Lupa

Lupa seemed liked the perfect place for a Tuesday night birthday celebration with family, especially because the weather was inclement - no surprise there this winter! - and it's right around the corner from us.

A Batali joint around the corner that we hadn't tried in the five months of living circa Thompson Street? We know. We're disappointed with ourselves too.

On a "side street" in Greenwich Village, Lupa looks low key from the outside but once you enter, it has a busy, crowded feel that's amplified by the hordes of people waiting for tables. For the most part, this frantic feel disappears when you sit down at your table. We were seated in the front room by the bar but they also have a dining room in the back that is probably a bit more relaxed and would make for a more intimate dining experience.

The loaf of bread lightly sprinkled with rosemary & sea salt was served alongside a tasty bowl of olive oil. The perfect way to get your guests into an Italian mood. We started with two bottles of wine - a red & a white.

We shared a few appetizers for the table: marinated olives, beets w/ pistachios, brussels sprouts w/ apples, & squash w/ hazelnuts. Sharing apps for the table is definitely the move at Lupa since they are served in well-portioned (not too big, not too small - a theme for the meal) bowls in the middle of the table. This allowed everyone to sample each app & then go back for seconds. Aside from the olives, the 3 "star" veggies were a major hit at the table - they tasted fresh and were complemented by flavors and textures that worked very well together.

Spaghetti Carbonara, Ricotta Gnocchi, Chicken alla Diavola, & Arctic Char with Cauliflower & Meyer Lemon: it was an all-star line-up of Italian dishes. The first thing we noticed was that the portions were not very large. I guess Italians don't like to eat a lot. Hmmm.... that's not true. Maybe it's just a Lupa thing - they want you to go with three courses.

However, the chefs at Lupa do a phenomenal job of packing a ton of flavor into their smaller-sized dishes. There were a few "ooohs" & "ahhs," a "you have to try this," and by the time we cleaned up our plates, everyone was quite satisfied. I would be remiss to say that this was the best Italian we've ever had. Jess' dad & I both agreed that we'd had better versions of our dishes elsewhere - Carbonara & Gnocchi. I will say that having a smaller portion made you appreciate each bite that much more. There's something to be said for that. And, the smaller portions turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as we had enough room for dessert, which is usually not the case after eating a bowl of gnocchi or carbonara.

Despite pleading, Jess was faced with the b-day candle attention she tried desperately to avoid.

The Tartufo & dates with mascarpone provided the perfect sweet-tooth satisfaction after a fun-filled and tasty Italian meal. For a nice dinner out, Lupa doesn't break the bank and with a diverse menu filled with attractive options, we'll definitely be back.

Check it out yourselves and let us know what you think... just make sure you make your reservation 30 days out as it's tough to get a table.

Makeover!

Yes, you're in the right place...we've just spruced up our image a little with the help of the new Blogger editor.  RestoHoppers 2.0.

Corsino and the story of the dish so nice, we ordered it twice!

Corsino has been on the top of our list for a while and on a snowy Friday evening last month, we finally busted our cherry. The restaurant has an Italian wine bar feel with it's dark interior, wooden tables and wine glasses everywhere. The menu options make it hard to choose between the shared plates, pastas and meats.

We started with a big ole caraff of red wine and that immediately warmed our souls & brought smiles to our faces. We ordered the following crostinis:

• sweet onion & walnut
• brussels sprouts & pecorino
• ricotta & orange honey
• radicchio & goat cheese
• basil pesto

Each was large enough for the two of us to split and have a few bites. Some were better than others, namely the ricotta and orange honey, which was so delectable that we got another order for DESSERT! The balance between the smooth and subtle saltiness of the ricotta was perfectly complemented by the sweet and tangy orange honey. A perfect bite.

After the crostinis, we debated back and forth about what to share next and came up with the fusilli with lemon, scallions, chili & pecorino romano as well as the heritage brisket meatballs.

