Delicious Local Bounty with Peter Pan Squash Gratin and Kadota Figs

Even though the weather in Portland has been sweltering, the good news is that it's also brought with it some amazing local bounty in the form of fresh fruit and vegetables.  It's truly a pleasure to visit my local farmer's market each week and besides all the beautiful fresh berries, I also noticed these gorgeous seasonal Peter Pan squash. The above pictured yellow beauties came at a bargain at just 3 for $1, making it impossible to leave them at the market.

Finding an easy squash gratin recipe on Martha Stewart, I decided to cook them up tonight for dinner and they were fantastic.  The gratin method gave it a hint of luxury and cheesy goodness that was achieved through a small dose of grated parmesan, while the sprinkling of crunchy panko on top made each bite a little toothsome.  Yellow squash gratin recipe, courtesy of Martha Stewart.

But that's not all, as I have another easy recipe to share with you for baked Kadota figs.  Acquiring these gorgeous ripe figs from our neighbor Alison, we couldn't wait to try them and had to break one open and eat it raw.  While you really didn't need to do anything to them because they're so flavorful on their own, I decided to cut them in half, top them with a little bit of smoked mozzarella and bake them for 10 minutes on 450 degrees.  After that I topped them with a little bit of fresh pepper and tangy balsamic vinaigrette.  The flavors produced something refreshing, refined and oh so delightful.

New Winter Eats at Bistro 33

It's been quite a while since I've visited Bistro 33, but that'll soon have to change, as I recently learned about a few new menu items they're featuring this season.  Sounding all sorts of decadent and comforting, I think these specials will do the trick as far as winter food goes.  Take a bite out of these seasonal specials:

Lobster Poutine $14
Pomme frites, Maine lobster, cheese curd, bacon jus

Scallops & Bacon $13
Root vegetables quinoa, maple syrup glaze

Seafood Crepe $12
Seafood medley, cognac creme sauce, mushrooms

Short Rib Ravioli $8
Shallot garlic demi glaze

Bar Snacks:
Parmesan Popcorn $6
With pancetta crisp

Bistro 33 - 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105

718.721.1933

N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.bistro33nyc.com

LIC Market Has a New Bar Menu

Fully embracing the fall season, I recently learned that local LIC eatery, LIC Market is rolling out a new bar menu, with tasty local eats and some specialty drinks too.  I loved seeing the combination of small plates and fancy cheeses that set my tastebuds aflutter.  Here's what you can expect at the bar:

*Happy Hour takes place Tuesday - Friday between 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Cheese:
Moses Sleeper (cow’s milk), Jasper Hill, VT $8 - aged 3-6 wks, bloomy-rind cheese, buttery, bright, and savory

Reading Raclette (raw cow’s milk), spring brook farm, VT $8 - aged 3+ months, mild, semi-soft, sweet milk, acidic rind

Pave de L’Averyron (raw ewe’s milk), Roquefort, France $12 - ivory colored interior, semi-firm texture, sharp flavor

Small Plates:
Marinated Olives $6 - citrus, roasted garlic, fresh thyme & extra virgin olive oil
Sautéed Chorizo $8 - potatoes, chives and extra virgin olive oil
Cockles $12 - salsa verde, extra virgin olive oil
White Anchovies $7 - toasted pine nuts, chives & extra virgin olive oil
Charred Endive $7 - aged balsamic, grana padano, extra virgin olive oil
“Bar Nuts” $6

LIC Market - 21-52 44th Drive, LIC NY 11101
718.361.0013
7 Train to 45th Road/Courthouse Square
http://www.licmarket.com/

New Veggie Dish at Astor Bake Shop

As fall is almost here, I'm loving all the heartier foods available on local menus.  I noticed this lovely veggie option available today at Astor Bake Shop, which made me hungry.  Check out this beautiful stuffed baby eggplant, featuring quinoa, red pepper, onion and mozzarella cheese.  

In case this doesn't whet your appetite, there's always their signature burger, which comes on a fluffy brioche bun and can be topped with your choice cheese and bacon.  The latter is deliciously thick, lean and smoky - I highly recommend it.

It behooves you to get a seasonal dessert too such as their fruit and nut tarts and pumpkin desserts.  Rumor has it that they've got a lot of other seasonal sweets and drinks in stock.  Hope you enjoy your visit.

Astor Bake Shop - 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd

718.606.8439

astorbakeshop.com

Basil Seasonal Dining – Savoring Carmel’s Natural Flavors

After we left San Francisco, we headed South by way of California’s Monterrey Peninsula, which was just a spectacular experience. Part of what made the journey that much more enjoyable was the delectable, natural food we had at our disposal, and it was really difficult to have anything that wasn’t delicious.

I did some research on Carmel’s restaurants, as I usually do, only to find a lot of gems, which were also very pricey. Doing some more digging, I decided that heading to Carmel’s quaint town called Carmel by the Sea would be a nice place to have dinner, and I found a cute little, low-key restaurant called Basil Seasonal Dining that ended up being our dinner destination.

Atmosphere:
Set in the heart of Carmel by the Sea, it’s a wonder that Basil Seasonal Dining remains a hidden gem. It must be its stealth location, as Dan and I inadvertently passed it on our way over since it’s situated in a little tributary street right off of Ocean St.

