NYC FOODIE PASTA ADVENTURE OF THE WEEK: LOCANDA VERDE

I began my NYC pasta adventure last night all the way downtown in Tribeca at the newly opened Locanda Verde. Locanda Verde used to be the critically panned Robert Deniro owned spot Ago, but now Deniro has brought in a stellar new team of culinary heavyweights to revitalize the restaurant. The team of Josh Pickard (Lure,Chinatown Brasserie) Ken Friedman (The Spotted Pig, The John Dory) and chef Andrew Carmellini, have done an amazing job. I never went to Ago, but Locanda Verde is awesome!

I can feel a vibe when I initially walk into any restaurant, and the vibe I got here was casual, festive, and fun. It was surprisingly unpretentious, which for some ill-conceived reason I thought it might be, but I was very comfortable as I took my seat at the bar. 

I was lucky enough to try two pasta dishes here (recommended by Mr. Picard); the Maltagliati with pesto and parmigiano-reggiano and a ravioli dish that was actually titled My Grandmother's Ravioli.

The Maltagliati was a light, delicious pasta, sprinkled with pine nuts to give it a little crunch. It was simple and vibrant, and a pleasurable Summer dish.

The ravioli dish was outstanding! This was one of the best ravioli dishes I have ever had. Each ravioli was filled with pork, veal, and beef, and they practically melted in my mouth. The tomato sauce had a great sweetness to it which I loved.

(Non-pasta related note- I was also hand fed, by a table of gals (yes, the NYC FOODIE has some great game!), the sheeps' milk ricotta with sea salt and herbs, which was orgasmic and addictive! A must!)

This was an amazing start to my NYC pasta adventure. Locanda Verde is not only a great place to go for pasta though, it's a great spot to go for some wine and a fantastic and fun Italian meal.

Locanda Verde
379 Greenwich St. (bet. Franklin and N. Moore)
New York, NY 10013
212-925-3797

www.greenwichhotelny.com

NYC FOODIE DISH OF THE WEEK: CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN FROM MOMOFUKU SSAM

The NYC FOODIE dish of the week hails from my favorite NYC restaurant, Momofuku Ssam. I stopped in at around Midnight, Saturday night, and noticed a few new dishes on the menu that tickled my fancy. And as a lover of fried chicken, I could not pass up the opportunity to try Momofuku's Bell & Evan's Fried Chicken ($24) with ramps, morels, and egg. The chicken was tender, juicy, and moist. The batter was was light, and gave the meat just the right amount of crunchiness. The sweetness of the morels balanced out the pickled flavor of the ramps. I probably would have liked some sort of kick to the dish, maybe just the addition of some hot sauce would have been nice, for the dish did not blow my mind. But, it still was a great dish, and is the dish of the week! Thank you Mr. Chang and friends for satisfying my late-night cravings for amazing culinary adventures!

Momofuku Ssam

207 2nd Ave (at 13th St.)

New York, NY 10003

www.momofuku.com

NYC FOODIE DEAL OF THE WEEK

Hey NYC FOODIES! Check out this deal at old school restaurant Delmonico's!

Delmonico's, America's first fine dining institution and home of the nation's best steaks, is running an amazing deal tomorrow and Saturday.

Delmonico’s is offering a $35 dollar (plus tax and gratuities) special, which includes a 3 course dinner and a complimentary glass of champagne.
Special Menu:
Lobster bisque with warm Maine lobster salad and fresh caviar
Or
Roasted red and chioga beets, mâché and Goat cheese salad
———————————–
2nd course(choose one)
Braised Chicken Ala Keene over buttered noodles
Or
Roquefort cheese crusted NY strip steak served with asparagus and Delmonico fingerling potatoes
Or
Grilled branzino with pizzichi
———————————–
3rd course(choose one)
The classic Baked Alaska
Or
Molton chocolate pr ofiteroles
————————–
3 course dinner
35 dollars plus tax and gratuity excludes all beverages except glass of champagne that is served in the beginning of the meal.
Offer for 2 days only Friday 5/22 and Saturday 5/23

Must mention code mem509 or print out the web log to get offer. Customer must state that they are reserving for memorial weekend celebration.

NYC FOODIE SNACK OF THE WEEK: MILANO COOKIE AND COFFEE

I recently discovered an amazing combination: A Pepperidge Farm Milano cookie dipped in a cup of coffee. I have had this little snack multiple times in the last few weeks and each time it is orgasmic! Try it for yourself and thank me later!

NYC FOODIE DEAL OF THE WEEK

If you like Mac & Cheese..You probably want to take advantage of this coupon!

Bon Appetit!

NYC FOODIE DISH OF THE WEEK: TIRAMISU FROM CAFFE EMILIA

The NYC FOODIE dish of the week is the tiramisu from Caffe Emilia, a little cafe in the East Village with some delicious small Italian bites and great coffee. I was actually there December 26th when I had the pleasure of having the best tiramisu of my life! It was light, airy, not too sweet, and just about perfect! It was so good that my family and I had to order a second one! The recipe, from the owner's mom, is kept secret, but I can definitely feel and taste at least one ingredient, and that ingredient is LOVE. So, for the best tiramisu in NYC, check out Caffe Emilia, and feel the LOVE!

Caffe Emilia
139 1st Ave (bet. 8th and 9th)
New York, NY 10003
212-388-1234

NYC FOODIE DISH OF THE WEEK: LOBSTER THERMIDOR FROM SUPERMAC (Closed)

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

NYC FOODIE DISH OF THE WEEK: FRIED CHICKEN "BLUE RIBBON STYLE"

The NYC FOODIE dish of the week is the Fried Chicken "Blue Ribbon Style" ($24.50) hailing from Blue Ribbon Sushi and Grill located in the 6 Columbus Hotel.

I finally had this dish after having heard about it several times since the place opened and is definitely worth all the hype. It is coated with matzo meal and flour and accompanied with a side of wasabi honey sauce giving the meat the perfect sweet kick it deserves. The $24.50 price tag is a tad steep for any fried chicken dish, but the crispiness, tenderness, and flavors of the chicken made me forget the price.

So for a great unique take on fried chicken, stop by Blue Ribbon Sushi and Grill and thank me later.

Blue Ribbon Sushi and Grill
308 W. 58th St. (bet. 8th and 9th)
New York, NY 10019
212-397-0404
www.blueribbonrestaurants.com

NYC FOODIE DISH OF THE WEEK: SOCCA AND EGGS

The NYC FOODIE dish of the week is Socca and eggs ($12.50) hailing from the really good Hells Kitchen restaurant Nizza.

Socca is a crispy chickpea flour pancake. At Nizza they bake it in a brick oven and add swiss chard, fontina, onions, and top it with two eggs.

I had this two nights ago and it was phenomenal! Words can hardly describe the feeling I had when I put in my mouth this crispy and gooey pancake of deliciousness!

Just go and try it for yourself. Trust me, it'll make your night.

Nizza
630 9th Ave (bet. 44th and 45th)
New York, NY 10036
212-956-1800
www.nizzanyc.com