NYC Restaurant Reviews

Our New York City restaurant reviews

Birds of a Feather, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

My friends told me I needed to try Williamsburg's Birds of a Feather after I mentioned going back to Han Dynasty where we had last dined at a Chinese restaurant together. They claimed the food was even better. What I liked best about the restaurant is that they brought the dishes one at a time so you could experience and, more importantly, enjoy the unique flavors of each one. Perhaps by the time you read this Birds of a Feather will have their liquor license; at the time we went, sadly they had stopped letting you bring your own. I recommend the minced pork with mustard green shoots Dan Dan [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:05-04:00July 27th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Treehaus, Hell’s Kitchen (The Whirligig), NYC

The menu at Signature Cafe inside The Pershing Square Signature Center where we were seeing Hamish Linklater’s new play “The Whirligig,” was more limited than it had been when I reviewed it. We ended up next door at Treehaus for a pre-theatre bite. (Click here for review on Theater Pizzazz) Their menu was also limited but offered much more than a salad, sandwich or soup. We started with a glass of their happy hour ($5) rose  (Hecht and Bannier) and their fried clam strips with their housemade "haus" tartar sauce ($9); we never received the menu offered cole slaw and the strips were a bit overcooked. The scallops with roasted [...]

By |2017-10-23T17:17:08-04:00July 21st, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|1 Comment
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Green Fig, YOTEL New York at Times Square West, NYC

The YOTEL's restaurant keeps changing. Last I stopped by (other than for the Rooftop Cinema Club) is was East & West at Club Lounge. This time it was the Green Fig, modern Israeli cuisine with Mediterranean influence. We stopped in for a bite on our way to Playwright's Horizon to see Bella: An American Tall Tale, a delightful (but way too long) black western musical. We started with their mezze ($16), meant to be shared. The huge za’atar pita came with six filled bowls of fresh good tasting dips/spreads: Hummus, tahini, charred eggplant, thickened yogurt (labne), sauteed tomatoes (oddly, at least to me) and pickled peppers, carrots, cauliflower and celery. [...]

By |2024-07-21T11:14:59-04:00July 19th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Rooftop|0 Comments
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Balaboosta, Lower East Side, NYC

"Balaboosta: n. A Yiddish term meaning the perfect housewife, homemaker, wonderful mother, cook & gracious hostess. She does it all and she does it well!" Before we could choose from the inviting menu created by Chef/Owner Einat Admony, our server recited the night's specials. We opted for two of them - the thin roasted eggplant and the crispy Brussels sprouts salad with feta. Both worth trying. While looking over the “Mediterranean meets the Middle East” menu, we saw a mortar filled with hummus ($11) on the next table, and decide to order. So glad we did -- as everyone oohed and aahed over it.  "Best hummus I've ever had," said [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:05-04:00July 15th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Spotted Dog, Upper East Side, NYC

I received an email for one of the owners of The Spotted Dog's sister restaurant, The Milton. "... You were kind enough to do a very nice review of (The Milton) ..We have recently opened a new location on 63rd and 1st called "The Spotted Dog." I would love if you could come by and review the new location..." And so I did so with a friend to sample their pub food. I again started with their Lucky Walker with pineapple-chipotle infused vodka, lime juice, mint and cucumber ($12), that still had a slight kick but was a tad too sweet for me this time. Chef Dave — now a [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:05-04:00July 11th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Sammy’s House of BBQ, Theatre District (Anastasia), NYC

The best things about Sammy's House of BBQ are the extra-friendly staff and its location in the heart of the theatre district — almost right across from the Broadhurst Theatre where I was seeing "Anastasia," the delightful fairy-tale of a musical about the Czar Nicholas's youngest daughter with amnesia. I decided to order Sammy's slider trio, wanting a little something before the show. That app consisted of three buns each chockfull of a BBQ'd meat  — one with Texas brisket, another with Carolina pulled pork and the third filled with Alabama smoked chicken ($12.95). A hearty snack for sure! My friend arrived... having just finished his dinner and said he [...]

By |2017-09-04T18:33:42-04:00July 9th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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High Street on the Hudson, West Village, NYC + The End of Longing

We stopped into the cozy High Street on the Hudson restaurant before heading to the Lucille Lortel to see The End of Longing, the dark comedy about substance abuse starring and written by Matthew Perry. I'm not sure why F&W 2014 Best New Chef 2014 Eli Kulp would use so many menu terms in need of explanation to most consumers other than to have them dialogue with the servers.  (For example: volkornbrot, shishito, chermoula, verano, espelette...)  When a customer asks a question, I heard the servers commence into their script. "Is this your first time here?" Following the third time I heard those words at nearby tables, I could recite [...]

