Gelato at Grom = $$$

It Tastes Great....but it will Cost You!

After our meal at De Santos, Melissa and I walked by Grom (http://www.grom.it/eng/) on our way to the subway. Our meal didn't include a dessert and my sweet tooth was aching, so I wanted to pop in for a treat. 

I always struggle with what flavor to order at new places: do I want to go with a flavor I know I will be happy with....or do I experiment with a new flavor? While I realize you can sample whatever you ultimately purchase, somehow liking a small sample doesn't always translate into liking an entire serving!

I decided to order mint chip. It was DELICIOUS! 

This photo is not to scale, it makes the container look HUGE

After enjoying my dessert, it was clear that it was a high quality product. It is expensive though, especially considering the serving size. I got a medium (which wasn't that sizable) and it had to have been $5 or more. 

I think the best bet would be to get a larger size and split it with someone else so you can try several flavors!

Cheers,

Liz

 

A Battle Through Times Square for Happy Hour!

Gyu-Kaku has Deals all Day!

Recently, I met up with Melissa during the week to take advantage of Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Times Square's Happy Hour (http://gyu-kaku.com/ny/timessquare.htm). This location has Happy Hour for lunch (11:30AM - 3:00PM) and dinner (3:00PM - 6:00PM & 9:30PM - 11:00PM). The drink deal during this time is 50% off select drinks. The meal deal is reduced pricing on most menu items.

I enjoy informative art

We ordered the steamed chili dumplings ($6, normally $8), bistro hanger streak ($5, normally $8), sukiyaki bibimbap ($6, normally $10), and chocolate lava cake ($6, normally $8). With a Yelp! check-in, we each got a free edamame ($4 value). Social media has measurable value people!

Steamed Chili Dumplings

Chocolate Lava Cake

I didn't snap photos of everything, but trust that it was yummy. The Bibimbap arrived in a hot stone pot. It is served with a raw egg and continues to cook. We didn't realize how hot it was and some of the rice started to get too crispy...nearly burnt. Next time, I'll need to make sure to monitor it more closely!

The dessert was super tasty. It didn't have any Asian twist to it (I love the Green Tea one at Spot Dessert Bar) but it was lovely.

I would recommend only visiting this spot if it is during Happy Hour, otherwise it is a bit pricey for what it is.

Cheers,

Liz

 

Visiting the Lab for Kickass Gelato

Il Laboratorio Del Gelato is a Treat!

After our lovely dinner at Katz's Deli, Scott and I spotted the perfect spot for dessert: il laboratorio del gelato (http://www.laboratoriodelgelato.com/) is right across the street!

A peek into where the magic is made!

This is not your typical gelato shop. It is full of incredibly unique flavors. I wanted to try something different while making sure I would still enjoy it (this can sometimes be a difficult balance to achieve!). I chose a selection of three flavors: espresso chip, malt and Vietnamese cinnamon. I loved the malt and cinnamon flavors! I found the espresso to be a bit too bitter for my liking.

My dessert!

Next time, I may try some of the more exotic flavors: earl grey, lavender, pumpkin, and wasabi!

If you're in the Lower East Side and craving something sweet, make a stop here!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Milk Does a Body Good

Dessert as Addictive as Crack

After our wonderful dinner at B4, the girls and I headed to Momofuku Milk Bar (http://www.yelp.com/biz/momofuku-milk-bar-new-york-4) is the East Village. I've had the pleasure of dining here before, so I was full of recommendations on what to order.

First, we started with a pint of the Cereal Milk soft serve. If you get an individual serving, it is $4. The pint (which is easily more than 2x the size of the individual) is $8. Make sure to get the pint layered with cereal crunchies! The salty-sweetness is what makes this dessert a stand out. If you're a fan of things like salted caramel or kettle corn, you will LOVE this! I was too busy eating to remember to take photos, so this is all I have. #sorryimnotsorry

Tasting Portions

We split up the pint into individual servings so we could taste a bunch of things. We also ordered a slice of crack pie (it reminds me of a pecan pie...minus the pecans). It has the sweetness of a condensed milk dessert. So yummy! We also got the birthday cake truffles. If you love that taste, this intense flavored ball of goodness will blow your socks off.

