For nearly 55 years, Veselka has served homestyle Ukrainian fare to the East Village. We felt right at home at this cozy eatery, stomachs growling for a taste of the old country.

American classics and Ukrainian specialties make up the extensive, 24-hour menu.  Freshly prepared soups tempted us with their homemade promise and gleaming cases of baked goods reminded us to save room for dessert (spoiler alert: we didn’t.)

The deluxe vegetarian plate, was a standout favorite at $13.75. Served with a choice of soup, salad, stuffed cabbage, kasha and 3 pierogi, it was the ideal “entry level” dish for Ukrainian newbies. Steaming bowls of cabbage borscht were topped with fresh dill and served alongside challah. Salads arrived crisp and colorful with a creamy dill vinaigrette.

The pierogi varied in flavor intensity.  The sauerkraut and mushroom satisfied, but the potato and cheese varieties left us reaching for the salt shaker. Arugula and goat cheese was the surprise winner, rich and buttery, albeit untraditional.

Whether you go for the history, the food or the chance to see Jon Stewart (he’s a regular!), stop by Veselka, sidle up to the table and experience Ukrainian soul food…without a visit to your grandmother’s kitchen.

Veselka

144 2^nd Avenue, New York, NY 10013

(212) 228-9682‎ (one word: delivery)

http://www.veselka.com

Damage: $

Recommendations: Vegetarian borscht, arugula and goat cheese pierogi, sauerkraut and mushroom pierogi, Obolon Ukranian Lager.

It’s not shocking that Daniel Boulud knows cutting edge food trends in New York City, but it’s certainly nice to know he’s doing something about it. At his laid-back Bar Breton, Boulud boasts an extensive gluten free brunch menu complete with delicious breakfast galettes.

Galettes are buckwheat crepes which originated in Brittany, France and I’m pretty sure Anthony Bourdain sampled some of these yummy breakfast treats on a recent episode of No Reservations. I was so excited to see such a menu, that my dining companions and I had to sample a little bit of everything. To kick off brunch, we started with two galettes, one stuffed with chorizo and onion confit, topped with an over easy egg, and the other stuffed with ham, swiss and topped with a sunny side up egg. Both were delicious and gooey, just how I like my breakfast treats.

For our main course, I went with the gluten free burger (made with prime, short rib and brisket), as I know Boulud does one of the best burgers in town. My guests tried out the wheat filled and caramel stuffed French toast, a burger with the bun, and the eggs benedict with smoked salmon. We didn’t speak for several minutes when we first received our dishes. When we came up for air, we all said the same thing, “amazing.”

We were having such a good meal that we didn’t want it to end. So, naturally, we moved onto dessert. We shared the gluten free chocolate mousse and crème brulee. The mouse was rich and creamy and such a big portion we could’ve ordered only one. The crème brulee was just as tasty and had just the right caramelization of sugar on top.

The beauty of Bar Breton is that everyone can enjoy this meal. For those with food allergies or those without, the menu is exquisite and the restaurant is extremely accommodating. I’m looking forward to going back for dinner, however I will miss my brunch mimosa by my side.

http://www.chefpiano.com/bar-breton

254 Fifth Avenue

N.Y., N.Y.

10001

212-213-4999

Price $$

Prosciutto Heaven on a plate

Hello food enthusiasts!  My next few posts are going to look at another side of the food world which I have been privileged enough to experience in the past few months, food events.  Besides being the equivalent of Foodie Heaven these events are a great place to meet fellow foodies and find out about amazing restaurants and places you may otherwise never have the chance to experience.  So, without further delay, join me in what was…2009: A Food Odyssey.

It seems that everyone in New York City believes that great food can only be found in Manhattan.  For twelve years the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce has put on the Brooklyn Eats event to show that this simply is not the case.  Attempting to show the best an entire borough has to offer to the food junkie in one night sounds like an impossible task, but this event did exactly that.  Displaying more than 40 of Brooklyn’s finest restaurants, bars, and beverage distributors, the Brooklyn Eats event opened this reviewer’s eyes to all the wonderful places the people of New York City have only to hop on the subway to discover.

