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.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Pure Food & Wine, 54 Irving Place (btwn 17 & 18)
I was a vegetarian for a long time. Not a phase lasting a year or two, not a "sometimes" vegetarian, but a full out, ovo-lacto vegetarian. My mother did not dote on this new found obession. She made one dish for the family, and if it had meat, I could make something for myself. Unfortunately, this was in the 90's through early 2000, before vegetarian was "cool" and when there was only 1 brand of soy products that could only be found at a trip to the local health food store. I had tons of cookbooks teaching me how to compensate for the nutrients a healthy diet normally gets from meat, and I tried my hand at a lot of delicious meat substitutes. Then I went to college and started phasing back in fish, then slowly chicken, and during law school, red meat (which I still really only eat out at a restaurant or dinner parties where it's being served). I still incorporate a lot of soy into my diet (I love Smartdogs, Boca Burgers and Morningstar Farms "Sausage" Patties) and when the raw food diet hit New York City, Pure Food and Wine was something I just needed to try.
First off, the space where Pure Food & Wine is was once where I, along with Julia Roberts, used to get our hair done. Not because it was some place fancy, not because I have unruly hair, but because again, it was across the street from where my Aunt lived. So when it turned into a restaurant, we decided to check it out. It had just opened, so there were not a lot of diners in there, but I remember having red wine. I might actually have been too young to drink, but I was with my Aunt, who could be my mother, so I don't think they cared. Then the dishes came out. I loved mine. It was so creative, it was so crunchy (I hate mushy veggies) and so full of flavor. My Aunt did not. I don't know if she's been back since. I decided to return a few years later with some work-friends when the outdoor patio was open. Again, I thought my meal was delicious, I do find it's not a crowd pleaser so, don't take picky eaters here. It's also a little pricey, especially for food that isn't cook and doesn't use expensive meat products. I don't find that so awful, because at least you're putting good food into your body instead of (delicious) fried bites or (delicious) nachos.
WHAT TO BITE? Sweet Corn & Cashew Tamales with Chili Spiced Portabello, $26 and the Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart, $16
First off, the space where Pure Food & Wine is was once where I, along with Julia Roberts, used to get our hair done. Not because it was some place fancy, not because I have unruly hair, but because again, it was across the street from where my Aunt lived. So when it turned into a restaurant, we decided to check it out. It had just opened, so there were not a lot of diners in there, but I remember having red wine. I might actually have been too young to drink, but I was with my Aunt, who could be my mother, so I don't think they cared. Then the dishes came out. I loved mine. It was so creative, it was so crunchy (I hate mushy veggies) and so full of flavor. My Aunt did not. I don't know if she's been back since. I decided to return a few years later with some work-friends when the outdoor patio was open. Again, I thought my meal was delicious, I do find it's not a crowd pleaser so, don't take picky eaters here. It's also a little pricey, especially for food that isn't cook and doesn't use expensive meat products. I don't find that so awful, because at least you're putting good food into your body instead of (delicious) fried bites or (delicious) nachos.
WHAT TO BITE? Sweet Corn & Cashew Tamales with Chili Spiced Portabello, $26 and the Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart, $16
Ethos, 495 3rd Ave (btwn 33 & 34th)
I came to Ethos for the first time with a friend when we were just wandering the area. It looked go, so we went inside for a "light" meal. Greek food is great for that. Since that first time, I've been back a handful of times with friends and family and never have been disappointed. The restaurant has large windows which open onto the street during the warmer months, and the high ceilings and exposed brick walls dotted with paintings and greek pottery make it unlike many restaurants in the area.
I almost always try something new when I go there, but I always start with tzatzki. Theirs is one of the best I've had, it's so tangy with the perfect balance of lemon and herbs. Their pita bread is also fantastic, definitely not what you get at the grocery store. Not even close. They bring you your check and dessert, which I think is one of the most fantastic things restaurants can do (even if it means they pad the prices a little to compensate) and, I'd love to go here with someone greek who can tell me what it actually is. It's a little cake, drizzled with honey, that's fluffy and filled with some sort of creme/custard. That's a poor description, but regardless, it's delicious and something I definitely look forward to at the end of my meal.
NOTE: There is another location in Midtown East (51st & 1st)
WHAT TO BITE: Tzatzki, $6.50 to start, charcoal grilled whole fish, $25.
I almost always try something new when I go there, but I always start with tzatzki. Theirs is one of the best I've had, it's so tangy with the perfect balance of lemon and herbs. Their pita bread is also fantastic, definitely not what you get at the grocery store. Not even close. They bring you your check and dessert, which I think is one of the most fantastic things restaurants can do (even if it means they pad the prices a little to compensate) and, I'd love to go here with someone greek who can tell me what it actually is. It's a little cake, drizzled with honey, that's fluffy and filled with some sort of creme/custard. That's a poor description, but regardless, it's delicious and something I definitely look forward to at the end of my meal.
NOTE: There is another location in Midtown East (51st & 1st)
WHAT TO BITE: Tzatzki, $6.50 to start, charcoal grilled whole fish, $25.