There are several other Milk bars in New York, including the Upper West Side, Midtown West, Williamsburg and Carroll Gardens. Make sure to check it out and you MUST try the cereal milk!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Sundaes and Cones

It's Never Too Cold for Ice Cream!

After dinner at Han Dynasty, I was craving dessert. Especially given that my lips were numb from eating super spicy Szechuan food, I was wanting some SWEET relief - get it? Ok, I'll stop.

I knew we were right up the block from Sundaes and Cones (http://www.sundaescones.com/), a cute ice cream shop I've wanted to visit but never passed at the right time.

After looking at all of the ice cream flavors, I went with Mocha Chip. There are a ton of fun flavors to choose from, especially Asian-inspired ones like Thai Tea and Black Sesame.

Mocha Chip

The ice cream was delicious. I thought I ordered one scoop and when this thing came out I was a bit taken aback, but that didn't stop me from finishing it. CLEAN PLATE CLUB.

Liv, Christine and I were looking at the ice cream cakes behind the display and I noticed this lovely cake.

A Crappy Cake

It looks like dog shit on grass. Surely, this must be a special order cake from someone with interesting taste, to say the least. I checked the company website and this is ACTUALLY FEATURED under cakes as "Poo on Grass" - WHY? Evidence:

http://www.sundaescones.com/display_cake.htm?cake=013&caption=Poo%20on%20Grass

If you want to get someone a cake for a celebration, maybe don't order this one...

Cheers,

Liz

 

The River(park) Runs Deep

Depth of Flavors Delight the Senses

Ah! Restaurant Week, you are amazing! Not only do you deliver delicious food to my mouth at a huge discount, you last for WEEKS! Melissa and I hit up one of her favorite spots, Riverpark (http://www.riverparknyc.com/), for dinner. As an aside, Melissa already came here 3 times (!!!) for Restaurant Week. I knew this was going to be a delicious meal!

A unique feature of this Tom Colicchio is that the entire menu is featured for Restaurant Week. Naturally, some of the menu items have an upcharge due to the ingredients featured. I forgot to snap a picture, but we started our meal with a delicious piece of fresh baked bread. The bread is made on site and so yummy!! We were offered another piece but I said no because I already stuffed a slice of pizza in my mouth at Beer Blast (the Happy Hour at Stern). See, I have self-control! ha

We both ordered the same pasta as an appetizer. It featured cocoa spaccatelli, pork ragu, Honeycrisp apples and sage.

Beautiful Pasta!

The pasta was tasty! The cocoa was likely added for color as I couldn't taste it directly. Though, the overall profile of the dish was very complex, so I'm sure it added to the taste.

After looking at the menu, we found two entrees we both wanted to try. So, we ordered one of each! We got the Whole Roasted Dorade with baby artichokes, capers, fennel and olives and the Cocoa Spiced Pekin Duck with blood orange, fennel, pearl onions, red cabbages and chiles.

Whole Roasted Dorade

Cocoa Spiced Pekin Duck

It is hard to pick which of this dishes was my favorite! The fish was moist, light and flaky. You can't really tell from the photo, but once you lift it from the middle, the fish was completely deboned and ready to NOM! It is nice to not have to pick out the bones. The assortment of vegetables and spices was lovely and not overwhelming to the fish. The duck was tender and tasted great with the blood orange.

For dessert, we ordered "Cereal & Milk" - the restaurant's signature dessert. Melissa assured me that it was worth the $3 upcharge! The dessert is composed of a chocolate ganache cake, caramelized rice puffs, and vanilla malt (hidden within the chocolate shell). We also got the Beignets that were served vanilla custard and spiced chocolate sauce.

Cereal & Milk

Beignets

We totally messed up and should have ordered TWO Cereal & Milk desserts!!! The beignets were ok but could not stand a chance compared to this delicious dessert. You break the chocolate shell and the vanilla malt inside covers the entire dessert. I should have taken a photo of it after we broke the shell but we were too busy eating it!

This is an incredible restaurant with phenomenal food! It is a much better value to come here during Restaurant Week but worth a visit regardless JUST FOR THE DESSERT!

