UnHamptons Waterfront Dining: Edgewater Restaurant, Hampton Bays, NY

Edgewater Restaurant is technically in the Hamptons - Hampton Bays for that matter, but it feels miles away from the pretension you may have heard of or even personally experienced.  This is simple Italian food with a waterview.  Not expensive, not fancy, just a really enjoyable way to spend a meal.

Coming off of a huge week of eating, I could not bring myself to try the Eggplant Rollatini, one of my perennial faves, or the delicious looking Gnocchi Bolognese.  I continued with the simple theme and enjoyed a Shrimp Oreganata over Tomato Risotto.  Although who am I kidding, I did indulge in the garlic knots in the bread basket so much so that we had to tell the waitress to please not bring anymore.

The shrimp was broiled to just the right temperature and well-seasoned.  The tomato risotto was thankfully on dry side.  Cheese and shrimp do not a good combination make.

It was a one-course only kind of meal but that didn't keep us from lingering in the summer air as the moon rose over the Shinnecock bay.  There was live music that night and we weren't quite sure if it was paid entertainment or karaoke or just the waiter taking a turn on the mic.  That's part of the charm of Edgewater.  Go try it for yourself.

Edgewater Restaurant
295 E. Montauk Highway
Hampton Bays, NY
631.723.2323
edgewaterrestaurant.com

P.S. Interested in other Hamptons waterfront spots? We have reviews from Westhampton Beach all the way to Montauk.  Some quick links:
- Saltwater Grill, Westhampton Beach
- Canal Cafe, Hampton Bays
- Cowfish, Hampton Bays
- Swallow East, Montauk 

A Chain-like reaction: City Cellar, Westbury, NY

If it looks like a chain, smells like a chain and tastes like a chain - is it a chain? This was my immediate reaction when I walked into the soaring space of City Cellar in Westbury.  It was essentially a mix of Capital Grille, Houston's and Seasons 52, ironically all restaurants down the street at Roosevelt Field Mall.  Alas, it is not.  City Cellar is the only one of it's kind and that's probably OK.

Our party of four settled into a spacious booth and leapt towards the $14.95 2-course prix-fixe lunch.  Choose from salads or soup for course 1 and then for course 2 choose a salad, sandwich, pasta or omelet.  Considering a lunch salad is about $14.00, this is a decent deal.

We all had the tomato basil bisque with parmesan and croutons.  Thicker than I expected, the soup was a little on the Campbell's side.  The entree salads were huge.  I couldn't come close to finishing my Chicken Caesar Salad. The Caesar dressing had too much vinegar and the chicken itself was bland.  I sampled the Mac and Cheese - cavatappi topped with a Havarti, Grafton Cheddar and Asiago blend - and was taken aback by the sheer richness of the dish.  I couldn't have more than one bite.

The waiter was nice enough and asked us if we had coupons, when we said we didn't, he gave us some for our next visit.  Not sure we'll ever be redeeming those...

Until our next Berger,
KLB


City Cellar
1080 Corporate Drive
Westbury, NY
516.693.5400
citycellarny.com

Little Italy Bust: Emilia's Restaurant, Bronx, NY

Tourist attractions are hard.  So went our visit to the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx followed by a stop on Arthur Avenue (the real Little Italy) for a late lunch.

Actually, the Botanical Gardens are beautiful and easily navigable by the tram. And the boys absolutely loved the Children's Adventure Garden.  The real challenge begins when the bellies start to rumble.

Arthur Avenue is everything you imagine it to be - pastry shops doling out cannoli, shirtless men hanging out an open window and Christmas lights still up in June.  Our usual stop is Dominick's which is a no reservation, all cash operation.  As we learned that day, it is worth the hassle.

We dined next store at Emilia's who takes reservations and credit cards.  Tucked in the back of a dark restaurant on an absolutely gorgeous day we waited for eons for a waiter and some water.

We ordered some appetizers for the table including rice balls, fried zucchini with prosciutto and mozzarella, stuffed mushrooms and fried calamari.  Everything was eh.  The breadbasket was the best thing.   I was disappointed.

Entrees were slightly better.  I tolerated a chicken cutlet siciliana with eggplant and mozzarella.  JB's spaghetti and meatballs were fine. But seriously my local pizza place could have done better.

Good thing there was a bakery down the street.

Until our next Berger,
KLB


Emilia's Restaurant
2331 Arthur Avenue
Bronx, NY
718.367.5915
www.emiliasrestaurant.com

Best Lobster Roll on Long Island?: Claws, West Sayville, NY

Sadly, I just can't get behind the mayonnaise and celery-laden lobster roll at LUNCH in Amagansett. And I certainly can't afford $100/lb lobster salad at Loaves and Fishes in Sagaponack. But what I can heartily recommend is the lobster roll from Claws Seafood Market in West Sayville. Is it the best lobster roll on Long Island? Perhaps. 

My favorite lobster roll of all time is at Alisson's in Kennebunkport, Maine. Their lobster roll is lightly mixed with mayo and served on a buttered hot dog bun. That's all. And it's perfect. 

Claws is up there. Their version has huge chunks of lobster with a slight "dressing" of mayonnaise, celery and onion. The buttered roll is heavenly. Each bite is awesome. Usually JB and I split. Today we didn't.  Add some old bay fries and it's an ideal meal.  Not bad for $20 a person. 

Keep in mind that Claws is not a fancy place. It's actually a seafood market that also sells lunch and dinner through a takeout window. Dining al fresco here means a roadside picnic table whereas dining indoors is a tiny bar for two. That's how we spent our rainy day. 

On a sunnier day we'll come back and hang outside, drink some beers and listen to the live music they offer on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Menu options go beyond lobster rolls to fish sandwiches, salads and, yes, even burgers. 

Check it out. 

Until our next Burger,

KLB 

PS - If you are in the Sayville area, we also recommend Butera's and Bistro 25 for lunch or dinner.  

