Big Apple Life

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

Lunch at Bryant Park Grill, Midtown, NYC

I've enjoyed many a meal at Bryant Park Grill in their European-style spacious garden terrace behind the landmark New York Public Library. This time from the get-go, the staff couldn't get their act together to properly service the five of us. Our table was set for five; we had four water glasses. One friend requested lemon for her water while I ordered an Aperol Spritzer ($16), my then-current libation. The waiter brought the lemon; no water or cocktail. Sadly, this was de rigueur for our entire dining experience. Good thing that most of the food was better than the service. Both sliders — pulled pork BBQ ($17.50) and hamburger ($16.95) [...]

By |2020-11-10T20:09:33-05:00November 5th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Return to The Little Owl, West Village, NYC

Thought brunch at the West Village neighborhood corner gem The Little Owl would be fun for a college freshman new to the area. Instead of my usual Aperol spritzer, I sampled their Cappelletti spritzer ($15) after learning that the restaurant is not allowed to have a liquor license as they are too close to a school. The NYS Liquor Authority can only issue a wine and beer license within 200 feet of a school or place of worship. Cappelletti may be the oldest style of the classic red bitter still in production. Was quite tasty! I ordered my chilaquiles ($15) with poached instead of the menu-stated over-easy eggs. The spicy [...]

By |2020-11-10T20:02:49-05:00October 31st, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Another Ferry Ride to DUMBO for Lunch at Ignazio’s, NYC

The last time I took the ferry to Dumbo, I walked right past Ignazio's, a pizzeria on the corner of  Water Street almost under the Brooklyn Bridge, a restaurant that my friend had raved about. We decided to go together to sample their thin-crust pies. Being indecisive — and wanting to sample two varieties  — we tried half and half. Half white clam pizza and half classic with fresh mozzarella, Italian plum tomatoes and pecorino romano cheese. We asked to have that topped with meatballs ($24.50). I sipped their house pinot grigio ($11 a large portion in a plastic cup) while awaiting our pizza. We share a Caesar salad ($12.50), [...]

By |2020-11-10T20:07:13-05:00October 28th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Go Quickly to Drift In, Hudson River Park as It’s Closing For The Season

Hudson River Park is one of my favorite spots to walk during COVID. This time when I arrived with a friend, we noticed that the Drift In was open, serving food and drink in a new waterfront hangout. This restaurant is from the team that also brings you Grand Banks. Go this week Stop by quickly if you want to visit, as it's only open through October 31, 2020. We only had a glass of pinot grigio ($12)  and shared their yummy fries served with sage aioli and spicy ketchup ($7.50) as my friend was heading out to dinner. This restaurant also serves sandwiches, surf and turf and, of course, [...]

By |2020-10-26T13:29:31-04:00October 24th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Laotian Food at Khe Yo, Tribeca, NYC

None of us had sampled Laotian food before our alfresco lunch at Khe-Yo (that translates into "green") on Duane Street in Tribeca. The restaurant opened in 2013 as New York’s first Laotian eatery with Marc Forgione as a co-owner/Partner. I requested their Khe-Yo Mule made with their house Thai Chili infused vodka ($16), one of my friends had the Tequila Blanco with Campari & grapefruit juice ($16). Both quite tasty. The three of us shared the Berkshire Pork Spring Rolls ($18 for three, cut in thirds), packed with flavorful pork. Little did we know — as our server didn't inform us — that when we asked for more of the [...]

By |2020-10-25T08:24:32-04:00October 22nd, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Alfresco Dining at La Bonne Soup, Midtown, NYC

I returned to La Bonne Soupe as it was a good halfway meeting point with a friend. We sipped our Aperol spritzer ($12) while perusing the menu. Sadly none of my regular options were available on the limited outdoor menu. While looking over the menu, a woman at the next table stood up opened her arms in a welcoming way and took her mask off so I could see her face. It was my friend and fellow Dame Maria Loi, chef-owner of Loi Estiatorio who says she dines there every Sunday as her restaurant is closed and she lives on the block. What a treat to see her. Our order [...]

By |2020-10-25T08:29:26-04:00October 16th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Alfresco Dining at Bazar Tapas Bar and Restaurant, Chelsea, NYC

With the great produce from the Union Square farmers' market, I'd been making salads nightly. So when I stopped into Bazar Tapas after shopping at the Saturday market, I was craving fried food, something I don't do at home. I sipped my Aperol Spritzer (my summer drink) while I looked over the menu and chatted with my friendly server. Their crackling calamari, lightly battered and fried so the pieces were tender came with both marinara and chipotle aioli ($16). My Pommes Frites were tasty — crispy on the outside and soft inside as before. The order was missing their menu stated adobo aioli ($8).  These are regular sized servings, not [...]