Cheers,

Liz

 

It's Miller('s Tavern) Time!

Hot Drinks on a Cold Night

After our dinner at M Shanghai, Christine, Lisa and I headed to Miller's Tavern (millerstavernbrooklyn) for after dinner drinks. After I read through the menu, I knew I would order a hot drink. When it's freezing outside, it just makes sense.

I started with the Hot Buttered Rum, made with Dark Rum, Clove and Vermont Butter.  

Hot Buttered Rum

This drink was nice and I loved the cup it was served in! I'm sure you can see the butter clustering at the top of the drink. It had a hint of creaminess from the butter but wasn't overpowering. If anything, it could have benefitted from more clove/spices in it to up the flavor profile. It was good but not particularly memorable.

For my second drink, I ordered The Regulator - another hot cocktail! It is made with Applejack, Bourbon, and Ginger.

The Regulator

This drink had more flavor, likely due to the Applejack - an Apple Brandy. I really enjoyed it!

After we had our first two cocktails, we ordered a dessert to split between the three of us. We ordered the Molten Chocolate Cake served with gelato and sea salt. For this evening, the gelato was a caramel flavor. SO TASTY!

Oh, hi there dessert!

We didn't order any food here beyond the dessert, though Lisa's boyfriend joined us and got the burger. It looked yummy! Since the dessert was really tasty, it could be worth coming back here for an entire meal.

Cheers!
Liz

 

I Love You Down to The Marrow

Restaurant Week Begins!

In New York City (and in cities across the country), Restaurant Week is a magical time. Not only do you get to visit many restaurants that may be outside of your price range for $25 for lunch and $38 for dinner, the week breaks rules of the universe. The "week" lasts from February 17th to March 7th - amazing! Also, if you have an American Express card and register it to save $5 for EACH Restaurant Week transaction (https://enroll.amexnetwork.com/US/en/winternycrw2014/).

I'm a big fan of the Top Chef franchise and winner of the first season, Harold Dieterle - this is his third venture in NYC (also owns Perilla and Kin Shop). The Marrow has German and Italian influences. The menu for Restaurant Week is key - even if the spot you're going to is well-known for certain dishes, make sure some of them are on the reduced-price menu! Otherwise, what is the point of visiting it?

We arrived a bit earlier and each ordered a cocktail at the bar. I got the Eye of the Tiger, made with Cognac, 7 year old rum, vanilla and cinnamon.

Eye of the Tiger

The cocktail had a wonderful profile; I loved the touch of the single massive ice cube too! Aish ordered the Miss Roberts' Cobbler, made with Owney's Rum, Pear Jam, Lavender and Thyme.

Miss Roberts' Cobbler

She loved it so I had to try a sip - it was tasty! Once our table was ready, we were seated and given the menu. We already looked it over before we came so we knew exactly what to order!

We did noticed that the menu featured three bottles of wine for $38! We ordered the Red, the Pittnaur Velvet 2008 from Burgenland, Austria.

Lovely Red Wine!

I'm glad we split this - for about 2.5 glasses each, that is a great bargain. While we waited for our entrees, we were served a freshly baked (and HOT!) pretzel style roll with mustard and oil.

I think I could have eaten 10 of these...

Spicy mustard and olive oil complement the bread!

Just as we were finishing up our rolls, we were served our first course. We both ordered the Roasted Sunchoke Soup topped with toasted sunflower seeds and snipped chives.

A Bowl Full of Warm Deliciousness

The soup came out PIPING HOT! After it cooled down for a hot second (no pun intended), we enjoyed each and every spoonful. The soup had a velvety texture and was utter perfection.

For my entrée, I ordered the Sautéed Skate Wing, served with Black Forest Ham, Cabbage and Warm Mustard Sauce. I'm a huge fan of Skate, so I was excited to try it.  

Skate into my mouth please

The German-style prep on the Skate was different and incredibly tasty. I was very happy with my order! Aish, the vegetarian that she is, ordered the Housemade Pappardelle served with braised forest mushrooms, lemon thyme and pecorino.

Who's Your Pappardelle?