We noticed a few tables outside, but since Carmel gets to be quite chilly at night, we chose to dine in Basil’s cozy dining room. It’s a good thing we had a reservation, since the place was almost full, which was a good sign.

Dan remarked at how tiny it actually was, the dining room housing only about 25 patrons – and we loved that. We hadn’t really had an intimate, romantic meal up to that point in the trip, and this created a nice opportunity.

Food:
While the menu wasn’t wildly extensive, it had just what we needed, and we were excited by a lot of the menu items. The wine selection was quite nice too, and boasted a few local varieties, which we naturally had to sample.

Tuna Tartare – We were totally taken with this appetizer special, which sounded delicious and hinted at Asian flavors. I enjoyed it very much, as the tuna was fresh and cut into bite size pieces, resting on a bed of chunky avocado salad. Refreshing and light, we both agreed that it was a great way to start, and to keep our palates neutral, in preparation of the heartier dishes still to come.

Braised Rabbit – I was curious to try Basil’s take on a braised rabbit dish, which was paired with locally grown veggies such as heirloom cauliflower and romanesco. A modest helping of homemade gnocchi also graced the dish, which was a big highlight for me – the soft, pillowy pieces catching the rabbit’s hearty braising liquid. The meat itself was really flavorful and cooked perfectly – not too gamey or tough but tender, juicy and a tad earthy.

Wild Boar Sausage Wrapped in Prosciutto – Dan was a very happy customer, devouring the sausage dish, but still managing to share with me. I was grateful, as it was a real treat, the salty, well done prosciutto being my favorite part. Boasting some fresh pieces of basil, it was nice to actually tear some into the dish for a hint of lemony freshness.

Service and Cost:
The service was yet another success at Basil, our waiter showing off his knowledge of food and drink, but also his professionalism, all at the same time maintaining that characteristic, Carmel laid-back vibe. We never felt that we waited too long for anything and generally felt well looked after.

All the food is very well priced, considering the locally sourced ingredients and their high quality. The entire dinner set us back about $95, including drinks, tip and tax.

3 Mmmms

Basil Seasonal Dining - San Carlos between Ocean & 7th, Carmel, CA 93921
831.626.8226
www.basilcarmel.com

New Winter Menu Items at Bear

As we begin feeling the winter's chill, lots of great restaurants that are in tune with the seasons are adjusting their menus - and Bear of course always leads the pack in bringing us season appropriate dishes.  What I love about Bear is that comfort food is in their blood, being that the owners, Natasha and Alex have Russian roots.  It's the perfect kind of winter food in my opinion, and I was excited to learn about their new winter offering that spills into every part of the day from brunch to dinner.  Just take a look at a sampling of their new yummies - now available at Bear.

Brunch:
Borscht - Hearty beet borscht, served warm prepared with potatoes, cabbage, carrots and other market veggies...$7
Chicken liver mousse - Made with French brandy, served on a crostini
Hunters Stew - Lamb, goat, beef, pork stewed in red wine with vegetables and herbs...$21
Veal Dumplings - Ukranian style dumplings in a caramelized onion creme dill gravy...$18
Bear Eggs Benedict - Toasted French baguette, pork loin, poached eggs, fresh Hollandaise sauce and a side of habanero salsa verde...$14
Tofu stir-fry (vegan) - Marinated tofu stir fried with fresh greens and vegetables...$14

Dinner:
Golden Egg - Deviled eggs with smoked fish and caviar...$12
Mini meatballs - With Italian tomatoes and aged white cheddar...$11
Roasted Duck with Apples - Slowly roasted Long Island duck served with pan fried potatoes...$23
Mushroom Stroganoff - Vegetarian mushroom pasta served with stewed forest mushrooms in a light cream sauce with aged white cheddar.  Can be made vegan...$18
Pork Loin Sandwich - Roasted pork loin on a fresh baguette with carrots, cilantro, sesame dressing and pickles.  Served with steak fries...$16

Chef's 7-course dinner tasting - $68/person (tasting is based on seasonal dishes prepared daily by the chef)

Drinks:
St. Dill Martini - Cornichon pickle brine, mustard seed, Stolichnaya vodka.  Garnished with a full small pickle and fresh dill...$12
Layover - Rum, lime juice, Cointreau, agave, French cognac...$12
Pond - Fresh mint, fresh limes, Bombay Saphire gin, agave nectar, served in a large chilled chalice...$11

Or...you can drink like the Russian Nobility and get the chilled vodka with a "zakuski" platter including Russian rye bread, pickled veggies, various smoked fish, cured meat, salad and warm bites, even a small book of translated Russian poems to take with you - $85/two

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

LIC Market's Supper Club is Back

Image by LIC Market

One of the masters of seasonal cooking in Queens, I was happy to learn that LIC Market is back at it again with another one of their Saturday Night Supper Club events, happening next weekend on Saturday, October 13th.  For those not too familiar with these dinners, they aim to bring folks together around a specially designed seasonal menu, full of some of the best locally-sourced foods.  Here's some more info about this upcoming one - and don't forget to make your reservation, as space goes fast!

