Floyd Cardoz of Tabla

Back in late July, I was fortunate enough to see one of my favorite New York chefs demonstrate his lamb roasting skills live at Google's New York offices. It was only over the weekend that I found this clip of the event, and (even though it already appeared on Grub Street), I too wanted to share it with my readers. Because I was there. And they weren't!



Tabla
11 Madison Avenue
(at 25th Street)
(212) 889-0667 Read More!

Top 10 Cheeseburgers (... Okay, Top 11)

Balthazar
Meat Source: Piccinini Brothers blend
Patty Weight: 8.5 ounces
Cooking Method: Grilled
Roll: Balthazar Bakery pain de mie
Toppings: Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and served with pommes frites
Price: $16

Blue 9 Burger
Patty Weight: 3 ounces
Cooking Method: grill
Roll: "p/fglain bread."
Toppings: Lettuce, tomatoes, double cheese
Price: $4.75



Burger Joint
Patty Weight: 6 ounces
Cooking Method: grill
Roll: Arnold bun
Toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, sliced pickles, mustard, ketchup, mayo. Cheese: Colby and Cheddar
Price: $7.50


Cookshop
Meat Blend: short rib, brisket, and chuck combo
Meat Source: Eco Friendly Foods
Patty Weight: 8 ounces
Cooking Method: grill
Roll: homemade potato roll
Toppings: Applewood bacon, Vermont Cheddar, chipotle ketchup
Price: $17

Corner Bistro
Meat Blend: chuck and ground sirloin
Patty Weight: 9 ounces
Cooking Method: broil
Roll: sesame-seed bun
Toppings: bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, American cheese
Price: $6.75


Fanelli's
Patty Weight: half pound
Cooking Method: grill
Roll: onion roll
Toppings: lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, mushrooms, bacon, chili, choice of cheeses
Price: $8.75 plus toppings


Minetta Tavern
Meat Blend: short-rib blend
Meat Source: Pat LaFrieda
Patty Weight:: 8.5 ounces
Cooking Method: griddle
Roll: Balthazar Bakery brioche bun
Toppings: caramelized onions and cheddar cheese
Price: $16

Shake Shack
Meat Blend: mostly brisket with chuck and short rib mixed in
Meat Source: Pat LaFrieda
Patty Weight: 4 ounces
Cooking Method: griddle
Roll: griddled potato bun
Toppings: American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion
Price: $4.75

Spotted Pig
Meat Blend: secret beef blend
Meat Source: Pat LaFrieda
Patty Weight: 8 ounces
Cooking Method: grill
Roll: brioche bun
Toppings: Roquefort
Price: $17

Stand
Meat Blend: ground chuck 70-30 ratio
Meat Source: Pat LaFrieda
Patty Weight: 7 ounces
Cooking Method: grill
Roll: bun from Long Island City bakery Pain d’Avignon
Toppings: red onion, lettuce, tomato, sliced pickle, homemade ketchup, Dijon mustard
Price: $9

Stoned Crow
Meat Blend: freshly ground chuck
Meat Source: proprietary
Patty Weight:: 2 three-ounce patties
Cooking Method: griddle
Roll: Tom Cat Bakery bun with a semolina crisp
Toppings: sheep’s-milk cheese, pickled onions, sliced cornichon, and special sauce with Indian-pepper-pickled basque pepper
Price: $11 Read More!

Minetta Tavern

I have found a new favorite burger joint in New York City: the Minetta Tavern.

The Tavern first opened in Greenwich Village in 1937 (and it was named after the Minetta Brook, which ran southwest from 23rd Street to the Hudson River – who knew?). For the last 72 years, it has been a notorious hangout for some of America's great writers and poets, including Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Eugene O'Neill, E. E. Cummings, Dylan Thomas, and Joe Gould.

After decades of serving Italian cuisine, the Tavern was purchased by Keith McNally and his chef-partners Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr (Balthazar, Pastis, Schiller's, Morandi, etc.). Their goal: to turn the Minetta into a "Parisian steakhouse meets classic New York City tavern." After it finally reopened, it had been transformed into an 85-seat bistro, with the vintage murals and photo intact.

The French framework of the menu fits in perfectly with McNally's other eateries, and so does the cuisine. On one end, you have the classics, such as oxtail and foie gras terrine, stuffed squid, or filet of trout meunière. But there is also a section of the menu devoted solely to the tavern-esque fare that you'd expect.

Despite having an appetizing menu, I limited myself to only have one thing: one of the Tavern's infamous cheeseburgers. I was advised by a friend that the Pat La Frieda “Black Label” burger (for $26) had not lived up to his expectations, mainly because it lacked cheese. So instead, I chose the Minetta Burger. It's a hearty short-rib blend from the legendary West Village meat purveyors Pat LaFrieda, which is topped with caramelized onions and cheddar cheese and served on a Balthazar Bakery brioche bun (naturally). Eight and a half ounces for only $16. And it comes with a plate of amazing frites. I ordered it medium, and ate it right at the bar with a Gin Blossom (Plymouth Gin, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, Aperol and fresh grapefruit juice – $14). As soon as I tried the burger, I was in heaven. It was cooked perfectly, so juicy and tender.

HEAVEN.

