We went to Eleven Madison Park for dinner, Chris was leaving for the World Cup with Scott the next day to see two World Cup games. Scott got the tickets through his office. They are going to see Germany play Italy in the semi-finals! She (and Scott) are bonkers with excitement. We can't get on an elevator without her telling someone about it.
We decided to go to Eleven Madison Park, a very nice restaurant that I had not been to since it opened some years ago. I hadn't been back because I just didn't like the feel of the room. It's high ceilings and windows remind me of a cafeteria (St. Clair's in Parkchester!). Obviously, the Zagats reviewers are not from the East Bronx.
They offer a number of Prix-Fixe menus ranging from $89 to a $115 Seasonal Tasting Menu. We stayed with the "basic" $89 which was fine.
We started with;
Frogs Legs with Poached Egg - outstanding, small and delicate and not too buttery.
Potato Gnocchi with Squash Flowers and Lemon Confit - really delicate dumplings. One of Chris favorites.
And followed with;
Suckling Pig with Cippollini Onions - absolutely wonderful, tender meat with a hint of grilled onion. Not heavy at all.
Ribeye with Bone Marrow, Peas and Carrots - good, but not as good as my Suckling Pig. A little boring.
Cheese course - nice selection of cheeses.
Warm Blueberries with Pecan financier and Caramel Ice Cream - good.
Wine: 2003 Cote de Beaune - very good
All told, an excellent meal. After a Martini and the wine I forgot I was eating in a cafeteria! They started with a very nice "amuse-bouche" that had five separate tastes. One was a raw oyster. I let Christina have mine since I know how much she loves oysters. She was up all night with diarrhea!
Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave.(24th St.)
Manhattan, NY 10010
212-889-0905
Zagats says...
A “shining star” in the city’s “culinary galaxy”, Danny Meyer’s “fine-tuned” New American on Madison Square Park continues to produce “exquisite” cuisine backed by a “fabulous wine list” and a “smashing” art deco interior featuring “breathtaking vaulted ceilings”; add in “unobtrusive”, “mind-reading” service and it’s clear why this is a “favorite place to splurge.”
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
A night with friends at L'Impero
I went to L'Impero last week with a group of friends from my Pfizer days. It was really great to see "old friends" and talk about "old times". It was clear that. while I miss the people, I don't miss the work - or what it has become. I was lucky to have been there during some of the most exciting times - the building of an organization and a business. The last several years have been focused on "rightsizing" the organization after two large acquisitions and a dearth of significant new products. It has also been a period of stockmarket stagnation (Pfizer stock is less than half its high of 6 years ago). It's critical to be lucky as well as good!
We went to a very well regarded restaurant within walking distance from both the office and my apartment. L'Impero is lovely with a great bar and terrace. The menu is interesting featuring a number of unique items. Unfortunately, I wasn't in a very experimental mood and I stayed pretty traditional:
Crispy Sweetbread Fricassee - summer vegetables and truffled spinach puree
Slow Roasted Veal Chop - snap pea-shallot stufato and preserved lemons
Followed by
Torta di Ricotta - citrus salad and pistachio lime gelato
My tradtional Double Espresso.
We had a very nice Italian red wine that I cannot remember.
Everything was really well prepared especially the Sweetbreads. How m uch can you do with a Veal chop?
My only criticism is the restaurant is so focused on being trendy it lost sight of the dining experience - it was crowded and noisy.
L'Impero
45 Tudor City Pl.(bet. 42nd & 43rd Sts.)
Manhattan, NY 10017
212-599-5045
Zagats says...
“Artful” chef Scott Conant’s “glorious riffs” on Italian fare are the “stuff of dreams” at this “elegant” Tudor City outpost, a “high-end”, “grown-up” respite where the “sleek”, “modern” setting is matched by “polished”, “simpatico” service; it’s imperially “expensive”, but the $64 prix fixe is such an “incredible deal” that most “can’t wait to go back.”
