My friend chose Wayan for her birthday celebration. I had mixed feelings about returning after a disappointing first visit years ago, but I hoped that after seven years they would have ironed out the kinks. Unfortunately, the experience still fell short.The evening started on a rough note at 6:00 pm. Despite the entryway being empty, the host’s greeting was quite blunt, telling me I couldn’t be seated until my full party arrived and requesting that I step aside because I was blocking the door.

The service and attention to detail didn’t improve much from there.

We ordered a bottle of Grüner Veltliner Weingut Hirsch ‘Kammern’ 2022, which was priced at $158 despite being listed on their online menu for $100. It was also served in mismatched glassware. When we mentioned it, our server responded simply that there weren’t any clean. Thankfully, Renee, a roving manager who was visiting to help improve operations, overheard the issue and immediately had the staff clean a proper set of matching glasses for us.

When we asked our server to explain the menu, he skipped the ingredients and preparation styles entirely, choosing to share only the dishes he liked.

On a positive note, a few items really stood out. The avocado gado gado salad ($20) with cucumber, peanut relish, a jammy egg and lotus chips was absolutely delicious and a table favorite.

The banana sundae ($18) with banana cake topped with ice cream was also a lovely birthday treat, complete with a candle for a wish.

Before leaving, we spoke further with Renee. He listened to the rest of our feedback and assured us he would address these points with the team. While we appreciated his quick fix with the glassware, New York City has so many wonderful, hospitable dining options with delicious food that I likely won’t give this one another try.

I do hope they’re able to turn things around.

Wayan
Nolita
20 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
 wayan-nyc.com
+1 917-261-4388

One summer evening, I met a friend at La Fleur Rouge in Park Slope. This Chinese-French bistro is a new concept from AO Hospitality Group—the team behind Hupo, Shan and RokuNana. Located just steps from Prospect Park, it’s an accessible spot to gather for an evening of shared plates. We dined as guests of the restaurant.

Our server, Soso, walked us through the menu, explaining unfamiliar ingredients and pointing out their signature items. To go with the meal, we ordered a bottle of 2023 Domaine des Clos Godeaux Chinon ‘Les Maupas’ ($60), a Loire Valley Cabernet Franc that paired easily with the food.

First up was the shrimp toast ($24), which deviates from the classic version. Here, squares of French toast are filled with a shrimp mousse, pan-fried and topped with French caviar. We also tried the Peking duck bao ($16), a dish that combines the two culinary influences of French duck confit inside a Chinese bao bun.

Cooked until tender, their cauliflower was tossed in a fiery, fragrant chili oil that delivered a spicy and deeply satisfying heat that eclipsed the other starters.

For the main courses, the kitchen continued the cross-cultural theme. The fillet of branzino was butter-poached and served with a pumpkin and salted egg yolk sauce. Alongside it, the French-cut lamb chops were crusted with pistachios and honey mustard and served with eggplant. Both plates mixed familiar elements from both cultures in an unexpected way.

We finished the night on a high note with the Valrhona molten chocolate cake, served with a scoop of rum-raisin ice cream. The warm, bittersweet chocolate oozing into the cold cream made for a truly spectacular ending.

La Fleur Rouge brings a creative and playful dynamic to the Park Slope dining scene. It is a welcoming spot for anyone curious to explore a distinct blend of culinary traditions, topped off by a memorable dessert that makes for a great neighborhood night out.

La Fleur Rouge
Park Slope
392 5th Ave
Brooklyn, New York 11215
(718) 534-0110
lafleurrouge.nyc/

As summer was winding down, we decided to grab a bite before our 7 pm curtain of Shifters at the nearby Cherry Lane Theatre. That’s the theatre known as “The Birthplace of Off-Broadway,” founded in 1923.

The Drift In is a short walk from the theatre and one of the few restaurants along the Hudson River Parkway. Food and service are good, and you’re sitting outside with water views across the Hudson River Parkway at about Christopher Street.