I wish it were possible to write up each and every restaurant and bar that was at the event, as they all truly deserve it, as every establishment put their best foot forward to offer a glimpse of what they have to offer.  As the night went on it became clear that one man could never actually consume every dish – try as I might!  That is why as the evening went it was amazing to see how the experience itself brought people together, everyone bonding over their shared love of food, telling everyone else what they thought simply could not be missed.  In short, the Brooklyn Eats event became like one giant family gathering, with all of the attendees giving their two cents and their own reviews of everything available.  For the foodie who wants to attend a great food event without feeling like an outsider, the annual Brooklyn Eats event is a cannot miss.

Now that the experience itself has been explained, it is time to speak about the real attraction of the event – the food!  The first stop of the night was at the table for Scottadito Osteria Toscana, where the head chef was serving prosciutto filled with goat cheese, topped with caramelized shallots and a balsamic reduction.  If all that terminology sounds overwhelming let me put the end result in layman’s terms – delicious!  This small taste of what the restaurant has to offer overall definitely arouses the food lover’s curiosity and was just a taste of what the rest of the night would have to offer.  For more information on Scottadito Osteria Toscana visit their website at www.scottadito.com, you will not be disappointed.

Another standout on the evening was the salmon a la vodka dish from La Stalla Restaurant & Bar.  The salmon was so perfectly done and the sauce complimented it so well that even the most “fish phobic” food lover will be converted.  The best thing about La Stalla was seeing that they have managed to create great food and still offer great deals in a city where those two do not often go hand in hand.  La Stall features a happy hour from 1 PM to 6 PM every day and a brunch on Saturdays and Sundays for under ten dollars that offers all you can drink mimosas, bloody marys, or coffee.  La Stall offers the less-than-ordinary combination of Italian and Mexican cuisine, but the food also proves itself to be extraordinary, proving that when done right, anything can be combined.

After experiencing the food that other cultures have brought to Brooklyn, it was time to have the ultimate American experience, soul food.  The Soul Spot (www.thesoulspot.com) was serving jerk chicken with rice and black eyed peas.  These dishes were all new experiences for this reviewer and after tasting them I wondered why I had spent so much of my life without tasting these flavors.  After you get yourself to The Soul Spot, I imagine you will be thinking the same thing.

The three restaurants mentioned above are only a few of the great culinary experiences from the evening, and a few more the standouts on the evening are mentioned below for those of you who want to get out and find everything that Brooklyn has to offer.  For anyone wondering what a great food event is like, the answer is the annual Brooklyn Eats event, it’s just a shame that we all have to wait another year to experience it again, but when it rolls around, make sure to attend, it’s a decision you will not regret!

Other Standout Restaurants and Bars

-Buttermilk Channel

Visit www.buttermilkchannelnyc.com for more information

-Bussaco

Features an excellent full menu prix fixe and wine pairing, see www.bussacobklyn.com

-Vue Restaurant & Lounge

Visit www.vuerest.com to see what this excellent bar and restaurant has to offer

-Waterfront Ale House

See their website www.waterfrontalehouse.com to see everything this classic ale house and bar food eatery has to offer

-Cake Man Raven Confectionary

Experience why this man deserves this name, you will not be disappointed, but you will be stuffed!  Visit www.cakemanraven.com for more information

-Clover Club

The prototypical cool bar, check out their website at www.cloverclubny.com and enjoy the Spicy Pete (a personal favorite)

-The Sweet Tooth

This desert specialty restaurant proves there is no such thing as being too sweet.  Check out their website at www.shakoorssweettooth.com for more information

New York City has been hit hard this winter season with multiple snow storms that have been cluttering up our streets and making it hard to get from place to place, and frankly—I’m sick of it. Unfortunately, if you live in the city you’re expected to go into work and that’s where I was this past Friday morning. I was supposed to be meeting up with a colleague for a business luncheon at a local spot right near my office. I figured it was a pop-in-and-out sort of thing and I could brave the blustering, snowy winds.

She called an hour before we were supposed to meet and said our luncheon spot wasn’t serving due to the storm. But, she found one that was: Eleven Madison Park. “Yes, absolutely, see you there!” was my answer as I hung up the phone. Nothing—not even a dreaded NYC snowstorm—was going to keep me from lunching in one of the best and most beautiful restaurants in all the world.

Now, I’ve been at Eleven Madison twice before and both times were stunning. The food is top notch and the service is impeccable. It’s no wonder that Frank Bruni gave Danny Meyer’s beloved spot the 4-star before heading for the exits. But I haven’t been back since I’ve discovered that I have a gluten allergy, and I was once again so pleased at how accommodating the restaurant was.