By |2018-02-05T11:25:19-05:00July 7th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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TBar Restaurant, Upper East Side, NYC + Dolls House 2

TBar offers sidewalk dining under their bright orange awnings, weather permitting. Although it was a balmy night, we opted for an inside table after seeing Dolls House 2, an unexpected 90 minutes of laughter or giggles even with the serious subject. That phenomenal cast includes Laurie Metcalf, Chris Cooper, Jayne Houdyshell and Condola Rashad. From the cocktail menu, the Tanteo margarita ($14) with tequila, triple sec, lime juice and jalapeno pepper is the one with a little spice kick. We started by sharing a lightly dressed Caesar salad with slivers of Parmesan and with crisped melted cheese on their housemade crouton ($14). If you're a reader of my reviews, you [...]

By |2018-02-18T10:09:02-05:00July 3rd, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Room Service, Theatre District (Little Foxes), NYC

Before heading to the Samuel J Friedman Theatre for the second time seeing Lillian Hellman's Little Foxes with the powerful performances of Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon switching rolls, we headed to Ninth Avenue to get a bite. My friend had just been to and raved about the Thai restaurant Room Service. We started with the four crispy corn spring rolls stuffed with noodles and veggies ($6), followed by the eponymous mild-flavored Pad Thai ($16.90) with sauteed glass vermicelli mixed with shrimp, mussels, squid and scallops wrapped in an egg-white pancake. Great for those who don't like spicy food. My friend finished with a bowl with two scoops of coconut [...]

By |2017-09-04T18:34:20-04:00July 1st, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Bite of the Best’s NYC Restaurant Reviews

Check out our almost 1000 reviews each with a link to our write up. Each review is also listed on Zomato, where we are ranked #1 in NYC with over 7 million views. It's a work always in progress with our new reviews added each week. The blue diamonds indicate rooftop bars. Let us know if we missed any of your favorites! Peruse the map below to discover what we've reviewed. Double click the open-square image in the upper right corner to open the map fully. Each red button represents a restaurant; double-click the button for restaurant details plus a link to our write up. To find this map next time you [...]

By |2017-11-30T09:05:57-05:00July 1st, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Tavern29, Flatiron, NYC

A few years ago after a snow storm, I had a memorable brunch at Tavern29. This time, a publicist invited me to come try their new spring menu. It's s a three-story tavern, with a different feel on each floor with the top a rooftop bar nestled between two high-rise buildings. Taven29 offers many craft, on-tap beers, but I went for the cocktails that their mixologist Claudio touted!  I liked The 1847 ($14) made with mezcal union, ginger beer, lime juice, passion fruit and smoked chili bitters, but my favorite was the Eno's Folly with Avion Silver, green chartreuse, watermelon juice topped with a few cilantro leaves ($13). If you [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:06-04:00June 27th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Upland, Flatiron, NYC

Last I visited Upland, I recommended a visit to chef Justin Smillie’s California-inspired cuisine in the Flatiron District. I still recommend. This time I stopped by for a quick lunch (hence the few items ordered). We started with the flavorful chewy crust sausage and kale pizza with pecorino, stracciatella and parmigiano ($20). A must try! In fact, I'd go back just for that. We also shared a small bowlful of their spaghettini pomodoro with slow cooked cherry tomatoes and shavings of Parmigiano Reggiano. It was fine, just nothing to rave about ($18) I do suggest a trip to Upland, as the service is attentive and friendly, and the tables spaced well [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:06-04:00June 25th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Made Nice, NoMad, NYC

One night recently, I headed uptown to 28th Street to the new casual quick-serve counter-service restaurant from Eleven Madison Park and The NoMad team, Chef Daniel Humm and Restaurateur Will Guidara. The quality of the food is what you'd expect at those two places plus service that's friendly and efficient. What's different is the price point and service ware (disposable dishes, silverware, cups and napkins). The most expensive item is their chicken with frites. It's a lemon-parmesan stuffed roasted half chicken with amazing herbed frites served on a paper mat on a tray along with a pickled vegetable salad ($22). More than enough for two of us. We also shared [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:06-04:00June 23rd, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Tim Ho Wan, East Village, NYC

