NYC Tastes

As I look back on the past year I'm shocked by how much delicious food was involved.  I didn't come even close to hitting all the restaurants on my 2013 Wish List.  I made it to only two out of fourteen...yet I still consider this year an incredible success of food and drink moments for both old favorites and brand new places.  To the list! Best Wings-  Pork Slope/Talde This is a complete tie between Dale Talde's two Brooklyn restaurants.  Both are fried in rice flour for an ultra crisp exterior; the first coated in garlic, butter, Sriracha, Franks Red Hot and honey while the second combines crunchy peanuts, sweet chili and hot sauce.  I can't choose between the two and with both restaurants being just blocks apart there really isn't a need to:) Best Foie Gras-  Marc Forgione There aren't enough words to adequately describe how silky and luxurious the Foie Gras is at Marc Forgione.  This may have been the best thing I've eaten all ye...

The Scandinavian restaurant Luksus opens tomorrow and the anticipation for Chef Daniel Burns (Noma, Momofuku) newest venture is at an all time high.  The 26 seat space sits tucked away in the back of Torst with a $75 five course tasting menu and an option for beer pairings (additional $45).  We were incredibly lucky to get a spot during soft opening last week and watch Burns in action through the open kitchen. Our meal began with three Snacks starting with a bowl of Ham Chips. These large and flaky crisps were absolutely wonderful...much more robust than a pork rind, each bite had a tangy, salty crunch that left a whimsical shimmer of vinegar powder in the air.  The snacks were paired with Professor Fritz Briem Berliner Weisse a tart, effervescent beer with a dry finish perfect for the warm evening and a great complement to almost any food.  Onto our next snack Mussel & Dulse. A bowl of seaweed crackers with a mussel emulsion and pi...