The Great American Health Bar

The Great American Health bar has been in it's same spot on 57th. Street since at least the eighties when many including myself opted for healthier food after dance classes nearby. The place looks like a California diner circa 1979. This place is no bargain, but still does a ragin' business with their made to order salads with lo cal house-made vinegaigrette. Salads numbers 1-9 or your own mix runs from about $8.95 to $14.95. The Tasty Avocado includes spinach and romaine, very fresh avocado, tomatoes, peppers and mushrooms. Though not cheap at $13.94- it is tasty. My fave for a dinner salad is the cheese tortellini and spinach salad which has spinach, grape leaves, tortellini, feta, hard boiled eggs, red onions tomato, and cheddar. Alot of cheese and very tasty. There is squeezed on the spot orange juice by the great machine that takes the whole orange and spits out the juice(very popular in Spain), Other fresh squeezed juices are available as well. The low fat frozen yogurt has always been popular here and still is and is offered in a variety of flavors with extra toppings. Main dishes are pricey and I think the salads are a more interesting food option. The bathroom has been updated to marble, but still retains that old-school smell.

Isablella's Cucina Intaliana

Isabella's on Grand Street on the LES offers the real deal in pizza, a genuine brick oven pizza not just brick face like some NY "brick oven" pizza joints. An interestingly eclectic decor with charming chandeliers and a smallish table arrangement give the place a local, borough like feel. The pizza here is made to order and is the real deal. Luckily, for those looking for just pizza Isabella's offers a mini version of all their pies. You can watch them make and fire your pie in the oven. I have always opted for the mini margherita which at $6 is only a little more expensive than a DiFara's slice. The m.m. arrives hot out of the oven, nicely charred, with 4 small slices topped with a piece of fresh basil on each slice. I opt to dine alfresco in the lovely weather and they include fresh parmigiano and red pepper flakes. By the by, a cute bathroom is available in the back just in case you need it. The pizza is just hmmmmm delicious- one of the best all around pizza flavors around town. Other pies include ingredients like olives, sausage, ricotta and speck(bacon) which are more expensive than the margherita though no minis cost more than $13. Isabella's also offers pasta with homemade looking bread, but with pizza this good and cheap well the choice is obvious.

Big Daddy's Diner

Big Daddy's has two locations one on Park Ave. South and 19th. Street and the other on 2nd. Ave and 82nd. Street. I have eaten at the Park Ave South location nearly a dozen times and each time my feeling is the same. Cute retro setting, freshly made grub to order, and occasionally clueless service. Lunch on Park Ave. South is bustling and for good reason, the food is good though not cheap, booth action and trivia cards make for a fun interactive lunch. The burgers are so huge and served with slaw and fries(cheese if you ask for it). Last week it was hard to finish my daddy'o burger which was grilled perfectly with melted jalepeno cheddar, thick cut bacon and onion rings- o daddy this is some burger, and served with fries for $12.93. If you are feeling in a retro mood you can order tater tots instead of fries and you can add cheese to the fries for a buck. To wash it all down I ordered a delish thick shake with chocolate, banana, chocolate syrup and whipped creme. Another lunch fave is the "holy moses" which includes, grilled veggies, grape leaves, falafel, hummus, cucumber, olives and pita for $13.93- also a gargantuan amount of food and freshly made. The salads are also huge and I have enjoyed the General Lee's chicken salad on many occasions served with napa cabbage fried chicken breast, , hearts of palm, roasted sesame seeds, mango and orange slics with an Asian sesame dressing for $13.91. I am always so full, I never order dessert. The toilet is on the first floor with a large silver antique looking mirror and pedestal sink.

Mr Skewer & Co. Brazilian Grill

I was waiting for months for this Brazilian style sort-of fast food spot to open on 14th Street between 5th. and 6th. Ave. Finally, open about 2 weeks, I have eaten here twice and enjoyed both experiences. This new joint offers churascarria style meats as well as other south american specialties including empanadas as well as specialty sandwiches and salads. Of course, the star of the show is the meat and for a fraction of a real churascarria without the huge salad bar offerings the meat here is delicious. On my first visit, I ate the skirt steak seasoned with sea salt which was perfectly cooked and seasoned delicately served with cheese bread balls(no lie)and two sides which I ordered steamed and grilled veggies which were fine and cost $11.95. Today, I tried the guacho burger for $8.45 which is served on the homemade cheese bread with caramelized onions, mixed greens, and brazilian vinaigrette. This is one rockin' burger, mine was a teeny overcooked to medium well, I asked for medium, but was highly seasoned and super tasty especially on the cheese bread. Mr. Skewer also seves grilled chicken, turkey, salmon, chorizo and other steak cuts which all look like good bets. The salads with dressing on the side appeared slightly boring as the meat here reigns supreme. There is a bathroom in the rear for your after dining comfort.

Barrio

Located in the center, center slope on 7th. Ave and 3rd. Street, this new endeavor works hard to please those who jones for quality Mexico City style Mexican in Brooklyn. Chef Adrian Leon who has worked with Nuevo Latino superstar Douglas Rodriguez, as well as manning kitchens at Rosa Mexicano and Zocalo. I ate there for brunch yesterday and was not dissappointed. Seated in the covered outdoor area, which was nice and warm with cute, colorful lights, brunch began with chips and homemade salsas. The busboy explained the green was tomatillo and the red was morita and spicy. Both were fresh and vibrant and the chips good though not housemade. My entree of baked vegetarian enchilada for $11.95 was served in a corn tortilla with black beans, cactus, roasted poblanos, anejo cheese, green salsa and topped with pickled jalapenos was very good though I might have enjoyed it more with a little something extra with it, like a little rice perhaps. The tables surrounding me looked happy and all the food, especially those topped with the lovely freshmade salsas looked enticing. Other brunch entrees include huevos rancheros for $10.50, pancakes topped with fresh fruit and sugar and chicken or steak chilaquiles for $9.25. The sides are only $2.95 including guacamole which is pretty reasonable for an add on. Lots of specialty cocktails are available and the staff is plenty willing to please. A nice clean bathroom with a little wood wainscotting is located in the main dining room. Soon arriving will be Mexican hot chocolate which I look forward to on a future brunch visit.

