The Weekend Dish

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us.

Friday Dinner: Roasted halumi cheese with grilled vegetables and pita and crispy skin salmon with tomato, spinach, baked onion, and lemongrass red pepper sauce at Café Mogador (101 St. Marks Pl. between 1st and Ave A.).

Saturday Lunch: Bocato de gambas (rock shrimp salad, double smoked bacon avocado, pickled peppers, and tomato on a brioche) at Boqueria (53 West 19th St. 5th and 6th Ave.).

Saturday Dinner: Crawfish dumplings and anise and beer braised beef shin sandwich at Mooncake Foods (28 Watts St. at 6th Ave.).

Sunday Brunch: Burger the works and fries at the Burger Joint at Le’ Parker Meridian (118 W. 57th St. between 6th & 7th Ave.).

Sunday Dinner: Steak tartare and sautéed skate wing with blood oranges from Artisanal (delivery Gramercy and Murray Hill).

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us.

Friday Dinner: Arugula marinated beet apple, and green olive salad and spicy organic meatballs in turmeric tomato sauce at Café Gitane (242 Mott St. between Houston and Prince).

Saturday Lunch: Mandioca Frita com Queijo (fried yucca sticks with parmesan cheese) and Bife Acebolado (thin pan seared steak with onions served with white rice, beans, farofa, country vinaigrette sauce) at Casa (72 Bedford St at Commerce St.).

Saturday Dinner: Vodka sampler, crispy potato pancakes with Scottish smoked salmon and chicken kiev at Pravda (281 Lafayette St. between Prince and Houston).

Sunday Brunch: Boudin nior on apple and onions and eggs Florentine at Florent (69 Gansevoort St between Washington and Greenwich St.).

Sunday Dinner: Apple proscuitto salad and creamy chicken pasta with cherry tomato’s from Ruby’s (Delivery Nolita and Soho 212-925-5755).

Weekend Trip: New Orleans

If you need a short break from the cement jungle, I highly recommend a weekend in the Big Easy. It’s a quick, few-hour flight yet it feels like you’ve taken a time machine to the 1950’s, and there’s no better place to bust your belly in just 2 or 3 days. The city is known for its plethora of authentic foodie specialties (po’ boys, muffaletas, and crawfish to name a few), but it was their oysters that especially captivated me. I’ve had plenty of raw oysters in Manhattan and my fair share of fried oysters in the Cape, but I haven’t tasted anything quite like the cooked oysters concocted down south. I would definitely try the oysters at the following three spots:

Wood-fired Oyster Roast at Cochon, 930 Tchoupitoulas St., 504.588.2123

Roasted Breton Sound Oysters (with Green Chili Bacon Butter and Shaved
Manchego Cheese) at Le Petite Grocery, 4238 Magazine St., 504.891.3377

P&J Oysters: Crispy fried Oysters with Louisiana Caviar “Ranch Dressing,” Pepper Seared Oysters with Country Ham and Truffle Spoon Bread, and Horseradish Crusted Oysters at August, 301 Tchoupitoulas St., 504.299.9777

It’s a perfect and important time to visit New Orleans, post Katrina. Along with the grand architecture, festive jazz music, and joyful atmosphere, their unique food makes us truly honor the good things that are there now and will remain their forever.

P.S. Just curious, does anyone have any recommendations for some fantastic cooked oysters in the city? Please email us with your suggestions.

The Weekend Dish

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us.

Friday Dinner: Corn and meat loaf at Soul Fixins’ (371 W. 34th St. at 9th Ave).

Saturday Lunch: Chive and pork soup dumplings at Dumpling House (118 Eldridge St. between Grand and Broome St.).

Saturday Dinner: Scallop ceviche with grapefruit and fennel and meatball and caramelized onion pizza at Grape and Grain (620 E. 6th St. between Ave A & Ave B).

Sunday Brunch: French toast with roasted pears and pecans and hush puppies with clover honey butter at Market Table (54 Carmine St. at Bedford St.).

Sunday Dinner: Thai sticky rice and tea smoked salmon salad with ginger hoisin vinaigrette and grilled scallion mayo at Rice (212-686-5400 Delivery Nolita, East Village, Gramercy, and Murray Hill).

Bacon-of-the-Month

I have a confession to make: I have been living a double life. By day and especially on high holidays, I am a good Jewish boy. Nonetheless, every month I receive a package that would shock my rabbi. It is my Bacon-of-the-Month-Club from The Grateful Palate, which I cook immediately in broiler, no matter the time of day.

The initial membership introduction package includes your first artisan bacon (varieties from apple cinnamon to applewood smoked bacon), a faux pig nose, a light-up pig pen, a rubber pig toy, a wallet sized bacon-of-the month membership card (so you can pull it out and show it off to all your friends, if the occasion arises), and one awesome “I got porked” t-shirt.

At least once a month I receive an insulated, overnight package with 1lb of artisan bacon on ice packs, the bacon strip (Grateful Palate’s very own comic strip), and a recipe card. This month’s selection came from Gatton Farms in Kentucky and is hickory smoked sugar cured country bacon. Unfortunately, of all the different selections I have had thus far, this month is disappointing. The hickory smoke is just too thick, and there is little to no evidence in the taste of the sugar curing process. I have enjoyed both sugar cured and hickory bacon in the past and this one falls short.

Aside from this month’s little blip the overall experience of the Bacon-of-the-Month-Club has been fucking fabulous. Each month was more delectable and juicer than the month before. From trying every cooking technique except microwaving (those who microwave should be flogged in public) I have learned that there is no more tastier way to prepare bacon than to cook it in your broiler (just like they do it at Lugars and Wolfgangs).

Hey Grateful Palate, I am still waiting for the steakhouse thick cut bacon (ie: Lugars and Wolfgang’s style) to grace its presence on my doorstep.

To sign up for the Bacon of the Month club go to http://www.gratefulpalate.com.