Claws Seafood Market
20 Main Street
West Sayville, NY
631.256.5900
http://www.clawsseafoodmarket.com

Quicksie NYC Lunch: Financier Patisserie, New York, NY

Today, I channeled my inner Joey Tribbiani and had a sandwich for lunch.  Most of my NYC work trips involve a visit to ‘wichcraft for the turkey salad.  I broke tradition and ventured two more storefronts to Financier Patisserie.  

Financier is an ideal spot for a quick work lunch: fast counter service, a few sandwiches and a few salads.  Simple, good ingredients. Oh, and pastries. No, I didn't have macaroons for lunch, not that I didn't want to...

Instead, the Le Vegetarien called my name.  This was a panini comprised of a fried green tomato, basil pesto, mozzarella and arugula and it was almost perfect.  Perfection would have been slightly more basil in the pesto, but it came close. 

Consider this added to the NYC work trip repertoire.  

Until our next Berger, 

KLB 

Financier Patisserie

10 locations in NYC, find the one closest to you or where your travels take you

http://www.financierpastries.com

P.S. On my walk to the Jitney, I passed an amazing-looking Cambodian sandwich shop - Num Pang - it's been added to the list. 

A 2-Step Plan to Montauk: Montauk Brewing Company and Swallow East, Montauk, NY

By now you know how us Bergers prefer to have more than just one stop on a dining adventure.  A recent trip to Montauk was no different.  Step 1 - Brewery. Step 2 - Dinner. Try it, you'll like it.

Step 1: Montauk Brewing Company
Before dinner, it was beer time.  Montauk Brewing Company is a 2-year old brewery founded by three local guys who according to their website are "lifelong friends...living the no frills good life."   Pull up to their tasting room/house and you can feel the vibe right away.  Seating options include picnic tables outside and bar stools inside.  (Note to parents: the brewery is directly across from a playground so there's even a chance that some kids could hang on the playground while you hang at those picnic tables.)

JB and I split a tasting of 4 samples for $8.  Our favorite was the Arrowead Red Irish Ale.  This went down easy, that half pint was gone before we knew it.  I started to rethink this splitting thing.  The IPA was OK, still good, but miles away from the Arrowhead.  JB liked the Stout.  And we both loved the collectible 5oz. glass that comes with each tasting.  We may have taken more than one home.

Bonus: You don't have go all the way to Montauk to try to these brews.  They are selling in grocery stores and restaurants all across Long Island.  See their website to grab some for yourself.

62 South Erie Avenue
Montauk, NY
631.68.8471
http://montaukbrewingco.com

Step 2: Swallow East
Those of you who have seen the list, know that Swallow East was on it.  I wasn't going to Montauk and not crossing this off.  All that I really knew about Swallow East was that it was a small plates style restaurant and that it was a must go.  I trusted my sources and they turned out to be spot on.

The restaurant sits in a marina just before Gosman's Dock.  You don't even realize what a pretty spot it is until you get inside.  We parked ourselves next to the windows about 5 feet from deep water in the very bright and sunny whitewashed dining room.  They also dedicate a lot of space for the bar scene.  I'd like to come back on a busy Saturday in summer sans kids and imbibe on their deck.  But this was an eating visit, although I did have two glasses of rose to help pretend like it was summer.

The menu was daunting, really everything looked delicious.  And as we sat and saw other people's food come out, we kept noting "oh that would have been a good choice."  With the help of our waitress we settled of some of our favorites and some of hers.

First Sharing Course:
- Lobster Roll: Nothing beats fresh Montauk lobster (well maybe Maine lobster, but that's another story).  This celery-free (Yeah!) light mayo concoction hit the spot.  I'd recommend a double order and perhaps a little extra butter.
- Shrimp Tacos: Swallow East offers 5 different kinds of tacos - shrimp, fish, chicken, veggie and clam.  It was the tomato, red onion and chipotle mayo that pulled us in.  Two to an order made for easy sharing, a tiny bit dry, but still very good.

Second Sharing Course:
- Shrimp with Grits: Our favorite course by far.  Shrimp, chorizo, tomato and grits -- just as good as any I've had in New Orleans.
- Orzo Mac & Cheese: The biggest disappointment dish came in a mini Le Creuset-like vessel which gave us high hopes.  I did like it but JB could not stand the asiago parmesan cream sauce that covered the orzo, peas and bacon.  Oh well.  A restaurant can have one miss.

Boys Course:
- Sliders and Fries: Yeah we did the double order here.  These fries should be at the top of any best fries list in the Hamptons.

Dessert:
- Key Lime Pie: I couldn't resist my favorite dessert of all time.  I have to say that their version was pretty decent.  Not Key-West transporting but for Montauk, definitely a keeper.

474 W. Lake Drive
Montauk, NY
631.668.8344
http://www.swalloweastrestaurant.com

Have any other 2-step plans for us?  Tell us your faves and we'll go. You can even come, too.

Until our next Berger,
KLB

How to Turn a Cracked Windshield into a Steak Dinner: Cliff's Elbow Room, Jamesport, NY

When you dine out a lot, the credit card bill adds up quickly.  To help lower the cost of my expensive habit I leverage all the discounts possible including Groupon, OpenTable certificates, pre-fixe and happy hour specials.  So you can imagine that when JB went to get his cracked windshield replaced and came home with a $45 gift certificate towards Cliff's Elbow Room in Jamesport, I was pumped.   Upon further examination of the gift certificate, I discovered its many limitations - only available on Wednesdays, only good for main courses and expires in 30 days.  I immediately consulted our calendar and picked the next available Wednesday.  We would not be missing out.

Cliff's Elbow Room is not a fancy steakhouse, it's more a steak "joint".  Decor is homey at best, service is surly and slow and the wine list despite being in the middle of North Fork wine country should largely be avoided.  Yet it is packed every night.  We joked upon seeing the crowded dining room that night "Looks like a lot of people got their windshields fixed." But seriously, there is a crowd at Cliff's every night because of the marinated steak which is that good.  

