When you eat as much as I do...

It's sometimes hard to take a break. But hubby and I decided that right before the holidays, when both of our offices are overwhelmed by holiday treats and candy, would be a good time to do our first ever juice cleanse. Really, we didn't put too much thought into what the process would entail--we like being healthy and figured we'd give it a go. And now that I'm half way through day one I can already see clearly just how much and why I love eating as much as I do.

The Blue Print Cleanse involves drinking 6 juices a day for 3 days and to be honest some of the juices are quite delicious. I also like the thought of putting good into my body and having bad vacate it. But all that being said, I miss food. And not because I'm hungry, which I'm not. I miss the idea of food. The ritual of food. The reward of food.

For the most part, every day of our lives can feel like a routine and for me food is the miniature vacation I can take with myself and friends 3 times (or sometimes more) a day. I relish dining. I look forward to eating. I live for food. And now, having self-imposed a mini break from eating I can pin-point so clearly what about food I love.

For me, food is more than sustenance. It's entertainment. It's art. It's reason. And it's beautiful. It's beautiful in the mundane and expected feeling I get from having my morning cereal. It's a gift during a busy work day when I take a break (even if only briefly sometimes), step away and have lunch. It's the event of my evenings - sometimes simple and quick, sometimes full of pageantry and joy. And it's the highlight of my vacations, often dictating where and when we travel.

And even though I miss food I know how much I'll enjoy it again soon. But 3 days is feeling longer than ever before.

You don't need to be able to pronounce it to enjoy it.

Ushiwakamaru. U-shi-waka-maru. This Japanese restaurant is a mouthful in more than one way (I didn't intend for that to sound dirty if it did). But just like the restaurant's name each piece of sushi that you eat floats around your mouth before entering your subconscious and changing you for the better. Incidentally, Ushiwakamaru is actually the childhood name for a legendary twelfth-century Japanese war hero. They must have chosen it because Ushi is a hero in the NYC sushi scene, swooping in and offering incredible fish at reasonable prices.

The decor of natural wood, clean lines and elegant lighting help the patron focus on what's really important. Sushi. And the sushi is worth focusing on. Considering that within a few blocks one could pay a lot more money for sushi that is only a little bit better quality Ushiwakamaru is fast becoming a go-to establishment for sushi aficionados around the city (of which I count myself). The menu, much like the environment, is simple; you won't find complicated, fancy rolls or heavy deep fried appetizers, but instead quality, elegant fish.  And that's heroic to me.  
Ushiwakamaru
136 Houston St. nr. Sullivan St

Dearly Departed: I really miss LAN sushi.

LAN sushi was my favorite restaurant. Period. End of post. just kidding.

LAN was my go-to place when I wanted to celebrate a personal triumph like a getting a raise, running a new long distance or when a cute guy winked at me on the subway (this was before I was married obviously). But it was also the place I went when I wanted to drown my sorrows on rainy days & grey Tuesdays, after a stressful day at work or when a cute guy hit on my friend (this was before I was married obviously). In short, LAN was the perfect catch-all restaurant through good and bad times and I really reveled my evenings spent reading on my own or playing follow-the-leader sushi with friends.

The fish was incredibly fresh, the sake selection was really extensive, they had a chocolate molten souffle on the dessert menu and it was perfect. Never so crowded that you had to wait long for a table but never too empty that you felt strange dining alone. So when LAN closed a few years ago it became a challenge to find a replacement but I recently tracked down the man behind LAN, Tadao Mori, at his latest restaurant, Dieci (Japanese Italian food - yes Italian) to find out what happened. While I couldn't get a straight answer about why LAN closed other than "it just didn't work out" it's comforting to see the owner, chef and much of the old staff happily settled at this new establishment.

Anyway, now on those evenings when I'm in need of some celebratory sushi or some drown-my-sorrows sake I make my way to one of the following non LAN spots; Shima when I want no muss/no fuss quality fish, very low key and mid-level good. Kanoyamo when I want to step it up a notch but I still don't feel like getting dressed up. The fish quality is slightly better but the prices go up quite a bit. And relatively new to me is Ushiwakamaru on Houston--friends introduced me to this spot over the summer and I'm really glad they did. It's casual, non-pretentious, absolutely delicious and fresh. You may need to go elsewhere for the chocolate molten souffle but I think these spots have helped to fill the canyon size void that LAN left in my heart.

1000 pageviews! Where should we go to celebrate?

Whoa! 1000 pageviews! Sounds like a reason to celebrate if I've ever heard one. How about cocktails at our place and then onto the main event...

