A restaurant challenge

It’s a Dog’s Life!

2006-10-15T14:00:00.000-04:00

In France, dogs are beloved! They’re welcome in shops, restaurants, and just about everywhere except most parks! Why not parks?? My own suspicion is that few owners pick up after their pets, despite a law which imposes a fine of 185 Euros for failing to ‘stoop and scoop’. Judging by what’s left on the sidewalks and streets, enforcement is not a high priority. Stepping outdoors in Paris can be tricky sometimes. Here on Ile St. Louis where the sidewalks are narrow, the human and car traffic heavy, we’re constantly dodging something or someone. The locals seem to have a knack for doing this, especially when it comes to avoiding the deposits left by the dogs! It’s uncanny to watch a local, cell phone at their ear, arms full and walking a top speed, avoid the droppings - almost like there’s a built in GPS system that sparks a ‘poo’ alarm. With the magic cleaning apparatus and early morning gutter washings, the situation does not get completely out of hand.

The dog above belongs to the owner of that butcher shop. He’s there every day making his own selections and keeping customers entertained.

Guarding the car!
I saw him on my way home today .

PC/Oct. ’06 .

La Nuit Blanche

2006-10-07T12:59:00.001-04:00

At night, Paris takes on a completely different look. It sparkles, it shines and even the dreary spots take on a romantic charm! The Eiffle Tower is light up like a Christmas tree and for 20 minutes each hour the thousands of 'fairy lights' twinkle and it looks like magic. Monuments are are lit up and the boats along the Seine have powerful lights that give the city a new look in the dark.

Each year in early October, Paris does an “all nighter”, La Nuit Blanche. Some public buildings and all Museums stay open all night and admission is free and there are concerts and events all over town all night long—imagine viewing the Mona Lisa at midnight, visiting with Picasso at 3:00 am and be entertained at a street concert afterwards. The city is filled with people having a good time and there is something to be had for everyone.

Paul and I watched a show at Notre Dame, saw a performance of fire jugglers, many street performers and a modern dance interpretation on the bridge leading to our street. The people themselves are a show. Sadly, we did not last all night, but heard the revelrie until the very early part of the morning.

Many Parisians don’t like this night because they think it too commercial and find the crowds annoying. As a visitor, it was an interesting diversion and a chance to be part of a festive scene!

PC/October ‘06

A night at a neighborhood bar

2006-10-06T09:44:00.000-04:00

Last night we went to the bar just down the street from our apartment--Les Fous des L'Ile. Chris had noticed a sign in the window advertising a young couple singing pop and blues (you can't let her get out of your sight for one minute!).

We got to this cozy little spot about 8:30pm for a 9:00pm performance. The crowd - mostly young French and French/Indian people were in a convivial mood as was the staff. The simple, inexpensive menu featured the type of food you see in Cafes and while I kept my order simple, I was disappointed. I had escargot to start and chicken in the pot to follow - what could go wrong with boiled chicken? Chris had a salad and a cheese plate accompanied by a house Beaujolais.

Chris' salad and cheese plate were fine. So was the escargot, clearly not freshly made, but OK. The chicken was the worst chicken I have ever tasted! It tasted embalmed, not boiled. Even the vegetables (potatoes and a mystery green) were inedible. Only the lone carrot was OK.

The entertainment, however, was absolutely wonderful and made the evening worthwhile. They sang American Pop and Blue songs for two solid hours. The selections were a mixture of familiar and their own material executed beautifully. Their stage presence added to their charm and evoked a lot of reaction from the crowd (the audience was sprinkled with their friends). After three encores they passed the hat for contributions. I felt like we had slipped into the Paris of Ernest Hemingway and his friends.

Why is this woman always busy?

2006-10-06T09:01:00.001-04:00

We've now been in Paris for somewhat over one week and it's become clear that while I'm on vacation, Chris is working. This seems to be a wonderful reversal of the traditional roles.

In the time we've been away I've read 4 books; done the crossword puzzle every day; taken long walks and generally had a relaxing time.

Chris, on the other hand is still on her first book; barely starts the Monday puzzle and often wants a nap in the afternoon - but claims to be having a great time! I keep telling her she needs to better manage her time! She tells me to stick it where the sun don't shine. See her comment below ...

THIS IS NOT A HOLIDAY!!!! I keep telling Paul that, but he doesn't listen! This is living our life. Here we are in an apartment where beds have to be made, laundry done and I 'fait de menage'(do the housework)! It's not much different from our routine in NYC except that I now go to school every morning to learn French and then have homework in the afternoon just so that I can keep up--IT'S definitely like working; up at 7:00am and not in bed most nights until midnight! Paul's the one on holiday! In addition, I spend a great deal of time reading guide books and magazines looking for interesting things for us to do. I'm trying my best to delegate responsibility, but he's really good at evasion. My husband training abilities are definitely lacking. What's a girl to do????

I keep telling Chris she has to get her priorities straight so she has more time to relax and enjoy. The truth is her efforts give me the luxury of being able to just do what I want. Is'nt that just like a guy!

Some disappointing experiences in Paris

2006-10-06T08:50:00.000-04:00

Some of you may have been wondering why we haven't written about any restaurants since we arrived in Paris. The truth is, we (especially me) have been disappointed by our meals so far. (Paul did say that he enjoyed the home cooked presentations to date so that at least is a positive thing!) Nothing really bad, but nothing exceptional either. Chris tells me it's my fault because I've been lazy and we've just gone to some "old favorites". She's probably right, last year I spent several days researching and making a list of places to go ( I do restaurants; Christina does everything else). That said, some comments on our recent outings:

Au Moulin au Vent
20 rue des Fossés-St-Bernard F - 75005 PARIS
This has been a favorite for it's homey atmosphere, wonderful Grenouilles (Frog's Legs) and meat specialities. We took our friends from Canada (the Honsas) for a typically French meal that would appeal to their tastes. We were very disappointed; they lost our reservation and we had to sit outside (in the rain, albeit under an umbrella) with a view of the parking lot and the noise of street traffic. The good news is we were able to enjoy quiet conversation with good friends dispite the less then efficient service and the feeling that we had been forgetten about; Les Grenouilles were limp and lacking in garlic (although the Escargots were excellent) and the steak (the house speciality) was tasty but gristly. Chris and Vaclev had the lamb which was excellent.

Atelier Maitre Albert
1 rue Maître Albert F - 75005 PARIS
Another favorite. . they specialize in grilled items. I had Veal shank and Chris had the swordfish. Both were good, but not outstanding. The vegetables (grilled rice and cheese) was the best thing. We had a house Beaujolais (carafe) that was good. The service was excellent. This is an interesting spot filled mostly with out of town business people and a few locals. It's minimalist atmosphere may not make you feel like you're in Paris, but the service is friendly, the seating close but not too close and it's worth a trip.

Bofinger
5 rue de la Bastille F - 75004 PARIS
This is a famous Art Deco, Parisian, brasserie specializing in "Coquillage" (shellfish) and "Charcuterie" (Alsatian sausage). We took the Honsas here for a typical Parisian outing. The food was Ok, but nothing special. Chris loved her bulots and Vaclav got his oysters! We sat under the 'dome' and is downstairs--definitely a better place then en haut!

Rotisserie du Beaujolais
15 quai de la Tournelle F - 75005 PARIS
This new restaurant opened by the people from La Tour d'argent as a less costly alternative. It has become very popular in France now as a reaction to the cost of restaurants that satisfy the Michelin requirements for a top restaurant (Tour d'Argent averages about 200 E per person before wine). It specializes in rotisserie items. Both Chris and I had wild Duck, which was tasty but underdone; it did however come on a delicious bed of 'roissti' along with those lovely french green beans. We had another house Beaujolias that was very drinkable. The service here was substandard. We don't mind the slower pace in France but this was just inattentive. It is the only time I wish that I could have used the 'tip' to demonstrate our displeasure.

For the rest of today (and until I finish) I will be researching restaurants for the next five weeks. I don't get any peace until that's done!

The del Balso's go to the WEST Side

2006-09-06T21:02:00.000-04:00

Some of you have been wondering where we've gotten to lately! It's not that we haven't eaten lately, it's more a matter of having the discipline to sit down at the computer. Maybe with the end of summer, the mood has changed.

Tonight, Chris and I ventured over to West Chelsea to visit a new restaurant (opened in July) specializing in Swiss - New American. The restaurant was lovely and featured a pretty walled garden in the back. We ate in the garden (probably one of the last opportunities this year). The menu is very brief, featuring unusual, rustic, ingredients.

I started with "oxtail and pig's foot terrine with spicy mustard". Both Chris and I prefer coarse-ground country terrines and we loved it. Chris started with "sautéed frog legs with frisée salad". The frogs legs were delicately sauteed - not fried. The waiter had not recommended this choice and we both would have to agree. For the entre, I selected the "roasted pork loin with caramelized carrots". It had been brined and was tender and juicy. The carrots were wonderfully roasted - I have never had anything quite like them. Chris had the "roasted lamb saddle, mustard greens, cipollini onions. She like it but thought the lamb and mustard greens were just 'ordinary'. We had two sides that were quite extraordinary "gratinéed pizokle with onions and gruyere (kind of like spetzl gratinee) and sauteed green beans with speck. They were both delicious and were a highlight of the meal. We had a 2004 Austrian Wachau Riesling that was great (we've been drinking a lot of Riesling lately). For dessert, we shared a walnut tart with cream that was delicious.

We sat in the garden next to two women who had obviously been there before. Chris got into a conversation with them (anybody surprised?) about how attractive the garden was. It turned out one of them was the Chef's mother-in-law and had created the garden area! We learned quite a bit about the chef and his wife, who are both in the business. If you think you might enjoy this, go soon because apparently Frank Bruni had been and plans to put his views in the paper this weekend.

Trestle on 10th
242 10th Ave.(24th St.)
Manhattan, NY 10001
212-645-5659

Berkshire Weekends

2006-08-27T20:26:00.000-04:00

How could it be that the summer is at an end? It's been hot and rainy in the Berkshires this year but there have also been many picture perfect days; you know the ones that lure you to the porch into a favorite chair with a book and a gin and tonic! We've had many of those days, but it's been Paul on the porch with the gin and tonic while I was on my hands and knees in the garden. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining; we're each in our preferred spots and the good news is that when I'm ready to come inside; a gin and tonic awaits!

This summer we (Christina!) have made a real effort to find and go to new places. The Berkshires has many excellent Music and theater places; and we have ventured to new venues; found some interesting outdoor activities and, as always, eaten in new places. One of my favorite new adventures was two shows at Jacob's Pillow and with my friend Sheila. Neither of us had ever been and we thoroughly enjoyed performances of Flamenco dancing and an amazing group from Montreal called "The Rubberband Dance Group". The performance is hard to describe--a combination of hip hop, ballet, martial arts, and modern dance. Music and arrangements run from traditional to new music and from what I saw an audience of mixed ages all seemed to really enjoy the evening, as did we.

In keeping with our "restaurant challenge", we've recently enjoyed three different spots:

Brix Wine Bar in Pittsfield--this cozy little Bistro on West Street has light Bistro fare with over 40 different wines by the glass. The zinc bar is authentic, but has standing room only. It's the perfect spot for a quick bite before a show or a late night snack and a good place to sample some interesting wines.

Oeno in West Stockbridge--has an interesting menu and also a very good wine selection by the glass. We were there with friends and enjoyed the appetizers better than dinner. Service was VERY slow especially given the small number of people there that night.

