EatenNYC has become DeanneEats - a global eating experience

This blog is NYC centered. To hear about food beyond NYC visit Deanne's newest blog site - http://deanneeats.blogspot.com/

3 - Good (Contemporary American)

An institution that puts "Good" on its awning better be able to deliver just that - Good food. And, I am happy to report that they have GREAT food. I recently visited for brunch with a group of friends and was able to try quite a few items and my tummy was full of deliciousness afterward. Pancakes with fresh peaches, Hand-rolled orange sour cream donuts, Blueberry almond bread, Pear pecan crumbcake, Basil and goat cheese egg scramble over sourdough with cherry tomatoes, asparagus and pesto, and Banana cream cheese stuffed French toast were among the things I was able to taste. Everything was delish and I am SO glad I was able to taste so many things. I like the decor of the restaurant - it has sort of a modern antique feeling to it...perfect for eating a great brunch!

LAST VISIT: 6/27/2010     http://www.goodrestaurantnyc.com/

3 - Two Boots [Pizza]

LAST VISIT: 6/2010     http://www.twoboots.com/

I LOVE, love, love, love Two Boots!!!! They have fantastic cornmeal crust (and cornmeal isn't always my favorite thing) and their sauce is just a tad spicy, giving the pizza a fun kick. Two Boots has fun topping combinations or you can make it your own way. White pizza, red sauce, tomatoes, Creole chicken, eggplant, etc. YUMMO!!!!!!!!!!!!! This pizza never gets old and I am ALWAYS asking my husband if we can order it! I am not sure it is considered "New York" pizza, but it is my favorite!

2 - Vegetarian's Paradise 2 [Vegetarian: Pan-Asian & Pacific Rim]

LAST VISIT: 5/2009     http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/vegetarians-paradise-2/

For vegetarian food, this place is great! Overall I like the food, however, the ambiance of the restaurant is not my favorite - it is a little dark and a little outdated. I prefer the "chicken" dishes (especially the fried ones) over the "beef" dishes because the consistency and taste seem to be more like the real thing. Their menu is large offering many items choose from.

FYI - just because it is vegetarian doesn't mean it is more healthy. A lot has to go into that fake meat for you to think that it even compares to real meat - that means oil, frying, butter, etc.

1 - Tony's DiNapoli [Italian]

LAST VISIT: 9/2008     http://www.tonysnyc.com/

Tony's DiNapoli's gives me the ebee jeebees. If you like cheesy, tasteless Italian food then you should try this place. I don't have much more to say about Tony's except their food is not quality and should not be considered good NYC food.

3 - Peanut Butter & Company [Sandwiches]

LAST VISIT: 6/8/2010     http://ilovepeanutbutter.com/

PB&Co. is about as simple as you can get as far as restaurants are concerned in NYC. Simple and a tad country. BUT...I love it! I love everything about it. It is easy, inexpensive and just plain fun. Every type of PB sandwich you can think of has been made here. And, it is like taking a trip down memory lane like when mom handed you your sack lunch and you just couldn't wait for your pb&j at lunch time at school.

My favorite creation is The Elvis (A grilled peanut Butter sandwich, stuffed with bananas and honey) with a side of marshmallow fluff. Each sandwich comes fully equipped with ruffled potato chips and carrots. At first thought I was turned off by the sides (still am by the carrots), but once I dipped my chips into my side of FLUFF I was convinced that those chips were the best thing to side by sandwich. If you want a simple PB concocted sandie - head to PB&Co.!!!

3 - Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory

LAST VISIT: 6/13/2010    http://www.brooklynicecreamfactory.com/

HELLO - who doesn't like ice cream anywhere, at any time?!?!!? Listen, unless it is sugar free/fat free I am likely going to rate any ice cream at a 3. Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory's (BICF) selection was especially creamy...perhaps the creamiest I have ever had. I decided on Butter Pecan in a waffle cone...and it was DELISH! I did have an opportunity to sample Peaches & Cream, which was also super yummy. I do have to say that the thick creamy flavor/consistency travels over to each flavor. Each flavor has it's unique taste, but there is a similar after-taste overlay in it all their creams(this was also pointed out by some friends who joined in the BICF glutenous adventure). Needless to say, it melted, contained sugar and a high content of calories and my mouth and stomach were deeply thankful!

