Here is a summary of what I ate whilst in New York. The combination of service, food and atmosphere all melded into good dining experiences which Sydney seems to be lacking right now! All the restaurants below up until after MOMA lunch were in Soho and Nolita, within walking distance of where I stayed. I loved that we could go and dine in such cool places and not have to worry about dressing up...not to say that you couldn't dress up!
Sunday 8/2
Brunch at Revel - Smoked Salmon Nova (smoked salmon with poached egg on Turkish)
Highlights - good for people watching!
http://www.revel-ny.com/
10 LITTLE WEST 12TH ST. NYC
Drink/Snack at BREAD
Highlights - warm cosy laid back atmosphere. My fruit salad took a while to arrive but nice to hang out at the bar after a day out.
20 Spring St New York
Highlights - warm cosy laid back atmosphere. My fruit salad took a while to arrive but nice to hang out at the bar after a day out.
20 Spring St New York
Dinner at PUBLIC - 2 entrées of Apple soup with crab salad, followed by Marinated white anchovies on quinoa croquettes with spicy saffron aioli
Highlights - fit out of restaurant was very industrial meets library but warm. The music was a bit weird though. I can still taste the crab salad swimming in the centre of the soup and the fresh anchovies.
http://www.public-nyc.com/
210 Elizabeth Street New York
Highlights - fit out of restaurant was very industrial meets library but warm. The music was a bit weird though. I can still taste the crab salad swimming in the centre of the soup and the fresh anchovies.
http://www.public-nyc.com/
210 Elizabeth Street New York
Monday 9/2
Breakfast at McNally Jackson Booksellers - Muesli with yoghurt
Lowlight - the woman (who seemed to be the same one from a year ago) was too laid back with her service and charged me too much (although she did correct it later). There was more yoghurt than muesli. I think this place is better to go for a light lunch or afternoon coffee and serves as a great toilet stop….birds tweet and the walls are painted like a forest downstairs in the bookstore.
52 Prince Street New York
Breakfast at McNally Jackson Booksellers - Muesli with yoghurt
Lowlight - the woman (who seemed to be the same one from a year ago) was too laid back with her service and charged me too much (although she did correct it later). There was more yoghurt than muesli. I think this place is better to go for a light lunch or afternoon coffee and serves as a great toilet stop….birds tweet and the walls are painted like a forest downstairs in the bookstore.
52 Prince Street New York
Lunch at Oro Bakery & Bar - Tuna with wasabi mayonaisse on sour dough with fresh OJ
Highlight - the African america woman who served me was really friendly and patient. The sandwich was fresh and I loved that it was small and I could just sit by the window along the wall watching people pass by. I returned later in the week for takeaway and tipped her then also because I just liked her.
www.orobakerybar.com
375 Broome Street New York
Dinner at Bar Marche - Entrée of Goats cheese brulee with roasted beets and blueberries, then Scallop, parmesan and mushroom risotto, and the best hot chocolate!
Highlights - Country like furniture and art with a chandelier encased in Perspex box. The goats cheese brulee was unexpected and was a slice of goats cheese caramelised on the top like a brulee, matched with the tart roasted beets and mint was refreshing. The hot chocolate was the best I’ve tasted in a while and was made on the spot (not a menu option!).
Highlight - the African america woman who served me was really friendly and patient. The sandwich was fresh and I loved that it was small and I could just sit by the window along the wall watching people pass by. I returned later in the week for takeaway and tipped her then also because I just liked her.
www.orobakerybar.com
375 Broome Street New York
Dinner at Bar Marche - Entrée of Goats cheese brulee with roasted beets and blueberries, then Scallop, parmesan and mushroom risotto, and the best hot chocolate!
Highlights - Country like furniture and art with a chandelier encased in Perspex box. The goats cheese brulee was unexpected and was a slice of goats cheese caramelised on the top like a brulee, matched with the tart roasted beets and mint was refreshing. The hot chocolate was the best I’ve tasted in a while and was made on the spot (not a menu option!).
