NYC Restaurant Reviews

Our New York City restaurant reviews

Buvette, West Village, NYC

Nestled on Grove Street in the West Village is Buvette, a gem of a tiny bistro with chef Jody Williams. Since they take no reservations, we walked over for a very early dinner and got right in. We opted for outside seating as it was a beautiful night, being seated on one of the tiniest restaurant porches I've ever seen. We were seated at small round red tables so close to each other that our chairs clinked if we moved, adorned with small plates, forks and knifes corresponding to the table size. Cute. The portions were also appetizer-size small (I liked that!) and priced accordingly. The most expensive menu item [...]

By |2017-09-10T18:53:21-04:00October 5th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Tanoreen, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NYC

It was a New York adventure getting to Tanoreen for lunch to try the food of the Palestinian-American chef-owner Rawia Bishara, who was a James Beard Foundation nominee for Best Chef NYC this year.  My friend had read raves about the place so we made the trek. We met at the Pier 11 ferry (same pier that has the IKEA ferry), sat on the upper deck while we sailed the East River to Bay Ridge then walked the mile to the restaurant on the corner of 76th and Third Avenue. We were the first in the restaurant, having time to peruse the menu before ordering. We started with a combo meze [...]

By |2017-09-10T18:39:57-04:00October 4th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

The Red Cat, Chelsea, NYC

A friend suggested meeting at The Red Cat, and I smiled in anticipation! I looked forward to my return to The Red Cat and seeing owner Jimmy Bradley. We started with the not-to-be missed tempura green beans with sweet hot mustard ($14), eating way too many of them as they are irresistible.. Then we shared two sandwiches, the heavenly egg, falafel and caramelized onions on a brioche roll with chili aioli ( $15) and one from their El Gato Rojo (the red cat) menu listing those items they often serve the staff. This was a pressed panko-coated chicken sandwich, spread with a cannellini bean puree, avocado, queso Oaxaca and a [...]

By |2017-09-02T19:59:35-04:00October 3rd, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Benares TriBeCa, Tribeca, NYC

Headed to Tribeca recently to sample a medley of diverse regional Indian dishes at Benares, the second outpost of the restaurant. You'll find the first in Hell's Kitchen. I began with a tasty cocktail, the Varanasi with Hornitos Blanco tequila, roasted pineapple, and housemade orange liqueur and chili laced grenadine ($10). My friend had a tasty blend of vodka, Pavan, orange juice and cranberry juice. That one was so refreshing that I ended up making this one at home with the leftover Pavan from when we tested it. I used equal parts of each, resulting in a delicious cocktail! With those libations,  we nibbled the colorful lotus-leaf looking rice crackers [...]

By |2017-09-02T19:56:18-04:00October 2nd, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Atla, NoHo, NYC

Alta had been on my radar for quite some time. My friend and I decided to head to this modern neighborhood Mexican restaurant from chef Enrique Olvera (Cosme) for brunch one Sunday recently. They have an all-day menu served breakfast daily until 4 pm. I chose the breakfast ranchero eggs ($13) a dish that's usually a hearty breakfast dish. Alta's version is quite deliciously light with two poached eggs and a smidgen of beans on a tortilla covered in a slightly piquant ranchero sauce, not smothered in cheese! I added a side of avocado ($4). My friend ordered the fresh onion topped chicken enchiladas ($16) from the all day section, asking for [...]

By |2017-10-13T07:52:15-04:00October 1st, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|1 Comment
Read More

Barn Joo, Union Square, NYC

I stopped into the new location of Barn Joo, now at Union Square West, for lunch recently and recommend you to too. I learned that in Korean the name means musical accompaniment or drinks accompanied with your meal! I started with what the restaurant calls their grumpy hour special of a French Rosè (Domaine Montrose, Penzenas) for $7. The grumpy hour from 11:30 am to 4 pm precedes most happy hours! My friend indulged in the tacos (2 per serving, $17) with bulgogi beef, the marinated and grilled Korean meat. That came with some guac on them and a side of lime salsa. I had a yummy bibimbap ($18) also [...]

By |2017-10-03T11:38:59-04:00September 30th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Rose Hill, Midtown South, NYC

After discovering over an hour wait for the rooftop bar at Salvation Taco, we hit the road looking for another place for an alfresco drink. I opened our restaurant map as it also shows rooftop bars around town and noticed a cluster of them close by. We headed toward the Empire State building where there are many each with a view when we noticed a sign for Rose Hill that invited us in. Service at this rooftop was is oh, so gracious, with each staff member oozing with hospitality. We started with one of their special cocktails after seeing the creamsicle-orange colored drink served nearby. The Midsummer Night's Dream ($14) [...]

