Another weekend, another Berger Review/Chain Reaction. Bobby's Burger Palace has been a favorite of ours since it opened at the Smith Haven Mall in 2008. Believe it or not, that location was the very first in the now 18 restaurant chain. I read recently that Bobby Flay, the owner and celebrity chef, chose this location to stay "off the radar" for his first foray into the fast-casual segment. What he did not realize, was that that location was right on my radar, and we've been hooked ever since.
10 burger options are each interesting and well-composed. You can choose from angus beef, turkey or chicken for your "burger". And you can get them "crunchified" which, you guessed it, adds chips to your burger.
My favorite has long been the Napa Valley Burger with goat cheese, watercress and Meyer Lemon Honey Mustard. They are very generous with the creamy goat cheese and the combination of the cheese with the tanginess of the Mayer Lemon is a win. A big win.
Another one high on my list is the LA Burger with Avocado, Tomato, Watercress and Cheddar cheese. This one is on the sweet side, and equally as good.
JB's fave is the Crunchburger with the aforementioned chips included on the burger with double American cheese although it is the salty side. Tonight, to shake things up, he had the Dallas Burger with coleslaw, Monterrey Jack, BBQ sauce, and pickles. The burger is coated in a spicy rub although not too spicy.
The boys always go for the plain burger and fries. They cleared their plates in minutes and were surprisingly quiet from their stools. A good sign.
JB and I also splurged on a vanilla shake (delicious, but freezing cold on a 25 degree night) and a side of beer-battered onion rings (I didn't love the beer coating, but JB was a fan).
They also have beer, wine and a Cactus Pear Margarita, if you feel like imbibing with your burger. And the usual salads, veggie options if you are more calorie-conscious.
BBP has locations in NY, NJ, MD, CT, MA, NV, OH, PA, DC, FL...so put it on your list.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Bobby's Burger Palace
355 Smith Haven Mall
Lake Grove, NY
631.382.9590
bobbysburgerpalace.com
On the Side: Be sure check out their Facebook page to learn about new store openings and the Burger of the Month. I also hear a new menu is in the works.
Saturday, February 08, 2014
Sunday, February 02, 2014
Quicksie Meatball Takeout: That Meetball Place, Patchogue, NY
Full disclosure - I have not been to the Meatball Shop in NYC. Getting to one of their 5 locations has been on my list for quite some time, so when I heard about That Meetball Place in Patchogue, I had to find a way.
We were in the neighborhood on Super Bowl Sunday, if dinner was going to be excess, why not add lunch to the mix, too.
Short on time, we opted for takeout from their easy to follow menu:
Step 1: Choose Your Balls
Step 2: Pick Your Sauce
Step 3: Pick Your Style
Sounds simple, right? Except the choices are endless, meatballs come in a classic version as well as chicken, lamb, pork, veggie and fish varieties. Sauces include several Italian options, like marinara and pesto, but there's also Asian and Greek styles, too. Styles range from a sandwich to a slider to over pasta.
We opted for two baguette sandwiches to share. A Classic Meatballs with Marinara and a Moroccan Lamb with Cool Tzatiki. Both were excellent, although I favored the Moroccan Lamb. Those balls had more spice, were more dense and overall had more interesting flavors. Each one was $9 and came with a small salad. We actually originally ordered the Classic Marinara balls over pasta but that was a $5 upcharge and I didn't think that sounded too worth it. The house salad that came with cucumber, olives and chick peas, was a nice surprise, although the dressing was too oily.
There's also a whole page 2 of the menu that features soups, salads and sandwiches, plus kid friendly items like pasta, mac & cheese and fries.
JB and I have plans to go for a real dinner soon. I want to order one of each "ball" as we sit in the sports bar like atmosphere with massive flat screen TVs. Who's in?
Until our next Berger,
KLB
That Meetball Place
2 West Main Street
Patchogue, NY
631.569.5888
www.thatmeetballplaceli.com
We were in the neighborhood on Super Bowl Sunday, if dinner was going to be excess, why not add lunch to the mix, too.
Short on time, we opted for takeout from their easy to follow menu:
Step 1: Choose Your Balls
Step 2: Pick Your Sauce
Step 3: Pick Your Style
Sounds simple, right? Except the choices are endless, meatballs come in a classic version as well as chicken, lamb, pork, veggie and fish varieties. Sauces include several Italian options, like marinara and pesto, but there's also Asian and Greek styles, too. Styles range from a sandwich to a slider to over pasta.
We opted for two baguette sandwiches to share. A Classic Meatballs with Marinara and a Moroccan Lamb with Cool Tzatiki. Both were excellent, although I favored the Moroccan Lamb. Those balls had more spice, were more dense and overall had more interesting flavors. Each one was $9 and came with a small salad. We actually originally ordered the Classic Marinara balls over pasta but that was a $5 upcharge and I didn't think that sounded too worth it. The house salad that came with cucumber, olives and chick peas, was a nice surprise, although the dressing was too oily.
There's also a whole page 2 of the menu that features soups, salads and sandwiches, plus kid friendly items like pasta, mac & cheese and fries.
JB and I have plans to go for a real dinner soon. I want to order one of each "ball" as we sit in the sports bar like atmosphere with massive flat screen TVs. Who's in?
Until our next Berger,
KLB
That Meetball Place
2 West Main Street
Patchogue, NY
631.569.5888
www.thatmeetballplaceli.com
New Orleans Roundup - Green Goddess, NOLA, Acme Oyster Bar & MiLa: New Orleans, LA
Anyone will tell you that New Orleans is a foodie town. Everything from your 5-star restaurant to your complete dive should be good. The biggest challenge is making the room in your stomach (and liver) for all of the food and drink.
These were the highlights:
Green Goddess
I was so hungry when we got to our hotel in New Orleans that when the doorman pointed to the Arby’s down the street, I almost considered it. He also recommended a French Quarter spot called Green Goddess that was in a nearby alley. We were slightly frightened but oh-so-curious. A few blocks and one wrong turn, brought us to the alley where we walked into a tiny restaurant that looked like someone’s ramshackle home.
There were no open tables in the miniscule front room and as we were led to the even smaller back room, our heads told us to turn around, but our bellies told us to stay.
Turns out the bellies were right.
Coming off of the meal at Wednesday’s Table, I was drawn to the Tofu Bahn Mi. There were plenty of non-vegetarian options – pork, shrimp, steak (no chicken though) – but I was ready for some spice. My sandwich had hints of a po boy but with all of the delicious Banh Mi flavors – radish, carrots, cucumbers and two huge patties of fried tofu covered in the familiar sauce. A small salad dressed with the same sauce. Where were we again? It was seriously transporting.
My dining companion ordered the completely different yet equally amazing brulee Fig chevre French toast. Sweet, tangy and rich - this chef can cook.
And might I add that this place is also easy on the wallet (well, they didn’t spend much on décor), less than $25 for two and we were fully satiated and ready for more adventures.
307 Exchange Place
New Orleans, LA
504.301.3347
NOLA
This was our only “planned” meal. You can’t go to New Orleans without one celebrity chef meal. Last time, it was David Besh at Luke. This time we chose Emeril.
NOLA is one of Emeril’s three establishments in the Big Easy, this one being the least fancy and the only one without his name in the title. It is a packed three-story crowd pleaser a few blocks into the French Quarter with a heavily Southern-influenced menu.
Shrimp and Grits was a must for me here. I had really loved the ones at Luke and I needed to try Emeril’s. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The shrimp were well cooked and atop bacon-laced cheddar grits, with a large barbecue sauce drizzle. Really? Barbecue sauce? It threw off the whole flavor of the dish.
Other dishes were better like the New Orleans style Caesar salad and the local Drum, but messing with a classic – not cool.
534 St. Louis St.
New Orleans, LA
504.522.6652
www.emerilsrestaurants.com/nola-restaurant
Acme Oyster Bar
Acme is at the top of many visitors' lists. It is an institution of classic New Orleans food. It is a dive and it is packed. Even at 2:00 PM on a Friday in unseasonably cold and rainy weather, there was a wait outside. It went quickly and we secured our seats at the bar.
