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Drop me off in Harlem

11 Oct

This past week I’ve eaten at two spots in Harlem that totally reminded me why I love living up here.

1. Melba’s. Imagine the southern comfort food of Sylvia’s (Melba is Sylvia’s niece) served in a small, modern and slightly more upscale dining room with better decor (century-old chandeliers, black subway tile, church pews). We went for brunch on a drippy, chilly morning and my irritation at the unpleasant walk dissipated when we stepped into the warm and homey interior. Despite being packed (they take res before noon), Melba’s managed to exude a calmness; instrumental Bob Marley tracks played softly. After a short wait and being served biscuits—never a bad thing—I ordered a basic spinach omelette (zzzz) but my husband tried the signature brunch dish: Southern Fried Chicken and Eggnog Waffles. He said it was one of the best dishes he had EVER had. Based on my bite, it’s no wonder it beat one of Bobby Flay’s in a throwdown. The bill—including one mimosa and a side of grits to honor my late Meme in Birmingham—came to less than $40 with tip! I couldn’t help but think how welcoming and festive this place must feel around the holidays.

2. Chez Lucienne. This cozy French bistro is right next door to Red Rooster. Less of a scene while still being lively,  it’s been ranked as one of the top restaurants in Harlem for the past few years. Even on a random Tuesday it was full of French speakers, both at the bar and at tables. The soupe a l’oignon has just the right amount of salt, topped by a perfect  slice of gruyere—sop up every last drop with thick-cut french bread. Choose from steak au poivre, coq au vin, moules, escargot, and assorted poisson and other treats from la mer. Or hell, just have a delicious-looking kobe beef burger. But no matter what you order, you MUST get the frites. Wines are about $9/glass, and while we didn’t indulge, other people appeared to be enjoying the selection. Or go on a Wednesday when many bottles are half off. In fact, there are a bunch of daily specials that keep your tab from becoming extravagant.

Uptown really is indescribable: the spots, the people, the vibe. Come visit us sometime!

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Remember The Redhead?

7 Sep

The Redhead is one of those places that, when it opened in 2008, was so talked about you probably boycotted on principle. It’s small, and they don’t take reservations for fewer than five, and you were likely sick of the fried-chicken craze.

Well, it’s 2012. And the place is still damn good. And affordable. And worth a visit. Set in a dark, unassuming space on E. 13th near First Ave., chef Meg Grace offers her twist on Southern comfort food. Diet-friendly this place is not. But you won’t mind when huge, soft, fresh rolls with honey butter find their way to your table. We started not with the signature bacon peanut brittles (better as a bar snack), but with waffle chips and butter-braised onion dip (a bit of WT perfection).

Next up was the beet salad with horseradish ranch dressing, followed by the two menu must-haves: fried chicken (completely shareable) and a small order of the shrimp and grits with perfectly spicy andouille sausage. Our one near-mistake was getting the drop biscuits with honey—unnecessary due to those rolls from heaven. But I ate them for lunch the next day, along with the cheddar broccoli we somehow didn’t have room for. All of this, plus a beer and an Arnold Palmer, came to $35 per person. Steal! And while the food is indulgent, we didn’t feel disgusting afterward.

Beyond the party in your mouth, Redhead is simply lovely. The people who work here just seem like kind souls; each time our server delivered a dish, I wished he were my uncle.

Even at four years old the place remains packed, so get there early. Or just wait for a table at the small bar, like the locals do. Slow down, sip some whiskey, pretend you’re in the South. What’s the rush? You can go to the gym tomorrow.

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Commerce: Oldie but goodie

13 Aug

For those of you who haven’t been to Commerce yet, please go. It’s hidden on a tiny street in the West Village, so you can’t be blamed for sometimes forgetting about it. I really do think it’s one of the most special places in the city. The current incarnation opened in 2008, but the building has been around since 1911 and was once a speakeasy. Today’s Nouveau American dishes are creative and delightful, but that is just one (very important) thing to love.

Seriously bustling with a classic New York crowd—well-dressed and ready to enjoy themselves—Commerce manages to make you feel completely at home. The staff is personable, efficient and non-pretentious. The beautiful interior, from the stunning 1941 Brunswick Bar to the deep Parisian-inspired banquettes, is accented by warm brasserie lighting that flatters your plates and dining partners. There’s also a striking 4×16-foot mural by painter David Joel.

The prices ($15 cocktails and apps, $25+ mains) are worthy of celebratory nights out. Commerce is also good for impressing out-of-towners without overwhelming them (although probably too loud for visiting parents).

Just don’t eat a bagel for breakfast on the day of your reservation: Meals begin with a famous seven-different-types-of-bread basket and a giant mound of butter.

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New York Mouth

31 Jul

I can’t get enough of local artisanal foods. I dig the idea of trying something new, something independent, something made by my fellow subway riders. That’s why I am loving New York Mouth. They offer more than 200 original products ready to be tasted and enjoyed. Landmarc Caramels. Brooklyn Brine Whiskey Sour Pickles. Roni-Sue Chocolates Chili-Lime Lollipops. Buy individually, or opt for pre-selected theme packages, which make THE BEST gifts (especially for out-of-towners). Themes range from Brunch in a Bag to Just Add Cheese. Subscription-based services include Jerky Every Month and Cookies Every Night (nothing wrong with that)!

As the site says:

“WE LOVE FOOD.
WE LOVE INDIE FOOD.
WE LOVE HAND-CRAFTED, HAND-MADE AND SMALL-BATCH.
WE LOVE NEW YORK.
WE LOVE TASTING THINGS ON LITTLE WOODEN SPOONS.
WE LOVE DELICIOUS.”

