NYC Restaurant Reviews

Our New York City restaurant reviews

Gazala’s Place, Hell’s Kitchen, NYC

My friend went to pick up our theatre tickets only to discover that the date she bought was for the following week! We had a good laugh, then decided to walk up Ninth Avenue and find a fun cheap eats place to dine; she had worked in the area years ago and recalled some good places. We stopped outside Gazala's Place window to look at the menu. This very small restaurant offering Druze  (a type of Israeli) cooking. As we stood there discussing it as an option, a couple got up from one of the tables in the completely full, very tiny, place. "Let's do it!" As we squeezed into [...]

By |2017-09-07T13:27:28-04:00September 7th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Pier A, Battery Park, NYC

I much prefer Pier A's casual outdoor benches during summer and fall than their white tablecloth section upstairs. From the patio, there's a view of the water with the Statue of Liberty and boats in the Hudson. A perfect place to grab a bite when down at Battery Park. We did so after walking downtown and stopping in to see the reproduction of Michaelangelo’s Sistine Chapel at Oculus Plaza at Westfield World Trade Center, which was there this summer. The ceiling frescoes from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel were reproduced at museum quality near original size. After that walk, we were in the mood for a burger. The Long Hall hand-pressed [...]

By |2017-09-02T18:01:26-04:00September 5th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Bryant Park Grill, Midtown, NYC

We stopped for lunch outside at Bryant Park Grill for a cocktail and light lunch before heading to see the now closed Six Degrees of Separation with Allison Janney, John Benjamin Hickey and the deservingly Tony-nominated Corey Hawkins. Sadly, this revival didn't match up to the comedic tone of the original production. I tried Bryan Park Grill's "spicy" margarita ($16) with muddled jalapeño, lime juice and El Jimador Blanco Tequila. This margie was not spicy at all. My friend tried the coconut basil gimlet made with fresh basil, lime juice and coconut vodka. A refreshing drink with only a hint of coconut. When the weather is not too hot, lunch [...]

By |2017-09-04T21:40:02-04:00September 2nd, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Santina, Meatpacking, NYC

A perfect Sunday in New York: the Calder: Hypermobility exhibit at the Whitney, followed by brunch almost next door to the museum outside on the deck at Santina, We started our meal with the Bellini service ($65) of a chilled bottle of proscecco and three juice concentrates for adding to the bubbly: blood orange, white peach and passion fruit. One was better than the next. We all agreed that this was a great idea for an at home brunch. As I had mentioned during my first visit, the glass-boxed Renzo Piano-designed restaurant is reminiscent of a seaside Italian restaurant with the bright striped orange and blue umbrellas outside with Murano [...]

By |2017-09-02T14:52:23-04:00September 1st, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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La Sirena, Chelsea, NYC

Located on the Plaza Level of Chelsea’s Maritime Hotel, La Sirena is one flight above ground so you’re not as bothered by street noises. The tables are spaced so far apart, you almost don’t realize you are in Manhattan until you hear sirens. Not surprising, the Michelin-starred menu from Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich offers foods from various regions of Italy. Having loved a previous bar menu’s piquant cocktail Spice Me Baby One More Time, our server asked the bartender to add a chli-pepper rim to their new Scream Contest ($16) for me. That spicy drink is a blend of chili-infused Maestro Dobel tequila, Vida mezcal, pineapple, lime and smoked [...]

By |2017-09-02T14:55:55-04:00August 31st, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Bâtard, Tribeca, NYC

Add dinner at The Myriad Group's Bâtard to your must try list. Yes, this restaurant that focuses on classic European fare and elegant service is that good. Bâtard, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Tribeca, had been on my "go to" list since it opened. I finally made it there during a recent Restaurant Week.  The friends I was meeting were late, so I decided to try one of Batard's cocktails while waiting. It is a blend of Russian vodka with Aperol, a splash of grapefruit juice and hibiscus syrup garnished with a ribbon of cucumber ($11); I'd recommend this Café Racer, especially if you're a fan of Aperol Spritzers. With four [...]

By |2017-09-02T15:00:22-04:00August 29th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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King, Soho, NYC

Two veteran chefs of London’s River Cafe, Clare de Boer and Jess Shadbolt, and their friend Annie Shi, opened King last fall to much acclaim. King is on the corner or King Street and Sixth avenue. A small but inviting restaurant serving crisp paper-thin crackers doused in olive oil and herbs to nibble on when perusing the menu. King's menu changes daily offering seasonal food with influences from Southern France and Italy. That's great although I would have gone back for our appetizers alone. We had the first of the season yellow and green bean parmigiani with mint ($17) or for the poached lobster with spring peas, parsley and baby fennel ($18). [...]

