NYC Restaurant Reviews

Our New York City restaurant reviews

COVID Phase 2: Brunch at Bubby’s High Line, Meat Packing District, NYC

As Phase 2 got underway, I found that simple alfresco meals plus friends equal happiness. Seriously, that's how I'd describe this basic brunch on Washington Street at Bubby's High Line. Instead of a paper menu, as I've discovered at many other places, you'll need your smartphone to scan the QR code. Two of us opted for Bubby's simple breakfast plate ($21) with two eggs, bacon, home fries and sourdough toast. I had my eggs poached, my friend has his scrambled. My other friend had only a fresh fruit cup ($9) of apples, banana and watermelon. The meal was nothing special, the company and setting superb. Bubby's High Line Meat Packing [...]

By |2020-08-16T09:50:32-04:00August 15th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Brunch at The Morgan Library Dining Room, Murray Hill, NYC

(Written before COVID-19 quarantine) I knew I wanted to sample the fare at the historic Morgan Library and Museum when I read that chef Tom Colicchio was now overseeing its dining room in the restored mid-19th century brownstone. That space used to be the Morgan family’s actual dining room. I met some relatives for their weekend brunch menu. I started with the Cosmé McMoon, named after a Mexican-American Composer and Pianist. Liked the slightly spicy and smoky flavor of the tequila, mezcal, Cocchi Americano (an aperitif based on Moscato di Asti wine), grenadine and habeñero bitters ($15). I'd go back for that. Our waiter came by with a tray filled [...]

By |2020-07-29T11:55:02-04:00August 11th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|2 Comments
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The Unusual Thursday’s Kitchen, East Village, NYC

(Written before COVID-19 quarantine) It was Thursday as we stood in line for Thursday's Kitchen, the “New Korean” restaurant in the East Village. Owner Chef Kyungmin Kay Hyun’s serves international tapas, created with French techniques and Spanish and Asian ingredients. Since Thursday's Kitchen takes no reservations, a line begins forming about 5:30; they open at 6 and within a few minutes the tables are filled. It's quite a noisy, bustling young crowd. The server comes by and explains the menu and service, suggesting each person order two dishes that will be served whenever they are ready. On the table is a small (maybe 4 or 5-inch) metal plate topped with [...]

By |2020-08-09T13:17:56-04:00August 3rd, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Rude Attitude at Campagnola, Upper East Side

(Written before COVID-19 quarantine) Campagnola's website describes itself as a "country-style, Italian dining where plates are meant to be shared, and elbows are meant to be touched." We were seated at a table where we were close enough to rub elbows with our neighbors without trying. The noise level was deafening necessitating one friend to lower his hearing aids; we were almost yelling to hear each other. After ordering, we nibbled the complimentary plate of olives, chunks of hard, crumbly-textured cheese, sliced salumi and bread while sipping our wine. One had the Schloss Johannisberg Riesling ($16), we enjoyed the Vino Noble di Montepulciano, Ruffino Abruzzo ($22). The kitchen split our [...]

By |2020-07-17T10:37:41-04:00July 27th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|3 Comments
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Bite at J.J. Kinahan’s, Chelsea, NYC

(Written before COVID-19 quarantine) This time after our monthly board meeting, we found a casual bar where we could hear ourselves think. Sure there was noise but not as deafening as other places we had sampled. We sipped our Bulleit Old Fashioneds ($13.50) while looking at the menu. This time we decided to share their Reuban sandwich ($16.50) filled with corned beef, white & red sauerkraut and melted cheese on a pretzel bun spread with a mustard-mayo. It came with Old Bay fries as I love them, crisp with steam coming out of the potato when I bite into it. Nicely seasoned, too. I recommend a visit when in the [...]

By |2020-08-01T19:26:16-04:00July 21st, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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COVID Phase 2 Boucherie, Gramercy Park, NYC

We chose Boucherie on Park Avenue in Gramercy Park as they had semi-outdoor seating with glass stanchions dividing the tables. I say semi, as they had 2-tops half in and out of the cool air-conditioned restaurant. We chose one of those. Service was attentive with the server as happy as we were to be there. Like last time, we ordered the 6-0unce hand-formed dry-aged Pat LaFrieda blend burger ($12) topped with caramelized onions, aged gruyère, sliced tomato and lettuce on a brioche bun. Crunchy on the outside, steamy in fries accompanied that burger. One bite as like a bit of heaven, realizing that the city had begun to open.   [...]

By |2021-08-20T16:49:32-04:00July 11th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|2 Comments
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During COVID: Rezdôra, My First Take-Out

Rezdôra is a New York Times three-star restaurant in the Flatiron district near me serving authentic Emilia-Romagna cuisine. Before COVID, reservations were challenging. During the pandemic, the restaurant began offering take out. Having never done take-out before, I was trying to figure out timing. (Odd, I know for a New Yorker, but I either ate out or cooked.) I decided to pick up my lasagna Bolognese to bake at home ($38) midday to avoid the daily protests. I followed the directions to a tee, resulting in something inedible. When I stopped back at the Rezdôra, the chef apologized for the mistake of giving me the already cooked lasagne. He then [...]

