Top of the Rock

I was bartending over the weekend and there were some people in from out of town sitting at my bar.  The woman asked, "If there was one thing you would tell us not to miss while we were here, what would it be?"  I thought about that for a bit.  There are so many great restaurants and museums and theater, but I think the one place I would take someone to if they had never been here before would be Top of the Rock at night.

I went there for the first time a couple of years ago when a friend was in from Italy.  I had always wanted to go, but I guess because I live here it was one of those things I had never gotten around to doing.

One of things that struck me is how beautiful the skyline of New York is.  I have traveled to many places in the last year or so and still I think New York has one of the most striking skylines.  I live here but I don’t get to look at it from somewhere that has a spectacular view of it everyday.  It really almost takes your breath away.  I think the reason that I love Top of the Rock at night as opposed to during the day, is because you get to see it in all it's glory with everything all lit up.  I stood there and thought, I live in one of the most incredible cities of the world.  Every song you could every think of about New York runs through your mind and you feel like every image that you might have had about New York is staring you right in the face.  It is all there at eye level and my response after having lived here for over 15 years was WOW!  So my thought in today’s blog for all you out of towners or even for you folks who live here go to the Top of the Rock.  See the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building and Broadway from above.  It will amaze you everytime.

Leave a comment and tell us your "don't miss this while in NYC" thing to do.  

Open Daily from 8am to Midnight - last elevator up at 11pm

Tickets are $22 (discounts available for children, students and seniors)

Entrance is on 50th between 5th and 6th

Luke's Lobster

I am from Boston (you might know this already if you have been reading my blog for a while).  I am really picky about my lobster.  For the most part, I will only eat it when I am in Massachusetts or in Maine because once you have tasted how sweet and delicious it is coming out of the extremely cold Northeast Atlantic Ocean, you will almost always be disappointed in everything else.  However now there is Luke's Lobster and I daresay I may just be eating a lot of lobster rolls in Manhattan this summer.

Luke Holden, founder of Luke's Lobster, grew up in a small town on the coast of Maine.  He grew up lobstering and open his own lobster company while still in high school.  Pretty impressive!  He then moved to New York to work in finance.  He found himself very unimpressed with the "lobster rolls" he was seeing here in Manhattan.  They were slathered in mayo, filled with celery and incredibly over-priced.  New Englanders do know lobster!  So he called his dad (who owns a seafood processing company in Maine) and together they contacted the lobster men in Maine that they have had longstanding relationships with and now they us the lobster right off the boat from Maine.  It doesn't get much better than that.

I'll admitt, I walked into Luke's with an air of skepicism.  I wasn't ready to buy into the hype and I thought, these people think it's good because they haven't ever had the good stuff.  I walked out feeling as though I just discovered buried treasure.

Lobster Roll minus my first bite - I was so excited I forgot to take the picture first!

The lobster is sweet, fresh and delicious.  There is a dab of mayo and some lemon butter with some secret spices.  This is all served atop a warm buttered bun.  I felt like I had left manhattan and was back in New England.  The inside is so cute.  It looks like a little beach shack on the inside with all the unpretentiousness you find on Cape Cod.

Whether you think you've had good lobster or you know you have, I feel certain that you will love Luke's Lobster.  It is mouthwater good.  And for $15 you will get a huge amount of lobster that you will be hardpressed to find almost anywhere.  I think I am going to have to go back for some New England Clam chowder.  I feel certain it is a test my spoon will stand up to.

Upper West Side:  426 Amsterdam Ave. Between 80th and 81st - 212-877-8800
East Village:  93 E. 7th - 212-387-8487
Upper East Side:  242 E. 81st - 212-249-4241

Taberna

I just went to Taberna for the first time.  I have been meaning to go forever.  It is a block from my house and why I have put off going I'm not sure.  The food was fantastic, the atmosphere cozy and inviting and the drinks sublime.  Taberna is all Spanish and mostly tapas (which is traditional in Spain) though there are a few entrees.  The chef, Jennifer Cole, spent a dozen years cooking in Spain and has brought her experience to this fantastic upper west side spot.