The Old Inn on the Green in New Marlborough--is a charming old country restaurant which Zagat's gives a 26 for food! The setting is extremely romantic with only candlelight in each of the intimate dining areas and weather permitting, you can enjoy the terrace. Our meal was excellent from start to finish. How can you miss starting with the likes of Maine peekytoe crab salad and crispy veal sweetbreads, followed by seared tuna and my a my alltime favorite, calves liver (I know this might not appeal to others in the same way, but it makes my mouth water). This is even a spot where there might be room for some cheese or dessert should you be in the mood! If you're planning a trip this way, check out their website: www.oldinn.com for rooms and restaurant specials.

Whole Foods - a new paradigm for food stores

2006-07-20T13:19:00.000-04:00

I am not an "organics zealot". In fact, for many years I have consciously avoided organic food as over-priced and low quality (at least in appearance). Therefore, I was indifferent to the opening of the first Whole Foods in Chelsea-Manhattan. However, I have completely changed my mind and now view Whole Foods as a paradigm shift in food shopping equivalent to that of Starbucks on coffee shops.

Whole Foods markets are large, modern stores that combine the best of traditional grocery and 'gourmet' stores. They are committed to organic and natural foods including fresh fruits, vegetables and meat and fish. They also have a large, high quality cheese selection. An area where they are exceptional is prepared foods. This includes a Sushi Bar, a Cafe and a Salad Bar in addition to the typical prepared foods counters. There is also a large, attractively laid out area with tables. Beyond the physical plant, the stores are distinguished by employees who are knowledgeable, courteous, friendly and committed to the mission of the company. This has been true in every store I have visited (Florida, Texas and Omaha in addition to NY).

I thinkWhole Foods offers a substantial improvement to other food stores because of the way it combines an outstanding shopping experience with a clear and easily understood commitment to natural foods, grown in a way that minimally impacts the environment. This is combined with a commitment to buy locally to enhance freshness. and an educational outreach program intended to promote healthful eating through information. There are classrooms in every store!

Overall, I believe Whole Foods reflects a real change in peoples expectations about how food is marketed. Wal-Mart and the traditional supermarkets are reacting and will provide more choice in where, and how, foods are procured. I believe Whole Foods advantage is sustainable, however, because it reflects a true commitment to values that are shared by a growing number of americans. I also believe that, while competition for traditional groceries will increase Whole Foods focus on higher value prepared foods will continue to command a premium, especially among more affluent shoppers. The stores also offer very attractive eating facilities - a Sushi Bar, a Starbuck-like Cafe (with better food!) and a cafeteria. It will be exceptionally difficult for other stores to duplicate the quality of these offerings. For example, Christina and I will go there for lunch because they have better salads (quality and variety) than almost anywhere else. We then usually do our shopping and have it delivered while we're out.

An Open Letter to John Mackey, CEO Whole Foods

2006-07-20T13:08:00.000-04:00

Paul del Balso
16 Sutton Place
New York, New York 10022

July 20, 2006
Mr; John Mackey,
Chairman and CEO
Whole Foods Market, Inc.
550 Bowie Street
Austin, Texas 78703-4677

I am a customer and stockholder of Whole Foods – in that order. In general I endorse your Core Value to “Sell the Highest Quality Natural and Organic Products Available”. In that context, I look to Whole Foods to act as an intermediary in acquiring these products in an ethical fashion and am motivated by the wonderful selection of fresh, packaged and prepared foods in beautiful stores staffed by some of the most knowledgeable and committed employees anywhere. We live in New York and shop at the new store at Time-Warner. We love the store but find it a little hectic at times.

I was especially impressed on a recent business trip to Omaha. We went to the store for both breakfast and lunch and were pleasantly surprised by the selection and presentation of foods, especially cheeses that we had not seen much of elsewhere in Omaha. We also had a very interesting conversation with the “Barista” who was also the coffee buyer. Her enthusiasm and excitement left us feeling like members of a privileged group – Whole Foods customers.

I am not an organics “zealot” but strongly support sustainable agriculture and survival of local growers and suppliers. I wouldn’t want to be limited to only what’s in season in NY, but would want to see local growers promoted when available. As an educated consumer I have read most of the recent articles that have challenged the “industrial” organics industry’s commitment, and yours, to organic principles. I have also read your Open Letter to Michael Pollan and his response to you. I must admit I was disappointed with both. Your letter boils down to “ I consider myself the national spokesperson for Organics and am shocked that you don’t trust me to do the right thing in evaluating and making trade-offs in acquiring produce. Furthermore, you (Pollan) have shown incredibly bad taste in not talking to us before writing your book, and in comparing us to Walmart.” His response boils down to “ No, I don’t trust you. Your principles are overruled by your bigness and I know this because I have many friends in the traditional organics business and they are angry with you.”

Unfortunately, neither of those lengthy letters helps me as a consumer. I am dependent on you to make those trade-offs in a way I would support. I have to trust you. There is no other viable alternative at this point, To that end I look carefully at the products in the store to see where they originate. One of the easiest products for me to evaluate is cheese. New England and New York are major producers of artisinal cheeses but I do not see the same variety of local cheeses in your stores as I do in cheese specialty shops. I find this troubling and would appreciate some feedback on your cheese procurement practices in the New York area. Specifically, who do you buy from, and why.

In closing, I remain an interested customer, consumer and partner of your company and look forward to being reassured that you are living by your principles.

Paul del Balso

Toqueville

2006-07-20T12:39:00.000-04:00

We went to a new restaurant last night - Toqueville at Union Square. They call themselves "French-American", probably because they prepare typically American dishes with a French flair. The menu is very interesting and features local ingredients. They have an interesting website that has pictures of the appetizers and entrees. The room is attractive, uncluttered with good spacing between the tables for four or more. Tables along the side are reminiscent of the tight fit we find in Paris. However, my taste runs more to "cozy" with wood and leather. This is more "modern" with metal and glass.

I began with Chilled Spring Pea Soup with Peeky Toe Crab that was refreshing; although I thought a piece of crab meat would have been better than a clump of shredded meat. Chris loves Sardines so finding them on the menu was a good start. They were marinated and served with shaved Fennel--delicious and not at all salty.

We were both feeling "fowl" so the Squab with broccoli and Chanterelles and the Poularde (young spayed chicken hen), also with Chanterelles and pureed peas were a great choices! Taste was good, but the temperature not hot enough. Chris also did not enjoy the consistency of the pureed peas (a very personal taste). Our wine selection was a white Burgundy (a lovely Chassagne Monrachet). We enjoyed it so much that we tracked some down today to enjoy at home.

We try hard never to look at the dessert menu but this day, shared a homemade assortment of ice cream which included one made with Basil (unusual but very tasty). Espresso was good and in true French style, there was a small plate of chocolates and sweets.

All in all, I found the food was good but the menu was better. They need to put as much effort into preparation as they do in creating the menu and the web-site.

Tocqueville
1 E. 15th St.(bet. 5th Ave. & Union Sq. W.)
Manhattan, NY 10003
212-647-1515

Zagats says...
Dignified dining carries on at this understated, absolutely adult Union Square French-American where chef Marco Moreira's brilliant menu meets the highest standards; sure, you'll pay for it, but the calming ambiance and your-wish-is-their-command service more than justifies the high tabs; N.B. a recent move to larger digs puts its Decor score in question.

Eleven Madison Park

2006-06-30T21:37:00.000-04:00

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 Âshining starÂ in the cityÂs Âculinary galaxyÂ, Danny MeyerÂs Âfine-tunedÂ New American on Madison Square Park continues to produce ÂexquisiteÂ cuisine backed by a Âfabulous wine listÂ and a ÂsmashingÂ art deco interior featuring Âbreathtaking vaulted ceilingsÂ; add in ÂunobtrusiveÂ, Âmind-readingÂ service and itÂs clear why this is a Âfavorite place to splurge.Â

A night with friends at L'Impero

2006-06-29T16:52:00.000-04:00

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.”

Ocean Grill

2006-06-14T17:27:00.000-04:00

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.

A Voce

2006-06-09T09:56:00.001-04:00

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 ***

Our local Italian restaurant - Felidia

2006-06-06T23:21:00.000-04:00

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!

Capsouto Freres

2006-05-22T18:57:00.000-04:00

This is a great restaurant for "fun" French food. It's in a bright old warehouse building at the western edge of Manhattan. The staff is delightful - friendly and attentive and they're willing to make adjustments to the menu. You can even park on the street nearby (I first went here when I lived in Riverdale).

They offer a reasonably priced "menu" at dinner ($35), Lunch ($24) and brunch ($25). They also have a "souffle bar" at Brunch and Lunch.

We decided to go for an early dinner this week. Both Chris and I had the special, Softshell crabs and thought they were delicious. We asked to omit the the accompanying mashed potatoes opting for a mixture of sauteed green vegetables. Unfortunately, the sauce served with the crabs was too thick and heavy--the good news is the sauce was just at the side. Chris liked her vegetable terrine starter, but my "Saucisson Lyon' (large garlic sausage in a pastry crust) was cold and unappetizing.

We shared a blood-orange Souffle for dessert that was wonderful. So was the expresso.

The bottom line is I keep going back to this restaurant because it seems like it should be wonderful - a nice space with an interesting menu and a great staff - all at a reasonable price. And Zagats gives it a respectable 23 for Food. This is not a place for gourmet dining with the sometimes inconsistent food and the heavy sauces. Some of the food tastes like it was prepared much earlier and warmed over--but, if you choose carefully, you can have a decent meal.

Zagats says...
Located halfway to Joisey in the middle of nowhere (aka west TriBeCa), this glorious oasis of civility has delivered delicious French bistro fare for decades; its pretty, red brick-walled high-ceilinged room provides all the creature comforts, with unpretentious yet delightful service icing the cake.

Capsouto Freres
TriBeCa 451 Washington St.(Watts St.)
Manhattan, NY 10013
212-966-4900

Not-so-Prime Steakhouse

2006-05-13T12:46:00.000-04:00

Prime Steakhouse & Grill
Franklin St.
Lenox, MA 01240
(413) 637-2998 (413) 637-989415

http://http://www.primelenox.com/enox.com/

What were they doing in OMAHA!!

2006-05-08T19:40:00.000-04:00

Christina and I recently went to Omaha for the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting. This is the so-called "Woodstock for Capitalists" where Warren Buffett, the "Oracle of Omaha" and his sidekick "Charlie Munger" preside over a meeting with an attendance of over 24,000. On the day of the annual meeting itself, they take questions from the audience for almost 6 hours--no other company or CEO does anything even close to this.

The meeting lasts the entire weekend beginning with a cocktail party in a huge Berkshire-owned jewelry/gift shop and ends with brunch at the same store on Sunday. Stockholders are offered discounts of up to 30% on all the high-end brand name merchandise (Cartier, Baccarat, Lladro, etc.). Saturday is devoted to the formal meeting and Q&A session. It begins with a humorous movie poking fun at Buffett and Munger and introducing all the companies they own. The theme this year was Buffett's 75th birthday and featured appearances by a parade of stars and celebrities - including Jamie Lee Curtis, Bill Gates, and the whole cast from Desperate Housewives. The attendees include many families who have owned Berkshire stock for up to 50 years and attend as a sort of family outing. There are also students who have studied Buffett and Berkshire eagerly taking notes in the audience, as well as representatives from the traditional analyst community and journalists. The questions though mostly came from individuals and range from the Company's planned succession to what their thoughts are on the current boom/bust in real estate.

You may wonder why we would attend the annual meeting of a company that was in OMAHA! Well, this isn't just any meeting. Ever since we began reading the now famous "letters to the investors" that Warren Buffet sends to his shareholders every year, we've wondered what it would be like to attend one of these gatherings. Well, this past weekend we found out. This is the biggest event seen in the city and we discovered the importance of making hotel reservations EARLY. The downtown hotels are sold out often a year in advance. We managed to find rooms at Harrah's Casino in nearby Council Bluffs, Iowa--an experience in itself!

