Friday May 14th

6:30pm

40 Broad Street (located on the second floor of The Setai)

I met the Wine Dutchess for an afternoon work session at the Hive at 55 to design her new logo—and since we were already on Broad Street we felt compelled to stop in SHO for a Friday evening cocktail. SHO is located on the second floor of The Setai, luxury condos that are a brand extension of the Miami namesake. A quick elevator ride after entering the small black and red lobby you step in to the bar and lounge area of SHO. The space is very sleek and minimal, evocative of Miami Beach style – except here the Stock Exchange is steps away rather than the beach. Just past the entrance is a walkway lined with wine bottles from floor to ceiling set behind glass, which leads to the main dining area. I had dinner in the dining room back in January and the 6 courses were mostly a hit (one or two dishes were misses, they felt a little dated like they belonged in the movie Wall Street circa 1987), but I digress. Tonight was about the cocktails and a cheese plate, which at $20 for the chef’s selection of 6 came complete with a lesson in fromages from our server. We learned that fine blue cheese is often cored and served with champagne in the center, that fruit paste is meant to cleanse your pallet between tasting the different types of cheese (as ginger does for sushi) and that cheese plate selections are presented left to right from fresh to sharp.

Tip: Monday – Friday SHO offers a 3-course prix fixe lunch for $30, a small price for a fine dining experience.

Cocktail

• French 75 in Padua – Aperol, Citadelle, Prosecco, Blood Orange

Chef’s Selection of Cheeses

• Lynnhaven Goat Cheese, Comté, Langres and two that were off the menu including a blue and and a Sheeps Milk

  

  The cheese plate was small for $20, but delicious.

  

  French 75 in Padua made with blood orange and Prosecco

  
  
  

Good for: Expense check dinners, Special Occasion, Foodies, cocktails, award winning Wine list, Fine Dining in FiDI, Prix Fixe Lunch

Sunday May 9th

4:45pm

377 Greenwich Street (located in the Greenwich Hotel)

Locanda Verde has it all – co-owned by Robert De Niro, an award winning chef and pastry chef, a prime TriBeCa location, a warm and welcoming atmosphere – but it does not have reservations through the website or OpenTable. You actually have to call and speak to a real person who then flips through pages of booked time slots for the next 4 weeks. Only 3/4 of the tables are reserved and the remaining 1/4 is open to walk-ins to keep with it’s casual neighborhood vibe—plus there’s always the option to dine at the bar if you’re lucky enough to land one of the coveted dozen or so stools. The Wine Dutchess and I thought we’d take advantage of the off-peak hour and stopped by for a glass of wine at the bar. Our bartender informed us that the kitchen didn’t open until 5:30pm on Sunday, so we sipped some wine and at 5:20pm put in our order early for two types of crostini – the ricotta (which I had on a previous visit) and the bartender recommended the blue crab and jalapeño for our second. The menu is rustic, classic Italian and changes nightly. The oversized menus are printed each day on brown paper and feature crostini, seven choices of “secondi” entrees and pastas with Andrew Carmellini, a protégé of Daniel Boulud, as the chef. On a previous visit the Grandma’s Ravioli were outstanding – delicate little pillows of pasta stuffed with the trinity of beef, pork and veal. In keeping with the casual theme, nothing on the menu is over $25. The wine list by the glass is small but affordable as well, averaging $12 and featuring a selection of Italian Reds and Whites along with Digestivi. If you’re not familar with Italian wines your bartender or server will gladly pour you a taste or offer a recommendation.

Note: There’s also a “cafe” area in the front where you can sit and relax with a cappucino or espresso while enjoying one of famed pastry chef Karen DeMasco’s creations.

Wine:

• Vietti Barbera D’ Asti Tre Vigne 2007

Crostini:

• Ricotta – fresh ricotta served with a drizzle of olive oil, topped with sea salt and fresh herbs. Served with lightly grilled crostini and focaccia
• Blue Crab and Jalapeño served on top of a crostini

Good for: Rustic Italian Food, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Warm Atmosphere, Casual Neighborhood Dining, Robert De Niro sightings, Notable Chef and Pastry Chef

Wednesday May 5th

12:30am
9 9th Avenue

After spending the evening across the street at the rooftop of the Gansevoort for a French Tuesdays party the group decided to grab one more drink before heading home. Pastis is not only a spot for classic French Bistro dining and brunch – it’s also got a great late night bar scene and the kitchen is open until 1am (2am on Thursday and Friday, 230 am on Saturday) featuring a paired down supper menu. The late night scene is dark and candle lit with a very laid back vibe. You can grab a seat at the bar if you’re looking to make new friends, or get a table if you’re looking to enjoy an order of Moules Frites or an omlette with fresh herbs. Owned by restaurateur Keith McNally chances are you’ve been to one of his other locations which include: Pravda, Balthazar, Schiller’s Liquor Bar (my personal favorite), Morandi and most recently Minetta Tavern. Pastis also offers outdoor seating, which in the Meatpacking District guarantees good people watching.

