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Mesmerizing Mezelars: Review of Turks & Frogs

July 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment

“Mesmerizing Mezelars and More…”  Review of Turks & Frogs

BY ELENA MANCINI

Turks & Frogs
 458 Greenwich St., Tribeca
212-966-4774 / turksandfrogs.com/

Located on a desolate strip of far west Tribeca, Turks & Frogs is a Mediterranean oasis. The interior is an airy space, where sensuous hues of red are contrasted with light earthen tones and artisinal stuccos. While the decor evokes the austere elegance of Byzantium– from the stained glass chandeliers to a court-yard like space in the rear dining room–the atmosphere is pleasantly relaxed and can readily transport you to a more imaginitive, tranquil state of mind.

Mucver

Mucver

I had the delight of discovering Turks & Frogs on my birthday two years ago. It was a perfect spring day and a friend and I decided to wander around Hudson River Park and Tribeca. Happily, [Read more...]

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Mesmerizing Mezelars: Review of Turks & Frogs

July 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment

“Mesmerizing Mezelars and More…”  Review of Turks & Frogs

BY ELENA MANCINI

Turks & Frogs
 458 Greenwich St., Tribeca
212-966-4774 / turksandfrogs.com/

Located on a desolate strip of far west Tribeca, Turks & Frogs is a Mediterranean oasis. The interior is an airy space, where sensuous hues of red are contrasted with light earthen tones and artisinal stuccos. While the decor evokes the austere elegance of Byzantium– from the stained glass chandeliers to a court-yard like space in the rear dining room–the atmosphere is pleasantly relaxed and can readily transport you to a more imaginitive, tranquil state of mind.

Mucver

Mucver

I had the delight of discovering Turks & Frogs on my birthday two years ago. It was a perfect spring day and a friend and I decided to wander around Hudson River Park and Tribeca. Happily, [Read more...]

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"Daring Pairings" – Review of Asia de Cuba

July 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

“Daring Pairings: Ritmos Cubanos (Cuban Rhythms)” – Review of Asia de Cuba

BY SARAH IP

Asia de Cuba
237 Madison Avenue
(between 37th St & 38th St)
Murray Hill – NYC
212-726-7755
 chinagrillmgt.com

On a recent trip to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, I became accustomed to dining al fresco at one of the local eateries down the street, where brisk bachatas blared through giant speakers.  Local bands strummed a tune two feet away while I feasted on oxtail stew and plantains – a smooth Presidente beer in hand.  A supreme feeling of leisurely bliss washed over me.

Tunapica. Photo by Sarah Ip.

Tunapica. Photo by Sarah Ip.

That’s the same state of mind I was in when I dined at Asia de Cuba for New York Restaurant Week.  Except this was not the Dominican Republic – it was Murray Hill, Manhattan.  And instead of bachata, my audio senses were under the influence of the slow, romantic intonations of the chachachá layered over rich, husky vocals, now swerving into a fierce rumba beat, followed by a bongo-laden mambo.

If suspension of reality is the goal, Asia de Cuba scores a win with [Read more...]

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“Daring Pairings” – Review of Asia de Cuba

July 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

“Daring Pairings: Ritmos Cubanos (Cuban Rhythms)” – Review of Asia de Cuba

BY SARAH IP

Asia de Cuba
237 Madison Avenue
(between 37th St & 38th St)
Murray Hill – NYC
212-726-7755
 chinagrillmgt.com

On a recent trip to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, I became accustomed to dining al fresco at one of the local eateries down the street, where brisk bachatas blared through giant speakers.  Local bands strummed a tune two feet away while I feasted on oxtail stew and plantains – a smooth Presidente beer in hand.  A supreme feeling of leisurely bliss washed over me.

Tunapica. Photo by Sarah Ip.

Tunapica. Photo by Sarah Ip.

That’s the same state of mind I was in when I dined at Asia de Cuba for New York Restaurant Week.  Except this was not the Dominican Republic – it was Murray Hill, Manhattan.  And instead of bachata, my audio senses were under the influence of the slow, romantic intonations of the chachachá layered over rich, husky vocals, now swerving into a fierce rumba beat, followed by a bongo-laden mambo.

If suspension of reality is the goal, Asia de Cuba scores a win with [Read more...]

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Slow Food – Review of Moustache Restaurant

July 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Slow Food: Review of Moustache, East Village

BY HOLLY HAGAN

265 E. 10th St.
East Village
212-228-2022 / moustachepitza.com

Despite the inattentive service and being named after a piece of facial hair I abhor, I can’t stop going back to Moustache, a Middle Eastern restaurant with three locations in Manhattan.

Photo by Holly Hagan

Photo by Holly Hagan

I always end up at the East Village location because it’s close to my office.  Recently, I met my friend there at 7pm on a Friday and got a seat right away at a rickety tippy table on the back patio.  The table, chairs and flattened pillows look like products of dumpster diving.  The only other customers there were part of a large, needy party.  The flustered and sweaty server avoided eye contact with me for fifteen minutes until my friend got there.

When the server finally came over, I noticed the new uniforms-a gray t-shirt with the Moustache logo on the front.  Abruptly, he informed us that we should order all of our entrées and appetizers at the same time, and if we wanted more than one glass, we should order a bottle.

“I don’t know if I’ll have time to come back.” [Read more...]

