TXIKIFEST – the annual spring festival hosted by TXIKITO restaurant in the alley behind it’s kitchen – celebrates the arrival of Txakoli wine (talk about a refreshing pour) from the Basque Country in Spain. The crisp white wines flow freely and are paired with some very delicious and not-necessarily-Spanish-minded edibles – at $45 this annual (and quickly sold-out) event brings you an abundance of menu samplings from some pretty terrific restaurants….. When a Fried Oyster [...]
First it was the napkins, horrid polyester that scratched and irritated the legions of adoring diners at JOSEPH LEONARD. Luckily those serviettes were put out of service following a fire that temporarily closed the restaurant but now, even with all its culinary coolness, there’s another sensory affront afloat with “pour lines”, the white demarcations etched into stemware bowls (the part of the glass that holds the wine) to achieve optimum portion control. Let’s start out [...]
I can’t help but fondly remember those little DRAKE’S COFFEE CAKES. Not so much for what they tasted like but for what they represented. The individually wrapped cakes often made their way into my elementary school lunch box and, even if dry and a bit too sweet, the sugary cinnamon crumble topped pound cake was a reminder of that granny bakes moment, the square cake cutouts at a bake sale and on the deli counter of [...]
Was a time if you were gay or having a gay retail moment you’d make Chelsea a destination. From the main drag that runs from 14th to 23rd street, the onetime working class Latino-leaning strip became the “Great Gay Way” in the 1980s and 1990s. No metrosexual or heterosexual moments here: bars, restaurants and retail, from clothing and gifts to personal accoutrements, were all homo-minded endeavors. There’s still a gay edge but with the gentrification [...]
There’s no denying that CITY BAKERY has great bakes and, of course, who couldn’t like their signature hot chocolate and house-made marshmallows? I know I am a fan. There’s also their salad bar offerings – in a pinch the greenmarket-mindedness makes for a good enough lunch. Though, as a rule, forget the serving spoons – people picking and licking only to touch that handle ahead of your use. It’s inevitable with self service so, on [...]
Happy to have Melvin & Lily together at MISS LILY’S BAKE SHOP & MELVIN’S JUICE BAR. As good as a jerk can be, for me it’s more about Melvin’s elixirs – he comes by way of the juice bar at my neighborhood health food store, LifetThyme, and Miss Lilly, well she’s a Jamaican figment of a very brilliant culinary imagination. 130 West Houston Street, enter on Sullivan Street next to Miss Lily’s Variety. Tel. 646.588.5375
RUSTIC L.E.S.? Not possible as the once rundown quadrant of New York city that is the Lower East Side as clearly crossed over from 20th century immigrant and rundown to 21st century hipster. It’s all a bit of a staged play called “Cool” but there are some really good acts to entertain. Morocco is the star at this Mediterranean themed eats house opening today. 124 Ridge Street (at Stanton Street).
Small plates and Chinese food? With no family style moments in the future, that doesn’t seem like a marriage that will work with YUNNAN KITCHEN but heck, this is the Lower East Side and a delicate portion of chrysanthemum salad might just hit the spot. What that spot is is another story….79 Clinton Street (at Rivington)
Not too far a stroll from Broadway theater environs to the 9th Avenue food strip. Lots of misses (and, not only with the boys) among the less-than polished restaurants populating 42nd to 5th Streets. CLAW, the latest outpost of the Chelsea seafood shack makes a Maine lobster roll a reasonable reality in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC. 744 9th Avenue (at 50th Street), tel. 212-581-8400
The Thompson LES Hotel ups its eats ante with the winning addition of BLUE RIBBON SUZHI IZAKAYA. It’s always a first place finish for the Bromberg boys who are now pairing sushi with izakaya, cooked offerings with a Japanese edge. This is definitely not my grandparents lower East Side! 187 Orchard Street. Tel. 212.466.0404.
No question to the deliciousness LA CHURRERIA, the new bakery cafe from the Spaniard who brought New Yorkers SOCARRAT PAELLA BAR. Here sweetness comes with crispy churros, Spain’s doughnut equivalent, dunked in a hot chocolate brew. The crunch also has a savory edge with a calamari sub – wow is that a decadent moment of briny yum. 284 Mulberry Street, between Houston and Prince Streets. 212.219.0400.
KYO YA As the New York Times reports, lots of worthy food adventure to this veteran Japanese eats house. 94 East 7th Street, East Village. Tel. 212-982-4140
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