Bonnie from BiteoftheBest.com

About Bonnie Tandy Leblang

Blogger Bonnie Tandy Leblang has been covering food since before it was hip to do so! She’s penned magazine, newspaper and syndicated food columns in addition to cookbooks. Follow her on twitter @BonnieBOTB and on Instagram@BiteoftheBest and at @BonnieBOTB "I eat for a living!” is her mantra, sharing what she’s sampled so you’ll know where (or where not) to go, plus what food products and gadgets to try. For her full bio go to the about us page.
X

A Return to Hutong, Midtown, NYC

This time, I knew where to find the Hutang restaurant, whose address is on Lexington Avenue. Its entrance is in the alley off 58th Street, where Le Cirque had been, halfway between Lex and Third. Hutang, by the way, means alley. We were there for the prix fixe $30 lunch offering a selection of appetizers, entrees and side dishes. Some sipped a glass of their one rosé selection, crisp and dry Chateau De Rouet, Reserve Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Cotes de Provence, France, 2023 ($22). Some started with their hot and sour soup, others the king prawn salad. The soup was tasty—peppery and tangy—but I prefer my homemade better. I prepare it [...]

By |2024-10-22T07:40:55-04:00October 20th, 2024|General Food Info, NYC Restaurant Reviews|1 Comment
Read More

A Sad Return to Electric Lemon + Circle Line Around Manhattan

After our end-of-summer Circle Line 2.5-hour cruise around Manhattan Island through Spuyten Duyvil Creek and down the Hudson back to the dock at Pier 83, I stopped at Electric Lemon with a friend for a light bite. If you have never done — or haven't taken the cruise in years — I highly recommend the trip on the boat around Manhattan. It's always informative with something new to learn about the city. As a regular reader, you'd know I've raved about Electric Lemon's deviled crab ($24). I've sent many people there just for that dish, as I loved their creamy ginger dressing and crunchy ginger crumb topping on the fresh [...]

By |2024-10-13T09:24:38-04:00October 18th, 2024|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Mexican at Fonda, Chelsea, NYC

After reading about Fonda's happy hour in Chelsea, I asked a friend to meet me there to sample their fare. When we arrived at happy hour, we learned that the offers were only available at the bar. Sadly, their barstools have no backs, making it uncomfortable for my aching back to sit without support. I requested one of the many empty booths next to the bar, explaining my back issue and mentioning that we also planned to order off the menu. Management declined. I'm guessing they haven't had a chance to read Danny Meyer's "Setting the Table," which focuses on hospitality or Will Guidara's "Unreasonable Hospitality," both of which I recommend. My [...]

By |2024-10-13T09:22:28-04:00October 16th, 2024|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Fiesta Dinnerware Pitcher

Fiesta Dinnerware has always been known for its fun mix-and-match bright colors. The colors were born from a desire during the Great Depression to cheer up the country with red, blue, green, yellow and ivory Fiestaware. This pottery, made in West Virginia, has been lead-safe since 1986. It can be used in the microwave, dishwasher and oven. I love that it has a 5-year chip replacement warranty and that you can buy one piece or place setting at a time. This large pitcher caught my eye ($59.99). It's about 8 x 5 x 7 and holds 67 ounces of liquid. It adds a pop of color to my table and [...]

By |2024-10-13T09:20:59-04:00October 14th, 2024|Kitchen Counter, Drawer and More, Of Interest, Products|0 Comments
Read More

New Location of Mission Ceviche, Union Square, NYC + Once Upon a Mattress

I first sampled Peruvian food in Lima over 50 years ago when I went to meet my newborn nephew, who is now 51. I recently stopped into the newly opened, grand Mission Ceviche in Union Square for more Peruvian fare. It's a sister to the original one on the Upper East Side. This one is spacious, with Italian marble bars for its ceviche and sushi station, a mosaic octopus at the entrance and an unusual rope chandelier with lots of fresh plants hanging from it lights the expansive restaurant designed by New World Design Builders with Peruvian-inspired fabrics reminiscent of the sea and a commissioned wall covering made of thousands of fish-shaped scales. [...]

