A Skipper: Joes Garage, Riverhead, NY

We're continuing our explorations in Riverhead.  Our latest venture took us to Joe's Garage, located on the ground level of an apartment complex overlooking the Peconic River (and McDonalds). So really, not that scenic.

Regardless, they do a big outdoor business and in the winter that area is tented and heated for crowds. But from our experience, I don't expect very large ones. 

They do have one good thing on the menu: Tokyo Drift sliders.  These beauties have pork belly, cucumber salsa, kimchee and a spicy sauce. The Pork Belly is crispy, salty and fatty -- all the things that pork belly should be.  

Other than that, skip the rest of the menu. Burgers were small and lacked flavor. And the fries were not fries at all, rather potato discs. If I order fries, I want fries, and fries are not round.

A creamy bacon grits appetizer with a 5 cheese blend sounded tasty. It wasn't. It was greasy, mushy and I never actually saw any pieces of bacon. 

Even the salads were eh. The servers said the ribs are the best. Not that I'd believe these servers anyway. 

When I asked for a wine list, I was given a dumbfounded look. "Ok, do you have any sparkling?" I suggested. The response, "Um, no."Another try, "Do you have Prosecco?" Finally, "Uh, yeah. We got Prosecco." 

Sorry, Riverhead.  This one is a skipper.  But we'll keep exploring.

Until our next Burger, 
KLB

Joe's Garage
40 Peconic Avenue
Riverhead, NY
631.591.3330
joesgarage.com

Farmer's Market Frenzy: Riverhead Farmer's Market, Riverhead, NY

We've been spending more time in Riverhead lately. This Eastern Long Island town is attempting a Renaissance. Neither Hamptons nor North Fork, Riverhead is grasping for a new identity. And what better way to do so than with food. 

Enter the Riverhead Farmers Market.  Right in the slowly gentrifying downtown (a Perabell in opening in Spring), a formerly vacant building is now repurposed for foodies, families and everyone in between. This indoor (outdoor in warmer months) market is a perfect escape on a cold winter's day.

Booths to Visit:

-  Tainos Sofrito & Mojo: I can't stop eating the jar of Sofrito I bought at this booth. Their version includes an amazing combination of cilantro, onions, peppers and garlic. Thus far I've had it with grilled chicken, shrimp, turkey, eggs, pasta and, I admit, just out of the jar. Seriously it goes with everything. Fair warning though, you may have some lingering garlic breath, so invest in some mints. 

- Terranut: They had me at "tastes like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup." Terranut sells paleo-friendly mini-bars. The PNut has peanuts, gluten free oats and raw organic sugarcane, just three ingredients.   Crumble into a smoothie or just eat as a snack to boost your energy. At 92 calories this is a better choice than that bag of Peanut M&Ms from the vending machine. 

- Mavi: This booth represents a Mediterranean restaurant that is opening in Spring 2015 in downtown Riverhead. Their feta dip is divine. I want to be their first guest. 

- Two Brothers Pizza: Taste some "take n bake" pizza and then take some home for yourself. That's right, Two Brothers specializes in a fully made but not cooked pie. Bring it home, toss it in the oven for 20 minutes and voila, a hot-from-the-oven pizza. The samples there were worthy of a taste.

- Hamptons Chocolate Factory: Always decadent, always delicious. Try my favorite the East Hampton Bark with dark chocolate, toffee and almonds. JB's favorite? The peanut butter and jelly bar.

- Sang Lee Farms: You can't beat their incredible organic vegetables.  Their dips and sauces are also splurge-worthy. 

- Blue Duck Bakery: I dare you to make it home without tearing into one of their fresh baguettes. 

-  Mecox Bay Dairy: Their Brie-like Atlantic Mist is pricey but oh so dreamy 

And the list goes on. New vendors are added each week. Come spring when the market heads back outside expect many more names. 

Visit their Facebook page to learn more about this exciting venture from the Riverhead Business District.  And pay them a visit when you can.  Help support local farmers and businesses. 

