Oysters, Oysters, Oysters...

So it's very easy for me to say that I have a love for oysters. I can't seem to get enough. That being said I have really become found of a place in NYC with three locations called The Mermaid Inn.
I tend to go to the location on the upper west side. Funny it is just one block from the building I grew up in. They have a very nice oyster happy hour. Also if you use FourSquare and check in you get a free appetizer. But besides that what really makes me like the place is The Staff has always been great. It's very relaxed and I enjoy sitting at the bar, reading a book and having a cocktail.

Speaking about reading and oysters. There is a  wonderful book by Robb Walsh called "Sex, Death and Oysters: A Half-Shell Lover's World Tour"

Okay, I'm done talking about oysters.  Did I mention it's now soft shell crab season!

Cheers,
Evan

Went to Diner 2 weeks ago...

Went to Diner (85 Broadway Williamsburg, Brooklyn 11211) 2 weeks ago. This is is owned by Mark Firth & Andrew Tarlow and the Executive Chef is Sean Rembold. Mark and Andrew also own Marlow & Sons. That is a wine/Tapas kind of place I have always really liked in the past.

I have wanted to try this place. It was a Sunday night. We did not have a reservation. It was full and we sat at the bar for 15-20 minutes and had a cocktail. The hostess was great. Always checking on us. And funny. The waiter was also great. We were not that hungry so there was not a lot of stuff ordered. The menu changes daily so they do not really post one. We split a salad. I wish I remembered what is was but I do remember it was very good. Then we both had the steak. I ordered it cooked Chefs choice as I always do. It came almost medium? She ordered it well done (Yikes). Anyhoo, They both had almost no flavor and the texture was pretty terrible. I was really surprised since I have heard good things about the food there. And being a fan of Marlow & Sons I was expecting and wishing for more.

It gets a young crowd and borderlines on hipsters but not at the point where I won't go.

So there is my take.

-Cheers,
Evan

Went to Osteria Morini

Went to Osteria Morini last night. This is Chef/Owner Michael Whites place. I've been to one of his other places, Marea. That was an amazing meal. Morini is more rustic and not as $$$. Let me start by saying the food was great. It was cooked perfectly. It was served well and the waiters are great. I will have to say I did not like how loud the place is. It was hard to talk. Also the music choices were very strange mix of hard rock. Not what I thought for a rustic Italian place. But Osteria Morini is well worth going. Let me tell you what we had.

- BRACIOLA, grilled duroc end-cut pork chop, fried polenta, cipollini onions, balsamico $28
This was a wonderful end cut with the right amount of fat. The flavors were great.

- GRIGLIATA MISTA, mixed grill of side pork, sweet sausage, lamb chop, skirt steak

Greeting, so tonight I am going to Osteria Morini This is Chef/Owner Michael Whites place. I've been to Marea. That was an amazing meal. Morini is more rustic and not as $$$. I really looking forward to this meal.

Am I back..?

Edit... The below post never happened. Need to win Lotto or just wait some.
-E

"Let's see, I said I would post more. I did not. I don't think anyone is reading but me. Life has been busy and hard in the last several months. Time to move on.
In the next few weeks I am taking myself to two restaurants I've always wanted to go to.
On 1/24 I taking myself to Eleven Madison Park.. Let's see how they handle a table of one. I'm sure it will be great. Then on 1/31 I am then a table of one at Le Bernardin. Another place I have always wanted to try."

Cheers,
Evan

Where did I go..?

I'm really not sure. Was kind of into trying to blog my food thoughts then I fell out of being into it. Maybe soon. I will say I love the new Eataly Store! To add I've had a lot going on in my personal life. Family stuff and such. And have not been to any new good or bad places. Been more cooking and such. Anyhoo, this Sunday I am doing the Bo Ssam Pork dinner. I will post that!

Paradou

So last Sunday I was taken out to dinner by an old friend to a small rustic french bistro called Paradou. Located on Little West 12th St. Also known as the Meat Packing District. A area I use to enjoy a lot and now find myself hating what it has become. But there are still a few places that are worth the area and Paradou is one of them. I've been there before and what I like is that the food is always good and the service also good. I would say they are know for Chef Kfir Ben-Ari's Foie Gras Creations.

We tried all five:

FOIE "GRAVLAX": Cured with sugarcane, sea salt, sugar cane, ricard fennel leaves and spices. Served with candied fennel & red wine reduction

FOIE GRAS en TORCHON: Cooked mi-cuit with pistachio at the center. Blanched in red wine, air dried overnight and rolled in pistachio dust. Served with cherry tomato & coriander confiture

FOIE GRAS "BRULEE": Fresh Hudson Valley Foie Gras sprinkled with light brown sugar & caraway seeds, then bruleed. Served with warm roasted macadamia nuts soaked in Lillet

TERRINE de FOIE GRAS: Marinated in port wine & cognac, accented with alea Hawaiian red salt. Served with onion & chestnut marmalade

FOIE GRAS FLAN: A foie gras custard topped with red wine caramel. Served with lavender honey-glazed almonds and fennel pollen

And we also had grilled sardines. I must say this dish is my new favorite

It was a perfect dinner and night. I just wish they had A/C it was so freak'in hot. But I would still go back.