Freeman's - American - $$$

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I can honestly say that this place was so worth the wait! I had been wanting to try this restaurant for months and months and months. A girlfriend had asked to join me on my foodie adventures around the city, so I thought that this would be both, the perfect opportunity to try this restaurant, and the perfect place to ease her into food baby-ology.

So walking towards the restaurant down Freeman's Alley is so cute and romantic, and really sets up the restaurant well. It's decorated with animal heads, and flannel, and admission for men apparently seems to be an abundance of facial hair. The crowd is young and pretty. The cocktails are fabulous, the food is fresh and so so delicious. This place is officially, my favorite date place.

Since this was our first experience together, we kind-of just rolled up our sleeves and ordered everything that sounded delicious.

- Saw Mill Cocktail
It's made with Rye... get it?... and pear liquer, it is so smooth, I think I ordered 3...

- Devils on Horseback
Aaaaamazing. Prunes stuffed with blue cheese, wrapped in bacon, and fried. You pop this into your mouth and there's this warm explosion of melting cheese, sweetness, saltiness, it is just AMAZING.



- Artichoke Dip
Garlicy, cheesey, and huge chunks or artichokes throughout. It's SO good.



- Cheese Toasts
These were so perfectly crisp and had so much delicious cheese on them, we didn't even leave crumbs. Even the watercress salad it is served with was gobbled right up.



- Venison Cutlets
My friend ordered this and loved it. It's breaded and fried, and is an interesting alternative to the veal or chicken cutlet.



- Hunter's Stew
I ordered this one, and unfortunately was disappointed. It just wasn't for me. The others around me who had ordered this dish ate every last spoonful. But instead, I was devouring the creamed kale side that I ordered with it.





We did order a LOT for 2 people, and spent around $80 each. You certainly don't have to be such a high roller, but man... it is so worth it!

Veselka - Ukranian - $

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Veselka is a staple to the East Village. It's been there forever, and it always surprises me how busy it maintains to be.

I went back for brunch recently, after only having been for dessert previously. Now, I know that I probably should have taken the opportunity to sample the borscht, or pierogies... but i was in the mood for brunch brunch. And since I was nursing a heavy hangover, I went big time.

I ordered a monte cristo. Something I'd never had before, and something I'll never order again. Granted, I should have known what I was getting myself into: french toast made with challah, then sandwiching turkey and some krakovska- a polish sausage which is pretty good. But the sandwich came out totally soggy and mushy. And the sweet potato fries were your typical, frozen-fried fries. Not fresh, not good.



I'll never order that again. I'd say, stick with the Eastern European treats. There's a reason why Veselka is still famous, and there's practically no other place to get potato pancakes or pierogies, so go basic.

La Mar - Peruvian - $$$$

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my friend's boss designed the space at la mar and was partially treating us to a meal there. i admit, it was never on my radar, and still having been, i don't know that i would return or recommend it to anyone. it's one of those annoying, we're trying so hard to be a sexy nyc restaurant, type places. strange high end decor (sorry boss) and expensive dishes with tiny portions. i think a lot of the ppl there were not new yorkers... just not my type of place.

we ordered everything the boss had told us to. the first few dishes were really delicious, but we were too full for our entrees and they weren't good enough for 2nd bites either. the truth is, i can't even remember the names of some of the dishes, so i'll just post pictures instead.







bill ended up being 2.5x what our budget was. i can certainly, officially say that it was SO NOT worth that amount and i'll never spend that much again!