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Peter's Since 1969

July 16, 2009 By 1 Comment

Review of Peter’s Since 1969

BY NICOLE LEVIN

Peter’s Since 1969 – Southern & Soul
168 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg, Bklyn.
718-388-2811 / peterssince.com


Last Wednesday night, my boyfriend was working at the K&M Bar in Williamsburg. I was really excited to visit him because I wanted to try Peter’s Since 1969 for a while. The restaurant is right down the street and I know that they did take out.

Peter’s Since 1969 on Bedford Avenue. Photo courtesy of about.com.

Peter’s Since 1969 on Bedford Avenue. Photo courtesy of about.com.


I got there and had a hard time choosing what to get between the roasted
chicken and the kielbasa and then all of the sides you can choose from like
mac’n'cheese and sweet potatoes. I finally decided
on Peter’s Sausage with mashed sweet potatoes and sauteed spinach
(oh yeah all of their entrees come
with two sides and focaccia!) My boyfriend wanted a 1/4 rotisserie chicken
with mac’n'cheese and mashed potatoes. Carb explosion! [Read more...]

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Peter’s Since 1969

July 16, 2009 By 1 Comment

Review of Peter’s Since 1969

BY NICOLE LEVIN

Peter’s Since 1969 – Southern & Soul
168 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg, Bklyn.
718-388-2811 / peterssince.com


Last Wednesday night, my boyfriend was working at the K&M Bar in Williamsburg. I was really excited to visit him because I wanted to try Peter’s Since 1969 for a while. The restaurant is right down the street and I know that they did take out.

Peter’s Since 1969 on Bedford Avenue. Photo courtesy of about.com.

Peter’s Since 1969 on Bedford Avenue. Photo courtesy of about.com.


I got there and had a hard time choosing what to get between the roasted
chicken and the kielbasa and then all of the sides you can choose from like
mac’n'cheese and sweet potatoes. I finally decided
on Peter’s Sausage with mashed sweet potatoes and sauteed spinach
(oh yeah all of their entrees come
with two sides and focaccia!) My boyfriend wanted a 1/4 rotisserie chicken
with mac’n'cheese and mashed potatoes. Carb explosion! [Read more...]

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Jiannetto's Pizza Truck

July 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment

A Review of Jiannetto’s Pizza Truck

BY SETH S.

Jiannetto’s Pizza Truck
Front Street and Wall Street
Financial District, NYC

Photo by Seth Scholder

Photo by Seth Scholder

As I walk the streets of the City, I often will stop to pick up a slice from a neighborhood pizza place. The problem is I rarely ever find these neighborhood pizzerias in Manhattan. The borough has been overrun by one of two types of pizza: the fancy brick oven “pizza/wine bar/restaurant/lounge”, or a Ray’s of some sort. You must know what I’m talking about; the cookie-cutter, bland, pre-packaged ingredients-using collection of chain pizzerias that dot the whole borough. Go to any of the other four boroughs and you are somewhat likely to come across a decades old Italian pizza place that has been consistently serving up Italian-American staples and pizza to the delight of the locals. In Manhattan? Not so much. So when I came across Jiannetto’s Pizza Truck, I was completely intrigued. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Food Trends, Informational, Neighborhood News, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Jiannetto’s Pizza Truck

July 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment

A Review of Jiannetto’s Pizza Truck

BY SETH S.

Jiannetto’s Pizza Truck
Front Street and Wall Street
Financial District, NYC

Photo by Seth Scholder

Photo by Seth Scholder

As I walk the streets of the City, I often will stop to pick up a slice from a neighborhood pizza place. The problem is I rarely ever find these neighborhood pizzerias in Manhattan. The borough has been overrun by one of two types of pizza: the fancy brick oven “pizza/wine bar/restaurant/lounge”, or a Ray’s of some sort. You must know what I’m talking about; the cookie-cutter, bland, pre-packaged ingredients-using collection of chain pizzerias that dot the whole borough. Go to any of the other four boroughs and you are somewhat likely to come across a decades old Italian pizza place that has been consistently serving up Italian-American staples and pizza to the delight of the locals. In Manhattan? Not so much. So when I came across Jiannetto’s Pizza Truck, I was completely intrigued. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Food Trends, Informational, Neighborhood News, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

“Spicy Delights” – Review of Woo Chon

July 14, 2009 By 1 Comment

“Spicy Delights” – Review of Woo Chon

BY SARAH IP

Woo Chon
41-19 Kissena Blvd
 Flushing, NY 11355
718-463-0803

Woo Chon store front

Woo Chon store front - Photo by Sarah Ip

I’m pretty familiar with Flushing, having grown up there in my earlier years. However, I’d never gotten around to checking out all the Korean restaurants that had shot up in the last five to 10 years. So when my friend from Boston decided to move to Flushing for the summer, I suggested we have lunch in her new neighborhood. What better time to get reacquainted with my old turf?

Woo Chon is one of those restaurants that’s easy to miss. For one thing, it’s hidden by a burly arm-like branch that dangles precariously in front of the red awning, hiding the sign. A huge “Coors” sign is pasted on dark windows that line the front of the restaurant, along with blown-up shots of various Korean dishes, from the spicy (soondobu chigae – soft tofu stew) to the scintillating (marinated kalbi ribs).

My friend and I were instantly greeted [Read more...]

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