Le Dish

Too good to not share

2011-01-03T20:49:00.005-05:00

Hi frienditos!! It's been ages since I've said hola and as one of my New Year's resolutions, I've vowed to blog more.

Fiance of Le Dish (FOLD) and I have been perfecting this recipe for the past few months but tonight we hit the jackpot. That being said, dig out those slow cookers because I have a recipe that's about to change your life. I introduce to you: Slow, Tender, Bone-Warming Pulled Pork.

First, it's all about the cut of meat. I know the majority of BBQ joints use pork shoulder for their pulled pork. However, I advise you to go with the tenderloin. You won't regret it. Now, for the recipe:

2 lb. pork tenderloin, trimmed and seasoned with salt and pepper
10 oz. root beer
2 oz. Dr. Pepper
18 oz. favorite BBQ sauce (make your own or I like Sweet Baby Ray's in a pinch)

Let that puppy do it's thang for 6 hours (don't tell the super, but I leave mine on all day while I'm out running errands). Drain off the liquid, pat the meat dry and then pull apart the awesomely tender meat with two forks. Pour the BBQ sauce over the meat and let sit for another 30 minutes until hot. Serve on a lightly toasted roll (or, just over some sweet potatoes).

Photo credit: Bier Magazine, August 2010

I urge you to find a simpler, more insanely delicious recipe. Stay tuned for much, much more. 2011 is YOLD (YEAR OF LE DISH!!).

xx

We're back and better than ever.

2010-05-04T16:58:00.003-04:00

It's spring so instead of cleaning out my closet and tidying up at home, I'm reformatting my blog. I hate to admit it, but I sort of cringed every time I signed in to post on the old, tacky pink thing I used to call Le Dish. I've found a new home for my posts and I think it's truly fantastic. One of my New Year's Resolutions was to blog more so I think this new format will certainly keep me on the right track.

Do let me know your thoughts!

Pizza-making AND Wine Tasting? Um, YES!

2010-04-15T15:43:00.003-04:00

Photo: Devour This

Tonight, we're heading back to New York Vintners, scene of a heinous Valentine's Day date in which over twelve glasses of champagne were consumed and a case (ok, four bottles) were drunkenly purchased, forgotten about and not picked up until a month later.

Anyways, tonight's class focuses on pizza-making at home and wines that pair well with these gluttonous pies.

I'm praying that it's a different class instructor so I'm not immediately judged upon arrival. Will keep you posted on how it goes!

Summer's Front-Runner Pasta Recipe

2010-04-08T17:50:00.002-04:00

I consider my daily emails from Saveur, Tasting Table and Grub Street to be the most welcome break in a hectic day. So, you can only imagine my audible glee when this recipe appeared in my inbox.

Ever since I compulsively purchased about six cookbooks in the past three months from Amazon, I've been craving more time at the stove lately (please note: am NOT actively trying to embrace traditional gender roles here. It merely just happens when you live with a manfriend). I can't wait to get some fresh artichokes to try this recipe on Sunday. This just screams "SUMMER IS HERE!":

(Photo: Andre Baranowski)
Fettuccine with Artichokes and Chicken:
Juice of 1 lemon
15 baby artichokes (about 2 lbs.)
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 dried mushrooms, such as porcini,
chopped (about 1⁄8 oz.)
1 small carrot, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper,
to taste
3 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 lb.),
cut into 1" chunks
1 tbsp. tomato paste
1⁄4 cup white wine vinegar
4 tbsp. chopped tarragon leaves
3 cups chicken broth
1 lb. dried fettuccine
3⁄4 cup grated parmesan

1. Stir lemon juice into a medium bowl filled with water. Trim away tough outer leaves of the artichokes to expose their tender, pale green interior. (For illustrated, step-by-step instructions, see Trimming Baby Artichokes.) Put trimmed artichokes into lemon water; set aside.

2. Heat the oil in a dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, mushrooms, and carrots and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 8 minutes. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Increase heat to high and add the chicken and tomato paste; cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Add the vinegar and cook, stirring constantly, until liquid has evaporated, about 1 minute. Drain the artichokes and add them, along with 2 tbsp. tarragon and the chicken broth, to the pot. Bring broth to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until chicken and artichokes are very tender and the broth has reduced by half, about 40 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and set sauce aside.

3. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain pasta and transfer to pot with artichoke and chicken sauce; set over high heat. Bring sauce to a boil, stir in 1⁄2 cup parmesan and cook, tossing occasionally with tongs, until sauce thickens and clings to pasta, about 2 minutes. (If sauce is too dry, pour in a little pasta water.) Add remaining tarragon and season with salt and pepper. Transfer pasta to 4 bowls and sprinkle with remaining parmesan.

SERVES 4

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #118

HALLELUJAH! Israel comes to New Jersey

2010-01-08T11:41:00.002-05:00

After my May 2006 trip to Israel, I was seriously hooked on Maoz. Then it opened up in Union Square in NYC. Now, it's opening AROUND THE CORNER from my new casa in New Brunswick.

(Image: Serious Eats)

I have never been so ecstatic about a chain opening in my life!

Black Fettucine and Mussels and Meatballs, OH MY!

2010-01-07T22:40:00.005-05:00

Birthdays are never taken lightly in my presence. I've always been known to bring home cupcakes for roommates on their birthdays, plan birthday dinners for friends and begin celebrating my own birth at LEAST two weeks before it actually arrived.

So, for my manfriend's big New Year's Day birthday, I had to make it memorable. Not only did we start celebrating with meatball pizza, rigatoni bolognese and not a vegetable in sight at Vic and Angelo's in Florida a week beforehand but we rounded up the troops from NYC, shuttled them on the next NJ Transit train to New Brunny and fed them. Extraordinarily well.

Since moving here, one of the warmest, most comfortably sophisticated institutions I could never tire of visiting is Catherine Lombardi's. It's one of those places where you cozy up to a loved one and munch on some stuffed calamari and garlic popcorn while watching 08901's finest bartenders create mind-blowing concoctions.

To not celebrate BFOLED's birthday at Catherine's would be a felony. Seriously. The red-walled, vintage chandeliered dining room was made for birthdays. And so we came. We ate. We conquered.

Now, I'm not usually one to fill up on greens at an Italian joint, but the arugula and Parmigiano-Reggiano salad was not to be believed. The lightly acidic lemon juice perfectly dressed the tender sprigs of baby arugula. The freshly grated cheese added the perfect bite to the peppery greens. Luckily, BFOLED's red meatballs (not to be confused with the black variety, no seriously) were calling my name directly to my left. I don't know how these people can make such a firm yet moist (ew I hate that word but there isn't another to describe the texture!) meatball. Yes. I'd like another, please.

(Image: Google images - I know, I should have taken photos of this one!)

Oh, and while all of these first courses are being devoured there is garlic bread staring me in the face. No, this isn't any ordinary garlic bread. This is a freshly baked baguette smothered with garlic, olive oil and some sort of magic potion that makes you eat at least two rounds. It's seriously heaven.

Anyways, back on track, we're ready for our primi, or pasta course. Now, I'm all for going out on a limb and being adventurous 90% of the time. But, Catherine Lombardi is a very smart lady. She really knows her black fettuccine and mussels. And you cannot stray from what she knows and does well. So, I found a primi partner and we went to work on the fantastically al dente strands of squid ink-infused fettuccine tossed with the most harmonious combination of garlic, pepper flakes and roasted tomatoes possible. Bliss.

The other stand out dish that night was the long fusilli with walnut basil pesto cream. Not too heavy, not too creamy. Long fusilli was never so much fun to eat.
(Image: Foodnetwork.com)

For dessert, we were all practically reeling from sensory overload but alas, a birthday had to be celebrated, people. Gratis, a gorgeous plate of chocolate hazelnut bread pudding arrived. I'm not sure if it was the South African cab that went straight to my brain but I cannot remember this dessert for the life of me. All I can tell you was that "Happy Birthday, Lee" was glistening on the rim of that plate. In chocolate. How could I possibly forget that?

