May 17th, 2011
Charming provençal Hôtel Crillon le Brave has appointed John Ellis as Head Chef. Born in Ireland, John’s career has taken him to various regions of France and also to America. In 2002, he decided to come back to France with his wife – a native of nearby Bédoin – to continue his career in French cuisine. He and his wife and two children live in a nearby hamlet at the foot of Mont Ventoux.
Until recently, John was the Chef and Proprietor of a small restaurant in Sainte-Colombe, a lovely village on the road to the summit of Ventoux. He will be joining an impressive culinary staff at Crillon le Brave as the hotel’s Director is Christian Delteil, a Michelin-starred chef.
Some of the mouthwatering dishes on the spring menu include duck liver foie gras with dried apricot jam and walnut bread, local Monteux asparagus with herbs and sabayon, and Crillon le Brave’s famous gigot d’agneau cooked in the restaurant’s large fireplace and served with a provençal ratatouille.
March 25th, 2011
Are you tired of constantly giving people your autograph? You’re in luck, because in 2012, vacations on Crystal Cruises‘ Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will be All Inclusive, which means no more signing for complimentary fine wines and premium spirits. Crystal’s new All Inclusive plan will also include pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff, including the Penthouse butler service and service in all of Crystal’s fine specialty restaurants and sushi bar. Now you can travel like a celebrity, without being bothered like one.
The new benefits will begin with each ship’s first Trans-Atlantic cruise next year: Crystal Symphony’s “Beyond the Sea” sailing from Miami to Lisbon on March 19, 2012, and Crystal Serenity’s “New World to Norway” voyage from New York to London on May 8, 2012.
March 18th, 2011
Park Hyatt’s twenty-fifth annual Masters of Food & Wine kicks off March 31st in Mendoza, and what better location to introduce the renowned festival than the heart of Argentina’s winemaking industry and one of the great wine capitals of the world?
The ‘quaffability’ of Mendoza’s Malbecs and Tempranillo grapes come from vines planted at some of the highest altitudes in the world, at an average of 900 meters above sea level, which allows for decreased temperature, exposure to the sun’s strongest rays, and greater “thermal amplitude”—the difference between day and night temperatures. In most regions, grapes stop growing properly at around 1000 meters.
The team at Bodega Catena Zapata winery has its own Research and Development program, which investigates various aspects of high altitude viticulture on the Malbec variety of grape. The result is a more intense, robust grape with colors, aromas and taste unique to the region—which we can appreciate, even without science. It’s a good thing we have nice things to say about Mendoza Malbecs, because these grapes are notoriously thin-skinned.
February 25th, 2011
I love trying new foods, cooking them up myself, trolling specialty food shops for new ingredients, and trying out as many restaurants as I can. As the go-to for restaurant recommendations for the office, my friends, and my family, I’ve amassed a guarded list of my favorite places to go in the city. Although my cooking and eating pursuits aren’t terribly private (you can see almost everything I cook, eat, and drink on my blog, Sybil’s Spoon, or my twitter feed, @sybilbunn ) I take pride in my little collection. Only because I love our AMPR blog readers, I’ve been convinced to share my secrets. Happy restaurant hopping!
Best BYOBs
La Sirène – I’m hesitant to give out the name of favorite restaurant – this is the most romantic, delicious, hole-in-the-wall. It’s kind of in the middle of nowhere in SoHo and serves up the best mussels I’ve ever tasted (the moules vignerones). Everything I’ve tried on the menu, I’ve loved, and each entrée is served with a side of roasted and pureed vegetables. Be sure to save room for dessert – the profiteroles are heavenly.
Taureau – This narrow fondue restaurant in the East Village is by the same chef who started La Sirène. The prix fixe gives you lots of food – both cheese and meat fondue with a little green salad, followed by yummy chocolate fondue for dessert.
Kuma Inn – This “Asian Tapas” place fills up super quickly, so be sure to reserve well ahead of time. There’s a small corkage fee per bottle, but it’s a great place to go with friends for a night out. Be sure to order the Chinese sausage and the wasabi shumai. And afterward, head next door to Los Feliz.
Morakote Siam – This is pretty bare bones, but great for a casual dinner. It’s right by my apartment, so I’ll often grab a bottle of wine and go with a friend. Our bill is rarely over $20 total. Be sure to try the Thai Chili Beef and the veggie spring rolls.
