Take A Bite: Burgers & Bloggers at Harlem Shake’s El Barrio Outpost

Harlem Shake’s new El Barrio location

When it comes to food, I like to call myself a bit of an explorer, but nothing satisfies my hunger like a nice juicy burger. At the end of August my blogger bud Mary, of Mary in Manhattan informed me that she was organizing a blogger meet-up aptly called “Burgers & Bloggers”, and in true Andrea fashion, I agreed to be a part of it, without even knowing the location. Once the date was set, I was all about it. The location of our meet up? The newly opened Harlem Shake location in East Harlem, more affectionately known as El Barrio, reflecting the majority Latino residents.

We met up in the afternoon of Saturday, September 10th, on quite possibly one of the hottest days of the season. I was running a little bit behind as weekend subway service is always a hassle because of construction and detours, but I managed to make it in the last hour, and get the lowdown on the restaurant and its unique menu items and decor.

Interior view

Like its West Side counterpart on W. 124th St & Lenox Ave., the new restaurant is decorated to evoke the diner/ice cream parlor style of yesteryear, featuring a bevy of seating options by the bar, large booths, and smaller tables and chairs.

Jet Mag covers

Staying true to the neighborhood, the main dining area hosts a “Wall of Fame” of autographed photos of some of your favorite people, and a wall of Afros. When you turn the corner to head to the restroom, there is one entirely decorated with Jet Magazine “wallpaper”, and the other covered in all of the covers of Marvel’s Luke Cage comic book.

45 coasters?

At our booth, a range of 45 records were placed in the center, I believe to be used as coasters. It freaked me out a little because as an audiophile, the music picks were splendid and the vinyl was still in very good condition to play, but I digress. Now that you have a picture and feel of the space, let’s get to the food!

Harlem Shake is known for their delicious high-quality beef burgers, made from Pat LaFrieda beef, and their handmade, organic milkshakes made from Blue Marble ice cream.

Signature “Poppin Parcha” Milkshake

Take A Bite: Brunchin’ On A Weekday at Dominique Bistro in NYC’s West Village

Street view of Dominique Bistro

As a purveyor of all things cool and delicious in NYC, I always enjoy the opportunity to discover hidden gems in one of the greatest cities in the world. A favorite neighborhood of mine to peruse is the West Village as a majority of the pre-war constructed buildings are still intact, hosting unique retail offerings in fashion boutiques, casual-faire restaurants, and cocktail bars. Newly opened in the neighborhood is Dominique Bistro, a Parisian-style French bistro located at the historic intersection of Christopher & Gay Streets.

Interior. Photo courtesy of Dominique Bistro

I was invited by the restaurant’s public relations team to partake in a meal, and write about my experience. As a Francophile and frequenter of French bistros, I quickly agreed to the task at hand. I visited the restaurant on a sunny afternoon for brunch. Although at an iconic intersection, Dominique Bistro feels off-the-beaten path as the block was super calm, and quiet. Upon entering the facade, I was greeted by a lovely ambience which included a full wooden dining area, bar with a vast selection of wine and spirits, eye-catching artwork, and a record player playing downtempo musical selections.

Latte with half & half to start

I introduced myself to one of the servers, and was seated within minutes at a table near the windows on the left. She gave me a menu and insisted I begin with a beverage, so of course, I ordered my favorite caffeinated beverage, a latté with half & half. It was served in such a beautiful mug (above) complete with fern latté art.

I took a look around the space to get a feel of the vibe. There was an equal amount of solo diners and couples. As the dining area was pretty quiet, it is definitely good for someone who wants to work on their computer for a bit as they do have wifi. I would not recommend it for groups as it is a smaller venue.

Croque Madame served with French Onion Soup

Now, it was time to order my meal. The pressure was on, as there were so many great plates to choose from, but I finally decided on the Croque Madame from their “French Market” menu. The croque consisted of prosciutto cotto, gruyere cheese, and a sunny side egg served atop a crispy bread from Amy’s Bread. I had a side of French Onion soup to pair and add yet another cheesy element to my meal, because I absolutely love cheese.

