SAUSAGE PARTY!?!?

I must have been missing dear old Dad this Father's Day weekend because I found myself headed straight to try DBGB Kitchen & Bar. Daniel Boulud's new restaurant on Bowery Street. DBGB is the new trendy must-go-to spot specializing in Beer and Sausages. What's not to like, right Daddy? The space is marvelous! Large and spacious, decorated with a modern open kitchen flair, which makes you feel as if you're eating inside Boulud's very own glamorous kitchen at the chef's table. The bar area is just as big and accommodating, with bar seating and bistro tables that are perfect for the many non-reservation holders like myself. The menu reads like every other small plates restaurant now-a-days; salads, tete, oysters, elaborate small over priced burgers and mains. Except, there is also a sausage section which is the main draw of the restaurant, as well as the many beers that are available. The bar bites menu is more limited with many of the sausages served in a bun, adding a barsy fun element. My meal consisted of sharing the fried tripe, the DBGB beef hot dog with relish, the Tunisienne lamb sausage with harrisa, the Chipolata pork sausage with mustard and the Polonaise pork and veal kielbasa served sliced on apple and beet cabbage. The portions are small and the prices add up quickly, as for the sausages themselves well, lets just say my dad would have been pretty disappointed. They are good don't get me wrong but, when I think of sausages; I think of plump, spicy, meaty assortments of pork, lamb, chorizo, blood and chicken served piled high on a platter with an arrangement of different mustards, warm sauerkraut and caramelized apple cider onions, aside a long crusty baguette. And a cold German beer. Now that's a SAUSAGE PARTY!!! Happy Fathers Day Dad!

Action Against Hunger Charity Benefit

Action Against Hunger, an organization that saves the lives of malnourished children and families while providing food, safe water and sanitation had a charity benefit party to help raise funds. Restaurants Against Hunger hosted the event at Touch and donated auction items, such as dinner at popular restaurants, gift certificates, and cooking classes with famous chefs like Jacques Pépin whom was at the event and I had the pleasure of meeting. The benefit seemed to go well; there were many attendees, an open bar, Rosa Mexicano made their famous fresh guacamole, and two bands shared the stage breaking only for a short film about the charity and a petition asking Al Gore to help with the charities efforts to eradicate hunger. Here's a link to sign the petition. http://www.askalgore.org/index_en.php

"NEW" Yankee Stadium!

The Subway Series, New York Yankees vs. New York Mets at the "NEW" Yankee Stadium is where I spent my Sunday afternoon. The weather could not have been better, even my still winter white arms got a tan, maybe a bit on my nose too but, my new Yankee baseball cap kept me safe. It was my first time at the new stadium and I'm impressed! The stadium is modern and spacious.

Food is everywhere. There's a Hard Rock Cafe, Johnny Rockets, Asian Noodle Bowl and Lobel's has a meat locker with a butcher putting on a show for carnivorous onlookers who can then purchase a fresh steak sandwich to satisfy their craving. Also, there's a Brother Jimmy's barbecue from where I ate fried pickles that went well with my Nathan's corn dog and beer. I love baseball !!!

It helped that I had such great seats, 6th row from the field compliments of my CC (co-conspirator) we'll call him Bubba, who got them from a client at work. The game was a sweep Yankees 15-0 but still great! Specially when Matsui hit the home run into my area and the guy sitting five seats over caught it! So exciting! Now, I can't wait to go to the new Citi Field. See you there. Go New York!

guantanamera guajira guantanamera...

Besides being a very popular Cuban song, Guantanamera is also a popular Cuban restaurant on New York's 8th Avenue. It has everything you might want or need to have a great Cuban night out without having to travel to Miami or back in time to 1950's Havana. Typical Cuban drinks are offered such as, the Cuba Libre, Pitchers of Sangria and Mojitos. The live band plays with a heavy flute, the lechon (pork) is well marinated in mojo and served with moros rice, and boiled yuca, and to top it off, for dessert a tres leches cake and Cuban coffee, which is similar to an espresso but packs a bigger punch. Also, cigars are freshly rolled and given gratis to patrons. It's a loud, fun time and definitely worth a visit. Enjoy!

