Beast – Sheer Sophistication in Portlandia

One of my biggest culinary wishes during our Portland trip was to visit Chef Naomi Pomeroy’s restaurant, Beast. Known for her role on Top Chef Masters, I’ve respected Chef Pomeroy from the start – even during her neurotic temper tantrums on the show. The fact that she’s a culinary genius, specializing in cooking with responsibly raised animals such as the almighty pig, is something I can get behind.

Our friends, Moses and Sonya were curious about it as well, so we ventured out for dinner on a Friday night, taking advantage of their later seating.

Atmosphere:
I was surprised to learn that Beast is located in one of Portland’s neighborhoods, on the outskirts of downtown. As we walked up to it, we noticed a few couples hanging around. I wasn’t exactly sure what was going on, as the restaurant was empty—only later noticing that the staff was inside, working away at setting everything up. Never experiencing this type of service before, except during special occasions such as New Year’s Eve for example, I realized we were in for a treat and something that would no doubt be a memorable experience.

After we were welcomed into the restaurant, I was yet again surprised—this time because of how intimate the space was. Seating just merely 30 guests, the cozy dining room consisted of a mix of different sized tables, including a bigger communal one (where we sat), as well as a few four tops, and additional bar seating.

The staff looked busy still, preparing things, and I noticed them laying out our first course and plating it right on the spot. Again, this was a non-traditional way of conducting service, but I appreciated the candor and the thoughtfulness with which each plate was composed.

Food:
As you’ve probably inferred, our dinner consisted of a tasting menu, and this one was 6 courses rich. While I must admit that Dan felt a bit squeamish about some of the selections, I was truly excited at the prospect of such a complex and sophisticated feast.

Course 1, Chilled Zucchini & Buttermilk Soup - We started with a beautiful little cup of chilled zucchini soup, which was milky white in color, boasting a few colorful accouterments such as house cured salmon, fresh dill and a pretty blue edible flower. The taste was gentle on the palate and really refreshing. While it didn’t make a huge impression on me in terms of flavor, it was Beast’s way of gingerly easing our way into what would be a pretty robust dinner.

Course 2, Charcuterie Plate – What the soup didn’t bring in terms of flavor, the charcuterie certainly did. Consisting of six different bites of cured meats and beautifully smooth pates and mousses, I adored not only the way everything tasted, but how it looked. My personal stand-outs were the steak tartare topped with a gorgeous quail egg and the house foie gras bon bon with a cool sauternes gelee that made everyone comment with curiosity and pleasure. I saved that one for last and adored each bite.

Course 3, Pork Belly – Chef Pomeroy’s specialty is of course the pig, and I can confidently say that we were all looking forward to the pork belly course. Set on a slightly crunchy but still soft on the inside bread, it stood up to the meat’s richness, soaking up its savory juices. Tender, succulent and a little smokey, this dish truly evoked a hefty dose of comfort and indulgence.

Course 4, Tomato Goat Cheese Galette – Even though Dan isn’t crazy about goat cheese (in fact, he hates it); it was awesome that he tried it and appreciated the dish nonetheless. I on the other hand was in heaven, devouring the galette's buttery, flaky crust and savoring each bite of the tangy cheese and the blistery heirloom tomatoes. 

Course 5, Cheese Plate – As if we didn’t get enough cheese in the last course (I didn’t!), there was a whole plate of it now, arranged in a rustic fashion. Three distinct cheeses, a handful of fried almonds, a dollop of armangac poached prune jam, and a puddle of local honey decked the plate. While my dining companions were sadly slowing down, I was totally ready to enjoy these delights and loved pairing each cheese with the honey, a little bit of jam and a crunchy almond on top. Out of the three, I preferred the tomme corse goat, which was of the fragrant, heady variety, evoking visions of the rich earth it came from.

Course 6, Berry Trifle – Dessert is always a beautiful thing in my book, and I was excited to try the intricately arranged cups of mini berry trifles that were coming our way. After skimming the fresh whipped cream on top, I was immediately in heaven, as the airiness was delightful. Further delving into its layers, this trifle was truly out of this world, boasting chunky pieces of raspberries, which then further intermingled with the thick pastry cream in the middle. Holy sweetness – I’d go for this any day!