I really enjoyed the textures and flavors of the croque, but I must say, it was not the easiest to eat. I used my steak knife to cut it into smaller pieces, which proved a bit difficult as the bread was hard to cut through. I took spoons of soup in between bites and burnt my mouth because I did not judge the cool-down effectively. I can say I was a bit embarrassed as I was sitting by myself, making a slight mess of crumbs, and burning my tongue, simultaneously. Nevertheless, the flavors were solid.

Chocolate Soufflé

Seeing my visible stress, the server asked if I would be interested in dessert, and of course I responded favorably. I am a firm believer that dessert or sweets can really turn your day around. As a huge chocolate lover, I HAD to order the Chocolate Soufflé. It came out super fresh from the kitchen in a ramekin, with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream atop a small bed of walnuts.

X-rated chocolate vibes

How could I resist this? I put my spoon in to release heat and not repeat my prior mouth burn situation, and the visual was food porn at its best, seen above. To say the chocolate and vanilla ice cream pairing was delectable may actually be an understatement. The varying temperatures paired with the crunchiness of the walnuts made it the perfectly balanced dessert.

When in the West Village, be sure to have a meal, snack, or drink at Dominique Bistro. Its inviting atmosphere and delicious Parisian menu are a treat!

 

Dominique Bistro

14 Christopher street
West Village, NYC 10014

(646) 756-4145

 

All photos by Andrea K. Castillo

I received a complimentary meal at Dominique Bistro.

Take A Bite & Sip: Dinner & Cocktails at Earls Lincoln Park in Chicago

Setting and menu

Back in mid-November I had the opportunity to head out to Chicago with my cousin Lauren, and some friends. Having never been to the Windy City, I was really excited to head out, although for just two days, to explore a bit of the city’s famed food culture.

I had previously interviewed executive Stephen Andrews about the newest opening of Earls Kitchen + Bar in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, and I found this quick trip to be the perfect time to stop into the restaurant to eat, drink, and be merry.

B-flat by Ricky Alvarez, #ArtOfEarls

The restaurant was situated in a hip shopping and dining area in Lincoln Park right on North Clybourn Ave. The space was quite large, with a lovely outdoor dining space, specially equipped with weatherproof furniture, fire pits, and heating lamps to keep guests warm when it is brisk out. Upon entering, the aesthetics of the exterior melded into the main dining room, featuring two bars, one massive with all around seating for those that prefer a more casual outing, and a smaller bar near the entrance to cater to patrons present for a sit down dinner, or more formal outing.

Muddy Waters by Erik den Breejen, #ArtOfEarls

Unique artwork was ever present, including a huge wall installation in the bar area entitled B-flat by Vancouver-based artist Ricky Alvarez, which was created using a plethora of trumpets. Also of note was the Muddy Waters collage by Erik den Breejen in the main dining room, comprised of Muddy Waters lyrics that create a portrait of the famed Chicago musician.

The staff greeted us, gave us the lowdown on the space and Earls as a chain, and quickly seated my cousin and I at a dining table. We were given a full description of items on the menu, and were treated to all courses. Here is what we ate!

Appetizers

We began our evening with appetizers to share, and specialty cocktails. We shared three appetizers including the Korean Hot Wings, Dynamite Roll which was made of shrimp,  mango and avocado sushi, sriracha mayo, black sesame and unagi maple, and a Corn poblano dip topped with jalapeño and served with fried bread. Everything was delicious, but the wings were definitely off the chain, containing the perfect amount of sweet and spice.

Bees Knees cocktail

Cocktails came our way about every fifteen minutes, and I can definitely say that I was tipsy by the end of the evening.  I will highlight my favorites, one being the Bees Knees cocktail above. Comprised of Aviation Gin, Cointreau, honey, fresh lemon, and angostura bitters, I was quite surprised that I loved this cocktail so much as it was gin based. I usually go for rum or tequila based drinks.  I had two of these.