The Orchard ~ Reviewed

The Orchard is one of those rare spots in Manhattan that everyone knows about but nobody talks about. Thus, it’s also one of those rare spots that you can actually get a reservation at a normal hour and not feel like you’re catching the early bird special or having your second dinner of the evening at 10:30 PM (you know who you are). I walked in not exactly knowing what to expect and left pleasantly surprised. The sexy atmosphere is modern but still very comfortable. Soft yellow lighting, light wood tables, and faint salsa music creates the perfect backdrop for a date or a fun dinner with friends any day of the week.

The waiters bode well with their LES neighborhood: laidback with a smidge of nonchalant humor. My waiter in particular made an orgasmic sound after I ordered the side of mushrooms (which I took as good sign) and proceeded to ask if my dish was “yummerzzz.” Nope, I’m not kidding. But his odd sexual signals were dead-on: the mushrooms and all the sides were amazing. In fact, everyone at my four-person dinner was very happy with their meals.

To start, we split the delicious royal trumpet mushroom flatbread with polenta, mushroom puree, and fresh herbs. Heaven: the thin flatbread was light and crispy and the mushroom mixture was rich, creamy and earthy. I had the Grilled Bronzini filleted with lemon/lime-glazed vegetables for my main course, which was everything I expect Branzini to be: simple, light, lemony and never too fishy. Instead of dessert (this is the diet diva writing) I opted for a specialty cocktail and it was just as indulgent. I really wanted to try a few more, but it was a Monday night and I had to get a good nights sleep/watch Gossip Girls/The Hills. Bottom Line: part-Italian, part-Spanish, this downtown restaurant is an all-around winner and I hope our insanely popular blog doesn’t completely blow up it’s spot and I’ll still be able to grab a table if I call less than a few days in advance.

The Orchard (212-353-3570) - 162 Orchard Street between Stanton & Rivington

My Culinary Wet Dream

Check out the culinary adventure chronicled on egullet. Its my version of a wet dream.

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?s=8e3c633eb56b019af058b6de903f50dd&showtopic=115409&st=0&p=1564854&#entry1564854

The Weekend Dish

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us.

Friday Dinner: Insalata "A Voce" (with fennel, apples, watercress, marcona almonds, and pecorino cheese) and the Marinated Chicken alla Griglia (with funghi misticenzi, creamy polenta, arugula and parmesan) at A Voce (41 Madison Ave. at 26th St.).

Saturday Lunch: Ceasar Salad and Wood Oven Pizzette (with Sonoma Teleme Cheese, Thin-Sliced Yukon Gold Potatoes and Truffle Oil) at Five Points (31 Great Jones St. between Lafayette and Bowery).

Saturday Dinner: Spicy Tuna Tartare (with Cucumbers, Ruby Flying Fish Roe and Crispy
Taro Chips in a Thai Vinaigrette) and Grilled Florida Red Snapper (with a Sesame Cucumber Salad, Sautéed Bok Choy, Roasted Scallions and Shiitake Vinaigrette) at Aquagrill (210 Spring St. at 6th Ave).

Sunday Brunch: Tomato soup with Fontina and Gruyere grilled cheese at Bouchon Bakery (Time Warner Center 3rd Floor, Columbus Circle)

Sunday Dinner: Chien Dai (crispy shrimp, crab meat, and pea dumpling with indonesian sweet and sour dipping sauce) and Ikan Panggang (grilled whole sea bass, galang flower and sweet shallot sauce) from Cafe Asean (Delivery West Village)

Al Fresco Dining

One of our favorite summertime pastimes at Bellybusters is eating outdoors. When the sun is shining, it just doesn’t get better than good weather, good friends and great food. In the up-and-coming warm weather weeks, we will be giving you a list of our suggestions for top outdoor spots. This week we’re featuring the West Village:

Bar Pitti (Prosciutto Cotte E Mozzarella Griglato Panini with dry Pinot Grigio)
Fiddlesticks, 55 Greenwich Ave., 212-463-0516 (Fish and Chips with a glass of Bud Draught)
Gusto, 60 Greenwich Ave., 212-924-8000 (Carciofi Alla Giudea (Fried Artichokes) and Cacio E Pepe (pasta with cracked black pepper & pecorino) with a crisp glass of Rose )
Barbuto, 775 Washington St., 212-924-9700 (Crispy gnocchi with squash and parmesan and Cavolini di Bruxelles (shaved brussel sprouts, toasted walnuts, pecorino and lemon) with their refreshing zenzero mojito)
Tortilla Flats, 767 Washington St., 212-243-1053 (Chimichangas with a pitcher of Margaritas)*

*Warning: we would only recommend this spot for the desperately hungover or rowdy/cheesy birthday parties….

Shout Out

It is often difficult to praise other blogs/websites/food personalities due to the fact that Bellybusters is self-proclaimed as “the best fucking blog in the world.” But in those rare (once-in-a-lifetime) situations we concede that someone might do it a little - and I mean the tiniest bit - better than we do it. In this once-in-a-lifetime case we are giving credit to Savory New York. (Keep in mind, the depth of their content far exceeds the ability of a two person team such as ourselves.)

Some of the most amazing/ridiculous features on Savory New York include video tours of the restaurant and interviews with prestigious chefs like Joel Robuchon of L’Atelier, Thomas Keller (the most distinguished American born chef, some say the best in the biz) of Per Se, and one of my personal favorites, Naomichi Yasuda of Sushi Yasuda.* Other cool features include restaurant recommendations from top New York chefs, such as Anne Burell (Centro Vinoteca), Dan Barber (Blue Hill), and Joey Campanaro (Little Owl).

Go check out Savory New York at http://newyork.savorycities.com/. It got us off our high horse and kept our egos in check, so we suspect you’ll enjoy it too.

*If anyone has the opportunity to sit in front of Mr. Yasuda tell him “Papasun cut off his Mohawk.”

The Weekend Dish

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us. This week Nolita.

Friday Dinner: Roasted beet salad with whipped goat cheese, red onion, orange, organic marche and seared driver scallops with white corn pozole, apple smoked bacon, and roasted pablano's at Jane (100 West Houston between Thompson and LaGuardia Place.).

