Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.5.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Bite of the Best An interactive site featuring outstanding restaurants in New York City ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.biteofthebest.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Bites](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bites/) - Welcome to the blog. - [Casa Mono, Gramercy Park, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/casa-mono-gramercy-park-nyc/) - I'm a Casa Mono devotee. I'm not the only one as this tapas bar-restaurant, inspired by the cooking of Spain's Costa Brava, was awarded three stars from The New York Times in 2015 and a Michelin Star in 2009 and every year since. A must try. Our waiter Matt suggested the Silice, a rosè from - [Gigino Trattoria, Tribeca, NYC + Lower Manhattan Tour with Kevin Draper](https://www.biteofthebest.com/gigino-trattoria-tribeca-nyc-lower-manhattan-tour-with-kevin-draper/) - Historian Kevin Draper is our primary go-to for walking New York City tours with our ex.expat group. He's a walking encyclopedia about the history of our city. This time, we converged on the West Side of Lower Manhattan, including Tribeca and SoHo and heard incredible stories of American pioneers with examples of transformation and revitalization. - [Heavenly Visit to Lodge at Woodloch, Hawley, PA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/heavenly-visit-to-lodge-at-woodloch-hawley-pa/) - It was the trip that almost didn't happen. Three times. First, I was injured; second, one of us had COVID. I can't recall the third. I do, though, recall arriving at Woodloch when a staff swarm greeted us, took our luggage to storage until our rooms were ready and immediately escorted us in to register. - [Aria Hell's Kitchen, NYC + Summer 1976](https://www.biteofthebest.com/aria-hells-kitchen-nyc-summer-1976/) - It was my first night out since my rotator cuff surgery. We met for a bite at Aria's wine bar in Hell's Kitchen before heading to the Samuel Friedman Theatre to see Summer 1976, a new play by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Auburn (Proof). The show starred Laura Linney and Tony nominee Jessica Hect in - [Cafe Luna, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cafe-luna-west-village-nyc/) - One Sunday, after the temperature turned warm, I wandered down to Hudson River Park to enjoy the weather and people-watch, ending up at Cafe Luna for brunch. I enjoyed their $23.95 prix fixe brunch special (8 am to 3 pm), including a mimosa, bellini or sangria plus an entree. I sipped their bellini — prosecco - [Xu’s Public House, Union Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/xus-public-house-union-square-nyc/) - I headed to Xu’s Public House to meet an out-of-town friend in town. Xu's offers a bargain ($15) lunch menu with a cup of soup (chicken corn chowder or scallion topped hot and sour) and a choice of almost a dozen entrees served with white or brown rice. I chose General Tso's chicken that came - [Brunch at Lillie's Victorian Establishment + Bob Fosse's Dancin'](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-lillies-victorian-establishment-bob-fosses-dancin/) - I love getting discounts for theatres and restaurants. When I saw the pulsd offer for a $45 cocktail brunch in the theatre district at Lillie's Victorian Establishment, I decided to buy and finally try their service. For that price, we'd get two entrees plus either four bloody Marys or a bottle of La Gioiosa Prosecco - [Smashburgers: National Arts Club + Gotham Burger Social Club](https://www.biteofthebest.com/smashburgers-national-arts-club-gotham-burger-social-club/) - I tripped over the Infatuation's—"The NYC Smashburger Power Rankings"—on the day I ate what I thought was one of the most delicious smashburgers since I first tried one at my friend, Tanya's, Gotham Burger Social Club, which won the number two spot on that list. I almost didn't write about it, as I had the burger - [Return to Hudson Grill + Botanical Garden's Orchid Show](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-hudson-grill-botanical-gardens-orchid-show/) - The rain didn't dampen our spirits as a large group of us headed to the Bronx Botanical Gardens to see their orchid show. We started our visit with lunch at the always good Hudson Garden Grill, spreading out across three tables. I ordered the Hudson Garden Burger, which the waiter offered with either salad or - [Food Network's Newest Star](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dessert-first-with-anne-thornton/) - A notice about Dessert First with Anne Thornton on the Food Network - [Our Rescheduled dinner at Uncle Lou, Chinatown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/our-rescheduled-dinner-at-uncle-lou-chinatown-nyc/) - Our original Les Dames d'Escoffier New York Chinese New Year date fell during the 2026 blizzard and had to be rescheduled. We still filled three tables with Dames and their guests. We had everything on this menu! Here are some photos of the group, plus the wontons in chili oil, the Peking duck components, the - [Balthazar, SoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/balthazar-soho-nyc/) - Balthazar is one of those places that’s best when they know you. It’s a bustling French brasserie from Keith McNally. Lucky for me, my friend is a regular, and a server recognized her and brought each of us glass of bubbly—on the house. We enjoyed that while nibbling their crusty bread, which is absolutely worth - [Jill Orent's Roasted Chicken Thighs](https://www.biteofthebest.com/jill-orents-roasted-chicken-thighs/) - “Salt, as it brings out the flavor of many foods!” responded Jill Orent, Les Dames d’Escoffier New York president, in response to our Guest Foodie questionnaire question, which asked, “Which ingredient would you never give up?“ We’ll post the rest of Jill’s responses later this year. Buttermilk-Brined Roast Chicken Thighs (Inspired by Samin Nosrat) 4 - [LOX at Café Bergson, Museum of Jewish Heritage, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lox-at-cafe-bergson-museum-of-jewish-heritage-nyc/) - Prior to our guided tour of the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, something I'd highly recommend, some of our ex-expat group stopped into LOX at Café Bergson, on the second floor of the museum, one of the only kosher restaurants in Lower Manhattan, serving Ashkenazi Jewish-inspired cuisine. I had their - [Lunch at Le Jardinier, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-le-jardinier-midtown-nyc/) - During my last visit to Le Jardinier, my extravagant friend ordered every dessert for the finale of my birthday dinner. I returned for lunch with a friend whose nearby office made it convenient to meet. We shared everything: a two-course prix fixe ($78), an entree ($48), and two glasses of wine, split to go with - [Lunch with a View at MAD Museum's Robert, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-with-a-view-at-mad-museums-robert-midtown-nyc/) - We decided to meet our friend from Sarasota, who was in the city to see her grandkids, for lunch at Robert restaurant in the MAD museum. We sat by the window overlooking Columbus Circle, enjoying the views. I ordered their special three-course $65 prix fixe meal, starting with their butternut squash soup attractively presented with - [Los Mariscos, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/los-mariscos-chelsea-nyc/) - My friend, who lives nearby and frequents Chelsea Market, recommended the seafood tacos at Los Mariscos, a spot more easily found on 15th Street than in the market. I went recently with the folks I was on a Greet with. As I've mentioned before, as a member of Big Apple Greeters, I have the pleasure - [José Andrés' La Barra, Hudson Yards, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/jose-andres-la-barra-hudson-yards-nyc/) - During a "Greet" with some new friends from Singapore, we visited Hudson Yards and enjoyed a meal at José Andrés' Little Spain. A "Greet" is a free, informal tour of an area in New York City led by a volunteer from Big Apple Greeters, a nonprofit organization that has welcomed NYC visitors since 1992. I'm - [Back to Cull & Pistol for Lunch, Chelsea Market, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/back-to-cull-pistol-for-lunch-chelsea-market-nyc/) - During my "Greet" with a new friend from Cumming, GA, we stopped for lunch—specifically a lobster roll—at Cull & Pistol in Chelsea Market. A "Greet" is a free, informal tour of an area in New York City led by a volunteer from Big Apple Greeters, a nonprofit organization that has welcomed NYC visitors since 1992. - [Starbucks Reserve Roastery New York + Big Apple Greeters](https://www.biteofthebest.com/starbucks-reserve-roastery-new-york-big-apple-greeters/) - As a member of Big Apple Greeters, I have the pleasure of meeting, welcoming and sharing my passion for New York City. Recently, I had the joy of guiding a wonderful family of four from Axams, Austria. We met at the Vessel at Hudson Yards to begin our time together. Who knew that on snowy - [Brunch at Da Andrea, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-da-andrea-greenwich-village-nyc/) - Although Da Andrea is in my hood, I've had never been to their highly recommended brunch. I went recently with a friend heading to Carnegie Hall afterwards. We had lots of time, so I requested that the three courses that we would be sharing be served separately, starting with their brunch-only flatbread, made as I - [Restaurant Putaine, Rotterdam, The Netherlands + International Greeters](https://www.biteofthebest.com/restaurant-putaine-rotterdam-the-netherlands-international-greeters/) - During my visit to the Netherlands, I took a day trip to Rotterdam, the country’s second-largest city. This modern Dutch city had only been a pass-through for me while driving to The Hague, so I was eager to explore it further. Much of Rotterdam was bombed during World War II, resulting in a contemporary urban - [A Return Again To Novita, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-again-to-novita-chelsea-nyc/) - I returned to Novita, one of my favorite places, for a birthday celebration. It was my first time there without the perfect restaurateur, Michelangelo, but Marguerite, who’s been with them for more than a decade, took great care of us. Their bread service is not to be missed, as I love the chewy crust on - [New Oasis Cafe, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/new-oasis-cafe-chelsea-nyc/) - When I met my friend, Liz Williams of the Les Dames d'Escoffier Collection at the SoFAB Research Center at Nunez Community College, who came to town from New Orleans to see her grandson and, of course, his parents! I always try to find a new spot for us to meet. Little did I think it would - [Driftwood Kitchen, Laguna Beach, California](https://www.biteofthebest.com/driftwood-kitchen-laguna-beach-california/) - For my last night before heading home, I wanted a casual restaurant with good food where my son and I could sit outside along the Pacific. My daughter-in-law suggested Driftwood Kitchen in Laguna Beach for good food on the ocean. Great suggestion, as the food, service and views are quite good. I sipped a margarita-like - [Pig & Khao, Lower East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/pig-khao-lower-east-side-nyc/) - NOTE: After visiting, we saw this notice online: "Our last day of service will be June 22." Both the UWS and Chesea (Piggyback) locations are open. Earlier this year, my daughter-in-law raved about a Southeast Asian restaurant on the Lower East Side where she met a colleague when in town. I couldn't resist trying it, so - [An UWS find: Harvest American Bistro + New York Historical](https://www.biteofthebest.com/an-uws-find-harvest-american-bistro-new-york-historical/) - If you haven't heard, the New York Historical Society has dropped "society" to become New York Historical. A change they think is more welcoming. Go figure! We bought tickets to their lecture, "American Chefs: From the White House to Julia Child, " but we didn't get the lecture. Instead, we had a delightful evening hearing - [Happy Hour at Martiny's, Gramercy, NYC + the Career Accelerator Legacy Awards](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-martinys-gramercy-nyc-the-career-accelerator-legacy-awards/) - Seems we all had the same idea: arrive at Martiny's before our 6 pm reservation to chat with some of the others. The door on this freezing night was locked and remained so until exactly 6 pm. We had read—and wanted to try—this place as Martiny's is currently ranked the 15th Best Bar in North - [Toloache, Midtown West, NYC + Just in Time](https://www.biteofthebest.com/toloache-midtown-west-nyc-just-in-time/) - When we learned that Jonathan Groff would be playing his final performance in the Broadway musical Just In Time (Circle in the Square Theatre) as Bobby Darin on Sunday, March 29, 2026, we had to get tickets. He's the one I loved playing King George in Hamilton so much that, while watching it on Disney+, I'd rewind and - [Happy Hour at Docks Oyster Bar, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-docks-oyster-bar-midtown-nyc/) - A group of us gathered at Docks Oyster Bar for their 3-star happy hour. We had a front corner in the restaurant's bar area that felt like our own. I sipped their happy-hour blood-orange Cosmo ($19), which I'd recommend, while others sipped bubbly or wine ($9). By the time I arrived, part of the group - [Chinese New Year Celebration at Dim Sum Palace, Hell's Kitchen, Theatre Row, NY](https://www.biteofthebest.com/chinese-new-year-celebration-at-dim-sum-palace-hells-kitchen-theatre-row-ny/) - Over 30 of us gathered at Theatre Row's Dim Sum Palace to celebrate the Chinese New Year. My ex-expat group had negotiated a Chinese New Year menu ($100 pp) in a private area of the restaurant, which started with shrimp dumplings, vegetable spring rolls and pork soup dumplings, served on our table's lazy Susan. In - [The Laurels Cafe and Bar, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-laurels-cafe-and-bar-east-village-nyc/) - On my way to play pickleball, I've walked past, but never really noticed The Laurel on the corner of Second Avenue and 14th Street. It's a bright casual venue in the East Village to meet for brunch My dining partner started with a peach Bellini ($11) and the omelet ($16) of the day filled with - [Inside for Dinner at Indochine, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/inside-for-dinner-at-indochine-east-village-nyc/) - Last time I dined at Indochine, I was so impressed not only by the restaurant's food but also by its service. We were dining outside, being bitten by mosquitoes. Our server actually went down the street to buy insect repellent for us. Now that's hospitality! Hospitality as described in "Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of - [Our Delayed Holiday Gathering, Novita, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/our-delayed-holiday-gathering-novita-flatiron-nyc/) - One of our organizing team members couldn't attend our annual holiday luncheon at an iconic, holiday-decorated venue because she was a snowbird at her Florida home. We decided to book it at Novita, a local fave of mine, in February, when she was here. Michelangelo, the perfect restaurateur, is there to greet you as a - [La Masseria, Theatre District, NYC + Two Strangers Carry A Cake (Across New York)](https://www.biteofthebest.com/la-masseria-theatre-district-nyc-two-strangers-carry-a-cake-across-new-york/) - During our sub-frigid winter, I chose restaurants within a 5-minute walk of our theatre. This time, the classic La Masseria is across 48th Street from where we saw the delightful two-character musical, Two Strangers Carry A Cake (Across New York)—one of those shows where you leave smiling. To start our meal—along with our bread service—we - [Alison Restaurant, East Harlem, NYC + Museum of City of New York](https://www.biteofthebest.com/alison-restaurant-east-harlem-nyc-museum-of-city-of-new-york/) - After our amazing tour at the Museum of City of New York with our ex.expats of New York group, seeing the "New York at its core —400 Years of NYC History" amazing exhibit brought to life by our engaging tour guide Gabe Tennen, we headed in the neighborhood to lunch. With twenty of us hitting - [RH Guesthouse, Meatpacking District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rh-guesthouse-meatpacking-district-nyc/) - There are restaurants I often hear about and would like to try, but never get around to it. RH Guesthouse was one of those. I'm a big fan of its sister restaurant, RH Rooftop. Their food is good, the service divine, and the ambiance elegant and cozy, perfect for conversation. I wondered whether I'd enjoy - [*** Happy Hour at David Burke's Park Ave Kitchen, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-david-burkes-park-ave-kitchen-midtown-nyc/) - A dozen of us met at David Burke's Park Ave Kitchen, midtown, for drinks and nibbles from their happy hour menu. This HH menu is one of those that can easily be dinner. I ordered the sliders, not noticing the word "stack," as I had dreamt of DB's bacon. On this menu, instead of his - [Daniel's Le Pavillon for Prix Fixe Lunch, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/daniels-le-pavillon-for-prixe-fixe-lunch-midtown-nyc/) - We had a delayed birthday lunch as one Connecticut friend was recovering from an accident. Once she recovered, we booked Daniel Boulud's elegant 1-star Michelin restaurant, Le Pavillon, in the Summit building, right next to Grand Central Terminal, to make her commute easier. Le Pavillon, like many top-notch NYC restaurants, offers a prix fixe lunch, making - [New Thai Restaurant Lalyn, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/new-thai-restaurant-lalyn-midtown-nyc/) - Earlier this year, a friend and I attended the fun opening of a new Thai restaurant on the edge of Koreatown. The food and drinks flowed; we met lots of fun folks who were enjoying the goodies, too. When invited back to sit as their guests and enjoy a fixed menu, we jumped at the - [Lunch at Cognac, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-cognac-upper-east-side-nyc/) - One of the best parts of New York is that many people visit our spectacular city, allowing me to reconnect with friends. Recently, a friend from Sarasota came to town, and we met for lunch at a cozy restaurant on the Upper East Side, near where I had my book group in the mid-afternoon. The - [***Happy Hour at Boqueria, Times Square, NYC + John Krasinsky in Angry Alan](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-boqueria-times-square-nyc-john-krasinsky-in-angry-alan/) - The staff at Boqueria tapas bar were friendly and understanding when my friend was stuck in traffic due to flash flood warnings. As she was already almost an hour late and I had been at the table, I started on Happy Hour at Boqueria, Times Square with a HH glass of their Castilla y León - [May Matta-Aliah's Lebanese Pilaf Rice Recipe](https://www.biteofthebest.com/may-matta-aliahs-lebanese-pilaf-rice-recipe/) - In response to our Guest Foodie question, "If you could have anyone, past or present, at your dinner table, who would it be and why?" May Matta-Aliah responded, "Since 2020, I have lost my dad, my mom, my maternal aunt and my childhood home. I would give anything to dial back the clock and have - [Return for Brunch at Mark’s Off Madison, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-for-brunch-at-marks-off-madison-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - Mark’s Off Madison on 26th is one of Manhattan's iconic brunch spots, always packed and a bit noisy. It is always bustling, creating a lively atmosphere that can be a bit loud—just loud enough that you have to strain to hear each other. The restaurant-bakery from Mark Strausman, formerly of Freds at Barneys New York - [John's River Oysters at Le Pavillion, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/johns-river-oysters-at-the-pavillion-midtown-nyc/) - I couldn't resist writing about these amazing John's River Oysters "Vanderbilt" at Daniel Boulud's upscale Le Pavillion restaurant in One Vanderbilt, the new 93-story supertall skyscraper at the corner of 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue. That's the building that houses the spectacular views from Summit. This time, I stopped there only for a cocktail and - [Les Vagabonds Boucherie, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/les-vagabonds-boucherie-midtown-nyc/) - Les Vagabonds Boucherie is a French steakhouse with a "Bohemian soul" that opened less than a year ago at 58th and First Avenue. It is definitely worth the stop. We sat down for lunch, awaiting a friend who was coming from a hospital appointment, who said to start without her. We ordered the shrimp ajillo - [Unique Coffee Shop: Ariston Flowers & Cafe, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/unique-coffee-shop-ariston-flowers-cafe-chelsea-nyc/) - Need a place to meet for coffee? My current favorite is Ariston Flower's & Cafe where the aroma of coffee mingles with flowers as you walk through the flower shop to the cafe in the rear. In addition to the Devocion farm-fresh specialty Colombian coffee selections, Ariston Flowers & Cafe offers pastries, sandwiches, salads and - [Welcome Home Bakery's Cinnamon Rolls, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn](https://www.biteofthebest.com/welcome-home-bakerys-cinnamon-rolls-bed-stuy-brooklyn/) - Welcome Home is a new bakery in Bed-Stuy that has received significant acclaim and celebrated its first anniversary last month. Around the same time, the New York Times named it "Bakery of the Year" in its second (to be annual) "Where to Eaties" feature, in which author Nikita Richardson called it "a downright miracle in - [Brunch at Shuka, SoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-shuka-soho-nyc/) - I've been to Shuka for dinner multiple times, but oddly, I had not been for lunch or brunch; after this meal, that will change. I so enjoyed the staff's hospitality and ambiance at brunch that I will go back for that. As an espresso martini fan, I asked our server whether theirs was sweet, as - [The Lebanese Sawa, Park Slope, Brooklyn](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-lebanese-sawa-park-slope-brooklyn/) - A group of my Dames (members of Les Dames d'Escoffier, LDNY) friends decided to meet in Park Slope for Lebanese cuisine served in an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere. Our Lebanese Dame walked us through all the offerings, sharing stories about how most of Samaya Boueri Ziade's dishes tasted like home. As is typical, we started - [$45 Prixe Fixe at Estiatorio Milos Hudson Yards](https://www.biteofthebest.com/45-prixe-fixe-at-estiatorio-milos-hudson-yards/) - “Forty-five dollars for a prix fixe at Estiatorio Milos? Are you kidding?” I exclaimed when my friend told me about the fantastic prix fixe lunch special at the upscale Greek seafood restaurant. How could I resist this lunch offer? I decided to invite some friends to join me, and they were glad they came along. - [Tarallucci e Vino, Union Square, NYC + Wicked: For Good](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tarallucci-e-vino-union-square-nyc-wicked-for-good/) - My friend really wanted to see the second installment of Wicked, starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum. She enjoyed it; I thought it was at least an hour too long, but it was a fun Sunday afternoon activity. After the show, we grabbed a bite nearby at Tarallucci e - [Shuka Birthday Celebration + Art on Broadway + Billiards](https://www.biteofthebest.com/shuka-birthday-celebration-art-on-broadway-billiards/) - We kicked off our celebration at the new production of ART, this time with Bobby Cannavale, James Corden, and Neil Patrick Harris. I had seen the original version with Alan Alda, Victor Garber, and Alfred Molina in 1998. I haven't laughed so hard since I saw the original cast of Spamalot! James Corden stopped the - [Vinateria, Harlem, NYC + It's Only A Play](https://www.biteofthebest.com/vinateria-harlem-nyc-its-only-a-play/) - When my friend suggested going to see Terrance McNally's hilarious play, "It's Only A Play" at Morningside Theater in the Morningside Heights area of Manhattan, I suggested we first dine at my friend and fellow Dame, Yvette Leeper Bueno's Vinateria, with its Spanish- and Italian-influenced food. Yvette graciously donated the gift certificate to a Les - [The New Motek, Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-new-motek-gramercy-nyc/) - It's always a pleasure to dine with friends who enjoy sharing, as when the meal starts, one asks, "What are we ordering?" Happily, we all wanted the hot mezze. Specifically, the crispy cauliflower, the crispy artichoke and their "latkes". I'd go again just for that head of creamy-white flower buds with the spicy harissa-honey glaze - [NoMo Kitchen, SoHo, NYC + Bansky Museum](https://www.biteofthebest.com/nomo-kitchen-soho-nyc-bansky-museum/) - The Banksy Museum is a must-see, featuring a video all about the world’s most elusive street artist. After spending a morning on a tour there, we headed a few blocks away to the NoMo kitchen on Crosby Street. The hostess greeted and seated our large group at two tables. We sat awhile until we got - [RH Rooftop, Meatpacking, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rh-rooftop-meatpacking-nyc/) - With an old friend in town for a couple of days, we took a long walk, gabbing all the way. Our first stop was Hudson Yards to see the Vessel, recently reopened to climbers. After that, we strolled along the High Line to the Whitney Museum and then made our way to Little Island. This - [Friends & Family at the New ilili, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/friends-family-at-the-new-ilili-midtown-nyc/) - My friend invited me to attend the friends-and-family opening of the new ilili Midtown on East 53rd Street. Finding the front door was a bit tricky; I’m sure by the time you read this, they should have addressed the visibility issue with signage. I was seated in the bar area, awaiting my friend, when Ian, - [TWA Hotel Paris Cafe, JFK Airport](https://www.biteofthebest.com/twa-hotel-paris-cafe-jfk-airport/) - When my friend texted to ask if I wanted to try restaurant services at the relatively new TWA Hotel at JFK, I eagerly accepted the invitation, as I had been wanting to visit since their opening about 5 years ago. I browsed the offerings online to see what was available before heading to the airport. - [The Paris Cafe, South Street Seaport, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-paris-cafe-south-street-seaport-nyc/) - The publicist invited us to put The Paris Cafe on our radar and come dine as their guests at the reimagined Manhattan landmark (since 1873) at South Street Seaport, with a menu that brings Paris straight to the plate, showcasing dishes that blend timeless French brasserie traditions with a fresh, modern eye. After that invitation, - [Lunch at Marseille, Hell's Kitchen + Little Bear Ridge Road](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-marseille-hells-kitchen-little-bear-ridge-road/) - I jumped a subway from my pickleball game to try to get uptown quickly to meet friends for a quick lunch at Marseilles before theatre. Always a good choice. To make up for my lateness, I ordered a chicken salad from the menu so it would be ready when I arrived, so we'd get to - [Lunch Special at Rosemary’s West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-special-at-rosemarys-west-village-nyc/) - Lunch specials are always a treat to find. I smiled when I saw the board over the bar listing the $32 two-course lunch Prix Fixe menu, which also included a glass of wine for $10. We each chose one of the salads, followed by a pasta and accompanied it with a glass of their - [May Matta-Aliah](https://www.biteofthebest.com/may-matta-aliah/) - May Matta-Aliah is Lebanese by birth, but has called New York home for the last 30 years. With two decades of wine education under her belt, May is happiest when swirling, sipping and sharing her love of all things wine. She's racked up an impressive list of wine certifications and has represented numerous wine regions - [Valencia Food Truck, Connecticut](https://www.biteofthebest.com/valencia-food-truck-connecticut/) - Backyard bliss in Norwalk, where a wedding reception that felt like a warm hug — made even better by the Valencia food truck parked just up the hill from the party area. Guests lined up (more than once) for crisp-edged arepas — handmade Venezuelan corn cakes fried to golden perfection, then stuffed with pernil (slow-roasted pork), - [Esh, Fairfield, Connecticut](https://www.biteofthebest.com/esh-fairfield-connecticut/) - There’s something undeniably warm about walking into Esh, Fairfield’s vibrant new nod to modern Mediterranean. Maybe it’s the open wood-burning oven flickering in the corner, or the low hum of conversation drifting over candlelit tables. Or maybe it’s just that, from the moment you arrive, you feel welcomed—not as a customer, but as a guest. - [Eating in Den Haag (The Hague), The Netherlands](https://www.biteofthebest.com/eating-in-den-haag-the-hague-the-netherlands/) - While visiting the Netherlands this time, I learned that it's not a lunch culture, so most restaurants we encountered after visiting the Escher Museum were only counters. I wanted to sit, so we kept looking until we ended up at Vascobelo. We shared a delicious Croque Madam (€ +2), which is a croque monsieur (€ - [Midway Mercantile Restaurant, Midway, Utah](https://www.biteofthebest.com/midway-mercantile-restaurant-midway-utah/) - Deciding at the last minute to go out and celebrate the kids' 12th anniversary, we opted for a local spot, Midway Mercantile, a New American Cuisine restaurant near their home. We started with their fun Mercantile Cracker Jacks, a popcorn treat with peanuts, scented with Chinese Five Spice powder ($6) and their delicate cornflour-dusted calamari - [Edinburgh Area Eating2: Rabble, Amber at The Scotch Whiskey Experience, Ochiltree's Cafe](https://www.biteofthebest.com/edinburgh-area-eating2-rabble-amber-at-the-scotch-whiskey-experience-ochiltrees-cafe/) - During our time in Edinburgh on our Ex.As expats in New York, our first overseas trip was packed with a jam-packed itinerary filled with lots of good eating. This post is the second of two focusing on our culinary adventures in Scotland. On our first food tour, we stopped by Rabble—a hip bar and restaurant - [Salinas, Chelsea, NYC + Ethan Cohen's Let's Love!](https://www.biteofthebest.com/salinas-chelsea-nyc-ethan-cohens-lets-love/) - It wasn't our first time at Salinas, so we knew to reserve a table in the well-lit garden room at the back. Unfortunately, a party was taking place there, so we were seated in a comfortable booth as close to it as possible, allowing the outdoor light to brighten our experience. Two of us started - [Birthday at Crown Shy, with a pre-drink at Saga](https://www.biteofthebest.com/birthday-at-crown-shy-with-a-pre-drink-at-saga/) - Before heading down to the lobby of the Art Deco landmark building at 70 Pine Street in Manhattan’s Financial District for dinner at Crown Shy, we took the elevator up to the 63rd floor for amazing views and a glass of wine at Saga. Service at Saga was lacking. In fact, after sitting for 30 - [Kuku Paka (Kenyan Chicken in Coconut Sauce) with Rice](https://www.biteofthebest.com/kuku-paka-kenyan-chicken-in-coconut-sauce-with-rice/) - During a recent visit with my grandkids, we discovered eat2explore—a subscription-based cooking kit that brings the flavors and traditions of global cuisine into your own kitchen. Created by Rowena Scherer, a culinary school graduate and former Wall Street executive, these kits offer an immersive experience through food, culture and hands-on learning. Each country-themed box includes - [Edinburgh Area Eating #1: Number One, Greyfriars Bobby's Bar, Singh Street](https://www.biteofthebest.com/edinburgh-area-eating1-number-one-greyfriars-bobbys-bar-singh-street/) - The morning the rest of our group was to arrive in Edinburgh for our first Ex.Expats of New York overseas trip, two of us stopped at the Singh Street Cafe—located near our hotel, across the street from the short holes at Bruntsfield Links—for a breakfast naan, one with egg (£8.50) and one with bacon and - [*Happy Hour at Barlume, Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-barlueme-gramercy-nyc/) - As I was walking toward Barlume to sample their Happiest Hour, I realized that the new Mediterranean restaurant, which opened on Broadway in January in the space where Beecher's had been. If you missed it, Beecher's was a cheese shop offering free samples of their award-winning cheddar and a restaurant serving what was claimed to - [Rooftop Lounge at Electric Lemon, Hudson Yards, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rooftop-lounge-at-electric-lemon-hudson-yards-nyc/) - I hadn't visited Electric Lemon in about a year. It had been my top recommendation for others until my last visit, when my favorite dish, Electric Lemon’s deviled crab, wasn't up to its usual standard. Would it be good again? I hoped in wonder. I met a friend to enjoy a rooftop outing before the - [Travelers Poets and Friends, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/travelers-poets-and-friends-greenwich-village-nyc/) - Last year, we attended an overcrowded press party at Travelers Poets and Friends, where there was little to no food or libations, and left looking for something to eat. We liked what little we sampled, so we decided to try it during Restaurant Week for their $30 dinner. It's an Italian bakery, cafe and market - [Red Hook Lobster Pound, Red Hook, Brooklyn NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/red-hook-lobster-pound-red-hook-brooklyn-nyc/) - Sometimes, you find yourself at the right restaurant at the right time. After a morning at Ikea in Red Hook, Brooklyn, we ended up at Red Hook Lobster Pound. Our friendly server, David, mentioned that, in addition to it being Restaurant Week, it was also Lobster Wednesday, when their classic lobster dinner was just $25 - [L’Appartement 4F, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lappartement-4f-west-village-nyc/) - "Just curious, how many of these bakeries have you visited?" my cousin emailed. "Not enough, I said after reading "The 21 Best Croissants in New York City, Times article he sent, noticing a new one a couple of blocks from me and decided to investigate. Sadly, there's no seating at L’Appartement 4F. It is a walk-up - [A Return to Cafe Luxembourg, Upper West Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-cafe-luxembourg-upper-west-side-nyc/) - My friend and I returned to Cafe Luxembourg to use the gift certificate she had received, following the poor service and food we experienced during our last visit. Although we wondered whether the meal and service would be better, we were excited to spend time together, as she now lives in Sarasota. While we were perusing the - [A Return to Mary Lane + Josh Sharp & Jean Smart](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-mary-lane-josh-sharp-jean-smart/) - We stopped in for a mid-afternoon brunch at Mary Lane (part of Blackfoot Hospitality - Little Owl, The Clam and more) before heading to Greenwich House Theater to see Josh Sharp deliver his hysterical 80-minute 2000-slide one-man show. We had an attentive staff as we enjoyed an afternoon meal. We started with cocktails that included - [Restaurant Week at The Modern, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/restaurant-week-at-the-modern-midtown-nyc/) - When I looked at my calendar to see when I had last dined in The Bar at The Modern, I was amazed that it had been more than a decade. The city has so many incredible places to try, I had overlooked returning. The Michelin-starred, Relais & Châteaux The Modern offers Chef Thomas Allan’s contemporary - [Argentinian La Boca at Faena, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/argentinian-la-boca-at-faena-chelsea-nyc/) - My friend has been watching out of her Chelsea window as the new Faena, New York, was being built. The hotel and restaurant had recently opened, and we decided to sample it on an odd afternoon, as we couldn’t get a reservation otherwise. The restaurant is Chef Francis Mallmann’s tribute to Buenos Aires’ iconic neighborhood, - [Frena, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + Caroline at MCC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/frena-hells-kitchen-nyc-caroline-at-mcc/) - Before heading to MCC, the far west theatre west of 10th Avenue, we stopped at Frena, where Taboon once was located on the corner of 52nd and Tenth Avenue, for a quick bite before our 6 pm (odd time, I know!) show, Caroline. The weather cooperated, and we were still able to sit outside and - [Basque Food at Ernesto's, Lower East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/basque-food-at-ernestos-lower-east-side-nyc/) - A group of us gathered at Ernesto's for a big birthday celebration. The restaurant is about a seven-minute walk from the East Broadway stop on the F train on the Lower East Side, serving the kind of Basque bar snack food that you'd find in San Sebastián - both small pintxos and slightly larger tapas. - [West Bank Cafe, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + Pen Pals](https://www.biteofthebest.com/west-bank-cafe-hells-kitchen-nyc-pen-pals/) - Our friend, who had purchased the theatre tickets, booked the West Bank Cafe for brunch before the show, thinking that our show was on 42nd Street at Theatre Row. When she arrived, we had a good laugh that we had to go back downtown to Union Square area to see our show. Pen Pals at the - [The Recently Opened Yacht Club, Chelsea, NYC + Circle Line](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-recently-opened-yacht-club-chelsea-nyc-circle-line/) - Instead of starting the summer traditionally, with a cruise around Manhattan, we did so at the end on a perfect summer Tuesday when Circle Line offers a special $20 ride for Tri-State Residents instead of the regular $51. After the perfect cruise, we headed down Twelfth Avenue to the recently opened, nautically inspired, Yacht Club - [Pub Stop at The Islay Inn, Glasgow, Scotland](https://www.biteofthebest.com/pub-stop-at-the-islay-inn-glasgow-scotland/) - Off to Glasgow, we decided one day and jumped on the train for a quick red. Once we arrived, we walked around the city and decided to look for a pub for lunch. After visiting a couple of pubs that only served drinks with no food, a bartender directed us to the Islay Inn down - [Salinas, Chelsea, NYC + Pilobolus @ The Joyce Theater](https://www.biteofthebest.com/salinas-chelsea-nyc-pilobolus-the-joyce-theater/) - What a find! We were off to see the second Pilobulus re:CREATION dynamic dance performances at The Joyce, looking for a new place to grab a bite. We ended up in the glass-roofed garden room at Salinas on Ninth, serving authentic Spanish cuisine from Chef Luis Bollo, a native of San Sebastian, in the heart - [Cafe Amarcord, Beacon, NY + Bannerman Island](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cafe-amarcord-beacon-ny-bannerman-island/) - We met in Beacon (NY) for a birthday lunch at Cafe Amarcord, a friendly, casual Italian restaurant on Main Street, before taking a barge to Bannerman Island for a cruise to Bannerman Castle and Pollepel Island and a walking tour. We started with cocktails, with some sipping the Hugo Sprintz ($25) made with St. Germain, while - [Chelsea Living Room, Chelsea, NYC + Little Island Concert](https://www.biteofthebest.com/chelsea-living-room-chelsea-nyc-little-island-concert/) - Before heading to Little Island for the eclectic multi-faceted talented performances of The Joyful Noise, where we were all on our feet dancing by the end, we stopped at Chelsea Living Room for a bite. We each started with their happy hour $10 spritzs – one Aperol, another Campari and a Hugo made with St. - [House of Pasta, Lower East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/house-of-pasta-lower-east-side-nyc/) - There was a mix-up with the time. House of Pasta on the Lower East Side took our reservation for noon, but said they didn't open until 12:30. Carlos allowed us to wait inside and yack while he finished setting up, then became our awesome server. I met a friend at House of Pasta on the - [Return to **Happy Hour at Sagaponack, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-happy-hour-at-sagaponack-flatiron-nyc/) - One of my women's groups met for our monthly happy hour at Sagaponack, on 22nd just off Fifth Avenue, for their daily happy hour that starts at 11:30 am. Some sipped their spicy margaritas ($9), while most opted for their $5 glasses of wine. We nibbled on fresh oysters ($1 each), cocktail shrimp ($1 each), - [Han Dynasty, East Village, NYC + Superman](https://www.biteofthebest.com/han-dynasty-east-village-nyc-superman/) - Each summer, we go to at least one blockbuster movie at an AMC theatre, as we like the luxury of sitting in their comfortable lounge recliners. This summer, we saw the fun Superman movie with David Corenswet (Clark Kent/Superman), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), and Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luther) at the AMC Village 7. Pure fun. After - [Member Night + The Leopard at des Artistes, UWS, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/member-night-the-leopard-at-des-artistes-uws/) - Walking through the American Museum of Natural History on member night felt surreal, especially since the space was empty—just as I imagine it would be if we spent a Night at the Museum. We covered a lot of ground, including the immersive, 360-degree invisible worlds experience that lasted 12 minutes. Loved it and must remember - [Bobbie LLoyd's Banana Pudding Icebox Cake](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bobbie-lloyds-banana-pudding-icebox-cake/) - We recently featured Bobbie Lloyd as our Guest Foodie. She's the CBO—chief baking officer—of Magnolia Bakery who has recently published another fabulous cookbook: The Magnolia Bakery Handbook of Icebox Desserts: Classic and Creative Icebox Desserts with a Magnolia Bakery Twist, Share with Friends and Family by Bobbie Lloyd. This Banana Pudding Icebox Cake is one - [Carmine's, Theatre District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/carmines-theatre-district-nyc/) - A blog post on BIteoftheBest.com about a celebratory dinner at the original Carmine's, Upper West Side, NYC - [The Rotating View, Marriott Marquis, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-rotating-view-marriott-marquis-nyc/) - Knowing that The View, the revolving restaurant atop the Marriott Marquis on Broadway, is a venture of Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), we knew the food and service would be good. We weren't disappointed. And knowing it was on the 48th floor and having visited the Marriott many times, I headed straight to - [Torch and Crown, Union Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/torch-and-crown-union-square-nyc/) - After attending a packed press party with little to no food or libations at Travelers Poets and Friends, we left looking for something to eat and drink. It was a perfect summer night, so I looked for outdoor seating, ending up at the newly opened Torch and Crown at Union Square Pavilion. We skipped the - [Arthur Avenue + Trattoria Zero Otto Nove + Botanical Gardens, The Bronx, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/arthur-avenue-trattoria-zero-otto-nove-botanical-gardens-the-bronx-nyc/) - After a fun visit to the New York Botanical Gardens to see their Van Gogh Exhibit, we headed over to Arthur Avenue in Belmont, a neighborhood in the west Bronx known as the "Bronx's Little Italy" to eat. Our first stop was at Cosenza's Fish Market's street fish bar, where we enjoyed fresh oysters ($2.99-$3.99 - [A Return to Laser Wolf, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-laser-wolf-williamsburg-brooklyn-nyc/) - The ferry took us from the 34th Street station to DUMBO, where we stopped for a cocktail at Time Out's rooftop bar before getting back on the ferry for a couple of stops north to Williamsburg. My California-based niece reminisced about her development work at this location about a decade ago when she was with West - [Lunch Combo at Mai Tai, Orange, CT](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-combo-at-mai-tai-orange-ct/) - When I hear "Mai Tai," I think of the Hawaiian tiki rum drink, not the Thai restaurant where I met friends for lunch in a strip mall in Orange, CT. The restaurant's name made more sense when I noticed that half of their signs spelled it as "Maitai." We lucked out, as they were offering - [French Bloom Alcohol-free Wines](https://www.biteofthebest.com/french-bloom-alcohol-free-wines/) - Looking for something special to serve to your friends who don't drink? Consider serving one of the surprisingly delicious French Bloom collection of alcohol-free sparkling wines crafted from organic pinot noir and chardonnay wines from this women-led brand ($39-$59). There's a Le Blanc, with a mineral Chardonnay freshness with hints of spice and citrus zest, - [***Happy Hour + Cuisine from Rivera Maya at Richard Sandoval's tán, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-cuisine-from-rivera-maya-at-richard-sandovals-tan-midtown-nyc/) - I recently discovered tán, a taste of Rivera Maya's Tulum with a seafood-focused menu by Chef Richard Sandoval and Chef Jonatán Gómez Luna Torres featuring coastal Mexican fare with bold flavors inspired by both their travels and heritage. It's got fabulous food and impeccable, attentive service that's not to be missed. We started with their happy - [Milford Connecticut Lunches: Monty’s River Grille & Citrus Restaurant](https://www.biteofthebest.com/milford-connecticut-lunches-montys-river-grille-citrus-restaurant/) - Situated overlooking the Housatonic River, Monty’s River Grille is located within the Great River Golf Club. We stopped there for lunch one day while visiting friends in Connecticut. We enjoyed the views from the outdoor terrace location while sipping our cocktails. I sipped an Aperol spritz ($14), while one companion had a Tito's and soda ($12), - [***Happy Hour Creatures Rooftop, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-creatures-rooftop-chelsea-nyc/) - The entrance to Creatures Rooftop inside the Hotel Almeda High Line is far west on 27th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenue. We were invited to sample their Happy Hour fare. The first thing I noticed as we exited the elevator was the spectacular views, including the Empire State Building to the East, the Hudson - [Prosciutto di Carpegna PDO](https://www.biteofthebest.com/prosciutto-di-carpegna-pdo/) - Earlier this summer, I stopped by a press party for Prosciutto di Carpegna PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) outside of Eataly that was part of the "The EU Gem Ham: Prosciutto di Carpegna PDO campaign co-funded by the European Union." It's prosciutto, aged 20 months, produced exclusively in Italy’s Le Marche region. As with Prosciutto di Parma, this - [Osteria Nonnino, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/osteria-nonnino-west-village-nyc/) - I always like trying new places, especially friend's favorites. When I asked, my floormate shared Osteria Nonnino, her favorite West Village restaurant. It's an inviting Italian place with large glass windows on the corner of Hudson and Horatio. I decided to try it. I arrived early and witnessed a tableside preparation of tiramisu for my - [44 and X, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + Almost Stereophonic](https://www.biteofthebest.com/44-and-x-hells-kitchen-nyc-almost-stereophonic/) - On one of those perfect summer days with the sun shining and a little chill in the air, we decided to sit outside on 44 & X's patio before heading to theatre. We each had an app from their seasonally inspired menu in the theatre district on the corner of Forty-fourth Street and Tenth Avenue - [A Return to Amali, Midtown, NYC + Gene & Gilda](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-amali-midtown-nyc-gene-gilda/) - Before heading to Gene & Gilda at 59E59 Theatre, we enjoyed an early dinner at Amali, a Mediterranean restaurant nearby. Gene & Gilda at 59e59 theatre is a first for me—the first time I've been to the readings of a show that ended up on stage. The show is about the love story of the - [Lunch at Jean George's The Fulton, South Street Seaport, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-jean-georges-the-fulton-south-street-seaport-nyc/) - On one of the overcast, damp June days, we headed to South Street Seaport for lunch at Jean-Georges The Fulton. We had hoped to dine on the patio but instead sat inside, overlooking the harbor. The food was attractively presented, the service was outstanding, but I felt something was missing. Oh, everything was tasty, but - [Elegant dinner at Chef Michael White's Santi, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/elegant-dinner-at-chef-michael-whites-santi-midtown-nyc/) - My birthday celebrations began with a dinner at Michael White's newest iteration, Santi, an Italian restaurant off Madison Avenue. As you expect with him at the helm, the service is outstanding. I smiled seeing the table placecard that greeted us with a "Happy Birthday." Our amuse-bouche was a spoonful of mozzarella and fresh peaches. From - [Tapas, Pintxos and More at Txikito, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tapas-pintxos-and-more-at-txikito-chelsea-nyc/) - It's been about a decade since I last visited Txikito in Chelsea, and since then, I've traveled to the Basque Country in Spain and re-experienced tapas firsthand. Because of that trip, I had to try their Gilda ($11 for 2), my favorite Basque Pintxos, small bite-sized snacks. It didn't disappoint. Neither did the Quisquillas, flash-fried - [Crevette, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/crevette-west-village-nyc/) - When I heard that Crevette's, the relatively new seafood restaurant in the West Village, was from the same team as Lord's and Dame, I knew I was in for a treat. Thirsty and hungry after a morning of pickleball, we ordered a couple of apps and, of course, wine (Loire Lauverjat, Sancerre, 2024; $74) to get started. - [$22 Weekend Brunch at Mama Mia, Theatre District, NYC + Sunset Boulevard](https://www.biteofthebest.com/22-weekend-brunch-at-mama-mia-theatre-district-nyc-sunset-boulevard/) - I'm always on the lookout for deals with good food and decent service. During my research, I discovered a $21.99-weekend brunch deal including a cocktail in the theatre district, on the street where we were seeing Andrew Lloyd Webber's fabulous Sunset Boulevard featuring Tony Award winner Nicole Scherzinger, plus Tom Francis, who, during the performance, - [Malibu Farms, South Street Seaport, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/malibu-farms-south-street-seaport-nyc/) - Our ex-expat group spent the morning taking a tour with historian extraordinaire Kevin Draper, who provides outings through his company, New York Historical Tours, as we had done numerous times before. This time, we visited the history-rich South Street Seaport. After our tour, we stopped by Malibu Farms, a reasonably priced dining option in South - [Opening Dim Sum Palace, Long Island City, Queens, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/opening-dim-sum-palace-long-island-city-queens-nyc/) - When heading out of my usual stomping ground, I love it when the subway is conveniently located on the same block as the restaurant, as it was for the grand opening preview of the Dim Sum Palace on Jackson Avenue in Long Island City. There, we sampled their celebrated dim sum and Cantonese specialties. Dim - [olio e più, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/olio-e-piu-west-village-nyc-2/) - We ended up at Olio e Più, the restaurant we had planned to dine at, which didn't take reservations, was closed. And, nearby Rosemary's had a "Grade Pending" sign; I only dine at places with an "A" Health Department grade. We both recalled decent meals at this Italian trattoria at the corner of Sixth Avenue - [**Happy Hour at Ardesia Wine Bar, Hell's Kitchen + Trophy Boys](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-ardesia-wine-bar-hells-kitchen-trophy-boys/) - Ardesia Wine Bar is right across 52nd Street from MCC Theatre, where we were heading to see the Trophy Boys with four students prepping for a debate on feminism, which had more at stake than a contest. We decided to take advantage of their happy hour outside since the weather was nice. My dining partner - [Ardesia Wine Bar, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice](https://www.biteofthebest.com/ardesia-wine-bar-hells-kitchen-nyc-walk-on-through-confessions-of-a-museum-novice/) - Before heading to MCC Theater to see Walk on Through Confessions of a Museum Novice's final performance, we stopped at Ardesia Wine Bar across the street from the theatre for a bite. It's a perfect location for MCC theatergoers. We shared a few of their tasty snacks. I highly recommend their fried cod fritters - - [Happy Hour at Mermaid Inn, Chelsea, NYC + AIA Architecture Boat Tour](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-mermaid-inn-chelsea-nyc-aia-architecture-boat-tour/) - A group of us took another AIANY (American Institute of Architects New York) Boat Tour on the Classic Harbor Line from Pier 62 at Chelsea Piers around Manhattan Island, which is always an excellent and informative experience. After the tour, one couple suggested we go to the Mermaid Inn in Chelsea, as they had just - [**Happy Hour at Haven Rooftop, Theatre District, NYC + Left on Tenth](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-haven-rooftop-theatre-district-nyc-left-on-tenth/) - I had a crazy day, with a funeral uptown to picking up a friend after their medical procedure on First Avenue, so instead of heading downtown to my home, I stopped in Haven Rooftop for a glass of wine before meeting my friend at "Left on Tenth." Julianna Margulies is on stage in Delia Ephron’s - [Smashburger at Gotham Burger Social Club, Lower East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/smashburger-at-gotham-burger-social-club-lower-east-side-nyc/) - We'd been trying to find a date for months. I suggested one mid-week summer day, and everyone could come to our friend's Gotham Burger Social Club! If you're not familiar, it's the pop-up turned successful burger joint, currently on the Lower East Side and in Greenpoint, with one scheduled for the new Terminal 5 at - [Brunch at Bobo Rooftop, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-bobo-rooftop-west-village-nyc/) - Bobos occupies several floors of a 1930s townhouse in the West Village, located at the corner of 10th Street and Seventh Avenue. The venue features a covered rooftop lounge where we celebrated two June birthdays. We chose their "boozy brunch" option ($28), which includes unlimited drinks for one hour with the purchase of an entrée. - [Lunch at Boqueria, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-boqueria-flatiron-nyc/) - My building mates and I headed to Boqueria for our birthday celebration together, this time lunch in the hood at a new location of the Spanish tapas restaurant, Boqueria. A pitcher of their white sangria ($48) is a perfect start for lunch. We placed our order for a vegetarian paella ($38) with Bomba rice, strips - [**Happy Hour at Aqua, Flatiron-Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-aqua-flatiron-gramercy-nyc/) - A group of us met for happy hour at Aqua, a relatively new restaurant located in the former WeWork space on Broadway, which serves Italian and Japanese cuisine in a cavernous space. The one-star rating is not due to quality but rather because of the limited options. The sushi is good, with two options, attractively - [Brunch at Catch, Meat Packing District, NYC + The Whitney: Amy Sherald: Four Ways of Being](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-catch-meat-packing-district-nyc-the-whitney-amy-sherald-four-ways-of-being/) - Most museums in New York City offer free admission at some point. The Whitney Museum offers Free Friday Nights, Free Second Sundays and is free every day for those 25 and under. I took advantage of that second Sunday and met a friend there to see the Amy Sherald: Four Ways of Being exhibition. She's - [Tang by Mr Sun, UES, NYC + Met Opening Superfine of Tailoring Black Style](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tang-by-mr-sun-ues-nyc-met-opening-superfine-of-tailoring-black-style/) - After the Met opening of the Superfine of Tailoring Black Style, exploring the importance of black fashion, the five of us walked east to Tang by Mr Sun on Third Avenue as we were hungry. At the opening, the only food available was small paper bags filled with either pretzels or potato chips. We ordered - [**Happy Hour at Mermaid Inn, Times Square, NYC + John Proctor, The Villain](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-mermaid-inn-times-square-nyc-john-proctor-the-villain/) - We grabbed a bite during The Mermaid Inn's Times Square happy hour, as my theatre-going friends are oyster lovers. That and it was close to the theatre where we were heading to the Tony-winning play, John Proctor the Villain, which I would recommend. During happy hour, the restaurant offers the chef's choice of oysters for $2 - [Garden Café, The Newt, Bruton, United Kingdom](https://www.biteofthebest.com/garden-cafe-the-newt-bruton-united-kingdom/) - One day while at the Edible London culinary adventure created by members of London Les Dames, we divided into two Country Tours groups, I chose The Newt in Somerset, a working estate with acres of gardens, woodland, farmland and cider orchards. After exploring the grounds, we headed to the café for a communal lunch. On - [Spice Symphony, UES, NYC + UN Gardens](https://www.biteofthebest.com/spice-symphony-ues-nyc-un-gardens/) - One friend who works at the UN was able to take us on a visit to the gardens. These impressive gardens feature numerous unique statues and monuments, all of which are open to the public through guided tours. After our outing, we walked west towards Third Avenue to Spice Symphony, an Indian restaurant offering a - [A Return to The Little Owl, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-the-little-owl-west-village-nyc/) - Like many West Village restaurants, The Little Owl is a cozy neighborhood gem; this one offers bold Mediterranean cuisine with friendly yet professional service. As the waiter began describing the soft-shell crab special, two of us lit up! We had to have it, sharing an entree portion with two crabs as our appetizer ($48), while - [**Happy Hour at Café D'Alsace, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-cafe-dalsace-upper-east-side-nyc/) - Most everyone loves traditions. That's what we were hoping to start when we met at Café D'Alsace on the first Wednesday on the month. A few of us showed up enjoyed their discounted cocktails during happy hour. I sampled their refreshing Hugo Spritz made with St. Germain, fresh mint and sparkling wine ($12) and with - [Joseph Leonard, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/joseph-leonard-west-village-nyc/) - "I'm in love! This place is a great find. The friendliest staff!" I texted my dining partner when I arrived at Joseph Leonard in the West Village. Each staff member greeted and welcomed me warmly to the restaurant. "That's the best table," Daly commented as he seated me window side on the upper bar level. - [Birthday at Zizi, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/birthday-at-zizi-chelsea-nyc/) - I had only been to ZiZi for their happy hour and liked what I tried when one friend suggested it as the location for a birthday gathering. Five of us went, starting with their $11 happy hour martinis! Remembering a wonderful lemon drop martini at Bar Hemingway in the Ritz Hotel in Paris years ago, - [All-Clad Lifetime Warranty!](https://www.biteofthebest.com/all-clad-lifetime-warranty/) - When my All-Clad stainless-steel tea kettle started leaking more water from the base than from the spout, I decided to check the warranty online. "They did say lifetime," I recalled, thinking back I had gotten the kettle. 