I also ordered a plate of delicious wild mushrooms, that had been heavily cooked in butter and a variety of herbs. Plain and simple. But they were an absolutely perfect side for my cheeseburger.

All that I have to say is GO! The Minetta Tavern has a fantastic environment; it was crowded when I went over the weekend, but like McNally's other restaurants, it was a crowd of beautiful people. Give it a try, you'll love it. Next on my list was the bartender's recommendation: the Tavern Steak with pommes frites ($21).


MINETTA TAVERN
113 MacDougal Street
(at Minetta Lane)
(212) 475-3850 Read More!

L'Artusi

Located just off of Bleecker Street in the heart of the West Village is L'Artusi, the younger sister of one of my favorite restaurants Dell'anima.

Also run by Gabe Thompson and Joe Campanele, graduates of the Batali empire, L'Artusi has both an excellent menu as well as clean and comfortable decor. The small Italian plates are inviting, and the neo-Regency décor of Dell'anima has been splendidly recreated. While there are plenty of tables downstairs (in addition to seating upstairs), an extensive bar with 30 seats dominates the first floor of L'Artusi, as well as an excellent raw bar and cheese bar.

Before coming to L'Artusi, I naturally did my research and checked it out online, where I learned that cheese snobs speak highly of the restaurant's selection. Naturally we decided that our meal must then start with cheese. After speaking with the waitress, she recommended two: tomme du berge ($6) and ossau iraty vielle ($6), both of which came from Murray's. The tomme had a buttery richness and was remarkably fruity, with ripe pear flavors, which went nicely with my glass of Syrah (by the way, there are quite a few reasonably priced bottles). On the other hand, the ossau had an excellent smoked flavor, which gave us a nice balance with the tomme.

For our meal, we ordered both a pasta and a carne. For our pasta, we chose the tagliatelle ($18) which was topped in a lovely bolognese bianco. The pasta itself was a dual sided tagiatelle – one spinach, one egg. And even though it was not a cream sauce, there was enough pecorino that when it blended with the sauce, it became decadent and creamy.

Our carne was the hanger steak ($20) which was simple but quite good in my opinion. On the inside, the steak was still tender and juicy, but on the outside it was charred to perfection. It was served with a delicious salsa bianco as well as crispy roasted potatoes.

L'Artusi in my opinion was an excellent restaurant. The cheeses were excellent, and both plates were delicious. And I appreciated the fact that I left feeling full, but not obese. I would definitely recommend going, especially if you enjoy the atmosphere of a good wine bar. Great date spot as well.


L'ARTUSI
228 W. 10th Street
(near Bleecker Street)
(212) 255-5757 Read More!

The Park

Last weekend, I took my mom to The Park for brunch...

While the food was fairly standard, I must say that the space is phenomenal. At a time when so many restaurants are opting for minimal and modern, The Park is wild and exciting. The main dining room is spacious and organic, filled with a National Geographic decor and a vibrant bar. And then of course there is the Garden, which is more than just your average garden. It is an enclosed jungle, covered in twinkle lights. It's obvious that The Park is a late night hot spot.

That being said: the food. I had a bowl of Gazpacho ($6) and a Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken ($10). I know, boring choices. My apologies. The Gazpacho was quite good, although it was quite wet and lacked enough raw vegetables to make it exciting. And the salad was your standard run of the mill Caesar. My mom on the other hand had the Crab Cake Benedict ($14) which looked quite good.

While I will not be going back to The Park anytime soon for food, I will certainly make a point to return in the near future for a fun night of debauchery.


THE PARK
118 Tenth Avenue
(near 17th Street)
(212) 352-3313 Read More!

Mercat

Despite all that transpired after my recent meal at Mercat in NoHo, I must say that the restaurant's Catalan cuisine was some of the best that I've had, maybe even comparable to some of Barcelona's notable hot spots.

We started off with the cheese platter (3 for $14, 5 for $20) which came with an assortment Catalan cheeses. We chose to go for the larger platter, which paired together two goat cheeses, two sheep cheeses as well as a mixed cheese: Garrotxa (a semi-firm goat cheese with a milky flavor and a delicate hint of nuttiness), Caña de Cabra (a creamy and mild goat cheese), Manchego (a nutty, sweet, and tangy semi-firm sheep's milk cheese), Idiazabal (a smokey yet nutty firm sheep's milk cheese), and La Peral (a blue cheese that resembles an Italian Gorgonzola, with a nice olive flavor).

That plate was accompanied by an assortment of meats (Assortiment d’Embotits for $24). In my opinion it was an excellent pairing of four different Spanish meats: Pernil Serrano, Morcilla (a Spanish blood sausage, probably my least favorite), Llonganissa (a thin dry-cured Spanish sausage), Sobrassada (a raw cured sausage), and Xoriç.

We then transformed the remainder of our meal into a tapas-style feast...

First we ordered Croquetes de Gamba ($7), which were croquettes with shrimp and spinach. Despite their small size, these really packed a punch. They were fried to perfection and tasted absolutely amazing – the spinach to cheese ratio was absolutely flawless.

That was followed by another enjoyable appetizer: Bombas ($9), which were chicken, pork and beef meatballs in an aioli sauce. Initially I was concerned about the mixture. My untrained palate had no idea that the combination would be so good.