KATZ DELI

Katz Deli, what can I add about this New York institution that hasn't been said before? Except, that it truly is as good as everyone says, which explains why it's always crowded. The warm slightly fatty pastrami, the corned beef, the tongue and the chopped liver sandwiches are all favorites. Get'em however you want, with sauerkraut, onions, mayo, mustard, cheese... All good options and along side of some pickles and a cold Dr. Browns soda or a classic egg cream; you'll think you're in deli heaven. Everyone around me seemed to be getting the big fat steak fries and hot dogs too, but that's not what I was here for. I suggest going with a sandwich buddy so you can share and sample two different sandwiches. I ate half of a pastrami with mustard on rye bread and half of a chopped liver with onions on rye. Delicious! The staff is great too; very patient, helpful and relatively kind given they're dealing with so many tourists everyday. Except of course when the thin, strange, hungry looking young woman standing next to me asked the counter; "Do you have any veggie sandwiches?" She received a blank stare as an answer. Katz Deli born 1888 and will out live us all.

HOORAY FOR BOOBIES!

Surrounded by the lights, noise, traffic, tourists and mayhem that is Midtown's Theater District, living in this neighborhood does have its perks; like, all of the above! As well as keeping current on show openings and closings, seeing many actors casually shopping at the bodegas and obviously going to see a Broadway play on a whim. There are many ways of doing this without going broke. You can stand in line at the Times Square's Ticket discount, go to TheaterMania.com for discount codes or get to the theater two hours before the show and get on the lottery where, if you are one of the approximately thirty winners you may buy Orchestra Seats for $25.00. All of these are great options since a ticket runs approximately $120. I opted for a discount code which reduced the price by 50% for my wonderful orchestra seats. But, enough about paying-the-man. The Tony's Awards are Sunday and Broadway fever is in the air plus, I WANNA ROCK!!! I had a Rockin' good time at Broadway's Rock Of Ages, an 80's theme rock play with all the favorite hair band songs. It is high energy and very funny. The cast is great, the era costumes are a riot, and well, I've never been flicked off so many times before in my life! (by the way, back-at-ya). Overall, it's a great play which, wait for it....wait for it.... I PREDICT WILL WIN THIS YEARS TONY FOR BEST MUSICAL! phew..don't forget, you heard it here first. Oh, I almost forgot: Groupies take cocktail orders from your seats. I had my favorite 80's drink, a cranberry vodka sprite (okay, so I sometimes drank it, when my mom wasn't looking). So lets review, don't be an air head go see this show, don't have a cow buying the tickets and have a Head Bangers Ball !!!

Prince in the City

On a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon in Governor's Island New York, His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales displays his skills in Polo. It's the Manhattan Classic Polo Match sponsored by Veuve Clicquot Champagne and ladies and gentlemen from New York City have ferried in to watch the event. They sit picnicking on the sidelines, some setting up elaborate spreads and most wearing Spring appropriate attire and frilly hats.

Lady's in waiting get a good glimpse of the young, single Prince galloping by on his horse while rekindling their childhood memories of fairly tale dreams; but actually, they don't need to be rescued nor want to be bothered, they're New Yorkers! Prince Harry plays on the Sentebale team named after his charity whose mission is to transform the lives of orphans in Lesotho. On the opposing team Black Watch is Polo sensation Nacho Figueras. The match lasts for four chukkers, breaking for halftime when spectators enjoyed participating in the traditional divot stomp. The score tied with only a few minutes left in the match and Prince Harry sets up the winning point to win! Spectators cheering his victory!

On the way back to Manhattan, the Ferry is held-up by the water patrol, National Security, Secret Service, and machine gun holding swat as an announcement comes over the intercom stating the President was landing in his helicopter. The Prez and Mrs. Obama are in New York City for a hot date including dinner at Blue Hill restaurant then, taking-in the Tony nominated Broadway show Joe Turner's Come and Gone. Our tax dollars at work; God Bless America!

