Welcome back to blind blog! I apologize for my long absence, I have been busy with classes but I have returned with a new food critic review. Here is a restaurant for anyone who is a fan of Italian food:
Angelo of Mulberry St.
146 Mulberry St. (between Hester and Grand St.)
New York NY
4.25 stars out of 5 stars
There is nothing like excellent Italian food at a local restaurant, so then why did I chose to try out a touristy establishment in Little Italy? Good question: Angelo’s actually makes delicious authentic food even though it has a reputation for being the destination of many people from out of town. Despite the subpar service, I enjoyed the ambiance; I was part of a diverse crowd of people in a relaxed setting. My friend and I decided to split two dishes: pappardelle Campagnole (long and flat egg noodles in a sauce of tomatoes, garlic, and wild mushrooms), and pollo Portobello (chicken breast with shitake and Portobello mushrooms in a champagne sauce). The first course to arrive was the pappardelle which went above and beyond my expectations: the pasta tasted so fresh and unlike any boxed variety I have ever tried, and was complimented perfectly by the flavors of the tangy tomatoes, mushrooms, and garlic. The sauce, in particular, was a remarkable creation which we agreed made up for the expensive price of the pasta. The next entre was the chicken dish which was outstanding. I was impressed by the champagne sauce, it was clear that the alcohol had been burned off during the reduction phase of the cooking process which left a sweet note to the sauce that I really liked. It should not be surprising that the chicken and various mushrooms were quite fresh, but again the sauce was the highlight.
As a restaurant which attracts many tourists, Angelo’s prices are far from cheap. However, if you are searching for some of the finest Italian food that this city has to offer, then I would encourage you to dine at Angelo’s.
Dan
Showing posts with label restaurant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label restaurant. Show all posts
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Better brunch blog: uptown lounge
Hello readers, what kind of food critic would I be if I didn’t blog about my latest restaurant adventure? (that’s rhetorical by the way, no answers please) All jokes aside, I have decided to share with you my excellent experience at brunch today. This is a fairly new restaurant, it was my first time there and I was quite impressed. (As the picky or “selective” eater that my faithful readers know I am, it sometimes takes a lot to impress me) Therefore, here is my food critic review:
Uptown Lounge
1578 3rd Avenue
New York NY
4 stars
Brunch can be the most important meal of the day for me, so I was preparing to lower my expectations today, just in case. (I was hoping that this place was not going to choke like A-rod does with the bases loaded, that’s not an insult, it actually happened as I was eating, true story!). At the uptown lounge, you can choose from a wide array of dishes, from omelets to sandwiches to even fish. Your entree is accompanied with your choice of two drinks, alcoholic or not (can you guess which one I chose? Just kidding). The staff was friendly, actually going over the top to accommodate me. I selected the delicious-sounding uptown omelet: filled with ham, mushrooms, onions, and Swiss cheese.
There was no disappointment to be found at this restaurant. The omelet was expertly prepared and the flavors seamlessly blended together to create quite a tasty dish. The zest of the ham, combined with the mushrooms and sweet onions, and mild but flavorful Swiss cheese, were more than enough to satisfy my brunch craving. The better than average bacon, salty but authentic home fries, (both of which I asked for as extra crispy and were served that way), and whole wheat toast on the side only added to my terrific time.
Before I finish my review and make the decision whether or not to recommend a restaurant, I like to end with a few points just so that you are fully informed. First, the brunch costs $16, which might sound pricy to some. However, it does include the two drinks, the staff is very good with helping out with substitutions or changes in your order, and this price is actually reasonable in my opinion compared to what some other restaurants charge. In addition, my review is only based on brunch, I cannot vouch for any other meals at this establishment. Therefore, now that we have that out of the way…..
I would like to wholeheartedly recommend the Uptown Lounge. I hope all of my readers have the chance to check out the brunch for themselves. Until my next food adventure, take care and stay positive!
Dan
Uptown Lounge
1578 3rd Avenue
New York NY
4 stars
Brunch can be the most important meal of the day for me, so I was preparing to lower my expectations today, just in case. (I was hoping that this place was not going to choke like A-rod does with the bases loaded, that’s not an insult, it actually happened as I was eating, true story!). At the uptown lounge, you can choose from a wide array of dishes, from omelets to sandwiches to even fish. Your entree is accompanied with your choice of two drinks, alcoholic or not (can you guess which one I chose? Just kidding). The staff was friendly, actually going over the top to accommodate me. I selected the delicious-sounding uptown omelet: filled with ham, mushrooms, onions, and Swiss cheese.
