Victor's Café is a great Cuban restaurant located Midtown. But know that this place proposes an elegant version of Cuban cuisine, more elevated than what you would have in places like La Caridad on the Upper West Side or La Isla in Hoboken. I could not resist to try their lunch prix-fix that offers, for $29, a three course meal that was quite good. Before the food came, they brought some plantains that are always a crowd pleaser.
Yesterday evening, I was invited at ORO, an Italian restaurant that opened last August in Long Island City, conveniently located five minutes from the Queensboro Plaza subway stop. I was really surprised when I entered this place as I did not expect a place so spacious, modern and elegant, but with a casual feel.
There are two places I love for Restaurant Week Midtown: Circo and China Grill. This year, I went twice to China Grill for their Restaurant Week offer that is a very good deal. You get an appetizer, an entree, a side for two and a dessert for $29 and can add a bottle of wine for an additional $40. What I like about it is the choices that are not only limited, but also can be found on their regular menu. The first time I went, I did not have my camera unfortunately, but the second time, I did. So this is what I had that time:
It has probably been 11 years since I went to Brooklyn Diner and was really surprised to see it pop up on OpenTable. When I lived in the city, I use to go there for their large hotdog, one of the biggest, if not the biggest in New York, measuring 15 inches. This place is still there, with its big cakes at the entrance, one slice being too much for just one person for sure. I like the decor, that makes this place a tad more elegant than your regular diner. And you know that I love diners, as for me they are reminiscent of Americana.
Jodi and I wanted to eat Korean food and ended up at Osamil in Koreatown. The name of this modern restaurant comes from their address, 5 west 31st street. 5- Oh, 3- Sam, 1-il. We went on a Friday evening and it was quite busy, its warm dining room being filled with hungry customers. I like the space: it is a mix between a modern and rustic decor, with an open kitchen in the back.
We were looking for a brunch place close to Herald Square, when we stumbled upon Petit Poulet, a French bistro and wine bar that is part to the Radisson Hotel in Koreatown. Although most of the hotel restaurants feel like... hotel restaurants, there was a bit of a feel of a French brasserie, thanks to the decor, such as the tables and bistro chairs, tin ceiling and mosaic floor.
We hate the New Year's Eve crowd and so, instead of going to a restaurant that day, we decided to go the day before, a sort of New Years's Eve's Eve. And we picked the Bryant Park Grill, the setting with the park and all the lights being perfect for a magical evening. I admit that I was not sure what to expect and was quite surprised to see such a big place, with its large dining room on the left side and its covered patio.
So, I am back at Del Frisco's Double Eagle, the fancy steakhouse located on 6th avenue, couple of minutes from The Rockefeller Center. Little did I know this place used to be a bank converted into a three story luxurious restaurant, the vault being transformed into private rooms surrounding an amazing cellar, the biggest in the city with rare bottles, for a total of more than $3 million in wine!
I love this casual Italian place that has an amazing decor that matches its name: a circus. Colorful and playful, it has a certain charm and the food served there has always been delicious. For the Bollito Misto meal, I was there for a treat, with a 4 course dinner that, at $49 with a glass of wine is a steal.
You should never judge a book by its cover and I surely should apply that to my experience at Black Tap Burger. This place is often covered in social media, especially on Instagram, where photos of their milkshakes have been legendary. And, if you passed in front of it, you cannot not notice the line in front of it. Surely the photos look appetizing and you would think that the hype surrounding this place is justified. Well, that it what I thought until we had lunch there, on January 2nd...
We were going for BBQ at The Smokin' Barrel, when we realized that this place closed. It was replaced few months later by The Shepherd and The Knucklehead, a pub and steakhouse that opened seventeen years ago in Haledon, NJ and chose Hoboken for their second location. I was curious to know where their name is coming from and their website gave a pretty complete explanation:
It has been a while since we went for fondue at Kashkaval, a restaurant in Hell's Kitchen that takes its name from a sheep's milk Bulgarian cheese. I admit that I thought it was closed as, end of 2013, they announced that their landlord would not renew their lease and that they were launching a petition. I guess it worked out as this place is still there, although very different: it used to be a marketplace selling awesome cheeses, with a tiny dining room in the back. Now, this is a restaurant only and it is fairly big.
I think I probably would have never gone to Tehuitzingo if it was not a suggestion from one of my blog readers who always had great comments or suggestions to my posts. Yes, from the outside, you just see the name, Tehuitzingo Deli and Grocery and would never guess that this place serves great food at reasonable prices, using fresh ingredients. I mean, I had to verify again on my phone the name of address and, when confirmed, entered in that small place.
Opened beginning of 2014 at the corner of 57th Street and 6th Avenue, The Wayfarer defines itself as a purveyor of classic American cuisine. I like the atmosphere of the place that is cozy and modern, with great music in the background and a nice vibe. I should mention that the service was really good: efficient and courteous.
One time we were working late, one of my colleagues who is originally from India, ordered some food from The Kati Roll Company. I mean that was a revelation and each bite was so divine that I could hear angels singing on my shoulders. I love that place: the food is not only good, but cheap and, if I could, I would go there on a daily basis! Kati rolls are street food wraps that originated from Kolkata in India. There are many variants, but, at The Kati Roll Company, they are made by wrapping warm paratha, a type of Indian flat bread, around a variety of meats, vegetables and cheese.
When Jodi has something planned for lunch or dinner, and I end up going by myself or with a friend, I always try to find places where the food would be limited for her, like chicken or lobster places. These places can be of various level, from restaurants to take out. This time, I was at Chirping Chicken, a fast casual restaurant with, as of today, four locations in the City. I went to the one in Hell's Kitchen that was not that crowded but seemed to be a spot for police officers.