Finally, we ordered Trencat d'Ous ($13), which was a mixture of sliced onions, fried eggs and salsa verde. It was very good, but I found it to be the least enjoyable of the last three plates.

In terms of wine and liquor at Mercat, it was all quite good. The wine list was impressive, the cocktails were mixed to perfection. Although we were quite shocked to find that they were unable to provide us with a single bottle of port. Still, everything was quite satisfying. Too satisfying. I learned my lesson though.













MERCAT
45 Bond Street
(between Bowery and Lafayette)
(212) 529-8600 Read More!

Restaurant Aquavit

I finally made it to Marcus Samuelsson's Restaurant Aquavit!

Since Aquavit first opened in 1987 under the leadership of Håkan Swahn, it has been firmly established as one of the best dining destinations in Midtown Manhattan. What I appreciate about Aquavit, it the fact that it has always striven to be an international restaurant with Scandinavian flair and not simply an ethnic restaurant.

Before I get to the cuisine, I want to address my one complaint: the restaurant's interior. The modernist IKEA-esque decor creates a harsh and even claustrophobic atmosphere, especially inside the restaurant's tiny but upscale dining room. That being said, as soon as the flawless meal begins, you'll immediately forget about the decor as you find yourself entranced with the cuisine.

Three different plates made up our first course: first, we had tuna tartar which was topped with toasted pine nuts, and served on top of avocado slices and mixed greens. With tuna as fresh as Aquavit's, there was no possible way that this dish could go wrong. Our second dish was an heirloom tomato salad, which was served with sliced red onions and blue cheese, and topped with a onion-tarragon dressing. Simple, but delicious. I think I enjoyed it so much, because it reminded me of the salads that my mom used to make when I was growing up.

Our final plate for the first course was my favorite by far: a herring plate, which came with four slices of herring, and each was paired with a piece of cheese, a potato or a homemade jam. Before arriving at Aquavit, I jokingly said that the menu would be filled with herring made by the Swedish Chef from The Muppet Show, so when I finally saw that herring was on the menu, I chuckled, but at the same time was a little nauseated by the idea that I would eat raw chunks of herring. I was certainly wrong however! Each piece of fish was perfectly paired, and I must say, all of the combination's were quite delicious.

On to the second course. Two dishes this time. The first was a smoked venison loin paired with huckleberry, dumplings and morels. Enjoyable, but in general, it was your typical venison: quite tough, and gamey in flavor. The second dish was delicious, despite sounding quite generic: Swedish Meatballs, which were served on top of mashed potatoes, and topped with a cream sauce and lingonberries. What I really appreciated about this meal was the fact that Marcus Samuelsson clearly took a typical Swedish meal, but used spices from his native Ethiopia in order to bring a new and exciting flavor to both the meatballs and the cream sauce.

We ended up splitting two desserts. The first was called the Arctic Circle, which paired a goat cheese parfait with blueberry sorbet and passion fruit curd. Between the sweetness of the sorbet, and the tangy flavor of both the parfait and the curd, the Arctic Circle created a lovely balance of flavors. The second dessert was somewhat average, but quite delicious nonetheless: a chocolate mousse coated with a peanut powder and topped with a grape sorbet. (By the way, the grape sorbet was phenomenal.)

And don't forget to try some of the restaurant's signature aquavit -- a flavored Scandinavian spirit that typically contains 40% alcohol by volume. I would personally recommend the cucumber, but would certainly not recommend the lingonberry.


RESTAURANT AQUAVIT
65 E. 55th Street
(between Madison and Park)
(212) 307-7311 Read More!

Restaurant Week -- Summer 2009

For Restaurant Week this summer, I decided to join two friends from home for dinner at Zoë, the contemporary American eatery in SoHo.

Yes, I was certainly looking forward to my meal, but my initial impression of the restaurant made me question our restaurant week selection. I have always heard good things about Zoë, but as soon as I entered the restaurant, I felt like I was in an upscale California Pizza Kitchen. There was a type of faux-elegance about the whole space. At the same time, as soon as I sat down, the wait staff was overly friendly in an obnoxious and uncomfortable way. For example, after I finished my first glass of wine, the waiter asked if I wanted another every 2 or 3 minutes.

But I didn't want to judge the restaurant too quickly, so I waited for our $35.00 three-course meal...

I was quite pleased with the first course: a watermelon gazpacho, with jicama and crab meat. It was incredibly refreshing, as any gazpacho is, but at the same time it had a very interesting flavor. On one end it tasted like your average spicy gazpacho filled with crab meat, but on the other end, the taste of watermelon was clearly present, adding a truly summery feel. We all gave the gazpacho two enthusiastic thumbs up!

Next, for my entree, I ordered the marinated grilled hanger steak, which was placed on top of a warm salad of string beans, roasted new potatoes, which was then topped with a blue cheese and balsamic reduction sauce. While the steak was a little tough, it was in general, quite good, and with the blue cheese and balsamic, it was even better.

I was quite jealous of my one dining companion, who ordered the grilled mahi mahi, which was served with a coconut-saffron risotto and pineapple mango salsa: excellent and refreshing.