By |2017-09-03T07:25:41-04:00September 29th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Nice Matin, Upper West Side, NYC

Some Connecticut friends and I only stopped in for a light bite at Nice Matin inside the Lucerne Hotel before wandering around shops on the upper west side. We needed something to curb our appetites, as we had a big dinner planned that evening. Two of us had the simple arugula salad with olives, tiny tomatoes, lots of sliced fennel and lots of parmesan ($8); my other friend savored a lemony bowl of diced beets and whipped chèvre ($7). We — of course — washed those down with Bellini's ($11) and a Tanteo jalapeño bloody Maria ($12). I'd only recommend the Bellini. I'd suggest stopping by when on the UWS, [...]

By |2017-09-02T19:07:36-04:00September 28th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Meadowsweet, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC

After a day of celebrating my friend's 29th birthday, we headed out to get a bite to eat. They wanted me to try Meadowsweet, a one star Michelin restaurant and one of their favorite places in Williamsburg, that opened in 2014. We lucked out, getting the chef's table right in front of the kitchen, watching the James Beard nominated Polo Dobkin in the kitchen. Stephanie Lempert, his wife, stopped by the table to welcome us. My friend happened to mention that I was a food writer and that we were celebrating his birthday. I mention that as after we ordered the four pastas from their ever-changing menu as that was [...]

By |2017-09-02T19:40:17-04:00September 26th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Fred’s Downtown, Chelsea, NYC

After having attended a Joyce Theatre opening party at Fred’s Downtown with good food, I wanted to try the regular menu.  We did so one night after a visit to the nearby Rubin Museum of Art, dedicated to art and cultures of the Himalayas, India and neighboring regions. We started with their sautéed octopus ($24 that came with over-cooked, chewy baby cuttlefish in a garlic lemon sauce. That night it came with crunchy couscous (it was over-toasted) with finely diced sautéed red pepper and squash and blackened shishito peppers.  The roasted salmon ($32) was fine sitting a top four asparagus and topped with a tomato scallion salsa. Would I recommend Fred’s [...]

By |2017-10-13T07:53:49-04:00September 25th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Fusco, Gramercy, NYC

Although we had made a reservation exactly a month in advance, our "table" at Fusco, Scott Conants first sole NYC restaurant in about a decade, was along the front window counter sitting side by side looking out at the passerbyers on 20th street diagonally across from Gramercy Tavern. That would have been fine, other than the table of five screaming women at the only other table in the front. They were so loud, we couldn't hear each other. I always wonder why I order anything but apps as they are generally better than the entrees. At Fusco that was true. We sampled the soft shell crab ($24), heirloom tomatoes with [...]

By |2017-09-10T18:17:35-04:00September 24th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Temple Court , Financial District, NYC

Nestled inside the Beekman Hotel, you’ll find Tom Colicchio’s year old Temple Court (that recently changed its name from Fowler and Wells). I stopped in for lunch during restaurant week with a friend. We shared everything, beginning with two pasta dishes. The ricotta gnudi with a basil pesto was delicious but a bit too rich to finish. We also had the cavatelli pasta with braised rabbit, lots of crunchy fresh corn and some sour lovage. I highly recommend. Our entrees included a perfectly cooked branzino fillet over ratatouille and a hearty duck and garlic confit with cherry tomatoes and farro. That one left in a doggy bag. Each of these [...]

By |2017-09-02T19:29:18-04:00September 22nd, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Crave Fishbar, Upper West Side, NYC

The friend I was dining with and I always thirstThe friend I was dining with and I always thirst for some spicy drink to commence our night. The Good Life at Crave Fishbar a modern rustic space on the Upper West Side did the trick this time. It contains spicy tequila, ancho reyes, passion fruit and lime juice in a glass with a salty rim ($14). That drink satisfied as we looked over the menu. While we were doing so the waiter brought us some of their fresh baked (oh, so good) part whole-wheat sourdough bread to nibble. We opted for the Italian burrata ($16) with lots of fresh corn, large [...]

By |2017-09-26T04:41:22-04:00September 21st, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Emily, West Village, NYC

I read and heard raves about Emily's pizza. When she finally opened an outpost in the West Village on Downing Street that took reservations, we headed there for lunch to see what all the fuss was about. I'm here to tell you not to go for the pizza, but instead, order the soul satisfying burger topped with — of all things — American cheese on a Tom Cat Pretzel bun along with curly fries ($26). This is not your ordinary burger, instead, it's two patties of LaFrieda dry-aged beef, topped with caramelized onions, pickle slices and Emily's secret sauce. You'll be licking your fingers – and downing liquid all day [...]

