NYC Restaurant Reviews

Our New York City restaurant reviews

Meeting at Daniela Trattoria in Hells Kitchen, NYC

With a friend coming into the city from Astoria to meet for lunch, I chose Daniela Trattoria Northern Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen as it wasn't too far from the Times Square station where most subway lines stop. We sipped Aperol Spritzers ($13) while browsing their menu offering age-old Italian classic recipes. We shared a simple Ceasar Salad followed by their delicate, tender eggplant parmigiana. With that, Patrick — our server — poured us each a glass of a California Pinot Noir that worked well with the dish's tomato sauce. When we opted for their tiramisu, a delicate not-too-sweet tasty concoction served with a huge dollop of chocolate-drizzled schlag that [...]

By |2021-01-03T08:40:26-05:00December 31st, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Dining in the Rain at L’Amico, Chelsea, NYC

We met near Herald Square for brunch before noon one Sunday as the rain was supposed to hold off until midafternoon. It didn't. We had chosen Chef Laurent Tourondel's L'Amico, his  Italian-influenced place on Sixth Avenue. You might recognize his name as he is the Executive Chef and Partner in the BLT ("Bistro Laurent Tourondel") Restaurant Group, which gave us BLT Prime and BLT Steak. We thought sitting under the awning next to the building would keep us dry. It didn't; the rain drizzled through their awning put up originally for design. Their heated street area is safer on a rainy day. I sipped a bloody Mary, my friend a [...]

By |2024-03-28T09:41:05-04:00December 17th, 2020|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Fun Times at Olio e Più, West Village, NYC

During COVID, I've been re-visiting places where I've dined before, like Olio e Più on the corner of Greenwich Avenue and Sixth Avenue. A local place where I've enjoyed many a brunch. This time, I met a friend for dinner. Their outside space was like a maze with lots of tables separated by tall plexiglass stanchions to squeeze in as many people as safely possible. We both started with our Tito's very dry martinis ($15) while nibbling the plate of olives and marinated artichoke all in EVOO along with the dry bread. Be careful where you sit. If you're the table open to the sidewalk as we were, many homeless [...]

By |2020-12-19T14:52:04-05:00December 10th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Claudette, Greenwich Village, NYC

I had forgotten what a treat dining at Claudette was. That's what happens when I try to only eat at restaurants I haven't written about. I started with their tasty Tamarind Manhattan  ($15) with rye, tamarind and orange bitters, garnished with a candied orange twist. We got there as the restaurant opened for dinner and requested our meal be served in courses. They happily obliged. We began with their charred romanesco ($15) tossed with whipped labneh, pickled raisins, toasted almonds and vadouvan (a French derivative of a masala seasoning); their sweet potato falafel ($14 for two patties) accompanied by harissa and pickled chilies; and their shaved fall veggie salad ($15) [...]

By |2020-12-07T16:07:36-05:00November 30th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Don’t Miss Il Gattopardo, Midtown, NYC

Do dine at Il Gattopardo on West 54th Street. It's got the whole package — good food, attentive service and well-spaced tables covered in fresh white linens.  A rarity during COVID.  They also have heaters. We wanted a leisurely lunch as we hadn't seen each other since the pandemic began. We asked if we could be served three separate courses with each dish split in half. They happily accommodated. Enzo, our waiter, placed a bread basket filled with focaccia, sliced bread and breadsticks on the table. He then poured EVOO onto a plate and Pallagrello Nero/Casavecchia "Settimo" 2014 Alois ($16) into our glasses. Next, he offered mini arancini filled with [...]

By |2020-12-07T16:09:43-05:00November 24th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Brunch at Andrew Carmellini’s The Dutch, SoHo, NYC

Somehow I missed The Dutch, one of Andrew Carmellini's places. I've been to his others including Locanda Verde, Lafayette, Bar Primi and The Public's Joe’s Pub and The Library. When I arrived at their outdoor space, I could feel the vibe from the customers seated and those waiting in line. We were seated immediately as we had made a res. Once we were seated, we used the QR code to access the menu which -- for a change -- was the same as on their website.  I decided on their fried chicken with honey-glazed biscuits and slaw ($29)as my mouth was still watering from the insider fried chicken at The [...]

By |2020-12-11T10:33:56-05:00November 22nd, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Not Exactly Rooftop Dining at The No Mad, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC

We chose the rooftop at No Mad wanting to continue to eat outside as we were trying to be careful about COVID. Their so-called roof is not outside; some areas had an opening to the outside, others had plastic covers stopping the flow of air. We sat inside a tent, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, packed with people. I was uncomfortable in this setting. They do have three small tables that are outside; if you — like me — prefer to dine outside, ask for one of those. Once we ordered, we were served complimentary house-made warm dinner rolls with herbed butter, watermelon & mozzarella salad and marinated tomatoes. Little [...]

By |2024-07-21T11:07:06-04:00November 17th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Rooftop|0 Comments
Read More

Lunch at Beatrice Inn, West Village, NYC

The Beatrice Inn, known for its hearty whole-animal meat dishes created by Chef Angie Mar, is a white-tablecloth restaurant in the West Village. Yup! white tablecloths even dining outside.  I met a friend recently for lunch, dining in their outdoor space. I began with their refreshing Aperol spritz ($17) while we perused the small menu. We began by sharing Beatrice Inn’s housemade chicken liver pâté, a decadent spread of chicken liver cooked with onions and wine then topped with duck fat and served with housemade blackberry conserva, whole grain mustard and grilled thick-country toast ($16). It was yummy although I could almost feel my arteries hardening. Chef Angie, knowing we [...]

