Not thought of, I am sure, as the culinary capital of Upstate/Central/Western New York, Ithaca has some really great restaurants.
Friday night we went to Taste of Thai Express on South Meadow Street (www.tasteofthaiexpress.com). Our waiter was terrific! We had Tom Kha and Tom Yum soups-both very good. We had Pad See Ew, Spicy Rad Nah, Panang Curry, Green Curry and Red Curry. Dessert was Black sweet sticky rice and coconut custard. A couple of Thai iced teas and iced coffees and a lot of water :)
Saturday night took the cake however. We went to Mercato (http://www.mercatobarandkitchen.com/). Our waitress was Danya and she was superb! We shared everything: South Side Cocktail: Plymouth Gin, lemon juice and mint; Sparkling Blue Moon cocktail: LIV Vodka, Creme de Violette, Prosecco and lime juice; a bottle of Montepulciano, Silvano Strologo, "Julius," Marche, 2007 and lots of water. Appetizers were: Caponata & Goat Cheese Crostini; Clams Casino; Arugula, Fennel and Goat Cheese salad. Dinner was: Spinach Gnocchi, Ricotta Salata with Oven roasted tomato sauce; Fettuccine with Clam Sauce; Eggplant & Goat Cheese Agnolotti with Tomato coulis; Pan Seared Sea Scallops over Fava beans, sweet corn, herb scallop broth with shoe-string fries; and Pan Roasted Pork Chop with Grilled peaches and fingerling potatoes.
The scallops were the best any of us had ever. The pork chop was phenomenal. We added sauteed rainbow chard to the table and then had dessert: Vanilla Panna Cotta with Strawberry-rhubarb jus; Biscotti -Almond, anise, mocha and mosaic; Blood orange sorbet; Affogato-Espresso with vanilla ice cream and Seasonal Fruit Crostata with Asian pears. The Affogato was heavenly!
I cannot say enough about Mercato. The prices were high, but worth it. Maybe special occasion visits, more than everyday eating though.
Had a great time with our family and Jesse!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Cobblestone and Sato
Tuesday night Michael and I took a ride up to SUNY Purchase to visit Emily and Ryan. Em needed help with her wireless connection and then we took them out to dinner at The Cobblestone, our usual Purchase haunt. It is a bar/restaurant with good food. We had Bocconcini Balls-Fried mozzarella balls with marinara sauce; Buffalo Chicken wrap; French Onion soup; Caesar salad with grilled chicken; pulled pork sandwich; taco salad and a Reuben sandwich. It was a nice visit with the kiddies!
Wednesday night, Barbara and Jennie took me out for my birthday. We went to Sato, on Queens Boulevard, one of our favorite Japanese restaurants. We shared: Sauteed mushrooms (various Japanese and white mushrooms-very good) and Seared tuna with miso-lime sauce (also very good). Barb had chicken teryaki, Jen and I had almost the same thing: Soft shelled crab rolls (mine with mayo, hers without); salmon sashimi and tobiko sushi and a salmon skin hand roll. A few tall bottles of hot sake and dessert and we had a great evening. Thanks Ladies!
Wednesday night, Barbara and Jennie took me out for my birthday. We went to Sato, on Queens Boulevard, one of our favorite Japanese restaurants. We shared: Sauteed mushrooms (various Japanese and white mushrooms-very good) and Seared tuna with miso-lime sauce (also very good). Barb had chicken teryaki, Jen and I had almost the same thing: Soft shelled crab rolls (mine with mayo, hers without); salmon sashimi and tobiko sushi and a salmon skin hand roll. A few tall bottles of hot sake and dessert and we had a great evening. Thanks Ladies!
Monday, September 19, 2011
The Birthday Weekend
In our home it always seems that birthdays do not last one day, a mere 24 hours, or even a part thereof; they last for an entire weekend. I believe this happens for several reasons: (1) We have so many friends that we can't spend time with all of them at once, so we stretch it out to see them all (2) We like to keep giving to the ones we love so they know how special they are (in case they've forgotten) and (3) Why not celebrate happy times as much as possible because the sad times creep in too often.
