Doughnut Plant (Dessert/ Cafe)

THIS IS THE BEST BEST BEST donut I EVER HAD!!!! and the BEST BEST BEST donut in NYC!!!
does it express how good it is?:p

Doughnut Plant just recently opened it's 2nd store in the city, lucky me, don't need to travel down all the way to L.E.S.
I am in love with their cake donuts.... the 2 best among all is the Tres Leches and Black Out and every season they will come out with special flavors... never too much sweets for me... lol

379 Grand St
(between Essex St & Norfolk St)
New York, NY 10002
Neighborhood: Lower East Side

(212) 505-3700

www.doughnutplant.com

Eataly (Italian)

spotted.... MB in the store

wow wow wow... this is a mega food court/ supermarket/ cafe all in one store... co-owner Mario Batali brought this Italian market in to New York... it's a fantastic concept for the big apple..

when you first walk in from 5ave entrance, you will find gelato stand, coffee bar, dessert bar and some imported snack stuffs and further in will see few food court sections which are specialized in fish, pasta/ pizza, vegetable and meat, each one occupied its own corner... and.... you can't leave out the salumi/ prosciutto/ cheese bar, enjoy the fresh cut meats and pair with imported wine for a quick meal, like how Italian do...

besides the eating sections, there are also supermarket/ bookstore/ supplies area which are featuring italian specialty and design for customer to purchase.

with all the fancy ideas, the food itself also have "fancy price".. it's pretty much the same price tag as regular restaurants.. so far, i had their fish and pasta.. do sustain MB standard, but i would still prefer to pay that price in a good service 

restaurants....what do you think?

ps. suggest to give yourself  1/2 or an hr table waiting time.. go early to put your name down and walk around the market while you are waiting..

Category: Italian

200 5th Ave
New York, NY 10010
Neighborhood: Flatiron

www.newyork.eataly.it/

Marea (Italian)

Chef Michael White's italian seafood restaurant located at central park south. The ambiance is very classic old fashion, the day we went was happened to be Father's day, saw families brought their grandparents out for dining...

They serve $89- 4 courses prix fixe for dinner, including: Crudo (raw fish dish), Ostriche (oyster), or Antipasto / Pasta / Pesce (fish) or Carne (meat) / Dolce (dessert). We wasn't that hungry, so ordered the following a la cart to share

Assaggio di tre (tasting of three crudo)
MERLANGO pacific whiting, blood orange, arugula
ASTICE nova scotia lobster, sun dried tomatoes, olives, plum
POLIPO octopus, chili oil, lemon, parsley

Antipasto
MOLECHE semolina-dusted softshell crab, marinated cucumber, mandarin yogurt, almonds

Pasta
SPAGHETTI crab, santa barbara sea urchin, basil (Chef Michael White aka The king of PASTA, this outstanding dish is the most amazing pasta i ever had....) we did order other pasta.. but nothing can compare with this... so... not going to mentioned... > <

Pesce
SEPPIA grilled mediterranean cuttlefish, braised escarole, taggia olives, livornese sauce, wild oregano

I got too full at the end... but still can't resist to have my final dessert...


PANNA COTTA fromage blanc panna cotta, hibiscus poached rhubarb raspberry sorbet

GIANDUJA cocoa nib crema, hazelnut chocolate, fior di latte gelato

overall it was a satisfying dining experience... i am still dreaming about their UNI SPAGHETTI.... 

Categories: Italian, Seafood 

240 Central Park S
New York, NY 10019

(212) 582-5100

www.marea-nyc.com/home.html

Casellula cheese and wine

A hidden gem in hell's kitchen. This cafe/ restaurant serves wide selection of cheeses, from light to strong, base on each individual taste, sometime it will pair with different condiments to compliment the taste.
Besides its cheese selection, I am a fan of their food. Tapa styles, recommend to share dishes.

Suggest order

- white anchovy

- endive salad

- fish taco ceviche

- pig ass sandwich

dessert

- chocolate cake (slice multi layers chocolate cake soak in fresh farm milk, even for someone doesn't like sweets)

also LOVE their sparkling rose, Elio Rerrone "Bigaro"(from their dessert wine section)

This is another walk in only restaurant, doesn't take reservation. 

Categories: Wine Bars, Restaurants 

401 W 52nd St
(between 9th Ave & 10th Ave)
New York, NY 10019

(212) 247-8137

www.casellula.com

Esca (Italian)

Mario Batali's  italian seafood restaurant

I am a difficult diner when it comes to seafood, can't eat shrimp but lobster, allergic to shell fish but love crab... no no for any tiny fishy smell... but I would totally go back to have a whole feast again at Esca..:)

Food order:  Tasting menu w additional crudo $100

1st Crudo: italian style "sashimi", fresh selection of the day.. each pieces has different combination sauce to pair with.. very refreshing and tasty, even the oyster!!!!

2nd Grigliata: grilled portuguese white anchovies with san marzano tomatoes and house cured green olive tapenade

3rd Moscardino: grilled baby octopus with bitter greens and cipolline

4th Fish Ravioli

5th grilled spanish mackerel with panzanella salad

6th pan seared alaska king salmon

7th final dessert.. love the pear tart

Category: Italian  

402 W 43rd St
(between 10th Ave & 9th Ave)
New York, NY 10036

(212) 564-7272

www.esca-nyc.com