I’m always in the mood for seafood, but this summer’s glut of lobster deals has really kicked my appetite into high gear. I feel like I’m constantly reading about seafood deals every day, so I’ve started keeping track of some of my favorites. And I’m not just talking about good bargains like Luke’s Lobsters “Taste of Maine.” I’m talking legit seasonal discounts and short-term specials. Read on for the catch of the day.
Posts Tagged ‘Upper East Side’
Summer Seafood Deals: Lobster Fever Hits New York
Thursday, August 5th, 2010Luke’s Lobster: I Tasted Maine … And It Was Delicious
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
I’ve been on a bit of a lobster kick this summer and, having sampled the delicious specimens from Montauk’s Lobster Roll Restaurant, Red Hook Lobster Pound, and even Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough (an excellent little seaside shack in Noank, CT that’s worth the drive), I certainly haven’t been at a loss for good meals. But when my friend suggested we seek out lobster rolls for dinner last week, my mind immediately jumped to Luke’s Lobster in the East Village.
Though I’ve seen some buzz around Luke’s in the blogosphere, I was truly intrigued when I read about the place in New York Mag’s excellent lobster roundup in the summer issue. With fresh lobster shipped down from Maine, some light seasoning, and a nice price, Luke’s roll certainly seemed enticing. But what I was most excited about was the “Taste of Maine” menu option. For $20, you get three mini rolls (filled with lobster, shrimp, and crab), plus a pair of Empress claws, chips, and a soda, including offerings from Maine Root (with flavors like sarsaparilla, blueberry, and Mandarin orange). I’m always a fan of options that let you try as many items as possible, so this offering was right up my alley.
And I’m thrilled that I got to try all the varieties of sandwich in miniature, because (and I know this is heresy) I might have enjoyed the crab sandwich most of all. As a caveat, I’m a sucker for crab, but this particular roll was moist, flavorful, and decadent. The lobster roll tasted wonderfully salty and fresh, true to Luke’s fresh-from-the-ocean pledge. To my palate, the lobster roll was a bit on the dry side, but that is easily remedied. Luke’s offers extra butter or mayo, so you can dress your roll to your heart’s desire. Though I thought Red Hook Lobster Pound’s offering did a little better at getting the ratio of mayo to claw meat right, Luke’s will certainly be a favorite for those who prefer little to no noticable mayo on the sandwich. And Red Hook certainly doesn’t boast any sort of tasting package nor is it offered in a convenient location, so Luke’s has the edge there. I’ll happily take a quick trip downtown for another sampling of Luke’s fantastic (and fantastically priced) seafood.
Posted by: Nicole Price Fasig
Order: Taste of Maine
Price: $$
Location: 93 E. 7th St (between 1st Ave. and Ave. A) and 242 E. 81st St. (at 2nd Ave.)
Type of Food: Seafood
Veggie Friendly? N
www.lukeslobster.com
Summer Restaurant Week: It’s That Time of Year Again!
Friday, July 2nd, 2010Just 10 days from now one of New York’s (OK, one of OUR) favorite semi-annual traditions begins again - those magical two weeks, which generally turn into three or four, when usually out-of-reach dining experiences can be had for a relatively paltry $24.07 for lunch or $35 for dinner. This is inevitably preceded by another time-honored tradition: obsessively perusing the menus available online for this year’s chosen meals. And finally after an intense period of research and resultant lip-licking, we’ve narrowed it down to our top four choices for this summer. (Drumroll please…)
Kim’s picks:
Adour Alain Ducasse — OK, I’ll be honest: this one was on the list before I even clicked to view the menu. How often do you get to eat at a three-star Michelin chef’s eatery for Restaurant Week prices? But if the menu is anything to go by, there’s more reason to go here than just the chef’s reputation. I’ll take the fluke ceviche to start…hmm, and then maybe some prime beef tournedos with glazed short ribs, and end it with a dark chocolate sorbet with brioche croutons? Yeah, that ought to just about do it!
