Thursday, April 28, 2011

New York Central at the Grand Hyatt

The Grand Hyatt Hotel, next to Grand Central Station, holds a lot of memories for me. As I explain in my latest piece on The Strong Buzz, my grandma and I used to stay there every time she'd take me to NYC for the weekend. A few weeks ago I had dinner there with a friend and was blown away by the decor, the food... it was truly wonderful. Here's my article:

“New York Central -- A Reason To Eat at the Grand Hyatt Again”

When I was a little girl growing up in Connecticut, my glamorous Brooklyn-born grandmother would whisk me off for a weekend in Manhattan several times a year. I remember it so vividly—we’d shop on Fifth Avenue, see a show on Broadway and stay at The Grand Hyatt next to Grand Central Station. As a child, the Grand Hyatt was enchanting to me with its seemingly enormous lobby and beautiful rooms. As I grew up I began to realize it was a bit, well, stuffy.

Originally built and opened in 1919 as The Commodore Hotel, The Grand Hyatt was renovated in 1980 and by the mid-1990’s, the 15-year-old décor was already in dire need of another update. Fast forward to 2011. Not only has The Grand Hyatt hotel undergone a complete transformation to the tune of $130 million, but the former Manhattan Sky Restaurant (that I also used to find alluring) has been replaced by New York Central, a brand new dining destination that is the epitome of old New York style and class.

From the moment you enter the hotel lobby and either ascend the blue granite staircase or ride the dedicated elevator into the 6,000 square foot New York Central, it’s clear that this isn’t just your average hotel restaurant. An enormous glass chandelier hangs high above the space, cascading light throughout the entire room. The restaurant boasts several unique features including a digital wine bar in the lounge that allows patrons to sample high-end bottles as well as the distinction of being Manhattan’s only restaurant that has seating located above a city sidewalk.

While there are many distinct traits that set New York Central apart, its décor alone took my breath away. Adorned in silver and blue accents, the interior was designed by the famed Bentel and Bentel (Gramercy Tavern) and serves as the perfect backdrop for a memorable meal. Radiating a trendy, urban vibe, the lounge is the perfect place to grab drinks after work with co-workers and friends. The sleek white bar is the centerpiece of the room, and a worthy one at that, where patrons can order Midtown-themed cocktails such as the Rush Hour (VeeV Açaí Liqueur, Appleton Blanco Rum, Exotic Juices, Mint, Seltzer, $15) and the On Broadway (Death’s Door Vodka, Verjus Blanc, Raspberries, Ginger Beer, $15.)The most coveted seating includes a beautiful chef’s table overlooking the massive, pristine kitchen and several tables for two that are located directly over the sidewalk, allowing the diners to people-watch as they enjoy their meal. The beautiful space is just an appetizer to an evening spent at New York Central, and the real treat is the food.
Photo courtesy of New York Central

Chef Christian Ragano comes to New York Central from the famous NoMI in the Park Hyatt Chicago. Originally raised in Queens, Chef Ragano spent more than ten years cooking his way through the extraordinary Chicago restaurant scene before returning to his native state of New York. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Chef Ragano’s style can be described as nothing short of inventive and unique. His food is a perfect harmony of his classic French training blended with Spanish and Italian influences.

A friendly, outgoing man, Chef Ragano is as gracious as he is talented. Since the kitchen is completely open, you can watch your meal being prepared while you sit and enjoy drinks and conversation. It’s a little theater with every dish.

While I chose to start with the Local Lettuces ($8), Chef Ragano insisted that I try his latest invention, Foie Gras Brûlée. Served in a small glass jar, the Foie Gras had the exact consistency of Crème brûlée but the sweet essence of the dessert was replaced by the savory flavor of Foie Gras. The dish wore a crispy, caramelized hat that gave way to the creamy, pudding-like Foie Gras below. I have to say, it was a pleasant surprise and unlike anything I had ever tasted before.

