Big Apple Life

A collection of posts on Life in the Big Apple along with interviews with foodie friends

Warm Soup after Bryant Park Holiday Mart, NYC

My ex-expat group has traditionally had a December outing to visit one of the city's many holiday shops followed by our holiday luncheon.  This year was a tad different. Ten of us met and shopped at the Bryant Park Holiday Mart 2020, open through January 3rd, 2021. Because of the pandemic, we didn't plan a luncheon. Three of us brave soles ate outside (yes, outside) at Bryant Park Grill, after asking them to turn on the gas heaters. When the server requested our drink order,  I thought a second, then asked if they could make an Irish Coffee ($15) to both warm my innards and hands! That sparked one friend's [...]

By |2021-01-03T08:38:08-05:00December 28th, 2020|Big Apple Life|0 Comments
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Yoon Haeundae Galbi, Koreatown, NYC

COVID-19 is getting me to discover neighborhoods to dine when looking for a halfway place to meet uptown friends. This time we stumpled upon Yoon Haeundae Galbi in Koreatown, a place I'd recommend for lunch. We started with their huge steamed Galbi dumplings ($13 for four) filled with ground short rib, chives and tofu. Almost a meal in itself. We each smartly chose one of their lunch specials. One friend had the grilled mackerel ($20) while I had the sirloin bulgogi ($22), with us both choosing flavorful hot kimchi stew as our accompaniment. My other friend chose the galbi bibimbap in the hot stone bowl ($18) with marinated short rib [...]

By |2021-01-03T08:34:41-05:00December 24th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Times Square Meal at Lillie’s Victorian, NYC

The Times Square location of Lillie's Victorian is on 49th Street, which used to be a bustling area filled with theatres goers. Sadly no longer. We met there as it was a half-way point between downtown and the Upper East Side to grab a bite. We, of course, started with cocktails. I sipped my very smoky Old Fashioned ($15); my friend their Writers Block ($15), consisting of cucumber-infused Vodka, Elderflower with a splash of seltzer. We shared their traditional Caesar Salad ($14) and then Lillie's half-pound cheeseburger from a certified Angus beef blend that came with fries ($17.50). We changed to their Parmesan ones (+$2). Loved that they cut the [...]

By |2020-12-19T14:34:36-05:00December 21st, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Dos Caminos, SoHo, NYC

Being in the mood for Mexican, I met a friend at Dos Caminos at the corner of Houston and West Broadway in SoHo. The Cadilac margarita with Espolon Resposado tequila with Grand Marnier and lime juice ($16) was quite tasty and not too sweet. We enjoyed that with their made-to-order guacamole with a trio of salsas — salsa verde, roasted tomato & habañero — and warm corn tortilla chips ($17, small). We were off to a good start until I headed to the restroom. I was appalled to see how filthy it was at the start of the weekend at 6 pm on a Friday. I can only imagine what [...]

By |2020-12-19T14:55:43-05:00December 14th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Central Park Walk then A Bite at Eats, Upper East Side, NYC

After a stroll through Central Park, we walked over to Lexington to grab a bite at Eats, an American bistro. We sat outside under their tent to block some of the wind and near a heater to keep warm. My dining accompanied enjoyed the EATS vodka mule  ($15) and I had a Bulliet Old Fashioned ($15). We each ordered their lamb burger ($23) medium-rare served topped with fresh Pico de Gallo on a toasted pretzel bun.  My lamb was tasty even though it was overcooked.  ( For the best lamb burger, go to  L'Express in the Gramercy-Flatiron area.) Both being fry lovers, we had asked for ours slightly well done. [...]

By |2020-12-19T14:54:00-05:00December 12th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Breakfast at Oscar’s Place, West Village

One COVID silver-lining is that neighborhood restaurants are on the rise.  Oscar's Place, in the West Village, is one of them. It's not a place to see or be seen. Instead, it's a place to dine outside without the crowds. Simple, decent food. We each had Oscar's Classic English Breakfast ($19.95) with eggs. I had mine poached; my dining partner scrambled. That came with crisp bacon, Myer's pork sausage, sauteed mushrooms, fried tomatoes and baked beans. The menu stated Amy's bread but instead, we were served plain sliced bread ($1.25) with butter and jam.  My friend ordered a glass of orange juice ($5.75). I'd recommend it for an away from [...]

By |2020-12-19T14:46:02-05:00December 8th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Returned to Pera, Midtown East, NYC

I first dined at Pera Midtown ten years ago; since then I've been dining at and enjoying their SoHo location. ​I met a friend who had just moved back to the city; the restaurant was about halfway. We shared a bottle of Cortese, Moncalvi Gavi di Gavi, Piedmont, Italy ($45) while nibbling a few apps.  We started with the Pera dip trio ($17) that oddly was served with fried pita chips instead of their soft and warm traditional bread. Disappointing. Also not up to par was their spicy pepper “muammara” with marinated pepper paste, roasted bell peppers and walnuts as the nuts had turned rancid. Our waiter replaced that with [...]

