Torrisi Italian Specialties - Great for those early birds!

So this is a quick posting about Torrisi Italian Specialties - which has been written up pretty much everywhere as one of the best new restaurants in 2010.   I finally got a chance to go to Torrisi over the holiday break, braving the elements the day after the blizzard of 2010 to get a chance to try the famous char grilled pork chop that everyone has been raving about.

Thanks to my friends Emily and Dave who braved the cold weather and slushy ground to get to Torrisi by 5:15pm, we were able to snag a table for the first seating of the night at 6pm.  5 minutes too late and we probably would have been stuck waiting another 2 hours for the next seating happening around 7:30pm.

And while one would think it would be easier on the day after the biggest snowstorm of the year, nope!  I guess nothing can stop hardcore foodies!

Anyhow, onto the meal - in one short word it was fabulous!  I am not going to write in too much detail, because you will just have to go see for yourself.  The restaurant is a tiny place, maybe seating around 30 people is my guess?  $50 prix fixe with a $25 wine pairing.  $50 for a prix fixe is quite the deal in NYC these days - especially for this.  First up - fresh mozzarella - and I mean fresh!  Silky smooth with just the right consistency.  That was followed by a sweet beet salad and lambs tongue, topped off with a fresh homemade pasta course.  For our mains, we had the char grilled pork (my pick for the winning dish) as well as a perfectly cooked skate.  Everything pretty much melted in your mouth.  The pork especially had that charred taste, perfectly crispy yet soft and moist beneath.  Delicious!

For dessert, a plate of traditional Italian pastries and cakes!!

For $50, I'd say this is definitely one of the best deals in town.  Perfect for those early bird diners!

Menu changes daily...

Torrisi
250 Mulberry Street @ Prince
212-965-0955

The Hunger Series Volume 2 - Argentinian BBQ

The Hunger Series is a pop-up themed restaurant concept developed by Top Chef alum Camille Becerra and hospitality gurus Alan Philips and Josh Shames of SKY Group.

The core focus of The Hunger concept is to create memorable culinary and social moments that exist briefly and then disappear. 

The evenings will be set up like a fabulous dinner party, where all guests sit at the same time and simultaneously share an evening. A moment in time similar to the many great moments that take place every day in New York, and then fade out as quickly as they popped up.   Kinda of like the supper clubs happening around the city...except these are open to everyone!

This edition will feature a delicious asado style Argentinean BBQ from Monday, August 2^nd until Friday, August 6th at The Yard at The Soho Grand Hotel (310 West Broadway).   Reservations are $65 per person, which includes tax and tip and seating will take place each night between 6pm and 10:30pm.  For more information or to reserve your seat, visit thehungernyc.com.

 

Baked By Melissa - Just the right bite!

For Valentine's day my boyfriend got me a box of 25 cupcakes from Baked by Melissa.  25?!?!?  Sounds like a lot - but it seems to be just the right amount and way to sample the many flavors Baked by Melissa offers.  Plus - I forgot....they are just bite sized!

After going through a phase of cupcake burnout, I thought there could be no other way to make a cupcake.  I guess I was wrong!  Just shrink them to bite size and charge $1 buck each!

Perfectly moist and can be eaten in one fell swoop...these are the perfect answer to the late night munchies.  Or late afternoon munchies...  or an on the go breakfast run!  Basically good anytime of the day!

My favorite flavors are the red velvet, peanut butter cup and cinnamon!  Don't forget the tie-dye!

And to keep them moist, store in the freezer.  Defrost for 5 minutes and they are just like new!

Baked by Melissa
Union Square
7 East 14th St.

Soho
529 Broadway

La Esquina Taqueria - Is there any need to go downstairs?

So it's probably totally unfair and stupid for me to even have written that title since I have never been downstairs at La Esquina, haha.

But, I have been around the corner to the cafe - and trust me, the taco stand is exactly the same.

Except cheaper. And much better people watching!

And cheaper is definitely my priority these days :)

Tacos are all under $4 bucks, and served a la carte.  Unlike the cafe, here you can mix and match all you want - I tend to get full with even just two tacos as each is quite large, often spilling out of the flour tortilla.

I love the bistec taco - a classic with steak, onions, cilantro and chipotle salsa.  Another good choice is the pescado - grilled market fish- nothing better than a good fish taco, right?

Add a side of grilled corn and finish it off with a Mexican hot chocolate on a cold night and you are good to go.

