NYC Restaurant Reviews

Our New York City restaurant reviews

The Dining Room at The Met, Upper East Side, NYC

The Dining Room at The Met is a perfect respite after visiting one of their special exhibitions.  This time, I was seeing the now-closed Public Parks, Private Gardens: Paris to Provence that featured some 150 works by more than 70 artists, spanning the late eighteenth through early twentieth century. We headed to the fourth floor via the elevator in the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts galleries to the spectacular dining room. Members can request special seating by the window with views of Central Park. We did so. The 3-course prix fixe ($55) brunch menu included a cocktail. I had a spicy bloody Mary, my friends mimosas. The layered Atlantic blue crab salad had a mashed [...]

By |2018-08-21T21:55:11-04:00August 8th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|2 Comments
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Raoul’s, Soho, NYC

How'd I miss Raoul's?  Dan Aykroyd, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Johnny Depp and Kate Moss didn't at least according to their press. This small dark, wonderfully bedecked French bistro in SoHo opened in 1975 and is still going strong. My friend loved her big-eye tuna "Saisi" with sliced avocado and orange supremes, in a yuzu chili sauce ($19). I had the evening's special of creamy burrata with arugula and tomatoes. Both of our main events were the in-season crispy Maryland soft shell crab over a tomato rémoulade. So good. My favorite dessert presentation was the candle-lit chocolate-drizzled profiteroles under the caramelized sugar dome, lifted so I could make a wish.  I'd [...]

By |2018-07-08T14:17:41-04:00August 4th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|2 Comments
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River Cafe, Dumbo, Brooklyn

It was my first time at the iconic, recently renovated River Cafe in the Dumbo area of Brooklyn, a lush oasis with magnificent views of Manhattan and some of its bridges. I was duly impressed with the amazing food and service making it an extra special place to celebrate a special occasion. Three of my friends took me there for my big birthday celebration this year. Two friends started with a glass of bubbly, the other and I shared a bottle of a yummy St Aubin white burgundy. The Prix Fixe 3-course menu ($138) included wonderful options, making our choice difficult, yet the informed waiters assisted by providing detailed descriptions. The kitchen sent [...]

By |2018-07-08T11:35:11-04:00August 1st, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Norma Gastronomia Siciliana, Kips Bay, NYC

I'd been to Norma Gastronomia Siciliana a couple of times after a Kips Bay movie as its a block away. Foodie friends who live nearby raved. Norma's is a small restaurant taking no reservations serving good, authentic Sicilian food. Having recently returned from Sicily with regards from my Mei-May cooking school teacher Pepe Giuffrè, who had studied under the owner,  I decided to stop by again after a movie. What's more appropriate food than Sicilian food after seeing Gotti with John Travolta? I saw by accident after my friend accidentally selected first, not last, row seating. We switched to the movie next door that was just starting. At Norma's do order one of their thick [...]

By |2019-02-28T17:17:48-05:00July 30th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Papillon Bistro & Bar, Midtown, NYC

The noise level at Papillon Bistro & Bar was a tad too much for us, as we wanted to catch up. Think after-work pub filled with happy people. We opted for one of the streetside tables near the open windows where we cooled off a bit with the cold AC-air that floated out. I began with their well-blended house-smoked old fashion made using Four Roses and cedar smoke that I'd recommend. My dining companion (Sandi Durell, Publisher/Editor of our theatre partner TheaterPizzazz.com) tried their variation of a Moscow mule made with Ravo vodka, pomegranate liqueur and ginger beer served classically in a copper mug. As their guests that evening, we first requested [...]

By |2020-11-12T08:37:03-05:00July 28th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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La Mirabelle, Upper West Side, NYC

If you've been following my posts, you know that I'm a birthday glutton, heading out to celebrate my own personal new year with each of my friends no matter how many months that takes. This was a big one, so I'm still celebrating. I returned to La Mirabelle, a restaurant that I had raved about with one of them to continue the celebration.  We started with tender chicken livers with shallots and raspberry vinegar ($12.50) and a gooey crock of bubbling hot scallops in cream sauce with cheese, not very attractive to be photographed, but really yummy and recommendable. For our entree, we shared that herb-crusted, perfectly cooked rack of lamb [...]

By |2018-07-26T09:48:57-04:00July 26th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Ophelia Lounge, Beekman, NYC

The newly renovated rooftop lounge at the Beekman Tower is now open sporting breathtaking East River views along with high-end cocktails and nibbles.  The lounge, originally built in the 1920's, includes dark velvet banquettes backed by big windows for city viewing. We stopped by for a drink after partaking in an hour tour of Carnegie Hall ($17 for adults; $12 seniors) with a friendly and knowledgeable tour guide, who shared more than 125 years of Carnegie Hall history. The excursion to see the impressive concert hall is worth the time. I tried their Ophelia’s ascension ($16) made with smoked Jamaican pepper infused Del Maguey Vida mezcal, Makers Mark, sweetener and bitters attractively served [...]

