Entries from November 2007 ↓

21 W. 52nd Street (Between 5th & 6th Avenues). (212) 582-7200.
Website: http://www.21club.com/web/onyc/onyc_a2a_home.jsp
Price Range: Bar Room. Pre-Theatre Dinner, Three courses – $40. (Monday through Saturday – Seatings up to 6:30 pm). A La Carte: Appetizers: $12-$25. Entrees: $30-$47. Tasting Menu: $85. (Wines included – $140) (Monday through Saturday). Secret Wine Cellar for private dining parties only from 14 to 22 guests.
Open For Lunch, Mon.-Fri. Dinner: Mon.-Sat. Closed Sunday.
‘21′ Features One of the World’s Finest Selection of Wines (An over 70 Page list and some 50,000 Bottles.) There are many Wines-By-The-Glass (including 4 Champagnes) and a Fine Selection of Half Bottles.

The Bar Room

Award-winning website, Punchin-dot-com, features the Walman Report and reviews of restaurants, travel, wine and theater. Once a glamorous speakeasy, today ‘21′ is one of the most celebrated restaurants in New York City. In addition to its fabled Bar Room, this four-story townhouse features ten private dining rooms, including the legendary Prohibition-era Wine Cellar (which can be reserved for private parties). The world’s most glamorous saloon, is better than ever since Orient Express Hotels took it over and restored it to its past glory.

The clientele is a mix of celebrities, tycoons, mature-regulars and an attractive new young set. The aforementioned “Bar Room,” with its red-checkered-cloth-to-cloth tables, and whimsical toys on the ceiling is blessed with some of the most professional service and best food in town. (Tip: Try to snag table number “4″ where Donald Trump is a regular to get a bird’s eye view of the action.)

Chef, John Greeley

While prices are not inexpensive, a $40 pre-theater dinner is a bargain. Favored appetizers from Chef, John Greeley’s extensive menu include jumbo lump crabmeat with avocado and lime and crispy sautéed sweetbreads with roasted corn in an elegant truffle vinaigrette. While you won’t fine a fresher or better-prepared Dover sole in town, don’t carp at paying $30 for the world’s best burger and Pommes Frites that rival the best in Paris. Kimberly Bugler’s desserts are as lush as a decadent chocolate marquise, or as subtle as a Meyers lemon bar or superb cookies. And the helpful and knowledgeable(Philip W. Pratt) sommelier can find you a glass of Champagne for a mere $12 from the awesome wine list.

“21″ at 21 West 52nd Street one of America’s great restaurants and rates A Major on the Walman Report

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A Bordeaux style wine in tribute to the winemaker’s French heritage

Beaucanon Estate releases their 2007 Sauvignon Blanc–a mineral wine with blends of citrus, floral aromas and of tropical passion fruit, mango and kiwi flavors.

Produced at Beaucanon Estate in the heart of Napa Valley, the Sauvignon Blanc Bordeaux-inspired blend is sourced from premium grapes grown on the hillside vineyards of High Valley.

Beaucanon Estate wines are born of a family tradition spanning seven generations and are produced by Winemaker Louis de Coninck, who has cultivated a rich background in winemaking over the past 22 years. Following in his forefathers’ footsteps, de Coninck is known for working hard to make all his wines taste earthy, elegant and rich with quality.

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NIZZA
630 Ninth Avenue ( Bet 44th & 45th Street)

NYC

Phone: 212-956-1800

Executive Chef Andy D’Amico

East of Nice

Award-winning website, Punchin-dot-com, features the Walman Report and reviews of restaurants, travel, wine and theater. Nizza (that’s what the Italians call Nice) features the foods of the Italian Riviera and Liguria. Chef Andy D’Amico continues his quest for excellence and succeeds with brilliance with a menu sporting 9 sections.

Its up to the diner- to create his or her own prefect experience. And perfect it is from “small Antipasti,” to baked specialties, fantastic mixed Mediterranean Cold Cuts or Salumi, Cheeses, Panini, Soups, Salads and Desserts. Wherever your meal starts, you’ll wind up in a fantastic place, that is eminently affordable with plates starting at $6 or (or a buck more for fabulous fried ravioli with creamy cheese), and topping out at $15 for the whimsically named “Terror Stricken Beef.”

Other fond memories include Socca with sage, onion and pecorino (Socca is a southern version of the North Italian Farinata, made of chickpea flour and olive oil. After being formed into a flat cake and baked in an oven, the socca is seasoned generously and eaten with the fingers while hot.), Pumpkin and Leek Soup Gratinee, Tomaxelle (stuffed veal rolls with arugula and meat sauce), all homemade breads and the wine list, which is a joy and filled with affordable surprises.

Don’t miss the delectable pine-nut semifreddo affogato for dessert. Nizza is a casual bôite “modishly” designed and a “bargain rated” A Major on the Walman Report.

WINE ON LINE

Restaurant Wine of the Week

Sagrantino Di Montefalco Dionigi, Umbria 2002: $74 at Nizza. An elegant blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet. This wine displays a lovely balance of acid and fruit. Comparing favorably with its more pricey Tuscan neighbors, its pairs beautifully with pizza, pasta, meats, assertively seasoned seafood and cheese.

Click Here To Visit Their Website
http://www.cantinadionigi.it/

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MICHELINE-STARRED CHEF & RESTAURANTEUR YIANNI BAXEVANIS RETURNS TO ASTORIA’S ATHENS TAVERN TO OFFER

“A TASTE OF GREECE” WITH EXCLUSIVE 5-COURSE TASTING MENU

Friday, November 23rd through Monday, November 26th

Photo credit Athens Tavern: Kyle Erin Schmitz.

After recently opening Contemporary Cretan eatery Athens Tavern (23-01 31st Street Astoria, NY 11105, Phone: (718) 267-0800) in late September in Astoria, Michelin-Starred Chef and globetrotting restaurateur Yianni Baxevanis is gearing up to return to New York after opening yet another restaurant in Dubai to offer patrons that might have missed out on his last visit a one-of-a-kind herb infused contemporary “Taste of Greece”. This unique 5-Course tasting menu will begin on Friday, November 23rd and will run through Monday, November 26th. Dishes will include Carob bread (gluten free!) – a staple that replaced traditional bread in Greece during wartime, which is served with a variety of decadent homemade Greek spreads, baked Mediterranean Snapper stuffed with exotic aromatic wild Greek greens, and a grilled dry aged black angus steak marinated in fruits and arrack, just to name a few. Each course will be paired with a unique Greek wine and the cost per person is $40.00. The tasting menu is available during regular dinner hours and all diners are encouraged to participate in the tasting menu although it is not required. Baxevanis is also looking forward to stopping by guest’s tables to answer any questions they might have about his unique take on contemporary Greek cuisine.

Photo credit Yianni Baxevanis: Kyle Erin Schmitz.

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CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING AT GORDON RAMSAY AT THE LONDON

AND MAZE BY GORDON RAMSAY

Gordon Ramsay at The London celebrates Thanksgiving with a duo of holiday menus. On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22, 2007, Gordon Ramsay at The London formal dining will serve a seven-course holiday menu from 12:00-2:30pm and from 5:30pm-10:30pm. Maze, the restaurant’s more informal dining offering, will serve a five-course abbreviated version of the formal dining menu, which will be available from 12:00pm to 2:30pm and from 5:00pm to 10:30pm.

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