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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Brunch at The Smith, East Village, NYC + Suffs at The Public

It was my first time at the East Village location of The Smith but won't be my last. We met there for brunch as it was close to The Public where we were seeing "Suffs," the new amazing musical about the American women’s suffrage movement. Brunch was as good as the show! Our just-out-of-training server, Logan was perfection. Attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. We started with brunch cocktails, I had a spicy bloody mary ($13), my dining partners each had a mimosa ($15). I'm usually a huevos ranchero breakfast person when it's offered, yet I had to sample the unusual sounding Benedict Johnny. It's cheddar cornbread served in a ~6-inch cast-iron [...]

By |2022-05-21T10:03:35-04:00May 10th, 2022|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Return to L’Adresse, Midtown near Bryant Park, NYC + Beatles Cover Band

A return to L'Address as promised, this time for dinner before heading to see the Beatles Cover Band at the Palladium. That performance elicited a flood of memories from that era. We sang along, knowing most of the words. At dinner, we started with two appetizers to share with the table. I'd recommend the mezze ($25) platter with beet hummus, tzatziki, spicy feta, fire-roasted Campania tomatoes and grilled naan sprinkled za’atar. Be sure to check the menu listing for what's included, as the items on the mezze were different than on their website. So was the price. Unless you request it well cooked, skip the mushroom grilled naan flatbread topped with [...]

By |2022-05-08T09:04:54-04:00May 8th, 2022|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Boqueria Restaurant, Flatiron, NYC + Affordable Art Show

We selected Boqueria for its proximity to Metropolitan Pavilion where we were heading to the "Affordable Art Show." I had been to their theatre-district restaurant location for brunch and would suggest that if you need a bite before a matinee. In the smaller Flatiron location, we sat in the bar area so that we could order from the Happy Hour menu. I sampled their HH Shishito pepper-infused tequila Margie ($11) that was not too sweet, not too spicy. With that, we ordered a few tapas, including their hearty version of patatas brava ($6). That's crispy potato chunks sitting in tomato salsa and heavily drizzled with garlic aioli. I'd recommend that [...]

By |2022-05-08T09:13:19-04:00May 6th, 2022|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Sautéed Shrimp and Spinach from ELC (Express Lane Cooking)

Looking for something quick to make with shrimp other than scampi, I recalled my spinach and shrimp recipe created for my now-defunct daily syndicated column, Express Lane Cooking (ELC) with Andrews McMeel Syndication, formerly Universal Press Syndicate.  I'm proud to share it was the world's first daily syndicated food column. It was gaining steam until 9/11, which was its demise like many others. This published on October 25, 2001. In ELC, I divide the ingredients into Necessities (what you need to purchase or have), On Hand (ingredients generally in your pantry) and Not So Necessary (ingredients that you can add if you want to, yet they are not necessary for [...]

By |2022-05-09T11:56:36-04:00May 4th, 2022|Entrees, Recipes|0 Comments
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BXL Cafe, Theatre District, NYC + Birthday Candles

We decided on a late lunch at BXL, a Belgian cafe, before heading to the American Airline Theatre to see Debra Messing in Birthday Candles. We just walked through the alleyway across the street to the theatre a block away. Three of our four ordered mussels mariniere, menu-described as "cooked in white wine and shallots ($30). One seasoned moules-eating diner described them as plump but in need of flavor saying they were cooked in water, not wine and with onions (as you can see in the photo) and not shallots. I tried their steak frites. The meat was cooked as I requested, but it was not the quality of meat [...]

By |2022-05-08T09:10:52-04:00May 2nd, 2022|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Honeybrains, Flatiron, NYC

When I learned about Honeybrains the registered dietitian in me smiled. I laughed, though, realizing I heard about it while at the ultra-upscale Daniel's for a sous vide birthday party. I stopped by this fairly new healthy chain at their Flatiron location. The made-from-scratch food is good, fresh and reasonably priced. I liked the tender grass-fed beef that comes with basil mashed potatoes, salad greens and garlicky broccoli ($14.80) and their amazingly tender and juicy free-range chicken served over basil mashed potatoes, sautéed cabbage and fresh arugula ($13.50). I'd also recommend their sourdough bread spread with yogurt then topped with Atlantic smoked salmon ($13.50) and fresh dill. Also flavorful are [...]

