Bites

Nick & Toni’s, East Hampton, NYC

After the hostess seated us in one of the restaurant's inviting indoor dining rooms, she returned with a sprinkle of sparkling confetti and a cheerful "Happy Birthday." It was a thoughtful touch that quietly alerted everyone who served us—from the person refilling our water glasses to the busboys—that we were celebrating a special occasion. As we settled in, we nibbled on crisply fried, paper-thin zucchini chips ($23) while sipping a delicious rosé from the restaurant's spotlight wine list. We chose the Domaine de la Bastide Bandol 2023, a grenache-cinsault blend featured under "Age Worthy Rosé" ($100). Next, we shared a delightful house-made campanelle with duck ragù and fava beans, finished [...]

By |2026-07-18T08:59:11-04:00July 18th, 2026|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Bostwick’s Chowder House, East Hampton, NYC

When I'm in the Hamptons, we often stop at Bostwick's Chowder House on Route 27, Montauk Highway. It's a laid-back seafood spot with a casual outdoor patio, where meals arrive in plastic baskets lined with red-and-white checked paper, complete with disposable cups and utensils—a big part of its casual charm. I've always gotten their lobster rolls. In fact, when I wrote about it back in 2013, it was just $17.50; today it's closer to $40. Fortunately, I've already enjoyed a few excellent lobster rolls this summer, including some at Yacht Club and Rowayton Seafood. This visit, I tried the beer-battered fresh cod ($22.95). It was outstanding. The cod was fresh, [...]

By |2026-06-15T10:27:29-04:00July 16th, 2026|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Altro Paradiso After “Move the Passion,” SoHo, NYC

The media invitation to Move the Passion sounded intriguing. The invitation promised a unique, immersive and progressive EU-funded wine-tasting experience with art and entertainment, featuring wines from 25 Italian wineries at three different locations. Not exactly. The event was open to the public and drew 5,400 attendees, but there wasn't nearly enough food, wine or seating. We left the third venue—crowds at a standstill, no food and no libations remaining—after overheating in the basement of the second venue, which also had no food. We would have stopped after the second venue, but we figured we might as well stay long enough to enter the drawing for a trip to Italy. [...]

By |2026-06-09T18:04:39-04:00July 14th, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Home Kitchen, UES, NYC + 250 Anniversary Tour of the Met

We selected Home Kitchen for our group to grab a bite after we toured the Met with historian Kevin Draper, as the options in the area are slim. What a find! Michael, the owner, set up a table for about 20 of us, where we enjoyed lunch together following our final event before our summer hiatus. The food is good, plentiful, and served with a smile. Many of the group tried the special soft-shell crab over mashed potatoes with fresh spinach ($39). Others had sandwiches, including the grilled chicken ($16) and BLT with slab bacon and avocado ($18), while some enjoyed the chili ($21) or one of the salads ($18–$26). [...]

By |2026-06-09T15:56:42-04:00July 12th, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Birthday Celebration at Rowayton Seafood, Rowayton, CT

After a relaxing morning walking along Compo Beach with my friend in Westport, we headed to the farmers' market before continuing on to Rowayton for a birthday lunch at Rowayton Seafood, a restaurant I hadn't visited in decades but remembered for its hospitality and fresh seafood. It was every bit as good as I remembered! We sat on the sunlit porch and started with cocktails. I had a refreshing Aperol Spritz while my dining partner sipped a Bloody Mary ($17 each). We shared the lump crab cake ($27), which I appreciated because it was mostly the crustacean, topped with red cabbage-jalapeño slaw and remoulade sauce. My friend enjoyed the Caesar [...]

By |2026-06-07T10:51:24-04:00July 10th, 2026|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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The New Andrew Steak Society, East Village, NYC

The invitation promised seasonal cocktails, light bites and an elevated outdoor patio experience from 3 to 5 p.m. By the time we visited, however, the publicist had changed the start to 5 p.m. What we discovered upon arrival was something entirely different: no patio, no light bites and instead, Andrew's Steak Society, a new steakhouse specializing in dry-aged prime beef cooked over a red-hot oakwood flame in the dining room fireplace. The aging process og sy least 28 days enhanced the flavor and tenderness. We had a wonderful experience. Just two weeks after opening, with the restaurant still finding its rhythm,  the service and food were impressive from start to [...]

By |2026-06-06T16:30:00-04:00July 8th, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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A Taste of Utsav, Theatre District, NYC

Currently, with all the scaffolding surrounding the building, finding the entrance to Utsav isn't easy. The bi-level Theatre District restaurant, located in a skywalk between 46th and 47th Streets, serves authentic Indian, Indo-Chinese and Bengali cuisine. Recently, owner Nandita Khanna invited me to sample the menu as Utsav began its 26th year in business. (Utsav is a Sanskrit word meaning "festival.") As guests of the restaurant, we began with cocktails. I chose the Old Fashioned with a green chili infusion, served with a wooden stopper to retain the added smoke ($18), while my dining partner enjoyed the refreshing Saffron Sunrise, made with vodka, saffron liqueur, Aperol and ginger beer ($18). [...]

