New York's Best Feasts of Seven Fishes
When most people think of Christmas, they imagine sugar cookies, egg nog and baked ham. But there’s another tradition you might want to celebrate if you’re a fan of seafood dubbed the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Any tradition involving fresh fish and the Italian kitchen is worth investigating. A tradition rooted in Southern Italy, the Feast of the Seven Fishes – also known as La Vigilia – is celebrated on Christmas Eve to commemorate the wait for the birth of Jesus. In food terms, it’s a Christmas Eve seafood throwdown with seven different seafood dishes, but chefs stateside are known to cook up much more. With all the great Italian chefs in New York , just imagine the possibilities and the serious spreads of frutti di mare. In fact, more than a few restaurants offer prix fixe menus...
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New York's Best Bowls of Soup
We’re well into fall, and as the days get shorter and the temperature drops, we’re starting to crave something warm and comforting. New York has bragging rights to some of the most imaginative chefs in the country, many with a standout soup, using the season’s peak ingredients, like pumpkin and kale in innovative ways. From the spicy chicken ramen at Momofuku Noodle Bar to Kin Shop’s one-of-a-kind pork meatball soup or Boulud Sud’s Moroccan-spiced pumpkin soup, there’s a bowl for every appetite. Here’s our favorites for 2011 to see you through the season. Kin Shop – Steamed Pork Meatball Soup Address: 469 6th Ave., btwn. 11th & 12th Sts. Phone: (212) 675-4295 Website: www.kinshopnyc.com Harold Dieterle revealed his adoration of Southeast Asian cooking at his first restaurant, Perilla, but he’s taken it up a notch with Kin Shop. His...
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New York's Finest Hot Chocolates
With the chilly winter moving in, it’s officially hot chocolate season again–and New York never disappoints. Some local restaurants and shops are taking things to a whole new level this year with everything from hot giandiuja chocolate at Otto to salted caramel hot chocolate at Scratchbread or even rum-spiked cocoa at L.A. Burdick. From your standard classic cocoa to the more exotic renditions involving spices, liqueur, and homemade marshmallows or fluff, there are some notable hot spots to check out this year to warm up. Grom 233 Bleecker St., at Carmine St. (212)206-1738 www.grom.it/eng Sure, they’re known for their gelatos, but that doesn’t mean they’re not serious about their hot chocolate. Oh, they are. Grom’s hot chocolate, made with no milk or water is one of our absolute favorites. A melted mixture of pure Bolivian and Venezuelan chocolate adds to the richness of...
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An Exciting New World of Sandwiches
These are good times for a change in your lunch routine. Besides, why eat another tuna sandwich or ham & cheese when you can choose from a world of sandwiches? In case you haven’t noticed, ethnic sandwiches are popping up all over the city. Eateries are serving up every imaginable global flavor between bread. And by bread, I mean everything from Indian roti to Mexican tortillas. Some sandwiches are traditional, while others are a representation of flavors and ingredients used in creative and delicious ways. There’s even a few mashups of several cultures at once, like Mexican burritos stuffed with Korean barbecue. If you’re not ready to commit to just one cuisine, No. 7 Sub is a good place to start. Tucked inside the Ace Hotel, No. 7 Sub turns out subs with an American, Asian, Latin or a...
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Brunch And The City
We love brunch anytime of year, but with fall well underway, we find ourselves indulging in hearty weekend meals more and more. Thankfully, there are so many terrific brunch options these days, from Mexican huevos rancheros to Argentinian breakfast empanadas. There’s Pulino’s stellar lineup of breakfast pizzas and Café Mogodar’s poached eggs, pita and haloumi cheese. From the Upper West Side to Park Slope, we’ve honed in on the best in brunch, right down to the mimosas. Mesa CoyoacanAddress: 372 Graham Avenue between Skillman and Conselyea (Brooklyn)Phone: (718) 782-8171Website: mesacoyoacan.comIf it’s huevos rancheros you’re craving, don’t waste your time or your taste buds on the second rate versions at the average diner. Instead, opt for authenticity at Mesa Coyoacan. Beyond the classic Mexican wake-up call of fried eggs and corn tortillas smothered in a spicy tomato sauce , the...