Until our next Farmer's Market,
KLB

Riverhead Farmers Market
221 East Main Street
Riverhead, NY
631.208.8159
www.facebook.com/RiverheadFarmersMarket

Chain Reaction: Soup's On at Noodles & Co.

Soup season is now. While we've been exploring ramen -- there's another a great wide world of soups out there. We have been missing out.

I'd never been to Noodles & Co., despite their 400+ outlets.  Fast casual is the game here, pick your entree (most of which involve a noodle), add a meat, an optional side and you're in business.

Noodles range in all different styles from classic Italian like Pesto Cavatappi to Bangkok Curry. Gluten-free? They can solve for that, too.  Don't want any noodles? Sandwiches and salads are also on offer.

So back to that soup.  Thai Curry Soup (with tofu) was my choice.  It warmed me right up.  Rice noodles, a slew of vegetables and a coconut curry broth.  For a chain, I'd say it was pretty good.  Really good.  And just enough spice to clear your sinuses.

Good news for Long Islanders, the Garden City chain where I visited, will soon be joined by stores in Patchogue, Hicksville and Farmingdale.  In fact, according to a recent article in Newsday,  the goal is to open over 20 more Long Island stores in the next 5 or so years.

So you can get your soup on (or noodle), anytime.

Until our next Burger,
KLB

Noodles & Co.
Visit noodles.com to find the location closest to you

San Francisco Treats: E & O, Fresh Roll, Sears, District and More, SanFrancisco, CA

Phew - 3 days in San Francisco and I was exhausted.  But not of their food.  So many choices, so little time.  I barely scratched the surface of this magnificent city.  And even though I was mainly in very touristy areas (Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf and SoMa) where I could have eaten overpriced, mediocre fare, I really lucked out.  Here's how I navigated it all.

For a quick bite
-  Cafe Bellini: Just off Union Square, this cafe had your typical de rigeur quinoa and kale plus panini and espresso.  A little on the pricey side for a quick lunch.  You get what you pay for.

- Fresh Roll: Vietnamese food Chipotle-style.  Pick your style - pho, summer roll, salad or Vietnamese sandwich, then your fillings and toppings.  My tofu summer roll with peanut sauce was a stunner. Someone please open this on the East Coast.

Happy for Happy Hour?

- E & O Asian Kitchen:  The tastiest thing I've had all year are the butternut squash dumplings at E & O. $1 each and worth every penny -- the sweet dumplings come in a curry sauce. Just phenomenal. 

Oysters are also $1 each though these West Coast delights are not nearly as  good as those on the East Coast (I'm talking about you Eventide Oyster House.)  Wine is also half off during happy hour -- always a good thing.

- District: Elevate your happy hour at this elegant wine bar near A T & T Ballpark. Delectable small plates include $1 oysters (much better than E & O), spicy lamb meatballs and arancini. Wine here ranges from your basic Pinot noir to some special finds. Forget happy hour, stay the whole night.

Do the tourist thing

- Sears Fine Foods: The line moves quickly at this San Fran institution. Go for the Swedish Pancakes - all 18 of them - and add on some lingonberries for tradition's sake. Truthfully, I've had better and thinner Swedish Pancakes but it's an experience worth enjoying.  I recommend adding Aquavit to the menu.

- Fog Harbor Fish House : If in San Fran as a "tourist" chances are good you'll visit Fisherman's Wharf. My recommendation is not to go to one of the nicer restaurants. The food at Fog Harbor wasn't terrible. The tuna was fresh and well-seasoned. But service is horrendous and prices are astronomical. Save your money, grab a bread bowl and spend the rest of your dough on chocolate. Ghiradelli anyone?

I'm taking recommendations for my next visit.  Can't wait to return.  So much more to see, do and, of course, eat.