LIC Market Saturday Night Supper Club
Saturday, October 13th 2012
Choice of 2 seatings: 6 p.m. or 9 p.m.
Includes a specially designed 5-course menu
$65/person.  Add $30 for their wine pairings

You can be chomping on their gorgeous veggies like the above pictured heirloom vine tomatoes. Yum!

LIC Market - 21-52 44th Drive, LIC NY 11101
718.361.0013
7 Train to 45th Road/Courthouse Square
http://www.licmarket.com/

Fall Preview Menu at Bear

A bit bummed out that summer is over, I have to face reality and embrace the upcoming fall season.  But it's not all bad, as fall is a nice time of year with mild temperatures and some interesting seasonal eats.  I love that some neighborhood eateries are adjusting their menus to reflect this seasonal change, and Bear is of course one such early adopter.  Their fall menu looks quite enticing...full of root vegetables, mushrooms, and tons of protein.  Just take a look:

Fall Dinner Menu:
Borscht – a creamy beet and tomato bisque, served with garlic dumplings...$6
Summer Squash Bisque – end of summer, bisque with sage and caramelized apple toast...$6 Green Cabbage Salad – peppers, ginger, apples, pears, scallions, sesame seeds, extra virgin sunflower dressing...$7
Stewed Forest Mushrooms – wild mushrooms, stewed with dill, garlic and cream, served with a poached egg, a blanket of cheese and brioche croutons...$9
Pate and Mousse – a plate house made seasonal pate and chicken liver mouse, marinated mushroom salad, grilled country bread...$11
Grilled Squid Salad with Baby Spinach...$9

Seared Diver Sea Scallops with pattypan squash, thyme, and cherry tomato...$MP
Long Island Duck Breast with roasted apples and seasonal fruit...$25
Lamb with cauliflower puree, and brussels sprouts tempura...$MP
Whole baked branzini stuffed with vegetables...$21
Wild Arctic Char with zucchini spaghetti and beet salsa $21
Prime Steak and fries...$MP
The Grizzly Burger – our signature burger served with Bear fries...$15
Rabbit Fettuccini in a creamy rosemary and garlic sauce...$18
Mushroom Stroganoff - perciattelli pasta with aged white cheddar and truffle puree...$18 Pumpkin Gnocchi in a brown sage butter sauce with toasted sunflower seeds...$16
Cod in white wine and ginger, served with braised leeks, turnips, and pears...$MP
Whole Roasted Chicken dinner with seasonal sides...$MP

Peaches and Plums Tart/Sweet calabaza squash pudding with halva cookies and winter berries/Apple Pie

Fall Brunch Menu:
Chowder – freshly made from seasonal ingredients...$6
Green Salad – mixed greens, seasonal vegetables...$7
Pumpkin Latkes...$9
Roasted Beet Salad with day-pickles, cucumbers, sweet red onions, dill-yogurt dressing...$11 Stewed Forest Mushrooms – wild mushrooms, stewed with dill, garlic and cream, served with a poached egg, a blanket of cheese and brioche croutons...$9
Deviled Eggs and Pate – a plate house made seasonal pate and chicken liver mousse, deviled eggs potato salad, grilled country bread...$11

Eggs and Caviar – poached eggs, squash puree, baby arugula, salmon caviar...$15
Seared Diver Sea Scallops backed into a sunny side omelet...$MP
Long Island Duck Breast in a pot with roasted apples, potatoes, mushrooms, and a 6 minute egg...$25
Organic Chicken in a basil-pesto sauce on artisan sandwich bread...$15
Ricotta omelet with tomatoes, fresh dill and aged white cheddar...$12

Whole baked Branzini stuffed with vegetables...$21
Shrimp Stew in fresh tomatoes, chilies, turnips, rice and okra...$17
Prime Steak and fries...$MP
Bear Breakfast – sausage, salmon, eggs, hash browns, toast...$17
French Toast – made with challah bread, fresh berry puree and crème fraiche...$12
The Grizzly Burger – our signature burger served with Bear fries...$15
Breakfast Fettuccini in a creamy rosemary and garlic sauce, crispy bacon and fontina cheese...$18
Mushroom Crepes with sour crème..$18
Beer Battered Fish Sandwich with house tar-tar sauce...$MP

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

Bear Rocks it Out for My Birthday

Last week was my Birthday Week, as I call it and I celebrated in many ways.  One of those ways involved getting together with my closest friends and family at Bear Restaurant and having a smashing meal.  I love to come by and sample their delectable local and seasonal dishes, and now with the official launch of the chef-driven menu that changes daily, I couldn't wait to see what was in store.

And as Chef Natasha hinted to me during our interview, she handed us a handwritten menu, full of daily specials, which we first devoured with our eyes.  Here are some of the awesome new things we tried that night, which you can probably find again this week or later in the summer:

Roasted Beet Salad - This was my appetizer, and it was really delightful - the beets looking beautifully crimson and tasting super fresh.  Dressed with the perfect accompaniments such as crunchy pickles, greens, cucumber and a little bit of fresh dill, the whole plate was earthy and left a clean taste on your palate.  Overall, it was a perfect way to tee up dinner.

