Sunday, June 28, 2009

How do you say Arugula in Italian??

Last weekend, our good friends, the Chrommie's were in town and relying on us to take them to a good lunch place to eat at. Ya know cause I have a food blog.
Uh PRESSURE.
We WERE looking for places to eat outside, however we decided to seek homage in a restaurant in Greenwich Village because it was RAINING since apparently I MOVED TO SEATTLE. Ugh.

'ino
21 Bedford Street

Our meal started off with good ol' bellini's and beers. Off to a good start until we got the mamouth menu. Everything just looked good, overwhelming and well, in need of an Italian translator.

Mainly focusing on the bruschetta and panini section we narrowed it down. Because who can go wrong with a pressed sandwiches. Not me!

First off, we went for the platter of four for bruschetta.
Ricotta Fresca with Oven-Roasted Tomato
White Bean, Tomato, and Basil
Goat Cheese with Fennel Fronds (I think??)
And something else.
All good, a little taste of something good to come.
No real comments, I just remember Mrs. Chrommie was in a happy place because she had goat cheese. I could have used a bigger (or more?) roasted tomato on mine covering the whole bread.



Ordering our entrees became a bit harder since the choices were abundant and we kind of needed a translator. Soppressata? Rucola? Bresaola? After many consultations with our waiter and we figured out they were generally Italian beefs, eggplant or something cured. Oh and Rucola is a fancy way of saying Arugala in Italian.
See, I go above and beyond just the pretty pictures.

After trying to do a "sharing system" (where let's be honest someone always gets screwed) we found the Panini sampler platter. Our choice of four different smaller paninis per person. Now we're in business.

Mr. Chrommie and I ordered the same four:

Bresaola, Asparagus and Pecorino Peppato
Prscuitto, Mozzarella, and Tomato
Chicken, Oven-roasted Tomato, Asiago and Rucola
And something pork-like with a spicy sauce.

I don't remember what Mrs. Chrommie and Mr. Broad ordered because remembering my four was pretty hard. And I only have pictures of mine because uh, they all kinda looked alike.

While all tasty- some comments from the table:
"I think the bread is cutting up the roof of my mouth"
"Ooh the olive one isn't even that olive-y"
"The pork one with spicy sauce is my favorite"
"Hey, I wanted a bite of that one!"
"Umm, do they all kind of taste alike?"


And another view.


Review:
Yeah while I don't have too many adjectives on this post (SORRY! It was hard enough to remember what I ATE!) come on- it was toasted bread, a cheese, a meat and maybe something extra. Like "butternut squash mustard." Hard to screw up, no? The sandwiches were creative and I think I only had one I didn't love- my chicken/tomato one was a bit dry. So dry that it required a stop at a bar afterwards because I was still oh so parched. Right. While Mr. Broad reflected back, commenting that some were on the bland side I think he just wished he ordered the spicy pork special panini.
Rating: 7.5
While we were wavering on the rating, Mr. Chrommie upped it because while he didn't order, it they DID have nutella on the menu. And that clearly required an extra .5. I had to agree.

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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Givin' it up for the Redheads

While I am playing restaurant catch-up I am still exhausted from my Gramercy Tavern post. So this post, well it's going to be more about the pictures. Cause does anyone actually read this blog?? Or do you look at the pictures? If a tree falls and no one is around, does it make a sound? Discuss.

349 E 13th Street

Mr. Broad met me in the city cause I was working on a late Friday night (UGH) and we grabbed a bite at a restaurant we've wanted to try. The Redhead has been written up in some of my favorite NY foodie blogs and is a southern food bistro-ish restaurant.

Bacon Peanut Brittle
These were their upscale "beer nuts" we had while waiting at the bar. Hands down the best thing we had that night. Not because we didn't like our dishes, but this was just thaat good. It was sweeeet with a slight salty taste from the peanuts. I coulda eaten this for dinner and been all set. They also sell it by the jar to take home which became the "should we/shouldn't we" conversation later. After seeing the size of the jar that they give you to take home, we passed.


House Made Soft Pretzel With Kentucky Beer Cheese
Good but not ahhmazing like the menu reads. The pretzel was soft but not hot which would have been nice. And the beer cheese was one of these cold cream cheesey-cheeses which is for Mr. Broad as exciting as me eating Mushrooms (Note- sarcasm.) But don't kid yourself, he ate it after I told him it wasn't cream cheese. Oops, sorry...



Seared Beef Tenderloin- Bing Cherry Mole, Cashews, Polenta
You ever just order a dish primarily for the side dish? That's why I ordered this one. I really wanted bing cherry mole. The dish did not disappoint with large portions and CHERRIES! It's been awhile since I've been here but I remember this being good and barely being able to eat half of this.



