ABC Cucina

'Jean Georges does it again' is the first sentence that popped in my head re: ABC Cucina, his hot new tapas spot in the old Pipa space in ABC Carpet and Home. With the success of the perpetually busy and always delicious ABC Kitchen, there is some pretty scary high expectations for Dan Kluger and co at this more casual endeavor. I'm happy to say that at least according to one lowly blogger and self proclaimed foodie, so far so good!

ABC Cucina is magnificent to look at. There is a packed bar in the front, an oyster bar, comfortable booths and steel tables. Think vintage glass, reclaimed wood, and mismatched hot pink chairs. It definitely makes a statement. There is a more relaxed and casual vibe compared to Kitchen, but there are plenty of similarities as well. The 2 kitchens actually use some of the same ingredients, albeit in different ways, and both are big into the in-season produce (we had 3 different dishes with asparagus and/or peas in it).
For such a new place I have to say, they seem to have their sh*t together. We were seated promptly, the waiter was helpful and available, and the drinks (though on the weak side) were great. Extra props for the Sangria that my friend, the wine connoisseur thoroughly enjoyed.

So how is the food? Does it live up to all this hype? It is delicious. Some things were definitely better than others, but we have to give them a little leeway here, they are after all, only 3 weeks old and still in the "soft opening", impossible to get reservations stage. I'll get to food specifics in a sec, but for now suffice to say that yes, it is worth it, and yes you must get your ass here pronto. 

Since we ordered almost the entire menu (no fish or shellfish of course), I divided the dishes as follows:
1. Amazing - order this for sure. It will blow your mind. 
2. Good Stuff - tasty, order it depending on the size of your appetite  
3. Pass - not outright "bad" (nothing here is bad), but I probably would not order it again and you shouldn't either.

Amazing dishes:

• Spring Pea Guacamole - Wow. Yum. Need more.  
• Spring Vegetable Salad with manchego and herbs - Great salad. Loved. 
• Fluke with green chili dressing, crunchy rice and herbs - Loved. Fresh and refreshing. 
• Sugar Snap Peas with fried shallots and I'm not sure what else - Pretty and yummy.
• Pea Soup - Warm, flavorful, and even vegan! 
• Spring Pea Empanadas with green chili yogurt - SPICY but definitely a must order. 
• Sauted Mushroom Tacos - What do they put in here? These blew the fish tacos away. 
• Spring Vegetable Brown Rice and salsa verde - one of the best dishes of the night. I taste cumin. YUMMY. 

Good Stuff: 

• Warm Marinated Olives- Self explanatory. Good. 
• Potatoes with spicy tangy sauce and rosemary- I liked these, my table mates claimed they've had better.  
• Cheese Fondue - Also good, but you only need a few bites, it is pretty rich. 
• Asparagus with marcona almond and spring onions - Another good veggie option, but I was so full by the time this came I didn't really enjoy it much. 

Pass: 

• Grilled Tuna Sashimi - Eh. Was ok, but not worth ordering. 
• Crispy Fish Tacos - Pass. Too sweet and kind of soggy. 
• Maitake Mushrooms with goat cheese, fresno pepper vinigrette - Looks pretty, didn't love the flavor.
• Black Sea Bass with marinated tamarind and thyme - Most expensive thing we ordered and it was just okay. Strog BBQ flavor if you like that kind of thing. 

All 3 desserts that we got fall into the good category. Had a few bites of each, but nothing on the Sundae at ABC Kitchen level. Soft and Crunchy Almond Cake, Salted Caramel Impossible Flan and Mango, Pineapple Basil, and Chocolate Coconut Popsicles. 

Neighborhood: Flatiron / Union Square 

Bite Mark: ****

Good For: Lots! Good for Groups, Small Parties, Girl's Night, Fit for Foodies, Impress your Date, Hot & Trendy

ABC Cucina, 38 East 19th Street (No Website Yet)

La Vara

There are wonderful things happening at this quiet tucked away restaurant on Clinton Street in Cobble Hill. La Vara is a clean, cozy, nicely designed tapas spot with white tables and chairs and exposed brick. The hostess and waitresses are all extremely nice and helpful and get extra props for their amazing pronunciation of the difficult to say spanish dishes. The chef Alex Raij along with her husband and partner Eder Montero (Txikito and El Quinto Pino), are using top ingredients and producing food that is well executed and delicious. Dinner Thursday night would be my second visit to La Vara, and I was excited for this one. 

La Vara is named for a Jewish Newspaper written in Ladino, that was run in New York until 1948. The food is considered to be Jewish influenced Spanish Food. Coming from a Syrian background, I can definitely recognize these influences in the fabulous food coming out of this kitchen. Think eggplant, chickpeas, rice, artichokes, dates and almonds, infused with spices such as cumin and saffron. 

On my first trip here we were with another couple and although I remember enjoying the meal, the portions are small and I don't think I really got a true sense of any specific dish. Even though La Vara is one of the few Brooklyn spots that take reservations (for parties of 4 or more), I almost recommend coming just 2 people. Last night we were able to sit at the comfortable bar, we got a ton of great food to share, and left feeling satisfied and happy. 