Deets:

Cafe Bellini
235 Powell Street
415.956.5101
cafebellinisf.com

Fresh Roll
157 4th Street
415.348.1858
eatatfreshroll.com

E & O Kitchen and Bar
314 Sutter Street
415.693.0303
eosanfrancisco.com

District
216 Townsend Street
415.896.2120
districtsf.com

Sears Fine Food
439 Powell Street
415.986.0700
searsfinefood.com

Fog Harbor Fish House
Pier 39 Concourse
415.421.2442
fogharbor.com

Best Ramen in New York: Ivan Ramen, New York, NY

Ramen's moment is now. Mu Ramen, Ramen Lab and Ivan Ramen are being written up everywhere. After our slurp shop adventure last fall, I was eager to visit the mothership - Ivan Ramen.

You'll find Ivan Ramen on the Lower East Side in a sliver of a spot on Clinton Street. Part the curtains and enter the den of ramen. 

Lines are long but luckily they now take reservations via OpenTable; they quickly seated our party of 5 in the window. We were not in the mood for alcohol (read: hungover) although our neighbors' beer and cocktails looked both interesting and delicious.  On the non-alcohol side try a Yuzu lemonade and you won't be disappointed. 

We started with chicken cutlet katsu for the table.  Thinly pounded fried chicken with lemon, cabbage shiso and spicy sauce woke us right up.  Yum, I could have eaten this for days.

Ramen was next and, WOW, was it spicy.  I had the "dry ramen", a Dan Dan noodle with thick whole wheat noodles, sesame oil and, spicy, did I mention, spicy, sautéed pork.  A ramen without the broth.  My kind of ramen.

We also had the more traditional shio and shoyu ramen, both had rye noodles, pork and chicken broth.  The difference was in the condiments - sea salt for shio, soy sauce for shoyu.  Either way you have it, it is awesome.

In fact everything at Ivan Ramen is awesome.  This may be the best ramen in New York. We are already planning our next visit.  Who's joining us? 

Ivan Ramen
25 Clinton Street
New York, NY
646.678.3859
ivanramen.com

Doughnut Testing: The Doughnut Plant, NY

It's no secret that we are mildly obsessed with doughnuts.  From The Holy Donut in Portland, Maine to Federal Donuts in Philadelphia, we've had some pretty stellar ones.  So it was only fitting to pay a visit to the Doughnut Plant in New York City and have a taste test.

Since 1994, the Doughnut Plant has been serving the best kind of carbs from the Lower East Side of Manhattan.   They offer round and cake varieties plus square and doughseeds (their version of a munchkin) - this is a tough choice. We had four of them.  And we wanted so many more.

We actually tried to have just three - the Vanilla Bean, the Brooklyn Blackout and the Cinnamon Sugar:

But then had to add one final masterpiece - the Tres Leches.

The results? All amazing. Best doughnuts yet. Better yet these doughnuts have all natural ingredients and no eggs. 

My favorite was the Cinnamon Sugar, traditional and perfect. Brooklyn Blackout was my second favorite, it's hard not love a chocolate doughnut. The Tres Leches was too milky for me (I know it's milk-based doughnut) and the Vanilla Beach was too sweet. But honestly we're just being picky here. Incredible across the board.

Thirsty? Coffee, espresso and the freshest milk you can find from the Battenkill Valley Creamery are also available to wash them down. 

Until our next Burger (or maybe doughnut)
KLB

The Doughnut Plant
379 Grand Street
New York, NY
212.505.3700
doughnutplant.com

Check out their website for their other NYC locations in  Brooklyn and Chelsea.  Plus, you can find them at a variety of speciality stores and coffee shops like Citarella, Whole Foods and Dean and DeLuca. Or in the shakes at the Shake Shack.  YUM!

Drinks Only: Havana Central, Garden City, NY

With temperatures hovering in the single digits, stepping into the tropics on the freezing evening seemed like a good idea.The palm trees and bright Cuban decor at Havana Central's Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, NY had me intrigued. The drinks did, too. The food? Not so much.

A Pomegranate mojito at happy hour prices was the ideal antidote to the sub-freezing temperatures.  Don't like mojitos? Sangria and margaritas are also available. My advice? Leave after that. 

The appetizer sampler was just terrible. Don't you think that a tray of fried items should be defined when served? We practically had to beg the bus boy to give us a vague description.  Empanadas were too dry, as were fried plantains. Conversely, Chorizo was too greasy.  Corn was on the cob and therefore impossible to share. The only semi-redeeming item was sweet plaintains. And that's more of a dessert item.