The first thing we ordered was a glass of wine and the Rose Cava Sangria.  My friend ordered the Rose Cava Sangria and I wished I had ordered it!  It was the most fantastic sangria I have ever had.  It was a mixture of Rose Cava (obviously) triple sec, brandy and fresh fruit.  Wow!  It was delicious.  It is going to be my new favorite spot this summer.  They have happy hour pitchers of sangria for $13 and seating outside.  Give me one reason not to be a regular there this summer.

For food we started with the croquettes served with hummus for dipping that were great.  I had the seared Angus Steak and the garlic shrimp that were amazing.

Next we had the Baked Goat Cheese with rosemary and honey.  I couldn't help myself.  I ate every last bite.  We ended the evening with the Mackerel with tomato.

It was almost a cerviche; really delicious.   One of my favorite things about eating in Spain was the size of the dish.  Everything is small plates, they bring them out one at a time (like they do at Taberna) and you don't over eat but instead get to taste a lot of different things.  This is the experience you will get at Taberna.  Small and cozy but a real gem.

Taberna
429 Amsterdam between 80th and 81st
917-388-3500

Ardesia

I am forever looking for great new spots to meet up with friends.  Not that the good old standbys aren’t great, but it is good to be on the lookout for new things.  Well last Friday I found one that I love!  It is called Ardesia, located at 510 West 52^nd between 10^th & 11^th.  

Ardesia

They offer 30 wines by the glass and a larger selection by the bottle.  It is a combination of old world and new world wines and the staff is extremely knowledgeable and can help guide you through the list.  The bartender who was helping me suggested a Montsant from Spain that was amazing.  He also recommended some wonderful things off the menu.  The menu consists of small plates with of course cheese and meats, but I had the beet salad 

followed by the seared flank steak with salsa verde.  It was so flavorful and tender.  I am definitely going to go back for more.

The atmosphere at Ardesia is casual but hip.  It is all marble and concrete with light wood chairs.  It’s got a very sexy, cool feel to it.  It also has a lot more space than most wine bars in New York.  There is a large lounge section off to the left and about 6 tables in the bar area as well as probably 20ish seats at the bar itself.  During the summer they have outdoor seating for about 30.  I’m sure those are hard tables to get, but I am thinking it might just be a regular summertime bar for me.  Great wine AND outdoor seating!  Woo-hoo!  You can also call ahead and reserve tables.  What a treat that is when meeting a group for drinks.  All in all I am really excited about my new find.  It has already made it to my top ten list.  I can’t wait for you to try it.

Ardesia

510 West 52nd St. (Between 10th & 11th)

212-247-9191

Laurie Beechman Theater at the West Bank Café

If you like cabaret and are looking to see a show that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, then you should see something at the Laurie Beechman.  

The Laurie Beechman is my favorite place to see a cabaret show.  It classy, intimate but not too small and there are no bad seats that are off to the side and sort of behind the performers like in many smaller venues.  It will make you feel as though you just stepped out of a 1930’s cafe from some Noel Coward show.  It really is a beautiful venue.  It also has a bit of history.  The space has always existed there, but was not always a cabaret venue.  It used to exist simply as the cellar downstairs from the coffee shop that had a piano.  In fact, the owner of the West Bank Café donated the space to Stephen Sondheim and the cast of “Sunday in the Park with George” so they could rehearse new music.  “Finishing the Hat” was performed there for the first time.  It is not the first story of that nature that I have heard about the Beechman.  The owner of the West Bank Café has been a supporter of the arts for a long time and is very generous.

They serve a full menu downstairs (the same menu from the upstairs West Bank Café) with plenty of table room to eat.  The food is delicious so arrive a little early to have dinner.  There is a full bar and the staff is really great.  Last night we saw “Sondheim Unplugged” which is a great show.  It has extended and will be running the last Monday of every month for all you Sondheim fans out there.  The show will have different performers every month and they will sing different songs.  If you like Sondheim you should go to this.  It was top-notch.

Also notable is the upstairs West Bank Café.  

