NYC Tastes

There's no stopping me when I find something I love and I  love  brunch at Elan.  The most recent trip I began with the Smoked Trout Salad... ...a bright summery blend of greens with that wonderful ocean flavor and just a hint of smoke.  I really enjoyed the croquettes  last visit  but this was even better and I didn't feel quite as full heading into my entree. I couldn't pass up the incredible omelet again; this time stuffed with bell peppers, carrots, chicken sausage and Gruyere cheese (we actually requested the cheese to be added :). They also changed the brunch cocktail from the Blueberry Cobbler Mimosa to Peach which looked just like a sparkling sunset.  What could be better than this relaxing Sunday start. Elan 43 East 20th Street between Park & Broadway New York, NY 10010

I can still remember the first time Mr. T & I ever had a Porchetta Sandwich. It was a crisp October weekend filled with beer and football about 5 years ago.  It only took one bite of that fennel dusted, pork fat laden sandwich for Mr. T to become a serious addict. We ate a ton of sandwiches back then.  But over time we slowly forgot about the tiny little shop until last week when Mr. T strolled in the door with a bag just bursting with aromas of sage, thyme and rosemary.  Suddenly it all came flooding back to me...this is what we'd been missing.  That incredibly compact ciabatta roll lightly drizzled with olive oil then stuffed to the brim with shreds of tender oven roasted pork and fried pork cracklings.  This is one seriously intense sandwich that I am happy to welcome back into my life. Porchetta 110 East 7th Street New York, NY 10009

As summer winds down I'm trying to pack in as many delicious meals as possible while NYC is still relatively empty.  Once Labor Day ends the city morphs back into a crazed, fast paced mess of students, tourists and people who are so tan it's obvious they never set foot inside this concrete jungle all summer.  These are last moments to get an incredible meal at hot spots around the hood without a wait...like walking into a completely empty Parm at  7:00 Saturday night. I mean completely  empty; just us and the workers.  I'm not sure if the staff were so bored they put an extra dose of love into the cooking or it was just us being so thrilled to get a spot right away but this was the best Chicken Parm showing I've ever had.  The chicken was super tender, the cheese was melted just right and that spicy rigatoni on the side...OMG SOOOO GOOD!  It just doesn't get much better than this. Parm 248 Mulberry Street between Prince & Spring New York...

If I had to pick my two favorite places from the Shelter Island it would easily be Croteaux and the Ram's Head.   This sprawling Inn was absolutely gorgeous with an elegant yet rustic interior and a big spacious lawn outside perfect for playing croquet, sipping some wine or simply relaxing. We came for dinner one evening and I began with the Tuna Cocktail; a fruity blend of mango salsa and avocado dressed with a fresh ginger-coconut marinade. Onto entrees I choose the Blackened Swordfish with mashed plantains.  Both of these seafood dishes were exquisite.  I loved the tropical ingredients chef used with each dish.  It truly made me feel like I was on an island far away, much less New York State... ...with that gorgeous back patio overlooking the harbor it was way too easy to pretend :) The Ram's Head Inn 108 Ram's Island Drive Shelter Island, NY 11965

I'm skipping New Brew Friday this week in honer of my summertime favorite Rose.  Mr. T and I spent a weekend with friends out in Shelter Island this summer and we kicked things off with a trip to Croteaux Vineyards in the Southold; the only vineyard in the United States dedicated to producing exclusively Rose wines. I find most winery's to be beautiful but this place was absolutely stunning.  The tasting room was located in a 1800's Carriage House that opened onto a small courtyard filled with bright orange umbrellas, lush green plants and a large Cedar tree in the center.  All of the wait staff wore these long flowing dresses that just evoked an intense feeling of relaxation.  Croteaux is also one of the few wineries that don't allow any buses or limos so no need to worry about those loud bachelorette parties either. Croteaux offers tastings of six still roses or three sparkling.  We ended up doing both and they all fit their motto of "Rose on Purpose"; ...

Rustic Italian food with a rooftop farm and airy open space right in the heart of Greenwich Village...this is Rosemary's.     To begin Mozzarella & Burrata with fresh basil and sea salt.     Followed by Tuna Crudo with sugo tonnato, shaved fennel, grapefruit and pomegranate seeds. Finally a scoop of homemade Maple gelato studded with walnuts and cinnamon sugar.  All of this fresh, fabulous food straight from the garden for only $25 with their lunch prix fixe.  What a refreshing way to spend the afternoon. Rosemary's 18 Greenwich Avenue @10th Street New York, NY 10011

Eataly officially erected a full time Nutella Bar months ago with all sorts of crepes, cones and croissants just waiting to be filled with that lovely hazelnut spread.  I'm a huge fan of Nutella but I hadn't indulged until this past weekend when I was craving both caffeine and chocolate.  It was the perfect opportunity to try out the Marocchino; an espresso with steamed milk layered with Nutella and a sprinkle of cocoa. This was very similar to my old favorite Piedmonte  from Caffe Lavazza except with a bottom layer of rich, silky Nutella that pretty much put this over the top creating a hot espresso hazelnut shake. I may have a new favorite. Eataly Nutella Bar