Burger & Lobster: No Reservations, No Menus, No Apps…Just Simple, Hearty Fare!

By: Anne M. Raso

Going out with a bunch of friends who drive you crazy because it takes them at least 15 minutes to decide what to order off the menu. Well, why not take them to a really fun place with great food where there is NO MENU! There are no appetizers, and your entrée choices are only a juicy 10-ounce burger, a whole 1-1/2 pound lobster (grilled or steamed) or a lobster roll; all come with delicious skinny-cut fries, and a salad. Well, the whole lobsters also come with melted butter on the side if you want me to be totally exactly. There are only two desserts but they will be changing ever two or three months. A super-reasonable 20 bucks gets you each items and desserts are only about six dollars extra! The wait staff is lucky that they do not have to handle menus or customers with too many questions, and there are no reservations accepted.

Vermilion: Bringing The Best Of Indian And Latin American Cuisines Together In Midtown East!

By: Anne M. Raso

There's no question that there is an infinite amount of fusion eateries all over Manhattan, but few create such a heavenly blend as Vermilion (on the northwest corner of 46th and Lexington) does with Indian and Latin America cuisine. I have to be honest and say that chef/owner Rohini Dey leans a little heavier on Indian, but the results are always magical. How did she decide on creating a restaurant with this seemingly odd cuisine fusion? She says that her decision was based on history: "The Indian-Latin concept of Vermilion is also based on deep historical cross-flows and culinary influences of the Persians, Moors, Spanish, Portuguese, and waves of direct migration. Vermilion’s melding draws heavily from the tropical and geographical overlap of ingredients, herbs and spices across India, Spain & Latin America -- such as coconut, tamarind, mango, lychee, papaya, beans, rice, guava, plantain, cilantro, lime, corn, rice, beans and chickpeas, saffron -- all utilized extensively in both cuisines."

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La Loteria: A New Modern Mexican Eatery Takes Over The West Village!

By: Anne M. Raso

I was lucky enough to be able to attend the wonderful grand opening party for La Loteria as well as eat there as a “civilian” and as a food blogger. There are Modern Mexican eateries popping up all over the city like sidewalk cracks, but La Loteria is exceptional. They use local produce (with the exception of their avocados which come from Mexico) and prime meats and co-owner cousins/executive chefs Julieta Ballesteros and Jaime Herrera aren’t afraid to climb out on a limb and create interesting fusion dishes.

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The Redeye Grill: Great Steaks, Service And Sensational Sweets!

By: Anne M. Raso

My recent trip to Redeye Grill, the long-standing and chic eatery at the corner of 56th and Seventh, only proved the old staying that “some things, like fine wine, get better with age.” I have been here about six times in the past 15-20 years, starting with a press luncheon for P. Diddy given by Universal Music back when the record companies still had money to burn and digital downloads hadn’t taken over yet. The décor is a mélange of different looks—I would say it’s a classic New York Steakhouse meets Soho Loft Living with a touch of Old Hollywood added in for good measure. There are high ceilings with massive saloon style chandeliers and what seems to be enough seating for about 200 guests, plus private dining rooms. You see a lot of people celebrating milestone events in their lives here, so it’s a “special place” where the prices are not cheap—but you get quality AND quantity.

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Tasting The Tradition Of Italy—And Getting A Lesson On Authenticity, Freshness And Where The “Classics” Are Created!

By: Anne M. Raso

Being a fan of authentic Italian cuisine, especially fine cheeses and gourmet “salumi” like prosciutto, mortadella and Cotechino Modena, I was very happy to recently attend “Tasting The Tradition Of Italy” event given by The Italian Trade Agency and the Italian Association Of Geographic Indication Consortia at the Osteria Del Principe. Italian cuisine has become so widespread in the USA's foodie culture for the past 75-90 years—and it is arguably the most popular type of foreign cuisine that we have--yet there’s still so much to learn about quality and authenticity of the products Italy has to offer. Guest speakers were Pier Maria Saccani from AICIG, Mary E. Barham of the American Product Of Origin Research Foundation.

Pecorino Romano and Pecorino Toscana Cheeses

The Angus Club Steakhouse: A Prime Choice For Great Aged, Grass-fed Beef!

By: Anne M. Raso

To be straight and to the point, I adored my recent (and first time) visit to the Angus Club Steakhouse. Their supplier of meat is Master Purveyors (masterpurveyors.com), whom also supply such other wonderful New York steakhouses including Bobby Van's Grill, which I declared a year ago to have the best and biggest filet mignon in NYC. Well, when I bit into my filet at Angus Club Steakhouse, the aged, grass-fed meat (done medium rare) was so delicious and "buttery," that I swear I died and went to some sort of beef heaven!

