Delicious healthy fare (oxymoron?) at Rouge Tomate

I was hoping to put up more posts this week as I’ve eaten several blog-worthy meals in the past week (sneak peek…The Orchard receives a thumbs up with a few reservations and Mia Dona receives a thumbs down with no reservations…ah, the puns).  Those posts will have to wait as I have to tell you [...]

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Is Pio Pio a reason to move?

Pio Pio has been on the list for a long time and we finally made our way to 94th and Amsterdam on Sunday night to meet my husband’s aunt for dinner.  The restaurant was bustling with a diverse crowd at 7:30.  Pio Pio is known for its Peruvian rotisserie chicken.  Our Peruvian chicken standards are [...]

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Mac and cheese, please!

We invited our friends, Jill and Greg (and sweet baby Theo, who barely made a peep), over on Saturday.  I turned to one of my favorite comfort-food recipes, Barefoot Contessa’s barbecue sauce for chicken (see my previous post).  To ensure that we would not be able not move after dinner, I also made macaroni and [...]

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Friday afternoon sugar high – Crumbs cupcakes

Just went I thought that I wasn’t going to have anything to post about today, we had Crumbs cupcakes in my office this afternoon to send off a colleague who has taken a new job.  I admit it – I really love Crumbs cupcakes.  There is a new location (on 3rd between 53rd and 54th) [...]

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Craft Frugal Friday field report

I have been rather lax on posting lately.  Between our vacation in December, the holidays and our trip to Utah to ski last weekend, I haven’t eaten at many new spots and I haven’t cooked or baked any notable dishes.  (As a side note, should you find yourself in Salt Lake, make a beeline for [...]

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Co. revealed

With much excitement, we went to Co. on Tuesday night.  Jim Lahey – the man, the myth (who was in the house!) – has expanded his bread empire with a much-anticipated pizza restaurant.  I joined my husband and two friends after they were already seated at one of two long communal tables (they were told [...]

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New UWS hot spot – West Branch

Addendum:  I beat Frank Bruni to the punch!  I agree with his one-star review of West Branch in today’s Times.  He liked the “Cuban,” too!
On account of the snowy weather on Saturday, we decided to “eat locally” by staying on the UWS.  First we tried Salumeria Rosi – I was surprised to learn that they [...]

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Hell’s Kitchen gem – Kashkaval

As you can tell from my previous two posts, the 2009 dining year is off to a lackluster start.  One bright spot was last Saturday night’s dinner at Kashkaval in Hell’s Kitchen.  I had been intrigued by this specialty grocer/wine and snacks bar since reading this review on serious eats. 
My husband and I went to Kashkaval [...]

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A note to my waiter at Strip House

Dear waiter,
I know that your restaurant serves topnotch steaks and the black truffle creamed spinach is to die for, but please don’t repeat the following next time I visit your restaurant with clients (or friends, for that matter): 

Say “that’s the way it’s going to be” when I complain about the stifling heat (everyone at the [...]

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Weekend eats – The Place

I take my list seriously.  Restaurants do not make the list without being researched and vetted thoroughly.  Thus, it’s very disappointing when a restaurant on the list is a dud, as was the case with The Place on Friday night.  I will spare you the details as The Place is not worthy of a full [...]

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