If you are seeing a show on Theater Row or anywhere in the theatre district for that matter, the West Bank Café is always bustling with theatre folk and is a fantastic place to go for a drink or have dinner before the show.  After the show you are bound to run into some great star from a show (especially if they are performing nearby) Again, it looks like a old school café from the 1930’s.  Cozy and charming and totally New York.  

The Laurie Beechman Theater

407 West 42nd St. (Between 9th & 10th)

212-695-6909

Keg 229

Ever found yourself at a bar and the bartender is so busy you just can’t seem to get a beer?  Well at Keg 229, wait no longer, you can simply pour your own beer!   How does that work exactly?  (At least that's what I was thinking).  Here is the scoop:  there are taps at the bar and at the tables.  You put a credit card down and pay by the ounce for your beer.  There is a little screen on the table that will let you know how much you have been drinking.  If you would like a table, you have to call ahead to reserve one.  (I recommend this as the tables are great for groups!)  You can even request the kind of beer you would like at your 2 taps. 

Keg 229 offers a great and large selection of American craft beers on Tap as well as in the bottle and can.  You can also pour your own beer at the bar, but you may have to wait a bit to get your own tap.  Don’t worry though they do have bartenders to get you a drink if beer is not your drink of choice or you just can’t get your own tap.  They offer a full bar and specialty cocktails are listed on the blackboard.  

The food is really good as well.  As you might imagine they have a menu that consists of things that go great with beer.  Pretzels with mustard, pigs in a blanket and a fantastic organic, grass-fed beef burger.  

The space is pretty big and quite cozy.  It is a fantastic place for meeting a group of friends and it will be a whole different experience from your normal pub.  Keg 229 is located down on Front St. at South Street Seaport.  If you don’t work near there and are still in winter hibernation mode don’t worry, spring is on the way and you will have just heard about a great new place in the Seaport to change the scenery with.   I think you are going to like this one.

Keg 229

229 Front Street

(212) 566-2337

Jack and Judy’s B&B

I talk a lot about the benefits of staying in an apartment or villa when traveling.  It’s great to have a place where you can just sit and chill after a long day of site seeing before going to dinner without feeling cramped by a hotel room.  Or maybe you want to save money and be able to make yourself breakfast in the morning instead of having to go out.  Well if you are coming to New York and are looking for a place to stay, I have a great place for you.  Jack and Judy’s BandB,  located on West 81^st between Columbus and Amsterdam.  It is a beautiful block within walking distance of Central Park, Riverside Park and Lincoln Center.  You are close to 3 train lines (the B, C and 1 trains) as well as the 79^th St cross-town bus, which goes across 81^{st St} on this part of its journey. 

When I go away to a new city, I often don’t know which area to stay in.  I don’t want the touristy neighborhood; I prefer to be somewhere hip and cool where there are lots of bars and restaurants.  The great thing about staying on the upper west side is that you are close enough to get anywhere pretty quickly, but far enough out of the hustle and bustle so that you can appreciate a little quiet when you want it.  If you come in the warmer weather it is so great to take a walk through Central Park or walk down to Riverside Park and enjoy a drink at one of the outdoor cafés on the river.  If you come during the time of Shakespeare in the Park, you can get free tickets to the shows and they are a 10-minute walk from Jack and Judy’s.  Almost anywhere you want to go can be reached within a half an hour door to door.  This is my neighborhood so I am extremely familiar with it and I love it!  There are lots of great restaurants and bars too.

Jack and Judy are my next-door neighbors.  They are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.   They have been renting apartments since 1986.  They have six apartments (4 studios – one has a terrace and 2 one-bedrooms).  All the apartments are newly renovated and have their own private bathrooms.  Jack and Judy live downstairs so they are available to help you with anything you might need.  Rates are $150-$250 a night or $950 and up per week.  They do sometimes offer specials so check their website for details.   If you are looking for somewhere great to stay next time you are in New York check out Jack and Judy’s.  It a real gem.

 www.jacksbandb.com

212-721-4341

Coffee and Tea Festival NYC

Looking for something fun and different to do this weekend?  Why not try going to the Coffee and Tea Festival, Feb 19 and Feb 20th from 11am - 5pm, 7 West 34th St.  