Oh they also deliver and open late making it perfect for a late night snack...

La Esquina Taqueria
114 Kenmare St. (between Lafayette and Centre)
646-613-7100

Fun event this weekend - Soho Stroll

So I guess it started today - but better late than never - Soho stroll is happening this weekend from Thursday to Saturday 11am - 7pm.

Shops and restaurants will be offering special deals for shoppers wearing a special "Soho Stroll Bracelet" which cost $20 and go to benefit the Soho partnership which helps NYC homeless men and women.

You can purchase your bracelet at The Apple Store in Soho which will also have maps and other information about sponsors and events.

The bracelet is your ticket to the event and entitles you to all the discounts, promotions throughout the weekend! A sample of the participating vendors include:

RESTAURANTS.

1. Barolo —10% discount.

2. Centovini —Complimentary glass of sparkling wine.

3. DELICATESSEN —Buy your SoHo Stroll Bracelet with us Mon-Fri from 11am-4pm and receive a free Deli cocktail. Start your shopping at one of the hottest spots in SoHo!

4. Dos Caminos SoHo —Complimentary dessert, frozen margarita or sangria with purchase of an entrée.

5. Elizabeth —10% off check.

6. i tre merli —10% discount.

7. La Esquina —One FREE margarita with the purchase of any entrée in our café.

8. L'Ecole: The Restaurant at the French Culinary Institute —Complimentary cocktail with the purchase of any meal. Available during lunch, brunch or dinner.

9. Lure Fishbar —20% off your entire check.

10. Mezzogiorno —One complimentary glass of Prosecco per guest (lunch or dinner).

11. Naked Lunch —Any glass of wine $7 or sangria $6 (pitchers $25) from 4:30-9pm.

12. Nolita House —15% off entire bill (Thursday 5-11pm, Friday and Saturday 12-11pm) in addition to Happy Hour prices and free brunch cocktails.

13. Grand Bar & Lounge at the Soho Grand Hotel —15% discount on food and beverage charges.

14. Via dei Mille —20% off. Plus, $5 Bellinis from 4 to 7 pm!

COFFEE AND TREATS.

15. Baked by Melissa —Buy 6, get one free. Buy 12, get two free. Buy 25 or more, get three free!

16. Cafe Cafe —Free American coffee with any purchase.

17. Eileen's Special Cheesecake —Free sample taste of our cheesecake and/or take dessert home with a 20% discount.

18. Jamba Juice —20% off every purchase.

19. Vosges Haut-Chocolat —10% discount.

CLOTHES, SHOES AND DESIGNER APPAREL.

1. Abstract —20% discount on menswear. Plus, sample sale prices on womenswear SS09 Collection by designer Hans Ubbink.

2. Bjorn Borg —25% off swimwear. Plus, buy two pairs of underwear (men's or women's) and get one free!

3. Bloomingdale's SoHo —Enjoy gifts with purchase, beauty treatments and DJs. Plus, receive a special gift with a purchase of $100 or more. (Please bring your receipt to Customer Service on the 2nd floor to redeem.)

4. BOSS Store —Receive an extra 10% off your purchase price.

5. Burton Snowboards Flagship Store —Start at Burton! Receive a FREE limited edition organic tote bag with every $100 purchase (while supplies last). Plus, 15% off all your purchases.

6. CoSTUME NATIONAL —Extra 10% off of our Spring/Summer 09 collection (already 40% off!). Plus, DJ and complimentary sparkling wine all weekend.

7. Diesel —Receive 10% off your entire purchase.

8. DKNY —20% off your purchase over $200.

9. Emporio Armani —10% discount on full-price and sale merchandise.

10. Esprit —25% off! Plus, free gift with purchase over $100. New artists' music concert—Friday night!

20. H&M —50% off any top with bottom purchase. Plus, in-store DJ.

21. John Varvatos —Receive an additional 20% off your entire purchase.

22. Lacoste —Gift with any purchase of $80 or more.

23. Ted Baker London —30% off non sale merchandise and 10% off any sale items.

24. Theory —Receive 20% off your entire purchase including women's apparel, footwear, accessories and SALE merchandise—no exclusions.

and...many many more!!!!!!

With this and the Big Apple BBQ happening this weekend - so many choices, so little time. How will you decide?

