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New York a la Lena: Weekly Picks

Dining news a la minute -- which is the obvious way to serve it, in the city that never sleeps. This Tri-State restaurant scoop is fresh and seasonal, locally sourced and authentic, featuring chefs and purveyors who can't wait to share what they're cooking. From food trucks to five-star fine dining, and dive bars to the sexiest cocktail spots.

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Blogger Lena Katz shares her favorite foodie picks in the city.

by Lena Katz New York a la Lena: Weekly Picks

Superiority Burger

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Superiority Burger

Restaurants

430 E 9th StNew York, NY

Nov. 20, 2015 - People are lining up for the vegetarian burgers from Superiority Burger, an East Village newcomer by former pastry chef Brooks Headley. If you're among the many who have been disappointed time and again by soggy, chewy, or tasteless veggie burgers, then prepare to join the queue for these char-grilled not-Whoppers. The Superiority Burger costs $6 and comes with Muenster cheese and the rest of the fixings. Or try a meatless "Sloppy Dave," inspired by the sloppy Joe and topped with frizzled onions to give a little crispy crunch. There are ever-changing veggie sides, although not French fries; and for dessert, gelatos and sorbets by the scoop. For now it's takeout only, dinner hours only, and closed Tuesdays.

The Federal Bar

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The Federal Bar

Bars

367 Metropolitan AveBrooklyn, NY

Nov. 9, 2015 - Brooklyn is the hipster capital of the country, and brunch is the weekend tradition that bonds and sustains its denizens. Breakfast burritos and eggs Benedict bring us together, and $20 carafes of mimosas give us life. True brunch junkies like to try new spins on the eggs and pancakes that we've all been eating since childhood. The Federal Bar is a newly arrived LA offshoot that gets the bicoastal blend of eats, drinks, vibe, and neighborhood just right. Brunch just started here but the menu is great and the mimosas are flowing: Serving breakfast burgers, "dirty" fried rice with duck liver mousse and egg, a "Fidel Castro" with braised pork on top of the typical ham and cheese, and doughnut bread pudding as a dessert, The Federal Bar goes all out to satisfy the hangover cravings of Williamsburg.

Tiny Empire

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Tiny Empire

Juices

234 Lafayette StNew York, NY 10012

Oct. 23, 2015 - SoHo welcomes the newest location of Tiny Empire, a juice and raw food bar with the coolest and most peculiar name, and also the most hipster-personality partnerships. Serving juices, smoothies and salads made from exclusively organic ingredients, Tiny Empire is a Brooklyn-based juicery that strives to elevate raw food to new culinary levels while still keeping it easy to grab-and-go. Executive Chef Melissa Love comes from Liquiteria, and has also done stints at Pure Food and Gingersnaps Organic. Tiny Empire's aesthetic is on a different level from most juice bars', thanks to creative partnerships with artsy influencers like surf filmmaker Mikey DeTemple and artist/race car driver Richard Phillips, who is painting a mural in the SoHo spot.

The Taco Shop

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The Taco Shop

Mexican Restaurants

166 W 4th StNew York, NY

Oct. 6, 2015 - Tacos for brunch. Three little words that are almost (not quite) curing my homesickness for L.A. Tacos in NYC can be such a disappointment -- they’'e either fusion and $15 for a weensy little portion, or they're served in a Greek diner alongside French fries. Like many, I suffer withdrawals for the savory, crunchy Mexican street morsels found all over the Southwest. Therefore, places like this casual taqueria by the Tio Pepe group make me so happy. Especially when they’re Tweeting weekend brunch deals and all-night Taco Tuesday.

Tacos here are about $3 each, made with actual Mexican fillings like barbacoa and spicy chorizo, and served at all hours. Brunch. Lunch. Happy Hour. Dinner. Weekend taco brunch serves three tacos and a margarita or beer for $12. Happy Hour Mon-Fri from 3-7pm is basically the same deal. Possibly the best meal deal in Manhattan.

Leyenda cocktail

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Leyenda

Mexican Restaurants

221 Smith StBrooklyn, NY

Sept. 18, 2015 - Hey, Carroll Gardens, you have another nice backyard patio to have good-weather happy hours. Oh, and a new happy hour, too. Quasi-newcomer Leyenda, by Julie Reiner (the spirits mastermind behind Clover Club), just opened its patio and announced Happy Hour Monday-Friday from 5-7 pm. Get mojitos and other Latin "refresher" cocktails for $6, micheladas for $5, and Negra Modelo or Presidente beers for $4.

Aside from the late-afternoon cheap drinks of which I am so fond, Leyenda really specializes in creative pan-Latin cocktails, obscure spirits which you can taste in flights, and authentic Latin American cuisine including family recipes from consulting chef Sue Torres. Skirt steak skewers, goat picadillo tacos, and tequila shrimp arepas are among the signatures on the launch menu. Everything on the food and bar menus is available for patio service.

Plataforma Brazilian grilled meat

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Churrascaria Plataforma

Brazilian Restaurants

316 W 49th StNew York, NY

Sept. 10, 2015 - Once a year, my Brazilian in-laws insist we go to the most authentic Brazilian churrascaria in New York City. It takes me a week to recover.

For those of you who haven't been introduced to the carnivorous glory of a churrascaria, it is a grilled meat extravaganza where the meat comes by your table, courtesy of dozens of waiters bearing it on rodizio skewers and carving it onto your plate, not slowing down until you literally give them the red "STOP" signal. There are a few American chains that emulate the true Brazilian style, and then there are some minor-league churrascarias in every major city, but the best and most authentic and most ungodly expensive is Plataforma. Owned by the same bombastic entrepreneur who throws Brazilian Day every year, it is enormous and hectic and over-the-top. For weekend brunch and dinner, it is guaranteed to be so packed with people who cannot wait to spend $70 on an all-you-can-eat meat buffet, you will have to wait at the bar for 20-30 minutes before you get your chance. Actually, it's $45 for weekend brunch - before tax. Also it's not counting the cost of the caipirinhas that you'll be drinking, not just at the bar but with your food if you're with Brazilians.

This is a food experience worthy of ancient Rome, I believe. Grilled filet mignon wrapped in bacon, grilled flank steak dripping bloody rare, garlic-crusted sirloin, pork sausage, pork tenderloin, leg of lamb, turkey wrapped in bacon … on and on, till you quit. Also side dishes: rice and beans, cassava and polenta, cheesy biscuits and FRIED CHEESE. For people who don't eat red meat - you are totally in the wrong place, but don't worry there's an entire salad bar that has everything from sashimi to Greek salad to grilled eggplant to garlic shrimp.

Station LIC

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Station LIC

Bar & Grills

1037 Jackson AveLong Island City, NY

Aug. 17, 2015 - For some reason, I always thought the movie 'Cocktail' was set in Midtown. I have no basis for that - it's mostly because certain Midtown venues seem stuck in the Eighties. But nope, Tom Cruise did his finest flair bar tricks at a Long Island City watering hole. And that watering hole has been turned into a fine, handsome, modern American eatery with tasteful hints of exposed brick and ceiling beams to counterbalance some slick modern art. The owner is an architect, and you can tell. He says it has a train station theme, but to me, that's only because an actual station is adjacent.

I couldn't come to grips with my feels about Station LIC eschewing its neon-lit, big-haired past. Then I realized that there are now bespoke Bloody Marys and reggae music at Sunday brunch, and BBQ with Rose on special summer nights. This is much better than whatever nasty blue drink Tom Cruise had in his shaker. Great shareable snackable things on the menu, too: risotto fritters, chefs' choice of crostini, Bulgogi beef skewers, and charcuterie.

Pizzeria Brunetti brick oven pizza

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Pizzepteria Brunetti

Pizza

626 Hudson StNew York, NY

July 31, 2015 - True confession: When I was traveling through Portugal and Spain recently, I intentionally did not order pizza because I knew I could get way better quality in New York. That is an unforgivably American thing to say, but outside of Italy, nowhere on earth does pizzas like this. And in every detail, even its quintessential Italian name, this is a New York neighborhood treasure. The brick oven pizzas are so perfect, you'll be thinking of them a week later. Not big though. Just four slices - a hungry person with a man-sized appetite could eat a whole one. The Vongole is the signature pie. Carbonara pizza is a crowd-pleaser, and the Margherita is the best seller. Outside the pizzas, anything with meatballs is a good option. They're a third-generation family recipe. We had them plain, but only because the sliders sold out.

This is a father-son venture, and if you show up in the evening, chances are that Jason Brunetti AKA "Sonny" will be running the show and showing people to their tables. It's bustling, with a mixed crowd, lots of walk-in traffic, and the outdoor patio is in high demand. From the food, you'd think this was an old-school pizza-making family, but in fact, father Michael "Pop" Brunetti decided to start the venture a few years back for family bonding purposes as much as business. Both Brunettis went to pizza school and then apprenticed in the industry before opening their first shop in Westhampton Beach. They perfected their skills there before opening in the West Village, within walking distance of Meatpacking nightlife.

Macchiato latte by Coffee Bruins barista

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Coffee Bruins

Coffee Shops

1250 BroadwayNew York, NY

July 20, 2015 - Pop art and the occasional pineapple sculpture, a ping-pong table, and custom-decorated lattes -- I'd call this place a hipster coffee bar, but they're so sincere, I don't wish to minimize everyone's hard work. This Herald Square newcomer is obviously a labor of love, from the careful sourcing of small-lot imported beans, to the art collaborations, to the colorful salads served at lunch. I like that you can also get rice bowls here, and that while the menu is vegan, it's not gluten-free, so there are some yummy pastries on offer as well. Having once spent the better part of an hour looking online for a nice coffee bar in this neighborhood to conduct a business meeting, and then being forced to give up and meet at a hotel bar instead, I have to say, Bruins is a welcome addition -- latte art, impromptu yoga classes and all.

The Feast at 'Queen of the Night' at Paramount Hotel in New York

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Paramount Hotel

Hotels

235 W 46th StNew York, NY 10036

June 25, 2015 - Everyone I know, local and visitor alike, has made a priority of going to the Macbeth-inspired 'Sleep No More' in the McKittrick Hotel (not really a hotel). I'm not one for disturbing interactive dinner shows, so I stay away, but I'm definitely a fan of the younger sibling-show from that performance troupe, 'Queen of the Night'. This show is the glimmering star attraction of the Paramount Hotel.