The festival will be offering classes, lectures and demonstrations throughout the weekend.  Lectures include  "Coffee Cupping and Tasting" which is like wine tasting, but for coffee.  You will be learning about the different characteristics: 

"Rarely seen by the public, cupping is the technique used to evaluate the flavor profile of a coffee. The coffee will be evaluated on five major characteristics: flavor, acidity, aftertaste, fragrance and body."

Another great workshop is a foam making class.  I can tell you from my short stint as an espresso sales person that making foam properly is more difficult than it seems.  For example:  Your foam should never be super hot; you should be able to drink it immediately without burning your mouth.  If you can't, then the milk is burnt.   You shouldn't have to use a spoon to get the foam, it should just pour out of the frothing cup.  If you think it is easy then you might want to go and watch the "Barista Challenge".  Saturday starting at noon you can watch to see who can make the prettiest and best foam and become the 2011 Ultimate Barista.  Kind of the "Top Chef" of coffee makers.


For you tea lovers out there they have workshops which include tea 101 where you will learn what the differences are between different types of tea, their health benefits as well as some of the myths out there.  Or you can learn what goes into making an afternoon tea.  That lecture will discuss the traditions and how you can create one in your own home.

Tickets are $20 for the basic 1 day pass (available on-line).  There are special prices if you want to go to the evening of Chinese Tea and Tradition.  I'm a big fan of drinking tea or coffee, but it just might be fun to learn more about it so I can really appreciate the subtleties.
www.coffeeandteafestival.com
Feb 19th and 20th
11am - 5pm
7 West 34th St.

Hot Chocolate Festival NYC. YUM!

Anyone who knows me will attest that I love sweets, in particular chocolate.  So I am very glad to have discovered the 19^th annual hot chocolate festival at City Bakery happening all this month.  I am sad to have missed the first 9 days (or the first 18 years for that matter), but thankfully, I still have the rest of the month to enjoy.  Every day City Bakery on 18^th between 5^th and 6^th is offering a different flavored hot chocolate.  

This Years Flavor Calendar

If you are unfamiliar with City Bakery you should know that they are known for their hot chocolate, it is probably one of the richest you will ever have.  It is not for the calorie conscious and most likely not something you could indulge in everyday, but it is fantastic.  City Bakery's Hot Chocolate Festival is guaranteed to be mouth-wateringly delicious.   I missed the Earl Grey hot chocolate (a mixture of 2 of my favorite drinks) but they have some great ones coming up like:  Moulin Rouge Hot Chocolate, What Would Faulkner Drink? Hot Chocolate and Beer Hot Chocolate.  If you are looking for somewhere fun to go for Valentines Day you can go on Monday and get you and your date a couple of the Love Potion Hot Chocolates. 

If you are visiting New York and just want to do something fun and unusual I highly recommend the Hot Chocolate Festival at City Bakery.  It is a great atmosphere with a variety of treats for every pallet, and with the winter we have been having, it just might be a nice excuse to treat yourself to something warm and delicious.
City Bakery
3 WEst 18th
212-366-1414

Happy Hour in NYC

Happy Hour is a fantastic invention.  I personally love it even more when I can get it at a cute little wine bar right on my corner.  The Tangled Vine on 81^st and Amsterdam offers Happy Hour daily from 5-7 pm.  They offer wines for $7 a glass and the selection is constantly changing.  With your wine is served homemade potato chips with paprika and sea salt that are not only too good not to eat, but also very addictive.  You may just find yourself ordering more once the happy hour ends like I did. 

The Tangle Vine

 The Tangled Vine is a cozy little wine bar on the upper west side that serves a great selection of old world wines.  Most of their wines are moderately priced, but if you feel like having a treat you can order something off the reserve list.  (Yes they have reserves by the glass)  It is a casual, relaxed atmosphere with great, friendly service.  They also have a lovely small menu with everything from apps like pork belly sliders and mussels, to risotto and veal meatballs and of course no wine bar would be complete without a selection of meats and cheeses.  My friend had the endive salad with feta and pear that was superb.  