*For the Public: On Sunday June 27, 2010 The Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic with Prince Harry and Nacho Figueras returns to Governors Island. New Yorkers are welcome to come out and enjoy the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic at no cost! The west side of the playing field will feature bleachers for viewing of the match as well as Veuve Clicquot champagne bars and concessions by Danny Meyer's famed restaurant group, Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG). The concessions will include USHG's renowned barbecue restaurant Blue Smoke as well as Box Frites and El Verano Taqueria, which will mark the first time the restaurant, founded by Tabla Chef Floyd Cardoz, will be featured outside of its home at Citi Field. Regular ferry service to Governors Island is free and available from the Battery Maritime Building (10 South Street) in Lower Manhattan.

Saki Bar Hagi

Nearby is Hagi a Japanese Saki/Sports bar. It is rather difficult to find since it is located down a stairway which leads you to its' basement location where a primarily Japanese clientele congregates. And for good reason; you get delicious cheap Japanese small plates such as yakitori style skewers. I got the chicken skin, pork belly, calf liver, quail eggs, duck and ginko nuts. All good! Also, had the grilled yellow tail collar, the dumplings, the fried chicken and the Hijiki seaweed. Oh, and at the last minute, I ordered the corn dog (big mistake). I think by then, the two pitchers of Kirin had gone to my head and I was acting impulsively....it happens.
Saki Bar Hagi
152 W 49th St Btwn 6th & 7th Ave

Cool Art and Cool Food! (is the word cool still cool?)

The Museum of Modern Art is a haven for the New York art scene. It is visited and revisited by tourists and locals alike. Within its' ample exhibition spaces you'll find Contemporary Galleries, Drawings, Photography and Architecture & Design. The Special Exhibitions are fresh and innovative.

CURRENT EXHIBIT:
Ron Arad: No Discipline

August 2, 2009–October 19, 2009

Sixth floor

"One of the most influential designers of our time, Ron Arad (Israeli, b. 1951) stands out for his daredevil curiosity about technology and materials and for the versatile nature of his work." MOMA

There are many freebies in New York. MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) has Target FREE Fridays from 4pm-8pm. You just walk into MOMA and are given a ticket. It's great!

You'd think there would be massive crowds but, today I could walk around comfortably admiring the exhibits, no prob. At MOMA you get a little bit of everything, paintings, sculptures, furniture, the avant-garde, the surreal, the Pollock, the Warhol, the Picasso... Then, visit the Sculpture Garden followed by a bite at one of the Café's. For something more lavish, restaurant The Modern.

Sculpture Garden

Happy Memorial Day from New York City!

It's a sunny and hot day in Times Square's new pedestrian plaza which opens today. NYC Mayor Bloomberg, in an attempt to reduce traffic at the popular tourist attraction approved a plan to permanently block vehicle traffic, allowing pedestrians to stroll freely down Broadway, 47th to 42nd street. However, there is something else... Are those lawn chairs? The kind you would see in an old movie where people sit in a desolate impoverished scene with no hope? This will never do! But, it turns out it's only temporary until permanent more suitable and modern seating areas will be placed so people can lazy-it-up surrounded by the marketing frenzy of lights that are the wonder of Times Square (but, I'm still skeptical). On the corner of 45ST Hebrew National is giving away 45,000 hot dogs in celebration of the plaza's opening and what's Memorial day without a hot dog? People sure seem to be enjoying them. Earlier, Virgil's barbecue was giving away free BBQ ribs too. Yummy! A few avenues down, on Madison Avenue there is a street fair. These pop-up all over the city this time of year and people tend to flock to them enjoying the different kiosks and booths selling everything from jewelry, to t-shirts and bed sheets. And, lets not forget the lemonade and arepas. Afterwards, hungry but to tired to walk another step, I flag down a pedicab (bicycled Rickshaw) at Central Park to take me across the park to the Upper West Side to have dinner at Cafe Con Leche, a Cuban restaurant where I enjoyed a Bistec Empanizado (breaded and fried steak) with white rice, black beans and tostones (fried green plantains). The food is not as authentic as I am accustomed to eating in Miami but, It'll do for now. Memorial Day is a wrap and it was not bad at all.