1993. Yup, 32 years ago! I reread their warranty statement: "When we say our products last a lifetime, - [Prix Fixe Lunch at The Palm, Theatre District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/prix-fixe-lunch-at-the-palm-theatre-district-nyc/) - When I think of The Palm restaurant, I envision a humongous steak overlapping the plate. I also think of those walls adorned with fun caricatures of famous people. Recently, I discovered that this classic establishment now offers a "Power Lunch" featuring a three-course prix fixe menu for just $34. I visited with a friend to - [Dizzy's Club, Jazz at Lincoln Center, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dizzys-club-jazz-at-lincoln-center-nyc/) - I looked forward to what I remembered as authentic Southern cuisine before enjoying some great jazz and panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline at Dizzy's Club. The venue is located within Jazz at Lincoln Center, on the 5th floor of The Shops at Columbus Circle, not at Lincoln Center. When I visited Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, - [Felicè 56, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/felice-56-midtown-nyc/) - A gathering of girlfriends took place at Felicè 56, which we discovered is regarded as one of the best Felices in Manhattan. At least, that's what we heard and experienced while dining with Italian royalty at this lower level location. Some of us had drinks while catching up. I recommend their Espresso Martini. Make sure - [Brunch at Pascalou, Upper East Side, NYC + Conservatory Gardens](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-pascalou-upper-east-side-nyc-conservatory-gardens/) - After meeting at the 86th Street subway entrance, we walked along Central Park to the 105th entrance to the Conservatory Gardens, passing from the formal French gardens to the more relaxed English gardens, both in full bloom. I highly recommend making this stroll. We headed downtown on Madison to find a place to grab a - [MAD Museum's Robert Restaurant, Midtown West, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/mad-museums-robert-restaurant-midtown-west-nyc/) - After visiting and shopping at the fabulous MAD About Jewelry 2025, the annual benefit awards celebration and sale of contemporary jewelry at the Museum of Art and Design, we took the elevator up for a quick lunch at Robert, located on the ninth floor. If you go, request a window seat with views of Columbus - [***Happy Hour Tao Uptown, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-tao-uptown-midtown-nyc/) - Our ex.expat New York group New York group began hosting happy hour gatherings on the first Wednesday of every month. This time, we chose the stylish Pan-Asian eatery, Tao Uptown. What we loved about this happy hour was the spacious lounge with comfortable seating, which made chatting much easier than sitting on bar stools. The - [High Tea at The Veranda, Goring Hotel, London](https://www.biteofthebest.com/high-tea-at-the-veranda-goring-hotel-london/) - Upon arriving at Heathrow Airport, I proceeded to the "Arrivals" lounge, where I met my friend who was also attending the Edible London culinary adventure put on by members of London Les Dames d'Escoffier. We checked into our hotel and began walking toward The Goring to join some other Dames for Afternoon Tea to enjoy - [Italian Dinner at Novita, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/italian-dinner-at-novita-flatiron-nyc/) - Thank you again, Jeffrey — the man I met on the train from Amagansett back to the city — for introducing me to Novita. He recommended this hidden gem seven years ago. This cozy Italian place on 22 Street, right off Park Avenue, consistently has good food and attentive service. We sipped the Nero d’Avola,” - [Novita, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/novita-flatiron-nyc/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com with a review of a meal at the Italian restaurant Novita, Flatiron, NYC - [Obicà Mozzarella Bar Pizza e Cucina, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/obica-mozzarella-bar-pizza-e-cucina-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - One of my book groups replaced our book discussion gathering with a holiday luncheon, complete with an exchange of books. We were each asked to bring a wrapped book (new or used) that was a favorite for swapping. We met at Obicà Mozzarella Bar Pizza e Cucina in the Gramercy-Flatiron and enjoyed their prix-fixe luncheon - [Prospect, San Francisco](https://www.biteofthebest.com/prospect-san-francisco/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about dinner at Prospect on Spear Street in San Francisco - [La Stanza, Murray Hill, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/la-stanza-murray-hill-nyc/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about an inexpensive Italian meal at La Stanza, Murray Hill, NYC - [Cocktail Hour: Jungle Bird, Chelsea + Jungle Bird Cocktail Recipe](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cocktail-hour-jungle-bird-chelsea-jungle-bird-cocktail-recipe/) - A new friend from my recent Cancun trip was heading to the city from Philly for a modeling gig and suggested we meet while she was in town. We met at the Jungle Bird cocktail lounge. They have a limited menu. It's a place to drink, not to eat. Bring your earplugs if you have - [Il Violino, Lincoln Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/il-violino-lincoln-square-nyc/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com with a write up of a lunch at Il Violino, Lincoln Square, NYC - [A Wishbone at Le Soufflé, Paris](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-wishbone-at-le-souffle-paris/) - After peeking in Le Soufflé's window, seeing this quintessential Parisian place and checking out their incredible lunch deal, we made a res and returned. We were headed elsewhere. Monday through Friday from noon to 2 pm, Le Soufflé offers a prix-fixe menu for €29, which includes a choice of starter, main course, dessert, and a - [Lunch at Stonehouse, San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito, CA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-stonehouse-san-ysidro-ranch-montecito-ca/) - After my Connecticut friend, who now lives in Montecito, picked me up at the Santa Barbara airport, we drove up to San Ysidro Ranch for lunch. This idyllic, spectacular 500-acre California property is the place where Jackie and Jack (Kennedy, for you millennials) honeymooned as they guarded their guests' privacy. If you recall, Montecito is - [Early Prix Fixe at LouLou Petit Bistro, Chelsea](https://www.biteofthebest.com/early-prix-fixe-at-loulou-petit-bistro-chelsea/) - We all arrived at LouLou Petit Bistro early enough for their early dinner prix fixe menu of $42.50 plus, of course, tax and gratuity (available between 4 pm - 5:30 pm). Chatted with Jonathan, the manager, who shared that LouLou, on the corner of Eighth Avenue and 19th Street, opened about two months before the - [Legasea Seafood Brasserie, Midtown + The Greater Clements](https://www.biteofthebest.com/legasea-seafood-brasserie-midtown-the-greater-clements/) - Legasea Seafood Brasserie was bustling the night we dined there as Billy Joel was performing at MSG a couple of blocks away. We weren't heading to the Garden, instead, we were off to The Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center to see Judith Ivy in the very long (2 hours and 40 minutes with - [A Greek B-day Lunch at Korali Estiatorio](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-greek-b-day-lunch-at-korali-estiatorio/) - Korali Estiatorio is located on the Upper East Side, not too far from the Cooper Hewitt museum where we planned to meet first. We had planned a celebratory lunch for our friend Karen's birthday after seeing the current exhibition. Two of us skipped the exhibition yet we all met for lunch at this upscale Greek - [Outdoor dining at Novita, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/outdoor-dining-at-novita-flatiron-nyc/) - My friend and I decided to get together at the last minute. I called around the neighborhood and was lucky when Michelangelo answered the phone and mentioned he could accommodate two more guests. As I arrived at Novita, a couple was finishing their meal outside, allowing us to enjoy dining al fresco on a perfect - [John Fraser’s Iris, Midtown, NYC + All-Schubert Program at Carnegie](https://www.biteofthebest.com/john-frasers-iris-midtown-nyc-all-schubert-program-at-carnegie/) - Before heading to an All-Schubert Program, Piano Four Hands, at Carnegie Hall, we stopped at John Fraser's Mediterranean restaurant, Iris. At this Aegean restaurant, we chose an Assyrtiko white wine for our meal. Specifically, the Atma Assyrtiko, Macedonia, Greece 2022 ($98), a crisp white variety with notable acidity. My friends selected some items from the - [Ci Siamo, Manhattan West, NYC - After A Walk on the Edge](https://www.biteofthebest.com/ci-siamo-manhattan-west-nyc-after-a-walk-on-the-edge/) - The first time, a private event had locked us out of The Edge at Hudson Yards. We had spent the required amount ($40) at The Peak to secure free entry, but we talked too much. By the time we were ready, the party had already started. Their management promised us free entry upon return. It - [Caractère Restaurant, Notting Hill, London](https://www.biteofthebest.com/caractere-restaurant-notting-hill-london/) - We divided into two groups, mine heading to Kew Gardens, then all met up again for dinner at Chef Emily Roux and husband Diego Ferrari's Caractère Restaurant. It's a former pub now one of "The Best Restaurants in Notting Hill" that's about to receive their first (well-deserved) Michelin star. Lucky us. We began with three - [Sicily Osteria, Theatre District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/sicily-osteria-theatre-district-nyc/) - If you're a theatergoer, I suggest dining at Sicily Osteria before your curtain. It's a warm, inviting restaurant on Restaurant Row in the heart of the Theater District and Hell's Kitchen neighborhoods. As their guests, we started with their specialty cocktails as we perused the menu. Requesting a non-sweet cocktail, our host suggested the Capri Crush - [Returns to Chez Josephine, Theatre District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/returns-to-chez-josephine-theatre-district-nyc/) - I love the immigrant story of Manuel Uzha, dishwasher turned owner of Chez Josephine, that I learned about on visit earlier this year. Since then, I've returned multiple times to a warm hug welcome. It's that kind of warm and welcoming place. From those visits, I'd like to recommend a couple items including their espresso - [Return to Serendipity, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-serendipity-upper-east-side-nyc/) - Why would I return so quickly to Serendipity? Not because of its fabulous food but because my other grandkids, these two from out west, were visiting New York City this time, and I had promised them a Serendipity sundae. We arrived after a long day at the American Museum of Natural History, starting with the - [**Happy Hour, Irregulars, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/arriving-early-to-meet-my-friends-for-an-evening-of-trivia-at-the-irregulars-on-the-upper-east-side-i-had-a-chance-to-connect-with-mike-eagan-the-owner-he-highly-recommended-their-housemade-m/) - Arriving early to meet my friends for an evening of trivia at the Irregulars on the Upper East Side, I grabbed an espresso martini before the gals arrived. I connected with Mike Eagan, the owner, who highly recommended their housemade meatballs from the happy hour menu ($13). Mike mentioned that recently, his mom had come - [Bobbie Lloyd](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bobbie-lloyd/) - What New Yorker isn't familiar with Magnolia Bakery? That small corner shop in New York's West Village has become a global phenomenon, now boasting 46 stores worldwide. This success is largely due to Bobbie Lloyd, their incredible CEO and Chief Baking Officer. I had the pleasure of meeting Bobbie when she joined Les Dames d'Escoffier - [Argavi, Midtown, NYC + UN's Focus on Woman Tour](https://www.biteofthebest.com/agavi-midtown-nyc-uns-focus-on-woman-tour/) - Virginia, our passionate United Nations guide for our "Focus on Women" tour, amazed us with the figures and facts she spouted. She shared that in 1948, the UN had adopted thirty articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and we were shocked to learn that not one country honors them all. After our tour, we - [Somos Ecuador Restaurante, Quito, Ecuador](https://www.biteofthebest.com/somos-ecuador-restaurante-quito-ecuador/) - On Valentine's Day, while traveling in Ecuador, my group stopped at Somos Ecuador Restaurant to enjoy the globally inspired cuisine of Chef Alejandra Espinoza. After working in France with several Michelin-starred chefs, Chef Alejandra moved to Quito in 2018 with her husband, Signo Uddenberg, to establish SOMOS alongside her brother, Alonso Espinoza. The restaurant features - [Mind Shaft Tavern, Madrid, New Mexico](https://www.biteofthebest.com/mind-shaft-tavern-madrid-new-mexico/) - The Avis car rental man in Albuquerque suggested the more scenic route to Santa Fe on State Highway 14 that goes through Madrid (MA-drid). And and to satisfy our hunger he suggested grabbing a bite at the Mine Shaft Tavern, a rustic roadside tavern offering our first taste of New Mexican fare. Being famished, we - [Balaboosta, West Village. NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/balaboosta-west-village-nyc/) - With New York offering so many dining, it's hard to revisit ones you've enjoy. Like Balaboosta in the West Village. My friend reminded me how much we liked it and suggested it for our catch-up dinner. I've been traveling so much that we needed gab time over a meal. Appetizers and small bites or Mezze—my - [Nordstrom's Bistro Verde, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/nordstroms-bistro-verde-midtown-nyc/) - The last time I ate at Bistro Verde I was meeting an out-of-town friend who had errands to do in Nordstrom. I enjoyed the experience. This time, I went with some girlfriends to play bingo with Drag Queen Linda. An event that happens every other Thursday at the fifth-floor restaurant, as well as around the - [Roasted Red Pepper, Onion, and Asparagus Scones](https://www.biteofthebest.com/roasted-red-pepper-onion-and-asparagus-scones/) - Dan Leader, The James Beard Award-winning visionary behind the iconic East coast bakery Bread Alone shares decades of wisdom and techniques for soul-fulfilling baking, with 60+ bread and pastry recipes in his latest book, A Slow Rise: Favorite Recipes from Four Decades of Baking with Heart. We recently featured Dan as our Guest Foodie. These - [Brunch at La Pecora Bianca, Bryant Park, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-la-pecora-bianca-bryant-park-nyc/) - Not all La Pecora Biancas are the same. Oh, they have the same menu, but what comes out of the kitchen depends on their staff. I met a friend for brunch at the Bryant Park location, as La Pecora Bianca offers ricotta pancakes—perfect for my dining partner, who doesn't eat eggs. We experienced a slow - [Ruby's Oyster Bar & Bistro, Westchester, New York](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rubys-oyster-bar-bistro-westchester-new-york/) - I jumped on Metro North to Rye, as we hadn't had time together since her December birthday other than group meals and a disco party. This gathering, just us. We grabbed a bite at the Ruby's Oyster Bar & Bistro, a lively seafood restaurant on Purchase Street, and were seated by an open window with - [Cafe Cluny West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cafe-cluny-west-village-nyc/) - Cafe Cluny is a sweet little West Village place to lunch. It had been years since I had dined there, this time booking a table outside as the weather was perfect. Service is attentive, food is good. My dining partner tried their unusual purple sticky rice bowl with fresh avocado, kale, shiitake mushrooms and broccoli - [***Happy Hour at STK Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-stk-midtown-nyc/) - When visiting friends wanted to meet midtown for a drink, I suggested STK Steakhouse's happy hour. It had been on my radar since my downstairs neighbor raved about the offerings. He was right. I laughed as I bumped into my friends on the street, looking for STK. Its Sixth Avenue address is confusing as the - [***Happy Hour at Vinateria, Harlem, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-vinateria-harlem-nyc/) - At a champagne event earlier this year, I met a new friend who lives uptown, a short walk from Dame Yvette Leeper-Bueno Harlem Restaurant Vinateria. When I learned she hadn't been, we decided to meet there for happy hour. I laughed as we bumped into two other Dames also there to enjoy Yvette's seasonal Italian - [*Happy Hour Barn Joo, Union Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-barn-joo-union-square-nyc/) - I'm on a mission to discover worth-it happy hours (HH)in my greater hood. My first time here, Barn Joo offered a grumpy hour from 11:30 am to 4 pm, which preceded their happy hour! Last time, I didn't try a HH cocktail as I was in the mood for an Old Fashioned. Barn Joo's was - [***Happy Hour at Fogo d’Chāo, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-fogo-dchao-midtown-nyc/) - Fogo d’Chāo has a daily happy hour (HH) all day long. I give this Brazilian steak house a 3-star rating, as you can easily make a meal for dinner from their abundant food offerings. That is, if you're okay with sitting in the bar or patio. We sampled some HH drinks, including two of the - [Tyron Public House *Happy Hour, Washington Heights, NYC + The Cloisters](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tyron-public-house-happy-hour-washington-heights-nyc-the-cloisters/) - We traveled to the Middle Ages with my ex.expat group when we visited the Cloisters with historical tour guide extraordinaire Kevin Draper. We learned a lot about architecture, discovering that many of the old-looking structures throughout the museum are new, just made to look old. A few of us wanted to hang out to chat, so - [**Happy Hour at Jane, NoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hourat-jane-noho-nyc/) - We had come to Jane's for their "NYC Happy Meal" or a Ketel One Martini and Rosemary French fries ($22) that we saw on their website. When the bartender handed me the smaller menu without it, I mentioned that to the manager, who did honor the online offering. We were happy, sipping our Ketel One - [**Happy Hour and More at Chez Messy, Washington Heights, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-and-more-at-chez-messy-washington-heights-nyc/) - Chez Messy, a spirited tapas lounge in Washington Heights that opened last summer, offers tapas, craft cocktails and flamenco dancing. I headed north with a friend to sample their happy hour, the regular menu and their flamenco dancers. We got off the 1-train at the 157th Street subway stop, across the street from this whimsical - [*Happy Hour Rangoon, Chelsea, NYC + Philadanco! Intangible at The Joyce](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-rangoon-chelsea-nyc-philadanco-intangible-at-the-joyce/) - After my Zumba class, I grabbed a nibble at Rangoon, a Burmese restaurant close to The Joyce Theatre, where I saw Philadanco!, the Philadelphia Dance Company, presenting Intangible. I selected the Keema Paratha, one of their signature dishes: Indian-style flatbread stuffed with spicy ground beef ($12). It's a spicy snack I'd recommend, but watch out - [**Happy Hourat Rick Bayless's Tortazo, Times Square, NYC + Doubt](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-rick-baylesss-tortazo-times-square-nyc-doubt/) - I've meant to try Rick Bayless's Tortazo since it opened near Times Square about a year ago. I learned to love this Chicago restaurateur's food at Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. Tortazo is a modified version of Rick’s popular airport outlets. One opened in NoMad in 2021. Times Square area is his second NYC location. This - [*Happy Hour Mediterranean ZIZI, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-mediterranean-zizi-chelsea-nyc/) - One temperate night, I met a neighbor at ZIZI (formerly Zizi Limona), a modern Mediterranean restaurant on Eighth Avenue. Emmit, our server, mentioned that it was still happy hour and explained the offerings that included a martini selection from their few varieties and $6 off the small z's "3Z's" appetizer selection. I chose an espresso - [***Happy Hour Springs Tavern and Grill, East Hampton, New York](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-springs-tavern-and-grill-east-hampton-new-york/) - On an overcast weekend in East Hampton late summer, we visited Springs Tavern and Grill for their delightful happy hour menu. On our first round of margaritas, three of us had the regular; one tried the frozen refreshing blood orange one, although the sweetness made it more like a dessert. With that, we shared their - [RH Rooftop Meatpacking District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rh-rooftop-meatpacking-district-nyc/) - After walking the High Line and Little Island with my grandchildren, we headed to RH Rooftop for brunch. It never fails to satisfy or impress. Two of us ordered the Cappelletti Spritz ($18). I'm liking all the new twists on Aperol ones that are popping up on menus. Cappelletti is similar to Campari both traditional - [Pumpernickel Everything Bagels at Tompkins Square Bagels, Union Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/pumpernickel-everything-bagels-at-tompkins-square-bagels-union-square-nyc/) - I'm in love. Although I do tend to hyperbole, when I discovered Tompkins Square pumpernickel everything bagels it truly was love at first bite. Haven't visited another bagel shop since I discovered them. That good. I try to make most grains I eat, whole. And as a registered dietitian, that's what I recommend for other. - [Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Chinatown, NYC + Statue of Liberty](https://www.biteofthebest.com/nom-wah-tea-parlor-chinatown-nyc-statue-of-liberty/) - We headed outside again after walking up the pedestal to and around the museum inside the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island. Tickets to the crown had sold out a month before when we booked, so we could only walk the 215 steps of the pedestal. Afterward, we headed to the Statue of Liberty Museum, - [Dinners at Geronimo & Sazón, Santa Fe, New Mexico](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dinners-at-geronimo-sazon-santa-fe-new-mexico/) - When asked about favorite places to dine in Santa Fe, where I was heading with friends, most had Geronimo and Sazón on their to-try lists. Coming off Canyon Road into Geronimo, I felt elegant. The staff welcomed us. The lights were low, banquettes cushioned and tables spaced wide apart. I could hear my traveling companions - [Dinner at Da Andrea, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dinner-at-da-andrea-greenwich-village-nyc/) - My friend selected Da Andrea as the neighborhood place she'd like to celebrate her big birthday. Last I dined was lunch mid summer, outside. This time inside the small family-style place where staff greets you as you walk through the door. It's a very friendly bistro with fine food and welcoming, attentive service. You're made - [Dan Leader](https://www.biteofthebest.com/guest-foodie-frame/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com with a Guest Foodie post - featuring - [Anne's Amazing Almond Toffee Crunch](https://www.biteofthebest.com/annes-amazing-almond-toffee-crunch/) - One weekend while at my friend Anne's home in Mantoloking, she mentioned that we would make Almond Toffee Crunch to then pack in red and white striped boxes as party favors for a cocktail party we were having the following week for our ex.expat group. We made three batches before breaking it into pieces, boxing - [Armani Restauranti, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/armani-restauranti-upper-east-side-nyc/) - My dear friend, who appreciates good food, recommended Armani Restauranti for lunch. With memories of the superb meal I experienced at the Fifth Avenue location about a decade ago, I booked it with a Connecticut friend who was in town. We had an eye on their reasonable 2-course $75 prix fixe. The bread service is - [A Burger at Pete's Tavern, Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-burger-at-petes-tavern-gramercy-nyc/) - My friend wanted to celebrate her 70th birthday at Pete's Tavern in our hood. It's that historic tavern on the corner of Irving and 18th that's pre-Civil War. It's the popular tavern that's been around since the mid 1800s that's served WHO. It's served the oldest continuously operating restaurant & bar in New York City, - [Lunch at Rezdôra, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-rezdora-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - Securing a lunch res at Rezdôra is much easier than dinner; maybe that's because the restaurant has lost its luster! I met a friend there for lunch, starting with an app that sounded so delicious when our server described it. That was their Gnocco Fritto, fried dough topped with Prosciutto di parma, mortadella & guanciale - [Almond Cake / Torta di Mandorle](https://www.biteofthebest.com/almond-cake-torta-di-mandorle/) - One of my favorite cooking tasks is blanching almonds. While I know they are available pre-blanched, I find the process calming. It's a simple technique. Boil the almonds for 60 seconds, then drain and rinse in cold water. Then, gently squeeze each almond to remove its skin. It’s a technique that anyone can master. - [Frena, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + Exile](https://www.biteofthebest.com/frena-hells-kitchen-nyc-exile/) - Before heading to the MAP Theater's off-off-Broadway production of Exile, James Joyce's 90-minute play, which is rarely performed, we stopped into the fairly new Frena, where Taboon once was located on the corner of 52 and Tenth Avenue. It's a warm and friendly place decorated with lots of greenery from the ceiling. It is a - [Morgan Library Cafe, Murray Hill, NYC + "Imitation of Life"](https://www.biteofthebest.com/morgan-library-cafe-murray-hill-nyc-imitation-of-life/) - "Imitation of Life" with Sandra Dee and Lana Turner is one of my all-time tearjerkers, even more so than "An Affair to Remember," whose theme song starts my waterworks. That's the 1959 remake of the Claudette Colbert one, screened at The Morgan Library, whose personal librarian, their first Director, Belle da Costa Greene, also passed. - [Michelin-starred Rezdôra, Birthday Celebration, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/michelin-starred-rezdora-birthday-celebration-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - To get a reservation for my friend's birthday, I found out how far in advance Rezdôra booked on Resy then grabbed the date I wanted and walked over to the restaurant to ask for the time we preferred. It was worth the effort. If you're not familiar, Rezdôra is Stefano Secchi’s Italian restaurant with one - [Dame Gathering at Wu’s Wonton King, Chinatown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dame-gathering-at-wus-wonton-king-chinatown-nyc/) - I emerged from the F train at East Broadway and was delighted to arrive at the door of Wu's Wonton King, where our Les Dames d'Escoffier chapter was celebrating the year of the snake with a multi-course meal and wine pairings. Les Dames d' Escoffier (LDEI) is a group of influential and accomplished women in - [Trattoria One Fifth, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/trattoria-one-fifth-greenwich-village-nyc/) - Sadly, before this review posted, One Fifth closed its doors for good. Trattoria One Fifth is a relatively new Italian neighborhood restaurant in Greenwich Village, created by Marc Forgione. Each month, he collaborates with friends to craft unique, one-of-a-kind pizzas that feature his signature dough along with their distinct styles. As invited guests, we had - [Restaurant Week at LouLou, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/restaurant-week-at-loulou-chelsea-nyc/) - Loulou Petit Bistro & Speakeasy is a charming French bistro in the heart of Chelsea, where I met a friend for lunch during Restaurant Week. We both did the two-course $30 lunch, selecting an appetizer and an entree but skipping dessert. The portions at the French bistro are generous. We each savored each bite of - [Café Paradiso, Lincoln Center, NYC + The New York City Ballet](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cafe-paradiso-lincoln-center-nyc-the-new-york-city-ballet/) - If you haven't discovered Café Paradiso at Lincoln Center to grab a bite before your performance, I highly recommend. It's a gem. The restaurant is conveniently nestled in Lincoln Center on the campus, next to the Film at Lincoln Center screening room. The owner, restaurateur Shelly Fireman, owns Cafe Fiorello across from Lincoln Center, Trattoria Dell'Arte, Bond - [Dukes, Hau Tree and Cafe Morey's in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dukes-hau-tree-and-cafe-moreys-in-waikiki-oahu-hawaii/) - Met friends and family for meals while on Oahu, as many had vacationed in Hawaii over the holidays too. Duke's in the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort was across from the hotel where my sister and her family stayed. We were between lunch and dinner when we stopped in for a meal, so we ate whatever - [***Happy Hour at The Standard Grill + City Winery](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-the-standard-grill-city-winery/) - Before heading to City Winery for the Joel Chasnoff show, we stopped in at The Standard for their incredible happy hour offerings. We nibbled popcorn ($5) and fries ($5) along with our drinks of French Seventy-Five ($9) of vodka (replacing the classic gin) citrus oleo, lemon and topped with champagne and a spiced plum spritz - [Chez Josephine, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + Little Shop of Horrors](https://www.biteofthebest.com/chez-josephine-hells-kitchen-nyc-little-shop-of-horrors/) - It's a true New York immigrant story! I hadn't been back to Chez Josephine since before the pandemic. During my first visit, Jean-Claude Baker, the adoptive son of the restaurant's namesake, Josephine, welcomed me. This time, however, it was Manuel Uzha, the current owner, who greeted me. Jean-Claude entrusted Chez Josephine to him when he - [Raeanne Sarazen](https://www.biteofthebest.com/raeanne-sarazen/) - I met the amazing Raeanne Sarazen, a newbie Dame, at the then-annual Les Dames d'Escoffier conference in Phoenix last fall. She—like me—is a registered dietitian. She's also a classically trained chef, food writer, editor and consultant. Her first book, The Complete Recipe Writing Guide: Mastering Recipe Development, Writing, Testing, Nutrition Analysis, and Food Styling, a - [The Opening of Joomak in Maison Hudson, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-opening-of-joomak-in-maison-hudson-west-village-nyc/) - The friend of my friend's son invited us to the friends and family opening of the 27-seat restaurant upstairs in the luxury hotel Maison Hudson, his company's—16” on Center—newest restaurant in the West Village. The official opening date was January 29th. Weather permitting, additional seating will be available in their outdoor dining area. We were - [A Return to the Vegetable-Focused Dirt Candy, Lower East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-the-vegetable-focused-dirt-candy-lower-east-side-nyc/) - After our cocktail at Tigre, we continued our birthday celebration at Amanda Cohen's love affair with veggies at Dirt Candy, a few blocks away. They offer only a tasting menu ($110) per person with an optional wine pairing ($55), which we also did. Our thank you for coming, served in a special tin containing seaweed - [Restaurant Week Lunch at Four Twenty Five, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/restaurant-week-lunch-at-four-twenty-five-midtown-nyc/) - One of my friends always likes to sample high-end restaurants during Restaurant Week. Smart lady. That's why the three of us ended at Jean-Georges's newest midtown restaurant Four Twenty Five that opened about a year ago. Like all Jean-Georges' locales, it didn't disappoint, starting with the flavorful amuse bouche of a chickpea cake topped with - [Tarallucci e Vino, Union Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tarallucci-e-vino-union-square-nyc-3/) - It was my first time at Tarallucci e Vino for lunch. I've been for happy hour and dinner a few times, but not midday, when I met a friend. We were both doing dry January, so our beverage of choice was Pellegrino ($9). We asked that our dishes be served as courses, beginning with the - [New Coffee Service at Holiday Cocktail Lounge, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/new-coffee-service-at-holiday-cocktail-lounge-east-village-nyc/) - A group of Dames — members of Les Dames d'Escoffier New York (LDNY — met at Holiday Cocktail Lounge to sample their new coffee offerings, introduced late last fall starting at 8 am daily. The service includes coffee, espresso beverages with coffee from local Superlost Coffee, tea, and juice. We all wanted to support LDNY's - [Visits to Monkeypod, Ko Alani, Oahu, Hawai'i](https://www.biteofthebest.com/visits-to-monkeypod-ko-alani-oahu-hawaii/) - We headed off property to Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman for better food. We liked Ko Olina Beach Club, but not their food offerings. When I lived in Waikiki in the 60s, this area didn't exist. The current area includes The Four Seasons, Aulani-A Disney Resort & Spa and more! It's lush, with lots of swimming/snorkeling - [Brunch at Mark’s Off Madison, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-marks-off-madison-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - We met at Mark's Off Madison for brunch to celebrate a friend's birthday. The restaurant is from New York native Mark Strausman, of Freds at Barney's New York pre-pandemic. Mark's is quintessentially New York, serving traditional Jewish foods of Mark's upbringing. Portions are enormous. Service is attentive. You will need a reservation as it's always - [A New Chef at Le Rivage, Theatre District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-new-chef-at-le-rivage-theatre-district-nyc/) - Chef de Cuisine David Cámara, a veteran of Vin Sur Vingt, has recently taken over the kitchen of Le Rivage, and I was invited to sample his cuisine. We arrived one December night at a tastefully decorated dining room. From 4 pm to 7:30 pm, Le Rivage offers a three-course prix-fixe dinner ($70) To join - [Speakeasy: Tigre, Lower East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/speakeasy-tigre-lower-east-side-nyc/) - I had narrowed it down to three potential locations to have a drink before taking our friend for her birthday dinner a few blocks away at Dirt Candy. We decided on Tigre, a semi-hidden speakeasy replete with a huge bouncer protecting the graffiti-covered door, as my friend said she had been, and it was a - [Speakeasy Apotheke, Chinatown, NYC: Stop on Doyer Street Crawl](https://www.biteofthebest.com/speakeasy-apotheke-chinatown-nyc-stop-on-doyer-street-crawl/) - Having noticed that the other Apotheke locations take reservations, I had been emailing Emilio, General Manager, about a res when I mentioned I was coming in for a birthday drink with a friend. I asked whether they offered a sparkler in one of their unique cocktails, but he didn't respond. I wondered how he'd handle - [Japanese Restaurant Momoya SoHo, Soho, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/japanese-restaurant-momoya-soho-soho-nyc/) - The Japanese restaurant Momoya recently opened a sleek new incarnation in SoHo at 47 Prince Street, corner of Mulberry Street. This is the third, more upscale location of this Japanese restaurant. As their guests, we were celebrating a birthday and started with three of their apps, including lots of cooked items and sushi. We nibbled - [Dame Gathering at Kyma Hudson Yards, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dame-gathering-at-kyma-hudson-yards-nyc/) - What happens when you go to dinner with a group of Dames—members of Les Dames d'Escoffier? Someone keeps ordering until there's no room on the table for more food, or someone says, "Basta!" That's what happened recently at Kyma, Hudson Yards. We devoured the pikilia ($35), three traditional spreads and warm pita; saganaki ($19)—pan-seared and flambèd - [**Happy Hour at Sagaponack, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-sagaponack-flatiron-nyc/) - We were interviewing a potential new New York Ex-Expats group member who was meeting a friend at Sagaponack for $1 oysters and bubbly during their happy hour. I was unfamiliar with the restaurant, even though it was in my hood. I had to try it. You might recognize the name as an affluent town in - [Breathtaking Views at The Peak, Hudson Yards, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/breathtaking-views-at-the-peak-hudson-yards-nyc/) - The front-of-house staff at Essential by Christophe mentioned that many of them had previously worked at The Peak, the restaurant located on the 101st floor of 30 Hudson Yards, near The Edge observation deck. They shared a not-well-shared fact: if you spend $40 at The Peak—whether in the Lounge or the restaurant—you receive free general - [Matto Wine Bar, Shelton, CT](https://www.biteofthebest.com/matto-wine-bar-shelton-ct/) - We took a break from packing my friend's home for her move to meet a mutual friend in Shelton for a meal. We were yakking so much that we almost missed that our water hadn't even taken our drink order. When he finally did, we quickly also gave our app order. Like many restaurants, the - [The Whelk, Westport, Connecticut](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-whelk-westport-ct/) - Our evening started with cocktails and apps at The Whelk that included friendly service and good food. Some favorites include the smoked trout dip with dill, topped with trout roe and sourdough crisps ($18), hamachi crudo topped with jalapenos ($20) and fabulously rich maitake mushrooms with nduja (spicy, spreadable pork sausage from the Calabria) in - [Rosemary's, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rosemarys-west-village-nyc-2/) - Rosemary's on Greenwich Avenue in the West Village was convenient as it is halfway between us. We started with their Point Judith calamari fritti ($19), with garlic aioli lemon, requesting some Pomodoro sauce to dip. They heated some just for us, delivering it as we had almost finished the squid. With that, we enjoyed gratis - [Shopping on Main then Nômade, Westport, CT](https://www.biteofthebest.com/shopping-on-main-then-nomade-westport-ct/) - After a stop at the farmers' market, we walked to Main Street in Westport to grab a bite at Nômade upstairs in their outdoor seating as the weather was unseasonably warm. We started with Bloody Marys ($15) while perusing the menu, and then each had a salad before continuing in and out of stores on - [Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Chinatown, NYC: Stop on Doyer Street Crawl](https://www.biteofthebest.com/nom-wah-tea-parlor-chinatown-nyc-stop-on-doyer-street-crawl/) - I arrived early on Doyer Street to meet my friend for our Chinatown birthday crawl. I noticed no line at Nom Wah, Chinatown's first Dim Sum Parlor. Founded in 1920 as a bakery and tea parlor, Nom Wah has been the location of many movies and TV shows, including Reversal of Fortune, Premium Rush, All Good - [Lunch at Piccola Cucina Uptown, UES, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-piccola-cucina-uptown-ues-nyc/) - Silly us ordered a glass - when we should have ordered a bottle of the vibrant acidity Elena Walch, 2023 Pinot Grigio with flavors of green apple, as we each sipped two glass fulls We met for lunch at Piccola Cucina Uptown, a favorite Sicilian restaurant on 60th, to discuss the background of the Legacy Awards, an - [Rosa Mexicano, Lincoln Center, NYC + Robert Downey Jr. in McMeal](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rosa-mexicano-lincoln-center-nyc-robert-downey-jr-in-mcmeal/) - After seeing Robert Downey Jr. in McMeal at Lincoln Center Theatre, we crossed the street to grab a bite at Rosa Mexicano. The show is Ayad Akhtar’s new play, which closed in November, about a literary icon who gets assistance from AI. The subject matter reminded me of Glenn Close in The Wife. With five of - [Chinese Tuxedo, Chinatown, NYC: Third Stop on Doyer Street Crawl](https://www.biteofthebest.com/chinese-tuxedo-chinatown-nyc-third-stop-on-doyer-street-crawl/) - Chinese Tuxedo was our third and last stop on our Chinatown, Doyer Street birthday crawl. We were seated upstairs, which was quieter and overlooked the noisy dining room. The birthday girl started with a glass of Perrier Jouët ($28) while I sipped the Kremstal Gruner ($17). Since we had enjoyed our apps a few doors - [A Celebration at L'Escale, Greenwich, CT](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-celebration-at-lescale-greenwich-ct/) - We joined the ranks this time at L'Escale in Greenwich, Connecticut, where we ended our meal with a sparkler and song! This waterside restaurant is the place to celebrate, as singing servers bring handheld fireworks emitting sparks. We first helped the town's economy by shopping on Greenwich Avenue before heading down to dinner. We'll need - [Baar Baar, Lower East Side, NYC + Wicked](https://www.biteofthebest.com/baar-baar-lower-east-side-nyc-wicked/) - My friend asked me to join her for comp cocktails and a meal at Baar Baar, an Indian gastro pub with a modern yet rustic approach to contemporary Indian cuisine. The restaurant is walking distance from where we saw Part I of Wicked at the local AMC with their comfy reclining chairs! We began sampling - [Pete's Tavern, Gramercy, NYC + Bryant Park Ice Skating](https://www.biteofthebest.com/petes-tavern-gramercy-nyc-bryant-park-ice-skating/) - One chilly day this winter, we walked around the shops at Bryant Park before bravely donning ice skates for a few spins around the rink. We then walked downtown to the oldest continuously operating restaurant and bar in NYC. It opened in 1864. At that time, Pete's was a “grocery and grog store,” the first - [Mahjong at Siena Cafe, UES, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/mahjong-at-siena-cafe-ues-nyc/) - I headed to Siena Cafe for the afternoon to play Mahjong. We had lunch, too. The new group I joined as part of NYC Women (a new iteration of the Manhattan Women's Club) met frequently at this Upper East Side location. It's a cute place with attentive service. I sampled their eggplant rollatini appetizer ($12), - [Holiday Luncheon at Central Park Boathouse, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/holiday-luncheon-at-central-park-boathouse-nyc/) - Our ex-expat planning team always gets together for a festive holiday luncheon to enjoy each other's company at one of New York's festively decorated restaurants. This year, we enjoyed the lake views from the glass-windowed room at the Central Park (formerly Loeb) Boathouse. We nibbled on the olives, cucumbers and hummus while we perused the - [New Mikado, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/new-mikado-chelsea-nyc/) - After taking my granddaughter to The Lion King, her first Broadway show, we headed downtown to New Mikado, a Japanese restaurant, as she had requested salmon sushi for dinner. We started with appetizers of tasty pork, shrimp and snow crab dumplings topped with caviar ($20 for four), which I'd recommend. We also got lucky with some items' - [Cafe Luxembourg, Upper West Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cafe-luxembourg-upper-west-side-nyc/) - My Upper West Side friends always raved about Cafe Luxembourg, but I only recently got there. I should have gone when it was in its heyday. We sat outside on an unseasonably warm day and had difficulty getting our server's attention, who was more interested in flirting with one of the other waitstaff. When we - [**Happy Hour at LS Social NYC, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-ls-social-nyc-chelsea-nyc/) - LS Social is a fairly new neighborhood cozy and casual cocktail bar on 17th Street near Union Square. I chose it to meet a new friend for a drink because it was close to home, as I had an upcoming Zoom board meeting to attend. I was early, the first customer that day, so I - [Essential by Christophe, Upper West Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/essential-by-christophe-upper-west-side-nyc/) - Standing on the subway platform after Kevin Draper's lecture "The Second Toughest Job in the World: A History of New York City Mayors, 1700-1950" at New York Historical (no longer Society!) to grab the B downtown, I met this adorable, perky woman. We started talking about restaurants and squeezed in lots before one of us got - [Pera Mediterranean Brasserie, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/pera-mediterranean-brasserie-midtown-nyc/) - I first ate at Pera with a Turkish friend fifteen years ago and have frequented it both up and downtown. I hadn't returned to the midtown one in ages. This time, I went with a friend after the fabulous multi-media event at the Morgan Library about the life of Bella Costa Greene. Safa, our server, - [Orso, Theatre District, NYC + The Counter](https://www.biteofthebest.com/orso-theatre-district-nyc-the-counter/) - Orso on Theatre Row was one of my go-to's when I lived in Connecticut and came into the city to the theatre. The food was consistently good, and I often saw a celebrity at a table. We started with a white pizza topped with fennel sausage, romano and mozzarella cheese, sprinkled with rosemary ($24). It - [Two Countertop Beverage Appliances Brita Electric Water + Hamilton Beach® FlexBrew®](https://www.biteofthebest.com/two-countertop-beverage-appliances-brita-electric-water-hamilton-beach-flexbrew/) - At a recent product showing, I found two appliances from Hamilton Beach that warm the heart of a New Yorker with a small kitchen and little countertop space for devices. I had started researching Brita water filters after finding that my crisp New York water wasn't tasting as good as it used to. I wasn't - [Breakfast at Joe's Cafe, Santa Barbara, California](https://www.biteofthebest.com/breakfast-at-joes-cafe-santa-barbara-california/) - We had a few hours to kill in Santa Barbara before heading to the airport for our flight home. To have enough time to catch our flight, we took the pre-sunrise Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from San Luis Obispo. We walked into town from the train station, stopping at Joe's, a friendly cafe at the bottom - [Drift In, Hudson River Parkway + Elephant Migration, Meat Packing, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/drift-in-hudson-river-parkway-elephant-migration-meat-packing-nyc/) - The migration of 100 life-size elephant sculptures began in Newport, Rhode Island before the herd took up residence in the meat-packing district of New York City. They stayed there through late October, when they headed south to Miami, Florida, before heading to Browning, Montana, in May 2025. Like many others, we walked in amazement among - [Breakfast with a view at Vista Steak and Seafood, Pismo Beach, California](https://www.biteofthebest.com/breakfast-with-a-view-at-vista-steak-and-seafood-pismo-beach-california/) - While on the Central Coast of California, we dined at Vista, one of three family-run restaurants on the bluffs in Pismo Beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We started brunch with oh, so reasonably priced cocktails—at least compared to Manhattan. The Bloody Mary is $11, the Raspberry Bellini, $12, the Beefeater martini, $12, and a glass - [Dinner at Eleni's, Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dinner-at-elenis-gramercy-nyc/) - I had been to Eleni's, a Gramercy area Greek restaurant on Third Avenue, but only for lunch. We decided on it for dinner based on my recommendation. We were early for our res and walked into a half-full restaurant with many tables available. We requested one away from the large party. We were told no, - [Mush Foods' 50CUT: Mushroom and Mushroom Root Blends](https://www.biteofthebest.com/mush-foods-50cut-mushroom-and-mushroom-root-blends/) - An editor friend invited me to sample meatballs at Fieldtrip, a fast-casual restaurant in Rock Center serving rice bowls with veggies and ethically sourced proteins. Those jerk meatballs were my introduction to Mush Foods 50CUT, a line of mushroom and mushroom root blends. They contain no artificial preservatives or additives. Afterward, their publicist offered samples - [Kawi Ni, Westport, CT](https://www.biteofthebest.com/kawi-ni-westport-ct/) - After enjoying cocktails and apps at The Welk, we walked up the street to Kawi Ni to continue our meal. Our servers were friendly and attentive. We started with drinks and our first wave of foods, which included the addictive cabbage ($11) flavored with sesame, wasabi and honda shi (Japanese dashi stock made of dry bonito), - [Raku It's Japanese II + American Museum of Natural History](https://www.biteofthebest.com/raku-its-japanese-ii-american-museum-of-natural-history/) - On my granddaughter's last full day, we started at the planetarium show inside the American Museum of Natural History, where we watched the awe-inspiring Worlds Beyond Earth, featuring scenes depicting the evolution of our solar system. The program told the story of the worlds that share our solar system and the unique conditions that make life - [Lunch Bargain at Fogo de Chao, Midtown, NYC + Rockefeller Center Tour](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-bargain-at-fogo-de-chao-midtown-nyc-rockefeller-center-tour/) - A midtown lunch for $20. Yes, I am talking about New York City! If you haven't yet tried Fogo de Chao's Market Table for lunch, I highly recommend. During the day, the continually re-filled market table costs a mere $20; at dinner, almost twice as much as they prefer, you indulge in the Churrascaria, as - [Colossal Sundae at Serendipity, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/colossal-sundae-at-serendipity-midtown-nyc/) - My 7-year-old granddaughter had just arrived in the city from Den Haag. Before flying across the pond, she had studied Serendipity's menu with her parents to decide which treat to indulge in. She chose the unicorn bliss sundae that contained rainbow-striped cake, confetti sprinkles, a sugar cone, ice cream, cherries, whipped cream and cream cheese - [Litchfield's, Wigwam Resort, Phoenix, AZ](https://www.biteofthebest.com/litchfields-wigwam-resort-phoenix-az/) - Five of us slipped away from the conference crowds into Litchfields, the on-site restaurant and popped a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château La Nerthe, Rhône Valley, France 2019 ($135) to accompany our dinner. One had the Duck Bolognese Pasta ($44) with butternut squash, spinach, spiced pine nut and parmesan. Two tried the lamb chili ($18) topped - [Wren & Wolf, Phoenix, AZ](https://www.biteofthebest.com/wren-wolf-and-litchfields-phoenix-az/) - While in Phoenix for the Les Dames d'Escoffier (LDEI) conference, we left the Wigwam and headed into town for dinner at Wren & Wolf one evening. We started with caviar bumps ($12), minuscule compared to what we had at Nebulez. We also shared charred bone marrow with noble toast, chicharrón and chimichurri ($19), a dozen - [Fall Fest: Cider, Beer & Spririts Stroll + Luna Red, San Luis Obispo, California](https://www.biteofthebest.com/fall-fest-cider-beer-spririts-stroll-luna-red-san-luis-obispo-california/) - While visiting San Luis Obispo, we attended the inaugural Fall Fest Stroll, run by Downtown SLO. The walk included cider, beer or spirits and bites offered at about 20 shops, followed by a short terrace reception. The net proceeds of the event benefited their clean and safe program. After the event, which featured lots more spirits - [Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/fogo-de-chao-brazilian-steakhouse-midtown-nyc/) - My last visit to Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse was for a press event celebrating their new cocktails, this time celebrating a 20-year-old's