NYC Best Bites

/NYC Best Bites

Our Best Bites from New York

123 BSB (Burger Shot Beer), Hell’s Kitchen + Betrayed

If you're part of the sports bar crowd, you'd probably enjoy a trip to 123 BSB on Tenth Avenue in Hell's Kitchen. It's a happening place replete with burgers, lots of fried foods, beer and a profusion of shots! I stopped by recently on my way to see the revival of Harold Pinter's Betrayal about an adulterous triangle that takes place in reverse chronological order with Tom Hiddleston, Zawe Ashton and Charlie Cox. I had seen — and preferred — the performances of Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz about six years ago. For a complete theatre review, click here. At 123SBS as their guests, we started with a couple of [...]

By |2019-10-12T20:37:17-04:00October 13th, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Le Parisien, A French Cafe Midtown, NYC

I found a tiny French cafe to meet for lunch, right near my friend's home. As we looked at the menu, a whiff of the garlic butter from the table outside enticed us enough to order their escargot with herbs and garlic butter ($14). Sadly the aroma was better than the flavor and the French-style bread served for dipping was soft! My steak frites ($28) in red wine thyme sauce with caramelized shallots was better, although the meat was so stringy and tough that I needed to cut it into teeny pieces for ease of chewing. The shoestring frites were good. My dining partner enjoyed the grilled salmon ($24) over [...]

By |2019-10-12T20:31:49-04:00October 9th, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Hutong, An Asian Disappointment, in the Bloomberg Building, Midtown, NYC

Eater.com gave praise to Hutong, a high-end Hong Kong-based restaurant that opened where Le Cirque once stood. I had put it on my list to try. We had a smidgen of trouble finding the entrance, as it is not on Lexington as the address says, but in an alley off 58th street. According to the waiter, Hutang means alley. They expected us to know that! The elegant high-ceilinged dining room and bar areas were over-staffed when we were there as at least three people stopped by the table to get my drink order and to explain the menu. Service is quite attentive. I sampled their "animal chin," an unusual spicy [...]

By |2019-10-12T20:34:46-04:00October 1st, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Don’t Miss O:N° from Hand Hospitality, NoMad, NYC

This is a must-try. O:N° is a restaurant where your dinner is cooked in a Korean-style hot pot on an induction burner in the middle of your table. It's a concept from Hand Hospitality the team behind Her Name is Han.  The server helps you adapt to the lay of the land and understand the menu. The main event is jeongol with broth cooking your selection in a Korean-style hot pot. Our waiter brought us each three small bowls as the amuse-bouche. Cold apple juice with diced apples and mint, golden beets with peach and crispy fried burdock (a Korean vegetable root) topped with pistachio pieces. The only dish that [...]

By |2019-09-30T11:21:08-04:00September 29th, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Lunch at JoJo, Upper East Side, NYC

Sitting so close to others in a New York City restaurant can provide opportunities. But wait, I'm getting ahead of myself. We stopped at JoJo, Jean-Goerges' re-opened first restaurant in a duplex townhouse on the Upper East Side during restaurant week late summer. JoJo, which opened again in 2017, was named after his childhood nickname. For starters, we both ordered the lightly crusted calamari with a spicy avocado-jalapeño salsa verde. The preparation was — as usual in Jean-Goerges' restaurants — unusually delicious: the tender squid was given a tad of heat with the accompanying sauce. That said, the portion size was ridiculously small. Mentioned this to our friendly server Faith [...]

By |2019-09-27T07:24:20-04:00September 27th, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews|2 Comments
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Try the Green Curry at Kati Thai Cuisine, NYC

Walking home after a PR event at Pouring Ribbons, we were looking for something to eat as the food at the event was not satiating. We walked past Kati Thai Cuisine on 14th Street self-described as food that's "prepared daily with fresh ingredients." With that and the "A" restaurant grade by the door - decided to stop in for a bite. What I would recommend is their flavorful Green Curry ($13) that we ordered with more veggies not with meat for fish. I'd go back for that as the sauce was complex, the veggies oh so fresh. We also ordered Pad Thai with chicken. Sadly the chicken had that horrid [...]

By |2019-09-30T11:23:01-04:00September 23rd, 2019|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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A Return to Hakkasan, Theatre District, NYC + Waitress

When meeting a friend to see the fun musical Waitress, I returned to Hakkasan for a light lunch before the matinee curtain. When we saw the productuion, the show starred Shoshana Bean and understudy, Tyrone Davis, Jr (who I had seen in Invisible Thread at 2nd Stage). I also recognized Erich Bergen who I know as Blake Morgan in Madame Secretary.  Who knew he could sing?  Fun afternoon of theatre! For a complete review, click here. The restaurant is huge but cozy as it's a maze of tables divided with open screens.  The service was as spotty as it was my first visit about six years ago. I'm not sure [...]

