A Personal Favorite

As I was winding my way to a friend’s new apartment the other night, I passed a restaurant that I hadn't been to in a while, but greatly enjoyed in the past. I was very excited to find that this restaurant was right next door to my friend’s new home, and suggested that we dine there that very night. The friend agreed. I'm not going to give an elaborate account of our meal, as it was long and many glasses of wine were involved, but it was truly enjoyable, just as it had been during my previous visits.

The Japanese-run restaurant featuring Italian small plates is a tiny space on 10th Avenue between 1st and 2nd. It is situated on the lowest level of the building, with half of the restaurant below the sidewalk. I would say it could fit a max of twenty people and that would be tight. It is a dark romantic space with near-black wooden tables on one side, and a long high table that seats about 10 on the other. The decor is simple and creates a wonderful atmosphere in which to enjoy the aromas wafting from the nearby open kitchen.

The wine list has grown since my previous visit, as has the menu, which no longer comes on a clipboard. All of the dishes are fairly small and cost between $5-$15 dollars. Two people can eat about four dishes.

Just to give you an idea of what the food is like, we started with cured olives and a lovely fois gras on crostini. We then had a salad with beef carpaccio "swirls" filled with an herb mixture. Probably the best thing we tried was the scallop carpaccio that even the anti-scallop contingency at the table adored. Next came some terrific mussels in a red sauce and perfectly al dente squid-ink pasta. Finally, we scarfed down a dish of braised veal that was perfect in its fattiness. It was all washed down with a light and crisp Sancerre and a decent Pinot Noir.

One of my favorite places. The ambiance is killer, and the food, while not Michelin star worthy, is simple, delicious and fulfilling. I highly recommend it, but don't tell too many people, or we wont be able to get a seat!

Dieci
228 East 10th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-387-9545

BBQ or Bust?

Some restaurants just don’t quite make it. There are no huge complaints. The service is fine, the food edible, the décor acceptable, but they just don’t hit the mark. Nothing sincerely memorable, or worse, worth going back for. This is the way that I felt about Lookout Hill Smokehouse.

C had wanted to try the place for a while, so I obliged him, and we headed there one quiet Wednesday night. It was after work, and of course, we wanted a drink. One of the reasons C was interested in the place was the extensive bourbon selection, and he ordered one of the nicer options on the list. I ordered my usual glass of wine. The drinks came in jelly glasses. I repeat, jelly glasses. Now this is fine for water, but when you are paying $9 dollars each for a mediocre glass of wine and an expensive shot of bourbon, you want, at least, a vessel that complements the beverage.

On with the food. We decided to split everything so as to have the opportunity to try more. We began with a grilled chicken, hazelnut and apple salad on lamb’s ear lettuce, supposedly a dinner portion. It was petite to say the least. If I had ordered it for my entrée, at $12, I would not have been happy. The taste profile of apples and nuts was fine, but the chicken was dry and chewy.
Our entrée consisted of ribs and a side of macaroni and cheese. The ribs were decent, but once again, nothing amazing. They had a dry rub on them and were tender, but not even close to that falling-off-the-bone goodness that we would have relished. The mac-and-cheese was very creamy (much more so than I would make for myself), in fact, almost liquid between the noodles. However, it was savory and well seasoned, I give them that.

The atmosphere is an attempt at “southern,” I suppose, but not having spent much time down south, I couldn’t be sure. It’s comfortable enough, but the food just isn’t up to par. I might have been more sanguine if the tab had been in the $50 range, but no, ladies and gentlemen, our two meager drinks, appetizer, ribs and mac cost $72.

Save your money and go bbq elsewhere.


Lookout Hill Smokehouse
230 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-399-2161

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of a Lunch Break 2.0

From Vanity Fair's "The New Establishment 2008" section on Miuccia Prada:

"Staff members at Prada's New York office are subject to termination if they eat lunch at their desk--unless there are extenuating circumstances."

See!!! I knew I was on the right track with that last post. Those Europeans really know what they're talking about. Perhaps thats why they're happier with their lives on average than Americans. Perhaps that's why they drink more on average and don't have nearly the same rates of alcoholism. It's all about enjoying the free time, leading a fulfilling life, and doing the things that you enjoy. Working hard is fine, its important, but its equally important to find the proper balance between work and play.

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of a Lunch Break

So I know it’s been a while since my last entry. I feel bad about this. I have been lazy. It’s time to get going. What has been going on in my life that I haven’t had time to update, you might ask? Work. Ah yes, the eternal struggle of mankind. I have been working in the city, commuting everyday to midtown. I get up, I get on the train, I pass out until I hit Grand Central Station. I work all day, with a very, I repeat very, short lunch break. I then work some more, and I go home. So after going home, I’m tired. And that my friends, is why I haven’t had much time to update. But this will change I tell you! From now on I promise, at least once a week.

I must say, one thing that really bothers me about my current position is the short lunch break. Everything else is fine, I’m learning a lot, I like the people, but where is the lunch break?! It’s half an hour, 30 minutes. It takes at least 12 to get out of my office, get in line somewhere, order, pay and eat. So that leaves me, oh, 18 minutes to eat. I am the only person I’m aware of who actually goes out to eat. Everyone else eats at their desk. I go out as a matter of principle. It is important that workers have time to take a break.

How can anyone expect anything to get done when an employee is glued to a desk for nine straight hours a day? The mind starts to wander. What will I eat for dinner tonight? Which train should I take? Should I go visit this friend or that friend? Have I called in my prescription? One needs time to think about these things. To function properly at work, bosses should encourage brief respites. They allow for more productive work during the course of the day.

Not to mention the food! Eating is important to me (I think we all know that by now), and I want to have adequate time to do it. Most cities, and New York especially, have great lunchtime choices, ready for the workers mealtime crush. Where have I been going lately? Hale and Hearty soups is a good place to grab a soup or salad. Lots of choices, fast, convenient, healthy. Prêt a Manger has some good stuff (pre-made wraps and sandwichs) and it always smells delicious when I go in for my morning coffee. I’m a big fan of Dishes, whose Asian noodle soup bowl is enough for both lunch and dinner. They also have a diverse breakfast spread. And then let’s not forget all those great places to get a deli sandwich, a slice of pizza, an omelet made. Hey, it’s New York City, you can get anything, and it will generally be pretty damn tasty.

So I take my lunch break. I defy the clock, and I go out. It may not be for long, it may not be anything exciting, but I go back into the office feeling revitalized and ready to be productive. If I were in charge, it would be for an hour, no two! I would encourage my staff to dine at the finest of establishments, Adour, Le Bernadin, Veritas, all on the corporate card! Ok, maybe that’s not quite realistic. But I would encourage at least a brief change of scenery, a break, a rest, so that everyone is happier and gets more done. All I ask is that I get my half-hour, without scrutiny, without judgment. It’s in the best interest of everyone.