If this were a typical review (not part of a roundup) this would be a quicksie review. We were in and out in less than 30 minutes. They serve these classics up fast. Within minutes of ordering, I was indulging in their classic Red Beans and Rice.
This was not another vegetarian meal because in New Orleans, Red Beans and Rice also means Sausage and Cooking Meat. Cooking Meat, you ask? According to my waitress, it’s the meat they use to cook the beans – most likely it was sausage and ham, but she couldn’t be sure. No matter, it was just the fuel we needed to get us through the busy day.
If you need to order something you can be 100% definitely sure about its contents, I’d recommend the oysters. They looked pretty incredible.
724 Iberville Street
New Orleans, LA
504.522.5973
www.acmeoyster.com
MiLa
After many meals of Starbucks and swiping food from conference rooms, we had one final opportunity to enjoy the Crescent City. We opted to avoid the French Quarter and headed to a hotel in the nearby Central Business District. What appealed to me about MiLa (named for Mississippi and Louisiana from where the chefs hail) was that one of the chefs, Alison Vines-Rushing had worked for some of the best in NYC. Having worked for Jean-Georges and Alain Ducasse, I had a hunch that she knew her stuff.
Compared to the other boisterous joints of the past few days, MiLa was a respite of calm, quiet even. And we had no trouble getting a last minute reservation on Saturday night. Everything from the décor to the menu reminded us of a NY restaurant, but there were some nice Southern touches that reminded us of our locale.
Dinner started with sweet potato rolls, cornbread, sweet butter and a pureed lentil spread. The sweet potato rolls and lentils were our immediate favorite. An amuse bouche soon arrived of lobster tempura on a stick. I was going to like this place.
We opted to share a lobster starter that consisted of lobster meat on a baguette with meyer lemon, garlic and olive oil. A deconstructed lobster roll of sorts. While not the easiest to share, mainly because each of us wanted the whole things, we welcomed the taste of lobster after being in such a shrimp heavy environment.
Furthermore, for my main, I went for the standard seared ahi tuna over spinach. I felt as if I hadn’t had a vegetable in days. The southern touch here was the molasses sauce over the perfectly crusted and rare fish. We all ate in silence, happy to have such an elegant meal.
Dinner would not have been complete without dessert. A chocolate peanut butter tart was just rich enough for 3 people to share.
817 Common Street
New Orleans, LA
504.412.2580
www.milaneworleans.com
Round Up Recap:
Green Goddess: Go
NOLA: NOGO
Acme Oyster Bar: Go
MiLa: Go
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Monday, January 27, 2014
Double Date Sushi Night: Poke, New York, NY
Sushi and a Movie is quickly becoming our standard date night. And better than that is how we spent a recent Saturday night – Sushi and a Movie Double Date Night, in NYC, at a BYO restaurant.
As our plan quickly came together, Vanessa suggested Poke on the Upper East Side. JB and I had been there years ago and remembered it delicious, but tiny and almost drab. As we briskly walked on East 85th street, we realized that restaurant had moved down the block since our last visit and the tiny establishment was four times the old space, lively and vibrant. And the BYO policy still remained.
The best part about our double date, other than the company, of course, was that we could sample so many different dishes. Many of them are definitely worth sampling for yourself. Our meal included:
We got a little greedy at the end, so I can’t remember them all. But with the exception of the tuna pizza (and really a tuna pizza isn’t sushi anyway), this is one fine sushi restaurant. Pair that with your own bottle of wine or two and it’s a great night. Movie or not.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
- Yellowtail Tartar with Jalapenos – Thinly sliced and ample sized, we dove into the 6 pieces that were presented to us.
- Tuna Pizza – OK, this was an impulse, and nothing like what we’ve had at other fine sushi establishments. This tuna pizza actually had mozzarella on it. And instead of a rice cracker, it was a scallion pancake. Odd all around.
- Pearl Roll – Deep fried oysters with cucumber and scallion – after ordering one, we had to get another.
- Dynamite Roll – Spicy yellowtail, avocado and tempura flakes. Yum, Yum and Yum.
- Sashimi Special – If this was the kind of place that had a sushi boat, then this platter would have come on it. 16 pieces of fresh, amazing fish – Tuna, Toro, Yellowtail, Salmon, Mackerel…it went on and on.
- Gyoza – We were still a little hungry after eating so much fish, so we added on an order of these and they were meaty and filled us up (but not greasy overly fried so there was room left for popcorn)
We got a little greedy at the end, so I can’t remember them all. But with the exception of the tuna pizza (and really a tuna pizza isn’t sushi anyway), this is one fine sushi restaurant. Pair that with your own bottle of wine or two and it’s a great night. Movie or not.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Poke Restaurant
343 E. 85th Street
New York, NY
Berger Review/Chain Reaction: BurgerFi, New York, NY
Technically our visit to BurgerFi in NYC is both a Berger Review and a Chain Reaction. Either way, it’s a great spot. And I had no idea until after we dined there, that indeed it was a chain. We care about burgers, that’s about it, and maybe some fries, too.
These burgers are good. You build your own when you order at the counter. I went for it with a single burger, swiss cheese and hickory bacon and fresh lemonade. The burgers come out with their name “BURGERFI” branded onto the bun. Though not large, I was immediately satisfied with the fresh ingredients. And might I mention, free refills on the lemonade.
The family concurred. JB ordered the BurgerFi Cheeseburger straight off the menu. A double burger, with double American, lettuce, tomato and a the BurgerFi sauce. He was hooked. The boys and Nana polished off their plain patties, too.
Fries were a hit. We had to place a second order. Onion rings were, too – although one order was enough for us.
Fries were a hit. We had to place a second order. Onion rings were, too – although one order was enough for us.
They also have hot dogs, a full bar and frozen custard. Sort of like a Shake Shack but with a few more options.
BurgerFi’s “Secret Menu” offers fries “Well Done” or “Limp”. I’d pay money to see JB order some “Limp” fries. Perhaps on our next visit.
Until our next Berger.
KLB
BurgerFi
1571 2nd Avenue
New York, NY
Side Dish: BergerFi is rapidly expanding. In addition to four restaurants in NY, they are in Texas, Florida, Connecticut, New Jersey and soon to be more. Check their website to see if there’s a location close to you.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Banh Mis Out East: Wednesday's Table, Southold, NY
I couldn't believe it either. Real Vietnamese food in Eastern Long Island? Our local rag, Dan's Papers, said it was true. JB and I longingly miss the days of Bo Luc Lac being delivered to our door in minutes, so within about 18 hours of me reading about it, we drove ourselves to Southold in search of some Hanoi heaven.
Each dish was a winner. The Banh Mi was just as we remembered them. Chicken with a spicy sauce, onions, cucumbers, radish, cilantro and mayo on a crusty hero. This is definitely authentic. The Chicken BLT was just as good with a lemony aioli slathered on the ciabatta. We also indulged in a few of their bite size onion rings which were crispy, plentiful and extra delish with some of that banh mi spicy sauce.
And my boys, of course, enjoyed their burger and fries. JB and I snagged their brioche bun. What really impressed me was that each sandwich had its own fresh made bread.
Actually, everything impressed me. I can't wait to return.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Wednesday's Table
53345 Main Road
Southold, NY
631.876.5251
wednesdays-table.com
Now, Wednesday's Table is not a typical Vietnamese restaurant. The owners are of Vietnamese descent but they offer a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches, only one of which is a nod to their heritage. In addition to lunch, they also serve breakfast including egg sandwiches and some awesome-looking baked goods.
We called ahead to the counter service establishment and placed our order. One Banh Mi with chicken (spicy), 1 chicken BLT, a burger, fries and onion rings. We arrived at a bright, cute establishment with a few tables and chairs inside and plenty of room for outdoor dining, too.