At times the weekend resembled a revival meeting with Buffett and his longtime partner (and Vice Chairman) Charlie Munger offering as much investment philosophy as specific answers. Some of the very candid responses included:

Views on the role of traditional Wall Street deal makers - a total waste of time. Add no value, just make money for themselves. They'll never deal with them.
Discussion of hedge funds - great at making money for their principals, not investors. But there are too many of them to continue to make money even for themselves.
Thoughts about the housing bubble - they don't know when it will bust, or how, but it is very unlikely to have a good outcome. Reference to the "internet " and "tulip bulb" bubbles.
Outlook for the dollar - unlikely that the huge trade deficit will not have some impact on dollar. They can't predict how much, or when; but the direction is clear. They have moved from currency hedging to investing in global companies. Announced the acquisition of an Israeli tool maker.
An answer about investing in technology - they have a very simple philosophy about investing, there are good ideas, bad ideas and things that are just too hard. Technology is just too hard to figure out. They stick to what we understand
Thoughts about Ethanol - stupid idea (this according to Munger), demented to think it's a solution for the energy needs. Must have meaningful efficiency improvements and conservation (this from two Nebraskan!).
Rational for acquisitions - very interested in good businesses looking to monetize their net worth. Looking outside the US for the first time. Will not enter into an auction or buy from a "financial manager" - only someone looking to continue to manage the business. Criteria are outlined in the Annual Report. Buffett meets with 40 groups of students each year looking for ideas. Has offered a bonus of one Class B share (about $3,000) for each student if idea has been used (one was).
What they thought about offering dividends - not in his lifetime.
How they would deal with inheritance - all his Berkshire stock (about $35 billion) will go to charity on his death. He doesn't believe he can work to earn money and give it away at the same time (a la Bill Gates). Thinks it's schizophrenic.

Berkshire owns almost fifty companies, many of whom sell to the public. During the entire three days of the meeting they have sales/demonstration booths in an exhibition hall. As newcomers, we were fascinated by the variety of companies and products that are part of the 'Berkshire Family'.

Bottom line? We'll be back next year! But for one day less.

Self Proclaimed "Foodies"

2006-05-08T19:01:00.000-04:00

There are those who eat to fuel their bodies and then there are the "Foodies"! Epicure, defines a foodie as, "a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment of food and drink". I'm not sure how you get to be a 'foodie', but perhaps it's genetic??? You know you're a foodie if:

* you begin making plans for dinner right after breakfast
* you order what's in season at Starbucks
* you know the name of the chef at the local diner
* you worry about the "terroir" of chocolate - or even know what terroire is~

Our friend Steve always kids us when we get really involved in a discussion of food, where the best places are to eat and what we love about the combinations certain foods and wine. He would never consider himself a 'foodie', but we've noticed that he's come to appreciate a better quality of wine and occasionally is willing to try something outside his comfort zone!

This past week we joined premier 'foodies' Sheila and Joe at a fine resturant they discoverd in Chelsea. "Crispo" is undistinguished at first glance and realtors would not say that it had 'curb appeal'. However, don't be fooled. This is a wonderful place; cozy, with a long, comfortable, bar as you walk through the door, inviting tables in the main room, but the real secret is the garden with a retracting roof AND a wood burning fireplace. The back wall has an incredible collection of meat slicers from past eras and it was a relaxing to sit out there on a warm spring evening with the sound of a trickling fountain in the background. Sheila and Joe had been to Crispo before, but had not yet enjoyed the garden so it was a delilght for the four of us. Joe and Paul quickly made decisions about the appetizers and both Sheila and I agreed that we could have happily made a meal of those selections alone. For this night we were unanimous about the favourites: Rice Balls served with marinara sauce (be sure to ask for this when making this selection), stuffed hot peppers and sausage wrapped in sage leaves. We also liked the ricotta with truffle oil and the eggplant caponata.

Everything on the menu looked good and there were at least three things on the nightly specials that I would have been happy to have. We all started with the same pasta course of "pappardelle with a wild mushroom ragout". Thank goodness that we shared this dish because the entree was yet to come! Christina and Sheila selected the seared scallops served with a 'carrot risotto cake' and roasted peppers--both agreed this was outstanding. Paul was happy with his choice of roasted chicken on the bone with a serving of polenta and some sweet peas. Joe raved about his Roast Pork Shank and especially liked the accompanying crispy onion rings. The meal was perfectly accompanied by a less well known red wine selected by Joe (Numanthia-Termes, Tempernillo '03) and topped off with coffee and a shared serving of warm chocolate chip cookies! Needless to say, we were happy to have a long walk after dinner!

This is a fine neighbourhood resturant with friendly staff and reasonable prices. By the way, if you enjoy drinking Cosmos, don't pass up the "Blood Orange Cosmo" on their special spring cocktails list.

So, send us your definition of a 'foodie' and let's compare notes!

Crispo
West Village
240 W. 14th St.(bet. 7th & 8th Aves.)
New York, NY 10011
212-229-1818

Zagats says...
Full of “robust flavors”, the Northern Italian food at this “hopping” Villager is served in “warm, romantic” quarters that light up an otherwise “drab” block; add “affordable” wines and a “transporting” “outdoor garden” and you’ve got a clear winner.

A new review by a guest editor (ess)

2006-04-18T17:10:00.000-04:00

We hope that one and all had a delightful Easter Sunday.

Steve and I had the pleasure of dining with our good friends Frank and Lorraine at a great new restaurant in the Berkshires. It is tucked away on a scenic hillside and is called Chez Agita. We made reservations and it was a smart thing to do as the intimacy of the setting limited the number of available tables.

Upon our arrival we knew we were in for a special treat. Before we could take our coats off, our server brought to us delectable slices of warm Foccacia straight from the Il Costco toaster oven. Parmigiano Reggiano a la Queen Mary complimented this beautifully.

Our table, adorned in Mappa da McDonalds place mats was a sight to behold. As we began our main course, we toasted one another’s health with a robust and fruity glass of Dancing Bull Zinfandel straight from the Gran Prix Chopper marketplace. Without a doubt, it was Zin-fully delicious.

Chef Frankie prepared Pasta Castellane, a house special of the Dollare Store, and moist, tender and flavorful Chop of Pork presented on a bed of red peppers and onions. I’m salivating just thinking about it. The garlic and oil infused broccoli would have made a convert of the most ardent vegetaphobe.

Dessert was a blast from our Goombah past. Guest chef Lily-Belle prepared Easter pie filled with ricotta, pine nuts, vanilla. Confectioners sugar, eggs and orange zest. Otis Food Critic, and Critic of Everything, Stefano Barkerla, thought that it could have been a little sweeter. So what else is new?

Quiche Lorraine ended the evening on a high note with her aromatic blend of coffee from the Tassimo tub machine. This was the perfect end to a perfect evening.

ZAGAT says: A hidden gem in the hills of Otis, MA. Superior service, exquisite presentation, mouth watering fare……and the price is right. Did I forget to say that Chez Agita is pet friendly?

Take me out to the ball game

2006-04-12T13:18:00.000-04:00

Scott and I went to the Home-Opener Yankee Game this week which was totally sold out with 55,000 people at Yankee Stadium. He got the tickets from MLB who work with his company on the video game of the same name. The game started well with Jason Giambi hitting a three run homer in the first inning. It then went down hill fast on less than stellar pitching from Chien-Ming Wang - last year's wunderkind. It even included an unexplainable lapse by fan favorite Bernie Williams who "wandered" off second base on a short fly ball to left field. The early chants of B-E-R-N-I-E for Williams decision to return as the DH, turned to brief BOOs as he was put out for an inning-ending double play. He later described it as a "brain cramp".

Everything turned around however, after the "seventh-inning stretch" when the Yankees came roaring back. Finally, they were ahead 7-5 on a homerun by Derek Jeter, the team captain and most popular player. The chants of "DER-EK JE-TER" continued through the end of the game and onto the subway. We also saw Mariano Rivera pitch his first save of the year. Overall, it was a wonderfully exciting game for the huge crowd and everybody left happy.

Scott and I left feeling all pumped up and decided we needed STEAKS! (This must be the testosterone! cdel) To me, the best steakhouse in New York is Sparks. Others may be prettier, but none have the combination of perfect steaks and decent ambiance (a steakhouse can't be too nice and still be called a "steakhouse" rather than a "restaurant" that serves steaks).

Sparks serves the traditional 16 oz. NY strip steak with traditional sides of homefries, mushrooms and a green vegetable. They also serve lamb or veal chops and some fish - including a 3-6 pound lobster! As an aside, in all the years I've been going to Sparks (over 20) I've never seen anyone but a Japanese tourist eat the lobster - it's huge, but they seem to feel it's a right of passage to say that they've had the lobster at a NY steakhouse and then complain how big the portions are!

We were in "men's night out" mode after the ball game so I started with scotch and a shrimp cocktail while Scott opted for bourbon and clams on the half shell; this was followed by steaks with the usual sides. Having been gone all day, we felt badly so we invited Christina and Jory (who was busy) to our "boys night". Since Chris isn't a "real" man she ordered a salad and sliced steak - she has no sense of tradition. The steaks were absolutely wonderful--even hers. They age their own beef and grill it at just the right temperature for a perfect seared black outside and medium rare inside. No one makes a better NY stripsteak. Peter Lugers, in Brooklyn, another wonderful spot does a fabulous porterhouse but Sparks in king of the NY strip.

Sparks is a NY institution. I've seen Muhammad Ali, H. Ross Perot, Paul Castellano, Woody Allen, Donald Trump and innumerable other greater and lesser lights there and I've taken every out of town visitor there for a quintessionally NY meal. The only downside is the crowd. The bar is a mad-house, it's never quiet and you always need a reservation.

Sparks Steak House
East 40s 210 E. 46th St.(bet. 2nd & 3rd Aves.)
Manhattan, NY 10017
212-687-4855

Zagats says...
You get to watch wheeler-dealers wheel and deal at this "manly man" Midtown meat market where everything's big, from the steaks flavors and the wine list to the dining room and the noise level; it's a prime example of how cholesterol should taste, but bring your checkbook and a carefree attitude to deal with the frequent waits since people are dying to eat here.

Mothers and Sons

2006-04-07T22:34:00.000-04:00

As the mother of a son, I've always felt that the 'mother/son' relationship hasn't received adequate notice or attention; positive attention that is. Have you ever noticed the number of 'mother/daughter', 'father/son' and even 'father/daughter' events? When mother/son relationships are mentioned it's usually in a derogatory way; how often have you heard a reference to "mamma's boy" -- and doesn't that conjure up a picture? Why is that?

I'm happy to report that Scott and I have many mother/son days and enjoy each other's company and the fact that he lives in the city means that we get to see quite a bit of him. Not so long ago, he and I had dinner and went to a jazz concert at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was the final in a series of Jazz evenings entitled "Three Mo Tenors". The artists, whose names I've now forgotten were a group of classically trained tenors. The program which included operatic music, jazz, gospel, soul, spirituals, Broadway and the blues was non-stop with only a short intermission and lots of participation from the audience. I'm sure that everyone in the there would agree that we got our money's worth this night.

