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

Kasadela: a neighborhood spot worth the walk

Every time we go to Kasadela, which is on the far east end of the 11th street block between Ave B/C, I feel like we're taking a break from our daily lives and visiting an old friend. When it came time for Adam and I to plan our engagement party, we couldn't think of a better place than this friendly, fun, neighborhood treasure. Kasadela is an Izakaya which is a Japanese establishment that exists somewhere between restaurant, bar and general place to hang out. This is a great place to come with a group of friends or with that special someone. Come in, drink sake, enjoy delicious shared plates and generally have a merry time.

Must haves: Start with an order of Nori (roasted seaweed) to nibble on while you peruse the menu. It's hard to make a bad choice and it's fun to try something new each visit. I recommend the Eel & Cucumber salad but the star of the meal is always the chicken wings--your fingers will smell like garlic the next day but it's worth it. Finish the evening with the homemade Lychee sake and you'll be stumbling home happier than when you came.

Kasadela
647 East 11th Street near Avenue C