Bonnie from BiteoftheBest.com

About Bonnie Tandy Leblang

Blogger Bonnie Tandy Leblang has been covering food since before it was hip to do so! She’s penned magazine, newspaper and syndicated food columns in addition to cookbooks. Follow her on twitter @BonnieBOTB and on Instagram@BiteoftheBest and at @BonnieBOTB "I eat for a living!” is her mantra, sharing what she’s sampled so you’ll know where (or where not) to go, plus what food products and gadgets to try. For her full bio go to the about us page.
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Scenic Drive to The River Palm Terrace for a Birthday Dinner, Edgewater, NJ

My floormate described the breathtaking city views we'd see as we drove to Edgewater, New Jersey, to The River Palm Terrace, one of the state’s best steakhouses, with valet parking. The cityscape fully matched her description. After we were seated upstairs at the cozy, old-school restaurant, I handed out party goodies to let everyone know we were celebrating a birthday. Interestingly, every—yes, every—table around us was also celebrating. Clearly, the River Palm Terrace is the place people come for special occasions. It's quite lively. Our staff was very attentive. We sipped a Rosso di Montalcino, Castello Banfi, Tuscany ($78), as we shared everything, starting with the crisp iceberg wedge ($17) [...]

By |2026-04-04T14:07:20-04:00May 8th, 2026|Bites from the Road, NYC Restaurant Reviews, USA|0 Comments
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Jams, Midtown, NYC + Monsters

We hadn't seen each other in almost a year, so we made our brunch reservation at Jams in 1 Hotel Center Park early enough to reconnect before heading to see Monsters at City Center. In addition to being close to the theatre, my friend requested that the menu serve French toast and be quiet enough to catch up. I chose the wrong one. Jonathan Waxman's Jams is anything but quiet. It's the type of noisy brunch place I try to avoid. My friend requested her brioche French toast, which came with poached pear, whipped cream and maple syrup, well done. "Crispy," she said, and had to send it back, as [...]

By |2026-03-31T11:21:10-04:00May 5th, 2026|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Magic Hour Rooftop at the Moxy Hotel, Times Square, NYC

My grandniece visited from Boston with friends, one of whom was celebrating her birthday. They celebrated as only 20-somethings would. I was thrilled they could squeeze me in for an hour. I looked for a rooftop place nearby where they were dining, before they headed to the theatre. I chose something they would enjoy. The Magic Hour rooftop at the Moxy Hotel is, for sure, a young person's party place. We shared a pitcher of their Some Like it Hot drink with 1800 Banco Tequila, spicy mango juice and Thai chili, ate some freshly made guacamole with warm chips and opened b-day gifts before they ran off. Fun afternoon. Send [...]

By |2026-03-31T16:19:54-04:00May 3rd, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Blue Bar at Algonquin, Times Square, NYC

The staff warmly greeted me as I arrived for a tasting at the Blue Bar that featured the iconic Algonquin’s new menu, which debuted at the beginning of the year. It's available all day from 3 to 10 pm. While waiting for my dining partner, I chatted with Melvin Agui, one of the managers. He described the new items as a balance between nostalgia and contemporary flavors, with fewer offerings. We started with tasty cocktails. I sipped their Old Fashioned with 1792 small batch bourbon. My dining partner had their Linger on, made with Lalo Tequila, Grand Marnier, ginger, and lime ($25 each). We started with the highly recommended guacamole, topped [...]

By |2026-05-04T07:52:42-04:00May 1st, 2026|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Kyma, Hudson Yards, NYC

After my massage with a masseuse whom I've followed around the city—as she's that good—I met my friend and her mom at Kyma Hudson Yards for lunch. I'd been to their Flatiron one a few times, but this was my first time at this location. We started with the always-tasty Kyma Chips, stacks of crispy, thin slices of zucchini and eggplant, served with tzatziki ($26) and little cheese treats. My friend's mom had the Avgolemono soup, a traditional chicken soup with chunks of chicken, lots of rice, all flavored with lemon ($12), and we both had their delicious roasted beet salad ($23) with cheese (Skordalia), mixed greens, frisée, almonds, pomegranate [...]

By |2026-03-31T11:22:06-04:00April 28th, 2026|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Second Anniversary of SaiTong, Theatre District, NYC

SaiTong Thai, a family-run, modern two-level restaurant in the heart of the Theater District, just celebrated its second anniversary — and I was lucky enough to be invited to sample their fare. While waiting for my guest to arrive, I sipped their tart and tasty Tom Yum Sunrise, featuring Tomyum herb-infused blanco tequila, Suze (a French apéritif), and tamarind ($20).The steamed branzino at the table next to me caught my eye immediately — it was too beautiful not to photograph and share. Our neighbors loved it. Do not miss their flavorful mango salad. It contains that fruit, shredded, with red onion, scallions, cilantro, grape tomatoes, cashews and grated coconut. The [...]

