Ember Room - Photo Essay

I love having friends who work in food journalism because I get to go to restaurant menu tasting events. Love it! My friend Will who works with The Daily Meal as a recipe editor and invited me last night to a menu tasting at the Ember Room in Hell's Kitchen, NYC. Chef Pongtawat "Ian" Chalermkittichai invited a few publications to come taste their new menu items. Despite having just arrived back in New York after a visit to Thailand and waking up super early to do a morning show on CBS, Chef Ian was gracious, welcoming and nice enough to by our table a few times to talk about his food and travels. Ember Room is not his first restaurant in the city, his first restaurant, self-titled Kittichai, is actually one of my favorite places in the city so I had high hopes for the food. I certainly wasn't disappointed. 

 Crispy Rock Corn Shrimp - tempura battered shrimp, roasted melting eggplant, sweet tamarind dressing, shredded hard-boiled egg

 Thai Tacos - shredded chicken, bean sprouts, chives, peanut, tofu, coconut, sweet chili sauce

 “Yum Hoi” Pomelo Scallops - seared “diver” scallops, chili jam glaze, pomelo salad, roasted pepper-lime dressing

 Koi Tuna Tartare - fresh tuna, roasted ground rice, crispy tortillas, chili-lime dressing

 Had Yai Volcano Chicken - oven-roasted turmeric-coconut marinated chicken, green chili sauce (IT'S ON FIRE!)

 Korean BBQ-Beef Fried Rice - wok-fried rice, kimchee, bbq beef, topped with raw egg.

 Crispy Whole Striped Bass - whole fish, sweet/sour/spicy sauce, crispy basil 

 Red Curry Crispy Duck - lychee, pineapple, cherry tomato, eggplant

 Mango with Sticky Rice & Toasted Coconut Ice Cream

 Pandan Pot de Crème with Waffle and Pandan Ice Cream

PUBLIC Sunday Supper - Photo Essay

 Chilled Diver Scallop, Fried Shallots, Cucumber Yuzu Dressing

 Oyster Rampafella - Baked Hama Hama Oyster, Ramp, Parmesan

 Tasmanian Sea Trout with Spring Cassoulet -  Braised Artichoke, Fresh Fava Beans, Garbanzo Beans & Peas

 Long Island Duck, Foie Gras Butter, Ash Roasted Ramp, Buttermilk Puree, Pickled Bean Sprouts

 Cinnamon Waffle, Nutella Crema, Chocolate Spiced Ice Cream, Banana Caramel Sauce

Nice Matin

After a day at the museums or central park, your legs are usually tired and your belly is ready for some FOOD! A great French restaurant on the upper west side to take a break and have a nice meal is Nice Matin just blocks from the Natural History Museum. With the weather warming up, I'll be spending a lot more time in that neighborhood so expect more posts! I recalled a great night I spent here with friends last summer for restaurant week.  It would be a great place for a date night and there are larger tables for groups. It gets a little noisy with all the chatter but its a lively place and I would recommend it for those in the area.

Sweet Corn Risotto

Seared Ahi Tuna Steak and Grape Caper Compote on a bed of Heirloom Tomatoes

Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp topped with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Winegasm

My "go-to" bar in the neighborhood of Astoria, Queens - Winegasm. This quaint little bar which seats about 25 people has an note-worthy selection of wines from all around the world. Their staff is knowledgeable and enjoy conversing and educating their customers. Their candle-lit cozy atmosphere is perfect for dates and the long bar-height table in the middle of the bar is perfect for larger groups.

 Cucumber Martini

They also have a very classic cocktail list; sidecars and vesper martinis included. Their new chef, Brian, hails from a two-Michelin star restaurant and has transformed their menu. Some of my favorites off the menu: Chicken liver pate, chick pea fries, cheese fondue, mushroom panini, and many more. Happy hour at my local watering hold is until 8:00pm and they also have a great prix-fixe three-course menu during that time for only $19. MUST TRY IF YOU'RE EVER IN ASTORIA!

Armani Ristorante - Photo Essay

Last week I was fortunate enough to go with my friend Will to a menu tasting of the new chef at Armani Ristorante. This beautiful restaurant is located 2 floors above the Armani store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. The Italian chef, raised and trained in Italy, has been at the restaurant for only eight months. His menu is full of bold rich flavors and delicious pastas. There were many things we wanted to try on the menu and the chef graciously opened his kitchen and allowed us to order whatever we wanted. If you are willing to splurge a little bit for clean but robust flavors in modern Italian food, Armani Ristorante should be considered on that list.

   Amuse Bouche - Raw Langoustine topped with Asian Pear & Caviar

 Il Fegato Grasso D'Oca Giovane - Chilled Foie Gras, Red Beet & Pear Salad, 92' Port Wine Reduction

 Capesante Scottate - Sauteed Sea Scallops, 'Thousand Layer' Potatoes & Black Norcia Truffles

 Crudita Di Mare (Left to Right) - Poached Langoustine, Red Beet & Orange Marinated Wild Branzino Carpaccio, Fresh Oyster, White Sturgeon Caviar, Grilled Octopus, Blue Fin Tuna Tartar

 Tartar Di Manzo - Beef Tartar with Finely Diced Vegetables, Caper Berries, Parmigiano and Baby Artichoke Salad

 Agnolotti - Duck and Foie Gras filled Pasta in Sage-flavored white butter sauce (half portion)

Risotto All'Imperiale - Risotto with King Crab Meat and Brandy Reduction (half portion)

 Variazione D'Anatra - Duck Two Ways, Pan Roasted Duck Breast with Sicilian Orange Reduction, Confit Duck Leg with Acacia Honey Potato Fondant

I Bomboloni - Italian Doughnuts with Vanilla Red Currant Ice Cream