Each dish was a winner. The Banh Mi was just as we remembered them. Chicken with a spicy sauce, onions, cucumbers, radish, cilantro and mayo on a crusty hero. This is definitely authentic. The Chicken BLT was just as good with a lemony aioli slathered on the ciabatta. We also indulged in a few of their bite size onion rings which were crispy, plentiful and extra delish with some of that banh mi spicy sauce.
And my boys, of course, enjoyed their burger and fries. JB and I snagged their brioche bun. What really impressed me was that each sandwich had its own fresh made bread.
Actually, everything impressed me. I can't wait to return.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Wednesday's Table
53345 Main Road
Southold, NY
631.876.5251
wednesdays-table.com
Tuesday, January 07, 2014
A Japanese Hideaway: Shigure, New York, NY
JB wants to be Mr. Japanese, still. He loves it all - sushi (obviously), robata, ramen, teppanyaki, sake and, of course, izakaya - the japanese gastropub. In fact, it appears that these traditional Japanese small plates restaurants are starting to grow in prominence in New York as noted in Time Out and in a New York Times article written about Shigure that JB ripped out, handed to me and asked "When are we going?"
A few months later on a dark street in Tribeca we found ourselves in front of an almost invisible door about to enter this den of deliciousness. This place is so under the radar, we didn't need a reservation on a Saturday night. We were warmly welcomed by the bartender come hostess who showed us to a small table close to the bar with a great view of the sake map on the wall. For most of the meal, we were the only non-Japanese patrons in the place, an excellent sign of authenticity.
Being a brewpub, JB ordered a Japanese beer while I stuck to wine. It was impossible deciding what to order. In hindsight, we probably over ordered, but when in an izakaya.....
Each dish was a treat in itself.
Our highlights:
- Renkon Kimpira: These were pan fried lotus roots with a shishito pepper - crunchy and spicy, almost good for you
- Shio-Koji Fried Chicken: JB's favorite Japanese style fried chicken, white and dark meat
- Sashimi Maguaro & Avocado: Think tuna sashimi over guacamole. And then think amazing.
- Mini Zuke Maguro Don: More tuna, this time over rice. Sort of like a step up from your usual Tekka Don. JB wanted to move into to this dish.
- Fried Pork with a clean ponzu sauce (can't recall the Japanese name): I didn't want to like this one and then found myself taking piece after piece.
There were more plates than there was room on the table. Another excellent sign.
This is the kind of place you want to tell everyone about and then no one, it could be our own private restaurant. Our secret lair. But it wouldn't be fair if I didn't share.
Next time we're trying the sake menu, and of course, more small plates.
Until our next Burger,
KLB
Shigure
277 Church Street
New York, NY
212.965.0200
www.sakebar-shigure.com
A few months later on a dark street in Tribeca we found ourselves in front of an almost invisible door about to enter this den of deliciousness. This place is so under the radar, we didn't need a reservation on a Saturday night. We were warmly welcomed by the bartender come hostess who showed us to a small table close to the bar with a great view of the sake map on the wall. For most of the meal, we were the only non-Japanese patrons in the place, an excellent sign of authenticity.
Being a brewpub, JB ordered a Japanese beer while I stuck to wine. It was impossible deciding what to order. In hindsight, we probably over ordered, but when in an izakaya.....
Each dish was a treat in itself.
Our highlights:
- Renkon Kimpira: These were pan fried lotus roots with a shishito pepper - crunchy and spicy, almost good for you
- Shio-Koji Fried Chicken: JB's favorite Japanese style fried chicken, white and dark meat
- Sashimi Maguaro & Avocado: Think tuna sashimi over guacamole. And then think amazing.
- Mini Zuke Maguro Don: More tuna, this time over rice. Sort of like a step up from your usual Tekka Don. JB wanted to move into to this dish.
- Fried Pork with a clean ponzu sauce (can't recall the Japanese name): I didn't want to like this one and then found myself taking piece after piece.
There were more plates than there was room on the table. Another excellent sign.
This is the kind of place you want to tell everyone about and then no one, it could be our own private restaurant. Our secret lair. But it wouldn't be fair if I didn't share.
Next time we're trying the sake menu, and of course, more small plates.
Until our next Burger,
KLB
Shigure
277 Church Street
New York, NY
212.965.0200
www.sakebar-shigure.com
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Bergers at the Smorgasburg!: Brooklyn, NY
I had been begging to go to the Smorgasburg for months. The Smorgasburg, for those of you not aware, is a roving band of food vendors that set up in various Brooklyn locations every weekend. Food stand upon food stand, it was a Mecca of sorts for me. If I still lived in New York, I am certain that this would be a part of my usual weekend routine, and one December Saturday we finally got there. (Lucky for me, this year the Smorgasburg now has a winter indoor location). I'm fairly certain that the outdoor Smorgasburg is a completely different experience, and I look forward to going come Spring, but for now 75 food vendors will just have to suffice.
That's right, 75 food vendors under one roof in a Williamsburg warehouse, if only I had the time, stamina and stomach to try them all. We did our requisite research on the drive in, each vendor is listed on the website in advance along with a map so you can attempt to plan your visit. Lines can be long especially for the "it" item. For example, we did not feel like waiting an hour for the Ramen Burger but we took a peak at it and perhaps JB can recreate it at home.
Some of our highlights:
- Dough: The first stop because Big Z had been so patient on the drive to Brooklyn (not really). Z's reward was a massive, plain glazed donut for $2.25. It was big enough to keep him entertained through our entire visit. I hear they have a Bed-Stuy location, we may be stopping by.
- Cemita's Mexican Sandwiches: JB had seen a TV show that featured these Mexican behemoths, so we braved a moderate line for a freshly made sandwich. Our Cemita was a roll piled with steak, Mexican cheese, avocado, onion and a few different kids of sauces. In a word, it is awesome and worth every bit of $8.
- Kelvin Natural Slush Co.: While waiting for the cemita, I was able to sample, for free, a spicy ginger slush. Not exactly my thing, but I appreciated the opportunity to try something that I would usually skip.
- Landhaus: Little D is our bacon lover. Sadly, he was not a Smorgasburg lover. We saw bacon on a stick and thought this would be better than any cookie would be. We were wrong on that front, but our $3 bacon on a stick was just awesome. Awesome sugary-glazed bacon. Thanks for sharing, D.
- McClure's Pickles: The bacon didn't work. But the pickles did. We made two stops here for their spicy wonders, $2 each, made with both cayenne and habanero versions. Perfect for our feisty 4 year old.
I could have stayed all day. But not all of the members of our party (namely the ones 5 and under) were as into it. I drooled past the BBQ, the grilled cheese, the lobster, the Asian-style hot dogs, just so much amazing food.
I highly recommend a visit, whether you have one snack or twenty, it is certainly a New York experience.
I can't wait to go back.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Smorgasburg.com
Find more info about the Smorgasburg including locations, hours and the vendor list. Enjoy!
That's right, 75 food vendors under one roof in a Williamsburg warehouse, if only I had the time, stamina and stomach to try them all. We did our requisite research on the drive in, each vendor is listed on the website in advance along with a map so you can attempt to plan your visit. Lines can be long especially for the "it" item. For example, we did not feel like waiting an hour for the Ramen Burger but we took a peak at it and perhaps JB can recreate it at home.
Some of our highlights:
- Dough: The first stop because Big Z had been so patient on the drive to Brooklyn (not really). Z's reward was a massive, plain glazed donut for $2.25. It was big enough to keep him entertained through our entire visit. I hear they have a Bed-Stuy location, we may be stopping by.
- Cemita's Mexican Sandwiches: JB had seen a TV show that featured these Mexican behemoths, so we braved a moderate line for a freshly made sandwich. Our Cemita was a roll piled with steak, Mexican cheese, avocado, onion and a few different kids of sauces. In a word, it is awesome and worth every bit of $8.
- Kelvin Natural Slush Co.: While waiting for the cemita, I was able to sample, for free, a spicy ginger slush. Not exactly my thing, but I appreciated the opportunity to try something that I would usually skip.