By |2024-07-21T11:14:10-04:00July 24th, 2018|Big Apple Life, Rambling, Rooftop|0 Comments
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The Orsay, Upper East Side, NYC

After attending the launch of The Bordeaux Kitchen Book by Tania Teschke at the Librairie Albertine on the Upper East Side, we ended up at The Orsay, a French bistro, for something to eat as they offered al fresco dining on this perfect summer evening. We shared a frisée salad ($17) with croutons, a poached egg and tons of bacon lardons, an order of French fries and the house duck foie gras with quince chutney and toasted brioche slices ($26). Although I usually have a glass of Sauternes with foie gras, I instead ordered a glass of Bordeaux to continue what we had been drinking at the event. Worth stopping [...]

By |2018-07-24T10:53:30-04:00July 22nd, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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The Saint Austere, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC

The Saint Austere in East Williamsburg is a family-owned restaurant that if you live in that hood could become your neighborhood hang-out. The wood-lined narrow restaurant feels homey, with shared long high tables. Four siblings — Fabrizio, John, Jacqueline, and Michael— own and operate the restaurant. Brother Michael — a James Beard Award semifinalist and owner of Miami’s celebrated Macchialina — recently was appointed Executive Chef of the Italian restaurant. I was invited to sample their fare. I began with their nicely blended Pina Margarita ($13), made with charred pineapple, Del Amico mezcal, orange liqueur, agave and lime. From that point on, we were in their hands for their tasting [...]

By |2018-07-24T10:56:26-04:00July 20th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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The Leopard at des Artistes, Upper West Side, NYC

I've happily been called a birthday glutton, celebrating big birthdays until I've had a chance to do so with all my friends. One of my celebrations was at The Leopard at des Artistes's Sunday jazz brunch. An elegant setting with live music, where we could still have a conversation. We started by sharing the day's special of creamy burrata with thinly sliced prosciutto. I enjoyed their “Uova all’arrabbiata,” ($18) poached eggs in a spicy tomato sauce, delicious flavor. I would have preferred my eggs runny, instead of cooked through. Another had the eggs Benedict with Hollandaise sauce served with prosciutto and herb-roasted potatoes; one the Wagyu beef burger topped with [...]

By |2018-06-18T10:44:09-04:00July 18th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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West Bank Cafe, Hell’s Kitchen, NYC + Travesties

We decided to meet at the West Bank Cafe, as it's a good place for a decent meal when heading to the theatre, especially those on 42nd Street. We were off to see Tom Stoppard's Travesties, an unusual comedy about James Joyce, Vladimir Lenin and Tristan Tzara, a founder of Dadaism. For a complete theatre review on Theater Pizzazz, click here. My friend had their roast chicken, with green beans and carrots ($24) and asked to share a vegetarian entree of spaghetti squash topped with tomato sauce and vegetable ragu ($20).  The latter was as bland as you'd imagine, even topped with lots of fresh Parmigiana Reggiano. To me, no [...]

By |2018-06-17T11:51:45-04:00July 16th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Pearl Oyster Bar, West Village, NYC

Mention Rebecca Charles’ delectable lobster roll with shoestring fries at Pearl Oyster Bar in West Village and my mouth begins to salivate. If you haven't been, I suggest a visit to the small place on Cornelia Street. I joined some friends there recently and we shared a plate of her crispy salt-crusted shrimp ($14 for 3) and some moist tender fried oysters ($17 for 6), followed by the main event of her lobster roll filled with steamed, and chopped lobster with mayo. I prefer it chilled like that to the lobster swimming in warm butter as served in Connecticut. The roll comes with shoestring fries with its cost varying based on [...]

By |2018-06-22T07:18:25-04:00July 14th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Toloache, Theatre District, NYC

I returned to Toloache, this time with my friend who always raved about it. We shared a bowl of their traditional guacamole ($14) with warm tortilla chips and each ordered an Oro Blanco ($16) made with Herradura Reposado tequila, Cointreau and fresh lime juice while I began looking over the menu. "Why mess with perfection?" my friend asked, as she and her hubby ordered her standard Toloache choices, including the huitlacoche ($17) and the short rib ($15) quesadilla. So apps it was -- with four of us sharing everything ordered. My favorite included their favs: Loved the huitlacoche quesadilla with Manchego cheese, corn and black truffle and that beef short rib [...]

