Taste of the Upper West Side for Hurricane Sandy - Sunday, November 11th @ 6:30PM

Re-posting verbatim from the New York Social Network e-newsletter:

Event Title: Taste of The Upper West Side for Hurricane Sandy

Over 20 local Upper West Side Restaurants are donating food to help raise money for The Catholic Charities efforts for Hurricane Sandy. Many of the shelters used have been local churches and synagogs and this money will be directed that way. Each restaurant will donate a tray of food for you to sample

They expect over 100 people from all backgrounds, races and religions to attend ages 20's -40's

$20 donation at the door includes food and beverages.

Pay cash at door or make checks payable to Holy Trinity CRC.

Restaurants Participating: -AG Kitchen -Nonna -Scaletta -Bellini -Canteen 82 -Citron -La Mirabelle -Sol Y Sambra -Bone Lick Park BBQ(honorary UWS) -High Life -Land Thai -Jacobs Pickles -Gastronomie 491 -More to come!!!

Time: 6:30 pm

Where: Holy Trinity Parish Center, 213 west 82nd between Amsterdam and Broadway

Price: $20

Copy/Print if you wish to attend

Questions? Contact Dave at dave@newyorksocialnetwork.com

Open for Business

There's much to be said about Hurricane Sandy's aftermath but one of the most important things we can do is help our neighbors, communities and cities wherever we can. Whether you choose to donate your time or money, every little bit counts. Or if you prefer to eat and drink your support for the cause, celebrate the little guys, the mom-and-pop shops, the local neighborhood pub, that Italian restaurant around the corner, in areas that need it most.

So here's my Top 5 favourite places in the East Village and Lower East Side. And I realize I am missing other parts of downtown, Brooklyn, Hoboken, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island and loads of other affected areas but that's part of the fun. Reply back with your top 5 local digs that you wish were open last week and hopefully will remain open for business.

1. Lavagna - That Italian restaurant that you wish was around every corner.

2. Idle Hands Bar - Where they know your name and the bourbon/beer with your name on it.

3. The Wayland - Roasted marrow bones, enough said.

4. Freemans - The inspiration for my first blog post, Corpse Reviver #2.

5. Caracas - Because I've been once in 8 years and I still talk about it.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Redefining Happy Hour

If anyone has bragging rights to the best happy hour in town, it ought to be Gyu-Kaku. We're not only talking about fab specials on their extensive drink list ($2 sake shots, $3 Sapporo & Kirin drafts, $5 sake, wines AND cocktails), Gyu-Kaku also offers an amazing array of $5 food items and 50% off their BBQ (Kobe, NY Strip, Bone-in Kalbi, etc). And by "food items", they mean the freshest yuzu snapper carpaccio, ahi tuna poke, sake steamed mussels, as well as plenty of tasty rice, noodles and salad options. The midtown east restaurant is beautifully decorated with spacious dark wood booths and tables with built-in "do-it-yourself" grills but the expert and gracious staff will serve you well. What I also love about Gyu-Kaku Midtown is that their happy hour also extends to weekend lunch - truly one of the best deals in town. I went a few months ago for Sunday lunch, we ordered too many items to remember, hopefully the photo above does some justice. I did not try their cocktails that time but plan to soon and will report back. Kanpai!

Official Gyu-Kaku Website: http://www.gyu-kaku.com/

Gyu-Kaku Midtown:
805 3rd Ave., 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10022
(212) 702-8816

Happy Hour Schedule:
Mon-Fri: 2-6PM
Mon-Thu: 9:30PM-Closing
Sat&Sun: 12-3PM

Gyu-Kaku East Village:
34 Cooper Square
New York, NY 10003
(212) 475-2989

Happy Hour Schedule:
Daily 3PM—6PM
Mon—Thu 9:30PM—Closing

Also has locations in California, Chicago, Hawaii, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia.

