So, I recently posted about some of my favorite NJ eating destinations. As most of my family and friends know, if given a choice, I will always opt to make the trip into Manhattan or Brooklyn for a nice meal. I’ve just always felt that the city had more to offer in every aspect – variety, quality, value, excitement… You get the point! Instead of listing my recommendations, I will list some of my favorite places in NYC and the dish(es) that lure(s) me back there, or that had me speechless. An asterisk next to any of the restaurants indicates that I found their wine list to be pretty interesting as well.
*Aldea – fun night out with east coast and west coast pals
Arroz de Pato (Rice, sofrito, duck confit, duck breast)
*A Voce – a “misunderstood” reservation at eleven madison re routed us here for a fabulous evening with our favorite Austin peeps
Octopus Carpaccio
Beauty & Essex – impromptu evening with the BIL and SIL; good for vegetarians
Chili Salted Shisito Peppers
*Boqueria – lots of fun tapas nights with friends
1. boquerones
2. paella
Brooklyn Fare – fun work outing… Too many dishes to choose from!
1. warm beet soup with hudson valley yogurt whip
2. Kumomoto oyster with grapefruit, creme fraiche, oyster juice gelee
3. seared scallop with squash puree, pork belly, pea shoots, black trumpet mushroom, and white truffle foam
Co. – Many family early dinners with BIL, SIL, kids, and nephews; good for vegetarians
1. Any vegetarian seasonal pie
2. meatballs
*Cookshop – a great Friday night with awesome friends
deviled eggs
*Corkbuzz -many fun nights with family and good friends;
1. beet chips with tzatziki
2. beef tartare
3. to die for crispy fingerling potatoes
Dovetail – a great bday celebration for SIL; great for vegetarians
Black garlic and Cauliflower base with grilled lamb
*Eleven Madison Park – our Austin friends whisked us away for a night of indulgence! loved the entire menu; vegetarian tasting menu avail
1. carrot tartare
2. sturgeon with sabayon and everything bagel crumble
3. roasted duck with huckleberries
Estela – snacks with friends and the hubby
salted cod and potato croquettes
*Hearth -anniversaries, birthdays, brunches, our GO TO spot!
1. gnocchi!
2. braised rabbit
3. spatchcock chicken
4. meatballs
5. everything!
Hundred Acres -brunches with the gang and intimate dinners with fam; good for vegetarians
ricotta fritters for brunch
*Il Buco – 40th bday dinner with great friends; good for vegetarians
1. kale salad
2. every pasta on their menu
Il Buco Alimentari – holiday dinner with the gang
cacio e pepe
*Lafayette – outside snacks and brunches with amazing ladies
1. Salad Nicoise
2. Roasted Beet Salad
La Vara – holiday dinner with the gang
1. huevos de cordoniz
2. albondigas
Little Prince – birthday dinner with hubby
ratatouille
Mehtaphor – fun nights out with girlfriends; good for vegetarians
Veg Street burger with Indian frites
*Momofuku Ssam Bar – lots of eating with friends that love to eat
1. Bo Ssam
2. Oysters
3. Pork Buns
Monument Lane – intimate lunch with SIL
sandwiches are yum
*Narcissa – fun evenings out with friends
carrot fries
*Nomad – dinner with BIL and SIL – great cocktails too!
1. buttered radishes
2. roast chicken with truffles
Perla – fun night out with the gang
beef cheek agnolotti
*Rouge et Blanc – date night with hubby and dinner with the gang
house made thick noodles
*Semilla – dinner with BIL and SIL; great for vegetarians
1. arancini with burdock
2. celery root papparadelle
3. shaved sunchokes
The Eddy – anniversary dinner with hubby
1. ricotta dumplings
2. bacon tater tots
The Little Owl – lunch with maya
meatball sliders
Toloache – lots of fun dinners with friends and fam; good for vegetarians
1. queso with huitlacoche
2. variety of ceviche
*Txikito – late night silliness
1. pipperak (blistered peppers)
2. krokettas
Uncle Boons – dinner with great friends
1. crab fried rice
2. “son in law” eggs