birthday with his family. Old friends from my Connecticut days. He, of course, chose the churrasco experience ($74.95) served rodízio style. A perfect way to satiate a growing boy! That's continual service - [The Lambs Club + Roommate, Not](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-lambs-club-roommate-not/) - A leisurely lunch at the Lambs Club was our plan. Then, we'd walk around the corner to see Mia Farrow and Patty Lupone in Roommates at the Booth Theatre on 45th Street. We hadn't yet discovered that the show was canceled as Mia Farrow had COVID. The Lambs Club is America's first professional theatrical club, - [Lusardi's , Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lusardis-upper-east-side-nyc/) - The evening started at my friend’s home with apps and icy vodka in chilled martini glasses. Then, off to Lusardi’s on Second Avenue, an Italian institution started by two brothers in the 1980s. Once seated at this white-tablecloth restaurant, the waiter brought us a basket of bread with a cruet of olive oil. We nibbled - [Pre-Theatre Menu at the Greek Kellari Taverna, Theatre District, NYC + Our Town](https://www.biteofthebest.com/pre-theatre-menu-at-the-greek-kellari-taverna-theatre-district-nyc-our-town/) - After reading Ann Patchet's Tom Lake for one of my book groups, where they put on a production of “Our Town,” by Thornton Wilder, we realized that show was coming to Broadway and vowed to go together. We did. I highly recommend the production with Jim Parsons playing the narrator. Before the show, we opted - [La Palapa, Gotham West, NYC + Intrepid Museum](https://www.biteofthebest.com/la-palapa-gotham-west-nyc-intrepid-museum/) - Our ex.expat of New York group visited the Intrepid, an American military and maritime history museum at Pier 86 at 46th Street, along the Hudson River. Our tour guide brought the ship alive through personal stories about sailors and pilots who spent time on the Intrepid, protecting our country through the Vietnam war. Some of - [A Return to Hutong, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-hutong-midtown-nyc/) - This time, I knew where to find the Hutang restaurant, whose address is on Lexington Avenue. Its entrance is in the alley off 58th Street, where Le Cirque had been, halfway between Lex and Third. Hutang, by the way, means alley. We were there for the prix fixe $30 lunch offering a selection of appetizers, entrees - [A Sad Return to Electric Lemon + Circle Line Around Manhattan](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-sad-return-to-electric-lemon-circle-line-around-manhattan/) - After our end-of-summer Circle Line 2.5-hour cruise around Manhattan Island through Spuyten Duyvil Creek and down the Hudson back to the dock at Pier 83, I stopped at Electric Lemon with a friend for a light bite. If you have never done — or haven't taken the cruise in years — I highly recommend the - [Mexican at Fonda, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/mexican-at-fonda-chelsea-nyc/) - After reading about Fonda's happy hour in Chelsea, I asked a friend to meet me there to sample their fare. When we arrived at happy hour, we learned that the offers were only available at the bar. Sadly, their barstools have no backs, making it uncomfortable for my aching back to sit without support. I - [Fiesta Dinnerware Pitcher](https://www.biteofthebest.com/fiesta-dinnerware-pitcher/) - Fiesta Dinnerware has always been known for its fun mix-and-match bright colors. The colors were born from a desire during the Great Depression to cheer up the country with red, blue, green, yellow and ivory Fiestaware. This pottery, made in West Virginia, has been lead-safe since 1986. It can be used in the microwave, dishwasher - [The Italian Malaparte, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-italian-malaparte-west-village-nyc/) - Lifetime Fitness recently opened on 23rd Street, allowing access to those whose insurance offers Renew Active. I put my name on the waiting list in April and recently got in. I discussed books with the others in the women's steam room and then moved on to dining. One new friend mentioned that one of her - [Winona's, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/winonas-bed-stuy-brooklyn/) - Winona’s is a family-run restaurant owned by Cressida Greening and Emir Dupeyron, who originally started it as a supper club in their apartment next door in Northern Bed-Stuy. I was invited to sample their seasonally driven food and natural wines. We started with their well-crafted cocktails. My dining partner had a Passion Sour ($16) made - [New Location of Mission Ceviche, Union Square, NYC + Once Upon a Mattress](https://www.biteofthebest.com/new-location-of-mission-ceviche-union-square-nyc-once-upon-a-mattress/) - I first sampled Peruvian food in Lima over 50 years ago when I went to meet my newborn nephew, who is now 51. I recently stopped into the newly opened, grand Mission Ceviche in Union Square for more Peruvian fare. It's a sister to the original one on the Upper East Side. This one is - [Rosemary's, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rosemarys-west-village-nyc/) - I thought it was time to sample Rosemary's, a West Village restaurant on my walking route. That, and I always find its sister place Claudette a treat. We were seated in our own enclosed heated booth. A plus for being with people in your bubble. I started with their Manhattan made with High West's Stiletto - [Grand Banks, Hudson River Parkway, Tribeca, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/grand-banks-hudson-river-parkway-tribeca-nyc/) - When the weather is good, I try to frequent all my fav outdoor-by-the-water restaurants in Manhattan, from the Frying Pan to the North River Lobster Boat, with Grand Banks in between. These establishments are open only when the weather is good, and each offers awe-inspiring views. Grand Banks is in the water at the southwest edge of - [Sempre Oggi, Upper West Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/sempre-oggi-upper-west-side-nyc/) - Sempre Oggi is a new Italian restaurant on the Upper West Side with a well-trained service staff. We met for a leisurely dinner at this restaurant, whose name loosely translated means "Always Today." They interpret that as embracing the very best of right now. This staff warmly welcomed me as I arrived at the hostess - [Restaurant Week at Perry Street, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/restaurant-week-at-perry-street-west-village-nyc/) - When Restaurant Week first started, it was just that, one week. By the time you heard the buzz, it was often too late. No more. We now have four weeks, giving us ample time to make a res or two once we know it's happening. When I learned that Perry Street offered a special 3-course, - [City Vineyard, Hudson River Park, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/city-vineyard-hudson-river-park-nyc/) - Each summer on the island of Manhattan, I try to visit each of my favorite Hudson River waterside haunts at least once. Some include The Frying Pan, Grand Banks, Drift In, Mezze (formerly the Merchant House) and City Vineyard, located at Pier 26. We chose the air-conditioning inside, as it was one of our hot and - [Seafood at Oceana, Midtown West, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/seafood-at-oceana-midtown-west-nyc/) - On a rainy day recently, I met my financial advisor for lunch at Oceana, a restaurant he frequents because of its proximity. Expecting nothing other than money talk over seafood, I was pleasantly pleased by the attentive service of good food. I sipped a glass of their Sancerre with their lump crab cake in a mustard celery - [Carlotto, Flatiron-Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/carlotto-flatiron-gramercy-nyc/) - My friend raved about the restaurant week menu at Carlotto, a fairly new restaurant in our hood that neither of us had tried. We went on that recommendation. Our appetizer of their slow-roasted lamb rib "presse" was worth the trip with its tender braised meat with a seared finish to crips the edges with the - [Don't Miss Spanish Casa Dani, Manhattan West, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dont-miss-spanish-casa-dani-manhattan-west-nyc/) - The Spanish Casa Dani, AKA Dani's House, with Chef Dani Garcia is in Manhattan West adjacent to Hudson Yards. Its menu offers items inspired by Spain's Mediterranean south that combine unusual flavors and textures. I had heard that I must try it. As a spice lover, I had to sample their Piquillo-illo, an Aperol spritz - [Danny Meyer's Ci Siamo, Manhattan West, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/danny-meyers-ci-siamo-manhattan-west-nyc/) - Danny Meyer's original Union Square restaurant was my go-to for special occasions as it never disappointed. With that in mind, I was eager to try his new Italian Ci Siamo, located in a new residential development in Manhattan West, adjacent to Hudson Yards. Its menu contains seasonal ingredients, many cooked using live fire. We started - [A Birthday Gathering at Zou Zou's, Manhattan West, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-birthday-gathering-at-zou-zous-manhattan-west-nyc/) - Some building mates and I celebrate our June birthdays together. This time we did so at Zou Zou's, a lively Mediterranean restaurant at Manhattan West. The restaurant celebrates the cuisine of the eastern Mediterranean from chef Madeline Sperling, who hails from Gramercy Tavern and The NoMad. It's a small 75-seat space around an open kitchen - [A Return to Zou Zou, Manhattan West, for Father's Day](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-zou-zou-manhattan-west-for-fathers-day/) - My kids chose Zou Zou's to celebrate Father's Day for its proximity to their hotel, Pendry Manhattan West, the first NYC hotel for Montage Hotels & Resorts. Zou Zou is part of the Quality Branded restaurant group that includes Bad Roman, Quality Eats, Smith & Wollensky and more. The noise level outside would have been - [Greek Eleni's for Lunch, Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/greek-elenis-for-lunch-gramercy-nyc/) - I had noticed Eleni's, the inviting Greek restaurant on Third Avenue as I walked by many times. This time I met a friend for a birthday lunch. Eleni's used large baby-blue mask-wearing bears to fill the tables patrons couldn't. Adorable. We opted for their generous $29.95 prix fixe lunch and a bottle of their Hatzigiannis - [Lightship Frying Pan, Hudson River Park, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lightship-frying-pan-hudson-river-park-nyc/) - For decades, I’ve been taking out-of-towners and local New Yorkers to the historic Lightship Frying Pan, the floating eatery in the water west of 26th Street. The lightship moved from Pier 63 to Pier 66 and added the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Float Transfer Bridge to give access to it. The Lightship Frying Pan — - [Mezze (Formerly Merchant River House), Hudson River Esplanade, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/mezze-formerly-merchant-river-house-hudson-river-esplanade-nyc/) - One warm summer afternoon, we walked the Hudson River Park walkway down the Esplanade right below Brookfield Place to Mezze, formerly the Merchant River House, for outdoor dining. The staff sat us in the smaller outdoor space near the entrance. I suggest requesting the more spacious outdoor terrace through the restaurant to that porch, where - [Le Rivage, Theatre Row, NYC + Hell's Kitchen](https://www.biteofthebest.com/le-rivage-theatre-row-nyc-hells-kitchen/) - Silly me. I've avoided dining on Theatre Row, remembering it as too touristy. I decided to book the longtime French bistro serving classic fare in an old-world, rustic setting, mentioning we were celebrating a birthday. Since reading both Danny Meyer's "Setting the Table" and Will Guidara's "Unreasonable Hospitality," focusing on hospitality, I've been noticing exceptional service - [Pinto Garden, West Village, NYC + & Sons Steakeasy's Father's Study Speakeasy](https://www.biteofthebest.com/pinto-garden-west-village-nyc-sons-steakeasys-fathers-study-speakeasy/) - After perusing the neighborhood options for restaurant week, we chose Pinto Garden, a Thai restaurant from Chef Teerawong "Yo" Nanthavatsiri that opened in 2016 on 10th Street. We chose the $45 restaurant week dinner menu, being happily flabbergasted that it included a cocktail. I tried their Smoke Gets in Your Eyes smoky old-fashioned, my dining - [Staycation at the Dream Downtown, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/staycation-at-the-dream-downtown-chelsea-nyc/) - Upon realizing that I could buy a resort pass to the Dream Downtown hotel in Chelsea only a few blocks away, I decided to take a staycation there and enjoy catching up on my book group reading by their pool. To get there from the lobby, one ascends the stairs to the 4-foot-deep pool, which—of - [Authentic Moroccan at Tara's Kitchen, Tribeca, NYC + Pilobolus](https://www.biteofthebest.com/authentic-moroccan-at-taras-kitchen-tribeca-nyc-pilobolus/) - I had never heard of 1000-hole pancakes, nor had I had them in Morocco. My friend was invited to sample these spongy semolina pancakes, also called beghrir, at Tara Kitchen in Tribeca, owned by Aneese Waheed. The pancakes are cooked only on one side and not flipped. Thanks to yeast in the batter, tiny holes - [Shoreline Visits: Shell and Bone, The Stand and Zinc](https://www.biteofthebest.com/shoreline-visits-shell-and-bone-the-stand-and-zinc/) - I'm always amazed at how few restaurants are on the water in Connecticut, a coastal New England state — something I realized while writing for Yankee Travel Guide. And so, when visiting friends in Connecticut, I picked my first dining stop at Shell and Bones on the water in New Haven. Their bloody Mary cocktail - [Hutong, An Asian Disappointment, in the Bloomberg Building, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/hutong-an-asian-disappointment-in-the-bloomberg-building-midtown-nyc/) - Eater.com gave praise to Hutong, a high-end Hong Kong-based restaurant that opened where Le Cirque once stood. I had put it on my list to try. We had a smidgen of trouble finding the entrance, as it is not on Lexington as the address says, but in an alley off 58th street. According to the - [This Time Dinner at Electric Lemon, Hudson Yards, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/this-time-dinner-at-electric-lemon-hudson-yards-nyc/) - I've been recommending Electric Lemon on the 24th floor of the Equinox Hotel at Hudson Yards since I tasted their crab in a crunchy ginger dressing. It was that good. We started with that crab ($24) and added the cauliflower flatbread ($20) topped with hummus, sun-dried tomatoes and herbs and a bottle of Sancerre, Noël - [Zou Zou's, Manhattan West, NYC + The Fringe's "Pretty Good, Not Bad" + Stereophonic](https://www.biteofthebest.com/zou-zous-manhattan-west-nyc-the-fringes-pretty-good-not-bad-stereophonic-2/) - It is not normal for me to attend two shows in one day. That said, it was my friend's only day to reschedule seeing Stereophonic, the Tony-award-winning show at the Golden Theatre about the rollercoaster ride of recording an album. We loved the show, yet felt they could have trimmed the 3+ hour show a lot. After - [2024 US Open Food Tasting Preview](https://www.biteofthebest.com/2024-us-open-food-tasting-preview/) - You'll eat well this year with expansive dining options across the US Open Tennis Championships grounds at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. I know that, as I recently sampled this year's offerings from the many celebrity chef partners. Simon Kim’s COQODAQ debuts this year, serving his black golden nugget fried chicken with seasonal truffles. Some - [La Palapa + Holiday Lounge, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/la-palapa-holiday-lounge-east-village-nyc/) - We met at Holiday Lounge in the East Village for a drink before dinner next door at La Palapa. Almost 100 years old, this iconic watering hole has a mahogany horseshoe bar and a hand-painted harem scene mural from its Ali Baba days. We were guests of one friend who won the dinner at a - [Waterside Dining Central Park Boathouse, Central Park, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/waterside-dining-loeb-boathouse-central-park-nyc/) - I have a soft spot for iconic New York City spots, especially those that pleasantly surprise visitors with their peaceful, charming ambiance. The recently reopened Central Park Boathouse, sitting by a tranquil lake with lovers in rowboats, is one. It's a serene oasis in the heart of the bustling city. As you sit at a - [GupShup, Flatiron-Gramercy, NYC + Vivian Maier at Fotografiska](https://www.biteofthebest.com/gupshup-flatiron-gramercy-nyc-vivian-maier-at-fotografiska/) - The first major retrospective in the United States of nanny-photographer Vivian Maier’s extraordinary work is at Fotografiska New York, but it will only be open until September 29, 2024, when the museum closes. Word has it that they are looking for a larger space.This museum currently offers photographic exhibitions by leading photographers and emerging talents. - [New Puttery Mini-Golf and Lounge, Meat Packing District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/new-puttery-mini-golf-and-lounge-meat-packing-district-nyc/) - Puttery, a new mini-golf game on West 14th Street with two bars and light fare, opened earlier this year, offering bar fare and fun on multiple floors. The night we attended, the elevator wasn't working. We started in the third-floor bar/restaurant area with drinks and nibbles, sharing tacos, sliders, fries and shrimp. The chicken tacos - [Bayon, Midtown East, NYC + Panarama Room, Graduate Hotel, Roosevelt Island](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bayon-midtown-east-nyc-panarama-room-graduate-hotel-roosevelt-island/) - We met at Bayon, one of my friends' favorite neighborhood restaurants. I was eager to sample the Cambodian fare. We ordered a bottle of Gruner Veltliner, 2022, Aichenberg, Austria ($36), which paired nicely with the food. For appetizers, we ate mango salad, Gnoam Svay, with julienne green mango strips, fresh avocado chunks, dried coconut and - [Beth D'Addono](https://www.biteofthebest.com/beth-daddono/) - Beth D'Addono, a food and travel writer specializing in New Orleans (NoLA), and I met through Les Dames d'Escoffier (LDEI), a philanthropic organization of women leaders in the food, beverage and hospitality industries. She was the co-founder and, then, president of the New Orleans chapter when I was on our international board as her liaison. - [Dreamfarm Fluicer and Supoon](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dreamfarm-fluicer-and-supoon/) - Every year, I attend a mini-housewares show in Manhattan to preview the latest products that will be shown at The International Housewares Association's (IHA) Home + Housewares Market at Chicago's McCormick Place in March. This time, two items from Dreamfarm stood out as products I wanted to share with you for your kitchen. The first - [Cypress Grove Meyer Lemon & Honey Cheese](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cypress-grove-meyer-lemon-honey-cheese/) - I've been a Cypress Grove fan since I first tasted their Humboldt Fog goat cheese in the 80s. I really like their newest flavor, the Meyer Lemon & Honey Cheese. The 3-ounce disk ($8) of goat cheese has a slightly sweetened Meyer lemon and delicate alfalfa honey flavor. One ounce has 70 calories and 4.5 - [The Cottage, Westport, CT](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-cottage-westport-ct-2/) - It's been almost a decade since a publicist had invited me to try Brian Lewis' innovative cuisine at The Cottage in Westport. I returned recently to share a meal with some Connecticut friends. It's a lovely small cottage, hence the name. Its ever-changing menu showcases seasonal fare — very Connecticut. The Chateau des Jacques Bourgogne, Chardonnay - [London Lennie's, Rego Park, Queens, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/london-lennies-rego-park-queens-nyc/) - We drove to Woodhaven Boulevard in Rego Park, Queens, to dine at the seafood restaurant London Lennie's that's been owned and operated by the Barnes Family since 1959. The valet parked our car as we headed inside to our table. Our waitress, Mariann, listened intently as we each requested our drinks, apps and meals, indicating - [Secretive Celebrations Ends at Laser Wolf, Brooklyn, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/secretive-celebrations-ends-at-laser-wolf-brooklyn-nyc/) - I was told to wear comfy shoes, dress casually and meet at the Astor Place subway at 2:15 for a surprise birthday celebration. After exiting the subway at City Hall, we met some other friends. We walked the Brooklyn Bridge, had a drink at Time Out, then headed to the dock at Dumbo and boarded - [The Norm, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NYC + The Eyes of the Storm](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-norm-brooklyn-museum-brooklyn-nyc-the-eyes-of-the-storm/) - I was a teenager when the Beatles arrived in NYC in 1963 for their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. That trip catapulted them into stardom. During that time period, Paul McCartney took photos with his Pentax camera looking out from within the Beatlemania frenzy. Hence, "The Eyes of the Storm." Those photographs and more - [MOMA's Terrace, Midtown, NYC + Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunt](https://www.biteofthebest.com/momas-terrace-midtown-nyc-watson-adventures-scavenger-hunt/) - Our six-person team gathered in the MOMA lobby (Museum of Modern Art) for a scavenger hunt with Watson Adventures. We had 90 minutes to find answers to the 28 questions throughout the museum. We moved quickly with each team member helping find the answers. Once found, we typed our responses into the online form. We - [Song’E Napule New Location, West Village, NYC + PS at Pine & Polk Speakeasy](https://www.biteofthebest.com/songe-napule-new-location-west-village-nyc-ps-at-pine-polk-speakeasy/) - The publicist reached out about Song’E Napule's new location, down the block east on Houston from its previous location. I couldn't resist going remembering how delicious it had been. This is the fourth location of this pizzeria and trattoria. I again sampled their Parmigiana Di Melanzane ($18), thin slices of eggplant parmigiana that had melted - [Laut, finally an "A", Union Square, NYC + Sleeping Beauties at the Met](https://www.biteofthebest.com/laut-finally-an-a-union-square-nyc-sleeping-beauties-at-the-met/) - I had always enjoyed dining at Laut, a restaurant that blends Malaysian, Singaporean and Thai food, in my hood. When their letter grade from the Health Department that promotes and protects the city's health changed from A to B to C to worse, I avoided it. When I noticed the restaurant again sporting an "A," - [Chicka and the Don, Flatiron-Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/chicka-and-the-don-flatiron-gramercy-nyc/) - Chicka and The Don is a new Latin American restaurant in the Flatiron District, where Almayass was on 21st Street. The waiter mentioned a third that had come and gone. As their guests, we sampled much of the menu. My dining partner chose a Margie, while I sampled The Don ($20), a unique twist on an Old - [Jane Bertch](https://www.biteofthebest.com/jane-bertch/) - Earlier this month, I reintroduced my Guest Foodie column and its interview that acquaints you with the thoughts, insights and achievements of people in or related to the food industry. Today's story is about Jane Bertch, my American-Parisian friend, the impressive Dame who started our Paris chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier. At that time, I - [L’Artusi, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lartusi-west-village-nyc-2/) - It took a few moments to adjust to the busting noise level at L’Artusi in the West Village, having just eaten at Greywind where I didn't have to strain to hear my dining partner. We were looking for a crisp, cold white on this hot summer night. We ordered the Pallagrello Bianco "caiatì," Michele Alois - [Barbuto, West Village, NYC + Breaking the Story + Twyla Tharp](https://www.biteofthebest.com/barbuto-west-village-nyc-breaking-the-story-twyla-tharp/) - After we went to different matinees, we met for dinner at Johnathan Waxman's Barbuto on the corner of Horatio and West Street in the West Village, just a 2-minute walk from Little Island. There, we saw a full-length premiere from Twyla Tharp featuring live music by T Bone Burnett and David Mansfield. I had seen - [Le Jardinier, Midtown, NYC with a Dessert Symphony](https://www.biteofthebest.com/le-jardinier-midtown-nyc-with-a-dessert-symphony/) - Le Jardinier, French for "the gardener," is Chef Alain Verzeroli's Michelin-starred midtown restaurant, where my friend treated me to a birthday meal. We sat at a corner round table, which was oh-so conducive to great conversation and viewing the restaurant. I started sipping my Rogue Royale ($24), a smooth, well-balanced blend of El Tesoro Blanco, - [Up On 20, Hyatt Herald Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/up-on-20-hyatt-herald-square-nyc/) - a blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about nibbles at the rooftop bar Up On 20 at the Hyatt Herald Square in NYC - [Juliette Restaurant, Williamsburg, Brooklyn](https://www.biteofthebest.com/juliette-restaurant-williamsburg-brooklyn/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about a stop at Juliette Restaurant, Williamsburg, Brooklyn - [La Guarida, Havana, Cuba](https://www.biteofthebest.com/la-guarida-havana-cuba/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about the good food and HORRID management at La Guarida, Havana, Cuba - [Green Fig, YOTEL New York at Times Square West, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/green-fig-yotel-new-york-at-times-square-west-nyc/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about a meal at Green Fig, YOTEL New York at Times Square West, NYC before seeing Playwright's Horizon to see Bella: An American Tall Tale - [Brunch Gallow Green at McKittrick Hotel, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-gallow-green-at-mckindrick-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. - [Ophelia Lounge, Beekman, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/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 - [Shackleton Cocktail from Arlo Hotel: 88 Degrees South](https://www.biteofthebest.com/shackleton-cocktail-from-arlo-hotel-88-degrees-south/) - "As the story goes, Sir Ernest Shackleton took cases of Mackinlay's Old Rare on his 1907 expedition to the British Antarctic. He later had to abandon the ship to save himself and his crew. That same whisky was found trapped under the ice 100 years later and recreated to become Shackleton Whisky. Named after one - [The Public Kitchen at Ian Schrager's The Public Hotel](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-public-kitchen-at-ian-schragers-the-public-hotel/) - After wandering around the shops of SoHo, we headed to the fairly new Ian Schrager hotel, The Public, first for a drink on the rooftop, and then to dinner in the namesake restaurant. Unless you're a millennial who's looking for high-priced, low-alcohol cocktails in a noisy setting with a view, skip it. Instead, head to - [Mission Ceviche, Upper East Side, NYC + Central Park](https://www.biteofthebest.com/mission-ceviche-upper-east-side-nyc-central-park/) - After a visit to the blooming conservatory gardens, we walked downtown through Central Park, stopping at the Met for a quick trip to the roof to see Alex Da Corte’s Enchanting Commission for the rooftop. He created a kinetic sculpture featuring Sesame Street's Big Bird with an aesthetic of Alexander Calder’s standing mobiles. The installation - [Lunch at El Vez and Burrito Bar, Tribeca, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-el-vez-and-burrito-bar-tribeca-nyc/) - Around the corner from both the Conrad Hotel (with the 16th floor Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar) and the Irish Hunger Memorial, is El Vez and Burrito Bar, a Mexican restaurant with lots of outdoor space. We weren't there for either, instead, it was because of its proximity to Brookdale Battery Park City home for seniors - [Pool Bar: The Rockaway Hotel, Rockaway, Queens](https://www.biteofthebest.com/pool-bar-the-rockaway-hotel-rockaway-queens/) - A trip to Rockaway Beach via the ferry had been on our radar all summer. We made a res at the Rooftop of the new Rockaway Hotel midafternoon, as we thought we'd have something to eat after a day at the beach. The weather didn't cooperate so we headed to lunch early, ending up at - [First Gansevoort, then Buddakan, Meat Packing District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/first-gansevoort-then-buddakan-meat-packing-district-nyc/) - Those who know me know I'm a birthday glutton loving my own new year and celebrating with as many friends as possible. One of my gatherings last month (yes, it takes me a month to post something after I've tried it!) started at the Gansevoort Rooftop for yummy drinks and a great view. My friends - [Birthday Celebration at Koloman in the Ace Hotel & Nubeluz, NoMad, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/birthday-celebration-at-koloman-in-the-ace-hotel-nubeluz-nomad-nyc/) - Our celebration evening began with drinks at the hot, relatively new rooftop bar in the Ritz Hotel NoMad. Nubeluz is worth visiting, especially with out-of-town visitors. I ordered the Foggy Hill, a mezcal drink I recommend that someone at your table get because of the lemon-thyme aromatic cloud presentation. Others had traditional cocktails. The birthday - [Serafina In the Sky / Pod Hotel, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + Wet Brain](https://www.biteofthebest.com/serafina-in-the-sky-pod-hotel-hells-kitchen-nyc-wet-brain/) - I'm always looking for rooftop spaces for grabbing a bite before theatre. Serafina in the Sky/Pod Hotel is perfect before heading further west on 42nd Street to shows at Playwrights Horizon, Signature Theatre or Theatre Row. I sipped an Aperol Spritz ($15) while perusing the many Italian specialties on their menu. I had read that - [La Sqala, Casablanca, Morocco](https://www.biteofthebest.com/la-sqala-casablanca-morocco/) - La Sqala is near the old Medina and around the corner from Rick's Cafe, the institution made famous by the movie Casablanca. We canceled our Rick's dinner reservation for this more authentic one offering Moroccan cuisine in an outdoor Andalusian garden with live local music. We hoped to stop by after dinner for a drink, - [Terrasse Des Espices, Marrakech, Morocco](https://www.biteofthebest.com/terrasse-des-espices-marrakech-morocco/) - We had the evening off after a visit to an organic farm outside Marrakech. We originally had a reservation at Dar Yacout — a famed location — but they canceled. Since they also canceled my friend when she recently visited Marrakesh, I booked Terrasse Des Espices, just in case. That evening, four of us headed - [Bryant Park Grill Rooftop Terrace](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bryant-park-grill-rooftop-terrace/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about alfresco dining at the rooftop terrace of the Bryant Park Grill - [Celebrate the Fourth at PRESS Lounge Rooftop](https://www.biteofthebest.com/celebrate-the-fourth-at-press-lounge-rooftop/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about Celebrating the Fourth of July at PRESS Lounge Rooftop - [Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar, Conrad Hotel, Tribeca, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/loopy-doopy-rooftop-bar-conrad-hotel-tribeca-nyc/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about a cocktail at Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar, Conrad Hotel, Tribeca, NYC - [Cloud Social Rooftop Bar, Korea Town, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cloud-social-rooftop-bar-korea-town-nyc/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about a reasonably priced rooftop bar - Cloud Social Rooftop Bar, Korea Town, NYC - [Monarch Rooftop Lounge, Midtown West, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/monarch-rooftop-lounge-midtown-west-nyc/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about a visit to Monarch Rooftop Lounge, Midtown West, NYC to sample the new autumn menu - [Sabbia a Rooftop Pop-up at Eataly, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/sabbia-a-rooftop-pop-up-at-eataly-flatiron-nyc/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about a light meal at Sabbia a Rooftop Pop-up at Eataly, Flatiron, NYC - [Happy Hour at Landmarc, Time Warner Center, NYC + Javits Rooftop](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-landmarc-time-warner-center-nyc-javits-rooftop/) - Gotta love when cocktails and nibbles are reasonably priced, at least for NYC. After a visit with some friends to the gardens on the rooftop of the Javits center, we headed uptown for a drink. Yes! there are 6.75-acre acres of green succulent plants atop the convention center, replete with 26 bird species, five bat species - [RH Rooftop Restaurant, Meatpacking District, NYC + Andy Warhol Exhibit at The Whitney](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rh-rooftop-restaurant-meatpacking-district-nyc-andy-warhol-exhibit-at-the-whitney/) - Chicago restaurateur Brendan Sodikoff (Au Cheval) opened this stylish restaurant in September on the rooftop of the Restoration Hardware in the Meatpacking District. RH sports crystal chandeliers, marble tabletops plus glass walls providing views of the surrounding skyline. Once the weather warms up, I'll go back for sure to dine or just have a glass - [Not Exactly Rooftop Dining at The No Mad, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/not-exactly-rooftop-dining-at-the-no-mad-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - We chose the rooftop at No Mad wanting to continue to eat outside as we were trying to be careful about COVID. Their so-called roof is not outside; some areas had an opening to the outside, others had plastic covers stopping the flow of air. We sat inside a tent, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, - [A Flight at Birreria Rooftop, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-flight-at-birreria-rooftop-flatiron-nyc/) - After a long walk on one of the first gorgeous spring days, I decided to stop by a rooftop restaurant for a cocktail. I wanted to continue to enjoy the weather. Figured I'd respond to texts and emails. I ended up at Eataly's open rooftop restaurant Birreria. Great space. None of their cocktails talked to - [RH Rooftop Restaurants + Return to King Nyani](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rh-rooftop-restaurants-return-to-king-nyani/) - The giant gorilla Nyani is like a magnet to me. I've been walking the Highline to Hudson Yards to bring friends to see the adorable reclining bronze ape since I first set eyes on him. Seriously, there's something enticing about him. We stopped there to take photos before walking back south on the Highline to - [Rooftop Happy Hour at STK Downtown, Meatpacking District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rooftop-happy-hour-at-stk-downtown-meatpacking-district-nyc/) - Once nice weather hits, rooftop cocktails are de rigueur. That's why we headed over to STK in the meat-packing district for a happy hour drink to celebrate my friend's birthday. First things first. We ordered our cocktails (regularly $21, hh pricing $11), my friend selected their Spiced Watermelon made with Patrón Silver, St. Germain, watermelon, - [Brunch at Haven Rooftop, Midtown, NYC + The Music Man](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-haven-rooftop-midtown-nyc-the-music-man/) - Haven Rooftop, a lively eatery located on top of the Sanctuary Hotel in the heart of the theatre district, was the perfect spot for brunch before heading up Broadway a few blocks to see the not-to-be-missed The Music Man. Always arriving early and my friends often a tad late, I had time to notice what - [A return to RH Rooftop, Meatpacking District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-rh-rooftop-meatpacking-district-nyc/) - A visit to RH Rooftop in the Meatpacking District is always a treat. The location is high above Ninth Avenue with a lush windowed dining area offering excellent attentive service and good food. I always recommend. We started with Mimosa's ($16) and their artisanal Prosciutto di Parma (some of the leanest I've ever had!) served - [Rooftop Bar at Nearly Ninth, Midtown West, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rooftop-bar-at-nearly-ninth-midtown-west-nyc/) - In a hunt for a rooftop bar with a happy hour, I tripped over the Nearly Ninth website, implying that they had one Not! The website listed a happy hour, which — after we arrived — we discovered was only for the lobby bar. We decided to stay put as we were already nestled comfortably - [Cocktails at The Royalton Rooftop, NoMad, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cocktails-at-the-royalton-rooftop-nomad-nyc/) - Summer rooftop reservations are challenging as city dwellers all want a view and fresh air. I lucked out when looking for a place to meet a relative for a quick drink before he headed off to the theatre. I got a res at the chic Royalton rooftop, sitting inside (as it was cooler than expected). - [Prosciutto & Delice Board at RH Rooftop, Meat Packing, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/prosciutto-delice-board-at-rh-rooftop-meat-packing-nyc/) - To commence a celebration of a friend's birthday, we started at RH Rooftop with a bottle of rosè bubbly. Specifically, the Pierre Sparr Cremant d'Alsace ($64). This ripe and juicy sparkler worked well with our prosciutto and cheese platter with a warm baguette and chilled grapes ($45). Knowing we were starting a b-day celebration, the - [Serra by Birreria on Eataly Rooftop, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/serra-by-birreria-on-eataly-rooftop-flatiron-nyc/) - A trip to the original Eataly on 23rd Street with lunch on their scenic rooftop was the final stop before my Dame friends departed after our October international Les Dames d'Escoffier conference. Being our last meal together this time, we asked our waiter to serve our order in courses so we could linger. And we - [Nubeluz Rooftop Bar in The Ritz, NoMad, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/nubeluz-rooftop-bar-in-the-ritz-nomad-nyc/) - Nubeluz is from the Spanish words for cloud (nube) and light (luz). It's the name of the Ritz-Carlton NoMad's swanky rooftop bar with incredible city views and a unique take on cocktails from José Andrés, who also opened Zaytinya on the ground floor. The bar opened in July at the corner of Broadway and 28th - [Haven Rooftop, Times Square, NYC + Shucked](https://www.biteofthebest.com/haven-rooftop-times-square-nyc-shucked/) - I love when out-of-towners call spur of the moment to get together as their schedule permits. So when my west-coast friend asked to grab a quick bite before heading to theatre, I jumped at the chance as it had been years since we were together. The Haven Rooftop was close to both theatres and a - [Dames at the Lookup Rooftop Bar at Kixby, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dames-at-the-lookup-rooftop-bar-at-kixby-midtown-nyc/) - Our New York chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier hosted a midtown rooftop party for other organization members attending the Summer Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center at the Lookup Rooftop Bar. The Kixby hotel generously provided complimentary glasses of bubbles (Cava) to kick off the early evening meetup. Florida Dame Marie Charlotte Piro and - [Breakfast at RH Rooftop, Meatpacking District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/breakfast-at-rh-rooftop-meatpacking-district-nyc/) - As always, the food and setting at RH Rooftop are lovely. We arrived for breakfast as they opened and commenced the morning with mimosas ($16). Their RH Scramble offered creamy scrambled eggs with creme fraîche, an avocado half, and lots of toasted thick-cut sourdough bread and salted fresh butter ($22). The avocado toast came on - [Empire Rooftop, Lincoln Square, NYC + The Gardens of Anuncia](https://www.biteofthebest.com/empire-rooftop-lincoln-square-nyc-the-gardens-of-anuncia/) - After seeing the closing performance of The Gardens of Anuncia at Lincoln Center Theatre, we headed across the street to the rooftop of the Empire Hotel that overlooks the Lincoln Center complex for a cocktail, something to eat and the stunning view. One friend sampled their tequila and grapefruit juice Paloma, another their XOXO Gossip - [Haven Rooftop, Midtown, NYC + Prayer for French Republic](https://www.biteofthebest.com/haven-rooftop-midtown-nyc-prayer-for-french-republic/) - Haven Rooftop, atop the Sanctuary Hotel, is in the heart of the theatre district, making it a good spot for pre-theatre brunch. We stopped in before heading west on 47th to see the final performance of Prayer for the French Republic. We started brunch with mimosas ($13) and a virgin bloody mary ($12). Yet instead - [Daintree Rooftop Bar, Hotel Hendricks, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/daintree-rooftop-bar-hotel-hendricks-nyc/) - A few of us Dames—members of Les Dames d'Escoffier from the New York chapter—met with a New Orleans Dame for a drink and nibbles atop Hotel Hendricks after the Cherry Bomb conference. Great views. I sipped and enjoyed their version of an old fashioned—Coffee and Wood ($18)—with Old Forester bourbon, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, Créme de Banana and cold - [Thai at Marwin, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/thai-at-marwin-midtown-nyc/) - Two of us sat waiting for the third guest at Marwin's cozy place on First Avenue. We were worried, as our friend never called, answered her phone or texted to say she was running late. It ended up that we got our wires crossed on dates. She had it on the calendar for the next - [The Thai Wan Waan, Chelsea, NYC + The Whelkin](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-thai-wan-waan-chelsea-nyc-the-whelkin/) - Instead of going home after Zumba class, I walked toward Atlantic Theater, where I was meeting a friend to see Lucy Kirkwood's The Whelkin at the Atlantic Theater, a play where twelve women must decide an accused murderer's pregnancy claim to decide about hanging her. It was at a time when the country waited for Halley's - [The Norm, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-norm-brooklyn-museum-brooklyn-nyc/) - About a year ago, The Norm a restaurant inspired by the diversity of cultures in that borough, opened at The Brooklyn Museum. Michelin-starred Chef Saul Bolton of Great Performances offers an eclectic mix of Indian, Mexican, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Caribbean, Indo-Chinese and all-American multi-cultural flavors in the unusual menu. I was invited as a Great Performances - [Julie Hartigan's Grandma's Pasta Fagioli](https://www.biteofthebest.com/julie-hartigans-grandmas-pasta-fagioli/) - My last post re-introduced our Guest Foodie column, providing insight into the points of view of almost top foodies — people who made a living in the field. That's where I wrote on Julie Hartigan, who mentioned trying this Pasta Fagioli recipe: "when you or someone you love needs a comfort food hug in a - [Lunch in the hood at Da Andrea, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-in-the-hood-at-da-andrea-greenwich-village-nyc/) - When I first moved into my hood, I went with neighbors to Da Andrea, a neighborhood Italian restaurant. I hadn't been back or thought about it until recently when a friend's kids who live in Brooklyn took her there for her birthday. She mentioned it was good. I had to return to see what I - [Julie Hartigan: A Return of my Guest Foodie Column](https://www.biteofthebest.com/julie-hartigan-a-return-of-my-guest-foodie-column/) - I introduced my Guest Foodie column on July 10, 2012, twelve years ago today. Over the next seven years, it provided insight into the points of view of almost 90 of the country’s top foodies — people who made a living in the field. I'm not sure why, but I stopped writing it. With this - [Bottomless Brunch at Maya, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bottomless-brunch-at-maya-midtown-nyc/) - One rainy day recently a friend and I stopped in at Richard Sandaval's Maya, a restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide as one of the ”Best Mexican Restaurants in Manhattan." Like almost everyone else, we opted for the bottomless brunch that included unlimited dishes and cocktails ($59). I had to have their margarita while my - [2024's North River Lobster Boat, Pier 81, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/2024s-north-river-lobster-boat-pier-81-nyc/) - Sailing on the North River Lobster boat has been one of my annual summer events since it started its excursions in 2014 when the sail was free. Today, that sail still takes you up the Hudson while you sip your drink and have a meal, yet now you need a ticket (~$10) to board. Reflecting - [The Smith, Lincoln Plaza, NYC + Steve Carell not in Uncle Vanya](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-smith-lincoln-plaza-nyc-steve-carell-not-in-uncle-vanya/) - We purchased our tickets this past winter when we heard about Steve Carell's Broadway debut in Uncle Vanya. We didn't want to miss this star of "Little Miss Sunshine," The Office and much more. Day of, we received notice that "Steve Carell will not appear at this performance." Since his name is above the title, - [Dan Kluger's Greywind, Midtown West, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dan-klugers-greywind-midtown-west-nyc/) - Dan Kluger, the former executive chef at ABC Kitchen who went on to open Loring Place, is now at Greywind, a windowed 58-seat dining room on the corner of Tenth Avenue and 35th Street slightly east of the 7-train Hudson River stop. I loved how I didn’t have to strain to hear my friend. I - [City Winery, Hudson River Park, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/city-winery-hudson-river-park-nyc-2/) - On a gorgeous summer day, I met a friend to wander through the shops at Chelsea Market, then headed to City Winery for lunch. We sat inside by the windows at the waterside with a beautiful view of the Hudson and Little Island. We shared their tasty Greek Salad ($19) that included baby lettuce with - [Ambra, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/ambra-west-village-nyc/) - I headed back to the West Village on a recommendation of Ambra from a friend who frequents the neighborhood and shares my likes of Cafe Cluny and The Mary Lane. We started with Maker's Mark (+$2) cocktails: my friend had a Manhattan ($18), and I tried their Old Fashioned ($18). I'd recommend either. Next, we - [Bistro Mediterranean Tapas Bar, Milford, CT](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bistro-mediterranean-tapas-bar-milford-ct/) - The third Bistro Mediterranean Tapas Bar opened recently in Milford in a restaurant with a seemingly revolving door. I experienced various iterations when I lived in the area. We stopped in before the official opening last month when I was in Connecticut, meeting a friend for lunch. The manager served us, and we sat there - [Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe](https://www.biteofthebest.com/paper-plane-cocktail-recipe/) - While in Washington, DC, staying with my friend Scot, he offered me a Paper Plane, his new summer easy-to-make cocktail. He recently started experimenting with cocktails when he moved from beer and wine to liquor. Along the way, he discovered this easy-to-make cocktail with equal parts of each ingredient. The Paper Plane is less effervescent - [Vin Sur Vingt Wine Bar, Washington DC + Carlyle in Arlington](https://www.biteofthebest.com/vin-sur-vingt-wine-bar-washington-dc-carlyle-in-arlington/) - I was in DC for my babysitter's burial in Arlington. She was not the woman who took care of my sons, but she took care of me as an infant and stayed close to me until the end. We gathered to see her buried atop her hubby, an army colonel. The night before the service, - [Molkajete Restaurant Bar, Brooklyn, NYC + Green-wood Cemetery](https://www.biteofthebest.com/molkajete-restaurant-bar-brooklyn-nyc-green-wood-cemetery/) - Our ex-expat group took a private temperature-controlled trolley with a guide to explore Greenwood’s historical landscape. We toured some of its 478 glacial-formed acres. The cemetery houses one of the largest outdoor collections of nineteenth—and twentieth-century statuary and mausoleums. It's not to be missed. After our tour, we headed down the hill toward our subway - [Populares Mexican Restaurant, Lower East Side, NYC + Board of Education](https://www.biteofthebest.com/populares-mexican-restaurant-lower-east-side-nyc-board-of-education/) - We laughed out loud at the comedy Board of Education, part of the Fresh Fruit Festival. It's a comedy following two aimless millennials from being waiters at a gastropub to running for the board of education. Richard Spitaletta, who wrote it, also stars in it. After the show, we walked around the corner to the - [Lunch at Ci Siamo, Manhattan West, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-ci-siamo-manhattan-west-nyc/) - This was my first time back at Ci Siamo, Danny Meyer's Italian restaurant in Manhattan West, since its opening. Chef Hillary Sterling is still at the helm with live-fire cooking and seasonal ingredients. Last time, it was a noisy dinner, this time on their outdoor—oh, so quiet—terrace overlooking the outdoor space at Manhattan West with - [A Michelin-Starred Vegetarian Palace: Dirt Candy, Lower East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-michelin-starred-vegetarian-palace-dirt-candy-lower-east-side-nyc/) - Dirt Candy is one of only two vegetarian restaurants in New York City with a Michelin star. Interestingly, chef-owner Amanda Cohen is not a vegetarian. She says vegetables are just candy from dirt. Amanda is a pioneer, introducing no tipping, a policy that Union Square Hospitality's Danny Meyer — who is often credited — followed. - [Breakfast at The Marshal, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + Illinoise](https://www.biteofthebest.com/breakfast-at-the-marshal-hells-kitchen-nyc-illinoise/) - Charlie Marshal's eponymous restaurant, a unique gem in Hell's Kitchen, is one of my go-to pre-theatre places. This time, we returned for brunch before heading to the Tony-nominated Illinoise, the narrative dance musical at the St. James Theatre that's a coming-of-age story. We sampled a few items for the first time: the spring asparagus pizza with aged and fresh - [All-Day Breakfast, Charleston, South Carolina](https://www.biteofthebest.com/all-day-breakfast-charleston-south-carolina/) - On our sibling trip, we started our day by yakking over a meal at one of Charleston's many breakfast-all-day places. First stop, Toast! All Day, as one sibling and hubby had eaten there during their last visit. I do suggest what I had, which was a Pig Candy bloody Mary made with Dixie Black pepper vodka - [Chalong, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + A Sign of the Times](https://www.biteofthebest.com/chalong-hells-kitchen-nyc-a-sign-of-the-times/) - Chalong is worth a special trip. We ended up at this Southern Thai restaurant because of its proximity to New World Stages, where we saw A Sign of the Times, a musical review about a woman's journey set to the soundtrack of our Baby Boomer generation. The perfectly seasoned coconut crab curry had just enough - [Opening of Fogo de Chão, Brooklyn, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/opening-of-fogo-de-chao-brooklyn-nyc/) - I'm a Fogo de Chão fan and have been since I experienced my first churrascaria (grilled BBQ) at their midtown location. I couldn't resist heading to City Point Mall in Albee Square in Brooklyn for the opening. This location features an open churrasco grill, where customers can watch their chefs butcher, prepare and grill various - [The Dining Room at The Met + The Look Again: European Paintings 1300–1800](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-dining-room-at-the-met-the-look-again-european-paintings-1300-1800/) - Now that you no longer need to be a member to dine there, I highly recommend the fourth-floor Met dining room while visiting the museum. This time I was with out-of-town friends who selected the "Look Again: European Paintings 1300–1800" installation. Over lunch, we discussed that Vermeer—whom I am familiar with—wasn't as prolific as the - [The Korean COQODAQ, Flatiron-Grammarcy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-korean-coqodaq-flatiron-grammarcy-nyc/) - Coquodoq, a new fried chicken concept, is currently one of the hottest reservation. The Flatiron restaurant is from Korean-American restaurateur Simon Kim, owner of the Michelin-starred Cote Korean Steakhouse. That's where we were celebrating a big birthday. When entering the restaurant's front door, the first stop is at the hand-washing sink, replete with high-end soaps, - [The Mary Lane, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-mary-lane-west-village-nyc-2/) - The Mary Lane, a classic West Village restaurant offering locally sourced, market-based fare, is situated on the cobblestone corner of Bank and Greenwich Streets. We shared two dishes as separate courses so we could enjoy each, starting with their flour tortilla tacos stuffed with grilled shrimp, pickled jalapeños, shredded cabbage and topped with a slice - [Pizza at Numero 28, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/pizza-at-numero-28-upper-east-side-nyc/) - Instead of meeting in one member's home, our bi-monthly book group met at the Upper East Side location of Numero 28, an authentic Neapolitan brick-oven pizza restaurant. We sipped the Wild Fighter, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, 2020 and the chilled Janare, Del Sannio Falanghina 2019 ($45) while waiting for each member to arrive. Our hostess - [Blooms Tavern, Midtown, NYC + Roosevelt Island](https://www.biteofthebest.com/blooms-tavern-midtown-nyc-roosevelt-island/) - Our ex.expat group toured Roosevelt Island when the cherry blossoms were in bloom with tour guide extraordinaire Kevin Draper, who detailed the history and the newly built Cornell University technology campus and future redevelopment plans for the island. After our tour, we took the tram back to Manhattan and headed to Blooms Tavern, a super-friendly - [Margaux, Marlton, Hotel, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/margaux-marlton-hotel-greenwich-village-nyc/) - The Marlton Hotel has been on my radar since a friend texted, "How did we not know about this place?" She described the warm, cozy area with a lit fireplace on 8th Street just off Fifth Avenue. When I walked in, that area had a sprinkling of guests seated at tables with a computer in front - [Osteria La Baia, Theatre District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/osteria-la-baia-theatre-district-nyc/) - We popped a magnum of Faust 2018 ($250) Cabernet to start our birthday celebration for three friends at Osteria La Baia in the theatre district. Some of the highlights of our apps included the chickpea and escarole tomato soup ($19), a Caesar salad ($22) made with butter lettuce and roasted octopus ($35) and fingerling potatoes - [A Return to Marseille, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + Suffs](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-marseille-hells-kitchen-nyc-suffs/) - Brunch at Marseille before theatre is de rigueur, as it's ideally located when heading to a show. We stopped there before seeing "Suffs," the musical about the women's suffrage movement that started at The Public in 2022 and is bound to be a hit. I highly recommend it. As many women did at the State - [Pearlz Oyster Bar & Fleet Landing, Charleston, South Carolina](https://www.biteofthebest.com/pearlz-oyster-bar-fleet-landing-charleston-south-carolina/) - I recently returned from a visit to Charleston with my siblings and their spouses. It was the first time we've all vacationed together. What follows is the lowdown on the low country in two posts. This one covers two dinners worth