Big Apple Life

A collection of posts on Life in the Big Apple along with interviews with foodie friends

An Local Institution: Donohue’s Steak House, Upper East Side, NYC

Trying to keep the restaurant reviews on BiteoftheBest fresh keeps me from developing relationships with neighborhood haunts as I don't return that often to local places. One of my upper east side friends shared her favorite local place, Donoghue's Steak House, a midtown institution with devout regulars. Donoghue's is a neighborhood place you know about, not one you discover visiting their website. There isn't one. It's been around since 1950, offering good, fresh pub food.  It also was featured on Billions — season three, fourth episode on Showtime —  when some of the show's characters met at this locale to decide how to handle one of the other characters. My friend [...]

By |2021-10-31T09:29:33-04:00June 13th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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The Pop-Up: Thaimee Love, West Village, NYC

Thaimee Love is a pop-up restaurant in the West Village from Thai Chef Hong Thaimee. She serves market-driven Thai comfort food. I was looking forward to sampling, especially after visiting Chiang Mai, her city, just before the pandemic lockdown. Take note if you go that they have no liquor license. There is a liquor store up the street, which is where we got a Gruner Veltliner thinking it would go nicely with the cuisine. It did. We couldn't decide among the three small plates offered and so chose the sampling Ruam Mit Platter for two ($28). It included slices of fried yams and Kabocha squash — "Chiang Mai Fries" — [...]

By |2021-10-31T09:29:42-04:00June 11th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Lunch at Tavern on the Green, Central Park, NYC + American Museum of Natural History

The first stop for my visiting grandkids was the dinosaur exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History as my 5-year-old grandson wants to be a paleontologist. After whizzing through all the exhibits, we walked in Central Park towards the newly restored Tavern on the Green about 67th Street. We were some of the first guests to dine there when it reopened and opted for the crystal room as it was too windy to sit on the patio. I had a Bulleit Old Fashion ($15) and the kids ordered juice ($4 each). Our helpful waiter suggested getting the kids' orders in early. Smart. Eloise (almost 2 1/2) ordered the kids' [...]

By |2021-10-31T09:30:07-04:00June 1st, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Mission Ceviche, Upper East Side, NYC + Central Park

After a visit to the blooming conservatory gardens, we walked downtown through Central Park, stopping at the Met for a quick trip to the roof to see Alex Da Corte’s Enchanting Commission for the rooftop. He created a kinetic sculpture featuring Sesame Street's Big Bird with an aesthetic of Alexander Calder’s standing mobiles. The installation will be on view through October 31, 2021. We were able to get a reservation for dinner at Mission Ceviche, a Peruvian place on Second and 72 Street at the last minute, although we needed to dine inside. We perused the Pisco-focused cocktail menu as that's the classic white brandy from Peru. My dining mates [...]

By |2024-07-21T11:13:21-04:00May 29th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings, Rooftop|1 Comment
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Last Time at The Comfort Diner, Midtown, NYC

When working at Parade Magazine years ago, my editor and I stopped by The Comfort Diner for a quick bite to eat. It's around the corner from their offices. The restaurant had a fun vibe. It was quick, the food was good and was reasonably priced, especially considering its location! When I met a friend there recently for breakfast, the only thing that was the same was the prices. We sat down at 12, had to flag down the waitress to order, did so by 12:15 and didn't get our food until well after 1 pm! The huevos rancheros were the worst rendition I've ever had ($11) with a tortilla [...]

By |2021-10-31T09:32:15-04:00May 23rd, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Rosa Mexicano, Lincoln Center, NYC + Brian Clarke at MAD

The Museum of Art and Design (MAD) offered an immersive exhibition of more than 100 works of stained glass, compositions in lead and related drawings showcasing British artist Brian Clarke's work. There were more than twenty free-standing, glass screens animated by the changing light on display through the end of April 2021. After the exhibit, we headed a couple of blocks north to Rosa Mexicano for brunch. While deciding on what to order, we shared a pitcher of their white sangria ($45). We were starving (not literally) so none of us could resist the mild guacamole ($15) and chips served already prepared as during COVID Rosa's does not do it [...]

By |2021-10-31T09:31:39-04:00May 17th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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As Seen on Shark Tank: Pasta by Hudson, Chelsea, NYC

One of the best restaurants to dine at indeed is the one where you're known. We headed over to Pasta by Hudson, a fast-casual fresh pasta bar between 20th and 21st Streets on Seventh Avenue as my friend is a friend of the owner, Brandon Fay. They had met and befriended when Brandon was Managing Director of Trattoria Dell’ Arte. Brandon recently appeared on Shark Tank with his concept, getting an investment of $150,000 in exchange for 30 percent equity. We had to try it. Brandon greeted us with a taste of their frozen strawberry frosé ($11) while we perused the menu. We then ordered wine ($9 a glass) with [...]