2 - Grimaldi's [Pizza in Brooklyn]

LAST VISIT: 6/13/2010     http://www.grimaldis.com/2/Index.htm

Grimaldi's is famous for the line beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. The line, in my opinion, was super fast. I was with a group of 12 and we were seated in about 35-40 minutes. I have waited longer at restaurants in NYC when I have had a reservation! Once seated we ordered almost immediately and waited maybe 10 minutes for our pizzas to descend upon us. Grimaldi's serves a drier pizza than I like. I almost wish that I had asked for a side of red sauce so I could have dipped my pizza in it. The crust is decent and the toppings are all fresh and of good quality. Overall it was tasty stuff.

This post may or may not help solve the continued debate on the Grimaldi's vs. Di Fara's pizza. Click on this link to see my thoughts on Di Fara's. http://eatennyc.blogspot.com/2010/05/2-di-fara-pizza-in-brooklyn.html. Listen, both serve a good pizza...the ultra thin crust with a few toppings just isn't 100% my style. If I was eight months pregnant and I had a huge craving for pizza I wouldn't have the slightest idea of making my husband trek to Brooklyn for either Grimaldi's or Di Fara's. They just don't serve what my mouth/stomach require. Needless to say, others think the world stops when you eat their pizza. You have to, and should, go to both places to decide for yourself. They aren't both rated a 2 because I didn't like the pizza, they are rated a 2 because I am not convinced they serve the best pizza in the world (which is the common phrase when hearing about both Grimaldi's and Di Fara's).

In the end...I might say Di Fara's is better...even with the 8 ounces of olive oil... ;)

3 - Tribeca Grill [American Grill]

LAST VISIT: 6/10/10    http://www.myriadrestaurantgroup.com/tribecagrill/index.html

Okay...look at the picture to the right. That is Goat Cheese Ravioli with Artichokes, Favas, Cherry Tomatoes & Spinach...holy moly...it was so delicious I can't even begin to describe it. The goat cheese content was perfect...not too strong and balanced well with the light tomato broth and vegetables surrounding the ravioli. The portion size was perfect...in fact I had to wave goodbye to the last rav...:(. My husband ordered the Grilled Filet of Beef with Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Sautéed Spinach & Crispy Onion Rings which was also super tasty. You can't go wrong with onion rings on your plate!! Tribeca Grill's space is large and open, yet the bar is in the middle of the restaurant breaking up any cafeteria feel. The brick encasing gives the restaurant a classic, quaint feel. I was happy with my visit to Tribeca Grill!

3 - Po' [Italian]

LAST VISIT: 6/9/2010    http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/po01/

Last night I went to Po' and left feeling full...even this morning I am still full. The prices are reasonable and the portion size is OUTSTANDING, except the fact that you will likely eat it all and be overly full. I ordered the Cavatelli (toasted garlic, broccoli & bread crumbs) and it was OFF THE CHAIN! For an appetizer (on the house) our waiter brought us White Bean Bruschetta which was tasty! The atmosphere of Po' is tiny, quaint and charming. It is a great find in the West Village for sure!

3 - Le Colonial [French Vietnamese]

LAST VISIT: 8/4/2008    http://www.lecolonialnyc.com/

My husband took me to dinner at Le Colonial for my birthday during our first summer in NYC. The atmosphere in the restaurant makes you feel like you are in Vietnam. It is a fun environment and surprising that it is on 57th Street in the city! The service is top notch and the food is delish. I have only been once, but I ordered the Com Tho Ga (organic chicken in a clay pot with shiitake, bamboo shoots, Napa cabbage and ginger seasoned rice) and the memory of the flavors was stamped on the taste part of my brain and has stuck with me. This is a great place to feel like you have escaped the city for a mini vacation while enjoying fun, creative food.

2 - Boqueria

LAST VISIT: 5/28/2010     http://www.boquerianyc.com/

Boqueria is a fun Spanish Tapas restaurant. The food is good - not fantastic, but completely satisfying and flavorful. It is definitely a great place for Thursday or Friday night dinner. The atmosphere is lively and cute. A great date location. The kitchen is exposed so you can watch the cooking process. I wish I had asked for a seat around the bar of the kitchen...but I still was able to stare from across the restaurant.

3 - Norma's

LAST VISIT: 5/31/2010     http://www.parkermeridien.com/eat1.php

This was some delishsomuch breakfast!!!! Holy mother - you have to really be prepared to take down if you're planning to visit Normas. A few warnings; 1) You will pay a pretty penny for the food you order, 2) You will be there for at least an 45-minutes before you get your food (they want to pace you), and 3) You will feel sick from eating so much post the meal. Everything is worth it...this is a MUST try in NYC. My husband and I ordered and shared the Country-Style Buttermilk Pancakes with juicy Georgia peaches and walnuts and the Crunch French Toast covered with warm caramel sauce. It was a lot to handle and we didn't finish it all, but is was scrumptalicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You cannot go wrong with what you order...I saw many of their dishes being delivered straight from the kitchen and all of them tantalized me and made me wish I had ordered them. GO TO NORMA'S!

