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Air’s Champagne Parlor is All About the Bubbly
Beer, wine and even cider bars abound in NYC, but Air’s Champagne Parlor is one of the few area drinkeries devoted to bubbly. To be fair, the Riddling Widow briefly preceded it, but owner Ariel Arce was actually beverage director during its tenure, as well as Birds & Bubbles before that, and Chicago’s Pops for Champagne (not to mention Grant Achatz’s exclusive, original The Office) before that. Meaning her reputation as queen of Cuvèe absolutely proceeds her.
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Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest 2017
If you’re already mourning the loss of summer, Oktoberfest is a reliable way to get you over the hump. Essentially spanning the duration of fall (kicking off on September 16th this year & extending all the way to October 31st, allowing revelers to seamlessly transition to Halloween), the 16 to 18-day festival is a giddy saturnalia of German culture…
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Spotlight on the Finalists for the 2017 Vendy Awards
As a fun challenge to the James Beard Awards, the Vendy ceremony — now in its 13th year — is dedicated to honoring the very best in street food. So here’s who’s in the running during the September 16th event at Governors Island; from an artisanal twinkie baker to an upstart french toast sandwich maker, to a Chinese meat skewer purveyor, whose been tapped for the Vendy Cup…
Most Recent Dish
E.U.
235 East 4th St., btwn. A & B Aves. (212)254-2900 EU Website TYPE: European gastropub VIBE: Rustic farmhouse meets brasserie OCCASION: Neighborhood nibbles or casual date DON’T MISS DISH: Grilled octopus with chickpeas, tomato & preserved lemon DON’T BOTHER DISH: Foie gras-stuffed quail DRINK SPECIALTY: International beer & wine list PRICE: $40 & up INSIDE SCOOP: During daylight hours, E.U. will double as a greenmarket/deli (TBD) HOURS: Dinner, Tue – Thu, 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM, Sat, 5:30 PM...
Read MoreSavannah Steak is No More
7 East 48th St. (btwn. 5th & Madison Aves.) (212)935-2500 CLOSED This three-story midtown steakhouse, seems to have sadly faded into the night after financial woes. Savannah Steak’s phone number is “no longer in service”, the doors are locked, you get the picture. In January, East Coast Saloons (McFadden’s) sold the chop shop to an undisclosed buyer and the rest is apparently history. No word on who will attempt to fill these palatial shoes… Until we eat again, Restaurant...
Read MoreEnglish Is No Longer Italian
It seems that English Is No Longer Italian. That’s right, folks. While Jeffrey Chodorow & Todd English may have theoretically seemed like a power team, the result was a gargantuan, midtown gorge-fest of mediocre, family-style Italian. While both players have been successful in their own right, they couldn’t collaborate on an enduring formula….yet. But just when you were about to count this team out, they’ve thrown their hats back into the ring to once again reconceive the 200-seat space,...
Read MoreKefi
222 W. 79th St., btwn. Broadway & Amsterdam (212)873-0200 TYPE: Rustic Greek cuisine VIBE: Snug isle oasis OCCASION: A neighborhood outing or casual affair DON’T MISS DISH: Flat pasta & braised rabbit DON’T BOTHER DISH: Shrimp & scallop souvlaki DRINK SPECIALTY: Greek wines & house cocktails PRICE: $30 & up – CASH ONLY HOURS: Dinner, 7 days a week, Sun – Wed, 5 PM – 10 PM, Thu – Sat, 5 PM-11PM. RESERVATIONS: Reservations recommended on weekends. RESTAURANT GIRL...
Read MoreThe Little Owl
Thank you for the overwhelming response to The Little Owl dinner giveaway! Tragically, there are only 28 seats in Joey Campanaro’s seasonal American spot that took New York City by storm. Sally Hurst has won a FREE DINNER for two at The Little Owl, which earned two stars from the New York Times, making it impossible to score a table. Stay tuned for next week’s dinner giveaway… Until we eat again, Restaurant Girl *Don’t forget to subscribe for Restaurant...
Read MoreThe Little Owl
Like plastic, Restaurant Girl Membership has its privileges! I’m giving away a FREE DINNER for two at The Little Owl, the 28-seat restaurant that took New York City by storm! Earning two stars from the New York Times, Joey Campanaro’s seasonal American spot became an overnight success, making it impossible to score a table. Well, I’ve done the impossible – simply forward Restaurant Girl’s Weekly Newsletter to five of your friends (including restaurantgirl@restaurantgirl.com), and enlist them to subscribe! That...
Read MoreBest Valentine’s Day Restaurants 2007
Valentine’s Day maybe Hallmark’s favorite holiday, but it may not be yours. If you’re lucky enough to score a date, you might want to start contemplating your restaurant options now. Veterans at the Valentine’s reservation game have probably already secured their reservations (or enlisted their assistants), so I thought I’d offer a few Restaurant Girl Suggestions of my own: Splurge Spots Le Bernadin – If you want the best, this is pretty much as good as it gets. 155...
Read MoreDennis Foy
313 Church St., btwn. Walker & Lispenard Sts. (212)625-1007 www.dennisfoynyc.com LX TV with Restaurant Girl TYPE: French-influenced Contemporary American VIBE: Cozy elegance OCCASION: A romantic date or civilized family celebration DON’T MISS DISH: Sauteed gnocchi with sage & chives DON’T BOTHER DISH: Wild striped bass with tomato confit DRINK SPECIALTY: 100-bottle global wine list PRICE: $55 & up INSIDE SCOOP: A downstairs private room for parties. HOURS: Dinner, 7 days a week, Mon – Sun, 5:30 PM – 11:30...
Read MoreHappy Pots
Hmmm….what do you think these pots have been smoking? And where can we get some? Just a little food for thought. Until we eat again, Restaurant Girl **Don’t forget to subscribe for Restaurant Girl’s Weekly...
Read MoreTori Shin
1193 1st Ave., btwn. 64th & 65th Aves. (212)988-8408 TYPE: Japanese yakitori VIBE: Cozy hideaway OCCASION: Journey to a Tokyo eating counter on the UES DON’T MISS DISH: Miso-marinated chicken skewers DON’T BOTHER DISH: Chicken hearts DRINK SPECIALTY: BYOB (liquor license pending)… PRICE: $45 & up HOURS: Dinner, Monday, Wed. – Sun., 5:30 PM – 11 PM. Closed on Tuesdays. RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted, recommended for large groups. RESTAURANT GIRL RATES: 7 (very good) FINAL WORD: An unlikely dining destination,...
Read MoreFrederick’s Downtown
Elaine Giammetta has won a FREE three-course dinner for two at Frederick’s Downtown, a chic West Village bistro serving Provence-inspired French fare. I’ll be giving away another free dinner on Monday, January 8th. So be sure to visit Restaurant Girl and subscribe for Restaurant Girl’s New Weekly Newsletter in the SUBSCRIBE box to the right of the site! Until we eat again, Restaurant Girl **Don’t forget to subscribe for Restaurant Girl’s Weekly...
Read MoreAriyoshi
810 Broadway, nr. 12th St. (212)388-1884 TYPE: Japanese izakaya VIBE: Lackluster neighborhood spot OCCASION: A “something for everyone” Japanese outing DON’T MISS DISH: Cooked taro with baby shrimp & special sauce DON’T BOTHER DISH: Toro tartar with quail egg DRINK SPECIALTY: Sake and Japanese beers PRICE: $35 & up HOURS: Dinner, 7 days a week, 6 PM – 4 AM; Lunch, Mon – Fri, 12 – 2 PM. RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted, but not necessary. RESTAURANT GIRL RATES: 5.5 FINAL...
Read MoreBest & Worst Dishes Roundup of 2006
BEST DISHES 2006 – Restaurant Girl’s Roundup It was the year of the burger, pork, local produce, steak and retro desserts of the parfait sorts. Though threatened with a potential ban, foie gras graced us with its ubiquitous presence on the newest menus around the city. Duck confit, brussels sprouts, gelee, and salty & sweet desserts were in fashion, and lest we not forget the now painfully cliche, caviar-topped scallops atop cauliflower puree. As 2007 looms just days away,...
Read MoreFrederick’s Downtown
I’d like to thank Frederick’s Lounge for hosting Restaurant Girl’s first holiday party on Tuesday, December 12th! The champagne was flowing and festive cocktails were had by all. But of course, it wouldn’t be a Restaurant Girl party without food – we happily feasted on sumptuous short ribs and fresh sushi! In celebration of the opening of Frederick’s Downtown, a chic West Village bistro serving Provence-inspired French fare, we are giving away a FREE DINNER to this already popular...
Read MoreAureole
Palak Solanki has won a FREE DINNER for two at Charlie Palmer’s Aureole, which earned three stars from the New York Times! Palak will feast on a three-course dinner with wine pairings at this elegant townhouse on the Upper Eastside. Congratulations! Until we eat again, Restaurant Girl **Don’t forget to subscribe for Restaurant Girl’s Weekly...
Read MoreRestaurant Girl's 2006 Roundup
Best New Restaurant Picks for 2006 – A Year in Review After a year of gluttonous feasting at some of NYC newest restaurants, I thought I’d offer a Restaurant Girl Roundup of the best and worst of 2006. While the mega-restaurant trend of the Asian fusion sorts, has thankfully fallen flat, New Yorkers seem to be embracing the little guy. The Buddakan’s of the city have taken a back seat to intimate newcomers with impossible to score tables, like...
Read MoreSwich
104 8th Ave., btwn. 15th & 16th Sts. (212)488-4800 Hours: 7 days a week, 11AM- 11PM (soon to keep hours until 2AM) The newest player in the lunch arena, Swich, short for sandwiches, attempts to put itself on the map with pressed sandwiches. This modern, lunch cafeteria is sparsely outfitted with wood floors, a white communal table, and bright green & mirrored walls. Though sleek in that futuristic, Pinkberry sense of the word, Swich manages to evoke a warm...
Read MoreAureole
‘Tis the season for giving, so give the gift of Restaurant Girl’s Newsletter to your friends – your personal dining guide to the NYC restaurant scene! I’m giving away a FREE DINNER at Charlie Palmer’s Aureole, which earned three stars from the New York Times, to a lucky SUBSCRIBER. In order to win a FREE three-course dinner with wine pairings at this elegant townhouse on Manhattan’s Upper Eastside, simply forward Restaurant Girl’s newsletter to five of your favorite friends,...
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