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Japanese BBQ, Cooked by You: Gyu-Kaku

7 Jan

Cooking your own dinner at home is a great way to save money, but it can, at times, get a little boring… BUT, cooking for yourself at a swanky resto with a tabletop grill?! Nothing boring about that folks! Gyu-Kaku, with locations in the East Village (Cooper Sq @ 5th St) and Midtown East (3rd Ave @ 50th St) is a fun, interactive restaurant, which turns your grilling desires to reality.

Veggie Bevy

A few friends and I visited the East Village location – the ambience is upscale and the waiters are very helpful when it comes to deciding how much you need to order off the menu. We started with Tofu Salad (YUM), Tuna Volcano (a table fave), and Crispy Seaweed with Cream Cheese (which was… different). While we were eating our apps, they brought over the veggies we ordered to get them going on the burner, since they take a bit longer to cook.

Some of the vegetables come in foil packs (the Japanese eggplant was FABULOUS, and the mushroom medley was very good as well), and there’s also an assorted vegetable plate with veggies you can cook right on the grill.  As for the meats, the ladies went with simple chicken and shrimp, which took a little longer to cook than our server mentioned, but I guess that varies depending on the intensity of the flames on the grill.

OMG: On MY GRILL!

Overall, the experience is the biggest selling point at Gyu-Kaku – it’s a unique thing to do and can be a great icebreaker if you’re just getting to know someone. That being said, this probably isn’t the ideal spot to go if you’re catching up with someone, just because it’s all too easy to get wrapped up in conversation and burn your food, and when you’re the chef, it’s not the kind of error you can send back to the kitchen. If you’re not that hungry, I suggest just going later in the evening to get dessert – the smores are AWESOME and you can order a side of marshmallows, if that’s what floats your boat. PLUS happy hour with ½ off drinks runs Mon-Thurs 9:30pm-closing.

Smores Galore

If you’re going with a group, it’s more than worth your while to book your reservation through Savored – it’s $10 to book, but you’ll get 30% off your meal which was $45 off for our crew.   Enjoy, and get cooking kids!

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Cupcake Binge at Sweet Revenge

3 Jan

I Recommend Sweet Revenge

Cupcakes, Wine, Happy Hour… these are a few of my favorite things – so you just KNOW that putting them all together is going to get my attention. Bringing all these things and more to the table, Sweet Revenge in the West Village (62 Carmine @ Bedford) delivers on all accounts. The cupcakery is the brain child of Marlo Scott who, after being laid off from her corporate job in 2007, decided to damn the man and save the empire bake some damn good cupcakes.

The small-ish space utilizes every square inch to fit the hungry cupcake craving masses in comfortably but I still think it’s best to hit SR up during off-peak hours. Not only will you have more room, but you can hit up the happy hour which is 4-8pm Monday-Friday and will get ya $5 beers or the very excellent deal of a glass of wine + a cupcake for only $10.

Jamaican Me Hungry

The menu is pretty diverse for a cupcake joint – they serve sandwiches, salads and some breakfast foods. What really caught my eye though (besides the cupcakes – duh!) were the savory cakes. I had the Jamaican Curry cake and while I enjoyed it, it was not at all what I expected. The muffin- esque cake was more like a moist cornbread with veggies baked into it – the coconut curry dipping sauce on the side was especially great.

Sweet Revenge Namesake Cupcake

For the happy hour special, I opted for the namesake cupcake – the Sweet Revenge. Peanut Butter cake, Ganache filling, and Peanut Butter Fudge frosting. Oh Em Gee! But I must say you should definitely split with a friend because all that sweet gets a little intense.  Better yet, share 2 cupcakes to switch up the flavors between bites! However you decide to get your sweet on, def look no further than Sweet Revenge.

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I’m in, You’re in – We’re all in for Cherin!

