14 – Champagne Charlie’s, Lobby Bar @ Ludlow Hotel

Posted in New York by Mary Lynne Kupchella

Champagne Charlie’s
Summer is nearly over and I still have a long list of patios and roofdecks to visit. Unfortunately this wasn’t such a great choice to make it to the top of my to-do list. I really hate to be so negative but I can’t remember the last time that I wanted to get up and leave anywhere before ordering. In the 10+ minutes that it took our server to appear I became overwhelmingly annoyed with the drink menu. I don’t even blink at paying quite a lot for drinks but when anything is just outrageously marked-up I am left feeling like I am being taken advantage of. Added to this were the grating voices of the large group beside us who seemed thrilled with the many bottles of overpriced sparkling wine that they were consuming. At least the space was adorable and the food decent (well aside from the absurdly tiny portions of crostini).

Duck rillette

Burrata, cherry tomatoes, micro basil

Baby beet salad, horseradish, creme fraiche, pumpkin seeds, arugula

Lobby Bar @ Ludlow Hotel
At least for the next few days until the Torrisi boys’ Dirty French opens, this is a hidden gem. For most of the evening we were the only people in the courtyard. There is indeed a first time for everything (and probably a last as well).

Lilikoi – cognac and Jamaican rum, passion fruit, house falernum, lime, bitters
Chai matsuda – chai-bourbon, americano, cardamom, orange bitters
Ludlow gimlet – Plymouth and navy strength gins, cinnamon, creme de abricot, fresh lime

Pigalle – bourbon, ancho chile, bitter apertif, fresh orange and lemon juices
Belmondo – blanco tequila, pear eau de vie, ginger, gentian, fresh lemon

25Aug2014

NYC – 8/17/14 – Ivan Ramen

Posted in New York by Mary Lynne Kupchella

I almost forget to do this update from last week but luckily a co-worker mentioned ramen today and a lightbulb went off. I’ve been looking forward to Ivan Ramen opening since Ivan’s dinner during the NYC Food & Wine festival last year. At least the Slurp Shop in Gotham West was there to tide me over for a few months, but it’s great to now have the full menu. Get there before summer is over for the cute back patio!

Chinese broccoli & garlic – sweet soy pickled garlic love sauce

Pickled daikon XO – shaved daikon, dried shrimp & scallop chili oil

Roast pork Musubi – salted plum wasabi, roast tomato, toasted nori

Triple pork triple garlic mazemen

Spicy red chili ramen

24Aug2014

NYC – 8/22/14 – Betony

Posted in New York by Mary Lynne Kupchella

Betony has been on my to-do list since it opened and I have stopped for drinks and appetizers but not a proper dinner. Sometimes you just need a push from friends from out-of-town.

Fried pickles, wax beans, gribiche

Foie gras bonbons, cashew, black pepper

Zucchini, gruyere, mint

Pig’s head terrine, mustard, salsa verde

Sweet corn agnolotti, summer truffle, cotija cheese

Grain salad, labne, sprouts

Grilled short rib, frisée, lovage

Seared halibut, golden beets, currants

Roasted chicken, chanterelles, peaches

Roasted lamb, eggplant, black vinegar

Italian hot chocolate

Peach, lavender, oats

Sweet corn, blueberry, basil

16Aug2014

NYC – 8/16/14 – Milk Bar Baking Class

Posted in New York by Mary Lynne Kupchella

I felt pretty guilty walking out of this class with a whole Crack Pie and 2 bags of birthday cake truffles just a few hours after talking about what needs to change in my diet. But in my defense this had been on the calendar for weeks. And if you have had Crack Pie you know that I have no choice but to eat it.

13Aug2014

NYC – 8/11/14 – Root & Bone and Morgenstern’s Ice Cream

Posted in New York by Mary Lynne Kupchella

Root & Bone

The first time I tried to visit Root & Bone unfortunately the basement was flooding. But Chef Janine Booth was so sweet that I couldn’t hold it against them. The space is certainly tiny and in winter, without the windows open, it may feel even more so. But the decor is adorable. On the tables is mismatched china and at the seat next to me a pattern I recognized from many holiday dinners. The food was all delicious and there were enough other things on the menu that I wanted to try that a repeat visit is necessary. Unfortunately the food came out much too quickly. If you aren’t even going to attempt to course out my dinner and space it appropriately, then you should have tables large enough to accommodate everything I’ve ordered. There is nothing worse than feeling rushed to finish a dish otherwise you will be holding on your lap the next thing they bring out.

The twisted mustache – Russels 6yr bourbon, Swedish putsch, citrus, ginger

Drunken deviled eggs

Southern peach caprese – fried pimento cheese, grilled peaches, pickled green tomato, heirloom tomatoes, sticky molasses vinegar, basil

Half bird – sweet tea brined, pickled lemon dusted, spiked tabasco honey

Braised short rib meatloaf – parsnip root mash, tomato ketchup jam, charred spring onions

Succotash

And a great idea for a bill presentation that I haven’t seen before.

Morgenstern’s

Fernet and ice cream. Is there really anything else that needs to be said?

12Aug2014

Chicago – 8/10/14 – Japonais by Morimoto, Aviary celebration of World Class Bartender of the Year Charles Joly

Posted in Chicago by Mary Lynne Kupchella

My last experience at Japonais was at the NY location many years ago and it was terrible. I had heard good things about the Chicago location since Morimoto redesigned the menu, so even though I generally disfavor restaurants with attached celebrity chefs who aren’t in the city, after several large meals sushi seemed like a great idea. And how amazing to walk into a restaurant in Chicago and run into people I know (and 2 nights in a row). Yet another reason I feel so at home here.

