The Best Sushi I've Ever Had... Ever.

Seeing as I eat sushi several times a week, it takes a lot for me to see that I just had the BEST sushi I've ever had, but I really did, and I don't see any sushi ever topping this.

One of my favorite things about my boyfriend (along with a lot of other amazing qualities) is that anytime I'm hungry, he's willing to go out and eat whatever I'm craving. Last week, I was craving sushi, and he mentioned that a co-worker had strongly recommended Sushi Yasuda on 43rd between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. I did my research and found very good reviews for this restaurant, so I gave them a call and was excited that they had an open reservation for two that very evening at 7:30pm, so I took it.

Patrick and I met near my office after work and hopped on the subway up to Grand Central and we walked from there. We had a hard time finding the entrance at first, but once we did we ducked inside to find a brightly-lit restaurant with very little decoration besides the light wood wall panels and a row of chefs lining the sushi bar against the side wall. We were shown to our table and handed two menus to begin what would be an unforgettable meal.

The first thing that struck me about the menu was the sheer absence of anything fried or covered in sauce. The menu was broken out into all different types of fish and even had a Pre Fix option where, for $22.50, you could choose five pieces of sushi, two maki rolls and either a soup or a salad. I don't understand why more sushi restaurants don't do this and instead force you to order specific rolls that they have grouped together.

I ordered the Seaweed and the Pre Fixe sushi: Yellowtail (2 pieces), Tuna, Spanish Mackerel & Eel with a Yellowtail Roll and a Tuna Roll. Patrick also got the Pre Fixe sushi and we ordered a Toro Roll to share. The Seaweed Salad was unlike any other I'd had before. The plate that was placed in front of me had 5-6 different types of seaweed on it, not just the green stringy variety I was used to. The plants ranged in color from red to purple to green. The dressing was served on the side and I dunked the leaves into the tasty sauce one by one. If I had to choose, I’d say the green stringy seaweed is the one I prefer, but it was a great way for me to try something new and was the perfect way to whet my palette for the sushi.

The Seaweed Salad was followed by the perfect bowl of Miso Soup that was the most flavorful I've ever tasted. It’s hard for a restaurant to improve too much upon Miso Soup since it is so simple, but this soup was truly wonderful—rich and aromatic with deep, full flavor. Patrick and I both picked up our bowls to slurp the last bit so as not to waste a drop.

We awaited our fish eagerly and I was very excited when large round plates were placed in front of us.

The rolls were smaller than I was used to but the fish was vibrant and looked incredible. Upon the first bite of the sushi, I was truly blown away. Never had I tasted a fresher piece of fish. Patrick had a similar reaction to his first bite and noted that the fish was “melty.” He asked, “what’s a better word for melty?” When we heard the man at the table next to us call his sushi “buttery,” Patrick and I nodded our heads at each other. That was the perfect word, as the fish was so tender and the rice so creamy that it fell apart in my mouth in the most wonderful way possible.

The biggest problem I have with sushi is that I usually eat it far too quickly. I do try to eat it slowly, but all too often, it’s gone before I can say “omakase.” I wasn’t about to let that happen with this heavenly sushi, so I made a great effort to eat my meal slowly, savoring each bite. Each piece of fish I ate was better than the one before it, and I was in absolute awe of the food I was putting into my mouth. I understood why every table in the restaurant was full.

Once we had each finished our Pre Fixe sushi, we moved on to the Toro Roll that we were sharing. I had been meaning to try Toro for a long time, but the letters “MP” next to it on most menus usually steers me towards the Maguro or Hamachi instead. Since we were in an obviously special sushi restaurant, we decided to spend the extra money to try the roll, and it was completely worth it.

Toro is Fatty Tuna and when you eat it, it actually melts away in your mouth. It was a very unique experience and although I felt the Toro was missing the substantial texture of the sushi fish I’m used to, I evaluated it without comparisons and decided that I absolutely loved it.

When we were done, I decided I wanted one more roll, and Patrick encouraged me to order another so I got an additional Yellowtail Scallion Roll. It was the perfect way to end a perfect sushi meal, and I was fully satisfied by the time we finished the roll.