By |2017-08-31T13:17:36-04:00August 27th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Lilia, Williamsburg, Brookyn

The casual Lilia with Missy Robbins at the helm is worth the trip to Williamsburg. The restaurant is located on the corner of North 10th and Union in a re-vamped auto-body shop. The friendly wait staff has been trained to truly assist you in your menu selections. We started with a spring veggies — peppers, zucchini, fingerling potatoes, radicchio and romanesco broccoli — served with a warm dip with a huge dose of anchovies - the bagna cauda ($16), which was almost a meal in itself! Next we tried the half head escarole, fanned out and seared/roasted until wilted then topped with an anchovy vinaigrette, shredded ricotta salata and crispy [...]

By |2017-08-31T13:17:36-04:00August 23rd, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Sabbia a Rooftop Pop-up at Eataly, Flatiron, NYC

Sabbia, which I learned means sand, is a pop-up Italian seaside (actually rooftop) restaurant at Birreria on the top of Eataly. We lucked out and were seated in one of the secluded (quiet) cabanas. With the roof open, the blue sky and top of the Flatiron building statues were visible. We indulged in their two items from their bruschetta bar, one of their two pasta dishes (after all it is Eataly) and one rosés from their special menu featuring more than 50 producers of that type of wine that incorporates some of the color from the grape skins. For bruscetta, we chose the Liguria with chopped marinated artichokes a top [...]

By |2024-07-21T11:08:15-04:00August 21st, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Rooftop|0 Comments
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La Loteria, West Village, NYC

We had decided to sit outside at La Loteria on Seventh Avenue in the West Village until we learned that happy hour drinks and food were only available in the bar area. We moved inside,  ordered their classic margarita ($7) and indulged in their delicious and beautifully presented inexpensive antojitos ($5 to 6). We first ordered the Tostaditas de Atun, three to a portion, with chile-rubbed pan-seared tuna on flour tostadas topped with guacamole, chipotle aioli and a mango salsa. Next, the not to be missed Flautitas de Pato en Trilogía de Salsas, two crispy corn tortillas filled with shredded duck confit, corn and caramelized onions, topped with pomegranate arils [...]

By |2017-08-31T13:17:36-04:00August 18th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|1 Comment
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Red Rooster, Harlem, NYC

Marcus Samuelsson's Red Rooster was our destination. I like walking from one end of the city to the other and when I do, we pick a place to end up eating afterward. One day recently, we walked north along and through Central Park, the 6 miles to dinner at the Harlem restaurant that channels the spirit that area. A spirit obvious in what we ate! The Yep, Chicken and Waffle circa 1930 ($17), came with not enough of either the smoked maple syrup for the waffles nor the salsa poblana topping the fabulous juicy fried chicken. I highly recommend, being sure to ask for more of the toppings when you [...]

By |2017-08-31T13:17:37-04:00August 16th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Hudson Garden Grill, Botanical Gardens, Bronx

If you haven't been to the Bronx Botanical Gardens to see the approximately 20 new monumental artwork installations by world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly, I suggest you do so, being sure to make a reservation at Hudson Garden Grill, the only sit-down restaurant there. We sat outside as it was one of those perfect weather days. Our waiter did a good job of selling their warm monkey bread (hot buns) served with honey butter and fleur de sel ($9), being so hungry we consumed them as we ordered our drinks and food. I shared the crunchy soft shelled crab club sandwich ($26) filled with avocado, bacon and tomatoes on jalapeño mayo-spread [...]

By |2017-08-31T13:17:37-04:00August 14th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Rocking Horse Cafe, Chelsea, NYC

My friend, who I was attending the opening of the L.A. Dance Project at The Joyce, raved about the housemade tortilla chips and guacamole at a Mexican place catty-cornered to the theatre, Rocking Horse Cafe. "The best chips in the city," she said. I had walked into their happy hour (Monday - Friday 3 to 6) with their pure RH margarita goes for $7!  A basked of chips are complementary; we ordered  — of course —  guacamole ($5) to go with. And then tried the burrito stuffed with chicken ($7) a light meal in itself and a small taco mushroom taco ($4).  I'd recommend the burrito! Great — albeit a [...]

