Some Pig at Fette Sau

Fette Sau - It's a sign!

Our coworker knows how much we love some good BBQ so he hounded us relentlessly to go try Fette Sau. He didn't have to twist our arms too hard of course and the next time we found ourselves hungry in Williamsburg, we made a bee line for the BBQ line.

Robbed of Words at Roberta's

Bloody Mary

We were in an area of Williamsburg we hadn't been to before scoping out some potential new apartments and we were famished. I pulled out my phone and was very surprised to find that we were really close to Roberta's which has been on my "must-try" list for a while thanks to the ravings of a good friend of ours. So we headed towards it and found ourselves walking down an abandoned warehouse lined street with not a soul in sight. Even The Mr. started getting a little nervous.

Midway down the block, a cab going in the opposite direction stopped and some girls asked us if we knew where Roberta's is. Uh-oh, I thought it was just up ahead, but if that was the case, they should've passed it. This wouldn't be my first time getting led astray by Google Maps...but when we got to the corner it was supposed to be on, we were pointed to a very inconspicuous door. Opening it was like falling through the back of the wardrobe into Narnia. We were suddenly surrounded by warmth, a lively crowd, and enticing food.

Sweet Sueños are Made of These

Michelada & Guacamole

Finding decent Mexican food in NYC is like the hunting for a unicorn. Everyone tells you that it's not gonna happen, but in your heart you just can't help but hope but believe. I read some good things about Sueños so was excited to try it out, especially since it's located in my 'hood: Chelsea.

Things started off well since they had Micheladas on the menu, so we ordered a couple of those and an order of Guac. They arrived and we cautiously gave them a taste and it was --

Sofia, So Fine

Sofia Wine Bar

Tonight I was invited to try Sofia Wine Bar, Cafe so I headed to the East side and walked in to the ground floor of a brownstone on 50th street. I felt like I had stepped into someone's home. It was warm, inviting, and full of interesting antiques. It was immediately clear that Sofia was something special.

I Can Cook: Blue Apron Week 1

Last year, I was really excited to discover Freshocracy: a program that delivers exactly what you need to create 3 meals for 2 people using fresh, locally sourced food. It was perfect for a newbie chef like me with little time to go shopping and to spend figuring out weekly meals. Then, they mysteriously disappeared. I was so disappointed. Then, I recently discovered Blue Apron. The same service- but cheaper!! I immediately opened up an account and eagerly awaited my delivery.

Well my friends, I was not disappointed. My groceries arrived and I started cooking away. They were amazing, I couldn't believe I had cooked them. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll let them take it from here (recipes included!)...

Arugula Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Castelvetrano Olives

When De Santos Comes Marching In

De Santos

Tonight I was invited to try De Santos, a contemporary American restaurant located in a West Village brownstone that was once home to the likes of Janis Joplin and Bob Dylan. My initial impression after walking in was "lovely". Exposed brick and rustic wood were counterbalanced with cherry blossoms and butterflies to make it equal parts masculine and feminine.

Great Jonesin' for Nola at Great Jones Cafe

Great Jones Cafe Menu

We have been trying to find a restaurant that serves up some good New Orleans style grub here in NYC. We've tried a few and left disappointed each time. Today, we decided to try Great Jones Cafe after reading some good things about it online. We walked in to a small, one-room establishment. Lots of NoLa tchotchkes, but it felt more authentic than theme parkish.

Quick Stop to Chop-Shop

Chop-Shop Front

Decided to finally check out Chelsea newcomer Chop -- Shop tonight. We're pretty excited to have this new little chic asian joint in the 'hood.

No one cooks like Jeanne & Gaston

Rear Courtyard

I was invited to try Chef Claude Godard's relatively new restaurant Jeanne & Gaston. The restaurant is named for his grandparents who owned and operated a hotel and restaurant back in Burgundy, France. Chef Godard is a third generation restauranteur who has earned the title Maitre Cuisinier de France. With this prestigious background, I was surprised when I met Chef Claude who is genuinely gentle and charming.

When I arrived I was escorted through a contemporary-casual dining room to a back garden. This dining area is a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and it was easy to forget we were right off of 14th St.

She's a Cool...haus

Coolhaus has built a reputation for having some of the most amazing ice cream sandwiches that money can buy. I've been craving one ALL summer, but they just never seem to be near me when the longing hits. Finally, tonight, I found myself in Union Square and knew my time had come.

Mint Keeps It Fresh

Inside Mint

Tonight, I was invited to try Mint, an Indian restaurant by Restauranteur/Chef Gary Sikka in Midtown East. As soon as I walked in the door, I was met with a cool waterfall and a hip lounge area. From there, I entered the dining room and was immediately immersed in a modern, colorful experience.