By |2020-07-12T09:03:16-04:00July 5th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Another Korean One: Bann Restaurant + All The Nathalie Portmans

(Written before COVID-19 quarantine) After seeing All The Natalie Portmans at MCC Theatre on 52, we headed out to dinner at 350 West 50th Street to Bann Restaurant, a BBQ Korean restaurant in a welcoming upscale setting. The unusual show at MCC Theatre is about a family on the brink of eviction while the 16-year-old daughter dreams of a better tomorrow and interacts with her muse, Natalie Portman playing all her iconic characters. For a full review, click here. We were seated at a table with an unlit grill between us that we used to "grill" our selection of meats, poultry or fish, which of course is the quintessential dish [...]

By |2020-06-04T09:24:50-04:00June 27th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Aqua Boil, Hells Kitchen, NYC + Jagged Little Pill

(Written before COVID-19 quarantine) I had no idea what I was in store for when I was invited to Aqua Boil, a casual Cajun-inspired restaurant that spotlights seafood boils, encouraging diners to get messy. We arrived at the small restaurant when it opened at 5 pm, as we had a 7 pm curtain. The restaurant had only been open a couple of months necessitating the person tending bar to search the internet to learn how to make the Manhattans we ordered! Nice service, producing a quite decent version. Everything is served in paper and utensils are plastic other than the tools for the seafood. The mostly all fish cod cake [...]

By |2020-05-27T12:23:35-04:00June 4th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|1 Comment
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Morrell Wine Bar, Rockefeller Plaza, Midtown, NYC + The Minutes

(Written before COVID-19 quarantine) We met at the elegant Morrell Wine Bar just south of the Rockefeller Plaza for dinner before heading to theatre to see Tracey Letts in The Minutes. The Castiglion del Bosco Rosso di Montalcino, 2016 ($64), a nice red fruit dry wine, went so well the Foie Gras Torchon ($28). That dish consisted of four tiny squares of toasted brioche with a slice of patè drizzled with port syrup and sprinkled with candied walnut dust.  We shared everything, which is how I love dining! Our refreshing salad ($21) contained poached pears, candied yellow beets, chevrè and mesclun in a white balsamic vinaigrette. Nice sized portion. The [...]

By |2020-05-21T09:06:30-04:00May 28th, 2020|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Return to Daniela Trattoria, Hell’s Kitchen, NYC + We’re Gonna Die

(Written before COVID-19 quarantine) Before seeing We're Gonna Die, described as "the non-musical/non-play/non-concert that is not about dying" at the Tony Kiser theatre, we stopped for dinner at Daniela Trattoria. I had been to Daniela Trattoria seven years ago when the now $42 prix fixe menu was only $29. My dining partner had no desire for dessert, so we opted to skip the menu and share two entrees instead. We asked for the garlicky scampi ($30) to be served first as an appetizer. That included five shrimp with lots of white beans served with broccoli and cauliflower, the veggie of the day. For our entree, we ordered the Ossobucco ($33) [...]

By |2020-05-11T12:26:55-04:00May 2nd, 2020|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Turkuaz Restaurant, Hell’s Kitchen, NYC + Tina, The Musical

(Written before COVID-19 quarantine) With a 7 pm curtain for Tina, my friend and I grabbed an early bite at Hell's Kitchen's Turkuaz, which has recently relocated to northern Hell's Kitchen convenient for theatre. I had been invited by the owner, who I had met at a Broadway Association function a couple of years ago. We sat down, looked at the menu but didn't order. The owners had selected various combo plates for us to sample. We started with the cold appetizer platter ($38) with hummus, cacik (blend of yogurt labneh and cucumbers seasoned with mint and dill), eggplant salad (chopped grilled eggplant and roasted peppers), baba ghanoush (chopped grilled eggplant [...]

By |2020-04-03T12:17:57-04:00April 5th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Aux Epices Restaurant, Tribeca, NYC + The Sickness

After being invited as media to The Sickness, I made a reservation at Aux Epices Restaurant as it was only a couple of blocks from where we were seeing the show. It's a narrow inviting restaurant with friendly service serving beer and wine. Cash only. Aux Epices means cooking with spice in French. The restaurant adheres to its namesake. The small order of BBQ spare ribs ( $8) contained three ribs well-coated in cumin-forward seasoning with the meat falling off the bone. The grilled (5) jumbo prawns come in a turmeric-ginger sauce served with a tall inverted cone of white rice ($20). I would have ordered differently had we realized [...]

