Tag Archives: Dining

New York is the home of some of the best restaurants in the world! So, today we’re going to share with you top 5 vegan restaurants in NYC that are real hidden gems!

Cover Spicy Moon Vegan Restaurants in NYC Behind the Scenes NYC — Credit: Spicy Moon NYC

Looking to try something new? Come check out these top 5 vegan restaurants in NYC that are true hidden gems in the city!

As we leap into the new year, it’s a great time to try a new dish.

Whether you’re a bonafide vegan or you’re just trying to experiment and try some delicious plant-based foods, NYC offers a virtually endless list of dining options.

Below, we’ll share 5 of the hottest vegan restaurants in NYC!

Top 5 Vegan Restaurants In NYC

Fancy a scoop of creamy cashew-milk-based ice cream? How about a traditional slice? Ramen anyone? The following vegan restaurants all come highly recommended and are guaranteed to leave you satisfied and begging for a second helping.

#1 Rawsome Treats

When it comes to vegan treats, you can’t go wrong with Rawsome Treats. This small dessert shop is located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side and is open most afternoons.

Rawsome Treats offers a variety of fruity, flavor-packed cakes and cookies. However, this spot is best known for its house-made vegan ice cream sandwiches, which are all made from creamy cashew milk.

The thing that makes Rawsome Treats such a great spot is that every dessert sold here is all made from scratch. No unnecessary preservatives or additives. It’s all made fresh every day!

Website: www.rawsometreats.com
Address: 158 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Favorite Dish: Moo Moo Pie Vegan Ice Cream Sandwich

#2 Go Zen

Looking for traditional Chinese cuisine with a vegan twist?

Go Zen offers classic dishes made with meat substitutes like seitan, mushrooms, and tofu. Go Zen has also partnered with Beyond Meat to offer vegan burgers, vegan mac and cheese, and even a Beyond Meat Lo Mein!

Additionally, you’ll find hand-pressed juices, smoothies, and an incredible selection of non-dairy bubble tea. Compared to some of the other vegan eateries in NYC, Go Zen has very fair prices, and even has lunch specials with plates under $10.

Website: www.gozenfamily.com
Address: 144 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10012
Favorite Dish: Sesame Seitan with Vegan Thai Bubble Tea

#3 Double Zero

Double Zero offers low-key vibes, upscale service, and arguably the best vegan pizza in NYC.

The menu was curated and created by vegan celebrity chef, Matthew Kenney, who’s authored 12 plant-based cookbooks and has helped launch dozens of vegan eateries around the county.

All of the pizzas at Double Zero are made with an assortment of nut-based cheeses, fresh herbs and veggies from local farmers markets, and are baked in a traditional wood-fire oven.

In addition to pizza, this restaurant also offers pasta and a handful of other vegan dishes inspired by classic Italian cuisine.

The serving staff here is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable and is more than happy to help you pair your food with a selection of fine vegan wines.

Website: www.matthewkenneycuisine.com/double-zero
Address: 65 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Favorite Dish: Truffle Cashew Cream Pizza

#4 Happy Zoe Vegan Bakery

If you’re looking for homemade baked goods that aren’t made with any dairy, eggs, butter, and refined sugars, then Happy Zoe Vegan Bakery is a gem in the rough.

The storefront is unassuming and easy to miss if you’re just driving by, but the warm aroma of fresh baked goods is unmistakable.

Happy Zoe offers a selection of cookies, cakes, and has some of the best plant-based cheesecake in NYC.

Website: www.happyzoeveganbakery.com
Address: 102 B Nassau Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Favorite Dish: Vegan Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake

#5 Spicy Moon

Spicy Moon has two locations – one in East Village and the other in West Village.

This small vegan eatery serves up traditional spicy Szechuan cuisine. Instead of meat, though, all of the dishes are made with mushrooms, seitan, and other plant-based substitutes.

The dumplings and “Crab-less Rangoon” are a great way to start your meal off, the ramen is nothing short of incredible, and Spicy Moon even sells its own homemade vegan spicy mayo and Szechuan sauces, so you can take the flavor home with you!

Website: www.spicymoonnyc.com
Address: 328 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003
Favorite Dish: Vegetable Ramen

NYC Is A Paradise For Plant-Based Eaters

As the plant-based lifestyle becomes increasingly more popular, even traditionally non-vegan restaurants are beginning to add more vegan options to their menus.

Today, there are over 650 vegan restaurants in New York City, and over a thousand more that offer vegan meals as part of their regular menu.

From spicy vegan Szechuan cuisine to plant-based ice cream, pizza, and more, there’s no shortage of incredible eats in NYC!

Guest Author: Emma Wilson from https://vegancalm.com
Photo Credits: Courtesy of the venues

Celebrity-Owned Restaurants in NYC

August 24, 2022

BTSNYC

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Check out some of the coolest celebrity-owned restaurants in NYC! There are so many amazing places to eat, so let us help you with some top recommendations!