By |2017-09-10T18:00:00-04:00September 19th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|1 Comment
Read More

Vinateria, Harlem, NYC

One of the best things about being invited to a restaurant like Vinateria as their guest is the ability to try more menu items than I could normally eat. We had small — not regular — portions, except for the branzino! Our fabulous Somm selected wines from their unusual wine list that would go well with the variety of dishes that were to come. The Venetian Contra Soarda (2016) as our white; the Sicilian Masseria Setteporte (2013) as our red. We started with the tender grilled octopus tentacle accompanied by small potatoes all drizzled with a pimentón aioli ($17), torn Tuscan kale with brown anchovies in the Caesar dressing and [...]

By |2022-07-24T13:38:37-04:00September 17th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|1 Comment
Read More

Taqueria Diana, East Village, NYC

Last time I was in the mood for nachos, we had found ravings about Taqueria Diana's on the web. We ended up down the street (not a place I'd recommend) as we wanted to sit, yak and enjoy some libations and Taqueria Diana is not for that. It's a very tiny storefront Mexican restaurant on Second Avenue that serves mainly take out with a couple of tall stools and teeny counter top nestled in the back between the kitchen and the service area. This time, I opted for one of those stools, ordering the al pastor nachos with it spit roasted pork, cheese, black beans and fresh chips ($9.87) with [...]

By |2017-09-02T18:30:47-04:00September 15th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Il Violino, Lincoln Square, NYC

Occasionally, my afternoon book group ends up at a restaurant when the attendance is too large for the host's apartment. That's how we found ourselves at Il Violino near Lincoln Square to discuss My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout. I started with the lightly dressed, refreshingly crisp salad, followed by a huge portion of chicken parmigiana served with mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, and carrots, along with a glass of Montepulciano. Although comments and opinions varied widely, everyone liked the book as well as the impressive $22 prix fixe lunch menu, which included a glass of wine and coffee. A decent place to get a bite before heading to [...]

By |2025-05-29T15:07:27-04:00September 13th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Obica Mozzarella BarPizza e Cucina, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC

Love finding and sharing details about good food and great prices, such as the $19 lunch deal at Obica in the Flatiron district.  They offer an appetizer and a main course for the price you’d pay for one entree! I started with fresh mache salad with arugula, radicchio almonds and avocado, my friend the flavorful chilled organic tomato, red pepper and basil soup. Both good. Next, I had the lightly breaded and grilled eggplant slices, topped with some buffalo mozzarella and organic tomato sauce. The lightest version of eggplant parmigiana I've had!  My friend had the free-range chicken sliced with mache, arugula, tomatoes olives and Parmigiano Reggiano in a caper [...]

By |2017-09-12T17:29:15-04:00September 12th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Somtum Der, Lower East Side, NYC

Somtum Der is a Isaan (Northeaster) Thai restaurant on Avenue A and 6th Street. I had learned it's one of the Michelin inspector's favorites for a good value. I like finding cheap eats to share. I highly recommend their $12 lunch special with one of their not-to-be-missed spicy papaya salads along with deep-fried crispy chicken thighs, sticky rice and a dipping sauce. Worth the trip alone. We also shared their house-specialty grilled pork kati ($13) marinated in coconut milk and served with a savory dried chili dipping sauce. Larb Pla Dook Yang ($14) spicy minced grilled catfish salad was my least favorite, with little discernible catfish flavor. The only thing [...]

By |2017-09-11T10:42:25-04:00September 11th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Ribalta Pizza, Greenwich Village, NYC

By accident, we ended up at Ribalta pizza on 12th Street as we wanted a pie and theirs looked like the chewy crust Neapolitan style we were seeking. Afterward, I learned the team behind this place had done pizza before. That includes Rosario Procino, former founder of Keste pizzeria, and Chef Pasquale Cozzolino, former Executive Chef at Dellaroccos in Brooklyn Heights and Pizza Arte. We tried the ciliegino, one of the pizza in pala rossa (red, $30) with cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella and topped with buffalo mozzarella. Yes, it was so good that I'd go back for again when in the mood for a pie! - bonnie BonnieBOTB Follow [...]

By |2017-09-11T08:22:53-04:00September 8th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More
Copyright 2012 - 2021 BiteOfTheBest | All Rights Reserved
Toggle Sliding Bar Area
Go to Top