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the best sauces in NYC.
here's where i've found some stellar sauces for steaks, chops, fish, ribs, pasta...
36 Places
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Peter’s 5-star review: I would follow Jason and Heather to The Ends of the Earth, if that's where they decided to place their next restaurant. I'd probably prefer somewhere in South Brooklyn, but I really am willing to travel because both of their current spots have taken up firm residence atop my list of favorite restaurants. The brand-new Xixa is Traif's sexy sister, and although I don't want to have to choose between them, I must admit I am partial to the ladies. This gorgeous female is ethnically ambiguous; mostly Mexican, to be sure, but there is a cosmopolitan air about her that makes her irresistible. (A Xixappeal, if you will.) Wherever her flavors hail from, the food is fantastic. We've had at least 10 different dishes, and I haven't had a bad bite. That said, I do find myself partial to a few favorites thus far: The grilled carrot "elote" is absolute insanity. With honey butter, a lime crema and little bits of dill floating about, it is not just the best vegetable dish I've ever had, it is up there with the best anything I've ever had. That includes meat, people. Rivaling the carrots are the Thai esquites with sweet corn and cotija cheese. At the bottom of this small bowl is a tom yum broth, and I mean tom fucking YUM.* I drank it, shamelessly. If you like eating food that will make you hate all other food for its blatant inferiority, get the corn flan tamale. Spread with a garlic-poblano cream (that tastes better even than a garlic-poblano cream sounds) and stacked with blue crab, it's warm and comforting and ARGH...I'm getting actually angry that I'm not eating it at this moment. And of course, the foie gras al pastor. Al pastor is my taco of choice, and there was never a chance that I'd pass this up. Ancho honey? Roasted pineapple perfection? I don't even know what torrejas** are, I just know that I dream about this dish. It is an elevated al pastor; as pretty a plate as can be, and one I have no problem destroying for my own hedonistic desires. Essentially, the entire menu is mouthwatering. Each item has a slew of ingredients (how do they fit them all in the kitchen?), with at least a couple you might not recognize. Don't be scared. Chef Jason Marcus has a way of blending flavors together in ways you never considered. Even if you don't like a component on its own, chances are you'll love the dish as a whole. If you wish to indulge in adult beverages as you dine, there is a comprehensive wine list arranged by the lovely lady they most resemble (e.g. Marilyn Monroe) along with a description of how they correlate (e.g. schizophrenic wines fall under our old friend, Courtney Love). For something heavier, there is an excellent selection of tequilas, mezcals and housemade baconara (bartender Randy infuses things like a champ). And although I do wish they had a cocktail or two, I must admit that I love the Banderas. These are pours of your spirit of choice bookended by a tart lemony liquid and a pomegranate chile arbol chaser that has excellent heat. Whether or not you drink, I insist you finish your meal off with the salty churros which, and I am not exaggerating, are the best churros that ever existed. This cinnamony, crispy fried dough is so delectable that the last time I saw the churro lady on the subway platform I was forced to spit in her face. I didn't want to; she's perfectly sweet (and was quite confused)...but it was necessary. Such is the danger of eating food this good. ___________ *Please excuse the profanity, but I don't know if without it I can convey the true love and admiration I have for this dish. **OK, I just looked it up. Turns out they are like Mexican French toast. And how could that be bad. -
Peter’s 4-star review: Well, the porcini mushroom ravioli is no more. In the past year, In Vino has changed chefs, and the dish we kept coming back for (mostly because we don't have the balls to put that much butter in our own sauces at home), left with the old one. However, while the loss of a dish like that is always sad, In Vino still has plenty of things to be happy about. Namely: The same lively, wine-soaked and candle-lit atmosphere. The same personable staff who make excellent recommendations. An excellent (if not exactly affordable) wine list. A new, foie gras-stuffed maple ravioli. A fantastic burrata dish so fresh it'll obscenely squirt milk cream across your table when you dig in. The truffle cream sauce is gone, but the song remains the same.
