The Breslin Bar & Dining Room

I've been to The Breslin a number of times, and even though I almost always come for lunch and almost always order the same few things, everything is always SO FREAKIN DELICIOUS.

The Breslin is a great spot in the Ace Hotel, which also houses The John Dory, Sumptown Coffee, and No7 Sub. Early, late, or in between, it's always packed. It's the best option around should you find yourself near the Garment District and craving some good eats. I tend to always choose trying a new spot over going somewhere I've already been (even if it's good), so the fact that I've been here on a number of occasions and keep coming back should tell you something.

On a cold Tuesday afternoon, I stopped in to meet my brother for a nice lunch. The place is kind of dark, and there's pictures of pig's everywhere (but don't let that fool you non meat eaters -- the veggies and other vegetarian options are also delicious!)  I grabbed my brother's arm, as I noticed right in front of me speaking to the hostess was none other than Francis McDormand. Love her. That's just the kind of place this is. Celebs come under the radar, not because it's a scene-y place, but because it's cool and casual and because April Bloomfield's (The Spotted Pig, The John Dory) food is off the hook.

There was no tables available and we didn't feel like waiting so we grabbed 2 seats at the bar, and ordered Bloody Mary's from the unfriendly bartender. Not sure what we did to tick him off, but we tried to not let it bother an otherwise pleasant experience.

Now for the food. The Herbed Caesar Salad with anchovy croutons is the best caesar salad I've ever had, ever. I can't even tell you what makes it so spectacular, but trust me, it's worth a trip here just for this one item. I've also gotten the caramel popcorn and spiced almonds in the "snacks" section of the menu and they are also really good. The other "can't miss" item on the menu is the Baked 3 Cheese Sandwich with onion marmalade and mustard. WOW. Crispy outside, gooey and cheesy inside, and the marmalade and the spicy mustard go perfect with it. We also got the Fish & Chips, which actually comes with fries, not chips. The fish was good, though not on the salad or grilled cheese level, but the fries are really really good. It's worth it, trust me.

 I once sat with a friend who ordered the Chargrilled Lamb Burger,  and I just have to say for someone who doesn't easily get enticed by burgers, this one certainly did the trick. I must have seen 6 orders come out for that same burger, so I'm thinking there must something special to it.

The Breslin is a great place. Good atmosphere. Good service. Mix of young hip people, businessmen, and the occasional celeb. Grab a seat by the bar on a random afternoon, or go for an early or late dinner and enjoy the delicious food that comes out of this kitchen.


Neighborhood: Garment District

Good For: Lunch, Business Meal, Celeb Sightings

Bite Mark: *** and a half

The Breslin Bar & Dining Room; 20 West 29th Street Between 5th Ave & Broadway 212-679-1939 www.thebreslin.com

El Toro Blanco

It's Thursday night and I secured a reservation for 4 at the new Mexican hotspot El Toro Blanco. It's across the street from Da Silvano, in a space that I know I have been to before. You can't miss the red sign above the door, and the loud packed crowded trying to get inside. It's smallish and cozy, with a huge swordfish hanging on the wall, and a guacamole bar when you walk in. 

This was going to be fun....

I found El Toro Blanco to be somewhat of a mixed bag. There was a lot of good, and there was also some not so good. Still a relatively new spot though, and you could tell that they were trying.I kept trying to remind myself of this as we preceded to wait a full 45 minutes at the packed bar. Not fun, especially in such a crowded space where there really is nowhere to put yourself.

On the bright side, the place was pumping. Lot of young, hip, people wanting to try the new IT spot. We ordered a round of margaritas (I had the El Toro), and started to warm up a little. In walks the (hot) Ed Burns, who gets escorted up to the mezzanine section. 

Once we got to our table, the service was impeccable and they were really quick to take our order and bring over the guacamole and chips. Yum! The chips were warm and crispy but not too oily, and the guacamole was delicious and came with 3 dipping sauces. We also loved the Green Chile Queso Fundido (basically a mexican cheese fondue) with warm flour tortillas. 

