Entries from February 2008 ↓

B.R. Guest RESTAURANTS Brings Dos Caminos to Las Vegas

First Dos Caminos Outside of New York Premieres at The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino

LAS VEGAS –Stephen Hanson and B.R. Guest are proud to announce the highly-anticipated arrival of Dos Caminos Las Vegas, opening at The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino. Dos Caminos Las Vegas is the fourth outpost of the Mexican cuisine mecca and the first outside of New York City.

As with its sister locations, Dos Caminos Las Vegas offers authentic, inventive Mexican fare along with a vibrant bar scene. Building on classic Mexican staples of guacamole, empanadas and tacos, the menu includes signature items created exclusively for Las Vegas from Corporate Executive Chef Scott Linquist, who has overseen the brand expansion and openings of all Dos Caminos locations as well as co-authored the Dos Caminos cookbook, Mod Mex. Taste buds will be tantalized with dishes including Roasted Chicken Enchiladas with Mole Poblano and Salsa Verde, Lamb Shank Barbacoa, Grilled Marinated Skirt Steak with Frijoles Borrachos and Roasted Tomato Salsita as well as Chilean Sea Bass Veracruzano. The menu will also feature such brunch offerings as Dos Caminos Rancheros, Chilequiles Con Huevos (Baked Tortilla Casserole with Sunny-Side-Up Eggs), Pan Torrejas (Mexican-Style French Toast with Toasted Pecan Maple Syrup and Fresh Berries) and Mexican Benedict, available daily. Not to be missed: the critically acclaimed, made-to-order guacamole.

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Chop Suey

The Best Asian Food Outside of Chinatown

Location 714 Seventh Avenue, between W. 47th & W. 48th Streets

Phone Number 212-261-5200

Cuisine East Asian

Managed By New York Renaissance Hotel Times Square

Executive Chef Anthony Paris

Consulting Chef Zak Pelaccio

Consulting Pastry Chef Will Goldfarb

Designer Jordan Mozer

Seating Capacity 88 people

Dining Hours Chop Suey is open seven days a week
Lunch: Noon – 2 pm
Dinner: 5 pm – 10 pm (last seating)

Price Range Small Plates: $12 – $18
Large Plates: $18 – $32
Dessert: $10 – $14
Please note: meals typically served family style

Credit Cards Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diner’s Club, JCB

Reservations Recommended

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ORIGINAL CUISINE AND PROVOCATIVE DESIGN COME TOGETHER AT CHOP SUEY

Award-winning website, Punchin-dot-com, features the Walman Report and reviews of restaurants, travel, wine and theater. Chop Suey brings renowned chef Zak Pelaccio (Fatty Crab, 5 Ninth) to a playful new Times Square destination created by acclaimed designer Jordan Mozer (East Hotel in Hamburg, Germany; Copper Bleu in Minneapolis). Pelaccio and his team, The Fatty Group, have developed a menu based on East Asian flavors with a strong focus on Korea, as the innovative menu was designed after an influential trip Pelaccio and his crew took to Seoul. Anthony Paris, a new addition to the team, has been named Executive Chef.

This contemporary take on dining is offered in two areas within the space: the intimate lounge features small plates, such as Scallion Pancake with Asian Pear Mostarda and a terrific Braised Pork Belly with Crispy Shrimp and Sweet Chili. And where else can you find Roasted Wild Mushroom Congee with Long cooked rice, pine nuts and pickled garlic alongside Twice Caramelized Char Siew (Chinese sweet roast pork) with Hong Kong noodles and shaved garlic.

The main dining room offers entrees such as Local Pork Shoulder with Slow Roasted Clams, Black Beans and Preserved Mustard Greens; Hot Pot of Roasted Lamb Loin, Soft Tofu and Black Trumpet Mushrooms; and the best hanger steak in town: here done with Japanese Kobe beef, garnished with elegant potato coquettes, water cress salad and a succulent French-inspired sauce. Slow poached lobster “egg foo-yung style” with Ginger beurre blanc is another treat.

