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Baby Cakes NYC – Vegan Bakery – New York

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

248 Broome Street (Between Orchard & Ludlow)
New York City, NY 10002 (Google map)
Tel. 212-677-5047
Email: info@babycakesnyc.com
Website: www.babycakesnyc.com
Delivery available: Call
Hours of Operation
Two for One Monday: 10am-8pm or until we sell out
Tuesday-Thursday: 10am-10pm
Friday-Saturday: 10am-11pm
Sunday: 10am-8pm
Directions:Take the MTA subway to Delancey Street or Grand Street

Erin McKenna, founder of health-conscious Baby Cakes NYC, the amazing, lower east side Vegan Bakery that has tongues wagging around New York City; affirms that their products are: Refined Sugar Free, Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Soy Free, Casein Free, Egg Free, Vegan, and Kosher. They also taste as good as bakeries using standard baking procedures.
Most baked goods are sweetened with agave nectar, a natural syrup from a cactus and not cheaper high-fructose (HFCS) or fructose, processed fruit juices used by cost-cutting manufacturers, which (some studies claim contain high mercury levels) and cold-pressed, virgin coconut oil is primarily used for baking.
Los Angeles Expansion:
Baby Cakes NYC the vegan bakery abandons plans to open in West Hollywood near the Grove due to economic influences and have switched to a 800-1000 square foot location downtown in the Pacific Electric Building and should be opening soon.

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Kampuchea Cambodian Restaurant – New York

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

photo credit: Kampuchea Restaurant

KAMPUCHEA
78 Rivington Street
Tel. 212-529-3901
Website: www.kampucheanyc.com
Opening Hours: Mon, 5:30pm-10:30pm; Tue-Thu, 5:30pm-11pm; Fri-Sat, noon-4pm and 5:30pm-11:30pm; Sun, noon-4pm and 5:30pm-10:30pm
Full Bar
Reservations: Not Accepted
Credit Cards: Diners Club, MC, Visa
Prices: Inexpensive

This is New York’s one and only Cambodian restaurant. It is named after the Khmer name for Cambodia, which is the name most commonly used to refer to the country, at least within Asia. Most countries that were colonized have rid themselves of names given to them by their former rulers.
It is located in a storefront shop on the Lower East Side. There is an open kitchen where chef/owner Ratcha Chau, interpretes Cambodian “street food”, and dining is at communal tables where you sit on bar chairs.

Cambodian cold & warm ‘Small’ Plates

Spicy Organic Chicken Salad  Cabbage, shallots, bell pepper, crushed peanuts       8

Cambodian Hot ‘Small’ Plates
Butter Filet Mignon Green mango, sautéed shallots, cilantro, lime-soy dressing               13

Pickle Plate Watermelon rind, daikons, red cabbage, cucumber, soy sprouts   8

Lemongrass Smoked Duck Breast Pumpkin puree, green mango & herb salad            13

Seared Sweetbread  Shiitake mushroom broth, enoki mushroom and basil salad      12

Seared Monkfish Liver  Beef jus, macerated spicy pears, pickled daikons, bush basil           11

Cambodian Num Pang (Sandwiches)

Served on a toasted baguette, pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro, chili mayo

Tamarind Baby Back Ribs Duroc pig, Cilantro & Lime Dip             14
Grilled Fresh Water Prawns  Ginger & Scallion Rubbed          12
Grilled Skirt Steak  Toasted coriander, Sambal Chili                      14
Grilled Duroc Pork  Honey Glazed and Shallots                         12
P.E.I Mussels Spicy & sour, okras, tomatillos, baguette             14
Pork Meatballs  Stewed tomatoes, shaved salted egg  , basil    8
Grilled Portuguese Sardines Lemongrass lime chili sauce                 11
Crispy Pork Belly  Honey, scallions, apple cider                                12

Coconut Tiger Shrimp    Toasted shredded coconut                                                 13
House Cured Bacon         Charred whole pickled Thai chilies & red onions             11
Ginger Rubbed Catfish    Honey, shallots & peppercorn                                           12
Sweet Pulled Oxtail        Spicy tamarind basil sauce                                                  14
Grilled Eggplant             Thai eggplant, Chinese eggplant, ginger, garlic                  11
Duroc Pork Garlic glazed with honey dried chili 10
Hoisin Pork Meat Balls  Berkshire pork, rice, light tomato sauce 10
Grilled Skirt Steak    Toasted coriander, five spice chili 15
Grilled Tofu Sweet ginger-scallion soy  10
The Kampuchea House-made pork pate & headcheese terrine 12

