Finest Steaks in New York City? Absolutely at Keens

October 20, 2009 By
Keens Steakhouse

Keens Steakhouse

Keens Steakhouse, dating back to 1885, is an icon in the New York restaurant scene and a premier steakhouse.  Whether for lunch or dinner, there’s not a bad meal to be had at Keens.  The staff, from initial greeter to hostess to waiters, is top notch.

As soon as diners walk through the doors, they are hit with the most amazing steak aroma.  The menu is predictable steakhouse, and solid.  It features various cuts of dry-aged beef, the legendary mutton chop and various options for non-meat eaters.  During a last visit, the steak was of superior quality and was grilled to perfection.   The appetizers and sides are straight-forward and perfect.  The sliced tomatoes and onions and the lettuce wedge with blue cheese dressing are great starters.  The creamed spinach and the sautéed wild mushrooms are favorites.

Decor is neat, in an old-world steakhouse sort of way. Not trendy – in a good way.  The ceiling is covered with antique clay pipes that patrons early on had to leave at the restaurant to prevent the pipes from breaking during their voyage on horseback.  Can’t get any more authentic than this place.

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Locanda Verde – Italian Food Perfection

October 11, 2009 By
Photo by Immaculate Infatuation

Photo by Immaculate Infatuation

Outstanding – one word to describe the 5-month old Italian taverna in Robert DeNiro’s boutique hotel, the Greenwich Hotel.  Locanda Verde’s sublime food is attentively prepared by  Food and Wine Best New Chef award winner, Andrew Carmellini.

The well-appointed TriBeCa space is upscale, yet very warm.  The busy, large bar area is frequented by a crowd of beautiful people clearly there to see and be seen.  The bar vibe is upbeat and fun.

The star at Locanda Verde is the superbly-prepared food.  The menu features Cicchetti (amuse-bouches), antipasti to share among guests, pastas that are starter-sized and second, the main entrees.

The diners in our party wisely opted for the sheep’s milk ricotta served with perfectly grilled Italian rustic bread.  The ricotta is seasoned with superior olive oil, freshly cracked pepper, oregano, thyme and sea salt and might be the most perfect starter ever created.  Other smart starters are the lamb meatball sliders which are moist and flavorful and the cot chino sausage over crusting.

Some of the winning entrees are the pasta with wild game raga with fire did stardom, a sheep’s milk Italian cheese, and the braised veal cheeks over risotto Milanese.  These entrees will leave patrons talking about Locanda Verde for weeks.  Chef Carmellini clearly has mastered the art of using fresh, quality ingredients to produce outstanding, simple dishes with tons of flavor.

Desserts are inventive and feature some creative dishes such as the pistachio brown butter cake, the sweet corn budding and a nice assortment of gelatin.  Another end-of-meal option is a sampler of outstanding Italian cheeses.  Winners in this category are the Gorgonzola Cremificato, the Pecorino Ora Antico and the Salva Cremasco.  Cheeses are served with creamy honey, candied nuts and bread.

The wine list is completely Italian (in a great way) and features over 100 options, all under $100.  There are several solid picks by the glass, and on a recent visit, we opted for the Prosecco Valdobbiadene Drusian Brut NV as a nice pairing to the sheep’s milk ricotta starter.  About half of the wine list is under $50, and offers many outstanding options.  We selected the 2007 Vietti Barbera D’asti Tre Vigne and were pleasantly surprised by this young wine’s readiness.

Foodies and Italian wine lovers should not miss Locanda Verde. Won’t disappoint.

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Say Uncle Nicks for casual New York Greek food

September 12, 2009 By

Uncle Nick’s is a crazy little space in Hell’s Kitchen that’s vibrant with patrons and with an energetic staff.  The place consistently puts out unpretentious good Greek food.

Whether visiting as a couple or a group, sharing appetizers is a must at Uncle Nick’s.  Some can’t-miss options are the saganaki, or flamed Greek cheese, the inopikilia sampler platter for two, the combo of four dips and the grilled octopus.  The inopikilia platter is a good option for folks unfamiliar with Greek food or for anyone who wants to try a variety of fresh dishes like the octopus, the Greek sausages, dips and feta cheese.

Entrees are equally delicious, but become somewhat of an afterthought after munching on such tasty starters.  Some favorites are the kebobs – beef, lamb, pork or chicken, the baked mousaka, the pastitsio and the Greek-style halibut.  The fish is fresh and the kebobs are perfectly charcoal-grilled.

Uncle Nick’s offers catering, takeout and delivery and the restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner.  Beware that the place is loud, but not in a bad way.

Uncle Nick’s

(212) 245-7992

747 9TH Ave

New York City, NY 10019-6617

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Casual Indian food at its best at Cinnamon in Morris Plains

September 7, 2009 By

Incredible!  One word that describes the aroma as patrons enter Cinnamon Indian Restaurant in Morris Plains, NJ.  The vibrant smell of cloves, cardamom, and yes, cinnamon, permeates the air at this casual restaurant in Morris County to the delight of Indian food fanatics.

First, the staff is friendly, helpful and willing to educate Indian food newbies about the ingredients making up each dish and about the extensive menu.

Cinnamon offers both an a la carte menu and a buffet for either lunch or dinner.  Many diners opt for the buffet as it offers a chance to experience multiple dishes they might have not otherwise had an opportunity to sample.

