Sour Cherry Farm

Jean-Georges Vongerichten, you magnificent bastard. Dan Kluger and Ian Coogan, you conniving conspirators. The flavors coming out of the kitchen at ABC Cocina are astonishing. If you thought fusion was a muddled mess of techniques and traditions, this restaurant will change your mind. We started with a couple of cocktails… Read More →

Before a performance of “Sontag: Reborn” at the New York Theater Workshop, Boo and I shared a few dishes at Gemma, her favorite go-to restaurant for when you don’t to think about where you want to go-to. It’s a cute little spot in the Bowery Hotel that, despite what you… Read More →

There’s hardly a more convenient spot to grab a drink before a show at the Cherry Lane Theater than at Commerce, which is about 30 feet away. And while convenient does not always equal quality, that is absolutely the case here. SCF fans may remember our last trip to Commerce… Read More →

Kris and I have known each other for quite a while now, but it was only last year that we realized our birthdays were just two days apart. So like Kelli (May 5) on my right, Kris is to my left (May 1). Kris, Tom, Irene, Hunna and I celebrated… Read More →

Since Samantha and Greg were heading to HMart to do a little grocery shopping, we decided to meet for lunch in White Plains. Sam couldn’t stop saying “num num” to the soup dumplings at Noodle+.   We all felt that way about the soup dumplings. They are the best I’ve… Read More →

We and the Ranchers headed to the city to see the fabulous production of “Ann,” written by and starring Holland Taylor. We can’t recommend it more highly. We also took Mary’s recommendation for dinner at a Cassis, a bistro nearby Lincoln Center. Everything was scrumptious, and we’d wished we’d had… Read More →

Before Broadway, once more, at Don Antonio’s. Since it was Kelli’s first time, we got the classic “fried” pizza.   And for Sarah, ever the picky eater, we went with a white pizza with roasted grape tomatoes. Both were delishy! And Kelli and I so enjoyed our salad, too. This… Read More →

Going to Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse is like going to a wedding where the waiter insults you, the DJ calls you out with bad jokes and the food just keeps coming. It’s a blast. Sammy’s serves old-style classic Jewish cuisine, and the menu was so full of things we wanted to… Read More →

Here’s a re-post of the chef’s table sneak peek of Fortina we enjoyed, with one or two bonus photos, including one of Suzanne and Matt, who joined us for the evening. Lots of fun. We will surely be among the first to reserve at the new restaurant! Here’s the post:… Read More →

Boo, Kelli and I took the kids for pancakes. And cappuccinos. For us, that is. Delishy, all. Related posts: Nyack Garden Club Plant Sale and a Breakfast at the Art Cafe Breakfast at Art Cafe Breakfast at the Art Cafe Breakfast at City Limits Diner

After trying the lemon pizza at o lar and then seeing on Small Bites that David DiBari was also serving it from his DoughNation pizza truck, I did a little investigating into the history of the dish. Turns out, they’re making it at just two places in Manhattan: Keste, where… Read More →

Let’s try something new today, kids! A photo gallery! Here’s a look at my trip to Coals in Port Chester. You can read the entire post over on Small Bites, but here’s a look at the photos. Verdict: Thumbs up! Related posts: Lunch at Tarry Lodge in Port Chester Porchetta… Read More →

After our trip to see the Matisse exhibit, we stopped at Red Rooster in Harlem for lunch on the way home. We are certainly glad we did. Especially after this burger: Yes, my friends, those are Parmesan fries. Say no more. Red Rooster is a new-ish (a year or so?)… Read More →

Casellula, a cozy little wine and cheese bar, really is an oasis in midtown for pre-theater dining, especially if you’re heading to a theater that’s a little north of Times Square. I’ve covered Casellula several times already, so I won’t go into the nuts-and-bolts, but I will say that we… Read More →