I recommend their refreshing Aperol spritz ($17?) and their fish and chips — North Atlantic pollock with dill, caper and cornichon tartar sauce, a vinegar dip and seaweed-salted galley fries. The fish is lightly coated in crumbs, with no batter here. Delicate. Light.

I highly recommend stopping in at the Drift In.

Drift In
West Village
389 West Street
New York, NY 10014
(646) 860-0964
crewny.com/drift-in

We’re sharing Karen Goodlad’s favorite apple bread. The recipe appeared in the Les Dames d’Escoffier New York (LDNY) cookbook, Stirring the Pot, which I’ve mentioned frequently over the years.  (You can order it here.)

Photo Credit: Phil Provencio Photography

Karen, the current Vice President of LDNY, is scheduled as our Guest Foodie this fall. She was introduced to this recipe as a teenager in a high school cooking class and still remembers the joy she found in baking it. Now, she’s sharing her favorite autumn treat with us.

“Over the years, the original paper recipe has grown tattered and stained, evidence of just how beloved this apple bread has become. The marks tell a story of their own: the clumsiness of a novice baker, conversions made when baking for a crowd, personal adaptations and, in more recent years, the tiny fingerprints of my children.”

“I use an assortment of apples in each batch, as I like a variety of tastes and textures, but I avoid soft apples like McIntosh. You can also bake the batter in a muffin tin for 20–22 minutes; do not use cupcake liners.”

Karen Goodlad’s Favorite Apple Bread

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs, room temperature
1½ cups all-purpose flour (preferably unbleached)
½ cup cake flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2⅓ cups peeled, cored and diced apples (about 4 2-inch)

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9 x 5 × 3-inch loaf pan.

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or an electric handheld mixer, beat the butter until soft. Add the sugar and vanilla and beat until incorporated.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating to blend between additions. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl between additions. On low speed, beat in 1 cup of the all-purpose flour; scrape down the bowl. Add the remainder of the all-purpose flour, the cake flour, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt; and beat just to blend. Mix in the apples.

Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Invert the cake onto a wire rack and remove the loaf pan. Return the loaf right side up and let cool.

Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The cake is best served at room temperature.

Makes one 9 × 5-inch loaf
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Once we found our way to the correct escalators and elevators to get to The View atop the Marriott Marquis, we were greeted warmly and wished a happy birthday at the desk.

Another host led us to our table in their rotating dining room, holding a “Birthday” placard to place on our table so the staff would know we were celebrating. The room makes a full loop of Manhattan in about an hour, giving us plenty of time to chat and enjoy the sights since it took a while for our server to return.

We started with their massive salads. They were so plentiful we definitely should have shared, a realization that hit us as we dug into the Caesar Salad ($19) and the loaded baby iceberg wedge ($20) topped with a quail egg, crispy lardons, and blue cheese dressing.

The service disappointed. Alex cleared a plate while our forks were practically mid-motion, loaded with salad. I shook my head, as proper service waits for all guests to finish. He reappeared a couple minutes later holding our entrees, asking if he could take our salads to make room or if we were still working on them—especially frustrating since we had already told him on a timed schedule, as we didn’t have a theater curtain to make.

Ironic, I’d say.

Danny Meyer, author of “Enlightened Hospitality,” recently reimagined this restaurant; well,  his Union Square Hospitality Group did. They would be absolutely appalled to see their own staff rushing us, especially after we told them we didn’t have a curtain to make.

The entrees were just as huge as the starters. Two of us could have easily split the giant prawns ($39 for 4), and the birthday girl loved her crab cake. Naturally, we added fries ($16) for the table. We were way too stuffed for dessert, but Alex redeemed himself a bit by bringing over a complimentary scoop of ice cream with a glowing birthday candle and a “Happy Birthday” message scripted in chocolate.

It’s still a really fun spot for a celebration.

The View
Mariott Marquis
1535 Broadway,
New York, NY 10036
(212) 704-8900
theviewnewyorkcity.com

Ever experienced a culinary illusion? That’s the whole idea behind Farzi, named for the Hindi word for “illusion.” The menu is full of playful, unexpected dishes that mix classic Indian flavors with modern techniques and global inspiration. It’s all the work of Executive Chef Gaurav Chawla, who grew up in New Delhi and is making a name for himself with his inventive take on modern Indian cuisine and molecular gastronomy.

