Down Under Eats

I’m heading to Australia this fabulous Munchin’ Monday and I figured I’d leave you with a list of the best Aussie places in Manhattan so you can get a little taste of the land down under for yourselves. I won’t be blogging for a month while I’m there, so take that time to catch up on all the fabulous places I’ve reviewed and get yourselves ready for more once I return. 

I’ll make sure to have a meat pie for you while I’m gone! I’m also dying to try Kangaroo (I only got to pet one last time), so wait to hear all about that once I return! Or you can always beat me to it and go and eat at one of the places mentioned below.

 I have a feeling most of you have never thought about how many Aussie places there are in NYC. Well, there are quite a few. From low end to high end, restaurants and bars, of course NYC has a little taste of everything- including Oz.

1. Public
2. Eight Mile Creek
3. Tuck Shop (my fave meat pie in the city)
4. Van Diemens
5. The Australian
6. The Sunburnt Cow
7. Bondi Road

 G’day Mates!

See you when I return!

xx,

WhyDon’tYouEatMe

Cheeseburger in Paradise

Seeing as May is National Hamburger Month, I figured that it would be in everyone’s best interest for me to do a post on NYC’s best burgers. Now, of course, everyone has their opinion as to what makes a good burger, but these are my picks for the best low-end (typical all-American) and high-end (fancy schmancy) burgers here in NYC as well as some of my other favorite burgers.

“Take Me Out to the Ball Game” Kinda Burger:

Shake Shack: I call this the ‘take me out to the ball-game kinda burger’ because the Mets literally put a Shake Shack in Shea Stadium. This is your classic juicy burger that that you’ll never ever tire of. We’ve all waited in their line at Madison Square Park and we’ve all been happy to do so because it’s worth it. Danny Meyer definitely knows what he’s doing when it comes to food and he pretty much outsmarted every other restaurateur with his brilliant equation of good, simple burgers in a casual atmosphere. This is the simple burger we all grew up with and will always hit the spot.

“Black Tie” kinda burger:

Minetta Tavern: While we all crave the all-American burger, we also crave a taste of excellence and that is exactly what Keith McNally has done with Minetta Tavern’s Black Label Burger. The Black Label Burger is a selection of prime dry-aged beef cuts topped with caramelized onions. Forget adding anything else to this burger because it doesn’t need it. The burger speaks for itself and it speaks my language.  Good luck getting a reservation though. My recommendation is to get there as soon as they open and grab a seat at the bar.

Other notable NYC burgers:

1. Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien
2. Corner Bistro
3. 5 Napkin Burger
4. DBGB Kitchen and Bar
5. The Blind Pig

There you have it! Now I’m left craving a burger and you’re left with a list of the best burgers in Manhattan!

WhyDon’tYouEatMe gives both Shake Shack and Minetta Tavern 4 out of 5 mouths for being tender, juicy, and succulent in their own fabulous ways.

See you next Munchin’ Monday!!

xx,

WhyDon’tYouEatMe

I Fon-due

Mix cheese and chocolate and I’m sold.  Toss them into a fondue pot and I’m double sold. Who can resist dipping multiple scrumptious items into even more scrumptious melted sauces? Not me. So, when Taureau opened up on 7^th street between 1^st and A (one of my favorite block as far as food goes) I couldn’t wait to try it out!

After feasting on BBQ and Mexican all weekend in my hometown of Memphis, I decided to head on over. We had reservations for 7:30 and got there at 7 after stopping by to pick up a bottle of wine first (they’re BYOB!). No one else was in the restaurant, but then again it was a Monday at 7 in the East Village.

Obviously I’d already scoped out the menu and knew exactly what I wanted. I ordered a cheese fondue called Devil’s Wiff. The very helpful waitress explained that Chef Didier came up with this name himself (even though Wiff isn’t necessarily a word and doesn’t exactly have a meaning). Well, when you come up with something that tasty, you can call it  whatever you want. The Devil’s Wiff is a blend of pepper jack cheese and wine. I picked this one for the “spice” factor. The fondue comes standard with a side of greens and croutons for dipping and they leave the rest up to you. I chose cauliflower, red apple, hot chorizo, and marshmallow cut slab bacon.  Oh yes, I did indeed just say marshmallow cut slab bacon. Phenomenal. 

They also have meat fondue that you cook yourself in different choices of oil, but I decided to save that for another time and leave room for their milk chocolate fondue called the petite au lait (for 1-2 people). It’s served with fresh fruits (bananas, strawberries, and pineapples) as well as dried figs, dried apricots, and baby marshmallows. This is the kind of dessert where all conversation ceases until every last bit is consumed. It was so good that we may or may not have started dipping our spoons in for the remainder of chocolate once our fruit was depleted.

During our meal, Chef Didier walked in with his motorcycle jacket and helmet in hand and stopped to greet us. I told him how much I enjoyed dinner and he told me that it’s all about simple, good food. Exactly what I’d been looking for and exactly what I got!

