NYC FOODIE LUNCH OF THE WEEK: RUBIROSA

NoLita, fast becoming a foodie paradise, has yet another hit. The hip and cool Italian joint Rubirosa is another great addition to this charming area of New York City. I've stopped in more than once to feast on their delectable pies and homey pasta dishes. A slice or pie of their Classic Margherita pizza is pitch perfect. The sweet tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella, might make you devour an entire pie. Stop in for lunch and grab a meatball parm sandwich, and you'll be set for the rest of the day. Also, it should be noted that, the side salad that comes with the sandwiches is better than it needs to be; it's excellent!

So if you are looking for good Italian food with people and a vibe that is hip and cool, Rubirosa hits the spot.

Rubirosa
235 Mulberry St. (bet. Prince and Spring)
New York, NY 10012
212-965-0500
www.rubirosanyc.com

NYC FOODIE BREAKFAST OF THE WEEK: MAIALINO

Maialino, the great Italian restaurant in the Gramercy Park Hotel serves great breakfast. After reading in New York Magazine that they had the top "Cinnamon Bun" in NYC, I was intrigued to check it out. 

The cinnamon bun is actually their Brioche Caramellato ($3), a toffee glazed brioche, and saying this brioche was good, would be a huge understatement. It is amazing, fabulous, and orgasmic. This warm pillow of joy is the perfect start to any morning, I ordered one, but wanted forty. 

When was the last time you ate tripe for breakfast? I never had, until I did at my breakfast at Maialino, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Their trippa dish ($12), tripe, fried egg, and arugula, is delicious and awesome. The tripe is not tough, it's tender, and the tomato sauce is sweet and lovely.

So grab a cup of coffee, order a brioche from Maialino, and start your day off right. You can thank me later.

Maialino
2 Lexington Ave (in the Gramercy Park Hotel)
New York, NY 10010
212-777-2410

www.maialinonyc.com

NYC FOODIE SANDWICH OF THE WEEK: THAT WAY ROAST BEEF SANDWICH FROM THIS LITTLE PIGGY HAD ROAST BEEF

If you are a fan of roast beef, then you need to stop by the roast beef-centric This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef in the East Village. A few weeks ago I ordered the "That Way" sandwich ($8.50); roast beef on Italian bread hero with gravy and fresh mozzarella, and it was excellent! A side of hand cut fries ($4.00), were also great and well-seasoned. Go get your roast beef on!

This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef
149 1st Ave (bet. 9th and 10th)
New York, NY 10003
212-253-1500
www.thislittlepiggynyc.com

NYC FOODIE BRUNCH OF THE WEEK: JEFFREY'S GROCERY

Jeffrey's Grocery is the perfect neighborhood spot. This little West Village luncheonette and oyster bar, is cute, and well, neighborly. I stopped for brunch last weekend to a bustling and festive atmosphere. 

The sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit ($12) was fine. The scrambled egg is actually square in shape, which was interesting. This breakfast sandwich was nothing special, although the pork sausage was tasty and the large biscuit was good. My dining companion's frittata ($15), with roasted pepper, onion, potato, and Tasso ham, was also just fine.

So for that brunch with that true neighborhood vibe, pop into Jeffrey's Grocery in the West Village. Mr. Rogers would approve.

Jeffrey's Grocery
172 Waverly Place (and Christopher)
New York, NY 10014
www.jeffreysgrocery.com

NYC FOODIE BURGER OF THE WEEK: THE BRINDLE ROOM

I had one of the best burgers ever at The Brindle Room this past Sunday. It was an unexpected orgasm. This little East Village spot serves a phenomenal burger ($12). Is it the 28-day dry aged meat? Is it the cheesy cheddar (American, Stilton Blue Cheese, and Swiss are also options)? Or is it the sweet caramelized onions? I say it's the entire package, and after one bite, you will be in burger heaven too. I can't stop thinking about it, so please go immediately and see for yourself. If you lose sleep over it too, no worries, I'll be up thinking about it, so just email or call me, and we'll go grab one together.

