Gran Morsi means bites in Italian, representing the theme of this restaurant centered around small plates perfect to share. And as we were in the mood for Italian food, it was an ideal spot for us.
We went on a weekday, for lunch, the day Jodi graduated from The New York Academy of Art, completing a two year program culminating with a masters degree. The place was not that crowded and I admit that I was fine with it, the noise level being reasonable and the atmosphere relaxed. I like the decor at Gran Morsi: warm, with a touch of nature that is unexpected I the heart of TriBeCa.
So I finally made it to Momosan Ramen and Sake, the ramen joint from acclaimed Chef Morimoto. We went during the week, at 11:30am, right at the moment they opened and, surely enough, there was a line in front of it, but not long enough to prevent us from having a seat. However, thirty minutes later, the place was full. I liked the decor there: modern and warm, the walls being garnished with some of the dishes they serve there.
Located in the Ink48 hotel in what used to be a printing factory, Print is a true find. Serving seasonal ingredients, this off the beaten path restaurant opened in 2010 does not have the feel of being the restaurant in a hotel and truly stands out on its own. Its rustic and at the same time modern decor contributes to this feeling: wooden tables, pieces of wood representing the printing factory, as well as concrete walls creates a great atmosphere.
If like me you love chicken, you need to try Roast Homestyle Chicken in East Harlem. That's a bit of a trip, but indulging there some delicious bird prepared South style (i.e. Fried) or French style (i.e. Rotisserie) will make you regret that you do not have such place in your neighborhood. This small kosher place, opened last October, has a rustic decor and a house kitchen on the left of the counter that gives the feel you are eating at somebody's home.
Far from the popular Korea Town (aka K-Town) area and in the posh TriBeCa, sits a dynamic Korean barbecue joint called Gunbae. This place is not only a restaurant, but also offers karaoke private rooms that are probably used by the crowd after a delicious meal full of classic Korean dishes. We were just looking for a place to go in that area and I am glad we stumbled upon it: good food, great service and good atmosphere, although the noise level, with the loud music doesn't suit a romantic dinner.
The last time I went to Jean-Georges, the eponymous restaurant of Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, was in 2002 and I remember that I promised myself that I would go back. At the time, it was the first restaurant where I got to eat a modern take on dishes, with, from what I recall, a fish served with a strawberry foam. The place changed for sure with three main areas: The bar, the small dining area next to the open kitchen and the main dining room where we were seated.
I discovered ramen Zundo-Ya while going for steak at Prime and Beyond on a Friday night. Walking on 10th street, I noticed a line in front of a restaurant and, sure enough, it was a ramen joint I never heard about, although it opened last December, the location in New York being the first one, there are also 19 restaurants in Japan. I looked at the menu and did not think twice: I needed to try this place before the outside temperature would be too high for this kind of meal. So we went back to that area last Saturday, ready for one of my favorite soups.
I have been to Katsu Hama few times, but never tried their hot ramen, going more for the cold noodles as well as the Torikara Nanban lunch special that is composed of fried chicken, a good deal for lunch, or the chicken katsu. We went there on a Saturday and the place was not that crowded. If you have never been to Katsu Hama, know that it is on the second floor of a building. They have several areas for dining: next to the bar, back dining room as well as a small area with two tables separate from the rest.
Gigino Trattoria is located in the trendy TriBeCa. This quite large restaurant boasts a rustic decor and an impressive menu where most of the breads and pasta are house made (I chose the one dish that was probably not...).
After a visit at The Whitney Museum, Jodi, her cousin Jessica and myself decided to get some lunch at The Gansevoort Market, a block away. I like that place, moreover the concept, allowing patrons to try a wide variety of food. But I admit that this time, our first choice was a mistake: we stopped by M Terranean, a place serving Mediterranean cuisine.
Rare are people who think about going to The Upper East Side to have lunch: they are wrong. Over the years, I have discovered several restaurants in that neighborhood, the last one being MeiJin Ramen. I like the restaurant itself, where you are greeted in Japanese when you enter, a bit a la Ippudo I would say, but without the clamors of the staff that follow. Its atmosphere is warm and the decor zen. In the back is the kitchen that got busier as time passed (we arrived when they opened).
This week, I discovered The Gilroy, a cocktail bar located on the Upper East Side. Yes, The Gilroy is not just a bar: it is close to a lounge that has this 1940s feel, perfect for dates or not so loud meet up (tradition: there is music, but not overly loud, so you can have a conversation, probably important if you are on a date, although sometimes you wish the music was louder...). The place is composed of three areas: the bar, the main room in the front of the bar, and the backroom that can also be used for private parties, and has this interesting setup for the DJ or any tired staff during closed hours.