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Where To Dine Out This Thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s time to decide. If you’re among the scores of people opting to dine out this Thanksgiving, choosing a restaurant can be almost as overwhelming as hosting your own Thanksgiving dinner. We’ve done the work for you, scouting out a slew of noteworthy Thanksgiving menus this holiday, leaving you only one task – calling in your reservation. Back Forty in the East Village is braising turkey legs, while in Harlem, Red Rooster is preparing for their first annual Thanksgiving feast. If you prefer Brooklyn, there’s Fatty ‘Cue and iCi Restaurant. Did we mention the Latin flavors on deck at Palo Santo or the Austrian-inspired dishes at Wallse? And just because turkey steals the show this time of year doesn’t mean there aren’t a few vegan-friendly dishes to indulge in too. Red Rooster Harlem...
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Thanksgiving To-Go
What’s not to love about Thanksgiving? It’s that one day of the year that’s almost entirely dedicated to eating. Of course, there’s football games and parades, but we give particular thanksor the smorgasbord of food that awaits us. But for many of us, cooking the entire meal from appetizers to dessert can be daunting if not down right unrealistic. Fear not, because there are plenty of places to pick up turkeys, sides, phenomenal pies, or even entire meals around the city. Whether you’re hosting or a guest this Thanksgiving, you won’t be short on delicious dishes. We found one-stop shopping at Butterfield, deep-fried turkeys at Jive Turkey and even gluten free pies at Baby Cakes. Check out the best of Thanksgiving to go… Jive Turkey Address: 570 Myrtle Ave., btwn. Classon & Emerson Aves (Brooklyn) Phone: (718) 797-1688 Website:...
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All Things Fried For Fall
What is it about fried foods that make them so irresistible? We’re helpless in the face of warm, golden french fries, freshly fried beignets or chicken. Lately, we’ve noticed that chefs have gotten rather imaginative with what they’ll dunk in the fryer. How about fried pizza, bacon, or macaroni and cheese? While some of them may sound like a bad idea, the adage holds true: anything tastes better fried. ChipShop 383 5th Avenue (at 6th Street) Brooklyn, NY 11215 718.832.7701 129 Atlantic Avenue (at Clinton and Henry Streets) Brooklyn, NY 11215 718.855.7775 www.chipshopnyc.com If you want a fully fried meal, this is the place to do it. Chip Shop is like a British temple devoted to all things fried, including dessert. First things first, you can’t eat at a British chip shop and not try their fish and chips. ...
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New York’s Best Fall Pies
First, the food forecasters said fried chicken was the new burger and pies are the new cupcakes. We think there’s room for allof the above, but pie season is in full swing right now and we couldn’t be more excited by the possibilities this fall. We appreciate old school pies, like the apple and pumpkin pies from Bubby’s, just as much as Four and Twenty Blackbirds modern bourbon pear and caramel apple pies. Pies-n-Thighs has a winning concord grape pie with an ingenious black pepper crust. Even places like Serendipity are getting into the action with an expectedly decadent peanut butter pie sundae. Don’t put down your fork just yet, there’s a lot more to sample this season. First Prize Pies Phone: (646) 338-6812 Website: firstprizepies.com It all started when Allison Kave won the 1st Annual Brooklyn Pie-Off in 2009 with her bourbon...
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Catch's Dungeness Crab Tagliatelli
Some restaurants are all about the scene, while others have great food and no scene at all. We respect a good crowd, but if we had to choose between them, we’d opt for excellent food. But once in awhile, a restaurant comes along that’s just the right combination of scene and cuisine.This fall, it’s Catch, a new, three-story seafood spot in the Meatpacking District. When you consider the owners also run Abe & Arthur’s and Tenjune, it’s no surprise that they can draw a crowd. What’s more surprising is that the food is as good as it is thanks to Top Chef’s Hung Huynh, who’s overseeing the menu. And if you sit on the second floor, you can watch the chefs in act through the open kitchen as they turn out sushi rolls, raw bar offerings and more creative...