A friend and I were lucky enough to sample his incredible fare as guests of the restaurant. Our introduction was a kiwi-fennel amuse-bouche served on a dramatic, smoking tray. It is meant to be taken like a shot. It instantly dissolved into an explosion of flavor evoking liquid olive memories. Those legendary molecular gastronomy creations made iconic by Ferran Adrià at El Bulli and are now served at José Andrés’ Mercado Little Spain. Yes, that good.

Imagine 100 layers of potatoes, pressed into a cake, fried until crisp. That’s the start of their potato chaat served in airy masala yogurt cloud, drizzled with chutneys and finished with crisps, pomegranate and fresh greens ($19). Don’t miss that—or the Guntur Chilli Chicken Bao ($22), featuring two pillowy Korean buns stuffed with chicken flavored with fiery Guntur chilies from South India, served with house fries dusted in a masala spice blend.

The flame-grilled lamb chops ($43), served in a curry leaf emulsion, were unfortunately too fatty for my taste—our only disappointment of the night. David, our attentive server, brought lollipops (our second palate tickler) to cleanse our palates between courses. We definitely needed a breather since we were already getting pretty full.

Next up was the Oh, My Cod ($45), a coconut-chili-rubbed black cod served with a puddle of raw-mango sauce, and my absolute favorite, the smoked Lal Maas lamb shank ($44) with meat falling off the bone. The sauce was so delicious that we sopped up every last drop with the garlic naan ($8) and Ghee Jeera rice ($9), wishing we had ordered more naan. I happily took home the leftover lamb in a doggy bag.

Somehow, we still managed to save room for Farzi’s signature dessert, Dakshin, a coconut-forward creation with curry leaf mousse and coffee-caramel sauce, topped with a delicate crystal-sugar crisp.

The meal ended with a playful little surprise: a white chocolate bonbon with a soft paan (betel leaf and sweet fennel) center that bursts with flavor the moment you pop it into your mouth.
I highly recommend getting fooled at Farzi.

Farzi
Tribeca
78 Leonard St
New York, NY 10013
farzinyc.com/
646-499-9040

Restaurant Week often gets me sampling restaurants I’ve never even heard of. Some friends from the Upper East Side met me on Third Avenue for a Georgian 30 two-course brunch at Chito Gvrito.

Our friendly server, Olivia, first brought just one Vermont Lemonade, a blend of vodka, grapefruit juice, and maple syrup ($14). The combination sounded a little odd, so we decided one of us should sample it before everyone ordered. It turned out to be so refreshing that we all ended up having at least one.

For appetizers, one friend chose the chilled aubergine rolls in a walnut-fenugreek sauce sprinkled with juicy ruby-red pomegranate arils;  two of us had the Ajika char-grilled shrimp—five large shrimp drizzled with red Ajika chili oil. Both were tasty.

One friend then chose the flairon steak with caramelized Ajika shallots (an $8 supplement), another ordered the Chito Gvrito khachapuri, an herb-and-cheese-stuffed flatbread with herb pesto. I opted for their version of shakshuka, chirbuli—a tomato-based dish with poached eggs and polenta. Unfortunately, mine arrived at room temperature. I asked for it to be redone, but it appeared they simply reheated it, leaving the eggs overcooked.

To round out brunch, we added two side dishes: country potatoes with shiitake mushrooms, shallots, fennel, and pomegranate, and Mtsvane Lobio, a mix of snow peas, shallots, and herbs.

I wound up replacing my chirbuli with their classic Adjaruli khachapuri—the iconic open-faced cheese pie topped with an egg. Olivia mixed it tableside before serving it, and it was definitely the better choice.

We lingered for hours, sipping our cocktails and catching up since we hadn’t seen each other in ages.

