Restaurant Review: Hudson Grille

This past weekend, Todd and I were tasked with finding a restaurant that would satisfy both sets of parents, mine and his, as well as the two of us. After reviewing a ton of website menus and Yelp reviews, we chose Hudson Grille in White Plains, which had a menu that ranged from a standard burger with cheese to fried lobster dumplings. And to our relief, it was a success, and everyone really enjoyed their food, from the appetizers to the desserts.

ATMOSPHERE & SERVICE
The space felt large and roomy, and I was glad to see that people weren’t sitting nearly on top of each other. It was pretty empty when we arrived around 4 p.m., but started to fill up as our meal wound down. There was a bar with some kind of sports game on TV, and that area got a little bit loud at times, but we were seated a distance away and it wasn’t too bothersome. I did think that the lighting was too dim, and it made the glare of the afternoon sun coming in through the blinds even more irritating (but if we closed the blinds, it felt too dark to see our food or each other very well). Our waiter was very friendly and accommodated all of our requests, and the staff refilled our water frequently so we never went thirsty!

APPETIZERS

 

We chose the lobster quesadilla (which came with a mango salsa and sweet chili sauce), the sautéed mussels, and the pear-thyme salad to share. The quesadilla was the star of the appetizers, with tender lobster and a nicely browned tortilla. The sauces worked well with the dish, and we all enjoyed it. The mussels, too, were surprisingly good—not at all sandy, and the coconut milk, lemongrass, curry broth was so flavorful, just the right level of sweet and spiced. The large hunk of bread on top tasted great when soaked in the broth. The salad was tasty, too; I really liked the grilled pears but was kind of unimpressed by the rest of it, and I didn’t taste the thyme much at all.

ENTREES
Since we had six people in our party, we luckily got to sample a lot of different menu items for our main meals. I liked mine (the butternut squash ravioli) the best in the end, but I also really enjoyed the cedar plank salmon.

 

I’ll start with the chipotle shrimp pasta (above), which my mom ordered and asked for it to be not too spicy. The kitchen complied perfectly, and it had just the right amount of kick without being overpowering. The tomato- and pepper-based sauce was good and paired well with the shrimp, but we weren’t wowed by the dish and probably wouldn’t order it again. Todd’s parents both ordered the steak sandwich (above, without cheese or aioli) and said they enjoyed it. It came accompanied by fries, which were good but again, nothing out of this world.

 

Todd ordered the duck breast (above), which had a really nice sear and the right amount of chew without being tough. The julienned vegetables were bright and fresh, and the duck wontons brought a nice sweet yet savory burst to the plate. My dad chose the cedar plank salmon (also above), which was cooked absolutely wonderfully, with a tender, flaky inside and crusty, crunchy exterior. So delicious! And his bok choy and rice looked good, as well. And now, my pasta (below): pillowy tortellacci stuffed with butternut squash puree, served atop a bed of soft spinach, and all doused with a garlic cream sauce, then topped with a sun-dried tomato pesto. It was seriously out of this world, and I was so glad to have run 11 miles earlier that morning so that I could eat it without feeling guilty about how creamy and decadent (and calorie-laden) it was. Definitely worth it.

DESSERTS

We chose three different desserts: the banoffee pie, the almond coconut ice cream cake, and the flourless chocolate cake. We enjoyed all three, but I think the ice cream cake was my favorite, with a subtle hint of coconut and enrobed in a rich chocolate ganache. It also came with a mango sauce that paired nicely, and I wish there had been some more of that. Here’s a pic of the pretty plating:

The flourless chocolate cake was also really good, super dark and rich and thick. I don’t think I would have been able to eat more than a few bites if it were the only dessert I’d ordered, though, because it was so heavy and filling. It came with vanilla ice cream, but we asked for chocolate instead.

Lastly, the banoffee pie. I loved the bananas and the whipped cream and the chocolate sauce and the toffee glaze….but I did not like the tart shell at all. It was a pretty flavorless puff pastry that just didn’t go with the rest of the dessert; I would have preferred a flaky buttery pie shell, a graham-cracker crust, or even a chocolate cookie-like crust.

Overall we really enjoyed our desserts, and our entire experience at Hudson Grille, and would definitely return!

