If You Can Make It There...EAT This!

In December, 2010 we visited State # 32 - New York.  Our 50 state alphabetical tour affords us the opportunity to sample some of our country's finest restaurants and fun eateries.  I love to research the states we visit to find the highest reviewed restaurants and local favorites when it comes to eating out. 

No surprises here...NYC is a marvelous location for dining. 

(Thank you former New Yorkers for your suggestions!)

Tommy Hilfiger

In only six days we saw as much as we possibly could, including 5 Broadway shows. 

And NYC was all dressed up for Christmas!










Window shopping, sightseeing and theatre shows sure work up an appetite!  And with NYC being one of the finest dining destinations in the world, the choices were almost overwhelming. 

(This gives us a reason to return...forget the alphabet!) 

Following is a list of restaurants that we enjoyed while visiting NYC along with a quick review.

 And I included a link if you would like to know more:

Bill's Piano Bar - across the street from Hotel Elysee

http://www.billsnyc.com/

Charming speakeasy, good bar food and Gena Rowlands at the neighboring table!

Monkey Bar - inside Hotel Elysee

http://monkeybarnewyork.com/

If you watch "Mad Men" you've seen this bar!  Great murals and grilled cheese.

Virgil's Real Barbecue - Times Square

http://virgilsbbq.com/

You will think you are in the South.  Good barbecue and large portions.

Flip Burger - inside Bloomingdale's @ 59th

http://www.examiner.com/freelance-artist-in-national/flip-burger-opens-bloomingdale-s

Create your own burger and unique milkshake flavors.

Slice of New York Pizza - 8th Avenue

http://local.yahoo.com/info-11151140-a-slice-of-new-york-new-york

Delicious pizza by the slice.  Eat here after seeing "Billy Elliot."

Cafe Boulud - Upper East Side

http://www.danielnyc.com/cafebouludny.html#intro

Chic place for a delicious Sunday Brunch.  Delectable brioche!

'wichcraft - Rockefeller Plaza

http://wichcraftnyc.com/

Quick hot sandwiches.  Wonderful hot chocolate near the skating rink.

Serendipity 3 - 60th between 2nd & 3rd

http://serendipity3.com/

FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE...YUM!

                     

Le Bernardin - Theater District

http://www.le-bernardin.com/

Ladies and gentleman, may I introduce Eric Ripert...the chef and owner of Le Bernardin.

Chef Ripert is the proprietor of the top restaurant on our list of Superb 6 - USA. 

(Interestingly, he co-owns this restaurant with Maguy Le Coze, owner of F.A.B. in Atlanta.) 

This is definitely 12 slaps of the table! 

As Le Bernardin quietly asks, "No photography, please," there are no photos of the restaurant or cuisine here on this blog.  Please take the time to visit their website; I am certain you will enjoy it!  The restaurant is decorated for spring in their current photos; but take my word for it, this gorgeous dining room was elegantly decorated for the holidays.

Throughout all 33 states thus far,  Le Bernardin  was the most extraordinary dining experience we have ever had the pleasure of enjoying.  (And the most expensive - don't ask, we won't tell you!) 

Although this restaurant is located in the theater district, go on a Monday night when the theatres are "DARK."   Dining here is all the "show" you need.  Besides, dinner will take 3 hours to experience!

(And Philip Roth may be here dining alone...we saw him!) 

The service was impeccable.  (What's not to love...attractive men dressed in black suits and speaking with French accents.)  Our meal was simply sublime!  Seven courses, all fish, except for dessert.  Let me tell you about our tasting menu...

 

• Layers of thinly pounded Yellowfin Tuna; Foie Gras and toasted Baguette with shaved Chives and Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Charred Octopus; fermented Black Bean - Pear Sauce Vierge Ink - Miso Vinaigrette, Purple Basil
• Warm Lobster Carpaccio; Hearts of Palm, Orange Vinaigrette
• Seared Yellowtail King Fish; Truffle Risotto, Baby Vegetables and Black Truffle Emulsion
• Crispy Black Bass; Lup Cheong and Beansprout "Risotto;" Mini Steamed Buns, Hoisin-Plum Jus
• Parsnip Creme Brulee, Roasted Hazelnut, Browned Milk Solids, Vanilla Salt
• Maralumi Milk Chocolate Parfait, Liquid Pear, Gingersnap

An incredible feast, beautifully plated (again, see the website) and simply perfect service.  This is... complEAT heaven. 

And did you notice the chef is gorgeous?

Much to my delight, after completing our 3rd course what to my wondering eyes should appear?

The chef in the dining room!

I am happy to report that I am the proud owner of an autographed menu and cookbook from

Chef Eric Ripert. 

(And he pronounces my name..."Leeezz"!)

**Photos of Chef Ripert are courtesy of:** 

http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/bio/eric-ripert

All other photos are courtesy of our camera!

