NYC Tastes

Have you ever had a life changing cookie?  I think I might have last week at Locanda Verde. I stopped in to pick up a few breakfast treats but this Nutella Cookie was calling my name.  I could barely wait to get outside before trying a bite.  The soft, crumbly cookie had nice big sugar crystals on top and sweet, creamy nutella in the center. I was walking as I munched on my cookie and I felt light as air and hazy...it was as if I were in a Nutella Dream.  Maybe it wasn't "life-changing" but it was certainly another level of euphoria. I brought home a Baked Apple Pie for Mr. T and he may have reached another level of euphoria as well. This place really knows how to make some serious pastries. Locanda Verde

I love how restaurant week always falls at the end of January so I can plan my three day weekend to end with a fabulous lunch.  This year the choice was Locanda Verde, one of my favorite restaurants in the city.  Locanda Verde has everything in my book, gorgeous, bustling atmosphere, fantastic food and now I'll add in a surprisingly great restaurant week menu.  Far too many times restaurants offer only two or three options, Locanda Verde offered almost everything on their regular menu for the 3 course prix fix.  I was so happy Mr. T came along with us so I could try twice as much :) He began with their creamy, rich Sheep's Milk Ricotta appetizer.  It was just as wonderful as always and they certainly didn't skimp on the portion sizes.  My Locanda Salad was absolutely enormous. Dried Cherries, speck and a vibrant hazelnut vinaigrette gave this salad a nice, hearty boost. ...

As I looked back on the past year I was seriously humbled by the amount of amazing places I've had the opportunity to enjoy.  I am so lucky to live in this wonderful city and don't take a moment for granted.  Hopefully this will serve as a guide for those of you trying to pick out some tasty meals in 2013.  It's not all new for 2012 but it was all new to me! Enjoy! Best Chocolatier- Chocolat Moderne This little shop on the 9th floor of an office building may be challenging to find but impossible to forget. Joan and her husband are creating incredible combinations such as Dark Chocolate Lime Toffee, Salted Espresso Milk Chocolate Caramel and Kalamto Olive with Sea Salt.  The patterns are almost to beautiful to eat but don't let the look fool you...they're way to delicious to leave for eyes only. Best Brunch (High End)-  Locanda Verde From the warm seasonal doughnuts (think apple cider in fall and fresh blueberry in ...

I love that I can start my brunch meal with a refreshing Ceilo de Rosato of Hendrick's, Maraschino and grapefruit.  I love that speck is the cured meat on the crostino and my eggs always arrive a perfect soft scramble. And I LOVE the pastries they churn out of the bakery...the most recent a delicious blueberry doughnut. The outside had a great crunch while the inside was fluffy and moist with a flurry of blueberries along the top.  What's not to love. Locanda Verde

Can I tell you about the best brunch I’ve possibly ever had?  Seriously look at these Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. But I’m getting ahead of myself.  I have been absolutely dying to go to Andrew Carmellini’s Locanda Verde since it opened its doors about two years.  The menu looked absolutely amazing and I even stopped by opening day to check out the beautiful space.  So why did it take so long to get there?  Well I tried- my first reservation was cancelled because Mr. T got sick.  My second reservation was on my birthday when a delivery truck plowed into my car as I was driving just blocks away.  I watched my reservation time pass while I was dealing with some absolutely horrible delivery men (who were bullying my Mom and I saying it was our fault until the police showed up and they shut the f* up)  And honestly I don’t remember what happened with the last reservation time.  I just know it was cancelled and I felt a hex had been placed on ...

It was a gorgeous day for a food tasting this past Saturday and the streets of Tribeca were packed for the annual Taste of Tribeca. I decided to attend last minute and unfortunately most of the good dishes were already gone by the time I arrived at 2:00 but I did enjoy some. Delightful was the Olive Oil Cured Diver Scallop with Caviar Mousse from Thalassa. The presentation was stunning and the many layers of flavors were exceptional. The best thing I ate was the Bacalhau Tatar from Macao Trading Co. It doesn’t look that wonderful in the picture but it was salty, refreshing and delightful! Apparently seafood on a cracker was my mantra that day. There was a decent showing of Lamb Meatball from Loconda Verde. Although I love lamb and meatballs, I’m finding the combination a bit overdone and boring. This version was a little too sweet on the sauce for me and I only had a bite. Also decent but not exactly successful were the beef sliders from Warren 77 and the chicken Tacos...