This past weekend was my 48th birthday weekend:
Friday night September 16th Michael and I invited Joe and Denise, Jill and Lenny and Steve and Lori to meet us at Brooklyn Bowl (http://www.brooklynbowl.com/). It is THE coolest bowling alley ever, with bars and low lights and blaring rock music, and bands and really good food. We shared: Rock and Roll fries with gravy, Cajun spice, provolone and cheddar cheese on top; Fried calamari with lemon and cayenne mayo and chillies; three French bread pizzas-Classic with tomato, mozzarella and basil; Greek with tomato, red onion, Feta, olives and iceberg lettuce; and Theresa with butternut squash, mushrooms and roasted garlic. We also had: A mixture of dark and white meat fried chicken (for which they are famous) and two types of mac and cheese: Smoked chicken and peas and artichokes and black olives. All the food was really good, but (and you are not going to believe that I am saying this, but, all a bit too salty). I know, salt is one of my food groups, but if I thought is was salty, it was way too salty for most. In any case, as I continually digress, we had a great time and it was a great birthday celebration for me!
Saturday, September 17th (which is my actual birthday) Michael and I ordered breakfast from Tower Diner. I had Eggs Florentine (think Benedict with spinach instead of ham) and Michael had an egg white omelet with onions, peppers and ham. Yum! Then I went back to sleep (because napping is my very favorite thing to do). Later in the afternoon we stopped at Cheese of the World on Austin Street to pick up 1/2 a pound of Parmiggiano Reggiano and 1/2 a pound of Ciao Angelo (THE best aged Gouda) to bring to Glenn and Eileen's. They hosted a birthday dinner for me and Leslie (her b-day is the 16th). Good food, good friends! We had: Cheese (no kidding) and pizza from Emilio's (my favorite) for appetizers. Then Glenn grilled fish just for me that he had caught previously in the day and everyone else had lamb marinated in garlic and lemon. Roasted potatoes, vegetables and salad rounded out the meal. Everyone sang Happy Birthday and we blew out the candles!
Sunday, September 18th, I did a load of white laundry (do not think for one moment that Birthday weekends absolve me from cleaning), then took a nap (really, you say). Later that evening, Michael and I went to El Quijote on 23rd Street for the obligatory: Garlic soup, salad, lobster and arroz con pollo. This time we added cafe con leche, espresso on ice and flan. We even got a parking space RIGHT IN FRONT. Holy Shit! Great dinner!
But wait, there's more: Wednesday night, September 21st, Barbara and Jennie are taking me out to dinner for my birthday. So the weekend has meandered into the week. Who is luckier than I?
This past weekend was my 48th birthday weekend:
Friday night September 16th Michael and I invited Joe and Denise, Jill and Lenny and Steve and Lori to meet us at Brooklyn Bowl (http://www.brooklynbowl.com/). It is THE coolest bowling alley ever, with bars and low lights and blaring rock music, and bands and really good food. We shared: Rock and Roll fries with gravy, Cajun spice, provolone and cheddar cheese on top; Fried calamari with lemon and cayenne mayo and chillies; three French bread pizzas-Classic with tomato, mozzarella and basil; Greek with tomato, red onion, Feta, olives and iceberg lettuce; and Theresa with butternut squash, mushrooms and roasted garlic. We also had: A mixture of dark and white meat fried chicken (for which they are famous) and two types of mac and cheese: Smoked chicken and peas and artichokes and black olives. All the food was really good, but (and you are not going to believe that I am saying this, but, all a bit too salty). I know, salt is one of my food groups, but if I thought is was salty, it was way too salty for most. In any case, as I continually digress, we had a great time and it was a great birthday celebration for me!