Soho Stroll
Soho
http://ace4homeless.org/index.php?I=82&E=214

Jane - A classic New York brunch favorite in Soho

I've been going to Jane for brunch since I first moved to New York six years ago.  It's a great place to go for a classic New York brunch.

I think Sunday brunch is a very New York centric activity - before I moved to New York, brunch wasn't really a big deal, much less a focal point for the week.

Here in the city, people take Sunday brunch seriously.  It's all about the long 2 hour brunch with your girlfriends - cocktails included.

Jane is a perfect place for a girls brunch - I say girls, because frankly, I usually see large groups of girls getting together for a casual brunch, bridal shower or even baby showers.  It seems to be a very girl-centric spot.  Maybe because it's conveniently located near all the shops in Soho?  A perfect way to shop off your hangover...

Jane's brunch menu offers mostly savory dishes including a variety of omelets and scrambles.

What makes Jane special in my opinion though, is the many versions of the classic eggs benedict dish.  Favorites include the Benedict Jane - crab and crawfish cakes instead of the english muffin and the Benedict Johnny - poached eggs and maple chicken sausage on corn pancakes. 

Of course, Jane also has a Lobster Benny - you know what that is - lobster + eggs benedict of course.

If you are craving something sweet - or want to do a sweet + savory share with your friend like I always do - Jane serves up a delicious rendition of Vanilla Bean French Toast on brioche bread - nice and thick and sweet.

And what would brunch be without cocktails of course?  At Jane - one cocktail per brunch entree is included - and they aren't just your average mimosa - Choices include Bloody Mary, Mimosa Comsopolitan, Passion Screwdriver, Raspberry Champagne Cocktail, and my personal favorite, White Peach Bellini.

Not quite as good as Cipriani's - but a good darn try - and with brunch + cocktails ranging from $12-$19, I'd say Jane is a pretty good deal, wouldn't you?

Just remember - brunch is only served on Sundays at Jane.

Jane
100 West Houston St (Between Thompson and West Broadway)
212-254-7000
http://www.ctrnyc.com/JANE/index.html

Once Upon A Tart - "The City" has some good recommendations...

Once Upon A Tart - Okay, so I am kind of embarrassed that after living in "The City" for almost 6 years, I needed MTV's "The City" to introduce me to Once Upon A Tart.

After seeing Allie and Adam have one of their painful "DTRs" at Once Upon A Tart - I had to go try it. Once Upon A Tart is a tiny bakery/coffee shop located on Sullivan street - the "still cool" part of Soho that is not mobbed by tourists.

The bakery has an adjoining take out shop where you can pick from a wide variety of tarts, quiches, sandwiches and a particularly delicious oven-ready version of chicken potpie and mac'n'cheese.

I chose the pear and almond tart - light, flaky and delicious. I was pleasantly surprised that the tart used the natural sweetness of the pear for flavor instead of having the customary thick, "corn syrupy" filling that I have come to associate with tarts. It had the perfect sweet- not too sweet taste.

Other highlights are the scones - the cheddar and dill is great - although my all time favorite cheddar biscuit award has to go to Red Lobster. You know what I'm talkin about...

One negative is that the bakery tends to run out of the goods rather early in the day so if you have a specific craving don't wait too long...

Overall, Once Upon A Tart is a nice option when you need a coffee/snack break while shopping in Soho. Be forewarned - you will see your fair share of model types, a la Allie & Adam...and the service is a bit surly. Did you expect any less from a Soho cafe?

Once Upon A Tart
135 Sullivan St., New York, NY 10012
212-387-8869
http://www.onceuponatart.com/

Nolita House - More Bar than Restaurant

I consider Nolita House to be more of a bar than a restaurant. While Nolita House does have enough seating and a menu long enough to warrant it being a restaurant - the vibe I got was definitely more dive bar.

Located on East Houston between Mott and Mulberry, Nolita House is a great neighborhood spot serving up classic burgers, mac'n'cheese and pizzas. The food is average for a restaurant, better than average for a bar.

That's why I prefer to call it a bar...

I ordered the Lobster Bake Mac'n'cheese. My expectations were not that high considering it was a lobster dish for only $14. I was right. The lobster was very few and far between...finding a piece of lobster was like finding that golden egg on an Easter egg hunt.

However, more disappointing was the lack of flavor in the mac'n'cheese. Not very cheesy, I would almost describe it more as a "pasta alfredo." Maybe I should have just gone with the Four Cheese Original if I wanted more cheese.

