Hundreds of well-dressed attendees flocked to the Central Park Zoo during a recent weeknight sunset to revel in the pageantry of a private affair amid the setting of dusk on the Upper West Side.  The cause – the 6^th Annual ‘Sip For The Sea’- an evening to benefit the Wildlife Conservation Society would allow eventgoers to sample sustainable wines and seafood dishes, courtesy of some of New York City’s most bandied about restaurants.  2018’s event would serve to celebrate the opening of a brand new exhibit at the New York Aquarium – ‘Ocean Wonders: Sharks!,’ an exciting and highly anticipated arrival to an already highly-regarded venue.

The early evening’s true focus, as in years past, would be on the Central Park Zoo’s sea lion exhibit, where the talented training staff would work with a handful of these massive creatures to regale the live crowd through the use of a variety of tricks, as the animals snorted and bobbed for fish inside of a centrally located and sizable water tank.  Meanwhile, house band The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn, would literally keep the party going into the evening with a smattering of blues, jazz and folk music numbers proving to be the perfect complement to the outstanding dishes being plated nearby.  For three hours, guests were charmed by dishes from the likes of Tavern on the Green, Delaware and Hudson and Mastro’s Steakhouse, while wines from Sauvion, Pumphouse, and Sonoma County favorite Kunde Family Winery accented each delectable morsel to perfection.

Though much of the cuisine was seafood-focused, among some of the more memorable fare being served came in the form of savory meats (Hudson Street’s Takashi served an excellent ‘Grandmom’s Steamed Beef Shank Buns,’ Almond’s perfectly prepped ‘Smoked Duck Tacos’ with housemade kimchi were no slouches either), fresh vegetables (Iavarone Brothers Quality Foods on Union Turnpike delivered an outstanding ‘Eggplant Meatballs’ in sweet marinara sauce) and of course pastas (where Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse served up some of their unmistakably fluffy pillows of ‘Hand-Rolled Potato Gnocchi,’ always a favorite of our team).

Given that the aim of the Wildlife Conservation Society is an undying commitment to conserving the world’s oceans and saving species deemed most vulnerable, sustainable seafood was at the forefront of the evening’s menu.  And following a refreshing ‘Mojito’ courtesy of Naked Turtle’s ‘White Rum,’ it was time to dig in to some of the freshest fish in recent memory.  No trip to ‘Sip For The Sea’ would be complete without a stop at Luke’s Lobster where the buttery ‘Maine-Style Lobster Roll’ would be a mouthwatering change of pace from the crab and shrimp varieties of past affairs.  With a dollop of mayonnaise and lemon butter, the pairing with The Palm’s ‘Whispering Angel’ Rose was quite literally unparalleled throughout our evening of tasting.  Similarly marvelous was Shuka’s perfectly served ‘Scallop,’ meshing a fiery serrano chili with some basil, saffron and a subtle and sweet husk cherry for balance.  The combination of complementing flavors was decadent and tender, an ideal concoction for the warm weather of early autumn.

From the ‘Spicy Shrimp Tacos’ at Pier A Harbor House to the tender ‘Brioche Encrusted Crab Cake’ from The Tuck Room, there was no shortage of deliciousness being served inside of one of Manhattan’s classiest and most distinctive outdoor venues.  Certainly wine pours like Dr. Konstantin Frank’s 2016 ‘Cabernet Franc’ (Finger Lakes) or their superior made each already scrumptious bite all the more memorable.  Given the perils of a harsh New York City winter that waits ahead of us, evenings like ‘Sip For The Sea’ afford us just a bit more time to appreciate what it’s truly like to be a New Yorker – with all of the incredible food, drinks and scenery for us to enjoy – when the weather cooperates of course.

WCS Sip For The Sea 2018: The Dishes

Fulton Landing Seafood Co.: “Marinated Baby Octopus” & “Kicking Crab Gumbo”

 

Iavarone Brothers Quality Foods: “Eggplant Meatballs” & “Pork Teriyaki Meatballs”

Perrine: “Spice Grilled Octopus” & “Roasted Butternut Squash & Cider Soup”

  

Luke’s Lobster: “Maine-Style Lobster Roll”

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse: “Hand-Rolled Potato Gnocchi”

Thalassa Restaurant: “Seafood Salad”

Mastro’s Steakhouse: “Cucumber & Avocado Gazpacho”

Shuka: “Scallop – Husk Cherry, Saffron, Serrano, Chili, Basil”

Amali: “Saffron Poached Bacalao Cod”

Almond: “Smoked Duck Tacos”

Tavern on the Green: “Mezcal Cured Scottish Salmon”

Pier A Harbor House: “Spicy Shrimp Tacos”

Tocqueville Restaurant: “Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho”

Delaware and Hudson: “Goat Cheese and Thyme Tart”

Takashi: “Grandmom’s Steamed Beef Shank Buns”

Crave Fishbar: “Faroe Islands Salmon Crudo”

As Is NYC: “Rye and Seaweed Taco”

 

- Dave Gendelson 

The month of September marks the return of a great many things – the change from summer to autumn, the dawning of another football season, the return of classic television programs – and for the 9th Annual Pig Island event, the crowning of the King of Swine. Hundreds of thirsty eventgoers packed Erie Basin Park in Red Hook Brooklyn on a recent Saturday afternoon, adjacent to both Ikea and the iconic neighborhood Ballfields. Despite the threat of overcast weather and some clouds, the afternoon boasted a collection of outstanding chefs, tasty suds and live music to appease each of the swarm of attending guests’ five senses.

