Las Vegas Eats – Bouchon

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Ziggy

The most anticipated meal of the trip was the biggest miss of the trip.  We are far from Minetta Tavern!

Bouchon Bistro is a Thomas Keller restaurant in the Venezia Tower of the Venetian, offering classic French bistro fare.  One of the most popular dining options in Vegas for both brunch (famous for its chicken and waffles) and dinner (famous for its… bread?).  My mission as the foodie and food blogger of the 12 person group traveling with us was to choose a place to celebrate a friend’s birthday and after much consideration and keeping costs in mind I chose Bouchon for this special event.

Bouchon - Short Rib

It started off quite nicely.  Beautiful private room, nice ambiance and everybody happy.  The bread arrived after a while and WOW.. some of the best bread I’ve had this side of Villefranche Sur Mer.  I love good bread and butter and this is as good as it gets.  An app of mussels arrived chilled was very good, and a nice Frisée with poached egg salad as well.  Not a bad start, but a premature finish.

Steak FritesThe steak frites of choice was a $45 grilled 14 oz of dry and flavorless NY Strip.  It tasted more like a filet mignon.  Very unfortunate and the other person who ordered it agreed.  Mrs Ziggy’s beef short rib was a little better but uninspiring nonetheless except perhaps for some nice veggies and a ‘hint’ of handmade pasta surrounding it.

A few months ago in New Orleans we tried 8 different bread puddings in 5 days.  Bouchon’s would have been dead last in that race.

An hour into the meal, since our main courses weren’t taken yet, you could tell that this would be a 3 hour marathon.  And it was!  Surely I didnt mind spending the time with my friends but it is important to note in case you planning to bring your in-laws here.

Overall, Bouchon is another expensive reminder that the big name restaurants on the strip at times are just that, Big Names!

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Las Vegas Eats – Estiatorio Milos

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Ziggy

I’ll make this one short and sweet.  Not because I just had too much to drink this evening, but because I’m a bit under the influence and I’m afraid that the more I write the less sense I’d make. Milos lunch was a winner.   The $20.13 lunch which is set to increase to $20.14 next year due to the corn market pricing speculation is one of the greatest deals in town.  However, to make this truly worthwhile you need to add the $10 supplement for the terrific grilled Octopus app.  Ever since we visited Portugal, the land of the most amazing octopus on the planet we’ve been on the hunt.  This one is it. Meaty, perfectly grilled, perfectly seasoned with a hint of oregano, absolutely delicious octopus.Milos - Octopus Mrs. Ziggy thankfully enjoyed her tomato salad which meant she kept her fork on her plate for the most part.  For main, the winner was the simply grilled Lavraki (bass).  Quite a tasty piece of fish.  The shrimp dish on the other hand was a bit too bland and the walnut pie, soaked in deliciousness was a nice finishMilos - Lavraki The lunched so far are more satisfying than the dinners.   Thumb up to Estiatorio Milos, aka Milos, aka don’t call me Estiatorio since no one can remember the first half of the name.  I had to Google it just now.

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Las Vegas Eats – Todd English P.U.B

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Ziggy

The perfect place to go straight from the airport with the luggage.  Especially if you traveling with a bad wheel.  You know, one of your carry-on wheels is crooked and as you walk with it, it wobbles uncontrollably, as if something is hiding in there and people are staring at it waiting for that something to come out any minute.  And you are debating whether to just carry it but then discover if you get it closer to the ground you are more or less good but then have to explain to everyone your bad back.  You know, that one.  Even Martha Stewart who flew with us couldn’t save it but put a delightful tassel around the wheel

Anyway, nice beer, great food, a booth, Todd English food – that’s all you need after a long flight (anything longer than 2 with a terrified wife is long).

Todd English P.U.B

We sampled some surprisingly terrific Pastrami, carved thick and generous (this is half a portion) and served with your choice of spreads.  We got the mustard trio and the truffle mayo (very nice).  Really enjoyed this dish.  And their popular Junk Chips formerly known as Dirty chips since supposedly some people complained about the name?  Say What?  Nice nacho chips with melted blue cheese just enough to give it some tanginess without overwhelming.

