How does a housemade mozzarella, anchovy, garlic, arugula, black pepper and olive oil pizza sound to you? To me, it sounded terrific, but there are so many other options on the menu at Motorino (the above item was a special). As at Franny's Brooklyn, Motorino sports a selection of appetizers and salads in addition to the pizza, but the prices are lower (and to me, the pizza is superior). There's a great $10 lunch special - you get a choice of a hefty, herb-sprinkled green salad or a soup (the day I went, it was a sweet corn chowder with lots of smoky pancetta), and a giant pizza that is big enough for two meals. My friend and I each ordered the margherita, made with melted pillowy fior di latte mozzarella. The crust was only slightly charred; I find that some pizzerias get carried away with the char lately, but not Motorino.
I wish I could say that I was able to try the tiramisu, but it was all I could do to get through two of my four giant slices of pizza!
Motorino: 319 Graham Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 718-599-8899.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Takesushi
Takesushi, a six-month-old Japanese restaurant on the East Side, has a great lunch special for only $12. Today, it consisted of amberjack teriyaki with takuan pickles, five slices of tuna and fluke sashimi, simmered konnyaku, carrots and crunchy lotus root, two delicately fried pieces of pork tonkatsu over shredded cabbage, rice, soup and salad. The portions were not overwhelming, so my companion and I felt compelled to also order some sushi.
On a recent trip to Japan, my companion had enjoyed some individually-seared (aburi) salmon pieces. We wondered if the sushi chef at Takesushi might duplicate this preparation, and were delighted when he produced a little torch, rendering our chu-toro even more delicious. (Note: this particular delicacy does not fall under the "budget" price umbrella! But one feels less guilty indulging when the rest of the meal is so reasonable.) We look forward to returning for dinner.
Takesushi: 1026 2nd Ave., (212) 355-2048.
On a recent trip to Japan, my companion had enjoyed some individually-seared (aburi) salmon pieces. We wondered if the sushi chef at Takesushi might duplicate this preparation, and were delighted when he produced a little torch, rendering our chu-toro even more delicious. (Note: this particular delicacy does not fall under the "budget" price umbrella! But one feels less guilty indulging when the rest of the meal is so reasonable.) We look forward to returning for dinner.
Takesushi: 1026 2nd Ave., (212) 355-2048.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Never Be Without Chocolate
"You carry chocolate bars around with you the way other people carry cigarettes," a friend once said to me. Are you the same way? Do you shudder at the thought of being without chocolate? Then you might appreciate this awesome Website, Chocolocate.com. It has links to over 1200 chocolate-focused Websites around the world, from Australia to Ghana to Wales. No matter where you travel, you'll never be without that essential item - chocolate.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Vesta Trattoria & Wine Bar
Astoria boasts just about every cuisine in the world, but there aren't a lot of restaurants dedicated to locavorism (Brooklyn definitely beats Queens in this department). So it was a pleasure to find Vesta, an Italian place where the ingredients are seasonal and local.
With a dim, cozy interior reminiscent of Brooklyn's Frankie's 457, Vesta is comfortable for the couple or the family. I recommend arriving early, as service may suffer when there is a crowd. Remembering a delicious bucatini with broccoli rabe and shredded ricotta salata, I enlisted my companion on a visit tonight.
Unfortunately, the bucatini was no longer on the menu. However, that delectable greenmarket salad was still there. Crunchy with cucumbers, radishes and sliced almonds, it was full of lightly vinaigretted organic greens (courtesy of Greenpoint's Roof Top Farms). Another winner was a plate of three garlicky crostini served with a hot dish of baked Taleggio. The buttery melted cheese was garnished with date paste and hazelnuts. We also had the chilled tomato soup with basil cream, which was a sweeter, richer alternative to gazpacho.
Dinner was a pan-roasted salmon filet in lemon sauce on a bed of charred green and purple kale. Because of a backup in the kitchen, it took a while to arrive. Hungry from waiting, we eyed the half roasted chicken of a nearby diner - it seemed to be of a much more generous portion. (Pasta portions are quite generous - if I had to redo the meal, I'd order the festonati with zucchini pesto, cherry tomatoes and pecans.)
Vesta: 21-02 30th Ave., Astoria, 718-545-5550. Note to Astorians: on nights when there are enough restaurant staff, delivery is available.
With a dim, cozy interior reminiscent of Brooklyn's Frankie's 457, Vesta is comfortable for the couple or the family. I recommend arriving early, as service may suffer when there is a crowd. Remembering a delicious bucatini with broccoli rabe and shredded ricotta salata, I enlisted my companion on a visit tonight.
Unfortunately, the bucatini was no longer on the menu. However, that delectable greenmarket salad was still there. Crunchy with cucumbers, radishes and sliced almonds, it was full of lightly vinaigretted organic greens (courtesy of Greenpoint's Roof Top Farms). Another winner was a plate of three garlicky crostini served with a hot dish of baked Taleggio. The buttery melted cheese was garnished with date paste and hazelnuts. We also had the chilled tomato soup with basil cream, which was a sweeter, richer alternative to gazpacho.
Dinner was a pan-roasted salmon filet in lemon sauce on a bed of charred green and purple kale. Because of a backup in the kitchen, it took a while to arrive. Hungry from waiting, we eyed the half roasted chicken of a nearby diner - it seemed to be of a much more generous portion. (Pasta portions are quite generous - if I had to redo the meal, I'd order the festonati with zucchini pesto, cherry tomatoes and pecans.)
Vesta: 21-02 30th Ave., Astoria, 718-545-5550. Note to Astorians: on nights when there are enough restaurant staff, delivery is available.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Bread and Chocolate
On my recent trip to Paris, I ate a lot of outstanding bread and chocolate. This got me to wondering, which do I prefer? Fortunately, there are many delicious bread-and-chocolate combinations here in NYC, so I don't have to choose.
One way to enjoy both bread and chocolate at once is to pick up Theo Chocolate's Bread & Chocolate bar. (I bought mine at T Salon's Chelsea Market location, 75 Ninth Ave., 212- 243-0432.) This most unique chocolate bar features French bread, butter and sea salt in a base of 70% organic cacao.
Another option is the truly sinful chocolate-hazelnut bread pudding at Cornelia Street Cafe (29 Cornelia St., 212-989-9319). Smothered in thick, rich chocolate sauce and adorned with a generous dollop of whipped cream, it's a bread pudding to remember.
For a more traditional bread-and-chocolate combination, there's the superlative pain au chocolat at Madeleine Patisserie (132 West 23rd St., 212-243-2757). According to the woman at the counter I spoke to, the owner-baker will only use chocolate imported from France.
One way to enjoy both bread and chocolate at once is to pick up Theo Chocolate's Bread & Chocolate bar. (I bought mine at T Salon's Chelsea Market location, 75 Ninth Ave., 212- 243-0432.) This most unique chocolate bar features French bread, butter and sea salt in a base of 70% organic cacao.
Another option is the truly sinful chocolate-hazelnut bread pudding at Cornelia Street Cafe (29 Cornelia St., 212-989-9319). Smothered in thick, rich chocolate sauce and adorned with a generous dollop of whipped cream, it's a bread pudding to remember.
For a more traditional bread-and-chocolate combination, there's the superlative pain au chocolat at Madeleine Patisserie (132 West 23rd St., 212-243-2757). According to the woman at the counter I spoke to, the owner-baker will only use chocolate imported from France.
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