Basta Pasta

In case you were wondering… some restaurants do not open until 6pm on a Saturday night. What happened to me that I 1) went to dinner that early on a Saturday and 2) didn’t care? I love Basta Pasta. It is a great neighborhood spot… that really isn’t in a neighborhood in particular since its on 17th between 5th and 6th; pretty random area. A group of super friendly Japanese guys runs it and they have a knack for making updated Italian food.

We started out with the Insalata di Cesare - Basta Pasta’s original romaine lettuce Caesar salad. Wow… fancy. Just kidding. It was just a way for us to get an appetizer with greens. I enjoy a good starter salad.

One of my biggest food pet peeves is a crab cake without any crab. You know what I’m talking about; the crab dishes that come with mostly breading and something crunchy but not enough pieces of crabmeat. Luckily for them (cause I’m kind of a big deal), Basta Pasta’s crab dish had plenty of meat to go around (plus, not fried!) I could have done without the grapefruit jelly. However, that is only because I can’t stand grapefruit. I think the citrus and the consistency of the jelly is probably a good combination with the crab… maybe orange jelly? Just a thought… the apple and daikon were a nice side. I love green apples and daikon, although seemingly tasteless, does add a bit of a crunch to the dish. BTW – if you are thinking of ordering: Tortino di Granchio – Crab Meat, avocado, Green Apples, Yukon Gold Potatoes and basil aioli with grapefruit jelly, daikon radishes & chayote

Another patron tipped us off to the specialty of the house was the pasta in a cheese wheel. What is that exactly? See here (to the left). They bring out a huge block of parmesan, melt a bowl shaped area, put the pasta in and toss it around. It was definitely the biggest piece of cheese I ever cut… I mean saw… On the menu its called Spaghetti con Prosciutto d Parmigiano, which is spaghetti with parmigiano reggiano & parma prosciutto. I actually thought it was going to be a little too cheesy and greasy, but it was not at all. It tasted as if the pasta was cooked lightly in butter and then fresh partially melted cheese pieces were tossed throughout. The prosciutto was a nice salty addition to this savory dish.

My date got the Orecchiette al Pollo Organico as his main. Kind of a change from the usual for him, as the meat he orders tends to be closer to the gamey type and farther from the ordinary. The dish is Orecchiette pasta with free-range chicken ragu, fresh tomatoes and sliced prosciutto. The chicken ragu was a step up from what I could make at home (I’m assuming here since its pretty obvious that I don’t cook from all my posts).

The pasta here is just good. Not as good as Babbo (which will be talked about in a future post) but, for a random neighborhood spot, it just can’t be beat.

TBSP

On a quiet Saturday morning after a night of horrible heartburn, all I wanted was pancakes. I figured I deserved them, because I had not eaten for 24 hours.

The line at Clinton Street Baking company was over an hour long (at 9:45 am…it opens at 10). So, we went over to a neighborhood spot that we had walked by a number of times. Spoon catering company is a quiet family owned business, which opened a small restaurant, TBSP, with delicious looking brownies behind the counter and a very pleasant staff. Last time we tried to go, there was a very long line. So, this time, we weren’t expecting much. But, maybe this sleeper spot actually serves the sleepy and doesn’t wake up until after noon.

“tablespoon is founded on the idea that fresh, local ingredients and quality recipes make for culinary success.”

I agree. I like the new locavore movement. If I had any natural light coming into my apartment or any type of balcony and/or open air space, I would probably be growing my own herbs and possibly my own small fruits or vegetables (I would also probably be a bit happier). But, being a poor New Yorker, I must rely on restaurants stepping up and serving the freshest food they can.

The menu (to the left) had no simple options; everything was unique sounding and filled with flavor. We had the breakfast pizza (egg pizza) and the blueberry pancakes. The pancakes were wonderfully buttery, but undercooked, almost raw. The bacon was a little fatty, but, because bacon supposedly cures all ailments, I had to eat it…The breakfast pizza was two poached eggs, on top of a salad of greens, tomatoes, manchego cheese and bacon. The bread was crisp and starchy… The base for it was "pan tomate", a Barcelona specialty, which I hear is actually an excellent segway into my upcoming posts on the food extravaganza that is my trip to Barcelona, Spain!

All that being said, I was sick so I can’t 100% say with confidence that it was the best meal I have ever had, but it is definitely worth a stop by if you are in the neighborhood. Ah, I love Chelsea.

Co.