The Brindle Room
277 E. 10th St. (bet. 1st and A)
New York, NY 10009
212-529-9702
www.brindleroom.com

NYC FOODIE LUNCH OF THE WEEK: THE SMILE

The Smile is cool and hip. I had lunch there last week and felt at home. Down some stairs you go into a space with a wooden ceiling; rustic, homey, and charming. The vibe is stylish, without being pretentious. You can sit at a table or at the copper rectangular bar as I did, surrounding another staircase that leads to an office. 

I had the Harissa Honey Roasted Chicken Breast ($11.50), with roasted red peppers, manchego, and preserved lemon may on a baguette. After one bite, I was in sandwich heaven. I loved the lemon mayo which added beautiful flavor, and the manchego was fabulous too. It was a great sandwich. It comes with North Fork Potato Chips and homemade pickles, which is just the right touch for this place.

So drop by The Smile a for a great bite, with a great vibe. Trust me, you'll smile too.

The Smile
26 Bond St. (bet. Lafayette and Bowery)
New York, NY 10012
646-329-5836

www.thesmilenyc.com

NYC FOODIE LUNCH OF THE WEEK: PEELS

Peels, the new regional American restaurant, with a nod to the South, from the team behind Freeman's, is a cool restaurant. I stopped in for lunch this past Friday, and love the place! With two floors for dining, the bottom, a casual spot geared more for coffee and pastries (you can eat anything from the menu though), the upstairs, with more formal dining tables. It doesn't matter where you eat though, because I loved the vibe here! You can get some great stumptown coffee to awaken your senses, then try an appetizer of the Andouille Corn Dogs ($9) with creole mustard. This salty and sweet snack will awaken your taste buds. A Crispy Chicken sandwich ($11), with free-range boneless chicken, honey mustard, and fries, was great! The light and flaky crispy skin housed some juicy and tender chicken. The accompanying fries were good too. End with any of the freshly baked pastries for dessert and you'll think you just left Paula Deen's house.

Cool, hip, tasty, and festive, Peels is the epitome of the East Village. Enjoy it!

Peels
325 Bowery ( at 2nd St.)
New York, NY 10003
646-602-7015

www.peelsnyc.com

NYC FOODIE PIZZA OF THE WEEK: POSTO

Ah, pizza. Everyone loves pizza! Two weeks ago I stumbled upon Posto, a great pizza spot recommended by my dining companions who live nearby in the Gramercy area. You can start with a really good hummus to get your mouth watering, and then dive into Posto's Meatball Madness, Marinara Sauce & Cheese, Homemade Meatballs, Sweet Red Onions, and Fresh Basil. It is fabulous! Order a pie with a bunch of veggies, such as artichoke and spinach, and you will be more than satisfied. These thin crust pizzas are better than good. They're great! I was pleasantly surprised with this spot. Truly memorable.

Posto
310 2nd Ave (at 18th Street)
New York, NY 10003
212-716-1200

NYC FOODIE BURGER OF THE WEEK: BURGER AND BARREL

Chef Josh Capon and the team behind Lure Fishbar, have opened up Burger and Barrel, a pub with great food in Soho. He has brought his 2009 NY Wine and Food Festival award winning burger with him, and it is a great burger ($14). With carmelized onions, bacon jam, and American cheese, this juicy and flavorful burger hit the spot for me last week, and it will surely hit yours. Follow it with a sundae, and you will be smiling in Soho.

Burger and Barrel
25 W. Houston St. (bet. Greene and Mercer)
New York, NY 10012
212-334-7320
www.burgerandbarrel.com

NYC FOODIE DESSERT SPOT OF THE WEEK: DESSERT CLUB, CHIKALICIOUS

If you have a sweet tooth or get a craving for dessert, and you are in the East Village, definitely stop by Dessert Club, Chikalicious, the offshoot of Chikalicious Dessert Bar right across the street. I stopped in last week and had a great S'mores cupcake ($2.50), a really good Mocha cupcake ($2.50), and an ingenious and wonderful Chocolate Eclair Ice Cream Sandwich ($4.95).

Dessert Club, ChikaLicious
203 E. 10th St. (bet. 1st and 2nd)
New York, NY 10003
212-475-0929
www.dessertclubnyc.com