Plaza Food Hall - I'm a Todd English fan

Seems like my blog is always about cocktails or food! Well here I go again. This is about my visit to "The Plaza Food Hall" http://theplazafoodhall.com/

When we walked in we were not actually sure what to do. We thought maybe you pick the food you want and sit at that counter. What ever you do, don't do that. Go check in at the front and they will seat you at the next available seats. Then they give you a menu of heavenly choices from any of the Food Bar's. So if you are on a date and you want Italian, but your honey wants sushi, guess what, you both get what you want.

All ingredients used were fresh and of highest standards. As you sit you get to watch the chef's cook, some free entertainment. Though I must admit my husband and I were very concerned with the Risotto. They made a giant bowl of it and it sat and sat and sat there untouched. We were wondering how they were going to salvage this, since it had to get soggy sitting there for so long. I never saw so much risotto at once!

I had the "Caramelized onion & brussel sprouts on flat bread with gorgonzola cheese. I always seem to make a wise delicious choice. My husband had a salad and some sushi, once again fine fresh ingredients.

It was a Sunday when we visited so we decided to have some mimosa's, they were a shocking 15.00 each! We did know going into this Todd English establishment, great delicious foods by this chef never comes cheap.

I highly recommend a visit to "The Plaza Food Hall". As you all know I am a New Yorker living like a tourist, so I had to try "The Plaza Food Hall" at least one time and I am glad I did.

Dining out during my painful days in NYC - November 2011

November 5 - El Quijote - Chelsea -http://www.elquijoterestaurant.com/ it was somewhat appropriate to come here when my pain was getting less, since this was the last place I was able to go after I hurt myself. I was excited to get back and they have booths for dining so easy on the back. As for what I think of El Quijote see my previous post ....http://debsnewyorkcity.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-favorite-nyc-restaurant-for-last-29.html Two must orders at El Quijote would be the Lobster daily double broiled (the best I ever had) and the Santiago Margarita straight up!


November 6th - HK Hell's Kitchen - www.hkhellskitchen.com This place is starting to become my favorite close to home place. I just love that they have "Happy Hour" 7 days a week and they have the yummiest cocktail menu!! Definitely try the Chocolate Martini. And this is a must place for brunch with an "ALL you can drink" option (Mimosa, bloody mary's, Bellini's and Champagne) and though its hard to get a table and a wait on weekend for brunch you can pay for your "All you can drink" option at the bar while you wait.

November 12th - East of Eighth - Chelsea - http://eastofeighthny.com/Went here over 10 years ago and not sure why I wanted this long to go back. Decided during this painful period in my life, 23rd street is an easy place to park on a Saturday night so we headed over early for the 7pm parking time. The restaurant area is upstairs though but my pain has not been as intense so walking the steps was not to bad. I highly recommend what I ordered "The Lobster pot pie"

November 26th - Dos Caminos Park - Flatiron district
http://www.doscaminos.com/
A couple of years ago I had Brunch at the Dos Caminos in Soho which was not a good experience. When I arrived at the their other location on Park Avenue my first impression was the decor which I really loved. Tin lanterns in all different sizes hanging from the ceiling.

It had a Mexico romantic flair. We started off with the Guacamole sampler which I definitely recommend getting. Each of the three were delicious. We really enjoyed our entrees which were made to perfection and served gourmet style on the dish. And I definitely approve of the Cadillac margarita! I will go back if I am in the neighborhood! Or in another neighborhood where they happen to have another one of their restaurants. (picture of my scallop entree)

Dining out during my painful days in NYC October 2011

Slow and steady won the race. I am now, since October 22nd attempting to get out in the city that never sleeps again "New York City" after being on bed rest for 2 months with a herniated disc, sciatica & bursitis in the hip.

October 22nd - Tenth Rail - Hell's Kitchen

- http://www.tenthrail.com/ was my first real attempt dining out in my neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen. I was able to walk the few blocks. I picked this place because they have VERY comfortable chairs and booth seats. I figured if I could attempt to sit the first time anywhere this would be a good place to try! Here is my Yelp review http://www.yelp.com/biz/tenth-rail-new-york#hrid:ddBxa6bBstykZl9KH6ofEQ

October 23- Lucy Cantina - Penn Station area - http://lucyscantinaroyale.com/ I was not as lucky showing up here in a bit of pain already to find booths with hard surface seating. There was an upstairs with booths with pillows but none available and getting up stairs in pain not so easy. I can stand at a bar though for a quick "Happy Hour" frozen margarita for 5.00. That's all their margarita's are worth though. Sort of weak and not as good as my favorite places like "Cowgirl" Since I couldn't sit and eat we just had the Margarita and picked up Mexican at Chipotle on the way home which is down the block. So I did at least get my Mexican food fix! I was probably better off not eating there since Yelp reviews here are not so great with 2 1/2 stars.

