Mary Ann's
(Mexican)
116 8th Ave (Chelsea)
New York, NY 10011
(212) 633-0877
Mexican. Always a favorite food choice (I just can't deal with the question of "what is your favorite food?", doesn't work for me, there's too many....)
Mary Ann's is always enjoyable, and part of the experience is trying to digest all of the endless menu options! Such good margaritas!! Their strawberry margarita was excellent, it has lime in it too so it's tangy, yum. So many options, each with so many flavors, so hard to decide. Specials always sound good too. We tend to devour their chips and salsa consistently.
Tonight's choices were Tequila lime shrimp, with plenty of red onion and artichoke, great flavors. The salad on the side had avo vinegrette, and the shrimp was served atop green rice. We also had the 'Alambre" I think, "Brochette" or skewer of chicken, shrimp, tomatoes, onions, peppers. Good, not outstanding. Served with black beans and green rice. The guacamole at the neighbors table was supposedly a small, but it looked huge! We saw a few tables leave with half the guac left a least. Something maybe to get with a bigger group. A good after-work staple.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Curry kicks
Angon on the Sixth
East Village
320 E 6th St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 260-8229
After living in England for nearly four years, you develop a keen taste for Indian curry. In England, curry houses are everywhere, and even run-of-the-mill pubs serve Indian or Thai curry. So yum. I don't think I'd had a proper curry until I moved across the pond, as my Indian house-mate in college tried only once, and not very successfully, to cook for us, somewhat disastrous. Now that I discovered that Indian curries are also about flavor, not JUST spice, well needless to say I became addicted. So many great places in London, one of my favorites was right around the corner from my last flat in Little Venice, Akash, on Edgeware Road, tiny little place with divine curries. Then there was the place we rode our bikes to in Cambridge.... sigh, memories. But that is all besides the point!
So my husband and I decided to re-live our UK fondness for curry and try out one of the many curry houses in the East Village. With so many to choose from, we took a page out of the Shecky's Best of NYC book (literally) and followed it to their vote for best Indian on "curry row", Angon on the 6th, on 6th St of course. We passed many other contenders, including a modern-looking place called Brick Lane, named after London's curry-row, with a great-looking menu (yup look for that one in future entries!).
We arrived at our destination and went down a short flight of stairs to the lower level restaurant. It was dimly lit with many hanging lanterns, candles and strings of lights which managed to distract you from the fact that they sure do cram a lot of restaurant-goers into a limited space! It was loud and busy, but fun and festive at the same time. Pappadoms came with the meal, the kind with pepper in them, and the various dipping sauces. I'm used to the thick mango chutney in London, which didn't seem to be an option, but the sauces were good. Indian beers were just right, Kingfisher for only about $4. The chicken curry and lamb bhuna were delicious, very reminiscent of our UK curries, with chunks of tomatoes, onions, and in the chicken curry potatoes as well. The basmati rice was great, with a sprinkling of caramelized onions on top. The bhuna was a bit thicker, and the sauce had great flavor. The naan bread was a highlight, so warm and buttery and soft; amazing and fresh. Great for dipping in the curries.
Service was slow at the end of the meal, it seemed no one wanted to bring us the check for ages, but we would go back for sure for some more de-lish curry!
East Village
320 E 6th St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 260-8229
After living in England for nearly four years, you develop a keen taste for Indian curry. In England, curry houses are everywhere, and even run-of-the-mill pubs serve Indian or Thai curry. So yum. I don't think I'd had a proper curry until I moved across the pond, as my Indian house-mate in college tried only once, and not very successfully, to cook for us, somewhat disastrous. Now that I discovered that Indian curries are also about flavor, not JUST spice, well needless to say I became addicted. So many great places in London, one of my favorites was right around the corner from my last flat in Little Venice, Akash, on Edgeware Road, tiny little place with divine curries. Then there was the place we rode our bikes to in Cambridge.... sigh, memories. But that is all besides the point!
So my husband and I decided to re-live our UK fondness for curry and try out one of the many curry houses in the East Village. With so many to choose from, we took a page out of the Shecky's Best of NYC book (literally) and followed it to their vote for best Indian on "curry row", Angon on the 6th, on 6th St of course. We passed many other contenders, including a modern-looking place called Brick Lane, named after London's curry-row, with a great-looking menu (yup look for that one in future entries!).