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Peter’s 4-star review: I've loved Caracas for a long, long time. When I heard they were opening a Brooklyn location, I couldn't have been happier. And it's bigger? My girlfriend just informed me that bigger is always better.* And yes, everything I wrote about the food at the 7th Street shop (http://www.yelp.com/biz/caracas-arepa-bar-new-york-3#hrid:Vp5aXWoA_mtjtUpGBWMYbg) holds true for this one as well: the soups are fantastic, and I'm never sad when I'm biting into one of their arepas. De Pabellon. Do it. However, it turned out that size didn't matter, because they were still unable to adequately accommodate our party of 9. I can understand you have one blender, and it's hard to make multiple shakes. But it took nearly a half hour to get us the guacamole (very tasty though) we ordered upon sitting down. There were inexplicably 20 minute waits between our appetizers and our first arepas, and another between those and the second arepas that the gluttons among us (read: me) ordered. This is hardly enough to keep me from coming back. Chainsaw-bearing clowns in the doorway couldn't keep me away. I love this place. But I'm definitely not coming back with more than four people. *This sounds like a preamble to breaking up. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Facts About El Atoradero, in order of importance: 1. They have the real-deal al pastor. Have you never had al pastor? You sad, pitiful creature. Al pastor is the exquisitely succulent shavings of pork that can only be created by rubbing the meat with spices and chiles, layering it onto a trompo and letting the world's best fruit (pineapple) drip down on it from above as it rotates and slowly caramelizes. When you carve off thin slices of meat that is simultaneously tender and charred crisp, you have al pastor, The Taco of the Gods. 2. Their chorizo tacos are nearly as good as the al pastor. 3. Their phone number is 718-399-TACO, clearly asserting their taco dominance over the area. 4. Their blue corn tortillas are fresh, legit, and the perfect vehicle for juicy, porky meats, and the salsas are on point as well. 5. Fat-lovers should opt for the carnitas, the pork cubed rather than the more common pulled preparation. 6. They have other, non-porky things to offer. Quite honestly, I wasn't wowed* by any of the other food, but I don't really care. I will return for chorizo and al pastor tacos (and maybe some albondigas), and ignore everything else anyway. ____________ *By all accounts, their mole is some of the best around. Personally, I don't like chocolate that much, and I'm definitely not into throwing it into my savory food. To each their own though. -
Peter’s 5-star review: (Yet another installment in the ongoing, "oh my god, how have I not reviewed this yet" series.) Cafe Cortadito is one of the main reasons I miss living right off Ave B. Warm and inviting, this tiny dining room is perpetually packed but somehow always seems to have a table ready just for me. This past St. Patrick's Day was no exception, as I stumbled through the door after a long day of drinking and fell right into a seat. Then I apologized to the horrified woman I crushed, and made my way to our table for six. Everything was as I remembered, and I remembered it being delicious. We continued on our journey toward oblivion with pitchers of both red and white sangria (because both are excellent, and I hate not waking up to excruciating headaches). They start you off with Cuban bread which, if you've ever had the pleasure of tasting when it's done right, you know is gloriously, SINFULLY buttery. We ordered the calamari, because it's just so damn good. Perhaps my favorite calamari in NYC. Somehow, the chef maintains the crispiness of the breading, even after the rings of tender, succulent squid have been tossed in the most delicious blend of smoked paprika, honey, and chipotle adobo sauce. It's spicy and salty and sweet all at once, and it's fucking delicious. I could happily make a meal of just the calamari and the bread, but when at Cortadito, it's best to get meaty. Churrasco (skirt steak with a lovely chimichurri) is always a winner, but really, the Ropa Vieja is my favorite entree. The simple description of "shredded beef in a creole sauce" does this beautiful plate no justice, but I'm not sure I can either. Essentially, it is an enormous mound of tender meat soaked through with the complex, hugely flavorful Creole sauce that I would gladly drink, if I hadn't already drank everything in NYC earlier that day. With rice and black beans, it is as hearty and satisfying as anything has a right to be. Cortadito, I love you. -
Peter’s 5-star review: If you ask someone for a recommendation, and they look at you and say, "Viagra." What does that say about you? Turns out the guy behind the counter at Empanada Mama wasn't able to diagnose impotence at a glance, he was just recommending the empanada stuffed with seafood stew (shrimp, scallops and crabmeat). My ED aside, I'm still glad he did. This thing was action-packed with seafood, and well worth the $3, despite the small size. I'm not sure I could've been more pleased with a snack, and I'll definitely be back next time I need a little pick-me-up. -
Peter’s 4-star review: I try not to get political in my Yelp reviews (because that would be pretty weird), but I'll admit it: I'm feeling Le Bern. This place is straight class. For gods' sakes, the coat check ticket is metal. They are lucky I didn't steal that thing and melt it down to pay my rent after eating here. Do you think there's a tip jar out for the coat check staff? Absolutely not. This isn't Brooklyn. Here in Midtown, there's a wooden slot where I'm pretty sure you're only allowed to drop bills larger than fifties. I didn't jam my hand down it, but maybe I should've because this was the fanciest (and most expensive) lunch of my life. And it was good. From the salmon canapé we started with, to the beautiful bottle of wine we settled on (with the help of a lovely sommelier), to the barely touched tuna and the surf and turf of black bass and braised veal cheeks...I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. The service is actually perfect. Everyone is warm and so very, very competent. As our first courses were delivered, I jokingly complained that everyone else had a sauce poured onto their dish but me. Well, I'll be damned if some guy didn't appear with a yuzu dashi out of nowhere just for me. I'm pretty