With hints of deliciously cooked pork in the air, we drifted our way to the waterfront setting to once again be a part of the Brooklyn magic. The over five hour affair would attract full families, groups of young folks and even aging-yet-festive revelers to the sprawling outdoor space, where tunes courtesy of Dusty Wright & The Bush Hogs would fill the already swine-fueled atmosphere. Backed by beers from Sixpoint and Guinness and more than a handful of cider options, there would be no shortage of delicious pours to wash down much of the salty goodness being sliced, prepped and plated on site.

Local New York City Chefs like Roxanne Spruance (The Kingsley – fall off the bone ‘Thai Sticky Ribs’) would be paired near pitmasters like Robert Cho (Kimchi Smoke) and Bill Cooper (Route 66 Smokehouse – ‘Ribs with Pineapple Guajillo Sauce’) to serve some of the day’s finest fare. After schmoozing with some participating firefighters and local Brooklyn police officers, we dug our forks into some of the more supreme treats of the day – Newark, New Jersey’s Rodrigo Duarte’s ‘Ribs in a Bladder’ were slow-cooked inside of a pig bladder, saturated by cumin and cloves, garlic and lemon juice, before being served beneath a chilled orange slice, atop a Portuguese roll. The results, predictably, were otherworldly. And speaking of exceptional, our favorite dish of the day would also be crowned Best In Show, as Chef Jesse Jones’ ‘Whole Hog Pulled Pork’ was served atop an incredible cornmeal pancake in a marriage of sweet, sticky and salty that was unmatched during our afternoon travels.

From succulent ribs to lip-smacking sausages, peruse through our photo gallery above to get a feel for all of the day’s action. And if that’s not enough, take some time and dig into our archives for our coverage from past Pig Island events. The feel-good vibes, waterfront setting and delectable hog dishes make the annual affair one of our most highly anticipated events each and every September.

- Dave Gendelson 

Amid a particularly chic setting inside the Hotel Eventi in Chelsea, the newly remodeled SECOND Floor space would play host to an annual affair that has become one of our favorites in New York City, meshing a bevy of high profile chefs alongside a worthwhile cause.  If the name ‘Tap & Tapas’ sounds familiar, it’s likely a result of our previous ravings – we have been attending the annual event since 2015.  Year after year, the nonprofit planners seemingly outdo themselves with an array of outstanding eats and drinks – but more importantly, a showcase of talented dancers performing for a roomful of well-to-do onlookers.  It’s tough not to be impressed by the kids, where  nearly a dozen ladies, ranging from children to young adults, band together in dance troupes to deliver some fun choreographed routines. 

The 14^th annual affair was another wildly successful one for local nonprofit organization Groove With Me, welcoming nearly 200 guests into the sprawling event space.  Since 1996, Groove With Me has acted as a safe-haven of sorts, allowing underprivileged youths to have an opportunity for self-development.  By offering free dance classes, the organization is realistically working to empower young women, helping to instill in them a sense of pride, self-confidence and a nurtured skill set to assist in their continued maturity and collective development.  Judging by the smiles that painted the faces of each young dancer on Wednesday night, founder Abby McCreath and her team of dance teachers and partners seem to be delivering on Groove With Me’s formidable mission and purpose.

Long before the evening’s auctioneer would work tirelessly to invoke some sizable donations from the charitable audience however, some of New York City’s most revered restaurants would roll out the culinary red carpet for attendees to enjoy.  With ‘avocado toast’ seemingly being all the rage at restaurants across our area, it was fitting that legendary West Village haunt The Spotted Pig would showcase their own unique and delicious take on the delicacy.  The “Pea Smash” unleashed a creamy green spread atop crunchy toast points, paired with savory sauteed mushrooms and spring vegetables- the combination of which was excellent despite leaving avocado out of the recipe.  Equally as satisfying was L’Amico’s “Fontina Cappelletti,” perfectly al dente pasta shells served beside some wild mushrooms and another spread of English peas.  Both dishes were ones we returned for time and time again as the evening moved onward.

Seafood samplings courtesy of Motel Morris (“Rock Shrimp Fish Cakes”) and Celestine (“Crudo of Cobia”) competed with heartier fare from La Chula (whose “Pork Carnitas” tacos were sensational)- though it was Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties with the unabashed helping of meats and cheeses that had the early evening crowd buzzing.  The Point Pleasant, New Jersey caterer came equipped quite literally with a paper cone filled with antipasto.  The “Antipasti Cups” were filled with fresh green olives, assorted cheese and salumi sticks and despite being fairly basic, the pairings worked brilliantly. 