Each steak dinner comes with bread basket, a limp salad and potatoes (fried or baked).  We ordered and waited and waited at our bar table.  The boys pounced on the bread basket of hot rolls and semi-stale bread sticks while precariously balanced on their bar stools.  

Steaks finally arrived completely charred black on the outside in their special marinade.  A porterhouse for JB and a shell steak for me.  Both looked and tasted amazing.  This is not a prime piece of meat, but the marinade makes it juicy and delicious.  A good steak is always a treat, I'd call this a very special treat.  We ate until our plates were clean and we probably could have had more.  

The boys each had the chopped steak (aka hamburger) which as you can imagine was almost as good as either of our traditional steaks.  And I would have definitely pegged Cliff's as a steakhouse-style fry kind of place - I was pleasantly surprised by the crispy shoestring, McDonalds style-fries.  

With the porterhouse at $32,  my shell at $28 and the boys' burgers each at $8, the $45 did not exactly cover the whole meal, but I'll take $45 off the bill anytime. 

And by the way, if you ever need a new windshield and want some free steak, go here: http://www.actionautoglassli.com/Auto_Glass_Shop_Dinner_Offer_Speonk_NY.html

Until our next Berger, 

KLB

Cliff's Elbow Room

1549 Main Road

Jamesport, NY

631.722.3292

http://www.elbowroomli.com

The Family Dinner: Harlan Social, Stamford, CT

The family dinner.  You know the one with Grandparents and Grandkids that's usually before 6PM? Not in our family.  In our family, that dinner is primetime at 7:15 with a bustling bar crowd and some awesome food.  That's how we roll and that's how we rolled into Harlan Social in Stamford, CT on a busy Saturday night.

This part of Stamford is definitely having its moment and Harlan Social is a huge part of that. The chef hails from NYC and is trying hard to combine a lot of current food trends into one - open kitchen, small plates, charcuterie, mozzarella bar, bacon-centric.  Is it eclectic? Yes.  Does it work? Mostly.

Our party of six was determined to share and mind you this is not the best group of sharers.We shared:
- Harlan's Homemade Potato Chips: They had me at bacon and scallions.  Blue cheese was just a bonus.  The bacon pieces were large and substantial.  This was a fave.
- Asian Style Fried Chicken Wings: These were coated in peanuts, scallions (again) and chili oil.   JB and my parents did a great job of demolishing this double order (I am not a wings girl).  Licking the bones was involved.
 - Local Burrata: Burrata is always at the top of my list.  For a place with a mozzarella bar, this could have been better.  Truthfully, the burrata was fine.  I think the oven dried tomatoes and asparagus did not do it justice. 
- Spicy Lamb Meatballs over Polenta: Another double order here was liked by some but not all at our table.  The polenta was the best part.  

And that was it for sharing.  Sounds like a lot?  Well, really, the boys shared a Harlan Burger with fries (obviously) which they adored.  But some people were still hungry.  So we ordered dessert.  

Mini Donuts with Various Dipping Sauces, Chocolate and Caramel Tart and Corn and Goat Cheese Ravioli.  Yup, ravioli.  No harm in sneaking in a plate just for yourself.  From what I hear, it was a good choice.  As were all of the desserts. 

Good Family Dinner, indeed.

Until our next Berger, KLB 

Harlan Social

121 Towne Street

Stamford, CT

203.883.8000

harlansocial.com

Mini North Fork Round Up: Roanoke Vineyards, Paces Dockside and Magic Fountain

The Open Table $50 check was nearing it's 6 month expiration date. How it lasted so long is a mystery. Obviously it was not a case of not going to any restaurants in the past 6 months but instead a product of me moving the actual check from pile to pile and never taking it along with me.  (Note to OpenTable: Can you please allow for online redemption of these things.) Enter the plan to go the North Fork to try out Pace's Dockside. And since we were heading to vineyard territory, throw in a stop at one of those along the way.

Stop #1: Roanoke Vineyards
We picked Roanoke for two reasons - they are open until 7 and they have an award-winning Cabernet Franc (Even though it's spring and still feels like red season to me).  What we didn't account for was that Roanoke would be a popular Happy Hour, post-work kind of stop.  When we arrived just after 5, it was still quiet as we enjoyed our flight of reds for $12, but come 5:45 it was packed with the working crowd.  So we bought a delicious bottle of that Cabernet France for later and headed East.

3543 Sound Avenue
Riverhead, NY
roanokevineyards.net
631.727.4161

Stop #2: Pace's Dockside
Again, we found a happy hour crowd here at the bar.  The restaurant itself was quiet though I imagine come summer, this place will be mobbed with couples and families taking in the view while dining al fresco.  Pace's Dockside opened in the winter at Strong's Marine in Mattituck a place where you can dock your boat or just come hang waterside. We found a combination of locals and visitors making it a nice, inviting crowd.

There are two Pace's Steakhouses already on Long Island and while this place does focus on steak, they have an abundance of other options.  Keep in mind, though, that the steak is only aged, not prime-aged.  In my mind, if I'm paying $40+ for a steak, it should be prime-aged, so we didn't taste the steak.

Instead, I opted for one of the freshest pieces of fish I've had in a long time.  A huge black and blue tuna hung off my oversized dinner plate.  It wasn't a steak, but it sure looked like one.  Perfectly cooked and coated with black sesame seeds, I knew I had made a good choice.  The accompanying wasabi mashed potatoes had the requisite spice although I could have done without the limp leeks and roasted red peppers.

JB also steered away from the beef and chose the country style fried chicken.  Again, huge.  And again, tasty.  I almost enjoyed his sweet potato mash better than my wasabi mash.

As you can imagine, a steakhouse also has good burgers.  The boys each had an appetizer slider and shoestring fries with a nice touch of rosemary.  Smiles all around.

