Braai is a very nice looking restaurant with dark lighting and bamboo ceilings; reminiscent of a sexy hut.
I ordered an Ostrich dish ($12) from a section of the menu called "Mini-Sosaties" which are "traditional skewered meats marinated overnight in Cape Malay spices complimented by a selection of sambals (signature condiment sides)". The ostrich was succulent, juicy, and great. The sambals consisted of a cucumber-yogurt dill, banana-coconut, mango-coriander salsa, mango chutney and apricot chutney. They were very authnentic and each had a distinct flavor which were perfect compliments to the meat as well as the accompanying bread basket. The bread basket came with a side of olive olive oil and a mix of cayenne and crushed peanuts which I really enjoyed.
I also ordered a side called Chakalaka ($5) which is a stewed bean salad. It had a lot of heat to it and I actually started sweating. It was powerful, flavorful, and fantastic.
Braai is definitely a welcome restaurant not only to the Theater district and Hells Kitchen, but to all of New York City. I do not know any other restaurant doing this type of cuisine. So, for a great culinary experience in a sexy environment, Braai is the perfect spot. Not only before a Broadway show, but for any time in your life.
(Note-the owners of Braai also own Xai Xai on the same block, a sexy South African wine bar)
Braai
329 West 51st St. (bet. 8th and 9th)
New York, NY 10018
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( 3 / 525 )Friday night I met my sister and her friends at Landmarc in the Time Warner Center. I have been to Landmarc in Tribeca which I like a lot and wrote about it for this site. I had heard mixed reviews of Landmarc at the Time Warner Center, but was eager to check it out.
After my sister left, I went to the bar and ordered the Landmarc hamburger and fries ($15). I wanted to add cheese ($2) to the burger and took the bartender's suggestion and went with smoked mozzarella.
Ladies and gentleman the hamburger at Landmarc at the Time Warner Center is NYC's best hamburger! It is the best hamburger I have ever had, and in fact cannot stop thinking about it! It was perfectly cooked medium (as I asked,) thick and juicy. But, what stood out about this burger is that there was some sort of seasoning in it, maybe it was just salt and pepper, I'm not sure, but I could taste it and it tasted great! The addition of the smoked mozzarella was perfect too. I added onions, lettuce, and pickle to it and it all tasted amazing! I will say that the fries were nice and crispy but underseasoned and definitely needed the addition of salt and pepper.
So, for the best hamburger in NYC definitely stop by Landmarc at the Time Warner Center!
Landmarc (At The Time Warner Center)
10 Columbus Circle (3rd Floor)
New York, NY 10019
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( 2.8 / 671 )Last Thursday I had the honor of being invited to a sake tasting at Satsko in the Lower East Side, a small Japanese Sake Bar/Restaurant. The restaurant was quite empty except for two tables of girls who looked like they were regular watchers of "Sex and the City". The fact that Satsko was empty on a Thursday night was surprising to me, especially after my tasting and meal there, for Satsko is a wonderful hidden treasure.
I was brought 6 shots of different sake by Satsko, (who is the gracious owner,) and she educated me on all of them. I've had sake many times before, but it was great to learn about and taste the differences in each type.
I was then brought out a tasting plate of food which was great! There was beef wrapped around scallions, basically a take on beef negimaki, which sat on wasabi mashed potatoes. The wasabi mashed potatoes were the perfect compliment to the beef and tasted great.
There were a few pieces of yellowtail sushi wrapped with radish, and had kelp and cilantro inside as well. This was so unique, and the textures and flavors were wonderful!
There was a nice little salad on the side with yuzu, which gave it the perfect acidity.
There was one piece of pressed sushi which consisted of three layers; salmon and eel on top, and spicy tuna in the middle. I've never had this type of sushi before, but all the layers worked well with each other.
I also enjoyed some thinly sliced pieces of avocado that came on the plate.
