One day I was exploring the Upper East Side with my roommate when we stumbled across a new bakery. Not only was there a delicious smell of fresh baked bread, but they also owned a restaurant, where presumably said fresh bread was also served. So, on another parental visit, mom, dad and I explored the new Corner Cafe & Bakery.
Normally I have a sick ability to remember what everybody I'm dining with had to eat. For some reason, the only thing I can remember from this meal was that my mom had bacon, and it was delicious. She either had a turkey club or a blt, both items I've seen my mother eat and for the life of me I can't remember which it was. I can't even remember what I had to eat because that bacon stuck out like a sore thumb. Also, the bread was fresh and delicious because, of course, they made it at the bakery a few feet away.
The Corner Cafe is small, but the service was good and the staff was friendly. This was some time ago, and it was fairly new, but I saw it was still thriving and can only imagine the fresh bread just keeps bringing diners back time and time again.
WHAT TO BITE? BLT, $11.95.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Fetch, 1649 3rd Ave (btwn 92nd & 93rd)
When I lived on the Upper East Side I found exploring restaurants to be a good use of one's time, since lets' be honest, once you move below 42nd Street you find any excuse not to have to go above it. My parents were still living in Westchester during that time and fortunately for me were willing to visit often, since my work schedule didn't allow many leisurely trips home. On one such occassion, Dad and a good friend of mine decided to walk North on 3rd Avenue and see what we could find. We stumbled upon Fetch, which stole my heart because the owners are heavily involved in animal rescue, and the food is quite good.
Fetch is technically a family place, so don't go between 7am and 9pm if you're really not in the mood to have a screaming toddler at the table next to you. 99.9% of the time I don't want to see children in a restaurant, but I won't fault parents for bringing them to a place like this. Where they certainly should not be is at Marea on a Saturday night. No seriously. It's weird.
The ambiance is friendly and inviting, there are pictures of pet owners and their dogs on the wall, and they even have an adoption wall so you can cry after eating your eggs. The food is pretty standard, with a few pleasant surprises. They have these philly cheese steak egg rolls that apparently are a little slice of heaven. Too bad I was still off red meat when I was dining there. So, if you find yourself WAY on the Upper East Side, maybe after visiting one of our fine NYC museums, walk a few avenues East and grab some food at Fetch.
WHAT TO BITE? Philly Cheese steak Egg Rolls, $10, Cobb Salad (with fresh corn!), $11.
Fetch is technically a family place, so don't go between 7am and 9pm if you're really not in the mood to have a screaming toddler at the table next to you. 99.9% of the time I don't want to see children in a restaurant, but I won't fault parents for bringing them to a place like this. Where they certainly should not be is at Marea on a Saturday night. No seriously. It's weird.
The ambiance is friendly and inviting, there are pictures of pet owners and their dogs on the wall, and they even have an adoption wall so you can cry after eating your eggs. The food is pretty standard, with a few pleasant surprises. They have these philly cheese steak egg rolls that apparently are a little slice of heaven. Too bad I was still off red meat when I was dining there. So, if you find yourself WAY on the Upper East Side, maybe after visiting one of our fine NYC museums, walk a few avenues East and grab some food at Fetch.
WHAT TO BITE? Philly Cheese steak Egg Rolls, $10, Cobb Salad (with fresh corn!), $11.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
La Follia, 226 3rd Ave. (NW corner of 19th)
Valentine's Day dinners can be a lot of pressure, I'm sure. Frankly, I'm not a big fan of the holiday asides from it's an excuse to eat some chocolate, which I'm also not the biggest fan of. I was pleasantly surprised by the price fix menu at La Follia, unfortunately for me it was comprised of slight "V-day" variations of their normal menu, and I can't return until perhaps next year for what was quite possibly the best truffle polenta of my life.
The restaurant is split into two parts, so it makes the ambiance a little calmer, and quieter. I don't enjoy having to yell in order to articulate a point in my conversation. The wait staff was attentive, and the runners quickly brought the food out. Maybe again, because it was a pre-set menu with limited dining options, but let's chalk it up to the wonderful runners out there. There are steps leading into the kitchen, which I think can only spell catastrophe for the staff, but everything managed to go fine, with food placed on the bar and then brought over either by a runner or waitstaff.
The restaurant itself is warm, without being overdone. They have small plates of meats and cheeses, and the menu includes some health conscious items as well as a lighter take on some Italian classics. So grab your significant other, or a friend, and walk over, enjoy the evening together and get a new spin on an old food.
