Abe & Arthur's

As is typical of trendy restaurants, despite the fact that they will give up your table if you are more than 15 minutes late, they have no problem making you wait for over 15 minutes.  And despite noticing handfuls of empty tables once were were seated, we waited about 20 minutes for our table in Abe & Arthur's bar area.  Luckily, the bar area at Abe & Arthur's is comfortable, with plenty of high stools at the bar and low lying benches nearby.  Even though it was 8:30 pm on a Friday night, we had no problem getting the bartender's attention and plenty of room to enjoy our drinks.

Once you are seated, instead of receiving a bread basket, Abe & Arthur's delivers warm pop overs to your table, a fun take on a standard bread offering (sorry no picture, they were hastily devoured).  The wine menu featured wines from all over the world and varietals for everyone but nothing so outstanding to write about.  Abe & Arthur's corkage charge is reasonable so I would recommend bringing your favorite red to go with the steak.

While I noticed dozens of staff buzzing around the restaurant during our meal, our server was awful.   We waited awhile to be greeted and had to ask for water and bread.  Also, shortly after we finished our apps, my husband ordered another cocktail from our server while we waited for our steak to arrive (I declined another glass of wine b/c mine was still about half full).   After ten minutes, the server came by with drink menus, asking us if we wanted more drinks (Mitch had ordered one and was still waiting for it) and if we wanted dessert (we were still waiting for our steak).  The whole service seemed hap hazard and uncoordinated.  While I was inclined to ask to speak to the manager, I kept quiet (a result of the wine lethargy).

Rewinding back briefly to earlier in the night, I arrived with a Hanukkah present in my hand which the coat check women mistook for a birthday present.  As a result, she repeatedly wished me happy birthday but it was so loud I only caught on the third time.

At the end of our meal, we ordered one dessert but received 3.  I had absolutely no clue why.  The staff did not know I write a food blog, it wasn't my birthday despite the coat check women's repeated wishes (and the desserts did not have a birthday candle in it like others delivered to tables around us) and no one apologized for the abysmal service.  When we asked why we received the extra desserts, the server told us the manager sent them over.  My only guess is that the server alerted the manager that the meal had gone poorly and the manager tried to send over extra desserts to make mends (smart man, I have a wicked sweet tooth).

What to Eat:

To start, order the Shrimp Scampi.  The three large shrimp are grilled, and then thrown in a buttery sauce with charred cherry tomatoes and crusty french bread. The bread arrives partially soaked in the thick buttery sauce.  I made a crostini out of the ingredients but you an happily enjoy the app however works best for you.

For your entree, go with the Porterhouse for Two if both/several diners at the table are meat eaters.  I enjoyed every bite of the juicy steak. The two of us are big eaters but we couldn't finish the enormous steak.   Abe & Arthur's offers various side sauces (for a charge) for the steak like au poivre, bearnaise, etc...but truthfully, the steak doesn't need it.  The steak was so flavorful I preferred enjoying it on its own.

For a side,  go with the Truffled Herb Parmesan Fries if you are into crispy fries and love the taste of truffle.  Abe & Arthur's douses the fries in truffle oil and then coats the fries in parmesan cheese so the fries don't taste like your average fries.  Side note: pass on the Mac N Cheese side, it's too bland.  Abe & Arthur's Mac N Cheese reminded me of Kraft's version out of a box with bread crumbs sprinkled on top.

For dessert, order the French Toast Bread Pudding.  The warm, doughy bread pudding is drizzled in maple syrup and then topped with a large scoop of butter pecan ice cream.. The consistency was perfection and the entire dessert made you feel like you were enjoying a beloved breakfast treat for dessert.

With respect to the extra desserts we received, the Baked Alaska, while aesthetically interesting, tasted underwhelming, especially next to the bread pudding.

The pumpkin cobbler, on the other hand, a special, was outstanding for pumpkin lovers.  The cobbler arrived in a jar and was topped with a cream cheese like ice cream.  The flavors truly captured the holiday spirit.  Because it was a seasonal special, you may not find it but don't despair, the French Toast Bread Pudding should be on the menu all winter.

In the mood for a steakhouse minus the suits?  Abe and Arthur's is a hit when it comes to trendy and top notch steak but a miss with the service,

Your foodie friend

The NoMad

The owners of Eleven Madison Park opened the NoMad to serve food to the masses, the trendy (deep pocketed) masses, that is.  Despite opening it's doors about one year ago, you will need to book your reservation 30 days out or will be left with the 5:30pm or 10:30 pm options (forget about walking in without one).

The bar area at the back of the NoMad was packed with suits and models.  You will have to cleverly navigate the area to score a beverage and then hope desperately to find a small patch of real estate to enjoy your drink.  There's a quieter area to the left of the bar referred to as "the Library" for drinks but you will have to wait patiently (a bit shorter than a life time) for a few seats.

The extensive wine menu at the NoMad features wines from all over the globe but offers few affordable options.  The cocktail menu, while still pricey, offers inventive concoctions that are a better bet.

Similar to Eleven Madison Park, the service at the NoMad was perfect.  Our server was attentive, available and constantly confirming our approval. Also similar was their grand presentation of the food, describing each dish as it arrived.  While I appreciated the more casual ambiance at the NoMad and enjoyed most of my food, if I have to be 100% honest, the meal is a bit overpriced.  I suppose there is a price to be paid for trendy but I wouldn't rush back without an expense account.

What to Eat:

Start with the Cauliflower appetizer, which is a combination of roasted cauliflower with grapes, marcona almonds and a white cheddar cheese.  Typically I order a side vegetable with my entree if my entree does not come with a vegetable, but the entree portions at the NoMad are large enough that starting with a veggie is a great idea.  The salty marcona almonds contrast the sweet grapes.  In my head the cheddar was melted on the cauliflower but I was pleasantly surprised to see it cubed and tossed in with the other ingredients.