A Sweet Bonus – Just when we thought the feast was over, there came a sweet little plate of miniature pig sugar cookies—their behinds dipped in exquisite dark chocolate. The attention to detail here was uncanny, as they even attached a little orange zest for the pig's tail. I took one last memorable bite to complete my experience.

Service and Cost:
I’ve already told you a little bit about the interesting service, which is unlike what I usually experience when dining out. Even though it was special and memorable, I must admit that the service felt oddly rigid and a bit snobbish. For an evening that we thought would be really relaxing and laid back (just like Portland itself), we felt the situation was a bit too controlled and we weren’t as at ease as if we’d gone to one of the restaurants in Moses and Sonya’s Mississippi Ave neighborhood.

Costs are on the high side at $75/person but certainly fair for the high quality of food you’re getting, and for the specialized experience.

3 Mmmms

Beast - 5425 NE 30th Avenue, Portland, OR 97211
503.841.6968
www.beastpdx.com

Table Verte Elevates French Bistro Fare. The Veggie Way.

Even though I'm far from a vegetarian, I do frequently enjoy eating vegetarian fare and sometimes even cook sans meat at home.  That's why I was pretty psyched when I got invited to a press dinner at the new East Village haunt called Table Verte, run by accomplished Restaurateur and Chef, Didier Pawlicki and Executive Chef, Ken Larsen.  

Providing a fresh spin on veggie cuisine in a French Bistro style, Table Verte offers something new and innovative for any kind of palate.

Atmosphere:
Situated in the heart of the East Village on 7th street between 1st Avenue and Avenue A, Table Verte has that quintessential small, intimate bistro feel, which I welcome.  It's a little hard to notice when you're walking down the street, and especially when distracted, but when you do find it, you'll be glad you came.

The dining room is small but charmingly inviting with classic butcher block tables adorned in signature, Kelly green.  I think it's a perfect place to come to with your special someone and because it feels so personal, you can't help but bask in its privacy. I loved the simple but classic decor elements such as the tea light candles, an oversized mirror up front and some natural accouterments, which came in the form of mini gourds.  It all feels natural and organic, providing an accurate preamble for things yet to come.

Food:
Chef Larsen's pride in his intelligently thought out menu was unmistakable, and truly exemplified through each course in our tasting menu.

Appetizer - I loved this pretty medley of cold salads including a celery root remoulade, a vegan lentil salad, beets with horseradish and a shredded carrot salad too.  They were all lovely and although disparate, they were fun to pair together, reminding me of a mezze tasting I'd have in a Greek restaurant in Astoria.  

My two favorites were the carrot salad with chickpeas and raisins that was refreshing and slightly sweet, as well as a beet salad, which I always enjoy.  The latter was flavored with fresh tarragon, which gave it that distinct licorice flavor and of course a welcome kick from the horseradish.

Entrees - It was fun to try a few different entrees, as we all shared everything, and I definitely had a few that stood out to me.  

First thing's first - the cauliflower was totally out of this world.  Roasted perfectly and showing off a beautifully golden exterior, it was incredibly filling - and almost meaty.  Resting on a bed of fragrant quinoa salad with rosemary as well as the piece-de-resistance, the roasted yam cake, it was a well-rounded meal that satisfied any hungry belly.

The other favorite, which was served in a smaller portion than usual just for our tasting was the gnocchi Parisian Au Gratin.  Verte's take on gnocchi was a few notches above the norm, as Chef Larsen explained they make the dumplings individually, like they would a profiterole for example.  As soon as I took a bite, I understood the difference, as these were truly little pillows of heaven.  The cheese was totally gooey, delicious and so over the top, further embellished with a real truffle on top.  What a treat!

Dessert - A big highlight of the dinner was the sweet finish, and we enjoyed three distinct desserts.  The most exciting for me was the banana creme brulee, which you see above and that had chunks of real banana in it, reminding me of my all time favorite banana pudding trifle at Buttercup Bakeshop.