Coney Island and Brighton Beach

How much further to Coney Island? It took an hour to reach Stillwell, the last stop on the D line from Midtown Manhattan but when I exited, I found myself directly in front of Coney Island's Nathan's Famous hot dog shop. The order lines are ridiculously long but, I had to have a dog with onions and sauerkraut, fries and a coke. Then, a stroll down the boardwalk on the beach showed tons of people frolicking in the sand and sea. It was GREAT!

Then, you find yourself at what's left of Astroland, where there are many kiddie rides and kiosks where you can win a “big ass prize” or "shoot the freak". Also remaining is the ferris wheel and the famous Cyclone. America's best old wooden roller coaster that still brings thrills. An hour into my fun it began to rain; so, I sought shelter at Ruby's Bar and Grill on the boardwalk, where the beer was cold and I was entertained by the jutbox and a dancing gypsy woman serenading a ray of sunlight. It worked, the rain stopped!

Afterwards, a ten minute walk down the boardwalk and I arrived at Brighton Beach, a Russian neighborhood known as Little Odessa. This place is like traveling back to 1986. Briefs style swimsuits on volleyball playing men, Russian rap, and “fancy” restaurants that cover their tables and chairs in white linens and colorful bows. Tatiana, the well known Russian restaurant on the boardwalk was my restaurant of choice, we drank wodka and tried the bland borsch, but never got to have dinner since words were exchanged with the arrogant, dismissive, eye rolling waiter, that when asked what he recommended answered, “order what you know, this is not a Russian restaurant” and “I don't see very well, I couldn't tell you what they are having at the next table” and shushed us when the conversation got heated. I wasn't surprised, I've been to Russia. Nevertheless, it was a great day!

The Peninsula Hotel

Memorial weekend in New York City started out with drinks at the Peninsula Hotel rooftop bar. The space is well appointed, there's an indoor bar and two terraces with beautiful views of 5th Avenue and even a peek of Central Park. The drinks are very expensive $16.00 for a glass of wine and cocktails are around $22.00. No, the drinks are nothing special but, they are well executed. It's the location that you're paying for. After all, the Peninsula is a 5 star hotel with a 5th Avenue address and a very cache place to meet after work or for a leisure drink on a beautiful day.
A few avenues over, five to be precise, is Puttanesca Italian restaurant. I started with the carpaccio with arugula which, the weird waiter felt the need to disclose to me "is raw meat" (thanks dude, very informative). Then, for my entree I enjoyed the seafood pasta with half a lobster. This was one of the specials this evening for $20.00. A crisp bottle of Rose wine complemented the meal nicely.

South Street Seaport and Aborigines

South Street Seaport is a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon. There are happy families walking around with their children, indoor/outdoor shops and restaurants that serve cheap frozen drinks, all while overlooking the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge...what's not to like? I sure liked my $5 Miami Vice, a half Piña Colada, half Strawberry Daiquiri concoction. But even better was watching everyone around me fall victim to the brain freeze! Afterwards, I ventured along the side streets and came upon Nelson Blue, the New Zealand Bar and Grill that was celebrating their 2nd Anniversary in a big way! With $4 pints of Steinlager and Speights New Zealand beer, free appetizer plates of mini meat pies and fried fish nuggets, and most notably a performance by the Kahurangi Maori Dance Theater of New Zealand. It was a lot of fun and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Roof Tops and Drinks

Friday, happy hour, cool weather, clear skies, a beautiful view is everything! So, it's time for all the roof tops in New York City to open and serve drinks to thirsty guests. I went to 230 5 AVE where the space is ample and service adequate. I found a spot right away although it was crowded as most roof tops seem to be. The drinks are reasonably priced for Manhattan, a scotch $14.00 and a pinot grigio $10.00 and are served in high quality plastic glass wear, in case you get the urge to go throw it over the side. Smoking is allowed since it is outside and many seem to take advantage of that perk. But, the real draw are the views from day till night when it really lights-up to show off the beautiful Empire State Building and the rest of this great city.

Hola Señorita!