For an entree, go with the Chicken for Two.  The kitchen gallantly presents the stuffed bird at your table before carving it in the kitchen.  Tucked under the skin of the white meat is a mixture of brioche, black truffle and foie gras.  The white meat is plated  separately from the dark meat and included brussel sprouts and lentils.  The dark meat is served in a separate terrine that is  overflowing with a decadent wine gravy sauce.  I usually shy away from ordering chicken at restaurants but the NoMad's chicken lived up to its reputation as the best chicken in NYC.  The chicken breast was so juicy and moist that it literally melted in your mouth.



For dessert, order the chocolate caramel hazelnut tart.  The dessert is accompanied by a scoop of chocolate sorbet.  To my surprise, Mitch said, "we should have ordered five of these!"  Usually, Mitch is content with a bite of dessert (allowing me to devour the rest) but the small tart disappeared in minutes.  I was unable to identify the hazelnut flavor in the melted chocolatey caramel center but it did not diminish the dessert in my eyes.  The sorbet was placed on a bed of crumble and the plate drizzled with a rich dark chocolate sauce.








Looking to impressive a client or a date?  The NoMad largely lives up to the hype,

Your foodie friend


Insider tip:  Can't score a reservation?  IF you can find a spot at the bar, there are impressive looking snacks (e.g. like finger sized fried chicken) and people watching at the bar.

Parm

About six months ago I tried to go to Parm in Nolita.  Parm doesn't take reservations and the host said it would be about a 45 minute wait.  The problem is, there's no bar area or bar alternative nearby to kill time.  I was hungry and figured I could suffer the 45 minutes...Until 45 minutes became an 1 hour, and then over an hour.  I had to call it quits when another restaurant I had wanted to try, located down the street, had availability (see review of Balabousta, http://forthefoodieinallofus.blogspot.com/2012/04/balaboosta.html).

Despite this initial disappointment, Parm persevered on my list.  The perfect opportunity presented itself to finally dine at Parm, a 2:30 lunch.  No chance there could be a wait (or significant wait) for a table at 2:30.  Upon arrival, I was seated immediately (even without my dining companion present).

Parm is a brilliant concept.  Italian American (as opposed to authentic Italian) food, served fresh, with high end ingredients and in moderately sized portions.  Most Italian American restaurants in NYC (and all over the US) serve over fried, over battered, frozen chicken cutlets, or flavorless tomato sauce out of a can, in bulk portions to the masses.  Parm succeeds where so many restaurants in Little Italy fail.

The ambiance at Parm is 50's diner chic, but the best part is the doo wop music playing in the background.

What to Eat:

Start with the Baked Ziti.  There is an option to get a side of "Meat Gravy", which is a hearty, beef Bologna sauce.  Unless your a vegetarian, order the ziti with meat gravy.  The browned ziti noodles are layered with a homemade marinara sauce and then topped with huge dollops of fresh ricotta.  I'd love to get my hands on this recipe.

The main reason I tried Parm is to confirm the rumor that Parm served the best chicken parmigiana in NYC.  Rumors confirmed readers.  Parm offers the chicken parm on a small roll, a medium sized hero or a platter (the platter includes a salad or ziti).  Unknown fun fact about me: Chicken Parm Heros are one of my 5 favorite foods.  The problem is, most of them are greasy, over breaded, have average bread, etc...I found none of these issues at Parm.  Parm's chicken hero contained layers of thick slices of lightly breaded white meat, sweet marinara sauce, and fresh mozzarella.  One word: perfection.  It's a good thing they don't deliver.






It is hard to save room for dessert at Parm but find a way readers.  The dessert special was apple cinnamon zeppoles, which I was considering until the waiter brought out a slice of a diner's Peppermint Patty Ice Cream cake.  That's right, Parm serves a different homemade ice cream cake every night.  As someone raised on Baskin Robbin's Ice Cream cake, I could barely contain my excitement.  The ice cream cake was layered with spearmint ice cream, mint ice cream and chocolate ice cream.  Each layer was separated by cookie crumbs and the cake was topped with candy cane crumbs.  The server recommending getting a bit of each layer on your fork, which was a great call.  The different chocolate and mint flavors together were incredible.

Willing to wait (forever) for a table?  Parm will make it worth your while,

Your foodie friend

Insider tip:  Do not go during usual dining hours unless you are willing to wait about an hour. Go for an early/late lunch or dinner to avoid the crowds.

Del Friscos Grille

Del Friscos is my favorite steak house in NYC.  In my (gasp) almost ten years in NYC, no other steak house has come close to unseating this establishment in my mind.  So when Del Friscos opened a more casual eatery, Del Friscos Grille, I was intrigued.  Looking for a post holiday shopping meal to re-energize, we decided to give Del Friscos Grille a shot.

The Del Friscos franchise consistently delivers delicious food and outstanding service.  Our experience at Del Friscos Grille was every bit as tasty while providing impeccable service (at a (relatively) lower price point) than Del Friscos.

Del Friscos Grille offers a large and diverse menu (meat, fish, chicken, etc...).  Also, the menu includes Del Friscos famous steaks for those unfortunate souls that had their hearts set on the original Del Friscos but failed to score a reservation. 

Unlike the bright white linens and fancy decor in the original Del Friscos, Del Friscos Grille is large and dark, setting the perfect tone for casual drinks with friends.  The service at the Grille, however, was just as good as the original.  Our server accommodated several item changes graciously.  Throughout our meal, she stopped by to check on us to ensure that we had a truly flawless experience.

Each dish we ordered was better than the next.  If possible, I would recommend going to Del Friscos Grille with a few people because there are plenty of items you will want to share. 

What to Eat:

Del Friscos Grille is not meant for the light eater.  Come hungry, very hungry.  Start with the Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls.  Despite my skepticism, the Asian influenced American classic somehow works.  The plate is drizzled (doused) in a sweet chile sauce which was a nod to the egg roll (even though the sweet chile sauce was appetizing, I personally prefer a cheesesteak with ketchup).  Regardless of the sauce, the prime meat and cheese mixture is the right balance of savory, so the rest is just dressing. Also, you'll be impressed that the egg roll isn't greasy/oily.