(Please ask before using any of my photos.)

                                             

Details for you:

Le Bernardin

 155 West 51^st Street . New York City

212.554.1515 

Lunch: Monday - Friday 12:00pm - 2:30pm

Dinner: Monday - Thursday 5:15pm - 10:30pm

Friday & Saturday: 5:15pm - 11:00pm

Closed Sunday

Reservations

Where Everybody Knows Our Name

Without a doubt, our favorite place to go when we want to eat out is...

http://oakstcafe.com/

 ...close to our home in Roswell, Georgia.  We always enjoy great food and good company at

Oak Street Cafe. 

Since Kim and Joe McCaffrey opened this pleasant establishment over 5 1/2 years ago, we have dined here often.  (Twice in one day is not unheard of!)

While preparing to write this inaugural post, we had dinner here with our good friends and next door neighbors, Anita and Stephen, on a stormy Saturday night.  And returned the next day for Sunday brunch. 

**Note to all of our friends and family:** 

Be prepared to participate in reviewing restaurants when you dine out with us in the future.

Oak Street Cafe is located in an old commercial building turned strip center called SOCA, meaning South of Canton... Canton Street, that is.  Just turn at the Krispy Kreme (ignore the hot light) and get a table inside or out on the patio, weather permitting. 

One of the nicest things about this restaurant is the environment.  We always find a warm and cozy dining room in the winter and a cool and relaxing one in the warmer months...a very pleasant ambiance that is hard to find.  (There is no way to be warm and cozy at Table 1280.)

And for us, the song is true...everybody knows our name!  And they're always glad we came.  We believe everyone needs a favorite dining establishment in their "neighborhood."  You know, sometimes you don't really want to cook at home but the thought of driving 10 to 15 miles is out of the question. 

Oak Street Cafe is our favorite neighborhood place and #1 on our list of Favorite 5 in Atlanta.

Please try NOT to sit at our table!  Anyway we'll probably be there before you.  And be sure to check out the "Specials" on the chalkboard as you enter.  You should expect very friendly service, although dining here is more like going to dinner in someone's home rather than a casual restaurant.  In fact, you will likely be greeted and served by family members!

As in most restaurants, Oak Street Cafe offers an À la carte menu with signature dishes and seasonal features.  This night with four of us at the table, we saw all three offerings from the kitchen.  Anita and the men enjoyed signature dishes; while I gladly ordered the seasonal feature...Shrimp Risotto!  And our desserts were ordered from the "Specials" board.










Although we passed on the appetizers this evening in order to save room for dessert, you should definitely start your evening here with an order of Hand-Cut French Fries with 3 Dipping Sauces.

Folks, we have eaten a lot of french-fried potatoes in our lives and these are the best we can get on a regular basis!  (The only others we care to eat are served in Portland, Maine.)

That being said, we are anxious to return and sample their latest addition to the menu...Porchetta Panini.   

Oak Street also offers delicious soups.  Tomato Basil is always on the menu and our favorite "Soup of the Day" is Tuscan White Bean.

Let's get to the entrees set before us on this evening.  As I mentioned earlier, I enjoyed the seasonal Shrimp Risotto.  Shrimp with tomatoes, roasted peppers and grilled onions cooked in a creamy risotto.  Wonderful!  If you are a fan of Risotto, this is the place to enjoy it. 

Anita had an Oak Street Salad.  Mixed baby lettuces topped with blue cheese crumbles and toasted pecans seasoned with a red wine vinaigrette.  Along with a side of Mac & Cheese.  Delicious!  Just one more word about this Mac & Cheese...SCRUMPTIOUS!

And the men both ordered the Carolina Trout.  Pan roasted trout with roasted Red Bliss Potatoes, green beans and bacon vinaigrette.  Delectable! 

(Although I find it difficult to write negative remarks about Oak Street...the trout dish would have benefited from a more generous portion of potatoes and green beans.)
 

Before I move on to the desserts, I must advise you to try the - POLPETTONE.  This is literally Grandma's (Rosalie) Italian meatloaf with olive oil-crushed potatoes and tomato gravy.  This is as close to my Sicilian grandfather's meatballs as you can get.  (Excuse me while I dry my tears.)  And my mother never made spaghetti sauce in her life...only tomato gravy!

From the "Specials" board we chose two homemade desserts from Aunt Chris.  (This is one talented family in the kitchen.)

Fried Apple Pies with Vanilla Ice Cream.  This is no joke; it's slap the table good!

And Toasted Pound Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and Strawberries.  Guy and I debated which one was the winner, but he just wanted to keep tasting mine.  It was a draw!

Of course, we all enjoyed beverages with our meals.  After all, we couldn't leave in the middle of a severe thunderstorm!

