Recette

I have recently realized that after investing as much energy and thought into restaurants as I do, I often regard them in the same light as I do people. If I didn't have as many amazing friends as I do, this might be a little sad. Thankfully, I am not lacking in that department! While friendships have always been top priority for me, I actually feel like I have had to make room for my relationships with restaurants. There are some that take warming up to, some that I immediately know I can do without, and then there are those others that sweep me right off of my feet. It's an instant connection - where I feel like they get me almost as much as I get them. A recent night at Recette reminded me of this great feeling and thus began my latest West Village friendship.

I have walked by this charming space on Greenwich and 12th street for years. Each time I would pass by, I would stop and stare at the empty tables inside, its mediocre menu outside only verifying my disappointment. And each time, I would secretly hope for the day when a new restaurant would take over - knowing that day was not too far away. The location and adorable space was just too good to go to waste. And with the recent opening of Recette, I may have gotten my wish and more. It is already a challenge to secure a spot at one of the few coveted tables at this New American gem. While the concept is based around small, sharing plates, many of the dishes are quite substantial. All are simple, yet elegant at the same time - an extremely appealing combination. And that rings true for food as well as a friendship. As I said, I am sold!

I highly recommend starting with the salt cod fritters. These are served with a lamb sausage ragu and a curry aioli. The meat ragu is the perfect flavor pairing with the crispy fish, creating a decadent starter. The wild arugula salad is an excellent lighter option. It is served with kumquats, mint, lemon, hazelnuts, and ricotta salata cheese. I can never get enough of arugula especially when it is topped with such unique ingredients. This was one of the dishes where I honestly felt like the chef knew me. It was as if he picked out everything that would suit me and put it into one salad without even having to ask.

For entree-like dishes, I highly recommend the Berkshire pork belly served with rock shrimp, baby turnips, romesco, and sherry caramel. The pork was the perfect texture and consistency. The one dish that fell short was the roasted foie gras served with fig jam. This had the makings of great flavor combinations, but unlike the pork, the texture was off. The highlight of the night, on the other hand, was the halibut served with morel mushrooms, baby artichokes, and asparagus in a saffron beurre blanc. With the use of so many of my favorite spring vegetables, this dish was the epitome of Recette's unique, simple elegance. But, it was the dessert that truly set me over the edge, leading me to declare my new best friend in a place. The ice cream club sandwich is served with cinnamon ice cream, rhubarb gelee, and bacon bark. Cinnamon ice cream AND bacon (chocolate bark shavings). I repeat: cinnamon ice cream and bacon! Most of you probably already know about my love affair with bacon, but most of you probably do not know that my all-time favorite ice cream flavor is cinnamon. Need I say more? Recette, you truly are a great new friend.





Recette
328 W. 12th Street (at Greenwich St.)
New York, NY 10014
(212) 414-3000
website
FOOD RATING (Out of 5):

Nobu

I have wanted to go to Nobu since the moment I moved to New York. It's a culinary institution - one that I knew I'd get to one day, but never quite knew when. When I would tell fellow New Yorkers or even tourists that I had never been, they often couldn't believe it. But, in a town with endless dining options, it became all to easy to end up at restaurants just a touch easier to get into and just a touch more affordable. And I was never too concerned that Nobu had yet to be checked off my master list as I knew my big night there would happen one of these days.


I have felt the very same way about Las Vegas - shocking people that I had never been, all the while knowing there would be plenty of reasons to finally get there sooner or later. And so this past weekend turned into a weekend of firsts for me. There was the perfect excuse that finally took me to Vegas - and isn't a first time in Vegas the perfect excuse for a first trip to Nobu? I wasn't even worried about the build up of either spot as the great wait had almost lowered my expectations. These are two places that I knew weren't going anywhere or changing too drastically, but I am so glad that day finally arrived. A first time Vegas-Nobu duo guarantees a memorable outing.

Located in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Nobu is certainly in the heart of the Vegas scene, despite its situation off of the Strip. This is a night out on the town experience both in setting and dining, as to be expected in Vegas. There are a few variations on the menu from the original Nobu, but we decided to go with their signature dishes that I had long awaited - sampling from nearly all areas of the menu. From the cold dish section of the menu, I highly recommend the yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno. We rolled up each piece of raw fish with a slice of crunchy jalapeno and a touch of cilantro, creating an excellent blend of textures and flavors. From the hot dish section, we went with the rock shrimp tempura topped with a creamy spicy sauce and the black cod miso. The rock shrimp were nearly addictive as I popped one after another in my mouth. However, it was the black cod dish that truly blew me away. Without hesitation, I fell for this acclaimed dish. In Vegas, they cut the rich flavors of the marinade as they serve the cod in lettuce cups topped with phyllo shavings. I have never felt so taken by flavor and texture combinations as I did during the entire meal. And to sample from nearly all sections of the dinner menu, we ordered a more traditional sushi dish, the spicy scallop roll. Even the most basic of dishes turned out to be far superior at Nobu as we found ourselves getting a second round of this roll.