Since you are dining at the Grille, go with the Cheese Burger if you need more meat (I'm old school so if I want a steak, I'll wait until I have a reservation at the original Del Friscos).  The two thin hamburger patties are piled high with layers of cheese, lettuce, tomato and pickles.  Instead of ketchup and mustard, Del Frisco's smothers its cheeseburger with a "sloppy sauce," which is a delectable concoction of ketchup and mayonnaise.

The stand out for me at Del Frisco's Grille was the Roasted Tomato Flat Bread.  The bread crust is lightly seasoned with oregano and parmesan, and then topped with large chunks of freshly roasted tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves.  Shortly after I ordered, I noticed Del Frisco's Grille serves a burrata appetizer so I asked for the kitchen to swap out the mozzarella for the burrata.  The server ran (literally) back to the oven to have it changed in time.

Need a dinner/drinks spot to catch up with friends near 30 Rock? I know Del Friscos Grille will be my new go to spot in midtown,

Your foodie friend

Flex Mussels

I don't eat mussels.  I like most seafood but mussels aren't on my list.  You may be asking why I would go to Flex Mussels if I don't eat mussels (simple answer: Mitch loves mussels).  But most restaurants offer more than just what they are known for so we headed to Flex Mussels to celebrate Mitch's fish tank surviving Hurricane Sandy's power outage (the irony, I know).

Flex Mussels' uptown restaurant features a bar and counter area with about two dozen seats for walk ins.  The staff attempting to deliver food to the bar/counter patrons didn't mind those waiting for a seat clogging up their space (when I apologized for being in the way to several servers, all responded "no need to apologize").  The cocktail list is a bit limited but the wine list, by the bottle and glass, is inspiring and focuses on blends to compliment the seafood centric menu.

With dozens of mussel preparation options, Flex Mussels' is a mussel lover's paradise.  I found many appetizing sauces, such as the Bruschetta, featuring tomatoes, a bit of lobster, basil, etc...Out of curiosity, I asked our server if instead of mussels, I could have any other form of seafood (fish, scallops, shrimp, calamari, etc..).  He said he would need to check with the kitchen.  After a few minutes, he returned and informed me that a different seafood could be substituted and asked for my preference.  I went with shrimp and happily buzzed in my seat about my good fortunate.  About 5 minutes later, the server returned to inform me that instead of 25 mussels, I would receive 2 medium sized shrimp.  2!  I thought he was joking at first.  How could the kitchen serve an entree with 2 shrimp and expect a patron to be (1) happy and/or (2) full.  This was incredibly disappointing and a more than a bit ridiculous.  I ended up ordering the whole grilled fish instead.  I did not expect Flex Mussels to accommodate my request in the first place but they should have never agreed to do so by exchanging a pot full of mussels for 2 shrimp.  Instead, a simple "no" would work better.

As you will read further below, go light on the apps/entrees so you can go heavy on the desserts.  Unsurprisingly, the non-mussel dishes (desserts aside) are average so if you are not a mussels person, Flex Mussels isn't for you (unless you are going for wine and dessert, if you are, let me know, I'm in!).

What to Eat:

Order a side of truffle fries.  They offer regular fries as well but what's the point.  When you can have parmesan covered, truffle oil coated fries, there really is no other viable option.  The fries had the perfect balance of crispy to softer fry ratio.  The overflowing fries in the cone container managed to disappear (into our stomachs) instantaneously.

From the discussions with our neighbors, it seems like any of the mussels options are delectable.  Mitch chose the Chowder, which consisted of a rich butter, bacon, cream broth.  The large lobster chunks, which had been mixed in with the mussels, soaked up the flavor of the bacon flavored, creamy broth.

SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT.  This was the standout of the night.  Both desserts we ordered were exceptional and so save room to order both of them.  

We ordered the donuts, which are piped with various flavors, such as salted caramel, chocolate, etc...You can pick four different flavors from about one dozen choices.  Get the Smores (the donut prominently displayed in the pic).  I would actually get two of the Smores because the marshmellowy, chocolate center of the doughy fried sphere was nothing short of heaven.  Literally.  The donuts include a side of rich vanilla bean dipping sauce which goes well with the simpler donuts, like the cinnamon sugar donuts.

The other outstanding dessert was the Whoopie Pie.  Sadly this picture does not do it justice, I wish I took another shot once we cut it in half (but was too busy devouring it, surprise!).  The whoopie pie consists of layers of moist dark chocolate cake and cream cheese frosting.  It is then fried (which I think is unnecessary but it was easy to separate the fried outside shell from the rest of the dessert) and placed next to a scoop of espresso bean ice cream.  The moist chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting was nothing short of perfection.

Readers, you don't have to choose, order both!

Not a mussel lover?  Stick to the wine and dessert,

Your foodie friend

Neta

One of my favorite foodies came to town and since he was avoiding red meat, we thought we'd check out the West Village's new Japanese restaurant, Neta.  "Neta" is a Japanese word that translates to "fresh ingredients of sushi."  The chefs, formerly in charge of the kitchen at Masa, deliver fresh, inventive, delicious Japanese food.

Neta's lack of decor is actually a clever way to highlight the bustling open kitchen and the beautiful presentation of each dish.  The restaurant only holds a handful of tables but also offers about two dozen counter seats.  This is a terrific restaurant for an out of towner (or local, for that matter) dining alone.  The action in the open kitchen is more exciting than at least half the dates I went on before I met my husband.

Neta's entire menu is based on small plates so the restaurant recommends ordering 3-5 dishes per person.  Another option is the Omakase menu, which translates to "chef's choice."  The chef will choose 5 dishes based on seasonal ingredients (taking into consideration each diner's food allergies).  Each diner at the table, however, must order the Omakase menu.

Instead of restricting ourselves to trying 5 dishes, we opted to order a large portion of the menu and dine family style.  I recommend ordering family style instead of the Omakase menu at Neta because you can easily find more than 5 things you'll want to try (and acknowledging that I am somewhat of a control freak, I am a bit hesitant to relinquish my entire dining experience to a chef that does not know my personal food preferences).