Today we will share with you 5 amazing celebrity-owned restaurants in NYC for you to check out!

We all know that New York is one of America’s top culinary capitals boasting of a variety of cuisines and many Michelin-starred restaurants.

Whether you fancy traditional dining or want to try avant-garde dishes, there are many places in the metropolis where you can go.

It’s no wonder that celebrities also dabble in restaurants, for very few places in the world can compare to the culinary scene that unfolds in the city that never sleeps.

Here are celebrity-owned restaurants that you should try the next time you’re in NYC.

Joanne Trattoria

NYC has its share of old and historic restaurants that you can explore to appreciate the city’s incredible food scene.

However, for those who just want a traditional eatery, the Italian American restaurant, Joanne Trattoria, is a place to consider.

It is owned by the parents of celebrity Lady Gaga and cookbook author Art Smith. The latter was the former chef of American talk show host Oprah Winfrey.

The restaurant itself is named after Gaga’s aunt, Joanne. Located just a short walk from the American Folk Art Museum, the homey trattoria features traditional Italian dishes such as spaghetti and meatballs, gnocchi, and pizzas.

The aim of the restaurant is to offer classic and delicious Italian fare in a family-style place.

Location: 70 West 68^th Street, Upper West Side
http://www.joannenyc.com

Nobu Downtown and TriBeCa Grill

Japanese chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, Hollywood actor Robert de Niro, and businessman Meir Teper are the forces behind the success of 50 gourmet restaurants and 13 luxury hotels.

The men were at the helm of their ventures since 1994.

Thanks to the fusion cuisine that combines South American ingredients with traditional Japanese recipes, the renowned brand has won the hearts of diners all over the world.

Chef Matsuhisa is famous for his black cod with miso sauce and Hokusetsu premium sake

Location: 195 Broadway, Financial District
https://www.noburestaurants.com/downtown

In addition to the high-end brand, de Niro has also a stake in Tribeca Grill, a barbecue restaurant with an award-winning wine list and a great spot for people-watching.

His partner in this venture is Drew Nieporent, a famous NYC restaurateur.

Location: 375 Greenwich Street, TriBeCa
https://www.tribecagrill.com

The 40/40 Club

Just a stone’s throw away from Madison Square is the luxury sports bar, The 40/40 Club. Co-owned by American rapper and hip-hop mogul, Jay-Z, the club features gigantic plasma screens and private lounges.

It first opened in NYC in 2003 and since then has expanded to other locations including Brooklyn and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The club borrows its name from baseball’s 40/40 club which is composed of player who have hit 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in one baseball season.

To date, only four Major League Baseball (MLB) players belong to this exclusive club.

Meanwhile, if you’re planning to check out the joint, expect scrumptious appetizers, sliders, and salads.

Location: 6 West 25th Street, Flatiron District
https://the4040club.com

Mermaid Oyster Bar

For oyster lovers, Zach Braff’s restaurant is the place to go because it features 16 amazing and delicious varieties of oysters.

Chef Laurence Edelman who is a friend of Braff since he was 13 years old co-owns the place with the American actor and filmmaker best known for his role as JD in Scrubs.

The joint is also known for its lobster rolls and ‘oyster happy hours.’ You can find the upscale seafood place at Greenwich Village.

Whether it’s for fame, money, or simply passion, celebs who opened restaurants on their own or with partners in NYC are offering diners different dining experiences.

It’s also an opportunity to see other luminaries who patronize their eating places.

Location: 89 MacDougal Street, Greenwich Village
https://www.themermaidnyc.com

Credits: Courtesy of Jay Wennington and all restaurants

Song E Napule: An Italian spot in NYC

November 12, 2021

BTSNYC

Dining No Comments

It’s Pizza & Pasta time where Greenwich and Soho meet!!!! We all know that New York City has some of the best restaurants from around the globe and today, we’ll share with you a super authentic Italian spot, Song E Napule.

An authentic Italian spot in NYC! Have you heard of Song E Napule?

We do knot that it can be quite a challenge to figure out what’s the next amazing restaurant to visit in New York. The city has absolutely every single cuisine you could image and the options are truly endless.

This discrete spot in the South Village serves brick oven pizzas & homemade Italian pastas that are to die for! So, don’t be mistaken!

This is a super authentic destination for the Italian community in the City created by Chef Ciro Iovine.

“Ciro has been a pizza chef since he was 13 years old, his craft took him around the world and finally to New York: first on vacation, immediately after work.”

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So, what did we try!?

– POMODORINI SALAD: Arugula, cherry tomatoes, shaved Parnesan and balsamic vinaigrette
– CROCCHE’ DI PATATE: Hand made potato croquette, filled with smoked buffalo mozzarella cheese and pecorino cheese
– SPAGHETTI AL RAGU CON POLPETTE: Spaghetti with meatballs, tomato sauce and Parmigiano reggiano
– GNOCCHI WHITE TRUFFLE CREAM

Lastly, for Dessert, a CHEESE CAKE FRUIT – soft dough of cheeses and eggs encased in a fragrant background of shortcrust pastry.

WOW! And what a dinner!

We had a great time, staff was super friendly, fun and the spot is truly perfect for a super authentic and delicious Italian dinner!

Hope you guys enjoy as much as we did!!!

Location: 146 West Houston Street
Hours: Monday – Sunday 12pm–10pm

https://songenapule.nyc

In addition, if you enjoyed this post, remember that NYC has some of the best restaurants from around the globe.

You can check out a few more dining options too, to plan your NYC trip!

Photo Credits: Courtesy and @BehindTheScenesNYC

Here’s What’s Next For NYC’s Food Scene

March 29, 2021

BTSNYC

Dining No Comments

Curious to know what’s next for NYC’s Food Scene? Well, take a look below so we can tell you all about it! Get ready to enjoy!

New York City’s food scene is like no other in the world: locals equally rave about hot dogs from hot dog carts and eclectic cuisine from Michelin-starred restaurants, all in the same breath.

And while the Big Apple’s food culture doesn’t need much to improve it, experts and food enthusiasts are predicting that new NYC food trends are going to shake things up to gain the interest of even the most jaded foodie in the city.

Here’s what’s next for NYC’s vibrant and eclectic food scene.

Nostalgic Comfort Foods

During times of uncertainty, people tend to gravitate towards comfort food, especially comfort food from their youth.

A recent poll has found that two in three Americans ate more comfort food in 2020. And, people will be seeking more of this type of food: 69 percent said that they’ll continue to enjoy the same amount of comfort food in the coming years.

This means that New Yorkers may see more hearty fare offered in their favorite bistros, cafes and restaurants. For example, a deep dish chicken pot pie or a lasagna cooked in a spring form pan, breakfast pizza, mac & cheese, and chili – all possible to emulate at home with a non-stick pan.

Immunity-Boosting Foods

As people are looking for ways to stay healthy, it’s likely that renowned NYC food institutions will be offering more food and drinks with natural immunity boosters.

Be on the lookout for salads with a lot of ingredients that can build up the immune system, such as citrus fruits, broccoli, and bell peppers. Ginger is also about to become a star ingredient. It can help to decrease inflammation and reduce the symptoms of various respiratory illnesses.

Think warming soups such as cream of squash and roasted ginger, or pickled ginger as a side dish.

Dessert could be a ginger ice cream, such as the one that can be found at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. NYC restaurants can elevate this treat by serving it with whipped coconut cream and lychees.

Eclectic Twist on Classic Favorites

NYC foodies are about to go on a food adventure: a lot of classic favorites, such as burgers and pizza, are predicted to undergo an eclectic makeover.

Think New York style pizza with kimchi, ramen burgers, or Thai-style fries, which are fries cooked with spices, peanut oil, peanut butter, lime juice, and fish sauce.

Dessert bars are also predicted to offer more ice cream with international flavors, such as ube, which is a type of purple yam that comes from the Philippines, red bean paste, which is a favorite in South Korea, and miso, which is a mainstay in Japanese dishes.

NYC’s food scene is about to get even more interesting. And, we’re about to see more classic comfort foods, healthy meals, and diverse ingredients offered by popular and up-and-coming institutions.

Be on the lookout for these trends and indulge your taste buds with the best NYC treats.

Piccola Cucina Opens In The Upper East Side

October 28, 2020

BTSNYC

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One of our favorite restaurant officially opened their 4th location in New York City! Piccola Cucina, in the Upper East Side, should definitely be on your to-go list!

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We’ve been to Piccola Cucina a couple of times and we never hesitate to go back again and again, and again!

Celebrities like the mega influencer Chiara Ferragni and her husband Fedez, and other big names like Owen Wilson, Adam Devine, Katie Holmes, Cuba Gooding Jr, Duran Duran and so many others also love the spot! You might even bump into one of them!

Their 4th location was scheduled to open early March and now they were finally able to celebrate their grand opening….and obviously they did not disappoint!

As soon as we arrived, the outdoor seating immediately called our attention. Every detail and the careful treatment with all the details made the area super cozy and inviting.

Having recently opened, we were happy to see they were already pretty busy with old (and many new) clients having fun and respecting all safety protocols.

Well, we were excited to try their Upper East Side menu and this time, different from the previous post we wrote about them, we left space for their delicious desserts!

This is what we had:

Antipasti: Octopus Caprese with burrata cheese , tomato confit and basil
Main Dish #1: Pasta – Busiati with salmon and artichokes
Main Dish #2: Pasta – Spaghetti with seafood (mussles, shrimp and calamaris)
Dessert: Tiramisu
Dessert: Semifreddo Mandorla – an ice cream-like option!

We paired the meals with red wine and an Espresso Martini – to give it a twist! And, if you enjoy Espresso Martinis, they really know how to make this cocktail to perfection!

Chef Philip Guardione truly never disappoints and is always adding amazing new creations to the menu or the daily specials, so you can be sure to be surprised – regardless of which location you decide to go to!

And lastly, of course the staff and the entire team was extremely knowledgeable with all the dishes, super polite and friendly and most of all, very welcoming…making our night a perfect dinner in New York City! Bravissimo!

We can wait for our next time!

Location: 106 East 60th Street

Hours:
Sunday-Thursday: 11:30am – 11pm
Friday and Saturday: 11:30am – 12am

www.piccolacucinagroup.com

Photo Credits: ©Behind the Scenes NYC

Tramonti Fifth Ave: An Authentic Italian Restaurant in NYC

February 27, 2020

Fê Paronetto

Dining No Comments

If you enjoy Italian cuisine, then you must visit Tramonti Fifth Ave, a family-friendly authentic Italian restaurant. Not only do they have century old secret recipes, but they are the only ones in NYC to have a specific Tramonti wine!

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Tramonti Fifth Ave is one of the newest additions to NYC’s vibrant restaurant scene! This family-friendly authentic Italian restaurant, located in the heart of the NoMad neighborhood, will take you on a journey to Tramonti, a small town in Italy.

To be more exact, Tramonti is a tiny town in the beautiful Amalfi Coast (southern Italy). They are mostly known for their vineyards, lemon orchards and chestnut woodlands. Tramonti’s current population is only a little over 4,100 people.

When we arrived at Tramonti Fifth Ave, we were greeted by a very friendly staff that led us to our table. We sat at the back area, near the wood-fired pizza oven, where we immediately noticed that Chef Giovanni Vittorio Tagliafierro was at full speed! Chef Leo Mele is the other, also world-renowned chef, part of Tramonti!

Chef Giovanni, born in Tramonti, was recently awarded by the Italian American Chamber of Commerce the Ospitalità Italiana Award.

This annual award is a seal of quality assurance for the authentic Italian restaurants around the world.

“Italian cuisine is the result of a centuries-old historical process of Italian society, always leading to significant moments of human civilization. For an innate inclination to the attention of the Italians to human relationships and the quality of life, the culture of the table has become in the course of time the symbol of hospitality and welcome, the food has taken on a value like art and music.

For these reasons, Italian food should be considered a contribution to the heritage of humanity and should be defended and protected from adulteration and falsification to preserve its history, culture, quality, and authenticity.” ~ Welcome-Italia.co.uk

As mentioned above, Tramonti is known for its fine vineyards and we had the pleasant surprise to actually try an authentic wine, the Giuseppe Apicella Costa d’Amalfi Tramonti. Such a delicious red wine!

As starters, we tried:

Bruschetta with fresh tomatoes
Bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and burrata
And, the Bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and prosciutto
Polpette Di Vitella – veal meatballs in tomato sauce
Parmigiana Di Melanzane – Parmigiana-style pan fried eggplant with tomato sauce and mozzarella

All really fresh and extremely tasty, but we were mostly surprised with the perfection of the Parmigiana Di Melanzane. This is definitely a must-have!

Pizza making is one of Chef Giovanni’s expertise. Their recipe has been in his family for over a century, so we obviously had to try it!

The pizza we decided on was a classic Caprese – Fiammante San Marzano DOP tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella DOP, arugula, cherry tomatoes and EVOO (extra virgin olive oil).

We asked what DOP meant. It’s “Denominazione d’Origine Protetta” (Protected Designation of Origin) – a certification guaranteeing the origin of the products and that “it has been produced, processed, and packaged in a specific geographical zone and according to tradition” (Source: DeliveryItaliano.com)

“We use special ingredients and classic recipes to create delicious pizza, spaghetti, salad, and more.”

It was delicious and the crust was as crunchy as a pizza crust should be!

Last, but definitely not least, dessert! We tried their cannoli, but we were really looking forward to their famous Chocolate Eggplant.

The recipe dates back over 400 years. It has passed through all generations of Chef Giovanni’s family – mother, grandmother, great grandmother. The process takes literally over 24 hours to prepare.

They fry the eggplant to perfection, twice, then it sits for around 6 hours. The chocolate sauce is delicious and, as every genius dish, there’s a secret ingredient. In this case, the Chef mentioned it’s an Italian liqueur, with 13 herbs (he did not mention details), made by local Monks!

When the eggplant is ready, they dip it into the chocolate sauce, sprinkle with dark chocolate and place into the oven for another 2 minutes. But, it’s still not over. Finally, they place it inside a refrigerator for another 24 hours! After this, the dessert finally ready to be savored! Result: Utter perfection!

You’ll also find other options on the menu like pastas and a variety of seafoods from lobster, crab and shrimp, to fresh oysters.

They can also accommodate dietary restrictions and offers vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes as well!

We can’t wait to go back for more!

Oh, and while you’re in the neighborhood, you might want to explore it a bit. So, go for a drink at Patent Pending, one of our favorite speakeasy bars! If you want to stay in the area while in NYC, take a look at the HGU New York Hotel.

Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 11:30am – 12am
Friday & Saturday: 11:30am – 12:30am
Sunday: 11:30am – 11pm

Location: 2 West 28th Street

www.tramontififthave.com

Photo Credits: ©Behind the Scenes NYC

Fê Paronetto

Fê is our Founder & CEO! She’s Brazilian (Yup! Not a New Yorker!), but her indescribable passion and curiosity for NY makes her a New Yorker by heart. Fê worked in companies like Kimberly Clark, Quintessentially, Vogue Brazil and Iguatemi Group, and after 12 years of working for these fantastic companies, she decided to go solo and move to NYC!
She lives in Brooklyn since April of ’15 and has been tirelessly working on BTSNYC, working with huge companies on corporate projects, practicing her Arhatic Yoga meditations, finding time for gym and friends! Phiuf!

Piccola Cucina: A Charming Italian Restaurant in NYC

February 7, 2020

BTSNYC

Dining No Comments

The smaller, the better! That’s how we like our restaurants to be! Piccola Cucina Enoteca is a charming Italian restaurant with a few locations around New York.

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I remember the very first time I went to Piccola Cucina on Prince Street. The place was not new – it was founded back in 2008 – but I only had a chance to visit them on September 2014.

Behind the Scenes NYC was just starting its journey uncovering the local New York scene, I had just hired my immigration lawyers to kick off my Visa process, so I wanted to start our explorations in grand style!

As soon as you walk in Piccola Cucina, you’ll be surprised on how tiny the place is.

There are maybe only around 10 tables, all pretty packed up together. But, no one really seems to mind, nor pay attention to what’s happening with their neighbor.

If you’re a visual person like me, the good thing is that you can peek around to see what the dishes look like.

I went there with a friend that I’ve known since we were 3-4 years old, that studied with me back in school and eventually in college. He’d been living in NYC for quite some time, working for a renowned bank, and knew about all my life changing plans of moving to New York City.

Since then, everything ended up well: I moved to New York and properly started my business. There is just so much to see in this city that, even though I do go to places I love multiple times, I always tend to look for new places to explore. It’s always good for new content for you guys!

That said, I hadn’t found a good opportunity to go back, until a few days ago with 2 good friends that also live here and have never been there.

We did a reservation for Sunday, at 2pm. The place is so tiny that if you don’t have a reservation, you’ll probably have to wait a while for a table.

I woke up a little later than normal, since Sundays are my lazy days. I had a light breakfast to actually arrive hungry at Piccola Cucina. I wanted to know how Chef Philip Guardione, a true Sicilian raised, would surprise me this time!

We all ordered different dishes:

To share: Bruschetta ai Pomodorini e Basilico – Classic Cherry Tomato and Basil Bruschetta
Cavatelli ai Funghi Porcini – Cavatelli with Porcini Mushrooms
Lasagna al Ragu – Lasagna with Meat Ragu, Tomato and Bechamel Sauce
Pasta alla Norma – Eggplant Rolls Stuffed with Tomatoes Spaghetti and Ricotta Cheese
Red Wines by the glass: Divus Ciavolic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Cembra Pinot Noir

All the dishes are super well served and came in beautiful pans that was pretty unique! I actually ordered the rest of mine to go. I literally was able to eat only half!

“I only came to New York for a visit, but the energy and vitality of the people bewitched me. Today the Big Apple has become my city, where this unexpected adventure all started, and my goal is to bring the joy and flavor of my country here”. ~ Chef Philip Guardione

We decided not to order dessert, but we did see the Cannoli with Ricotta Cheese and the Tiramisú at the neighbor tables. They looked delicious and the people eating them, seemed very happy with their order! Ha!

So, after some coffee, it was time to go! We had a fantastic time! The staff was ultra-friendly and solicitous, music was pleasant, and guests came from all over the globe. We could listen to them speaking multiple different languages.

Piccola Cucina is a perfect place for a brunch with friends. It’s also a fantastic idea to surprise your date on a trendy, intimate New York spot! But, not really fun for small kids though…

If you’re in SoHo, you can just take more time to explore.

So, go grab a drink at a speakeasy bar called The Ship, have fun at the famous interactive exhibit called Color Factory, or go for dessert and coffee at Sweets by Chloe. I love their Red Velvet cupcake – it’s vegan, but if I hadn’t told you, you’d never notice!

Hours: Please check details for each location on website.

Locations:
Enoteca – 184 Prince Street
Sicilian Osteria – 196 Spring Street
Estiatorio – 75 Thompson Street
Upper East Side – 106 East 60th Street

www.piccolacucinagroup.com

Photo Credits: ©Behind the Scenes NYC and Courtesy of Piccola Cucina

Her Name Was Carmen: A High-End Peruvian Restaurant

November 4, 2019

BTSNYC

Dining No Comments

This high-end Peruvian restaurant called Her Name Was Carmen was really an unexpected surprise! About to celebrate their 1^st year, they have some new dishes coming out and we went to try them.

