Monday 9 November 2015

Love Bites New York Hit List

So a few months ago... in May this year to be exact, Adam and I had our first ever taste of America! I had surprised Adam with a trip to New York for his 30th birthday in March, which left plenty of time for researching where to eat in one of the foodie capitals of the world. We were also lucky enough to have a few friends visiting around the same time which made the trip even more memorable. 

Instead of writing a whole schpeal about all the amazing things I ate and where I ate them I thought I would enlighten you with my Love Bites New York Hit List: A collection of foodie haunts across the Big Apple. I can't take all the credit for the list as I picked quite a few brains from some NYC connoisseurs but the collaboration of these amazing places I hope will entice and excite you as much as it did me. Please share the list with your friends and let me know what other additions you have.

Just to note - the ones in bold were my ultimate pics - most of which I did get to visit but a few I have kept there for next time! 



EAST VILLAGE AND LOWER EAST SIDE
  • Momofuku Ssam Bar, lunch brunch or dinner pan Asian – supposed to be best ramen in town (no res or can book for 3-8 people special menu) 207 second avenue at 13th street new york, ny 10003
  • Momofuku http://momofuku.com Now this is David Chans restaurants group. Again cool, are legendary. Go at night when they play really loud rock music, great vibe.
  • Booker and Dax – Momofuku bar same address as above – must go to. Pork buns are amazing great cocktails
  • Motorino Pizza – delish – open later 349 EAST 12TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10003
  • Alder  http://aldernyc.com/ TASTING MENU This is Willy Dufresne newish restaurant 157 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
  • Katz Deli http://katzsdelicatessen.com Iconic in NYC and make sure you get the ruben. WARNING they are massive. Sam and I shared one. 205 East Houston Street (corner of Ludlow St) New York City, 10002
  • Public – Aussie / Kiwi inspired (Michelin starred) cool trendy vibe – went for brunch but would recommend – amazing quinoa hash browns! (just up from The Butchers Daughter and The Egg Shop)
  • Tinys giant bagels and sandwiches 129 Rivington St, New York City, NY 10002
  • Freemans Alley - Cool Americana colonial Garrison type place – comfort food, easygoing – cool customers, up an alley – no bookings except over 6.
  • Motor City – Ludlow St, late night dive bar for rock n rollers. Great.
  • Vanessas – Dumplings, take away. 1$ for 4 pork & chive dumplings - Lower East Side
  • Pulinos – McNally on Houston, shi-shi pizza.
  • Ten Bells – 247 Broome nr Orchard. Small, cool, oysters.
  • Bacaro – 136 Division St. Awesome cellar restaurant (closed Mondays).
  • White Slab – cnr Allen & Delancey. Trashy cool corner bar/food.
  • Beauty and Essex – LES speakeasy. Front is a pawnbroker’s shop. Walk through door into big two floor, resto and bar. http://www.beautyandessex.com/
  • Clinton St Bakery – 4 Clinton St nr Houston. Breakfast for fatties
  • Stanton Social – 99 Stanton St, nr Ludlow.  Good for breakfast/brunch/lunch
  • Gemma in the Bowery Hotel on LES - hipster place, trendy – very cool vibe – went for drinks but recommend brunch or dinner too
  • Narcissa (Michelin starred Italian) 25 Cooper Square (corner of 5th St and Bowery), NY 10003
  • Root and Bone 200 East 3rd Street, New York, NY 10009 apparently the best fried chicken
NB – so many speakeasies in Lower East Side!