We arrived at our destination and went down a short flight of stairs to the lower level restaurant. It was dimly lit with many hanging lanterns, candles and strings of lights which managed to distract you from the fact that they sure do cram a lot of restaurant-goers into a limited space! It was loud and busy, but fun and festive at the same time. Pappadoms came with the meal, the kind with pepper in them, and the various dipping sauces. I'm used to the thick mango chutney in London, which didn't seem to be an option, but the sauces were good. Indian beers were just right, Kingfisher for only about $4. The chicken curry and lamb bhuna were delicious, very reminiscent of our UK curries, with chunks of tomatoes, onions, and in the chicken curry potatoes as well. The basmati rice was great, with a sprinkling of caramelized onions on top. The bhuna was a bit thicker, and the sauce had great flavor. The naan bread was a highlight, so warm and buttery and soft; amazing and fresh. Great for dipping in the curries.
Service was slow at the end of the meal, it seemed no one wanted to bring us the check for ages, but we would go back for sure for some more de-lish curry!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Na zdrowie... Polish cheers from Teresa's
Teresa's
103 1st Ave,New York 10003
Btwn 6th & 7th St
(212)228-0604
My first pierogie ever! (Am I spelling that right??) Even with a Polish stepdad! Oh, yeah, and half-polish husband. Forgot that I now have a Polish last name... DEFINITELY about time I had a pierogie then!
We thought it'd be a good idea to take the parents out for a Polish culinary adventure, something you don't really find in their home in South Florida. Well they fell in love with Teresa's, another suggestion by the husband. We showed up for an early dinner and were seated immediately, though it filled up quickly thereafter. Simple decor, Teresa's does not try to be anything other than a good, traditional Polish restaurant (despite the trendy-appearance of their sign outside). We had the Polish beer they served, and started with potato pancakes and applesauce for the table. Very good, warm and crisp. I tried to eat SLIGHTLY lighter, got a salad with pear, arugula, and smoked turkey, which was good, though HUGE (it could have fed a family of 7).
The men got the "Polish platter", how could you not-- it featured, kielbasa, saurkraut, stuffed cabbage and potato pierogis. I'm not as into the kielbasa and all, but the saurkraut was excellent (much better than any saurkraut I've ever had). My mom's roast duck was caramelized with fruit and it was awesome. I was really impressed with my pierogies though! In addition to the mountain of salad, I got a selection of pierogies to try them out, boiled, with a side of onions, in flavors such as mushroom & saurkraut, cheese, potato, and meat. My fav was the potato, but they were all good. Now I feel like a real Polish wife! ;)
103 1st Ave,New York 10003
Btwn 6th & 7th St
(212)228-0604
My first pierogie ever! (Am I spelling that right??) Even with a Polish stepdad! Oh, yeah, and half-polish husband. Forgot that I now have a Polish last name... DEFINITELY about time I had a pierogie then!
We thought it'd be a good idea to take the parents out for a Polish culinary adventure, something you don't really find in their home in South Florida. Well they fell in love with Teresa's, another suggestion by the husband. We showed up for an early dinner and were seated immediately, though it filled up quickly thereafter. Simple decor, Teresa's does not try to be anything other than a good, traditional Polish restaurant (despite the trendy-appearance of their sign outside). We had the Polish beer they served, and started with potato pancakes and applesauce for the table. Very good, warm and crisp. I tried to eat SLIGHTLY lighter, got a salad with pear, arugula, and smoked turkey, which was good, though HUGE (it could have fed a family of 7).
The men got the "Polish platter", how could you not-- it featured, kielbasa, saurkraut, stuffed cabbage and potato pierogis. I'm not as into the kielbasa and all, but the saurkraut was excellent (much better than any saurkraut I've ever had). My mom's roast duck was caramelized with fruit and it was awesome. I was really impressed with my pierogies though! In addition to the mountain of salad, I got a selection of pierogies to try them out, boiled, with a side of onions, in flavors such as mushroom & saurkraut, cheese, potato, and meat. My fav was the potato, but they were all good. Now I feel like a real Polish wife! ;)
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Flavors of Fabulous Fish: Blue Water Grill
Blue Water Grill
31 Union sq W
New York, NY 10003
(212) 675-9500
Well we really enjoyed our special night out, dinner (with my parents) at Blue Water Grill last night. I've heard it consistenly mentioned as one of (many) top NYC spots, and looking at the menu online ahead of time had me practically drooling in anticipation. I'm a sucker for anything that combines numerous delicious flavors on one plate, such as their
"Ginger-Soy Lacquered Chilean Sea Bass with Chinese Broccoli, Sticky Rice, Wasabi Vinaigrette" or "Organic Salmon with Truffled Leek Risotto, Fava Bean Vinaigrette."
So you could say we were looking forward to it! We were actually treating my parents as a thank-you gesture for all of their support for our wedding earlier this year, and hoping they would appreciate our reservations in the jazz room downstairs, since they enjoy listening to jazz and would not normally treat themselves to a dinner like this.
