Saturday, October 18, 2014

BURGERS, HAVE IT YOUR CRAVE




We crave a good burger, especially ones made with beef.   Sure you can get a “fast-food” burger on the “sort of cheap” if you don’t care what’s in it or whether it comes from a frozen patty.   100% beef can use any part of the animal.   That “juiciness” would most certainly relate to the amount of fat content and although the craving is about the meat and grease, it certainly isn’t the healthiest way to eat.

If you crave ice cream you will most likely not go to a restaurant but a place that simply sells ice cream. No soup. No salads. No entrees.   It’s only logical to get your burgers at an eatery such as F. Ottomanelli Burgers and Belgian Fries.  

Are they the best burgers in Queens?   Let’s look at the facts.   This burger joint, located at 60-15 Woodside Avenue is located less than a block away from S. Ottomanelli’s butcher shop.   Where do you think the fresh patties are made?  You got it.  Three separate cuts of their quality beef go into these gems to compose that perfect savory hamburger.  

Much of the crave centers on your taste buds and what you put in or on the burger.   We no longer want a simple burger with ketchup.   Owner Frank Ottomanelli creates some special burgers with the seasoning already mixed in.   If it’s “spicy” you crave, there is the Chipotle Burger and the Jalapeno Cheddar Burger.   Some people love carmelized onions on the top and some want them cooked into the burger.  Then there is the Bacon Cheddar Burger and Roast Garlic Burger.  

Have it your “crave” by building you own starting with either an un-seasoned (no salt or pepper) 4 ounce single or 8 ounce double or options of a cheeseburger, bacon burger, bacon cheeseburger, or chili burger.   It’s a lot less expense to get a double than two singles unless you’re intent on the amount of free toppings.   Here is the list: ketchup, mustard, mayo, hot sauce, BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, raw onions (of the purple ilk), pickles, relish, sautéed mushrooms.  
My suggestion for those who love a spicy experience is to get the Chili Burger with hot sauce.  Yes, it’s homemade chili with beef, beans, and veggies.   The chili isn’t chilly but not very hot, either.   OMG on the chili?  You can get a cup of it for $2.  

I don’t know about you but I’m drooling on my computer.  Excuse me, while I get a few napkins before I continue with this. 

“Want fried with that?”  Do not expect a bunch of thin pre-frozen fries here.  I have a potato test.  Can I eat it without anything on it, including salt?   Notice the name of the restaurant?   Belgian fries.   They are fresh cut, thick, and served in a cone- shaped basket.   Regular size will cost you $2.99 and large, $3.99.  You can have ketchup, mustard and malt vinegar as a freebie.   Add $.79 for cheese, a homemade sauce (bacon ranch, chipotle, rosemary parmesan, honey mustard, spicy BBQ) for $.59 or go gourmet with the white truffle sauce for an extra $.99. 
A plain single 4 ounce burger goes for $4.79, a double for $6.39.  Most expensive is a double chili burger at $7.89.   



I don’t know about you but I tend to crave a good thick chocolate milk shake with that.   They are certainly not small and made with ice cream. Yes, you can get vanilla or a “black and white”.  They don’t sell desserts, so this would be the best substitute. 
Did I tell you that you can buy these freshly made patties and cook them at home?   They are $3 each. 

Just in case you have never been there…it’s Restaurant Week in Queens and they are participating.  Same price for lunch or dinner for two.   Two Regular burgers, two small Belgian fries and two fountain sodas for $14. Restaurant week goes until October 30th.   There are tables and chairs for you dining in pleasure.  Sorry, you have to dine in for this.  

Suggestion:  call ahead if you are going late at night.  When they run out of burgers, they begin cleaning up.  I am also told that since the chili is a biggy you should call ahead to make sure there is any left.  This place is REALLY popular for a mouth-watering reason!!  718-446-7489.  



Incidentally, they are listed on the Food Network’s website.  “On The Road”?  Perhaps it's their new show called Hungry Games.  Tune in on Monday, October 27th at 8 p.m. to see.  


Thursday, October 16, 2014

CHOCOHOLIC ALERT!