Saturday, September 17th (which is my actual birthday) Michael and I ordered breakfast from Tower Diner. I had Eggs Florentine (think Benedict with spinach instead of ham) and Michael had an egg white omelet with onions, peppers and ham. Yum! Then I went back to sleep (because napping is my very favorite thing to do). Later in the afternoon we stopped at Cheese of the World on Austin Street to pick up 1/2 a pound of Parmiggiano Reggiano and 1/2 a pound of Ciao Angelo (THE best aged Gouda) to bring to Glenn and Eileen's. They hosted a birthday dinner for me and Leslie (her b-day is the 16th). Good food, good friends! We had: Cheese (no kidding) and pizza from Emilio's (my favorite) for appetizers. Then Glenn grilled fish just for me that he had caught previously in the day and everyone else had lamb marinated in garlic and lemon. Roasted potatoes, vegetables and salad rounded out the meal. Everyone sang Happy Birthday and we blew out the candles!
Sunday, September 18th, I did a load of white laundry (do not think for one moment that Birthday weekends absolve me from cleaning), then took a nap (really, you say). Later that evening, Michael and I went to El Quijote on 23rd Street for the obligatory: Garlic soup, salad, lobster and arroz con pollo. This time we added cafe con leche, espresso on ice and flan. We even got a parking space RIGHT IN FRONT. Holy Shit! Great dinner!
But wait, there's more: Wednesday night, September 21st, Barbara and Jennie are taking me out to dinner for my birthday. So the weekend has meandered into the week. Who is luckier than I?
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Dee's
After our haircuts on Wednesday night Michael and I went to Dee's on Metropolitan Avenue. We went to 5 Burro on Austin Street first, but I have to say it's the first time I've been treated rudely there. Marla needs to have a customer service meeting with her hostess.
Anyway, we left there and went directly to Dee's because even though it's always busy, we can always get a table with no wait. We've even had a table and chairs brought out from a back room and set up for us when there were no tables available! How's that for customer service?!
We shared: Fall Mediterranean White Bean, & Vegetable Stew with Shrimp and Chorizo Sausage as an appetizer and then I had Rigatoni & Grilled Eggplant Rigatoni - Grilled Eggplant - DEE'S Marinara - Ricotta Cheese and Michael had a Rosemary Turkey Burger - Dee's Chipotle Sauce - Carmelized onions - Grilled Zucchini. A glass of Chianti and a Meyer's rum and Diet Coke and we were very happy, and tired. We went home and I fell asleep around 9pm...
Anyway, we left there and went directly to Dee's because even though it's always busy, we can always get a table with no wait. We've even had a table and chairs brought out from a back room and set up for us when there were no tables available! How's that for customer service?!
We shared: Fall Mediterranean White Bean, & Vegetable Stew with Shrimp and Chorizo Sausage as an appetizer and then I had Rigatoni & Grilled Eggplant Rigatoni - Grilled Eggplant - DEE'S Marinara - Ricotta Cheese and Michael had a Rosemary Turkey Burger - Dee's Chipotle Sauce - Carmelized onions - Grilled Zucchini. A glass of Chianti and a Meyer's rum and Diet Coke and we were very happy, and tired. We went home and I fell asleep around 9pm...
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Pangea
Barbara and I continued on our tour of New York neighborhoods with a visit to the East Village last night.
We wandered for more than an hour oogling restaurant after restaurant. Who knew there were so many to choose from? The weather was great so outdoor seating was available almost everywhere, and if not, the front doors/windows were wide open. We originally stopped into a restaurant with cajun food and a rustic woodsy decor. The back garden was open but for a private party, the booths are "for four" and since there were no tables available up front, the waitress just shrugged her shoulders. Obviously, we left. I haven't heard that a table is "for four" in a million years. Any, and I mean ANY restaurant I've been to in the past ten years has seated our party of 2, 3, 4, whatever at whichever table we liked. If I could only remember the name of the place i would tell you to BAN IT! (It's located between Cacio e Pepe and Shima). PS: After some googling I believe the name of the nasty waitress restaurant is Ninth Ward (http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/2010/06/ninth_ward_will.php).