Dining Her Name Was Carmen Peruvian Restaurant Soho Gabriel Barreto Bentin Inside

Dining Her Name Was Carmen Peruvian Restaurant Soho Gabriel Barreto Bentin Hamatchi Tiradito

Dining Her Name Was Carmen Peruvian Restaurant Soho Gabriel Barreto Bentin Cafe Cocktail

Dining Her Name Was Carmen Peruvian Restaurant Soho Gabriel Barreto Bentin Steak Tartare

Dining Her Name Was Carmen Peruvian Restaurant Soho Gabriel Barreto Bentin Cornere

Dining Her Name Was Carmen Peruvian Restaurant Soho Gabriel Barreto Bentin Full Table

Dining Her Name Was Carmen Peruvian Restaurant Soho Gabriel Barreto Bentin

Dining Her Name Was Carmen Peruvian Restaurant Soho Gabriel Barreto Bentin Tuna Mojama

Dining Her Name Was Carmen Peruvian Restaurant Soho Gabriel Barreto Bentin Tables

Dining Her Name Was Carmen Peruvian Restaurant Soho Panna Cota

Dining Her Name Was Carmen Peruvian Restaurant Soho Gabriel Barreto Bentin Peeking In

Dining Her Name Was Carmen Peruvian Restaurant Soho Dessert

Dining Her Name Was Carmen Peruvian Restaurant Soho Gabriel Barreto Bentin Cocktail

Dining Her Name Was Carmen Peruvian Restaurant Soho Gabriel Barreto Bentin Drinks

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About to celebrate their 1^st year, Her Name Was Carmen, a two-floor upscale Latin American restaurant located in West SoHo, will soon celebrate their first anniversary, this coming December. But the idea actually started almost 10 years ago.

Their extremely talented Chef, Omar Ben Hammou, is originally from Peru (but is half Moroccan, as well). He’s worked at renowned restaurants in New York like Le Bernardin, with the French Chef Eric Ripert and in Switzerland, at Le Floris with Chef Claude Legras. Both Michelin starred restaurants!

Now, if you’re Brazilian, you’ve probably heard of Chef Alex Atala. He runs D.O.M. restaurant, a two Michelin stars restaurant, in São Paulo. Chef Omar worked there before coming to New York.

His story at the stove begins in his early childhood when he flourished from learning at his mother’s restaurant about the flavors of Northern Peruvian cuisine. He eventually graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Lima.

Her Name Was Carmen offers a unique experience where guests dine on a simple menu that showcases fresh seafood.

And, during specific nights, after dinner you can make your way downstairs for some eclectic music and their creative artisanal cocktails.

“The idea was to mix an upscale dinner experience with a NYC nightlife. We wanted to immortalize a young Latin American woman that grew abroad, eats healthy, is eclectic, likes dancing Reggaeton, but also travels to Ibiza.

We wanted to offer a different proposition and interpretation of Latin American food mixing 4 elements: design, high-end cuisine with a minimal contemporary style, combining a drinking menu with oceanic wines and mezcal, all paired with great music (deep house, disco, latin)…” ~ Andres Diaz, Managing Partner

The décor was made also by, Maurizio Bianchi Mattioli, a Venezuelan-born architect with the challenge of “no white walls”. So, you’ll see a beautiful mural at the entrance designed by Simon Vargas, fun floors, striped ceiling, an energetically lit full bar! All very…Latin!

We tried 6 different delicious dishes, paired with 3 white and 3 red wines throughout the courses, that you can also see on our IGTV.

Everything was perfectly paired by the extremely kind and knowledgable Wine Director & Sommelier, Yuval Bar-Kokhba. He was sure to find the perfect wine for us!

Curious to see what we ate?

#1: Fresh Oysters from Boston
#2: Tuna Mojama on toast with avocado, tomato and oregano
#3: Hamachi Tiradito, one of the best sellers, with avocado, japaleño, olive oil emulsion and rice crackers
#4: Beet Salad is a new vegetarian option on their menu
#5: Brussel Sprout salad is vegetarian as well
#6: Halibut
#7: Dessert – White Chocolate Panna Cota

Some of their other new dishes added to the menu are:

Sea Bream Crudo
Truffle Pasta
Arroz com Pato (rice with duck)
Short Rib

In a few weeks they are starting brunch where you can also expect a simple, but delicious menu.

Some of their dishes will be a calamari sandwich, the famous avocado toast and some of their best sellers, like the ceviche! And, to set the mood, a live band will be playing.

Be sure to make your reservation and don’t forget to share you experience with us! And, if you need assistance to plan a Corporate Even with your team or clients, let our expert assist!

Hours:
Tuesday & Wednesday: 6pm – 12am
Thursday: 7pm – 2am
Friday & Saturday: 7pm – 3am
Sunday & Monday: Closed

Location: 527 Broome Street

www.carmennyc.com

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Gabriel Barreto Bentin
*Last Update on Feb/2020.*

NYC Food Trends Taking The City By Storm

August 27, 2019

BTSNYC

Dining No Comments

Yes, New York has every possible cuisine you can desire or imagine on Earth. That said, take a look at the NYC food trends taking the city by storm. Some are not super new, but probably came to stay!