I have a childhood love of the evil Queen in the Mozart opera 'Magic Flute'. And I, like everyone, am a fan of sexy circus cabaret acts. Other attributes: androgynous wait staff, friendly fellow guests, and a veritable feast served family style. For me, the ultimate entrée is the lobsters in gilt cages; for others, new menu items like the giant roast legs of lamb or the medieval-looking roast chicken on a spit. Everyone shares, and there's always more than enough food to go around. A bottomless drinks upgrade is available, and I’d say you splurge for it, because this is a true special occasion -- and one that involves perfect strangers flirting, doing aerial splits, and politely stealing your lobster.

Practical tips: Book at least two weeks in advance, and note that cocktail or gala attire is required.

Michael Jordan's The Steak House in Grand Central Station, New York City

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Michael Jordan's Steakhouse

Steak Houses

23 Vanderbilt AveNew York, NY

June 18, 2015 - In some ways, this star-branded steakhouse is exactly what you'd expect it to be, and in some ways it's the exact opposite. It is in the most amazing setting -- the beating heart of Manhattan -- on the second level of Grand Central. The elegant dining room feels vaguely like Olympus, in the sense that diners are floating in an expansive VIP setting elevated way above the shouting humans below. From a balcony vantage point, you can observe mankind or just ignore them and concentrate on the epic feasting. This all seems very on-brand for Michael Jordan.

Here's what it's not: Gimmicky. Sports-themed. Overbearing. It is not a chain. It feels like a person owns it, not a company. And this is the case. The managing partner was in business for decades before partnering with Jordan -- who, word to the wise, apparently has a fantastic wine cellar that he uses to inform his restaurant's wine selection.

The food is classic and delicious. No twists or experimentation -- and actually, in the steak category, they don't even do sauces. It's all about the perfectly cooked prime beef. I had bone-in rib-eye, hanger steak and filet -- plus thick-cut steak fries and a wedge salad. It was a meat extravaganza of the sort that can and does drive a lesser carnivore to the sweaty brink. One of the best things about New York City is that such a place can quietly exist in Grand Central for years, and you can be the one to surprise people with it after work.

The Malt House

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The Malt House FiDi

Bars

9 Maiden LnNew York, NY

June 10, 2015 - I was about to call this handsome new Financial District tavern a watering hole, but who are we kidding? Nobody’s coming here for water, and the space is 7000 square feet. Money-movers and shakers will come to the tavern level for craft beers (40 available on draft) and to the below-street-level Cocktail Parlor for something stronger. Classic cocktails or whiskey on the rocks, if you please -- this is not a place to find sweet stuff, nor mixology cocktails that take 20 minutes and a blowtorch to create. Although -- they might mix you up a Moscow Mule if you ask politely.

The food menu is upscale modern bar food: truffle fries, fish tacos, house-smoked pork belly, and half a dozen classic tavern entrees. Happy hour weekdays from 4-6 p.m. bring $5 beers and a selection of bar bites between $3-6.

This is the second Malt House location; the first is on Thompson Street.

Photo credit: Joh Keenan

Neapolitan Pizza at Rossopomodoro in New York, NY

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Rossopomodoro

Restaurants

118 Greenwich AveNew York, NY

June 1, 2015 - During lunchtime in New York, literally about a million people are on the hunt for their pizza fix. This Neapolitan newcomer just started lunch service to West Village crowds, but it has slightly loftier ambitions than just selling pies to the hungry office-worker masses: Owner Simone Falco hopes that his wood-fired pizzas and other traditional Neapolitan family recipes -- made with imported Italian staple ingredients and seasonal market produce -- will entice diners to linger and relax in the restaurant, enjoying lunch as the Europeans do instead of gulping down their food at their desks.

This is definitely the season when New Yorkers are most likely to slack off work duties a little bit -- we've waited six months for nice temperatures, and now we want to enjoy them. Tempt us with Italian wine and antipasti and panini and wood-oven pizza, and who knows? We might (gasp!) take the rest of the afternoon off.

BLT Prime chicken liver pate

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BLT Prime

Restaurants

111 E 22nd StNew York, NY

May 21, 2015 - One of only two Prime restaurants from the talented Chef Laurent Tourondel, BLT Prime is the sort of standout carnivore emporium that well-heeled visitors make a point of visiting when in Manhattan.

Meanwhile, neighborhood residents who are wealthy enough to spend upwards of $50 on an entree without blinking come here regularly enough that the wait staff know their preferred table and order. Result? The place is extremely busy.

The service is top-notch professional -- efficient and smiley, solicitous but not obsequious. Starting from the complimentary chicken liver pate, the food is decadent. The thick-cut bacon appetizer is wildly tempting, but so filling that you’ll have trouble even looking at your entree afterward. Chilled seafood is a better option if you don’t want to wildly indulge. All the steaks are great -- of course, true big spenders are bound to order the American Kobe.

On the regular menu, the 10-ounce hanger steak is the modest option. Bone-in ribeye is big enough to share between two people and still have leftovers. Everything’s a la carte and sides cost about $11 apiece, but the portions are big enough to split between 3-4 diners.

Villa Enrico at Z Hotel in Long Island City, NY

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Villa Enrico

American Restaurants

1101 43rd AveLong Island City, NY

May 13, 2015 - Z Hotel in Long Island City has absolutely stunning after-dark views of the Manhattan skyline, and now you can make an evening out of your sunset-stalking, instead of just doing drinks.

First, have cocktails on the rooftop. Then, go down to Villa Enrico, the newly opened Italian seafood restaurant at the Z. It’s a special occasion place itself, with glossy grown-up decor and an extensive menu. Most of the antipasti are seafood, which makes me happy -- it’s nice to see stuffed calamari and seafood salad instead of the ubiquitous beef carpaccio and caprese.

There are some meat-eater entrees, but signatures like the monkfish and the whole branzino are artistically plated and light and delicious. Unlike many Italian restaurants, this one remembers to serve seasonal vegetables, and not just as garnish. Pizza is not on the dinner menu, but the proprietor is prone to making a pie and carrying it around the lounge, handing out slices just to lure in diners. I personally would never say no to a free slice, even if I had to ditch dessert.

Important note: Rooftop brunch served Saturdays and Sundays at a bargain -- $13.95 for entree plus one boozy brunch drink.

Margaritas at Mulberry Project in New York, NY

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Mulberry Project

Mediterranean Restaurants

149 Mulberry StNew York, NY

May 4, 2015 - Every summer, Mulberry Project’s patio is done as a different themed “pop up,” mostly inspired by exotic global locations. This year, the inspiration is Tulum, Mexico. We assume that means beach and jungle trimmings and maybe some inventive frozen margaritas. Probably not pyramids or underground rivers, though. (Although don’t get me wrong, that would be impressive.)

Anyway. This 900-square-foot piece of Tulum just opened for the season, with its own special seasonal small-plates menu as well as some of those bespoke by-the-pitcher cocktails for which Mulberry Project is famous.

A Chocolate Apothecary at Cacao Market By MarieBelle in Brooklyn, NY

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Cacao Market By MarieBelle

Chocolate & Cocoa

67 Guernsey StBrooklyn, NY

April 27, 2015 - This self-styled "chocolate apothecary" just opened in Greenpoint -- which, by my count, is seeing more openings this year than any other Brooklyn neighborhood. It's the latest venture by popular New York chocolatier Maribel Liebermann AKA MarieBelle, known already for her SoHo chocolate salon and revered amongst artisan circles for making it onto Oprah's "My Favorite Things."

MarieBelle's Brooklyn shop is full of clever and decadent delights, starting with the "Apothecary Collection" small-bite chocolates that come in stoppered glass bottles. If I go gift shopping, I will most likely be purchasing Saucisson Au Chocolate because it's packaged exactly like a sausage -- unnervingly so. But if it's for me? One of the famous "elixirs," especially the Aztec Hot Chocolate, will do just fine.

Irvington in the W New York - Union Square in New York, NY

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Irvington

American Restaurants

201 Park Ave SNew York, NY

April 17, 2015 - Gerber Group groupies, here's your newest Manhattan go-to: in the W New York -- Union Square. It's a glossy contemporary American restaurant-bar with the craft cocktail program, farm-to-table nod and Mediterranean culinary focus that I'm seeing absolutely everywhere this year.

Incoming chef David Nichols promises that many ingredients will be sourced from neighboring Union Square Greenmarket, giving a local-market pedigree in the heart of the big city. Other homey touches: the open kitchen featuring a brick oven and a rotisserie. Sausages are made in-house, and fresh cheeses come from Beecher's Handmade Cheese.

Billet & Bellows in Brooklyn, NY

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Billet & Bellows

Bars

177 Grand StBrooklyn, NY

April 8, 2015 - Note to readers: I will never, ever get sick of small plates. Even if said plates are crackers and cheese or a bowl of nuts -- I'll always be charmed by the concept. Chalk it up to college vacations in Spain. Anyway. This former Williamsburg metalworks shop turned ampersand-titled beer hall/craft cocktail concept just launched a small plates menu, a mere few months after opening late 2014 as booze only. Newly available edibles include chicken liver toast, skillet mac 'n cheese, a Ploughman's Plate. Nothing groundbreaking, but as I said: I live for shareable little snack plates. Plus, a bar by a female metal worker = automatic A+++. So put this on your Brooklyn list for cocktails with a cool back story.

Photo credit: Harriet Roberts

Death Ave. in New York, NY

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Death Ave

American Restaurants

315 10th Ave b/w 28th & 29th St.New York, NY

March 31, 2015 - The Greeks have it down when it comes to hospitality -- because they are actually hospitable to the bone, not just pretending for business reasons. A first-generation Greek entrepreneur developed this restaurant in absolutely every detail, from the custom-designed doors to the barrel-aged cocktails to the non-traditional menu. It doesn't look like anything else you'll find in Manhattan, though I like to think you might find something like it in some Greek mountain town with a well-traveled owner. Do not be freaked out by the name: It's a historic reference to when a train came whooshing down the avenue (about a century ago).

This is a perfect date spot (I especially like the low-lit bar area for couples). However, if you and a friend are due for a leisurely catchup over some shared plates, the dining room is perfect. When the back patio opens for summer, if that authentic Greek ambience carries over, you'll find me there every Saturday ALL day behaving as the old men of that country do -- i.e. drinking wine slowly over ice, playing cards, and nibbling on whatever for six hours at a time. The geniuses behind one of my favorite boozy-brunch operations are now offering one more lunch for Manhattanites.