If you're ever in the market for a birthday dinner, a casual night out, a glass of fine wine or inventive cocktail AND you don't mind going to the gym the next morning, you simply must get yourself to Catherine Lombardi's. It's one of those places you just cannot forget.

Michael White...in the new New York?

2009-10-13T21:00:00.004-04:00

That's right. Not too long ago, I (GASP!) moved from the Big Apple to the Big New Apple, aka the new New York aka New Brunswick, NJ. I wish I could use this blog as a platform to rant, complain and tear New Brunny to shreds but to be honest, it really has been smooth (culinary) sailing.

Friday nights in the new New York typically include a bottle of wine post-work and the all motivations are lost while renting bad movies on the couch. Well, this past Friday, a surge of energy propelled us into Due Mari, a terrific Michael White-owned gem on the next corner. After flirting with the restaurant for the past two months (essentially doing a pop-in only to find no available seats at the bar or tables until 10 pm), we finally made the crucial ressie and entered the space with the confidence that we'd leave happy.

The space itself is traditional with its white table clothes and muted colors but the bar and the energy is truly contemporary. The circular bar sprawls across the entire cross section of the restaurant and is packed to the gills with diners craving the latest hand-crafted pasta dish. BFOLED (bf of le disher) and I were led to charming table, passing some old 50-something diehards and some exotic-looking 30-somethings. As much as I'm trying to lay off the carbs, I couldn't resist the foccacia being laid out as a peace offering from the server. From that point forward, I was in Michael White heaven.

Our server was beyond knowledgeable and made the experience very farm to table - he knew exactly where everything was sourced. I started with the grilled octopus salad that combined the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth octopus with red peppers, olives, radicchio, and ceci beans. It was the perfect light starter to what was about to be unveiled. BFOLED's Caesar salad was truly unmemorable - this is a seafood place, people!!

Ready for the main event? Just thinking about it makes me want to go back and experience it all over again. Knowing Michael White as Poseidon, King of the Sea, I went straight for jugular: the "Pesce" section of the menu. I settled on the Chatham cod: pan-seared and served atop of cushion-y bed of eggplant, cremini mushrooms, roasted Brussels sprouts and tiny cipollini onions. Not only was the fish one of the freshest filets I've ever laid taste buds on, but it married wonderfully with the fall veggies.

Of course, Michael White is not only a god of the sea but he also is a pasta-making god as well. Being the true carb-lover that he is, BFOLED chose the pasta special: a pappardelle laden with pork ragu. The long, wide ribbons of tender pasta were coated to perfection with the rich, hearty stew-like ragu. Let's just say my fork made its way across the table more than once.

Now that we've been introduced to Michael White in the new New York, I'm already looking forward to returning. Again. And again. And again.

You'd like it here.

Taste of Tribeca

2009-05-28T15:54:00.004-04:00

A big thanks to FoodBuzz for my ticket to the annual Taste of Tribeca food and wine festival. My personal highlight? Grazing Gail Simmons' shoulder as we snaked through the crowd to maul some of Tribeca's finest food.

The day was nearly perfect: 80 and sunny (low humidity!) and food was literally surrounding us from every angle. I forced Lee to strategize since we only had 12 (food?!) stamps and there were dozens of restaurants vying for taste buds' attention. While Lee went the predictable pasta/meatballs/red sauce route, I ventured into my comfort zone of spicy tuna hand rolls, diver scallops and watermelon-feta-arugula salad. The latter, from the new Bar Artisanal, was totally inedible and I was hard-pressed to find the nearest garbage can immediately. Disappointment ensued - Terrance Brennan has never let me down like that before.

However, everything else we tasted was truly spectacular and hit the spot. The real winner? Definitely The Odeon's homemade cookies and cream ice cream with M1-5's pulled pork sliders coming in a close second.

Maybe it was the weather, maybe it was the fact that I was in foodie heaven? Whatever the case may be, this was one of the most memorable dates ever.

Bar Blanc Bistro: Get it while it's hot!

2009-04-19T17:39:00.007-04:00

Recessionomics is in full swing across the dining scene in NY. Everywhere you turn there are recession specials here, budget-friendly deals there. So, I've done my due diligence as a (new) New Yorker to scope out the best specials out there. And alas, on Friday night, I believe I found it.

Bar Blanc Bistro, in the heart of the West Village, is the most fantastic multi-purpose venue: date night, girls night out, solo night, etc. BFFOLD (bff of le dish) and I had scoured the menu and read the reviews so we could take full advantage of the 6 to 8 pm happy hour (50% off most appies and booze by the glass! Practically free!). The minute we walked into the marble bar surrounded by gorgeous white tufted leather banquettes, we were taken by the space (other than a freakish faux plant on the end of the bar). Perched on our bar stools, we went to work.

Our new friend Chad The Bartender (who self-imposes a diet of fruits and veggies only...all together now: WHY?!?) professed his love of the mac and cheese and the burger. Four glasses of $6 cava later, we had decided on the duck liver toasts, the white bean and anchovy crostini and obviously, to appease Chad, the mac and cheese with black truffles.

All three of the aforementioned appies were simply delightful. At a mere $4 or $5 a piece, you simply cannot make a bad choice. The duck liver toasts were slightly charred and paired well with the smooth, rich pate. The white bean puree (something I normally would shy away from) was light and salted perfectly by the single anchovy on top. But, the real winner of the night was the mac and cheese. When I tell you that I will be returning weekly (even when the special ends) to consume at least one bowl of this delicacy, I am NOT kidding. The quarter-sized, ridged rounds were covered by creamy cheese and speckled with black truffles. The top was a cheesy crust, the innards were creamy yet not overwhelming. You will understand when you go.

But, get to BBB fast: Chad alluded to the fact that the special will only be running through next Friday or so. Don't worry, I tried my hardest to convince him to extend it indefinitely. You're welcs.

Budget-friendly tip #3: Pretty, pretty please with cream cheese frosting on top?

2008-12-17T22:25:00.003-05:00

My all-time favorite bakery is celebrating its five-year anniversary and I am devastated that I won't be in town to celebrate. Billy's Bakery, located in the heart of Chelsea on 22nd and 9th, is celebrating by offering their crack-based, tooth-achingly sweet cupcakes for only $1 on December 23, reports NY Mag. Now, since I will be poolside in sunny south Florida, I expect all of you to visit, purchase and savor one of these little slices of heaven for me.

What is your favorite flavor?

Gee, F+W, thanks for pointing out the obvious

2008-12-04T11:52:00.003-05:00

As Eater notes today, Food+Wine does a really excellent job of providing tips on how to save money when dining out. And by excellent, I mean terrible. I mean, seriously, people. Who DOESN'T already booze beforehand and order tap instead of sparkling water? This is NOT brain surgery!

The only redeeming tip?
4. Try a restaurant while they’re new and might still have a BYOB policy or a discount on price.

Thanks for that expertise, F+W!!

Budget-friendly tip #2: online coupons!

2008-12-03T11:15:00.002-05:00

Let's not fool ourselves: New Yorkers order in more than those in any other city. Well, lucky for us, Seamless Web realizes this and is offering a $5 off coupon for new online orders in multiple U.S. cities. Go to http://www.seamlessweb.com/AtHome and enter code 2seamless.

Cheers!

Le Dish goes budget-friendly!

2008-12-02T20:47:00.002-05:00

I know, everyone's looking for a good deal these days. However, I am REALLY trying to see how far a dollar will stretch due to my recent layoff. So, instead of posting about newly opened, trendy restaurants, I will bring you some fun, budget-friendly recipes I've been trying out in addition to some great neighborhood deals that I just can't pass up.

Last night, in my first real night out since the layoff, I ventured to Pamplona on 28th street. True, it wasn't the most bumping of nights, but the wine and sangria were half off (making a casual $9 glass a mere $4.50!!! Unheard of, right?!?) and I needed an excuse to get out of the apartment.

Kara and I both ordered a glass of a robust red Tempranillo and shared the grilled shrimp and chorizo skewers served over goat cheese toast. When I tell you that this was one of the best little appies for $6 that I've ever had, I am not joking around. While the skewers could have been a bit warmer, the toast was crisp and the flavors melded really well. We also tried the potato frittata for $6 which can best be described as unmemorable. However, Pamplona had a ton of other tapas and larger dishes that defintely appeared to have potential.