By |2024-10-13T09:07:25-04:00October 12th, 2024|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
Read More

Winona’s, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, NYC

Winona’s is a family-run restaurant owned by Cressida Greening and Emir Dupeyron, who originally started it as a supper club in their apartment next door in Northern Bed-Stuy. I was invited to sample their seasonally driven food and natural wines. We started with their well-crafted cocktails. My dining partner had a Passion Sour ($16) made with pisco, Aperol, Shinola passionfruit liqueur and egg white. I sipped their forest Old Fashioned with housemade mushroom-infused bourbon plus scotch, Pedro Ximenez sherry and chocolate ($16). With our cocktails, we indulged in three must-have appetizers. We got every last drop of their smoked trout dip ($18) with housemade potato chips. Also delicious is their [...]

By |2024-10-13T09:14:46-04:00October 10th, 2024|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Happy Hour* Mediterranean ZIZI, Chelsea, NYC

One temperate night, I met a neighbor at ZIZI (formerly Zizi Limona), a modern Mediterranean restaurant on Eighth Avenue. Emmit, our server, mentioned that it was still happy hour and explained the offerings that included a martini selection from their few varieties and $6 off the small z's "3Z's" appetizer selection. I chose an espresso martini that included Spring 44 vodka, Luxardo espresso liqueur and espresso. We then selected their roasted head of cauliflower, the four falafel balls and the crazy baba (a blend of charred eggplant, feta and basil) with four large, warm pita ($23). We did order an entree but had no room for it, as we were [...]

By |2024-10-13T09:16:35-04:00October 8th, 2024|Big Apple Life, Happy Hours, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

The Italian Malaparte, West Village, NYC

Lifetime Fitness recently opened on 23rd Street, allowing access to those whose insurance offers Renew Active. I put my name on the waiting list in April and recently got in. I discussed books with the others in the women's steam room and then moved on to dining. One new friend mentioned that one of her favorites is the Italian Malparte, a place I had neither heard of nor been to. We decided to go together. We met at this intimate neighborhood eatery on Washington Street and started with a bottle of their Nero D'Avola ($50) while nibbling on fresh focaccia and sliced dense bread. I had to try their gorgonzola [...]

By |2024-10-13T09:18:48-04:00October 6th, 2024|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews|2 Comments
Read More

Carlotto, Flatiron-Gramercy, NYC

My friend raved about the restaurant week menu at Carlotto, a fairly new restaurant in our hood that neither of us had tried. We went on that recommendation. Our appetizer of their slow-roasted lamb rib "presse" was worth the trip with its tender braised meat with a seared finish to crips the edges with the unusual accompaniments of pickled chanterelles and salsa verde. I'd go back just for this dish. With it, we sipped the Rafael Tamassi Valpolicella Classico ($54). We ordered one $60 Restaurant Week menu, selecting the tender short rib with some potatoes and one asparagus. We then added an entree of slow-cooked wild boar ragú pappardelle. The [...]

By |2024-10-06T08:33:31-04:00October 4th, 2024|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Seafood at Oceana, Midtown West, NYC

On a rainy day recently, I met my financial advisor for lunch at Oceana, a restaurant he frequents because of its proximity. Expecting nothing other than money talk over seafood, I was pleasantly pleased by the attentive service of good food. I sipped a glass of their Sancerre with their lump crab cake in a mustard celery root remoulade puddle topped with frisée. I'd go back for that. And for their parfait ($15), reminiscent of the Good Humor truck's orange sherbet creamsicle filled with vanilla ice cream. Theirs tops olive oil cake with orange sorbet, orange cream and oatmeal crumble. A delightful place to get lunch pre-theatre. Oceana Midtown West 120 W. 49th [...]