By |2026-03-27T08:47:04-04:00April 25th, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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ofCorsica!, Pier 57, NYC + Comedian Judy Gold

I hadn’t heard ofCorsica!, a French-inspired spot, until a recent visit. The restaurant sits at the far end of Pier 57, overlooking the Hudson just south of Little Island. Pier 57 draws a steady stream of visitors, offering the city’s largest public rooftop with sweeping views of Little Island and a dynamic collection of fast-casual eateries curated by the James Beard Foundation. Most New Yorkers haven’t visited Pier 57’s newer food offerings. City Winery debuted in 2020, the nearly 2-acre rooftop park opened in spring 2022, and Market 57 food hall—curated by the James Beard Foundation—followed the next year. At ofCorsica, one friend ordered the Monte Cinto Fog ($18), applewood-smoked [...]

By |2026-05-04T17:35:46-04:00April 22nd, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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The Marshal, Hell’s Kitchen, NYC + Cold War Choir Practice

I’ve been attending shows at MCC theatre since they opened, and before when they were downtown on Christopher Street at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, and until Cold War Choice Practice, everything I had seen there was outstanding until now. I say skip it. From there, we started walking, looking for a place to get a bite. Ardesia, where we had planned to grab a drink, was hosting a bachelorette party. Closed to the public! We ended up at my friend Charlie Marshal's The Marshal on Tenth Avenue at 44th Street. It never disappoints, and this time was no different. It was midafternoon, so we just indulged (indulged is the correct [...]

By |2026-04-19T20:09:18-04:00April 19th, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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**Happy Hour One40 Rooftop, Financial District, NYC

After an amazing tour at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, our ex.expat group walked a few blocks to a happy hour at One40 rooftop. The weather was nice enough for us to sit outside, with views of the Hudson. Their happy hour offers fresh oysters ($15/dozen) or a mini cheeseboard ($14) along with five appetizers (3 for $35), including tuna tartare on crisps, chili-lime shrimp skewers and super-crispy zucchini spears with a spicy tomato sauce. I'd recommend a visit. **Happy Hour details as of 3/15/2026 Hours: 3 to 6 pm daily What’s happy? $8 beer, $12 wine & bubbly; plus $15 for a dozen oysters, $14 mini charcuterie & cheese [...]

By |2026-03-27T08:47:24-04:00April 16th, 2026|Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Opening Estelle, Meatpacking District, NYC

A friend and I attended the opening of Estelle in the Meatpacking District earlier this year. We sampled their delicious Red Run margie ($20, with smoky citrus, blanco tequila, mezcal, aperol, habanero, blood orange, lime) at the bar, then headed into the small, noisy dining room, trying to track down servers carrying a little food to go with our libations. Inside, we tracked down a quarter of a burger and their odd Gilda, including sliced chorizo, not as I had experienced it in the Basque Country. I have no recommendation, as we didn't sample enough to give one. Estelle Meatpacking District 18 9th Avenue New York, NY 10014

By |2026-03-27T08:47:31-04:00April 13th, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Lunch at Le Jardinier, Midtown, NYC

During my last visit to Le Jardinier, my extravagant friend ordered every dessert for the finale of my birthday dinner. I returned for lunch with a friend whose nearby office made it convenient to meet. We shared everything: a two-course prix fixe ($78), an entree ($48), and two glasses of wine, split to go with each course. Continuing the experience, the staff was, as always, amazingly accommodating. Given my friend's gluten intolerance, they placed two baskets of fabulous bread on the table—one regular, the other gluten-free. Next came our incredibly creamy carrot amuse-bouche mousse, one regular with brioche crouons on top, and one gluten-free without. We began with pan-seared Maine [...]

By |2026-03-27T08:47:40-04:00April 10th, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Jill Orent’s Roasted Chicken Thighs

“Salt, as it brings out the flavor of many foods!” responded Jill Orent, Les Dames d’Escoffier New York president, in response to our Guest Foodie questionnaire question, which asked, “Which ingredient would you never give up?“ We’ll post the rest of Jill’s responses later this year. Buttermilk-Brined Roast Chicken Thighs (Inspired by Samin Nosrat) 4 large or 6 small bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs 2 cups whole milk 2 tablespoons vinegar 2 tablespoons kosher salt Olive oil Freshly ground black pepper Dried herbs: sage, rosemary, thyme In a bowl, combine whole milk, vinegar, and kosher salt to make a buttermilk brine. Submerge the chicken thighs in the brine and refrigerate for [...]

By |2026-04-26T08:02:00-04:00April 10th, 2026|Entrees, Recipes|0 Comments
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LOX at Café Bergson, Museum of Jewish Heritage, NYC

Prior to our guided tour of the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, something I'd highly recommend, some of our ex-expat group stopped into LOX at Café Bergson, on the second floor of the museum, one of the only kosher restaurants in Lower Manhattan, serving Ashkenazi Jewish-inspired cuisine. I had their original bagel and lox with vodka dill lox, seasonal tomatoes and whipped cream cheese ($23), one other had their (way too thick to have absorbed the eggs) challah French Toast, served with warm butter and warm maple syrup ($36), another the split pea soup with challah croutons ($19) and another their signature challah open sandwich [...]

