New York - The Hungry Nomad

Café Habana- Nolita (NYC)

January 19, 2015 No Comments

On a Saturday morning in New York I found myself wondering the shop filled streets of the Soho district only to cross over in to Nolita. Walking through an outdoor arts market I saw ahead of me a crowd gathering on the corner. As I walked closer I realized it was the famous Cafe Habana restaurant which I had heard so much about. Of course I had to try it. So I put down my name, called a friend and 30 minutes later was joined by 3 friends. The hostess was not in the least way inviting or nice. But I guess that is to be expected when a restaurant is doing so well they don’t really need to charm you with their service. We were told that they would not be able to accommodate a table of 4 and that we should try their take out service next door.

We headed next door to a more casual, less hectic room where we could order from the same menu but over the counter. There was a few tables inside and some seating outside.

We ordered the famous Mexican grilled corn and the Cuban sandwich. A few minutes later our order was up. The corn was sprinkled with piles and piles of what looked like grated Parmesan, chili powder and lime juice. The result was fantastic. So good I could have had two (or maybe more).

The Cuban sandwich is rated as the best in New York. I can’t really attest to that and I think it would be hard to rate something as the best unless you have literally tasted all sandwiches and all restaurants in New York. But, I can say this, it was the BEST I have yet had. The pork meat was full of flavour and juicy. The juice had seeped into the bread mixed with the cheese and pickles. It was amazing (see menu).

After eating here, I understand the hype around it. I would wait in line all over again for a bite of that corn and cuban sandwich.

Café Habana (Take-Out Store) on Urbanspoon

Food

A New Type of Rotisserie at Narcissa- East Village (NYC)

July 16, 2014 No Comments

Narcissa is the newest addition to the New York dining scene opening up months ago in André Balaz’s newly renovated Standard hotel on Cooper Square. The restaurant is split into two sections: one space boasts rows of farm-style wooden tables facing the open kitchen bordered by a wraparound chef counter, the other is the louder larger restaurant and courtyard. Fun fact: the restaurant is named after a dairy cow at Andre Balazs’ Hudson Valley farm which supplies organically-grown vegetables, herbs and eggs to the restaurant year round.

The menu features various unique twists on your classic vegetables featured as shared plates and a range of meats and seafood cooked rotisserie style for the carnivores.

Talented chef, John Fraser has a way in creating new flavors with classical dishes such as the Baby Chicken Rotisserie which is a melting pot of flavors. It consists of juicy chopped pieces of rotisserie chicken mixed in a bowl with broccoli rage, spiced sausage and brood ($30). Appetizers will leave the vegetarians extremely happy having a large choice ranging from Rotisserie Crisped Beets served with a bulgur salad, apples and creamed horseradish ($15) to the English Pea Tortellini in a mushroom bullion topped with opal basil ($16).

The Mission Figs served in a bed of homemade ricotta cheese and topped with mangalitsa ham and sunflower seeds ($16) was full of competing flavors and was devoured by our party within seconds.

Each of us ordered a different main dish and I can honestly say that all of them were equally delicious, flavorful and unique. However, the Baby Chicken Rotisserie and Maine Scallops were the most popular.
The dessert options were just as good as dinner with a range of plates to choose from all priced at $9. Our table opted for the Bittersweet Chocolate Tart served with a curry-roasted banana and espresso ice cream and a bowl of fruit sorbets.

The only downside of our dining experience at Narcissa was the service. While the hostess was pleasant and seated us promptly, our female server was impatient, rude and a bit abrasive. Not sure if she was just having a bad night or if this reflects other service staff at the restaurant but it put a slight damper on our experience.

Breakfast, Brunch, Food, New York, USA, Waffles

Brunch at Jack’s Wife Freda-Soho (NYC)

July 1, 2014 No Comments

The name is catchy, the place is always packed and everyone raves about it. Of course I had to check it out. Jack’s Wife Freda is a new-ish addition to the Soho neighborhood where husband and wife bring together their experience and backgrounds to create a new and unique menu and flavors. Dean is from South Africa and Maya is from Israel which makes complete sense with one glance at the menu.

Arriving early on a Saturday there were only a few tables left and we were seated outside. The menu/placemat was simple with limited options. Two dishes were ordered: the Mediterranean breakfast and the Rosewater waffles.

The poached eggs came with a side of sliced avocados, labne, pita and salad which resembled and tasted identical to the traditional persian salad (salad shirazi) consisting of chopped cucumbers, tomatoes and onions. It was healthy, fresh and satisfying.

