Lunching and Shopping at Grand Central Market

REVIEW

March 11, 2010


CUISINE: American (New), Desserts & Bakeries, Italian
NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown

 

A couple of weeks ago YAH was invited to go sampling in the Grand Central Market. Having grown up in Bedford, NY, Frankie's the only one in the gang who's familiar with Grand Central. Madeline and Rachel are from California, and when Seth and I want to visit the family in Philadelphia, we're stuck with Penn Station, the food options of which are limited to Famous Amos cookies at the news stand, or a full blown wings-and-fries dinner at TGI Fridays.  I knew that Grand Central had some decent grub, but I didn't realize the extent of their culinary prowess. Forget getting a train; let's get some lunch.

 

Below: A rundown of the day's edibles, plus a video of YAH talking to Murray's Cheese, interviewing Mr. Zaro of Zaro's Bread, and sampling $100 per lb. proscuitto.

 


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Posted in FOOD on March 11, 2010 8:51am by Jena Steinbach | 0 comments





Caffe Falai

REVIEW

September 30, 2009


CUISINE: Brunch, Desserts & Bakeries, Salads, Sandwiches
NEIGHBORHOOD: Nolita

Photo: Gavin Thomas, NYmag.com

 

265 Lafayette St at Prince St

(p) 212-274-8615

 

For those who crave the rich flavor of Falai, but are worried about the waistline of their wallets, a compromise can be found in brunch at Soho’s Caffe Falai. Breakfast was meant to be good this past Saturday; it was the weekend, the sky was clear and blue and there was a table to be had out front — without a wait. The café is beautifully decorated in shades of white, giving an airy, fresh feeling to the place.  In fact, more than one person commented on how clean the window-glass was. Caffe Falai’s success is perhaps partially due to its atmosphere, but surely also thanks to the food. CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on September 30, 2009 10:15am by Rachel Hochhauser | 1 comment





Eleni's New York

REVIEW

September 8, 2009


CUISINE: Cupcakes, Desserts & Bakeries
NEIGHBORHOOD: Chelsea, Upper East Side

 

75 9th Avenue at 15th Street /1270 Madison Ave Between 90 & 91st St

(p) 1-888-435-3647

 

Ever dream of eating Robert Pattinson's head? Look no further than Eleni's New York bakery.

 

Eleni's cookies are nice to look at. They're packaged well— chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, ginger snappy, and choco-toffee arrive in their own cylindrical containers within a geometric cardboard box. Other treats, like the seasonal gingerbread cookies are sugary works of art. Orange, red and yellow sprinkles cling to leaf shapes in the "Fall Foliage" gift box.

 

But the themed cookies don't end there. Easter, Halloween, and Thanksgiving cookies are easily overshadowed by the more unique sets of Fashion cookies (Lacoste t-shirt cookies) and Oscar Season cookies (cartoon versions of Micky Rourke and Brad Pitt heads). It's also possible to design your own cookies for business, weddings, and party favors.   

 


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Posted in FOOD on September 8, 2009 8:36am by Jena Steinbach | 3 comments





Sugar Sweet Sunshine

REVIEW

July 23, 2009


CUISINE: Cupcakes, Desserts & Bakeries
NEIGHBORHOOD: Lower East Side

 

126 Rivington St between Essex and Norfolk 

(p) 212-995-1960

 

There are a lot of politics surrounding the cupcake craze that has taken over Manhattan, and Sugar Sweet Sunshine is no exception.  Run by two former Magnolia employees, these cupcakes don't suffer from overly-sugary frosting or a-bit-dry cake; they are perfect.  With cute names like "Ooey Gooey" (chocolate cake with chocolate almond buttercream), "Sexy Red Velvet" and "Sassy Red Velvet" (depending on your frosting preference) and, of course, "Sunshine" (yellow cake with vanilla buttercream), cuteness emanates from this 70's flower-wallpapered bakery...

 


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Posted in FOOD on July 23, 2009 5:00pm by Madeline | 0 comments





Clinton Street Baking Company

REVIEW

June 18, 2009


CUISINE: American (New), American (Traditional), Desserts & Bakeries
NEIGHBORHOOD: Lower East Side

 

4 Clinton Street between Stanton and Houston Street

(p) 646-602-6263

 

 

When friends move out of the city, New Yorkers are quick to move in on their give-aways.    Bartering systems often include cash, packing assistance, or perhaps a free meal.  But in the recent instance of a highly-coveted folding bicycle, YAH's friend made an unusual request: three buttermilk biscuits from Clinton Street Baking Company.  

 

A bike for a biscuit?  One trip to Clinton Street, and you'll be giving away your stuff too.  Flakey and fluffy, yet never dry, these buttery biscuits are sturdy enough to hold the generous helping of eggs on your Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwich.  Just the right amount of salt give these golden wonders a savory bite, and the tomato jam on the Biscuit sandwich adds a tangy kick.   

 


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Posted in FOOD on June 18, 2009 1:01pm by Madeline | 1 comment