Blenheim

Posted on December 26, 2014 by cutiepatroller

Blenheim Brings a Taste of The Catskills to the West Village

Trout and its roe, buttermilk and borage $20 ♥♥♥♥

Blenheim opened on May 19th in the West Village. I came with food blogger Eat Like A Lady for dinner patrolling first week of their opening yet I forgot to post this review on my blog until now. Whoops! Blenheim has a famous upstate NY farm where the owners split their time along with running the restaurant. Since Blenheim is practicing the farm-to-table experience, their menu changes very often due to the seasons. They informed us that they are going to have a tasting menu in few weeks which is very exciting. (4-course tasting with amuse bouche $65, wine pairing $45 ) One highlight of the evening was the Trout and its roe, buttermilk and borage from the appetizer menu. Another was the custard with chamomile, almonds and honey and I’m so not a dessert girl! It was very, very interesting and delish! Also I saw the steak with asparagus and I would love to order that if they still have it next time. It looked better than our Lamb and Guinea Hen! The downside of dinner was that the plating was a little messy on some of the dishes. This is totally understandable since new restaurants are adjusting many things in the beginning. At the end of dinner, we all received their homemade maple syrup to take home. It was very thoughtful of them 🙂

NEWS:

Executive chef Justin Hilbert ( formerly of Gwynnett Street ) left Blenheim in June.

Current Executive chef Chef Ryan Tate ( formerly of Le Restaurant )

Blenheim 283 W. 12th St. , New York, NY 10014

OVERALL	FOOD	ATMOSPHERE	PRICE
♥♥♥	♥♥♥1/2	♥♥♥1/2	$$$$

Pork with turnips, fermented rice and mustard $15 ♥♥♥

Artichokes and crab imperial $22 ♥♥♥1/2

Lettuces with bitter herbs, honey and anchovy $13 ♥♥1/2

Lamb with barley, spinach and menthol $35 ♥♥♥1/2

Guinea hen with steamed lettuce, foie gras and hazelnuts $32 ♥♥♥

Custard with camomile, almonds and honey $12 ♥♥♥♥

Sweet chervil and bitter chocolate $12 ♥♥♥1/2

Amuse Bouche

homemade maple syrup

Patrolling with Eat Like A Lady at Blenheim 🙂

This is what we ordered and shared:

Appetize:

Fiddlehead ferns cooked in goats butter and roasted lemon $14 ♥♥1/2

Pork with turnips, fermented rice and mustard $15 ♥♥♥

Lettuces with bitter herbs, honey and anchovy $13 ♥♥1/2

Trout and its roe, buttermilk and borage $20 ♥♥♥♥

Artichokes and crab imperial $22 ♥♥♥1/2

Entree:

Guinea hen with steamed lettuce, foie gras and hazelnuts $32 ♥♥♥

Lamb with barley, spinach and menthol $35 ♥♥♥1/2

Dessert:

Sweet chervil and bitter chocolate $12 ♥♥♥1/2

Custard with camomile, almonds and honey $12 ♥♥♥♥

Marta

Posted on September 25, 2014 by cutiepatroller

Perfect Casual Business Lunch at Marta

CAPRICCIOSA – Mozzarella, Artichokes, Prosciutto, Olives, Egg $16 ♥♥♥♥

Marta 29 E 29th St (b/t Madison Ave & S Park Ave) NYC (212) 651-3800

OVERALL	FOOD	ATMOSPHERE	PRICE
♥♥♥1/2	♥♥♥1/2	♥♥♥♥	$$$1/2

Marta is Danny Meyer‘s new pizza restaurant at Martha Washington Hotel in Flatiron District. The place opened last last Wednesday, September 10th. I’ve gone here for once dinner and twice lunch recently. My dinner with my friend Anthony was perfect but I now think that Marta is my new favorite business lunch spot! My office is a block from Marta and this place has the perfect atmosphere for a daytime, casual business lunch.

I didn’t realize (or maybe I had too many cocktails at my first dinnertime visit), but in the day I clearly noticed that the crowd is made up of very adult business men with suits & neckties. I was shocked at how soon this new place already became so known. I’m sure a big name like Danny Meyer is well known to more than just foodies.