Cheese Plate - One side of the table got the colossal cheese plate, which featured local cheeses from Hudson Valley, including Camembert, Brebis rousse d'Argental, Selles Sur Cher and Fourme D'Ambert along with creative fixins such as strawberry and blackberry purees and buckwheat honey.  The whole thing looked like a work of art, and was a delight to try, juxtaposing the savory cheeses with the sweet purees, bringing your tastebuds to attention through all that complexity.  I'd recommend this for hard-core, adventurous cheese lovers, and it can be something to get in the beginning or at the very end of your meal.

Pulled Pork Ribs - I love me some ribs and was expecting this to be tender and luxurious. I think I'd call it more rustic instead, but as far as taste is concerned, it was spot on.  Loving the spices that were incorporated into it, such as mustard seed and cumin, the dish was comforting and really primal.  While it had some nice, fresh sauteed veggies on the side, it didn't need much, as the protein itself was pleasantly filling.

Dessert - We chose to try both desserts of the day, including the homemade chocolate mousse and the yogurt parfait, both dressed with fresh berries.  Both were lovely, but I preferred the chocolate mousse, which was soft and velvety and as light as a cloud.  The fresh berries were simple, but really did the trick of making the overall flavors in each dessert pop.

Service and Cost:
I'm happy to report that the service continues to be a home run, full of personalization and special touches from Chef Natasha, her brother Alex and the rest of the Bear staff.  They really do make you feel like at home, and my guests were pleasantly impressed.

Costs are moderate and include:

Appetizers: $6-$11
Entrees: $18-$42

3 Mmmms

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

The Green Table Defines Freshness

I met Gina tonight at The Green Table, in Chelsea Market, which is a seasonally driven restaurant, sourcing its ingredients from local farms and of course the Greenmarket.  I've always walked by, wistfully noticing how busy and bustling it was, which always made me want to try it, but I never actually managed to go in until now.  It also helped that I scored a 30% off Blackboard Eats coupon, which made quite a difference in our check.

Atmosphere:
Located midway into the busy Chelsea Market concourse, The Green Table has been a staple here for quite some time.  And while a lot of the shops and restaurants have changed hands over the last couple of years, The Green Table has remained a strong staple at this amazing food marketplace.

The overall atmosphere fits in with its "green" philosophy in that it feels organic, natural and rustic.  The tables inside are made of deep dark natural wood, set simply with a single candle and some fresh wild flowers.  I like that it's a bit dark and atmospheric, and if you do happen to sit inside, you'll feel quite detached from the hustle and bustle of the market. 

On the contrary, Gina and I sat outside at the big communal table, that's very much in the center of all the Chelsea Market action, but we didn't mind in the least and it actually added to our experience.  Part of me expected the service to suffer since we weren't in the actual restaurant, but this wasn't the case at all.  We received just the right amount of attention from our waitress and the servers.

Food:
As its name suggests, the menu at The Green Table changes with each season, and they're currently going off their Early Summer dinner menu.  Gina and I marveled at the fresh and appetizing choices that contained tons of interesting veggie options and even some ethnic dishes too.  We took the sharing route, which is usually what we like to do, and it worked out well.

Deviled Farm Eggs - Being that we're both suckers for deviled eggs, we were excited to see that this plate boasted 4 varieties.  We split each one in half and I don't even know which I liked best, as there was the classic Southern, a wasabi, bacon-relish, and pimento cheese.  Each one was tasty and decadent, and even though this dish isn't typically light, the egg filling felt fluffy and didn't weigh you down.  I think a lot of it had to do with the quality of the eggs, which no doubt came from farmhouse free-range chickens.  

Chicken Liver Pate - Another chickeney thing, we devoured it with gusto, but even though we tried to make a major dent in it, there was just too much pate.  I loved that it came with plenty of crispy toast, that we layered with the liver, and then further with spicy/sweet dijon mustard and strawberry marmalade.  You wouldn't normally think of chicken liver going with something sweet, but it made perfect sense, and even felt a little dessert like.  Another interesting element in the dish were the two chunky slabs of (again sweet) shallot brittle that were stuck into the pate.  Yet again a combination I wouldnt've thought of before, but it worked really well. 

Vegetarian Farm Plate - This was absolutely our favorite plate of the night, as it was The Green Table's take on a classic Korean dish called Bibimbap.  We went with the veggie option, as we were eager to try the thing that Green Table does well, which is of course fresh veggies.  For those of you not very familiar with Bibimbap, it's a mixed rice, veggie and often a protein bowl.  Usually also served with an egg on top, it serves as a binder for all the other ingredients and gives it a nice, silky quality.

Green Table's version definitely delivered and then some, boasting beautifully arranged veggies such as zucchini, mushrooms, peas and fresh greens.  We had our signature egg on top, which we broke right away and also a spicy vinaigrette that tied all the flavors together and really made the dish shine.  The spiciness was invigorating but not overpowering, which was great.  Even though the bowl was totally full, we worked almost all the way through it, as this dish is an overall must for veggies and carnivores alike.

Service and Cost:
As I mentioned, the service didn't suffer at all, given our unique seating.  Our waitress was laid back but also observant and so were all the servers.  We always got our glasses of water refilled and everyone was cordial and all around lovely.