Aldo Sohm Wine Bar

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Aldo Sohm Wine Bar

Wine Bars

151 W 51st StNew York, NY

March 23, 2015 - They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but here's a far more rewarding form: when you're so good at your job, your celebrity boss gives you your own venue and lets you put your name on it. Such is the case at Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, a chic little sister to Le Bernadin, named after and conceived by the longtime wine director.

A California wine industry friend tipped me off to this venue, which has been around since fall 2014 and is getting great insider buzz for its social media-powered #AldoAfterDark wine discovery program. Essentially, it's one-off wines by the glass or daily specials that the regulars help select via Instagram. If the restaurant picks, it's sometimes because of an event/holiday tie-in, and more often because they just got something really good they want people to experience.

Coffee at Devocion in Brooklyn, NY

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Devocion

Coffee Shops

69 Grand StBrooklyn, NY

March 16, 2015 - Hear ye, coffee snobs: There’s a new player in Brooklyn, and it's flying beans from Bogota weekly. The opening of Devocion's roasting plant and coffee shop has caused a buzz, not only because the coffee is touted as the freshest "micro-lot" Colombian (beans roasted at only 10-30 days post-harvest), but because the location of origin is as hazardous as you might imagine. The beans are all Fair Trade, and sourced from 400-odd small farmers who eke out their existence in the middle of guerrilla country. A killer back story, an onsite roasting program, a beautiful vertical garden to beautify the interior... No wonder it’s Williamsburg's favorite new daytime haunt. Go forth and caffeinate with a clear conscience. If the coffee isn't to your particular taste (possible because it is so quick to the roaster), try the Colombian tea, where steamed water is poured over a beautiful cup full of fresh fruit.

Photo: Courtesy Devocion

Maple Syrup Bottles at Corner of Vermont in Brooklyn, NY

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Corner of Vermont

Syrups

374 5th StBrooklyn, NY 11215

Feb. 26, 2015 - Maple is having a moment right now. Besides being everyone's go-to pancake topper, it's being used in all manner of glazes, baked goods, and cocktails. Now that maple season is upon us, if you can’t head upstate or out to Vermont where the maple farmers' "sugar shacks" are, don’t worry: There’s a place you can get the real stuff right in Brooklyn. Yes, I checked, and this is a city storefront for a genuine 200-acre farm, Black Bear Sugarworks, located in a remote corner of the Green Mountains. Owner Mark Hastings is a self-styled "maple evangelist" who divides his time between tending to his own sugar maples, driving around to the other small farmers in Vermont to gather their goods for sale, and running the business in Park Slope, which is new as of this year. Besides single-source syrup, the store sells maple candy, maple-sweetened hot drinks, maple cotton candy, and breakfast/brunchy foods. The biggest seller during last weekend's cold snap was traditional maple ice "crème," which just proves that Brooklynites would rather flout the rules than be comfortable.

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Hearty Entree at Cow & Clover in Brooklyn, NY

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Cow & Clover

American Restaurants

291 Kent AveBrooklyn, NY

Feb. 17, 2015 - It's still the perfect season for wood-fired roast meats and savory stews. Cow & Clover in Williamsburg caught my eye because basically every entrée comes from the wood ovens: the autumn vegetable stew, short ribs for the house burger, and the daily special, which is always a big ol’ portion of roast meat intended for the table to share. This is more medieval-feasty than Brooklyn hipster, but it’s what I crave between blizzards. The restaurant, which has been open since November 2014, is about to launch lunch service, 11:30am-3pm Mon-Fri., starting February 17. No big roasts on offer during lunch, but there is "3-Alarm" chili on the menu, as well as a roast pork sandwich and the signature short rib burger.

Love New York a la Lena? FOLLOW it!
See Lena's weekly updates in this collection on YP.com or in the YP mobile app.

Ulholstery Store: Food and Wine in New York, NY

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Upholstery Store: Food and Wine

Restaurants

713 Washington StNew York, NY

Feb. 9, 2015 - There’s really not much in the way of Austrian gastronomy in New York or in the country, for that matter, but what there is in Manhattan, we can attribute to chef/restaurateur Kurt Gutenbrunner and business partner Leo Schneemann. His restaurant Wallse has been a low-key European icon for 15 years now, while Blaue Gans serves up traditional Austrian fare without a care in the world what diet fads it’s flouting. This dauntless devotion to meat and potatoes is not so apparent at the latest incarnation of Upholstery, which opened on January 22 after a one-year extended remodel.

Chef Gutenbrunner’s gone with mostly small plates at Wallse’s sexy little sister, and partner Schneemann’s created an intriguing wine list. I could easily dig into the cheeses and oysters and other seafood cold snacks, wash it all down with delicious mead, and never worry about a hearty schnitzel dish. Since the venue's a bit the type where if you're not really looking you'll miss it, it might take a bit for user reviews to start coming in -- but if you want a lighter alternative to Wallse, it's just a door down.

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SRO the Pizza Speakeasy

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SRO the Pizza Speakeasy

Pizza

334B BoweryNew York, NY

Craf beer and wings at Coopers Craft & Kitchen in New York, NY

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Coopers Craft & Kitchen

Bars

169 8th AveNew York, NY

Jan. 23, 2015 - Craft beer fans, exciting news: Coopers Craft & Kitchen has expanded to Chelsea. I got a first look at the place last night, and can tell you immediately it’ll be one of my go-to "let’s meet for drinks" places. It’s chill and friendly, comfortable but polished enough to bring business contacts or a date. It took me about a half hour just to really peruse the draft beer menu, because it is pure poetry I say. So many great local beers, as well as obscure imports, and then a few selections from familiar names like Ommegang and Oskar Blues. The selection changes as things run out, and this location will continue the practice of partnering with local breweries to create custom brews just for Coopers.

Foodwise, it’s typical American gastro-pub: grilled cheese and bacon on sourdough, Cooper’s wings (very good), crispy Brussels sprouts and poutine to soak up the beer. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday, but I can already tell you the day I’ll be here next: Monday. $1 fish tacos. Yes please.

Love New York a la Lena? FOLLOW it! See Lena's weekly updates in this collection on YP.com or in the YP mobile app.

Red Hot Ruby Punch Recipe by Jason Cousins at Da Claudio in New York, NY

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Da Claudio Ristorante e Salumeria

Restaurants

21 Ann StNew York, NY

Jan. 13, 2015 - Try this at home: Red Hot Ruby Punch. It’s the kind of weather where I wouldn’t just sip a hot drink, I might actually try to dive into it if the cup was big enough. Okay I wouldn’t, because am not a tiny whimsical fairy-creature out of a movie, but with cold like this, I cannot get enough toddies and mulled wine and other warming drinks. Thanks to Jason Cousins at Da Claudio for sharing this recipe for whiskey-pomegranate liqueur punch. A batch might just get you through the weekend…

Ingredients:
- 750ml TINCUP Whiskey
- 16 oz boiling water
- 8 oz PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
- 8 oz ruby port wine 8 oz fresh orange juice
- 8 oz demerara sugar (raw)
- 4 large navel oranges
- Seeds from 1 large pomegranate

In a spice bag:
- 1 tbsp allspice
- 1 tbsp whole cloves
- 1 whole cinnamon stick

Preparation:
Completely peel four oranges, avoiding the white pith. Add orange peels to a mixing bowl with raw sugar and muddle, grinding the sugar into the oils. (Reserve the orange fruit for juicing.) Let stand for 30 minutes while the sugar pulls the oils from the peels. Stir in 16 oz of boiling water until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove orange peels and add spice bag. Let sit while preparing the remaining ingredients. Add TINCUP, PAMA liqueur, port wine, and orange juice to a 3.5 quart or larger slow cooker. Pour in the orange sugar mixture and keep warm on low heat. Ladle and serve, garnishing with a clove-studded orange disk and a cinnamon stick.

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Porchlight

Taverns

271 11th AveNew York, NY

Bocaito Cafe and Wine Bar

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Bocaito Cafe & Wine Bar

Latin American Restaurants

8115 Northern BlvdJackson Heights, NY

Nov. 17, 2015 - Authentic Colombian food can tend toward starchy and bland, but happily, this Jackson Heights wine bar mixes up the menu so that it encompasses traditional Colombian, which means broader Latin American and European culinary influences. No starch comes without some spicy sauce to pep things up. Bocaitos translates to "small plates" but the portions are not small: We ordered tostones con ropa vieja (fried plantains topped with skirt steak) and the signature crab fondue between two people, and it nearly made a meal. Another popular small plate is Angus sliders "La Colombiana" (i.e., topped with chorizo and fried egg). Of course there's also a steak Colombiana, served with an egg on top, and rice, beans and plantains on the side. On the lighter side, there's branzino or salmon, but really this menu doesn't encourage light eating. Almost all the entrées come with some sort of rice, and you can assume the South American patrons are ordering beans and tostones on the side. This food can soak up a great deal of booze, whether it be wine or sangria or cerveza. Afterward, you'll be ready for a nap -- do not pass Go, do not try to walk home.

Chaiwali

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Chaiwali

Indian Restaurants

274 Malcolm X BlvdNew York, NY

Nov. 6, 2015 - Wow, wow, wow! Chaiwali is a new Indian restaurant and tea house in Harlem that has tiger art, opulent chandelier lighting, Colonial furnishings, and dreamy whitewashed walls -- all in a classic Harlem brownstone building. Celebrating "chai culture" and the rainbow of diverse flavors from India, Chaiwali is an addition that the neighborhood was long due for. Its philosophy is female-centric, perhaps even matriarchal -- hearkening back to recipes and practices of our great grandmothers. The menu ranges from plant-based to meat-based, starting at breakfast with Tibetan butter chai and soaked rose oats, and progressing through lunch into a delightful dinner. The menu is innovatively Indian-international, with offerings like tandoori chicken pizza, Kofte meatball casserole, and masala fish & chips. The house chai is served from morning till night, and you must have some -- it is the original inspiration for a unique and aesthetically magical dining experience.

Refinery Rooftop

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Refinery Rooftop

Restaurants

63 W 38th StNew York, NY

Oct. 20, 2015 - I've done many a meeting in the cozy lobby of the Refinery Hotel, but never ventured up to the roof before. My bad = your moment of enlightenment. This pretty rooftop oasis has an eclectic snackable menu that flirts with a dozen food trends -- and invents at least one. That invention is a build-your-own ice cream sandwich bar, which ended on Labor Day but I wish they had extended it because it is genius.

