Saturday in Fooood ^_^

Last Saturday, the hours went like this:

12:00pm @ Momofuku Milk Bar with Mitzy and Ferry

Pistachio Cake

Fruity Cereal Cookie. See my Serious Eats New York post here.

1:00pm @ Casa Mono with Kathryn and Lauren

Lamb's Tongue with Mint Alioli

Duck Egg with Mojama

Fideos with Chorizo and Clams

Foie Gras with Cinco Cebollas

Artichokes with Mint

Skirt Steak with Onion Mermelada

Ramps with Mermelada

Sweetbreads with Fennel al Mono

4:00pm @ Joe the Art of Coffee (Waverly location) with Kathryn and Lauren

Iced Mocha

6:00pm@ Mayahuel with Kathryn and Lauren

Cocktails along with a few snacks...Quesadillas and...

...Palomitas: Popped Corn with Lime, Cotija Cheese, Ancho Chile

9:00pm @ Otto with Kathryn and Lauren

Ramps (hidden under the eggs), Two Eggs, and Bottarga. Earlier in the week I had the Ramps Pizza with Don...super tasty ^_^ Those dishes were part of the weekly special menu...hope they bring it back sometime before ramp season is all pau.

Escarole & Sunchoke Salad

Buccatini All' Amatriciana: Guanciale, Tomato, and Pecorino

We also shared a cheese plate -> (Coach Triple Cream, Goat, NY), (Fontina, Cow, VAL), (Taleggio, Cow, LOM), (Pecorino di Fossa, Sheep, EMI), and (Blu del Moncenisio, Cow, PIE)

Cherries, Truffled Honey, and Apricots

Olive Oil, Coffee, and Salty Caramel Gelato. As much as I love, love, love the Olive Oil, Salty Caramel will forever be my favourite. The super eggy waffle wedges are slowly growing on me. I always thought they were too eggy, but after you eat about ten million pieces, it's hard not to develop an odd affection for this three bite triangles.

Full? Just a litttttle ;) Happy Sunday!

Momofuku Bakery & Milk Bar
207 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10003

Casa Mono
52 Irving Place
New York, NY 10003
(212) 253-2773

Joe the Art of Coffee
141 Waverly Place
New York, NY 10003
(212) 924-6750

Mayahuel
304 E, 6th Street
New York, NY 10003

Otto
1 Fifth Avenue
NY, NY 10003
(212) 995-9559

Pinisi...Part II!!!!

Red velvet cupcake

Just stopped by Pinisi a few nights ago - one of my favourite bakeries in town. Andy bounded out of the kitchen with exciting news, "I'm opening a second location!"

Coooookie

Pinisi has been one of my favourite bakeries since I moved to the city - remember my first few posts here and here?

"Sexy cocoa fluff" cupcakes

Andy took Greg and I south a few blocks to his new location, set to open in just under two weeks. It's slightly bigger than the original Pinisi on 4th Street, but everything from the lighting to the cake stands and wall colours are distinctively Andy. What I found most impressive was that he did everything himself! Painting the walls, stripping the floors...a to z. Now that's a labour of love :)

Cassava squares

The new location on 1st Avenue (near Houston) will have the same menu as 4th street, only there's more room for lounging around. And there will be wifi!

Summer juices!

Oh! And do stop by for his new line of coollld juices for summer: "Cranberry Orange Blood", "Orange Blackjack", and "Fresh Limeade." Refreshing to say the least.

Andy and I :)

Congrats, Andy! Will be back with reports on the new place ^_^

Happy Wednesday!

Pinisi Cafe & Bakery
128 East 4th St
NY, NY 10003
(212) 614-9079

Notes

1. Sunday morning coffee with Greg at Mud ^_^

2. It's summer hat season! Found a swell straw & black number to add to my collection from BOB (no last name). He carries mostly bags and jewelry, but recently branched into hats - huzzah! Between him, Gallery Vercon, The Hat Shop, and the rest of 9th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue...I'm happy as a peach.

3. An amazing Saturday with Kathryn and Lauren at Casa Mono, Joe's, Mayahuel, and Otto. Post to come soon :)

Mud Coffee
307 E. 9th Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 228-9074

Minetta Tavern

My first visit to Minetta Tavern took place right after Nick and I had dinner at Convivio. We stopped in for a dessert of hazelnut crepes and quite a few cocktails. He promised, "we'll be back for the burger!"

As so less than a week later, we were back. This time for a full meal. Before you go any further, make sure to read Nick's post on the Minetta Tavern burger RIGHT HERE - a fantastic post.