Now on to dessert: we decided to share two desserts. First was a white chocolate pudding, served with bing cherries and caramelized pistachios. I was a little concerned that the bing cherries would overpower the remaining flavors; however, they were cut in such tiny pieces that they added to the flavor without destroying the creaminess of the pudding and the saltiness of the pistachios. Our second dessert was very good but too generic in my opinion: an Illy espresso layer cake served with a heavy dark chocolate sorbet.

Overall, it was a very nice experience. The food was good, but not exceptional. And the service was okay. Everyone was kind, but they certainly enjoyed taking their time. Between our appetizer and our entree, we waited for more than half an hour. If it hadn't have been for the company, I think that my time at Zoë would have not been nearly as enjoyable.


ZOË
90 Prince Street
(between Broadway and Mercer)
(212) 966-0644 Read More!

The Perfect Brunch

Eric Kuhn, a new media consultant and a good friend of mine recently published "45 Minutes (and 400 Miles) Till French Toast," an article discussing the importance of brunching in New York City. Since my last two posts were about brunch, I felt the need to publish a link to his article on my blog. Read More!

Almond

Located in the famed home of Rocco DiSpirito's failed reality show restaurant, the traditional French-American "Almond" offers a high class menu at a reasonable price, which may be exactly what the doctor ordered during these rough economic times.

While dining at "Almond" the other night, we transformed their typical menu in an enjoyable tapas-style meal. We started off with the Select Cheeses ($14.75), which included four different pieces: a buttery Gorgonzola, a Parmigiano-Reggiano with balsamic vinegar, a particularly creamy Mozzarella, and a light Camembert. In addition to the slices of cheese, the plate came equipped with both dried cranberries and dried apricots, as well as walnuts and slices of toasted bread. The platter was very nice, but somewhat generic.

Next, we had the Escargot ($11.50), which was cooked in a butter-based garlic and Pernod sauce, and topped with small cubes of toasted bread. I found the snails at "Almond" to be particularly enjoyable, since they were not particularly tough, and the garlic-Pernod sauce created a delicious flavor.

We followed with another mollusk: Steamed Black Mussels ($9 for small, $15 for large). The mussels were served in a white wine sauce with shallots, and topped with parsley. The mussels themselves were standard, nothing to write home about. The sauce however was quite enjoyable. Light but extremely flavorful.

We finished with "Le Grand Macaroni & Cheese," which included penne served with prosciutto and chopped truffles ($18.25). In my opinion, it was a little overpriced for macaroni and cheese, but it was worth every penny. The cheese was still warm and filled with distinct flavors, and when mixed with the ham and truffles, the dish was absolutely delicious.

"Almond" was an enjoyable and I'd highly recommend it to any diner. And after the failure of both "Rocco's on 22nd" and "Brasserio Caviar and Banana," it's nice to see a success.

P.S. While I really enjoyed my cocktail, I was advised by a fellow diner that it was too limey. I had the St. Germain cocktail, which included gin, St. Germain elderflower liquer, and fresh lime.


Almond
12 East 22nd Street
(at Broadway)
(212) 228-7557 Read More!

Brunch B: Blue Water Grill

Yes, I know that it has been almost a week since I last posted on my blog. These past few days have been quite hectic, and well, I had absolutely no motivation to sit down and write this post. But here it is...

Last weekend, I finally went to Blue Water Grill for brunch, and had a very enjoyable experience.

With the brunch menu at Blue Water, you receive a complimentary beverage. My selection: the SKYY Bloody Mary. For some reason, I was craving tomato juice with a splash of Vodka and a touch of cracked pepper. Ah, perfection.

My meal selection was boring: Eggs Benedict. Standard, I know. But it is after all my favorite. And since hundreds of men and women have used Eggs Benedict as a cure for a hangover since it first appeared at New York's Waldorf Hotel in 1894, I decided that I too would use it for my hangover.

Like any other Eggs Benedict, it consisted of a half of an English muffin, topped with Canadian bacon, a poached egg, and then covered in a rich Hollandaise sauce. At Blue Water, it was served with a generous portion of home fries, which in my opinion were quite good. Just the right amount of peppers and onions so that they spiced the dish up but didn't take anything away from the potatoes.

Overall, a very nice experience and I would certainly return to the Blue Water Grill again for brunch. Recommendation: sit on the first floor. I felt that the upstairs was a little claustrophobic and removed from the excitement of the restaurant.


Blue Water Grill
31 Union Square West
(at 16th Street)
(212) 675-9500 Read More!

Brunch A: Vento

Enjoyable, but satisfactory. Those two words describe my recent experience at Vento Trattoria in New York's Meatpacking District.

On one end, the atmosphere at Vento was excellent. Its prime location in the Meatpacking District offers fantastic people-watching along the street, especially during warm weather. Last Saturday when I was there, the weather was perfect. Sunny, but a few clouds overhead kept the temperature from reaching uncomfortable levels.

Now onto the cuisine. Vento is actually one of the few Italian words that I am familiar with. It means wind. And let's just say that the food at Vento Trattoria did not blow me away.

Between the two of us, we ordered two dishes. For some reason, I've always had a sensitive stomach in the morning, so I went with my stereotypical brunch selection: the Classic Benedict ($12). Just your average Eggs Benedict: an English muffin, topped with Canadian bacon, poached eggs, and Hollandaise sauce. Don't get me wrong, it was tasty, and it did its intended trick -- to soothe the effects of a night's carousing -- but it did not sweep me off my feet.

