I have also been neglecting my all time favorite lunch stop and I’ve been a terrible sister-in-law as I had never taken Brandi. If only there was an XOCO in NYC.

42 grams
I cannot say enough good things about 42 grams. This was my 2nd trip and there were quite a few new dishes, all of which I loved even though I had some favorites on the previous menu. I could write quite a lot a bout the menu but I will leave it at the most surprising item of the evening. Asparagus gelato was a revelation in the same way that olive oil gelato was many years ago. And Alexa and Jake are fantastic hosts!

The Office
Julia’s very special cocktails
Wagu tartare

I have made at least two recent trips without having an Au Cheval burger and couldn’t possibly do another. While always an afterthought to the burger, the shaved vegetable salad is probably my favorite salad in the city.

Au Cheval
Shaved vegetable salad
Burger with fried egg and bacon

Somehow I never made it to the old Boka. It always lingered on my to-do list but there were always other spots I wanted to try more. Glad I got here finally but unfortunately can’t do a comparison of old vs. new. I never have chef spottings in NYC but Tony Mantuano was sitting across from us and certainly looks much older in person than on TV.

Boka
Heirloom carrots – pistachios, amaranth, smoked goat cheese
Roasted broccoli – yogurt, preserved lemon, Parmesan, smoked ham, almonds
Salt cod ravioli – fav a beans, artichokes, arugula, lemon
Rabbit loin and sausage – confit leg, fennel, turnips, mustard
Seared scallops – peas, morcilla, carrots, lemon

Aviary
Fords Model Tea Party
Italian Stallion
Shrimp
Mini foie snickers