Dining Out

Carbone

October 12, 2013 by mk

Since I’ve known these guys for quite some time, I wanted to try the new spot with an objective mind. Great location, great decor (artwork by Julian Schnabel), and quickly gets packed and VERY loud. Service is friendly but not smothering which is nice. Portions are HUGE – yes veal parm is $54 but it feeds 4. Very good. Meatballs were a highlight. They generously start off the meal old school style with the parmesan/ focaccia, mix of breads and breadsticks. Time consuming but fun are the old school tableside items: caesar salad, (very garlicky so watch out), and new for fall is roasted squash (excellent) and some sizzling, fajita sounding peppery smoky something from the next table over.

Desserts are also HUGE – lemon cheesecake paired well with limoncello, carrot cake was amazing. Loud, boisterous, trendy spot right now. Bar area needs a redesign (essentially nonexistent) – there’s only room for 2ppl so if you’re waiting for a table there’s no place to perch or hang out with a nice drink. This creates a chaotic scene at the entrance and people waiting seemed irritated. All in all, Carbone is a throwback to that old school classic style, and a nice departure from all the miniature micro cuisine. The early reservations are actually better since it’s less frantic. Finally all the big burly brokers and former NFL players (spotted here) have a new spot to call home where they can actually recognize what they’re eating and leave completely stuffed to the gills.

Carbone
181 Thompson Street
New York NY 10012
tel. +1 212 254 3000

http://carbonenewyork.com/

Bohemian

October 2, 2013 by mk

I guess the secret phone # isn’t so secret if it’s floating around somewhere. Small, intimate and loungey vibe with a refined atmosphere. Very quiet and zen like (everyone whispers here, anything louder and you’re shunned) so you really need to enjoy your company. No loud music or people watching distractions. That said, food is spectacular. Specialty is washu beef, which you can purchase from the little Japanese butcher shop at the entrance. We tried the vegetable fondue, which I was worried about but it’s basically crisp fresh veg that you dip into a small bowl of sauce – delicious and clean way to start off the meal. Followed by mushroom risotto (very good), and washu beef special – highlight. Very charming, cool, artsy spot. Great dining experience. Funniest moment was the little chalkboard drawing of the cow with all the specials, and the waitress pointing to her own tushie to describe the rump – almost laughed above the maximum 10 decibels.

Bohemian
57 Great Jones Street
New York NY

http://www.playearth.jp/

Crown

September 27, 2013 by mk

The owners of The Lion have revamped the former faux Euro, sleezy 90s club into a sleek townhouse restaurant. Love the ‘griege’ (grey+beige) color palette, accented with the large French style floral arrangements. Good lighting, atmosphere, with celebs and other power players sprinkled throughout the dining room. (Jerry Springer, Al Roker among others). Away from downtown rifraf, it’s a fabulous and safe place for the 1%-ers to hang out and air kiss. For such a sceney spot you wouldn’t expect much from the food, but they deliver. Chef was brought in from Gotham Bar & Grill, and staff are all well trained and polished. Lamb chops, fois gras, tuna tartare are among the best items on the menu. Pasta was gloppy on one occasion and sublime on another, so some things have been inconsistent… but for the most part they’ve got a good thing going here with a loyal crowd. Older couple (both on crutches!!) hobbled in one night so they must not have wanted to give up their valuable reservation! Worth the treck uptown for client entertaining. Oh and psssttt, there’s a private drinking lounge downstairs behind a bookcase, so check that out too if you can… complete with cool vintage rock and roll pics and art which is a nice touch.

Crown
24 East 81st Street
New York NY 10028
tel: +1 646 559 4880

www.crown81.com/

Rao’s

September 22, 2013 by mk

It’s worth rearranging your life if you can somehow manage to get an invite. Rao’s is a NYC institution. For all the hype and glamour surrounding this place you would expect the food to be so-so, but it’s fabulous. Seafood salad was incredible, all the pastas, famous lemon chicken, meatballs were also all amazing. Nicky “the vest”, Frankie are all there to greet you personally, and make you feel at home. Politicians, mobsters, celebs all clammering for a seat in one of the 10 tables. Rao’s is incredible, charming and will be a night to remember. And you’ll need to remember it since it’s virtually impossible to get back in, so once you go there’s a high probability that it will be your only visit.

Thinking of visiting it Rao’s? Have a read…

Dining Out

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