NYC Restaurant Reviews

Our New York City restaurant reviews

Loi Estiatorio, Midtown West, Manhattan

When I'm the guest of the chef-owner I know I'm in for a treat. Maria Loi asked me to stop by her year-old restaurant Loi Estiatorio for a bite. She's one of the newest fellow Dames — a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier, a philanthropic society of professional women leaders in the food, wine and hospitality industry. The first dish was something I hadn't had before — a  gooey dip made from caramelized tomato, feta, yogurt, olive oil and oregano (tyrokafteri) that arrives in what looks like a plastic pouch (pougi) still warm from the oven. Next came Maria's spreads (pililia), combining classic ingredients that satisfy the soul, including an eggplant [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:11-04:00September 27th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Clocktower, Flatiron, NYC, Revisited

To say my first visit to Clocktower was disappointing, is an understatement — I had cold, unattractive food with poor service. So when a friend invited me to lunch there, I hesitate a moment then decided to go as I like most other Stephen Starr restaurants. I figured my last visit was an anomaly. I started with the lobster, shaved fennel and apple salad with a side of a mussel flavored sauce ($25) served over ice on a fish platter so humongous that it filled the table. The pre-cut lobster that had been carefully returned to the shell was tender and moist. My dining partner enjoyed the raw tuna tataki, served [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:12-04:00September 26th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Bouley, Tribeca, NYC

  A trip to Bouley in Tribeca overwhelms the senses. The aroma from the almost thousand apples lining the wooden shelves of the tiny atrium hits you as you walk into this restaurant. The dining rooms elicit elegant French country romance, feeling like upstairs at Downton Abbey. We opted for the choices from the five-course tasting menu — each of us having different tastings and wine pairings ($110). First, a light tomato coulis with red pepper gelee, feta cheese, basil and a Meyer lemon cloud of foam to tickle our tongues, and another plate with two crisps. One, a cheese gougères, the other a power-packed explosion of flavor -- a Japanese [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:12-04:00September 25th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Maialino, Gramercy, NYC – a revist

Stopped into Maialino at the Gramercy Hotel for a quick bite with friends. I caught up with them almost after they had finished dining as I was waiting on multiple deliveries for my new apartment. I was doing what I was told couldn't be done -- a 6-week, 1-bedroom total-gut renovation. I ordered cavatelli, the pasta recommended by one of the servers, and joined the lively conversation. I'd recommend this light dish with crumbled pork sausage, yellow tomatoes and fresh corn combined with a perfect amount of grated pecorino cheese ($28, which as in all Danny Meyer restaurants now includes tip). Maialino is worth the trip. - bonnie Follow @BonnieBOTB [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:12-04:00September 21st, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Babbalucci, Harlem, NYC

Babbalucci is a new casual Harlem Italian-American restaurant with wood-oven offerings. I was invited to stop by recently to sample their fare. Seeing the roaring fire in the oven in the back of the restaurant, we just had to begin with one of the unusual pizzas. Ducky Too variety contains both mozzarella and scamorza cheeses covered with caramelized onions, then topped with fresh arugula and thinly sliced duck prosciutto ($16 for 12-inch). Next we tried their namesake as babbalucci means “snails” in Sicilian — an abundant serving of these shelled mollusks in a light garlicky butter and white wine broth, with grilled bread. My dining companion wished that dish had [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:12-04:00September 17th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Haveli Banjara, East Village, NYC

The friends I was dining with had frequented Banjara when it was on First Avenue. According to the menu, Banjara and Haveli Indian restaurants have merged into one. We decided to try to new place and realized quite quickly, that we wouldn't be returning -- especially with the explosion of good Indian restaurant in Manhattan. The hot food was warm, the spicy bland and the portions quite small. The best part were the free crisp papadum and sauces placed on the table as you order. I hadn't remembered ordering fried dough —  what those doughy pieces ended up being were our fried okra ($5.95). The menu described the chicken chat [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:12-04:00September 15th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Fish Bar at North River Landing, Hell’s Kitchen, New York

A few years ago, I discovered the North River Lobster boat where you could cruise whether or not you purchased one of their plentiful lobster rolls. The more elegant sister-restaurant — Fish Bar — began 2-hour sails this summer, also without a charge for the journey. According to their publicist, the Fish Bar will sail year-round. I was invited to sample the fare on the 160-foot yacht; it has three decks and some indoor dining space. The night I sailed was one of those perfect evenings to be on the water. No humidity, no chill in the air, with the skyline sparkling brighter than the stars, making me scream — [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:12-04:00September 13th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Chalk Point Kitchen, SoHo, NYC