An important thing to note is that when I get to a restaurant and water is delivered to the table, it’s my true preference that I’m given a large water glass. I drink a LOT of water with my meals so rather than risk an empty water glass, I’d rather a larger glass. I was slightly disappointed to see a tiny water glass in front of me when I sat down, but I do have to say, my glass did not have a chance to sit empty for even one second. My glass was refilled about 25 times, which seems both inefficient and impressive to me at the same time. I do think the restaurant would be better off providing larger glasses to minimize their own work, but I can’t complain about it since I was never without water.

If you love sushi and find yourself in Midtown East, I insist that you pay Sushi Yasuda a visit. Call ahead for reservations, order a ton of sushi, sit back and enjoy the best sushi New York City has to offer.

Let’s Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie

Farewell to Metrazur

As a frequent visitor of Grand Central Station, I'm personally sad to see Metrazur go. Andrea Strong recently asked me to write up the announcement for the closing of this restaurant on The Strong Buzz. Here it is:

“Goodbye Metrazur”
It’s always sad to say good-bye to a restaurant that was a staple in the culture of New York City. After dinner service on July 1st, we must bid a fond farewell to Charlie Palmer’s Metrazur, located in the spectacular East Balcony at Grand Central Station. Named for a commuter train that once ran along the Cote d'Azur en route to Monaco, Metrazur has served seasonal American cuisine overlooking the beautiful and historic Grand Central Station for the past 11 years.

To thank the loyal patrons of the restaurant, Palmer will be offering a special Farewell A La Carte menu to guests in place of their Lunch 27 and Dinner 49 menus beginning Monday, June 27th and running through the restaurant’s close on Friday, July 1st. This special menu will include the most popular dishes from years past, including Ahi Tuna Tartare ($16), Pork Tenderloin ($26) and the Roasted Heirloom Beet Salad ($14).

In a note sent to the patrons of Metrazur by Palmer himself, he thanks them for their many years of support, welcomes them to dine at his flagship restaurant, Aureole, and urges them to be on the lookout for his upcoming ventures in New York City. Says Palmer, “When I stand at the top of the staircase and look out into the terminal, it's like cooking in the center of the world."

Au revoir Metrazur, you will certainly be missed!

Metrazur is located in the East Balcony at 404 Grand Central Terminal. For reservations, call 212-687-4600.

Aureole is located at One Bryant Park (at 42nd Street).

Let's Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie

The Lambs Club: Beyond Dinner

As you may already know from reading my post about my trip to Atlantic City, I got to spend some time with some amazing members of the food community-namely Geoffrey and Margaret Zakarian and their posse. I had the pleasure of stopping by The Lambs Club for drinks a few weeks ago to meet their Social Media guru Brian Simpson, and just a few days ago I attended a breakfast they held to showcase some new menu items including some new vegetable juices.

I ate breakfast with my food blogger partner in crime, Megan Murphy of This Girl Can Eat and had the pleasure of seeing both Brian and Margaret while I was there. I ordered the Egg White Frittata with a side of Mixed Berriesand Megan got the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes also with a side of Mixed Berries. The food and atmosphere were both delightful, as was my company (as always.) The Lambs Club offers a solid breakfast menu and is the perfect spot for anything from a morning business meeting to a great place to bring your folks for breakfast when they're in town.

The Lambs Club will also be offering a Mother's Day special including a rose wine selection that will be featured thus Sunday (5/8) during Brunch and Dinner.
 
Chef Geoffrey Zakarian will create special dishes for Mother's Day that pair beautifully with Rose, such as Egg White Frittata with Leeks and Green Asparagus for Brunch (I can vouch for that dish!) as well as the Grilled Striped Bass with Lemon Marmalade and Roasted Tomato and Spice Roasted Duck with Mango and Baby Onions for dinner. As an added bonus, 5% of the proceeds will go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.   
 
If you're looking for somewhere to take Mom on Sunday, you can book reservations by calling The Lambs Club directly at 212.997.5262.