By |2026-06-06T12:24:24-04:00July 4th, 2026|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Brunch at La Grande Boucherie NYC, Midtown, NYC + Every Brilliant Thing

Every Brilliant Thing, Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe's play about a person creating a list of everything wonderful in the world to help their mother cope with depression, is at the Hudson Theatre. It's a feel-good show that's not to be missed. Lucky for us, we saw it with Mariska Hargitay in her Broadway debut, as we all sat on stage as part of the audience. For those who aren't Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU) fans, she's been the star of the show since it premiered in 1999, more than 27 years ago. That makes her character, Detective-turned-Captain Olivia Benson, the longest-running character in an American primetime live-action [...]

By |2026-06-07T10:52:18-04:00July 2nd, 2026|Big Apple Life, City Bites, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Bargain Lunch at Pan Asian Amber Village, West Village, NY

I had no idea you could still get a $13 two-course lunch at a sit-down restaurant in the West Village. I discovered Amber, a pan-Asian place that a pickleball friend raved about. She and her hubby are regulars, so I had to check it out for myself. Amber Village on Sixth Avenue offers a 2-course $13 lunch that includes a starter of miso soup or salad, plus two small vegetarian egg rolls, then an entree. Four hungry adults dug into two of their $13 offerings, ordering the shrimp & veggie (eggplant, sweet potato, broccoli) tempura, and chicken coconut green curry. To that, we added their chicken lettuce wraps ($14) and [...]

By |2026-06-30T15:53:32-04:00June 30th, 2026|City Bites, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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The Luncheon Sets at Jeong Yuk Jeom, Koreatown, NYC

Something’s new in Koreatown. Jeeong Yuk Jeom has introduced a new luncheon menu built around what they call “sets.” I was invited in to sample these reasonably priced combinations at Jeeong Yuk Jeom — generous spreads of food that could satisfy a lumberjack. My guest and I could barely make a dent in them. We were seated upstairs in the bi-level space, with a BBQ unit built into the table for tableside cooking. We laughed that it left absolutely no room for playing footsie under the table. We started with two unusual cocktails: the Spring JYJ, made with Ketel One and Chambord ($19), and the September Suntory Whiskey Ginger Highball [...]

By |2026-05-29T11:39:13-04:00June 28th, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Brunch at Faubourg, Montclair, NJ + Art In Bloom, Montclair Art Museum

One chilly, rainy Sunday recently, I headed by train to Montclair to visit friends, have brunch and see the Montclair Art Museum, where my friend exhibited during their annual Art in Bloom, the museum’s nationally celebrated biennial exhibition, where contemporary floral designers create fresh interpretations inspired by works on view throughout the museum. We first spent a lovely afternoon having brunch at Faubourg, the go-to spot in Montclair, according to the friendly folks I met on the train. Lucky for me, it was jazz Sunday, although one of my friends would have preferred classical. Two of us opted for the bargain-priced $43 prix-fixe menu, including our Bloody Mary, a breakfast [...]

By |2026-05-31T19:21:41-04:00June 26th, 2026|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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*Happy Hour at Reyna, East Village, NYC + ||: Girls :||: Chance :||: Music :||

As this published, we learned that Reyna has permanently closed. We stopped into Reyna, which took over the old Le Midi Bistro spot, for happy hour before heading to the Vineyard Theatre to see ||: Girls :||: Chance :||: Music :||. The show, which varies each night, centers on a pivotal summer at a prestigious girls’ music program in Berkeley, where four gifted teenagers come together. As their relationships intensify, a sense of looming catastrophe beyond the campus walls forces them to adapt both onstage and off. Reyna, a woman-owned Mediterranean spot from Nicki Laborie, offers a golden hour (two hours, actually) from 4 to 6, Tuesday through Sunday. We [...]

By |2026-06-23T19:23:53-04:00June 23rd, 2026|Happy Hours, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Birthday Celebration at the Authentic Lebanese Au Za’atar, UES, NYC

I was the first to arrive and spotted Nina, the hostess, setting the lone outdoor table. Naturally, I began yakking with her and requested that our group be seated there. She told me she was new to the business, and I complimented her on her welcoming warmth while sharing my favorite hospitality tome, Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, which champions giving guests more than they expect. As luck would have it, we did get that outdoor table for our 120-year birthday celebration — two Lebanese friends each turning 60. The celebrants took charge of the ordering, introducing the rest of us to some of their favorite dishes. Soon the table [...]

