Ciao for Now Cafe

Cutie cute new cafe from the owners of the same name in the East Village. This spot on West 10th. Street and 6th Ave, imports it's prepared salads and baked goods from it's East 12th. Street location. My beet, goat cheese and pecan salad with balsamic vinagrette dressing was light and tasty for $8. A chocolate crackle cookie was sweet for $.75.(Both pictured above) Several salads and lot's of yummy sweet treats available at this shabby chic style cafe. A few more seating options wouldn't hurt otherwise a welcome addition to the nabe.
Go!

Texas De Brasil

Heralded as one of the top churrascerias(Brazilian meat palaces) by food magazines and other periodicals, Texas de Brasil is a grand castle like restauarant with several locations throughout the country, none in NYC. The spot at 300 Alton Road and 3rd Street sits on the harbor and a seat near the window affords great views while eating great meat. Eating at churascarias is an awesome experience and this one is one of the granddaddys of them all. The space alone is huge, painted red with lot's of wood as if dining in a friend's castle sounds appealing you can see why they can't afford to come to NYC. The salad bar options were similar to other churrascarias with some nice additions like fresh grana padano, sundried tomatoes, olives, grilled eggplant, and two kinds of grilled zucchini and lots of varieties of extra virgin olive oil and balsamics. Also, at the bar are stews and a soup, yesterday was delish lobster bisque. There is a huge wine list with lots of space to store it. The meat here is first rate. Salty and perfectly cooked from medium rare to well done. The meat servers circulate and stop when your disk says green. If you want your meat a certain cut and doneness, they were obliging. They also bring sweet plantains and delish mashed potatoes with red onions and parsley, gratis. Lunch is served only on Fridays at noon and at $27.99 is a bargain compared to the New York churascarias. Dessert is an irrelevant afterthought. Pics to follow.
MUST GO!

Parmelat Gelateria

Hmmm, authentic Italian gelato on Lincoln Road. This milk and ice-cream maker and winner of many best in Miami awards churns out this delish gelato to the locals and tourists alike. With flavors like chocolate, dulce de leche, zabaglione, nutella, and other fruity flavors Parmelat can cool you off divinely. My first cone of the trip was chocolate and zabaglione, the wine custard like flavor I long for when I travel abroad. So smooth, silky and flavorfull with good locally made cones to enjoy your gelato experience. Killer shakes too. Be forewarned that lines out the door on Friday and Saturday nights are not uncommon.
MUST GO!

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill

Lime is the go to restaurant of choice on Alton Road not far from the Regal Cinemas when jonesing for a good, cheap Mexican comida. This spot cooks your food fix up fresh and serves up about 10 homemade salsas to go with your order. My veggie quesadilla at $6.99 was huge on a fresh flour tortilla packed with homemade guacamole, onions a peppers, some tortilla chips and sour cream. Very tasty though a few zucchini would not hurt, but what the hay. The homemade salsas rock and include a delish, suave(mild), spicy bean, mild bean and corn, spicy, and extras like limes and cilantro. There is a tropical outdoor space to eat your comida and a chill vibe to boot.
GO!

World Resources

This Lincoln Road mainstay offers up the freshest sushi as well as Thai cuisine. Outdoor and indoor seating offer up a relaxed atmosphere. Outdoor seating on the road is hot if you can stand the heat. The lunch special is one of the best deals on the Road. For $12.75 their grand bento box features sushi and sashimi, plus a california roll, small salad with homemade ginger or miso dressing, miso soup and a cantalope and orange piece. The fish is super fresh, from the ocean and artfully prepared. There are Thai specials like chicken massaman with avocado, potato with cashews in coconut milk for $10.50. Lunch salads like grilled salmon fillet with steamed asparagus and grape tomato with ginger dressing is $12. Another salad option is the crispy duck salad for $11 Remember that many restaurants in Miami include the tip in the bill so check first. People watching while dining alfresco at World Resources is also world class. Pics will follow.
Must Go!