Chito Gvrito
Gramercy
173 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10003
646-767-0154
chito-gvritonyc.com

I recently met a friend for Restaurant Week at Riverpark in Kips Bay. To find the waterfront restaurant, just walk as far east on 29th Street as possible until you spot the sign. Originally opened by celebrity chef Tom Colicchio, it’s now part of a hospitality group. Naturally, the service was top-notch, and the setting is idyllic. Not every dish impressed, but there were a couple of highlights

While choosing our wine, we nibbled on warm focaccia served with butter and olive oil. We ultimately paired our meal with their featured rosé, Cibonne Tentations Côtes de Provence, France 2025 ($68).

The $60 three-course menu offered a couple of choices for each course.

Sharing everything, we started with two seasonally inspired appetizers: a peach and heirloom tomato carpaccio topped with stracciatella, and a warm corn soup with lumps of crab and a drizzle of chili oil. Both were good.

I much preferred the tender, perfectly cooked watermelon-glazed pork tenderloin with vegetables to the bland farmer’s cheese agnolotti.

We ended with both dessert choices: a mildly flavored tri-melon sorbet and my favorite, sliced fresh stone fruit topped with pecan crumble and maple-bourbon ice cream. Since we were celebrating a birthday, our server also surprised us with a slice of chocolate cake complete with a candle.

With the check came a few tasty meringue cookies.

I’d recommend Riverpark. Worth the trek east for the setting alone.

Riverpark
Kips Bay
450 E 29th St
New York, NY 10016
(212) 706-4131
riverparknyc.com

One of my Argentinian friends mentioned that she and 19 friends and relatives had booked Palermo Argentinian Bistro to watch the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. Figuring the restaurant would fill up quickly, I immediately reserved a table for three in case my friends hadn’t already booked another place.

When Palermo later added a $50 cover charge, my friend’s group abandoned the reservation and watched the match at a private home in Brooklyn instead. Given where Palermo ended up seating us, they really didn’t have the chutzpah to ask us to pay the $50 cover.

We arrived on time for our confirmed reservation only to discover the restaurant had seriously overbooked. Instead of admitting the problem, they escorted us through the back, past the smelly garbage area and wedged us into a tiny space in the aisle leading to the kitchen. Our “table” sat behind the dining room, separated by a railing and pressed up against the wine refrigerator. The three of us barely fit around the high-top and stools—and we even helped a server retrieve bottles of wine from the refrigerator.

We started with the corn and cheese empanadas, filled with sweet yellow corn, butternut squash and cheese, served with llajua, a spicy dipping sauce made with fresh tomatoes, hot locoto peppers and herbs ($12/three), along with a fresh shrimp cocktail ($10/six shrimp). We briefly considered ordering the seafood tower that caught our eye in the dining room—until we learned it cost a staggering $380.

For our entrées, one of us ordered the grilled trout ($48), served with broccolini, a smoky Argentine-style tomato condiment and sun-dried tomatoes. The other two chose the Palermo burger ($39), made with a prime beef blend and topped with lettuce, tomato, onions and cheddar with chimi-truffle aioli, accompanied by French fries.

Once halftime arrived, the restaurant’s celebration completely overshadowed the one on TV. Live music, dancers, confetti and balloons transformed the dining room into a party that was impossible to ignore.

Spain outplayed Argentina and earned the victory—not the outcome we had hoped for. Between the disappointing result and our laughably bad seats, the evening could have been a bust. Fortunately, the lively halftime festivities and the good company still made it a memorable afternoon.

Palermo Argentinian Bistro
Gramercy
53 Irving Pl,
New York, NY 10003
(917) 319-7301
palermoargentinianbistro.com/

With an old friend coming to town, I checked my discount theater memberships to see what was playing. We landed on Titanique, winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. The show hilariously reimagines Jack and Rose’s love story through the French-Canadian eyes of Céline Dion.

I had no idea what I was in for. The show is completely campy, over the top and laugh-out-loud funny.
After the show, we took the No. 1 train downtown and walked over to City Vineyard, chosen for its outdoor space overlooking the Hudson. We planned to sit outside, but the smoke from the Canadian wildfires was irritating my throat, so we opted for a table indoors. A good decision, as the skies soon opened up.