WHAT TO BITE? The polenta, $8 and whatever you do, try the truffle fries.. your dining companion will be jealous, $5.
The restaurant is split into two parts, so it makes the ambiance a little calmer, and quieter. I don't enjoy having to yell in order to articulate a point in my conversation. The wait staff was attentive, and the runners quickly brought the food out. Maybe again, because it was a pre-set menu with limited dining options, but let's chalk it up to the wonderful runners out there. There are steps leading into the kitchen, which I think can only spell catastrophe for the staff, but everything managed to go fine, with food placed on the bar and then brought over either by a runner or waitstaff.
The restaurant itself is warm, without being overdone. They have small plates of meats and cheeses, and the menu includes some health conscious items as well as a lighter take on some Italian classics. So grab your significant other, or a friend, and walk over, enjoy the evening together and get a new spin on an old food.
WHAT TO BITE? The polenta, $8 and whatever you do, try the truffle fries.. your dining companion will be jealous, $5.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
dishes, 48 Grand Central Terminal (42nd btwn Park & Lex)
I was blessed with the ability to live with my parents for the first two years of law school. That is, when I wasn't living in the library. The first year, my mom was working in Westchester as a librarian so, was doing the reverse commute from Grand Central. Sometimes, when I came home before midnight and hadn't succomb to fast food row near the law school, there would be a delicious pot pie from dishes waiting for me at home.
There is almost anything you can imagine at Dishes. That's why I can't categorize it as one particular theme. It has some traditional american dishes (like my pot pie), some latin american dishes, southwestern style, even asian noodles. It's actually perfect given its location, so commuters passing through not knowing what the heck they want to eat for dinner can have options. They also have a massive list of pre-designed sandwiches, targeting the same audience, as well as numerous salads. Oh, and did I mention they have Balthazar croissants? Yum without the two hour wait.
So if you find yourself at Grand Central, wanting to pick up something to take home, or are heading somewhere else and want a little picnic lunch, not only should you check out Grand Central Market but definitely make a pit stop at dishes. The hot entree's change, but they are always wonderful.
WHAT TO BITE? Personal chicken pot pie, $5.50.
There is almost anything you can imagine at Dishes. That's why I can't categorize it as one particular theme. It has some traditional american dishes (like my pot pie), some latin american dishes, southwestern style, even asian noodles. It's actually perfect given its location, so commuters passing through not knowing what the heck they want to eat for dinner can have options. They also have a massive list of pre-designed sandwiches, targeting the same audience, as well as numerous salads. Oh, and did I mention they have Balthazar croissants? Yum without the two hour wait.
So if you find yourself at Grand Central, wanting to pick up something to take home, or are heading somewhere else and want a little picnic lunch, not only should you check out Grand Central Market but definitely make a pit stop at dishes. The hot entree's change, but they are always wonderful.
WHAT TO BITE? Personal chicken pot pie, $5.50.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Bao Noodles, 391 E. 2nd (Btwn 22nd & 23rd)
When the weather is disgusting and cold as it's been, sometimes a large bowl of spicy Pho is all you need to take the edge off. Set in a small, but comfortable space, Bao Noodles delivered so much more than a good meal. Not only was our waiter patient with our questions, he was so friendly, it was hard for us to get moving to our second location.
After a day of shopping, the girls decided to get some Pho. One beef, one chicken, and one spicy beef and pork, hue style. Within minutes the giant bowls of soup were at our table and we were all working away. Whether you want to do the fork/spoon method, or my preference, the chopstick/spoon method, you're going to quickly be warmed by whatever dish you decide to eat. There are non-soup dishes, lots of slow braised iron pot dishes, and a plethora of rotating specials, including ice cream. Try the durian ice cream if you've ever been tempted but didn't want to purchase the fruit itself and fill your apartment with the stench.
While the restaurant is small, they take reservations, and despite the website warning, they did accept credit card. I plan on going back and trying the salt and pepper shrimp. Yum!
WHAT TO BITE? Spicy beef and pork - hue style, $8.95.
After a day of shopping, the girls decided to get some Pho. One beef, one chicken, and one spicy beef and pork, hue style. Within minutes the giant bowls of soup were at our table and we were all working away. Whether you want to do the fork/spoon method, or my preference, the chopstick/spoon method, you're going to quickly be warmed by whatever dish you decide to eat. There are non-soup dishes, lots of slow braised iron pot dishes, and a plethora of rotating specials, including ice cream. Try the durian ice cream if you've ever been tempted but didn't want to purchase the fruit itself and fill your apartment with the stench.