2255 Mattituck Avenue
Mattituck, NY
631.315.5252
www.strongsmarine.com/sitecontent.cfm?contentID=162

Stop #3: Magic Fountain Ice Cream
And then dessert.  What better way to end the day than ice cream.  It was late so we took it to go.  This old school institution hand packed us a quart of vanilla for $10 for the boys (including JB) to split when they got home.  Lucky me, they had key lime pie flavor, which I got to enjoy the whole car ride home.

9825 Main Road
Mattituck, NY
631.298.4908
magicfountainicecream-hub.com

North Fork Round Up: 
- Roanoke Vineyard: Go
- Pace's Dockside: Go
- Magic Fountain Ice Cream: Go

That's 3 Gos.  So what are you waiting for - GO!

Until our next Berger,
KLB 

Real Deal Mexican: La Hacienda, Southampton, NY

Mexican food in Southampton.  Sound expensive, right?  Are you envisioning $15 margaritas and $28 shrimp fajitas?  Think again.

La Hacienda in Southampton is the real thing: truly authentic Mexican, low prices and a crowd whose first language is definitely not English.  Yes, just a stone's throw from Tutto Il Giorno, delicious and pricey as I recall, is a true find.

There is a crowd at lunch.  Orders are taken at the counter and you can choose from a few simple tables or take it to go.  If you see a seat, grab it. Tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas - everything is good here.   In the winter, chicken soup with posole is my fave and JB is a tripe fanatic.

Simple fare was on our plates today.  JB opted for the beef burrito and I savored the nachos.

Nachos are atypical.  Chips are piled high with stewed beef, lettuce, tomato and guacamole.  They are finished with a very generous helping of fresh cheese, i.e., not melted.  I was taken aback by the no-melt nacho but with each bite I was more and more convinced.  This was a good thing.

JB's burrito was a step above your Moe's or Chipotle.  For some reason, their combination of chicken, beans, rice, onion and cilantro is just so much better.

And did I mention that our lunch including a Mexican soda was only $17?

La Hacienda serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7 days a week, so there's really no excuse not to go.

Until our next Berger,
KLB

La Hacienda
48 Jagger Lane
Southampton, NY
631.259.6834
lahaciendasouthampton.com

An Unlikely Hot Spot: Perabell Food Bar, Patchogue, NY

Visit the greater Westhampton Beach area on a rainy Thursday night in May and it will be somewhat deserted.  Visit Perabell Food Bar in Patchogue on rainy Thursday night in May and it is packed.  What a difference a few miles can make.

Perabell Food Bar caught my eye when they won last year's Battle of the Burger contest put on by Long Island Pulse (Note: We are contemplating attending this year's August event, let me know if you want to join us).  And it came recommended again to us by a local restauranteur and so we found ourselves on said rainy night in Patchogue.

The space is comprised of a large dining room and a bustling bar that offers some pretty sweet happy hour deals - half price burgers and wine! Our foursome settled into an oversize booth among the groups of moms on their night out, dates and a few families, like us.

Adult Chicken Fingers and Shrimps Tacos had come highly recommended from our friend.  Sadly we couldn't find Shrimp Tacos on the menu so we settled for Chicken Empanadas, those Adult Chicken Fingers technically named Jumbo Chicken Fingers and a side of Tater Tots.  Yes, they did have plenty of healthy options including entree size salads, fish and steak.  But it was a fried apps kind of night.  High end fried apps, if that makes you feel any better.

And we can't forget about the burger.  The boys order was a split Steakhouse Burger with fries and extra pickles for Little D.

Hot rolls with a pesto butter arrived first.  Being that pesto is a current obsession of mine, I was completely enamored by this choice.  Then we waited.   And waited.  That bustling crowd meant slow service.

Finally, I mean finally, the boys burgers arrived.  Certainly big enough to split, the patty was thick and juicy.  Skinny fries were piled high with the right amount of salt.  The boys went from starving to satiated in a matter of seconds.

We focused on our fried feast.  The only thing really extraordinary about the Chicken Fingers was their size, they were indeed jumbo.  Though when combined with the honey mustard, a new level was attained.  Same for the chicken empanadas, the inside combination of chicken, chorizo, chipotle and cheese was tasty but the pastry was overly flaky.  Dry even.  Again, the sauce, this one was avocado, saved the day.  And the best of all was alternating dipping the peppery tater tots in each of those two sauces.

Apps and few bites of the burger and fries were all we could handle tonight.  Perhaps we will venture next time with the tuna tartar pizza and thai glazed short ribs  or knowing us, it may just be burgers all around.

Until our next Burger,
KLB

Perabell Food Bar
69 East Main Street
Patchogue, NY
631.447.7766
perabellfoodbar.com

A Not So Healthy Lunch: Mac & Melts, Garden City, NY

I'd been eyeing Mac & Melts since the sign went up on Stewart Avenue in Garden City. It's in a strip mall, they serve a variety of Macaroni and Cheese dishes and Grilled Cheese sandwiches - and the only question really was, why hadn't I been there yet?

Well, truthfully, I was looking for an excuse to go.  I couldn't justify chowing here on my own, so when JB and the boys came for a visit, it was time.

This is the kind of place where the menu is the decor.  It literally covers an entire wall, even while you are eating your meal you can pick out your next one.  (Note to marketers - this works).

There are over a dozen different macaroni cheese dishes available.  Each one comes in an individual small or large skillet.  Choices range from the classic to a cheeseburger to a Southwestern version.   You order in front, take a seat and wait for some cheese product to arrive.

If you don't like cheese, don't go here.  If you do, stay awhile.

We opted for a large All American Mac and a small Alpine.  The Large All American Mac is a creamy blend of Cheddar and American Cheese that you can get with or sans breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese on top.  We asked for ours "plain" since the boys are picky with their toppings, but were surprised to see the parmesan still on it.  Back it went.  They treated us to some tasty homemade chips while we waited for our re-do.  Little D polished those off pretty quickly.

Meanwhile, I worked on the Alpine - a lovely combination of gruyere, aged gouda, bacon and caramelized onions.  To keep on our healthy trend, an order of tater tots satisfied Big Z who immediately asked for a second order.