She really liked it, or at least I assume she did, since she inhaled it. This is why we're such good friends!

For the desserts, I ordered the Spiced Streusel Kuchen, served with roasted apples and caramel ice cream.

Spiced Streusel Kuchen

This dessert was delicious!! Aish wanted no part of it since she isn't a big fan of apples - weirdo! Just kidding. She went with the other option, the Milk Chocolate Panna Cotta, served with grape jam and peanut biscotti.  

Milk Chocolate Panna Cotta

I much prefer dark chocolate to milk, but Aish loved it. I was happy for her. She avoided the apples, so she was a happy camper.

When we were given the check, we were presented with MORE food. Two gingersnap style cookies - so great.

COOKIES NOM NOM NOM

I was very happy with the overall experience. I look forward to coming back here to order some other menu items, especially the Pan-Fried Duck Schnitzel!

Happy Restaurant (Three) Week(s)!

Cheers,

Liz

 

No Breakfast? No Problem.

When I can't order an Omelette, I order Cake.

Instead of sipping a fine Cab in Napa on President's Day, I attempted to not get hit by a cab in New York as I sloshed through the yucky, mucky snow with Aish. We originally wanted to go to this crazy diner called Shopsins but it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. At least I checked online before we walked over so it wasn't a complete bust.

I suggested going to Max Brenner (http://maxbrenner.com/locations/usa/restaurant-nyc/) since we wouldn't have to wait. I made a reservation on OpenTable...just in case! We were ready to feast on Omelettes. As a side note, I already talked up this dish A LOT so we were both excited to order them!

When we arrived, it was clear a reservation wasn't necessary. If we had arrived 30 minutes later (say around noon), it would have been a different story. Better safe than sorry! We gave the server our order and were promptly SHUT DOWN. No breakfast after 11am! Even on a holiday! Instead of sulking, we made the adult decision of ordering a dessert instead.

Apparently this culture does not include breakfast after 11am!

I knew I didn't have to look at the menu! I was in the mood for the Melting Heart Truffle Heart Cake & Shake. It consists of a milk & white chocolate heart cake served with creamy vanilla ice cream, red berries and an iced milk chocolate shot.

SO CUTE!

You may be wondering: what is in the martini shaker? Melted milk chocolate of course! I drizzled it all over everything and, at one point, directly into my mouth. Whatever, it happened.

Aish went with the Banana Split Waffles, made with caramelized bananas, vanilla ice cream, sugar krispies, milk chocolate ganache and Choco-pops (little balls of chocolate).

Is that a Banana on your plate? Oh ok, thank you for clarifying.

Her dish was very tasty! The waffles were not warm in temperature - likely pre-prepared. If they were a bit warm, they would melt the ice cream, which would have been better.

Overall, I do like this place but not as much as I used to. It may be because I've gone to so many other places in NYC that are better that the novelty has worn off. I think I'm also bitter about being able to order the Omelette I really wanted - ha!

Cheers,

Liz

 

We Hit The (Dessert) Jackpot!

Rice to Riches = Nom to Nom

After we finished up our dinner at The Boil, Scott and I were sad to learn that there was no dessert offered at the restaurant! To think this place calls itself an upstanding establishment but offered no dessert - insanity!

This did not deter our quest for sweet, sweet satisfaction. I looked online and saw that we were close to Rice to Riches (https://www.ricetoriches.com/), a very tasty Rice Pudding spot. Since it specializes in one type of dessert, it has utterly mastered it. I went here one time before with my parents so I knew this was a solid choice.

Scott shared with me that I didn't show him enough love on my blog, so here he is! Standing outside all the glory that is Rice to Riches!

Oh hi there, are you a model? EXCEL MODELER I MEAN - finance joke.

I love the entrance to the location- it looks like a grain of rice! Foreshadowing of what is to come! We sampled a few of the offerings but I already knew what we were going to order. In the past, I got the Sex Drugs and Rocky Road and the Fluent in French Toast. Aren't the names punny? I just cannot handle it. I deal with it by eating all of it quickly, "sharing" some with Scott.

French Toast (left) and Rocky Road (right) - NOT REFRIED BEANS! I bet you cannot unsee that though...