Also on the table was the Parma Pizza, which was a regular pizza pie with tomato sauce and mozzarella, topped with prosciutto and arugula. Again, the pizza was very good. The crust was thin and there was a perfect amount of sauce with an adequate amount of prosciutto. They went wild with arugula though. Too much in my opinion. But overall, the pizza did not blow me away.

I did enjoy my meal, and would certainly go back. But if I was looking for a restaurant with an innovative and exciting menu, Vento would not be on the top of my list.


Vento Trattoria
675 Hudson Street
(at 14th Street)
(212) 699-2400 Read More!

Bar Stuzzichini

Bar Stuzzichini was my most recent dining experience in New York's Flatiron District, and despite being concerned about the restaurant because of its fairly empty dining room (during the Sunday lunch hour), I found everything that I ordered to be, well, delicious.

We started the afternoon off with the large Stuzzichini Misti, which was essentially Italian tapas. Five plates for $25. I decided to be adventurous and let a Stuzzichini-regular order since I had never been there before.

We started off with Scamorza alla Brace (normally $8) which is a Scamorza cheese (similar in taste to a mozzarella, but notorious for melting better in baking) that is then topped with with a spicy, grilled meat. Nice flavor, but I felt that the meat was much too powerful for the cheese.

Next, a simple, but classic Italian specialty: meatballs in tomato sauce (normally $7). The sauce was not too heavy which was nice. Light, but not watery. And the meatballs were very good: adequately seasoned, and they appeared to have been cooked in the sauce instead of in the oven, which I prefer.

Prosciutto di Parma (normally $10) came next. What can I say? It's prosciutto. You either like it or you don't.

Probably my favorable part of the meal was the Ricotta e Miele Crostini (normally $4), which was a light, whipped ricotta cheese, placed on top of a small crostini, which was then drizzled with a saffron-infused honey sauce. I have always enjoyed dishes that are both sweet and salty, and this dish certainly fell into that category. The bread and the ricotta were obviously on the saltier side, but the slight touch of honey added the perfect pinch of sweetness to dish. As I write this, I'm craving another order.

Again, I've become much more adventurous in the past few weeks, and was willing to try grilled octopus (normally $9). It had been cooked and then drizzled with olive oil. I was not looking forward to trying it, but we ordered it, and my dinner date was accurate when he said it tasted like chicken. And it did, a combination between chicken and rubber. A good combination though.

Our next dish was not part of the large Stuzzichini Misti. It was part of the restaurant's weekend brunch menu: Maccheroni alla Carbonara ($14). The spaghetti was served with traditional guanciale (an unsmoked Italian bacon) and egg yolk, and was topped with black pepper and shavings of pecorino. I felt that the pepper in the dish, combined with the spices used as a rub for the guanciale made the dish a little too spicy, but not necessarily in a bad way. Just a surprising way. It certainly wasn't your typically bland Pasta alla carbonara.

And of course I shouldn't neglect our personal carafes of Prosecco di Conegliano ($12 each).

Overall, a very pleasant experience. I have yet to return to Bar Stuzzichini for a weekday meal, but I plan on going back soon. In the meantime, try their weekend brunch. I think you'll find it quite enjoyable.



Bar Stuzzichini
928 Broadway
(between 21st and 22nd Streets)
(212) 780-5100 Read More!

Momoya - Chelsea

Another date, another enjoyable restaurant. This time, Japanese in the heart Chelsea: Momoya.

We started off simple: edamame and sake. The edamame ($5) was typical. Baby soybeans that had been boiled and were served with salt. A little too much salt in my opinion. The sake was delicious however. We ended up splitting two bottles of Tokimeki ($26 -- 300ml). In the past, I have never really enjoyed sake. I find it to be too bitter. That being said, I'm certainly not an expert when it comes to sake, but the Tokimeki was outstanding. First of all, it was a sparkling sake, which was something that I had never had before, but it was crisp and refreshing. On top of that, the Tokimeki was fruity, which made it a very pleasant drink.

Next, we moved on to the meal. Our first appetizer was Beef Tataki ($11), thin slices of beef, lightly seared and placed in soy-based au jus. Very enjoyable plate. Topped with a kaiware salad (sprouted daikon radish seeds), it reminded me of a perfect, slightly chilled summertime meal. After we had finished our plate, we sampled a dish of raw Yellowtail amberjack in a citrus-soy sauce which was topped with sliced jalapenos ($10). The fish was fresh and delicious, but I felt that there were too many jalapenos, which overpowered the flavor of the fish and sauce. By simply pushing them to the side however, the problem was easily fixed.

Our sushi then arrived. First, we sampled the Salmon Crunch roll ($10), which had spicy salmon paired with mango and avocado, as well as crunchy rice. While the salmon was very fresh and the roll had a lovely assortment of flavors, we both agreed that the Salmon Crunch seemed to be too heavy.

While we were consistently satisfied with our meal, I must say that a particular dish stuck out for me. I had never eaten eel before, and had no interest in ever trying eel. But there it was, sitting in front of me. A slice of eel, held on top of a bed of rice by a piece of seaweed, and then lightly drizzled with teriyaki. And I must say, I was pleasantly surprised.