Other standouts include seared shishito peppers (my current appetizer addiction), fried cheese curds (hat-tip to Montreal), meatball sliders, and Instagram-ready avocado toast. The menu is half vegetarian, but that doesn't mean it's too virtuous -- they do a delish pepperoni pizza (which goes by the name of flatbread). My favorite large plate is the "Connecticut-style" lobster roll -- this means just a big hunk of warm lobstah on a buttered roll, with maybe aioli smeared on it if you like. Add a bottle of rosé, and it's Manhattan perfection.

Casa Nonna

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Casa Nonna

Italian Restaurants

310 W 38th StNew York, NY

Oct. 2, 2015 - My first and most lasting memory of this restaurant is the white truffle cocktail/black truffle pizza pairing that was a special for truffle season a couple years ago. I ate just about an entire pizza in one wonderful night. Ever since then, I've fondly remembered Casa Nonna as a place that doesn't skimp on the most delicious and in-demand produce of the season. Especially in their beverage program: right now it's fresh melon and passion fruit puree in the Bellinis, and watermelon yuzu housemade soda -- promoted in conjunction with Watermelon Day. (Side note, did you know there is such a thing as Watermelon Day? It's on August 3rd. I just found out.)

Food-wise, Casa Nonna is modern-classic Tuscan steakhouse with regular Roman departures. There's Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, pan-roasted veal "Alla Romana," Tagliatelle Nero and Tuscan chicken liver bruschetta. Cured meats and cheeses come from just about every Italian region, while pastas are mostly made in-house. For me, as always, the highlight of the menu is the wood-fired pizza.

Quick notes on the décor: Not like your Italian grandma's house. Not a cozy hole in the wall. This venue is bigger than I expected from the name, with gleaming copper accents and glossy leather booths. There are some homey touches, like the framed photos everywhere and the potted plants, but overall it's glossy and caters to a business crowd.

2015 Lamb Slam winning herb-crusted lamb chops from The Thirsty Koala

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The Thirsty Koala

American Restaurants

3512 Ditmars BlvdAstoria, NY

Sept. 15, 2015 - Happy Hour update in Astoria, Queens -- and this one's a good one. From 4-8 pm Monday through Friday, beers are $4 at this Aussie-influenced gastro-pub. Also, signature cocktails like the Koala Pimms Special and Coco Pomme Margarita are 2-for-1.

While the drink names are cheeky, the kitchen here is fairly earnest in its pursuit to serve artisanal, organic ingredients and free range, grass-fed meat. For quasi-adventurous diners, kangaroo burgers are on the menu -- and I recommend them highly, with or without a beer. If you want something more traditional, note that the herb-crusted lamb chops (pictured) just won the 2015 Lamb Slam.

Taboonette Middleterranean pocket food

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Taboonette

Middle Eastern Restaurants

30 E 13th StNew York, NY

Sept. 8, 2015 - Taboon, the big sister restaurant to this fast-casual eatery, is a trend leader in "elevated eclectic" Middle Eastern food, but Taboonette is the one prepping for a potential nationwide rollout, post-revamp and with a modified menu. And just what makes this concept different from the gyro takeout places on every city block? Well, it's not serving typical shawarma.

Basically, everything Taboon does on a gourmet and pricey scale, Taboonette reinvents to be served in a pita. The owners call it Middleterranean Pocket Food -- 10 points for the portmanteau alone, I say. The latest menu features pitas stuffed with braised beef brisket, Moroccan tomato jam, pickled onion tahini; for vegetarians, roast cauliflower with grilled eggplant and hummus; and even a slow-roasted pulled pork pita in barbecue sauce with jicama slaw (because Middleterranean does not mean kosher, you better believe it).

Wild Horse Tavern burger

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Wild Horse Tavern

Taverns

1629 2nd AveNew York, NY

Aug. 5, 2015 - Is it just me, or is it funny when Manhattan nightlife moguls get their flyover-state classic rock'n'roll vibe going? I mean. Horse murals on the walls in this place. Tavern-style natural-stained wood booths. Rolling Stones concert photos. Bands. It's like stepping through a magical portal that takes you from the Upper East Side to Fort Worth, Texas.

The menu was devised by Max Renny of Fatty Cue, and I've definitely seen most of these American bar bites in my Lone Star State urban explorations: Fontina cheese fries topped with crispy pork belly, brick oven chicken, a BBQ Tete de Cochon pulled pork sammich. Happy Hour 5-7 pm is when you're going to see non-NYC prices, like the Jersey Ripper hot dog for $5, or a burger and beer for $14.

Cafe Mogador skewers

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Cafe Mogador

Mediterranean Restaurants

101 Saint Marks Pl Apt 1New York, NY

July 29, 2015 - While Manhattan restaurants often have the lifespan of a mayfly, there are those that survive forever, not becoming clichés or tourist traps, but sustained by a steady flow of regulars. Of course, they've got to have something worth coming back to: usually great ambience or delicious food. This family-owned Moroccan restaurant in the East Village has the latter, for inexpensive prices, and when it's not too crowded, it has the ambience as well. Starting with the bread that's served with any traditional Middle Eastern starters like hummus or baba ganoush – not like any pita you've normally had, but more like a light, buttery flat bread, hot from the oven. Other appetizers include roasted Halumi cheese, a hummus falafel platter, and roast cauliflower served over sheep's milk yogurt.

The entrees are split up into traditional specialties - those that are merely Mediterranean-inspired, and seasonal specials. I had traditional chicken tagine and was not disappointed, while two others tried to get the special lamb chops and were quite let down because the kitchen was out. They made do with grilled lamb skewers. The fourth member of our group had bastille - a filo dough pastry stuffed with herbed, spiced chicken and eggs. It looked kind of like a fancy chicken pie, and apparently it is so delicious, it's kept her returning since the 1990s.

Spicy fried chicken sandwich at Fuku

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Fuku

Sandwich Shops

163 1st AveNew York, NY 10003

July 16, 2015 - David Chang is a chef who consistently hits homeruns with high-low cuisine, starting with Momofuku Noodle Bar, which was drawing crowds long before noodles came into fashion. Now, Mr. Chang is whipping New York into a frenzy with Fuku, a casual dining newcomer where the crème of Manhattan is showing up to wait in ridiculous lines for a spicy fried chicken sandwich.

Being a longtime devotee of Korean fried chicken, I can verify that David Chang's chicken sandwich is a sat-fat experience beyond sublime. He puts a whole buttermilk-dipped, deep-fried, habanero-doused chicken thigh in between the buns. I mean! I will eat this every week, once things settle down over at Fuku, but in its first week of opening, lines were so unending the place was forced to close down for two days and regroup. And the city-wide obsession is not mellowing just yet.

Note: Dinner service is now available Friday and Saturday only. Lunch is 11-4 Wed-Sun. Cash is not accepted.

Marcha in New York, NY

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Marcha

Tapas

111 Avenue CNew York, NY

June 24, 2015 - When you visit a place for a mid-week dinner and there's a giant extended family (infants included) on one side of the room and a large group going through a guided rum tasting on the other -- and not only do they get along, but at some point it becomes hard to tell who's from what group -- it really creates one of those heartwarming Manhattan melting pot moments. And for a place like Marcha Cocina-bar, which is only a couple weeks old, it's a good indicator that this will become a true neighborhood hangout. As is already the case for Marcha's older sister restaurant in Washington Heights.

The food is mostly tapas, and better ones than average. Standard dishes prepared on the lighter side, not the classic swimming-in-oil style that I often find in older Spanish restaurants. Almond-stuffed bacon-wrapped dates are presented in individual spoons. An order of flatbread comes as three small flatbreads -- manageable as finger food. We didn't try any entrées but I have curiosity about the signature Paella con Langosta -- mostly whether the delectable shellfish are served heads-on in the Spanish style.

Louie & Chan Italian Restaurant and Bar

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Louie and Chan

Restaurants

303 Broome StNew York, NY

June 15, 2015 - This is one of those restaurants whose downstairs bar is so large, it could fit the entire dining room three times. So, does the nightlife scene obscure the cuisine? I hope not, because the food is actually excellent. Dinner is pure Italian with no fusion attempts -- which surprised me a little bit. With Chan in the name, I expected some Asian deviations. Instead, it’s salumi and formaggi; salads of caprese or melone; and some really decadent pastas, including brown butter jumbo shrimp ravioli. “Le Pizze” combinations includef Merguez lamb sausage , Fontina cheese, tomatoes and black olives; and TWO seafood combos -- gamberi with arugala, or vongole in the shell.

The brunch menu is adventurous and awesome. I had lobster salad avocado toast, which is served with a giant side salad of fresh watercress. Someone else splurged on the short ribs with poached eggs and roast fingerling potatoes, and I could not stop trying to steal bits of food. Would definitely recommend. Also, would come back just to see the bar scene. There's a separate entrance to it, so drinkers won't get in diners' way and vice-versa.

Bites at Aureole

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Aureole

Bars

135 W 42nd StNew York, NY

June 8, 2015 - The Patio at Aureole opened for warm-weather months in mid-May, with a seasonal wine offering of six rosés by the glass. And as if that weren't reason enough to venture out for the afternoon, there are also five sparkling wines by the glass. This is the wine equivalent to spring blossoms in a glorious display -- and unlike blossoms, a bounty of rosé will not give you hay fever, and can still be enjoyed even in one of New York's frequent flash floods. The accompanying "Patio bites" menu is not doing my swimsuit diet any favors. Gouda French fries. Pretzel short-rib sliders. Chilled crab tartlets. Also, if you ever get the chance to attend one of the weekend oyster/wine socials that Aureole occasionally throws, just note that it's money well spent, and will occupy your entire day.

Joe's Bar in New York, NY

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Joe's Bar

Bars

480 Amsterdam AveNew York, NY

May 28, 2015 - I stopped by the official opening bash for Joe's Bar this past week, and it was so busy, I really cannot tell you what Joe's Bar looks like. However, I will tell you that a) the patio tables are definitely the most desirable, b) the bartenders are fast and friendly, and c) they serve a cocktail with blackstrap rum, which is my current favorite liquor and was invented by pirates. According to beer geeks, the beer menu is solid. I was more into the blackstrap cocktail, officially named Four on the Floor, and the Pina Colada/Coca-Cola slushy, which for no discernible reason they've dubbed the Scooby Snack. I really like that the kitchen serves only burgers, fries, pickles, and a nightly special. Joe -- whomever he might be -- clearly understands that when people get their drink on, they don't want charred shishito peppers and $12 toast -- they want a cheeseburger and a freakin' giant portion of fries.

