Cafe Gitane - new WV favorite

I've been to (and thoroughly enjoyed) the Cafe Gitane in Nolita, so I was thrilled to find out they had opened another location in the Jane Hotel, just five feet from my apartment. The West Village is in desperate need of affordable restaurants, so this unpretentious cafe with delicious and simple Moroccan-inspired food is heaven sent. The menu offers a great mix of light salads, plates to share, and a few heartier mains. The space has tons of light and is very inviting - and apparently well liked by models, artists, and Europeans alike. With eclectic mismatched furniture, a black and white tiled floor, large ceiling fans, a Victorian bar and servers in matching green dresses, the atmosphere is quite quirky, but charming nonetheless. This place is absolutely a new favorite and I intend it to be my go-to for casual dinners or evenings dining solo.
Last night was my second time trying Cafe Gitane in the hotel, and just as good as the first. My friend and I shared delicious avocado toast to start - big chunks of avocado, garnished with pepper flakes and a hint of citrus, spread on top of hearty, homemade multigrain toast. The combo was delectable. For our entrees, we had the hearts of palm and roasted chicken salad with a light lemon vinaigrette, and the famous cous cous with merguez sausage.
The cous cous is served as a tower beneath a massive blob of hummus, which acts as a wonderfully smooth compliment to the mass of grain. The merguez is smoky, salty, and cooked almost to a crisp; delicious as a cous cous side as well.

For dessert, we had the warm chocolate cake with a scoop of vanilla gelato (straight from Italy as our waiter professed). We refrained from speaking for a few minutes so we could demolish both dishes. The food is great, the prices are even better, and the ambiance is just what I need after a hectic day at work - soothing, mysterious, and calm. Tables are easy to come by in the evening, but I predict that this place will blow up before long.

Address: 113 Jane Street at West Street in the Jane Hotel
Website: not yet created

Olives in the W Hotel - who knew it would live up to all the hype?

After interacting with Todd English (though admittedly very briefly) during the Google Chef competition March 5th, I was inspired to dine at his well known chain restaurant Olives, housed in Union Square's W Hotel. I didn't know much about his style of cooking before meeting him, and to be honest, I never had the incentive to learn. But after meeting him in person, thumbing through his cookbooks, and looking at his snazzy website (you guessed it, ToddEnglish.com), I became intrigued and decided to give it a try. And, after an enduring evening of devouring seven courses, two glasses of wine, and 1 (or 2?) delicious cocktails at the place, I can confidently say that I am thrilled I took the trip.

This entry runs the risk of being exceptionally lengthy as I intend to give due justice to everything I tasted at Olives. The quantity of food my two girlfriends and I consumed was unthinkable, and I get flashbacks of stomach pains whenever I recount the night. But, each course deserves bounties of praise, so I'll stop my intro here and cut to the chase before I lose you.