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Vis-à-vis: Something New And Delightful In Brighton Beach

By: Anne M. Raso

I recently hopped on the Q train to Brighton Beach in the quest to try a restaurant that is being publicized as “Brighton Beach’s first fine dining experience.” I have only had Russian food in this neighborhood in the past, and those restaurants tend to run the gamut from mom and pop to fancy, but in general they all serve classic Russian fare without much straying from the usual classics. Vis-à-vis is different; it’s a classy fusion of French, farm to table and Modern American. They have super fresh seafood, grass fed beef and vegetables grown as “close to home” as possible. The décor is on the formal side and the main dining room has a country club feeling while the bar area gives off the vibe of a glamorous Manhattan nightclub with its huge chandeliers and fancy cognacs/armagnacs in big glass cases.

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Specialty Food Association Holiday Taste Test: Enjoying Unusual Gourmet Products Perfect For Holiday Meals & Snacking!

By: Anne M. Raso

Nine sweet and nine spicy gift ideas were presented for tasting at an exclusive event on the offices of the Specialty Food Association recently. In case you don't know, they're the folks who bring the wonderful Fancy Food Show to New York and San Fran (and occasionally other destinations) each year. Guests included the entrepreneurs behind two of the products: Rick Fields of Rick’s Picks, with Smokra, and Kate Pratt and Michel Mazuret, the duo behind East Hampton Gourmet’s gift-worthy, and gluten-free, East Hampton Gourmet Crispbread.

Zingerman's Peanut Brittle

The Lodge Club—Bringing Gastro Goodness To The West Village!

By: Anne M. Raso

I really enjoyed the dark dance club atmosphere of the dining room at the back of The Lodge Club in the Village. The music varied from disco to punk rock to today’s alt rock and the food was fine gastropub fare. They are getting famous for their roasted bone marrow, but I stuck to more basic Modern American versions of the comfort food classics that are on the menu. Portions were respectable and most can be shared between two diners. The Lodge Club is from the same folks who brought you Bounce and Vero Midtown, so you just know they have high standards for ingredients and kitchen staff. Chef Olnowich has works for Olives NYC and the restaurant at L’Ecole (the French cooking school downtown) so you just know that he’s creative before you set foot in The Lodge!

The Explore Chinatown Food And Culture Walking Tour: See (And Taste) Chinatown As You Never Have Before!

By: Anne M. Raso

I recently went on the three-hour Foods Of New York Tour called the Explore Chinatown Food And Culture Walking Tour that can be booked on www.foodsofny.com for $65! Considering how cheap the food in Chinatown is, I wondered if it would provide good bang for the buck, and I am happy to say it did--and not just because of the food. I found out so much about Chinatown, from the unusual items mourners place on the altar at funerals to insure the deceased has a good afterlife to secret side streets that no one seems to know about and that offer great souvenirs and other mementos. I never had so much fun in Chinatown and it was great to learn about each dish as I was eating it.

Manhattan Chinatown

Morton's The Steakhouse: The Legend Lives On (And For Good Reason)!

By: Anne M. Raso

The luxurious Morton's Steakhouse on Fifth Avenue is as great as ever and I think ever steak maniac should have it on their "bucket list"! There is a nothing like a prime piece of Midwestern grass-fed beef grilled in a specially made broiler just for the restaurant--and you can watch from one of New York's most luxurious dining rooms that actually has a dark yet modern ambiance. Wait, let's make it more of a Hollywood glamour ambiance! The decor is definitely Hollywood movie star inspired with oversized ceiling lamps and comfy banquets with the wonderful, brightly lit cook staff area at the helm. On the trip downstairs to the restrooms, black and white photos of current Hollywood megastars line the walls including one of then late 30s George Clooney with Morton’s staff.

The New Grace's Marketplace: Grace, Style And The New "Foodie Central" of The Upper East Side!

By: Anne M. Raso

I was lucky enough to attend the opening day of the eagerly anticipated new Grace's Marketplace at 1299 Second Avenue on the Upper East Side. It was back in April that proprietor Grace Doria learned that her successful business of 29 years had to move from its convenient location at the corner of 71st and Third (the landlord simply did not want food businesses in his building any longer). Ms. Doria found even bigger digs in a newly constructed building at 68th and Second, and it opened on the exact day (November 4th) as her old space opened 29 years ago.

Grace's Grand Opening

The Grand Tasting At The New York Food & Wine Festival: Feasting, Fun And Doing Something Nice To End Hunger!