By |2024-10-06T08:47:58-04:00October 2nd, 2024|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

City Vineyard, Hudson River Park, NYC

Each summer on the island of Manhattan, I try to visit each of my favorite Hudson River waterside haunts at least once. Some include The Frying Pan, Grand Banks, Drift In, Mezze (formerly the Merchant House) and City Vineyard, located at Pier 26. We chose the air-conditioning inside, as it was one of our hot and humid days. No one sat outside. I sipped an Aperol Spritz ($19), my dining partner, their Provencal rosè selection ($15). We were so busy solving the world's problems that I neglected to ask for our salad lightly dressed. The watermelon, arugula and feta salad ($22) came drenched in a balsamic glaze. We added (+$10) grilled [...]

By |2024-10-06T08:53:50-04:00September 30th, 2024|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Restaurant Week at Perry Street, West Village, NYC

When Restaurant Week first started, it was just that, one week. By the time you heard the buzz, it was often too late. No more. We now have four weeks, giving us ample time to make a res or two once we know it's happening. When I learned that Perry Street offered a special 3-course, $60 menu, I had to make a res. Jean-Georges Vongerichten's intimate waterfront restaurant in the Richard Meier Towers, and his son Cedric runs the kitchen. We each had the 3-course menu ($60) and wine pairings ($48). I chose the fresh sweet pea soup with crunch from an occasional crouton and topped with tendrils and flower petals. [...]

By |2024-10-06T08:59:36-04:00September 28th, 2024|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Sempre Oggi, Upper West Side, NYC

Sempre Oggi is a new Italian restaurant on the Upper West Side with a well-trained service staff. We met for a leisurely dinner at this restaurant, whose name loosely translated means "Always Today." They interpret that as embracing the very best of right now. This staff warmly welcomed me as I arrived at the hostess stand. That cordiality continued as I walked through the dining room and was seated at my table, with the service staff making eye contact and greeting me as I passed. I recommend their spin on an Aperol spritz that they did by adding select aperitivi ($15). The martini ($22) was also good. Sempre Oggi lists [...]

By |2024-10-06T09:03:57-04:00September 26th, 2024|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Grand Banks, Hudson River Parkway, Tribeca, NYC

When the weather is good, I try to frequent all my fav outdoor-by-the-water restaurants in Manhattan, from the Frying Pan to the North River Lobster Boat, with Grand Banks in between. These establishments are open only when the weather is good, and each offers awe-inspiring views. Grand Banks is in the water at the southwest edge of Hudson River Park's Pier 25 in Tribeca. These on-the-water locations are all special for different reasons. Grand Banks is the celebrated oyster bar aboard the historic wooden schooner Sherman Zwicker, whose chef is Kerry Hefferman. We went to celebrate my friend's big birthday. The crew raised the bar on birthdays, with each and every person [...]

By |2024-10-06T10:01:35-04:00September 24th, 2024|NYC Restaurant Reviews|2 Comments
Read More

Salinas, Chelsea, NYC + Pilobolus @ The Joyce Theater

What a find! We were off to see the second Pilobulus re:CREATION dynamic dance performances at The Joyce, looking for a new place to grab a bite. We ended up in the glass-roofed garden room at Salinas on Ninth, serving authentic Spanish cuisine from Chef Luis Bollo, a native of San Sebastian, in the heart of Basque Country. We shared everything, starting with their bravas con huevas marinas ($21), crispy potatoes topped with lumpfish caviar and shaved bottarga in a tasty brava sauce; their Canary Island octopus ($31) with black beans and Meyer lemon; and two pieces of the classic grilled tomato bread ($14), our only disappointment. For the entrees, we [...]