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Fall To-Do Dining List
We’re all about trying new things, new dishes and new restaurants. But we have a few favorites we return to every season because they’re too good to miss, like 60-year old Veselka and its beef borscht. We discovered the West Village’s new dim sum spot, Red Farm, and its killer rib eye steak as well as Baohaus’ new Union Square outpost and its fluffy bao buns filled with everything from chicken to tempura broccoli. There’s too many list at once, so we’re offering them up in installments, so you have time to digest. Here’s our first… Robin Givens Bao Baohaus Address: 238 E. 14th St. between Second and Third Aves. Phone: 646-669-8889 Website: www.baohausnyc.com We may have lost one Baohaus on the Lower East Side, but we gained another in Union Square and it’s even better than the original. ...
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Halloween Eats & Sweets
So we’re too old to go trick or treating. That doesn’t mean we can’t get into the Halloween spirit and eat our way through the holiday. There’s a slew of creative sweets to indulge in this month far beyond M & M’s & mini-snickers bars. If you thought Serendipity’s hot chocolate was over the top, you should see their “Cookies and Scream” sundae. And just down the street Dylan’s Candy Bar has a Haunted Halloween sundae of their own with pumpkin ice cream and candy corn. If you’re throwing a party, Jacques Torres chocolate haunted house doubles as decoration and dessert. That’s just for starters. Jacques Torres Chocolates Address: 350 Hudson Street between King and Prince Sts. Phone: (212) 414-2462 Website: www.mrchocolate.com We’re suckers for multi-function goodies of all sorts, so we’re loving the Jacques Torres where Halloween decorations double Halloween treats. The reigning king of...
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Our Favorite Fall Cocktails
I love summer for many reasons, but fall is my favorite food season. It’s always exciting to find concord grapes, figs, and apples used in inspired ways in autumn dishes, but sometimes it’s even more interested to see fall flavors on cocktail menus. Nowadays, bartenders are as serious about libations as chefs are about dinner. Take Rye for example. This Williamsburg eatery has been awaiting the return of fall, so they could tap into all of the spirits they’ve been aging in charred oak barrels. Red Rooster created a stellar Bourbon negroni with roasted fig, vermouth, campari and pear-infused bourbon and Prime Meats is featuring the “Sidewalker” – a blend of apple brandy and maple syrup. There’s even after dinner drinks or liquid dessert, like The Redhead’s “Car Bomb” with cocoa, Guinness and homemade Bailey’s marshmallows. One of our...
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Best of – All Things Pumpkin
We have officially succumbed to our fall 2011 pumpkin obsession and we’re dragging you down with us. I don’t know about you, but we remember when pumpkin season meant pumpkin carving, toasted seeds and pumpkin pie, and that was pretty much the extent of it. Those days are long gone. Chefs, bakers, ice cream makers, even bartenders are inspired by this orange, autumn squash. Pumpkin’s being served up in all forms this season — from pumpkin custard to pumpkin cocktails. There’s Chinese pumpkin buns in Chinatown and pumpkin martinis at Art Bar. If you really want to meditate on all things pumpkin, head to Baked for a delicious roster, which includes homemade pumpkin marshmallows, pumpkin cheesecakes, and whoopie pies. Here’s a few of our favorite pumpkin finds this fall… Golden Steamer Address: 143 Mott St., Grand & Hester Sts. Phone:...
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Best of – New York Green Eats
Organic. Local. Natural. In a world of green movements and sustainable living, it’s no wonder so many restaurants are jumping on the bandwagon. Which is why it’s hard to distinguish between the ones that are all talk and the real deal. And while organic and farm-fresh imply health and sustainability, they sometimes suggest a heftier dinner bill. So we thought we’d weed through them and separate the men from the boys. We’re keying you in to some of the best restaurants with sustainable, organic, and locally grown food at a delicious price. From housemade burrata with garlic and basil grown on the roof of Bell, Book, and Candle to fall flavors and pumpkin ales at Northern Spy, the green movement is more than a niche market. It’s also an affordable one. Sample the wood-roasted eggplant at Franny’s or pair a...