New York Chocolatier Jacques Torres and
Executive Chef Alex Reyes
Offering a Four-Course Chocolate Dinner
Halloween Eve at Saks Fifth Avenue
 
WHO:   Jacques Torres, founder of Jacques Torres Chocolate ( www.mrchocolate.com ) and Alex Reyes, Executive Chef, Café SFA, Saks Fifth Avenue
 
WHAT:  A rare collaboration of chocolate and savory for which Jacques Torres and Alex Reyes will man the kitchen on the 8th floor of Saks Fifth Avenue. There, the chefs will present a magnificent four-course dinner, each course featuring a chocolate twist, including such decadent dishes such as Dark Chocolate Cured Foie Gras Torchon, White Chocolate and Vermouth Sorbet, Cocoa Nib, Ancho Chile Crusted Venison and much more .
 
WHY: Saks Fifth Avenue and its restaurants, Café SFA and SnAKS, recently teamed up with Jacques Torres Chocolate to offer his sweet confections and ice creams to guests.  Jacques and Alex challenged each other to develop and serve a four course decadent chocolate dinner.  And what better timing than the night before Halloween!
 
WHERE:        Café SFA
Saks Fifth Avenue , 8th Floor
611 5th Avenue,
New York, NY 10022
 
WHEN:          THURSDAY, October 30, 2014
7pm
Chef Jacques Torres and Chef Alex Reyes are available for phone interviews and email Q&A prior to the 10/30 dinner.
 
 
Café SFA Executive Chef
Alex Reyes
Master Chocolatier Chef Jacques Torres
 
 
Guests can secure a reservation in advance with a credit card at: www.opentable.com/cafe-sfa . Dinner is $80 per guest, with optional wine pairing for $25.
 
ABOUT JACQUES TORRES :          
 
Jacques Torres, whose name is synonymous with innovation and culinary excellence, is a Master Pastry Chef and the authority on all things chocolate. His namesake business, Jacques Torres Chocolate , specializes in premium, handcrafted chocolates produced at New York City’s largest artisan chocolate facility, a 40,000 sq. foot space at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. He has 8 chocolate stores in Manhattan and Brooklyn and one ice cream shop.  Jacques is the youngest chef to receive the culinary MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France/Best Pastry Chef of France) distinction, serves as the Dean of Pastry Arts at the ICC, and has released multiple award-winning books.  For more information please visit www.mrchocolate.com
 
ABOUT CAFÉ SFA and CHEF ALEX REYES :       
 
Café SFA offers relaxed fine dining on the 8th floor of the iconic Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York. With bird's-eye views of Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral, Cafe SFA is a favorite midtown business lunch spot and a destination for area shoppers and visitors. Chef  Alex Reyes's  menu is fresh and seasonal.  A graduate of the world-famous Le Cordon Bleu, Chef Reyes trained in Europe, mastering classic dishes of his native Catalan cuisine. In June 2014, Reyes was invited to participate in the 29th Annual Chef’s Tribute and Fundraiser for the Citymeals-on-Wheels program.   For more information please visit www.cafesfa.com

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

MARLO THOMAS, GLORIA STEINEM AND DEBRA MESSING AT MOMI















PUMPKIN CARVING IN MANHATTAN




BRING OUT THE SCARY AND THE FUNNY IN HALLOWEEN AT THE PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST
 IN FAIRWAY CAFÉ & STEAKHOUSE ON OCTOBER 14, 2014 FROM 3:30 TO 5 PM FOR ALL AGES!


Fairway Market is having a pumpkin carving contest on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 from 3:30 to 5 pm in the Café on the second floor of the Upper West Side store (2127 Broadway at W. 74th Street).  The event is for kids (8 to 18) and adults and participants will be using safety knives provided by Fairway. There will be two winners in each age category – one for funniest, another for scariest pumpkin. All participants will receive a slice of Fairway’s pumpkin pie, and all winners will receive a whole pumpkin pie along with a $50 Fairway gift card. Carvers can sign up in the café. Call (212) 994-9555 for more information.