There was no disappointment to be found at this restaurant. The omelet was expertly prepared and the flavors seamlessly blended together to create quite a tasty dish. The zest of the ham, combined with the mushrooms and sweet onions, and mild but flavorful Swiss cheese, were more than enough to satisfy my brunch craving. The better than average bacon, salty but authentic home fries, (both of which I asked for as extra crispy and were served that way), and whole wheat toast on the side only added to my terrific time.
Before I finish my review and make the decision whether or not to recommend a restaurant, I like to end with a few points just so that you are fully informed. First, the brunch costs $16, which might sound pricy to some. However, it does include the two drinks, the staff is very good with helping out with substitutions or changes in your order, and this price is actually reasonable in my opinion compared to what some other restaurants charge. In addition, my review is only based on brunch, I cannot vouch for any other meals at this establishment. Therefore, now that we have that out of the way…..
I would like to wholeheartedly recommend the Uptown Lounge. I hope all of my readers have the chance to check out the brunch for themselves. Until my next food adventure, take care and stay positive!
Dan
Saturday, March 20, 2010
whittiest title ever: new food critic review: Malaga
Hola amigos, yesterday night I went to a favorite Spanish restaurant of mine, and I thought I would share the experience with all of you. Vamos:
Malaga
406 E. 73rd St.
New York NY
4.5 out of 5 stars
Ah, the wonders of garlic. It can be an incredible ingredient (in my opinion, but I’m right). Is it delicious? Yes. Is it good to eat while trying to be social? No, Listerine or scope would not have even done the trick. Nevertheless, I really enjoy garlic and that was the key element of the dish which I planned to order here. When I entered Malaga, I appreciated it’s laid back ambiance: it was crowded but not loud, the Spanish music in the background added to the atmosphere but was not overpowering, and the restaurant just felt very relaxed. For the record, I don’t think that you can go wrong here, everything on the menu is tasty, from the paella to the tortilla omelet, I have never had a bad meal at Malaga. However, I knew exactly what I wanted so I ordered shrimp ala chef grilled: the menu offers no description for this dish, and it is true that it is extremely difficult to describe the goodness known as shrimp ala chef. This dish essentially consists of sautéed shrimp and numerous pieces of crunchy and fragrant garlic. I could smell it coming and could hear the dish because it was served on a sizzling platter. My first taste was heavenly, my senses were in overload and therefore were going crazy. The succulent shrimp paired with the delectable garlic made an incredible combination of flavors. It was nice to have a side of broccoli but it didn’t really matter in the end, I was just there for the amazing shrimp.
If you are reading this blog, then you should be aware that I was also drinking sangria (a Spanish wine-based drink) at the time, but I believe that my positive review of this establishment is based on reality and not on the alcohol. I would wholeheartedly recommend that all of my readers visit this great Spanish restaurant. However, there are two issues which I must address. First, Malaga is not wheel chair accessible (there are two steep steps before you arrive at the front door). In addition, a meal can be a little pricy, so I hope you understand that your experience might result in good food and a big check. Restaurants in Manhattan can be expensive, but at least the Spanish food at Malaga which you pay for is high quality. Thanks for reading, adios!
Dan
Malaga
406 E. 73rd St.
New York NY
4.5 out of 5 stars
Ah, the wonders of garlic. It can be an incredible ingredient (in my opinion, but I’m right). Is it delicious? Yes. Is it good to eat while trying to be social? No, Listerine or scope would not have even done the trick. Nevertheless, I really enjoy garlic and that was the key element of the dish which I planned to order here. When I entered Malaga, I appreciated it’s laid back ambiance: it was crowded but not loud, the Spanish music in the background added to the atmosphere but was not overpowering, and the restaurant just felt very relaxed. For the record, I don’t think that you can go wrong here, everything on the menu is tasty, from the paella to the tortilla omelet, I have never had a bad meal at Malaga. However, I knew exactly what I wanted so I ordered shrimp ala chef grilled: the menu offers no description for this dish, and it is true that it is extremely difficult to describe the goodness known as shrimp ala chef. This dish essentially consists of sautéed shrimp and numerous pieces of crunchy and fragrant garlic. I could smell it coming and could hear the dish because it was served on a sizzling platter. My first taste was heavenly, my senses were in overload and therefore were going crazy. The succulent shrimp paired with the delectable garlic made an incredible combination of flavors. It was nice to have a side of broccoli but it didn’t really matter in the end, I was just there for the amazing shrimp.
