Website
Union Square Cafe is one of those quintessential NYC restaurants; an oldie but a goodie. It also always participates in Restaurant Week, which is a nice chance to check out a pricey restaurant. I couldn't wait to try it and have this restaurant to live up to its reputation. I really wanted it to WOW! me... but it was ok. Don't get me wrong, the food is really great and it's a really beautiful, classy restaurant, but I don't think that I'd ever choose to go back. The ambience is more of a business-y, classy, somewhat uptight, atmosphere. I think it is more appealing to a mature crowd than a 20-something gal about town. I did in fact, go for a business dinner, so it was appropriate for the setting.
- Pacific Oysters
- Grilled Lamb Chops Scotta Dita
(perfect)
Without wine it cost about $55pp.
4.18.2011
Ravel - Asian Fusion - $$
Website (Long Island City)
I'm afraid that if I publish this, someone I know might steal the idea from me... but since I discovered this boutique hotel's rooftop, I said that this is where I'd love to have my wedding (whenever, if ever that day should arrive). It's exactly the kind of place I wanted- trendy rooftop with a view of the city. The place is such an attraction in itself, you hardly need any decoration, and it's designed just how I like, so I would hardly have to make any adjustments to fit my taste. It's a modern, small-sized hotel right on the other side of the East River in Long Island City, and it has a very sexy rooftop overlooking the entire NYC skyline. In the summer the rooftop is wide open, and in the cooler months, they cover and heat it, so you can enjoy it year-round.
I've been meaning to try their brunch, but I've only been there for an early dinner, and I have to say, I was surprised at how good their food is. But you're honestly so distracted by the view, that all you need is a drink and good company. On the weekends, this place turns into a night club, but I haven't had much desire to check that out.
- Sushi rolls
(we shared a few and they were all good)
- Sesame tuna sashimi flatbread
(Super yum)
Each with drinks, we spent about $35.
I'm afraid that if I publish this, someone I know might steal the idea from me... but since I discovered this boutique hotel's rooftop, I said that this is where I'd love to have my wedding (whenever, if ever that day should arrive). It's exactly the kind of place I wanted- trendy rooftop with a view of the city. The place is such an attraction in itself, you hardly need any decoration, and it's designed just how I like, so I would hardly have to make any adjustments to fit my taste. It's a modern, small-sized hotel right on the other side of the East River in Long Island City, and it has a very sexy rooftop overlooking the entire NYC skyline. In the summer the rooftop is wide open, and in the cooler months, they cover and heat it, so you can enjoy it year-round.
I've been meaning to try their brunch, but I've only been there for an early dinner, and I have to say, I was surprised at how good their food is. But you're honestly so distracted by the view, that all you need is a drink and good company. On the weekends, this place turns into a night club, but I haven't had much desire to check that out.
- Sushi rolls
(we shared a few and they were all good)
- Sesame tuna sashimi flatbread
(Super yum)
Each with drinks, we spent about $35.
Minetta Tavern - American - $$$
Website
Minetta Tavern is another McNally gem. This one is located on MacDougal St., amidst jazz clubs and falafel places, right in the heart of NYU's Greenwich Village. It is so inconspicuous, you could walk past it a thousand times and not really know it's there (like I did). I kept reading about how wonderful it is in New York Magazine, and couldn't wait to get the hard-to-get dinner reservation.
The thing about all of the McNally restaurants that I've been to and love, is that their food is always simple. It is simple, high quality food, served simply, in simple, non-portentous settings. So everyone can go and feel comfortable and enjoy their meal, without being snubbed or feeling a need to whisper and behave. And that's what makes them so appealing to the masses. Schillers, Balthazar, Pastis, Morandi, Pulinos... all the same. They are always packed with crowds and their food is always fresh and delicious, so customers always go back.
I went there with a client about a year ago after he let me choose the restaurant. He'd already been there, but I was so dazzled by the hype that I honestly researched the menu and had already decided what to order about a week prior to going. (Don't worry, I know just how dorky that does sound.) So I passed-up the highly praised black label burger for the bone-in steak, and was not disappointed. However, the tightly packed restaurant was not a very conducive setting for a client dinner, as it was extremely difficult to hear one another. We were even there on a Tuesday night and it was still very crowded! So go here with friends you don't really need to talk to, or don't mind shouting at.
Everything you will try will be delicious, but I will go back for their burger.
- Bone-in Steak
- Black Label Burger
- Lamb Saddle "Tranche"
- Roasted Bone Marrow
- Oxtail and Fois Gras Terrine
Minetta Tavern is another McNally gem. This one is located on MacDougal St., amidst jazz clubs and falafel places, right in the heart of NYU's Greenwich Village. It is so inconspicuous, you could walk past it a thousand times and not really know it's there (like I did). I kept reading about how wonderful it is in New York Magazine, and couldn't wait to get the hard-to-get dinner reservation.
The thing about all of the McNally restaurants that I've been to and love, is that their food is always simple. It is simple, high quality food, served simply, in simple, non-portentous settings. So everyone can go and feel comfortable and enjoy their meal, without being snubbed or feeling a need to whisper and behave. And that's what makes them so appealing to the masses. Schillers, Balthazar, Pastis, Morandi, Pulinos... all the same. They are always packed with crowds and their food is always fresh and delicious, so customers always go back.