By |2021-10-31T09:31:29-04:00May 12th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Rambling|0 Comments
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Montebello, Midtown + Calder at MOMA

  Classic cooking from the area near Trieste, Italy, is the inspiration for Montebello, a northern Italian white-tablecloth restaurant. I had chosen it for their proximity and prix fixe $29 lunch as a place to dine after going to the Calder: Modern from the Start exhibit at MOMA.  I highly suggest making a res if you haven't been yet. It's open through August 7, 2021. Our attentive waiter said that they had just recently reopened and were not offering the special lunch menu at this time. We were already seated comfortably at our white-tablecloth-covered table looking at the menu. One friend ordered the battutta di pollo, their hand-pounded then grilled chicken [...]

By |2021-10-31T10:06:49-04:00May 11th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Rambling|0 Comments
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Num Pang Kitchen + MvVO Ad Art Show

Earlier this month, I attended an in-person press event at the Westfield World Trade Center to see the opening of the MvVO Ad Art Show displayed on the ~27 massive digital screens throughout the Oculus. The art show shares the space with real ads, alternating frequently. The show, now in its fourth year, celebrates the talented artists of advertising and related fields. These artworks are also online on Artsy—where you'll find the works for sale (https://www.artsy.net/mvvo). After the show, we walked to Brookfield Place looking for an outdoor place to eat. Nothing was open. We ended up at their food court on the second floor, stopping by Num Pang sandwich shop. [...]

By |2021-10-31T10:06:18-04:00May 8th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Rooftop Happy Hour at STK Downtown, Meatpacking District, NYC

Once nice weather hits, rooftop cocktails are de rigueur. That's why we headed over to STK in the meat-packing district for a happy hour drink to celebrate my friend's birthday.  First things first. We ordered our cocktails (regularly $21, hh pricing $11), my friend selected their Spiced Watermelon made with Patrón Silver, St. Germain, watermelon, lime and jalapeño.   I ordered their Not Your Daddy's Old Fashioned made with a hearty pour of Woodford Reserve. The old fashioned has become one of my pandemic go-to cocktails. I'd recommend STKs. My friend ordered their beef tartare ($7) simply served in three crispy wonton-like cups for easy snacking. I tried their sauteed mini-salmon [...]

By |2024-07-21T11:05:23-04:00May 6th, 2021|Big Apple Life, Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings, Rooftop|0 Comments
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Cocktail Hour: Jungle Bird, Chelsea + Jungle Bird Cocktail Recipe

A new friend from my recent Cancun trip was heading to the city from Philly for a modeling gig and suggested we meet while she was in town. We met at the Jungle Bird cocktail lounge. They have a limited menu. It's a place to drink, not to eat. Bring your earplugs if you have them. Yes, it's that noisy. The bar is based on the eponymous tiki drink ($15) said to be invented at the Kuala Lumpur Hilton in 1978. This cross between a Negroni and a daiquiri has only five ingredients. Rum, Campari, pineapple and lime juices and simple syrup.  The flavor elicited memories of many fun times [...]

By |2025-05-29T15:08:05-04:00April 24th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Rambling, Recipes, Starters|2 Comments
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Taam Tov, Midtown (Diamond District), NYC

Taam Tov, which means good taste in Hebrew, is a Bukharian restaurant located two floors above 47th Street. It's the traditional cuisine of the Bukharan Jewish community. If you weren't looking for it, you'd probably miss it. I met a friend there recently for lunch.  Neither of us was very familiar with this Jewish cuisine. Our first dish was the Manty ($15.99), five large steamed thin dough dumplings filled with beef.  We also ordered the "Falafel Salad,"  sadly not with greens as I would have thought but with six falafel balls in a pool of hummus. And no bread for dipping. ($12.99) Our main dish was the bakhsh ($15.99), the [...]

By |2021-11-01T07:16:28-04:00April 22nd, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Society Cafe in Walker Hotel, Greenwich Village, NYC + Highline

The Society Café, located downstairs in the Walker Hotel, offered live music the Sunday we stopped in for brunch.  I've been dining inside ever since I became fully vaccinated. Almost felt as if life was beginning to return to normal. We started with classic brunch cocktails. My dining partner sipped a bellini ($10) while I tried the bloody Mary ($13). I ordered the Shakshuka ($18), their poached eggs with a tomato sauce with shishito peppers and chorizo and a side of Parmesan Fries ($6).  The shakshuka looked inviting. I attempted to eat one of the eggs. They were so overcooked and rubbery, I couldn’t get my fork thru it. Their [...]

