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Food, Food and More Food- Del Frisco’s and More

November 19, 2013 by Renee

We ate a lot this week. There was food, food and more food! With my friend Michael visiting here (and the U.S in general) for the first time, I wanted to make sure he experienced several of NYC’s good eats. We had amazing Tapas and wine at Bocqueria in Soho. We had beer and French fries at Connolly’s in midtown. We had deli sandwiches at Katz’s on the Lower East Side and Italian at Briciola in Hell’s Kitchen. We had salad bar (mostly Indian food) at Whole Foods in Columbus Circle and cheese from Murray’s at Grand Central. Sadly, there was no time or room left for pizza or dirty water dogs or even diner fare. We’ll have to save that for next time.

Last night, to celebrate his birthday,  we had a terrific meal at Blue Water Grill. I don’t think you can go there and not have a great meal. The service is tailored to helping you find exactly what you like. From the wine straight through to dessert- kind, knowledgeable, meticulous and impeccable service.

We started the meal with Hendricks Gin and tonics.  Off to such a great start, we knew it was only going to get better from there!

Michael had a half dozen oysters and determined that he preferred the west coast ones over the ones from the east coast and six was just not enough, so we ordered six more of just the variety he liked. I am a fan of neither, or any, for that matter, so I didn’t partake. However, my pumpkin ravioli was simply amazing and I almost forgot to share a bite! Made with pine nuts, fried sage, shaved pecorino and served in a creamy brown butter sauce, this ravioli was lighter than I expected and I could have eaten a whole bowl of just this for certain.

Michael thoroughly enjoyed the simply grilled Red Snapper, with potatoes and broccolini  while I feasted on the grilled branzino (which they removed the tail from upon my request) with butternut squash, fried Brussels sprouts, gala apples and fig vinaigrette. It was such a great dish there was nothing left! Both were delicious, but I secretly think mine was better!

We had also ordered a side of steamed baby spinach with golden raisins and pine nuts as well as their creamy. three cheese polenta.

By the time we finished a bottle of wine and all this food, and walked around the block (not really but we should have) it was time for dessert- a caramelized banana ice cream tower- a tasty hazelnut shell, toasted marshmallow sauce, home made ice cream, and chocolate sauce. Well wow! That’s a decadent dessert and worth every last calorie bite!

Sorry there were no pictures of this special celebration dinner. Just trust me when I say it was divine.

Still full from last night’s extravaganza we had a small breakfast of yogurt and cereal and made our way uptown just in time for lunch. Michael really wanted to try an American steak. The steaks you get in Europe are nothing like the giant slabs of meat you get here. The concept of just meat on a plate without any type of side just isn’t the norm. I went through my mental list of the best NY steak houses- Smith & Wollensky, The Palm, Frankie & Johnnie’s, Sparks (with it’s notorious Mob hit), Old Homestead and Peter Luger’s. But my mind settled on one of my personal favorites- Del Frisco’s.

Del Friscos--2

Hands down, Del Frisco’s is the best steakhouse in the city- in my humble opinion. The wine list is vast and impressive and the bread is so good and rather dangerous- because once you start eating it,  you can’t help but keep eating more of it.  But try your best not to fill up because the best is still to come.

Here, I skip appetizers because it is just too much. And I’m there for the meat. Michael on the other hand had the crab cake- which is not a breaded crab cake at all. It’s simply a pile of crab, held together by a mixture of red peppers, corn and onions.  There is also a very little bit of mayonnaise in there to act as a binder, but not much else.  The result is simply wonderful.  Jumbo lumps of crab that is perfectly sweet and served with a zingy Cajun lobster sauce. Not your typical fish cake!

Del Friscos-

I had the filet (as always) and he had the bone-in filet, an off the menu regular special. While the bone in filet was perfectly tender, the bone does require a bit of knife work clean all the meat off- you may actually be tempted to gnaw on the bone- but please don’t- unless you take it home- then by all means!

Del Friscos--4My regular petit filet

Del Friscos--5

The bone-in filet- Look at the thickness of that meat! Wow!

The creamed spinach and gratin potatoes are the standard sides ordered.  They just seem to be the perfect steakhouse side. It would have felt weird to deviate too much from these this time around. NYC Steakhouse authenticity and all.

When I say we cleaned our plates- we took our time and ate every last bite of meat- there was some serious carnivore action happening. It was amazing! And surprisingly, there was no unbuttoning of pants or the feeling of a food coma… yet. We even had room for dessert! The choices were tough, but we skipped the chocolate cake and the cheesecake (which could really serve 3-4 people a slice) and opted instead for the 6 layer lemon cake-which is also enough for several people!

Del Friscos--6

I ended up taking more than half of it home- it made for a great midnight snack.

All in all I don’t think we had a bad meal.  Not one!

We also saw lots of sights and I got to be a tourist in my town. Something I vow to do more often. It’s so easy to slip into the “I live here and it’s all the same mundane.” It was nice to experience the awe and wonder of New York City again. It really is one of the greatest cities on earth! (Next to Paris of course!)

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: NYC/Metro Tagged With: Blue Water Grill, Del Friscos, NYC, NaBloPoMo, Restaurant

Briciola- An Italian Restaurant Where Everyone Speaks French

November 15, 2013 by Renee

I have walked by Briciola on several occasions and it’s always packed. Now after eating dinner here I know why. The food is excellent, the wine list long and the atmosphere is much like a dinner party with one long narrow high-top table where you sit elbow to elbow with strangers with your dining partner directly across from you also nestled between unknown patrons. But soon, you are no longer strangers but part of the convivial dining experience.

