0 Restaurant Week Adventures: Blue Water Grill

So it's come to my attention that as much as I like seafood I don't really go to seafood restaurants...and I can't seem to understand why. In efforts to get more seafood restaurants under my belt, a good friend and I decided to check Blue Water Grill for restaurant week. 

0 Best Burger Hunt - Part 6 (Cinema Cafe)

When you go to a restaurant, you're looking for something to eat, the words "Possibly the best burger you will ever have" pop out at you.  To that statement I say...Challenge Accepted!

0 Beer Sips: Hunter S. Thompson style....

Ok, no I didn't go on a psychedelic drug ride thru Vegas with Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Reference for those who are not aware).

I'm talking about the Flying Dog brewery produced, Gonzo Imperial Porter.

2 SHARED: Sigh of relief...Boozy Brunch is here to stay

After reading the other day that Sunday Brunch...aka...Boozy Unlimited drinks at your favorite pub/restaurant served with a delicious meal of huevos rancheros and bacon, was going to be served without the Boozy Unlimited Drinks, New Yorkers were panicking, and rightfully so...Well rest assured my fellow Brunchers...IT is NOT going away.

Check out this article from Thrillist to read about how the Scandal went down

(credit Thrillist for making me happy again, and not regretting buying all those groupons for Brunch and Unlimited Drinks)

2 The Brightest Star In The Brunch...

So it has come to my attention that I've been coming to The Noho Star for YEARS and not once did it dawn on me to write something up about it. How that happened...I have no idea. My sincerest apologies for the disservice. Without further ado...

0 Next Stop...Floor 54

54 Stories above the streets of Times Square, sits the Highest Rooftop Bar in Manhattan. The name? Well you guessed it...Bar 54, which is located inside the Hyatt Times Square, on well, the 54th floor.

Last week we were given the chance to try out the newest, hippest spot in Manhattan.  Let me start this off though by saying the staff is absolutely phenomenal, extremely genuine and very helpful. Not to mention the bar tenders and chefs are DAMN good at their jobs.

Now, it is a high-end lounge and with that comes some steep prices for drinks.  My favorite, the Rhapsody in Rye (Bulleit Rye, Ramazzotti Amaro, Benedictine, Dry Vermouth, Angostura, and Orange Bitters), will run you $25 dollars. HOWEVER!!! DO NOT!! Let the prices steer you away because the Rhapsody in Rye is definitely worth it. My other go to drink of the evening was the Green Submarine (Pimm's, Tanqueray Gin, Green Chartreuse, Ginger Syrup, Lemon, Cucumber, Soda), which was actually served in a punch bowl.

Bar 54, also has some AMAZING food. They managed to make great dishes better and things that I'd probably never order very enjoyable. Things like the Chicken Liver Mousse (Pomegranate, Sorrel, Crostini).  I'd have to say that the Pomegranate really makes this little dish, in that you have no idea you're eating liver (which by the way, I was VERY hesitant to eat since I'm not really a liver fan). The Sweetness of the pomegranate, mixed with the crostini = YUM! HOWEVERRRRR, my favorite bite of the night *insert drum roll please*....was the pulled pork slidah (Boston accent added for no reason).  I can't confirm nor deny I may have followed the waiter around grabbing one each time around. Pork was tender, and the pickles had just enough bite to them to compliment the sauce to a T! Next time I make it there I want to try out Porchetta Sandwich, because I love Porchetta, and well bacon. 

The decor has a very modern feel to it, with couches and chairs setup to make you feel comfortable, and right at home. However, the spotlight of the place is their rooftop deck, which overlooks Times Square, and has a direct sight line to One World Trade Center. I wish it wasn't so cold out this night as I  would have loved to enjoy the view a little bit more.  They do have little heaters and fireplaces on the deck to keep you warm, but the warmth inside was way more appealing!

I'm looking forward to making a trip back here in the spring/summer when the weather is nicer, to really get a good feel for the whole spot. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to get dressed up for a really nice night out in Manhattan.

We would like to give a very special thank you to Paula who made the opportunity for us possible, and also to Klair and Richard for helping make the night a great one. We are extremely appreciative and look forward to seeing you all again very soon!

Bar 54

135 West 45th Street

(646) 364-1234

0 Valentine's Day Date...

So as much as I may preach against Valentine's Day festivities...I'm guilty of partaking this year. How did I go about choosing where I wanted to go, you ask? Simple! I knew I wanted to go to a place that I haven't been to and that also sold seafood. After some searching around and review reading I was lead to Fish Tag. 