Round 2 of our All American arrived and, surprise, neither of the boys would eat it.  Oh well, more for JB and me.  Of those two dishes, I think the Alpine showed more ingenuity although we may have preferred the All American with the breadcrumbs and parmesan.

I had total food envy looking at the customer next to use who bit into a Smokehouse Turkey Club with brie, turkey, apples and bacon on sourdough.  It's true, I have a bacon problem.

At the end meal, I was torn.  Yes, I liked it, but really I'm not sure if my waistline can handle a return visit anytime soon.

Until our next Berger,
KLB

Mac & Melts
684 Stewart Avenue
Garden City, NY
855.622.6358
macnmelts.com

Berger Review! The Burger Spot, Garden City, NY

Vacations are made for Burgers.  And Bergers are made for vacations.  With school vacations this week, JB is running the boys all over and a visit to my office was in order.  The original plan for lunch was Ben's Kosher Deli, but a little thing called Passover changed our destination.

Fear not, I always have a backup burger plan.  And the plan called for The Burger Spot, a fast casual restaurant in the village of Garden City.  Far from the big box chains and shopping malls, this is the kind of place where kids go after football practice for fries, in fact, the owner's kid was there today.  The Burger Spot deems itself "Gourmet Fast Food" and I agree. 

The menu is burgers, salads, fries, rings and shakes.  Beef is grass-fed, bread is from a local bakery and everything is made to order.   Burgers range from simple to complex, plus, count 'em, three different kinds of veggie burgers.  

JB's cheeseburger came with the works - lettuce, tomato, onion and special sauce on a brioche bun.  One bite and he was hooked.  Meatier and less greasy than the Shake Shack, this is a win. 

The boys plain hamburger was equally as good.  You can tell that the meat is better quality than your average burger place.  

And don't forget those fries.  Wow.  One of the better orders of fries any of us had had in a long time.  

I tried a Caesar salad, for a change.  The chicken was well cooked and well sliced (always an issue with me).  The salad was never-ending.  JB had to help me finish.  

There were many more items that looked worthy of a second visit: the Athenian burger with feta, tomato, lettuce, red onion, cucumber and garlic sauce is probably going to be my next order.  Or perhaps just a simple Cobb Salad.  Or maybe both.  

Until our next Berger, 

KLB 

The Burger Spot

150 7th Street

Garden City, NY 

516.746.6100  

theburgerspotonline.com

A review re-do, 8 years later: Cafe d'Alsace, New York, NY

I last blogged about Cafe d'Alsace in 2006. Things were different then. JB and I lived in NYC and there were no little Bergers running around. Cooking was not really an option in our Barbie-size kitchen so we dined out a lot and consumed way too much takeout. 

Flash forward to 2014, it's definitely the opposite. We cook all the time and try to avoid mediocre takeout. Dining out is still a major part of our lives when we get to do it, but we are more critical because we (Read: JB) can make some pretty stellar meals. So I was shocked to find our meal at Cafe d'Alsace somewhat ordinary.

The burger which I had raved about 2006 seemed kind of puny. The gruyere was a nice touch but the onions were sub-par and the meat itself tasted almost fishy? 

The sausages were better and JB's tartars (one steak and one tuna) were fairly good, although lacked some kind of oomph. 

The chocolate tart was dry and brittle to the touch of the fork. 

I re-read the old review, and this was not the Cafe d'Alsace of years past.  In 2006, Frank Bruni gave this place, two stars. 

Maybe it's us, and we are just pickier these days. 
The company though was good and in many ways that is the best part.

Until our next Berger,
KLB


Cafe D'Alsace
1695 2nd Avenue
New York, NY
212.722.5133
cafedalsace.com

San Francisco Round Up - Wayfare Tavern, Absinthe, Osha Thai, Caffe Cento: San Francisco, CA

A recent work trip found me touring and eating in San Francisco.  I attempted to eat healthfully on this trip, especially coming off of our other California adventure.  And l mostly succeeded.  (Note: No burgers, this time!)

I will be in SF again soon, so please send me any suggestions. I would love to check out some of your favorite spots. 

The Round Up:

Caffe Cento – An early morning flight from New York left us famished.  The doorman at the hotel recommended a lunch spot down the hill.  I had no idea what “down the hill” meant.  Luckily it was just one block down hill because this is San Francisco and these are HILLS.  This unassuming takeout shop housed in the bottom of the Fairmont Hotel served me my best meal in San Francisco.  It’s true, my favorite thing in a foodie city, was a takeout salad of all things.  I’m not sure what made this quinoa, tomato, feta, spinach salad so appealing.  It may have been the lemon vinaigrette dressing that did it.  Or the way the ingredients were so perfectly proportioned.  Whatever it is, if you are up for a walk up or down Nob Hill – try it.  Bonus is that there is a trolley stop right in front, if you want to experience that true "San Francisco treat" kind of feeling. 

801 Powell Street

San Francisco, CA

415.772.5032

http://www.fairmont.com/san-francisco/dining/caffe-cento/

Osha Thai – When I travel, I crave Asian food and usually Thai since that is so limited in my neighborhood.  This trip was no different.  We had a lot of Thai restaurants to choose from but selected something probably a little more mainstream since this was our first night in San Fran and we were tired.  Next time, I will find that authentic hole in the wall.  Though Osha was truly good, with moments of greatness. 

Osha is a small SF chain in happening neighborhoods with trendy Asian-inspired décor. We visited the Embarcadero location, so the crowd was a mix of tourists and business people.  Drinks were in order.  I chose Brut Rose – Rose and bubbles combined – can’t go wrong with that.

We shared two appetizers – a fresh spring roll and the crunchy tofu.  The spring roll had the requisite shrimp and mint with a tasty peanut dipping sauce.  The crunchy tofu tasted a little like a Tofu McNugget and came with a side of apples.  Not that there's anything wrong with a McNugget. Maybe this was their version of a Thai Happy Meal?

