Cookshop NYC: Up in the running as my favorite NYC restaurant

I went to Cookshop 2-3 months back, but it has stuck in my mind as one of my favorite places in New York since then. My friend Janet knows the General Manager of the restaurant, so we both dined together and got a boat load of free delicious wine and little food tasters thoughout the meal. While it may have been the special treatment that lured me into being an avid Cookshop fan, the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed every bite of every dish I consumed is a very telling sign that Cookshop is, VIP treatment or not, a sincerely great find.

To start, the restaurant is very California-esque with high ceilings allowing a warm, open air, un-claustrophobic space. The restaurant spans half of a block between 19th and 20th street, and large windows spanning the walls make the place appear even more spacious than it is. Such a great find amongst the delicious yet exceedingly cramped joints in NY. Despite the large establishment feel, though, you'll find a menu filled with refined yet homey, filling food made with local and organic ingredients at great prices.

To start, I had a deliciously salty proschutto and egg on a piece of grilled bread with some watercress to lighten it up. The egg was cooked perfectly and poured over the bread when punctured to add a creaminess that partnered with the tangy, salty pork to start a party in my mouth. Crusty, crunchy break added the perfect texture to round out the dish. The next dish I tried was almost sinful - a thick, spicy crab bisque - creamy and just chunky enough to convince me that there was in fact fresh crab in the bisque. And to top off the deliciousness, there was a lightly fried softshell crab that stuck out of the bowl - not sure if you're supposed to pick this crunch, bisque-soaked creature up to eat, but I sure did. And I have no regrets.

For my main course I went for the sea scallops. Generally, I find sea scallops tough to ruin unless they're sandy or not fresh. These, however, weren't just good. They were stellar - Maine Day boat scallops with creamed English peas, sugar snap peas, and morel mushrooms. The scallops were huge, and an overly generous portion of about 6-7 surrounding a large plate with flavorful sauces and veggies. Janet ordered wisely as well by ordering their signature dish - Vermont Suckling Pig "porchetta" with green garlic potato puree, pickled onions, mushrooms and asparagus. Literally, the crispiest pork skin I have EVER tasted. Justin, the GM told us how it was made, and if I remember correctly they put the pork in the oven first to render the fat and flash fry the outside to make the skin as crispy as a pork rind. So so flavorful and so so good - and they truly succeeded in making a rich dish taste light.

For dessert, I was literally awed by the Cookshop Candy Bars, which are described as Devil's food cake, gianduja crunch, praline ganache, frozen peanut nougat and chocolate shell. The saltiness of the nougat complimented the sweet chocolate cake and praline chocolate sauce perfect - truly bringing out the flavors and making this dessert so much more than just "sweet." It really brought that meal up that extra mile to make me leave the restaurant thinking "I GOT TO GO BACK THERE!"

Please take my advice and give Cookshop a try - an all-types-of crowd pleaser, a beautiful space, wonderful wonderful service, and tons of local, organic foods (have you SEEN Food Inc??).

Address: 156 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Website: www.cookshopny.com

Scuderia - the bread is small but it's really good

I have been dying to go to Bar Pitti and Da Silvano, but my attempts are generally cut short by the long waits any night of the week. The other night, I passed by the two restaurants and sure enough my concerns were justified - long waits and crowds outside. I glanced across the street in sadness, and a dimly lit awning caught my eye. "Scuderia" it said. The name suddenly brought me back to an article I had read about the restaurant that noted it was a cheaper version of the two Italian restaurants it faced across the street. In fact, its co-owned by Silvano Marchetto of Da Silvano.

I was ecstatic that I remembered this - I dashed over and to my delight was greeted and seated immediately. Upon arrival I immediately noticed the full bar - such a rare commodity for good Italian restaurants. The restaurant is filled with good tables; there's a large area of out door seating, and the restaurant's full sized windows open to make the whole space feel airy, familial, and summer friendly.

The menu is comprised a variety of typical yet refined Italian fare - pizzas, panini, pastas, primi, secondi, and a few choices of tramezzini (small bites) to curb the appetite. The food is well priced, and you can definitely eat a delicious, filling meal without breaking the bank. The wines by the glass are also fairly cheap - I had a delicious cabernet for just $7.50. For food, I tried the insalata pizza with mozzerella on wheat crust and the Paccheri alla bucaiola - a deliciously dense pasta (somewhat like ravioli without filling) with spicy sausage, sweet peas, and cream. Honestly, the pasta was hot, perfectly seasoned, and to heaven in my mouth. The little bits of caramalized sausage sealed the deal. The pizza was simple - a wheat crust pizza with a pile of lettuce on top - tasty but nothing over the top or spectacular. The salad atop the pizza came with mango, something I would never imagine throwing on a pizza in an Italian restaurant, and probably wouldn't recommend.