Here are a few of the Rosé being offered for Mother's Day at The Lambs Club.
·         Comanderie de Peyrassol, Côtes de Provence 2010
·         Chateau de Pampelonne Cotes de Provence, Provence 2010
·         Hermann J. Wiemer, "Rose' Cuvee," Finger Lakes, NY 2010
·         Domaine Ott, Château de Selle, Côtes de Provence 2009
·         Ameztoi, Txakolina Getariako, "Rubentis," Basque, Spain  2010
·         Raventos I Blanc, Cava Brut Rosé, “L’Hereu de Nit” 2006

Whatever you do for Mother's Day, make sure you make Mom feel extra special!

Let's Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie

New York Central at the Grand Hyatt

The Grand Hyatt Hotel, next to Grand Central Station, holds a lot of memories for me. As I explain in my latest piece on The Strong Buzz, my grandma and I used to stay there every time she'd take me to NYC for the weekend. A few weeks ago I had dinner there with a friend and was blown away by the decor, the food... it was truly wonderful. Here's my article:

“New York Central -- A Reason To Eat at the Grand Hyatt Again”

When I was a little girl growing up in Connecticut, my glamorous Brooklyn-born grandmother would whisk me off for a weekend in Manhattan several times a year. I remember it so vividly—we’d shop on Fifth Avenue, see a show on Broadway and stay at The Grand Hyatt next to Grand Central Station. As a child, the Grand Hyatt was enchanting to me with its seemingly enormous lobby and beautiful rooms. As I grew up I began to realize it was a bit, well, stuffy.

Originally built and opened in 1919 as The Commodore Hotel, The Grand Hyatt was renovated in 1980 and by the mid-1990’s, the 15-year-old décor was already in dire need of another update. Fast forward to 2011. Not only has The Grand Hyatt hotel undergone a complete transformation to the tune of $130 million, but the former Manhattan Sky Restaurant (that I also used to find alluring) has been replaced by New York Central, a brand new dining destination that is the epitome of old New York style and class.

From the moment you enter the hotel lobby and either ascend the blue granite staircase or ride the dedicated elevator into the 6,000 square foot New York Central, it’s clear that this isn’t just your average hotel restaurant. An enormous glass chandelier hangs high above the space, cascading light throughout the entire room. The restaurant boasts several unique features including a digital wine bar in the lounge that allows patrons to sample high-end bottles as well as the distinction of being Manhattan’s only restaurant that has seating located above a city sidewalk.

While there are many distinct traits that set New York Central apart, its décor alone took my breath away. Adorned in silver and blue accents, the interior was designed by the famed Bentel and Bentel (Gramercy Tavern) and serves as the perfect backdrop for a memorable meal. Radiating a trendy, urban vibe, the lounge is the perfect place to grab drinks after work with co-workers and friends. The sleek white bar is the centerpiece of the room, and a worthy one at that, where patrons can order Midtown-themed cocktails such as the Rush Hour (VeeV Açaí Liqueur, Appleton Blanco Rum, Exotic Juices, Mint, Seltzer, $15) and the On Broadway (Death’s Door Vodka, Verjus Blanc, Raspberries, Ginger Beer, $15.)The most coveted seating includes a beautiful chef’s table overlooking the massive, pristine kitchen and several tables for two that are located directly over the sidewalk, allowing the diners to people-watch as they enjoy their meal. The beautiful space is just an appetizer to an evening spent at New York Central, and the real treat is the food.

Photo courtesy of New York Central

Chef Christian Ragano comes to New York Central from the famous NoMI in the Park Hyatt Chicago. Originally raised in Queens, Chef Ragano spent more than ten years cooking his way through the extraordinary Chicago restaurant scene before returning to his native state of New York. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Chef Ragano’s style can be described as nothing short of inventive and unique. His food is a perfect harmony of his classic French training blended with Spanish and Italian influences.

A friendly, outgoing man, Chef Ragano is as gracious as he is talented. Since the kitchen is completely open, you can watch your meal being prepared while you sit and enjoy drinks and conversation. It’s a little theater with every dish.

While I chose to start with the Local Lettuces ($8), Chef Ragano insisted that I try his latest invention, Foie Gras Brûlée. Served in a small glass jar, the Foie Gras had the exact consistency of Crème brûlée but the sweet essence of the dessert was replaced by the savory flavor of Foie Gras. The dish wore a crispy, caramelized hat that gave way to the creamy, pudding-like Foie Gras below. I have to say, it was a pleasant surprise and unlike anything I had ever tasted before.