By |2022-05-08T09:16:32-04:00April 30th, 2022|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Dos Caminos, Theatre District, NYC + Take Me Out

We chose Dos Caminos as it was close to the Helen Hayes theater where we were heading to see "Take Me Out," about the personal and professional complexities of baseball, America’s favorite pastime starring Jesse Williams (Grey's Anatomy), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family), and Patrick J. Adams (Suits). I started with their "El Camino" margarita ($14) made with only Milagro Blanco tequila,  Triple Sec and lime juice. We both had their eggs rancheros requesting them poached instead of fried ($18) along with crisp tortillas, beans, smoked ham and queso fresco.  My first bite indicated that they had pre-plated the food as the beans were at room temperature. With my second [...]

By |2022-05-08T09:18:30-04:00April 28th, 2022|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Breakfast at Willa Jean, New Orleans, LA

We were in New Orleans for a fund-raiser for their Les Dames d'Escoffier chapter's "Diggin NoLa: A culinary affair with the Big Easy." One morning, we headed for breakfast at Willa Jean, a retro-chic café offering Southern breakfasts and baked goods opened by Chef Kelly Fields in the Central Business District in downtown New Orleans. I began with a mimosa ($10) followed by a breakfast plate containing their amazing biscuits, cheese grits, bacon, sausage and eggs ($16). I had my eggs poached, one of my dining partners had hers scrambled. Truly the best breakfast I had in New Orleans! My other dining partner ate their pastrami smoked salmon with fries [...]

By |2022-05-08T09:20:13-04:00April 26th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Bryant Park Grill, Midtown, NYC + Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures

Eighteen of our ex.expat group stopped at Bryant Park Grill for lunch before our two private docent-led tours at the New York Public library. They set up a large table near the rear of the restaurant with the park as our backdrop. To ease the often chaos at the payment of the bill for a large group, we requested one bill for every four diners. They happily accommodated. They also delivered all of our food at the same time. Impressive. Some of the tasty meals included their Tuscan tomato & white bean with shaved parmesan cheese, toasted croutons, dill & truffle oil ($11.50); wild mushroom ravioli with a grilled artichoke, [...]

By |2022-04-23T11:00:33-04:00April 23rd, 2022|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Rambling|0 Comments
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Nina Compton’s Compare Lapin, New Orleans

First stop on my New Orleans eating adventure was Compare Lapin, the sophisticated eatery serving Caribbean- and European-accented New Orleans flavors located in Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery. Chef Nina Compton, who hails from St. Lucia, was unable to join us. She sent us bubbly before she had to depart ($18 each). Don't miss her flaky buttermilk biscuits with both honey and bacon butter ($6/2). We used them to sop up the sauce from both the tuna ceviche ($17) in tiger's milk (Leche de Tigre) topped with crisp yucca strips and the Calabrian butter in the five large broiled shrimp ($17). I'd recommend the tender curried goat with delicate [...]

By |2022-04-23T11:14:19-04:00April 21st, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Armani’s Cucina, Vero Beach, Florida

Our friends made a reservation at Armani Cucina, an Italian restaurant in a strip mall Vero Beach while we were visiting. The highlights of that dinner, graciously served, included their cold cannellini beans with warm grilled octopus ($18.95) and the warm garlicky knots ($6.95) as starters. The stand-out entree is their housemade pear & gorgonzola fiocchi in a creamy alfredo sauce drizzled with truffle oil ($21.95). It's so rich, I'd suggest that you share it.  That was delicious with the young Corvina Amarone, Tinazzi,  2018, Vento, Italy ($48) with its ripe red fruit notes. Armani's Cucina, 1920 14th Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32960 (772) 907-5774

By |2022-04-23T11:12:41-04:00April 19th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants|2 Comments
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A Return to Jane, Soho, NYC + Out of Time

After my last visit to Jane restaurant in SoHo, I received an email from Olivia, their Assistant General Manager, who provided me with her personal reservation link. Saying, "That way I can make sure you are being extra well taken care of." Interesting personal-touch marketing, I thought. When I was heading with some friends to see Out of Time — a collection of monologues by five award-winning Asian American playwrights, performed by actors all over the age of 60 — at The Public, I decided to book Jane restaurant using Olivia's link. We arrived during happy hour with two of us ordering HH drinks, the Vinho Verde ($7) and Negroni [...]

By |2022-04-23T11:18:58-04:00April 17th, 2022|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine, Winter Park, Florida + Scenic Boat Tour

If you find yourself in Winter Park, Florida, do not miss a stop at Bosphorous, a Turkish restaurant serving Anatolian cuisine located near the train station and a 5-minute walk from the scenic boat tour we were planning to take on Winter Park's chain of Lakes. Our waitress Joy explained every part of the menu with a big smile on her face. Drinks first. On an Old Fashion kick, we tried theirs made with hand-selected Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon, muddled orange, cherry juice and house-made Turkish fig bitters ($13). Delicious. In addition, we ordered a Sevilen ($46) Turkish Sauvignon Blanc to accompany our meal. We started with their over [...]