- Landhaus: Little D is our bacon lover. Sadly, he was not a Smorgasburg lover. We saw bacon on a stick and thought this would be better than any cookie would be. We were wrong on that front, but our $3 bacon on a stick was just awesome. Awesome sugary-glazed bacon. Thanks for sharing, D.
- McClure's Pickles: The bacon didn't work. But the pickles did. We made two stops here for their spicy wonders, $2 each, made with both cayenne and habanero versions. Perfect for our feisty 4 year old.
I could have stayed all day. But not all of the members of our party (namely the ones 5 and under) were as into it. I drooled past the BBQ, the grilled cheese, the lobster, the Asian-style hot dogs, just so much amazing food.
I highly recommend a visit, whether you have one snack or twenty, it is certainly a New York experience.
I can't wait to go back.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Smorgasburg.com
Find more info about the Smorgasburg including locations, hours and the vendor list. Enjoy!
Friday, December 27, 2013
A Family Affair: Bistro 25, Sayville, NY
Our path to Bistro 25 was not a smooth one. It was dark, it was snowing and our party of 9 was turned down by our original choice (more about that later). Some quick Google work led our family to this welcoming and delicious stop in Sayville.
I was still somewhat skeptical as the over-friendly server handed us our menus, and then I saw the
menu. Pork belly, truffled macaroni and cheese, this was no roadside restaurant.
The restaurant is named Bistro 25 as most of their wines are $25 a bottle. Of course, we didn't realize this until half-way through dinner, so I will tell you all now. Wines by the glass, though, were not too shabby either. My prosecco was a heavy and bubbly pour. A pinot noir, also a good size, was robust and flavorful.
JB started with a salad, that, upon its arrival, I promptly shared. Spicy and peppery arugula was lightly dressed with grape tomatoes, parmesan shavings and a light lemon vinaigrette. For me to like a vinaigrette, means it was indeed a good one. A chopped salad that included candied walnuts and dried cranberries was also a hit our table.
For dinner, I chose a scallop special with brussel sprouts and pancetta. I had to battle little D for almost all of my pancetta. I inhaled the well-flavored scallops in minutes. Meanwhile, JB chose the pappardelle with a meat ragu. The meat itself was delicious and appeared to be the same meat in the short ribs that were also at our table. Another table favorite was a fish-filled paella.
Par for the course, our boys had burgers and fries which passed their test. Little D had a double order of bacon that he graciously shared after the pancetta incident.
A simple dessert of a dark chocolate tart ended our decadent meal. The boys had house made ice cream.
I am looking forward to our return, this time as our planned destination.
A note about our original choice: Downtown Burger at Five Points Cafe. This place was written up in Newsday as one of the best burgers on Long Island, however, they would not seat our party of nine despite having the room for us. Big mistake.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Bistro 25
45 Foster Avenue
Sayville, NY
631.589.7775
www.bistro25li.com
menu. Pork belly, truffled macaroni and cheese, this was no roadside restaurant.
The restaurant is named Bistro 25 as most of their wines are $25 a bottle. Of course, we didn't realize this until half-way through dinner, so I will tell you all now. Wines by the glass, though, were not too shabby either. My prosecco was a heavy and bubbly pour. A pinot noir, also a good size, was robust and flavorful.
JB started with a salad, that, upon its arrival, I promptly shared. Spicy and peppery arugula was lightly dressed with grape tomatoes, parmesan shavings and a light lemon vinaigrette. For me to like a vinaigrette, means it was indeed a good one. A chopped salad that included candied walnuts and dried cranberries was also a hit our table.
For dinner, I chose a scallop special with brussel sprouts and pancetta. I had to battle little D for almost all of my pancetta. I inhaled the well-flavored scallops in minutes. Meanwhile, JB chose the pappardelle with a meat ragu. The meat itself was delicious and appeared to be the same meat in the short ribs that were also at our table. Another table favorite was a fish-filled paella.
Par for the course, our boys had burgers and fries which passed their test. Little D had a double order of bacon that he graciously shared after the pancetta incident.
A simple dessert of a dark chocolate tart ended our decadent meal. The boys had house made ice cream.
I am looking forward to our return, this time as our planned destination.
A note about our original choice: Downtown Burger at Five Points Cafe. This place was written up in Newsday as one of the best burgers on Long Island, however, they would not seat our party of nine despite having the room for us. Big mistake.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Bistro 25
45 Foster Avenue
Sayville, NY
631.589.7775
www.bistro25li.com
A Groupon Steak Feast: Delmonico's, Southampton, NY
When Groupon first appeared on the scene, I was an instant fan. Discounts on food, massages, clothes? YES! But then I found myself purchasing items I really didn't need and struggling to redeem them on time. So I cooled off. Occasionally though, there is something too good to pass up. Like the Groupon I found for Delmonico's Steakhouse in Southampton, NY.
* $100 for 4-courses for 2, including wine *
Sign me up. I quickly purchased the deal and immediately felt satisfied. And then I waited. And waited. And soon, as with all Groupons, the expiration date loomed. No need for a special occasion, an offer was expiring. I picked a Friday and tried not to eat a big lunch.
On a July Friday, this place would be packed. On a December Friday, it was empty. The room was welcoming with a roaring fireplace and just two tables of two seated next to it. "Have a Groupon?" the host asked when we arrived - I guess we weren't the only ones.
The Groupon offered some impressive choices. For the the first course there were two salads, a crab cake and a soup special. JB opted for a heaping wedge salad covered in bacon and blue cheese. My Caesar salad was standard and tiny compared to JB's. The second course was a mushroom risotto. Being mushroom averse, I inquired about a mushroom-free risotto. I was initially told that my request could not be accommodated, and then the server returned victoriously with my sans-funghi creamy and cheesy risotto. Note: JB was a fan of the mushroom version.
The third course was a no-brainer for us both among the choices - a 40 day prime aged strip steak. This was the best part of the deal. The steak was perfectly cooked and massive. It could have used a side, but we really did not need it. After JB helped me to finish mine, we still had to take some home.
Dessert offered just one choice - a salted caramel and chocolate tart with vanilla ice cream. I ate the tart and JB the ice cream.
Service was brisk, a la steakhouse style, and we did have to pay full tax and tip on the meal, so it wasn't just $100 even. While still a tremendous deal, it is, unfortunately, no longer on offer on Groupon. Furthermore, I have heard rumors this location may close (or perhaps just for the Winter season). So I will consider myself lucky that I got to eat a great meal at a great price.
Until our next Burger,
KLB
Delmonico's of Southampton
268 Elm Street
Southampton, NY
631.283.0202
delmonicosofsouthampton.com
* $100 for 4-courses for 2, including wine *
Sign me up. I quickly purchased the deal and immediately felt satisfied. And then I waited. And waited. And soon, as with all Groupons, the expiration date loomed. No need for a special occasion, an offer was expiring. I picked a Friday and tried not to eat a big lunch.
On a July Friday, this place would be packed. On a December Friday, it was empty. The room was welcoming with a roaring fireplace and just two tables of two seated next to it. "Have a Groupon?" the host asked when we arrived - I guess we weren't the only ones.
The Groupon offered some impressive choices. For the the first course there were two salads, a crab cake and a soup special. JB opted for a heaping wedge salad covered in bacon and blue cheese. My Caesar salad was standard and tiny compared to JB's. The second course was a mushroom risotto. Being mushroom averse, I inquired about a mushroom-free risotto. I was initially told that my request could not be accommodated, and then the server returned victoriously with my sans-funghi creamy and cheesy risotto. Note: JB was a fan of the mushroom version.
The third course was a no-brainer for us both among the choices - a 40 day prime aged strip steak. This was the best part of the deal. The steak was perfectly cooked and massive. It could have used a side, but we really did not need it. After JB helped me to finish mine, we still had to take some home.
Dessert offered just one choice - a salted caramel and chocolate tart with vanilla ice cream. I ate the tart and JB the ice cream.