describing, and the next our breakfasts, where we sat and yakked for hours. We - [A Return to Leitao, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-leitao-west-village-nyc/) - I returned to the friendly Portuguese Leitao in the West Village, again lucking out to sit at one of the two fairly quiet window tables — this time with my grad school roomie and her hubbie. Their Iberico pork ribs, Porco Preto ($22), cooked in wine, capers and housemade Calabrian garlic chili, were as delicious - [L'Amico, Chelsea, NYC + Macy's Flower Show](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lamico-chelsea-nyc-macys-flower-show/) - Another year, another flower show at Macy's main store between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. Last year's exhibition was much more beautiful, yet the show is always aromatic and worth visiting the iconic store. Afterward, we walked downtown a few blocks to L'Amico, where Chef Laurent Tourondel serves an American menu with Italian influences in a - [Bangkok (Thai ) Food at Pranakhon, Union Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bangkok-thai-food-at-pranakhon-union-square-nyc/) - My friend Babs raved about a new Thai restaurant in my hood, serving the food of Bangkok. On her recommendation, I met a friend for lunch in their airy, spacious dining room, allowing for easy conversation. Those who've been to Thailand might recognize the orange vests sported by the serving staff, similar to the delivery - [Brunch at The Marshal, Hell's Kitchen, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-the-marshal-hells-kitchen-nyc/) - I chose Charlie Marshal's eponymous restaurant for its proximity to where my dining partners were off to see A Beautiful Noise at the Neil Simon theatre. With brunch cocktails de rigueur, we began with them; two of us ordered the Bloody Mary ($12) and two the Bloody Caesar ($13), made with clam juice. With our drinks, we devoured - [Cafe Chelsea, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cafe-chelsea-chelsea-nyc/) - Inspired by the long tradition of French bistro dining, Café Chelsea in the historic Hotel Chelsea offers an all-day menu with a contemporary take on classics. We stopped in for brunch and were seated at the comfy front window booth with the sunlight pouring in. Idyllic. Like Raines Law Room, the reconstruction of the Chelsea Hotel - [A Return to the Met Dining Room, Upper East Side, NYC + Harlem Renaissance](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-the-met-dining-room-upper-east-side-nyc-harlem-renaissance/) - As I've previously mentioned, you don't need to be a member to dine at the fourth-floor Met Dining room, but you do need a res. Before heading upstairs to the dining room, we first visited the Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism exhibit, which explored how Black artists portrayed everyday modern life. We sipped a glass - [Hav & Mar Seafood Restaurant, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/hav-mar-seafood-restaurant-chelsea-nyc/) - I returned to Marcus Samuelson's Hav & Mar with friends recently. It's his successful seafood restaurant, a 3-minute walk from the seasonal Frying Pan, one of my favorite warm-weather floating restaurants. We, of course, had to share his Hav Bread Basket ($19) containing teff biscuits, blue cornbread, injera crisp with Shiro hummus, tomato chutney and - [Fig & Olive, Meat Packing District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/fig-olive-meat-packing-district-nyc/) - After visiting the Whitney Museum's Biennial 2024, we headed to Fig & Olive for a quick bite before my friend left for JFK on a flight to Amsterdam. We yakked and shared two salads. I'd recommend either the Fig & Olive salad with kale, red cabbage, sun-dried tomato, pear slices, Gorgonzola and candied pecans ($21) - [Sardi's, Times Square, NYC + Outsiders](https://www.biteofthebest.com/sardis-times-square-nyc-outsiders/) - Remember the torrential rain with flash flood warnings as spring sprung? That was the night I ended up at Sardi's as it was easier to get to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre to see the new musical, The Outsiders, not a show I'd suggest rushing to see. As you may know, Sardi's is more about - [KFC's Chizza Pop-Up](https://www.biteofthebest.com/kfcs-chizza-pop-up/) - My friend—an editor of a restaurant trade publication—invited me to sample KFC's Chizza with her on the day in February when the restaurant had transformed the store into a pop-up, serving the new menu item for free. Yes, free. There were lines around the block for the just introduced Chizza: two 100% white meat extra - [Three days a month: Marc 179, Tribeca, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/three-days-a-month-marc-179-tribeca-nyc/) - A building mate emailed me about the opening of Marc179, Marc Murphy's (Landmarc, Ditch Plains and Chopped) latest unique venture in Tribeca. Marc 179 is open only three days a month. offering a rotating $75 prix fixe menu, plus a small but inviting wine list. When not used as a restaurant, the space will be - [Cacio E Pepe, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cacio-e-pepe-east-village-nyc-2/) - I dined with the owner's relatives at Cacio e Pepe six years ago. I loved it and couldn't wait to return. After the watery Cacio e Pepe at Basta Pasta, we decided to visit the original eponymous restaurant on Second Avenue for the minimalist classic dish of pasta, butter, cheese, and pepper. When two of us - [Jaleo, Washington, D.C. + Women's Midlife Health Summit](https://www.biteofthebest.com/jaleo-washington-d-c-womens-midlife-health-summit/) - The last time I ate at Jaleo in DC was at a party Jose Andres threw during a food conference in the 90s. I was again in town for a conference, this time for a Women's Midlife Health Summit, on the heels of President Biden's Executive order to allocate $12 billion to new women's health - [Dim Sum Go Go, Chinatown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dim-sum-go-go-chinatown-nyc-2/) - Jury duty brought me downtown to serve, with lunch in Chinatown, a quick walk from the courthouse. That's how I ended up at Dim Sum Go Go on East Broadway. Their hot and sour soup ($7) is fine. I'm still looking for a bowlful to rival my homemade. My favorite was their pork and shrimp - [Brunch at Sesamo, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + White Chip](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-sesamo-hells-kitchen-nyc-white-chip/) - We returned to Sesamo for brunch before heading to MCC to see White Chip, a play with a stellar lineup of producers, including Jason Biggs, John Larroquette, Hank Azaria, and Annaleigh Ashford—the wife of Joe Tapper, who plays Steven, the lead. The play takes its name from the Alcoholics Anonymous sobriety-chip system; each of the - [Mark’s Off Madison, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/marks-off-madison-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - Mark's Off Madison had just opened in 2021 when I last visited. That time was for dinner, this one brunch. Mark's is one of Pete Wells’s 100 Best Restaurants for 2023. On the corner of 26th Street and Madison Square Park, the restaurant is from chef Mark Strausman, formerly of Campagna and Freds at Barney's - [Jesse Cushman's Papa Bubble Candies](https://www.biteofthebest.com/jesse-cushmans-papa-bubble-candies/) - I had forgotten that I had received an email from Jesse Cushman—my son Eric's friend from Hamden—about his new business venture. He had written that he tried the corporate life, but it wasn't for him. "I bugged my friends to invest and then franchised with a custom candy company out of Barcelona called Papabubble." Then, - [Australian Fare at Isla & Co, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/australian-fare-at-isla-co-midtown-nyc/) - Inside the Hotel Hendricks on West 38th Street near Bryant Park is a friendly little Australian brasserie where I recently met a friend for brunch. Once seated, we noticed many tables with flights of espresso martinis ($25). Interesting, I thought until I saw the menu and noticed that each mini martini contained a different alcohol: - [Marcus Samuelson's Hav & Mar Seafood Restaurant, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/marcus-samuelsons-hav-mar-seafood-restaurant-chelsea-nyc/) - I started writing this post while nibbling Hav and Mar's teff biscuit and blue cornbread spread from last night's dinner. I had warmed and spread it with the honey butter our incredible server, Don, gave us to pack with our leftover bread. Be sure to get the addictive bread basket, but do not finish it, - [Brunch at Perry Street, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-perry-street-west-village-nyc/) - Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Perry Street West Village restaurant offers relaxed elegance in a tranquil setting, something I've been researching for various meetings. We sat on the umbrellaed terrace, staring with a cocktail. I suggest their white heat ($19) made with jalapeño infused Hiatus blanco, Vida mezcal, grapefruit marmalade and Cocchi Americano over the not-so-gingery ginger Margarita - [Dining in the Rain at L'Amico, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dining-in-the-rain-at-lamico/) - We met near Herald Square for brunch before noon one Sunday as the rain was supposed to hold off until midafternoon. It didn't. We had chosen Chef Laurent Tourondel's L'Amico, his Italian-influenced place on Sixth Avenue. You might recognize his name as he is the Executive Chef and Partner in the BLT ("Bistro Laurent Tourondel") - [Tarallucci e Vino, Union Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tarallucci-e-vino-union-square-nyc-2/) - I'd been to Tarallucci e Vino in my hood before. It’s a French bistro with good wine and food. This time I ordered the charred octopus ($28) with fennel, roasted potatoes and an aside salad of arugula, celery and Castelvetrano olives. I’d go back for that. This time, the beef and pork ragù layered lasagna - [Toloache, Midtown, NYC + Enemy of the People](https://www.biteofthebest.com/toloache-midtown-nyc-enemy-of-the-people/) - I hadn't been back to Toloache since it reopened after the pandemic. Like many other restaurants, their website prices are lower than you'll pay. We started with their yummy guac ($16) with the accompanying salsa ($2 for extra) and chips. Delicious with their Cadillac Margie—the Oro Blanco ($18), made with Espolon reposado and Cointreau. Our - [Lunch at La Mercerie to Commence My Big Birthday Weekend](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-la-mercerie-to-commence-my-big-birthday-weekend/) - My big birthday weekend was about to start with family and friends arriving in town. One friend offered to commence my two-day actual birthday with a light lunch. Two days? The doctor who delivered me asked my mother which day she wanted on my birth certificate as I was born at the stroke of midnight. - [Repeat: Shuka, Soho, NYC + Up & Up & Raines Law Room Speakeasies](https://www.biteofthebest.com/repeat-shuka-soho-nyc-up-up-raines-law-room-speakeasies/) - Having had such a wonderful time at Shuka and Up & Up, I repeated the combo with my grand nephew and his girlfriend. We opted to dine outside as it was one of our spring-weather winter days. We shared some meze, including the shaved Brussels sprouts ($14) as last visit, this time adding the falafel - [Brunch at Electric Lemon, Hudson Yards, NYC + Here We Are](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-electric-lemon-hudson-yards-nyc-here-we-are/) - I've been recommending Electric Lemon on the 24th floor of the Equinox Hotel since my first visit, tasting their chilled deviled crab in creamy ginger dressing with crunchy celery sprinkled with ginger crumbs. Yes, that good. We stopped for brunch before heading to The Shed to see Steven Sondheim's — the legendary composer and lyricist - [An Irish Pub: The Long Room, Theatre District, NYC on St. Patty's Day](https://www.biteofthebest.com/an-irish-pub-the-long-room-theatre-district-nyc-on-st-pattys-day/) - My grand-niece and her college roommates requested going to an Irish pub when visiting on St. Patty's Day. That's how we ended up at The Long Room in Times Square. The place was packed and noisy, offering a special holiday menu and live music. We all had draft beers ($9 - $10) — including one - [Key West Dining: Roostica, Sloppy Joe's, Santiago’s Bodega, Blue Heaven, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, Latitudes and La Chapina](https://www.biteofthebest.com/key-west-dining-roostica-sloppy-joes-santiagos-bodega-blue-heaven-jimmy-buffets-margaritaville-latitudes-and-la-chapina/) - Thanks to all the Facebook friends who responded when I requested restaurant recommendations in Key West. What follows is a sampling of the places where we did eat and dishes that I'd recommend. Across from where we stayed on Stock Island is Roostica, a friendly place filled with a crowd and a great vibe at - [Cacio e Pepe, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cacio-e-pepe-east-village-nyc/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about a meal at Cacio e Pepe, East Village, NYC - [BXL Cafe, Theatre District, NYC + Merrily We Roll Along](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bxl-cafe-theatre-district-nyc-merrily-we-roll-along/) - Lucky us to be at BXL Cafe on a Friday, as that's when the day's special is fish and chips ($27). Tender fish chunks deep fried in a batter and served with fries. The only thing that could have made it better was malt vinegar, as I had learned to eat it in London! We - [Hidden Leaf, Manhattan West, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/hidden-leaf-manhattan-west-nyc/) - It's not easy to find Hidden Leaf within Manhattan West, around the corner from Zou Zou and upstairs. We met there during restaurant week for their $30 two-course lunch. Three of us decided on their meaty Yunnan BBQ ribs (three) with preserved ginger and toasted seeds sticky sauce. The other had their hidden gem salad - [Cacio e Pepe, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cacio-e-pepe-upper-east-side-nyc/) - Years ago, I dined at the original Cacio e Pepe in the East Village on Second Avenue. I can recall the server with his arm hoisting a wheel of cheese over his head as he walked through the dining room to serve their namesake dish. That memory returned when I dined at their Upper East Side location - [Lunch at Basta Pasta, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-basta-pasta-chelsea-nyc/) - On my floormate's continuous recommendation of Basta Pasta, an Italian restaurant with a Japanese accent, inside the Yinova Center in our hood, I met friends there for lunch. We opted for the $30 prix fixe with antipasti (a choice of salad or soup), a choice of pasta and housemade gelato or sorbet and coffee. Two - [Brunch at Claudette, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-claudette-greenwich-village-nyc/) - A carafe of their rosé spritz ($30), with blood orange juice and orgeat syrup, started our afternoon as we waited on our brunch entrees. We had lots to catch up with, as last we broke bead was before the pandemic. Deciding to share two entrees from their brunch menu, we asked Darius, our fabulous server, - [David Burke's Latest: Park Avenue Kitchen, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/david-burkes-latest-park-avenue-kitchen-midtown-nyc/) - David Burke's latest restaurant, Park Avenue Kitchen, offers lots of menu whimsy, as do his other locations. It's his signature. For instance, when we stopped by recently for dinner, his crabcake ($25) was enclosed with pretzel sticks and served with chipotle aioli, his signature maple-glazed clothesline bacon gets snipped and served tableside, and the bread - [Ravagh Persian Grill, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/ravagh-persian-grill-upper-east-side/) - A large group of us met at Treadwell on the UES to compete in their Monday night trivia as advertised on their site and at their restaurant. We had brought a couple of ringers. When we arrived, they told us they had replaced trivia night with college football. We quickly regrouped and decided to find - [Pete's Tavern, Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/petes-tavern-gramercy-nyc/) - I'd been looking forward to the Pat LaFrieda short rib burger and fries at Pete's Tavern since we decided to check out the holiday decorations. Pete's—located on the corner of 18th and Irving—is the oldest continuously operating restaurant & bar in New York City. When we visited, it was still decorated, celebrating its 160th holiday - [Ceci Italian Cuisine, Theatre District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/ceci-italian-cuisine-theatre-district-nyc/) - We ended up at Ceci Italian Cuisine on 46th Street for it's proximity to the theatre district. It's a quiet restaurant where we could hear each other while we dined. I'd recommend their melanzane ripiene ($14) their flavorful eggplant stuffed with ricotta and mozzarella topped with tomato sauce and a house salad of greens, tomatoes - [20th Anniversary of Momofuku Noodle Bar, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/20th-anniversary-of-momofuku-noodle-bar-east-village-nyc/) - In honor of Momofuku’s 20th Anniversary, the restaurant is bringing back some iconic dishes for each dish a month at a time. The restaurant has received numerous James Beard Awards, including “Outstanding Restaurant,” for three consecutive years. It is also honored with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, an honor for good quality, good value cooking. We - [A Birthday at Shuka, SoHo, NYC + Up & Up Speakeasy](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-birthday-at-shuka-soho-nyc-up-up-speakeasy/) - We started our birthday celebration with drinks at Up & Up, a fun speakeasy on Macdougal, down the street from where we were heading for dinner. And, as their site says, "Yes, the ice actually looks like this!" From there, we headed downtown on Macdougal to Shuka, a restaurant serving various Mediterranean cuisines. The six - [A Le Bernardin Revisit, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-le-bernardin-revisit-midtown-nyc/) - Le Bernardin always pleases. If you are unfamiliar, Eric Ripert's Le Bernardin has received 4-star reviews from the New York Times and has held that rating—the Times’s highest—since it opened in 1986. It as had Michelin's highest rating, three stars. We chose our cocktails after chatting with Brandon, our fabulous server and bartender. I had - [Notable Speakeasy: Raines Law Room, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/notable-speakeasy-raines-law-room-chelsea-nyc/) - Raines Law Room owes its name to an 1896 law authored by John Raines that said only hotels could serve liquor on Sundays. And only to the guests. Lawmakers designed this law to curtail alcoholic consumption by working men who spent Sundays drinking in saloons. Many places became hotels with "rooms" to sell liquor on - [A Good Burger at Friend of a Farmer, Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-good-burger-at-friend-of-a-farmer-gramercy-nyc/) - We had met to see the holiday lights at Pete's Tavern and grab a burger. The host put our name on the list and said he would call in about 1 1/2 hours to be seated — inside or out. Meanwhile, we headed across the street to Friend of a Farmer for a drink, selecting - [The Greek Kyma, Chelsea, NYC + The Connector + Raines Law Room](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-greek-kyma-chelsea-nyc-the-connector-raines-law-room/) - After seeing The Connector at MCC theatre — a musical loosely based on Shattered Glass — we headed downtown to Kyma, a Greek restaurant in Chelsea/Flatiron, NYC. We were so early that the dining room hadn't opened yet. We sat at the bar and enjoyed our cocktails until we moved to our table. Once seated, - [A Return to The Marshal, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + Raines Law Room](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-the-marshal-hells-kitchen-nyc-2/) - My visit to Charlie Marshal's eponymous restaurant this time was with my visiting niece, her hubby and their friends. We shared three wood-fired 12-inch pizzas: the prosciutto & arugula ($28.50), the smoked duck breast ($28.50) and — the winter's specialty — the delicata squash with aged mozzarella, roasted red onion and crispy sage leaves ($25.50) - [Great Nachos at Rosa Mexicano Restaurant, Flatiron-Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/great-nachos-at-rosa-mexicano-restaurant-flatiron-gramercy-nyc/) - One early afternoon, we hankered for nachos for lunch and headed to the Rosa Mexicano on 18th Street. Rosa's signature nachos ($14) were a perfect amount of chips, Chihuahua cheese, black beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, crema, pickled jalapeños and cotija cheese. The dish happily satisfied our craving. I recommend it! Rosa Mexicano Restaurant - [Tatiana, Lincoln Center, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tatiana-lincoln-center-nyc/) - We each had hovered over our computer at 12 pm, 28 days before we wanted a reservation at Tatiana, Kwame Onwuachi's hot new restaurant at Lincoln Center inside David Geffen Hall. No luck. Instead, we met outside the restaurant, hoping to get one of the six bar seats. Four people were already ahead when we - [Gotham Bar & Grill, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/gotham-bar-grill-west-village-nyc/) - In November of 2021, Gotham reopened after being closed for 18 months during the pandemic with new owners, a new menu and Ron Paprocki as executive chef. I stopped in for lunch recently with a friend. We made it easy on our server, ordering the greenmarket prix-fixe 2-course $39 lunch with the $25 wine pairings. - [Tavern on the Green, Central Park, UWS, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tavern-on-the-green-central-park-uws-nyc/) - Our annual tradition as the holidays commence is to meet at a classic New York institution for our seasonal luncheon. This time, we booked the iconic Tavern on the Green, surrounded by tourists as it was at Rolf's. We each began with a glass of Rose Côtes de Provence VieVité, 2020 ($64) while taking in - [NEW! Clara, New York Historical Society, Upper West Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/new-clara-new-york-historical-society-upper-west-side-nyc/) - After visiting some exhibits at the New York Historical Society, we headed to Clara, their new sustainably focused restaurant from the Oberon Group (Rhodera, Rucola and June Bar). The restaurant is named in honor of Clara Driscoll, who designed many iconic lamps in the museum's Gallery of Tiffany Lamps, with some of them adoring the - [Il Buco, NoHo, NYC + Wick and Pour](https://www.biteofthebest.com/il-buco-noho-nyc-wick-and-pour/) - Wick and Pour, a candle-making experience on Mott Street, was our first stop at the birthday celebration. We selected the vessel and wax color, chose an aroma blend, and then made our candle garnished—in the wax—with dried flowers. That candle experience took about 2 hours, with downtime to chat. From there, we walked north, proudly - [Serendipity3 Original Frrrozen Hot Chocolate Mix](https://www.biteofthebest.com/serendipity3-original-frrrozen-hot-chocolate-mix/) - With my grandnieces visiting for the holidays, I took out my sample of Serendipity3 Frrrozen Hot Chocolate Mix I received from the company after a recent Fancy Food show. I wanted them to try this product made from a secret blend of 14 exotic cocoas. But before doing so, we headed to the legendary eponymous - [Happy Hour*** Michael's, Midtown, NYC + Rockettes](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-michaels-midtown-nyc-rockettes/) - After taking my grandnieces to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes, we headed to Michaels for their happy hour, where Basdeo Balchan, their manager, welcomed us. We sampled many of their well-blended cocktails, including the Southside of 5th Brokers (gin, lemon juice, mint), Last Blast (bourbon, citrus, prosecco), Lil Pumpkin (vodka, pumpkin spiced - [Celebration at Le Bernardin, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/celebration-at-le-bernardin-midtown-nyc/) - In celebration of my dining partner's cancer remission, we dined at Eric Ripert's Le Bernardin, the continually honored restaurant. Pete Wells (New York Times) again gave Le Bernardin their coveted 4-star review, previously bestowed on the restaurant by past Times reviewers. The Midtown Manhattan seafood restaurant has held that New York Times rating since it - [Worthwild, Chelsea, NYC + Momix at The Joyce](https://www.biteofthebest.com/worthwild-chelsea-nyc-momix-at-the-joyce/) - A large group of us met at Worthwild, a pub on Ninth Avenue and 20th Street because of its proximity to The Joyce, where we were off to see the amazing MoMix dancers. Our friends had been a few times before and decided the best way to dine was to share a few appetizers and - [Super Nova in the Novotel Hotel Times Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/super-nova-in-the-novotel-hotel-times-square-nyc/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com with a review of lunch at Super Nova in the Novotel Hotel Times Square, NYC - [Michelin-Star Restaurant Calla Lilies, The Hague, Netherlands](https://www.biteofthebest.com/michelin-star-restaurant-calla-lilies-the-hague-netherlands/) - Years ago, Jacques Pepin mentioned that he prefers mainly one-star restaurants when he's across the pond. The food and service are Michelin quality and are reasonably priced. I do the same, generally dining at lunch as I enjoy eating the multi-course, less expensive meal midday. This time when visiting my family in Den Haag, I - [Walking the Bridge to Ignazio's, Dumbo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/walking-the-bridge-to-ignazios-dumbo-nyc/) - When my insta-generation grandnieces visited, we walked the Brooklyn Bridge, headed to Ignazio's for pizza and planned to ferry back to Manhattan. We split the Caesar salad ($15) and sipped some pinot noir ($39/bottle) while awaiting the main event. Fresh basil garnished our tomato pizza with caramelized onions, pepperoni and artichokes. I recommend heading to - [Le Domaine du Val d'Argan Winery, Ounagha, Morocco](https://www.biteofthebest.com/le-domaine-du-val-dargan-winery-ounagha-morocco/) - Our last meal together on our Global Palate Adventures Moroccan trip was at Le Domaine du Val d'Argan Winery in Ounagha, Morocco. A vineyard where they use dromedaries (a one-hump camel) in place of tractors. They also offer bed and breakfast lodging and a pool. After our winery tour (200-300 dirhams, $20-30 per person), we - [Le Rock, Rockefeller Center, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/le-rock-rockefeller-center-nyc/) - None of us had been to The Rock before. It’s a fairly new brasserie from the owners of Frenchette located in Rockefeller Plaza with views of the Christmas tree, which will be there until January 13. We decide to order and sample many dishes, beginning with their bread service with a choice of spreads ($9 - [The Greek Periyali, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC + ChefWise by Shari Bayer](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-greek-periyali-gramercy-flatiron-nyc-chefwise-by-shari-bayer/) - We met our friend, Shari Bayer, the publicist for Periyali, at the restaurant to discuss her new book, ChefWise, and sample their fare. Our host greeted me upon arrival and welcomed me to Greece, jesting, "No passport needed." Mak, our waiter, also welcomed us, sharing that he had been with Periyali since they opened on December - [Pizza at Norma Gastronomia Siciliana, Kips Bay + Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour](https://www.biteofthebest.com/pizza-at-norma-gastronomia-siciliana-kips-bay-taylor-swift-the-eras-tour/) - We returned to Norma's in Kips Bay after seeing the talented Taylor Swift in her The Eras Tour movie. I've been told she's the current young generation's Beatles. I so enjoyed the production and that those who couldn't afford tickets to see her in concert could see her perform. After the almost 3-hour movie, we - [Fresh Fish at Chez Ahmed , Essaouira, Morocco](https://www.biteofthebest.com/fresh-fish-at-chez-ahmed-essaouira-morocco/) - While we checked into the Suite Azur Hotel in the seaside town of Essaouira, Zachariah headed to the port to pick up fresh fish and deliver it to Chez Ahmed. We were heading there for lunch. Once settled, we zigzagged through our section of the medina to Chez Ahmed in a courtyard full of storefront - [Happy Hour *½ at Dock's Oyster Bar, Midtown East, NYC + Gutenbert, the Musical](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-½-at-docks/) - We laughed our way through Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad in the hilarious and unusual “Gutenberg! The Musical!" These two reunited on stage for the first time since 2011 when they performed in “The Book of Mormon." I do recommend seeing it before it closes in January. Afterward, we walked across and downtown to Docks - [Jose Andres' The Bazaar, Ritz Hotel, NoMAD, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/jose-andres-the-bazaar-ritz-hotel-nomad-nyc/) - I had been to Jose Andres' Zaytinya, also in the Ritz Hotel, a couple times, but this was my first The Bazaar experience. The three of us met to celebrate our birthdays together. Two of us had one in June, the other in October. I started with their Leatherette ($22), a blend of Torres 20-yr - [Heritage BBQ, San Juan Capistrano, CA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/heritage-bbq-san-juan-capistrano-ca/) - Who knew that California BBQ could be so good? After my grandson's performance as King Triton in The Little Mermaid, we headed south to San Jan Capistrano to meet some friends for a BBQ at Heritage. (He, by the way, killed it!) The line to order reminded me of the line in Austin outside Franklin - [Nashville: Fenwick's 300, Noshville, Snooze, Nash Family Creamery and Arrington Vineyards](https://www.biteofthebest.com/nashville-fenwicks-300-noshville-snooze-nash-family-creamery-and-arrington-vineyards/) - When served a Bloody Mary ($7) garnished with pickled okra, I knew I was in the South; that, the plate of biscuits ($5) for the table and the price. Our first breakfast at our Nashville celebration was at Fenwick's 300, a modern diner in the Melrose section. The birthday boy ordered corned beef sauerkraut hash - [Brunch at the Warren, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-the-warren-west-village-nyc/) - We stopped in one rainy Sunday for brunch at The Warren in the West Village, a place I had been before attending plays at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. I had never been to brunch, so wanted to sample. I had a bloody Mary ($16) to start; my dining companion tried the mimosa ($16), wishing she - [A Mediterranean "Feast" at Shuka, SoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-mediterranean-feast-at-shuka-soho-nyc/) - My friend's daughter had been and raved. And so we decided to try Shuka, a restaurant offering a blend of various Mediterranean cuisines — Israeli, Moroccan, Palestinian and Syrian to name a few. I started with their slightly watery watermelon Haifa, a blend of Tito's, watermelon juice and a Mediterranean Apertivo seasoned with za'atar, a drink best - [Le Trou Au Mur, Marrakech, Morocco](https://www.biteofthebest.com/le-trou-au-mur-marrakech-morocco/) - On the first night of our Global Palate Adventures trip, after we were settled into our riad, the group had dinner at Le Trou Au Mur, a charming Moroccan restaurant in old town offering a modern-day take on traditional cuisine. Its name translates to "a hole in the wall." Everything we tried was worth ordering. - [A Return to Hearth for a Birthday, Lower East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-hearth-for-a-birthday-lower-east-side-nyc/) - I returned to Hearth on the Lower East Side to celebrate my friend’s birthday. I chose it not only for its good food but for the moderate sound level of the dining room. I wanted to be able to hear her without straining. I started with their Vieux Carré ($22) with Whistlepig 10-year rye, Dudognon - [Happy Hour ** at Osteria Morini, Soho, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-morini-soho-nyc/) - Osteria Morini, a part of the Altamarea Group (Ai Fiori, Marea), offers the spirit of Emilia-Romagna in SoHo. They also offer a happy hour. I convinced some building mates to join me to sample it. We sat at one of the hightops in the bar area, where the HH offerings are available. We sampled some of - [Eddie V’s, Nashville, TN + Trisha Yearwood with the Nashville Symphony](https://www.biteofthebest.com/eddie-vs-nashville-tn-trisha-yearwood-with-the-nashville-symphony/) - We were running late for our reservation at Sixty Vines before heading to the Trisha Yearwood concert with the Nashville Symphony and kept trying to call. Their phone wasn't working. That didn't matter to the hostess. "Sorry, we gave your table for eight away. We could seat you in an hour." She didn't care - [GREAT GIFT: Stirring the Pot, A Fundraiser for Les Dames d'Escoffier NY Scholarship Fund](https://www.biteofthebest.com/great-gift-stirring-the-pot-a-fundraiser-for-les-dames-descoffier-ny-scholarship-fund/) - Les Dames d' Escoffier New York (LDNY), a group of the most influential and accomplished women in the food and wine world, introduced Stirring the Pot with members — called Dames — favorite recipes for everything from simple weekday meals to spectacular party dishes. Consider it as a hostess or holiday gift this season. Profits - [Rosie's *** Happy Hour, East Village, NYC + Solo](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rosies-happy-hour-east-village-nyc-solo/) - I love New York! Where else can you see a show and have dinner for about $50? We headed downtown to the East Village to the Connelly Theatre to see Gabe Mollica in Solo, his acclaimed one-man play about friendship, following sold-out runs at the Soho Playhouse and Edinburgh Fringe. We purchased the tickets for - [Central Park Boathouse Dockside Pop Up, Central Park , NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/central-park-boathouse-dockside-pop-up-central-park-nyc/) - For an iconic afternoon in Central Park, I suggest sitting dockside at the Boathouse alongside The Lake that officially opened in 1858. With views of the Manhattan skyline, row boats on the water, the trees changing color in front of you and others taking in the idyllic scenery, it’s pure bliss. Boat rentals are available - [The Magical Renew Sponge](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-magical-renew-sponge/) - It was love at first use. I opened a package of GreenPan's Melamine sponge that I had received at a media Housewares Show, deciding to see how it worked. Their claim of wiping away cooked-on sticky food (aka carbonization that happens when fats burn onto your pan) with only water intrigued me. I was flabbergasted when it - [Another Visit to Norma Gastronomia Siciliana, Kips Bay + Knives Out](https://www.biteofthebest.com/another-visit-to-norma-gastronomia-siciliana-midtown-knives-out/) - After "Knives Out" an old-fashioned whodunit with an all-star cast, we walked over to Norma's. It's the best, most consistently good place to get a bite after going to the Kips Bay AMC. A glass of wine is de rigueur with a Sicilian meal. (Actually, with any meal!) I had the Donna Fugata, Sedara, Nero - [Mozart Dark Chocolate Liqueur](https://www.biteofthebest.com/mozart-dark-chocolate-liqueur/) - The press release about Mozart's four new Chocolate Liqueurs piqued my curiosity. These chocolate liqueurs hail from Salzburg, Austria, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The company first macerated cocoa from West Africa with vanilla from Madagascar, then combined three of their liqueurs with cream from the Netherlands. The dark chocolate has no cream. With - [Mitr Thai Restaurant, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/mitr-thai-restaurant-midtown-nyc/) - We needed to wait for our last friend to arrive before the restaurant allowed us to be seated. The hostess told us that we had 90 minutes. Once we were seated upstairs, we ordered two of their specialty cocktails: the Tuptim & Horapha with tequila blanco, basil eau-de-vie, fresh pomegranate and Aperol with an egg-free - [Les Dames d'Escoffier New York Inducts 29 New Members](https://www.biteofthebest.com/les-dames-descoffier-new-york-inducts-29-new-members/) - Our New York chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier inducted 29 new members last month at Al Coro restaurant. Like most all our events, this gathering raised funds for our scholarships. Since 1977, we have awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to over 1,000 recipients. If you’d like to donate to the Les Dames d'Escoffier New - [The Javelina, Union Square/Gramercy, NYC + Comedy at The Stand](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-javelina-union-square-gramercy-nyc-comedy-at-the-stand/) - My friends had signed up for a Shearwater Classic Schooner sunset cruise, giving them enough time to make our 8:15 reservations at Javelina, a casual Mexican restaurant on 18th near the The Stand comedy club. The cruise line chose to wait for a party of three who were late for the sail, then tacked on - [Piccola Cucina Uptown, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/piccola-cucina-uptown-upper-east-side-nyc/) - With a Seattle friend in town, I headed uptown for dinner, returning to Piccola Cucina Uptown for the flavors of Sicily. The food and service were as good as my last visit. We began sipping the Prunotto, 2019 Occhetti Nebbiolo, Langhe, Alto Piemonte ($82) as we nibbled the bread and savory dips they served gratis. - [Audrey, Nashville, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/audrey-nashville-nyc/) - Some friends and I were in Nashville to help mutual friends celebrate a 65th birthday and a 10th anniversary. We decided to sample some of the city's fare before the celebration commenced. Audrey in Nashville is Shaun Brock's new flagship restaurant inspired by his Appalachian roots, rural South and his maternal grandmother, the restaurant's namesake. - [L'Escale, Greenwich, CT](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lescale-greenwich-ct/) - We were almost the only ones dining in L'Escale who weren't celebrating a birthday! Practically every table around us ended their meal with a sparkler and song. Brunch started with the Koesar's Bloody Marys ($16), described as "a little spice, lots of sass," and the jumbo shrimp cocktail (3 for $18) and the tender Mediterranean - [Cafe Luce, Midtown East, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cafe-luce-midtown-east-nyc/) - I tripped over Cafe Luce when looking for someplace to meet a friend passing through town. She was traveling from Cape Cod to Florida and staying on Sutton Place. With a limited amount of time, the midtown location was necessary. Cafe Luce is a small Italian cafe on East 53. The owner, Michelle, opened the - [A Return to the Met Dining Room, Upper East Side, NYC + Manet/Degas Exhibit](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-the-met-dining-room-upper-east-side-nyc-manet-degas-exhibit/) - You no longer need to be a member to dine at the fourth-floor Met Dining room. You do need a reservation. The views are spectacular. We returned for lunch recently before seeing the extensive Manet/Degas exhibit that's on through January 7, 2024. When you enter the Met, you sign in to their virtual exhibition queue - [Tacos at Tacombi, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tacos-at-tacombi-east-village-nyc/) - I discovered Tacombi years ago, enjoying their authentic Mexican huevos rancheros and much more. I've eaten at and enjoyed many of their city locations serving Mexican fare. So when the publicist invited me to sample the fare at their newest location in the East Village, I took a neighbor and headed over. Tacombi’s newest East - [Breakfast at the Standard Grill, Meatpacking District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/breakfast-at-the-standard-grill-meatpacking-district-nyc/) - We had the best intentions of having an extra-special New York breakfast with a friend who brought her almost 8-year-old granddaughter to the city for a birthday weekend. We tried to book breakfast at Tiffany's, Tavern on the Green and more. My friend settled on a brunch cruise, yet when she arrived dockside to board, - [The Portuguese Leitao, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-portuguese-leitao-west-village-nyc/) - Leitao is a friendly bar and kitchen serving Portuguese food in the West Village. We lucked out with the only window table giving us great light plus little noise as we weren't seated by others. Loved that. We shared everything, eating what we ordered in three waves after our craft cocktails. I sipped their Bourbon - [Long Branch, NJ Eating 2023, McLoone's, Rooney's and Turning Point](https://www.biteofthebest.com/long-branch-nj-eating-2023-mcloones-rooneys-and-turning-point/) - After Labor Day, my friend and I took a quick one-night trip to the shore. The beach was almost desolate; the weather was perfect even though they predicted rain. We packed rain gear that we only needed after we almost finished dinner. But I digress. After the morning on the beach, we shared a light - [Terra Mediterrania, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/terra-mediterrania-chelsea-nyc/) - Terra Mediterrania, a new restaurant, took over space that had been Le Pain Quotidien on Seventh Ave. near 17th St. I was invited to experience their offerings. This efficient service restaurant was a new concept to me. Large computer screens awaited my input. Once there, I could tailor whatever I ordered. And then, I could - [A Return to Le Pavillion, Midtown, NYC + The Summitt](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-le-pavillion-midtown-nyc-the-summitt/) - A return to Le Pavillion, Daniel Boulud's Michelin 1-star at One Vanderbilt across from Grand Central proved the consistency of his attentive service and food. Like other of Daniel Boulud's restaurants, service at Pavillion is as extraordinary as expected from the moment we arrived at the elegant dining room until we were on our way - [Comodo in Freehand Hotel, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/comodo-in-freehand-hotel-flatiron-nyc/) - We met again for lunch at Comodo, the Latin American restaurant in the Freeland Hotel on Lexington, between 23 and 24. It was convenient, and I hadn't been in over a year. Service was almost non-existent. That was so different from my last visit, where it was very attentive. In fact, I had to search for - [Happy Hour *½ Iris, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-½-iris-midtown-nyc/) - In continuing my Happy Hour hunt around the city, I met a friend at John Fraser's Iris midtown. [Please let us know if you have a Happy Hour for us to try and review!] We opted for everything on the limited menu besides fresh oysters (Mystic oysters, pink peppercorn mignonette, horseradish; 4 for $14) with - [Brunch at Friend of a Farmer, Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-friend-of-a-farmer-gramercy-nyc/) - Servers certainly make a difference. That was the case at brunch recently at Friend of a Farmer. I arrived a few minutes ahead to secure a table. The hostess wouldn't seat me until my friends arrived. That would have made sense if the restaurant wasn't empty. Once they arrived and we were seated, our server - [Trattoria Bianca, New Yorker Hotel + Bruce Springsteen](https://www.biteofthebest.com/trattoria-bianca-new-yorker-hotel-bruce-springsteen/) - Trattoria Bianca in the New Yorker Hotel on Eighth Avenue and 35th Steet was an ideal place to grab a bite before jumping on NJ Transit to head to the Met Life (former Meadowlands) Stadium to see Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band on their 2023 international tour. We started with drinks — Aperol spritz - [Breakfast At Ruby's, Murray Hill NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/breakfast-at-rubys-murray-hill-nyc/) - Ruby's Cafe in Murray Hill was about halfway between our homes. We both walked to meet each other for breakfast at this Australian cafe. We started with flat whites, mine with cream, my dining partner with milk. A flat white — espresso with a thin, flat layer of foam — is stronger than a latte - [City Winery, Hudson River Park, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/city-winery-hudson-river-park-nyc/) - Walking Hudson River Park, the Nation's Longest Riverfront Park, is a favorite of my pastimes. If you haven't done so, the park begins on Chambers Street and goes to 59th, with Little Island and many interesting updated piers and activities along the way. We stopped at City Winery for a nibble and a glass of - [Early Weekend Breakfast at Madison & Vine, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/early-weekend-breakfast-at-madison-vine-midtown-nyc/) - Madison & Vine was one of the only restaurants I could find near Grand Central Terminal that served Saturday breakfast before 8 a.m. Lucky me as I met my son coming off a red-eye before he caught his train. We yacked for hours. Having their New York Breakfast for $25 made sense, especially when entrees - [Bostwick on the Harbor, East Hampton, Long Island, NY](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bostwick-on-the-harbor-east-hampton-long-island-ny/) - We arrived at Bostwick on the Harbor early to be sure we'd get right in instead of on a waiting list. We even got seated on the porch out of the sun as it began setting. We sipped our Flora Dora (Hendricks gin, club soda), Casamigo Blanc Margie and Aperol Spritz, ($16-$17) while savoring the - [Caló Kitchen + Tequila, Laguna Niguel, CA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/calo-kitchen-tequila-laguna-niguel-ca/) - We stopped to have lunch at Caló Kitchen + Tequila restaurant before heading to Barnes & Noble for a book for my granddaughter. My daughter-in-law, granddaughter and I nibbled on their shrimp ceviche ($17) and their warm, wonderful beans and salsa with chips while the adults sipped margies. I tried their Cadillac one made with - [Brunch at Bar Boulud, Lincoln Center, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-bar-boulud-lincoln-center-nyc/) - Met an Upper West Side friend for brunch at Bar Boulud across from Lincoln Center one weekend. With weather conducive to dining outside, we did so in their large structure with ceiling fans to cool. Mimosas with fresh orange juice and prosecco ($16) started our reunion/gathering. We missed Restaurant Week this time as Bar Boulud - [Joy Bauer's Turkey Reuben](https://www.biteofthebest.com/joy-bauers-turkey-reuben/) - One morning, I caught my friend Joy Bauer — the health/nutrition expert for NBC's TODAY show and an RD, like me — doing her segment where she swapped ingredients to make a Reuben sandwich "more nutritious and still delicious." That classic sandwich features corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and dressing between grilled, buttered slices of - [Back to José Andrés' Zaytinya, NoMad, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/back-to-jose-andres-zaytinya-nomad-nyc/) - I visited José Andrés' Zaytinya the week it opened last August and thought it apropos to try again. They, of course, had ironed out their food delivery and service issues. The main difference — other than the well-trained staff — was that the portion sizes shrunk while the prices increased. But I get ahead of - [2023 US Open Food Tasting Preview](https://www.biteofthebest.com/2023-us-open-food-tasting-preview/) - With expansive dining options across the grounds of The US Open Tennis Championships at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, visitors can eat well. Last week, I sampled this year's offering at an inaugural Flavors of the Open event at ACES with a tasting of the great food and signature drinks from top celebrity chef - [P.J. Clarke, Brookfield Place, NYC + Barbie](https://www.biteofthebest.com/p-j-clarke-brookfield-place-nyc-barbie/) - Like millions of others, I decided to see Margo Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the blockbuster that put Greta Gerwig on the books as the first film directed solely by a woman to cross $1 billion in global box office sales. Barbie's existential crisis is fun and thought-provoking! I do recommend seeing it. After the - [Return to The Lightship Frying Pan, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-the-lightship-frying-pan-chelsea-nyc/) - The Frying pan is one of my favorite summertime spots to dine on the water. It is distinguished by a big black iron skillet near the entrance, off West 26th Street. This historic barge, docked in the Hudson River, is a former Lackawanna railroad flatboat, now a fun restaurant. I like going late afternoon or - [Las Brisas, Laguna Beach, California](https://www.biteofthebest.com/las-brisas-laguna-beach-california/) - I booked outside tables at Las Brisas so those arriving from the East Coast could enjoy dining with fresh ocean air along the Pacific. The restaurant offers California cuisine with a touch of Mexico. The restaurant was also able to accommodate our large group. Our dinner was the night before our "TAG, You're it" cousins - [Happy Hour at Lotus Blue, Union Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lotus-blue-union-square-nyc-happy-hour/) - Not sure about you, but I love happy hour specials! I noticed a sign in the window of Lotus Blue when walking by, announcing their special pricing Monday to Friday 5 to 7 for the summer of 2018 and made a date to meet a friend there. I opted for their refreshing house spicy Margarita, - [Happy Hour at Boucherie, Gramercy Park, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/boucherie-gramercy-park-nyc-happy-hour/) - Boucherie, a French bistro, opened in the cavernous space where Florian, Park Avalon and others had been. This is the second outpost of this restaurant, the first located in the West Village, from The Group (Olio e Piu, Dominique Bistro and more). We walked by early one evening to grab a bite when we noticed the Green Hour - [Looking for a Happy Hour? Try Le Colonial, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/looking-for-a-happy-hour-try-le-colonial-midtown-nyc/) - A friend was heading to theatre on 59th street and so suggested meeting for a drink during Happy Hour at Le Colonial on East 57th. The bar area is upstairs at this upscale (dark wood and red velvet chair) restaurant. During happy hour (5 to 8 pm) the classic cocktails, beer and wine are half - [Happy Hour at Mi Garba, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-mi-garba-east-village-nyc/) - We were finishing the itinerary for our upcoming trip to Thailand and decided to go out in the hood for a glass of wine and a nibble. I had walked past Mi Garba early that afternoon when out doing errands. It looked inviting. We got there in time for happy hour (from 5 to 7) - [Happy Hour at 1803, Tribeca, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-1803-tribeca-nyc/) - I met my friend at 1803 in Tribeca for its happy hour. Inspired by New Orleans and named for the year of the Louisiana Purchase, 1803 offers fare you might enjoy in the French Quarter. Although they had balconied seating, we opted to dine outside. We started with martinis to wash down the half-dozen charbroiled - [Happy Hour at Temerario, Chelsea, NYC + The Joyce (Not!)](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-temerario-chelsea-nyc-the-joyce-not/) - We met at Temerario for a quick bite near the Joyce Theater where we were off to a contemporary ballet that evening. I knew the food would be good, having been before. We lucked out, arriving near the end their daily happy hour (4 to 6:30 daily) and quickly ordered. The sangria ($8) was good, - [Happy Hour at Socarat, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/happy-hour-at-socarat-midtown-nyc/) - Enjoyed another birthday celebration, this time at midtown's Socarat happy hour with a friend. During their daily happy hour from 4 to 6 pm, all tapas are half price. Some drinks, too, although we each opted for a vermouth-less martini ($17). We shared their Galician-style octopus ($10.50) in paprika oil with mashed potatoes and the - [Dames at Summer Happy Hour at Vinateria, Harlem, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dames-at-summer-happy-hour-at-vinateria-harlem-nyc/) - This summer, a group of Dames — members of Les Dames d'Escoffier — gathered at fellow Dame Yvette Leeper-Bueno celebrated Harlem restaurant, Vinataria, for a summer happy hour. While sipping our beverage of choice, we sampled: fried calamari with a paprika aioli ($14) bacalao (salt cod) croquettes with a chili aioli ($8) polenta fries sprinkled - [Rex and Rose Pop-Up, Ladera Ranch, California](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rex-and-rose-pop-up-ladera-ranch-california/) - While at our cousins' reunion, those descendants of my father were invited to brunch at Rex and Rose Brunch Pop Up at my son Eric's home. We were asked to book a time slot. Upon arrival, our order was taken, then we were given a number and escorted to our table. The neighborhood kids (ages - [Brunch at Home Bistro, Murray Hill, NYC + Mission Impossible](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-home-bistro-murray-hill-nyc-mission-impossible/) - We were heading to AMC to see Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One and were looking for a place for a quick brunch before going. I had promised to return to Home Bistro after meeting owner/chef John Sierp when I arrived for an opening that wasn't! He was so hospitable I vowed - [Shoreside Meal at the Little Pub, Stratford, CT](https://www.biteofthebest.com/shoreside-meal-at-the-little-pub-stratford-ct/) - Little Pub is a waterside cafe on the Connecticut Sound in Stratford, with good food and friendly service that friends had suggested. I met friends there recently. We sat outside on the deck with the water lapping shoreside, sipping our dirty martinis ($15) while nibbling their crispy fries ($3) and catching up. Our entrees were - [The New Comodo, Freehand Hotel, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-new-comodo-freehand-hotel-flatiron-nyc/) - Comodo, formerly of Soho, is the new Latin American restaurant in the Simon and The Whale space in the Freehand Hotel. Met a friend there recently, starting with cocktails. I sampled their Martina #2 ($17) made with Mezcal, Raicilla (a distilled agave spirit similar to Mezcal and tequila) with lime and orange juices and a bit - [Seamore's, Chelsea & Brookfield Place, NYC + Philobulus at The Joyce](https://www.biteofthebest.com/seamores-chelsea-brookfield-place-nyc-philobulus-at-the-joyce/) - Odd, I know, to dine at a Seamore's twice in two days, but I did. The first time was downtown in Brookfield Place after the Les Dames d'Escoffier scholarship event at the Institute for Culinary Education. It's our annual event to honor our recipients. Since 1977, we — Les Dames d'Escoffier New York — have awarded - [Beso Restaurant St. George, Staten Island](https://www.biteofthebest.com/beso-restaurant-st-george-staten-island/) - There was a tornado watch as we boarded the Staten Island Ferry, dampening our chance to sit outside but not our excitement about going to Beso, a Spanish tapas restaurant my friends love. The restaurant is about a 10 minutes walk from the ferry terminal. Beso, a multi-floor yet cozy restaurant, is bright and colorful, - [The Newly Opened Cecchi's, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-newly-opened-cecchis-west-village-nyc/) - I remembered my building-mate telling me about the opening of Cecchi, a new bar and grill in our hood in the space where Café Loup had been around the corner from UPS, where I frequently drop off Amazon returns. I headed there after doing so recently to see what the hype was about. The friendly - [The Long Room, Theatre District, NYC + Good Night Oscar at the Balasco](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-long-room-theatre-district-nyc-good-night-oscar-at-the-balasco/) - We met at the noisy—yet inviting—The Long Room, an Irish pub across from the Balasco Theatre, where we saw Sean Hayes's well-deserved Tony-winner