Simply Pasta is a Northern Italian restaurant located in Manhattan’s theater district. The atmosphere of Simply Pasta was one of my favorite parts of the dining experience. It’s small but trendy, and always crowded (I think).  It makes you feel like you’re at New York’s hippest hot spot, and yet the prices are really reasonable.  The lit up blue walls and ceiling reminded me of being underwater which gave the room a really cool feel. I love love loved the decorations and all the colors that were used.  It’s a casual place.. I would feel comfortable going in jeans and sneakers, but it would also be a good place to celebrate a special occasion.  The service was great too. Every table was filled and there was a line out the door, and we were still able to have quick service.  The staff did a good job at making themselves readily available to us.

The meal started off with some fresh baked bread and olive oil. I got the pasta di mare because it’s one of my favorite dishes.. why commit to one kind of seafood when you can have them all? It had shrimp, scallops, calamari, mussels, and clams all for only $14.  The portion was just enough. None of that: one meal can feed you for three days nonsense. Simply Pasta is about quality and not quantity. I would never normally order penne alla vodka at a restaurant, but I got a chance to try it here and it was surprisingly good; rich and creamy and flavorful.  I finished the meal with a tiramisu and an espresso which was the perfect end to a perfect night.

Overall Simply Pasta offers great food and a fabulous atmosphere at a reasonable price.  I would definitely recommend the experience.

Simply Pasta

120 West 41st Street, NYC

212.391.0805

www.simplypastanyc.com

I first heard about the Doughnut Plant on the Food Network when the owner Mark, had a Throwdown with Bobby Flay. After seeing Mark win with his Tres Leches doughnut I decided I needed to try one, and boy am I glad I did. The Doughnut Plant makes the best doughnuts I’ve ever eaten in my life! From the outside the shop looks like nothing special, with its small store front and plane jane sign. Even the inside is too small to have any seating.

I tried 6 kinds of doughnuts all which I would kill just to have again. First, the famous Tres Leches doughnut. It was like nothing I’ve ever eaten. Its a cake doughnut infused with a creamy milky filling. This helps make the doughnuts super moist and delicious. My second favorite was the blackout doughnut. It’s pretty much the chocolate version of the Tres Leches. Each bite had a burst of chocolately goodness. The Valrhona chocolate one was their version of a chocolate frosted doughnut except it was bigger and fluffier than normal. Even the next day (I couldn’t eat all 6 doughnuts in one sitting) each one was delicious and better than Dunkin’ Donuts or Krispy Kreme. You can tell that their products are all freshly made. They close up shop when they run out of goods.

The variety of doughnuts depends on the time of year you go. The glazes are made with whatever fresh fruit is in season. For example, the glaze on the blueberry doughnut had little pieces of blueberries in it.  One of the reasons why these doughnuts are so special is because they’re not drowned in the glaze.  The glaze is gently poured over each doughnut by hand ensuring none of the air escapes by pressing it down.  This makes sure they’re still extra airy by the time they reach your mouth. And just to add to the fun, some of the doughnuts are square. Each doughnut is around $3 which is a little more pricey than your average doughnut shop, but it is worth every penny.

Doughnut Plant

379 Grand Street NYC

www.doughnutplant.com

Exciting foodie news! Soho eatery Snack passed my hummus test today. As far as I’m concerned, a restaurant’s hummus is a great indication of its quality.

I often frequent Snack for lunch takeout, and I have never been disappointed. The picture below shows the chicken and artichoke salad, which includes potatoes, toasted bread, arugula and an olive dressing. It is very hearty but I manage to finish it, as I usually do with all my favorite dishes at Snack.

The vegetarian souvlaki is full of tzatziki, feta, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and butter beans. Beware: it’s messy but incredibly delicious!

Go the extra mile and order the grape leaves too. They won’t ease your post-lunch food coma, but they will certainly put you in a satisfied mood. Enjoy!

Snack

105 Thompson St., nr. Prince St.

New York, NY 10012

212-925-1040

Monday-Wednesday 12-10pm, Thursday-Saturday 12-11pm, Sunday 12-9pm

Prices: Appetizers $5-12, Sandwiches $7.50-9.50, Lunch Entrees $13, Dinner Entrees $17-20, Dessert $4

After six hours at the Fancy Food Show, I continued my day of pleasure at Kefi. I have been there for several meals, and I enjoyed each time more than the last.

My favorite appetizer is the grilled octopus, which is placed on top of a delectable bean salad. It is cooked to the perfect consistency, and the beans are flavored with lemony spices that complement the fish. A close second is the house-made Cypriot sausage, accompanied by tzatziki, radishes, cucumber and warm pita bread. I was so eager to try it that I only managed to capture an image of the last few bites of the dish…

The grilled branzino and the pan-seared striped bass come with a few of my favorite ingredients: olives, capers, tomatoes, fingerling potatoes and string beans. If you’re in the mood for a meat dish, the braised lamb shank is to die for.