Paloma cocktail

The Paloma cocktail was a not-so-classic Paloma recipe, comprised of Espolon Reposado Tequila, fresh lime juice and Jarritos Mexican grapefruit soda. Both Lauren and I enjoyed this cocktail as it was super fresh, not too sweet, with a deep tequila flavor. Reminiscent of a vacation somewhere tropical, like Tulum.

My entree: Salmon

Entrees were so hard to pick as all the offerings were amazing, but our plan of action was to pick two completely different plates so we could share. We went the surf & turf route, with Lauren choosing a Chimichurri Skirt Steak, and me choosing a Mediterranean infused Salmon plate.

The earthiness of my dish muted my salmon in a nice way. The grains, legumes, and tomato-based sauce that the salmon steak laid upon brought about a medley of flavors to the salmon that I was not used to, but in an exciting way.

Lauren’s entree: Chimichurri Skirt Steak

Lauren’s chimichurri skirt steak was just delectable. The Earls chain only uses the best beef, “Certified Humane Creekstone Farms Black Angus Beef free of antibiotics with no added hormones”, and boy does it show. Served in an iron skillet, the beef was so fresh and tender, cooked perfectly with baby potatoes, and pan roasted cherry tomatoes. I can definitely see now why this is a favorite among patrons.

Lemon Meringue cocktail

As with our appetizers, more cocktails came with dinner. A standout for me was the Lemon Meringue cocktail. Comprised of Skyy Vodka, Limoncello, and meringue foam, the cocktail tasted almost as good as Lauren’s mother’s family famous lemon meringue pie. A feat indeed.

Silly Wabbit cocktail

Lauren’s favorite cocktail of the evening, which I also enjoyed, was the Silly Wabbit. Comprised of vodka and fresh carrot juice with a few other ingredients, Lauren described the drink as a “nice cool breeze” and gave her that feeling you get after having a great work out at the gym. The carrot juice makes you feel super healthy, but don’t be fooled; the vodka has a kick!

Sticky Chocolate Toffee Pudding

And then came dessert. We had a bit of a sampling. The pumpkin pie was delectable and reminiscent of something your grandma would make. Spiced just right and topped with fresh whipped cream, it was a treat. The Sticky Chocolate Toffee Pudding was a staff favorite, so we decided to try it as well. The combination of warm pudding cake atop chocolate and toffee sauces, paired with vanilla ice cream was pretty much the best of both worlds. I like the balance of sweetness and textures.

Upon completing our meal, we were greeted with, you guessed it, more cocktails, and treated to a unique tour of the restaurant’s kitchen and prep spaces with Senior Sous Chef, Jovahn Sandhu.

Saucy!

Since I am a complete food and kitchen nerd, the kitchen tour may have been even more exciting than the food and cocktails! Jovahn introduced us to the kitchen staff, and showed us all of their stations; every thing from sauce and condiment prep, to meats, to baked goods and more.  It was really intriguing to see how many moving parts are needed to get the final meal on your plate at super fast speed.

Even more exciting for me, was taking a step into the refrigerators. I cannot truly gauge the amount of square footage the refrigerators took up, but with racks and product, you could still fit a small dance party of folks within. Above you see all the containers of sauces, that are prepped fresh each day before dawn.

Zests for cocktails

As I am a bit of a cocktail snob, it was great for me to see where all of the zests for the cocktails you saw above, and more, were stored. These things that may seem so small, are so important to the diner’s overall experience from a taste and time perspective. I was so geeked it was probably embarrassing, especially as my drinks were starting to hit me during the tour. Despite all this, Jovahn and crew were super detailed and helpful, giving me all the information I was seeking, and then some.

Cousins!

We finished our tour with some insight on the bar culture of Earls from Lounge Manager, Taylor Happy, who had been present throughout our meal, helping with suggestions. He showed us the outdoor seating and fire pit, as well as the outdoor seating near the entrance. With a garage door between the inside and outside, summer patrons can feel like a part of the indoor action with a quick raise of the door.