Pamplona is great for catching up with a friend at the bar and grabbing a recession-proof bite. When all was said and done, I paid about $15 for a glass of wine and two uniquely delicious tapas plates. Not bad for a Monday night.

Baby, it's cold outside so you know what that means...

2008-12-02T20:21:00.003-05:00

....carbs, carbs, and more carbs! As most of you know, I can't turn down a carbohydrate (or chocolate, for that matter) and when the temperature drops, the noodle soups and penne alla vodka turn up. It also doesn't help that my boyfriend only eats (and hence shares with me)foodstuffs that end in parmigiana or bolognese.

So, during a recent chilly night, we ventured to Lil Frankie's, the most casual of the three Frank restaurants. Decked in vintage "heirlooms" and catering to a variety of pastavores (from LES hipsters to UES yuppies), the aroma of heavily seasoned marinara sauce immediately hit me square in the face.

First, we started off with mussels marinara that was served with the most incredible peasant bread I've ever tasted. The airy, thick slices sopped up every ounce of marinara deliciousness and the mussels were hearty and plump. Definitely a great way to prep the tastebuds for what was to come.

We then shared a thin-crust margherita pizza that was probably the most forgettable dish of the night. In my mind, it was merely a barrier to the main event: hearty gnocchi and mezzi rigatoni with baby meatballs. (Don't worry, there were three of us. Ew, that's still an exorbitant amount of food.)

Now, I know I JUST posted about the most delicious gnocchi at Da Silvano but Lil Frankie's gnocchi were a terrific poor man's version of the Da Silvano classic. The thick, blood red sauce coated each little pillow perfectly and the freshly grated parmigiano cheese was evident yet not overpowering. The mezzi rig was probably the weakest pasta dish since I prefer meatballs that don't look like turds. Once I got past the appearance, they were pretty tasty but probably would have soaked up better flavor as a meat sauce instead of mini-meatballs.

Considering the low price-point, cool atmosphere, and abundance of cold weather Italian comfort food, I will definitely be returning to this little gem.

Foodbuzz Electrolux Event!

2008-10-22T18:16:00.003-04:00

So many details, so little time. Let's just say when I have some more dolla bills, I am totally installing these awesome appliances in my home that I will share with Brad Steelman.

Food porn and deets to come!

Da Silvano: are taste and elbow room inversely related?

2008-10-17T14:31:00.003-04:00

It seems as though the less elbow room a restaurant in NY has, the bigger, bolder and more delicious the food tastes. This theory was definitely proven true as I dined en masse (party of 6) at Da Silvano. Seriously, I thought the waiter would poke my eye out as he opened a bottle of wine for the table directly across from us.

However, I would not be discouraged: I would order a no-knife-required arugula and Parmigiano Reggiano salad and the gnocchi with lobster and tomato so I would not give my fellow diners a black eye.

The salad was refreshingly light and seasoned with the perfect amount of salt and pepper to balance the bitterness of the arugula. Oh, and the hefty shavings of Parmigiano didn't exactly hurt.

Now, let's get dirty and talk about these delightfully tender pasta pillows. Gnocchi is just one of those pastas that's either really bad (heavy, doughy, heavy on the sauce retention) or really, really good (light, fluffy, soaks up the proper flavor). The gnocchi at Da Silvano was simply perfect: a healthy portion (truth be told, I had to dole out a good amount), mild tomato sauce complemented the succulent lobster insanely well. I didn't want the dish to ever end.

Photo: Bene.com

I left the wine list selections up to the birthday girl so I can only assume it included a range of Italian varietals and prices as we downed three (or was it four?) bottles.

Definitely great for an "occasion" dinner but only with four people max. You don't want to go elbowing anyone while they're eating.

Today's lunch was a true game changer

2008-10-15T14:57:00.002-04:00

Well, it looks as though my lunch for fall is permanently set. Today's 'wichcraft tomato soup with parmesan and half of a grilled gruyere and grilled onions was far beyond any sort of expectation. It was piping hot, even 20 minutes after it was prepared, creamy and perfectly seasoned.

At $3.95, the soup is insanely reasonable and is accompanied by two lovely churro-shaped rosemary bread sticks. I probably shouldn't make a habit of dunking that grilled Gruyere sando though...

Venturing to new territory

2008-09-16T11:42:00.003-04:00

Now that KP is moving to Chelsea, I figured I would take it upon myself to start exploring the area a bit more. Tonight, I'll be heading to Bar Veloce on 20th and 7th ave. Maybe after tonight, my go-to winebar list will be altered...

Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!!!

2008-09-15T21:19:00.005-04:00

Listen up, New Yorkers: even though the gastro-capital is literally at our tastebuds, there are some seriously awesome places elsewhere...you just need to be willing to venture outside of the tri-state area.

That said, Marsha Brown in New Hope, PA is a wonderful gem of a restaurant (well, technically, it was previously a church, but nonetheless). Even in a torrential downpour, the valet could not have been more accommodating and we arrived dry and ready to devour the Creole deliciousness for which MB is so notoriously famous. Waltzing past the tank of live lobsters and raw bar, I could barely contain my excitement as I ordered my lemon meringue martini (super sweet, should have been dessert).

Let's get down to biz: for starters, I couldn't resist the lobster and shrimp non-bisque. I say "non" since the broth was less heavy cream and more seafood stock chocked full of hearty seafood. My dining companions, the entire Meyers clan, were amazed at how smooth and addictive it was. Lee ordered a perfectly dressed Caesar (you KNOW how I feel about receiving dressing with a side of lettuce as a salad) and super moist duck meatballs. My only complaint? They could have been a bit hotter, but nonetheless were a great little distraction before the main course.

Finally (at this point I'm sipping on a nice, crisp Californian Viognier), the main event arrives and, wait for it, IT WAS AWESOME. Marsha (Lee's mom, not to be confused with Marsha Brown) made perhaps the most intelligent decision of the evening by ordering two appetizers, the lollipop lamb chops and the seared fresh tuna. When I say that the lamb chops were THE MOST FLAVORFUL, delicious pieces of meat I've ever laid on my taste buds, I am NOT kidding. They were heavenly.

I was so intent on sneaking more off of her plate that I almost forgot to take note of how perfectly tender my scallops were. Paired with a semi-dry lobster and amazingly rich crawfish risotto, I can say with every bit of certainty that I virtually cleared my plate.

Oh, and pretty sure I tasted a bit of the filet mignon and it, too, was insanely flavorful and definitely topped some of the best steaks here in the Big Apple. Needless to say, I did not have the pleasure of tasting any of the desserts...

The impeccable service, the wonderful atmosphere and the delicious soul food will keep me coming back to PA for years to come.

I know, I know, I'm such a slacker...

2008-09-11T12:25:00.003-04:00

But now I'm back and better than ever!

Last night's trip to Tarallucci e Vino was, gastro-wise, somewhat disappointing (company-wise, it could not have been more ideal). The bread and olive oil always deliver and got me super fired up for the actual meal but, in reality, it just didn't deliver. The fresh mozzarella in the bruschetta was was too soggy and watery and the eggplant was far from flavorful. We also were feeling frisky and ordered the fried dough with mozzarella and ham and that too was somewhat boooooooring. Definitely needed a dipping sauce or accoutrement of some sort.

Thankfully, the pastas were a bit tastier. But, at an entree price of $28, expectations were high and well, Katie's long, thin paper-like noodles that housed a duck ragu and parmigiano cheese was the only one to really wow us. My tortelli with pork cheek and braised rabbit was just ohhhhhhkay and not as flavorful or rich as I'd imagined. Poor Lee ended up with stuck together tagliatelle and sun-dried tomatoes with absolutely zero sauce or flavor.

Thank goodness for the deliciously crisp Viognier and awesome company. I'll probably just go back for the heavenly hen broth with parmigiano crepes and wine.

US Open, here I come!