I give Taureau 4 out of 5 mouths for being fun, different, yet straight forward.

See you next Munchin’ Monday!

xx,

WhyDon’tYouEatMe

Ice Ice Baby

By now, you know how much I love cupcakes. Well, there are only a few other desserts that trump cupcakes in my book and ice-cream happens to be one of them. Summer is quickly approaching and while April showers typically bring May flowers, I figured I’d bring us into May with a list New York’s best ice-cream (or gelato) shops. Are you ready? Spoon in hand? Here we go.

1. Ciao Bella Gelato: This is by far my favorite in the city. Love it. Love it so much that when their store on Mott St. was closed earlier than I’d remembered one winter evening, I went on a citywide scavenger hunt for a deli that carried it. Have no fear my friends, mission accomplished. While every flavor I have tried is good, my absolute faves are the Tahitian Vanilla and Pistachio.

2. Emack & Bolio’s: While Ciao Bella may be my first choice, Emack & Bolio’s is a close second. I was lucky enough (or cursed) to live only a block away from their SoHo store for years. It was on my way home from the train and boy, that was a pit stop I made far too often.  You must be wondering how I’m not 500 lbs at this point? It’s a good question, really. Good genes I guess (thanks, mom and dad). Anyway, most of their flavors are creative and about as good as it gets. My favorite happens to be the Raspberry Truffle with vanilla ice-cream, raspberry swirl, and raspberry truffles mixed in. De-lish!

3. Otto: Otto makes my list here for the most creative and outside the box gelati (as they call it). My all-time fave is the Olive Oil gelati. Olive oil gelati? Really? YES! It’s AMAZING! They also have flavors like Salty Peanut and Guinness Stout. I know all you boys just stopped reading this and are heading over to get a pint of the Guinness Stout now. It’s ok. I don’t blame you.

4. Shake Shack: I’ve got 3 words for you: BEST MILKSHAKE EVER. Every time I go, I get both the chocolate and vanilla milkshakes. Why choose between the two? I haven’t had a chance to try this yet, but I desperately need to try their bacon and pancake custard ASAP. Bacon anything makes my heart melt.

5. Momofuku Milk Bar: With flavors like “cereal milk” or “cream cheese frosting”, how can this place not rock my world? Exactly. It can’t.  I am also completely obsessed with their cookies, but that’s for another day…

With so many ice- cream/gelato/gelati/this/that/other shops in NYC, it’s hard to choose, but these five are the best in my humble opinion (which just so happens to usually be right). Ice-cream genuinely makes me happy. It’s up there with kittens and rainbows and glitter and you get the idea. You call it ice cream, I call it heaven. Now get your spoons and get to lickin’!

See you next Munchin’ Monday!

xx,

WhyDon’tYouEatMe

Pitza! Pitza!

This week I’ve got yet another East Village newcomer that’s definitely worth checking out.  Balade serves traditional Lebanese cuisine in a traditional Lebanese atmosphere. I got my first taste of Lebanese food back in Memphis from a family who made amazing meat pies. I instantly fell in love and have been in search for meat pies that rival them ever since. So, when I heard about Balade, of course I had to go and check it out.

I’ve been twice for lunch and both times the place was pretty empty (I’m hoping they are busier for dinner or that my rave review will amp up their business). My first trip, I ordered the Sambousik (those meat pies I keep talking about) and the vegetarian mazmeez (hummus, tabouleh, baba ganouj, and labneh with toum) for appetizers. Raise your hands if you don’t know what half those words mean. Yup, thought so. Feel free to Google. The meat pies were good. Unfortunately, not as good as the homemade ones from childhood, but definitely worth going back for. I loved the mazmeez platter. I’m typically not a fan of tabouleh, but theirs was perfect with the lemon juice on top. The hummus and baba ganouj were both good and the labneh was great.

For the mains I ordered the Greek pitza (yes, they spell it like that and it makes me love it even more) and meat shawarma. The pitza is just a pita that they pop in the oven and remove once crispy. The Greek pitza had, as I’m sure you could guess, feta cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, lebanese zaatar, kalamata olives, and basil. The meat shawarma had slices of beef and lamb with tomatoes, pickles, parsley, sumac and tahini sauces. The pickles on there make it even better. I know, I know. There I go again with the pickle talk.

My second trip we decided to try the kebbeh which is a mixture of beef and cracked wheat shaped into shells and filled with a combination of seasoned ground beef and diced onions. Not my fave, but the odds were stacked against it from the beginning since my boyfriend’s mom makes the same thing and they’re absolutely out of this world good.

I give Balade 4 out of 5 mouths for being the kind of place that makes me keep wanting to go back. I swear it’s not just because they have Lebanese pitza!