Here are some of NY's best restaurants that (gasp!) I haven't been to. Vote on which should be next:



a) Per Se (Sam Sifton's "best restaurant in NY." Caveat: we won't be paying for the full experience just the salon menu.)





b) ABC Kitchen (love the furniture why wouldn't I love the food too)





c) Momofuko Ko (David Chang's turn with tasting menus, sounds good to me)







d) Dirt Candy (because a meat-eater can be a vegetable-lover too)




e) wild card write in?

The writing on the wall...

I'm sitting here at Graffiti on East 10th Street rudely typing away while my husband stares aimlessly at our communal table dining companions. To the unsuspecting patron across the table I must look very important because I'm clearly responding to a work email but really I'm too excited to wait to say just how good Graffiti really is.

I recently heard that the television writers for one of my childhood favorites (Pete & Pete) put parameters on their writing that everything should be "funny, sad, strange, beautiful" and for some reason that struck me. I think that's a perfect lens to look at life. So it's rather strange and beautiful that we ended up dining at Graffiti tonight. The food at Graffiti feels vaguely Spanish and Indian but that fusion works and the results are definitely beautiful. There are elements of Modern Spanish cuisine in the combinations of ingredients and presentation. And there are Indian influences in the spices that linger on your tongue and the smells that waft over you while you dine. It's a lovely sensory experience.

We started with the Pickled Ginger Scallops over a candied red chili glaze--the scallops were so sweet and delicate but balanced by the flash of heat from the chilies--it was subtle and powerful at the same time. Next the Pork Dumplings with a sweet grapefruit confit covered with strangely, crispy chickpea flakes--the different textures and combination of the hearty pork and airy dumplings created a truly enjoyable bite. To be honest the pork buns didn't wow me but the Skate with mint yogurt sauce more than made up for them. Finally, on to dessert which was amazing. Hazelnut chocolate caviar cupcake with chocolate chip ice cream. Doesn't that just sound delicious? I'll say it again; hazelnut chocolate caviar cupcake with chocolate chip ice cream. Yum. This lightly sweet hazelnut cake covered with whimsical crispy chocolate caviar spheres accompanied by chocolate chip ice cream truly finished the evening right. The whole experience fit my new mold of funny, strange, beautiful and the sad part is that it had to end.

Graffiti
224 East 10th Street btw 1/2 Ave

People will not stop talking about Torrisi Italian Specialties.

The Torrisi guys have saved traditional locally-sourced rustic Italian cuisine! The Torrisi guys have revamped the San Genarro festival and made Mulberry Street hipster-foodie approved! The Torrisi guys have revolutionized mozzarella by putting it on a stick! There has been so much non-stop buzz around these guys and their Italian food cottage industry that I decided it was high time to check out all the buzz for myself. And I'll admit it, I arrived a little skeptical -- after all these guys have more hype surrounding them than that time Angelina & Brad walked through that airport.

My skepticism was magnified when I found out that in order to dine at Torrisi one must queue up at 4:30pm and wait for a host to mysteriously appear from behind a literal veil of lace curtains for the opportunity to get one of three seatings for later that night. When you walk by the Mulberry street storefront in mid-afternoon, there is a line of fidgety foodies clamoring to be invited past the veiled window. What the old fashion window coverings are protecting is a mystery that only adds to aura and hype. Perhaps the veil is to protect the patrons who've made it in from the glaring oohs and ahhs of onlookers. Or perhaps instead to protect the passer-bys from the splendor that exists just beyond their reach. No matter what the reason the whole meal felt shrouded in secrecy and wonder. And I found it particularly comical when a random couple walked in at 8:30pm and asked for a table on the spot...ha! Those imbeciles! Don't they know what the rest of us have gone through to eat here?!?

Anyway, once we were finally seated and the wine started flowing I began to see, and be swept into, the hype. There is no formal menu, only an ever evolving prefix where the only choice your faced with is between two entrees. Luckily my table is the sharing kind so we get to try it all. We began with oysters - 2 per person - to get our palates going. Then on to the hand-pulled, house-made mozzarella in DaVero olive oil accompanied by buttery garlic bread with tomato (good start). Next the broccoli salad with crispy shallots (yum). Followed by the deliciously tender grilled octopus doused in a pepperoni vinaigrette (really delicious). The extremely delicate lambs tongue gyro followed (unbelievable). The dirty duck ragu over perfectly al dente Gemellis (holy cow that was yummy). Then onto the mains; Skate with pickled cauliflower and spicy Devil's Chicken over tangy yogurt (YAY!). We ended the meal with a venerable cornucopia of Italian pasties (and we asked for seconds of a few). Another bottle of wine and we called it a night. [Actually we sang like 20 rounds of karaoke at a bar around the corner but then we called it a truly satisfying night.]

