NYC Tastes

Restaurant Week is upon us once again and this year we kicked it off at Park Avenue Summer, the gorgeous NoMad spot known for it's fantastic RW options and seasonal decor.   Even knowing this was such a popular place we forgot to make a lunch reservation and were relegated to dining at the bar.  This was a fine excuse to indulge in one of their delightful cocktails the Papa's Pineapple Sumaquiri made with Bacardi Ocho and sumac. Their signature cornbread arrived first, piping hot and served with spicy jalapeno butter.  I usually try not to fill up on bread but these were too delicious to resist.  1st Course- Tuna Tartare with champagne mango and avocado.  A classic preparation of light, cooling ingredients perfect for these soaring temperatures. 2nd Course- Green Circle Chicken with roasted summer squash and grilled lemon.  I honestly forgot grilled lemon was listed as an ingredient, so my first bite of that sharp citrus fruit hidde...

NYC Restaurant week began on Monday so I stopped into The Clocktower for a relaxing solo lunch.  Located on the 2nd floor of the New York Edition, this sprawling spot definitely aims to impress with a sleek billiards room up front, a circular bar made of 24 K gold and three dining rooms decked out in burgundy cushioned seats and a roaring fireplace. Sometimes I restrain myself from the bread service when dining solo, but I dove into this delicious sourdough headfirst, served with a creamy whipped butter studded with sea salt. For my appetizer a thick, Butternut Squash soup dotted with pumpkin seeds, orange and a rich dill crème fraîche. Pan Roasted Cod with cauliflower and pickled romanesco.  The fish was cooked excellent, with a crispy caramelized top and a tender interior complemented by a delicious drizzle of lime and verjus sauce.   My lunch at The Clocktower was fantastic. I find most restaurant week menus keep things too simple, but each dish here ...

Hortus is one of the most recent openings in Nomad, helmed by Suhum Jang of Jung Sik and Chef Seungjoon Choi of Blanca.   This Asian infusion spot boasts a long sleek bar downstairs overlooking a beautiful open kitchen and a 2 nd floor dining room for more formal occasions.   The menu is broken down into five different sections; Raw Bar, Cheese & Charcuterie, To Start, To Share and Sides.    We began with the Shrimp Cocktail, four pieces of the freshest, most flavorful shrimp I've ever experienced served with a house made sauce studded with jalapeño, cucumber and avocado.   King Crab dressed with crème fraîche, Asian pear and red sorrel; this was a beautiful bite of cream and citrus. Onto the Starter portion of the menu, Calamari Tempura with Korean Shiso and spicy mayo.  I loved how they prepared both the rings and tentacles in two unique styles. Unfortunately, the Yuzu Tare Angel Wings were a disappointment.  The b...

Checking back in on my favorite new restaurant of last year Covina, which now has my favorite new happy hour! On the list wine, beer and cocktails that you actually  want at happy hour like Tito's Vodka Tonic, Fernet & Coke and my current favorite the classic Negroni. Plump, juicy Island Creek Oysters from Duxbury, Massachusetts served with a homemade spicy dressing and lemon. Heartier fare like their signature Wagyu Burger in four oz size and the cutest little lobster rolls in the city, served two to an order with a side of pickles for just $15. Covina 127 East 27th Street New York, NY 10016

These frigid cold temps have got me in total pasta mode so when I really want to indulge I head to La Pecora Bianca for a nice big bowl of Bolognese. This causal Italian cafe near Madison Square Park specializes in vegetable driven fare and signature pastas like this hearty tagliatelle studded with beef and pork ragu and freshly grated parmigiana cheese.  It's toothsome and satisfying, the perfect antidote for these windy bone chilling days. La Pecora Bianca 1133 Broadway at 26th Street New York, NY 10010

When &Pizza made its New York debut I honestly wasn't that excited.  I knew people in Washington D.C. were obsessed with this place but New York City already has tons of amazing pizza shops. How could this be any different? Short answer- because it's all about variety. For just $10 you get a long, thin pie with any amount of toppings you want.  Meaning you can literally create a pie in hundreds of different ways.  They have a few specialty pizzas already to choose from but even those can be customized.  For this visit I chose half Gnarlic pie and half American Honey with extra mozzarella on both. The Gnarlic side had garlic ricotta cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan and grilled onions studded with a bright basil pesto; while the American Honey side toted a spicy tomato sauce base with pepperoni, arugula, red pepper flakes and goat cheese layered with some sweet hot honey.   Both sides were delicious; I loved the thin crispy edges of the pie and the balance...