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New York Crab Crawl
Every summer, we do a city crab crawl, sampling this seasonal crustacean at its best. Years in the making, David Bouley’s Brustroke offers up one of our favorite discoveries — Dungeness crab & salmon roe in a rice pot. 21 Club’s still got some of the best crab cakes in the city and crab cakes, creatively layered with purple basil, squash and zucchini and The Modern’s making an Alaskan king crab cannelloni that’s so good we’ve added it to our “last meal menu.” Sidestep your way to one of these restaurants – no claws required. Brushstroke – Dungeness Crab & Salmon Roe Rice Pot 30 Hudson St., at Duane St. (212)791-3771 Website: www.davidbouley.com Openings like this one can often be anti-climactic. In this case, you wait almost ten years for the debut and then it fails to impress, but...
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Summer on the Plate
One of our favorite places for a mid-morning stroll is the Union Square Greenmarket, or really any one of the city’s greenmarkets for that matter. There’s something so satisfying about the sight of August heirloom tomatoes, corn, hard-to-find peppers, peaches and beautiful berries of all sorts. Lugging them home and whipping up a sensational meal is a whole other story. That’s why we’re lucky to have so many talented chefs and farm-to-table restaurants that take advantage of summer’s bounty everyday. Whether it’s fresh corn stuffed into ravioli or sandwiched in a tricked-out exotic lunch treat, there are all sorts of ways to get your summer produce fix. Peaches: Grilled Peach Banh Mi at Num Pang Num Pang Address: 140 E. 41st St. between Lexington and Third Aves. Phone: 212-867-8889 Website: www.numpangnyc.com Num pang are the Cambodian equivalent of a banh mi and...
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New York’s Best Thai Restaurants
With tens of thousands of restaurants in New York, it’s tough deciding where to eat , nevermind what genre of cooking. We’ve got Spanish, Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Cuban, even British, Burmese and Cambodian these days, but when we want to experience vibrant, layer upon layer of flavors, we head for Thai food. This Southeast Asian cuisine is simultaneously salty, sweet, spicy, and sour, and rich with texture of the crunchy, unripe mango, papaya or roasted peanut sorts. A decade ago, there weren’t many places to get a decent panang curry, let alone duck larb, in the five boroughs. Thankfully, there was always Sripraphai, a twenty-year old temple of Thai cuisine in Queens, but places like that were few and far between. Suddenly, Thai is the cuisine du jour, with new spots opening up all year and old one finally...
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Summer’s Best Seafood Pasta Dishes
With summer already halfway over, we’re trying to devour as many of our favorite warm-weather dishes as possible before autumn hits. And that means sampling the city’s spectacular array of seafood pasta dishes. This season, Donatella Arpaia’s new pizza joint is making the most of a lobster bounty, while Maialino is introducing New Yorkers to the traditional Roman preparation of spaghetti with clams. And there’s our favorite, no-frills clam bar, Randazzo’s, with its lobster Fra Diavolo, perfect for a Saturday night trip to Sheepshead Bay. And if you really want to revel in summer seafood, consider a visit to Esca for Mark Pasternack’s stellar squid ink spaghetti, mingled with tomatoes, scallions and chilies. That’s just the beginning. Check out these and a few more of our favorites. Esca – Spaghetti Neri Address: 402 W. 43rd St., nr. Ninth Avenue...
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Our Favorite Seasonal Summer Dishes
Now that we’ve reached the halfway mark of summer, we thought we’d look back at our favorite seasonal dishes and go back for seconds before autumn arrives. You’ll want to take advantage of heirloom tomatoes, asparagus, corn, all things shellfish and even summer truffles, scattered over Dovetail’s salt baked onion. There’s Casa Mono’s simple, yet outstanding, razor clams a la plancha, Scarpetta’s asparagus and mussel soup and Miriam’s zucchini cakes. September is coming soon, and we plan to use this list to relive the best parts of the summer before it disappears. Bell, Book & Candle – Maryland Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes 141 W 10th St. between 6th and 7th Ave. (212)414-2355 Website: bbandcnyc.com This West Village newcomer has already received plenty of attention and a repeat audience. While anyone can say they’re organic and sustainable nowadays, this spot is so...
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