We shared a 750 ml growler of their French rosé on tap ($56) along with an order of crispy fried calamari ($24). My visiting friend chose the summer vegetable pasta, while I went with the fish and chips. Both hit the spot.

After dinner, while walking home along the Hudson River Greenway, the heavens opened up in a classic New York summer downpour. Even with umbrellas, we were completely soaked by the time we got home. At least the rain waited until we were on our way home.

City Vineyard
233 West St
New York, NY, 10013
citywinery.com/

Our philanthropic organization of women leaders in food, beverage and hospitality, Les Dames d’Escoffier New York (LDNY), awards scholarships every year to help empower women pursuing careers in the culinary, hospitality and beverage industries.

The last time we added everything up—quite a few years ago—we had awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to over 1,000 recipients since 1977. This year we presented $86,000 of scholarships to 23 students through nine partner programs, including a brand-new entrepreneurial scholarship in my name.

I was thrilled to meet my first recipient, Kayla Fulmore. If you’d like to help us continue supporting these talented women, please consider donating to the Les Dames d’Escoffier New York scholarship fund.

Following our reception at the Institute of Culinary Education, a group of Dames made our way to Del Frisco’s at Brookfield Place. We settled in for what turned into an evening of nonstop conversation, a table full of appetizers and, naturally, a few glasses of wine. Our choice was the 2024 Ernesto Catena Padrillos Malbec, an easy-drinking red that paired nicely with just about everything we ordered.

Our wonderful server, Albi, kicked things off with warm pretzel bread that was so fresh from the oven it almost burned our fingers. We didn’t care—it was delicious. We happily worked our way through light, crispy calamari ($19), two flatbreads—the roasted tomato-pepperoni and the fig, prosciutto, arugula, blue cheese crumbles $20–21)—plus grilled artichokes ($22) and ahi tacos ($21 for four). We added a Cobb salad ($18) and a classic wedge ($16), but the real star of the evening may have been the conversation.

Good food tastes even better when shared with good friends.

Del Frisco’s Grille
Brookfield Place
230 Vesey St
New York, NY, 10281
(212) 786-0760
 delfriscosgrille.com 

We grabbed a bite at La Boîte en Bois because of its proximity to Lincoln Center, where we were seeing *The Whoopi Monologues*, a production that expands Whoopi Goldberg’s one-woman show into five distinct life stories performed by Kerry Washington, Kara Young and Dominique Fishback, among others.

A basket of good, crusty bread arrived almost immediately. We did have to flag someone down for olive oil, but it was brought over graciously as soon as we asked.

After settling on a salad, pasta, entrée and dessert to share, the kitchen thoughtfully split both the salad and pasta in the kitchen before serving them.

Our salad ($21.50) couldn’t have been fresher. Peppery arugula, crisp endive and sweet beets were lightly dressed in a citrus vinaigrette and topped with warm goat cheese. It was beautifully balanced and so fresh, and we finished every bite. I sipped a glass of Saint-Émilion ($22) throughout the meal, while my dining partner opted for a nonalcoholic pilsner ($10).

The four oversized housemade mushroom ravioli in a light porcini cognac sauce ($31.50) almost seemed too substantial for a shared pasta course. We wondered if they’d spoil our appetite for the mussels to come. In hindsight, we were glad they didn’t. The mussels ($35.50), served in a fragrant shallot, garlic and tomato broth, were the only letdown of the evening. They were unusually small and lacked the plump, briny quality we both expected. After sampling a few, we pushed the rest aside and instead picked at the accompanying French fries.

Dessert restored the meal’s momentum. Profiteroles filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with warm chocolate sauce were simple, classic and exactly the sweet finish we were hoping for.

La Boite en Bois
Lincoln Center Area
75 West 68th St. (@ Columbus Ave.)
New York, NY 100
212-874-2705
LaBoitenyc.com

Brasserie Cognac Américain has settled into a gorgeous new corner location at 40th Street and Fifth Avenue, directly across from the New York Public Library.  This newly opened French bistro from Serafina Restaurant Group features Chef Michael Lomonaco—acclaimed American chef, restaurateur and television personality—leading the kitchen.