The Redhead Burger- Chips, White Cheddar, Lettuce, Red Onion, Pickle with Applewood-smoked bacon

Okay, it looked amazing. And came with potato chips and an onion dip. Points for being different for sure. Mr. Broad didn't *mind* it just didn't love it. After his first bite he kind of had that puzzling look like he wanted to complain but also didn't want to ruin dinner. While not really the medium rare in color he wanted, worse off... The burger was cold. I had a bite, and though cold isn't the word I would use- luke warm was more like it. I told him to send it back. Ten minutes later a new burger was cooked with steam coming off of it. Definitely did a lot better for the burger. Just still missed a little somethin'. Had all the makings but couldn't figure out why.. the meat maybe? Eh, whatever he ate it.



The "Onion Dip" for the potato chips

Gd these pictures suck.


Review:

The Redhead is perfect for the East Village right down to its name. Had some good choices and some "okay" ones. Would I come back, sure- maybe order something different and get a beer. Or maybe just to nosh on the bacon peanut brittle.

Rating: 7 (Mr. Broad gave it a 6.5)




P.S. For all the redheads out here-- My favorite improv skit. Redheads protesting Wendy's mascot.




P.P.S. While reviewing my post before publishing Mr. Broad exclaimed, "It was CREAM CHEESE?!" And then asked me to change his rating to a 5. He also wanted it to be known that Lounge 47 had a much better burger.

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Sunday, June 14, 2009

A True New York Classic: Gramercy Tavern

GUESS WHO GOT A NEW CAMERA!! AND GUESS WHAT?! It has a FOOD setting!! Yippeeee!!! PS- WHY do they not sell a camera with an MEMORY card?! Isn't that like selling a TV without the remote? Ponder this.
Okay, onto the restaurant.

Mr. Broad and I have been very blessed with friends that understand how much we enjoy going out to dinner. We have received some very nice gifts in the form of restaurant gift cards to enjoy some of New York City's finest.

Gramercy Tavern has a front room, the Tavern and a back room, the Dining room. They both have different menus with the tavern focusing more on upscale bistro food and does not take any reservations. The Dining room is reservations only, with a fixed menu pricing, and jackets are preferred. We had reservations in the Dining Room.

42 East 20th Street

Called, "the epitome of special occasion restaurant" I almost felt like I should have told the server that it was our anniversary. It seemed just too decadent to go there "just cause." I got over that real fast though. And we both got the tasting menu which they change out with the seasons.

Having done a tasting at the much talked about Momofuku Ko, Mr. Broad and I found ourselves comparing the two. Here, however, service was just impeccable. They changed all of the silverware and plates with each course to the point where I told Mr. Broad I would hate to be the dishwasher guy at this restaurant.

Onto the food cause this one is a long one... with several surprise items not listed on the menu!

First off- an amuse bouche
Potato puffed over a black olive: Let it be known, I don't even LIKE olives. Mr. Broad convinced me to try it and that it doesn't even taste like an olive. I caved and well, what a pleasant starter bite!


Citrus Cured Artic Char
Me: Isn't artic char just a fancy word for salmon??
Mr. Broad: No it's an actual fish...
Me: Riight.

One of my favorite dishes, although I found myself saying that a lot. The inside was filled with grapefruit cured with a lemony zest.


The inside which was the lemon grapefruity goodness. Sluuurp.



Chilled Asparagus and Nettle Soup
Crispy Oysters and Pickled Rams

Mr. Broad is allergic to oysters. We came to this conclusion after several unpleasant "just-let-me-try-one-more" experiences. uh, FAIL. Mr. Broad got his soup without the fried oyster in the middle, however, this did not stop him from exclaiming that he could LIVE ON THIS SOUP. EVERY MEAL. Okay. so this was his favorite. And I might add he missed one hell of a fried oyster on top. And again, I DON'T EVEN LIKE OYSTERS!


Smoked Trout
Cippollini Puree and Pickled Onion Vinaigrette
The waiter stopped by and told us this was the chef's signature dish. And maybe some other stuff but I didn't hear because I was too busy trying to get the last bit of the cippollini onion puree. Those pretty red circles were probably my favorite addition of the tasting- pickled onions.



Fluke, Sugar Snap Peas, Wild Rice and American Caviar
A pretty rustic addition to the tasting, it had American caviar on top. I'm not a caviar guru but it provided a salty taste to the fluke. And sugar snap peas hidden underneath the fluke? I LOVE. Mr. Broad and I go to the Greenmarket on many Saturdays to buy seasonal produce from local farmers. I have heard that the chefs at all the restaurants get many of their ingredients there as well. Which I'm SURE I purchased the same sugar snap peas from the same stand they did. Wow, do I have such good taste.