Overall, the service was friendly and accommodating to my random requests (sauce on the sauceless pizza, bread immediately, etc). I would recommend trying Scuderia if you want something Centro-Vinoteca-esque with a more laid back, open air feel, edgy feel. It's a little bit remote on a wide 6th-ave block, but once you're inside you may forget you're in New York (which is sometimes a good thing).

Address: 10 Downing St between Minetta St & Avenue Of The Americas

Website: www.scuderianyc.com

Baoguette - Tasty cheap eat, but don't go for the ambiance

For the past few months, I've read a new article almost daily about the thrill of Vietnamese sandwiches, or Banh Mi as they are more traditionally known. Banh mi are traditionally made of thinly sliced pickled carrots, daikon, onions, cucumbers, cilantro, jalapeño peppers and some kind of meat, and shops that sell them have recently popped up all over NYC.

To be honest, though, sweet and spicy Asian ingredients on a warm french baguette at first thought sounded like an excessive clash of flavors and cultures. That's like putting beans, rice, salsa, sour cream and carnitas on sliced bread. But being a die hard food trend follower, I decided to suck up my reservations and taste one. And, considering "Baoguette" opened directly beneath my apartment, I really had no excuse to deny them.

Baoguette is a tiny place with multiple locations, and a little more modern in appearance than what one would normally imagine a Vietnamese sandwich shop to look like. The restaurant is clean with zen-like decor, and vary narrow in shape. There are only about 4 booths and three small tables, but the front of the restaurant is lined with a bar for solo eaters. But, don't be fooled by the bar - the place has yet to receive its liquor license, though it welcomes outside beverages. My first time around, we brought in coronas, which actually coupled the food quite nicely.

Fortunately there's quite a bit of variety on the menu for a traditional sandwich/pho shop. I decided to start with the Vietnamese shrimp summer rolls - pretty traditional with rice paper, poached shrimp, noodles, and a sweet and tangy peanut dipping sauce. I was happily surprised that they were only $5 and tasted just as good as any other summer roll I've tried. For my entree I tried both the beef broth Pho and the BBQ chicken sandwich. Both were excellent, though the pho could have come out a bit hotter. The noodles of the pho were long and thin, and it is served with a generous plate of bean sprouts, mind, basil and all of the other awesome fixings that generally come with pho.

The BBQ chicken Banh mi was absolutely delicious. Tender pieces of dark meat chicken, thin slices of cucumber, bean sprouts, and carrots stuffed into a warm, crispy baguette actually worked perfectly as a unique combination. With its perfect consistency and doughiness, the bread really stood out. Be warned, however, that the sandwiches come with mayo - something not in the menu description. But if you make the mistake it can be easily corrected: once our servor overheard us griping about that, he immediately came out with another sandwich - this time without mayo. Great service in a small sandwich shop at low prices? Quite a deal I might say.

I would definitely eat Baoguette again - in fact I've returned there since my first visit - but I wouldn't waste a night here if you'd like to be "wined and dined." Though its food is cheap and delicious, the place is in desperate need for business, making the restaurant feel starck, empty, and stale. Not a fun environment to spend time in. However, give it a chance, and it may change your mind about your expectations of fusion cuisine ... definitely changed mine!

Baoguette/Pho Sure

Address: 120 Christopher Street @ Bedford

Website: http://www.baoguettecafe.com/

Paladar - want to host a festive dinner on a budget?

I attribute finding this awesome restaurant to...myself. It was April 30th, my birthday was coming up, and I was looking to invite 8 or so friends to a restaurant with a fun and laid back environment, good food, large-group accommodations, and not-break the bank prices. I did extensive research online, and found Paladar - a lovely Mexican restaurant that seemed to fill every criteria I had. Vibrant atmosphere - brightly colored walls and funky latin music, awesome margaritas (drink 2 and you're gone), great service, and...get this... a family style menu fit for a king at just $30 a person! By pre-ordering my choice of 3 delicious appetizers and 3 entrees, I was able to save the pain of having each individual order and divide the check accordingly. People came in knowing what they were eating and what they were paying - no surprises! Most importantly, the food was awesome! With such a great deal, I expected paltry portions or at least lack of flavor. But no, huge platters fit to feed at least 12 people filled the table, and not one of us left unfulfilled.



