Junoon New York (2/4) #EatwithArt

May 10, 2016 @ArtShrian

Junoon New York is a Michelin starred Indian restaurant in NYC. And the food is pretty good. But not good enough for it to be a Michelin starred restaurant, consisting is supposed to be a big deal. That includes they service as well. It's good, but not great!

We were able to get in for lunch for 6 ppl, without advanced reservation, called 5 mins in advance. Usually you should call. But after seating, 2 of us didn't even get any silverware even after food arrived, seriously. Quite something for Michelin starred restaurant. He didn't even come to ask about food or make good recommendations etc. so points taken for service.

For food, it want bad. The lunch special for $25 for 3 course meal or thali/platter is not bad. Portions are good too. Although it did take quite lung to ring it, slow service. I tried the eggplant chat, which was basically battered and fried eggplant, but not bad. The lamb kohlapuri, wasn't bad, but not spicy enough to be original. The kheer (rice pudding) was nice.

So, you should try the place if you want to try Indian food first time, at an expensive upscale setting. And your spicy expectations are low for Indian food. But if you are a true Indian food fan, or an Indian, you maybe disappointed, specially for the money you need to spend. If you get to try it for free, for some good reason, go ahead!

junoonnyc.com

Note: These ratings and review are personal opinion of the author.

Want Barcelona style tapas? | BOQUERIA SOHO (3/4) #EatWithART

May 4, 2016 @ArtShrian

I like Spanish food. And no, I’m not talking about Mexican food, it’s different. I like that too. And yes, Mexican food is not same as Tex-Mex… Anyways, before I go off the tangent… Let’s go back to Spanish food. Our New York City happens to have some very good Spanish tapas bars, and I’ll definitely say Boqueria is one of those.

On a warm-ish NYC day, my stroll to get there for lunch was quite nice, it’s in the cool SOHO neighborhood. And the place is nice, modern with a very warm and welcoming environment. The server was also very warm, informative and nice. So far, so good!

The menu offers a wide variety of tapas style dishes which can be ordered alone or shared for the table. On average you may need 3-4 tapas dishes for one person. Oh, just in case you didn’t know tapas means, it is small snack style dishes, not full meal. But it’s cool, as you can order many and enjoy many dishes. The prices are not ridiculous either; it’s on the moderate side. The menu also has American style full entrees. The servers are nice, friendly and will explain whatever you may need.

I ordered Cojonudo (Fried quail eggs and chorizo on toast), Albóndigas (Lamb meatballs, tomato sauce, sheep’s milk cheese), Moruno y Salsa Verde (Grilled lamb, salsa verde, pickled shallots, rustic baguette). All 3 were delicious, and served pretty quick (10-15 mins). Lamb was tender and very well marinated. The meatballs had great seasoning too. Although by serving all 3 together, some of the things got cold. But it was still pretty good… And yes, they can make omelet from quail eggs. I have tried, it is kinda hard!

So, if you like Spanish food, or you like tapas, you like flavourful fun food, or you just want to try, this is that place. Enjoy!

For more details, check out their site below
http://www.boquerianyc.com/soho.html

It’s Gelato Time! Try myNewYorkeye’s Top Choices

April 25, 2015 Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi

Gelato is the Italian treat that delights all palates and NYC has some excellent spots to taste it...

Spring leading into summer can only mean one thing: It’s time for ice-cream! New York has a variety of places where you can enjoy the sweet delight, but few are the spots that evoke the true scrumptiousness of Italian gelati. Before giving you my top 6 locations, bare in mind that to evaluate the quality of a good gelato you should take a look at the chocolate shade: if it’s beige the ice-cream is sure to be an epic fail, but if it’s dark brown, almost black (especially if the flavor is dark chocolate), it’s a thumbs-up.

Here is myNewYorkeye’s Gelato Hit Parade:

6 POPBAR (5 Carmine Street)

This place doesn’t exactly align with Italian gelato compositions, but it is truly worthy of mention for the exquisite creative innovations to traditional ice-cream: all kinds of gelato come on a stick with additional nuts, chocolate, or other coatings.

5 GROM (2165 Broadway)

Though I feel this gelato chain founded in 2003 in Turin is often overrated, it actually abides by its motto: “Il gelato come una volta”, i.e. “Ice-cream made the good old fashioned way.” The Torroncino is the real treat, very popular among Upper West Siders.

4 GELATERIA AT EATALY (200 Fifth Avenue)

Eataly is the place in the City where you can find the exact same flavors of the boot-shaped land! This obviously includes gelato flavors that are extraordinarily creamy, since they are made with local organic milk.

3 LABORATORIO DEL GELATO (188 Ludlow Street)

If you step in here, you will truly feel like entering a lab: a bunker-like design with a heavenly allure. The fruit flavors are incredibly smooth and, if you want your taste buds to run wild, you can try some more extravagant flavors such as green tea, white sesame, toasted coconut or even beet.

2 L’ARTE DEL GELATO (75 Ninth Avenue)

“The art of ice-cream making” (the literal translation) has branches on Bleecker, the High Line, Chelsea Market, and Lincoln Center. All these locations attest how the gelato craftsmanship has won the hearts of locals and tourists alike, especially thanks to certain flavors such as pistacchio, olive oil and zabaione.

1 AMORINO (60 University Place)

Love is in the name and it truly is the best place for a date. Women love to be homaged with flowers and sweet things so what could be better than an ice-cream cone that reproduces a flower, where every petal is an ice-cream flavor? Oh and trust me, this place passes the chocolate shade test more than any other gelateria in New York!

Buon Appetito!