My friend flew into the city to meet her boyfriend here who was flying in from Amsterdam. This was his first time in the states and I was the first person he was to meet. I think I excelled with my social skills but failed miserably at restaurant preparation. Mainly because there was no preparation. First we tried Shake Shack in Madison Square Park but the line stretched to the horizon and beyond. Next we attempted Eataly; the wait was 1.5 hrs. So we walked. Me, ravenous, her, hungry, and he, should be in bed because it was 2am in Europe. And yes, we ended up at a restaurant called Big Daddy's. Welcome to America.
When ordering milkshakes I pretty much re-enact the When Harry Met Sally ordering scene. I really dislike Hershey's chocolate syrup due to it's watery consistency. So I inquired upon ordering a chocolate shake if it was indeed chocolate ice cream as I would prefer or vanilla with chocolate syrup. It was the latter. This description was the exact same as the "Black and White" shake - vanilla ice cream with LOTS of chocolate syrup mixed in...mmm sounds suspicious. I spotted another dessert on the menu that stated 'Chocolate Ice Cream' so I asked "Johnny" if I could substitute that ice cream in it's place. With an eye roll and a heavy sigh he said yes. The shake was fine, but came with too much attitude from the restaurant.
All three of us ordered burgers. No one completely finished their burger. Besides the fun Trivial Pursuit questions on the table this restaurant was definitely not the first place I would ever take someone who was visiting the states for the first time. Please accept my deepest apologies.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
McSorley's
I have now been to the oldest bar in New York City: McSorley's. My Dad and I walked 2.5 miles from the Brooklyn Bridge all the way to this bar to retrieve old memories from my Dad's past. We stood at the old bar without stools and with plenty of sawdust to collect in my Birk's. He confidently ordered 4 lights for us to chug down like water. I didn't love the beer as I didn't get to select it myself.
The menu was written on a chalkboard tucked behind the bar and a refrigerator hid in an old cupboard with the phrase 'Be Good or Be Gone' attached on in metal lettering. I'm told by my tour guide that the cheese platters are divine (my word, not his) and are served with raw onions. This isn't surprising as the tag line in 1933 was "Good Ale, Raw Onions, and No Ladies."Alas in 1970 women are finally allowed to enter McSorley's although there is still no restroom for them. Because of this fact I sent my Dad back first to ensure there was a ladies room and I wouldn't have to sneak into the men's room. Not that that hasn't happened before. The bar reeks of history and a good time to be had by all. Be careful though, the beer glasses may be smaller but they are still potent!
The menu was written on a chalkboard tucked behind the bar and a refrigerator hid in an old cupboard with the phrase 'Be Good or Be Gone' attached on in metal lettering. I'm told by my tour guide that the cheese platters are divine (my word, not his) and are served with raw onions. This isn't surprising as the tag line in 1933 was "Good Ale, Raw Onions, and No Ladies."Alas in 1970 women are finally allowed to enter McSorley's although there is still no restroom for them. Because of this fact I sent my Dad back first to ensure there was a ladies room and I wouldn't have to sneak into the men's room. Not that that hasn't happened before. The bar reeks of history and a good time to be had by all. Be careful though, the beer glasses may be smaller but they are still potent!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Amber
Finally! Back in the city. DC was killer. No one on the streets, it creeped me out a little bit. I guess I enjoy my cocoon of people constantly bumping into me walking down 7th.
Tonight 5 of us dined at Amber on 3rd and 80th. Please be careful with your cocktails, they are STRONG. All of the drinks either had pineapple, tequila, or rum in them. I'll enjoy my rum and coke now and then but the others, no thank you. So I chose my summer drink of choice, Gin and Tonic. I had to ask the waitress to bring me a glass of tonic to water down my drink, I could already feel the drunky feeling sinking in after a half inch was gone.