Did someone say tequila? A bottle of Corralejo Tequila Reposada was conveniently waiting for me with two shot glasses next to it, in my kitchen when I woke. So, SALUD-CHEERS! Happy Cinco de Mayo to Mexicans and Mexican wannabees alike! Today is a fun day all around. I mean, what's not to like? Chips-n-Salsa, Chorizo Nachos de la Casa, Huitlacoche (mushroom) Tamal with salsa roja & crema fresca and a Grilled Flank Steak Soft Taco with red rice & chile de arbol sauce and, to drink a Jarritos tutti-frutti pop. All of which I had at El Centro Mexican restaurant. It was crowded with a 20 minutes wait at 6:00pm. But every Mexican restaurant is bound to be packed on Cinco de Mayo. I have often also been to Arriba Arriba which, has great drinks, music, and hosts many gay birthday parties I've noticed. Rosa Mexicano at Lincoln Center is also good if you're looking for a higher-end Mexican meal and a fancy sipping tequila. How can you go wrong?

Bom Dia!

A $7.00 round trip train ride from Penn Station NYC and your in Newark, N.J. on Ferry street, a little Portuguese Street where you can get a taste of the old country. You'll find craft stores, kitchen shops, bakeries and restaurants that are as
authentically Portuguese as one can get around here. Having been to Portugal, the tradition is eat early, take your time, eat well and enjoy. Seabras Marisqueira was the restaurant of choice for our late lunch, early dinner and it did not disappoint. As wine goes, the vino verde, which is a traditional Portuguese light green wine is the best bet. We started with the cold sea snails picked from their shell with the tip of a paper clip. Then, the flaming chorizo was brought to the counter where we sat on cushy stools; the chorizo was slightly charred in grapa then, thickly sliced up. Entrees were the pork and clams alentejana and, what's a Portuguese meal without bacalua (cod fish)? So, the second entree was just that, prepared with onions and peppers on top of a very dense piece of bread they called corn bread (not to be confused with the southern muffin type) and served with potatoes. It was all very well prepared. This entire meal could feed four adults comfortably. Left-overs were unashamedly taken home. The all Portuguese staff were cordial, respectful and serious about their food, as they should be. Conveniently across the street is Riviera Bakery, where Portuguese favorites Pastels De Nata which can be explained as mini baked custard tarts can be bought. NOTE: Buying any less than half a dozen would be wrong on every level. And, taking home a portuguese is a bonus!

MARDI GRAS ON RESTAURANT ROW

Friday and raining in the city, happy hour isn't cancelled, it's just taken indoors. Bourbon Street in Manhattan's Restaurant Row (46 ST btw 8 & 9 AVE) is a festive N'orleans themed sports bar and restaurant with great drinks and Creole/Cajun inspired food.

The large space was packed Friday night, the dozen or so plasmas were playing the games while, the DJ played non-annoying pop-music. The over-all feel is laid back. Their Happy Hour runs from 4PM to 8PM where you get $5 cocktails that pack a punch. The French 75, the Dark & Stormy, and Hurricane are good.

For an appetizer, enjoy the Frog Legs. Entree, the Alligator Burger is excellent! Spiced double gator patties (yes, gator) with cheese comes with all the trimmins'. Welcome to the Bayou! (now show me your beads)

momofuku's bo ssäm at home

David Chang has made his popular restaurants into New York legacies. I went to momofuku ssäm bar and had their famous pork buns, which were up to the hype. But also famous is their special order bo ssäm. An Asian marinated whole pork butt served with kimchi, rice, bibb lettuce, oysters and sauces. It's got a $175.00 price tag and meant to be shared with ten friends. Sans both, I decided to try making the famous momofuko bo ssäm myself.

So, here's what I did...

Marinade and Sauce
3 tbsp Canola oil
1 tsp chili pepper flakes
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
3 tbsp diced red onions
2 tbsp minced garlic
4 tbsp chopped green onions
1 tbsp Cilantro
1 tbsp minced ginger

Juice of 2 limes

pepper

Mix and divide, 1/2 to marinade pork shoulder and 1/2 for table sauce.

