Free Cocktail at L'Ecole for Foodista Readers

I'm delighted to announce a special promotion for you, loyal readers, which comes from one of my Manhattan culinary favorites, French Culinary Institute's, L'Ecole.  For those of you who haven't yet been, I strongly encourage it, as it's a student-run French restaurant, supervised by the school's master chefs.  The two parties work hand-in-hand to create an elegant, sophisticated and delicious experience.  I've dined there on several occasions and have always been more than satisfied.

So....here's the deal - in honor of L'Ecoles new bar menu, which rolled out yesterday, Foodista readers will get a complimentary cocktail during their first visit when they order any bar menu selection through March 15th.  All you have to do is mention "Foodista" when you place your order. 

I hope you take advantage of this fun special.  Just to whet your appetite a bit, here are examples of the mouth-watering dishes you can expect on the new bar menu:

- L'Ecole's charcuterie plate
- Cavatelli with rock shrimp
- Fava beans and ricotta salata
- Gruyere bacon burger on a brioche bun served with French fries with bone marrow bernaise
- Chocolate bread pudding with caramel sauce and chestnut ice cream

L'Ecole - 462 Broadway, New York NY 10013
212.219.3300
6 Train to Spring Street
www.frenchculinary.com/lecole

Guest Foodista Ana Reviews Veslo

Today's post will shine a light on an enthusiastic Astorian who's a Foodista and We Heart Astoria reader.  Ana lives and breathes Astoria, often chiming in about neighborhood happs, and she's involved with her community.  Being of Croatian descent, Ana was especially excited when Veslo, a new Croatian restaurant moved into the neighborhood.  Here Ana gives you her personal take on dining in this new, up-and-coming eatery.

Drop Your Anchor At Veslo by Ana Peraica-Stanton

I have the honor of reviewing a great new restaurant called Veslo that is close to home, being that I am Croatian. I decided to go here for my birthday and had the pleasure of dining with my husband Robert, my cousin Joann & her husband Paul and it was great. If you have been to or are from Croatia, it makes you feel like you are transported back there from the décor to the food and overall atmosphere. Definitely check it out if you want a small taste of Croatia without the travel. The service was great and the food was even better…I could not have asked for a more lovely evening.

Atmosphere:
There is a lounge, bar area when you first walk in. The restaurant is located in the back. It has a very inviting, comfortable, home like feeling. Overall, I would say it is casual but elegant at the same time. There are oars hanging from the ceiling and authentic Croatian antiques on the shelves along the wall, which gives you an indication of the Dalmatian inspired cuisine to come.

Food:
Here is a sampling of what we had to eat, which was all together wonderfully delicious!

Appetizers:

Grilled Octopus - The octopus was soft and tender and tasted wonderful.

Stuffed Mushrooms - Stuffed with meat and vegetables, these mushrooms were some of the best I’ve had.  They had meat mixed into the stuffing that made it extra tasty and flavorful.

Chef Boris Special - Hot seafood platter with clams oreganata, steamed mussels in a white wine sauce, grilled calamari, sautéed shrimp and eggplant rollatini. Everything tasted divine. Everything was cooked well in its own way, but the eggplant rollatini was my favorite. It wasn’t at all oily; there was a perfect amount of cheese and sauce.

Entrees:

Homemade Gnocchi in Veal Sauce - I’ve had gnocchi plenty of times, but these were awesome. They were light and soft, not leaving heaviness in your stomach, and the veal sauce had plenty of meat and flavor to add.

Lobster Ravioli - Homemade lobster ravioli prepared in a light white wine saffron sauce. There was plenty of lobster in the filling, and the ravioli itself was cooked nicely…not mushy at all. The sauce complimented it very well.

Grilled Sea Bass - Grilled Sea Bass served in a light lemon sauce. This was what I ordered and my favorite dish of the night. The Sea Bass was cooked perfectly…moist, tender and flaky with a crisp skin topped with a little olive oil, garlic and lemon. You don’t need anything else except a fork to eat it with. The Swiss chard and potatoes were a perfect accompaniment.

Mixed Seafood Platter - A mixed platter of grilled lobster tail, filet of sole, shrimp and calamari along with steamed clams and mussels in a white wine sauce. This was a fantastic fish dish to order if you wanted a little taste of everything, and it was all good.