Rack of Veal and Braised Deckle
Morels, Heirloom Beans and Garlic Scapes
Yeah, we were getting full but we soldiered on. With veal like this you HAD to. And what is deckle you ask? I could have sworn it was pork belly but it is a fatty part of brisket. Honestly, it's just goodness.
I know, what you are thinking. Mrs. Broad! Morels!? Isn't that *gasp!?* Mushrooms?! Yes, yes, it is. But we were at Gramercy Tavern. And after MUCH coaxing I tried one. Only one but I had to. And I'm afraid to admit. It wasn't thaat bad. However, after that I stuck to the veal and beans.


Strawberry Sorbet with some cracker underneath
This wasn't on the menu so all surprises on tasting menus are highly encouraged!
And strawberry sorbet- a nice palate cleanser if I do say so myself.



DESSERT
Now it was time for dessert. We were given our choice- chocolate or fruit. Before the waiter could even go into what the two options were I gave a snarky "Hah! this is easy".
The waiter laughed but still gave his strawberry rhubarb tart a plug. I didn't even hear what the chocolate option was, I was tuned out.

And then came our desserts. SURPRISE! Our waiter had seen how "into" our food we were (ie- he caught me taking pictures!!!) that he brought out the fruit dessert as well. Thank you waiter, you earned your tip.

Strawberry rhubarb something:
Okay, is it possible? I *may* have liked this over the chocolate dessert?! I mean the chocolate dessert was GOOD and even GREAT... but this tart... wow. And the strawberry (or rhubarb??) ice cream on the side was awesome.
Fruit desserts= Underrated.


Chocolate mouse with some salty cracker or something.
Good but um, if at all possible the cracker was too bland for me. I think it needed to be a bit more salty? Or something? Eh who cares. Choooocolaaate... NOM NOM NOM...




JUST when you think it's done. You're not.
Wow. Surprise!!
From left to right- a chocolate pudding tart, a caramel something of chocolate and a strawberry macaroon bite.



And then on the other plate, chocolate covered toffee and some other strawberry chocolate something. Wine was in effect and I was in a food coma. What do you expect??


Just some chocolates/small bites to ponder while you DIGEST YOUR CHECK. Holy...
All very good, but who could taste any of this at this point??

And my favorite little touch--

For the next morning, a coffee cake streusel muffin.





Review:
I mean what can I say?? Eating at Gramercy Tavern I can't see happening on a regular basis, or even a yearly basis... Although I wouldn't complain, just maybe on someone else's credit card?? Mom, Dad coming up anytime soon?? Eating at Gramercy, though, isn't just about the food- it's about the experience. While Ko was absolutely fantastic, the food at Gramercy paired with the experience really made Mr. Broad and I feel transported back to a different era of hospitality. It's not even an "old" restaurant but has the charm, feel and oh yeah damn good food.

And might I add they also have vintage beers??


Rating: 10

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Braving Harlem. Or, a couple of blocks away from Columbia University

One area we had yet to venture into was Harlem. Well we did once, but only by accident when we got on the express train versus the local. And Mr. Broad still swears that it was the train's fault.

Regardless, when BIL and SIL were in town and suggested we check out Harlem for chicken and waffles, we knew we were down for the experience!

Back story, paraphrased from some show I saw on the Food Network. Chicken and Waffles came around in the 1930s or so in Harlem when workers were getting off work in the wee hours and they couldn't decide between dinner foods or breakfast foods. So came some chef when he put both a chicken and waffle on one plate to make the decision easier. Or something like that.

113 West 116 Street

Luck WOULD have it that our beloved 7 train was down that day and the only way to get up there was to either 1) Drive. 2) Walk 20+mins to the E train which would take easily over an hour on the subway or 3) Get a cab.

Since we were going to Harlem the cab won. My cousin met us there for the experience. We were in HARLEM. We have finally ventured out of the touristy sections! We were HARDCORE! As I exclaimed this to my cousin, I was met with laughs as she pointed out to me that Columbia University was really just a couple of blocks away.
Doh.

It's no surprise that we all got the same thing. The only variety was if we wanted our chicken fried or smothered in gravy. Mr. Broad and BIL went for the smothered.