So do I, New York Mouth. So do I.

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I found another good spot to eat before the theataaah.

23 Jul

Prettily presented quesadilla.

OK, so it’s more Hell’s Kitchen than Times Square, but the service is speedy enough to get you to your seats on time. On 49th and Ninth, Ponche Taqueria & Cantina is a 20-seat taco shop with good, cheap food: $6 fresh, creamy guac, $7 quesadillas, $3 tacos or $12 for three (with a side of not-special rice and beans). *And yes, you can mix-and-match taco types.* The must-get is the pescado: lightly battered mahi mahi with pickled cabbage and a light chipotle mayo sauce. I also liked the camarones taco. And the carne asado taco. So what if I like tacos? My only complaint: mostly flour tortillas instead of corn. But at least they don’t double wrap.

FYI, this is not some hole-in-the-wall: It’s clean, with friendly staff and nice food presentation—and actual wine glasses for BYOB. If you want to imbibe, stop by the shop half a block away on Ninth—no corkage fee unless you’re drinking bottle after bottle. Liquor license is in the works, but because there’s a school across the street, booze sales may be limited to certain hours. Location is removed enough from the aggravation of Times Square but not so far to be inconvenient. The post-curtain crowd was a bit young (must be the prices!); sit near the front for the best acoustics.

Oh! And 10% off your bill if you pay with cash.

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I have never seen a place like this in Manhattan

18 Jul

Last night I visited a space so special, it was like being at a resort in the Caribbean—and not just because of the plot of sand. La Marina is a brand-new, massive waterfront bar and restaurant in Washington Heights. The menu is still a work in progress but the space itself is just beautiful. (It’s nothing like Water Taxi Beach ever was, and about 100 times better than Beekman Beer Garden or any other on-the-river establishment will ever be.) There are seriously impressive views of the GW Bridge, NJ’s Palisades Park and the Hudson. Honestly, people were jet-skiing (?) about 20 feet from my table, which was both bizarre and a little bit rad.

Do yourself a favor and take the A train all the way uptown and spend an afternoon here eating mussels and drinking sparkling rosé. Or eating chicken lollipops and drinking beer. Whatever you’re in the mood for. Just go. You won’t believe your eyes.

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PERFECT iced coffee comes to Harlem

12 Jul

Clearly, there is also lemonade.

LOVE new businesses in our hood! Kuro Kuma (“Black Bear” in Japanese) is a tiny coffee shop brewing Counter Culture Coffee and serving a handful of Balthazar pastries, including mini-scones (my fave bc you get a taste without feeling *too* guilty). It’s a barely-there storefront on LaSalle b/t Broadway and Claremont; one of the owners David lives up the street. Upon gutting the space he discovered original tin ceilings that he left exposed, then he added pretty blue tiles along the back wall. The register is just an iPad running the ShopKeep point-of-sale system; there are only two small cafe tables. On hot, sticky summer mornings, this stop-and-go joint is a lifesaver—my trek to the train will never be the same.

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Free music. Outdoors. Not too crowded.

5 Jul

This is what an urban concert looks like. There is a funky band way up there.

Do you know City Winery? It’s an intimate space that brings great performances to downtown Manhattan. While most shows are indoors, the venue throws a tiny backyard party with live acts on Tuesday nights during the summer. And it’s free. The Hudson Square Music & Wine Festival features eclectic musicians, food vendors, and of course, vino from City Winery. From 5:30-7:30pm, chill out and have a drink or two with other people from the nabe. Even the treats are pretty cheap—$3 hot dogs, $6 beers, $7 wines. But my favorite thing is that it’s not crowded (like so many other outdoor music experiences). Check out the rest of the lineup—the party happens weekly until August 28.

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Dudes, you can finally try on Bonobos!

2 Jul

Bonobos are well made, sweet-looking pants that most guys can rock. Problem is, they’re only sold online. And even though shipping is free and returns are easy, it still sucks when something seems perfect onscreen and meh on arrival.

Now, though, guys can try on Bonobos before committing. Find your best fit at the little “guideshop” beside the company’s headquarters on Sixth Ave and W. 25th. (You won’t leave with duds in hand but delivery only takes a day or two.)

Appointments are recommended because of the limited dressing rooms, but you can also just show up and wait—after all, there’s beer; the bar will be fully stocked soon.

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Wait—what? There is a Brooklyn-themed bar in Manhattan. (Why?)

27 Jun

I know! I think it’s weird, too! But I decided to check it out because it’s near my office in an area with few bars. So, let me tell you about The Brooklyneer on Houston near Varick:

  • There’s a decent selection of NY beers: BK Brewery (of course), Captain Lawrence, Coney Island and Sixpoint (but I think I expected a few more).
  • Many cocktails are made using BK-sourced spirits and mixers (Brooklyn Republic Gin/Vodka, Q Tonic, KBBK Kombucha).
  • Much of the food is from BK vendors (pickles by Brooklyn Brine, preserves by Anarchy in a Jar, cupcakes by Robicelli). MENU
  • Apparently, the 30-foot long bartop was once part of the old Coney Island Boardwalk.
  • Our hipster bartender was most definitely from BK.
  • We had a jalapeno and cheese pretzel from Sigmund’s which defied our expectations—it was served hot with a spicy honey mustard (seemed like a strange paring but worked well), but, I might add, Sigmund’s is not in BK.

Warning from my sipping companion: Unless it’s happy hour, don’t expect BK prices. Pints start at $7 and cocktails are $12.

Toto, we are definitely in Manhattan.

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