Balthazar

REVIEW

February 25, 2010


CUISINE: Bistro, French
NEIGHBORHOOD: Nolita, Soho

(photo taken from Balthazarny.com)

80 Spring Street

(P.) 212-965-1414

Balthazar on Urbanspoon

 

To me, Balthazar is a New York institution.  I remember when I made my first solo trip to the city, I ordered the shepherd’s pie.  When I graduated from college, my family squeezed around a circular table, and the light reflected off of the speckled mirrors and white tabletop, where our wine left purple rings.  I remember meeting an ex-boyfriend for martinis at the long wooden bar, and squeezing an impromptu business gathering into one of the booths that flank the area.  The last time my grandmother was in town, we ate salade nicoise and drank cups of coffee.  Such are my memories of Balthazar.  CONT'D

 

 


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Posted in FOOD on February 25, 2010 3:22pm by Rachel Hochhauser | 2 comments





La Esquina

REVIEW

February 3, 2010


CUISINE: Mexican
NEIGHBORHOOD: Nolita, Soho

 

114 Kenmare St. at Lafayette St.

(p) 646-613-7100

 

I don't like to eat at restaurants where people are jerks.  La Esquina is my exception.  The famously hipper-than-thou staff once told a friend of mine, "I'm sorry, we don't have you in our system, so there is nothing I can do for you."  But the food's good, y'all, and you can eat it easily if you avoid the crowd downstairs. CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on February 3, 2010 11:06am by Rachel Hochhauser | 2 comments





Hundred Acres

REVIEW

October 14, 2009


CUISINE: American (New), Chicken
NEIGHBORHOOD: Soho

Photo: NYmag.com

38 MacDougal at Prince St.

(p) 212-475-7500

 

Our visit to Macdougal Street’s Hundred Acres may or may not have been the same week the restaurant appeared on New York's favorite guilty pleasure, Gossip Girl. But GG endorsement or not, the restaurant had the chops to impress YAH. The farmyard-inspired décor and market-driven seasonal menu (printed daily) lend themselves to the autumn spirit, providing the ideal setting for an October meal. CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on October 14, 2009 9:27am by Rachel Hochhauser | 0 comments





Boqueria

REVIEW

October 6, 2009


CUISINE: Spanish, Tapas, Venezuelan
NEIGHBORHOOD: Soho

Photo: Eater.com


Soho’s Boqueria has all of the components necessary for an enjoyable and authentic tapas experience: a robust wine list, an offering of traditional dishes and seasonally-crafted specials, bars or booths depending on your preference, and an open kitchen. Our server knew intimate details of each and every dish we ordered, reflecting upon the contrast of flavors, and which dishes would pair nicely. He recommended a bottle of wine that perfectly suited our requests and tastes, and ultimately the food was flawlessly prepared and equally delicious. CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on October 6, 2009 10:01am by Rachel Hochhauser | 0 comments





Calexico

REVIEW

June 22, 2009


CUISINE: Mexican
NEIGHBORHOOD: Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens, Mobile, Soho

 

Wooster St and Prince St 

Broadway and Broome St

(p) 917-674-1869

122 Union St Between Columbia and Hicks St

(p) 718-488-8226

 

I've always looked to street cart food and those who eat it with an eye of disapproval. All I see is a sweaty dude chopping chunks of beef, choking it with sauce, and filling the streets with a distinct, street food smell. But then I had lunch from Calexico and set my prejudice aside for good.  My burrito was by far the best Mexican food I've had in the city-- and it's not fast food either. The meat is grilled to order, which takes about ten to fifteen minutes per job.  The famed Calexico carna asada (grilled marinated skirt steak), can be made in burrito or taco form and is simply delicious.

 


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Posted in FOOD on June 22, 2009 2:17pm by Jena Steinbach | 0 comments