The Standard Hotel and Spa

The Standard Hotel on Belle Island is a motel style hotel formerly the Lido that eschews a relaxed beachy feel and everyone walks around in robes and havana flip flops. I have been to the Standard many times where you can buy a day pass for $40 during the week and enjoy the luxe facilities which include a lovely pool on the bay, jacuzzi with waterfall, and spectacular vistas especially at sunset. Inside is the delectable, large hamam , and it is a traditional hamam with heated stone floors and heated marble. Off the hamam is a finnish sauna and supersteam with additional metal tubs if you need a soaking. This stuff is the real deal all top of the line luxe. Additionally there is a menu of yoga you can take when you come in for the day. If you do not want to make a day of it, you can take advantage of free yoga on Wednesday with Matteo at 4:15. In the airy though not airconditioned yoga room, Matteo starts the class surrounded by flowers and candles and chanting music. He has an assistant assist people with the postures. The class was about beginner-intermediate level and was a detoxifying experience. At the classes end while we were lying in corpse they came around and put oil on our foreheads. I hear there is bingo on Sunday nights from 8:30-11:00 with door prizes like complimentary spa treatments and free nights at the hotel. The Standard is about a 20 minute walk from the Regal Cinemas on Lincoln Road.
Must Go!

La Provence Bakery

This bakery is probably one of the best this side of the Atlantic. I have braved ten minute plus lines to eat breakfast here in what I would say is in the top 10 of the best in food in what Miami Beach has to offer. Newly renovated at Collins and Lincoln Road with a larger dining space painted in green to resemble it's namesake Provence and a shrunken kitchen. La Provence offers artisan french baking with natural ingredients in true French tradiion. Everything here is absolutely mind blowing and my favorite and there are many are the beignets. Baked properly dark there are three, plain, raspberry and chocolate hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Gorgeous classic pastries, croissants, danish and muffins and of course bread. My breakfast of a chocolate beignet and decaffinated cappucino was $5.30, not bad. This place is the real deal and the folks who steadfastly wait on line here would agree.
Must Go!

11th Street Diner

This classic diner on 11th and Washington has been settled at this spot since 1992, after being moved from Wilkes Barres, PA. Serving classic diner fare in an art-deco diner this Miami institution works well. A full entree section includes Southern Fried Chicken, called the best in Miami by the Village Voice of Miami the New Times.
For $13.95, you get two sides with most entrees, I had the sweet potato fries and mac and cheese with my chicken. I also ordered a strawberry banana shake which was ice-creamy plus a fresh banana with whipped cream on top, yummy. The chicken was dry and flavorless certainly not cooked to order like the Dirty Bird style chicken that is my standard. The sides were tasty with the fries being fresh fried with the skin on and the mac and cheese servicable. Other enttrees include an Argentenian skirt skeak with tomato garlic relish for $14.95. A full burger bar with interesting carne options like the Vermont wiht cheddar and bacon as well as the Canadian Royale with Canadian bacon, mozzarella cheese and shoestring onions. A full breakfast menu including a malted waffle and diner b&e which includes 2 eggs, 2 bacon, homefries and toast. The toilet renovated in the 90's with cheap marble and tile and a small old sink needs rethinking. The spot is despite it's flaws is classic Miami Beach. Pics coming soon.
GO!

MIA tomorrow

MIA was sunny, hot, humid and gorgeous. An international destination with world class hotels, food and locales. The pictures taken from the roof of the Gansevoort South were taken midday where I did not stay, but was able to lounge in a circular wicker chair, unbothered. Many fancy shmancy places let you wander in without a drink or purchase and it is that laid back attitude that makes Miami as chill as it is.


Franny

R & L Restaurant

Never a fan of the old Florent, too much of a scene with mediocre food. Florent had to close at the end of June because of rising rent. The die-hard fans of Florent and it's owner were so upset that he had to close that, when Florent's landlord reopened the restaurant as R&L, the restaurant remained empty for weeks. Well, it is slowly coming back, though some changes are in order. For one, the restaurant needs a new chef, the same chef stayed on from the Florent days and his food is outdated and dull. We had lunch there today and there were about 14 diners including us. What I like about the space is it's red banguettes and vintagey look. I ordered a chef salad with grilled marinated chicken over greens with hearts of palm, black forest ham, tomatoes, cheddar and swiss with creamy balsamic. The only redeeming part of the salad for $13.50 was the dressing. The chicken was dry and tasteless and the cheeses tasted like something I ate at the Sheepsead Bay diner in 1995, very old school. My friend's vegetable cous cous was soupy, but actually tasted made to order. The bread was possibly fresh, though inedible. The bathrooms smell and need renovation, but mostly the menu needs some updating.
Slow Go!

