otto

Some pictures from a recent "lunch" (more like feast) that I had at Otto Pizzeria in the west village. Review to come soon.

Funghi Misti, Aspragus & Pecorino, and Calamari with Potatoes and Chiles

Favetta Bruschetta (ha! it rhymes) (Fava bean puree over toasted bread)

Ceci Bottarga (fried chickpeas)

Pizza - Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino ( Garlic, Oil, Fresh Chiles)

Margherita D.O.C (Tomato, Bufala Mozz, Basil)

Three gelati - Olive oil, Myer Lemon w/ Blackberries, Vanilla

Restaurant Magazine: 50 Best Restaurants in the world

RESTAURANT MAGAZINE - 50 BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE WORLD 2004 (in association with Penfolds)
(UK Restaurants CAPITALISED)

(in numeric order)

French Laundry, Yountville, CA, USA
THE FAT DUCK, Bray
El Bulli, Spain
L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Paris
Pierre Gagnaire, Paris
Guy Savoy, Paris
NOBU, London
RESTAURANT GORDON RAMSAY, London
Michel Bras, Laguiole, France
Louis XV, Monaco
Gramercy Tavern, New York
Daniel, New York
Tetsuya's, Sydney
HAKKASAN, London
THE WATERSIDE INN, Bray
ST JOHN, London
L'Ami Louis, Paris
Jean Georges, New York
LE GAVROCHE, London
Flower Drum, Melbourne
THE MERCHANT HOUSE, Ludlow
Arzak, San Sebastian, Spain
Dal Pescatore, Canneto sull'Oglio, Italy
THE IVY, London
Arpege, Paris
El Raco de Can Fabes, San Celoni, Spain
Schwarzwaldstube, Baiersbronn, Germany
The Cliff, Barbados
Rockpool, Sydney
LE MANOIR AUX QUAT' SAISONS, Oxford
Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Charlie Trotter, Chicago
Le Jardin des Sens, Montpellier
THE SQUARE, London
Spago, Los Angeles
Bukhara, India
Chez Panisse, California
Le Meurice, Paris
Trois Gros, Roanne, France
Balthazar, New York
RIVER CAFÉ, London
La Tupina, Bordeaux
Auberge d'Ill, Illhauseern-Alsace
Craft, New York
Le Tour d'Argent, Paris
La Maison de Marc Veyrat, Annecy, France
Felix, Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong
De Karmeliet, Bruges
THE WOLSELEY, London
Gambero Rosso, San Vincenzo

INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNERS
(UK Restaurants CAPITALISED)

Penfolds Best Restaurant in the World: The French Laundry, CA, USA
Best American Restaurant: The French Laundry, CA, USA
Best European Restaurant: THE FAT DUCK, Bray, UK
Best African and Middle Eastern Restaurant: Al Mahara, Dubai
Best Asian Restaurant: Bukhara, New Delhi, India
Best Australasian Restaurant: Tetsuya's, Sydney, Australia
Best Newcomer to the List: THE FAT DUCK, Bray, UK
Most Improved Restaurant on the List: ST JOHN, London, UK
Outstanding Value: Gramercy Tavern, NY, USA
Chefs Choice (voted for by last year's 50 Best): Tetsuya's, Sydney, Australia Editors Choice (voted for by editorial panel): THE WOLSELEY,UK, London

Eating in the East Village

Le Zoccole - "The Whores"
6th and A

Roasted Red Beet Salad served w/ warm montrachet goat cheese, toasted walnuts, marinated leeks & string beans

Artichoke and Shrimp Soup

"Le Zoccole" Macaroni & Cheese w/ summer black truffle

Croque Madame Zoccole (what's a croque?)

#1 good good

I am not cool enough to have know about #1 Chinese, the new hip chinese place conceived by Frank Prisinzano (of Frank's and Supper), before it opened, but with the help of Below 14th I was able to get there on day three.

First, Frank knows how to make a place that will bring people. It is on 4th and B which while sharing the area with a bunch of restaurants doesn't really have anything like this close by. And the building is pretty amazing. Two story cavern of sorts - open kitchen - candle light - two bars. The east village hip are going to flock here.

Here is a quick rap up of our meal:

Crispy noodles - all the american chinese places have these and so this place does- pretty good ones - three sauces to dip them in. A soy sauce based one, a mustard, and a way-too-sweet sauce

shrimp ball appetizer: I liked these a lot - better then the shrimp balls at Sea on 2nd Ave - smokey chicken mixed with fresh shrimp.

five spice chicken wings - not bad - didn't find all 5 though

BBQ short ribs - kinda dissapointing - tasted like mom's brisket but not as good.

Stuffed Eggplant w/ crab meet - complaments of the house - not much to say about them more then they were ok especially because they were free

Salty fish and chicken fried rice - good dish - cheap and filling - with a great chicken flavor - didn't really get the salty fish taste.

Tangerine pork - so this was great but WAY spicy - and it wasn't listen on the menu as being spicy which is fine for me but what a surprise. I mean really there were so many hot green and red pepers in this. But the Tangerine still came out strong and the mix between the salty, sweet, and hot created a fine dish.

Sesame Chicken - where have you been?? So I know 14 bucks for sesame chicken is a bit crazy (especially becuase you are not at a place like Spice Market or 66) but it was much better then your average sesame chicken. Fresh chicken with a dark sesame flavor - addictive really.

No desserts yet but its still day three. The servers are getting use to working - one guy just kinda hung out with his friends while the other servers worked but in general they were freindly and fast.

So get to #1 Chinese before its too hip for actual customers.

Koi Reborn

Last week I found myself one year older and enjoying a sushi lunch at Koi, the new sushi place at 175 2nd ave that took over when Iso closed down. Going to a place that just opened (6 days earlier) is usualy frowned upon because the kitchen and staff haven't gotten all the kinks out yet. But really it can be a lot of fun. It was about 12:30 on a sunday and i was the only person in Koi. I met most of the waitstaff - a hodge podge of women and men. They were talking about old jobs and crazy schedules. One waitress said "I think I will come here for lunch soon - yup I will." It was a pretty up beat feel for a sunday lunch.

I started the meal with a glass of the special "grand opening" sake. It was ice cold, which i love, and very subtle. And at $5.00 a glass pretty cheap too. Then came the highlight of the meal (it just started!) - Chopped Raw Horse mackerel (Aji Tataki). I saw the sushi chef take out a whole fish from among the many already cut fish. He then cut the middle of the fish out saving the head, skin, and tail. The appetizer was served chopped, placed on a lemon with sesame seeds and green onions scattered through out. The fish that gave up its life for my lunch was artisticly displayed behind. The chef had given me a small lesson on how to prepare aji.

The texture, taste, and appearance melded together to make such a satisfying opening to this meal i would give up 20 mediocre sushi rolls for it in a second.

Luckly i didn't have to. Next came the sashimi lunch special. Fluke with mosago, yellow tail, salmon, and tuna. The fluke and the tuna stood out. Tuna is so simple and yet probably my favorite - and this was very fresh.

To finish off the meal I had a Blue Fin Toro sushi piece (hey why not it was my birthday). Like nothing I have ever had, though the fattiness was a bit too much to end the meal with.

The sushi chef use to work at Iso and recently bought it and re-opened the restaurant as Koi. He was a real nice guy and you should say hi to him when you go there.

Per Se and Masa

California East (latimes.com)

Go Chinatown

Shanghai Cuisine

Last week a friend and I went to chinatown to celebrate the beginning of the Year of the monkey. The first idea was to go to Chanoodle - closed. Amazi