By |2017-08-31T13:17:37-04:00August 12th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Rouge Tomate, Chelsea, NYC

It was my first time at the newly opened Rouge Tomate in Chelsea, after having frequented the now-closed uptown place that also served seasonally inspired cuisine. As a starter for brunch, my favorite is a bloody Mary, the spicier the better. Rouge Tomate offers two boozy brunch tomato-based options; I chose the poblano chili bloody Mary ($14) that was good although I would have preferred it with more of the spice pepper trio. The food at Rouge Tomato is as tasty if not even better than the original restaurant. Wanting to sample the chilled beet soup, one of us ordered and three of us put our spoons in the bright [...]

By |2017-10-26T08:05:45-04:00August 10th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Republic, Union Square, NYC – CLOSED

We ended up at Republic on Union Square as we were looking for a happy hour to have a drink after seeing "Six Degrees of Separation" with the deservingly Tony-nominated Corey Hawkins as the mysterious young con man. It was their alfresco area that was the draw. We sampled their Siracha Bloody Mary ($8 at happy hour) garnished with a cucumber slice and a jumbo green olive. Good, yet I would have liked mine spicier. With that, we had their version of Thai green papaya salad with fresh kale, (too many) bean sprouts and topped with crispy shallots and their well-pounded chicken skewers topped with crushed peanuts garnished with pickled [...]

By |2019-10-02T08:14:35-04:00August 8th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Thai Villa, Flatiron, NYC

Earlier this year, I was invited to Thai Villa on behalf of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)  to meet their new Director, Mrs. Charinya Kiatlapnachai. We had Thai-inspired cocktails and classic dishes from Thailand that were so good, I had to return. I stopped in for some broad noodles with chicken and Chinese broccoli (pad se-ew), asking for it spicy. "Spicy or very spicy?" Remembering the heat from the dishes during my last visit, I was glad I asked only for spicy — as the pad se-ew had more than enough heat for me — and I love spicy food! - bonnie BonnieBOTB Follow @BonnieBOTB Thai Villa Gramercy-Flatiron 5 East [...]

By |2017-08-31T13:17:37-04:00August 7th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Taproom 307, Kips Bay, NYC

I stopped by Taproom 307 for lunch one day with a friend. They offer over 40 craft beers on tap with 10 new ones added each week along with a friendly staff ready to help you match the right beer to what you order. I did have a recommended draught beer with lunch, but decided to start with a cocktail. I skipped the unique pickle back shots (that juice with whiskey, tequila or Jameson) - and instead tried the Fuego Verde ($13), a cocktails made from in-house- pressed "green" juice, muddled jalapeño, mezcal and agave served in a spiced rim glass. Really good, although I prefer more spice! We started [...]

By |2017-08-31T13:17:37-04:00August 5th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Fat Monk, Upper West Side, NYC

The publicist of The Fat Monk, a new gastropub by Chef Rob McCue of Hell’s Kitchen Season Eight, invited me to come sample the new lobster and octopus dishes on their summer menu.  I headed uptown to do so one weekend, for brunch. The restaurant sports a couple of tables outside of the bar, with the main dining room with the open kitchen down the narrow steps. Having been pitched both the lobster BLT and the octopus, we began with those dishes along with a bloody Mary ($12 each). The smoked one made with mezcal and housemade tomato juice came fried oyster and Gouda topped; the Monk's made with vodka [...]

By |2017-08-31T13:17:37-04:00August 3rd, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Donna Margherita, Upper East Side, NYC

Donna Margherita is a neighborhood Italian find like eating at nonnas home — other than grandma doesn't usually have a wood-fired pizza oven to produce a crisp, yet chewy crust pizza. Donna Margherita does, with Italian chef Rosanna Di Michele roaming the small dining room checking on the customers. Let's start with that chewy crust pizzas. Ours, the Boscaiola, was a traditional margherita with sliced mushrooms and Italian sausage ($18). As our salad, we chose the marinated artichoke hearts topped with big shreds of Parmigiano Reggiano ($16), followed by two pastas. The Penne Arrabbiata O Al Pomodoro had the short wide tubes of pasta combined with a wonderfully spicy tomato [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:05-04:00July 30th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Bornholm, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, NY

You can experience a delicious bit of Denmark in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn at Bornholm, a Danish Café & Restaurant... but only through this Sunday. As this is posting, we learned that Bornholm is closing it's doors after brunch on August 30. It was 2012 when Lone & Claudi,  a couple from the small Denmark island called Bornholm, opened a Danish cafe in Red Bank, New Jersey. With that success, last year they opened a second restaurant with their hometown island's namesake. It offers housemade goodies including the coarse, dense bread made with whole grains baked in their own bakery. I was invited in to sample their fare. We sat outside [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:05-04:00July 28th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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