Thursday, April 8, 2010

Restaurant Itinerary for June...

Great food is a highlight of any vacation.
This New Victorian Ruralist is organizing his
list of spots to visit and re-visit in hopes of some
culinary nirvana this June. The food has to be
great — but the atmosphere is important too.
Speaking of atmosphere, take a look at this image
from Freeman's dining room. Freeman's Restaurant
is located at the end of Freeman Alley near
Rivington St. in the Lower East Side / 212.420.0012
*image via nymag.com
Former Balthazar bartender Danny Minch and Dylan Dodd
serve up traditional American bistro fare at this cozy
haunt in Brooklyn. I've read the Pigs in a Blanet rock! Yes,
pigs in a blanket. Walter Foods, 253 Grand Street
718-387-8783 / image via nymag.com
I am most excited about Vinegar Hill House in Brooklyn.
Vinegar Hill House is named for its neighborhood — a timeworn,
but resuscitated section of Belgian-blocked streets near
the Navy Yard. Vinegar Hill House is an NVR masterpiece;
one review even referred to its interior as Little House
on the Prairie-esque. With rich cream-cheese-frosted Guinness
cakes sitting on shelves by the open kitchen, I guess the
decor becomes secondary. Chef Jean Adamson’s specialities
include braised lamb shoulder mingled with black chickpeas and
melting fennel bulbs — and the “Cast Iron” chicken.
72 Hudson Ave. near Water St. / 718-522-1018
image via nymag.com
The Redhead is an East Village gastropub with a strong
Southern slant. Sources say the real signature item is the
salted caramel "hoho" for dessert!
349 E. 13th St. near 1st Ave. / 212-533-6212
Brunch anyone? With a passion for the artisanal, the sustainably
grown, and the homespun — The General Greene is a perfect
example of New Brooklyn Cuisine. Its interior is even inspired
by the farm with vintage tractor seat stools (I won't be sitting
at the bar) and the waitstaff decked out in earthy brown
workshirts. As for food, The Indonesian red-palm sugared
pork meatballs sound especially pleasing.
229 Dekalb Ave. / 718.222.1510
At Rye in Brooklyn, treats range from divinely messy
meatloaf sandwiches to crisp, warm doughnuts.
The speakeasy aura only adds to Rye's charm.
247 S. 1st St. (Roebling St.) / 718.218.8047
One of our favorites during last year's visit, Prune is an
amazing American Bistro and also the chef's childhood
nickname. Gabrielle Hamilton's unpretentious cooking
is a treat for the senses. During our visit, Randy had a
delicious pasta kerchief with poached egg, French ham,
and pine nuts. I had rock shrimp on a bed of tobacco
buttered rice with cracklings. We can't wait to return!
54 E. 1st St. near 1st Ave. / work212-677-6221
image via nymag.com
We didn't make it to Porchetta last trip, but we are determined
not to miss it this time. Roasted pork belly-wrapped pork loin
and garlicky sauteed greens — need I say more?
110 E. 7th St. near 1st Ave. / 212-777-2151
image via newyork.seriouseats.com
Comfort Food = Mac and Cheese. Now
there's Macbar to satisy your childhood need.
With a dozen different versions to choose from,
I think I've narrowed it down to the Mac Quack
(duck confit, fontina, carmalized onions, and fines herbes)
or the Mac Lobsta' (fresh lobster, cognac, tarragon, and
mascarpone). 54 Prince Street / 212.226.0211
image via feteny.com
Rustic Greek at Kelfi? Perhaps.
505 Columbus Ave. near 84th St. / 212-873-0200
image via nymag.com
OK, you already know I'm ga-ga for the interior — still,
Joseph Leonard sounds very promising. I think I'll have the
low-country grits laced with fresh shrimp, cheddar, and bits
of andouillie sausage. For dessert, caramel pudding in a
Mason jar. 170 Waverly Place at Grove St. / 646-429-8383
(no reservations) image via nymag.com
According to a review, much of it is delicious —
here I come. 222 W. 79th St. near Broadway / 212-362-7470
image via thewanderingeater.com
Heath Ledger didn't live to see his planned Greenpoint café,
but with funding from his estate, Five Leaves has opened its doors
to the public. Chef Ken Addington gives the menu homey
Australian accents. 18 Beford Ave. at Lorimer St. in Brooklyn.
718-383-5345 / image via nymag.com
OK, we've read the so-so reviews —
but we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to
DBGB Kitchen & Bar. So much so that
we might just visit again.
229 Bowery near Houston St.
212-933-5300
Modern Swiss hits Soho with Cafe Select.
212 Lafayette St. near Kenmare St. / 212-925-9322
image via nymag.com
For an appetizer, I'll have the coq au vin ravioli. Thank you.
Dark-wood banquettes and tables are reincarnated from a
New York City water tank in this subterranean lounge
called Broadway East. 171 E. Broadway near Rutgers St.
212-228-3100 / image via nymag.com
Sticky Buns from Bouchon Bakery.
10 Columbus Cir., 3rd fl., near 58th St.
212-823-9366
Chewy handmade pinci noodles in walnut-tomato sauce.
Braised black cabbage in toasted Tuscan bread.
Lemon “pudding” with candied orange peel.
Interested? Beppe, 45 E. 22nd St. near Broadway
212-982-8422 / image via nymag.com

Last (for now), but not least is August in the West Village; another favorite during out last trip. I had the Alsatian onion tart with bacon and an ooze of crème fraîche. Simply delicious. 359 Bleecker Street near Charles St. / 212-929-8727 / image via nymag.com

1 comment:

  1. NIce restaurant interior.A banquette is an upholstered couch fixed to the wall, with a stand positioned in front of it. Banquettes are a hybrid of booth and table-more adaptable than a booth, but they nevertheless must hug the wall.

    david

    ReplyDelete