John's Shanghai

Located in the heart of the Theatre District on West 46th between 6th and Broadway is this old school Chinese restaurant. John's is a homey spot with a wall of teapots and Chinese sculptures in it's two-story restaurant. The restaurant offers classic Shanghai Style fare as well as housemade dumplings. The weekday lunch specials (until 4pm) include soup or egg roll or soda. They start at $6.75 for roasted meats and go up to $9.95 for the multi-meat/ fish combos. The seating is comfortable and the service fast and the food is pretty standard.

El Museo Del Jamon

Located in several outposts all over Madrid, this is one of my favorite spots in all of Spain. The museum of ham as it translates into English celebrates serrano and Iberian hams displayed all over this cafe and restaurant with hoofs in. El museo offers breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as ham and cheeses to go. The location near Puerta Del Sol is where we started our day's and they offer several breakfast specials of ham(serrano) with or without cheese(manchego) as well as the famous zumo de naranja(house squeezed juice) and cafe or hot chocolate for abut $5 U.S. Standing at the counter with tourists and Madrilenos is unbeatable Spanish experience.

Choclateria San Gines

Some many spots to blog about, Madrid is a vibrant city with wonderful day and night life, great restaurants and tapas spots. One famous gem is this 100 year old restaurant located between near Puerta Del Sol on a quaint street near a streetside bookstore looking straight out of Harry Potter. Churros and hot chocolate are a Madrid tradition and this spot serves them made to order. In this charming old-school European cafe you can watch them drizzle the batter swish and remove and cut the churros. The hot chocolate is like molten lava and absolutely killer. Dunk your churros into the chocolate and go straight to heaven. Sitting or standing at the counter, for an afternoon snack this is as close to feeling like a true Madrileno.

Traveling to Spain

Sothy's spa is my last official N.Y. post before heading off to Spain tonight. Any great spots will be posted upon my return. In the meantime enjoy the beautiful weather and be an urban explorer!

Franny

Sothys Spa

This was my Spa Week option and I could not be more pleased. L'Institut Sothys has one branch on West 57th. and one branch in Paris. This is a classic European Spa and it shows from the moment you walk in. I booked the Eau Thermale facial for the $50 spa week special and it was a special service. The reception person was an older very stylish woman and the feeling here is European orderliness without the bells and whistles available at some downtown spas. Vera was my facialist, a beautiful Russian woman also north of 50. The room looked like a real facial room. The facial bed was heated so it was an ahhhhh from the jump. Vera looked and was an expert at skin care and facials. With expert hands and top of the line products, the facial was phenomenal, and even some extractions were done gently and quickly. I was given a spa menu and $20 off my next visit which for a fancy West 57th Spa was not unreasonable at $115 for a European facial.

Jungle Lime Mexican Grill

Located on ninth ave. between 53rd and 54th diagonally across from El Centro a great corner Mexican mainstay, Jungle Lime serves healthier Mexican fare. A narrow space with jungle vines and exposed brick, the design makes good use of the small space. A bottomless chips and salsa was the really like a limey pico de gallo and was great. The cheesey Mexican corn was slathered with a bland Mexican velveeta. My chicken fajita was served with brown tortillas and the chicken itself was tough and flavorless. Oh, the accompanying guacamole was very good and served cleverly in a wooden salad bowl. The place was crowded and so was El Centro, so this spot hasn't really affected it's business. This Jungle Lime restaurant is very cheap with most dishes, like fajitas, burritos, and tacos are under $10. They also serve organic wine here, so it is a healthier option if that is what you are seeking.

Artichoke Pizza

A couple of guys from Staten Island open a pizza place on East 14th. Street and there is a line out the door. What is their secret? Is it the thickly charred crust or tangy tomato sauce or combo of cheeses? One thing is sure, it is definitely one of the the best pizza bangs for the buck on this islan, at $2.50/slice. This was my second trip, because the first time, I passed right by after seeing no less that 4 other pizza spots in a two block radius. So, after braving a 10 minute line while grooving to Nirvana and Guns and Roses blasting from the radio, keeping the 4 pizza making men rockin' and alert while producing pies and slices for the masses waiting. A guy in front keeps the customers in order and explains the offerings here. There is a photo of Elvis in the window and a few restaurant size cans of pommodoro to look at as you salivate for your pizza. There is literally standing room only and that is a sliver of a spot near the napkins and condiments which are in one spot. Better to bring your pizza home or eat it on the way on a nice day. Artichoke offers stuffed artichokes which look very rustic(good) as well as lovely well baked large free form peasanty loaves. Now for the pizza. I ordered a square and a round which by looks only, look great. I sort of preferred the flavor of the round more, though both were very good, nicely charred, thick crusted with a little fresh basil. The square offers multiple cheeses (pecorino, parmigiana, and polly-o) and fresh basil adds a a nice touch. Maybe, the pizza is just a tad thick to enjoy the ragin. flavors. It is definitely damn good pizza for this island, though it can be hard to please the pizza palate of a born and bred Brooklyn girl. A new pizza with crab is pictured above. After a second visit, and third and fourth, I am starting to like/love the pizza here and the great guys who serve it, reminding me more of very fond Brooklyn pizza parlor memories each time, though I wish the condiments were more plentiful.