The burger was good - definitely above average with a great side of greasy cut fries. And the guacamole and chips were great - and generous to boot. Usually restaurants are so stingy with that guac!

All in all, Nolita House is a good choice if you live in the neighborhood, but not worth a subway ride.

Last tip - there is a definite draft in the front part of the restaurant so on a cold winter night make sure you ask to sit in the back.

Sit up front and you'll be dining with your scarf and mittens.

Nolita House
47 East Houston, New York, NY 10012
212-625-1712
http://www.nolitahouse.com

Delicatessen: Deli Food for the Hip and Glamorous

Delicatessen is a new restaurant that just opened this summer down in Soho, cashing in on the concept of "done up comfort food."

It has a similar feel to the owners' other restaurant, Cafeteria down in Chelsea, in that it serves up casual food in a trendy and hip environment, charging higher prices than your average corner deli.

Delicatessen is located at Prince and Lafayette, making it a perfect place for local Soho and Nolita residents to meet up after a long night on the town. I like it more as a brunch or lunch spot, rather than a dinner date...although there is a small bar located downstairs which probably sees a lot of after-hours action.

The food ranges from classic NYC deli fare including a take on the pastrami sandwich, to international "street foods" like a surprisingly tasty Vietnamese sandwich with ground pork and jalapenos. Sides include anything from the inventive paprika dusted onion rings to classic diner dishes like peas and carrots - which unfortunately tasted a lot like the frozen dinner variety.

The scene is typical NYC/Miami hip restaurant - open air, white space, and beautiful people. Since it recently opened, there are some of the typical problems with service and seating which should be ironed out as time goes by. Prices are steep for deli food, but reasonable relative to other NYC hip eateries.

My advice though- While Delicatessen is an attempt to replicate the success of Cafeteria, I believe it falls short to its predecessor. Cafeteria will remain my go-to place when I want classic comfort food with my girlfriends. The food is better, the ambiance slightly less pretentious, and the wait is shorter.
(picture from NY Post)

Delicatessen
54 Prince Street, New York, NY
212-226-0211

Peasant - The restaurant name belies its snobbery

Mediocre food - Not worth the rude service.

So I arrived on time for an 8pm reservation for 7 people, after being warned of a $25/person charge if we were late or did not show - this is a new phenomenon taking place to try to curb the rampant no-shows precipitated by the ease of Open Table.

While understand that it is frustrating for restaurants when faced with no-shows, I think a simple confirmation call is the most you can do.

Anyhow, onto the experience. When we arrived exactly at 8pm our table was not ready, which would be fine except there was no estimated time for availability.

After inquiring about downstairs, we were offered a tiny bench-like table. This too may have been fine, but we were entertaining out of town guests, some of who were a little older and the prospect of sitting without a simple chair back for a 2 hour dinner (and trust me, dinner at Peasant takes 2 hours) seemed a little daunting.

After seeing a nicer table, with at least chair backs, we were told that table was reserved for a party coming in at 9pm. Understandable...except how come our table hadn't been similarly protected?

We were told that our table was occupied by an earlier party who arrived very late for their reservation.

What is particularly disappointing is that our party was not treated the same way as other parties- and the manager rewarded us with a mere shrug and comment "what do you expect me to do?"

What I expect is that management be held to the same standards they require of their patrons - when the earlier party arrived late, why were they not told that the table was reserved for a party coming in at 8pm as we were told that we could not have a table reserved for 9pm?

I can only assume that my party was not "hip enough" in the contrived look the other patrons seemed to be sporting...

Make sure you have on your best hipster duds...girls put on those gladiators, and boys...don't shave for a couple days before you come. It gives you the grungy rocker look that seems to earn you more points with the hostess. (picture from nymag.com)

Peasant
194 Elizabeth St., New York, NY
212-965-9511
http://www.peasantnyc.com/

Cafe Gitane - Mediocre at best

First of all beware of CASH ONLY...

Just went with a friend...looked like a cute casual place to dine. Reasonable prices for average food.

Restaurant is quite small and the service is choppy- waitresses seem to hold guests responsible for the small space, pushing diners around as they navigate the tight quarters.

All in all - not a terrible experience given the price point, but there are many other better choices in the neighborhood.
(picture from todalaweb.files.wordpress.com)

Cafe Gitane
242 Mott St., New York, NY
212-334-9552
no website