After sitting down and sipping a specialty pineapple-ginger martini, we decided to order a standout on the menu - the Fig and Prosciutto Flatbread with rosemary crust, sweet and sour fig jam, gorgonzola cheese, and prosciutto di parma. Wow. All I can say is WOW. For some reason I am a sucker for oblong-shaped pizzas - imperfections in the dough make me happy. And this flatbread wasn't the typical sweet ingredient with strong cheese combo flatbread - the rosemarry golden brown dough was just perfection with the unique flavor of the sour fig jam and soft gorgonzola. With such generous portions of prosciutto on each square, I could have had this as a meal, and would consider returning just for this dish.
We then decided on a tasting of some of Todd English's favorites. We moved onto something lighter - a duo of Yellowfin Tuna Tartare with spun cucumber salad, crispy rock shrimp, sesame dressing, whitefish caviar, and silky scallop ceviche beautifully presented atop a grilled meyer lemon. The plate was gorgeous, as you can almost see in my terrible photos (at that point I was more concerned with eating). The tartare tasted so incredibly fresh, and the dressing provided a warm subtle hint of toasted sesame. I generally stay away from raw scallops, but these were just perfection - not slimy or chewy in the slightest, but buttery and tender.
NEXT, we were given the most inventive combo of the night - roasted duck piled with a crispy garnish and oh, no big deal, seared foie gras. As an accomplished 21-day cleanser, this course at one point would have looked like the devil to me, but I was intrigued. With reluctance, I tasted it, and within seconds, I was a convert. THE MOST incredible meat combination I've tried - silky, rich foie gras with delicate pieces of sweet duck breast. The mix of insanity, discovery, and gluttony I felt upon eating this was all so overwhelming.
We're just halfway, so be patient. We were then given a crab bisque which was brought to the table in pitchers alongside a bowl holding a large, shelled crab leg. The presentation was quite enticing - the crab was calling my name! The bisque itself, once poured into the bowl, was hot, incredibly flavorful, and though lighter and smoother in consistency than bisque I've had prior, it had every bit of intricate flavor I would expect from a master chef.
Then, we finished off the savory dishes with the other favorite of mine - the pasta tasting. We were each served a small sampling of Tortelli of Butternut Squash with brown butter, sage, parmesan, Parsnip Candy Wrappers with brown butter wild mushroom sauce, thyme, and parmesan, and dense, short pieces of Twisted Spaghetti with tomato basil ragu. The tomato pasta was a perfect compliment to the rich and creamy ones surrounding it, and all three were incredible. The parsnip candy wrappers had a wonderfully buttery sweetness that I've never tasted in pasta, and were definitely my favorite.
At this point any prospect of leaving the restaurant without popping a button was shot, so we graciously accepted our dessert, which Todd English referred to as the "Chocolate Orgasm." A bit alarming of a name, but I can't think of a better description, as it was probably one of the best chocolate desserts I've ever had in a restaurant. Todd loves to mix flavors, temperatures, and textures in everything he creates, even his desserts. Warm chocolate cake with crunchy cookie crumble, chocolate pop rocks and a large scoop of homemade chocolate gelato did quite the job of satisfying every possible craving I could imagine.
AND, that's not it. We were, without choice, then served two vanilla souffles, hot out of the oven, which the server then immediately filled with large scoops of citrus vanilla gelato and creme anglaise. Of course I had to taste it, but at that point I didn't want to disturb the lovely memory of chocolate heaven, and I couldn't imagine putting an additional ounce of food in my body.
All in all, I was blown away by every course at Olives. Todd English deserves all of the praise and accolades he's given - he's a genius artist in the kitchen and has a keen sense of mixing and matching flavors, textures, and temperatures to invent unique novelties for even the most experienced foodie. Though the restaurant resides in the hotel and shares some of the stark and standard warehouse like feel of a typical hotel venue, the location is convenient, reservations aren't too competitive, and the food alone is worth giving it a try. Let me know what you think if you do!

Address: W Union Square: 201 Park Ave. South, at 17th St.

Website: www.toddenglish.com

Yerba Buena - definitely a new favorite

My meal and experience at Yerba Buena Perry last night was excellent. In a nutshell, I had exceptionally friendly and accommodating service, incredible and inventive Latin American food, and an awesome time amidst the loud and inebriated tables surrounding me. In fact, it's worth just coming here for the cocktails themselves - very rarely do I have trouble deciding which drink to pair with my food. Their long list of light, not overly sweet varietals could appeal to any cocktail palette.

I'm thrilled that I was finally able to locate a West Village restaurant with both impeccable service and food. While I would suggest waiting to order your courses after receiving your drinks (ours appetizers came out too soon), I can say that their waitstaff is likely to honor absolutely any request you may have. They're incredibly friendly, that even after I had switched an appetizer choice just seconds after ordering, they brought the original one on the house, and get this - with a huge smile! Hence the order of croquettes below.