Alphabet Scoop

Do you like your ice-cream with a socially concious twist? This colorful shop on East 11th. Street and Ave. B. is pure Alphabet City and helps kids while creating homemade ice-cream. The Father Heart Ministries runs the shop, employing teens to create better prospects for their future. Alphabet Scoop is open irregular hours as I have passed numerous times and they were closed. Finally, Friday about 2:30 in the afternoon- bingo! With cute names like "street haiku" a rocky road type ice-cream and about average prices, Alphabet Scoop, delivers. I had the street haiku and chocolate cheesecake which was $3.25 for two absolutely gigantic
scoops. There are about 16 flavors total. Not only was the ice-cream quite good, but the cause is too.
Go!

Totonno's Pizzeria Napolitano

There are several Totonno's apart from the old-school original in Coney Island. They are all independently owned and operated. We ate at the Gramercy Park incarnation on 2nd Ave and 26th. Street. A huge space though not designed for high style, it is all about the pizza right? Well we started with a large salad with ice-berg lettuce, corn, avocado, peppers, tomatoes and a dilly ranch dressing which was tasty apart from the ice-berg. For the main course we ordered a large pizza with sweet sausage. The pizza is cooked in coal fired brick ovens, gorgeous, the real deal and so is the pizza. Not overly charred though the dough has a rustic, uneven texture and is slightly sweet with a nice sauce and fresh mozzarella. I was dissappointed that there wasn't a fresher parmiggiano available as the pizza condiments were standard the pizza was absolutely superior.
Go!

Pacific College of Oriental Medicine

Located at 915 Broadway and 20th. Street, I am not sure why I waited so long to find this spot being the bargain beauty babe I am. Acupunture done by a supervised student cost just $40. My consultation with Paul and two other students was very professional and in-depth. Needle placement was gentle and precise. The next step which I have not experienced in any other treatment session was called moxying where heated implements are moved over the needles creating a warming, sensation over the skin and as well as an herbal, medicinal smell. The needles are in for about 30 minutes and my chi rejuvenated. This was a phenomenal treatment, and Friday I am scheduled for massage.
Now for the massage which was $50 bucks and scheduled at 10:15AM with Bo. Bo walked me into a private treatment room and asked me if there were any areas of concern. He returned and executed quite a good Shiatsu style massage. Swedish, Shiatsi, and Thai are the treatment options available for an hour massage.
Must Go!

La Nonna

Another good slice in Williamsburg. A restaurant with a rustic stonefront oven. the restaurant also sells pizza by the slice which is good for a light bite. The pizza is $2.50 for a round which is a nice slice- well cooked without a real char, though it has a good bite and a dough that tastes like semolina. Tomatoey tasting though no intense depth of flavor, but still like a good Brooklyn pizza should taste. Outdoor seating on Bedford Ave and North 3rd. St. only a few blocks from hipster central and the L train on North 7th. Street. Pics coming soon.
Go!

Doughnut Plant

No, not new, but a perenially amazing doughnut for sure, the glazed doughnuts like Valrohna chocolate covered are simply scrumptious and are $2.25. The jelly doughnuts which are designed in squares to get a bite of jelly in every bite and then glazed are $2.75. Summertime raspberry lemonade is on hand to cool you off after waiting on line for the doughnuts which they still have thanks to a recent throwdown episode and of course the Doughnut Man, Mark Israel won. One helluva doughnut! On Grand St. down the block from Kossar's Bialy's and the wonderful pizza at Isabella's Oven.
Must Go!

Pommes de Terre

Ultra charming and beckoning from the outside with yellow painted exterior that looks like something out of the country instead of the otherwise undistinguishable and decidedly unglamorous Newkirk Ave. Extending the yellowness to the inside painted wainscotting and white tin ceilings this spot is seductive in it's cuteness. Similar somewhat to the Farm, their other restaurant Pommes de Terre distinguishes itself with creative Frenchish cooking and a knowlegeable and friendly staff. I started with the cauliflower soup with rock shrimp for $5 which was velvety smooth, rich and delish. House churned butter and a nice, fresh old school baguette baked in the Bronx went well with the rich soup. Next up was the dry grilled aged ribeye with sauteed spinach and potato gratin for $23. Perfectly cooked, but missing the bone the dish was freshly cooked to order. Other options included grilled salmon, and a pan cooked chicken with Middle Eastern add-ons that appeared to be the popular dish that evening. The star of the night was dessert. All desserts are $5, a true Brooklyn bargain. The caramel-banana pot de creme was a caramel pudding with caramelized banana(creme brulee style) top was absolutely killer.
Must Go!