The pasta was recommended by our server and I don't think it would normally be a dish that would catch our eye, but it was simple and very flavorful. The chili and scallions really added a nice element to the dish. And the brisket meatballs? Well, how can you go wrong when you've got a meatball made with brisket? They came in a delicious tomato sauce and felt just downright old school Italian.

The vibe at Corsino paired with that heavenly ricotta honey crostini will definitely lure us back. A great "go-to" restaurant. Get involved.

Shorty's .32 - Girls Night Out!

For a recent dinner with my gal pals, we headed to Shorty's .32 - a cozy (literally - they only have 32 seats, hence the name), American restaurant with a neighborhood-y feel. The chef, Josh Eden (an apprentice under Jean-George Vongerichten), opened Shorty's as a feel-good, affordable, low-key dining establishment and I think we would all agree with that assessment. It feels like an underground apartment with the walls knocked down that was turned into a restaurant. This perception makes for an intimate dining experience but does not make for a pleasant waiting experience, which brings me to the only negative aspect of our experience...


...One minor hiccup was wait time. Shorty's surprisingly had several open reservations for a party of 5 on a Saturday night, in less than a week's notice. However, when we got there we waited for over half an hour because our table wasn't ready. The host was nice enough to throw us some glasses of champagne...but we came to eat! And once we did, the wait became worth it.

Everyone enjoyed the dishes and some highlights were:

Sea Scallops, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Acorn Squash, Smoked Maple

and

Roast Chicken, Chilled Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Fried Garlic



The green beans that came with the chicken were AMAZING. And the scallops, which I got, were full of flavor and tasted very fresh.

I would definitely revisit Shorty's and would suggest you check it out if you're looking for a warm dining experience and fresh, seasonal food.

Katz's Deli - I'll have what she's having!

On a recent dreary winter day, Eric and I headed over to Katz's Deli to scratch an itch that Eric had been feeling for a while. Maybe it's the lines, or that the heaping pile of meat isn't the healthiest dish, or that our first visit was a little confusing (we didn't know which line to wait on, where we could sit and how to order), but I just hadn't been wanting to go back. However, I'm quite happy we did because it verified in my mind why Katz's is a NYC establishment.

With the help of our friend, Howie, Eric knew to ask for lean slices of meat, which is MUCH better for us non-fat-chewers. Side note: the crew at the table next to us wouldn't stop going on about how ridiculous it is for people to ask for lean cuts of meat, when the best part is the fat! We highly disagree - who wants flavor to be interrupted by blobs of chewy, tasteless fat? Not us, but to each his own....

We tasted the corned beef and the pastrami before Eric opted for the pastrami, clearly the tastier of the two. The pastrami reuben was piled high with meat, russian, kraut, & swiss cheese. He had a smile on his face throughout the entire meal and the sandwich exceeded his high expectations.

I went with half of a turkey and mustard sandwich on rye and a matzoh ball soup and I was in Jewish heaven! I had no clue a turkey sandwich could taste that good. The meat was not dry at all and the bread was fresh and delicious. And don't get me started on the mustard....I am a HUGE mustard person and I could have eaten theirs by the spoonful. And I may have done that a little - don't judge.

We left Katz's feeling satisfied, full and craving more!

Winter Rundown

Sorry, sorry, sorry.. Instead of a dedicated blog entry for some of these restaurants, we're giving you another rundown of our restaurant experiences over the past month or so. What can we say? We're busy...

Mesa Grill

We came here for brunch with Jess' family and absolutely loved it. From the top notch bread basket to the Bloody Marys to our shared appetizers to each of our entrees, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Bobby Flay's southwest joint. For starters, we shared the Caramelized Gala Apple Salad and the Crispy Bacon & Hash Brown Quesadilla. Both had tons of flavor and were perfect to share. I had read great things about the Spicy Chicken & Sweet Potato Hash, so I got that as my entree. I wasn't disappointed in the slightest as the large portion did a wonderful job of balancing heat from the chicken & sweetness from the potatoes. Yum. Jess got the Ranch Style Eggs Tostada with Crispy Flour Tortilla, Ancho Chile Tomato Sauce, White Cheddar Cheese & Creme Fraiche. Again, top notch and the experience as a whole definitely will inspire a trip back in the near future.

