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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A Return to Il Punto, Hell’s Kitchen, NYC + Green Mist

I had attended a reading of Green Mist: A Reading of an Immersive Play at New Perspectives Theatre on West 37th directed by Shellen Lubin with some friends. The story was a reflection of how privilege has shaped our society, which was somewhat reminiscent of "The Lord of the Flies." After the reading, we ended up at Il Punto, an old haunt of mine a couple of blocks south of 42nd street on Ninth Avenue that serves Sicilian fare. I hadn't been since pre-pandemic.  It was just as good as it was, although service was a tad slow, as in many restaurants these days. Two of us started with the [...]

By |2021-12-18T09:53:46-05:00December 12th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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The Mary Lane, West Village, NYC

Like others, I had been reading about the new neighborhood restaurant The Mary Lane, from Blackfoot Hospitality—the team behind Market Table, The Clam and Little Owl—and decided to try it. The restaurant is named after an heirloom fig varietal. We started with Old Fashioned, made with Four Roses, as that was the only bourbon in house. For our app, we shared the flavorful Jonah crab salad with crispy slices from a Mutsu apple, some charred avocado chunks, shredded radicchio and radish slices ($19). I'd recommend. I ate their sautéed Nova Scotia halibut (a tad overcooked, but flavorful), with roasted market grapes, leeks and bon shimeji (brown beech) mushrooms ($38), while [...]

By |2021-12-18T09:17:13-05:00December 10th, 2021|NYC Restaurant Reviews|3 Comments
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Lunch at La Brochette, Midtown, NYC

I tripped over La Brochette when looking for a place for lunch near 41st and Third Avenue where my friends were coming into the city for a doctor's appointment. This upscale, white-tablecloth restaurant that's close to Grand Central is pricey, something I should have realized when the online menu neglected to offer the cost of each dish. Two of us chose their version of the Cobb salad; one with the added chicken ($34), the other with grilled salmon ($35). Each of those additions was quite flavorful. That traditional dish usually contains rows of chopped chicken, egg, avocado, blue cheese, tomatoes and bacon over chopped salad greens. Not at La Brochette. [...]

By |2021-12-18T09:20:33-05:00December 8th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|2 Comments
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Tastings at Signor Vineyards, Fredericksburg, Texas

We stopped in at Signor Vineyards when visiting friends in Fredericksburg, Texas to sample their wines.  My friend is a wine club member so two of our tastings ($20 each) were complimentary. The wines in our tasting included the 2019 Wildflower ($40.00), 2019 Pinot Noir- Rogue Valley ($58.00), 2016 Rochambeau ($42) and the 2019 Estate Tempranillo ($54). We sipped those while nibbling their charcuterie board ($30) that paired well with their wines. It featured cheese (Van Sorman, manchego, cheddar and smoked gouda) with soppressata, Spanish chorizo, nuts, dried & fresh fruit, cornichons, olives and crackers. I was so impressed with two of their wines that I decided to share (I [...]

By |2021-12-18T09:25:06-05:00December 6th, 2021|Bites from the Road, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Return to Estela, Lower East Side, NYC

Last I dined at Estela was when it opened in 2013; it was a wonderful laidback small bistro then with Uruguayan chef Ignacio Mattos combining boldly flavored ingredients. Since then it's been touted worldwide, including being named one "The 40 Most Important Restaurants of the Decade" by Esquire magazine. It also now has a Michelin star. Again as during my last visit, we didn’t take the servers’ advice on how many plates to share. He suggested sharing seven; we ordered four and were more than satiated. The showstopper this meal was the endive salad with walnuts, anchovies and ubriaco rosso, a cheese. The leaves of that edible Mediterranean plant were [...]

By |2021-12-06T07:20:28-05:00December 4th, 2021|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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A Trip to Shukette, Chelsea, NYC

Much has been written about Shukette including a great review by Pete Wells (New York Times), which makes reservations difficult. Since we had planned to take a friend for her birthday, I diligently got on Resy four weeks out to book dinner and grabbed a decent time. The name Shukette, like its sister restaurant Shuka, derives its name from the Hebrew word for an open-air market, shuk. Both serve the creative cooking of Brooklyn-born Chef Ayesha J. Nurdjaja who helmed the kitchen that night. Sadly there was no room outside, so we had to dine in the restaurant, which is quite noisy. We almost had to shout to hear each [...]

By |2022-09-16T06:44:33-04:00December 2nd, 2021|NYC Restaurant Reviews|4 Comments
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Breakfast at Emma + Ollie, Fredericksburg, Texas

Emma + Ollie is a must-stop for breakfast when visiting Fredericksburg, a Texas town that disallows chains on Main Street. While we were waiting for a table, we watched their just-baked goodies in display case disappear. By the time we were seated, all of our selections were eaten. Luckily their hot powdered sugar-covered beignets are served all day (3 for $10). I'd highly recommend their tomato sourdough toast topped with CKC Farm's goat cheese, bacon jam. roasted tomatoes and fresh arugula with a poached organic egg. Also good were the Grit Girl cheese grits ($4) and the oh, so Southern "Pig Biscuit." That's a freshly made biscuit topped with a crumbled [...]

