A few great eats in NYC

Check out my cozy and quaint picks for a nice date or small family outing in NYC.

 

First on my list is a trendy little spot called Peter’s Since 1969.  Peter’s is located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at 168 Bedford Avenue.  It’s pretty easy to get to.  Just take the L train to Williamsburg and get off of the very first stop, which is Bedford avenue, and you’re literally seconds away once you exit the station.

 

 

With its southern style fixin’ Peter’s is perfect for a dinner date, small gathering of four, or just solo.  Their specialty is French rotisserie chicken, which comes with 2 complimentary sides, and a slice of focaccia bread.  I’ve been quite the groupie at Peter’s lately.  My usual dish is the ½ Rotisserie Chicken, sautéed spinach, and macaroni and cheese.  Now, if you’re vegetarian, don’t fret, Peter’s accommodates vegetarians as well with their Veggie Meal.  The Veggie Meal consists of three side dishes.  Did I mention the huge selection of vegetarian choices…up to 9 options! 

 

The thing I really love is that everything is prepared in these huge red crockpots right before your eyes.  If you’re trying to trim down the waistline, don’t let the southern style cooking scare you.  The food is not overly seasoned, and everything is baked, broiled, boiled, or grilled.  It’s a healthier version of southern cooking.  And don’t worry about proportions the pricing because you’re given an ample amount of proportions for such a cheap price, an estimated bill for one ranges between $9-$12.  Yes…this dining experience will save you lots of money, which is good around the Holidays.

 

Of course there’s more to know about Peter’s however, I want you to experience it for yourself.  So stop on by Peter’s and let me know how much you loved it.

 

Peter’s Since 1969

168 Bedford Avenue (between N. 7^th & N. 8^th Sts.)

Brooklyn, NY  11211

718.338.2811

www.peterssince.com

a DIAMOND in the WHARF

Ok, so how about some laid back non-bourgeoisie dining? I can use a bit of that being that I come from the laid back/Mom and Pop’s restaurant business.

Just when I thought seafood couldn’t get better than seafood with my Dad during his time on Earth. Well, I may have stumbled across something fairly close. This place is special, a true diamond in the (whar)rough - Cameron’s Seafood Market.

Finding Cameron’s Seafood Market was by pure chance and it surprised me because I consider the DC Metro area my second home and for the most part I know where to find some good eats. So, I was driving on Route 5, headed to Scotland, MD, where I was partaking in a two-week Arts Residency. Suddenly my coworker and I had a taste for food. “Something less fattening and non-fried,” my fellow coworker said. Now, on Route 5, you have many fast food options such as Wendy’s, McDonalds, Bojangles, etc. Not an option for us. Then as we passed Iverson Mall, we spotted seafood…Cameron’s Seafood!

Pulling into the driveway, my taste buds began to do fan kicks and flips. I was an instant ball of excitement and just knew we struck it big (ok my excitement - word to the wise - maybe it’s my southern superstitions but whenever you see a pick up truck parked next to a seafood market, and it’s owned by the market, chances are they get fresh catch from the fisherman’s wharf on a daily basis - so you’re in for an appetizing meal!).

Cameron’s hit the spot! My coworker and I shared the stuff salmon platter, which is 2 salmon steaks stuffed with crabmeat, and the broiled scallop dinner. Now the packaging wasn’t fancy, Styrofoam plates and plastic ware, but it was not about the look…it was all about the food! Oh and did I mention the stuffed salmon platter was only $10.99!!! We chose to continue this laid back journey by chowing down inside the car. With our bellies full and a slight need for a nap, we continued our journey to Scotland, MD. After a meal like that, I hope I prayed I had energy to teach.

If you’re looking for some real seafood from the neighborhood…make sure you find a Cameron’s Seafood Market near you. Do a google or yahoo search. There are tons in the D.C., Maryland, and Philadelphia area.

Cameron’s Seafood Market

3919 Branch Avenue

Temple Hills, MD 20748

301.316.2000

Sushi and Mojitos

Heading to Radio City music hall for a concert we wanted an inexpensive restaurant that would provide a relaxing environment at the end of a long workday. Located on 49th between 6th and 7th Avenues is a small Japanese restaurant that met the bill.

Iroha offers friendly service, fun cocktails and great customer service. It was a cold night and our group was seated at a table near the door. we were greeted with warm towels to wipe our hands shortly after sitting down a nice welcoming feature of our choice.