A pizza place, that’s all it is right? Well, this is not Pizza Hut or Pizza 33 (ok, that second one is actually a favorite of mine). Check out the menu, this place is gourmand. Want a regular cheese pizza? Don’t be a loser. You didn’t go to Co. just for a cheese pizza. You have to order the one with the salad on top. Sorry to include me in my inner monologue…

Co. (or as the sign reads on the store front: Company) just recently opened for lunch, so I had to check it out. You can see by my other post about this restaurant that I tried to go to lunch there a couple weeks ago and it was not an option. What a waste of a 5 block walk (lazy bum… sorry... inner monologue). I don’t know what to say about this place. It’s pizza. The dough is excellent, but a little burnt on some parts (which you may like). It’s very dusty, i.e. when you eat it your fingers turn black with soot (char?). I ordered the Popeye (pictured..half eaten). It was a crispy spinach salad on top of a pizza pie. There was supposedly cheese on the dough, but I barely tasted any. Not to say it was bad, because it wasn’t. It’s a lot less greasy than the normal pizza I tend to eat and way more unique. I’ve become a fiend for pepperoni and was slightly disappointed that there was no pepperoni option, only a couple different sausages. But again… unique is the operative word here. I also had a piece of the Ham and Cheese (pictured). Again, not too much cheese here, way more ham, or really prosciutto. It was nice and salty, which I love. The picture doesn't even do it justice, since it looks like I took some bread in my kitchen and threw prosciutto on top. I might even actually try to make this one, as it seems pretty simple.

The décor is a mix between restaurant and pizza parlor. It is very non-descript… I probably shouldn’t be saying that considering I’m trying to describe it… I guess I should say, it was just simply decorated, yet not as simple as the typical pizza joint in the city. Co. is much more upscale and more like a restaurant.

There are a bunch of small two tops and some big tables in the middle. It would have been nice if the restaurant, which lets in semi decent light, was a little more open-air accessible. There is a rather large wine selection considering it’s just a pizza place (I know I keep saying that, but its true.) There are another menu options, including choice of the oh-so-minimalist cheese. I don’t have to go back. I’d say give it a try once, maybe for an early Sunday dinner, but you are going to go back to your local shop or the old staples like Patsy’s (actually in the same area and they deliver...) and Grimmaldi’s which are still tops in my book. I would have wanted to see a bigger selection of pizzas. Maybe that will come later. Yet, I wouldn’t be surprised if this place wasn’t around for too much longer unless they really come up with something special to keep people coming back.

Time magazine article mentioning Co.: http://www.time.com/time/travel/article/0,31542,1896713,00.html?cnn=yes

Socarrat Paella Bar

On an unassuming street (2 blocks from my apartment, also unassuming…) in Chelsea – the best neighborhood in NYC – there is a small 20 seater restaurant called Socarrat Paella Bar. Seemingly run by a family (the guy who took my coat seemed very vested in how much I enjoyed my meal), Socarrat has been getting a lot of buzz. Therefore, because I am into the new and buzzed, I went last night to see what everyone was talking about.

The dimly lit restaurant was crowded with a different scene. The lighting and atmosphere makes you feel like you may just be in a small restaurant in Spain. The staff was extremely friendly, clearing, cleaning, suggesting dishes, partially (mostly?) because they are hurrying you along so the next person can sit. Usually, I would be annoyed by this, but I think their attitudes and the fact that the paella takes 30 minutes to cook, makes it feel like you, not them, are dictating the time. It is hard to come by a restaurant with one long table, high chairs and such a mix of old and young, business and casual. That must speak volumes of the place if so many different people are willing to give it a go (or at least speaks of the people that have reviewed the place before). They do not take reservations and I heard that the line on a Tuesday night could lead you to an hour wait. So, at 7:30 on a Thursday, I was prepared to wait at least an hour. Either the food gods were looking down on me, or the recession is taking its toll, because we only waited 5 minutes.

We started with some tapas, even though we had read that they were more or less a waste of your stomach space compared to the paella. We ordered two of the specials, the white asparagus (a favorite among us) and the lamb chop. The asparagus (available year-round, spring is the best season for fresh asparagus. Crops are harvested from late February to June, with April being the prime month) tasted and felt like they came out of a can. They were very soft in texture and overly pickled, served on a yellow cheese sauce with crispy serrano ham on top (actually the tastiest part of the dish).