The spot has a fun vibe to it. The walls are filled with snarky comments. One of my favorites is the warning to potentially annoying customers.

You've Been Warned!

If you're craving rice pudding, this IS the place to go.

Cheers,

Liz

 

Opps! I Ate My Valentine (Doughnut)

It was Delicious!

After our yummy lunch at the Rocking Horse Café, Melissa and I headed to Doughnut Plant (http://doughnutplant.com/) for dessert. Since it was a Hallmark holiday, we needed to celebrate it. This menu welcomed us with open arms, of course we were going inside!

DOUGHNUTS!

The inside of the location is warm and inviting - this may be because it is full of doughnuts! The doughnut pillows on the wall add a certain touch.

CHECK OUT THESE DOUGHNUTS!

If you think the wall art is beautiful, check out the real thing!

Do I have to pick just one?

Given that it was Valentine's Day and the description sounded delicious, I ordered the Everything's Coming Up Roses, heart shaped rose doughnut.

Rose Doughnut - photo does not want to cooperate!

This yeast doughnut was delicious! The rose petals were beautiful to look at and delicious to eat! This is not your average grocery store doughnut - this place is on another level.

Cappuccino

To complement the doughnut, I ordered a cappuccino. The place has wonderful hot chocolate but I thought it may be too much sweetness together.

I cannot wait to go back here to try some more doughnuts! If you're in Chelsea or the Lower East Side, please check it out!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Visiting a Beautiful County

Lovely Food, Cocktails and Dessert!

Ingrid and I went for a lovely girl date last Saturday! There is nothing better than catching up with a close friend over delicious food and cocktails! Before we headed to a comedy show at The Stand, we had dinner at County (http://countynyc.com/).

Interior of the Restaurant

The seating is family style. We went at 6pm so THANK GOD we did not need to sit by other people.

Fresh Cut Flowers Added a Touch

We each started with a cocktail. I chose the Lavender Diamond, made with Gin, Crème de Violette, Dry Vermouth, Hibiscus Flower, Orange Bitters and Rose Water. I'd compare it to a floral martini.

Lavender Diamond

The cocktail was well balanced but a bit strong. I did like it but it was definitely a sipping drink...not a chugging a drink! Ingrid went with the Hudson Swizzle, made with Vodka, Fresh Blueberry & Lemon, Ginger, Pomegranate, and Orange Blossom Water.

Hudson Swizzle

We decided to split an appetizer based on Yelp! reviews. The Salmon Tartare was made with Crispy Sushi Rice, Herb Crème Fraiche, Fresh Grated Horseradish and Lemon Zest and Sesame Garlic Topping. This was SO GOOD! The sauces really complemented the salmon - so tasty!

Salmon Tartare

Ingrid ordered the Pan Roasted Chicken. The dish featured organic chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, braised collard greens and pan drippings.

Pan Roasted Chicken

The chicken was very tender! I was a bit jealous of what she ordered when I saw it! She is a good friend though, so she let me try some. She also ordered a side of Garlic Herb Parmesan Fries. She said we could "share" it - I clearly ate more than my part, but we cannot let fries go to waste!

Garlic Herb Parmesan Fries

I read rave reviews about the House Cavatelli, made with Pork Ragu, Fresh Ricotta, Braised Kale, Lemon Breadcrumbs, and Pecorino Pepato.

House Cavatelli

The pasta and the pork were great however the lemon breadcrumbs were a bit excessive. It would have been ok if there was only a dusting of breadcrumbs and not a blizzard.

After I finished my first drink, I ordered the Candied Ginger Old Fashioned, made with Bourbon, Ramazzotti, Candied Ginger, Angostura and Orange Bitters.

Candied Ginger Old Fashioned

I loved this drink! For me, it was much more smooth than the first cocktail. I never really upload photos of me enjoying my cocktails, so here is one for your viewing pleasure! :)

Cheers from Personalitini!

Ingrid and I are both big fans of dessert (because we are humans), so we decided to split one. We went with the bread pudding, topped with a bourbon glaze.

Bread Pudding

This was delicious! Overall, a solid restaurant with a strong cocktail list, delicious entrees and great service. I would recommend getting the Salmon Tartare appetizer and the Bread Pudding for sure!