POLPO – Charred Octopus, Purslane, Cherry Tomatoes, Cranberry Beans $14 ♥♥♥1/2

This place has high ceilings and a classy decor. They also offer excellent service. If you compare the dining room area, the action of the kitchen is very casual. There is an all open kitchen where you can see the casually dressed young chefs with baseball hats and tattoos. The main executive chef is Nick Andere who is also the chef at Malialino. Check out the cute photo below!

Executive Chef / Partner Nick Anderer *\(^_^)/*

I sat at the open kitchen pizza counter and also a dining room table for both lunch and dinner. One thing I wish for is that the counter seat’s wall was clear glass or no wall at all so people can better see the chefs work. Isn’t that the whole point of sitting at an open kitchen counter? Anyway, I still love sitting here and the chefs are all very nice about answering my questions about pizza. 🙂

FUNGHI – Fontina, Hen of the Woods, Red Onion, Thyme $17 ♥♥♥1/2

I have had three different kinds of pizza so far. My favorite pizza is CAPRICCIOSA mozzarella, artichokes, prosciutto, olives, egg and I also enjoyed FUNGHI fontina, hen of the woods, chanterelles, red onion, thyme. Their style of pizza is super super thin crust which is my kind of pizza. Yay! I’ve also had 5 different appetizers and Lamb chops. I think the price point is very reasonable for this hyped-up, big name restaurant.

I’ll admit, pizza is not my favorite…..OMG who said such an awful thing?!?! I know. I know, but I always enjoy the first slice and one slice is all I need to know how many ♥ I need to give. I am definitely giving 4 for the pizza at Marta! #Bam

I recommend for you to come here for lunch or dinner any day of the week! You will probably see me here often during lunch hours Monday – Friday.

ABBACHIO AL FORNO – Grilled Lamb Chops, Spigarello, Peperonata $26 ♥♥♥

Pizza patrolling with Dr Rossi *\(^_^)/*

POLPETTONE DI MACCHERONI – Pasta “Meatball”, Pecorino, Mushrooms, Artichokes, Tomato Sugo $8 ♥♥♥1/2

FIORI DI ZUCCA – Mozzarella, Zucchini Flowers, Anchovy $16 ♥♥♥1/2

SUPPLI ALLA TERRAZZA Green Risotto, Mozzarella $7 ♥♥♥

SALSICCIA Mozzarella, Pork Sausage, Crimini Mushrooms $16 ♥♥♥1/2

CAPRICCIOSA Mozzarella, Artichokes, Prosciutto, Olives, Egg $17 ♥♥♥1/2

ICE CREAM PANINO $7 Salted Chocolate Biscotto, Pistachios, Mascarpone Gelato ♥♥♥

PATATE ALLA CARBONARA • 18 Potatoes, Guanciale, Black Pepper, Pecorino, Egg

MACELLAIO – Mozzarella, Soppressata, Sausage, Guanciale $16 ♥♥♥♥

POLPETTINE DI CONIGLIO – Rabbit Meatballs, Black Olives, Ricotta $12 ♥♥♥1/2

MACELLAIO Mozzarella, Soppressata, Sausage, Guanciale $16 ♥♥♥1/2

RADICCHIO – Treviso, Quinoa, Peaches, Almonds, Ricotta Salata $12 ♥♥♥

CROCHETTE DI PATATE – Potato, Scallion, Mortadella $6 ♥♥1/2

TIRAMISU $5 ♥♥♥1/2

Selfie Time!

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Breakfast with Josh A.K.A Foodie Magician

Good Morning with Foodie Magician

Amatriciana • 14 Baked Eggs, Spicy Tomato, Guanciale, Pecorino

Avocado – Whole Grain Toast, Fork Crushed Avocado, Chili Flake, Olio Verde $7 ♥♥♥1/2

Capricciosa – Oven Scrambled Eggs, Artichokes, Olives, Mozzarella di Bufula, Prosciutto $14 ♥♥♥1/2

Funghi – Soft Boiled Eggs, Grilled Mushroom Salad, Parmigiano $14 ♥♥♥

Cappuccino

Ps – The Martha Washington Hotel is part of the Chelsea Hotel Group. Did you know this hotel was the first women’s only hotel in NY back in the day?