Tuna ‘pizza’ – anchovy aioli, olives, jalapeño, micro cilantro

Clam miso – white miso dashi broth, Manila clams

I always miss all of the special events at Aviary so it was an unexpected treat to find out I would be able to attend one – a surprise celebration for Charles Joly. I still can’t believe that everyone was able to keep this as a surprise with all prep-work being done onsite, much with Charles in the building, and with the party starting upstairs while Charles was busy in the Office. All of Charles’ cocktails from the competition were served as well as various punches and snacks. Such a fun evening and it was so nice to see so many friendly faces as well as meet quite a few people whose names I had heard many times. Its still hard to believe how many friends I have made through this place. Until my next trip…

12Aug2014

Chicago – 8/9/14 – Little Goat, Ceres’ Table, Next – Modern Chinese, The Office

Posted in Chicago by Mary Lynne Kupchella

My first blog entry with no photos! This was a complete day of repeat visits and so I took the opportunity to put my camera away.

We started the day at Little Goat which has replaced Publican as my favorite brunch spot in Chicago. Yes there is almost always a wait, but it seems that not too many people realize you can order from the full menu at the bar in Little Goat Bread. Luckily not enough people read this blog for the secret to get out!

For pre-dinner drinks we travelled a bit north to Ceres’ Table. Thank you again Scott for the outstanding hospitality and the quite delicious veal heart crostini. I’m looking forward to getting back here for dinner on my next visit. I could eat the swordfish carpaccio all day!

Next up was my second visit to Next Modern Chinese. This was this first time that I have tried the non-alcoholic drink pairings (and so nobody starts to worry about me, this was in addition to the wine pairings). Many I loved, and even the ones I didn’t love, I have to admit were great pairings. Most of all these were quite complex and probably across all menus have never received the praise that they deserve.

Last but not least, there couldn’t be a better way to end an evening than to be served by the recently crowned world’s best bartender Charles Joly. At one point rather late in the night when I was the only one sitting at the bar, I couldn’t help thinking that even though I had been there dozens of times before, this was a completely surreal experience.

9Aug2014

Chicago – 8/8/14 – Nico Osteria, Balena, Aviary

Posted in Chicago by Mary Lynne Kupchella

Nico Osteria
Nico has quickly become one of my Chicago favorites. I have stayed at the Thompson a few times on previous trips so it is certainly convenient for breakfast but is actually excellent at any time of the day.

Blueberry Cobbler – blueberry Death’s Door gin, citrus, honey, Amaro Cardamoro

Black Bream, lemon cucumber, pumpkin seed, almond oil

Striped Jack, citron vinegar, bird chile, radish, mint

Heirloom tomato salad, tonnato, farro, olive, lemon vinaigrette

Bar Harbor mussels, vermouth, almond butter

Artichoke autostrada, burrata cheese, pine nut-mint pesto

Tiramisu, marsala zabologine, aged lady finger crunch, white coffee

Balena
It has been far too long since I’ve been to Balena. And it was an added treat to unexpectedly find one of my favorite people working there!

Buffalo milk cheeses – Blu di Bufala, Caciocavallo, Casatica

Grilled zucchini romanesco, Calabrian vinaigrette, mint, almond

Shishito peppers

Orecchiette, kale, lemon, bread crumbs, chili

Rigatoni, pork ragu, porcini mushrooms

Glazed carrots, ginger, honey, mint

Aviary

Amazing new stuff on the current menu including perhaps my favorite porthole since Aviary opened.

IFL Science – honey, blueberry, ginger, scotch

Monkey Tail – 1/2 frozen daiquiri, 1/2 brown & stirred

Heart of Stone – pistachio, fresno, peach, lapsang, whiskey

3Aug2014

NYC – 8/3/14 – Mission Chinese Pop-up @ Mile End Deli

Posted in New York by Mary Lynne Kupchella

So happy to be reunited with Mission Chinese. Yes I could have had it weeks ago at the Brooklyn pop-up. But I will be honest, it takes a lot to get me to Brooklyn. And at $40 this meal was a complete steal by NY standards.

Chong Qing chicken wings

Market tomatoes, fennel, black vinegar, lentils

Koji fermented cucumbers

Red cabbage salad, sesame anchovy dressing, puffed buckwheat

No idea what these noodles were called. #notonmenu

Mapo tofu, braised pork jowl, Sichuan pepper

Hainanese sausage rice, ginger scallion, peanuts, lettuce, pork fat vinaigrette

Bacon and rice cakes

Beef brisket & Chinese broccoli

3Aug2014

NYC – 8/2/14 – La Birreria

Posted in New York by Mary Lynne Kupchella

While NY certainly has a great number of roof decks, this remains one of my favorites. Fantastic views of the Flatiron and Woolworth Buildings, consistent food, no bottle service, no models, great beers, and is not overpriced!

Panzanella

Formaggi

Cotechino

Romano bean salad

Portobello alla grigila with whipped goat cheese, beets & Saba

Tiramisu

iwillmakeualist

Places I love and my to-do list of restaurants and bars

Monthly Archives: August 2014

NYC – 8/23/14 – Champagne Charlie’s, Lobby Bar @ Ludlow Hotel

NYC – 8/17/14 – Ivan Ramen

NYC – 8/22/14 – Betony

NYC – 8/16/14 – Milk Bar Baking Class

NYC – 8/11/14 – Root & Bone and Morgenstern’s Ice Cream

Chicago – 8/10/14 – Japonais by Morimoto, Aviary celebration of World Class Bartender of the Year Charles Joly

Chicago – 8/9/14 – Little Goat, Ceres’ Table, Next – Modern Chinese, The Office

Chicago – 8/8/14 – Nico Osteria, Balena, Aviary

NYC – 8/3/14 – Mission Chinese Pop-up @ Mile End Deli

NYC – 8/2/14 – La Birreria