By |2020-10-25T08:32:00-04:00October 13th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Lightship Frying Pan (Pier 66 Maritime), On The Water, NYC

After a fun day sailing on the Hudson, we walked over to the Frying Pan for a bite to eat. This Lightship, built in 1929, is docked at Pier 66 about three blocks north of Chelsea Piers. This ship's restaurant had always been one of my favorite places to bring friends, as it always pleased. Their COVID system has QR codes unique to each table for their menu and to order.  When your order is ready, the server brings it right to your table along with the plastic tools and paper napkins. One friend ordered the large peel 'n eat shrimp boil with a pound of shrimp in flavorful well-seasoned [...]

By |2020-10-13T13:53:43-04:00October 10th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Alfresco Dining at 7 Old Fulton Restaurant in Dumbo, Brooklyn, NYC

We grabbed the 34th Street ferry to Brooklyn. We had no plans other than walking around Dumbo. Once the boat docked, we wandered around the area, past River Cafe where we had dined, St. Ann's Warehouse where we attended events and many other places sparking pre-COVID memories. Most familiar places were closed or only open for dinner. It was a weekday. As we walked down Old Fulton Street under the Brooklyn Bridge we noticed an inviting establishment, 7 Old Fulton Restaurant. They offered some tables in front and lots more in their street space made into a garden, all socially distanced. Julie Bali, owner and quintessential hostess, warmly welcomed us. [...]

By |2020-10-10T15:15:03-04:00October 4th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Island Oyster on Governors Island, NYC

Once a year, I would find a friend who wanted to join me on a trip to Governors Island to dine at Kerry Herffernan's Island Oyster, a seafood restaurant located right off the dock serving sustainable seafood in an upscale high-end waterfront establishment that felt like dining at a resort. We'd sit at the tables, sipping the on-tap Rosésoaking in the amazing views of lower Manhattan. Wanted to support the restaurant, I took my annual trip thinking that it wouldn't be much different — other than socially distancing — as it was always an outdoor restaurant. I was so wrong. The trip over was still a lovely short — 5-minute [...]

By |2020-09-12T11:56:31-04:00September 12th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Alfresco Dining COVID Phase 2 at The Leroy House, West Village

I'm fine with alfresco dining but not waiting on the street until a table opens up. So I secured a res at The Leroy House, a neighborhood place on the ground floor of a beautiful townhouse that until last year was Harwood on Hudson before that Piora — for me and a friend. Like other restaurants, they enlarged their dining area well into the street and spaced their tables at least 6 feet apart unlike many other outdoor establishments. I hadn't seen my friend since quarantine started in March. We were getting together as she was heading into the city so we had lots to catch up on. We each [...]

By |2020-08-22T08:09:04-04:00September 2nd, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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COVID Phase 2 Lunch: La Pecora Bianca, NoMad, NYC

Dining in the middle of Broadway and 26th Street with the subway running beneath is truly a unique New York City COVID experience. I ate lunch there with a neighbor recently. La Pecora Bianca gave us one-use paper menus plus a wax paper sandwich bag to each store our mask while eating. We shared a shaved Brussels sprouts salad that the menu described as containing pickled raisins, sunflower seeds and parmesan ($16). As you can see, our salad was mostly the shaved sprouts with a couple of sunflower seeds and raisins, yet little cheese. The better choice was the chicken paillard ($21) topped with fresh arugula, marinated tomatoes and parmesan [...]

By |2020-08-22T08:04:41-04:00August 29th, 2020|Big Apple Life|0 Comments
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COVID Phase 2 Lunch: L’Express, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC

L'Express didn't disappoint. It never does when I order my two regular offerings at this consistently good French bistro on the corner of 20th and Park.   My friend and I shared their medallions of warm chèvre (Montrachet goat cheese) atop mixed field greens ($15). We followed that with their a tender and juicy Moroccan-spiced lamb burger ($19), cooked to medium, served with cornichons, a sliced tomato, thickly sliced onion and fries. With that, you get ketchup for dipping fries and harissa for spreading on the lamb. We sat at an outside table on 20th, each sipping a delicious cappuccino ($5) while yakking for hours as there were empty tables. [...]

By |2020-08-21T19:29:36-04:00August 26th, 2020|Big Apple Life|0 Comments
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Alfresco Dining COVID Phase 2 at La Palapa, East Village, NYC

We headed to St. Marks Place in the East Village for a south-of-the-border bite at La Palapa, my friend Barbara Sibley's place. Barbara has weathered many a crisis, staying open, caring for her staff and feeding others as so well told in the  Zagat article. She's one amazing lady! We, of course, began our meal at one of their outdoor tables with Margies ($13) and their guac, made to order, with house-made cumin-spiced corn chips ($15). That came with three salsas, one tastier than the next.  These included charred Serrano in pineapple vinegar, fresh tomatillo & jalapeño and roasted guajilllo with garlic. I'd make a special trip just for that! [...]