30 Dec

Happy Hours and Hours

Cherin Sushi in the East Village (6th St btwn 1st/2nd Aves) really is an oldie but a goodie.  The long + narrow sushi den has been my go-to byob spot for years now and it’s no mystery why; good cheap food, a relaxed atmosphere, and laid back service make for a consistently enjoyable evening out.

This place is still BYOB (with a small corkage on the weekends), but now that they have their liquor license, they’ve really stepped up their game.  The specials are absurd; all day Monday and from 5-8pm Tues-Thurs almost any 3 rolls on the menu are $9.95 and the drink specials are excellent as well (beers are $2.50/house sake is $3/wine is $4).  The specials are great if you’re looking to get a fun night on, but don’t necessarily want to get “all-you-can-drink” crazy.

It Rolls On and On and On

Beyond the low prices, the food is actually good.  They do some interesting spins on the classics like providing a bed of sea salt for the edamame or offering a spicy variation of the miso soup (which is just great, btw).  The rolls are small but bite-sized, which I prefer and they’re all really creative.  Even the vegetarian rolls bring something to the table (the Crunchy roll with apple in it is my JAM).   My friends rave over the Sushi Surfer roll, which has banana, eel and crunch in it, and the Gillian roll, which is made with tuna, shrimp and avocado on top of crunch & real crab meat.

Cherin is good for a party of 2 or a larger party of up to 10.  The smaller restaurant can get loud but it’s never too much, which I appreciate as a break from the louder party scenes of most sushi spots with cheap drink deals… plus, your server is always a holler away.  I recommend you check it out next time you want a reasonably priced dinner that won’t make you feel like you’re pinching pennies.

Cherin Sushi – now accepting reservations, highly recommended for the weekends – (212) 388-1348.

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Be a Foodie at Eataly

28 Dec

Benvenuti a Eataly

Whether you’re a food enthusiast or not, the culinary atmosphere at Eataly in Flatiron (5th Ave @23rd St) will have your foodie juices flowing.  The massive space that is home to several restaurants (umm Le Verdure, a veggie-only resto?!), a coffee shop (featuring Lavazza), a gelateria, and the market, which boasts a ton of specialty cuisine sections (hello pasta!!!), will knock your socks off.

Pasta for miles (or at least aisles)

The massive size of Eataly is a lot to take in at first, but pace yourself.  I suggest you start by taking the time to channel your inner cooking muse – there are recipes to take with you spread throughout the various sections (with tastings too) and there’s a place to buy cook books as well that are all signed by the chefs who penned the books.

Get ya produce on

From there, decide what you’re taking home with you; the produce section has some of the largest varieties of citrus fruits and mushrooms I’ve ever seen.  There are also sections for meats, fish, cheeses, breads, desserts, pastas, and even sauces get the spotlight with rows and rows of options.  To round out your meal, don’t forget the wine and beer (a roof top beer garden is due to open in Spring 2011).

While in practicality, Eataly would be a great place for your specialty grocery shopping (albeit a bit pricey), I have to say that its possibilities as a day out with the girls or even as a date are endless (you know how she’ll love to be wined and dined, gents).  Whatever your purpose, set aside some time for Eataly; you won’t be disappointed.

Eataly: 5th Ave @ 23rd St; open every day, 10am – 11pm

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The Master Brunch List

15 Dec

It’s about time I sat down and put all my top brunch specials down on one post…

My Top 5 Brunch Spots (mapped out below):

1) Essex (LES: Essex/Rivington) – for $22.95 you get at least 3 included brunch drinks (bloodies, mimosas, screwdrivers).  You can make a reservation, big plus.  Food/vibe is GREAT – it truly is the quintessential brunch spot. Menu is here (My fave dish is the Mexican Matzo Brei – YUM). Know before you go: Brunch is cash only!

