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

Shrimp Scampi

This is a recipe not made by me, but was thoroughly enjoyed by yours truly so I will share it with you. Its simple, delicious, and quick to prepare if you're in a rush.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pound jumbo shrimp, shelled and deveined
• 1 pound linguine
• • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 shallots, finely diced
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped parsley
  • 2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • Juice of 1 lemon

• Directions

Pasta: Put a large pot of water on the stove to boil. When it has come to a boil, add a couple of tablespoons of salt and the linguini. Stir to make sure the pasta separates. Cover and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes or until the pasta is not quite done. Drain the pasta.

Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp. Coat with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute the shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) until the shallots are translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the shrimp to the pan and cook until they have turned pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside

Finally: Add wine and lemon juice to the pan and bring to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil. When the butter has melted, return the shrimp to the pan along with the parsley and cooked pasta. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. When mixed well, divide the shrimp and arrange on a platter with the linguine, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, (and my favorite - red pepper flakes) and garnish with parsley. 


Buon Appetito!

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

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