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 ‘West Village’
Summer Seafood Deals: Lobster Fever Hits New York
Thursday, August 5th, 2010Slice Out Hunger: Bringing New Meaning to Dollar Slices
Thursday, May 27th, 2010Forget what you knew about the value of a dollar. Tonight it will get you a gourmet slice at Slice Out Hunger, a fundraiser for City Harvest organized by Scott’s Pizza Tours. For a single bill each, you’ll be able to sample slices from New York pizza scene luminaries like Lombardi’s, John’s of Bleecker, Joe’s, and Pizza Suprema. Soft drinks are a dollar as well, but admission is free. Cheap and delicious pizza for a good cause? Sounds like a win-win to me.
Posted by: Nicole Price Fasig
Price: $
Location: GAP Adventures, 364 6th Ave. (at Washington Pl.)
Type of Food: Pizza
Veggie Friendly? Y
www.blog.scottspizzatours.com
Ditch Plains: Lobster Season Is Back
Friday, May 7th, 2010Looking for somewhere special to take Mom this Sunday without spending too much money on her? You’re in luck! Ditch Plains has just kicked off lobster season with Surfer Sundays. This is not in fact a gathering of dudes in board shorts and flip flops, but rather an opportunity for seafood enthusiasts to enjoy a generous lobster bake for the relative bargain price of $30. This is no ordinary lobster on a plate, either. You’ll be served a cast-iron pot filled with a 1.5-pound lobster, corn on the cob, andouille sausage, and boiled potatoes, accompanied by a butter dipping sauce and a serving of cole slaw. They’ll even be serving $4 drafts to wash it all down. So go ahead and ditch any fancy tasting menus–a good old-fashioned dressed down lobster feast will serve mama just fine!
Posted by: Kim Partrick
Price: $$$
Location: 29 Bedford Street (at Downing St.)
Type of Food: American, Seafood
Veggie Friendly? N
www.ditch-plains.com
Cabrito: Feliz Cinco de Mayo…and Happy Birthday!
Wednesday, May 5th, 2010
via Cabrito
It’s hard to believe it was 2 years ago when this West Village Mexican gem first opened its doors. We were lucky enough to sample it soon after the opening, and many repeated visits have confirmed that the place has only improved with age. Sure, Mexican joints city- (and nation-) wide have got some great margarita specials in honor of the Mexicans’ victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. (Try throwing out that piece of trivia tonight just to impress your fellow fiesta goers!)
But how many of those eateries and bars can boast that they’ve turned the place into a virtual beach for the occasion? If you guessed one, you’d be right. Cabrito’s staff has painstakingly lain 4 inches of sand on its floors and the picture above is what you can expect to find when you walk through Cabrito’s doors tonight. As if that weren’t enough to entice you, they’ll be offering $3 flautas, $5 margaritas, and $3 draft Dos Equis to wash them down all night long! So stop by early, dip your toes in the sand, and get a good seat for what’s sure to be quite a memorable birthday party.
Posted by: Kim Partrick
Price: $
Location: 50 Carmine Street (between Bleecker and Bedford)
Type of Food: Mexican
Veggie Friendly? Y
www.cabritonyc.com
Sacred Chow: Meat Eaters, Have No Fear
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a carnivore through and through. And while I try to be sensitive to the vegetarians in my life, you won’t often see me setting foot in a restaurant that doesn’t offer a legitimate option for meat eaters. I made a rare exception last Friday to accompany a newly converted vegetarian friend to West Village eatery Sacred Chow for a surprisingly satisfying small-plates dinner.
The first lesson I was taught about vegan restaurants is also the mistake most meat eaters will make their first visit: Don’t try to approximate your favorite meat dishes. While I’m sure the soy meatballs and barbecue tofu serve a certain purpose, you’ll be much better off going for the house specialties. (One big exception: seitan. I’m a huge fan of this meat substitute.) We started off with a couple specials that evening: hummus with red and green bell peppers and Jamaican ginger sweet potato mash (with candied ginger on top). After that it was on to solid food with the Korean barbecue tofu, curried steamed broccoli, and root vegetable pancakes. Excluding the tofu (which, unsurprisingly, had the taste and consistency of, well, tofu) the other dishes were delightful. All were unabashed in their earthy flavors, with fantastic spicing and unexpected combinations. I have to say, the sweet potato hash was a definite highlight of the meal, with its inspired candied ginger topping.