Joe's has actually been open a couple months, so the opening kinks are mostly worked out, and they're ready for you, Upper West Siders. They are ready, with beers and shots and burgers and blackstrap. Get over there.

Photo credit: Sarah Boisjoli

All'Onda Italian Restaurant in New York, NY

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All'onda

Restaurants

22 E 13th StNew York, NY

May 19, 2015 - Oysters and bubbly drinks are the classic, never-gets-old pairing for warm weather and a beautiful setting. While New York’s weather deities are capricious about delivering the weather, this modern-styled Italian restaurant has the other three covered. Introduced in spring, the Oysters and Spritz Happy Hour is available every day from 5PM-6:30PM.

All'onda is in Union Square, which is the perfect Manhattan neighborhood IMO: picturesque and stylish, busy, but not scenester. The venue fits perfectly, with its warm burnished-wood interior and general air of well-being. While the upstairs dining room serves inventive and acclaimed Italian fare, the downstairs gets an after-work crowd at the bar.

I know, I know -- men don’t drink spritzers. But these ones are homemade (six different kinds of them!), and that changes things. Especially when the weather gets really hot, I’m predicting, you'll see some suits sipping on these with no shame. And if not, more for me!

Summer Garden & Bar at Rock Center Cafe in New York, NY

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Rock Center Cafe

American Restaurants

20 E 50th StNew York, NY

May 8, 2015 - The Rockefeller's outdoor "garden dining oasis" seems like the absolute best spot to take visiting friends/family from way out of town. I don’t mean the city-slickers who will compare Manhattan mixology and haberdashery to the latest hipster trends in Chicago/SF/LA, but the guests from Ohio or Wyoming or Small Town Central, Anywheresville. The ones who will look around at the massive al fresco dining space at a Manhattan landmark, all the beautiful green topiaries in the heart of the concrete jungle, the creme de la creme live music entertainment, and be completely jaw-dropped at the spectacle.

Sure, anything at Rockefeller is more touristy than local, but it’s also quintessentially New York City. So whether you’re there for Sunday jazz brunch, or cocktails and live music on Thursday, or a special-occasion dinner any night, make sure everybody appreciates that you are in the heart of EVERYTHING, yet definitely not stuck in a gigantic chain restaurant in Times Square.

Bookmarks Patio in New York, NY

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Bookmarks

Bars

299 Madison Ave Frnt 14New York, NY

May 1, 2015 - Although I would never, to be honest, consider busting out my Kindle or my laptop at this cocktail hideaway atop the Library Hotel, it's a personal favorite when I have a decent drinks budget and likewise decent company. In a best-case scenario, the weather is nice and sunny with no wind, and we get there early enough so there are no crowds of advertising/media types to fight for seating. Those crowds will fill up the place by 6PM, if the weather behaves. Depend on it. That's why, literary cocktail names notwithstanding, I don't find Bookmarks bookish at all. Not even the so-called Poetry Garden. They could more accurately call that space the Account Executive Garden. It's definitely pleasant though: it has that vibe of insider Manhattan, but without being too extreme, and account execs dress so much better than poets.

Deviled Eggs at PMF - Pardon My French in New York, NY

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PMF - Pardon My French

French Restaurants

103 Avenue BNew York, NY

April 24, 2015 - I would bring pretty much anyone to this sexy-cute and delicious East Village newcomer: A client, my husband, visiting friends, a stranger I wanted to impress for some reason. I would not, however, bring a vegetarian, because we would end up fighting. Executive Chef Guilherme Barreto has such a great touch with meat and seafood, it would be shameful in my opinion for anyone to dine in this room and not appreciate it.

Starting with the thyme-roasted bone marrow: In my opinion, marrow is usually bland slippery fat, but the herbs and accouterments make the difference here. Portabellas weren't over-vinegared as they often are -- just lightly basted, stuffed with goat cheese and topped with quail egg. Of the entrees, the chicken tajine was fall-off-the-bone tender and served with the lightest couscous. The grilled rib-eye was buttery-rich and perfectly medium-rare. The food is described as French fare with global twists, but those twists are mostly Mediterranean: I recognized Israeli, Moroccan, and some Greek flourishes here and there. The prices are super-low for Manhattan -- even the most expensive entrees are under $30 for now.

The Rooftop Patio at Park South in New York, NY

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Roof at Park South

Cocktail Lounges

125 E 27th StNew York, NY

April 15, 2015 - Optimistic that everyone's favorite season is here at last, I'm RSVPd for the April 16 reopening of the Roof at Park South. This place was new last year and scored high points for the friendliness of its staff, but caused sticker shock with pricing for its cocktails and weensy-portioned small plates. As per the cocktail prices -- people, don't you realize that in New York, you're paying half the price for location alone? And the Park Avenue/Lexington location is superb, with gorgeous dusk lighting and city skylines. Cocktail menu by Ted Kilpatrick.

Greenwich Project in New York, NY

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Greenwich Project

Restaurants

47 W 8th StNew York, NY

April 2, 2015 - Lunch service is available starting Friday, April 3 at Greenwich Project, the Village bar-restaurant known for its artsy décor and Mulberry pedigree. It's a clean, well-lit space -- all glossy white surfaces and sunbeam reflections. While we've seen it more as a happy-hour-and-beyond hangout, it's got a classic lunch menu that I'd recommend just for the chicken Paillard and the lobster Cobb.

Overall, lunch feels a little French bistro, and I'm cool with that even though it's billed American contemporary. Identity crises are great when they come with mid-afternoon cheese platters and steak tartare. Also and finally, I'll take this opportunity to remind you that Project restaurants always have great brunch, especially brunch cocktails. This place is doing legit pressed juices like apple/kale with tequila and bitters. So Healthy. Mmm.

Angus Club Steakhouse in New York, NY

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Angus Club Steakhouse

Steak Houses

135 E 55th StNew York, NY

March 26, 2015 - Hey everybody, it's National Spinach Day! Every food has a day now, of course -- but as far as I’m concerned Spinach Day should happen once a week. It is one healthy veggie, and kale has stolen all its spotlight in recent years, which seems unfair. At any rate, thanks to Angus Club Steakhouse for this easy-to-make recipe, which probably even children will gobble down no problem because BUTTER BUTTER BUTTER. At the restaurant, it’s a go-to side dish for the signature 35-day dry-aged steaks. “You can cut it with a spoon,” is the promise. I would stick with a steak knife just to be seemly, but not making any promises about the truffle oil-drizzled fries. Would probably shovel those down with an actual tiny shovel if one was provided.

Creamless Creamed Spinach: Four servings

Boil 1 lb of chopped spinach and add the following:
- 1 tbsp of chicken base
- 1 tbsp of baking soda
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1 cup of flour
- 1/2 cup of melted butter

Keep mixing all until it becomes creamy, about 5 minutes.

Brother Jimmy's Barbecue in New York, NY

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Brother Jimmy's BBQ

Barbecue Restaurants

1485 2nd AveNew York, NY

March 20, 2015 - In honor of March Madness, but also in honor of true love and Southern cooking, I'm shouting out the original Brother Jimmy's. Here's what Bro J does for love : Whether March Madness is in high gear or not (it is at the moment, but won’t be forever)... or whether some other high-intensity sports event is going (e.g., the World Series)... or whether it's just a typical crazy Friday night -- when your Southern friends come into town and it's their wedding anniversary AND they're jetlagged, but they still absolutely need to see the game, Brother Jimmy's will find them a table. And the food will be the closest thing to South Carolina that you can find in Manhattan. Barbecue, hot wings, and Carolina pulled pork. Just give 'em a teeny bit of notice -- and I do mean, call ahead. Southern manners, you know.

See top NYC March Madness viewing spots.

Bronx Brewery in Bronx, NY

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The Bronx Brewery

Beer & Ale

856 E 136th StBronx, NY

March 4, 2015 - Any number of craft beers have come out of Brooklyn, but if you like to venture to less–traveled boroughs for food and booze finds, I think you’ll like what Bronx Brewery is up to. This industry-respected craft brewer just released a Mezcal barrel-aged black pale ale in partnership with Scorpion Mezcal, as well as a tequila barrel-aged pale ale in partnership with El Jimador. In the same one-week span it won New York City Brewery of the Year at the 2015 New York International Beer Competition. The tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday, and on Fridays Carnitas el Atoradero does a regular popup "Taco Friday" cheap-feast.

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Andaz 5th Avenue

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Andaz 5th Avenue

Hotels

485 5th AveNew York, NY 10017

'Till the End' Cockatil Recipe by Miguel Aranda at BAR CYRK NYC in New York, NY

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BAR CYRK NYC

Bars

88 Thomas StNew York, NY

Feb. 13, 2015 - For all you lovebirds looking to get warm and snuggly over this Valentine's weekend, here's a fun recipe we got from Miguel Aranda at Bar Cyrk. It's a dark and figgy sipper, just right for the season and the holiday. He calls it Till the End (pictured), and pairs it with Calliope Pizza topped with fresh arugula and duck prosciutto. I reckon you could serve it with any flatbread or, if you'd rather have sweet than savory, some cupcakes. Cheers to Cupid!

Till the End
- 2 oz Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey
- 1/2 oz Port wine
- Two dashes fig bitters
- Fig garnish

Add all ingredients to mixing glass, add ice and stir. Strain with julep strainer into a martini glass. Garnish with fig.

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Fruity Love Valentine's Chocolates at Chocolate Bar NYC in New York, NY

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Chocolate Bar NYC

Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts

19 8th AveNew York, NY

Feb. 6, 2015 - For those of us currently starting to think about Valentine’s gifts, may I remind you that there are now "candy stores for grownups" -- and quite a few of them, too. I credit the cupcake reality show genre for making it socially acceptable for adults to be full-on sugar junkies.

Chocolate Bar is great because they don’t waste space on cake -- they just have every conceivable form of chocolate: drinking chocolate; bars of chocolate; "Stencil Bars" mini tablets in flavors like raspberry dark, caramel and mint (plus the standard bittersweet and milk), with labels designed by a Brooklyn street artist; and boxes of classic breakfast cereals dipped in chocolate.

In general, their packaging doesn't get shiny, but Chocolate Bar NYC just rolled out the "Valentine’s Store," which is full of colorful, gifty things. Some picks from the Valentine's collection: "Red Hot Love" chocolate bars studded with Red Hots, "Puffy Love" marshmallow hearts dipped in chocolate and then frosted with sparkly icing; and "Fruity Love," white chocolate hearts stuffed with fruity pebbles. Makes my molars ache in anticipated sweetness, but is just! so! cute!

