Tex-Mex to tip your hat to: Review of Cowgirl Hall of Fame

BY CAROLYN ONOFREY

Cowgirl Hall of Fame
519 Hudson Street
West Village
212-633-1133/
cowgirlnyc.com

It had been a while since I’d been to Cowgirl, the first time being in 2005 when I first moved to the city. Walking in, it was just as I remembered. The bar to the left, always playing a great selection of classic rock hits, and a pint-sized General Store filled with candies, Native American themed accessories and Cowgirl apparel to the right along with the dining room, filled with all the Mid-Western, Tex-Mex kitsch you could ever want to the right.

Black Bean Burrito at Cowgirl

Black Bean Burrito at Cowgirl

Sitting down with a group of my coworkers, we were greeted by our friendly waitress who was so personable, I could have sworn I had known her my entire life. We started off with a round of Cowgirl’s scrumptious margaritas ($8-$9 each), all engineered to our own specifications, salt and no salt, frozen and on the rocks, along with any one of the flavors they offered including blood orange, mango, and melon. [Read more...]

Ganesha welcomes you: Review of Ayurveda Cafe

BY CLAIRE McCURDY

706 Amsterdam Avenue
(between 94th St & 95th St)
Upper West Side
(212) 932-2400
AyurvedaCafeNYC.com

Interior of Ayurveda Cafe'

Interior of Ayurveda Cafe'

The vegetarian Ayurveda Restaurant and Cafe is justly called one of the hidden treasures of the Upper West Side. From the beginning the customer recognizes s/he is walking into a very different world.  The place is painted *orange* on the exterior– with happy although slightly dilapidated gilt decorations. And you must traverse a maze of little orange doors before you arrive at the center of the restaurant.  Inside, the great benign elephant headed god Ganesha greets you. [Read more...]

What food fuels your Oscar mood? – Francine Segan on Foodie Movies

BY BETH KAISERMAN

While it was cold and slushy outside, movie clips, trivia and delightful Italian sweets warmed the audience of Francine Segan’s Food in Film lecture last week at 92nd St. Y.

John Belushi in Animal House - courtesy of Flickr

John Belushi in Animal House - courtesy of Flickr

Segan told some weird and interesting tidbits – like Charlie Chaplin, a diabetic, once went into shock after eating a shoe made of licorice for one of his films.

Food can be used in films to underscore a point, highlight a character’s personality, or set the mood for a time period, Segan said. Who doesn’t fall a little in love with Bluto (John Belushi) as he gorges through the dining hall line in Animal House? [Read more...]