Getting By, Dreaming Big

A couple of weeks ago we made plans with our friends Matt & Jenn to get together for dinner. Matt choose Les Halles because he had recently read Kitchen Confidentials, and apparently they talk alot about Les Halles in that book. Jon & I had walked by this restaurant fairly often and were excited to finally try it out.

Les Halles, is a french style brasserie. It has a great feel when you walk in, it’s bustling, I loved the decor, it just totally fit that Parisian style. Matt informed us that it is known for good steak so even though I was leaning towards getting the scallops (next time) I opted for a steak. I rarely eat steak or red meat, not because I’m a vegetarian, but just because I never think to order it.

We ordered drinks. Jenn and I split a bottle of the House Wine and the boys drank Vodka tonics. I wasn’t in the mood for an appetizer but everyone else ordered one and they all enjoyed them. Jon and Jenn both had Croutons De Coulommiers Rotis Au Miel Et Poivre (brie topped with honey & cracked black pepper roasted and served on croutons) and Matt had a Smoked Salmon Sandwich that was one of the specials.

Then for the main course Jon had Steak Au Poivre, Frites (steak coated with cracked black peppercorn); I had Onglet A L’Echalote (hanger steak, shallot sauce); Matt & Jenn shared Côte De Boeuf (prime rib on the bone, for two).

I have to say my meal was delicious!!! The shallot sauce was out of this world. It had a light shallot taste but was also a little smoky perfect for dipping my steak pieces in. Everyone really enjoyed their meal and the people watching was fabulous!

I would definitely visit this restaurant again. If you like steak or all things French then I would recommend it as a restaurant you too should visit.

Les Halles
411 Park Ave S
(Btwn 28th & 29th St)
(212) 679-4111

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Have you eaten at Les Halles?

Not long after I moved to NYC my aunt and uncle were in town and big group (about 10 or so) of us were planning on going out to dinner. Now, the McDonagh’s (that is my maiden name) are notoriously picky eaters. So when my cousin Terence, on the pickier side of eaters, recommended the Turkish Kitchen for a McDonagh outing I was pretty surprised, shocked and concerned. I’d never eaten Turkish Food, was I going to like it, etc, etc. Terence assured me that if he could find something to eat there, I could too, which is true. So I went in with a semi-open mind.

Since that dinner I have been back to the Turkish Kitchen at least 3-4 times! It is a great restaurant, delicious food, and great for group dinners! Although the bill can definitely add up if you’re drinking bottles of wine and ordering a lot of appetizers for the table.

Our table always always gets this lamb appetizer. It’s ground lamb on almost a pita. It’s delish but of course it’s not on their online menu (I hope they still have it!) After going numerous times and ordering all different kinds of meat, I have come to the conclusion that their best dishes are their chicken dishes!!! Specifically the Chargrilled cubes of chicken breast and fresh mushrooms on a skewer served with rice. Instead of rice though I asked them to substitute in their pan fried potatoes (so good, although probably not good for you!)

This is definitely a restaurant that I would go back to and I would recommend it to anyone in NYC!

Turkish Kitchen
386 Third Avenue
(between 27th and 28th Street on the west side of the street)
212-679-6633

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Have you ever eaten at the Turkish Kitchen? What’s your favorite dish?

When my mom and I arrived in Lancaster on Friday it was lunch time and we were starved. We checked into our hotel (the Marriott Courtyard) and asked the woman at the front desk for a lunch recommendation. She recommended Isaac’s Restaurant & Deli, she said it was a chain that was only in that region of Pennsylvania.

There happened to be one right around the corner where we were staying so we headed over there. Isaac’s is a typical low-cost restaurant, the decor is a little cheesy, but the food is delish! We got our menu’s (which were extensive) and immediately decided on Pretzel Bread Sandwiches. We couldn’t decide what we wanted so we decided to get two sandwiches and go splitsies. I ordered the Salty Eagle (grilled ham, swiss cheese, fresh tomatoes and lettuce) and my mom ordered the Rose of Sharon (sliced portabella mushroom, fresh tomatoes, onion, spinach with melted provlone cheese). Both sandwiches were delicious but we both agreed that the Rose of Sharon was the better sandwich. What made this sandwiches extra special was the pretzel bread – it looks like a roll, but tastses like a soft pretzel – it was so good that we ended up purchasing pretzel bread to bring home with us!

Isaac’s was so enjoyable that we returned on Saturday for lunch and visited the Staussburg location. I once again ordered a Pretzel Bread Sandwich, the Whooping Crane (sliced turkey, onions, fresh spinach, and swiss cheese, grilled). I think the Whooping Crane was my favorite of the three different pretzel bread sandwiches that we tried.