Both distinct dining areas offer a family style format, encouraging an engaging culinary experience. The inviting space complements the custom menu with a similar “couture” approach to its design. Copper walls with layers of patina and vibrant blue and chocolate colors fill the lounge area, while rich tangerine leather chairs and natural walnut tables are the focus of the main restaurant. Mozer has also highlighted Chop Suey’s three expansive glass walls, which overlook the electronic spectacle of Times Square, bringing the excitement quietly inside.

As consulting pastry chef, Will Goldfarb (Dessert Studio at Chocolat Michel Cluizel, Picnick, former chef/owner of Room 4 Dessert) has created a dessert menu that reflects Chef Pelaccio’s adventurous and creative style, including Lychee Bubble Tea with Toasted Meringue of Lime and Rosewater and a delicious Asian twist on a childhood favorite, Flying Saucer “N’Orio” with Black Sesame Sablée and Coconut Sorbet. Best of all, a medely of intense sorbets, served in a huge fortune cookie. Chop Suey is located at 714 Seventh Ave, between West 47th & West 48th Streets, via the New York Renaissance Hotel Times Square, upper lobby level.

For restaurant reservations, call: (212) 261-5200. Fabulous Rock Shrimp

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South Gate’s Chef Kerry Heffernan

Location 154 Central Park South
New York, NY 10019

Phone Number 212.484.5120

Cuisine Modern American

Owner Jumeirah Essex House

Executive Chef Kerry Heffernan

Pastry Chef Morgon Larsson

Designer Tony Chi & Associates

Seating Capacity Dining Room — 98
Bar — 11
Gallery – 20
Studio “Tasting Table” – 18

Dining Room Hours Sunday – Thursday: 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Bar Hours Daily from 11:45 am

Price Range Appetizers — $11 — $19
Entrees — $21 — $32
Dessert — $11

Credit Cards American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and Japan International Business Card

Reservations Strongly Recommended
http://www.jumeirahessexhouse.com/southgate/

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Award-winning website, Punchin-dot-com, features the Walman Report and reviews of restaurants, travel, wine and theater. Celebrated Chef Kerry Heffernan’s signature Modern American cuisine comes alive in this stunning Tony Chi designed space that transforms from a casual morning patisserie to a sleek sky-lit lunch spot to a nighttime dining destination with twinkling lights and easy intimacy.

A beige and mauve color scheme adds a soothing effect. The sound tract, on the other hand could be more in keeping with atmosphere. Heffernan creates a distinctive and seasonally inspired Modern American menu, with such appetizers as Seared Foie Gras with Tarragon,Pears, and 5 spices and sparkling Hamachi with eucalyptus, lemon zest and garlic.

Standout entrees offer an impeccably sautéed red snapper in a gorgeous green celery ragout with white anchovies and lovage. Meat lovers must sample Rib of Beef both braised and roasted with spaghetti squash, allspice and Swiss chard. Morgon Larsson’s desserts are pretty as a picture and equally delicious. We loved the Passion fruit Meringue Tart with coconut sorbet and Chocolate Pot de Crème with an unusual chocolate Madeline.

Troy Weissman has assembled a wine list of over 700 bottles with a good selection by the glass and some excellent ½ bottles. An Alsatian Pinot Noir worked beautifully with both meat and seafood. Service is exceptional, under the direction of Hicham Enhaili. In South Gate, Central Park South will finally have the neighborhood restaurant it deserves! South Gate, 154 Central Park South, rates “A Major” on the Walman Report

For priority reservations and a sparkling welcome, call:
Maitre’ D Marc Mover at +1 212 484 4719 or email Prioity@154southgate.com

Photo Credit Noah Sheldon

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PATSY’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT
236 W. 56th Street (bet. Broadway & Eighth Ave.)
New York, NY 10019
(212) 247-3491
www.patsys.com