My main course shrimp mofongo wasn't any better.  Mofongo is not a dish I know much about. Apparently it is supposed to be a dish with mashed plantains, bits of pork and some kind of chicken, meat or fish. At Havana Central it is mound of slop, the shrimp that surrounded said mound were fine but the mound was not. I could discern no real flavor so I gave up. 

Supposedly the Cuban sandwich is tasty, although irrelevant since I'm probably not eating here again. Drinks only from now on. 

Until our next Burger,

KLB

Havana Central
Roosevelt Field Mall
630 Old Country Road

Garden City, NY

516.739.7900
havanacentral.com

Note: Other New York locations include Times Square and Ridge Hill in Yonkers.  There is a Legoland Discovery Center at Ridge Hill and you may need a drink after that!

Ho Ho Hibachi: Abis, Greenwich, CT

Tired of the same old Christmas Eve? How about a family-friendly dinner of hibachi at Abis in Greenwich, CT. Apparently we weren't the only ones - it was packed with multi-generational families, some with Grandmas clad in Christmas apparel. 

Speaking of attire, the affable hibachi chefs each had their own style. The neighboring chef who wore red put on the best show - his fire was the biggest. Our chef donned a Louis Vuitton chef's hat and ascot. "Have to fit in in Greenwich", he explained. 

As for the food, it was better than your average hibachi. A crispy onion soup and small salad with ginger dressing arrive before your chef. With the chef comes the fire show and sautéed vegetables complete with an onion tower.  Proteins are next - everyone gets a few shrimp which are excellent and then your choice of meat, seafood or chicken. Somewhere in there are egg noodles and, if you choose, fried rice.

Noodles, filet and shrimp stood out as winners. Noodles were greasy in a good way. Shrimp were cooked just to the right temperature and a ginger dipping sauce made it both sweet and savory. Filet was up there, although lots of salt. We also snuck in a fresh and tasty tuna sandwich from the sushi bar portion of the restaurant next door.

Dessert included ice cream of your choice: vanilla, chocolate, red bean or green tea. Prices range from $25 to $35 a person depending on your entree selection. Not a bad deal for 5+ courses with built in entertainment. 

Fun for the whole family and no dishes? 

We're in. 

Until our next Burger,

KLB

Abis Restaurant

381 Greenwich Avenue

Greenwich, CT

203.862.9100

abisjapanese.com

A Flash-Frying Favorite: Jimmy's on the Park, Clayton, MO

Jimmy's on the Park is the kind of restaurant you want in your neighborhood. Sure, I was in St. Louis but this could have been in Atlanta or Chicago or dare I say, a town in New Jersey. There is a decent bar scene with live music on one side and a more formal dining room with a fireplace on the other.

They have a star appetizer. Flash-fried spinach. This very well may have been the pre-cursor to the kale chip. A little more oily than a kale chip, extra crispy and topped with Parmesan, our table of 5 devoured two servings and begged for more. 

Unfortunately, they have a terrible gratis item of flash-fried fettuccine (notice a trend). Standing straight up at each table, one thinks it is grissini. Take a bite and it tastes more like a Dorito. Gross. 

Entrees are creative and they work. Sea scallops with pork belly risotto is a newer dish that is rich for the season. Bayou shrimp with crawfish étouffée offers a tasty nod to the South and Amish chicken is a perennial crowd pleaser.

For dessert, order more spinach. Seriously. 

Until our next Burger, 

KLB

Jimmy's on the Park
706 De Mun Avenue
Clayton, MO
314.725.8585
jimmyscafe.com

A Skipper: Planet Sushi, New York, NY

In all our years in NYC, we never made it to Planet Sushi on the Upper West Side. Until we were  faced with a party of 8 (4 of whom were 6 and under) on a Saturday night in the height of Holiday season and then Planet Sushi it was.