Anyway, our second choice was Pangea (178 2nd Avenue, between 11th and 12th), which was two doors down. Their outdoor seating was white plastic tables which were truly uninviting, but inside was wonderful with banquets and small wooden tables with candles. They have a beautiful wood bar with lovely fabric chairs. The waiter greeted us at the door with a big smile and were were immediately taken to a table in a corner of the banquet so that neither of us would sit on a wood chair. It was exactly where we would have chosen to sit, and we let the waiter know how nice it was of him. We ordered: 1/2 carafe of house Montepulciano for $15 (that gave us 4 glasses for the price of 2). We shared: Mesclun salad with beets and goat cheese; shrimp with white beans and bruschetta. The shrimp was warm, which was a good surprise and the tomatoes on the bruschetta were warm as well. The goat cheese was good and we were very happy. The waiter continued to be friendly and even topped off our wine glasses with a bit more from their large bottle.
Would we run back, no, because there are so many other places we'd like to try, however, considering the treatment next door, our experience at Pangea was all the more special.
We wandered for more than an hour oogling restaurant after restaurant. Who knew there were so many to choose from? The weather was great so outdoor seating was available almost everywhere, and if not, the front doors/windows were wide open. We originally stopped into a restaurant with cajun food and a rustic woodsy decor. The back garden was open but for a private party, the booths are "for four" and since there were no tables available up front, the waitress just shrugged her shoulders. Obviously, we left. I haven't heard that a table is "for four" in a million years. Any, and I mean ANY restaurant I've been to in the past ten years has seated our party of 2, 3, 4, whatever at whichever table we liked. If I could only remember the name of the place i would tell you to BAN IT! (It's located between Cacio e Pepe and Shima). PS: After some googling I believe the name of the nasty waitress restaurant is Ninth Ward (http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/2010/06/ninth_ward_will.php).
Anyway, our second choice was Pangea (178 2nd Avenue, between 11th and 12th), which was two doors down. Their outdoor seating was white plastic tables which were truly uninviting, but inside was wonderful with banquets and small wooden tables with candles. They have a beautiful wood bar with lovely fabric chairs. The waiter greeted us at the door with a big smile and were were immediately taken to a table in a corner of the banquet so that neither of us would sit on a wood chair. It was exactly where we would have chosen to sit, and we let the waiter know how nice it was of him. We ordered: 1/2 carafe of house Montepulciano for $15 (that gave us 4 glasses for the price of 2). We shared: Mesclun salad with beets and goat cheese; shrimp with white beans and bruschetta. The shrimp was warm, which was a good surprise and the tomatoes on the bruschetta were warm as well. The goat cheese was good and we were very happy. The waiter continued to be friendly and even topped off our wine glasses with a bit more from their large bottle.
Would we run back, no, because there are so many other places we'd like to try, however, considering the treatment next door, our experience at Pangea was all the more special.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Sanford's
Sanford's (http://www.sanfordsnyc.com/) was a great find! I can't remember exactly when I found it or why or where, but I like it every time we go back. We've been here before with Jill and Lenny, Joe and Denise and Tom and Monica. Good service, good food, ambiance, even street parking!
Last night we went with Dina and Dmitry. We shared: Tellowfin Tuna Tartare-sesame soy marinade, house guacamole and cucumber wasabi aioli; Calamari Arrabiata-Fried calamari, cherry peppers, plum tomatoes in a sweet and spicy sauce; Crab cakes with organic greens and pesto aioli; Lobster Spring rolls with horseradish dipping sauce; Apple Tricolore Salad with fried goat cheese, organic greens, fire roasted peppers, grilled apples with balsamic vinaigrette. Michael had a British Turkey burger-Applewood smoked bacon, Swiss cheese and caramelized onions on a jumbo English muffin. Dmitry had the BBQ Pulled pork sandwich-pulled Berkshire pork voted #1 best sandwich in NYC by seamless web customers (whatever that means). We shared a bottle of Substance Cabernet Franc from Washington State, then Dina and I also had a glass of Château Moulin de la Roquille which we liked a lot and had a great scent of vanilla. For dessert we shared the Granny Caramel Apple Pie with vanilla ice cream. Michael had a double iced decaf espresso and Dmitry had an iced cafe latte.