Our evening out included dinner at a restaurant close to the museum; Girasole, a cute Italian spot on 82nd Street. It felt like a quaint neighbourhood spot with friendly staff, a good but unremarkable menu and a wine list that had some affordable selections. My mixed green salad was fresh with a light dressing and Scott enjoyed a cold calamari salad also in a vinaigrette. For the main course, I chose from one of the daily specials, a wild boar chop, served with fresh asparagus, green beans and red peppers. The chop was perfectly grilled and was topped with a mustard and peppercorn sauce. Scott thoroughly enjoyed a serving of grilled sea bass with mushrooms, asparagus and a mixture of rice. We finished with coffee and got to the show with minutes to spare. This is a quaint little spot, a bit on the pricey side, but worth checking out.

Girasole
East 80s 151 E. 82nd St.(bet. Lexington & 3rd Aves.)
New York, NY 10028
212-772-6690

Zagats says ...
“Popular with the Met staff” and Upper Eastsiders “who can afford” the tabs, this “small, refined” Italian functions almost like “a neighborhood club”; the “better-than-average” (if “unremarkable”) fare and “consistently good” service please its “generally older” crowd

Rouge

2006-04-07T12:38:00.001-04:00

Rouge has been one of our favorite places in the Berkshires since it opened several years ago. This friendly restaurant is run by a young husband and wife team (Maggie's the hostess and front room manager and her husband Mark the chef). They've done a great job converting a local house to include several cozy dining areas, a small porch and a comfortable bar space with a few small tables where you can enjoy a drink while waiting for your table and have lighter fare--the tapas is particularly good. They have a nice mix of straightforward dishes (heavy on steaks and fish) prepared with a 'French Bistro' flare. Our only complaint has been the consistently slow service and sometimes long waits despite having a reservation. Most recently, the service was so bad, there were three different servers trading off. To make matters worse, they brought the check before even offering dessert or coffee.

Recently, we've also noticed that the usually reliable preparations have sometimes been inconsistent. We've had escargot that looked and tasted re-heated, salad that was not fresh and Duck that's been over-sauced. On this night however, the food was great. Christina and I had a roasted chicken on the bone (I thought mine was a little dry, she liked hers) with a wonderful lemony wilted spinach that was delicious. Others at our table had steak, sliced breast of duck and rack of lamb all of which got very positive reviews. The starters included their signature mixed greens with breaded goat cheese, mussels that were reportedly tasty (If our friend Joe says they're good, you know you have a winner). The wine selections are very good and the cocktails imaginative. Pomegranate seems to be the new "in" drink and here they made a tasty pomegranate sangria. We definitely think this is a place worth visiting. By the time we get back, Maggie and Mark will be proud parents for the second time. This may be the start of a new family dynasty!

Rouge
3 Center St.(Hotel St.)
West Stockbridge, MA 01266
413-232-4111

Zagats says:
Outstanding tapas and superbly prepared French bistro fare focusing on local ingredients are served by a lively, welcoming staff at this West Stockbridge two-year-old with a terrace overlooking the Williams River and a noise level that's tough on conversation; though some supporters are pleased, others say they still need to get their act together and open more often.

The Red Lion Inn

2006-03-26T22:39:00.000-05:00

http://image.pegs.com/images/UZ/656/656_b1.jpg

The Red Lion Inn, in the heart of the Berkshires in Massachusettes is one of the oldest American Inns still in operation. Built as a stage coach stop in 1773, it still provides comfortable lodging to guests who come to the area to hike, visit Tanglewood or attend any of the other numerous cultural events found here. It still operates as a B&B, and apart from the main dinning room, you can get service in the "Widow Bingham's Tavern", "Jack's Grill", or in the summer enjoy dinning in the "Courtyard". Live entertainment is available in the "Lion's Den" most evenings. If you're there during business hours, there's a cute gift shop and they are home to one branch of "Country Curtains".

The Inn itself is rustic, filled with beautiful antiques and on this night there was still a welcoming fire in the grate. As we entered the main hall, guests were sitting around enjoying each other's company, reading a book or playing cards.

Tables in the main dinningroom are nicely spaced but it's beginning to look a little tired and the chairs need tightening! The atmosphere, however, is cozy, the staff efficient and courteous and we really like the place. This year on Sunday and Monday evenings, the resturant offers a prix fixed dinner menu based on locally grown and produced fare. We decided to give it a try since many of the area resturants support local farmers especially in season and often boast a "Proudly Serve Berkshire Grownand Produced Food Products" on their menus. We mixed and matched from the regular menu and the Prix Fixed and gave the meal an overall mixed review. We both started with soup, Paul their classic Cheddar, Ale & Sausage (which he loved) and I the locally grown veggie (which was rather watery and tasteless). For the main course I selected the wild mushroom Gnocchi with sauteed spinch and although it looked unappetizing, tasted delicious. Paul opted for the Roast Prime Rib of Beef and while the beef which was served medium rare just the way he liked it. Both meals were served on the cool side which did nothing for the vegetables and turned the mashed potatoes into a hard lumpy mass.

Museum visits

2006-03-25T21:41:00.000-05:00

We've been to the Metropolitan Museum of Art twice a week for different courses - one sponsored by the museum on the Cities of Italy every Wednesday night offered an entertaining focus on the architecture of Florence, Rome, Venice and Naples. It was held in an auditorium and was sold out every night. The lecturer had a great sense of humor and brought the renaissance to life.

The other is provided by NYU (Continuing Ed.) every Friday night entitled "Hidden Treasures of the Met". We chose the course as part of our continuing effort to learn more about the museum and art in general. While we have learned quite a bit about the Asian collections, the instructor has a very poor attitude, is ill prepared and has left us with a feeling of disappointment many evenings.

In Paris, we discovered an organization called Paris Muse that uses Art History Phds to host focused small group ( 2 or 4 people) tours of selected museums and exhibitions. They really bring the museums to life providing insights we never could have gotten by ourselves. We have never been able to find any gorup like that in NY.

After the class we went to a new restaurant on E. 82nd - Le Refuge. It's a really nice looking and comfortable French Bistro. Unfortunately, the food is only so-so. I had a nice grilled goat cheese and vegetable tart but the duck entree reminded me of "continental" restaurants of old - over-sauced and tough. Chris was happier with her meal but I am writing this review. Cdelb--I really enjoyed my meal of hot goat cheese over a salad of arugula followed by stipped bass pan seared to perfection accompanied by fresh asparagus and green beans. My only complaint was that the beans were a little over cooked. I think that in a small bistro like this, the trick is to order from the list of 'chef's daily specials'. This usually ensures a fresh cut of meat or fish and veggies. I think the duck may have been a frozen entre!

One of the things that appealed to both of us was their attractive bar area and near the door there is a love seat and armchair with a small table which is perfect for anyone just wanting a cheese plate and a glass of wine.

Le Refuge
East 80s 166 E. 82nd St.(bet. Lexington & 3rd Aves.)
Manhattan, NY 10028
212-861-4505

Zagats says...
“Aptly named”, this “quiet” bistro nestled in an East Side townhouse offers “just the right dose of class” with its “rustic antique” decor, “sophisticated” French fare and “polished service”; for most, it’s a “best-known secret” where “reliable” quality comes at serious tabs.

The Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel

2006-03-22T22:09:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday night we went to the Oak Room at the Algonquin to see our friend Loren Schoenberg appear with KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler. The Show, "Swell Party" was a Cole Porter review. It was absolutely wonderful - maybe the best cabaret we've seen (see NYT review below). They really have fun with the sexy lyrics, outfits to match the mood and interesting interpretations of the life of Cole Porter. We had seen this pair (without Loren) in Palm Beach at the Colony. The show there was based on the work of Dorothy Fields and while good, nothing like this. Picture sultry lyrics sung suggestively or teasingly by either of the pair, mix in some attitude from the sax and imagine piano and base in the background. There were songs new to us, but old favorites like "Begin the Begine", or "Oh, La, La, La, C'Est Magnifique" and one song following the next with hardly a breather in the entire 90 minute performance

The Algonquin Hotel is famous for the Algonquin Round Table in the 1920's that included a group of literary legends including Dorothy Parker, George S. Kaufman and Robert Benchley. The Oak Room is a small, intimate, venue that makes you feel like you're in a nightclub with Humphrey Bogart - except for the lack of smoke! This night we shared the space with the likes of Kitty Carlisle (yes, she LIVES), Tova Feldshu and others not quite so famous. We usually enjoy the repartee in Cabaret. This time there was little of that but the songs told the story. We were sitting about 3 feet from KT; it doesn't get better. Loren accompanied them on the saxophone and really added a whole new dimension to some of the songs.

You need to have dinner to get a decent table (it's a small room but there are still corners!). There's a limited fixed price menu, choices of steak, chicken, salmon, or pasta. Those in the 'know' ask for a 'popover' along with their bread basket. Salads are usually very good; desert includes ice cream and chocolate choices. Overall, the food is pretty good for a night club.

I believe they are sold out for the rest of the run, but if you're there for a drink, be nice to Kendall at the door and she might find a spot along the wall.

Cabaret Review 'A Swell Party'
They Skip the Bio and Cut to the Cole Porter Chase

By STEPHEN HOLDEN
Published: March 18, 2006
In the language of Cole Porter: oo-la-la-la! C'est magnifique!

That burst of Gallic joie describes the ebullience of "A Swell Party Â R.S.V.P. Cole Porter," the truly fabulous Porter tribute winked, smirked, crooned and shouted by K T Sullivan and Mark Nadler at the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel. A departure from the team's zany tutorials on luminaries of the great American songbook, "A Swell Party" skips the biographical part to deliver songs both famous and obscure, in a delirious whoosh of lubricious exuberance.
Imparting the composer's live-for-the-moment-of-passion philosophy, Ms. Sullivan and Mr. Nadler suggest a very ripened Botticelli Venus squired by Danny Kaye, freshly reincarnated as a hyperkinetic piano man visiting from vaudeville heaven. A valuable new addition to their act, the saxophonist Loren Schoenberg injects instrumental comedy into "Let's Do It," by deflating the phrase sung as "let's fall in love" by inflecting it with a corny vibrato; no, the song is definitely not about love. Later he returns for a husky insinuating solo of "Begin the Beguine" in which the singers and the bassist John Loehrke join him to evoke an image of an ocean liner swimming in Champagne at 4 a.m.

Beneath the brilliantine surface of Porter's lyrics, everything is sexual. The only times his double-entendres fade into the background is during sighs of besotted yearning and cries of rapture. Only then does lust turn into the kind of love that's "too hot not to cool down."
"A Swell Party" probably has more showstoppers than any other cabaret show this season. Here are two: After taking "Kate the Great," an editorial brief for nymphomania that offers Catherine the Great as a role model ("she made the butler/ she made the groom/ she made the maid who made the room"), Mr. Nadler astutely observes that the song describes how Porter might have ruled Russia.

The giddiest of Ms. Sullivan's several turns as erotic philosopher is a swiveling, eye-rolling "Most Gentlemen Don't Like Love," which warns all gals: "So just remember when you get that glance/ A romp and a quickie/ Is all little Dickie/ Means/ When he mentions romance."
There's more, much more where that came from in a show that reminds you that half the pleasure of excess is finding the perfect words to describe it.

"A Swell Party - R.S.V.P. Cole Porter" remains through April 1 at the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel, 59 West 44th Street, Manhattan, (212) 419-9331.

New York Luncheonettes

2006-03-16T20:50:00.000-05:00

Those of us who grew up with the ubiquitous "luncheonettes", we mourn their passing. Before Starbucks they were the places where we "hung out" in High School and College (before we moved on to bars). Later, we would go there in the "wee hours" after a long night of drinking for a breakfast of eggs and homefries. You could also always get a (lousy) cup of coffee with a (better) piece of pastry. We spent many an afternoon and evening nursing our cups of coffee and talking about girls. The diners replaced the luncheonettes, but they were much more upscale. There weren't many diners in NY outside of Queens.