Todd English P.U.B - Dirty chips

Combine that with a very impressive beer menu, and I’ll take it over the Vegas buffet any day.  Even with a bad wheel.  We tried to come back (in Aria btw) later during the weekend only to find more than a 30 minute wait.  As far as decent pub food in the area this is perhaps as good as it gets.  Highly recommend especially the Pastrami

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Las Vegas Eats – Julian Serrano

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Ziggy
Julain Serrano - Pintxo de Chorizo
A mixed bag all around for this one.  Julian Serrano also of Bellagio’s Picasso is one of many big names in Vegas.  An impressive array of Spanish tapas fills the menu, both classics like the Gambas and Patatas Bravas and “new wave” tapas like those tuna cones we see surface in some places like in New Orleans’ SoBou.
Julian Serrano definitely got the look.  Although its near the main lobby in Aria and sort of a downer once you see the location.  Between the 6 of us we sampled quite a few dishes.  No issues with the service at all.  I asked if they can bring the dishes in the correct order to accommodate the palates and they did.
Julian Serrano - Piquillo PeppersJulain Serrano - Huevos EstrelladosStuffed Piquillo Peppers –  A bit milder than expected but a pleasant start nonetheless.
Huevos Estrellados – Enjoyed this one.  The chorizo along with the egg and fries worked together nicely.
Pintxo de Chorizo – Should have ordered something else.  Although the mashed potatoes was tasty, the chorizo was similar to the previous dish if not slightly chewier.   Pictured on top
White Ceviche – perhaps the weakest link.  I love ceviche but the acid here was just a tad overwhelming.  A good size dish I must add.Julian Serrano - White Ceviche
Julian Serrano - Stuffed DatesStuffed Dates – this is one of my favorite Mediterranean tapa dishes and this one did not disappoint.  Love the combination of those sweet dates with the bacon.  Well done here.
 Croquettes – Ungood!  flavorless, screaming for some sort of sauce.
 Lobster Saffron – Ok, not memorable
 Gambas – Good.  Nice plump and tasty shrimp
 Creamy Risotto – Nice finish.  Arborio cooked to al dente perfection and with the mushroom provided plenty of flavor.   Along with the dates the best dish of the night.
Desserts not memorable
Julian SerranoFunny how things work out sometimes.  I’ve anticipated this to be one of the top meals of the trip from the info I gathered but at the end of the day, the pastrami at the next door P.U.B by Todd English was the most memorable thing I ate on day 1.
Not a bad meal overall but not something I’d do again.  Perhaps I got somewhat spoiled with all the wonderful tapas we have in NYC (Alta, Tia Pol to name a few).  This meal was a fresh reminder after a 6 year hiatus that the big name restaurants on the strip got just that. Big names.
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Mission Chinese Food 1 – Ziggy 0

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Ziggy

A short but sweet review on one of the hottest new restaurants in NYC.  If you haven’t heard of Mission Chinese food you either live under a rock or in Staten Island.  Sorry for the Iphone photos

Mission Chinese Food

Getting there at 12:30 pm proved to be a perfect time – No Meshugenah line.  While looking at the menu I was eyeing no less than 8 dishes for myself and my companion, The Hummus Whisperer, but settled on 6, still much to the dismay of the bartender who assured us we’ll be leaving with a hefty number of doggy bags.  Ha!  The joke is on him I’m thinking.  He doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.

I asked the bartender as I was giving him our orders if he can somehow arrange it so we could get the dishes in their proper order, from mild to intense as some of the dishes can be so intense they can burst your palates.  He said in a very polite way, No!  “They will come in a furious pace..Bla bla, bla” whatever.  Next time I will simply order the mild ones first and later will order the rest.  Here’s what we had in the order of arrival…

Mission Chinese FoodCumin Lamb – Wasn’t too crazy about this one.  The lamb was way over spiced to my taste.  I understand its called Cumin lamb, but it still needs to taste good and it wasn’t.  And way too salty

Mapo Tofu – This is it.  Now I get it.  A flavor festival.  Like a beautiful Tofu with thos melt in your mouth tender Pork Shoulder spice de jour soup.  Delicious, but palates are starting to burst

Chongqing Chicken Wings – Palates burst.  After one, just one chicken wing, and that Tofu I needed to take a break.  Those wings were super spiced and very intense.