Saturday Lunch: Beef Colombo (stewed beef cooked with ten different spices) and served with rice and string beans at Cafe Colonial (276 Elizabeth St. at Houston St.).

Saturday Dinner: Kimono fried shrimps and chicken pad thai with bean sprout, crushed peanuts, scallion, and lime with sweet fish sauce at Lovely Day (196 Elizabeth between Prince and Spring St.).

Sunday Brunch: Moroccan couscous with red peppers, raisins, toasted pinenuts, humus, eggplant with cappuccino at Cafe Gitane (242 Mott St. between Prince and Houston St.).

Sunday Dinner: Red snapper carpaccio, sukiyaki with beef, tofu, shitake, carrot, spinach, scallion, and cheese cake tempura from Mottsu (Delivery Nolita and Soho).

I Must Admit I Am From the Dirty

“I Must Admit I am From The Dirty” is going to be a semi-regular post here on Bellybusters. We all know the typical Jersey stereotypes: “What exit are you from?”, “everything smells like garbage” or ever popular “Jersey Shore is all Guidos with fake tans, wearing wife beaters, sonic-the-hedgehog spiked hair and gold chains.” Well I am here to make our readers see the other, brighter side of the Dirty! In this series of posts we are going to highlight some culinary adventures the Garden State has to offer. Please email us. your suggestions.

The existing structure that houses White Manna is the same building they used at the 1939 Worlds Fair exhibition in Flushing (now home of the US Open) depicting the future of the typical American restaurant. In 1939 the building was relocated from Flushing to its current home on Hackensack Ave in Hackensack, NJ sitting directly across the street from a McDonald’s.

Besides the nostalgia for antique diner this place is as close to a hole in hall as one is ever going to step foot into. Despite the size and overall appearance of the place this burger joint finds itself on Top 10 lists year after year. According to Grub St. this place is one of the top three burgers in the NY metro area, and GQ magazine rates this spot as the number 6 of all burger spots across the country. It has also been featured on Guy Fieries Diners, Drive-in, and Drives.

The burgers at White Manna consist of four ingredients: meat, cheese, sautéed onions, and a Martin’s potato roll. Don’t even think about 86ing the onions. The griddleman starts with throwing a golf-ball sized chunk of ground meet onto the griddle, followed by thinly sliced raw onions that are smashed onto the burger which flattens them. As more orders come, he creates more room and slowly moves the burgers from right to left on the griddle, flips them onion side down to caramelize the onions, adds a healthy slice of yellow American cheese, and places the potato roll on top of the cheese. The steam from the cooking burgers melts the cheese and make the bun like a pillowy enclave of righteousness. The average order is about 4 burgers per person and with room to cook about 60 burgers simultaneously, so it’s truly amazing to see how the cook keeps track of the burgers in this 16 stool hole-in-the-wall, including who they are for, and where customers are sitting (most likely standing). Bottom Line: The burgers are so good that they would make a man on death row grim.

My Not So Secret Obsession with the Food Network

So there it is. I’m putting it on the table for everyone to see. I love/live for the Food Network. From the comforting home of Ina Garten (that I envision living in and cooking for my future husband) or the intense throwdowns between Bobby Flay and his unknown conquest to Michael Chiarello’s laid-back dinner parties in the gorgeous Napa Valley or the rigorous battles between the best-of-the-best on Iron Chef, I just can't get enough. In fact, part of my Saturday morning routine is a good cup of homemade coffee, the Sunday Styles, and Jaime Oliver’s garden. The most ironic part of all? My oven is currently used as extra storage room for my embarrassing amount of handbags. More of my obsession to come…

-awill

The Weekend Dish

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us.

Friday Dinner: Salmon tartar with fresh herbs and steak frites at Felix (340 Broadway at Grand St.).

Saturday Lunch: Mussels with cava and chorizo and patatas bravas at Casa Mono (52 Irving Place between 17th and 18th St.).

Saturday Dinner: Beef carpaccio with baby arugula, parmesan and truffle oil, and grilled branzino with lemon, thyme, and rosemary at Fig & Olive (808 Lexington Ave between 62nd and 63rd St.).

Sunday Brunch: One pumpkin, one pistachio, one powered maple sugar donuts at Doughnut Plant (379 Grand St. between Essex and Norfolk St.).

Sunday Dinner: Pancetta, onions, and olives pizza from Lombardi's (delivery Soho, Tribecca, Greenwich Village, East Village)

Do You Have What It Takes!

Bravo has announced that they are casting for the Fifth Season of Top Chef. Are you a foul mouthed amateur chef, an aspiring gastrome, worked the fryolater at your college wing joint and think you have what it takes to be one of the cheftestants? If so, click the link below for casting call locations, times, and applications.

http://www.bravotv.com/Casting/top_chef/index.php

The Weekend Dish

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us.

Friday Dinner: Insalata polpi (octopus and potato salad) and Lasangna Treviso with smoked mozzarella and radicchio at Bacaro (136 Division St near Ludlow St.).

Saturday Lunch: Crispy blue corn calamari and a Herradura margarita at Cilantro (1321 1st Ave at 71st., 1712 2nd Ave at 88th St., 485 Columbus Ave. at 83rd St.).

Saturday Dinner: Matzah ball soup and brisket at your Moms house (wherever home is).

Sunday Brunch: Matzah brie at EJ's Luncheonette (1271 3rd Ave between 73rd and 74th St. and 447 Amsterdam Ave at 79th St.).

Sunday Dinner: Sugarcane marinated beef salad and chicken cashew nut with onion, broccoli, green peppers and chili paste at Spice (Delivery East & West Village)

Your Moring Pastry Done Right

The scene inside Patisserie Claude every morning is a generous mix of French expats and locals who flock to this West Village institution for their delectable offerings of French breakfast pastries. Mousier Claude who has owned and run the bakery for the last 15 years has the appearance of a grumpy man, but he turns out some of the most delicious croissants, brioches, and quiches in this downtown neighborhood. All of the goods are baked fresh daily and are piping hot when the store opens at 7:00 am. If you want to secure yourself one of the four small round tables, a $2.00 minimum is required. With all its offerings, our favorite pastry in the shop is the croissants.
The croissants are warm, flaky, buttery, and crisp on the outside and continue to be warm, moist, and soft on the inside. When the croissants are fresh you can sit there and peal away each flaky layer off the other and see the true craftsmanship that goes into each one.