Session 73, 1359 1st Ave (@ 73rd)
I forget exactly how I came across Session 73. Two very dear and amazing friends lived around the corner from it, so I'll give them credit for stumbling upon it when exploring the neighborhood. Session 73 is an Upper East Side bar without carrying the stigma attached to some of its neighbors. It's velvet curtains and plush couches give it a lounge atmosphere, but it's long bar, stage for live music, and "private" back bar area make it a great oasis in the land of beer pong and overcrowded frat parties.
I've been for dinner numerous times, and the tapas style lends itself to late dinners that quickly turn into dance parties. Ranging from Asian to Southwestern, the food has all those familiar bar bites you'd like to have. A little more expensive than I'd like to spend when traveling so far from home, but the all-in-one ambiance makes up for it. Friends have danced on their bar, friends have made out next thier bar, friends have taken pictures of drunk girls falling asleeping at their bar. The bands range from awesome to not, so find a good one, get there early, enjoy some food and then dance (or sway) the night away.
WHAT TO BITE? Eggplant Parm Fritters, $10
I've been for dinner numerous times, and the tapas style lends itself to late dinners that quickly turn into dance parties. Ranging from Asian to Southwestern, the food has all those familiar bar bites you'd like to have. A little more expensive than I'd like to spend when traveling so far from home, but the all-in-one ambiance makes up for it. Friends have danced on their bar, friends have made out next thier bar, friends have taken pictures of drunk girls falling asleeping at their bar. The bands range from awesome to not, so find a good one, get there early, enjoy some food and then dance (or sway) the night away.
WHAT TO BITE? Eggplant Parm Fritters, $10
JG Melon, 1291 3rd Ave (@ 74th)
People who have lived on the Upper East Side for years rave about this place, but a lot of transient "New Yorkers" brush off the wait and decide to go elswhere to satiate their burger cravings. Well, JG Melon's has a long wait, but trust me, it's worth it. The burgers and fries are the best you'll find in the area, and some say in the city (I'm not going to weigh in on the Best Burger debate, having just started eating red meat a few years ago). But not only that, it's such a neighborhood gem, there's a friendliness between the servers, the patrons, even the owers, that is rare to find in dining these days.
Yes the wait is long, but that's because when you get a table, all you want to do is sit and enjoy your food. Slowly. How food is supposed to be enjoyed. During the warmer months there are tables on the sidewalk, not too many, but it helps alleviate the crowd. Inside you have a typical pub, nothing fancy, but with large tables that can be pulled together for groups celebrating a post-softball team victory.
Oh, one downside is that they are cash only, but with prices so low, you won't need much more than a $20.
WHAT TO BITE? Cheeseburger, $8.75 and Pecan Pie, $5.95
Yes the wait is long, but that's because when you get a table, all you want to do is sit and enjoy your food. Slowly. How food is supposed to be enjoyed. During the warmer months there are tables on the sidewalk, not too many, but it helps alleviate the crowd. Inside you have a typical pub, nothing fancy, but with large tables that can be pulled together for groups celebrating a post-softball team victory.
Oh, one downside is that they are cash only, but with prices so low, you won't need much more than a $20.
WHAT TO BITE? Cheeseburger, $8.75 and Pecan Pie, $5.95
Hi Life, 1503 2nd Ave (@ 76th)
I had to been to Hi Life with my friend one night when she watned fish and I wanted a burger. Since it's a little more difficult to find a place that has both of those things, let alone does both well, we stumbled upon a new bar that opened in the area when we were both living there. Our meals were great, the service was fantastic (despite their lack of honey mustard, which understanably really bothers my friend).
We returned again later, this time with her boyfriend who was in town visiting and sat in a small area they have in the front of the restaurant that is set up more like a lounge. Instead of a table and chairs there are a few benches and small tables that you can order cocktails and small plates to. I really enjoy when restaurants do this, because a lot of times I only want something small to eat, or I'm going with someone who wants food but I've already eaten. Anyway, this little lounge area has ample seating, enough for a few groups of people and faces Second Avenue, so it's fantastic for people watching (especially drunk people watching after happy hour when people are crawling home to continue drinking on their couch/in the shower, before venturing back out to play beer pong at Paddy O's). We happened to be privy to what I find all too often in New York, the awkward First Date. This couple sitting in the area with us certainly had met online and most definitely were having their first in-person interaction. The three of us sat their, analyzing the body language, realizing the guy was defintely not feeling his dining companion and was trying to find ways to speed up the remainder of their date.
Our food came, which was a happy distraction. The restaurant has a lounge menu, which includes pigs in a blanket, so we dove into those. There are also rotating food and drink specials all week, from half priced sushi to prime rib dinner to $5 martinis at happy hour (4-7pm).
WHAT TO BITE: Yellowfin Tuna with Wasabi Crust + 2 sides, $18.95.
