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Always looking for a new lunch spot near work I've scoured the West Village and Soho for almost a year and recently stumbled upon a promising new option: Mooncake Foods. Though it's name may imply dessert, this restaurant is more of an Asian diner dishing up reliable salads, sandwiches and platters at an alarmingly affordable price. It's location is rather obscure, quite close to the Holland Tunnel entrance, but don't let that fool you. Always packed during lunch I've added it to my rotation of lunch stops. Approaching Mooncake Foods you may think you are walking up to an old fashioned diner. The exterior surely does not scream fresh or quality, let alone Asian. Likewise the interior is setup just like an old diner. A counter with red padded stools as well as booths and small tables complete the art deco look, but it's the food that will keep you hear. Behind the counter is where all the action happens. Two men of severe patience and skill move rapidly assembling all types of dishes. They broil fish and meats, slice baguette's, prepare salads and scoop white and brown rice in a state of organized chaos.
On my first trip here I watched as they prepared my sliced steak platter with cilantro and ginger. Huge chunks of perfectly cooked steak topped with a salty, smokey cilantro ginger sauce and accompanied by an abundance of lettuce and brown rice. It was a rather large lunch, but only cost $8.80 (plus tax and tip). On other trips I ordered the spicy hoisin fish tacos with roasted pinu nut hoisin sauce, though an appetizing description the dish did not live up to the hype. The sauce was overly salty and should be used sparingly. Likewise the anise and beer braised beef shins served in tortillas while amazingly tender were quite salty. I would like to order this again, but perhaps hold off on using the dipping sauce and opt for more lettuce in the tortillas. A popular favorite for many, the miso glazed salmon is hard to dislike. Moist and tender, it is a wonderfully prepared dish and one I expect to order again. Other options include chicken wings with honey and soy, crawfish dumplings, a tuna burger with wasabi mayo and a variety of salads and wonton soups.
It's amazing that outside of Chinatown I am able to find this wide array of dishes all affordable and within walking distance of my office. For those more North in the city, there is a Chelsea location which I've yet to visit that offers the same menu and pricing. Mooncake foods is open for lunch and dinner and takes cash only.
28 Watts St., New York, NY 10013, 212-219-8888, Reservations - Not Accepted, Price - Inexpensive ($7-$15/person)
Steps from the 7th Ave. Q train in Prospect Heights Brooklyn there is quaint little shop serving delicious pastries, cookies and Jamaican patties. When talking about patties in this neighborhood many people are quick to claim Christie's as the top spot letting this establishment slide under the radar a bit. Little Miss Muffin is the name of this tiny shop, owned and operated by two kind and talented women, it is a hidden gem in my opinion and a place that I will never get tired of. It is a welcoming space about the size of a bedroom, but with strong smells of cookies and coffee (the full name is actually Little Miss Muffin 'N' Her Stuffin).
I've started my morning (or afternoon) here with the delicious, buttery croissants, some filled with chocolate, others with strawberries and cream cheese, apple cream or plain. The croissants are flaky, light, certainly not healthy, but absolutely delicious and hard to resist. Muffins, the stores namesake, are also delicious. A simple corn muffin is moist, buttery of course, and always fresh. The chocolate chip muffin, a treat on occasion, is rich and moist and requires a glass of milk when eating.
Jamaican patties, one of the perfect handheld meals if made well, are one of my favorite items at Little Miss Muffin. The most well known variety, beef, comes in mild and spicy and while good are not stellar. However, the chicken patties are where Little Miss Muffin really shines. My personal favorite, however, is the BBQ chicken patty, it appears much thicker and larger than any of the other patties and is stuffed with tender shreds of thigh meat. A sweet tangy BBQ sauce with an appropriate kick provides the flavor and 9 times out of 10 keeps the patty nice and moist. The jerk chicken patty also offers a nice change of pace, a sweet and spicy sauce mixed with ground chicken is quite pleasing, albeit a bit thin. The crust for all of the patties is relatively standard, flaky, golden, buttery and a bit dry, but it's the fillings that make them great.
For dessert, or just a snack, I've sampled a variety of their cookies and always find them stellar. It is a treat when they are straight out of the oven, but even when they have cooled the moisture is retained. Crisp sides give way to a moist, soft center filled with a variety of things. Chocolate chip and peanut butter are my favorites, but you can't really go wrong with any of the other selections.
