Monthly Archives: June 2011

Authentic Greek food at Snack NYC

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Snack

What: Greek

Where: Soho

I stumbled upon this little Greek eatery on my Four Square app…and when I say little I mean it. It was a tiny little 5 table restaurant situated on a relatively calm street in Soho. Thankfully we only had to wait about 10 minutes since it was just me and my Dad. We were squished into the little place and it was kind of hard to hear each other even though we were just a foot away from one another. But that’s New York sometimes, right?

We started with the hummus and the Greek salad. As you can see, the Greek salad was very authentic and delicious. I loved the fresh cucumbers, onions and tomatoes drenched in maybe a bit too much olive oil. The starters were both really good–the pita bread came out a bit late, but was freshly baked, warm and went really well with the hummus.

I had the spinach pie. A nice little “snack” size (ha), it was filo stuffed with spinach, feta, onion, parsley and dill. I liked that it was just the right amount, but I wasn’t crazy about the flavor. Since it was under the “savory pies” section of the menu, I assumed it would be more umami-tasting (that’s just a cool way of saying rich and savory). The pie was more of a bitter, tart tasting dish. I would have preferred more feta and less dill, but hey, maybe this is more of a authentic Greek dish. I don’t know, you tell me!

My dad ordered the vegetarian mousaka. Although it appears to look slightly strange, it was rich and satisfying. Almost like a Greek lasagna, the mousaka came with eggplant, mushrooms and a creamy bechamel sauce. It was a lot for a lunch portion, but good nonetheless.

So if you ever find yourself looking for authentic Greek food in Soho, this is your place. I wasn’t that impressed with my spinach pie, but I think I would go back to try some of their dinner options like my personal favorite– saganaki, a delicious kasseri cheese lit on fire and topped with lemon juice.

Tonight I’m going to a Yankees game. Be on the lookout for a ballpark food post!

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

Comfort food, wine bars & cupcakes

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So, it’s been a little while since I’ve posted and that would be because my twin brother Travis came to visit me in NYC. We toured around everywhere and ate lots of awesome food.

South Houston NYC
(pronounced [how-stin])

What: comfort food

Where: Soho

We stopped at this little restaurant in Soho for lunch one day only to be greeted by a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. As you can see in the photo, it’s a little funky and rustic, open and airy, and made for a great lunch spot. I ordered the veggie burger, which was a bit mushy for my taste, but still good. Travis had the South Houston burger, which he seemed to enjoy. It wasn’t awesome food by any means, but I loved the fun music and the laid back ambiance that isn’t always easy to find in the Big Apple. But, the best part about this place came with the check: a box of chewy Lemonheads. Yum! My favorite! I love little personal touches like that–something that makes you smile…and come back again.

Next stop:

Gottino Gastroteca

What: wine bar

Where: West Village

What a romantic spot! I’d heard so much about their walnut pesto before going in, and wow. It’s worth the hype. My friend and I ordered lots of little appetizers and a glass of wine each. I wouldn’t be able to tell you what type of wine I had– it was a special Italian red wine I hadn’t ever heard of. It was $15 and worth every cent. We had the walnut pesto crostinis and some aged gruyere to share. The crostinis were tiny, especially for the steep price. Delicious nonetheless. I had a crepe with prosciutto and mozzarella and it filled me up and was the right amount of food. I loved the overall feel of this sexy wine bar. It was almost as if we were in Italy, decades back. I’d definitely recommend this place for a late night drink/snack or a light dinner.

and finally…

Magnolia Bakery

What: bakery

Where: all over Manhattan

Does this cupcake not look FAKE? Unfortunately for me, there’s a Magnolia right behind my apartment. I went with Travis this weekend and I got the vanilla with chocolate frosting. I had tried the red velvet after I had it sitting in a box for 3 days and wasn’t too impressed…but it was probably the circumstances. So going in, I had my doubts. Is this place really as good as everyone says it is? YES. This vanilla/chocolate combo tasted like the birthday cakes my mom used to bake for us. It tasted so homemade and the chocolate frosting was a perfect buttery chocolate combination. Now do I stop by on my way back from work…?

Only 4 full days left in the city. This month has flown by. Please let me know any suggestions or recommendations you have. And when I’m back in Dallas (on July 6th) I will begin my taco tour. Get ready for it!

As always, please help me spread the word by liking That Foodie Girl on Facebook.

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

Stand up for your rights: Legalize Cachaça

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I was walking around Lincoln Center Saturday with a friend, just strolling and seeing what we could find. It’s really not hard to find cool stuff in the Big Apple, and at the very edge of Central Park sat this “Legalize Cachaça” truck. A caipirinha truck!? I couldn’t believe my eyes. Caipirinhas, Brazil’s national lime + cachaça drink has been a favorite of mine ever since I was introduced to them by my boyfriend on the beach in Mexico.