Neta offers high end sake at affordable prices.  The sommelier is very knowledgeable and unless you have your heart set on an option, I would recommend consulting with him first.  The wine by the glass, while a bit less affordable, turned out to be a good value because the sommelier was heavy handed with each pour.

Our server was attentive and cheery, albeit a bit aggressive on pushing drinks (AND she "inadvertently" absconded my glass of Sancerre before I had finished it).  She did accurately guide us to the right amount of dishes for our party, which seems to be more of an art than a science.  I enjoyed the pace of the meal from the kitchen, which was impressively spread out despite how many plates we ordered (I find sometimes when you order small plates, the servers aggressively place the dishes on your table, resulting in rushed meal).  At Neta, there was never more than three dishes on the table.

What to Eat:

If they have it on the menu, order the Spicy Lobster, which was a special.  This dish is hot!  Despite my attempt to ask for it mild, it still came out HOT HOT HOT.  The lobster, served in the lobster claws, was wok fried with onions, asparagus, and green chiles.  If you like spicy food, this is a must.  I would consider ordering more than one for the table.

Also make sure to order the Duck & Foie, which will help reduce the level of heat from the spicy lobster.  The tender, braised duck strips and foie gras slices are mixed together in a hoisin sauce and then packed inside a crispy, celery shoot  (there is a fourth celery shoot missing from the picture because someone (you know who you are) jumped the gun when he saw hoisin sauce). 


Do not expect a large, round scoop of fried rice when you order Neta's Duck Rice (not pictured).  Neta's duck rice is presented as strips of braised duck, mixed with hoisen sauce and then piled high on top of white rice.  The beautiful presentation came second only to the savory taste of the dish.

The surprise hit of the night for me was the Schezuan Spiced Salmon, which was a creamy, salmon mixture piled onto a bed of white rice and then topped with crispy Bonita flakes.  This simple, cool temperatured dish is a nice change from the warmer dishes on the menu.

Because Neta is a Japanese restaurant with tons of fresh seafood option, order at least one sushi dish.  I would recommend only ordering one per person, however, so that you can enjoy all of the unique, cooked options on the menu.  My favorite sushi roll at Neta was the Dungeness Crab and Avocado Roll.  Despite the simplicity of this roll, it was the perfect way to end the meal.  The sweet crab meat did not contain any unnecessary filler, like mayonnaise or tempura.  The smooth and savory avocado was all that was needed to compliment the sweet shellfish.

Wondering which West Village hot spot will show up next?  Keep reading, the West Village is back on my radar,

Your foodie friend

Bell Book and Candle

For people into the organic food movement, I found your new favorite restaurant: Bell Book and Candle.  NYC has been battered by an early winter but I can promise you that everything about Bell Book and Candle will warm you up.  This West Village spot has a garden on its roof to grow many of its ingredients.  Bell Book and Candle's menu is high end comfort food and each dish we ordered was perfectly executed. 

One of the things I liked the most about the Bell Book and Candle was each staff member's refreshingly friendly attitude.  We showed up a bit late, "no problem", our party size changed, "no problem".  Each staff member (the hostess, server and busboy) was welcoming and engaging, which is somewhat rare in the West Village.  The entire meal was leisurely paced and after we paid our bill, the staff allowed us to linger at our table until we decided it was time to call it a night. 

The patrons in the bar area loudly clamor for the mixologist's attention because Bell Book and Candle features a fun cocktail menu.  That, and the restaurant is located in the basement and suffers from low ceilings. But what Bell Book and Candle lacks in height it more than makes up for in charm, food quality and service.

This is now one of my top 3 favorites in the West Village. I recommend securing a reservation to avoid feeling cramped in the bar area.

What to Eat:

Start with the House-Made Burrata.  Burrata (thankfully) has become more common on NYC menus.  Bell Book and Candle's burrata, however, is exceptional.  The creamy, gooey center of the large burrata "ball" happily explodes when cut in two halves and is surrounded by ripe, blistered tomatoes grown on the roof and picked earlier in the day.  Bell Book and Candle's burratta appetizer rivals any top NYC Italian restaurant's burrata.

For an entree, go with the Striped Bass.  The pan seared bass is placed on a bed of pureed sweet potato, mixed with carrots and peas.  Our server kindly swapped out the spinach for hericot verts which created a "raft" for the bass.  Despite numerous ingredients and spices on the plate, they all complemented each other.  The bass was a nice, lighter compliment to the heavier burrata appetizer (but if you want something heavier, try the short ribs).

Organic, locavore or neither and just in need of great eats?  Check out Bell Book and Candle for a date or a night out with friends,

Your foodie friend

Insider tip: if you are a party of 5 or less, ask for the semi-private room behind the bar.  There is a window so you can peer into the bar (and get the bartender's attention when you need it).  Despite being tucked away, the server (Bell Book and Candle's bartender) and the busboy stopped by frequently to check on us.  Also, because the room is somewhat sectioned off, it is a bit quieter than the rest of the restaurant.

Pera

As I mentioned earlier this year, the area around Grand Central has tons of restaurants, but very few good restaurants.  After happily devouring lunch at Pera a few times (opt for the ground lamb wrap with seasoned fries, the wraps are only available at lunch), I decided to return for dinner.

Let's start with the good:

The hostess was incredibly kind and let me charge my phone (and check it frequently) at her station.  The rest of the staff (understaffed as a result of post Sandy transportation issues) was friendly and as attentive as possible given their ratio of staff to patrons.

Also, I like the ambiance and decor.  The modern decor is largely devoid of Turkish influences but the open kitchen in the back of the dining room is fun to watch.  The lounge area in the front of the dining room is lined with comfy couches that allow you to melt into while escaping a chilly winter night with much needed wine (a 2 hour drive to Spanish Harlem to get battery powered oxygen thingys, no power and no water=excuse to guzzle wine). 

Finally, Pera features an eclectic wine menu with tasty wine by the glass from all over the world.  The bartender (patiently) allowed us to sample a few wines before making our decisions, which we enjoyed and requested seconds. 

