DINNER
Let's face it, weight gain can be absolutely exhausting, especially around the holidays. Deliciously satisfying, but exhausting! The unfortunate end result is always the same, rather than thinking of how much fun you had, you obsess over the new filler renting space on your stomach and thighs. Nine times out of ten, the meal itself isn’t too bad for you, as long as you steer clear (Ok, a taste won’t hurt) of the fatty appetizers and side dishes. With that being said, it is safe to say dessert is the point of contention for most. Dessert options are always the same, between fat grams, too much sugar, carbohydrates, and of course, fruit. Even though you know you should opt for the fruit, some meals demand a sweeter finale.
On their continued mission to support the growing urban farm culture and sustainable farming methods, Slow Food Miami brings you the “Grow Your Dinner” event under the stars in a collaborative effort with Green Railway Organic Workshop (GROW) to host the event. Taking place on Saturday, November 12th, at the Workshop’s urban farm, the dinner will include a homemade Vietnamese dinner made by GROW’s Director of Education, Thi Square, and an exclusive tour of the Workshop’s burgeoning urban farm.
I made a reservation for dinner for two at Atrio on a Sunday night, but I don't think we really needed it. We found a primo parking space on the street right next to the Conrad so we didn't have to pay for valet. We don't make it downtown very much, but the Conrad seems like one ritzy hotel. To get to Atrio, you have to take the elevator to the 25th floor and the restaurant is to your left. The hostess was very efficient and sat us immediately in a corner booth next to the floor-to-ceiling windows where we could look out over all of the lights and buildings of Brickell. She even brought me an orange wrap to warm me up when she noticed I had goosebumps. There were orange flowers and candles on the tables and the lighting was very dim and there were some interesting chandeliers that looked like crystal jellyfish hanging from the ceiling. The area kind of reminded me of a dining room on a cruise ship. The service got off to a slow start, as we waited over 15 minutes for anyone to approach our table. The place was maybe half full so I don't know why it would take so long. I think it was the manager who finally attended our table and took our orders.
It seems "The City That Never Sleeps" finally got a few hours of rest last night but awoke today with a sudden urge to brunch. In the wake of Hurricane (Tropical Storm) Irene, we have a list of all New York City venues that re-opened their doors today, currently taking orders for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
13th Step - 149 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003
5 Napkin Burger - 630 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10036 *Opening by 5pm
5 Napkin Burger - 2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024 *Opening by 5pm
Asellina - 420 Park Ave South, New York, NY 10016
We all love Miami Spice for making our city's most expensive restaurants a little more accessible. But, it doesn't matter how cheap the food is if you can't eat it because the majority of the entrees include meat. Skip the steakhouses and check out the best multi-course vegetarian meals Miami has to offer.
Click on restaurant name for complete Miami Spice menu & info.
The Dining Room
[Appetizer] Beet and Beet’s golden and red beets, watercress, marcona almonds, goat cheese, black pepper, marshmallows
[Entree] Sweet Potatoes Gnocchi mushrooms, brown butter, sage, lemon zest, aged gouda
[Dessert] Coffee Tres Leches vanilla orange segments, mandarin foam, chocolate sauce
Usually Restaurant Week can feel like a second-class helping of after-thoughts. Not at Kittichai - for the most part. Situated at the base of the 60 Thompson Hotel, this eclectic modern Thai restaurant did not shortchange the Restaurant Week diner. After executive chef Ian Chalermkittichai returned to Thailand, the owners brought in Aussie chef Ty Bellingham to take the reigns in 2010. This move was not a misstep.
From the requisite prix-fixe menu, you are able to choose one of four offerings from appetizer and entree courses, and from a selection of three desserts. My sampling included the Thai -spiced gazpacho and shrimp and cucumber salad for appetizers. I must say that these were not the standouts of the bunch. Under the guise of “gazpacho” the soup more closely resembled a cold chunky tomato puree with a flavor profile reminiscent of pasta sauce. Albeit a good pastas sauce, but the expectation of a gazpacho will definitely throw you. As for the salad, it was surprisingly plentiful on the shrimp front, with a green chilli dressing and torn mint. It was refreshing and simple (emphasis on the simple).