Cheers,

Liz

 

The Polar Vortex Had No Chance

Hungry? Have a Salty Pimp

In between our West Village Cocktail Crawl, Aish and I required dessert. Naturally, it was freezing outside, so we chose ice cream. Was there even a choice? I'm not sure.

I suggested that we go to Big Gay Ice Cream (http://biggayicecream.com/treats/). I've been there before to get the Salty Pimp, made with vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche, sea salt and chocolate dip. I love the taste combination, so I ordered it...again!

Salty Pimp

Aish went with the Rocky Road cone with chocolate ice cream, marshmallows and nuts. It looked delicious and she loved it. It didn't look cute so I didn't take a photo. Sadness.

There is ample seating inside so we were able to enjoy our frozen treat inside without freezing ourselves.

If you're in the neighborhood (or the East Village, there is another location), stop by!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Steel Magnolia (Bakery)

An Oldie but Goodie

Where do I start? I love love love this Magnolia Bakery (http://www.magnoliabakery.com/). I was first exposed to my favorite cupcake spot when I was watching Sex and the City. I Googled the episode to find out which season (Season 3, Episode 5, titled "No Ifs, Ands, or Buts"). I also looked on YouTube for the episode (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYSsHEdWhi4), Note: this is a super random user upload but it is the actual episode!

Anyway, this was a bit of a tangent but I felt it was necessary. My love for this bakery goes way back (2000 when the episode aired). Now that I live in New York City, I am able to visit much more frequently than when my family lived in New Jersey. Magnolia launched the trend of cupcakes that has led to the opening of many other bakeries. What is good for one shop is good for others, which in turn, is great for dessert lovers such as myself!

After our brunch at Yerba Buena, Aish and I headed over to the original location on Bleeker Street. Since the SATC episode, there have been multiple openings in NYC (Midtown West, Upper West Side, Midtown East and in Grand Central, the perfect location for commuters!). I'm pretty sure she hadn't yet been to this magical bakery so I was excited to share this with her!

Beautiful Window Display

The last time I went to Magnolia, the window display had "self-serve" cupcakes which translates into "people licking there fingers and touching cupcakes that they may or MAY NOT purchase." This terrified me in the past so I would always be annoying and ask for fresh cupcakes from behind the counter. I realize this is a bit excessive, but so is paying over $2.00 for a cupcake. I'd like my pricey cupcake to not be pre-licked thank you very much!

The counter set-up is also awesome too - very nostalgic.

YUM!

I love that a lot of the desserts here fit within the theme of "personal sized." This prevents you from pigging out...unless of course you order several personal sized desserts. Oops. I ordered my favorite cupcake (chocolate cake with vanilla icing and sprinkles) and Aish got something else. I don't remember what it was because I was too focused on my cupcake.

If you're in the West Village, check out this cupcake institution!

Cheers,

Liz

 

A Return to the Hill (and Bay)

Divine Short Ribs

I first visited Hill and Bay a couple of weeks ago for drinks and planned to return for a meal. The opportunity struck when I wanted to grab dinner with a date before a movie at Kips Bay Theater. Side Note: We saw Dallas Buyer's Club and it was great.

I looked at the wine list and decided to order a glass of red wine. I can't recall which varietal I ordered - all glasses are price between $9 to $12. I knew I wanted to order the Braised Short Ribs, served with creamy polenta and crispy shallots ($23). Based on Yelp! reviews, this seemed like a safe bet and I do love cooking this dish at home!

Braised Short Ribs

The meat was absolutely tender. The wine I ordered really complemented the sauce. I was so happy with what I ordered!

When I looked at the dessert menu, I knew exactly what I was going to order! I love bread pudding, so naturally I ordered the Brown Butter Chocolate Bread Pudding, made with dark chocolate and served with ice cream ($8).

Brown Butter Chocolate Bread Pudding

This is my favorite type of dessert: the juxtaposition of the hot (bread pudding) and the cold (ice cream) rocks my world. So yummy!

I'm glad I came back to this spot. Solid entrees and desserts!