Today, there are almost no luncheonettes and very few diners in NY. Those that do exist are generally theme restaurants (like the Brooklyn Diner on 57th Street). There are many "coffee shops" which are really diners without the theme. They serve as NY's "affordable" restaurants. Generally, they have a large menu of items prepared in advance using fresh ingredients. The portions are large and the cakes and pies are a 'mile high'! We usually eat in one at least once a week for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They provide us with a, reliable, reasonably priced, quick but nutricious meal. What follows, is a list of some of the local places we've found to be particularly desirable:

Columbus Bakery (1st Avenue and 53rd Street) - great for breakfast (eggs, oatmeal and pastry) and lunch (wide variety of fresh salads, soups and individual pizza)
Sutton Diner (1st Avenue and 56th Street) - good for breakfast (coffee's not bad here)
Nectar (Madison Avenue and 81st Street) - great for salads after coming out of the Metropolitan Museum or shopping.
Brooklyn Diner - (57th Street and 6th Avenue) - fun place with just average food, a popular brunch spot.

I know that many of you will have your own favorites that should have been included. I welcome you to note them on the blog for everyone's information.

Pearls

2006-03-13T17:59:00.001-05:00

The Berkshires have some of the best restaurants outside of NY (and maybe Boston). It's really quite exceptional for a weekend place. I'm sure no one will be surprised to learn this played a bigger role in our decision to buy here than Tanglewood. Pearl's is not one of those exceptional restaurants.

Pearl's is a large attractive looking Steak/Chop house in downtown Great Barrington. Their menu is heavy on "comfort food" like Steak, Fried Chicken, Meat Loaf, Liver. We go there because it is convenient and because Chris loves meat loaf. Unfortunately, they don't serve it in the wintertime.

W e went there recently with our friends Steve and Lillian. It's was a good choice for all of us as they are somewhat less adventurous than we are. We all started with salads which were quite good.

Zagats says:
Its “contemporary, chic” setting and “mouthwatering” New American fare bring a bit of “SoHo to the Berkshires” say loyalists who love this “upscale” Great Barrington sibling of Lenox’s Bistro Zinc; there’s an “energetic”, “exceptionally friendly” staff, the “best brunch” around and a bar area with “fresh” homemade chips; still, some are bothered by “aggressive pricing” and the “too chichi” feel of this “NYC wannabe.”

Pearls
47 Railroad St.(Main St.)
Great Barrington, MA 01230
413-528-7767
http://www.pearlsrestaurant.com/

Helsinki Cafe

2006-03-13T17:49:00.000-05:00

Nothing says the hippy 60's like Great Barrington and the Helsinki Cafe. It's is a small "tea room" that serves diverse teas during the day and a FINNISH (that's Finland, the country!) menu at night. It also has a small night club that features an eclectic collection of generally unknown rock, blues and folk performers.

We had been to the Club previously to see a show but had never been for dinner. We decided to try the restaurant for an early dinner - before the show. The menu has a very different look to it (although, this may be standard fare in Finland).

I started with vegetable "piroghki" which were interesting but undistinguished. Chris had a green salad with grilled goat cheese that was quite excellent.

I followed that with the SWEDISH SAILOR'S SALMON (a house specialty) its horseradish-rubbed seared Atlantic salmon with a Gunpowder tea & Swedish dill sauce, potato strudel & Finnish caramelized cabbage. The salmon was adequate but the potato strudel and cabbage were out of this world - and I'm not usually a cooked vegetable eater. Chris had the daily special, a vegetable stir-fry with tofu that she thought was quite good (I'm not so sure).

The bottom line is the place is a "hippy" classic. The staff (mostly women) all have long hair and tattoos and were dressed accordingly (mostly in black). The food may be unreliable but the ambience is special. We can't be back to eat this year but will probably be back for the show.

Helsinki Cafe
284 Main St.(Railroad St.)
Great Barrington, MA 01230
413-528-3394

Zagats says:
Need “a nice reminder of Finland”? – “get the potato pancakes” slathered in gravlax, sour cream and caviar and served with wild blueberry compote at this “quirky” Scandinavian-Eclectic across from the Triplex in Great Barrington; though the “funky” interior and “borscht-and-dill” Nordic “home cooking” are “not for everyone”, the place sure is “interesting”, especially as it’s attached to the “hippest” “venue for music” “north of Chelsea.”

Super Duper Weenies

2006-03-11T21:25:00.000-05:00

A “Super Duper Weenie”!

We’re back in the Berkshires and it almost felt like spring on the drive up here. Paul and I take different routes depending on our mood, the traffic and where we might like to stop. One interesting stop along the way was introduced to us by Scott and Jory; it’s exit 24 off Route 95 when heading north. They found it after their curiosity was piqued by a rather large billboard along the side of the road advertising “Super Duper Weenie”! Now, some of you are probably shaking your heads wondering why this would be a place we would ever consider. However, if hotdogs are your thing, this is an easy-off, easy-on, eating experience. AND, it’s really quite good. The restaurant is nothing more then a shack with a screened in porch and some picnic tables. You place your order at the counter from a listing on the wall. Super-Duper Weenie was started by a guy who had a very popular pushcart in NYC and graduated to a shop. There is a wide variety of ‘dogs’ (the Super Duper is a foot long) with every imaginable topping. Freshness is the key, they make their own relish from homemade pickles and the buns are freshly baked! There are sides of onion rings, french-fries and old fashioned drinks like root beer, cream soda and homemade milk shakes. There are a few other things on the menu but basically, people come for the many varieties of ‘weenies’! Service is quick and friendly and if you’re like Scott and Jory, you can satisfy a late night craving by ordering something to go.

Super Duper Weenie
306 Black Rock Turnpike
Fairfield, CT
203-334-DOGS

Cdelb
11/March/06

A evening out on the Upper East Side

2006-03-10T16:02:00.000-05:00

We went to see a Big Bands concert at the Metropolitan Museum. It featured an old friend from Riverdale, Loren Schoenberg and his Big Band as well as the original "Chantels" and the "Classics" from the 40's and 50's. It was a great show and we had a great time. I recommend looking at the concerts sponsored by the Met. They are generally of good quality and reasonably priced.

Before the show we went to a new restaurant for dinner. It is a small restaurant with big aspirations located on the very commercial 86th street. They have a very interesting menu with daily specials including

Monday - Next Generation Chef Dishes inspired by our future chefs
Tuesday - Aloha Tuesday Hawaiian regional cuisine
Wednesday - Crispy Roast Duck flambed for two orange cognac sauce
Thursday - Dover Sole Almandine flown in from Dover, prepared on the bone
Friday - Lost Arts, A celebration of culinary traditions
Saturday - 3 to 6 lb Steamed Maine Lobster served table side on a bed of coals

We both had the Hawaiian Duck which was very good. . Chris started with steamed artichokes on a bed of field greens which she loved. I started with sauteed Foie Gras which was excellent.
The menu is heavy on "for two" items (see above) including a number of steaks.

We finished with a souffle and expresso. The souffle was a little over-cooked but the coffee was very good

Ian
East 80s 322 E. 86th St.(bet. 1st & 2nd Aves.)
Manhattan, NY 10028
212-861-1993

As Zagats says...
A real star on a culinarily challenged stretch of 86th Street, this Upper East Side New American offers addictive, out-of-the-ordinary flavor combos in a pleasant Downtown-ish space; the only kinks are sometimes-slow service and high prices (for the area).

Returning to an old friend

2006-03-02T20:55:00.000-05:00

We went back to one of our all-time favorite restaurants this week. Jubilee is a small French restaurant in the Sutton Place area. There specialty is Mussels with the best Pommes Frite in the city. Christina loves the mussels but I usually order the Steak au poivre (because it comes with the "frites"!). All are delicious. The restaurant is always crowded with local people (you can tell by their ages) and reservations are necessary at all times. Prices are not cheap, but moderate.

We are already depressed that we can't go back for a year under our "restaurant challenge" but we will persevere.

We both had the Portobello mushroom Salad with Blue Cheese. It was very good.

Chris had the Mussels Marinieres - steamed with white wine, shallots and parsley, It's a huge bowl of mussels for $11.00.

I had the Grilled Scallops with Celery "tagliatelle" and bacon (Saint Jacques Poelles, Tagliatelles de Celeri Carbonara et Jus de la Truffe). It was delicious and much more "nutricious than the steak". I had to order a portion of the Pommes Frites because Christina was being good.

Jubilee
East 50s
347 E. 54th St.
(bet. 1st & 2nd Aves.)
Manhattan, NY 10022
212-888-3569

ZAGATS says...
Though you always have to mussel your way in to this cramped Sutton Place French bistro, the signature wonderful moules frites reward the effort; add a friendly?, neighborly ambiance and fair prices (for the locale), and you've got a party every night.

Bijou Cafe

2006-02-21T08:47:00.000-05:00

We are coming to the conclusion that the state of Florida is one large wasteland crossed with awful roads with beautiful coasts. The East Coast is much more developed and attractive with A1A running the length of the state. The West coast is much grimmer between Naples and Sarasota. Sarasota itself was a breath of fresh air. Here there are wide streets and beautifully landscaped surroundings. Our stay at the Ritz in the downtown area was a short 10 min. walk from the Bijou Cafe. Paul is getting into the swing of early arrivals which gives us time to check out the bar. We took our drinks to the small outdoor seating area and enjoyed the warm evening enjoying some serious people watching. There are fewer manufactured "tight smiles" here in Sarasota and we see a more diverse age group and a more mixed population. Maybe this is because of the large student population.

Dinner was a joy from beginning to end. Both Paul's and my shrimp appetizer were excellent, his SHRIMP PIRI-PIRI were wonderfully spicy, sauted with just the right amount of garlic, lemon, and cayenne pepper. My
Boursin-Glazed Shrimp with fresh sliced Strawberries and Baby arugula, and toasted hazelnuts, was perfectly complimented with sherry vinaigrette and herbed croutons. For the entre, Paul selected the ROAST DUCKLING which was slow roasted, boned and served extra crispy with a fruit dressing and port wine sauce. It was delicious with none of the ugly fat sometimes associated with duck. I enjoyed a serving of the restaurants SIGNATURE CRABCAKES. They were perfectly sauted fresh lump crabmeat, served with Louisiana remoulade sauce, on a small bed of greens. Our wine wine selection was a surprisingly good California merlot.

We enjoyed dessert and coffee at the hotel where we eagerly watched some of the olympic events we'd been missing.

Bijou Cafe
1287 First St. (Pineapple Ave.)
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-366-8111

Zagats says:
No longer a diamond in the rough, this Downtown Continental (once a gas station) is now a “beautifully remodeledÂ” “little jewel”, gratifying regulars with “rack of lamb to die for” and shrimp piri-piri courtesy of chef-owner Jean-Pierre Knaggs, who’s laid in a large wine list from his native South Africa, and a “precise, friendly” staff that “treats you like family”; book way ahead in winter to beat opera-bound crowds worried about curtain time.

Nektar - there's no excuse for this restaurant

2006-02-19T15:41:00.000-05:00

We went here based on a brief review in the NYT Travel section that described it as a new Mediterranean-style restaurant--an in place with a younger crowd. The place was crowded, but with a reservation we were seated promptly. This was only a minor blessing considering our choice of two tables (one near the entranceway right in the line of traffic, the other while more inside, was next to the serving lane where busy staff whizzed by with armloads of dinner items and drinks. We, unfortunately, chose the one inside the restaurant! It was extremely noisy but we decided to hang in and found a nice bottle of wine to get us started. The menu was interesting with many Albanian family specialties. Unfortunately, all our courses were served reheated but not hot. I had a fried calamari appetizer that was very oily and not crisp. It was served with a sauce reminiscent of Campbell's tomato soup. When I asked for marinara sauce, it took another ten minutes during which time, the calamari became inedible. When I have doubts about a restaurant I order something simple, like roasted chicken. It was served overcooked and dried out. It had clearly been on a heating plate for hours. Chris' linguine with red sauce, eggplant and cheese was equally tasteless. There's no excuse for a nice restaurant to be this bad. We were unwilling to even try coffee and dessert.