October 30 - Brunch at El Rio Grande - Murray Hill http://www.arkrestaurants.com/elrio_grande.html I have been here numerous times for dinner which I always loved this was my first experience for Brunch. I had a Breakfast Burrito

Though it was good, I still prefer dinner time with some yummy margarita's! I would like to go back in nicer weather for brunch since they have great outdoor dining at this establishment. I have a feeling when we move eventually to the east side of NYC this will be my favorite "go to" place.

My favorite NYC restaurant for the last 29 years

Not everyone would give El Quijote 5 stars but this is absolutely my favorite restaurant in New York City mostly due to the lobster being the best I have found in the New York area. (Or maybe anywhere I have been other than Maine) I will be celebrating my 30 year anniversary of going to this restaurant next year. My two recommendations would be the "Santiago Margarita" and of course ordering lobster for dinner. I recommend the daily double two 1 1/4 pound lobsters for 32.95 (as to date) 29 years ago it was the price of 17.95. I recommend getting The lobsters broiled since they put stuffing in them that is an extra special touch. The lobster comes with either a choice of soup or salad and a side dish. Service is always very attentive with 2-3 people tending the table. Out of the almost 30 years I have been going here I have not really ordered much else though my friends have ordered some of the traditional Spanish dishes and really enjoyed them. In my opinion the prices at this restaurant are very reasonable for a Chelsea neighborhood restaurant. I hope this place is there for another 30 years or at least through the rest of my life time!

Have you ever left a Restaurant & still hungry?

I came upon the second restaurant in my adult life that I left and spent way over 100.00 for two people and was still hungry!!

Kio Restaurant -

http://www.yelp.com/biz/koi-restaurant-new-york-2#hrid:DywdLNYWf9Bsy9MzcpVagw

If you are wondering what the first restaurant was it was Maze - at the London NYC.

Hubby's 40th Birthday

My husband turned 40! So family got together to celebrate. We had dinner at El Rio Grande in Murray Hill. They have pretty darn good Margarita's there too. I like them on the rocks there with salt. They have many flavors to choose from.

The food is pretty awesome there. Great menu with many choices. We have been before and this is why we picked this venue to celebrate. We know the food and Margarita's here are good!

I am really looking forward to when the outdoor area opens for weekend brunch, I hear doggies are welcome there so I can bring "Shannon the Sheltie" in her carriage there!

After we headed on over to Japas38 for some Karaoke, which turned out to be a blast. It was a fun night. Japas38 has many private rooms for Karaoke to choose from, make sure you make reservations. There is also a bar area and if you are daring enough you can sing in front of others too at the bar.

We topped the night off by having Billy's Bakeries Red Velvet Cake (with out Happy Birthday written on it - See my previous post about Billy's Bakery!)

El Rio Grande
160 E. 38th St
btw Lexington and Third
New York, NY 10016
Follow on Twitter at @ElRioGrandeNYC
Check in at FourSquare for Specials
www.elriograndenyc.com

"Shannon the Sheltie"
LIKE Shannon on FACEBOOK at Shannon the Sheltie
Follow her on Twitter @ShannonSheltie
Or for Blog posts at http://shannonthesheltie.blogspot.com/

Japas38 - Karaoke

9 E 38th St
btw 5th & Madison
New York, NY 10016
http://www.japas38.com/

Vynl - Hell's Kitchen - Aok

Great Menu and tasty drinks. High energy vibe, loud music...... if these are some things you like than you may want to try out Vynl.

I visited the Hell's Kitchen location, 2 times. Both times the food was delicious. There is a great mix of all types of food on the menu so there is something for everyone. American, Thai, and even Matzo Ball soup. We had the Peking Duck Rolls on both visits, which are scrumptious!

Vynl - Hell's Kitchen

754 9th Avenue @ 51st Street, NYC

http://www.vynl-nyc.com/

Ben's Kosher Deli - Aok

Now I have a Ben's in both my neighborhoods to enjoy. There is nothing bad I can say about "Ben's" I enjoy the one in Greenvale, Long Island NY and now I enjoy the one on 38th Street.

Ben's Kosher Deli
209 W 38th St
btw 7th & 8th Ave
New York, NY 10018
http://www.bensdeli.net/

Rickshaw Dumpling Bar - Aok

I am not a fan of "fast foods" so places like Rickshaw make me happy. Fast food but something a bit different to enjoy. I have had some of thier dumplings from thier truck before so I knew what to expect. I wouldn't go out of my way to go there, but when in Chelsea area and I need a quick bite, I would definately stop at Rickshaw's Dumpling Bar.