And goodness, was dinner a full and marvelous meal.

It went something like this...

Bread, butter, and salt

Warm Gougères

Quail Eggs and Sardines

Saucisson en Brioche

Roasted Bone Marrow

Crispy Pig's Trotter

Rabbit Terrine with Pistachios, Ramps and Mushrooms

It was at this point when I started to get full. That feeling you know, the one where your body goes, ok, two cocktails, half a bottle of wine and plenty of calories. You can stop now. But those were just the appetizers. The main event was yet to arrive! Nick had told me so much about the burger and steak beforehand that it would have been impossible and very silly to pass up. When there's a will, there's stomach room.

And so arrived...

"179" NY Strip Steak (Creekstone Farms Kentucky)

Pommes Anna

The Black Label Burger

The burger and tattoos go quite well together, don't they? :)

And since we had come this far, the only way to properly conclude the meal was with the Grand Marnier Soufflé for two.

::swoooffff!:: It was incredible.

To finish: chocolates from Jacques Torres

I get all heady trying to comprehend just how much we consumed in a few hours. But it was so delicious, I'd do it all over again. It never hurts to stretch the waistline every now and then ;)

Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 475-3850

Goodbye Tafu

My last post was titled, "Goodbye Amai," and now this one is "Goodbye Tafu." I wish I could come up with more happier titles, I really do, but it's just goodbye, plain and simple :(

Tafu, the midtown tea and dessert spot where I sought salvation during those crazy tax season hours, closes this Friday forever. And this is just after Amai closed yesterday!

Tafu and Amai are both very similar spots: tea-focused with Japanese inspired sweets. It is sad to see both go in a time period so close to one another. What is happening??? :[

How much did I love Tafu? A lot. I even have a Flickr Set devoted to it!

Here's what I'll miss:

Hot matcha lattes topped with chocolate or...

...kuromitsu syrup...

...hojicha roll cakes...the matcha one too!

Daifukus with a smidgen of cream tucked in the very middle. See an innards shot here...

...along with delicate cheesecakes in similar tea flavours. The genmaicha was my favourite.

I'll miss afternoon tea break with co-workers...

...when you "eat-in", they arrange your order on little trays. Grab a seat along the count and munch away! :) I love doing this on super rainy days.

The tea infused chocolates were always a great pick-me-up late in the night.

But the biggest bummer of all is that we can no longer get Mitzy's macarons there :[

That was the real highlight of Tafu.

I'll be swinging by a few times this week...Kyotofu supplies many of the bakeds good and one could easily head to Hells Kitchen to get it straight from the source...but you won't be able to find those hot matcha lattes anywhere else.

Tafu New York
Double Tree Metropolitan Hotel
569 Lexington Ave
New York, NY 10079
(212) 980-1310

Goodbye Amai

Stopped by for the closing day of Amai Tea & Bake House. It's a bummer to see another neighborhood spot go, but at least they went out in style! I've been in a few times this week, and each visit was packed with regulars stocking up on their favourite tea blends, cupcakes, and a very lovely steamed caramel cake.

Today's afternoon snack involved a chocolate cupcake with peanut butter buttercream...

...brownies...

...and cup of iced Golden Oolong tea.

Best of luck to Kelli on her next venture, wherever it takes her ^_^

Amai Tea & Bake House
171 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10003
(212) 863-9630

Saturday Afternoon in Photos

Photo by Shann

Today's temperature: 70 degrees!

I'm more of a winter person than a summer one, but couldn't help but partake in a Central Park picnic organized by Steph.

I have to confess. I schlepped all the way to 80th Street from my morning appointments on the LES mainly for a few of Steph's brownies. This morning I was awoken by pots and pans in the kitchen, followed by the smell of very intense chocolate brownies. Sadly enough, I had to leave before those brownies came out of the oven. "They'll be at the picnic!" Steph called as I ran out the door. There was no other option!

The company of course, was wonderful ^_^

Steph and Shann

Most everyone was out with bare shoulders today! Bikers, frisbee players, dog walkers, it's like we've already reached summer. I got sunburned, but I suppose it was worth it.

But next time: no napping in the park without many layers of sunscreen!

Steph, Shann and I packed up and parted ways with the group late afternoon and headed back down to Union Square...

...where we stopped at Jus for a trio of smoothies. Shann and I went with the mango, papaya, and banana combo. Steph replaced the banana with pineapple. I love smoothies, but they're aren't many places in the city that do it right. Jus is just about perfect though. They use fruit and ice and nothing else. No added sugar, fruit juices, sorbets, etc. They keep it clean and simple - just how a smoothie should be.