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Jumbo Tiger Prawn with Yuzu Pepper at Zuma in New York, NY

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Zuma New York

Japanese Restaurants

261 Madison AveNew York, NY

Jan. 29, 2015 - Chef Rainer Becker's newest Zuma outpost on Madison Avenue restaurant is the quintessential international culinary powerhouse -- meaning, the crowd is a mix of Dubai, Miami and Manhattan; the flavors and aesthetic owe everything to Tokyo; and there’s not a hint of deconstructed shepherd’s pie on the menu. The Japanese izakaya-inspired cuisine is so elevated from humble pub fare, you can hardly identify its origins: jumbo tiger prawn with yuzu pepper (pictured); cedar plank-roasted chicken glazed with barley miso; rice hot pot with wild mushrooms and Japanese vegetables.

The visually stunning industrial-chic two-story space has a small sushi bar in the main dining room, as well as a robata grill with counter seats for folks who like a front-row ticket to grill-fired action. Zuma just opened on January 21st, and early reports rate the food excellent, though the service has yet to get in a smoothly rehearsed groove.

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Skewers at Tijuana Picnic in New York, NY

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Tijuana Picnic

Restaurants

151 Essex StNew York, NY

Jan. 21, 2015 - Bring your own blankets. It's a Tijuana picnic. Have we talked about how hard it is to get a decent fajita platter in Manhattan? To say nothing of carnitas, fish tacos, or a giant burrito under $8. Healthy-ish Mexican taqueria/cantina fare -- the preferred cuisine of the entire Southwest -- is almost nonexistent in New York. So Tijuana Picnic scores points right away, just for recognizing that "Si!! We need a burrito fix that isn’t Chipotle." Also, points for its crazy/quirky name -- not that anyone would ever picnic in Tijuana, but it lets you know what the vibe’s going to be. Colorful, quirky, fun nouveau-cantina. On pour: lots of tequila and mescal offerings. And it’s keeping late-night hours, till 2AM Sunday and Monday, and 4AM the other nights of the week.

This is a joint venture from ACME and Indochine alums, so there is a bit of Asian flair in the menu, but not too much for comfort. Menu items as of the opening month include tuna belly tacos, grilled corn with cricket aioli, duck empanadas and family-style polla asado. Right now, it’s mostly small plate offerings, with special sections for grilled meat skewers and soft taco.

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Thirstie at Cork & Bottle in New Yor, NY

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Cork & Bottle

Liquor Stores

1158 1st AveNew York, NY

Jan. 11, 2015 - NYC’s inimitable combination of yo-yo extreme temperatures and evil wind (I swear, it means us harm) can ruin your whole day in, like, 15 minutes. Every time I’ve volunteered like a sucker to walk to the liquor store—which I will for an important thing, like sparkling wine for my Sunday mimosas—I have ended up with a face full of frozen tears. So Thirstie, the booze version of Seamless, is basically the most brilliant startup I’ve ever heard of and I’m pretty sure all city-dwellers will agree. Because this week’s the start of that dreaded season when nobody dares leave the house, I asked Thirstie to give three liquor-selling partners that can stock up all sorts of party. Shop with them and let Thirstie bring the goods to your door.

Manhattan Valley Wine & Liqour – for a snowy Friday night when friends come over and drink through your booze supply. Get emergency supplies of small-batch bourbon, Rutherford Cabernet, moonshine and top-shelf vodka.

Cork & Bottle – for Super Bowl Sunday. A wide range of spirits, so your friends can do Patron shots or sip like civilized grownups on Makers Mark or make hipster Bloody Marys with Brooklyn Gin. We won’t judge.

Phillippe Liquors – for Sunday afternoon mimosas. As every bottomless brunch place in town knows, you NEVER serve the good stuff to the brunching masses. You save it for yourself. This store stocks everything from $8 bottles of cava to California sparkling to legit champagne.

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Stick With Me

Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts

202 Mott St Frnt ANew York, NY

Hotel Chantelle

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Hotel Chantelle

Restaurants

92 Ludlow StNew York, NY

Nov. 11, 2015 - Secrets like the weekly Sunday rooftop lobster dinner, called Maine Squeeze, are what New York food lovers live for -- a ticketed event on Wednesdays at the Lower East Side, the hotel's rooftop bar. It's a traditional New England meal transported to a Manhattan bar -- complete with city views to offset the reggae band and $25 buckets of Red Stripe. For $35 per person, guests get a whole Maine lobster, a delicious haul of littleneck clams, corn on the cob, and potatoes. It's the kind of meal we would gladly go to the shore or beyond to partake, but sometimes work stops us from traveling that far -- in which case a lobster party atop a Ludlow cocktail bar is the sort of one-night stay-cation that keeps city life appealing.

Unidentified Flying Chicken

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Unidentified Flying Chickens

Korean Restaurants

7122 Roosevelt AveJackson Heights, NY

Oct. 27, 2015 - Korean fried chicken is a revelation. The food is crispy-skinned and tender, comes in a variety of Asian-esque sauces, and usually comes with pickled vegetables on the side instead of mashed potatoes, so it's not quite as unhealthy as Southern-style. It's also never expensive. UFC is one of the best neighborhood joints serving it, from a small storefront in Jackson Heights with a basement beer bar. This place is our weekend, once-a-month tradition to go to at mid-afternoon for chicken, sweet potato fries, pickled cabbage, and microbrews. Order at the counter, and make sure to let the staff know to bring all your food at once -- otherwise they bring out your food when it's ready, meaning you'll get your fries 10 minutes before the chicken. Drums and wings are full-sized and fully addictive. The beer selection changes often, and you can buy growlers of some draft beers.

Nazca Restaurant's Lomo Saltado dish

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Nazca Restaurant

Peruvian Restaurants

3420 Broadway Apt 3420Astoria, NY

Oct. 7, 2015 - There are quite a few Peruvian restaurants around Queens, and more than one does a decent Peruvian roast chicken takeaway, but Astoria newcomer Nazca aspires for much more than that. The restaurant features a ceviche bar, with eventual plans for a pisco bar as well. There's a multicultural flair to the menu, evident in the beet and goat cheese salad over microgreens, the Chinese fried rice, and the grilled branzino. But I would stick with true Peruvian dishes: the anticuchos appetizer, seafood rice entrees, and Chimichurri skirt steak. Also, if there are any South Americans in your party, you'll be getting yucca fries -- cousins to French fries, but starchier and more substantial. Everything comes in smaller portions than Queens folks are used to, but that's because the more traditional Peruvian restaurants here are a step above cheap eats, whereas Nazca is a place you can go on date night.

Bodega Negra at Dream Downtown

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Bodega Negra

Mexican Restaurants

355 W 16th StNew York, NY

Sept. 21, 2015 - Unwilling to let go of your summer weekend vibe? I hear you. So does Dream Downtown. This edgy-sexy "tequila warehouse" pulls all the stops out for its Loco Mondays party: family-style dinner service makes way for NSFW dancing and burlesque shows featuring performers in risqué gorilla costumes and Day of the Dead makeup. If you're not bold enough to dance on a table, you might find yourself crawling across one, demanding "Uno mas Mezcal!" After collapsing into tequila-fueled slumber, you could even drag yourself back to this very spot for Taco Tuesday hangover food and a Paloma refresher. Monday's the only big party night for this venue, so during the rest of the week, you're guaranteed tasty, pricey "new Mexican" eats (order of 2 tacos $14-22, house fajitas $41-$51) and $16 tequila cocktails.

Joe's Pizza, now in Brooklyn

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Joe's Pizza

Pizza

216 Bedford AveBrooklyn, NY

Sept. 11, 2015 - Brooklynites no longer have to wait till they're bar-hopping in Greenwich Village to get a slice of Joe's iconic New York pizza. At long last, Joe and his family have brought the business to Williamsburg. And yes, you read correctly -- this is staying a family-run business, and they'll do their darndest to keep the product the same as it has been for 40 years. No fancy pretensions about the toppings or the crust. Just cheesy, crisp-crusted, gooey pies made from time-tested recipes. This is classic pizza in the Naples style -- learned during Joe's boyhood in the Old Country. Sicilian style is also available. Stick with simple toppings: pepperoni, mushroom, or even plain cheese. Even though it's in Brooklyn, don't expect much in the way of pandering to special dietary needs.

Burger at Burger and Lobster

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Burger and Lobster

Hamburgers & Hot Dogs

39 W 19th StNew York, NY

Sept. 2, 2015 - On one of those Facebook posts that pop up quite regularly, where an out-of-towner is visiting New York and needs help choosing between our umpteen-zillion restaurants, someone shouted out Burger & Lobster and I remembered that this is the best inexpensive dinner option in all of NYC. Sometimes it takes a village and a visitor to remind you of great things in your backyard. For all of you who need to be educated or reminded, three things on the menu here: burger, lobster roll, or whole 1.5-pound grilled lobster. They all cost $20, and all come with fries and salad. Lobsters come grilled or steamed. Alcohol is served! Also, there's dessert, though I don't know what because if I'm still hungry, I just eat more lobster. No reservations (except for parties of 10+) but the place can accommodate up to 350 diners, so usually waits aren't too horrendous.

One last piece of trivia: This is the American offshoot of a British chain, which really turns upside down everything I ever thought about English vs. New England food.

Slowly Shirley cocktail

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Slowly Shirley

American Restaurants

121 W 10th StNew York, NY

Aug. 3, 2015 - I'm a huge fan of The Happiest Hour, Jon Neidich and Jim Kearns' khaki-tiki festive-funky gathering spot with great burgers and customizable cocktails. Now comes its underground adjunct -- just a dozen steps down, a vintage Old Hollywood cocktail spot that sounds just as fun in a completely different way. Expect Rat Pack vibes, classic martinis and Art Deco sumptuous style. The DJs are spinning classic jazz on vinyl, and the banquettes are safeguarding all sorts of intimate conversations. If Jessica Rabbit sits down next to you and orders a rare hamburger and an Obituary, you shouldn't be too surprised.

Roberta's Pizza photo by Diedre Schoo

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Roberta's

Pizza

261 Moore StBrooklyn, NY

July 27 - The Bushwick bastion of hipster gourmet pizza is in trouble right now - let's burn some sage and think happy thoughts. We can't lose this place.