Grand Banks

Posted on September 20, 2014 by cutiepatroller

Oyster & Cocktail on the boat ”Grand Banks”

Grand Bank Hudson River Park’s Pier 25 in Tribeca. The closest cross streets are N. Moore St. NYC (212) 960-3390

OVERALL	FOOD	ATMOSPHERE	PRICE
♥♥♥1/2	♥♥♥	♥♥♥♥	$$$$

This is late post from last month. Grand Bank is seasonable oyster bar that locate on a boat at the end of Peir 25 along the Hudson River. The view of the Statue of Liberty and Freedom Tower are great from Grand Banks. Price point is higher side but you come here for their unique location and atmosphere in my opinion. I had 5 different kind of oysters and glass of wine at counter seat. Oyster is between $3-$4 each. Lobster roll is $25. I came here with group of friends on Sunday after brunch before dinner but this place is a fun afternoon places for drink and oyster with your date too (^_^) I’m not sure when they are closing for season so make sure you check their site.

I had five different kind of oysters – From East Coast (Washburn Island, Plymouth Rock, Hurricane Island, Black Point.) From West Coast (Royal Miyagi )

From East Coast (Washburn Island, Plymouth Rock, Hurricane Island, Black Point.) From West Coast (Royal Miyagi )

Birds & Bubbles

Posted on September 13, 2014 by cutiepatroller

Champagne & Fried Chicken at Birds & Bubbles

Birds & Bubbles 100 Forsyth St (b/t Broome St & Grand St) NYC (646) 368-9240

OVERALL	FOOD	ATMOSPHERE	PRICE
♥♥♥	♥♥♥	♥♥♥♥	$$$1/2

Birds & Bubbles opened this week at the former space of Grotto near the border of Chinatown and Lower East Side.

Besides the fried chicken and champagne, some of menu is more French tapas than southern cuisine in my opinion. For example, the tomato pie and croquette I ordered. Their champagne selection is large and, of course, very expensive! But if you are not into bubbles don’t worry, they also serve wine, cocktails, and beer. My friend very much enjoyed the tea champagne cocktail. I was in the mood for white wine and they had three choices of white wine by the glass. My pick was Amycas 2011 by Brooks.

Before my visit I asked my blogger friend Mike A.K.A. Food Baby NYC for his recommendations. He came here for dinner on the first day of opening. He suggested I sit in the outdoor garden. I ended up starting my dinner inside, but as soon as a table was available we moved to an outdoor table. It was lovely to run into my blogger friend Eva Rock Shic in the garden. How cute that she was on date night with her hubby! She told me how yummy tomato pie was, so I had to try it with the croquette for an appetizer. Three of us had two orders of the half chicken in a bucket with mac & cheese on the side.

The food was OK, but I recommend this place more for their interesting location. If you’re looking for a great outdoor dining experience before the weather gets cold, this is your little downtown gem. So hurry to Birds & Bubbles before the outdoor garden is no longer open!

Root & Bone

Posted on September 12, 2014 by cutiepatroller

Fried Chicken & Waffles at Root & Bone

Root & Bone 200 E 3rd St,b/t Avenue B & Avenue A, NYC (646) 682-7080

This may be NYC’s best fried chicken EVER!!!!! I came here for Sunday brunch with no expectations. When I put my name down on the list I was told there was a 45 minute wait. We were very lucky to be seated after waiting only 15 minutes! I ordered two different yummy cocktails. I really liked the Bumble n’ Bone (gin, white egg, maple, lemon, and black pepper). The signature dish at this restaurant is a fried chicken and waffle sandwich.