James Beard House Events

A few months ago, courtesy of a generous friend, I experienced one of the most sublime meals and gastronomic nights of my life. Quite a statement but I promise you, a dinner at the James Beard House in Greenwich Village is a magical time. I attended the "Wine Lovers Dinner" presented by Paul Kulik, celebrated Nebraskan chef of The Boiler Room in Omaha along with Jesse Becker, Master Sommelier. The evening began in the greenhouse with delectable passed hors d'oeuvres and a delicious "old-fashioned inspired" cocktail made with Bonal (a complex aperitif wine), prosecco and orange peel - and I use quotation marks b/c trust me, it tasted exactly like an old-fashioned. The hors d'oeuvres: wagyu beef navel pastrami with marrow sabayon on brioche, house 18 month prosciutto, corned beef tongue with puffed crawfish & horseradish, and sweet potato churros and house cured salmon roe. After an hour, and mind you it is a bit like an opera so expect to stay 3-4 hours, we ascended into the dining room and took our places at immaculately laid tables with champagne in James Beard's very own living room. I ended up going by myself and was wondering whether I might be seated at a table for 1, however everyone is seated at circular tables of 10 so be prepared to mingle - and what better company than a bunch of food and wine lovers! We then began a six-course meal with fabulous wine pairings and Jesse Becker narrated with each offering. I've included the full food and wine pairing menu below - it was just divine. Right before dessert, Chef Kulik and team came out to thundering applause from his happy diners and stayed to answer questions from an admiring crowd. Truly, it was a night to remember and thankfully, there will be many more nights to come. The James Beard Foundation offers 20 events each month and are open to the general public. Discounted prices are available to members.

For a list of upcoming events, click here.

For membership details, click here.

For the amazing meal I had, which should have been renamed Pork Lovers' Dinner (which is why I deliberately chose this one), please see below:

Wine Lovers' Dinner at James Beard with Paul Kulik and Jesse Becker
March 30, 2011

Dinner Menu:
House Charcuterie
dried chorizo, finocchiona, bresaola
Vigna Dogarina "Oro", Prosecco, Veneto, Italy NV


Araucana Chicken Egg Raviolo
shadowbrook farms chevre, smoked ham, claytonia
Rudi Pichler, Gruner Veltliner, Federspiel, Wachau, Austria 2009

TD Niche Red Wattle Pork Belly
royal red shrimp, pea shoots, cherry belle radish
Movia, Sauvignon Blanc, Brda, Slovenia 2008

Nebraska "Ossabaw" Pork Loin
cheeks, sunchokes, oregon yellowfoot mushrooms, obtuse du doubs carrots
J. Hoffstatter, Lagrein, Steinraffler, Alto Adige, Italy 2002

Slow Roasted House Red Wattle Coppa
lemongrass sausage, iowa flageolets, minutina
Tardieu-Laurent, Gigondas, Rhone Valley France 2008

Shadowbrook Farm Goat Milk Panna Cotta
strawberry-rhubarb macaron, coffee froth
Cultiva Coffee Roasters coffee, Chemex-brewed, Lincoln, Nebraska

Luzzo's

In the mood for thin crust pizza with fresh ingredients in a rustic setting? Stop by Luzzo's in the East Village or check out their new location also in Chelsea. Met up with some friends a few weeks ago and were seated in the basement dining area which makes acoustics somewhat difficult especially if you're surrounded by two children's birthday parties, but order a bottle of red stat and nosh your teeth into a few slices of bruschetta, insalata di rucola (arugula, shaved grana, cherry tomatoes, delicious vinaigrette) and order a few large pies (note they don't do half-and-half anymore) so we ordered the Tartufata (tomato, mozzerella, truffle oil) featured above, and the Piazza Michele (prosciutto and mushroom). Deliciouso!

Luzzo's
http://luzzosnyc.com
211 First Avenue (b/tw 12th and 13th Sts.)
New York, NY
(212) 473-7447

La Boite en Bois

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of seeing Carmen and had a somewhat difficult experience of choosing a restaurant that had the following criteria: w/in walking-in-heels distance of Lincoln Center, quiet & intimate ambiance and either French, American or Italian food. After some serious menupages.com perusing, I found La Boite en Bois and booked a reservation tout de suite. La Boite en Bois is indeed a wooden box - I arrived wearing heels (a modest 2 inches which put me at 6'1) and I felt like I was in Honey I Blew Up the Kid. The space looks like a homey French country kitchen "made for ants" though despite the cramped seating and very low ceiling, the food absolutely makes up for any initial discomfort. My friend and I elected the prix-fixe menu: we both had superb arugula, endive, goat cheese & beet salads with that classic tangy lemony vinaigrette to start, followed by the roast chicken with potato gratin and I the perfectly prepared horseradish crusted salmon filet with a buttery saffron sauce with again perfectly sauteed bright spinach greens and wild rice. Service was slow for us but not for others so we wolfed down our tres delicieux creme brulee and creamy ricotta cheesecake and happily headed off to hear the Habanera.