While the restaurant is small, they take reservations, and despite the website warning, they did accept credit card. I plan on going back and trying the salt and pepper shrimp. Yum!
WHAT TO BITE? Spicy beef and pork - hue style, $8.95.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Mermaid Inn, 96 2d Ave (btwn 5th and 6th)
I came to The Mermaid Inn for the first time with a friend who sadly I've lost touch with, but who I will always think of whenever I dine here. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the restaurant is split in half with a few steps and a narrow hallway, with the front of it being a typical "New England Seafood Restaurant", while the back is reminiscent of a glass covered version of a typical crab shack in Maryland.
The food is standard, no frills New England serving everything from catfish to salmon, shrimp to escargot (including a few dishes for non-seafood diners such as short ribs and roasted chicken). The atmosphere is always loud enough to keep dining companies occupied, but quiet enough for conversation. In the summer, they open the windows in the back and the front so it's fantastic for Second Avenue people watching, which is my personal favorite. They also do not put any endangered fish on the menu, which you have to respect them for. Your meal will end with a fortune telling fish (like a mood ring, but in the shape of a thin plastic fish) and an espresso-sized cup of chocolate pudding, since they do not have a dessert menu. You'll walk away with meal that is healthy, the chef pulls the reign in on his use of salt, which few in New York seem to do these days, and for seafood, wallet friendly.
WHAT TO BITE? Happy Hour and a Half, $1 clams, or if you're dining in the evening try the Rainbow Trout, $23.
The food is standard, no frills New England serving everything from catfish to salmon, shrimp to escargot (including a few dishes for non-seafood diners such as short ribs and roasted chicken). The atmosphere is always loud enough to keep dining companies occupied, but quiet enough for conversation. In the summer, they open the windows in the back and the front so it's fantastic for Second Avenue people watching, which is my personal favorite. They also do not put any endangered fish on the menu, which you have to respect them for. Your meal will end with a fortune telling fish (like a mood ring, but in the shape of a thin plastic fish) and an espresso-sized cup of chocolate pudding, since they do not have a dessert menu. You'll walk away with meal that is healthy, the chef pulls the reign in on his use of salt, which few in New York seem to do these days, and for seafood, wallet friendly.
WHAT TO BITE? Happy Hour and a Half, $1 clams, or if you're dining in the evening try the Rainbow Trout, $23.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Paul & Jimmy's, 123 E 18th (btwn Park & Irving)
My Grandparents are very particular about where they eat. When you have been on this planet as long as they have, I can't blame a person for saying "this what I want, this is where I'm going, no I will not try something new". Paul and Jimmy's also happens to be around the corner from my Aunt's apartment where she's been for the last 30 years. It's traditional Italian, except for Penna alla Vodka, which I love, but is about as Italian as pepperoni. I also found out recently that my favorite dish, tortellini della nonna was taken off the menu and replaced with a similar, yet different enough dish. So, I'm a little sad, but I guess I'll resolve myself to having the vodka sauce, please.
Unfortunately, Paul and Jimmy's has been underneath a scaffold for the last few years due to construction in the brownstone above them, which asides from breaking some laws, is a shame since their outdoor seating is so lovely. The inside of the restaurant has a gigantic mural on the back wall, which reminds me of the touristy restaurants in Italy. Maybe that's what this place is, but I like it. The wait staff is always so kind and they don't rush you. Again, that could be attributed to dining here usually around 5pm, but regardless I've always felt like my meal is something to be enjoyed, not rushed through. There are some large tables in the back, so it's nice to go with a big group. Note, it's not family style.
WHAT TO BITE? Since my favorite dish was cut and replaced with the Tortellini della Panna, I'm going to go to another classic: Pollo all Scarpariello, $20.
Unfortunately, Paul and Jimmy's has been underneath a scaffold for the last few years due to construction in the brownstone above them, which asides from breaking some laws, is a shame since their outdoor seating is so lovely. The inside of the restaurant has a gigantic mural on the back wall, which reminds me of the touristy restaurants in Italy. Maybe that's what this place is, but I like it. The wait staff is always so kind and they don't rush you. Again, that could be attributed to dining here usually around 5pm, but regardless I've always felt like my meal is something to be enjoyed, not rushed through. There are some large tables in the back, so it's nice to go with a big group. Note, it's not family style.
WHAT TO BITE? Since my favorite dish was cut and replaced with the Tortellini della Panna, I'm going to go to another classic: Pollo all Scarpariello, $20.
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