CHELSEA/ MEATPACKING / WEST VILLAGE

  • Spotted pig http://thespottedpig.com Go for lunch as its not to crowded. The food is awesome and make sure you get the banoffee pie its out of this world. (Michelin star –no res) 314 West 11th Street, Greenwich Street,New York NY 10014
  • Murrays Bagels 500 Avenue of the Americas, 10011 MUST GO TO!!!
  • Boom Boom Rm – Now called The Top of the Standard. Wicked view of New York- full of idiots but worth a look.  Go before 9pm when the normal people are allowed in.
  • Standard Grill – in the Standard Hotel. Wicked, great food.  Roof bar. Unparalleled views of the city. http://thestandardgrill.com/
  • Shillers – Cocktails, beers and chilled grub. 131 Rivington St
  • Pastis – good for brunch/lunch.  9 Ninth Ave
  • Balthazar – steaks and seafood. 80 Spring St
  • Cookshop – great Meatpacking all rounder http://cookshopny.com/
  • Buddakan Great Asian fusion food – trendy, must book
  • Bagatelle – French Restaurant – lunch or dinner One Little West 12th Street
  • New York, NY 10014
  • The Brass Monkey Bar – 55 Little West 12th Street NYC – good for a drink if the Standard Rooftop is manic or to stop in after shopping and catch a little sun
  • Gansevoort Hotel Group – Plunge Bar and Lounge . (18 9th Avenue at 13th Street http://www.gansevoorthotelgroup.com/hotels/gansevoort-meatpacking-nyc/nightlife/plunge-bar-lounge  bar / cocktails
  • The Standard Hotel Rooftop 848 Washington St (at W 13th St) New York, NY 10014
  • Boom Boom Bartop of the Standard – need to get in for early drinks as they kick everyone out at 11 best view of NYC and toilets supposed to be amazing!
  • Chelsea Markets – Lobster rolls – can’t remember the name of it but massive seafood / oyster bar but best lobster rolls!
  • Betel – 51 Grove St, by Bleecker. Asian contemporary mid range. Good
  • Joseph Leonard – 170 Waverley Pl. Sweetest neighbourhood restaurant ever. Hard to book. (they had a fire - could be closed still)
  • Hotel Griffou – 21 West 9th, btw 5th & 6th. Quirky basement of a townhouse - cool/very sceney - cocktails & celebs
  • Westville – 210 W 10th St, btw Bleecker & W4th. V tiny place, delivery/eat in. Comfort food.
  • The Breslin – The Ace hotel, 16 W 29th at Broadway. Scottish colonial hunting lodge pub?! V Nice for brunch nr Madison sq.
  • Shake Shack – Madison Sq Park. Take away café – custard shakes!
  • Little Owl. 90 Bedford St Brunch (not Monday) and cute dinner. Bedford and Bleeker. Good burger.
  • Fatty Crab – 643 Hudson, nr Gansevoort – great for breakfast/brunch/lunch
  • August – 359 Bleecker –  super for breakfast/lunch/dinner
  • The Waverley Inn – 16 Bank St. - super for breakfast/lunch/dinner
  • St Ambroes in West Village.  Italian food, small place but super-chic fashion crowd


NOLITA
  • The Butchers Daughter  http://thebutchersdaughter.com Wicked cafe. The kale salad is a must!!! 19 Kenmare Street, New York, NY (healthy funky brunch lunch place 10-4pm also does bar snacks at dinner) All vegetarian – best juices!
  • Jack's Wife Freda 224 Lafayette St New York, NY 10012 – really good Mediterranean inspired – recommended BRUNCH OR LUNCH BEST – walkins only
  • Black seed bagels 170 Elizabeth st Bagels look YUM
  • Egg shop – favourite place – tiny restaurant and no reservations - hash browns are delish! 151 Elizabeth street. Ideal for Brunch but Dinner open from 8am
  • Tartinery - nolita next to soho open sandwiches restaurant 209 MULBERRY STREET
  • NEW YORK, NY 10012 LUNCH OPTION
  • Taco Box http://www.bbarandgrill.com/tacobox.php 40 East Street at Bowery NY 10003 We stumbled upon this amazing place and the tacos are out of this world. A good place to refuel during the day in between shopping.
  • La Esquina mexican FF soho. http://www.esquinanyc.com/menus.php 114 Kenmare, New York, NY 10012 b/n Lafayette and Centre Brasserie and taco stop – food looks insane!!
  • Tacombi tacos fried fish  267 Elizabeth st – street food style in warehouse like setting – food truck - worth the wait for a table! Great sangria
  • The Musket Room next to Tacombi (above) food looks fantastic – think is Kiwi owned?
  • Lovely Day Nice little café/brunch spot on Elizabeth – next to Public btw Prince & Spring.
  • Peasant - 194 Elizabeth, nr Public. Cool Italian, rustic, simple food.
  • Cafe Habana Prince and Elizabeth
  • Cafe Gitane on Mott – North African food in cool, little artsy café.
  • Double Crown –v cool eatery and bar.  Great brunch, dinner –
  • Ago – new Bobby de Niro Italian in Tribeca. If you go there, go to Smith & Mills, a cool, tiny bar opposite.
  • Frankie’s pizza - 19, 1st Ave btw 1st & 2nd St. Naples, brick oven - cosy.


