ONE DISH AT A TIME: restaurant

Showing posts with label restaurant. Show all posts

Thursday, February 6, 2014

LOOK BACK: 2013

A look back at our dinning adventures of 2013 including our official journey from Southern California to New York City!

For more information on dinning out, healthy recipes, entertaining ideas and decor go to www.OneDishAtATime.com

Saturday, July 28, 2012

BEST OF SAN DIEGO PARTY 2012

I'm so excited!! This is one of the events I wait for to come around every year ... It seriously is the best executed event, its an amazing display of the top restaurants, wines beers that San Diego {SoCal} has to offer!!!

Click below for more information ... hope to see you all there!!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

NYC RESTAURANT WEEK SUMMER 2012

Join the 20th anniversary of NYC Restaurant Week, July 16–August 10, with 20 plus days of three-course prix-fixe dining, featuring $24.07 lunch and $35.00 dinner at more than 300 restaurants.

NYC Restaurant Week is New York City's original dining celebration and a pioneer in the dining industry. As the country’s first-ever restaurant week, it debuted in 1992 when it was developed as a one-time culinary event to welcome the Democratic National Convention (DNC) to the City. Though created to appeal to delegates and other DNC attendees, the program—with 95 participating restaurants—also found a strong following among residents excited to dine at some of the City's top restaurants for a fraction of the usual cost—$19.92 for a three-course lunch—and who wanted NYC Restaurant Week to be a recurring event.

Over the past 20 years, NYC Restaurant Week has grown tremendously yet has remained committed to giving visitors and residents the opportunity to experience the quality, variety and hospitality that embody the NYC dining experience.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

HAPPY HOUR @ TOWER 23

I love a little posh in my life every now and then....

And for me that involves prosecco, oysters and a delightful ambiance sometimes!

I love JRDN Restaurant @ Tower23, with it's splendid sunset views and it's fantastic bar menu that contains classic bar faves as well as elaborate gourmet bites.....plus they have raw bar happy hour!!

Ummmm, yes, I love oysters!!

But, if raw-bar fare is not your thing, I absolutely recommend that you indulge in the many other small bites the bar menu has to offer....

Like the baked goat cheese plate.

Or perhaps a light and tasty tuna tartar.

And if bubbling wine doesn't float your boat either, they have a very impressive wine selection and specials on their bottles of wine on Tuesdays (don't worry guys, they have plenty of beer to offer as well!!)

But the point is, that no matter what you decide to drink or eat, you should decide to go, grab a seat on their outside lounge and enjoy the beautiful sun setting on the beach period!!

CHEERS!!

ENJOY!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

CAFECITO RESTAURANT ~ CUBA IN NEW YORK

After taking a little brake for the Thanksgiving festivities, I figure its a good time as any to continue my wonderful adventures in New York!! I cannot get over on how amazing it is to be in the Big Apple and all the endless opportunities available around the clock. For me it is really essential to have a multitude of choices when it comes to food and when in New York I love to take advantage of the great Latin flair there is to enjoy!

Palomilla - sirloin steak marinated in garlic & extra virgin olive oil

topped w/sauteed onions

I truly enjoy visiting with old friends and family that are in the New York area. Oddly enough that includes great old friends from my days living in Miami whom have now made Manhattan their home. About 10yrs ago we all lived in Miami, to make a very long story short Ian met Manny.....I met Ian and Many went to the same school Ian went to. I met Manny and then worked with Manny and then we all left Miami.....Manny partners up with Ian and they bring a taste of Miami, if you know Miami that means Cuba with them to the Big Apple......Manny is a Cuban American born and raised in Miami and Ian is an American raised in Long Island who went to hotel management school in Miami.....now, are we beginning to see the six degrees of separation channeling closer!!! If anyone knows Manny they will never argue that food and people are his main thing. These two entrepreneurial minds and good buddies brought to Manhattan a flavor and flair that took the Lower East Side by surprise (and thats allot to say for NY, nothing takes NY by surprise!!)

During the big cleanup transformation in the area called Alphabet City, the young restaurateurs took advantage of the fresh atmosphere and the already existing Latin population in the neighborhood. They decided to combine Ian's knowhow, Manny's Cuban heritage and easy going-people loving personality, contemporary culinary techniques and soulful flavors. They gave birth to Cafecito, which by now has been written several time in the New York times, New York Magazine, and several other accredited food publications......needles to say I am honored to call them my friends, proud of their success and so so happy that I get to eat there!!