Nektar
849 7th Avenue South
Naples, Florida 34102
Phone:239.435.1882

Chop's City Grill - Naples

2006-02-17T17:29:00.000-05:00

This hip restaurant is in downtown Naples on the local "Fifth Avenue". At night the street is alive with people "promenading" and all the stores are open. We noted, with delight, that these stores are local places - the large chains are relegated to the Tamiami Trail (Rt 42) where there are more malls than in NJ! We really enjoyed walking after dinner and looking in the galleries and shops along the Avenue. Overall, Naples was a disappointment because it's very overbuilt and not especially attractive. In Old Naples there are no high-rises and the dense single family homes make it feel crowded. It didn't help that it was a holiday weekend with crowds of people and many young children all out looking for a good time.

The restaurant is primarily a steakhouse with a southern-Florida flair - lots of fish and some Asian vegetables.

I had the Stacked Tomato Salad Â Beefsteak, Golden, and Orange Tomatoes with Roquefort Cheese, Onions and Black Pepper Ranch Dressing. This seems to be a Florida specialty found on many of the menus we've seen, but it was well done here.

Chris had Red Oak Salad with Portobello Mushrooms, Gorgonzola, Pecans and Pear, served with a Miso Â Maple Dressing. It was very fresh and tasty.

She also had the Grouper special which came with fresh asparagus, and an interesting cauliflower mash that I'm sure she's going to try to recreate and make me eat when we get back home!

I had a pepper steak with a Blackberry Â Cabernet Sauce, Grilled Sweet Potato and fried Onion Rings. We also tried something called Chop's "Steakhouse Style" Vegetables which were grilled broccoli Rabe, spinach, and mushrooms with garlic.

Zagats says
ÂHip and happeningÂ types frequent this ÂlivelyÂ, often-ÂnoisyÂ Pan-Asian surf ÂnÂ turfer (think Âgrilled-to-perfectionÂ Mongolian beef, teriyaki-glazed sea bass, etc.) where the ÂwarmÂ atmosphere is made even more so by the ÂfriendlyÂ staff; almost as alluring as the prime Âpeople-watchingÂ are Âgreat wine flightsÂ that allow you to Âsip some pretty good choices without losing your shirt.Â

Chops City Grill
837 Fifth Ave. S.
(US 41)
Naples, FL 34102
239-262-4677

Cafe Chardonnay

2006-02-15T22:33:00.000-05:00

It would be easy to give this resturant a miss given it's location in a strip mall. Afterall, who wants to sit among attractively arranged tables amidst the foilage and gas fire pits only to look out at a parking lot and traffic on the main road! Having said this, it would be a shame to miss a good meal because once inside, it's cozy, there's a long bar to accomodate wine tasting and the staff is friendly and efficient.

We had a fine meal both starting with a salad of red and yellow beefsteak tomatoes with feta cheese, Tuscan Olive Oil and 1891 Acetain Dodi Vinegar. The flavour was good but like so many large resturants, a good salad would become excellent if it were made fresh when ordered. Our salads seem to have been prepared LONG in advance.

Paul's entree consisted of an oven roasted veal chop, ricotta, broccoli rabe, cipollini onions and porcini mushroom sauce. Paul felt that the chop was good, but nothing special and the veggies were a bit overcooked, but the meal was generally satisfying. Christina's skillet roasted sushi grade tuna with shrimp, asian vegetables and dumplings (very like potstickers) were with the exception of the veggies cooked to perfection and tasted great. We washed this all down with a very good bottle of red wine (Rosso Di Montalcino, Argiano '02).

We probably will go back next year.

Cafe Chardonnay
Garden Square Shoppes
4533 PGA Blvd. (Military Trail)
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
561-627-2662

Zagats says:
It’s “hard to believe” it’s in a strip mall, but this Palm Beach Gardens “jewel” defies expectations with “divine” New American food delivered by an “excellent staff”, a “stellar wine list” and “pretty decor” that contributes to an overall “unpretentious” ambiance; all in all, it’s a “winner”, albeit one that comes with a “high price” tag.

Leila's Restaurant and Belly Dancer

2006-02-15T12:16:00.000-05:00

For Valentines Day we went to a Syrian restaurant with our friends the Fleischers and the Sharfsteins. Dorothy, whose heritage is Sephardic, and whose family enjoyed middle-eastern food and entertainment, was our guide to the food and customs. We really enjoyed the different tastes and ambience. You can see the menu on-line at Leila’s.

We ordered, and shared, a number of "Mezzes" - a Syrian tapas. They included:

Hommous - a chickpea pate.
Baba Ghanouj - smoked eggplant dip.
Falafel - chickpea croquettes.
Kibbe - fried beef kneaded with burgha wheat, sauteed onion, and toasted pinenuts.
Jibnee Mishwieh - grilled halloumi cheese.
Feta Puffs - petite fried feta cheese pastries scented with mint.
Hommous Bi Lahmeh - topped with sizzling minced meat and toasted pine nuts.
Ma anek - spiced sausages with Port and pinenuts.

For entrees we ordered various types of lamb, beef, chicken and shrimp kebobs. Everyone enjoyed their dishes, but I thought the lamb I ordered was the best. The small pieces of meat remained tender after grilling. All were served with grilled veggies and couscous or rice. The couscous served at room temperature was a surprise to some of us but tasty with rasins, nuts and peppers.

We didn't have dessert but Barry and I had turkish coffee that was delicious - dark, thick, strong and sweet. They offered a Hookah or Arguileh (waterpipe), filled with tobacco (a smooth, molasses-fused blend with the fruitiness of apples, apricots, mint and cherries). We did not try it because you had to smoke outside and it was cold that night. I have read that these water-pipes are very trendy in NY right now.

Zagats says;
It's always a fun night at this downtown West Palm Beach Middle Eastern, which feels straight out of the most chic South Beach hotel, complete with sophisticated, helpful service; as for food,it's fresh, tasty and prepared with style., though some complain of “big prices for small portions”; P.S. check out the “cute outdoor seating” area and “entertaining belly dancing” on some nights, and hookah-smokers can indulge on the patio.

Leila’s
120 S. Dixie Hwy. (Datura St.)
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-659-7373

San Gennaro in Palm Beach

2006-02-13T21:25:00.000-05:00

Our Concierge strongly recommended this "family" italian restaurant (he knows the chef). We checked it out in Zagats. They described it as:

Diners “never leave hungry” from this “popular” Italian in North Palm Beach that would be right at home in “NYC”; the food’s “reliable”, and since the portions are “family-style”, it’s little wonder that it’s a “great place to take the kids.”

We went anyway with our friends Barry and Dorothy who have a home in the area. The restaurant was very comfortable and we had a great table in a little nook of our own. Overall, the food was just adequate, prepared with too much sauce and salt. More importantly, the portions were large, even when shared. Unfortunately, we succumbed, and overate even thought the food was un-memorable.

We shared an appetizer of Sausage with Broccoli Rabe. The sausage was good but the Broccoli was overcooked and stringy with too much olive oil. Chris would have been happy with a salad but I love sausage.

Our main course was "Country Chicken" - small pieces of chicken (on the bone the way we like it) sauteed and served with sausage (again), potatoes, mushrooms and peppers. It reminded me of Cacciatore but was too oily and salty.

We shared a nice Chianti Classico

And shared a Tartufo with our friends for dessert. It was large enough for 4, but seemed like a standard commercial preparation.

This time our “Restaurant Challenge” will not be a challenge!

San Gennaro's Italian Restaurant
1201 US 1 (Crystal Tree Plaza) south of PGA Blvd.
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
561-625-0611

Seasons 52 restaurant

2006-02-08T23:08:00.000-05:00

We had dinner at the newly opened Seasons 52 in Palm Beach. This chain of 5 restaurants in southern Florida focuses on fresh ingredients prepared in a "healthful" way (Our friend Estelle told us that the chain was owned by the same people who own 'Olive Garden'). No single menu selection is more than 475 calories and actual calorie counts are available. We both came in at about 1,250 calories. This included an appetizer, glass of wine, salad, main course but no dessert. We enjoyed our meal and left feeling like heroes!

Scotch (250 calories)
Baked Flatbread (similar to thin crust pizza) (450 cals for 2)
The flatbread was really good. It looks a lot like a rectangular pizza. They make it with all kinds of toppings but we like the traditional "marguerita).

Appetizer:
Tossed Salad (227 cals)
Vegetable Soup (238 cals)
Pretty good, but not great. The soup was good but it's hard to ruin a salad?

Entree:
Grilled Salmon on cedar plank (458 cals)
Venison Chop served with greens (471 cals)
Baked Onion with mushrooms (200 cals) This was their "seasonal vegetable" and we both had it. It was wonderful!
The portions were a little small and there was no bread on the table but the entrees were delicious and we didn't leave feeling hungry.

Coffee (0 cals)

Glass of White Wine (100 cals)

While we did pass on dessert, they sure looked worth trying. Waiters bring a variety of sweets presented in small tall glasses arranged on a wire rack. There are about a dozen in total to choose from. They're so cute, that I'm sure people are tempted to have the entire 'rack' put on the table for consumption! However, the 475 calorie limit applies to each one in the flight a little misleading!

Overall, we enjoyed the meal and would go back if we could. They have 2 other restaurants in the area. I wonder if that counts as "going back". Maybe next year.

Seasons 52
On the Intracoastal waterway at PGA Blvd.
11611 Ellison Wilson Road
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33408
561-625-5852

Colony Hotel Cabaret

2006-02-08T22:43:00.000-05:00

The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach is a great venue for cabaret. Last night we had dinner and were entertained by K.T. Sullivan and Marc Nadler who performed Dorothy Fields Broadway standards. You may recognize her from the work she did for the production of Sweet Charity. The show was lively, and the performance professional. The space at the colony is intimate without seeming crowded and there isn't a bad seat in the house. This night, however, the room was half empty. We've both noticed that there are less people in Palm Beach this year.

We both had the same dinner, a salad followed by potato-crusted grouper served on a bed of very buttery spinach. It was adequate for a nightclub. After the show we went next door to the Polo Bar where there is entertainment every night. The same couple were performing as last year; Jill and Rick. They're terrific and there's no cover charge. They even have a dance floor so it can't be beat for a couple of hours of entertainment and people-watching. We say the same thing every year - this is a great bar and we should go there after dinner every night! So far, we've made it back only once - but we're going tonight as soon as we finish this!

Cafe Boulud, Palm Beach

2006-02-04T12:55:00.000-05:00

As in past years, dinner hear was wonderful. It gets my vote for the best restaurant in Palm Beach. I should note that I haven't tried most of the other top-rated restaurants! But never let it be said that I let facts get in the way of opinion. The creativity of the menu, which follows the same pattern of four styles of dishes (Classic, Seasonal, Market and International) is exceptional. I should point out that last year we had the same impression and went back for a second time (the only time we did that) and were disappointed.

Cafe Boulud
(Brazilian Court Hotel)
301 Australian Ave. (Hibiscus Ave.)
Palm Beach, FL 33480
561-655-6060

Appetizer:
Mushroom Risotto - absolutely perfect. The risotto was just firm enough.
Heritage Tomato Caprese - always good.