sure that sauce was supposed to be on my plate already and was just a step behind, but the point is that the staff at Le Bernardin is basically a bunch of seafood fairies floating around and making sure life is delicious. You might be asking yourself, why is this glowing review only four stars? [Well, stop talking to yourself. It creeps the rest of us out.] The answer is that while everything was quite nice, at this price point I essentially expect perfection. I expect to be staggered by my meal. I have been spoiled by the fact that for a third of the cost, I can eat a meal at least as delicious at dozens of restaurants around this fine city. Granted, the service may not be impeccable and the room may not be as grand, but the food matters more to me anyway. Perhaps it's just that the level of cooking elsewhere has risen dramatically, but the only bites that truly blew me away at Le Bernardin were dessert (and I'm not even really into dessert). I'm not sure who their pastry chef is, but the orb of white chocolate that, when cracked, gave way to a burst of apple gelee...that was genius. It wasn't the best dessert I've ever tasted flavor-wise, but it was certainly pushing boundaries and giving me something I've never had. Equally stellar was the salted caramel custard served in an eggshell, a bit of lagniappe that surpassed most of the meal in quality. Is Le Bernardin an outstanding restaurant? Absolutely. Did I enjoy myself immensely? Of course. Will I be returning anytime soon? Probably not, because this price point is too high for a peasant like me...unless it's a life-changing meal. And this wasn't. But it was damn good. -
Peter’s 5-star review: This is not just one of my favorite seafood restaurants. This is not just one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. This is one of my favorite restaurants. Period. From start to finish, Aquagrill does everything right. The bread is outstanding. They give you a few varieties to choose from; all are good, but the focaccia is AMAZING. It is buttery, salty, and full of flavor. There are onions baked directly into the bread. This is my favorite bread, and I don't say that lightly. Along with the bread, the maître d' will bring you an amuse-bouche, compliments of the chef. It will most likely be salmon tartare on a latticed potato chip. It will be delightful. If you like oysters, theirs are as good as any you'll have in NYC. The Kumamoto (California) were creamy and delicious, not to mention deceptively big. The Wellfleet are always on point. Similarly, the Seafood Plateau is enormous, fresh, and unrivaled. During my most recent visit, we started with the tuna carpaccio and a butternut squash soup with apples and poached shrimp. The carpaccio was very good, but honestly seemed downright pedestrian next to the soup. In people terms, the carpaccio was the Duke law student to his older brother (the soup), a Harvard J.D., M.B.A., M.D. who cured cancer, invented teleportation, and spends his weekends distributing bacon cheeseburgers to the homeless. I can't recall EVER being so impressed with soup. I would marry this soup, and I'm not into dudes. Other appetizers I have enjoyed are the toro tartare special, calamari, and the lobster salad, which is fantastic. They don't skimp on the lobster either. The crabcake napolean is also nothing to sneeze at. I ordered the mackerel special, laid over paella. She had the truffle-crusted cod. I've also had the pleasure of sampling the bluefin tuna, the red snapper, the barramundi, a John Dory special and the bouillabaise. Each is more delectable than the last. If I was to pick a favorite, it would have to be the barramundi, which at the time was served in an apple-bacon sauce ('nuff said). It appears to have changed on the menu since then, but I have no doubt that it is still quite tasty. Essentially, nothing I have ordered at Aquagrill has ever disappointed. This is one of the first places I recommend to out-of-towners, and at the top of my list of places to take the parents. The mark of a great dinner: 1. Everyone cleans their plates. 2. No one has room for dessert, but you order it anyway, because you KNOW it's going to be good. And you eat every last bite. (I like the pear tatin and the apple tart with the cinnamon ice cream.) -
Peter’s 5-star review: The first time I ate Dinosaur BBQ wings, I was convinced they were the best wings I had ever had. But for years, I feared my judgment had been compromised, because of the circumstances in which I ate them. I had been in my friend's Harlem apartment, downing an enormous bucket of gin, while the New York Football Giants drove down the field to snatch victory from the Patriots in the Greatest SuperBowl Ever. It was glorious. However, I'm sure that rancid garbage would have tasted terrific, as long as it was seasoned with the salty tears of Boston's shame. In my recent return trip to Dinosaur, I learned a few things that I would like to share with you now, in this next segment that I call "Seven Things I Learned at Dinosaur BBQ." 1. My judgment was not clouded; they do in fact have FANTASTIC wings. If you don't like these wings, there is something wrong with you. 2. Steve is a dick and nobody likes him.* 3. The ribs are also wonderful. So much meaty flavor that they don't need extra saucing. But extra saucing never hurt anyone either. 4. Jane can't peel shrimp. Jane can, however, fling bits of shrimp across the table onto your shirt with great aplomb. 5. If at all possible, you should get here for lunch. You won't be able to keep yourself from ordering entirely too much meat for a midday meal, but there are no crowds. And if you're worried about the food coma factor, I promise that you will still be able to get work done when you get back to the office.** 6. The fried green tomatoes are solid, but I've had better. 7. At around $20 a person, it wasn't a cheap lunch. But when you factor in that I didn't eat dinner because I was too stuffed...that's a damn good deal. _______ *This is according to the bathroom walls, which never lie. **Provided your only responsibilities consist of sitting at your desk, holding your stomach, and moaning. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Hello, still favorite restaurant. It's been six years since Battersby first opened in our neighborhood, and I love it a bit more each time I visit (like an anti-Jersey). Which is often; this is easily the restaurant I've been to the most in the past six months. As such, I feel comfortable telling you that this is the rare eatery that has never let me down. I have not only never had a bad dish, but I have also never been disappointed with the service, with the vibe, or with anything at all. It is small, it is cozy, it is the best dinner date place I know. There are a limited number of seats (26 I believe?), but you'll never feel cramped (provided you're used to dining in NYC, and you aren't particularly huge). The cocktails are unfailingly well executed; I like the Electric Blanket lately, as it has been cold, but don't be afraid to go off menu or to order a classic. I've never been sad with a martini or an old fashioned. If you're leaning toward wine or beer, both lists are carefully chosen and your bartender will be able to recommend a great pairing. Of course, the food. As I said previously, Battersby is offering up absolutely unimpeachable contemporary American flavors on their short, superb menu. This hasn't changed. After you order, you will most likely start (in winter) with an amuse bouche of butternut squash soup or some other savory treat, and then you'll receive their house focaccia, served with whipped ricotta and sprinkled with sea salt and rosemary. It is the fucking best. You should try not eat the entire thing, because there will be sensational sauces to sop up later (but you will probably fail, if your willpower is anything like mine). Don't worry that the bread might be the best part of your meal. I used to. And it would be entirely possible anywhere else, but everything is good. This is all the more impressive because honestly, the dishes don't always sound appetizing. The descriptions are spare, and the combinations not always inherently appealing. Without fail though, everything is executed perfectly, the chefs coax every bit of love out of the few ingredients listed, and the balance of flavors is impeccable. Fish or meat will arrive flawlessly cooked, thoughtfully accompanied, and the overall dish will be better than you thought. If the grass-fed strip steak seems a bit too pricey because you've been coming here every week and your bank account is looking quite sad, don't feel too bad. You can always make a meal of their pasta, which is NEVER a bad option. I'm sure the menu is about to change again for spring, but if you haven't had the Agnolotti here with its ridiculously rich and perfect caramelized onion broth, my wife wants to slap you across the face. She dreams about this dish, and whenever I can steal a few savory bites of that pillowy pasta away from her, I remember why. Personally, I find the Ricotta Cavatelli to edge it out ever so slightly in terms of what I crave. This superbly crafted dish is, in ingredients, not unlike what you could get at any number of Italian restaurants in the neighborhood. But it's simply much, much better. The textures, the flavors...the generous portion of sausage, the bits of broccoli rabe, the rich, cheesy sauce...it's elevated comfort food, if that wasn't an overused term to describe lobster mac and cheese. For my money, the Romaine Salad (essentially the best Caesar you ever had), the house focaccia, and the larger portion of the cavatelli (or the fettuccine bolognese if it's on the menu) is the perfect meal, provided you throw in a cocktail and maybe a nice glass of red. Clearly, I have a lot to say about Battersby. Let me tell you why: Battersby had a sister restaurant on Court Street, Dover, that recently closed. We were heartbroken, as we loved Dover as well. Unfortunately, it was just a little too far from our place to dine there regularly, but we deeply regretted its loss. Since it shuttered, we've made a point of coming into Battersby almost as often as our calendars and wallets will permit. Dover's loss brought it sharply into focus that you've got to support the places you love, or you might lose them. More importantly, YOU need to support the places that I love, or I might lose them (I'm more important than you; sorry to be the one to break it to you). The upside of this for you is that Battersby is fantastic. You might be intimidated by the fact that they don't take reservations unless you plan on doing a tasting menu (which in all honesty keeps us from coming in with friends more than we do, as we aren't sure if a four-top will be available). But you can walk in, sit at the bar, and order a la carte most weekdays without a problem. This place stands head and shoulders above most of the restaurants on Smith Street, but if you don't go next Tuesday, it might close somewhere down the line. And I'm going to be very angry with you if that happens. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Yuca Bar deserves an update, because I come in here ALL THE TIME. On (Loco) Tuesday nights before 8, tapas are half-price. You probably know this. What you might not know, is that they are running a fall special, and EVERY DAY, before 5 pm., they also have half-priced tapas. The quality of the food makes this one of the best deals in the city. They have a Spanish bruschetta on the lunch tapas menu; it's $3. Which means it's $1.50. Amazing. Yesterday I shared 4 items with another person, and we had a delicious, filling lunch for $20, WITH tax and tip. I wasn't sufficiently appreciative of specific items on the menu in my previous review, and something tells me you need a bit of guidance. So if you make it to Yuca Bar for half-priced tapas, you should order like this. 1. Espresso BBQ costillitas (ribs). The sauce...I want to baptize my children in it.* 2. Chino Latino Tuna. Always a winner (but only on the dinner menu). 3. Platano Relleno. A sweet plantain stuffed with pork. Sign me up. 4. Everything else: I like the calamari, the camaroncoco, the shrimp tacos...you're on your own now. Take a day off, do whatever you need to do. Just get here during the day. Or on Tuesday. And seriously, if you only have the opportunity to get one dish, get the ribs. ________ *Please note that I am not Baptist, and in all likelihood, I am shooting blanks. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Purbird seems to have embraced what I believe to be the best route for small businesses: Do one thing, and do it very well. Their one thing happens to be chicken, and in my experience, everything they make is so juicy. So flavorful. So chickeny. They use quality birds, and they complement their simple recipes with ingredients that let the flavor of the poultry shine through. Personally, I'm a fan of the chicken burger. At only $6, it's an excellent deal in the Slope, and can be a snack or a meal (depending on where you rank on the gluttony scale). This mix of dark and light meat, topped with grilled onions and a house sauce infused with zucchini and Indian spices hits whatever spot you want it to, and it doesn't even need the cheese that you are more than welcome to add. And I must say, I love the staff. They are friendly, visibly happy, and rock out to the Zeppelin, Dylan and Beatles that are constantly coming through the speakers. It's nice to eat in a place where people don't look like they hate their jobs. I've come in at off hours, and it seems that they all eat off the menu, which is always comforting as well. -