If you are reading this blog, then you should be aware that I was also drinking sangria (a Spanish wine-based drink) at the time, but I believe that my positive review of this establishment is based on reality and not on the alcohol. I would wholeheartedly recommend that all of my readers visit this great Spanish restaurant. However, there are two issues which I must address. First, Malaga is not wheel chair accessible (there are two steep steps before you arrive at the front door). In addition, a meal can be a little pricy, so I hope you understand that your experience might result in good food and a big check. Restaurants in Manhattan can be expensive, but at least the Spanish food at Malaga which you pay for is high quality. Thanks for reading, adios!
Dan
Sunday, February 21, 2010
red meat overdose: my review of Burger Joint
Hi everyone, my recent diet has included way too much red meat so I am going back to a more moderate and healthy regimen. However, I figured if I was going to be “bad”, I might as well try out another restaurant which my friend said makes excellent hamburgers. That is the story behind my new food review:
Burger Joint
119 W. 56th St. (inside Le Parker Meridien, really? Yes!)
New York NY
4 stars out of 5
I would have never thought that this crowded restaurant for an inexpensive but tasty meal would be located inside of a fancy New York City hotel, but I was incorrect. It was extremely hard to even find it: the burger joint is hidden behind curtains in a hallway leading from the lobby. The menu is very simple: “if you don’t see it, we don’t have it!” This is the exact message on their menu and they mean it: the list of available food and drinks are short but cover all the bases, which are hamburgers, fries, and shakes. Therefore, I decided to be old-fashioned and simply ordered a plain hamburger (yes plain, no lettuce, tomato, etc.) and a chocolate shake. While waiting for my meal, I found the last available seat in the cramped dining area. The burger joint’s ambiance was laid back: people from all over the city gathered together, a variety of music was playing, and it felt very comfortable. When the food arrived, my mouth was watering and I felt relieved that it did not disappoint me. I bit into the hamburger and was reminded of old summer time barbecues, sitting on the grass and feeling the warmth of the sun. By this I mean that the hamburger was well cooked, delicious, and consisted of a patty of high quality beef (it had a distinctive grilled flavor). I wouldn’t call it a “top ten” burger, but I was very satisfied and it met my expectations. The shake was thick rich, and sweet, it did not meet the excellence of Shake Shack but was still a real treat.
The burger joint is a place that I would recommend to try out once. It’s atmosphere was unique and the food was of a superior quality. Please do not be dismayed by my comparisons of this to other establishments, it is simply my mental way of ranking restaurants in order to determine their merits. I would be curious to hear your feedback about my review, or of this restaurant, please leave your comments below. Until next time… I will try to eat better and I look forward to hearing from my great readers.
Dan
Burger Joint
119 W. 56th St. (inside Le Parker Meridien, really? Yes!)
New York NY
4 stars out of 5
I would have never thought that this crowded restaurant for an inexpensive but tasty meal would be located inside of a fancy New York City hotel, but I was incorrect. It was extremely hard to even find it: the burger joint is hidden behind curtains in a hallway leading from the lobby. The menu is very simple: “if you don’t see it, we don’t have it!” This is the exact message on their menu and they mean it: the list of available food and drinks are short but cover all the bases, which are hamburgers, fries, and shakes. Therefore, I decided to be old-fashioned and simply ordered a plain hamburger (yes plain, no lettuce, tomato, etc.) and a chocolate shake. While waiting for my meal, I found the last available seat in the cramped dining area. The burger joint’s ambiance was laid back: people from all over the city gathered together, a variety of music was playing, and it felt very comfortable. When the food arrived, my mouth was watering and I felt relieved that it did not disappoint me. I bit into the hamburger and was reminded of old summer time barbecues, sitting on the grass and feeling the warmth of the sun. By this I mean that the hamburger was well cooked, delicious, and consisted of a patty of high quality beef (it had a distinctive grilled flavor). I wouldn’t call it a “top ten” burger, but I was very satisfied and it met my expectations. The shake was thick rich, and sweet, it did not meet the excellence of Shake Shack but was still a real treat.
The burger joint is a place that I would recommend to try out once. It’s atmosphere was unique and the food was of a superior quality. Please do not be dismayed by my comparisons of this to other establishments, it is simply my mental way of ranking restaurants in order to determine their merits. I would be curious to hear your feedback about my review, or of this restaurant, please leave your comments below. Until next time… I will try to eat better and I look forward to hearing from my great readers.