Service was brisk, a la steakhouse style, and we did have to pay full tax and tip on the meal, so it wasn't just $100 even. While still a tremendous deal, it is, unfortunately, no longer on offer on Groupon. Furthermore, I have heard rumors this location may close (or perhaps just for the Winter season). So I will consider myself lucky that I got to eat a great meal at a great price.
Until our next Burger,
KLB
Delmonico's of Southampton
268 Elm Street
Southampton, NY
Friday, December 13, 2013
A Celebratory Lunch: Topping Rose House, Bridgehampton, NY
When there's a new restaurant in the Hamptons, I put it on my must-hit list. My list is long. So I slowly chip away at it. When the Topping Rose House opened in late 2012 with Tom Colicchio as head chef, it took a spot at the top of my list and remained there until last week, when JB and I treated ourselves to a celebratory lunch. A lunch worthy of celebrating indeed.
The Topping Rose House is an historic home turned luxury hotel (read: rooms start at around $500/night). The renovations are top notch and the pinnacle of the experience is dining at their establishment which focuses on farm to table fine dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Given that we are now in the off-season, at 12:30 on a Wednesday, we were the only two in the 50 seat dining room. It was heavenly.
The small room is comprised mostly of two-tops and four-tops, some along a banquette with large old windows overlooking Montauk Highway. The music was a bit loud for just the two of us, but would have been fine with a few more patrons.
Service was impeccable and stands out with little touches. As we sat, my white napkin was promptly switched for a black one. We were offered a taste of our wines by the glass prior to the full pour. The potato rolls were warm and lightly dusted with salt.
The lunch menu is well-curated and small with just five appetizers and five entrees (including a burger!) Our server presented us with two bowls of beautifully cured bacon and creme fraiche and proceeded to cover it with potato leek soup. The bacon was crispy and well complemented the robust potato flavor. I would have preferred slightly warmer soup, though, it was warm enough.
For our mains, I chose the cheese pumpkin agnoolotti. This homemade pasta came with discs of duck confit and pecorino, it was rich and delicious. Better still was JB's entree of the chicken sausage with roasted vegetables and chicken jus. While on paper it appeared simple, the sausage was seared to perfection and each vegetable seemed hand-selected for the dish including the tiniest broccoli florets I have ever seen.
To finish we ordered the apple pie which was not just a slice but rather a miniature pie surrounded in a flaky, buttery crust. Completing the plate was vanilla bean ice cream and caramel. We could not have asked for a better dessert to finish our special meal.
While JB ordered a fresh French press and I finished a local Long Island Red Wine, we imagined dinner on a crowded summer night. I can only assume that the restaurant at full capacity is as delightful as it is for two. I hope to find out soon.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Topping Rose House
One Bridgehampton - Sag Harbor TurnpikeBridgehampton, NY631.537.0870
toppingrosehouse.com
On the Side: Open daily year-round, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Prix-fixe dinner currently offered Sunday to Thursday, 3 courses for $48.
The Topping Rose House is an historic home turned luxury hotel (read: rooms start at around $500/night). The renovations are top notch and the pinnacle of the experience is dining at their establishment which focuses on farm to table fine dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Given that we are now in the off-season, at 12:30 on a Wednesday, we were the only two in the 50 seat dining room. It was heavenly.
The small room is comprised mostly of two-tops and four-tops, some along a banquette with large old windows overlooking Montauk Highway. The music was a bit loud for just the two of us, but would have been fine with a few more patrons.
Service was impeccable and stands out with little touches. As we sat, my white napkin was promptly switched for a black one. We were offered a taste of our wines by the glass prior to the full pour. The potato rolls were warm and lightly dusted with salt.
The lunch menu is well-curated and small with just five appetizers and five entrees (including a burger!) Our server presented us with two bowls of beautifully cured bacon and creme fraiche and proceeded to cover it with potato leek soup. The bacon was crispy and well complemented the robust potato flavor. I would have preferred slightly warmer soup, though, it was warm enough.
For our mains, I chose the cheese pumpkin agnoolotti. This homemade pasta came with discs of duck confit and pecorino, it was rich and delicious. Better still was JB's entree of the chicken sausage with roasted vegetables and chicken jus. While on paper it appeared simple, the sausage was seared to perfection and each vegetable seemed hand-selected for the dish including the tiniest broccoli florets I have ever seen.
To finish we ordered the apple pie which was not just a slice but rather a miniature pie surrounded in a flaky, buttery crust. Completing the plate was vanilla bean ice cream and caramel. We could not have asked for a better dessert to finish our special meal.
While JB ordered a fresh French press and I finished a local Long Island Red Wine, we imagined dinner on a crowded summer night. I can only assume that the restaurant at full capacity is as delightful as it is for two. I hope to find out soon.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Topping Rose House
One Bridgehampton - Sag Harbor TurnpikeBridgehampton, NY631.537.0870
On the Side: Open daily year-round, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Prix-fixe dinner currently offered Sunday to Thursday, 3 courses for $48.
Sunday, December 01, 2013
The Post-Thanksgiving Meal: Pasta Pasta, Port Jefferson, NY
In our family, and most families I imagine, there is the obligatory visit with the family that you didn't see on Thanksgiving. This year our visit took place in Port Jefferson, NY, a former shipbuilding town that is now home to several touristy shops and a ferry that traverses Long Island Sound to Connecticut. Eating was on the itinerary.
We usually eat at a spot called the Fifth Season that is very close to the ferry dock, but they do not serve lunch on Saturdays so we headed to an oft-recommended spot, Pasta Pasta. Although no one was really in the mood for Italian food, I assured the group that Pasta Pasta offered more than just it's name.
The dining room is quaint, romantic almost, with frilly curtains and mirrors. Yet they were kid-friendly and did not seem to mind when little D was wailing while waiting for the Wi-Fi to connect. (Yes, full disclosure, I let my boys use their electronic devices sometimes at restaurants).
The menu is massive. In addition to the assumed pasta section, they have a major focus on seafood and landlubber items. At lunch, this came in the form of salads, sandwiches, pizzas and entrees.
While we perused the menu, a gigantic bread basket arrived that contained several pounds of garlic-slathered bread. This thing was heavy to pass around the table but quickly got lighter and lighter.
Ordering took awhile as there were so many choices, but we finally settled on two seafood salads, one with crab cakes and the other with lobster, two filet mignon quesadillas and one hamburger with fries.
Contrary to the bread, the crab cakes were miniscule. After two excellent bites of crab cake, it was all lettuce. The lobster salad had more meat to it and tasted especially fresh and light. The filet mignon quesadillas were packed with flavorful ingredients including alouette and mozzarella cheese, caramelized onions and roasted corn. The quesadillas themselves were crispy, covered with chipotle lime aioli and plentiful. My Dad who was still hungry after the crab cakes was able to fill up with my remaining quesadilla donation. Oh and as always, the boys enjoyed their hamburger and fries.
Now, I do wonder if we ordered correctly. I think everything we had was fine, good even, but not outstanding. Other tables appeared to really have some winning dishes, including wasabi calamari and all of the pastas. I guess in a restaurant called Pasta, Pasta, that is probably the right order.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Pasta Pasta
234 E Main St
Port Jefferson, NY
631.331.5335
pastapasta.net
PS -- After lunch, we stopped in an adorable restaurant, C'est Cheese, that sells grilled cheese, cheese boards, wine, etc. It is on my list for the next visit. We did take home some amazing Point Reyes Toma to tide us over until our next trip to Port Jeff.
We usually eat at a spot called the Fifth Season that is very close to the ferry dock, but they do not serve lunch on Saturdays so we headed to an oft-recommended spot, Pasta Pasta. Although no one was really in the mood for Italian food, I assured the group that Pasta Pasta offered more than just it's name.
The dining room is quaint, romantic almost, with frilly curtains and mirrors. Yet they were kid-friendly and did not seem to mind when little D was wailing while waiting for the Wi-Fi to connect. (Yes, full disclosure, I let my boys use their electronic devices sometimes at restaurants).