By |2020-12-07T15:59:59-05:00December 6th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Return to Friend of a Farmer on Irving, Gramercy, NYC

Since my friend didn't go out much, we booked a table at Friend of a Farmer for our meal mid-afternoon to avoid as many people as possible. I had their grass-fed burger ($18) topped with sautéed onions, Cheddar cheese, chipotle aioli, sliced tomato, fresh arugula and bacon. I had to cut this delicious burger in half to manage eating it. It came with a side of their yummy fries. My friend's grilled chicken ($16) with avocado, sliced tomatoes, onions and mozzarella cheese all wrapped in a flour tortilla was a bit disappointing as it was quite bland.  It came with a side salad.  Good thing we ordered some extra fries. [...]

By |2020-12-07T16:04:57-05:00December 3rd, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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A Stop at Starbucks Reserve Roastery, Chelsea, NYC

You couldn't miss the enticing aroma of freshly roasted coffee when you walked in the Starbucks Reserve Roastery's door Pre-COVID. I met a friend at the Roastery on 9th Avenue to yak while her iPhone was being fixed as it wasn't far from my home and only a block from the Apple store. I hadn't realized the Roastery served food in addition to their pastries and coffees. My friend had ordered the smoked salmon topped avocado toast ($9). To join her, I ordered a cappuccino. She said the toast tasted even better than it looked. And, if looked amazingly appetizing. (And, avocado toast is not my favorite. Our friendly waiter also served cheese, [...]

By |2020-11-24T13:18:44-05:00November 20th, 2020|Big Apple Life|0 Comments
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Dinner at Bistango at The Kimberly Hotel, Midtown, NYC

I returned to Bistango midtown to celebrate a friend's birthday. Much of their outdoor space is under an awning with tables nicely spaced apart and heaters above. We happen to have arrived in time for a happy hour mule ($13), my friend had the special pear version made with Tito's, spiced pear and ginger beer. I had a regular one; both came in traditional copper mugs. Our server brought us hummus and bread, serving me regular sliced, my friend gluten-free. Off to a great start. She started with their sliced Honeycrisp apple and Prosciutto ($16) over mixed greens along with toasted pecans in a fig vinaigrette. Next, she had the [...]

By |2020-11-03T08:57:48-05:00November 10th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Other happenings|0 Comments
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Lamb Burger at North Square, Washington Square, NYC

I had dined at North Square on the northwest corner of Washington Square many years ago. The yummy lobster and crab cake that I so loved was no longer on the menu. My dining partner recommended their lamb burger that came with pickled veggies, lemon aïoli and French fries ($16). It was good, yet I much prefer the one served at L'Express and would recommend that if you're looking for that dish.  At this attractive outdoor space, the service is very attentive and friendly.   North Square Washington Square Area 103 Waverly Pl New York, NY 10011 (212) 254-1200 northsquareny.com

By |2022-04-20T14:56:30-04:00November 8th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Freezing Vegetables: Blanch First

My cousin Barbara used to call at dinner time when my sons were young and ask, "If I were a bluefish, how would you cook me?" This time she had an abundance of bluefish that a friend had caught and wanted to know what to do with it. I was her Betty Crocker; her Julia Child helping her with cooking issues. She should have called before freezing her fresh Brussels sprouts. She had frozen them fresh and wondered why they were inedible. Blanching — scalding vegetables in boiling water or over steam for a short time then plunging into ice water to stop the cooking process — is a must [...]

By |2020-11-10T20:05:44-05:00November 6th, 2020|WOW|0 Comments
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Lunch at Bryant Park Grill, Midtown, NYC

I've enjoyed many a meal at Bryant Park Grill in their European-style spacious garden terrace behind the landmark New York Public Library. This time from the get-go, the staff couldn't get their act together to properly service the five of us. Our table was set for five; we had four water glasses. One friend requested lemon for her water while I ordered an Aperol Spritzer ($16), my then-current libation. The waiter brought the lemon; no water or cocktail. Sadly, this was de rigueur for our entire dining experience. Good thing that most of the food was better than the service. Both sliders — pulled pork BBQ ($17.50) and hamburger ($16.95) [...]