Patisserie Claude is located at 187 W. 4th St. between Barrow and Jones St.

The Weekend Dish

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us.

Friday Dinner: Chile Rellenos (lightly egg battered roasted pablano pepper stuffed with cheese) and carnitas (shredded pork slowly cooked in a citrus marinade) at Mexican Radio (19 Cleveland Pl. between Spring and Kenmare St.).

Saturday Lunch: Spaghetti Limone (spaghetti with lemon, butter and parmigiano reggiano) at Lil' Frankies (19 1St Ave near 1st St.).

Saturday Dinner: Sauteed baby bok choy and gari's sushi omakase at Gari (370 Columbus Ave between 77th and 78th St.).

Sunday Brunch: Fried oyster omelette with remoulade sauce at Prune (54 East 1st St. between 1st and 2nd ave.).

Sunday Dinner: Meat samosa and Chicken tikka at Curry In A Hurry (Delivery Murray Hill and Gramercy, 212-683-0900).

An Ode to Ko

Roses are Red

Violets are Blue

According to Ko

There is no room for you!

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us.

Friday Dinner: Aji tataki (chopped horse mackeral with ginger and scallion) and Shabu-Shabu (thinly sliced marinated japanese rib eye) cooked table side at Hasaki (210 East 9th St. between 2nd and 3rd Ave.).

Saturday Lunch: Uni (sea urchin) panini at El Quinto Pino (401 W. 24th St. between 9th and 10th Ave).

Saturday Dinner: Pumpkin and goat cheese croquetas, fried pigs feet with pickled cauliflower, and brussel sprouts a la plancha at Casa Mono (52 Irving Place between 17th and 18th St.).

Sunday Brunch: Churros with mexican hot chocolate and roasted tomato and eggs with soft polenta and parmesan at Five Points (31 Great Jones St. between Bowery and Lafayette St.).

Sunday Dinner: Tomato soup, grilled cheese, and french fries from Nectars Cafe (Delivery, Upper East Side).

Bryant Park Area Eats

High
DB Bistro Moderne (55 West 44th Street, 212-391-2400)
An upscale and modern eatery with a chic Manhattan vibe is the best way to describe Daniel Boulud’s French-American restaurant. Best known for their foie-gras burger, we actually prefer some of the lighter fare (although they will split up the burger four ways so it’s worth a try), such as the Lobster Salad with fragrant pesto dressing (a match made in heaven) or the unfussy but flavorful Roasted Halibut. Simply put, a meal at DB Bistro is a great, relaxing break from a hectic workday – especially if you can add a glass of dry Chardonnay.

Middle
Salmon River (3 East 40th Street, 212-481-7887)
Besides a few notable dishes, the real specialty here is fresh and tasty fish. Salmon River is a great place to stop in for a round of delicious appetizers (Asian fish dumplings, firecracker salmon rolls, and classic crab cakes) and after-work drinks with friends and equally great for a casual business lunch. The serene atmosphere is a great backdrop for well-portioned meals at reasonable prices. Spot-hitting must-haves include:
-Salmon River Clam Chowder (creamy, but never too heavy)
-Sesame Crusted Yellowfin Tuna Big Salad (crisp and certainly big enough for one filling meal)
-Cedar Flanked Salmon (a light maple glazed gives this smoky wood-cooked fish just a hint of sweet)
-Pan Roasted Salmon (classically seared for that perfect crisp finish, served with a side of rich scallion whipped potatoes)

Low:
Dishes (6 East 45th Street, 212-687-5511 (midtown location))
This upscale cafeteria has a myriad of options for its hungry midday clientele. The superior quality of food and a noticeably clean atmosphere makes up for the dizzying amount of people, choices, and lines to make your way through. Whether you’re in the mood for a comforting bowl of soup (at least 8 daily specials that change daily), a mouth-watering warm Panini, or just a light roll of sushi, you’ll definitely find something to suit your ravenous stomach during lunchtime.

--Diet Diva--

Dinosaur BBQ

In late 2004, Dinosaur BBQ, a honky tonk biker rib joint, based in Syracuse, NY, graced our city by opening up a third outpost in Manhattan. Being an Orangeman myself, I am particularly fond of this blues-playing spot which serves up some of the most succulent BBQ in the city. We're not ones to claim that a particular dish ranks as the best in the city, but today my friends we are making that statement; Dinosaur does in fact have the greatest chicken wings in the big apple: good enough to be included in The Last Supper. Don't be alarmed if your waitress is missing one of her front teeth or has more ink on her than the folks at the tattoo shops lining 6th Ave. Other recommended dishes from the Bellybusters boys include the peel-and-eat shrimp, pulled pork, pork ribs, catfish strips, and the Texas beef brisket. For sides, the fries, baked beans, and mac-and-cheese are all crazy delicious.

Outfitted with three smokers, Dinosaur can cook 2,400 pounds of meet at one time. They use whatever wood is available, preferably Hickory or Cherry wood to give the meat its reputably smoky flavor and its pink-ringed hue. According to BBQ experts around the country, this shows the true craftsmanship and excellence of the cue over at Dinosaur.

Despite being located out of the way even for someone in Harlem (it is located on 131st St. and nearly the Hudson river) I still find myslef craving those savory wings and a pulled pork sandwich and thus trekking up there from the west village about once every two months.

The Weekend Dish

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us.

Friday Dinner: Insalata di carciofi (thinly sliced artichoke salad with parmesan) and spaghetti saltati alla bolognese (spaghetti in a veal ragu) at Sant Ambroeus (1000 Madison Ave between 77th and 78th, West 4th at Perry St.).