With such perfection in each course, we found it impossible to pass up dessert. We ordered the hazelnut semi-freddo with caramelized bananas and peanut butter ice cream topped with caramel sauce, and the night continued to soar. At Nobu, it is truly about the entire experience. The waiters are eager to guide you through the night whether it is in recommending a dish or in spacing out the meal so that you are never rushed, yet never waiting. With such care and quality in the air, a first trip to Nobu is quite an occasion. And, last weekend was indeed the perfect occasion. If you are looking for a reason to make your first trip to Nobu, perhaps to celebrate a birthday or a promotion or even the night before a proposal, this is the place for you. Once you make your first trip, you will soon realize that the only real excuse you need to go is treating yourself right - and that is something we all should do more often!



Nobu
4455 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89169-6574
(702) 693-5090
website
FOOD RATING (Out of 5):

Mercadito

I'm already starting to get nervous for the NYC summer ahead. It's May 3rd and it's officially H-O-T. This is the time of year when I am usually itching for consistently warm days - and more often than not, they are few and far between. And sure, just a week ago, I was piling on the scarves and sweaters. But the thunderstorms and humid weather of recent days have all too quickly erased the few chilly memories of April 2010. What ever happened to spring? There is no question that we are in for a hot one this summer. In fact, we may even want to reconsider Memorial Weekend from proclaiming the start of bikini season. With Cinco de Mayo just a few days away, I'm ready to declare this festive holiday as the official kick-off for Summer 2010. Some may call it jumping the gun - I'm just validating breaking out the white pants, turning on the air conditioners full-time, and acting like it's summer break.

Whether or not you are ready to call it summer, there is no reason to wait until the end of the month for your next celebration. And Mercadito makes it even easier to get festive this Cinco de Mayo. It's as if they knew weeks ago that this year would be one of the hottest as they planned for this year's holiday and created the Vato Loco - The Hottest Drink on Earth. On Wednesday only, they will be serving their secret recipe cocktail using tequila, fire, and spice. Intrigued yet? To find out what this delicious (confirmed by yours truly) combination is really made of and how tough you really are, head straight for their bar. I was quickly reminded that heat can be a really good thing. The mandatory release form should only entice you more, guaranteeing a once in a lifetime tasting experience as "drinking the 'Hottest Drink on Earth' will instantly make me cooler than anyone who has not tried it and I will thus be able to gloat that I am more manly (or womanly) than anyone else." This is certainly a challenge for all spice-lovers or just anyone with even a hint of a competitive edge.

While the Vato Loco is without a doubt a reason to head over to any of the Mercaditos on Wednesday, their food and excellent list of more traditional tequila drinks will keep you there late into the night this Cinco de Mayo and throughout the rest of the year. The menu offers some of the most authentic Mexican cuisine in New York City while still showcasing their creative energy evident in this week's drink special. When ordering guacamole (which is always a must), you will be served a sampling of three - tradicional, mango, and pina. The fresh mango combination has an excellent smoked flavor as it is made with chipotle, pico de gallo, and jicama. The use of serrano chiles in the tradicional guacamole brings the right amount of temperature to the table - Vato Loco or not. And the pineapple option is just an added bonus.


A combination of ceviches and tacos creates the perfect sized meal following this unique trio. These dishes are all extremely fresh and surprisingly light - reminding me of the food I always rave about when in Mexico. I highly recommend the red snapper ceviche made with watermelon, pico de gallo, and serrano chile as well as the shrimp with pico de gallo, tangerine, roasted jalapeno, and citrus broth. The use of fruit with the seafood is wonderfully refreshing. The tacos, prepared with mini homemade corn tortillas and served four to a plate, should be shared so that a variety can be sampled. My favorites are the coca cola braised pork carnitas served with cured onion, chile de arbol coleslaw and toasted peanuts for a meat option and the beer battered mahi mahi with Mexican style coleslaw and chipotle aoli for a seafood option. They are so full of all of the right Mexican flavors.

No matter what you order and when you are at Mercadito, the chef and bartenders make sure that there is more than a little spice in your life. And this Wednesday, they are truly embracing their love for this stamp of authenticity and taking it to a new, uncharted level. Are you ready for the Vato Loco? Life is always more interesting when things get spicy. Happy Cinco de Mayo, Happy Summer, and Happy Heat!



Mercadito
179 Avenue B (11th and 12th sts)
New York, NY 10009
(212) 529-6490
website
FOOD RATING (Out of 5):