Num Pang (sandwich) Tasting       Choice of three items        $17

Cambodian Savory Crepes

Served with lettuce, sprouts and herbs, house dressing
Garnished with chili & crushed peanuts

Shiitake mushrooms, soybeans & butternut squash    13

Catfish, ground peppercorn, honey-soy, sesame seed    13

Chopped jumbo tiger shrimp & red onions                       14

Ground Duroc pork & chives                                               13

Specialty Noodle Soups ‘Katiev’,  Rice Soup, Stew & Cold Noodles

Phnom Penh Katiev Flat rice sticks, chicken broth, ground Duroc pork, duck confit, chicken breast, tiger shrimp, sprouts & herbs 17

Chicken Katiev   Egg noodle, chicken broth, organic chicken breast, sweet sausage, sprouts, chives, sautéed shallots & herbs 15

Tofu Katiev Vegetable noodle, vegetable broth, grilled tofu & eggplant, Napa cabbage, watercress, black mushroom, herbs 15

Duroc Pork Katiev Flat Noodle, pork broth, braised pork belly, salted pork shoulder, sautéed pickled mustard greens, sprouts & herbs 16

Prawn Katiev Flat rice sticks, chicken broth, sweet water prawns, P.E.I mussels, bell peppers, sprouts & herbs 17

Chilled Rice Vermicelli Grilled Duroc pork, Chinese sausage, over easy egg, sprouts & fresh herbs, sautéed shallots, crushed peanuts 15

Chilled Flat Noodle Seared chili tiger shrimp, crispy pork belly, chives, cucumber, lettuce hearts, hoisin & chili sauce 15

Oxtail Stew  Tender oxtail, brisket jus, sweet basil, carrots, green papaya, okra, stewed tomatoes, shallots, side toasted baguette 17

Bwah Moun  Jasmine rice, chicken broth, organic chicken breast, tiger shrimp, ginger, Thai chili, lime juice, sprouts & herbs 15

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Bar Boulud – New York

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

photo credit: MG & Co./ General Contractors www.mgandcompany.com

1900 Broadway ( Between 63rd Street and 64th Street)
New York, NY 10023
Phone: (212) 595-0303
Website: www.danielnyc.com
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: Lunch:  12pm – 3:30pm, Dinner: 5pm -11pm, Sat-Sun: Lunch: 11am – 3:30pm, Dinner: 5pm – 11pm
Wine Bar
Credit Cards: all Major
Price: Expensive

Daniel Boulud is from Lyon and he was brought up on good charcuterie. He has a formidable reputation for creating fine-dining restaurants in Manhattan, although now he has gone in a totally different direction by opening a wine bar with an outstanding wine list. If you look carefully, you can find some very reasonably priced selections that pair well with the excellent charcuterie. Order and stick to the charcuterie made on the premises, selections such as: pâté grand-mère, compotée de lapin, or andouille de Vire fashioned by charcuterie master Sylvain Gasdon, from the acclaimed Gilles Verot in Paris. He replicates the earthy flavors and textures of lyonnaise-style artisanal sausages and pâtés, not an easy feat considering the difference in the products between France and New York, I am assured that as many as possible of the main ingredients are imported to attain this quality.
If you do not have a reservation, it is no problem, sit at the counter or the tasting table and order charcuterie and cheese, after all, this is a wine bar, please do not take things too seriously—this is not supposed to be grand cuisine—it is a wine bar with the best charcuterie and cheese in town! Do not expect something it isn’t.

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The Spotted Pig “Gastro Pub” – New York

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

photo credits: www.thespottedpig.com, logo property of The Spotted Pig

314 W. 11th Street
at Greenwich St.
New York, NY 10014
Tel. (212) 620-0393
Email: info@thespottedpig.com
Website: www.thespottedpig.com
Operating Hours:
Brunch: 11am – 3pm (weekends)
Lunch: 12 – 3pm
Bar Menu: 3pm – 5:00pm
Dinner: 5:30pm – 2am
Dress Code: None
Owners: April Bloomfield, Ken Friedman
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Moderate
Awards: One-Michelin star

Many pubs around England offer food ranging from mediocre to simply dreadful, the exceptions are pubs that serve gastronomically exciting cuisine. They were far and few between a few years ago, though gaining ground recently. My friends who keep up on those sorts of things have, over many years, introduced me to many surprisingly excellent, and these days dubbed, “gastro pubs” surrounding London and beyond.

