NYC Tastes

Cold windy Saturdays are the perfect excuse to stay under the covers an extra hour or two, lounge around all morning in PJ's and finally ease into a delicious neighborhood brunch.  Markt was actually my favorite restaurant when we moved to NYC about 15 years ago.  Back then it was located in the Meatpacking District and was one of the few places in the city to get a good Belgium beer.   Of course now Belgium beer is everywhere and the new location on 6th Avenue, while not quite as fancy, has still got a great vibe and a fantastic menu for any time of day.  My Eggs Benedict was absolutely on point; a perfectly poached egg drizzled with Hollandaise sauce on top of crispy Canadian Bacon and a side of sliced potatoes. Mr T couldn't resist one of the freshly baked croissants; flaky and buttery with the perfect amount of chew and sidled by butter, jam and Nutella. I couldn't resist adding on a bright springy Juniper Splash with gin, prosecco ...

Ugh Monday.  It's bad enough that it's cold and rainy outside but the lingering effects of too much wine during Cher's Billboard performance last night has made it so much worse. Seems like the appropriate day to stay under the covers, work from home and order in a delicious breakfast. Creamline is my favorite new spot for a classic NYC breakfast sandwich.  All of their ingredients are sourced from nearby farms meaning everything is super fresh and all natural. I chose to stack these sandwiches this morning because why not   ¯\_(ツ)_/¯     If Cher can turn back time why can't I stack my breakfast sammies? Each sandwich comes loaded with melted cheddar cheese, thick cut sausage or bacon and a perfectly fried egg on an English muffin. The best part about Creamline breakfast- it's served the entire day!  So no matter what time the party lasted until the night before there will still be an incredible breakfast in the ...

Just about everyone in NYC is talked about the new Impossible Burger from David Chang.  His Chelsea Momofuku Nishi gets absolutely slammed at lunch and happy hour with eager vegetarians, vegans and carnivores alike clamoring to get a taste of this "unburger".   Created by a group of scientists, farmers and chefs who collaborated on getting that same delicious flavor of beef into an entirely plant based burger.  What they discovered was a molecule called "heme" which gives meat its that rich beefy flavor and even the red bloody color.  This "heme" molecule also occurs in plants and serves as the basis for this Impossible Burger.  Of Course veggie burgers have been around for ages and NONE of them taste like real beef...does this Impossible Burger really hold true?   First let's talk about the french fries.  These long, skinny ridiculously crisp fries are perfection. I mean seriously these are reason enough alone to go to Nishi.  The b...

I was feeling pretty sentimental earlier this month when Lin Manuel gave his very last performance in Hamilton.  Ever since I had the amazing opportunity to see the show (thanks to my friends Justin and Cate) I listen to the entire album an average of 4-5 times per week. That might sound insane but there's something so addictive about it I just can't get enough. So on Lin's final night I decided to go back to the very restaurant I dined at right after seeing the show- Momofuku Nishi- to pay tribute to the show.  Since my last visit there have been quite a few changes to the menu and even the service was a bit different than before- in a good way.  The servers seemed more comfortable in the space, more knowledgeable about the menu and beers were poured with care instead of one big glass of foam. We started once again with the Fried Whole Shrimp dusted with salt and pepper. Mr. T loves these things. Eating the shells always makes...

Almost every sushi spot in the city offers some sort of lunch special.  Many are pretty terrible (slimy green salad and stringy spicy tuna rolls anyone) but some are absolutely fantastic.  Like any of the 15 different lunch specials at Momoya all for under $20.   Miso soup or salad always to start; the standard carrot-ginger dressing on top of crisp greens and sliced radish.   Followed by entree choices like Bento Box with Teriyaki Chicken or Salmon, Donburi with Eel or classic Sushi Bar dishes like the 6 piece sushi with California roll. As you can see each piece of fish is beautifully dressed; sliced jalapeno on Yellowtail, yuzu mayo dollop atop Ebi and fish roe on Snapper.  The sushi is always incredibly fresh and even the avocado in the roll was the perfect ripened texture.  Plus sitting at the sushi bar means conversing with the chef's who are so friendly and eager to share their delicious creations. Momoya offers lunch 7 d...