I had really high expectations for the rosewater waffles being from a country where rosewater originated and is used liberally on many sweet dishes. This waffle barely tasted like rosewater and was really not that special. There was nothing that made it stand out from any other restaurant waffle except the use of yogurt as opposed to whipping cream.

Based on the two dishes we tried, we both agreed that there was too much hype around this place. Yes the name is catchy, the location is cool and the clientele is young and stylish, but there was nothing about the food itself that stood out. So if its ambiance you are after then sure this is the place for it, but if you just want really good food there are plenty of options in the neighborhood with less of a line up.

Asian, Chinese Food, New York, Szechuan, USA

Back in NYC eating Szechuan at Han Dynasty, East Village (NYC)

June 30, 2014 No Comments

There is nothing I love more than a trip to New York. The energy of the city, constant noise, traffic and crowds absolutely thrills me. The eating options aren’t so bad either. I have never been to anywhere in the world with as many different dining options as New York. As my readers know in the last year we made the very difficult move to Lafayette, Louisiana deep in cajun country where dining options are very (very) limited. So I spent a better part of two weeks researching and making a list of places I was to eat at while in New York.

Arriving on a friday, I first made a stop at popular midtown bagel joint where I chowed down a large New York Bagel with jalapeños spiked cream cheese. Verdict: Delicious! That night my friends and I headed down to the East Village to try Han Dynasty, Philly’s own restauranteur’s opening in New York. The small shop was packed solid and chaotic but the smell of the chili oil and fried pork was too good to pass up. And so we waited across the street until our table became available at 10 pm. Being a pro at Han dining (we were regulars in Philly) I took a glance at the menu, saw that it was the same, and ordered all the dishes I had been craving since our move from Philly: Dan Dan Noodles, wontons in chili oil, chicken in garlic sauce, prawn hot pot and much more.

Everything tasted exactly the same as the dishes in Philly and were served in the same quick manner and efficiency. The only difference I found was that the spiciness level was definitely not the same as Philly. Here even an 8 on the spicy scale seemed to go down without a fight. While I loved the simple dishes and low prices, I did not like the layout of the restaurant and tables which seemed to be sliding around due to the oil seeping out from the kitchen floors. Meanwhile, the bartender was yelling at the hostess telling her that she needed to ‘take control of the situation’ in front of a crowd of hungry on-lookers. All in all the service was again en par with that of Han’s Philly locations: good food, mediocre service!

Food, New York, USA

Dinner at Daniel Boulud’s ‘Boulud Sud’- UWS (New York City, USA)

May 27, 2013 No Comments

On a cold, rainy sunday evening this spring, the Count and I headed to Boulud Sud to celebrate our one year anniversary. It was to be the first Daniel Boulud dining experience for me and I was giddy at the thought.

We were warmly greeted by the hostess and promptly taken to our seat walking through the crowds of diners filling every seat in the large dining area. It was also our fist time dining on the Upper West Side which had a notably different and older crowd than the one we are use to seeing downtown. The beige paneled walls were covered with photographs inspired by impressionist painters, tables placed close to one another and covered in white linens giving an overall Mediterranean vibe.

The menu was broken down into three sections and subsections ranging in Mediterranean flavors from Sardinia, Greece, Tunisia, Morocco to Lebanon: ‘From the Garden’, ‘From the Sea’, and ‘From the Farm’. [See Menu].

The menu favored sharing many of the small plate dishes while ordering one larger entree to share. The first item that was brought out to us was a complimentary stack of crispy roman style artichoke hearts with a side of creamy aioli dipping sauce. The dish can be found under the subsection portion which includes a variety of Mediterranean mezzes (like the hummus and cauliflower tabbouleh). And while our taste buds were adjusting to the range of textures and flavors we were served one after another amazing plates. Some of the most notables of the night included the steak tartar which was possibly the most exquisite and distinctly Middle Eastern tasting piece of raw meat I’ve yet to taste.

The House-made Greek version of Taramasalata consisted of a smoked cod roe dip served with the most delicious dill covered potato chips. It was a delightful little treat and a great presentation of the traditional Taramasalata. For those who have a soft spot for sea urchins, the Sea Urchin and Crab Tartine should not be missed. Tender pieces of crab topped with sea urchin were served on tiny pieces of rye bread. Next on our list of orders for the night was the Octopus A la Plancha, grilled pieces of octopus served in a bed of almonds and arugula; the Lemon Saffron Linguini and Gambas al Ajillo.