Although I wasn’t too sure whether cachaça (pronounced Kuh-Sha-Suh) was actually illegal or not, I’m sure I had been ordering a caipirinha at pretty much every restaurant I had been to in NYC. I’m aware this truck is actually just advertisement for a type of cachaça (Leblon), and to be honest, I was a little sad they weren’t serving fresh caipirinhas from their truck!

I know many people are not familiar with neither cachaça nor caipirinhas, but here in NYC, they are everywhere. So for all you people out there wondering how cachaça differs from other rums, it’s fermented from sugar cane juice rather than molasses. Yum yum yum, so if you’re of the drinking age, get yourself a caipirinha the next time you see one and don’t be afraid to butcher the pronunciation. [KY-PEE-REEN-YA]

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

And as always, please “like” That Foodie Girl on Facebook and tell all your foodie friends!

Popsicles & Ice Cream Sandwiches in NYC

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People’s Pops

What: gourmet popsicles

Where: Brooklyn/NYC

This weekend was filed with awesome food…a little too much eating went on on Saturday, but it’s all in the name of the blog, right? We headed to Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon to check out the flea market. There was a lot of junk, a lot of vintage clothing, but also a lot of really pretty jewelry. But besides all that, there were tons of delicious looking food stands. Since it was a sunny and hot day, we went for People’s Pops, a cute little popsicle stand. They were one of the food trucks that I had been following on Twitter–a couple of food trucks that travel around the NYC/Brooklyn area.

I ordered the rhubarb and chamomile. I had just been getting over a cold, so the chamomile really appealed to me, and I absolutely love the flavor of rhubarb. It looks ugly, but tasted awesome. At $3.50 a pop (ha, literally), it was a bit overpriced for a little popsicle, but this IS New York City.

Milk & Cookies Bakery

What: cookies, ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, baked goods

Where: West Village

YUM. We went a little overboard on the sweets that day, but would you just look at this ice cream sandwich!? You can choose two different cookies or two of the same, and then a flavor of gelato for the inside. I went with two dark chocolate toffee cookies with mint gelato inside. It was really good, really messy, and wayyyy too much sugar for one girl. I could only get through half of it and I felt uncomfortably full afterwards. I’d highly recommend the cookies, though. Just pop in and grab a cookie. Leave the ice cream sandwich to share with a friend.

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

Please be sure to “like” my fan page on Facebook! Help me spread the word :)

My day of awesome food

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Le Pain Quotidien

What: French

Where: Soho

It’s always hard for a food diva to find lunch in an unfamiliar place packed with a million restaurants per square foot. “Food diva”, a nickname given to me by my older brother Matt, really tends to shine through when I’m given a plethora of food options. I want the best of the best. So yesterday I walked a few blocks from my office only to find a very European looking cafe/bakery. Le Pain Quotidien– a “communal table and organic cafe” was extremely spacious for NYC and a very pleasant and quiet spot to grab lunch or brunch. I chose a little table by the window (perfect for people watching) and ordered a hot tea for my scratchy throat. I loved the little tea cups and the way it was brought out to me in the tea pot.

I was feeling a healthy light lunch, so I went with the Quiche Végétarienne which consisted of gruyére, spinach, mushrooms and leeks. It was a perfect sized piece, and it came with a side salad with pesto. So refreshing and healthy! My only problem was it was really overpriced (what isn’t here in the city though?) and it took longer than I would have liked. Next time I go there I will stick with takeout.

Extra Virgin

What: Mediterranean/ American

Where: West Village

WOW. That’s all you need to know. WOW. I was told by my friend Lisa to head to Extra Virgin for brunch, but I went instead for dinner. Looking at my Four Square app after I checked in (yeah yeah I know..), I saw there were 50+ tips on Extra Virgin spanning from what to order to an overwhelming amount of comments praising the restaurant. It definitely lived up to all the hype it got on Four Square.

Conveniently nestled into one of West Village’s tree lined streets right behind my apartment, Extra Virgin is a tiny little space inside, but also has a few tables outside as well. To begin, we were given bread and an option of two different types of olive oil– spicy or sweet. I think we would’ve gotten a more in-depth explanation of their namesake olive oils had the man who served us the bread been able to speak English. I got the mushroom crusted virgin chicken. It was the best chicken I’ve ever had. It was served on a bed of melt-in-your-mouth sweet pea risotto, with cippolini onions and a truffle broth. The combination of flavors was incredible.

As a side, we couldn’t decide what to get but finally ordered the fries with gorgonzola fondue. Mmmmm the fondue was so rich and creamy. I’d definitely recommend it. Next time I’m going for brunch and trying more of their incredible sounding dishes.

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

Please be sure to “like” my fan page on Facebook!