For a unique glass of white wine, I recommend the Retsina, which has an earthy flavor because it is kept in pine barrels.

My meals at Kefi have been greatly enhanced by the décor. A diner on the first floor feels as though she is in a small Greek house, being served simple, delicious food by someone’s grandmother. I tried to capture the atmosphere in the below picture, which shows porcelain plates and royal blue shutters on the walls. The basement floor has stone walls and dark wood beaming.

Tonight was certainly not my last trip to Kefi.

Kefi

505 Columbus Avenue

New York, NY 10024

212-873-0200

http://kefirestaurant.com

Dinner: Sunday-Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday and Saturday 5pm-11pm

Lunch: Tuesday-Saturday 12pm-3pm

Brunch Sunday 11am-3pm

Prices: Appetizers $6.50-9.95, Sandwiches $10.95-13.95, Main $9.95-17.50, Dessert $3.95-7.95

The Shake Shack is a cute little stand in the corner of Madison Square Park. It’s a little walk-up stand with outdoor seating and a permanent long line. In my opinion, the line is worth the wait and half the fun. On their website, there’s something called the “shake cam” that provides a live feed of the stand. That way, you know how long the line is at any given time and you can plan your trip to the shack accordingly. There are two other locations around the city besides Madison Square Park including Citi Field and Columbus Ave.

The Shake Shack had some of the best french fries I’ve ever eaten. They were crinkle cut, so so crispy, and salted to perfection. I also had the ‘Shroom Burger.. a fried portabello mushroom stuffed with cheese on a roll with all the fixin’s.  Now when I say stuffed, I mean stuffed. Probably half of the sandwich was cheese. I don’t know if this appeals to everyone, but I certainly enjoyed it. I tried the ShackBurger too which was topped  with ‘Shack sauce.’ It was great. I also had a black and white shake with my burger (how can you go to the SHAKE shack and not get a shake?).  It was just as delicious as everything else. Instead of soft serve ice cream, they make all their frozen items with frozen custard. If given a choice, I would always choose custard over ice cream.

Once you get your food, you can sit at one of the tables designed for Shake Shack customers, or you can sit anywhere around that park. All seats are equally good for people watching. On a nice day the outdoor seating is a great addition to your meal. I would definitely visit the shack again.

The Shake Shack

Southeast corner of Madison Square Park

(Madison Ave and East 23rd Street)

212-889-6600

Bar 4 is more than just a place to get a drink.  The focus of the bar is the stage in the middle of the room.  There are a bunch of local bands and artists that perform at Bar 4 almost every night.  The music is a great addition to the eclectic decor (none of the furniture matches… but in a charming way).  Besides live music, there are various other little activities to accompany your cocktail such as a foosball table, a photobooth, and a video game.  The photobooth is especially cool because it prints out two copies of your picture; one to take home and another to put up on the photo wall.  I like the idea of being able to leave your mark somewhere.

The drinks are moderately priced, and if all your drinkin’ gives you a bit of an appetite they do have a small menu.  There are 6 different sandwiches all for under $10 which in my opinion is pretty cheap.  I didn’t have a chance to try any of the food at Bar 4, but that’s not the reason why people go there.  The atmosphere and live music are clearly the draw that keep customers coming back.

Bar 4

444 7th Ave

Brooklyn, NY11215

(718) 832-9800

Moving from DC to the NYC area, it seemed that I was only moving farther and farther away from my Texas roots. BBQ was already hard to find, let alone a good taco. It wasn’t until a few months ago, walking to the PATH station, that I came across what now seems to be my Hoboken utopia.

Driving around our mile square city in that wonderful orange (I like to think Texas orange) truck… I am speaking, of course, of The Taco Truck. Parking in our neighborhood nightly, The Taco Truck serves some of the most delicious tacos with the beautiful NYC views along the Hudson River!

Though the food trucks are a plenty in the big city, I have yet to find another truck to match its caliber. Offering fresh, quality (and organic) ingredients in a wide array of Mexican delights, TTT truly is a master of the “food truck” craft. Couple this culinary mastery with a genuinely green-conscious and earth friendly staff, and you’re left with my new favorite pastime! You may ask yourself, how “green” can a truck really be? Well, from the propane generated, LED lit kitchen to the biodegradable packaging and compost/recycle bins right outside the truck—I’d say the case of their LEED certification has been made!

So, lets talk about the food. I have three words for you: Pescado. Pescado. Pescado. I’ve had some great fish tacos, but this one truly takes the cake! Fresh, crispy pescado, spicy red cabbage slaw, fresh lime, pico de gallo and an excellent Mexican tartar sauce, all wrapped together in the arms of a fresh flour tortilla! Just writing about it, makes me crave another!

Not one for fish? How about a little carnitas to tempt your palate? The carnitas michoan taco, a fan favorite, is a harmonious combination of slowly-braised pork, sweet onions and a touch of garlic, combined with (the suggested) fresh green tomatillo salsa. Is it sweet? Is it spicy? It’s both and it’s delicious!