We went to a very well regarded restaurant within walking distance from both the office and my apartment. L'Impero is lovely with a great bar and terrace. The menu is interesting featuring a number of unique items. Unfortunately, I wasn't in a very experimental mood and I stayed pretty traditional:
Crispy Sweetbread Fricassee - summer vegetables and truffled spinach puree
Slow Roasted Veal Chop - snap pea-shallot stufato and preserved lemons
Followed by
Torta di Ricotta - citrus salad and pistachio lime gelato
My tradtional Double Espresso.
We had a very nice Italian red wine that I cannot remember.
Everything was really well prepared especially the Sweetbreads. How m uch can you do with a Veal chop?
My only criticism is the restaurant is so focused on being trendy it lost sight of the dining experience - it was crowded and noisy.
L'Impero
45 Tudor City Pl.(bet. 42nd & 43rd Sts.)
Manhattan, NY 10017
212-599-5045
Zagats says...
“Artful” chef Scott Conant’s “glorious riffs” on Italian fare are the “stuff of dreams” at this “elegant” Tudor City outpost, a “high-end”, “grown-up” respite where the “sleek”, “modern” setting is matched by “polished”, “simpatico” service; it’s imperially “expensive”, but the $64 prix fixe is such an “incredible deal” that most “can’t wait to go back.”
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Ocean Grill
Rencently, we had lunch at the Ocean Grill with friends after a mid-day talk at the 92nd Street Y about FDR and the Holocaust. The menu was sort of asian-fusion seafood. The sushi rolls were fresh as was all the fish we ordered and the service was friendly and attentive. We liked it so much in fact, that we decided to go back for dinner a few days later after a reception at the Natural History Museum (AMNH) - it's right across the street. What a mistake! We couldn't get an outside table, and inside every table was filled. Unlike our experience at lunch, everything tasted re-heated and the service was slow and forgetful (getting a menu took 20 minutes, they never brought the asked-for lime or poured the wine after the first glass). Three times they tried to bring us something for another table (at one point the waitress asked Paul if
he wanted a knife for the Maki rolls). Even the bread that had been exceptional at lunch was dry and hard this night.
As we said, the fish here is fresh and very good. Chris enjoyed her oyster starter and the warm 'Thai filet mignon maki roll' was tasty. For her entre, Chris selected the 'wasabi-sesame crusted tuna with crispy shrimp wontons' that Paul had had for lunch previously. The tuna was well prepared and delicious, but the 'crispy wontons' tasted as if they had been saved from another day and refried that night. Paul had the 'oven roasted Chilean sea bass with crispy falafel' which was OK. The fish was perfectly prepared but seemed to lack flavor; probably because the sauce was all on the 'crispy falafel' that was much too seasoned. We accompanied it with a Reisling Kabinett that was nice but not the best choice for this meal since it was a tad sweet. The espresso following our meal was quite good, but lacked the delicious plate of sweets that were offered to us during our lunchtime experience.
This might be a better place for lunch when the kitchen and the staff are less stressed especially if you can snag an outdoor table on a beautiful day.
Ocean Grill
384 Columbus Ave.(bet. 78th & 79th Sts.)
Manhattan, NY 10024
212-579-2300
Zagats says
Cast your net no further than this winsome West Side poisson palace where the seafood couldn't be fresher and there's a plentiful raw bar too; though the brunch is very popular, whether it's too noisy or just a good buzz is up to you.
he wanted a knife for the Maki rolls). Even the bread that had been exceptional at lunch was dry and hard this night.
As we said, the fish here is fresh and very good. Chris enjoyed her oyster starter and the warm 'Thai filet mignon maki roll' was tasty. For her entre, Chris selected the 'wasabi-sesame crusted tuna with crispy shrimp wontons' that Paul had had for lunch previously. The tuna was well prepared and delicious, but the 'crispy wontons' tasted as if they had been saved from another day and refried that night. Paul had the 'oven roasted Chilean sea bass with crispy falafel' which was OK. The fish was perfectly prepared but seemed to lack flavor; probably because the sauce was all on the 'crispy falafel' that was much too seasoned. We accompanied it with a Reisling Kabinett that was nice but not the best choice for this meal since it was a tad sweet. The espresso following our meal was quite good, but lacked the delicious plate of sweets that were offered to us during our lunchtime experience.