Market Table

After getting denied for brunch on the morning after Christmas (they were closed), we made it our mission to come here the following weekend. On 1/2/11 we enjoyed one of the better brunches we've had in recent memory. The vibe inside is rustic & cozy, but in a very upscale way. The main star of the show is the food, though...obviously. Each bite of the Poached Eggs was heavenly: ham that's grilled to perfection on a light, fluffy biscuit topped with an egg that's nice & runny and a tasty hollandaise sauce. Throw in a side of brussels sprouts homefries and you have one heck of a meal. Jess got the roasted vegetable "falalel" with tzatziki, feta, cucumber and chili oil and she enjoyed each bite as much as I did. The "falafel" ball was baked to crispy perfection and doused in a delicious sauce with a side salad - a light and delicious way to start the day. We're already excited to come back here to try the pancakes & burger, which both looked great as well.

Dove Bar > Tomoe

With a happy hour until 8 PM, a wide range of unique cocktails on the menu, scrumptious sea-salted almonds, and a vibe straight out of the 1920's, The Dove Parlour has quickly become a neighborhood favorite of ours. Check it out.

Tomoe Sushi had been hyped as the best sushi in NYC and Jess was itching to come here ever since we moved in around the block. Tonight was her night. We waited in the cold for about 10 minutes, which apparently is nothing for Tomoe. Everyone we spoke to in line seemed to be a regular and upon hearing that we were popping our Tomoe cherry, they told us we were in for a special sushi experience. Well, what do ya know, Tomoe was out of this world. The fatty tuna & salmon sashimi were some of the best raw fish that either of us had ever eaten. The tuna avocado roll we got was also among the best we've ever had - simple yet terrific. We weren't crazy about the Spider Roll and would replace that with another roll or more sashimi the next time we're back. I have a feeling that will happen very soon...

Blue Ribbon Bakery

After walking by Blue Ribbon Bar and Bakery just about every day, we knew we needed to get involved. We had heard positive things about their homemade bread so we came for lunch and each had ourselves a sandwich. Despite not coming out at the same time (don't you just hate when that happens?), we both gave our respective dishes high marks. The Blue Ruben was filled with Chorizo, Cole Slaw, and Cheddar on a Baguette. The Grilled Eggplant was filled with Cacio de Roma Cheese, Tomato, and Watercress on Ciabatta bread - kind of like a gourmet eggplant parm sub. I'll let you guess who got which one. Each sandwich comes with salad or potato (sweet potatoes, french fries, shoestring fries, etc). They weren't lying about the bread - it was crusty and fresh. We'll be back for brunch and lunch again soon.

Hecho En Dumbo

A cute, dark and cozy Mexican spot on Bowery. We pretty much had no idea what anything on the menu was (yo hablo espanol?), so we asked our server for help. The freshly fried chips were crunchy & delicious and the guac was fresh & flavorful. Even better than the guac was the queso fundido de chorizo. I would recommend getting each dip for the table to start. Despite coming out 10 minutes later than the rest of the entrees, the Mole Coloradito de Pato (duck with mole sauce) was well cooked and placed on top of creamy rice & squash and surrounded by an ocean of mole sauce. I thought this mole sauce was particularly good so I had no problem with the generous amount placed on my plate. The server felt so bad about the dish coming out late that he comped the duck AND a dessert (chocolate lava cake that wasn't quite lava-y enough for us). Jess went with the Burritas de Champinones - basically a burrito with all different types of mushrooms stuffed inside. Everyone enjoyed their food - it tasted more authentically Mexican than many other spots out there. Hecho En Dumbo also has a nice drink list - we got the Michelada, which tasted like a Bloody Mary with beer. A bit too heavy on the worcestershire sauce though.