Endive and pear salad

I opted for the Beet Salad with goat cheese and crushed almonds.  It was not only a substantial portion but also one of the best beet salads I have ever had.  

Beet and goat cheese salad - look at the size of that!

I also had the steamed mussels with saffron, Pernod and fennel.  They were delicious!  The sauce was almost a dish in and of itself.  

Mussels with Saffron and Pernod

They try and use local and sustainable food whenever possible and in my opinion, you can really taste the difference.   The Tangled Vine is a great wine bar to have in any neighborhood, but I’m sure glad it’s in mine.  

Tips for a perfect snow day

Apparently those of us living in Northeast have more snow in our future.  Many people are getting stranded in New York City and the puddles are becoming like small ponds in the crosswalks.  

If you happen to find yourself stranded, I recommend dinner and a movie in your neighborhood.  If you are on the Upper West Side (around 66^th St.) and go to a movie near there, I highly recommend having dinner at Ed’s Chowder House on 62^nd and Broadway.    I ate there last night and the food was fantastic, the wine and cocktail list superb and the atmosphere and service was so great it kind of made me forget all the snow outside. 

If you like bread at all, you will love the breadbasket.  However, I will warn you that you will not be able to stop eating it once you start.  There is a jalapeno and cheddar bread, a corn bread and something that looks like an ordinary bun that is buttery and luscious and it is all served with sweet butter.  Very dangerous!!!  I had the sautéed Skate for dinner, but one of my friends got the scallop ravioli that was out of this world!  All the fish at the table was fresh and delicious.  We ended the meal by getting 3 desserts to share.  I have to say that the banana boat sundae with caramelized bananas was heaven.  The dark chocolate pudding and the chocolate donuts with dark chocolate dipping sauce were also a big hit.  

I have been hearing great things about this place since it opened, but I am so glad I finally got myself there.  If we have a lot more snow in our future, then I see a lot more movies and Ed’s Chowder House in my future.  OK, so I guess a bit more snow isn't such a terrible thing.

There's no place like home

For the last few years I have spent much of my time in Boston taking care of my mom who has Alzheimer's.  Things are a little more settled and I am now getting back out there enjoying New York again.  In a way, I am rediscovering some place that I haven't been to in a while, much like a tourist.  Last night I went to Brooklyn Academy of Music and it was like visiting an old friend.  I had forgotten how much I enjoyed seeing theatre there.  I don't think there is a bad seat in the house.  I sat in the rear mezzanine and my ticket was $25.  I am trying to keep to a budget so that I can get out there and see and do more, so $25 is right up my alley.  It was a great seat and I got to see Fiona Shaw, Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan on stage together doing a production of John Garbriel Borkman.  There are not too many places where you can see that kind of cast together on stage.  What an amazing treat!  Next up they are doing Diary of a Madman with Geoffrey Rush.  Last year they had Cate Blanchett in Streetcar Named Desire with her company.  

BAM brings in mounted productions from the RSC, The Abbey and many other overseas companies to their stage.  So unless you happen to be in London or Dublin or Sydney, this is your chance to see it.  What I also like is that is accessible to most people.  Unlike Broadway where the lowest ticket price can be as high as $75 (and for that you are sitting in the nosebleed section with not a great view) their lowest ticket is $25 and because it's an intimate theatre there is no bad seat.  If you haven't been out to BAM, treat yourself.  It's worth the trek, even for Upper West Siders like myself.  Tomorrow I will tell you a great place you can go before or after the show for dinner or drinks.

Village Vines

It's been a wee bit cold here in New York City and I have been a little unmotivated to leave my apartment unless I have to.  But apparently it is supposed to reach 40 degrees tomorrow and so my hibernation might come to an end.  When it does, I am going to take advantage of some of the great deals on this new site that Skye turned me on to.  It is called Village Vines.  