Flatbush Food Co-op

Flatbush Food Coo-op is one of the few co-ops that you do not need to be a member to shop in though memberships are available and food is discounted to members. Even members are not subject to the mamouth amount of rules like the Park Slope Food Co-op which I have shopped in many times courtesy of members though never joined because of the rules and crowds. This store moved a few months ago to a former supermarket location on Cortelyou Rd. across from the subway and it is huge and shiny with great organic produce, fair trade coffees, deli items, beauty items and more. I liked it in it's former tiny, sort of run down old location, but the new one is huge and during the week, uncrowded. Organic white corn just before the start of corn season is $1.29, a whole aisle of organic produce though not cheap is cheaper than say Whole Foods. Soups, like sweet potato and black bean are there to take away as well as salads or make a sandwich to go. Fair trade coffee is $8.99 a pound that is a steal. Pics to follow.
Must Go

5 Napkin Burger

There is a battle royale brewing on 9th. Ave between 44th. and 45th. with two restaurant giants. In one established corner is Marseilles groundbreaking a few years ago for it's french fare. Next up, is Nizza owned by the man behind Nice Matin on the Upper West Side whose Meditteranean fare is always consistently good. Now the Marseilles owner stakes his claim on the opposite corner with 5 Napkin Burger, a sort of cliche title considering the eclectic menu. I admit not to eating the juicy looking burger with ripe red tomato or the crispy, appearing fries instead opting for something more continental. Before I get to the food, this big corner space is decorated in white tile(very popular these days) and with multicolored cushioney banquettes as well comphy vintagey style chairs and a few black booths. Industrial style lighting shines down from metal bars holding light bulbs. Also, I found the service to be excellent something I read negatively about on other blogs. Now for the grub- I ordered the raclette a German/French specialty and having eaten raclete a dozen times in Deutschland, this bore no resemblence except for the goey, rich raclette cheese on top with chopped pickles or cornichons. The potatoes used were idaho completely wrong for the dish as well as a lack of quark(yogurt and cheese) or sour cream as a condiment. The cheese was raclette and is the same as the name of the dish and it cost $9.50. The main was a pasta primavera a strange choice for a burger joint, but this dish for $16.50 with marscapone cheese was one of the most perfect ever eaten. These guys are pros and the perfectly cooked al dente pasta was served with a mix of perfectly cooked veggies like asparagus, broccoli and zucchini, and peas with marscapone cheese which added a rich decadent flavor. Next time, I may opt for the juicy cheddar, bacon burger if I am feeling in the mood for beef.
GO!

SWEET MELISSA BAKERY

Adorable bakery in Central Cobble Hill, Delish passionfruit cheesecake and hand rolled chocolate croissants. Just a note, the next door creamery which Time Out alluded made their own ice-cream so does it's name does not make their own ice-cream it is Hershey's from Pennsylvania I was dissapointed to learn. Skip the ice-cream store and choose a sweet treat at the bakery instead.
Go!

BRIGHTON BAZAAR

Say "da" to this enormus smorgasboard of Russian food and many kinds of borscht including borscht with meat, white borscht, cold and hot borscht, all housemade. My lunch here last week included cold borscht with a small selection from the buffet including veal meatballs and boiled new potatoes with dill. My lunch cost $5 with soup and buffet. Other dishes include stroganoff, Russian postato salad, blini galore. Selections of specialty cheeses, herrings, salamis etc. as well as fruit are available at this local mainstay.
Go!

ALI BABA TURKISH RESTAURANT

Ali Baba on East 34th Street is my favorite Manhattan Turkish spot. Located near the very elegant Turkish Kitchen on 3rd Ave this place has one very important food item the other doesn't- Turkish bread. Arriving warm and nicely baked in a bread basket, turkish bread is one of those perfect companions to the meal. If you come for lunch there is a $9.95 lunch special that rocks. You get a choice of appetizer and an entree and the appetizers include bread with little almonds and noodles. The appetizers include lentil soup, a wonderful shepards salad of tomato, cucumber, onions, parsley, lemon, vinegar and spices. My favorite lunchtime entree is the shish kebab which are cubes of roasted and seasoned lamb over the yummy rice. A bite of bread and lamb is a classic Turkish combo. For dinner a more extensive menu of poultry, meat, fish and vegetarian items can be found on the menu. I have eaten here at dinner and there is a salmon casserole with cream, vegetables and kastar cheese that is super duper. They bake their own baklava(the recommeded dessert) with pistachios and honey. This restaurant attracts a very international crowd and it is not unusual to hear several languages spoken in this pretty, little spot. Another outpost in East Midtown is coming soon.
MUST GO!