Restaurant Review: Bustan

Bustan is a small, bustling, nearly overflowing space, wedged between King Food Chinese and a fairly nondescript pub on the Upper West Side’s Amsterdam Avenue. Inside, it’s sweltering, but somehow feels cozy, like you’ve been bundled into a giant womb. Unfortunately we ended up outside on the covered back patio, warmed only by heat lamps that were mostly directed at a big party sitting off to one side. And it seemed like, back there in the chilly dim light, that we’d been forgotten about; our server hardly came to our table, and it took about 20 minutes before we could even place our order. Suffice to say, I was not looking upon the restaurant fondly. But then the food arrived, and all my complaints withered away. The eclectic Mediterranean dishes were zesty and flavorful, prettily presented, and delicious.

To start, we ordered a rich, thick hummus, paired with a warm loaf of bread and olives. The bread was light and airy, perfect dipped into the hummus, and we quickly finished the first loaf and asked for a second, which didn’t seem to be a problem. We also ordered an appetizer special: lamb buns with onions. The dough resembled the soft chewiness of bao (one of my favorite kind of buns!), and the lamb was spiced and seasoned really well.

For my meal, I ordered a salad, with roasted beets, baby arugula, red onions, and pistachio-crusted coat cheese (that big circular thing plopped on top). Since I wasn’t sure if it’d be enough food, I also ordered the grilled octopus appetizer, which came on a bed of white beans and tomato and was drizzled with a cilantro oil. The octopus was really tender, not too tough or too chewy, and I loved the mix of flavors in the dish. The salad was also good, but a little too dressed for my taste. We also had an issue with our food arriving on time: Todd’s cousin’s wife and I both got our salads before our husbands got their food, even though we’d asked for them as our meal, and we ended up waiting nearly 15 minutes before we could all eat together.

Todd ordered the lamb terracotta, one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. It came out as a savory bread dome, which our served cut away to reveal a sort of tagine inside, featuring hearty chunks of lamb, tomato, peppers, and a whole host of spices. The lamb had a nicely charred exterior and a soft interior, and the flavors in the dish were the perfect combo of spiced but not too spicy. And of course the presentation was undeniably cool, especially since the bread dome could then be dunked into the stew.

And lastly, dessert. Todd and I shared the chocolate cake, and Todd’s cousin and his wife opted for the doughnuts, which the kitchen was able to make without eggs to accommodate his egg allergy. (I’m not sure what they used instead.) The plating of the chocolate cake was gorgeous, and I loved the unexpected pairing of cherries and cornflakes and hazelnut gelato. The cake itself was also good, but a little disappointing in texture. Todd and I had both been expecting something a little softer and denser and pudding-like. Todd’s cousin and his wife enjoyed the doughnuts, which came with three different dipping sauces, including chocolate and raspberry.

After dinner, we enjoyed a nice stroll and pleasant conversation. All in all, despite some setbacks and frustrations, Bustan delivered where it mattered: the food.

Restaurant Review: The Hudson House

My favorite cousin and I had originally scheduled to get together last month, but an unexpected bout of viral and bacterial conjunctivitis in both my eyes quashed our plans. Finally recovered, I met up with her on Saturday for brunch in Nyack, New York, on the Hudson River. We went to a fine-dining restaurant called The Hudson House, located in the town’s former village hall and jailhouse. The cells are still intact, but now they hold the eatery’s wine instead of the inebriated citizens who’ve drunk too much of it! The dining room is cozy yet classy, with sloping angles and dimmed lighting and formal white tablecloths, and there’s also an outdoor seating area (which wasn’t open on our visit but is probably a nice spot to enjoy breakfast in the summer months).

Clockwise from top left: my cousin and I; the main dining area; a former jail cell

The brunch menu wasn’t as extensive as other places we’ve been, but it did have something for everyone, from vanilla yogurt and omelets and a country breakfast with two eggs any style, sausage, roasted tomato, english muffin, home fries, and toast to lump crab cakes, an organic salmon salad, and a half-pound burger. We’d already looked at the menu beforehand and knew what we wanted, but it still took a while for our waiter, Jose, to come to our table because the restaurant was pretty crowded and other diners had arrived before us. On the plus side, that gave us ample time to enjoy the complimentary bread basket, which contain mini corn muffins (I found them a little too dry but Todd popped one after another into his mouth no problem) and some kind of fluffy sourdough bread that tasted divine with a smear of the incredibly soft, whipped butter that came with it.