We started with the Citrus & Herb Marinated Olives, Spiced Fried Chickpeas, and Fried Artichokes with Anchovy Aioli. Get all of these. The chickpeas were addictive, artichokes crispy and perfect, and the olives were warm and spiced. We also got the Anchovies with crispy bread, sesame and hazelnuts. I like anchovies and enjoyed but if you are not a fan you can skip. Do not miss the Crispy Eggplant with Honey, Melted Cheese, and Nigella Seed. Don't be fooled by its unassuming appearance, it's DELICIOUS.  

The flash fried Peppers were a special that night, and if you like these they are salty and spicy at La Vara. Another don't miss item if you enjoy a whole fish, is the Salt Baked Fish (was a Spanish Dourado on my visit) that comes whole and you can lick the meat right off the bones it was that tender and flaky. I don't know what is in the sauce but it was tangy but also sweet and really was fabulous.

For dessert we went for the Egipcio which is orange blossom scented date and walnut tart with lemon curd and sweet cream. Perfect. Not being a huge dessert fan, I was pleasantly surprised and impressed. Great end to a great meal. 
La Vara is a great addition to the Brooklyn neighborhood. It actually does live up to the hype. Try it. I know I will surely be back. 


Neighborhood: Cobble Hill, Brooklyn

Bite Mark: ***

Good For: Date Spot, Neighborhood Gem

La Vara, 268 Clinton Street bet Congress & Veranda Pl  718-422-0065 

Danji

You are probably wondering what business I have reviewing this tiny Korean tapas restaurant in the middle of nowhere (well, 52nd 8th & 9th). You are just going to have to trust me on this one. Danji is delicious, and should you find yourself in this area, (pre or post broadway show), you should definitely swing by.

Danji is a trendy cozy little spot with a bar in front, and communal tables in back. The food is traditional Korean with a modern twist. The room is modern and bright, and I love how they keep the menus in a drawer in each table. They are usually pretty busy and don't take reservations for parties of less than 6 people, but I've gotten lucky during lunch time. I've been here twice now and both experiences were amazing. And as a side note, the same guys also just opened a new place called Hanjan on West 26th and Broadway. 

Order the Tofu with Ginger Scallion Dressing. You may be skeptical ( how good could tofu really be now?!) but IT IS MIND BLOWING. I am salivating just remembering it. It's silky and soft and feels almost like a mozzarella cheese going down. It's tangy and delicious with panko crumbs scallions and jalapeño peppers. I would go back just for this dish. The hand made Veggie Dumplings with spicy soy sauce is also a winner. Deliciously fried and crispy and the dipping sauce you are going to want to lick up with a spoon.
The last time I went I got the Hamachi Crudo over a salad. They were out of this the other day but we did get the Farmers Market Bibim-Bop with satur farm vegetables jidori egg and bulgogi. It comes deconstructed with a bowl filled with delicious sticky white rice with a fried egg on top, and all the veggies on the side and you mix it all together. Delicious, fresh, and satisfying. The Kimchi Trio was also good and had a nice spicy kick. 

We sat at the bar and the waiter was welcoming and helpful and recommended a tasty Asian lite beer that complemented the food well. The whole experience was perfect. Delicious food, good service, and an adorable place. Should you find yourself in nowhere land of midtown west, go to Danji and thank me later.

Neighborhood: Midtown West

Bite Mark: ****

Good For: Lunch, Casual Date, Korean Food, Vegetarian Friendly

Danji, 346 West 52nd between 8th & 9th Ave www.danjinyc.com

Salinas

People love to talk about the amazing, once in a lifetime restaurant experiences they have in NYC (i.e. Per Se, Daniel, Brooklyn Fare, etc), but what people fail to mention, is the enormous amount of REALLY GOOD restaurants this wonderful city also has to offer.

Hence I bring you Salinas, unassuming spot off the corner of a quiet Chelsea street, in an area not especially known for their restaurants. Lively bar at the front, retractable roof (!!) over the back end, and homey fireplace. You almost feel like you are sitting in your friends living room. 
Spanish, tapas style food always does it for me. I love that I can order the whole menu and sample many items without it being an overabundance of food. One of my favorites was the Andaluz Gazpacho with local red tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, country bread, sherry vinegar, and evoo. Now I happen for be a sucker for good gazpacho. It's one of those items that if I see it on a menu, I can't not try it. And this one was a winner. Perfect texture, nicely spiced, and just the right bite to it. The Pa Amb Oil with anchovies was pretty good, as was the blistered, salty shishito peppers. The tuna ceviche was nice although not exceptional, but the Patatas Bravas, crispy, spicy and cut small were definitely another winner.
Order a glass of Spanish wine, sit in the back next the fireplace, and enjoy the wonderful service at Salinas. 

Neighborhood: Chelsea

Good For: tapas, romantic dinner 

Bite Marks: *** 

Salinas; 136 9th Ave (between 18th - 19th) 212-776-1990