It isn't altogether normal that a pizzeria would also be a sustainable gardening workshop, art appreciation center, and occasional pagan party host, but you know: Brooklyn. It all started with Michelin-starred wood-fired pizzas in a nondescript graffiti-slashed back alley. This Bushwick favorite does a lot more, like backyard parties, and barbecued ribs, and brunch, and … bigtime scandal, at the moment. The three founders are at each others' throats in a contentious mega-million-dollar lawsuit that's being written up in various gossip columns right now. I really hope that no matter what happens, gardening and art and delicious flavors prevail, because nobody should have to live in a Brooklyn without Roberta's.

Grilled seafood at Savore Ristorante

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Savore Ristorante

Italian Restaurants

200 Spring StNew York, NY

July 13, 2015 - This Tuscan-by-way-of-SoHo trattoria is one of those places you can walk by a hundred times and not realize what you're missing. I've done so repeatedly - even after the first time I ate here. Yes, I do have a terrible sense of direction. But the restaurant also doesn't do much in the way of prominent signage, or other promotion. It doesn't even have a working website. So last time I stumbled into it, I took a picture. And now, I am sharing with you. This is as much for my own note-keeping as yours.

Starting with the essential info: Crisp, thin-crust pizza from the wood-burning oven is sublime, cheesy rich tomato perfection. Actually, anything from the wood burning oven is sublime. I regularly fantasize about the wood oven-grilled artichoke hearts I had once. Of the other appetizers, beet salad, and gamberi with orzo are two great choices. Most people are with me about the pizza being the big draw here, but pastas are also consistently good, and the roast chicken and grilled seafood also get good word-of-mouth.

Neapolitan Express in New York, NY

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Neapolitan Express

Pizza

40 Wall StNew York, NY

June 22, 2015 - It's summer truffle season! My foodie senses perk up to the scent, the pungent umami taste, the decadence, and... Then I wilt at the price. It's always high, but this very cool fast-casual flagship is giving us Urbani shaved fresh truffle, burrata and truffle cream pizza for $50 a pie. This is steep, but share it between two people, and it's do-able. If you are the "I need a whole pie to myself" type of person (NO shame!), you can still get truffle flavor in the "Truffle e Artichoke" pizza, topped with truffle -artichoke cream and burrata ($18). These delicious pizzas are part of a truffle season menu that launched June 15 in partnership with Urbani Truffles.

Pizza snobs, please note that this entire chain has received “Specialita Tradizionale Garantita” recognition in Europe—meaning, it’s authentic fresh-made and legit.

Treehaus in New York

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Tree Haus

American Restaurants

830 3rd AveNew York, NY

June 12, 2015 - Let's all take a moment to appreciate the glory of the lunch-dinner sandwich. The sandwich big enough to be a whole day's worth of meals, and delicious enough that even after bringing half of it home on a 90-minute subway ride in sweltering summer, you're like "I will risk whatever food poisoning may come, because I don't want to waste this half." Then you eat it, and it's delicious if a little wilted, and nothing bad happens.

That pretty much is the Treehaus offering, in a couple dozen different sandwich types as well as salads. There is a hot entrée bar, from which a surprising amount of people were loading up considering it was noon in June. I assume they also had the lunch-dinner plan in mind. It is possibly to go totally healthy here or totally not. You can do a DIY salad with sugar snap peas, dark greens and seared tuna... Or you can feed the fat cravings with a buffalo chicken/blue cheese/ranch dressing wrap, extra spicy. Do note that it's pretty hard to do a healthy sandwich. I had a turkey club, and it was the size and shape of a super-burrito. I did not get a craft beer, but I felt like I was missing out, because there was a great selection.

Pounds & Ounces in New York, NY

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Pounds & Ounces

American Restaurants

160 8th AveNew York, NY

June 3, 2015 - The name of this Chelsea gathering spot is misleading, as it makes you think of those Olde English-style pubs where they serve a one-pound slab of prime rib on white china. Take your mind to the opposite side of the pub spectrum, and you'll get an idea of the experience here: Bright, energetic, stylish, spacious, and featuring a surprisingly healthy menu.

I went for brunch, and can confirm that the brunch burrito is close cousins with a salad wrap. The breakfast pizza is a like a Californian version of huevos, with lots of fresh avocado and salsa, but no beans, but plenty of delicious chorizo because carnivores need that. Stuffed Challah French toasts are creamy-sweet fried and baked decadence, in combinations like banana-Nutella and guava/cream cheese.

If brunch is for lolling in the sunshine, dinner is for sharing. You'll see people sharing two-top tables between three or four -- so close they're practically linking elbows. The grazing menu of nachos, veggie flatbread, waffle-battered chicken pops, and meatballs is meant to share family-style -- or friendly-style, more accurately. Wines by the glass and select cocktails are two-for-the-price-of-one during happy hour, making the vibe even more convivial.

Burger, Fries and Organic Shake at Harlem Shake in New York, NY

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Harlem Shake

American Restaurants

100 W 124th StNew York, NY

May 26, 2015 - I was one of many early visitors to really like Harlem Shake for its fun, friendly vibe and eclectic menu -- of course anchored by the Pat la Frieda beef burgers, but also ranging from healthy (sweet yam fries, house-made dill pickles) to super-indulgent (deep-fried bacon-wrapped hot dog). And the organic ice cream milkshakes: yum, yummier, and yes please!

I'm happy to report that this retro-soul hamburger joint is cruising into its second summer with all sorts of fun special events planned. Tuesday nights will bring "Lenox Ave in Lights" movie series: $30 gets all-you-can-eat from a limited menu, and unlimited beer and soda while you enjoy the movie of the week. "Weekend Wine Down" every Sunday from 7-9PM means $7 by-the-glass wines, $32 sangria pitchers, and 20% off bottles. Every other Thursday the restaurant will host a "Pavement Party" with a DJ and free-flowing sangria at a special price. Also, there's a rumor that the owners are about to start a Sunday brunch. No menu announced yet, but I look forward to it.

Beer Flight at Taproom No. 307 in New York, NY

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Taproom No. 307

American Restaurants

307 3rd AveNew York, NY

May 18, 2015 - Thriving as a woman in a bro-dominated industry is no small feat. I don’t care whether we’re talking about MMA fighting, skateboarding or craft beer -- some people will always question whether a lady’s got "the right stuff."

So let’s give a shout out to Anne Becerra, the first female Certified Beer Cicerone in New York City. The Gina Carano of the craft beer world, if you will. Where most of us -- men and women alike -- probably only know enough about beers to name our five favorite breweries and maybe two preferred styles, Becerra knows the provenance, brewing processes, flavor profile and recommended food pairings for countless different beers.

She presides over Taproom No. 307's rotating selection of 40 tap beers and 60 bottled ones at this popular and unpretentious "craft beer emporium," making sure that there’s something for everyone’s taste. Really. Whether you like fruity beers or sour ones or a nice heavy stout aged in a bourbon barrel, you'll be happy here. There’s a modern American brewpub menu, a sunny outdoor patio, and a true expert to guide you on your drinky journey.

Cocktails at Mace Cocktail Bar in New York, NY

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Mace Cocktail Bar

Bars

649 E 9th StNew York, NY

May 6, 2015 - The founders of this new East Village cocktail bar have discovered a new entry point into drinks development, and it is spice. Instead of starting with a spirit, or starting with a mixer, each recipe is inspired by a spice: Soy. Nutmeg. Licorice. Paprika. It makes so much sense, when you consider a spice rack and think how much more important these flavors are to cuisine and drinks already.

What would chili be without chile? Or gin, without its essential herbs? I salute the cocktail prowess and creativity of Greg Boehm (Cocktail Kingdom) and Nico de Soto (Experimental Cocktail Clubs) for taking it to the inspired, but completely logical next step.

In collaboration with longtime venue owner Zach Sharaga, they're doing something very cool here, and the industry response has been enthusiastic, so I encourage all you craft cocktail enthusiasts to come get a taste. (Note: limited food menu of spiced nuts, a few flatbreads and a chocolate chip bacon cookie.)

County Restaurant, New York City

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County NYC Restaurant

Coffee & Espresso Restaurants

226 3rd AveNew York, NY

April 29, 2015 - Market-fresh cuisine is best when it stays simple, allowing each ingredient to take a starring role. County gets that. Creamy, smooth house-made ricotta swirled with honey is an ample starter, and the staff will refill your bread basket, so be careful not to stuff yourself immediately. Seafood starters like tuna crudo and salads like the poached shrimp are colorful and healthy and yummy -- plus generously portioned enough to serve as an entrée if you're on that summer diet.

I have to take a moment for the cauliflower. It was a special of the day. You never know what's going to come to the table when you order the farmer's market special: Will it be four delicate sprigs, or an entire plate? Plus, cauliflower often disappoints me. In this case it was a full plate, all garlic-roasted and caramelized and delicious. Some of the florets were purple -- such flair! Here's a sentence I've never stated before, but happens to be true: I filled up on cauliflower and soy-roasted oyster mushrooms, and could not finish my salad.

But I did have a bite of my husband's steak. It was delicious.

Himalayan Yak Restaurant in Jackson Heights, NY

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Himalayan Yak Restaurant

Asian Restaurants

7220 Roosevelt AveJackson Heights, NY

April 20, 2015 - Queens is the kind of boundlessly eclectic food destination where you can just be walking under the subway overpass en route to Korean fried chicken and be completely diverted by a sign boasting "YAK, YAK! Yak Meat Served Now!" Suddenly, Sunday supper has become an adventure in Tibetan dining.

On the scale of adventurous foods, I find yak to be not too daring, unless you're having it the way an explorer friend of mine once did: just the head, boiled, gobbled 'round a fire with sherpas in the Himalayas. This is not how it's served at Himalayan Yak in Jackson Heights, although a half-dozen other preparations are on the menu. I got two of the least intimidating: a peppery stir-fry, which was good, and yak-stuffed fried dumplings, which were outstanding. It's hard to go wrong with fried dumplings.

The rest of the menu ranges from highly carnivorous (stir-fried goat intestines, steamed blood-filled beef sausage) to vegan (mustard green leaves fried with cumin, various veggie-potato curries). There's also a full bar, but we stuck with beer. Somehow, getting a pomegranate Bellini in a place like this seems like the riskiest order of all.