The buffet features various salads, dips and yogurt sauces, flatbreads, rice and hot dishes.  The chef’s special basmati rice is utterly perfect and serves as the ideal accompaniment to the assortment of sauce-based dishes.  Some stellar dishes are the matter paneer, tender peas and homemade cottage cheese in a spectacular curry sauce, the chicken tikka masala, a popular Indian dish of chicken baked in a spiced tomato and onion gravy and the favorite, tandoori chicken, cooked in a traditional clay oven. Melt-in-your-mouth naan, a white flour bread baked in a tadoor oven is brought to the table for diners to enjoy as they begin their meals.

Cinnamon is a BYOB, but the restaurant offers incredible lassi drinks that are perfect paired with the ultra flavorful dishes.  The restaurant offers catering and take out.

Overall great food, friendly staff and an economical way to sample excellent Indian cuisine in a casual atmosphere.

Cinnamon Indian Restaurant

2920 State Route 10 West (Powder Mill Plaza West)

Morris Plains, NJ 07950

973-734-0040

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Periyali for good Greek food in an intimate Manhattan setting

September 3, 2009 By

Periyali is intimate with its white-draped ceiling, white painted walls and casual tables and chairs. It’s reminiscent of Greece in its looks, the fresh ingredients it uses and the casual demeanor of its staff. The restaurant features French doors at its entrance which can be opened to let some of the patrons dine al fresco.

The food is prepared simply using the freshePeriyali's lamb shankst of ingredients. Guests are greeted with an amuse-bouche as they are seated. It’s a take on bruschetta, but with a Greek spin: tart feta cheese and just-off-the-vine chopped tomatoes on crispy toast with just the perfect amount of Greek olive oil. The freshness of the bite hints to the well-prepared meal to come.

Starters are of generous proportions, and some winners are the grilled octopus (five perfectly cooked large tentacles), the house-made sausages, known as Keftedakis, the grilled oyster mushrooms and the stuffed roasted tomato.

Recommended entrees are the melt-in-your-mouth lamb shank over orzo, the veal with wild mushroom sauce, the charcoal grilled filet mignon shish kebob and any of the uber-fresh fish dishes. Especially well prepared is the bronzini, which is often a featured dish.

The wine list is sizeable and unless diners are well-versed on the many Greek wines featured at Periyali, they should request assistance from the knowledgeable staff.  The wait staff is also helpful while considering the many menu options and is attentive while not being overwhelming.

Periyali is a quaint space with spot-on food and service.

35 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011
Tel. (212) 463-7890

Lunch: Monday-Friday          12PM to 3PM
Dinner: Monday-Thursday   5PM to 11PM
Friday-Saturday:                       5:30PM to 11:30PM
Sunday:                                          5PM to 10PM

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Opa state of mind and innovative Greek food at Michael Psilakis’ Kefi

August 24, 2009 By

The space at this trendy Upper West Side neighborhood spot co-owned by celebrity chef Michael Psilakis features washed wood, bleached walls and a casual feel.

The front of the house offers a popular bar area ideal for before-dinner drinks and appetizers. The bar staff is personable and eagerly recommends Greek beers such as Mythos or specialty cocktails like the spot-on ouzo sour.

Sheep's Milk Dumplings

Sheep's Milk Dumplings

Psilakis keeps the menu straight-forward and the ingredients ultra fresh, as is typical of casual Greek food. Appetizers, perfect for sharing, range from the spreads platter for two ($9.95) with warm, moist pita bread, the house-made Cypriot sausages ($7.50) and the succulent grilled octopus over bean salad ($9.95).

Entrees feature outstanding options. The lamb shank ($15.95) is particularly tender and flavorful and the orzo it is placed on is perfectly cooked without being mushy as many versions are. The dish of sheep’s milk dumplings with Cypriot sausage and pine nuts ($13.95) is simply heavenly.

 

The wine list at Kefi is somewhat limited but offers a great selection of Greek wines, both by the bottle and the glass. The wait staff is helpful about the menu and its Greek dishes and with Greek wine recommendations.

Note that tables for two are very small, so opting for dinner at the bar is an enjoyable option for patrons.

505 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10024
212-873-0200

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Aspen Social Club – New York, NY

July 24, 2009 By
Aspen Social Club Foyer

Aspen Social Club Foyer

Aspen Social Club – It’s part Colorado ski lodge, part sexy South Beach.  The space is beautiful.  The entryway looks like you’ve arrived at a slope side cozy restaurant with its log home look- and-feel.  The dining room is appointed in whites and features amazing rawhide banquettes that have a Danish feel.  Drastic contrast to the bar and foyer area.

The menu features tapas for sharing between diners and offers familiar dishes, but with an eccentric and fun twist.

Each dish is as scrumptious as the next.  The tuna sashimi stuffed deviled eggs were exceptional.  The, although a bit overdone, was very flavorful.  The shrimp quesadillas served with salsa verde was outstanding with just the right amount of citrus.  The artichoke dip was very different than others and quite tasty.

Drinks, as is the crowd at this trendy spot, are sexy and beautiful.  The Aspen Social Club is an excellent place for a fun date or to try with a group of friends.

Aspen Social Club

157 West 47th Street

New York, NY 10036

http://www.aspensocialclub.com

(212) 221-7200

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