And I'll admit, with all the buzz surrounding these guys and their recent food endeavors it was wonderful to walk away feeling that you can actually believe the hype.

Torrisi Italian Specialties
250 Mulberry Street

I keep paying $26 for that damn burger at Minetta Tavern

Minetta Tavern. This classic West Village establishment first opened its doors in 1937 and the vibe and mystique hasn't changed. This popular and crowded haunt feels like a vintage speakeasy that then and now is crawling with artists, village bohemians and jet set alike. It's been described as "Parisian steakhouse meets classic New York City tavern" and I couldn't put it better. But even though the environment feels ripped from the pages of the past, the menu prices have raced into the future. And with good reason.

Minetta Tavern is known for their $26 Black Label Burger. Love it or hate it, the BLB works hard for its price tag. The burger is a mixture of select cuts of beef from the famed La Frieda meat purveyor surrounded by some of the finest fixings around. A mixture of dry aged, prime NY strip, skirt steak and brisket floating on a Balthazar Bakery brioche, covered with sweetly sauteed onions and drizzled with clarified butter. This burger is pampered to perfection. It is so juicy, so decadent, so yummy--one bite and you'll understand all the attention (and $$).

While there may be buzz around the burger everything on the menu is noteworthy. Some of the appetizers - bone marrow with toasted baguette and shallot confit or the "classic" beef tartar - are amazing. And surprisingly, with a host of other delicious entrees to choose from, each time I come I can't help but ordering that damn burger!

Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal btw Bleeker & West 3rd

I found my happy place at Brooklyn Fare.

I'll find any excuse to celebrate. So when I needed an excuse for us to be excessive at Brooklyn Fare I decided that the fact that I even got a reservation (for 7:45pm on a Saturday) was reason enough to throw a party. But then, just after I received our email confirmation, the accolades started rolling in-- Three Michelin stars! 29 in Zagats! Three stars in the NYTimes! Praise from almost every food writer in the tri-state. I knew that us going there was meant to be. Especially after our dining neighbors told us they called over 100 times to get their coveted seat. And all it took was me patiently calling their reservation line at 10:29am on the dot on a Monday morning 6 weeks prior. The phone rang, they answered, and we were in. (Editors note: my hapless but well intentioned husband tried for weeks to get a reservation, I suppose it takes a woman's touch.)

When we arrived at the 18 seat sanctuary I was actually nervous with excitement. There I was fidgeting as we stared awkwardly at the other patrons across the table who were part way through the earlier seating. But then I began to watch as César Ramirez's kitchen worked its magic...military precision, silence, artistry. It was beautiful. And everything in the place was minimally elegant and had a clear purpose. And then the food began...

We started the evening with a large shot glass of warm butternut squash soup topped with thick, cool greek yogurt foam. Perfection. It was clear we were in for an adventure. The meal is designed with 18 consecutive one bite dishes followed by 5 larger dishes and 2 desserts. The one bites are meant to be just that and their compositions are like mini masterpieces, each small component deliberately chosen to accentuate a flavor, smell or sense. (By the way, photos, phones and note taking are strictly discouraged so I just have to go with what sticks out in my memory) there was the thimble of salmon, creme, roe over celery & dill compote, the sardine weaved into a homemade potato chip, the fluke with pickled daikon, the oyster in a gelle of its own brine, the mini custard with dashi sauce, urchin, fois gras and truffle. Or my personal favorite of the small bites; the San Diego sea urchin on pillow like brioche with black truffle. Each taste was like a sweet and rich little gift.

On to the main courses which were somehow less impressive than the one bites but nonetheless delicious. Namely the pumpkin ravioli in mushroom sauce topped with a thinly shaved black truffle, the simple waygu beef, the lobster bite with veal ravioli and foie gras, the perfectly cooked duck breast and so on. We finished the evening with a sweet and refreshing lingonberry, frozen yogurt with gold leaf followed by a cinnamon apple cake with sweet salted oatmeal crumble. These descriptions don't do them justice.

I was practically catatonic I was so elated and overcome with beautiful sensory experience. But I guess that's to be expected when you enter your happy place.

Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare
200 Schermerhorn Street
Brooklyn, NY

I would like a glass of wine.

When you reach a certain age in life it's important to have a neighborhood wine bar.

For us that wine bar is Terroir (East Village). We frequent this bar enough for the approachable bartenders and madcap chef to recognize us by face but probably not enough for them to know us by name (I might worry if we were that regular). Terroir is a great place to wallow time before or after your evening plans or to make a night of it with several glasses of wine and an order of their delicious Tomato & Egg bruschetta. This bruschetta is made with delicious thick and crusty bread, unbelievably fresh tomatoes and one oozing raw egg gingerly placed on top. It's single-handedly changed my view of the use of raw egg in food and changed some of my personal recipes, thank you very much Terrior.