Now in lower New York City, English Chef April Bloomfield, who garnered her training at such well know restaurants as: River Cafe, Kensington Place, Bibendum, and Chez Panisse, has opened her “gastro pub” The Spotted Pig in the depths of lower Manhattan in the West Village. It is a very popular spot now and very difficult to snag a table so your best bet is to wait for a table during the off hours either early or late, or you can dine at the bar or around the columns, if space permits. On February 14th they are celebrating their 5th anniversary.

Following are the menu offerings:

Bar Snacks

Deviled Eggs $ 3.00
Chicken Liver Toast $ 5.50
Devils on Horseback $ 7.00
Marinated Olives $ 3.50
Roasted Almonds $ 3.50
Roll Mops $ 7.50
Pot of Pickles $7.50

photo credit: The Spotted Pig

Plates

Beau Soleil Oysters with Mignonette 6 for $ 18 / 12 for $ 36
Marinated Octopus and Celery Salad $18
Jerusalem Artichoke & Escarole Salad with Hazelnuts $17
Apple, Walnut & Cheddar Salad $16
Smoked Haddock Chowder with Homemade Crackers $15
Prosciutto & Ricotta Tart with Marjoram $18
Sheepís Ricotta Gnudi with Brown Butter & Sage $15
Sweetbreads with Piperade and Mint $16
Crispy Pigís Ear with Lemon & Capers $15
Caesar Salad with Parmesan & Croutons $16

Entrees

SautÈed Quail with Roasted Treviso & Parmesan $30
Seared Spanish Mackerel with Mint Vinaigrette $24
Wild Striped Bass with Porcini & Crispy Leeks $32
Pan Fried Calfís Liver with Mashed Potatoes & Sage $21
Chargrilled Burger with Roquefort Cheese & Shoestrings $ 17

photo credit: The Spotted Pig

Sides

Shoestring Fries $7
Mushrooms with Bacon & CrËme FraŒche $10
Roasted Carrots with Thyme $8
Beets & Greens $8
Brussels Sprouts $10
Champ $8
Plate of Five Vegetables $24

Desserts $8

Walnut, Chocolate & Amaretto Cake
Orange & Bourbon Chocolate Cake
Banoffee Pie $9
Ginger Cake
CrËme Caramel
Cheese Plate 2 for $ 10 / 3 for $ 15

Beer and Wine

Cask Beer

Cask-conditioned ale is the traditional beer of Britain. It is unfiltered and undergoes a secondary fermentation in the cask. When that fermentation is finished, the beer is left with a very light natural carbonation and a subtle depth of flavor. The yeasts, its job finished, drops to the bottom of the cask and leaves the beer clear. It is pulled up to the bar by a hand pump, just as it is in England’s Pubs. Cask ales are best enjoyed at a gently chilled cellar temperature. We hope you enjoy this handmade artisanal beer, brewed from the finest malt and hops.

Spotted Pig Bitter $9
Six Points ìOtisî Oatmeal Stout $9

Also on Draught:

Victory Pilsner (Downingtown, PA) $7
Capt. Lawrence Pale Ale (Pleasantville, NY) $8
Speckled Hen Pub Ale (England) $7
Guinness Stout (Ireland) $7

Bottles

Sapporo Light Beer (Japan) $6
Red Stripe Jamaican Lager (Jamaica) $6
Pacifico Clara (Mexico) $6
Samuel Smith’s Organic Lager (England) $9
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (Chico, CA) $7
Brooklyn Brewery ìLocal 1î (Brooklyn, NY) $16
Magners Irish Cider (Ireland) $7
Saison Dupont Farm House Ale (Belgium) $12
Lindeman’s Lambic (Belgium) $12

Wine

Sparkling

Prosecco Ombra NV $10
Champagne Pol Roger “Brut Reserve” NV $19

Rose

Refosco Bastianich “Rosato” 2007 $9

White

Bourgogne Olivier Leflaive ìLes Setillesî 2006 $12
Viognier F. Villard ìLes Contours de Deponcinsî 2006 $17
Tocai Friuliano Bastianich 2007 $11
Sauvignon Blanc Rock Rabbit 2006 $9
Roussanne McCrea ìCiel du Cheval Vineyardî 2006 $16
Riesling Dr. Pauly Bergweiler “W.S” Kabinett 2005 $16

