Danny Brown, Queens NY

One of my favorite restaurants in my hometown of Forest Hills is Danny Brown. A Michelin recommended restaurant in Queens? Yeah, you bet!  It is such a hidden gem tucked away on a small street. It gives you a Manhattan feel but with a local crowd. You'll see new and old families dining here as well as young trendsetters. The wine list is extensive, the food is always impeccable, and the service has never disappointed me. There is something for everybody here. As posted on their website, "Danny Brown... embodies the pleasures of a French wine bar, an Italian "Enoteca," and a Spanish Tapas bar, as well as that of a conventional restaurant." Below are some plates I have tried here - a cheese plate, steak, and confit of duck. Whenever I'm in my neighborhood, I try to have a meal here - reservation permitting! The wait can sometimes be long. But there is a reason why its always crowded, so the wait is worth it! 

Danny Brown

Wine Bar and Kitchen

104-02 Metropolitan Ave.

Forest Hills, New York 11375

Brand Attire Casual to Business 

Reservations Accepted and Recommended on Weekends

WD-50 - Molecular Gastronomy

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS KIND

WD-50 is one of the Top 10 best Molecular Gastronomy restaurants in the world. It lives up to it's reputation because this was one of the most unique dining experiences of my life. Wylie Dufresne is the owner and one of the pioneer chefs of this "food-science" genre. This man is an absolute artist in his creation of all the dishes from the cooking methods to the styling. He was first made famous on Bravo TV, but his excellence has carried him beyond 15 minutes. The food is fascinating with its play on flavors and presentation. It is truly a cerebral food experience. After dinner, our table was graciously invited to tour the kitchen and I met the man himself creating the dishes! One wouldn't think the actual owner would be the person cooking all of the food, but he humbly said, "of course I'm cooking back here, my name is on the door." The entire kitchen is meticulous, very much like a laboratory. Overall, the food and experience was amazing, but not for everybody, especially if you prefer traditional "comfort" style food.

 

Croton, New York

Warm Weather = Lobster Roll, to me. Croton was a tavern/bar that I jumped into for lunch. Reading the menu, I saw this Frangelico Lobster Roll that jumped out to me - fresh lobster salad with Frangelico liqueor served on a brioche hot dog bun. I've never heard of anything like this before so I had to try it! It was pretty good, although I will say it didn't blow me away. The lobster salad was good - not too much mayo, but the bread was too doughy. I think I just like huge jumbo lobster meat! :) However, what I will say about this place is that the sweet potato fries were super! But you can't really mess that up, right? 

Croton, 108 West 40th Street.

Baked by Melissa

I have to blog about a delicious dessert that I have at least once a week. Its right by my office, and my vendors always bring them in. Baked by Melissa is a cupcake shop that only makes mini, quarter-sized, cupcakes. Melissa's shop began because she hated her job as an assistant media planner, and her brother told her to bake cupcakes - mini-sized. And voila! These little babies were born. Now they're the new craze, getting press left and right and expanding locations. And the kicker... she's only 25! I wish I thought of this idea! Each cupcake ranges from 70-90 calories and I think that's a lot for something so tiny. But it only makes sense that they are probably made with a lot of butter because they're very moist (and delicious). My personal favorite is peanut butter and jelly on the top right! My second favorite is tie-dye, row 1, column 2, 2nd and 3rd one down. Try them all! But be careful, because they're like potato chips - once you have one, you can't stop! I have to force myself to stop at #3 :) 

Statler Grill, New York City

Statler Grill is located minutes away from Pennslyvania Station and Madison Square Garden. It is a steakhouse but I was simply interested in seafood that day so I got a lobster Club Sandwich. The menu says they use a whole 1 1/4 Lb Lobster, Mayonnaise, Lettuce, Bacon, Onion, Avocado on a Brioche Bun, With Shoestring Potatoes. I personally like whole lobsters used in my sandwiches so the description got me. I thought it was very good, except for the bread. Personally, it was too much bread for me. If this came on a bun, it would be perfect. However, the service was good and it wasn't too packed compared to most restaurants in the area if you're looking for a quick lunch spot. My only other criticism is that its a little expensive for what you get. For the same price point, there are comparable or better restaurants. But its not bad. I will return here, and when I do... I'll try the steak! 