Nothing on the menu exceeds $3 so it is easy to get a feast here for very little. I highly recommend, while the weather is still warm, grabbing a selection of patties and cookies and heading to Prospect Park. The patties travel well, keep warm and are a very easy delicious meal while basking in the Summer sun. Another highlight for all you coffee drinkers is their iced coffee. Refreshing, clean tasting and always fresh, it's gained the title "Best Iced Coffee" from my girlfriend and I easily agree.
174 Park Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11238, (718) 857-4963, Reservations - It's a takeout place, Price - Inexpensive ($3-6/person)
- Eater reports that Momofuku Ko may be open for lunch. I'm curious as to what the menu would be like as I certainly don't know many people who can 1) afford to take 3 hours off of work, 2) eat 10 courses and 3) are comfortable spending $100+ on lunch.
- Tired of hangovers? Well maybe it's time to start drinking organic beer and wine. The NY Daily News reports organic booze may in fact reduce your hangover. Interesting...
- Serious Eats lists upcoming food events for this weekend
- Restaurant openings from the NYTimes and Eater
- Serious Eats provides a list of participants for Rachel Ray's Burger Bash this Fall as part of the NYC Wine & Food Festival. A great list likely producing some tasty burgers, but at $200 a ticket it is a bit overpriced.
The gastro-pub has infiltrated NYC with such places as the E.U., Spotted Pig, and even Flatbush Farm in Brooklyn over the past few years. A relative newcomer, Alchemy which opened last year in Park Slope, has seen it's share of ups and downs, initially receiving rave reviews, but recently locals have been quick to claim the restaurant is in the middle of a crisis. I've read on multiple occasions that the food, service and overall experience is nothing like it used to be, a shadow of its former self. I was disappointed to here this, as a resident of the area you hate to see restaurants struggling, especially one which I thought had promise and was excited to go to. Well, I finally made my way over to Alchemy after some indecisiveness and I am quite happy with my decision. The dark restaurant, located in North Park Slope, was relatively empty when we walked in on a Wednesday. I was actually somewhat put off and began to doubt myself, however, as we walked towards the patio we found it much more welcoming. A large patio filled with 2 and 4 tops allowed us to not only to sit outside, but also not feel as if we were the only diners here. The menu has a variety of standard pub dishes (burger, fish and chips), but also more creative or unique dishes including Gorgonzola and walnut ravioli, duck confit cassoulet and wild mushroom barley risotto to name a few. We ordered up an appetizer of short ribs on a polenta cake with demi glace to start. A rather large portion for an appetizer, the dish was okay, but completely overwhelmed by the demi glace. It overpowered the short rib and the polenta and left me rather disappointed, although I do love short ribs in all forms.
For entrees we ordered the Alchemy shells and cheese with peas (sans bacon) and the Gorgonzola walnut ravioli. Again the portion size impressed us. I certainly did not expect a heaping bowl to be placed in front of me, and it made me think I could have done without the short rib even more. Both dishes were quite good and reasonably priced, $13 and $16. The shells and cheese were underseasoned for me, but my girlfriend thought otherwise. My ravioli also featured arugula and a sage brown butter sauce, a nice herbaceous flavor to accompany the Gorgonzola walnut filling. Sufficiently full it was pleasing to know that Alchemy is in fact trying to serve and impress the neighborhood regardless of recent reviews. I'll have to make it back for some of the other dishes, including the sticky Guinness pudding and the Alchemy burger.
56 5th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217, (718) 636-4385, Reservations - Not Necessary, Price - Moderate ($15-30/person)
Over the past year or so I've really started to appreciate the simplicity of food. I've enjoyed taking stellar ingredients and preparing them with little more than olive oil, salt, pepper and some fresh herbs. It's this style of cooking where you can fully appreciate food. One person in the restaurant industry who not only follows this practice, but has redefined it is Chef Dan Barber. Barber has always had an affinity for preserving the natural integrity of food, not muddying it up with fancy or unnecessary ingredients. Barber also is the Chef/Owner of the critically acclaimed Blue Hill at Stone Barns restaurant and farm in Tarrytown, NY (there is also a Blue Hill location in the West Village). I was fortunate enough to dine here this past weekend and it truly was a revelatory experience.
Driving onto the grounds it is hard to miss the giant cows, rows and rows of corn stalks, vines of multi-colored tomatoes and the massive heritage pigs. Chef Barber has setup the grounds at Blue Hill to support exquisite menus crafted with the freshest ingredients every season always keeping in mind the impact he has on the environment. It being August I knew I was in store for plenty of tomatoes. The farm is covered with them, all sizes, shapes, colors and ultimately tastes. Walking around the grounds other highlights included the turkey pens, the greenhouse filled with more varieties of lettuce than I knew existed, roaming sheep, herb gardens and more. It is a must for anyone to survey the grounds, they are beautiful, enlightening and hard to walk away from.
Making your way towards the restaurant you enter a gorgeous courtyard reminiscent of many of the castles and estates I saw while studying in England. Detailed craftsmanship is everywhere and a feeling of serenity hits you before even taking a bite of food, this is truly an unmatched experience. Upon entering the restaurant it is hard to miss the comfortable rustic, but still modern decor: weathered wood floors, tables, chairs, an enormous table holding warm bread and beverages and then a cathedral style ceiling that is more 21st century than I expected. The well dressed servers are everywhere, but also never in your way. They swarm when needed, but keep their distance otherwise.
The menus were explained in great lengths to us, with the summary being that a list of today's fresh ingredients are provided and the diner gets to say whether they dislike, or absolutely love specific ingredients. The menu is then crafted keeping allergies, dislikes, likes, etc. in mind. Our table opted for the 5-course tasting menu (the 7-course Farmer's Feast was not the choice of my family) and so began our 3 hour experience. Servers brought out our amuse bouche, a trio of delicious little bites highlighting the freshest ingredients at this time. A variety of tomatoes were placed on little spikes and seasoned with sea salt. A skewer with fresh squash half covered in pancetta and sesame seeds was pleasing from a taste and textural standpoint. A shot glass of "Blue Hill V-8" was refreshing and offered a nice hint of onion and celery. The last little bite was something I wish I had more of, a "tomato burger" which was essentially a thick tomato sauce with cheese on a mini corn bread "roll". Its size was similar to a silver dollar, but it offered bold flavors of summer.
With a well timed delay between the amuse and the 1st course, we were presented with a gorgeous watermelon, heirloom tomato gazpacho. Adorned with edible flowers and microgreens the dish was stunning, but also tasted wonderful. It was soothing, refreshing and vibrant, a great start. One thing to note here, the service at Blue Hill is beyond stellar. Each plate is placed on the table in syncopation and with a party of 5 it becomes quite impressive. Our second course was another example of beautifully plated ingredients. A portion of seabass, seared to perfection, sat atop a salty, garlicky pistou made of summer beans, zucchini and broccoli. Too salty on its own, the pistou worked perfectly when paired with the mildly seasoned fish. Another winner, agreed everyone at the table.
The third course showcased the chefs pasta making skills. A gorgeous little package of housemade ricotta, farm grown artichokes topped with a tomato caper sauce, it was a light, but a somewhat indulgent little bite. The pasta had been slightly browned on the top adding a nice textural element. The fourth course is where the restaurant really showed its true colors. I had mentioned to our server that I am all for head to tail eating when ordering and he made sure the chefs were aware. As a result I was presented with a massive square plate showcasing different aspects of the farms heritage pigs: loin, belly, cheek, boudin blanc (a white sausage made with the liver/heart and milk) and jowel. To some this may sound a bit daunting, but when I heard this description I burst into a smile. To round things out, or at least provide something else other than pig on the plate there were some delicious string beans, but they just added color to to the plate. Each different piece of the pig offered a new taste and texture. There were a few bites of each, but I could have easily eaten more of the boudin blanc, the cheek and the loin. Three distinct tastes, all absolutely delicious. Not to be forgotten, everyone else at my table was served perfectly cooked ribeye in a ratatouille sauce with a vibrant zucchini puree. A delicious dish, but it had no chance when compared to my boldly flavored head to tail plate.