CHINATOWN
  • Prosperity dumpling cheap eat!! 46 Eldridge street Chinatown

FLAT IRON
  • Eataly -200 5th Avenue New York, NY 10010 Market open daily 10-11pm
  • ABC Kitchen brunch lunch near flat iron building 35 east 18th street new york, ny 10003 – best pasta I had in NYC – really fresh interesting food
  • Claudette 24 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10011 French bistro expendy


MIDTOWN
  • The Burger Joint Le Parker meridian hotel midtown west – simple American burgers but mighty good (in the reception – you will see a line for queing as its tiny!) best burgers and fun play on take away food.
  • DB bistro moderne (Daniel boloud) truffle foie gras burger 55 west 44th st midtown west
  • Looks delicious perhaps lunch?
  • The Gramercy Hotel – 2 Lexington Avenue 10010, apparently famous ppl drink here
  • The Hudson Terrace, garden bar rooftop (need to put name on the guest list – contact in email) 621 West 46th Street NYC 10036
  • Pod 39 Hotel Rooftop http://www.thepodhotel.com/pod-hotel-entertainment Such a great place for a drink The Pod Hotel 39
  • 230 Fifth – Rooftop bar / nightclub (we went for brunch – all you can eat) great if the sun is shining – great view of the Empire State!

  
WILLIAMSBURG/BROOKLYN 
  • The Wythe Hotel – Rooftop bar – great for a late afternoon drink after exploring – amazing view– opens at 4pm
  • Emilys Pizza http://pizzalovesemily.com/food/ 919 Fulton Street
  • Brooklyn, NY 11238
  • Motorino Pizza, 139 BROADWAY, BROOKLYN, NY 11211
  • Peter Luger – 178 Broadway at Driggs. Bright old fashioned, great steak.
  • Diner – 85 broadway. V cool, artsy, rustic hangover fodder.
  • Marlow & Sons (& Daughters). Attached to Diner, deli café, butcher, shop
  • Moto – 394 Broadway btw Keap & Hooper. Super nice cosy rough restaurant w music.
  • Roebling Tea Room – 143 Roebling St. Weekend hangout, food and beer – great.
  • El Almacaen – 557 Driggs Ave. Argentinean
  • 5 leaves left – Bedford Ave 18 Lorimar.
  • Fatty Cue – 91 South 6th st Brooklyn.
  • Vinegar Hill Hse 72 Hudson Ave.
  • Biscuits & Gravy – btw Bedford & Berry
  • Fette Sau – best BBQ in NY (Brooklyn) http://www.fettesaubbq.com/

Here are some pictures from our trip:

Popcorn and Pizza pre Statten Island Ferry
 
Bagels at Murray Bagels 



ABC Kitchen : Sundae with salted caramel ice cream, candied peanuts & popcorn, whipped cream, chocolate sauce


Freshly squeezed juice and shakes at The Butcher's Daughter


ABC Kitchen : Artichoke Fettuccine with breadcrumbs 

A Reuben Bagel at Murrays Bagels

The El Camino Cruiser at Egg Shop NYC
Freshly squeezed lemonade at Jack's Wife Freida

Prawns at Buddakhan 

Lobster Rolls at Buddakhan
Juicing it up at The Butcher's Daughter


BurgerJoint at Le Parker Meridian Hotel 
Hashbrown bites at Egg Shop NYC
Shots on 230 Fifth Rooftop 
Drinks at Gansvoort Rooftop Bar
This guy just had to try one of these hotdogs!
Empire State from the Statten Island Ferry

Enjoying some wine at Balthazar



Friday 1 May 2015

Love Bites & The Fat Duck: Part Two



The second half of my Fat Duck experience did not cease to impress. Each new course was served with such vitality that we were kept intrigued and curious as to what was coming up next…



















"SOUND OF THE SEA" 
An iPod Nano, disguised as a seashell was placed in front of us with two ear buds peaking out. Curiously Adam and I placed the buds in our ears, closing our eyes, to be graced with the humming sounds of waves crashing and seagulls calling.  A culinary masterpiece then appeared resting on a glass lid, a top a wooden box of sand, this combined with the delicate seashore noises evoked memories of a day at the beach. Mouthfuls of king fish, octopus and mackerel were rested on a bed of sardine and tapioca ‘sand’ and seaweed foam. This dish playfully heightened all your senses by the aromas of the fresh seafood and seaweed; the murmurs of seagulls and waves and the textures of the food encompass your surroundings. A cleverly arranged foodie creation that really encouraged the flavours of the food by playing with your senses, which I almost found a little off-putting by having too much of a taste of the sea! 


