KOBEYAKI, a new player in the haute fast food market delivers on its broad billing of “rolls, bowls, burgers & buns”. We were skeptical but the almost-too-rich kobe beef burger totally satisfied, the braised pork bun hit the spot and the California roll was top notch. It’s an off the beaten path locale and not much of a neighborhood – definitely not a destination for food or city sights – but, if you happen to [...]
I was all jazzed about my first visit to PARM, the new outpost from the folks at TORRISI ITALIAN SPECIALTIES, the next door resto with an exceptionally fine-tuned localvore-minded prix fixe menu. Lots of top-notch ingredients to the chicken parm hero, and then some: the crispy cutlets, the sauce (if not better than Nonna’s, a close second), the fresh mozzarella and basil (not in my memory of the chicken parm charm of yore), and the [...]
The Statue of Liberty, gift from the French, and the Washington Square Arch, modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, are two of New York City’s “French-est” landmarks. If a visit to Liberty Island leaves you with hunger pangs for a croissant and a cafe au lait you’re out of luck. Not so with Washington Square. Take a short stroll from the imposing neoclassical arch, past the fountain sprays and newly refurbished gardens of [...]
CRUMBS BAKE SHOP, is a bakery that ain’t. Ain’t what you ask? Ain’t a bakery because nothing, I repeat, nothing is ever baked at your local Crumbs Bake Shop. In the world of bakery theme park-like attractions there is something very satisfying to the nostalgia-minded Sensurround you experience at shops like BILLY’S BAKERY and MAGNOLIA BAKERY. While they are both commercial minded bakeries (no baking school grads or mom-and-pop in residence) stop by either of these cupcakeries [...]
All hamburgers are not created equal. From the meat spectrum of juicy reds to dry dull grays, patties proliferate fast food joints, greasy spoons, pedigreed dines and catering halls across San Francisco. Factor in some really amazing burgers and, by all means, now is not a good time to be a cow. In the realm of the quick fix, I don’t have a beef with IN-N-OUT, it’s just that I’m not part of any particular [...]
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
