Indian You Wanna? Nirvana You Gotta!

4 Nov

Now, I’m an adventurous eater (minus the whole vegetarian constraint, I know…) – but I was definitely surprised and impressed with my girlfriends when they selected Nirvana Indian Restaurant off my list of “suggestions” for our ladies night dinner.

The restaurant is really big with two floors – the main level is a bar/lounge and upstairs is the main dining room –the whole vibe is swanky, not what a lot of people would expect. Although the wine list could def be more diverse, we had a bottle of Malbec which (I thought) was very nice and reasonably priced. They started us with a complimentary pastry-esque appetizer that we all really liked (things taste better when they’re free, anyway) then we were served the complimentary cracker-ish flatbreads (the girls likened it to matzoh) with 3 dipping sauces. Quite a good “bread basket” – and again, free!

For our appetizer, we split an onion paratha which is a whole wheat flat bread with onions that tastes a little bit like matzoh-brei (leave it to us to compare every Indian dish to a Jewish cuisine item), and one of my FAVORITE dishes of all-time: GOBI MANCHURIAN. It’s DELICIOUS; lightly fried cauliflower that is in a sauce that tastes somewhere between sweet & sour and general tso’s sauce. It’s my MUST-TRY dish of the entire restaurant. ORDER IT NOW. Thank me later.

Our main dishes were a grilled shrimp plate, a spicy cauliflower stew, a grilled vegetable platter from the tandoor, and the Indian staple – chicken masala. Served with 2 MASSIVE orders of basmati rice, the meal was filling and such a welcomed departure from the normal ladies night dinner!

Best yet? Get a restaurant.com coupon for $25 off the whole meal – we just managed to hit the $100 mark. Now that is enough to put me in a state of Nirvana!

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Road Trip: Saratoga Springs!

3 Nov

After September choked out its last summer-like day, I realized I was going to need a weekend out of the city to keep my sanity.  My fix?  A long weekend road trip to Saratoga Springs!

Cheers to FREE Beers!

The ‘toga is just over 3 hours north of NYC and it’s one hell of a city that’s perfect if you’re looking for a cheap, easy, FUN getaway.

I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott which is actually a really nice property that’s walking distance to all the best stores, restaurants and most importantly, the Olde Saratoga Brewing Company (more on that to come later)!!!  It has a small pool, hot tub, a cute bar/lounge with a fire place, plus it’s really affordable.

Depending on what time of year you’re planning to go, here are a few “to-dos” I strongly suggest:

1)  Olde Saratoga Brewing Company – The Tasting Room is open every Mon-Friday (5-10pm) and Saturday (12-10pm).  Free is good.  Tasting FREE, unlimited beer is GREAT.  I’m serious, 100% free, as much beer as you want to taste, all day long.  GO THERE.

2)  Concert @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) – SPAC is the ultimate outdoor concert venue – tailgating, picnic-blanket-friendly, and ticketed seats if that’s what floats your boat.  I’ve done the DMB road “trip” and it’s an awesome concert experience. Check the website for upcoming shows.

"Feed me, Seymour!"

3)  Schuyler Farms – Sure it may sound effing lame a bit corny, but you’re taking a road trip – go to a farm!  Play mini golf, feed some overly aggressive animals, be a dork – you’ll be glad you went.

Other highlights include Compton’s Restaurant where you can get a solid breakfast for $5, Wheatfield’s where the lunch was so good that it temporarily distracted me from their claim to have the best Gluten-Free menu around (…gluten free at WHEATfield’s – scratchin your heads with me here, people?) and the Olde Bryan Inn which was so pushed on us by the hotel that we thought it would have to be horrible but ended up being a really cozy joint with great food!

Finally, after your weekend of fun and adventure in Saratoga Springs, and after you’re done pondering, “why ARE there so many businesses there with ‘Olde’ in the title?”, do yourselves a favor and stop off at Woodbury Commons Oulet Mall – it’s an exit on the way back to home sweet NYC.  You’ll shop at ridiculously low prices and be so overwhelmed with families swarming aimlessly that the streets of NY will be a piece of cake upon your return.

