NYC Tastes

Slow Wine stopped into downtown Eataly once again this year to showcase wines from their 2018 Wine Guide.   This guide focuses on winemakers who strive to work with respect for the environment, protecting the wine regions biodiversity using sustainable techniques. On hand were some incredible Italian wines like this surprisingly fresh, fruity Dolcetto from Marziano Abbona that burst with flavors of strawberry and cherry. The wonderful 2010 Barolo's from Casa E. di Mirafiore full of plum, black berry and tobacco with a relaxed rich finish. And a stunning 2012 Barolo Riserva from the Franco Conterno family. In addition to these fabulous Italian wines Slow Wine included California producers for the very first time including Littorai Winery. This small, family run vineyard showcased some of my favorite wines of the day including the 2015 Wendling Vineyard Pinot Noir and 2013 B.A. Theiriot Vineyard Chardonnay that had the perfect balance of creamy el...

There are so many reasons to be thankful this year.  I'm honestly always thankful to have Eataly in my neighborhood but this year I'm even more thankful because they're hosting a pop up called Riso e Risotto.  Located in the Le Verdure restaurant this pop up is all about the rice based dishes of Northern Italy and the king of Italian rices Carnarali.   The menu includes five different Risottos with various toppings like mixed mushroom & thyme, Bartlett pear & mascarpone or simply the classic with butter and parmigiana cheese.  Alongside the rice dishes are a slew of new Le Verdure specialties including these pillowy Pumpkin Gnocchi's topped with cheese, melted butter and crispy sage. It's also truffle season at Eataly so every dish is available with white or burgundy truffles for an extra price.  There's never been a better time to Eataly. Riso e Risotto At Le Verdure- Eataly 200 5th Avenue New York, NY 10010

It's been so cold and windy lately it's been hard to venture to far from home.  Luckily we have Eataly right nearby for all of those winter food needs. There is little in life that makes me happier than lush, beautiful ribbons of prosciutto and thick sliced chunks of mozzarella dusted with salt, pepper and olive oil. Fior di Zucca~ house made ravioli filled with butternut squash and ricotta cheese, tossed in a wonderful brown butter sauce topped with crispy sage and a flurry of grana padano. And for a little something green the Fusilli with broccoli, pecorino cheese, house made mozzarella, breadcrumbs and chili.  It's got a fantastic crunch from the breadcrumbs and a spicy little kick at the end that's just lovely. La Pasta at Eataly 200 5th Avenue at 23rd Street New York, NY 10010

When Eataly moved into my neighborhood a few years ago it truly changed my life.   All of sudden I had a one stop shop for everything I could ever need; fresh balls of mozzarella, home made pastas, amazing fruits and veggies, a meat and fish counter plus all those Italian desserts.  I love my Eataly and the new Eataly Downtown is just as wonderful.  In fact it actually has a couple new additions that might make it even better!  Here's a look at a few: L'Espresso & Il Vino -  This gorgeous circular bar is the very first stopping point when coming off the escalator. Most people never realize it's okay to drink some wine while shopping at the flagship Eataly; but with this new addition front and center guests are encouraged to try a tasting flight, pick a glass or grab a bottle of something wonderful before moving on. Le Insalate-  Downtown Eataly is located in the middle of the financial district making it a prime spot for lunch.  Naturally a ...

I absolutely love when friends come to visit.  The weekend almost always begins with a trip to Eataly for a bottle of bubbly and a plate of their luscious prosciutto and mozzarella. And the weekend usually ends with a stop into Gramercy Tavern; this time for a full meal in the bar area. Marinated Fluke tossed with citrus, mint and a sprinkle of pine nuts... ...and thick ribbons of rich, marbled Wagyu Pastrami to begin the meal. My standard Gramercy entree order the Ricotta Cavatelli.  I just love the combination of sage, Swiss chard and oyster mushroom to the hearty pasta.   Of course the Mushroom Fried Rice with green garlic, cabbage and trout roe is also an excellent choice. For dessert the Gramercy Tavern Cookie Plate served with a short glass of milk and two scoops of Strawberry Ricotta Ice Cream that was so creamy and decadent it was almost more like eating a cheesecake.   Good food, great friends to share it with...it doesn't g...

Every single time I have a cold I crave pasta to no end.  Not chicken noodle soup, not grilled cheese (Mr. T's cold/flu staples) but a big steaming bowl of pasta in some kind of hearty sauce.  This is when living right near Eataly's La Pizza & La Pasta comes in clutch.     The former serving Naples style pies and the latter serving various pasta dishes using either Secca (imported Italian pasta) or Fresca (homemade artisan pasta). I tend to go for the fresca dishes, the egg addition giving a little bit more chew to the dough than just water and flour; one of my favorites being the  Pappardelle with Lamb Ragu, mint, lemon, Pecorino Romano and chili flakes. Eataly never skimps on the big chunks of lamb in the ragu and the chili flakes give a big spicy kick to the dish that's also perfect for clearing up the sinuses.  It's a big bowl of everything the doctor ordered. Eataly La Pizza & La Pasta 500 5th Avenue New York, NY...

