Del Posto

Del Posto is magnificent in every respect. All three levels of it. And in this case, whatever is written is not complimentary enough. With the combined forces of the formidable team of Joe Bastianich, Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali, an expression of Italian-American style of cooking is celebrated here. My favourite aspect of the restaurant besides it's food was the very well pedigreed staff- hence the service was exemplary. Our steward was a very dapper Mons. Stephan Kane (as in Citizen Kane- he told me). A Frenchman from Senegal in an Italian restaurant...only in New York.

I wish that all those that aspire to be servers in NY knew how important service can be to the dining experience (sometimes more important than the food itself). Del Posto was spot on in both regards. And that is the best combination. The sommelier was Emanuele Bartolini. What a guy. He knew his Sardinian wine and this gentleman knew his Krug! Grazie...

85 10th Ave
New York, NY 10011
tel: (212) 497-8090

Bienvenue!

Can you imagine driving all the way from Tribeca NY to Red Bank NJ...more than 2 hours worth of driving back and forth...all in the name of Marseille?

Well, that is exactly what happened last night! Michael, Ronnie and myself were meeting Dawn Ellison and Michael Colameco from WOR Radio for dinner and were we all in for a surprise. Besides just a dinner it turned out to be a little surprise birthday party -for me. My birthday isn't really until the end of the week but so what? I was very happy with the flowers, compliments and the incredible feast that was about to be laid out for us.

Bienvenue is a demure little bistro in Red Bank NJ and once you enter, you are transported inside a little inn next to the French countryside.
You can almost smell
the air tinged with
sea salt,
the faint
wisps of scent
from delicate rose petals,
the sweet trickling
of a stream
splashes
of goldfish

and the blue blue sky.

Those of you living in NJ or NY who haven’t been to this little town have to make a special trip and visit. Situated on the banks of Monmouth County's beautiful Navesink River, the Borough of Red Bank is a small town, approximately five miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. Red Bank takes its name from the clay banks of the river that serves as one of its borders. Even though it is a tiny little spot it boasts of over 75 restaurants and is also known for its boutiques, culture and parks.

Chef Frederic works in the kitchen by himself and his lovely wife Audrey takes care of the front of the house and last night we even got to see Hugo, their little baby.

Without taking a plane to the south of France I had probably the simplest yet the most flavorful southern French home cooking. We had 7 courses over 3 hours...accompanied by some delicious wines.

Home made pate plus caviar d'aubergine (long roasted eggplant with tomatoes, garlic and fresh herbs).

Porcini with black Truffle Risotto

Warm goat cheese salad with red beet vinaigrette

Home made foie gras terrine with black truffle salt

Bouillabaise marseilleuse

Duck Confit with pomme salardaise

Frangipane as dessert.

With candles that I made a wish on and blew out.



7 E. Front St
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Tel: 732-936-0640

Kiss & Fly

Kiss & Fly...! Isn't that what we want to do all the time? Ha Ha! The same group that has opened Bagatelle has also opened this super chic night club. I was thrilled when Jaclyn invited me to take a look at the nightclub before it was opening for a party. And as soon as I walked in the space, it just took my breath away. An incredible mixture of sci-fi cool and exotic elegance. The fact that it was devoid of the beautiful party people made it easier for me to just take in the sheer loveliness of the architecture, furnishings and ambiance.

So now, I have to go back for a different experience, to hear the clink of champagne glasses, whisper of well shod heels and the kaleidoscope of music and laughter.

409, West 14th Street
New York, NY

Rayuela

Rayuela is located in one of my favorite areas of the LES or the Lower East Side of NY. A proverbial melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, the LES was originally formed by several immigrant communities whose influences still resonate. Set off by Houston and Canal streets along with the FDR Drive; funky shops, bars, and restaurants radiate from Ludlow and Orchard Streets. Even though this was a very busy Saturday night, the service at Rayuela was good and the presentation of the various dishes that we'd ordered was just right. Rayuela (Spanish for “hopscotch” and the title of the experimental novel by South American writer Julio Cortázar) introduces Estilo Libre Latino (Freestyle Latino) cuisine, which respects yet redefines traditional Latin American and Spanish dishes including ceviche and tapas. The restaurant is owned by Executive Chef Máximo Tejada, up-and-coming restaurateur Hector Sanz and Paul Fernandez.

Pulpo con Chorizo: Octopus with Colombian Chorizo
Higadillos de Pollo: Chicken livers with olives and artichokes
Cedorniz con lentejas: roasted quail with a stew of pork belly, and black lentils.
Arroz con Pollo: Free range chicken with apple sausage, olives and valencia rice
Dessert: Trio Catalanes or 3 Spanish custards-dulce de leche, almendra, calamansi
Yum, Yum Yum!!! And you have to try their Sangria.

165 Allen St
New York, NY 10002
tel: 212 253-8840

Blaue Gans

Blaue Gans which in English translates to the Blue Goose is another venutre by Chef Kurt Gutenbunner who also presides at the Austrian restaurant Wallse located in the West Village. The restaurant is lined with European art and film posters(left unchanged from the time of Le Zinc, the previous spot here) from the early 20th century and elegant furnishings make for a very genteel yet casual atmosphere. Service is impeccable and the servers are helpful in translating the Austrian/German nature of the dishes.

The food is typical Austrian bistro fare but not for the faint of heart. Unless one enjoys large helpings of meats, sausages and saurkraut. For wine lovers there are some incredible wines to try from grapes like Blaufrankisch, Gruner Veltliner and of course Zweigelt, a red grape variety developed in 1922, by Fritz Zweigelt. A place which has developed rapidly into a local spot where the Tribeca gentry meet and perhaps discuss art, fashion and their latest gourmet adventures.

139 Duane St
New York, NY 10013
tel: (212)571-8880