2008-08-19T14:57:00.002-04:00

Some people go to watch world-class athletes. Presumably, I attend for the food alone. I'm planning on venturing out next Friday to try this and all of this. What day are you going?

Watch out, Hearth, Terroir might steal your thunder

2008-08-15T17:23:00.002-04:00

If you know me at all, you are well aware that chicken liver pate and certain types of cheese make me a very happy camper.

Last night's discovery of Terroir made me not only want to sing in the (pouring) rain but empty my wallet on pate and cheese alone. Fortunately, the shot glass sized portion of creamy, flavorful chicken liver pate was probably a blessing in disguise for my waistline. The crusty little rounds of country bread were perfectly toasted and begged to for heaps of pate. Heaven!

Our waitress was such a little gem that we decided to nosh on some manchego and robiola (almost Camembert-like!) to extend our time at the long wooden communal table that was rapidly filling up. Since it was still considered "Riesling Summer," I went ahead and sipped on a dry guy from the Finger Lakes region while Kara went for one from Tanzania. Both were delicious and delightfully refreshing from what appeared to be a summer downpour outside.

Totally unpretentious and laid back, Terroir's little slice of heavenly East Village real estate will definitely be at the top of my wine bar list.

Scarpetta: Flawless Yet AGAIN

2008-08-12T12:59:00.005-04:00

I seriously think I could eat at this restaurant every single night and never get tired of it. It's by far my favorite restaurant (yes, even ahead of Babbo) and the service, food and atmosphere are simply perfect.

After downing a bottle of wine at my apartment (oops!), Katie and I arrived at exactly 9:30 where our table was awaiting us. Since it was a bit on the later side, the bar was nice and full yet not totally out of control bustling. Our waiter was adorably attentive and couldn't say enough great things about Scott.

Being the end of summer, we decided to try the softshell crab salad with heirlooms. Perfectly fried, light and balanced the heaven-sent polenta with wild mushrooms quite well.

Even though I had previously ordered the spaghetti pomodoro and the duck and foie gras ravioli, I simply had to re-taste to ensure Scott was a consistent chef. Uh...YEA HE IS! Both were completely transporting and we insisted on more bread baskets (the prosciutto/mozz is HEAVEN) to sop up the remaining sauce.

Three words: I WANT MORE.

Scarpetta...again....tonight!

2008-08-11T13:54:00.003-04:00

Is there a better way to start the week than a Monday night ressie at Scarpetta? I honestly don't think so. Kates and I will be venturing downtown to further explore the new Babbo.

I'll be trying some new dishes so stay tuned for tomorrow's review. For now, feast on June's visit.

Artisanal: Should it really be called a fromagerie?

2008-08-06T12:43:00.004-04:00

I've always had relatively positive Restaurant Week experiences (best: Gramercy Tavern and Spice Market; worst: Vong). So, since I'd always pass Artisanal on my way home and have an abnormal love of cheese, I thought it would be the ideal RW match.

Karlyn and I decided the last Friday of RW would be the night of our Artisanal experience. Arriving about 15 minutes late, we were hurried to our table and from that moment on, we were constantly being hovered over by servers and bus boys. However, I was willing to overlook the over-eager waitstaff but that "wow" moment never actually came.

First course: parmigiano gnocchi with summer veggies. These were the most enormous gnocchi I had ever seen and were probably also the dryest. They tasted more like flour balls with a dusting of cheese than anything else.

Second course: Moroccan salmon with couscous. Perfectly cooked salmon with a nice, flavorful glaze. Paired with the couscous, this course balanced out the heavy, rock-like gnocchi quite nicely.

Third course: Obviously, the cheese plate, consisting of three different cheeses and ZERO accoutrement. Literally, there were just three little slabs on the plate. The waitress didn't even do an adequate job explaining what each cheese was as she was probably too focused on shoving us out the door. Again, tasty but subpar for a fromagerie.

If you're looking for great cheese in a less harried and hectic setting, try Tarallucci i Vino. They'll definitely please your taste buds AND give you the attention you're looking for.

And I thought pizza drenched in ranch was gross...

2008-08-05T14:13:00.004-04:00

Check out Epicurious' compilation of the grossest foods eaten while drunk. It will probs make you feel like a much better person.

My favorite:

"The anticipation of opening the room service silver lid.... in the hotel hallway, off the floor. Nothing more delicious and yet totally disgusting than barely touched fries and a pre-buttered, gravy soaked dinner roll with only one bite out of it. Completely shameful!!"

I know, there are children starving in China but...

2008-08-05T13:30:00.003-04:00

Dale and Thomas Popcorn has reportedly DISCONTINUED one of the best flavors, cinnamon creme. IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHY D&T PULLED THE PLUG, PLEASE LEAVE COMMENT BELOW.

My co-worker, Karen, is VERY distraught over this news and we'd like to get to the bottom of this major scandal. Thanks much!

Iron Chef America Secrets...dun dun dun...

2008-08-05T11:14:00.002-04:00

For those of you who love this show as much as I do, watch this video from Nightline. Kinda scary, kinda gross, but hey, it's only TV, right? Wrong!

Let me know your thoughts below!

La Palapa: A Palette Pleaser

2008-07-30T16:25:00.005-04:00

How's that for alliteration? But seriously, this is the place for birthday gatherings: they can easily accommodate groups of 12 and the service was simply superb when dealing with our indecisiveness.

The menu: enormous, especially for a Mexican joint. From fish tacos (the best, some bloggers even go as far to say they were better than in LA) to enchiladas, everyone could not have raved more about their order. Editor's note: Do NOT fill up on the delectable corn chips and trio of dipping sauces/guacamole (mild, medium and spicy!) as you will burst at the seams before your entree arrives.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEF!

For those of us who are really lazy, I mean, tech-savvy

2008-07-29T16:28:00.004-04:00

Seamless Web could be the best invention since sliced bread (or Acme bread in SF, either one) . You just create an account, search for a restaurant you'd like to order from (virtually every single one in NYC!), look at the menu online and, bam!, your food is mere minutes away from making your belly happy.

And, they're beta-testing the new pick-up system in my 'hood so at least I can burn a few cals before consuming my Lemongrass Pad Thai. Suhweeeet.

The BBQ Debate of '08...

2008-07-16T12:46:00.005-04:00

So every New Yorker has their ideal BBQ place: some like Hill Country for it's authentic meat-on-table experiences; Blue Smoke is your high-brow BBQ destination and for me, well, I prefer RUB.

After my friend spotted Mario Batali sitting near the window at 10 am on a weekend, I decided I had to try it.

My party, which merged Lee's posse (Mondel, Danny, Milgram and Lindsay) with mine (Halpal - she loves a good BBQ spread), started with the wings - deliciously meaty and smothered in a sweet and spicy sauce. We were all licking each and every finger clean. Definitely a repeat order.

Next up was the brisket sandwich that Halpal and I shared. While she loved it, I thought the bread got in the way of the brisket and it was a little dry for my taste (and thus, I totally smothered it with the BBQ sauce on the table).

Another obvious choice were the BBQ chili cheese fries - super messy but super worth it. Topped with chili and cheddar cheese with just a hint of brown sugar sweetness, these fries rocked my world to put it lightly. The fact that I chose to gorge on these instead of Lee's turkey plate (with cornbread, mind you!) and my half rack of BBQ ribs really speaks volumes. I know, they look pretty overwhelming here, but I SWEAR:

So, if you're in the market for a 10,000-calorie meal, definitely stop into RUB. The service is good, the beer is better and the fries and wings are the best. You won't be disappointed.

Helloooo Haruuuu

2008-06-28T23:47:00.003-04:00

Just wanted to change my perspective a bit on the ubiquitous sushi joint: it's not THAT bad. Granted, the blasting techno music and lackluster service didn't exactly win points with me, but the fish tonight was surprisingly fresh (almost as good as Hamachi!). So, in order to spread good karma, I will no longer shun Haru.

Is there a forklift to transport me home?!

2008-06-28T23:25:00.003-04:00

Last night, I ventured to Wine Bar on 4th and 2nd ave. It was the perfect summer evening - light humidity, a nice breeze and we had scored (thanks to Marissa) a corner table outside. That said, the food, along with the people watching in the East Village, was superb.