Besides the bruschetta there are a lot of options on the munchies menu ranging from cheese, meats, small sandwiches and meatballs. But really the wine is the focus and it's pretty obvious that the staff loves their wine. They're super knowledgeable and patient as you peruse the large index of labels and types they carry.

For some reason the East Village Terroir gets far less buzz than its Tribeca sister but being the smaller and more under-the-radar of the two is just fine for me. With snacks this good, with wine this yummy and with a vibe that could make you want to sit there for the long haul, Terrior is a good spot for a neighborhood to have, especially my neighborhood.

Terroir
413 East 12th Street btw 1st/Ave A
24 Harrison Street @ Greenwich
Murray Hill location opening soon (not that I'll ever get there)

An homage to (and suggestions to replace) the dearly departed - Gonzo

If you're like me you've undoubtedly watched some of your favorite neighborhood restaurants come and go with little to no fanfare. Well enough! Respect needs to be paid. And alternatives need to be brought to light. Because over the years we've lost some greats. And I'm tired of pining for places that no longer exist.

Vincent Scotto of Gonzo did things with thin crust pizza that I've never seen before. Taking eight ounces of dough and spreading it out to the size of a small table then covering it with unique ingredients such as curried cauliflower, sweet onions, spiced goat cheese and cumin. This was the perfect neighborhood restaurant and I frequented it as much for the ambiance and wine list as for the food which was consistently great. So I was surprised and saddened to see it boarded up one day while walking the pup; I was even sadder to hear that it closed because Chef Scotto died of a heart attack at the young age of 39. Tragedy for us all...and I'm yet to find a suitable replacement. I've heard that Gonzo sibling restaurant Scotto's pizza is very similar but I'm yet to sample it so can't fully endorse it.

But in the interest of life goes on it's time for me to go on too and find a surrogate for this thin crust mecca. While it might not be exactly the same type of pie I've been taking great solace at Motorino East Village. I've found that this Neapolitan style pizza is delicious and even though I favor the classic Margherita pie, having toppings like Brussel Sprouts & Pancetta or Stone Clams & Parsley Butter really helps get through the loss of Gonzo.

The Dearly Departed posts will be continued with other recommendation to fill the void in all our hearts left by the closing of LAN, Share, 9th Street Market, Harbour, Irving Mill and Kitchen Club to name a few. Feel free to send condolences or recommendations.

Scarpetta: Italian Food for Non-Italian Food lovers

I realize that I am somewhat of an oddity because I don't love love love Italian food. And I know that for many people a heaping plate of pasta, a nice glass of chianti and lots and lots of bread dipped in olive oil is all they need for a happy night. But while that isn't my idea of a particularly exciting or fully satisfying meal it doesn't mean I can't appreciate an incredible Italian experience when it's upon me...and having eaten at Scarpetta several times now I can say this is the place to enjoy Italian food.

Scarpetta is an incredible blend of elegant, chic comfort and freshly perfected Italian craftsmanship. And that sensibility shines through in every dish. They worship fresh ingredients and treat those ingredients with the respect and attention needed. Dishes are not over-seasoned; you can look at the plate and practically see every ingredient in the dish. And that is what makes them perfect in their simplicity.

To begin, the Raw Yellowtail drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with flaked pink sea salt is so fresh and sweet and good you might wonder why every meal isn't this uncomplicated and delicious. If only every Italian restaurant would stop wasting ingredients and resolve to serve basic, high quality food; letting their fresh flavors shine through.

Next comes the Pièce de résistance or as my mother refers to it "the dish that Jay-Z and Beyonce eat when they come here"...anyway, it is quite possibly the simplest of all the dishes on the menu: Spaghetti, tomato & basil. That's it. Three ingredients. End of story, goodnight.

Just kidding. The Spaghetti at Scarpetta is just so damn good. And it is only three ingredients. But those ingredients are the best versions of themselves and proportioned in a way that bite after bite you will find yourself ascending an ethereal food coma. If I'm not overstating it enough--simplicity is near perfection! And Scarpetta is the closest I've come to a perfect Italian meal. Goodnight (for real).

Scarpetta
355 West 14th Street @ 9th Ave
New York, NY

In the mood for Mexican?

It's a rare occasion when I find myself really in the mood for Mexican. It's not that I don't enjoy a good margarita with guac & chips, it's just that the cuisine itself doesn't often leave me that satisfied...culinarily.

But when the mood does strike me (as I'd say it does strongly about thrice a year) there are a few places that meet my high standards for quality Mexican. Recently I had the opportunity to visit two of said establishments.

