LITTLE GIANT

REVIEW

February 15, 2009


CUISINE: American (New)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Lower East Side

85 Orchard Street at Broome 

(p) 212-226-5047

 

Little restaurant with a giant attitude problem, but all around delicious food.  Between four us we started with the chicken fois gras, and peppadew pepper and goat cheese "nibble." When we asked out waitress how big the nibble portion was, she responded, “it’s a nibble.”  We also tried the buttermilk chive and roasted garlic biscuit  with honey butter, which was dangerously good.  For the main course we sampled the kobe beef (understated on paper, extraordinary in the mouth), dayboat scallops and lentils (healthy and simple), swine of the week (robust and smokey), and the orrichette with homemade pancetta (overloaded with cream).   

 


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Posted in FOOD on February 15, 2009 9:06pm by Jena Steinbach | 11 comments





Spitzers Corner

REVIEW

February 8, 2009


CUISINE: American (New), Bar Food, Burgers
NEIGHBORHOOD: Lower East Side

101 Rivington St at Ludlow

(p) 212-228-0027

 

The long wooden bar greets you with many, many different types of imported beer.  Free-for-all tables in the front room unite groups of friends and single diners, while the huge room in the back offers a more conventional experience.  Tall glasses of beer are accompanied by superb, perfectly portioned plates of food.  The servings are small-- not tapas tiny, but just filling enough-- the way food in this obesity rising country should be served.  Kobe beef burgers on brioche buns are “simply the best” says the menu, “threat yourself.”  The papardelle crudo is pleasantly al dente.  Side dishes like herbed popcorn, housemade French fries, and Guss’ Famous Pickles are approximately $5 a pop and definitely worth it.  Beware: Out of town weekend crowds can ruin everything.

 


Posted in FOOD on February 8, 2009 9:02pm by Seth | 7 comments





Pala'

REVIEW

February 8, 2009


CUISINE: Italian, Pizza
NEIGHBORHOOD: East Village, Lower East Side

198 Allen St between Stanton and Houston St

(p) 212-614-7252

 

The pizzas are baked in enormous wood ovens and served on individual “palà,” Italian for shovel. Though the meaty pies are salty and satisfying, nothing comes close to the Etna, an eternally delicious combination of eggplant, cherry tomato sauce, mozzarella, ricotto salata, and basil.  The Carciofi Al Parmigiano salad with marinated grilled artichokes is the perfect pre-pizza light dish. And the hearty Arancini risotto balls are the ideal heavy app.  Pastas aren’t bad but the pizzas are way better. Your taste buds (and wallet) will be very happy. 

 


Posted in FOOD on February 8, 2009 8:51pm by Seth | 10 comments





Cafe Pepe Rosso

REVIEW

February 8, 2009


CUISINE: Italian
NEIGHBORHOOD: East Village, Lower East Side

127 Avenue C at 8th street

(p)212-529-7747

 

The sign on the wall reads, “Pepe Rosso is small and intimate; too small and too intimate for you to be talking on your cell phone. Text messaging is okay.”  We’ve been going to this restaurant consistently for three years, through two generations of management, and the addition of built-in wooden seating. The staff knows us and like us a lot.  Maybe they’ll like you, too.  Little touches like brown paper bags over the lights and a gigantic chalkboard menu create a simple, yet affectionate décor. Like most frequent diners, we have some menu favorites.  The arugola, apple, and gorgonzola salad is sweet and savory to perfection. Penne vodka with pancetta is delicious, especially for $8.95.  The classic eggplant parmigana also will not disappoint. Stick to the big, hearty portions of homemade pasta; they are generally superior to the entrees.  Though the prices have risen steadily over the past three years, (from unbelievably cheap to very decently priced), Pepe Rosso is a safe bet for any occasion.


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Posted in FOOD on February 8, 2009 8:40pm by Seth | 12 comments