Recovery Sundays

On this sunny Sunday morning we found our recovery in the delicious form of the $10.95 brunch special at the East Village gem, Flea Market Cafe.  The decor reflected the name perfectly; a collection of antiques, collectibles and garage sale finds that made the room feel more like your grandmother's basement than a New York restaurant.  It was cozy and fun to look around as we sipped the complimentary coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice--pondering everything from vintage signs to a bike tacked up on the wall.  We settled on brioche french toast with fruit, tomato/spinach/chedder omelet with home fries and salad and a hot baguette with jam.  As the days grow colder we will definitely return to Flea Market--for the unbelievable deal and mouth-watering meals--next time we're trying the carmelized apple pancake!

Flea Market Cafe is located at St. Marks and Avenue A...and also boasts a sunset menu from 5-7 every day; $15, $17 or $19 for 1, 2, 3 courses respectively, plus a glass of wine or beer!  There's no missing your old cafeteria when you can get the delicacies of this foodie flea market for under $20... MSS

Flea Market Cafe Menu

Friday's Bite

Like all real American girls, you have a little black dress in your closet, a straightener in your bathroom, 100 friends on BBM, and your yoga studio on the next block. But let's be honest, your citizenship would not be complete without your undeniable love of juicy, melty, all-American cheeseburgers every once in a while. While, yes, Shake Shack or 5-Napkin Burger does the trick most of the time, sometimes you just have to splurge into a decadent burger abyss. At DB Bistro Moderne, the $32 sirloin burger stuffed with short ribs and foie gras is one of those sinfully perfect items that is worth every penny, calorie, and yoga session. 

Daniel Boulud, chef of Daniel (one of the four 3-Michelin Star restaurants in NYC) opened DB Bistro Moderne as one of the crowning jewels of the theater district. The French bistro fare is prepared with chic elegance in accordance with classic French flavors, and the buzzing, modern space lays the perfect backdrop to a classy crowd. DB also boasts a stand-out wine list and knowledgeable Sommeliers, who will guide you through your meal. Pair a crisp white to enunciate your delicate scallops and a bold red stand up to your booming burger. Merci, Monsieur Boulud, for the most luxurious American burger I've ever set my lips on. 

<3 lk, the little
Little Foodie Blog

The Original DB Burger: Sirloin Burger Filled with Braised Short Ribs and Foie Gras served on a Parmesan Bun

Maine Diver Scallops served over Risotto, Fall Squashes, Mushrooms, and Drizzled with Pumpkin Oil

Tomato Tarte Tatin with Goat Cheese and Black Olives

Apple Mille-Feuille: Apple Confit, Confiture De Lait, Rum Ice Cream

Pumpkin Caneloni, Pumpkin Diplomat, Vanilla Cream and Graham Cracker Ice Cream

Hazelnut Marjolaine Gâteaux, Milk Chocolate Coffee Mousse, Devils Food Cake, Coffee Ice Cream

Wednesday’s Je Ne Sais Quoi—HUMP DAY…well let’s be honest, feels a little more like bump in the road day…but there is good news to be had on this mediocre Wednesday in NYC.  It comes in the form of Piola, an Italian pizzeria in Union Square. And for once, we’re not talking about the pizza.  From 8pm to close every Wednesday, Piola showers its female diners with free wine included with any entrée. FREE WINE. Pretty sure Kool & the Gang would write a new rendition of Ladies Night for this. Oh and they have some pretty great other promotions as well—check it all out at Piola Union Square

http://soulfunkjazz.files.wordpress.com/

See you ladies there!  MSS


Piola NYC





  

Recovery Sunday

Pirate Mike doing his thing at Iggy's

63 and sunny this weekend led to a lengthy and boozy brunch on Saturday before the Heineken Inspire Encore concert--mental notes: Donnybrook's irish brunch leaves a little something to be desired in the food department, pirate Mike at Iggy's on Ludlow and Rivington makes a mean (variations of mild, medium, hot and VERY hot) Bloody Mary and a combination of Diplo tunes, free heineken and black light walls is pure perfection.

Diplo

Heineken vision

However, all this led us to spend much of today curled up in bed. The still balmy weather forced us out around 3 though and after wandering the New Museum on Bowery (check Monday Marks tomorrow for a full recap) we were ready for some good and greasy recovery grub.  Pulino's, Keith McNally's relatively new restaurant, shone bright red across the street and surprised at the rare lull we saw through the windows, we hurried over.