Peter’s 4-star review: Big birthday dinners are always a pain in the ass.* First of all, it's hard to find a place that: 1. is convenient enough for everyone to get to (read: not in Brooklyn**) 2. will accommodate a large reservation on a weekend evening. 3. takes all types of plastic for the inevitable disaster that is paying the check. 4. is affordable enough that your friends that [make more than you but spend it all on shoes/drugs and as a result] are perpetually broke won't have to go that much further into debt to cover their share. Mercat is one of the few restaurants that hits all of the above items to a satisfactory degree, and also provides the added bonus of serving delicious food. I was so pleasantly surprised by the excellence of everything I tried. (But let's face it, I order like a champ.) The patatas bravas are as good a variation as I've ever had; perfectly crispy and completely addictive. Get a couple orders for the table. The tuna tartar served on a bed of avocado is fresh and light, and topped with thankfully ungreasy pork rinds that hit all the right salty, textural notes. The stuffed peppers (pebrots, on the menu) are very nice, although the shortribs were a bit dry. The brussel sprouts with chorizo, golden raisins and almonds are slow-cooked in a stock, and are as good as this vegetable gets. My favorite dish, however, was the Coca D'anec, a coca bread topped with sliced duck, pears, spinach and hazelnut. It arrived after everyone else had already tapped out, and I had no qualms about taking it on myself. The startlingly addictive sauce had a vaguely Asian flavor, and I wouldn't be surprised if was made with hoisin. We did have a few service hiccups throughout the evening, but our waitress did stoically take seven or eight different credit cards, and brought out churros for the birthday girl. I'll happily return for future group outings, and perhaps I'll even spring for the "cocktail" they offer that is literally just two shots of Jack and a bottle of Rose ($48). ____________ *Except for yours. You're special. **Even if it's a shorter ride with less walking, some of you Manhattanites just refuse to cross bridges. You've got nothing to worry about. You're not good-looking enough for us to want to kidnap you. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?* If you've spent some time in the NO and are missing the big, bold flavors, you need to be checking out Tchoup Shop. Simon's food will make you happy...he just does it right. I've witnessed his signature Char-BQ oysters convert at least three non-oyster-eaters into oyster-eaters, one of them even burning his tongue licking the last drop of delicious sauce out of the shell. I've seen skeptics bite into a biscuit and swear they saw God. And I've only had them once, but I'd fight you for another double dose of the duck liver boudin balls. Unless you're bigger than me, in which case...can we share? Whatever you do, get yourself over to wherever he's cooking (check the website), and you're guaranteed satisfaction. When he's manning a grill, it's more like the best backyard BBQ you've ever been to...if your friend just magically morphed into an amazing chef overnight. And I hear he caters, so if you're planning to have him at your wedding, I'd appreciate an invite. I won't ruin the evening, I swear. (You backhand one DJ across the face for playing that Black Eyed Peas song, and you get blacklisted. Doesn't seem fair.) __________ *Yeah, I'm going to get real sappy with this one. -
Peter’s 3-star review: What happened to you? My last few visits have been so disappointing, especially in light of your previous deliciousness. Even De Pabellon, my old standby, was unimpressive. The beef was dry, the plantains undercooked, and the overall effect greasy, rather than bold and flavorful. I feel embarrassed to have gushed about this arepa to the people I dragged there. It was like regaling your roommates with stories of your most fun college friend coming to visit, but it turns out he joined the Hare Krishna, and decided to spend the entire weekend trying to convert everyone you know. OK, maybe it's not exactly like that, but that would suck too. -
Peter’s 4-star review: This is an excellent place for a birthday dinner. Our party consumed copious amounts of sake, beer, beef, pork belly, shrimp, crab, gyoza, soup, salad, and other things that the sake and beer might have pushed out of my brain. This glorious feast cost about $50 a head, all-in (but of course, the birthday girl didn't have to chip in). But please take into account the following: It was me and eight slender girls at this party, so I might have been able to eat far more than I normally might at this price. If you are instead dining with eight large men, it might cost you more. Also, Yakiniku: I can appreciate you adhering to tradition and forcing me to take my shoes off, but I really just never want to be barefoot in a restaurant bathroom. Let's fix this. -
Peter’s 5-star review: DiFara's Dos and Don'ts. Well, just don'ts, really. 1. Don't go hungry, or you will eventually become hangry. 2. Don't go when I want to go. I don't like waiting longer than necessary. 3. Don't expect a logical system of service with lines and order. 4. Don't go in the summer unless you love sweating. 5. Don't go if you think $28 is too much for a pie, no matter how good. 6. Don't get more than one or two toppings. Regular is the best anyway. 7. Don't expect answers to questions like, "How long 'til my pie's ready?" 8. Don't be that guy. 9. Don't go in thinking Dom is an infallible pizza god. A pizza god, perhaps, but not infallible. He occasionally burns pies. He sometimes goes too heavy on the oil. He might forget your toppings. But this is still the best slice joint there is. And if you've never been, don't wait too long and miss out on a Brooklyn treasure. The man is eventually going to retire, and you want to eat this pizza before he does. -