1 - Stand [Burgers]

LAST VISIT: 12/2008     http://www.standburger.com/

I was sorely disappointed with my Stand experience. I had decided to take two of my friends here mostly because Stand has pumpkin milkshakes, a love that my girlfriends and I shared from seasonally Burgerville back in Oregon [http://burgerville.com/]. So when I heard that the Stand had pumpkin milkshakes we hightailed it over there. First off, the milkshake was the grossest thing - a milkshake is supposed to be sugary, fatty and delicious. Stand's tasted like I scooped a piece of raw pumpkin straight out of the gourd. YUCK!!! When I told them that I thought something was wrong with it, they didn't seem to care at all and made me pay for it. To be honest with you I don't even really remember much about my burger and fries except that they were just bland. We left saying that we would never go back and I felt bad that I had psyched my friends out only to have a bad experience. Fellow friends, avoid Stand...stick to Burger Joint, even if they don't have pumpkin flavored shakes!

2 - Dylan Prime

LAST VISIT: 12/2008     http://www.dylanprime.com/

Dylan Prime is a good steakhouse, but be warned, it is not the best in NYC. The atmosphere is chic and classy. The food is good, but not ultra spectacular. It isn't as good as Del Frisco's or Quality Meats, but it is way better than Peter Lugar's!!! Dylan's location in Tribeca is a great one...and who doesn't like steak?!?!

3 - Emack & Bolio's [Ice Cream]

LAST VISIT: 3/2010    http://www.emackandbolios.com/index.htm


This cone-lickin'-good ice cream place started in Boston, but NYC gladly accepts having three locations in its city. The ice cream is not cheap, but these days where can you buy cheap ice cream??? Their flavors are all unique and there are a ton of different ones each day. They are friendly about giving samples - so feel free, make sure you know what you want! They have radical cones too like chocolate/peanut butter dipped and rice krispie encrusted. This is a fun place to let your mouth have a fun time. 

1 - Vespa [Italian]

LAST VISIT: 9/2009     http://www.vesparestaurant.us/

My husband and I had wanted to try this place for a while (its in our neighborhood) so when friends suggested it we were excited. Not too much later were we completely disappointed! The service was horrible. It was a hot evening and they sat us out in the "garden" and took forever to give us water and they struggled the rest of the evening to give us any more after our first glass. I ordered the Gorgonzola Gnocchi thinking it would be as good as Bianca's, but it was not good at all. I couldn't taste a hint of blue cheese and the gnocchi was soggy. It is no wonder it is no longer on their menu...hum. My husband ordered a beef dish of some kind and was equally disappointing. Now we know for next time - never go to Vespa!

2 - 5Ninth Avenue [New American]

LAST VISIT: 6/10/2009     http://www.5ninth.com/5NinthInfo1.Html

5Ninth is an ADORABLE spot to dine. The restaurant is crisp and clean and their outdoor seating area is too cute. However, I wasn't overly impressed with their food. It wasn't horrible and I don't have specific complaints, but it just didn't stick out in my mind as being super fab. Their menu is small so that was a bit limiting - I had a nice time, but I am not dying to go again.

3 - STK [Steakhouse]

LAST VISIT: 4/24/2009     http://www.onelittlewest12.com/stkny/

If you're going to dinner at STK you can't anticipate a quiet romantic evening at some old men's club steakhouse. STK is upbeat and packed at all times. The food matches the atmosphere - fun and stylish. Their steaks and sides are tasty!! Beyond dinner dessert is also fantabulous. They have cotton candy on their menu and the flavor changes daily. When I went with a group of friends we all dove into their Green Apple flavor and it was OUTRAGEOUS - it tasted just like you were biting into a greet apple!!!

3 - Cafe Mogador [Moroccan]

LAST VISIT: 1/23/2010    http://www.cafemogador.com/

I have only been to Cafe Mogador once, for brunch, but it was some of the best brunch I have ingested. I had the Eggs Florentine and also tried a friend's Moroccan Hot Cereal - holy yummmmmmmmm!!!! I still to this day think about that meal and wonder why I haven't been back since. They have a wide selection of food and it all sounds super delicious. It's Moroccan, so of course it has amazing flavor and texture and the place matches its cuisine - it was a tasty visit!