Restaurants in New York City
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Q & A with Pork Slope’s Dale Talde
Considering he’s currently one of the most buzzed about chefs in Brooklyn, it’s hard to believe that Dale Talde was told to pack his knives and go, twice, on Bravo’s reality cooking show, Top Chef. But for fans and customers that have come to know and love him for his outgoing personality, down-to-earth restaurants, and unique fusion dishes like Pretzel Pork and Chive Dumplings and Crispy Oyster and Bacon Pad Thai, a TV show title doesn’t mean much.
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El Toro Blanco – Reviewed
I know it’s cliche to say, but good Mexican really is hard to find in New York. I’m not saying there aren’t good dishes or a few good restaurants scattered about the boroughs. There are… a few, but it’s hard to find a joint that can master a proper margarita, tamale, and mole. That’s a whole other level and plenty of places don’t even offer tamales or a cactus salad (I love a good ensalada de nopalitos). Instead, they stick to what I call “mass Mexican,” like burritos, quesadillas and tacos. Then, there’s the other side of the spectrum, like Tehuitzingo Mexican Deli. This grungy, Hell’s Kitchen spot makes hyper authentic sopes topped with goat’s meat (barbacoa), huitlacoche quesadilas and killer tacos el pastor. But they don’t have a liquor license or much in the way of seating and...
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Tortilleria Nixtamal’s Pozole
New York definitely isn’t lacking in the Mexican restaurant department. Every neighborhood has its own, from the small bodega-taquerias to the larger chains. And while all have their merits, not many are as authentic as Tortilleria Nixtamal. We can’t get enough of the fresh tamales and fish tacos at this Queens gem, but come fall, our go-to dish is the Pozole.
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Shopsin’s Chicken Tortilla Avocado Soup
The menu at Kenny Shopsin’s eponymous Shopsin’s has a seemingly endless number of options from which to choose (there’s over 900 options to be exact), with everything from French Toast Sandwiches to Deep Fried Pancake Quesadillas making an appearance. It can be a bit overwhelming to peruse the menu and settle on something to eat, so if you want some advice, go for the Chicken Tortilla Avocado Soup.
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La Bonne Soupe’s French Onion Soup
“La Bonne Soupe” means the good life, with wishes for wealth, health, and happiness. While the good people over at La Bonne Soupe might not be able to deliver on all of that at this little French bistro, their French Onion Soup comes close.
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Rosemary’s Minestra Di Stagione
This charming West Village trattoria was buzzing even before it opened its doors this past summer, and the excitement about this place hasn’t dissipated since. With a menu featuring a mix of classic and inventive Italian dishes, including Zucchini Crudo, Octopus Salami, and various homemade pastas, you’re guaranteed to find something delicious to fill you up. We love the Minestra Di Stagione.
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The Smith’s Cheddar Tomato Soup
The Smith is known for its bar snacks, especially the Potato Chips with Blue Cheese Fondu, and hearty comfort food, like the Crispy Fried Calamari and Chicken Pot Pie. But when there’s a chill in the air and we’re looking for a dish to warm us up, we usually opt for their Roasted Tomato Soup.
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Ippudo’s Spicy Pork Ramen
In Japan,Ippudo is a dime a dozen. But in New York, this Japanese brasserie is a rare gem. It boasts some of the most innovative ramen dishes in the city, with a dinner menu featuring six different types of ramen bowls with seven varieties of toppings. With lines out the door almost every night, it’s no surprise that their ramen is some of the best in all of Manhattan.
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Q & A with China Latina’s Julieta Ballesteros
Consistently hailed as one of the top Mexican chefs in NYC, Julieta Ballesteros has worked hard to prove that real Mexican cuisine isn’t about nachos, burritos, and excess amounts of sour cream and shredded cheese.
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Drink Spotting: Candy Cane Martini at Highpoint Bistro & Bar
It’s hard not to feel a little bit deflated after the holidays. Luckily, the Candy Cane Martini at Highpoint will keep you in the holiday spirit for just a little bit longer.
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Best New Find – Bear
If you’re not impressed by the Swarovski crystal chandeliers or Venetian-tiled floors at this showy Long Island City spot, you’ll still be won over by its unique menu of New European food. The offerings change every night, so sit back and put your faith in the hands of the chef. Kickstart your evening with The Vodka Special, which features three small bites like Eggplant Caviar, Ukrainian Lardo, or Red Potatoes with Sunflower and Fresh Dill, plus several shots of vodka. They’ve also featured some great entrees recently, like Veal Dumplings, Buckwheat Pilaf, and a Pork Loin Sandwich. And be sure to ask if they’re serving their Home-Made Chocolate Truffles for...
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Best After Work Drinks – Sweet Afton
From the owners of West Village favorite Wilfie and Nell, this Astoria hangout could be our favorite spot yet in our search for ideal, after work drinks. We love their selection of unfussy cocktails, like the spiked Sweet Tea with tea-infused vodka, honey-ginger syrup, and lemon, but there’s also a great lineup of local bottles and drafts to choose from. And this may be Queens, but when it comes to awesome bar bites, you can’t go wrong with the Beer-Battered Brooklyn Pickles or Sweet Afton Burger piled high with Double Smoked Brooklyn Bacon. They’ve also got a stockpile of terrific cheeses, like Irish cheddar or aged gruyere, that you can (and should) add to just about everything on the...