While the service was spotty and the pizzas (funghi/pancetta and salame picante) upsettingly bland--the spectacular mozzarella burata, flavorful cannelloni beans and peaceful buzz of eating in a golden glow of liquor bottles and hanging prosciutto, made 5pm Sunday recovery at Pulino's something to look forward to as the weather cools and getting out of bed is increasingly challenging.









Pulino's Menu

the entirety of Pulino's corner of Bowery seemed highlighted with red--how could we resist??

Canelloni beans with vegetables, pecorino and bruschetta

Funghi/Pancetta and Salame Picante pizze

Mozzarella Burata, prosciutto with apples 

the exposed kitchen was the most bustling section of the room

Saturday's Spot

If you're not on your way already, get to the 13th Annual New York Chocolate Show ASAP. It started at 10 a.m. today and will run until 7 p.m. It is America's largest display dedicated to worship all things chocolate. Chocoholics: Some of the best chocolatiers come from all over the world giving out FREE samples of savory truffles and bite-size chocolate bars at EVERY station. The chocolate is obviously delicious, however it's usually the mind blowing displays that draw so much attention. Try the Jacques Horres hot cocoa while you gaze up at statues of past presidents and even couture dresses, made entirely out of chocolate. So grab that one friend you know would die for this and get to the Metropolitan Pavilion fast. We're talking; melt in your mouth truffles, fondue fountains, wine tastings and pairings, and chocolate gift baskets.

Metropolitan Pavilion: 125 West 18th St, NYC.
New York Chocolate Show

Friday's Bite

To commemorate the Eater awards this past Monday night, we felt it necessary to highlight Torrisi Italian Specialties for this Friday's Bite. Winning "Restaurant of the Year" in both NYC and nationally, Torrisi is one of the most wonderful restaurants in Manhattan, but may not be what you expect. On the brink of Little Italy, this 18-seat, no-reservation burrow is reminiscent of an old-school Italian deli. The menu is written each day on the chalkboard, including five antipasto, one pasta, choice of two entrées, and a dessert tasting. No vegetarians, no allergies, no substitutions, no nonsense.

 The walls are peppered with cans of tomatoes, breadcrumbs, and dried pasta and the vibe is refreshingly comfortable. But, don't let the casual charm fool you. Chefs and owners Rick Torrisi and Mario Carbone are extraordinary chefs with experience at some of the greatest fine dining institutions in NY, and you can taste that experience with each fleeting course and each exquisite bite. As Sam Sifton put it in his NY Times two-star review, "It is not fine dining, but it sure is fine."
              
<3 lk, the little foodie
Little Foodie Blog

 Fresh Mozzarella Hand-Pulled to Order Served with Parsley Garlic Bread

House-Made Lamb Sausage with Pickled Eggplant

Beets with Créme Fraiche, Apples, and Dill

Salt Cod (Baccala) and Preserved Lemon Crostini

Calamari Pasta

Duck over Broccoli Rabe

                                                                                    

Recovery Sundays

Finding the perfect brunch spot in New York isn't hard, especially when your standards are to eat anything with eggs and drink spiced bloody mary's. With the limitless dining options in NYC, we can set our sights on the perfect "recovery spot" that will be sure to go above and beyond the needs of a hungover post-grad.

Good Enough To Eat - 483 Amsterdam Avenue

Good Enough To Eat, a brunch spot that produces "comfort food and home-cooking" definitely hit the Sunday spot for me and my friends when we headed to the Upper West Side for a post-Saturday night cure all. 

Some specialities include the "Lumber Jack", pictured on the left with two pancakes, bacon, eggs on the side, and maple syrup. Needless to say, you could feed a small family with this. Good Enough To Eat also gives two freshly cooked biscuits to every diner at the start of the meal, with homemade strawberry butter on the side.

The WallStreet Omelette with homemade biscuits and strawberry butter

If you're looking for a new place to meet with friends, rehash Saturday night's debauchery, and enjoy some home-style cooking (or if you're just looking to avoid the gym on a Sunday afternoon) Good Enough To Eat is the place to go.