Complimentary bread basket with butter and a cup of bold, flavorful coffee and milk.

Finally we got around to ordering our meals: my cousin had her heart set on the french toast; Todd and I decided to split the pancakes and the eggs benedict since we couldn’t choose between them. When our food came, we dug right in because we were starving. First up, the french toast. Four triangles of thick, doughy brioche bread were crusted with cornflakes and stuffed with peanut butter, accompanied by fresh berries, bacon, and pure maple syrup. It was a dish that would fill you up and keep you full long after the meal. It had just the right amount of crunch from the cornflakes, but we thought there could have been more peanut butter inside and more fruit scattered on top. But all in all it was decadent and satisfying, even though my cousin only managed to eat half of it!

Peanut butter-stuffed brioche french toast.

Todd and I shared the toasted coconut pancakes, topped with blueberry compote. Again, though I strongly felt there could have been more blueberry on this dish to brighten it up with fruity goodness (I only got seven blueberries; I counted), it was extremely tasty. The coconut flavor really came through, and the pancakes themselves were cooked to perfection: a little crisp on the outside but warm and fluffy on the inside. Because it came with four generously sized pancakes, this was a perfect choice for sharing. I could never have eaten it all on my own!

Coconut pancakes with blueberry compote.

And now for the savory half of our shared meal: eggs benedict with prosciutto, portobello, baby arugula, and truffle vinaigrette. This was the smallest of the three dishes, and Todd definitely wouldn’t have been satisfied if this were all he’d ordered. We had no complaints about the flavors in this dish—a mix of peppery and salty and tangy—though our eggs were a little overcooked. The truffle vinaigrette went really well with all the other components, and Todd said the english muffin paired nicely as well. (I opted to put my egg and meat and mushroom on top of a pancake instead of eating the english muffin.) I also didn’t try the few breakfast potatoes that came with it, but Todd approved.

Eggs benedict.

Since this brunch was a belated birthday celebration for me, we couldn’t pass up dessert. All of the desserts at the restaurant are made in house, and they all sounded divine! We were torn between the banana cream pie (with fresh bananas, a chocolate bottom layer, a gingersnap crust, and tons of whipped cream on top) or the sticky toffee pudding (with toffee sauce and candied ginger). Jose, our waiter, recommended the former, so we went with that…but then he surprised us and bought us both desserts, with the sticky toffee pudding on the house! We were so excited and grateful to him. Both were really good, but I found the sticky toffee pudding a little too rich and sweet; after one or two bites, I felt like I’d had enough. As for the banana cream pie, on the other hand, I could have eaten the entire slice and more because it was the best piece of pie I have ever eaten. Ever. Sweet and soft and fresh and intensely flavorful, it turned a good brunch into a fantastic one. I’m already craving more of it. (Pictures of both are in the slideshow below.)

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So although The Hudson House could have improved some aspects of our meal, we definitely enjoyed it and would recommend it to friends visiting the area. And if you go, please do not forget to order a slice of the pie. I promise you won’t regret it (except you might be tempted to order another piece…or two or three…to take home with you)!

Restaurant Review: Zora’s Cafe

Not only did my coworker’s get me gifts for my 29th birthday, including a giant box of Godiva chocolates and a book that’s all about coffee, they also took me out to lunch. We settled on Zora’s Cafe, an unassuming soul food spot on Ninth Avenue between 47th and 48th streets. The restaurant aims to “develop healthier soul food dishes without compromising great taste” by using cage-free eggs and organic vegetables, among other strategies. The simplicity of the menu in the window—four appetizers, seven entrees, only three lunch specials—belied the savory complexity of our meals. Once inside, we noted that the space felt cozy and welcoming, with exposed brick and the smells of the kitchen wafting out into the dining space. What’s more, the mother-daughter duo that started Zora’s were the ones who served us and cooked our food! Now that’s what I call true Southern hospitality, and it was much appreciated.