Update: A friend said to try the Lamb Shanks... Thanks Benny! 

Lobster Club Sandwich

David Burke, Soho, New York

Recently I tried an amazing restaurant in Soho called David Burke's Kitchen. The restaurant is beautiful. It has a barn-yard feel with its crisp images of produce, poultry, and farmers on the walls. There is gingham accents sprinkled throughout the place, such as the table napkins and woven baskets. The ceilings are wood planks, the tables are bare wood, the beautiful "tree-house" bar is wood, and there is a visible beautiful wood carving station. It is downstairs of the James Hotel but it feels like a modern airy industrial loft with its high ceilings and infinite windows that are street-level. The food is unique and modern American, presented in the creative and whimsical style that is Burke’s trademark. The ingredients taste like they are the highest quality, as if it were fresh off the farm. Whether you choose to go here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you won't be disapointed by the quality or the service.

23 Grand Street at James Hotel

Cheese Board

Tuna Tartare Tacos with whipped Avocado and Tobiko Caviar

Lobster Soup. Lobster Dumplings in Coconut Fennel Cream and Red Watercress

Dry Aged Prime Rib Eye

Panna Cotta

Monkey Bread Dessert.

It is constructed in front your table.

Monkey Bread with Rum Roasted Bananas and Maple Pecan Ice Cream

Original Cheesecake Lollipop Tree. Bite-size goodness.

MacarOn Cafe, New York City

Ever since my trip to Paris last Spring, I have been so nostalgic about everything French.  One of my favorite desserts of all time is Macarons! A French macaron is a sweet meringue-based cookie made with egg whites, sugar, almond flour, and is filled with either a buttercream, jam, or chocolate ganache. They're soft, chewy yet flakey, and so dainty and beautiful! The best macaron shop in the world is Laduree on Champs Elysees in Paris. One actually just opened one up in New York on Madison Avenue that I need to go there the next time I miss Paris! Well luckily, I happen to work near an amazing macaron shop that's just as good and is so much more convenient than Paris or Madison Avenue called MacarOn Cafe. The lines are out of the door in the morning and at lunch, but well worth the wait. The coffee is always fresh and organic and the macarons are gluten free and delicious. If you haven't tried a macaron yet, you need to ASAP! Next time you see this shop either in Midtown West or their other location in Midtown East, be sure to stop here for a quick break!

MacarOn Café is located on 59th Street between Madison and Park Avenues

MacarOn Café is located on 36th Street between Broadway and 7th Avenue

MacarOn Cafe on 36th Street

The assortment is so beautiful!

 Box of 24 Delicious Goodness. YUM!

Masala, Woodside, Queens

Below are photos of an Indian crown jewel in Queens.  In addition to the appetizer and entree below, we also got this yogurt drink called the lassi and the mango lassi - and they were both amazing. The lassi is a pistachio flavor and I liked that better. The beef was better than the chicken because it had more heat to it, which I liked. The service was quick and the people were friendly. I would definitely come back here. 

Meat Platter Appetizer

Tikka Masala and Beef Tikka

Wolfgang Puck, New York City

If you're a carnivore, this filet is for you.  Served with a buttery side of potatoes and salad.  Love the pink cow on top! Its like the cherry topping to a sundae!  

Scarpetta, New York City

Scarpetta is an expression which means" little shoe" in Italian but also refers to the bread that you use to sop the lingering sauce. And it is the perfect metaphor for this restaurant because it will make you want to finish every last drop of food on your plate because it's that good! This restaurant is the brain-child of chef Scott Conant located in the Meatpacking district of New York. If the name sounds familiar, you've probably seen him on Food Network on Chopped or 24 Hour Restaurant Battle.  I actually tried to go to this restaurant in Miami at the Fountainebleau, but the reservations were all booked up! That was a clear indicator that this is a restaurant that I needed to try. I'm glad I finally got to dine here because the food was well worth the wait. 

Like most high-end restaurants, they start off the evening with a gourmet basket of bread. However, what was notable about this bread was that it was stuffed with sausage  and or salami. They pair the bread with an assortment of butter, olive oil, and this chunky tomato paste dip that's amazing. For the primi piatti, you have to get the Polenta. It is creamy, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth, with TRUFFLED mushrooms.  As you know by my blog name, I love anything with truffles! Why are they so good?! The Polenta and the Seared Sea Scallops were my favorite. The Scallops were cooked perfectly and explodes in your mouth with flavor.  

