Archive | July, 2013

Morningside Heights gets fancy

11 Jul


Flat Top

Walking around the hood today, B and I noticed a new biz cropping up! And it happens to be our fave thing: a restaurant. (Yay! More food.) Apparently, Flat Top is a bistro. Or a cafe. Or a place to drink wine. Or a combination of all three. Sleek-looking with a blue-gray exterior, it caught our attention because it’s so different from anything else in the area.

Then we peeped the menu in the window. We were surprised to see bone marrow, a $17 burger and $20+ entrees! There’s even a big, meat-y dish (porterhouse?) for two, for $62. I can’t be more specific than that because the menu had mysteriously disappeared by the time we’d made our way back from the park. Guess it will return in time for next week’s opening…

Since we moved here three years ago, the area has seen some great additions: Bettalona, Jin Ramen, Kuro Kuma, Toast Chicken, etc. But this is much pricier than our typical local joints. Who are they hoping to attract? Students on scholarships? Independently wealthy professors? The Harlem elite?

Maybe just curious moms with blogs.

Tags: ,

Two new-ish, don’t-miss, taste-this North Fork wineries

8 Jul

I REALLY love wine tasting on the North Fork. I’ve experienced it by bike, in the dead of winter, in a chauffeur-driven car and even with a baby. Done responsibly, it’s an easy and relaxing day trip from the city. (Just time it well, traffic-wise.) On my most recent visit, we explored two wineries that didn’t exist the last time I was out there. But I was so impressed with them!

1. Sparkling Pointe: With the motto “If it’s not sparkling…what’s the pointe?” this place is obviously all about the bubbly. It’s the only NY winery dedicated to the exclusive production of Méthode Champenoise (which basically means the French method). While it’s one of the more expensive tastings on the North Fork ($17 for a flight of four wines), your palate will thank your wallet. The space itself is beautiful: light, airy and modern, with white walls and brightly colored paintings depicting scenes of … life in Brazil? Yeah, just because the owners love it there. (Their Carnaval costume is at the entrance to the gift shop). While this is a little bizarre for Southold, it’s a nice touch that helps further distinguish Sparkling Pointe from all of the other wineries. Same with the huge back patio, where cool-looking people in sunglasses enjoy bottles on ice, creating a bit of a Miami-among-the-vines feel.

2. One Woman: First of all, just look at this adorable place!

IMG_1422

A tiny hut serves as the tasting room for an awesome one-woman show. Claudia Purita grew up in Italy tending to her family’s farm; now she singlehandedly cares for her own grapes. When we visited, her daughter was pouring in the tasting room and said Claudia hardly ever comes in—that’s how much she prefers to be out in the field. By the way, these “tastings”? They are serious pours (unlike the precisely measured ounces from the nearby factory-feeling Pindar, for example). There were only a handful of people at One Woman, so we enjoyed our sauvignon blanc buzz on the teeny porch at a totally unpretentious picnic table.

Sometimes it feels good to get out of Manhattan.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Off the registry: My fave presents for foodies

3 Jul

I had a baby, so I went away for a while.  But I’m back … and so is wedding season!

Stephanie and monroe cancun wedding 5408 290

As invitations take over our fridge, I cannot bear to order another boring appliance off the registry. So I started to compile my favorite non-traditional gift ideas–and realized they are all related to food. I guess I like to eat!

Here are my non-traditional gift ideas for foodies (who probably own plenty of  kitchen stuff):

MOUTH: Treat them to high-quality artisan foods, from charcuterie to chocolate, coffee to cookies, jerky to jams. Overwhelmed by the choices? Go for a themed gift bundle (Meat Market, Brunch in a Bag, etc.); one’s even called The Happy Couple. Or get the bride and groom a recurring gift subscription so they can be reminded of your good taste month after month.

GOLDBELY: This still-in-beta site sells regional gourmet specialties from around the country—treats for which the region is known, like Lou Malnati’s deep-dish pizza from Chicago, Salt Lick BBQ from Texas, Pioneer Pecan Pies from Oklahoma City and 7-layer caramel cake from Caroline’s in South Carolina. Kind of kitschy, kind of cool.

WINE CLUBS. Your best bet is to pick a local winery you know and love, or else a small retailer near you (over a national club like Zagat or NYT). If you’re buying for beer snobs, try the craft brews of a monthly beer club. Spirit-of-the-month clubs are fun for mixologist couples.

I am also a big fan of experiential gifts:

CULINARY CLASSES. It’s convenient if the couple lives near an ICE or Le Cordon Bleu but you can also check out national chains like Sur La Table or Williams-Sonoma. Local restaurants may also offer cuisine-themed classes on slower nights.

DINNER AT A BRAND-NEW RESTAURANT. Research the latest hotspot and treat them to a night out. They’ll need it when newlywed life becomes… just life.

Tags: , , , ,