This might be a better place for lunch when the kitchen and the staff are less stressed especially if you can snag an outdoor table on a beautiful day.
Ocean Grill
384 Columbus Ave.(bet. 78th & 79th Sts.)
Manhattan, NY 10024
212-579-2300
Zagats says
Cast your net no further than this winsome West Side poisson palace where the seafood couldn't be fresher and there's a plentiful raw bar too; though the brunch is very popular, whether it's too noisy or just a good buzz is up to you.
Friday, June 09, 2006
A Voce
Normally we shy away from the new 'in' spots mainly because getting a table without booking at least a month in advance is impossible. This time we got lucky with a reservation for ourselves and our neighbor's the Malvagnas. 'A Voce', newly opened with a Northern Italian menu was buzzing when we arrived. The decor is clean and polished with lots of dark wood a lovely bar and tables that are well spaced.
There were many things to intrigue us on the creative menu; for starters we selected an interesting presentation of veal meatballs, a three meat ravioli, and a lamb bolognese papparadelle with mint. The meatballs were unusual and delicious and Chris liked the papparadelle so much, she ordered it for her entre. Both Joe and Paul thought it was good, but felt that the mint was a little strong.
Paul had the chicken cacciatore which was unlike any he had ever had before. The chicken pieces were very tender and just lightly coated with the cacciatore sauce, served over mashed potatoes that soaked up the juices. Joe and Sheila enjoyed the duck breast which was beautifully prepared and a serving of black sea bass in a flavorful clam broth which included lots of crunchy croutons. Sides included broccoli rabe and and crispy potatoes that didn't live up to the rave reviews we had read. A couple of bottles of a 2003 Morgan Syrah rounded out our meal. Our only complaint was that some of the plates seemed like they were prepared too far in advance and weren't hot enough. Hopefully, this will improve as they work out the kinks. All in all a fun place and a fine meal.
A Voce
Gramercy Park 41 Madison Ave.(26th St.)
Manhattan, NY 10010
212-545-8555
Zagats preview:
In a corporate, ultramodern setting off Madison Square Park, chef Andrew Carmellini (ex Cafe Boulud) dishes up the savory flavors of the Italian table; though it can be ridiculously loud (the name translates as "by word of mouth"), its authentic cooking, attentive service and cool swivel chair seating all add up to sophisticated dining; N.B. a lemon tree-lined piazza provides a chic summertime rendezvous.
NY Times Review ***
There were many things to intrigue us on the creative menu; for starters we selected an interesting presentation of veal meatballs, a three meat ravioli, and a lamb bolognese papparadelle with mint. The meatballs were unusual and delicious and Chris liked the papparadelle so much, she ordered it for her entre. Both Joe and Paul thought it was good, but felt that the mint was a little strong.
Paul had the chicken cacciatore which was unlike any he had ever had before. The chicken pieces were very tender and just lightly coated with the cacciatore sauce, served over mashed potatoes that soaked up the juices. Joe and Sheila enjoyed the duck breast which was beautifully prepared and a serving of black sea bass in a flavorful clam broth which included lots of crunchy croutons. Sides included broccoli rabe and and crispy potatoes that didn't live up to the rave reviews we had read. A couple of bottles of a 2003 Morgan Syrah rounded out our meal. Our only complaint was that some of the plates seemed like they were prepared too far in advance and weren't hot enough. Hopefully, this will improve as they work out the kinks. All in all a fun place and a fine meal.
A Voce
Gramercy Park 41 Madison Ave.(26th St.)
Manhattan, NY 10010
212-545-8555
Zagats preview:
In a corporate, ultramodern setting off Madison Square Park, chef Andrew Carmellini (ex Cafe Boulud) dishes up the savory flavors of the Italian table; though it can be ridiculously loud (the name translates as "by word of mouth"), its authentic cooking, attentive service and cool swivel chair seating all add up to sophisticated dining; N.B. a lemon tree-lined piazza provides a chic summertime rendezvous.