Peter’s 4-star review: Tequila/habanero BBQ sauce. This phrase is up there with "bacon-wrapped," in that the menu gets put down instantly, because I know what I'm getting. Especially if the rest of the description is BBQ duck burrito topped with pineapple pico. Delivered quickly through the magic of SeamlessWeb, it seemed like a small portion, at least compared to the enormous logs you sometimes get from Chipotle, Qdoba or another soulless burrito chain. But I wasn't displeased, because the huge burritos always leave me in this weird limbo, where I have three options: 1. Eat 1/2 and save the rest. But then I might not get full, and I feel like less of a man. (Everyone knows that manliness is tied to how much you can eat.) 2. Eat 3/4 and be satiated, and throw the rest away because it's too small a portion to keep. But then I'm wasting food, and I can't have that. 3. Eat the entire thing and be uncomfortably full all night. I always go with option 3. So I wasn't upset with the seemingly small portion. Unfortunately, it was only deceptively small (so that incoherent, rambling tangent I just went on is irrelevant) and combined with the free chips and salsa...I was uncomfortably full all night. But I don't care, because this is perhaps the best burrito I've had in NYC. It might not be traditional, and at $13, it's not cheap, but DAMN is it tasty. The duck was tender, the tequila/habanero BBQ sauce was EXTREMELY delicious (although I expected it to be spicier), and the pineapple pico was predictably the perfect touch. I have never set foot in this place. I know of no other food that they serve, and I probably never will. I can't speak for anything at Baby Bo's other than this burrito...but I loved it with all my heart. -
Peter’s 4-star review: Quite frankly, I'm appalled at all the reviews that stoop to base, tasteless double entendres in order to get a few laughs. Yes, when a restaurant specializes in balls and meat, there are a lot of opportunities for crass humor, but I thought you all were better than that. So can we just have a nice, grown-up, mature conversation about balls? Thank you. _________ When I first heard about this little spot, I turned to my girlfriend and said, "I've got to get those balls in my mouth." So we headed over, and were pleasantly surprised by the space: solid wood communal tables, pleasant, antique decor, a busboy quick to refill my water, and the Doors, Stones, Beatles, Zeppelin and Ozzy pumped in loud enough to be fun, but low enough to allow for conversation. And most importantly, between the ball sandwiches, the naked balls, and the hairy balls,* she and I were able to sample many different types of balls. Now, everyone knows that each person has different taste in balls, but I will offer you mine, in case you care about how my balls taste...er...my taste in balls, I mean. In the order of the balls I most enjoyed having in my mouth to the least: beef balls, spicy pork balls, chicken balls, lamb balls, vegetarian balls. And here I thought vegetarians didn't have balls.** This was not to say that any of the balls were bad; even the vegetarian balls were surprisingly delicious. However, we did not try the salmon balls, because I don't think balls should ever taste fishy. The ball options don't end there; if you order the small ball sandwiches (sliders), they allow you to mix and match the different types of balls with all sorts of ballsauce. Unsurprisingly, she enjoyed the creamy ballsauce the most, whereas I preferred licking the spicy meat sauce off of the balls before stuffing them whole into my mouth. The classic tomato and mushroom ball gravy were both stellar as well. If you're the sort of person who only trusts a girl's opinion of balls, let me just say that my girlfriend swore these are the best-tasting balls she has ever put in her mouth. But not the biggest. _________ *I double-checked the menu, and apparently they don't have a "hairy balls" option. My mistake. **Just kidding. Stop being so sensitive. -
Peter’s 4-star review: We ordered five different items, a variety of meats* (chorizo, bistec, pollo, carnitas) and tortilla vehicles (tacos, tostadas, tortas, quesadillas). It was too much food for two people, and cost under $15. The value for your money here is insanity. I like the laid-back, family vibe. There were little kids with mohawks running around with boxes on their heads. In my experience, that is always a good thing. Also, I appreciate the the tiny little cacti on the tables. They are a cute little decoration, and provided endless entertainment as my girlfriend kept pricking herself each time she tried to grab a bite of my food. That should teach her. It's all about conditioning. The chorizo taco was the unequivocal favorite. It was the only one that didn't need the extra kick of the delicious green sauce, and clearly what I'll get when I come back. Which will be very soon, because this place is less than a grapefruit's toss away from the L train. This is dangerous, as I might be forced to go get a taco or five every single time I'm in Williamsburg or Bushwick. Or anywhere near 14th Street. Or if I'm thinking about going anywhere near 14th Street. ________ *And one vegetarian. My girlfriend insisted. Sigh. I'll probably just have to break up with her. -
Peter’s 5-star review: Immortal Technique once said, "I don't eat pork. Not because I'm a Muslim, I just don't really like it. But I really will f*ck a bird up. And fish is good when that sh*t is fresh." I could've said that, if I was a bit more eloquent. And if I didn't love pork. Anyway, whenever I want to f*ck a bird up, I go to Pio Pio, because they roast a MEAN BIRD. This thing is delicious. And it's CHEAP. The first time there, we got a Matador Combo, which for $30 is entirely too much food for two people. You get a whole chicken, rice and beans, an avocado salad, salchipapas and tostones. Being the pig that I am, I ordered maduros as well. Because I like maduros. And I didn't realize that the Matador Combo could feed a family of five. The tostones and the rice and beans were nothing to write home about, but the avocado salad was all avocado (that's a good thing) and the maduros were delicious. Dip them in the green sauce. Pio Pio plays to its strength; they serve exceptional chicken at a good price, and they don't waste anyone's time with anything else. This is how a business should be run. -
Peter’s 4-star review: El Almacen is a perfect place to take a date. Dark. Intimate. Sexy. Needless to say, I was woefully out of place. The beautiful waitress (her name is Flo, if I remember correctly) sat me down and handed me a menu. After she left me alone with my bottle of tap water for a few moments, I caught her eye. "Are you ready?" "I need help." Instead of nodding in agreement and backing away in fear,* she cheerfully recommended the guacamole, and the Costilla de Res (mate-braised shortribs in a red pepper sauce). Ever trusting, I took her up on both suggestions. The guacamole arrived, and it was chunky and delicious, with a pleasant hint of fresh lime. It's a large portion for just one person, but it's the good fat.** The chips were thick, salty and perfect. Not long after, my entree appeared, laid over mashed potatoes. I'm not usually one to take pictures of food, but it was beautiful (see for yourself). Thankfully, it was delightfully tender, and tasted as wonderful as it looked. One of my favorite problems to have at a restaurant is when I don't want to risk ordering anything else off the menu because the first dish I had was so tasty. But rest assured, when I come back (and I will come back), I'm getting the lamb chops; chipotle BBQ sauce is too tempting. Perhaps if I make a friend between then and now, I won't have to dine alone. Cash only, and BYO for now. ________ *Why does everyone react that way? **This doesn't really mean anything, but people love to say it. I'm going to start pointing to the nice little beer gut I'm developing and saying, "It's OK. It's the good fat." -
Peter’s 5-star review: Dhaba is one of my favorite Indian lunch buffets...ever. It's not huge; they have maybe 6 or 7 different items to choose from, but every one is delicious. You can safely load up on everything, even if you're not sure what it is.* Strangely, it's as if the staff actually wants to make you happy (it's unheard of). As you're stuffing your face with that first plate, piled high with goodness, they will bring you a warm basket of fresh naan, and also a plate full of delicious surprises. Once it consisted of fried fish pastry things drizzled with some savory sauce, that tastes worlds better than I am describing. The second time we had fried eggplant, also with a wonderful sauce. AND they also bring out huge drumsticks of delicious juicy chicken, one for everyone in your party. Woohoo! If that wasn't enough, my water is always full, everyone is always smiling,** and when you're ready to get out of there, the check is promptly delivered. Speaking of, $10 bucks for this AYCE, TASTY lunch buffet? This might be the best option in the area. _________ *Sometimes I wish they labeled everything, but there's nothing wrong with a little mystery...as long as its not feet vindaloo, or rocky mountain oyster saag. Those aren't traditional dishes though, and I haven't seen them yet. **I think they are on drugs. Or maybe they just get to eat the food all the time. Food and illicit drugs are the only possible explanations for this kind of happiness. -
Peter’s 4-star review: I'm not sure what I did to deserve her, but my girlfriend took me to the River Cafe for my birthday. I arrived early and enjoyed a good martini at the bar, admiring the gorgeous sunset. Barkeep: It really turned out to be a beautiful night. Peter D: Yep. Barkeep: This is what Jesus was talking about. Peter D: I actually wasn't there that day. But that water into wine thing is quite the party trick. Barkeep: Yep. When my girlfriend arrived, the maître d' led us to a table in the back. As we contemplated the menu, the guy seated behind me got down on one knee. It was terribly romantic. Until he got to the part about "...love of my life, blah blah blah..." At which point I was forced to interject, "Hey buddy. I'm trying to have a birthday dinner over here. You're kind of stealing my thunder. Wrap it up." Anyway, I'm pretty sure she said yes. I mean, everyone in the place clapped afterward, but I think they were just glad it was over, so they could get back to celebrating my birthday too. I started with the foie gras laid over a caramelized apple and brioche "French Toast." It was rich, buttery and delicious, and a surprisingly large portion, unlike her lobster ravioli special. Served with butternut squash and a pomegranate sauce, her appetizer was also well-executed, but with only three tiny ravioli, it was a bit disappointing. For my entree, I went with the sirloin, medium rare, which my waiter was very enthused about. Perhaps because it costs a bit extra on top of the prix fixe. The steak was served with a red wine mushroom marmalade that I could've used a bit more of, and a russet and sweet potato gratin with bleu cheese fondue. The side came in the sort of dish that escargot are served in: solid with tiny holes for each snail (or little potato gratin thingy). Bleu cheese and beef has to be one of the best pairings on this earth; the dish was excellent, although not mind-blowing. Her branzino, on the other hand, was freaking sensational. Stuffed with chorizo and shrimp, the fish had an incredibly crispy top layer that made each bite a delight. It was flaky and juicy and exploding with flavor, all at once. It was the clear winner of the night. If I were to return, I think it is the only dish we would order again. This includes the desserts; both the apple tart and the Brooklyn Bridge chocolate creation were solid, but I didn't feel the need to finish either. The price tag at the end of the night is fairly steep, but remember guys: that doesn't mean you owe her anything. -
Peter’s 5-star review: The weather was so beautiful that eating a meal inside would be a waste; I immediately thought of the garden at Max. I ordered the lasagna and it was everything I wanted and more. Perhaps just a touch less sinful than the one around the corner at Il Bagatto, but about $8 cheaper, and there's no chance you're going to be disappointed. Unless you go in there to see the really cute hostess that I mentioned previously, because it appears that she's gone. Don't mention this to your girlfriend; because then you need to explain how you were terribly attracted to the last one, and then you eat dinner in painful silence, while risking her throwing red sauce on your shirt. Despite the silent terror, eating this wonderful lasagna (or the gnocchi, or the fettucini) in the sunshine is as good as life gets.
