I would have to say that 2008 has been the year of the "Bar". Wine bars, ramen noodle bars, gastropubs, and cocktail dens, have been popping up all over NYC. As someone who loves great drinks as well as great food, this has thus been a very good year for the NYC FOODIE!
Thanks to everyone who has stopped by my site. Looking ahead to 2009 be prepared to see videos and most likely the NYC FOODIE on TV!
I wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR! And with that, let's take a look at my favorites of 2008.
BON APPETIT!
Top 5 Best Meals of 2008
1. Every meal I had at Momofuku Ssam Bar. This is my favorite restaurant in NYC, and my mind is blown every time I eat here! The flavors and textures of each dish are phenomenal! (I'm still dying to go to Momofuku Ko!)
2. Omakase at Sushi of Gari. I've had the Omakase (10 pieces of sushi-chef's choice for $55) at Sushi of Gari (there are 3 in NYC) a few times this year and every time the sushi is sublime and outstanding!
3. The Little Owl. I revisited The Little Owl this year after a 2-year hiatus and it has not missed a beat! It is one of the best all round restaurants in NYC.
4. Tasting Menu at Le Cirque. There are many old school restaurants I have not been to, but luckily I was able to have a tasting menu (along with my younger sister) at Le Cirque this year, and it was great!
5. Tasting Menu at San Domenico. San Domenico is another old school top restaurant I got to dine at this year, (again, with my younger sister-what a lucky gal!) and had the honor of having their tasting menu. It was a fantastic meal. They are relocating to Madison Square Park and I look forward to dining in their new space next year!
Top 5 Dishes of 2008
1. Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes with chinese brocoli and crispy shallots from Momofuku Ssam Bar. The epitome of the dishes here, with amazing flavors and textures!
2. Scrambled Eggs topped with caviar from Le Cirque. The best scrambled eggs I've ever had!
3. Roasted Free Range Chicken with swiss chard, dumplings, white pearls, wild mushrooms and bacon from Dressler (in Brooklyn). This is the best chicken dish I've ever had. I'm not one who orders chicken at restaurants usually, but this dish still lingers in my mind!
4. Gravy Meatball Sliders with beef, pork, veal, and pecorino from The Little Owl. Orgasmic is all I need to say!
5. Fried Chicken "Blue Ribbon Style" with wasabi and honey from Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill. This was some great fried chicken with a kick!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
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( 2.9 / 443 )First off, let me just say for the record that my all round favorite restaurant in NYC is Momofuku Ssam. It used to be Momofuku Noodle Bar, until Ssam opened up. I have never written about the Momofuku empire, for it has gotten much press (all well deserved), and I did not want to add to all the hype, but the Momofuku empire is amazing!
I decided to finally write about my most recent Momofuku experience (there have been many- all phenomenal) because I think it is about time, and I just downright love them. I think both Momofuku Noodle bar and Ssam are ideal for solo dining, and are definitely two of the best restaurants in NYC to dine alone at. With their long wooden communal bars for dining, they’re just perfect!
I have eaten Momofuku Noodle Bar’s Momofuku Ramen many, many times, and I think it is the best ramen noodle dish in NYC. Ramen noodle restaurants have been popping up all over recently, many in the East village, and some are very good. But I still think Noodle Bar’s is the best, for their tasty and well seasoned broth, ingredients, and great Berkshire pork.
On this most recent visit I noticed the menu had changed a bit. The menu is now written on two chalkboards, the dishes are different, and unfortunately, the prices are higher. I started with two snacks; the Soy Sauce Egg ($2) and the Seven Spiced Potato Chips.
The potato chips were crispy, tasty, well seasoned, and a nice snack. I thought it was a somewhat odd dish to have on the menu, but it was just a snack, and when I look back on it, they were probably some of the best chips I have ever had. They did not blow my mind, but as far as potato chips go, they were pretty darn good!
The Soy Sauce egg did blow my mind! Never did I think a hard boiled egg could blow my mind, but leave it to Mr. David Chang and the chefs at Momofuku , and they did just that. This little egg was phenomenal! Marinated in a red wine vinaigrette, ginger, and soy sauce, and topped with crispy shallots and chives, the dish is the epitome of all the dishes I have had at both Momofuku restaurants. The flavor was amazing and the texture, with the crispiness and softness, was perfect.
