Summer Drink Deliciousness: Landmarc's Lakeside Lemonade

Allow me to introduce you to the Lakeside Lemonade, my new favorite summer drink for 2013. This is, of course, replacing the Sweet Tea Vodka w/ Lemonade of 2012 (homemade varietal)  which ousted the good ole Pimm's Cup which had its run in 2011...

I'm not the only one who is obsessed, either.

Enjoy ;)

Landmarc (Time Warner Building)
10 Columbus Circle (3rd floor)
New York, 10023 NY

Michael White is Blowing Up: The Butterfly

I know I've been away for a while, but vacation, flu, and general laziness will do that to ya. I have been eating though, so worry not, my friends, my belly has stories to tell.  It seems like Michael White is opening up a downtown restaurant every time I look on Eater. Last summer it was fancy Chicago-style pizza with Nicoletta (East Village) , this past May it was the steak-centered, Costata (SoHo) and now the focus is on comfort food with The Butterfly in Tribeca (opened June 25th) . As evidenced by the sign, the restaurant is done in a sleek-retro diner decor, which works in the small space. Staff is friendly and on point and drink list is varied and tasty.  

The Good: The Ruben Croquettes  (see below) were amazing and went fast: Small, lightly fried (in rye bread I believe) balls with chunks of corned beef inside. These are awesome and a great share app. The Shrimp Toast, which was a comp (it's good to have industry friends), was surprisingly good, the only ethnic item on the menu really and better than any Chinese place I've had, but looks like it has been replaced. Bratwurst Sliders were delicious and a great German take on an American tradition.  The Fried Chicken (see below)did not disappoint. It was a succulent and well-seasoned combo of light and dark meat--and the biscuit (which is available as a side too-get it) was so big and so buttery I couldn't stop eating it even after I was full. Also on my lists of favorites was the BLT salad (see below). Big chunks of bacon, pickled onions, a scotch-like egg and kale . So good I wish I worked downtown so I could eat that for lunch everyday. We shared the Hot Blonde for dessert which was a knockout, even though I'm more of a brunette kind of gal when it comes to brownies. Diced blondies, salted caramel, and brown butter pecan ice cream. It works, people. 

The Not so Good: The apps and desserts are the real stars here. The Patty Melt was mediocre. Although not exactly bad tasting, it was prosaic and not worth the space in my stomach after those delicious apps. If you want a good patty melt, go to Black Iron Burger in the east village (sometimes I dream about it). The same can be said for the Steak & Fries (blah) and the Codfish Po'boy--the latter appears to also not be on the menu now, I guess they took note. Granted -- I went two weeks after the open, so I'm sure they are working out their kinks. Overall, I would come back for drinks, apps and dessert and ONLY get the fried chicken...

The Butterfly

225 West Broadway

(between White and Franklin)

(646) 692-4943

BBQ: Mighty Quinns

103 2nd Ave (between 7th St & 6th St)
(212) 677-3733


As the 4th of July quickly approaches, so does my taste for all types of things BBQ. If you love smoked, tender, juicy, flavorful meats, then you will love Mighty Quinn's. I headed here this past Tuesday b/c it was hot and I didn't feel like cooking.  My guilt about this totally evaporated once I tasted everything.

This place is all yummy and no frills. You walk in, head to the back, pick out your meats which are sliced and prepped in front of you, and then you have the option of eating in or taking out (the containers don't change whether you eat in or take out, think Whole Foods cafeteria style, only swankier). In nice weather, the windowed doors are removed. 

I read the yelp reviews before going, which heavily lauded the brisket (see below), which IS super juicy and moist,  but I love pork, so I also got the pulled pork (top pic) and the smoked sausage-- both were delicious! The pork was decently sauced so as not to overwhelm the taste of the meat. The sausage was spicy AND flavorful. 

The sides are not too shabby either, I tried the edamame and sweet pea shoots with feta cheese and red onion (see below) and the "burnt ends" (baked beans mixed with charred brisket ends) are pretty amazing and you will be sad if you don't order them. 

P.S.You can do the low-carb thing here too-- you can get meats sandwich style or "naked."

This place is clearly popular as they are already slated to open another in Battery Park City according to Eater. But you can also get your fill of MQ's at Smorgasburg if you are one of those Brooklynites who don't  leave Brooklyn on the weekends [squints eyes].

Only sad thing-- no delivery...yet

Gwynnett St.

The DH and I celebrated our two-year anniversary at Gwynnett St., which has been on my radar for a while. We tried to go earlier this year--on a weekend--but reservations were in short supply. However, this year our anniversary fell on a Wednesday--always a good get-a-table night--and we had no issues getting a table, even pushing our reservation by about twenty minutes after running a bit late.

Gwynnett St. is smack in the middle of hipster Williamsburg, and as such, is ironically and fancifully nestled on a rather unremarkable street off Metropolitan. The decor is warm and inviting and the staff are equally as unpretentious, which I appreciate. Cocktails were also yummy but I didn't come here to drink. Also, the chef is on Chopped, apparently. Now for ze food:

We opted for the tasting menu, $85 per, which got us five savory and two sweet courses. We started with the whiskey bread (see below). This is basically a biscuit type loaf (but better) and came with a cultured butter (also pictured) and a finely whipped lardo, as well as an additional type of spread--I think a mascarpone (not pictured). These were all amazing. I would go back for this like I've gone back to the John Dory Oyster Bar for drinks just to get their parker house rolls.