A close second was their semolina cake topped with velvety caramel and a rum, creme Anglaise sauce.  Despite it feeling incredibly French (aka indulgent), it was actually quite light on the stomach--the semolina holding its own next to the rich sauce.  It reminded me of the incredible semolina cake I used to enjoy at Mundo, but I think this was even better.

Service and Cost:
Just like the restaurant's comfortable and intimate dining room, the service is just the same. It's evident that the folks who work here genuinely want to, and they have a great passion for the food on the menu.  I enjoyed hearing Chef Larsen tell us the story behind each dish and the infectious smile on his face made us really curious and happy to dig in.

Prices are reasonable for what I'd call a fine dining experience:

Appetizers - $4.75 - $9.50
Entrees - $14.50 -$19.75
Desserts - $5.50 - $8.75

Before I forget to mention, Table Verte is still a BYOB, which is an added bonus in my book.  

3 Mmmms

Table Verte - 127 East 7th Street, New York NY 10009
212.539.0231
L Train to 1st Avenue or 6 Train to Astor Place
www.tablevertenyc.com

Oficina Latina - A Delicious Stop off the Pan American Highway

Last week, I was invited to a fabulous tasting at Oficina Latina, one of my favorite Nolita haunts.  This place is quite special, as I remember enjoying it on multiple occasions during the summertime - really loving their drinks and the anything but run-of-the-mill Pan Latin cuisine.  I was joined by other foodie colleagues such as Daniel from The Daily Meal and Here's Park Slope, Elena from The Gotham Palate, Josh Beckerman the Foodie Magician, among others.  Together, we embarked on a delicious Pan Latin food adventure that set our tastebuds aflutter.

Atmosphere:
Besides the carefully prepared Latin delicacies you can expect here, the decor is also well thought out and resembles anything but a typical Latin eatery.  Inspired by the Pan American highway, the furnishings are really rustic and put together in a purposefully haphazard way.  You'll find everything from an old barber's chair at the bar to refurbished light fixtures and personal artifacts in all nooks and crannies.  I love that the seating is so varied - from high backed stools to comfy wide lounge chairs in the back of the dining area.  There's a mantle towards the back with fun photos of adventurous trips taken along this very famous Pan American route.

The focal point though I'd say is the elaborate white tiled bar, where all the magic happens so to speak.  Expertly crafted cocktails get made here, decked by a faint glow of fairy lights that just set the scene for all the yummy things about to happen.

Food and Drink:
We were in for a treat with a 6 course tasting menu of different dishes, which weren't meant for sharing - however in a typical setting, most of these would be served as tapas.  I had a few stand-outs such as the blood sausage and the calamari ceviche, but in all honesty, everything was really tasty.

Calamari Ceviche - A seriously refreshing dish, I loved its boldness and zest, with the calamari dressed in a lime concoction.  The fresh celery and cilantro added more pop to each bite, and the little delicate chunks of pineapple brought in a surprising element of sweetness.  The whole thing was enveloped in a crunchy tortilla, which was a fun, playful way to eat this dish.

Grilled Octopus - I totally adore octopus, but have also had it cooked totally wrong, which is always a letdown.  Happy to say that Oficina Latina did it justice and then some, the inside of the octopus just melted on your tongue, while the outside had a lovely charred, smokey flavor that made for a nice introduction to your tastebuds.  The whole thing was served on a bed of potato and celery salad, which was non-traditional and made it a bit more hearty.

Grilled Tuna Skewers - Excited by how liberally seafood was used in this tasting, the tuna skewers also delivered.  I loved that the tuna meat was plentiful and cooked to a nice medium.  Further dressed with red bell peppers, onions and pears, I once again raised my brows in approval as the sweetness hit my tongue in a subtle way.  If you look at the photo above, you'll notice the beautiful pink, pickled onions on top that in the words of Daniel "always make things better."

Fried Blood Sausage - While some can get squeamish around this very meaty medley, I absolutely loved it and would call it my culinary highlight of the evening.  The sausage was fried and therefore the skin crispy, while the inside was soft and meaty and oh so rich.  Pairing beautifully with the bite sized arepitas also on the plate, it reminded me of an extreme version of sausage and hash.  And let me not forget the side of chorizo also on the plate, that added more smoke and a little punch of spice.

