Notes from the Road – New York City
After leaving Chicago, from the NRA Show, I continued over to New York City for more dining experiences and meetings.
My travels first brought me to Josie’s Restaurant, (www.josiesnyc.com) to visit my cousin who is the GM of the venue. They are known for their commitment to organic ingredients and market fresh cuisine – always good in today’s desire for ‘green’ restaurants. As well, they also triple filter their water, offering it complimentary.
Dinner that evening was over at Schiller’s Liquor Bar, (www.schillersny.com) a Keith McNally restaurant. It is a straightforward, American restaurant with inventive and classic cocktails in the Lower East Side – and it’s always busy! Our server, Jimmy Hurley, made the night and kept us all entertained.
Thursday morning brought a workout at Equinox at the Time Warner Center, hands down one of the best gym’s I’ve ever experienced. Post-workout was a snack at Bouchon Bakery (www.bouchonbakery.com) with a darn fine cup of coffee and sandwiches on fresh baked bread. After exploring the city a little further, I made my way to Balthazar (www.balthazarny.com), also another Keith McNally restaurant, to enjoy one of the most classic French bistros in North America. They didn’t disappoint, with fresh West Coast oysters, Frisee salad with Lardons to outstanding Duck confit and Skate wing.
After some shopping in SoHo, we met some friends over at Restaurant Jane (www.ctrnyc.com) for an early dinner. The space is very cool and simple, and the server did a very nice job overall. The food was a good attempt in a renowned area for cuisine, but could have delivered a little better. Later that evening was a quick trip for cocktails to Wharf Bar – a NYC bar that is just a step above being a dive!
Friday was a very proper breakfast at The Yale Club for a meeting. The hickory-smoked salmon was outstanding and the view from the 22nd floor dining room was very relaxing. The day continued through the city, including the discovery of an outstanding little bakery on the Upper East Side, Corrado Bakery and Pastry. Their Spinach and Feta pie in phyllo was delicate and flavorful, a very nice treat.
Later that evening we joined a group for dinner at Primehouse, a B.R. Guest restaurant (www.brguestrestaurants.com). We weren’t sure what to expect, however the evening could not have been more perfect – we were set at a great 8-top in the middle of the dining room and proceeded to be pampered. I was able to enjoy a 35-day dry aged Kansas City Strip (I’d go back for that alone) while at the other end of the table; my friends were enjoying a Porterhouse (at least 48 ounces) for two, leaving some behind! The treat of the evening was discovering Gramercy Cellars, 2005, Syrah on the wine list. A friend of The Nyman Group, Greg Harrington, makes this wine and it was actually his first vintage. The wine was completely outstanding – full, rich, flavorful, yet polished. It was so good that we ordered a 2nd bottle!
Saturday brought a quick day caught up in the city, with less than memorable food experiences overall. However, the evening did finish on a positive note with a bottle of wine at Eleven Madison Park (www.elevenmadisonpark.com) a Union Square Hospitality Group restaurant. The room is absolutely gorgeous, the staff was extremely polished and the setting overall was more than memorable.
Sunday morning brought a surprise treat, brunch at Sushi Samba Park (www.sushisamba.com). I didn’t even know they did brunch, however after being invited there and looking at their menu, I was more than impressed. I was able to enjoy a traditional Brazilian (Portuguese) dish, feijoada – this was a treat since it is hard to find on American menus and when done well, is amazing. This was no exception – an outstanding dish full of flavor. It was a great meal and nice escape from the day.
Monday was another blur of a day, however, we finally made it for a late lunch/snack at Madison & Vine, a simple American Bistro and wine bar. Here we were able to sample their Charcuterie, cheese selection, and outstanding filet tartar while drinking a bottle of Januik Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington State. It was a perfect finish to a debaucheristic dining long-weekend in New York City. I was now fortified for my plane travels back to Las Vegas. Stay tuned for the next adventures around the country – who knows where they’ll end up taking me!
Keep eating and drinking!