By |2021-12-05T17:06:37-05:00November 30th, 2021|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Daniel Boulud’s New Le Pavillion, Midtown, NYC

Le Pavillion, Daniel Boulud's latest restaurant, is located in the new skyscraper just north of Grand Central Station on 42nd Street. The building also hosts The Summit, with the second-highest outdoor deck in the city. The restaurant's lush elegant setting, just two flights from the entrance, reminded me of the now-closed Four Seasons. Once seated I noticed the spectacular views of the Chrysler building thru the windows. Instead of white tablecloths, the tables are covered with a white round sturdy (yet elegant) paper covering. The service was exquisite as I'd expect from a Daniel Boulud restaurant. The prix fixe menu contains seasonal ingredients from both land and sea — terre et [...]

By |2022-01-31T13:45:25-05:00November 28th, 2021|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Dim Sum at Red Peony Chinese Cuisine, Midtown, NYC + City Center Dance

We chose Red Peony Chinese Cuisine on 56th Street for its proximity to City Center. We were heading there to see the yearly eclectic Fall for Dance Festival. All seats only $15. This year — because of travel restrictions — the performers were all American. As usual, it was wonderful, eliciting standing ovations. If you go, I suggest only ordering their dim sum and some soup. We sampled their crab meat dumplings in a spinach wrapper, the pan-fried shrimp and chive dumplings, the steamed shrimp shumai with pork (each $8.95 for four) and their crispy vegetable spring rolls ($11.90 for 4). Service, typical since the pandemic, was off.  Our server placed [...]

By |2021-12-05T16:50:18-05:00November 26th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Shrimp Paesanos at Paesanos Riverwalk, San Antonio

"You must have shrimp Paesanos!" exclaimed my friend when she heard I was heading there for the Les Dames d'Escoffier conference.  She suggested sitting at the bar ordering, an appetizer portion of this legendary dish plus their special salad that wasn't on the menu. I was so glad I listened! After the conference, two friends and I walked the Riverwalk to Paesaons for this eponymous dish and that salad. Those three crunchy shrimp ($15) in a lemon-butter-garlic sauce hit the spot! Their special salad was no longer one that only insiders knew; it now appears on the menu. The romaine comes with hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, avocado chunks and [...]

By |2021-12-05T16:45:01-05:00November 23rd, 2021|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Sala Thai, Upper West Side, NYC + Birthday Celebration

We all met at Sala Thai to celebrate my sister's birthday; I was also considering it for the Patron program for The Public. We shared everything. Not going to the Upper West often, I hadn't realized this was right next door to Mimi Cheng's, a women-owned dumpling house that's been on my radar. I'll have to return. Our apps included the veggie-filled cold summer rolls ($10 for 6); the chicken and potato-filled curry puffs ($12 for 4), grilled skewers of marinated chicken in a peanut sauce served with grilled brioche ($12 for four skewers) and my favorite, their Pla Muk Tod, crispy coconut fried calamari ($12) with a roasted bell pepper-peanut vinaigrette [...]

By |2021-11-21T08:46:15-05:00November 21st, 2021|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Hard Rock Cafe’s “Pinktober” Raised $70K

In October, Hard Rock Cafe had their 22nd annual PINKTOBER campaign that raised over $70,000 for their charitable partners at the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Carol Keating Foundation. Last month at participating cafes nationwide and in Europe, Hard Rock donated $1 every time they sold one of their limited-time burgers — the Mushroom & Bourbon Onion Burger, The Ultimate “Pub” Burger or their Blue Cheese & Bacon Burger – or the limited-edition merchandise, other foods and beverages. Those burgers — one I sampled at the Hard Rock Times Square event celebrating the giving of the check — will be added to their permanent menu in January 2022. We [...]

By |2021-11-21T08:44:55-05:00November 19th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Michelin-starred Rezdôra, Birthday Celebration, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC

To get a reservation for my friend's birthday, I found out how far in advance Rezdôra booked on Resy then grabbed the date I wanted and walked over to the restaurant to ask for the time we preferred. It was worth the effort. If you're not familiar, Rezdôra is Stefano Secchi’s Italian restaurant with one star from Michelin, three stars from Pete Wells (New York Times). We opted for their regional 5-course pasta tasting ($95 each) along with the wine pairings ($55 each). To start the celebration, we each sipped a refreshing Aperol Spritzer ($15) while nibbling the amuse-bouche of mini-cannoli filled with Swiss chard and Parmigiana cheese sprinkled with [...]

By |2025-03-04T10:38:45-05:00November 16th, 2021|NYC Restaurant Reviews|1 Comment
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Lunch at Kod Kapetan, Hvar, Croatia

On our free day, we took the fast ferry from Split to Hvar to discover this summer resort island in the Adriatic Sea. Before stopping for lunch along the seaside, we walked up to the fortress with beautiful views overlooking the sea. After shopping at local shops, we headed seaside to find a place to dine. Kod Kapetan - near the beach club - was ideal, with good food and friendly service. We ordered what had become our favorite Croatian wine Pošip, this one a 2018 Marijan from Hvar. (180 kunas ~$28). The kitchen served us crisp bruschetta topped with fresh tomatoes. Divine. Next, we shared delicious prawns, even tho [...]