When in downtown Chicago, definitely make a stop at Earls Kitchen + Bar. With a menu to appeal to all tastes and a friendly, knowledgeable staff, it is sure to be a dining experience you will never forget!

 

Earls Kitchen + Bar, Lincoln Park

1538 North Clybourn Avenue, Unit A108, Chicago IL
Get directions via Google maps
tel.   312-929-3952   fax.   312-929-4049

 

All photos by Andrea K. Castillo

I received a complimentary meal at Earls Kitchen + Bar.

Take A Bite & Sip: Up On 20 at the Hyatt Herald Sq. Offers Food & Drinks With A View

View of Up On 20. Photo: Real Hospitality Group

Let me paint a picture for you. You’re in the middle of Herald Square in Manhattan on a late weekday afternoon. You may be in the area for work, or visiting for a few days. You are in desperate need of food and drink that doesn’t completely break the bank, and isn’t an Applebee’s either. You are coaxed with huge signs from chain restaurants in the area, but how about if you wanted to be slightly off the main street, and able to catch spectacular views while you are it? Let me introduce you to Up On 20.

Located on the roof deck of the Hyatt Herald Square, Up On 20 is the hotel’s rooftop lounge. I visited on a grey Thursday to check out the location’s food and drink offerings, along with its views. As the weather wasn’t the best, the space was not packed, which made me feel better about having a meal solo. I was greeted by a lovely waiter/bartender and told him I was there for a review. He wasted no time to get me seated and really give me the lowdown on the space.

View from my seat of the Empire State Building. Photo: Andrea K. Castillo

The hotel itself opened back in the fall of 2014 and Up On 20 is newly opened for the summer season. I found a cocktail table near the perimeter of the space, to better gaze at the city’s architecture below me, including the Empire State Building.

I snapped a few touristy photos of my surroundings, then got to the menu. The waiter gave me a few suggestions which I trusted as he seemed to be quite the foodie himself. I started with a rum cocktail called “The Old Virgin” which had a base of dark rum and prosecco, with lime and simple syrup. The drink definitely had a kick, but if made with a tad less lime, the finish would have been a little smoother.

All the food. Photo: Andrea K. Castillo

My food platter consisted of white fish sliders with avocado, NYC-style fresh pretzels with fresh sesame mustard, meatballs with hoisin sauce, and shrimp ceviche paired with kettle chips. I would call the cuisine style “New American Fusion” as it melded flavors from both the Americas and Asia alike. So what did I think of the food? Let’s go one by one.

• White fish sliders with avocado on whole grain bun: fresh flavors and overall great ingredients for a slider. As the fish is quite plain, a smokey or spicy element would have made this top notch.
• Pretzels with fresh sesame mustard: pretzel consistency and mustard was very good. A bit too much salt on the pretzel.
• Meatballs with hoisin sauce: great meatball consistency with sauce pairing. No complaints, but had to bring the rest home because of the portion size.
• Shrimp ceviche with kettle chips: REALLY liked the shrimp ceviche as it had pineapple in it and reminded me of the ceviche back in Belize. The kettle chips were good, but went soggy quickly as I visited on a rather humid day. A good alternative would be fresh tortilla or plantain chips.

Drea vs. Food. Photo: Andrea K. Castillo

I had a lovely experience at Up On 20, and would definitely want to go back on a sunny day. The open atmosphere makes it great for everything from after-work drinks, birthday parties, business meetings, and a casual date. Prices are mid-range, with cocktails in the mid to upper teens, and food made to share. If you are in Herald Square anytime soon, definitely check it out. Address below.

 

Up On 20 at the Hyatt Herald Square

30-32 W 31st St

New York, NY 10001

*All photos by Andrea K. Castillo

I received a complimentary meal and drinks at Up On 20.

#AlifeinthedayinToronto: Take a Bite & Sip at 416 Snack Bar

Real wine, real candles

I hope you have been enjoying my Toronto tales! I wanted to circle back to my first evening. As I had mentioned in prior posts, my first food stop was Patois. After this, my friend and guide Jahmal had to leave me, and gave me detailed directions of where to walk to get a real taste of the city, along with the location of one of his favorite spots where he would meet me later on in the evening; 416 Snack Bar.