Red

Crozes-Hermitage Paul Jaboulet “Les Jalets” 2004 $14
Morellino di Scansano La Mozza “I Perazzi” 2006 $10
Pinot Noir The Four Graces 2006 $15
Zinfandel Ridge “Three Valleys” 2006 $13
Cabernet Sauvignon Clos du Val 2005 $17
Malbec Cuvelier Los Andes 2005 $15

There is no corkage fee; as you are not permitted to bring in your own wine. Choose from their most reasonably priced list!

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Tribute to Le Club (Long Closed) – New York City

Sunday, January 25th, 2009

I just want to dwell on Le Club for a moment, before it is swallowed up in time, for no other reason than I sincerely enjoyed this smart little club. Igor Cassini with some help from his brother Oleg Cassini are given credit for the beginnings of this intimate European members-only club (à la Castel, Paris) in New York City.  Le Club, which followed the large nightclubs such as El Morocco and the Stork Club and between the time that discos came into vogue. The Cassini’ brothers played a big role in promoting Le Club and as well initiating the intimate European-style club in Manhattan.
For a time Igor Cassini was the principal owner of Le Club, a members-only nightclub on the East Side of Manhattan. Mr. Cassini also claimed credit for coining the term Jet Set to describe the free-living, free-roaming international rich, and he was proud of the fact that he picked Mrs. Kennedy as ”debutante of the year” in 1948 when she was Jacqueline Bouvier.
He was the younger brother of Oleg Cassini, the fashion designer who was the official couturier for Jaqueline Kennedy when she was First Lady http://www.olegcassini.com/.
Igor Cassini, who as Cholly Knickerbocker was king of society gossip for the Hearst newspaper chain in the 1940’s and 50’s, then lost his job after he pleaded no contest to a charge that he represented the Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo but without telling the government about it. I had dined with both of them over the years and a good many times at La Coupole in Paris.
Both Igor (2002) and Oleg (2006) are now deceased.

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La Goulue Restaurant – New York

Friday, December 19th, 2008

La Goulue
746 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10021
at 65th St.
212-988-8169
Opening Hours: Open every day
Lunch: Monday to Saturday 12 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Dinner: Monday to Saturday 6:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Sunday Brunch: 12 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Expensive

I really enjoy many dishes from this venerable restaurant, regardless of the few negative comments I have heard, and most fondly remembered is the foie gras terrine among many other favorites. The location on Madison Avenue is ideal and the place generally has a “Parisian feel” to it.
It has a busy lunch crowd and gets the upper east side neighborhood crowd filling up the bar area while waiting for one of the banquets, especially one in the front to open up. They offer a Cafe Menu between 4p.m. – 6p.m. with items such as duck foie gras, steak tartare and an excellent profiteroles for dessert.

Footnote: For those who may not be aware. . .  Louise Weber, nicknamed La Goulou (The Glutton), was born to a Jewish family from Alsace. Her mother worked in a laundry where Louise borrowed customer’s outfits to perform in local dance halls.
She began dancing in small clubs around Paris and became popular because of her dexterity as a dancer and especially for her routine, which included hiking up her dress to show her panties with an embroidered red heart and kicking off men’s hats with her toe. She received the affectionate nickname “La Goulue” because of her frequent habit of grabbing customer’s drinks and downing the contents while dancing past their tables. She eventually danced an early version of the Cancan at the Moulin Rouge and became a highly paid star.
She decided to leave the Moulin Rouge and invested in a traveling show that toured the country as part of a large fair. Her fans did not have the same interest to see her in this type of setting and the venture turned out to be a failure. She took to drinking heavily and wound up destitute, toothless, unrecognized and reduced to selling cigarettes and peanuts on the street close to where she once had been a star at the Moulin Rouge. She died shortly after and is now buried at the Cimetière de Montmartre.

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Food Critic Gael Green Out! After 40 Yrs. at New York Magazine – New York

Monday, December 8th, 2008

I think the way in which she was ousted was an appalling display on the part of New York Magazine, especially after 40 years! Ms Greene will still be reporting via her blog on things culinary in New York City http://www.insatiable-critic.com/ One good note: she can now devote more time to her charity Citymeals-on-Wheels, which she founded 27 years ago. It supplies food to the elderly who are unable to find means to do so otherwise.

