New York City- 9/17/05 to 9/24/05

I’m lucky to have explored another great American city. I can’t list my favorite sites since it was everything. From the usual touristy spots to the character of each neighborhood to seeing people go about their days. And the food? 32 restaurants, 53 bakeries, 14 ice cream shops, 5 chocolate shops, 3 beverage places and 1 ‘other’. And the chronological highlights are…

MIDTOWN


Entering Grand Central Station fixture Oyster Bar & Restaurant I bypassed the dining room then counter and sidled up to the oyster bar to slurp back a Bluepoint from nearby Long Island.



“Would you like it warmed up?” “Is it better that way?” Little Pie Company's excellent Sour Cream Apple Walnut Pie flavors were intensified with the applied heat.



With bowling alley confines Margon serves up some great Cuban cooking including this Cuban Sandwich. Spending some time on the press crisps the exterior of the bread and melds together the fillings.



In a well worn neighborhood with a well worn interior Cupcake Café does its’ namesake well with both the cake and frosting of the Maple Walnut Cupcake.

GREENWICH VILLAGE


Babbo
Celebrity Chef Restaurant #1- Mario Batali


Lamb’s Brain Francobolli
With lemon and sage

A well-crafted pasta dish this was too light tasting to make a lasting impression. But, hey, at least I got to eat at Babbo.


Décor: Two levels varying from dark and intimate to light and airy- both formal.
Service: He really offered great interpretations of the menu.

3 ½ out of 5 stars



Unique to NYC Concept # 1
Peanut Butter & Co. makes their own PB and offers sandwiches, desserts and bakery. They made up a smaller version of The Sampler for me so I could try out Dark Chocolate Dreams, White Chocolate Wonderful, Cinnamon Raisin Swirl, Crunch Time, Smooth and The Heat Is On.




A fella could make a living visiting all the bakeries on Bleecker Street. A Rindi from Rocco’s Pastry, Italian cookie at Pasticceria Bruno, Angel Bite bitten in Polka Dot Cake Studio and a Ruggalah from Bread & Pastry Café.



NYC Dogs and Papaya Wars #1
Bright building inside and out the Gray’s Papaya Frankfurter gets points for taunt skin and great tropical relish and losses points for a bun straight out of the bag. Great Papaya Juice.

ICE CREAM BREAK



Cones- the smoothest Strawberry Cream you’ll put taste buds on.
LaSalle- top honors for Banana Walnut.
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory- here exotic flavors are vanilla and chocolate. The Black Sesame and Almond Cookie showed why there is a line out the door for these ‘regular’ flavors.
Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory- in the shadow of the bridge using only the finest ingredients.
Roma’s Ice Cream- in a Hispanic neighborhood in Queens this music store makes their own including Maney which is a Mexican fruit.
Il Laboratorio Del Gelato - experiments going wild with employees wearing lab coats dishing up Gelato on a side street in the East Village.

CHELSEA


Empire Diner. Cool Pullman.





In the NYC battle of bagels I weighed in with Murray's Bagels (Chelsea), H&H Bagels (Upper West Side), Bagel Café (Upper West Side) and Jumbo Bagels & Bialys (Upper East Side). Murray’s is the winner with the greatest contrast of crisp shell, chewy interior; but not too chewy; and great taste.

UNION SQUARE


Mesa Grill
Celebrity Chef Restaurant #2- Bobby Flay


Yellow Corn Crusted Chile Relleno
Filled with collard greens and goat cheese; served with a salad of grilled vegetables

Wonderful. The first cut let everything ooze out forcing you to chase it around the plate to get the full impact on each forkful of the earthy greens, spicy chile, gritty cornmeal and tangy cheese.


Décor: High ceiling festive.
Service: Super attentive.

4 ½ out of 5 stars

EAST VILLAGE


The Original New York Milkshake Company was a detour to try out a NYC staple drink- the Egg Cream.



Katz's Deli
Legendary Deli #1
Pulsing with tourists this ‘since 1888’ landmark didn’t offer a Broccoli Knish that was as good as whatever Meg Ryan had here in “When Harry Met Sally”.


A Frosting Shot. How much fun is this?! And since Babycakes is one of these vegan places there is no guilt of consuming an undue amount of butter or cream.


The large, well-used, gear-driven oven makes Kossar’s Bialys much sought after.

CHINATOWN


I joined the jumble of locals in Mei Lai Wah Coffee House to get a Steamed Pork Bun which was then eagerly ripped in half to get a mouthful of the tangy filling surrounded by resilient dough.



One of the best bakery finds was a Coconut Custard Bun courtesy of Golden Fung Wong Bakery. A small football shape with a slit filled with a cream just rich enough to match the soft dough.

