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Air’s Champagne Parlor is All About the Bubbly
Beer, wine and even cider bars abound in NYC, but Air’s Champagne Parlor is one of the few area drinkeries devoted to bubbly. To be fair, the Riddling Widow briefly preceded it, but owner Ariel Arce was actually beverage director during its tenure, as well as Birds & Bubbles before that, and Chicago’s Pops for Champagne (not to mention Grant Achatz’s exclusive, original The Office) before that. Meaning her reputation as queen of Cuvèe absolutely proceeds her.
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Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest 2017
If you’re already mourning the loss of summer, Oktoberfest is a reliable way to get you over the hump. Essentially spanning the duration of fall (kicking off on September 16th this year & extending all the way to October 31st, allowing revelers to seamlessly transition to Halloween), the 16 to 18-day festival is a giddy saturnalia of German culture…
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Spotlight on the Finalists for the 2017 Vendy Awards
As a fun challenge to the James Beard Awards, the Vendy ceremony — now in its 13th year — is dedicated to honoring the very best in street food. So here’s who’s in the running during the September 16th event at Governors Island; from an artisanal twinkie baker to an upstart french toast sandwich maker, to a Chinese meat skewer purveyor, whose been tapped for the Vendy Cup…
Most Recent Dish
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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. ...
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...
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...
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...
Read MoreQuality Meats
Restaurant Girl Membership has its privileges! I’m giving away a FREE DINNER for two at Quality Meats, a chic New American spot with sumptuous steaks in midtown. While chef Craig Koketsu manages to dazzle with juicy rib eye steaks and divinely decadent corn creme brulee, pastry chef Corey Colton seals the deal with home-made ice creams that give Ben & Jerry’s a run for their money. To win, simply enter your email in the SUBSCRIBE box at the right...
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