Our meal began with complimentary cornbread: soft in the center but deliciously crispy on the edges. A hint of citrus added a pleasant zing to it, and I probably could have eaten the entire basket on my own if I hadn’t wanted to save room for my main meal. Adrienne ordered an iced tea, which she enjoyed, while Lisa and I stuck to water. Our server, Zora herself, was extremely welcoming and attentive, checking back to make sure that everything was to our liking and whether we needed anything more. She had no problem answering our questions, even when we asked the same ones twice!

Then it was time for entrees. Everything on the menu sounded good: fried green tomatoes, battered wings, chicken and waffles, slow-simmered braised beef oxtails. Ultimately we all chose the catfish sandwich; Adrienne and Lisa got theirs fried and accompanied by white bread, whereas I went with pan-seared and whole wheat. The lunch option was only $10, and it came with a side of fries, though Zora explained we could substitute any other side we liked instead. Lisa went with a simple salad, Adrienne chose the spice-dusted potato salad (in the photo on the left, below), and I picked the collard greens (in the photo on the right, below). The sandwiches also came with a hot sauce and a white condiment that was a homemade version of tartar sauce.

Adrienne and Lisa both agreed that their cornmeal-crusted catfish had a ton of flavor, despite being a little salty. Adrienne’s potato salad was rich and creamy. My fish was cooked perfectly, nice and flaky and melt-in-your-mouth tender. The sear gave it a slight char that paired really well with the collard greens. Although the dessert options, including a peach cobbler, sounded so tempting, we all felt too full to give them a try. That’s just one of the many reasons I’m already planning to go back! I’d definitely recommend Zora’s Cafe to anyone looking for a solid lunch or dinner option in the area.

 

Restaurant Review: Annabel

During my lunch break I often walk around the Columbus Circle and Hell’s Kitchen areas of New York City, and more than once I’ve found myself staring into the windows of Annabel, an artisanal pizza spot on Ninth Avenue. Its interior is rustic-chic, with exposed wooden beams on the ceiling and hanging industrial-style lightbulbs. The tables are sleek and square, and the soft glow of the candles on each renders the room cozy and inviting as evening falls—perfect for a romantic dinner or a girls’ night of gossip. The latter is what I was there for, with my friend and former coworker Anna.

We spent some time looking over the menu, which includes a range of appetizers, salads, pizzas, and full-size entrees like bacon mac and cheese with pork ribs and crispy rice or whole wheat tagliatelle with calamari, clams, scallops, and lobster in lemon-cilantro butter. With so many options, we weren’t sure how to choose, so we started by crossing off what we didn’t want. The buttermilk fried chicken, braised short ribs, and truffled risotto all sounded tasty, but we decided they’d be too much food alongside a pizza. We settled on the spanish octopus with broccoli rabe and a yellow chili emulsion; it seemed relatively healthy and we thought it would make a nice light start to our meal.

Spanish octopus with broccoli rabe and yellow chili emulsion.

Anna and I both enjoyed this dish, though we thought it could have been a little larger for $12. Instead of three pieces of octopus (we had to cut the last one in half to share), four tentacles would have been more ideal. Otherwise, it was cooked perfectly, not rubbery or mushy in the slightest, with a nice char on the outside. The broccoli rabe had just enough bitterness to leave a pleasant aftertaste but not so much that it made our tastebuds pucker. And the sweet spice of the yellow chili sauce complemented but didn’t overpower the delicate taste of the octopus.

Pizza with arugula, ricotta, duck prosciutto, and blueberry jam.

For our pizza course, we wanted something unique, and quickly decided against the simple tomato-basil or four-cheese pies. Torn between two options, we went with the more outlandish-sounding one: ricotta, duck prosciutto, blueberry chutney, and arugula. What did we think of this strange mishmash of flavors and textures? Anna said it best: “The combination of duck, blueberry jam, ricotta, and arugula was not supposed to taste good; those ingredients just sound so random and odd. But I was very surprised at how delicious it was!” And it was delicious. The arugula lent the crisp yet still soft crust a tanginess that was perfectly offset by the sweetness of the jam and the creaminess of the ricotta.