We walked closer home, pausing in for an early dinner at the too often frequented neighborhood restaurant: Veselka. It was the first time we sat outdoors in a restaurant this year ^_^

Shann went with the Cheeseburger and Fries...

...while Steph and I each had the daily special: "Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole: An oven-baked casserole of albacore tuna, roasted red peppers, and water chestnuts in a cheddar bechamel, topped with panko crust."

The Tuna Casserole comes with salad (dill dressing on the side)..

...challah bread...

...and a choice of soup. We always opt for the Borscht - it's absolutely gorgeous!

Here's hoping the warm weather sticks around - Happy Saturday ^_^

Jus at Coffeeshop
16th Street & Union Square West
New York, NY 10003

Veselka
144 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10003
(212) 228-9682

Fly Safe! ^_^

Robyn and I at Baoguette. Photo by Jessica.

Here's wishing Robyn, Greg, and Diana a super fun and delicious trip to Iceland tomorrow! :)

The Only Non-Rainy Day

When the weather starts to get warmer/consistent, you can bet I'll celebrate more impromptu picnic days, bike rides and all. On Monday - the only warm day this week thus far, Zubair and I went to DiPalo's for a few ingredients: mozzarella (they were out of burrata), prosciutto, and pesto. We biked back, assembled sandwiches on an Italian hero loaf, and then dashed off to the park before the sun could run away.

Nothing like stealing away an afternoon, especially a Monday one. Mental notes for the next impromptu picnic -> must have burrata. And roasted red peppers. And a bottle of prosecco. And homemade dark chocolate brownies with walnuts for dessert!

The sandwiches were followed with warm cappuccinos from the nearby Amy's Bread. Aside from a minor mishap, aka, accidently locking us out of his apartment...I'd say the day was pretty swell ^_^

Happy Wednesday!

Di Palo's Fine Foods
200 Grand Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 226-1033

Amy's Bread
250 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 675-7802

When The Paratha Craving Hits...

Sunday, 9am. Breakfast with Shann, Steph, Nick, and Steph's brother at Cafe Orlin. My order: the "Malawach." The dish is described on the menu as fried Turkish bread topped with two eggs, fresh tomato sauce on the side, pickles, olives and green salad.

Shann remarked that the "fried Turkish bread," looked like a smashed croissant. And indeed it did, like a smashed croissant, pan fried extra crisp. It also tasted exactly like an Indian paratha.

Thumbs up, though a touch greasy for the early morning.

I washed it down with 9th St Espresso at the Chelsea Mart.

Not as good as Abraço, but then again, is anything? ;)

Later this afternoon I was at Zubair's, reaccounting my affair with the Malawach. He grew up with parathas for breakfast, and would surely appreciate the dish. Indeed, it quickly induced a craving, "that makes me want...oh man, lets eat at..." and before I knew it, we were at the front steps of Noodle Bar on Carmine Street.

Minutes later, two dishes of roti canai with chicken curry arrived at the table and we dove in. Hot and oily with a bazillion flaky layers. The curry was lukewarm, the only downside.

But aside from that, there's little to frown about. Paratha/roti/fried Turkish bread twice in four hours AND meals with very sweet company? Life is good :)

Cafe Orlin
41 St. Marks Place
New York, NY 10003
(212) 674-7130

9th Street Espresso
75 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10011
(212) 228-2930

Noodle Bar
26 Carmine Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 524-6800

Resto - How Can I Thank You?

A million thanks yous to the kind staff at Resto (especially Chris!), for locating my blackberry battery under the bathroom vanity. It matters not how the phone battery lodged itself in such an peculiar place. All that matters is that they were more than gracious to literally get on hands and knees to hunt down the lost battery. What would the world be without kind people? :)

Convivio

Last Wednesday, a lovely dinner with Nick (thank you!) at Convivio. Photos below. We went with the four course prix fixe which is a fantastic deal for both the quality and amount of food delivered. To sum: I enjoyed the house-made pastas a great deal more than the mains which while still very tasty, was over fussy and complicated with too many "sauces" and elements. Appetizers were memorable...chicken liver and slow poached veal tongue YES :) Next time, we'll do the prix fixe, but replace the secondi with another pasta. That will make for a killer meal. Overall, a splendid dinner - the affogato we had for dessert comes in second only to Otto's (which is AMAZING).

