Morandi
211 Waverly Place, at Charles St. 212-627-7575 TYPE: Regional Italian VIBE: Rustic trattoria OCCASION: A date, bar dining, or hip group gathering DON’T MISS DISH: Braised sea bream with tomatoes & olives DON’T BOTHER DISH: Simply couldn’t find one – a first DRINK SPECIALTY: Italian wines by the glass, carafe and bottle. PRICE: $60 & up HOURS: Open seven days a week, 8 AM – midnight. INSIDE SCOOP: Prime al fresco dining in the warmer months RESERVATIONS: Reservations highly recommended, RESTAURANT GIRL RATES: 8 on food, 8.5 on scene FINAL WORD: Who would’ve thought French-fixated McNally could nail rustic Italian? He does and the West Village landscape – a sceney bonus. It’s no secret Keith McNally knows how to build restaurant institutions – Balthazar, Pastis and Schiller’s Liquor Bar – that will perhaps outlive McNally himself. But just what makes...
Read MoreSOBE 2007 Le Bernardin Tribute Dinner
South Beach’s Tribute Dinner was an homage to NYC’s seafood temple, Le Bernardin. Mistress of ceremonies Gael Greene did the honors of introducing the power team behind this four-star institution: Eric Ripert and Maguy LeCoze. Daniel Boulud, Laurent Gras and Tony Esnault were among the chefs who took on the intimidating feat of preparing a feast fit for not only one of the world’s top chefs, but also 600 hungry gourmands. As par for the course at such whopping affairs, the hors d’oeuvres – caviar atop creme fraiche, a very avant-garde lobster sushi and ceviche – trumped the six-course dinner. I was particularly stumped by Daniel Boulud’s duck ballotine, which mirrored a dart board and tasted like nothing at all. There was the now obligatory foie gras ravioli (courtesy of Tony Esnault) and a curiously named dish – “Sorta”...
Read MoreSOBE 2007 Exclusive
The Oscars weren’t the only Awards Show in town this weekend. While Hollywood’s biggest stars were busy starving themselves to fit into figure-hugging couture, food’s power players were feasting as they accepted awards of their own. Food fanatics from all over the country flocked to South Beach to catch a glimpse of their favorite Food Network stars in action. South Beach Wine & Food Festival stormed the beaches, setting up shop oceanside as the foodie masses crowded into colossal white tents for the Grand Tasting, a frenzied sampling of all things food and wine. There was nothing subtle about this theatrical four-day affair as culinary rock stars, like Emeril Lagasse, Giada DeLaurentiis and Bobby Flay mingled and even fed gastronomic groupies. The hottest (and priciest) tickets at this four-day food free for all sold out quickly, sending diehards scalping. ...
Read MoreBondi Road Winner
Andrea Uva has won a FREE DINNER for two at the Lower East Side’s hippest Australian seafood shack, Bondi Road! Owner and chef Heathe St. Clair dazzles with killer cocktails and wildly fresh fish delights! Stay tuned for next week’s dinner giveaway, announced on the site, Wednesday, February 28th… Until we eat again, Restaurant Girl **Don’t forget to subscribe for Restaurant Girl’s Weekly...
Read MoreQ & A With Joey Campanaro
In the midst of an epic attack on NYC by colossal Asian restaurants, Joey Campanaro quietly opened a modest, 28-seat spot on a West Village corner. Little did he know his seasonal American would spark a “little guy” trend, resulting in a flurry of quaint American-influenced charmers. The Little Owl marks the return of customer-driven restaurants, service and attention. Joey’s gravy-smothered sliders and succulent pork chop made The Little Owl the most sought after table in the city. But just who is the humble chef behind the kitchen doors… What did you want to be when you grew up? Architect How did you get into food? By being Italian and have food be the central part of my families culture What was your first job in food? I asked my dad for money to buy a boat. He told...
Read MoreThe House
121 East 17th St., btwn. Park & Irving Place 212-353-2121 TYPE: Continental grab bag VIBE: Charmed townhouse OCCASION: A romantic date or glass of wine DON’T MISS DISH: Roasted zucchini with pattypan squash & cracked olives DON’T BOTHER DISH: Seared branzino DRINK SPECIALTY: A sturdy wine list with quartino & half-bottle offerings PRICE: $50 & up HOURS: Dinner, Sun – Tue, 5 PM – 2 AM; Wed – Sat, 5 PM – 3 AM; Sat & Sun, Brunch, 11:30 AM – 3:15 PM. RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted, recommended for third floor dining. RESTAURANT GIRL RATES: 4 on food, 8 on ambience FINAL WORD: You’ll want to move into this bewitching Gramercy townhouse, but beware of a grumpy master of “The House” and a dull hodgepodge of undistinguished fare. It’s not often you discover a restaurant quite as inviting as The...