Dan
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Brand new restaurant review: Zebu Grill
Hi, I have a unique restaurant review for you today: (although almost everything can be that way here, in unique New York, try saying that five times in a row)
Zebu Grill
305 E. 92nd St.
New York NY
4.25 stars out of 5
It is not often that I eat at a Brazilian restaurant, I am not an expert in their cuisine and there seems to be a lack of this type of food in New York City. Therefore, when I went to Zebu Grill, I had my mind open and was ready for a gourmet adventure. My friend and I split two appetizers: Enroladinhos (3 Brazilian spring rolls filled with shrimp and crab meat with a spicy mango sauce on the side), and
Costelinha de Porco (baby spare ribs with a blood orange, ginger & coffee bean glaze. The spring rolls were crisp and delicious, and were a perfect match for the spicy mango sauce. I really enjoyed the spare ribs, they were extremely tender and almost fell off the bone. In addition, their sauce was sweet with a little kick of spice and was very tasty. For my entree, I tried a tilapia special, sautéed and accompanied with an acai sauce, julienne vegetables, and yucca puree. The fish was great, it was seasoned just the right amount and the acai sauce surprisingly gave it a great flavor. (acai, for those who don’t know, is a South-American berry, which is small and black-purple, it resembles a grape and some say it has great importance for different aspects of health). While the vegetables were fresh and well-cooked, I disliked the yucca because it was very dense and dry. For dessert, I decided on passion Brulee topped with caramelized bananas. This was outstanding, the bananas were crunchy and sweet, while the custard was light with the definite flavor of passion fruit.
This restaurant was more expensive than I had thought, I would warn anyone going to Zebu Grill to consider that fact. The meal was truly superb for the most part, however I am hesitant to recommend it without the understanding that there probably are other Brazilian restaurants that don’t cost as much. For the record, my friend ordered Feijoada, which is Brazil's national dish: lean cuts of beef, pork & sausages in a black bean stew. He really enjoyed it, I even tasted a little and it was great, and I might try it at the next Brazilian restaurant that I try. Regardless of the price, I definitely recommend that you try out this restaurant, or at the least, have a taste of this delicious cuisine. Well, thanks for reading, please let me know what you thought of my review.
Dan
Zebu Grill
305 E. 92nd St.
New York NY
4.25 stars out of 5
It is not often that I eat at a Brazilian restaurant, I am not an expert in their cuisine and there seems to be a lack of this type of food in New York City. Therefore, when I went to Zebu Grill, I had my mind open and was ready for a gourmet adventure. My friend and I split two appetizers: Enroladinhos (3 Brazilian spring rolls filled with shrimp and crab meat with a spicy mango sauce on the side), and
Costelinha de Porco (baby spare ribs with a blood orange, ginger & coffee bean glaze. The spring rolls were crisp and delicious, and were a perfect match for the spicy mango sauce. I really enjoyed the spare ribs, they were extremely tender and almost fell off the bone. In addition, their sauce was sweet with a little kick of spice and was very tasty. For my entree, I tried a tilapia special, sautéed and accompanied with an acai sauce, julienne vegetables, and yucca puree. The fish was great, it was seasoned just the right amount and the acai sauce surprisingly gave it a great flavor. (acai, for those who don’t know, is a South-American berry, which is small and black-purple, it resembles a grape and some say it has great importance for different aspects of health). While the vegetables were fresh and well-cooked, I disliked the yucca because it was very dense and dry. For dessert, I decided on passion Brulee topped with caramelized bananas. This was outstanding, the bananas were crunchy and sweet, while the custard was light with the definite flavor of passion fruit.
This restaurant was more expensive than I had thought, I would warn anyone going to Zebu Grill to consider that fact. The meal was truly superb for the most part, however I am hesitant to recommend it without the understanding that there probably are other Brazilian restaurants that don’t cost as much. For the record, my friend ordered Feijoada, which is Brazil's national dish: lean cuts of beef, pork & sausages in a black bean stew. He really enjoyed it, I even tasted a little and it was great, and I might try it at the next Brazilian restaurant that I try. Regardless of the price, I definitely recommend that you try out this restaurant, or at the least, have a taste of this delicious cuisine. Well, thanks for reading, please let me know what you thought of my review.
Dan
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Are you ready to Flex your Muscles?