By |2022-04-23T11:21:24-04:00April 15th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants|2 Comments
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Sweetbriar x 2, Kips Bay, NYC

Sweetbriar in the Park South Hotel had been on our radar to meet for dinner since it opened in April as we wanted to again eat  Chef Bryce Shuman's upscale comfort food. Bryce hailed from Betony and Eleven Madison Park, where he garnered three stars from the New York Times, One Michelin Star and was named 2015 Food and Wine Magazine "Best New Chef." That and he is a friend of my dining partner. Bryce includes many of his hit menu items from his popular pandemic barbecue pop-up Ribs n Riesling. With sweetbriar focused on live-fire cooking of their seasonal veggies and meats, I thought it fitting to sample their [...]

By |2022-04-25T11:27:09-04:00April 13th, 2022|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Jaleo by José Andrés, Disney Springs, Orlando

As with José Andrés other Jaleo, this one highlights the spirit and flavors of Spain, showcasing the rich regional diversity of Spanish cuisine. I had been lucky enough to have been at Jaleo for its opening in Washington, DC many years ago so I was looking forward to experiencing his food and service again. It didn't disappoint. We started with perfect cocktails. I ordered their Jerez Old Fashion with Contradiction Bourbon, Spanish Solera brandy, a touch of cinnamon and fernet bitters ($15), one of the best Old Fashions I've experienced. My friends enjoyed their Agua de Sevilla with Bourbon, cava and pineapple flavored with sage and orange bitters ($15). Our [...]

By |2022-04-09T17:45:40-04:00April 11th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Piccolo Cucina, Upper East Side, NYC

A group of us who had been on a Les Dames d'Escoffier International culinary trip to Italy met for dinner at Piccolo Cucina on the Upper East Side.  Marisa May had selected Piccolo Cucina because Matteo Bergamini —  former chef at both San Domenico NY and SD26 — was this Italian restaurant's Executive Chef. NB: Sadly Tony May, Marisa's dad who was also at the dinner, died last week. As we were sipping our drinks, our waiter placed the Italian bread and dips on the table for nibbling. We then shared their frito misto ($21.95) with a variety of fried fish and vegetables, their eponymous salad ($17.95) with baby spinach, [...]

By |2022-04-09T18:22:00-04:00April 9th, 2022|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|3 Comments
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The Peruvian Restaurant Inti, Hells Kitchen, NYC + Space Dogs

We stopped into Inti, a Peruvian restaurant, on our way to the far west location of MCC Theatre to see the new musical Space Dogs about the canines that were sent into space. We decided to share the classic Banquete Inti ($43) that consisted of a tender rotisserie whole chicken, French fries, fried plantain, rice, beans and a green salad topped with avocado and sliced tomatoes. Cilantro sauce and peanuts also came with the meal. It was way too much food for the two of us! We did, though, decide to try their picarones for dessert. We were glad we did. These traditional Peruvian doughnuts — made with squash and sweet [...]

By |2022-04-09T18:22:11-04:00April 7th, 2022|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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New Handcrafted Cocktails and Bar Bites at Fogo de Chão, Midtown, NYC

This time my visit to Fogo de Chão, the Brazilian steakhouse, in Midtown was for a press event to introduce their new bar bites and cocktails. The culinary art of churrasco and the fresh, seasonal ingredients found on their Market Table inspired these new menu items. While we sipped the new cocktails, the staff passed their new bar bites.  We sat at the bar with Hugo, our friendly bartender making these new cocktails. My favorite was the Samba Squeeze Martini made with Grey Goose Le Citron Vodka, St- Germain, blood orange and guava. The other new ones include: Desert Rose: Patron Silver, Aperol, lime and aquafaba, garnished with angostura bitters [...]

By |2022-07-07T14:07:03-04:00April 5th, 2022|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Tri Dim Shanghai, Upper East Side, NYC + Private Met Tour

Lucky us. We were able to arrange a private tour of the Asia Art Galleries at the Met with Joe Scheier-Dolberg associate curator of Chinese paintings and Pengliang Lu associate curator of Chinese Decorative Arts on a day the museum was closed. In keeping with the Asian theme, we decided to lunch at Tri Dim Shanghai, an Upper East Side Chinese restaurant. My table ordered several dim sum to share including their crispy shrimp balls ($12 for 6) and Peking duck roll ($12), the steamed chicken dumplings ($12 for 5) and their classic crab and pork soup dumplings ($12 for 6). The latter were served with a warning not to [...]

By |2022-04-09T18:11:21-04:00April 3rd, 2022|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Rambling|0 Comments
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