Next course was a "stinging nettle" soup with razor clams (see below), which I was sadistically intrigued by, having spent many a summer nursing my own nettle welts in the English countryside. However, a resounding "meh"  for this one (YAY irony!). Lovely presentation but not worth the space in my belly. This was followed by another light dish--a crudo of fluke with cucumber, green almond and horseradish. Aromatically this dish was delightful, but only so-so on the palate.

The bigger dishes started with the lamb's tongue with smoked feta, fava greens and beans (see pictured). This was almost like a smoked chorizo, and the fava beans were in two forms, a paste and a crostini--very good and unexpected.  The filet of beef with a ramp puree, broccoli rabe and flowers, was juicy and tender and the poached salmon with black lentils, leeks and pickled onions was light, yet, complex in both taste and texture. All were delicious (the salmon was my personal fave) and cooked perfectly.

Dessert courses were one strawberry sorbet with an elderflower meringue; and then a hazelnut gelato with fennel. The former was far and away my preferred dish.

Overall, the tasting menu experience was pleasant. The service was prompt and friendly, and the food was elegantly presented, fresh and of high quality. But aside from the lush, warm whiskey bread and its small array of elegant spreads, no single dish will drag me back here.

BTW, the whiskey bread is $5 and available a la carte. GET IT!!!



312 Graham Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Snack Attack: Asia Dog

I love street food. Lucky for me, the Governors Ball Music Festival this past weekend had a very Googa-Mooga-like feel to it with all the food trucks and pop-up food stands. Luke's Lobster, Korilla (Korean tacos), Cool Haus ( ice cream sammies), Little Muenster (fancy grilled cheese), Mile End (deli sammies), and Crif Dogs (fancy hot dogs) were all there for the sampling desires of muddy, sweaty concertgoers (all good choices BTW).  It was perfect weather for a hot dog and I've never tried Asia Dog before, so I knew where I was headed. You have your choice of beef, chicken, veggie and organic beef for the dog, so in the words of Tangina from Poltergeist, all are welcome.

The emphasis here is on Asian-style ingredients but they do not stop there. Expect the unexpected-- I had  the Mash (see below left)  which is topped with sweet and spicy ketchup, jalapeno mustard, and crushed potato chips.  It was fantastic and had a nice kick. Also, I love potato chips on things--I don't need to be fancy all the time.  I also had the WangDing (center), which comes with bbq pork belly, cucumber & scallions. It's basically a pork bun on Viagara, and I was pleased. Do your taste buds a favor and check them out this summer-- it won't break the bank. :)

66 Kenmare St

(between Mott St & Elizabeth St)

(212) 226-8861

              

Favorite Place: L'Artusi

There are few places that hold up over time, or even visit to visit. However L'Artusi is one of them and a place I go regularly. I may be late to the party with this place but the party is still going on. A friend introduced me to this place a little over a year ago and it has not failed me since.  In typical West Village style, the decor is minimalist chic and dimly-lit while featuring an open kitchen in the back. Good for date night, girls night, family dinner etc., the menu is consistent with seasonal specials, offering an array of crudo, small veggie plates, pastas, fish, meat and a not to be missed set of sides (ranging in price from $13-28). Wine list is extensive and while portions are on the smaller side, sharing tapas-style is encouraged, and personally, I've never left hungry.
A solid starter is the roasted mushrooms with pancetta, fried egg and ricota salata ($17 pictured below, left). However my FAVORITE dish is the spaghetti with ramps, chili and parmesan ($18 see below, right) which comes with buttery bread crumbs on top (thats right).  It sounds plain but it is so lovely I can't justify NOT ordering it (even just to share). That being said, I've tried nearly everything on the menu and you really can't go wrong.  The crispy potatoes with fried sage (side, $8) is delicious and comes with a salsa bianco (tastes like mix of ricotta and creme fraiche) and might make you hurt someone its so good. While reservations can be hard short notice, walk-ins who don't mind a wait are usually accommodated in my experience.  And now I'm hungry...

228 W 10th St  New York, NY 10014 (212) 255-5757

The Little Owl

I love Valentines Day NOT because it's romantic– it's not– it's awful, even for those in relationships. I love it because its an excuse to eat your face off, usually in a nice restaurant with good food.  Valentine’s day is to restaurants what Christmas is to retail. Prices go up, advertising starts early– it can be annoying and quite frankly, the plethora of options and planning required makes me want to bury my head in the sand, but I also don’t want to be the couple eating at Olive Garden. So this year after many a walk in attempt, I finally have a reservation at The Little Owl! I am excited. I had to plan this 30 days in advance and call about 20 times starting at 10:30 AM on 1/14 (when their reservation line opens). Still, with all that, at 10:42AM I had the option of 9PM or 6:15PM. Seriously. I chose the latter as my Tuesday’s begin at a godawful hour and besides, it’s still dark at 6:15.   The menu looks great and also the host staff has always been friendly and down to earth.  Yeah its not V day yet– but I am dreaming about it. Will post, post dinner