Update: Gazala's Place

Spinach Bourekas

It's hard to believe, but it's been a little over a year since I first visited Gazala's Place with my parents. We absolutely loved it (they've even gone back on their own!). So when we found ourselves out again in Midtown West with empty stomachs, we stopped by a liquor store to grab a couple of bottles of wine (it's BYOB), then made a beeline back to this great Israeli Druze joint.

Update: TBSP

BLTA

We haven't been to our old brunch favorite TBSP much since moving further away to the West Side. We had some out-of-town guests staying with us this weekend who requested a simple, classic NYC brunch spot and it seemed like the perfect place. Right away, we noticed a bunch of small changes such as the addition of water and snacks in the foyer to enjoy while you wait.

Update: Tipsy Parson

Tipsy Parson

I've been to Tipsy Parson a few times for lunch now and keep saying that I'll come back for brunch. For some reason, I never think about it when deciding where to go, but luckily today was not one of those days. We walked right in and got seated in the window seat (joy!). Then our impressively mustached waiter swung by to take our order, but everything sounded so good (cliche, I know) that we couldn't decide! 

Everything's Rosy at Rosa Mexicano

Guacamole

Had a team lunch at Rosa Mexicano today as part of a team building outing. Once we walked in we were faced with a giant waterfall wall with tons of miniature cliff diving figurines- pretty neat. Our hostess led us up the stairs to the second floor, where we were treated to a pretty decent view of Lincoln Center. It's an impressively big space which is refreshing for NYC, but also gives it a decidedly chainlike feel.

Like any decent Mexican restaurant, they offer tableside guacamole, which we took them up on right away. They asked us if we wanted mild, medium, or spicy and we decided to go with one mild and one spicy to accomodate everyone in our group. Unfortunately, we could not for the life of us tell the difference. The 'spicy' one was incredibly tame.

FINally Blue Fin!

Lobster Roll

I remember the first time I went to Blue Fin- it was years ago when I was still in high school. My girlfriend and I were visiting New York City and my grandmother took us here for a pre-theatre dinner. I remember the awe of being in a fancy, modern restaurant in The Big City. So when I was going to see a show with my grandmother, The Mr, and my parents, I decided this would be a great place to revisit. Smack dab in the heart of Times Square, the location is perfect for a lot of theaters.

Let Me Tellya About Donatella

Donatella

Came to Donatella tonight with a girlfriend. Have always been intrigued to try pizza outta that glitzy gold oven. We really enjoyed the ambience and settled in for a nice meal.

Rocket Pig Burning Out His Fuse Up Here Alone

Rocket Pig Sign

Rocket Pig

We were pretty excited to try out Chelsea newcomer Rocket Pig. The chef at Trestle on Tenth opened up a little outpost to serve slow cooked pork sandwiches. After all the hype of how many days it takes to make and the $14 price tag, unfortunately, we just didn't think they were worth it.

Along with the sandwiches we got some Hazelnut Mousse Cookies and some Bacon Caramels. Honestly, I was a lot more excited about those.

Update: See Serious Eats A Sandwich A Day coverage.

John Dory Aces It

We were in the mood for oysters tonight so decided it was time to check out John Dory's Oyster Bar. Since it was impromptu, we didn't have reservations and put our name on the list. Then we jetted over to The Breslin to grab a drink and a snack while we waited. By the way, this is absolutely the way to do it. The timing of this was perfect.

Hard to Stay Skinny at Skinny's Cantina

Chips & Salsa

We were in Long Island City for a Grand Opening Party at Alewife, but The Mr. was on a temporary non-meat-eating kick (long story), so afterwards we decided to walk down by the rapidly developing  waterfront to find some more grub. We passed a Mexican cantina and The Mr. suggested we try it out. My initial reaction was 'heck, no', since I find myself disappointed with even the well-researched Mexican places in this city. But then I realized- Totto we're not in Manhattan anymore, this is Queens! So we decided to give it a go.

Alewife: A cure for what ails ya

Alewife

Tonight Alewife held a "Grand Opening" party and invited Bloggers and other Industry folk to check out the scene. I put "Grand Opening" in quotes, because the bar has actually been open since last fall, but Patrick Donagher just joined the team and has breathed a bit of new life into the project.

Hearing the words "craft beer" and "food" The Mr. agreed to joined me with very little hesitation. However, when we got in the subway and he asked "So, where is this place" and I replied "Queens", there was some hesitation. But 20 minutes later we were at the door and both a little surprised at just how easy the commute from Manhattan was.

Sarabeth's is a Solid Bet

Tomato Soup & Scone

I work near Chelsea Market and wind up going to grab lunch there at least several times a week, but I never realized that Sarabeth's has a lunch menu. One day, my coworkers popped in through a little door that I had never really paid attention to, so I decided to follow. Everyone in there seemed to know about the secret menu and were mysteriously placing orders for sandwiches and the like. I asked the cashier for a menu, and voila, the secret was unlocked. 