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Best Date Night – Danny Brown Wine Bar & Kitchen
By now, I’m sure you can tell that we’re serious when it comes to selecting ideal date night choices. And we can assure you, the best place to take your better half out for dinner in Queens is Danny Brown Wine Bar & Kitchen. C’mon, what other restaurant can you think of in Forest Hills that’s been awarded an elusive Michelin star? With its innovative menu and charming atmosphere (not to mention thoughtful roster of terrific bottles) you can’t go wrong here. We suggest starting off the evening with a snappy white, like the Sauvignon Blanc Russian River from Sonoma, paired with the clean-tasting Spanish Mackerel Tartare with crème fraîche, capers, lemon zest & dill. Once you’re both feeling cozy, settle in with a full-bodied red wine (perhaps an Argentinian Malbec), paired with the decadent Ravioli with braised beef brisket, mascarpone,...
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Best Comfort Food – Burger Club
I know it’s called Burger Club, but honestly, I have serious trouble getting past the Braised Short Ribs at this cozy Astoria spot. Short ribs are a prime comfort food in general, right up there with mashed potatoes, spaghetti and meatballs and chicken pot pie, but Burger Club happens to serve them atop a heap of hand-cut french fries and smothered with your choice of cheese. And did we mention that its actually considered an appetizer? If you’re not ready to curl up for a nap in the corner by the time you’re done, be sure to go ahead and try the namesake patties. The Carolina Burger with slow-cooked pulled pork, pepper jack cheese and homemade coleslaw and Frenchy Burger with foie gras, sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions are both solid choices, followed by a traditional, creamy Root Beer...
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Best Gastropub – The Dog and Duck
This place was the first ever gastropub in Sunnyside, and since opening last year, they’ve become a neighborhood staple. The extensive menu effortlessly combines laid-back pub grub (BBQ Babyback Ribs, Fish and Chips, Ham and Leek Pie), with more elevated, fine-dining fare. Start off your meal with the Mushroom a la Greque, topped with bacon, pine nuts, and shaved parmesan, followed by a terrific Pan-Fried Salmon Cake with ginger-sesame sauce, Pork Bangers with Scallion Mash and Red Wine Jus, or Scallops Gratines with Asparagus and Parsley Potatoes. And don’t even think about leaving without ordering the Deep Fried Brie with Port...
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Talde
Did Talde really open less than a year ago? We feel like we’ve been singing the praises of Pretzel Pork and Chive Potstickers, Korean Fried Chicken, and Crispy Oyster and Bacon Pad Thai for as long as we can remember. And the dinner crowds haven’t even remotely thinned since last January, when chef/owner Dale Talde first introduced his Saigon Crepes, Whole Roasted Branzino in Banana Leaves, and Hawaiian Bread Buns. It’s a testament that—even though he was told to pack his knives and go (twice) on Bravo’s reality show, Top Chef—he’s sure to be a fixture on NYC’s dining scene for many years to...
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Empellón Cocina
After exhibiting a few growing pains at his often hit-or-miss gourmet taco shop, Empellón Taqueria, former pastry chef Alex Stupak presented a fully realized vision of high-flying Mexican food at Empellón Cocina this year. An excellent starter of Pistachio Guacamole (why has no one ever thought of this before?) comes sided with a heap of masa crisps, Fried Whitbait makes a tasty appearance in fish tacos, topped with a smear of sprightly key lime mayo, and a Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder is like an elevated mash-up of homey, regional Mexican favorites, accented with masa gnocchi, radishes, and pozole...
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North End Grill
2012 marked the welcome return of chef Floyd Cardoz, whose spice-inflected flavors have been sorely missed since Tabla shuttered two years prior. And while North End Grill‘s menu is grounded in New American, local/seasonal fare (Lancaster Veal Chop with chanterelles, Hudson Valley Foie Gras risotto omelette), you can still find a few welcome homages to his native Bombay. We love the Fricassee of Wild Mushrooms with “Upma Polenta,” and an Elysian Fields Lamb Loin served with baby carrots, turnips, and Indian apricot...
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Pok Pok Ny
Andy Ricker’s Portland, Oregon import made waves when it first landed on an unassuming block in Brooklyn’s out-of-the-way Columbia Waterfront District last summer. Locals, intrepid Manhattanites, food media and more all reported lines that stretched down the cobblestone streets, where only the most determined lasted the two hours it took to finally cram into a tiny table and feast on Ricker’s faithfully rendered regional Thai specialities. You may not have to wait (quite) as long for your Hoi Thawt (broken crepe with mussels), Laap Meuang (minced pork salad), or Kung Op Wun Sen (prawns baked in a clay pot) nowadays, but that only helps legitimize the uncontrived everyman vibe Pok Pok is going...
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Perla
Chef Michael Toscano exercises his gift for nose-to-tail cooking at Gabe Stulman’s rustic Italian bistro, Perla. You can find seldom-seen cuts running through his selection of antipasti (Crispy Testa and Pigs Ear with grilled onions and cannellini beans, Veal Tongue with crispy capers, Tokyo turnips, and tonnato sauce), as well as primi (Garganelli with tripe and prosciutto, Pappardelle with cockscomb stew), although oddly, not necessarily in his hearty assortment of secondi. No matter, Lamb Breast with radicchio and sunchokes, Quail with cauliflower and brown butter sugo, and Saba Glazed Duck with pickled golden raisins and quince are every bit as interesting (and...
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