For dinner, I indulged in some angry prawns.  This steaming hot plate of delicious curried prawns and eggplant was my favorite dish of the night.  Spicy yet light. 

4 Embarcadero Center

San Francisco, CA 94111

415.788.6742

www.oshathai.com

Absinthe Brasserie -  Lunch was at Absinthe.   Tucked away in Hayes Valley, one the cutest neighborhoods I saw on my two day tour of San Fran, this place was packed, even boisterous for lunch on a Tuesday.  We started with hot bread as we awaited our cheese course.  I know I said that my quinoa salad was my favorite thing in SF, but this cheese course came in as a pretty close second.  A Mt. Tam from California’s Cowgirl Creamery was heavenly when paired with almond brittle.  The Italian Pecorino Ginepro was accompanied by white-wine poached peaches.  And finally a soft, creamy Seastack from Mt. Townsend Creamery in Washington State held its own against a bourbon-caramel pear compote. 

It would have been good to end lunch then.  My little gem lettuce salad with grilled chicken came with raw chicken.  Enough said.

398 Hayes Street

San Francisco, CA

415.551.1590

www.absinthe.com

Wayfare Tavern – For dinner on our second and sadly, last night, we stumbled into Wayfare Tavern at 5PM on a Tuesday.  Empty, you’d think, but no, we got a  “Sorry, we are fully committed” from the hostess.  The two-level space was empty, we were shocked.  We settled at a tiny bar table and agreed to make the best of this Tyler Florence restaurant. 

First, drinks.  It is a tavern and cocktails were in order (again).  My Pear 75 was a combination of pear cognac and prosecco.   Talk about hitting the spot. 

The menu was filled with interesting takes on some classic dishes.  Instead of Deviled Eggs, there was a Deviled Egg Salad.  And in lieu of French Onion Soup, a French Onion dip.  Neither of which I liked.  What I did like though was the baked macaroni and cheese which was flavored with smoked olive oil.  The smoked olive oil added a palate teasing flavor that made me keep taking more and more bites, just because I was trying to fully understand the flavor.

For my main, I went with the braised short rib.  Note “rib” not “ribs”.   When JB makes short ribs at home they are fall off the bone tender.  This was one huge hunk of meat.  Given that, it  required more work than the typical short ribs but still full of flavor.  I really did enjoy the baby carrots and onions in the dish, but could have done without the dressing-soaked cabbage.

My favorite part of the meal was dessert.  We shared the donuts special with a variety of dipping sauces.  But the winner was the Chocolate Cream Pie with chocolate pudding, Devil's food cake and a caramel ganache.  Yum.  This made it all worth it.

On my next visit, I think I need to try to the burger.  And some more of that mac and cheese.  There also seem to be a lot more gems on the menu, so while my experience wasn’t amazing, I think that there is an amazing one waiting to happen here. 

558 Sacramento Street

San Francisco, CA

415.772.9060

wayfaretavern.com

Until our next Berger,
KLB

Round Up Recap:

Caffe Cento: Go

Osha:  Go  

Absinthe:  Go for cheese. Only.

Wayfare Tavern: Go

Berger Review: Favorite Burgers of California: In-N-Out Burger, Umami Burger and Grill-A-Burger, Los Angeles and Palm Desert, CA

Eight days in California was not only our chance for warmth and sunshine, but also the opportunity to eat some terrific burgers.  While we didn't have a burger every day, we came pretty close.  And these were some of our favorites:

- In-N-Out Burger:  Planting an In-N-Out steps from LAX is genius.  This pretty much assures you a good burger when you land or one right before you depart, or both.  Every time we hit an In-N-Out we are devastated that they do not exist in New York.  I know they talk about the quality and how its hard to maintain, yet they figured out a way to bring it to Texas.  They could figure out New York.  Just saying...

In-N-Out strives on its simplicity. Burger, fries and shakes. Add cheese, add sauce.
Simple and perfect.  The boys and I chose plain burgers, JB had the works with sauce.  Some fries and vanilla shake make this the ideal off the plane lunch.  

In-N-Out is also a great social equalizer, families, people in business suits, workmen - everyone goes there for same thing - one (or two, or three) great burger(s).  And fries.  And shakes.

For locations visit in-n-out.com

- Grill-A-Burger: No, not all of our favorite burger places have hyphens in their name, just two out of three.  If you stepped inside Grill-A-Burger, you'd quickly agree.  It is the exact opposite of In-N-Out with 30 burgers to choose from, plus mini burgers, salads, sides and sandwiches.  Just reading their menu could take all night.  

Tucked in a strip mall in Palm Desert, a few blocks from the main drag, is this unassuming place with, dare I say, tacky palm tree wallpaper and very friendly service.   We were lucky to have a table ready within minutes and started down the path of ordering.

Some research showed that this place is consistently rated the best burger in the greater Palm Springs area and I agree.  There is something for everyone.

JB had spent the day playing golf and rewarded himself with a Big Mock - their take on the McDonald's original complete with double decker patties, American cheese, lettuce, onion, pickles and special sauce on a sesame bun.

My Oooh LaLa! Parisan Bistro Burger was oozing with boursin cheese, caramelized onions, bacon and garlic aoli.  Huge and delicious, while I didn't feel that I was in a Parisian Bistro, I definitely felt like it had the Oooh LaLa effect.  And I would order it again.

But our favorite item of the night was a simple starter of California Avocado Fries.  Just like it sounds these bad boys come rolled in panko and fried in beer batter with your choice of dipping sauces.  The sauce we choose tasted just like key lime pie and I wanted to lick the dish clean.  I almost did.  I've already asked JB to try to replicate these - but to date, he still has not tried.

73091 Country Club Drive at Monterey Avenue
Palm Desert, CA
760.346.8170
grill-a-burger.com

- Umami Burger: We started our California adventure with a burger and I was determined to finish it the same way.  Umami Burger, a small chain founded in California that recently expanded to New York, was our destination.  We were lucky to go to the Anaheim locale which is much less crowded then some of the others in LA (like the one at Fred Segal in Santa Monica which was packed the day I did some damage).  