When we got there we walked past the crowds waiting to try and get a seat and were able to be seated right away with our reservation. We walked down the marble staircase which had votive candles on each step, to the rich red-hued jazz room downstairs. The band was playing, and they seemed quite good, although not QUITE good enough for us to take the host up on the first table he offered us which was RIGHT in front of the band. We wanted to enjoy the music, but also be able to hear one another. We found another table with a tall drippy candle and tucked in for some nice wine (they have an extensive wine list), and great bread that was brought out quickly.
I started the meal with the Baja roll (had to throw one sushi selection in there), and it was to-die-for. It features a great flavor mix (of course), of Tuna, Shrimp, Avocado, Jicama, Jalapeño. That may sound like a lot in one sushi roll, and I confess the rolls were massive to attempt to eat in one bite, but despite their size we wished for more. The parents got a shrimp cocktail with large, fresh shrimp and a cocktail sauce with a kick. The husband got the "Grilled bosc pear salad with goat cheese", which was also very nice.
The grilled shrimp & scallops entree was a top choice at the table, I had mine with lobster mashed potatoes and the chimichurri sauce (recommended, especially good on the scallops.) The grilled artichoke salad was another excellent side dish. The highlight at the table, however, was definitely the Blackened Swordfish, which was an amazing consistency with great crispy blackened seasoning, served atop a sweet potato-crabmeat-hash, a fabulous mix of sweet and savory again. I would get that meal any day! Given all of the delicious food at our table, I'm sure I'd love to go back again and again to try the rest of the menu. Many other flavors and restaurants in NYC to go though...
For dessert, the key lime sorbet was almost TOO tangy and tart. Dessert-- the caramelized banana ice cream tower, yum! Many layers, including marshmellow sauce, surrounded by hazelnut shell, so you had to, as the waiter suggested "knock the tower over on its side and break it up to get all the flavors!" Great cappucino. Very good service. Oh and I almost forgot to mention the extensive raw bar choices they have as well! We saw many multi-tiered raw bar adventures going out to patrons thoughout the night, I'm sure those are great as well.
Glad I got to experience Blue Water Grill, and treat the parents to some great seafood. Highly recommended!
31 Union sq W
New York, NY 10003
(212) 675-9500
Well we really enjoyed our special night out, dinner (with my parents) at Blue Water Grill last night. I've heard it consistenly mentioned as one of (many) top NYC spots, and looking at the menu online ahead of time had me practically drooling in anticipation. I'm a sucker for anything that combines numerous delicious flavors on one plate, such as their
"Ginger-Soy Lacquered Chilean Sea Bass with Chinese Broccoli, Sticky Rice, Wasabi Vinaigrette" or "Organic Salmon with Truffled Leek Risotto, Fava Bean Vinaigrette."
So you could say we were looking forward to it! We were actually treating my parents as a thank-you gesture for all of their support for our wedding earlier this year, and hoping they would appreciate our reservations in the jazz room downstairs, since they enjoy listening to jazz and would not normally treat themselves to a dinner like this.
When we got there we walked past the crowds waiting to try and get a seat and were able to be seated right away with our reservation. We walked down the marble staircase which had votive candles on each step, to the rich red-hued jazz room downstairs. The band was playing, and they seemed quite good, although not QUITE good enough for us to take the host up on the first table he offered us which was RIGHT in front of the band. We wanted to enjoy the music, but also be able to hear one another. We found another table with a tall drippy candle and tucked in for some nice wine (they have an extensive wine list), and great bread that was brought out quickly.
I started the meal with the Baja roll (had to throw one sushi selection in there), and it was to-die-for. It features a great flavor mix (of course), of Tuna, Shrimp, Avocado, Jicama, Jalapeño. That may sound like a lot in one sushi roll, and I confess the rolls were massive to attempt to eat in one bite, but despite their size we wished for more. The parents got a shrimp cocktail with large, fresh shrimp and a cocktail sauce with a kick. The husband got the "Grilled bosc pear salad with goat cheese", which was also very nice.
The grilled shrimp & scallops entree was a top choice at the table, I had mine with lobster mashed potatoes and the chimichurri sauce (recommended, especially good on the scallops.) The grilled artichoke salad was another excellent side dish. The highlight at the table, however, was definitely the Blackened Swordfish, which was an amazing consistency with great crispy blackened seasoning, served atop a sweet potato-crabmeat-hash, a fabulous mix of sweet and savory again. I would get that meal any day! Given all of the delicious food at our table, I'm sure I'd love to go back again and again to try the rest of the menu. Many other flavors and restaurants in NYC to go though...