Braised Lamb Shank - This was the point in the meal when I began to slow down, but I couldn't possibly resist lamb - it's one of my favorite proteins.  Braised lamb nonetheless.  Although I appreciated the nice texture of the meat and its mild flavoring, the dish didn't do as much for me as some of the tapas I just described.  What I did like about it though was the inventive use of sweet plantain puree instead of typical mashed potatoes - nice touch!

Tres Leches Cake - Ending things off on a sweet note was so much fun, as we each got a serving of incredibly moist tres leches cake, which was also prepared in-house. Looking really elegant and a lot more delicate than your typical thick tres leches, this was definitely a lighter and not as sweet version, which was appreciated.  The healthy dollop of fresh whipped cream didn't go unnoticed, as well as the beautiful chocolate sauce design work that dressed the plate.

Drinks - The drinks program at Oficina Latina is just as exciting as its food.  We enjoyed a unique cocktail or wine with each course and my favorites included the candied ginger orange margarita and the shots of rum we did at the end.  The latter was most exciting, as the presentation was impeccably put together in tiny mason jars that were served on a mirror laced with lines of fresh espresso, cinnamon, brown sugar and an orange slice.  Knock one back at your own risk.

Service and Cost:
I loved the casual nature of this place that just feels like somewhere you can hang out on a daily basis with good friends.  Our servers were knowledgeable and attentive but totally nonchalant, which was great.  Chef Abraham came out too and downplayed his incredible skills he showcased throughout the evening, which was totally characteristic of how this place operates.  It's understated yet anything but ordinary.

Costs are moderate and include:
Tapas: $8 - $15
Salads and Tortas (sandwiches): $10 - $16
Main Dishes: $20 - $23
Brunch: $12 or $15 (with a cocktail)

They also offer brunch each and every day til 4 p.m. How great is that?! It's next on my list...

3 Mmmms

Oficina Latina - 24 Prince Street, New York NY 10012
646.381.2555
N/R train to Prince Street
www.oficinalatinanyc.com 

Butter Lane's 2013 Sweet Preview was Delightful

As part of my being one of Butter Lane's Bloggers of the Week and therefore in their "inner sweet circle," I was excited to be invited to their 2013 sweets preview tasting.  Featuring new creations that are not yet on sale in the store and some of which may debut on the menu  early next year, my senses were truly overwhelmed with the sweetest of sensations.  The good news was that all of these treats were miniature, which was perfect for tasting a bit of everything.

The Set-Up:
Situated in Butter Lane's cupcake workshop room, the tasting hosted about 20 or so bloggers and their closest friends.  Kimberly came with me, and was quite impressed by the sweet table of mini cupcakes, pie pops, mini pop tarts and other goodies.

After helping yourself at the sweet table, you were welcomed to stand around and mingle or take a seat at their signature communal table, where folks usually situate themselves to decorate cupcakes during their classes.

My Favorites:
Overall, it won't come as a shock that everything was really tasty, but there are three items in particular, which stood out to me.

*Favorite* PB&J Banana Cupcake - If they're on the fence about this one for next year, I'd give it a wholehearted go, as the frosting is the perfect amount of sweet and peanut buttery with a soft little marshmallow on top.  The actual cupcake was just perfect and you can tell it was made with real bananas, creating a really wholesome and nostalgic flavor.

Blueberry Banana Cupcake - This is actually the last thing I tried and it left a lasting impression, as the juxtaposition of blueberry and banana once again created perfection.  The frosting, topped with a juicy little blueberry was slightly tangy, reminding me of summer while the banana cupcake base had a lovely crunch on the outside and a soft, pillowy interior that just sent you to heaven.

Strawberry Pop Tart - You know what they say, "an oldie but a goodie," this was literally Butter Lane's take on one of the most nostalgic snacks in America.  Looking just like the classic pop tart, with white frosting and sprinkles on top, it tasted a thousand times better, with a fresh strawberry jam inside that oozed out and made you lick your lips with delight.