By |2020-03-09T14:13:58-04:00March 9th, 2020|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Lunch at TBar Steak & Lounge, Upper East Side, NYC

I met a relative at TBar Steak & Lounge for lunch, as it's his favorite place to dine in his hood. I chose my meal from the bargain Restaurant-week menu ($26 for two courses), he ordered one of his favorites, the soba noodle salad ($23.00) with chicken in a miso vinaigrette. My lunch started with a retro iceberg salad. The thick slice of iceberg lettuce came topped with crisp bacon pieces, chunks of blue cheese and fresh tomatoes. I'd recommend. By the time my grilled Irish salmon (a tad overcooked) over shredded zucchini in a honey mustard dressing was served, I was already full. I took a doggy bag home, [...]

By |2020-03-01T11:33:21-05:00March 1st, 2020|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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A Return to Morso, Upper East Side, NYC

After eight years, I returned to Morso, Tuscan pioneer Pino Luongo's Mediterranean restaurant under the 59th Street Bridge, as their guest.  "Morso" is Italian for small bites, with most dishes offered either "Tutto" (regular sized) or "Morso" (a smaller bite, generally two -thirds the size of Tutto). What a fabulous option! Since we were sampling lots, we ordered all Morso portions with the kitchen dividing those for us. Prices in this post indicate both sizes when available. Our first taste was of their polpo alla griglia,  some of the most tender grilled octopus I've ever had (Yes, that good!) with arugula and roasted tomatoes ($22/30). Don't miss. Our salads were [...]

By |2020-02-07T11:01:49-05:00February 27th, 2020|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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In Times Square: Patricks Restaurant & Oyster Bar, NYC + A Soldier’s Play

What a find. Little did I know when I walked into Patricks Restaurant & Oyster Bar (in the space where Chevy’s Tex Mex was about a year ago) that I would have a memorable meal. This restaurant is from the Wetanson family, also owners of Dallas BBQ and Tony DiNapoli’s. Patricks is basically a pub on 42 street in Times Square just down the street from the American Airlines Theatre where we saw the hunky Blair Underwood in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play A Soldier's Play.  He walked to the center of the stage, breaking the fourth wall, to talk to the audience with his shirt wide open showing his six-pack as [...]

By |2020-02-23T10:44:33-05:00February 23rd, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Cuban Food and Music at Guantanamera After Theatre

I had read that I'd find some of the city’s best Cuban food at Guantanamera in the Theatre District served with live music at night. That seemed like a perfect place to meet some friends after their theatre matinee.  We arrived in time for their happy hour that offers $6 mojitos, caipirinhas and wines until 7 pm, but a bit too early for the live music that doesn't start until 9 pm. We sat at the bar drinking to get the discount pricing until our other friend arrived, then moved to a table and ordered the sauteéd Chorizo sausage with crisp plantain chips ($14) and the garlicky shrimp in a [...]

By |2020-02-16T16:15:09-05:00February 15th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Italian Feast at Bottino, Chelsea, NYC

When I read the bio of Chef/Partner Jamie Kenyon that the publicist sent me, I couldn't wait to dine at Bottino as their guest. I had learned that Chef Kenyon hails from Daniel, Bar Boulud, Manzo at Eataly, Perla, Lupa and La Sirina to name a few dining establishments where he left his mark. The night we arrived, sous chef Annabel Sharahy was at the helm of the kitchen. She stopped by the table to share the details of their newest menu. I began with a delicious cocktail, their spicy margarita made with jalapeño infused Patron tequila, Triple Sec and blood orange and lime juice ($15). Nice balance of flavors [...]

By |2020-01-04T10:01:31-05:00January 28th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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A New Location For Pastis, Meat Packing, NYC

Pastis re-opened in the meat-packing district on Gansevoort Street a 2-minute walk from the Whitney Museum still serving traditional French fare. Other than the new location facing north instead of west, the new location feels just like the old. I stopped in one day recently with some Connecticut friends on a rainy day and ate outside under the heat lamps, which I highly recommend. Inside was way too noisy and overheated. I began with their slightly bitter and refreshingly "mon amer" cocktail ($16), replacing the gin with vodka and the splash of grapefruit with orange juice. It also contained Aperol, herbal bitter and come champagne. I'd recommend. Service was attentive. [...]

By |2019-12-15T07:10:35-05:00January 26th, 2020|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Happy Hour at Mi Garba, East Village, NYC

We were finishing the itinerary for our upcoming trip to Thailand and decided to go out in the hood for a glass of wine and a nibble. I had walked past Mi Garba early that afternoon when out doing errands. It looked inviting. We got there in time for happy hour  (from 5 to 7) each ordering a glass of their non-buttery Chardonnay (only $9). We shared the app of eggplant parmigiana and arugula and Asian pear salad with a balsamic reduction. I'd recommend the eggplant. Still hungry, we added an order of gnocchi in a Pomodoro (tomato) sauce. Mediocre at best as the gnocchi were a bit gummy and [...]

By |2023-09-02T19:40:34-04:00January 8th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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