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Elaine’s – New York

Sunday, December 7th, 2008

Elaine’s Restaurant
1703 Second Ave., New York, NY 10128 near 88th St.
Tel.+1 212-534-8103
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat, 6pm-2am; Sun, 5pm-1am
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Moderate-Expensive

The food at Elaine’s has always been barely passable, however that is not the point of the excursion to eighty-eighth Street, players from stage and screen, writers, power-brokers, intellectual types hang there. Bobby Short took my girl friend and I around the corner to smoke a joint—I am a drinker not a smoker but I took a drag anyway! This is a fun place where a lot of people mingle and the buzz is high. I used to drop by whenever I was in the city just for the hell of it.
In the low-lighting of the bar people look good, even at elbow to elbow distance, and the dining rooms are lively especially later in the evening. Elaine Kaufman, the owner, can be snarly, though she is not afraid to pick up a glass and make a drink if necessary, and will usually greet customers if she is not too engaged in conversation with other guests. You can become drunk, get unruly—no one will notice—it’s that type of place.
Elaine’s is an American-Italian joint, but there is only one of them like this in NYC; or anywhere else in the world for that matter.

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La Maison du Chocolat – Paris

Monday, November 17th, 2008

La Maison du Chocolat is based in Paris, and its chocolates are consistantly recognized as some of the best in the world. Most chocolates are dipped rather than molded, producing a very thin chocolate cover that melts perfectly with the filling in the mouth. The most popular filling at La Maison du Chocolat is the ganache (a mix of dairy cream and chocolate), here it is elevated to a rare perfection of taste and texture. Ganaches are subtly flavored with the use of scented ingredients (almond, cinnamon, ginger, lemon, coffee, fennel…) that blend perfectly well with the taste of the chocolate. The chocolate base used is from the famous French producer Valrhona. As often, quality has its price about US$60 per pound.

The pastries offered at La Maison are also exceptionally well made, on a par with those made in the best patisseries in Paris. All have of course a powerful chocolate taste. Try for example the Bacchus (layers of chocolate cake and chocolate ganache), or the Andalousie (chocolate cake, with lemon zest cream and truffle mousse). For U.S. residents La Maison du Chocolat has a store at 30 Rockefeller Center (tel. 212 265-9404) as well as stores in Paris, London and Tokyo.

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Bruno Jamais Restaurant & Club – Two Recent Events – New York City

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

Bruno Jamais Restaurant & Club
24 East 81st Street
New York, NY 10028
Tel. 212-396-3444
http://www.brunojamais.com

On November 6th the 5th year anniversary party of Bruno Jamais Restaurant & Club at 24 East 81st Street was given in conjunction with Katherine M. Rothman, CEO of KMR Communications.  The event was attended by hundreds of media, dignitaries, socialites, and event planners. The restaurant was transformed into an art gallery for the evening featuring the works of famed French Artist Cyrille Margarit.

Recently Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club in New York and PR firm KMR Communications, Inc hosted the launch of Lokah Music’s “The Ivy Ceiling” CD featuring the talented artists Michael and Uma.
Celebrities at the event included:
Sting, who arrived with his wife Trudie Styler. . .

legendary recording bis producer Russell Simmons . . . cast members of Bravo TV’s “The Real Housewives of New York”: Countess Lu Ann De Lesseps, Jill and Bobby Zarin, Ramona and Mario Singer, Alex Mc Cord and Simon Van Kempen, and the newest addition to the show, Kelly Killoren Bensimon. . .

Cruiserweight boxing Champion BJ Flores was also in attendance.

Over 500 members of the media enjoyed the event and per Sting’s request, guests were served only vegetarian canapés and the champagne flowed endlessly. Upon Sting’s arrival, a usual blasé media crowd went wild, and three security guards had to be called in to shield him from the throng of paparazzi. This evening was a precursor to a special night for Sting.


The following evening was his last public performance ever with the Police. Proceeds from a raffle benefited PETA, one of Sting’s favorite charities. Sample tracks of “The Ivy Ceiling” can be heard at www.lokahmusic.com  Information on Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club can be found at www.brunojamais.com

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