Hello everyone, I have a great new food critic review for you today about an excellent new restaurant:
Flex Mussels
174 E 82nd ST
New York, NY
4.5 out of 5 stars
This is a rather new establishment which has been serving high quality muscles, in twenty-three different sauces, and French cuisine to the upper east side of Manhattan for the last four months. I wouldn’t go as far as saying that I am a muscle connoisseur, but I have certainly tried these delicious seafood delights in many different restaurants. The staff was very attentive during the entire meal: the waiters kept asking how the food was, two people greeted me on the way in and three wished me a good night when I walked out. The bread which was served was quite average, and did not impress me when I used it to taste my sauce for the muscles. I started with an appetizer of crab Cakes: this consisted of two crisp Maryland lump crab cakes, a very flavorful vegetable slaw, and a cool and tangy citrus aioli. I particularly liked the crab cakes because I could taste that they were mainly made with crab and very little filler. However, I still enjoyed the seasonings and diced vegetables which were mixed with the crab.
Finally, (I say finally because I have wanted to try this restaurant for a long time), It was time for the reason why I came here in the first place: the muscles. I remembered to have lowered expectations about the quality of the food, figuring that I could not be disappointed this way. My friend and I selected two different kinds of muscles. I tried the San Daniele muscles: accompanied with prosciutto, caramelized onions, white wine, and garlic. These were simply delicious: the muscles were particularly plump and the sauce was extremely tasty and could have almost been a soup by itself. Each of the ingredients created a layered sauce which perfectly matched the seafood flavor of the muscles. My friend chose the Maine muscles, which were cooked with a sauce of lobster, corn, white chowder, and parsley. I found these muscles to also be very large and tasty, and the sauce was chunky, fresh, and savory. We tried some French fries, which were above average. However, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend these because you will probably be full from the appetizer and muscles alone. Our meal was completed with two Swedish fish candies which were served to our table.
There is a word which I rarely use in life. I don’t like using it because I do not appreciate the meaning that is attached to it, but I will say it anyway: Flex Muscles has the BEST muscles in this neighborhood, and probably in all of Manhattan. You are welcome to disagree with me; however, this has been my experience. I recommend that all of you try out Flex Muscles, just remember to skip the bread and the fries. If you are looking for a taste of the sea, then Flex Muscles is the place to be!
Flex Mussels
174 E 82nd ST
New York, NY
4.5 out of 5 stars
This is a rather new establishment which has been serving high quality muscles, in twenty-three different sauces, and French cuisine to the upper east side of Manhattan for the last four months. I wouldn’t go as far as saying that I am a muscle connoisseur, but I have certainly tried these delicious seafood delights in many different restaurants. The staff was very attentive during the entire meal: the waiters kept asking how the food was, two people greeted me on the way in and three wished me a good night when I walked out. The bread which was served was quite average, and did not impress me when I used it to taste my sauce for the muscles. I started with an appetizer of crab Cakes: this consisted of two crisp Maryland lump crab cakes, a very flavorful vegetable slaw, and a cool and tangy citrus aioli. I particularly liked the crab cakes because I could taste that they were mainly made with crab and very little filler. However, I still enjoyed the seasonings and diced vegetables which were mixed with the crab.
Finally, (I say finally because I have wanted to try this restaurant for a long time), It was time for the reason why I came here in the first place: the muscles. I remembered to have lowered expectations about the quality of the food, figuring that I could not be disappointed this way. My friend and I selected two different kinds of muscles. I tried the San Daniele muscles: accompanied with prosciutto, caramelized onions, white wine, and garlic. These were simply delicious: the muscles were particularly plump and the sauce was extremely tasty and could have almost been a soup by itself. Each of the ingredients created a layered sauce which perfectly matched the seafood flavor of the muscles. My friend chose the Maine muscles, which were cooked with a sauce of lobster, corn, white chowder, and parsley. I found these muscles to also be very large and tasty, and the sauce was chunky, fresh, and savory. We tried some French fries, which were above average. However, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend these because you will probably be full from the appetizer and muscles alone. Our meal was completed with two Swedish fish candies which were served to our table.
There is a word which I rarely use in life. I don’t like using it because I do not appreciate the meaning that is attached to it, but I will say it anyway: Flex Muscles has the BEST muscles in this neighborhood, and probably in all of Manhattan. You are welcome to disagree with me; however, this has been my experience. I recommend that all of you try out Flex Muscles, just remember to skip the bread and the fries. If you are looking for a taste of the sea, then Flex Muscles is the place to be!
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