For dessert, the key lime sorbet was almost TOO tangy and tart. Dessert-- the caramelized banana ice cream tower, yum! Many layers, including marshmellow sauce, surrounded by hazelnut shell, so you had to, as the waiter suggested "knock the tower over on its side and break it up to get all the flavors!" Great cappucino. Very good service. Oh and I almost forgot to mention the extensive raw bar choices they have as well! We saw many multi-tiered raw bar adventures going out to patrons thoughout the night, I'm sure those are great as well.
Glad I got to experience Blue Water Grill, and treat the parents to some great seafood. Highly recommended!
Friday, March 30, 2007
Second flavor: Suzie's sweet caramelized garlic chicken
Aunt Suzie restaurant
Park Slope, Brooklyn
247 5th Ave
(718) 788-2868
So recently for St Patrick's Day, my husband and I wandered up 5th Ave in Brooklyn to a few fun bars we hadn't been to before, one of which was the Lighthouse. When I looked it up online, it said something about "all you Park Slopers will know Aunt Suzie's; we're right next door..." which made me say, hmmm, take mental note to check out Aunt Suzie's! I looked it up online later, and sure enough it got rave reviews as an Italian home-cooking, affordable Brooklyn establishment.
As it is still restaurant week (see my previous post), actually, last night was the FINAL night of restaurant week, we wanted to be sure and take part one more time. 3 courses for less than $22, at tons of Brooklyn restaurants, you can't go wrong! So we again wandered up 5th avenue. We passed Blue Ribbon, which had people pouring out onto the streets waiting, and went up to Aunt Suzie to check it out. We walked in and right away I said "ooh, this is very cute. Why haven't we come here yet?". It's not a huge place, not that many Brooklyn OR NY restaurants are, but it felt very comfortable. There were tables in a variety of different shapes, some square, some round, some rectangular, with different types of chairs and antique-looking benches. There actually were a lot of bigger tables, so I'd say it's a good place to bring 4 or more. Unique chandeliers, and walls covered with old black and white pictures of things such as "Coney Island in the 30's".
We waited only about 5 minutes or so and then were seated at a round table that would seat 4, even though there were just 2 of us. As we sat down, I had a flashback of staying at a cute B&B in Warwick, NY, where there are antiques and cozy grandmother-style elements all around. There were paper doilies under each place-setting and crystal-style glasses that looked like they were from an older time period, plus different cloth napkins that looked like they were from someone's home instead of a 5th Ave restaurant.
We checked out the menu, and were excited by the different Italian options with many flavors included, and at the very reasonable prices. I proclaimed that this was "my new favorite restaurant", despite the fact that we hadn't eaten anything yet! We definitely planned to come back again sometime to sample different things. The menu includes appetizers such as mussels, pasta fagioli, seafood salad, and egglplant caponata. The salads sound fabulous, such as one with "honey roasted pear, goat cheese, & walnuts over mixed greens." There is a HUGE pasta list, and all the pasta dishes are 10.90. Like literally over 20 different options. The entree list is where the sweet-spot is, with things like Chicken Vagabond (with mozzarella, onions, mushrooms, & prosciutto in a marsala sauce) and shrimp fortunata (with fresh tomatoes, prosciutto, and mozzarella in a white wine sauce). They have pork, veal, duck and steak options, plus shrimp, mussels, salmon and tuna. They over a few pizzas, as well as a "really cheap menu" with things like chicken parm if you like.
Well last night was the restaurant week as I said, so for $22 each, we got a decent sized salad to share, a pasta dish each, a main dish each, and a dessert and coffee each. Pretty great value. The salad was amazing, topped with roasted red peppers, a mixture of beans and chickpeas, some carrots and salami, it was a virtual antipasti platter atop a salad, with a great olive oil dressing.
OH-- almost forgot, before the salad, they bring everyone a bread basket AND a plate of red pepper pesto and bruschetta toppings....divine! The pesto was amazing, we definitely wanted to lick the plate. Aunt Suzie, you should sell that stuff in bottles!
Back to the meal. The pasta was well-prepared, and the feature of the evening was my main course--- Chicken Garlissimo. I've never had anything like it--- caramelized garlic atop butterflied boneless chicken breast. The caramelized garlic was prepared in a rich, sweet sauce, and there literally must have been a whole HEAD of garlic on my plate. Each clove of garlic was dark, sweet, soft, and succulent. It literally melted in your mouth. I had basically one clove with every bite of my chicken. I've never eaten whole cloves of garlic like that before, definitely never had caramalized garlic, and never eaten so MUCH at one sitting! I believe I am still reeking of garlic today. ;) Apparently garlic is great for you cholesterol and blood pressure, not to mention immune system, though, so hey rock on. The dish was excellent, I highly recommend it.