The Local Lettuces Salad with Smoked Squash Puree and Root Vegetable Crudités was bright, fresh and packed with flavor, it was a modern salad in both concept and flavor. I finished every last bite and let out a long sigh of satisfaction. If Chef Ragano could do this to vegetables, I couldn’t wait to see what else was in store for us.

For my main course, I ordered the Half Roasted Chicken with Wild Mushrooms ($22.) Chef Ragano let me in on a little secret about the chicken—it’s roasted in duck fat! How could I turn down something like that? When the waiter placed the dish in front of me, I knew I had made the right decision. At first glance, it was apparent that this was one juicy bird. Cutting into the succulent meat, my initial impression was confirmed. I’ve had plenty of dried-out chicken in my day but this version was wonderfully prepared.

The balance of flavorful meat and crispy skin is the true sign of a perfect roasted chicken, and Chef Ragano hit the nail on the head. At one point I gave up on my fork and knife and picked up a few pieces of the chicken to eat with my fingers. Manners be darned, I had to be make sure not one morsel meat was left behind. After giving my fingers one final lick, I pushed my plate to the middle of the table and surrendered the bones to the waiter. “I’ll take the rest to go,” I joked.

The dessert menu was truly one of the most creative I’d ever seen including everything from Milk Chocolate Cremeux with Hazelnuts and Brown Butter ($10) to Ricotta Clafoutis with Quince, Elderflower and Rose Jam ($10.) We ordered a sampling platter so we could try everything on the menu, and each dessert was better than the one before it. At one point, I had an odd sensation in my mouth and realized that I had eaten chocolate-covered Pop Rocks. What a great surprise!

The Grand Hyatt hotel has come a long way since my visits 15 years ago. New York Central is a modern restaurant with excellent food and ambiance that is exactly the breath of fresh air that the hotel needed. I look forward to returning to New York Central to claim a seat at the beautiful bar, sip the cocktails and watch the excitement of the city unfold on the sidewalk below.

New York Central is located at 109 East 42nd Street, Park Avenue at Grand Central - 646-213-6865 - New York Central

—Rachel Barbarotta

Thanks for reading.

Let's Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie

Thursday, April 21, 2011

James Beard Pop-Up at Chelsea Market

I'm a little late in sharing this with you since it was posted on Bite of the Best on April 1, but since the pop-up is open until May 12th you should go check it out anyway! I want to thank Bonnie Leblang for giving me the opportunity to write this piece for her wonderful site:

James Beard Foundation Launches Pop-Up Restaurant
April 1, 2011The pop-up restaurant trend, a short-term restaurant that literally “pops up,” remains open for a short time and is usually gone as quickly as it came, has proven successful in LA, London and Paris over the past few years. In the current unsteady economy, the concept is the perfect way for chefs to flex their creative muscles in an experimental setting while appeasing diners who are easily bored by mundane cuisine. Several new pop-ups have arrived in New York City as of late. Former Dovetail chef John Fraser brings What Happens When to Nolita for 9 months and brunch-only spot Maharlika will make its temporary residence in the East Village.

As pop-up restaurants are now growing in popularity in New York City, who better to bring one to Chelsea Market than the self-proclaimed inventors of pop-up restaurants themselves: The James Beard Foundation (JBF). The Foundation, which began in 1986, has been inviting chefs from around the globe to cook at the James Beard House in Greenwich Village ever since, thus creating the concept of very first pop-up restaurant.

On April 12, the Foundation will launch JBF LTD, a temporary restaurant and food pavilion in Chelsea Market that will offer a rotating calendar of food-related events titled Nightly Dinners, Daily Specials and Side Dishes until May 14, 2011 at Chelsea Market located at 75 Ninth Avenue in New York City. Tickets are on sale today.

Nightly Dinners will feature prix-fix dinners prepared by celebrity chefs that include Michelle Bernstein of Michy’s (Miami) and David Chang of Momofuku (NYC). These dinners will generally be offered five week nights (excluding Sundays and Mondays) with four seatings — 6:30, 7:00, 7:30 and 8:00pm.