With Momoya, the dishes aren't wildly innovative, but being innovative isn't Momoya's goal. Their goal is to make a pleasant and enjoyable meal. They offer a comfortable and familiar menu, with your standard appetizers, sushi and sashimi as well as conventional main courses.

Overall, a very enjoyable experience and seeing that it's only a few blocks from my apartment, I will certainly return in the future.


Momoya
185 Seventh Avenue
(at 21st Street)
(212) 989-4466 Read More!

Changes on Washington Square Park

Last month, the Archdiocese of New York agreed to not only demolish the Catholic Center at N.Y.U. but to also sell the plot of land that it was on to the university. For weeks, students and residents of Greenwich Village had no idea what would replace the building. Curbed however recently revealed the design for the new N.Y.U. Center for Academic and Spiritual Life at 58 Washington Square South...






Read More!

Tía Pol

Since returning to New York City in December I have been particularly interested in finding an enjoyable tapas restaurant in my neighborhood. After sampling Casa Mono & Bar Jamon (which I was quite disappointed with), I finally found one near my apartment in Chelsea: Tía Pol.

I went there on Sunday night for a date, and arrived at the door without knowing a single thing about the restaurant, except for what the web page had told me: according to the owner, Tía Pol is a traditional tapas restaurant, which features small plates from various regions of Spain, from Galicia to Andalucia, from the Basque Country to Cataluna.

Naturally, we started the evening off with amazing sangria. They used what I believe was a Spanish Tempranillo, and topped it off with apples and brandy, and just enough ice to chill the sangria, but not enough to water it down.

And now for the tapas...

We started off with croquetas de jamón y croquetas del día ($9). For those of you who do not speak Spanish -- myself included -- we had ham croquettes and the croquette of the day, which was a shrimp croquette. I personally felt that the ham croquette was a little generic, it was however one of the better ham croquettes that I have had. The shrimp croquette on the other hand was delicious. The flavor of the shrimp was clearly present, but did not overpower the potato or the fried exterior.

Next, the pan con tomate ($8), which included two toasted baguette slices, topped with a tomato puree. It was simple, yet extremely refreshing. The tomato seemed lightly chilled and was blended perfectly with the olive oil, and the seasonings really added to dish as a whole.

We then ordered both plato de quesos de la casa and embutidos ibericos. The first, plato de quesos ($7.50) was a plate of assorted Spanish cheeses, including manchego, garrotxa and valdeon. Each cheese was paired with an accoutrement, such as a nut or berry. The dish was served with baguette slices. Very simple dish, I know, but I cannot resist the power of cheese.

The embutidos ibericos ($16) was a plate of assorted cured Spanish meats, which included an aged, spiced ham (similiar to an Italian prosciutto), chorizo palacios (a dry-cured, mild sausage with a smokey flavor), and lomo embuchado (a dry-cured pork loin seasoned with smokey pimenton).

Our final plate was a special for the evening (price unknown since my date was kind enough to pay). It was cochinillo asado, a tender slice of suckling pig topped with a mild sauce. Hands down one of the best suckling pig experiences that I have had within the past few years. The skin was crispy, but not nearly as tough as I would have expected it to be. It was easy to bite. Enjoyable in fact. And due to the amount of collagen in the young pig, the meat was extremely tender.

Overall, I must say that Tía Pol was quite enjoyable. The staff were friendly and attentive. One concern that I had with the restaurant was with its size. It is very small, tiny in fact. But I must say, it is quite intimate, and there seemed to be plenty of space at each table, and just as much space at the bar.

Overall, Tía Pol is most definitely worth a visit.


Tía Pol
205 10th Ave
(between 22nd Street and 23rd Street)
(212) 675-8805 Read More!

Tina Parol - Who's Got Your Money

Tina Parol is one of my close friends from N.Y.U. and I am so very excited to be posting her first major music video. The title is "Who's Got Your Money." It's super cute, and just a lot of fun to listen to. Enjoy! Read More!

End of an Era

Earlier this morning, it was announced that Toys R Us will be acquiring FAO Schwarz, one of the nation's oldest toy retailers, which opened in 1862 and was immortalized by Tom Hanks in the hit movie Big.

According to Toys R Us CEO Jerry Storch, Toys R Us will continue to operate FAO Schwarz's flagship store in New York City as well as a second store at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas: "We will work tirelessly to preserve the distinctiveness and integrity of the FAO Schwarz stores and brand."

"Keeping the FAO Schwarz brand to stand for what it is, an iconic specialty toy store, is the important thing," for Toys R US, he said.

In the long run, this purchase should improve FAO Schwarz and return the store to its once iconic status. But at the same time, I find it quite upsetting that Toys R Us now owns New York's greatest toy store.

I still remember my first time at FAO Schwarz on Fifth Avenue. After eating at the old Houlihan's (currently the Apple store), I stood in line with my parents, anxiously waiting to pass by the toy soldiers. I remember the enormous clock. And the robotic elevator. The piano. And the massive candy room. In my opinion, it was -- and still is -- one of the most magical stores in the entire world. Hopefully, Toys R Us will make sure that it remains this way! Read More!

Vietnamese. Thanks to Betty.

Betty Ming Liu, a former professor of mine (who is now teaching a Food Writing course at N.Y.U. this summer) recently posted an article on her blog entitled, "How and where to eat Vietnamese."

