Cauliflower Custard with Butter poached Lobster, Leeks & Trumpet Mushrooms ($18) was truly awesome. Everything about this dish was amazing. From the flavor to the texture, this dish melted in my mouth and I loved it. Order it and see for yourself. Wow.
Pan Roasted California Squab with Duck Liver Risotto ($36), was also super fabulous! I rarely eat squab, but if you eat one squab dish in NYC, this should be it. This perfectly cooked bird, paired with the tasty duck liver risotto, did my body good. I loved the dish.
So for a popular Upper West Side joint, that's worth the hype, head west to Ouest. You'll be glad you did.
Ouest
2315 Broadway (and 84th St.)
New York, NY 10024
212-580-8700
www.ouestny.com
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( 0 / 0 )In what was once a shoe store, is now the cute and small coffee and sandwich shop The Commons Chelsea, and it's a true gem of a spot. I stopped in this week for some great La Colombe coffee and a sandwich, and was blown away. You can order a salad or start with a great toast. My toast came with avocado, cumin, olive oil, lemon juice, chili flakes, and I added some smoked salmon too. It was delicious. But what I wasn't prepared for, and what blew me away, was their pork sandwich ($8). Slow roasted pork with broiled tomatoes, pickled carrots, onions, bib lettuce and habaņero mayo, all served on a lovely and airy brioche bun. After one bite I almost teared with joy. Usually when I eat pork sandwiches the pork is a bit dry, but not here. The pork was juicy and flavorful, and downright amazing. This could very well be the best pork sandwich I have encountered. I could not stop thinking about it all day, and have still been fantasizing about it two days later (who needs porn?). End your meal with a perfect homemade chocolate chip cookie, and the rest of your day will be fantastic.
The Commons Chelsea is a great spot for everyone in Chelsea, but I live on the UWS, and plan on coming down to try everything else on their menu. Thus, it's a great spot for everyone in NYC. Blow my mind with a sandwich, and you have my stomach, and heart, forever.
The Commons Chelsea
128 7th Ave (bet. 18th and 17th)
New York, NY 10011
212-929-9333
www.thecommonschelsea.com
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( 0 / 0 )One of the best restaurants to open up last year was Isa, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Isa comes to us from Taavo Somer (Freeman's, Peels) and chef Ignacio Mattos (il Buco). The restaurant is very rustic and "woodsy", wood dominates the decor of the space. You can take a seat in the first room, and overlook the open kitchen, like I did last month, or sit in the adjacent room with the bar. The food at Isa is unique, very earthy, and great. Chef Mattos creates dishes with flavor combinations and textures that were new to me, and I loved his creativity.
One of the best steak tartares I've encountered was served to me the night I ate there (The menu changes daily). Served with a sunchoke puree and a disc of flax and rye seeds, the dish blew me away. Both texture and flavor were fabulous.
A french onion soup encased in an onion, served in a duck broth was ingenious and fun.
A plate of different mushrooms looked like a garden. Served with a hen egg in the middle, I loved this dish. Earthy and spectacular. The one element I thought was unnecessary was a touch of citrus on the plate, that I felt was just put there, and really had no business being there. Too much. Nonetheless, it was a great dish.
A smoked duck dish brought some more earthiness to the plate. Sprinkled with what looked like and I believe actually labeled "dirt", a mix of cocoa powder and coffee, it was delicious. The duck was succulent, and perfectly cooked.
A grapefruit curd dessert was the perfect ending to a unique, earthy and great meal.
So head to Williamsburg, Brooklyn for one of the most unique and earthy meals you will have.
Isa
348 Wythe Ave (at S. 2nd St.)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
347-689-3594
www.isa.gg/isa/
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( 0 / 0 )Modern Jewish American Bistro. I never thought I'd ever speak or write those words. But, this does exist. Down in the hip and trendy Tribeca. An offshoot of the popular Catskills resort, Kutsher's Tribeca is bringing modern Jew food to the masses. And after a meal there last month, I'm here to tell you it's pretty darn good. From some of the best latka's in town, to fabulous smoked salmon, and a solid Matzo ball soup, Kutsher's surely does satisfy. End your meal with a black and white cookie ice cram sandwich, and you'll be complete. Nana would be proud.
Kutsher's Tribeca
186 Franklin St. (bet. Greenwich and Hudson)
New York, NY 10013
212-431-0606
www.kutsherstribeca.com
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( 3.2 / 6 )Gradisca, a popular Italian restaurant in the West Village, that recently had an article written about it in the NY Times, is really good. I stopped by for the first time a few weeks ago, and had a great time. I like the layout of this restaurant, the bar is in the back, as opposed to the front, which is nice. The food is spot on too.
Veal and guanciale meatballs ($15), with wilted onion-tomato friggione, are some tasty balls.
The NY Times highlights "Mama", the mother of the chef who comes in from Italy to make the pasta. "Mama's" hand-crafted meat tortellini ($30), with parmigiano cream is a joy to eat. Knowing that these little guys were made by a real Italian grandmother enhances the experience. They are special and great.
I like Gradisca a lot. The vibe is cool, and the energy is positive. Everyone here is very nice. They got the name "Gradisca" from the convivial character in the Fellini movie "Amarcord. Her bon vivant personality embodies all that is good in life. All that is good in life is present at Gradisca.
Gradisca
126 W. 13th Street (bet. 6th and 7th ave)
New York, NY 1001
212-691-4886
www.gradiscanyc.com
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