La Boite en Bois
www.laboitenyc.com
75 West 68th Street at Columbus Ave.
New York, NY 10023
(212) 874-2705

Artichoke Basilles Pizzeria: A gigantic slice of heaven

If you think jumbo slice is good (at 3am post the Reef in DC good), sink your teeth into undeniably one of the best slices in the city. Imagine a delicious, perfectly textured crust, deep-dish style but still has a good bite to it...then slather on one of the best artichoke (or spinach & artichoke, or sicilian, or crab) concoctions (am guessing onion, garlic, oregano, butter) followed by an extra thick bubbling layer of parmesan and mozzarella and you have, quite honestly, one of the most divine slices of New York pie. Artichoke Basilles Pizzeria is at 328 E. 14th Street between 1st Ave and 2nd Ave. They recently opened a Chelsea location at 114 10th Ave @ W. 17th Street which I am thrilled to be going to tomorrow night, so will take pix and report back but in the meantime, check out their story here: http://www.artichokepizza.com/

Scrumptious Grilled Fish Sandwich & Limeade

If you're hankering for a delicious grilled fish, don't hold the fat, sandwich, Austin Grill is where it's at. Don't bother ordering salad as a side at this casual, group-friendly Tex-Mex restaurant in Chinatown -- come for the homey, hungry man's fare and you won't be disappointed. You wouldn't think grilled fish is comfort food but a well-seasoned piece of snapper (or tuna on the current menu) sandwiched between avocado & tomato slices, fresh red cabbage, chipotle mayo and two buttered toasts hit the spot and then some. As it's summertime, grab a table outside, and enjoy a giant margarita (spring break serving size)or their addictive homemade limeade served chilled in glass jars. Great service and unlimited refills on their tasty salty tortilla chips, roasted salsa and soda pop. I'll be back...and leave a few pounds heavier but it's worth it.

Austin Grill
www.austingrill.com
750 E Street NW (B/tw 7th and 8th St NW)
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 393-3776

Bloody Saturday

Doesn't have quite the same ring to it but you'll be singing it once you hear about this: free bloody marys at Firefly in Dupont this Saturday, June 26th from 9AM - 2PM, and then $3 every following Saturday. Thanks UrbanDaddy for the heads up!

Firefly is located at 1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036.
Ph: (202) 861-1310

DC Coast = Slider Heaven

It's the last few days of DC Coast's "Cheaper by the Dozen" June special: Dozen oysters for $12 in honour of their 12th anniversary. Luckily the deal continues on throughout the year thanks to their half-off bar menu noted below. Went last night and ordered a dozen which hailed from James River, VA and were beautifully presented with ginger, cucumber, basil and chives but upon taste, were rather mild and needed extra lemon juice to resuscitate any flavour. And so we ordered sliders. Stop the press. Hands down the best sliders I've tried in DC and will be back for more. The "brioche" bun was scrumptious and tastes a bit like a KFC or Pillsbury biscuit, and that's a good thing. I don't want to know how much butter was in it but rest assured your finger tips will glisten afterwards. The burger was grilled perfectly - medium and juicy - with a thankfully not-so-overpowering aioli as the meat itself was so tender and tasty. As for the bar, beautiful and handsome, and you will be well served by DC's own French and Japanese speaking though looks like a big NYC firefighter, bartender Jeremy.

DC Coast
www.dccoast.com
1401 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
Ph:(202)216-5988

Bar Menu is Available Half-Price, Monday-Friday, 3-6pm and Every Day, 9:30pm-Close. Bar & Lounge Only. (Artisnal Cheese is excluded from this offer.)

Cheeseburger Sliders
Cheddar, Herb Aioli, Pickles, Brioche Bun
10

Chilled Market Oysters
Ginger, Chives, Basil, Cucumber
Market Price
With Frozen Imperial Vodka Iceberg
Additional 2

Kennebec Frites
Parmesan, Truffle Oil
6

"Poisson Cru" Tahitian Style Tuna Tartare
Fresh Lime Juice, Coconut Milk, Wonton Crisp
14

Ginger-Soy Braised Duroc Pork Dumplings
Sauce Chi Phan
10

Poached Shrimp Cocktail
Horseradish Tomato Jam
10

Corn and Crab Fritters
Chesapeake Aioli
10

Selection of Artisanal Cheese
Bourree (Vermont, Cow's Milk)
Valencay (France, Goat's Milk)
Idiazabal (Spain, Sheep's Milk)
Buttermilk Blue Afinee, Roth Kase (Wisconsin, Cow's Milk)
14

** Prices and menu availability are subject to change **

Happy Hour in DC: Tasty Deals

There's no question DC has a lively happy hour scene. But where does one go for budget-friendly tasty cocktails, scrumptious bites and cool digs? Here is a quick list of personal HH faves by neighborhood - will add more as I find them so check back often!