Now to the bad:

The food.  It's just not very good.  Which is surprising because I LOVED their lunch wraps.

When the best dish of the night is the side of fries, it is probably an indication that the restaurant isn't up to snuff.  The short ribs were tough and tasted like tri tip.  The fish didn't smell or taste very fresh.

Pera considers itself a high end restaurant and charges its patrons accordingly.  Unfortunately, there is nothing high end about the food quality or taste.

Pera works for lunch if you stick to the wraps and fries and it also works for after work drinks but don't subject your palate (or wallet) to the food around dinner time.

Any interest in restaurant review posts from my travels?  Let me know and if there is enough interest, I will start covering restaurants from all over (starting with LA!),

Your foodie friend

Boukies

Pylos, previously reviewed (http://forthefoodieinallofus.blogspot.com/2012/07/pylos.html), recently opened a trendy sister restaurant on the Lower East Side called Boukies.   My fellow Greek food lovers decided to check it out to celebrate Fara's birthday.

Like most sisters, there are similarities and differences between the two restaurants.  Boukies is a fun place to start your night (and gives you a solid base so that you aren't drinking on an empty stomach the rest of the night) while Pylos is better suited for a dinner date or a quiet night to catch up with a friend.   The food at Boukies, however, is just as good.  While the menus differ slightly, many of the Greek staples remain.

Similar to Pylos, Boukies' wine menu only features Greek wine.  Since I am wholly unfamiliar with Greek wine, I told the server what I liked and placed my fate in his hands. The server did a terrific job matching our wine preferences, and we happily depleted the bottle.  Boukies' wine list featured dozens of Greek reds and whites, several under $50.

While we had a hiccup or two during our meal, overall Boukies is worth a return visit.  I loved everything we ordered and there were several additional dishes I would go back to try.  The only two disappointments of the night were relatively minor.  Boukies offers a dip (white bean, eggplant, a mixture perhaps?) that I found disappointing.  The flavor was off and whatever the concoction was made of needs to be revamped so that it is identifiable.  Also, it was served with a French bread.  French bread? At a Greek restaurant?  Diners are at Greek restaurants for pita.

Also, a large party was seated immediately behind us shortly after we ordered our dinner, which resulted in a 45 minute gap between our appetizer and entree.  Our server came by after awhile to assure us the food would arrive soon and it didn't, so we asked again and received the same refrain.  The maitre d' had been walking around the restaurant earlier in the night and asked how things were going while we were enjoying our appetizers. When I found him later in the evening, I told him we were still waiting for our entrees.  He simply blamed it on the large party behind us.  And that was it.  He should have sent over a round of drinks or an app that could come out of the kitchen quickly.  It made me question his earlier "interest" in our evening.  It apparently was a cursory question, backed up with no follow up, which defeated the purpose of asking the question.  His pretending to care was disappointing and disingenuous.

Putting these hiccups aside, we thoroughly enjoyed the food, wine, and ambiance.   I would recommend ordering family style because you will want to try several appetizers and can easier share an entree.

The dessert menu at Boukies is very limited so we planned on going somewhere else for dessert but our server surprised us with a dessert on our way out to apologize for the delay (I had told the hostess that it was Fara's birthday in case we ordered a dessert).  It was a nice gesture, but the better move would have been to address the problem when it occurred.

What to Eat:

Start with the Spanakopeda.  This traditional triangular Greek appetizer was happily piled on a plate for us to devour.  The four fried triangles of phylo dough are packed with spinach and feta cheese.  The Greek delicacy wasn't greasy and is dangerously addictive. 












Also, order the Shrimp Saganaki.  The three jumbo shrimp (with heads!) are tossed in a slightly creamy feta, oregano, and tomato sauce.   I would love this dish as an entree with a side of orzo.

For your last app, go with the Braised Lamb Sandwich.  We were debating whether to get this, and if we didn't, we would have missed the best dish of the night.  This is essentially an osso buco sandwich, filled with tender, marinated lamb in warm, fresh, soft Italian bread.   There are two small sandwiches so plan on one order for every two people (although I would have happily finished it myself).

For an entree, opt for one of Boukies fresh, grilled whole fish.  With all of the cheese and heavier dishes earlier in the night, the fish is a nice, lighter contrast.  Boukies typically orders several fish (snapper, branzino, etc...) each evening.  We went with the Branzino and happily received sauteed green beans instead of broccoli rabe.  The dish was also accompanied by slices of lemon potatoes, another Greek staple.

Looking to start your night out with a Greek smorgasbord?  Boukies is the perfect new group birthday dinner spot,

Your foodie friend

North End Grill

I find it strange that there is a street called "North End" at the southern tip of Manhattan.  But that was the only strange thing about our experience at the North End Grill.  With a client turned friend in town, we headed down to Zagat's "best newcomer of 2012."

North End Grill spent the larger part of the year on my list because I needed the right diners to join me: seafood lovers who can handle the heat.  Tabla's closing was restaurateur Danny Meyer's windfall because Meyer scooped up the acclaimed Floyd Cardoz.  Cardoz was born in India but trained in Europe so he is accustomed to incorporating Indian flavors, like cumin and curry leaves, into different types of food.

Meyer and Cardoz took their surroundings, namely the Hudson River, as inspiration for the menu.  The majority of the menu is pulled from the sea...and spicy.  A different type of fish, namely Goldman Sachs traders, must have inspired the wall of Scotches in the bar.

North End Grill's dining room decor is modern chic, which is fun for modernists and boring for everyone else.  The service was nearly perfect.  The servers and busboys buzzed around the restaurant with what appeared to be a Xanax induced happiness.  Our meal was evenly paced and our water (and wine ;)) glasses were frequently replenished.  Speaking of wine, North End Grill's wine menu offered selections from several regions and at a wide range of price points, offering items for the average diner and the expense account diner. 

Overall, our experience at North End Grill was top notch.  While I preferred some dishes over others, I did not have a single complaint for the night.  I always say in life, you get what you pay for, so be prepared to come with a credit card and equally prepared to leave with a smile. 