PATSY’S, NEW YORK’S LEGENDARY, FAMILY OWNED
ITALIAN RESTAURANT SINCE 1944

Landmark Destination for Celebrities and Lovers of Authentic Neapolitan Cuisine

Award-winning website, Punchin-dot-com, features the Walman Report and reviews of restaurants, travel, wine and theater. Landmark Destination for Celebrities and Lovers of Authentic Neapolitan Cuisine Patsy’s, the original, family owned and operated Italian restaurant at on Manhattan’s West Side, has been a legendary dining destination in New York for over sixty years. Founded in 1944 by Pasquale “Patsy” Scognamillo,

Patsy’s has been in it’s current theater district location since 1954. In over 60 years of existence, Patsy’s has had only three chefs, the late Patsy himself, his son Joe Scognamillo, who has been at the establishment since the age of seven, and Joe’s son Sal Scognamillo, who has been manning the kitchen for the past 20 years.

Patsy’s attracts a varied clientele including an extremely loyal following of regular patrons, Italian food aficionados, tourists and celebrities. They enjoy the restaurant’s remarkable signature dishes including succulent Veal Chops Siciliano, spicy Lobster Fra Diavolo, tender Chicken Contadina, and savory Calamari stuffed with seafood.
Spectacular seafood such as Striped Bass Marechiare, Lobster Arreganta and Shrimp Scampi are always requested, as are meat favorites like Sirloin Steak Pizzaiola with Peppers and Mushrooms, Stuffed Veal Chop Marsala, and Chicken Liver Cacciatora. Our favorite creation was the best tripe stew in New York: Tender, just spicy enough and a masterpiece soulful Italian cooking.

What great Neapolitan Italian restaurant doesn’t offer a vast array of mouth watering pasta dishes? Patsy’s, of course, serves some of the finest in the city including Linguine Puttanesca, Penne Alla Vodka, Tortellini Bolognese, Spaghetti or Wholewheat Pasta Marinara, terrific linguini with white clam sauce and miraculous spinach Cannelloni with Meat Sauce.

Patsy’s award winning pasta sauces, made from the freshest, most mouth-watering ingredients, are available in better supermarkets and specialty food stores throughout the U.S. The tomato based sauces, 100% natural, with no preservatives or added sugar, are available in six varieties, including Marinara, Tomato Basil, Fra Diavolo, Puttanesca, Vodka, and Amatriciana.

There is an excellent wine list and decadent desserts that must be sampled. Don’t miss the delicious cookies with your cappuccino.

Patsy’s has been known for years as Frank Sinatra’s favorite restaurant and, in fact, his family still enjoys dining at Patsy’s whenever they are in town. In addition to Sinatra and family, Patsy’s has become a favorite with countless stars on both the east and west coast who have come to regard Patsy’s as a mecca of Italian fine dining.
Some of Patsy’s high profile patrons include Al Pacino, Placido Domingo, Alec Baldwin, Tom Hanks, Madonna, George Clooney, Sean “P Diddy” Combs, David Letterman, Oprah Winfrey, Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Lopez, Jonathan Demme, Barbara Streisand, Tony Bennett, Don King, Robert DeNiro, Don Rickles, Katherine McPhee, Jacklyn Smith, Phyllis George, Stephen King, Calvin Klein, Jerry Seinfeld, James Gandolfini, Carol O’Connor, Jon Bon Jovi, Liza Minelli, Chris Noth, Tony Danza, Farrah Fawcett, Kate Hudson, Chevy Chase, Cheryl Ladd, and Patty LaBelle, to name several.

In 2002 Patsy’s published their best-selling cookbook, Patsy’s Cookbook-Classic Italian Recipes From A New York City Landmark Restaurant. The cookbook includes both a collection of secret family recipes and never-before-told stories from Frank Sinatra’s all-time favorite restaurant. Featuring 100 recipes and many heartwarming tales from family members and famous friends alike, Patsy’s Cookbook invites readers to experience the restaurant from an inside point of view.

