Category: New York City (Page 3 of 6)

Jim Lahey of NYC's Sullivan Street Bakery is a finalist for the James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Baker award.

James Beard Award Finalists Announced

March 24, 2015 / Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle / 0 Comments

The finalists for the annual James Beard Awards were announced this morning. Some of our personal favorites among the nominees include: Continue reading

Dinner at Canlis is a visual feast as well.

New Chef at Seattle’s Canlis

March 21, 2015 / Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle / 0 Comments

Canlis, in its own words, is “the swankest, dressiest restaurant in Seattle.” When we dined there we were won over by the luxurious cuisine and seduced by the stunning views and caring hospitality. They’ve been open for 64 years and are about to make only their fifth chef transition, as Brady Williams, formerly of Roberta’s in Brooklyn, New York will take over the kitchen at Canlis on April 13th. Read more about Canlis’ search for a new chef, how they came to hire Mr. Williams, and how they plan to balance tradition and relevance on the menu in this Seattle Met story.

A perfect smoked fish platter at the incomparable Barney Greengrass - clockwise from far right, that's nova (salmon), whitefish, sable (black cod), and sturgeon

Yes, You Can Still Enjoy Jewish Cuisine in NYC!

March 16, 2015 / Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle / 1 Comment

No, there is no longer a Jewish deli on every street corner, and yes, the descendants of the original Jewish immigrants have long since assimilated. Be that as it may, the cuisine of New York City still retains some of the identity of its early Jewish settlers, just as the cuisines of all its immigrants over the centuries have forever been imprinted upon the New York City palate. You can enjoy hand-carved deli at Katz’s and appetizing at its finest at Russ & Daughters, or feast on kosher steak at Le Marais or, believe it or not, kosher sushi at Butterfish. Read about these and other New York City Jewish restaurants here.

One of the keys to a good Hot Brown is real roast turkey, not deli slices.

Top 20 Food Cities in the U.S.A.

March 15, 2015 / Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle / 0 Comments

The list is presented by Travel + Leisure, and chosen by their readers, as the best “food snob” cities but it doesn’t appear that any sort of pretentiousness is part of the equation. These seem more to be the 20 cities for people whose primary travel activity is eating, and that includes us. The list begins at #20 with Seattle. Louisville, at #16, gets recognition for the Hot Brown sandwich invented at The Brown Hotel. #15 New Orleans (#15! Wow!) topped the survey for fine dining, like Brennan’s, and sandwiches, such as the great ones served at Parkway Bakery. NYC is #10 and Cleveland (!) is seventh. Best food city in the U.S.? Houston!

The Jewbano, from the Comfort Diner on New York's Lower East Side

The Jewbano Has Arrived!

March 13, 2015 / Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle / 0 Comments

“I was so nervous about the name that I emailed my rabbi.” That’s Ira Freehof, owner of the newly opened Comfort Diner on New York’s Lower East Side, speaking about his Jewish/Cuban mashup. Said the rabbi, “It’s in good humor — it’s OK.” The Jewbano starts with a roll from nearby Kossar’s Bialys. The roll is stuffed with pastrami from Katz’s around the corner, pickles from The Pickle Guys up the street, roast turkey, Swiss cheese, and deli mustard. Then it’s grilled in a press like a regular Cubano. Now that sounds like good eating! Read more about Comfort Diner in this Jewish Daily Forward story.

LAF in the A.M. March 3rd, 2015

March 3, 2015 / Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle / 2 Comments

A Morning Menu of LAF-Style Food News and Stories to Begin Your Day

HAPPY NATIONAL COLD CUTS DAY!

Every State’s Best Burger

The Best Cookies in NYC

8 Classic Eateries in Indianapolis

Changes Coming to Sally Bell’s in Richmond VA

This Chicago dog is unusual in that it has two tube steaks in one bun, but otherwise it's the classic "dragged through the garden" configuration from Chicago's Vienna Beef Factory Store and Cafe.

LAF in the A.M. March 2nd, 2015

March 2, 2015 / Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle / 0 Comments

A Morning Menu of LAF-Style Food News and Stories to Begin Your Day

HAPPY NATIONAL BANANA CREAM PIE DAY!

Regional Hot Dog Guide

Oaks Theatre of Berkeley CA May Reopen with a Bakesale Betty Cafe

Incredible Breakfast Cook-Off Kicks Off Maine Restaurant Week

Have a Whoopski Beer with Your Whoopskidawg

Sheila's Bread Pudding, served with warm Bourbon sauce, at the Beaumont Inn of Harrodsburg, KY - named one of five America's Classics by the Beard Foundation for 2015

LAF in the A.M. February 28th, 2015

February 28, 2015 / Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle / 1 Comment

A Morning Menu of LAF-Style Food News and Stories to Begin Your Day

HAPPY NATIONAL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE DAY!

5 America’s Classics Named for 2015

Two New Boston-Area Shake Shacks Opening Next Week

KC Star Reviews Snead’s in Belton

Secret to Getting a No-Wait Seat at Al’s Breakfast of MPLS

Sloppy Joes come in beef, turkey, and veggie versions, with sweet potato fries or Tater Tots. The sloppy Joe is good, as virtually all sloppy Joes are. They're not rocket science.

The Trailer Park Lounge & Grill, New York NY

February 26, 2015 / Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle / 1 Comment

REVIEW

We were faced with a tricky proposition: a bunch of us would be spending the day in Chelsea (a neighborhood in Manhattan) and wanted somewhere to hang out and get something to eat around 7:30 p.m. Oh, did we mention it was Valentine’s Day? Not only is that holiday the ultimate amateur night for diners (special menus geared toward those who dine out once a year), but every table at every restaurant that could even remotely be considered romantic had been booked weeks in advance. We had to find the sort of place that no couple in their right minds would even consider visiting on the most romantic evening of the year. And so we did. Continue reading

For bread lovers, there's no better pizza than the Bianca, dressed only with sea salt and green-gold olive oil. The side of creamy fresh ricotta is optional, in theory.

Co., New York NY

February 24, 2015 / Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle / 4 Comments

REVIEW

We first fell in love with Jim Lahey’s pizzas at his Sullivan Street Bakery, back when it was actually doing business on Sullivan Street (it moved to Hell’s Kitchen in 2000). We would devise any sort of pretext for passing by the bakery, where we’d stop in for a slice of his extraordinary potato pizza or pizza bianca. So we were thrilled when, in 2009, Mr. Lahey opened Co. (pronounced company), his first actual pizza shop. Continue reading