Rickshaw Dumpling Bar

61 West 23rd Street

Between 5 & 6th

http://www.rickshawdumplings.com/

I'm BACK!! Old fav Mario Trattoria, The Fighter Movie & Food Parc in Chelsea

Finally back in the "Big Apple" to continue my "Living like a tourist in NYC". Only have the apartment for another 7 months and we missed much of January and 1/2 of February coming here.........so we better step it up. Though it still has been difficult cause it has been so WINDY and COLD!!

So due to the climate we did some local favorites and a movie on our first Weekend back.

Friday night - back to our little local favorite place "Mario Trattoria" in Hell's Kitchen - 493 Ninth Avenue between 37th and 38th Street. I can not say enough of how we love dining here. The waitress is so sweet, the decor very quaint, cozy and romantic. The food really delicious. To top it off this restaurant is offered on http://www.restaurant.com/ so you can purchase 25.00 gift certificates when they are sale for only 2.00! Sign up so you know when the sales happen to pay a low price for the certificate. I have 6 for this restaurant waiting to be used. You have to spend a minimum of 35.00 on food and you can use one certificate a month. (see more details on restaurant.com site)

Saturday we went to see - The Fighter - I let my husband pick a movie for a change, and wondering if he choose this one so I would see that his family is not so dysfunctional after all. It is based on a true story about "Irish" Mickey Ward. Boy his family was nutty!! It was an enjoyable movie, not sure I would highly recommend it.

Sunday, even though COLD out we wandered over to Food Parc at the Eventi hotel in Chelsea. I have had it on my list of things to do during my "Living like a tourist in NYC" so we went over for lunch. http://www.foodparc.com/ (6th Avenue and 29th Street) This is a modern food court, with great choice of a variety of foods to order from. They have computers set up so you can order from more than one venue at a time and pay by credit card.

We just wandered up to the counters though. We ordered from "Fornetti". Their baked flat breads were delicious looking so we ordered the Mozzerala and Grilled chicken one and it was really delicious! We would like to go back and order from "Red Farm Stand" since I heard great things about thier dumplings, maybe next time. Follow them on twitter for daily specials discount codes @FoodParc

Heartland Brewery Times Square

Had the Red Rooster Ale and like it alot, looking forward to going back to try some of the other beers. I was a little leery about going to a restaurant in Port Authority (about the only area I hate being around in NYC so far) but when inside you really have no idea where you are other than "Heartland Brewery".

Can you say Pretzel Spaetzle 10 times fast?

Had dinner at one of the many restaurants I have on my list to dine in this next year while we have the apartment called Klee in Chelsea. Due to Oktoberfest time they had a special menu and I couldn't pass up some spaetzle . Cheesy spaetzle with pieces of pretzel?? Wow! A very delicious concept!

I thought this was a really good restaurant, though I have trouble dining at places that I just think are a bit too expensive. I have dined at great places that are reasonable with delicious food, so when I think things are a little inflated I have difficulty wanting to go back. Some may say quality gourmet food should be priced high. I agree to some degree if I am paying for seafood or a really delicious out of this world dish. I paid 15.00 for a 1/2 portion of cheesy spaetzle with pretzels in it. I am part German and had handmade spaetzle many a time, so comparing the noodle to what I had as a kid it did not meet my expectations. It seemed more like cheesy mac n cheese and I actually could not tell where the pretzels were in the dish. I was a bit disappointed. Though now the creativity of the thought of this dish, I may try to create it myself at home some day.



I think I have to try Klee again with their regular menu someday to give this restaurant a fair review.



http://www.kleebrasserie.com/

Market Cafe ...in my neighborhood

Market Cafe, located on 9th Avenue between 37th and 38th Avenue was a good choice for our late arrival into the city on Friday nights. It is right down the block from our apartment! Nice menu with a decent variety of choices. I liked the variety of choices especially with salads, many times late at night I do not want to eat so heavy. The people that worked there were very friendly. Prices are bit high though and it was a 11.00 each for our martini's but at least they made them very well. I hate when they are expensive and taste like a sippy juice drink! Everything we ordered was delicious and well prepared. I will be back, but I may have my cocktails on the roof deck at home first!

Gluten Free menu available too.

http://www.marketcafenyc.com/

The Red Cat Restaurant in Chelsea

Dined at the "Red Cat" in Chelsea on 10th Avenue between 23rd and 24th Street on Saturday evening for the first time. I have wanted to dine there for many years.

Now we are talking! No wonder this restaurant has been open for some time now. The food was top quality and delicious as was the service. Gordon Ramsey would have enjoyed this Asparagus Risotto for sure!

The Eggplant

Every item we ordered was so scrumptious.

Baked Polenta

We ended off on a great note with thier Strawberry Bread Pudding. I will be back!!!