We started with the crostini with three dips: roasted artichoke, roasted tomatoes and fennel/white bean. Decent yet the teeny, way-too-crispy mini-crostinis proved difficult to achieve the perfect bite.

So we thought we'd be somewhat healthy and go with a nice frisee salad with grilled calamari and grapefruit. The salad was light and even though I have a mild aversion to grapefruit, the salad was decent. Not my favorite, but definitely added a nice balance to our carb/Italian fare.

The menu's highlight appeared to be the flatbreads - oval, thin-crusted, crispy discs of pure gluttony. We went with the formaggio (Asiago, fontina, mozzarella di bufala) with truffle oil - definitely the most simple of the selection so I'm anxious to return and try the others.

The finale: chicken meatballs. A little heavy for al fresco summer dining, but that said, the sweet, hearty marinara and guitar-pick-sized pieces of Parmigiano Reggiano really enhanced the moist, tender chicken. Definitely a go-to dish in the winter.

Overall, a great find and value in the East Village - the wine list was particularly compelling with selections from Italy, France and Spain. It should be interesting to see if this place sticks around or is replaced with another, just as of-the-moment resto.

The wine bar trend continues....

2008-06-27T14:27:00.004-04:00

So I knew the moment I sat down at the bar at Centro Vinoteca last night that it was going to be a good night. After patiently waiting several minutes, the bartender took my order (prosecco) and starting pouring two glasses. He pushed one my way and instructed me to deliver it to his friend's table behind me and placed the other in my hand saying, "This one's on the house." MUSIC TO MY EARS, people!! It should also be noted that this was the largest, most robust glass of prosecco I've ever had in my life.

Once the other half of my party arrived, we sat down in cozy little section near the bustling bar and immediately turned to the piccholini menu to satisfy our little bellies. After much deliberation we went with the truffled deviled eggs, mushrooms stuffed with pork and pancetta, little meatballs in a light broth with rosemary and the red and yellow roasted peppers rolled around goat cheese.

I can confidently say that I've never tasted a deviled egg quite like this one - the filling was light and decadent yet the truffle flavor was pervasive enough that to make this not your everyday cocktail party fare. The mushrooms were not my favorite as they were a bit watery and the pancetta kept falling out of the cap. The peppers were a nice, light summer bar snack and the goat cheese was perfectly creamy. Finally, the meatballs were satiating yet not completely satisfying.

Since we overloaded on the mini plates, my long-lost friend/dining partner decided to share the pici pasta - a long, textured, egg-less fettucine-sized noodle with sweet and spicy sausage ragu. This was definitely the highlight of the meal - the flavors were bold enough to make a statement and to keep my taste buds wanting more. Fortunately for my waistline, we shared the dish so overeating wouldn't be an issue.

Definitely check out Anne Burrell's cozy contemporary wine bar. With the mixture of PYTs and old men, it will satisfy any scene requirements and appetites.

An evening with Scott Conant....literally

2008-06-13T10:29:00.004-04:00

Last night could have been one of the best, most memorable nights in New York for me...in my entire LIFE. Laur, Erica and I trekked west to 14th and 9th - Scott Conant's latest venture, Scarpetta. Now, Scarpetta (which literally means to wipe your plate clean with bread) is one of those restaurants that you should hate since it's new, trendy and has a notable chef thus making it a very impersonal, almost abrasive experience. Not Scarpetta. From the moment we walked in and got drinks at the bar, Giovanni, the maitre'd, informed us our table was not yet ready but he would keep an eye out and not forget about us.

Perched on our banquette, we sipped our crisp Mueller-Thurgau and devoured all of our menu options. With the assistance of our new friend (and waiter), Andreo, our meal could not have been more perfectly well-rounded.

We started with L'Impero's old stand-by: creamy polenta with a wild mushroom broth spooned over top to create a smooth yet lovely texture. We totally Scarpetta'ed that dish - by the end of the first course, we were using the bread to soak up any last bits. We also devoured the tiny, tender short ribs - amazingly rich and succulent served atop a vegetable and faro risotto. My only complaint: more beef, please! Finally, after reading about the tuna "susci" with marinated veggies and some preserved truffles (couldn't taste anything truffle-like) with some microgreens on top. Honestly, don't waste your time. Go for the polenta and you'll be one happy little clam.

The pasta choices were almost as easy to select since Andreo has been working with Scott for years and knows all of the dishes like the back of his hand. We went for the obvious choice: duck and foie gras ravioli that was heavenly - a rich yet balanced marsala reduction over the perfectly shaped homemade pasta. We also ordered the tagliatelle with a lamb ragu and peas - another deliciously decadent carb option. HOWEVER, taking the pasta cake was a spaghetti with light marinara sauce doused with parmigiano reggiano, compliments of our new friend Chef Scott. Spinkled with fresh basil, this simple pasta dish was our hands down favorite.

A perfectly seared scallop entree rounded out course numero dos (at this point, I was asking for a fork lift to transport us back to the East side).

This brings us to dessert. Now, at this point, we're two bottles of Mueller-Thurgau deep and really devouring anything Scott and Andreo throw our way. We asked for one dessert - whatever they recommend was the best was the one that we would try. A parade of desserts soon arrive: a chocolate cake with hints of burnt orange, espresso and caramel ice cream. I kid you not, this is one of the best desserts I've ever had. A gooey inside, a firm yet rich outer crust and the cold smooth ice cream really sealed the deal. The coconut panna cotta was not as much up my alley (no chocolate) but Laur and Erica gave this one their seal of approval. Finally, the chocolate and vanilla parfait with a mini hazelnut milkshake and biscotti was placed directly in my line of fire and I couldn't say no. The cool, smooth mousse-like texture was played up with some espresso crunchies and blackberries. To enhance the experience, I chased the heaping spoonful with the milkshake. To die for.

Throughout the meal, Chef Scott would pop by to "check in" on us and see how we were liking the food. Obviously, I couldn't find the right words and just nodded in amazement the entire time. GOOD NEWS: BRUNCH IS SOON COMING TO SCARPETTA! We're not talking about "waffles or pancakes," says Chef Scott but really good "eggs with stewed tomatoes." Sounds risque - I LIKE IT. Since we had SUCH a positive experience and were treated like actual people, I ended up double-booking my birthday party there for next month so count your lucky stars that you receive an invite :)

Congrats to Scott Conant on this venture - you are seriously the new Mario Batali!

5 loaves of bread, 2 bottles of wine, and thou.....

2008-06-13T10:18:00.002-04:00

When I first learned of the city's best-kept secret about a month ago, I became fixated on when I could get a ressie and with whom would accompany me to this mecca of all things Italian. The ressie can only be obtained the day of and the phone lines open at 10 am. Luckily, my HLM was in town from across the pond so all systems were a "GO" on Monday evening at 7:30. Del Posto Enotecca, here we come.

We arrived early to get a glass of wine at the bar - the bartender really made quite the impression when I told him what I preferred and he gave me three different tasting glasses of each. Now, one glass deep, we were ready to embark on the great 5-course Batali/Bastianich adventure.

The bread: a wonderful assortment served with rich butter and a generous dollop of lardo. We also requested olive oil which was very light and sweet.

After hounding the poor waiter (who looked about 19) with translation questions and his opinion on pretty much each dish, we were ready to divide and conquer: I started with the calamari fritti (in a light but decadent butter sauce with just enough heat) and Katie with the insalata ventresca. Both a nice, light pace before jumping into the pasta tasting courses.

Now, if you know anything about me or Katie, you know that we love a nice homemade carbohydrate. Both the orecchiette with tender rabbit and garganelli with a veal, beef and lamb ragu were incredibly well-seasoned yet not too heavy for the 100-degree heat.

Finally, dessert: I was completely in shock that there were no show-stopping chocolate tortes or a mousse of some sort so I had to get over it pretty quickly and make a gametime decision to go with the assortment of gelati and sorbet. I'll say this: I like gelati...when I'm in Italy. Katie's cheese plate ended up winning Battle: Dessert with some nice sheep's and cow's milk varieties.