I'd been hearing a lot about Tim Ho Wan, the dim sum restaurant on 4th Avenue in the East Village that's been called "the world's cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant." Tim Ho Wan is the first US location of the Hong Kong-based restaurant chain. One with legendary waits. I decided to venture there at opening time (10 am) midweek and wait, while reading my next book group book, that is if the lines were reasonable. I was so lucky as there were no lines; I was seated immediately. It took me a few minutes to realize I needed to mark my selections on the paper menu's check-off grid. I got some help in [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:06-04:00June 21st, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Raffles Bistro, Midtown East, (Marry Harry) NYC

Walking south on Lexington Avenue after seeing the York Theatre Company's fun new musical Marry Harry, directed by Bill Castellino (who also directed Off-Broadway musical Cagney), we walked into Raffles Bistro for a bite to eat and lots of conversation. We decided to share both a small pepperoni pizza ($20) and a burger ($19). Both were edible -- but nothing I'd suggest. The pepperoni pizza is reminiscent of frozen pie; the overcooked cheeseburger wasn't much better. At least the fries were large steak-cut and freshly fried, and the service friendly. Not a place I'd recommend. - bonnie BonnieBOTB Follow @BonnieBOTB   Raffles Bistro 511 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10017 [...]

By |2017-09-04T19:06:33-04:00June 20th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Saju Bistro, Theatre District, NYC

I met some theatre friends for lunch recently at one of their favorite hangouts, Saju Bistro on West 44. It's a friendly little French place, yet noisy on a Wednesday before the curtain goes up. It certainly quieted down as people rushed to their shows. One friend had the frisée aux lardons ($15), a salad with lots of crispy bacon chunks and a soft poached egg all in a light shallots vinaigrette, another the grilled salmon and asparagus over mashed potatoes ($26). I was in a pasta mood and tried their rigatoni with sliced Italian sausage, some garlicky broccoli rabe (I would have liked more of that) and a grated [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:06-04:00June 17th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Temerario, Chelsea, NYC

Having had fabulous tapas at Handshake Hospitality's Lamono next door, I knew I'd like the food at Temerario. While looking over the menu I ordered a smoky jalapeño margarita ($8 during happy hour; $12 regularly with a pitcher $70) with a spiced sugar, salt and chili pepper rim that's not to be missed, nor is the the guacamole rojo with diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro and chipotle peppers covered in queso fresco all served with crisp tostadas ($12 for dinner, $9 during happy hour). If you've ever eaten the traditional corn on the cob (elote) covered with mayonnaise, cotija cheese and cayenne pepper, you know how delicious, but messy (and stuck in [...]

By |2018-05-21T20:49:31-04:00June 15th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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The Gander, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC

A friend gave me a gift of a meal at The Gander, Chef Jesse Schenker's newest place on 18th (He's best known for the former Recette); I had dined once before when it first opened. While looking at the menu, I requested a spicy Mexican mule made with jalapeño-infused mezcal, my friend had a traditional Cosmo. With those drinks tried their signature mozzarella wrapped in tender brisket, formed into "tots" topped with a crisp green apple disc and served with mustard ($13). Our "fork & knife" Caesar ($14) contained large crisp leaves of endive, radiccio and romaine with a puddle of lemony parmesan dressing, garnished with red onion rings. The [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:06-04:00June 11th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Empellòn Al Pastor, East Village, NYC

At the last minute, we ended up at Alex Stupak's Mexican-inspired bar and taqueria Empellòn Al Pastor in the East Village for nachos. I was meeting a friend to catch up after some of my travels and was on a mission for nachos as I had a hankering for them. We couldn't get the reservations we wanted, so laughingly we Googled "best nachos in NYC." Tacqueria Diana on Second Avenue was on many lists. We called, learned they didn't take reservation and decided to head there. We giggled... Taqueria Diana is a narrow take-out place with two slivers of tables squeezed in the back. That wouldn't work to sit and chat. [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:06-04:00June 8th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Han Dyanasty, East Village, NYC

After attending the Obie Awards at Webster Hall, we headed out for a bite to eat and ended up at Han Dynasty, where I had dined before, a couple blocks away. We managed to slip in before they closed. Don't miss their spicy pork Dan Dan noodles ($8.95) with scallions, chili oil and Sichuan pepper.  Or the dumplings ($6.95) or wontons ($6.95) in chili oil.  Also good are their crispy chicken wings ($1o.95), their black mushrooms with bok choy ($12.95) and the shrimp and veggies ($21.95). In fact, everything we had was worth ordering again. If you haven't yet tried Han Dynasty, I suggest a trip to the East Village [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:07-04:00June 4th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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