Eat.Here.Now: Gottino

Lovely narrow restaurant with a great selection of wine and the cutest backyard.  

Gottino

52 Greenwich Ave  New York, NY 10011

(212) 633-2590 

Eat.Here.Now: Mayanoki Sushi Supper Club

One of the things I love most about New York is discovering a hidden gem.  A new restaurant, a quaint neighborhood bar, an underground dance party.  There is so much to do in this city that it never gets old because you always find something new to do. 

This is how I felt when I was invited to the Mayanoki Sushi Supper Club at the Brooklyn Oenology.  But then, we had to try three tmes to get a seat at this small intimate tasting event because it would get sold out immediately.  But I thought this was still unknown?! *Sigh* As every New Yorker knows, anything cool spreads like wildfire and, in no time, something modest turns exclusive in 3,2,1... ANYHOW, we ended up scoring a seat, and like they say, great things come to those who wait.

The story about how this club even exist is delightfully serendipitous.  Two friends always used to go to the same sushi place in Tribeca and they loved the chef, Chef Albert.  When the sushi place shut down they made it a mission to find him.  Long story short, they did and private dinner parties followed.  The parties got so popular that it ultimately became a business and found its new home at the Brooklyn Oenology, a gorgeous space in Williamsburg with New York state wines.  It was fate, clearly. 

The sushi and the wine pairings were perfection and although it took a bit to get my seat, it was well worth the wait.

One piece of advice: Come hungry; and sober...ok, that's two.

Be sure to grab a few bottles of wine after dinner.  You'll get a discount and, trust me, you don't want to miss out. Every white wine we tasted was refreshing and smooth.  So, stock up! 

Perfect summer night. Thanks Chef Albert.

Sake Bombs

Weekend was spent celebrating birthdays and farewells with some of the most important people in my life.  Success.

Ashiya: A frat party mixed with day old fish.  

Bathtub Gin

kiss kiss for Amanda

Williamsburg Brunch via The James Hotel

Thinking of heading to Williamsburg for Sunday brunch.  Noted down four options that looked like it would hit the right spot.  Now if only I could get out of the comfy bed at The James Hotel...

 

pictures by me

Brunch spots in Williamsburg:
Le Barricou
Pates Et Traditions
Five Leaves
Jimmy's Diner

Dirty Plates, Stack'em High

I have this weird habit of taking pictures of my dirty plates, half eaten or completely finished.  But isn't it nice to remember that amazing meal you had, at the restaurant you had been dying to try, with amazing friends?  Here are some of my faves...

 Sake bombing night a Ashiya. October 2011.

The one and only Aria Wine Bar

 Jing Fong in Chinatown.  The most massive restaurant I have ever been too. Chicken feet were left untouched.  Yuck.

One of the best burgers I've ever had in NYC was at Lure Fishbar.  Absolutely NOTHING was left on that plate.

My latest masterpiece at Bar Pitti. Bellisimo.

JFK>>San Juan

Last weekend I took a quick trip to Puerto Rico to celebrate Father's Day with my dad.  Seemed like PR was happy to see me because the weather was beautiful.  The beach days were sunny and the waves were calm.  I'm kind of sad to be back (shocker) but can't complain that I get to go there to visit family.  It's like mandatory vacation every 6 months.

  

VIDA. 

 At Oceano, getting a Pina Colada.

Sangria at noon.  It's happy hour somewhere. 

 

 Fresh squeezed OJ, thanks to this miracle juicer.  It must be like 15 years old,and works perfectly. 

  pretty.

Peach and berry cobbler from Cooking Light. By far the BEST cobbler recipe. I go back to it time and time again. 

Unintentional mix-match. 

 El Livin, tucked away in the heart of Parque Luis Munoz Rivera- Highly recommend.

View from El Livin.  

Mango trees in bloom.  

  

Eat.Here.Now: Caffe Storico

Hey There Upper East Siders, Gossip Girl here. Ok, ok, Caffe Storico is on the Upper West Side, but work with me here.  It reminded me too much of Gossip Girl so I had to go THERE (sorry).  

I hardly go up to the UWS, mainly because I live in the Financial District; and let's face it, all the action happens downtown.  Nevertheless, a few weeks ago I decided to step inside The World Above 59th Street (yes, I unlocked that Foursquare badge) to meet my aunt and cousin for brunch.  They had picked out the place because the restaurant is owned by Stephen Starr, owner of Buddakan and Morimoto (a.k.a it had to be good). 

The restaurant was located inside the New York Historical Society (so snobs, unite! KIDDING). The ambience and people were lovely.  The ceiling was strikingly tall and the decor clean, crisp and chic.  Lots of white, beautiful china on display, and a pop of yellow for the seating.  The baked eggs in a spicy tomato sauce was well worth the acid reflux.  After our entrees, we ordered the assortment of Italian cookies.  Definitely recommend.  

I realize not a lot of people venture to the UWS if you don't live there but definitely recommend this for a girls brunch.  One where you want to dress up all prim and proper, a la Blair Waldorf.  Blood Orange Mimosas included.

Delicious Oxymoron: Burger Heaven at Lure Fishbar

"A burger at a seafood place?"  I was confused when my cousin assured me that's why we were at Lure Fishbar, a beautiful seafood restaurant that looks like you're inside a $5mill yatch.  My cousin's hobby is too find the perfect burger in NYC so I knew that it had to be good. And was I right!  

The burger is not on the menu so don't get discouraged if you can't find it next to the oysters and sushi.  The meat is juicy, the bun pillowy soft and the bacon/onion relish makes it perfectly messy.  As if that's not good enough, the burger is topped off by two crispy onion rings.  Yeay, cholesterol!  I'll take it.  Ok, I'll stop ranting now...just go.   

Lure Fishbar 

142 Mercer St., New York, NY 10012

Quick Bite: Joe Doe

JoeDoe

45 East 1st Street  New York, NY 10003

212-780-0262

Eat.Here.Now: The Toucan and The Lion

"I've died and gone to heaven" may be the most correct expression to describe this place.  When my friend told me to not walk, but run to this restaurant before it got popular, I did just that.  The Toucan and The Lion opened last December at Mara's Homemade's old spot (RIP crawfish) and my visit was deeelicious.

The cuisine seems to be nouveau american but with an asian twist.  I tasted the Blood Orange and Green Mango Salad and devoured the Chili Tamarind King Prawns.  But the best (by far) was the Duck Confit Mofongo.  Mashed taro root mixed with Chinese sausage and topped with a delicate fried egg.  The salsa verde gave it the perfect hint of tanginess. I will most definitely be back, but I'm sure next time I'll be on a wait list.

The Toucan and The Lion

342 E. 6th St. near First Avenue, East Village)

 What to get, what to get, what to get, what to get

 Clean, white decor with really cool lighting.  Notice the plants?

Mofongo heaven 

The jumbo prawns

messy

 Done and done

 Celebrating this amazing dinner with mama in tow (it's a long distance relationship but we make it work) 

Eu Nao Falo Portugues...Miss Favela

But I do like Miss Favela and Samba dancing.  Day drinking doesn't get more fun than this.

Miss Favela
57 South 5th St
Booklyn, NY 11211
781-230-4040  

Follow my blog