Marinade approx. 8lb bone-in pork shoulder for 24 hours then, roast skin side up for 3 1/2 to 4 hours at 300 degrees.

Cilantro-Lime Rice:

Make rice by substituting canned coconut milk instead of water. Add fresh cilantro and lime to cooked rice.

Serve pork whole, rice, store bought kimchi (my apologies to Koreans), reserved Asian ginger sauce, Chinese hot sauce and Boston bibb lettuce.

Wrap a bit of everything in a lettuce leaf and enjoy.

Cocktails: peach tea with Japanese rice shochu.

It was delicious! One thing, my pork skin was not as crispy as it was suppose to be. I'm not sure why? I guess I need chef David Chang's help after all. (how awesome would that be?)

IS THAT THE SUN? MY SKIN SCREAMED!

Sunday and a high of 92 degrees so of course the natives were restless. New Yorkers were everywhere but mostly in Central Park and the surrounding area. Scantly dressed, they all had one agenda, taking in several doses of vitamin D. I started my afternoon with an iced coffee from La Bergamote (52 ST btwn 10 & 11 AVE). Their pastries and other delicious treats are very tempting and the outdoor seating area creates an inviting atmosphere. Afterwards, a walk up West End Ave then Riverside South introduced me to all the new buildings that have been going up. Columbus Circle was swarmed with people entering and exiting the park, all who seemed to be carrying an ice cream cone. A long walk up the Upper West Side brought me to Brother Jimmy's, a popular BBQ joint with several locations. They have the best nachos I've had in NYC, along with a rum punch and an order of ribs, it was the perfect unromantic sunset dinner.

I ended my night with a jumbo mug of coffee at Cafe Lalo, where I sat feeling melancholy on a stool at an open window which provided the perfect place to think about my day and contemplate my future.

Bueno Aires in New York

After walking around a lot, I ended up having dinner at Buenos Aires, you guessed it an Argentinian restaurant. All the tables were full, the soccer game was playing on the two plasmas and everyone seemed to be enjoying their meat dishes. Forty minutes later I had a table, a bottle of wine and a hand-cut meat empanada. Another appetizer worth mentioning is the Provoleta Argentina which is grilled provolone cheese with pepper, olive oil and oregano and is a must have if you're into hot stretchy melted cheese. As an entree the Parillada Buenos Aires is the best way to get a taste of everything. It includes a mixed grill of short ribs, skirt steak, sausage, blood sausage, sweetbreads and veal kidneys. The kidneys and sausage were over done but everything else was perfect. After dinner, the owner asked me if moving tables was possible since he had a large group to sit. I agreed as long as he bought me an espresso, he said he'd do better than that and send me over any dessert I wanted too. GREAT! I had the dulce de leche crepe. Over all this is a very good restaurant when feeling carnivorous. (website picture)

Cooper Square Hotel

Friday night in the East Village is always a frenzy of walking for me since, I don't want to miss a thing, plus now all the bars and restaurants have outdoor seating, turning the E. Village into what seems to be a giant block party. I came upon the Cooper Square Hotel which is architecturally tantalizing. It makes you want to stare at it until you figure it out. I was snapped out of my gaze, by a woman who greeted and welcomed me by the giant door, she then proceeded to give me a mini-tour of the new hotel which will soon open restaurant Table 8 by chef Govind Armstrong, his third location, the others being in L.A. and South Beach. The hotel bar on the second floor is open with the terrace area soon to follow. The hotel over all is attractive as are the people in it. This hotel will definitely be the next trendy hipster must go to spot, specially once Table 8 officially opens. So make your reservations.

KYOTOFU DESSERT BAR

Kyotofu is a Japanese dessert bar in Hell's Kitchen, but this is no ordinary dessert, it is all soy based however, you wouldn't know it by tasting it. I ordered the chef's three course tasting, which is perfect for two people and a great excuse to indulge in guiltless healthy sweets. At least that's what I convinced myself. The first course was the strawberry shortcake, a sansho pepper shortcake with tofu cream and strawberries. Second course, were three modern plated desserts, warm ginger-infused soy milk rice okayu, the warm miso chocolate cake with valrhona chocolate soybean ganache & green tea cream and, the sweet potato cheesecake which was delicious. The third course was a soy milk soft ice-cream twist of chocolate mochi and green tea. Kyotofu has a full cocktail, coffee and tea bar. It's a fun and delicious alternative to the everyday but, it can get crowded and seating is limited.

