Apr 28, 2011

Afternoon Dessert: Grom

I developed and ever-lasting love for gelato during my semester abroad in Rome. Now, anything less that Italian perfection leaves me unsatisfied. My friend Ben, who visited me in Rome and also shares my sentiment, convinced me to try Grom after our lunch in Central Park. Let’s be serious, it did not take very much convincing! Rather skeptical, I was eager to experience what he described as being possibly the best gelato in the City. The first thing I noticed was that the array of flavors were in covered silver tubs, leaving me curious about the color and the texture. Ben asked to try the Pistachio and I had a spoonful of the Stracciatella. He ended up getting a small cone with one scoop of the Pistachio and one of the Bacio (milk chocolate with bits of hazelnut). After trying his, I decided to get a small cup with one scoop of the Bacio and one of the Tiramisu (espresso coffee, biscuits, and chocolate chips). All of the intense flavors were heavenly. Smooth, rich yet wonderfully light, and bursting with authentic, high-quality raw ingredients from different parts of Italy and a few other select parts of the world. For example, the Pistachio, made with Syrian pistachios, was much closer to the color of real pistachios rather than the mint green I’ve seen at many places. It was very clear that there were no added preservatives, flavors or colorings, helping keep the gelato low in fat and sugar. The only downfall was the price tag to quantity ratio, ringing in at about $5.50 for a small. This does not change the fact that I cannot wait to come back to Grom for more!

Bacio and Tiramisu

Inside

Recap: Delicious flavors, quality ingredients; also serves sorbets, shakes and hot chocolate; pricey; service could be better

Score: 4.25/5; (solely based on the flavor we had: 4.9/5)

Address: 2165 Broadway (at 76th Street), NYC (+two other locations in NY); www.grom.it/ita/

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By: Pooja Desai Patel
Category: Dinner, Food, Gift Idea, Lunch, New York City, Snacks, Trends, West Village Tags: colorful, dessert, gelato, Italian, NYC, pistachios, pricey, snacks, Upper West Side, West Village

Apr 22, 2011

Eating Through Shanghai

This is long overdue. In March, I went to Shanghai for two weeks on a business trip. Shanghai is almost like the New York of China. Shanghai has two distinct areas, one new and one old. New Shanghai is full of modern architecture and new businesses while old Shanghai is charmingly historic and slightly more crowded. The fashion and restaurants are also distinct to each area. For example, Dior seemed to be the most advertised brand in Shanghai and the women in the new part of town sported a variety of high fashion brands like Louis Vuitton and Chanel. As a vegetarian, I thought I would have trouble eating in Shanghai. I was wrong. I was able to find a vegetarian selection everywhere I went. Some of my favorite places included Table No. 1, a gastro bar in new Shanghai, Southern Barbarian, a neighborhood restaurant specializing in spicy food from the southern part of China in old Shanghai, and the Kee Club, a prestigious members only club close to old Shanghai. Trying new dishes was possibly my favorite part of the trip.

Table No. 1

Table No. 1 - They have a 5 course vegetarian menu!

Table No. 1 - Bread Basket

Table No. 1 - Cannellini Soup

Table No. 1 - Radish Avocado Salad with Sundried Tomato

Table No. 1 - Risotto of Grilled Radicchio and Baked Yam

www.tableno-1.com

Southern Barbarian

Southern Barbarian - Mint Salad with Hot Pepper Oil

Southern Barbarian - Baked Cheese with Vegetables

Southern Barbarian - Basil Salad with Red Chillies

Southern Barbarian - Shredded Potato Pancake

Kee Club (after dinner)

Kee Club

Kee Club - Bailey's Latte

www.keeclub.com

1 comment

By: Pooja Desai Patel
Category: Bar, Cafe, Dinner, Food, Lunch, Restaurant, Shanghai, Travel Tags: avocado, basil, bread, China, gastro bar, Kee Club, latte, mint, potatoes, risotto, Shanghai, soup, Southern Barbarian, Table No. 1, vegetables, Vegetarian

Apr 19, 2011

Sugar Rush: Baked by Melissa

$1 for a cupcake in New York seems like an amazing price. However, paying $1 per cupcake at Baked by Melissa seems a bit pricey, considering the fact that they are about the size of a quarter. Each pop-able, candy-like bite is a sugar rush. The cute creations, stuffed with fillings such as fudge or peanut butter and covered with frosting and toppings like sprinkles or chocolate chips, are very moist, like they are just barely baked. This is why it is interesting that they tend to dry out a bit if you leave them overnight.