Daily Specials — an interactive café, retail shop and lounge open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am through 4 pm — will offer tastings, book readings and culinary demonstrations with guests such as Gail Simmons of Top Chef: Just Desserts and Marion Nestle, author of Food Politics. In addition, the café will serve lunch and snack items.

Side Dishes will offer interactive food-themed experiences such as a “Who Was James Beard?” exhibit, related contests and giveaways and several retail displays that will sell James Beard’s books, JBF t-shirts and more.

For more information or tickets, click here.

-Rachel Barbarotta, Bite of the Best special correspondent

I love that I am referred to as "special" correspondent. Makes me feel, well, special!

Let's Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Got my Mojo Back!

Since I’m always writing about food, you’d probably think that all I ever do is eat. This is partially true, but I also do like to go to the gym as much as possible. This activity is necessary so that I can continue to eat all the time. I realize this is odd, and you’ll probably laugh out loud when you hear it, but I can never make it through an entire workout without getting ravenously hungry. It’s easy to see why this is a problem.

I often take a page out of the book of Ms. Peanut Butter Fingers, a blog my friend Caroline told me about, and eat something peanut-buttery right before a hard workout. This usually keeps me full enough so that my growling stomach doesn’t drown out the music in the gym. I then often treat myself to an actual spoonful of peanut butter immediately following my workout. (Also be sure to check out Caroline’s blog, she’s much better at this whole exercising thing than I am!)

Someone recently told me that I absolutely had to try Clif Mojo bars in Peanut Butter Pretzel.Boy were they right! I picked a few up at Trader Joes. and then a few more when I accidentally left them in the bag and threw them down my garbage chute (I wish I could say that was the first time something like this had happened. RIP Melissa’s Christmas Present!) I ate half of a Mojo tonight before going to the gym, and I have to say, I powered right through an intense hour-long workout. I barely thought about food (once or twice instead of my usual 10-15 times) and had the energy to crank up the elliptical a few levels higher than usual. I even finished off with 100 crunches!

I’m heading to Miami two weeks from tomorrow with three of my girlfriends and I have to say, the thought of putting on a bathing suit currently terrifies me. But with the help of a few more ½ Clif Mojo bars pre-workout, I’ll be strutting my stuff in South Beach in no time. I'm sure the Clif Mojo bars aren't the healthiest thing I could eat, but when I'm burning 600+ calories per workout, I think it's just fine.

What do you usually eat right before/right after an intense workout? Please let me know, I’d love to hear from you.

Let’s Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie

I Don't Like Hot Dogs...

...but I really want this one! (to snuggle, not eat!)Compliments of A great source of Kelsium and my friend Sam.

Let's Snuggle!
-The Fabulous Foodie

My Morning Cereal

While it's true that I love to go out to eat, breakfast is the one meal I prefer to eat at home/work. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE brunch, but I'm talking about weekday breakfast here. For some reason, I absolutely love cereal. While I do prefer the non-sugary variety, there are so many cereals that I love: Cracklin' Oat Bran, Multigrain Cheerios and Crispix are just a few, but lately I have become obsessed with Barbara's Multigrain Shredded Spoonfuls.They look like Crispix, but they have a bit more flavor. At only 120 calories per serving, they're the perfect morning treat. I always add fruit to my cereal, and this morning I sliced up a ripe banana to add to my bowl.Since I'm lactose intolerant, I always use skim Lactaid milk, which I love. Since it's real milk with the Lactase enzyme (that I lack) added to it, it tastes just like real milk!

What are some of your favorite cereals? Do you like sugary cereals, or ones that are a bit more plain, like the ones I enjoy?