The publicist for Chalk Point Kitchen reached out to me to come in and sample chef Rebecca Weitzman's new delicious sounding summer dinner menu. I took her up on the offer. After perusing the menu, I wanted to try most everything. When I arrived ahead of my guest, the GM suggested I wait downstairs in the rollicking bar area and sample their gimlet; he described it as a spicy margarita. Being on a piquant-drink kick, I tried this one made with Stoli vodka, grapefruit and lime juices and a house-made jalapeño syrup, served in an Hawaiian black salt rimmed glass. It didn't disappoint. He discussed the menu with me and [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:12-04:00September 11th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Posto Thin Crust Pizza, Gramercy Park, NYC

Posto's happy hour special offers a free large regular pie with the purchase of a bottle of wine — perfect for me and my friend who always share one. We decided to take our waiter's recommendation for the kale salad. It was lots of curly kale dotted with manchego cheese shreds, dried currants and roasted pumpkin seeds in soy vinaigrette ($12). Fine for super-kale lovers but nothing I'd order again, generally preferring a blend of green. The winner here — as you'd expect — is the thin-crust pizza. We ordered half a meat lover's with marinara sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni and sweet and hot sausage ($27 for a full pie) and [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:12-04:00September 10th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Bite of Hong Kong, Bowery, NYC

More and more, I get emails from restaurant owners inviting me for a complementary meal in exchange for a review. That was the case with Donald Lee, owner of Bite of Hong Kong, his "authentic Cantonese restaurant located in Chinatown." The restaurant was oddly empty when we arrived, although later we noticed some diners in the back room. I asked what they considered their best dishes, and ordered those. Our first dish was duck tongues, Hong Kong style ($12.95). As a newbie, I learned to put the tongue between my teeth to pull  the meat off the soft bones. Not bad, but an acquired taste for sure. The crispy fried [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:12-04:00September 8th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Virgil’s, Theatre District (Shuffle Along), NYC – Revisit

Before seeing the musical Shuffle Along, we stopped for a quick bite at Virgil's. The show is a revival of the 1921 one with music and lyrics by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, starring the noticeably pregnant Audra McDonald. This Tony-nominated production brings the sage of the original show and how it changed the world back to life. I returned to Virgil's to see whether the BBQ nachos could possibly be as good as they were when I described them as some of the best I had ever had ($13.95). Instead of salsa, the tortilla chips come topped with smoked pulled chicken, Carolina pulled pork and Texas beef brisket all drizzled [...]

By |2017-09-04T18:35:13-04:00September 7th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
Read More

Mission Cantina, Lower East Side, Manhattan – revist

After attending the special evening event "Bialystoker the Beautiful" given by The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy, we headed to dinner. If you haven't seen the synagogue, I recommend a visit -- it's a renovated former Methodist church that had been a stop on the Underground Railroad, now with the largest active congregation on the Lower East Side. We headed North to Mission Cantina. If you haven't been — it's an unusual blend of Chinese and Mexican offerings. Their kitchen serves the dishes when they are ready no matter what the order. We did get our refreshing pitcher of margies ($42) first. Luckily that luckily arrived about the same time [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:12-04:00September 2nd, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Nick’s Pizzabar, Kips Bay, NYC

In the mood for fries or pizza, we ended up at Nick's Pizzabar in Kips Bay and satisfied both cravings by ordering their Hangover Pie -- a thick-crust one replete with crispy pepperoni and lots of fries all drizzled with hot sauce.  (Half pan, more than enough for two, $19) I recommend it - -being sure you have some long walk planned afterward! - bonnie BonnieBOTB Follow @BonnieBOTB Nick's Pizzabar Kips Bay 365 3rd Avenue New York, NY, NY 10016 (646) 918-6553

By |2017-08-20T13:01:12-04:00August 31st, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Sant Ambroeus, Upper East Side, NYC

We decided on Sant Ambroeus as I had enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at their West Village sister location. That, plus the restaurant is a 3-minute walk from the Met Breuer where we were heading to see thought-provoking Unfinished exhibit. I requested poached instead of scrambled eggs with the crostino Milanase; my friend asked for egg whites only. Our waiter returned to say they couldn't offer me poached, if I wanted the toast. Thinking the bread must be an integral part of the presentation, I decided it have it their way. By now I should know never to assume. We also ordered some fruit salad and their avocado toast sans the poached [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:12-04:00August 30th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Firehouse Tavern, Upper West Side, NYC

