NYC Tastes

Gotham made my pick as the best fancy lunch spot  for 2017 and this NYC institution just continues to wow me in every way.  My last visit I stopped in for a relaxing meal at the bar and opted for the three course Greenmarket lunch. First Course- Roasted Celery & Beet Root Soup with cranberry foam.  This was so creamy and smooth it could almost been seen as a veloute but with a distinctly lighter finish, while the drizzle of cranberry foam added a seasonal warmth to the dish. Second Course- Free Range Chicken with farro, broccolini, cauliflower and cippolini onion in a charred meyer lemon sauce.   Third Course- Brown Butter Parfait with with poached pear, brown sugar cookie and smoked cinnamon ice cream.  This was actually the very first time I veered away from the signature Gotham Chocolate Cake  and it was every bit as fabulous.  I absolutely loved the  crunchy brown sugar cookie crumbles on top of the ...

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...

Today marks the final countdown of NYC Restaurant Week and while there are so many places I have yet to try, I find myself coming back to my old favorite Gotham Bar and Grill. There's just something wonderful about dining at the bar here.  It's sleek and elegant with fantastic bartenders who always make me feel completely at ease as a solo diner. My usual order is the incredible  Miso Marinated Black Cod , but during restaurant week it's all about the 3 course menu- Argentine Shrimp Ceviche with tropical fruits, citrus, avocado and grenada chili emulsion to begin. Followed by a a bright summery Nova Scotia Halibut with sweet corn, peppers, swiss chard and verjus emulsion. And of course the Gotham Chocolate Cake with salted almond ice cream to finish...the classic end to a fabulous meal. Gotham Bar and Grill 12 East 12th Street New York, NY 10003

I don't know what there is to say about Gotham that I haven't said already.  It's easily one of my favorite places in the city to relax over a long leisurely lunch.  I'm absolutely in love with their Mushroom Salad; a blend of kale, arugula and frisée dotted with toasted hazelnuts, parmigiana cheese and a sweet white balsamic vinaigrette. The crispy Chicken Breast is right up there among the city's best with a perfectly seasoned crust, ultra tender inside all dressed in a whole grain mustard sauce with roasted winter vegetables. And of course every meal at Gotham needs to end with their signature Chocolate Cake served warm and decadent with a dollop of salted almond ice cream and chocolate crunchies. Gotham Bar and Grill 12 East 12th Street at University New York, NY 10003

Still one of my very favorite places to dine in the city...Gotham Bar and Grill just exudes a quiet elegance that no other restaurant with its tenure quite achieves.  I love the bright airy dining room, filled with a lively crowd at night but positively serene during lunch time and the fabulous three course Greenmarket menu which changes each season. Wild Striped Bass Crudo with radish, cilantro, jalapeno and watermelon lime emulsion. Pan Seared Halibut with romanesco cauliflower, shiitake mushroom, basil puree and verjus emulsion. And of course their signature Chocolate Cake to finish with a scoop of salted almond ice cream and chocolate crunchies.   Gotham has started putting a signature cocktail and wine on the lunch menu for only $10. My last visit it was the Singapore Sling with Flor de Cana Rum, Luxardo Maraschino, Sangue Moralacco and Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao.  Just a little something extra delicious to round out a lovely lunch. Gotha...

It's not often that I get to dine at Gotham Bar & Grill but when I do it's always so wonderful.  There's such a quiet elegance about the dining room that just makes settling in for a relaxing afternoon so delightful. Everything on the menu is fantastic but one of my absolute favorites is their Miso Marinated Black Cod. It's slightly charred on top, served with bok choy, shiitake mushrooms and sticky rice all dressed in a fragrant lemongrass ginger sauce.  It's so well balanced and honestly quite hearty for an entree.  The only downside is being too full for the incredible Gotham Chocolate Cake.  Somehow I always manage to find some room though :) Gotham Bar and Grill 12 East 12th Street @University New York, NY 10003

It was another fantastic display of the very best in the culinary world at Star Chef's International Congress. This years event was held at the new Brooklyn Expo Center out in Greenpoint and every day was jam packed with incredible cooking displays, wine tastings and some of the best food from all over then world.  Day One was all about hearty fare with the EAT@ICC Southern Showcase. Kevin Sbraga of Fat Ham  in Philadelphia was churning out luscious Chicken Liver Mousse with roasted corn and pickled beets on toast.  Brain Dunsmoor took time off from his new project Hatchet Hall in L.A. to whip up some Nantucket Bay Scallops with grits, bacon, mushroom and sherry. Jason Alley from  Comfort  out in Richmond served up his famous crispy Ham-cured pork Ribs with pickled vegetable slaw and Alabama white sauce. Robert Phalen of the  One Eared Stag  in Atlanta devised a Catfish sausage with bitter greens, pi...

It's been five long years since my last meal at Gotham Bar & Grill.  I remember Alfred Portale's food was exquisite, the restaurant stunning and the price...well quite expensive. Which is why lunch at Gotham is such a deal.  The dining room takes on a refined elegance in the sunlight and if you order the Greenmarket menu it's just $34 for three courses.   The last visit began with House Cured Sea Trout with honeycrisp apple, shaved fennel, radish, dill and cucumber.  The delicate ribbons of trout were dusted with herbs and complemented by dollops of lemon creme fraiche and a bright, citrus salad. This dish was absolutely heavenly.  The fish practically melted on the plate and the baby pumpernickel croutons dotting the salad were just delightful. For entree Chatham Cod with snow peas, kaffir lime and jasmine rice over a coconut lobster curry. You could smell the floral, nutty aroma of jasmine rice and fresh garlic from the moment this dish hit the t...

I had a fun filled weekend out in Provincetown with my girls and came home exhausted last night. I decided I needed another day to recuperate so I took Tuesday off and relaxed. Being that it's restaurant week I figured, what's more relaxing than a nice lunch by myself? So I went out! I was planning to check out Union Square Cafe but when I went inside the entire bar was full. I didn't want to sit at a table as a solo diner so I walked over to Gotham Bar and Grill instead. Gotham was completed reserved as well but there were a couple seats at the bar. I placed my order and took a moment to enjoy the atmosphere. This was my first time in Gotham and I have to say the room is beautiful. The main dining area is somewhat sunken with a large window in the back and front of the restaurant that allows some natural sunlight to stream in. Being that it was restaurant week I ordered three courses. First up my appetizer the Watermelon and Tomato Salad. I was excited by the pretty presen...