Red Velvet

Melissa Bushell, with the help of her brother and some friends, came up with Baked by Melissa after being fired from her job as an assistant media planner. What began as a pop up window in Soho, has now expanded to a couple of locations in Manhattan. I prefer the Union Square store because they have the best service. I’ve had every flavor and my favorite is the cinnamon (least sugary). If you want a flavor that is not currently on the menu, you can create your own flavor online and pick it up or have it shipped anywhere.

Baked by Melissa Assortment

Recap: The larger your quantity, the better the price per cupcake! Lots of variety such as mint chocolate chip, s’mores, confetti cake.

Score: 3.5/5

Address: Soho, Grand Central, Fashion District (coming soon), Union Square: 7East 14^th Street (preferred); www.bakedbymelissa.com

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By: Pooja Desai Patel
Category: Bakery, Events, Food, Gift Idea, New York City, Products, Soho, Trends Tags: Baked by melissa, bakery, cinammon, cupcakes, dessert, gifts, Grand Central, make your own, mini cupcakes, NYC, red velvet, Soho, sugar, Union Square

Apr 19, 2011

Bright Lights

With the temperature finally climbing out of the 30s, I am convinced that the days will increasingly feel more Spring like soon. And with brighter skies comes brighter hues in my wardrobe. A splash of color can really liven up any dark, cold weather outfit. As an added bonus, it instantly lifts my spirits and puts a pep in my step. The rule to remember while playing with colorful pieces? Never overdo it! In this case, less will always be more. Here are some ways to incorporate a vibrant pop into your everyday.

1. JCrew, Featherweight Cotton Cardigan , $62

2. Asos, River Island Vintage Across Body Bag, $44.83

3. Forever 21, Sidewalk Chalk Chiffon Shorts, $15.80

4. J Brand, 811 Mid Rise-Skinny Leg in Bright Royal, $176

5. Anthropologie, Citrus Twist Necklace, $38

6. Lilly Pulitzer, Picture Perfect Espadrille Printed, $198

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By: Pooja Desai Patel
Category: Accessories, Clothing, Fashion, Gift Idea, Jewelry, Products, Trends Tags: accessories, Anthropologie, apparel, ASOS, bag, cardigan, color, Forever 21, J Brand, JCrew, jeans, jewelry, kelly green, Lilly Pulitzer, necklace, royal blue, shoes, trends, yellow

Apr 13, 2011

Pasta Over Pizza: Margherita’s

I had passed by Margherita’s Pizza and Café in Hoboken many times. Craving a pizza oriented dinner after looking for apartments on a rainy night, Maithil and I decided to try out this neighborhood Italian spot. We were seated right away in the bustling, tightly packed room with an aromatic kitchen in the back. The scene is casual and easy, with an emphasis on BYOB.

With pizza in its title and on our minds, it was obvious to start with a pie. Our server, perfectly nice but not very warm or attentive, recommended the Smokin’ Mutz Pizza when he brought us our complementary plate of bruschetta. Although it sounded like the ideal bite, with fresh, diced tomatoes and red onions mixed with the house vinaigrette on thin toasts, something was a bit off. The bread was overly crispy, almost chip-like and the vinaigrette should have been stronger. However, given the nominal menu price, you get what you pay for. We munched on our warm, slightly dense bread basket while we waited for our pizza. The pie, topped with black olives, onion, and sundried tomatoes, looked better than it tasted. It was heavily covered with their homemade mozzarella, making the cheese almost excessive. They should have extended the cheese closer to the crust line, rather than placing it all closer to the center. The crust was lackluster in flavor and should have been crunchier. We would not have almost finished the small pie was it not for an ample sprinkling of crushed red pepper.