Korean Fried Chicken

Located on Bathurst Ave, steps away from Queen Street E, 416 Snack Bar totally felt like home when I walked in. The lights were dim, soul music played in the background (from a DJ in the back right corner), and the crowd was eclectic and calm. Since I had some time to kill, I figured I would have a little drink, and a small bite from their food menu. I kept it simple and ordered a cider, and the Korean Fried Chicken (pictured above). The restaurant used chicken thighs for their recipe, as opposed to white meat, and seasoned generously with soy, ginger, sesame seeds, chives and other flavors.

Tourist Photo 🙂

In my time at the bar, I made a few new friends, and was really able to take in the atmosphere as I had gone there solo. It was kind of a big deal for me, because I had never really gone to a bar/restaurant alone before, especially not in another country! Just goes to show that we live and we learn, right?

Once we exited, I asked Jahmal to take this lovely tourist photo of me, seen above. As someone who takes photos, I’m never in much photos, so I made sure that I got snapped in front of as many cool spots as possible during my trip.

416 Snack Bar

181 Bathurst Ave (near Queen St. E)

Toronto, ON

Phone: 416-364-9320

info@416snackbar.com

Be sure to check out 416 Snack Bar if you are out and about in Toronto. Also, check out all my spots in detail via my TripleSpot list, Enjoy Toronto w/ AKC!

 

*Photos by Andrea K. Castillo & Jahmal Sang

Take A Bite: Trust the Mustache, Otto’s Tacos are “Otto” This World

Tacos are such an interesting yet necessary delicacy, aren’t they?  When you find your favorite taco spot, that’s it.  There is no budging; that is your go-to destination when you are in a taco mood, day or night.  Oddly enough, after a few years as a New Yorker, I had yet to identify my own… until I got swooned by the tasty creations that are Otto’s Tacos.

Mushroom & Carnitas Tacos

Simplistic in description and boasting with originality, Otto’s Tacos takes the cake in taquerías.  All tacos offered are not more than a few bucks (maximum price is only $3.50!), and rightly so– two or three get the job of curbing hunger done.  The Mushroom (seen above) taco is topped with onions and cilantro, paired with their house-made marinade on a fresh corn tortilla they roll hourly themselves.  You can witness daily tortilla making in their open kitchen while you are at the cash register!  In case you are more of a carnivore, they offer Shrimp, Carne Asada, Chicken, and Carnitas (seen above) tacos that are all invigorating to the tastebuds.  The Carnitas (pictured above) taco is paired with their house made guacamole, which excites your tongue leaving you wanting more!

Ottos Tacos House Made Horchata

Not only do they offer some of the tastiest tacos in NYC, they also offer refreshers to quench your thirst including their signature Horchata.  Made fresh daily with the subtle spice you’d expect, this little #taquería is big in flavor and easy on the budget.  You can also round out your meal with a traditional Mexican treat– their house made Churros, which pair awesomely with the milk-based bebida.

Otto’s Tacos is a snack-lovers’ paradise hidden in the East Village, and well worth the travel.  A few blocks from the Astor Place (6) train stop, Otto’s Tacos also offers delivery and catering options.  Next time you are in a rush for a quick bite, treat yourself to this amazing LA-inspired taqueria!

*Visit them on Twitter, Facebook, and share your favorite taco flavors on Instagram!*

Take A Bite: Bocca Di Bacco Opens on 7th Avenue in Chelsea

The street view of Bocca di Bacco

There are certain things that are undeniably New York City; hot dog stands, angry cabbies, iconic skyscrapers, and amazing street style. In the realm of food, Italian is a staple, spanning the realm of your local pizzeria to fine dining in the Theatre District. Its undeniable popularity has worked for Bocca di Bacco, an NYC-based Italian restaurant chain that has opened its latest outpost in Manhattan’s hot neighborhood of Chelsea, in the former space of another Italian restaurant, IL Bastardo. This is the chain’s second Chelsea location, the first being on 9th Avenue.