The duck prosciutto was the finishing touch: a hint of savory saltiness. Only, I wish there had been at least one slice of duck for each wedge of pizza; we ended up having to break them in half in order to get the taste of the prosciutto on every piece. But overall it was worth it. For $18, we got a six-slice pie that our server described as smaller than your average takeout pizza but larger than a personal pie. It left us pretty full and satisfied…but of course we still found room for dessert.

Pistachio creme brûlée.

Right away we decided on the pistachio creme brûlée. In all honesty, I can’t say it was a five-star dessert: the brittle caramel on top seemed a little more burnt than strictly necessary (though personally I like burnt things so I didn’t really mind). But aside from that minor flaw, the green-tinged custard delivered a bright flavor and rich creaminess that felt simultaneously fresh yet decadent in our mouths.

All in all, Annabel excelled in all aspects: delicious food, appealing aesthetic, and prompt and friendly service. Both Anna and I plan to return—there are still so many menu items we want to try!—and would definitely recommend adding this to your restaurant circuit.

Review: ABA Turkish Restaurant

Last week I went out with my coworkers for lunch. I don’t often write on this blog about my job, but here’s some context: I’m a copy editor for a pretty big consumer magazine. There are three of us on the copy desk, and we read every article at several stages in the production process, looking for things like typos, grammar fixes, and style blunders. Anyway, it was senior copy editor LD’s birthday on Wednesday, so copy chief AD suggested we go out to celebrate. LD decided on ABA Turkish Restaurant, which featured a reasonably priced ($16) lunch special (an appetizer and entree, followed by coffee or tea).

Restaurant Review: Project Brunch

Candy-loaded milkshakes from Black Tap. Teardrop cakes too pretty to eat. Rainbow everything. Food crazes, meet Project Brunch. The new breakfast/lunch spot in Staten Island is making headlines for its over-the-top offerings, like blueberry-batter pancakes, tiramisu French toast, and a BLT with panko-coated tomatoes and herb aioli.

Of course, I needed to visit. And now that I have, all I can say is this: I must return. Multiple times. Until my fiancé and I have sampled everything on the menu, plus the daily specials, which were Oreo pancakes and reuben waffles during our visit last Saturday with Todd’s parents. We arrived at the restaurant around 9 a.m., worried we might be met with a long wait and lines extending out the door. From the outside, the spot looked sleek and modern, with big windows that let in tons of light.

Restaurant Review: Marta

For my birthday this year, Todd bought me tickets to see The Lion King on Broadway and made dinner reservations at Marta, a new restaurant from chef Nick Anderer that “reimagines and invents thin-crust pizzas” cooked in wood-burning ovens. Fish, meats, and vegetables are cooked alla brace, over an open-fire grill, and beverages include local craft beers as well as an all-Italian wine list. Located in the Martha Washington Hotel, the space is romantic (think soft lighting and cozy nooks) yet bustling, with an open kitchen, high ceilings, and tall windows that looked out onto the street.

Restaurant Review: Scarpetta

When in doubt about which restaurant to select for my fiancé’s birthday dinner, I went with the simplest strategy; I chose the one he’d seemed most enthusiastic about trying during the past few months: Scarpetta, located in New York City’s West Village. Opened in 2008 by celebrity chef Scott Conant, it received a three-star review from the New York Times and New York Magazine, which lauded the restaurant for being “fresh and forward-thinking.” Though Conant has since moved on to other projects, Scarpetta continues to receive praise for its homemade pasta and tasty Italian fare. In fact, Todd exclaimed after our meal, “That was the best birthday dinner I’ve ever had.”

Restaurant Review: Reviver NYC

While freelance editing at O, The Oprah Magazine, I’ve been searching for healthy lunch options in the neighborhood for the days I don’t tote a salad, a sandwich, or leftovers from home. Though I’ve tried a few different fast-casual options so far, I find myself frequently returning to Reviver—“the perfect union of culinary art and nutrition science,” according to the restaurant’s website. Although the offerings  a little pricey, I think these well-crafted plates are worth the cost.