Mercadito is a great East Village spot--seemingly very small from the street but enter the back room and you'll feel like you've been transported to a Mexican Hacienda smack in the middle of the city. Mercadito has an impressive selection of adorable, little, fun-for-sharing tacos with ingredients such as ancho rubbed pork with grilled pineapple, sauteed tilapia with grilled corn & manchego or chicken with sweet plantains. And who could forget the excellent variety of the guacamole (chunky with fruit or freshly smoked, yum!). But my personal favorite are the ceviches and wouldn't you know it you can order a "sampler" and get 3 at once! The tiny scallops with strawberries, key lime-habanero broth and mint! The mahi-mahi with avacado, tomato and orange-chile! The octopus, shrimp, jicama and orange! Yum Yum Yum! The ceviches are so good they have me rethinking my 3 times a year Mexican fix.

For the times I find myself wandering the West Village and the Mexican food craving hits, I really enjoy the new hot spot, Empellon. Empellon is the love child of Alex Stupak, former pastry chef from WD~50 and Alinea, who apparently is equally adept at making tacos as he is making avant garde desserts. In this setting you'll find the crowd is a little fancier and so is the food. The guacamole is creamy not chunky and the cocktails have fancy oak aged Reposado tequila. But the tacos, oh the tacos. My personal favorite is the sweet Scallops with cauliflower, capers and raisins. The Skirt Steak with olive oil, lime and toasted garlic was a hit at the table too. And who could forget the sides--the Refried Black Beans with a spicy habanero kick and the Sweet Plantains were delicious.

After dining at these two fantastic Mexican restaurants I think my cravings are gonna be coming a little more frequently...

Uptown at the Four Seasons

You've probably guessed by now that I live downtown. And it must seem like I rarely go above 14th street unless a paycheck is involved but about once a year my family ventures uptown (and back in time) to the original old school fancy pants eatery...the Four Seasons. Pool side of course.

I like to begin an evening at the 4S by letting the waiter know I've been there before by proudly ordering the souffle before he can offer it (it takes a while to prepare so they insist you order it with cocktails but we'll get to desserts later).

The food at the 4S is consistently good and elegant but it's not mindblowing. The real thrill of being there is the experience of being there itself. The waitstaff that's been on salary for a quarter century and probably make more than your CEO. The shimmery window coverings that look like an elegant copper gown. And then there actually is the clientele at the next table wearing an elegant copper gown and dripping with more diamonds than 47th street herself. It's a fun place to people watch and to aimlessly stare at the Picasso tapestry and Rothko Reds on the wall. Notice yet again that the food isn't the focus. And while the food is excellent it wouldn't be the same without the setting.

Over the years I can recall great steaks and excellent Cesar salads and delicate, moist fishes but not one really stands out. It's a good place to go for your parents wedding anniversary or a big birthday. Everyone talks about the famous power lunches that take place in the Grill Room but for me it will always be my big fancy New York dinner in that cold yet rich feeling Pool Room.

Oh yes, the desserts. I said I'd come back to them. Worth noting that the souffles are amazing and we always have two (one for the table and one for me of course). But my sister always lights up when they bring out the heaping mountain of cotton candy which hides a surprise ice cream scoop. The cotton candy isn't on the menu but by now almost every other table is eating one so shoot a sweet smile to the Maitre D' and you're in!

The Four Seasons
99 East 52nd Street btw Park & Lex

Simpler times at Corner Bistro

Ahh...Corner Bistro...brings me back to a simpler time in my life when running around the city until all hours of the night and sustaining myself on burgers and beer seemed a viable existence...cue Barbara Streisand singing "Memories."

The famous burgers and beer watering-hole has long been a cornerstone for students, tourists, and New Yorkers alike. Corner Bistro is less of a restaurant and more of a youthful time and place for me. Are the burgers that much better than the ones from your regular greasy spoon grill down the street? It's debatable. But you can't go to Corner Bistro without magically being transported to a pre-workaday stress life...or maybe it's all the $2.50 beers you consume while being on line for 45 minutes that brings you to a better state of mind.

Either way by the time you get your seat and take a bite into that famous Bistro Burger (with cheese and bacon) you will have a new appreciation for the concept of delayed gratification. The burger and perfectly thin, crispy fries will be exactly what you had hoped they would be after 45 minutes of McSorely's Ales and anticipation.

Corner Bistro
331 West 4th St. at Jane

Why did Robataya take the onion off the menu?

