Sweet Eatz
Social Eatz | 232 E 53rd St. (Bet. 2nd & 3rd Aves.) | 212.207.3339 | socialeatz.com
"...And even though I am admittedly a recent convert to enjoy having a warm runny egg yolk over any number of foods, even here, the egg was not the extracurricular afterthought I've accused it of becoming on many a cooking show; the yolks' silkiness tethered the acidity of the pickled, crispy, julienned vegetables, so every bite finished harmoniously...." [Full Post]
L'Afrique? C'est Chic!
...A plentiful and aromatic dish, this was another tasty winner. You could really taste the melange of flavor influences, a hint of mustard in the marinade, some sweeter spices—nutmeg maybe—mixing with spicier ones, and the barely-on-the-bone lamb, with its deeper but not gamier flavor, possessing the quality of imparting its leaner meat's flavor, as well as its fatty flavors (most meats really heavily on its fat content alone for flavor).... [Full post]
Outdoor (De)Lighting
... Again, though, this place, with its almost Alice in Wonderland ambience, is a place where the food supports a bigger idea. It's located right next to a megaplex and conveniently located near several large and small office buildings. You would celebrate birthdays here, or grab a quick plate before catching that 8:10 movie. This is a place where you bring the one you like on the date right before you get serious. It is the theoretical appetizer for what should be the meal of a greater, good time.... [Full post]
A Tiny Distraction
...The veggies seemed fresh—the snap peas actually snapped when I bit into them—and the sticky rice was sturdy and toothsome enough to hold up to the serviceably sinus-clearing and brow-beading hot red Thai curry.... [full post]
Monday Night Steak Special
...Last night, I decided to spoil myself with our Monday Night Steak Special (served every Monday night after 5 p.m.) which is a 14 oz. N.Y. Strip Steak, marinated for 6 hours in Chef Gary's signature garlicky smokey-sweet sauce, grilled to order, topped with fried onions, and served complete with a side house or Caesar salad, potatoes, and veggies—all for just $18!... [cont.]
Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise Hummus
...Well, not long after their spring opening, I started to notice that the small yet comfy space was packed, pretty much from the beginning of lunch through to the end of their dinner service. And often with large groups of people waiting outside for over half an hour waiting to be seated themselves!... [full post]
Fond of Defonte's
... No pimply-faced, faux slacker "sandwich artists" here; the real art obviously happens in the kitchen, and the proof is in the ingredients' presentation, and in the exquisite smell of the place: more like a kitchen and less like a store. They were even baking cookies from scratch during my visit!.... [Full post]
Temporary Heaven at Permanent Brunch
...And when a neighborhood and its restaurants start to do this well, the homegrown New York City cynic starts to come out of me. I start expecting one of these fancified, well-reviewed newbies to eventually disappoint. You know us New Yorkers; we love to be the cool, forward-thinking, savvy savant that tells everyone to go to a cool, hip place—in this case, the eateries of the East Village—and then snap that "we're over it" when everyone eventually does!... [Full Post]
You Say, "Good Bao", I Say, "Hello!"
...Knowing full well I was going to check out this new place called Baoguette for lunch after the movie. Baoguette is the, I beleive, second endeavor of up-and-coming Vietnamese chef, Michael Bao Huynh, who also opened Bar Bao on West 82nd & Columbus. Baoguette has been getting a lot of press—in the food community—for its banh mí sandwich, having been touted as the best on many restaurant lists, food blogs, and menu search reviews. It's the new hot sandwich of the year, so I had to check it out!... [Full post]