The Local Lettuces Salad with Smoked Squash Puree and Root Vegetable Crudités was bright, fresh and packed with flavor, it was a modern salad in both concept and flavor. I finished every last bite and let out a long sigh of satisfaction. If Chef Ragano could do this to vegetables, I couldn’t wait to see what else was in store for us.

For my main course, I ordered the Half Roasted Chicken with Wild Mushrooms ($22.) Chef Ragano let me in on a little secret about the chicken—it’s roasted in duck fat! How could I turn down something like that? When the waiter placed the dish in front of me, I knew I had made the right decision. At first glance, it was apparent that this was one juicy bird. Cutting into the succulent meat, my initial impression was confirmed. I’ve had plenty of dried-out chicken in my day but this version was wonderfully prepared.

The balance of flavorful meat and crispy skin is the true sign of a perfect roasted chicken, and Chef Ragano hit the nail on the head. At one point I gave up on my fork and knife and picked up a few pieces of the chicken to eat with my fingers. Manners be darned, I had to be make sure not one morsel meat was left behind. After giving my fingers one final lick, I pushed my plate to the middle of the table and surrendered the bones to the waiter. “I’ll take the rest to go,” I joked.

The dessert menu was truly one of the most creative I’d ever seen including everything from Milk Chocolate Cremeux with Hazelnuts and Brown Butter ($10) to Ricotta Clafoutis with Quince, Elderflower and Rose Jam ($10.) We ordered a sampling platter so we could try everything on the menu, and each dessert was better than the one before it. At one point, I had an odd sensation in my mouth and realized that I had eaten chocolate-covered Pop Rocks. What a great surprise!

The Grand Hyatt hotel has come a long way since my visits 15 years ago. New York Central is a modern restaurant with excellent food and ambiance that is exactly the breath of fresh air that the hotel needed. I look forward to returning to New York Central to claim a seat at the beautiful bar, sip the cocktails and watch the excitement of the city unfold on the sidewalk below.

New York Central is located at 109 East 42nd Street, Park Avenue at Grand Central - 646-213-6865 - New York Central

—Rachel Barbarotta

Thanks for reading.

Let's Eat!

-The Fabulous Foodie

The Ace Hotel Does it Again

As you've read, I recently had an outstanding meal at The John Dory Oyster Bar and a great lunch (including bone marrow) at The Breslin, both located in the fabulous Ace Hotel on 29th & Broadway. As if two incredible restaurants weren't enough, the Ace is also home to Stumptown Coffee Roasters, a coffee shop that I was worried would be super cheesy based on the long line and hipster-y staff, but was proven wrong. I went this past weekend to get a coffee with a friend, and not only was the coffee delicious, but the staff was incredibly attentive and nice. While we were waiting for our drinks, the barista asked us how we were doing and if we had any plans for the day. It was a really small gesture, but since I'm used to my usual Starbucks crew hurling drinks at me without even looking up, it was a nice surprise. And look how pretty my coffee was:

And there's more! This afternoon, Patrick & I met for lunch at No. 7 Subs, a tiny sandwich shop in the hotel that always has a line out the door. We waited for about 10 minutes and once we got inside we were met with an amazing list of sandwich options. I chose the Broccoli with Lychee Muchim, Ricotta Salata & Pine Nuts while Patrick chose the Braised Short Ribs with Daikon Salad & Coconut Mayo.

The sandwiches took about 15 minutes to come out, but once we got a space by the window and unwrapped our lunch, I realized it had been worth every second of the wait.

My broccoli sandwich was nothing short of remarkable. I absolutely love meat and couldn't even imagine going vegetarian, but this was one of the most delicious sandwiches I've ever tasted and there wasn't a single piece of meat to be found. The broccoli was smoky and perfectly roasted, the cheese was creamy and the bread.. oh the bread! The bread was heavenly. Crunchy outside, chewy in the middle, I now understand why No. 7 Subs shuts down the second they run out of this fabulous bread. It really made the sandwich.