OVERALL	FOOD	ATMOSPHERE	PRICE
♥♥♥♥	♥♥♥♥	♥♥♥♥	$$$1/2

While seated, I looked around to see what people were eating and most of the tables had someone eating this sandwich. However, I ended up ordering the half fried chicken in a basket instead (without the waffle). I also ordered the waffle benedict. I really didn’t expect both dishes to be this gooooooooooooooooood! The chicken was so crispy and tasty. Some of the best fried chicken I’ve ever had in my life! This is only a guess, but I think they may have used potato starch flour instead of regular flour. I thought this because my mom makes great Japanese fried chicken (karaage) back home in Japan and the crusty outside is very similar. 🙂 Potato starch flour makes it much more light with a very soft yet crispy outside.

I am not a fan of southern food or waffles, but this waffle benedict is the exception. It was fluffy like pound cake. They could definitely change my mind about waffles forever ~ The poached eggs with lemon yolk sauce and side salad were also great. My only complaint is the two pieces of tiny cut bacon that came with this dish. You can order extra bacon as a side, but I wish they were a more generous size. 😦

Over all I give this place 4 hearts. Very cute decor and the brunch atomosphere was lovely with the open windows.

P.S. — Check out my patrolling report of another newly opened southern restaurant, Birds and Bubbles. This place serves fried chicken and Champagne!

Kokage

Posted on July 14, 2014 by cutiepatroller

Great Soba Lunch Set at Kokage in Midtown East

Side dish – Saba Sushi ♥♥♥♥

Overall	Food	Atmosphere	Price
♥♥♥♥	♥♥♥1/2	♥♥♥1/2	$$$1/2

Maguro Yamakake Soba and Inari Sushi – Tuna sashimi and grated mountain yam served in cold broth $20 ♥♥♥♥1/2

Kamo Nanban Soba and Inari Sushi – Sliced duck and Tokyo scallion served in cold broth $20 ♥♥♥♥

Shojin Ramen – Ramen noodles in spicy miso broth topped with seasonal vegetable $20 ♥♥♥1/2

Atsuage Ankake Soba and Saba Sushi Deep fried tofu and scallion served in thicken hot broth $20 ♥♥♥1/2

Side dish – Kamo Sushi – Dack Sushi ♥♥♥

Side dish ♥♥♥1/2

Gramercy Tavern

Posted on July 8, 2014 by cutiepatroller

New York Classic “Gramercy Tavern”

Gramercy Tavern 42 E 20th St ( b/t Broadway & S Park Ave in Flatiron ) NYC. (212) 477-0777

Overall	Food	Atmosphere	Price
♥♥♥♥	♥♥♥♥	♥♥♥1/2	$$$1/2

I have been to so many great NY restaurants and yet somehow I had never gone to Gramercy Tavern. I am so busy going to new restaurants that I sometimes push some old restaurants to the back of my list. This place has been on my wish list for a while because I have heard so many good things about it. I was excited to take my BFF, Kim, here for an early birthday dinner. (We celebrated her group birthday at Novita the next day.) Kim and I have been BFFs for 10 years and I knew this place was on her wish list, too. We decided at the last minute to meet up so I didn’t make a reservation. When we arrived we put our name down for The Tavern. (This is the more casual bar/seating area when you first walk in.) We enjoyed a cocktail at the bar before dinner. The place was super busy and fully seated so we noticed people dining at the bar counter. (My second visit I didn’t have to wait at all when I got there around 9:00pm.)

Marinated Fluke, Citrus, Radish and Trout Roe $14 ♥♥♥♥

The restaurant has two different dining rooms. One is called The Tavern which is where Kim and I had dinner. They don’t take reservations in The Tavern and you can order a la carte. The other room is called The Dining Room where you can make a reservation and they serve a course menu. Your options are a three-course menu for $92 and a tasting menu for $102 or $120.

Sweetbread ♥♥♥1/2

You can see what I ate along with my heart rating for each dish. My favorite was the Fuluku Crudo for sure. The place changes their menu quite often, but on my second visit this month I was still able to order the Duck Pate and Fuluku for appetizers. I didn’t take photos of all the food I had on my second visit, but I had Maitake Mushroom Lasagne and fish for my entree. Their sweetbread reminded me of fried chicken….hehe a fancy fried chicken. It was very tender and the way they plated it was cute, but I’ve had better fried sweetbread at Pearl & Ash!