Food? OK. Service? Slow. Decor? They have a silkscreen of Rosie from the Jetsons on the wall and a paper mâché globe hanging from the ceiling. What do you think? 

Tuna pizza was thicker than I'm accustomed to and overly crunchy. Gyoza was bland. Another tuna special was never even brought to our table. Rolls lacked imagination. 

But, at least the company was good.

Now I realize why we had always skipped it in the past. 

Until our next Burger. 

KLB

Planet Sushi
380 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY
212.712.2162
PlanetSushiNY.com

28 hours in Philly: Cheesesteaks, Pho, Doughnuts and More, Philadelphia, PA

Who knew history tasted this good? Nothing says founding father like cheesesteaks, doughnuts and pho. Head to Philadelphia for a combination of olden times and the new culinary frontier.

Stop #1: Saigon Cuisine

Vietnamese please. Bare bones, authentic and delicious. Try the Pho or the Bun. Or both. Or really anything. Each table had something that looked better than the next.

Stop #2: The White Dog Cafe

This is the quintessential place where visitors take Penn students. But you don't have to know a college kid to dine on their chicken and dumplings or piles of tasty fries. Bonus - they have good gluten-free options, too. 

Stop #3: Federal Donuts

Oft-cited famous doughtnut spot that also sells fried chicken. Yes, Yes, Yes.

May even be better than The Holy Donut in Portland, ME.  Big's Z's selection is below.

Stop #4: Reading Terminal Market/MeltKraft

My love of food halls is well documented, either small and curated like Gotham West Market or complete chaos like Brooklyn Smorgasborg, Reading Terminal Market is somewhere in between. My suggestion: get in fast, grab an artisanal Grilled Cheese Sandwich at MeltKraft and get out. I recommend anything with Bacon. And for extra umphh, add some duck fat. P.S. There's also one in Brooklyn (who knew?)

Stop #5: Pat's the King of Steaks

Our trip would not have been complete with out this quintessential stop. Better than Geno's? We're Team Pat's. Follow their sage advice below.

I'm still full. 

Until our next Burger,

KLB

Details (all addresses are Philadelphia, PA):
Saigon Cuisine
4000 Chestnut Street
215.222.9777
No website, but reviews on Yelp

White Dog Cafe
3420 Sansom Street
215.386.9224
whitedog.com

Federal Donuts
3428 Sansom Street
267.275.8489
federaldonuts.com

Reading Terminal Market/MeltKraft
N. 12th & Arch Street
215.922.2317
readingterminalmarket.org
meltkraft.com

Pat's King of Steaks
1237 East Passyunk Avenue
215.468.1546
patskingofsteaks.com

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A Wow of a Meal: Osteria, Philadelphia, PA

Boar, octopus, pigskin, pizza - these are just a few of the delicacies (OK, pizza is not a delicacy) savored at Osteria in Philadelphia. Surrounded by tables that ranged from intimate couples to boisterous work Holiday parties, everyone at Osteria seemed to be enjoying themselves at this cavernous spot in North Philly.

Enjoy we did, each course richer than the next. A bread display offered grissini and foccacia as well as your typical Italian breads. A first course of appetizers included a octopus (a little on the fishy side) and snails in bone marrow (Wow, just Wow). 

A pizza course included the Cippola with caramelized onions, truffle and sottocenere cheese and was, as deemed by our waiter, french onion soup reincarnated. I concur and I want more. The Lombarda came adorned with fresh ground sausage on top made from spit-roasted pig and baked egg.  

Homemade pastas displayed ingenuity, candle with wild boar sausage had the best tasting noodle.   chicken liver rigatoni definitely tasted like chicken liver and therefore one bite was enough. And the a ravioli-like noodle stuffed with foie gras was both rich and sweet.

After all that entrees fell a bit flat. One order of chicken was forgotten and served not exactly cooked all the way through. My lamb was tender to the fork but could have used some pizazz. The best entree came from the aforementioned pig and included crispy pig skin. Like a chip, from a pig. And better, much better. 

