Best Of Everything
Fusion’s in Fashion
Say what you will about the evils of globalization, but it’s an amazing accomplishment where food is concerned. Without it, we might never have Vietnamese banh mi, Japanese ramen, Szechuan hot pots and half the world’s foods at our fingertips pretty much any time of day. And we certainly wouldn’t have genius inventions, like Korean barbecue rolled up in a Mexican burrito a la Kogi BBQ. Cultures have been mixing for centuries and things like Indo-Chinese fusion go back thousands of years. Let’s be honest: we’ve seen some pretty bad fusion in America, beginning in the late 80’s. (Remember Buddha Bar and the Asian Fusion trend just a few years ago?) Sometimes, mixing different culture’s cuisines just to get attention can lead to disaster. But lately, we’ve noticed an evolved brand of fusion, blending cuisines in exciting and...
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Obsessed With All Things Pumpkin
We’re pumpkin freaks. And this time of year, we can’t get enough sweet or savory renditions of this beloved fall fruit. (That’s right, pumpkin’s a fruit.) Did you know pumpkins were actually used to make the crust not the filling of pies back in the colonial times? We didn’t either, but fast forward to present. We’re obsessed with the city’s selection of Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Ravioli, Pumpkin Soup, Pie, Whoopie Pies, Ice Cream, and more. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites to...
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Pies We’re Falling For This Fall
There’s a lot to love about fall, but none quite compare to Pie. Besides, everything you love about the season – pumpkins, apples, butternut squash, and maple syrup — come in pie form. Have you noticed how exciting pies are lately? I know, it sounds like a contradiction in terms, but there’s a whole, new world of innovative flavors, fillings, and crusts.
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All Things Brulee
The classic French dessert is a mainstay on menus worldwide, but as creative New York chefs have shown, the blowtorched dual texture effect is not exclusive to Crème Brulée.
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Digging on Duck Right Now
Culinary legend Jaques Pépin once said, “A duck exemplifies how ingredients can be used to their fullest.” And it seems like every cuisine, from French to Chinese and Thai, has a signature duck dish. Case in point: Duck A L’Orange or Peking Duck. Chefs around the world understand the versatility of this delicious bird, one that takes on many different tastes and textures depending on how you cook it and what ingredients you choose to cook it with.
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New York’s Top Tartares
You could argue that the best steak is one that’s not cooked at all. We really owe France a debt of gratitude for delicate, spreadable raw steak. Afterall, a good steak tartare can be a spiritual dining experience. These days, chefs around the city are putting their spin on the dish, using everything from steak to tuna, Sriracha to Asian pear purees. Here’s a round up of where to go to find New York’s best tartares…
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7 Beer Cocktails We’re Digging in New York
Beer cocktails aren’t exactly new. They’ve been around for a while, from the classic “Shandy” to the “Cerveza Preparadas” in Mexico. But in the past few years, the beer cocktail trend has been given new life, as innovative bartenders blend brews with house-made syrups, spices, and fresh squeezed fruit juices. Some beer purists balk at the idea of diluting a beer with mixers and trendy add-ons, but many beer aficionados see a beer cocktail as a chance to improve their favorite brews.
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New York’s Best Ceviches
Most people used to think of ceviche as, well, just uncooked fish. But there’s an art to un-cooking and what originated in Peru and Ecuador has become a mainstay on menus all over the country.
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Best Bacon Bites in New York
Bacon is one of those foods we just can’t resist (even though we should!). No matter how hard we try to keep our eye on the fruit plate at breakfast, we somehow find a way to sneak in an order of bacon. Thankfully, science is out to prove there’s a reason for our obsession with bacon. Studies have shown that bacon contains chemicals that trigger an addictive response in our brains. Really. And in New York, there’s some seriously innovative bacon dishes everywhere you look. We’d stumbled upon bacon-studded pancakes and doughnuts, bacon-wrapped olives, and bacon-stuffed dumplings. In true Restaurant Boy style, we’ve compiled a list of the best bacon dishes from around New York. -Restaurant...
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Best of Date Night
Whether it’s a first date or a night out with your serious significant other, picking the perfect dining destination is crucial. The restaurant you choose will help set the tone for the night, and potentially beyond. Pick a bad spot for your first date, and you may not get a second date. Choose the wrong place (a crowded sports bar, for example) and, well… you might end up sleeping on the couch. Finding a spot that offers the perfect balance between vibe and food isn’t an easy task. So what’s a guy to do? This week, I’m sharing six date spots that are sure to impress your beau and satisfy your taste for good...
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New York’s Best Beer Bars
If you’re looking for a place to grab a beer with the guys, you can find a spot on just about every block. If you really want to experience beer like it was meant to be experienced, it takes some effort. A true brew experience comes complete with a long list of beers on tap, a knowledgeable bartender who can tell you the flavor profiles for each of the beers, and some great bar food to chow down on while you’re drinking. We’ve compiled a Restaurant Boy-approved list of some of the best places in the city to sit down and have a real beer. From the never-ending tap list at The Ginger Man, to the 1980’s throwback arcade games and stellar beer selection at Barcade, they all offer up a unique experience. Just don’t get caught ordering a Coors Light anywhere…...
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Barbecue And The City
It’s difficult to find a food that caters to men more than barbecue. Everything about the BBQ experience makes it somewhat of a guy’s dining paradise, from the bold flavors and the huge portions, to the glorious mess you make while eating it. While barbecue takes real work, it’s well worth tucking into, especially when it’s warm outside. We rolled up our sleeves and dug into some of the best barbecue in NYC, from Texas-style smoked brisket to Carolina-style pulled pork. How ’bout a little jazz with your pulled pork? Head to Blue Smoke for that, or Fatty ‘Cue for some serious Southeast Asian barbecue. It’s summer after all, and what better way to enjoy it then with a plate piled high with finger-licking barbecue? -Restaurant...
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Restaurant Boy – Guy’s Night Out
When guys go out with other guys, they’re not usually looking to grab a chopped salad (dressing on the side) or the macrobiotic plate at Angelika Kitchen. No way. They want something hearty, something that’s going to fill them up. They want to feel like they’re eating with men and like men. That’s where I come in. Think of me as your Restaurant Boy, here to help the men out there find their way through all the clutter to discover seriously satisfying plates and the perfect places to go, no matter what the occasion. Because when guys sit down to eat together, they should eat like… well, like men or kings even. So whether you’re a business man on the hunt for that perfect spot to close a deal, a college student looking for an affordable place to chill with...
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RG’s Favorite Restaurants
Sure, we’re always chasing down the best new restaurants, but there are some restaurants that stand the test of time as our all-time favorites no matter how many years have passed. No matter how many new, and often modern, Thai spots open, we find ourselves returning again and again to Sripraphai, in Queens. While we’d rather find a favorite closer to our home in midtown Manhattan, we’ll happily travel to the outskirts of Woodside for what’s still the best damn Thai outside of Bangkok. Try as we might to find a seafood shrine as holy as Le Bernardin or an omakase sushi dinner as heavenly as Masa’s, some restaurants remain at the top for good reason. Here’s a few of our All-Time Favorites in New...
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Best of Nantucket
If you’ve never been to Nantucket, you haven’t truly seen America. This quintessential, oh-so-Americana island on the tip of Massachusetts, with its vibrant blue hydrangeas and weathered shingle, New England-style houses looks like something out of the 1800’s. It’s a vacation rite of passage for just about anyone who’s felt patriotic or craved a lobster roll with a side of fries in the summertime. The food, especially the fresh seafood, is just as terrific as the pristine beaches. Here’s a few of our must visits on Nantucket…
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