The entrees we chose were truly spectacular. If you go, you must order the chilli-smoked hanger steak, marinated in the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and spicy. Cooked to a juicy medium-rare with satisfyingly sweet preserves atop crunchy long beans, every bite was balanced in flavor and texture. The pan-seared Bronzino in a coconut-tumeric broth offered up two substantial skin-on pieces dotted with tiny scallops. While the fish was flaky and tender, the warm broth provided ultimate slurping satisfaction.
Dessert was all about the flourless chocolate cake. A healthy helping of chocolate never hurt anyone. This one was a seemingly dense brick unveiled from its banana leaf wrapping table-side, and accompanied by a dollop of sweet cream (easily mistaken for ice cream). The fascinating thing about this square mound was that it was not dense at all, but rather dissipated like a silky powder on your tongue, allowing for long-lingering cocoa flavors. How bad can that be? On another plate, the three distinguished scoops of ice cream and sorbet (espresso, pina colada, and mango) were an interactive dessert, as I found mixing and matching them provided ultimate flavor discovery and satisfaction. Don’t discount the magic of espresso and mango on your spoon.
While I can’t speak for the other items on the menu, use my experience as a guide to navigate your Restaurant Week taste for Thai at Kittichai.
Williamsburg tapas bar and restaurant Cadaquès will be honoring Earth Day April 22 by turning out the lights during dinner. Tthe entire restaurant will be lit by candlelight for the night and a special vegetarian menu will be offered.
Owner Mathieu Reboul is turning out the lights to highlight the need to conserve energy. Take part in the conservation by bringing your own candles and votives.
In addition, Executive Chef Guillaume Thivet will be crafting a three-course vegetarian feast, along with the regular menu, served with a glass of white or red wine for $35 to complement Cadaqués’ modern Spanish tapas menu.
Easter dinner is fast approaching and maybe you’d like to put a twist on some old fashioned Easter recipes. Here are three recipes that will round out your holiday.
Lamb with Chili-Mint Sauce
4 six-ounce lamb shoulders (or cut of your choice)
½ cup minced mint leaves
½ shallot, minced
2 jalapenos, minced
2 habaneros, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ grapefruit, juiced or 1 lime, juiced
4 tablespoons olive oil
There are two different sauces that could come out of these ingredients. One is more of a salsa, and the other is a thicker glaze; both can begin to be prepared the same way. Combine minced mint, shallot, jalapeno, habanero, garlic and salt and pepper in a bowl. If you prefer to have the salsa, simply squeeze the juice of half of a grapefruit into the combination and stir. The salsa is ready to be served with the lamb.
In celebration of Easter, some of Chicago's top restaurants and markets are offering special dishes and prix fixe menus. If you don't want to spend the time and energy preparing a meal, head to one of these spots for delicious meal.
Chicago French Market: Numerous vendors of the Market are selling sweet and savory Easter specials. 131 N. Clinton St., Chicago, Ill. 60661. (312) 575-0306. chicagofrenchmarket.com
- Try Vanille Patisserie's macaroons, chocolate bunnies and lollipops. For more decadent sweets, don't miss the Almond Pithivier (a crisp puff pastry with baked almond cream), the Petit Fours (an assortment of miniature pastries) and the Carrot Cake Entrement (a traditional carrot cake with cream cheese mousse with Easter dècor).
- Delightful Pastries is offering assorted pies and cakes, that include Lamb Pound Cake, Lamb and Spinach Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Chocolate Bundt Cake, and Rhubarb Strawberry Pie.
- Sweet Miss Giving's is offering Easter Cupcakes and Royal Icing Cookies.
Dinner a deux doesn’t always need to be a fireworks-inducing gastronomic fête served up by the likes of José Andrés or Michel Richard. Save the excess (and the green) for your anniversary, and keep the first date just about you and the person you're with.
Keep it simple. The food should be good, but its cost and flair need not outshine your hot date (although, it helps from time to time). Book a reservation at a comfortable, slightly intimate spot and take advantage of the lighting - or lack thereof. And, oh yes, you may also want to make sure your date can sip something other than PBR.
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