For my main dish I got the Ginger Scallion dressed noodles ($11) with seasonal vegetables and Berkshire pork ($3 extra). I really enjoyed this dish, for the amazing flavor and play on texture.
Both Momofuku Noodle Bar and Momofuku Ssam are phenomenal restaurants. If you enjoy food with amazing, unique flavors and a play on texture, you must go. Just be prepared to get your mind blown! And please, buckle-up, it’ll be quite the culinary ride.
Momofuku Noodle Bar
171 1st Ave (bet. 10th and 11th)
New York, NY 10003
www.momofuku.com
Momofuku Ssam Bar
207 2nd Ave (at 13th St.)
New York, NY 10003
www.momofuku.com
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( 2.9 / 423 )Last night I went to grab a drink at the restaurant/lounge Haven in Midtown. It is an extremely sexy two floored spot, with colors of red all around, including elegant red chandeliers. The word 'bordello' is the first word that comes to mind.
Not only does Haven have a great cocktail list, but they have an international menu of small plates as well. So of course, in NYC FOODIE fashion, I just had to try the food!
I actually really liked the menu because each dish came from a different part of the world or part of the US; it was a culinary trip around the world. I went with the Duck and Fois Gras Meatballs ($17) and the Lobster Risotto ($23).
The Duck and Fois Gras Meatballs came with winter vegetables and a duck reduction. They were very delicate and delicious. I absolutely loved the duck reduction, which was both soothing and seductive!
The Lobster Risotto came with chanterelles, white truffle oil, and parmesan reggiano. This was also a great dish. The risotto was perfectly cooked and the chunks of lobster were perfect, which made for an addictive dish. It also had a nice little kick to it that was nice.
I love eating great food all over NYC. I love getting drinks all over NYC too. When you can match great drinks and great food in one spot, then I am in NYC FOODIE heaven! Haven is that heaven; an extremely sexy heaven!
Haven
244 E. 51st St. (bet. 2nd and 3rd)
New York, NY 10022
212-906-9066
www.havennewyork.com
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( 3 / 427 )Wednesday night I went to the wine bar Terroir in the East Village. Terroir comes to us from chef Marco Canora and sommelier Paul Grieco (Hearth, Insieme).
The place is small, with just one long communal table and the bar. It has a very laid back and comfortable feel, typical of most places in the East Village.
I luckily walked in with Mr. Grieco, (who I recognized outside, because I have the ability to recognize most personalities in the NYC restaurant industry) and I had him recommend what I should order.
I took his recommendations and went with the Hearts of Bibb Lettuce salad ($7) and the fried Sage Leaves with lamb sausage ($7). He paired these dishes with a unique Hungarian wine, which was wonderful.
The Hearts of Bibb Lettuce came with creamy garlic vinaigrette and bread crumbs. It was tasty, refreshing, and crunchy. I'm not a huge salad eater, but it was a nice start.
The fried Sage Leaves with lamb sausages were great! The lamb was juicy and succulent, and the wrapped fried sage leaves around them gave it the perfect crisp.
After these two little bites I decided to grab another bite and went with the fried Beet Risotto Balls with gorgonzola cheese ($7). (Too be honest, I initially thought it said "Beef" instead of "Beet" so my first thought was "Wow this beef tastes like beets!") The gorgonzola was the perfect complement for the beets, and both flavors were equally strong.
Terroir is the perfect wine bar. It has an amazing selection of unique and great wine, as well as a great menu of small bites to pair with the wine. The prices are not expensive too. It is definitely one of my favorite wine bars in all of NYC!
Terroir
413 E. 12th St. (at 1st Ave)
New York, NY 10009
646-602-1300
www.wineisterroir.com
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( 2.9 / 460 )The NYC FOODIE dish of the week is the Lobster Thermidor from Supermac ($8.95). I love lobster, and I love macaroni and cheese. Put them together and I'm in foodie heaven. Try Supermac's take on it with chunks of fresh Maine lobster, brie, and mascarpone. This creamy bowl of yumminess (topped with bread crumbs to give it a nice crunch) will satisfy your culinary cravings. It's also a great bang for your buck! PS If you are at Supermac, make sure you try their Mac and Cheese Nuggets ($5.95 for six); they are addictive.
Supermac
348 7th Avenue (bet. 29th and 30th)
New York, NY 10001
212-760-1900
www.supermacnyc.com
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