Osteria redeemed itself with dessert. Bambalone, an Italian doughnut, was all a doughnut should be.  Chocolate flan, a pear tart and mocha gelato were solid crowd pleasers. But the most innovative was the polenta and hazelnut pudding, like a lighter version of Nutella with some crunch and salt thrown in.

If you are in the Philadelphia area, Osteria is a treat. Enjoy. 

Until our next Burger, 

KLB

Osteria
640 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
215.763.0920
osteriaphilly.com

Quicksie Greek: Ayhan's Shish Kebab, Westbury, NY

In the mood for Greek while finishing up your holiday shopping? Try Ayhan's Shish Kebab in Westbury, a toga's throw from Roosevelt Field Mall, the outlets at Gallery Plaza and every big box store you can imagine.

Fuel up with some hummus, it comes in every form you can imagine. I like the hummus salad, which in its truest form is a Greek salad lovingly adorned with hummus. 

Still hungry? Gyros abound, as does a tremendous seafood salad. They also have all of your traditional favorites: moussaka, falafel and, of course, shish kebabs. 

But whatever you do, get some hummus. 

Until our next Burger, 

KLB

Ayhan's Shish Kebab
477 Old Country Road
Westbury, NY
516.222.8000
ayhansrestaurants.com/shish-kebab-restaurants

The Never-ending Sushi Quest: Nisen 347, St. James, NY

Family sushi dinner typically involves JB and me scarfing sushi while the boys complain about their rice-only meal.  We decided to change this.

Enter Nisen 347. A Groupon drew us to the St. James locale, close to the Smith Haven Mall. For our $24 spend with Groupon, Nisen 347 offered us $60 of Japanese fare. We were intrigued. 

This two story, club like restaurant is not your average sushi joint. Our booth unbeknownst to us was in the VIP section complete with a balcony view and personal chandelier. Techno dance music blasted from the speakers and I decided it was time for some Prosecco.

Service was slow (our VIP section was somewhat removed) luckily the food was excellent. 

On a whim we opted for Kobe beef sliders. Japanese burgers - why had our boys never had these before?  Little D was thrilled to have 3 mini burgers to himself. Big Z was skeptical and only ate the buttered buns. Neither boy would touch the sweet potato fries so I indulged in a few. Burgers and fries at a Japanese restaurant, I could get used to this. 

Finally the main event arrived - sushi. Platters were beautiful and large. I always try to order at least one "fun" roll. Eating is supposed to be an adventure, so we venture. The Jumping Monkey roll comes with a spicy warning and I was up to the challenge. Tuna, mango and avocado on the inside, yellowtail and spice on the top. If you pop it in your mouth top-first you are in for some firey stuff. Eat it sideways and you can actually taste the fish, too. Spicy? Yes. Scary spicy? Not really.  JB indulged in the Nisen sushi which was both plentiful and fresh.  Other rolls were tame compared to the Jumping Monkey although enjoyable and delicious.

The Groupon is no longer available but good news, they offer 20% off on Sundays for Customer Appreciation and a variety of happy hour specials during the week.  Maybe it is time to take the boys to Happy Hour.

Compared to other Long Island sushi forays, I'd rank this above Benten, though below Kotobuki.  The quest continues.

Until our next Burger,
KLB

Nisen 347
964 Middle Country Road
Saint James, NY
631.366.3000
nisen347.com

Berger Review/Quicksie Takeout: Bareburger, New York, NY

Bareburger tries to do the unthinkable - a healthy burger. Organic, hormone-free, all-natural. Too bad they taste like the biodegradable cardboard it comes in. Giving organic a bad rap.

Better are fries with a multitude of dipping sauces. And salads offer some even healthier options. 

This chainlet with over 20 stores is on the rise. With stores in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Ohio, chances are you can try it for yourself. 

Maybe it's better if you eat in and enjoy the cute, bricked decor and wine. Most things taste better with wine. 

Until our next Berger, 

KLB

Bareburger

1681 1st avenue

New York, NY 

212.390.1344

Bareburger.com for all locations and menus

Home Cooking in a Big City: Oven + Vine, Phoenix, AZ

There's something about a neighborhood restaurant. Simple food, generous service, inviting atmosphere. Finding a neighborhood restaurant in a big city is almost unheard of, so I was thrilled to stumble upon Oven + Vine in central Phoenix.