STATEN ISLAND


A ride on the Staten Island Ferry to St. George resulted in the discovery of pizza to make it on the favorites list. A&S Pizzeria has a defying thin crust Plain Slice that is defying crisp with some great greasy cheese.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT


Delmonico's


Country Pasta
Sausage, chicken, onion, tomato

Edible and average with bland chicken. But, hey, at least I got to eat at Delmonico’s the oldest restaurant in Manhattan established in 1837.


Décor: Old school noble.
Service: Hovering and stuffy.

3 out of 5 stars

LITTLE ITALY


I lucked upon a dense street festival in this ethnic community and ducked in the ancient Caffe Roma as ancient as coffee shops come.




Unique to NYC Concept # 2
Think of Rice to Riches as an ice cream shop with all their different flavors and toppings and substitute rice pudding. The best was Coast to Coast Cheesecake followed by Holy Canolli.

UPPER EAST SIDE


An ice cream parlor since 1954 Serendipity 3 has a full food and dessert menu but its claim to fame is Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. Oooohhhh. Words can not describe. I behaved myself having a small amount of this behemoth. Then I discovered you could mix in the cream and chocolate shavings. Ooooohhhh. It was worth the $7.50

MIDTOWN

Norma's


Waz-Za?
“Waffle- Fruit Inside Fruit Outside, Crackly Brulee Top”

Mango, papaya and raspberries baked in the waffle, topped with sliced bananas, then a puree of the same fruit and hollandaise then caramelized brown sugar and finished with blueberries. Oh yeah. Yes. It had all new tastes, nothing like the core ingredients. This was too sinful and I felt sooo guilty to enjoy it. I thought I’d have a fourth of it. Then half. Then how much would a couple more bites hurt. Then I could have a banana, those are good for you, so what if some of that sauce is on it.


Décor: Manhattan chic.
Service: Good, but dull.

4 ½ out of 5 stars



With a name like Au Croissant & Gourmet they should and did have one of the best I’ve had exhibiting flaky, buttery, airy layers.

UPPER WEST SIDE


Jean-Georges
Celebrity Chef Restaurant #3- Jean Georges Vongerichten


Cantaloupe Soup with Sea Salt Foam, Basil Bouche, Sashimi with Cucumber

Great variety to start with; all linked with bright tastes.


Young Garlic Soup with Sautéed Frog Legs, Curly Cress

A signature Jean-Georges dish the addition of fresh thyme at serving freshens it up, but overall average.


Blackened Sea Bass Crusted with Nuts & Seeds, Sweet & Sour Jus

The waiter’s tip to use a soup spoon worked to scoop off flakes of the fish along with everything else to get the full impact of sweet, tangy, fishy, grit, sour, savory and acidic.

Homemade Marshmallows, Homemade Filled Cookies, Homemade Chocolates

Sweet end to the meal and it is always refreshing to find homemade marshmallows instead of those cylinders everything thinks are marshmallows.


Décor: Sophisticated.
Service: 4 wait staff, doors held open, napkins refolded, and a dish of rose petal adorned water to rinse hands off after finger food.

4 out of 5 stars



I went to Hello Deli before seeing the Late Show with David Letterman just to visit Rupert and was surprised to find the Letterman (turkey, ham, cheese, sweet peppers, lettuce, tomato, mayo, oil and vinegar on a hero) was good.



Carnegie Deli
Legendary Deli #2
This NY’s Best Corned Beef is just obnoxious. Who would eat all of this? I had less than an eighth. Good, but hometown Jake’s is still the benchmark for CB. (And isn’t twelve bucks!)

UPPER EAST SIDE


NYC Dogs and Papaya Wars #2
In a seedier neighborhood Papaya King gets points for a hickory smoked dog and toasted bun and loses points for not as much of a smoked flavor as anticipated and a tropical relish that appears to be sweet relish mixed with mustard. Great Papaya Juice.

EAST HARLEM


Going to East Harlem at dusk wasn’t the brightest idea but this is the location of the original Patsy's Pizzeria. Undoubtedly this was a different neighborhood in 1933. There are other Manhattan outposts now but they don’t have the coal burning oven that provides a smoky crust. Current regulations prohibit these ovens and this one is grandfathered in.



On the way for pizza Capri Bakery was a worthwhile detour for what I could best describe as a muffin macaroon. Underneath that glazed crown is a sweet, moist stringy texture. Contender for best bakery on the trip.

UPPER WEST SIDE


This diminutive Spongy Soufflé Almond Walnut flavor and workmanship surpasses its size and shows Georgia's Bake Shop’s talent.



Barney Greengrass


Nova Scotia Salmon Scrambled with Eggs and Onions

Compulsion grips you to chug this down with the web of caramelized onions, supple salmon and goblets of egg with their juices mixing together in taunting delight.

4 out of 5 stars



Recognize Tom’s Restaurant?

CENTRAL PARK


Tavern on the Green


The food was average, the service sucked. But, hey, at least I got to eat at Tavern on the Green.