By |2021-11-08T09:16:03-05:00April 14th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Rambling|0 Comments
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A Flight at Birreria Rooftop, Flatiron, NYC

After a long walk on one of the first gorgeous spring days, I decided to stop by a rooftop restaurant for a cocktail. I wanted to continue to enjoy the weather.  Figured I'd respond to texts and emails. I ended up at Eataly's open rooftop restaurant Birreria. Great space. None of their cocktails talked to me. I decided to step outside my drinking comfort range to sample their Negroni flight. I say that, as a Negroni was never my drink. I was so glad I did. The Negroni flight ($25) contained three 2-ounce smoked Negronis made from Campari, Carpano Antica Vermouth and Blood Orange, with each one better than I [...]

By |2024-07-21T11:05:53-04:00April 9th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings, Rooftop|0 Comments
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The Modern Georgian Chito Gvrito, Gramercy, NYC

Another Georgian restaurant, Chito Gvrito, opened in my hood. I looked forward to sampling and comparing it to Chama Mama on West 14th Street that I had sampled last summer during the pandemic. As we sat down on the blanket-covered metal chair,  we ordered the classic khachapuri, the freshly baked cheese-stuffed bread, knowing it would take at least 15 minutes to bake. We chose the ajaruli cheese pie ($14), the traditional open-faced one that comes topped with a fresh egg and chunk of butter. When ours arrived, the server offered to ready it by tossing the melted hot cheese with the egg to "cook" it.  As I had learned at [...]

By |2021-11-08T07:34:00-05:00April 5th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Dulce Vida Cafe, Upper East Side, NYC + Met Costume Exhibit

About Time: Fashion and Duration, the Met's black and white costume exhibit, ended early February. I was lucky enough to see it before that.  (Scroll down to see one costume!) After the exhibit, where folks were socially distanced, we walked over to Lexington Avenue to have brunch at a small Columbian restaurant. Sadly, they were out of their spicy fig margie that we each wanted to sample. Instead, we each ordered the jalapeño pineapple one ($12) with orange liquor, jalapeño and pineapple juice. One requested no peppers, one regular and one double the jalapeños (that's spicy-lovin' me). Wanting to sample their arepa ($9.75), a corn pancake that's eaten in Colombia, [...]

By |2021-11-01T09:51:14-04:00March 12th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Cheap Eats at Three Times, East Village, NYC

A seated lunch for two in Manhattan for $20? It's true. I ended up at 3 Times on Broadway as I had read about it serving the Chinese snack of shi bing tong commonly enjoyed at festivals and wanted to sample that dish. When I arrived and didn't notice it on the menu, I asked the server about this pan-fried wrap filled with pork, squid, rice noodles and lots of veggies. Sadly, they no longer offer it. We stayed anyway as I had brought a bottle of chilled Loimer Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal to enjoy with our meal as 3 Times didn't have a liquor license. We ordered one lunch special [...]

By |2021-11-01T09:51:47-04:00March 3rd, 2021|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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A Mistake That Landed Me at Glur Eating Thai, Chelsea, NYC

I blame my COVID-blurs brain for my mistake. I arrived at a restaurant in Chelsea to meet friends for dinner on the wrong day. Laughing at myself (what else could I do?), I headed toward my home. I walked past Glur, a small Thai restaurant on West 19th, noticed the "A" in the window and decided to stop for a meal, sitting in their tiny heated tent. I began with their crispy "Vegetable Spring Roll," which contained four small rolls filled with carrots, cabbage, corn and vermicelli noodles. Delicious, especially when dipped in their homemade pineapple sweet chili sauce ($8) with some of their hot sauce that I added. I [...]

By |2021-11-01T09:53:52-04:00February 28th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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NYC Installation at GCS + lunch at Benoit, Midtown, NYC

We met at Grand Central to see the new permanent art installation that's located above the entrance to the subway. This mirrored-glass pop of color with over 5,000 individually cut pieces of glass in more than 70 colors is the work of Jim Hodges, called "I dreamed a world and called it Love." Sadly half of the installation was covered with plastic as there is construction in the station. I don't suggest heading there to see this unless you're there to take a train or subway. Our visit took only a couple of minutes, basically as long as it took to descended and then ascended steps to the subway entrance. [...]

By |2021-11-08T07:34:22-05:00February 26th, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Other happenings|0 Comments
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A Return to Il Gattopardo, Midtown, NYC

Returned to Il Gattopardo, midtown, to meet an Upper East Side friend who will only travel downtown on the Q. I walked, as that's my exercise. As in previous visits, our server first put mini arancini filled with a smidgeon of veal ragu, peas and mozzarella as an amuse-bouche from the kitchen to tickle our palates. After negotiating the wine, we ended up with a Pinot Nero 2018 Masut da Rive ($70). We then shared grilled octopus ($24) as I wanted confirmation that is was as wonderful as I thought on my last visit. The tender sliced cephalopod with the roasted fingerling potatoes, celery hearts and Castelvetrano olives, lemon juice, [...]

By |2021-11-08T07:42:19-05:00February 23rd, 2021|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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