We had a lot of fun and it was great to spend time with our friends!
Last night we went with Dina and Dmitry. We shared: Tellowfin Tuna Tartare-sesame soy marinade, house guacamole and cucumber wasabi aioli; Calamari Arrabiata-Fried calamari, cherry peppers, plum tomatoes in a sweet and spicy sauce; Crab cakes with organic greens and pesto aioli; Lobster Spring rolls with horseradish dipping sauce; Apple Tricolore Salad with fried goat cheese, organic greens, fire roasted peppers, grilled apples with balsamic vinaigrette. Michael had a British Turkey burger-Applewood smoked bacon, Swiss cheese and caramelized onions on a jumbo English muffin. Dmitry had the BBQ Pulled pork sandwich-pulled Berkshire pork voted #1 best sandwich in NYC by seamless web customers (whatever that means). We shared a bottle of Substance Cabernet Franc from Washington State, then Dina and I also had a glass of Château Moulin de la Roquille which we liked a lot and had a great scent of vanilla. For dessert we shared the Granny Caramel Apple Pie with vanilla ice cream. Michael had a double iced decaf espresso and Dmitry had an iced cafe latte.
We had a lot of fun and it was great to spend time with our friends!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Vincent's Clam Bar
The one on Old Country Road, NOT to be confused with the one in Little Italy, which, although being the original, is gross.
Michael and I went to Vincent's (http://vincentsclambar.com/) Monday night for dinner. Holy crap was it crowded, but they managed to have a table for two in about 15 minutes. We shared baked clams oreganata (which are not anywhere near the quality of Don Peppe or Carmine's) but they weren't bad either; calamari arrabiata (with cherry peppers, yum); a grandma pizza (their's is personal sized but enough for two). I also had an espresso cup of their lobster bisque which is really good and a perfect size, just enough. And Michael had a bowl of what The Shack in Centerport calls "Long Island" Chowder which is a mixture of New England and Manhattan clam chowders. That's really good too. Not too creamy-potatoey and not too tomatoey.
This week at home I've made chicken soup (Michael is a bit under the weather) and today I am making wedding soup-because it's become my favorite and I want to eat it everyday.
Friday night we are having dinner with Dina and Dmitry at Sanford's in Astoria and Sunday we are closing the cabana for the season. Boo Hoo!
Michael and I went to Vincent's (http://vincentsclambar.com/) Monday night for dinner. Holy crap was it crowded, but they managed to have a table for two in about 15 minutes. We shared baked clams oreganata (which are not anywhere near the quality of Don Peppe or Carmine's) but they weren't bad either; calamari arrabiata (with cherry peppers, yum); a grandma pizza (their's is personal sized but enough for two). I also had an espresso cup of their lobster bisque which is really good and a perfect size, just enough. And Michael had a bowl of what The Shack in Centerport calls "Long Island" Chowder which is a mixture of New England and Manhattan clam chowders. That's really good too. Not too creamy-potatoey and not too tomatoey.
This week at home I've made chicken soup (Michael is a bit under the weather) and today I am making wedding soup-because it's become my favorite and I want to eat it everyday.
Friday night we are having dinner with Dina and Dmitry at Sanford's in Astoria and Sunday we are closing the cabana for the season. Boo Hoo!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Marianella's Taqueria
Last night after Michael's championship game (which they won) we went to Marianella's Taqueria (http://marianellas.com/) on Continental Avenue. They have a nice bar area, the bartender and the counter persons are very nice and accommodating. There is no table service and the food is average. We had: A grilled chicken salad with no shell, nachos supreme with no ground beef and a cheese quesadilla with guacamole and jalapenos. Michael rode his bike home, while I walked along the sidewalk.
Hope to BBQ at the beach on Sunday!
Hope to BBQ at the beach on Sunday!
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