Lowlight - M and I noticed a young girl dining with family and friends. She had a silver sequined band around her head like a halo....we thought she would not be able to get away with that in Sydney!
14 Spring Street New York
http://barmarche.com/
14 Spring Street New York
http://barmarche.com/
Tues 10/2
Breakfast at Balthazar - Buckwheat crepe filled with scrambled egg, gruyere & ham.
Breakfast at Balthazar - Buckwheat crepe filled with scrambled egg, gruyere & ham.
Highlight - exceptional service (I suspect many of the waiters/waitresses are actors!), the waitress complimenting M’s outfit as soon as we had sat down, the food is clean and fresh. This place is suppose to be an institution and I can see why. Love the warm-vintage fit out of this place.
Lowlight - Didn’t get to try the sour cream waffles with berries!
http://www.balthazarny.com/
80 Spring Street New York
Lowlight - Didn’t get to try the sour cream waffles with berries!
http://www.balthazarny.com/
80 Spring Street New York
Lunch at Lure - ‘Lure Style’ Grilled Cheeseburger served with Fries with 3 sauces
Highlights - The restaurant was fitted out like a ship inside! The burger was perfectly served on a brioche bun with onion rings and a huge serve of fries on the side. Service was exceptional and was a nice hideaway from the busyness of Soho above ground.
http://www.lurefishbar.com/
142 Mercer Street New York
Highlights - The restaurant was fitted out like a ship inside! The burger was perfectly served on a brioche bun with onion rings and a huge serve of fries on the side. Service was exceptional and was a nice hideaway from the busyness of Soho above ground.
http://www.lurefishbar.com/
142 Mercer Street New York
Dinner at a Little Italy local restaurant - Entrée of calamari with tomato sauce followed by pasta with home made beef meatballs
Highlight - 3 Italian men walked in after us and sat next to us - all wearing black and with Al Pacino accents. ML and I were a bit scared! One of their names was Vinnie and ML overheard them saying ‘If someone did that I would kill them’…..they then had followed us to the dessert place and followed us out the exit…ML tried to let them out the door first but they insisted on him exiting first.
Lowlight - Can’t remember the name of this place but it was so-so. My meatballs were a bit overcooked and dry.
Dessert at Ferrara Café - Tiramisu gelato
Specialise in Italian/French desserts. This place is also an institution and I remembered ML had taken J and I there once before on a previous trip.
Highlight - Great tiramisu gelato.
http://www.ferraracafe.com/nyc/
195 Grand Street New York
Highlight - 3 Italian men walked in after us and sat next to us - all wearing black and with Al Pacino accents. ML and I were a bit scared! One of their names was Vinnie and ML overheard them saying ‘If someone did that I would kill them’…..they then had followed us to the dessert place and followed us out the exit…ML tried to let them out the door first but they insisted on him exiting first.
Lowlight - Can’t remember the name of this place but it was so-so. My meatballs were a bit overcooked and dry.
Dessert at Ferrara Café - Tiramisu gelato
Specialise in Italian/French desserts. This place is also an institution and I remembered ML had taken J and I there once before on a previous trip.
Highlight - Great tiramisu gelato.
http://www.ferraracafe.com/nyc/
195 Grand Street New York
Wednesday 11/2
Breakfast at Colonial Café - French toast (made from baguette) with fruit salad of banana and strawberries with maple syrup
Highlight - Cosy café fitted out with eclectic collection of café tables and chairs.
Lowlight - I’m unsure whether baguette makes good French toast and it definitely had a crunchy crust…perhaps deep fried as opposed to pan-fried? But it worked in the end.
http://cafecolonialny.com/
Breakfast at Colonial Café - French toast (made from baguette) with fruit salad of banana and strawberries with maple syrup
Highlight - Cosy café fitted out with eclectic collection of café tables and chairs.