If you want to eat some good pizza in a restaurant setting, Angelo's Pizza might be your place. I have been going to this place for years and have never been disappointed. I usually go to the location on Broadway, next to the David Letterman Show, but, this time, I decided to go to the one few blocks from there, on 57th between 6th and 7th.
Sazon is a Puerto Rican restaurant located in the heart of TriBeCa. Elegant, but with an interesting decor, the walls being padded, and trying to give a vibe that is between a club and a restaurant, to the point where the music was a bit too loud.
If you love pizza, there is no way you do not know about Grimaldi's the eponymous pizza restaurant opened by Patsy Grimaldi years ago in Brooklyn. Some consider that it is the best pizza in New York, surpassing Lombardi that is the oldest pizzeria in the US. Others say it is Di Fara, but, at the time of this post, I did not try this place yet...
I am a bit late to post on my dinner at Mr Chow in TriBeCa: we went there for Winter Restaurant Week 2016. This is a popular, trendy, noisy place for sure and I admit that I was not sure what to expect. After looking at their Restaurant Week menu, we decided finally to order from the regular menu as the Restaurant Week menu they proposed did not allow us to share, Jodi being more inclined to order the vegetarian items on the prix-fixe and me preferring the non-vegetarian ones.
American Cut is a take on steakhouse from acclaimed Chef Marc Forgione. There is no doubt that Marc Forgione is talented, gratifying us with amazing food in his eponymous restaurant, but also at Khe-Yo, an elegant Laotian place, also located in TriBeCa, where the food is as fantastic as the music is loud. I had American Cut on my list for a while and was excited to finally try it.
So, I discovered Bangkok Cuisine last Friday and I admit that it is probably one of the most beautiful Thai places I have been so far in the City. With its decor that is an homage to the palaces in Thailand, you cannot miss the beautiful Buddha in the center, that separates the bar area that has few tables, from the main dining room. The owners (it is a family owned business that started in 1974 and has multiple locations) put a lot of details there, including a waterfall that would mask a bit the street noise and provide a calming white noise.
I must have passed in front of White Street without even noticing it so many times that I was really surprised when we arrived in front of it for our dinner. It is an impressive restaurant for sure, located in a 19th Century building that was a former armory. Today, the only weapon you would find are the knives and forks from the diners coming to indulge there. The space is elegant and I did not expect such sophistication. At the entrance is the wine cellar, fully opened.
We passed Joy Burger Bar many, many times, saying that we should go there to see if their burgers are good. But I admit that we never had the opportunity to go there, my list of restaurants to try being like Sysiphe's well: endless. Until we were looking for a place close to W4th street, walking down Avenue of The Americas.
I wanted to go to International Wings Factory for a while, after seeing a mouth watering photo from my friend Malini, The Restaurant Fairy, on Instagram. I love wings, a dish that I discovered in France, at...Pizza Hut! Ok, not sure this is a good reference, but, at the time, it was the only place where I could get wings. Since then, I think I caught up on years of not knowing and most importantly indulging in what I consider a guilty pleasure. So I was thrilled to discover the jewel that Chef Deepak Ballaney, a Culinary Institute of America alumni, opened 4 years ago.
It seems that the Financial health of the City is measured by the number of steakhouses. Well, I guess that it is true and, considering the number of steakhouses that opened in the few years, we would think we are beyond a recovery. The last one I discovered is Rocco Steakhouse, located North of Madison Square Park: a classic American steakhouse, opened 7 months ago, that is named after of one of the owners, Rocco Trotta, who, with Pete Pjetrovic and Jeff Kolenovic, succeeded in creating an inviting space with a menu, crafted by Executive Chef Johnny Jevric. It is definitely not your old school steakhouse, with heavy decor and low light: it was bright and I was glad that the noise level was acceptable, allowing us to have a nice conversation while indulging.
If there is one event I am always looking forward to in Hoboken, it is the food trucks at Pier 13. Food trucks are great: a good way to try different food at a reasonable price, with various trucks coming each week end and even every night during the Summer, in a setting overlooking the beautiful New York skyline. I like the relaxed atmosphere there and the variety of food served that can satisfy the non-vegetarian, the vegetarian, as well as people with a sweet tooth (well, I am all of this, so it is even better). So you can pay cash at the trucks, they conveniently installed an ATM machine that I do not remember was there last year.