Saturday Lunch: Fugazza (grilled organic shredded onion and olive oil pizza) and a fresco shake at Gusto Organics (519 6th Ave between 13th and 14th St.).


Saturday Dinner: Truffled carpaccio (filet mignon, mizuna salad, and truffle oil) and driver sea scallops over lemon, pepper, arugula risotto at Alexandra (455 Hudson St. between Barrow and Morton St.).


Sunday Brunch: Duck hash with eggs anyway you like it at Cafe Luxenbourg (200 West 70th St. between Amsterdam and West End Ave.).


Sunday Dinner: Pancetta, onions, and olive pizza from Lombardi's (Delivery Soho, Tribeca, and parts of the West Village)

Good News for Tribeca

Some exciting news has surface today; one of our favorite dinner spots in the city is growing. Congratulations to the whole crew at Upstairs at Bouley Bakery on the news that they will be taking over all three floors of the building. We also would like to thank them for keeping such a popular place accessible to everyone with their no reservations policy.

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/the-feed-blog/restaurants-bars/?p=2642

The Weekend Dish

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us.

Friday Dinner: Arugula, fennel, beet salad and roast chicken with lemon, garlic, and thyme at Village (62 West 9th St. between 5th and 6th Ave.).

Saturday Lunch: Meat empanadas at Sweet Heart Coffee (69 8th Ave. between 13th St. and Greenwich Ave.).

Saturday Dinner: Sauteed brussels spouts with toasted almonds and gilled cheese sandwich with gran queso, brie, truffled honey, proscuitto and rose olive tapenade at Smiths (79 MacDougal St. between Bleecker and Houston St.).

Sunday Brunch: Walnut sticky bun and grass-fed beef brisket hash, yukon potato, poached egg and mustard vinaigrette at Cookshop (156 10th Ave at 20th St.).

Sunday Dinner: Spicy chicken soong and crispy shredded beef at Shun Lee Palace (Delivery anywhere in the City)

Fans of Bellybusters

Looks like Bellybusters is on peoples mind. Check out one of our fans and her cute outfit of the day at Lucky Magazines website.

http://www.luckymag.com/style/cutegirl/cutegirl_20080317

Your Time is Precious

Your Time is Precious is where we feature popular restaurants with no reservation policies and decide if they're worth the wait.... or not. Please email us your suggestions!

Not Worth The Wait
Magnolia Bakery (Cupcakes)
Bread
Cinema Cafe
Corner Bistro

Worth The Wait
Magnolia Bakery (Banana Pudding)
Landmarc
'inoteca
Supper

The Weekend Dish

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us. This week we are featuring suggestions from our fans!

Friday Dinner: Escarole salad and linguini with mussels at Lupa (170 Thompson St. between Houston and Bleecker St.)

Saturday Lunch: Duck pad Thai at Rohm (27 E. 20th St. between Broadway and Park Ave.)

Saturday Dinner: Ostras (four oyster shooters mojito, caiprinha, sangria, and margarita) and cordero (braised lamb shank, barbacoa style) at Calle Ocho (446 Columbus Ave. between 81st and 82nd St.)

Sunday Brunch: Soft boiled eggs, bacon, and a bloody mary at Gemma (335 Bowery at 3rd St.)

Sunday Dinner: Papa rellena (lightly breaded mashed potato with a picadillo filling) and beef picadillo at Cafecito (Delivery East Village and Lower East Side)

Top Chef - Live Blackberry Messenger Convo

Check out our live 3 way Blackberry Messenger Conversation during Top Chef last night.

Fish: Hey buddy you watching top chef
Daniel: Yup
Fish: So political with the lesbian couple
Fish: Its almost real worldish
Daniel: Le cirque dude is my guy
Fish: Which one
Fish: The australian has a very impressive career
Fish: Cooked with ferran adria
awill: I'm watching
awill: Can't keep them straight just yet
awill: That one guy is hilarious though
awill: That atlanta chick needs to calm down
Fish: The guy who curses?
awill: Yeah
awill: "Casa motherfucker!"
Daniel: Dude is a badass
Daniel: Chick from 24 prince is a disaster
Fish: Hate her
Fish: The girl and her pizza heirloom tomatoes with burrata was awesome looking
awill: Are they competing against one another right now?
Fish: Battle
Daniel: Yeah
Daniel: I like it
awill: What a bitch pulling out the mayo like that
Daniel: Haha right
Fish: Mono y. Mono
Daniel: I'm digging it
awill: My predictions are right!!
awill: I'm a soothsayer!!!
awill: Did you see tony b?
Fish: I'm catching up hold on
Fish: I'm behind on DVR stop telling me
Fish: Smoker thing is wild
Daniel: Padma is looking good this season
Daniel: I'd smash her
Fish: looks fine
awill: I can't lie. Tommy C turns me on sometimes
Fish: I still haven't seen bourdain yet
Daniel: Jesus!!
Fish: Hahahaha
awill: Haaa
Daniel Rubin: Hahaha
awill: His big powerful hands...
Fish: Ahhhhhh i can't believe it came true
Daniel: Australian brings it
Daniel: But just botched it
Daniel: Andrew is a loose cannon
Fish: And bourdains old digs got slammed today by GQ blogger
Daniel: Wow 24 prince stays alive
Daniel: Atlanta chick is awful
Fish: our favorite(badass) fucked up
Daniel: She will get booted for sure
Fish: If Rocco says the pasta is good, his word goes a long way
Fish: Sweet shrimp & lobster oooooh
awill: Dale = hung from last season
Daniel: Yup
Fish: Agreed
Fish: Creamed bok choy looks awesome
Daniel: I like Erik
Daniel: Hate atlanta chick. Hope she's bounced
Fish: I love that tony graduated from our high school
Daniel: Which one is Tony
Daniel: And how do you know
Fish: Tony bourdain
Daniel: Oh
Daniel: Kitchen confidential
Fish: yup and no reservations
Fish: Duck ala orange my vote
Daniel: Nah they had it right
Daniel: Nevermind
Daniel: Love the scampi
Fish: Wow I guessed it right
Fish: 1 for 1 baby
Fish: Bourdain was really easy on eric
Fish: Cauliflower sucks assFish: Rocco and his cheesy comments (no pun intended)

Edge of your Seat Television

The fourth season of the much-anticipated Bravo series, Top Chef, begins tonight @ 10. Being the proud New Yorkers we most certainly are, we're especially excited to see the heavy dose of NY chefs being featured and hopefully winning - this time around. Although if the chef from the restaurant 24 Prince is any indication of the caliber of these Big Apple cooks, we unfortunately see the chances of victory as slim to none.
Nevertheless, the consistently entertaining, on-the-edge-of-my-seat-even-though-it¹s-only-food, program promises to be just that: set in Chicago, the first conquest is the iconic deep-dish pizza.
Any thoughts of who will be the first surprise guest alongside Tommy and Padma? Personally, we would definitely not be upset to see another round of Anthony Bordain duke it out against a new, timid contestant.