If I was back in the area I would definitely return to Isaac’s! 4 stars

Friday night we headed to Gibraltar’s restaurant for dinner. Gibraltar’s is on the outskirts of downtown Lancaster and actually is practically on the campus of Franklin & Marshall. The restaurant was very fancy, a little fancier than we had anticipated. The restaurant was big and open and our waitress was very knowledgeable!

I ordered a ceasar salad to start and followed it up with the Salmon dish. The ceasar salad was delicious with homemade sourdough croutons but the Salmon was just OK. It was a little dry and it was a huge piece of salmon probably 3 times the actual portion size that you should eat. I ate about a third of it and was full!

Overall, my mom and I agreed that while this restaurant was very nice, the food didn’t line up with the expecations. The restaurant was very expensive and fancy and we expected better food then was delivered. Not that our meal was bad perse, it was just OK.

If we were back in Lancaster, I can’t say I would return to this restaurant. 2 1/2 stars

On Saturday we headed into Downtown Lancaster for the evening. We began the night at Checkers Bistro, also recommended by our hotel. Checkers doesn’t seem like much from the outside, and our experience didn’t start out great, as the hostess was incredibly rude, but we got over it.

Our waiter was extremely friendly and knowledgeable! I started with the half portion of the ceasar salad and then ordered the scallop dish for dinner. The ceasar salad probably wasn’t as good as at Gibraltar but it was still a good salad. The scallops however were to die for – they were so good!!! We were both pleasantly surprised because the entrees at this restaurant were half the price of the entrees at Gibraltar’s.

We both agreed that Checker’s Bistro was a great restaurant. Very affordable, the food was delicious, and the atmostpher inside was very nice. The restaurant is bigger than you would think when you first walk in.

If I was ever back in Lancaster, I would definitely return to Checker’s for a meal (and I’d probably get those scallops again!) 4 stars

Bird-in-Hand Farmer’s Market

On Saturday we went to the Bird-in-Hand Farmer’s Market on Old Philadelphia Pike. My mom had originally wanted to go on Sunday to bring home some fresh produce but we both realized it would probably be closed on Sunday. She wanted to visit it regardless so we headed over for a visit.

This farmer’s market reminded me a lot of Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, just much smaller (probably only 1/6 of the size). There were places were you could eat a meal, and places where you could by produce, jams, meats, desserts, etc. I was on a quest to find a delicious whoopie pie (and I succeeded!) My mom decided to make a couple of purchases at one of the jam sections. She bought a pear butter for herself, a sweet potato butter for her mom, and then a selection of james for each kid (I helped pick them out!) They had these mini sample jams that you could load into a little box, 6 per box. The varities were: Apple Cinnamon, Apple Raspberry, Pineapple, Peach, Pepper Jam, Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape, Strawberry, Red Raspberry and Four Berry. I’m excited to try out my sample jam pack!

All in all it was a pretty cool little farmer’s market. I think we both wished we had gotten there earlier in the day when they were really stocked up, but at least we got to have the experience.

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If you have ever eaten in Lancaster, what is your favorite restaurant?

A couple of year’s ago a girl I went to college with recommended this restaurant with me. It’s literally blocks from where I live but I didn’t get there until the end of 2008, right before Jon and I thought we would be moving out of the city. We had such a great experience we were so sad that we weren’t going to have more time to go back.

Then we decided to stay in town, since then, we go back every opportunity we get. It’s definitely one of our two favorite neighborhood restaurants.

Last Wednesday, I went to Penelopes with Shion, Christina & Emily after book group to celebrate Shion’s new job. I suggested it because it was close to our book group meeting and close to the 6 train, so easy for everyone to get home.

We only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table, so we each got a drink at the bar, and ended up brining them to our table. We ordered the artichoke & spinach dip for an appetizer. This is THE BEST artichoke & spinach dip I’ve ever had. They serve it in a bowl and toasted pieces of homemade bread are what it is served with to spread the dip on. It is divine. (Hopefully everyone else liked it!)

For dinner I was debating between trying something new and getting my “usual”. Shion suggested that we split our dinners so that I could try something new and she could try two different things. So she ordered the Hummus and Avocado sandwich (description: Hummus and Avocado with tomato, red onion, arugula, and a drizzle of balsamic dressing on somun bread). I went ahead an ordered my usual the Veggie Burger. I am not a vegeterian by any stretch of the imagination but their Veggie Burger is out of this world! (description: Veggie Burger Heaven flame-grilled garden burger on a toasted english muffin with pesto mayo, sliced red onion, greens, and tomato). It is so flavorful and after our dinner Shion & I both agreed that the Veggie Burger Heaven was the better sandwich.