How did I end up at The Brazen Fox? Well, simply after winning a bet where the price was...bone marrow. Originally, we were supposed to go to Swine to get their bone marrow burger, but, we discovered that they are closed on Mondays. So, after looking on the internet, our plan B was The Brazen Fox in the East Village. This place is a bar, located on 13th and 3rd avenue. Quite big, it has two floors, the second floor being probably quieter and overlooking the street for those who like people watching...from the top...
Menu wise, they have snacks, small plates as well as large plates. But I went for one and only one dish: the "roo burger", understand kangaroo burger. I had kangaroo before, not as a burger, but a steak, when I was living in France, at a time when kangaroo and ostrich meat became a novelty, offering a healthier alternative to beef. Kangaroo has a very particular taste, far from beef and closer to venison, with a strong gamey flavor.
Church Street Tavern is the kind of place that could be on top of my list, but is not because of the multiple issues we had with the service. I rarely comment on service unless it is exceptional. For poor service, I rarely do it because I understand that waiters are not in control of everything. Could the kitchen be the problem for instance? They could also be understaffed for whatever reason. Well, at Church Street Tavern, the issue was our waiter. First, if your patrons do not feel like having a drink, you should not make them sense you are disappointed because your tip will be lower, the bill not matching your expectations.
I was looking for a quite BBQ place and stumbled upon Daisy May's BBQ USA, a small joint located off the beaten path, close to the now popular Gotham West Market. Going there is like stepping in another dimension, the decor being a bit over the top...
I have been a fan of Dominique Ansel way before he made headlines with the Cronut. My ultimate pick at his bakery is the DKA or Dominique Kouign Amman, a buttery mount of deliciousness that makes me drool just thinking about it. And guess what? You may have to queue up at 5am for the Cronut, you do not need to for the DKA! But don't get me wrong, the Cronut is delicious and sort of have a French touch to the doughnuts, creating a craze that seems to have worn off.
Last Saturday, we went for brunch to Maman (mom in French), a new up and coming place in TriBeCa. I cannot remember what was in that location, but Maman is surely a good addition in the neighborhood, proposing family inspired recipes from France and North America, thanks to the association of Chef Armand Arnal, Benjamin Sormone and Elisa Marshall.
I was looking for a burger place near TriBeCa when I stumbled upon Breakroom Burger and Tacos. First, the combination of burger and tacos was fairly interesting, although there is already Burger and Lobster, so why not that one! Then, it is in the heart of Chinatown, between a bail bondsman and an acupuncturist. Small place for sure, it is better to either come early or with a small party. When we arrived, we were lucky to be able to sit in the last two tables available, next to the counter that was blasting some terrible music that I hoped would never be in a Christmas gift.
To start our lunch, we went for the guacamole, small size. I admit that I was expecting smaller and was surprised by the amount of tortilla chips it came with. Usually you have to ask for more, but not at Dos Caminos. It also came with three sauces from mild to hot. I liked the hot one, that, although quite spicy I could not stop going back to.
So, there is a new addition in the Hoboken food scene, an Italian restaurant called Sorellina ("little sister" in Italian). This place opened recently where Helmer's, a German restaurant used to be, closing after nearly eighty years of service. For sure the makeover that was done made Sorellina more appealing to the crowd (including the younger one), having both a rustic and modern feel.
House of Que, the BBQ restaurant located on Sinatra Drive in Hoboken, is not unknown to me: we went last December, two weeks after they opened and at the time, my review was fairly good, promising myself to go back to try their chicken and pecan pie. So I was excited to go back, invited by the owners, with the opportunity to meet with Chef Michael Rodriguez, a Texas pit master who brought to the East Coast authentic Austin BBQ. Chef Rodriguez gave us a bit of his background, from his years at Salt Lick BBQ in Texas that I saw (and tasted) at the Big Apple BBQ Block Party couple of year ago, to Tres Carnes in the City that is on my long list of places to try and may come on top after this phenomenal lunch we had today!
You should not judge a book by its cover we say. That's the way I see Satay Malaysian Cuisine in Hoboken. The bloc where it is located is mainly known for housing Carlo's Bakery, the famous original bakery of The Cake Boss. This place has some amazing food that is worth to try whether you like Asian food or not. We went several times and, each time, our experience there has been fantastic. The decor is quite colorful, with the kitchen giving the impression the dining room is outside with its roof-like awning.
When we went to Bouley in TriBeCa, I was definitely unimpressed, if not disappointed. But we still were going to give a chance to the famous Chef, trying the Japanese restaurant he opened with Yoshiki Tsuji, Brushstroke. And you know what? It was much, much, much better, with a tasting that was memorable.
