Kellari Taverna - NYC - Midtown

This one is a winner.  The decor is open, bright, airy, and inviting.  The service was attentive. And everything we tried looked great and tasted even better.  There was a lettuce-less Greek salad with fresh red and yellow tomatoes, feta that was not too strong, with a smattering of olives and onions.  Our grilled fish (presented whole before cooking) was simply grilled with a topping of olive oil and lemon and simply wonderful.  The stewed green bean accompaniment was just right.

All in all it was one of the better meals, I have had in a long time.

Uncle Nick’s - NYC - 8th Avenue & 29th Street

Alas, I was so hoping for an appealing casual restaurant choice in the Penn Station vicinity.  After a promising start of taramosalata, it was all downhill.  The lamb kabob was tough, the rice was crunchy and the galaktabouriko was (as I believe Mimi Sheraton was prone to say) cloyingly sweet.  On the other hand, I was there with my relative in a handicapped scooter cart, and they were cheerfully accommodating.

Fig & Olive Uptown - NYC - East 60s

Interesting concept with many small dishes, most of which had figs and/or olives.  In execution, however, it was a little complicated.  The jambon appetizer was good, as were the skewered chicken and lamb and special salad.  On the other hand, the service was spotty and it was noisy (an all too frequent complaint of mine).

Le Petit Canard - NYC - Gramercy

This is a neighborhood French restaurant, and I didn’t really know what to expect, but it was great — food and service. The rack of lamb with goat cheese and mashed potatoes was wonderful. My only complaint was the noisy table of pretentious people next to us, but what can you do?

Russ & Daughters - NYC - Astor Center

6.25.08

We went to a Russ & Daughters event at Astor Center on Thursday evening.  It was fascinating as we heard about the history of Russ & Daughters, herring and smoked fish and tasted* more scrumptious varieties of appetizing than I knew existed, accompanied by free-flowing ProSecco, 

I had a really good time,  My only complaint was that the directons to the event space were baffling. 

*Actually it was a very generous tasting - it was my dinner…

Cookshop - NYC - On 10th almost in Meatpacking District

Cookshop is a very nicely appointed restaurant - way west.  The food was very good - a few items were a bit “contrived/precious.”  The deviled eggs & lemonade were just like home (Virginia.)  The fried hominy was interesting & very crunchy. Chicken was tasty. I was comfortable on banquette but chairs looked uncomfortable. All in all, worth a return visit,

Four Seasons - NYC - Midtown

I joined my family for dessert here after they had dinner.  I was reminded how extraordinary the space is, especially for NYC.  The openness is so relaxing and simply banishes stress.  And the service is unrivaled.  While the profiterole dessert I sampled was great, it is the space and service that wins me over every time.

Grand Tier - NYC - West Side

This restaurant is inside the Met Opera House. The convenience is unrivaled if you are going to Lincoln Center, and the food is OK.  You can even have dessert waiting for you at intermission.

Boca Juniors Argentinean Steak House - NYC - Queens

This place is fun … especially during a soccer game.  The mixed grill is more than generous, particularly if you like sweetbreads and tripe.  The short ribs are great and so is the “Russian” salad which is a potato salad variation.

CakeLove - Lecture - Demonstration

This was a cooking demonstration with Warren Brown at the French Culinary Institute.  He’s a delightful, easy-going host — of course, he went to Brown as did I.  You have to admire anybody with the guts to quit his lawyer job, take up baking and become an entrepreneurial success.  And I learned something very important - if your baked goods are dry, you may just be eating them at too cold a temperature .  Let them come to room temperature first, so the butter in them softens up!