Most of the tacos are served as mini-tacos on corn tortillas, but TTT gives you the option of substituting two minis for one larger flour tortilla, if corn is not your cup of tea. Plus, all of their salsas are fresh and made in-house—it’s a wonder all that goodness can come out of a truck!!

But, don’t let their moniker fool you; TTT is more than their delectable tortilla goodness. This versatile food mobile serves up everything from creative salads to tamales, hearty chicken and rice soup to tortas– Mexican style “grinders” on thick crunchy-style rolls—you’ll want to try it all!

Where can you find TTT, you ask? Follow them on Twitter and Facebook, with daily updates of their location for lunch and dinner! TTT currently rolls into Jersey City and Hoboken, but can also be seen at special events throughout the NYC area!
And, a special bonus to Hoboken residents, like myself—the opening of their storefront location in downtown Hoboken is quickly approaching!

The Taco Truck
www.thetacotruck.com
Call ahead for location and carryout orders!
201.577.4214

My first food challenge in NYC: Try all the meze plates at Taksim. Barely two weeks into the summer, I’m well on my way to accomplishing this goal. My favorite meze so far is the Shepherd salad, a tantalizing mix of diced tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, parsley, and green peppers with lemon juice and olive oil. Other favorites include the tabuli, elephant beans, stuffed vine leaves, and hummus. The lamb adana is worth trying as well, as it illustrates how delicious a simple dish can be.

Taksim is perfect for takeout, a quick bite, or a relaxed first date. Although the menu is basic and the presentation is fairly unoriginal, Taksim is a great place to satisfy cravings for Turkish fare. The staff is friendly and efficient, which helps to create an enjoyable dining experience.  Sultry music and dark tiled walls contribute to Taksim’s authenticity and no frills approach to Mediterranean food.

No word on the falafels yet, but there’s always lunch tomorrow.

Taksim

1030 2^nd Ave., (54th & 2nd)

(212) 421-3004

http://www.taksim.us/

Daily: 12pm-11:30pm

Delivery: 12pm-10:30pm

Prices: Appetizers $6-8, Sandwiches $5.50-9.50, Main $15-19, Dessert $5.50

There’s no better way to end the workday than by enjoying some chips and guac. At Agua Dulce in Midtown, they take the simple snack to a new level. We ordered the trio of guacamole, which included a hefty portion of baked chips accompanied by Guac Tropical (pineapple, mango, habanero), Guac Ahumado (chipotle, house cured bacon, tomato), and Guac Tipico (jalapeno, lime cilantro, shaved red onion). Our favorite was the Tropical—the spicy flavors were the perfect accompaniment to the chips.

Our entrees did not disappoint either. The skirt steak with roasted potatoes and chimichurri sauce was excellent, as was the aji panca glazed duck. The glaze on the duck, similar to barbeque, was too sweet for my taste. Yet, the duck was juicy and lean. The meal experience seemed authentic, and we enjoyed awakening our palates with Latin American flavors.

The décor of Agua Dulce intrigued me, to the point where my wandering eyes prompted some inquisitive looks by our attentive waiter. I was enamored by the fascinating mix of modern and classic adornments, such as the Lucite chairs next to Spanish-style blue and green tiles. The name of the restaurant, which translates to “fresh water” in Spanish, is very telling of the fresh and fluid atmosphere. The front of the restaurant, complete with a garage door that remained post-renovation, is open to the street and allowed for a nice summer breeze during our meal. In addition, the humongous bathroom door is a mirror on the inside—a feature that is always appreciated by female diners.

I would return to Agua Dulce, and I assure you that a trip to this Midtown restaurant will put you in a spicy mood!

Agua Dulce

802 9^th Ave. between 53^rd & 54^th Sts. New York, NY 10019

Tel: (212) 262-1299

info@aguedulceny.com

http://aguadulceny.com/media/aguadulce.html

Lunch: Mon-Fri 11am-4pm

Dinner: Mon-Sun 4pm-11pm, Thu-Sat 4pm-12am

Late Night: Thu-Sat 4pm-3:30am

Happy Hour Daily: 3:30pm-6:30pm

Prices: Appetizers $7-13, Main $18-24, Dessert $9

Hello! It is a pleasure to join the ranks of the Hungry? City bloggers. I will go by Florence, after the Italian city that fulfills all of a foodie’s dreams (or at least mine). I am a college student first and a food enthusiast second, but this summer I have found myself in Manhattan—where I eagerly enter the famed NYC culinary scene. It doesn’t take an outsider to see that there are exciting food adventures here. My interest in food began at an early age, when my parents encouraged my brother and I to be open to new culinary experiences on European and other exotic vacations. Additionally, my mother is a cooking instructor, and there is never a shortage of good food, wine and conversation in our house. This summer, I hope to review some fun NYC places to eat—all from a student’s perspective, budget and preferences. I’ll be dragging along some friends from school, in addition to my notepad and an empty stomach. Enjoy!