Lost in a Sea of Mediocrity

After accepting the fact that all decent brunch places are located either waaay downtown or near Amsterdam Ave. and 80's, I decided to try The Neptune Room. This restaurant pretty much the same as the other neighborhood brunch joints (like Good Enough to Eat, Fred's, and Sarabeth's West). There was outdoor seating, which was a plus when the weather is nice. Additionally, there was also a main dining room as well as another room with several tables up four steps in the rear. The atmosphere was friendly - they were understaffed but nevertheless adequately attentive. We sat at a communal table with another group of five at the other end. Although there was a wait for a table while we were eating, the hostess never sat another party directly next to us.

The meal overall was a pretty good value, "compliments of The Neptune Room with your brunch your choice of a Neptune Brunch Cocktail, or fresh squeeze juice”. We had a bloody mary and a mimosa, they were fine as complimentary beverages. We ordered the vanilla bean french toast (crème brûlèe battered, maple syrup, strawberries) and "paella" and eggs (shrimp, chorizo, saffron rice, sunny up eggs). The french toast was a huge portion, moist from being soaked in the batter - I enjoyed the golden brown crust. The slices of strawberries were a healthy accompaniment. The batter was just sweet enough that I didn’t need to use the maple syrup. I preferred the paella and eggs that day, it’s just such a great idea. The portion size was small to medium. It was a nicely executed dish, the shrimp was succulent, saffron rice was well seasoned, and topped with sunny side up eggs, this is what brunch should be (breakfast + lunch).

The Neptune Room
511 Amsterdam Ave.
New York, NY 10024
nr. 84th St.
212-496-4100

Uni and Me

click on image above for complete photo album

Behind the white unmarked façade on Sixth Avenue is one of the best Japanese restaurants in NYC. Chef Sotohiro Kosugi is the Food & Wine's 1997 Best New Chef. It's hard to believe his previous restaurant was at a strip mall in Atlanta. I mean, when was the last time any restaurateur based out of your local shopping center makes it in the Big Apple? And by making it I mean, a full house on a Thursday evening in April, almost one year after it’s opening in May 2007.

Had a delicious meal at Soto the other night. Prices were reasonable, would've ordered omakase if it was available. Uni (sea urchin) is one of my guilty pleasures; however, it's an acquired taste. I'd happily return to Soto again just so that I can have the divine steamed lobster with uni mousse wrapped in lotus root.

We were a party of 2, arrived a little before 6pm for an early dinner. The day's menu was in the process of being printed. The waitress recommended that we order 2 dishes from each side of the menu ("from sushi bar" and "from kitchen") to share as well as some sushi from the back ("sushi nigiri").

We ordered most of our dishes from his creative specials. The steamed lobster with uni mousse and uni ika sugomori zukuri were outstanding - I am going back again for them. The uni was creamy and fresh, perfectly balanced by lobster and thinly sliced squid from the two dishes. I wasn't impressed with the geoduck clam salad (seemed plain) or the chyu toro tar tare (the sesame ponzu sauce overwhelmed the tuna) as much. The sushi nigiri were good as well. Chef Soto personally delivered our sushi to the table and was very friendly. I even got to snap two photos with him :)

Service was very attentive, we had 2 bottles of sake. The experience reminded me of wd~50 when we had to pour the broth out of the dobin pot for the dobin mushi soup (as if we were having tea) and then open the lid to reveal the shrimp and black fish. Another hands-on experience was the the mixing of the uni ika sugomori zukuri, destroying the quail egg and combining everything together.

I don't claim to be a foodie or know about the intricacies that go into preparing a plate; however I can say that did enjoy the exquisite and well-executed meal.

Soto
357 Sixth Ave.
New York, NY 10014
nr. Washington Pl.
212-414-3088

Trotter's

(reposted May 9, 2008)

Dining at a Top 50: Charlie Trotter's in Chicago
I prefer WD-50 and Nobu over this one. I was not impressed by the food or the service. They probably were just having a bad night... But then again it was "supposed" to be great, again, can't always rely on the hype one comes across. It's cool to dine at a place where the median age of the patrons is at least 15 years older. It screams, "I've arrived!" But then the $$$ that was spent on this meal could pay someone's rent for the month. LoL.

Chicago is a lovely town.

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Saturday, September 2, 2006
Grand Menu

Amuse Gueule
Japanese Hamachi with Roasted Bell Pepper, Kalamata Olive Sorbet, Spanish Paprika & Basil Oil
Alaskan King Salmon with Bok Choy, Sweet and Sour Duck Gizzards & Yellow Curry Sauce
Whole Roasted Squab with marcona Almonds, Kinome Seeds, Sweet Onions & Morel Mushrooms
Colorado Lamb Loin & Rach with Quinoa, Black Cardamom Mole & Ash Baked Eggplant
Cantaloupe with Preserved Melon Rind & Lavender Cured Pork Belly Michigan Raspberries with Riccotta & Fennel

Mignardises
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Some pictures from the meal, some may be a little blurry (apologies).

Wine does taste better in a Riedel glass...

N'awlins

(reposted May 9, 2008 - pictures taken December 2004)

If a picture is worth a thousand words:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Maine Event

(reposted May 9, 2008)

Lobster Roll (Red's Eats ~ Wiscasset, ME)

If I was to have one last meal, that would be it.

Fresh off the press. link from CNN money on the Lobster Roll (see above) simply, "the best in the world."

Maine Lobster Festival - August 6, 2005


Twin Lobsters


Lunch at Barnacle Billy's with Bush Sr.


Clam Box in Ipswich, MA


A trip is not complete without great ice cream.