Tag Archives: midtown

Todd English’s Ça Va

6 Sep

Ça Va opened right by my neighborhood, and I heard nothing about it.  It looked a bit like a night club on 44th between 8th and 9th.  I was surprised to read that it was from Todd English when I walked by.  I guess Todd English just doesn’t carry the celebrity chef status that gets most a lot of press? Or maybe I just missed it.

Either way, when we were looking for some late night fare after leaving a Broadway show, we decided to pop in and try it.  It has a very modern feel and a very nice aesthetic.

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We started with what I think was a special with pork belly and eggs. I cannot remember exactly what it was, but I remember enjoying it.  (UPDATE: Kim remembered!  “It was a play on bacon egg and cheese: Bacon Egg And Cheese berkshire pork belly, quail egg , gruyère foam, 14.00. Thank goodness for search engines that still list old menus!”  Mmmm pork belly and quail egg.

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I then had the “CARPACCIO DE BETTERAVES” which was golden and red beet carpaccio with pistachio-goat cheese panisse and white balsamic vinaigrette.  This was inspired.  The beets were sliced super thin (just like carpaccio) and made into a wrap around the salad.  Not only did it look beautiful and original, it tasted absolutely fantastic.  Everything blended so well with acid and sweet and savory.  So great.  I was super impressed.

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We also tried the “HUÎTRES FINIES COMME DES ESCARGOTS” or crispy oysters ‘escargot style’ in herb garlic butter.  I was really impressed with how delicious these were. Everything I love about oysters combined with the buttery garlic deliciousness of escargot.  Really fantastic.

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I was really impressed by Ça Va.  When you walk into a Times Square restaurant, you really don’t expect much besides overblown prices and average food.  This was especially the expectation since this place looked a little too cool for school (yes… I just said that).  But just like Olives, this Todd English establishment surprised and impressed.  I would go back for that beet salad alone (and for $12, it didn’t feel that inflated in price compared to other places nearby).

Total Nom Points: 7.5 out of 10

Total Nom Points: 7.5 out of 10

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Ma Peche and Momofuku Milk Bar

31 Jul

 

I had a very good experience last time I was at Ma Peche, and it’s hard to believe it has been nearly 2 years and I still hadn’t taken Mike.   We had night plans in the neighborhood, so we made a reservation.  It wasn’t an easy task avoiding peppers last time, and this time proved to also be quite a challenge. Luckily, our waiter was helpful (if not a big miffed that I had such an obviously annoying request).

The menu has been changing lately, so here is a view of the menu that night:

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The space itself still has that kind of awe-inspiring look to it.  It just looks very grand and yet very welcoming.

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Mike started with the steamed bun that had lobster, maitake, and chicarron.  It was tasty but not memorable.

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We then tried the foie gras and it looked absolutely beautiful and tasted almost as beautifully!  It came with malt, papaya, and brioche and the papaya was just about the most perfect foil for foie gras I could ask for.  Yum.

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Can’t help but love the sense of design on the plate too.

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We then had the striped bass with mushroom, miso, and bone marrow.  It was quite tasty, though I’m not sure if I loved the bone marrow with fish combo.

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And the duck, with orange, pistachio, and rutabega. It was cooked perfectly, though I would have loved a bit more crisp in that skin and some extra sauce.

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And then we went upstairs to Milk Bar and tried ourselves some blondie pie (good but not great) and a milk shake that I cannot recall.  It’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just that I don’t find anything I’m especially enamored with personally. I don’t know why, but I’m never as impressed by Milk Bar as I think I’m going to be. Pity.

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Overall, I would say my previous meal at Ma Peche was definitely better than this one, but you just can’t beat the impressiveness of this David Chang establishment.  I’m surprised I don’t hear more about it, since it’s in an area severely lacking in interesting places to dine (sans tourists). As for Milk Bar, I think I’m still in search of “my dessert” there.

Ma Peche Overall Nom Points: 7 out of 10

Milk Bar Overall Nom Points: 5.5 out of 10

Total Nom Points: 5.5 out of 10

 

 

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Sergimmo Salumeria

22 Aug

I have been singing the praises of my neighborhood for a while, saying that it was “up and coming.”  Thankfully, that turned out to be true.  The area between what is classically known as Chelsea and the northern area that is Hell’s Kitchen (affectionately named “Hellsea” by some) has not exactly been a great supply of food.  Penn Station and Port Authority don’t scream “Eat Here!”  But in the last 2 years (and mostly in the last 6 months), 9th Avenue between 34th and 42nd Streets may actually be going somewhere.

One welcome addition is Sergimmo Salumeria.  There is currently one in Queens, but they also just opened one on 9th Avenue between 35th and 36th Streets.  It’s a small place, but they did an amazing job decorating it and making it very welcoming.

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I had heard that this place was already generating lines out the door, and seeing as though I had never heard of it , it was time to try.

 They have some very classic Italian packaged goods, and I had to try the Espresso Coffee Soda.  It was not what I was expecting, and had some redeeming qualities, but I don’t know if I will go out of my way to drink this again.

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I decided to try Il VIP which included prosciutto di parma, fresh mozzarella, arugula, E.V. Olive oil, and fig spread.  It is VERY expensive at $14… until you get it.  Half this sandwich left me so full I could hardly walk back to the office.  (And the second half made an AMAZING addition to an omelet the next day.)

The bread had the outside crunch and inside give and fluffiness that you dream about in bread.  The prosciutto and mozzarella were unbelievably fresh and I loved the fig jam (though I wish there were a bit more of it… but I am a fig jam fan so I may be in the minority on that preference).  The arugula was also a great bitter crunch for it.  A fantastic sandwich overall.

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We also tried 2 different kinds of risotto balls, one meat and one vegetable, as well as a sampling of olives.

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The balls were lightly fried, creamy on the inside, and had good flavor.  I actually would have preferred them with a bit of sauce, but they were still good.

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The one problem with having a line out the door is that it’s hard to keep the AC pumping enough to keep diners… and sandwiches… cool. By the time I finished my first half, my second half was starting to pool onto the serving board.  

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We went back a second time and got an assortment of other goodies.

I tried the Bresalola e Arugula saald with arugula, bresaola, and shaved parmigiano drizzled with lemon dressing and E.V. olive oil.  It was absolutely delicious and fresh.

Someone ordered the chicken salad with grilled chicken, arugula, sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, and corn with lemon dressing and E.V. olive Oil.

The special that day was pork shoulder with balsamic, arugula, and cheese.

Someone else ordered the Di Fracesca Panini, which was a fried cutlet, fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, and artichokes.

Overall, everything we have had here has been very tasty.  It’s a wee bit on the expensive side, but they have big portions and fresh food.  It is a novel menu for this neighborhood and I’m glad to have this in the neighborhood.

Total Nom Points: 7 out of 10

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