Thrice cooked bacon – I don’t know what to think about this one.  It came with those “I cant believe its not potatoes Rice cakes” and after having a few of those at this point I started to wonder where the explosiveness is coming from.  Mapo TofuThis was not one of my favorite dishes.  Maybe they need to cook the bacon a 4th time.

Kung Pao Pastrami – My favorite dish and the best Kung Pao I ever had.  They make their own pastrami, not from Katz’s as the rumor was.  Very juicy and flavorful Pastrami cubes and the entire dish really worked

Salt Cod Fried Rice – Very good but why are we getting the mildest dish last.  Loved the tiny Chinese sausage bits.

This was a defeat like I never experienced.  We couldn’t even finish the 6 chicken wings.  My request for milk from the bartender resulted with just a grin.  No, I’m serious, I want Milk.  Whatever! I’ll be back for a rematch now that I know what to order and how to order it.  I’m outta here.  With the doggy bags!

Categories: Lower East Side, New York City | Tags: , , , , , , | 1 Comment

My Top 10 bites of 2012 in NYC

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Ziggy

Some of the best eating we’ve done in 2012 was outside of NYC.  Mainly in New Orleans, Israel, and Turks and Caicos.  But there was plenty of eating in our back yard…

Marea – Astice.   Nova Scotia lobster + creamy Burrata, + Eggplant al funghetto + beautiful pesto drops = pure ecstasy in every bite.  I remember the feeling while eating it.  The Spaghetti with crab and fusilli not too shabby either.  Photo below courtesy of bionicgrrrl at BionicbitesMarea - Astice

Zabb Elee – Pad Ped Moo Krob.   Crispy fried and refried pork, green peppercorn, ginger, Thai eggplant and spicy curry.  A lot of heat and a lot flavor
Aldea – Shrimp Alhinho – loved the dish, not the meal.  Large succulent shrimp with a nice complex sauce.  Well done!
Alta – bacon wrapped dates.  Skip the other half of the dish (the olives) and get more of these babies.  Bacon never tasted that good.
Scarpetta – Rabbit Agnolotti – Perfectly cooked rabbit in those pillowy delicate Agnolotti bursting with flavor (silence of the lambs sound)

Roberta’s – Bee sting pizza.  Great tasting pie.  Spicy Sopressata (spicier than other Sopressata I’ve had) and the added honey contributed to interesting contrasting flavors.  Liked it more than Paulie Gee’s similar Delboy.  Or maybe it was the waitressesRoberta's Bee Sting Pizza
Sanrasa – Lamprie.  This Dutch influenced Sri Lankan classic is a piece of art.  Rice, meat, curry, caramelized onions, cashews, all baked wrapped in banana leaf.  What a great dish
Gazala’s Place – Hummus with lamb and pine nuts.  Nuttiest, creamiest, freshest Hummus I’ve had in NYC.Hummus with Lamb and Pine Nuts

Minetta Tavern – Black Label burger.  Best burger we ever had.  50% of it is prime 48 day aged rib eye.

Danji – Chicken wings.  This gourmet Korean tapas joint serves some mean chicken wings.  Cant wait to have them again.Danji

Categories: New York City | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Gazala’s Place – Hummus and the City

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Ziggy

Hummus with Lamb and Pine NutsEver since we came back from our 2 week stint in Israel, I’ve been on the hunt for good hummus like Mike Tyson seeking fine Orecchiette (baby ear shape pasta).  I’ve had good Hummus at Mimi’s and Zion Deli in Brooklyn, Hummus Kitchen in Hells Kitchen, and a fine Hummus with Srug at Ta’im among other spots.   But as soon as I tasted the Hummus with lamb and pine nuts at Gazala’s Place I was transported.  The creamiest, smoothest, nuttiest, freshest I’ve had so far.

Foul MassaryGazala’s Place is the creation of Gazala Halabi who brings her Druze recipes from Daliyat El-Carmel, a Druze village perched on Mt. Carmel.  While in Israel we visited the Druze village next door, Usafia and had a memorable Druze hospitality lunch there while learning about their way of life.