Cocktail

• Mojito – served in a tall glass over crushed ice with fresh mint, possibly the best one I’ve had in NYC

Good for: Late Night, Mojitos, Dine at the Bar, Outdoor Seating, Brunch, Dinner, Business Lunch, People Watching

Tuesday April 27th, 2010
6:30pm
156 9th Avenue

I’ve been wanting to attend a tasting dinner sponsored by Tasting Table—3 courses paired with wine for $50 seemed like a great deal. When I received an email that there was a “Think Pink” Rosé Dinner being held at Tipsy Parson in Chelsea I called the Wine Dutchess and we sent in our RSVPs, despite having read mixed reviews on the venue. The restaurant bills itself as southern and cozy with a seasonal menu. The space itself was inviting and the front area had window seats looking out to 9th Avenue, however the bar area was maybe a bit too cozy with one to many tables piled next to each other. The evening began with passed canapés of pickled deviled eggs and salmon gravlax and cucumber paired with Cava. It seemed promising. The Wine Dutchess and I were seated in the bar area and not the main dining room, which was fine considering it was a full house that night (the restaurant was closed for this event). The servers began to pour the first flight of wine and the only instruction was to “drink counter-clockwise”. I was expecting the representative from VOS to explain the flights in a little more detail, but there was only a flurry of servers trying to get out the course while it was hot. My serving of pork belly during the first course was practically inedible and consisted of about 90% fat and gristle. The lone bite of meat I managed to find from my serving was over-salted and over-cooked (maybe I’m spoiled from David Chang’s pork belly at Noodle Bar?) and the tiny portion of ramps and rhubarb were oddly chewy. The next course was rack of lamb and the Wine Dutchess was missing her rack (her portion was served without bones) while mine was a bit too rare and under-seasoned. The next flight of wine was poured and still no word from our sponsor. Dessert was the only highlight of the meal – a White Chocolate Raspberry Parfait (no coffee was served, I would have gladly paid extra for a espresso). I can say this was my first and last trip to Tipsy Parsons.

Canapé

• Pickled Deviled Eggs, Salmon Gravlax and Cucumber
• Wine Pairing: Dibon Brut Reserve Cava Rosado Penedes, Spain

First Course

• Fudge Farms Braised Pork Belly with Ramps and Rhubarb
• Wine Flight: 1. Chateau de Roquefort “Corail Rosé Provence, France 2009 2. Domaine Le Galantin Bandol Rosé Provence, France 2009 3. Kir-Yianni Akakies Xynomavro Rosé Amyndeon, Greece 2008

Second Course

• Roasted Rack of Lamb with Beet Dumplings and Fresh Horseradish
• Wine Flight: 1. Urano Rosé Menoza, Argentina 2009 2. Chateau Haut Rian Rosé Bordeaux, France 2009
• JM Raffault Chinon Rosé Loire, France 2009

Dessert

• White Chocolate Raspberry Parfait – almond dacquoise (a cake made with layers of nut meringue and whipped cream or buttercream) with pink peppercorn streusel

(LEAVING OUT THE “GOOD FOR” IN LEIU OF A DOWNTOWN GOURMAND FIRST – NOT RECOMMENDED)

Thursday April 8th, 2010
6:45pm
637 Hudson Street

I love ‘inoteca, cucina on Rivington Street, so when brothers Jason and Joe Denton opened Corsino in the West Village I couldn’t wait to try it. The interior evokes a bit of ‘inoteca—hard wood floors, wooden walls, bottles of wine lining the shelves, casual yet elegant. Unfortunately that’s where the similarities ended. The service was spotty and over the course of our hour and a half there we had at least 3 different servers. The wine list by the glass is small (Italian Reds, Whites and a few Sparkling) and I found the food to be over-priced (each piece of crostini costs $2.50). The mushroom & tallegio and cannellini bean & artichoke were the standouts, however the olive tapenade (over salted) and shrimp and arugula (fishy and creamy with one lone piece of arugula on top) were inedible. Our server let us pick out another to try to make up for it, and the substitute ricotta and orange honey proved to be a good choice. My bill was nearly $40 (including tip) for a glass of wine, a few shared crostini and a cheese plate. I really wanted to like Corsino, but I think the concept is far better than the execution.

Wine

• 2007 Brigaldara Valpolicella - a balanced medium-bodied Italian red with notes of berry

Appetizers (shared by the table)

• olives
• mushroom and tallegio
• cannellini bean and artichoke (had a nice hint of cinnamon)
• ricotta and orange honey
• olive tapenade (inedible – flavor overpowered with salt)
• shrimp and arugula (inedible – a creamy, fishy blend topped with one sad piece of arugula)
• cheese plate – fresh cow’s milk ricotta, taleggio and capra sardo

GOOD For: A GLASS OF WINE AT THE BAR, PRE OR POST DATE DRINK

Saturday April 3rd, 2010
8:30pm
306 East 6th Street

Birthday’s are usually the one day where you can call the shots and your friends willingly agree with your choices. So when a friend announced he wanted to undertake the Phaal Challenge (featured on the Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food, click here to watch the episode) we headed over to the Brick Lane Curry House for dinner. Since misery loves company another person in the group decided he would try it too. The restaurant describes this as the “hottest curry ever” and challengers must verbally agree to a waiver (see photo below).