Choice Eats

Tonight we attended "Choice Eats", an event hosted by the Village Voice, featuring restaurants handpicked by Robert Sietsema of Counter Culture fame. The event was located at the historic Puck Building in Manhattan and included more than 30 restaurants from all boroughs except Staten Island, which didn’t really shock us. Going in, we were not sure whether it would be a clusterfuck or an enlightening, fun experience. Turns out it fell somewhere in between. Below we have listed the night’s winners and losers (in our humble opinion):

"Choice Eats" Winners
Fatty Crab (643 Hudson St.) - Zak Pelaccio's most acclaimed restaurant was handing out short ribs that had the whole building buzzing. So much so, they were the first restaurant to sell out.

Kampuchea (78 Rivington St.) - This LES noodle bar boasted premium pork ribs. While the line was wrapping around the building, we were lucky enough to bypass it telling them we were from the highly regarded blog: Bellybusters.

Pacificana (813 55th St., Brooklyn) - Hailing from BK, this spot brought a Schezuan Chicken that tasted like a combination of sesame chicken and general tso's -- a combo we believe cannot be denied some praise.

Schnitzel House (7319 5th Ave, Brooklyn) - Beef goulash so good it will make anyone a fan of "Ze Germans."

"Choice Eats" Losers
Xuntas Tapas Bar (174 1st Ave.) - With a shot to differentiate itself from the influx of tapas restaurant in this city, they served a boring grilled chorizo. Pretty lame, they certainly did NOT bring their A-game with an outing like this.

Vanessa's Dumpling Bar (118A Eldridge St.) - Both the pork and vegetable dumplings were so bad we couldn't bear to finish them....and we LOVE dumplings

Maremma (228 W. 10th St) - Being one of the few restaurants we had previously been to, we couldn’t have been more disappointed. The thinly sliced ham with beans and olives was almost inedible. There is no excuse for this since we recently dined at Maremma and enjoyed a pretty good meal. Its mind-boggling that they couldn't pull it together for an event like this.

Fette Sau (354 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn) - We could not have been more excited to see what this spot cooked up tonight. We've been waiting to try this place forever after hearing great things from anyone who has ever been. Looks like we will have to wait a big longer: Fette Sau was the only no-show of the event. That, or we took one too many jager shots from the incredibly tempting FREE jager stand and stumbled right past it!

The Weekend Dish goes healthy

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us. This week we are featuring healthy alternatives written by our Diet Diva Awill.

Friday Dinner: Creamy cauliflower samosas with banana tamarind sauce and crimini mushroom hazelnut crostinis at Pure Food & Wine (54 irving Pl. between 17th and 18th St.).

Saturday Lunch: Country style salad (mixed greens, grape tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, pea shoot and chick-peas) with grilled chicken and their house vingaigrette (on the side of course!) with a skim cappuccino at Grey Dog Coffee (90 University Pl. between 11th and 12th St. or 33 Carmine St. between Bleecker and Bedford St.).

Saturday Dinner: Arugula salad with parmesan and whatever grilled fish is featured on the daily specials at Bar Pitti (268 6th Ave. between Houston and Bleecker St.).

Sunday Brunch: Pumpkin salad (roast pumpkin, baby spinach, goat cheese, pine nuts, and caramlized balsamic dressing) topped with chicken and a strawberry banana smoothie at Ruby's (219 Mulberry St. between Prince and Spring St.).

Sunday Dinner: Polipetti e sedano (grilled octopus with celery and black olives) and salmone alla Trevisana (grilled salmon with radicchio and balsalmic) with a side of spinach from Morandi (Delivery West Village and Chelsea).

Fresh Info on Morton's Steakhouse in Brooklyn

According to the January 25th issue of Dealmakers, a retail real estate trade rag, the Morton's Steakhouse set to open this year on Adams St. in Brooklyn is going to boast private boardrooms with the ability to hold 100 people. In addition, Morton's is providing us with an after-work-bar concept named Bar 12*21 featuring specialty cocktails and a “Bar Bites” menu.

We're are particularly looking foward to the cast of characters that makes Bar 12*21 their happy hour destination, perhaps tourists in t-shirts?

Casual Rustic Dining

Barbuto, an airy Italian restaurant bustling within sprawling garage-style doors, looks onto a charming stretch of Washington Street in the Far West Village. With its industrial yet inviting décor, Barbuto’s open kitchen sports a wood burning brick oven that consistently turns out crispy roast chicken, reputably known throughout the city for its perfection. A relatively small menu at Jonathan Waxman’s restaurant evolves with the changing of each season, depending on what food is the freshest, yet always focusing on rustic Italian cuisine. Each dish is carefully crafted using a few ingredients that produce simple yet colorful and tasty creations. For example, he turns three simple ingredients; bread, squash, and pecorino cheese into a crunchy, silky, and savory plate of roasted butternut squash puree with melted pecorino on toast. If you are in the mood for a pasta dish the crispy gnocchi with an in-season vegetable and accompanying cheese (currently on the menu: parsnips and parmesan) is a great dish to warm yourself up on a cold winter evening. Barbuto features a chef table located in the kitchen where a group of 14 people can dine on a three or four-course pre fix dinner ($60.00 per person before tips and selections from the bar or wine list) while watching the chefs in action. Overall, this delicious spot is a welcoming respite from traditional Italian eateries, and we’re anxiously waiting for Spring to see what beautiful culinary concoctions Mr. Waxman will whip up next.