Then I tasted Patrick's sandwich and was equally impressed by the flavor. A little sweet, a little savory, this sandwich was a true masterpiece:

It turned out that a few of my co-workers also went to No. 7 Subs today and got a few of the other offerings, but the opinion of No. 7 Subs was the same across the board: these are some of the best sandwiches in the city!

What are some of your favorite sandwiches? Do you prefer classics, or do you like when there are a few twists, like at No. 7 Subs?

Let's Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie

My NYC Passover Guide on The Strong Buzz

I was recently asked to write a Round-Up of Passover Seders in New York City for The Strong Buzz. See a recap below, and check out the full article here.

“The Strong Buzz Guide to Passover: The Best Seder Fare for Serious Foodies”
For years, you’ve had to put up with eating gefilte fish and chopped liver at your family’s Passover Seder. Fear not, we have some great alternatives for you this year! For those of you who call New York City home, are unable to travel for the holiday, or just want to introduce your family to something new, many fantastic restaurants will be offering Passover Seder options in the city. The Strong Buzz's Rachel Barbarotta has put together a serious list to help you decide where to go for grub that will make up for all the times you had to pretend to love your Aunt’s leaden matzo balls.


GOOD FOR A TWIST ON THE USUAL PASSOVER FARE: JoeDoe
Where: 45 East 1st Street (between 1st & 2nd Avenues), 212-780-0262, www.chefjoedoe.com
When: April 18th, 19th, 20th - $50 per person.


BEST FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A TRADITIONAL SEDAR: Talia’s Steakhouse
Where: 668 Amsterdam Avenue (between 92nd & 93rd Streets), 212-580-3770, www.taliassteakhouse.com
When: April 18th


BEST FOR SERIOUS FOODIES: Telepan
Where: 72 West 69th Street (Between Columbus Avenue & Central Park West), 212-580-4300, www.telepan-ny.com
When: April 18th & 19th - $65 per person


IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO HAVE A CATERED SEDAR: David Burke @ Bloomingdales
Where: 150 East 59th Street (between 3rd & Lexington Avenues), 212.705.3800, www.burkeinthebox.com
When: Order by April 13th - $65 per person


FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT: Toloache & Yerba Buena
Where: Toloache is located at 251 West 50th Street (between Broadway & 8th Avenue), 212-581-1818, www.toloachenyc.com; Yerba Buena Perry is located at One Perry Street (at Greenwich Avenue), 212-620-0808, ybnyc.com; and Yerba Buena LES is located at 23 Avenue A (between 1st & 2nd Streets), 212-529-2919, ybnyc.com


NOSH FOR A GOOD CAUSE: Capsouto Freres
Where: 451 Washington Street (at Watts Street), 212-966-4900, http://www.capsoutofreres.com
When: April 18th & 19th - $150 contribution per person


IF YOU’RE UP FOR SOMETHING NEW: JBF LTD.
Where: Chelsea Markets, 75 9th Avenue (between 15th & 16th), jamesbeard.org/popup
When: Tickets available on Wednesday April 6th for the Seder on April 19th - $75 per person plus 10% service for a prix fixe, four-course menu with beverage pairings

Let's Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie

My Bone Marrow Piece on Wild Table

The food writer community in New York City is massive, I'm constantly meeting more and more people all the time. Attending the IACP Regional Conference back in February introduced me to a lot of food writers, like Andrea Strong, and another that I haven't yet introduced you to: Warren Bobrow.

Warren told a compelling story. Sick of the grind working for the man, he quit his job to become a food writer. And did he ever! Warren is now a successful writer for Wild River Review, contributing to the Wild Table portion of the site. A few weeks ago, Warren asked me to write an article on an ingredient and a chef that cooks said ingredient beautifully. After getting over the initial excitement at the opportunity, I decided to write about Bone Marrow. What an ingredient it is!

To read my piece, which also features my photography, please visit Wild Table > Bone Marrow.

I'll share my photos here with you as well, I think they came out pretty great!
Roasted Bone Marrow at Minetta Tavern (you've already seen this one):

Onion & Bone Marrow Soup at The Breslin:

And Again:

Roasted Bone Marrow at Beauty & Essex:

Thanks a million to Warren Bobrow for the opportunity. I've been lucky enough to meet some incredible people in this industry and I'm always in such awe of their kindness and talent.