Though I can’t imagine I will make it a habit to frequent vegan restaurants, if you’re looking for a little palate cleanser, a visit to Sacred Chow is the perfect change of pace.
Posted by: Nicole Price Fasig
Order: hummus with red and green bell peppers, Jamaican ginger sweet potato mash, Korean barbecue tofu, curried steamed broccoli, root vegetable pancakes
Price: $$
Location: 227 Sullivan St. (between W. 3rd St. and Bleecker St.)
Type of Food: Vegan
Veggie Friendly? Y
www.sacredchow.com
Cabrito: Because Tacos Definitely Surpass Popcorn as Movie Food
Monday, February 22nd, 2010Earlier this month, we alerted you to Co.’s new monthly movie night. Starting tonight, though, Cabrito’s doing them one better by hosting their cinematic gathering each and every week. And this is certainly a deal worth coming back for. Monday may not traditionally be date night, but Cabrito’s new event might just make you reconsider.
For the duration of the movie, which starts at 9 p.m., all the tacos you can eat and all the Dos Equis you can drink are yours for just $25 (plus tax and tip, of course). And Cabrito’s tacos are no joke, as we’ve had the pleasure to discover more than once. Pork belly, anyone? How about chorizo? Or, for the truly adventurous, there’s lengua with tomatillo. Heck, during a 2-hour movie, you’ll have time to try them all. This week, they’re showing “Anchorman” with “Spinal Tap” and “Office Space” up next. Come to think of it, “Office Space” with unlimited beer and fantastic tacos may just be the best cure for The Mondays ever concocted.
Posted by: Kim Partrick
Price: $$$
Location: 50 Carmine Street (between Bleecker St. and Bedford St.)
Type of Food: Mexican
Veggie Friendly? Y
www.cabritonyc.com
Fatty Crab: Worth the Hype
Monday, January 25th, 2010Much ado has been made over Fatty Crab’s Monday all-you-can-eat chili crab deal, and for good reason. While $39 might seem a bit steep, the value you’re getting for your money is pretty incredible. No one knows how much the chili crabs cost at Fatty Crab (they’re listed at market price), but the day I chose to visit, it was $41 per crab. So, right off the bat, there’s $2 in savings. Now, if you think I stopped at one crab, you’d be quite mistaken. Let’s just say my dining companion and I managed to put away more than $200 worth of chili crab and lived to tell the tale.
Be sure you only go to Fatty Crab with your closest of friends, because the scene is not going to be pretty. When they place the first bowl on your table they also drop off an egg timer that alerts you to how far you are into your allotted all-you-can-eat hour. (Yep, you only get an hour to go to town.) Those crabs are work-intensive and insanely messy. They’re slathered with this amazing sweet and spicy chili sauce, but it will get everywhere, guaranteed. You won’t care though, because you’ll be gorging on the most divine dish and praying that your stomach will allow room for more. The chili crab comes with several options for sides including coconut rice and “chicken rice” (prepared in chicken stock), but those are merely an afterthought for when you can’t stomach another bite of seafood goodness. You might be too stuffed to eat for the next 24 hours, but you won’t soon forget the wonder that is Fatty Crab’s chili crab.
Posted by: Nicole Price Fasig
Order: chili crab, coconut rice
Price: $$$$
Locations: 643 Hudson Street (between Horatio St. and Gansevoort St.), 2170 Broadway (between 76th St. and 77th St.)
Type of Food: Asian
Veggie Friendly? N
www.fattycrab.com
Ofrenda: Fresh (Take on) Mex
Friday, January 8th, 2010
When I read about new West Village Mexican restaurant Ofrenda, I expected the black bean dip, chimichangas, and enchiladas. What came as a surprise was … well, everything else on the menu. From the grilled pork loin in pomegranate sauce to the flounder with fried plantains, every dish offers an unexpected twist. The most intriguing elements are the sauces, ranging from the aforementioned pomegranate sauce, to tomatillo-avocado sauce, poblano pepper and radish sauce, and more delightful offerings.