Duck Liver Mousse, Pickled Vegetables and Grilled Bread 14.00 ♥♥♥1/2

After my second visit I came up with a mini-description so you can get a clear idea of what it’s like. “New American Babbo.” Do you get it? If you have been to both places then you know what I mean! Classic New York style restaurant that lasts for a long time – A chef with a great reputation and the price is pricy, yet not too high. The atmosphere is casual elegant. Babbo is Italian cuisine by chef Mario Batali . Gramercy Tavern is New American cuisine by chef Michael Anthony. I recommend both restaurants for any classic occasion you’re planning to have. It’s also a great place to take the parents.

Apple Salad – Chicory and Pistachios Ayinger Oktober Fest Märzen Lager, Germany ♥♥♥

Beef Tartare, Chestnuts and Brussels Sprouts 18 ♥♥♥1/2

Squid Ink Spaghetti, Kale, Mussels and Chorizo 18 ♥♥♥1/2

Ruby Red Shrimp, Daikon, Bok Choy and Beech Mushrooms 16 ♥♥♥

Black Bass, Mushrooms, Lobster and Candied Peanuts 25 ♥♥♥

Main dining room

Spinach & Mushroom Lasagna, Nettles, Scallions and Pine Nuts $18 ♥♥♥

♥♥♥

Island Creek Oysters $3 each ♥♥♥

Marinated Fluke, Citrus, Radish and Trout Roe $14 ♥♥♥♥

Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream

Posted on July 4, 2014 by cutiepatroller

OMG NEWS

New edition to my block ”Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream”

I had Durian Banana & Green Tea Pistachio *\(^_^)/*

Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream 2 Rivington St ( b/t Chrystie & Bowery ) in Lower East Side, NYC

You all know I have my boutique Cutie Room on 5 Rivington St ( b/t Bowery St & Chrystie St ) in Lower East Side. Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream opened last month across the street from my shop!~YAY!! Officially my block is cutest block in L.E.S. 🙂

Also Italian restaurant Antonioni’s opened a few months ago on the corner of Rivington St and Chrystie St. Antonioni’s is owned by the same people who run Cafe Gitan.

A block list of Rivington Street, b/t Bowery St & Chrystie St.

Cutie Room – 5 Rivington St

Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream – 2 Rivington St

Spiritual America – 5 Rivington St

Freeman’s restaurant – 8 Rivington St

Freeman’s sporting club – 8 Rivington St

Freeman’s barbar shop – 8 Rivington St

Loreley – 7 Rivington St

Antonioni’s – 177 Chrystie St ( corner of Rivington St & Chrystie St )

Eleven Rivington – 11 Rivington St

Claudette

Posted on June 18, 2014 by cutiepatroller

Elegant French/Mediterranean Restaurant “Claudette” Greenwich Village

Claudette 18 Greenwich Ave ( corner of 5th Ave & 9 St ) NYC

Claudette opened this month on 5th Ave and the corner of 9th St. Just a few blocks from Washington Square Park. Claudette has the same owners as Rosemary’s in the West Village. Rosemary’s chef, Wade Moises is joined by Koren Grieveson now at Claudette. Grieveson is a James Beard award winner who once worked at Avec in Chicago. Compared to Rosemary’s, the decor is elegant and the crowd is half 30-40 year-olds and half stylishly dressed 60 year-olds. I’m calling it “West Village’s Elegant Parent”. \(^_^)/ I actually saw Nate Berkus there, You know, the amazing interior designer, author, and TV personality! The weather was very nice that night and the place had the patio doors open, which you can see in my photo below.

Overall	Food	Atmosphere	Price
♥♥♥♥	♥♥♥♥	♥♥♥♥	$$$$

The menu is made of six different kinds of small salads which are all $8 or $38 for any five. My friend and I skipped the salad menu this time, but I would order it if I came with more than two people.

There were eight appetizers priced around $15 each. Our waiter recommended the grilled octopus, but we thought that was too boring at a Mediterranean restaurant. So we ordered soft shell crab with couscous instead, which was good. CLAUDETTE’S PIED PAQUETS (braised tripe and pork shoulder) was a little disappointing. It came in a big pan yet there were only three small pieces of pork with two potatoes. It seemed like a stew in which they had forgotten to add meat and vegetables.