Appetizers - we got edemame which I don't eat much so I got the beans all over my lap. My friend's dad had to instruct me on the proper eating technique which worked! Pinch the side of the bean and squeeze. Next we enjoyed Steam Veggie Dumplings which were an odd color of green. I'm always skeptical of a food that should not naturally be green. Then we had Vietnamese Shrimp Summer roll which were pretty good. Came with a sauce.
Then the Sushi for 2 came. This is an amateur dish. Palees. I could eat this whole thing, and I did, except two of the rolls. I went straight for my favorite sushi, Eel. I usually like it a little warmed up but this one was smooth and creamy, very easy to eat. My next favorite, Salmon, was pleasant with oversize salmon encompassing the rice underneath.
I have been to many, many sushi places and had good sushi and bad sushi. I would rate this as 3.5 out of 5. Not amazing, but a very enjoyable dining experience. Negative: service was too fast. We had to spread out our ordering because there is no concept of timing in the kitchen as my friend experienced on a previous visit. If I needed a good place to take someone with a quiet back room away from the giant tv over the bar and noise out front, I would go here.
Tonight 5 of us dined at Amber on 3rd and 80th. Please be careful with your cocktails, they are STRONG. All of the drinks either had pineapple, tequila, or rum in them. I'll enjoy my rum and coke now and then but the others, no thank you. So I chose my summer drink of choice, Gin and Tonic. I had to ask the waitress to bring me a glass of tonic to water down my drink, I could already feel the drunky feeling sinking in after a half inch was gone.
Appetizers - we got edemame which I don't eat much so I got the beans all over my lap. My friend's dad had to instruct me on the proper eating technique which worked! Pinch the side of the bean and squeeze. Next we enjoyed Steam Veggie Dumplings which were an odd color of green. I'm always skeptical of a food that should not naturally be green. Then we had Vietnamese Shrimp Summer roll which were pretty good. Came with a sauce.
 |
| Sushi for 2 |
Then the Sushi for 2 came. This is an amateur dish. Palees. I could eat this whole thing, and I did, except two of the rolls. I went straight for my favorite sushi, Eel. I usually like it a little warmed up but this one was smooth and creamy, very easy to eat. My next favorite, Salmon, was pleasant with oversize salmon encompassing the rice underneath.
I have been to many, many sushi places and had good sushi and bad sushi. I would rate this as 3.5 out of 5. Not amazing, but a very enjoyable dining experience. Negative: service was too fast. We had to spread out our ordering because there is no concept of timing in the kitchen as my friend experienced on a previous visit. If I needed a good place to take someone with a quiet back room away from the giant tv over the bar and noise out front, I would go here.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Washington DC
Back from DC! This food-centric trip has filled me up for at least a week. While attending the Fancy Food Show I has the opportunity to go to great dining locations in this historic city.
1. Tryst Coffeehouse - Bar - Lounge
Upon my arrival my friend suggested that we head to this mutt restaurant - a mix of coffee, drinks, and food. I indulged in a delicious drink - The Afternoon Delight (209 gin, fresh blackberries, lemon juice and soda) while F enjoyed a Cool as a Cuke (vodka, muddled with cucumber & melon, topped with soda). And of course my life is only half complete with alcohol, I need my dessert! We got:
Peanut Butter Fudge Pie with swirls of peanut butter and chocolate throughout and the Flourless Chocolate Mascarpone Cake rich layers of flourless chocolate cake filled with sweetened mascarpone filling. The waitstaff was super friendly and helpful which made it a great experience. The one problem was the high volume of the music which made it difficult to talk at anything but a yelling level. No bathroom visits here.