To finish up we were served a delicious peach sorbet with fresh peaches and currants. It was refreshing, sweet, tart and the perfect balance of flavors after the previous course. It also set the stage for a trio of desserts that were served to us. Pistachio cake with raspberry sorbet and creme fraiche was good, but I could have easily done without it. The olive oil cake was a bit more enjoyable and it was topped with Thai basil sorbet and blueberries, a unique combination. The best of the three was the chocolate brioche pudding with caramel ice cream, which had to have had some espresso whipped into it and was rich, but not heavy. The desserts were probably the weakest part of the meal, but enjoyable nonetheless. They were followed by the petit fours, mini strawberry macaroons.
Other highlights of the meal included the wine list, which is quite extensive and yielded a delicious Pinot Noir for our table (Brooks, Janus Pinot Noir 2005 from Oregon). And not to be forgotten, the teasin which is roughly a cart of over a dozen fresh herbs that you can select from in order to make a fresh pot of tea. At $15 it is the priciest tea I have ever seen, but it is also quite an impressive show as the server takes his antique scissors and snips off bits of lemongrass, purple basil, lemon thyme, eucalyptus or many other herbs into a clear glass tea pot. To no surprise you are also presented with a gorgeous jar of honey from the farm.
Our meal wrapped up roughly 3 hours after we sat down, it was now dark outside with the sun fading in the distance. I was full, plenty full, but I also felt slightly different as if I had been educated or enlightened in some way. It was an eye opening experience and helps you really respect all that goes into your food, I will never forget it and suggest everyone make the trek just once. It may cost quite a bit, but what you get is more than just a meal here and it is well worth every cent.
630 Bedford Rd, Tarrytown, NY - (914) 366-9600, Reservations - Required (taken months in advance), Price - Very Expensive (minimum $120/person)
Inspired to eat more food from Blue Ribbon due to my delicious lunch there recently and Ed Levine's glowing review I made my way over to Blue Ribbon Bakery Market. The name is a mouthful, but all you really need to know is that at the market you can score some delicious open-faced sandwiches, breads, sides, drinks and honeys all of the highest quality. The market is just down the street from Blue Ribbon Bakery and is an easy and affordable way to get a quick bite.
Upon entering the market you are hit with a strong smell of freshly baked bread. Along one wall there is an impressive display of brioche, multi-grain, challah, baguettes and more. A small chalkboard of the toast menus is hanging across the refrigerated section which contains milks, sides, pickles, smoked duck breasts and more. The toast menu is broken out into meat, vegetables, fish, butter and fruit for a total of 22 options and are priced between $3 and $10. I found the smoked duck breast with Mexican honey mustard superb and quite filling. The tender duck perfectly cooked (served at room temperature) was topped with the zesty and sweet homemade honey mustard. For a lighter option the hummus sandwich was delicious and surprisingly vibrant in taste. The smooth hummus was topped with bits of red onion, tomatoes, lemon olive oil, paprika and parsley. A gorgeous looking toast it was perfect for a light lunch. Other options include a tune melt, smoked salmon or sturgeon, mozzarella and basil pesto and many more. For some the toasts may not be enough for a full lunch so I suggest any of the refrigerated sides or a 5 pack of delicious housemade chocolate cookies. I also highly recommend picking up some of the bread either to accompany your meal or for a later time. The challah is delicious and perfect for bread pudding, french toast or just with butter. The famed bacon and red onion loaf is also available for a meager $2.50 along with other interestingly flavored options.
While the prices may be slightly higher than your average corner sandwich shop, the ingredients are top notch and well worth it. Be aware that the space is small with no seating except outside, but it's rather therapeutic to to stand while eating your toast surrounded by the fabulous smells of fresh breads.
14 Bedford Street New York, NY 10014, Reservations - Not Accepted/Necessary, Price - Inexpensive ($5-$15/person)
Update: a recent addition to the menu (as of 8/18), the baked brie with apples, almonds and olive oil is quite delightful. Creamy, salty and a perfect balance of flavors, it is a must get for brie lovers.
- Tickets to the New York Brewfest are now on sale. Here is an opportunity to sample close to a hundred different brews while taking in the sights at the South Street Seaport. Tickets are $50 and the event is September 12th, 5pm-10pm.
- An interesting story on Chow this week on exotic salts provides some great information and recommendations for those looking beyond table salt and kosher salt.