Costs are moderate, especially given the top notch quality of ingredients.  The coupon we had obviously made this a very sweet deal, setting us back only $19 each, including tax and tip.

3 Locally Grown Mmmms

The Green Table - Chelsea Market, 75 9th Avenue, New York NY 10011
212.741.6623
E/C/A Train to 14th Street
www.cleaverco.com

Bear's Summer Menu

It's official...summer is in full swing, and I love that some of our local restaurants have rolled out special summer menus.  Bear is of course one such establishment you can count on to deliver something new with the change of the seasons.  Looking at their photo galleries on Facebook always inspires me, and when I got a peek of what they'll be offering this summer, I just had to share it with you:

Appetizers:
Pulled watermelon salad with extra virgin sunflower oil, parsley and sea salt
Tongue salad in aspic with beet horseradish and marinated mushrooms (for all you adventurous eaters!)
Oyster pond - shucked oysters, clams, scallop crudo, in fresh citrus juices, herbs, paprika oil and Alaskan salmon caviar

Entrees:
BBQ pork ribs in sour cherry sauce
Maine lobster
Diver sea scallops with corn risotto
Slow roasted duck with apples (signature dish)

Small Plates:
Gorgonzola and gouda mac 'n cheese with crispy bacon
Vegetarian earth and grains - buckwheat pilaf with pressed vegetables
Bucket of wings
Bowl of Siberian dumplings in dill and creme fraiche

Hope your mouth is watering and that you'll visit soon!

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

More New Year's Eve Goodness at LIC Market

Since I started the New Year's Eve train, I gotta keep riding it.  That's why I thought today, I'd tell you about another New Year's Eve special that's happening over at our LIC neighbors', LIC Market.  

Gaining popularity for their Saturday Night Supper Club dinners, not to mention just really all-around great food, LIC Market is extending their supper club concept to New Year's Eve.  How fantastic, and you'll be able to indulge in Chef Alex's special 5-6 course tasting menu, made up of no other than seasonal and local treats.

There will be two seatings - one for early birds and another for the midnight marauders.  Here are the specifics:

Seating 1: 6:00 p.m. 
Includes a 5-course tasting menu and a glass of sparkling wine.  All other drinks are a la carte. $65/person

Seating 2: 9:00 p.m.
Includes a 6-course tasting menu and a glass of sparkling wine.  All other drinks are a la carte.  $95/person

I hope you get to take advantage of either deal and spend your New Years in good company and delicious food.

LIC Market - 21-52 44th Drive, LIC NY 11101
718.361.0013
7 Train to 45th Road/Courthouse Square
www.licmarket.com

LIC Market 1 Year Anniversary (Pig & Clam) Celebration

I can't believe it's already been a year since LIC Market opened its doors - actually...it feels longer than that. And in a good way!  If you love this place, as many of you do, and want to celebrate, here is your chance, as LIC Market will be hosting a Pig Roast & Clambake Celebration on the weekend of July 30th.  You can come either day you want (or both days if it suits you!), and here's what you can enjoy...

LIC Market 1st Year Anniversary Pig Roast and Clambake:
Saturday, July 30th from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday, July 31st from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Drinks specials - $20 beer buckets and 1/2 priced Mimosas
Food - Roasted pork and clams!
$25 per person, not including the cost of drinks, tax or gratuity.

Please note that their regular weekend brunch will not be served this weekend - it's all about the pig and the clams, so enjoy!

LIC Market - 21-52 44th Drive, LIC NY 11101
718.361.0013
7 Train to 45th Road/Courthouse Square
www.licmarket.com

Print - Fresh, Seasonal and Elegant Grub

Print - 653 11th Avenue, New York NY 10036
212.757.2224
C/E Train to 50th Street
www.printrestaurant.com

A lover of fresh, seasonal food, it wasn't hard to convince me to try Print Restaurant in Hell's Kitchen, which caters to just that philosophy.  I was treated to a plethora of goodies from their menu - my dining companion and I sharing a variety of appetizers, entrees and a wealth of desserts too.

Atmosphere:
Elegant, lush and earthy are words I'd use to describe Print's atmosphere.  Located in the modern Kimpton Ink48 hotel on 48th Street and 11th Avenue, the restaurant fits in with its elegant surroundings, exuding style without pretension. 

The long rectangular dining room is well spaced out and set up for different sized parties - from private tables for two or four to a large communal table that encourages cross-conversation.  I appreciated the simplicity of the decor and the warm browns and greens in the furniture and accessories that helped set the mood for this very natural and delicious meal.

Food:
Knowing that the food at Print is as fresh and as local as can be, I couldn't wait to peruse the menu, which believe it or not, changes daily.  Print also boasts a full-time forager, who's sole job is to find these locally-sourced ingredients from nearby farms and vendors.  It's really cool to think that this person's daily activities help shape the menu. 

Appetizers:
The first thing I heard about was Print's goat cheese gnocchi, which was expertly stuffed with this tangy cheese and coupled with Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, pancetta and pea shoots.  It was my favorite appetizer because of its delicate texture yet hearty bite, reminding me of my favorite winter food, halusky (spaetzle) with sheeps milk cheese and bacon that I get at Koliba. 

