New York – May Trip Day 4, 2013

Rosemary’s, 18 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011, United States

We came here for brunch and did not see the lines that I have read others moan about, maybe the bad weather had something to do with it.  The menu was quite different from the usual brunch staples good in some ways, but I felt cheated not to have a Bloody Mary on a Saturday so Bellini it was then. I was slightly concerned when I saw some others plates their portions were tiny.   We had ordered some of their Foccacia which was sensational and the main course was not too small, in fact perfect for my taste. I ordered Salmone with poached eggs and the others both ordered Stringhe di fungi. Slightly sterile feel inside wish I’d had a look at the rooftop garden.

Talk Rating: 4/5

New York – May Trip Day 3, 2013

John’s pizza – 278 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014, United States

We got an afternoon take out from this famous neighbourhood pizzeria, that even on a scorching spring day at 3pm the 2 sides of the restaurant was busy.  We had a margarita a real test of how good a pizza is. No slices, but even though the pizzas are large because they are wafer thin we devoured a large one between too. Yummm

Talk rating: 4/5

Fiddlesticks,56 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011
Pub grub with college scene, we sat outside and avoided the young’uns on a Friday evening out to pull. We had some salads and burgers and although nothing to write home about was very satisfying for a late night dinner option.

Talk Rating: 5/5 (outside) 2/5 (inside evening)

New York Trip - May Trip Day 2, 2013

La Bonbonaire – 28 8th Ave, New York, NY 10014

If you are looking for a typical west village breakfast place; classy décor and designer clad clientele than don’t come here. Come here for efficient service, really great food and a bit of old New York.  It is what tourists want when they come to NY and although a regular visitor I will never tire of an old fashioned diner. I ordered pancakes and unlike many of the other places I have been in NY, they weren’t too fluffy which can make them tast dry, they also were packed full of blueberries. Not the biggest portion I have ever had, but that for me is a plus as I hate wasting food (I still left 1 of the stack).  This place is a now a rarity in an area that is so smart places can feel soulless. 

Talk Rating: 5/5

Mas Farmhouse, 39 Downing St, New York, NY 10014, United States

Drawn this restaurant because of some rave reviews and in one article it was described as the most underrated restaurant in NY.  Unlike some reviews I had no issue with the front of house, in fact it was all very casual and friendly.  There were four of us and we all went for the 5 course menu having a cocktail to start. We had mixed reviews of the food, portion sizes were fine( I’d read people complaining about this, I think this is an American thing)  in fact way too big for me, I actually left a scallop, I’ve never done this  before. The food was accomplished but not surprising or wow for me.  The prices for the food are pretty reasonable but once you add all the extras definitely a splurge meal.

Talk Rating: 4/5

New York - May Trip Day 1, 2013

The following list helps me remember where I’ve been and also as a helpful list for friends who ask me where to go, so not very in depth but gives the flavour of places.

New York CowGirl , 519 Hudson St  Manhattan, NY 10014, United States

Western themed restaurant with a few tables outside and small bar inside. Well cooked classics in large portions make this a very popular place at brunch.

Talk Rating: 4/5

Catfish po burger

Giaconda Dining Room - 9 Denmark St London WC2H 8LS

The west end is not where you usually find well cooked food in a relaxed atmosphere at a reasonable price, but I think GDR did all of these things.   The lines of tourists queuing at the garish Mexican round the corner reminded me why I don’t come into the west end at the weekend.  However it was the complete opposite when we arrived at GDR, where is looked closed from the outside. Once inside we were offered a table in the rather uninspiring, empty front room, or the far brighter and busier back room, we chose the latter.

Steak Tartare

The menu is predominantly French with some Mediterranean dishes, nothing standing out as particular unusual, but classic combinations. The stand out dish from our starters was my steak tartare which was plentiful everyone got a bite. It was not the prettiest as the picture attests, but extremely tasty. They had a large selection of fish on the menu, although we all chose meat which was cooked superbly, we guessed it had been sousvide. I had the veal with macaroni cheese, which was extremely succulent, the macaroni slightly odd choice but went very well even if a bit too creamy for my tastes. The sides were quite heavy with 2 people having lamb, one chose not to have the gnocchi which was slightly heavy combination. We choose one cheese and one desert, the cheese was huge and way too much for one, but worked for sharing the dessert was tasty if not refined.  The atmosphere was slightly muted as it was so quiet but it was a relief for us much preferring to be on the quiet rather than the raucous side. 3 courses and 2 bottles of wine between 4 came to mid £40’s each , a bargain for this area.

Talk Rating: 5/5 may be noiser in the week.