- A desparate poster on Chowhound is looking for tips to getting into Per Se. Maybe down the road I can use some of these for myself.
- Park Slope residents (including myself) debate on where the best places to eat in the neighborhood, aside from the popular first choices (i.e. Applewood, Al Di La, Rose Water, etc.), on Brooklynian.
- An interesting discussion over the definition of a foodie on the Park Slope Brooklynian message board. Some seem to like the term, others despise it. Check it out and add your two cents.
- Big fan of the Olympics? Why not immerse yourself in the event even more by eating as if you were in China. TONY provides a quick list of places throughout the city.
- Serious Eats provides a list of this weekends food events.
I've always had an affinity for tacos, soft-shell, hard shell, it doesn't matter. Maybe it is the hand held aspect or the mere variety of ingredients you can stuff into a taco, regardless I love tacos. La Taqueria is a great place to grab a number of different styles of tacos, but you need to know a few things. 1. La Taq, the recently rennovated "other half" of the restaurant is overpriced. 2. Order from the counter on the right hand side of the restaurant. Hopefully those two rules help get across my point.
La Taqueria is a somewhat weathered indoor California taco stand with the option to dine in at the few small tables available or take out/delivery. Walking in you are met with a giant board of bright colors and an appetizing list of food. Below that board you will see much of the ingredients, prepared earlier for the most part, which fill the tacos, burritos, quesadillas and more. Don't be alarmed that some of the food is pre made. Unless you are getting the last serving of the day everything is relatively vibrant and fresh, contrary to the opinion of others. A grill is generally fired up with carne asada (flank steak), chicken and tortillas and there is a rotisserie with whole chickens going all day.
I personally recommend Lupe's taco, a freshly fried tortilla shell stuffed with barbacoa (shredded beef) or carne asada. It's topped with lettuce, tomato and cheese. Although it may not be the most authentic dish I find the crunch of the shell, which is fried on the spot, a great compliment to the tender beef. Another popular favorite of mine is Pollo Asado taco filled with succulent bits of chicken thigh and topped off the same as Lupe's taco. Aside from tacos The chimichanga (clearly like fried items) is a massive hunk of food and happily the crispy outer shell holds up to the sauce and filling offering some wonderful flavors and textures. The enchiladas are a safe bet, although I find them topped off with way too much sauce. Guacamole, while refreshing and a great compliment to any meal falls short with inconsistent seasoning. Other items including fajitas, the rotisserie chickens and nachos are standard fare, but satisfying.
A great thing about eating on the low-key, stand side is the free salsa's. A tomatillo, chunky tomato and chipotle based salsa are available by the bucket load along with jalapanos, pickled vegetables and a cilantro onion mixture. Some issues with cleanliness may present themselves when the place is busy, but in those cases opt for the benches out front or even a short walk to the park. Definitely not the best Mexican I've ever had, but a convenient and quite satisfying option for the area
72 Seventh Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217, 718-398-4300, Reservations - Not Accepted/Necessary, Price - Inexpensive ($5-15/person)
I'm always looking for inexpensive ways to eat great at home and of course that can be quite difficult with the way food is being priced these days. I generally purchase my meat from Fresh Direct or a butcher and lately Fresh Direct has been really on top of their game. Specifically, their hanger steak, a popular cut of meat in many restaurants for it's bold beefy taste but inexpensive cost, the steaks usually run between $8.99 - $11.99lb. Last night on the fly I pulled together a delicious recipe using my propane grill, a handful of fresh herbs, spices and greenmarket vegetables.
