European Cuisines
FIKA – NYC’s First Swedish Espresso Bar
41 West 58th Street (btwn. 5th & 6th Ave.) (212)832-0022 Website TYPE: Swedish espresso bar VIBE: Sleek coffee oasis OCCASION: A fika (Swedish for coffee break) DON’T MISS PASTRY: Vanilla dreams cookie DON’T MISS CHOCOLATE: Dark chocolate-covered lingonberry PRICE: $2-4 for coffee; $2-4 for chocolates & pastries; $8-10 for a sandwich or salad HOURS: Monday through Saturday, 7 AM-9 PM; Sunday 7 AM-6 PM. SEATING: No tables, just 7 generous counter seats and take-out. RESTAURANT GIRL RATES (1-10): 9 FINAL WORD: FIKA gives new meaning to the concept of the coffee break. And if you’re not a coffee drinker, you might want to pick up the habit. Starbuck’s beware: there’s a new coffee shop in town and this Swedish arrival takes its coffee very seriously. With modern trimmings – white walls, steel counters, wood stools and black & white...
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102 8th Ave., at 15th St. (212)242-7773 Tour’s menu CODE.TV Video (with Restaurant Girl) TYPE: Global fusion cuisine VIBE: Basement lounge sleek OCCASION: Get your social amusement fix GO WITH: Trendy insomniacs DON’T MISS DISH: Wild mushroom risotto DON’T BOTHER DISH: Chicken spring rolls PRICE: $40 & up HOURS: Lunch & dinner, Monday – Friday, 11 AM – 6 AM; Saturday & Sunday, 9 AM – 6 AM. Special brunch menu on Saturday & Sunday. RESERVATIONS: Brunch reservations are recommended. INSIDE SCOOP: So loud, it’s hard to hear yourself chew. Stake out a quieter outside table. RESTAURANT GIRL RATES (1-10): 4.5 FINAL WORD: Can’t sleep? Get your late-night munchie fix while you people watch the club crowd. CHEAT SHEET: DRINK: Sparkling rose START WITH: Maryland lump crab cake ORDER: Wild mushroom risotto FINISH WITH: Stroll over to Billy’s Bakery for...
Read MoreTrestle on Tenth
Trestle on Tenth 242 Tenth Ave., at 24th St. (212)645-5659 The Menu Savory NY video TYPE: Contemporary American, heavy on the Swiss influences VIBE: Noveau tavern OCCASION: Post-gallery opening dinner GO WITH: An artsy crowd or friends DON’T MISS DISH: Pork shoulder crepinette DON’T BOTHER DISH: Stuffed veal breast PRICE: $35 & up HOURS: Dinner, Tuesday-Thursday, 5:30 PM-10:30 PM; Friday & Saturday, 5:30 PM-11 PM; Sunday, 5:30- 10 PM. Closed Mondays. RESERVATIONS: Recommended, but there are walk-in tables. INSIDE SCOOP: Request the outdoor walled garden. FINAL WORD: Eat outside your comfort zone. CHEAT SHEET: DRINK: Cabana flush START WITH: Pork Shoulder Crepinette ORDER: Sauteed veal kidneys FINISH WITH: Walnut caramel nusstorte Warmly accented with exposed brick walls, wood furnishings & an unusually serene walled garden, this quaint gastropub is the newest addition to the gallery-populated Chelsea. Though the surrounding galleries...
Read MoreDona
Don’t hate me because I went to Dona even before its official open on this magical Monday evening. I, restaurantgirl, had taken it upon myself, to wander selflessly from restaurant to restaurant, throwing myself at the mercy of chefs across the five boroughs, bravely risking bad service, an upset stomach, and weathering, well, the weather, all in search of the perfect dish so that you may never waste a meal again. I happily sacrificed my Saturday night to give you a sneak peek at the restaurant formerly known as Bellini (Donatella Arpaia of david burke & donatella’s first born). Did you ever have that “go to guy” you could always count on for a good time, even though you knew he wasn’t “the one”? Bellini was mine. That is, until he decided to change his name, menu and wallpaper. ...
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