Just steps from Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Theater District, a visit to New York City is not complete without a meal at Patsy’s. For lunch, dinner, business or pleasure, Patsy’s has been serving traditional Italian cuisine at the highest standards and in the warmest atmosphere for well over half a century.

Patsey’s, 236 West 56th Street, is one of the longest running hits on The Great White Way and rates “A Major” on the Walman Report. For a free subscription, visit www dot Punchin dot com on the net.

Family owned and operated for over 60 years, the original Patsy’s, in it’s only location, 236 West 56th Street in New York City, has been the place for home style Neapolitan Italian food that has been enjoyed for generations. The restaurant’s hours of operation are 12PM to 10:15PM Sunday through Thursday, closing at 11:15PM on Friday and Saturday. For reservations call (212) 247-3491. For further information about Patsy’s contact Patsy’s at www.patsys.com.

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DeGrezia

ADDRESS: 231 East 50th Street
(Between Second and Third Avenues)
New York, NY 10022

WEB SITE: http://www.citysearch.com/

TELEPHONE: (212) 750-5353

FAX: (212) 888-5745

HOURS: Lunch: 12:00 Noon – 2:30 PM, Mon.-Fri.
Dinner: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Mon.-Sat.
Closed Sundays

CUISINE: Regional Italian

CREDIT CARDS: All major

Award-winning website, Punchin-dot-com, features the Walman Report and reviews of restaurants, travel, wine and theater. DeGrezia is one of Manhattan’s most romantic restaurants. Located on the lower floor of a brownstone and transformed into two dining levels, the ambiance reveals itself through handsome Italian chairs with fabric upholstered cushions, parquet floors, golden oak wood paneling, Italian brass wall sconces, lovely floral arrangements, and soft, candles.

Owned by the restaurateur Joseph DeGrezia, here is a true family operation with wife-Anna in charge of the back of the restaurant,
son-Vincent matre d’and Anthony (another son) doing the wine buying as well as being bartender. Chef Massimo Felici’s menu celebrates Italian culture by combining contemporary Italian cuisine with traditional, regional Italian dishes, with an emphasis on wild game and health-oriented preparations. All breads and desserts are house-made. (Instead of butter, pureed chickpeas arte flavored with sundried tomato, fresh basil or garlic).

Specialties include: earthy soups (pasta and beans taken to a new level), superlative pastas like angel-hair with lobster in an aromatic Cognac sauce, wide ribbon pasta served with a sauce of marinated wild boar stew cooked slowly in Barolo wine, juniper berries and fresh rosemary, risotto with five mushrooms (portabello, Shitaki, porcini, oyster and chiodini) and shaved Tuscan pecorino cheese.

Entrees, often a letdown in Italian restaurants, are high points at DeGegrezia: Calves liver is sliced thin and gently sauteed with onions and cooked in a red wine sauce; Rabbit marinated and slowly cooked with fresh sage, rosemary and thyme with white wine is served over soft polenta, while Free Range semi boneless Quails are stuffed with sweet Italian sausage, wild mushrooms and wrapped in pancetta, then roasted and finished in a port wine reduction, served on a bed of wild rice. The chef’s tripe will make you a convert. Pork becomes a star player in DeGretzia’s kitchen: tender and juicy with a pink center. The wine list, featuring 700 vintage wines, with special attention to small, lesser known producers and undiscovered values.

Despite the chef’s proclamation that his chocolate “Bomb” contains no sugar, cream or butter, it is the most devilishly delicious chocolate dessert in town. DeGrezia, 231 East 50th St., with its first-class service, and personalized family-style proprietorship, offers an elegant, relaxed dining experience for all to enjoy and rates “A Major” on the Walman Report.

Owner Joseph DeGrezia & Chef Massimo Felici

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