The lamb, which you can see a picture of on the website or in real life to the left, was overcooked. Yet, it was nicely seasoned and the sauce and potatoes were good. Generally, I like my potatoes a little more crisp, but we were not ordering home fries with brunch, so what can I expect? Our third tapas was off the menu, the Canelones, which are a wrap of thin pasta stuffed with shrimp, spinach manchego and drizzled with vizcaina sauce. I was not in love with this dish, although it was creative and relatively good. It was one of those dishes that is hot and cold at the same time. The wrap was cold and the inside was hot. On the other hand, maybe it was sitting for a while? I don’t know.

Onto the main course: The Paella we have all been waiting for… This isn’t your mom’s paella (my mom makes a mean dish). No yellow rice and saffron. See to the left the picture of Socarrat, which refers to the sticky rice at the bottom of the pan, where the servers scrape the bottom of the cast-iron dish in order for you to get the good stuff. We ordered the Paella Socarrat. The rice was topped with chunks of chicken, fish & beef, shrimp, cuttle fish, edemame, mussels and cockle clams. You have to order the dish for 2 or more people. Its huge an takes up to 30 minutes to cook, so come prepared. At a semi-steep rate of $21/person, this paella did not disappoint. To be completely honest, the rice was awesome. However, that’s where it ended for me. I had one bad shrimp, which was overcooked, soft and hard the weirdest texture and I was done. It was really hard to get over that. My date, on the other hand, said all the shrimp he ate were great. So, guess it was just a bit of bad luck on my part. The mussels, clams and even the beef (coming from a semi-non-meat eater) were all properly cooked, which has to be hard when everything is possibly cooked together. Usually the “meats” in a paella dish are overcooked and chewy, but this was not the case here (less the bad shrimp).

They deliver and do take-out for lunch only, which may be good for office orders. This is a good place to try if you are in the neighborhood and looking for something different than the typical Asian-fusion cuisine that abounds in Chelsea.

Chelsea Market on your to-do list

You like my play on words there? Chelsea Market had everything that I needed on a rainy Sunday. The Lobster Place (also on Bleeker), Amy’s Bread (best grilled cheese in the city), an Italian supermarket stocked with freshly made and cheap raviolis (among other things) and the piece de resistance… Fat Witch Bakery. If you have not had a brownie here, you haven’t lived. (Find a list of the many other places here: http://www.chelseamarket.com/)

Let’s start at the beginning. Chelsea Market is located at the top (north) of the illustrious meat packing district, in the building that houses Buddakhan and Morimoto (opposite sides of the building). The Food Network films their shows in the building as well. If that isn’t enough for you to want to venture over to the west-ness of the Westside, I’ll tell you about my lunch there and you will be changed forever.

Like I noted earlier, Amy’s Bread has the best grilled cheese sandwich in the city. I have heard rumblings about Wilfie and Nell, a new bar on 4th and Charles in the old Absolutely 4th location, but just don’t believe the hype. I’ve been eating Amy’s Grilled Cheese since I started at my current job (6 years ago), because there is a Hell’s Kitchen location. To be honest, they are a little heavy on the butter and cheese, but the addition of the greens, tomato and onion make you forget about the fat. They are made in the morning (but pressed to order) and run out quickly (in the uptown location) so make your decision early. You will never look back once you taste the hot gooey NY state cheddar cheese in your mouth.
I must add that I also love their White Been Puree sandwich and the Beet and Quinoa salad (which is big enough for two to share or one to crush).

After my foray into the hot food, I also split a lobster roll from The Lobster Place. When you walk into this store, you cannot help but be overcome by the smell of seafood. The smell is as if you are standing on the docks and the fish looks that fresh. Some you can buy whole, but most are filleted for you already. Since the night before Pearl and Mary’s failed to serve me a lobster roll, I had to cheat and check out this new place. (Not really a new place, just new to me). It was great. Some mayo, some additions, but it is the big chunks of tail meat that gets you hooked. Give me a lobster roll on a toasted hot dog bun anytime and I’m satisfied (is that sad?). I can not wait to try the sushi. Is there such thing as too fresh?

Two words to live by: Fat Witch. Some think “mother-in-law”, I think brownies!!! I actually stopped there first. Who knew that on a whim I could go there and get a signature brownie sample? I thought that only happened in my dreams. Don’t let the cute little emblem scare you off, these are serious brownies. Dense yet smooth, intense yet sweet. If I wasn’t watching my weight (er?) then I’d eat one after every meal.

So, that’s just a little insight into the wonderment that is the Chelsea market. There is so much more to explore, from the Italian and Thai specialty markets, to the pot pies at The Green table. I’m just excited I had the chance to go… Although, I was told by my boyfriend that he may never speak to me again for not bringing him there earlier in our relationship. If he only knew….