By |2026-03-27T08:47:47-04:00April 7th, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Balthazar, SoHo, NYC

Balthazar is one of those places that’s best when they know you. It’s a bustling French brasserie from Keith McNally. Lucky for me, my friend is a regular, and a server recognized her and brought each of us glass of bubbly—on the house. We enjoyed that while nibbling their crusty bread, which is absolutely worth the calories. My friend loves their salade niçoise with freshly seared tuna, arugula, green beans, and marinated tomatoes ($37). She orders it every time she comes for lunch, since it’s no longer on the dinner menu. I went with the decadent warm goat cheese and caramelized onion tart ($23). And of course we had to [...]

By |2026-04-05T14:13:22-04:00April 4th, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Smashburgers: National Arts Club + Gotham Burger Social Club

I tripped over the Infatuation's—"The NYC Smashburger Power Rankings"—on the day I ate what I thought was one of the most delicious smashburgers since I first tried one at my friend, Tanya's, Gotham Burger Social Club, which won the number two spot on that list. I almost didn't write about it, as I had the burger at The National Arts Club, a private club. I've held off writing about New York's private clubs because they're not accessible to most people. But many do offer reciprocity privileges, opening their doors to members of other clubs, so I decided it was worth sharing. But the club one—The "Big NAC" Smashburger (short rib & [...]

By |2026-04-10T15:01:10-04:00April 1st, 2026|Food & Drinks, Products|0 Comments
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Return to Hudson Grill + Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show

The rain didn't dampen our spirits as a large group of us headed to the Bronx Botanical Gardens to see their orchid show. We started our visit with lunch at the always good Hudson Garden Grill, spreading out across three tables. I ordered the Hudson Garden Burger, which the waiter offered with either salad or fries, but he neglected to mention the $4 extra for fries. The short rib brisket patty came topped with white Cheddar, tomato, romaine, and roasted garlic aioli on a brioche bun ($26, plus $4 for the fries). Another had the tri-colored cauliflower crudo ($23) with dates, cashews, spring greens, and sunflower butter in a lemon [...]

By |2026-04-10T12:42:29-04:00March 29th, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Our Rescheduled dinner at Uncle Lou, Chinatown, NYC

Our original Les Dames d'Escoffier New York Chinese New Year date fell during the 2026 blizzard and had to be rescheduled. We still filled three tables with Dames and their guests. We had everything on this menu! Here are some photos of the group, plus the wontons in chili oil, the Peking duck components, the stuffed eggplant and the large shrimp in lobster sauce. I recommend a visit to Uncle Lou! Uncle Lou Chinatown 73 Mulberry St New York, NY, 10013 unclelounyc.comChin

By |2026-04-05T14:17:52-04:00March 24th, 2026|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Los Mariscos, Chelsea, NYC

My friend, who lives nearby and frequents Chelsea Market, recommended the seafood tacos at Los Mariscos, a spot more easily found on 15th Street than in the market. I went recently with the folks I was on a Greet with. As I've mentioned before, as a member of Big Apple Greeters, I have the pleasure of meeting, welcoming and sharing my passion for New York City. Recently, I had the joy of guiding three young folks from Leipzig, Germany, on a tight budget.  Los Mariscos was perfect as their tacos were under $6! When we walked in, there was a line in this tiny place. I hovered over one of [...]

By |2026-03-04T15:24:49-05:00March 21st, 2026|Big Apple Greeter, Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Brunch at Da Andrea, Greenwich Village, NYC

Although Da Andrea is in my hood, I've had never been to their highly recommended brunch. I went recently with a friend heading to Carnegie Hall afterwards. We had lots of time, so I requested that the three courses that we would be sharing be served separately, starting with their brunch-only flatbread, made as I used to make on my grill, topped with prosciutto and fresh arugula ($24). Crispy crust with a salad! My dining partner started with a mimosa, I with a bloody Mary ($11 each). We sipped those awaiting our food, catching us as we needed!  The flatbread then hit the spot. Next, we enjoyed creamy polenta with [...]

By |2026-03-02T10:05:30-05:00March 18th, 2026|Big Apple Greeter, Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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A Return Again To Novita, Chelsea, NYC

I returned to Novita, one of my favorite places, for a birthday celebration. It was my first time there without the perfect restaurateur, Michelangelo, but Marguerite, who’s been with them for more than a decade, took great care of us. Their bread service is not to be missed, as I love the chewy crust on the sliced bread that we nibbled while sipping our Nebbiolo Gattinara, Travaglini 2021 ($90). Next, we shared their crab cake with only enough bread crumbs to hold it together, along with cubes of mango in a spicy citrus vinaigrette made hot with wasabi ($24)! Marguerite split each course of our pastas, so please note that [...]

By |2026-02-27T09:45:23-05:00March 15th, 2026|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|2 Comments
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