Eat This: The pancakes with the caramelized orange rinds were delicious. You can also order them on the side and who doesn't love a little bit of carbs on the sides.
Drink That: Their Rose is bad. But the organic gin and tonic was wonderful. I actually didn't feel like my insides were burning.
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This is what Red Lobster wishes it could be. But I highly recommend this restaurant when you want to get your fish on. The gumbo is my personal favorite. It's the closest thing I can get to the gumbo flavors I used to get in New Orleans. So jump right in the deep end of City Crab.
Note: Sunday brunch normally has a live jazz band playing and they would probably serve Nemo if caught fresh that day. Sorry Ariel.
It's the French national motto. Luckily, there's a vineyard in Paso Robles, California who let freedom ring to create this delicious Cabernet Sauvignon. And you don't need a passport to get a taste.
It's rich, fruity, balanced and went perfectly well with the roasted lemon chicken I had for dinner. It's not as well developed as other wines I've tasted, but it pretty good.
At $10 from Trader Joe's, you need to get your hand on this and get your locavore on.
Here are the details:
YES
Liberte Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc, 2010 from Paso Robles is worth the $10 especially if your meal has a fruit element. I'm thinking a duck with a cherry sauce. Hmmm...cherry sauce.
NO
If you go to weekly meetings where everyone only knows you by your first name and you're barely on step 1. This is not for you.
MAYBE
You're a dedicated white wine person or prefer beer to wine. I feel you brother. I have my moments. But at least you have another bottle you can use to commiserate with a sommelier--those guys at restaurants who try to talk you into the $500 bottles of wine.
Cheers!
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Restaurant: Del Posto
Address: 85 10th Avenue New York, NY 10011
Tel: 212-497-8090
Yes, No and Maybe: Oh my Lidia...that's Italian! Aside from the fact that I'm obsessed with Lidia Bastianich and deem her as one of those people who can do no wrong, this restaurant just does it for me. The food is light, fresh and authentically Italian. Albeit, it's not to be confused with the cooking of an Italian nona (grandma). It's more of grandma's cooking refined by her sons (Joe Bastianich and Mario Batali) with 4 star prices. So open up the wallet and loosen your belts for a good time and good eating at Del Posto
Eat this: The prix fixe menu provides an opportunity to taste as much as possible. I'm still day dreaming about the lobster...hmmm crustacean.
Drink that: When it comes to Italian, I've always preferred their red wines to whites. To each their own. And it's obvious that I did the wine pairing with the Prix Fixe.
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Restaurant: Kuma Inn
Address: 113 Ludlow
Tel: 212-353-8866
Yes, No and Maybe: Holy Human League. Kuma Inn, you're my obsession and I will have you Yes, I will have you I will find a way and I will have you...again! Besides the fact that the chef is professionally trained and Asian, he brings authenticity to his fresh take on classic dishes.
Eat this: I'm only 1/4 way through the menu. But my favorite so far is steamed mussels, grilled baby octopus drunken shrimp and arroz valencia. The pancit is a pass. It's a little soupy.
Drink that: Since it's BYO, I recommend bringing a Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough
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Restaurant: Pok Pok Chicken (I renamed it Crap Crap Chicken)
Address: 137 Rivington
Tel: 212-477-1219
Yes, No and Maybe: Houston we have a problem. The chicken wings didn't taste like chicken because the shrimp paste marinade was too overpowering and it made me bloated like a zeppelin. The pork chop sandwich is something I can make at home and why leave the bone on for a sandwich. The sticky rice was dry. The Vietnamese inspired slaw was too sour and the quarter head of uncooked cabbage didn't make any sense on my plate. Stay in Portland brother.
Eat this: NA
Drink that: NA
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Restaurant: Legend Restaurant
Address: 88 7th Avenue (Between 15th &16 Street)
Tel: 212-929-1778
Yes, No and Maybe: YES if you want your mouth on fire. This is the place for you since the Sichuan food here is hotter than Hades. Choose your level of hell as you enter the inferno.
Eat this: The pork dumplings in chili oil, the sliced pork with garlic stems, and balance the heat out with traditional General Tso's chicken.
Drink that: Tsing Tao all the way.
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Restaurant: Sauce
Address: 78-84 Rivington
Tel: 212-420-7700
Cash Only
Yes, No and Maybe: Most definite YES even though they pack you in tighter than J.Lo in spanx. Expect to hear the conversation to the left and to the right of you and practice your yelling skills to person across from you. Possibly easier to text your conversation during dinner.
Eat this: The pappardelle with the meat sauce, the roasted meat platter which is fresh from the butcher counter in the restaurant!
Drink that: Bottles are affordable and the Montepulciano really highlighted the freshness of the roasted meats.