Favorite Foods at the Village Voice Choice Eats Tasting Event

A few weeks ago, Todd and I attended the Village Voice Choice Eats tasting event, where hundreds of foodies gathered to sample delicacies from more than 50 restaurants located in Manhattan and the boroughs. We expected the event to be jam-packed, but the crowds spread out pretty evenly and we didn’t have to wait in super long lines to sample any of the food—though certain crowd favorites, such as Luke’s Lobster, ran out of bites before we made our way to their tasting table. Here are some of our favorites, all from restaurants that we had never tried before but have now added to our list of places to eat in and around the city.

Restaurant Review: Moon Star Grill in Riverdale

One of my best friends has lived in many places, including Mexico, Oregon, and Chicago. Luckily for me, she’s back in New York for a while—and that means we get to try out a ton of great restaurants together. This weekend, Todd joined us for dinner at an Asian-fusion gem, Moon Star Grill, in Riverdale, New York. This sleek spot features high-quality Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, and Japanese offerings in a setting so friendly and serene that we lingered much longer than planned, sipping hot Jasmine tea and nibbling on chilled pineapple chunks.

Restaurant Review: Corfu Grill

Lately, Todd and I only go out to eat on Thursdays before my class at St. John’s University in Queens, and usually we just get something light and quick. But yesterday we decided to try out Corfu Grill, a casual Greek restaurant in Forest Hills that came highly recommended. I hadn’t originally planned to blog about it, so I didn’t bring my “real” camera with me, but the food tasted so good that I knew I just had to share this hidden gem. (I apologize in advance for the low-quality phone photos.)

Restaurant Review: The Wave … of American Flavors, at Disney’s Contemporary Review

I didn’t plan on posting up a restaurant review quite so soon after my recent post raving about Artist Point, but only two days later I discovered what might actually be my favorite restaurant at Disney World: The Wave … of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Those of you who’ve been reading this blog for a while know that I’m all about fresh, natural food with as little processing as possible–and that’s what The Wave is all about too. Many of the ingredients are locally sourced and organic, and most entrees come with a bounty of delicious veggies that excellently complement the dish. I’m not a picky eater, but I am also not afraid to speak my mind if there’s something I don’t like, and I have to say that I had not one complaint about this meal (except for the fact that I can never get used to the taste of Florida tap water)!

Restaurant Review: Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

To celebrate our very first day in Disney World (the countdown is finally over!), Todd and I decided to splurge on dinner at Artist Point, a signature dining experience at the Wilderness Lodge Resort. After taking some time to explore the comfortable nooks and soaring totem poles of the lodge, we entered the restaurant with excitement and empty stomachs. 

Restaurant Review: David Burke Kitchen

For Todd’s birthday, I took him on an adventure around the city, beginning with coffee in Cobble Hill. Then we strolled through Brooklyn Bridge park, walked over the bridge and into Manhattan, meandered up through Chinatown (where we gobbled up some sesame chicken at a street fair, tasted a lychee, and drank coconut water from a coconut), enjoyed some sun in Hudson River Park, and ultimately ended up at a surprise location for dinner: David Burke Kitchen on Grand Street in SoHo.

Review of Awash Ethiopian Restaurant

For my friend Beyza’s birthday last week, we decided to go to an Ethiopian restaurant, Awash, on the Lower East Side. We didn’t know what to expect, except that it would be spicy! And it was, but some of it was also really delicious.

Food Review: Summer Roll from Two Tablespoons

My boyfriend and I spent the afternoon hours of Memorial Day wandering around Manhattan, surprisingly energetic after running a blazing hot 5k on Roosevelt Island. During our travels, we stumbled upon Mad. Sq. Eats, a collection of food vendors alongside Madison Square park. Because it ends this Friday, May 30, and doesn’t resume until September, we decided to sample some of the offerings before it was too late. Our first stop led to the discovery of my new favorite lunch food: a corn, coconut, and curry sauce summer roll from Two Tablespoons.

Restaurant Review: Smorgas Chef

Today I took my friend Megan (who is also my brother’s girlfriend) to one of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan’s Financial District: Smorgas Chef.

Iconic yellow windows and flag

Located on Stone Street, a lively cobblestone road lined with bars and hot spots, this Scandinavian eatery boasts a menu full of “new Nordic cuisine,” which is “deeply committed to using local, sustainable, and all-natural ingredients,” largely from its 160-acre farm in the Catskills.