I love Robataya. It feels exactly how I envision a countryside Japanese farmhouse restaurant (and I hope to find out for real this time next year). But my favorite thing on the menu, quite possibly the most simple yet well executed dish--a thick-sliced grilled white onion--has mysteriously been taken off the menu. And I can't figure out why. Surely it wasn't cost prohibitive. Hell I could pick one up for a few pennies at the corner bodega on my way in next time. And every time I've been in recently I make a point to ask in a sweet and surprised voice "where's the onion!?!" --it's my desperate attempt at a passive aggressive protest in hopes that the wait staff will confer and conclude that "gee, people keep asking for the onion! We should bring it back!". Anyway, I still love it there and would recommend it onion or not.

Sitting at the bar is cozy and entertaining at the same time and the ordering possibilities are endless. I always light up like a 5 year old when the grill master literally leaps from his perch surrounded by fresh vegetables, fish and meats in order to pluck a distant mushroom and delicately place it on the grill-top before ultimately delivering it to you via long wooden paddle. It's quite a spectacle and sounds unbelievable but it's really happening at this hidden gem on 9th Street.

I recommend anything from the grilled section--because there isn't anything better than fresh grilled veggies or Japanese meats/fish lightly seasoned with high quality salt. Off the cooked menu we love Kamameshi with Salmon & Salmon Roe (a glorious pot of Japanese rice slow cooked with fish and served family style). If you like Uni (and if you don't, you should) I recommend trying the grilled Uni--it really changes the taste and texture and even if raw is better, grilled is a great food experience to have. It's amazing how simple preparations can be so delicious when done with high quality ingredients and respect for the subject.

Robataya
231 East 9th St. btw 2/3 Ave

Stop what you're doing and go to WD~50.

Downtown on Clinton Street, in an elegantly unassuming storefront is one of the most exciting meals in the city. Recently I had the pleasure of returning to WD~50 and bite after glorious bite I was left thrilled, surprised and just plain happy to be there.

Instead of the pre-set tasting menu, my table opted to create our own and in the end we tasted almost all of the appetizers and half of the entrees. I have good things to say about almost all of them and I'm borderline speechless about some (actually who I am kidding--the words will come).

I usually avoid Foie Gras on all menus due to the 10 million calorie-a-bite price tag that comes along with it but a forkful of Wylie Dufrense's whipped, sponge-like aerated Foie Gras and I felt like I was biting into an exotic chocolate mouse. It lingered in my mouth and floated down my throat and fell like a feather into my stomach. It was a good way to start the evening. I was made equally giddy by the Shrimp Spaghetti which wasn't actually spaghetti at all but beautifully crafted little strings of pressed shrimp masquerading as pasta covered in fresh tomato and basil. For entrees, we ooh-ed and aw-ed over the sweet Halibut floating in a hen o' the woods mushroom jus surrounded by soybean salsa and burnt lemon (the fish was so delicate that all you needed was a spoon to enjoy). We fell back into our cushy seats in ecstasy over the pork neck surrounded by smoked spaetzle with peach and almond. And we damn near fell off those plush seats as we finished the evening with a dessert of extremely light and sweet meringue surrounding spheres of passionfruit.

And finally the crème de la crème ...a tour of the kitchen (which anyone can gain access to with a polite request) and just like the meal it was elegant, sleek and full of chaotic beauty. The sign that hung overhead summed up the entire evening...

WD~50
50 Clinton Street @ Rivington

DONUTS! with Mussels?

Three words: Salted Caramel Donuts!!!!! Oh yeah, they have mussels too. Sounds strange I know but we went to Flex Mussels exclusively to have these incredibly perfect, light little, sweetly flavor-filled, pillowy donuts. I first tried "Just Dessert" Top Chef's Zac Young's donuts when they were at a pop up shop in Grand Central and from the moment I bit into the sugary, cinnamon salty sweet delicacy I knew that once was not going to be enough for a lifetime. So when I learned that the man behind these donuts was the exclusive pastry chef at Flex Mussels I figured "hey, I like mussels and for those donuts I'll do anything." And while the mussels were excellent and they had so many variations, at the end of the day the donuts were the thing!

After rushing our way through the dinner portion of the evening we were on to the main event. We ordered a platter of the delectable fried deliciousness. There were so many flavors to choose from--wild blueberry, meyer lemon, cinnamon sugar, salted caramel, Fluffernutter, PB&J, praline or chocolate--I opted for salted caramel and chocolate. The chocolate donut was like a molten sweet circle of love and the salted caramel donut was the closest I'll ever get to perfect in my mouth.

In case you haven't caught on these donuts are amazing. And i won't be satisfied until everyone I love has tasted one. so what are you waiting for!?! and oh yea since you're there, the mussels are good too.

