NYC Tastes

2017 was a very strange year in the world of food.  It started out incredibly boring, with fast casual restaurants and big Japanese chains taking over the city.  And has ended unsteady and downright disturbing, with allegations of sexual harassment exploding in what seems to be every facet of the food industry and country as a whole.  I honestly feel more uncertain as a person than I ever have before.  Which is probably why I've leaned towards comfort food this year with big bowls of ramen, spicy chili oil wontons and other hearty, homey dishes dominating much of my time dining out. Union Square Cafe reopened at the end of 2016 and has been my go-to place for spicy, carrot studded Candele Pasta while their sister cafe Daily Provisions actually took the spot for best new restaurant of 2017. This may seem like an odd choice but it had everything I needed this year; incredible crullers for breakfast, inventive sandwiches for lunch and a quiet, relaxing environment...

My favorite happy hour in the city right now just happens to be inside my old favorite coffee shop Caffe Dante.  Mr. T and I used to come here years ago for their  frothy cappuccinos  and sweet Italian cookies.  The space has since been redone with much more emphasis on the food and drink menu and the addition of a long bar/table up front for extra seating.  Happy Hour here isn't called "happy hour" it's called The Negroni Sessions because every drink on their list is some take on the classic Negroni.  There's the spring time Lavender Negroni and the pick-me-up Coffee Swizzle Negroni made with mezcal, cold brew and bitters. There's the bright, citrus forward Negroni Frappe made with Junipero, Gran Lusso and orange juice... ...and of course even the Classic Negroni made with Bombay Sapphire, Campari and Maritni & Rossi Vermouth. Unfortunately word on the Negroni Sessions is out because this place is always packed! However ...