Other apps we tried included a spinach-leek soup with a cheddar crouton; a prosciutto-artichoke salad; and a seafood ceviche.  All three were excellent, but I had a strong preference for the soup, which was once again very weather appropriate and the cheesy crouton that floated on top was a great way to make this already rich soup even more luxurious.

Mains:
We split two very different main dishes, both of them showcasing Print's excellence in protein preparation.  The first was a farm fresh grilled chicken breast on the bone, paired with colorful veggies such as Brussels sprouts, carrots, onions, purple potatoes and cauliflower.  All these earthy accouterments made a simple dish a lot richer and exciting, both visually and in terms of taste.  I very much enjoyed the chicken, and since cooked on the bone, it was a lot juicier than your everyday boneless breast.

The other entree we had were the braised short ribs with creamy mashed potatoes, radishes, turnips, carrots and a horseradish gremolata.  Once again, a beauteous plate of bright colors, the meat was by far the winning element.  It was so tender and succulent, separating easily with the gentle tug of the fork.  The meat juices were plentiful and did a great job of further flavoring the already delicious mashed potatoes and the fresh veggies.

Dessert:
Welcomed by a six-course dessert offering, at this point, my eyes were bigger than my stomach. Amongst the amazing choices, two desserts stood out to me including Print's signature Chocolate Bread and the whipped chocolate flan with Seven Stars Heavy Cream.

The former still makes me salivate upon thinking about it, made up of a large corner piece of rustic bread, studded with large chunks of dark chocolate.  It's meant to be eaten in a free-form fashion by breaking off chunky pieces, instead of neatly slicing them.  You can eat the slightly warm bread on its own or pair it with the locally sourced fresh ricotta cheese from Salvatore Bklyn or the sweet, floral honey from Catskill Provisions.

My other close favorite, the whipped chocolate flan was so decadent yet so light to eat that it seemed too good to be true.  Consisting of a light chocolate base, drowned in the most luscious whipped topping, it was almost like eating a cooling, dessert soup.  A moderately-sized scoop of dark chocolate sorbet rested on top of the cream, and made the dish refreshing.

Service and Cost:
Our servers were professional, poised and knowledgeable about the food.  They appeared at the most opportune moments, enabling us to have a lovely evening with free-flowing conversation, excellent food and wine.  All courses were paced well and the waitstaff wasn't too quick to clear the table, which was appreciated.

Costs are moderate to slightly expensive, but fair for the excellent quality provided:

Appetizers - $9 -$16
Mains - $19 - $32 
Desserts - $7 - $18

3 Mmmms

LIC Market - Nifty General Store and Seasonal Eatery Rolled into One

LIC Market - 21-52 44th Drive, LIC NY 11101
718.361.0013
7 Train to 45th Road/Courthouse Square
http://www.licmarket.com/

I've been meaning to check out LIC Market for a little while now.  Reading about it in LIC Courier Magazine, it seemed like a cool, seasonal eatery with simple, good food and I was eager to get a taste.  My brother Peter and I brunched there last week and had a nice time - although we weren't completely blown away, our meal was enjoyable enough to come back and try other menu items.

Atmosphere:
Staying true its name, LIC Market resembles a little store, located on the lower part of a residential brownstone.  Setting itself apart from the eateries on Vernon Blvd and Jackson Avenue, which are busier in the evening, LIC Market mainly services daytime workers and 45th Road/Courthouse Sq residents.

The decor at LIC is understated yet friendly, with distressed table tops, simple wooden chairs and an earthy color palate.  Seating is available throughout the restaurant - from the sparse outdoor and front-of-the house seating to the more private dining room located in the back of the restaurant, which accommodates larger groups.  It's also nice to see that the front serves as a general store, showcasing a variety of specialty food products for sale such as pickled veggies, tapenade, marmalade, spices and more.  Everything is packaged tastefully, sporting a pretty "LIC Market" label. 

Food:
Currently serving breakfast, lunch and brunch, LIC's menu is still a bit limited, but they plan to roll-out dinner service soon.  A liquor license is on the way in the near future too so that should liven things up.  For brunch we kept it pretty traditional, both of us ordering egg dishes.  I'm very curious about their sandwiches though, as they looked great and I plan to check them out next time.

Bulls-Eye Eggs - I was immediately attracted to this item when I saw that it consisted of 2 fried eggs in the company of 7 grain bread - their own version of eggs in a blanket with a clever name.  It was more than satisfying, rather it was downright delicious with the crispy, earthy bread enveloping the fried eggs with an almost orange, runny middle.  Besides the actual egg, the side of hash browns, dressed with onions and red peppers added an extra injection of zing and homestyle flavor.  Simply put, this dish is a home run!

Frittata of the Day - Peter tried the frittata which changes daily, his containing fresh zucchini and mushrooms, the whole thing topped with milky mozzarella cheese. Once again, the eggs were cooked perfectly and the flavors were nice but maybe just a tad too bland.  It needed a hit of something stronger in spice and I'd recommend going a little more aggressive with the seasoning next time.