Ps… Before you leave Saratoga, don’t forget to grab some groceries at Price Choppers, they have the best breastesses (sorry, that’s an inside joke that really has no place here).

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Brunch Deal with the “Devil” (Diablo Royale Este)

1 Nov

As an avid brunching fan, I must admit I have enjoyed many a weekend afternoon seeking out the perfect All You Can Drink (AYCD) brunch specials.  This brunch phenomenon became popular with pioneer spots such as Sunburnt Cow and its sister resto Bondi Road but is currently being perfected by restauranteurs across this great city.  Now, I’m not about to start hating here because paying $18 for AYCD and a brunch entrée at the Sunburnt Cow franchises is pretty darn great, but their food does leave something to desire.  So while the Cow is a favorite old go to, I’m def one to “make new friends but keep the old” – now on my “Gold” list is Diablo Royale (Este).

Staying true to our East Villager roots, my dear friend Aimee and I decided to give the AYCD special at Diablo (Ave A btwn 10/11th Sts) a try.  The layout of the restaurant is great with a bar at the front (perfect to start with a cocktail while waiting for your dining mates) and a big open kitchen that you pass through on your way to the spacious gothic-inspired dining area.  They start you off with Churro-inspired cinnamon+sugar pita chips.  YUM.  The menu has Mexican-inspired brunch fare (the huevos rancheros with cheesy grits on the side –WOW, must try) as well as some lunch classics (Aimee had tacos – 1 fried fish and 1 shrimp), all which can be served a la carte for around $11…. Or AYCD for only $22!  The unlimited drinks include red or white sangria as well as mimosas.  Our glasses were NEVER empty and the portions kept our bellies full!  Our waiter was so great and he even filled up our glasses for an extra 2 rounds while we chatted, even though the bill was on the table!  My only “wah-wah” would be that we were 1 of only 3 parties dining there all afternoon, although Aimee said the W. Village location is bumping….  BUT this leads me to my point – GO THERE PEOPLE!  Although, maybe I want to keep this one a secret!

Diablo Royale, serving brunch Sat/Sunday 11am-4pm (AYCD for $22) – http://www.diabloroyale.com/

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Eargasm: Civil Twilight

29 Oct

No need for a catchy title folks, this self-titled album is hands-down, top of my list right now.  This band is Kings of Leon before everyone knew what the heck KOL stood for.  This band is loud rock and roll with a passionate male lead vocalist that has the restraint to pull off an emo song like “Next To Me”.

If you’re more of a music nibbler and don’t want to spring for the entire album, stand out tracks include “Trouble”, “Anybody Out There”, “What You Want” & “Next To Me”.   Give those a taste – you’ll be begging for more.  Listen on iTunes or a check out a few of the tracks HERE

In other awesome news: they are GREAT live, and sound totally consistent with the album, which is quite the feat when you have to compete with the mad scientists in Japan who are now manufacturing actual singing, dancing robotic pop-star proto-types.  It’s a scary world we live in folks.

Check them out live this Saturday night @ Irving Plaza… can’t make it?  I’m hearing they may be back in NYC this December – I’ll keep you posted!

Remember: Civil Twilight, go get your hands on this album, it’s awesome – I’m vouching – final answer.

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On My Ballot? Zen Palate!

29 Oct

Are you a Vegetarian?  Friends with one of those slippery veggie fiends?  Either way, you’ll be glad you went to Zen Palate.  Their new Union Square location (18th btwn Park/Irving) is the perfect mix of trendy and romantic with dark wood/bamboo interior and plush velvet accents.   

The martinis are delicious; I opted for the sake-tini while the lovely Megan M. went for the lychee-tini – and the pre fixe options (which include brown rice and 2 spring rolls) are incredibly reasonable at around $10 each.  There’s an option for everyone from the sweet and sour tofu medallions (a personal fave) to the more adventurous seitan dishes.  Vegetarians and the guys hoping to get in their pants vegetarian sympathizers alike will enjoy this new Union Sq hot spot!

Tip:  Get a restaurant.com coupon to take $25 off any meal of $35+!

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