Le Grainne Cafe once more with Crepes

After trying Le Grainne Cafe last month, this little spot quickly rocketed up to one of our favorite new brunch spots. So when I was looking for a perfect place to take my out of town guests for a lovely brunch, I knew just where to head.

This time, I was determined to get some crepes, so I quickly agreed when my friend suggested we get the Nutella & Banana Crepes to share as a warm-up to our meal. Mmmmm, I was not disappointed.

Crepes Nutella Banane

Loco for Boka

We intended to take our out of town guests to Momofuku Noodle Bar, but when we got there we were facing a 2 hour wait. We love our Momofuku, but when you are ready for dinner, that is just too long to wait. So we were milling about on the sidewalk discussing our options when we hit upon Korean Fried Chicken. Bingo! Luckily for us, Boka on St Marks was but a hop skip and a jump away.

We'd actually already been here once, but it was when we had just moved to the city and before the blog was in full swing. Last time we were here, I was very envious of the Watermelon Soju I saw everyone enjoying and vowed to myself that one day I would come back and make this sweet bowl of fruit and liquor mine. And so I did.

Watermelon Soju

Bananas for Banana Leaf

A couple of my close friends are from Sri Lanka, so I've had a few chances to experience Sri Lankan food and wanted more. When I read this Eater article about where the Sri Lankan ambassador likes to get his Sri Lankan food, I officially added Banana Leaf to my 'must-try' list. So when my friend from out of town requested a hole-in-the-wall type place with spicy food, I knew where to go.

To start, we decided to try the Masala Vadai: Lentil Pattis with Sri Lankan spices and a minty chutney. Mmmm, we were off to a strong start.

Masala Vadai

In Complete Concord with Union Square Cafe

Amazingly, we never managed to have a meal at Union Square Cafe when we lived over by Union Square. Not for lack of trying of course, this has been on my must-try list for quite some time. So when my parents were in town and I wanted to show them some of the best this great city has to offer, this is where I took them.

I don't often order chicken, but when I know it is going to be really well prepared, sometimes it really hits the spot. Also, today's menu with the root vegetables and flavored mashed potatoes just really hooked me. I was NOT disappointed. I was really good and saved half of it to take home to enjoy for lunch the next day, but full disclosure? I ate it as soon as I got home- it was just that good.

Roasted Chicken 

No more curiosity about The Red Cat

The Red Cat

I live across the street from The Red Cat and I've actually been here a couple of times already, but never quite put up a post about it, because...well, there just wasn't much to say. I keep hoping to have a breakthrough moment where I see why place is so raved about, like my experience with Cookshop. Don't get me wrong, it's a pleasant restaurant with nice service and good food, but for me that's about it. All of the food is well prepared, but nothing has ever really excited me.

Gettin Tipsy at The Tippler

Drinks & Mashed Deviled Egg Toast

I've been chomping at the bit to try The Tippler since it opened in the basement of Chelsea Market, so I was very disappointed when a bunch of my friends went one night last week, but I couldn't join them due to another engagement. We happened to be in Meatpacking tonight, so The Mr suggested we pop in for a drink so I could finally check it out.

An Evening with Todd English

We Newbie Foodies are Todd English fans, so when the following Gilt City deal showed up in my inbox, I was all over that like broth on ramen:

Admission for one to the "GQ at PARK & BOND" Pop-Up Shop featuring Todd English on Thursday, December 15, 2011 includes:

• A live cooking demonstration from Chef Todd English 
• A signed copy of Todd English's new cookbook, "Cooking in Everyday English" 
• Passed canapés and cocktails from Todd English's new cookbook 
• Vodka cocktails from Double Cross Vodka 

The evening had finally arrived, so we headed down to Meatpacking to the pop-up GQ store. First we picked up one of each of the evenings signature drinks. There was a delicious and festive pomegranate martini and then here was the Notorious FIG. (Recipe here). This was hands down our favorite.

Our New Cookbook with
a Pomegranate Martini and the Notorious FIG

Hasta Headsta Basta Pasta

We've walked past Basta Pasta countless times, but I didn't know much about it other than the fact that it had pasta. A coworker was having a going-away lunch and chose this spot. and I was very intrigued to learn that it is pasta done by Japanese chefs. A Japanese/Italian Fusion of sorts.

The Mr opted for a penne with bacon (no surprise there) and really enjoyed it:

 Penne with Bacon, Onion, Egg Yolk and Cream Sauce

Gotta go to Co.

I've been hearing fantastic things about Co. forever, but it took me an embarrassingly long time  to put two-and-two together and realize that "Co" is that place across the street from my apartment that has the big "Company" sign outside. Oh boy, good one. Now we had absolutely no excuse to get our tuckuses here ASAP. And so we did.

We started with the veal meatballs served in homemade marinara with truccione sare (rustic country bread) and butter. Lordy, lordy, thems some goooood meatballs.

Veal Meatballs

Bene Bites at Morso

Graphic Designs on Wall

A few months ago Restauranteur & Chef Pino Luongo opened up a new restaurant with Chef Tim Ryan featuring modern, Italian cuisine. This week, they invited me to dinner to try a sampling of the bites they have to offer.

As I walked down 59th towards Morso, I couldn't help but notice what a romantic backdrop the Queensborough Bridge made across the way. In April, they will start having outdoor dining- but tonight it was chilly, so I was happy to duck in to the festively decorated, warm and welcoming restaurant.

Bosie Tea Parlor: A Perfect Spot

As soon as I first happened upon Bosie Tea Parlor, I vowed to myself that I would be back for their Afternoon Tea. Well, today was the day, and a girlfriend and I headed down to the West Village to spend a leisurely ladies' afternoon.

For afternoon tea, you get to choose a tea, 3 flavors of tea sandwiches and a pastry. We strategically ordered our sandwiches so that we could trade and be able to try all of the flavors. Pictured below, from left to right: Cheddar Cheese & Pickle, Chicken Breast with Golden Raisins & Curried Mayo, and Smoked Salmon with Red Onion & Cream Cheese. The other flavors were Farmer's Egg Salad with Thyme Blossoms and Cucumber with Cream Cheese & Dill. My absolute favorite was definitely the Cucumber & Cream Cheese, there is just something so light and classic about that combination. Runner up was the Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese- what can I say? I'm a sucker for Cream Cheese I guess. As a side note, don't be scared of the Cheddar Cheese & Pickle- as you can see below, it is not your typical Dill Pickle situation, but more of a pickled jam.

Tea Sandwiches 

F is for Fantastic: Gordon Ramsay at The London

Filet of turbot rainbow Swiss chard, crosnes, baked oxtail Champagne sauce

An out of town friend wanted to meet for dinner before seeing The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular and I needed to pick a place for dinner. Last time she was in town, she picked Perilla, so the bar was set high. I knew I couldn't just bring her to any cheesy, touristy Midtown spot. Chef Ramsay has an excellent reputation, and his restaurant at The London had fantastic reviews so it seemed like a good selection.

Getting our fix at Momofuku Milk Bar

Crack Pie & Candy Bar Pie
Pistachio Truffles & Birthday Cake Truffles

Momofuku Milk Bar is one of those places that we love so much that it was a complete shock to me  that we don't have a post for them. Now I will officially right this wrong. In a nutshell, everything is fantastic here and yes, it is worth going out of your way for. Any time we find ourselves in the East Village we swing by and load up on their goodies, such as the stash shown above. Not pictured though is the cereal milk soft serve, because duh, we had to eat that as we walked home or it would melt.

Bonus Tip: Did you know that you can have Momofuku baked goods shipped across the country?!?

Bonus Video: Chef Christina Tosi's appearance on Conan.