Besides the food we ordered, I also wanted to briefly touch upon the impressive bread and biscuit plate we received prior to our actual meal.  It was not only generous, but these baked goods were truly excellent and very fresh.  The flaky biscuits and the mini muffins were my favorite and I spread them generously with wild blueberry jam that came with it too. 

Service and Cost:
LIC Market's servers have it down pat - they're on-point but unobtrusive and they understand the menu well.  Our waiter seemed like he was personally vested in the restaurant and who knows...maybe he was or maybe LIC Market is just super effective in cross-pollinating their mission.  In either case, great job!

Costs are moderate to inexpensive and include the following:

Breakfast - $1.75 - $7
Lunch - $7 - $11
Brunch - $6 - $10

2.5 Mmmms

Braeburn - Understated, Elegant and Wonderfully Delicious

Braeburn - 117 Perry Street, New York NY 10014
212.255.0696
C/E/L Train to 14th Street
www.braeburnrestaurant.com

I love having the chance to connect with fellow food bloggers, and last week's dinner tasting at Braeburn restaurant gave me that opportunity.  In addition to meeting some new people, I also reconnected with old friends and caught up with them on various sorts of food geekery, including our personal thoughts and ruminations about NY restaurants, food photography (galore!) and of course food itself. 

Braeburn hosted a very lovely private dinner for us, which I can't even begin to praise.  I'll start momentarily but before I do that, let me mention the wonderful company I was in the presence of that night:

Esther from Ambitious Deliciousness
Grace from Grace Notes NYC
Amie from The Healthy Apple
Josh from the NYC Foodie (AKA the talented foodie magician - see videos of his magic tricks from dinner. Video 1, Video 2)
Michael from Socialites Anonymous
Amy from Amy's Blog Chow

But now...about dinner:

Atmosphere:
A quiet, residential West Village street is the setting for Braeburn restaurant.  It's somewhat easy to miss unless you're really looking for it, but once you find it, you're in for a real treat.

Upon walking in, you're greeted by a gorgeous array of fresh apples, paying homage to Braeburn's namesake. The overall decor is very simple and elegant, embellished by earthy tones and beautifully crafted wooden furniture.  Everything seems natural and organic, giving the diner a preview of the seasonal delicacies on the menu. 

We had the pleasure of eating downstairs in a private wine cellar room, which had an elegantly set table with soft tealights.  In front and back of us were walls lined with Braeburn's special wine selections.  It was all very lovely and because it was private, the experience was that much more special. 

Food:
The dinner menu that night was especially crafted for us in preparation of Braeburn's Big Apple Harvest Week.  Seasonal ingredients such as apples, pumpkins, various root veggies as well as fish and duck made an appearance on our 4-course tasting menu.  Here are the highlights.

Course 1 (Warm Smoked Trout) - The first plate of the night was small but packed a lot of flavor with a smoked, flaky trout with delicate sides of roasted butternut squash, toasted pumpkin seeds and an apple celery salad.  Although the portion was small, it was just enough to bring the senses to attention.  My only criticism was the large plate they served it on - I thought the food would've stood out better on something smaller.

Course 2 (Long Island Fluke) - My favorite dish of the night consisted of a crispy piece of fish that was very tender and fresh.  Offset by a creamy (yet technically creamless) celery root clam chowder, dressed with bacon and some baby squash, it proved to be a perfect pairing with the light fish.  I liked that the chowder added some indulgence and a touch of smokiness from the bacon. 

Course 3 (Creamless Trumpet Royale Soup) - Another chowder course came expertly presented with an exposed poached wellfleet oyster and crispy potatoes only to be drowned by the silky chowder liquid right in front of our eyes.  I enjoyed the drama of the presentation, and the soup's luxurious texture, but in all honesty the oyster was a tad fishy for me and I would've preferred something more subdued.

Course 4 (Breast of Long Island Duck) - Another highlight of the meal, the duck was tender and oh so juicy - dressed with earthy ingredients such as kohlrabi, wheat berries and duck confit.  I'm very picky about my duck and I often find this bird to be overcooked in restaurants.  But this wasn't the case here at all.  What the duck showed besides impressive mastery of preparation was the deep respect that Chef Bistrong has for food and the inclusive way he bestows it upon others.  For this reason mainly, eating this dish was an honor.

Dessert - We marveled at the impressive spread of desserts that showed up at the end of this already extravagant meal. There must've been about half a dozen items including chocolate beignets, Southern banana pudding, a coconut roulade, yogurt souffle with berry sauce and an apple cobbler.  Everything was unbelievably tasty and for the most part light. 

Two items stood out to me the most including the cobbler and the banana pudding.  The former had the most intense apple flavor, made with apples picked from Chef Bistrong's property in Connecticut, and served with a side of clean, crisp buttermilk ice-cream.  The pudding was also a stand-out, however a polar opposite of the former dish, as you can imagine.  Its texture was extra smooth and silky, with a muted banana flavor that intensified as you reached deeper into your cup and pulled out chunky pieces of bananas and caramel.  What more can a girl with a sweet tooth ask for?