By: Anne M. Raso

I recently attended my first-ever Grand Tasting at The New York Food & Wine Festival at Piers 92 and 94 even though it’s been happening for seven years now. I was expecting something like the Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center, of which I am a longtime veteran. There are a lot of similarities although there are less foreign food brands than at the Fancy Food Show. Do you get as stuffed walking around and sampling from more than 100 booths? You betcha. I gained five pounds yesterday from all that feasting—plus, this year there were more than 100 types of wine to try, not to mention a lot of bourbon and rum!

All Hail Haldi: Curry Hill's Newest And Possibly Best Eatery!

By: Anne M. Raso

As a matter of fact, the first thing that the server asks you after the gratis papadam (which is in a unique burrito shape) and accompanying condiment tray appear on the table is if you like your food mild, medium or super spicy! I will also say right here that their Raita is extra mild as opposed to having the strong cucumber taste that is traditional. Haldi is a simple yet striking Indian restaurant smack dab in the center of the legendary Curry Hill. There is copper cookware hanging from the ceiling but otherwise it is a modern space with clean lines and the occasional piece of classic Indian and New York street scene artwork. There is a fun wall mural of a Checker cab driving by the Taj Mahal to the immediate left when you walk in. The wonderful smells of Indian spices as you enter make you salivate but don’t worry—if you are someone who prefers your Indian cuisine mildly spiced, they take that into account!

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Ellary's Greens: Proving That Eating "Green" Can Be Exciting!

By: Anne M. Raso

Last week, I was lucky enough to try Ellary's Greens in one of the historic storefronts on Carmine Street (#33 to be exact) and I was dazzled by the super farm to table freshness of this 1 1/2-year-old eatery—which named after owner Leith Hill’s grandmother and great grandmother. The decor is quaint, with exposed brick walls, dim lighting, old-fashioned glass cases filled with healthy desserts, and high ceilings featuring an overlay of laser cut metal (the motif seems to be of leaves growing on stems, almost like a beanstalk).

Green Thai Curry Tofu

Graceful Services Spa: A Shining Star Of Spa Week

By: Anne M. Raso

Spa Week is coming up October 20-26 and it gives spa lovers all over the country too score their favorite services for a flat 50 dollars. I got my all-time favorite spa treatment, an hour-long hot stone massage at Graceful Services in Manhattan last week. I had never been there before but what a treat it was. If you love the relaxation of this service as much as I do, I strongly suggest you book it at spaweek.com ASAP.

Epazote: Your New “Go-To” Mexican Eatery On The Upper East Side!

By: Anne M. Raso

I fell in love with the French-inspired Mexican of Epazote in Yorkville. I like the casual yet dusky atmosphere, complete with Day Of The Dead and rural Mexican colorized photos on the wall and friendly, efficient service, it’s definitely going to be your next “go-to” neighborhood eatery. The prices are right and many of the plates can be shared. They also have the classic guacamole called Guacamole Azteca ($13) made in a mortar and pestle in front of you and to your exact specs, which is the way a lot of people start off their meal. At their recent press tasting, I found the guac chef had over a dozen ingredients he could add to the classic mix of fresh avocado, salt, chopped tomatoes, cilantro and lime juice.

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Chloe 81: A Superlative “Speakeasy” On The Lower East Side Brings You Back In Time!

By: Anne M. Raso

I’m not sure if it’s because of the success of Boardwalk Empire (set in the Prohibition Era) or just because hipsters need a new retro movement to follow, but bars and restaurants with a 1920’s speakeasy look have taken over the artier neighborhoods of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Chloe 81 is one of these places—it features a lot of pale yellow subway tile and dim lighting, and actually has a semi-secret club room downstairs that features a bar, dancing and a DJ. I went to Chloe 81 for an early dinner because a crowded 11 PM scene with beautiful people is just not my thing at the advanced age of 53, LOL!

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New York Fashion Week Part 2: The Fabulous Parties and Lounges

By: Anne M. Raso and Finance Foodie

The parties are the lounges are really what some fashionistas live for—especially for those dying to strut their stuff on a “step and repeat” and get their names out there in the press. I personally prefer the more low key events where I can sip a cocktail, get my nails done and mingle with friends.

Christian Siriano Fragrance Launch

New York Fashion Week Roundup Part 1: The Shows that Rocked, Shocked and Wowed

By Anne M. Raso and Finance Foodie

This past New York Fashion Week (NYFW) lasted about 11 days and was enough to knock even the most seasoned fashionistas off their highest Louboutin pumps! There were numerous shows overlapping both inside and outside the Lincoln Center—with actually many more outside the tents since it tends to be more cost effective.

Breaking Bad star R.J. Mitte at Desigual