Lingua: slow poached veal tongue, salsa verde

Fegatini: rustic chicken liver crostini, marsala onions

Malloreddus: sardinian saffron gnocchetti, crab, sea urchin

Fusilli: neopolitan pork shoulder ragu, cacciocavallo fonduta

Scottadito de Agnello: grilled lamb chops, salsa verde, escarole, beans

Manzo alla Griglia: 14oz. creekstone prime ribeye, puntarella salad, white anchovies, fried mushrooms

Affogato al Caffe: "super punch" amaro gelato, freshly-brewed espresso

Panna Cotta: vanilla panna cotta, rhubarb, meyer lemon sorbet

Convivio
45 Tudor City Place
New York, NY 10017
(212) 599-5045

Keste, Cones, and a Few Movies

Keste, 11:30pm Friday

It doesn't take much to make me happy. Friday with Zubair. First, pizza at Keste, then Cones, followed by a night of movies on the projector. Laidback, lowkey. Simple is best :)


Keste was packed, even close to midnight, but we were lucky enough to get the table closest to the window, looking out onto Bleecker. It's BYOB now (take advantage!), so we went across the street to grab a few beers. Adam over at Slice did a great review on Keste - read it here. We shared two pizzas, the first: Mozzarella, Prosciutto, Basil, and Cherry Tomatoes. But it was really the second that was worth swooning over.

BURRATA! SO MUCH burrata! It was ridiculous. It was special of the night: burrata, basil and cherry tomatoes. I wasn't expecting them to be generous with the burrata, so you could imagine my (very excited) surprise when out came a pizza that nearly bubbled over with the warm, creamy cheese. Bliss, bliss, bliss. I was actually craving a bit of pesto on top of this, but I suppose that would take away from the purity of the pizza, heheh. One can dream. We wolfed this number down in a matter of seconds and it took all my will not to order another.

Then across the street to Cones where he picked Corn (top) and I, Tiramisu (bottom). The two flavours on their own are fantastic (especially the corn), though I'm not sure if I'd combine the two again.

Pizza + Gelato (or ice cream, custard, soft serve) have got to be my all time favourite dinner and dessert combination. Perhaps that's why I love living in NYC so much...for all the pizza and frozen sweets!

The possibilities are endless...
Bleecker Street Pizza + L'arte del Gelato
Artichoke + Momo Milk Bar
Luzzo's + Sundaes & Cones
Vinny Vincenz + ChikaLicious
Co. + Subway Ride + Cones
DiFaras + Longer Subway Ride + Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory (or I guess Grimaldi's is more convenient location-wise, but I'm not a great fan of Grimaldi's).
Lombardi's + Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
(I still have not yet visited Una Pizza Napoletana...)


P.S.
Look at this Chow Chow I spotted Saturday afternoon...too cute for words ^_^

Keste Pizza & Vino
271 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 243-1500

Cones
272 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 414-1795

Just Wanted To Say, Congrats to Jessica!! :)

...on her ICE Culinary graduation this Sunday! Below, a few of my favourite photos from the evening.

This girl is nothing short of amazing :)

Jess, myself, and Robyn.

Jessica's savoury dish of the night ->

Thai Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps with Pickled Vegetables, Spicy Mayo and Sesame Cilantro Breadcrumbs.

...and some very awesome Fried Curried Corn Dumplings with Coconut Cream.

Congrats, Jess! :D

@ Greg's: Moffles & Okonomiyaki

This photo sums up Wednesday evening at Greg's just about right :)
Robyn attacks, Greg cooks, and I lurk in background.

We gathered for a night of MOFFLES...aka mochi-waffles. See HERE, HERE, and HERE for more background.

Scroll below for photos.

Greg bought three types of mochi for our first moffle adventure - plain, red bean, and mungwort. The process of making moffles (and oohhing over their transformation in the waffle iron) was more fun than actually eating them.

Robyn summed it up accurately, saying they, "tasted like crispy rice bits." Granted, we did little in the topping department which was our fault. You could really go all out with these...honey, butter, NUTELLA, sugar. Or go savoury with the ham and cheese route. Moffle sandwiches!

Here's the red bean and mungwort mochi...almost pau.

Acutally, the moffles just bored us and failed to capture interest for long.

So Greg topped pieces of mochi with bitty butter pats and toasted away.

We enjoyed these much more :)

And then it was onto real food!

Greg, the waffle genius, and now, okonomiyaki master did all the cooking that night - many props to him for keeping our bellies full and happy...

...with plenty of pork...

...and even more kewpie mayo - huzzah!

I'd say it was a pretty swell night ^_^