Other sinful goodies we tried included:
Cake pies (pecan pie, sea salt chocolate)
Pie pops (cherry)
Cinnamon brown sugar pop tart
Chocolate malt cupcake

I hope you get out to Butter Lane soon to try some of their classic cupcakes and gear up for these exciting new things too!

Butter Lane - 123 East 7th Street, New York NY 10009
212.677.2880
6 Train to Astor Place
www.butterlane.com

Rooftop to Tabletop Dinner at Vesta

Vesta - 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102
718.545.5550
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
www.vestavino.com

Vesta, a clear favorite neighborhood gem of mine has gained many new converts over the past year. It's easy to see why, with their infectious warmth and hospitality, a cozy setting that lets you relax and the focal point - delectable, locally-sourced, organic food.

It is this philosophy of local, organic and sustainable food that was the focus of Monday's Rooftop to Tabletop dinner. Why rooftop? Well because Vesta gets their produce from an innovative local producer called Rooftop Farms, based in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Besides it being super cool and good for the environment and for our community, their products are fresh and absolutely delicious. Just take a gander at the yummy dinner they produced:

Stuffed Squash Blossoms - I adore squash blossoms and was looking forward to having them again. Vesta's version was scrumptious, coated in a thick, crispy crust, stuffed with hearty
goat's cheese. I loved the contrast in textures and dipping one of these beauties into the crushed tomato & toasted garlic chutney made it even better. One suggestion given to me by a fellow dining companion, Arthur Schwartz (yes, the Arthur Schwartz aka The Food Maven and author of Jewish Home Cooking), was to bring out the flavor in the blossoms more by maybe making the crust thinner.

Baby Beet Salad - Beets are one of my favorite vegetables, to the point where I'm a bit obsessed with them. I had a beet salad for lunch earlier that day but seeing this vegetable at the dinner table, made me very happy. I loved the contrast in colors - there were red and yellow beets, which had a hint of sweetness. Dressed with buttery pistachios, it was a great way to start the meal. The "salad" part consisted of slightly bitter mustard greens, bringing the senses to attention.

Roasted Duck Breast - Usually picky about my duck meat (it could be fatty and gamey), this was anything but. Glazed with a hot pepper agrodolce, it brought both sweetness and tartness to the tastebuds. I loved the way it was cooked - medium-rare and the cut was nice and lean.

Braised Veal Cheeks and Crispy Sweetbreads - A new dish for me on both counts, I was eager to try it. The veal was so tender that it fell apart in perfect little sections. I liked alternating my bites between the meat and the thickly coated, crunchy sweetbreads, which were just slightly chewy and moist inside.

Veggie Sides - The veal and sweetbreads were coupled with fresh, seasonal vegetables including earthy green and purple kale, interlaced with heirloom cherry tomatoes. I loved the combination, as the tomatoes provided a burst of sweetness - a good contrast with the bitter kale.

Another side was the charred green, yellow and even purple string beans, seasoned with lemons and almonds. I've never seen this amount of color on beans and was fascinated. They were not only crunchy and flavorful, they were light enough to make you reach for seconds.

My favorite side was the roasted eggplant, topped with Ouray cheese and basil. Although the dish was simple, the eggplant was roasted to perfection with a slightly crispy outside and a soft, chewy inside. The cheese was a great pairing, with its buttery, tangy bite - it made an ordinary vegetable feel more substantial.

Ricotta Gelato - Because I've tasted Vesta's fluffy-as-clouds ricotta cheese, I knew that the gelato would be a winner. The consistency was perfect - soft enough to divide easily with a spoon. It was creamy yet not overly rich that you needed to chase it with a beverage. There was a tomato puree on the side that really made it sing - it was sweet, a bit acidy, and when combined with the gentle ricotta gelato, it produced a refreshing finish to the meal.

Bundt Cakes - We each received individually wrapped bundt cakes, courtesy of Bundt A Bakery, as favors. I liked the concept of the bundt, a throwback to old fashioned, comfort baking. Taking a bite out of Arthur's, I loved its airy dough, which was flavored by fragrant spices - cinnamon, cloves and honey too!