Chicken and Waffles


Chicken and Waffles -- the smothered chicken


Macaroni and Cheese


Collard Greens




Review:
Chicken and Waffles are a staple amongst Harlem and a definite experience. We weren't sure- do we eat them both together? One at a time? I really don't think it matters anymore than how you eat your chinese food with your ravioli at a Vegas buffet.
Maybe because I asked for white meat but my fried chicken was pretty dry. The fried portion was just "eh" and pretty flavorless. Mr. Broad's smothered chicken even was a bit dry but still had plenty of flavors amongst the gravy. What the chicken lacked, the waffles more than made up for it. In all honestly, I could have just had some of these waffles and been plenty fine. Sweet yet tangy with buttermilk, these waffles were all that I needed. Oh and as for the sides? Mac and cheese and collard greens- a great staple/side dish for the good ol' southern cookin'.
Rating: 6.5

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Sunday, June 7, 2009

A Banh (for) Mi (and you)

Oh I try with these titles...

I'm going out of order here. But to my BIL and SIL who enjoyed a fun foodie weekend, have no fear; I'll get back to our finds...

So Mrs. Cardinal was in town for her monthly visit. (The way that came out, I feel like she should be renamed Aunt Flow...aah bad joke I'm full of them)... I pulled up one of the sites I had bookmarked for just the occasion.

21 East 12th Street

I was introduced to the ever popular Vietnamese sandwich by Mr. Broad. And then had it at a popular restaurant that I vowed not to name in this article. Banh mi's have taken over NYC. Where once the ever popular Tasti D Lite stores were, I swear banh mi's are now sprouting. (Although have no fear, tasti d is still abundant).

This restaurant we went to had numerous banh mi sandwiches from a coconut shrimp to veal meatballs, to duck, to the ohso traditional pork. Okay. After doing a little research it appears it's not a Vietnamese sandwich, it's Cambodian! But all things considered, it's really similar. I mean it's like calling the sandwich American vs. Canadian. I think. But I digress.

My go-to website Serious Eats has some quality pictures of their variety.

This place is a window front and usually has a line wrapped around. There is seating upstairs, something not many realize.

Pulled Duroc Pork with honey



Five Spiced Pork Belly



Review:
I am so excited to have found this sandwich place and right near my office! Awesome for a quick lunch and filling. The chili mayo sauce provides a good zing while the refreshing cilantro follows it up. They have many different types like tiger shrimp, a crab meat one, duck ... so I think I'll have to venture back again. My *only* gripe is that I wish it'd have better seating or possible some more side dishes than asparagus. Not that it's needed since the sandwich more than covers lunch. I'm excited to take Mr. Broad here... and since it's close to the Union Square Greenmarket I already know what we're going to do afterwards!
Rating: 7.5

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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

You're back and still blogging about him?!

Yawwn, I'm waking up from my long break in posts.
As always I have excuses.

MY CAMERA BROKE. Canon may you RIP. Clearly I may have something to do with it since now I am in NYC and my purse has taken on the storage capacity of what the trunk of my car once did.
Ugh.

Alright. I have another camera coming my way but until then I've had to rely on fortunate friends/family who had their camera with them.

Mr. Broad's awesome Brother and Sister in Law (BIL and SIL now) were in town to celebrate both Mr. Broads and BIL's birthday. They are a year minus a day apart. Its cute.

First up, we took them to our favorite- Momofuku Ssam Bar.

207 2nd Ave (corner of 2nd and 13th)

Yes, I realize I have reviewed it already and YES it's a David Chang restaurant which I just posted... but whatever. He makes good food, we took our pics and we happily chowed down.

So it's been awhile and I may defer to my BIL and SIL and Mr. Broad on the "what" we ate. I think I took a paper menu home with me but if I did I put it in my purse. And well, you know what happened to my camera.

Lucky for you they have their menu posted online... Cribs notes at it's finest.

Spicy rice cakes – pork sausage, chinese broccoli, crispy shallots



Cat's ear pasta with cranberries and other things that aren't listed on the menu online.
It was good. And with a name like that you remember it, even if it has nothing to do with the title.


One of the hams. No idea which one but we liked it so much we ordered another ham to try a little variety. No picture on the second one because it really all looks alike.


Santa barbara uni – beet tapioca, whipped tofu, scallions- This was Mr. Broad's pick. Uni is sea urchin. And it was HIS birthday too after all (he told us this numerous times)



Lamb tortelloni – spring garlic, swiss chard, almonds
One of my fave's. Swiss chard, highly underrated.



Okay. So no official "review" this time, I've done enough of them on him. It was a great NYC meal with something a little different you won't get anywhere else. Even as you wait in the "holding room", Milk Bar you can get a sample of some of the more interesting food. Because it doesn't hurt to put the dessert before the dinner. Right now (or okay three weeks ago when we went there) they are in this candy craze and even had a fireball flavor. My recommendation if you go, have a sample- they give you a good sized sample serving. And even if you are not a fan of the fireball flavor (I'm not) I hear red licorice is good. But I won't be trying any of these soon. Because Mr. Chang, we are officially on a break. Again.

Up next: A non Momofuku post.

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