Entree:
Grilled Swordfish with Fennel - the fish and the fennel were grilled perfectly.
Pan-fried Pompano - A new fish for us, flaky with a thin crisp crust sauted and served along side a puree of eggplant and a tomato salsa.

Dessert:
We shared an apple crisp. This dish was unusual because the apples were shredded and served in their natural juices. The vanilla ice cream added all the sweetness that was necessary.

Cafe L'Europe Palm Beach

2006-02-01T21:24:00.000-05:00

One of the prettiest and most elegant restaurants in Palm Beach. Two lovely rooms with a piano player and surroundings that are like eating in an elegant home. Unfortunately, the food does not live up to the room. It was quite ordinary. I don't agree with the Zagat rating of 25 for food. I believe their ratings outside of NYC tend to be biased upwards, possibly because of the lack of high quality restaurants.

Cafe L'Europe
331 S. County Rd. (Brazilian Ave.)
Palm Beach, FL 33480
561-655-4020

Appetizer:
Tomato/Mozzarella salad - lacked real flavour which might have been improved with some fresh basil.
Breaded Sweetbreads - the breading was too oily and soft, lending a mushy flavor to the meat.
Entree:

Muscovy duck with pancake - the pancake was excellent but the duck seemed reheated and oily.
Wienerschnitzel with spaetzl, red cabbage and asparagus. This dish was very good. The veggies were crisp and while the spaetz were not like my mom's, they were pretty good. Veal cutlet lightly breaded and not oily in any way.

Wines - an excellent list of quality wines by the glass. We had a nice California Chardonnay and an Austrian Riesling.

No dessert tonight--the cookies at the Breakers are waiting for us!
Expresso - just OK

Restaurant Week

2006-01-25T19:49:00.000-05:00

Restaurant Week is held twice a year in summer and winter. Approximately 200 restaurants offer Lunch at $24.07 and Dinner at $35.00. Traditionally, restaurants offered the same meals as other times in cooperation with the Visitors Bureau (NYC & Co). However, more recently, many have begun to offer a “special” menu for this price.

This year, for the first time, we decided to try lunch at a couple of well regarded restaurants we had never been to. We wanted to try both the restaurants and Restaurant Week. Our experience was favorable and we decided that we would try this again in the future.

Lupa

170 Thompson St. (bet. Bleecker & W. Houston Sts.)
212-982-5089

Lupa is a small, modest restaurant in Greenwich Village from the Batali/Bastianich team of Babbo fame. We were particularly interested in trying it because we have never had the patience to get into Babbo.

Appetizer

Tuna terrine with Peppers and Onions
Salad (radicchio, arugula)

Both appetizers were good but not exceptional. The tuna terrine was very unusual but lacked any distinguishing character. Chris thought her salad was too salty.

Pasta

Gnocchi with sausage and tomato sauce
Tiny Penne with garlic and olive oil

We both LOVED the pasta course. Chris kept moaning about “little clouds” as she ate the gnocchi. The waiter seemed to just try to ignore her. I don’t know what he thought was going on. My penne “alio olio” was just like I like it firm with a little more than a hint of garlic and fragrant with ground black pepper.

Entrée

Grilled “pousssin” with mushrooms and olive oil and garlic
Mahi-Mahi with lentils

Both main courses were quite good. I love baby chicken (actually, all well prepared chicken served “on the bone”). It was tender and juicy – but maybe a little boring. Chris loved her fish, but thought the lentils were lack luster.

Dessert

Espresso
Biscotti

The coffee was good (that’s important to us) and the biscotti were just right.

Tribeca Grill
375 Greenwich St. (Franklin St.)
212-941-3900

Tribeca Grill is a large restaurant in a converted factory building. It’s quite attractive with a nice bar and comfortable seating. This restaurant is part of the Drew Pieporent empire that includes Montrachet and the Nobus. The draw is the comfortable ambience and celebrity sightings more than the food, which is acceptable. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and wines and recommended a very nice, and reasonably priced, Austrian White wine to go with the fish. (Hiedler, ‘Gruner Veltliner’, Kamptal, Austria, 2004)

Appetizer

Mushroom soup
Shaved fennel and goat cheese salad

Both appetizers were OK but had clearly been made much earlier.

Entrée

Grilled bass atop a mixture of sweet potato, corn and scallion
Cheeseburger with Bacon

I opted to go for the burger when I saw one delivered to the next table. It was exceptional. It came with lightly fried onion rings. The fish was pretty good and the veggie combination unusual.

Dessert

Espresso
Strawberry mezzofredo

The frozen mousse was interesting.

We go kosher!

2006-01-25T11:53:00.000-05:00

We went to Solo with friends last night. It's a highly rated glatt-kosher restaurant. Having grown up with the occasional kosher restaurant (mostly a deli or dairy) I was somewhat skeptical. But, the quality of food at Solo was wonderful. The only way I could tell it was kosher was from the selection of foods - not the preparation. Of course we missed cheese and butter and cream but the dishes we had were wonderful.

I had porcini mushroom soup and a roasted veal chop - both excellent. Chris had a bibb lettuce salad with heirloom tomatoes and grilled Halibut on a bed of zucchini and a side of broccoli rabe. We were good and declined dessert. The wine was a kosher cabernet sauvignon.

Solo
550 Madison Ave.(bet. 55th & 56th Sts.in the Sony Plaza Atrium)
212-833-7800

A Weekend Review

2006-01-23T17:42:00.000-05:00

Weekends are often spent in Otis, but with our imminent departure to Florida we wanted to catch up with friends, so decided to stay and enjoy the city this weekend. As much as I like to cook, eating out with friends is great because there's no pressure to cater to individual likes and dislikes - and there are no dishes!

Maya
1191 First Ave.(bet. 64th & 65th Sts.)

212-585-1818

Friday night it was out for Mexican at "Maya" a local destination that serves a youngish hip crowd that can get pretty noisy. A corner table and an early reservation got us in and out before the crush, (this probably means we're not youngish or hip). Paul and I, and our friends Steve and Charlene, had all been there before and agreed that the 'margaritas' hit the spot. We started dinner with the usual guacamole and chips--here the avocado and tomatoes are recognizable and the home made chips are crispy and just the right size for a small scoop. There was nothing not to like about this meal; we all enjoyed a mixed salad with crisp greens, goat cheese and a wonderful balsamic dressing. Charlene raved about her butterflied steak fillet served atop a cheese enchilada with chocolate sauce; Steve's flambe shrimp had just the right amount of spice and was served on a bed of chopped greens; Paul's adobo chicken served on a quesadila was crispy and prepared on the bone the way we like it. My 4 pink perfectly cooked lamb chops came with a mixture of sweet potato and a green sauce that was delicious without being sweet. With our plates practically licked clean none of us had room for dessert. One of the reasons that we like Maya so much is because they serve exceptional salads made with fresh greens, which like many of the items on the menu, are atypical of most Mexican restaurants. If you go and are fond of coffee, I would recommend you pass this up here because it was the worst we have tasted and quite cool.

O.G.
East Village 507 E. Sixth St.(bet. Aves. A & B)

212-477-4649

Should we drive, use public transport or take a taxi? This is always a question when going below 14th Street. However, when going to the East Village, finding a parking spot is especially tricky with no easily accessible parking lots. Our strong recommendation, is to leave the car at home. What started as a quick 15 minute drive, ended with Paul dropping me off and spending 45 additional minutes finding parking! Needless to say, by the time he got to the restaurant it was getting tense. They had told us they would only hold our reservation 10 minutes past the proposed time. Happily, the staff at this cozy, but crowded, spot never hassled us and sympathized with our plight!

Again, we were in the midst of a young crowd, perhaps because now it was after 8:00pm (where are all the people our age anyway?) The good news about waiting is that it gave me time to catch up with Bonnie and Les who we hadn't seen in many months. Like us, they have been bitten by the travel bug and I was eager to hear about their upcoming plans for this summer's adventure in Africa.

O.G. offers a creative Chinese menu focused on dim sum, and there are many items on the menu that look nothing like the fare one might expect at a typical Chinese restaurant. We began our meal with a tasting of dumplings (steamed-- spinach with goat cheese, fried--stuffed with pork). Each had a soy-based dipping sauce and Paul and I both preferred the fried ones. Paul and Bonnie both had the five-spice chicken and it was cooked to perfection. The skin was crisp, it was cooked on the bone and served with the most interesting and tasty little pancakes that are a house specialty. (Have you noticed how often Paul orders chicken?) Les and I picked a different fish; he a glazed barbecued salmon fillet served on a mixture of chopped green veggies; I had the special of the night which was sushi grade tuna served with a coconut dipping sauce accompanied by perfectly cooked broccoli rabe. Again the plates were clean and our only complaint was that the mixed steamed veggies we ordered arrived after the meal was over. We enjoyed them as a pre-desert partly because the dipping sauce again with a soy base was wonderful.

We get trendy in SOHO

2006-01-16T21:10:00.000-05:00

On Monday night we stepped out to the trendy "Mercer Kitchen" in SOHO for dinner. The restaurant is in the basement under the hotel. It's attractive with lots of wood & brick and lots of 20-somethings all wearing black (as is the staff). We fit right in! I felt like the waiter looked at us like we were his grandparents.

The food was very good. Overall, the menu was interesting, with a heavy emphasis on contemporary comfort foods. I had a wonderful peeky-toe crab cake with papaya chutney to start and Chris's salad of shaved fennel and parmagian over arugula was fresh with a light vinegrette dressing. For the main course Chris had "slow-cooked salmon served with a puree of parsnips and some interesting mystery mushrooms that were very unusual. I had Niman Ranch pork chops with broccoli rabe and potato gratin that were tasty but unimaginative.

The food was good but we both felt very rushed. We had a 7:30pm reservation and were finished before 8:30pm; this included a cocktail, 2 courses and coffee. Each course came too quickly for it to have been just prepared and was not very hot. Staff seemed overly attentive and were waiting to clear the table as soon as we put our forks down. Before we had finished our coffee, and without us asking, the bill was placed on the table. It seem surprising that with so many empty tables, staff found it necessary to rush us this way.

Mercer Kitchen (a Jean-George Vongerichten restaurant)
99 Prince Street (in the Mercer Hotel)
212-966-545

Friday night dinners at home

2006-01-16T12:34:00.001-05:00

Growing up we always had Friday dinners at home and it was my favorite night of the week. My mother went to the beauty parlor for her weekly visit and my father and I ate home alone. He could make all the great things my mother wouldn't eat - spaghetti with white clam sauce, smelly cheeses, squid, octopus and snails. We observed the traditional "Friday fish" meals despite the changing rules. My mother would not eat anything made with olive oil or any smelly cheese (including Parmagian!) or "disgusting" foods. This seemed to be related to her Jewish upbringing and her unfamiliarity with some of the things my father enjoyed eating. However, she adapted to, and loved, shrimp, lobster, pork,(especially bacon) and sausage.

Later, when she was "promoted" to a Saturday afternoon appointment we switched our routine and went to the local Chinese restaurant for "Chinks". While the meals were delicious, I missed my Friday dinners with my father.

Recently, Chris has initiated Friday meals at home. We have a simple, and healthy, meal of soup and a salad and combine it with the latest 'DVD' from 'Netflix". Although, I initially agreed with some reservation, it has turned out to be a great success. Chris is always on the lookout for new soup recipes and makes something different every week. Our latest favorites have been a French lentil soup and a version of hot and sour soup that was definitely 'hot and sour'. Check out recipes on the website and definitely pass along any of your favourites.