Flex Mussels
154 West 13th @ 7th Ave
174 East 82nd @ 3rd Ave

A trip to Italy for the best coffee in the world.

The coffee at Piccolo Cafe is another great fight against the watery mud that our palates have all become accustomed to from fast food coffee stores on every corner. Piccolo and its purveyors come directly from Italy and they bring with them a respect for coffee so great it could make you believe that their grandparents lovingly tended and farmed each bean that they hand ground and passionately poured into your cup (I have no idea if their grandparents were involved in this process but I do know it's damn good coffee).

But more than the coffee comes from Italy, the entire vibe in the cafe feels straight from the Italian countryside. I had lunch at Piccolo in midtown today and even though the food isn't anything mind-blowing, it is really fresh and the place was a wonderful respite in an otherwise mundane Thursday. The second I walked in I felt like it was a random summer afternoon and I had nothing to do and no where to go and no desk full of work to come back to. Something about the coffee and the food and wood paneled walls that makes you feel like you've been whisked away to a foreign country and that you are a blissfully meandering tourist instead of a rat racer in heels on a summer afternoon.

This little coffee shop has now expanded to 3 locations (conveniently near my home and office!) and it's a great place for a cup of coffee or if you don't mind a little wait during the lunchtime rush, something more. Either way this little piece of Italy is definitely worth it!


Piccolo Cafe
3rd Ave btw 15/16
Madison Ave btw 37/38
40th St. btw 7/8th Ave

So there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

If you're anything like me you've been reading all the news, raves, updates and trials about Brushstroke, David Bouley's long in the works, recently opened shrine to the art of Japanese cuisine (wait, you mean you don't wake up every morning and check the press about the new sushi restaurants in the city?). Anyway, I have been excited to try Brushstroke ever since it opened a few months ago and we finally had a special occasion to bring us there.

Unbeknown to us the main dining room, which is the zen minimalist oasis of light wood and clean lines that everyone talks about, is reserved only for tasting menu diners and the dim, afterthought of a bar is where a la carte diners are relegated. We of course opted for the tasting menu main dining room and prepared ourselves for everything a $135-a-head meal would buy us. For starters the room really is lovely and complete with chef's tasting bar where we had a front row seat to the orchestra that is the kitchen staff and sushi bar. We soon learned that when we opted for the tasting menu we were signing on for almost 4 hours and what amounts to 13 courses of amazing, unbelievable, elevated Japanese art cuisine like we've seldom had. And one course was better than the next. There was the succulent duck in miso mustard sauce, the soft boiled egg with uni, truffle oil and nori, the delicately seared wagyu, the pear and pistachio black cod, the sushi course, the sashimi course and all the glorious courses in between. There came a certain point during the evening after the japanese eggplant with summer vegetables but before the cape cod lobster with lobster scallop dumpling when i found myself saying "No more! Please! My stomach can't take much more elevation!" but just as i thought it was ending 3 more small plates arrived at our places. Oi vey.

To say that dining at Brushstroke was one of the best and most memorable meals we've had in a long time would be right on. But now that we've been there and soaked it all in my desire to go back is pretty low...but check back with me in a month...after all they do change the menu :-)

Brushstroke
30 Hudson Street (at Duane)

Peter Lugers: Bring Your Dad

Considering this city is home to the original meat packing district it's not surprising that one of the best steaks is just over the Williamsburg bridge. Peter Luger is a steakhouse's steakhouse...one of the originals. And even though it often feels overrun with tourists it's still great fun and definitely a place to bring your dad. Now I personally like my steak so rare it's almost bleeding but Luger's can even bring a well done piece and I would blissfully enjoy every bite. The staff is old school (rude) but that's all part of the charm and if your dad is an old school New Yorker he'll love being reminded of his parents generation and a simpler time before we knew that bone marrow clogs your arteries.

Go with a big group and eat everything (including salad & sides) with Luger's sauce. Also, don't forget your cash...Luger's credit card is the only accepted.

Luger's is not elegant so if you're looking for your steak with white linens try Wolfgangs, BLT Prime, Quality Meats or my personal favorite Minetta Tavern (and yes the $26 burger is worth it).

Peter Luger's
178 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY

Is Ippudo worth the wait?

Short answer yes with an if.

If you're like every other Asian-food-loving downtown New Yorker you have undoubtedly waited at least an hour for ramen at Ippudo. But why? There are at least 5 other ramen places within a few blocks. Still people clamor for a seat and a spoon at this Japanese import.