Baoguette

When you can't figure out where to go out to eat before a movie, what do you do? We decided to do drinks & delivery at our apt. This NYC "chain" had been on my list for a couple of years and I was finally able to cross it off after getting it delivered. I don't know when Vietnamese sandwiches became popular but between this spot & Num Pang (which, I love), it seems like they've blown up a bit. The Classic Banh Mi sandwich seemed like a logical choice for a first time order since it was reviewed positively on Yelp and is their signature sandwich. At roughly 9" this sandwich is more than enough for lunch or dinner. Generously stuffed with pate, pork, pickled daikon, carrots, cucumbers & cilantro, this sandwich is loaded with flavor in every bite. The bread they served it on was also quite good (not as good as Blue Ribbon, but damn close). Jess was a bit healthier and got the Veguette sandwich, which came with tofu and pickled veggies and was delicious. Since this place is pretty cheap our eyes were bigger than stomachs, we also got sticky rice & shrimp summer rolls to complement the sandwiches. Neither were necessary or particularly great, but hit this spot up for their super yummy and filling sandwiches. Their ramen is also supposed to be great and will be on our order list for next time.

Fall > Winter Round Up

The Resto Hoppers have been busy eating, but not very busy writing. That's about to change. Here's a rundown on some of the spots we've checked out as Fall turns to Winter in New York City:

Sarabeth's East - This UES establishment is better known for its brunch, but don't rule it out for dinner. Their bread basket is tremendous and the $30 3-course price fixe option is a steal. The portions here were surprisingly large and Jess & I really enjoyed our dishes - cod & steak. The only complaint was that the pumpkin tortelloni was overpowered by the balsamic sauce it was cooked in.

(Following Sarabeth's, Jess & I went to hear Matthew Weiner speak at the 92nd Street Y. He's the creator of Mad Men and it was an absolute treat getting to hear such a brilliant guy speak about the show. I would recommend everyone watch Mad Men & seek out interviews with Matthew Weiner.)

The Palm West - We came here with my family to celebrate my parents 36th wedding anniversary!! Despite getting seated a bit late because the other Farks were stuck in an elevator, we had a truly unbelievable meal. Now we know why this place is a classic NYC establishment. From the apple & pecan salad to the cream of broccoli soup to the tuna entree to the filet mignon to the half & half side to the cheesecake, EVERY BITE was amazing. I won't go into the nitty gritty details, but just know that if you are looking for a top notch steakhouse experience, look no further than The Palm. What a fantastic meal!

Flex Mussels - Our dear friend & avid reader, Jason Morman, recommended this spot to us after having one of the better meals of his life here. Couple this enthusiasm with a 30% off deal through Village Vines, and we had to check out what the hype was about. It's all about the thai mussels - they come in a huge pot with plenty of broth to slurp along with the mussels. We also got the pesto mussels, but they could not stand up to the thai goodness. If you're a mussels person, you need to check this spot out. Their donuts are supposed to be ridiculous as well.

These thai mussels taste much better than they look. Trust us.

Pizza Box - Their pizza is great. Their $6 chicken parm hero is not. After 3.5 years of eating Muzzarella's delicious, as-big-as-your-arm chicken parm, I was spoiled. This version doesn't come close Muzzarella's and I guess I was a bit greedy thinking that it would. I'll keep coming back for pizza and may even try a meatball or eggplant parm hero but no way will I be going back to the chicken parm hero. I'll have to head up to 14th St & Ave A for that.

MaMoun's - $5 falafel plate FTW! Plate is a salad with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, lemon juice (secret ingredient), 6 falafel balls, tahini sauce, and 2 warm pitas. It's phenomenal - tasty & filling and a quick pick-up for dinner.

Lines out the door are the norm at MaMoun's.

Grey Dog - Major bummer that they moved away from their old home fries (shredded potato sauteed with onions to crispy perfection) that we loved so much to a more traditional style of home fries (potato cubes sauteed with peppers & onions and then oversalted). I'm sure we'll be back here for brunch, but not as often as we would be if they hadn't messed with something that wasn't broken.

The old GD hash browns. We'll miss you.