From Eater:
Shopsin’s has introduced a new burger, inspired by everyone’s favorite late night TV host: “Added last week after Shopsin’s appearance on Late Night With Conan O’Brien is the Conan Burger. In the spirit of Shopsin’s macaroni and cheese pancakes, it is a cheeseburger combined with pancakes and served with real maple syrup and hot sauce. This combination actually works.” [SE]
I had dinner with J last Friday night at yummy LES Italian spot, ‘inoteca. When we found out there would be a 2 hour wait (damn LES!), we decided to sit outside where there were tons of open tables. Why so many outdoor tables you ask? Because we were smack dab in the middle of a Gossip Girls shoot. Superbright lights and burly grips yelling at each other–just another romantic Friday date dinner. And then I realized–being a potential bystander to a Gossip Girls shoot is the closet I’ll ever come to actually living the Gossip Girl lifestyle. Hrmph… Anyway–the Truffle Toast with Egg is amazing (see photo)… order it the next time you go!
Apparently Sunday was the last day for the classic Astroland at Coney Island. I’m really glad that J and I took the time to get there, ride the Cyclone (amazing!), and eat a Nathan’s on the boardwalk. Though, I must say–kinda gross.
Just got an email from Frankies 17 Sputino (on Clinton St) that they’re starting to offer their brunch menu along with their regular lunch/dinner menu 7 days a week from 11am til 4pm. And, they’re adding a couple of items, including: the Egg, Bacon & Cheese Sandwich, Homemade Steel Cut Oatmeal & Fruit and a selection of pastries from Ceci Cela; and coffee from Stumptown Coffee Roasters. For the full menu Read the rest of this entry ?
Or has the war just begun?? I was very sad when I found out Chubo, one of my beloved LES restaurants, had closed shop. It was my go-to spot when my parents were in town: a nice restaurant, with good (but not too weird) food, and it wasn’t loud or sceney. (Btw, if you can name anywhere like this on the LES please let me know for the next parental visit.) But according to Strong Buzz, the former Chubo space is going to become Luxee, a new dessert cafe run by an all-Japanese staff from Tokyo. They use natural and organic ingredients to create desserts that are healthy and good for your body. Interesting… and right across the street from Cocoa Bar. (Um… and next door-ish to Clinton Street Baking Company.) I smell a baking war!
Photo via.
Check out this adorable article in NY Mag about NYC kids and their lemonade stands—it’s written by the amazing Cup of Jo and it’s staring my good friend Judy’s son, Oliver. After growing up in a quintessential suburban neighborhood, I sometimes wonder if NYC kids miss out on all the silly (but fun) things small town kids get to do. They don’t—they just do it in their way. Pretty cool.
I really love spicy foods. But it’s definitely a painful experience for me. While living in London, I once at a curry that made my entire face go fire-engine red and I couldn’t speak for a few minutes. And on one of my first dates with J, I ate a Malaysian dish that caused me so much pain I had to beg the waiter for a glass of milk—that’s apparently how I make the men fall for me. So I love this: The Phaal Challenge at Brick Lane. Since phaal is considered one of the hottest curries, the restaurant will give anyone who manages to finish the dish a place on Brick Lane Curry House’s P’hall of Fame, a certificate of honor, and a free beer. I’m too chicken, but are you up to it? You actually have to give them a verbal disclaimer that you won’t hold them liable for any “physical or emotional damage.” Hard core. Check out Serious Eats where someone actually completed the challenge.
Last night J took me out to Del Posto for my birthday. What an incredibly elegant and over-the-top experience! I got all gussied up (high heels and all) and we even cabbed it to the 10th Ave locale. When we entered, the first thing I thought was, “This place is huge!” The ceilings are incredibly high, and we climbed tons of steps to get to the balcony level. The food was delicious: the tasting menu confused us a bit, so we opted for 2 entrees and something called “BIS,” where you get tastings of two different pastas. The first pasta was rabbit panzotti with asparagus and the second was orecchiette with lamb neck sausage and morels. Both were fantastic - and just the right size for a tasting. Then I got the pork loin and J got the seared halibut (his was better… he always picks better than me!). Dessert was so-so: chocolate ricotta tortino; but I’m not really a huge chocolate or ricotta fan. Biggest highlight? We splurged on wine and got a fantastic Barbera. J spent like 20 minutes trying to choose through the novel-length wine list. When the sommelier came to the table, it was so fancy! He poured the wine into one wine glass, swirled, poured it from the first glass to a second, swirled, and then poured into a 3rd smaller glass, and sniffed it. I barely contained my laughter - I’m not used to such service! All in all - a delicious, super special birthday dinner all thanks to my amazing boyfriend.