The La Crema 2008 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay with vibrant citrus and crisp green apple aromas, laced with subtle notes of butterscotch and clove is my favorite.  And served in a juice glass it reminded me yet again of my grandfather, Nicolo Parrino.

http://www.lacrema.com/

Everyone else at the table enjoyed Fat Tire Amber Ale.  (I don't know a thing about beer...so the following is straight from the brewing company's web site.)

"Fat Tire won fans with its sense of balance: toasty, biscuit-like malt flavors coasting in equilibrium with hoppy freshness."

http://www.newbelgium.com/home.aspx



I suppose you know the verdict...

Oak Street Cafe

rates :

4 slaps of table = Very Enjoyable! 

You will want multiple visits.

And on very special evenings, by invitation only, Oak Street Cafe receives:

5 slaps of table = Extraordinary!  Yes...Yes...Yes...Yes...Yes!

You may have noticed in the left hand column a list titled -

"Where We Go For..."


Oak Street Cafe is our choice for: 

  

BRUNCH

Guy almost always has the Buttermilk Pancakes with a side of Bacon; and I believe the classic

Eggs Benedict with a side of Creamy Grits are perfect!

So when you go to Oak Street Cafe tell them you read all about it on...

  

Details for you:

Oak Street Cafe  

• Monday: 11am - 3pm
• Tuesday ~ Saturday: 11am - 3pm & 5:30pm - 9ish
• Sunday: 10am - 2pm

45 Oak Street  
Roswell GA 30075
770.594.1300

Amuse-Bouche

An amuse-bouche is a single, bite-sized hors d'oeuvre.  It is small, usually just one or two bites.  It is the same for all guests at the table.  And, it is not ordered by anyone; rather it is offered free of charge.  The term is French, literally translated to "mouth amuser."

With that in mind, I launch this blog entitled...
complEAT 

No one ordered it from the menu; it is offered free of charge. 

And it will be the same for all guests at the table. 

And with any luck, it will amuse you.

Welcome to my civiLIZation.  As you have probably guessed by now, my name is Liz.  Among other things, my husband Guy and I have a passion for all things food.  We love dining in all kinds of restaurants, from Relais & Gourmand to hometown diners.  And when we are at home I love to cook and experiment with new recipes.  We will try anything...ONCE!

 

Nearly 15 years ago, my husband and I were dared to visit all 50 states...in ALPHABETICAL ORDER!  As of this posting we have visited 33 states.  On each of our journeys we seek out both the finest dining experiences and the local favorites.  I would like to share these "Dining Destinations" with you.

Our quest affords me the opportunity to collect menus, which are displayed proudly in our home.

We have also collected several regional cookbooks (81 so far).  This blog will allow me to share all these treasures acquired during our travels.

In our civiLIZation, dining is not merely about the food, it's about the total experience of enjoying a wonderful meal.  As I post our reviews of these food finds, you will discover that I'll be making some "complEAT-ly" unusual observations. 


For instance, we are often fascinated by the building or location of a restaurant.  In some cases, the furniture and table settings are striking enough to sway our opinion.  


We are keen observers of the "choreography" of table service.  And perhaps because we are Southerners, we have had numerous conversations with very interesting members of the food service industry. 


On several occasions, we have even been invited to tour these extraordinary kitchens.  Silly as it may seem, we even appreciate beautiful restrooms in some of these establishments.


  

As in many fine restaurants, this blog will offer a
"Prix Fixe Menu"
which will include...

"1st course" - Reviews of restaurants near our home in Metro Atlanta;

"2nd course" - Reviews of dining experiences in our travels of the USA;

"3rd course" - Our favorite foods and recipes enjoyed at home.

Do you know the famous line, "I'll have what she's having" from the movie "When Harry Met Sally?"  If so, then you will understand our ranking system for dining experiences.  If not, allow me to refresh your memory...

**NOTE:  Pause the music before viewing this movie clip, see Playlist.com below.**

 

Since 1989, I have used "slapping the table" for rating a restaurant.  In this famous restaurant scene, Sally slaps the table 12 times during her performance.  So I use 12 slaps as my top ranking for a truly ultimate dining experience.  (See the list of "Superb 6 - USA" above for examples of 12 slaps restaurants in our civiLIZation.) 

More commonly I use this scale:

• 5 slaps of table = Extraordinary!  YES...YES...YES...YES...YES!!!!!
• 4 slaps of table = Very Enjoyable!  You will want multiple visits!
• 3 slaps of table = Good!  When you have to satisfy your needs.
• 2 slaps of table = Adequate!  Enough to avoid a messy kitchen.
• 1 slap of table = Faking it! Absolutely no desire to return. 

So, welcome to complEAT 

I hope you will "have what she's having!"

So, next time we will have a "1st course" with a post about our favorite dining destination close to home...

Photos posted above are courtesy of:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amuse_bouche

http://tannerphotography.com/

http://www.andrelv.com/alize/

http://oakstcafe.com/

And from our very own camera!