We decided to start with cocktails and the Shiso Mojito has made my Perfect Mojito list. It is made of Japanese shochu liquor, citrus rum, fresh shiso mint leaves and lime. It was refreshing and delicious. It was so great I had two! We also had a Peach Lemonade sour (peach juice, lemondae, and Japanese shochu liquor. It is not as good as the Mojito but still tasty.

The food was also great and we tried the Salmon steak box, Tebasaki Kawari Age (which are crispy chicken wings with garlic flavored soy sauce and sesame seeds) Udon white wheat noodle soup with mountain of vegetables and rolls from the sushi bar.

It was all great and we loved the experience. A great choice for a meal near Radio City or just a night out in NYC.

IROHA Restaurant

152 W. 49th Street
between 6th and 7th Avenues
New York, NY 10019
212-398-9049

The Grill From Ipanema: A piece of Brazil in the heart of DC

Brazil is one of my favorite places on earth.  I love the people, the music, the culture and the food.  During the week of Carnaval, I was especially missing Brazil and wishing I could be in the thick of the parties and parades.  Instead I was stuck in my hometown of Washington DC, so a friend and I decided to take the 10 minute walk to one of my favorite spots in DC to get the feeling of being in Brazil.  We went to the Grill from Ipanema.  Located in the ethnic melting pot that is Adams Morgan, the Grill from Ipanema is a restaurant, bar, and occasional dance club that makes you feel you are in a café on Copacabana beach or Salvador de Bahia.  Featuring food, drinks, music, and staff from all over Brazil, it is a great introduction to Brazilian culture and cuisine.   

On this particular evening my friend and I started out with a cocktail to get us in a festive mood.  We opted for the marucujinha, a very refreshing and delicious cocktail made with passion fruit juice and cachaca, the sugar cane liquor Brazil is famous for.   It was so good that we had to have two more.  It was carnaval after all!   

For an appetizer we split the casquinha de siri which is sautéed crab with olive oil, garlic, tomato, cilantro, onion, and green pepper, and topped with roasted yucca flour.  It was quite tasty, but the dish was a little on the small side so I wouldn’t recommend sharing.  I was craving a moqueca, one of my favorite dishes from time spent in Bahia.  Moqueca is a seafood stew prepared in a blend of palm oil and coconut milk with fresh cilantro, tomato, onion, scallions and green pepper.  Grill from Ipanema serves two variations of moqueca with the choice of eight different kinds of seafood.  We chose to split the Moqueca a Baiana with shrimp.  It came bubbling in a clay pot with yucca puree served on the side.  This version had more of a tomato based stew than the versions I’ve eaten in Brazil, which are heavier on the coconut milk.  Still, the moqueca was absolutely delicious and generous enough to split.   Drinks and Appetizers typically cost $7 to $10 a pop.  Entrees hover around the $20 to $25 range 

The Grill from Ipanema also has one of the best happy hour deals in town.  From M-F 4:30-7:00pm you can get amazing caipirinhas for $3.99 and good deals on appetizers on appetizers as well.    

I have always received great service at the restaurant, which is saying a lot for DC.  This isn’t a city known for good customer service.  I don’t ever feel rushed at the Grill from Ipanema.  I’ve had four hour meals here without any problem.  Also, be sure to come during the warmer months when you can dine alfresco.  It is fantastic people watching.   

Grill from Ipanema is a little taste of Brazil with super friendly people, a great vibe, and tasty drinks and food.  If you love Brazil as much as I do, this is the place for you!   

Busboys and Poets

Imagine a place where you can grab a sandwich, attend an open mic, have a cocktail, pick up the latest books by America’s leading black intellectuals, attend a lecture by a nobel laureate, and plug-in to free wi-fi.  Well, you will find all this and more at Busboys and Poets in DC’s vibrant U street/Shaw neighborhood.  Named after a reference to famed Black poet, Langston Hughes, Busboys and Poets is not just a restaurant, it’s a community center.  Busboys and Poets makes no secret about promoting progressive values, but you will find everybody and their mama here.  Looking around during a packed Sunday brunch you will see Howard University students, young white hipsters, and older Black ladies with their pastel hats and church suits.   

I almost always inevitably show up here for at least one meal when I have out of town guests.  They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night food at reasonable prices.  It’s a fantastic spot for brunch and is packed on weekend mornings.  The menu is eclectic and global.  The food is consistently good and everybody will find something they enjoy.  The baristas are top-notch, and the coffee is always perfect.    

Busboys and Poets hosts daily events.  On any given day you can attend a film screening, lecture, open mic, concert, or networking event.  They also were quite popular during election season, and lines formed down the block to get in for debate and inaugural parties.   