WHAT:          Pumpkin Carving Contest for Kids (8 to 18) and Adults

WHEN:          Tuesday, October 14th  
            3: 30 - 5 pm

WHERE:       Fairway Café & Steakhouse
                        2127 Broadway (at 74th St) 
                        New York, NY 10023
                        (212) 994-9555

Monday, October 6, 2014

YOU’VE HEARD IT THROUHGH THE GRAPE VINE



Your day at the Manhattan “office” has ended.  Good friends, tasty drinks and great food await you at Ivy Bar and Grill located at 944 8th Avenue, the corner of 56th Street.   On a weather permitting day the open windows reveal some seated customers with a bar behind them. 




Enter to view this long bar that takes up most of its length.  Along with seating at the bar there are tables and chairs across along the wall.  The tables are tall with short back bar stools…a problem for me.  I’m short (can’t easily get up on the stool) and a bit disabled.  

Take two steps up at the back area where there are normal size tables and chairs that are pretty much set do “dine”.   I needed to wait for a table here, which wasn’t a bad thing as I chatted with Mike, one of the bartenders, about vodka.  As one who gets drunk on Scotch Tape…I learned never to sip vodka. Shoot it.  That is why I never order a martini.  Mike talked about a Russian vodka made from potatoes.  It was called Chopin and sang to me.   He chilled it, we clinked the shot glasses each having a shot.  It was the smoothest vodka I’ve had.   No “burning” down the back of the throat.  He showed me one from Texas that was gluten free.   I did taste a bit of it.  Less smooth and did burn. 



 
Mike Gilligan, one of the owning partners, came over to greet me.

It was taking time to set up a table in the back as the area was pretty much full.   I turned down a drink.   Deveka, my friend who accompanied me, did not.  She ordered an apple martini. 




 
Table ready, we went to the back.  Flashback!  I’ve been at this place before.  I'll wait until I get home to check my blog. Oh well.  The menu boasts appetizers, small plates, burgers, salads and some entrees as well.  It’s great to have someone with you to “share”.   More items to taste.

Victoria, our waitperson, gave me both recommendations as well as being open about what she did not care for.  Here goes!! Beet Chips. Red, yellow and candy cane.  Sweet and lots of flavor.  I didn’t even need to dip them in the dipping sauce of olive oil, yogurt and chives.  THE CHALLENGE! Could I delve into Brussel sprouts, one of my least favorite veggies?  They were fried and served with sautéed onions, aged cheddar cheese, and Applewood smoked bacon.  Certainly tasted great, but not the healthiest way to eat them.




Layered Shrimp and Avocado was served in a canning jar.  Tiger Shrimp, over chopped lettuce, topped with slices of avocado, green goddess dressing, tomato vinaigrette.  The only way to eat it was to dump it on the underlining plate.  



Lobster Tacos.  It was a choice between the tacos and the lobster spring rolls.  I took Victoria’s advice and went for the tacos with fresh Maine Lobster meat, grilled corn, tomatoes, and basil cream on 3 soft flour tortillas.  Did I tell you that I also ordered a double shot of Chopin and drank half at a time?   I needed to have two of the tacos.  Even with the alcohol, I was totally able to savor all of the flavors of the food.  





Steakhouse Spring Rolls.  I didn’t take Victoria’s advice.  She just didn’t think I would love them as much as the other food.  She was right.  The rolls had sliced steak, mashed potatoes and creamed spinach.  It didn’t taste terrible and Deveka agreed. 


There was more.  Sliders. 3 mini sliders with cole slaw.  Victoria recommended the pulled pork.  BBQ sauce and spicy house made pickles.  Would you like fries with that?  




Always have to save a bit of room for dessert.  Ahhh…but they are not made on premises.  Funny but that restaurant that was here did not make their own desserts either.  De ja vous?  Kitchen and bathroom in the same places as well. 

 
Victoria: “Would you like another drink? Never mind.  I think you had enough.”  We opted for a watermelon salad with baby arugula and feta cheese.  It did the trick and good for the digestive system. 




Here’s the review in a nutshell.  Music at a level enough for people to converse. Not bar food but "Gastropub".  Bar area can be noisy due to conversation.  Very friendly staff and atmosphere.  Late night dinners, signature cocktail of the week created by Bartender Courtney, Happy Hour with a live DJ (I hate when a place hires corpses) on Thursday and Friday evenings. Make reservations if you’re short.  www.ivybarnyc.com


Friday, October 3, 2014