Sunday March 28th, 2010
2pm
31-86 37 Street
A friend told me about a Croatian food and wine pairing at their favorite wine bar, Winegasm. I was intrigued, and at the cost of $45 for a 6 course pairing, couldn’t think of a better way to spend (yet another) rain soaked Sunday. Taking the train from lower Manhattan to Astoria should speak to the fact that it’s a great neighborhood gem. A long high-top communal table separates the bar from a few private tables, and in warmer weather the wall opens out to sidewalk seating. The owners are very knowledgeable and friendly, and the tastings are laid back. It feels like you’ve been invited to someone’s home for the afternoon. Rather than listening to someone speak about what you’re eating and drinking, each course was introduced briefly with the focus on enjoying. The wine was from the portfolios of Oenocentric and Vinum USA and the food was prepared by the owner’s mother – and nothing is better than “mom” food on a Sunday.

First Course:

• “Bakalar” – Adriatic cheese, prosciutto, and olive platter
• Wine: Toljanić Žlahtina 2008

Second Course:

• Octopus salad with potatoes
• Wine: Zlatan Hvar Pošip/Maraština Blend 2008

Third Course:

• Black squid ink risotto
• Wine: Bibich Debit 2008

Fourth Course:

• Ćevapi” - Lamb/Pork/Beef grilled sausage served with pita and red pepper tapenade
• Wine: Bibich Riserva Babich/Lasin/Plavina Blend 2006

Fifth Course:

• “Fuži” with veal sauce – Istrian bow tie pasta
• Wine: Lirica Plavac Mali 2007

Dessert:

• “Palačinke” and “Fritule” – carmel filled crêpe, bread dough fritters with powdered sugar
• Wine: Kozlović Muškat 2006

GOOD FOR: WINE BAR, WINE TASTINGS, CLASSES, DATE NIGHT, SMALL GROUPS, OUTDOOR SEATING, SMALL PLATES

Wednesday March 24, 2010
9pm
11 West 31st Street

The name says it all – wine and chocolate – but add in my third weakness, cheese, and this is easily one of my favorite places in NYC. The only downside is Ayza is a little geographically undesirable, situated in the odd nexus just between Midtown and Gramercy. The Wine Dutchess and I were in the area for a networking event and decided to stop in. The menu features cheese and charcuterie, salads, soups, panini, small plates, and  Jacques Torres chocolates alongside the regular dessert menu. The wine list by the glass isn’t very extensive but they do offer the option of a flight of red or whites. We were able to get a table outside, and even though the heaters were still going it was nice to be al fresco again.

Wine

• Cabernet Sauvignon, USA Heller, Organic, 2006

Cheese

• Manchego, Valdeon and Bucheron served with fresh berries, caper berries and guava paste

GOOD FOR: THE TRIFECTA OF WINE/CHEESE/CHOCOLATE, DATE NIGHT, SMALL GROUPS, OUTDOOR SEATING, PRIX-FIXE LUNCH

Tuesday March 23, 2010
9pm
137 Avenue C

Whenever someone mentions the Sunburnt Cow I have hazy images of  going once for the “unlimited brunch” (aka drunk brunch). But tonight the group was going for dinner to take advantage of the $18 3 course prix-fixe. The vibe is mostly a bar scene, but there are a few tables in the back of the bar and a separate back room that’s open during weekend brunch rush. It was another rainy night in the City and our group took up two of the four tables in the back. Some of the more unique winter menu items include a Kangaroo Shepard’s Pie, Shark Pesto Pasta and Wild Boar Spare Ribs. There’s also a fun specialty drink list with 5 different kinds of “moo juice” to keep with the theme. If you’re feeling adventurous, they have a $20/2 hour happy hour.

Dinner

• Appetizer – Calamari
• Entree – Lamb burger with eggplant chutney and cucumber yogurt
• Dessert – Fruit Pavlova and the table shared a Lamington (both were good, but the lamington was my favorite)

GOOD FOR: HAPPY HOUR, PRIX-FIXE, UNLIMITED BRUNCH, AUSTRALIAN CUISINE, COCKTAILS, GROUPS

Tuesday March 23, 2010
12:45pm
66 Pearl Street

I ventured out for a salad and noticed that FIKA had opened on Pearl Street. Curious, I stepped inside to the minimalist interior to place my order. The menu features classic Swedish dishes (shrimp salad, gravlax, meatballs), along with salads and sandwiches. They also carry truffles and pastries along with a coffee bar, as the name implies. The prices are a bit high for lunch, my salad ended up costing $14 because I added chicken to it – which ended up looking better than it tasted. Next time I’ll be ordering coffee … and a truffle.