What to Eat:

Start with the Soft Scrambled Eggs with Ruby Red Shrimp on Grilled Whole Wheat Bread.  The creamy, slow cooked eggs are mixed with large, fresh shrimp and piled high over toasted whole wheat bread.  This was hands down the best appetizer we ordered (we tried several) and a must.  Also, this dish is not spicy at all so for someone looking for a mild dish, this is a good option.

For entrees, I'll offer up a shellfish and fish option because both were fantastic and it is hard to pick one over the other.  For shellfish lovers, go with the Seared Scallops with Pole Beans and Coconut Curry.  The four jumbo scallops are perfectly seared and tasted like they were caught earlier that morning.  I loved the contrast of the textures in the dish: crunchy pole beans versus smooth scallops. Be warned, the coconut curry gives of a slow heat so make sure to pick a side that will temper it.

If you do not like shellfish, order the Halibut with Grilled Cauliflower and Cider Jus.  The light halibut falls apart in delicate slices and is nicely contrasted by a spicy seasoning.  The buttery, mashed cauliflower will be your key to balancing the heat in your mouth. 












For sides, go with the Grilled Sweet Corn and Red Onions. The caramelized red onions jazz up an otherwise simple dish.  The corn season is ending shortly and spoonfuls of this side will make you nostalgic for the warm weather we won't feel for months.

Also, I liked the flavor of the Trice Spiced Fries but they were over cooked for me.  Usually, you get a mix of crispy fries and mushier fries.  I know people fall into two camps when it comes to fries: crispy lovers and mushy lovers.  I prefer the later.  The fries at North End Grill all arrived very crispy.  So if you are into crispy fries, pick this side because the Indian spices are fantastic.






Save room for dessert if you can.  I poked my head in the dessert station and asked the women putting the finishing touches on desserts to recommend a few.  I went with one of her suggestions, the Salt Honey Bread Pudding with Roasted Apples, Pecans and Buttermilk Sherbet.  The slightly salty and sweet spongy bread brings your mouth back to a cool temperature while the roasted apples and pecans remind you that fall is here (and fleeting!).  After an evening of exciting spices, this was the perfect way to end the night.

Skip:

The clam pizza and the crab and avocado salad.  The crab and avocado salad was deconstructed, which made the dish seem like it was trying to hard. Creative? Kind of.  Satisfying? Not really.  The clam pizza had a nice doughy consistency but the flavor was lackluster compared to the other items we ordered.

Best newcomer of 2012? Only if you can handle the heat,

Your foodie friend

Insider tip: North End Grill features a state of the art open kitchen.  If you are dining alone, snag a seat along the kitchen counter for entertainment.

Prandial

I found Prandial on a recent neighborhood stroll.  Prandial's menu made me stop but the living room bar area had me sold.  The comfy leather couches looked like the perfect escape to a rainy afternoon. 

After perusing Prandial's wine menu, we settled on a bottle of Domaine Andre Neveu's Sancerre.   Unfortunately, the bottle had not been chilled so we had to wait 20 minutes for our wine. Luckily, the satisfying crisp white wine was worth the wait.

The menu at Prandial applies French culinary techniques to American ingredients, resulting in a familiar yet distinctly different dining experience. Because Prandial's menu focuses on American ingredients, there is something for everyone here (picky eaters, try to prove me wrong).  But make no mistake, not all dishes are created equally.  We had a fantastic experience at Prandial: great food, great wine, great service and cool decor.  I hope this restaurant finds a way to bring in patrons (we went on a Monday night and it was rather empty).

What to Eat:

Start with the Seasonal Soup, which was a dairy free, root vegetable blend finished with a pesto drizzle.  I don't know how it is possible this rich soup was dairy free because it was very creamy.  I tend to shy away from soup at dinner but Prandial's root vegetable soup was the standout appetizer of the night.  I plan on returning to Prandial for the root vegetable soup to warm me up on a cold, rainy NYC afternoon.








For an entree, go with the Duck Two Ways (the name is a bit of a misnomer because there is nothing "two ways" about it).  The tender slices of duck lay on a bed of bokchoy and are surrounded by a decadent pomegranate jus (don't forget to dunk your French bread in the pomegranate jus).  The plate also includes broccoli puree (delish) and a potato tower (tasteless and boring).  The duck is not a large portion but when combined with the hearty root vegetable soup, you will find yourself just shy of full. 









Which is perfect because you need to save room for dessert.  While the server recommended a few options, I went with my gut, the Chocolate Caramel Torte. The old adage never fails, trust your gut.  The chocolate shell is piled high with homemade gooey caramel and is accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a raspberry sauce.

Looking to impress your dinner date?  Prandial is still under the radar so it's easy to grab a reservation,

Your foodie friend

Insider tip: skip the sides, they were lackluster and unnecessary because the entrees include similar sides.

Amelie

 I love when a restaurant has staff that is actually from the same country as the food.  When you walk into Amelie, you are greeted by a French manager and if you sit at the bar, you are served by a French bartender.  Needless to say, a few minutes into my entrance, Amelie was off to a good start.

Amelie features an impressive selection of quality wines by the glass.  While seated at the bar, the bartender allowed us to sample several different sparkling wine options before committing to our own preferred glass  (a drier sparkling wine for me and a sweeter sparkling wine for Mitch). 

After our friends arrived, we were seated by the charming French manager and then largely ignored by our server, which I barely noticed for at first because I was too busy sipping my sparkling wine and perusing the menu.  After a ridiculously long period of time passed, we succeeded in tracking down our server.  Once we found him, he was attentive (by European standards, not so much by American standards) the rest of the night.  We all had different wine preferences so our server made suggestions and brought out samples.  He did an impressive job matching our preferences and finding glasses of wine that complimented the food.

Our server overheard us talking to our friends about our one year anniversary celebration and surprised our table with a complimentary round of Cava to continue the celebration.  We truly enjoyed our evening at Amelie (free Cava aside).  Amelie is a great spot for a small group of people (four or less because the restaurant is narrow and has limited seating) or a date night. 

