tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35618032009-11-21T02:18:27.490-05:00Salli welcomes you into the vast world of her New York food obsession.Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.comBlogger548125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-77331629257159221102009-11-04T17:55:00.004-05:002009-11-04T18:16:43.681-05:00

I've always wished that a giant, multi-level Japanese department store would open in NYC - the kind that has a rooftop garden, an art gallery, a floor devoted to kimonos, and, of course, a floor devoted to restaurants. As it does not seem that this will ever be in the cards, I still enjoy a trip to the exquisite (and expensive) Takashimaya - especially the Tea Box Café.The East-West Afternoon Tea

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-59847708787510106282009-10-19T17:23:00.004-04:002009-10-20T12:53:00.676-04:00

If you are indisposed to leaving the apartment but must have a Jacques Torres chocolate bar within the hour, this service promises to deliver one to you!In other chocolate-related news, the 92Y is holding a "For the Love of Chocolate" book signing, interview and chocolate tasting with Max Brenner on November 15. For more information, please visit the 92Y Website.Don't forget about the most

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-1264508096261404102009-10-12T12:42:00.003-04:002009-10-12T12:57:27.818-04:00

With its clubby, congenial atmosphere, Destino seems like the local restaurant that's been around for years. It's only been open for three, but the meatballs have already become legendary, and live jazz at the bar helps to nurture a loyal clientele. (What a rarity live music has become in this city!)We were lucky to get in without a reservation; a large birthday party was dispersing. The menu

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-46599018156619200202009-10-03T10:28:00.005-04:002009-10-03T10:54:43.631-04:00

Dapper young gents in ties and newsboy hats fix sharp espressos and velvety cappuccinos at this heralded new coffee place. The adjoining hotel lobby, where most of the customers sit, is a very picturesque room in which to take coffee - as we sunk into comfy chairs, my friend and I admired the detailed mosaic floors and antique library desks. We also admired our Mast Brothers chocolate bars and

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-12335706342910905742009-09-29T17:52:00.003-04:002009-09-29T18:01:01.335-04:00

Today's edition of Sweets News focuses on online delights.If you're like me, the closing of Payard had you crying for a week. Fortunately, the bakery/chocolatier's E-boutique has been launched, and the site will eventually have news of... a new brick-and-mortar location!Earthy-crunchy chocolatier Pure Dark has just relaunched an online store as well. Here's a nifty tip - if you want to receive

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-45423680825029645172009-09-23T09:26:00.008-04:002009-09-23T16:05:26.619-04:00

On a mini-health kick, I decided to check out a couple of the newish UWS veggie cafés. My first stop was Peacefood Cafe (460 Amsterdam Ave., 212-362-2266), a vegan restaurant with an enticing bakery display (have you ever seen vegan tiramisu?). There were various salads and sandwiches; I ordered a tempeh avocado sandwich, chick pea fries, and a ginger lemonade. Unfortunately, I ended up being a

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-60369362152712117632009-09-20T20:37:00.003-04:002009-09-20T20:48:39.053-04:00

My friend and I were seeking a reasonable brunch in the East Village, and were glad to find that almost all of the brunch dishes at Belcourt were under $10. Our favorite item was to be only $7: a plate of piping hot buttermilk biscuits, smothered in berry preserves and housemade ricotta, with an undercurrent of honey. My friend's cranberry granola was unsweetened yogurt was positively ascetic

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-57551040431715360672009-09-11T09:53:00.003-04:002009-09-11T09:58:39.312-04:00

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, a delicious event is coming your way! Restaurants like Blue Hill, Hundred Acres, Gramercy Tavern, and Telepan will be participating in Just Food's 2nd annual "Let Us Eat Local" tasting benefit. For more information, please call 212-645-9880.