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Peter’s 4-star review: It was 80s NIGHT! On summer Sundays at Gotham, they are bringing back their most popular dishes from the 1980s, and serving them at 80s prices. So even though I was just Livin' On a Prayer, now I'm Walking On Sunshine. As soon as I arrived, Like a Virgin, I was giddy. I had high expectations, and I was Hungry Like the Wolf. Even though the rack of lamb on the regular menu sounded fantastic, at $42, I Can't Go For That (No Can Do). Under Pressure to decide, I ordered off the 80s menu. The garlic and onion foccacia out of the breadbasket was Just Like Heaven. Better than the foccacia at Aquagrill, which is something I never thought I'd say. Time After TIme, I asked our waiter for more because when something tastes that good, I Just Can't Get Enough. We started with the goat cheese ravioli, and quite honestly, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This). I thought I was in for the best meal of my life. And when my hanger steak arrived, it was a nice medium rare, and the sauce was fabulous. But Every Rose Has Its Thorn, and the piece of meat just wasn't that great. Chewy and a bit stringy. You know what though? It's not The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine). We went Round and Round on whether or not to get dessert, but it turns out she's not really a Candy Girl. It wasn't like I Want Candy, and that's My Prerogative anyway. As we left, I remember thinking there is Something In the Air Tonight. And to my date, if you're out there listening, when I took you back to the Love Shack, You Shook Me All Night Long. Wild Thing, You Got It (The Right Stuff). And everyone else: the Summer Sunday promotion? You can't Beat It. In fact, Here I Go Again, With or Without You. -
Peter’s 4-star review: Server: How would you like that hanger steak cooked? The Girl: Medium, please. Peter D: Are you sure about that? Server: (glances at me) Hanger steak is a lean cut of meat, and if it is cooked anything past medium rare, it has a tendency to dry out. The Girl: OK. Medium rare then. YES. I love you, Blue Ribbon Brasserie Server. And I love your restaurant, too. As it was 7 pm on a Saturday night, we were fully prepared to sit at the bar, or wait up to an hour if necessary. However, the Patron Saint of Open Tables smiled upon us, and we were seated immediately. Drink service was prompt, and I was happy to see that their martini glasses are of the sensible, grounded variety. Prior to the hanger steak, we made a mess of our table as we gorged ourselves on a nice loaf of crusty bread, one order of the Pu Pu Platter and the String Bean Vinaigrette. The Pu Pu happily consisted of a BBQ Rib (juicy and succulent enough that I will most certainly return for a full order), a wing (also tasty, but not a Buffalo wing as the waiter had reported), delicious shrimp, and some unidentified straight meaty things on skewers that she repeatedly insisted were the best things on the platter. I enjoyed the accompanying BBQ sauce immensely, so much that I kept it around for her hanger steak, which was a great decision as it was perfectly executed, but needed a little kick of flavor. Sadly, the Poo Poo (see what I did there?) also included an awful pierogie, and a forgettable spring roll. It was also unclear why there was butter on the platter, and the flaming hibachi wasn't really necessary, and kept threatening to catch us on fire, so we blew it out. The String Bean Vinaigrette was not bad by any means, but neither was it worth the $10 price tag. It's steamed green beans and diced tomatoes, drizzled with dressing. You can do this at home. Since I'm trying to cut down on all the unhealthy food, I ordered fish for my main course. The skate seemed to be a nutritious, low-fat choice. Imagine my surprise when it was served with bacon, shrimp and potatoes. Oh, it's listed on the menu like that? Weird. Either way, it's wonderful, even if the fish's intrinsic flavor is slightly overwhelmed by the accompaniments. I suppose I'll have to return to Blue Ribbon for that healthy meal. I hear good things about the fried chicken. -
Peter’s 5-star review: I don't know anything about Uruguayan food. Or, I didn't, until I came into Tabaré. Now I know that Uruguayans cook the tastiest treats I've ever tasted. They have two options for empanadas: (1) caramelized onions, gruyere & fontina cheese, and (2) Spanish tuna & black olives. I found the former to be slightly superior, but that is like saying that ninjas are slightly superior to finding that amazingly soft t-shirt you thought you lost.* They are served with a hot sauce, and a chimichurri, both delightful. The handmade ravioli of the day was mushroom and cream cheese ravioli. As we cleaned the plate, my counterpart said, "I love this. I'm biased cause I love mushroom cream shit but this is the best mushroom cream shit I've ever had." I would have to concur with that statement in its entirety. And finally, we ordered the Chivito Completo. I'm not a linguistic expert, but I can safely assume that "Chivito Completo" is Uruguayan for "everything I want in a sandwich." It contains traditional Uruguayan Filet Mignon, bacon, mozzarella, onions, green olives, tomato, lettuce & a fried egg. After its delivery, our prescient, French server (/owner?) said, "There's no way to eat it without mess." And brought us extra napkins. This sandwich was so good that even though it started pouring on us out in that cute little back garden, I stayed out there until I finished every last bit of it. I just couldn't stop shoving it into my face** long enough to come in out of the rain. AND it's BYO (and cash only) for now. I'll be back. Again and again. __________ *It doesn't matter because both fucking rock. **I must admit that this meal took place under the influence of tequila. A decent amount. Not so much that I would mistake bad food for good, but enough that stuffing my face became far more important than remaining dry. -
Peter’s 4-star review: It's always important to stuff your face before a Yelp event, because the tasty treats get gobbled up so quickly. So as we were setting up at the Bubble Lounge, I was assigned to run out quickly and grab something to eat. According to this website I use, Saluggi's was close by, and came highly recommended; as it turns out, with good reason. The crust was thin and wonderful; the cheese was fresh, and the sauce tasty. The pepperoni was of the thin, sheet-like variety, and it was spicy. I wanted more. I often like to get a salad with my pizza. It's like the lettuce on your Big Mac, or the celery with your wings. You know, because you're watching your weight. In any case, the arugula and spinach salads were both winners. I don't know if you can do better for pizza in the hood, but you could certainly do a lot worse.
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Peter’s 5-star review: I don't know about you, but I love my stomach. He's put up with my nonsense for my entire life (the drinking, the disapproving looks when he puts on a few pounds, etc.). To show him that this isn't a one-sided relationship, I feed him doubles. At A&A, they only cost me $1.25 each, and they are easily double the deliciousness of pretty much every other snack in that price range. Doubly delicious, if you will. If you ever find yourself on the A (or C) train, do your stomach a solid and stop off at Nostrand for a doubles. With tamarind sauce. It'll make everyone involved happier.
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