More Pennsylvania Dutch than Arizona desert, the restaurant has stark wooden tables and chairs, a wood burning oven and a laid back bar.  Friendly servers don typical hipster garb - think skinny jeans and a henley variation.

Dinner was early so we were able to take advantage of the happy hour special of $1 off all appetizers. Burrata was $5. Let me repeat, $5. Not $20 like it is at Tutto Il Giorno in Southampton, and this is better. Creamy salty perfection with homemade bread lightly doused with olive oil and parsley. An absolute steal. 

I chose a pulled chicken chili with jalapeños for my main course.  The waiter suggested au gratin potatoes and declared them the best he's ever had. I won't go that far though they were a kind of cheesy yummy. The chili was on the basic side: chunks of chicken, veggies and jalapeños - they could have done more with it. 

Other dinner options range from sandwiches to baked pastas. All simple, all reasonably priced. My chicken chili was $12.50, lasagna comes in at $9.

They have a reasonable wine list and a large craft beer selection. The chocolate tart for dessert was decadent and delicious. 

Why cook if you can come here?  I'm not the only who agrees - the line was out the door when we left. 

Add this to your list. 

Until our next Burger,
KLB 

Oven + Vine
14 W. Vernon Avenue
Phoenix, AZ
602.687.7631
ovenandvine.com

Traveling in Phoenix?: Blue Hound Kitchen and Cocktails, Phoenix, AZ

The group dinner is never easy. One big table for 15 people is usually a recipe for disaster.  But a hotel restaurant should be able to handle it. And Blue Hound in downtown Phoenix does. 

With soaring ceilings and an eclectic menu, Blue Hound aims to please the masses.  Tater tots? Yup. Pork Belly? You betcha. Sliders? Yes, with aforementioned pork belly. Basically take all of the food trends of the past few years and roll it into a restaurant, add cocktails and stir.   

Blue Hound lives in the Palomar Hotel, and is part of the newly built downtown Phoneix area. With soaring ceilings and a large bar, the space is appealing and the drinks flow. 

Entrees ranged from "one big ass steak" (yes, that's it's name on the menu) to a seafood stew. The waiter strangely discouraged us from ordering certain items. "Don't get the salt and pepper shrimp", he warned, the tails are still on and they are a lot of work." Ok, so then why are they on the menu?Instead he pushed the flintstone size pork chop. 

When my side of the table placed several scallop entree orders he quickly paused and ran to the kitchen to make sure we had enough scallops. Really? 

I did eventually get those scallops. The dish was very well composed, three scallops, eggplant, fig and bacon jam with a small side of corn. A little light on the scallops in my mind.  Broccoli and cauliflower sides were overly charred. 

The most interesting meal at the table was a hanger steak with croutons atop the meat. Something I'd never seen before. And that was one good crouton. 

The winning dessert came in the form of a gooey butter cake with pineapple. Not my style, but other than me, raves all around. 

With trendy-ish food and a scene, Blue Hound has a time and a place. Choose wisely.

Until our next burger,
KLB

Blue Hound Kitchen and Cocktails
2 East Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ
602.258.0231
bluehoundkitchen.com

The Post Theater Dash: Maria Pia, New York, NY

New York Theater is a dream. Broadway, Off Broadway, Off Off Broadway, any form is a treat. The challenge, however, lies in the meal. Pre or Post you usually contend with crowds, rushes and overpriced fare.

I tend to favor heading west towards 9th Avenue for more casual fare - burgers at Island Burgers, Thai from Wondee Siam or some simple Greek at Uncle Nick's. But a birthday dinner that included three generations meant one thing: Italian. 

Maria Pia is nestled on West 51st between the 60+ year old veteran bistro Tout Va Bien and the throngs at Ippudo. Unassuming and welcoming, when you step down into Maria Pia's first level townhouse time stops. You no longer feel that New York City buzz, instead you feel at home. 