Umami is defined as that fifth taste and I think I know what it is: YUM.  Since this was our last meal, we went a little overboard.

JB determined to keep up the double burger trend had the B.U.B. which is two patties, bacon, beer cheddar, onions, pickles and mustard, plus that ever important middle bun.  Because why have two pieces of bread when you can have three.  He was a huge fan.

I opted for the Truffle Burger which had not only truffle cheese but a truffle glaze on top of the delicious burger with a garlic aioli.  This was the best burger of the trip.  You really can't go wrong with truffles. Ever.

The thin fries were shoestring style and pretty amazing, too.  The boys devoured their completely plain burger, as usual.

I can't wait to go back.  And luckily, we won't have to go too far.  In addition to their Greenwich Village location, they are about to open another in the Financial District.

Find your closest location at umami.com/umami-burger

Until our next Berger,
KLB

Scrapple and the Mob: Kitchen Consigliere, Collingswood, NJ and Ponzio's, Cherry Hill, NJ

Say what you will about New Jersey, but it's never boring.  A recent venture where I dined in a Mob-themed Italian restaurant and followed by a scrapple breakfast proved this true.

Collingswood, New Jersey still has hints of a Mob-led town where several authentic Italian restaurants serve up excellent fare.  But Kitchen Consigliere goes a step further by incorporating the decor into the theme.  Servers are in full-on Bugsy Malone outfits, the light fixtures are old revolvers and black and white Mafia films air during dinner.

All restaurants in Collingswood are BYO since the town is dry (another throwback) so the prices are slightly inflated to make up for the fact that no one is making money on alcohol.  That said, service is also a little rushed so they can turn the tables faster.   BUT, this place is still full every night because the food ranges from good to amazing.

We tried the Rice Balls to start - these were huge and very crispy. Pancetta was a nice touch.  As suspected though, they did not live up to Marie's, another New Jersey establishment we loved last year.

I attempted to order a health(ier) entree and chose Chicken Sorrento which is sautéed chicken, mozzarella, grilled eggplant and fresh tomatoes.  My healthy vision went out the window when I realized it also came in a white wine butter sauce.  This did help mask the fact that the tomatoes were horribly out of season.

A better pick would have been the Sunday Gravy which my dining companions loved.  The large, steaming hot sausage, meatballs, spare ribs and braciolo over rigatoni covered in a lovely marinara sauce would have done the trick.  Or, alternatively, the house specialty eggplant parmesan is supposed to be amazing.

To make up for my poor entree choice, we chose the Pizzelle and Red Velvet Cake for dessert.  Both were massive in size and huge on taste.

The next morning, we went from one extreme to the other, when we dined at Ponzio's, a local diner.  I ordinarily wouldn't deem a diner like this blog-worthy had it not been for the scrapple.

I did not know what scrapple was and, truthfully, I would have preferred to keep it that way.  For those of you who don't know though, it is (from Wikipedia): a mush of deep fried pork scraps and trimmings, combined with cornmeal, flour and spices.  If there ever were a reason to become Kosher, this might be it.  I'd stay away.  But if you're intrigued the info is below.

Until our next Berger,
KLB

Kitchen Consigliere
700 Haddon Avenue
Collingsswood, NJ
856.854.2156
kitconcafe.com

Ponzio's
7 West Route 70
Cherry Hill, NJ
856.428.4808
ponzios.com

Phoenix Round Up – Los Dos Molinos, Arrogant Butcher & Province: Phoenix, AZ

Going to Phoenix in the winter is a no-brainer for the weather.  For the food, however, it can be hit or miss.  My all-time favorite in the Valley of the Sun is Lon’s at the Hermosa – sitting outside under the stars next to an outdoor fireplace – it is the perfect place to escape from anywhere.  Sadly, Lon’s was not on the agenda this visit, but we did hit a few interesting spots.

The highlights:

Los Dos Molinos

Many years ago, I went to a small Tex-Mex restaurant in NYC by the same name, and it was far from your average taco joint.  So, when scoping restaurants for our first night, I remembered that it originated in Phoenix and thought it might be time to try it again.  Turns out the NYC outpost has since closed, but the original Los Dos Molinos is going strong and has a few other outposts in the valley (we dined at the Camelback location).

The food technically is New Mexican, not Tex-Mex, and the biggest difference I see between the two is SPICE.  Wow – was everything hot.  A red and a green salsa accompanied the chips, and though the red was milder, no one could tell.  It was, however, an excellent excuse to keep drinking sangria.

An order of guacamole worked as our palate cleanser.  The lime green color seemed lighter than most guacamoles I’ve eaten though the taste was the same.  Nachos covered in cheese and chorizo were arranged as pie and deemed chorizo pizza, and a delicious one at that. 

Dinner was Enchiladas all around.  My shredded beef version was spicy though it was tempered by the accompanying rice and beans.   A chicken version was also a hit. 

Kind of makes me wish the NYC version still existed.

Various locations in Phoenix, AZ

losdosmolinosphoenix.com

The Arrogant Butcher

Fresh off a spicy evening, lunch time meant salad time for our large group.  The Arrogant Butcher in downtown Phoenix is the just the spot for the al fresco lunch and wishing your lunch break were just a little bit longer.

Right in the shadow of Chase Field (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks) and the US Airways Center (home of the Phoenix Suns), the Arrogant Butcher is the place before or after a game when you want something more than the local sports bar.  Sure they have beer and wings, but they also have charcuterie and olives and cheeses. 

I had the “Famous” Oriental Chicken Salad tossed in an Asian Vinaigrette with chicken, wontons, lettuce, almonds, it was good but I’m not sure famous-worthy.  Famous-worthy, though, was the Kale Salad with Salmon, Almonds and Currants that no one at my table could stop eating or talking about.  In fact, there were several post-lunch conversations about how to recreate this at home. 