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-50389768835482563212009-09-01T13:42:00.002-04:002009-09-01T13:56:55.652-04:00

NYC may be souring on sweets, but I'm certainly not. My latest indulgence is the hot chocolate at Café Charbonnel NY, the chocolate café on the eighth floor of Saks Fifth Avenue. Made with dark and milk chocolate shavings, milk and a bit of heavy cream, it is full of cocoa flavor without being too rich. (Lately, there seems to be a trend of super-dark hot chocolate, but sometimes it is

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-89443739024155733412009-08-29T14:18:00.002-04:002009-08-29T14:28:54.886-04:00

How does a housemade mozzarella, anchovy, garlic, arugula, black pepper and olive oil pizza sound to you? To me, it sounded terrific, but there are so many other options on the menu at Motorino (the above item was a special). As at Franny's Brooklyn, Motorino sports a selection of appetizers and salads in addition to the pizza, but the prices are lower (and to me, the pizza is superior). There's

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-66798927441457199272009-08-24T17:07:00.004-04:002009-08-24T17:30:28.646-04:00

Takesushi, a six-month-old Japanese restaurant on the East Side, has a great lunch special for only $12. Today, it consisted of amberjack teriyaki with takuan pickles, five slices of tuna and fluke sashimi, simmered konnyaku, carrots and crunchy lotus root, two delicately fried pieces of pork tonkatsu over shredded cabbage, rice, soup and salad. The portions were not overwhelming, so my companion

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-30214994058568317882009-08-23T16:59:00.002-04:002009-08-23T17:02:28.939-04:00

"You carry chocolate bars around with you the way other people carry cigarettes," a friend once said to me. Are you the same way? Do you shudder at the thought of being without chocolate? Then you might appreciate this awesome Website, Chocolocate.com. It has links to over 1200 chocolate-focused Websites around the world, from Australia to Ghana to Wales. No matter where you travel, you'll never

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-82752578337729275292009-08-17T09:51:00.000-04:002009-08-17T12:58:13.617-04:00

Astoria boasts just about every cuisine in the world, but there aren't a lot of restaurants dedicated to locavorism (Brooklyn definitely beats Queens in this department). So it was a pleasure to find Vesta, an Italian place where the ingredients are seasonal and local.With a dim, cozy interior reminiscent of Brooklyn's Frankie's 457, Vesta is comfortable for the couple or the family. I recommend

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-62288211518202719292009-08-16T21:34:00.003-04:002009-08-16T22:23:04.998-04:00

On my recent trip to Paris, I ate a lot of outstanding bread and chocolate. This got me to wondering, which do I prefer? Fortunately, there are many delicious bread-and-chocolate combinations here in NYC, so I don't have to choose.One way to enjoy both bread and chocolate at once is to pick up Theo Chocolate's Bread & Chocolate bar. (I bought mine at T Salon's Chelsea Market location, 75 Ninth

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-40143140364968321312009-07-28T11:22:00.006-04:002009-08-16T22:23:19.105-04:00

I've just returned from a chocolaty trip to Quebec City, and will soon be headed off to Paris for even more chocolate (even though author Michael Steinberger says "au revoir" to all that)! I'll be back to regular NYC posting duty soon.

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-65330569660412615002009-07-23T11:10:00.004-04:002009-07-23T11:44:22.557-04:00

One of my favorite dining companions recently turned 40, and we decided to celebrate at Matsugen (we are usually over at Zenkichi in Williamsburg). Fortunately, her birthday fell during Restaurant Week (July 12-31), so we were able to enjoy a generous five-course meal at a reasonable price. (Maybe Mayor Bloomberg can have this extended to Restaurant Year.)At times, Restaurant Week portions are

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-73510610080488346152009-07-14T21:55:00.008-04:002009-07-14T22:58:42.240-04:00

Here is a sequel to Part I, with seven more countries to visit! (Where to go next? Egypt? Ecuador?)1. Brazil (also see Malagueta): Brasilianville Café & Grill. This $4.99/lb. buffet will delight both the carnivore and the vegetarian. Spoon some buttered rice onto your plate, and start loading up on black beans, corn pudding, grilled fish, fried mandioca, acaraje, beef and carrot stew, battered