Most Romantic
La Ramblas – Sentiment may be why I think this place is romantic (I went on my first date with my boyfriend here) but the dim lighting and emphasis on sharing back up my opinion. The small, high tables get filled with various tapas plates like grilled octopus or truffled mushroom salad with avocados. And the sangria is sweet, delicious, and disappears quickly.
The Place – I stumbled across The Place during a snowstorm and went in for a drink. The bar was dimly lit with candles and it was extremely cozy. I went back for dinner and it was equally romantic, even in warmer weather – although I think it shines most in winter.
Recette – This restaurant is super hot right now, so be sure to make a reservation and don’t expect to be seated right away (comfortable shoes may be in order). After a rough start waiting to be seated, it turned out to be wonderful. We sat at a little table next to the big, tiled windows looking out onto West 12th street. The food was incredible, and I recommend the carpaccio wrapped buratta with tomato jelly – creamy, savory, and tart.
Lupa – Mario Batali doesn’t ever seem to put a foot wrong, and he certainly hasn’t this time either with this, his less-expensive version of Babbo. I actually find the food here better than Babbo, and the atmosphere certainly wins out. Ask to be seated in the back room in the corner booth. It’s much more cozy and romantic sitting next to your date in a corner booth than sitting across from one another. Order the buccatini all’amatriciana.
Best Indian
Ghandi Café – This narrow, little Indian place is right around the corner from my apartment. They serve up the tastiest curries and hands down the best naan I’ve ever eaten. For two people, I suggest ordering the dinner for one and an additional curry. (The dinner for one comes with this amazing crispy vegetable fritter, naan, papadam, and a curry – along with three chutneys.) That way you get to taste a few things, and there’s usually enough left over for lunch. My favorite curry so far is the dansahk, slightly spicy with spinach and lentils.
Best Chinese
Grand Sichuan Eastern – There are several outposts of this chain, but the one on 55th and 2nd is the best. Along with the American-style Chinese food staples, they have a Sichuan menu with spicy, fresh options. If you live nearby, order delivery because the place isn’t terribly charming. If not, stop by if you’re in the neighborhood. The Spicy Chicken with Chinese Broccoli is delicious, and if you like heat, also try the Spicy Wontons in Red Oil.
Best Sushi
Tomoe – This unassuming little sushi place looks pretty run-of-the-mill, but the line outside the door proves it isn’t. The décor doesn’t wow, but the sushi does. It’s incredibly fresh and noticeably better than other sushi. I don’t know how they do it, but the fish is just better. Go for rolls instead of à la carte or you’ll be in for a hefty bill.
Best Pizza
John’s – This place is conveniently located about 30 seconds from my apartment, but even if it’s a hike, it’s worth a trip. They don’t serve slices, only whole pizza’s, but it’s not hard to gobble one down even with just two people. It’s New York pizza at its best. The secret to avoiding the long lines is calling ahead for pick up, as long as you have a place to eat it!
Moustache – John’s has the best NY pizza, but Moustache has the best Turkish pizza. This cute little place has brass tables and a casual vibe, and along with the usual suspects (hummus, babaganoush, etc), they have Turkish pitzas with thin crusts and lots of flavor.
Best Bar Food
Blind Tiger – This craft beer bar has a surprisingly good menu. It’s a fun and unexpected place to grab lunch on the weekend. Along with your Allagash White or Rogue Brutal Bitter, nosh on amazingly flavorful and juicy bahn mi minis, chili, or savory BLTs.
Rye House – The bar snacks here have a southern bent with things like fried pickles (frickles!) and boiled peanuts. A great place to grab drinks with a boy, especially one who enjoys bourbon.
Best Mexican
La Palapa West – The salsa they give you to start is so good you can eat it with a spoon – and embarrassingly enough, I’ve been known to scoop a few bites before the chips arrive. The tacos are great too, especially the chipotle chicken.
Best Trucks
Bistro Truck – Just down the street from AMPR, I love running here for a quick lunch like salad niçoise loaded with potatoes, tuna, tomatoes, and other goodies or chicken cigars - crispy, tasty, and cheap. Also, the Portobello burger is tangy and delicious with roasted red peppers, goat cheese, and balsamic.