Dining NYC Food Trends Insects Black Ant — How about a pair of crunchy insects in your dish? Lol! ©BlackAntNYC

New York is the restaurant capital of the world – just consider there are 24,000 eating establishments in Manhattan alone. So, we decided to talk about the upcoming NYC food trends!

It has been estimated that you if you ate at a different restaurant every day, it would take you over 22 years to dine at them all.

One of the reasons that NYC is so diverse for dining, is that there are influences and cultures from all around the globe. This means that there are always great new NYC food trends, which you can even try cooking at home.

Take a look at a few of the food trends below and let’s see how adventurous you are when trying new cuisines! Lol!

Glorious Grasshoppers

Dining NYC Food Trends Grasshopper Croquetes Black Ant — Croquetas de Chapulin: yucca-manchego Grasshopper croquetes with avocado and Chapulín salsa. ©BlackAntNYC

As we think more about sustainability and food ethics, insects are hitting restaurant tables in a big way. They are actually an excellent source of protein and delicious with a little spice.

If you head to Toloache, the Mexican restaurant headed up by Julian Medina, you can sample them in tacos, hot with chili and cooked with crunch.

The Black Ant, in the East Village, is another great eatery that is embracing grasshoppers. In fact, almost every item on their menu uses insects. The grasshopper-crusted shrimp however are a triumph.

If you want to have a taste at home you can easily buy grasshoppers online, they may even become a household staple.

Locations:
205 Thompson Street, Greenwich Village
166 East 82nd Street, Upper East Side
251 West 50th Street, Midtown

www.toloachenyc.com

Location: 60 2nd Avenue, East Village

www.theblackantnyc.com

Beautiful Baogels

Dining NYC Food Trends Baogel Black Seed Bagels — Baogel at Black Seed Bagels. ©BlackSeedBagel

The baogel is another wonderful cultural hybrid, featuring a soft pork belly filling, usually found in a bao bun, and of course combined with a soft, bagel.

It is the creation of Black Seed Bagels and Chinese restaurant Nom Wah Kuai, and usually served with a chili cream cheese on the side for ultimate dipping.

To try this at home, the pork belly cooks best in a sous vide machine, a beautifully gentle slow cook that will leave the pork tender and succulent, ready to be folded into bagel dough.

You can then return the bagel into the machine, to make a really soft baogel. This trend just goes to show how versatile water bath cooking is.

Locations: Several locations, see their websites!

https://www.blackseedbagels.com
https://nomwah.com

Raindrop Cake

The raindrop cake is a thing of simplistic beauty. Originating from Japan, it is a beautiful dessert that is made from water, agar and sugar.

It is served in bamboo, alongside a flour that is made from roasted soybeans. The dessert is vegan, has very few calories, but it a textural delight in the mouth.

It’s all about feeling that sweet burst of liquid on the tongue. Darren Wong, who originally brought this cake to Smorgasborg food fair said that he wanted the raindrop cake to be reminiscent of the Asian jelly desserts he ate as a child.

You can now buy kits to have a go at making the raindrop cake at home. They are delicious with a little syrup and some fresh mint on the side.

Locations: Smorgasburg has 4 locations.
Thursdays: BK Bridge Park, 6pm
Fridays: WTC, 11am – 7pm
Saturdays: 90 Kent Avenue, 11am – 6pm
Sundays: Breeze Hill, Prospect Park, 11am – 6pm

https://www.smorgasburg.com

New York is a special place for dining – if you can imagine it, the likelihood is that there is a restaurant serving it. These fresh, new ideas and NYC food trends are also changing the way that we consider our home cooking.

So, come explore New York with us and don’t forget to share your discoveries in the comments below! We’d love to hear about them, so we can also check them out!

Guest Writer: Cindy Trillo
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Black Ant, Black Seed Bagels and Raindrop Cake
*Last Updated on Feb/2020.*

Citrico: A Mexican Restaurant In Brooklyn

August 26, 2019

BTSNYC

Dining No Comments

It’s taco time! Citrico is a Mexican restaurant in Brooklyn! We went there for a night filled with traditional tacos and cocktails and had a great time!

Dining Citrico Mexican Restaurant Brooklyn Food Drinks

Dining Citrico Mexican Restaurant Brooklyn Cocktails

Dining Citrico Mexican Restaurant Brooklyn Vegetable Blue Taco

Dining Citrico Mexican Restaurant Brooklyn Aguacate Frito

Dining Citrico Mexican Restaurant Brooklyn Full Table

Dining Citrico Mexican Restaurant Brooklyn Chocolate Mousse

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Dining-Citrico-Mexican-Restaurant-Brooklyn-Aguacate-Frito

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Dining-Citrico-Mexican-Restaurant-Brooklyn-Chocolate-Mousse

Who likes Mexican food!? I definitely do! Today we want to share about a small traditional Mexican restaurant in Brooklyn we visited.