Barbuto (775 Washington St. at W. 12th St.)

The Weekend Dish

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us.

Friday Dinner: Honey BBQ wings and BBQ pork ribs at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (646 West 131st St. at 12th Ave.).

Saturday Lunch: Italian sausage, butternut squash mustard, and fontina panini at Ino (21 Bedford St. between Houston and Downing St.).

Saturday Dinner: Panzanella salad and grilled Langoustines at Da Silvano (260 6th Ave. between Houston and W. 3rd St.).

Sunday Brunch: Cranberry-bacon-cheddar omelet at Popover Cafe (551 Amsterdam Ave. between 86th and 87th St.).

Sunday Dinner: Matzah ball soup and chicken fingers at Sarge's Deli (Delivery anywhere in the city)

Your Time is Precious

Your Time is Precious is where we feature popular restaurants with no reservation policies and decide if they're worth the wait.... or not. Please email us your suggestions!

Not Worth The Wait

Tartine
Tia Pol
Extra Virgin
Great Jones Cafe

Worth The Wait
Any Blue Ribbon Restaurant
Bar Pitti
Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridian
Momofuku Ssam Bar

That's Amore!

The Big Apple has always been recognized as the home of the best pizza in the country. But nowadays it (unfortunately) seems as if there are as many lousy pizza joints as there are good ones. That being said, whenever I am in the mood for a slice, there is only one spot that really does it for me. This place is none other than Joe’s Pizza at 7 Carmine St.** For years, Joe’s has been pumping out quality slices to the masses. Like any classic NY pizza joint, offerings are limited to the following slices: regular, fresh mozzarella and Sicilian. They offer a number of toppings but truth-be-told these slices need absolutely nothing to make them better, and I never opt for any additional toppings. My personal favorite is the plain old regular slice: atop a thin, crispy crust lies a thin layer of perfectly sweet tomato sauce with just the right amount of cheese sprinkled on. If you haven’t been already I strongly advise to head down to the west village and give Joe’s a try I promise you will not be disappointed.

**For any of our west coast readers, Joe’s has recently opened an outpost in Santa Monica. Now you can get that famous New York flavor all the way in Cali.

The Weekend Dish

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us.

Friday Dinner: Greek Salad and grilled Branzino at Kefi (222 W. 79th St. between Amsterdam Ave. and Broadway).

Saturday Lunch: Tuscan bread salad and potato pancakes at E.A.T. (1064 Madison Ave. between 80th and 81st St.).

Saturday Dinner: Hand cut steak tartare and organic chicken with crushed poricini potatoes at Employees Only (510 Hudson St. between Christopher and 10th St.).

Sunday Brunch: Poached eggs on fontina sausage buns, braised greens, and hollandaise sauce with cheddar grits at The Little Owl (90 Bedford St. at Grove St.).

Sunday Dinner: Sweet fried chicken wings with rice and a roll at Bon Bon Chicken (Delivery TriBeCa and Soho).

New York's Take on a New England Favorite

Having spent my summers at overnight camp in Maine during my more formable years, I have a fond memory of sneaking away from camp on parent’s weekend to go to the local lobster pound like The Lobster Pound in Naples, Maine, where lobsters are simply served steamed with drawn butter on a picnic table with plastic bibs and paper towels. I always opted for the twin lobster (two lobsters, 1 lb each) because the meat is sweetest when the lobsters are smaller. Transitioning my lobster pound memories to NYC we replace the picnic tables for a set of chairs and a table and choose to compare three downtown Maine lobster shack concepts: Pearl Oyster Bar, Mary’s Fish Camp, and Ed’s Lobster Bar.

Pearl Oyster Bar (18 Cornelia St. btw. Bleecker St. and W. 4th St.) – Rebecca Charles opened this New England clam shack in 1997 and set the course for a new culinary trend in NYC. The menu is split up amongst chilled seafood, small plates, and large plates. Bellybusters recommendation includes: ½ dozen Little Neck Clams on the half shell, PEI Mussels with wine, mustard and cream, Lobster Roll and shoestring fries (described by NY Magazine, “so good it makes Poseidon jealous.”), and a whole boiled lobster. In the wintertime we suggest substituting the clams or mussels for a bowl of Pearl’s creamy Clam Chowder. For dessert the Butterscotch Praline Parfait is to die for. Also keep an eye out for their whole fish-of-the-day - Pearl frequently offers harder to find whole fish from the Mediterranean.

Mary’s Fish Camp (64 Charles St. at W. 4th St.) – After spending a couple years as a chef/partner at Pearl; Mary Redding defected and opened up her own version of the New England style seafood spot. The menu at Mary’s is not as narrowly focused than her competitor, just a short walk away. Bellybusters recommendation include: Fried Oysters and Clams, Steamers with Butter, and Jumbo Lump Crab Au Gratin to start. For the main course we suggest the Lobster Knuckles, Lobster and Butternut Squash risotto, and any of the whole fish daily specials, grilled.

Ed’s Lobster Bar (222 Lafayette St. at Spring St.) – This Soho newcomer opened in 2007 and drew the immediate criticism/lawsuit from Rebecca Charles of Pearl. Rebecca claimed that Ed McFarland copied “each and every element” of Pearl Oyster Bar from the wainscoting to the dressing on his Caesar salad. Not to mention, Ed was Rebecca’s sous-chef for six years. Bellybusters verdict: Menu and décor are spitting images of each other. However, Ed’s is in no way the same ballpark as Pearl or Mary’s. We have to admit that the Lobster roll at Ed’s is a good alternative if one cannot patiently wait out the lines at either Mary’s or Pearls.