By |2021-11-21T11:46:13-05:00November 14th, 2021|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants, World, World Restaurants|0 Comments
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Spiribam Rum Tasting from Martinique and St. Lucia

    Recently,  at a virtual Spiribam Rum Tasting, I learned how wonderfully decadent sipping rum could be! Some at the tasting compared it to cognac. The umbrella company, Spiribam represents, markets and distributes rums from Martinique and Saint Lucia. We sampled Chairman’s from St Lucia; Rhum J. M. from Martinique and Clement from Martinique. With the holidays around the corner do treat yourself to one or more of these or purchase one as a hostess gift. Prices for a 750 ml bottle of what we tasted and photos of the actual rum! Chairman's Vintage 2009 $70 Chairman's 1931 $100 Rhum JM XO $75 Rhum JM 10 Year $130 Rhum [...]

By |2021-11-21T11:21:45-05:00November 12th, 2021|Food & Drinks, Products, Recommended|0 Comments
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Return to Jones Wood Foundry Post-COVID, Upper East Side, NYC

Three Upper East Side friends and I met at the classic British food-driven pub, Jones Wood Foundry, on 76th just off First Avenue. When there in the past, I had always indulged in both their irresistible humongous Yorkshire pudding plus the creamy chicken and foie gras parfait. Sadly the large hollow popovers are only available on weekends! We four started by sharing the parfait, which amazingly costs $2 less than it did PreCovid! The pate comes with two slices of toasted brioche halved, grape chutney and cornichons ($15) that was perfect for the four of us. It was good; just not as good as in the past. I sipped a [...]

By |2021-11-23T08:27:04-05:00November 9th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Dvor, Split, Croatia on the Adriatic Sea

Recommended in the Michelin Guide, Dvor opened in 2013. We sat outside on the terrace with a spectacular view of the Adriatic sea and Croatian islands beyond while being serenaded by a guitarist across the patio singing American songs. We all decided to have their five-course tasting menu (470 Kuna, ~$73.50) and ordered a bottle of white and red to accompany. Our first amazingly unusual dish — "Canelon" tuna with goose liver— was the favorite of the evening. Goose liver ganache wrapped in fresh tuna garnished with purple onion gel, pea gel, Jerusalem artichoke gel, black olive dust and Aceto Balsamico pearls. Fantastic. The smoked sea risotto was a runner-up [...]

By |2021-11-21T11:45:01-05:00November 6th, 2021|Bites from the Road, World, World Restaurants|0 Comments
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Fellow Dame Surbhi’s Restaurant Opening: Tagmo, South Street Seaport, NYC

My friend and fellow Dame, a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier, Surbhi Sahni recently opened her first solo restaurant Tagmo in South Street Seaport. At Tagmo, she serves a variety of her favorite homestyle dishes from India. By the time this posts, the small shop in the front of the restaurant will be selling her sweets, South Asian cookbooks, chai and spices. Surbhi's no stranger to NY Indian fine dining; she worked at Michelin-starred Devi and Tulsi. She also was the Creative Director of Saar Indian Bistro. One friend started with their Roohafza Spritz ($8), a blend of Campari, prosecco, Indian botanical syrup and lime. The others shared a bottle [...]

By |2021-11-12T11:30:52-05:00November 4th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Rambling|0 Comments
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Return to Riverpark, Kips Bay, NYC

It's back. Riverpark, one of Tom Colicchio's restaurants, is now open Monday through Friday from 4 pm - 9 pm for what they call light bites and a bar menu. If you haven't been, this modern American restaurant using seasonal ingredients is located on a garden plaza at the east end of 29th Street with views of the East River. While sipping the Domaine Anne Gros & Jean-Paul Tollot La Cinso Cinsault, 2016, ($68), we shared the fritto misto ($16). It included crispy calamari, shrimp, cod, zucchini strips and mushrooms with a spicy green sauce. The dish was so plentiful that we could have stopped there. We didn't. My dining [...]

By |2021-11-04T13:11:14-04:00November 1st, 2021|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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VisaVersa, Hell’s Kitchen, NYC + Letters of Surresh

Before heading to our matinee at the Tony Kiser theatre, we stopped at VisaVersa on 51st for brunch. We loved that we could order one of three cocktails — a mimosa, bellini or bloody Mary — and get refills for 2 hours for $20. I had a bloody Mary, my friend the mimosa. Our attentive waiter also placed their housemade focaccia and sliced Italian bread with softened butter on the table after serving our drinks. I ordered their poached eggs atop a crab cake ($22) with the hollandaise on the side. That platter came with lemony dressed fresh arugula. Those same greens were the base for my friend's grilled chicken [...]

By |2021-11-04T13:13:17-04:00October 30th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Rambling|2 Comments
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