The last time that I tried Vietnamese food, it was not a pleasant experience. I tried Bun Rieu, which is a noodle soup made of thin rice noodles, topped with crab and shrimp paste, served in a tomato-based broth and garnished with bean sprouts, prawn paste, herb leaves, water spinach, and chunks of tomato. Sounds delicious, right? Well, I spent the next few hours hugging a toilet. Probably just your average case of food poisoning, but boy did that kill my interest in Vietnamese cuisine.

Well, after reading Betty's article, I was determined to give it a second try. Last night, I left my apartment in Chelsea, jumped on the 1 to Franklin Street, and slowly wandered east, until I made it to Thai So’n, at 89 Baxter Street.

With memories of that awful afternoon with my toilet bowl, I decided to follow Betty's trusted advice...



My first dish was Goi Cuon, a classic Vietnamese spring roll. It was a nice way to ease into Vietnamese cuisine since it was simply greens and shrimp which were then tightly wrapped in a translucent rice noodle. And it was delicious. Simple, refreshing, and the shrimp were cooked to perfection. Betty recommended both the peanut sauce and the fish sauce for dipping. I chose the former (something about a condiment made of fermented fish extracts grossed me out).

Again, following Betty's instructions on her blog, I ordered a small platter of Tom Chien Bot. Essentially, it is a platter of fried shrimp, served with a sweet-and-sour sauce. They were absolutely delicious, but I found them to be a little too greasy. After I dabbed them on my napkin and wrapped them in a lettuce leaf, I found myself enjoying them much more however.

Next, I decided to be a little adventurous and pick something of my own: Ech Xao Xa Ot. Frogs legs. I had first tried stereotypical French-style frogs legs last summer while I was living in Paris, but had not had any sort of frog since. At Thai So’n, they still tasted like chicken, albeit stringy, but they had a nice zing since they were cooked in a refreshing lemongrass sauce. Really enjoyable!

Unfortunately, my meal ended on a blah note, with So Nuoc Dua, green mussels in a light coconut-curry sauce. Light would not be the right word however. I've always enjoyed the subtle taste of coconut, but in this dish, the coconut overpowered the curry in my opinion. Not so light. Oh well, everything else was delicious.

One thing that I did not try that Betty had recommended was Soda Xi Muoi, which is a drink based on salted, dried plums, that are mashed up and served in a glass with sugar and club soda. Never been a huge fan of plums. But everyone else who joined me for dinner last night thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thanks for the great advice, Betty!



Thai So'n
89 Baxter Street
(between Bayard and Canal Streets)

Phone: (212) 732-2822

Hours: 10:30am–10:30pm.

Read More!

Hot Children in the City

“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” said one recent post by $eeking Generou$. “I'm a young professional, recently laid-off, and really would love to keep living in Manhattan. I am looking for ONE, very very very discreet man who’s attracted to the notion of taking care of a guy from an economic standpoint.”

This is just one of the gay personals on Craigslist that recently turned up during a simple search on the Manhattan “men seeking men” personals section on Craigslist last week. It was one of over 300 posts advertising sex-for-money, despite reaching an agreement with 40 state attorney generals in Nov. 2008 which stated that Craigslist would closely monitor the erotic services available online.

“While violent crime is exceedingly rare on Craigslist, with only a handful of cases known out of billions of face-to-face human interactions facilitated through the site, sadly, there is a risk whenever meeting a stranger for the first time,” said Craigslist co-founder Jim Buckmaster, who also condemned illegal use of the site.

However, the risks are still there. On March 24, 2009, radio journalist George Weber was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment, his ankles bound with duct tape and his body stabbed 50 times. Two days later, a 16-year-old boy who had agreed to have a sex romp with Weber in exchange for money, confessed to his murder.

But Weber’s murder did not stop countless men from posting their ads on Craigslist, including the man who posted $eeking Generou$: Gavin Davenport, 26, who asked to use an alias for privacy issues.

On the outside, Davenport appears to be your typical businessman. He is dressed from top to bottom in Ralph Lauren as he saunters into his $3,000 per month apartment, in one of the Chelsea’s trendiest buildings. He just got home and needs some relaxation after a job interview, so he slips off his Gucci loafers and plops down on the couch. After responding to a few messages on his iPhone, he turns his attention to his brand new 50-inch plasma TV.

“Initially I answered an ad on Craigslist for male escorts and masseurs,” said Davenport. “I met with a guy named Max, who became my pimp, and he gave me a beeper and told me that I was too accept $300 in cash; I would take $115 and he would take $85.”

“My first client rejected me but then they started liking me, and I found a few regulars,” added Davenport. “I remember one guy who had this thing about armpit hair. It was crucial that I kept my arms up, hands behind head, so that he could see my armpit hair while he blew me.”

Davenport claims that he felt uncomfortable at first, but since he enjoyed sex and making money, he soon eased into his role as a male prostitute.

“No, I am not surprised that men have turned to prostitution as a means of replacing lost income,” said Simon Bowmaker, a professor at N.Y.U.’s Stern School of Business, who’s book “Economics Uncut” features a chapter on the economics of prostitution. “Of course, one can argue that several other factors that need to be taken into account when considering the decision to become a prostitute, but in recent years, there has been evidence of well-educated people entering the prostitution profession and talking openly about their experiences.”