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-38247991736647094352009-07-06T11:07:00.005-04:002009-07-20T16:30:37.270-04:00

What's better than a coffee shop that uses locally roasted, premium coffee beans? One that also serves homemade Italian ices! The cheery Cup on Norman, which opened a month ago in Greenpoint, serves orange, lemon and strawberry ices alongside a selection of coffee drinks made from Brooklyn's Kitten Coffee beans. And if you're especially lucky, you'll visit on a day when the blueberry butter cake

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-40517815847830103442009-06-30T12:30:00.002-04:002009-06-30T12:47:33.840-04:00

It's time for another edition of "Lunch Under $5!" (Not including tax.)Lox Spread on an Everything Bagel: Daniel's Bagels, one of my favorite bagel shops, offers both plain and whole-wheat "everything bagels." A generous lox spread sandwich (ask for tomato, and you'll have all four food groups) costs $4.95 - if you want chopped herring or egg salad instead, expect to shell out only $4. (Daniel's

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-71150710836198291892009-06-26T11:04:00.002-04:002009-06-26T11:28:10.485-04:00

Although the Fancy Food Show is not open to the public, one of its exhibitors - the country of Chile - has partnered with chefs Aaron Sanchez and Ryan Butler to spread the word about the unique ingredients it produces. Known for its wine, Chile also farms salmon and exports olive oil. The country is also home to interesting fruits like the murtilla (myrtle berry) and the carica.From June 22-July

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-19648554487039469682009-06-24T10:42:00.004-04:002009-06-24T16:28:56.094-04:00

I'm something of a pesto purist. So I'm always disappointed when I order a pasta al pesto and it arrives in a barely green, cream-laden sauce. Last week I had lunch at a restaurant (which shall remain nameless) where the "pesto" was a creamy tomato sauce with a few pathetic sprigs of dried basil. So, on my visit to Pepe Verde a few days later, I went up to the counter to inquire about the

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-34247012453682949452009-06-20T10:55:00.005-04:002009-06-20T11:20:15.740-04:00

You've got to love a restaurant that has one main course and a dozen desserts -not to give the main course short shrift, of course! Le Relais de Venise "L'Entrecôte", the newest outpost of a famous Parisian steakhouse, is now serving steak frites in NYC at a recession-friendly price of $24. For that price, you receive: some hunks of baguette (no butter - according to the server, the secret way to

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-49492864775961802342009-06-17T10:46:00.002-04:002009-06-17T11:03:48.444-04:00

Nestled among the barbecue houses of Koreatown is a great place for a quick, cheap meal: Woorijip. This small grocery-buffet offers many items which fit the bill for my Lunch Under $5 category. I stopped in the other night and came away with seaweed soup that tasted like the ocean, tricolor rice cakes, zucchini pancakes, glutinous rice with sweet red beans, delicious soy-boiled eggs, and a

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-66483541252527590252009-06-15T15:13:00.004-04:002009-06-15T15:24:21.648-04:00

NYC is home to the French Culinary Institute, the Italian Culinary Academy, and as of this past April, the Japanese Culinary Center (711 3rd Avenue). The latter is holding an introduction to the Japanese bento box on Tuesday, June 30, from 7-9 pm. A variety of sakes will accompany the rice, fish, meat, dumplings, vegetables, pickles and dessert.(To reserve a seat, E-mail

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561803.post-21752869787238774352009-06-11T12:53:00.002-04:002009-06-11T13:05:03.676-04:00

Here are some sweet gifts for Dad! If Dad is a baseball fan, he knows that the Yankees and Mets are duking it out from June 11-14 and June 25 -28. Help him show his allegiance with some Yankees or Mets yellow cake cookies from Zaro's Bread Basket in Grand Central Terminal. (Available only during the Subway Series)Kyotofu is offering a "Cheers to Dad!" assortment of three types of artisanal

Salli Vateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399522036005390400noreply@blogger.com0