A lot of time has spent since my last post, but my life has recently changed since I had to leave NYC and come back home to Paris.
I have decided not to give up this project, and keep writing about food crawling wherever I go. I have still so many posts to write about NYC that I might mix some with my discoveries in France.
Paris street scene
Paris street scene
Working in the wine industry was an easy way to talk about recent wine events that happened in the city, but I will try to find other material in my hometown, which should not be that hard.
I went for a walk around Paris to find out that not many things have changed since I left, but it is time for me to re-discover my city with new eyes.
Berthillon
Wild-strawberry/Mandarin sorbet
Summer finally hit Paris so I stopped by Berthillon to try again what Parisians say “The Best ice-cream ever”. These are not really my taste, having those ice-cream every year for Christmas as the 10th dessert. I definitely prefer the Italian ice-cream, but I have to say that the wild strawberry, seasonal sorbet, is really delicious.
America always finds a great excuse to celebrate. While everything starts turning into the colors of the US flag, each day has its national celebration.The East Coast has some local specialties, and the lobster from Maine is one of them. It is a lot easier and cheaper than in France to eat lobster. Order it, they cook it, prepare it, just eat it! One of the local think that actually just hit Paris is the lobster roll. What is it? Lot of lobster meat served hot with melted butter or cold with mayo on a roll (yes the same bread than the one for hot dogs…).
St Peter’s Catch
Lobster Special
Last Saturday was National Lobster Day and what a better place than the Hamptons to enjoy this day? Montauk is the eastern village on Long Island and we stopped by St Peter’s Catch, a seafod market that has outdoor sitting apart of the road. You can get fish tacos, lobster rolls or fries and salads. However, the best deal was the lobster lunch special made of a full lobster with its butter sauce, mussels, corn, coleslaw and fried potatoes…for $21. St Peter’s Catch 58 S Erie Ave Montauk, NY 11954 (631) 668-7100 Even though you will never find the quality and quantity of the lobster roll at Neptune, Boston, two places caught my attention in the city. Neptune 63 Salem St Boston, MA 02113 (617) 742-3474
Fish Tacos
Lobster Roll
The Lobster Joint
Lobster Joint opened last fall in the LES. As the name says it, it is a joint, but that offers nice options and even has an alcohol license. The lobster roll is served hot with its salad and pickles. It tastes good and is bigger than the Red Hook Lobster Pound. And if you want to try really good fish tacos, head there on Tuesdays where they have the special. This place is rarely packed and should be known since it is a great joint. Lobster Joint 201 E Houston St New York, NY 10002 (646) 896-1110
And finally if you are not scared to make a mess, go to The Lobster Place in Chelsea Market. Recently renovated, you can order your size of lobster and eat it directly in the market. And it is so good. They also offer lobster rolls but they are not as great as the two other options above. And it is served with chips, not fries. Lobster Place in the Chelsea Market 75 9th Avenue New York, NY 10011 (212) 255-5672
Last Wednesday night was the release of the book « Nice is just a place in France » by Betches Love This, a popular website run anonymously who chronicle what she loves or not since she’s the one who has everything figured out. I am still a bit confused about this website but I guess that night I felt like a ‘Betch’…
Two sisters (are they really anonymous?) had invited all their friends of the gilded youth to celebrate the launch party at The Jane in West Village. I guess this party was my first and last time at this hotel since my skirt was not tight and short enough and my heels way too boring.
Anyway the sisters hosted such a great party. [yellow tail] and Liquor 43 were largely poured at the bar, and chocolate covered pretzels (my favorite US candy) were all over the tables before guests decided to turn them into a danse floor.
Urban food-crawl is all about getting the best of a single dish or area. My first crawl is dedicated to tacos. Since my first trip to California in March 2012, I’ve been obsessed with this Mexican dish. I would say even more with fish tacos. But the real ones, not those fake crispy tacos you can have at Taco Bell or any other bad Tex-Mex restaurant.
For my friends overseas, what is a good taco? Pork, chicken, shrimp, salmon or even lobster, onions, cilantro, salsa and avocado for the California version wrapped into a fresh homemade corn or flour tortilla. Since I am in NYC I’ve been tracking the best one. This is not California, I agree, but you can still find great options in the Big Apple.
2. Empellon Cocina, East Village: a whole chapter should be dedicated to Empellon Cocina. Acclaimed by the press to be one of the best new restaurants in town, I do agree. The tacos are really simple, maybe too much at the first sight with its sea scallops and caramelized cauliflower. A bit expensive ($16 for 2), but extremely tasty, having sea scallops in a tacos does worth the price.
3. La Esquina, Nolita : go for lunch at the Café. The restaurant is actually way nicer than the outdoor area. Get the fish tacos, really tasty, with red cabbage that makes it taste different ($9 for 2). The corner Deli, a bit tacky, is one of the three restaurants at the same spot. Come by night, a hidden restaurant, La Brasserie, opens downstairs. Reservation 3 weeks ahead though… La Esquina, Café 114 Kenmare, New York, NY 10012 (646) 613-1333
4. Dokebi Bar & Grill
4. Dokebi Bar & Grill, Williamsburg: If you are looking for a Korean BBQ place, head to Williamsburg. This restaurant has such good vibes, and the music playlist is so much better than any Korean joint you will ever find in the depressing Korean town. But the surprise is the Korean style tacos. Go for the fish taco, battered white fish, only $4 each, with plenty of other options. It doesn’t look Korean at all, with its apparent brick wall, modern art wall and its red Vichy tablecloths. If you like kimchi and fish tacos you will love this nice fusion. Dokebi Bar & Grill 199 Grand St Brooklyn, NY 11211 718) 782-1424
5. Friedman’s lunch, Chelsea. The Chelsea Market reminds me the Ferry Building in San Francisco. The food looks great everywhere, but because it is busy and indoor in the basement, you need to find a cozy place to sit. Friedman’s Lunch offers you the solution. Good quality of fish, plenty, grilled and not fried, with fresh vegetable and covered with a white sauce, the fish tacos is a really good value ($13 for 2) Friedman’s Lunch at the Chelsea Market 75 9th Ave New York, NY 10011 (212) 929-7100
6. Brooklyn Tacos
6. Brooklyn Taco at Donna, South Williamsburg : As part of the Armory show, Donna, the hot cocktail spot in South Williamsburg is hosting Brooklyn Taco each Saturday of March. The venu is fantastic, the bar is relax and the decor elegant and beautiful. Grab a cocktail ($7 happy hour) and a cole-braised pork tacos ($4), promised you will enjoy your night!
7. El Toro Blanco, West Village: I already talked about this new spot, go see the review here.
8. Pinche Taqueria
8. Pinche Taqueria, Nolita: Just like an authentic taqueria, you don’t want to spend to much time in there. Good just to grab a taco and leave. This place got pretty good reviews, but once again I got disappointed since I thought it was not tasty enough (despite the whole guacamole on the top). Tacos are really cheap though ($2.95-$3.95) and you probably feel closer to Mexico than places like El Toro Blanco.
9. Takumi Taco, Street food: Featured at the Brooklyn Flea Market, Williamsburg Saving Banks, and soon returns at Smorgasburg on April 6th, Williamsburg, try these Japanese inspired tacos. I got my spicy tuna taco in a crispy gyoza shell. I would recommend the traditional corn tortilla since this version reminded me the taco bell commercial with its crispy taco. Takumi Taco at the Brooklyn Flea Market 1 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, NY
10. El Aguila
10. El Aguila: I live in Spanish Harlem, and oddly this is not the best area to get good tacos. Made with industrial tortillas, the meat is not really tender. I would not recommend the trip, even though I am sure East Harlem has some good suprises… El Aguila 137 E 116th St # 1 New York, NY 10029 (212) 410-2450
It is cold in NYC, very cold, like 15F (or -10°C for our non US friends). But the light is bright and warm us, and tracking THE new brunch make us face the cold weather, even if I have to loose one hand because it’s frozen.
After my bad experience at “the” new hot spot in Manhattan, I prefer trying one of the best 2012 brunches from last year.
Thanks to Open Table, I hopefully skip the 45 minute line to get the precious table. One of the waitress sulks, I don’t care she is not in charge of our table. Some hipsters at the bar, mostly preppies in the venue. This is not excessively expensive, good with a (small) bunch of friends, or apparently good for dates too as the nice couple seated at the table next to us is experiencing one. Fresh squeezed orange juice, great selection of teas and cocktails (I guess they are known for their Bloody Mary’s).
Everything looks delicious on the menu. I keep looking at everybody else plate and the scrambled eggs are actually a good choice. Cooked with mushrooms, they melt in the mouth and the scallions give them a very distinctive taste. The corn bread is a bit dry but good though.
The pancakes are for once thinner and lighter than usual, and the caramelized apples and the pecan butter finish up the dish perfectly.
Should you go? Definitely!
Any recommendation? Book a table before showing up! It’s packed.
Deux petits coqs rouges, their old-fashioned label. This pastry shop is simply one of the best places I have tried in NY. Located in Yorkville, it’s tiny, not so kitch, more countryside. Come early in the morning to get an almond-sherry scone or any of their muffin. I’m craving to get another warm cinnamon roll. The cheesecake, not always available, is terrific. I would even say the second best cheesecake in NYC, and I’ve been tracking them for a long time.
It has been months since I was thinking about this blog, it’s time to dig in!
Writing the first page of a blog is like writing a diary, but you expect people to read it. It’s the scary part of it. Another blog you’d say? You mean another food blog? A foodie who pretends she can change the face of the (food) world? Maybe.
I guess I will just try to act like a tour guide.
I’ve always fought tourists who ended into the first random spot because of a lack of interest or no good advice. So please let me drive you around the big apple, so you won’t get lost. After a couple of months in NYC, I’ve tried 132 restaurants and bars in less than 160 days. Where did I spend the remaining days? Just headed to wine and food events!
Even though you will never find the quality and quantity of the lobster roll at 
Luke’s Lobster
Urban food-crawl 