2. Todd Gray's Watershed Restaurant
Drink: NoMA Blend Stoli Ohranj, Lemon & Soda
Appetizer: Baked Oysters, NOMA Style with Spinach, Pancetta and Gruyere
Main: Special, Red Snapper w/Wild Rice, Rock Shrimp, Mango, and Cilantro
Dessert: Pecan Pie Sunday
3. Birch & Barley
Drink(s):Harpoon Summer Beer, Hoffman Hefeweizen, Danny's Irish Red Ale, and Back in Black
Apps:
- Shrimp & Chorizo Flatbread Baby Shrimp, Fresh Chorizo, Romesco, Toasted Almond
- Fig & Prosciutto Flatbread Gorgonzola Cremificato & Caramelized Onions
- Butcher’s Board fresh and cured charcuterie made both in house and by Red Apron served with mustard, toast & cornichons
- Summer Salad Grilled Cucumber, Baby Beets, Patty Pans, Yellow Wax Beans
Main: Honey Glazed Duck Breast Leg Confit, Wild Rice, Brandied Cherries, Radishes and Truffled Herbed Mac & Cheese
Dessert: Bittersweet Chocolate Cheesecake marinated cherries, pistachio powder, micro arugula
4. Rasika
Drink: Red Wine
Main:Chicken Biryani - Aromatic chicken with basmati rice/saffron and raita
Dessert: Chocolate Delight - Phyllo dough with chocolate inside
Overall DC was great culinary experience. I attended a party at Occidental Grill & Seafood which was amazing as well. Birch and Barley was definitely my favorite with the spattering of lights hanging from the ceiling and an elevated kitchen one passes to the restroom and can peak in an see the action.
1. Tryst Coffeehouse - Bar - Lounge
Upon my arrival my friend suggested that we head to this mutt restaurant - a mix of coffee, drinks, and food. I indulged in a delicious drink - The Afternoon Delight (209 gin, fresh blackberries, lemon juice and soda) while F enjoyed a Cool as a Cuke (vodka, muddled with cucumber & melon, topped with soda). And of course my life is only half complete with alcohol, I need my dessert! We got:
Peanut Butter Fudge Pie with swirls of peanut butter and chocolate throughout and the Flourless Chocolate Mascarpone Cake rich layers of flourless chocolate cake filled with sweetened mascarpone filling. The waitstaff was super friendly and helpful which made it a great experience. The one problem was the high volume of the music which made it difficult to talk at anything but a yelling level. No bathroom visits here.
2. Todd Gray's Watershed Restaurant
 |
| Red Snapper w/Wild Rice, Rock Shrimp, Mango, and Cilantro |
Drink: NoMA Blend Stoli Ohranj, Lemon & Soda
Appetizer: Baked Oysters, NOMA Style with Spinach, Pancetta and Gruyere
Main: Special, Red Snapper w/Wild Rice, Rock Shrimp, Mango, and Cilantro
Dessert: Pecan Pie Sunday
3. Birch & Barley
Drink(s):Harpoon Summer Beer, Hoffman Hefeweizen, Danny's Irish Red Ale, and Back in Black
Apps:
- Shrimp & Chorizo Flatbread Baby Shrimp, Fresh Chorizo, Romesco, Toasted Almond
- Fig & Prosciutto Flatbread Gorgonzola Cremificato & Caramelized Onions
- Butcher’s Board fresh and cured charcuterie made both in house and by Red Apron served with mustard, toast & cornichons
- Summer Salad Grilled Cucumber, Baby Beets, Patty Pans, Yellow Wax Beans
Main: Honey Glazed Duck Breast Leg Confit, Wild Rice, Brandied Cherries, Radishes and Truffled Herbed Mac & Cheese
Dessert: Bittersweet Chocolate Cheesecake marinated cherries, pistachio powder, micro arugula
4. Rasika
Drink: Red Wine
Main:Chicken Biryani - Aromatic chicken with basmati rice/saffron and raita
Dessert: Chocolate Delight - Phyllo dough with chocolate inside
Overall DC was great culinary experience. I attended a party at Occidental Grill & Seafood which was amazing as well. Birch and Barley was definitely my favorite with the spattering of lights hanging from the ceiling and an elevated kitchen one passes to the restroom and can peak in an see the action.
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