Next came the Tuna Ceviche with soy, lime, cucumber, avocado and cilantro. I liked it, I thought it was fresh and had a nice kick. The Snapper Ceviche with tomato, lime, cilantro, avocado and jalapeño was also good.

 So far, the food had been excellent. Unfortunately though, the next couple of items were misses. The fresh corn Elote Verde Tamale was mushy and not very tasty. The Chopped Salad which looked delicious and refreshing was severely lacking acid, and needed a heavy does of some vinegar and lemon. 

We also got the Sonoran Cheese Crisp ------>
an open faced quesadilla with cheese, poblano rajas, and roasted tomatoes. Another just ok dish.

Embarassingly, my friend went on to divulge to the waitress the reason I was photographing every bite was because I write for a "famous" restaurant blog, and the next thing I knew out came chef Josh Capon, sombrero in hand, ready for his photo op. He was nice, and you could tell was working his ass off to get this place to where it needs to be.

More food. Next came the Seared Tuna Tacos, and Crispy Cod Tacos. They were both ok, but they didn't wow anyone at the table. They were good, I think the cod better than the tuna, they were just not anything to write home about. For the main we got pan roasted Gulf Snapper, with tomato, olives, capers, oregano and pickled jalapeños. Good solid fish, fresh and tasty. The corn side dish was one of the better things we ate all night, and the rice and beans were also good. The plantains were a little too sweet to my liking, I would pass next time on these.

We ended the meal with the churros (YUM) and the Tres Leche Cake, also good.

Overall, I liked the place. It had a good vibe and a nice crowd, but they definitely need some time to get their act together. It's too new. Wait a few weeks, or months, then try it. There were definitely hits and misses but those also may be ironed out in time. Don't  miss the guac, fondue, corn side, ceviches, and churros desert, and you won't regret it.


Neighborhood: West Village / NYU area

Good For: Fun Night Out, Hot Spot, Girl's Night

Bite Mark: *** (for now)

El Toro Blanco; 257 6th Ave between Bleecker & West Houston, 212-645-0193 www.eltoroblanco.tumblr.com

Locanda Verde

Yesterday I had an appointment with my 6 year old in Tribeca, so I thought it would be fun to pick him up a little early and spend some quality time together.  Obviously the first thing I did was do some research and figure out where I would take him for lunch.

Food, essentially, is what my life revolves around.

I'm rarely in this area, but I realized yesterday there is a lot to do. You can easily make a Sunday outing to this hood with the kids. Along Hudson and Greenwich Streets, there's a bunch of really good food choices (Bubby's, Sarabeths, Locanda Verde, Kutshners, etc). We wandered into a boutique toy store, and stopped to play tic tac toe at a great children's playground. There's also Barnes and Noble right there, and of course the new towering Freedom Tower.

After debating all of my food options, I opted for the oldie but goodie, Locanda Verde. Locanda is an Italian Taverna by Chef Andrew Carmellini partly owned by the famed Robert de Nero. It has a sprawling bar, big open windows, and high ceilings. During lunch there is a big banker and
businessmen crowd, but dinner and brunch (which I hear is amazing!) draws more of a diverse bunch. The last time I was here was when they first opened in Spring 2009, and I remembered that the food was delicious, but not specifically what was so good about it. In the past fews years whenever I tried to go back here, it was always full and impossible to get a reservation.

Locanda got tons of buzz when it first opened, and now a few years later I must say that it is still buzzing. Tuesday at exactly 12pm, the place was fully packed. The focaccio bread that they bring to the table is OUT OF THIS WORLD. The photo does not do it justice. Fresh and piping hot out of the oven with rosemary, parmiaggino (?), and I don't know what else. My 6 year old was impressed.

Next we got the special crostini of the day with pesto, mozzarella, and eggplant. Crispy and delicious, and you taste the fresh ingredients. For the mains we got the Eggplant Hero with egg, escarole, tomato and burrata. WOW. It's a big sandwich so you better come hungry, and it is definitely not light, but tasty nonetheless. We also got a side of Roasted Cauliflower sprinkled with cheese (my least favorite thing on the table), and Rustic Potatoes with garlic and parmigiano-reggiano. The potatoes were also insane. They had a sort of spicy mayo sauce on top that reminds me of the papas bravas we got so often in Barcelona.

