NYC Tastes

This winter has been so cold, I've found myself looking for something warm and hearty to slurp almost every single day.  So Wagamama has become a constant on my neighborhood dining circuit.   This Asian hot spot began in London back in 1992 and has slowly built an empire with locations all over the world.  Mr. T and I have eaten at Wagamama's in multiple locations;  London , Copenhagen, Boston, and now NYC.  My current obsession is their wonderful Shirodashi Pork Ramen.  Slow cooked pork belly marinated in bulgogi sauce then tossed into a thick chicken broth with noodles, dashi, miso and a tea stained egg.  I just love how clean this ramen tastes; the rich, deep flavors of pork and chicken shine without that salty, fatty layer that coats most ramen.  And the bowls are so big I almost always have enough for breakfast the next day! Wagamama Multiple locations throughout NYC

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 ...

It's New Brew Friday and today we're coming from the wonderful Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia for this extra special bottle Cantillon 20 Ans d'Amite. 20 Ans d'Amite was created by Jean Van Roy of Cantillon to celebrate both the 20th anniversary of Monk's Cafe and the 20 years he has been friends with the owner Tom Peters.  This beautiful lambic is a blend of Cantillon Nath and Lou Pepe Framboise with Nath being the majority at 70%.  It's light and fruity with delicate flavors of rhubarb, vanilla, raspberry and funk with a refreshing finish.   This was a delightful bottle to both drink and to purchase, as the label is just perfect for the occasion.  This bottle is only available for on-site consumption at Monks Cafe in Philadelphia. We were lucky enough to drink it both on draft and in the bottle at the Monks/ Sierrea Nevada Camp Fire Relief charity event last Saturday.  An incredible beverage for an incredible cause.  Cheers!  Monks Ca...

If I had to give my five favorite spots in NYC, the Russian Vodka Room would definitely make it onto that list.  This place has absolutely everything I love; strong, delicious cocktails, a dark kitschy decor, nightly piano players and some of the heartiest food in the city, like this big bowl of Russian dumplings. These little uneven pockets of pasta  (pelmini) come  stuffed with a choice of beef, lamb, cheese or potato alongside a big bowl of sour cream and a heavy sprinkle of dill. This is stick to your ribs comfort food, made even better alongside a house infused vodka.  The Russian Vodka Room also has one of the best happy hours in NYC with $5 infused shots and $8 martinis from 4:00-7:00 every day.  It's almost impossible to leave this place without a big happy smile.  Russian Vodka Room 265 West 52nd Street at 8th Avenue New York, NY 10019

It looks like the East Coast is headed for a winter storm tomorrow, so it's time to stock up on some vino for the long snowy weekend.  Here are three of my favorite Italian wines for such an occasion. Concerto Reggiano Lambrusco-  Concerto is the first world's first single vineyard lambrusco from the great Tenuta La Rampata grapevines in Reggio Emilia. This bubbly wine pours a vibrant ruby red color with lively notes of fresh strawberry, cherry and raspberry.  This is a dry wine, best served cold and perfect for pairing with cured meats like speck, mortadella or my favorite winter food delivery, a large pepperoni pie from Joe's Pizza .   Average Price $22.95 Le Masse Di Lamole- This wine holds a very special place in my heart.  When Mr. T and I went to Tuscany, we attended a small wine festival in Greve and fell in love with this beautiful Chianti.  I searched for it here in the states with no luck until a shipment magically arrived...

2018 is officially over and what a crazy, wild ride it was from start to finish.  The year kicked off with a bang as my Buffalo Bills finally made it to the playoffs for the first time since 1999.  I was so happy, I cried tears of joy every single day leading up to the playoff game.  Of course they lost that Sunday, but I wouldn't give up that fabulous week of bliss  for the world.   Mr. T and I finally got to St. Louis to check out  Side Project Brewery .    This place was one of the best breweries we've ever visited.  The list was loaded with some of their rarest bottles and the staff were incredibly knowledgeable.  The space was so clean and comfortable I wanted to spend the entire weekend relaxing in the tap room.  We also made a few beer trips to  Vermont , a new beer-cation to  Miami for Wakefest   and of course, our amazing European trip to Paris, Bordeaux and Brussels, where we finally made it...