Let's Eat (breakfast)!
-The Fabulous Foodie

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

2nd Annual "Taste of 7th Street"

As a former resident of East 7th Street (between 1st Ave & Ave A) the “Taste of 7th Street” event is near and dear to my heart.Here are the details for the 2nd annual event:

Who: Some of the best restaurants & bars in the East Village
What: $18 for $34 worth of awesome East Village fare including:
-Small Lobster Roll at Luke’s Lobster
-Choice of Currywurst + any 8oz beer on tap/soda or Neumberger bratwurst in a roll + small side of potato salad/sauerkraut + any 8oz beer on tap/soda at Wechsler’s Currywurst
-Choice of 4 pork or 4 veggie dumplings at Dumpling Man
-Two cupcakes from Butter Lane Cupcakes
-One vanilla rainbow or chocolate rainbow donut from Cowgirl’s Baking
-$2 off beers at Jimmy’s No. 43, Burp Castle and Standings Bar
Where: East Village, NYC
When: Wednesday-Friday 4/20-4/22
How: Visit Scoop St. to buy your ticket before they sell out!
Why: When it comes to good food in NYC, have I ever steered you wrong?

Let's Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie

Girls Night at The Hurricane Club

As far as NYC restaurants go, bigger isn’t necessarily always better. Some of my favorite spots are tiny, like Tre in the Lower East Side and Frank in the East Village. But sometimes, a gigantic restaurant captures my heart (and my stomach) like Buddakan in the Meatpacking District. Last week, I had dinner plans with 3 of my girlfriends and we all really wanted to eat at The Hurricane Club on 26th & Park in Gramercy. I had only ever been for drinks and was dying to try the food, so after a few drinks at Wilfe & Nell to celebrate a friend’s new job, Sam, Colby, Caitlin & I were in a cab to The Hurricane Club. It’s worth mentioning that we had the worst cab driver in the history of cab drivers, but I digress.

When you walk into the Hurricane Club, you instantly note how huge it is. High ceilings only add to it and the dim lighting gives the room a sexy, mysterious vibe. It feels like you’ve just walked into a jungle with lush greenery and a beautiful bar in the center of the room.We sat down in a massive booth made to hold 6 people and opened the drink menus.Colby & Caitlin both ordered the #58; dark rum, caramelized banana, lime & mint, Sam opted for the #28; Sapphire, ginger, grapefruit and a ginger-salt rim, and I (of course) got the #21; Ketel One (fave), cucumber (other fave), Lillet & lime. When the drinks came out, I was excited to see mine was a brilliant cucumber-y green.The drink had a wonderful cucumber flavor and was very refreshing.

Now it was on to the important stuff – the food! We decided to split 3 appetizers and each order our own entrée. We shared the PB & Guava Jam Sandwiches with Prosciutto & Thai Basil, the BBQ Chicken Cones and the Tuna Tartar Special. Everyone was excited about the PB & Jam Sandwiches, and while I was a little disappointed that they were so tiny, they were incredible.Never have I thought to put Prosciutto and Peanut Butter together, but I will certainly do it from now on. The blend of both savory ingredients with the sweet jam made for a rich, delicious dish that we all enjoyed. The Tuna Tartar was bright red but nothing too special. The crackers that it came with were also good, but again, meh. It was pretty standard, and at those prices, I expect the food to knock my socks off. My socks definitely stayed put.Finally, the BBQ Chicken Cones were also good, but not amazing. The waiter had recommended them, and if you’re going to go out of your way to recommend something, it should be great. The presentation was beautiful but the flavors fell a little short.So, we were one for three on our appetizers and were all hoping our entrees would make up for it. Caitlin and I both ordered the Filet Mignon with Shitake Mushrooms & Roasted Sesame Hollandaise (mine rare, hers medium), Sam ordered the Red Curry Scallops and Colby ordered the Spice-Crusted Shrimp with Coconut Cream. I was planning to order the Ginger Scallion Dover Sole Amadine but our waiter regretfully informed us that they had just run out. Bummer. We also ordered the Hawaiian Fried Rice in Hot Stone Bowl to share.