NY Times Review ***
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Our local Italian restaurant - Felidia
Felidia is a wonderful northern Italian restaurant in a townhouse on East 58th Street. The chef, Lidia Bastianich, is the well known star of 'Lidia's Family Table' on PBS. The menu is quite interesting, featuring specialties of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia.
The service was excellent. The captain was very knowledgeable and made all the dishes sound wonderful. We were three people, and debated back and forth about our choices. Our final decision to forego the soft-shell crab appetizer resulted in a surprise treat by the chef of a shared order on a bed of two colour pasta--it was wonderful!
Chris and I don't usually order the same food (so we can try different things) but this time we both started with fried zucchini flowers stuffed with goat cheese and served with a tangy tomato dipping sauce. They were exceptional. Our neighbour, Jane enjoyed a seafood appetizer with a particularly delicious calimari. For our entrees, Christina selected one of her all time favourite menu items--calves liver. It was the best we have ever seen, or eaten. The perfectly pink morsels were layered atop a leek and polenta pancake which looked so appetizing it made even my mouth water. Jane and I both selected the quail "Saltimbocca" and were not disappointed. It included the breast meat rolled in ham and the wings and legs separately. Not having room for any dessert, we opted to finish with espresso and of course had a nibble or two of the delicious confections served on the side.
It was pretty clear that we were true members of "the clean plate club" which delighted the staff especially given that on Sundays the sous-chef, Peter is in charge. We couldn't imagine a better meal.
The one significant shortcoming was the sommelier. Felidia has an exceptional list of Italian wines, many of which are new to me. In the past, the wine captain had always had interesting wines to recommend that were much more reasonable than the Brunellos that were familiar to me. This time, despite much prodding of the "18 year old" captain we got the feeling that we were asking the impossible. In fact, the wine we ultimately had was quite ordinary. How lucky is that this is within walking distance of where we live.
Felidia
East 50s 243 E. 58th St.(bet. 2nd & 3rd Aves.)
Manhattan, NY 10022
212-758-1479
Zagats says
Creativity abounds at chef Lidia Bastianich's beautiful East Side townhouse, where wonderful pastas and other authentic Italian dishes are matched by a fantastic wine list; the prices can be intimidating, but its inviting decor and top-notch service have customers cheering brava Lidia!
The service was excellent. The captain was very knowledgeable and made all the dishes sound wonderful. We were three people, and debated back and forth about our choices. Our final decision to forego the soft-shell crab appetizer resulted in a surprise treat by the chef of a shared order on a bed of two colour pasta--it was wonderful!
Chris and I don't usually order the same food (so we can try different things) but this time we both started with fried zucchini flowers stuffed with goat cheese and served with a tangy tomato dipping sauce. They were exceptional. Our neighbour, Jane enjoyed a seafood appetizer with a particularly delicious calimari. For our entrees, Christina selected one of her all time favourite menu items--calves liver. It was the best we have ever seen, or eaten. The perfectly pink morsels were layered atop a leek and polenta pancake which looked so appetizing it made even my mouth water. Jane and I both selected the quail "Saltimbocca" and were not disappointed. It included the breast meat rolled in ham and the wings and legs separately. Not having room for any dessert, we opted to finish with espresso and of course had a nibble or two of the delicious confections served on the side.
It was pretty clear that we were true members of "the clean plate club" which delighted the staff especially given that on Sundays the sous-chef, Peter is in charge. We couldn't imagine a better meal.
The one significant shortcoming was the sommelier. Felidia has an exceptional list of Italian wines, many of which are new to me. In the past, the wine captain had always had interesting wines to recommend that were much more reasonable than the Brunellos that were familiar to me. This time, despite much prodding of the "18 year old" captain we got the feeling that we were asking the impossible. In fact, the wine we ultimately had was quite ordinary. How lucky is that this is within walking distance of where we live.
Felidia
East 50s 243 E. 58th St.(bet. 2nd & 3rd Aves.)
Manhattan, NY 10022
212-758-1479
Zagats says
Creativity abounds at chef Lidia Bastianich's beautiful East Side townhouse, where wonderful pastas and other authentic Italian dishes are matched by a fantastic wine list; the prices can be intimidating, but its inviting decor and top-notch service have customers cheering brava Lidia!
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