Lunch

• Pear & Walnut Salad – blue cheese, roasted walnuts (skipped and added chicken), pear, cherry tomatoes, radish

GOOD FOR: COFFEE, TRUFFLES, INFORMAL MEETING

March 18^th 2009

Spring is in the air!  The temperature has been flirting with 70 degrees the past few days and spending St. Patrick’s Day outdoors on Stone Street made me think of summertime. Since I can never think of places when put on the spot here’s a running list of outdoor dining and drinking in Lower Manhattan (Battery Park, FiDi, Stone Street, Tribeca and the Seaport) to refer to. Please leave a comment if I’ve inadvertently left anyplace off – and if you like this post please add the Downtown Gourmand to your blogroll!

WFC

• Ciao Bella Gelato - 2 World Financial Center
• PJ Clarke’s on the Hudson - 4 World Financial Center
• SouthWest NY - 2 World Financial Center

FiDi

• Cipriani Club 55 - 55 Wall Street
• Harry’s Italian Pizza Bar - 2 Gold Street
• Financier - 35 Cedar Street
• Merchants NY Café - 90 Washington Street
• Picnick, Smoked (lunchtime only) - Corner of Wall Street and South Street
• Suspender’s - 111 Broadway
• Zeytuna (lunchtime only) - 59 Maiden Lane
• Zigolini’s - 66 Pearl Street

Stone Street

• Adrienne’s Pizza Bar - 54 Stone Street
• Beckett’s - 81 Pearl Street
• Burger Burger - 77 Pearl Street
• The Dubliner - 45 Stone Street
• Mad Dog and Beans - 83 Pearl Street
• Smorgas Chef - 53 Stone Street
• Stone Street Tavern - 52 Stone Street
• Ulysses - 58 Stone Steet/95 Pearl Street
• The Vintry - 57 Stone Street
• Waterstone Grill - 79 Pearl Street

Battery Park

• Battery Gardens - 17 State Street
• Gigino (Wagner Park) - 323 Greenwich Street
• Inatteso Pizza Bar - 28 West Street
• Kaijou - 21 South End Avenue
• Liberty View - 21 South End Avenue
• Picnick - East of Castle Clinton in the Battery Bosque
• Steamers Landing - 375 South End Avenue

TriBeCa

(NOTE: Marc Forgione, fka FORGE was intentially left off of this list due to an inexcusable brunch experience involving cold eggs benedict with a price of $22)

• Bubby’s - 120 Hudson Street
• Centrico - 211 West Broadway
• Cercle Rouge French Bistro - 241 West Broadway
• Cosmopolitan Café - 95 West Broadway
• Edward’s - 136 West Broadway
• Flor del Sol - 361 Greenwich Street
• Industria Argentian - 329 Greenwich Street
• Trattoria Cinque - 363 Greenwich Street

Seaport Area

• Acqua at Peck Slip - 257 Water Street at Peck Slip
• Barbarini Alimentari - 225 Front Street
• Fresh Salt - 146 Beekman Street
• Meade’s - 22 Peck Slip
• Nelson Blue - 36 Peck Slip
• Salud - 142 Beekman Street
• SUteiShi - 24 Peck Slip

Wednesday March 17, 2010
1:45pm
76 Fulton Street

In anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day festivities planned later in the evening I thought it might be wise to have a good lunch. The Country Kebab is a tiny carry out (with limited seating) Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant on Fulton Street. The food is fresh, authentic and reasonably priced for the FiDi.  There’s a great selection of all the classic vegetarian dishes (such as hummus, tabouleh, babaganoush and falafel) but they also serve lamb, chicken and fish options. They also serve a variety of soup (my favorites are the butternut squash or lentil) and a daily hot food selection.

Lunch (enough left over for another meal/snack)

• Chicken kebab platter – served with a warm pita, spicy red sauce, white sauce and a choice of 3 sides
• Sides –  2 stuffed grape leaves, hummus and Shepherd’s salad (cucumber, tomato, feta, red onion and parsley in fresh lemon juice and olive oil)

Good for: Cheap Eats, Lunch, Carry Out, Delivery

Tuesday March 16, 2010
11pm
349 Broome Street

After dinner I wanted to take advantage of the proximity to Bowery and suggested drinks at The Randolph. The ATM machine next to a dark wooden door (a recurring theme of the night) is the only indication of an entrance, so it should come as no surprise it was started by Milk & Honey alum. It’s fairly low-key on a Tuesday night but on the weekends it packs a good crowd. The space is fairly small with seating at the bar or at one of the few booths along the far wall. The cocktail menu changes seasonally or you can have the bartender craft a drink for you. I opted for both and the bartender liked “my” drink so much  (I only hinted that I liked ginger) that he wrote down the recipe and with the intention of adding it to the menu.