performance as Oscar Levant in Good Night Oscar. His tour-de-force performance is not to be missed. Unless they extend the run, you have only until Sunday, August 27, 2023, before the show - [The Cafeteria at Stone Barns,Tarrytown, NY](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-cafeteria-at-stone-barns-tarrytown-ny/) - When visiting a friend in Irvington, we decided to dine at Stone Barn for lunch and a walk around the grounds. The rain negated that plan! We had prebooked and paid for lunch at The Cafeteria, an intriguing place within Stone Barn where you gather your meal onto a tray. While doing so, I ran - [José Andrés' Zaytinya Now in New York, NoMad, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/jose-andres-zaytinya-now-in-new-york-nomad-nyc/) - We dined at Zaytinya the week it opened in the Ritz Hotel in NoMad, being there for their first Friday night. The staff was attentive and still learning, something I'd expect during their first week. By the time you're reading this, I bet the team worked out the kinks we experienced. Zaytinya is one of - [Lord's (Sister to Dame), Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lords-sister-to-dame-greenwich-village-nyc/) - Lord's is the second restaurant from chef Ed Szymanski and his partner, Patricia Howard, paying homage to British bistro food. The first is Dame; both have a limited ever-changing menu. We continued the never-ending celebration of my big birthday outside at this restaurant on La Guardia Place. I chose their unusual snap pea martini to start; - [Panchita's Place, South Slope, Brooklyn, NYC + Catacombs of Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery](https://www.biteofthebest.com/panchitas-place-south-slope-brooklyn-nyc-catacombs-of-brooklyns-green-wood-cemetery/) - Panchita's place was close to the entrance of Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery, where we were heading to listen to superstar Norwegian violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing performing her Arctic program in the Catacombs. Death of Classical offers this and other unique classical music experiences. The 478-acre cemetery, now a National Historic Landmark, was founded in 1838. It boasts - [Birthday Dinner at Bad Roman, Columbus Circle, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/birthday-dinner-at-bad-roman-columbus-circle-nyc/) - To continue my birthday celebration, a group of good friends took me to Bad Roman, the new, impossible-to-get-into restaurant on the third floor of the Shops at Columbus Circle. We got in, as one of my friends is a restaurant trade magazine editor. Bad Roman — part of the Quality Branded restaurant group — is - [Cucina Alba, The Lantern House, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cucina-alba-the-lantern-house-chelsea-nyc/) - Since Cucina Alba opened last August in The Lantern House on West 18th Street, my friend, who lives in the building, has been raving about this Italian restaurant from the Prince Street Hospitality Group. When we arrived, she was welcomed like an old friend. We opted for outdoor seating on Tenth Avenue. I began with - [Vietnamese Cyclo, Long Island City, Queens](https://www.biteofthebest.com/vietnamese-cyclo-long-island-city-queens/) - Meeting friends in Long Island City for lunch was my first venture to Queens since the Pandemic. We had decided to meet at Cyclo, a Cheap Eats* casual Thai restaurant on 47th Avenue not far from the Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue stop on the 7. (*I currently define "cheap eats" as a meal under $20). We - [Lamano, Chelsea, NYC + Sw!ng Out at the Joyce](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lamano-chelsea-nyc-swng-out-at-the-joyce/) - We quickly ordered some drinks when we learned it was still happy hour. We decided to try one glass of each of the two sangria offerings—one Cava based, the other a more traditional red ($8). We were two-fisted drinkers. I chose Lamano for its proximity to The Joyce, where we were heading to see their - [White Oak Tavern, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/white-oak-tavern-greenwich-village-nyc/) - My young cousin is enrolled in a songwriting program at NYU. She was chosen for one of the 42 spots as a high schooler. Impressive. Being in town for only two weeks, I asked her to pick a place to have lunch. We met at the White Oak Tavern on the weekend and dined inside - [Terra Ristorante Italiano, Greenwich, CT](https://www.biteofthebest.com/terra-ristorante-italiano-greenwich-ct/) - We chose Terra Ristorante on Greenwich Avenue to commence the weekend's festivities. Of course, we started with cocktails with a few of us sharing my love of Old Fashioneds ($18). One had their milky rum drink, the Jungle Bird ($16), with rum, Campari, milk and citrus, another the Old School ($16, a tequila old fashioned) - [Jupiter, Rockefeller Center, NYC + Grey House](https://www.biteofthebest.com/jupiter-rockefeller-center-nyc-grey-house/) - I had to try Jupiter as my friend couldn't stop raving about it. She'd been multiple times. I reserved a table on the rinkside terrace at Rockefeller Center, as recommended. This unusual dining underground is much quieter than inside. Cocktails ($19) first. My dining partner with a House Sprintz (Red aperitivo, sea buckthorn, natty rosé), - [Lunch at Ruby & Bella's, Greenwich, CT](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-ruby-bellas-greenwich-ct/) - I hadn't seen my Nashville friends since I visited them pre-pandemic. They met Bryan and me at the train station so that we could start our visit on the walk to Ruby & Bella's on Greenwich's main drag. We stopped yakking only long enough to give our orders at this comfy Greenwich Avenue lunch spot. - [IHOP (Yes, that pancake house) Pancake Tacos, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/ihop-yes-that-pancake-house-pancake-tacos-east-village-nyc/) - My friend, a senior editor of Restaurant Business, a trade publication, asked me to join her to sample IHOP's new time-limited pancake tacos as she needed a videographer. That's such a fancy word for me holding the camera as she ate and spoke. We were pleasantly surprised. These pancake tacos come in four variations—two sweet - [The Soft Non-Opening of Home Base Bistro, Murray Hill, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-soft-non-opening-of-home-base-bistro-murray-hill-nyc/) - I headed to the soft opening of Home Base Bistro on the date of my invite. When I arrived, I found an empty restaurant and a surprised owner/chef John Sierp wondering why I was there. As far as he knew the opening was the following day. I found the email with the date to show - [Empire Diner, Chelsea, NYC + Kusama at David Zwirner](https://www.biteofthebest.com/empire-diner-chelsea-nyc-kusama-at-david-zwirner/) - David Zwirner invited us to a press preview of his current Yayoi Kusama exhibit featuring new paintings, new sculptures elaborating on her signature dot motifs and a new Infinity Mirror Room. The exhibit is open thru July 21, 2023. After the exhibit, we headed to grab a bite at the High Line Hotel, yet they - [Campbell's Apartment, Grand Central, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/campbells-apartment-grand-central-nyc/) - More than a decade ago, when my friend said, "Let's meet at Campbell's Apartment," I wondered whether I had met his friend Campbell! Now I know that the cocktail lounge in the Southwestern corner of the Grand Central Terminal oozes history, being the former office of financier John W. Campbell — a New York Central - [A Return to El Parador — NYC's Oldest Mexican Restaurant , Murray Hill, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-el-parador-nycs-oldest-mexican-restaurant-murray-hill-nyc/) - More than a decade ago, I first visited NYC's oldest continuously running Mexican restaurant and raved about it. Could El Parador be as good? I started with a margarita, selecting their spicy jalapeño one ($15) made with pepper-infused tequila, fresh lime juice and Marie Brizard Finesse Orange and served in a salt-rimmed glass. While awaiting my - [This Year's North River Lobster Boat, Pier 81, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/this-years-north-river-lobster-boat-pier-81-nyc/) - A sail on the North River Lobster boat has been an annual event since it started its excursions in 2014 when the sail was free. This summer, like last, you must buy a $10 timed pass to sail up the Hudson for 1 hour or on the 7 pm cruise for 2 hours, a sail - [Free No More: Pier 81 Boat Rides](https://www.biteofthebest.com/free-no-more-pier-81-boat-rides/) - I've been raving about the free boat rides from Pier 81 since they began a few years back. Free no more. The North River Lobster boat sailed for 45 minutes up the Hudson about every two hours. When they first began, the lobster rolls were plentiful served with fresh creamy cole slaw and a bag - [Service Extraordinaire at Indochine + Joe's Pub Loser's Lounge](https://www.biteofthebest.com/service-extraordinaire-at-indochine-joes-pub-losers-lounge/) - The location of Indochine, right across the street from The Public, was a perfect place to dine before heading to Joe's Pub's Loser's Lounge for a tribute to Hall and Oats. We sat outside as the night's weather was perfect. One dining partner and I sipped their Passion Pomegranate Margarita ($18, tequila, triple sec, passionfruit, - [Drift In, Hudson River Park, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/drift-in-hudson-river-park-nyc/) - Drift In — a seasonal open-air waterfront restaurant along Hudson River Park near Pier 45 from the folks that bring you Grand Banks — Executive Chef Kerry Heffernan builds his menus around sustainable, wild-caught seafood and seasonal produce. After perusing their menu, which includes a variety of oysters, many seafood dishes, burgers, salads, cocktails, wines and - [A Birthday at Genesis House, Meatpacking District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-birthday-at-genesis-house-meatpacking-district-nyc/) - Friends had raved about Genesis House, the upscale Korean restaurant in the Meatpacking District curated by Onjium, a one-Michelin-starred restaurant in Seoul. After glancing at the unusual menu, I decided to stop by the restaurant on the second floor of the Genesis luxury car showroom one afternoon to see if I could learn more about the experience - [Brunch at Sona, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-sona-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - We met for Sunday brunch, going Indian at Sona, a consistently good restaurant with exceptional food. We ordered a bottle of Pago Del Cielo, Rueda Celeste Verdejo Sur Lies, 2021 ($72) to work well with the flavors and spices of India. We started with their Chole Tikki Chaat ($18), an Indian snack that means "to - [@Nine, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + Circle Line](https://www.biteofthebest.com/nine-hells-kitchen-nyc-circle-line/) - To kick off the summer, we took the Circle Line 2.5-hour guided tour around Manhattan Island, sailing on three rivers and passing under 20 bridges with breathtaking views of the NYC skyline, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Yankee Stadium and so much more while a guide narrated every detail of the trip. After the - [Shopping at Union Square Market with Chef Charlie Marshal](https://www.biteofthebest.com/shopping-at-union-square-market-with-chef-charlie-marshal/) - What fun it would be, I thought, to shop at the farmers' market with a chef! I did so recently with Charlie Marshal (The Marshal). We decided to meet at Union Square Greenmarket early one April Saturday morning. That market began with just a few farmers in 1976 and has grown to about 140 regional - [Metro Marché, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/metro-marche-midtown-nyc/) - I was invited but was unable to attend, the opening of Metro Marché on West 57th. Instead, I stopped by to try their fare, sampling small portions of their entrees, salads, soups and various sandwiches all made with healthy fresh ingredients. I'd recommend stopping by if you're in the area and want to grab a - [Great Jones Distilling Co: Tour, Jazz and Food, NoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/great-jones-distilling-co-tour-jazz-and-food/) - We visited the Great Jones Distilling Co, Manhattan’s first legal whiskey distillery since Prohibition as media one afternoon. Our tour included an overview of the story, ingredients, process and equipment used to brew the three Great Jones whiskies – Great Jones Straight Bourbon, Four Grain Bourbon and Rye. After the tour, we had a guided - [Sabai Thai, Kips Bay, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/sabai-thai-kips-bay-nyc/) - After our first in-person Les Dames d'Escoffier Board of Directors meeting, most of us headed to Sabai Thai, a nearby restaurant, to grab a bite and continue our camaraderie. We started with cocktails and a few appetizers. Some eclectic cocktails sipped included a gin lavender rose gimlet ($18), cucumber mezcalitas ($17), a few Singha beers - [Tasting Menu at Wicked Jane, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tasting-menu-at-wicked-jane-greenwich-village-nyc/) - Wicked Jane's publicist recently invited me to sample New Jersey chef Zod Arifai's fare at his 3-year-old Greenwich Village 8th Street restaurant. He offers a small bar in the front room and an intimate back room with generously spaced white-linen-covered tables. I suggest Chef Zod add rugs, art or something to add warmth and absorb - [Lezzet Turkish Restaurant, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lezzet-turkish-restaurant-midtown-nyc/) - With perfect weather, we opted for alfresco dining at Lezzet Turkish Restaurant, midtown. I sipped a glass of their Malbec ($15), my dining partner their white sangria ($13) while we nibbled their warm focaccia dipped in EVOO. We asked them — and they accommodated — to serve our order one dish at a time, starting - [Dos Caminos, Times Square, NYC + Museum of Broadway](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dos-caminos-times-square-nyc-museum-of-broadway/) - My Ex.expat group visited the recently opened Museum of Broadway located in the heart of Times Square. It is an interactive and experiential museum that takes you on a journey from the birth of Broadway to the present. For those who grew up attending theatre, it's a dance down memory lane. I recommend. Producer Merrie - [Return to Novitá for Lunch, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-novita-for-lunch-flatiron-nyc/) - The older I get, the more I look for elegant dining places with good food where I can hear myself think. Novitá, right off Park Avenue on 22nd Street, fits that bill. I hadn't returned to this cozy little Italian restaurant. The pandemic got in the way. I recently met a friend there for lunch, - [Barking Dog, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + The Thanksgiving Play](https://www.biteofthebest.com/barking-dog-hells-kitchen-nyc-the-thanksgiving-play/) - The restaurant where we were supposed to have brunch had a hastily written note saying "closed" for repairs, so I needed to scurry to find another place to eat before heading to the Helen Hayes Theatre to see "The Thanksgiving Play." That's how we ended up at the Barking Dog in the plaza between 49th - [Upscale Mexican at the new Caliza, Tribeca, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/upscale-mexican-at-the-new-caliza-tribeca-nyc/) - I was invited as a guest to sample the new upscale Mexican restaurant Caliza in Tribeca on Greenwich Street. After perusing the menu, I knew I was in for a treat. I love that they make their classic margarita (I chose tequila over mezcal) with Combier orange liqueur and fresh lime juice ( $19); I - [Enoteca Maria, Staten Island, NYC + Dionne Warwick, St. George Theatre](https://www.biteofthebest.com/enoteca-maria-staten-island-nyc-dionne-warwick-st-george-theatre/) - Not knowing how long it would take to get there, we took an early ferry to Staten Island for our 5:30 dinner at Enoteca Maria, next to the historic St. George Theatre, where we were seeing Dionne Warwick. We arrived before the restaurant even opened, yet were welcomed and seated at the front window table - [Shanghai Mong, Koreatown, NYC + Macy's Flower Show](https://www.biteofthebest.com/shanghai-mong-koreatown-nyc-macys-flower-show/) - After wandering around Macy's flower show, we headed to Koreatown to find a spot to grab a bite. My main prerequisite for selecting a place on the spur of the moment is an "A" health grade in the window. Shanghai Mong on West 32nd had that. I liked the gratis pickled radishes and kimchi. Their - [E.J. Luncheonette, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/e-j-luncheonette-upper-east-side-nyc/) - After playing bridge one morning at the Upper East Side game, two of us grabbed a quick bite with lots of conversation at E.J. Luncheonette. We stopped there, as it looked inviting when walking by. After ordering soup and salad combos, we noticed almost everyone else at this diner was eating salads. Good-looking salads. We, - [Tarallucci e Vino, Union Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tarallucci-e-vino-union-square-nyc/) - In looking for a warm cozy neighborhood spot to sit and yack, we decided on Tarallucci e Vino in Union Square. While deciding what to order, we sipped our dry Sardinian Nuragus (white) while nibbling their tender focaccia. The chicken dish — pollo — is not to be missed ($29). Murray's tender chicken pieces arrive - [Mediterraneo Restaurant, Greenwich, CT](https://www.biteofthebest.com/mediterraneo-restaurant-greenwich-ct/) - While visiting my friends' new Greenwich home, we went to dinner on Greenwich Avenue one evening at Mediterraneo. This friendly, warm restaurant combined the tastes of the sea and Italy. Their breads and fresh hummus satiated us as we discussed what we'd have. We started by sharing their tasty appetizers that included steamed P.E.I. mussels - [Olea Mediterranean Taverna, Fort Greene, Brooklyn + The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window](https://www.biteofthebest.com/olea-mediterranean-taverna-fort-greene-brooklyn-the-sign-in-sidney-brusteins-window/) - We first enjoyed brunch at Olea Mediterranean Taverna before heading to BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) to see Rachel Brosnahan and Oscar Isaac in Lorraine Hansberry's (A Raisin in the Sun) three-hour drama, The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window. It's the play's first major New York revival since the original 1964 Broadway run. Although the - [Shiraz Mediterranean Kitchen, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/shiraz-mediterranean-kitchen-chelsea-nyc/) - Shiraz Mediterranean Kitchen has been a Michelin bib gourmand — a good quality, good value — for the past three years. I visited recently with some out-of-town friends. We started our celebration with the deliciously earthy Orin Swift Papillon 2019 Napa wine with its dark fruit ($160). I learned it is a blend of St. - [A Special Night at Tagmo, South Street Seaport, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-special-night-at-tagmo-south-street-seaport-nyc/) - A dozen women, mainly members of the New York Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier, enjoyed an exceptional meal at Tagmo, where fellow-Dame Surbhi Sahni created a special menu created for us. Her South Street Seaport restaurant honors India's regional food, "all made fresh, cooked slow and vegetable-forward with harmoniously balanced flavors." Surbi brought out dishes that - [Veselka, East Village, NYC + The Merchant House](https://www.biteofthebest.com/veselka-east-village-nyc-the-merchant-house/) - Our outing with our ex.expat group started at The Merchant House, a home built in 1832 and purchased in 1835 by Seabury Tredwell, a prosperous New York City hardware merchant. The Tredwell family lived in the now-landmark late-Federal and Greek revival-style row house for nearly 100 years. They offer both self-guided and guided tours. After - [Crispy Mac & Cheese Bites from Pam Brandon's Delicious Disney](https://www.biteofthebest.com/crispy-mac-cheese-bites-from-pam-brandons-delicious-disney/) - While dining with Pam Brandon Parks, my old Disney publicist, on a recent trip to Orlando, she rightfully boasted that her "Delicious Disney: Walt Disney World: Recipes & Stories from The Most Magical Place on Earth," one of the many cookbooks she co-authored for Disney, was #2 that day on the New York Times best-seller - [Return to Balaboosta, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-balaboosta-west-village-nyc/) - After seeing the "birthday crown" on my dining partner, our server Mark at Balaboosta, brought us bubbly to celebrate! A perfect start to our celebratory Mediterranean meal. We shared all, starting with that night's special burrata, basil-kale pesto and a tomato-cherry jam ($21) with grilled sourdough bread; their eggplant with an almond crumble and red - [New Kitchen Gadgets Shown at the Inspired Home Housewares Show](https://www.biteofthebest.com/new-kitchen-gadgets-shown-at-the-inspired-home-housewares-show/) - Once a year at Chicago's McCormick Place, the International Housewares Association's (IHA) Home + Housewares Market occurs in March. The organization often has a New York preview showcasing about 50 new products the companies introduced at the show. What follows are some of the new items that I'd like to share with you. As a - [Wine Bar George, Disney Springs, Florida](https://www.biteofthebest.com/wine-bar-george-disney-springs-florida/) - I was dining with Pam Parks, my Disney publicist from the past, who still works for them as a writer of their cookbooks. Her latest Delicious Disney: Walt Disney World: Recipes & Stories from The Most Magical Place on Earth recently published. George Miliotes, Master Sommelier, happened to be at his namesake Wine Bar George when - [Morimoto Asia + Frontera Cocina, Disney Springs, Orlando, Florida](https://www.biteofthebest.com/morimoto-asia-frontera-cocina-disney-springs-orlando-florida/) - We headed over to Disney Springs to dine a few times while I was in Orlando, as there were more than 60 options to eat, including 25 table-service restaurants. I must be getting old, as I found the noise level at dinner at these restaurants deafening. Not surprisingly, Morimoto's drinks lean toward Asian, with two - [Dim Sum Palace, Lower East Side, NYC + Museum at Eldridge Street](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dim-sum-palace-lower-east-side-nyc-museum-at-eldridge-street/) - Our ex.expat group explored the 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue, the first great house of worship by Eastern European Jewish immigrants in the United States. We had arranged for a knowledgeable docent to guide us. He took us through its sweeping history, from the synagogue as a cultural hotspot in the bustling Jewish Lower East Side to - [A Quick Bite at Aperitivo, Midtown, NYC + "Untitled"](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-quick-bite-at-aperitivo-midtown-nyc-untitled/) - Aperitivo, located just east of Avra Madison on 60th Street, is a quiet, small Italian-style restaurant with a perfect location for a lite meal before heading to 59E59 Theater. Service is a bit off, but friendly. Our arugula salad ($17) arrived before our cocktails. I'd recommend that salad with its shaved fennel, slivered red onions, - [Prix Fixe Seafood Lunch at Avra Rockefeller Center, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/prix-fixe-seafood-lunch-at-avra-rockefeller-center-midtown-nyc/) - We headed to Avra just north of Rockefeller Center for their prix fixe $34.50 lunch. Its elegant space and good food make it worth the stop. My dining partner had their fish soup, described by Petros, our fabulous server, as similar to a beef stew with potatoes, carrots, celery and tomato sauce, with Chilean seabass - [Ideal Brunch Location: Sesamo + "Wolf" at Theatre at MCC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/ideal-brunch-location-sesamo-wolf-at-theatre-at-mcc/) - As seasoned ticket holders to MCC's relatively new location on West 52 between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues, we always look for restaurants to sample before theatre. We decided to try Sesamo, an ideally located restaurant on Tenth and 52, before heading to see Hansol Jung's "Wolf Play," about a South Korean boy being re-homed with new - [Rusty's Seafood & Oyster Bar, Port Canaveral, Florida](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rustys-seafood-oyster-bar-port-canaveral-florida/) - One afternoon on a drive to Cocoa Beach, we ended up at a little dive on the water with one of the happiest, friendliest staff I've ever encountered. Even the owner, Rusty, was smiling as he bussed the tables — something, we were told, he frequently did. Rusty's Seafood & Oyster Bar is a dockside - [Brunch at Mexican Cosme, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-mexican-cosme-flatiron-nyc/) - Cosme, Enrique Olvera's one-Michelin-star acclaimed Mexican restaurant, is a 3-min walk from the Flatiron Building. The World's 50 Best lists it as one of the 50 best restaurants. When it opened in 2014, Mexican-born Daniela Soto-Innes was their chef; she won the James Beard Rising Star Award in 2016 at age 25 and was named - [Thai at Wan Waan, Chelsea, NYC + The Joyce](https://www.biteofthebest.com/thai-at-wan-waan-chelsea-nyc-the-joyce/) - I love discovering new places with good food close to a theatre! That's Wan Waan Thai restaurant on Eighth Avenue near The Joyce. We stopped in for lunch before a matinee performance of what we thought was hip-hop dance. That Joyce's production was more tale than dance. The story was of love, fear and triumph that's - [Philippe Chow Downtown, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/philippe-chow-downtown-chelsea-nyc/) - This second iteration of Phillip Chow's high-end Chinese cuisine is in the basement of the Dream Downtown hotel. With its noisy dining room and loud music, it's more for the younger set with deep pockets than retirees. My friend who frequented the restaurant suggested her favorites. We started with those and added a few additions. - [Villa Berulia Restaurant, Murray Hill, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/villa-berulia-restaurant-murray-hill-nyc/) - After a competitive game of Sorry, we headed across the street to my friend's neighborhood Northern Italian restaurant, Villa Berulia, where the owners warmly greeted her as she's a regular, ordering the same menu items each visit. Learning that I was going to write about the restaurant, one of the owners offered me their - [Hold Fast Kitchen & Spirits, Theatre Row, NYC + The Collaboration](https://www.biteofthebest.com/hold-fast-kitchen-spirits-theatre-row-nyc-the-collaboration/) - Wished I had seen The Collaboration with Paul Bettany and Jeremy Pope before I attended a Jean-Michel Basquiat show. The show centers around the partnership between the two artists —Andy Warhol and Basquiat—and their work. I'd recommend you see it, but it closed recently. Before seeing it, we grabbed some lunch at Hold Fast Kitchen - [Cucina 8 1/2, Midtown West, NYC + Pictures from Home](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cucina-8-1-2-midtown-west-nyc-pictures-from-home/) - In the space that housed Brasserie 8 1/2, you'll now find the elegant Cucina 8 1/2. We decided to sample it one night before heading to the theatre to see Pictures from Home, starring the all-star cast of Nathan Lane, Danny Burstein, and Zoe Wanamaker. We descended the grand stairway into the sleek, softly lit - [La Bonne Soupe, Midtown West, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/la-bonne-soupe-midtown-west-nyc/) - After a stop at David Yurman to meet my friend, who was exchanging a holiday gift, we headed for a quick lite lunch to celebrate her birthday at La Bonne Soupe, a French bistro that used to be one of her favorite lunch places. Lite, as she was off to a celebratory dinner with her - [Noisy But Good: LumLum, Hells Kitchen, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/noisy-but-good-lumlum-hells-kitchen-nyc/) - Lumlum is Hell's Kitchen Thai restaurant with good food in such a tiny space that you become friends with your neighbors — if you don't already know them. The food is worth it; the noise, though, is deafening. We started with the delicious smoky grilled Thai river prawn (one per $15 order) with a spicy - [The Asian-Italian Sesamo in Hell's Kitchen, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-asian-italian-sesamo-in-hells-kitchen-nyc/) - Sesamo, a relatively new Italian restaurant with an Asian accent in Hell's Kitchen, should be on your radar. Their publicist invited me to sample their tasty, unusual fare. The food is worth schlepping west to try, and the atmosphere is inviting. My dining partner tried their Boba Mocktail ($10) made with black tea, boba pearls, - [Lower East Side Quintessential Trip with Lunch at Katz's Delicatessen](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lower-east-side-quintessential-trip-with-lunch-at-katzs-delicatessen/) - ((Written and posted before COVID-19 quarantine) It had been some time since I wandered around enjoying the tastes of the Lower East Side. I went recently with some other Dames, checking out a potential guide and tour for the upcoming LDEI 2020 Conference that's being held in NYC this October. We made some food stops - [Saco Chocolate Chunks, A Favorite](https://www.biteofthebest.com/saco-chocolate-chunks-a-favorite/) - I've had a love affair with Saco real semi-sweet chocolate chunks since I discovered them early in my career as a food editor. Actually, my affaire de cœur was with the company and its products. I used only their Cultured Buttermilk Blend for making pancakes as the boys were growing up. To this date, I - [New to the West Village, Gab's, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/new-to-the-west-village-gabs-nyc/) - My friend had noticed a write-up on Gab's opening in the West Village and made a reservation for us during their first week open. Visual artist and owner Gabby Madden's concept is trendy now. She's serving locally sourced and seasonal comfort food focused on sustainability. That week, we relied on our helpful server Claudia's descriptions - [The LA-Transplant Gjelina Opens in NoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-la-transplant-gjelina-opens-in-noho-nyc/) - Gjelina, the LA transplant, has a great vibe that's felt as you walk through the spacious restaurant. It's another location to grab a meal before theatre at The Public if you can get in. By the time you read this, Gjelina may be taking reservations and may open for dinner. As of this writing, it wasn't - [Moroccan Chicken](https://www.biteofthebest.com/moroccan-chicken/) - My friend Pat made this additive Moroccan Chicken for our recent book group; after that meeting, she kindly shared the recipe. With the enticing Moroccan aromas and fabulous flavors, I had to make it. Morocco, here I come! What follows is my adapted version of her recipe. It's a perfect one-dish meal, especially on a - [Kimberly Akimbo + A Return to Saar, Midtown West, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/kimberly-akimbo-a-return-to-saar-midtown-west-nyc/) - If you see only one thing on Broadway, see Kimberly Akimbo, the musical about a 15-year-old with a fictionalized rare disease that ages her four times the normal. The show is Tony-worthy, especially two of the performances. Victoria Clark makes you believe Kimberly is 15 instead of ready for Medicare. Aunt Debra (Bonnie Milligan) stops - [Stan Donuts](https://www.biteofthebest.com/stan-donuts/) - Stan's donuts publicist sent their special edition Olive Oil Le Stan in a press package with enough to share with neighbors. Most enjoyed the flaky croissant texture and the rich orange zabaglione (Italian custard) filling. One family disagreed, thinking they were too fatty and sweet. These donuts ($4.95 each) are so decadent that I could - [Patti Lupone at 54 Below, Theatre District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/patti-lupone-at-54-below-theatre-district-nyc/) - A friend invited another friend and me to see Patti Lupone's sold-out final performance of her gig at 54 Below. We couldn't resist. Patti has three Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and two Grammy Awards and was a 2006 inductee to the American Theater Hall of Fame. She's best known as a singer and actress - [Valla Table, Hell's Kitchen, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/valla-table-hells-kitchen-nyc/) - One springlike day this winter, I walked up to Hell's Kitchen and tripped over this small Thai restaurant in the theatre district. I decided to try it as it had an "A" in its window. I don't frequent any restaurant with a health grade lower than that. I decided to try their lunch special of - [Old Stove Pub, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/old-stove-pub-midtown-nyc/) - We were invited as guests of Old Stove Pub, an Upper East Side cozy restaurant on 59th and first, to sample their fare. We began with their specialty cocktails. I tried their Sweet Devil Chiller ($20), made from the Guajillo chili, passion fruit infused mezcal and Suze liqueur, a French apéritif. My dining partner sampled - [Seamore's @ Urbanspace, Theater District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/seamores-urbanspace-theater-district-nyc/) - My out-of-town cousins were attending a 7 pm performance of Funny Girl a the August Wilson Theatre. With little time to grab a bite, I arranged to meet them at the Urbanspace food hall. Among other restaurants, Urbanspace has a Seamore's that I thought would be quick and good for my pescatarian cousin. I've eaten at - [The Dining Room at the Met + the Tudors Exhibit](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-dining-room-at-the-met-the-tudors-exhibit/) - There's nothing like visiting the Met with two friends who studied Art History! Their knowledge brought to life the Tudors exhibit for me. Afterward, we headed up to the fourth floor to the Met Dining room with incredible views of Central Park. We were seated with an unobstructed view of the obelisk that's Cleopatra's Needle. - [The Beach Club Kanan, Tulum, Mexico](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-beach-club-kanan-tulum-mexico/) - My friend had been in Tulum all week in preparation for her son's wedding. She stayed on the beach at the Ahau, yet ate lunch at The Beach Club Kanan daily. I joined her for lunch the afternoon of the Welcome Drinks and Dinner party. Each day, she ordered the same dish for lunch, their - [A Return to the Upscale Indian Restaurant Sona, Gramercy Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-the-upscale-indian-restaurant-sona-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - I returned to Sona, the upscale Indian restaurant on East 20th Street, to celebrate my friend's wedding, which I sadly missed because Camp Grammie happened simultaneously on the opposite side of the country. Sona serves global Indian fare in a comfortable setting with attentive, knowledgeable service. We started with their seasonal version of an Old - [A Return to Dame, After Stops at Bobo and Cellar Dog, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-dame-after-stops-at-bobo-and-cellar-dog-west-village-nyc/) - Before dinner at Dame, we stopped at Bobo for their oyster happy hour to start our birthday celebration. We smiled as they brought a lemon tart with a lit candle, along with the $1 happy hour oysters (available 5 pm - 7 pm). We had asked for a candle to be added to the oyster - [Saar Indian Bistro, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/saar-indian-bistro/) - Members of Les Dames d'Escoffier New York celebrated Legacy Award winner Chef Helen Vass at a dinner earlier this summer at Dame Surbhi Sahni's Saar Indian Bistro. The winners earn a mentorship opportunity with key members of LDEI, an organization of women leaders in food, fine beverage and hospitality. The Legacy Awards hone the winners' - [The Norm @ Brooklyn Museum + Thierry Mugler: Couturissime + The London Sunday Times](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-norm-brooklyn-museum-thierry-mugler-couturissime-the-london-sunday-times/) - We booked The Norm—the restaurant in the Brooklyn Museum that relies on local produce to serve global flavors—after attending the Thierry Mugler: Couturissime exhibit. The show is the first U.S. retrospective to explore this French designer's edgy, intriguing universe and his iconic scent Angel inspired by nighttime stars. It's a scent I've been wearing since 2000 when I - [A Return To Cull & Pistol, Chelsea Market, NYC + Edward Hopper at the Whitney](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-cull-pistol-chelsea-market-nyc-edward-hopper-at-the-whitney/) - After a visit to the Whitney Museum's comprehensive look at Edward Hopper’s life and work in which New York City served as a backdrop, we headed over to Chelsea Market for a bite to eat at Cull & Pistol. Having been there a few months ago, I recommended some of my favorites to my dining - [Sapphire, UWS, NYC + Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool](https://www.biteofthebest.com/sapphire-uws-nyc-mike-birbiglia-the-old-man-and-the-pool/) - (Sadly, Sapphire just closed on December 31, 2022.) Sapphire Cuisines of India on the Upper West Side is close enough to the Vivian Beaumont Theater to grab a bite before attending a show. We did just that before seeing Mike Birbiglia in his one-man show. My dining partner noticed some small batch bourbons and ordered - [Cafe Pomegranate, Zeeheldenkwartier, Den Haag, The Netherlands](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cafe-pomegranate-zeeheldenkwartier-den-haag-the-netherlands/) - We ventured out in the rain for brunch to a new women-owned cafe around the corner. It's a family affair, owned by a mom and her daughters who moved to Den Haag from Australia. The smoothie with bananas, mango and lots of cinnamon was a hit with my granddaughter, as were her ricotta pancakes (11.5 - [Another Holiday Party at Bowery Road, Hyatt Hotel, Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/another-holiday-party-at-bowery-road-hyatt-hotel-village-nyc/) - My ex.expat group decided to again hold our annual holiday party at Bowery Road in the Hyatt near Union Square. We did so as we were so pleased with our last year's event. This year was just as good! We started with an open bar, offering wine, beer, Prosecco and Aperol spritzers. Apps included their - [Scarpetta in the James Nomad Hotel, NOMAD, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/scarpetta-in-the-james-nomad-hotel-nomad-nyc/) - A balmy evening allowed us to dine outside comfortably as Scarpetta's guests, there to sample their new fall offerings. Be careful not to fill up on the delicious bread service with three varieties - plain, focaccia and spiraled with cured meat. It's served with olive oil, whipped mascarpone and an irresistible tomato-eggplant mixture. We started - [Keith McNally Restaurant Group's Morandi, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/keith-mcnally-restaurant-groups-morandi-west-village-nyc/) - We met in the West Village at one of the Keith McNally Restaurant Group's locations for lunch and catch up. It was my first time at Morandi, not my friend's; it won't be my last as the food and service were both good, just like Minetta Tavern, Balthazar and Pastis! Don't miss the Insalata di - [Toucan Sur Mer, Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium](https://www.biteofthebest.com/toucan-sur-mer-ixelles-brussels-belgium/) - During my Thanksgiving visit across the pond, we dined with friends at Toucan Sur Mer, a renowned fish restaurant in Brussels' Ixelles neighborhood. What's remarkable about this friendly fish restaurant is their velvety Soupe de Poissons de Roche (14,00 €), a classic French soup similar to Nice's bouillabaisse. It came with grated Emmenthal cheese and - [Cowgirl Seahorse, South Street Seaport, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cowgirl-seahorse-south-street-seaport-nyc/) - While walking and listening to a book for one of my discussion groups, I ended up at South Street Seaport and decided to check out the Tin Building by Jean-Georges. I forgot it was Saturday. The food court was as packed as Grand Central during rush hour. The crowds were too much for me. I - [Keith McNally's Minetta Tavern, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/keith-mcnallys-minetta-tavern-greenwich-village-nyc/) - The high-end French bistro, Minetta Tavern, originally opened in 1937, was named after the eponymous Brook that ran southwest from 23rd Street to the Hudson River. Various writers — Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Eugene O'Neill, E. E. Cummings, Dylan Thomas, and Joe Gould — frequented the tavern. Today it still has vintage decor, a warm - [Dame Bonnie Tandy Leblang Collection at The Boyd Hospitality & Culinary Library](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dame-bonnie-tandy-leblang-collection-at-the-boyd-hospitality-culinary-library/) - (With excerpts from the speech given at the library's opening.) My interest in everything culinary started as soon as I could hold a wooden spoon. I began collecting food-related stuff early and continued most of my life. That extensive collection included cookbooks, menus, pamphlets, booklets, other food/nutrition-related books – and memorabilia, like the My*T*Fine pudding package - [Katsuya, Manhattan West, NYC + Citizens](https://www.biteofthebest.com/katsuya-manhattan-west-nyc-citizens/) - An invitation came for the opening of Citizens Marketplace at 398 Tenth Avenue. Like Urban Hawker, it is a food court. The difference is this one is anchored by two upscale restaurants, the Spanish Casi Dani and Katsuya sushi. I was invited to stay to sample the latter after their open house. I do recommend - [Ella Social, Upper West Side, NYC + Historical Society](https://www.biteofthebest.com/ella-social-upper-west-side-nyc-historical-society/) - We're always looking for a restaurant to serve a group of at least twenty of us for lunch after one of our Ex.expats of New York monthly outings. This time it was after curator-led tours at the New-York Historical Society. Dr. Wendy Ikemoto, Senior Curator of American Art, took us through the "Scenes of New - [A Meal at Arca Worthy of a Visit, Tulum, Mexico](https://www.biteofthebest.com/arca-tulum-mexico/) - We were supposed to be six at the upscale Arca restaurant from executive chef and owner Jose Luis Hinostroza. This farm-to-table Tulum restaurant opened in 2015, offering open-fire cooking of small plates intended to be shared. Their food represents the flora and fauna of the area. With six, we would have experienced many more dishes. - [Brunch at Miriam, Upper West Side, NYC + Sample Sale](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-miriam-upper-west-side-nyc-sample-sale/) - I heard about a sample sale leftover shop on the Upper West Side. I wanted to check it out, so I arranged to meet a friend who lives uptown at Miriam's on Amsterdam Avenue for lunch. I recommend the Mediterranean Salad ($16). It's a combo of avocado and diced veggies wrapped in grilled eggplant strips, - [A Quick Lunch at Jams, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-quick-lunch-at-jams-midtown-nyc/) - We had a short time to grab a bite near my daughter-in-law's hotel before she hailed a taxi to JFK. That's how we ended up at Jam's, Johnathan Waxman's midtown restaurant serving seasonal food. It was unseasonably warm, so we grabbed a table outside. Jams guacamole and chips ($18) were tasty, with flavorful black corn - [Aldo Solm Wine Bar, Midtown, NYC + Leopoldstadt](https://www.biteofthebest.com/aldo-solm-wine-bar-midtown-nyc-leopoldstadt/) - Urban Hawkers didn't cut it for us, as we both prefer being served to food courts. That's how we ended up at Aldo Salm, the casual wine bar across the alley from Le Bernardin serving light French fare. I'd expect a server to provide a clean glass for sampling each wine at a wine bar. - [Jasmine's Caribbean Cuisine Theatre District, NYC + Six](https://www.biteofthebest.com/jasmines-caribbean-cuisine-theatre-district-nyc-six/) - Jasmine's brings Caribbean flavor to Restaurant Row. We stopped in after seeing the spectacular, just over an hour musical Six, about the six wives of Henry VIII at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 47th. Our server greeted us with a big Caribbean-style smile as we entered Jasmine's, a part Jamaican restaurant around the corner from - [Cull & Pistol Oyster Bar, Chelsea Market, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cull-pistol-oyster-bar-chelsea-market-nyc/) - A cull is a lobster that's lost one of its claws; a pistol is one that lost both claws, usually due to predators. The Cull & Pistol is a Michelin-recommended seafood restaurant located in the heart of Chelsea Market. My friend, who recently moved to the nearby Lantern, frequents them weekly for their dozen varieties - [Cafe Fiorello, Lincoln Square, NYC + School of American Ballet](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cafe-fiorello-lincoln-square-nyc-school-of-american-ballet/) - The School of American Ballet (SAB), the most renowned ballet school in the US. founded by George Balanchine in 1934, welcomed my Ex.expat group one morning recently. If you're unfamiliar, SAB has been the official training academy of the New York City Ballet for the past seven decades. Its purpose is "to provide dancers as - [Brunch at Dame-Owned Vinateria, Harlem, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-dame-owned-vinateria-harlem-nyc/) - Like many of the fun Les Dames d'Escoffier conference events, our New York Harlem fund-raiser was sold out. I decided to take a group who hadn't booked in time to Harlem for brunch at Dame Yvette Leeper Bueno's Vinateria, where I'd dined before. (A Dame is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier.) Brunch entrees include - [Mermaid Inn in the Red Cat Space, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/mermaid-inn-in-the-red-cat-space-chelsea-nyc/) - As we were seated at our table in the new Chelsea Mermaid Inn in the old Red Cat space on Tenth and 23, the waiter rushed over to share that happy hour would end in three minutes. That welcoming enabled us to save $6 on each of our well-made cocktails and to order the fried - [Lunch at Kofradia - Itsas Etxea, San Sebastian, Spain](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-kofradia-itsas-etxea-san-sebastian-spain/) - With our final meal of our San Sebastian trip being that night, we had a light lunch at Kofradia, a fisherman's house offering fresh fish caught nearby in Basque Country. We sipped the Viña Zorzal Rosado ($16€), a Garnacha rosé. We were in sticker shock at that price, which is for a bottle, not a - [Lafayette, NoHo, NYC + Baldwin and Buckley](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lafayette-noho-nyc-baldwin-and-buckley/) - Pre-COVID, I have had some decent meals, including a fun birthday at Lafayette, Andrew Carmelini’s French restaurant in NoHo. We stopped in for brunch one rainy day before heading to The Public to see Baldwin and Buckley. For a review of that show, click here. We appreciated the good vibe as we lucked out being seated - [Building Hope, Changing Lives: Cafè Reconcile, New Orleans, LA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/building-hope-changing-lives-cafe-reconcile-new-orleans-la/) - The best food on this New Orleans trip? Cafè Reconcile. It's a lunch-only service restaurant with Southern foods cooked and served by at-risk youth in job training. Cafè Reconcile builds hope while changing lives. Everything we ate was delicious. We ended up there because of its proximity — across the street — to the SoFAB - [The Always Wonderful Casa Mono, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-always-wonderful-casa-mono-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - I needed Spanish food. Seriously, I was in withdrawal, having returned recently from San Sebastian. That's why I selected the Michelin 1-star Casa Mono to meet a friend for lunch. It never disappoints. Since I chose the place, I let my dining partner, a wine professional, Wanda Man, founder of Wine With Wanda and East - [STATE Grill and Bar, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/state-grill-and-bar-midtown-nyc/) - I was invited to dine at State Grill and Bar, the upscale, ground-floor Empire State Building restaurant, for a tasting. What intrigued me was a fixed-price meal package deal available when you buy a ticket to the observatory on top of the Empire State Building. When you do, you will be prompted, depending on the - [Bilbao, Spain: Restaurant Markina](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bilbao-spain-restaurant-markina/) - Our front desk clerk recommended a darling little cafe not far from Hotel Míro in Bilbao, where we were staying. Markina is a friendly café with attentive service. We started with a bottle of rosé (20 €) while perusing the menu. We were still shocked that a bottle cost what a glass did in New - [Lunch in the Tavern of Gramercy Tavern, Gramercy/Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-in-the-tavern-of-gramercy-tavern-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - Hadn't been to Danny Meyer's Flatiron District Gramercy Tavern since before the pandemic (I did stop by to support them by buying take-out.) I was eager to see how they fared. The Tavern, open since 1994, offers contemporary American cuisine and warm hospitality. Their accolades include three New York Times stars, one Michelin star, the - [San Sebastián: The Pintxos Tour](https://www.biteofthebest.com/san-sebastian-the-pintxos-tour/) - Pintxos are early evening snacks traditionally served at bars in the Basque country of northern Spain. They're enjoyed along with cider, beer or wine while standing at a table — if you can grab one. During a recent Global Palate Adventure, I sampled many pintxos in Old Town, San Sebastian. I've yet to find one - [Lunch at Ongi Etorri, Saint Jean De Luz, France](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-ongi-etorri-saint-jean-de-luz-france/) - On our way to France for the day, we stopped to attend the unique Alarde parade in the charming medieval town of Hondarribia (Spain), where everyone in the city celebrates by dressing in red and white. Afterward, we stopped for lunch in Saint Jean De Luz, where we tripped across the Ongi Etorri cafe. We - [The Stand Comedy Club, Gramercy/Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-stand-comedy-club-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - We'd always gone to The Stand for evening comedy shows. When I learned the restaurant was serving lunch, I convinced some friends to sample it with me. Even though we were the only ones in the restaurant, our food took a long time. When the food arrived, the double patty burgers ($18) were not hot - [Misirizzi, NoHO, NYC + Raisin in the Sun](https://www.biteofthebest.com/misirizzi-noho-nyc-raisin-in-the-sun/) - Misirizzi on East 4th Street is a small Italian restaurant with friendly, knowledgeable service and good food. And it's around the corner from The Public, where we saw Raisin in the Sun. This powerful play, first introduced in 1959, is about a family's experiences with racism and housing discrimination as they try to improve their lives. - [Returned to Lafayette, NoHo, NYC + Merchant House](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lafayette-noho-nyc-merchant-house/) - A group of us ate at Lafayette, where I have enjoyed many good meals, as it was close to the Merchant's House where we were heading for a special production of "A Christmas Carol." If you're not familiar, the Merchant's House Museum is New York City's only family home preserved intact — both inside and - [An Institution: Mother's Restaurant, New Orleans, LA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/an-institution-mothers-restaurant-new-orleans-la/) - Mother's Restaurant has been a breakfast institution since 1938 across the street from Hotel Fontenot, where we were staying. I had heard many legends about this cafeteria-style joint that always draws crowds. Mothers serves Breakfast all day. One morning, we decided to join the long line outside the door to try it. The line moves - [My Favorite Basque Pintxos: The Gilda](https://www.biteofthebest.com/my-favorite-basque-pintxos-the-gilda/) - The Gilda — a Basque-style tapa often served on a skewer — is one of the oldest pintxos in San Sebastian. The newly opened Bar Casa Vallés (Reyes Catolicos Kalea, 10, 20006 Donostia, Gipuzkoa, Spain) first served it in the '40s, named after the American film Gilda. It's a little bit spicy, a little salty, just - [Giardino 54, Hells Kitchen, NYC + Los Otros, The Musical](https://www.biteofthebest.com/giardino-54-hells-kitchen-nyc-los-otros-the-musical/) - We chose Giardino 54 for its proximity to A.R.T./New York Theatres, where we were seeing the musical Los Otros with music by Michael John LaChiusa, who we bumped into at the performance. Los Otros is a musical about love, risk and revelation told through two characters who explore significant moments in their lives. I recommend. - [Michelin 1-star Nerua at Guggenheim Bilboa Museum, Bilboa, Spain](https://www.biteofthebest.com/michelin-1-star-nerua-at-guggenheim-bilboa-museum-bilboa-spain/) - The Basque country is a must-do for anyone who loves food. My first stop was in Bilboa (Spain) to visit the Guggenheim Museum. Afterward, we headed next door to Nerua, a Michelin one-star restaurant offering local Basque cuisine. We opted for the reasonably priced 85 € multi-course tasting menu with their 35 € wine pairing - [Tom Colicchio's Italian Vallata, Gramercy/Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tom-colicchios-italian-vallata-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - From Gramercy Tavern to Craft and Riverpark, I've been a fan of Tom Colicchio restaurants. Wanting to support his new Italian adventure, I met a friend for lunch. Vallata is right next to Craft on 19th Street. We were two of the six people in the empty characterless restaurant. I tried their pasta and wine - [Brunch at the French La Mercerie, Soho, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-the-french-la-mercerie-soho-nyc/) - It was French cuisine in Soho for brunch one Sunday recently. We had lots to catch up on, so we started with a bottle of Marsannay 'Le Centenaire' Domaine Bruno Clair 2019 rosé. We shared two entrees served separately, starting with one of their classic dishes. Crèpe complète ($28) with a buckwheat crêpe wrapped around - [CLOSED Casual Thai at Taladwat, Hell's Kitchen + Wrong Man](https://www.biteofthebest.com/casual-thai-at-taladwat-hells-kitchen-wrong-man/) - Before heading over to the new MCC theatre on 52nd street to see the heart-wrenching musical Wrong Man, we grabbed dinner at a very casual Thai restaurant, Talad Wat. The Wrong Man struck a chord as it was reminiscent of An American Marriage that we discussed at book group. I must warn you that the - [Not to be Missed: Old West Cinnamon Rolls, Pismo Beach, CA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/not-to-be-missed-old-west-cinnamon-rolls-pismo-beach-ca/) - "Do not miss the warm cinnamon rolls at Old West," we were told. Our family, who live in San Luis Obispo, came to visit us at the home I rented on Pismo Beach for what I termed Camp Grammie (Also referred to as Camp Grimby, Camp Pismo Beach and Camp Everyone!) It was the first - [Lunch at Veeray da Dhaba, Lower East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-veeray-da-dhaba-lower-east-side-nyc/) - Finding a good restaurant open for lunch on a Monday in Manhattan is always a challenge. I start by looking at my "To try" list. I lucked out with Veeray da Dhaba, which is open on Mondays for lunch. It's an Indian restaurant on the lower east side with food by a Michelin-star chef featuring - [Dinner at Novo on the Creek in San Luis Obispo, California](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dinner-at-novo-on-the-creek-in-san-luis-obispo-california/) - It was my last meal in California in late summer before waking at dawn to head back east from San Luis Obispo. We opted for creekside dining