BEHIND-THE-PLATE
Finding food to cure your hangover is easy. Finding amazing gourmet food to cure your hangover is not. Enter: Dinner on Ludlow. Their weekend brunch (available 11:30am until 4pm) is crafted by executive chef John Keller and can make the grumpiest person all smiles. First of all, the restaurant itself is to die for. Picture leather banquette seating, dozens of crystal chandeliers, draped curtains—basically, a completely regal setting. It's a great way to start your day. Next comes the menu, and with options like cornflake crusted french toast, pork belly confit, and chicken and biscuits, it's a wonder anyone can narrow down their choice to just one entree. Since most of us don't have stomachs the appropriate size to eat everything on the menu, it guarantees a return trip just to make your way through it all. Trust us, you'll want to. Additionally, each entree comes with a complimentary mimosa, bloody mary or maria, or bellini, which is just what we need on a weekend morning, er afternoon. Finish it up with one of the chef's equally delicious desserts and you are set to take on the rest of the day...or go into a food coma.
A staple of Gramercy's dining scene, Parea Bistro, recently re-branded and now presents Parea Prime, a fusion of Greek cuisine and traditional steakhouse. The first of its kind, the restaurant features a sophisticated Mediterranean dining experience, as well as the conventions of an American steakhouse. General manager Jean Christophe Villard says, "I wanted to create a unique restaurant concept, to provide fine diners with meat and more exciting European items." And that he did.
The menu features hand-selected USDA Prime Dry Aged steaks and chops from Pat LaFrieda & Sons, each aged at least 28 days in the LaFrieda Himalayan Salt room. In addition to their meats, Parea Prime also offers a fine selection of classic Greek dishes like tender lamb riblets and hearty vegetable moussaka, as well as a raw bar. Joonbug had the opportunity to attend an exclusive tasting at the recently re-branded restaurant and we were happily scarfing down all they had to offer. From the meatballs and the flavorful spanakopita to the expertly selected wine, we enjoyed everything that came across our plate (and glass). The restaurant has an in-house sommelier to help you with any pairings, as well as an expert mixologist ready to serve you cocktails. Additionally, every Friday evening from 8-11pm, the restaurant features live Greek music as the perfect backdrop to your meal.
Parea Prime is located at 36 E. 20th St.
If you’ve ever been to BaoHaus, the casual Taiwanese bun shop in New York’s East Village, you may have noticed Eddie Huang one of the chefs and co-owners, probably freestyling along to the music dressed in renegade street clothes. By looking at him though, you would never guess that this former stand-up comic turn celebrity chef actually practiced corporate law. Huang’s newest venture is his memoir, Fresh Off the Boat, published by Random House. The memoir, entitled the same as his hysterically fun food and travel show produced by Vice, touches on Eddie’s unique views on America, , the culinary world, Asian stereotypes, and basically Eddie’s critiques of everything and everyone he comes in contact with.
You probably remember Aarti Sequeira from Seaon 6 of the Food Network's Next Food Network Star, where she won gold and got her own TV show. Now, the famed chef is starting a brand new program on the Cooking Channel, which airs each Friday at 9pm, called Taste in Translation. On her new show, Aarti explores the most popular dishes from around the world, as well as the history and culture behind them. From Thailand to the United States, Aarti gives viewers the chance to discover new flavors and recipes from coast to coast. We got to chat with Aarti all about her new show and some of her favorite dishes she got to try while filming.
Surely most foodie fiends know about Roger Mooking, the Trinidadian-Canadian chef who hosts Everyday Exotic on the Cooking Channel, stars on the Food Network's Heat Seekers with Aaron Sanchez, and most recently, aired his latest show, Man Fire Food, on the Cooking Channel, which debuted in September. In the show, Roger travels the country to discover intentive ways in which others cook with fire. We got to chat with the chef about his favorite cuisine, why he likes to grill, and what he's up to right now.
Meet Nicole Ponseca, Superstar Entrepreneur, Owner and General Manager of whirlwind restaurant success Maharlika Filipino Moderno. Ponseca did not begin her journey in the restaurant biz -- rather working as an ad executive at Saatch & Saatchi when she realized New York lacked even mediocre Filipino cuisine.
Thus began her upward climb to acheive a new goal. She began taking on multiple jobs in bars and restaurants to learn about the industry and started researching Filipino food. Eventually, Nicole opened up Maharlika as a pop-up serving only brunch, allowing her to experiment with the menu and work on establishing her brand. Next came pop-up dinner and finally, a full fledged restaurant establishment!
Even though Chef Miguel Trinidad hails from the Dominican Republic, he is no stranger to Filipino cuisine after spending extensive time in the Philippines studying the culture, the way of life and the food! As the head chef at the ultra-popular East Village-based Filipino restaurant Maharlika, Miguel has earned his spot as well-respected chef in New York City.
Proven more by the fact that Maharlika has won numerous accolades since it opened in 2011, including Best New Food in Time Out New York, Best New Restaurant by MetroMix, and Best Cocktail Drink from Tasting Table. We chat with the chef about the success of Maharlika, as well as his power teams new venture called Jeepney.
George Iordanou, owner of NOIR has worked in every single motto of the food industry. He has cleared tables, washed dishes and worked in the kitchen, but his past investments (One51, Taj Restaurant and Lounge and a partnership in Nikki Beach) is what got him in to the business side of the restaurant industry. Noir, Designed by Andre Escobar, took the place of Nikki Beach in Midtown East in June.
It seems like Simon Cowell is determined to dominate every corner of talent-based-competition. This time he is throwing his hat in the kitchen! The music mastermind is launching a talent show search for the UK's top home-cooked dish.
The new ITV1 show, Food Glorious Food! (they put the exclamation mark there, not us) will attempt to find Britain's best recipes. The winner will get £20,000 cash and their meal put on the shelves at Marks & Spencer.
Producers will stage regional rounds for contestants where they must prove that their recipe celebrates British food. However, there's a lot more to this competition. Winners will face a series of challenges involving their dish in the semi-final and final, and be judged by a panel of “experts."
Since becoming First Lady, Michelle Obama has stood as a passionate advocate for healthful eating and exercise. In her first year as the President's wife, Mrs. Obama planted a Kitchen Garden on the White House's south lawn that inspired a new conversation all across the country. Now you can read all about it in her first-ever cookbook, American Grown.
Mrs. Obama is the first to plant a vegetable garden since Eleanor Roosevelt's Victory Garden during WWII and so far Obama has laid the groundwork for over 55 varietals of veggies. She is the only presidential spouse in history to publish a book about a signature 'First Lady' campaign in the first term of her husband's presidency.
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