Italian
Dinner at Emporio and dessert at Balaboosta in Nolita
Candle lit back room at Emporio
I actually found out about the quaint Roman-style trattoria Emporio in Nolita through my friend Archana’s blog at LettuceVeg.com. She took much better pictures than I did with my camera too, but I’m glad I went on her recommendation because everything we had was delicious. Plus, I was obsessed with the candle-lit back room where we had our little girls night. The middle of the space has communal tables. Though, if you want more privacy, the booths along the sides have curtains you can pull on either side so you block out the distractions.
Ricotta Ravioli, $16
Malatesta Trattoria – West Village
Last week marked my second visit to Malatesta Trattoria, the first being my birthday earlier this year. It’s a quaint, super cozy Italian restaurant with Italian waiters and deliciously authentic food. Both times I couldn’t help myself and get their homemade gnocchi. They make a special spinach gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce. I’m a lover of cheese, but the gorgonzola might be strong if you’re not — but also, in which case you can order their regular gnocchi with tomato basil. I haven’t had that dish myself, but having tried many of their dishes the last time I was here, I can bet it’s probably just as delicious.
Spinach Gnocchi, $13
After we were done ogling our neighbors food, my friend Lauren ordered the same dish — the grilled tilapia which was the special of the day.
Grilled Tilapia (special of the day)
The Top 15 foods I miss at U of I
The Quad at U of I Photo Credit: UIUC.edu
This post is going to be really fat of me. But remember I mentioned that there were so many dishes I missed from my college days at UIUC? Well, I wasn’t kidding when I said I was going to compile them in a list. I think it’s also where my interest in food heightened since there were so many options (I have my fat pictures to prove it…you’ll probably never see them though). I’m not sure if all of these are even standing still, but regardless:
15. Coffee filet steak from Radio Maria. One of those hidden gems in Champaign that created unusual combinations with common food. Hence, the coffee steak.
Fig & Olive in Meatpacking
The Meatpacking District may be best known for its night life, but that culture totally spills into their restaurants. There are doormen, lines, people dressed to the nines and menu prices that lets you know you’re paying probably as much to eat as you are to be seen eating there. Needless to say, God forbid you lose your reservation because now you’re all dressed up and stuck with a minimum two-hour wait at all the restaurants in the vicinity. That’s kind of what happened to us — only our saving grace was Fig & Olive.
After losing our 8pm reservation at Ajna Bar (formerly Buddha Bar…I had no idea they had changed their name either), we were stuck with waiting til midnight for the next slot. Across the street at STK, same story. After wandering a bit, we found Fig & Olive. The maître d’ was so nice and accommodating even though the five of us had just shown up without a reservation on a Saturday night. He said we could wait 15 minutes for an “unorthodox” table inside or a table outside. We opted to sit outside since it was a nice night. While we were waiting, the manager offered us drinks on the house. The service for the rest of the night fit the same standard — it was totally refreshing.
Crostinis Part One
Mama’s Lasagna
I totally forgot I had even taken this pic until I was just going through my massive photo gallery of food shots. I know everyone says this about their mom’s lasagna — but FOR REAL. My mom’s lasagna rocks.
Pulino’s in the Lower East Side
I mentioned in my last food post that I’ve been trying to dine at Pulino’s pizzeria for a while since I saw its inviting lights one night walking by. I finally got the chance to eat there recently. The food was good, but a little confusing. Well, ok, maybe just the gnocchi was.
Potato gnocchi
Potato gnocchi