By |2019-09-16T04:23:21-04:00September 11th, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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The Public Kitchen at Ian Schrager’s The Public Hotel

After wandering around the shops of SoHo, we headed to the fairly new Ian Schrager hotel, The Public, first for a drink on the rooftop, and then to dinner in the namesake restaurant. Unless you're a millennial who's looking for high-priced, low-alcohol cocktails in a noisy setting with a view, skip it. Instead, head to their Jean-George Vongerichten market-driven restaurant, the Public Kitchen. We sampled much of their interesting menu. For "snacks," we pulled at and nibbled the popcorn-cheddar frico sprinkled with crushed chili ($10) and the burrata with sliced plums, peaches and nectarines with teeny balls of crystallized wasabi ($23). I loved the unusually delicious appetizer of sugar snap [...]

By |2019-09-16T04:31:49-04:00September 9th, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Authentic Italian Restaurant Peasant, Lower East Side, NYC

Another restaurant critic mentioned Peasant on the Lower East Side as one of her favorite Italian places in the city. I had to try it. When I arrived and chatted with our knowledgeable waitress, I learned the 20-year-old restaurant serves an array of multi-regional authentic Italian dishes. While perusing the menu, we nibbled their crisp-crusted bread and whipped ricotta. Worth the calories. Next, the refreshing combo of diced colored beets, arugula, pistachio, fennel and red onion from this night's specials menu. A wonderful start to what would be a delicious meal in this rustic Italian restaurant. I was seated on a church pew bench along one of the exposed brick [...]

By |2019-07-07T10:49:11-04:00September 5th, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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A Return to Cafe Fiorello + Rolling Stone at LCT

Always love the antipasto bars at the Fireman Hospitality restaurants. If you haven't been to their places including Trattoria del Arte, Bond 45 and Cafe Fiorello, I suggest doing so. I returned one night before heading to Lincoln Center Theatre to see Rolling Stone, not a play I'd recommend. For a complete review, click here. We ordered the five antipasto selections for $25.75 that included the fried cauliflower Milanese (my favorite!), Sicilian eggplant caponata, fava beans with fava beans & ricotta, asparagus and roasted mushrooms with garlic and herbs. We also shared the jumbo lump crab & avocado salad with fresh fennel and orange supremes ($30.50). Refreshingly good. As de [...]

By |2019-09-01T08:26:16-04:00September 1st, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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A Return to Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, Midtown + All My Sons

I expect prices to go up; I don't expect wine pours to go down. Four years ago when I stopped in at Aldo Sohm Wine Bar — the casual stylish wine bar from Le Bernardin's master sommelier — the lunch special was a selection of two courses for $14, add a wine selection for $11 more. Today that price is only $19 with the $11 wine pour only 3 — yes 3 ounces. We thought that was our taste to see whether we liked the wine. Do order the corn chowder ($9.50) — creamy from fingerling potatoes not dairy — that tasted like fresh summer corn. The roasted heirloom tomato [...]

By |2019-08-30T11:20:12-04:00August 23rd, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Il Divo, Upper East Side, NYC

I discovered the cozy Il Divo on the Second Avenue at 71st Street when looking for a place to have lunch with a friend heading to Hospital for Special Surgery for an MRI. Like many other UES places, this one is quite pricey. We shared a salad that the menu described as mixed greens with roasted tomatoes and ricotta ($18), yet now that I'm writing about it I realize ours was missing the tomatoes and was all arugula (I was happy about that). Hidden at the bottom of that bowl was fresh pesto. We each followed that with an appetizer portion of tender and moist pan-seared octopus with white beans [...]

By |2019-08-19T12:06:50-04:00August 19th, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Jean-Georges’s new The Fulton, South Street Seaport

I somehow missed that Jean-Georges opened a new seafood restaurant at South Street Seaport. My friend knew about it as her millennial kids always know the latest hottest places. She took me for my birthday. We sat outside with a breath-taking view of the three lower island bridges — Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg. I sipped on an unusual Lemon Drop made with vodka and sprinkled with cinnamon. (I would have preferred a lighter hand on that aromatic spice.) If still available, don't miss the crispy soft shell crab. It's one large crispy one sitting in jalapeño–coriander salsa topped with purple radishes ($19). Also worth ordering is the fried fish salad [...]