My husband had the grilled tuna, which was fresh and well-cooked, with a nice subtle flavor, if a bit plain. For dessert with the set menu I had a hot fudge sundae with EXCELLENT fudge (mmmm), and the husband got the chocolate mousse which was good if you like mousse (I'm more of an ice cream chick myself!). We had a bottle of Montepulciano de Abruzzo wine which was excellent and only $15 a bottle, as well as coffee.
We will be back at Aunt Suzie's I'm sure! AND they deliver in Park Slope, come on!
My parents are coming to town this weekend coming up, for Easter, and I think they'd really enjoy the character of it and the food, so we'll try and take them. They're actually staying on our floor (!) for 5 (yes 5) nights, it will be an adventure! But it is also an excuse to go on a culinary tour of NYC (not like I wasn't already doing that), so I'll keep you posted on our food delights.
June, 2007 addendum-- we have since gone to Aunt Suzie's for brunch, and it was great-- about $16 each, includes champagne mimosas and breakfast buffet-- they had 3 different kinds of sausages, bacon, eggs, omelettes made-to-order, crepes, waffles & pancakes, several kinds of pasta and salads, chicken piccata, and a whole dessert spread including rice puddings, chocolate mousse, peach cobbler & brownies. All felt very home-made and delicious, and the group we were with enjoyed the atmosphere.
Park Slope, Brooklyn
247 5th Ave
(718) 788-2868
So recently for St Patrick's Day, my husband and I wandered up 5th Ave in Brooklyn to a few fun bars we hadn't been to before, one of which was the Lighthouse. When I looked it up online, it said something about "all you Park Slopers will know Aunt Suzie's; we're right next door..." which made me say, hmmm, take mental note to check out Aunt Suzie's! I looked it up online later, and sure enough it got rave reviews as an Italian home-cooking, affordable Brooklyn establishment.
As it is still restaurant week (see my previous post), actually, last night was the FINAL night of restaurant week, we wanted to be sure and take part one more time. 3 courses for less than $22, at tons of Brooklyn restaurants, you can't go wrong! So we again wandered up 5th avenue. We passed Blue Ribbon, which had people pouring out onto the streets waiting, and went up to Aunt Suzie to check it out. We walked in and right away I said "ooh, this is very cute. Why haven't we come here yet?". It's not a huge place, not that many Brooklyn OR NY restaurants are, but it felt very comfortable. There were tables in a variety of different shapes, some square, some round, some rectangular, with different types of chairs and antique-looking benches. There actually were a lot of bigger tables, so I'd say it's a good place to bring 4 or more. Unique chandeliers, and walls covered with old black and white pictures of things such as "Coney Island in the 30's".
We waited only about 5 minutes or so and then were seated at a round table that would seat 4, even though there were just 2 of us. As we sat down, I had a flashback of staying at a cute B&B in Warwick, NY, where there are antiques and cozy grandmother-style elements all around. There were paper doilies under each place-setting and crystal-style glasses that looked like they were from an older time period, plus different cloth napkins that looked like they were from someone's home instead of a 5th Ave restaurant.
We checked out the menu, and were excited by the different Italian options with many flavors included, and at the very reasonable prices. I proclaimed that this was "my new favorite restaurant", despite the fact that we hadn't eaten anything yet! We definitely planned to come back again sometime to sample different things. The menu includes appetizers such as mussels, pasta fagioli, seafood salad, and egglplant caponata. The salads sound fabulous, such as one with "honey roasted pear, goat cheese, & walnuts over mixed greens." There is a HUGE pasta list, and all the pasta dishes are 10.90. Like literally over 20 different options. The entree list is where the sweet-spot is, with things like Chicken Vagabond (with mozzarella, onions, mushrooms, & prosciutto in a marsala sauce) and shrimp fortunata (with fresh tomatoes, prosciutto, and mozzarella in a white wine sauce). They have pork, veal, duck and steak options, plus shrimp, mussels, salmon and tuna. They over a few pizzas, as well as a "really cheap menu" with things like chicken parm if you like.
Well last night was the restaurant week as I said, so for $22 each, we got a decent sized salad to share, a pasta dish each, a main dish each, and a dessert and coffee each. Pretty great value. The salad was amazing, topped with roasted red peppers, a mixture of beans and chickpeas, some carrots and salami, it was a virtual antipasti platter atop a salad, with a great olive oil dressing.
OH-- almost forgot, before the salad, they bring everyone a bread basket AND a plate of red pepper pesto and bruschetta toppings....divine! The pesto was amazing, we definitely wanted to lick the plate. Aunt Suzie, you should sell that stuff in bottles!