I went there with a client about a year ago after he let me choose the restaurant. He'd already been there, but I was so dazzled by the hype that I honestly researched the menu and had already decided what to order about a week prior to going. (Don't worry, I know just how dorky that does sound.) So I passed-up the highly praised black label burger for the bone-in steak, and was not disappointed. However, the tightly packed restaurant was not a very conducive setting for a client dinner, as it was extremely difficult to hear one another. We were even there on a Tuesday night and it was still very crowded! So go here with friends you don't really need to talk to, or don't mind shouting at.
Everything you will try will be delicious, but I will go back for their burger.
- Bone-in Steak
- Black Label Burger
- Lamb Saddle "Tranche"
- Roasted Bone Marrow
- Oxtail and Fois Gras Terrine
4.10.2011
Financier - French Bakery - $
Website
Financier has all these amazing little French pastries that lure you in when you pass by. At first glance, this place can look a little intimidating, or expensive, but it's not that bad.
My favorite thing about this place is that they're one of the first patisseries in nyc that actually have flan. And by flan, I don't mean the Spanish flan, I mean the amazing custardy slices of French flan that my mom and I pursue and indulge in when we go to France.
I popped in there for Easter and bought a few of their chocolate eggs- they're decorative AND delicious.
Financier has all these amazing little French pastries that lure you in when you pass by. At first glance, this place can look a little intimidating, or expensive, but it's not that bad.
My favorite thing about this place is that they're one of the first patisseries in nyc that actually have flan. And by flan, I don't mean the Spanish flan, I mean the amazing custardy slices of French flan that my mom and I pursue and indulge in when we go to France.
I popped in there for Easter and bought a few of their chocolate eggs- they're decorative AND delicious.
4.05.2011
Ninja - Japanese/Sushi - $$$$
Website (Tribeca)
Ninja is a themed restaurant that is done very well, and not nearly as cheesy as the other themed restaurants in the city. It's a unique and special place, but certainly not the kind of spot that would become your regular go-to. It's actually a really great place to bring out-of-towners, or to lighten up the typical dinner-date-- just make sure that whoever you're bringing has a sense of humor. I went to Ninja 2 years ago with 2 girlfriends, and we had a great time.
Without spoiling anything, when you first arrive, you take a "journey" to get to your table, and it's pretty entertaining. The restaurant looks like it came from the set of a movie: full-on Japanese decor, dim lighting, and all the waiters are dressed up as, you guessed it, ninjas. You get seated in a private room that has paper doors (like the ones you see in Geisha houses) and sporadically throughout the dinner, you'll have a Ninja play tricks on you or pop open some secret door, and make it fun. The menu features some really tasty dishes but the portions are tiny, so it gets expensive. Whatever you end up choosing, make sure it's one of the "Ninja Art Dishes" because they all have a special way of being served. Enjoy it's a fun time!
- RIN cocktail
- Ninja Star Martini
- Floating Sashimi
- Ninja Star (Dessert)
- Rose Chocolate (Dessert)
Ninja is a themed restaurant that is done very well, and not nearly as cheesy as the other themed restaurants in the city. It's a unique and special place, but certainly not the kind of spot that would become your regular go-to. It's actually a really great place to bring out-of-towners, or to lighten up the typical dinner-date-- just make sure that whoever you're bringing has a sense of humor. I went to Ninja 2 years ago with 2 girlfriends, and we had a great time.
Without spoiling anything, when you first arrive, you take a "journey" to get to your table, and it's pretty entertaining. The restaurant looks like it came from the set of a movie: full-on Japanese decor, dim lighting, and all the waiters are dressed up as, you guessed it, ninjas. You get seated in a private room that has paper doors (like the ones you see in Geisha houses) and sporadically throughout the dinner, you'll have a Ninja play tricks on you or pop open some secret door, and make it fun. The menu features some really tasty dishes but the portions are tiny, so it gets expensive. Whatever you end up choosing, make sure it's one of the "Ninja Art Dishes" because they all have a special way of being served. Enjoy it's a fun time!
- RIN cocktail
- Ninja Star Martini
- Floating Sashimi
- Ninja Star (Dessert)
- Rose Chocolate (Dessert)
4.03.2011
Cafe El Portal - Mexican - $$
Website
Cafe El Portal was a friend's recommendation to my request for real Mexican food. It's a cozy little place on Elizabeth St. that consistently has a short wait for a table. They do deliver on seamlessweb.com, which is a great alternative to waiting. We sat at the bar and had some chips with guacamole and pico de gallo. With that, they served us their house-special rojo and verde sauces that you can even buy bottled-- they're so good, I thought about it. I had a guava margarita which was good, but I wish I had ordered the rose petal margarita which was the popular choice.
- Fish tacos with chipotle sauce
(A-mazing)
- Shrimp tacos
(A-mazing)
Put it this way: everything was so good that among the three of us eating, not a single word was spoken until someone finally blurted out, "OMG this is so good."
With drinks, we spent about $30pp.
Cafe El Portal was a friend's recommendation to my request for real Mexican food. It's a cozy little place on Elizabeth St. that consistently has a short wait for a table. They do deliver on seamlessweb.com, which is a great alternative to waiting. We sat at the bar and had some chips with guacamole and pico de gallo. With that, they served us their house-special rojo and verde sauces that you can even buy bottled-- they're so good, I thought about it. I had a guava margarita which was good, but I wish I had ordered the rose petal margarita which was the popular choice.
- Fish tacos with chipotle sauce
(A-mazing)
- Shrimp tacos
(A-mazing)
Put it this way: everything was so good that among the three of us eating, not a single word was spoken until someone finally blurted out, "OMG this is so good."
With drinks, we spent about $30pp.
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