Phaal Fun Facts

• 60 times the heat of a jalapeño
• Made from a blend of 10 different kinds of peppers
• The chef wears a gas mask while preparing it
• Challengers must eat the contents of the entire bowl, including all of the sauce
• Winners get a free beer and their photo on the “(P)hall of Fame”
• 5-6 people order it per month, most don’t finish

The phaal really doesn’t look any different than most curry dishes – it was a thick brown sauce covering chunks of meat – one challenger chose chicken and the other lamb. Out of curiousity the rest of us at the table dipped a small piece of naan bread into the sauce. Simultaneously my mouth went numb, my face went red, my tongue started to burn and I began to feel a little dizzy. Taking a pull of Taj Mahal beer was the only thing that helped quench the burning. I like to think I can handle spicy food—but this wasn’t a flavorful, multi-layered kind of spice. Rather it was more of a hot, burning, almost chemical kind of taste. While the challengers (teary-eyed and sweaty) finished all of their phaal meat, they technically didn’t win the challenge because of the leftover sauce. It was quite an impressive effort none the less, and a birthday dinner none of us will soon forget!

The rest of the group ordered a more traditional Indian meal. The restaurant is small, and while they do accept walk-ins it’s probably best to make a reservation. The service is spotty, at times the waiters were over-attentive and tried clearing dishes we were still working on and at times under-attentive like when we had to keep asking for more water. The prices are a bit high considering the neighborhood, and especially given there are many other Indian options on East 6th Street. The entree prices range from $14 to upwards of $20 and they charge $4 for an order of Naan (which is usually included). Each of the curry dishes comes with rice and a choice of chicken, lamb, goat, fish, shrimp, paneer, tofu or vegetables. Overall the food was good, but the cauliflower appetizer was a surprising stand-out.

Dinner (for the rest of us)

Appetizers (shared)

• Lasuna Gobi – crispy cauliflower florets tossed in a sweet and tangy garlic tomato sauce
• Vegetable Pakoras – fritters in a chickpea batter
• Vegetable Samosas - crispy pastry stuffed with spiced potatoes and vegetables

Bread (shared)

• Classic Naan
• Stuffed Naan with Cheese
• Tandoori Roti – whole wheat bread cooked in the tandoor

Entree

• Jalfrezi with shrimp – medium spiced tomato curry with stir-fried with onions, bell peppers and tomatoes

GOOD FOR: DINNER, CURRY, PHAAL CHALLENGE

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 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

Friday March 5, 2010
1:15pm
29 Cornelia Street

I set up a networking lunch and needed to find a location along the A/C line. My first thought was the Cornelia Street Café located just around the corner of the West 4th Street station. Cornelia Street is one of those quintessential New York streets, lined with trees and small cafes in the heart of the West Village. While they accept reservations, you can generally just walk in for lunch on weekdays. The menu is a mix of American Nouveau with French bistro classics. A brunch menu is available in addition to lunch every day of the week, just  in case you need a mid-week egg bennies fix. The extensive wine list is also a draw. The front dining room is a little tight, but once seated you can enjoy a good meal and conversation in a leisurely setting.

Lunch:

• Sesame-crusted salmon over warm asian vegetables with a ginger wasabi vinaigrette (served medium)

Wine pairing:

• Torrontes (Argentina, a nice alternative to Sauvignon Blanc)

Good for: wine list, business lunch, casual meal, sidewalk seating, West Village charm, brunch, late-night, prix-fixe

Tuesday March 2, 2010
7:15pm (running late due to HopStop directions)
1 Perry Street

Catching up with an old friend for dinner I decdided this was a great opportunity to try someplace that’s been on my “list” for awhile. The original location is in the East Village, but we opted for the one on Perry Street (more geographically desirable for my Hoeboken-bound friend). I made a reservation for 7pm and even though I arrived 15 minutes late the hostess was gracious and pointed me to my friend, who was passing the time with a mojito at the bar. We were seated immediately and our server was fabulous – attentive, knowledgeable and didn’t rush us as we ignored the menu and chatted for the first 20 minutes.

Cocktail:

• Blackberry Gimlet (a nice twist on the classic)

Dinner (shared):

• Tuna ceviche with sweet onion, pickled watermelon and jalapeño-soy
• Braised short rib tacos (one of the specials) – 2 per order
• Fish tacos – 2 per order
• YB mixed “fries” including avocado, hearts of palm and sweet potato

Dessert (shared):

• Panqueque (dulce de leche crepe, spiced pumpkin seeds, pistachio ice cream)
• Tres Leches Parfait (tres leches, mexican chocolate mousse, pisco panna cotta)
• Espresso

Over all the food was well prepared, well seasoned and combined a nice blend of Latin flavors and textures (especially the YB “fries”). The fish tacos, while probably the best I’ve had in NYC, didn’t quite hold up to the thin tortilla shell they were presented in. By the end of our meal the dining room was full and bustling – probably not the best setting for a truly intimate dinner or serious conversation – but perfect for two friends on a Tuesday night.

Good for: a small group, catching up with a friend, date night, sharing plates