I was invited as their guest to sample the fare, starting with cocktails. My dining companion enjoyed a classic Hendrick’s gin martini, while I sipped the smoky, spicy and fizzy Napoleon’s Dynamite ($19), a blend of mezcal, jalapeño tequila and ginger beer.

We opted for the special French Restaurant Week menu ($60), a prix fixe that includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert. (Regular menu prices are included below for reference.)

The escargot bourguignonne ($24) was the standout of the evening. The snails were exceptionally tender, bathed in a parsley-garlic butter so irresistible we had to force ourselves to stop sopping up every last drop with the baguette points.

Their frisée aux lardons ($24)—curly endive and bacon in a warm mustard vinaigrette, topped with a soft-poached egg and, perhaps, too generous a portion of crunchy baguette croutons.

The steak frites ($39) featured sliced hanger steak cooked to a perfect medium-rare, in herbed butter and served with crisp French fries. The branzino provençal ($32) was equally satisfying, complemented by zucchini, summer squash and plum tomatoes.

We added a side of haricots verts ($12), not offered on the prix fixe, a simple but welcome addition.

Since dessert was included, we happily indulged in the maple crème brûlée alongside profiteroles stuffed with vanilla gelato and served with a pitcher of warm chocolate sauce for drizzling.

I highly recommend a visit.

Brasserie Cognac Américain
Bryant Park
51 5th Ave
New York, NY, 10016
212.470.5889

I got in a burger mood and called a friend from my greater hood whom I hadn’t seen in ages to see whether she’d like to meet for one, and where.

We settled on Pete’s Tavern, conveniently forgetting how noisy it could be.

It was.

We landed in one of the back rooms, packed and buzzing, and could barely hear each other. Conversation took some effort, but the Tavern burgers made up for it. Topped with Cheddar, lettuce, tomato, crispy onions and Pete’s signature house-made O. Henry Sauce, and served with fries ($25), they were juicy, satisfying and exactly what I’d been craving.

A bottle of their Malbec ($60) washed it all down nicely, and despite the decibel level, we left happy, well fed and already talking about our next outing.

Pete’s Tavern
Gramercy
129 E 18th St (corner of Irving Place)
New York, NY 10003
petestavern.com/

Last time I dined at Clara, the restaurant was in the New York Historical Society. Today, the museum dropped “Society” from its name, and the restaurant is now under the direction of Alex Guarnaschelli.

I recently met friends there for lunch. I was in the mood for a burger and fries, so I ordered the cheddar-topped one with a side of fries. I couldn’t finish the perfectly cooked burger, but easily polished off the small serving of fries.   

Others enjoyed chicken paillard over grilled onions and mustard greens ($28),  quiche Lorraine ($21) and an over-dressed salad of fresh peaches with lots of arugula, some mint and very few sugar snap peas ($18). 

I left underwhelmed, especially by the lackadaisical service—hesitant and unpolished throughout.

That said, I’d return after a museum visit.

This time, I hadn’t gone to the museum—I just met friends for lunch.

Clara
New York Historical
Upper West Side
170 Central Park West
New York, NY 10023
212-485-9211
nyhistory.org/dine

We stopped in for Happy Hour and stayed for dinner, deciding to stay on to share the Amalfi Experience again. At lunch it’s $26, while dinner is $49—and both are more food than either of us could finish.

Since it was Wednesday, bottles of wine were half price, so we ordered the Greco di Tufo DOC “Novaserra” by Mastroberardino from Campania. At $42 instead of $84, it was an easy choice and paired beautifully with our meal.

Before our entrée arrived, we were served Carpaccio di Barbabietole—paper-thin yellow beets with whipped ricotta, salsa verde, taggiasca crumble and a white balsamic dressing—along with rustic thick-sliced bread; a housemade potato croquette topped with shavings of Pecorino Romano; Otto Bread with cherry tomatoes, taggiasca olives, capers, whipped ricotta and basil; and the most unusual (and delicious) melanzana arrosto spread of roasted eggplant, skin powder, basil oil and pickled mustard seeds.

