NYC Tastes

After our cocktails at Donna we walked around Willliamsburg some more then hopped on the train back to Manhattan for one more drink at Booker and Dax the cocktail bar at Momofuku Ssam. I hadn't been inside since this changed from the Duck Ssam counter to the bar and I was pleasantly surprise by the sleek feel to the small space and wide array of drinks on the menu.  The list is broken into four parts- Shaken, Stirred, Carbonated and On The Rocks with a special Shaved Ice section just for summer.  Mr. T ordered the silky Tee-Time made with milk washed tea vodka, lemon and honey while I chose the Watermelon Gimlet; a bright summery drink made with clarified watermelon and lime cordial. This place is dangerously wonderful... each drink was carefully handcrafted by the bartender and went down way too easy.  If we didn't have dinner reservations I think we would have spent the entire night sipping drinks at the bar. Booker and ...

After Luger's we took a stroll around the neighborhood a bit and stopped into Donna for one of their signature draft cocktails.  I was so full from lunch but somehow managed to fit in the incredible Frozen Brancolada made with Branca Menta, Appleton Rum, Coconut Cream, Pineapple and Orange Juice. Mr. T went for the Dizzy Izzy made with Fino Sherry, Plantation Rum, Pineapple and Thai Chilies. Both were fantastic- one fruity and rich and the other light and spicy.  Donna bills itself as "a mini-vacation you can take any day of the week" and I totally get that vibe inside.  There's just a great airy, laid back feel that makes the outside world seem light years away.  I have to remember return during the depths of winter for one of these tropical pick me ups. Donna 27 Broadway Brooklyn, NY 11249

To kick off Mr. T's birthday we began in Williamsburg with lunch at Peter Luger's.  We made a reservation weeks in advance so getting a table was no issue.  Of course we had to wait to be seated for about 10 minutes as we always do before being lead into the half empty dining room.  I have never EVER been seated right away here- they always tell you to wait.  It's just one of the many annoyances that come with dining at this Brooklyn institution. Of course we put up with it because the food is so fantastic.  The steaks are utterly amazing but lunch is all about the burger.  Mr. T and I usually both order the Cheeseburger medium rare. It's hard to think anything could be better than this big juicy burger. However right before we dined Saturday I read an article Nick Solares wrote for Eater entitled  The Simple Goodness of the Peter Luger Burger .  In it he speaks of the virtue of the beef and says to skip the cheese entirely.  I remem...

It's New Brew Friday and I really can't think of anything better than a crisp refreshing IPA on this scorching hot day.  Luckily Other Half just released their newest batch of Galaxy cans so I'm all set to face the heat. This dark orange beer gives off aromas of pine and citrus with a super fresh grassy flavor with just a hint of malt at the end.  This is just one of many fantastic Other Half single hop offerings and they continue to crush the NYC beer scene with clean styles like this.  Cheers to local beer and happy birthday to Mr. T! Other Half 195 Centre Street Brooklyn, NY 11231

The newest venture from the Contra team opened just a few doors down on Orchard Street; Wildair is the causal sister restaurant with an open kitchen serving up a variety of small plates. Be prepared for adventure when dining at brunch.  Most of the plates include ingredients like seaweed butter, boudin noir and littleneck clams with lardo.  Probably the only true "breakfast" item on the menu were the wonderful Soft Scrambled Eggs dusted with herbs and a flurry of toasted kale. The Fried Squid was more of a whole fried platter with slices of lemon and onion fried right along side with the seafood and a squid ink mayo for dipping. The only dish I really didn't enjoy was the Little Gem Lettuce.  This is one of my favorite types of green but it was overdone by too many sesame seeds and a thick sour lime sauce. As always the wine list was stellar.  I had a gorgeous sparkling rose and Mr. T enjoyed one of the orange wines by the glass that always taste...

I've always been a big fan of the Love Street Coffee truck so whenever I find myself in Astoria I swing by the brick and mortar shop for a bite to eat.  The cozy space has a takeout window up front for on the go ordering and a big space with outdoor seating in back for lounging the sun. My last visit I ordered a breakfast sandwich and it was incredible. Two eggs scrambled with a handful of herbs, three strips of crisp bacon, thick melted cheddar cheese and a touch of mayo.  This is the sandwich hangover dreams are made of...I'm pretty sure it could cure any bad morning. The Love Cafe 32-30 Steinway Street Astoria, NY 11106

My first restaurant week meal of summer was an easy choice; a delightful brunch inside the iconic Hotel Des Artists.  The restaurant was absolutely stunning inside with large canvas murals adoring the walls painted by Howard Chandler Christy in the 1920's.  The space has an elegant but comfortable feel of "Old New York" and the scene at brunch was quite lively.  The meal began with a bread basket filled with thin bread sticks flecked with rosemary, a rustic brown studded with raisins and sunflower seeds and classic white baguette.   The restaurant week menu had options for both breakfast and lunch so I decided to have a reverse meal beginning with a lunch appetizer- thin sliced Tuna with Pantelleria capers and radish dressed with a light mustard sauce. Then onto breakfast with "Uova in purgatorio" baked eggs cooked in a spicy cherry tomato sauce with crushed red pepper, basil and toasted county bread. For dessert a White &...