Let's Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie

A Phenomenal Meal at The John Dory Oyster Bar

It's true, I go out to eat a lot. And while I've found (and written about) some amazing food, no meal has ever affected me quite the way my dinner at April Bloomfield's John Dory Oyster Bar did this past Thursday night. Ms. Bloomfield has already wowed NYC with her incredible West Village joint The Spotted Pig, (oh that burger!) so I knew I was in for a real treat at the John Dory.

Patrick and I have both been working really hard lately, so I sent him a note late in the afternoon on Thursday to see if he'd want to meet me after work for dinner to reward ourselves for it. I wanted to suggest the John Dory because we've been meaning to go ever since we moved a block away from the Ace Hotel, but I left the decision up to him. When he wrote me back with, "John Dory?" I couldn't have been more excited (both for the meal and because I'm constantly reminded that I am dating the perfect guy.)

We met at 6:30pm on the corner of 29th & Broadway and I have to say, I was pretty surprised that the restaurant was already completely packed. I knew this place was really hot, but that busy so early? I was definitely taken aback. I gave our name to the hostess who said it would be about 45 minutes and we went to the bar to order some drinks and wait. Since I'm completely obsessed with any cocktail involving vodka and cucumbers, I ordered the Cucumber Rickey and asked the bartender to use vodka instead of gin. Patrick got a Blue Point beer and we waited. And waited. And waited. Luckily, I had my wonderful boyfriend and my refreshing cocktail to keep me company.

When an hour passed, we checked on our table and the hostess told us it would be another half hour. Seriously? Ugh. We went back to the bar to wait and when I checked in 15 minutes later, she said our seats were ready and we were shown to two stools by the window. That was when the real fun began.

I ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and we ordered a few things to share. A dozen West Coast Oysters to start, recommended by our waiter because I told him I don't like briny oysters. When he described them as "cucumber-y," I was sold. In addition to the oysters we ordered the Oyster & Bay Scallop Pan Roast, the Chorizo Stuffed Squid and the Parker House Rolls. Little did we know just how amazing our order was.

The raw oysters were very good. We got 3 different varieties, and they were all very tasty. All 12 were gone in no time at all and we waited for the rest of our food to come out. Everything else arrived together and just the sheer aroma alone was enough to knock me off my seat in the best way possible. And then, I took my first bite.

The oyster pan roast was easily one of the most incredible flavors I have ever experienced in my entire life. Rich and smooth, the liquid that contained the oysters and scallops invaded every fluffy morsel of the roll when it was dipped into it. The bite of the pan roast soup with the roll absolutely blew me away and made me realize why I love food so much. It warmed me from the inside and brought a huge smile to my face. Patrick agreed with me, and we patted ourselves on the back for our stellar order. I have to say, the sea urchin on toast that sat atop the amazing bowl of awesomeness was the only part I didn't enjoy. I've had sea urchin before, and I'm not a huge fan, but it just didn't belong anywhere near my precious pan roast. It is way too salty and fishy-tasting for me, so I didn't take another bite of it.

I have been eating some pretty adventurous stuff lately, namely a whole lot of bone marrow, and the Stuffed Squid in theory was right up there in exotic cuisine. But this dish wasn't weird at all, it was incredible! The chorizo in the dish was smoky and packed with flavor, the squid was the perfect texture and the rice was cooked just right. When all the elements were eaten together, it was truly the perfect bite.

When we had finished every last bit of our meal, I felt both satisfied and excited. The food was rich so even though it wasn't a ton of food, I really was full. And I have to say that excitement was an emotion I felt because this was some seriously amazing food. Eating is something everyone has to do to stay alive, but why should that mean we can't enjoy it while we do it? For me, food is so much more than just something I "have to do." It's something that I enjoy doing so much that I look forward to each and every single thing I eat. Call me crazy, but when I find food like my dinner at the John Dory, I think you're crazy if you don't love it too.

Have you ever eaten something that was so good it changed your life? I thought my steak at Peter Luger last December was the best thing I'd ever eaten, but my dinner last night topped even that. John Dory, I will be back VERY soon for more.

Let's Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie