NYC Tastes

Happy Hours and Hamburgers; two of my favorite things in the world and they both come together in one perfect little package at Marc Forgione's American Cut.   Every day at 4:20 PM American Cut tweets out the number of burgers available in the bar; usually between 10-15 a day. The burgers go fast so getting an early spot is a must which means partaking in their incredible happy hour well. A menu of $5 wines, half priced Old Fashioned's and a small selection of appetizers including chili lobster Chicken Wings and $1 oysters are available from 5:00- 7:00 each day. It would be incredibly easy to make a meal of happy hour alone but don't skip out on the off-menu burger. Short rib, brisket and dry aged rib eye are blended together then piled high with beer cheese and bourbon caramelized onions resulting in a  juicy, funky burger that's absolutely incredible.  The fries are more of an afterthought.  They're long and skinny but lack the crispness of a good fry and co...

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 last two months have been a bit of a blur.  There have been so many incredible food events I totally forgot to talk about my fabulous birthday dinner at Marc Forgione!  Forgive me if I don't remember everything from the tasting menu in detail but I'll do my best as some of these dishes were simply spectacular.  The meal began as it always does at Marc Forgione with some buttery rolls piping hot from the oven alongside a creamy whipped butter before the amuse bouche. This tray was an excellent start...puffy Gruyere Cheese Puffs, crispy Chicharones with Doritos Spice, Smoked Blue Fish and a Mackerel with lime juice that was absolutely fantastic. The Kampachi Tartare with avocado, Sechuan buttons, toasted sesame and Saratoga chips was just as exciting and wonderful as always.   This was one of my favorite dishes in 2011 and it hasn't changed a bit. The BBQ Baked Old Salt Oysters with curry and pancetta powder was tasty.  I like...

Have you ever had a dish that just completely and totally satisfied and astounded a craving you’ve been having- that happened to me last week at Marc Forgione. No it wasn’t the warm, buttery potato rolls with garlic herb butter they started me off with that did it. Those were delicious but it was the Hiramasa Tartare that blew me out of the water. Described as Hiramasa Tartare, avocado, secheun buttons, toasted pinenuts, Saratoga chips- this was a feast for all of the senses. Let me begin with the seed I had to ingest first. Yes I was told to crush this seed on my tongue in order to waken up my palette. Well I crushed it alright and my tongue and mouth became so tingly at first I thought I was having an allergic reaction. After my fears subsided I had a bite and every flavor and texture was brilliant. It was cool, spicy, nutty, creamy and rich. Every layer seemed to meld together into one of the best, if not the best tartare I’ve ever had. Mr. T was visiting his folks th...