It's in the spirit of Groupon, but it is only restaurants and some really good ones too.  With this site you pay a $10 reservation fee and then get a certain percentage off your whole bill (food and wine).  Usually it is 30% although I have seen some for as high as 50% and others as low as 20%.  They usually have certain days that you have to go.  For example Dinasaur BBQ in Harlem is 30% off but only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Because you make the reservation through their website there is no coupon neccesary.  Also the deals aren't just 1 day deals like groupon or living social.   You usually have some time to decide.  Currently they have offerings in NYC, Los Angeles, D.C., San Francisco and Chicago.  

Here is what they say on their website:

VillageVines gives food lovers access to preferred pricing with their city's most popular restaurants. We make your dining experiences more convenient and more affordable, and we do so by partnering with the best dining establishments – from the restaurant icons to the up and coming gems.

Here’s how it works:

	Each day we highlight a handful of restaurants from among our carefully curated list of the best spots in your city
	You choose where to dine and use us to make your party's reservation before the offer expires
	You pay $10 to secure your exclusive pricing (typically 30% off your party's entire bill – food and drink
	Your discount is applied to your bill at meal's end - no coupons, no phone calls and no hassles

I love being able to get great deals at home and when I travel.  With all these sites that offer great deals on great restaurants and things to do, I may never have to pay full price again!

20at20 is back!

January is a hard month to budget, especially when there are so many great deals in New York City to take advantage of.  But I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about one more deal.  Back for only 2 weeks, January 24^th – February 6^th is 20at2o.  20at20 is 20 of the best Off-Broadway show for only $20 a ticket 20 minutes before the show.  

Here is how it works: Starting 20 minutes before show time, go to the box office and say 20at20 and your tickets are only $20.  See any 7 show you will receive a voucher for a free dinner for 2 at any participating restaurant in the area.  You just have to mail in your ticket stubs.  You can't beat $20 to see a show.

Not sure what shows to see?  I’ll share some of the shows on my list with you.  Fuerza Bruta is a show that is supposed to be tremendously fun and I have not gotten there yet, so here's my chance.  The New York Idea by David Auburn (Proof) at the Atlantic Theatre Company, Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating (Staring Eve Plum from the Brady Bunch) is getting rave reviews.  Apparently it is hilarious.  It is from the creators of Spelling B.   Molly Sweeney at Irish Repertory Theatre (they always have fantastic productions) and there are many more great choices.   Whether you are visiting New York City or whether you live here, there are fantastic deals to be had.  Don’t miss out!  Starting January 24^th you can get a 3-course dinner and a show for under $100.  Now that’s worth putting your snow boots on for.

Barcibo Enoteca

Because I am a wine drinker I am constantly seeking out places that have good wine with good value.  Life is just too short to drink bad wine and so I often find myself at Barcibo on 69^th and Broadway.  

Not only do they have a fantastic list of Italian wines, but they also have a staff that is extremely knowledgeable and super friendly so they can help guide you through the list to make sure you get a glass of wine that you will like.  Italian wines can feel overwhelming if you aren’t familiar with all their grape varietals, and there are a lot!  They have over 100 wines by the bottle and over 40 by the glass.  They also have a full bar for the non-wine drinkers out there.

Though Barcibo is very popular amongst those who know about it, it is still a bit of a secret.  It is one of the bigger wine bars out there.  They have an upper and a lower section as well as outdoor seating in the summer.   The food there is also fantastic.  We shared a few things.  One of my favorites is the crostini.  We got the crostini with prosciutto and bufala Mozzarella and the burrata with tomato.  

The lump it is sitting on is bufala mozzarella.  YUM!

The prosciutto is so delicious it almost melts in your mouth.  We also had the cheese and meat plate as well as the risotto. 

The portions are very generous

The risotto is really spectacular there.  We had the risotto with the sweet Italian sausage, peas and corn.  Wow!  I have also had the mushroom risotto as well and I can say that it is one of the best I have had.

The atmosphere is warm and sophisticated.  The staff is great and the prices are very reasonable.  This is one of my favorite spots on the upper west side.    Wine bars are all the rage, but not all are created equal.   This one, however,  is top notch.