Dessert:

Palačinke - Dalmatian style crepes served with chocolate, cheese or mixed marmalade filling. We had the palačinke filled with Nutella, topped with a little powdered sugar. They were warm with the Nutella melted a little in the middle. What a lovely dessert to end the evening with!

Tiramisu - I am not a fan of tiramisu, but decided to try it and it was really good…very creamy and tasty.

Chocolate Cake - I love chocolate cake, but did not enjoy this one that much. It was a little heavy on the rum.

Service and Cost:
We were seated right away and offered coat check. The waiter greeted us, introduced himself and was polite and fun throughout the evening. He brought over bread with an olive spread and extra virgin olive oil for dipping. Menus were given and drinks were ordered…a bottle of red and a bottle of white. We did not wait long for the food to arrive. And the best part was when the dessert came and everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to me! The owner came over at the end of the evening, asked how everything was and thanked us for coming which was very nice.

Overall costs are moderate to high and worth every penny. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended during evening hours especially on weekends.

I will definitely be returning again soon, and bringing with me some of my non-Croatian friends so they can also experience a little bit of Dalmatian culture. I also look forward to when the small backyard they have will be open in warmer weather where I heard they will be offering whole roasted baby lamb, goat and/or pig on a spit fire roast grill.

Dobar Tek! (good appetite)

3 Mmmms

Veslo - 32-11 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106
718.728.0549
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.veslonyc.com

Gameday Dessert - Second Round with Wonton Cups

It's gameday - one of the greatest days of the year for American sports and also for American food.  Every year, I prepare something new and innovative, last year producing savory wonton cups filled with ground turkey, topped with wasabi mayonnaise.  And though people enjoyed them, I wasn't completely happy with the actual wonton cups, as they came out too well done.

This year, I wanted to give this versatile dough another try, producing a sweet version.  I baked the pre-made wonton wrappers I got at a local Korean supermarket for 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven.  They remained milky white, yet a little golden around the edges, which is just what I wanted.  I then stuffed them with fruit salad of berries and tangerines, made by my cousin Stephanie.  To top this sweet treat, I made fresh whipped cream with a little bit of sugar and then sprinkled that with a light dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder.

The result is a crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside treat that's poppable and delicious.  I'm about to go to Moses and Sonya's Superbowl party to see how it'll be received.  As an extra precaution, I'm bringing a jar of Nutella with me just in case. *wink*

Happy Superbowl Readers!

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

Spanish-Style Potato, Red Pepper Frittata

I had my cousins with their two adorable twin girls come by the other weekend and I decided to make a brunch treat.  My mission was to go with something easy and quick, so I naturally selected a frittata.  Originally, I was planning to make one with tomatoes and cheese but changed my mind quickly when I saw this recipe for a potato, red pepper version, that reminded me of a Spanish-style tortilla. 

Overall, the dish wasn't difficult to make, the only pain was frying up the potatoes.  I made the mistake by first just sauteeing them, but they didn't get soft enough. So...I took them out and fried them on a non-stick surface.  The trick worked and they were super crispy and delicious - sort of like Greek fries I've had at Zenon Taverna or Taverna Kyclades.  Once you get the potatoes done, it's all a piece of cake, as you can pour the eggs right over them along with the peppers and the onions. 

The whole thing was a delicious and very filling dish that felt a lot more substantial in your belly than it appears.

Here's the recipe - I hope you enjoy it. 

Mini Superbowl Round-Up

Sunday...Sunday - it's the sporting event most of the nation has been waiting for these past five months.  The Superbowl, of course.  While most places in the nabe are doing business as usual, there are a couple of establishments that are having specials, discounts and extended happy hours that I wanted to highlight.  So whether you choose to visit one of these places or simply stay home and make your own football feast, I hope you have a great time doing it.