I have to be very honest with you, my very favorite thing in the entire menu is the Macitas De Puerco or Mojo Marinated Pork Chunks, I can't even think about them without becoming automatically starving!! But, I promised myself I would eat something different this time around. I wanted to sit by the kitchen and take a peak at the "Cafecito Dinner Action".......I began by ordering the Ceviche Del Dia or Ceviche Of The Day, which comes with mariquitas (plantain chips)

CEVICHE DEL DIA

Then the next thing up for me to order is a Cubano or Cuban Sandwich. This is an AWSSSOME sandwich. Its a meal pressed between two pieces of crusty Cuban bread (its got fresh ham, cheese, pork, dill pickles) and they make it perfect at Cafecito. Let me just begin by telling you that they start by slow roast the pork overnight for 14 hours until the pork is completely falling apart, I don't think I need to say much more other than....you have to have it when you go there!

CUBANO

Another thing that I had been dying to try was the Ropa Vieja or Shredded Beef, I am ssssso glad I finaly tried this dish!!! It was so incredible. This Cuban style beef stew made with pulled flank steak full of heart piercing flavors will make your mouth dance for joy!!! It is served with white rice, black beans and tostones or fried smashed plantains (Cuban side dish staples!!) These flavor profiles combined in one dish are just heaven on a plate......trust me, you will thank me after ordering this dish!!!

ROPA VIEJA

One last mouth watering delight.......totally not in my agenda, but suddenly it was there right in front of me, so appetizing and inviting, the Chuleta de Puerco or Pork Chop, they have taken the traditional household Cuban dish and re-wrote it into a contemporary culinary sensation. It is served with an amazing authentic sauce that will blow your socks off, and without a doubt its a complete pallet success. It is cooked to perfection, crisp on the outside and juicy adn tender on the inside. The only down side to this dish is that you have to be lucky enough to catch it on the day its featured......I surely picked the perfect day to be there, yey for me!!

CHULETA DE PUERCO

I know I'm going on and on about all the wonderful carnivore main dishes, but if vegetarian is what you do.....not a problem, they got you covered; you too can have a great taste of Cuba as well....order the Playa Verde or Green Beach, a dish filled with awesome Bollos or golden corn and black bean fritters which are suitable for veggie lovers and carnivores alike, the dish comes with boniato hash, aguacate or avocado, mixed greens and rice and beans.... but, if you are feeling a little more on the simple and to the point mood, order the rice and beans with maduros or fried sweet plantains and smother it with that magical garlic sauce only THEY make THAT good and you will be utterly satisfied!!

ARROZ CON FRIJOLES

They have a colorful menu filled with a variety of authentic Cuban Cuisine that serves delicasies of grains , salads, pork, beef, and seafood. You will definitely not go wrong ordering anything on the menu. I would sugges that you start off your meal with their delicious white (or red) sangria, with an order of croquetas and an enpanada to set the tone for the rest of your dining experience.

Cafecito is a great place to just stop by and grab a quick Cafe Con Leche or a Cuban style latte, the warm staff will welcome you and make you feel like you're one of the family!

The restaurant "provides a warm atmosphere, that recalls old Havana and the lifestyles of the Caribbean".

So if you're hungry or just want a get away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city life, stop by this little peace of heaven in the lower east side!!!

Cafecito

185 Avenue C

New York, NY

212.253.9966

Monday, July 20, 2009

MY 1st TASTE OF THE GASLAMP

A Day In San Diego's Historic Gaslamp District

A Sampling Sensation

As a new resident of beautiful San Diego, California, I had been advised to plan mightily for the Taste Of The Gaslamp......and let me just share with you straight from the beginning, I was NOT disappointed. I debated whether to blog about this awesome event (which I recommend to all that live in the San Diego - be there next year!!). But I find myself in the month or so since the event, making many dishes influenced and/or derived from my Gaslamp experience. So I decided to share my day at the Taste....

I went with some local friends whom have done this once or twice before. They had a plot a theme and a story!!

We started at The Palm, they had a surf and turf selection, which kicked off the day in the perfect direction. The stake bites where out of this world.

