NYC Tastes

I didn't even watch the Diners, Drive In's and Dive's episode about Mulberry's because I already knew what they were supposedly famous for...the meatball!  Now I like a good meatball just as much as the next guy but aren't they a tad bit...boring?  I mean really how good can one be... Pretty darn delicious actually- this enormous guy was just about perfect.  It had an incredible texture that was somewhat airy with lots of garlic, oregano and fresh basil on topped with a tangy marinara sauce.  This was definitely not a boring meatball and certainly not something one should eat alone.  Luckily I had two wonderful friends there to share it with me...along with some other Western New York favorites like Stuffed Banana Peppers. Okay confession time.  I've never had one of these before!  My friends were aghast and I don't blame them. The sweet peppers are stuffed with a spicy sausage then topped with mozzarella cheese and oregan...

After our leisurely lunch at Mike A.'s we went to indulge in what my family does best...dessert! Butterwood Bakery used to be just 10 minutes from my parents house but closed up shop and moved into fancier digs in the bottom of the Lafayette Hotel. More restaurant than bakery, the space reminds me of a Keith McNally restaurant like Balthazar or Pastis without the crazy wait.  Since we had just finished lunch we went straight for the main event...for me a thick, rich and fudgy chocolate layer cake. Is there anything better than chocolate upon chocolate upon chocolate...ummmm...no. My father went for his favorite a light and creamy Raspberry Cloud cake... ...while my Mom went fruity with a super tart Lemon Square covered with a flurry of powdered sugar. My brother Jim went with for the Apple Cranberry Tart...a seasonal specialty that smelled absolutely wonderful.  I must get back here for a full meal on my next visit. Butterwood Sweet ...

It's no big secret that a long leisurely lunch is my favorite thing in the world so when my parents asked what I wanted to do my first day back in Buffalo it was a no brainer- lunch at Mike A's!  I had a spectacular meal in the lounge area last year, filled with luscious Bone Marrow and a Foie Gras Burger that was everything fatty and rich that's wonderful in life.   This time it was a meal in the gorgeous main dining room. The lunch menu was incredibly small, only five options with a cup of soup to begin.  Luckily this soup was anything but ordinary. A creamy Mushroom Veloute arrived with such an incredible earthy aroma I wanted to hold the cup in my hands and just breathe it all in.  Topped with a dollop of creme fraiche and crumbled bacon it was an incredible start to the meal.  Unfortunately the burger was a bit of a let down.  It was seasoned perfectly and had a nice salty crust but both my fathers and mine were well over our spec...

I was up in Buffalo last month and finally made a stop at the original Duff's location in Amherst.  People are always raving about Duff's wings but they've always been dry and overcooked when   I dined at the other locations. This was honestly the last chance I was giving to Duff's before completely writing them off...lucky for me I finally had the ultimate chicken wing experience.   Super spicy and super saucy, these wings were simply phenomenal.  I went for the medium hot and even these had me sweating just a tad in that perfectly satisfying way only a great wing can.  Believe the menu when they say the "Medium Hot IS  Very Hot". You'll need something to cool the heat and a big old basket of fries is just the thing.  Thin and crispy, they soak up the sauce and provide some much needed carbs for all the Duff''s Beer you'll be drinking.  It's a crisp amber ale that many reference to Homer Simpson, but it's really just a d...

I'm all about the wet hops right now and each one I have just gets better and better it seems.  This little guy's out of Austin Beerworks in Texas.  Their slogan is "World Class Beer in a Can" and I have to say they're cranking out some pretty delicious stuff. This IPA pours a golden orange with a nice fluffy white head and a strong floral, citrus aroma. The flavor is big on citrus as well with tangerine, grapefruit and pine up front and a bit of malty sweetness on the end. It's a really refreshing beer and incredibly easy to drink.  Cheers! Austin Beerworks

I'm celebrating as usual by eating copious amounts of candy throughout the day, drinking pumpkin beers all evening while carving my pumpkin, then capping off the night with some festive cupcakes from Baked By Melissa while watching the Halloween Parade. This year she created a Green Monster with vanilla icing, chocolate fudge stuffing and rainbow bark on top along with a Candy Corn made of orange vanilla cake, vanilla frosting and marshmallow stuffing.  I prefer the Green Monster to the Candy Corn but both taste like Halloween season to me- Enjoy!

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...