Lowlight - I’m unsure whether baguette makes good French toast and it definitely had a crunchy crust…perhaps deep fried as opposed to pan-fried? But it worked in the end.
http://cafecolonialny.com/
Takeaway lunch at Oro Bakery - chicken mayo on sour dough and a chocolate croissant. Hot soy chocolate for M.
Highlight - I purposely walked 3 blocks to get this as I had spent the day sleeping in bed due to a cold. It was worth it, good comfort food. I wanted to try the mushroom tortellini soup but thought my stomach may not be able to take it. M said the hot choc was very good!
Highlight - I purposely walked 3 blocks to get this as I had spent the day sleeping in bed due to a cold. It was worth it, good comfort food. I wanted to try the mushroom tortellini soup but thought my stomach may not be able to take it. M said the hot choc was very good!
Dinner at Delicatessen - Shared appetizer Truffle spinach & artichoke dip (with parmigiano reggiano) with tortilla chips, then Chinoise Salad with Chicken (Cabbage, soy beans, tofu, kim chee, pears, crisp noodles and lime ginger dressing)
Highlight - Ultra trendy crowd, great for people watching, attentive service and homestyle but interesting food. Wanted to try the cheeseburger spring rolls but thought I better stick to the more refined food!
Lowlight - Very noisy, waiter insisting I ordered the salad without the chicken. M heard what I said and even if he accidentally did not hear me, should have not debated with me whether I ordered the chicken or not.
Highlight - Ultra trendy crowd, great for people watching, attentive service and homestyle but interesting food. Wanted to try the cheeseburger spring rolls but thought I better stick to the more refined food!
Lowlight - Very noisy, waiter insisting I ordered the salad without the chicken. M heard what I said and even if he accidentally did not hear me, should have not debated with me whether I ordered the chicken or not.
Fashion notes - lots of women in skinny jeans, t-shirts/blouses with ankle or knee high boots over the jeans. M and I didn't think one woman's heels were quite working for her....
http://www.delicatessennyc.com/
54 Prince Street New York
http://www.delicatessennyc.com/
54 Prince Street New York
Thursday 12/2
Breakfast at Café Gitane - Orange blossom waffles with fruit salad of banana, bluberry and strawberries with syrup.
Highlight - Apparently Kirsten Dunst frequents this café…good for people watching. Complimentary chocolate with takeaway coffees. M said the couscous is really good.
Lowlight - The 3 waitresses seemed to think that serving customers was a chore. The hostess (dressed in black t-shirt and shiny black leggings) seemed to not care at all. However, the service from behind the bar seemed friendly when ordering takeaway coffees.
242 Mott Street New York
Breakfast at Café Gitane - Orange blossom waffles with fruit salad of banana, bluberry and strawberries with syrup.
Highlight - Apparently Kirsten Dunst frequents this café…good for people watching. Complimentary chocolate with takeaway coffees. M said the couscous is really good.
Lowlight - The 3 waitresses seemed to think that serving customers was a chore. The hostess (dressed in black t-shirt and shiny black leggings) seemed to not care at all. However, the service from behind the bar seemed friendly when ordering takeaway coffees.
242 Mott Street New York
Lunch at Sushiya with M & C - Bento box with sashimi, chicken terriyaki, gyoza, edamame
Highlight - this place packed when we arrived and seems to be a local working person’s hangout.
Lowlight - the bento boxes took ages to come out and normally this is not a problem. The waitress was apologetic but did not offer any consolation. The customer next to us was also a regular and was not impressed.
28 W 56th Street New York (between 5th & 6th)
Dinner at Peasant - Orecchiette Con Cime Di Rape (Orecchiette with sweet sausage and brocolli rabe)
Highlight - this seemed to be a popular eating spot and had a warm rustic interior.
Lowlight - the orecchiette was very rich with oil/butter and the flavours combining the intense sweet sausage, brocolli rabe and star anise was overwhelming….although M managed to eat most of it in addition to her fish! I was also slightly out of it from having a mojito which I clearly can not take, there is a reason why I don‘t drink!
http://peasantnyc.com/
194 Elizabeth Street New York
Highlight - this place packed when we arrived and seems to be a local working person’s hangout.