Spring Cocktail Menu

• Castaway - Gin, mint, cucumber, ginger, fresh lemon

Bartender’s Choice

• (Name TBD) –  Gin, Grapefruit Juice, Bitters, Honey, Ginger, Topped with Champagne

Good for: Cocktails, Pre or Post dinner drinks, Small groups, Date night, late night

Tuesday March 16, 2010
8pm
95 Allen Street (at Broome Street)

I don’t usually frequent many Italian restaurants since I tend to cook a lot of Italian food at home. When given the opportunity to select the restaurant for the night  it was time to delve into the  “list”. Sorella seemed promising – located in the LES and a little off the radar – the menu piqued my interested with small plates and a nice selection of wine. The restaurant isn’t on OpenTable so you’ll need to call ahead for a reservation (the dining room only seats about 20), or grab a seat at the bar or the communal table in the front. It should be noted that 95 Allen Street shares the same address as a residential apartment building, just look for the dark wooden door, dim lighting, and namesake signage (right next to the red graffiti door). The service was attentive, the food was well done in flavor and presentation, and the atmosphere was intimate with a laid back vibe.

Dinner (shared)

1^st course

• Hearst Ranch Beef Carne Cruda - cavalo nero, parmesan, lemon aioli, crispy shallots
• Gnocchi - cream sauce, brown butter pears, chives

2^nd course

• Beet Risotto - with prosiutto
• Agnolotti - beef, parmesan, sage butter

Wine Pairing:

• Garbay Rosé

Desert

• Chocolate Cheesecake – served with a hazelenut crisp and a thin chocolate coating

Good for: date night, small plates, wine, small groups

Saturday March 13, 2010
6:15pm
52 Stone Street

It was a wash-out of a weekend and my plans with the Wine Dutchess to go to a gallery opening in Brooklyn were quickly replaced with an evening closer to home. Vintry Wine & Whiskey opened last November and proved to be a nice addition to Stone Street. Maybe it was the rain falling on the empty cobble stone street, but the Vintry had a warm, sultry feel as I walked by the large window and peered into the bar. The interior is dark wood, the walls are lined with mirrors and candles flicker on each table.

Upon arrival, the waitress took our soaked umbrellas and hung our coats, which I thought was a nice touch. She was very knowledgeable of the menu, made great recommendations and was very attentive. The wine list is extensive but not overwhelming, and you can order a 2 ounce taste, a 5 ounce glass, or a full bottle of every wine. There’s also a creative cocktail list, and of course a large whiskey selection as the name would imply. Perhaps it was due to the good company, but I really enjoyed this bar. It was welcoming, unpretentious, and a nice alternative to the pubs in the area.

Wine Tasting:

Charcuterie:

• Bresaola
• Iberico ham
• Proscuitto
• Served with a relish tray of cornichons and mustard

Cheese (2 plates, 3 per plate):

• Valdeon (creamy blue, Spain)
• Cypress grove humboldt fog (goat’s milk, California)
• Sartori stravecchio (parmesan style, Wisconsin)
• Roncal (sheep’s milk, Spain)
• Fontina val d’aosta (cow’s milk, Italy)
• Tomme crayeuse (cow’s milk, France)
• Served with a relish tray of apricot compote, pickled onions and and roasted marcona almonds

Small plates:

• House marinated olives seasoned with rosemary
• Lobster stuffed mushrooms

Good for: Date Night, Small Groups, Wine, Whiskey, Cocktails, Small Plates, Wine Tasting

Thursday March 11, 2010
7:00pm
105 Rivington Street

The charity group I belong to, the WGIRLS NYC, was hosting their Ties & Tiaras fund-raiser at The Hotel on Rivington’s newest lounge CV (formerly 105 Rivington). The first hour was open bar, so we all descended upon it to enjoy our complimentary well drinks. Around 8pm we actually reached capacity and guests were directed to LevantEast next door to have a drink until the crowd thinned out a bit. The bar itself is rather small, however there’s a small step (should be noted because it’s easy to miss it) that leads to a main floor lined with tables and seating with a DJ booth tucked into the back. There are only two restrooms (unisex, a peeve of mine) but considering the amount of people the wait wasn’t that long. After the open bar ended drinks were a bit pricey ($15 for top shelf). The space is intimate and decorated with a vintage style wallpaper – all in all it was a great venue to host a private event.

Cocktail:

• Kettle One and soda

Good for: Trendy, Private Events