Cheers,

Liz

 

A Dinner in a Snow Storm!

A Delightful Meal at Craftbar!

Last week, there was a bit of a snow storm! Did it stop me from meeting Ingrid and her friend Ashley (up from sunny Bermuda) for dinner? Of course not! Ingrid lives in Flatiron and suggested Craftbar (http://www.craftrestaurantsinc.com/craftbar-new-york/). I wanted to go to that spot for a while. Also, the snow didn't stop the train from running, so I bundled up and met her!

In order to cope with the snow, we ordered a bottle of Montepulciano (I have to thank my friend Melissa for opening my eyes to this wonderful red varietal!). The bottle was reasonably priced around $30.

An Affordable Bottle of Red that is ALSO delicious? Happiness!

We decided to split two appetizers. The Pickle Jar and the Pecorino Arancini, served with spicy tomato sauce. The pickles, including other vegetables like cauliflower, were a bit to sour. Some of the vegetables were too porous and absorbed too much of the pickling liquid.

Pickle Jar

The Arancini, or rather the yummy balls of risotto and cheese, were so tasty! Much better than the pickles. For our entrees, Ingrid and Ashley both ordered the Veal Ricotta Meatballs & Capellini, served with Basil and San Marzano Tomato. Ingrid didn't finish her meatballs so I gave her a hand and tasted them. They were delicious!

Veal Ricotta Meatballs & Capellini

I chose the Skate, served with Brussels Sprouts, Apple, Brown Butter, Crème Fraiche and Horseradish. SO TASTY! I love Skate and the preparation really complemented the character of the fish.

SKATE!

To round out the meal, we split a dessert: The Flourless Chocolate Cake, served with Passion Fruit Caramel and Coconut Ice Cream.

Lovely Presentation

The dessert was a wonderful conclusion to an all-around outstanding meal. The food and service are both top-notch. I look forward to coming back!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Let Me See Your Peacock!

Oh My, Is That a Spotted Dick?

After our drinks at Hill and Bay, we headed over to The Peacock (http://www.thepeacocknyc.com/), a new British restaurant and cocktail parlor that recently opened in The William Hotel. It opened earlier in January 2014 and has a sister pub downstairs, The Shakespeare. How British! I just cannot help myself.

The Commitment to Branding is Noticeable! 

We arrived a little bit before our reservations, so we enjoyed a cocktail in The Library Bar. The setting is very much like a library with alcohol, so whoever named it should be promoted. I was automatically a fan. After reviewing the cocktail menu, I decided on the Bramble, made with Tanqueray, Lemon and Blackberries. It is served in a Julep Cup - love the detail!

Bramble

Courtney ordered the Arbor Blush, made with Rose, Kapp a Pisco, Green Grapes and Chandon Rose.

Arbor Blush

When Courtney tried my cocktail, she did have buyer's remorse. This is why you order more than one! We brought our cocktails into the main dining room for dinner. It is set at the back of the hotel lobby and separated by French Doors; it is a nice touch. It makes you feel like you're at a super secret location, especially since the dining room is fairly small. Nice touch! Additionally, the tableware was personalized.

It would be hard to pass this plate off as your own...

Even the BREAD PLATES had a Peacock - I was so impressed!

Hopefully that adorable peacock won't melt the butter!

While we reviewed the menu, we both ordered a Bulleit Rye Manhattan. It was delicious and STRONG. I sipped that puppy.

Bulleit Rye Manhattan

After I reviewed the menu, I decided on the Lancashire Hot Pot. It included Braised lamb shoulder, roasted vegetables, rosemary and Yukon potatoes. It was PHENOMENAL! I loved it! Since this is British food, it was a bit hearty/heavy. The portion was the perfect size since it was so filling.

Lancashire Hot Pot

Courtney ordered the Braised Chicken and Red Wine Risotto - she loved it! I didn't snap a picture though - my b! I was too focused on my meal, so you know it was yummy!

We had to get dessert. A group next to us had ordered four desserts and we asked their favorites. They said the Sticky Toffee Date Pudding and they ranked the Spotted Dick last. I was going to make a comment, but I contained myself. Naturally, I would hope most would not prefer to order such a thing! I kid, I kid.

