The Smith

You know those restaurants that you walk by a million times near theaters and tourist heavy areas? You just assume they are terrible, terrible places. Well, it's a little bit true. D and I met at The Smith for dinner before our movie at AMC Loews at Lincoln Center. After waiting in line to get to the hostess stand D gave her cell number to be notified when the table for 2 at 5:45 would be ready. We snagged two seats at the bar and waited for the text. The inevitable drink order approached and passed. Then after 30 minutes of waiting we decided to order food. D went with the burger which came with an obnoxious amount of fries. I opted for the Ricotta Gnocchi with truffle cream. I was wildly disappointed with the quantity of gnocchi in my bowl. For $19, I thought I would get enough to make me pretty darn full. I sat there eating each little pillow...very...slowly so that I wouldn't finish and then sit there watching D finish her burger. It was really tasty, I just wish there was more. Oh, that text we were waiting for alerting us that the table was ready? Never came.

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Fun fact, Atlantic Grill has $1.50 oysters 7 days a week after 9:30pm. I will be returning promptly.

Sandwiches & Pizza

On Monday the roommates and I decided we could not sit in the apartment any longer. Donning our rain gear and sense of adventure we embarked on a trip to Brooklyn. After emerging from the subway we decided that food was our first mission. Walking down Metropolitan Ave we came across Saltie. This little shop is home to good sandwiches and uncomfortable stools. I went with the Ship's Biscuit. Ricotta and eggs are placed onto salty fococcia. That's it. So simple. So delicious. Do it.

My craving for carbs could be denied today when L and I ventured to Milkflower for PIZZA! At first we thought that we would get two pizzas and split them. After hearing her choices and listing off mine we decided that we should not share pizzas. She opted for the Hawaiian while I went for the Mushroom. The crust was charred with a nice wood-fire taste and a chewy dough. The personal pizza is enough for dinner and then lunch the next day. I can't wait for lunch tomorrow!

Terrible Dessert

Last night I made no plans. After traveling for a week I didn't want anything planned this weekend. So in lieu of making no plans, I planned to sit on the couch, eat my pad thai and drink some wine. Then I thought, my God, dessert! Where was my first (and last) place to look? Pinterest. I scrolled down my Dessert and Baked Goods board looking for something tasty to make. As I scrolled, I thought, just get some Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Ignoring this thought I landed on this page for Peanut Butter Eclair Cake.

What a mistake.

I constantly struggling with how much time I can realistically spend on a recipe. I should have spent more time on this thing. And a few more dollars on better ingredients. The result was a processed, sugary pile of artificial flavors. I had one piece and placed it in the fridge to set thinking I would just bring it in to work on Monday. My pride got the best of me and I threw the rest away.

While I was nibbling on this sugary mass, I was also watching Julie and Julia. As both women spent careful time whipping up a chocolate cream pie, I realized I was being completely lazy by throwing 5 boxed products into a mixer and expecting a fantastic result, I was very wrong.

This movie always re-inspires me to spend a few extra minutes on my meals to create something I actually want to eat.

Grand Forks...and Knives

I need to do a shout out to my dad who is in Croatia for a month teaching a group of students all of his marketing/business/entrepreneurship knowledge. He, like I, am passionate about food and is keeping a blog about his adventures. He started this documenting a few summers ago when he worked with his good friend in his pizza kitchen on Long Island, Grana.

Read, eat, enjoy!

Latina Cabana

L and I met last night to first get our cupcakes from Sweet First in Astoria. This adorable little bakery offers movie and tv show themed cupcakes. L opted for the Terminator 2 while I chose the Little Rascal topped with fluff, graham crackers, chocolate and syrup. Tasty, but for $2.75 I would have hoped for a little bit of a bigger treat.

After fetching our cupcakes, due to the 8 o'clock closing, we walked to our next destination for dinner. Unfortunately along the way we witnessed a man getting hit by a car. He was ok and sitting up. Police, fire dept and ambulance all arrived within 10 minutes of the incident.

When we decided it was appropriate for us to leave we tentatively made our way to dinner at Latina Cabana on Steinway. Please note the Yelp deal. Do not use this alone. Use this with at least one to 10 people, you will have enough food. L and I sat down in this divey, themed restaurant, ordered our coca-colas and started ordering.

Here's the list:
Pork Empanada
Chicken Empanada
Tamales
Pernil con arroz and sweet plantain
Cubano sandwich
Omlette with sweet plantain y other things

Yes, we had left overs, we aren't animals.

L's absolute favorite was the pernil. I think it could have used a little sauce but that just may be my southern pulled pork needs more bbq sauce attitude shining through. My favorite which I conveniently have for lunch today is the Cubano sandwich. This traditional sandwich was made on a soft bread doused with what I can only guess to be butter. That caught my attention.

If you go, don't be in a rush as service is a bit slow, but made up for in lots of flavor. There is also a carry-out option too.

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The Strand

Things have changed. A few years ago if you had asked me when I like to eat breakfast and what I like to eat for breakfast I would have said by 10am and a stack of pancakes. Today if you asked me that question I would say by 12pm and anything with eggs. The switch from sweet to savory continues and today I got the chance to explore my savory side. My roommate and I met another two friends at The Strand on Broadway in Astoria.

This smokehouse opened in November 2012 and is packed Friday and Saturday nights. With bluegrass music on the little stage in the huge room it's a fun place to meet one friend or a whole group of people at the large picnic tables ready to accommodate a dozen people. Rather then go for our usual evening drink we decided to try a calmer brunch atmosphere.

A has been talking about their biscuits and gravy for the past month. Every time the topic of brunch comes up she told us that the Stand has really good biscuits and gravy. After our friends arrived and they decided on the waffles and fried chicken and I on the salmon and poached egg on an everything bagel our waiter arrived. A declared her desire for the famed biscuits and gravy and to her terror the waiter proceeded to do the contorted 'we don't have that item' face. That's when I knew it was all over.

He was perfectly nice about there not being any gravy because the previous batch was burnt. Good sir, if this is one of your most popular items, what happened? He sat down next to A as if to comfort her in this devastating time and aimed to aid her in her biggest decision of the day, what to get instead. She did go with my choice and we were both happy with it (aside from the bagel not being toasted). But I could tell anger was in her heart and we would be back next weekend in the never ending search for...BISCUITS AND GRAVY!

St. Andrews Restaurant & Bar

A few weeks ago A and I met for a drink after work. In an effort  to try new bars we selected St. Andrews near Times Square. Normally I tend to follow the TSR - the Times Square Ratio. The further away the restaurant is from Times Square, the better the restaurant. Example, Guy Fieri's restaurant Guy's American Kitchen and Bar is located in the heart of TS, enough said.

I walked in St. Andrews and found a spot at the bar to sit and wait for A to arrive. I had the juicy, satisfying burger while I sipped on a beer. A arrived and ordered the Scotch eggs.

Then she turns to me with her wide eyes and I know it's time for dessert. They had Sticky Toffee Pudding. Done and done. It arrived hot with plenty of caramel and whipped cream to go around. This warm treat was perfect for that rainy night. Each bite was warm and filling. So for this place, ignore the ratio and go get the pudding.