A waitress quickly brought over our rice, and the presentation was awesome. All the ingredients sat together in the bowl; the rice, an egg, some pineapple, avocado and more, and she mixed it for us at the table.We were told to let the rice sit for a few minutes so it could cook in the bowl, but the smell got the best of us and we couldn’t wait very long.We scooped ourselves heaping portions as our meals were delivered to the table. The portions were rather generous and everything smelled delicious. My steak was wonderful, tender and juicy with just the right amount of spices. I scraped off some of the Hollandaise because I’m not a huge fan of the sauce in general and I forgot to ask them to leave it off. I was thoroughly happy with my order.I cut into the steak and was thrilled at the perfectly rare center I had requested.Unfortunately Caitlin wasn’t as lucky. She had told the waiter she didn’t want “any blood” but what she got was brown meat with a tiny pink strip. Not charred, but definitely not perfectly medium. The waiter took her steak back to fire her another portion, as he should have at $34 a pop. Her steak came back out cooked much more rare the second time, but I think this steak made her a believer in the benefits of rare meat. She loved the steak and even said she’d order it medium rare next time. Horray for another rare meat convert! (You’re next, Jill.)

Sam’s scallops were great too, accompanied by a semi-sweet coconut curry sauce that complimented the scallops perfectly. I’m pretty sure they were Japanese Scallops, not sea scallops, as they were flatter than I’m used to. Regardless, they were yummy. Colby’s shrimp came out with the entire shell intact, which I’m not crazy about, but once I tasted the dish it didn’t matter. The shrimp were also very good, a curious blend of spices made for a unique flavor that I truly enjoyed, and it seemed that she enjoyed it as well.

We didn’t leave any room for dessert, so we asked for the check. The waiter was kind enough to remove Caitlin’s steak from the tab, so when all was said and done it worked out to be about $60 a person for the entire meal. I have no problem paying for a great meal, but I’m not sure I would call this meal “great.” It was unique and it was good, but I wasn’t completely impressed. I definitely want to go back and try a few of the other items on the menu. I try not to give a restaurant a negative rating until I’ve gone there more than once, so let’s just say that The Hurricane Club needs to work a little harder next time to get a rave review out of me.

Do you usually send food back if it’s not cooked to your liking? I have to say that overdone red meat is about the only thing I ever send back. I like my red meat bloody! If you want proof, just look at my pictures from my dinner at Peter Luger.

Let’s Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie

Monday, April 11, 2011

Solid Italian Fare at La Carbonara

From the outside, it looks like any other New York City restaurant, so it was by the fate of the OpenTable gods that we landed at La Carbonara for dinner one night a few months ago. Patrick and I took his friends from Maryland out to dinner to this Italian spot on 14th Street between 7th & 8th Avenues and from the second we walked in the door we fell in love with it.

Now don't get me wrong, I always have been and always will be Max's biggest fan, but since we moved to Chelsea, the trek to either Tribeca or the East Village seems far when we're craving pasta, so we've found a new home at La Carbonara. Let me break it down for you. The cozy atmosphere gives diners low lighting, a noise level that is never too loud even when the restaurant is packed (and it is always packed), and small wooden tables far enough apart for privacy but close enough together to feel like you're sharing a meal with 100 of your closest friends. The staff is incredibly attentive and welcoming and the decor makes you feel like you're having a comfortable dinner in your Italian grandmother's dining room. This restaurant makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and I haven't even gotten to the food yet.
(photo credit: La Carbonara)

As I said, we took some of Patrick's friends here a few months ago and everything was wonderful. But the meal I want to tell you about took place last Friday night. Patrick and I (once again) both had rough weeks at work and decided we owed ourselves a good dinner date. We chose La Carbonara because we were craving some pasta and we loved it so much the last time we had gone. We were shown to our table by the same man who had served us last time, presumably a manager, an incredibly nice Italian guy with a ponytail and beard. We soon found out he'd be our waiter again, and his service was flawless. He checked on us enough times to be helpful but not so much that it was overwhelming.

We decided to split the Oven-Baked Eggplant with Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella to start. I love that this dish is baked and not fried, and was really in the mood for this savory treat. It arrived to our table in a small bowl and the aroma nearly knocked me out of my chair. I couldn't wait to dig in!The eggplant was both crispy and soft in all the right places, the cheese was melted to perfection and the sauce rivaled the best I'd had. On the whole, we made a phenomenal appetizer selection.