ADAMS MORGAN

PERRY'S
http://www.perrysadamsmorgan.com/bar/happy-hour-tapas/
Every day from 5:30pm - 7:30pm
$5 Tapas, $5 Cocktails, $4 Beer & Wine
One of the best deals in town. Upon entering this sushi/new American establishment, walk up the steep stairs (and ponder how many people have fallen down them) to the spacious rooftop bar with a beautiful view of upper Adams Morgan. Highly recommend the refreshing Shochu Martini - made with Shochu (a Japanese clear distilled spirit similar to vodka), blood orange juice, freshly grated ginger & honey.

BOURBON
http://www.bourbondc.com
/home/index.html
Monday through Friday until 7:30pm
$3 Draft Beers, $4 Select Bourbon, $6 Specialty Cocktails
Homey food, cozy atmosphere, great spot for all other mealtimes. Usually priced at $10, Bourbon's cocktails are always top-notch. Rye-lovers, try the Ryjou made with yellow chartreuse, sweet vermouth and orange bitters. Margarita hounds, you might like The Rested Fig made with reposado, lemon, fig syrup and averna (an Italian digestif made with roots, herbs and spices.)

U STREET

VINOTECA
http://www.vinotecadc.com/menu/happy-hour
Every day from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
$7 gourmet sliders (2 plus salad), $5 apps, $5 wine
Healthy pours at this casual, upscale wine bar off 9th and U St. Outside patio is a bonus.

DOWNTOWN

BRASSERIE BECK
http://www.beckdc.com/
Every day from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, 10:30pm until close: 1/2 Priced Drafts
Every Thursday/Friday/Saturday same hours as above: 1/2 Priced Oysters
One of my favourite restaurants in DC: Brasserie Beck serves outstanding food and carries a fantastic selection of Belgian beers. Their oysters are also some of the biggest and juiciest I have ever seen so this is why it's a personal fave. Spacious layout and great service too.

CHINATOWN/PENN QUARTER

POSTE
http://www.postebrasserie.com/
Monday to Friday, 4:00pm to 7:00pm
$5 wine, $5 beer, $5 truffle frites
Once the heat is on, you can expect Poste's gorgeous outdoor patio to be buzzing with bees, boys and belles. Great spot for people-watching, frites-munching and if you can flag a server, enjoy a $5 glass of white or red. Simply stunning outdoor space and who can resist truffle frites?

ZOLA
http://www.zoladc.com/thebar.php
Monday to Saturday, 5:00pm to 7:00pm, 9:00pm to 11:00pm, Sunday all day
$4 wine, $5 beer, $5 specialty cocktails, $1.50 "tasty bites"
Though their music selection is often spotty, this cocktail lounge inspired by the Spy Museum downstairs has an unbeatable deal for tasty bites at just $1.50 per gourmet slider which I assure you, having tried them all, are indeed tasty and well-portioned i.e. not skimpy. The lamb meatball slider is delicious - and if you're in the area, worth visiting - especially as their happy hour specials are extended to night time when it's rare to find the $5 cocktail or $4 glass of wine.

ZENGO
http://www.modernmexican.com/zengodc/
Monday to Saturday, 5:00pm to 7:30pm
$5 Margaritas, $5 Mojitos, $5 Caipirinhas, $5 Wine, $4 Beer, $5 Plates
Right off the Chinatown metro stop, Zengo's happy hour is another steal with delicious apps bursting with flavour and well-prepared cocktails at 1/2 the price. Pork belly steamed buns, crunchy calamari, thai chicken empanadas, my mouth is watering already.

DUPONT CIRCLE

URBANA
http://www.urbanadc.com/index.html
Every day from 4:00pm to 7:00pm: $4 Beer, $5 wine including sparkling
Every day from 5:00pm to 7:00pm: $1 oysters
Part of Hotel Palomar, Urbana is "one of DC's hottest restaurant bar scenes" but if you're looking to enjoy raw oysters and sparkling wine on a budget, you've come to the right place.

New Rum Bar Coming to DC: Cuba Libre in Penn Quarter

All you lucky Penn Quarter residents have something else to cheer about this Spring: the arrival of Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar at 801 9th Street, NW. While the neighborhood already boasts plenty of cocktail lounges and restaurants, Cuba Libre will be a fine addition providing over 75 different kinds of premium and flavoured rums. Will report back on this in a few months. In the meantime, check out the libations and dinner menu at www.cubalibrerestaurant.com.