By |2020-11-10T20:09:33-05:00November 5th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Return to The Little Owl, West Village, NYC

Thought brunch at the West Village neighborhood corner gem The Little Owl would be fun for a college freshman new to the area. Instead of my usual Aperol spritzer, I sampled their Cappelletti spritzer ($15) after learning that the restaurant is not allowed to have a liquor license as they are too close to a school. The NYS Liquor Authority can only issue a wine and beer license within 200 feet of a school or place of worship. Cappelletti may be the oldest style of the classic red bitter still in production. Was quite tasty! I ordered my chilaquiles ($15) with poached instead of the menu-stated over-easy eggs. The spicy [...]

By |2020-11-10T20:02:49-05:00October 31st, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Another Ferry Ride to DUMBO for Lunch at Ignazio’s, NYC

The last time I took the ferry to Dumbo, I walked right past Ignazio's, a pizzeria on the corner of  Water Street almost under the Brooklyn Bridge, a restaurant that my friend had raved about. We decided to go together to sample their thin-crust pies. Being indecisive — and wanting to sample two varieties  — we tried half and half. Half white clam pizza and half classic with fresh mozzarella, Italian plum tomatoes and pecorino romano cheese. We asked to have that topped with meatballs ($24.50). I sipped their house pinot grigio ($11 a large portion in a plastic cup) while awaiting our pizza. We share a Caesar salad ($12.50), [...]

By |2020-11-10T20:07:13-05:00October 28th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Go Quickly to Drift In, Hudson River Park as It’s Closing For The Season

Hudson River Park is one of my favorite spots to walk during COVID. This time when I arrived with a friend, we noticed that the Drift In was open, serving food and drink in a new waterfront hangout. This restaurant is from the team that also brings you Grand Banks. Go this week Stop by quickly if you want to visit, as it's only open through October 31, 2020. We only had a glass of pinot grigio ($12)  and shared their yummy fries served with sage aioli and spicy ketchup ($7.50) as my friend was heading out to dinner. This restaurant also serves sandwiches, surf and turf and, of course, [...]

By |2020-10-26T13:29:31-04:00October 24th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Laotian Food at Khe Yo, Tribeca, NYC

None of us had sampled Laotian food before our alfresco lunch at Khe-Yo (that translates into "green") on Duane Street in Tribeca. The restaurant opened in 2013 as New York’s first Laotian eatery with Marc Forgione as a co-owner/Partner. I requested their Khe-Yo Mule made with their house Thai Chili infused vodka ($16), one of my friends had the Tequila Blanco with Campari & grapefruit juice ($16). Both quite tasty. The three of us shared the Berkshire Pork Spring Rolls ($18 for three, cut in thirds), packed with flavorful pork. Little did we know — as our server didn't inform us — that when we asked for more of the [...]

By |2020-10-25T08:24:32-04:00October 22nd, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Alfresco Dining at La Bonne Soup, Midtown, NYC

I returned to La Bonne Soupe as it was a good halfway meeting point with a friend. We sipped our Aperol spritzer ($12) while perusing the menu. Sadly none of my regular options were available on the limited outdoor menu. While looking over the menu, a woman at the next table stood up opened her arms in a welcoming way and took her mask off so I could see her face. It was my friend and fellow Dame Maria Loi, chef-owner of Loi Estiatorio who says she dines there every Sunday as her restaurant is closed and she lives on the block. What a treat to see her. Our order [...]

By |2020-10-25T08:29:26-04:00October 16th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Alfresco Dining at Bazar Tapas Bar and Restaurant, Chelsea, NYC

With the great produce from the Union Square farmers' market, I'd been making salads nightly. So when I stopped into Bazar Tapas after shopping at the Saturday market, I was craving fried food, something I don't do at home. I sipped my Aperol Spritzer (my summer drink) while I looked over the menu and chatted with my friendly server. Their crackling calamari, lightly battered and fried so the pieces were tender came with both marinara and chipotle aioli ($16). My Pommes Frites were tasty — crispy on the outside and soft inside as before. The order was missing their menu stated adobo aioli ($8).  These are regular sized servings, not [...]

By |2020-10-25T08:32:00-04:00October 13th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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Lightship Frying Pan (Pier 66 Maritime), On The Water, NYC

After a fun day sailing on the Hudson, we walked over to the Frying Pan for a bite to eat. This Lightship, built in 1929, is docked at Pier 66 about three blocks north of Chelsea Piers. This ship's restaurant had always been one of my favorite places to bring friends, as it always pleased. Their COVID system has QR codes unique to each table for their menu and to order.  When your order is ready, the server brings it right to your table along with the plastic tools and paper napkins. One friend ordered the large peel 'n eat shrimp boil with a pound of shrimp in flavorful well-seasoned [...]

By |2020-10-13T13:53:43-04:00October 10th, 2020|Big Apple Life, Rambling|0 Comments
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