See you next Munchin’ Monday!

xx,

WhyDon’tYouEatMe

Posted Up

This weekend I was fortunate enough to go to Del Posto to celebrate my one year anniversary with my bf (I know, I know. I’m a lucky girl who gets fed well). I’ve been wanting to try Del Posto since it opened and was super excited that I finally got my chance to try yet another Batali restaurant. I walk in and it’s like I’ve walked into old Hollywood.  At first I was slightly overwhelmed by this massive place with it’s piano-playing and mezzanine style seating, but then I started to get into the whole atmosphere. That was until the maitre’ d  automatically assumed my bf made the reservation and ignored me (meanwhile I’m the one with the Italian last name).

Obvi I’d done my research on this place and knew EXACTLY what I wanted.  I asked the sommelier to recommend a bottle of wine to complement what I wanted and he picked a GREAT bottle. So what did we order? To start, we ordered the lobster salad fra diavola with broccoli rabe and dried orange and the carne cruda with truffled salsa, parmigiano-reggiano and shaved porcini. I didn’t love the lobster, but the carne cruda (like a steak tartar) was pretty good (although not nearly as tasty as Locanda Verde’s).

I know how it works at Italian restaurants- first, you order an antipasti, then a primi, and then a secondi. More often than not I’m more there for the pasta and less for the meat or fish so I stop at the primi. So, I opted for the tasting of three pastas. The waiter asked if we’re sure that will be enough (I thought it would), but my poor boyfriend was guilted into ordering the roasted lamb rack with tail ragu (which he later regretted and admitted that I was right :::ahem as always:::). The three pastas I chose for the tasting were spaghetti with dungeness crab, sliced jalapeno and minced scallion, Lidia’s spicy calamaretti with fruti di mare alla marinara, and orecchiette with lamb neck sausage, cherry peppers, and  broccoli rabe. Both the spaghetti and orecchiette were good, but I really enjoyed the calamaretti. The pasta, seafood, and marinara sauce were all perfect together.

By this point I’m stuffed, but alas, we still have the roasted “guilt” lamb on it’s way. The lamb probably would have been quite good had I not been so stuffed that I couldn’t enjoy it

Last but not least, the waiter brought out a small dessert tasting. It was good, but not amazing (again when I’m that stuffed I need dessert to be insanely good for me to continue stuffing my face).

Del Posto was definitely an “experience.” Unfortunately, I think they’ve made this place more about the experience and less about the food. Don’t get me wrong, the pastas were great and I’d like to be shoving some of that calarmaretti in my face right now, but all in all I’d only give Del Posto 3 out of 5 mouths.

Give me good food not glitz and glamour please! Or give me both. Batali, I love you but I’m heading back to Babbo or Lupa next time!

See you next Munchin’ Monday!

xx,

WhyDon’tYouEatMe

I Left My Heart in Degustation

Who’s hungry? You better be- cause it’s Munchin’ Monday!

This week we’re off to one of my favorite places in the East Village called Degustation (which means “a careful, appreciative tasting of various foods”). This place is so right up my alley because it saves me from having to convince my dining partner that we should just split everything.

Degustation is a mixture of French and Spanish small plates. You’ve got multiple options here: You can do 5 courses for $50, 10 courses for $75, or just order a la carte. You’ve also got the option to add wine pairings to compliment each course. I’ve done both the 5 and 10 course options and I’d definitely recommend the 10 course option. The 10 course option is all chef’s choice items that aren’t on the menu. Just as a warning, you’ll leave more stuffed than a turkey at Thanksgiving dinner, but it’s so good!!

I don’t typically discuss ambiance and decor, but this is an exception to the rule. They’ve only got 16 seats surrounding an open kitchen, so you get to watch the food being prepared. Who doesn’t like watching men use their hands, huh? And while we’re on the subject- what is it with so many chefs being so frickin’ cute? Sigh… Sorry…Got off topic…

Back on track! The food! If you opt out of my recommendation for the 10 course tasting, then let me suggest a couple items from the “secret menu.” Since we all know how much I love pork, I’m of course, going to recommend the fried eggs, pork belly, winter greens, and parmesan dish.

I’d also encourage going with the lamb loin, heirloom cauliflower, pinenut puree, pickled raisins, and mint dish. I don’t usually dig lamb, but the sides that accompany this dish are what make it so amazing.

Now for dessert! You MUST get the caramelized torija with citrus fruits. It’s AWESOME and 100% necessary, trust me.

That’s all I’ve got for you this week my friends. Degustation may ruin that beach body that WhyDidYouWearThat got you all prepped for last week, but it’s entirely worth it. Just spend some extra time at the gym or buy a cover-up and call it a day because in my world good food = happiness (and ultimately world peace).

See you next Munchin’ Monday!

xx,

WhyDon’tYouEatMe

P.S. – McNally’s new pizza place Pulino’s opens today and I CAN NOT wait to try it out! The big and mighty are opening food joints for the common folk and I LOVE it. I also love new pizza joints. I just love pizza. Period.