Briciola-2275 Briciola-2270

The servers are attentive and speak with a heavy French accent which for an Italian restaurant was almost surreal! I often found myself  wanting to say Merci as opposed to Grazie. But rest assured, the food and the wine are most certainly Italian! The communal dining atmosphere lends itself well to this type of food. Each course provides reasonably sized portions so trying several dishes family style is encouraged. You may end up sharing with your neighbor.

Renowned for their $1 Oysters, this was the most popular starter around. Although we passed on this, we did try the Grilled Octopus salad and theLemon and Oregano. The grilled bread was served with a peppery olive oil and balsamic blend.

Briciola-2261Briciola-2263

The mains on the printed menu were made up mostly of pastas while they also have an extensive appetizer selection. I opted for the Gnocchi and was not disappointed. The small nuggets of potato pasta were light and fluffy and swimming in a fresh tomato basil marinara. I was thankful there was not so much to feel overstuffed. My friend had the Lobster Risotto and I’ve seen this on their specials menu for a while, and wonder if it’s a permanent special- just an extension of their menu. Also lighter than you’d expect and filled with sizable chunks of seafood.

Briciola-2277 Briciola-2280

Dessert was delightful!  I loved the Panna Cotta with it’s surprise of Proscecco in each bubbly bite. The Tiramisu was creamy and very fresh. It didn’t have too much mocha powder that you often find,  so you didn’t have a dry mouth when you took a bite.

Even throughout dessert they were refilling your wine glass and replacing your water bottle and you hated leaving at the end of your meal- you didn’t want the dinner party to end.

Overall, it is a great dining experience at Briciola, if you can get in! There were two spots left when we arrived at 6:30 and by the time we left there was quite a line formed outside. So go early and go hungry!

Briciola 
370 W. 51St. 
NY, NY 
Hell’s Kitchen
(646)-678-5763
 
Major Credit Cards accepted
 

 

Filed Under: NYC/Metro Tagged With: Briciola, Italian, NYC, NaBloPoMo, Restaurant, review

Bienvenidos a Cuba! Cuban Cuisine Comes to Long Island as Havana Central Opens at Roosevelt Field

January 11, 2013 by Renee

Winter doldrums move over. A bit of Miami and a lot of Cuba has arrived! Havana Central, one of my favorite restaurants, has just opened its fourth location at the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City.  Wednesday night we got a sneak peak at their Grand Opening party!

Serving the most delicious mojitos outside of the Caribbean, Havana Central offers authentic Cuban cuisine and live Latin music in a luxurious tropical setting reminiscent of Havana’s pre-revolutionary resort lifestyle.

Havana Central-7496

Cigar Rolling

With a color palette of teal, coral and lush shades of green anchored with cooling shades of white, cream and gray, the new 13,ooo sq. ft. main dining room features cigar-toned leather booths draped in flowing curtains with slow moving ceiling fans that instantly transport diners to the by-gone era when Havana was called the “Paris of the Caribbean”.

Havana Central

Salsa Dancers
Havana Central
The magnificent centerpiece bar, modeled after Havana’s original Sloppy Joe Bar, showcases bottles of rum in a striking mahogany case encircled with art deco pendant lights. Here, bartenders are mixing up Havana Central’s famous cocktails and muddling mint for their tangy and tasty mojitos. Patrons can also enjoy sangria and mojitos made tableside with fresh, tropical ingredients and premium liqueurs.

Jeremy Merrin, founder and president of Havana Central, opened the first Havana Central in Union Square 10 years ago and it is now the premier large-format Latin restaurant chain in the NY Metropolitan area. I was lucky enough to frequent the Times Square location often as it was just out the back door of my office building. My co-workers and I shared many a happy hour and “business” lunches there!

Says Merrin, “We’re excited to partner with Simon Properties at the best location on Long Island. Locals will now be able to experience the tastes, sounds and energy of pre-revolutionary Havana.”

Havana Central

Stanley Licairac, Havana Central’s corporate chef, designed the menus of traditional Cuban fare stating “We particularly aim to put those who grew up understanding that flavorful ingredients should be slowly cooked with love and passion, as Cuban food is, back in touch with their roots and make them feel at home. The opportunity to share the flavors, textures and colors of these comfort foods is at the heart of Havana Central’s offerings.”

Havana Central

Licairac’s passion is evident in each of his creations. We were treated to hors d’oeuvre versions of many of the classic dishes, along with a “design it yourself” Paella station. Chef Licairac’s Handmade Empanadas ($3) are crispy on the outside and fall apart in the mouth like a slow, savory stew. The Cuban Sandwich ($12) stuffed with smoked ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard is quintessential Cuban fare.  Other signature dishes such as Pineapple Chicken Pollo con Piña ($15.50); Braised Beef, Peppers & Onions- Ropa Vieja ($17.50); Cuban Flan ($6) and my personal favorite, Tres Leches Cake ($8) can all be found at the Roosevelt Field location.

Food

Kitchen

Coming out for this special ribbon-cutting event was the Mayor of Garden City, Donald T. Brudie as well as other noted local officials.

Havana Central
Havana Central
Havana Central

Havana Central’s spot among “Restaurant Row” at Roosevelt Field marks the third mid-scale opening in the past year and with other upgrades in the works for the mall, it is sure  to become a regular destination for an extended experience that will keep attracting shoppers and diners alike.

Havana Central
Roosevelt Field Mall
630 Old Country Road
Garden City, NY 11530
 

A full menu is served Sunday – Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Friday – Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.  Weekday lunch specials available until 4 p.m.

Call 516-739-7900 for reservations or to book a private event in one of the three event spaces.

For additional information about Havana Central and its complete portfolio of properties, visit www.HavanaCentral.com.

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Filed Under: NYC/Metro Tagged With: Cuban, Havana Central, Jeremy Merrin, Restaurant, Stanley Licairac, review

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