In general, it was quite the over-the-top Italian experience. Next time, work on those desserts, and I'll be back in a heartbeat.

Time to get your Shabu on!

2008-06-11T11:19:00.003-04:00

It's become tradition that when Jackie visits, we go to Shabu Tatsu in the East Village. Ok, so it's only been twice so far, but we're seriously holding firm on this ritual and for good reason.

Some people don't like paying to cook their own food but I'm in interactive advertising so OF COURSE interacting with food is obviously of interest to me. The key to any kind of restaurant of this DIY nature is that you initially go with someone who knows the ropes. So, when you return, you can show other people what to cook first and how to cook it and thus the place goes viral in a matter of weeks. Oh wait, we're not building a viral marketing plan here, are we?

Anyways, we ordered the standard rib-eye and vegetables platter for the five of us - it comes with a nice little green salad with ginger dressing to start while the boiling pot of water in the table starts bubbling. We ended up dumping in most of veggies at once: cabbage, shitake and porcini (?) mushrooms, carrots and tofu. The key here is to really let them cook through in the boiling water before you begin to cook each thinly sliced piece of beef. The best part of the meal is plucking a really well-cooked mushroom, dunking it in the ponzu sauce, dropping it on top of the white rice and letting it soak in all of the delicious flavor while you cook a piece of beef. Eat and repeat.

HOWEVER, it gets best. At the end of the meal, you have this wonderfully beef and vegetable flavored broth that is skimmed throughout the meal. The waiter brings out little soup cups with salt and pepper at the bottom and you ladle the broth, along with the rice noodles that are cooked for a mere minute or two. So simple, yet so satisfying.

Finally, a little scoop of ice cream (obviously, I got chocolate, everyone else tried red bean or green tea) rounds out the meal. I can't wait for Jackie to return!

The words "rustic" and "Italian" have taken on a new meaning

2008-06-10T18:29:00.002-04:00

Last Friday, I really wanted to impress my little DC visitor with a true taste of what the big NY had to offer. I picked Peasant mainly because:
a) I can't say no to pasta
b) Everyone's been raving and I had to see what it was all about

We get to the larger than expected Elizabeth Street space and were transported from the minute we walked in. Since we couldn't read the Italian menu, the waitress expertly detailed each and every item on the menu. The sheep's milk ricotta was a great little amuse bouche (not as good as A Voce, but nonetheless). We decided on the spicy octopus ("polpi in purgatorio" = octopus in hell!) which had a little more heat than either of us expected but was so tender neither of us cared. The other appetizer, a creamy yet firm burrata, was a bit more forgettable but soothed our palates.

Game time: orecchiette bathed in a light white wine sauce with the largest, meatiest mussels I've ever seen. Split perfectly onto two plates, Jackie and I were scraping our plates for more. Finally, those of you who know me well know that I don't believe fruit ever belongs in dessert: I like my desserts rich and chocolatey. Well, being the nice host I am, I let my out-of-towner select the peach tart and THANK GOODNESS SHE DID. It was heaven - baked in a little cast iron dish with huge tender slices of peaches and a generous scoop of hazelnut ice cream on top. Perfect for two (or ten).

I am such a slacker

2008-06-04T16:08:00.001-04:00

So sorry, but between the wedding and moving into a new apartment, I've been neglecting Le Dish. Faithful readers, don't despair! Tomorrow I will be re-reviewing La Bottega and Friday I will be reviewing Peasant. Sunday's activities boast a Shake Shack visit so most likely that will be posted on Monday.

I know, I gotta get in gear. Keep checking back and you won't be disappointed.

Hiatus!

2008-05-22T15:59:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to give you all the head's up that I'll be taking a blogging hiatus until Tuesday as I'll be at the wedding of the year! Don't worry, there will be lots of delicious things to detail when I get back!

Dios mio! Where to begin with Mia Dona...

2008-05-21T13:05:00.007-04:00

Hallie's birthday dinner at Mia Dona started out interestingly, to say the least. We waltzed into the space and immediately lowered the average age by 20 years. After we got over the fact that we were dining with our parents in a conservative/modest setting, the wine and prosecco started flowing. The focaccia and sourdough with roasted garlic really set our taste buds in motion.

The appetizers most certainly set the expectation high for the evening. For the four of us, we decided on:
- Arugula & Chicory Salad: fluffy sprigs of arugula tossed lightly with grilled onion, oven dried tomato, aged provolone (critical in this salad), garlic, chianti vinaigrette. Light, flavorful, delicioso!
- Grilled Octopus: super tender - no knife needed! Accompanied by potatoes (not sure if they forgot them), leek, olives, feta, anchovy vinaigrette. Definitely an A+ on this one.
- Baccala: lightly fried cod served alongside of a crispy mild cheese. Not too salty or overly fried.
(Note: the highly touted crispy rabbit had been removed from the menu just 24 hours earlier)

We REALLY enjoyed course numero uno so when our main courses arrived, we were really expected to be catapulted over the moon for this place. Disappointment ensued:

Two orders of ricotta and truffle butter gnudi, the highly recommended pasta dish by several trusted sources just did not deliver. It was too rich and didn't really knock our socks off flavor wise. The balance of the light, fluffy pillows of pasta and crispy speck was completely off. Go to Spotted Pig for a tried and true version.

The florentine meatloaf, served shaped in little cups with room for a lightly boiled egg sitting in each half. The mushroom and beef broth was quite flavorful if a little salty and provided extra moisture for what could have been a potentially dry dish.

Finally, the scallops. The birthday girl, who simply adores a nice scallop, actually laughed in the server's face when he presented her with two scallops in a bowl. Now, I'm no mathematician, but that means that each scallop cost $12, not including tax or tip. I felt bad asking for a taste (essentially a quarter of her meal) so Hallie will just have to leave her comments below.

And dessert: the chocolate semifreddo. A delightfully sweet ending to a bitter main course, this popular Italian dessert combined creamy chocolate ice cream with crunchy pieces of brittle.

Overall, I'm slightly disappointed by Michael Psilakis' new venture with Donatella. I'd probably only return to eat small plates at the bar to refuel post-Bloomingdale's.

Don't read the rants - La Esquina RULES

2008-05-20T09:46:00.004-04:00

Despite the fact that our waitress totally pressured us into ordering far more than we could handle, Cara and I happily obliged to maul any plate that came our way.

The stars of the night:
- Tinga de Pollo tostadas: slow-cooked chicken, avocado, chipotle pepper. Very interestingly stacked and lots of fun to eat!
- Braised short ribs special: The waitress seemed overly excited when reading the specials list so we had to try it. The ribs were so tender we didn't even need a knife! Perfectly paired with bok choy and roasted garlic. MMMMM.
- THE GRILLED CORN: By far my favorite of the night. Grilled with chile powder, butter and cotija cheese, if I could have one single food for the rest of my life, this would probs be it.
- Warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and creme fraiche: Delightfully warm in the center and spiked with a touch of cinnamon. Totally unnecessary, totally worth it.

I'd definitely return - no rants about the service or bouncers here!

Crazy few weeks ahead!

2008-05-19T16:12:00.008-04:00

My food schedule is getting a little nuts. This week:
- La Esquina tonight: I cannot wait to try the Spanish Sauv Blanc and the taquitos
- Mia Dona tomorrow: Happy Birthday, Halpal!

Next week:
- The Chopping Block: I'm going to be a guest trying the food on a new NBC cooking show!

Week of June 2 (aka week of hetero lifemate reunion):
- Fig and Olive! An old stand by!
- Del Posto: hoping to prove that heaven really is a place on Earth
- Tarallucci: oh how I've missed you!

Week of June 9:
- Scarpetta: Could Scott Conant (of Alto and L'Impero) be my new hero?
- Sarabeth's: an obvious brunch choice with le boy's parents
- Angelo's of Mulberry: taking over Little Italy one bite at a time!

Why I Love Brunch

2008-05-19T09:13:00.006-04:00

Brunch is that time of the week that I look forward to every weekend. I can effectively cure my hangover with some eggs, toast, and, if it's really severe, a big fat Bloody Mary.