I had the incredible pleasure of meeting Andrea Scovero at Eataly last month; a winemaker known for his dedication to crafting small production wines completely by hand and focusing on the nature of the land to "paint" and create.    All of his wines are lovely but I suggest Barbera D'Asti Ciapin; the late harvest grapes create bold dark fruit flavors that are incredibly lush or the Il Clown Nebbiolo; a favorite of the world's best restaurants like Copenhagen's Noma for its powerful yet elegant body and distinct floral flavor. These slightly esoteric wines are a true delight to find- Salute! Eataly Vino 5th Avenue at 23rd Street New York, NY 10010

Christmas is less than two weeks away so break out those ugly red sweaters and pretend it's not actually a balmy 65 degrees today and hit up some holiday bars with our updated holiday cocktail guide. Quintessential NYC- The Plaza Hotel Whether you grew up watching the Eloise Christmas or Kevin in Home Alone just about everyone has a vision of The Plaza during holiday season.  Although the classic Oak Room is still sadly closed the redone Palm Court is a great second choice for a little holiday bubbly. The Plaza Hotel Best Christmas Bar- Miracle on 9th Street Christmas presents hang from the ceiling in shiny boxes, the bartenders have on their best Santa hats and the cocktail menu reads like something straight out of the North Pole.  There's a Christmopolitan with vodka and spiced cranberry, a Christmas Tree Gimlet with pine needle cordial and my personal choice the Bad Santa. It's got two kinds of rum, pineapple juice, coconut water and c...

The city's newest winter wonderland has popped up on the rooftop of Eataly. The massive Birreria space has been decked out in wreath's of spruce, strings of white lights and hanging antlers to celebrate the season of winter in the Italian Alps. A gorgeous tree is the spotlight of the restaurant with cozy Adirondack chairs scattered around so guests can sip on drinks while watching the tree lights shine over the Manhattan skyline. Birreria still has it's regular menu of beer and wine but now they've added an entirely new cocktail list.  It's split into "hot" with delicious drinks like the Bombardino; a twist on the classic eggnog with Brandy, Zabalione and whipped cream and "cold" like the Diamondback  with Orchard Hill "Ten66" Pommeau, Dolin Genepy, WhistlePig Rye and garnished with a cherry.  There's also new menu additions including three preparations of the nutty Swiss cheese Raclette. The cheese round is heated up ove...

I love every restaurant inside Eataly but veggie-centric Le Verdure is my favorite.  Everything is focused on fresh seasonal ingredients which means the menu is constantly changing. Our last visit they created an amazing Panko Crusted Eggplant with fresh basil, tomato and stracciatella. The eggplant was sliced just thick enough so it stayed firm and crisp down to the very last bite.  The aromatics from the basil and creamy stracciatella cheese then elevated this simple dish into heavenly food status.   This was easily the best fried eggplant I've ever had and one of my favorite dishes this year. Their potato Gnocchi didn't quite reach that level of transcendence.  The Black Summer Truffles were missing that robust, earthy flavor I've come to love.  It was still a delightful dish but one I'll save for winter when it's paired with heartier accouterments. Le Verdure 200 5th Avenue New York, NY 10010

Eataly officially erected a full time Nutella Bar months ago with all sorts of crepes, cones and croissants just waiting to be filled with that lovely hazelnut spread.  I'm a huge fan of Nutella but I hadn't indulged until this past weekend when I was craving both caffeine and chocolate.  It was the perfect opportunity to try out the Marocchino; an espresso with steamed milk layered with Nutella and a sprinkle of cocoa. This was very similar to my old favorite Piedmonte  from Caffe Lavazza except with a bottom layer of rich, silky Nutella that pretty much put this over the top creating a hot espresso hazelnut shake. I may have a new favorite. Eataly Nutella Bar

I love living right near Eataly.  There's so much incredible wine, cheese and dessert to buy; not to mention the fantastic produce section and dizzying array of Italian beer.  But my favorite thing about living near Eataly is dining at the amazing restaurants any time I want; like grabbing some bar seats for a late afternoon feast at Manzo. Mr. T and I always begin with a plate of Housemade Mozzarella dotted with heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil. Next the seasonal Agnolotti stuffed with Sekel Farm Veal served naked so the rich, creamy flavor of the meat is center stage. Then onto a satisfying bowl of Cavatelli served with Broccoli Rabe Pesto and Sweet Italian Sausage. And  Manzo's hefty Diamond Creek Ranch Beef Rib with Spina Rossa Polenta & Barbaresco Vinaigrette. For dessert the Chocolate Budino with salted caramel & amaretti cookie is a rich decadent delight best for...

Monday was such an awesome day.  I got a text from my brother Mike saying he was stuck at LaGuardia Airport. Since I already had the day off from work I suggested we meet up for lunch so he cabbed it into the city and headed to The Nomad for their new $29 two course lunch menu.  Meals at The Nomad always begin with a beautiful fresh baked loaf of bread that fills the room with the sweet aroma of rosemary, dill and yeast. This bread has the perfect texture, crispy on top but chewy in the middle with sliced potatoes and rye seeds scattering the outside.  It would be have been easy to demolish this entire thing and ask for more but somehow we showed some restraint until the appetizers arrived. The same Carrot Tartare from the Nomad Bar makes an appearance on the menu here; plated simply with winter greens and rye chips.  This is easily one of my favorite dishes in the city right now and my brother agreed.  There's just something about that nut...