The menu is massive. In addition to the assumed pasta section, they have a major focus on seafood and landlubber items. At lunch, this came in the form of salads, sandwiches, pizzas and entrees.
While we perused the menu, a gigantic bread basket arrived that contained several pounds of garlic-slathered bread. This thing was heavy to pass around the table but quickly got lighter and lighter.
Ordering took awhile as there were so many choices, but we finally settled on two seafood salads, one with crab cakes and the other with lobster, two filet mignon quesadillas and one hamburger with fries.
Contrary to the bread, the crab cakes were miniscule. After two excellent bites of crab cake, it was all lettuce. The lobster salad had more meat to it and tasted especially fresh and light. The filet mignon quesadillas were packed with flavorful ingredients including alouette and mozzarella cheese, caramelized onions and roasted corn. The quesadillas themselves were crispy, covered with chipotle lime aioli and plentiful. My Dad who was still hungry after the crab cakes was able to fill up with my remaining quesadilla donation. Oh and as always, the boys enjoyed their hamburger and fries.
Now, I do wonder if we ordered correctly. I think everything we had was fine, good even, but not outstanding. Other tables appeared to really have some winning dishes, including wasabi calamari and all of the pastas. I guess in a restaurant called Pasta, Pasta, that is probably the right order.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Pasta Pasta
234 E Main St
Port Jefferson, NY
631.331.5335
pastapasta.net
PS -- After lunch, we stopped in an adorable restaurant, C'est Cheese, that sells grilled cheese, cheese boards, wine, etc. It is on my list for the next visit. We did take home some amazing Point Reyes Toma to tide us over until our next trip to Port Jeff.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Ladies Lunch: Tuscan House, Southampton, NY
The Ladies Lunch is never easy for me. Time is tight and location is key. Compared to the Ladies Night Out where time seems to melt away as the wine is poured, at lunch there is a lot of watch-monitoring and water-drinking. Still, it is a treat.
C and I happened upon Tuscan House while shopping in the village of Southampton. At just before noon, we were the only ones in the restaurant so we chose a corner table with a "winter view." Winter view being defined as with the leaves off the trees and some neck craning you can see a sliver of a body of water.
This is the kind of place that is packed in high season with the windows all open so you feel the warm summer breeze as you indulge in Italian food. In November, we can only dream about that.
Being that this is Southampton, prices are high. We spent some time going through the menu trying to select dishes that wouldn't make us feel too guilty. We agreed to split a salad and a main course.
The Caesar salad was simple yet delicious with big flakes of parmesan and crunchy croutons. Our salad came already split into two bowls and it was bigger than I imagined.
Even more surprising, the branzino done "Venencian" style again came pre-split and neither of us could finish our half-portion. The branzino was roasted with tomatoes and a few shrimp and sat atop a bed of spinach. The whole dish seemed a little "blah." It needed some more seasoning, some olive oil and garlic could have gone a long way.
A welcome respite of calm, though, I'll take any day of the week.
Until our next Berger, KLB
This is the kind of place that is packed in high season with the windows all open so you feel the warm summer breeze as you indulge in Italian food. In November, we can only dream about that.
Being that this is Southampton, prices are high. We spent some time going through the menu trying to select dishes that wouldn't make us feel too guilty. We agreed to split a salad and a main course.
The Caesar salad was simple yet delicious with big flakes of parmesan and crunchy croutons. Our salad came already split into two bowls and it was bigger than I imagined.
Even more surprising, the branzino done "Venencian" style again came pre-split and neither of us could finish our half-portion. The branzino was roasted with tomatoes and a few shrimp and sat atop a bed of spinach. The whole dish seemed a little "blah." It needed some more seasoning, some olive oil and garlic could have gone a long way.
A welcome respite of calm, though, I'll take any day of the week.
Until our next Berger, KLB
The Tuscan House
10 Windmill Lane
Southampton, NY
631.287.8703
www.tuscanhouse.us
Happy Hour Eats: Brinkley's Station, New York, NY
Happy Hour. In the suburbs, it's elusive. In the city, it's the norm. So when offered the chance to partake with E & L, two old friends, I could not resist.
On the Side: Check out their SoHo and Miami locations, too!
Brinkley Station is not the best happy hour spot. There are no $5 cocktails here nor are there 10 cent wings. But if location, drinks, food and especially, company are good, then what should price really matter?
Drinks are small, but good. Seriously one of the smallest wine glasses I have ever seen. E, however, swears by the their Dark and Stormy. And both E & L had some kinds of Pork Ale. Beer and pork products - how could one go wrong.
Appetizers were a must. Both E & L had been before and recommended the burgers. We opted for the smaller portion of sliders. The serving came as 2 small and flavorful burgers complete with cheese, pickles, sauce and mini onion rings. 2 were not enough. It may have been a better idea to just get the full size burger or two orders of sliders or both.
The macaroni and cheese topped with breadcrumbs was just decadent. How could one go wrong with the blend of fontina, parmigiano and pecorino topped with breadcrumbs. Never has licking the bowl been so right.
And then just as fast as it began, it ended. Happy hour is too short.
Good thing they can happen every night.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
On the Side: Check out their SoHo and Miami locations, too!
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Another Quicksie NYC Lunch: 'wichcraft, New York, NY
Another quick NYC work trip, another quick lunch. This time we chose Wichcraft of Tom Colicchio fame. We are big fans when reputable restauranteurs open chainlets of excellent food -- just like Danny Meyer and the Shake Shack and Bobby Flay and Bobby's Burger Palace do with burgers, 'wichcraft provides a gourmet spin on something ordinary -- the sandwich. Or in my case, the salad.
Enter the roasted turkey salad on mixed greens with avocado and bacon. Part healthy, part not so healthy but only 491 calories per their prominently displayed menu. Sit down or take out and feel like you got some better than the average corner deli.
With 15 NYC locations, they are doing something right. Try it.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Visit the location nearest you:
wichcraftnyc.com
Enter the roasted turkey salad on mixed greens with avocado and bacon. Part healthy, part not so healthy but only 491 calories per their prominently displayed menu. Sit down or take out and feel like you got some better than the average corner deli.
With 15 NYC locations, they are doing something right. Try it.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Visit the location nearest you:
wichcraftnyc.com
Pizza and Zeppoles: Coals and Zeppoleme, Port Chester, NY
Oh, Port Chester. The step-child of Westchester County. Just "over-the-line" from Connecticut.
Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich brought the Tarry Lodge to town in 2008 and helped pave the way to make PC a great food destination. Coals and Zeppoleme are two more establishments helping to revitalize this community.
From the outside, Coals looks like a bar in a working class town. People drinking beers at the bar, watching football, eating pizza and burgers. But if you take a closer look, that beer is a fine local microbrew, the pizza is doused with truffle oil and the burger is grass-fed with duck bacon.
Our bare table was unassuming as we ordered our drinks (just beer and wine to my father's disappointment). And my mom insisted on the fried brussel sprouts to share.
I am always a Brussels fan, these were well executed with walnuts and raisins, but the vinegar-mustard dressing was heavy and not to my liking.
JB, my mom and I each ordered one wood grilled pizza - a Margherita, a Pure Bliss and a Rustico - but I, of course, insisted on tasting them all. The pizzas were bigger than the promised personal size (no complaining here). JB's Margherita was simple with just fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil and JB's call to have no pecorino was a good one. The Pure Bliss, my choice, was similar to a Margherita except that it also had ricotta and basil pesto. Frankly the ricotta weighed it down, making each slice a mandatory two-hander. And the Rustic, which my mom had raved about and subsequently ordered, was the most unique with mushroom, truffle oil, fontinella and mozzarella cheese, plus garlic and grana padana.
It's tough to say which was the best. They were all good. The Rustic certainly had the most flavor, but truffle oil is not something I can eat too much of -- it is almost too sweet. Conversely, I could have eaten the Margherita all day long. And the Pure Bliss had the most winning combination of ingredients but I tired it of it quickly. I guess then I would declare the Margherita the winner.