Alternative to the Pearl family tree:
Lure Fish Bar (142 Mercer St. at Prince St.) - If you are in the mood for seafood but are looking for an alternative to the “Maine Style Lobster Shacks” look no further than Lure Fish Bar, located in a subterranean space on Prince St. Lure’s authentic nautical décor will make you feel like you have just boarded the SS Minnow minus Gilligan and crew. With fresh sushi and raw bar items readily available, any seafood lover can surely be accommodated here. Add in a phenomenal grilled Caesar Salad and possibly the most overlooked burger in the city, Lure is a sure fire hit among any crowd.

The Weekend Dish

This is The Weekend Dish, a weekly Friday post that provides you with weekend meal suggestions. Share your weekend picks with us.

Friday Dinner: Clams on the half shell and lobster sandwich at The Mermaid Inn (LES: 96 2nd Ave between 5th and 6th St. or UWS: 568 Amsterdam Ave. between 87th and 88th St.)

Saturday Lunch: Fried chicken at Maroons (244 W. 16th St. between 7th and 8th Ave.)

Saturday Dinner: Melizanosalata with pita and Lamb Boureki at Snack Taverna (West Village: 63 Bedford St. at Morton St. Soho: 105 Thompson St. between Prince and Spring St.)

Sunday Brunch: Bagel and Lox at Barney Greengrass (541 Amsterdam Ave. between 86th and 87th St.)

Sunday Dinner: Fried dumplings and sauteed chicken and broccoli with brown sauce at Charlie Mom (Delivery, South of 34th St.)

Valentines Day Reservations Still Available

Take advantage of last minute resevations available at NYC White Castles.

http://www.whitecastle.com/ValentinesDay/

According to a February 11th press release from White Castle HQ, "Not only can cravers dine with candlelight, the tables will be adorned with flowers and decorations. Customers will be presented with a special menu and will recieve table side service."

We have a double date at the 8th Ave. location. Hope to see you there!

Breakfast of Champions - Situational

Joe Jr.'s
167 3rd Ave (between 15th and 16th St.)
482 6th Ave (at 12th St.)

This pair of better than average greasy spoons are a perfect go to option after a night out. With locations in the West Village and Union Square areas, the menu offers staples such as diner style omelets and buttery grilled cheeses. Sitting down for breakfast here will make you feel like you are in Seinfeld. While these places in Manhattan are quite common this is our go to.


Upstairs at Bouley Bakery
130 West Broadway (at Duane)

Instead of sending your girl on the "walk of shame" show your gentler side and head on over to David Bouley's casual dining spot down in TriBeCa. Located directly above a bakery, Upstairs boasts an open kitchen where you can watch the chef churn out everything; from French waffles topped with cinnamon butter and pears (our personal favorite) to cinnamon and vanilla scent oatmeal sprinkled with brown sugar.


Clinton Street Baking Company
4 Clinton St. (between East Houston and Stanton St.)

A LES perennial favorite known throughout the city is a great choice for brunch with friends. Enjoy everything from buttermilk biscuits with homemade jam to pancakes loaded with blueberries or banana walnuts and maple butter. An ideal choice for a side is the sugar cured bacon. Top it all off with a cup of their hot chocolate and you are good to go. If you can bear the notorious long wait you are in for a wonderful treat.


Murray's Bagels
500 6th Ave. (between 12th and 13th St.)
242 8th Ave (between 22nd and 22rd St.)
Zucker's Bagels & Smoked Fish
146 Chambers St (between Hudson and Greenwich St.)

These sibling bagel shops are a great takeout or delivery option for the bagel and lox set. Choose from nine variations of smoked salmon to pair with their freshly baked bagels. If your not a fish person we suggest their egg salad or their flavored cream cheeses (including Tofu spread). For the health nuts they also offer an array of organic and whole wheat bagels.

San Loco - Best Post Booze Food or Ruckus in the Making

For those of you lingering outside your nightlife destination of choice contemplating why you are so hungry and how you are going to satisfy that need, San Loco a Mexican chain in the EV/LES is a trip worth your time. Uncertainty is one way you could describe the experiences inside San Loco late at night. At San Loco you never know what to expect. Whether it be a table turning fight amongst patrons or the all too familiar battle for margaritas (San Loco has embattled many liquor license issues) one thing is for sure, expect the unexpected.

One thing you CAN expect time after time at this favorite of ours is the Guaco Loco (trademarked by San Loco). Its comprised of a flour tortilla smeared with guacamole and wrapped around a hard taco shell, and stuffed with you choice of meat; chicken, beef, pork, or catfish including freshly shredded lettuce and one lonely hunk of tomato. For you vegetarians (weirdos) out there they have a rice or beans version.

Remember when satisfying your late night hunger at San Loco keep your head on a swivel and watch out for that flying hot sauce.

You can visit San Loco at:

151 Ave A (between 9th & 10th St)
124 Second Ave (between 7th & St. Marks Place)
111 Stanton St (between Essex & Ludlow)

160 N. 4th St, Brooklyn (between Bedford & Driggs)

One ROYALE with cheese please

When craving a burger, New Yorkers in the know may think their fix lies in the Burger Joint at le Parker Meridian or Corner Bistro in the west village. Well friends there is another top burger on the block and it lies on Avenue C between 9th and 10th street in a watering hole turned burgers lovers lane adaptly named Royale.

Royale is not the new kid on the block. However, we feel as though it has not gotten the acclaim it deserves for their perfectly sized and hand packed patty that we have traveled across town on numerous occaisions for. In size, Royale's burger falls somewhere in between the afformentioned burgers of Burger Joint and Corner Bistro.

This beautifully seasoned char broiled patty rests itself in between one well proportioned sesame seeded brioche bun with all the typical accoutrements included. The subtle buttery bibb lettuce, sliced tomato, raw onion and crinkle cut pickles blend perfectly with the meat, bun, and cheese; if one shall choose. The charred patty creates a crusty exterior while locking in the natural juices making this burger a definate roll up your sleaves and dive in adventure.

For all you mid 80's babies enjoy your Pork Slap Ale while listening to a playlist ranging from Bush to our favorites off the Varsity Blues soundtrack.