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Roasts with the Most – Review of Empire Coffee and Tea in Hell's Kitchen

July 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

BY CAROLYN ONOFREY

Empire Coffee and Tea
568 9th Avenue
Hell’s Kitchen
212-268-1220/empirecoffeetea.com

Walking into Empire Coffee and Tea is like being engulfed in a delicious waterfall of coffee.  The scent smacks you in the face as soon as you cross the threshold into the store, an aromatic candyland of coffee beans ranging from flavored blends like Kahlua Creme to more traditional breakfast blends to the $45.00/lb Jamaican Blue Mountain variety.  With over 60 different beans and blends to choose from, you will not likely tire from trying each and every one of them.

Empire Coffee and Tea Storefront

Empire Coffee and Tea Storefront


Empire Coffee and Tea is a neighborhood spot, a place where the delightful staff knows all their customers by name and remembers the idiosyncricies of each individual’s cup.  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Coffee, Midtown West, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Swiss Alps meet the Theater District

June 25, 2010 By 1 Comment

BY CAROLYN ONOFREY

Swizz
310 West 53rd Street
Theater District
212-810-4444/1291swizz.com

More cheese fondue then you could ever eat! - at Swizz

More cheese fondue then you could ever eat! - at Swizz

Although I had experienced fondue a few times at friends’ parties, and certainly enjoyed a chocolate fondue fountain or two at various weddings, eating at Swizz was my first encounter with fondue at a restaurant.  I had mostly shyed away in the past because it can get very expensive for a meal that you essentially have to cook yourself.

However, when my friend Stephanie suggested that we go to Swizz for dinner, I jumped at the chance as I knew that I would never be the one to suggest fondue and taking a look at that website, the prices looked more reasonable than I had seen at other fondue establishments. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Midtown West, Reviews, Swiss, Theater District Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

A bright brunch, but no butterflies: Review of Sarabeth’s

June 1, 2010 By 1 Comment

BY BETH KAISERMAN

Sarabeth’s Central Park South
40 Central Park South
Midtown West
212-826-5959/sarabeth.com

After hearing about Sarabeth’s scrumptious lemon ricotta pancakes from various sources for the past year, I had some reasonably built up expectations. They weren’t quite as moist (or as lemony) as the hype would have warranted.

Sarabeth's lemon ricotta pancakes

Sarabeth's lemon ricotta pancakes

For my meal, I picked the pumpkin waffle, sprinkled with pumpkin seeds and raisins, doused in a heap of sour cream and a drizzle of honey. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Brunch, Midtown West, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

A Landmark Tradition of Finest Quality Meats: Esposito’s Pork Shop

April 14, 2010 By 1 Comment

BY CAROLYN ONOFREY

Esposito’s Pork Shop
354 West 38th Street
Garment District
212-868-4124/espositosausage.com

In the seemingly desolate area that the backside of The Port Authority Bus Terminal occupies, lie but a few hidden gems.  One of them, a long standing (since 1933 to be exact) butcher shop specializing in homemade pork sausages of all kinds.

Esposito's Pork Shop, courtesy of Smoothjazzy on Flickr

Esposito's Pork Shop, courtesy of Smoothjazzy on Flickr

The exterior of the establishment, unchanged since it’s opening 77 years ago, is inviting with vintage robin’s egg blue lettering and a friendly caricature of a pig.  Look down a few feet and you are greeted by fresh meat hanging and displayed on trays and signs that could not be more utilitarian with block letters notifying passersby of the variety available for the day followed by the price. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Italian, Midtown West Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

A Landmark Tradition of Finest Quality Meats: Esposito's Pork Shop

April 14, 2010 By 1 Comment

BY CAROLYN ONOFREY

Esposito’s Pork Shop
354 West 38th Street
Garment District
212-868-4124/espositosausage.com

In the seemingly desolate area that the backside of The Port Authority Bus Terminal occupies, lie but a few hidden gems.  One of them, a long standing (since 1933 to be exact) butcher shop specializing in homemade pork sausages of all kinds.

Esposito's Pork Shop, courtesy of Smoothjazzy on Flickr

Esposito's Pork Shop, courtesy of Smoothjazzy on Flickr

The exterior of the establishment, unchanged since it’s opening 77 years ago, is inviting with vintage robin’s egg blue lettering and a friendly caricature of a pig.  Look down a few feet and you are greeted by fresh meat hanging and displayed on trays and signs that could not be more utilitarian with block letters notifying passersby of the variety available for the day followed by the price. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Italian, Midtown West Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

The New KFC: Korean Fried Chicken – Review of Bonchon Chicken

April 2, 2010 By 1 Comment

BY SARAH IP

Bonchon Chicken
207 W 38th St
(between 7th Ave & 8th Ave)
Koreatown / New York, New York
(212) 221-3339
 www.bonchon.com/eng/index.php

Original Soy & Garlic Fried Chicken. Photo by Sarah Ip.

Original Soy & Garlic Fried Chicken. Photo by Sarah Ip.

I love KFC.  That’s Korean Fried Chicken (and not that other, Colonel Sanders-style chicken).  No, this isn’t Southern fried chicken with grits and collard greens on the side.  You’d more likely find it served with daikon (pickled radish).  It’s not dipped in batter twice and fried to a crisp.  Instead, Korean fried chicken is made with a delicate soy and garlic marinade, resulting in a light crunch. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asian Fare, Korean, Koreatown, Midtown West, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

What every burger experience should be – Review of Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien

February 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment 
BY CAROLYN ONOFREY

Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien
119 W 56th Street
Midtown West
212-708-7414/parkermeridien.com

Cheeseburger at burger joint

Cheeseburger at burger joint

Nestled down a short, unsuspecting hallway in the lobby of the Le Parker Meridien; identified only by a neon sign depicting a hamburger, stood Burger Joint.  Walking into the place for the first time, I really didn’t know what to expect.  In fact, I wasn’t really expecting anything.  However, I was still surprised to find a cramped room filled to the brim with suits, scarfing down burgers and fries like it was their job in digs no fancier than your average dive bar.  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Burgers, Midtown, Midtown West, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
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