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Simply Delizioso
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
In Defense of the “Mini-Chain”
Barney’s Beanery – 8447 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 654-2287
Before you guffaw at the concept of there being a decent mini-chain restaurant (gasp! The horror! Oh, the humanity of it all!) and close this browser, hear me out. I, too, have shared similar assumptions. Normally, I stay as far away from chain restaurants as possible. In my opinion, they just can’t seem to bake the same love into their dishes as independently owned restaurants. However, I feel like Barney’s Beanery deserves a chance from all of us. Yes, really!
Is it the world’s best food? No; but I’ll get into that more a little later. Will you have some sort of existential, transcendental experience? Not likely; although anything is possible. You will find, however, that it’s just a fun place to hang out and enjoy yourself, especially after a hard days’ work.
The decor is playful, with multi-colored booths, pool tables, a number of televisions tuned to sports, and tables with a thick layer of celebrity photos. To put it simply: the interior is definitely a conversation piece.
I like the beer selection a lot and often opt for the Arrogant Bastard Ale. Their food menu is extensive, which is good because people tend to be a little indecisive when drinking; I know I am, at least. If you’re in the mood for a greasy treat, I recommend the potato skins, or cheese fries. Both offer just the right amount of ooey-gooey-cheesy-deliciousness required to be considered comfort food.
For my meals, I tend to stick to the sandwich selections. The food is not the most
amazing I’ve ever had, but their selection is still good in that bar-food need-to-eat-after-drinking kind of way and is quite tasty. Tonight, I had the tuna salad and was pleasantly surprised; not as salty as most places (hooray!) but flavorful and filling. I always leave Barney’s Beanery full and in a good mood.
The atmosphere of Barney’s is laid-back and friendly. Don’t be afraid to sneak into your neighbor’s conversation and make some new friends. Sometimes, it can get a little loud so it’s probably not the best choice of venue for that romantic night out you’ve been looking forward to. The service is very non-chain-like, which is awesome. The servers are accommodating and will do what they can to make sure you have a good experience, even if they have to go a little out of their way to do so.
Certainly, I can understand that everyone has a favorite bar or two that they are loyal to and I’m not saying you should consider changing that. But, take a chance one night and head over to Barney’s Beanery. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Attention Doughnut Lovers
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
The Shake Shack
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
Tucked into the residential neighborhood of South End, a cafe and coffee shop called South End Buttery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. I visited the cafe on two separate occasions: once for an afternoon snack and another morning for breakfast. South End Buttery uses organic and locally produced ingredients as well as implementing environmentally focused processes (i.e. recycling, Dyson hand dryers, biodegradable packaging/paper products).
For my afternoon visit, I ordered a latte and cranberry orange scone. While a pretty standard order, I was impressed with the freshness of the scone and the creamy-ness of the latte. I sat at the marble counter which faces the large windows and got to people watch while enjoying these treats.
Wanting to return to try breakfast, I pondered all the choices: oatmeal, breakfast burrito, frittata, baked goods, bagels … but I decided on the country biscuit with scrambled eggs and aged cheddar cheese. I picked tomatoes instead of bacon (another option). As you can see in the picture, the biscuit was huge, but it was buttery and delicious. I would have liked the tomato slices to have been a little thinner, too. A little awkward to eat like a typical sandwich, I needed a knife and fork. None of these details really mattered because I made the right decision to eat this to kick start my day.
On another trip to Boston, I hope to check out South End Buttery’s dinner menu.
Details:
314 Shawmut Avenue
Boston, MA 02118
617.482.1015
Pensiero Rises Again
Just a quick bit of news from Evanston, where foodies like myself were shocked when Va Pensiero, one of the area’s culinary gems, decided quite suddenly and mysteriously to close (I still had a Groupon to use there!). Owner Jeff Muldow later cited tough economic times. Now, new owner Michael Pure, who owns the Margarita Inn where Va Pensiero had been housed, is re-opening the Italian restaurant. He claims that he never intended to be a restaurant owner, but believes that Va Pensiero was a special place and should live on in the annals of Evanston’s dining culture.
We understand the new Pensiero Ristorante will have a new chef in charge. Chef Alan Lake, a musically-inclined artist who calls his creations “Jazzfood,” is a Chicago native who believes that “music, food and art share some many similarities: texture, tempo, imagination and balance,” according to a press release.
Pensiero Ristorante will have a soft opening as of July 9, with a new coat of paint and the same back-of-the-house staff. The grand opening will be reserved for later in the summer, however.
Pensiero Ristorante
1566 Oak Ave.
Evanston, IL
847-475-7779
Chowin’ downstate
Chowin’ downstate in Bloomington, Normal
Not sure what it is, but Bloomington/Normal has a great vibe. Maybe it because it is both a college town and a magnet for corporate headquarters like State Farm Insurance, whatever the case, I never run out of places to eat when I am down.
A chain standout is Destihl. Destihl is a great place to bring a date, meet a friend or hang with co-workers. Food is good, décor attractive, bar is inviting and the staff is really on the ball. And, Destihl has probably the best restrooms in town.
A Renees Wine Bar is a great place for a date or a for a girls’ night. The wine bar is an add-on from the wine shop that has been there for a while. You can order from the menu or buy a bottle in the attached wine shop and pay a corkage fee in the cafe. The décor is super-cool, Neighborhood Thrift down the street helped them furnish the place!
Reality Bites near the college has a great selection of draft beers and some really good table bread. Everyone seems to like the fish tacos. Parking is rough right now due to construction but that will change.