What to Eat:

Start with the Pistachio Crusted Goat Cheese.  The large, round sphere of decadent goat cheese is rolled in chopped pistachio nuts and then lightly doused in honey.  As if that isn't heavenly enough, the goat cheese is accompanied by a generous serving of sweet, caramelized onions.  The dish includes a few slices of lightly toasted French bread but you will want and need more bread so make sure to ask your server to refill your bread basket.  Amelie's fresh French bread tastes buttery (without putting butter on it).  The sweet and savory contrasts in this one dish are top notch.  This is one of the best cheese appetizers I have had in NYC AND it is large enough to share.






For an entree, we tried to order the Trout but the dish was sold out so instead we went with the Skate, a special.  Amelie does fish well.  Amelie's skate was light and slightly buttery, a nice contrast to the heavier goat cheese appetizer.  The skate was topped with sauteed garlic, tomatoes, and potatoes and sat on top of a bed of hericot verts.  I liked it so much I'm making it for dinner tonight!  I've never cooked with skate but I found this dish inspiring.

Need a wine bar to help keep you warm?  I'm still day dreaming about the Pistachio Crusted Goat Cheese,

Your foodie friend

Insider tip: skip the Tuna Tartare, called it average is a generous statement.  

Raymi

I'm a fan of Richard Sandoval's Latin/Asian fusion restaurant Zengo (stay tuned for a review) so when I heard he opened a Peruvian restaurant a few blocks from my apartment, I added it to my list.  Raymi is located in the old Nuela location on 24th street in the Flat Iron district.  Restaurant after restaurant has failed in this large, lofty space.  By the end of the meal, however, I was convinced that the landlord finally found a survivor.

Raymi's high ceilings give the dining room a spacious feel even though there are only a few dozen tables in the front dining room.  The back dining room area was occupied by a private party (this would be a fun office holiday party spot) so we were unable to see the remainder of the restaurant.  My mother-in-law was quite impressed with the bathrooms downstairs, which created a zen like atmosphere and offered individual unisex stalls (direct quote "I feel like I'm at the spa!").

Raymi's menu is large, offering dozens of small plate options and then a handful of entrees.  Your temptation might be to stick to the small plates but you will be rewarded with impressive dishes if you order the entrees as well. 

The wine list features mostly South American wines but I did spot one Italian gem, Avignonesi.  We visited Avignonesi's vineyard in Tuscany for a breathtaking and decadent four course meal and wine pairing a few years ago so I have a hard time passing it up when I spot it at a NYC restaurant.  Avignonesi's full body red was a perfect compliment to Raymi's fried appetizers and duck entree.

After we ordered, a (literally) overflowing bowl of lightly salted plantain chips and a buttery dipping sauce arrived on our table.  The plantain chips were perfectly prepared and virtually grease free.  While we did not order any of the ceviche appetizers, we did receive a complimentary ceviche amuse bouche with mixed seafood, delicious!

What to Eat:

Every once in awhile, my camera phone decides not to cooperate.  On this night, it failed to capture my favorite dish, the Peruvian Corn Cake.  So readers, you will just have to take my word for it: you cannot leave Raymi without eating this dish.  Our table shared appetizers and if I could have, I would have kept this one to myself.  This sweet corn dish makes me yearn to take a South American cooking class (or to adopt a South American grandmother).  

Raymi's Corn Empanadas was another outstanding appetizer.  These warm, hearty, fried dough pockets are filled with mozzarella cheese, cilantro and a touch of chile pepper (there is a garlicky chimichurri dipping sauce on the side).  The appetizer comes with three empanadas but the server astutely noticed we were a party of four and asked if we would prefer four servings. 




Which leads me to a side note on the service.  The staff was engaging without being overbearing and all the dishes arrived correctly and at the appropriate time (I know, something that should be a given but fails to happen quite often).

For an Entree, go with Raymi's two rice dishes.  The sauces and preparation are vastly different.  The Arroz con Pato is a large bowl of rice, mixed with scallions, carrots and small chunks of duck.  Crispy duck slices lay on top of the mound of creamy rice.  The Arroz con Pato is a savory twist on the traditional (and sometimes boring) South American staple Arroz con Pollo.





The Arroz Con Mariscos is the sexy, slightly spicy rice dish on Raymi's menu.  The Peruvian red pepper based rice dish was practically overflowing with seafood.  Your fork could not enter the rice bowl without hitting a shrimp, scallop, mussel or octopus.   Don't choose between the the two rice dishes readers, go with enough people so you can try them both!





There are desserts of every genre at Raymi (creamy desserts, chocolately desserts, fried desserts, etc...) so we decided to try the donuts, rice pudding and the Lucuma.  The Lucuma, a deconstructed banana split, was by far my favorite but to be fair, the rice pudding was also a big hit at our table.  Back to the Lucuma, I enjoyed piecing together the different flavors on the plate to emphasis each ingredient, like the caramelized banana and the rich chips of chocolate.  Sometimes a deconstructed dessert feels chinsy but after sharing several small plates and entrees, Raymi's deconstructed banana split was the right amount of dessert to finish off the night.

Need a trendy looking restaurant without the trendy attitude?  Snag a table at Raymi,

Your foodie friend

Insider tip: Make a reservation through savored.com and save 30%.  Savored recently dropped the $10 reservation requirement so it's even more of a steal!

Ilili

Ilili first caught my eye at Madison Square Eats, a food festival adjacent to Madison Square Park.  I look forward to Madison Square Eats every spring because it brings together food from restaurants all over NYC and Brooklyn.  Ilili has become a staple at Madison Square Eats, offerings delicious shwarma, which sells out early every day.  After devouring my initial taste of Ilili, I added the restaurant to my list.  Ilili patiently waited its turn on my list until my Mediterranean food craving came back.