Industria Argentina — If you love Latin flavors but can appreciate a twist on the traditional, this may just be the restaurant week meal for you. We’re talking octopus salad with toasted corn, pork roasted with Valencia oranges served up with grilled yams and plum chutney, and how about a flan with salted caramel nougat?
Zengo — This haven of Asian-Mexican fusion is usually not a place to fill your belly at a reasonable price, so restaurant week is a great opportunity to sample some of their deliciously creative fare without breaking the bank. I can personally vouch for the Thai chicken empanadas, chicken pibil, and braised beef short ribs, all of which are available on the restaurant week menu.
Nicole’s picks:
City Crab - I spend my summer daydreaming of relaxing by the coast at a quaint little seafood shack, with a lemonade in one hand and a lobster roll in the other. While seafood shacks are few and far between in the city, seafood restaurants are not. I’m particularly jazzed about City Crab’s lunch menu, which includes a Maine lobster and clam bake (complete with all the fixin’s), but I would be just as happy with twin steamed lobsters for dinner.
Maya - Looking for a break from the usual chicken or fish options? Maya offers exotic entrees galore. From adobo-marinated soft-shell crabs to huitlacoche-mushroom-requeson stuffed crepes, there are plenty of options to satisfy your favorite adventurous eater.
Spice Market - If you want to get a little extra mileage out of your RW experience, look no further than Spice Market. This Meatpacking mainstay offers an extra course for your money and features options ranging from salmon tartar with soy-ginger dressing to charred, chili-rubbed beef skewers with Thai-basil dipping sauce.
Victor’s Cafe - To be honest, I wasn’t familiar with Victor’s until seeing it on the RW-list, but this Latin-inspired menu had me at roast suckling pig marinated in sour orange juice, olive oil, garlic and herbs. Though the pig is undeniably the star attraction, every dish on offer shines.
We hope you enjoy all that Restaurant Week has to offer. For more tips, check out our previous summer restaurant week post.
Posted by: Kim Partrick and Nicole Price Fasig
Genesis Bar: Beyond the Burger
Friday, June 18th, 2010
The Upper East Side has its fair share of bro bars and burger joints, with carbon copy menus that rarely vary from block to block. One surprising standout, however, is Genesis Bar on 2nd Ave and 89th St.
The burger list is a pamphlet-sized insert in the regular menu, but what it lacks in width, it more than makes up for in breadth. All burgers consist of a 1/2-pound of black angus beef on a toasted bun, and variations on the standard include the Italian (topped with pancetta and melted mozzarella, and drizzled with basil pesto), the Bulls-Eye (covered in bulls-eye steak sauce and topped with sauteed onions and jalapenos), and the Hawaiian (with barbecue sauce, ham, grilled pineapple, and melted Swiss cheese). It only takes one glance at the menu to figure out what I ordered: the Genesis, of course. Served with blue cheese, frizzled onions, and, most importantly, chorizo, it was the obvious choice. The burger was delicious of course (it had chorizo on it, so it was guaranteed to be good), but oh so heavy. Don’t come for dinner here if you have a physical coming up, but if you don’t mind sending your cholesterol skyrocketing, Genesis’ deluxe burgers won’t disappoint.
Posted by: Nicole Price Fasig
Order: Genesis burger
Price: $$
Location: 1708 2nd Ave. (between 88th St. and 89th St.)
Type of Food: American, Burgers
Veggie Friendly? Y
www.genesisbar.com
92nd Street Y: A Chocolate Fest is the Best Kind of Fest…
Friday, March 12th, 2010I certainly hope you didn’t give up chocolate for Lent, because this Sunday’s event at the 92nd Street Y might just break you if you did! For a relatively paltry $35 entrance fee, the doors of New York’s chocolate wonderland will open before you, presenting samples from the city’s best chocolateries, along with chocolate-inspired cocktails and wine pairings. Participating retailers include Tombador, Guittard, Chocolat Moderne, Divalicious Chocolate, and even Grom Gelatteria! Tastings begin at 7:30 – who says you can’t have chocolate for dinner?