We were a little early for a party at the church this Saturday evening, so we took advantage of having a babysitter and enjoyed a cocktail at the bar at Barcel beforehand. A martini for him; a “Barcel Sidecar” for her. Previous coverage on Barcel. Related posts: Cocktails Turn to… Read More →

If you’ve been to Times Square, you’ve probably walked past this: Big glass windows that look out onto Broadway. The room is great for people watching, but not very comfortable. Here’s a little secret. Walk up the stairs and you’ll find this: A nice quiet bar, perfect for meeting someone… Read More →

Wings, salads, you’ve seen those before. But here’s a new one: Samantha chewing on, well, I don’t even know what that is. Happy Election Day, all. Related posts: Election Night at O’D’s Samantha’s First Presidential Election Concert in the Park Cocktails Turn to Dinner at Barcel

A little lunch with the family at the new restaurant at the mall. The Yard House is a chain that prides itself on craft beer. And TVs. We were happy for the crayons. Related posts: Lunch at the Union Oyster House in Boston Anniversary Lunch at Public House in Chattanooga… Read More →

This is not a food recommendation. But if you’re going to the theater, and you just want a quick drink and a little something to hold you over, Brasserie Athenee is a pretty darn convenient spot. There is a nice rose on the menu, and you can order a cheese… Read More →

I think — I’m not absolutely certain, but I believe — that this is the first date Greg and I have gone on where we left Sam home with a babysitter. We have gone out and left her with a babysitter before, but that was to go out with other… Read More →

Marissa and I met for sips and snacks at BU 8, a new gastropub in White Plains. I’m loving the concept — upscale twists on bar food — but I think the execution needs a little work yet. Dirty Chips, for example, is a cool take on nachos: smoked bacon, blue… Read More →

After our visit to the 9/11 memorial, we took a long walk around lower Manhattan and ended up in Chinatown. We stopped for a couple bowls of soup at Tasty Hand Pulled Noodles in Chinatown. Yes, very tasty, indeed. Related posts: Lunch at Rockport Diner At the Bar at Mima,… Read More →

Some JN colleagues have a tradition of after-work drinks at Dunne’s every Wednesday. I joined them for a Manhattan and some (very good!) wings this week. Ed, Jill and Alisa: Good times. Related posts: A Weekend with Boo Cocktails Turn to Dinner at Barcel Back at the OVI The Les… Read More →

In the little park off to the side of Madison Square Park — sometimes home to a Christmas Village or another such pop-up — there is right now a garden of eating. Food trucks, including one from Roberta’s in Brooklyn, line up around a central area with tables, and you… Read More →

Karen, in to cover the UN, spent the night Friday, and we had a rollicking time on the porch with the neighbors. In the morning, we headed downtown for a walk and some eggs. Harry’s! Chicken tinga tacos for me! Related posts: Aviation Cocktails with Karen Breakfast in Boston: Eastern… Read More →

We only had time for a small snack before we were to meet someone for a show at the Iridium. I thought a few oysters at the bar at Oceana would do the trick. In-and-out and nobody gets hurt. We were happy to discover that there is an outdoor patio…. Read More →

Burrata, a restaurant in Eastchester, is named after the creamy, silky cheese: a combination of mozzarella and cream. And though there are several dishes that feature burrara, the star of the menu is the pizza. It’s cooked in a beehive-shaped wood-burning oven, gleaming and glittering in gold tile, with the… Read More →

Those of you, especially, who know how much I enjoy a glass of wine (or two) will find this factoid interesting: it was at Isabella’s on the Upper West Side that I first ordered a glass of red wine. A merlot, of course (this was the early 90s). I haven’t… Read More →

Let’s see: Somewhat near the Cloisters? Delicious food? Kid-friendly? Bingo: Dinosaur BBQ. That is my lovely combo platter with pulled pork, brisket and ribs along with salt potatoes and an iceberg wedge. Man oh man was that delicious. Sam had some, too! Sarah, Sari and Brian, and the kids, after… Read More →