Last time, we had—and preferred—their Otto Bread topped with whipped ricotta, pesto vegetables (including diced asparagus), pea tendrils and paper-thin yellow beets. It was one of the best things we’d eaten. This version was surprisingly bland and we left it behind.
Like last time, we ordered the lemon tagliolino—delicate egg pasta lightly finished with grated Granarolo Pecorino Romano, parsley powder and fresh lemon. Heavenly.

I know I’ll be back. The open rooftop is reason enough, and the Amalfi Experience is one of the best values around.

Amalfi — Serra by Birreria at Eataly’s Rooftop
Flatiron
200 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10010
212.229-2560
eataly.com

When my friends suggested Indochine, I reluctantly said yes. The service was horrid on my last visit during restaurant week. I reminded myself that on the previous visit, they went above and beyond, sending someone to CVS to buy mosquito repellent for me!

I knew service standards were back as the host looked at me, smiled, then asked the person on the telephone to hold a moment and handled my reservation.

When my friends suggested Indochine, I reluctantly said yes. My last visit, during Restaurant Week, was marred by disappointing service. Then I remembered an earlier visit when they had gone above and beyond, actually sending someone to CVS to buy mosquito repellent for me.

I knew Indochine was back to its old self the moment I arrived. The host looked up, smiled, politely asked the person on the phone to hold for a moment and took care of my reservation.

The person who seated me was just as welcoming. When my friends arrived, I shared the story of my two very different experiences and they shared theirs. They had both dined at Indochine before—just never together.

Since I wanted to try the Indochine Martini but also planned to drink wine with dinner, we asked if we could share one. Our server happily accommodated us. Made with citrus vodka infused with pineapple and ginger, it was refreshing and worth ordering ($19). One friend opted for a Singha beer ($10).

My friend insisted we order her favorite, the Spicy Beef Salad ($24), tossed with fresh basil, mint, shallots and a spicy tamarind dressing. To enjoy with that and the rest of our meal, we shared a bottle of Albariño ($75).

We also started with the fried spring rolls ($19), filled with chicken, vegetables and glass vermicelli, served with butter lettuce leaves for wrapping and a flavorful dipping sauce. The grilled babyback ribs ($28) had caught my attention the moment I walked into the restaurant—the aroma was irresistible. Seasoned with Asian spices and a dry coriander seed rub, the meat practically fell off the bone when I picked one up. Yes, they were that tender.

For our entrée, we shared the Vietnamese barbecued boneless half chicken ($41), marinated in turmeric, coriander, lemongrass and coconut milk. While flavorful, the chicken was slightly overcooked for my taste.

Alongside it, we ordered the sautéed Asian greens ($17), fragrant with ginger and garlic, and one of the newer additions to the menu since my last visit: the mushroom fried rice ($20), made with grilled corn, dried and fresh shiitake mushrooms and seaweed. It turned out to be one of the surprises of the evening, earthy from the mushrooms with pops of sweetness from the grilled corn.

Even though we were happily satiated, dessert was non-negotiable. We shared—and pretty much devoured—the coconut crème brûlée ($16) and the classic French lemon tart ($15), topped with toasted meringue. By then we were more than full, but somehow managed to polish off every bite.

It was a sweet ending to a meal that reminded me why I was glad I gave Indochine another chance.

Indochine
East Village
30 Lafayette St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 505-5111
indochinenyc.com

While leading a “greet” for Big Apple Greeters, I stopped into ofCorsica! to show off the location at the end of Pier 57 to my visitors. If you’re not familiar with Big Apple Greeters, we take visitors around New York City as if they were longtime friends, sharing stories, local tips and the true joys of living here.

One of my guests was using a wheelchair, and since there are a few steps at the restaurant entrance, Katrina, the manager, noticed us and showed us to the small lift. I had met her on a previous greet, so we started chatting. That’s when she told me about their upcoming Viewing 250 party, with one package for the morning to watch the tall ships and another, more expensive one for the fireworks.

