By Peizhao Sun We’ve come to an age of mass produced, pseudo-authentic laid-backness. The bustling Bedford Avenue restaurants, though quirky, “vintage” and well designed, somehow still miss that coziness, as well as the familiar and friendly, non-pretentious atmosphere. Is there such thing as trying too hard to not try hard? At least, when all else…
By Peizhao Sun Returning from winning a hit reality show, for some, is almost always followed by some unnecessary flashy, and public stuntthat tries to prolong the fame. Though true with America’s many small screen favorites, Chef Harold Dieterle, went with the road less travelled. His first restaurant, Perilla, in the West Village, is everything you love and…
By Peizhao Sun Dining is quite like fashion. While designers map out the season’s new black, chefs dig through markets for the“it”ingredients; however, regardless of how many shades of lime or sapphire later, black still holds its supreme throne for elegance and poise. Though it may not return every season, it’s never out of style;…
WHO: Jacques Torres, founder of Jacques Torres Chocolate (www.mrchocolate.com) and Alex Reyes, Executive Chef, Café SFA, Saks Fifth Avenue WHAT: A rare collaboration of chocolate and savory for which Jacques Torres and Alex Reyes will man the kitchen on the 8th floor of Saks Fifth Avenue. There, the chefs will present a magnificent four-course…
By Hillary Latos While the world often looks to the Parisians as barometers of style, one import that has stood the test of time is the classic French brasserie, which hasn’t changed since its inception in the late 1800s when these locales rose to prominence. Step back in time to the Paris at the turn…
By Peizhao Sun Ben & Jack’s is no strange name to steak connoisseurs around town. The masculine establishment situates in the heart of Flatiron District on 5th avenue, only seconds away from Empire State building. While tourists may pass and gawk, true steakhouse enthusiasts recognize Ben & Jack’s instantly for its signature Porterhouse steak, the…
By Peizhao Sun Budding love, curiosity, discourse and a night of fine dining have gone hand in hand for ages. Whether it’s the warm candle against a dimly lit background, or the precisely spaced seats that bring the pair closer, these details are what diners look for in a romantic dinner for two. At Tuome,…
By Hillary Latos Before the days of Top Chef and celebrity chef TV fame, there were the legendary restaurateurs like Tony May who was instrumental in shaping the landscape and direction of New York’s culinary scene. Starting with operating the Rainbow Room in 1968 to creating the first fine Italian dining establishments, Palio and San…
By Peizhao Sun The much-anticipated Washington Market Tavern, opened this June, has something traditional, something nostalgic, but definitely a whole lot of the new. Restaurateur Eric Schwimmer delivered Mudville 9, and has set out to create a detail-oriented restaurant serving dishes honoring meticulously selected ingredients; and the result – the entirely renovated, beautifully ornate Washington…
By Hillary Latos While most Americans cannot distinguish between the different regional nuances in Indian cuisine, Awadhi cuisine represents the Uttar Pradesh and is influenced by Mughal slow cooking techniques with rich and full bodied dishes stemming from the Nawabi region. As a celebrated chef of Indian cuisine, chef and restaurateur Anand started with the…