Bruschetta and Bread Basket

Smokin' Mutz Pizza

Left a little unsatisfied, we ordered the Penne Arrabbiata with homemade whole wheat fettuccini. We should have gone with the pasta to begin with after noticing that many more table were ordering pasta dishes over the pizza. The robust, spicy marinara sauce-heavy fettuccini, with hot cherry peppers, onions, basil, garlic and olive oil was just what we needed a rainy night. The only thing that could have made the dish better was the pasta to sauce ratio; this was more like sauce with pasta rather than the other way around.

Fettuccini Arrabbiata

Maithil and I agreed that we would come back for the pasta if we were in the neighborhood and needed a quick fix. However, we have had better pizza and pasta in Hoboken.

Recap: Go for the pasta over the pizza (although we heard that the margharita pie is the best choice); tight neighborhood space; decent service and atmosphere; gets loud; vegetarian friendly

Food Tally: Smokin’ Mutz Pizza, $9.95; Penne Arrabbiata, $13.95 + $2 for whole wheat fettuccini; Total+tax= $27.72

Score: 3/5

Address: 740 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ

2 comments

By: Pooja Desai Patel
Category: Dinner, Food, Hoboken, New Jersey, Restaurant Tags: Hoboken, homemade, mozzarella, neighborhood spot, pasta, pizza, spicy, Vegetarian

Apr 6, 2011

Right Intentions: Northern Spy Food Co.

After a fantastic visit to the Trend Union in the East Village, my boss treated us to lunch at Northern Spy Food Co. Chris Ronis, Cristophe Hill and Nathan Foot have created this neighborhood spot with all of the right intensions in mind. The seasonal ingredients are all local, the interior is decorated with refurbished materials and vintage pieces, and they have tried to keep the prices reasonable and manageable. Most of all, they deliver!

Cold and hungry, we were happy to be seated right away even though the place was almost full. Everything on the menu sounded delectable and I was excited to see the well-selected vegetarian options. We placed our orders right away but our meals took a while to arrive. Our host was nice but not very personable or very attentive. For example, we actually had to wave our arms and flag him down to ask for hot sauce during our meal and later, for the bill.

Interior (courtesy of nymag.com)

Craving something warm, I got the Cauliflower Soup with curry oil, sage croutons, and chives with a side order of Panbread with caramelized red onions. The soup was creamy yet light and pleasantly fragrant. The sage croutons added both texture and flavor. There was something very comforting and pleasing about this dish. The panbread was almost like a crispy edged focaccia drizzled with olive oil. The portion size was extremely generous. I do wish that it was a little less dense and that the flavor from the caramelized red onions carried on throughout the entire piece and not just the top.

Cauliflower Soup and Panbread

My boss got the Polenta and Baked Eggs with roasted mushrooms and crème fraiche. This is basically their version of grits. Although this dish came recommended by our host, I failed to understand its appeal. Polenta should be creamy and velvety. The baked eggs almost saved the grainy dish because the runny yolks provided the much needed flavor and smoothness that the polenta lacked. A healthy drizzle of hot sauce definitely helped liven the polenta.

Polenta and Baked Eggs

Two of my other co-workers got the Chicken and Egg Sandwich with crispy thigh, poached egg, greens, and chimichurri and the Kale Salad with two baked eggs, shelburne cheddar, winter squash, toasted almonds, lemon dressing. They both said they were satisfied with their fresh meals and would order them again. Neither dish, however, was outstanding. I think the Cauliflower Soup was the winner for the afternoon.

Kale Salad with Eggs

I really wanted to love the food here. However, the flavors were not as colorful as the blue bench banquettes or the list of creative seltzer offerings on the drink menu.

Recap: Cozy neighborhood spot; sustainable; generous portions and reasonable prices; ample vegetarian options.

Food Tally: Cauliflower Soup, $7; Panbread, $4; Polenta and Baked Eggs, $15; Kale Salad with Eggs, $14; Chicken and Egg Sandwich, $12; Apple Seltzer, $4. Total w/tax=$60.97

Score: 3.25/5

Address: 511 East 12th Street (Avenue A), East Village; northernspyfoodco.com