Bacon Infused Old Fashioned Cocktails and Deep Fried Mayonnaise Hot Dogs… Intrigued?
courtesy or eater.com
I think that I’m in an oldie, but goodie mood lately. After a cheap 50% off dinner of sake-tinis, sake, sushi and sushi rolls tonight at Sushi Lounge, it was time for a nightcap at PDT. PDT isn’t new. As a matter of fact, it’s been around for a while.
For those who haven’t been before, PDT (Please Don’t Tell) is a modern speakeasy located behind the phone booth inside Crif Dogs. I don’t feel like it’s a bar that I have to keep a secret anymore simply because it’s definitely not a secret anymore. Try reserving a table there and you will most likely be on the phone cursing out a busy signal for an hour. Plus, they have a website now. I say that with a wry smile. Maybe even a smirk.
A casual, but cool feeling bar, PDT plays great music, has dark lighting and animals around the bar. The stuffed animals (taxidermy) don’t do much for me, but hey, it’s not my bar. What is great about PDT is that it is a no standing bar. Just like Angel’s Share, they only allow the amount of people that they can sit in. No standing. I’m a big fan of that rule.
I ordered their version of an Old Fashioned. Bacon infused bourbon, maple syrup, Angostura bitters and a twist of citrus rind (orange would make the most sense, no?). Sweet and interesting. The bacon flavor threw me off because I didn’t realize it was infused with bacon when I ordered it and it was refreshing not in taste, but in the idea of it. Definitely a winner for those who love Old Fashioned cocktails. And I wasn’t in the mood to eat more as I already had sushi for dinner (and pizza and fried chicken and mashed potatoes for lunch), but, dang it, I couldn’t resist. Having already tried their “Chang” dog (created by David Chang of Momofuku’s) in the past, which is a bacon wrapped hot dog topped with kimchi, my eyes opened wide when I realized I’ve never taken a bite of the “Wylie” dog. The “Wylie” dog (created by Wylie Dufresne of WD-50) has deep fried mayonnaise in it. Yes, you read what I wrote correctly. DEEP FRIED MAYONNAISE! It sounds disgusting, but I couldn’t not try it. The hot dog I was presented with was accessorized with lettuce, dried onions, tomato molasses and wouldn’t you know it, a log about 3/4 the size of the hot dog of deep fried mayonnaise. Think mozzarella stick, but instead of mozzarella, mayonnaise. It was a tasty sucker, but halfway through, it was way too much mayonnaise. I wish that not only that there was less mayonnaise, but that there was a way they could have dipped the hot dog in a thin layer of mayonnaise and then deep fried it. I would think that that would make the perfect mayo and hot dog ratio, and you get that crunch. We also got a side of tater tots with melted cheese and pickled jalapenos. One note I must make. They make a freaking great tater tot. I never thought I would ever think this, but it was the best crisp I have ever gotten on a tater tot before. Why can’t public schools serve them this way?
Cocktails aren’t cheap. They start at $14 and are only worth it about half the time. 50% of the time I’ve loved my drinks, the other 50% I was disappointed in the concoctions. But if you ever need a place to impress out of towners, then this is definitely the place to take them. Take your chance and just walk in hoping that there is room to sit, or try your luck at a same day reservation starting at 3PM.
6.5 out of 10
113 Saint Marks Place
New York, NY 10009
(212) 614-0386
-Juice
The Dirty Stinkin’ Whore Martini At Divine Bar West
courtesy of divinebar.ypguides.net
There is something very touristy about Divine Bar West that is a turn off. Think pre and after theatre crowd. But they make some really amazing martinis and tasty treats. If you stop by make sure to ask for a table upstairs. There’s more to the place then just the bar. If you are lucky enough to visit during the warmer months, you might want to try for an outside table.