And then there were those burgers, which were grass-fed and devoured by my Dad, Big Z and Little D.
It's tough to say which was the best. They were all good. The Rustic certainly had the most flavor, but truffle oil is not something I can eat too much of -- it is almost too sweet. Conversely, I could have eaten the Margherita all day long. And the Pure Bliss had the most winning combination of ingredients but I tired it of it quickly. I guess then I would declare the Margherita the winner.
And then there were those burgers, which were grass-fed and devoured by my Dad, Big Z and Little D.
It is tough to go wrong with pizza and burgers....but then there was more.
As we headed back over the line to Connecticut, we passed a place called ZeppoleMe - a zeppole store(!) - and we had to pull over to check it out. Don't forget we did skip dessert at Coals.
The concept of ZeppoleMe is that it's your local Italian Coffee Shop with delicious coffee and desserts. And zeppoles are the star. I placed my order and waited and waited. Apparently these take more time than the vendors' at the San Gennaro festival.
After close to 15 minutes, we had 1 dozen fresh, hot, fluffy zeppoles. They were worth the wait.
We got 2 kinds - the classic and the modern. The classic is the aforementioned street food style and the modern is lighter and fluffier. We all preferred the modern to the classic, I guess progress is a good thing.
With our dozen we chose 3 dipping sauces - vanilla, buttercream and hazelnut. Let's just say there were no dipping sauces or zeppoles left.
For those of you close by, go. For those of you traveling on I95 between New York and Connecticut, I recommend these two places for a worthy pit stop. Bring me back some zeppoles!
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Coals Pizza
35 North Main Street
Port Chester, NY
914.305.3220
www.coalspizza.com
ZeppoleMe
321 North Main Street
Port Chester, NY
914.481.5900
www.zeppoleme.com
On the Side: Coincidentally, the New York Times is publishing a review of ZeppoleMe in tomorrow's paper, should you want a more professional opinion.
As we headed back over the line to Connecticut, we passed a place called ZeppoleMe - a zeppole store(!) - and we had to pull over to check it out. Don't forget we did skip dessert at Coals.
The concept of ZeppoleMe is that it's your local Italian Coffee Shop with delicious coffee and desserts. And zeppoles are the star. I placed my order and waited and waited. Apparently these take more time than the vendors' at the San Gennaro festival.
After close to 15 minutes, we had 1 dozen fresh, hot, fluffy zeppoles. They were worth the wait.
We got 2 kinds - the classic and the modern. The classic is the aforementioned street food style and the modern is lighter and fluffier. We all preferred the modern to the classic, I guess progress is a good thing.
With our dozen we chose 3 dipping sauces - vanilla, buttercream and hazelnut. Let's just say there were no dipping sauces or zeppoles left.
For those of you close by, go. For those of you traveling on I95 between New York and Connecticut, I recommend these two places for a worthy pit stop. Bring me back some zeppoles!
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Coals Pizza
35 North Main Street
Port Chester, NY
914.305.3220
www.coalspizza.com
ZeppoleMe
321 North Main Street
Port Chester, NY
914.481.5900
www.zeppoleme.com
On the Side: Coincidentally, the New York Times is publishing a review of ZeppoleMe in tomorrow's paper, should you want a more professional opinion.
Friday, November 15, 2013
A Chain Reaction: Cantina Laredo, Columbus, OH
Restaurant chains are here to stay. Despite the importance of the local farm to table movement, sometimes you just want the Thai Chicken Pasta from the Cheesecake Factory or that Homewrecker burrito from Moe's. Call it what you wish - nostalgia, comfort or maybe you just want cheap and easy.
I try not to frequent chains but when the inevitable happens I don't think they should be ignored in the foodie blogosphere. Don't worry, I'm not going to be the lady from Grand Forks, ND who raved about the Olive Garden. And in fact here at Bergers & More, we already snuck in a few chain reviews including Seasons 52 and Le Pain Quotodien.
So with most chains I'll be quick, unless of course something tremendous warrants a full-blown review. Otherwise, we'll call it a "Chain Reaction".
Yes, Cantina Laredo is a chain but they don't want to be one. They aspire to bring high-end Mexican to every mall across America in their 100+ locations. The decor is old hacienda style with lots of candles and white tablecloths.
Sadly the result is not good. Stick to your local Mexican spot.
At this Columbus, OH location chips were tasteless - the kind you need to dump copious amounts of salt on for any kind of flavor. Tableside-made guacamole was overly chunky. And the shrimp in the shrimp fajitas was so overcooked, I found myself fighting to take bites. On the bright side, the Skinny margaritas were large and strong, so I focused on those.
Our Chain Reaction - go for a drink or three and dine elsewhere.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Cantina Laredo has over 100 locations across the US and a few international ones, too.
I dined at this location:
8791 Lyra Drive
Monday, November 11, 2013
Family Italian: Butera's, Sayville, NY
Another Sunday, another Italian meal. I am starting to like this trend. A fun family activity followed by a large/late lunch with lots of leftovers. Probably not so good for our waistlines, but fun nonetheless.
Speaking of waistlines, we had actually earned our calories for this meal after an hour of jumping on trampolines at AirTrampoline. We were starving and our party of 8 wanted a kid-friendly, good meal. I’d heard of Butera’s, a Long Island establishment with 4 locations, so we gave the Sayville branch a shot.
This is a place for a crowd. It is loud and bustling, with big round tables, and able to handle our four "5 & unders".
At 2:00, we were offered both the lunch and dinner menus as we demolished the generous bread basket multiple times.
And if the bread basket wasn't enough, I opted for the Grilled Eggplant sandwich. This was a monstrous open-face piece of focaccia covered in grilled eggplant, onions, mozzarella and tomato sauce. After about two bites, I had to stop eating the bread and just eat the eggplant with its topping. It was tasty and oh-so-filling.
JB's Rigatoni alla Rossa was comprised of chicken sausage and spinach in a pink sauce. The sauce did not hold a candle to Marie's vodka sauce and the sausage was over-fennelled, in my opinion, but this pasta dish did the trick for JB.
We also shared a marinara pizza for the table which frankly did not have enough sauce. The boys, per usual, enjoyed a mammoth burger and for an Italian restaurant, some good-looking fries.
We were stuffed, exhausted and it was leftovers again for the Berger family.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Butera's
100 South Main Street
Sayville, NY
On the Side: They also have locations in Seaford, Woodbury and Smithtown, so check it out if you are in the area.
Saturday, November 09, 2013
A Guy Recommendation: Marie's Italian Specialties, Chatham, NJ
My fascination with the Food Network has slowly deteriorated over time, JB's declined sharply but he has a new thing for Diner, Drive-ins and Dives. What he sees in Guy, I don't know, but I stumbled upon a website that pinpoints all the places featured on the show to date. And as I planned our family road trip, I looked for one on the way. And there it was, BAM (sorry couldn't help the Emeril reference ), Marie's Italian Specialties.
Technically, Marie's was a little out of our way, maybe 10 miles off the highway in Chatham, NJ which happens to be one good-looking town. Tucked in a nice strip mall, if that’s possible, is the unassuming Italian restaurant. White walls, black tables with benches and a black and white tile floor make it more industrial-looking than your average Italian place.
4PM on a Sunday and the place was empty. We were starving and ordered some of so called specialties. In fact, Guy's favorites we're highlighted on the menu - I guess they take their newfound fame pretty seriously. We pounced on the fresh bread that was served as we eagerly awaited to be wowed.
First up, Rice Balls. These were incredible, unbelievable really, 3 huge balls of bread and fried rice sat in a bath of vodka sauce. Crispy on the outside and perfection on the inside. We lapped up the vodka sauce before we even finished the 3 rice balls, but fear not another dish of more vodka sauce came.
Then mains. Eggplant Parmesan arrived on a heaping platter. I could barely lift it up. Again, amazing. One of the best Eggplant Parmesans that I have ever had. JB ordered their famous roast chicken. The skin was crispy and the meat inside was not in the least bit dry. It was, according to JB, the way a chicken should be done.