By the end of the meal we were busting, but the sweet waitress who was very attentive and helpful, brought us a house made donut to top off the meal. One bite and we were both smiling ear to ear.

Perfect way to end a very nice lunch.

My son wants to know if we can make this a weekly endeavor. (I'm thinking about it) :-)

Neighborhood: Tribeca

Good For: Lunch, Brunch, Date Night, Girl's Night

Bite Mark: *** and a half

TBB Tip:  Make a reservation, they are perpetually crowded!

Locanda Verde; 379 Greenwich Street between Franklin & N. Moore 212-925-3797 www.locandaverdenyc.com

Salumeria Rosi Parmacotto vs. Brucie

Today we have the ultimate Italian showdown. New York City vs. Brooklyn. Upper East Side vs. Cobble Hill. Tablecloths vs. barstools. Not that these 2 restaurants have anything to do with each other besides for the fact that both are Italian and I happened to frequent both this past week. Nevertheless, we shall see how they measure up.

Salumeria Rosi Pamacotto, the new Italian bistro on 72nd and Madison is the brainchild of Cesar Casella who has a restaurant of the same name on the Upper West Side. I had a nice lunch there the other day while meeting up with a good friend that lives close by. I had heard about Cesar's place on the UWS and there was some foodie buzz going around about this new location. The UES is generally not touted as a hot restaurant area so when a new spot does open, it's sort of a big deal. 

Salumeria has all the marking of an old school UES Italian trattoria. Tablecloths - check, dark painted walls with Italian statues - check, foreign languages being spoken - check. In the front there is a retail counter filled with cured meats and cheese. From the moment I entered, on a weekday afternoon, the staff seemed buttoned up and attentive. As far as the crowd, there was the usual mix of older expensive looking gentlemen with younger women, ladies who lunch, and tourists. Not my favorite crowd but ok, we are not in Brooklyn anymore. 

There is an extensive selection of Italian wines on the menu, and the food overall was good. Not great, but good. Bread was served (with no condiment or salt). A cauliflower soup was a little too heavy on the cream. The cauliflower steak with some sort of a melted mozzarella (?) cheese and forbidden rice could have been excellent but I found to be slightly under seasoned. For the main course we shared a rigatoni with eggplant and mozzarella which was truly delicious and flavorful and I would probably get again should I return here. The black bass with spaghetti squash and roasted tomatoes was just fair. The fish was a little mushy not crispy like a good black bass should be and the broth tasted like tomato water. 

 Overall was a good experience, and is a convenient area for those shopping around Madison Avenue. The pasta truly was exceptional, but the rest of the meal was not. You can probably find better food in this area, but you won't be too disappointed either. I should probably also mention that lunch for 2 people ordering only the 4 items mentioned (no drinks either) cost a whopping $70 each. 

Next time maybe I can convince my friend to come to Brooklyn. 

Neighborhood: Upper East Side 

Good for:  impressing out of towners, corporate cards, business lunches, ladies who lunch

Bite mark: **and a half 

Salumeria Rosi Parmacotto; 903 Madison Avenue bet 72nd & 73rd 212-517-770 salumeriarosi.com



************************************

Thursday night we went out with another couple to Brucie, an Italian spot in Cobble Hills Brooklyn, not far from the Cobble Hill movie theatre. It's dimly lit but casual, with bar stools and a long table in the front, bar area, and back room. I found this restaurant to be very "Brooklyn", charming and homey but still casual and comfortable. Who couldn't love a place that divides its menu into "Biggie" and "Smalls" ?!

The waiter was friendly and knowledgable, and we had some good beer, and a great drink with grapefruit and tequila. We started with the Caesar Salad with butternut squash, Aracini Rice Balls, Root Vegetable Salad with winter radish, carrots, romanesco, pistachio, and the Marinated Anchovies with roasted peppers, house burrata and. Wow. The egg was slightly soft in the center and complimented the cheeses and anchovies really well. I really enjoyed this dish. All the appetizers were really amazing.