Shake Shack > In-N-Out

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Shake Shack

What: burgers
Where: Upper West Side

I went there. Although I could’ve been slightly biased because of my high level of hunger at the time, I think it’s safe to say Shake Shack. was. delicious. Better than In-N-Out (which I stood in line for an hour just to get my burger at one of the new DFW locations).

We went to the Upper West Side location, which is right on the west edge of Central Park. With all of the pretty greenery around and a significantly quieter area of Manhattan (a good thing), it was only natural to want to sit down for a burger and a shake on a sunny Friday afternoon.

I had the Shack Burger (burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and Shack Sauce). It was love at first bite. The patty was juicy, flavorful, and reminded me of a home cooked burger. It was like eating a burger right off the grill at a backyard grill-out. As a side, we ordered their fries. They were perfect and crispy as well.

We ordered shakes too–it was too much to handle for lunch. I got the chocolate shake–it was really good, but I might need to save that as a dessert option.

Only downside? It’s really crowded and there’s limited seating. My suggestion would be to order it to go and take it to the park! Good thing this place is far from my apartment…

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

Mexican food in NYC!?

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(all photos in this post are not my own)

Yep, you heard it. Last night I met up with some friends at a Mexican restaurant in New York City. Although I was a bit weary because of the actual distance from Mexico, I was pleasantly surprised.

Rosa Mexicano

Where: Union Square
What: Mexican

This Mexican eatery is perfect for a big group, which is exactly what we did. The service was pretty good and the food was awesome. Because they’re mostly known for their fresh guacamole (again, I had my doubts. I’m from Texas), we got a double order, which was the perfect amount for the 6 of us. WOW. It was so delicious and fresh, I could have ordered guac for my entree.

For my entree I had the chicken tacos. Sounds boring, but the description (and flavor) said otherwise: grilled and marinated in ancho chiles, garlic, cumin, cloves, and cinnamon, and topped with peppers and melted Chihuahua cheese. As you can see in the photo, the presentation was pretty unique and the tacos were served fajita style–build your own tacos. I loved the side of sweet creamed corn and the melted cheese at the bottom of the mini cast iron skillet. All in all it was a really satisfying dish, but I have to warn you: it’s not authentic Mexican.

And finally, you don’t go to a Mexican restaurant without ordering a margarita, right? Well, for me, the answer is no. I went with the pomegranate margarita. It was the perfect combo of sweet to tart ratio and with just the right amount of tequila.

Downside? Really expensive for Mexican food. I can’t say I’ve ever paid that much for tacos, guac and a margarita. My reccommendation? Go for margs and guac. Perfect appetizer place with a fun and colorful ambiance.

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

Bread Tribeca: a hidden treasure

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Bread Tribeca

Where: Soho/Tribeca
What: Italian/organic

My mom and I pulled up the trusty restaurant app, Urban Spoon, which came up with a billion places right in the one mile radius that we were currently in. Welcome to New York City! We found a restaurant off the beaten path called Bread Tribeca, with a description including Italian, organic, and homemade delicious food. On the walk over from busy and bustling Canal Street, complete with fake purse vendors and tourist stops, we took a left onto Church Street, where you could actually hear yourself think. It was weird…almost too quiet. Once we reached the quaint little Bread Tribeca, we were welcomed by a friendly manager (Julian) and a “Zagat rated” sticker on the front window. And I’ll get to the reason I know the manager’s name in a bit.

The restaurant had few tables, but ample space to spread out and enjoy your meal with friends and actually hear each other’s conversations. We started with the cocktail list–very impressive. I had the Valentino–a deliciously fruity cocktail served in a champagne flute complete with prosecco, passion fruit puree and a dash of strawberry Stoli. It was so amazing, I drank it a little too fast and wished it didn’t come along with it’s price tag of $11.

The other menus were handed to us including the dinner menu and the vegetarian/vegan/health conscious menu. New York City is packed with eateries that are conscious of the growing number of vegans and other health conscious people. Many restaurants I have stumbled upon offer many of their dishes without dairy, meat, and even include soy cheeses and other replacements.

We started with the bruschetta, which was pretty good but small. I had the ligurian fusili al pesto genovese. Sounds fancy, huh? It’s the one pictured up at the top of this post, and it was amazing. The pesto wasn’t too creamy, too rich, just right. The strange part was that it was mixed in with fingerling potatoes and green beans. It truly agrees with your taste buds.

My mom went with the quattro formaggi (four cheese pizza). Although I didn’t try it because I was so into my heaping portion of fusili, it looked great, and my mom seemed to enjoy it.

And just for your visual pleasure, my friend Katherine ordered the special (pictured above).