The Firehouse Tavern serves amazingly good fare for what you might expect from a friendly neighborhood bar. As their guest, I sampled so many items worth going back for. Lucky us as we sampled lots of don't misses: The wings (8 for $10.95) for one — be careful with the hot sauces available up the "inferno." I like mine hot and found the medium piquant enough for me. Their homemade guac is flavorful ($8.95), yet oddly served in little plastic container. Flavorful enough to order. I'd go back for the BBQ-ribs (half rack $19.95) with meat falling off the bones served with waffle fries and cole slaw. The marinated chicken breast [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:13-04:00August 27th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Chez Josephine, Hell’s Kitchen, NYC — Revisit

I had dined at Chez Josephine years ago when the dapper Jean-Claude Baker — adoptive son of Josephine — was still alive and greeting guests as they arrived. I wondered whether it would be the same. Sadly not. The half lobster salad ($22) arrived missing it's menu-stated avocado, potatoes, grated horseradish and the vinaigrette. I informed the waiter, who never returned with the missing items. The lobster was also not-so-fresh, overcooked and served with winter-tasting tomatoes in summer. Elvira's down-home fried chicken served with sweet potato fries was fine although a small portion for the price; the accompanying blueberry cornbread was inedible ($22). I won't be back! - bonnie BonnieBOTB [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:13-04:00August 26th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

The Red Hook Lobster Pound, Red Hook, Brooklyn

After an exhausting morning shopping at Ikea, we walked the half mile to The Red Hook Lobster Pound to grab a bite. We ordered — what else but — a lobster roll with fresh lobster from the shop next door served on a split-top bun with lightly-mayo'd cole slaw, a pickle and fries ($24). I had the Maine chilled version served with a soupçon of house-made mayo, so little that I almost thought they forgot it; while my friend went for the warm Connecticut version with a small amount of butter and lemon.  Love their light hand with the added mayo and butter! The sandwich was good, plentiful and satisfying, [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:13-04:00August 23rd, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

La Sirena, Chelsea, Manhattan

I had heard that La Sirena from restaurateurs Mario Batali and Joe Bastiani had had some service issues and a ho-hum menu.  I decided to check it out myself one perfect weather day, as I knew how delightful it was to sit outside at the non-street level restaurant.  I had eaten here  at the Maritime Hotel when it was La Bottega. I'm so glad I did Haven fallen in love with the spicy Calandria at Hotel Americano, we chatted with the manager looking for a La Sirena piquant cocktail. Spice Me Baby One More Time ($16) satisfied. It contained smoky Montelobos mezcal, Milagro blanco tequila, house made spicy red pepper chile [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:13-04:00August 21st, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Jean Claude II, Upper East Side, Manhattan

I had to order a glass of Lillet ($11), a favorite summer drink — as I felt the French cafe atmosphere and hospitality as I sat down on the banquet at Jean Claude II. I somehow knew I was in for a treat. My friend and I were heading to meet a contractor after lunch, and wanted to grab something simple. I highly recommend the veggies sandwich ($13, called Legumes!) on a crisp baguette. It comes filled with zucchini, grilled portobello mushrooms and goat cheese, with the bread spread with olive paste and mustard. It's also with just enough crispy fries to satisfy and a lightly dressed small salad. Perfection. [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:13-04:00August 20th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Pearl’s, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

As Williamsburg's correspondents, we were sent to sample the happy hour fare at this new casual Caribbean — mainly Trinidadian —  joint as guests of the restaurant. Although not on the main strip like sister restaurant Sweet Chick, Pearl's is just one block from the L train Bedford stop. Pearl's vibe is casual casual casual so the quieter side street actually helps you relax in the caribbean themed decor. Our waitress, Rose, guided us through the menu, including  specialty cocktails. Frozen Rude Boy ($8 during happy hour) was our hands-down favorite with a refreshing smooth ginger taste with a strong, not overpowering, bite. The Hot Gyal's ($12) spice hits you [...]

By |2017-08-20T13:01:13-04:00August 18th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More
Copyright 2012 - 2021 BiteOfTheBest | All Rights Reserved
Toggle Sliding Bar Area
Go to Top