Barcibo Enoteca

2020 Broadway

212-595-2805

Broadway show tickets: 2 for 1

January is a month where most of us are curbing our spending a little bit.  But with Restaurant Week and Broadway Week, we can afford to go out and enjoy ourselves a bit and still save money.   Broadway Week is happening January 24^th – February 10^th 2011.  With the discount code BW2011 you can get two tickets for the price of one.  Tickets can either be purchased at the box office of the theater or on line at www.nycgo.com and there will be a link to purchase tickets.

How does this differ from TKTS?  First of all, you can buy in advance and not have to stand outside in line in the cold on the day of the show.  Second, most of the tickets that TKTS has to offer are the highest priced tickets.  Usually that puts you in around $65 or $70 per ticket, which is a good deal.  With Broadway week you also have access to mezzanine seats and therefore can get two tickets for as low as $65.  So that would be about $33 each.  So if sitting in the orchestra isn't as important as the price, you have a little more to choose from and with prices like that, you can’t afford not to go!  So go get your friends to join you for some good theater.  January is turning out to be a pretty good month.

Restaurant Week 2011 is here!

Restaurant Week started in 1992 as an effort to promote dining in New York during the Democratic National Convention. Restaurants, which are natural competitors, came together and each charged $19.92 for a three-course prix fixe.  It was such a success it continued to grow and now it happens twice a year, in January and in July.  It is a great way to experience some of the pricier restaurants in New York City at a fraction of the cost. You get a 3-course meal that consists of an appetizer, entrée and dessert.  Lunch is $24.07 and dinner is $35.00.

Restaurant 2011 runs Monday January 24^th – Feb 6^th.  Many restaurants will continue lunch only through the end of February.  Restaurant week runs primarily Monday – Friday, Saturdays are excluded and Sundays are optional.    You can check out a list of participating restaurants at www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek/ where they have a link to book your table on Open Table.  Reservations fill up fast so try not to wait till the last minute.  However, if you are at all like me and you procrastinate a little too long, I do have a good tip.  Most good restaurants serve full menus at the bar and don’t normally take reservations for bar seats.  You may have to wait, but you will get to eat at that place that has been booked for weeks. 

I am also going to share my top “Undies” secret with you.  Apiary on 11^th & 3^rd normally has a no-corkage fee on Monday nights.  So if you really want a fantastic meal and big savings, bring a nice bottle of wine and have the $35 pre-fixe dinner on a Monday night during restaurant week at Apiary.  It is probably one of the best deals going.  I may just see you there.  I am booking my Monday night table right after I post this.

Casellula

Wine bars are huge in New York City and around the country.  Some are great.  Some are over-priced and mediocre.  Casellula is one of the great ones.  They have a wine list that is constantly changing and a cheese list with over 40 cheeses.  That means you can go back all the time and have something new and different almost every time you go.   That, in my opinion, is fantastic!

Tonight I just had a small snack.  I had a white bean crostini with bacon and mushrooms topped with truffle oil.  The bacon was so fresh it made me feel as if I was eating rashers in Ireland.  It was a spectacular appetizer.  We also had a 3-cheese plate.  The cheeses are always good, but the amazing part of our cheese plate tonight was the brown sugar fudge with the Ossau-Iraty cheese.  Ossau Iraty is a sheeps milk cheese from Spain that is always a favorite of mine.  Coupled with the brown sugar fudge it was outstanding.  It was the perfect marriage of tastes and I have never seen that before on a cheese plate.  I think you should rush down there just for that!

It is a small space so there is almost always a wait and they don’t accept reservations.  In my experience, it is best to get there either before 7pm or after 10pm to avoid the most crowded times.  However, that said, it is well worth the wait.  The other great thing is that once you are seated, it doesn't feel small due to the windows and the high ceilings.  It is really a cozy atmosphere.  If you like cheese, they have one of the largest selections in the city.  If you like wine, then this is your place.  For such an intimate space they really know how to deliver a fantastic meal.  Put this on your “places you must go” list.   It will soon be on your favorites list.

401 West 52nd St (between 9th & 10th)

212-247-8137