B BAR AND GRILL

Formerly called the Bowery Bar and Grill, I realized that I have never eaten in this 80's iconic restaurant. The restaurant is very large and located on the corner of East 4th. Street and Cooper Square. It was fairly empty at lunch and I was seated immediately at a plush booth with a garden view- bingo! The dining room is decorated with black and beige banguettes, a wood beamed ceiling and a palm tree in the center of the room with lots of light making for an uber cool space. I started with mint lemonade which even though it was not homemade, it was minty and refreshing. I ordered the quesadilla with shrimp and also asked for wild mushroom which I was not charged extra for and cost $9. The tortilla was on the thick side with a strange tasting red sauce and crema squirted on the top and served with a small side salad. There is a vast lunch menu with sandwiches and paninis all under $15 like yellowfin tuna, or bacon, avocado, lettuce and tomato for $10 which are served with a side salad. Overall, the food was fine, but the view and and chill vibe was exceptional.
Go!

THE ODEON

Oh, the Odeon, debaucherous late night 80's hotspot for the NY artworld and local celebrities. Now an art deco landmark with wood wainscotting, mirrors, maroon colored banguettes and deco lighting. The food is secondary with the deco decor being the star of the show and of course you! Myself and a Tribecca friend were there for lunch on Friday, where we were seated at a larger table with a slightly obstructed view. First comes the warm rolls with the Odeon labeled butter, lovely. My beet salad with shaved fennel, mandarin slices and aged goat cheese for $12 was tiny. The balance of the lovely red and yellow beets with the fennel was tasty though standard goat cheese would have been the preferred option. My lunch companion's eggs benedict was slightly runny with a slight smattering of hollandaise and the small bits of the end of the french fry batch as an accompaniment. The bus boy informed us that pictures are a no-no, oh well too late. Other than the dining room, the bathroom is one of my all time NY favorites, it is downstairs with a large outer area with two wooden phone booths(remember those) and an antique scale. In the jane with more deco tile and black doors on the stalls and a separate powder room with make-up mirrors and stools, and a pic of Jean-Michel Basquait no doubt an early patron.
Go!

Highline

Firstly, I love this place. Food, design, and service Highline rocks. With it's white couches instead of the useal banguettes, white cushiony chairs, black slate floors, 70's style amber hanging lights and a small waterfall this place is uber modern and cool. I have eaten here a few times and ate here for lunch on Thursday and loved my food. The lunch menu offers several options ranging from vegetarian for $8 up to seafood for $10. I choose the choose the N.E. steak for $9 which is grilled Thai marinated steak with steamed seasonal greens. For a starter(included, I choose the terriyaki grilled shrimp over a mushroom medley. The carmelized shrimp was served over different mushroom varieties like portobello and shitake and was tangy and tasty. My steak was a huge amount of slightly spiced beef in a reddish, brown sauce with perfectly steamed veggies(asparagus, broccoli and green beans) and rice. The spice of the meat was well balanced by the greens and rice. A dimly lit Feng Shui bathroom with an unusual sink on the same floor. I am sure Highline rocks at night.
Must Go!

Otto's Pizzeria and Enoteca and ice-cream

Mario Batali's Restaurant is famous for their pizza and extensive and I mean extensive wine list, but they also make a mean gelati and that is what I was there for today at the bar. Three flavors are $7 which is not bad for housemade gelati which comes in about 9 flavors. I choose salty caramel, spiced chocolate and strawberry balsamic. The accompanying warm chocolate sauce served in a shot glass for an extra $2 was decadent. The ice-cream was dense, fresh and mostly divine. The salty caramel was very true in flavor as was the strawberry balsamic(hmmmmmmm), the spiced chocolate was slightly underspiced unlike Il Laboratorio's chile spiced chocolate. The warm chocolate sauce was perfection and all together simply delish.
GO!