Pearl Dive Oyster Palace in Washington, DC

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Pearl Dive Oyster Palace

Restaurants

1612 14th St NWWashington, DC

April 10, 2015 - Here's a piece of culinary news that makes the train ride to D.C. seem like a delicious adventure, rather than a dreaded business commute: One of the capitol's most popular seafood restaurants just launched a Champagne menu with 25 bubbly selections. Featuring mostly small grower/producers, for locals this collection should be welcomed as something to explore over time and multiple visits. But not only on special occasions or when a client’s picking up the check: None of the 25 selections are priced over $100, and most bottles are around $50. Since I'm a fan of high-low culture of every kind, I heartily approve Pearl Dive's non-seafood suggestions like fried chicken to pair with the bubbles... although grilled oysters, especially bacon-wrapped ones, are probably always going to be my go-to.

Joe's Pub at New York, NY

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Joe's Pub

Brew Pubs

425 Lafayette StNew York, NY

April 1, 2015 -- Hey, ya like feminist comedy? You like smart New York creative types? You like groundbreaking theater accompanied by a prix-fixe menu? I assume some of you do, because that's why we move to and/or visit New York: to see all this culture in action. So go check out the entertainment offerings at Joe's Pub, where I am TOTALLY into: the April 16th showing of Aussie import Women of Letters, the Spanish flamenco company Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca (running April 4-10), or any of the Dance Now collaborations now in their 13th year. It's a “tiny stage” as they say, but there's a European bistro menu and late-night nibbles too, so all in all, a great dinner date spot.

Brunch at Hogshead Tavern in New York, NY

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Hogshead Tavern

Taverns

126 Hamilton PlNew York, NY

March 25, 2015 - Brunches are still hard to find in many Harlem neighborhoods. So if you're living/hanging out near Hamilton Heights and you understand the appeal of spending most of your Sunday day-drinking and eating really decadent breakfasty foods, put this one right into your mybook collection.

Hogshead Tavern is the second venture by the owners of Churchill Tavern, and is bringing all sorts of new tastes to the neighborhood: beer cocktails, Gruyere cheese on a pulled-pork sandwich, kid-food for grownups in the form of the PBB & J French toast... Really, I can't even think of anything beyond that peanut butter, banana, and jelly calorie-stack, but I hear the steak-and-egg sliders are outstanding.

Hogshead started serving weekend brunch in mid-February and is drawing a good crowd. Although. You can still keep a table to yourself well into mid-afternoon, if you want to drink your way through the excellent craft beer selection. #SundayGoals.

Park Avenue Tavern

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Park Avenue Tavern

American Restaurants

99 Park AveNew York, NY

Historical Cocktails at Dead Rabbit in New York, NY

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Dead Rabbit

Supermarkets & Super Stores

30 Water StNew York, NY

March 2, 2015 - If you haven’t heard about the Dead Rabbit yet, your knowledge of cocktail spots is either two or 200 years out of touch. So let me get you up to speed: This downtown saloon is styled after the earliest days of New York, when sinister crime bosses used to lurk about these corners committing felonies and drinking perfect highballs. Perhaps they weren't as picky about their drinks as the banker/bartender-groupie crowd that congregates now at Dead Rabbit, because these concoctions are -- no exaggeration -- works of art. Not only is each recipe meticulously crafted to be historically accurate and yet unique, but the menus themselves are artworks. The second menu, just retired, was a graphic novel. The third, launched in mid-February for Dead Rabbit's second anniversary, interweaves the life story of Protestant minister Lewis Morris Pease with 64 new original recipes by Head Bartender Jillian Vose... and an addendum mini-guide to 15 18th-century New York saloons. It's the highest-concept bar menu ever. But I swear, this is nonetheless a cozy place to have a pint and a Scotch egg.

Mezcalita for Two at Tacuba Cantina Mexicana in Astoria, NY

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Tacuba Cantina Mexicana

Mexican Restaurants

3501 36th StAstoria, NY

Feb. 18, 2015 - Julian Medina's Astoria venture was absolutely packed at 7:30 on a Monday, bitter cold and subway construction notwithstanding. If anyone was wondering whether the well-known Mexican-by-way-of-Manhattan chef would draw crowds in New York's most gastronomically diverse borough, there's your answer.

Actually I did expect it to be quieter. The restaurant's been open a few months -- just long enough to lose "flavor of the moment" status. But Medina’s flavors have staying power. The queso fundido, which I included in an earlier roundup of foods to help you bounce back after a blizzard, we had with chorizo to start, and it thawed me right out as expected. I also had tacos, because I always have tacos at every Julian Medina restaurant. They're always tiny and delicate -- three to a serving, just a couple bites apiece. Packed with flavor and different textures. This time, I had langoustine tacos, which were served with tiny chunks of perfectly ripe avocado. The carne asada is probably the heaviest thing on the menu here: a tender cut of prime beef sided with cheesy potatoes and a cheese enchilada, topped with mole sauce and a scoop of guacamole. Must-drink: the tamarind margarita on the rocks, or the smoky-jalapeno tasting "mezcalita" for two, served in a hollowed-out pineapple (pictured).

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Valentine's Macarons at Gansevoort Market in New York, NY

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Gansevoort Market

Grocers-Specialty Foods

52 Gansevoort StNew York, NY

Feb. 11, 2015 - Gourmet food halls are the ultimate grazing experience for foodies in the big city. They’re the best of both worlds: restaurant and grocery. And if, like myself, you believe that food and booze are the best gifts for any special occasion, they’re also a one-stop gift shop. I checked out new, self-styled rustic yet Meatpacking District-trendy Gansevoort Market specifically with an eye toward Valentine’s gifting -- here are the best sweet treats to bring home for Valentine’s snacking.

The Bruffin:
The signature here is brioche-muffin hybrids, but other sweet treats include Crème Brulee Gateau, 2-Chocolate Jumbo Pillows, and the Turtle Pecan Bar, which is actually more of a brownie-muffin-brioche. Individually priced between $3-5 per piece.

Dana's Bakery:
Valentines's Day Sweethearts macarons (pictured) -- in a box of 12, half come iced with a sweet message like "Hug Me" or "I Luv You." Flavors include white chocolate, pink raspberry, pistachio and more. Box of 12/$35.

Heermance Farms:
Artisan-made classic candy treats that chocolate-lovers can never get enough of: chocolate malt balls, chocolate cookie dough bites, chocolate-covered coffee beans and more -- all priced at $6/serving.

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Grilled Cheese at MDK - Mrs. Dorsey's Kitchen in Brooklyn, NY

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Mrs Dorsey's Kitchen

Restaurants

794 Washington AveBrooklyn, NY

Feb. 4, 2015 - Hip-hip-hooray, for the cheesy goodness of MDK. After gaining its rep as a beloved vendor at various markets -- first Dekalb Market, then Madison Square Eats and Brooklyn Night Bazaar -- the grilled cheese sandwich purveyor is now opening up shop in a permanent Brooklyn location. And I’m ready for it. I could be eating this every day of the week. It's basically all grilled cheese, from Classic Cheddar to my favorite Pop’s Original (smoked gouda, honey mustard, fresh tomato) to my other favorite Cheddar Bacon. Also Eggplant Parm, Jalapeno Popper and The Club (turkey, bacon, spinach, tomato and two kinds of cheese).

Of the sides, I’m mainly interested in the Five Cheese Mac and Cheese, because I would like to see that too made into a grilled sandwich (hint hint to owners). And the avocado salad, because I guess we all need greens. The location has been open about three months, but is throwing an official "relaunch" AKA opening party on February 5th. That marks an official green light on grilled cheese -- if you don’t go for it in this weather, you're just being mean to yourself.

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State Bar & Grill in New York, NY

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STATE Grill and Bar

Bar & Grills

21 W 33rd StNew York, NY

Jan. 26, 2015 - The Patina Group, as part of its ongoing mission to occupy all the most famous buildings on both coasts, opened STATE Grill and Bar in the lobby of the Empire State Building in October, 2014. Because it takes a lot of noise to get noticed in New York, where buzz is piled on buzz, Executive Chef Octavio Becerra is doing something truly bold, even shocking: He’s hosting a carbo-loading extravaganza.

In a city where fashionable anorexia runs rampant, carbo-loading is not something anyone admits to except marathon runners. And that’s sort of what STATE is piggybacking on -- only instead of a marathon, it’s the Empire State Building Run-Up Presented by Marmot. For the evening before and evening of this 86-floor tower race, STATE will serve a custom pasta menu featuring Cavatelli alla Norcina (ricotta dumplings with house-made pork sausage), Spaghetti Rustichella with sea urchin in squid ink, and other carb-loaded specialties. Available to all customers, not just the tower racers, February 3 and 4 from 5pm-10pm. And if you want to say you’re a tower racer, we won’t tell on you.

For those who want to check out STATE some other time, the standard menu is not heavy on carbs, more so on dry-aged beef, seasonal veggies, and a great selection of Northeast oysters. The restaurant makes a practice of buying from New York farmers and artisan producers. Breakfast service started this week -- January 26th.

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'Chopped' Champion Diane DiMeo's Brooklyn Steadkhouse, Hook & Cleaver

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Hook & Cleaver

Restaurants

68 Greenpoint AveBrooklyn, NY

Jan. 14, 2015 - Went to the opening of ‘Chopped’ champion Diane DiMeo’s new Brooklyn steakhouse Hook & Cleaver, and had me some yummy steak and roasted Brussels sprouts. Also the “Country Salad," which was really just a chopped salad, but I guess they didn’t want to be too obvious? Who knows. Anyway, I’d love to see what this room looks like when it’s not full of hipster socialites, but they did bring entertainment factor: namely, a girl asked the waiter if the steak was gluten-free. That was great.

Because chefs are celebs, here’s a little Q&A with Chef DiMeo (pictured) about her latest venture…enjoy.

Q: What dish do you think will surprise people?
A: The pork ribs. House BBQ sauce with fall-off-the-bone ribs... better than sex.

Q: Any secret menu items or insider things to share?
A: The cauliflower cheese (omg). Also, the fried chicken skin with rosemary gravy.

Q: Share one of your champion chef-testant secrets with us please.
A: For the Brussels sprouts, we render bacon until all the fat is out of it, then make a vinaigrette with it. Let the Brussels sprouts marinate, then roast them off. Heaven. Pure heaven.

Q: What kind of experience do you aim to provide?
A: Relaxing environment, yet, you feel like you are in a true steak house... eating food that makes you dream about it for weeks after.

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Restaurants

3211 Broadway Apt 3211Astoria, NY