I cannot rave enough about their Dirty Stinkin’ Whore martini. A massive potato vodka martini is lined with celery salt and garnished with a blue cheese stuffed olive, a roasted shallot and a sliver of red roasted pepper. It goes down so lovely and clean and the celery salt is a heavenly touch to the cold vodka. And when I say that this is a big drink, it really is a big drink. It might even be twice the size of some of the martinis I have had in my life. The rest of their special martini list has beautiful flavors as well, like their Champagne-Grapefruit martini, which is grapefruit vodka, champagne, citrus syrup and a gorgeous sun-dried citrus garnish. It’s looks beautiful in addition to tasting good. The Platinum Cosmo is refreshing and pretty. Made from platinum sipping tequila, white cranberry juice, triple sec, lime juice and a lemon and cranberry garnish, it’s a fantastic twist on a regular Cosmopolitan.
I’m not going to lie. With all of that booze, you will surely want food to munch on. My general opinion of the menu is that the food is good, not amazing, but good. BUT! But, there is one dish that I always have to have when I go there. Hands down, I always have to get the baked brie in a puff pastry with honey, walnuts, dates and apples. You will be using those apple slices to scoop up every last bit of honey and pastry. The funny thing is that it doesn’t taste like they use honey. It tastes like they poured yummy caramel all over it.
Dishes that aren’t mind-blowing, but that are worth giving a go are the tuna sushi roll (wrapped tortilla style, but if there were ham in there instead of tuna I probably wouldn’t have know), the antipasti (this is great if you want quantity, it’s a big platter), the bruschetta with warm goat cheese (absolutely delicious, but their bruschetta portions are very small, 3 to a plate).
How are the desserts you ask? Just like the rest of the menu, not to-die-for, but definitely good and will satisfy and please you. And will plates like pumpkin poppers with butterscotch gelato and a bag of mini doughnuts, how can you resist?
6.5 out of 10
236 W 54th St, New York NY10019
(212) 265-9463
-Juice
Not Memorable, But Still Cute: Felice Wine Bar
courtesy felicewinebar.com
A friend of mine and I had some time before a baking lesson I was giving him and since we were starving, we decided to pop in somewhere and grab a quick bite to eat. We walked by Felice Wine Bar and it looked so cute we had to stop in. Wine bottles line the walls, sleek and innovative lighting fixtures hang from the ceilings and the back bar was just adorable. We ordered a bottle of white wine, at the waitress’s choosing. I wish I could remember what it was, but I’m not a huge wine drinker (I think my body is becoming allergic to it as I get older) and to me it just tasted ok, but don’t ask me to judge wine. I can’t talk about legs and grapes, I can only tell you if I like it or not.
I went with the pappardelle with veal ragu and my friend ordered the pan seared filet mignon with rosemary potatoes. My pasta was disappointing. I love, love pappardelle. LOVE it! I can eat it all day long. While there was nothing wrong with my pasta, I had just expected it to taste better. I expected there to be more to the dish, flavor wise, but I basically polished off my bowl simply because I was hungry. It’s not a dish I would order again if I were to go back. I understand that just, this was a simple dish with a simple sauce, so why should I expect so much out of it, but if you read my review of Scarpetta, you will see that I expect even more out of simple dishes because basic ingredients can taste so good! Mmmm, Scarpetta. My friend’s dish was pretty good though. Basic, but tasty. I always think that good steaks don’t need anything but salt and pepper, and this was the case with this steak. I wish I had ordered that instead of the pasta. Though, in my defense, I was thinking an Italian restaurant would have better pasta. Live and learn right?
Cute atmosphere, decent food.
6.5 out of 10
400 East 64th Street
New York, NY 10065-7868
(212) 593-2223
-Juice
Fatty Crab, What a Great Name
courtesy of fattycrab.com
I had always wanted to try Fatty Crab, but never really wanted to wait for a table. Thank god they opened up a Upper West Side location that does take reservations! Yippee! OK, so word of advice. I tried three of their specialty cocktails that night and only one was decent, I can’t figure out if it was just a bad bartender or if the drinks were just bad. Stick to basic drinks or non-alcoholic ones. Another mistake, don’t eat a late lunch topped with a Peach Pleasure Jamba juice before going over, that really curbed my appetite. Everything was served tapas style though, which worked to my advantage. We were limited in what we could order only because my date for that evening was allergic to shellfish, and apparently, one of their main sauces also contains traces of it. For an appetizer we went with the green mango with chili-salt-sugar. It was so simple, but in my eyes, the best part of the meal. The un-ripe mango was nice, crunchy and slighty tart, and when dipped into the seasonings, is was like a spice rack in my mouth. Delish! Next we split Fatty sliders made with pork and beef, which were good, not amazing, but very good. And then we sampled the Fatty duck (pictured above) which was very well prepared and nice and crispy. Last, our waiter presented us with dessert on the house, which I think is a great idea. The mochi bread was to-die-for, however, the ginger panna cotta, not so much. The technique in this kitchen is very well executed. I was impressed with that. The flavors are very good, but not mind blowing in my eyes. For Malaysian/Asian flavors, I feel like I would be able to find the same or better flavors going to an area like Flushing or Chinatown. I have to go back to taste more of their dishes that I wasn’t able to because of my friend, so I have an excuse to go back! I think I’ll make it all seafood next time around.
