Dear Olives,
You've been on my TO DO list for some time... I was always interested in Todd English's take on food. I wanted you to be so good so badly. I suppose all this time and anticipation got me a little carried away.
What was ordered:
Carpetbagger Oysters crispy oysters
I wasn't blown away by the flash fried oysters wrapped in beef carpaccio but the truffle mash was light yet creamy and very tasty.
Porterhouse Lamb crispy
I like lamb but the porterhouse reminded me of pork chops. The dish was too salty and too much things were going at once.
Tender Veal Agnolotti ‘Al Plin’ prosciutto, truffle butter, parmesan
Handmade pasta and very delicately presented. The veal was tender and paired very well with the truffle butter sauce.
One more thing--The W Hotel Bar and its throbbing and club noise music didn't quite give an appropriately enjoyable dinner atmosphere.
Olives 201 Park Ave. South, at 17th St. New York, NY 10003 212-353-8345
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Benjamin Steakhouse
Synopsis
Standard Steakhouse. And nothing out of the ordinary. Male waiters serving male clientele. An occasional glimpse of a female patron. Though, I did see many at the bar. NY Strip cooked very much like Lugars. Crab cakes are nicely packed with chunks of tender crab but way too salty. Rack of Lamb was cooked quite well.
No dessert.
Benjamin Steakhouse 52 E 41st (Between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue) New York, NY 10017 (212) 297-9177
Standard Steakhouse. And nothing out of the ordinary. Male waiters serving male clientele. An occasional glimpse of a female patron. Though, I did see many at the bar. NY Strip cooked very much like Lugars. Crab cakes are nicely packed with chunks of tender crab but way too salty. Rack of Lamb was cooked quite well.
No dessert.
Benjamin Steakhouse 52 E 41st (Between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue) New York, NY 10017 (212) 297-9177
Monday, June 7, 2010
Bedouin Tent
Wow has it been that long!
MP and I were in the mood for some tasty Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean food. When Middle Eastern cuisine comes to mind; I think of big flavors, vibrant spices, and hot pita bread.
Oh—was I wrong. We ordered a five combination salad platter and (I kindly) asked to omit grape leaves because MP isn’t fond of them. Server comes back with grape leaves on the salad-- I kindly ask him if he can take the grape leaves out. He is slightly put off—and gently swipes the plate away.
In the meantime, my leg of lamb platter arrives and this time--there is no point of return. WHAT IS THIS--I thought. The slices of lamb are grey and dry. Is the kitchen staff taking shifts on cooking this same leg of lamb over and over again? I've finally given up on the dish when I tasted it.
MP's leg of lamb sandwich arrives at the same time--which is the exact replica of my grey leg of lamb platter (half the price)--Picture my dish rolled up on a stale pita. Voila.
Server comes back with the five combination salad. First glance: no grape leaves. Second glance: no feta. Where’s the feta? They gave us fava beans, instead. MP wants her feta. She immediately flags the server (who is already not happy with us) and tells him that we didn’t order fava beans. Server (turns red) lashes us with loud rants "I had to throw the first order out...!" (and some words in his native tongue). He was so enraged and staggered--we couldn't help ourselves but laugh (completely involuntary). To help mitigate the situation , I order the feta separately and the waiter storms off.
The rest of the story is history but I must say: this is one of the very few times that I felt that I was inconveniencing a server while he was on the job. But we did get a good laugh. It was kinda worth it.
One more recap: when we asked for the check, he seemed surprised to see so much food left over. He demands “Take rest, to go!”
Bedouin Tent 405 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11217-1702 (718) 852-5555
MP and I were in the mood for some tasty Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean food. When Middle Eastern cuisine comes to mind; I think of big flavors, vibrant spices, and hot pita bread.
Oh—was I wrong. We ordered a five combination salad platter and (I kindly) asked to omit grape leaves because MP isn’t fond of them. Server comes back with grape leaves on the salad-- I kindly ask him if he can take the grape leaves out. He is slightly put off—and gently swipes the plate away.
In the meantime, my leg of lamb platter arrives and this time--there is no point of return. WHAT IS THIS--I thought. The slices of lamb are grey and dry. Is the kitchen staff taking shifts on cooking this same leg of lamb over and over again? I've finally given up on the dish when I tasted it.
MP's leg of lamb sandwich arrives at the same time--which is the exact replica of my grey leg of lamb platter (half the price)--Picture my dish rolled up on a stale pita. Voila.
Server comes back with the five combination salad. First glance: no grape leaves. Second glance: no feta. Where’s the feta? They gave us fava beans, instead. MP wants her feta. She immediately flags the server (who is already not happy with us) and tells him that we didn’t order fava beans. Server (turns red) lashes us with loud rants "I had to throw the first order out...!" (and some words in his native tongue). He was so enraged and staggered--we couldn't help ourselves but laugh (completely involuntary). To help mitigate the situation , I order the feta separately and the waiter storms off.
The rest of the story is history but I must say: this is one of the very few times that I felt that I was inconveniencing a server while he was on the job. But we did get a good laugh. It was kinda worth it.
One more recap: when we asked for the check, he seemed surprised to see so much food left over. He demands “Take rest, to go!”
Bedouin Tent 405 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11217-1702 (718) 852-5555
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Sheep Station
Local Australian sets up shop in Brooklyn. With publicity from Brooklyn Edible and other sources over the summer, I thought I give this place a try. Australian fare is similar to its English cousin until you throw in kangaroo, crocodile and vegemite. Rest assured: patrons won’t find such delicacies in this laid-back Brooklyn spot. Rather, it is shepherd’s pie and a pint beer all the way. The relaxed dim lighting and wooden furnishings takes you inside a cabin somewhere deep in the woods. Perhaps not to this extent but you get the point.
The grub:
The food is simple and straightforward. What you read off the menu is what you get. I ordered the fish & chips (13); and that was exactly what I got. Neither garnished nor extras. Would the dish score points if it was garnished? Yes. Same goes for the Grilled lamb chops with mashed potatoes & mint peas (19); the server did not ask how we wanted the chops cooked. Turns out it was cooked all the way through as opposed to what I prefer: medium.
The food does not push any boundaries. The technique and presentation are basic; comfort food done by the traditional-Australian way. I do confess: it is one of the better restaurants in the neighborhood. And I will go back to try the 'infamous' burger.
Sheep Station vows to be local and thrives for regulars to grab a beer at the bar and watch a game on the telly—as well as have the family come out with the kids for dinner.
I say: only can you find this in Brooklyn.
Sheep Station 149 4th Ave (between Butler St & Douglass St) Brooklyn, NY 11217 (718) 857-4337 www.sheepstation.net
The grub:
The food is simple and straightforward. What you read off the menu is what you get. I ordered the fish & chips (13); and that was exactly what I got. Neither garnished nor extras. Would the dish score points if it was garnished? Yes. Same goes for the Grilled lamb chops with mashed potatoes & mint peas (19); the server did not ask how we wanted the chops cooked. Turns out it was cooked all the way through as opposed to what I prefer: medium.
The food does not push any boundaries. The technique and presentation are basic; comfort food done by the traditional-Australian way. I do confess: it is one of the better restaurants in the neighborhood. And I will go back to try the 'infamous' burger.
Sheep Station vows to be local and thrives for regulars to grab a beer at the bar and watch a game on the telly—as well as have the family come out with the kids for dinner.
I say: only can you find this in Brooklyn.
Sheep Station 149 4th Ave (between Butler St & Douglass St) Brooklyn, NY 11217 (718) 857-4337 www.sheepstation.net
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