Back to the meal. The pasta was well-prepared, and the feature of the evening was my main course--- Chicken Garlissimo. I've never had anything like it--- caramelized garlic atop butterflied boneless chicken breast. The caramelized garlic was prepared in a rich, sweet sauce, and there literally must have been a whole HEAD of garlic on my plate. Each clove of garlic was dark, sweet, soft, and succulent. It literally melted in your mouth. I had basically one clove with every bite of my chicken. I've never eaten whole cloves of garlic like that before, definitely never had caramalized garlic, and never eaten so MUCH at one sitting! I believe I am still reeking of garlic today. ;) Apparently garlic is great for you cholesterol and blood pressure, not to mention immune system, though, so hey rock on. The dish was excellent, I highly recommend it.
My husband had the grilled tuna, which was fresh and well-cooked, with a nice subtle flavor, if a bit plain. For dessert with the set menu I had a hot fudge sundae with EXCELLENT fudge (mmmm), and the husband got the chocolate mousse which was good if you like mousse (I'm more of an ice cream chick myself!). We had a bottle of Montepulciano de Abruzzo wine which was excellent and only $15 a bottle, as well as coffee.
We will be back at Aunt Suzie's I'm sure! AND they deliver in Park Slope, come on!
My parents are coming to town this weekend coming up, for Easter, and I think they'd really enjoy the character of it and the food, so we'll try and take them. They're actually staying on our floor (!) for 5 (yes 5) nights, it will be an adventure! But it is also an excuse to go on a culinary tour of NYC (not like I wasn't already doing that), so I'll keep you posted on our food delights.
June, 2007 addendum-- we have since gone to Aunt Suzie's for brunch, and it was great-- about $16 each, includes champagne mimosas and breakfast buffet-- they had 3 different kinds of sausages, bacon, eggs, omelettes made-to-order, crepes, waffles & pancakes, several kinds of pasta and salads, chicken piccata, and a whole dessert spread including rice puddings, chocolate mousse, peach cobbler & brownies. All felt very home-made and delicious, and the group we were with enjoyed the atmosphere.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
The First Flavor... Magnolia, our local favorite
I decided to start my 52 flavor experience with the restaurant nearest and dearest to my heart (and to my apartment-- it's right around the corner!), in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Yes I've been there before, and most of my 52 flavors will be new ones for me, but it's always nice to start off with something special, and Magnolia is definitely that.
Magnolia is located on the corner of 12th Street and 6th Aveneue in Park Slope, in a residential area not too far from Prospect Park. When we first moved to the neighborhood, we spotted it quickly when taking a walk, and noticed that its candlelight and white lights outside at night just seemed to emanate the word "cozy." However we first tried it for their Sunday brunch that they advertise on chalkboard signs when you walk by the outside (not for the candlelit dinners) . For a set price of $8.95 (or $11.95 including a brunch cocktail-- mimosa or bloody mary), you get one of their brunch or lunch specials, their signature "breakfast bread" that I can never get enough of, juice and coffee. We thought that was a great deal for NYC brunch, and became regulars for Sunday brunch here, especially when guests came to town. I particularly enjoy the eggs florentine, and my husband adores their french toast. One day I got "crazy" and DIDN'T order breakfast food but chose a lunch option, the chicken sandwich, and it was DIVINE, with a pesto dressing and delicious focacia... so we decided to try it out for dinner as well!
Once we tried one dinner at Magnolia, we were hooked. And given the proximity to our house, it becomes the standard delicious option to stumble over to time and again! Who needs to go up 5th avenue when you've got Magnolia nearby. They do have a prix fixe weekdays which is a great value, $22 for 3 awesome courses! Whether we do prix fixe or not, we've found that we love almost every dish we try there. For appetizers, their mozzerella and tomato tastes extra fresh and with just the right touch of basil. The cornmeal-crusted calamari, served with "slow-roasted marinara" and "buttermilk tziki" (how can you not order it when you read that) is great, and tastes nice and lighter than other fried calamari. Even the spinach dip is excellent. And the magnolia salad, with the candied pecans, apple and ranch dressing is hard to resist.
How many of their dishes am I allowed to rave about before you get tired of reading??
They have great pizzas, very thin-crusted so a little lighter but great flavor (and pizza and pint specials on Monday nights). Their steaks are extremely memorable, love the hanger steak and the cowboy steak. They often have fabulous specials as well as special occasions. We were there for a great New Year's eve dinner as well as an autumn 7-course dinner and wine tasting that was out of this world. It is the restaurant we ate at the night my husband proposed to me (later on that night), and we decided to pay our respects again last night on our 1-month wedding anniversary.