We returned again later, this time with her boyfriend who was in town visiting and sat in a small area they have in the front of the restaurant that is set up more like a lounge. Instead of a table and chairs there are a few benches and small tables that you can order cocktails and small plates to. I really enjoy when restaurants do this, because a lot of times I only want something small to eat, or I'm going with someone who wants food but I've already eaten. Anyway, this little lounge area has ample seating, enough for a few groups of people and faces Second Avenue, so it's fantastic for people watching (especially drunk people watching after happy hour when people are crawling home to continue drinking on their couch/in the shower, before venturing back out to play beer pong at Paddy O's). We happened to be privy to what I find all too often in New York, the awkward First Date. This couple sitting in the area with us certainly had met online and most definitely were having their first in-person interaction. The three of us sat their, analyzing the body language, realizing the guy was defintely not feeling his dining companion and was trying to find ways to speed up the remainder of their date.
Our food came, which was a happy distraction. The restaurant has a lounge menu, which includes pigs in a blanket, so we dove into those. There are also rotating food and drink specials all week, from half priced sushi to prime rib dinner to $5 martinis at happy hour (4-7pm).
WHAT TO BITE: Yellowfin Tuna with Wasabi Crust + 2 sides, $18.95.
Caffe Buon Gusto, 236 E. 77th (btwn 2nd & 3rd)
After studying abroad, one of my traveling companies and I would get lonesome for the relaxing evenings we had overlooking Rome and eating mountains of pasta. Such moods would often lead us to Caffe Buon Gusto, where you can compliment any pasta with any sauce (much like the famed Pastarita Pizzerito "chain" in Italy). The food is fantastic, the atmosphere at both locations is relaxing, and the service is always wonderful... especially when your dining companion attempts to set you on fire.
Often times I'll complain that restaurants in New York try to cram in too many tables. Then I remember that life is a business, and they need to serve more customers. Caffe Buon Gusto is a small restaurant, where the table generally consists of a bread basket, candle, oil and vinegar, your plates and glasses and not an inch of visible tablecloth. Now, the delicious bread basket has a fatal flaw. No, not that it magically gets refilled, but because they line it (or at least that day they did) with a paper napkin. Well folks, I'm pretty sure you can see where this story is going. Candle + paper napkin + small table + fearful friend = blow it out in the direction away from fearful friend and closer to me. Needless to say, we all had a great laugh after and were returned a bread basket (napkin free) and continued our evening.
While I have only ordered a non-pasta entree once, I hear that when you have it delivered (as many of my fellow classmates in law school did) they provide you with your entree, a side of pasta, a small salad and bread for the same price. Pretty fantastic, I think. What I go for however, is the pasta. It's pasta here, not macaroni. The other day I caught myself saying I never had good carbonara in the United States. I think I might have tricked myself into remembering this falsehood because carbonara is so deliciously bad for you. But when in Rome (or the Upper East Side), one can indulge in a fresh pasta complimented by a lavishly rich sauce, or any of their other numerous sauces (my flaming dining companion loves their pesto). You can also add on some protein to the pasta dish, I go for the sausage. If a seemingly endless bowl of pasta isn't your thing, try one of their delicious eggplant dishes (they do the trifecta: parmigiana, rollatina or bolognese). And you'll most certainly want to leave room for dessert. Great for a date, or an intimate dinner, but I wouldn't go here with a terribly large party unless you plan on renting out the place.
PS - This location only takes Amex so, Visa and Mastercard holders, stop bye the ATM first.
WHAT TO BITE? Carbonara over your choice of fresh pasta, $11.95
Often times I'll complain that restaurants in New York try to cram in too many tables. Then I remember that life is a business, and they need to serve more customers. Caffe Buon Gusto is a small restaurant, where the table generally consists of a bread basket, candle, oil and vinegar, your plates and glasses and not an inch of visible tablecloth. Now, the delicious bread basket has a fatal flaw. No, not that it magically gets refilled, but because they line it (or at least that day they did) with a paper napkin. Well folks, I'm pretty sure you can see where this story is going. Candle + paper napkin + small table + fearful friend = blow it out in the direction away from fearful friend and closer to me. Needless to say, we all had a great laugh after and were returned a bread basket (napkin free) and continued our evening.
While I have only ordered a non-pasta entree once, I hear that when you have it delivered (as many of my fellow classmates in law school did) they provide you with your entree, a side of pasta, a small salad and bread for the same price. Pretty fantastic, I think. What I go for however, is the pasta. It's pasta here, not macaroni. The other day I caught myself saying I never had good carbonara in the United States. I think I might have tricked myself into remembering this falsehood because carbonara is so deliciously bad for you. But when in Rome (or the Upper East Side), one can indulge in a fresh pasta complimented by a lavishly rich sauce, or any of their other numerous sauces (my flaming dining companion loves their pesto). You can also add on some protein to the pasta dish, I go for the sausage. If a seemingly endless bowl of pasta isn't your thing, try one of their delicious eggplant dishes (they do the trifecta: parmigiana, rollatina or bolognese). And you'll most certainly want to leave room for dessert. Great for a date, or an intimate dinner, but I wouldn't go here with a terribly large party unless you plan on renting out the place.
PS - This location only takes Amex so, Visa and Mastercard holders, stop bye the ATM first.
WHAT TO BITE? Carbonara over your choice of fresh pasta, $11.95
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