Next time I go I’d like to try one of their salads…but I don’t know that I’ll be able to pass up the Veggie Burger….we’ll see! If you’re ever in NYC and looking for a real kitchy, eccentric, low key, neighborhoody place with good prices and great food, Penelope Cafe is definitely worth the visit.

Penelope
159 Lexington Avenue at 30th Street
New York, NY 10016
(212) 481-3800

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Have you ever eaten at Penelope’s? Did you love it?

Monday was my hubby’s birthday – the big 30!!! He took me somewhere special for my birthday so I wanted to take him somewhere special for his. He had mentioned he wanted to eat at Babbo, Mario Battali’s restaurant and so I was off to make reservations.

When I initially called they had no reservations left but when I called back the Saturday before to see if anyone had cancelled they had a reservation for 2 at 9PM available for me. The timing was perfect.

Babbo’s 1st level is small and tight. We ended up having to wait 20 minutes for our table and there really was NO good place to stand but we muddled through. Babbo’s decor/style is very interesting. It’s fine dining at it’s best and the decor is very simple and understated but the crowd is very casual and they were playing Led Zepplin, which while great because I love Led Zepplin is not the type of music I imagine listening to during my fine dining experience. The music continued on to U2 and other classic rock throughout our entire time there.

We were seated in the dining area on the 2nd floor which I was very happy about. There was more space up there and it was quieter because it was away from the wine bar area. We ordered a bottle of wine and of course water for the table and then the waiter brought out a chef’s taste of chickpea bruschetta for us to enjoy. Every table received this. It was good (especially since I don’t really like chickpeas – maybe I should try them again…) but it was a little spicy for me.

For my first course I ordered the Duck Bresaola which was divine. It was thinkly sliced duck (think like prosciutto) with shaved asparagus on top of it marinated in some great dressing and then there was this parmesean cheese little pie with it that was perfectly browned on top. The 3 flavors together were delicious. Especially the asparagus. Jon had the crispy spring vegetables with goat cheese. The plate was smeared with goat cheese and then layered above that were peppers, snow pea pods, arugula with something sweet drizzled over it. It was also very good – it had a good crunch and went perfectly with the goat cheese.

For my pasta dish I had the pappardelle bolognese. The waiter had warned me it was a large portion so when it arrived I immediately halved the portion and now I have delicious Babbo leftovers for dinner again tonight!!! The pappardelle took me back to Italy. It was perfectly cooked and the meat sauce was the perfect compliment to the pasta. Jon ordered the Bucatiniall’Amatriciana (which I loved in Italy but tends to be spicy in the US). I had a bite of his and it was also very good. It’s presentation was not as pretty as it really just looked like a bowl of spaghetti and it didn’t have pancetta in it which it usually does in Italy.

For my meat dish I ordered the grilled pork chop which was ginormous!!!! It was a double chop – I was almost embarrassed to have it on my plate (especially with my aversion to bones!) I quickly cute the large piece of meat away from the bone and moved it to the other side of the plate. The waiter came over and suggested that per the chef I use the 16 year old balsamic oil as a dressing for it which I much obliged. The pork could not have been cooked better. I cut this in half as well so that I could enjoy all my meals without feeling like I had over done it. It had peppers and onions with it. Jon ordered the Brasato al Barolo (Braised Beef with Porcini Mushrooms). The presentation on this dish was so beautiful! It was this perfect square of braised meet with sauce on the bottom and the mushrooms piled on top. Jon’s dish was melt in your mouth good but it was sweet which surprised me!

All in all our experience at Babbo was thoroughly enjoyable. Ahhh…and now that both of our 30th birthdays are over and our 5 year wedding anniversary we probably won’t be “Fine Dining” again for awhile. If you’re willing to spend the big bucks for the experience and a special occassion Babbo is a great place in NYC to do it. Babbo on the cheap – it might be possible – if you each ordered one pasta dish and just one drink and didn’t get anything else. It wouldn’t be quite the same experience but it would be amazing food.

Restaurant Review: 5 Stars

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Have you ever eaten at Babbo? Did you like it?

When you go out for Fine Dining what kind of music do you like to listen to?

PS – I haven’t posted reviews on our other two “Fine Dining” experiences but have no fear they will be appearing sometime during a Foodie Wednesday post!