The dinner was a big success from many perspectives - Vesta got to show off their wonderful, farm supplier, we had the chance to sample and learn about new foods and most of all, everyone just had a good ol' time. To put it in layman terms, if you haven't been to Vesta yet, you're missing out!

Benjamas' Taste of Thai - Winter Tasting

Dish du Jour Magazine is hosting a series of winter tasting events in Astoria and Long Island City. Benjamas Taste of Thai will be kicking off this series with a four-course tasting menu and even some neat food demonstrations, courtesy of Chef Chatchai.

This will be an active dinner and you might pick up some tricks along the way, as you watch Chef Chatchai make flowers from vegetables and showcase his carving skills. You'll also taste a variety of Thai beers that will be paired with your meal.

Besides the all the food and drink, there will surely be time for meeting, greeting and networking. And don't forget to bring a can of food with you! Dish du Jour will be donating these to a local pantry to help those in need during cold, winter months.

Here are the rest of the details:

Benjamas Taste of Thai Dinner

Tuesday, January 20th

7pm

$40 per person (does not include gratuity)

For reservations, call: 718.777.7918

Benjamas Taste of Thai – 34-16 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106
718.932.8826
N/W Train to Broadway
www.thaibenjamas.com

Roots and Vines - Sophisticated Street Food

Roots and Vines - 409 Grand Street, New York NY 10002
212.260.2363
F, J, M or Z Train to Delancey Street

I recently attended a food and drink tasting at Roots and Vines, a Lower East Side coffee bar that's been recently renovated. Also adding a unique menu of street food, this casual neighborhood spot offers a cool amalgamation of Vietnamese and Mexican cuisine. Lisa was my guest that night, and together we embarked on a colorful tasting of food, learning some new things along the way.

Atmosphere:
Situated on Grand Street, which is in the Southern part of the Lower East Side, Roots and Vines differentiates itself from the competition, which primarily rests North of Delancey Street. Grand Street itself isn't populated with too many restaurants, so you really have to keep your eyes peeled to notice Roots and Vines.

Once you step inside, you feel comfortable, as you're greeted by an open space with high ceilings and a modern, clean decor. You can tell that the place has been revamped without trying too hard--the tables and chairs look new but somehow achieve a lived in look. I especially like the long, wooden communal tables, which create a relaxed, social vibe.

The place was definitely bumpin' on a Wednesday night. I wouldn't exactly call it full but we saw a handful of people looking situated, drinking coffee, eating burgers or busily typing on their laptops, since Roots offers free Wi-fi.

Food:
Husband and wife team, Nguyen (Win) Huynh and Natalie Krodel who co-own Roots and Vines have a unique story. He's Vietnamese, raised in California, she's American raised in Minnesota and Florida. His passion lies in food, hers lies in coffee. Together, they've constructed a place that's near and dear to their hearts, melding both passions under one roof.

While Lisa and I got to experience the food, we're still curious about the coffee, which was missing from this tasting. Here are some of the highlights of our meal. While we tried everything, we had a strong preference for the Mexican food, feeling a bit underwhelmed by the Vietnamese offering.

Roast Pork Belly Taco - We were glad when this arrived, as the two dishes that preceded it were underwhelming. The pork was juicy and tender, topped with fresh veggies and herbs such as tomatoes, onions and cilantro. My favorite part was the homemade tortilla, which was light and not at all greasy. The side of avocado-cilantro sauce was so delicious and zesty that we hung on to it even after we finished the taco, intending to use it for other dishes yet to come.

Roasted Corn and Zucchini Quesadilla - What a great veggie option! Unlike some Mexican veggie dishes which can be tasteless, this one was bursting with flavor and originality. I loved the sweet onions in it--they were almost translucent and were a nice complement to the sweet zucchini and corn. The lattice of avocado-cilantro sauce and spicy mayo was yet another embellishment that made the quesadilla come to life.

