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!

Aureole - NYC - Midtown East

We had a graduation dinner at Aureole & all I can say is “almost.”

The staff was wonderful about removing the flowers I was allergic too.  Service was superb.

On the other hand,

it was like they had squeezed extra tables in, and it was noisier and less calming than I remembered.  The food ranged from very good to not quite up to expectations.  Maybe that’s because expectations were so high.  Not expected and not enjoyed was pepper in the miniature madeleines provided complimentary with dessert.

Harvest Buffet - Long Island - Great Neck

Amazing array of oriental & other foods, but you can’t say much for the Howard Johnson-like decor.  Mostly Asians eat there, which says a lot.  Pork shu mai are to die for and Peking duck is a close second.  If only I could eat shellfish.  Not cheap, but cheap for what you get.  Did I mention the tasty prime rib?

Shish Kabob - Long Island - Port Washington

Buffet brunch was copious!  Some dishes were as good as regular menu- chicken lemon soup.  Others weren’t - spinach pie.  But there’s something so comfortable about the place I always want to go back.