The Sticky Toffee Pudding was served with a toffee rum sauce and sticky toffee ice cream. It was yummy!!!!! LOVED IT.

Sticky Toffee Date Pudding

Overall, I look forward to returning. The service was VERY slow. I will give this spot the benefit of the doubt since it is a new operation and a new staff. Hopefully that will turn around quickly or people will not want to return. I'm sending good wishes to The Peacock! Go get um!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Spotted! At Spot Dessert Bar Again!

I Judge Myself So You Don't Have To!

After we finished up our East Village bar crawl, Aish and I were in need of a (non-liquid) dessert. Since we were already in the neighborhood, I suggested Spot Dessert Bar (http://www.spotdessertbar.com/). I didn't see the menu since I knew I would be getting the Chocolate Green Tea Lava Cake.

GET IN MY BELLY

The cake was amazing and just as delicious as the first time I had it! I highly recommend it! I want it right now!

Happy Noms,

 

Liz

Reliable Cocktails Down the Block

Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar

For my third date with a certain someone, I wanted to pick somewhere romantic-ish while avoiding trying too hard. Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar (http://www.ayzanyc.com/midtown/index.html) is just the place for this type of mood.

During the colder months, Ayza has its outside seating tented with many heat lamps. While this seems like a good concept, it can get very hot outside. Even if it is the polar vortex and freezing, somehow it is Miami within the tents.

There is a FourSquare check-in for a free glass of white wine, red wine or sangria. Naturally, I took advantage of that. I'm all about a deal. After I had a glass of white wine and my date has the sangria, I ordered my favorite cocktail. The Raspberry Chocolate Martini is made with Chambord and Kahlua, served with an 80% dark chocolate truffle.

Raspberry Chocolate Martini

After I finished this cocktail, which honestly could take one sip, I ordered another one. The Espresso Martini made with Stoli Vanil, Kahlua, Chilled Espresso and White Cream de Cacao. It is served with coffee beans in it which is weird. It would be better if they were chocolate covered, as I thought it was and ate one. It was unfortunate.

Espresso Martini

This is a great date spot. Check it out and Check IN on FourSquare for your free drink!

Cheers,

Liz

The Smith...

Where the People are Terrible and the Food is Great

After getting some drinks at Pierre Loti, we walked down the street to The Smith (http://www.thesmithnyc.com/) for our dinner reservation. I chose this place because I had heard good things about it from multiple people. Given the location, however, I was a bit worried that the place may be chockfull of the crowd that the area (Midtown) tends to attract (read: terrible people). Anyway, I was deadset on going here, so I was just going to have to block out the awful conversations held by the people sitting next to us. Topics ranged from unreturned Snapchats to Juice Cleanses.

As I mentioned in my prior post, dinner with a romantic interest is a rare event for me. This whole "online dating" situation I've found myself in doesn't tend to led itself to second dates or breaking bread with people. To say I was excited would be an understatement.

After looking at the menu, I decided to order a unique cocktail I had not seen before, the Dirty Jane. It was a reinterpretation of a dirty martini but instead of olives, it was made with pickled tomato. I tend to prefer a dirty martini made with pickle juice over olive juice, so I was looking forward to trying this - I'm glad I ordered it. It was practically an alcoholic salad.

For my main course, I got the salmon. It was served with mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, leeks, parsnips and bordelaise (a red wine sauce). It was quite yummy. The salmon was served as two smaller pieces instead of a larger piece. Which I think made it a little dry, even though I ordered it medium.

Of course we ordered dessert. Their menu is pretty tempting and when I read "S'mores Bread Pudding" I was done. It was made with a chocolate brioche bread pudding, graham cracker crumb bottom and homemade marshmallow topping with a honey anglaise. It was one of the best desserts I've had out in a restaurant. I would be happy to go here and just get drinks and dessert in the future. Cut out the crap with ordering entrees. Who really needs actual food? Desserts for life.

Check out those PICTURE skills!

Anyway, this is a nice place, especially for cocktails and dessert . Be forewarned, it attracts a certain type of Midtown / Murray Hill-ish crowd.

Cheers,

Liz