Sep 25, 2011

The Crepe Bar: Bar Suzette

The word “crepe” always transports me to the streets of Paris during my junior year of college. It was Spring Break during my semester abroad in Rome and I was visiting my friend Ben. I could have had a warm, paper-thin crepe, covered with nutella, daily. An impromptu lunch with my boss at Bar Suzette in Chelsea Market made me smile with nostalgia. Two men behind the crepe griddles and one behind the counter made for about a ten to fifteen minute wait during prime lunch time. After convincing myself that a savory crepe was the healthier option, I ordered the Truffled Hummus with fresh veggies and an addition of brie cheese. I watched in awe as they generously piled on the scoops of clack truffle chickpea hummus, truffle oil, thick slices of brie and handfuls of colorful, shredded veggies, folded it into a triangle and served it in a cute, to-go sleeve. The large, herb-flavored golden crepe, itself, was a bit thicker than I would have preferred and though it started off crunchy, it became a bit mushy as I got to the half-way mark. The chunks of brie were a bit too much with the overly salty truffled hummus. Just a tiny bit of brie would have gone a long way in this. I guess one of the guys was right to be skeptical when I requested the addition. Perhaps he should have warmed me that the saltiness from the brie would be an overkill with the hummus. The best bites were the one with a lot of crunchy, fresh veggies, a thin layer of smooth hummus and a small piece of brie. Eventually, I opened up the rather pricey triangle and created these bites myself, resulting in some leftover cheese and hummus. I am curious to try their sweet crepes. Maybe they will come closer in comparison with the Parisian creations I so fondly remember.

Crepes being made at Bar Suzette

Truffled Hummus and Veggie Crepe

Almost a third of the way in

Recap: accommodating service, lots of options, freshly prepared in front of you, vegetarian and vegan friendly, cash only

Food Tally: Truffled Humms Crepe, $9

Score: 3/5

Address: 425 West 15th Street, in Chelsea Market, NYC; www.barsuzette.com

no comments

By: Pooja Desai Patel
Category: Cafe, Flatiron/Chelsea, Food, Lunch, New York City, Snacks Tags: Bar Suzette, cheese, Chelsea Market, crepes, hummus, lunch, NYC, vegan, vegetables, Vegetarian

Sep 14, 2011

Chocolate Coffee Milkshake: Ronnybrook Farm Dairy

One of my all time favorite treats is a milkshake. A classic chocolate milkshake was my weakness as a child but my palette diversified with age. I began to understand the joys of mixing flavors and adding toppings, it was a whole new, untapped world of possibilities! After hearing rave reviews about the milkshakes at Ronnybrook Farm Dairy, it was my go-to when I found myself parched in Chelsea Market. My order: a chocolate coffee milkshake. A few scoops of ice cream blended with a splash of milk made for a creamy, fresh-off-the-farm concoction. The only disappointing part of this calorie-ridden treat from Ancramdale, NY? The steep price of $6 per shake. Next time, perhaps I’ll opt for a scoop or two of their ice cream rather than a milkshake with multiple scoops that left me feeling very full and a bit guilty later.

Food Tally: Chocolate Coffee Milkshake, $6

Score: 4.25/5

Address: 75 9^th Avenue #1, in Chelsea Market, NYC; www.ronnybrook.com

no comments

By: Pooja Desai Patel
Category: Flatiron/Chelsea, Food, Lunch, New York City, Snacks Tags: Ancramdale, Chelsea Market, chocolate, coffee, dessert, milkshake, NYC, Ronnybrook Farm

Sep 11, 2011

The Secret Sauce: Caracas Arepa Bar

The first time I visited Caracas Arepa Bar in the East Village, we had to wait an hour and a half for a table for two. Thankfully, when Kenzie and I arrived at 7pm on a weeknight, we were seated within fifteen minutes at the bar-for-two in the back. This always packed, hole in the wall serves up homemade Venezuelan slightly crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, baked corn pockets, aka an arepa, filled with a variety of toppings with a side of pleasant service.

We started with a plate of Tostones Mochimeros, fried green plantains topped with a savory green mojito mayo, crumbles of white cheese and cilantro. Crostini-like, they were crunchier than expected but just what we needed to tie us over until the main course. They were especially good with the addition of the phenomenal secret house sauce, the most magical blend of sweet, tangy and spicy flavors. The only ingredient in the sauce that our host told us about was “a mix of many different peppers”.

Tostones Mochimeros

And now, to the main part of the meal. Kenzie had the De Pabellon, an arepa with shredded beef, black beans, white salty cheese, and sweet plantains. The plantains provided just the right amount of sweetness to the filling dish and generous squirts of the secret sauce gave it that extra pick-me-up. I devoured my favorite from my previous visit, a La Mulata, an arepa filled with grilled white cheese, jalapeños, sautéed red peppers, fried sweet plantains, and black beans. One bite into the thick layer of grilled cheese mixed with the sweet and spicy interplay between the plantains and the jalapeños and I was mmmm-ing my way into satisfaction just like Kenzie. The secret sauce was once again the cherry on top of a delicious arrangement.

Arepas: La Mulata (left), De Pabellon (right)

From past visits, we knew that one arepa, especially the ones stuffed with a few toppings, is just enough to make you pleasantly full and a second is only required if you have skipped a couple of meals. My only complaint is that I wish there was one closer to my office so I could have one for lunch!

Recap: tiny space; good service; take-out and delivery are available; often has long waits; plenty of vegetarian options (baked tofu is available to replace most meats in the arepas); consistent; reasonably priced; amazing secret sauce; Note: The natural juices (I have previously tried the mango and the passion fruit) are a refreshing way to wash down your meal.

Food Tally: Tostones Mochimeros, $5.75; De Pabellon, $7.50; La Mulata, $6.50. Total (w/tax) = $21.50

Score: 4.25/5 (5/5 for the secret sauce)

Address: 93 ½ East 7^th Street, between 1^st Ave. and Avenue A, NYC; www.caracasarepabar.com