Terroir at the Porch a Terrific Spot

Terroir at the Porch

I was having a rough day and needed to get out into the sun when I remembered seeing that Terroir's new High Line outcropping had recently opened up. Perfect! I grabbed The Mr, and we headed off to some picnic tables in the sun.

Stuffing My Pie Face

Pies Glorious Pies 

I was going to see Priscilla Queen of the Dessert with a couple of Australian friends and they suggested  grabbing a bit to eat at Pie Face. Funnily enough, this is their go-to post-work pre-theatre spot, so the pure Aussie awesomeness of it was kind of lost on them.

Island Hopper Blogger Contest!

Hey Readers,

Newbie Foodies is in the running to win a trip to Hawaii in the Island Hopper Blogger Contest from Urbanspoon & Hawaiian Airlines. Voting is open now through Sunday June 3rd and you can vote once a day. We'd be ever so grateful if you'd cast a vote for us!!

Thanks,
The Newbie Foodies

Go Westville, Young Man

Breakfast Burrito

Westville is a Chelsea staple and for good reason. Wholesome, good food made from fresh ingredients with a lot of local flavor. We order delivery from them a lot at work, but this morning I went with my girl friend for brunch.

L'Ybane is Twice as Nice

L'ybane

A girlfriend and I needed a quick, impromptu pre-theatre meal, and I literally just walked around until I stumbled upon L'Ybane. A wine bar with hummus sounded very promising, so we decided to give it a go. 

Want Wine & Chocolate? Try AYZA

Angry Chicken Lollipops

I was meeting a friend for girls' night and knew exactly which restaurant we should try. AYZA is always near the top of Urbanspoon's NYC restaurant list and I've had a hard time drumming up enthusiasm from The Mr to try it out. But as soon as I said the words "wine and chocolate" my girlfriend was totally in. It also worked well that they had a Midtown location since we work on opposite ends of the isle of Manhattan.

We started with a glass of free wine (you can 'Like' them on Facebook to get a coupon) and then ordered a few appetizers to split: the Angry Chicken Lollipops, White Truffle Pizza, and Grilled Baby Shrimp...

Stonyfield Farm's Chelsea's Table off to a Rocky Start

Roast Beef & Tomato Soup

I walk by Pier 62 almost every day on my way home from the gym, so was very excited to see that Stonyfield Farms Chelsea's Table restaurant had finally opened. I quickly rounded up my coworkers on an outing to go scope it out.

Holy Mole!

Mole

I was invited to try the newest location of Mole, the fourth restaurant child of husband and wife duo Nick Cervera and Guadalupe Elizalde. Guadalupe hails from Mexico City and runs the kitchen cooking authentic family recipes while Nick manages the front and is also responsible for the amazing decor. The bar which can be seen above has over 100 tequilas and mezcales, making it a great place to learn to appreciate the finer tequilas than the ones you got sick on in your college days.

New England Edition: Bahama Breeze

Truffled Yuca Fries

After a thrilling evening of indoor skydiving at SkyVenture in Nashua, NH, we were absolutely famished. We asked one of the dive instructors where we should grab some dinner and he enthusiastically suggested Bahama Breeze. Even though it was just five minutes down the road, it was in Tyngsborough, MA. After living in Texas for a long time, crossing state lines feels like a big accomplishment and New England gives you a lot of cheap thrills.

New England Edition: Morning Glory

Lobster Roll

What's a couple to do in Gloucester, MA with a little time to kill before a whale watching trip? Well to us, New England is synonymous with lobster rolls, so we asked the lovely ladies running the ticket counter and gift shop where to grab the best lobster roll in town. Without hesitation, both of them said "Morning Glory".  So off we went down the street we went to find this adorable little diner style place on the water.

Fried Chicken Dinner at Momofuku Noodle Bar

Pork Buns

I finally got to try the Momofuku Fried Chicken Dinner, but it wasn't for The Mr.'s birthday or some other personal momentous occasion, but for a team dinner. That's right, that's what happens when you work for an internet company and have a really cool boss. 

We started the meal with shrimp and pork buns, because to go to Momofuku Noodle Bar and not get their buns is a straight up crime. Finally, an assortment of condiments arrived, heralding the arrival of the chicken...

Finding Treasure at Foragers City Table

Menu & Beers

We were exploring Chelsea today after a week away and found that the space next to the Gem Hotel on 22nd St & 9th Ave has finally unveiled as Foragers City Table & Grocer (& Wine!). A modern and light farm to market/table space. We vowed to return for dinner in the evening to check it out.