iPod Nano disguised as a shell


The Sound of the Sea

SALMON POACHED IN A LIQUORICE GEL 
Artichoke, Vanilla Mayonnaise and Golden Trout Roe 
The salmon, encased in a thick liquorice gel parcel, sat atop a bed of pink grapefruit locules and was cooked to the most perfect pastel pink colour, so delicate it was almost translucent. The gel parcel itself only had a hint of liquorice flavour and was carefully balanced by creamy vanilla mayonnaise drops and citrusy sweet juice from the locules. The salmon was decorated with golden trout roe and accompanied by grilled artichoke. 


Poached Salmon in a Liquorice Gel

UMBLE PIE 
A divinely cooked saddle of venison, perfectly cut into two medallions was nestled amongst a rich gravy sauce. A trail of vegetables consisting of parsnip and kale rested on one side of the plate. This dish was also served with a side of spelt truffle risotto, which was absolutely incredible with the venison. Being a huge fan of truffle I could have devoured more of this and I loved the way the spelt crunched like roasted honey puffs in my mouth. This was a true main dish that I could definitely have had more of!


Umble Pie

Truffle Spelt Risotto
HOT AND ICED TEA 
This intriguing course served between the main course and dessert, was a 'shot' of liquid in a clear espresso type cup. At first glance it did in fact look like tea, however after attempting to drink the liquid it was in fact more like warm jelly! When consumed in full it emerged that it was in fact cold on one side and hot on the other. It certainly was everything it said in its title. It was a bizarre sensation but fantastically clever!  

Hot and Iced Tea


EGGS IN VERJUS (c.1726), VERJUS IN EGG (c.2013) 
This was an exquisitely painted speckled brown egg resting on a bed of golden straw and orange jelly, sprinkled with fennel leaves. Cracking open the egg revealed the shell was in fact two types of chocolate, filled with a creamy white moose with an orange centre, it completely resembled an egg.  With a crunchy texture and sugary, toffee taste the nest of ‘straw’ was the perfect accompaniment, balanced with the refreshingly subtle citrus orange jelly and hint of fennel. 

Egg pre-crack


Egg post-crack

BOTRYTIS CINEREA 
The name of this dessert is actually of a fungus that affects plants and mainly wine grapes (ew gross!). I felt the need to explain this to you as the dessert resembled a picturesque version of this! It presents itself as a bunch of grapes, full of fruity flavours, leaves, twigs and all. Its various textures, colours and shapes make it so excitedly enticing – you almost don’t know where to begin to devour its contents!  There were grape sized balls of toffee, cream and fruit flavoured wine gums, complimented on a bed of white chocolate ‘sand.’ As though in full costume, this dessert has an air of flamboyance and prestige - a truly remarkable masterpiece.


Botrytis Cinera - masterpiece of dessert


WHISK(E)Y WINE GUMS 
Not being a huge fan of whiskey unlike my other half I was pleasantly surprised at these tasty morsels. They were stuck like gum (excuse the pun) to their locations of origin on a framed map. It was a brilliant display and made the whiskey tasting more interesting by seeing exactly where exactly they came from and to taste the differences of the regions. 



Whiskey gums stuck on the frame


Whiskey Wine Gums






















“LIKE A KID IN A SWEET SHOP”

The second half seemed to go a lot faster than the first. Before we knew it we were whisked off in a taxi back to the train station to get back to London embracing a sweet bag full of three precious Heston sweets. I loved the packaging – pale pink and white sptripes and individually wrapped sweets. I really was like a kid in a sweet shop! Although I was chuffed with my goodie bag, I was too full and perhaps a little tiddly to consume the sweets on the journey home. However I managed to squeeze in the home made toffee and savoured the last two sweets for the next day!


















My most favourite out of the three sweets,out of the toffee and macaroon was inevitably the Queen of Hearts chocolate. It was a miniature Queen of Hearts playing card made of white chocolate and filled with a thin layer of jam. The detail of the image on the chocolate was just incredible. It was an art piece that I almost couldn't eat… almost!! 




My Fat Duck Experience was so incredible and lived up to all my expectations. I was sad to leave but left with a buzzing feeling, a grin on my face and a belly full of some of the most imaginative food creations I will ever devour. Heston is a true Master of the food industry and I only hope I am lucky enough to try out more of his masterpieces in the future.