After having this unique, colorful, and wonderful tasting plate I was still a little hungry (and slightly buzzed) so Satsko recommended I try one of their signature dishes; Asian Chicken. I'm so glad she recommended this dish for it was amazing. Def. the perfect dish for when you are a little buzzed or drunk, and great when you are sober as well! The dish is marinated deep fried wings and drumsticks (twice-fried) and accompanied by a delicious chipotle sauce. I think double-frying the chicken is ingenius and I fell in love with the dish!
Satsko is a great laid-back spot perfect for grabbing small Japanese bites and a wide-array of sakes. They actually have different events each day of the week, including a sake tasting, just like the one I had, every Wednesday for $35 a person. I would recommend going to Satsko though any day of the week for a great time and great food.
Satsko
245 Eldridge Street (off of Houston)
New York, 10002
(Note: There is another Satsko located in the East Village at 202 East 7th St.)
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( 3.1 / 492 )For all you Foodies and Tennis fans who can't make it to the US Open next week check out this press release:
"From Friday, August 29 through Sunday, September 7 between 11:00 AM and 11:00 PM, American Express will once again present US Open Live at Madison Square Park, where New Yorkers and tennis enthusiasts can watch the excitement of the Open without having to head to the courts., Madison Square Park will be transformed into the ultimate tennis experience, including giant viewing screens and stadium seating. The event is open to the public and free of charge.
New this year, American Express has teamed up with NYC restaurants Country, Hill Country Barbecue Market and Rickshaw Dumpling Bar to add some unique food options to the park. Each of the establishments will create pop-up stands to sell and serve some of the signature items off their respective menus. And of course Shake Shack will be working overtime to handle the crowds of tennis enthusiasts on top of their usual loyal followers."
I'll definitely be stopping by. Hill Country is my favorite BBQ in NYC!!
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( 3 / 593 )Last night I finally made it to Babbo, one of New York City's top Italian restaurants. Babbo is one of the toughest reservations to get in town, which was made clear to me when I arrived at 11pm to a fully packed restaurant-on a Monday! I was finally seated at a table at 11:15, in between two couples that kept staring at me. (Either they were curious who this chap was dining alone, or recognized me as the Superstar I am- they did not ask for an autograph or picture) I would have preferred to be seated at the bar, but that was packed as well.
Before the meal started I was brought a plate of marinated chickpeas on a small piece of toast. I enjoyed this pre-meal nibble for it was something I never had, and I thought it was a nice touch. I was also brought one piece of bread with no butter, which was fine. I was surprised for I expected a much better bread selection at a restaurant of this caliber. It's not that it was bad, but it was nothing special at all.
For my first course I had the Warm Lamb’s Tongue Vinaigrette with Chanterelles and a 3-Minute Egg ($13). I was instructed by the runner to crack the egg which lay on top of the dish and use the yolk as the dressing. The dish was great. After just my first bite I said "Wow" out loud. There was something very eloquent yet simple about all the flavors.
For my entree I went with the Beef Cheek Ravioli with Crushed Squab Liver and Black Truffles ($23). The runner shaved some fresh Pecorino Romano on top as well. I had heard about this dish before so I wanted to see what all the hype was about. Let me tell you-it's worth the hype. Just might have been the best ravioli of my life. I would describe this dish, as well as my starter, as "delicately delicious". Each ravioli, triangle in shape, was perfectly cooked. The meat inside was delicious and the addition of the black truffles was the perfect compliment. I was in awe of how such a rich dish seemed so light, and it was all wonderful.
For dessert I had the Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Orange Sauce and Hazelnut Gelato ($12). I love hazelnut and chocolate so I could not resist this dish. It was a really nice dessert. It wasn't overly sweet and was the perfect ending to a great meal.
I can now tell you from experience that Babbo is one of New York City's top Italian restaurants. I cannot wait to go back! So for amazing Italian food, definitely start calling now for a reservation at Babbo.
Babbo
110 Waverly Place (bet. 6th Ave and Macdougal)
New York, NY 10011
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