For some reason, I was really craving seafood. While Patrick went with the Rigatoni with Veal Ragu, I scanned the menu and was really hoping there would be a stand-out seafood special. I was not disappointed. Not only did they have a pasta dish with mussels, shrimp AND lobster, the pasta in said dish was black squid ink pasta, one of my favorites! They had it paired with a spicy marinara but I opted for a garlic white wine sauce. I couldn't wait for our food to arrive! While we waited, Patrick sipped on a crisp white wine and I indulged in a glass of Prosecco.

Our food was finally ready, and I knew it was coming because I could see the lobster on my plate from across the room! Patrick's pasta looked great:but I was very happy with the plate that was placed in front of me:And of course when the busboy brought over the chunk of Parmesean with the grater we kept him at our table for a good long time grating cheese over our dishes. What is a plate of pasta without a mound of cheese on top?

I am proud to say I finished every last bite of the incredible dish. The seafood was so fresh, the pasta was cooked exactly to my liking (al dente!) and I always have a good time cracking open lobster (even though, to this day, my dad cracks it open for me when I get lobster with my family.) I was in heaven! I tried Patrick's pasta, and it was also very good, but braised meat is not my favorite. He definitely enjoyed it though.

La Carbonara has quickly become one of our favorite places in the city. When a great atmosphere is paired with both wonderful service and delicious food, you really can't go wrong. We'll be back for sure, and we'll send new customers to this great spot too!

Where is your favorite place to get pasta in the city? Do you like fancy Italian at places like Del Posto? Or do you prefer good down-home pasta at places like Max and La Carbonara? Let me know, I'd love to hear what you think.

Let's Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie

Friday, April 8, 2011

Great Ramen at FoodParc

While I've already visited and written about FoodParc (29th & 6th Ave.), I only just learned that in addition to the great sandwiches, Chinese dishes & burgers, they also have awesome Ramen. A few nights ago when it was chilly out, I was in the mood for some warm comfort food and Ramen was just what I needed.

I ordered the Roasted Pork Ramen with Wontons to go (two actually, one for me and one for Patrick) and we took our dinner up to the roof of our building. When I removed the lid from my soup I was pleasantly surprised by how incredible it both looked and smelled.
I was excited to sink my teeth into the egg, which I did first, and every bite I took afterwards lived up to my expectations. The pork was tender and full of flavor and the broth was incredibly savory. The noodles were just the right consistency, not too soft and not too firm, and when I ate every element in one bite the result was sheer perfection.

I know there are a lot of places in NYC to get great Ramen like Ippudo and Momofuku, but I was truly surprised to find a great version right in my own neighborhood at FoodParc.

Where is the best Ramen you've ever had? The dish sure has come a long way since the three-for-a-dollar variety I used to eat in college!

Let's Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie

PS: I went back to FoodParc a few days later to have it again and took a better picture of the soup:

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The Ace Hotel Does it Again

As you've read, I recently had an outstanding meal at The John Dory Oyster Bar and a great lunch (including bone marrow) at The Breslin, both located in the fabulous Ace Hotel on 29th & Broadway. As if two incredible restaurants weren't enough, the Ace is also home to Stumptown Coffee Roasters, a coffee shop that I was worried would be super cheesy based on the long line and hipster-y staff, but was proven wrong. I went this past weekend to get a coffee with a friend, and not only was the coffee delicious, but the staff was incredibly attentive and nice. While we were waiting for our drinks, the barista asked us how we were doing and if we had any plans for the day. It was a really small gesture, but since I'm used to my usual Starbucks crew hurling drinks at me without even looking up, it was a nice surprise. And look how pretty my coffee was:
And there's more! This afternoon, Patrick & I met for lunch at No. 7 Subs, a tiny sandwich shop in the hotel that always has a line out the door. We waited for about 10 minutes and once we got inside we were met with an amazing list of sandwich options. I chose the Broccoli with Lychee Muchim, Ricotta Salata & Pine Nuts while Patrick chose the Braised Short Ribs with Daikon Salad & Coconut Mayo.