Tasty Taco Treats at Tacombi

Tacombi Cart

The Tacombi cart showed up in Chelsea Market a few months ago, but I hadn't had a chance to check it out yet. So when The Mr. and I were hunting around the neighborhood for an afternoon snack it seemed like as good a time as any to see if they pass our Texas Taco Test.

Hot Diggity Crif Dogs

Crif Dogs

I had always hoped to come to Crif Dogs one night in order to go to PDT via the phone booth and for that reason, it had never occurred to me to just...go to Crif Dogs itself. So when my friend suggested we go there for brunch I was thoroughly thrown off. But I'm a flexible person, so we hopped in a cab.

Anejo Tequileria To Kill Some Time

Anejo Tequileria

My friend and I were wandering around the Theatre District between shows, looking for a little place to grab a drink when we spied this charming little tequileria on the corner of 47th and 10th Ave. The doors and windows were flung wide open, letting in the sunlight and surprisingly fresh breeze.

A Very Gilded Lillie's

Lillie's

I had had a disappointing experience with the Lillie's location in Flatiron a couple years back, but decided to give it another shot at a pre-theatre brunch because I was seeing Once and I'm a sucker for musical/meal pairings. We were immediately enamored with the Victorian decor as soon as we walked in the door. Like it's Flatiron sister, every square inch is lavishly decorated, but this location is much bigger, making it an even larger impact.

A New Go To: Kyotofu

Kyotofu Goodies

I was wandering around Hell's Kitchen with some friends, when one of them suggested getting some desserts from Kyotofu. I was intrigued by this tiny Japanese restaurant/bakery packed with people. I hadn't heard of it before, but I seemed to be in the minority. We fought our way in the door to get our little snacks and ate them out on the sidewalk. I was extremely full from dinner, so just got the cute little Matcha Green Tea Mini Cupcake, but everything looked AMAZING. I have mentally bookmarked this place for a romantic date night with The Mr. sometime in the (hopefully) near future!

Don't Miss Miss Korea

Miss Korea BBQ

Had a few out-of-towners to entertain and I was in charge of picking the place to eat. Usually, I'm OK with this pressure, but these guys were foodies, so it was time to step it up. I really love introducing people to cuisines that they can't get in their hometowns and Korean BBQ is usually a good choice. One of my Korean-American friends had high praise for Miss Korea, so I took a gamble and told them to meet me there.

First Day of Smorgasburg 2012

Porchetta

What's a food blogger to do with an out-of-town guest on a beautiful Saturday day in Spring? Well, if it just happens to be the first weekend of Smorgasburg, this is a no brainer. There's no easier way to get a taste of The Big Apple in one convenient location.

So without further ado, here's our coverage of our first 2012 visit...

All a twitter for Pio Pio

I've heard great things about Pio Pio, so when me and The Mr. were going to see a movie at the Kips Bay Movie Theater with a group of friends, I suggested we meet there. It's always a bit nerve racking to suggest a place you've never actually been to with a group, so when we sat down and looked at the menu I was a bit nervous. The menu is pretty limited. You come here for Peruvian rotisserie chicken, you get Peruvian rotisserie chicken. (To be fair, there's a seafood platter too).

No Monkey Business at Casa Mono

Casa Mono

I was in Gramercy this afternoon time today with my Dad looking for a place to eat. I knew it was finally time to check out Mario Batali's Casa Mono. It was the awkward time between lunch and dinner, so I thought we wouldn't have a problem finding a table, but to my surprise, the place was packed. We were able to get a couple of seats at the bar, and after a good while, we were finally noticed and brought some bread.

A Window into Ventanas

Ham Croquettes y Empanadas

I walk by Ventanas almost every day and love the decor I can see from the outside, so the second I saw a Bloomspot Voucher I snapped it up to go try it out. Seemed like a good place to try for a girls' night with a girlfriend, so I called her up and arranged a date.

Update: Katz's

Katz's Pastrami

Ok, my initial love of Katz's hasn't changed, I just wanted to repost with my new, fancier camera. It's still a great place to grab an amazing pastrami sandwich and some half sours!

The Spice Market Must Flow

Spice Market

Found ourselves in MePa tonight after a Skillshare class and knew it was finally time for us to check out Spice Market. We walked in and I was immediately wowed by the ambience and decor. It was immediately evident why this restaurant has a lot of buzz. I felt transported to another place. We checked in with the hostess who ushered us downstairs to wait for our table. After about 20 minutes our wait was up and we were escorted back upstairs to a chef's table.

Best Steak: Dylan Prime

Dylan Martinis 

A couple months ago The Mr came home from a business dinner and was absolutely RAVING about Dylan Prime. Then I saw a Living Social deal and jumped on it since he really wanted to go back there. Today, The Mr got some good news, so we decided it was the perfect time to go celebrate.