We sampled several dishes, most of which were sensational.  The wine menu featured an impressive international selection at a wide range of price points while the cocktail menu offered interesting twists on tried and true standards.  If you like spicy, go for the Strawberry Margarita, which features a pepper tequila.  If you don't like spicy, the drink is still excellent with good old Patron Silver.

The service was attentive and while we didn't agree with our server's statement that the grape leaves were excellent, I appreciated his honesty when we asked which was better, the duck shawarma or the lamb chops.  The lamb chops cost twice as much and many servers would say the lamb chops to rack up the bill.  But our server held steadfast to the duck shawarma and he was dead on. 

Something to keep in mind when ordering your apps is that the server brings out a complimentary yogurt dip with pita chips.

What to Eat:

The hummus at Ilili comes with a few potential mix ins like lamb, pine nuts and shrimp.  Go with the lamb mix in if you can handle a heavy lamb taste.  The small, soft pita pillows are addictive, readers, you've been warned.

The Duck Shawarma is a must.  Two doughy pita cones are filled with strips of marinated duck, fig puree, garlic whip (which is a type of light, garlicky, mayonnaise), and pomegranate seeds.  There are so many incredible and different flavors and they all compliment each other.  I could come back here weekly for a cocktail and their duck shawarma.






I "mistakenly" ordered the Loup de Mar without realizing it was insanely (over) priced.  While the fish was large enough to qualify for almost two entrees, $80 for a whole white fish is outrageous.  Was it flaky, light and delicious? Yes.  Worth $80? No.  If I wasn't so distracted by my cocktail, I probably would have noticed the price tag and picked a different fish option (there were several).

Looking for great small plates and drinks in the Flat Iron? Ilili is a the perfect place for a group get together,

Your foodie friend

Insider tip: The Madison Square Eats food festival is going on now for the next few weeks so check it out!

The National

Ravenous (yet again) and in search of sustenance near Grand Central, I decided to give The National a try. I had been eyeing the restaurant for about six months when a Blackboard Eats coupon arrived in my inbox for The National.  The National receives very mixed reviews despite it's famous chef Geoffrey Zakarian.

The National feels like someone stole a Parisian neighborhood bistro and transplanted it into bustling midtown NYC.  After a long day, it was rewarding to slide into the soft,  wide leather seats.  Equally rewarding is the wine menu, with reasonably priced wine and bubbly from all over. The wide range of dishes on the Nuevo American inspired menu ensures there is something for everyone.

The server kindly granted our requests to refill the fresh bread basket, noting our favorites and bringing back only the bread varieties we preferred.  Even though I have heard grumbling about the service at The National, I thought our service was attentive and friendly.  I asked for the chorizo and bacon in our dishes on the side and the server obliged with a smile. 

Zakarian successfully uses familiar ingredients, like scallops, and morphs them into a beautifully presented, unique tasting dish.  Also, the split dining room affords a choice between dining in a trendy, loud room or a more laid back, quieter room. 

What to Eat:

Diver Scallops.  The succulent diver scallops are marinated in a light onion broth and topped with fennel and bacon (the bacon is on the side in this pic).  The scallops were incredible fresh and tender.  This dish is perfect with a glass of wine if you are looking for something quick and light.





Grilled Octopus

Another fantastic quick and light option is the octopus.  The octopus is surrounded by a few interesting ingredients, like pickled celery and piperade.  The piperade, a Basque sauce combining pureed peppers, onions and tomatoes, along with the beans and chorizo (also on the side here), created a Mexican fiesta in my mouth.



 
Get there early because by the time we arrived at 9pm, the restaurant was out of their well known "Ugly Burger".  None of the entrees we ordered stood out as exceptional so I can't recommend one but if I go back, I would probably pick a special or the Halibut. 

Looking for a spot to meet someone for drinks and appetizers before catching a train back to suburbia?  The National is worth a detour,

 Your foodie friend

La Mar

La Mar is located in the old Tabla space.  Tabla was a fun impromptu date night for my husband and I years ago so it is somewhat nostalgic going back to the location, even though the decor downstairs has drastically changed.  The bar area on the main floor snapped me out of my revery with the bright blue colors, Latin music and lively atmosphere.

The upstairs dining room is elegant, with a large hole in the middle that is decorated with hanging strands while the downstairs bar is more lively and evokes an aquatic theme. 

I didn't have any interest in trying La Mar.  I had heard from others that it was overpriced, average Peruvian food.  There have been grumblings in the blogosphere that famous chef Gaston Acurio over extended himself by introducing the restaurant to a handful of cities.  But when I'm wrong, I'm wrong.  I admit I was wrong.  The food was terrific, albeit pricey. 

La Mar is known for its ceviche but I was in the mood for something heavier so we passed on the ceviche.  The menu is huge and places an emphasis on small plates so La Mar would be a great place to go with a small group and share dishes.


Initially, I was frustrated with the service.  I had to ask 3 times and wait over 10 minutes for a glass of water.  Our server, however, was very patient with all of our menu questions and substitutions so despite the early hiccup, I can't give the service an F.

For beverages, skip the wine menu (which is largely South American and lackluster at best) and go with the Latin inspired cocktails. 



After placing your order, you are presented with an overflowing tin of fried plantains and a buttery aoli dipping sauce.  The plantains weren't greasy and fried just enough to give them a nice crisp.  You will be hard pressed to stop yourself from finishing the tin.

What to Eat:

This picture does not do the Choclo justice (the round cake in the middle).  Even if you order ceviche, someone at the table must order this dish.  Choclo is a corn cake type dish that is sweet and hearty.  La Mar's Choclo was the best choclo I have had since visiting Colombia a few years ago.  The plate was decorate with farm fresh cherry tomatoes and thick Peruvian choclo kernels.

For your entree, order the Lomo Saltado, a juicy hanger steak with fried fingerling potatoes.  The hanger steak was a little tough but the flavor made up for the effort.  I liked the fried quail egg on top and the side of slightly sweet, sticky rice.

Visiting NYC on an expense account and looking for a Latin treat? Check out La Mar,

Your foodie friend

Insider tip: La Mar extended their restaurant week menu (price fix $35) through the end of September!