Choosing the pre-order menu was a tough job, but the manager I spoke to over the phone (just an hour before our reservation) patiently suggested all of his recommendations. For apps, I decided on Tacos de Pescado - marinated fish tacos with chipotle-lime glaze and mango salsa, an Ensalada Verde with mango & jicama, and a delicious wild mushroom quesadilla. They served huge plates of each and everyone was able to get a second helping if they needed. My only complaint would have to be that the fish in the fish tacos was a little tough, but all things considered they executed the family style plates perfectly. My fave was the mushroom quesadilla, and I could have ordered at least 10 other things from the menu and still been happy.

For main dishes, they have something for everyone. I played it safe and ordered a steak, a chicken, and a seafood. The carne asada came with an awesome salsa and a light green salad - and honestly the best yucca sticks I have ever tasted. The meat was excellent - buttery, tender, so flavorful - slightly charred on the outside but beautifully juicy and rare on the inside. The lime-chipotle marinated chicken was also a great staple for those a little less adventurous, and it came with potatoes and salad as well. Lastly, the market fish was served pan seared with garlic, lemon, chiles, and seasonal vegetables. It was definitely a step up from the fish in the tacos - I was sad to see so much extra food go to waste! The waiters even brought me a complimentary chocolate cake slice (though wasn't too tasty, don't order it).

All this great food accompanied by killer drinks, friendly & accommodating service, great company, and a fun-upbeat yet airy and comfortable atmosophere made my birthday the best. I will most definitely have my next large group dinner at Paladar, and will even consider it to get my Mexican craving fix with a smaller group. Don't fear the Lower East Side - come check out Paladar!

Website: www.paladarrestaurant.com
Location: 161 Ludlow btwn East Houston and Stanton

Blue Water Grill - an upbeat seafood restaurant with something for everyone

Ooooooo the dessert at this place. That's what stands out - the caramelized banana ice cream tower - loads of vanilla ice cream in a hazelnut shell with toasted marshmallow sauce. Sounds disgustingly sweet, right? Well it was but it was amazing! Moment of silence. 

Blue Water Grill is a BR Guest restaurant (Dos Caminos, Wildwood bbq, Blue Fin, etc etc), but it is, in my opinion, a step above in terms of quality of food and elegance. It's a place you could bring your parents, your boy/girlfriend, a group of friends, your best friend, a client - it's basically just a very standard, pleasant, versatile restaurant with a menu item for the most or least picky person. It has a positive feel - well dressed people, a lot of activity, lots of cocktails, and even a section downstairs that plays live music. You can order off the sushi menu or the standard menu, and along with the "simply grilled" section where you can be as specific as you want about what fish and sauce you want to eat, there are a ton of composed entrees to choose from. My mom, sister and I started off with a salad and a special lobster sushi roll - both were tasty and satisfying, but nothing out of the ordinary.  For their entrees, my mom and sister had the ginger soy lacquered chilean seabass, which I severely regretted passing up for the sake of being different. 

The chef cooked the fish perfectly to give it a melt in your mouth, buttery texture and a wonderfully mild miso taste. I practically devoured my mom's. I had a special halibut entree that was over-seasoned and overzealous in terms of ingredients and mixed flavors. Overall, this place is a solid staple for a night you don't want to think to hard about where you're going to eat for a place with a large menu of filling & tasty options, a fun but sophisticated feel, and overall good drinks and service. I give it a 4. 

Address: 31 Union Sq W @ 16th street

Website: http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/restaurants/blue_water_grill_new_york/index.php

Centro Vinoteca - go for the Italian tapas!

I live a block away from this place, have been dying to go, but it wasn't until I was running around one night STARVING looking for Italian food that I decided to finally try it. Have to say, was a little disappointed with the spotty service, but the stand outs were the interesting, diverse menu, the comfy, cushiony booths and the hip yet unpretentious vibe. And, I saw Leah from Top Chef working the kitchen! I have been back again since my first visit, and my general view on the place is that it's a fun place to go if you want an upbeat ambiance and salty, interesting food. A bons: unlike most italian restaurants, with small plates and a ton of light appetizers, Centro allows you to eat lightly if you're in that sort of mood. 