For the pasta, if you're looking for something sweet, the Pumpkin Consonsei is your dish. Its stuffed with pumpkin and ricotta, and drizzled with amaretto. In my opinion, it can also double as a dessert. But if youre looking for savory, I'd recommend the next 2 dishes in the Piatti section.

For Carne, the server recommended the Veal Loin. It's a refined version of osso buco without the bone. The outside is herb-crusted, but the meat inside is tender. If youre looking for seafood, the Black Cod is an amazing piece of fish and has been compared to Nobu grade, by the way of Naples. The caramelized fennel and slow roasted tomatoes its paired with is harmonious to the flavor. 

For Dolci, the Chocolate cake is a classic. It's a mini molten lava cake with salted gelato. Enough said - its sweet, its salty and it will be devoured in 4 seconds. The Sweet Potato Bombolini was good and had a hint of orange essence. If you like donuts, you will like this. However, my favorite dessert was the Coconut Panna Cotta. Panna Cotta is made by mixing cream, milk, sugar, and gelatin and letting it cool. The guava sauce adds a uniqueness to the coconut flavor that makes it a winning pairing.

The ambiance is great. Its dimly lit, its intimate, and I guess you kind of do feel like you're in a "little shoe."  Overhead is a retractable glass ceiling that I imagine is divine in the summertime and the horizontal mirrors held up by luggage straps along the walls gives the place a whimsical factor. Overall - a great experience.

355 West 14th Street New York, NY 10014.  (212) 691-0555

Sausage Bread and Tomato Dip Appetizer

Creamy Polenta - fricassee of truffled mushrooms

Seared Sea Scallops - sunchoke, apple and black trumpet mushrooms 

Pumpkin Casonsei - ricotta and amaretti

Veal Loin - gremolata crust, saffron semolina and bone marrow

Black Cod - caramelized fennel and concentrated tomatoes

Sweet Potato Bombolini - orange blossom cream, honey-sesame crumble and espresso gelato

Chocolate Cake -  salted caramel gelato and chocolate butterscotch

Coconut Panna Cotta -  guava sauce and caramelized pineapple

Christmas in Dyker Hill, Brooklyn

There is a little area in New York City that is known as "The Undisputed Capital of Christmas Pageantry." Almost every house in Dyker hill participates in professionally decorating their homes. It is reportedly said that residents here spend anywhere from $1,000-$20,000 decorating their homes for Christmas. It's not even one particular block, but a radius of the whole neighborhood. There are motorized 20-foot-tall toy soldiers, Santas, reindeers, Christmas Angels and most homes even blast Christmas music! Some even take it as far as turning their garage into a life-size nativity scene! The decorations are so over the top that it is reportedly said that Con Edison gives the residents free electricity for the month to sustain the lights! How crazy! And these are mansions! Even without the lights, these houses are gorgeous! One house has a huge fountain and several marble statues all over the lawn! But visiting Dyker Heights is definitely a New York City thing to do around the holidays that can't be missed. So layer up, grab a cup of hot chocolate, park your car, and be prepared to walk around the neighborhood in awe! Don't forget your camera!

Eat Fish, Live Longer. Eat oysters, Love Longer.

Friday nights are my favorite nights to relax and unwind from the stress of the week. I dont usually go out partying Friday nights. In fact, I like to have dinner, relax on the couch, read and/or watch movies. This Friday, since I haven't had a date night a while, I went to my all-time favorite Seafood restaurant in Queens. London Lennies is such a neighborhood gem! The food is so fresh, the service is splendid, the raw bar is amazing, and it has received countless awards. And when you walk in, you don't feel like you're in New York anymore. It feels like you're in Boston or Maine somewhere. 


I wasn't very hungry due to a big lunch so I didnt order much. But what I did order was amazing! Started off dinner with a dozen Kumamoto oysters - just what I was in the mood for! Then for the entree, I got this crab-meat stuffed jumbo shrimp  with plaintain chips over this creamy sauce that was so phenomenal. And simply enjoyed it all with a bottle of Pinot Grigio from Oregon. By the way, if you havent tried wine from Oregon yet, you should! Their vineyards are up and coming and produce really fabulous wines. 

Photo from their website