Next came the Tagliatelle with house burrata, brussel sprouts and tomato butter. WOW. We got a second one of this, one just wasn't enough. Delicous, not too heavy, perfect. The Cannelloni with trumpet mushrooms, kale, and house ricotta was also delicious, baked in the oven, warm and gooey. 

 

















For dessert the waiter insisted we try the house made Ricotta Ice Cream. I don't know what they put in this but it was salty yet sweet, satisfying yet still light. I think he said something about orange peels and sea salt. 

Overall I really enjoyed Brucie. Casual ambience, good service, and solid food always works. And the menu changes so you never get bored. It was not my first time there and will not be my last. It's also not one of those places that make you wait 2 hours on a Thursday night (key for those who like to dine out on Thursday or Saturday nights). It was full but not packed and the food really delivered. The Brooklyn Bite definitely approves. 

Neighborhood: Brooklyn, Cobble Hill 

Good For: date night, girls night, lunch, groups

Bite Mark: *** and a half

Brucie; 234 Court Street @ Baltic Street. Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. 347-987-4961 www.brucienyc.com

 Between Brucie and Salumeria, what can I say? I am a Brooklyn girl at heart. Strictly based on the food, I would say Brucie wins out. But obviously they are very different dining experiences and are each serve different purposes. 

Try them and share your experience....

The (new) Beatrice Inn

Happy Turkey Day to all my Fellow Foodies!!!!!!
I'd like to take a moment today to say thank you to everyone for all your support and love with The Brooklyn Bite!

I am feeling extremely thankful this year for all the AMAZING FOOD ADVENTURES I've been lucky enough to experience, and especially for all the family and friends that are here to share it with me.  I hope everyone has a wonderful day, and enjoys this time with those they care most about!

Now without further ado, a review of last night's The Beatrice Inn.....

Twas the night before Thanksgiving, and I should have been wary from the moment the reservationist agreed to book a table for 8 at 8pm just a few hours prior to the night in question. Nevertheless, I was eagerly awaiting the reopening of the newly revamped The Beatrice Inn on West 12th street in the West Village.


For those who are not aware, The Beatrice Inn has a long history in New York City. It started as a 1920's speakeasy, that evolved into an Italian neighborhood joint. In 2006 it reopened as one of the hottest clubs scenes in NYC (with Ashley Olsen and Lindsay Lohan among the regulars), and eventually was shut down in 2009. The newest rendition of The Beatrice Inn has just recently reopened as an American restaurant spearheaded by Graydon Carter (The Waverly Inn, Monkey Bar).

I was never at The Beatrice Inn in during its heyday, but I did have certain preconceived notions of what it would be like now. I was expecting awe and excitement, secrecy, maybe a bouncer at the door, and perhaps some celebrity sightings. What I got instead was practically the opposite. The place is downstairs, it's dark and kind of dreary, with a number of dimply lit rooms, and a bar area in the front. It was half empty. It definitely had that cool, New York lounge-y sort of feeling and I dug the skylight above our table, but to us at least, it was a disappointment. 

We were seated right away, but unfortunately the night pretty much went down from there. 
The drinks took forever to come, and the waiter seemed perplexed with the idea that members of our party did not eat meat or shellfish. It was as if this was a brand new notion, and he had never met a New Yorker with such strange requests. After some back and forth with the kitchen, it was determined that there was just a handful of dishes we could order, and not much could be done in terms of substitutions or accommodations. Fine. I get that some restaurants are like that, especially hot new "scene-y" places, but it could came off as condescending. 