Seafood
Fish – If you like oysters, this is the place to go. For $8 you get 6 Blue Point oysters (or clams) and your choice of house red or white wine or PBR on tap. If you sit at the bar, you can also snack on the big marble bowls of peanuts.
Milos – This can be a little pricey, but the fish is amazing and fresh and it’s just like a restaurant in Greece – you get to choose your own fish. I definitely recommend getting a whole fish because it’s fun to pick it out, and they’re flakey and served simply with lemon and olive oil. Really authentic and light.
Best Cupcakes
Sweet Revenge – You may know this place from its appearance on Chase commercials. It’s a great place for an afternoon snack or after dinner dessert. The cupcakes come in several varieties with two daily specials. Plus, they do wine and beer pairings, so you may be recommended a sparkling framboise to drink with your red velvet cupcake. If you like salty and sweet, try the fleur de sel cupcake – it’s amazing.
Baked by Melissa – These tiny little cupcakes are perfect for a snack with fun flavors like oreo and cookie dough and they won’t leave you feeling guilty. I can’t claim credit for discovering this – thank you Sarah Winters for getting these for the office!
Best Pork Buns
Fatty Crab – While the pork buns at Momofuku are savory and delicious, Fatty Crab’s win in my book. With the same basic set up – a fluffy, sweet steamed bun, a fatty, caramelized slice of pork belly, Hoisin sauce – Fatty Crab goes the extra mile with its spicy cilantro salad to stuff into the bun and its bulls eye of Sriracha in the bowl of Hoisin dipping sauce. Be careful – once you stop eating you really start to feel the burn. The slices of hardboiled egg on the plate help a little.
February 22nd, 2011
Curry connoisseurs and amateur cooks alike are invited to Park Hyatt Goa’s cooking classes every Thursday (at 3:30pm) at the hotel. The hotel’s chef will lead participants in cooking lessons for various appetizers including Pork Vindalho and Caldo Verde, entrees like Lamb Xacuti and Pomfret Recheiado, and classic Bebinca and Dodol desserts. Chefs-in-training will also get lessons on the hotel’s signature dish, Goan Prawn Curry.
Participants will also receive a customized apron and signature cookbook to continue the practice in their own kitchens. To wash it all down, the sommelier recommends pairing spicy Goan cuisine with a local Sauvignon Blanc or Cabernet Sauvignon from Sula Vineyards, in India’s largest grape growing region, Nashik, located 180 kilometers northeast of Mumbai.
Rajeev Suresh Samant, Founder and CEO of Sula Vineyards, established the vineyards in 1999. It was a pioneering effort and today the area is considered India’s wine capital with 35 wineries. Sula Vineyards is known as the leader and India’s premier wine producer. Mr. Samant was the first to introduce varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Zinfandel and Riesling to India.
February 9th, 2011
Sick of streets that resemble grimy gray Slushees? Concerned about those shimmering icicles that looked so dainty in December but now look like sinister samurai swords? You’re in luck because the doctor is in, and he prescribes a healthy dose of something tropical. More specifically, a dose of Jamaica. Even more specifically? You need to partake in the celebration of the opening of GoldenEye’s Bizot Bar.
Set on the western arm of Low Cay Beach, this new hot spot is named for Jean-François Bizot, the journalist, musical taste-maker, and founder of Paris-based world music radio station, Radio Nova. Bizot was a great friend of Island Outpost owner Chris Blackwell and was a frequent guest at GoldenEye.
In honor of the bar’s namesake, Radio Nova will be broadcasting the party live from noon to 6pm. Live interviews with Jamaican and world music stars (such as Grace Jones) will run throughout the event. But wait, will it be in French or English? The answer is: both. Moderator extraordinaire, Paul Holdengraber, Director of Public Programs at the New York Public Library, will be the bilingual host with the most.
Admission is free to guests of GoldenEye, and for non-guests tickets go for US$100. To stay at GoldenEye or to reserve tickets call 876-622-9007 or email goldeneye@cwjamaica.com
But, if getting down to Jamaica isn’t in the stars for you, simply recreate the party at home…
Step 1: Tune into novaplanet.com for the broadcast
Step 2: Turn up the heat and invite some friends over
Step 3: Make a big batch of rum punch
Step 4 (Optional): Fill your apartment with sand and palm trees
