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.

Peking Duck House (Mott St.)

So this past weekend I went to The Peking Duck House this time to the location downtown on Mott St. They also have a location on the UES in the 50's. I was at the UES location two Christmases ago with a good friend who also had nothing to do that day. We had a great dinner. I have not been to the Chinatown location since I was a small lad.

At both locations the duck is very good. Maybe Mott St location is a little better. Funny it's a little cheaper.

Anyhoo, I was fine ordering just the duck and a vegi side. I picked sauteed spinach and garlic. Both were great. Also ordered at the table was, Shrimp in lobster sauce, Moo, Shu (whatever?) they were not good. But I'd think they would not be. But that is my thoughts. The duck was great. the company fun. I can do that again...

here is a photo from their web site.





Yep it pretty much looked that good.

I want more!

Cheers,
Evan

Foodie vs. Gourmand

I am tired of the word "foodie" and I don't really like being called one. If I need a title let it be Gourmand.

From Websters;

Main Entry: gour·mand
-- one who is heartily interested in good food and drink and it's preparation.

Dovetail

So last Monday I went to Dovetail (owned by Chef John Fraser) for their Monday Vegetarian Menu tasting (click for menu). I was taken there last July for my birthday for what I would say one was one of the best meals I have had. It was a amazing sampling of fish, pork (baby suckling pig), and vegetables. Since then they have taken over the space next to them and expanded. Adding a bar area and more tables. The place still looks great. I will say that it sounds a little loud in there now.

On February 20th 2008, then New York Times Food Critic Frank Bruni gave Dovetail a glowing 3 star review.

Back to Monday. So on Monday's they offer a 3 course menu for $38. There is a three glass wine pairing for an additional $28. The wines are all from NY State.

Here is what I had:

1) Escarole (haricot verts, chickpeas, anchovy vinaigrette)

2) fennel confit (bonito flakes, eggplant miso puree, kimchi)

3) gnocchi (basil, green garlic pesto, artichokes)


The food was great and the service very good. Dovetail is a gem of a place anywhere. But on the UWS is stands out.

Check it out!

Cheers,

Del Posto

After years of wanting to go and hearing about Del Posto I have gone. This is the VERY high end Italian Restaurant by Joe Bastianich, Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali. I can see why the New York Times gave it Three Stars in 2006.

When you walk in the first thing I thought was... WOW! This place looks amazing. The marble and mahogany decor is amazing. It feels very open. Because it is! The tables are very large and are spaced apart. I really like that. The service is amazing. The wine list goes on and on and on. With one bottle of Prosecco ($40) and each person getting a appetizer and entree + desert it will run you about $100/pp+tip.
I will say it is worth it. The food is very good. Is it the best? No. It's more then just about the food.

I think Del Posto is a place that should be on your list.
It is a event. Like going to Eleven Madison Park or Gramercy Tavern as far as wow factor not as far as food.

The bar area is also great. It's open and the service there is just as good.

Cheers,
E

Perbacco

So the other night I went to Perbacco located at 234 East 4th St. From the moment you talk to the waiter you can tell that they love what they do and the food. The way they explain it makes your mouth water.
The menu is great. Well priced and there are 2 great tasting menus. The food is as fresh as it can be. It is cooked perfectly and is presented with style.
They wine list is full of great wines and the by-the-glass list is strong. I really don't like weak by-the-glass lists. No worries here!

This is a great date place and a great place to meet friends and talk. You don't feel rushed. You feel like you are at a friends house.

Here is what I tried:

Antipasto Emiliano

18 months aged Parmigiano Reggiano, 24 months aged Prosciutto di Parma, deep fried gnocco bread, fried pastry cream and stewed onion jelly ravioli in 6 yrs old Balsamic Vinegar.

Insalata Spinaci Freschi con Uvetta e Pinoli

Sautéed fresh spinach, gold raisins, toasted pine nuts, warm gorgonzola dressing (on the side).

Costolette d'Agnello con Funghi e Cipollotti

Seared Colorado lamb chops with whole Shitake mushroom and chopped scallion served with red wine sauce.

http://www.perbacconyc.com

Executive Chef ~ Simone Bonelli

Cheers,
E

Why am I doing this?

I'm not sure???

I have an amazing love for great food and for the people that make it happen. I enjoy cooking but never wanted to do it for a living. I have had friends and know people that do. People are always asking me for a recommendation for a certain type of place for dinner and have said I should blog or something. I'm not sure I am into this. So far I have told no one about this blog. I think of it more as a diary. I'm not a writer, I'm sure you can tell. I don't want to monetize this. I'm just here.

So if you stumble across this there it is. Now, what is it?

-e