Tuesday, March 19, 2013

A Jean George Reopening, Down by Perry St.


After Hurricane Sandy, Jean George's Perry St. outpost had a very damaged restaurant with a kitchen of ovens, sinks and friars floating under water. As the hostess shared with us last Sunday, not one employee from this very restaurant was left without a job until last week's reopening post Hurricane. From dishwasher to bartender, Jean George rearranged all of his Perry St. employees by placing them in his other restaurants so that no employee was left without work. This sort of thing has one admiring Jean George for not only his fantastic chef skills but for his actions as as an individual and as an employee.
For me, these gestures reveal the respect and dedication he has for his restaurants and all that they encompass. This care is emulated in the relaxed  professional and diligent wait staff and the beautifully presented and quite tasteful food at all of his restaurants, at Jean George every detail counts and at Perry St. it is no different.
Perry St. was not my first Jean George experience and my expectations were high. But like all his other establishments, expectations were met and left us diners with a lovely Sunday afternoon to reminisce upon. 
The environment encourages a full afternoon of fine dining and enjoyment. The food arrives slowly. It is freshly prepared and quite tasty. Alcoholic beverages and cappuccinos compliment the meal quite perfectly and even on a cloudy day, the sunlight seeps through the large glass windows allowing for a comfortable and uncrowded dining experience. My boyfriend and I dined with my father and sister and could have happily sat for hours as the atmosphere and the restaurant itself encourage it. 
I'll be honest, the tuna burger was a bit of a disappointment as the tuna was flavorless, but other wise the goat cheese omelet, the Eggs Benedict (no ham) with smoked salmon, the house made Bloody Mary and coffees, the warm chocolate cake and the sorbet desserts were all just right. 
Modern Decor of the Restaurant
Arugula Salad with Avocado & Bloody Mary
Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon
Tuna Burger  with House Made Potato Chips
Good For: Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, With Family, In Laws, Birthdays 

Perry St. 
The Corner of Perry St. and West Side Highway
212-352-1900
http://www.perrystrestaurant.com/




Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Sweet Revenge


You know those Winter days when it's dark at 4pm and it's freakishly cold outside? It's on those very days that anything involving cozy and warm feelings are the only appealing activities. Sweet Revenge has always been a Wintry evening spot for me to enjoy drinks with friends and fantabulous cupcakes.

Fluer De Sel Cupcake
Dark Chocolate Cake & Fresh Salted Caramel Frosting
Peanut Butter (Left) & Fluer De Sel (Right)


Magnolia, Mollie's Cupcakes, Crumbs, Billy's Bakery, The Cupcake Shop on Prince St., I've had them all.
These are by far at the very top of the best cupcake list. The cake is light, tasty and has its own flavor that doesn't seem to be made of only butter and sugar but something richer that flavors the cake better. The specialty flavors vary but the Fluer de Sel is the absolute best. Rich, creamy, salted caramel frosting piled on thick so the customer never feels the least bit deprived of frosting. 
The Peanut Butter Cupcake is another recommended for anyone who loves peanut butter. It's rich but not too thick and doesn't taste like processed Skippy but more like fresh sugared peanuts creamed into a beautiful cake and frosting.

Good For: Early date, Happy Hour with Friends

Sweet Revenge
62 Carmine St.
212-242-2240
www.sweetrevengenyc.com


Monday, March 11, 2013

Worth the wait, Rosemary's

Waiting to be seated is THEWORSTTHINGEVER.
On any off night, a night that isn't a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Brunch meal, Rosemary's is PACKED. The wait is, at the very least, one hour unless you plan on having dinner at 6pm.
But, you know what, it's completely worth it.
The food is fresh, it's light, and it tastes healthy. Nothing is soaked in oil and one doesn't feel heavy after eating a carbo-loaded meal. The menu is modern, the ingredients are flavorful and good quality and there is also great variety on the menu for vegetarian folks like me. 
Just get there way ahead of meal rush hours to put your name on the list. They'll take your name and cell and then text you when your table is ready. I'd recommend leaving and going for a drink in the neighborhood until they text you saying the table is ready.
Counter Clockwise:
Rosemary (Right) and Stracchino Cheese (Left) Focacces, Tuna Sashimi with Chick Peas, Eggplant Caponata, Celery Caesar Salad
Eggplant Caponata 
Celery Caesar Salad
Linguine with chili, lemon and parmesean
Good For: Dinner, Brunch, Groups, Dates (its dimly lit), Not looking to Break the Bank

Rosemary's 
18 Greenwich
(Corner of West 10th)
212-647-1818
http://rosemarysnyc.com/