By |2024-08-18T07:57:48-04:00September 22nd, 2024|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
Read More

Staycation at the Dream Downtown, Chelsea, NYC

Upon realizing that I could buy a resort pass to the Dream Downtown hotel in Chelsea only a few blocks away, I decided to take a staycation there and enjoy catching up on my book group reading by their pool. To get there from the lobby, one ascends the stairs to the 4-foot-deep pool, which—of course—has drink and food service chairside. Fresh ice water is continually refreshed. Many others had the same idea, as there wasn't an unoccupied lounge poolside. I photographed my neighbors' food and my freshly made guacamole with chips served with chili-dipped triangles of jicama ($19). My neighbor enjoyed the "chopped" salad ($18) with avocado, queso fresco, [...]

By |2024-09-21T11:24:54-04:00September 20th, 2024|NYC Restaurant Reviews, USA Travel|1 Comment
Read More

Pinto Garden, West Village, NYC + & Sons Steakeasy’s Father’s Study Speakeasy

After perusing the neighborhood options for restaurant week, we chose Pinto Garden, a Thai restaurant from Chef Teerawong "Yo" Nanthavatsiri that opened in 2016 on 10th Street. We chose the $45 restaurant week dinner menu, being happily flabbergasted that it included a cocktail. I tried their Smoke Gets in Your Eyes smoky old-fashioned, my dining partner their I Like Me Better with gin, Melon Calpico, lime juice and italacus liqueur. Both tasty. We shared the fresh rolls of rice paper wrapped with vegetables and spicy peanut dressing and the papaya salad of green papaya, tomatoes, snake beans, peanuts and garlic in a palm sugar vinaigrette. I loved the flavor of [...]

By |2024-09-21T11:28:54-04:00September 18th, 2024|Big Apple Life, NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Speakeasys|0 Comments
Read More

Le Rivage, Theatre Row, NYC + Hell’s Kitchen

Silly me. I've avoided dining on Theatre Row, remembering it as too touristy. I decided to book the longtime French bistro serving classic fare in an old-world, rustic setting, mentioning we were celebrating a birthday. Since reading both Danny Meyer's "Setting the Table" and Will Guidara's "Unreasonable Hospitality," focusing on hospitality, I've been noticing exceptional service even more. The hostess warmly greeted me as I entered the restaurant for lunch, inquiring whose birthday it was. I said, mine. A few minutes after being seated, my server came to the table, introduced himself, welcomed me by name and said, Happy Birthday! We were off to a great, hospitable start. When my guest [...]

By |2024-09-21T11:30:51-04:00September 16th, 2024|NYC Best Bites, NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
Read More

Lightship Frying Pan, Hudson River Park, NYC

For decades, I’ve been taking out-of-towners and local New Yorkers to the historic Lightship Frying Pan, the floating eatery in the water west of 26th Street. The lightship moved from Pier 63 to Pier 66 and added the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Float Transfer Bridge to give access to it. The Lightship Frying Pan — and the John J. Harvey retired FDNY Fireboat that sits next to it — are on the National Register of Historic Places. Each summer, the service aboard changes. I loved the year they offered table service after ordering with a QR code on the table that ID’d where you sat. They returned to ordering at [...]

By |2024-09-21T15:24:16-04:00September 14th, 2024|Big Apple Life, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More

Mezze (Formerly Merchant River House), Hudson River Esplanade, NYC

One warm summer afternoon, we walked the Hudson River Park walkway down the Esplanade right below Brookfield Place to Mezze, formerly the Merchant River House, for outdoor dining. The staff sat us in the smaller outdoor space near the entrance. I suggest requesting the more spacious outdoor terrace through the restaurant to that porch, where the views are more spectacular not blocked by the entrance. Since it was restaurant week, one of us had the $60 3-course meal: grilled pita with baba ghanoush, lamb chops with mint relish and sauteéd kale, and lemon sorbet for dessert. The chops were minuscule but tasty; we left most of the kale as it [...]

By |2024-09-21T11:32:47-04:00September 12th, 2024|NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
Read More
Copyright 2012 - 2021 BiteOfTheBest | All Rights Reserved
Toggle Sliding Bar Area
Go to Top