What made you come here as opposed to some place else?

I was looking for a low key, intimate, quiet venue. After doing some research I saw that Fish Tag kept coming up on several lists. Dug a little bit further and decided to take the plunge and bring my talents to Fish Tag. Seafood, never been before, AND I got to take someone who's very special to me. Triple win if you ask me. 

Did all your research pay off?

I'd say it did. The venue was everything I was looking for and expecting. Quiet, visually appealing (exposed brick!...can't go wrong with that), pleasant wait staff, and above everything else I thought the food was pretty good too. 

You say you thought it was good...what about your date?

She enjoyed the food but definitely not as much as I did. Something to keep in mind about this place is that their seafood items are VERY FRESH (which can be a good thing...at least to me it is)! Meaning, if you're not into fishy taste and textures you may wanna avoid here and go to a more generic seafood restaurant. 

Got it...so what did you all get?

To start the Grilled Prawn and Spicy Chilies Bruschetta. VERY TASTY! For entrees we got the: 

- Grilled Striped Bass (she) - fresh bass with a layer of crispy skin on the top, sitting on a bed of rapini, oyster mushrooms, tomatoes confit, and garlic puree 

- and the Grilled Swordfish and Greek Sausage (me) - plump swordfish with 2 strips of Greek sausage, loukaniko, grilled kale, middle eastern spiced bulgur salad

And everything was washed down with 2 glasses of red wine. Overall, a very satisfying meal.

Anything else I should know about? 

Surprisingly they have a huge list of wine and beers. All separated by taste to help those who may not necessarily be fluent in the languages of wine and beer. Lastly, the portions are not that big which may actually be a good thing. However, if you're someone with a rather large appetite you may wanna grab a quick snack before coming here.

Fish Tag

222 West 79th Street

(212) 362-7470(212) 362-7470

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3 Ramen anyone?

I don't know if anyone has noticed but it's pretty damn cold outside! No worries though. With cold weather comes hot, soupy, noodle lunches!!! Enter the season of RAMEN!

Ramen huh? Out of the hundreds of places to get ramen where did you decide to go, and what made you go there?
Don't sound so excited. I went to this kinda sorta hole in the wall place by my job called Saburi. It's  funny how I stumbled on to this place. One random afternoon I was craving a Bento box for lunch. Coincidentally, my boss was looking for sushi and kept walking pass this place that he thought was a sushi restaurant (Saburi) and wanted to try it out. I say what the hell and one thing leads to another our quest for Bento boxes and good sushi turned into a ramen lunch. And that right there was the beginning of my Saburi relationship.

Ok...how was/is the food?
For a hole in the wall kinda spot, I think it's pretty damn good. Actually, I think it's the best ramen by my job. Just a heads up, ramen isn't the only thing on their menu but it's definitely the only thing I'm looking for when I go there. In particular the daily specials. So far the Thursday (Spicy Miso Ramen) and Tuesday specials (Tonkotsu Ramen)...in that order...are hands down my favorites.

Spicy Ramen? Tonkotsu Ramen? What is this you're talking about?
Ok.
So the Spicy Miso Ramen is ramen (obviously) served in miso broth, topped with ground pork, bok choy and bean sprouts with a side of Japanese style fried chicken and steamed shrimp dumplings. Top it off with some of their spicy powder (still can't remember the name)...AH-MAZING!
The Tonkotsu Ramen is ramen (obviously...again) served in a rich pork broth, topped with braised pork belly, wood ear (absolutely NO idea what that is), pickled red ginger & scallions, with a side of tofu, onion and seaweed salad covered with onion dressing (not a huge fan) and fried pork and veggie spring rolls. Again...sprinkle some of the that spicy powder on there and just enjoy the greatness!

That sounds like a lot of damn food that you get with this special. Is it always like that?
It's a good amount. 1 bowl of ramen + 2 sides = daily special. For the $12 price I don't think it's all that bad compared to the other places in the area where you're paying the same price but don't get as much.

Nice. Anything else we should know about this place? Perhaps some dislikes?
Food and ambiance-wise I have zero complaints. The one issue I do have is that they're closed on some very random days. I've gone over there a few times craving ramen on a regular Tuesday/Wednesday and they were closed. Wasn't even a holiday...at least not one that I knew of.

Recommendation?
During this cold wintery season I can't think of any other place to be for lunch! Just a heads up, the menu can be a little bit overwhelming, but the daily specials are very solid. Stick to those and you'll be alright.

 Saburi

168 Lexington Avenue

(212) 481-7766