I don’t know about your guys, but I certainly do love Mexican food!!! That said, I decided to explore a neighborhood in Brooklyn called Prospect Heights and eat at a restaurant called Citrico!

Well, to start off Noor, the owner, is Mexican so obviously the food, authentic Southern Mexican, is super traditional. The restaurant’s décor is simple, but very inviting and low-key with some typical Mexican objects and frames that set the mood to the place.

When we got there, I always like to ask what are the bestsellers and what are the most unique and different dishes on the menu.

So, take a look at what we had:

Guacamole (of course): Served with chips and topped with fresh pomegranate
Tostada de Betabel en Mole: beets cooked in homemade mole made from scratch, over rice and a crispy corn tortilla and then topped with crema, queso fresco and lettuce
Agucate Frito: Fried avocado with shrimp ceviche
Taco Gordita Combo: vegetable taco on a blue corn tortilla topped with avocado and queso fresco + a handmade corn gordita stuffed with black beans, crema, queso fresco and lettuce. Comes with pickled habaneros and homemade salsa roja.

Obviously, we’d never miss dessert:

Chocolate Mousse: Homemade semi-sweet chocolate mouse garnished with a strawberry and a Mexican cookie

And finally, the cocktails we ordered:

Passion Fruit Margarita
Tropical: Bruxo mezcal, coconut purée, and pineapple topped with toasted coconut flakes

Plus, Prospect Heights is a neighborhood with exploring. It’s just a few blocks from Fort Greene, Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill, that are also super charming areas in Brooklyn!

Have fun exploring and eating tacos!

Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 4pm – 11pm
Friday: 4pm – 12am
Saturday & Sunday: 9am – 12am

Location: 681 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn

http://citricobrooklyn.com

New York is the home of some of the best restaurants in the world! So, today we’re going to share with you top 5 vegan restaurants in NYC that are real hidden gems!

Top 5 Vegan Restaurants In NYC

#1 Rawsome Treats

#2 Go Zen

#3 Double Zero

#4 Happy Zoe Vegan Bakery

#5 Spicy Moon

NYC Is A Paradise For Plant-Based Eaters

Check out some of the coolest celebrity-owned restaurants in NYC! There are so many amazing places to eat, so let us help you with some top recommendations!

Here are celebrity-owned restaurants that you should try the next time you’re in NYC.

Joanne Trattoria

Nobu Downtown and TriBeCa Grill

The 40/40 Club

Mermaid Oyster Bar

It’s Pizza & Pasta time where Greenwich and Soho meet!!!! We all know that New York City has some of the best restaurants from around the globe and today, we’ll share with you a super authentic Italian spot, Song E Napule.

So, what did we try!?

Curious to know what’s next for NYC’s Food Scene? Well, take a look below so we can tell you all about it! Get ready to enjoy!

Nostalgic Comfort Foods

Immunity-Boosting Foods

Eclectic Twist on Classic Favorites

One of our favorite restaurant officially opened their 4th location in New York City! Piccola Cucina, in the Upper East Side, should definitely be on your to-go list!

This is what we had:

If you enjoy Italian cuisine, then you must visit Tramonti Fifth Ave, a family-friendly authentic Italian restaurant. Not only do they have century old secret recipes, but they are the only ones in NYC to have a specific Tramonti wine!

Chef Giovanni, born in Tramonti, was recently awarded by the Italian American Chamber of Commerce the Ospitalità Italiana Award.

As starters, we tried:

Last, but definitely not least, dessert! We tried their cannoli, but we were really looking forward to their famous Chocolate Eggplant.

The smaller, the better! That’s how we like our restaurants to be! Piccola Cucina Enoteca is a charming Italian restaurant with a few locations around New York.

As soon as you walk in Piccola Cucina, you’ll be surprised on how tiny the place is.

We all ordered different dishes:

If you’re in SoHo, you can just take more time to explore.

This high-end Peruvian restaurant called Her Name Was Carmen was really an unexpected surprise! About to celebrate their 1st year, they have some new dishes coming out and we went to try them.

And, during specific nights, after dinner you can make your way downstairs for some eclectic music and their creative artisanal cocktails.

Curious to see what we ate?

Yes, New York has every possible cuisine you can desire or imagine on Earth. That said, take a look at the NYC food trends taking the city by storm. Some are not super new, but probably came to stay!

Glorious Grasshoppers

Beautiful Baogels

Raindrop Cake

It’s taco time! Citrico is a Mexican restaurant in Brooklyn! We went there for a night filled with traditional tacos and cocktails and had a great time!

So, take a look at what we had:

Pin It on Pinterest

This high-end Peruvian restaurant called Her Name Was Carmen was really an unexpected surprise! About to celebrate their 1^st year, they have some new dishes coming out and we went to try them.