The main dining room at Bocca Di Bacco

Opening festivities for Bocca di Bacco were held at the restaurant on April 8 – 9 for media and special guests. I stopped by to see what it was all about, and was quite impressed. The space is massive, comprised of four rooms for public and private dining, decorated beautiful. The shot above is of the main dining room, filled with natural light in the day, and transformed into a sexier setting in the evening.

Wine selection

Along with its fine menu, Bocca di Bacco is known for their incredible wine selection and practice, being one of the few restaurants that serves many wines by both the bottle and glass. Guests were treated to these wines during the opening, along with specialty cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the likeness of wild mushroom crostini, rice balls, shrimp cocktail, and mini crab cakes.

Wild mushroom crostini

The restaurant’s Executive Chef Kristin Sollenne, who was present at the event,  is passionate about creating modern Italian dishes infused with seasonality.

“I focus on rich, bold flavors using fresh herbs and seasonal produce, meat, poultry & seafood,” says Sollenne. “Simplicity makes an impact. More than anything, we want diners to come away feeling satisfied, full and content after a good, authentic Italian meal in the heart of New York City.”

 

Having this been my first experience at a Bocca Di Bacco, I can agree with Kristin in the fact that the food was fresh and flavorful, and the hospitality was on par. Check out more photos below from the opening.

A view of another one of the space’s four dining areas

White wine

A guest having a rice ball

Guests filling out one of the back rooms

Specialty champagne cocktails

Guests nibbling on appetizers

Bocca Di Bacco in Chelsea is located on 7th Avenue between 21st & 22nd Streets. For more info, please visit their website.

*Photos courtesy of Bocca di Bacco/Pace Public Relations

Take A Bite, *Philly Edition*: Green Eggs Cafe

Green Eggs Cafe, street view.

This past weekend I made a trip to Philly to celebrate the 25th year of my lovely friend Tilewa (love you girl!). Over the course of my time there, we shared many good times amongst friends, music, drink, and of course, FOOD! She informed me of all the wonderful eats in her neighborhood, so I was excited to “eat my way through through Philly”. Our first stop on Saturday for brunch was Green Eggs Cafe. I had checked out the menu online prior to get a taste for it, and I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped when I read that their red velvet pancakes were one of their signature dishes. If you follow me on Tumblr, you would know I recently posted on red velvet pancakes and my new obsession for them. So it’s safe to say, I was quite anxious to get to the cafe!

Green Eggs Cafe is a small chain in Philadelphia; we visited the Northern Liberties location. Upon arrival, we saw a small crowd outside which is always a good sign, and stepped inside to add our name to the queue. We headed to the coffee bar in back to relax and sip on coffee during our wait; a great addition in my opinion. Our forty minute wait ended up being more like twenty (sweet) and were quickly seated by our waitress. I took a shot of the specials board above once seated and realized that Green Eggs serves made to order food all the time. There are no freezers or microwaves in their establishment, and they aim to maintain a “green environment” by their practices and support of local farmers and product.

Take A Bite and Sip: Qathra

Qathra as viewed from the street

Situated on Cortelyou Road in the Ditmas Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, Qathra is more than just a coffee shop. Having lived off off of Cortelyou Road my whole life, but a few blocks south in Kensington, I’ve noticed the transformation of the strip, mainly in the category of food & drink. I had read a Daily News article a few months back that mentioned Qathra as being one of the best coffee shops in Brooklyn, so of course, I had to make a visit to see what all the hype was about.

I brought my cousin Ashley along, as she is an avid coffee drinker as well. We picked quite possibly the ugliest day to make a trip; a cold, rainy evening, but not to fret, this was all in the name of coffee! Upon arrival, we were welcomed into a warm space that uses lots of natural woods, slate, and brass elements in their structure. The ambience was friendly and relaxing, filled with the perfect amount of table and chairs for guests to dine, drink, or do some research (WiFi is availble).