For the hanger steak (recipe for two):
1-1.5 lb steak (you will need to cut the fatty connective tissue running down the middle, it's a simple process, creating two long steaks)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
cayenne pepper to taste
generous amount of salt and pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil or enough to lightly coat the steaks
Rosemary Butter:
1-2 tablespoon butter, softened
fresh rosemary
small squeeze of lemon juice
For the corn:
2 cobs of corn cleaned, but not fully shucked
butter
salt and pepper
lime juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
For the vegetables:
Heirloom Tomatoes (a few small, or 1-2 large) cut length wise in half
Summer squash (a few small or 1-2 large) cut length wise in half
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon honey
fresh oregano and basil
(optional) 4 thin slices of Parmigiano-Reggiano
1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees as well as the grill to med-high heat
2. After trimming the steak off it's fat mix the spice blend together and coat the entire steak letting it rest for a few minutes
3. While letting the steak rest mix all ingredients for the vegetables except the vegetables and fresh herbs to create the sauce/marinade, place vegetables in bowl and lightly toss once the mixture is ready
4. Lightly coat the steak and corn in olive oil so as not to stick to the grill and place on the grill. Steak should cook about 4 minutes per side for medium rare and corn can be turned every 3-4 minutes
5. Put the vegetables in the oven for 10-15 minutes on 400 F or until they have reached desired tenderness
6. Mix softened butter, chopped fresh rosemary and lemon juice and form two equal servings
7. Once the steak is ready place on a cutting board and let sit for at least 5 minutes. Serve as preferred; I enjoy a few slices cut off and then the remaining steak for me to cut on my own
8. Coat corn in butter, salt, pepper and a squeeze of lime juice
9. Remove vegetables from the oven and top with chopped fresh basil and oregano, add optional parmigiano as well
10. Serve family style or all on one plate, adding butter to the top of steaks
It's hard to resist good quality chocolate. I may not be a dessert person most of the time, but quality sweets are present I generally find myself indulging. Combine that with my girlfriends affection for chocolate and it's a wonder that it took me three years to get to the popular Chocolate Room in Park Slope. The dessert bar, cafe and chocolate boutique has a loyal following, so much so that they have opened up a second location in Carroll Gardens.
Finally getting to the Chocolate Room was fairly spontaneous. Wrapping up a delicious meal at Al Di La down the street I craved something sweet, and saw a perfect opportunity to indulge at the Chocolate Room. The physical space is a small relaxed with a slight vintage look, but it is all chocolate from the displays, the smells and the dark wood. It may not be the most comfortable seating arrangement, but the smells and anticipation of rich chocolate goodness is enough to get you by. Quickly scanning the small yet appropriate menus the hot fudge brownie sundae screamed out to me. I thought back to when I was much younger celebrating a youth soccer win or being consoled after a loss at Friday's and getting my favorite sundaes. However, here I wasn't winning or losing, although I was helping my girlfriend celebrate a great new job. The prospect of pure indulgence was all I needed, brownie sundae with homemade mint chip ice cream here I come.
Describing the sundae as indulgent or "chocolaty" does not really do it justice. A mixture of real (emphasis on real) mint taste, chocolate slivers, hot fudge, whip cream and of course a warm fudge brownie was transcendent. I was in my own world as I quietly ate and every now and again took a breath and smiled from ear to ear. Same situation for my girlfriend who across the table protected her vanilla ice cream sundae from me, I don't blame her, this was delicious. Chocolate Layer Cake, Black Bottom Butterscotch Custard and an enticing Chocolate Fondue are some of the dishes available.
Feeling satisfied and having not yet fallen into a food coma we paid and left quickly glancing at the decorative, but surely delicious, handmade chocolates and other chocolate products. Not to be forgotten is the Chocolate Room's wine and port pairings, available with every item on the menu or by themselves. While I made it to the Chocolate Room for dessert it is surely a place for all occasions, including coffee, a snack, drink or even a chocolate lunch or dinner.86 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 718-783-2900, Reservations - Not Accepted/Necessary, Price - Inexpensive ($5-10)
The Blue Ribbon mini-empire is well known by most New Yorkers. One of the more affordable restaurants owned by the Bromberg brothers is Blue Ribbon Bakery, located on the corner of Bedford and Downing in the West Village. This casual eatery with a rustic feel, bakes some of the most delicious breads in the city in addition to serving brunch, lunch and dinner. During lunch they offer a variety of sandwiches between $10-20 all delicious and worth every penny making the restaurant a perfect spot for a long lunch out of the office.
Before placing your orders each table receives a delicious basket of fresh bread baked daily. A few slices of challah, olive bread and whole grain bread along with a dish of soft creamy butter, it was a wonderful start to lunch. Fortunately I had recently seen Ed Levine's review of the neighboring Blue Ribbon Bakery Market down the street and their delicious bacon and red onion bread. Be sure to ask your server for some of this savory baked treat. Chunks of bacon and thin slices of red onion baked into a ciabatta style loaf make this some of the best bread I've ever tasted. Word of advice, butter is not necessary as it is already quite moist.