I figured it would be out of my price range, but when she told me it was just $99, including food and soft drinks, I was sold. I immediately texted the group that was coming in town, and we all loved the idea of watching the tall ships together from an air-conditioned restaurant with a fantastic view.

Because the price was so reasonable, we really weren’t expecting much from the food. We arrived early, as recommended, got through security, grabbed a soft drink and headed out to the deck to watch the tall ships.

Around lunchtime, they set out the menu and started bringing out the food: unlimited hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, sausage and peppers, corn, green salad, potato salad, chips and, drumroll please… all the lobster rolls you could eat!

The food was plentiful and delicious. 

Cocktails were available if you wanted them, but with temperatures topping 100 degrees, club soda was exactly what I wanted.

I’ve attended lots of events in New York City over the years, and this was easily one of the best values I’ve ever found. Thank you, Katrina, for mentioning it that day. Otherwise, I never would have known about it.

ofCorsica!
Pier 57
25 11th Ave
New York, NY 10011
(646) 475-7752
ofcorsicanyc.com

Each year after the Summer Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center, another Dame and I host a happy hour for visiting members of Les Dames d’Escoffier International, our global organization supporting women in food, wine and hospitality.

This year’s gathering, hosted by Les Dames d’Escoffier New York (LDNY), took place at Tempo by Hilton in Times Square. The hotel provided complimentary platters of charcuterie, cheeses, meats and nuts along with hummus and fresh vegetables, alongside a cash bar.

When Dames convene, conversation is lively and wide-ranging—equal parts reunion, networking and spirited exchange on the food world.

It was, as always, a wonderful gathering. We’ve already started talking about next year.

Highball Bar & Lounge
Tempo by Hilton Times Square
1568 Broadway, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Highball Lounge at The Hilton

Each June, the three of us pick a new restaurant to celebrate two of our birthdays. Over the years, we’ve been lucky—we’ve yet to dine anywhere where we didn’t enjoy both the food and the service.

This year, our destination was Borgo, a Mediterranean trattoria tucked where NoMad, Flatiron and Gramercy meet.

My visit started with a misstep. I opened the wrong door and found myself standing in the service kitchen. A handsome chef smiled, gently explained that I was in the kitchen, and graciously escorted me through the proper entrance to meet my friends in one of the restaurant’s two dining rooms.

That warm welcome made me smile. Unfortunately, the service at our table wasn’t quite as polished. Our first three dishes—the spring lettuces, buffalo mozzarella and fava purée—arrived before our wine. Having almost half our meal on the table before a sip of wine felt rushed.

Fortunately, the food quickly won us over.

The spring lettuces ($21), lightly dressed and topped with shavings of Cabot Clothbound Cheddar, were fresh and beautifully balanced. Thick wedges of creamy buffalo mozzarella ($28) were paired with smoked cherries and hazelnuts for a wonderful contrast of sweet, smoky and crunchy. The silky fava purée ($19), crowned with marinated escarole, was simple, vibrant and thoroughly satisfying.

The next round of appetizers was even better.

The chicken liver crostini ($21), served on grilled sourdough, was rich, silky and so good I’d happily return just for that dish. The vitello tonnato ($26)—paper-thin slices of veal beneath a creamy tuna sauce—was beautifully executed. Our favorite may have been the vignarola ($26), a spring vegetable stew topped with a panko-crusted fried poached egg whose golden yolk enriched every bite.

Dessert ended the meal on a high note. The Sachertorte ($18), layered with chocolate, almond and apricot, was excellent, but the real standout was the heavenly mint stracciatella ice cream ($14), refreshingly light and the perfect finish.

Borgo has earned a Bib Gourmand designation from the Michelin Guide, recognizing restaurants that deliver exceptional quality at a good value. Based on the cooking alone, it’s easy to understand why. I only wish the pacing of our meal had matched the care that came from the kitchen. Even so, several dishes were memorable enough that I’d gladly return.

Borgo
124 E 27th St
New York, NY 10016
646-360-2404
borgonyc.com/