These were melt-in-your-mouth incredible. The lightest, crispiest version of fried food, the manchego cheese croquettes were a show-stopper. I'm so glad the waiter proceeded to bring them out despite canceling our order. Just as delicious was the vegetarian empanadas filled with spinach, manchego cheese, beside huge pieces of peruvian corn and a fig vinagrette. While some in the past have described these as pita pockets, I found them unique, flavorful, and deliciously cheesy. I loved the oversized kernels of peruvian corn on the plate, too.

The Yerba Buena salad, served with jicama, tomatoes, avocado and a sherry vinaigrette was very light and tangy - perfect as a refreshing appetizer and a great excuse to order carbs and proteins for the rest of your meal.

The meal got better as it progressed, though the entree portions could have been larger. The grilled black cod was amazing and served beside a wonderfully smooth and rich Peruvian corn puree. The cod itself tasted just like the cod you can find in Asian restaurants - buttery, soft, and delicate. I would definitely return to Yerba Buena just to have this again. The arroz con pollo also had somewhat of an Asian touch as well - the rice beneath the chicken tasted similar to Benihana Japanese rice, but was buttery, light, and deliciously garlicky nonetheless. The chicken, served with a generous portion of avocado salad, was quite tasty, but paled in comparison to the cod.

Overall, though, the entrees were awesome and I would recommend both to those planning to visit Yerba Buena. Dessert was also a hit, but then again, how can one fail with a Dulce de Leche sundae. Despite the big scoops of caramel ice cream, sprinkling of candied pecans and bananas, and heap of whipped cream, this dessert was surprisingly only delicately sweet, and not overpowering in the slightest. A great end to a consistently tasty meal.

Needless to say, I loved Yerba Buena Perry and would return in a heartbeat. It's tough to find reservations here Thursdays through Sundays, but (patient) walk-in parties generally get lucky. It's a perfect spot for a fun group dinner, or a date before going out on the town, but be prepared to talk louder than normal, as the space is quite small and crowded. Can't wait to go back, and thank you Mike for supplying the meal!!

Website: www.yerbabuenanyc.com

Address: 1 Perry Street at Greenwich Ave

Featured post: ErinALaCarte @ Martha Stewart

No, I didn't try a new restaurant, but today was a special day nonetheless. For the third time since 2008, I had the honor of sitting in the Martha Stewart Show's studio audience.

This time, however, was far better than the rest because Martha herself featured the finalists from the Google Chef competition that I and two other Googlers put on just the week prior. In 2007, a wonderful Google philanthropist launched Google Chef in New York to raise money for City Harvest - over 15 teams of 3 formed in the office, all raising as much money as they could in order to become a competitor in the actual Iron Chef like challenge a month ahead. Each year, a variety of celebrity chefs and Googlers sign up to judge the competition - last year we had Gail Simmons, Marcus Samuelson, and Martha Stewart. The event has gotten better each year.

This year, Barbara Bochner, Michelle Rosen (pictured below with me) and I decided to switch things up.

Rather than reveal the winning Google Chef team the day of the event, we decided to narrow the competition down to two finalists teams that would then compete LIVE on Martha Stewart a week later. This DEFINITELY increased the tension and the pressure to win each round - no longer just fighting for a Google trophy; now fighting for Martha's stamp of approval! The food trivia round was especially intense - we had over 5 tie breakers, leading Todd English to devise trivia questions on the spot to stump the three teams on the stage!

We ended up with three finalists teams, and today, Martha instructed them to create dishes live on her show that included a variety of Spring ingredients: baby rack of lamb, spring aspargus, new potatoes, her very own chickens' eggs, and spring onions. While all teams put in a ton of effort crafting and executing their recipes, Team USA stood out with their crusted lamb tacos and chipotle crema. They looked delicious! And, their personally designed yellow Google aprons (adorned with striped ribbon and white buttons) definitely won bonus points with Martha. After tasting all of the teams' dishes, she had no hesitation that Team USA was a winner. I was so thrilled considering they were the only all women team. GIRL POWER!

We ended up raising over $30,000 for Share our Strength, and the event was an awesome hit at the office. Very happy with the results and can't wait to plan it again next year! And for your viewing pleasure, an epitomizing picture of Martha below.

Locanda Verde - Italian food in a French brasserie setting

After reserving a table one month in advance, I was finally able to try Locanda Verde - a favorite of my manager and co-worker alike. I rarely venture down to Tribeca, but after my visit to Locanda I see why people make the trip - this place is truly a unique version of an Italian ristorante. Rather than the typical mundane decor and paper table cloths prevalent in Little Italy or North Beach, Locanda Verde resides in a vast, brasserie-like space with a massive bar, delicious Italian fare and even better desserts (in fact, it just won NY Mag's "Best of" for pastries). Not at all your typical mom & pop Italian restaurant, Locanda Verde is very upbeat vibe, appealing to a younger, better-looking New York crowd and down-towners seeking solid food with their after-work drinks. Loved the vibe...and, really enjoyed the food as well - just wouldn't give it an A for service. My waitress seemed as if she were dodging fire the entire night, rarely pausing to give us a chance to speak. But, I guess that's to be expected when you go to such a high-profile joint like Locanda Verde, which probably turns tables faster than most Tribecan hot spots.

Food was delicious, but not hundreds of steps ahead of the Batali or Denton restaurants I've visited. In fact, its menu is very similar to that of L'artusi and Dell'Anima - a couple of crostini options, a variety of pastas, a choice of sides, and a small range of meat and fish.
One thing that did help Locanda stand out was its bread - rosemary lemon focaccia baked on the premises and served warm. Texture like pillows of dense, perfectly soft bread dough. So yummy. Look at that - the definition of buttery and golden brown!
To start I of course ordered my favorite of any Italian menu - crostini. Locanda is known for its sheep's milk ricotta and the accolades are totally deserved - it was probably the best ricotta cheese I've tasted. Wonderfully smooth texture, accompanied with sea salt and a pocket of amazing extra virgin olive oil, this could be my breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The wild mushroom crostini came in a different form than the ricotta crostini - rather than a pile of topping beside a stack of crusty bread, it arrived as a flatter, thinner piece of crostini with its topping pre-mounted. I'm not sure if I like the inconsistent interpretation of crostini- I prefer that a restaurant take a solid stance on their crostini preparation choice. Anyway, this topping was not my favorite - the mushrooms were smothered with a thick, balsamic vinaigrette which was, while flavorful, quite sour and overpowering. I wanted to actually taste and feel the texture of the wild mushrooms, but that didn't happen (again, missing Frankie's crostinis...).
For my main course, I ordered the Stuffed Mountain Trout with gala apple and pancetta, which was served as a roulade atop a creamy bed of lentils, which I really enjoyed.
The fish was great, but as to be expected with trout, not overly flavorful or wow-ing. I would order it again if I were in the mood for something very simple and light on the stomach.
I have to say, the side of brussel sprouts was probably the star of entree. Served hot in a dish with generous chunks of pancetta and crispy, buttery bread crumbs, the sprouts felt less like a vegetable than a main course, but was a great accompaniment to a light entree. I was also able to try a pasta my co-worker had raved about - the Gigantone with sunday night ragu and provolone picante. I unfortunately forgot to take a photo in my food bliss, but the huge chunks of shortrib were quite noteworthy - a meat lover's pasta fantasy. The gigantone itself - larger versions of rigatoni - was wonderfully al dente and held the sauce just right. I would definitely order this pasta again if I were craving something on the heavier side.

For dessert, I ordered the La Fantasia di Cioccolata, which consisted of two huge scoops of homemade gelato (amazing), a drizzling of warm salted caramel sauce, and a couple mini chunks (wish there had been more) of dense chocolate brownie. This was incredible. And to top it off, they sent us off with two dark chocolate -walnut biscotti upon signing our bill. I definitely left the restaurant as I usually do - rolling. But having been able to experience such a fun and spunky ambience while tasting creative modern Italian food, I was definitely okay with the stomach pains.

Website: www.locandaverdenyc.com
Address: 377 Greenwich St (corner of N.Moore and Greenwich)

Oscar Party Goodies!

I just had to write a post about the festive Oscar Party I attended last night (and by Oscar Party I mean a party to watch the Oscars live on TV, not an after-party in L.A.). How cute are these cookies from Eleni's bakery? Not the tastiest treat, but definitely worth the $5 a pop for the added decor!

Oscar party meat spread...

And my first cupcakes from Sugar Sweet Sunshine bakery in the Lower East side...have to say better than Billy's, Buttercup, Magnolia, and all the other sought after cupcake joints in NYC. Pumpkin with cream cheese frosting helloooo!

And a cute photo of two of my favorites :).

Freeman's: gorgeous setting and consummate ambiance

I've only heard great things about Freeman's, and after my meal there yesterday, I can finally see why. Ambiance is just second to food quality in my list of crucial restaurant features, and Freeman's fits the build of my opinion of ambiance perfection. Tucked away at the end of a cobblestone alley, identifiable by only a string of soft white lights and a square-windowed storefront (San Franciscans, think Notte), the restaurant is a little gem in a somewhat no-man's-land between Bowery and Christie.
Its interior is even more gorgeous. Walls are lined with unique antique-framed photos and a sporadic placement of taxidermy (odd but adds to the rustic feel) - and though there's not much room between tables, there is ample hang out space for those waiting for a table or lingering for a drink: two bars in fact!
Note that while its somewhat hidden location adds to its mystique, it also requires you to come fully prepared with explicit directions - despite a Google Maps image on my phone screen, my taxi driver and I circled the block 3 times before succumbing to asking a fellow New Yorker for help. Fortunately, the food and the experience made it worth the trouble.
Freeman's doesn't generally take reservations for small parties, but my friend and Freeman's employee Janet was kind enough to set aside a table for me and my friend Lauren, which was fortunate considering the growing crowd around 7pm. While deciding on our menu choices, I sipped on one of the great selections of white wines by the glass, and Lauren had one of their inventive cocktails - conveniently organized by type on the menu (dark and stormy, light and crisp, etc). We were told that the menu had recently changed, so most of the staff admitted they lacked honest recommendations, so Lauren and I just went for what sounded best. We started with their famous artichoke dip, which was sinfully cheesy and creamy in the center and perfectly crusty on top, and served warm with thick slices of toasted baguette. NOT for the lactose intolerant (too bad I am), but delicious nonetheless.

For our mains, we shared the half roasted chicken served with grilled romaine and homemade ranch,
and the pan seared fluke with air popped something and fried rapini.

Can't remember what the fish was laying on, but it was something light and airy - like a denser popcorn. Both dishes were well priced, perfectly portioned, non-complex, and delicious. The food is not the type that makes you go home feeling heavy - which I loved.

For dessert, Lauren and I shared the chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream (and were VERY tempted to get the sticky toffee pudding but resisted). Although the ice cream was almost entirely melted, the chocolate fudge sauce and old fashioned style of the dark chocolate cake won back our praise.
Overall, Freeman's is a casual, cozy, and quaint find with tons of atmosphere, personality, inventive cocktails, and affordable, straight forward yet delicious food. Great for a fun group, a catch up with a friend, or a romantic, care-free date. Its versatility is makes it a standout - it really has the potential to please anyone from a high class snob to a lower east side hipster. Nice work Freeman's, and thanks again for the reso Cuisson!!

Website: www.freemansrestaurant.com

Location: Freeman's Alley in Lower East Side