Highlights from the meal included the warm goat cheese salad, a heaping portion with two goat cheese toasts and sundried tomatoes. Another popular dish, was the savory and extremely satisfying crispy catfish sandwich. Served on a fresh ciabatta roll with red onion, tomato, lettuce and corn tartar sauce it was one of the better fish sandwiches I've had in recent memory. The fish was perfectly cooked, the bread provided a good amount of chewiness and the tartar added great flavor, though a bit more salt could have been used. Other lunch offerings include a wide variety of appetizers, soups, salads and main courses. Some of my favorites in the past have been the escargot cooked with garlic and butter, pierogies and what I believe to be the best fried chicken in the city. A solid selection of beers and wines are also available throughout the day.
Overall a delicious meal, in a great environment. Although it can get rather loud, the restaurant is a great location for an hour out of the office or drinks late night. I look forward to my next meal here, I'm sure there will be many.
35 Downing Street, New York, NY 10014, 212-337-0404, Reservations - Only available for 5+, Price - Moderate/Expensive ($20-$50)
- Gobbl lists their 50 top restaurants in NYC. There are certainly some rankings here worth arguing and I'd love to get a better understanding of their "formula", but it's interesting reading and makes you think "how many have I been to?"
- Tickets for the Harvest in the Square event in Union Square are now on sale, at a rather pricey $115. However, the money does get you beverages from New York microbreweries and wineries as well as the opportunity to mingle with chefs from Gramercy Tavern, Union Square Cafe, Devi, Tocqueville Strip House and many more. The event is Thursday, September 18th
- For those who generally take advantage of Restaurant Week or if you just plain missed out there are 4 more weeks for you to dine on the cheap. Gothamist reports that many of the participating restaurants have extended the promotion till Labor Day.
- The New York Observer lists 10 new restaurants which it believes live up to if not beyond the hype all which had very little PR supporting them. Quite a few of these are on my "to go to" list which is comforting.
- Tao Palate, a new pan-asian vegan restaurant in Prospect Heights seems fairly close to opening. They've even started handing out menu's to curious passerby's. Brooklynian has the menu.
- Serious Eats has this weekend's food events. Dragon boat races, bakesales, BBQ's and parades creating a well rounded weekend.
- Picholine is offering a $50 giftcard to support their 15th anniversary. Just access their site and sign up and within a week or two you will recieve the card. Chowhounder's are already discussing any potential resctrictions and fortunately there don't appear to be any.
Always looking for a new lunch spot near work I've scoured the West Village and Soho for almost a year and recently stumbled upon a promising new option: Mooncake Foods. Though it's name may imply dessert, this restaurant is more of an Asian diner dishing up reliable salads, sandwiches and platters at an alarmingly affordable price. It's location is rather obscure, quite close to the Holland Tunnel entrance, but don't let that fool you. Always packed during lunch I've added it to my rotation of lunch stops. Approaching Mooncake Foods you may think you are walking up to an old fashioned diner. The exterior surely does not scream fresh or quality, let alone Asian. Likewise the interior is setup just like an old diner. A counter with red padded stools as well as booths and small tables complete the art deco look, but it's the food that will keep you hear. Behind the counter is where all the action happens. Two men of severe patience and skill move rapidly assembling all types of dishes. They broil fish and meats, slice baguette's, prepare salads and scoop white and brown rice in a state of organized chaos.
Steps from the 7th Ave. Q train in Prospect Heights Brooklyn there is quaint little shop serving delicious pastries, cookies and Jamaican patties. When talking about patties in this neighborhood many people are quick to claim Christie's as the top spot letting this establishment slide under the radar a bit. Little Miss Muffin is the name of this tiny shop, owned and operated by two kind and talented women, it is a hidden gem in my opinion and a place that I will never get tired of. It is a welcoming space about the size of a bedroom, but with strong smells of cookies and coffee (the full name is actually Little Miss Muffin 'N' Her Stuffin).