“This perhaps suggests a softening of attitudes towards commercial sex,” added Bowmaker. “For some, then, the decision of men to offer sexual services during a recession is not a shocking one.”

Despite his Ivy League background, Davenport said he felt no shame in turning to prostitution to help him make it through the recession. While he admits disliking some of his clients, he said for the most part, he found their company intellectually stimulating.

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet many different men, in many different fields,” he said. “Bankers, lawyers, doctors, men in the arts.”

P.R. was one of Davenport’s early clients. (Like other clients who were interviewed, he would not allow his full names to be published, but agreed to use his initials.) He is married and has three children, who live in Fairfield, Conn. Without fail, he is home every weekend to see them, but from Monday to Thursday, he lives in his apartment near his office in the Financial District, where he works as a lawyer. And when he is in New York, he sees Davenport anywhere from two to four times a week, sometimes paying $300 for an hour or $1,500 for an overnight visit.

“My wife knows about my lifestyle, but a divorce is out of the question for the sake of our children,” he said. “She and I live in a don’t ask, don’t tell world.

“And frankly, I am not ashamed of the fact that I hire a prostitute to service my needs,” he added. “I pay for my wife, and she is just as much as prostitute as Gavin.

“Year after year, she only continues to put on this charade everyday because she knows that she will be taken care of if she does,” said P.R. “Who pays for her big house? Her new Mercedes? Her country club membership? Her Barney’s charge card? I do. A prostitute, just as much as Gavin.”

Davenport is just one of the city’s male prostitutes. Out of seven men interviewed, five of them were Caucasian, one was Hispanic, and one was African-American. Two identified themselves as homosexuals, while five identified them as heterosexuals. Only one man – Davenport, a homosexual – identified himself as strictly interested in male sexual partners. While the remaining six said they would involve themselves with the highest bidder, either men or women. All seven were in perfect physical shape. All seven were well dressed. Five of them were under 28 years old, while the remaining two were under 35. And six of them agreed that they had not regrets.

Only one of the seven men regretted his decision.

Ricardo Alvarez, 31, has been a full-time erotic massage and escort for the past 10 months, and receives almost 70 percent of his clients from his ads on Craigslist. Alvarez said that he first started advertising on Craigslist after his 17-year-old sister moved in with him while she was attending a summer program for high school students at N.Y.U.

“I thought it would be okay because I was working and making decent money,” he said. “But I didn’t have enough, and I could never let me sister go hungry.”

Initially, Alvarez started by allowing gay men to perform oral sex on him in return for cash. But as he became accustomed to having extra cash, he started offering more and more of his body, and even began offering erotic massages and full-scale escort services. Despite his frequent sexual encounters with other men, he still identifies himself as a heterosexual.

Alvarez’s need to refer to himself as straight is not unusual, according to Michael Kimmel, a leading researcher and writer on men and masculinity in the world today.

“There is a dramatic difference between male and female prostitution," said Kimmel. “Females protect their femininity by not allowing their customers to kiss them, while males will be the inserter, and not the inserted in order to protect their masculinity. What I am trying to say, is the male prostitutes will do the fucking.”

“For years, young male hustlers, who have been having sex with older gay men, identified themselves as heterosexual and would have wives or girlfriends,” added Kimmel. “Because in their eyes, they were in charge, they had not lost their masculinity.”

While Alvarez admitted that he has started performing oral sex in order to make more money, he said that he does not intend “to bottom” during anal sex, despite the fact that one man offered him $800 to give a try.

“My ass is off limits,” said Alvarez. “I’ve never let a guy have it, and I still bring in anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500 per week.”

Despite his steady income, his time as a prostitute has not always been a happy one.

“Weber wasn’t the only man who liked kinky violence, some guys like to get rough, and sometimes they take their anger and frustration out on you,” said Alvarez. “I’ve never been beaten up, but I have needed a few stitches.”

In Feb. 2008, a client told Alvarez that he enjoyed biting. Initially Alvarez thought nothing of it since quite a few of his clients enjoyed using their teeth. He said his client started biting harder, and ended up biting Alvarez’s nipple so hard that he needed to go to the emergency room.

“I was in so much pain and I was bleeding, but I kept going,” he said as he lifted his shirt to reveal the scars. “But I desperately needed the money.”

Alvarez never reported the violence. He said he was afraid that the police would ask too many questions. But despite the fact that prostitution is illegal in New York, it appears that little is being done to prevent its spread.

The chief police spokesman, Paul J. Browne, said that in 2008, there were 1,650 female and 233 male prostitution arrests citywide. Browne also confirmed that the NYPD shut down its Vice Squad operations on Craigslist because a new commanding officer of the squad thought it was “a waste of resources,” despite being highly successful in targeting sex-for-money ads, which led to arrests throughout New York City.

Davenport and Alvarez have eluded the police so far, but both agree that the fear of arrest and exposure is constantly lurking in the back of their minds.

“Getting arrested scares me,” said Davenport. “But I’m terrified that one day my friends and family will figure out what I’ve been doing.

“If they ever learned what I’ve been doing, I honestly don’t know what I would do,” he added.
Read More!