From the farm side of the menu we ordered the Arabic Lamb Flatbread and were also served with the Harissa Spiced Beef Tartare. Both were quite exquisite. I guess I’m a big fan of the ‘harissa spice’ as this dish really did it for me.

The best part of the meal had to be the Grapefruit Givre served to us as a complimentary anniversary treat. The icy treat was made with grapefruit sorbet, and a topping of spun sesame halvah. It was so beautiful presented. The flavors were so intricate and so complex. I am certain I will never taste anything quite like it anywhere else.

Overall, I could not think of a better place than Boulud Sud to have spent our anniversary. The over the top service and friendly staff, and the amazing culinary experience made for the most perfect evening. After having the Boulud experience I’m afraid I will never be able to dine at another restaurant ever again… for my expectations have now raised dramatically.

Brooklyn, Crepes, French, French food, New York, Sweets

Crepes at Pates et Traditions- Williamsburg (Brooklyn, USA)

December 11, 2012 No Comments

Are you dreaming of eating in the French countryside but you can’t afford to take a plane across the Atlantic? You may be in luck…if you so happen to be anywhere close to Williamsburg. This is where Pates et Traditions is located. A small, quaint and kitsch French restaurant serving delicious savory and sweet crepes and other french comfort foods.

The restaurant is very small and cozy. If you don’t want to be getting up close and personal with your neighbors then this restaurant is not for you. Me? I don’t mind overhearing other people’s conversations once in a while. Especially in the morning when I’m barely awake enough to communicate with the Count. Our friendly server came over and shared all his favorites on the menu. Shortly thereafter, I was served with my badly needed latte. Creamy milk froth and strong coffee greeted my mouth. A few minutes later, I was a little bit more alert and started taking in the very cute decor surrounding me.

The walls are lined with postcards, paintings and kitchen utensils. The seats covered with colorful pillows.

There are two menus: sweet and savory (see menu). The savory was brought out first from which the Count ordered the croque chevre and I ordered the orientale crepe with the addition of chevre (because everything tastes better with goat cheese).

The orientale crepe was presented open face and consisted of spicy merguez sausage, peppers, sausage, tomatoes, eggs, Swiss cheese and my addition of goat cheese. The crepe itself was prepared with organic buckwheat flour and was cooked to perfection. All served with a side of green salad. I thoroughly enjoyed every bite of this and although the portion was large enough to feed us both on that particular morning, I ate ever single bite and still had room for more.

The Croque chevre on the other hand was a bit of a disappointment. The Count ordered it because he loves anything that uses goat cheese as a main ingredient. Although the menu stated that the dish was served with tomato sauce we did not expect it to be poured on top of the sandwich. The bread was that cheap white airy toast which when topped with the tomato sauce became a soggy mix that really was not the best combination.

For dessert we shared the chocolate and almond crepe. The crepe was served with a gooey dark chocolate mix in the middle topped with more dark chocolate, almonds, sugar powder and a side of whipped creme. So good, so rich, so filling. And me: so happy!

Coffee Shop, Cupcakes, New York, Pastries, Sweets

Cupcakes-Galore at Magnolia Bakery- West Village (New York City, USA)

December 6, 2012 No Comments

Bleeker street- one of the many places that make New York so charming, so unforgettable and so dear to me. Not only are there beloved Marc Jacobs shops sprinkled throughout the street but it is also a foodie haven beginning with Magnolia Bakery. Eating cupcakes while strolling through Marc Jacobs shops and bookstores? A perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon in my books.

It was my first time visiting Magnolia Bakery, somehow I happened to miss the reference on Sex and the City during my college years (apparently that’s what made them so famous?). So, having missed that boat I was not aware that there is usually a line up around the corner. On this particular Sunday the line up only extended to the door. I was okay with the short yet chaotic wait. So the Count and I lined up and took in all the sweet, sugary vanilla aromas permeating the air.

There were all sorts of people in the line up. The young family with kids swooning over the big three layered cakes, the Asian female tourists with their designer bags picking out their cupcakes, the old man ordering his usual and us, the first timers who were overwhelmed with the choices. Oh the possibilities.

Okay, so here I go: I don’t like cupcakes! Gasp. Yes I said it. There are many other sweets that I would prefer to a cupcake. So is it so horrible that neither of us actually ordered cupcakes?