The Palm - San Diego

615 J Street

San Diego, CA 92101

619.702.6500

Next stop Nobu....While I was eagerly expecting to sample some of Nobu's incredible sushi selection, I was sadly disappointed with what they thought to be suffice for their Taste sampling. They offered King Crab Gazpacho, I do not know if I owe the blah sensation I got from the gazpacho to the expectancy of sushi or what, but I found the sake infused guava and passion fruit juice far better than the "main course"

They also offered Nobu Labeled items and cookbooks which was a great idea to taste that which was not sampled.

However the King Crab Gazpacho was rather lovely.

Nobu - San Diego

207 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101-6908
619.814.4124

Bondi Australian Beer & Food is next on our list....I was quite excited about sampling some of the food at Bondi, as I have been there on previous occasions for drinks. I was disappointed to say the least, cheese balls are not my personal opinion of bringing someone back to try the rest of your menu. Though the ambiance is nice and the restaurant very nouveau, I'd say I will keep to the drinks...

Bondi

333 5th Ave

San Diego, CA 92101

619.342.0212

Chinese time @ The Red Pearl - Ahi tuna on tempura eggplant, spicy kung-pao prongs yum @ The Red Pearl!!!!!! Delissssssh! It was so great I was to busy eating and completely forgot to photo document the whole thing!

The Red Pearl

440 J St
San Diego, CA 92101-6980
(619) 231-1100

Tabule served a refreshing white Chilean sea bass ceviche, very memorable!

Tabule International Cuizine

535 4th Ave

San Diego, CA 92101-6901

619.238.0048

Cafe Sevilla rocks! Paella, roasted chiken, mushroom empanada, artichoke ham salad and dessert...wow!!

The line was incredible, but well worth the wait.

I have since made shrimp, chorizo/onions/manchego, chicken and of course I made a baby portabella/white/shitake mushroom combo that was incredible.

You can get pastry sheets and try them at home, they go great with beer and a few drops of hotsauce!!

Explore the possibilities HERE

They also have a killer sangria at the Tapas Bar and awesome ambiance complete with live music, very authentic of the bars in europe....aaaaand a dance club with latin music and dancing downstairs, I love it!!!!

Cafe Sevilla of San Diego

555 4th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 233-5979

La Puerta was our next stop. Great mexican food, it was fresh and tasty and comforting all the same time AND their house salsa was incredible I could have drank that stuff!!!

They served carnitas/pork quesadillas and potato flautas (first time I ever ate them and I'm sold!) I couldn't wait to go back again......simply delicious.

They also have a great ambiance and great tequila list.....and an awesome Taco Tuesday.

La Puerta

560 4th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 696-3466

Yogotango they had an aray if exotic flavor, I was pleasently surprised with a dreamy green tea flavor!

And check out these toppings....a yogurt addicts dream come true!!!

Also, I find it worth to mention that it is very easy on the waist line and nutritious!

Yogutango

711 4th Ave

San Diego, CA 92101-6970

(619) 696-7700‎

Mister Tiki Mai Tai Lounge looked like a verry fun place to have some drinks and a few appies. The decore made it for a great start of your evening.

The had a very crispy and tasty Coconut shrimp w/sesame mandarin sauce, really finguer licking good.

Check it out for yourself....

Mister Tiki Mai Tai Lounge

801 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101-6107
(619) 233-1183

The Merk on 5th....HOT HOT HOT amazing ambiance, we where there too late to taste their samplings, but it surely made us go back again....it was so cool we thought, that we decided to celebrate my friends birthday there a few weeks later....great martinis!

The Merk

820 5th Avenue

San Diego, California 92101

619.814.Merk (6375)

Sinful Eats is fully loaded and ready to go for those unexpected "sinful" cravings.

I believe this says it all!

Sinful Eats

corner of 6th and F street

Brian's 24 - I had to mention Brian's , having grown up in the NYC area and recently having moved from Miami Beach, I found ONE place thats opened 24hrs!!! I couldn't believe my eyes....lol!

Brian's 24

828 6th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101-6307
(619) 702-8410

Dublin Square Irish Pub & Grill, I must say I didn't know that this would be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!!

I've been looking for a good shepherd's pie for quite a long time now and I had to land in San Diego to find it, go figure......they also served a yummy in your tummy potato pancake with beef stew and a refreshing chiken salad

Dublin Square Irish Pub & Grill

554 Fourth Avenue