Rather than try to dissect what about Ippudo makes it rise above the others I'd like to mention that as I write this a craving so strong is beginning to sweep over me that I'm tempted to drop what I'm doing, get up from my desk and walk, nay run to the 4th avenue establishment....and I just ate lunch. And thus explains the hubbub at Ippudo...it's strangely addictive. Now I'm not suggesting that they're putting nicotine type narcotics in their broth but all I can say is I am suddenly am having the strongest hankering for some hot noodle soup--and it's August for Christ's sake. So the short answer is yes Ippudo is worth the wait if you are overcome with a super strong ramen craving and you go knowing full well you might be in for the long haul.

Honorable mention needs to go to the Momofuko Noodle Bar just a few blocks east. Often commands a similar wait and crowd but I think the menu beyond the ramen is the star at MNB (do you like the acronym i just made up). If you're simply looking for that perfect ramen zazuto (Japanese for the polite slurping sound eating ramen makes) then Ippudo is worth the wait.

Ps- I would be remiss if I didnt mention the pork buns at both restaurants and you would be too if you don't start the night with an order.


Ippudo
65 Fourth Avenue (Between 9th & 10th Street)

Honorable Mention:
Momofuko Noodle Bar
171 1st Avenue (between 10th & 11th Street)

Home away from home...

Martha's Vineyard.

If you ever catch me aimlessly staring into space with a happy and quiet look on my face, i'm probably day dreaming about Martha's Vineyard. Every summer since i was a teenage my family has been making the (pleasant) trek from New York and New Jersey up to the Vineyard and every summer we are magically transported to our "happy place" where the biggest problem we face is should we have oysters for lunch and lobster for dinner or vice versa.

We stay in Edgartown and for those of you who haven't had the pleasure it's like Martha Stewart, J. McLaughlin and Ralph Lauren designed a street in Disney World exclusively for the Kennedy's. It's lovely and quaint and quintessentially New England...complete with white picket fences and more fresh hydrangeas than you can shake a polo shirt & docksiders at.

Anyway...let's narrow the discussion to food. And i'll try to be brief.

Atria: Atria is our favorite restaurant on the island. We like to reserve it for special occasions (isn't everyday on the vineyard?!?) but we always go at least once. The service is fantastic and the ambiance is absolutely lovely. The food is...excellent for outside of NYC. Inside of NYC, it's like Gotham Bar & Grill's slightly less good sibling. Either way, great wine list (Duckhorn Merlot yum!) and this is one of those rare occasions when I always have appetizer, entree and dessert because it's just that yummy.

Atlantic: For some reason, despite the horrible service (and believe me the service will be bad), we keep coming back here. Probably because it's so damn pleasant to sit and eat and drink and watch the boats that you don't even mind that your Russian waiter forgot to order your entree and "wait, you wanted your appetizer before dessert?"... It is just lovely sitting there and the food (when it finally comes) is pretty good. Be careful though...on weekend nights it turns into the closest thing to a night club that you're gonna get on this sleepy island. I recommend the Watermelon & Feta salad and my sister loves the Tomato soup that comes with a grilled cheese (that isn't on the menu).

Larsens/Menemsha Fish Markets: The great family rivalry has created a great dinning experience for us. We frequent the neighboring fish markets several times during our stay for lunch on the docks. And this is what I recommend: Get your lobster bisque and hot lobster roll (no mayo, just clarified butter on the side) from Menemsha and get your oysters and clams from Larsens. There isn't much to complain about when you're eating the freshest seafood only steps away from the waters it came from.

Ahhh...I'm happy just reminiscing.

Sushi, sushi, sushi...specifically 15 East

My reason for living. Well not including my husband, family, friends and dog. But otherwise i think sushi is it.

It's hard to talk about sushi and my love of it without talking about the place that started it all...15 East. (Well, really LAN Sushi started it all but it met its untimely demise a few years ago and 15 East took over the #1 spot in my heart.)

I'll admit that I've been frequenting this establishment less since they made some major staff reshuffling but overall they are consistently excellent. Walk into this sparse, minimalist, elegant space and there isn't much to focus on other than the fish. I recommend to go full speed ahead with the Chef's Omakasa (tasting menu) and if you are lucky enough on a Thursday or Friday, having the LIVE Uni is a must! it comes to your table tentacles wiggling but its erupts in your mouth like sweet sea water and spring time.

Also, Chef Masato is a big sweetheart and if you become brave enough ask for his "must visit list" for Tokyo restaurants. As soon as we book our trip to Japan, I'm checking off every one on his list!

Check back later for my musings on all the other greats...Sushi Yesuda, Kanoyama, Sasabune, Sushi Ann, Sushi Zen, Ushiwakamura, Bond St., Sushi UO, Jewel Bako and others.

And if you're wondering why Sushi Samba or Haru aren't on this list, stop reading this blog immediately.

15 East
15 East 15th Street
NYC