Brunch Menu - Good Enough To Eat

XX MC

Friday's Bite

Sardines, Golden Raisins and Pine Nuts

Just as the splendid autumn leaves must succumb to the unrelenting New York winter, us New Yorkers must also accept that the coming months will undoubtedly be filled with rosy-cheeks and numb toes.  But this year, instead of hiding under a blanket in your West Village studio, warm yourself up with a full-bodied Chianti and rib-sticking pasta at Lupa Osteria Romana. Charming, cozy and candle-lit, Lupa exemplifies everything you want in a neighborhood restaurant; ideal for intimate dinners, and perfect for a night out with friends. 

Prosciutto Di Parma

Owned by the Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich restaurant empire and boasting the same Executive Chef as four-star Del Posto, the food at Lupa is unsurprisingly outstanding. This unassuming trattoria serves inexpensive, straightforward Italian fare prepared perfectly. It is one of those rare and incredible restaurants in New York that anyone and everyone would love.

 <3 LK, the little foodie

Little Foodie Blog

Contorni: Beets with Pistachio

Special Rotini Pasta

Butternut Squash Tortellini 

Bucatni All'Amatriciana

House-Made Maple Gelato

This week's Treat

New York City is filled with “treats”. My friends and I use the word treat more in our vocabulary then the word food. While wandering around Union Square yesterday, I smelt the aroma of cinnamon, mint, and sugar. I was drawn to this tiny space that seemed to be filled with colorful treats and smiling patrons. I walked inside and was delighted to find myself in awe at these tiny, miniature cupcakes that were no larger than the size of a quarter.

Melissa Bushell, the creator of these bite size treats, wanted to bake up a line of stuffed cupcakes so dessert lovers can taste more flavors, without the post dessert guilt trip.  Standard flavors are; Mint chocolate Chip, Tie-Dye, Cookies & Cream, Cookie Dough, Peanut Butter Cup, Cinnamon, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Red Velvet, S’mores, Chocolate Chip Pancake, and the mini of the month—Coffee Caramel.

 I sampled the mint, tie-dye, and cookies & cream. I’m still thinking about their delicate, fluffy texture, and sweet, creamy filling. So if you’re craving something sweet without wanting to gain two lbs, head over to Melissa’s Cupcakes. You can also order them online for delivery…. I know what I’m doing later.

Locations: Soho—529 Broadway. Union Square—7 East 14^th st.

http://www.bakedbymelissa.com/

Recovery Sundays

Sundays in New York are filled with street fairs, churchgoers, and crowded brunch spots. The city exudes an old world charm; shops don’t open until 10, afternoon siestas are a necessity, and people watching becomes a sport. If you’re anything like me, however, I often find myself nursing last night’s shenanigans until 1pm, ordering take-in, watching a marathon of Teen Mom, then going to sleep. Not exactly how they do it in the old world.

Luckily, there is a place that calls my name, as well as many other hung-over razz girls, to its open doors on a Sunday afternoon. This place is called: Juice Generation and has been “juicing New York City since 1999”. The company provides freshly squeezed, organic smoothies and juices made from local ingredients that maintain the founders commitment to the environment and to  “produce the most food and juice with the least amount of waste”.

Juice Generation is also the founder of the widely acclaimed “Cooler Cleanse”. The cleanse consist of a 3 day or 5 day juice-only diet, where consumers can choose amongst a variety of flavors at the Juice Generation store, then conveniently have their juice selections delivered to their doorstep.

The workers at Juice Generation also have an unrivaled commitment to their customers; I once found myself standing outside their doors at closing time longing for a Multi-V Squeeze smoothie, and they willingly reopened the store to serve my needs.

If you have yet to try a smoothie from Juice Generation, I suggest you get off the couch this very minute and run to the nearest location. There are only four in New York, but no matter the distance, I promise that you will not be disappointed. I can say without a doubt that if Bowdoin had a Juice Generation on campus, I’d forego Thorne Dining Hall on Sunday brunch just to taste their Sunshine Day smoothie.

 

Juice Generation

Flavors to try: Antioxidant All-Star, Peanut Butter Split, Peaches and Dreams

Locations: 117 West 72^nd Street, 27340 Broadway, 644 Ninth Avenue, 171 West 4th


XX MC