The bread was not bad, but it came with 2 accompaniments that looked exactly the same (butter, and a cheese fondue), which turned out to be confusing for those who did not eat cheese on the table. We went on to order a creamed potato soup with truffles and squash, a wedge salad that sounded promising with chunky blue cheese, tomatoes, and red onions, grilled halibut, and faro with cream and mushrooms. The soup was too rich and needed salt, the salad was not terrible but also not anything special, and the faro was undercooked and way more al dente than faro should ever be (think biting into uncooked rice). The halibut was actually pretty good, cooked to perfection, crispy and not too dry. 

Wedge Salad

Faro with Mushrooms

Halibut

It then took the waiter what felt like a full hour to clear the dirty plates. For some reason, we felt the need to lumber on, and ordered the salted caramel creme brûlée (sounds better than it was), ice cream sundae (boring), and berries with cream (also boring).

I don't have many pictures to show for the night as there was a "no photography please" sign at the bottom of the menu, but you are probably better off. Skip this place, and don't believe the hype. I'm willing to forgo great food if the place is really fun, but this definitely was not. We had a good time with good friends, a nice pre-thanksgiving feast, but will definitely not be returning anytime soon. 

Neighborhood: West Village

Good For: As the infatuation guys would say "wasting your time and money"

Bite Mark: *

The Beatrice Inn; 285 West 12th Street, New York 646-896-1804

L'Apicio

Last night The Brooklyn Bite was off to Manhattan (via the bridge  and tons of traffic) to a family birthday dinner at the new East Village hot spot, L'apicio. L'apicio is an Italian themed restaurant from Executive Chef Gabe Thompson and beverage director Joe Campanale both of L'artusi (one of my favs!), dell'anima, and Anfora fame. In addition to the great modern Italian fare, there is also an extensive wine list, and a deep cocktail menu. The space is modern and slick, and larger than I would have guessed. There is a comfy looking lounge area in the front, and a main room with a mixture of stand alone tables and cushioned booths.                  
                                  

We sat by the bar where the friendly and helpful bartender attended to us until our party arrived. I had the delicious Spicy Dirty Martini, with celery bitters and b & g peppers and juice. 
Spicy & strong, just my style.

We were 6 people which definitely has its benefits (now I can order the whole menu without anyone giving me dirty looks!), and order WE DID!          


Check out the full menu here. L'apicio menu

We started with the Grilled Endive salad with pecorino; Romaine salad with anchovy croutons, Escarole with pecorino-buttermilk dressing, and the Bosc Pear with blue cheese and hazelnuts. All were decent salads, though maybe a little cheesy and slightly redundant. Next we ordered the bruschetta with fried egg, and tuna carpaccio with olives and artichokes. Both were excellent. I'm a sucker for anything with a fried egg on it, and fresh tuna carpaccio is always a good thing.

The pasta course was by far our favorite. The best was the Mezzalune with cauliflower, capers and pine nuts, it had great texture and delicious flavors. The Spaghetti with spicy tomato sauce, was simple and excellent. The Orecchiette with ribollita ragu, and the pasta special with porcini mushrooms, were also both delightful additions. Each pasta tasted unique and exquisite in its own way. 

Next came the roasted mushrooms, chillies, and ricotta salata
from the "polenta alla spianatora" section. Another winner. 

The main course. By this point we were all pretty full, but the fish was fresh and all the flavors worked well. The Red Snapper was prepared with black lentils, sofritoo crudo, and frisee, and the Branzino was grilled with chickpeas, chilis, and olives. Maybe not the most memorable part of the night, but solid fish. The creamed kale was the only thing we had all night that was a flop. The roasted brussels sprouts on the other hand, were great and went well with the fish. 

The night ended with dessert including a banana chocolate torta,  chocolate cake, and some gelato. The chocolate cake was better than the banana torte, though honestly none of the desserts were exceptional. Coconut gelato was pretty good, pass on the rosemary gelato.

All in all, I would definitely recommend L'apicio. The place was cool and trendy, the food was excellent, and we had a beautiful birthday dinner. 

Neighborhood: East Village, Bowery 
Good For: Drinks, Date spot, Birthday, Large groups

Bite Mark: *** & a half

L'Apicio; 13 East 1st Street bet. Bowery & 2nd Ave 212-533-7400 www.l'apicio.com