2) The Sunburnt Cow (E. Ville: Ave C btwn 8th/9th Sts) – for $18 bucks you get fosters, bloodies, mimosas, screw drivers, greyhounds for 2 whole hours.  Service is great, the scene is awesome, just bordering on crowded.  Food is pretty good, but it’s mostly about the experience, in my book. Menu is here (Go with a Greyhound: Grapefruit juice + vodka = YUM).  Know before you go: Cash only. They only take rezzies for 6+ ppl.  Be prepared to wait, but it’s such a meet market, it may be worth it to hang at the bar for a while…

3) Mercadito Grove (W. Ville: 7th Ave S/Grove St) – for $25 you get AYCD Sangria, flavored Mimosas and Beer (cheladas) for 2 hours.  The outdoor location is perfect for warmer weather.  Menu is here (The Guacamole Granada is so creative and the Huevos Rancheros are AWESOME).  Know before you go: They accept reservations!  But before forewarned, the inside dining room is small, if it’s not nice enough to sit outside.

4) Tapeo 29 (LES: Clinton/Stanton) – for $20 you get your brunch entree (or tapas) + 2 bloodies, mimosas, or screwdrivers.  The bar/resto scene makes it a great hang atmosphere.  The egg dishes are great, particularly the Eggs Benedict and the inclusion of tapas in the special gives more diverse options for those who don’t love b-fast food.   Know before you go: they take reservations so make one for sure.  Also, if you want more than 2 drinks, additional cocktails are only $2 each or $5 for a pitcher!

5) Macondo (LES: Houston – Allen/Eldridge) – Brunch entrees are $7-18 and an extra 9 bucks gets you AYCD mimosas of several flavors (Orange+Vanilla is best) – the scene is very low key. Menu is here (start with the Yuca fries, they are GREAT). Know before you go: get a less expensive entree, it’s a better value, and also – if you’re there with singles – ask to sit at a communal table to meet new people.

*****

Some other VERY good notables:

*Agozar (NoHo: Bowery btwn 1st/2nd Sts) – Unlimited Sangria with any brunch item ($9-14).  The party vibe and food is great, but I prefer to have more drink options.

*Diablo Royale Este (E. Ville: Ave A btwn 10th/11th Sts) – for $22 you get AYCD red/white sangria + mimosas. Service is awesome, vibe is great. Menu is here (The Huevos Rancheros w/cheesy grits on the side – wow).  Know before you go: If you want a bloody mary, there’s a “make your own” bar a la carte @ $5 each.

*Double Crown (NoHo: Bowery/2nd St) – 2 Options, both include an entree +tea/coffee; for $20 you get 1 Bloody Mary, for $32 you get unlimited Bloodies.  There’s a make your own Bloody Mary bar, very cool. Menu is here (The Crispy Pork Belly is a major standout). Know before you go: make a reservation to save yourself the wait!

*Philip Marie (W. Ville: Hudson St/W 11 St) – for $24.95, you get 90 mins of brunch drinks (Saturdays-Mimosas, Sunday-Bloodies).  The food is good, the scene is lower key fun… but the wait can be little much for only an hour and a half of hang time.

*Poco (E Ville: Ave B/3rd St) – For $22 you get 3 bloodies/mimosas.sangrias (sometimes more!)  It’s a total party scene, and the food is great. Menu is here (The truffled mushroom omelet was out of control).  Know before you go: with the party vibe comes the noise factor.  Also, for larger parties you can get a 3 hour unlimited brunch for $28.

*PS 450 (Murray Hill: Park btwn 30th/31st Sts) – $13 gets you an entrée and and 1bloody, bellini, or mimosa; $25 will get you unlimited.  Food is good, the menu is limited though.  More fun if you’re bringing a big group.

*Vamos! (Gramercy: 1st Ave btwn 20th/21st Sts) – add $6 to get unlimited frozen margaritas.  Food is good and the outdoor seating is great but some more drink variety would be nice.

*Yerba Buena (E. Ville: Ave A btwn 2nd/3rd Sts) – add $12 to any entrée and get an hour of unlimited cocktails.  A little pricier, but more of an upscale resto. Cash/Amex only.

Make sure to call in advance to check if any policies/specials have changed!

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