UPPER WEST SIDE



As a Wisconsinite I felt obliged to try a Cream Puff at the Japanese chain Beard Papa Sweets Cafe. Hard to compare to Wisconsin State Fair since it is smaller and filled with custard instead of whipped cream. (Sorry, but I like this one better.)

BROOKLYN


In the Russian enclave of Brighton Beach La Brioche Bistro Café uses fine furniture to exhibit its fine wares. Don’t know what I got since nothing was in the Western alphabet.




Possibly the most famous hot dog in the world this is the original Nathan's Famous 1916 location a few blocks off the Coney Island boardwalk. With a 2 for 1 coupon I was able to sample an Original Frankfurter and what is synonymous with Coney Island- a Chili Dog. Great dog that has a nice balance of seasoning and pops when you bite into it.



Another nationally famous food from Brooklyn is Junior’s Restaurant’s Cheesecake. It should be. Creamy. Rich. Delicious.



Peter Lugar Steak House


Small Steak for One Person

Their menu doesn't list what kind of steak since they have been about porterhouses since 1887; just decide how many you are ordering for. This was outstanding and has made the benchmark for steak. That meaty taste and tenderness was accentuated with some seasoning that by no way detracted. Super juicy shown by the pool of au jus. I shocked myself actually eating two-thirds of this. Then I learned the suburb juices could be mopped up with bread. So I went through two pieces, two large pieces, feverently soaking up every drop.


Décor: Early American, since it is.
Service: A pleasant kind of gruff.

4 ½ out of 5 stars

QUEENS


A kindly gentleman helped translate for me at La Colombianita Bakery to get a mildly sweet, mildly chocolaty roll.



The best Italian ice I’ve ever had is at The Lemon Ice King of Corona. After sampling Cotton Candy and Lemon I had Pineapple. Creamy while still maintaining some ice crystal texture, packed with sweet taste and featuring pieces of the tropical fruit. Five blocks away I walked back. When am I going to be able to have this again? This time it was a sample of Pistachio and purchase of Banana.



The nice lady at Ysa Bakery in this heavy Hispanic area aimed me true in recommending a Columbian bakery item I can’t say or spell. This disc tastes like cornbread only sweeter, richer, moister and with a cheese accent. Contender for best bakery on the trip.

FLATIRON/UNION SQUARE


It was worth a simple Egg Sandwich to experience the 8 decades of character at Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop’s long counter.



Perched on the mezzanine at The City Bakery was a great spot to watch New Yorker’s starting their day while enjoying Organic Vanilla Yogurt with granola, walnuts and slivered almonds.



Gotta love a farmers market. At the Union Square Farmer’s Market Body & Soul has organic bakery and the spongiest muffin in the manifestation of a Sweet Potato Muffin.

UPPER EAST SIDE


Aureole
Celebrity Chef Restaurant #4- Charlie Palmer


Hawaiian Tuna Tartare
“5” hour soft poached egg and bacon vinaigrette

This had the prerequisite variation of taste/texture but nothing impressionable. But, hey, at least I got to eat at Aureole.


Décor: You step into this place and just know you are in a culinary destination.
Service: There were so many attentive servers I found it hard to discreetly take pictures.

3 out of 5 stars

THE BRONX



From the subway I had to go through a rough neighborhood to get to Belmont and was rewarded with the “Little Italy of The Bronx” and some good eats. Cherry Italian Ice to cool down from DeLillo Pastry Shop, the Italian tradition Canolli at Artuso Pastry, wood baked bread from Terranova Bakery and zippy Jalapeño Bread from Madonia Bros. Bakery.

The top find was this can’t say it or spell it from Egidio Pastry. Hidden underneath these crispy scales is a sponge looking moist center. A wonderful contrast and slightly sweet. Contender for best bakery on the trip.



A Marinara Slice was in order before leaving this Italian bastion and Catania's Pizzeria Cafe provided one with a crispy bottom topped by pillowing crust and fresh chunks of tomato.

MIDTOWN




Grand Central Station has a small but exemplary and well used Grand Central Market. Chocolate from Li-Lac Chocolates, fresh squeezed Orange Juice at Greenwich Produce and decadent Coconut Cream Pie that should be outlawed at Zaro’s Bread Basket.



More great cheesecake this time from D'Auito Pastry. A very dense piece you can actually hear that noise (you know that noise) when taking a forkful.



Stage Deli
Legendary deli #3
To maneuver away from their humongous sandwiches this was a good breakfast spot for a sweet, savory and golden attractive Cheese Blintz

HARLEM


Sylvia's


Sylvia’s Down Home Fried Chicken
With my side choices of collard greens and candied yams

Possibly the most famous soul food restaurant the equally famous chicken wasn’t remarkable. It was all about the sides. I am biased for candied yams and the greens carried a smokiness and crunch.



The best care in the air!