Three Sides. The simple spaghetti that accompanied my eggplant was tremendous. Usually the pasta side dish is a throw away, not here. Polenta was creamy and loaded with parmesan, a win for me, but not for JB. The only real off item was the broccoli rabe that was bitter and out of place amongst all of the other deliciousness.
The boys stuck to their usual and ordered plain pasta, although truthfully, they gorged more on the bread than anything else.
Service was quick and generous. We took everything home and had meals for days.
I’m not in New Jersey often, but if you are, or want to take a road trip, I strongly recommend this place. We will be back. And thanks, Guy!
Technically, Marie's was a little out of our way, maybe 10 miles off the highway in Chatham, NJ which happens to be one good-looking town. Tucked in a nice strip mall, if that’s possible, is the unassuming Italian restaurant. White walls, black tables with benches and a black and white tile floor make it more industrial-looking than your average Italian place.
4PM on a Sunday and the place was empty. We were starving and ordered some of so called specialties. In fact, Guy's favorites we're highlighted on the menu - I guess they take their newfound fame pretty seriously. We pounced on the fresh bread that was served as we eagerly awaited to be wowed.
First up, Rice Balls. These were incredible, unbelievable really, 3 huge balls of bread and fried rice sat in a bath of vodka sauce. Crispy on the outside and perfection on the inside. We lapped up the vodka sauce before we even finished the 3 rice balls, but fear not another dish of more vodka sauce came.
Then mains. Eggplant Parmesan arrived on a heaping platter. I could barely lift it up. Again, amazing. One of the best Eggplant Parmesans that I have ever had. JB ordered their famous roast chicken. The skin was crispy and the meat inside was not in the least bit dry. It was, according to JB, the way a chicken should be done.
Three Sides. The simple spaghetti that accompanied my eggplant was tremendous. Usually the pasta side dish is a throw away, not here. Polenta was creamy and loaded with parmesan, a win for me, but not for JB. The only real off item was the broccoli rabe that was bitter and out of place amongst all of the other deliciousness.
The boys stuck to their usual and ordered plain pasta, although truthfully, they gorged more on the bread than anything else.
Service was quick and generous. We took everything home and had meals for days.
I’m not in New Jersey often, but if you are, or want to take a road trip, I strongly recommend this place. We will be back. And thanks, Guy!
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Marie's Italian Specialties
641 Shunpike Rd
Chatham, NJ
973.377.7878
mariesdeli.com
Sunday, November 03, 2013
Awesome Crayola Eats in an Unlikely Place: Two Rivers Brewing Company, Easton, PA
As we traveled along for Little D's birthday celebration, after our Brooklyn stop at Roll-N-Roaster, we found ourselves in Easton, PA. Easton is the home of the Crayola factory (our birthday destination), Lafayette College and an abundance of chain restaurants. While it was tempting to just try the never ending pasta bowl at the Olive Garden, I thought Little D deserved something better. So we spent much of our drive to PA researching restaurants. With a little luck, we found an amazing spot - Two Rivers Brewing Company.
Yes, I know it sounds like a bar. And it is, so don't judge, it has stellar food.
The restaurant occupies an old 3-story building. Today the first floor is the only floor that serves food and drink, the upper floors will soon be the official brewery. Sadly, they are not serving their own brews yet, however, several PA beers are available on tap.
We sat close to the bar and to the live music (one lady with a guitar) singing a combination of 70s covers and her own stuff, and we began our feast. When I say feast, I am not kidding.
Their menu is eclectic to say the least. We wanted a lot. JB and I settled on 4 plates as we drank a local Pennsylvania brew and a California Malbec, respectively.
1. Gumbo: This was a risky choice. We were very far from New Orleans, but it felt like a gumbo night. We were blown away by the thick soup that was chock full of chicken, andouille sausage, shrimp and okra.
2. The Breakaway Farms Pork Board: We hemmed and hawed over this one. Should we or shouldn't we. This was essentially a bacon sampler. It was Little D's birthday, and he does love bacon, so we went for it. The server presented us with a huge wooden cutting board that had 3 different kinds of bacon, plus pork belly, bacon jam, homemade boursin, mustard and bread. To say we loved this would be an understatement. Each bite was better than the last. And every combination was a winning one. Pork belly and bacon jam. Bacon jam and boursin. Smoked bacon and boursin. I could go on. Let's just say we were shocked (but not really) when before long the platter was clear.
3. Shrimp and Grits: If the gumbo was a hit from the South, this was the lone miss. Several overcooked shrimp lay on a bed of cheesy grits. I am usually one for cheesy grits. But this was so far away from the Shrimp and Grits I had at Luke this summer that it did not compare. You know the dish is a miss when JB says, "You can finish this one".
4. Peanut Butter Bacon Cheeseburger: Because we hadn't indulged enough, we had to try this. It was genius - more bacon, cheddar and a peanut brittle dust smothered a delicious grass-fed burger. I had to throw in the napkin on this one early, I was done. JB prevailed and declared it a masterpiece.
5. Grass Fed Beef Kids Burgers and Fries: This was probably one of the best kids menu dishes I've ever seen and for $5 at that. "A little salty", per Big Z, "but awesome". Sadly, I didn't have any, but if it was anything like the other burger, I'm sure Big Z's "awesome" review is accurate.
We had no room for dessert and decided to have some celebratory ice cream for Little D the next day. We had eaten (well) enough.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
Two Rivers Brewing Company542 Northampton St.Easton, PA 610.829.1131
www.tworiversbrewing.com
Yes, I know it sounds like a bar. And it is, so don't judge, it has stellar food.
The restaurant occupies an old 3-story building. Today the first floor is the only floor that serves food and drink, the upper floors will soon be the official brewery. Sadly, they are not serving their own brews yet, however, several PA beers are available on tap.
We sat close to the bar and to the live music (one lady with a guitar) singing a combination of 70s covers and her own stuff, and we began our feast. When I say feast, I am not kidding.
Their menu is eclectic to say the least. We wanted a lot. JB and I settled on 4 plates as we drank a local Pennsylvania brew and a California Malbec, respectively.
1. Gumbo: This was a risky choice. We were very far from New Orleans, but it felt like a gumbo night. We were blown away by the thick soup that was chock full of chicken, andouille sausage, shrimp and okra.
2. The Breakaway Farms Pork Board: We hemmed and hawed over this one. Should we or shouldn't we. This was essentially a bacon sampler. It was Little D's birthday, and he does love bacon, so we went for it. The server presented us with a huge wooden cutting board that had 3 different kinds of bacon, plus pork belly, bacon jam, homemade boursin, mustard and bread. To say we loved this would be an understatement. Each bite was better than the last. And every combination was a winning one. Pork belly and bacon jam. Bacon jam and boursin. Smoked bacon and boursin. I could go on. Let's just say we were shocked (but not really) when before long the platter was clear.
3. Shrimp and Grits: If the gumbo was a hit from the South, this was the lone miss. Several overcooked shrimp lay on a bed of cheesy grits. I am usually one for cheesy grits. But this was so far away from the Shrimp and Grits I had at Luke this summer that it did not compare. You know the dish is a miss when JB says, "You can finish this one".
4. Peanut Butter Bacon Cheeseburger: Because we hadn't indulged enough, we had to try this. It was genius - more bacon, cheddar and a peanut brittle dust smothered a delicious grass-fed burger. I had to throw in the napkin on this one early, I was done. JB prevailed and declared it a masterpiece.
5. Grass Fed Beef Kids Burgers and Fries: This was probably one of the best kids menu dishes I've ever seen and for $5 at that. "A little salty", per Big Z, "but awesome". Sadly, I didn't have any, but if it was anything like the other burger, I'm sure Big Z's "awesome" review is accurate.
We had no room for dessert and decided to have some celebratory ice cream for Little D the next day. We had eaten (well) enough.
Until our next Berger,
KLB
www.tworiversbrewing.com
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