Blue Dog Cafe

REVIEW

April 19, 2010


CUISINE: Salads, Sandwiches
NEIGHBORHOOD: Chelsea, Flatiron/Union Square

 

101 W. 25th Street at Sixth Ave.

(p) 212-229-9222

 

It might not look like much  — it's small and cold with sparse seating— but someone behind the tiny counter is whipping up gourmet sandwiches fit for a queen.  Generously lathered on a fresh baguette, the tarragon chicken salad with avocado and havarti is delicious.  Another fine option: turkey with brie, and caramelized pears.  Seasonal and unique, daily salads are cause for celebration: strawberry, greens, and ricotta salata one day, dried apricots, pistachio and mint the next.  If you want something hot, there's homemade soup (usually two options and oftentimes pea) and quiche (broccoli and cheddar, portobello and spinach) to warm you up. Coffee pairs nicely with the homemade cupcakes and extra large chocolate chip cookies. Find a soft one, there's usually one or two in the mix. 

 


Posted in FOOD on April 19, 2010 10:06am by Jena Steinbach | 13 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

 


» MORE


Posted in FOOD on September 30, 2009 10:15am by Rachel Hochhauser | 5 comments





Baoguette Pho Sure

REVIEW

July 22, 2009


CUISINE: Sandwiches, Vietnamese
NEIGHBORHOOD: Greenwich Village, West Village

 

120 Christopher St at Bedford St

(p) 212-929-0877

 

After eating so many cans of tuna fish that the stuff was beginning to feel like cat food, I was excited to skip my standby lunch and check out Pho Sure, which sells $5 Banh Mi. Banh Mi, a Vietnamese baguette sandwich, is traditionally made with thinly sliced, pickled carrots and daikon, onions, cucumbers, cilantro, jalepenos, and meat or tofu. I ordered the classic Baoguette, which came fully loaded with the traditional accompaniments in addition to pork terrine, pate and pulled pork. I paired my sandwich with a $2 Grape Fruit Mash-- a tangy, grape fruit soda-- that pushed my tab to just under $8.  After placing my order, I took a seat in the front, counter-style half of the restaurant, and waited for my food with at least ten other Pho Sure enthusiasts...

 


» MORE


Posted in FOOD on July 22, 2009 9:22am by Jena Steinbach | 10 comments





BOCCA LUPA

REVIEW

June 1, 2009


CUISINE: Italian, Sandwiches
NEIGHBORHOOD: Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens

 

391 Henry Street at Warren Street

(p) 718-243-2522

 

Bocca Lupo rests on quiet Henry street amidst enviable town houses.  Inside, poured concrete floors, high ceilings, and wooden tables create a rustic, San Francisco-like decor.  The menu is sandwich-based, consisting of tramezzini (crustless sandwiches)  and toasty panini.  Bruschette, insalata, and antipasti are also available, and contorni like warm farro with mushrooms and sauteed asparagus are added to the menu for dinner. All sandwiches arrive with roasted tomatoes, pickled cauliflower, and a fresh stalk of rosemary. The sausage and broccoli rabe panini is a unique standout, packed with flavor, yet surprisingly light. For dessert, the mint panna cotta with strawberries paired with a hot espresso should do the trick.  Extensive wine and whiskey options helps turn this sandwich spot into a lingering, late night bar/restaurant, where food is served until 2am.  A savory brunch is available on weekends.

 

 


Posted in FOOD on June 1, 2009 1:57pm by Jena Steinbach | 15 comments





Snack

REVIEW

May 14, 2009


CUISINE: Greek, Salads, Sandwiches
NEIGHBORHOOD: Soho

 

 

Melitzanosalata, Skordalia, feta, grape leaves

 

105 Thompson Btwn Prince and Spring St

(p) 212-925-1040

 

While Snack does serve full-sized meals, it does so in a tiny, snack-sized space. With only a few tables (maybe five?), lines can be out the door for a seat at this tasty Greek restaurant. To start off your meal, be sure to order a slew of Meze (cold and hot appetizers), which include a cool tzatzik (cucumber yogurt dip), classic houmous, hearty malitzanosalata (roasted eggplant), and savory Keftedakia (veal meatballs with almonds, pine nuts and prunes). All Meze are served with triangularly cut pita which are freshly baked and highly addictive...

 


» MORE


Posted in FOOD on May 14, 2009 10:21am by Jena Steinbach | 3 comments