The sandwiches took about 15 minutes to come out, but once we got a space by the window and unwrapped our lunch, I realized it had been worth every second of the wait.
My broccoli sandwich was nothing short of remarkable. I absolutely love meat and couldn't even imagine going vegetarian, but this was one of the most delicious sandwiches I've ever tasted and there wasn't a single piece of meat to be found. The broccoli was smoky and perfectly roasted, the cheese was creamy and the bread.. oh the bread! The bread was heavenly. Crunchy outside, chewy in the middle, I now understand why No. 7 Subs shuts down the second they run out of this fabulous bread. It really made the sandwich.

Then I tasted Patrick's sandwich and was equally impressed by the flavor. A little sweet, a little savory, this sandwich was a true masterpiece:

It turned out that a few of my co-workers also went to No. 7 Subs today and got a few of the other offerings, but the opinion of No. 7 Subs was the same across the board: these are some of the best sandwiches in the city!

What are some of your favorite sandwiches? Do you prefer classics, or do you like when there are a few twists, like at No. 7 Subs?

Let's Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie

Friday, April 1, 2011

My NYC Passover Guide on The Strong Buzz

I was recently asked to write a Round-Up of Passover Seders in New York City for The Strong Buzz. See a recap below, and check out the full article here.

“The Strong Buzz Guide to Passover: The Best Seder Fare for Serious Foodies”
For years, you’ve had to put up with eating gefilte fish and chopped liver at your family’s Passover Seder. Fear not, we have some great alternatives for you this year! For those of you who call New York City home, are unable to travel for the holiday, or just want to introduce your family to something new, many fantastic restaurants will be offering Passover Seder options in the city. The Strong Buzz's Rachel Barbarotta has put together a serious list to help you decide where to go for grub that will make up for all the times you had to pretend to love your Aunt’s leaden matzo balls.


GOOD FOR A TWIST ON THE USUAL PASSOVER FARE: JoeDoe
Where: 45 East 1st Street (between 1st & 2nd Avenues), 212-780-0262, www.chefjoedoe.com
When: April 18th, 19th, 20th - $50 per person.


BEST FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A TRADITIONAL SEDAR: Talia’s Steakhouse
Where: 668 Amsterdam Avenue (between 92nd & 93rd Streets), 212-580-3770, www.taliassteakhouse.com
When: April 18th


BEST FOR SERIOUS FOODIES: Telepan
Where: 72 West 69th Street (Between Columbus Avenue & Central Park West), 212-580-4300, www.telepan-ny.com
When: April 18th & 19th - $65 per person


IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO HAVE A CATERED SEDAR: David Burke @ Bloomingdales
Where: 150 East 59th Street (between 3rd & Lexington Avenues), 212.705.3800, www.burkeinthebox.com
When: Order by April 13th - $65 per person


FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT: Toloache & Yerba Buena
Where: Toloache is located at 251 West 50th Street (between Broadway & 8th Avenue), 212-581-1818, www.toloachenyc.com; Yerba Buena Perry is located at One Perry Street (at Greenwich Avenue), 212-620-0808, ybnyc.com; and Yerba Buena LES is located at 23 Avenue A (between 1st & 2nd Streets), 212-529-2919, ybnyc.com


NOSH FOR A GOOD CAUSE: Capsouto Freres
Where: 451 Washington Street (at Watts Street), 212-966-4900, http://www.capsoutofreres.com
When: April 18th & 19th - $150 contribution per person


IF YOU’RE UP FOR SOMETHING NEW: JBF LTD.
Where: Chelsea Markets, 75 9th Avenue (between 15th & 16th), jamesbeard.org/popup
When: Tickets available on Wednesday April 6th for the Seder on April 19th - $75 per person plus 10% service for a prix fixe, four-course menu with beverage pairings

Let's Eat!
-The Fabulous Foodie