Dinner Saturday night was at Momofuku Nishi; the brand new Korean Italian spot from Chef David Chang.  Obviously getting a table was no easy task.   At 6:00 pm the restaurant was already at full capacity and a line had formed around the block just for a chance on the waiting list.  We hung out at nearby Bar Veloce and about two hours (and two bottles of wine) later we finally got the "table ready" text. The space at Nishi is similar to the original Momofuku with simple wooden tables in front and a long bar along the back end.  This isn't a place to marvel at decor; it's all about the food coming out of the kitchen helmed by Chef Josh Pinsky and Carey Hynes.  The meal began with a flashback to our dinner at Ko years ago with a bowl of Fried Whole Shrimp, meant to be eaten with both the head and shell intact, seasoned with salt and sancho pepper.   Next up Black Bass Crudo in tiger's milk and shio kombu.  I love  a well ...

The tastes of Japan are currently taking over the menu at Doughnut Plants around the city in all kinds of wonderful creations. There are five different flavors: Black Sesame, Green Tea, Shiso, Azuki & Kinako and Yuzu all available as the big fluffy yeast doughnuts, the more compact cake doughnuts or the stuffed doughseeds.  We checked out the Black Sesame and Yuzu doughseed in addition to our regular Creme Brulee order.  All three were covered in a thick delicious glaze then stuffed full with sour yuzu cream, rich black sesame and creamy custard. All three were delicious but the yuzu stole my heart.  Ahhhh...Mornings that begin with Doughnut Plant can never be bad.  Doughnut Plant Various locations throughout NYC

The last weekend in January is always nice and slow.  The holidays are completely over, the weather's freezing; there's really no reason to accomplish much of anything.  It's the perfect time to just chill out and enjoy a long relaxing beer brunch at Cooper's Craft & Kitchen.  There are two Cooper's in NYC one in the East Village and this one in Chelsea which just celebrated its one year anniversary.  The food is classic pub fare with breakfast specials like the BSE&C; one fried egg with bacon, sausage and American cheese on an English muffin and the Brewers Breakfast of two eggs any style, bacon or sausage, hash-browns and toast.  Both dishes are a delicious and a solid base for all the wonderful beers on tap. On our last visit we enjoyed Vietnamese Speedway Stout, Project Pam, Plead The 5th and Hop Hands.  This weekend the list look like another winner with Hill Farmstead George, Other Half Suparillo and Rushing Duck Gimme Somoa That o...

Is this storm actually going to hit us this weekend?!  Being a big fan of all things winter I certainly hope so.  I love seeing the city cloaked in a blanket of shimmering white snow while sipping a hot drink like this Matcha Latte from the newest location of Matcha Bar in Chelsea. What could be better than soaking up all the rich health benefits from this powdered green tea along with one of their insanely perfect cannele's.  These are some of the best in the city; crisp,caramelized exterior with a soft, eggy middle studded with flecks of vanilla bean.  It's the perfect winter treat. Matcha Bar 256 15th Street @8th Avenue New York, NY 10011

Fonda is one of my absolute favorite places in the city for a big delicious Mexican brunch. My go-to dish is the Huevos Divorciados...a big saucy dish of eggs, salsa, ranchero and cheese all piled on top a crispy corn tortilla. A side of rice and beans always accompanies the dish...the only true decision I ever have to make it what to drink. Last time I tried out a fruity watermelon margarita...perfect for the humid weather and with just the right amount of salt. The trek down to Avenue B was the only reason I didn't go to Fonda more often but with a brand new location right in Chelsea I can get my Mexican brunch fix every weekend! Fonda Restaurant 189 9th Avenue & 21st Street NYC, NY 10011

It's finally Friday, the weather outside is gorgeous and your in luck because NYC Tastes is giving away tickets to the upcoming Pasta and Poetry Duel!  This fantastic event will be held at the hot new nightspot Backbar; a hidden lounge from the Willow Road and Toro guys over in Chelsea.  The night will be a feast Giovanni Rana pasta, Italian appetizers, cocktails, wine and desserts.  Plus Mr. Giovanni himself, the founder of Giovanni Rana will be joining the party all the way from Verona!  You can purchase tickets through  Brown Paper Tickets   OR you can enter for a chance to win right here! Simply come up with your best "pasta and wine" rhyme or haiku and post in the comments below.  I'll be giving away a pair of tickets to each of the two lucky winners which will be chosen at random on Monday at 5:00 PM. A night of amazing Giovanni Rana food, delicious cocktails and poetry in a hidden Chelsea nightclub.  What more do you want on a Tuesd...