Read MoreThe Crooked Knife & Poor Poetessa
The Crooked Knife 30th St., btwn. Madison & Park Aves. 212-696-2593 Opening Night – February 22 (Thursday) Seating on a walk-in basis only for now The owners of Arlene’s Grocery, pioneers who brought music to the Lower East Side, are expanding their horizons into the restaurant realm. Come next week, they open The Crooked Knife, a New American spot with a decidedly British bent. I smell a gastropub effect in the Big Apple. Australian-born chef Kelly Quinn will head up the kitchen at this homey haunt with generous seating. Poetessa 92 Second Ave., btwn. 5th & 6th Sts. 212-387-0065 CLOSED It seems this East Village Italian has closed its doors for good. Formerly East Post, Poetessa seemed an attractive neighborhood go-to for predictable tomato-studded staples. While the fare was just “good enough”, the candlelight and poetry-laden walls had a...
Read MoreBondi Road
As always, Restaurant Girl Membership has its privileges, so I’m giving away a FREE DINNER for two at the Lower East Side’s hippest Australian seafood shack, Bondi Road! Owner and chef Heathe St. Clair dazzles with killer cocktails and wildly fresh fish delights! In order to win, simply enter your email in the SUBSCRIBE box at the right of the site, then forward Restaurantgirl.com to three of your friends, (including restaurantgirl@restaurantgirl.com), and enlist them to subscribe! That way even if you don’t win, you can guilt your friend into taking you to dinner at Bondi Road. All entries are due by Wednesday, February 21st. The winner will be announced Thursday, February 22nd on the site! Until we eat again, Restaurant Girl...
Read More"Off the Menu" Secrets
Why is it that "off the menu" always sounds so much sexier than anything actually in fine print? Sometimes, it feels like you’re dining in coach while in-the-know regulars are feasting in first class. I only just became hip to In-N-Out Burger’s so-called "secret menu", which apparently caused quite a stir about five years ago. After stumbling upon Le Cirque’s "secret" pasta primavera a few weeks ago, I was inspired to do some digging around for New York City’s best "off the menu" gems: Nobu – Rumor has it there’s an "off the menu" ribeye, blessed with a bevvy of dipping sauces (wasabi pepper, balsamic teriyaki & a spicy anticucho) that blows the black miso cod out of the water.105 Hudson Street, (212)219-0500 The Stanton Social – It’s technically classified, but The Stanton Social snags A5 certified Kobe from...
Read MoreQ & A With Josh DeChellis
After helming the kitchen at Jovia and avoiding a potentially controversial Kobe Club stint, chef Josh DeChellis seems to have happily settled back into his home at Sumile and the food that first put him in on the culinary map. But in the fashionable world of food, it seems impossible to keep up with the Joneses these days. So DeChellis has updated this Franco-Asian spot, transforming his serene West Village oasis into a sushi bar replete with a newly revamped menu and decidedly more traditional Japanese techniques. Sumile Sushi’s new offerings fuse the adept techniques of sushi chef, Toshio Uguma, with Josh’s extensive travels through Japan: A BRIEF SPIN AROUND SUMILE’S MENU: It began with a flurry of delicate, but inspired delights: lush oysters laced with yuzu and crunchy salt; gleaming king crab legs fantastically bathed in olive oil...
Read MoreBreaking News – Russian Tea Room
Are you sitting? Seriously. This just in…Chef Gary Robins has left The Russian Tea Room. It seems the legendary haunt has suffered yet another setback. No, it’s not another less than sparkling restaurant review though I might remind you that I rather enjoyed my supper under the red Christmas bulb-clad chandelier. Alas, Gary Robins will sadly no longer be dishing out savory nibbles of foie gras pelmeni. Gary Robins resigned on Monday. Robins laments, “I was disheartened at leaving and hope the RTR is successful. Also one of my sous chefs who had been with me for three years was wrongly dismissed.” He continues, “After seeing sales dropped, I was too expensive to keep on the payroll.” A Russian Tea Room bartender (who wishes to remain anonymous) reports to Restaurant Girl: “Gary did not storm out of the kitchen...