On Sunday (I know, I'm a bit lackadaisical on posting these days), Lauren and I went to Resto, a Belgian Spotted Pig that's conveniently located around the corner from my new apartment.

I started out with an Americano, Lauren with a cappuccino. Not too bitter, not too frothy. LD had to talk me down from the $12 Bloody Mary ledge but the tables around us really seemed to be enjoying theirs immensely. We decided to split the eggs Benedict and an egg white frittata (wedding in t-minus six days!) and we could not have selected a better brunch.

The Benedict was obviously my favorite since the English muffin was replaced by a sweet, fluffy, perfectly-sized Belgian waffle. The Hollandaise sauce was not too overwhelming and created a thin, smooth layer over the egg. The frittata, surprisingly, was very well seasoned was just bursting with flavor. Both were accompanied by a lightly dressed mixed greens salad - it complemented the heavy Benedict perfectly.

I'll definitely be back to Resto as the fries with dipping sauce and Bloodys looked TO DIE FOR.

Does date night get better than this??

2008-05-14T15:41:00.004-04:00

Last night, date night was taken to the extreme since, well, it doesn't really exist when your boyfriend lives in another state. So, celebrating the fact that it was Tuesday night, Lee and I went to BLT Steak for a true New York steakhouse experience.

We probably shouldn't have started out with two drinks each at happy hour as the wine list at BLT is as long as the distance that normally separates LHM and myself. We started off with the sweet, smooth duck liver pate to amuse our palettes as our 2005 Hardin cab sauv, recommended by our sommelier as a full, not too dry, not too sweet cab, arrived.

Soon thereafter, the infamous BLT popover popped on over onto our table and I showed Lee how to pop the top off, smother in butter and salt and then pick apart the airy, light roll. This is definitely my favorite part of the BLT experience.

Since we anticipated the avalanche of steakhouse abundance about come crashing down, we decided on starting out with sharing the crab cake with spicy, stringy cole slaw and a somewhat sweeter remoulade layered over it. The contrast was pleasing although I'm not sure if it would be a repeat order.

The main event: we both ordered the 12 oz. filet - mine medium, his medium+. Although our somewhat pompous waiter repeated Lee's order as medium, our steaks were cooked slightly differently and just as we preferred. I took the smother-herb-butter-all-over-the-steak approach so the meat was extra tender and moist while Lee complained his was somewhat dry.

On the sideline: creamed spinach and Parmesan gnocchi. Lucky for me, Lee and vegetables are like oil and water so I consumer the entire mini cassoulet while he went to work on the gnocchi with a mountain of freshly grated Parmesan cheese covering the firm pillows of cheesy deliciousness. Our only complaint? Give us more than seven or eight, please!

Finally, dessert. Somewhat of a disappointment, as steakhouse desserts are supposed to be over the top and rich. The chocolate brownie cake with vanilla ice cream was super soft in the middle but the abundance of walnuts at the bottom really threw us through a loop. Our favorite of the night? The little warm, soft chocolate button cookie that they delivered with the check - gratis!

I'd give this one an 8 out of 10. Definitely a great date or group spot but definitely not a Luger's by any means.

Before I forget...

2008-05-12T15:57:00.006-04:00

I wanted to make a list of all of the places I NEED to try ASAP (well, after my MOH duties and obligations have been fulfilled):
- Insieme (that homemade spinach pasta alone looks worth it)
- Dell'anima (could the wild boar polenta sound any more appealing?!)
- Del Posto (June 4 ressie, will be posting a prolific review thereafter)
- Boqueria (mmm crusty paella...poss for Halpal's bday next week?)
- Mia Dona (Michael Psilakis is a GOD)
- Resto (will be my new 'hood destination)
- The Little Owl (even the name reminds me of the Spotted Pig...too bad they don't have gnudi)
- Centro Vinoteca (Anne Burrell is a goddess. Potential birthday dinner party location!)
- Momofuku Ko (if the stars ever align) or, Ssam, realistically
- 15 East (since, if you know me well enough, I can never consume too much raw fish)
- Peasant (hearty Italian, how can you go wrong?)

So, the next time you ask me where we should go to dinner, refer to this list. I need to maintain my focus!!

Apologies!

2008-05-06T14:31:00.002-04:00

I hate to cheapen my blog with non-eventful meals so I've been hesitant to post in the past few days. However, after consuming a sugar-free Jamba Juice for lunch, I have never been more ready to gorge on La Bottega's orgasmic Italian cuisine. Stay tuned tomorrow for the full report.

The burger debate of '08 continues...

2008-05-01T17:47:00.005-04:00

As I criss-cross the country in search of the perfect burger, yesterday's lunch time destination proved to be quite a contender as one of the best burgers ever.

The Outlook meeting maker started blinking at 12:15 to remind me that we were oh-so-very-close to Burger Joint's most-perfect burger. Once the clock hit 12:30 we were off and running like the Triple Crown-bred foodies that we are to Le Parker Meridien's Burger Joint.

A decidedly non-trendy, uber-kitschy type joint, Burger Joint is the quintessential dive burger place amidst the wood-paneled offices of Midtown. As "Ride, Sally, Ride" blasted on the stereo and men in suits carried away their greasy brown paper bags filled with deliciousness, we staked out our table and ordered according to the hand-written protocol:
- plain or cheese
- rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, well
- tomato, onion, lettuce, pickle, mustard, ketchup, mayo or "THE WORKS"

After a slight mix up between my burger and Karen's "The Works," we began to munch. I ended up with The Works and honestly, I could not have been more pleased with the mixing of the condiments (sorry, Hal) and the crispy pickles, lettuce and thinly sliced red onion. With each bite, I knew this was one of the top burgers I'd ever eaten.

The meat: perfectly charred outside, really moist, flavorful pink inside
The bun: a traditional Arnold's roll that stood up to The Works and didn't crumble one bit on me
The fries: slightly reminiscent of Wendy's - they were perfectly crispy on the outside and super soft on the inside

Net-net, it's one of the top burger's I've ever ingested. Second only to Art's, in Fayetteville, AR, of course.

Best $4 sandwich I've ever had

2008-04-29T12:58:00.004-04:00

Despite the horrendously chilly and rainy weather, Karen and I decided today would be the day that we embark on our Kwik Meal excursion. Decisive about our meal choice (falafel on pita) with four dollar bills in hand, we sprinted (ok, maybe not, but I want to paint a vivid visual here) down the Avenue of the Americas, avoided any other street food vendors and homeless people, and ordered our beloved sandwiches.

The Vendy Awards attracts serious competition every year and Kwik Meal packed a strong falafel punch. The rolled pita (as opposed to the horizontally-cut pita) was substantial and not soggy despite the hefty amount of slightly spicy yogurt sauce drizzled throughout the pita. The four or five falafel were not at all greasy and very easy to bite. As I made my way down my burrito-style sandwich, I could not help but think when the next time I would be enjoying this street food delight!

The one, the only...Kefi.

2008-04-27T20:38:00.002-04:00

What would happen if Michael Psilakis and Stephen Starr became friends? OMG, I can't even think about it. All I can say is that MP's affordable, genuine Greek fare fared better than anyone in my five-party posse ever expected.

Post-Lincoln Center, the girls and I ventured to Kefi's UWS locale and were told our table would be ready in 10-15 mins. This turned into 25-30 and soon we were chomping at bit as we salivated over the menu. However, the young, smoldering waiters scampering to and fro compensated our 10:45 seating.

Let's get down to business. My faves of the night:
-Selection of spreads: something for everyone in a picky party (roasted red pepper hummus, tzatziki with a nice kick, and a light, yet hearty roasted eggplant)
-THE MEATBALLS: super-moist with freshly roasted garlic and olives...we were forced to order two doses.
-Sheep's Milk dumplings: "Slightly chewy and rich little pillows of heaven" - LP (since I can't vouch - it was still Passover...pity party for me!)
-Crispy cod: the smooth whipped potatoes with roasted garlic perfectly complemented the not-super-fried light nuggets of cod
-Mousaka: the super-sweet lamb, roasted eggplant and the thinly sliced potatoes sang harmoniously in a personal casserole dish. I almost licked the plate.