The friendly staff gave us a round table at the front of the narrow restaurant. A plentiful bread basket included peasant bread and foccacia. Apparently my 5 year old has a thing for focaccia - who knew?

A three course prix-fixe dinner for $26.95 was tempting, even more so was the $16.95 3 course lunch, too bad it was 5:00. We found too few choices on the set menu, though and opted for a la carte while sipping some celebratory Prosecco. 

Always a sucker for a Caesar salad, I split that with Bubba. It was fine, not extraordinary.  JB's salad of beets and goat cheese was borderline extraordinary (kinda wish I tasted it - hint hint).

I had been craving eggplant for weeks and the time to fulfill that craving was at Maria Pia. Nothing fancy just rigatoni with eggplant, tomatoes and some ricotta salata. JB's craving was pumpkin ravioli and it did the trick.  Meats and fish are adequate but the homemade pastas trump everything. Go for it. 

And since it was a celebration there was dessert. I have never seen a tartufo so enjoyed as it was by Big Z. His face covered in chocolate with a big smile was the best dessert of all. 

Until our next Berger, 

KLB

Maria Pia

319 W. 51st Street
New York, NY
212.765.6464
mariapiany.com

Finest French Fare on Long Island: Le Soir, Bayport, NY

A steal of a meal can be had at Le Soir in Bayport most weeknights. Pay for your entree in the $30 range and get soup of the day, house salad and a dessert of your choice thrown in. The fine French cuisine is impressively delicious. Why had I not been here before?

Decor has been updated and is bright. Service is friendly although a bit hokey. But I was here for the food (and company, of course). I can think of no better way to catch up with friends than dining at a quiet restaurant with a good bottle of wine and equally good, if not exceptional food.

The potato leek soup was creamy and seasoned perfectly. (No need to add salt). You can also order additional starters like escargots or foie gras if you want some more of their delicacies.  

The salad is simple - frisée with a light vinaigrette. Definitely an exercise in you get what you pay for. 

For my entree I opted for jumbo shrimp risotto with tomatoes and asparagus in a vermouth sauce. Shrimp were evenly cooked and bursted with flavor. The dish was both rich and light at the same time.  Not in the mood for shrimp? Duck, filet and salmon are all standouts. 

Never underestimate dessert at a French reataurant. This was the hardest choice of all. Two quenelles of chocolate mousse was my final decision, however, I also adored the Floating Island with its merenguey consisentcy. 

Le Soir is certainly a quiet night out but it's a worthwhile one. So eat a light lunch, and prepare for one of the best French meals on Long Island.

Until our next Burger,
KLB


Le Soir
825 Montauk Highway
Bayport, NY
631.472.9090
lesoirbayport.com

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: Telepan Local, New York, NY

When a renowned chef opens a second location you wonder. Will it be better? Is it just a copycat of the other? Is it worth the trip?

I've never been to Bill Telepan's namesake Upper West Side restaurant but based on my experience a week ago at Telepan Local,  I think I would like it.  HOWEVER, as of today, Telepan Local is no longer.

Had Telepan Local tried to be a tapas restaurant, I think it may still be open.  (Remember, Tapas is making a comeback). The starters were promising.  

A grilled cheese "bite" with tomatoes and cheese was melt in your mouth good. The sunchoke and bacon appetizer was very pro bacon (never a bad thing). A veal stew special was so rich and filling, that four people sharing couldn't finish it.

Unfortunately, entrees were all over the map. Partially raw sea scallops and flavorless porkbelly, do not a winning restaurant make.  A group of seven who's had wine usually oohs and aahs over the meal, and there was none of that.

Our chocolate and peanut butter sundae was stellar, and good news, the pastry chef also works uptown at Telepan.  So make that your next stop, I can vouch for the dessert.

Until our next Burger, 

KLB

Telepan Local (now closed)
329 Greenwich Street
New York, NY
No phone anymore :(
telepanlocal.com website still works for now

Instead, head uptown to the mothership
Telepan
72 W. 69th Street
New York, NY
212.580.4300
telepan-ny.com