NYC

NYC — No Comments
28
Oct 09

Harlem’s Finest Chicken & Waffles: Amy Ruth’s

by Pinda Lark

If you want chicken and waffles, you have to go to Harlem, and you have to go to Amy Ruth’s. Amy Ruth’s Restaurant is located right off the 116th stop from the 2/3 train on 116th and Lenox/Malcom X Avenue.

Amy Ruth’s Restaurant is open 24 hours on the weekends and closes around 11pm on the weekdays. But if you come at 10:30pm on a Monday (they close at 11pm) you might get some rude service. When I’ve come and dined for brunch I’ve always had pretty good service so lets just hope last night was just an off night, with one off lady. (I would recommend coming for brunch just for their amazing biscuits alone).

For our late night eats, we ordered The Rev. Al Sharpton Chicken & Waffles, The Larry Dais Waffles with Boneless Rib-Eye Steak, Cheesy Grits, The Inez Bass Red Velvet Cake, and Sweet Tea. (Yes, these are their real names).

You have the option of getting fried or smothered chicken with The Rev. I’ve had both, and recommend the smothered. The Rev. was by far my favorite part of our feast and probably the best smothered chicken I’ve had in a long time. A close second was the dessert, Red Velvet Cake, a little darker in color with really good frosting.

Since they were out of Mac n Cheese, we ordered the Cheesy Grits. It was my first time having Cheesy Grits, and it was just cheddar on grainy oatmeal so I wasn’t that impressed. The Sweet Tea was way too sweet and had to be diluted with lemonade. And I don’t recommend the Larry Dais Waffles, the Rib-Eye Steak looked suspiciously like it was grilled in a waffle maker. (It had the waffle maker grill marks and everything).

So if you’re craving Chicken & Waffles, stick with the Chicken & Waffles. Get it smothered, try a slice of their red velvet, and don’t come 30 minutes before closing. And do read the cute story about Amy Ruth on the menu, she’s like the Southern grandma you never had and she loves Jesus.

  • Share/Bookmark
NYC — No Comments
22
Sep 09

Authentic Italian restaurant @NYC Financial District: Barbarini Alimentari

by John M

A little bit of Italy in New York’s Financial District. Barbarini Alimentari is a solid attempt at a charming Italian restaurant. The South Street Seaport area has much charm with its narrow, cobblestone streets. This lends to the credibility of this restaurant. Barbarini Alimentari has an adjoining market with hard to find items from Italy. A definite plus for the foodie who wishing to stock their fridges with some treats.

Barbarini Alimentari boasts a solarium, with seating for dining in the natural light. Overall, the decor and style are hits, and provide a relaxing environment for dining.

The food is top-notch, and while slightly on the higher-side price was, it is within range of other establishments in NYC’s Financial District.  Each of the pasta dishes I have tried have all been fresh. Barbarini Alimentari is consistent with its food, and its portions are plentiful. The gnocchi on one occasion was fresh, and the varying size of the gnocchi a sure sign that the pasta was made in-house.

All things food here are wonderful. Unfortunately, the service can be inconsistent for New York standards. In Europe, the service standards would not pose an issue, but this reviewer was slightly disappointed. However, Barbarini Alimentari should still stay on the radar. If in the area or if in need of take-out/delivery, I would most definitely return. However, I probably wouldn’t focus my evening around dinner here, as there are better service options with Italian fare in the neighborhood. Let’s hope they can remedy their service inconsistencies and bring it to the level of their wonderful food.

  • Share/Bookmark
NYC — 1 Comment
3
Sep 09

A Chicagoan’s Favorite New York Pizzeria: Artichoke Pizza

by Elvis Alice

As a Chicago transplant living in New York City, the one food question I get asked the most is, “What’s better? Chicago’s pizza or New York’s pizza?” And of course, being a fiercely loyal Chicagoan I always say, “Chicago’s pizza.”

But everything changed when I ate at Artichoke Pizza. Located on 328 East 14th St. between First and Second Avenues, this hole-in-the-wall pizza joint is creative in both décor and dish. First, there’s the Kennedy brothers painting on the wall and the leg lamp standing in the corner. Then, there’s the unique menu which includes the Artichoke Spinach pizza and the Crab pizza.

Inside Artichoke Pizza, there’s only room for a couple people to stand in line. Yes, you’re going to have to wait in line (the later you go, the longer the line). Yes, you’re going to have nowhere to sit (but you can hover around the park bench in front of Artichoke for a seat). And yes, the pizza is totally worth it, especially the Artichoke Spinach.

The Artichoke Spinach has no tomato sauce, but you don’t even remember why pizzas even need it once you bite into its hot, gooey goodness. The melted cheese and artichoke pieces are creamy and buttery, with the texture of something like Cream of Artichoke Soup, and the crust is crispy and thick, just the way it should be. For $4, you’ll usually get a huge slice about the size of your head, and this isn’t your usual thin, cardboard-like New York pizza.

Although I haven’t tried the other three pizzas (Margarita, Sicilian, and Crab), the Artichoke Spinach is definitely the star player. You’ll know this when you’re daydreaming about it weeks later. So now, whenever I have Chicago visitors in town and they ask which city has better pizza, I say, “Before you think me a traitor, let me take you somewhere.”

  • Share/Bookmark
← Older Entries
Newer Entries →