RESTO 2nd ANNIVERSARY

The ever so popular gastro-pub RESTO had its 2nd anniversary on Saturday and celebrated by roasting a 100lb Berkshire pig in a caja-china. This is a well known cooking device and technique used among many cultures and a great treat. I was eager to reserve my plate, so 2 for 9:00pm. We got there at 8:57pm and the place was busy while a lonesome table for two was waiting in the wing, yet we were not seated there and waited 30 minutes for another table. Eventually that other table was given out to someone whom came after us. Upon sitting we asked about the special only to be told they had ran out, even after we had reserved the plate as recommended. We were given a free beer by a very nice waitress which unfortunately was not our server. We ordered appetizers, first the boudin noir which is a blood sausage which was taken out of its casing to be spread on charred bread, second was the tete de cochon terrine, which essentially was a pigs head finger sandwich which was too spicy to taste the pork. Third, the deviled eggs, sliced and served on pork toast which was nothing but a square greasy croquette. We decided we would share the "famous" Resto burger we had heard so much about, what we got was a uneatable well done patty with no flavor on a cheap bun. The nice waitress advised us that the burgers are usually cooked medium-rare, which made sense, we had just got a dud. I mean how could a burger like this one possibly be on par with the Spotted Pig burger which is great! Our server, an older slower man, a few minutes later in contradiction told us that the burger is served medium-well. We were confused and told him the other waitress had said different, he was livid and shouted "WHO?" and went after her. The manager then came by and took our plate and said he would ask the chef. They all huddled by the cash register as if planning a great scheme. The manager told us he would take it off our tab, but immediately the server began to argue his point once again. So I laughed it off and said, Oh, UR so crazy man.. Well, the bomb exploded as he yelled "NO, YOU ARE CRAZY!!!" So enraged that the manager grabbed his shoulder. I couldn't believe the overreacting. As I sat there, the waitress came by again, so I asked if I had got her in trouble? She said, "Don't worry about it, he's just a cranky 70 year old ballet dancer" and walked away. I felt I'd just fell down the rabbit hole. Then, my companion says "Wow, cranky, 70 yr old, battling cancer." I said WHAT? REALLY? Is that what she said? So after explaining what I had understood, we proceeded to laugh uncontrollably, with a bit of guilt due to the presumably ailing waiter. So, I ask the waitress again; listen, did you say, battling cancer or ballet dancer? She said, "the last one". Thank goodness, I'm not going to hell.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a day of mourning since it commemorates the crucifiction of Christ. In observance of Good Friday, Christians refrain from eating meat as well as abstaining from other personal vices and celebrations. Lent in general is a time when I tend to brush up on my seafood dishes. Tonight, I prepared a snapper marinated with olive oil, fresh herbs such as lemon thyme, rosemary, thyme and sage. I also stuffed the fish with slices of lemon and Meyer lemons which taste like a mix between an orange and a lemon. I baked the snapper for 30 minutes at 350 degrees and Voila! Side dishes consisted of garlic brown rice with pecans and greens beans topped with herb marinated tomatoes. It turned out well.

(Pictured: before cooking and after)

Blue Smoke Bonanza!

Sunday night and a hankering for barbecue, so off to Blue Smoke! A casual yet large by New York standards barbecue restaurant. Ordered the delicious Kansas styled ribs, the tasty baked beans, the mac & cheese that was just okay and the hot and airy fried bread w/ chipotle butter. The fried chicken plate was eh! with three smallish pieces, two of which were white meat, mash potatoes which were a bit gummy and a hockey puck biscuit. Over all the meal was good but, I still left a bit unsatisfied. A few tables down sat famous chef Tom Colicchio which explained the peeking out of the kitchen window by hopeful future top chefs.