Schooner’s is totally local but worth a stop. The beer garden is as laid back as can be. Cash only is an inconvenience, but the onion rings are so worth it.
Swingers Grille is the standby. Located in the lower level of the All Seasons Entertainment Center, Swingers has ample parking, isn’t far off the expressway, has live entertainment on the weekends and offers a menu for most tastes. It is definitely the place to go after graduation.
Destihl, 318 S Towanda Ave., Normal, IL 61761 (309)862-2337 www.destihl.com
A Renee’s, 306 N Center St, Bloomington, IL (309)827-3524 www.arenee.com
Reality Bites, 414 N Main St., Bloomington, IL (309) 828-1300 www.realitybitesinc.com
Schooner’s, 810 E Grove St., Bloomington, IL (309)829-6841
Swinger’s Grille, 1304 Cross creek Drive, Normal, IL (309)829-5777 www.swingersgrille.com
A Brew House That’s Worth A Visit
With six locations around Manhattan, Heartland Brewery is never too far away. This casual brewery won’t take a toll on your wallet. Open for lunch and dinner, Heartland has a prix fixe menu offered from 5pm-7pm for $28.95. Each location has a slightly different menu but overall the general theme is the same.
I enjoyed a sirloin steak sandwich ($14.95) and sweet potato fries. The fries were fabulous, but then again when are sweet potato fries not absolutely delicious. The sandwich was a good sized portion; the steak was juicy and flavorful, and the melted cheddar along with the toasted onion roll rounded out the meal. I also tasted the buffalo burger made with free-range bison, the chophouse burger, and the Idaho fries (I know, a lot of meat). However, if you’re not a fan of red meat, Heartland offers other dishes such as Ahi Tuna Salad, Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, and Wild Mushroom Ravioli. And from what I tasted, I bet all would be excellent.
Not only was the food here great, but for some the drinks could be considered the main event. Heartland’s award winning beer is brewed daily. They offer two beer samplers that give you a taste of either 6 or 7 of their different brews. Their Farmer Jon’s Oatmeal Stout won a medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 1995, 1997, and 1999. Choices range from Red Rooster Ale with a caramel toffee roasted nut flavor, an Indian River Light brew with a hint of coriander and the Oatmeal Stout previously mentioned that tastes like espresso and chocolate.
They offer party rooms and a great catering menu. Party hotline number is 212-582-2057
Heartlandbrewery.com
Times Square
127 W. 43rd St.
646.366.0235
Midtown West
625 8th Ave. at 41st St.
646.214.1000
Union Square
35 Union Sq. W. at 17th St.
212.645.3400
Radio City
1285 6th Ave.
212.582.8244
The Seaport
South St. at Fulton St.
646.572.BEER
Empire State
350 5th Ave. at 34th St.
212.563.3433
When the Rain Puts a Damper on Things…
…Try finding a warm inviting space with rich wooden panels, cozy seating and free Wi-Fi; not to mention delicious coffee made from small batch roasting, homemade baked goods and hand-sourced teas. So where can you find all that in one stop? Zoka Coffee Roaster and Tea Company is just the place. One visit here and you’ll understand why finding a seat can be a tricky business; people of all ages can be seen having a chat, completing homework assignments or working their way though the daily crossword at all hours.
Almost too pretty to drink!
It’s easy to settle in at Zoka and spend an entire afternoon sipping delicious coffee made by baristas that certainly know their way around an espresso machine. Beautifully adorned with “latte art” the drinks at Zoka are especially pleasing to the customers. Zoka offers some of the highest quality, artisan coffees roasted in small batches to ensure first day freshness; it is obvious why they are considered to be one of the best places around to get a cup of joe.
With the sunny summer weather still failing to make an appearance these damp days are the perfect excuse to duck out of the rain and into a warm coffeehouse. Squeeze in amongst the regulars with their faces aglow from caffeine and laptop light and take a moment to enjoy a little pick-me-up yourself. Whether stopping in for a quick visit or to linger a bit, Zoka is certainly a great place to find shelter from the dreary drizzle.
Zoka Coffee
2200 North 56th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 545-4277
www.zokacoffee.com
Ellen’s Stardust Diner
Not only does Ellen’s Stardust Diner serve up some classic 1950s cuisine, but it also provides some wholesome entertainment for the entire family.
The staff at Stardust are all extremely talented. Most of them are actors and actresses waiting to be discovered. Some of Broadway’s brightest stars got their start at the Stardust Diner. In between serving food and busing tables, they sing and dance their little hearts out. From Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga, the waiters and waitresses have some up their sleeves for everyone. They try hard to get all the customers involved and grab their attention.
The menu at Stardust is clearly based off of American home cooking in the 50s with a few twists and turns that pop up every now and again. Choices range from hamburgers and hot dogs to salad topped with shrimp and grilled vegetable sandwiches. Most of the menu items have cutesy names like the “Monte ‘Cristo’ Hall” and the “Mamma Mia” (better known as a chicken parm sandwich).
While I was there I had to opportunity to enjoy multiple items from the menu. The chicken pot pie ($16.95) was great, but then again it should have been for the price I had to pay for it. In order for me to get my money’s worth the pot pie would have had to been double the size. All of the food was enjoyable, however I feel that spending $10.50 on two hot dogs is a little excessive.
Outdoor dining is available as well as free delivery seven days a week.
Overall, the food at Ellen’s Stardust Diner is overpriced but you have to keep in mind that you’re paying for the entertainment as well. It’s almost as if you’re paying for dinner AND a movie at the same time. This is definitely a novelty restaurant that is worth at least one visit.
1650 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
call: 212-956-5151
fax: 212-956-5834