In three words: YOU MUST GO.

OMFG IHOP IS G-R-O-S-S

2008-04-24T10:12:00.004-04:00

Vom fact of the day: omelets at IHOP range from 920-1500 calories!

It's lunch time...and I'm neither outside nor eating lunch

2008-04-23T13:18:00.007-04:00

The midtown lunch rush is not to be believed especially on days like today when it's 70 degrees and sunny. Since Passover has decided to get in the way of my grilled chicken pressatas and udon noodle soup, I am hungry and vitamin D-deprived in 1285 Ave of the Americas. What's a girl to do?

I'm praying that Mister Softee answers my prayers and is parked on the corner for the critical 3 pm soft ice cream run.

And, just for fun, I can't wait for my return to carbs/alfresco dinner date with LL on Tuesday!

I'll jump on the wine bar bandwagon...

2008-04-21T18:22:00.005-04:00

Since it's Passover and I won't be partaking in too many gastonomic delights this week, I decided to dedicate this post to a passion of mine: wine bars.

In Vino: A teeny piece of Tuscany in the East Village, this is a fantastic date place with a wine list that rivals, well, a very prolific one. The 12 or so pages of wines listed are categorized by region in Italy and the waiters are all well-versed in which wine best complements, say, the porcini ravioli with truffle cream sauce. I can personally vouch for the beef carpaccio (the parmigiano and arugula are the key here), the homemade gnocchi (insanely rich yet delicate enough to polish off) and the Tuscan Chianti.

Uva: Another Italian haven on the Upper East Side, Uva is another wonderful place to go with friends or a date. The patio in the back is adorably adorned with vines and space heaters in the winters which made for a super cozy meal of Pinot Grigio, amazingly creamy and fresh (I'm talking straight from the cow fresh) mozzarella with fava beans and yellow tomatoes, homemade papardelle with veal ragu and a duck carpaccio. HIGHLY recommended for both the atmosphere and the incredibly authentic, fresh Italian delights!

Tarallucci e Vino: Probably holds the most wine bar memories for me as the Viognier, Müller Thurgau and Gruner Veltliner completely transport me into white wine heaven. The homemade pastas (tagliatelle and gnocchi with wild mushrooms are a must) as well as the extensive cheese list make this one of those places that you just simply cannot gather the strength to leave.

Runners-up: Gottino (the latest gastroteca), 'ino, Accademia di Vino

Stephen Starr is my hero

2008-04-17T10:26:00.002-04:00

Last night's post-apartment hunt, birthday & engagement party (Cara & Stef, respectively) at Buddakan was a little slice of heaven on Ninth Avenue (who knew?)! Since this was my second visit to the monstrous Philly institution, I prepared myself for days to be swept away by Stephen Starr's ingenious Asian fusion dishes.

Since there were 11 of us, our fantastic waitress Gloria simply asked us what we liked, what we were allergic to/disliked and how much we wanted to spend (Harlan, if you're reading, PLEASE get some tips from Gloria, stat!). So, we didn't really know what we'd end up with but seriously, it was pretty much the best that Buddakan had to offer. And, it didn't hurt that they had one of my favorite Chardonnays, Sonoma-Cutrer, by the glass! So now, my picks of the night:

APPIES:
-Tuna spring roll:looked like a small cigar. Not too fried, light on the shallots. Simply divine.
-General Tso's soup dumplings: perfectly steamed and not too spicy.
-Edamame dumplings: don't let the name fool you. The edamame was pureed and flecked with shallots and a light broth to make for the perfect vegetariam dumpling.
-Chili rock shrimp: my favorite dish of the night. Reminiscent of Nobu's famed dish, the fried little prawns had just the right amount of kick and weren't overly gingered. Delish!

MAIN DISHES:
-Wild Mushroom Chow Fun: my roommates would have called this the "long broads." The wide rice noodles and several types of mushrooms (shitake, trumpet, et al) made for a substantial side dish
-Charred Filet of Beef: the playing card-size rare slices of filet and the slightly spicy mustard sauce definitely won my heart
-Sweet and Crispy Jumbo Shrimp: just what the name promised - huge prawns drenched in a citrus flavor but remained crisp and not at all soggy

DESSERTS:
Chocolate Mille Feuille: DO NOT MISS THIS! Think: bananas foster on the bottom, chocolate mousse on top. Accompanied by a to-die-for spicy cinnamon chocolate ice cream.

Surprisingly, the big name, big hype restaurant delivered again. I'm already anxiously awaiting the next birthday dinner party I'm attending there on May 1...

Test taste #1: Ben & Jerry's Mint Chocolate Chunk

2008-04-16T15:36:00.003-04:00

In celebration of today's 65-degree and sunny weather, Karen and I decided to take a gander downstairs to the Ben & Jerry's ice cream counter. As my first victim of the Mint Chocolate Chip taste test, the single scoop left me confused. Was it the obvious presence of milk fat in the after taste that I was not used to (I'm a die hard fro-yo or low fat Haagen-Daz kind of gal)? Was it the almost-too-large-to fit-in-a-single-bite chocolate chunks?

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Ben & Jerry's and everything that they stand for. But, I found the chunks to be a bit too over-sized for my taste and frankly, have enjoyed other mint chip/chunk brands better. I'll give this one a generous 7. Next stop: Dylan's Candy Bar.

Calling all talented tongues!

2008-04-15T17:50:00.002-04:00

So I think it's time I start reaching out to my ginormous fan base out there. Basically, I'm tasking you all to leave a comment about what food dish (lobster roll, pad thai, etc) I should taste test at many restaurants so that I can find the "best of" in NYC.

And, just for fun, I might extend this "best of" list to the entire US (and Europe, Katie!!) since I'm super excited about going here:

Never get a waiter named Harlan...

2008-04-11T17:51:00.002-04:00

Today's much-anticipated lunch excursion ended up a culinary success but a service nightmare. The restaurant, Ted's Montana Grill, became one of our team's favorite midtown lunch spots after my welcome lunch last month. The bison burgers are decidedly to-die-for and hey, wasn't there an article that just came about how much better bison is for you than beef? So, I went with the cheddar and bbq sauce bison burger (I actually ordered sauteed mushrooms, but alas, our waiter forgot them) and could not have been happier. The biodegradable straw in my Diet Coke, however, was an eco-friendly disaster.

Our novice waiter, Harlan, seemed to not understand the basics of working in a restaurant. After forgetting my mushrooms and botching up the check, the team decided that waiters named Harlan just can't be all that experienced. We'll probably be back to Ted's, we'll just request to not sit in his section.

I forgot how tasty olive oil can be...

2008-04-10T10:06:00.001-04:00

Last night's opening at Fig and Olive Midtown could not have been more perfectly executed. The space reminded me of the uptown location more so than the Meatpacking outpost with its long marble communal table and narrow dining area. The girls praised the evening's cocktail, a sweet cucumber mojito, although you probably guessed by now that I didn't venture too far from the Sauvignon Blanc which was poured a little too freely throughout the night.

The food was just as I remembered from the many months spent in the Lex location with Katie - delightfully light scallop crostini, swordfish ceviche (a bit dill-heavy, but tolerable) and a lightly seared tuna tartare.

All I can say is thank goodness this new location is a mere block away from my office - it definitely will be my go-to happy hour/appie spot...

So this is what blogging is, huh?

2008-04-09T15:31:00.000-04:00

So I've decided that since I'm completely food-obsessed in this food-dominated city, I think it's time I start documenting all of my food-related experiences.

Thank goodness tonight marks the opening of Fig and Olive Fifth Avenue otherwise I might not have something to blog about. I'm very much looking forward to wine, champagne and olive oils. Will the opening be a disappointment?

Luckily, I've only had positive experiences at both the uptown and downtown locations. The prosciutto, ricotta, fig and walnut crostini is not to be missed, along with the Salade Saumon Marine et Crevettes. Heaven!