This is actually restaurant week in Brooklyn, so there was a special prix-fixe last night which I partook in. I had the calamari, which as I said above, was great (I gave my husband the tentacle pieces though I admit.) For my main I had the Penne Romano, which amazed me with its simplicity yet wow-factor! It is what I picture true italian cooking to be like-- simple fresh flavors coming together to make memorable meals. Penne pasta with just a light olive oil sauce tossed with chopped tomatoes, chunks of fresh mozzerella, basil leaves, and toasted pine nuts, with some shredded parmesan on top-- yum!! My husband had a pasta special with shrimp that he enjoyed. For dessert the lemon cake, which was almost more reminiscent of french toast than cake, very good with rich berry sauce. (Next time-- the famous warm chocolate mocha cake!! Had it on our engagement night ages ago, it was amazing.)
Magnolia will always have a special place in our hearts (and tummys!), and I'm sure we'll continue to go there often. In the summer they set tables outside for a nice Sunday brunch along 6th Ave. I still like it best at night with the candlelight going, it strikes the right balance between charming and cozy but not over-the-top or cheesy. The staff are very friendly and most important, the flavors are fresh and fabulous!!! Check out their website at www.magnoliabrooklyn.com.
Magnolia is located on the corner of 12th Street and 6th Aveneue in Park Slope, in a residential area not too far from Prospect Park. When we first moved to the neighborhood, we spotted it quickly when taking a walk, and noticed that its candlelight and white lights outside at night just seemed to emanate the word "cozy." However we first tried it for their Sunday brunch that they advertise on chalkboard signs when you walk by the outside (not for the candlelit dinners) . For a set price of $8.95 (or $11.95 including a brunch cocktail-- mimosa or bloody mary), you get one of their brunch or lunch specials, their signature "breakfast bread" that I can never get enough of, juice and coffee. We thought that was a great deal for NYC brunch, and became regulars for Sunday brunch here, especially when guests came to town. I particularly enjoy the eggs florentine, and my husband adores their french toast. One day I got "crazy" and DIDN'T order breakfast food but chose a lunch option, the chicken sandwich, and it was DIVINE, with a pesto dressing and delicious focacia... so we decided to try it out for dinner as well!
Once we tried one dinner at Magnolia, we were hooked. And given the proximity to our house, it becomes the standard delicious option to stumble over to time and again! Who needs to go up 5th avenue when you've got Magnolia nearby. They do have a prix fixe weekdays which is a great value, $22 for 3 awesome courses! Whether we do prix fixe or not, we've found that we love almost every dish we try there. For appetizers, their mozzerella and tomato tastes extra fresh and with just the right touch of basil. The cornmeal-crusted calamari, served with "slow-roasted marinara" and "buttermilk tziki" (how can you not order it when you read that) is great, and tastes nice and lighter than other fried calamari. Even the spinach dip is excellent. And the magnolia salad, with the candied pecans, apple and ranch dressing is hard to resist.
How many of their dishes am I allowed to rave about before you get tired of reading??
They have great pizzas, very thin-crusted so a little lighter but great flavor (and pizza and pint specials on Monday nights). Their steaks are extremely memorable, love the hanger steak and the cowboy steak. They often have fabulous specials as well as special occasions. We were there for a great New Year's eve dinner as well as an autumn 7-course dinner and wine tasting that was out of this world. It is the restaurant we ate at the night my husband proposed to me (later on that night), and we decided to pay our respects again last night on our 1-month wedding anniversary.
This is actually restaurant week in Brooklyn, so there was a special prix-fixe last night which I partook in. I had the calamari, which as I said above, was great (I gave my husband the tentacle pieces though I admit.) For my main I had the Penne Romano, which amazed me with its simplicity yet wow-factor! It is what I picture true italian cooking to be like-- simple fresh flavors coming together to make memorable meals. Penne pasta with just a light olive oil sauce tossed with chopped tomatoes, chunks of fresh mozzerella, basil leaves, and toasted pine nuts, with some shredded parmesan on top-- yum!! My husband had a pasta special with shrimp that he enjoyed. For dessert the lemon cake, which was almost more reminiscent of french toast than cake, very good with rich berry sauce. (Next time-- the famous warm chocolate mocha cake!! Had it on our engagement night ages ago, it was amazing.)
Magnolia will always have a special place in our hearts (and tummys!), and I'm sure we'll continue to go there often. In the summer they set tables outside for a nice Sunday brunch along 6th Ave. I still like it best at night with the candlelight going, it strikes the right balance between charming and cozy but not over-the-top or cheesy. The staff are very friendly and most important, the flavors are fresh and fabulous!!! Check out their website at www.magnoliabrooklyn.com.
The 52 Flavors...
No, it's not all about ice cream, I promise.