Corn Avocado Salad with Carne Asada - This dish really surprised us and stood out as one of the best of the night. I appreciated the generous pieces of avocado--my favorite veg--along with pickled peppers onions and perfectly roasted corn. The best part of the salad for me were the thin, crunchy slices of homemade tortilla chips--they injected a whimsical element into the dish and made it fun to eat. The carne asada was missing completely, as I neither saw or tasted a trace of it and I think that it was forgotten. A helpful suggestion would be to use larger serving plates. Because of our small plates, the salad was hard to eat and we kept having to pick fallen scraps off the table, which was very annoying.

Cheeseburger - An absolute show-stopper of the tasting, both Lisa and I agreed that it was our ultimate favorite. We could hardly believe that we had room for it, as the dishes that preceded it were so hearty. But once it was placed in front of us, we couldn't wait to dig in. The bun was a work of art with a glaze so shiny that we could almost see our reflection in it. But the meat is what really impressed us--it was tender, juicy and as rich as butter. Although the portion was plentiful, it felt light and I easily could've dug into another piece.

Beer - We had the pleasure of tasting a variety of international beers. I took a look at the price list and saw that they're offered at reasonable cost. My favorite of the night was the 33 Export from Vietnam--it tasted fruity, with a hint of coffee. Other beers that we tried included Aguila from Colombia--lighter than the 33 but not as tasty--Imperial from Costa Rica and Tiger from Singapore.

Service and Cost:
The service was fantastic and the dishes were well spaced out. We felt special because we were waited on by Nguyen, one of the owners, who explained all the dishes to us and answered any questions that we had. He was also gracious to introduce us to his cook who made all the food, and it was nice to put a face to the delightful cuisine that we consumed.

Roots is fairly priced, especially compared to its hefty neighborhood competition. Appetizers range between $3.50 - $4.50, salads are in the $9 neighborhood and street food runs from $2 for a taco to about $6.50 for that delicious cheeseburger.

I'd recommend Roots for a casual weekday dinner, lunch or even for weekend brunch.

2 Mmmms

Cheese and Wine Tasting at Artisanal

Artisanal Premium Cheese Center - 500 West 37th Street, New York, NY 10018

877.797.1200

A/C/E Train to 34th Street or 42nd Street

www.artisanalcheese.com

Four of my girlfriends, Rikki, Katie, Julie, Janel and I took a really fun and educational Cheese and Wine 101 Class at Artisanal last Saturday. Aside from doing something different with friends and pretending to be grownups, we learned about various cheeses and how to pair them with wine.

Our Setup

The class included a fun welcome reception with snacks and champagne. I think that it was meant to be a meet-and-greet with fellow classmates but first impressions could be awkward and everyone hung out with people they knew. After that, we walked into a classroom-style setting, fully stocked with individual cheese plates and four types of wines for everyone. To say that we felt a little woozy after sampling the wine is an understatement--but no surprise there. We did pay $60 to drink and eat cheese for two hours--not a bad deal. Note that this class actually costs $75 but if you book it with a group of four or more you get a $15 break for each person.

Our Instructor

Our instructor was a lovely man by the name of Max McCalman. He's a cheese extraordinaire and author of two respected books called, The Cheese Plate and Cheese: A Connoisseur's Guide to the World's Best. He's got a great sense of humor, more than once telling us that the only thing left after good cheese is good sex. I doubt he's wrong!

Our Cheese

We tried 8 different types of cheeses, which spanned from a luxurious silky brie to a stinky Swiss Beer cheese. My favorite was called the Old Kentucky Tomme, which is a goat's milk cheese with mushroom overnotes. It has a smoky taste, which might be nice to crumble into a salad.

Our Wine
An offering of 2 whites and 2 reds was what we got with our cheese plate. From an '06 Gruner Veltliner from Austria (gentle and dry white) to an '00 Tempranillo from Spain (a dense fruity red), each had a distinct taste before and after the various cheeses. It was fun to observe how the taste of the wine changed on your tongue after each cheese--sometimes intensified and sometimes dulled.

Overall, the tasting was great experience for everyone. We bonded whether by agreeing about a particular cheese and wine pairing or getting grossed out about a cheese's "unique" smell. I can also see it being a fun thing to do with couples.

Interested in joining the next one? Click here.