Sep
03
2011
The new resto housed in the Hotel on Rivington, Co-Op Food and Drink has been pimped out! Hopefully all the bells and whistles prove to be the x-factor for success (because this wasn’t the case for its predecessors). It’s a creation from the Guerrilla Culinary Brigade, best-known for hosting pop-up dinners. They created a resto that delivers an experience for the senses- palate, personality and pop tunes -it’s the ultimate dinner party.



The New American menu spans the globe with a skew towards asian fusion and sushi. Le Bernardin alum, John Keller is at the helm, while Stephen Wong, formerly of Sushi of Gari, covers the sushi. They present us with bold flavors and creative executions via shareable plates. Every palate will be duly served.
The decor is just as bold as the dishes! The cool vibe releases a clubby aura that is manufactured from the glam-rock retro feel…….cool photos of NYC icons (Betsey Johnson and Moby) lace the dining room walls, a glass-covered ceiling, gold-mirror-tiled bar, leather booths, and an upbeat playlist of hits. Scenesters won’t be disappointed.
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Aug
27
2011
We can add another “HIT” to Daniel Boulud’s empire. Boulud Sud is one of the best performances around Lincoln Center. The room exudes a clean, casual elegance with a high comfort level. Boulud Sud delivers a wonderful collection of inspired Mediterranean dishes (wandering to Italy, France, Spain, Greece and Turkey ) that are beautifully plated. There were so many enticing things on the menu, so we decided to go with a few shareable snacks and large plates.

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Aug
09
2011
I had such high expectations for The Dutch because I’m a big fan of Chef Andrew Carmellini and Locanda Verde. Many (including celebrities) are flocking to one of the most buzzed about downtown restos housed in the old Cub Room space in Soho. It’s vibrant, trendy, casual, and filled with an eclectic mix of people- suits, hipsters, Andrew Carmellini-lovers, celebs and more. It’s definitely a scene! I love the large windows, dark wood interior and globe-shaped fixtures.

This isn’t a place you go to for a quiet dinner- be prepared for an extremely high level of noise. I’ve experienced all 3 dining rooms and prefer the back because you can actually chat with your friends.

The Dutch seems to be on to something because I was a fan of a few things but at the same time, thought other dishes could have been better. The inventive New American menu changed a bit since my last visit. Seems like they lightened it up for the summer- Smoked Ricotta Ravioli, Fried Chicken and The Rabbit Pot Pie have been replaced with lighter fare. It was all good though. This resto can take you through the day- good for lunch, dinner, late night eats and brunch! I’ll definitely be back.
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Jul
17
2011
Jean Georges delivers yet another gem, and this time it’s housed in the fabulous ABC Carpet with a farm-to-table theme. Food and shopping is a heavenly duo in my book so I applaud this partnership! Any meal at ABC Kitchen is worth having but today we’ll focus on lunch.

The rustic, chic dining room is reminiscent of a Nappa Valley experience. Everything from the chandeliers, to wooden accents, and antique china added to the modern and stylish decor. Jean Georges hits the mark on everything – perfect execution, flavors and creativity. ABC Kitchen is simply divine and gets an A+! It’s a Sip, Chat, Chow fave because I always have a spectacularly delicious meal here- and it’s not terribly expensive!
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May
16
2011
This cute West Village resto is full of charm and character. All elements are achieved at the lively yet low-key spot: unique vibe, cool atmosphere, good food, yummy cocktails and solid service. It’s about the whole experience here. The obscure entrance added a nice touch- behind the secret green door lives a gem! Upon entering, you have to walk through the garden patio (it will be huge this summer) to get to the split level rustic resto.
It felt like we were having dinner a friend’s apartment- a Really Cool Friend! We dined at the marble counter that is basically like a chef’s table. It was a delight to witness such precision, flare and flow in the kitchen.

The New American Locavore menu has a seasonal focus with a good blend of upscale and delicious dishes- fish, meat, poultry and outstanding veggie options! Our waitress was a bit of a foodie so she was very helpful and descriptive when going through the affordable menu- every entree was under $20- SCORE!
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