By |2020-11-24T13:20:11-05:00November 14th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Alfresco Dining at Toloache, Theatre District, NYC

We met at Toloache in the Theatre District as that is one of my friend's favorite located halfway between our homes. We, of course, started with a bowl of their traditional guacamole ($14) with avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro and serrano chilies served with warm tortilla chips. Since my friend preferred mild guacamole, I asked for some diced jalapeños while the waiter recommended some of their hot sauce. We accompanied that with margies, ordering their "Chef's selection;" I asked for mine made with mezcal in a salted glass. My drink came unsalted.     I reminded our waiter about the hot sauce he recommended. I laughed when he finally delivered it [...]

By |2020-09-27T12:29:58-04:00November 11th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|2 Comments
Read More

A Disappointing Meal at OCabanon, Chelsea, NYC

While waiting for my friend to arrive, I sipped a glass of chilled Lillet blonde, a French aperitif, ($8). I also made chit chat with one of the owners by asking what they were known for. He mentioned a few things. We each ended up ordering one of his recommendations for our entrees. I devoured my entire salad of red and yellow beets -- even though the beets were sliced a bit too thick. I cut them into small bites that I dipped in the whipped goat cheese that accompanied the mixed green salad — not the menu-stated arugula that I would have preferred ($18). My friend enjoyed the large [...]

By |2020-11-10T21:04:00-05:00November 2nd, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|1 Comment
Read More

Alfresco Dining at Thai Villa, Flatiron, NYC

My neighbors, who were in from their country home for medical appointments, suggested we go out for Thai and catch up. I had been to Thai Villa — their favorite Thai on 19th in our hood — for a press party promoting the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Pre-COVID of course. The food had been spectacular. For starters, we shared their seared scallops ($15) in a sweetened chili sauce plus steamed dumpling (Kha Nom Jeeb) stuffed with a blend of meats, seafood and veggies ($11 for 5), preferring the latter. One friend had to have her favorite (Tom Kha Gai) chicken and beech mushroom soup in a coconut galanga broth, [...]

By |2020-10-25T08:26:58-04:00October 19th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Alfresco Dining at Altesi Downtown, SoHo, NYC

My friend was sure we had eaten together at Altesti before, a restaurant serving traditional Italian dishes made with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. As we walked Spring Street towards the restaurant, I agreed that it certainly seemed familiar but I couldn't locate my writeup. One thing I was sure of was that if I ate somewhere, I wrote about it. Altesi offers spacious outdoor street dining, making it easy to social distance, unlike many other alfresco locations where chairs often touch each other.  We shared a few dishes, starting with a delicious salad of chopped endive, pear batons, chunks of gorgonzola and orange supremes ($15). Also tasty is their [...]

By |2020-10-10T15:13:27-04:00October 7th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Alfresco Dining at Soothr, East Village, NYC

Soothr, properly pronounced “Sood,” is the Thai word meaning “recipe.” It's one of the new restaurants that bravely opened during COVID (13th Street just east of Third Avenue) where I met a neighborhood friend for an Alfresco lunch. We opted for the tables on the street where the tables were more socially distanced instead of the small garden in the back. The lunch special, available from 12 to 4 pm, is the way to go offering a choice of fried tofu or meatballs (chicken or pork) along with your choice of entree plus a non-alcoholic beverage. We started with the skewered (3) homemade meatballs, tender morsels in a sweet and [...]

By |2020-10-13T13:54:41-04:00October 1st, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Alfresco COVID Dining in the Garden at Chama Mama, Chelsea, NYC

Georgian food isn't something I'm very familiar with, but when a neighbor asked if I wanted to grab dinner in the garden of Chama Mama down the street where they serve that cuisine, I said, "Sure." I started with the mint chacha cocktail made with their grape vodka ($15). Interesting, yet a tad too sweet for my tastes. We ordered the wild green ekala ($10) as a small plate with the Loblani ($15), one of their famous breads. (That wild prickly green is used in the cuisine of the Imereti region of Georgia.) It came chopped in a paste of walnuts and garlic with pomegranate arils mixed in and served [...]

By |2020-09-06T12:47:22-04:00September 30th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Sunday Brunch Phase 4 COVID Estiatorio Milos, Midtown, NYC

Saturday brunch at Estiatorio Milos was as elegant as feasible while dining on the streets of the city. We sat under their large tent. Once the cement mixers finished up across 55th street, we could hear each other without yelling. That's about when our attentive waiter placed our wine glasses on the white tablecloth to pour us a taste of Assyrtiko Santorini, old vines, Canava Chrissou, Santorini, 2018 ($85) a light, crisp and mineral-driven Greek wine similar to other countries Sauvignon Blanc. We opted for their 3-course prix fixe $49 brunch menu, starting with the tender grilled octopus over pureed Santorini fava (yellow split peas) with lots of pickled capers [...]

By |2020-09-27T21:30:28-04:00September 27th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

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 were 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 |2020-09-27T21:26:57-04:00September 21st, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

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 from their web menu was described on their one-use paper menus. I'm still getting used to websites not being up to date 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 [...]

By |2020-09-27T21:24:10-04:00September 18th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

Portale Restaurant Opened in Chelsea, NYC

(Written before COVID-19 quarantine; in fact, Portale was my last pre-COVID meal as I left to ski in Austria the day after dining there.  Portale's patio is now open for outdoor dining beginning at 4:30 PM.) Alfred Portale had been the longtime former chef of Gotham Bar and Grill when I raved about that restaurant. He recently opened his highly anticipated first solo restaurant on 18th Street in a renovated carriage house. I couldn't wait to go. Friends who had been told me to ask for Dan, a waiter who came over from Gotham with Alfred and has worked with him for 12 years. We asked; he delivered, beginning with [...]

By |2020-08-29T13:08:03-04:00August 19th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More
Copyright 2012 - 2021 BiteOfTheBest | All Rights Reserved
Toggle Sliding Bar Area
Go to Top