The waiters asked immediately if there were any food allergies, and then brought over a gluten free bread basket. They were able to make the tuna tartare, which I desperately wanted, gluten-free by eliminating the soy sauce. My main course was salmon and I’m normally not a big salmon freak, but it was of course amazing. It has pieces of diakon with a citrus sauce drizzled over it that made me feel like I was in Seattle.  

When there’s snow on the ground, I tend to hibernate, dress in layers and drink tons of tea. I’m usually not braving the elements with rain boots and umbrellas, all the while staying alert for falling icicles from Manhattan skyscrapers. But when I heard Eleven Madison was calling—you couldn’t stop me from answering.

Eleven Madison Park

11 Madison Avenue,

N.Y., N.Y.

10010

212-889-0918

http://www.elevenmadisonpark.com/

Price $$$$

Great oysters await those who stop in at hectic Grand Central

Sometimes known more as “the restaurant by the Whispering Wall,” Grand Central Oyster Bar simply has the feeling of New York City.  Located between the upper and lower travel concourses at the incomparable Grand Central Station, the Oyster Bar always has a hectic, yet under control pacing to it that matches the feel and energy of the commuters and city it serves.  With a menu that changes daily – based on the catch – each trip provides a new experience.  The most popular dish, or rather dishes, are those little pieces of Heaven from the sea that give the restaurant its name – I mean of the course the oysters.

With typically over two dozen types of oysters available from the raw bar each day, the Grand Central Oyster Bar provides food lovers with a chance to expand their palate every visit.  For the novice, the very knowledgeable and helpful wait staff is an invaluable resource.  It doesn’t matter if you have had seafood for years or never had it before, these helpful men and women can match something new and exciting to your taste buds.  The Oyster Bar has become a mainstay with the commuter crowd, thanks to its quick service, large bar area, and impressive menu of domestic, microbrew, and imported beers on tap.  With such an easily accessible location, great service and even better food, it’s no wonder why the Grand Central Oyster Bar will have you coming back time and again.

Grand Central Oyster Bar

89 E. 42^nd St. (inside Grand Central Station)

New York, NY

212-490-6650

Oysterbarny.com

Hours: Weekdays 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM

Saturdays  12 PM – 9:30 PM

Closed Sundays

Price: $$$ (My advice, get a large plate of oysters to share to stretch your dollar)

Stop in for a burger and a pint, but leave the fake Irish accent on the street

It’s not often that a restaurant makes you feel like you’ve left behind the hustle and bustle of New York City, but that’s exactly how it is at Molly’s Pub and Restaurant.  Once your eyes get used to the dim lighting, and your feet get used to the sawdust on the floor, it’s time to dig in.  As great as the atmosphere at Molly’s is, the food and drink isn’t anything to shake a stick at either.  With a wide array of standard bar food – and servings that must be meant to help you hold your beer – it’s a spot you’ll want to visit again and again.

Located in a quieter residential area, the crowd that frequents Molly’s is not the typical frat boys and college kids that are common of most bars – and that’s a good thing.  Molly’s is the type of place that has regulars in at 2 PM, and that’s part of the charm; there aren’t too many places left in New York City where the owner bartends and knows the names of everyone who pulls up a stool.  In short, this Manhattan bar manages to provide just about everything one could ask for in a pub.  Luckily for all of us, Molly’s is soon going to add two more locations in Manhattan.  If they manage to capture even half of the charm of the original, we’ll all be able to escape to the Emerald Isle state of mind a little more.

Molly’s Pub and Restaurant

287 3^rd Avenue at 23^rd Street

New York, NY

Phone: 212-889-3361

Web: mollysshebeen.com

Hours: Monday- Saturday 11 AM-4 AM

Sunday Noon-4 AM

Price: $$$

Recommendations: Fish and Chips, Bacon Cheeseburger, Pint of Smithwick’s

It’s easy to go through New York City and overlook the places right in front of your eyes.  This small hole-in-the-wall breakfast and sandwich counter across from the famous Flatiron Building is just such a place.  With a counter that lets you watch your meal be cooked before your eyes, it’s a throwback in presentation, and in price.  The breakfast menu is so fairly priced it practically challenges you to try to pay over ten bucks for a meal.  The lunch and dinner menu offer the standard sandwich and burger staples, but that doesn’t mean that the food is.  The burgers are massive, the grilled cheese makes you feel at home, and the Cuban sandwich will convert anyone with a pickle phobia.  So open up those eyes, or these sandwiches will do it for you!

Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop

174 5^th Avenue at 22^nd Street

Manhattan 10010

Phone: 212-675-5096

Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30 AM – 8 PM

Saturday 7:30 AM – 5 PM

Sunday 7:30 AM – 4 PM

Web: eisenbergsnyc.com

Price: $$

The little blue bug leads you to great food every time

Going to school in the Bronx has given me the opportunity to experience a rich part of New York City’s food scene that is too often left out of the discussion, I am talking about Arthur Avenue’s Little Italy.  World renowned for the Arthur Avenue Market (look for a future post about the famous Mike’s Deli located within the market), New Yorkers tend to forget all the great culinary delights this area has to offer.

That is why I am making it my personal mission to spread the news about all of the amazing places that are only a short train ride away from the island.  My hope is that everyone can find something to their tastes through my reviews, which is why my first review is about the one place that has come to be one of my personal favorites.

Zero Otto Nove, or 089, came on the local dining scene little more than a year ago, and has taken Arthur Avenue by storm, quickly becoming both a local and regional favorite.  This Italian eatery owned and operated by the creator of Roberto’s (another renowned Arthur Avenue mainstay), blends a charming atmosphere that makes one forget they are in the middle of the “boogie-down Bronx” with some of the freshest and finest meals to create a truly unique dining experience.  089 features weekly specials in addition to a lengthy regular menu, sure to provide something for everyone’s appetite.

For my money, the best bet is one of the many classically done, thin crust fire-cooked pizzas that the restaurant is known for.  These are certainly not the pizzas you recall from your college days, but rather a culinary experience that makes you, and your taste buds take notice.  Overall, the menu is traditional, yet refreshing, reasonably priced (most dishes range from $12 to $25, but one dish can easily feed two people), and appeals to the customer who demands the freshest foods by listing the very Arthur Ave markets and stores that the ingredients were brought in from that day.  It is the small things such as this that create a truly unique dining experience at Zero Otto Nove, one which everyone should enjoy.  One word of advice, they do not take reservations, and tend to be rather busy due to their growing notoriety, so arrive early, pull up at the bar, and enjoy one of their more than generous glasses of wine to prepare for a truly exceptional meal.

Zero Otto Nove

2357 Arthur Avenue

Bronx, NY

Roberto089.com

718-220-1027

Hours: Tue-Thurs 12-2:30 PM, 4:30-10 PM

Fri-Sat 12-2:30 PM, 4:30-11 PM

Sunday 1-9 PM

It’s not just about good soups at this midtown bistro.  La bonne soupe also means the good life, and I recently enjoyed some of that as I dived into my pile of mussels that were the special that night.  What a relief because who are we kidding?  I’m a downtown kind of person, so I had no favorite restaurants in midtown.  Until now. 

The mussels were served in a bath of rich sauce punctuated by Dijon mustard and accompanied by skinny French fries.  After I devoured the mussels, there was plenty of sauce left for sopping up with the crusty bread provided.  Ah, the simple pleasures. My table also ordered the well-seasoned filet mignon (at $24.50 the most expensive item on the menu), which was cooked exactly as requested and completely satisfied my dad. 

One of the best parts of the meal was the service.  We lacked for nothing, but the waitstaff was never intrusive, just attentive and fast.  I don’t know if our server’s French accent was authentic or not (I’ve become so suspicious in the big city), but it certainly added to the atmosphere.

Considering the location, the prices aren’t bad.  They have a salad special for $17.25 which includes your choice of salad served with bread, dessert and a beverage (glass of house wine, beer, soda or coffee).  Soups are $6.50, crepes $12.75, and fancy burgers with fries and a salad are $12.95.  Heck, you could take advantage of the free Friday evenings at MOMA then walk up a couple of blocks to La Bonne Soupe, enjoy a lovely meal, and call it a night.  I may be sitting at the table next to you because I’m certainly going back for more.  Ooh la la.

La Bonne Soupe

48 W. 55th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues)

New York, NY 10019

212.586.7650

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