in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo at Novo, serving locally sourced, wholesome, and globally inspired food. We started with a bottle of their Zuccardi Malbec (reasonably priced - [Frutero Ice Cream: Tropical Fruit Flavors from Around the World](https://www.biteofthebest.com/frutero-ice-cream-tropical-fruit-flavors-from-around-the-world/) - I prefer the flavor of fruit in gelato, not ice cream. If you like fruit ice cream, you might be interested in these new tropical fruit flavors from Frutero where — according to the company — the fruit is picked at the peak of freshness and sourced from around the globe. Their mangoes are from - [A return to Shukette, Chelsea, NYC + MJ The Musical](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-shukette-chelsea-nyc-mj-the-musical/) - Our afternoon started on our feet, applauding the amazing performances in MJ the Musical — telling the story of Michael Jackson — at the Neil Simon theatre. It won four Tony awards, including best actor in a musical (Myles Frost) and best choreography (Christopher Wheeldon). I highly recommend. From there, we headed downtown to 24th - [Bistro Basque, Milford, CT](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bistro-basque-milford-ct/) - Could it have been a decade (gulp!) since I dined at Bistro Basque in Milford? At that time, I had described it as "a hidden gem in the center of Milford." The menu, of course, changed; the space had too. We sat outside on a terrace and sipped the Pazos de Lusco Albariño ($52), enjoying the - [Red Beans & Rice](https://www.biteofthebest.com/red-beans-rice/) - I like finding something in my pantry and then planning a meal around it. That's precisely how I came to make Red Beans & Rice for dinner one evening recently. I got those dried beans and a Louisiana spice mix at the Southern Food & Beverage museum when attending a Les Dames d'Escoffier New Orleans - [Breakfast at Blue Sky on the Bay, Morro Bay, CA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/breakfast-at-blue-sky-on-the-bay-morro-bay-ca/) - It was one of my last days on the beautiful Central Coast of California. My sister and I had decided to drive up to Morro Bay for brunch. She frequented Blue Sky, located waterside along the Embarcadero, that offers an all-day breakfast with friendly service and beautiful views of Morro Rock and Estero Bay. She - [A Stop in at Dive Bar & Restaurant, West Haven, CT](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-stop-in-at-dive-bar-restaurant-west-haven-ct/) - We planned an afternoon on Gulf Beach after lunch to catch up on life. We never got there. We stopped at Dive Bar & Restaurant, a place offering a great view of Long Island Sound that's just across the street. Oddly, Connecticut's expansive coastline offers little waterside dining. This Dive Bar is just over the - [Lunch at Eureka!, San Luis Obispo, CA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-eureka-san-luis-obispo-ca/) - Wanting one-on-one time with my grandnephew, I asked where he'd like to dine together. He picked Eureka! downtown, where he met me between his work shifts. It's an all-American place with a burger focus, using locally sourced produce and a rotating craft beer and beverage program. Service is friendly. All their burgers are Santa Carota - [Swagat, Upper West Side, NYC + Shakespeare in the Park: As You Like it](https://www.biteofthebest.com/swagat-upper-west-side-nyc-shakespeare-in-the-park-as-you-like-it/) - Swagat is a small and cozy Indian restaurant on the Upper West Side, a good spot to dine before heading to the Delacorte to see "As You Like it," one of this year's two productions of Shakespeare in the Park as it's about a half-mile walk to the theatre. Swagat, a Hindu word meaning "welcome," - [The Smith, Lincoln Plaza, Lincoln Center, NYC + Porky and Bess](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-smith-lincoln-plaza-lincoln-center-nyc-porky-and-bess/) - I liked brunch at The Smith downtown, so I thought we'd be fine at the Lincoln Center one. We stopped in for dinner before seeing Porky & Bess across the street at the Met. I recommend their alcohol-forward, nicely blended Wild Horses ($16) cocktail made with mezcal, tequila reposado, amaro and various bitters. It was the best - [TASTE! craft eatery, San Luis Obispo, CA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/taste-craft-eatery-san-luis-obispo-ca/) - Can't make up your mind what to order? Taste! craft eatery is for you. The menu offers a Duo ($16), Trio ($20), or Quartet ($29). You select two, three or four items from their extensive menu of choices and get small portions of each. None are full size but certainly satisfy. Interesting concept. For brunch, - [Breakfast at Celia's Garden Cafe, Los Osos, California](https://www.biteofthebest.com/breakfast-at-celias-garden-cafe-los-osos-california/) - Celia's Garden Cafe is a 20-minute drive west from San Luis Obispo in Los Osos, where we headed to brunch one Sunday. It's a quaint cafe serving breakfast & lunch. Dining outside is an all-season happening when on California's Central Coast. When you go, request the back terrace as the front area is noisy from - [A Trip to Shukette, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-trip-to-shukette-chelsea-nyc/) - Much has been written about Shukette including a great review by Pete Wells (New York Times), which makes reservations difficult. Since we had planned to take a friend for her birthday, I diligently got on Resy four weeks out to book dinner and grabbed a decent time. The name Shukette, like its sister restaurant Shuka, - [An Upper East Side Institution: JG Melon, UES, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/an-upper-east-side-institution-jg-melon-ues-nyc/) - No upper Eastsider I spoke to could believe I had never been to the iconic JG Melon neighborhood burger joint. I went to this laid-back pub for the first time this summer and only had to wait about 10 minutes, which I heard was not bad. There's generally a 30-minute wait for this cash-only pub - [Lunch at The Cookshop, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-the-cookshop-chelsea-nyc/) - It was too hot and humid to take a long walk in Hudson River Park one weekday. Instead, we headed to Cookshop for lunch, arriving as they were opening. I smiled as I saw the empty restaurant realizing that the popular brunch place would be packed if this were a weekend. My friends each ordered - [Gracie's Luncheonette, Leeds, Hudson Valley, NY](https://www.biteofthebest.com/gracies-luncheonette-leeds-hudson-valley-ny/) - Gracie's Luncheonette in Leeds, New York, is worth going out of your way for. They make nearly everything on the menu from scratch and source locally. Owners Allyson Merritt and Andrew Spielberg went to the Culinary Institute of America, where they met. My friends who frequent the place knew to ask for the table with - [Eating at the Shore, Long Branch, NJ](https://www.biteofthebest.com/eating-at-the-shore-long-branch-nj/) - Long Branch has been our summer go-to place when heading to the shore for a day or longer stay. It's about an hour and a half drive on weekdays to the white sand beach. Since we like eating outside in Pier Village, we frequent the same places along the boardwalk. We are there more for - [Founders House Pub & Patio, Milford, CT + Bedwetter at NY's Linda Gross Theater](https://www.biteofthebest.com/founders-house-pub-patio-milford-ct-bedwetter-at-nys-linda-gross-theater/) - One Connecticut friend and I decided on a beach day at Milford’s Gulf Beach, grabbing a bite ahead of time, then spending the day by the water catching up! Like many of you, the pandemic kept me distanced from many friends. We had a quick lunch on the patio of Founders House Pub, not far from the - [A Return to Via Quadronno, UES, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-via-quadronno-ues-nyc/) - After playing bridge one morning, a couple of friends and I headed to Via Quadronno, a local Italian restaurant, for a bite. Last I had been in the height of asparagus season with mine topped with fresh crab. I vowed to return. I decided to sample their home-style rendition of traditional meat lasagna bolognese ($28); - [Madam Ji, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/madam-ji-greenwich-village-nyc/) - Madam Ji, an Indian restaurant in the Village, was our second stop on that evening's moving feast. We started with cocktails. My friend tried their Thora Mirchi, a blend of gin, jalapeño infused triple sec with a splash of simple syrup ($15). Loving spice, I ordered the Mumbai Mule because it was made with habañera - [The Peruvian Restaurant Kausa, Hell's Kitchen, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-peruvian-restaurant-kausa-hells-kitchen-nyc/) - Liking to try new restaurants, I met a friend for lunch at Kausa, a relatively new Peruvian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen. My dining partner sampled a pisco sour ($14) for the first time; it won't be her last. This traditional Peruvian cocktail combines distilled brandy, egg white, lime and bitters. I sipped a Moscow mule - [Outdoor Lobster Bake, Windam, NY](https://www.biteofthebest.com/outdoor-lobster-bake-windam-ny/) - Call Pat Higgins by 9 pm Wednesday with your order of fresh lobster flown in from Maine. His outdoor Lobster Bake is open only Saturday night from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It's from 5 to 7 pm outside behind the theatre complex, with seating at picnic tables near the Batavia Kill Creek. Although they - [Noodlove, Chinatown, NYC + The Orchard Tailor Services](https://www.biteofthebest.com/noodlove-chinatown-nyc-the-orchard-tailor-services/) - My friend Barbara had been raving about Fabian, her inexpensive fabulous tailor in Chinatown. His hems, she explained, were about $10 and done in an hour! The pandemic got in the way, and I never got to the tailor until now. I walked down to meet Fabian and gave him one long dress to be - [An Octopus Tasting at Taverna Kyclades, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/an-octopus-tasting-at-taverna-kyclades-east-village-nyc/) - My friend was on a quest for the best octopus in the city; many articles mentioned Taverna Kyclades in the East Village as one of the best. She planned to stop by and buy a gift certificate for her themed "octopus" present for a friend. We decided to sit and sample their charcoal-grilled octopus ($24.95) - [Food Tour of Arthur Avenue, The Bronx with Susan Birnbaum](https://www.biteofthebest.com/food-tour-of-arthur-avenue-the-bronx-with-susan-birnbaum/) - The first stop on our tour was for Albanian spinach burek (byrek, burek, börek), the classic Albanian stuffed fillo at Tony & Tina's Pizzeria, 2483 Arthur Ave, 718.733.8094. We spent lots of time with Dave at Mike's Deli inside the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, 2344 Arthur Ave, 718.295.5033, where he showed us how to make - [Lunch on 24 at Electric Lemon, Hudson Yards, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-on-24-at-electric-lemon-hudson-yards-nyc/) - I was meeting a New Orleans friend to discuss the 15,000+ cookbooks that I donated to the Southern Food & Beverage Research Center, as it has become the repository for Les Dames d'Escoffier International Collection. The purpose of the Collection is to create a place where all of the books and papers written by members - [Mels, Chelsea, NYC + Fat Ham at the Public](https://www.biteofthebest.com/mels-chelsea-nyc-fat-ham-at-the-public/) - We finally were able to get a res at the very popular Mel's on Tenth Avenue, owned by Michelin-decorated Chef fellow Dame Melissa Rodriguez. I started with their Old Fashioned made with bourbon, cognac and amaro ($18) while my dining partner had a Cosmo ($18). We liked the flavor and heat from the chilies of - [This Year's Sail on the "Lobster Boat," Hell's Kitchen, North River Lobster, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/this-years-sail-on-the-lobster-boat-hells-kitchen-north-river-lobster-nyc/) - A sail on the North River Lobster is something I've been doing each summer since 2014, when they began to cruise up the Hudson River and served the best lobster rolls. The cruise was free then. A couple of years ago, they began charging $10 for each sail. This year, they limit you to one - [The Tasting Menu at Hortus, Nomad , NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-tasting-menu-at-hortus-nomad-nyc/) - During the pandemic, my friends discovered Hortus, an Asian-fusion restaurant, and its spacious, well-lit backroom. After much negotiation, we selected their tasting menu ($70 each) instead of their Restaurant Week menu. It was similar, but without the Royal Platter we chose for our starter. That extra dish included a chilled lobster, yellowtail crudo, shrimp cocktail - [The Reopened Spanish El Quijote, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-reopened-spanish-el-quijote-chelsea-nyc/) - I'd been to an SVA program on west 23rd street. Afterward, we walked by the newly re-opened Spanish restaurant, El Quijote, at the Hotel Chelsea. The problem was their eleven tables were committed and the bar was three deep. Loving the vibe, we vowed to make a res and return. When we did, we started with - [Cuban-Chinese at Calle Dao Chelsea, Chelsea, NYC + Annie Lebovitz](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cuban-chinese-at-calle-dao-chelsea-chelsea-nyc-annie-lebovitz/) - I had forgotten that I'd been to the opening of Calle Dao as it was five years ago — pre-COVID — until I bit into one of their Cuban Sandwich spring rolls ($12 for 4) served with spicy mustard. One bite of these unusual spring rolls filled with roast pork, ham and salami — the - [Casa Lever, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/casa-lever-midtown-nyc/) - Casa Lever provides an elegant, sophisticated dining experience. I'd like to return once their under-construction gardens re-open as I hear they are spectacular. I sipped their nicely balanced Dublino, a blend of Bushmills Irish Whiskey, blood orange vermouth and Mirto liqueur, before they served our amuse bouche of creamy gazpacho. Glutton me always requests one - [Raising Money for LDNY's Scholarships at Docks Oyster Bar, Kips Bay](https://www.biteofthebest.com/raising-money-for-ldnys-scholarships-at-docks-oyster-bar-kips-bay/) - Our New York chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier (LDNY) held a four-course unique lobster experience at Dock's Oyster Bar last month on National Lobster Day. The event raised funds for LDNY's scholarships. Wine pairings courtesy of Kobrand, lobster from Aquabest NYC. If you'd like to donate to Les Dames d'Escoffier scholarships, click here. We started - [Brunch at Casa Ortega, Wappinger Falls, NY](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-casa-ortega-wappinger-falls-ny/) - Fermin Ortega and his wife Mayra moved from Queens to Wappinger Falls about a year before the pandemic to open Casa Ortega with Mayra's brother Irvin Gonzaga. Albert, our friend who we were visiting, dines here twice a week. Hence, we ended up there when visiting him. I started with a spicy, nicely balanced bloody - [Vinateria, Harlem, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/vinataria-harlem-nyc/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com with a review of a dinner at Vinateria, Harlem, NYC - [The Skylit Emporio, Little Italy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-skylit-emporio-little-italy-nyc/) - About a three-minute walk from the New Museum is an Italian restaurant not to be missed. Lucky me, a friend took me to Emporio for my birthday. We sat in the back, brightly skylit room. I recommend their large leg of charred octopus ($19) over smoked eggplant puree, pine nut tahini, sweet red and yellow - [City Saucery Calabrian Chili Spread](https://www.biteofthebest.com/city-saucery-calabrian-chili-spread/) - I always made my own until I sampled City Saucery's Spicy Calabrian all-purpose tomato sauce, Same with other friends I gave jars to try. Yes, it's that good. If you're unfamiliar with the Brooklyn-based company, they source local fresh, overripe tomatoes and oddly shaped carrots that would go to waste and turn them into their - [Nonna Dora's, Kips Bay, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/nonna-doras-kips-bay-nyc/) - Nicola Marzovilla, son of Dora, explained that he chose the location of his new popular pasta establishment by looking within a circumference of where his mom Dora lived. Addolorata Marzovilla — Dora — cooked for 30+ years alongside Nicola at the recently closed I Trulli. Eighty-five-year-old Dora makes about 40 types of pasta daily in - [Birthday Celebration at Mexican Canyon Road, UES, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/birthday-celebration-at-mexican-canyon-road-ues-nyc/) - Canyon Road, a cozy Mexican restaurant that my friends frequent often, is where we went to celebrate three of our four birthdays. We began with traditional Mexican starters: their guac (large, $17.95) and margaritas ($12 to $14). The dishes that I recommend are the slowly roasted duck burrito ($24.95) with black beans smothered with a - [Mémé Mediterranean, Hells Kitchen, NYC + Plaza Suite](https://www.biteofthebest.com/meme-mediterranean-hells-kitchen-nyc-plaza-suite/) - Mémé Mediterranean restaurant in Hell's Kitchen is named after brothers Alon and Jacob Cohen's mother, as it is French Moroccan for Grandma. There's also a West Village location. My dining mates started with Cava Rose Spritz with Mezzodi liqueur, Pamplemousse liqueur, grapefruit juice and Cava Rose ($18). I recommend the nicely balanced Mémé's Manhattan ($17) - [Fish Cheeks, NoHo, NYC + Rehearsal of School of American Ballet](https://www.biteofthebest.com/fish-cheeks-noho-nyc-rehearsal-of-school-of-american-ballet/) - With Fish Cheeks named one of the absolute best Thai restaurants in NY by New York Magazine and included in Eater's 38 essential restaurants in NY, I had to try it. The restaurant had a modern approach to traditional Thai dishes. Loved that their happy hour included cocktails at lunch for $11. We sampled their - [New Handcrafted Cocktails and Bar Bites at Fogo de Chão, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/new-handcrafted-cocktails-and-bar-bites-at-fogo-de-chao-midtown-nyc/) - This time my visit to Fogo de Chão, the Brazilian steakhouse, in Midtown was for a press event to introduce their new bar bites and cocktails. The culinary art of churrasco and the fresh, seasonal ingredients found on their Market Table inspired these new menu items. While we sipped the new cocktails, the staff passed - [P.J. Clarke's-Lincoln Square, Lincoln Center, NYC + Epiphany](https://www.biteofthebest.com/p-j-clarkes-lincoln-square-lincoln-center-nyc-epiphany/) - We chose P.J. Clarke's for its proximity to the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center. We were seeing Epiphany, a well-acted confusing, quirky and slow 2-hour show sans intermission about a group who reunited at a dinner party during a snow storm. Lunch at P.J. Clarke's wasn't much better. I've restrained myself from writing - [Brunch at Upstairs At the Kimberly, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-upstairs-at-the-kimberly-midtown-nyc/) - Upstairs at the Kimberly is on the Penthouse level, replete with outdoor and indoor seatings. After perusing the cocktail menu, my dining partner chose the Mistress, a refreshing blend of grapefruit juice, Pisco and Elderflower liquor garnished with a ruby grapefruit slice and I tried their Cilantro Sol's medley of tequila, pineapple, ginger and chili - [Opening of Jue Lan Club Rose Garden, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/opening-of-jue-lan-club-rose-garden-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - If you're looking for a location to enjoy good food and libations in an outdoor enclosed setting, try The Rose Garden at Jue Lan Club. It opened last month on one of those perfect spring days with a party replete with flowing cocktails, non-stop food offerings and live music. Idyllic. All was offered gratis, yet - [A Return to the Lebanese ilili, Gramercy Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-the-lebanese-ilili-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - The weather was good enough to sit in ilili's outside private unit with our windows and doors open. I started with their delicious and perfectly balanced Miss American Rye ($18) made from Deadwood Rye, Clear Creek Pear Eau de Vie, sweet vermouth, Valdespino Fino Sherry and orange bitters garnished with orange peel. I'd go back - [Rosa Mexicano, Lincoln Center, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rosa-mexicano-lincoln-center-nyc/) - Rosa Mexicano was where we decided to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, the celebration commemorating the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire in 1862. And, what else to start our celebration with other than a Margie?! My dining partner ordered their signature frozen pomegranate one, while I'm a bit more traditional, choosing their - [The New Vegan Pure Grit BBQ, Kips Bay, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-new-vegan-pure-grit-bbq-kips-bay-nyc/) - Don't skip reading about this first-ever fast-casual vegan BBQ restaurant in New York City because you're a meat lover. Pure Grit BBQ is not for vegans only. Kerry Fitzmaurice, the creative mind behind this concept, started in the film industry before stopping by public relations and advertising, then moving on to create this plant-based BBQ - [The Return to THE WELL Kitchen & Table for Brunch, Union Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-return-to-the-well-kitchen-table-for-brunch-union-square-nyc/) - I highly suggest a visit to The Well on 15th Street for a bite to eat after shopping at the farmers' market. It is just west of Union Square and worth the visit. I returned recently for brunch with a friend. In looking at the offerings at their counter, we decided to try an everything bagel scone. - [A Return to Wagamama, Midtown, NYC + Golden Shield](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-wagamama-midtown-nyc-golden-shield/) - One location of Wagamama, the British restaurant chain serving Asian food based on Japanese cuisine, is across the street from City Center where we were heading to see "Golden Shield," playwright Anchuli Felicia King's new work about loyalties, intrigue and the art of translation. Nothing to to out of your way for. My go-to dish - [Il Brigante, South Street Seaport, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/il-brigante-south-street-seaport-nyc/) - My friend was staying at Mr. C Seaport, around the corner from Il Brigante, a cozy southern Italian restaurant she frequented while there. I'd recommend a visit. We started with their crisp Caesar salad topped with a mountain of fresh shaved Parmigiana-Reggiano cheese ($17) and their imported burrata mozzarella atop fresh arugula with Campari tomatoes - [John Fraser's Iris, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/john-frasers-iris-midtown-nyc/) - John Fraser's new Aegean-cuisine Iris was on my ever-growing to-try list. I started chatting with the manager when we both realized we had recently met (and exchanged cards!) at the Terrace at the Edition Hotel, another of JF Restaurant's locations. It became more of a drinking lunch as we were outside at this location near - [GupShup, Flatiron-Gramercy, NYC + The Stand Comedy Club](https://www.biteofthebest.com/gupshup-flatiron-gramercy-nyc-the-stand-comedy-club/) - Even the drinks are delicious at the Bombay-inspired Gup Shup. My green Margie-like "hot like Kohli" was made with Espolon Silver tequila and Montelobos mezcal in a spicy-lime salted rim garnished with a hot pepper. My dining friend liked their version of a Negroni with Darjeeling tea and black cardamom added to the gin, Campari - [Evergreen on 38th Street, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/evergreen-on-38th-street-midtown-nyc/) - We met near the southern end of Central Park and headed south to Evergreen on 38th Street, walking past the now-gone whimsical Plantoir, Blue installation created by married artists Claes Oldenburg & Coosje van Bruggena. Their interpretation of the trowel in motion, as if it “fell from the sky,” stood erect with its shovel end - [Ravagh Persian Grill, Murray Hill, NYC + The Morgan Library](https://www.biteofthebest.com/ravagh-persian-grill-murray-hill-nyc-the-morgan-library/) - My dining partner had walked past Ravagh Persian Grill on her way to meet me at The Morgan Library and thought it might be a place to get a bite after. It was. The Madison Avenue location is one of four, two in the city and two on the island. I started with an Old - [Chop-Shop, Chelsea, NYC + Jean-Michel Basquiet exhibit](https://www.biteofthebest.com/chop-shop-chelsea-nyc-jean-michel-basquiet-exhibit/) - I returned to Chop-Shop for its proximity to the Landmark Starrett-Lehigh building in Chelsea, where Jean-Michel Basquiet's family put his art on display. I had to order their nicely spiced green papaya salad with shrimp cashews and watercress ($14) again. Yes, that good. It didn't disappoint. I still wish they'd trim the watercress stems a - [Miramar, FiDi, NYC + Governor's Island](https://www.biteofthebest.com/miramar-fidi-nyc-governors-island/) - Miramar, which means "sea-view" or "sea sight," is located by the New York sea: The Hudson River. We sat outside at Miramar, enjoying the spring weather after a trip to Governor's Island. We sipped a Villa Rosa, Gavi di Gavi, Piedmont, Italy ($38) while we started on the layered eggplant and ricotta Napoleon ($12) topped - [The Smith, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-smith-midtown-nyc/) - We met at the Midtown location of The Smith, a casual American Brasserie, for lunch as its location worked for the group coming from different parts of the city. We laughed as we all ordered the same lunch entree with dressing on the side! Their citrus, goat cheese salad topped with grilled salmon is so - [Return for Brunch to Marseille, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + POTUS](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-for-brunch-to-marseille-hells-kitchen-nyc-potus/) - Marseilles, the French brasserie in Hell's Kitchen where we stopped for brunch before theatre, is generally consistent — ideally located down 44th Street from the Shubert Theater where we saw POTUS, the farcical show about the women behind the President that had us belly laughing. I recommend. Seems we misread the menu, thinking the bloody - [Quri the Quinoa Peruvian Vodka](https://www.biteofthebest.com/quri-the-quinoa-peruvian-vodka/) - Just arriving on our shelves is Quri, an award-winning Peruvian vodka made from quinoa sourced from a single-family farm and ancient Andean glacier water filtered through volcanic stone. It's one of two vodkas in the world made from the locally originated grain, with Quri the only one produced in the Andes. If you're not familiar - [AnTalia NYC, Midtown, NYC + Fran Lebowitz](https://www.biteofthebest.com/antalia-nyc-midtown-nyc-fran-lebowitz/) - We chose the Turkish restaurant AnTalia for its proximity to Town Hall where we were seeing the irreverent humorist Fran Lebowitz. As traditional in Turkish meals, we started with a mezze. That's a selection of small dishes served with bread, traditionally pita. We chose their tzatziki (chopped cucumbers with garlic and dill in yogurt), the pureed - [Miss Korea BBQ, Koreatown, NYC + A Reading: Charna Rivka](https://www.biteofthebest.com/miss-korea-bbq-koreatown-nyc-a-reading-charna-rivka/) - A building mate invited me to LAByrinth Theatre company's Annual Barn Series reading at 59 E 59 Theater for a sneak peek at a new play, Charna Rivka, written by David Deblinger. I found the start of the cold reading quite engaging with the ending in need of additional work — like many readings. Interesting - [Katzs Delicatessen, Lower East Side, NYC + Faith Reingold at the New Musuem](https://www.biteofthebest.com/katzs-delicatessen-lower-east-side-nyc-faith-reingold-at-the-new-musuem/) - Who knew you could reserve a table at Katz's Delicatessen! I didn't until I called to see if they'd take a group of ex.expats for a pre-meal before a tour of the Faith Reingold exhibit at the New Museum. We were able to reserve a table for 13 through their catering department by paying a - [The Terrace at the Edition Hotel, Theatre District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-terrace-at-the-edition-hotel-theatre-district-nyc/) - My friend made the res as she had a special table to request at the Terrace located on the 9th floor of the Edition Hotel, chef John Fraser's all-day restaurant. Weather permitting there's a cozy terrace and garden lush with plants and ivy. I returned to The Terrace again in the spring yet three years - [Brunch at The Smith, East Village, NYC + Suffs at The Public](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-the-smith-east-village-nyc-suffs-at-the-public/) - It was my first time at the East Village location of The Smith but won't be my last. We met there for brunch as it was close to The Public where we were seeing "Suffs," the new amazing musical about the American women’s suffrage movement. Brunch was as good as the show! Our just-out-of-training server, - [Brunch at Upland, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-upland-flatiron-nyc/) - It's been a long time since I dined at Upland, chef Justin Smillie’s California-inspired cuisine in the Flatiron District. Generally, this Stephen Starr location was a reliable and crowd-pleasing restaurant. Would it still be? We stopped in for their Sunday brunch, starting with a cocktail. My dining partner had their Green Marjorita ($16) a smoky, - [Inside Park at St. Bart's, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/inside-park-at-st-barts-midtown-nyc/) - We stopped by the cafe at St. Barts on their terrace under their "winter tent" to get a bite to eat after attending a funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral. We started with drinks so that we could toast our friend. One friend ordered their Vintage Negroni ($16) made with gin, Campari and vermouth, another sipped - [Sautéed Shrimp and Spinach from ELC (Express Lane Cooking)](https://www.biteofthebest.com/sauteed-shrimp-and-spinach-from-elc-express-lane-cooking/) - Looking for something quick to make with shrimp other than scampi, I recalled my spinach and shrimp recipe created for my now-defunct daily syndicated column, Express Lane Cooking (ELC) with Andrews McMeel Syndication, formerly Universal Press Syndicate. I'm proud to share it was the world's first daily syndicated food column. It was gaining steam until - [Breakfast at Willa Jean, New Orleans, LA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/breakfast-at-willa-jean-new-orleans-la/) - We were in New Orleans for a fund-raiser for their Les Dames d'Escoffier chapter's "Diggin NoLa: A culinary affair with the Big Easy." One morning, we headed for breakfast at Willa Jean, a retro-chic café offering Southern breakfasts and baked goods opened by Chef Kelly Fields in the Central Business District in downtown New Orleans. - [Dos Caminos, Theatre District, NYC + Take Me Out](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dos-caminos-theatre-district-nyc-take-me-out/) - We chose Dos Caminos as it was close to the Helen Hayes theater where we were heading to see "Take Me Out," about the personal and professional complexities of baseball, America’s favorite pastime starring Jesse Williams (Grey's Anatomy), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family), and Patrick J. Adams (Suits). I started with their "El Camino" margarita - [Honeybrains, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/honeybrains-flatiron-nyc/) - When I learned about Honeybrains the registered dietitian in me smiled. I laughed, though, realizing I heard about it while at the ultra-upscale Daniel's for a sous vide birthday party. I stopped by this fairly new healthy chain at their Flatiron location. The made-from-scratch food is good, fresh and reasonably priced. I liked the tender - [Boqueria Restaurant, Flatiron, NYC + Affordable Art Show](https://www.biteofthebest.com/boqueria-restaurant-flatiron-nyc-affordable-art-show/) - We selected Boqueria for its proximity to Metropolitan Pavilion where we were heading to the "Affordable Art Show." I had been to their theatre-district restaurant location for brunch and would suggest that if you need a bite before a matinee. In the smaller Flatiron location, we sat in the bar area so that we could - [BXL Cafe, Theatre District, NYC + Birthday Candles](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bxl-cafe-theatre-district-nyc-birthday-candles/) - We decided on a late lunch at BXL, a Belgian cafe, before heading to the American Airline Theatre to see Debra Messing in Birthday Candles. We just walked through the alleyway across the street to the theatre a block away. Three of our four ordered mussels mariniere, menu-described as "cooked in white wine and shallots - [Return to L’Adresse, Midtown near Bryant Park, NYC + Beatles Cover Band](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-ladresse-midtown-near-bryant-park-nyc-beatles-cover-band/) - A return to L'Address as promised, this time for dinner before heading to see the Beatles Cover Band at the Palladium. That performance elicited a flood of memories from that era. We sang along, knowing most of the words. At dinner, we started with two appetizers to share with the table. I'd recommend the mezze ($25) - [Sweetbriar x 2, Kips Bay, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/sweetbriar-kips-bay-nyc/) - Sweetbriar in the Park South Hotel had been on our radar to meet for dinner since it opened in April as we wanted to again eat Chef Bryce Shuman's upscale comfort food. Bryce hailed from Betony and Eleven Madison Park, where he garnered three stars from the New York Times, One Michelin Star and was - [Bombay Eating at Gupshup, Flatiron-Grammercy, NYC + The Good Liar](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bombay-eating-at-gupshup-flatiron-grammercy-nyc-the-good-liar/) - I'd been reading about GupSup for months. I finally got there recently after seeing Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen in "The Good Liar," a fun movie with twists. We were seated upstairs, which was spacious and quiet enough to carry on a conversation without straining. Our meal beganwith the house chutney & pickles ($10 for - [It's Back!!](https://www.biteofthebest.com/its-back-check-out-our-restaurant-map/) - Covid pushed our restaurant map off track. During the pandemic, we had a map indicating restaurants with heaters. And now, we're back with new map showing all the meals we've eaten since March 2020. Click here to see the new map: - [Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine, Winter Park, Florida + Scenic Boat Tour](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bosphorous-turkish-cuisine-winter-park-florida-scenic-boat-tour/) - If you find yourself in Winter Park, Florida, do not miss a stop at Bosphorous, a Turkish restaurant serving Anatolian cuisine located near the train station and a 5-minute walk from the scenic boat tour we were planning to take on Winter Park's chain of Lakes. Our waitress Joy explained every part of the menu - [A Return to Jane, Soho, NYC + Out of Time](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-jane-soho-nyc-out-of-time/) - After my last visit to Jane restaurant in SoHo, I received an email from Olivia, their Assistant General Manager, who provided me with her personal reservation link. Saying, "That way I can make sure you are being extra well taken care of." Interesting personal-touch marketing, I thought. When I was heading with some friends to - [Nina Compton's Compare Lapin, New Orleans](https://www.biteofthebest.com/nina-comptons-compare-lapin-new-orleans/) - First stop on my New Orleans eating adventure was Compare Lapin, the sophisticated eatery serving Caribbean- and European-accented New Orleans flavors located in Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery. Chef Nina Compton, who hails from St. Lucia, was unable to join us. She sent us bubbly before she had to depart ($18 each). Don't miss - [Armani's Cucina, Vero Beach, Florida](https://www.biteofthebest.com/armanis-cucina-vero-beach-florida/) - Our friends made a reservation at Armani Cucina, an Italian restaurant in a strip mall Vero Beach while we were visiting. The highlights of that dinner, graciously served, included their cold cannellini beans with warm grilled octopus ($18.95) and the warm garlicky knots ($6.95) as starters. The stand-out entree is their housemade pear & gorgonzola - [Bryant Park Grill, Midtown, NYC + Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bryant-park-grill-midtown-nyc-polonsky-exhibition-of-the-new-york-public-librarys-treasures/) - Eighteen of our ex.expat group stopped at Bryant Park Grill for lunch before our two private docent-led tours at the New York Public library. They set up a large table near the rear of the restaurant with the park as our backdrop. To ease the often chaos at the payment of the bill for a - [Lamb Burger at North Square, Washington Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lamb-burger-at-north-square-washington-square-nyc/) - I had dined at North Square on the northwest corner of Washington Square many years ago. The yummy lobster and crab cake that I so loved was no longer on the menu. My dining partner recommended their lamb burger that came with pickled veggies, lemon aïoli and French fries ($16). It was good, yet I - [The Peruvian Restaurant Inti, Hells Kitchen, NYC + Space Dogs](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-peruvian-restaurant-inti-hells-kitchen-nyc-space-dogs/) - We stopped into Inti, a Peruvian restaurant, on our way to the far west location of MCC Theatre to see the new musical Space Dogs about the canines that were sent into space. We decided to share the classic Banquete Inti ($43) that consisted of a tender rotisserie whole chicken, French fries, fried plantain, rice, - [Piccolo Cucina, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/piccolo-cucina-upper-east-side-nyc/) - A group of us who had been on a Les Dames d'Escoffier International culinary trip to Italy met for dinner at Piccolo Cucina on the Upper East Side. Marisa May had selected Piccolo Cucina because Matteo Bergamini — former chef at both San Domenico NY and SD26 — was this Italian restaurant's Executive Chef. NB: - [Tri Dim Shanghai, Upper East Side, NYC + Private Met Tour](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tri-dim-shanghai-upper-east-side-nyc-private-met-tour/) - Lucky us. We were able to arrange a private tour of the Asia Art Galleries at the Met with Joe Scheier-Dolberg associate curator of Chinese paintings and Pengliang Lu associate curator of Chinese Decorative Arts on a day the museum was closed. In keeping with the Asian theme, we decided to lunch at Tri Dim - [A Return to South of Nick’s Mexican Kitchen + Bar, San Clemente, CA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-south-of-nicks-mexican-kitchen-bar-san-clemente-ca/) - It had been a couple years since I had been to San Clemente. It's where I rendezvous with a friend who I met in Europe over 50 years ago and it's where my son buys his Rainbow sandals. I walked down Aveninda Del Mar to see the sunset, then back up for a bite at South - [Village Taverna Greek Grill, Union Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/village-taverna-greek-grill-union-square-nyc/) - My friend chose Village Taverna Greek Grill, an airy inviting restaurant in our hood, as the place she wanted her birthday lunch. She had frequented this friendly Greek restaurant many times. It was my first experience. I had their keftedakia kokinista ($14.95), that's four flat beef meatballs made with ouzo, herbs and spices then baked - [Jaleo by José Andrés, Disney Springs, Orlando](https://www.biteofthebest.com/jaleo-by-jose-andres-disney-springs-orlando/) - As with José Andrés other Jaleo, this one highlights the spirit and flavors of Spain, showcasing the rich regional diversity of Spanish cuisine. I had been lucky enough to have been at Jaleo for its opening in Washington, DC many years ago so I was looking forward to experiencing his food and service again. It - [Amata, Midtown, NYC + Carlton Fine Arts](https://www.biteofthebest.com/amata-midtown-nyc-carlton-fine-arts/) - COVID had kept us apart, so we had lots of catching up to do, including a belated birthday celebration. Before dinner at Amata, we met at the Carlton Fine Arts gallery on Madison to see their Pop Art Festival, having read about it in a friend's real estate newsletter. We headed west to Amata being - [Faces and Names, Midtown West, NYC + Prayer For the French Republic ](https://www.biteofthebest.com/faces-and-names-midtown-west-nyc-prayer-for-the-french-republic/) - We stopped at Faces and Names, a contemporary pub serving sandwiches & bar food, for a bite before heading to City Center around the corner to see a Prayer For the French Republic, a play that friends raved about. We were seated in the cozy back room, replete with couches in front of a fireplace and - [A Light Bite at Olio e Più, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-light-bite-at-olio-e-piu-west-village-nyc/) - My friend was in the city to see her hairdresser before her son's upcoming wedding. We were able to meet for a quick nibble so I could hear about the plans. We met at Olio e Più near her beauty parlor for our rendezvous. With the upcoming nuptials, my friend wanted to sit outside with - [Con Pane Rustic Breads and Cafe, San Diego, CA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/con-pane-rustic-breads-and-cafe-san-diego-ca/) - Landing in San Diego on my way to see my grandkids and attend the Super Bowl, I met my cousins for a quick bite at Con Pane Rustic Breads in Liberty Station not far from the airport. This shop offers handmade artisanal breads, decadent pastries and signature sandwiches. The breads get their complex flavor from - [Breakfast at Dune Grass Cafe, Bay Head, NJ](https://www.biteofthebest.com/breakfast-at-dune-grass-cafe-bay-head-nj/) - While spending the weekend in Mantoloking, NJ, we headed to Dune Grass Cafe for breakfast one morning being invited by one of our friends who is their landlord. The warm and friendly cafe is family-owned and operated, and has been for decades. I couldn't resist their huevos ranchero ($12.95), one of my favorite breakfast items, - [Hearth, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/hearth-east-village-nyc/) - It had been decades since I had been to Hearth, Chef Marco Canora's market-driven upscale Tuscan-American restaurant on the lower east side. My eldest son took me there for my birthday when he was living and working in the city. My dining partner has recently had her birthday celebration there and it was so good, - [A Messy but Fun Meal at the Boil, NoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-messy-but-fun-meal-at-the-boil-noho-nyc/) - Arriving during their happy hour, we first requested a few items from that menu. My dining partner began with their plump happy hour oysters ($7.50 for 6). We shared the fried calamari ($8) and added their Cajun fries ($7). Silly us. We could — and should — have stopped there, but had already ordered the - [Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium Los Angeles + Tailgate](https://www.biteofthebest.com/super-bowl-at-sofi-stadium-los-angeles-tailgate/) - Who knew? I certainly didn't. The Super Bowl's main event is the game yet the NFL offers lots of pre- and post-parties and communications. Our tailgate began when the gates opened at 11:30. That party included non-stop entertainment headlined by The Chainsmokers and more food than possible to consume — although we tried — before - [Brunch at Watertable Restaurant, Hyatt Huntington Beach, CA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-watertable-restaurant-hyatt-huntington-beach-ca/) - My son chose the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach because of the waterslides for kids. Great choice as once my two grandchildren — Cole 6 and Eloise 3 — braved it, they were nonstop running up to and going down the slide into the kiddie pool! Many of our meals were eaten right near the slide, - [Revisit Marseille, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + NYC version of Company](https://www.biteofthebest.com/revisit-marseille-hells-kitchen-nyc-nyc-version-of-company/) - I've always enjoyed going to brunch at Marseille in Hell's Kitchen before theatre. Service and food are generally good and the location is close to many theatres. It was only a five-minute walk to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre where we were seeing a matinee performance of Company. We skipped the "go bottomless" drinks - [Song’E Napule Pizzeria & Trattoria, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/songe-napule-pizzeria-trattoria-west-village-nyc/) - As Song’E Napule's guests in this cozy Neapolitan restaurant near the corner of Macdougal and West Houston, we began with their Parmigiana Di Melanzane ($15). That's thin slices of eggplant parmigiana topped with their tomato sauce, a little mozzarella, fresh basil and Parmigiano slivers that literally melts in your mouth. Next, we cleared our palate - [A Return to 3 Times, East Village, NYC for Dim Sum](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-3-times-east-village-nyc-for-dim-sum/) - I was a stop along my grandnephew and his friends' exploration of the city, right after walking the Brooklyn Bridge. We had some bubbly and nibbles before heading out in the hood for some dim sum at 3 Times in the East Village. We started with both the spicy pork and the shrimp and pork - [Lunch at Market Table, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-market-table-west-village-nyc/) - There's always a good meal at the Market Table, sister to Little Owl, the Clam and Mary Lane, all owned by Chef Mike Price and his partner, Joey Campanaro. The West Village restaurant is at the corner of Carmine and Bedford Streets. My friend ordered a glass of prosecco, I tried their unusual smoke of - [Boozy Brunch at Maya Modern Mexican Cuisine & Tequila Bar, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/boozy-brunch-at-maya-modern-mexican-cuisine-tequila-bar-upper-east-side-nyc/) - For a boozy brunch, I suggest a weekend trip to Maya Modern Mexican Cuisine & Tequila Bar. Not only are the drinks bottomless, but the food is too. At the time we dined there, it was $55 for all the food and cocktails you can consume for 90 minutes. Ten dollars less without the booze. My - [A Return to Portale, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-portale-chelsea-nyc/) - The dinner I had at Portale was my last pre-COVID meal the night before I left to ski in Austria — just before the world closed down. Was nice to return. We had had champagne and nibbles at my home, so we were content to share a couple of dishes. We began with a shaved - [Grand Marnier Cocktails at Daniel's for Sous Vide Day (Today!)](https://www.biteofthebest.com/grand-marnier-cocktails-at-daniels-for-sous-vide-day-today/) - I jumped at the chance to attend the preview of International Sous Vide Day earlier this month at The Bar at Restaurant Daniel (60 East 65th Street). After saying hello to Daniel Boulud who was greeting arrivals, I headed straight to the bar where I met Grand Marnier Ambassador Xavier Herit making his perfectly balanced - [A Return to The Marshal, Hell's Kitchen, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-the-marshal-hells-kitchen-nyc/) - We met at The Marshal as my cousin wanted a restaurant near where she parks on West 42nd Street. That and I hadn't been back or seen Charlie Marshal since the pandemic. While waiting for my cousin and nephew to arrive, I chatted with Charlie and sipped his version of a Manhattan ($14) that included - [Great Thai Food at Thai Diner, NoLita, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/great-thai-food-at-thai-diner-nolita-nyc/) - I'd been hearing and reading accolades about Thai Diner, the more casual offshoot of the highly acclaimed Uncle Boons that shut down during the pandemic. We had heard that it's always packed so decided to go at an off time, late afternoon. Laughing that our timing might be coined as the new early-bird dining! The - [Daniel Boulud's New Le Pavillion, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/daniel-bouluds-new-le-pavillion-midtown-nyc/) - Le Pavillion, Daniel Boulud's latest restaurant, is located in the new skyscraper just north of Grand Central Station on 42nd Street. The building also hosts The Summit, with the second-highest outdoor deck in the city. The restaurant's lush elegant setting, just two flights from the entrance, reminded me of the now-closed Four Seasons. Once seated - [Yummy Italian at Grandma's Meatballs, Manasquan, NJ](https://www.biteofthebest.com/yummy-italian-at-grandmas-meatballs-manasquan-nj/) - While visiting a friend at the beach in Mantoloking (NJ) this winter, we dined out at a cozy, friendly Italian BYOB place in Manasquan. My friends at been many times as they have homes nearby; it was my first time and won't be my last. The service is warm and friendly, the food delicious. I - [Auntie Guan's Kitchen, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/auntie-guans-kitchen-chelsea-nyc/) - A trip to Auntie Guans Kitchen on 14th Street just south of Sixth Avenue seemed prudent on a single-digit night. This restaurant specializes in the regional cooking of northeast China, or Dongbei. It's known for northeastern Chinese handmade noodles, dumplings and pancakes. We started with their steamed lamb dumplings (6 pieces $6.99) that were made - [Holiday Meal at Rolf's Restaurant, Gramercy Park, NYC + Sharks at American Museum of Natural History](https://www.biteofthebest.com/holiday-meal-at-rolfs-restaurant-gramercy-park-nyc-sharks-at-american-museum-of-natural-history/) - The day began at the American Museum of Natural History at the opening of the "Sharks" exhibit that brings life to the diversity of these fascinating creatures that predate the appearance of trees and dinosaurs on our planet. The new exhibition features dozens of life-sized models ranging from 33 feet to 5 inches long, fossils - [Rubirosa, SoHo, NYC + The Visitor at The Public](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rubirosa-soho-nyc-the-visitor-at-the-public/) - Remember the 2007 movie The Visitor with Oscar-nominated Richard Jenkins about a college professor who returns to New York City to attend a conference and finds a young couple living in his apartment? Well, that story is a musical at The Public Theater starring David Hyde Pierce. I highly recommend this 90-minute show! Afterward, we - [Tick Tock Diner, New Yorker Hotel, NYC + Spanish Wine Tasting at Little Spain](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tick-tock-diner-new-yorker-hotel-nyc-spanish-wine-tasting-at-little-spain/) - I met a friend for lunch recently at the Tick Tock Diner at the corner of 8th Avenue and 34th Street. I had selected the meeting place as it was between her subway station and Hudson Yards where I was attending a master class in volcanic wines from the Canary Islands at Spain's Great Match, a - [A Return to Bluebird London, Columbus Circle, NYC + Flying Over Sunset](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-bluebird-london-columbus-circle-nyc-flying-over-sunset/) - Before heading to the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center to see "Flying Over Sunset," we stopped at Bluebird London for dinner. The show is a fictionalized story about Cary Grant, Clare Boothe Luce and Aldous Huxley, who together experiment with LSD. Dinner was better than the show! We started with cocktails ($16 each). I - [Authentic Crawfish Boil, Fat Tuesday, Des Moines](https://www.biteofthebest.com/authentic-crawfish-boil-last-one-of-the-season/) - Fat Tuesday, an authentic Cajun/New Orleans/Southern restaurant in Des Moines, is holding their final Crawfish boil this season on Friday July 16 and Saturday, July 17. Join other Fat Tuesday enthusiasts for a good tastin', down to earth crawsfish bowl. Owner Steven James earned his "stripes" of his authenticity from growing up in the 9th - [Chocolate-Lovers Heaven at MarieBell, SoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/chocolate-lovers-heaven-at-mariebell-soho-nyc/) - In the back of MarieBelle's boutique handcrafted chocolates & sweets shop is a European-style cafe open Thursday through Sunday. I was invited to sample specific foods from their menu including finger sandwiches and either a madeleine ($2.50) or macaron. While waiting, I looked around the elegant, chandelier-topped room, noticing the 3-tiered afternoon tea served at - [Brunch at Jane, Soho, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-jane-soho-nyc/) - The last time I was at Jane's, was a decade ago when Urbanspoon still existed. That restaurant information and recommendation service lasted a decade before being gobbled up by the India-based Zomato, now-defunct in the US. So much in our world has changed other than I still recommend a visit to this casual American bistro - [Jane, Revisted](https://www.biteofthebest.com/jane-revisted/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about revisiting Jane on Houston Street in NYC in SoHo - [Peter McManus Cafe, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/peter-mcmanus-cafe-chelsea-nyc/) - I had time to think about the charcoal-grilled burger and fries I was craving. Time, as I was isolating after a bout with omicron. When I was finally allowed out, I headed to Peter McManus Cafe, open since 1936. It's an Irish pub with old-city charm that includes torn plastic seats on their cozy corner round - [The Library at The Public, East Village, NYC + Cullud Wattah](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-library-at-the-public-east-village-nyc-cullud-wattah/) - The Library at The Public is the perfect place for a bite before theater there, especially on a cold winter's night. Being smart, that's what we did before seeing the show. Cullud Wattah is about an intergenerational household of Black women dealing with the Flint water crisis. I sipped a glass of the Library's Sauvignon Blanc, - [Empanada Mama, Lower East Side, NYC + Tenement Museum](https://www.biteofthebest.com/empanada-mama-lower-east-side-nyc-tenement-museum/) - A group of friends first went on a guided tour of the Tenement Museum (103 Orchard Street) that allowed us the opportunity to explore the lower east side neighborhood and enter the historic tenement building to learn about the Baldizzi family and see their recreated apartment. Aldolfo and Rosaria Baldizzi were immigrants from Sicily who - [Best Bites of 2021 in New York City, Bonnie Tandy Leblang](https://www.biteofthebest.com/seventeen-of-bonnie-tandy-leblangs-best-bites-2021/) - With a nod to my friend Elliot, who nudged me to do this, I'm sharing some of the best bites I ate in 2021 in New York City. In no particular order, here are some favorite dishes that I enjoyed in 2021 with each linking to the original restaurant writeup. Best Bites: Bice Cucina, Soho's - [Bowery Road in Hyatt Hotel, Union Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bowery-road-in-hyatt-hotel-union-square-nyc/) - Our ex.expat group was thinking of planning a holiday luncheon at Bowery Road. Another member of the planning committee and I decided to sample the fare before we signed a contract. We got there early enough to have a happy hour citrus margarita ($8) made with tequila, dry curacao, orange juice, lime! Yum. To nibble - [Full House Cafe, New York](https://www.biteofthebest.com/full-house-cafe-new-york/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about dinner in Chinatown at Full House Cafe - [A Return to Il Punto, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + Green Mist](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-il-punto-hells-kitchen-nyc-green-mist/) - I had attended a reading of Green Mist: A Reading of an Immersive Play at New Perspectives Theatre on West 37th directed by Shellen Lubin with some friends. The story was a reflection of how privilege has shaped our society, which was somewhat reminiscent of "The Lord of the Flies." After the reading, we ended - [Tastings at Signor Vineyards, Fredericksburg, Texas](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tastings-at-signor-vineyards-fredericksburg-texas/) - We stopped in at Signor Vineyards when visiting friends in Fredericksburg, Texas to sample their wines. My friend is a wine club member so two of our tastings ($20 each) were complimentary. The wines in our tasting included the 2019 Wildflower ($40.00), 2019 Pinot Noir- Rogue Valley ($58.00), 2016 Rochambeau ($42) and the 2019 Estate - [Lunch at La Brochette, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-la-brochette-midtown-nyc/) - I tripped over La Brochette when looking for a place for lunch near 41st and Third Avenue where my friends were coming into the city for a doctor's appointment. This upscale, white-tablecloth restaurant that's close to Grand Central is pricey, something I should have realized when the online menu neglected to offer the cost of - [The Mary Lane, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-mary-lane-west-village-nyc/) - Like others, I had been reading about the new neighborhood restaurant The Mary Lane, from Blackfoot Hospitality—the team behind Market Table, The Clam and Little Owl—and decided to try it. The restaurant is named after an heirloom fig varietal. We started with Old Fashioned, made with Four Roses, as that was the only bourbon in - [Margaritaville Times Square, NYC + Lehman Trilogy](https://www.biteofthebest.com/margaritaville-times-square-nyc-lehman-trilogy/) - The Lehman Trilogy is must-see theatre where, in three acts, the show chronicles the lives of three generations of three immigrant brothers as they arrive in America in 1844 through to 2008. Three actors playing multiple characters, tell the story of this American ambition and hubris with their legendary rise and ultimate fall. We walked - [BXL Cafe, Times Square, NYC + Is This a Room](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bxl-cafe-times-square-nyc-is-this-a-room/) - I tripped over the lively BXL Cafe as it was a couple of blocks south of the Lyceum Theatre where we were seeing Is This a Room. Oddly, it was the first restaurant I've been to where the staff didn't check our vaccination card and the servers were not wearing masks. BXL has a pub atmosphere - [The Neighborhood Experience at Chez Nick, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-neighborhood-experience-at-chez-nick-upper-east-side-nyc/) - I ended up uptown for dinner at my friend's favorite neighborhood place, Chez Nick's, which opened in February 2020 as the pandemic closed the world. The restaurant is co-owned by three chefs — Bobby Little, Chad Urban, and Nicholas Bayse — with lots of NYC kitchen experience including Ai Fiori, Marc Forgione, Momofuku Noodle Bar, - [The Marshal, Hell's Kitchen, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-marshal-hells-kitchen-nyc/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about a meal at Charlie Marshall's The Marshall, Hell's Kitchen, NYC - where he serves New York foods and wine - [Return to Estela, Lower East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-estela-lower-east-side-nyc/) - Last I dined at Estela was when it opened in 2013; it was a wonderful laidback small bistro then with Uruguayan chef Ignacio Mattos combining boldly flavored ingredients. Since then it's been touted worldwide, including being named one "The 40 Most Important Restaurants of the Decade" by Esquire magazine. It also now has a Michelin - [Breakfast at Emma + Ollie, Fredericksburg, Texas](https://www.biteofthebest.com/breakfast-at-emma-ollie-fredericksburg-texas/) - Emma + Ollie is a must-stop for breakfast when visiting Fredericksburg, a Texas town that disallows chains on Main Street. While we were waiting for a table, we watched their just-baked goodies in display case disappear. By the time we were seated, all of our selections were eaten. Luckily their hot powdered sugar-covered beignets are served - [Dim Sum at Red Peony Chinese Cuisine, Midtown, NYC + City Center Dance](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dim-sum-at-red-peony-chinese-cuisine-midtown-nyc-city-center-dance/) - We chose Red Peony Chinese Cuisine on 56th Street for its proximity to City Center. We were heading there to see the yearly eclectic Fall for Dance Festival. All seats only $15. This year — because of travel restrictions — the performers were all American. As usual, it was wonderful, eliciting standing ovations. If you - [Shrimp Paesanos at Paesanos Riverwalk, San Antonio](https://www.biteofthebest.com/shrimp-paesanos-at-paesanos-riverwalk-san-antonio/) - "You must have shrimp Paesanos!" exclaimed my friend when she heard I was heading there for the Les Dames d'Escoffier conference. She suggested sitting at the bar ordering, an appetizer portion of this legendary dish plus their special salad that wasn't on the menu. I was so glad I listened! After the conference, two friends - [Return to Jones Wood Foundry Post-COVID, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-jones-wood-foundry-post-covid-upper-east-side-nyc/) - Three Upper East Side friends and I met at the classic British food-driven pub, Jones Wood Foundry, on 76th just off First Avenue. When there in the past, I had always indulged in both their irresistible humongous Yorkshire pudding plus the creamy chicken and foie gras parfait. Sadly the large hollow popovers are only available - [Lunch at Kod Kapetan, Hvar, Croatia](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-kod-kapetan-hvar-croatia/) - On our free day, we took the fast ferry from Split to Hvar to discover this summer resort island in the Adriatic Sea. Before stopping for lunch along the seaside, we walked up to the fortress with beautiful views overlooking the sea. After shopping at local shops, we headed seaside to find a place to - [Dvor, Split, Croatia on the Adriatic Sea](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dvor-split-croatia-on-the-adriatic-sea/) - Recommended in the Michelin Guide, Dvor opened in 2013. We sat outside on the terrace with a spectacular view of the Adriatic sea and Croatian islands beyond while being serenaded by a guitarist across the patio singing American songs. We all decided to have their five-course tasting menu (470 Kuna, ~$73.50) and ordered a bottle - [Spiribam Rum Tasting from Martinique and St. Lucia](https://www.biteofthebest.com/spiribam-rum-tasting-from-martinique-and-st-lucia/) - Recently, at a virtual Spiribam Rum Tasting, I learned how wonderfully decadent sipping rum could be! Some at the tasting compared it to cognac. The umbrella company, Spiribam represents, markets and distributes rums from Martinique and Saint Lucia. We sampled Chairman’s from St Lucia; Rhum J. M. from Martinique and Clement from Martinique. - [Tapas at Lamano, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tapas-at-lamano-west-village-nyc/) - This is the second Lamano from Jorge Guzman Hospitality the team behind The Black Ant, Temerario and Lamano Chelsea all of which I've tried and recommend. This West Village Lamano, which opened this year, is a cozy restaurant just off Seventh Avenue. Like the other location, it is a Spanish wine bar serving a tapas. For a refreshing starter, - [Sala Thai, Upper West Side, NYC + Birthday Celebration](https://www.biteofthebest.com/sala-thai-upper-west-side-nyc-birthday-celebration/) - We all met at Sala Thai to celebrate my sister's birthday; I was also considering it for the Patron program for The Public. We shared everything. Not going to the Upper West often, I hadn't realized this was right next door to Mimi Cheng's, a women-owned dumpling house that's been on my radar. I'll have - [Hard Rock Cafe's "Pinktober" Raised $70K](https://www.biteofthebest.com/hard-rock-cafes-pinktober-raised-70k/) - In October, Hard Rock Cafe had their 22nd annual PINKTOBER campaign that raised over $70,000 for their charitable partners at the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Carol Keating Foundation. Last month at participating cafes nationwide and in Europe, Hard Rock donated $1 every time they sold one of their limited-time burgers — the Mushroom - [Fellow Dame Surbhi's Restaurant Opening: Tagmo, South Street Seaport, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/fellow-dame-surbhis-restaurant-opening-tagmo-south-street-seaport-nyc/) - My friend and fellow Dame, a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier, Surbhi Sahni recently opened her first solo restaurant Tagmo in South Street Seaport. At Tagmo, she serves a variety of her favorite homestyle dishes from India. By the time this posts, the small shop in the front of the restaurant will be selling her - [Jazz Brunch at North Square, Washington Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/jazz-brunch-at-north-square-washington-square-nyc/) - Every Sunday afternoon, North Square restaurant located in the Washington Square Hotel offers two jazz sets with brunch. One at 12:30, the other 2:15. The afternoon we went, the music was by the Roz Corral Trio with Roz as the vocal, Michael Kanan on the keyboard and Paul Gill on bass. We each had one - [Society Cafe in Walker Hotel, Greenwich Village, NYC + Highline](https://www.biteofthebest.com/society-cafe-in-walker-hotel-greenwich-village-nyc-highline/) - The Society Café, located downstairs in the Walker Hotel, offered live music the Sunday we stopped in for brunch. I've been dining inside ever since I became fully vaccinated. Almost felt as if life was beginning to return to normal. We started with classic brunch cocktails. My dining partner sipped a bellini ($10) while I - [NYC Installations: Bombora House, Gansevoort Plaza, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/nyc-installations-bombora-house-gansevoort-plaza-nyc/) - My walks to art installations took me to Gansevoort Plaza to see Bombora House, the colored-glass piece by Brooklyn-based sculptor Tom Fruin made possible through the NYC Department of Transportation’s Public Art Program. It's a large illuminated, stained glass-like house surrounded by smaller house-shaped sculptures. “Bombora refers to a large wave with its own frequency. - [A Return to Il Gattopardo, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-il-gattopardo-midtown-nyc/) - Returned to Il Gattopardo, midtown, to meet an Upper East Side friend who will only travel downtown on the Q. I walked, as that's my exercise. As in previous visits, our server first put mini arancini filled with a smidgeon of veal ragu, peas and mozzarella as an amuse-bouche from the kitchen to tickle our - [NYC Installation at GCS + lunch at Benoit, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/nyc-installation-at-gcs-lunch-at-benoit-midtown-nyc/) - We met at Grand Central to see the new permanent art installation that's located above the entrance to the subway. This mirrored-glass pop of color with over 5,000 individually cut pieces of glass in more than 70 colors is the work of Jim Hodges, called "I dreamed a world and called it Love." Sadly half - [The Modern Georgian Chito Gvrito, Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-modern-georgian-chito-gvrito-gramercy-nyc/) - Another Georgian restaurant, Chito Gvrito, opened in my hood. I looked forward to sampling and comparing it to Chama Mama on West 14th Street that I had sampled last summer during the pandemic. As we sat down on the blanket-covered metal chair, we ordered the classic khachapuri, the freshly baked cheese-stuffed bread, knowing it would - [Boqueria West 40th, Midtown, NYC + Spectacular Costumes](https://www.biteofthebest.com/boqueria-west-40th-midtown-nyc-spectacular-costumes/) - We headed to the immersive pop-up "Spectacular Costumes From Stage and Screen" exhibit in Times Square featuring more than 100 of the industry’s most beautiful and complex garments. This exhibition offered close-up looks at Hamilton, The Lion King, The Marvelous Mrs. Mazel, Moulin Rouge and more. The proceeds from this exhibition raised money for the - [VisaVersa, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + Letters of Surresh](https://www.biteofthebest.com/visaversa-hells-kitchen-nyc-letters-of-surresh/) - Before heading to our matinee at the Tony Kiser theatre, we stopped at VisaVersa on 51st for brunch. We loved that we could order one of three cocktails — a mimosa, bellini or bloody Mary — and get refills for 2 hours for $20. I had a bloody Mary, my friend the mimosa. Our attentive - [Return to Riverpark, Kips Bay, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-riverpark-kips-bay-nyc/) - It's back. Riverpark, one of Tom Colicchio's restaurants, is now open Monday through Friday from 4 pm - 9 pm for what they call light bites and a bar menu. If you haven't been, this modern American restaurant using seasonal ingredients is located on a garden plaza at the east end of 29th Street with - [NYC Installations: King Nyani in Bella Abzug Park, Hudson Yards](https://www.biteofthebest.com/nyc-installations-king-nyani-in-bella-abzug-park-hudson-yards/) - Destinations give my city walks a purpose. And so I've begun walking to the various art installation around the city. After my visit, I upload my photos on Instagram, which post to my Twitter and Facebook accounts. Seeing these musings, my friend and theatre critic Sandi Durrell (TheaterPizzazz) wrote asking me to pen an article about - [A Mistake That Landed Me at Glur Eating Thai, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-mistake-that-landed-me-at-glur-eating-thai-chelsea-nyc/) - I blame my COVID-blurs brain for my mistake. I arrived at a restaurant in Chelsea to meet friends for dinner on the wrong day. Laughing at myself (what else could I do?), I headed toward my home. I walked past Glur, a small Thai restaurant on West 19th, noticed the "A" in the window and - [Cheap Eats at Three Times, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/cheap-eats-at-three-times-east-village-nyc/) - A seated lunch for two in Manhattan for $20? It's true. I ended up at 3 Times on Broadway as I had read about it serving the Chinese snack of shi bing tong commonly enjoyed at festivals and wanted to sample that dish. When I arrived and didn't notice it on the menu, I asked - [Dulce Vida Cafe, Upper East Side, NYC + Met Costume Exhibit](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dulce-vida-cafe-upper-east-side-nyc-met-costume-exhibit/) - About Time: Fashion and Duration, the Met's black and white costume exhibit, ended early February. I was lucky enough to see it before that. (Scroll down to see one costume!) After the exhibit, where folks were socially distanced, we walked over to Lexington Avenue to have brunch at a small Columbian restaurant. Sadly, they were - [Taam Tov, Midtown (Diamond District), NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/taam-tov-midtown-diamond-district-nyc/) - Taam Tov, which means good taste in Hebrew, is a Bukharian restaurant located two floors above 47th Street. It's the traditional cuisine of the Bukharan Jewish community. If you weren't looking for it, you'd probably miss it. I met a friend there recently for lunch. Neither of us was very familiar with this Jewish cuisine. - [Montebello, Midtown + Calder at MOMA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/montebello-midtown-caldor-at-moma/) - Classic cooking from the area near Trieste, Italy, is the inspiration for Montebello, a northern Italian white-tablecloth restaurant. I had chosen it for their proximity and prix fixe $29 lunch as a place to dine after going to the Calder: Modern from the Start exhibit at MOMA. I highly suggest making a res if - [Atogirl Popup, Rockefeller Center, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/atogirl-popup-rockefeller-center/) - Earlier this summer, a group of friends and I met at Rockefeller Center for an unusual outdoor summer dining experience. As fans of the amazing Atoboy, we had to grab a weekday reservation for their curated menu of drinks and bites set against a stunning backdrop of St. Patrick's Cathedral and the NYC skyline. The - [Num Pang Kitchen + MvVO Ad Art Show](https://www.biteofthebest.com/num-pang-kitchen-mvvo-ad-art-show/) - Earlier this month, I attended an in-person press event at the Westfield World Trade Center to see the opening of the MvVO Ad Art Show displayed on the ~27 massive digital screens throughout the Oculus. The art show shares the space with real ads, alternating frequently. The show, now in its fourth year, celebrates the talented - [Lunch with UES Friends at Due, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-with-ues-friends-at-due-upper-east-side-nyc/) - I met some friends at Due, a classic Italian trattoria on the Upper East Side for lunch recently. We sat outside at a white-tablecloth-covered table in their spacious structure. I followed the lead of my friend, as this is one of his haunts, figuring he'd know what was good. He was right. The veal in - [Last Time at The Comfort Diner, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/last-time-at-the-comfort-diner-midtown-nyc/) - When working at Parade Magazine years ago, my editor and I stopped by The Comfort Diner for a quick bite to eat. It's around the corner from their offices. The restaurant had a fun vibe. It was quick, the food was good and was reasonably priced, especially considering its location! When I met a friend - [Rosa Mexicano, Lincoln Center, NYC + Brian Clarke at MAD](https://www.biteofthebest.com/rosa-mexicano-lincoln-center-nyc-brian-clarke-at-mad/) - The Museum of Art and Design (MAD) offered an immersive exhibition of more than 100 works of stained glass, compositions in lead and related drawings showcasing British artist Brian Clarke's work. There were more than twenty free-standing, glass screens animated by the changing light on display through the end of April 2021. After the exhibit, - [As Seen on Shark Tank: Pasta by Hudson, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/as-seen-on-shark-tank-pasta-by-hudson-chelsea-nyc/) - One of the best restaurants to dine at indeed is the one where you're known. We headed over to Pasta by Hudson, a fast-casual fresh pasta bar between 20th and 21st Streets on Seventh Avenue as my friend is a friend of the owner, Brandon Fay. They had met and befriended when Brandon was Managing - [Lunch at Tavern on the Green, Central Park, NYC + American Museum of Natural History](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-tavern-on-the-green-central-park-nyc-american-museum-of-natural-history/) - The first stop for my visiting grandkids was the dinosaur exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History as my 5-year-old grandson wants to be a paleontologist. After whizzing through all the exhibits, we walked in Central Park towards the newly restored Tavern on the Green about 67th Street. We were some of the first - [The Pop-Up: Thaimee Love, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-pop-up-thaimee-love-west-village-nyc/) - Thaimee Love is a pop-up restaurant in the West Village from Thai Chef Hong Thaimee. She serves market-driven Thai comfort food. I was looking forward to sampling, especially after visiting Chiang Mai, her city, just before the pandemic lockdown. Take note if you go that they have no liquor license. There is a liquor store - [An Local Institution: Donohue's Steak House, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/an-local-institution-donohues-steak-house-upper-east-side-nyc/) - Trying to keep the restaurant reviews on BiteoftheBest fresh keeps me from developing relationships with neighborhood haunts as I don't return that often to local places. One of my upper east side friends shared her favorite local place, Donoghue's Steak House, a midtown institution with devout regulars. Donoghue's is a neighborhood place you know about, - [Neighborhood Antonucci Cafe, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/neighborhood-antonucci-cafe-upper-east-side-nyc/) - Renowned Italian restaurateur Tony May mentioned that Antonucci Cafe has the best chef in NYC. How could I not try it? That and I've been looking for restaurants that are a mile or less from The Delacorte to recommend for The Public Theater's patron program. With our sliced bread, we were served a delicious baked - [Miss Korea BBQ, Koreatown, NYC + Pin Cushion Art Installation in the Fashion District](https://www.biteofthebest.com/miss-korea-bbq-koreatown-nyc-pin-cushion-art-installation-in-the-fashion-district/) - Before lunch at Miss Korea BBQ, I stopped by The Garment District Alliance information kiosk to see how it had been transformed into a giant pin cushion composed of 50+ bales of curly willow, nine wisteria bales, and hundreds of silk flowers and butterflies. There's also an enormous bronze needle and large button in this - [City Winery at Pier 56, Hudson River Park, NYC + Ex-ExPat High Line Tour](https://www.biteofthebest.com/city-winery-at-pier-56-hudson-river-park-nyc-ex-expat-high-line-tour/) - Our ex-expat group met at King Nyani, the giant bronze ape in Bella Abzug Park, earlier this summer to begin our High Line art installation tour. Julie and I researched the current High Line art installations. From the Plinth on the Spur to the newly installed Retainer, we shared what we had learned about the - [San Carlo Osteria Piemonte, SoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/san-carlo-osteria-piemonte-soho-nyc/) - We arrived at San Carlo Osteria Piemonte during happy hour. Nico, our adorable server who was a friend of my friend, convinced me to try the Mezcal Negroni, an Italian cocktail, during happy hour ($10). I liked the smoky twist. My friend had his martini. He poured a glass of the Tuscan Le Palaie Bulizio, - [Great Pizza at Ignozio's, Dumbo, Brooklyn](https://www.biteofthebest.com/great-pizza-at-ignozios-dumbo-brooklyn/) - The four of us met at the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge to walk across it to check out some locations for one of our fall ex-expat events. We stopped at the not-yet-fully-open TimeOut market for a tour of their facilities, then headed to Ignazio's, a pizzeria on the corner of Water Street almost - [Back to The Lightship Frying Pan, Chelsea, NYC + Classic Harbor Cruise](https://www.biteofthebest.com/back-to-the-lightship-frying-pan-chelsea-nyc-classic-harbor-cruise/) - After twenty of our group of ex-expats took the Classis Harbor Architecture Tour, some of us walked the few blocks north from Chelsea Piers to The Frying Pan for something to eat and to continue the fun afternoon. Our tour had taken us around Manhattan island as we sipped bubbly while the tour guide, a - [A Mexican Floating Restaurant at Pier 81, La Baraca, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-mexican-floating-restaurant-at-pier-81-la-baraca-nyc/) - About 10 years ago, I introduced the Bite of the Best community to The North River Lobster boat. This year, the Circle Line added a new floating restaurant serving Mexican fare. Like the lobster boat, La Baraca sails multiple times per day from Pier 81 on the Hudson River at 41st Street. You'll need to - [Terra, SoHo + Salomon Arts Gallery Exhibition Donald & Victor: Under the Influence](https://www.biteofthebest.com/terra-soho-salomon-arts-gallery-exhibition-donald-victor-under-the-influence/) - After visiting the Whitney Museum, we started walking on the Hudson River Parkway south toward Tribeca. Before dining, we were stopping in at the closing party of the Salomon Arts Gallery exhibition "Donald & Victor: Under the Influence." The show contained paintings by artist (and podiatrist, as we learned when we spoke to him) Don - [Newly Opened Dame, MacDougal Street, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/newly-opened-dame-macdougal-street-greenwich-village-nyc/) - The British restaurant Dame, one of the new hot eateries in the Village, offers a limited food menu. The two lengthy wine menus list what the owners think James Bond and Austin Powers would drink. We chuckled when Ayla, our fab server, described how they keep the pretty mussels for the dilled heirloom cucumber dish, - [Tri Dum West, Upper West Side, NYC + Almost Opening Night Merry Wives](https://www.biteofthebest.com/tri-dum-west-upper-west-side-nyc-almost-opening-night-merry-wives/) - I had secured opening night tickets to the Delacorte Theater to see the adaptation of Shakespeare's Merry Wives. For non-New Yorkers, the theater is outside in the middle of Central Park. We decide to try a Chinese restaurant on the Upper West Side that was only half a mile walk from the theater. That's because - [Hudson Garden Grill + Kusama at Bronx Botanical Gardens](https://www.biteofthebest.com/hudson-garden-grill-kusama-at-bronx-botanical-gardens/) - This hot summer we experienced Yayoi Kusama’s connection with nature and immersive installations at the Bronx Botanical Gardens on an overcast day. Kusama: Cosmic Nature will be open through October 31, 2021. We lucked out being seated at Hudson Garden Grill, the only sit-down restaurant a the gardens, as the clouds opened up. We started - [Stout: a Pub near Grand Central, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/stout-a-pub-near-grand-central-midtown-nyc/) - Consider grabbing a drink at Stout if you're looking for a pub near Grand Central to meet a friend before catching your train. The snack to have with that libation? I'd recommend their hearty portion of salt & pepper calamari fried along with lemon slices and banana peppers all served with a Meyer lemon aioli - [Wagamama, Midtown, NYC + MoMA Cézanne's Drawings](https://www.biteofthebest.com/wagamama-midtown-nyc-moma-cezannes-drawings/) - After visiting the vast Cézanne Drawing exhibition at M0MA, we headed to lunch in the area. This show, open through September 25, consists of more than 250 rarely shown works in addition to some of Paul Cézanne's paintings. After the museum, we headed a few blocks to wagamama, the Asian chain from London, with consistently - [Mediterranean Cuisine at Leyla, Upper West, Side, NYC + Merry Wives at The Delacorte](https://www.biteofthebest.com/mediterranean-cuisine-at-leyla-upper-west-side-nyc-merry-wives-at-the-delacorte/) - Found Leyla, a Mediterranean restaurant, in searching for places less than a mile from The Delacorte as a potential one for The Public's Patron program. We were seated in the tiny garden in the back. The meal started strong with their beetroot carpaccio salad ($14), thinly sliced beets, topped with fresh arugula drizzled with a - [Don Giovanni Restaurant, Chelsea, NYC + King Nyani](https://www.biteofthebest.com/don-giovanni-restaurant-chelsea-nyc-king-nyani/) - Reservations are not needed on weekdays to stroll along the Highline, a 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park, greenway and rail trail. That park was created on a former New York Central Railroad spur on the west side of Manhattan. It's currently from Gansevoort Street by the Whitney Museum to Hudson Yards. We were strolling north along - [L'Express, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC + Madison Square Park Bubble Man](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lexpress-gramercy-flatiron-nyc-madison-square-park-bubble-man/) - On our way to the playground on the northern end of Madison Square Park, we bumped into the bubble man entertaining kids with his giant bubbles. He did so by both enclosing families in large bubbles and giving kids ropes connected to two sticks for them to dip into his soapy water bucket to produce - [Angelina's in NYC: Angelina's Paris, Bryant Park, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/angelinas-in-nyc-angelinas-paris-bryant-park-nyc/) - My first visit to Angelina's (226 Rue du Rivoli, Paris) was with my two, then young, sons on their inaugural European trip in 1992. I've been back to the original cafe (opened in 1903) — and so have my sons — many times for their hot chocolate. It's like drinking a melted chocolate bar. One - [Zia Maria, Chelsea, NYC + The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain](https://www.biteofthebest.com/zia-maria-chelsea-nyc-the-killing-of-kenneth-chamberlain/) - "The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain" recounts the story of an African American veteran killed during a conflict with White Plains police officers who were sent to check on him when he accidentally set off his medical alert device. I recommend this hard-to-watch movie. It won the audience and the critics' awards when it premiered at the - [A Special App at Rosa Mexicano, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-special-app-at-rosa-mexicano-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - A local friend asked me to join her for dinner at one of her favorite haunts in our hood, Rosa Mexicano on 18th Street. From the dishes we ate at that meal, only the Tacos de Jefe Ceviche tacos are worth discussing. We cherry-picked that dish from their special "Tour de Mexico" monthly menu, one - [Another Cape Visit to Baxter's Boathouse, Hyannis, MA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/another-cape-visit-to-baxters-boathouse-hyannis-ma/) - Seems I'm always drawn to Baxter's Boathouse when on the Cape. I've stopped at this Massachusetts institution almost every time I've been on the Cape since the 70s. My visit to friends in Osterville late this summer was no exception. Enjoyed the smoky taste of their grilled shrimp (5) and scallop (6) skewers with baked - [L'Adresse, Midtown near Bryant Park, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/ladresse-midtown-near-bryant-park-nyc/) - A friend who moved to Florida during the pandemic was in town. We met midtown at L'Adresse, an American Bistro serving seasonal fare located by Bryant Park. We settled in at an outside table as the weather was balmy. As our attentive waiter placed my L'Addresse Old Fashion ($16) on the table, he also served - [Another Location of Bice Cucina, SoHo, New York City](https://www.biteofthebest.com/another-location-of-bice-cucina-soho-new-york-city/) - I was looking forward to sampling the Italian fare at the new Soho location of Bice Cucina. This restaurant originated in 1926 when Beatrice Ruggeri, known as Bice, opened a restaurant in Milan. Now her children and grandchildren run her restaurants around the world, including two in New York City. Bice Cucina SoHo is owned - [Altesi Downtown, SoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/altesi-downtown-soho-nyc/) - After helping my friend out at her SoHo apartment, we headed down the street to Altesi Downtown for an early — delicious — dinner. We started with their Indivia e Pera salad of julienne of endive, pear batons, gorgonzola chunks and orange supreme ($15) plus their wood-oven pizza al diavoletto with tomato, mozzarella and spicy sausage - [Dinner with Dames at Veranda, Soho, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dinner-with-dames-at-veranda-soho-nyc/) - When a Dame friend visited from Chicago, we decided to support Veranda, another Dames' restaurant, with chef George Mendes formerly of the now-closed Aldea. With George at the helm, we knew to expect some Portuguese touches. Dames, by the way, are members of Les Dames d'Escoffier, a philanthropic organization of women leaders in the fields - [Le Grand Verre Single-serve Bottled French Wines: Stocking Stuffer Idea](https://www.biteofthebest.com/le-grand-verre-single-serve-bottled-french-wines/) - I know it's a bit early to be talking stocking stuffers, but I may have discovered a perfect one for your favorite oenophile. The publicist for Le Grand Verre offered to send samples for a virtual wine tasting of some of their premium French wines that we'd try during a wine tasting led by some - [Lunch with Friends at Seamore’s, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-with-friends-at-seamores-chelsea-nyc/) - Met some friends at the corner of 18th and Eighth Avenue at Seamore's for lunch recently. We started outside in their covered area until the sun came out and we felt like we were baking in a sauna. We happily moved into the air-conditioned restaurant after we showed our proof of vaccination. One friend ordered - [Broken Shed: The Vodka of Tomorrow](https://www.biteofthebest.com/broken-shed-the-vodka-of-tomorrow/) - As a vodka-lover, I looked forward to sampling Broken Shed Vodka, New Zealand’s award-winning, super-premium. And, I found their creative “The Vodka of Tomorrow” campaign amusing. It pays tribute to New Zealand, highlighting that, thanks to time zone differences, it’s already tomorrow there. Hence the name. Cute. As of this writing, Broken Shed is available - [Dinner at Mark's Off Madison, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dinner-at-marks-off-madison-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - I had heard the Chef Mark Strausman, formerly of Freds at Barneys New York and Campagna, had opened a place in my hood on 26th Street serving a variety of foods including some of the traditional Jewish foods of his upbringing in New York City along. As of this writing, the restaurant is open Wednesday - [Al Fresco Dining at The Blue Mezze Bar, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/al-fresco-dining-at-the-blue-mezze-bar-upper-east-side-nyc/) - A friend who lives in the Upper East Side near The Blue Mezze Bar had suggested dining there. She mentioned that it is the sister restaurant of the Mediterranean A la Turka a few blocks south that she liked. I decided to try it, meeting that friend there for dinner recently, We sat outside in - [Return to Claudette for Brunch, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-claudette-for-brunch-greenwich-village-nyc/) - I'd been to Claudette a couple of times, but never for brunch. I like its location with tables on Fifth Avenue just a bit North of Washington Square. The service was great. At brunch, though, the food was in need of tweaking. The shakshouka — a Maghrebi dish of eggs poached in a tomato sauce - [Return to Boucherie, Flatiron-Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-boucherie-flatiron-gramercy-nyc/) - Funny that we chose Boucherie on Park Avenue and 18th as that was the first place we met when the restaurants opened in NYC and my friend felt safe enough to venture out. We veered from our usual burger and fries to more traditional French foods. Their tender octopus came garnished with crispy Bayonne ham - [Pascalou, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/pascalou-upper-east-side-nyc/) - An UES friend had suggested the small split-level French-bistro Pascalou on Madison during my search for restaurants for The Public's patron program. I was told that the food was good, portions hearty and not to miss the chocolate souffle. After bridge one morning, I met an UES friend there. We sipped a glass of Veuve - [A Return to Cafe Fiorello, Lincoln Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-cafe-fiorello-lincoln-square-nyc/) - I'd been to Cafe Fiorello before. I wondered if the antipasto (5 selections for $27.75) would be as yummy and whether they'd offer their freshly baked cookies. During my past visits, the manager walked around the restaurant carrying a cookie sheet filled with just-baked goodies straight from the oven to offer gratis to patrons. We - [Finally, Dinner at Silver Apricot, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/finally-dinner-at-silver-apricot-west-village-nyc/) - I'd been trying on Resy to get a reservation at Silver Apricot, the new hot American-Chinese restaurant serving small plates since I started reading rave reviews about it. Lucky me, I was able to grab a res as it popped up as I must have looked just as someone canceled. It was worth the wait. - [Beef Renang at Medan Pasar, Lower East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/beef-renang-at-medan-pasar-lower-east-side-nyc/) - THIS RESTAURANT IS NOW PERMANENTLY CLOSED. There had been a bit of buzz about Medan Pasar, a new Malaysian restaurant on the lower east side, so I made a res and headed there to lunch with a friend. I was pleasantly surprised to find both inside and outside seating at this take-out-only store-front restaurant. We - [A Return to Glur Thai, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-glur-thai-chelsea-nyc/) - Glur Thai is a 19th Street restaurant that I had discovered earlier this year. It's a teeny spot with a couple of outside tables and a handful inside. I returned to find out whether it was consistently good. I again tried their crispy vegetable spring rolls ($8 for four) served with a pineapple chili sauce - [Return to Casa Mono, Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-casa-mono-gramercy-nyc/) - I always have an amazing meal at Casa Mono, the Michelin-starred Spanish restaurant on Irving Place just east of Union Square. It's is currently owned and operated by Joe Bastianich and Andy Nusser. We noticed a white Malvasia from Lanzarote on the menu as my dining partner had recently been to that northern and easternmost - [Bostwicks on the Harbor, East Hampton, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bostwicks-on-the-harbor-east-hampton-nyc/) - I satisfied my craving for a lobster roll with a sunset meal at Bostwick on the Harbor, sister to Bostwick's Chowder House on route 27 Montauk Highway. This upscale version served food on plates, not paper, offered live music in the parking lot while we waited for our hand-held buzzer to beep. No reservations! For - [Lunch at Nordstroms' Bistro Verde, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-nordstroms-bistro-verde-midtown-nyc/) - Like at Nordstroms' department store, the service personnel at their fifth-floor Bistro Verdo, flagship restaurant is top-notch. I met a friend there recently for lunch. We decided to share two of their salads, one grilled shrimp the other a wild salmon Niçoise. The first contained three shrimp with organic baby greens, heirloom tomatoes, grilled corn, - [Back to Via Carota with a Res, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/back-to-via-carota-with-a-res-west-village-nyc/) - A silver lining of the pandemic is that it's now possible to make a reservation at Via Carota! One friend and I began with a refreshing Aperol spritzer as we sat down. Being with food folks, we ordered more than I traditionally do for our so-called "research." And so that everything didn't arrive at one, we - [Den Haag Dining, The Netherlands](https://www.biteofthebest.com/den-haag-dining-the-netherlands/) - I recently spent a week with the part of my family living in The Netherlands. Hadn't seen them since the world closed down last March. I decided to share the two restaurants in their hood, one where we had brunch, the other my farewell dinner. At Kaafi, we stopped for brunch after a morning at - [COVID Phase 2 Boucherie, Gramercy Park, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/covid-phase-2-boucherie-gramercy-park-nyc/) - We chose Boucherie on Park Avenue in Gramercy Park as they had semi-outdoor seating with glass stanchions dividing the tables. I say semi, as they had 2-tops half in and out of the cool air-conditioned restaurant. We chose one of those. Service was attentive with the server as happy as we were to be there. - [Vietnamese Sabai Thai, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/vietnamese-sabai-thai-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - My sister was in town wanting something Asian for lunch. I recalled a friend raving about the new Thai restaurant, Sabai Thai on Park Avenue South. We decided to give it a try. We began with the Tom Yum Soup ($17), even after learning that the menu described three tiger prawns were unavailable and that - [Lunch at Pastis, Meatpacking District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-pastis-meatpacking-district-nyc/) - Pastis was packed inside and out. Luckily we had booked an outdoor table as the noise inside can be deafening. I tried their Pastis Frosé made from rosé wine, vodka, Lillet and lemon — that's an alcohol-imbibed frozen slushie ($16) while my dining partner has a glass of rosé, the Aix-en-Provence, Gotham Project "Sabine" ‘20 - [Upscale Indian Fare, Sona, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/upscale-indian-fare-sona-flatiron-nyc/) - I had been hearing about Sona, one of NYC’s Indian fine-dining restaurants in my hood. So when my friend offered to take me there for my birthday, I was elated. Asking my server for a spicy drink, I ended up with the chili margarita made with Milagro silver tequila, Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur, spiced - [Merchant River House, Hudson River Esplanade, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/merchant-river-house-hudson-river-esplanade-nyc/) - Who knew how good beer-battered and deep-fried avocado could be? I sure didn't until we ordered it as an appetizer at Merchant River House. A perfect place to enjoy a sunset over the Hudson. We sat outside at this restaurant along the Hudson River Esplanade enjoying the view and this decadent appetizer ($14) drizzled with - [A Classic Greek Meal at Periyali, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-classic-greek-meal-at-periyali-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - The celebration was for three of the four of us with June birthdays. We returned to Periyali, a neighborhood Greek restaurant. To start, we split a few appetizers including the crispy squid with a leafy salad ($16) and garlic sauce. That same sauce accompanied chunks of red and golden beets ($15) and the giant beans - [Les Dames d’Escoffier New York Inducts Eight New Members](https://www.biteofthebest.com/les-dames-descoffier-new-york-inducts-eight-new-members/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about Les Dames d’Escoffier New York Inducting Eight New Members - [Savannah Dining, Georgia: The Grey, Big Bon Bodega, Ardsley Station](https://www.biteofthebest.com/savannah-dining-georgia-the-grey-big-bon-bodega-ardsley-station/) - Some Dames (members of Les Dames d'Escoffier) headed to Savannah for our first in-person Board of Director's meeting since the start of the pandemic. Of course, we had to check out the dining scene. Our first meal together was at The Grey, the modern Southern restaurant located in the refurbished 1938 Art Deco Greyhound bus - [Dagon, Upper West Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dagon-upper-west-side-nyc/) - I had been hearing good rumblings about Dagon, a new — since COVID — Mediterranean restaurant on the Upper West Side, named for the god of agriculture and earth. In fact, Steve Cuzzo of the New York Post named it "The Best New NYC Restaurant of the Pandemic." It's restaurateur Simon Oren's (Nice Matin, Bouillon, - [Caliente Cab Co., West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/caliente-cab-co-west-village-nyc/) - I headed over to Caliente Cab Co. with a friend whose machatunim AKA inlaws own it. First, of course, were their fresh chips and guac ($18 for two) plus a Serrano Margie. That drink is made with Cazadores tequila blanco, agave and muddled serrano peppers ($14) with a salt and chili pepper rim. I forgot - [Masala King, A Midtown Indian Restaurant, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/masala-king-a-midtown-indian-restaurant-nyc/) - Needing to stay in Midtown between doctor appointments, I stopped into Masala King for a quick bite asking to see the printed menu. When the server handed me the menu, she mentioned that the prices may be a bit — one or two dollars — higher. I photographed it for reference as I always do, - [The Japanese-Italian Kimika, Nolita, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-japanese-italian-kimika-nolita-nyc/) - Not being familiar with the Japanese-Italian fusion fare Chef Christine Lau is serving up with her all-female led kitchen at Kimika, I had done my research. I wasn't thorough enough. I didn't realize for midday weekends they only offered a brunch menu. Our waitress Ailin was lovely, steering me toward the Amalfi swizzle ($14). This - [La Grande Boucherie, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/la-grande-boucherie-midtown-nyc/) - Hadn't seen one friend since the start of the pandemic — other than on Zoom — as she had moved to Florida. She was in town for an engagement and so we met midtown for lunch at La Grande Boucherie. I'd been to other Boucherie French restaurants. This one is quite grand, hence the name, - [Estiatorio Milos, Hudson Yards, NYC + Goodbye to King Nyani](https://www.biteofthebest.com/estiatorio-milos-hudson-yards-nyc-goodbye-to-king-nyani/) - My Connecticut friends had an errand to do at Hudson Yards, so we decided to celebrate her birthday at very spacious Estiatorio Milos as neither had eaten inside since the start of the pandemic. The Greek seafood restaurant with fresh fish flown in from the Mediterranean daily has stunning views looking out over the Hudson - [E.A.T. Take Out and Cafe, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/e-a-t-take-out-and-cafe-upper-east-side-nyc/) - After playing bridge, a friend and I walked up to 91st and Madison to E.A.T., one of Eli Zabar's establishments, for a light lunch. I decided on a salad plate finding it difficult to choose from the wide variety of fresh salads. I settled on tarragon chicken salad, roasted veggies and artichoke hearts; my dining - [August, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/august-upper-east-side-nyc-2/) - After hearing that August's outside dining was on a first-come basis at the upper east side restaurant, we arrived a tad early for our reservation. We started with cocktails ($18 each). I had their version of an Old Fashioned made with their house-infused pear whiskey, bitters and agave, garnished with a huge piece of orange - [A Return to La Palapa for a Birthday, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-la-palapa-for-a-birthday-east-village-nyc/) - I always enjoy dining at my friend Barbara Sibley's La Palapa Mexican restaurant on St. Marks Place in the East Village. The place is always hoppin' and her authentic food is delicious. We started with pitchers of Margies ($33 regular; $36, the skinny version) and their hand-crushed guacamole, medium with fresh chips. I requested chopped - [Lunch at Orsay, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-orsay-upper-east-side-nyc/) - After bridge one day, a friend and I decided to have lunch at Orsay, a French restaurant on the Upper East Side. We didn't have a res. In the typical French way, the hostess said she'd try to fit us in yet couldn't give us a table in an area open to the outside. She - [Brunch at Aurora SoHo, SoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-aurora-soho-soho-nyc/) - I returned to Aurora SoHo this time for Sunday brunch on a spring day nice enough to eat outside in their socially distanced structure — divided by plexiglass stantions — on Broome Street. We each partook in their cocktail specials. My bloody Mary and my friend's bellini costs $12 during brunch with refills only $5. - [The Well Kitchen & Table, Union Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-well-kitchen-table-union-square-nyc/) - The Well, a 13,000-square-foot tranquil wellness retreat right near Union Square had opened just before the pandemic, closed like most everything else and re-opened in April with a new business plan. No more membership. It now includes a full-service spa with steam and sauna plus a sleek organic restaurant featuring thoughtfully sourced ingredients. I stopped - [A Neighborhood Italian Establishment: Gene's, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-neighborhood-italian-establishment-genes-greenwich-village-nyc/) - It felt like I had entered a time warp when I walked into Gene's, an old-school white-tablecloth Italian restaurant on West 11th Street. My neighbors recommended it as they are regulars. Once we sat down, our brusque waiter deposited a basket filled with breadsticks and sliced seeded Italian bread, a bowl of chilled butter and - [Dinner at JoJo, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dinner-at-jojo-upper-east-side-nyc/) - I had only been to JoJo in a duplex townhouse on the Upper East Side for lunch. It's Jean-Georges' first restaurant named after his mom's childhood nickname for him. We decided to share the Gruner Veltliner, Fritsch, Vom Donaulöss, Julian Haart, Mosel, DE 2018 ($61). One friend started with their escarole and strawberry salad, requesting - [Puglian Fare at i Truilli, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/puglian-fare-at-i-truilli-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - On a late spring evening, I met a friend I hadn't seen since the pandemic began. We sat outside in the back of i Truilli in their spacious covered garden. It's an Italian trattoria that focuses on Puglian fare since 1994. I ordered their Manhattan ($15) served so icy that it frosted the cocktail glass. - [Spanish Food at La Nacional, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/spanish-food-at-la-nacional-chelsea-nyc/) - I never noticed the Spanish cultural center in the brownstone on West 14th. It's both the restaurant La Nacional and a gathering place open to all reflecting Spanish traditions and contemporary culinary practices. We headed there early one evening and sat outside in their structure as it was a warm evening. Their happy hour had - [Barn Joo, Union Square, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/barn-joo-union-square-nyc-2/) - We arrived during happy hour, yet the Añejo Old Fashioned that I wanted was not on the menu. That drink, though, was delicious and good enough to go back for. Barn Joo makes theirs with Herradura añejo, bourbon, ancho chili, choco bitters ($17). The hot and spicy chicken wings are meaty and flavorful, although our - [New Orleans Dives and Other Eating: Bevi, Coops, Gracious Cafè and Bakery](https://www.biteofthebest.com/new-orleans-dives-and-other-eating-bevi-coops-gracious-cafe-and-bakery/) - After checking into our hotel, we headed with friends to Bevi's for crawfish ($5.49 / pound, boiled). We quickly grabbed one of the outside picnic tables so we'd have a place to eat after we got our order. To enjoy these spiny lobsters, just break off the tail, suck out the inners from the body - [Lunch at Via Quadronno, UES, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-via-quadronno-ues-nyc/) - We stopped for a light lunch at the height of asparagus season at Via Quadronno, a neighborhood spot on the Upper East Side. We each had ordered the tall plant of the lily family. One sampled the steamed and chilled green stalks with a hard-cooked egg topped with a vinaigrette ($17). The others enjoyed them - [Balthzar is Back.. and Worth It, SoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/balthzar-is-back-and-worth-it-soho-nyc/) - Balthazar, the bustling, romantic brasserie serving traditional French fare, reopened recently. It's as elegant and casual as it was. Food is the best I've sampled since restaurants reopened. Thought it de rigueur to order the French aperitif Lillet blonde as my cocktail while perusing the menu. My dining partner started with their stacked Bibb lettuce - [New Orleans Upscale Dining: Commanders Palace, GW Fins and Sylvain](https://www.biteofthebest.com/new-orleans-upscale-dining-commanders-palace-gw-fins-and-sylvain/) - This is part one of a sampling of my eating orgy during my recent trip to The Big Easy. What follows are some of my most flavorful dishes from my upscale dining in New Orleans. Favorites from Sylvain — where we dined with Beth D'Addono (the current president of Les Dames d'Escoffier New Orleans) — - [Watching the World Go By at Bistro Les Amis, SoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/watching-the-world-go-by-at-bistro-les-amis-soho-nyc/) - We chose Bistro Les Amis as it was close enough for my friend's mom to walk to. Our sidewalk table was on the corner of Spring and Thompson, a fun place to sit outside in SoHo and watch the world walk by, especially on a nice weather day. We started with their lump crabcake ($16.95 - [A Nicole Cocktail at The Polo Club Lounge, Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-nicole-cocktail-at-the-polo-club-lounge-windsor-court-hotel-new-orleans/) - Before heading to dinner in the French Quarter, we stopped into the elegant Windsor Court hotel for a drink at the Polo Club Lounge, reminiscent of a private English club. The friendly bartender recommended their Nicole ($15) specialty cocktail made with vodka, Lillet Blanc and elderflower syrup served up in a martini glass garnished with - [Still open: Peter McMannus Cafe, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/still-open-peter-mcmannus-cafe-chelsea-nyc/) - For years, I'd heard, read about and walked by the Peter McManus Cafe on the corner of 19th Street and Seventh Avenue yet until recently I had never been. It's been open since 1936, making it the oldest family-run bar in the city. You may have seen this Irish pub on Law and Order or - [Yunnan Cuisine at South of the Clouds, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/yunnan-cuisine-at-south-of-the-clouds-greenwich-village-nyc/) - South Of The Clouds is a casual spot on West 8th Street in the Village specializing in mixian, rice noodles from the Yunnan province of China. The menu is small, service attentive. We started with their signature Yunnan Crossing Bridge Rice Noodle Soup served with a platter with small bowls of crispy fried pork and - [A Mexican Brunch at Agave, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-mexican-brunch-at-agave-west-village-nyc/) - Having recently returned from Cancun, I was yearning for some fresh guacamole. I enticed a friend to meet me at Agave, a Mexican restaurant in the West Village. While waiting for my friend to arrive, I started chatting with the group of young folks sitting at the table next to me. The lighting was much - [The Clam, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-clam-greenwich-village-nyc/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com about a meal at The Clam,Greenwich Village, NYC before seeing "A Funny Thing Happened....." at Lucille Lortel - [Taboon, Hells Kitchen, NYC + Love Letters in Times Square](https://www.biteofthebest.com/taboon-hells-kitchen-nyc-love-letters-in-times-square/) - We met in Times Square to see Love Letters, by Soft-Firm, the winner of the 13th annual Love in Times Square Design Competition that was recently on display in Duffy Square. Reddymade curated and developed the exhibition that formed two interlocked hearts in consultation with worthless studios. After viewing, we walked west to Tenth Avenue - [Wagamama, Murray Hill, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/wagamama-murray-hill-nyc/) - My friend was in town for a doctor's appointment so we planned to meet at wagamama, the Asian chain from London worth trying. We'd both been to other locations before. Not being familiar with Japanese whiskies, we both ordered their Old Fashioned ($14.50) made with Iwai and Akashi, garnished with an orange-peel rose. An interesting - [Lebanese Au Za'atar in Alphabet City (East Village), NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lebanese-au-zaatar-in-alphabet-city-east-village-nyc/) - We joined Au Za’atar's publicist at this Middle Eastern restaurant, to sample many of Chef/Owner Tarik Fallous’ authentic Lebanese family recipes focusing on fresh seasonal ingredients. We began with a huge presentation of mezze served in six small bowls on a metal tree, accompanied by lots of pita pockets. This consisted of their hummus (puréed - [Citizens of Gramercy, Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/citizens-of-gramercy-gramercy-nyc/) - Always up for discovering new places, we decide to meet in our hood at Citizens of Gramercy. We sat in their outdoor heated structure that was open on one side. I avoid those that are totally enclosed. I started with and enjoyed their espresso martini ($14), my friend sipped a glass of their Archer Roose - [Chow House, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/chow-house-greenwich-village-nyc/) - When I arrived and saw their outdoor wooden structure empty, with no tables, no chairs. Nothing. I wondered if the Chow House was open. Once I let them know I was there, the friendly staff brought out tables and chairs to the structure, positioned the propane heater facing us and lit it. The lunch special - [A Return to Kubeh, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-kubeh-west-village-nyc/) - Love that when we arrived at Kubeh, it was during their 5 to 6 pm happy hour. I choice their unusual walnut apricot Manhattan, garnished with the dried fruit ($10), my friend sipped the flavorful Sans-Spirit watermelon Nina ($7). Both tasty. Don't miss their small plates of warm cauliflower with lemon, parsley and sea salt - [Greek Restaurant Avra Madison Estiatorio, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/greek-restaurant-avra-madison-estiatorio-midtown-nyc/) - I had my friend pick the location for us to dine this time. Avra Madison Estiatorio was the choice. I had been to and enjoyed the Avra on 48th, falling for their stack of sliced thin, lightly breaded and fried zucchini plus their octopus and lavraki (branzino). We ordered the stack again, even the price - [Serafina Always, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/serafina-always-upper-east-side-nyc/) - I met a friend for lunch at Serafina Always on 61st between Fifth and Madison. Having seen each other only on Zoom, we just wanted to have time to yak. This location of Serafina has a tent that is open on one side so we felt safe. She — not a lunch eater — only - [Osteria Delbianco, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/osteria-delbianco-midtown-nyc/) - It was midafternoon on a rainy day when we met at the year-old Osteria Delbianco, on East 49th Street a bit east of Sak's side door, and decide to dine inside as at that time we were the only patrons. The warmth was wonderful. The menu represents a return to Chef Diego’s culinary roots as - [Kubeh, West Village, NYC + Relevance](https://www.biteofthebest.com/kubeh-west-village-nyc-relevance/) - Kubeh refers to a Middle Eastern dumpling that I had read about being offered in my hood at a restaurant by the same name. We stopped by on the way to the Lucille Lortel to see one of our favorite actresses Jayne Houdyshell (who had won a Tony nomination for Dolls House 2, and a - [Sel et Poivre, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/sel-et-poivre-upper-east-side-nyc/) - Who knew my Bogner ski sweaters and heavy long underwear would get such good use in Manhattan? I wore that and more to meet a friend for brunch one weekend at Sel et Poivre on Lexington. Their outdoor dining dwelling is closed on all four sides, making it more like indoor dining. Since we ended - [Donna Margarita, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/donna-margarita-upper-east-side-nyc/) - Donna Margarita is a small Italian trattoria one that I had been to before after an event at Streicker when we were still meeting in person. Oddly, it was the friend whose birthday we were celebrating who I was with. We had our meal in four courses, starting with their namesake pizza, the Margarita, topped - [Park Avenue Tavern, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/park-avenue-tavern-midtown-nyc/) - Park Avenue Tavern, a quintessential American bar and restaurant, is located near Grand Central Station. Their indoor structure was a bit too closed for us, so we sat in the street area close to a heater. I started with a vesper martini ($ 17), a mixture of gin, vodka and Lillet, my friend needed something - [Disappointment: Only Apps No Lunch at Market Table, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/disappointment-lunch-unavailable-at-market-table-west-village-nyc/) - After perusing their menu online — one that's chockful of interesting vegetable combinations — we were looking forward to dining at Market Table in the Village. We arrived during their scheduled lunch hours and — after ordering our cocktails — learned that the lunch menu wasn't available, we could only order their bite-size apps from - [NYC Installations: Doors for Doris, Doris C. Freedman Plaza, Central Park, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/nyc-installations-doors-for-doris-doris-c-freedman-plaza-central-park-nyc/) - One walk to the southeast corner of Central Park was to see Doors for Doris an art installation presented by the Public Art Fund. This installation created from a collection of discarded marble remnants from various renovation projects and stone yards around the city examines how our culture values and utilizes materials. Sam Moyer (b. - [Ironwood, Laguna Hills, California](https://www.biteofthebest.com/ironwood-laguna-hills-california/) - Since it was my last night in California, we lingered over dinner at Ironwood in Laguna Hills longer than usual. We sat outside in a tent with enough heaters that I took my sweater off. We sipped on our lush Tuscan Bocelli Sangiovese $41) as we nibbled our appetizer. The meat on the BBQ ribs - [Lunch at Aurora Soho, Soho, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-aurora-soho-soho-nyc/) - We met one sunny afternoon for lunch at Aurora Soho, an authentic Italian restaurant on Broome Street. We sat in their outdoor structure feeling so warm and toasty with both electric and gas heaters that I even took off my coat. Although Aurora's been there for 14 years, I just discovered it. Loved how — - [Seafood at Seamore's, Chelsea, NYC + Artechouse](https://www.biteofthebest.com/seafood-at-seamores-chelsea-nyc-artechouse/) - We chose Seamore's Chelsea location to meet for a bite as it was a couple of blocks from Archethouse where we were going to see "Submerge - with classic blue with the Pantone color of the year 2020," a display open through January 3, 2020. I started with their unusual Fig Old Fashioned made with - [GupShup Brunch, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/gupshup-brunch-flatiron-nyc/) - I met some friends outside at GupShup for a Sunday brunch. We three ordered their Dirty Pineapple cocktail, described to us as a margarita with pineapple instead of lime. This pink drink contained El Tesoro Blanco Tequila, garam masala-washed pineapple, Thai bird chili, sweet hibiscus and lime. We ordered two of their everything kulcha, - [A Return to: Obicà Mozzarella Bar Pizza e Cucina, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-obica-mozzarella-bar-pizza-e-cucina-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - After a long walk around the city, we stopped in at Obicà Mozzarella Bar Pizza e Cucina near the Flatiron building for a bite to eat on the street. This was the second restaurant I dined at where we were sitting almost on top of the subway grates — the other being when at Olio - [Meeting at Daniela Trattoria in Hells Kitchen, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/meeting-at-daniela-trattoria-in-hells-kitchen-nyc/) - With a friend coming into the city from Astoria to meet for lunch, I chose Daniela Trattoria Northern Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen as it wasn't too far from the Times Square station where most subway lines stop. We sipped Aperol Spritzers ($13) while browsing their menu offering age-old Italian classic recipes. We shared a - [Warm Soup after Bryant Park Holiday Mart, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/soup-at-bryant-park-grill-after-the-holiday-mart-bryant-park-nyc/) - My ex-expat group has traditionally had a December outing to visit one of the city's many holiday shops followed by our holiday luncheon. This year was a tad different. Ten of us met and shopped at the Bryant Park Holiday Mart 2020, open through January 3rd, 2021. Because of the pandemic, we didn't plan a - [Yoon Haeundae Galbi, Koreatown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/yoon-haeundae-galbi-koreatown-nyc/) - COVID-19 is getting me to discover neighborhoods to dine when looking for a halfway place to meet uptown friends. This time we stumpled upon Yoon Haeundae Galbi in Koreatown, a place I'd recommend for lunch. We started with their huge steamed Galbi dumplings ($13 for four) filled with ground short rib, chives and tofu. Almost - [Dos Caminos, SoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dos-caminos-soho-nyc/) - Being in the mood for Mexican, I met a friend at Dos Caminos at the corner of Houston and West Broadway in SoHo. The Cadilac margarita with Espolon Resposado tequila with Grand Marnier and lime juice ($16) was quite tasty and not too sweet. We enjoyed that with their made-to-order guacamole with a trio of - [Central Park Walk then A Bite at Eats, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/central-park-walk-then-a-bite-at-eats-upper-east-side-nyc/) - After a stroll through Central Park, we walked over to Lexington to grab a bite at Eats, an American bistro. We sat outside under their tent to block some of the wind and near a heater to keep warm. My dining accompanied enjoyed the EATS vodka mule ($15) and I had a Bulliet Old Fashioned - [Fun Times at Olio e Più, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/fun-times-at-olio-e-piu-west-village-nyc/) - During COVID, I've been re-visiting places where I've dined before, like Olio e Più on the corner of Greenwich Avenue and Sixth Avenue. A local place where I've enjoyed many a brunch. This time, I met a friend for dinner. Their outside space was like a maze with lots of tables separated by tall plexiglass - [Breakfast at Oscar's Place, West Village](https://www.biteofthebest.com/breakfast-at-oscars-place-west-village/) - One COVID silver-lining is that neighborhood restaurants are on the rise. Oscar's Place, in the West Village, is one of them. It's not a place to see or be seen. Instead, it's a place to dine outside without the crowds. Simple, decent food. We each had Oscar's Classic English Breakfast ($19.95) with eggs. I had - [Toasty Lunch at Amali, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/toasty-lunch-at-amali-midtown-nyc/) - A return to Amali for a birthday celebration one Sunday midday. That day, we were the first guests to be seated in their outdoor space. Once we settled in, we removed many of our layers as the place was quite warm and toasty from their many heat sources. After taking our drink order, our waiter - [Times Square Meal at Lillie's Victorian, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/times-square-meal-at-lillies-victorian-nyc/) - The Times Square location of Lillie's Victorian is on 49th Street, which used to be a bustling area filled with theatres goers. Sadly no longer. We met there as it was a half-way point between downtown and the Upper East Side to grab a bite. We, of course, started with cocktails. I sipped my very - [Ola Mexican Kitchen, Long Beach, California](https://www.biteofthebest.com/ola-mexican-kitchen-long-beach-california/) - I met a NY friend who moved to California when I visited recently. We met halfway at Ola Mexican Kitchen in Long Beach and sat outside with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. She recommended the Skinny Margarita ($12) made with Sauza Blue fresh lime juice, agave and a splash of club soda. We sipped - [Brunch at Andrew Carmellini's The Dutch, SoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-andrew-carmellinis-the-dutch-soho-nyc/) - Somehow I missed The Dutch, one of Andrew Carmellini's places. I've been to his others including Locanda Verde, Lafayette, Bar Primi and The Public's Joe’s Pub and The Library. When I arrived at their outdoor space, I could feel the vibe from the customers seated and those waiting in line. We were seated immediately as - [Don't Miss Il Gattopardo, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dont-miss-il-gattopardo-midtown-nyc/) - Do dine at Il Gattopardo on West 54th Street. It's got the whole package — good food, attentive service and well-spaced tables covered in fresh white linens. A rarity during COVID. They also have heaters. We wanted a leisurely lunch as we hadn't seen each other since the pandemic began. We asked if we could - [Claudette, Greenwich Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/claudette-greenwich-village-nyc-2/) - I had forgotten what a treat dining at Claudette was. That's what happens when I try to only eat at restaurants I haven't written about. I started with their tasty Tamarind Manhattan ($15) with rye, tamarind and orange bitters, garnished with a candied orange twist. We got there as the restaurant opened for dinner and - [Return to Friend of a Farmer on Irving, Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-friend-of-a-farmer-on-irving-gramercy-nyc/) - Since my friend didn't go out much, we booked a table at Friend of a Farmer for our meal mid-afternoon to avoid as many people as possible. I had their grass-fed burger ($18) topped with sautéed onions, Cheddar cheese, chipotle aioli, sliced tomato, fresh arugula and bacon. I had to cut this delicious burger in - [Returned to Pera, Midtown East, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/returned-to-pera-midtown-east-nyc/) - I first dined at Pera Midtown ten years ago; since then I've been dining at and enjoying their SoHo location. ​I met a friend who had just moved back to the city; the restaurant was about halfway. We shared a bottle of Cortese, Moncalvi Gavi di Gavi, Piedmont, Italy ($45) while nibbling a few apps. - [Lunch at Beatrice Inn, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-beatrice-inn-west-village-nyc/) - The Beatrice Inn, known for its hearty whole-animal meat dishes created by Chef Angie Mar, is a white-tablecloth restaurant in the West Village. Yup! white tablecloths even dining outside. I met a friend recently for lunch, dining in their outdoor space. I began with their refreshing Aperol spritz ($17) while we perused the small menu. - [A Stop at Starbucks Reserve Roastery, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-stop-at-starbucks-reserve-roastery-chelsea-nyc/) - You couldn't miss the enticing aroma of freshly roasted coffee when you walked in the Starbucks Reserve Roastery's door Pre-COVID. I met a friend at the Roastery on 9th Avenue to yak while her iPhone was being fixed as it wasn't far from my home and only a block from the Apple store. I hadn't realized the Roastery - [Papillon Bistro & Bar, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/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 - [A Disappointing Meal at OCabanon, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-disappointing-meal-at-ocabanon-chelsea-nyc/) - While waiting for my friend to arrive, I sipped a glass of chilled Lillet blonde, a French aperitif, ($8). I also made chit chat with one of the owners by asking what they were known for. He mentioned a few things. We each ended up ordering one of his recommendations for our entrees. I devoured - [Lunch at Bryant Park Grill, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-bryant-park-grill-midtown-nyc/) - I've enjoyed many a meal at Bryant Park Grill in their European-style spacious garden terrace behind the landmark New York Public Library. This time from the get-go, the staff couldn't get their act together to properly service the five of us. Our table was set for five; we had four water glasses. One friend requested - [Another Ferry Ride to DUMBO for Lunch at Ignazio's, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/another-ferry-ride-to-dumbo-for-lunch-at-ignazios-nyc/) - The last time I took the ferry to Dumbo, I walked right past Ignazio's, a pizzeria on the corner of Water Street almost under the Brooklyn Bridge, a restaurant that my friend had raved about. We decided to go together to sample their thin-crust pies. Being indecisive — and wanting to sample two varieties — - [Freezing Vegetables: Blanch First](https://www.biteofthebest.com/freezing-vegetables-blanch-first/) - My cousin Barbara used to call at dinner time when my sons were young and ask, "If I were a bluefish, how would you cook me?" This time she had an abundance of bluefish that a friend had caught and wanted to know what to do with it. I was her Betty Crocker; her Julia - [Return to The Little Owl, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-the-little-owl-west-village-nyc/) - Thought brunch at the West Village neighborhood corner gem The Little Owl would be fun for a college freshman new to the area. Instead of my usual Aperol spritzer, I sampled their Cappelletti spritzer ($15) after learning that the restaurant is not allowed to have a liquor license as they are too close to a - [Dinner at Bistango at The Kimberly Hotel, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/dinner-at-bistango-at-the-kimberly-hotel-midtown-nyc/) - I returned to Bistango midtown to celebrate a friend's birthday. Much of their outdoor space is under an awning with tables nicely spaced apart and heaters above. We happen to have arrived in time for a happy hour mule ($13), my friend had the special pear version made with Tito's, spiced pear and ginger beer. - [Valerie Phillips: Supermarket Sampler Column Will Be Missed](https://www.biteofthebest.com/valerie-phillips-supermarket-sampler-column-will-be-missed/) - A blog post on BiteoftheBest.com with parts of Valerie Phillips column from the Deseret News entitled: Supermarket Sampler Column Will Be Missed - [Brunch at Grand Banks, Pier 25, Hudson River Park, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-grand-banks-pier-25-hudson-river-park-nyc/) - One gorgeous sunny perfect day for dining on a boat, I did so. We had brunch at Grand Banks, the floating restaurant at Pier 25 in Hudson River Park from Executive Chef Kerry Heffernan. If you haven't been, his menu is built around sustainable, wild-caught seafood and seasonal produce. Check the weather before you go - [Go Quickly to Drift In, Hudson River Park as It's Closing For The Season](https://www.biteofthebest.com/go-quickly-to-drift-in-hudson-river-park-as-its-closing-for-the-season/) - Hudson River Park is one of my favorite spots to walk during COVID. This time when I arrived with a friend, we noticed that the Drift In was open, serving food and drink in a new waterfront hangout. This restaurant is from the team that also brings you Grand Banks. Go this week Stop by - [Bridge Group Hits the Road to Baxter's, Hyannis, MA](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bridge-group-hits-the-road-to-baxters-hyannis-ma/) - Playing bridge with friends has been a savior during COVID. I currently play multiple times a week with these friends instead of only occasionally. One of my groups decided to take a road trip to our friend's home on the Cape. Was beyond a treat to be together, play, shop, laugh, sing, prepare meals and - [Alfresco Dining at Bazar Tapas Bar and Restaurant, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/alfresco-dining-at-bazar-tapas-bar-and-restaurant-chelsea-nyc/) - With the great produce from the Union Square farmers' market, I'd been making salads nightly. So when I stopped into Bazar Tapas after shopping at the Saturday market, I was craving fried food, something I don't do at home. I sipped my Aperol Spritzer (my summer drink) while I looked over the menu and chatted - [Alfresco Dining at La Bonne Soup, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/alfresco-dining-at-la-bonne-soup-midtown-nyc/) - I returned to La Bonne Soupe as it was a good halfway meeting point with a friend. We sipped our Aperol spritzer ($12) while perusing the menu. Sadly none of my regular options were available on the limited outdoor menu. While looking over the menu, a woman at the next table stood up opened her - [Alfresco Dining at Thai Villa, Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/alfresco-dining-at-thai-villa-flatiron-nyc/) - My neighbors, who were in from their country home for medical appointments, suggested we go out for Thai and catch up. I had been to Thai Villa — their favorite Thai on 19th in our hood — for a press party promoting the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Pre-COVID of course. The food had been - [Laotian Food at Khe Yo, Tribeca, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/laotian-food-at-khe-yo-tribeca-nyc/) - None of us had sampled Laotian food before our alfresco lunch at Khe-Yo (that translates into "green") on Duane Street in Tribeca. The restaurant opened in 2013 as New York’s first Laotian eatery with Marc Forgione as a co-owner/Partner. I requested their Khe-Yo Mule made with their house Thai Chili infused vodka ($16), one of - [Alfresco Dining at Soothr, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/alfresco-dining-at-soothr-east-village-nyc/) - Soothr, properly pronounced “Sood,” is the Thai word meaning “recipe.” It's one of the new restaurants that bravely opened during COVID (13th Street just east of Third Avenue) where I met a neighborhood friend for an Alfresco lunch. We opted for the tables on the street where the tables were more socially distanced instead of - [Lightship Frying Pan (Pier 66 Maritime), On The Water, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lightship-frying-pan-pier-66-maritime-on-the-water-nyc/) - After a fun day sailing on the Hudson, we walked over to the Frying Pan for a bite to eat. This Lightship, built in 1929, is docked at Pier 66 about three blocks north of Chelsea Piers. This ship's restaurant had always been one of my favorite places to bring friends, as it always pleased. - [Alfresco Dining at 7 Old Fulton Restaurant in Dumbo, Brooklyn, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/alfresco-dining-at-7-old-fulton-restaurant-in-dumbo-brooklyn-nyc/) - We grabbed the 34th Street ferry to Brooklyn. We had no plans other than walking around Dumbo. Once the boat docked, we wandered around the area, past River Cafe where we had dined, St. Ann's Warehouse where we attended events and many other places sparking pre-COVID memories. Most familiar places were closed or only open - [Alfresco Dining at Altesi Downtown, SoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/alfresco-dining-at-altesi-downtown-soho-nyc/) - My friend was sure we had eaten together at Altesti before, a restaurant serving traditional Italian dishes made with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. As we walked Spring Street towards the restaurant, I agreed that it certainly seemed familiar but I couldn't locate my writeup. One thing I was sure of was that if I - [My Last Meal as the World Closed: Esszimmer, Salzburg, Austria](https://www.biteofthebest.com/my-last-meal-as-the-world-closed-esszimmer-salzburg-austria/) - (Obviously, written before COVID-19 quarantine) Little did I know when Andrea Kaiblinger and I were emailing about my reservation at her Michelin-starred restaurant Esszimmer in Salzburg (Austria) that my friends Scot, Ed and I would be their last customers before the government instructed them to shut down. Andrea welcomed us warmly as we arrived at - [Sunday Brunch Phase 4 COVID Estiatorio Milos, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/sunday-brunch-phase-4-covid-estiatorio-milos-midtown-nyc/) - Saturday brunch at Estiatorio Milos was as elegant as feasible while dining on the streets of the city. We sat under their large tent. Once the cement mixers finished up across 55th street, we could hear each other without yelling. That's about when our attentive waiter placed our wine glasses on the white tablecloth to - [COVID19 Phase 2 Brunch at ilili Restaurant, Gramercy/Flatiron,](https://www.biteofthebest.com/covid19-phase-2-brunch-at-ilili-restaurant-gramercy-flatiron/) - The Lebanese restaurant ilili on Fifth Avenue and 27th Street was halfway, so we decided to meet there one Sunday afternoon for brunch. We'd all been before and so enjoyed it. The restaurant used part of Fifth Avenue for their tables that were nicely spaced about 6 feet apart; service was as attentive as usual. - [Covid Phase 2 Alfresco Dining: St. Tropez, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/covid-phase-2-alfresco-dining-st-tropez-west-village-nyc/) - Before we met at St. Tropez for an alfresco meal, I pre-selected what I might order from this Provençal restaurant in the West Village. I was slightly bummed that not one of what I had chosen from their web menu was described on their one-use paper menus. I'm still getting used to websites not being - [Alfresco Dining at Toloache, Theatre District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/alfresco-dining-at-toloache-theatre-district-nyc/) - We met at Toloache in the Theatre District as that is one of my friend's favorite located halfway between our homes. We, of course, started with a bowl of their traditional guacamole ($14) with avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro and serrano chilies served with warm tortilla chips. Since my friend preferred mild guacamole, I asked for - [Island Oyster on Governors Island, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/island-oyster-on-governors-island-nyc/) - Once a year, I would find a friend who wanted to join me on a trip to Governors Island to dine at Kerry Herffernan's Island Oyster, a seafood restaurant located right off the dock serving sustainable seafood in an upscale high-end waterfront establishment that felt like dining at a resort. We'd sit at the tables, - [Alfresco COVID Dining in the Garden at Chama Mama, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/alfresco-covid-dining-in-the-garden-at-chama-mama-chelsea-nyc/) - Georgian food isn't something I'm very familiar with, but when a neighbor asked if I wanted to grab dinner in the garden of Chama Mama down the street where they serve that cuisine, I said, "Sure." I started with the mint chacha cocktail made with their grape vodka ($15). Interesting, yet a tad too sweet - [Island Oyster, Governors Island, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/island-oyster-governors-island-nyc-2/) - I took some out-of-towners on the ferry ride to Governors Island for lunch at Island Oyster, an only-summer destination. It's the seasonal restaurant under the tutelage of Kerry Heffernan, also the chef at Grand Banks, another seasonal restaurant, this one on a schooner moored at Pier 25 in the Hudson River. We sipped the rosè on - [Portale Restaurant Opened in Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/portale-restaurant-opened-in-chelsea-nyc/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine; in fact, Portale was my last pre-COVID meal as I left to ski in Austria the day after dining there. Portale's patio is now open for outdoor dining beginning at 4:30 PM.) Alfred Portale had been the longtime former chef of Gotham Bar and Grill when I raved about that restaurant. - [Summer Bounty Pasta and Brie](https://www.biteofthebest.com/summer-bounty-pasta-and-brie/) - My friend Ellen called asking for a recipe I had given her many years ago. "The no-cook one with lots of fresh tomatoes and basil," she reminded me. I had just been thinking of that recipe as I walked through the Union Square Farmers' Market with whiffs of basil and tomatoes. Funny she should call - [COVID19 Phase 2, Casa Mono, Gramercy, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/covid19-phase-2-casa-mono-gramercy/) - Like many other New Yorkers, when all the press about the previous owner of Casa Mono hit, I stopped going to all Batali's restaurants. Sad, as they were some of my favorites. Now that the dust has settled, I gladly returned. Casa Mono was as good as ever. Anna, our fabulous server, helped make the - [Alfresco Dining COVID Phase 2, The Hummus Kitchen, Kips Bay](https://www.biteofthebest.com/alfresco-dining-covid-phase-2-the-hummus-kitchen-kips-bay/) - During COVID Phase 2, I've been selecting restaurants to meet friends based on their walking distance. I chose a place in Kips Bay as it was halfway between both of our city homes. It didn't take reservations. I should have known better. When we got to the restaurant there was a 30-minute wait. Noticing the - [Alfresco Dining COVID Phase 2 at The Leroy House, West Village](https://www.biteofthebest.com/alfresco-dining-covid-phase-2-at-the-leroy-house-west-village/) - I'm fine with alfresco dining but not waiting on the street until a table opens up. So I secured a res at The Leroy House, a neighborhood place on the ground floor of a beautiful townhouse that until last year was Harwood on Hudson before that Piora — for me and a friend. Like other - [COVID Phase 2 Lunch: La Pecora Bianca, NoMad, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/covid-phase-2-la-pecora-bianca-nomad-nyc/) - Dining in the middle of Broadway and 26th Street with the subway running beneath is truly a unique New York City COVID experience. I ate lunch there with a neighbor recently. La Pecora Bianca gave us one-use paper menus plus a wax paper sandwich bag to each store our mask while eating. We shared a - [COVID Phase 2 Lunch: L'Express, Gramercy-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/covid-phase-2-lexpress-gramercy-flatiron-nyc/) - L'Express didn't disappoint. It never does when I order my two regular offerings at this consistently good French bistro on the corner of 20th and Park. My friend and I shared their medallions of warm chèvre (Montrachet goat cheese) atop mixed field greens ($15). We followed that with their a tender and juicy Moroccan-spiced - [Alfresco Dining COVID Phase 2 at La Palapa, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/alfresco-dining-covid-phase-2-at-la-palapa-east-village-nyc/) - We headed to St. Marks Place in the East Village for a south-of-the-border bite at La Palapa, my friend Barbara Sibley's place. Barbara has weathered many a crisis, staying open, caring for her staff and feeding others as so well told in the Zagat article. She's one amazing lady! We, of course, began our meal - [Alfresco Dining, COVID Phase 2 at Rio Grande, Murray Hill](https://www.biteofthebest.com/alfresco-dining-covid-phase-2-at-rio-grande-murray-hill/) - Met some friends at El Rio Grande for real alfresco dining just as Phase2 commenced. At the time we went, we were not allowed inside the restaurant to use the facilities. Not a great situation when drinking. That said, we were still thrilled to be outside and dining together. To access the menu on their - [COVID Phase 2: Brunch at Bubby's High Line, Meat Packing District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/covid-phase-2-brunch-at-bubbys-high-line-meat-packing-district-nyc/) - As Phase 2 got underway, I found that simple alfresco meals plus friends equal happiness. Seriously, that's how I'd describe this basic brunch on Washington Street at Bubby's High Line. Instead of a paper menu, as I've discovered at many other places, you'll need your smartphone to scan the QR code. Two of us opted - [The Unusual Thursday's Kitchen, East Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-unusual-thursdays-kitchen-east-village-nyc/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) It was Thursday as we stood in line for Thursday's Kitchen, the “New Korean” restaurant in the East Village. Owner Chef Kyungmin Kay Hyun’s serves international tapas, created with French techniques and Spanish and Asian ingredients. Since Thursday's Kitchen takes no reservations, a line begins forming about 5:30; they open at - [Bite at J.J. Kinahan's, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bite-at-j-j-kinahans-chelsea-nyc/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) This time after our monthly board meeting, we found a casual bar where we could hear ourselves think. Sure there was noise but not as deafening as other places we had sampled. We sipped our Bulleit Old Fashioneds ($13.50) while looking at the menu. This time we decided to share their - [COVID Phase 2: Takeout from Cousins Maine Lobster, Midtown South, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/covid-phase-2-takeout-from-cousins-maine-lobster-midtown-south-nyc/) - Some friends and I met at Cousins Maine Lobster to get takeout dinner to bring to Madison Square Park to picnic. Their lobsters are sourced only from Maine, from the "icy Downeast waters to the mid-coast" where owners Sabin Lomac, 39 and Jim Tselikis, 36 are from. They started the business with an LA food - [Brunch at The Morgan Library Dining Room, Murray Hill, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-the-morgan-library-dining-room-murray-hill-nyc/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) I knew I wanted to sample the fare at the historic Morgan Library and Museum when I read that chef Tom Colicchio was now overseeing its dining room in the restored mid-19th century brownstone. That space used to be the Morgan family’s actual dining room. I met some relatives for their - [Birthday Love During COVID Quarantine](https://www.biteofthebest.com/birthday-surprise-during-covid-quarantine/) - My son who lives abroad invited me to a virtual breakfast at 10 am on my birthday. Just before the scheduled time, my doorman announced a perishable delivery. I texted my son that I might be a few minutes late. At the desk, I found an Ess-a-Bagel bounty of bagels, cream cheese, whitefish salad, applesauce - ["Nostalgia on a Plate" Meatballs For My Nephew's Recipe Book](https://www.biteofthebest.com/nostalgia-on-a-plate-meatballs-for-my-nephews-recipe-book/) - For newlyweds, I assemble a baker's dozen favorites from my syndicated columns and out-of-print cookbooks as the start of their recipe collection. For one of my nephews, I wanted to include his grandmother's potted meatball recipe. I had taken notes watching her make those famous sweet & sour meatballs. I did make them once from - [Escarole + Escarole and White Bean Soup](https://www.biteofthebest.com/escarole-escarole-and-white-bean-soup/) - When I see a beautiful head of fresh escarole in the market, my mind goes into planning mode. With about 10 cups of coarsely chopped escarole from one head, I often make more than one meal from it. First Pasta e Escarole then Escarole and White Bean Soup, the latter from my defunct daily syndicated - [COVID Phase 2: Dinner at Black Barn, No-Mad, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/covid-phase-2-dinner-at-black-barn-no-mad-nyc/) - After sheltering in place for what seemed like an eternity, New York City entered Phase 2 of reopening. To me — living alone — that allowance to dine alfresco was a game-changer that happened almost in conjunction with my birthday. So, I continued to celebrate meeting with friends now that I was allowed. As we - [Rude Attitude at Campagnola, Upper East Side](https://www.biteofthebest.com/italian-what-at-campagnola-upper-east-side/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) Campagnola's website describes itself as a "country-style, Italian dining where plates are meant to be shared, and elbows are meant to be touched." We were seated at a table where we were close enough to rub elbows with our neighbors without trying. The noise level was deafening necessitating one friend to - [During COVID: Rezdôra, My First Take-Out](https://www.biteofthebest.com/during-covid-rezdora-my-first-take-out/) - Rezdôra is a New York Times three-star restaurant in the Flatiron district near me serving authentic Emilia-Romagna cuisine. Before COVID, reservations were challenging. During the pandemic, the restaurant began offering take out. Having never done take-out before, I was trying to figure out timing. (Odd, I know for a New Yorker, but I either ate - [Pepper Vodka (and More) from "Beyond The North Wind" by Darra Goldstein](https://www.biteofthebest.com/pepper-vodka-and-more-from-beyond-the-north-wind-by-darra-goldstein/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) When I received notice that my friend Darra Goldstein had unsubscribed from my NewsBite newsletter, I reached out to learn, "why?" and learned she wasn't unsubscribing, just eliminating duplication as she was getting it twice. During our email interaction, she had mentioned the upcoming publication of her latest book, Beyond the - [Introducing Escarole + Pasta e Escarole + Escarole and Bean Soup](https://www.biteofthebest.com/introducing-escarole-pasta-e-escarole-escarole-and-bean-soup/) - I was introduced to escarole by a Florida Italian neighbor of my folks. After cooking by her side for about a week, I began my love affair with this amazing veggie. This recipe (and the escarole and bean soup that follows next week) are from that cooking orgy. Like other leafy greens, this lettuce-like veggie - [Pappardella, Upper West Side, NYC + The Nature of Color at AMNH](https://www.biteofthebest.com/pappardella-upper-west-side-nyc-the-nature-of-color-at-amnh/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) After attending "The Nature of Color" — a new interactive exhibition that lets visitors explore the role and power of color in the natural world, in human cultures and in our personal lives — at the American Museum of Natural History, we headed a couple of blocks away for lunch. There - [No Freebies (Contests) Right Now!](https://www.biteofthebest.com/no-freebies-contests-right-now/) - Stay tuned! Nothing to win right now. Scroll down to see some of our past giveaways. - [Another Korean One: Bann Restaurant + All The Nathalie Portmans](https://www.biteofthebest.com/another-korean-one-bann-restaurant-all-the-nathalie-portmans/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) After seeing All The Natalie Portmans at MCC Theatre on 52, we headed out to dinner at 350 West 50th Street to Bann Restaurant, a BBQ Korean restaurant in a welcoming upscale setting. The unusual show at MCC Theatre is about a family on the brink of eviction while the 16-year-old - [Return to Donna Margherita, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-donna-margherita-upper-east-side-nyc/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) After attending an event at Streicker Center, we walked across town to Second Avenue to return to Donna Margherita, a cozy Italian trattoria on Second Avenue where it was quiet enough to easily hear each other. That and service is quite attentive and friendly. Remembering their wonderful chewy crust pizzas, we - [A Favorite One-dish Meal: Jambalaya](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-favorite-one-dish-meal-jambalaya/) - There are as many recipes for jambalaya as there are cooks. I add chicken and andouille; you might add duck, shrimp or other seafood and different smoked sausages. My hot-and-spicy version is based on the one in my first cookbook, “Rice,” published in 1991, Harmony Books, co-authored by Joanne Lamb Hayes. We lucked out, having - [Aqua Boil, Hells Kitchen, NYC + Jagged Little Pill](https://www.biteofthebest.com/aqua-boil-hells-kitchen-nyc-jagged-little-pill/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) I had no idea what I was in store for when I was invited to Aqua Boil, a casual Cajun-inspired restaurant that spotlights seafood boils, encouraging diners to get messy. We arrived at the small restaurant when it opened at 5 pm, as we had a 7 pm curtain. The restaurant - [Choose Your Ingredients for This Macaroni Bake](https://www.biteofthebest.com/choose-your-ingredients-for-this-macaroni-bake/) - On a Zoom call recently, someone mentioned baked ziti, which sparked memories of what Connecticut soccer moms' served when feeding a huge crowd of players and parents. That thought inspired me to create this recipe. Baked ziti can be quite forgiving, allowing you to vary the kind and quantity of ingredients. For this version, I - [River Cafe Pasta With Cloumage](https://www.biteofthebest.com/river-cafe-pasta-with-cloumage/) - Trolling online for recipes to use the Cloumage® I received from a fellow Les Dames d'Escoffier board member, I tripped over one purportedly based on an entree from the River Cafe. If you've never been, the River Cafe at 1 Water Street at the Brooklyn Bridge Park, is magical in setting, food and service. Like - [Small French Cafe: Le Grainne Cafe, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/small-french-cafe-le-grainne-cafe-chelsea-nyc/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) When looking for a small French or Italian cafe to dine, I discovered Le Grainne, a relaxed Parisian-style bistro on 9th Avenue and 21st Street in Chelsea with large corner windows where we were seated. Although we had very little room in this teeny restaurant, we were quite happy with having - [Shy Brothers Cloumage, A Versatile Tangy Cheese](https://www.biteofthebest.com/shy-brothers-cloumage-a-versatile-tangy-cheese/) - Cloumage is made from Shy Brothers' coastal Massachusetts farm's cows' milk plus three ingredients. According to the company, their Ayrshire cows enjoy seasons of grasses and herbs influenced by the salty, foggy ocean air. They batch-pasteurize their milk to preserve its natural enzyme. In recipes, use this tangy cheese in place of sour cream, yogurt, - [Morrell Wine Bar, Rockefeller Plaza, Midtown, NYC + The Minutes](https://www.biteofthebest.com/morrell-wine-bar-rockefeller-plaza-midtown-nyc-the-minutes/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) We met at the elegant Morrell Wine Bar just south of the Rockefeller Plaza for dinner before heading to theatre to see Tracey Letts in The Minutes. The Castiglion del Bosco Rosso di Montalcino, 2016 ($64), a nice red fruit dry wine, went so well the Foie Gras Torchon ($28). That - [My Favorite Fudgy Brownies](https://www.biteofthebest.com/my-favorite-fudgy-brownies/) - With all the ingredients on the counter ready to be used, you can whip up a batch of these irresistible fudgy brownies in 7 minutes. (Plus, of course, baking time!) Now that I'm living alone, I don't make these unless I'm entertaining (a pre-COVID-19 happening!) or have room in my freezer to store them. They - [Minestrone: A Clean The Fridge Soup](https://www.biteofthebest.com/minestrone-a-clean-the-fridge-soup/) - Minestrone is an Italian vegetable soup with beans, pasta and veggies that's finished with grated Parmigiano Reggiano. The kinds of veggies and amounts are recommendations, which is why I call it a "clean the fridge" soup. Don't be put off by the length of the ingredient list. It's just a variety of herbs, beans and - [A Burger at Oscar's Place, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-burger-at-oscars-place-west-village-nyc/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) After being on the road, I was so in the mood for a burger and fries! I walked over to Oscar's Place, a teeny about a 20-seat restaurant that does more take-out than eat in serving only beer and wine. I was the only patron the night I went, a Monday - [One of My Favorites: Greek-Style Rice Salad](https://www.biteofthebest.com/one-of-my-favorites-greek-style-rice-salad/) - My dear friend Amy Hoopes, president of Wente Vineyard, texted to say "I was on your blog and got inspired. We added cukes to your Greek rice salad and then paired it with Roasted Shrimp and a nice glass of Murrietas Well The Whip. Delish! ” The recipe she texted about is my Greek Rice - [Return to Daniela Trattoria, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + We're Gonna Die](https://www.biteofthebest.com/return-to-daniela-trattoria-hells-kitchen-nyc-were-gonna-die/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) Before seeing We're Gonna Die, described as "the non-musical/non-play/non-concert that is not about dying" at the Tony Kiser theatre, we stopped for dinner at Daniela Trattoria. I had been to Daniela Trattoria seven years ago when the now $42 prix fixe menu was only $29. My dining partner had no desire - [A Return to Agern Restaurant and Bar, Grand Central Terminal, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-return-to-agern-restaurant-and-bar-grand-central-terminal-nyc/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) Recently met some Connecticut friends at Agern Restaurant and Bar the Michelin 1-star, New York Times 3-star season-driver Nordic Cuisine restaurant that's a tad hard to find in Grand Central Terminal. While waiting for them to arrive as they were waiting at the stage door of Beetlejuice for photo ops and - [Upscale Korean BBQ at Hyun, Near Koreatown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/upscale-korean-bbq-at-hyun-near-koreatown-nyc/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) Hyun is an intimate, elegant Korean restaurant emphasizing barbecue with electric-grill tables for searing your Wagyu on cast iron on the edge of Koreatown. I was invited by their publicist. Oddly, they told me exactly what I could have, so if this review seems to be about the same items that - [Gnocco, East Village, NYC + A Fine Line](https://www.biteofthebest.com/gnocco-east-village-nyc-a-fine-line/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) Off we went to dinner at Gnocco, after seeing A Fine Line, the documentary that explores why less than seven percent of head chefs and restaurant owners are women when traditionally women have held a central role in the kitchen. It's a tribute to Val James from her daughter Joanna James - [WOW: Growing Scallions](https://www.biteofthebest.com/wow-growing-scallions/) - While sheltering in place in my NYC apartment, I began growing veggies. That's a tad hyperbole. I only have tomatoes and cilantro beginning to sprout and now scallions, something I just learned. Cut the green tops off scallions, leaving the root end intact that you place into water, changing every day. In less than a - [Roast Pork Tenderloin + Mise en Place; Juicing Lemons; Deglazing](https://www.biteofthebest.com/roast-pork-tenderloin-mise-en-place-juicing-lemons-deglazing/) - Before starting this or any recipe, be sure to have all the ingredients on the counter. In French, this culinary phrase is mise en place meaning "set up" or everything in place. It's getting organized. Gather your ingredients, utensils and equipment and then pre-prep the ingredients (wash, peel, cut, chop, measure) before you begin. If - [The Best Blueberry Cake + Folding](https://www.biteofthebest.com/the-best-blueberry-cake/) - I adapted this recipe, published in "The Weekend Kitchen" by me (Bonnie Tandy Leblang) and Joanne Lamb Hayes, Harmony, 1992. It called for wild blueberries, which aren't in season now (other than in Florida), so I substituted regular ones. I find this irresistible, especially the crumb topping; so do all my friends and relatives who - [Golden Portuguese Bean Soup + "Taste and adjust seasoning"](https://www.biteofthebest.com/golden-portuguese-bean-soup-2/) - When living in Connecticut, I often had a soup party. It was the way I found to serve a large crowd during winter. I'd have soup pots spread throughout the first floor kept warm on hot plates and on the stove. Each pot was surrounded by appropriate accouterments. Guests would have a mug to sample - [Braised Cabbage and Rice Soup](https://www.biteofthebest.com/braised-cabbage-and-rice-soup/) - Since we're sheltering, we all have time for braising the cabbage for 1 1/2 hours as in this recipe, inspired by one of Italian cookbook author Marcella Hazan's recipes for this dense soup. Instead of soup, you could just enjoy the cabbage just braised. If you do so, add a generous grinding of Parmigiano Reggiano - [Crispy Smashed Fingerling Potatoes](https://www.biteofthebest.com/crispy-smashed-fingerling-potatoes/) - Here's a simple recipe for those who love crispy potatoes. Use any small potatoes; I tested it with fingerlings. Crispy Smashed Fingerling Potatoes Makes 4 to 6 servings 1 1/2 pounds fingerling potatoes Kosher salt 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons smoked or regular paprika Kosher salt Place the potatoes into a large pot, cover - [Irresistible Chocolate Chip Banana Bread or Muffins](https://www.biteofthebest.com/irresistible-chocolate-chip-banana-bread-or-muffins/) - Eric and Cole (my grandson) made the banana bread for me so that I could have some photos to share. They opted for muffins. While sheltering, I'm trying not to bake and am asking others to prepare my goodies and photograph them for me. When made with overripe bananas (black), the flavor of this cake - [Greek Salad With Leftover Pork Tenderloin](https://www.biteofthebest.com/greek-salad-with-leftover-pork-tenderloin/) - Based on a salad recipe from my daily syndicated column, Express Lane Cooking (ELC), which I'm proud to share was the world's first daily syndicated food column. It was gaining steam until 9/11, which was its demise like many others. In ELC, I divide the ingredients into Necessities (what you need to purchase or have), - [Stocking Your "Pantry" During COVID-19 + Lentil Soup with Sausages](https://www.biteofthebest.com/stocking-your-pantry-during-covid-19-lentil-soup-with-sausages/) - Wanting to feel both useful and helpful during this world-wide pandemic, I'm donning my RD (registered dietitian), cookbook author and former food editor hats to share shopping and cooking tips with you as we're all sheltering in place. I am also including a couple of already posted pre-quarantine and not-shared yet restaurant reviews when I - [Bar Bites at The Storehouse, Chelsea-Flatiron, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/bar-bites-at-the-storehouse-chelsea-flatiron-nyc/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) We decided to stop in The Storehouse for a nibble after our board meeting as it was on the same block. Convenient for sure, but a noisy hoppin' bar scene. Not exactly what we were looking for but it served the purpose. We sipped one of their "Undocumented Manhattans" ($15) — - [Turkuaz Restaurant, Hell's Kitchen, NYC + Tina, The Musical](https://www.biteofthebest.com/turkuaz-restaurant-hells-kitchen-nyc-tina-the-musical/) - (Written before COVID-19 quarantine) With a 7 pm curtain for Tina, my friend and I grabbed an early bite at Hell's Kitchen's Turkuaz, which has recently relocated to northern Hell's Kitchen convenient for theatre. I had been invited by the owner, who I had met at a Broadway Association function a couple of years ago. We - [Fast Casual Vietnamese at Sai Gon Dep, Murray Hill, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/fast-casual-vietnamese-at-sai-gon-dep-murray-hill-nyc/) - (Written and posted before COVID-19 quarantine) I had lunch at Sai Gon Dep, teeny the fast-casual Vietnamese place on Second Avenue that specialized in Pho. I went with a book club friend who lives in the hood before heading to my breast-sandwich (AKA mammogram) at Langone. We both ordered the Sai Gon Dep lunch special of - [Aux Epices Restaurant, Tribeca, NYC + The Sickness](https://www.biteofthebest.com/aux-epices-restaurant-tribeca-nyc-the-sickness/) - After being invited as media to The Sickness, I made a reservation at Aux Epices Restaurant as it was only a couple of blocks from where we were seeing the show. It's a narrow inviting restaurant with friendly service serving beer and wine. Cash only. Aux Epices means cooking with spice in French. The restaurant - [Miznon, Chelsea, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/miznon-chelsea-nyc/) - Miznon — also in Tel Aviv, Vienna and Paris — specializes in putting things into a big fat thick amazing pita bread. When they recently opened inside Chelsea Market, I was invited with many other writers to sample their goodies. While sipping on an Arak Mojito ($11), I sampled a variety of their filled pitas. - [Musical Brunch at Coco Pazzo, SoHo, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/musical-brunch-at-coco-pazzo-soho-nyc/) - There's nothing like a Sunday brunch with live music and good food. That's what my friend and I experienced recently at Soho's Coco Pazzo as their guests. We so enjoyed the musician at the keyboard who played just loud enough to be enjoyable without drowning out our conversation. I started with their Dante, The Poet - [Lunch at TBar Steak & Lounge, Upper East Side, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/lunch-at-tbar-steak-lounge-upper-east-side-nyc/) - I met a relative at TBar Steak & Lounge for lunch, as it's his favorite place to dine in his hood. I chose my meal from the bargain Restaurant-week menu ($26 for two courses), he ordered one of his favorites, the soba noodle salad ($23.00) with chicken in a miso vinaigrette. My lunch started with - [Grab a Drink at Bo's Kitchen & Bar Room, Gramercy-Flatiron, NY](https://www.biteofthebest.com/grab-a-drink-at-bos-kitchen-bar-room-gramercy-flatiron-ny/) - After a board meeting, we went around the corner to grab a drink and a bite at Bo's Kitchen & Bar Room. The noise level was almost deafening. Okay, that's a tad hyperbole! yet we almost had to scream to hear. We ordered Old Fashioneds ($14) and some sliders to share. While waiting for our - [River Market Restaurant Chiang Mai Dinner with Global Palette Adventures, Thailand](https://www.biteofthebest.com/river-market-restaurant-chiang-mai-dinner-with-global-palette-adventures-thailand/) - The River Market Restaurant, overlooking the Iron Bridge, is just a quick walk towards the Ping River from Le Meridian Hotel where our group was staying. That's where we had our welcoming dinner with our group attending the Global Palette Adventures Chiang Mai trip. The restaurant serves substantial portions of Thai food at reasonable prices - [In Times Square: Patricks Restaurant & Oyster Bar, NYC + A Soldier's Play](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-find-in-times-square-patricks-restaurant-oyster-bar-nyc-a-soldiers-play/) - What a find. Little did I know when I walked into Patricks Restaurant & Oyster Bar (in the space where Chevy’s Tex Mex was about a year ago) that I would have a memorable meal. This restaurant is from the Wetanson family, also owners of Dallas BBQ and Tony DiNapoli’s. Patricks is basically a pub on - [Pasqua Wine Dinner at Rue 57, Midtown, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/pasqua-wine-dinner-at-rue-57-midtown-nyc/) - Was invited to meet Alessandro and Riccardo Pasqua of the eponymous estate near Verona, Italy for dinner at Rue 57 with a few other journalists to sample and learn about their wines. The publicist mentioned that Pasqua ranks among Italy’s top 20 family-owned wineries in terms of value. After experiencing their wines, I concur. Each - [A Few Southern California Breakfasts From Our Sisters Trip (3) - Sambos](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-few-southern-california-breakfasts-from-our-sisters-trip-3/) - [Continued from A Few Southern California Breakfasts From Our Sisters Trip (2)] Our last breakfast on the trip was at Sambos a family-owned restaurant offering classic fare to start the day. We sat outside across from the beach at the Pacific for our last meal of this trip, as after our meal we were off - [A Few Southern California Breakfasts From Our Sisters Trip (2)- Bob's Well Bread Bakery](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-few-southern-california-breakfasts-from-our-sisters-trip-2/) - [Continued from A Few Southern California Breakfasts From Our Sisters Trip (1)] Another day when driving from SLO to Santa Barbara, we stopped at Bob's Well Bread Bakery known for his hand-made artisanal bread. Good bread is something New Yorkers are quite used to, an anomaly in Southern California Proprietor/Boulanger Bob Oswaks was serving that - [A Few Southern California Breakfasts From Our Sisters Trip (1) - Kreuzberg](https://www.biteofthebest.com/a-few-southern-california-breakfasts-from-our-sisters-trip/) - On our sisters' trip to California recently, we stopped at a few interesting places for breakfast that I wanted to share. In San Louis Obispo (SLO), we let my grand-nephew Kailer, who is attending Cal Poly, select Kreuzberg California on Higuera for breakfast day. It's a local art-adorned hangout serving house-roasted delicious coffee and small - [Breakfast at Bubby's High Line, Meat-Packing District, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/breakfast-at-bubbys-high-line-meat-packing-district-nyc/) - We're still laughing that none of us double-checked the date. It had been months that we were planning to attend Yayoi Kusama's "Every Day I Pray For Love" exhibition, meeting in the morning outside the David Zwirner gallery. We knew something was amiss when there was no line. The exhibition had just closed. Having planned - [Portuguese Lunch at Fishbone Kitchen & Bar, Laguna Beach, California](https://www.biteofthebest.com/portuguese-lunch-at-fishbone-kitchen-bar-laguna-beach-california/) - After spending time at the Laguna Beach playground with my grandkids, we walked up the street to Fishbone Kitchen & Bar, a Portuguese seafood restaurant, for lunch. My daughter-in-law asked if the boquerones from the pesticos (appetizer-size little snacks) bar menu was possibly available, as it was one of her favorites. The waitress checked, returning with - [Brunch at Flex Mussels, West Village, NYC](https://www.biteofthebest.com/brunch-at-flex-mussels-west-village-nyc/) - Looking for a brunch place close to my tap class to meet a friend one Sunday, I found Flex Mussels in the West Village, a 5-minute walk from class. 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