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

Sunny and Annie

OK. So a Giants playoff game and crowded sports bars left me and several hungry men stranded at mine this past Sunday. Now I love cooking, but seeing as how I had already made a huge dinner the night before for my brother and sister-in-law, my kitchen was closed tonight. My favorite wing place ( i.e. Croxleys) would take too long and I’m still hunting for a preferred pizza place in my nabe (I know…it’s not right).  So sandwiches it was.
A former east villager introduced me to Sunny and Annie Deli. This is a regular bodega on B between 6th and 7th. But it’s menu begs to differ. Major ingredients and crazy combo’s had my mouth watering and my head spinning– the Mr. Bloomburger :  lemon chicken, avocado, seafood salad, spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, watercress, fresh jalapeno pepper sauce on a wrap or hero– sounds crazy and was delicious. I went for the Pho Real (see below)– b/c I heard that people travel a ways for it (always a good sign). SOLD!  Roast beef, basil & cilantro--functioned as the lettuce (love this idea), avocado, tomato, onion,  bean sprouts ( not normally a fave but it worked)  hoisin sauce and siracha sauce-on a roll. Don’t sleep on this one peeps. It’s super tasty and spicy. Oh and cheap. I heart the EV.

-cash only for delivery, friendly service