By |2019-08-15T13:02:16-04:00August 13th, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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A Return To Nur, Gramercy

I returned to Nur, the small 60-seat neighborhood Mediterranean restaurant with modern Middle Eastern cuisine from creative Chef Meir Adoni. I had to start with the two apps I had on my last visit as they were that good. Do not miss the large Israeli sesame bagel almost bigger than the plate, served with a lima bean messabaha ($15) seasoned with cumin and Bulgarian shipka peppers. Think: flavorful hummus. Also don't miss the artistically plated smoked fire-roasted eggplant carpaccio with raw tahini, pistachios and feta drizzled with rose water ($23). The seared lamb chops ($53) were cooked to perfection, pink inside served with a pumpkin spread and intensely flavored carrots [...]

By |2019-08-15T13:19:49-04:00August 11th, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Jean-George son Cedric’s Wayan, Nolita, NYC

Was so looking forward to sampling Jean-George son Cedric Vongerichten’s first solo restaurant, Wayan.  I learned that in Balinese culture, there are four names based on birth order. Wayan is the name given to the first-born child. Cédric is JG's firstborn, hence the restaurant name. We both started with the Thorn of Jalisco cocktail ($14) made with blanco tequila, Cocchi Rosa, Thai chili and grapefruit juice. Oddly, my dining partner's drink was spicy; mine was not. Although the waiter said they were from the same batch, he did take one back to the bar for more spice. Do try the Jimbaran-style littleneck clams topped with soy, garlic and coconut topped [...]

By |2019-08-15T13:17:39-04:00August 9th, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse, Churrasco Experience, Midtown + The Ferryman

After seeing the amazing The Ferryman for the second time, we headed uptown to Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse located on 53rd Street near Museum of Modern Art for our Churrasco Experience arriving before the dining room was open. By the way, The Ferryman at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater is not to be missed! For a complete review of this powerful play, click here. This three-story, 16,000 square foot flagship location of the steakhouse opened in New York City at the end of 2013. We arrived early, heading upstairs to the inviting bar for cocktails. Bartender Chris made us two of their specialties, the Fogo caipirinha and a caramelized [...]

By |2019-07-22T08:52:15-04:00July 22nd, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Bazar Tapas Bar and Restaurant, Flatiron

One of my building-mates shared details about his newest discovery in our hood, a tapas bar on 26th. He suggested I give Bazar Tapas Bar and Restaurant a try. Our Argentinian Salentein Reserve Barrel Selection Malbec, 2016 was worth the trip. Bazar charges only $50 for this bold wine that gets a 4.0 (4-star) rating from ~ 2000 oenophiles on ViVino, indicating a $36 price tag. The octopus was not ($19) as the char-grilled tentacle wasn't fresh. I do recommend the baby lamb chops ($8), just skip the tasteless odd green coulis. I'd go back for Bazar's pomme frites ($8) anytime, as they were plentiful and cooked the way I like [...]

By |2019-05-23T10:54:15-04:00July 18th, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Ferris at MADE Hotel, Gramercy Flatiron

Our plan was to start at Good Behavior, the rooftop bar on the 18th floor of the Made Hotel for a drink but there was a private party. So instead, the helpful man in the lobby re-arranged the seating at the bar lounge so there was room for the two of us. We indulged in their unusual cocktails, ones I'd recommend. I sampled the La Bruja made with spicy mezcal, saffron and lemon, garnished with fresh red pepper ($16). My friend tried the Ninth Petal served up like a martini with a full glass container on ice containing more of the gin, white vermouth and jasmine ($16). Once it was [...]

By |2019-05-16T15:16:46-04:00July 10th, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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A Return to Cosme, Gramercy Flatiron, NYC

My last visit to Cosme was close to perfection. Could still be as good? The folks who put together the "World's 50 Best" think so. Cosme came in 23rd, the highest U.S ranking on this controversial list. The prices are a bit steeper than my last visit. Mexican-born Daniela Soto-Innes, the chef, who won a James Beard Rising Star Award in 2016 at age 25, was just named the world’s best female chef at the ripe old age of 28. Lucky me, some friends took me for my birthday. I started with the Scoville sour, made with a choice of three heat levels of infused tequilas. This margarita-like drink was good, [...]

By |2019-08-15T12:59:27-04:00July 6th, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Friedmans in Edison Hotel, Midtown + Ain’t Too Proud

We started our afternoon on Broadway with the life and times of the most successful group in Motown history, the Temptations. "Ain't Too Proud" had us dancing and singing in our seats. For a complete review, click here. After the show, we headed to Friedmans in the Edison Hotel, as I was invited to sample their fare. I started with a vodka martini with vermouth and orange bitters, while my dining companion had the Paper Plane with bourbon, Amaro Nonino and Aperol ($14 each). I'd recommend the latter. Their veggie potstickers (6 for $11) come drizzled with sriracha aioli and accompanied by a ginger soy dipping sauce. The meaty chicken [...]

By |2019-07-22T21:40:42-04:00June 30th, 2019|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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