Posted by: Kim Partrick
Price: $$$$
Location: 92nd Street at Lexington Ave.
Type of Food: Chocolate
Veggie Friendly? Y
Tickets and information at www.92y.org
Cascabel Taqueria: A Fun and Fresh Take on Mexican Food
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
It’s a hard truth in New York City that the best, most authentic Mexican food generally costs triple what it might closer to the border. Upper East Side newbie Cascabel is no exception, but it’s a testament to its greatness that I will have no qualms about coughing up the dough next time I’m in the neighborhood.
From the first impression to our last wave goodbye, our experience at Cascabel was pure pleasure. The lucha libre-themed décor was colorful, festive, and welcoming, as was the staff, who offered us a complimentary chipotle-spiced fried tortilla while we awaited our food. This provided the perfect opportunity to sample some house sauces, the tomatillo and the “hottie” both emerging as finger-licking favorites. The former has its classic citrus spiciness and the latter was something utterly new, at least to me, coupling an extremely smoky heat with a hint of sweetness as well. The main event didn’t disappoint, either. I ordered the carnitas (slow roasted pork butt) tacos, which come 2 for $7.50 or 3 for $10. While carnitas can always run the risk of being overly greasy, Cascabel’s is decadent without being overly so. The pickled red onions and roasted chilis that adorn it are equally delectable, creating a perfectly balanced bite of which I couldn’t get enough, even after 3 tacos. My lunch partner tried the cecina poblana, a sandwich layered with roasted pork in a chipotle sauce, Oaxaca cheese, mango, and avocado, among other things, nestled in a brioche bun. While not for the faint of heart, this spicy sandwich packs a hefty flavor in every bite, which is perfectly balanced thanks to the sweetness of its bun.
To top off the meal, we elected to try the churro-style doughnuts which tantalizingly adorn the counter space. As a devoted lover of the gooiest of churros, these babies fulfilled my dessert wishes and then some. You get that delicious cinnamon-sugar flavor and a bit of crunch, but then the insides are so perfectly tender they practically ooze out when you take a bite.
And so, any initial gripes of being able to find the same lunch on the streets of Mexico for far less money were silenced as soon as I took my first bite of Cascabel’s cuisine. I’ll happily fork over a few extra dollars and endure a subway ride to find such a fun, fantastic lunch in my very own city.
Posted by: Kim Partrick
Order: carnitas tacos, churros
Price: $-$$
Location: 1542 2nd Ave. (between 80th St. and 81st St.)
Type of Food: Mexican
Veggie Friendly? Y
www.nyctacos.com
Melt Gelato: Many Flavors, Molto Bene
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
We first wrote about Melt Gelato when this little Upper East Side storefront was going for one big record: most gelato served. We waited until the buzz settled down to check out the variety ourselves. And boy am I glad we made it! Melt’s real appeal is its wide range of flavors, from dark rum white raisin to double dutch chocolate, and from mint chip to mascarpone caramel pistachio. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the seasonal flavors, including pumpkin spice, spiced caramel apple, and mounds (chocolate and coconut).
I combined the pumpkin spice, a subtle but rich flavor that was less overpowering than the pumpkin spice custard now served on Mondays at Shake Shack, with the scrumptious creme brulee. And this was only after I sampled several other wonderful flavors, like toasted coconut almond fudge. There are certainly many more trips to Melt in my future!
Posted by: Nicole Price Fasig
Order: pumpkin spice gelato, creme brulee gelato
Price: $
Location: 1053 2nd Ave. (between 55th St. and 56th St.)
