First Look: Ed’s Lobster Bar Cart

Maryse Chevrière — June 01, 2010

Soft Shell Crab Sandwich from Ed’s Lobster Bar Cart.

As reported, Ed’s Lobster Bar Cart debuted this past Saturday outside of the World Financial Center. There were Lobster Rolls, of course, but more intriguing are two sandwiches ($12.00 each) not currently available on SoHo restaurant’s regular menu: the Soft Shell Crab and the Shrimp Po’ Boy.

The Soft Shell Crab is a saucy, juicy mess of a sandwich— and delightfully so. The crinkle-crisp sautéed crab is presented with lettuce, tomato, and red onion on a skinny buttered roll that serves better as platform than container. You’ll want to sit down with this one, attack with two hands, and eat quickly— not that that’ll be much of a challenge.

More from Ed's Lobster Bar Cart >>

Featured Dish: SHO’s Three Day Short Rib

The Gluttoness — October 27, 2009

Three Day Short Rib with Hazelnut and Cranberry Crust and Parsnip Purée. Left, short rib, about to be plated. Right, Shaun Hergatt at work.

It has been a while since I checked in with Chef Shaun Hergatt. Since I first waxed-poetic about SHO (view) it gained a star in the 2010 Michelin guide, was cited in Esquire’s 20 Best New Restaurants of 2009 and received an unofficial 29 rating in the 2010 Zagat guide. High time to visit the chef.

Click Here for More About Shaun Hergatt's Three Day Short Rib >>

AlwaysInformed: Izz Nat Your Average Deli

The Gluttoness — October 14, 2009

Challah French Toast with Caramelized Bananas and Maple Butter.

Every neighborhood has its advantages, and while there is much I love about living way downtown, the lack of an authentic delicatessen has always been a problem. We’ve got Bubby’s and Kitchenette, my TriBeCa brunch staples, but while you may be able to order a Matzoh Ball Soup there, at neither place can you find a towering sandwich a la Katz’s. Gold St.‘s 24-hour diner concept was overthought, particularly the inclusion of a sushi bar, and ultimately, the food sucked. A good deli has to stay simple and classic. Izzy & Nat’s (view) successfully brings that authentic deli experience to Battery Park City.

The front of house is essentially your average bagelry (a luxury TriBeCa and the FiDi now have thanks to Zucker’s and Leo’s) with hand-rolled bagels, smoked fish, cold salads and schmears. The black and white tiles and leather booths give the dining room that old school deli flair. A lengthy menu provides a problem that I actually like to have—too many options—and the Fair Trade Organic Coffee, imported from Chile, is one of the best cups of joe I’ve had in a while.

On a recent visit, I thought I wanted lox and a bagel, but Challah French Toast and a Pastrami Benny kept luring my attention with promises of caramelized bananas and creamy hollandaise. Then there are all the Jewish staples: Kasha Varnishkes, Potato Pancakes, Matzoh Brie and Sweet and Sour Meatballs—not to mention a house-made Meat Knish with pastrami! Holy heaven. Should I make my own sandwich or settle for the always-satisfying Reuben? I decided on a towering Turkey Pastrami on Rye (right) and a warm slice of Chocolate Babka, which hit the deli spot. The meal tasted even better for having been able to devour it just a few blocks from home.

AlwaysInformed: The Capital Grille Gets Signange

The Gluttoness — July 15, 2009

It almost seems as if there’s hardly room for another steakhouse below Chambers Street, and last we heard on June 30th, the super-sized Financial District outpost of The Capital Grille was still a ways away from being completed. But today, there is an indication of some progress at the 120 Broadway location, at least from the outside: signage at the entrance on Pine Street near Naussau.

First comes the sign, then the steaks!

AlwaysFresh: Whitehall & Fort Greene Park Greenmarkets (7/14/09)

Michelle Kiefer — July 15, 2009

The AlwaysHungryNY.com Team is hitting the streets and heading to farmers markets throughout the city to scope out the fresh, seasonal ingredients that are inspiring the culinary genius of locavore chefs and amateur gourmets alike.

This week, we were in Fort Greene and the Whitehall Terminal Building at the Whitehall and Fort Greene Park Greenmarkets. Click on the thumbnails below to see pictures from our farmers’ market tour. Remember, you can always use the AlwaysHungryNY.com Seasonal Calendar Page to find out more about the foods that are currently in season.