The average price for an entree is $27 and there are eight different dishes. We had the WRAPPED RED SNAPPER with eggplant, chermoula, fennel ($26). The eggplant had an interesting chewy texture and was delish. The Grilled Lamb ‘pommes anna’, coriander, apple, yogurt vinaigrette ($29) was tender and had just the right amount of seasoning without overpowering the taste of the meat.

We had a great three hour dinner with a nice bottle of wine. Overall, I give it 3.7 out of 5 hearts. When I give 4 hearts that means it’s one of my favorites and I am highly recommending you to go. This is just shy of 4, but you should definitely check this place out, even if just once, for the right occasion. It may be good for a date night or someplace nice to take your parents. I think the price point is good and the atmosphere is casual elegant.

Cherche Midi

Posted on June 18, 2014 by cutiepatroller

Keith McNally’s Cherche Midi on Bowery

Cherche Midi 282 Bowery (corner of Houston St ) NYC

Overall	Food	Atmosphere	Price
♥♥♥	♥♥♥	♥♥♥1/2	$$$1/2

Keith McNally’s Cherche Midi opened three days ago (June 12) in my neighborhood. The location is the former space of Pulino’s at the corner of Bowery & Houston. I made a last minute reservation for six at 8:30pm on Saturday night. As soon as I walked in I realized the place looked just like Pulino’s. Keith McNally owned an Italian restaurant called Pulino’s that closed in February this year. I guess they didn’t change the interior very much. The bar, dining area, and kitchen are all the same. Even the basement bathroom is the same with its cute mini-tile floors. The only differences I could find were that there was no outside seating and the lighting was much warmer making it feel like a French bistro. The bartender gave us a free shot to welcome us while we waited at the bar for our table. 🙂 Nice!

Once we were seated, I started my dinner by ordering a cocktail made with egg white. It was yummy~

We ordered three appetizers to share and each of us ordered different entrees. My entree was Whole Grilled Daurade with crispy herba – $34. I have to say, the best choice from the entree menu!! The fish was simply grilled and came in a large portion. It was seasoned with whole thyme and rosemary, brushed with olive oil, and served with grilled lemon on the side. After I opened the fish in half, I brushed it with oil using the herb stems, then squeezed lemon all over it. Besides my Daurade, I had bites of the Skate Fish, Lobster Ravioli, Steak Frites, and Salmon. They are all good, but nothing special.

Ratings for the appetizers:

The HAMACHI CRUDO w. yuzu, radish and shiso ($15) was light and tasty. I thought the portion size was very fair.

The PAN-ROASTED FOIE GRAS w. toasted baguette and a watercress salad ($19) It turned out to be plain pieces of watercress other than “salad’. The fois gras was good, but the baguette was very dry. None of us ended up eating it. The portion size was very small for the price. Overall, I would not recommend it.

The SAUTEED SARDINES over grilled country bread with saffron aioli and pickled shallots ($14) was just ok. Again, I would not recommend it.

I saw a posting with the FROG LEG green garlic veloute, garlic chips, crisp parsley ($19) on Instagram and it looked very good. We didn’t order it, but maybe that would be a better choice of an appetizer if you visit. Although I think $19 is very pricey for frog, so that’s your call! (I don’t care for frog dishes, but I had one of the best frog dishes at Le Philosoph In Noho that I blogged about a few years ago.)

We definitely had a great time and we were glad to check out this new place, but none of us were impressed. Also, we ate here many times back when it was Pulino’s so it almost didn’t feel like a new place. Yes, I know it sounds like I’m a jaded foodie NYker, but it’s true!!! However, I would like to patrol again if they start serving breakfast since my neighborhood doesn’t have many breakfast spots.

PS– My friend Dr Anthony had PAN-SEARED SALMON lentils, cumin-scented yogurt and greens. #BAM Heathy choice!!! Omega 3 🙂

xoxo

Cutie Patroller

Cutie Patroller is always on the prowl in NYC for cute places and great food.

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