By |2026-06-21T08:13:31-04:00June 21st, 2026|Big Apple Life, City Bites, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Prix Fixe at Amalfi, Serra by Birreria at Eataly’s Rooftop, Flatiron, NYC

Eataly’s rooftop has been transformed into Amalfi, inspired by SERRA by Birreria’s ever-changing seasonal themes. I enjoyed their exceptional $27 two-course lunch with a friend on a perfect spring afternoon, on a rooftop surrounded by lush, garden-like lattice reminiscent of an Italian vineyard. We shared everything, starting with a thick slice of rustic Italian bread topped with whipped ricotta, pesto vegetables (including diced asparagus), pea tendrils and thinly sliced yellow beets. The dish was finished with green salsa, more whipped ricotta sprinkled with diced Taggiasca olives and breadcrumbs, all drizzled with white balsamic dressing. To accompany our meal, we took advantage of their Wednesday 50%-off bottles and ordered the Dolcetto [...]

By |2026-07-12T09:58:44-04:00June 19th, 2026|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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A Happy Hour Sampling at the New Mexican Calaveres Social, Upper East Side, NYC

A friend and I stopped by Calaveras Social to check out their covered patio for an upcoming Happy Hour. This new Mexican restaurant comes from a seasoned restaurateur with acclaimed spots (Calaveras and Calaveras Corner) We kicked things off with their spicy margaritas ($10), some creamy guacamole and housemade corn tortilla chips ($16). Next up was the queso fundido ($21), bubbling with melted cheese, topped with savory crumbled chorizo, and served with fresh, warm tortillas. We shared an order of three Birria Tacos ($21), generously filled with slow-cooked, tender brisket and topped with pickled onions. The tacos came with a rich beef consommé for dipping, making each bite exceptionally flavorful. [...]

By |2026-06-09T12:10:54-04:00June 17th, 2026|Big Apple Life, Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Souvlaki GR Midtown, Midtown, NYC + Death of a Salesman

Souvlaki GR Midtown was our stop for lunch and conversation before heading to Nathan Lane's tour de force in Death of a Salesman— a performance that got him a Tony nod.  Laurie Metcalf’s performance was equally compelling, earning her the Tony for Featured Actress in a play. For brunch, my dining partners each tried to finish their Horiatiki (Greek Salad) with diced tomatoes, red onions, crumbled feta, Kalamata olives and enough cucumbers for a couple more meals ($17) with lots of pita to also accompany the melitzanosalata (eggplant, $9.50). I went American-style because I was hungry, ordering their brunch burger topped with an over-easy egg, bacon, Cheddar and caramelized onions, [...]

By |2026-06-14T10:46:22-04:00June 14th, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Jose Andres Mercado Little Spain, Hudson Yards, NYC + Big Apple Greeter

We kicked off our Greet outside the Whitney Museum and then strolled to the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway to start my visit. A "greet" is when a Big Apple Greeter (that’s me!) proudly takes visitors around the city as if they were longtime friends, sharing stories, local tips and the true joys of living in New York City. This time,  I welcomed a mom and one of her sons from the Midwest. We saw the beach, wandered the hills of Little Island, strolled through Pier 57 and ended at OfCorsica, the newest addition to their food offerings, which opened last fall. After walking the High Line to Hudson Yards, we [...]

By |2026-06-12T09:20:21-04:00June 12th, 2026|Big Apple Greeter, Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Amazing New Orleans Brunch at Maison Premier, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

I don’t usually rave about a restaurant, but after an amazing New Orleans–style brunch at Maison Premier, I have to. Aside from an odd greeting at the door — “I can’t find my iPad” — the experience was perfection straight through dessert. We were seated outside on one of those long-awaited days when dining al fresco finally felt possible again. Colin Glensora, the service director, introduced us to absinthe through storytelling, show-and-tell and, of course, libations. He first brought us inside to see the bar area, where a beautiful four-spouted absinthe dispenser sat prominently at the front bar. Rather than serving us there, however, Colin recreated the ritual tableside with [...]

By |2026-05-23T16:18:23-04:00June 10th, 2026|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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*** Happy Hour at Cafeteria, Chelsea, NYC

Cafeteria on Seventh Avenue in the Flatiron District, with its large garage doors thrown open to the street, was the setting for our ex.expat monthly happy hour. This is exactly what a happy hour should be: a lively room, an extensive menu that makes choosing difficult and a staff that could not have been more accommodating. There was a chill in the air that afternoon, so we asked if we could close our garage door. The team quickly obliged, though a diner seated near another door preferred hers open. In true New York fashion, the staff managed both requests with ease—leaving one open, ours closed and everyone satisfied. Around the [...]

By |2026-05-10T11:41:21-04:00June 8th, 2026|Happy Hours, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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