The culinary genius Wylie Dufresne has just opened a new spot in the East Village called Alder. A great place to drop in for a drink or a quick bite, or come with friends and linger on creative and unique fare, paired with superb cocktails, a wine, or sake.
Read moreNYC FOODIE OPENING OF THE WEEK: CARBONE
The hottest restaurant in NYC right now is Carbone. This new Italian joint from the "Torrisi" team, Chefs Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi, along with partner Jeff Zalznick, is a throwback to the 1950's, with perfectly executed fare.
Read moreTABLE FOR ONE: MONTMARTRE
Another day, another Gabe Stulman restaurant. Gabe Stulman is my hero. His "Little Wisco" empire keeps growing this time with the help of Chef Tien Ho, and the French inspired Montmartre.
Read moreNYC FOODIE OPENING OF THE WEEK: SWEET CHICK
Fried Chicken and Waffles done right in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The new restaurant Sweet Chick, recently opened on Bedford Avenue, and is delicious.
Read moreTABLE FOR ONE: COLE'S
Another day, another restaurant opening. What was once Lyon is now, Cole's, a Greenwich Village restaurant offering a fresh take on American classics.
Read moreNYC FOODIE OPENING OF THE WEEK: NICOLETTA
The great chef Michael White has done it again folks. The genius behind Marea, Osteria Morini, and Ai Fiori, has added another winner under his belt; the fabulous pizza joint, Nicoletta.
I was lucky enough to try some of Chef White's delicious pizzas at a friends and family dinner, and at a party last week, and loved everything I ate. You will too.
If you are a fan of the outstanding, and one of the best pasta dishes ever, Marea's fusilli with red wine braised octopus and bone marrow, then you will fall in love with Nicoletta's Marea pizza pie. Picture that pasta in pizza form, and your dreams will come true, as mine did. Orgasmic.
Nicoletta's Calabrese pie was also delicious. Thick-cut pepperoni, homemade fennel sausage, red onions, pomodoro, and mozzarella. Yes, please.
Of course there is more than just great pizza on this menu. Carrozza, crispy bufala d.o.c., basil anchovy, roasted peppers, and gaeta olives, is great. And polpette, brick-oven baked neopolitan meatballs pomodoro, and molica, are wonderful. I truly loved these balls!
PS. These desserts from genius Robert Truitt are unfortunately not offered, but they were so awesome, I had to share the pics.
So head down to the East Village to Michael White's newest joint Nicoletta, magical pizzas await!
Nicoletta
160 2nd Ave (and 10th St.)
New York, NY 10003
212-432-1600
NYC FOODIE OPENING OF THE WEEK: STK ROOFTOP
The hip, sceney, and cool, steakhouse in the Meatpacking District, STK, has opened up a beautiful rooftop. This is the perfect place to grab a cocktail, or some tasty bites, and enjoy a view of the city and hot people. I stopped by last week, and had a ball! You can nibble on some sweet boneless BBQ ribs which were sweet and tasty, or a great cheeseburger that had wonderful flavor, and let your night of indulgence begin.
STK
26 Little West 12th St.
New York, NY 10014
646-624-2444
www.stkhouse.com
NYC FOODIE OPENING OF THE WEEK: THE TRILBY
What was once Table 8, and then Faustina, has reicarnated into The Trilby, the new bar in the Cooper Square Hotel. Unlike the previous two restaurants, this is now a bar first, which happens to serve really good food. There is a cool bar upon entering, with a sexier lounge in the back. This is the perfect place on the Bowery to grab a beer or drink, and if you are hungry, then the food will not disappoint too.
The six minute egg ($6) on toast, with anchovy and spinach is excellent. I loved the touch of saltiness the anchovy gives this bar snack. If you desire a snack, this is a must order.
Warm artichoke dip ($10), served with toast is some of the best artichoke dip I've had. It's made with yogurt and tofu, which is unique and great. Order it.
For those craving a little bit of pasta, try The Trilby's burrata gnocchi ($13), with cherry tomatoes, it's creamy and tasty.
This wouldn't be a bar without a burger. The buger here ($15) is juicy and straightforward. Served with Vermont cheddar, fries, and a "special sauce", it will surely satisfy your burger craving.
The bar steak ($22), with sautéed pea shoots, fries, and bérnaise, is flavorful and perfect.
So check out this new bar on the Bowery. Grab a drink and a bite, and enjoy your night.
The Trilby
25 Cooper Square (inside the Cooper Square Hotel)
New York, NY 10003
212-475-3400
NYC FOODIE LOUNGE OF THE WEEK: FORTY FOUR AT THE ROYALTON HOTEL
Some cool spots are opening up in Midtown, of all places. Check out Forty Four, the lobby bar inside the Royalton Hotel, which spans the entire hotel, one city block!
"The Royalton recently launched a new concept, Forty Four, headlined by a world-class group of bartenders known as “The Cocktail Collective”. The new food menu, created by Royalton’s Executive Chef Scott Ekstrom, is ingredient-focused and celebrates the longstanding, hotel lobby ritual of accompanying a cocktail or two with a spontaneous meal. Royalton's iconically cool interiors, its ground-breaking “Cocktail Collective”, combined with Ekstrom’s technique, appreciation for simple high quality food, and a devoted following will make Forty Four a high profile, effortlessly-luxe New York destination."
I was there last week and couldn't agree more. Perfect place for an after-work cocktail! Don't forget to try their version of a cheeseburger and duck confit flatbread!
44 at The Royalton
44 W. 44th Street (bet. 5th and 6th)
New York, NY 10036
212-869-4400
www.royaltonhotel.com
NYC FOODIE OPENING OF THE WEEK: BENJAMIN STEAKHOUSE WHITE PLAINS
One of my favorite steakhouses is opening up an offshoot in White Plains! Per the press release:
Benjamin Steakhouse owner Benjamin Prelvukaj and Chef Arturo M cLeod will open the doors to their second restaurant’ s location shortly after Labor Day 2010. The duo has over 20 combined years at the famed Peter Luger, and since the opening of their Midtown Manhattan location in 2006, they have become a Mecca for steak connoisseurs.
Benjamin Steakhouse- White Plain’ s décor might look familiar to those who have dined at their Manhattan location, with their signature dark wood floors, banquette seating, burgundy booths, and chocolate leather chairs in tow. The new location will also feature an oversized fireplace, which will be located in the center of the Main Dining Room (200 seats). Additionally, the restaurant will have an option to dine outdoors (about 50 seats), as well as in the bar and lounge area (about 50 seats).
Benjamin Steakhouse is located at 610 West Hartsdale Avenue in White Plains, NY. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner with service from 4:00 PM until 10 PM and is open until 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. For more information, please visit www.benjaminsteakhouse.com .