I love sangria as it is (my favorite is at Tapeo 29!), and I don’t particularly think it needs a makeover. But it’s interesting to see a bunch of NYC drink-spots putting a spin on the classic drink. From the dry-sherry sangria at Suba to the deep-red-beet version at Tailor to the green mango and apricot at Rayuela, mixologists (did I really just use that word?) all over town are going sangria-wild.
Check out the entire, BEAUTIFUL slideshow here.
Very special news: It’s my birthday on Sunday. I’m going to be 25—which is exciting and terrifying all at the same time. So to celebrate, J and I are throwing a little rooftop BBQ. It will all be very makeshift as I never have all the utensils, tools, etc. to throw a proper party (that only happens when you’re a real adult and probably live in a house with actual storage space). But we DO know the secret to a yummy burger. One day while watching Barefoot Contessa, she showed us how to make her recipe for “Real Hamburgers.” She adds all sorts of yummy things to the meat before she cooks it like steak sauce, eggs, and pepper. But here’s the secret: she makes a little indentation in the burger meat and sticks a small sliver of butter in the middle. Blew my mind! It keeps the burger really moist and buttery in the middle. Friends: expect this deliciousness at the party 
I really got a kick out of this post on Grub Street—a reader complained (pretty vehemently) about customers who ask their bagel vendors to “scoop” out the inside dough, thus holding up the others on line. First thing—I eat bread and I eat dough… never have I asked someone to scoop out the insides. I don’t enjoy bread for the crust. It’s the dough that holds the magic. But I have a good friend who just recently suggested I cut calories by asking the people at Subway to “scoop” my bread. No, I will not partake in such nonsense. But the comments on the Grub Street post amused me, and this quote really hit home:
As for having to wait in line, well come on, this is NY. We want our bagels the way we want them, and getting them that way and not out of a freezer bag is what make us NYers.
Agreed. When J and I went to Denver in December, we went to a bagel store where I asked the cashier for a bagel, “lightly toasted,” with cream cheese. She scoffed at me and said, “Huh… yeah, we’ll make sure to lightly toast it.” Oh, the anger. So I understand—I too want my bagel the way I want it—and that is what makes NY great. Therefore… scoop away my calorie-cutting friends.
Photo via.
It’s great when 3 different things I love coincide to form the perfect summer evening: food, film, and sand. This year, the Second Annual NYC Food Film Festival will be held at Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City, Queens from Saturday June 14th to Friday June 20th. At the festival, you’ll get to watch a film that’s all about food, and then sample the food portrayed—like Berlin’s beloved Currywurst after watching Best of the Wurst. Admission is free, but food and drink cost money. There’s a schedule of the movies, and a listing of all the food that will be served. I’ve still never been to the Water Taxi Beach, so I’m very excited about going to this!
Saw this and completely agree: “As the weather warms up, restaurants who keep their windows open wide maintain a serious advantage over their stuffier competitors,” says Gothamist. I think I like restaurants that open their windows more than sidewalk seating—it’s the best of both worlds. And the neighborhood is all about opening their windows, check out some of my favorites who take part: Kampuchea, Tapeo 29, Thai on Clinton (which is called something else now), Bondi Road, Schiller’s, Salt Bar, Barrio Chino, and Spitzer’s Corner.
I’ve been dying to go to the Brooklyn Flea since it opened, but it’s pretty much rained every Sunday for the past few weeks (or I’ve been away for a wedding). This Sunday’s forecast? Sunny and in the 70s. And, after seeing this article about the Flea in the NY Times, I’m even more amped to go. Mostly, I’m dying to check out the Whimsy & Spice goodies that I read about all the time on Sweet, Fine, Day. Everything they make looks so darn delicious! There’s also news that the Red Hook vendors are setting up satellite stands at the Flea—and let’s face it, if I didn’t make it out to Red Hook last year, what are the chances this year? I’m not so into the artsy, crafty stuff that will probably be there, but I can use it to convince others to come with me. I think Dachsies wants to go; and I can probably get Johnny in. Who wants to join?
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