AlwaysInformed: Dinner and a Magna Carta at Fraunces Tavern

The Gluttoness — July 07, 2009

The best thing at Fraunces Tavern used to be the Beef Wellington, but soon the highlight will be the restaurant’s temporary acquisition of one of the four remaining original copies of the Magna Carta. Inconceivably, starting September 15th, the Fraunces Tavern Museum, which lies above Fraunces Tavern, will welcome one of world’s most significant and transformative documents, the Magna Carta.

That’s right, the Great Charter of Freedoms, the precursor to habeas corpus, an English document from 1215 that marked a historic change by setting limits on the power of the state, will be on display at a restaurant until December 15th. Okay, it’s technically a museum dedicated to the American Revolutionary War, but considering its history as a survivor of the early days of New York City (opened by Samuel Frances in 1762), it’s as fitting a place as any to display the document.

The document is on loan from England’s Lincoln Cathedral (which has owned it since 1215) and has visited New York just twice, the first time for the 1939 World’s Fair, and the second time more than 20 years ago.

Tickets to the exhibit are for appointed times, and a rep for Fraunces Tavern said the museum is expecting heavy traffic, so they advise people to book tickets online and consider eating at the restaurant after their appointments instead of beforehand.

Cue the a la Magna Carta and Feast of Freedom jokes.

Tickets: Order online, or by phone: 1-866-468-7619
Hours : Tues – Sun, 12 noon – 6:00 PM, closed Monday
Price: Adults, $10; Children (6-18), $5; Children 5 and under, free

AlwaysInformed: Harry’s Italian Pizza Bar

The Gluttoness — June 05, 2009

Eggplant Parmigiana Hero at Tuesday’s Dine Around Downtown

Gold St. may have seemed like a good idea in theory, but the 24-hour diner/bar/sushi concept wasn’t exactly embraced by locals in the financial district. As previously reported, the father-son team of Harry and Peter Poulakakos, is refurbishing the 2 Gold St. space and reverting to their successful “Harry’s” brand, this time with an Italian spin: Harry’s Italian Pizza Bar. If the term “pizza bar” sounds familiar, that’s because they’re also responsible for the perennially packed, Adrienne’s Pizza Bar.

We’ve gotten the early word on some of Harry’s new signature dishes. The menu will elaborate on Adrienne’s and include its renowned Old-Fashioned Pizzas. Aside from pizza, the big draws will be: family-style pasta portions (fitting considering this family-owned venture is under Peter’s management), a Meatball Hero, Steak Pizzaiolo, Stuffed Artichokes and Baked Clams. If you can’t wait until the June 15th opening, assuage your cravings for Italian at Adrienne’s in the meantime. Try the eggplant topping on your next old-fashioned pie— the thin slices make for a great Eggplant Parmigiana Pizza.

AlwaysInvestigating: The Libertine

The Gluttoness — September 29, 2008

Thompson Hotels have a proven reputation to create buzz upon their arrival, which is why Chef Todd English chose to put his latest restaurant, The Libertine, in the new Gild Hall Hotel downtown. The nearby Wall Street location has informed the manly, library-inspired decor, making for a dressed up English tavern with tons of wood and framed vintage photographs. While the gastropub vibe has classic pub fare to match, The Libertine is admittedly anti-establishment. The concept of The Libertine represents attitude and rebellion, and within that framework, the restaurant embraces non-traditional dining. The kitchen follows suit, throwing custom out the window in their very respectable refusal to have chicken on the menu.

Click Here for the Full Story >>

AlwaysInformed: Sick of Sitting for Steak? Have Fresco on the Go!

The Gluttoness — July 14, 2008

Between Bobby Vans, Delmonico’s, MarkJoseph, and the 6,000+ square foot Palm that’s already in-the-works on Chambers, it’s amazing that Wall Streeters are able to trade stocks into their old age with all the red meat they’re eating. Sure Stone Street offers some steakhouse alternatives in the form of Waterstone Grill, Adrienne’s Pizza Bar, and the newly-opened branch of Haru, but none of these options are particularly quick when you simply need a tasty bite on the go.

Well “go” is the operative word, and finally there is a respectable place to go for a sandwich besides the corner deli (not like there is anything wrong with the corner deli but sometimes pre-sliced cold cuts just don’t cut it). After almost a year of constant speculation and hungry anticipation, Fresco on the Go has finally opened for business at Hanover Square. With the always-crowded Harry’s across the street, and Underground Pizza serving up some of the best slices South of 14th Street, Fresco is in delicious and super excited company.

My heart goes out to the Soup Man next door, since Fresco is bound to be hearty competition for the always-empty chain. But with an apartment right above the square, I can’t help but hope that Fresco on the Go doesn’t go anywhere.