By |2018-11-13T12:14:08-05:00July 10th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Eat Here Now, Upper East Side, NYC

After a concert at the Streicker Center (Temple Emanu-El) we walked toward the subway entrance to find someplace to grab a quick sandwich. Oddly the only place we found open was the Eat Here Now diner on Lex. To be safe, we each ordered a BLT on rye ($7.95) - my initial namesake. My middle name started with an L before I married, then switched to BTL after. Not bad, as I could keep all my 70s initial pins. This sandwich hit the spot: the bacon was crisp, the crisp lettuce bright green and tomatoes flavorful.  Sometimes something so good, isn't thought of when going out for a quick bite. [...]

By |2018-07-17T08:21:04-04:00July 8th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Aunt Jakes, Lower East Side, NYC

Loving brunch, I couldn't resist Aunt Jakes invite to try their new midday menu along with a friend. We arrived at their new location, right next door to the old one and were shepherded out back to a partially enclosed deck. A perfect alfresco spot to dine. My friend ordered their Firing Squad cocktail made with Milagros tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime and grenadine ($12); I made mine smoky and spicy by asking for Mezcal and added jalapeño. Perfection! While waiting for our drinks to arrive, I took a couple photos of their lemon-ricotta pancakes with whipped mascarpone ($15) and their cornflake-crusted French toast ($15) that they had set out for [...]

By |2018-07-17T08:17:41-04:00July 6th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Ristorante Morini, Upper East Side, NYC

Our reservation was at Via Quadronno on Madison as it was near the 92 Street Y where we were heading for a lecture. We stood outside the closed restaurant in bewilderment wondering why they had taken our reservation! I quickly jumped on OpenTable to see what was nearby that could accommodate us for an early dinner. Lucky for us Ristorante Morini had room when they opened at 5:30. They must have had a cancellation. When I realized that Ristorante Morini is one of Michael White's restaurants (the Altamarea Group), I knew we were in for a treat along with attentive service. We shared apps, as now we had less than [...]

By |2018-07-17T08:19:43-04:00July 4th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles, Chinatown, NYC

What to do in the morning while on jury duty? Check out where to eat, of course. With the courthouse close to Chinatown, I researched the area ending up at Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles about a 10-minute walk. After being seated, I heard the people sitting next to me discussing the food as if they’d eaten at Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles before. I chatted with them about what to order. As they were packing up their leftovers, they recommended both pan-fried (not steamed) dumplings plus a hand-pulled noodle dish. Knowing I couldn't sit in the courthouse with leftovers from the large portions, and that I certainly couldn't finish both I opted for [...]

By |2018-07-17T08:22:15-04:00June 30th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|2 Comments
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The Sound Bite, Hell’s Kitchen, NYC

Boasting the “best blackened wings on earth,” I looked forward to sampling Julian Phillips chicken parts.  If you go, you might recognize this chef as he's a former local newscaster, naming the Sound Bite for the broadcast news term. We shared a small order of his famous seared wings coated with a secret blend of Cajun spices ($15.00 for 8 pieces). It comes with two sauces to accompany wings ($.65 per additional sauce or $3.75 for all).  Wanting to try each one, we opted for the flight of the signature sauces that included Cajun, remoulade, creamy garlic, pesto, BBQ, Buffalo and puttanesca. I liked all but the pesto and creamy [...]

By |2018-07-17T08:23:20-04:00June 28th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Empire Diner, Chelsea, NYC

A large group of us met at the Empire Diner in Chelsea for dinner. On my spicy drink kick, I ordered their Bolt Bramble ($16) with jalapeño-infused tequila added to the mezcal, Anchos Reyes Verde liqueur and blackberry cassis. Quite refreshing. The table shared a few apps with our cocktails including the blistered shishitos served with some citrus sea salt for dipping ($7); tasty tempura-fried rock shrimp and jalapeños accompanied by a citrus aioli ($12) and some toasts with whipped goat cheese, salsa verde and roasted pumpkin seeds ($15). On one side friends had a bowlful of nicely seasoned cioppino replete with shrimp, scallops, white fish, clams and PEI mussels all [...]

By |2018-07-17T08:27:12-04:00June 26th, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Brunch Gallow Green at McKittrick Hotel, Chelsea, NYC

Gallow Green again morphed, turning the cozy mountainside Lodge from the winter into a rooftop oasis atop the McKittrick hotel where they're now serving brunch ($35 a person). Personally, I prefer being served to buffets. But I overlooked that on a beautiful Sunday at this outdoor train station-like setting, nestled among greenery with live music by MK Groove. Making four trips to the buffet, I tried about everything. Glutton I'm not. Seriously, as their guest, it's my duty to sample as much as possible. My first trip to their food offerings was my favorite of the day. I tried many of their interesting grain and green salads that included heirloom cherry tomatoes with [...]

By |2024-07-21T11:14:19-04:00June 21st, 2018|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Rooftop|0 Comments
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