Busboys and Poets business is so booming that they opened two more locations in the DC area, but I am loyal to the original on 14^th street.  If I ever leave DC, Busboy and Poets will be one of the places I will really miss.  There is a vibe and energy here that is so unique. Few places these days are as community focused and there is always something going on here, interesting people to meet, great art to look at, and good times to be had.   

2021 14th St NW 
(between N U St & N V St) 
Washington, DC 20009

202) 387-7638

www.busboysandpoets.com

In Dallas “W” stands for Wonderful

If you are a fan of the W hotel chains then head to the Lone Star state for a night or two in one of their newest additions. W- Dallas Victory brings urban boutique style to downtown Dallas and is the newest hot spot to stay and play. With Ghostbar as the hotel bar you are sure to find great drinks and fun as a welcome addition to the Dallas nightlife scene.

One thing I will give the hotel is amazing marks on customer service. From the moment you drive up to the hotel you are treated well. From bellman to front desk staff, I received warm smiles and continual offers of assistance. When asking for a restaurant suggestion the concierge was knowledgeable friendly and right on point. His suggestion of Medina not only had excellent food but was a perfect fit for our group. The only snag in what would have been a perfect stay was waking up to no water pressure, which meant the shower wouldn’t work! After calling the front desk, they immediately indicated that someone was working on it and had the situation handled as soon as possible. It meant I had less time to enjoy the rainfall shower but did not sour my W experience. It is a perfect choice for those who want the best service and some of the best food and fun in the city. Read more

Desperados Mexican Restaurant

I used to live in Texas and occasionally I long for Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes that seem to be so hard to come by in my current city. So when my friend suggested we visit her favorite local Mexican restaurant (Desperados) while I was in Dallas, I was more than willing to go along. Margarita lovers should not miss their award winning “La Margarita”. Served on the rocks the mixture of fresh lime juice, Sauza Commerativo, Cointreau and a little something they keep as their secret, it is the kind of drink summers and lazy days were made for. Needless to say they were so tasty we had a few. But they also have sangria for those of you looking for a non tequila drink.

The Tortilla soup is a traditional broth with homemade tortilla strips and vegetables. I have had better tortilla soup but my main dish was enough to make me call this place my new favorite spot. The Desperado Taco is typically served with beef or chicken but tonight’s special was a shrimp version. Two crispy flour tortillas enclose gooey melted cheese and the seasoned shrimp. Combined with pico de gallo and this dish is enough to make you wonder why you ever ate a taco anywhere else. My friend had the fish tacos, a fried catfish taco with cabbage and Desperados signature “mayotle” sauce. Both dishes are served with sopa de frijol and rice.

The thing that I long for most when I am needing a Tex-Mex fix are sopapillas and once again Desperados did not disappoint. Made in house and served with butter and honey they were the perfect conclusion to the meal.

There are two locations for Desperados and if you go to the Texas Fair they always have a booth. They also are located at Texas stadium, so Dallas Cowboy fans and enemies can take advantage of this local establishment while enjoying the game.

Desperados
4818 Greenville Ave @ University
214-363-1850
desperadouno@sbcglobal.net

OOOh Sugar!

Searching for great Cuban cuisine and the Perfect Mojito we ventured to Azucar in Downtown Jersey City. This Newport Area hot-spot provides great Cuban cuisine, Live Music and a Cigar Lounge. Not to mention the Grand Mojito. A medley of Flor de Cana Grand Reserve Seven Year old rum, soda, mint, sugar and lime it was cocktail perfection. It makes their standard Mojito a sad second choice and is completely worth the two extra dollars. This cocktail easily made our Perfect Mojito List.

Our meal consisted of the Gambas al Ajillo, a large dish of jumbo shrimp sauteed with garlic and spices and the Lylia’s Bistec de Palomilla. The Bistec is pounded thin sirloin served with sauteed onions. Both were delicious and served with rice and black beans.

Save room for dessert and the Natilla Azucar. This house speciality is a creamy custard topped with scorched sugar. It is a cold, sweet, and large enough to share. Creme Brulee fans will find this more than meets their needs.

We were too tired to try our fancy footwork to the live Cuban band but the music was great and helps to make the restaurant have a more authentic feel. The decor does not match the atmosphere or cuisine with its leopard print backed chairs and large bamboo stalks. You can ignore that as the food, Mojitos and music are not to be missed.

www.azucarcubancuisine.com