6.5 out of 10
2170 Broadway
(between 76th and 77th)
New York, NY 10024
-Juice
Is Kittichai The Thai For Me?
You can find really affordable and tasty Thai food on every other block of the city, so how does Chef Chalermkittichai’s expensive fare at Kittichai compare? Well… I shall tell you as this is a food blog.
When you walk in, Kittichai’s decor hits you right away. It’s absolutely stunning. Lush fabrics drape from ceilings and the soft lighting makes everyone look good. Intricate wood panels rise from floors, expensive and impressive tables stand tall and even the bathrooms were very sleek for being a potty. My Thai tea martini was wonderfully silky and smooth and decorated beautifully with an orchid (though I have issues with decorations I can’t eat in my drinks or on my food, I have a weakness for flowers). The presentation of the family style platters was exquisite, chicken perfectly stuffed and sliced, seafood glistening with sexy red tomatoes, my eyes glazed over and a sleepy and lopsided smiled emerged from my face. And then I took a bite and sobered up and then took another bite to make sure that my tastebuds didn’t deceive me and sobered up a bit more, so I do what I do what this happens. I ordered another drink, a stiff one.
Each dish had a part that was overseasoned and underseasoned as if someone was hoping that the two would balance each other out. No, no, no, no, no. Uh-uh. It doesn’t work that way. And some dishes were just ‘eh.’ I dont’ mind ‘eh’ dishes if I’m paying ‘eh’ prices, but the prices were kind of far from ‘eh.’ Dishes that were “over” and “under” and “eh” included the:
Northern Thai beef salad, Chinese long beans (hmmm, maybe I’m remembering wrong ’cause I thought mine had regular string beans) and roasted sticky rice powder
Lemongrass stuffed chicken breasts, wild mushrooms, chili-jam drizzle
Tuna tartar in cripsy edible cups
Curried short ribs (they were green so I expected them to be hot, but I guess it wasn’t green curry)
Artic char with tomatoes
Artichoke and banana blossom salad (so sad because I love artichokes and I felt like banana blossoms are very likable as well. After I discretely moved my portion to someone else’s plate I was chastised for making them eat bad food)
What saved the meal were the wonderful and succulent mussels cooked in sake and the desserts. The broth from the mussel dish was perfectly seasoned and I managed to sneak in a few spoonfuls into my mouth. (It was family style so I felt bad for double-dipping, but we’re all friends right?) The desserts were a pleasant surprise to the end of the meal. Everything flavor a perfect balance for your tongue. Here were indulged in banana spring rolls with burnt honey ice cream, jasmine flan with a coconut-jasmine rice tuille and a flourless valrhona chocolate cake with fresh cream. Yummy.
Though there were some strikes that we had against us. Because we were a large group it was decided that a family style prix fixe meal would be best. I’m not a big fan of prix fixe meals. You don’t get all of the good stuff when you order that way. It’s like restuarant week in my eyes. It’s cheaper, but just not quite the optimal experience. And two, after speaking with a woman outside of the restaurant who had dined at Kittichai many times, it turns out that as time went by, the food simply got worse. She also was disappointed in her meal, especially because she had something to compare it to.
But weighing in the prix fixe, the mussels and desserts definitely gives Kittichai a boost in ratings.
6.5 out of 10 stars
Kittichai
60 Thompson between Spring and Broome
(212) 219-2000
Please Feed Me 