Testaccio - While unexpected, this stylish Italian eatery will showcase the game from 4 p.m. - 11 p.m. with half off all draft and bottled beers.  But aside from the drinks, the food will be on special too, with a $10 price for fried calamari & zucchini, wood-oven roasted pizza rolls with ham and fontina, schiaciatta with potatoes, gorgonzola & anchovies, shrimp cocktail with Italian cocktail sauce and more.  They're even offering a take-out option, the "Testaccio Super Bowl Party Platter," which is chock-full-of munchie goodness.  47-30 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City. 718.937.2900

Gleason's - Although still formulating their game-plan, Gleason's will of course be showing the game on multiple screens and will have a plethora of drinks specials and even a dedicated Superbowl menu.  Stop by if you're in the mood for a lively, social atmosphere.  33-08 Broadway, Astoria.  718.626.5393

Ditmars Station - Previously known as YOLO, you can certainly count on Ditmars Station to ring in the football festivities.  They boast two huge, stadium-style TV screens where you can really see the action up close and personal, and in terms of food and drinks, they'll be having beer and appetizer specials that night.  22-55 31st Street, Astoria.  718.777.1177

Astoria Brewhouse - Another fun place to enjoy a good sporting event, you can either hang out up-front in the dimply lit bar area, or you can enjoy the more intimate feel of the indoor patio with tea lights, comfy seating and of course those big TVs.  For the Superbowl, they'll feature happy hour prices on pitchers of beer, wings and various appetizers.  28-50 31st Street, Astoria. 718.728.0050

Veslo - One of the newest additions to the nabe is also having Superbowl specials starting at 6:30 p.m. You'll enjoy 2-for-1 drafts, Bud, Bud Light and well drinks.  In terms of food, you can get any of Veslo's Dalmatian creations or their wings and ribs special.  32-11 Broadway, Astoria.  718.728.0549

Have fun, and good luck to both teams!

S'Mac Turned the Volume Way Up

S'Mac - 345 East 12th Street, New York NY 10003
212.358.7912
L Train to 1st Avenue
www.smacnyc.com

Enjoying a fun girl's night yesterday, my friends and I chose the East Village for dinner -selecting a restaurant entirely focused on mac 'n cheese.  S'Mac, a specialty mac 'n cheese eatery, came highly recommended by Michelle, who not only claimed the food was delicious, she also raved about the affordable prices.  I'm happy to say that she was completely right about both.

Atmosphere:
Fitting in with its "anything goes" East Village surroundings, S'Mac is a very casual, cheery establishment that doesn't skimp out on color and playful decor.  I immediately noticed the bright orange and yellow chairs, the funky light fixtures and a generally laid-back, happy vibe.  It seemed like a great gathering place, as you didn't much see intimate groups of two, rather encountering larger groups of friends feasting and relaxing over big, heaping cast iron skillets of mac 'n cheese.

Food:
I loved how pure and focused the menu was - solely concentrating on mac 'n cheese, which comes in 12 varieties and even vegan and build-your-own options.  There are three sizes, which you can get--nosh (small), major munch (medium), mongo (large), partay! (super-sized)--and the larger ones are great for sharing.  We chose three macs and a salad too, to infuse some vitamins in with all that starch.

Parisienne - By far my favorite option, we got it with whole wheat pasta and a crunchy breadcrumb topping that was really well-done, just the way I like it.  The inside was simply divine, consisting of gooey brie cheese, slivers of roasted figs that added nice sweetness and roasted shiitake mushrooms.  One of the other components that made this dish was the fresh rosemary, bringing out the greatness in each ingredient, leaving you with a clean, earthy aftertaste.

Cajun - A close second to the Parisienne, this one had a kick to it that jolted the palate to attention.  Choosing a white pasta for this, it was mixed with cheddar and pepper-jack cheese, spicy andouille sausage, green peppers, onions, celery, garlic and some classic Cajun seasoning.  The dish had soul and personality and a lot of us spice lovers kept reaching for seconds and thirds.  I could've handled a little more spice if we're being honest with each other, but overall the flavors delivered.

Mediterranean - While still tasty, this mac 'n cheese option was my least favorite.  Even though the ingredients of goat cheese, sauteed spinach, kalamata olives and roasted garlic caught my eye, they somehow didn't work as harmoniously as the other two options I just mentioned.  Another slight negative was that the pasta was dressed with way too much lemon juice and lemon rind that it was overpowering - and I'm not the only one that noticed.

Service and Cost:
There's a counter up front where you order, then get a number, and eventually get your food and drinks delivered table-side.  The service is good and also very casual, which adds to the restaurant's charm.  The semi self-serve option is welcome and eliminates the risk of bad table-side service.

Costs are inexpensive and S'Mac's options are very conducive to sharing, which also helps keep the wallet full. 

Nosh - $4.75 -$7.25
Major Munch - $7.75 - $10.75
Mongo - $13.50 - $19
Partay! - $33 - $47

3 Mac 'n Cheesy Mmmms