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71 Irving

REVIEW

February 8, 2009


CUISINE: Brunch, Coffeehouse, Sandwiches
NEIGHBORHOOD: Flatiron/Union Square

71 Irving Place

Between 18th and 19th st
(p) 212-995-5252

 

Cozy and crowded, 71 Irving offers more than just coffee and teas.  Many healthy options like granola and homemade hummus put up a good fight against the more gluttonous proscuitto panino and slew of baked goods.  A tad on the pricey side, but so is Starbucks. Go here instead.

 

 


Posted in FOOD on February 8, 2009 8:36pm by Seth | 27 comments





Counter

REVIEW

February 8, 2009


CUISINE: Bistro, Brunch, Vegan, Vegetarian
NEIGHBORHOOD: East Village

105 First Avenue at 7th street

(p) 212-982-5870

 

Forget your morning sweet tooth.  Counter proves that French toast absolutely needs to be made with real eggs. Their vegan version with banana flambee had the consistency of a regurgitated meal, and a taste so faint it was more like an aftertaste. The Omelette Lorraine was greasy, the potatoes were not crispy, and the side salad was tiny and seriously overdressed. The only saving grace was the housemade baked goods with sangria marmalade and strawberry butter.  The service was atrocious and the prices were high—drinks were not included and regular coffee cost $3.  You’re better off brunching at Café Brama a few blocks north.  

 


Posted in FOOD on February 8, 2009 8:30pm by Seth | 20 comments





Centovini

REVIEW

February 8, 2009


CUISINE: Italian
NEIGHBORHOOD: Soho, West Village

25 W Houston St

Between Mercer and Greene St
(p) 212-219-2113

 

Centovini is the spawn of high-end design store neighbor, Moss, and restauranteur Nicola Marzovilla (owner of I Trulli).  Drink and eat with stylish cutlery on a magically rubbery table that indents when you push it. If you’re that impressed you can go next door and buy one for around $40,000.  Chef Patti Jackson, who used to work at Alto, favors seasonal and locally grown produce.  Our preferred selections from the restaurant week menu were the Beans and Pancetta, followed by the Shortrib, and concluding with the Panna Cotta.  These were all expertly prepared, and quite tasty. Some things we didn’t like: Being charged $5 for both bread and olives that we didn’t order, and knowing that the usual three course Prix Fixe is $38.  Three dollars off for restaurant week?  How generous.

 


Posted in FOOD on February 8, 2009 8:27pm by Seth | 25 comments