Most dishes I tried were pretty salty, to be honest, but I would still go back again. I love the fact that it has small plates - I love italian food, but I am reluctant to go to Italian restaurants because I find you can't leave without feeling bloated or stuffed. The small plates allow you to taste a variety of things and are on the lighter side. I ordered the special "piccolini" - fried trumpet mushroom croquettes that oozed when broken with a fork. They were perfect for topping on bread. The eggplant piccolini was not memorable - don't order it. On both of my visits I also enjoyed the chanterelle, romanesco cauliflower & asparagus salad - it's rare at an italian restaurant that you find salads composed with more than 1 or 2 ingredients. The chanterelles were a bit dry and salty, but it was a good hearty but healthy appetizer. The grilled spicy sausage and stracchino pizzetta, on the otherhand, was a disappointment. How do you screw up pizza?? The crust was too thick, and the whole thing was in need of some moisture or tomato sauce to balance out the dryness and saltiness. I'm not complaining about the size of it, but it's far too large to eat as an appetizer without sharing. The seared scallops with lentils & bacon, on the otherhand, saved the night - the bed of lentils was rich, creamy, and flavorful and the perfect side for the simple yet well seasoned scallops.  The pastas were also a standout compared to the other dishes - the squid ink tagliatelle with cockles, rock shrimp and chilies (5) was delicious and light - don't fear the squid ink, it just makes the pasta black. 

Ambiance is sometimes everything for me, and I really like the feel of this place. The windows, soft booths, good music, and attractive people put a twist on typical New York, homestyle italian restaurants. I wouldn't go looking for the best food here, but if you lower your expectations appropriately, you'll have a good time. Overall, I give Centro Vinoteca a 3+ in terms of food, but a 4 overall. 

Address: 74 Seventh Avenue South @ Bleecker

Website: www.centrovinoteca.com

Mercadito Cantina - a perfect cheap weekend cheap eat fiesta

Friday rolled around and I wanted Mexican, but I didn't want the two extremes of common Mexican restaurants: a really cheap hole in the wall/chain or a super over priced and overdone upscale establishments (such as the shitty dos caminos - hate that place). So, I did some research and stumbled upon some positive reviews of Mercadito Cantina in the East Village, and decided to make a reservation. Not knowing what to expect, I entered the place with trepidation but instantly was relieved by the fun, upretentious vibe, communal wooden benches (similar to Momofuku), and latin music drumming the background.


(Above image is just an example of the things they offer)
I tasted:
1. La Palomita (drink): This restaurant only serves beer, wine, and tequila so I decided to go with one of their many tequila concoctions. Served in a tall tumbler, this had grapefruit jarrito, lime, and epazote, and was perfectly sweet and salty. (5)
2. Cacahuate Salsa: grilled tomato salsa with a peanut finish: Have never tasted a salsa so interesting, more of a puree with a very distinct peanut buttery taste. Not necessarily what I would love to eat with chips, but worth a try for its originality (3).
3. Veracruzana Zalsa: A roasted tomato, bell pepper and pickled jalapeños with a great chunky, tomato-y texture and a smokey, earthy taste. Wish it had been a larger portion. (5)
4. Mole poblano Guacemole: The resto offers a variety of guacemoles, this one with pico de gallo, plantain, mole poblano, chile serrano. Hands down the best non traditional guac I have ever had - had chunks of plaintains to give it a subtle sweetness and a chile glaze that brought all of the ingredients together. Perfectly seasoned for the salty chips that accompanied it. (5)++
5. Estilo Baja Tacos: 2 tacos with crispy chunks of beer battered shrimp, roasted habanero and avocado cole slaw. Slightly skimpy on the shrimp, but crunchy salty combo tasted delicious (5).
6. Pescado Tacos: 2 tacos with sauteed chunks of buttery tilapia, chile poblano, tomatillo-garlic mojo. These tacos melted in my mouth and were perfectly seasoned. (5)
7. Pollo Tacos: Two tacos with tequila grilled chicken, corn pico de gallo and salsa verde. The corn pico de gallo is what made these interesting: huge pieces of corn kernels added a unique texture. Otherwise, next time will opt for something more different, as the chunks of chicken were nothing special. (3)
8. Green rice Casserole (Arroz Verde al horno): one of my fave dishes of the night. Piping green rice covered with crispy, melted manchego & oaxaca cheese. Addictive!!
9. Vegetarian black beans: meh....nothing special, a little watery and tasted canned, but no offense taken - how interesting can beans really be? (2)

You have to love tacos to enjoy this place, because there's not much else in terms of main courses on the menu...but considering the variety of the tacos that they offer, this little yet vibrant Mexican joint is DEFINITELY worth the try - the vibe puts you in a good mood and the food is light enough to make it a perfect pre-Saturday nigh party din din. And they take resos!

I give it a 5!

Address: 172 ave. b (10th & 11th st.) and various locations
Website: www.mercaditony.com