My hopes and dreams are answered...

Ok, maybe that is a slight exaggeration... BUT, look what happened!
(For those of you that do not remember, this is the place I tried to go to before I stumbled upon Klee).

Lunching
Co. Pizzeria Opens for Lunch

The newly famous pizza spot adds lunch to their repertoire, including their béchamel-enhanced flambé pizza. Unfortunately, delivery is still just a dream.

411:
12:00-3pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 230 9th Ave (at W. 24th St), 212-243-1105, menu available here

Thanks UrbanDaddy for cluing me in!

Welcome to the Cookshop!

We are all creatures of habit, right? That must be why I go to the same restaurants and order the same thing every time I go? I should try to stop it… but I JUST CAN”T. I am mentally unable to not order the Egg Scramble (3 eggs, caramelized onions, creme fraiche, dill & buttermilk biscuit with smoked salmon) at Cookshop for brunch. I have looked at the menu multiple times. I figure I could be happy with the salad, or the heuvos rancheros or even the frittata. BUT I CAN”T DO IT!! It is my favorite breakfast in the city (apart from a homemade omelet with tater tots). Scrambled Eggs with lox and sautéed onions on the best buttermilk biscuit you will ever taste. Go there. Try it. You will not be disappointed. It’s even better than the peanut butter and jelly French toast.

Welcome to the Cookshop. Located on a corner of the unassuming, and semi sketchy, part of west Chelsea, this restaurant is a real gem. I have yet to come across anyone who does not appreciate the fresh, well-made meals that Cookshop dishes out every day and night of the week. I would know; I have been about 20 times. I looked the restaurant up on menu pages; the menu is different and the $$$$ a plenty (don't believe the hype). I posted a picture that I ganked from NYMag (love it). In the back of the restaurant is a huge blackboard. On the blackboard is a list of all the farms where the food came from that day.

I do not want you to think I haven’t tried everything on the menu, because that would be false. It’s just the breakfast that I can’t steer away from. Dinner is a different animal all together. I’ve had the amazing banana bread (hint of chocolate!); all of the salad starters, two different scallop entrees, all of the “snacks”, two different pizza apps, and of course the Halibut.

The servers and hosts are always very diligent and nice. The atmosphere is homey and welcoming. I have sat inside, outside and at the bar, all with seamless service. Not that this should sway you in any way (and I hope to not deter you…) but Gweneth Paltrow gave it as one of her favorite restaurants in Manhattan. Granted… I have never seen her there. I kind of hope not to, as I like the anonymity of it all.

KLEE

I’m not sure when this place opened, but it’s been getting a lot of buzz. So, when we attempted to try the new pizza place Co. (or as the sign on the building says, Company) and it was closed for lunch (harsh!), we ended up at Klee.

What a pleasant surprise! Maybe I like lunch/brunch better than dinner? I’m not sure, because I sure loved my soup and lobster rolls! A very attentive hostess sat us and helped the waiter throughout the meal, filling our water (yay) and clearing the plates. The ambience and experience were relaxing and enjoyable.

We each tried a soup (the two on the menu). I had the Bean soup consommé with almond milk herbs, porcini mushroom dumpling and N had the Creamless five color carrot soup with smoked cheese shavings and salted pretzel croutons (as good as they sound). To be honest, I was a little worried about the almond milk. I do not drink milk (yet I do eat cheese/yogurt). But, both were fantastic. A little salty, which I love, but it’s not for everyone. The presentation was very posh, with the soups in a carafe and poured onto the vegetables and cheese at the table by our nice waiter.

I then ordered the four mini lobster roll sandwiches with citrus aioli and diced celery. The rolls were on overly buttered but fresh baked bread. The bread (with the rolls and the soup) tasted like they just took it out of the oven. Small complaint about the butter: I’m fine with a little butter here and there, but no need to leave a pat under the sandwich. I left a lot on the plate. There could have been a bit more lobster in my lobster roll (its no Pearl Oyster Bar or Ed's Lobster Bar). But, overall the sandwiches were very tasty. N had the Schnitzel on baguette (veal lightly breaded and pan-fried) with lingonberries, pickled cucumber, which came with salad. I appreciate a salad over fries, especially when I’m not hung-over!

I say go, give this Chelsea restaurant a try. Will have to hit that pizza place up late night.

BTW - I looked up Almond Milk... I had nothing to worry about: Almond milk is a milky drink made from ground almonds. Unlike animal milk, almond milk contains no cholesterol or lactose and can be used as a substitute for animal milk in many recipes.