The gastro-pub has infiltrated NYC with such places as the E.U., Spotted Pig, and even Flatbush Farm in Brooklyn over the past few years. A relative newcomer, Alchemy which opened last year in Park Slope, has seen it's share of ups and downs, initially receiving rave reviews, but recently locals have been quick to claim the restaurant is in the middle of a crisis. I've read on multiple occasions that the food, service and overall experience is nothing like it used to be, a shadow of its former self. I was disappointed to here this, as a resident of the area you hate to see restaurants struggling, especially one which I thought had promise and was excited to go to. Well, I finally made my way over to Alchemy after some indecisiveness and I am quite happy with my decision. 
Over the past year or so I've really started to appreciate the simplicity of food. I've enjoyed taking stellar ingredients and preparing them with little more than olive oil, salt, pepper and some fresh herbs. It's this style of cooking where you can fully appreciate food. One person in the restaurant industry who not only follows this practice, but has redefined it is Chef Dan Barber. Barber has always had an affinity for preserving the natural integrity of food, not muddying it up with fancy or unnecessary ingredients. Barber also is the Chef/Owner of the critically acclaimed Blue Hill at Stone Barns restaurant and farm in Tarrytown, NY (there is also a Blue Hill location in the West Village). I was fortunate enough to dine here this past weekend and it truly was a revelatory experience.
Driving onto the grounds it is hard to miss the giant cows, rows and rows of corn stalks, vines of multi-colored tomatoes and the massive heritage pigs. Chef Barber has setup the grounds at Blue Hill to support exquisite menus crafted with the freshest ingredients every season always keeping in mind the impact he has on the environment. It being August I knew I was in store for plenty of tomatoes. The farm is covered with them, all sizes, shapes, colors and ultimately tastes. Walking around the grounds other highlights included the turkey pens, the greenhouse filled with more varieties of lettuce than I knew existed, roaming sheep, herb gardens and more. It is a must for anyone to survey the grounds, they are beautiful, enlightening and hard to walk away from.
Inspired to eat more food from Blue Ribbon due to my delicious lunch there recently and Ed Levine's glowing review I made my way over to Blue Ribbon Bakery Market. The name is a mouthful, but all you really need to know is that at the market you can score some delicious open-faced sandwiches, breads, sides, drinks and honeys all of the highest quality. The market is just down the street from Blue Ribbon Bakery and is an easy and affordable way to get a quick bite.
I've always had an affinity for tacos, soft-shell, hard shell, it doesn't matter. Maybe it is the hand held aspect or the mere variety of ingredients you can stuff into a taco, regardless I love tacos. La Taqueria is a great place to grab a number of different styles of tacos, but you need to know a few things. 1. La Taq, the recently rennovated "other half" of the restaurant is overpriced. 2. Order from the counter on the right hand side of the restaurant. Hopefully those two rules help get across my point.
I'm always looking for inexpensive ways to eat great at home and of course that can be quite difficult with the way food is being priced these days. I generally purchase my meat from Fresh Direct or a butcher and lately Fresh Direct has been really on top of their game. Specifically, their hanger steak, a popular cut of meat in many restaurants for it's bold beefy taste but inexpensive cost, the steaks usually run between $8.99 - $11.99lb. Last night on the fly I pulled together a delicious recipe using my propane grill, a handful of fresh herbs, spices and greenmarket vegetables.
1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees as well as the grill to med-high heat
6. Mix softened butter, chopped fresh rosemary and lemon juice and form two equal servings
It's hard to resist good quality chocolate. I may not be a dessert person most of the time, but quality sweets are present I generally find myself indulging. Combine that with my girlfriends affection for chocolate and it's a wonder that it took me three years to get to the popular Chocolate Room in Park Slope. The dessert bar, cafe and chocolate boutique has a loyal following, so much so that they have opened up a second location in Carroll Gardens.
The Blue Ribbon mini-empire is well known by most New Yorkers. One of the more affordable restaurants owned by the Bromberg brothers is Blue Ribbon Bakery, located on the corner of Bedford and Downing in the West Village. This casual eatery with a rustic feel, bakes some of the most delicious breads in the city in addition to serving brunch, lunch and dinner. During lunch they offer a variety of sandwiches between $10-20 all delicious and worth every penny making the restaurant a perfect spot for a long lunch out of the office.