It’s clear that the menu is still being worked out. A few dishes were altered from the restaurant’s opening to the night we were there, but the updated versions were quite fantastic. I opted for the pan-seared scallops in cascabel pepper sauce with sweet potato hash and grilled asparagus. The sauce was the highlight of the dish, spicy and flavorful, and the scallops were cooked to perfection. The asparagus was a bit rich, particularly when taken with the cheese it was topped with, and I found the sweet potato hash a bit dry. The preparation is clearly still being refined like the menu, but I was largely satisfied with my meal regardless.
If I go back, I’ll certainly opt for the shrimp enchiladas a fellow diner sampled, which are served in a chipotle sauce and come with garlic mashed potatoes. The enchiladas were spiced to perfection and the mashed potatoes were creamy, buttery, and delicious.
If you’re looking for the standard tacos and guacamole, look elsewhere, but if you want a little culinary adventure, Ofrenda’s exciting concoctions are sure to please.
Posted by: Nicole Price Fasig
Order: pan-seared scallops in cascabel pepper sauce with sweet potato hash and grilled asparagus
Price: $$
Location: 113 7th Ave. S. (between 4th St. and Waverly Pl.)
Type of Food: Mexican
Veggie Friendly? N
New York Hot Dog and Coffee: They Love Giving It Away, and We Won’t Mind Eating It
Thursday, December 17th, 2009Remember the free burger days of summer at this new West Village Korean-American hybrid? We do, too, with fondness, and we were sad to see them go. Thankfully, they’ve rolled out a new deal for winter to keep our insides warm…with meat!
Starting at 5 p.m. today and running every evening as long as the deal lasts, you get a 2nd hot dog FREE when you order any hot dog on their extensive menu! With more than 10 varieties, ranging from the merely plain to the truly adventurous kimchi bulgogi dog, there’s sure to be one to satisfy any hungry and discerning penny pincher.
No word on how long the deal will last, so hurry over soon!
Posted by: Kim Partrick
Price: $
Location: 245 Bleecker Street (between Carmine and Leroy Sts.)
Type of Food: Korean/American
Veggie Friendly? N
www.nyhotdogcoffee.com
Patty & Bun: A Work In Progress
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
As I was getting my daily fix of nymag.com, I came across an article promoting Patty & Bun (P&B), the new and appropriately named burger spot in the village. Glancing at the menu, I knew I had to visit, not because I am a burger person but because they had what looked like amazing mac and cheese. Cheddar, goat and sheep’s cream cheese? Yes, please!
So off I went with a friend in tow. The restaurant had a fresh, yet intimate vibe, complete with low lighting, dark wood decor and the smell of recent construction. Once seated, I decided to try one of their patties and buns, ordering the cremini-stuffed turkey burger with guacamole spread ($10), and the highly-anticipated mac and cheese ($9) on the side. My friend got the P & B burger deluxe with fries ($14). When our meals came, they looked beautiful, except I realized our waitress gave me fries when I didn’t ask for them. Curiosity and greediness got the best of me, as I told her to leave the plate as it was. The fries were just crunchy enough on the outside with great color, although not enough seasoning for my taste. However, after adding a little salt and pepper, they were good to go. And as someone who’s pretty apathetic about her burgers, I enjoyed my turkey burger more than I thought I would. The patty itself was cooked just right with a charred exterior and a light pink interior. But neither the fries nor the burger beat my beloved mac and cheese. Creamy, rich and topped with pieces of bacon, I was more than pleased with the dish. My only brief thought (as I hungrily consumed the bacon) was that they should mention bacon on the menu for all of the unsuspecting non-pork eaters out there. As for my friend, he enjoyed his burger and fries, polishing off every, and I mean every, last bite.
Overall, I genuinely liked my meal. Unfortunately, what I did not love as much was the service. The fries mishap was not a big deal, although when there is a $4 difference between the regular meal and the deluxe, it never hurts to repeat the order back to the patron. Also, several more service-related incidents occurred throughout the night that could have been avoided. New Yorkers are a critical bunch, especially to restaurants that are not yet established, so good food, and good service, is a must. Luckily, Patty & Bun has potential. Whether it lives up to that potential remains to be seen.
Click through for pictures of a meal that was, if not entirely perfect, definitely satisfying.
Posted by: Tausha Cowan
Order: Cremini stuffed turkey burger with guacamole spread and mac and cheese
Price: Burgers-$$; Steaks and Chops-$$$
Location: 61 W. 8th St (near 6th ave)
Type of Food: American
Veggie friendly? N