Gazala also dishes out large, herby, delicious falafel balls, nice fresh salads, and various tasty hummus and Hummus-like specialties like the pictured Foul Massary, fava beans with tomatoes.  Their Bourekas of the day which I havent tried yet also looks terrific.

I cant guarantee that this is the best Hummus in town but I can guarantee without a doubt that this is the best Druze with Russian waitresses in Hells Kitchen.  Gazala opened another location on Columbus and shows her Russian fetish there as well.  Check it out readers.  Both of you!

Falafel

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Giovanni Rana – Verona Legend Turned Bird Killer

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Ziggy

CappellettiMy youngest once told me an interesting fact she read somewhere.  10,000 birds die from smashing into windows a year.  And so I have to ask you my loyal readers, both of you.  How in the world do they come up with those stats.  Really, do they actually keep a running tally?  Do they pick up dead birds on the streets and able to determine the exact cause of death or they simply base on the location where birds pronounced dead close to windows, died from smashing into them Angry Birds style.

Giovanni RanaAnyway, I wonder how many pasta lover birds have smashed into the windows of Giovanni Rana.  GR is an Italian legend from Verona who’s passion for ravioli spawned an empire in Italy.  His face is proudly stapled on Tortellini packages all over the country.  But instead of telling you the story you can just see it on his site.  Yes even in Italy they eat packaged/frozen goods.

His daughter in law Antonella runs the new sprawling mini Eataly space in Chelsea piers. Daily made fresh pasta is the name of the game here.  You can eat it, buy it, or take-out it.  Perhaps the finest pasta menu in NYC and we sampled 4 of them (me and my 2 pasta critics, daughters age 12, 10).  On the way I told the kids about daddy’s and mommy’s adventures in Verona and I didn’t get far until the youngest interrupted.. “Ahhm dad, we were there too remember?”  Oh Yehhh!

Giovanni Rana pastaGiovanni Rana pasta

Ricotta Spinach Girasole. – Absolutely delicious Ravioli.  My youngest’s favorite of the bunch.  Comes with more chunks of creamy ricotta, all in this nice baked parmigiano crisp

Ravioli al Brasato. Braised rib meat Ravioli with cabbage and chestnuts. Good although the weakest link perhaps. I felt wanting more of the cabbage and chestnuts especially the cabbage, and the chestnuts.

Lobster Mezzaluna

Lobster Mezzaluna – Very Good!  not Maine lobster from the next door neighbor lobster place but satisfying nonetheless.  The best part of the dish was the Chanterelle mushrooms.  One of those rare moment that I count my blessings for marrying a mushroom hater (hate transferred to the kids)

Cappelletti – the star for me.  Even with the odd side of prosciutto on toast.  Prosciutto, bread crumbs and herbs packed in those Cappelletti.  Each one bursting with flavor.  Well done!

Service with plenty of hiccups as they only open for a few months.  The place feels like mini Eataly with all the tourists, products and cafeteria like setting.  Still, an enjoyable meal in Giovanni’s pasta land.  Welcome to New York Mr. Rana

Ricotta Spinach GirasoleGiovanni Rana

Categories: Chelsea, New York City | Tags: , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Minetta Tavern – The Burger and the Beast

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Ziggy

First an update on Ziggy Jr our goldfish.  He’s dead!  Pretty sure he took his own life after watching the 100th episode of Full House which my kids are now obsessed with since discovering it a few months ago.  Half of our DVR is filled with the stuff.  But lets move on to one of the best meals of the year…

Minetta Tavern is very unique in that it can be included in more than one or even 2 “Best Of” lists.  Best Steakhouse, Best Burger (Black Label Burger), Best Steak (Cote de Beauf), Best French bistro, and even Best restaurant in its class.

MT is located on the somewhat “divey” MacDougal street, and has a sort of unassuming exterior.  But as soon as you go in and open the red curtains you are transported somewhere else. 1930’s perhaps?  The place is not big and is packed.  The bar area is packed and they sit you almost like they sit you at a family reunion.  Except you sitting next to an Armenian cousin you didn’t know existed.