I ordered a snickerdoodle tart from the glass display above. And the Count ordered the flour less chocolate cake.

After we yelled out our order, we waited to pay. The line up was a bit confusing as people were going straight to the cash counter and others were skipping the line. But somehow there was some sort of unspoken order amongst the chaos.

While waiting I was seduced by the variety of sweets that were calling my name including the three layered cakes in a variety of flavors. “Eat me Hungry Nomad, you know you’re hungry” they all said.

After receiving our coffee I got a chance to get up close and personal with the famous cupcakes…only for a short photo shoot. I definitely have to go back and try the cupcakes for I can’t really attest to their claim to fame without having tried it. Wonder what flavor I should try next time?

East Village, Italian food, New York

Hearth- East Village (New York, USA)

November 8, 2012 No Comments

As I go through the list of restaurants I have visited on recent trips to New York, there seems to be one common denominator: they are all located in the East Village. On a late September evening, the Count and I along with friends went to Hearth Restaurant. It looked like a very unassuming restaurant with cozy, intimate seating and dim lighting.

Hearth Restaurant opened in 2003 and was immediately nominated the following spring for the James Beard Foundation’s Best New Restaurant award. Not surprising given the attention to detail and unique and innovative presentation of dishes.

The room was buzzing with the sound of diners and the smell of the delicious food permeated the air. Upon seating, a basket of bread and amuse bouche arrived at our table. Our server was attentive and patiently went through the extensive wine list to find one that I would be content with. The menu consists of ingredients which are all hand selected from farms which are noted on the menu as well. I also learned that with that, the menu is constantly changing to ensure fresh and local ingredients.

We started with a burratta and eggplant starter. For my main dish, I had the Pappardelle pasta served with a side of roasted mushrooms. The flavors of this particular dish were out of this world. I would have paid money just for the roasted mushrooms alone. They were so good. Crispy and filled with flavors that I never knew existed in a mushroom.

Our table also had the pork and lamb dishes. Both presented beautifully with so much attention to detail in each ingredient. The wine kept coming and we kept eating. So much so that no one in our party had room for dessert.

Bakery, Chocolate, Coffee Shop, New York, Pastries

Ferrara Bakery and Cafe- Little Italy (New York, USA)

August 8, 2012 1 Comment

After our meal at Lombardi’s, we found ourselves walking through the tourist filled streets of Little Italy. We were looking for dessert. Not just any dessert but that sweet stuff that Italian pastries are made of. Our friends suggested Ferrara Bakery as one of the oldest establishments in New York. We walked in and I immediately felt like I was in Italy. Rows and rows of colorful pastries lined the glass round counter. The Count and I were immediately swooning over the wide selection. How can you choose when there are so many amazing choices to pick from?

There were tarts! Strawberry, kiwi, berries and lemon meringue tartes. There were eclairs! Chocolate, coffee and vanilla eclairs. There were Cannolis! Chocolate, vanilla and chocolate chip Cannolis. There was the Napoleon, pain au chocolat and an assortment of cakes. The best for me was the mini pastry section. It is meant for people who can’t decide on one choice. You can order three mini versions of pastries which is exactly what I did.

We sat down, made our orders and waited anxiously. Our desserts and coffees were out in a ‘jiffy’ (Yes! I have decided to use the term ‘jiffy’- its fun and should be used more often). Who can guess which one of us ordered the Chocolate cake?

If you guessed the Count, then you are correct! He ordered the chocolate cake and was unwilling to part with it to try the rest of the selection on our table. Of course, for research purposes I took a bit bite and loved the chocolaty texture and deep dark chocolate flavor.

Our friends ordered the mini pastry plate and the Napoleon. I tried a bite of the Napoleon which was perfect. Who doesn’t love a good Napoleon? Crispy layers of puff pastry with whipping cream oozing between each layer. I have only had such good treats in Italy and France. In fact, while studying in Paris I used to visit the corner pastry shop by my school for my weekly in take of Napoleon or as the french call it ‘mille-feuille’ (a thousand sheets).

For my mini pastry sampler I had the chocolate chip Cannoli, chocolate cream puff and a chocolate wrapped pastry. I loved my Cannoli and really battled to finish the other two (remember I had just finished having endless amounts of pizza at Lombardi’s). This bakery is the kind of place I could see myself treating my mom (who has the biggest sweet tooth in the world) to every Sunday. Maybe its a good thing I don’t live so close.