Take a Bite and Sip: Apartment 138

Apartment 138 signage

On a street called Smith, in a neighborhood of many names (Carroll Gardens/ Cobble Hill/ Boerum Hill) in the borough of Brooklyn, lies a stretch of retail and culinary wonders. The mix of chain retailers and boutique shopping and eatery spaces make Smith Street special, and uniquely “Brooklyn”. On a recent jaunt to the strip, I attended a calendar release party with some friends at men’s streetwear boutique Rime. After catching up and canoodling with folks, we decided it was time to grab some sustenance. We strolled down the street and came across the lovely, Apartment 138.

Given its name, Apartment 138 is decorated in the style of a high end apartment in the neighborhood of Brooklyn in which resides. Select walls are covered in damask wallpaper, wood furnishings are present throughout in a deep chestnut color, and the lighting is warm and homey. I immediately fell in love once inside because the space was beautiful and the staff was lovely to boot! We sat at the bar and ordered snacks and drinks. My order? A jalapeno margarita and truffle mac & cheese (odd combo, I know). I was delighted to find out that they made their own jalapeno tequila by soaking fresh jalapeno in tequila and having it sit for days. This made the flavors that much more potent than a pre-infused jalapeno flavored tequila; this was the real thing! The amount of spicy, sweet, and citrus in the cocktail create a special medley of flavors for the palate, which i thoroughly enjoy. My truffle mac & cheese was also quite delightful, although I was unable to enjoy it as much as I would have liked. My inner fat-girl was so excited that I started eating it before it cooled off and in doing so, burnt my tongue (insert laugh and any other jokes you may have here).

The bar

Take A Bite: The Meatball Shop

Interior of The Meatball Shop, Lower East Side

On a recent jaunt throughout the Lower East Side with friends, I discovered the culinary wonder known as The Meatball Shop. Tucked away from the madness on 84 Stanton Street, this casual dining oasis is a treat for foodies near and far. Boasting a menu of balls (no pun intended) in varieties of beef, pork, chicken, and veggie, there is something for everyone here. Committed to using the best ingredients available, The Meatball Shop prides themselves in grounding all meat fresh in house, and solely including organic produce in their dishes.

Take A Bite: Schnitzel & Things

Schnitzel & Things truck

New York City; the city that never sleeps, parties hard, and is full of good eats. Culinary wonders pepper street corners in the form of food trucks; an ingenious method of bringing gourmet food to the masses. I’m a foodie at heart, and I am tickled each time I peruse the streets and find new food trucks. One such truck is Schnitzel & Things. Founded in 2009, Schnitzel & Thing’s aim is to provide fresh authentic Austrian schnitzel, bratwurst, and sides to the people of NYC. They have gone on to acquire much media attention, and win prestigious awards in their field, not only because of their unique concept, but of their great tasting food.

Schnitzel, for those that are not familiar, “is a hand pounded, lightly breaded thin cutlet of meat fried to golden perfection”. They offer schnitzel in the form of chicken, veal, cod, eggplant, grilled ginger chicken, and the schnitz burger (basically pounded burger meat with cheese). You can have your schnitzel served up as a platter with sides (the Austrian potato salad and cucumber salad seem to be favorites), or as a sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and condiments.

Take a Bite: Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream

If you’ve ever perused the streets around the Flatiron District or SOHO in the summertime, your eyes have more than likely spotted a dozen food and treats trucks. They offer various goodies, including desserts, pizza, drinks, schnitzels, and more. In this sea of trucks, there is one painted a buttercreme yellow that looks as if it were taken from yesteryear. This is the Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream truck.  My first encounter with the truck was back in 2008 when I was working in retail in SOHO. I was on a quick break, so wasn’t able to get anything, but eventually purchased my first cone last summer from one of their trucks in the Flatiron district. I believe it was the Giandujia flavor, which is a blend of chocolate and hazelnut; absolutely DIVINE. The mixture of both flavors was in perfect proportions, and not too sweet, as many ice creams can be. If you’re ever in these neighborhoods, look out for the truck below and have a piece of ice cream heaven!

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream truck in SOHO