Read MoreRestaurant Girl Exclusive: SOBE’S 2008 Honorees Are…
On the heels of the Super Bowl, 2007’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival is just about to kick off their festivities, flooding South Beach with foodies from around the world. These folks may not know a Colt from a Bear, but the odds are they could roast both in a mean cabernet reduction sauce. The Food Network’s usual cast of characters will be out in full force: Rachel Ray, Bobby Flay, Nigella Lawson, Emeril Lagasse & Giada de Laurentis. Hell, even Catherine Zeta-Jones & Aaron Eckhart, starring in the upcoming food-focused flick, “No Reservations”, will be presenters at the first annual Food Network Awards. As we all know, this year’s Tribute Dinner will honor Eric Ripert and Maguy Le Coze, the power team behind New York City’s celestial seafood shrine, Le Bernadin. Martha Stewart also gets a respectful...
Read MoreSam DeMarco Emerges at Fireside
Chef Sam DeMarco, formerly of First and District, has marked his re-entry into the New York dining scene with a $3 million venture midtown at the Omni Berkshire Hotel. Fireside is technically situated within the hotel’s domain, but this spot has managed to take on an identity and entrance of its own. A surprisingly alluring midtown refuge on a frigid winter’s night, the fireplace accoutrements, checkered table tops and dark woods, all lend themselves to a cozy, library-like atmosphere. But perhaps the most charming of all, are the damask-draped nooks, where customers can dine in seclusion or adjourn for post-dinner cocktails. Fireside has jumped on the admirable seasonal cocktail wagon, serving up inspired riffs on classics: cider martini, hibiscus sidecar & huckleberry mojito. Though the huckleberry mojito was an ambrosial cocktail with fresh huckleberries & a tall sprig...
Read MoreRussian Tea Room
Jeff Bergman has won a FREE VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER for two at famed institution, The Russian Tea Room. He’ll dine in a cozy booth on the newly re-opened, second floor dining room and enjoy a divinely sumptuous five-course tasting menu with champagne pairings. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for Restaurant Girl’s Weekly Newsletter in order to win next week’s dinner giveaway! Until we eat again, Restaurant...
Read MoreQuality Meats Dinner
Monica Joshi has won a FREE DINNER for two at Quality Meats, a chic New American spot with sumptuous steaks in midtown. But there’s still a five-course Valentine’s dinner at The Russian Tea Room for the taking. In order to win, simply enter your email in the SUBSCRIBE box at the right of the site, then forward Restaurantgirl.com to three of your friends, (including restaurantgirl@restaurantgirl.com), and enlist them to subscribe! That way even if you don’t win, you can guilt your friend into taking you to dinner at The Russian Tea Room. All entries are due by Wednesday, February 7th. The winner will be announced Thursday, February 8th on Restaurantgirl.com! **Don’t forget to subscribe for Restaurant Girl’s Weekly Newsletter** Until we eat again, Restaurant...
Read MoreLe Cirque
151 E. 58th St., btwn. Lexington & 3rd Aves. (212)644-0202 Website TYPE: Modern French VIBE: Austere elegance OCCASION: A momentous date or family affair DON’T MISS DISH: Spaghetti primavera (off the menu) DON’T BOTHER DISH: Scallops with walnut crumble & cauliflower a la Grenobloise DRINK SPECIALTY: A lengthy and expensive wine list PRICE: $90 & up HOURS: Dinner, Mon-Sat, 5:30pm-11pm, Sun, 5pm-10:30pm; Lunch, Mon-Fri, 11:45pm-2:30pm. RESERVATIONS: Reservations highly recommended. DRESS CODE: Jacket required in the main dining room (not the cafe). RESTAURANT GIRL RATES: 6 FINAL WORD: Stuck in a culinary catch-22 of sorts, Le Cirque seems trapped between a new and old restaurant world order. As chef Christophe Bellanca throws his hat into the ring, he plays it a little too safe with overly polished, but somewhat uninspired French fare. Go for the Maccioni family theatrics and coax...
Read MoreThe Russian Tea Room
Who doesn’t love Valentine’s Day, or at least love to hate it? Spend the evening at one of New York City’s most romantic restaurants. I’m giving away a FREE VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER for two at the famed institution, The Russian Tea Room. So sink into a cozy booth on the opulent first floor or newly re-opened, second floor dining room – 15-foot juggling bear, samovars, golden tree & all – and enjoy a divinely sumptuous five-course tasting menu with champagne pairings. Feast on gifted chef, Gary Robins’ silky champagne-poached lobster, savory foie gras pelmeni (RG Best Dish of 2006), and red wine-braised short ribs a la “Stroganoff”. To win, simply enter your email in the SUBSCRIBE box at the right of the site, then forward Restaurantgirl.com to three of your friends, (including restaurantgirl@restaurantgirl.com), and enlist them to subscribe! That way...
Read MoreCheck out My Book – Try This
