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Our Best Bites from New York

COVID19 Phase 2 Brunch at ilili Restaurant, Gramercy/Flatiron,

The Lebanese restaurant ilili on Fifth Avenue and 27th Street was halfway, so we decided to meet there one Sunday afternoon for brunch. We'd all been before and so enjoyed it. The restaurant used part of Fifth Avenue for their tables that we nicely spaced about 6 feet apart; service was as attentive as usual.  We each selected the $31 prix fixe menu that included orange juice, a cocktail (I had the mimosa, the others bellinis) an entree plus a side that included options — if ordered separately  — that cost up to $17! What a bargain!  This menu, which I highly recommend) is offered both Saturday (12:00 pm - [...]

By |2020-09-06T12:46:08-04:00September 21st, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Covid Phase 2 Alfresco Dining: St. Tropez, West Village, NYC

Before we met at St. Tropez for an alfresco meal, I pre-selected what I might order from this Provençal restaurant in the West Village. I was slightly bummed that not one of what I had chosen was described on their one-use paper menus as on their website. That's something I'm getting used to during COVID dining. We sipped a Kir Royal ($14) made with Paul de Coste Blanc de Blanc NV with Creme de Cassis while deciding what to order. My friend began with PEI mussels Marinières with cream, chives, shallots and white wine ($12) while I had their artisanal chicken and duck pâté en croûte ($12) with two very [...]

By |2020-08-24T21:35:11-04:00September 18th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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COVID19 Phase 2, Casa Mono, Gramercy, NYC

Like many other New Yorkers, when all the press about the previous owner of Casa Mono hit, I stopped going to all Batali's restaurants. Sad, as they were some of my favorites. Now that the dust has settled, I gladly returned. Casa Mono was as good as ever. Anna, our fabulous server, helped make the alfresco experience even more special. We sipped the Spanish Bodegas Frontonio, 2016 ($58), a white Garnacha, while nibbled the olives that had been set on our table.  Our first two courses arrived together. The scallop dish with three large ones came in a serrano pepper spiced green curry with minted cashews ($19); the lightly fried [...]

By |2020-08-24T21:35:01-04:00September 15th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Alfresco Dining COVID Phase 2, The Hummus Kitchen, Kips Bay

During COVID Phase 2, I've been selecting restaurants to meet friends based on their walking distance. I chose a place in Kips Bay as it was halfway between both of our city homes.  It didn't take reservations. I should have known better. When we got to the restaurant there was a 30-minute wait. Noticing the "A" on The Hummus Kitchen next door with tables available, we decided on plan B to take the open table there. We were glad we did. Service was pleasant, unrushed and the food fresh and plentiful. My friend ordered the Mediterranean salad ($16) with lots of fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and celery topped with warm grilled [...]

By |2020-08-22T08:14:26-04:00September 6th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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