This collection of food essays is my aim to dive deeply into the delicious variety of flavors on offer in New York City over the next year (that would be the next 52 weeks). In recent years, I've developed a strong affinity and passion for good food and fabulous flavors, which is expressed both through my improving attempts at cooking and through visiting restaurants which serve up fresh flavors that make me swoon, a la Rachel Ray style (see a collection of her swooning clips at: http://naomileibowitz.com/projects/rray/index.html). Living in Europe for nearly four years afforded me the pleasure of weekend trips to Paris and Florence and Rome, where my passion for flavors (or flavours for my European friends) increased exponentially. I still daydream about a particular bruschetta heaping with fresh tomatoes in Cinque Terre, Italy; my first tartufo in Rome; chocolate souffle at L'Epicerie in Paris; onion soup on a cold winter's day..... I could go on and on but I'll pause those thoughts, since this is meant to be about New York City!
So moving to New York is very exciting of course, and there is so much going on that I can't complain about spending a few years here, but I admit that I sometimes miss European life with the emphasis on enjoyment and the ancient architecture and romance of the older cities and languages. So I decided to focus on what I WOULD love most about New York, and I'm not sure any European city (including London, I must now admit!) can compete with NYC in terms of the enormous volume and variety of delicious food and restaurants.
If New York City were a restaurant, it would undoubtedly be an international tapas restaurant, featuring endless different flavors and decadent dishes. Tapas restaurants are my favorite type, I admit, due to their opportunity to sample so many different flavors in one meal. So, this blog is my version of sampling the tapas or flavor collection that is New York City! I propose to try and sample as many restaurants as I can while in New York for a short time. Of course, anyone who has been to New York would agree that you can in NO WAY begin to make a dent in truly "knowing" or tasting ALL the great food of NYC, and I in no way claim that will be possible. But in my own way I hope to try a good mix of flavors and have some fun along the way, both in Manhattan and in Brooklyn (my current place of residence, with many places in walking distance to my apartment, I can't neglect that!).
Good food is memorable, it is flavorful and makes me take note and say wow (or "mmmm" like RRay). It is the utmost celebration of the senses and what life is all about-- soaking up the flavors, experiences, feelings and tastes while we are in this world. I will try to seek out those places and dishes that capture those feelings, whether they be at more upscale or more casual restaurants, and share the experiences with you along the way. I welcome feedback and suggestions. Time to begin the tasting...
This collection of food essays is my aim to dive deeply into the delicious variety of flavors on offer in New York City over the next year (that would be the next 52 weeks). In recent years, I've developed a strong affinity and passion for good food and fabulous flavors, which is expressed both through my improving attempts at cooking and through visiting restaurants which serve up fresh flavors that make me swoon, a la Rachel Ray style (see a collection of her swooning clips at: http://naomileibowitz.com/projects/rray/index.html). Living in Europe for nearly four years afforded me the pleasure of weekend trips to Paris and Florence and Rome, where my passion for flavors (or flavours for my European friends) increased exponentially. I still daydream about a particular bruschetta heaping with fresh tomatoes in Cinque Terre, Italy; my first tartufo in Rome; chocolate souffle at L'Epicerie in Paris; onion soup on a cold winter's day..... I could go on and on but I'll pause those thoughts, since this is meant to be about New York City!
So moving to New York is very exciting of course, and there is so much going on that I can't complain about spending a few years here, but I admit that I sometimes miss European life with the emphasis on enjoyment and the ancient architecture and romance of the older cities and languages. So I decided to focus on what I WOULD love most about New York, and I'm not sure any European city (including London, I must now admit!) can compete with NYC in terms of the enormous volume and variety of delicious food and restaurants.
If New York City were a restaurant, it would undoubtedly be an international tapas restaurant, featuring endless different flavors and decadent dishes. Tapas restaurants are my favorite type, I admit, due to their opportunity to sample so many different flavors in one meal. So, this blog is my version of sampling the tapas or flavor collection that is New York City! I propose to try and sample as many restaurants as I can while in New York for a short time. Of course, anyone who has been to New York would agree that you can in NO WAY begin to make a dent in truly "knowing" or tasting ALL the great food of NYC, and I in no way claim that will be possible. But in my own way I hope to try a good mix of flavors and have some fun along the way, both in Manhattan and in Brooklyn (my current place of residence, with many places in walking distance to my apartment, I can't neglect that!).
Good food is memorable, it is flavorful and makes me take note and say wow (or "mmmm" like RRay). It is the utmost celebration of the senses and what life is all about-- soaking up the flavors, experiences, feelings and tastes while we are in this world. I will try to seek out those places and dishes that capture those feelings, whether they be at more upscale or more casual restaurants, and share the experiences with you along the way. I welcome feedback and suggestions. Time to begin the tasting...
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