As it will soon not be ramen time for me: I love the hot soup one and I am less inclined to have these noodles in a cold dish, although I tried once at Takumi and it was delicious, but I really associate ramen with colder days...One of the ramen joints that was on my radar is Ramen-Ya and we decided to go for lunch on a week day. When we arrived at their location on West 4th street, I was really surprised to see the entrance that is a white townhouse, giving the impression you are going to a friend to have a meal.
When I was invited to Hell's Chicken last Monday, I was pretty happy to get another opportunity to go to that place, having visited it with my friend Benny few months ago as we were looking for a fried chicken place (see the post about my first visit at Hell's Chicken). This time, I went with another friend, Abe, who is also a huge fan of the fried bird and was as excited as I was to go there. We went for dinner and met with the owner, Sung Jin Min who opened this restaurant in the Spring of 2013.
Owned by Chef Maung Htein Linn, who also owns Tabata Ramen, Nippori is a Japanese restaurant located in the heart of Midtown. I should mention that both Tabata and Nippori are train stations from a Tokyo circle line. At Nippori, the Chef crafted a menu that he considers authentically Japanese, serving not only ramen, but also sushi, sashimi, etc. When we arrived, at opening time, the place was not crowded and it took only 15 minutes to start seeing customers arriving to the point where people where waiting for a table.
So we were back to Via Vai in Astoria where Chef Antonio Morichini is now proposing a family meal on Sundays, called “Pranzo di Domenica in famiglia”. Yes, a family meal and not a brunch, although there are few dishes with eggs on the menu. As he said, if he would call it a brunch, not only people would expect eggs, but also waffles and pancakes, that are not items he is proposing. At Via Vai, you would only get traditional Italian dishes:
It's been 2 and a half years since we went to Hunter's a restaurant in Brooklyn with a neighborhood feel. We did not go back because of the time it takes us to go to Brooklyn, picking mainly restaurants in Manhattan. Well, that's definitely a mistake in a way, this place serving a very good cuisine made of classic dishes composed of sustainable ingredients.
I was recently invited at The royal Munkey, an Indian restaurant located in Kips Bay. The experience there is sort of unique as, usually, you would go to an Indian restaurant for the food, the decor and ambiance not being really considered. Well, it is not the case at The Royal Munkey: you might want to go for the cocktails and ambiance first, and then for the food. Not that the food is not good, but the atmosphere at this place is kind of festive, as the photo below can attest, a birthday being celebrated there.
So we finally made it to Bubby's, after repeated suggestions from one of the blog's readers (thanks Ttrockwood!). Not ghat this place was not on my list, Jodi mentioning it several times and raving about their brunch and biscuits that I tried one time, when she brought back one from a brunch with her cousin Rebecca. Instead of going to the one in TriBeCa, we decided to go to the location close to the High Line.
I found Takashi when looking for a ramen place close to Christopher Street and did not expect to find a menu where all parts (yes, I wrote ALL) of a cow would be eaten. For sure they have ramen, but what convinced me to go was more the other dishes that would probably creep out many people. I went alone as there was no way Jodi would have joined the experience or should I say experiment...
I was recently invited for a tasting at Petrossian, the luxurious but not outrageously expensive restaurant located in the beautiful Alwyn Court building, one block from The Carnegie Hall and few steps from Central Park. It was not my first time there as I went few years ago for dinner and brunch in what is known as the first purveyor of caviar in the world, boasting a century old experience in this business that is fast growing, with caviar produced from more and more countries and not just from Russian and Iran as it used to be decades ago.
We got seated in their dining room that I admit misses a bit of the charm you would find in places like O'Neals or City Bistro. Service wise, it was efficient and courteous, checking on us if we needed anything. When we sat, and while we were looking at the menu, they brought us a fruit salad that was a nice touch.
We finally made it to Fette Sau, crowned the best BBQ place in New York. And you know what? I agree! The food there was phenomenal, each piece of meat being so flavorful, moist and so tender it melted in my mouth.
This place is always packed, so, instead of going on a week end, we decided to go one of the days we were off, showing up at 5pm, the time they open.
To celebrate Jodi's graduation, we decided to go to Russet, a restaurant located in an old town house near the center of Philadelphia. There, Chef-owners Kristin and Andrew Wood crafted a menu inspired by French and Italian cuisine, using seasonal ingredients. You can check their menu on their website, but it may change on a daily basis, depending on the availability of ingredients. In fact, I even noticed that they mentioned some of their products purveyors on the menu.