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

I Tre Merli Bistro - my new favorite for week night coziness

I pass by this West Fourth corner cafe every day and I am always so curious why such a cute, quaint little European bistro never fails to have two or three empty tables. After eating there, I am even more perplexed! Though quite cozy, this place is a gem - moderately priced, delicious food with an expansive dinner and dessert menu. AND, unlike well priced restos in this neighborhood - they have cocktails!

Ok...enough blabbing Erin, enough blabbing. I tasted:

1. French bread with oil - pungent extra virgin olive oil on soft, fresh baguette: priceless
2. Arugula and Radicchio salad with grilled vegetables and tomatoes - interesting combo, you say? Ya, that's because I invented it myself. This restaurant list all possible salad ingredients and you can choose whatever for different (low) prices. Awesome idea for a salad lover!! and they come in big bowls, with own choice of dressing. Cool! (5)
3. Homemade spaghetti with pomodoro sauce: the person to my left was eating this and I had to get it because the noodles looked so fresh and the sauce looked amazing. Tasted as good as it looked - perfectly al dente spaghetti noodles with fresh chunks of bright tomatoes and basil. And, it comes in half orders! (5)
4. Grilled calamari with fennel and cherry tomatoes: Ok, squid was a little chewy, but the fennel was deliciously grilled. very light, but tasty appetizer. Did the job, but I give it a (3).
5. Spaghetti a la vongole: I never would order this on my own, so not a fair judge, but tasted just like my mom's. Since my mom is an awesome cook, I would say it was delicious. They were very generous with the clams and pasta, and the sauce came out piping. (4).

Didn't have it in me to order dessert but the menu looked scrumptious - love a menu that has more than 2 chocolate items. Love it! Would DEFINITELY go back here for a twist on the crappy week night order ins/take-out meals. Unpretentious but vibrant atmosophere, good service, tasty food, well-priced.

I give it a 4 (which is great!)

Address: 183 West 10th at 4th
Website: www.itremerli.com

The John Dory - April Bloomfield what's up

After all the praise of the John Dory in the press this month, my friend Princess and I were able to score a seat at the place with the help of her boyfriend Carl, who now works there as a sous chef. No telling if we would have been able to ever try this place on a Friday night, as it's almost impossible to get a table if you don't call way in advance. And, it's for good reason too - the food is delicious, the vibe is funky, laid back, and unique, and you get a front and center view of April Bloomfield in action from any seat in the restaurant. She even spoke to us (and sent out free food!).

Food Consumed and ratings:
a. Free Amuse Bouche: Artichoke Dip with Taro Chips: Salty yet oily chilled dip, reminiscent of a classic spinach and artichoke dip, but cold and without the spinach. Not my fave, but still a tasty little treat (2).
b. Parker House Rolls: Almost melt in your mouth butter rolls, I think I ate about 3. Slightly warmed and so soft and dense with a touch of sweetness. Baked fresh at Del Posto next door. (5)
c. Pumpernickle Bread: Dark and dense sliced bread with raisins. Not what I would imagine to serve with seafood, but delicious nonetheless, especially with butter. Almost like dessert! (4)
1. Kampachi with ginger: under the "crudo" appetizer section: Chilled, fresh tiny slivers of white fish with a touch of skin flakes for flavor and a ginger dash that gives it an extra freshness. Light and perfect appetizer (5).
2. Diver Scallops with Pomegranate: Silky raw scallops - I would assume the texture of these would make me want to hurl, but the taste is beautiful and unique - mild, perfectly acidic and seasoned. (4)
3. Crab Bruschetta: Very similar to the greasy artichoke dip - served with long, diagonally sliced crostini (also brushed with oil). Quite delicious if you like olive-oily, garlicky dips - somewhat tough to taste the crab, but overall a good app if you're into that sort of thing. (5)
4. Seared Squid Stuffed with Chorizo: Total stand out - 3 perfectly seared squid pieces stuffed with savory, crumbly chorizo and paella rice. Nice lemony flavor, seasoned well, and perfect amount of spice. Squid was thinly sliced, so unlike for most un-fried squid dishes I have tasted, chewing was a sinch! (5)
5. Pan Roasted Sea Bass, chili and Artichoke Chips: Good, but unmemorable. not trying to put this place down - the fish was wonderfully executed and simple, but nothing to RAVE about. Definitely was content eating it, though: (3)
6. Treakle Pudding: This overly sweet and dense pound-cake esque mound drenched in sugary syrup could EASILY feed 5 - one bite is enough to get the picture. I know my mom would love this, but for someone who likes their sweets a little more subtle, I would give it a (4) - extra points for originality and hard work (takes 24 hours to steam, apparently).
7. Ginger ice cream sundae: Very refreshing after a delicious meal - the ginger is a bold stand out, and the pineapple ice cream is a good match for it. Very unique flavors and a little more to my liking in terms of place on the sweetness scale. (4)

Overall judgement of John Dory: 4

Website: www.thejohndory.com
Address: 85 10th Ave btwn 15th and 16th

Buddakan NYC

Since writing in my blog has become a daunting task as I have increased my visits to notable restaurants, I have decided to revamp my review style. From now on, I will simply list the drinks and dishes I tasted, comment, and judge taste on scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the best); and write a line or two about the ambiance and service. Then, some closing remarks. So, let's see if I know how to be succinct!

Buddakan Dishes I tasted:

1. Edamame Dumplings: Green bite size dumplings with a thick and dense skin. Inside, a buttery, savory, smooth, creamy, and incredibly tasty soy bean filling that just melts in your mouth. Served with a delicious dipping sauce. (5)
2. Chili Rock Shrimp: Generous portion of crispy fried rock shrimp lightly glazed with a tangy sweet & sour sauce. Perfectly salty and delicious with rice. (4)
3. Tuna Tartare Spring Roll: My favorite. Thin rolls of chilled fresh tuna wrapped in a crispy (yet non greasy) wafer thin lumpia wrapper. How do they do this? (5)
4. General Tso's Dumpling: round dumplings with potsticker like skin encompassing a ground chicken mixture and a sweet and sour soy sauce that bursts in your mouth as a surprise Deliciously chewy - but need to eat these in one bite to avoid any spillage! (5)
5. Wild Mushroom Chow Fun: Gummy wide egg noodles made elegant with generous portions of wild mushrooms - great soy saucy accompaniment to the rest of the dishes, and not terribly greasy like most noodles. (4)
6. Lobster Fried Rice: Flaky fried white rice with large chunks of lobster. Surprisingly generous with the lobster, but rice wasn't as sticky as I would have liked, and lacked a lobster flavor. (3)
7. Charred Filet of Beef: Perfectly tender sashimi-sized chunks of beef with mild buttery mustard dipping sauce. Quite clean and delicate for a beef dish. (5)
8. Glazed Alaskan Black Cod: Another favorite - light and delicate chunk of fish with miso sauce - falls apart with the touch of a fork and melts in your mouth! Great partner to rice dish. (5)
9. Chocolate Mille Feuille: Light but beautiful dessert, dark chocolate thinly layered cake w/ bruleed bananas and spice chocolate cream. Had a light wafer crunch, great amount of sweetness. (4)

Considering the trendiness and hype of Buddakan, I had very low expectations for this restaurant's food. I was stunned by the quality and quantity of its dishes, and even more surprised to find that for four people, we were able to consume all the food plus 1-2 drinks each for only $200 total! No doubt you will have to wait for your table at the bar (regardless of reservations), but it's definitely worth it. Dress to impress. Waiters are accessible and helpful, but not over the top friendly.

This restaurant deserves a 5!!!! So delicious and so much fun to bring a group.