By |2020-08-21T19:11:07-04:00August 22nd, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Alfresco Dining, COVID Phase 2 at Rio Grande, Murray Hill

Met some friends at El Rio Grande for real alfresco dining just as Phase2 commenced. At the time we went, we were not allowed inside the restaurant to use the facilities. Not a great situation when drinking. That said, we were still thrilled to be outside and dining together. To access the menu on their site, we needed a phone to scan the QR code at the table. My friend, who had been going to the restaurant for decades, said the best thing was their Fajita Nachos (Large, $18.95)  topped with medium-rare steak.  One friend ordered sangria ($11), while we ordered Margies ($12.50).  While waiting for the main event, we [...]

By |2020-08-21T18:06:53-04:00August 7th, 2020|Big Apple Life|0 Comments
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COVID Phase 2: Takeout from Cousins Maine Lobster, Midtown South, NYC

Some friends and I met at Cousins Maine Lobster to get takeout dinner to bring to Madison Square Park to picnic.  Their lobsters are sourced only from Maine, from the "icy Downeast waters to the mid-coast" where owners Sabin Lomac, 39 and Jim Tselikis, 36 are from. They started the business with an LA food truck. Then, after an appearance on "Shark Tank" that gave them an investment from Barbara Corcoron, the franchise of the business took off. We each ordered the lobster roll Maine style ($17) with extra lobster (+$5), served chilled, with a teeny touch of mayo (Yes, only a soupçon!) on the heaping portion of crustacean served [...]

By |2020-08-01T19:18:32-04:00July 31st, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Birthday Love During COVID Quarantine

My son who lives abroad invited me to a virtual breakfast at 10 am on my birthday. Just before the scheduled time, my doorman announced a perishable delivery. I texted my son that I might be a few minutes late. At the desk, I found an Ess-a-Bagel bounty of bagels, cream cheese, whitefish salad, applesauce and warm potato pancakes that Bryan had arranged to arrive just before our call. When he and his wife answered Skype, the area behind the camera was afloat with balloons, and they were making a racket blowing on noisemakers! My 3 1/2-year-old granddaughter Deli was waiting patiently in front of a chocolate birthday cake that [...]

By |2020-07-22T18:15:29-04:00July 24th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|5 Comments
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COVID Phase 2: Dinner at Black Barn, No-Mad, NYC

After sheltering in place for what seemed like an eternity, New York City entered Phase 2 of reopening. To me — living alone — that allowance to dine alfresco was a game-changer that happened almost in conjunction with my birthday. So, I continued to celebrate meeting with friends now that I was allowed. As we were seated in the shade at a table at Black Barn at the northern border of Madison Square Park, we were each handed a single-use disposable paper menu. We sipped our cocktails — me, an Old Fashion, my dining partner, a Margarita; $12 during happy hour — as we looked over the menu. We started [...]

By |2020-07-19T12:19:59-04:00July 18th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|2 Comments
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Return to Donna Margherita, Upper East Side, NYC

(Written before COVID-19 quarantine) After attending an event at Streicker Center, we walked across town to Second Avenue to return to Donna Margherita, a cozy Italian trattoria on Second Avenue where it was quiet enough to easily hear each other. That and service is quite attentive and friendly. Remembering their wonderful chewy crust pizzas, we ordered two: their namesake pizza — the Donna Margherita ($19) one with mozzarella, crushed San Marzano tomatoes and Pecorino cheese — and the Diavolo ($21) one that was supposed to come topped with spicy Italian sausage, not the pepperoni we were served. No complaints as the five us devoured them both. I'd recommend the Caesar [...]

By |2020-06-04T09:24:08-04:00June 19th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Pappardella, Upper West Side, NYC + The Nature of Color at AMNH

(Written before COVID-19 quarantine) After attending "The Nature of Color" — a new interactive exhibition that lets visitors explore the role and power of color in the natural world, in human cultures and in our personal lives — at the American Museum of Natural History, we headed a couple of blocks away for lunch. There was a chill in the air so we opted to not dine on the outdoor terrace of Pappardella, a Tuscan restaurant with friendly attentive service. We were sharing a salad and panini.  Without asking the kitchen to split each dish, they did so and plated it before serving. So take note, the photos are of [...]

By |2020-06-22T09:52:42-04:00June 11th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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