So back to the manager, Julian. When there was mention of the fact that the three of us were from Austin, Texas, benefits began to roll in. He treated us very well, as he lived in Houston for a while and raved about Austin. But, then again, who doesn’t? He comped many items on our bill, and I can guarantee I will be back for more. If I had more than two thumbs, I’d put more thumbs up for this place.

And on a side note, we stopped at Serendipity last night for the famous frozen hot chocolate. I think the photo explains it all. A bit of a touristy place, but we decided it was necessary to try it. It was worth it.

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

From West Village to the Upper West Side

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Hello everyone!

I’m finally in the Big Apple for the month of June and couldn’t be more excited. As Thatfoodiegirl, I will strive to bring you interesting, exciting, & delicious eateries that I find across the city that never sleeps. I will also report places you might want to skip.

Today my mom and I set up my apartment in West Village and began to walk down the street to find somewhere to eat lunch. We were starving and were willing to eat anywhere. Lucky for us, there was anything and everything within a 1 mile radius. THIS is why I already love New York City. We stumbled upon our first cafe and were nothing short of impressed.

Soy Cafe

Where: West Village. (Greenwich Ave & Jane)

What: healthy salads, sandwiches, smoothies, vegan options

It’s a tiny little coffeeshop/cafe, but the menu will knock you off your feet. A place anyone–including vegans–would be in heaven if you’re into healthiness, or if you’re into delicious and fresh food. So that about sums up everyone, right? I hope so. You can find paninis, salads, crepes and people sitting at tables with their laptops refilling their almond milk steamers. That’s right, they have everything from almond milk to flaxmeal wraps to “soyafrosts”, soy milk blended with ice and the flavor of your choice.

I had the autumn salad. As you can see, I got a heaping portion of fresh spinach with goat cheese, apples, grapes and walnuts. It was super fresh, fast and healthy. My mom went with the summer salad consisting of avocado, cucumber, apple, tomato and hazelnuts on mesclun greens.

Next stop: Josie’s

Where: Upper West Side (300 Amsterdam)

What: Asian/Mexican fusion

A cute and trendy restaurant with hip music playing, candles lit and a relaxed atmosphere, I knew I was in for a treat. I love the idea of Asian/Mexican fusion as Mexico is my second home, and I love Asian food. I went with the grilled citrus marinated natural chicken breast fajita. That’s a mouth full. Literally. It came with organic pinto beans, chipotle salsa, guacamole and whole wheat tortillas. The picture didn’t turn out (sorry). But, it was pretty good. The chicken wasn’t as citrus-y as expected, but the bell peppers were fresh and crisp and the guacamole way better than expected (being so far from the border). Yet, I wasn’t that impressed. My mom ordered the seared Asian tofu stir-fry, which was wok fried to perfection with ample veggies served over a bed of rice with a yummy ginger taste to it.

Best part: the chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream pie. Say that 5 times fast. Oooohhh my goodness. It was AMAZING. Very decadent, with a cookie crumb crust, cookie dough on the bottom, ice cream with chocolate chips…must I say more? And if you’re vegan, or want something lighter, they have tempting sounding desserts that are without dairy–like the warm chocolate pecan pie.

And that sums up my first day of food in NYC. Hope you enjoyed it, and stay tuned for much much more. (Now I’m going to sign up for a membership at a gym so I don’t gain my weight in delicious food).

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl

Aloha from Maui!

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Aloha everyone! I have to apologize for the lack of posts lately. But, I’m on Hawaiian time right now and that means I’ve been on a mission to RELAX and most importantly, to eat delicious food and drink fruity beverages. I just wanted to check in with everyone and highlight a restaurant we went to last night here on the island of Maui. We started our trip in Kona (the “Big Island”) where we got to attend my cousin’s beautiful wedding (photos to come) and now we’re staying at Honua Kai in Lahaina. The photo pictured above is the view from our wrap around patio…this place is AMAZING.

Longhi’s

Where: Maui

What: Italian

A quaint little restaurant located near the beach on Front St in Lahaina (on Maui), Longhi’s impressed me with their classic Italian cooking and especially their “wine and cocktail list” which came to us in the form of an iPad. They developed their own app so you can search their wines by country, price, flavor, etc, and then just click “+1″ to order. That definitely piqued our interest from the very beginning. The only downfall was since the restaurant sits on the main street of a big area of Maui, the prices were a little (expectedly) high. We stuck with simple pasta dishes and started off with the caprese salad. The basil leaves were huge, and were grown here in Maui, and the mozzarella was thick and very fresh.

I had the linguini pomodoro–not that exciting, I know. But the homemade fresh and chunky tomato sauce paired very nicely with the Argentinian Malbec (my favorite).

If you’re around the island, be sure to stop around the corner at Scoops to try a scoop of their coconut ice cream–mmmmm!

Stay tuned for much more Hawaii food posts…they will be coming soon!

Bon appétit,

ThatFoodieGirl