Type of Food: Dessert
Veggie Friendly? Y
www.meltgelato.com
Alloro: Because Monday is the New Thursday
Monday, October 26th, 2009Long gone are the days when it wasn’t acceptable to drink on a school night. Establishments are hoping to lure you out every night of the week with deals like this one we were psyched to hear about at Alloro. This Italian joint on the Upper East Side is celebrating its newly minted liquor license with $5 drinks and free aperitivo from 5pm until closing.
And Alloro isn’t messing around. Besides traditional cocktails like negronis and bellinis, drink offerings include more creative items like licorice martinis and the “mile-high Manhattan” (made with Maker’s Mark, vanilla liqueur, Grand Marnier, and Sambuca). Can’t make it out tonight? Alloro is offering drink deals and free hors d’oeuvres every night from 5pm-7pm.
Posted by: Nicole Price Fasig
Price: Free-$
Location: 307 East 77th St. (at 2nd Ave.)
Type of Food: Italian
Veggie Friendly? Y
www.alloronyc.com
Rouge Tomate: Here’s To Your Health
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
I wish I could say I ventured to Rouge Tomate because I was making a concerned effort to eat healthier…but that would be a lie. Truth be told, it took a gift card to inspire me to dine at this socially and environmentally conscious restaurant and decided to give it a try. With a name that literally translates to Red Tomato, Rouge Tomate’s philosophy is based on using local and seasonal produce while heightening the nutritional value of each dish. This is certainly apparent when looking at the venue’s green apple and wood décor.
Ready to eat healthy, my sister and I ordered sautéed Atlantic calamari but not before receiving an amuse-bouche from the waiter, courtesy of the chef. The gazpacho was very light and refreshing, preparing us for more to come. After devouring the calamari, which blended incredibly well with the butter beans, broccolini and brown garlic, I moved on to the shellfish cioppino while my sister ordered Long Island duck en sous vide. The cioppino was delightfully rich with seafood submerged in a light saffron broth, topped with country toast. My sister’s duck was very flavorful, although, ironically, a tad too fatty for me. Lastly we ordered dessert but not before receiving raspberry sorbet as a palate cleanser, again courtesy of the chef. The meal ended satisfyingly with chocolate pudding cake alongside banana-walnut ice cream and a praline tart with mixed grapes and grape sorbet.
Despite being uncomfortably full, I left feeling as thought my arteries weren’t going to hate me later, which is usually a plus. The restaurant also changes its menu seasonally, presenting a wide range of nutritious and delicious dishes. If you don’t have the substantial gift card I mentioned earlier (which is likely the case), I recommend going for the restaurant’s lunch prix fixe from 12 to 2:30 p.m. or the pre-theater prix fixe from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. when prices are easier on the wallet.
Check out more photos after the jump.
Posted by: Tausha Cowan
Order: Sautéed Atlantic calamari, shellfish cioppino and a praline tart with mixed grapes and grape sorbet
Price: $$$
Location: 10 East 60th St. between 5th Ave. and Madison Ave.
Type of Food: Eclectic, New American
Veggie Friendly? Y
www.rougetomatenyc.com
David Burke at Bloomingdale’s: A Great Deal That Just Keeps Getting Better
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009Last month we raved about the amazing four-course dinner deal David Burke at Bloomingdale’s offered in conjunction with Inocente Tequila. This month’s “Beverage Series Dinner” has only upped the ante.
For only $39 (plus tax and tip), you’ll be able to sample sumptuous dishes like yellowfin tuna ribbons and buttery lemongrass lobster paired with drinks based on Leblon Cachaca. We attended last month’s dinner and were treated to a number of surprises include fantastic hor d’oeuvres, plenty of good company, and an appearance by the man himself. Who knows what this next dinner has in store!
Posted by: Nicole Price Fasig
Price: $$$$
Location: 1000 Third Ave. (and 59th St.)
Type of Food: American, Seafood
Veggie Friendly? N
www.burkeinthebox.com