Lowlight - the bento boxes took ages to come out and normally this is not a problem. The waitress was apologetic but did not offer any consolation. The customer next to us was also a regular and was not impressed.
28 W 56th Street New York (between 5th & 6th)
Dinner at Peasant - Orecchiette Con Cime Di Rape (Orecchiette with sweet sausage and brocolli rabe)
Highlight - this seemed to be a popular eating spot and had a warm rustic interior.
Lowlight - the orecchiette was very rich with oil/butter and the flavours combining the intense sweet sausage, brocolli rabe and star anise was overwhelming….although M managed to eat most of it in addition to her fish! I was also slightly out of it from having a mojito which I clearly can not take, there is a reason why I don‘t drink!
http://peasantnyc.com/
194 Elizabeth Street New York
Friday 13/2
Breakfast at Balthazar - Smoked Salmon Bagel
Highlight - my last breakfast with M. The quality of the salmon was exceptional and even though I initially doubted the side of tomato, it actually worked really well with the spinach, Spanish onion and cream cheese!
Breakfast at Balthazar - Smoked Salmon Bagel
Highlight - my last breakfast with M. The quality of the salmon was exceptional and even though I initially doubted the side of tomato, it actually worked really well with the spinach, Spanish onion and cream cheese!
Lunch - Moma Café 2
Bruschetta with pumpkin, escarole & shiitake mushroom; prosciutto with walnut & lemon chickpea puree; roasted garlic and anchovy
Highlight - This is the fanciest cafeteria I have been to! Even though it is order at the counter service, they bring you the food and your cutlery rolled in a proper white cloth napkin. The presentation of the food is given attention.
http://www.momacafes.com/c2/c2.html
The Museum of Modern Art
9 West 53rd Street New York
(Dinner at home with the Louies)
Bruschetta with pumpkin, escarole & shiitake mushroom; prosciutto with walnut & lemon chickpea puree; roasted garlic and anchovy
Highlight - This is the fanciest cafeteria I have been to! Even though it is order at the counter service, they bring you the food and your cutlery rolled in a proper white cloth napkin. The presentation of the food is given attention.
http://www.momacafes.com/c2/c2.html
The Museum of Modern Art
9 West 53rd Street New York
(Dinner at home with the Louies)
Saturday 14/2
Dinner at Besito’s - Guacamole En Malachite, Enchiladas barbacoa y chorizo (Beef barbacoa & chorizo baked in a roasted tomato & tomatillo salsa topped with potatoes, rajas & queso fresco), shared dessert of chocolate pudding (mousse) with candied pistachios.
Highlights - the guacamole was made by a waiter on a trolley at the table with a mortar and pestle. It consisted of avocado, spring onion, cilantro, salt, tomato, chilli to desired taste. Note no lemon. It was then served in the mortar. The beef in my enchilada was tender and slow cooked. Complimentary freshly made churros sticks were given to us and we dipped them in the residual mousse…They even gave us a little Mexican token each - a wire stick figure clothed in coloured thread. The waiters very thick Mexican accent and attention to service was great.
Dinner at Besito’s - Guacamole En Malachite, Enchiladas barbacoa y chorizo (Beef barbacoa & chorizo baked in a roasted tomato & tomatillo salsa topped with potatoes, rajas & queso fresco), shared dessert of chocolate pudding (mousse) with candied pistachios.
Highlights - the guacamole was made by a waiter on a trolley at the table with a mortar and pestle. It consisted of avocado, spring onion, cilantro, salt, tomato, chilli to desired taste. Note no lemon. It was then served in the mortar. The beef in my enchilada was tender and slow cooked. Complimentary freshly made churros sticks were given to us and we dipped them in the residual mousse…They even gave us a little Mexican token each - a wire stick figure clothed in coloured thread. The waiters very thick Mexican accent and attention to service was great.
1516 Old Northern Blvd Roslyn (Long Island)
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