Wine - Each course was thoughtfully paired with a glass of specially selected wine from Braeburn's cellar.  We started with a sweet, French Riesling and worked our way to a full bodied Oregonian Pinot Noir.  My dining companions and I couldnt've been more impressed.

Service and Cost:
There's no doubt about it, Braeburn's staff is top notch.  From the friendly and cordial waitstaff to the warm, welcoming owners, we felt comfortable and truly as special guests.  I personally enjoyed listening to all the interesting food and wine commentary prior to each course.  The highlight for me however, was when Chef Bistrong came out after service and chatted with us about what we thought of the meal as well as just shooting the sh*t about his favorite restaurants around town (many of which were Asian eateries in Chinatown and beyond).

Braeburn's costs are moderate to expensive, but in my opinion fairly reflect the top notch quality food and atmosphere found here:

Appetizers - $9 - $15
Entrees - $24 -$33
Desserts - $5
Brunch - $8 - $15

3 Mmmms

reBar - Definitely a rePeat

reBar - 147 Front Street, Brooklyn NY 11226
718.766.9110
F Train to York Street

www.rebarnyc.com

I love venturing to Brooklyn and especially to areas I haven't yet explored such as Dumbo.  That's why when I received an invitation to attend a tasting at Dumbo's funky gastropub, reBar, I jumped at the chance.  Recently acquiring a new Chef, Jeremy Leech, reBar offered some interesting, seasonal menu items that I couldn't resist.

Atmosphere:

What a gorgeous space! I was thoroughly impressed by its setup and its sheer size.  The exterior of the building looks like a warehouse (not unlike most of the buildings in Dumbo) and while the interior carries that vibe just a bit, for the most part, it looks like a dark, sultry bar with lots of style and attitude.

My favorite aspects of this place are the large communal tables, and the rustic lanterns that are all eclectic (not one is the same).  Overall, the space has a medieval vibe that's slightly mysterious and sexy - still incorporating a few modern touches such as sleek chairs and couches in the lounge area. 

The clientele and the waitstaff fits the setting perfectly with a mix of young hipsters and artsy types that are decked to the nines in trendy garb, but lacking the pretension that's sometimes associated with this crowd.

Food and Drink:
Since we were on a tasting and were free to explore the menu, we tried a wide variety of food and drinks.  While for the most part, everything was excellent, I'm only going to talk about the highlights:

Baby Artichokes - Recommended by the staff, we chose this seasonal appetizer for many reasons a). for our love of artichokes b). for our love of pork and c). because it was unlike any appetizer we've had.  Wow! It really was something special, as the artichokes took on a really amazing smoky flavor from the pork lardons.  While this could be heavy, it really wasn't because it also incorporated fresh peas and a refreshing lemon sauce.

Sweet Potato Cakes - Another appetizer and another winner.  We were so impressed when we saw the fried pieces of goodness on this plate.  First off, they were very generously sized and had the most wonderful crunchy texture.  A side of harissa mayonnaise gave them a sharp kick, giving you a run for your money.  These reminded me of papas bravas on crack - and I mean that in the best possible way!

Polenta - When I first heard about how much this dish was praised, I was surprised. "Polenta? What's so special about that?" Well I had to taste it to understand it and after having some, I was converted.  For this was no ordinary polenta, it was a fancy, sophisticated polenta topped with a sunny side up egg, truffle oil, pine nuts and parsley salad.  Once we mixed the egg into the polenta, it was like magic, the whole thing took on a velvety texture and the sporadic crunch from the pine nuts brought in an element of surprise.
Simply put, this dish was out of this world.

Warm Olives - Yum! Another one of our favorites, this was a simple dish that went a long way.  The cute bowl that it came in was quite deep, holding many green and black olives which rested in fruity olive oil enhanced by aromatic herbs.  We loved munching on these between courses and hung on to them all night.

Dessert - Although the sweets menu changes daily, we had the pleasure of tasting two great desserts - the butterscotch pudding pictured in the above mini platter and a chocolate/orange fudge tarte.  In my staunch chocolate lover fashion, I had a strong preference for the chocolate/orange tart that was super thick and had a great spicy aftertaste from the orange flavoring.  But the butterscotch pudding was also excellent - it was as smooth as the butter from which it was made and had a dollop of fluffy whipped cream on top.

Drinks - Since reBar is after all a gastropub, we were curious about their wide variety of beers and cocktails.  For the beer, we tried the Ommegang (an American take on Belgian beer) that had a lovely fruity finish and a hint of spiciness.  Dan also tried a really fancy cocktail called The Professional, incorporating bourbon, his favorite spirit.  The drink was enhanced by really strong espresso, which smelled divine.  Dan absolutely loved it but it was so strong that I couldn't stomach it, so I left it to the professionals (pun intended).

Service and Cost:
I really liked the meticulous yet relaxed service.  Our waitress was super cool and knew her way around the menu.  She gave us sound food and drinks recommendations and had an easy manner about her.  The other staff members such as the sommelier were great too and overall, we felt very comfortable and welcome here.  It was a fun place to hang out after work and I'd definitely come back for seconds.

Costs are moderate, especially given the generous portions:

Soups & Salads: $4 - $10
Small Plates: $5 - $13

Mains: $12 - $31

3 Mmmms