Recipes from Cooks Illustrated

Hearty Lentil Soup with Fragrant Spices

Lentils du Puy, sometimes called French green lentils, are our first choice for this recipe, but brown, black, or regular green lentils are fine, too. Note that cooking times will vary depending on the type of lentils used. Lentils lose flavor with age, and because most packaged lentils do not have expiration dates, try to buy them from a store that specializes in natural foods and grains. Before use, rinse and then carefully sort through the lentils to remove small stones and pebbles. The soup can be made in advance. After adding the lemon juice in step 2, cool the soup to room temperature and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To serve, heat it over medium-low until hot, then stir in the parsley.

Makes about 2 quarts, serving 4 to 6

3	slices bacon (about 3 ounces), cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1	large onion , chopped fine (about 1 1/2 cups)
2	medium carrots , peeled and chopped medium (about 1 cup)
3	medium cloves garlic , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 tablespoon)
1	teaspoon ground cumin
1	teaspoon ground coriander
1	teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4	teaspoon cayenne pepper
1	can diced tomatoes (14 1/2 ounces), drained
1	bay leaf
1	teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1	cup lentils (7 ounces), rinsed and picked over
1	teaspoon table salt
	ground black pepper
1/2	cup dry white wine
4 1/2	cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2	cups water
1 1/2	teaspoons lemon juice
3	tablespoons minced fresh cilantro leaves

1. Fry bacon in large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until fat is rendered and bacon is crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Add onion and carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cayenne; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes, bay leaf, and thyme; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in lentils, salt, and pepper to taste; cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until vegetables are softened and lentils have darkened, 8 to 10 minutes. Uncover, increase heat to high, add wine, and bring to simmer. Add chicken broth and water; bring to boil, cover partially, and reduce heat to low. Simmer until lentils are tender but still hold their shape, 30 to 35 minutes; discard bay leaf.

2. Puree 3 cups soup in blender until smooth, then return to pot; stir in lemon juice and heat soup over medium-low until hot, about 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons cilantro and serve, garnishing each bowl with some of remaining cilantro.

Hot and Sour Soup

To make slicing the pork chop easier, freeze it for 15 minutes. We prefer the distinctive flavor of Chinese black vinegar; look for it in Asian supermarkets. If you can't find it, a combination of red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar approximates its flavor. This soup is very spicy. For a less spicy soup, omit the chili oil altogether or add only 1 teaspoon.

Serves 6 to 8 as an appetizer

7	ounces extra-firm tofu , drained
4	tablespoons soy sauce
1	teaspoon toasted sesame oil
3	tablespoons cornstarch , plus an additional 1 1/2 teaspoons
1	boneless, center-cut, pork loin chop (1/2 inch thick, about 6 ounces), trimmed of fat and cut into 1 inch by 1/8-inch matchsticks
3	tablespoons cold water , plus 1 additional teaspoon
1	large egg
6	cups low-sodium chicken broth
1	cup bamboo shoots (from one 5-ounce can), sliced lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick strips
4	ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms , stems removed, caps sliced 1/4 inch thick (about 1 cup)
5	tablespoons black Chinese vinegar or 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar plus 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (see note above)
2	teaspoons chili oil (see note above)
1	teaspoon ground white pepper
3	medium scallions , sliced thin

1. Place tofu in pie plate and set heavy plate on top. Weight with 2 heavy cans; let stand at least 15 minutes (tofu should release about 1/2 cup liquid). Whisk 1 tablespoon soy sauce, sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon cornstarch in medium bowl; toss pork with marinade and set aside for at least 10 minutes (but no more than 30 minutes).

2. Combine 3 tablespoons cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water in small bowl and mix thoroughly; set aside, leaving spoon in bowl. Mix remaining 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch with remaining 1 teaspoon water in small bowl; add egg and beat with fork until combined. Set aside.

3. Bring broth to boil in large saucepan set over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; add bamboo shoots and mushrooms and simmer until mushrooms are just tender, about 5 minutes. While broth simmers, dice tofu into 1/2-inch cubes. Add tofu and pork, including marinade, to soup, stirring to separate any pieces of pork that stick together. Continue to simmer until pork is no longer pink, about 2 minutes.

4. Stir cornstarch mixture to recombine. Add to soup and increase heat to medium-high; cook, stirring occasionally, until soup thickens and turns translucent, about 1 minute. Stir in vinegar, chili oil, pepper, and remaining 3 tablespoons soy sauce; turn off heat.

5. Without stirring soup, use soupspoon to slowly drizzle very thin streams of egg mixture into pot in circular motion. Let soup sit 1 minute, then return saucepan to medium-high heat. Bring soup to gentle boil, then immediately remove from heat. Gently stir soup once to evenly distribute egg; ladle into bowls and top with scallions.

A trip to Connecticut

2006-01-16T11:46:00.000-05:00

We recently met friends at a family run Italian restaurant in Old Greenwich. The waiter was the son of the Chef and was justifiably proud of his mother's home made pasta.

I started with "carpaccio" with mushrooms and Chris had "caprese". The carpaccio was good. The beef fresh and finely sliced with a light truffle oil. Good, but not great. A description that would also fit Chris' mozzarella and tomatoes. Both of which were undistinguished.

For a main course, I had the cavaletti with sausage and mushrooms. It was excellent. There really isn't anything better then 'home made'. Chris wasn't so lucky with a veal chop "capricciosa". It is one of her (and my) favorite dishes. They only had the veal cutlet on the menu but were happy to make it to order. Unfortunately, it was poorly prepared, slightly overcooked with a little too much dressing on the salad. For dessert we shared a "tartufo" which was the usual commercial variety. We were very disappointed after having had a wonderful home-made one in a restaurant in Pittsfield, Mass.

Applausi Osteria
199 Sound Beach Avenue
Old Greenwich, Ct 06870
203-637-4447

Overall, the restaurant was just OK and I thought the prices were a bit high. I usually don't talk about prices because everybody's expectations and receptivity are different but I generally expect resaurants out of the city to be a little cheaper unless they offer exceptional food or service. This is a very ordinary looking place with no special attributes with prices comparable to the city (about $150 a couple without wine despite some having only pasta and sharing desserts). We probably won't have a problem not going back for a year!

The food may have not been especially outstanding, but the company was great and we managed a meal before the power went out in that part of Connecticut.

It may occasionally be worth it to go to the west side

2006-01-10T19:55:00.000-05:00

As I’m sure you all know, it is much easier (and faster) to go North and South in New York than to go East and West. This means it takes twice as long, and costs even more, to go cross-town. That’s why we only go to places on the Westside where we can walk. Fortunately, it is also true that all the good things (stores, restaurants and museums are on the Eastside along with the most interesting people). This is, of course, where we live. As a general rule, except for Theaters and the Museum of Natural History, there is never any reason to go to the Westside. Unfortunately, because Christina is from the west (New Jersey) she doesn’t understand these verities and is constantly finding things to do on the Westside – but I’ve been able to beat her down. (He only thinks this is true! C del) By the way, as all New Yorkers know, East and West only apply above 14^th Street. Below 14^th Street is downtown and East and West don’t really apply in the same way. This is fortunate because Scott lives in the West Village.

Some of you may be carping, “Didn’t you come from Riverdale in the West Bronx?” While this is true, I was born and grew up in the East Bronx and east and west don’t apply the same as they do in Manhattan. It is easier to go cross-town so there is more intermarriage.

All of this is by way of introduction to some comments about a new restaurant we went to last night:

Red Cat

227 10th Ave. (between 23^rd & 24^th Streets)
212-242-1122

It took us over an hour to get there so it had a high bar to cross. (We took the bus!) We went there because we had enjoyed their other restaurant, the “Mermaid Inn” in the East Village. The restaurant is in a high-ceilinged location in the art gallery section of Chelsea. There is not much other nightlife in the area yet, but the Red Cat appears to be very popular with the “thirty-something” crowd - so we fit right in! The staff was friendly, accommodating and attentive. The menu very interesting with a sort of American, French, Asian fusion twist. I ordered Pirogues (small potato dumplings) and Chris had grilled sardines. I thought both appetizers were OK, but not outstanding. The strong taste of the sardines overwhelmed the accompanying beans which floated in oil and the Pirogues seemed to lack zest. On the other hand, the waitress brought us a complimentary plate of tempura fried green beans with mustard dipping sauce which was outstanding. Our main courses were outstanding also. I had Muscovy Duck with root vegetables accompanied by some interesting wild greens and Chris had Artic Char with grilled vegetable and spicy sausage. For wine, we enjoyed a nice California sangiovese (2002 Enesse). We finished our meal with coffee, but the desserts we saw passing by looked interesting. Traveling home took us half the time (so we may try something else on the Westside! C del –m seems highly unlikely! Pdel)

Canaletto

2006-01-05T23:04:00.000-05:00

I really screwed up! We went to our favorite local Italian restaurant tonight because I had dental surgery (an implant) and could only eat soft food. Pasta was perfect. Unfortunately, we forgot our “Restaurant Challenge”. Now we can’t go back for a year – and all I had was a bowl of pasta.

Canaletto
208 East 60th Street
212-317-9192

Fortunately, I was able to have the great breadsticks (best in the City) as well as the Pasta with Tomato-Basil Sauce. Christina had her favorite Veal Milanese - a butterflied, breaded veal chop with tri-color salad on top. It’s really good, with a fresh salad and not at all oily.

Other favorites that I won’t be able to have for a year include Osso Bucco and roasted chicken with garlic and oil.

Overall, Canaletto is a wonderful neighborhood, and family place, where you always feel welcome. They are full, or almost full, every night with local people. The Maitre D’, Brad remembers everybody and they still follow the old traditions and buy you a drink after dinner.

The Restaurant Challenge

2006-01-04T12:33:00.000-05:00

As we enter our fourth year of retirement we are looking for new ways to challenge ourselves. One thing that we find most difficult is to meet our personal commitment to keep an (interesting, amusing and current) on-line journal. As part of that commitment we have set ourselves the challenge to never go to the same restaurant twice during 2006 - and to write about it. While this sounds easy in New York, the restaurant capital of the world, the hard part is in knowing that we cannot go back to any of our favorites more than once. We hope that you will visit the site, check out where we've been and perhaps send us some of your all time favourites so we can try them out.

January 3, 2006

One If By Land, Two if by Sea
17 Barrow Street (There is NO sign on the door.)
New York, N.Y. 10014
212-228-0822

This is one of the most romantic and beautiful spots to enjoy dinner on a special occasion.It is in a revolutionary era carriage house with high beamed ceilings and a piano player. We were there for Chris' birthday (don't ask how old) with Scott and Jory. The place was still decorated in seasonal splendor and our drinks at the bar were perfectly made by a knowledgeable, friendly bartender who was not put out by Chris's exacting drink requirements!

Dinner was good but a little uneven, appetizers included oyster chowder, a light and flavorful gnocchi, wild mushroom tart (just ordinary) and an exquisite pomegranate-glazed smoked salmon presented like a rose on a bed of greens. For the main course, two of us had their signature dish, individual Beef Wellington, which was good, as was the lobster. The venison with boar sausage was by far the best, served on a bed of white beans, but the accompanying potatoes again were just ordinary. The meal was complimented by two terrific wines from a very extensive wine list: Australian Zinfandel, ",,,,,," and a French Burgundy (unfortunately neither of us took notes but we'll get better at this as we move along!)

Although we decided to pass on dessert feeling our pinched waist bands, they presented Chris with an ice cream assortment which we all shared. This is one of the more expensive spots to break some bread, but well worth a trip for a special occasion. Since we are operating under our "challenge" rules this will be the last time we are here this year.