My only gripe was that bread and oil we requested (and which was quite nice) came at a cost of $3.  Charging for bread when you are already charging $15 for salads seems extreme to me. 

 2 East Jefferson Street

Phoenix, AZ

602.324.8502

www.foxrc.com/restaurants/the-arrogant-butcher/

Province

I was skeptical when we decided to go to a restaurant called “Province” that was supposed to be French but mainly served Tapas in the new Westin in downtown Phoenix.  Lots of red flags were going off when a waitress declared it “Winedown Wednesdays” and that all bottles of wine were half price.  So we stayed.

Bread came immediately and was a pleasing plantain focaccia with a lovely dipping oil.  (And was free, Ahem, Arrogant Butcher). 

We did start with tapas.  Shrimp tacos were sub-par on a very bready-tortilla.  A sea bass ceviche was almost flavorless.  Chicken empanadas were OK, though on the dry side.  I did love the chorizo meatballs that came in a mini-skillet covered in cheese.  (Note to self: I really need to eat more chorizo). 

We had also ordered some soups and salad which came soon before we finished our tapas.  So our table was crowded and we felt rushed.  A chicken tortilla soup lacked the usual zest.  The Chili-spiced Caesar salad, though, was well done.  Maybe the best thing on the menu?

And before those were finished, a skirt steak with chimichurri sauce and mashed potatoes arrived.  While the sauce on the side was fine, the meat itself lacked some seasoning and so the sauce had to compensate.

A chocolate cupcake with a corresponding chocolate sorbet helped the meal end on a high note.

I will give the restaurant points for cool décor, a living moss wall and some upside down trees hanging from the ceiling.  So go for a drink, but that’s about it.  (And I hear they have a good happy hour from 11AM to 5PM on weekdays)

 333 N. Central Ave

Phoenix, AZ

 602.429.3600

phoenix.provincerestaurant.com

Until our next Burger,

KLB

Round Up Recap:

Los Dos Molinos: Go

Arrogant Butcher:  Go  

Province:  No Go 

A Chinatown Destination: Fu Run, Flushing, NY

Today's post on Thrillist titled The Definitive Eating Guide to Flushing, Queens is pretty spot on.   Bookmark it for your next visit to the "Real Chinatown."  The only place missing is Fu Run, where we recently enjoyed a birthday celebration for JB.

Just off of Main Street in Flushing, we were the only non-Asians at this unassuming restaurant.  The food is technically Northern Chinese, which is heavier and, I think better, than your standard fare.

Our party of 10 was placed in a separate room with a huge round table complete with a lazy Susan.  And that table quickly filled up with some of the most delicious Chinese food I've ever eaten.

In truth, we overordered.  We loved almost everything we sampled including:

- Muslim Lamb: This was the dish that brought us here.  Google this term and countless pictures of this dish will appear.  Fall of the bone lamb ribs are completely encrusted in cumin.  It's greasy and spicy and amazing.

- Crispy Beef: Same cumin but with fried beef.  This was a home run, too.

- Pork & Leek Dumplings: We got 2 orders of these steamed beauties.  The leeks added an additional kick and made the ordinary extraordinary.

- Eggpant in Brown Sauce: Fried and creamy purple delights, another winner

- Sauteed Shrimp: These shrimp were lighter than I expected and the accompanying sea cucumbers were a welcome treat

- Mao Pao Tofu: Huge chunks of silky tofu served almost as a palate cleanser for the other spicier fare.  This perfectly complemented many of the other dishes.

The more typical Chinese food here is just OK.  Chicken and broccoli seemed unauthentic, almost too American.  Chicken lo mein was greasy.  Bowls of hot and sour soup were massive yet ordinary.  

But you are not in Flushing for typical Chinese food.  You are here for food that is innovative and different.  Add this to your list.  And whatever you do, please, please, please order that Muslim Lamb.

Until our next Berger,
KLB

4009 Prince Street
Flushing, NY 11354
718.321.1363
www.furunflushing.com

A Korean Find: Surasang, Syosset, NY

When our travels find us hungry - my first instinct is to go for the local Burger place.  But even better, is a hole in the wall, ethnic spot, where we can indulge on something delicious and special that is not in our backyard.

Last night, Korean fit the bill.  I had read an article recently in the Long Island section of the New York Times that featured noodle soup spots (given the winter we've been having.)  The article mentioned a beef dumpling soup, Mandoo Gook, at a Korean establishment called Surasang in Syosset.  We were in.  

This is Long Island strip mall dining at it's best.  From the outside, the sign just reads "Korean Restaurant".  On the inside, it is a non-descript quiet room with a few tables run by a Korean family with a predominantly Korean clientele.  Hot pots don most of the tables. This is our kind of place.

Typical to most other Korean spots I've enjoyed, the minute you order you are presented with numerous small dishes of spicy delicacies - Kim Chi, Eggplant, Spinach, Potato, Zucchini, Radish - each flavored perfectly to complement the meal.  

First up for us was Korean Fried Chicken.  Slathered in a hot, sesame sauce our 6-piece order of wings and drumsticks didn't last long.  And yes, eating wings with chopsticks is the norm here. 

Then, the aforementioned Mandoo Gook soup, was perfect for a cold winter's night.  A huge bowl of an egg drop-type both with cellophane noodles and close to a dozen perfect beef dumplings became my favorite dish of the evening.  The dumplings themselves were steamed and full of spices that resonated with each bite.  And these dumplings were light, too - not an easy feat.

To finish, a sizzling plate of Bulgogi - barbecued rib eyesteak - helped us end our meal on a perfect note.  

We also contemplated a Bi Bim Bop, but settled just with plain rice for all. Next time for sure. And yes, there will be a next time. 

Until our next Berger, 

KLB

Surasan (aka the Korean Restaurant)

336 Jericho Turnpike

Syosset, NY 

516.496.8989

No website but plenty of reviews on Yelp.