***Customary horrible pictures with iphone excuse****

Pasta Za ZaI was reading on Chowhound about Minetta not allowing taking pictures so the first few shots were taken with no flash.  Here’s the rundown…

Pasta Za Za – Very good.  I have a weakness for fresh pasta with egg.  They split the dish and put one egg on each.  Although we enjoyed it, not nearly as good as Herbsaint’s version in New Orleans

Bone Marrow – This was just ok for us.  Less so for the wife.  What saved the dish for me was the shallots with port – so delicious.  The baguettes were so buttery almost to the point of inedible.

Black Label burger – Met the high expectations.  The juiciest most flavorful burger that I can remember.  50% of it is 48 day dry aged prime rib eye with the other 50% a combination of brisket, rib and other goodies.  The fries were just ok for me however – not sure what the hoopla was.  Bone MarrowThey were barely seasoned and the aioli didnt save them for me.  But the burger was insane.

NY Strip – Excellent!  We ordered medium and it came medium-rare as expected.  Great, nicely seasoned crust and a very flavorful piece overall (28 day dry aged).  But the next day we were talking about the burger.

Chocolate Soufflé – AMAZING!! So rich and yummy

In short, this meal made a mark.  One of the most enjoyable meals of the year.  With drinks and tax $260 for the 2 of us.  Would definitely order the pasta, burger and soufflé again and perhaps go for the massive Cote de Beauf when we go with more people.

NY Strip

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Sri Lankan in Staten Island – Another reason to visit

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Ziggy

LakruwanaLets recap some of the biggest reasons to come to Staten Island…

1)  Staten Island Ferry.  Staten Island is a very unique place.  One of the biggest attractions in NYC is to get there and then get the hell out of there.

2)  To see Meerkats on a lookout at the Staten Island Zoo.  If you have never seen this, here’s an example from another zoo…  

3)  The new annual “Running of the Zebras and Ponies”.  I have a feeling this is going to be a big hit.  Here’s a footage from the last event (play the video)

4)  To see “The Yankees”.  Its the Staten Island Yankees, but most tourists will not know the difference.

5)  For the new “EYE”.  Ok, its a Ferris Wheel that hasnt actually been built yet but is in the works, and it will be bigger than the London eye.  

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-26/nyc-said-to-plan-staten-island-ferris-wheel-to-rival-london-eye.html

LakruwanaAdd Sri Lankan food to this impressive list.  Sure you have some other nice options like Vida, and the rotating nonnas of Enoteca Maria, but nothing perhaps is as unique as the wonderful Sri Lankan cuisine on the island.  Since the late 60’s Sri Lankans have been flocking the island to create the 3rd largest Sri Lankan community in the US.  Here are 2 of the better options on the island of Staten

LakruwanaLakruwana – Entering Lakruwana is like entering a Sri Lankan museum with every inch of the restaurant decorated from floor to ceiling.  We did their excellent Sunday buffet served in clay pots.  From Boiled egg with curry to Kale with coconut, to Pol and onion Sambols, and the delicious crispy pork.  Although there were only 2 meat dishes, even the carnivores will admire the different variety and the complex flavors.

Sanrasa – Here we did a saturday dinner.  Although Sanrasa has more of a homey look and feel as opposed to Lakruwana, the flavors are as spectacular.  The chef used to work for Lakruwana and also I believe for a saudi prince.  If its good enough for a Saudi price, its good enough for Ziggy.  Some dishes we tried…

Chicken with cashew curry – very good. nice and tender chicken
Lamb with black curry – lamb a little dry but the sauce more than made up for it. Couldn’t get enough of it really.
Hoppers – very nice and unique, like little spongy pancakes made with rice flour and coconut milk, with some cooked with eggs
Kottu Roti – nice. They have an array of roti and hopper specials that come with your choice of meat curries
Lamprie – This is the house special and a must IMO. All kinds of goodies including rice, meat, curry, caramelized onions, cashews, all baked wrapped in banana leaf.  An old Dutch influenced classic
Deviled Shrimp – Fantastic, Thai-like, very spicy sizzling unpeeled shrimp with veggies.
Lamb Biryani – very good
Nice Mango Lassi as well.

There you have it folks.  Another reason to come.  As if you needed any more after surviving the running of the zebras and ponies

Categories: New York City, Staten Island | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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