We’d be remiss not to mention the “White Chocolate Pretzel Cookies” smattered in golden flakes from The Stanton Social and the “Vanilla Panna Cotta” topped with raspberry gelee from downtown’s Vandal that left us completely satisfied.  Though we didn’t take home any of the evening’s live auction items – from tickets to sporting events, tickets to Dear Evan Hansen and some ‘Dinner in Your Home’ Chef experiences this year, just being able to experience an evening that made so many in attendance so very happy was reason enough for us to return again for the 15^th annual event next year.  If recent history has taught us anything, the Groove With Me staff will make sure that it only gets bigger and better from here.

To learn more about the great work being done by the folks at Groove With Me, click through to their website here!

Groove With Me ‘Tap & Tapas’ 2018: The Dishes

Corner Social:“Stuffed Cucumber with Shrimp Ceviche”

The Spotted Pig: “Sauteed Mushrooms, Pea Smash & Spring Vegetables on Toast Points”

Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties: “Antipasti Cups – Italian Meats, Cheeses & Olives”

Feinstein’s / 54 Below: “Wild Mushroom Arancini, Springbrook Redding Cheese, Organic Tomato Sauce”

La Chula: “Pork Carnitas in Coconut Milk, Green Papaya Salad, Thai Chiles, Peanuts”

L’Amico: “Fontina Cappelletti with Wild Mushrooms and English Peas”

French Louie: “Beet Tartar with Beet Hummus on Crispy Socca”

Riss’ Knishes: “Potato & Onion, Mushroom & Gruyere, Poblano & Jalapeno & Cheddar”

Celestine: “Crudo of Cobia, Cherry Tomato, Puntarella, Challah, Boquerones”

Motel Morris: “Rock Shrimp Fish Cakes, Green Papaya Salad & Massaman Curry”

Beauty & Essex: “Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting”

Vandal NYC: “Vanilla Panna Cotta – Raspberry Gelee”

The Stanton Social: “White Chocolate Pretzel Cookies”

- Dave Gendelson 

A walk down the handful of stairs leading into the basement bar and lounge space called The Honeywell is a passage back in time, one into a 1970’s inspired West Harlem atmosphere replete with dated lighting, tacky ambiance and all of the charm and accoutrements that would make this now distinct sort of place so very memorable in 2018.  Much in the same fashion that Williamsburg’s Rockarolla has made the art of the old-fashioned New York City dive bar such a fun destination, The Honeywell is equally as pleasurable, despite being (gulp!) more refined.  Of course, the requisite décor is not without its standouts- particularly a small but eye-catching Billy Dee Williams Colt 45 advertisement stationed beside the flashing static emanating from a reception-less television, undoubtedly powered on for the sole purpose of conversation’s sake.

Seemingly plucked straight out of a scene from a Richard Roundtree film (see: Shaft), the dimly lit and sleek bar/lounge space is an excellent one.  Outfitted with a brown leather and gold-colored interior along with some plush green leather chairs, the long spacious bar and high top tables are completely filled on the night we arrive, with guests served by a talented bar staff that showcases the necessity of a chemistry background in their mixology.  Donning ample hats and facial hair, the hipster vibe stops there – as the friendly servers whip together a truly complete cocktail program using every conceivable element from liquid nitrogen to a literal blowtorch in concocting drinks that mesh fresh, tasty ingredients and some performance pizzazz.  Blaring in the background – you guessed it – everything from the era that you might expect to hear in a bar such as this one.  David Bowie (‘Life on Mars’), ELO (‘Evil Woman’) and Hall and Oates (‘She’s Gone’) were of particular note while we slurped down one delicious cocktail after the next.

Candidly, one could be blindfolded and point to anything listed on the extensive cocktail menu of ‘Signature’ drinks and find something to be utterly satisfying.  Priced from $13-$16, we swooned over “The Bush” ($16) a lip-smacking bevy of gin, egg whites, raspberries and lemon and the tequila-led “Vivi Con Fuego” ($14) replete with mezcal, sage, cucumber and a hint of rosemary syrup – that is served, quite literally, on fire.  Even the “Strong Ice Cream Float” ($18) where ‘strong’ is an understatement– a massive serving of homemade vanilla ice cream paired with Buffalo Trace Whiskey, Bailey’s, Curacao and Coca-Cola- though huge, packed a wallop of flavor in its overall decadence.

Getting a bit wobbly-eyed from such deliciousness, some of the snack-related menu fare became essential.   Though you might not find any traditional main course dishes at The Honeywell, the litany of ‘Bites’ and ‘Balls on Balls on Balls’ more than aligns with the place’s vibe.   The “Chicken Apple Sliders” ($12) for instance, topped with a rich layer of gruyere cheese, tart granny smith apple slices and a touch of creamy adobo aioli, were particularly satiating.  Similarly savory, the “Thyme Baked Wings” ($9) dished with a side of chipotle ranch were juicy, meaty, and delightfully sauce-covered, pairing perfectly with the starchy side of baked “Polenta Fries” ($9).  In a bit of a surprise, the “Shrimp Cocktail Ceviche” ($14) may have been the evening’s finest dish.  Pairing tequila and cilantro and avocado and cucumber and onion and clamato sauce together made for a mouthwatering base for the bulbous hunks of shrimp laid out before us.  But after two or three of these potent drinks, the festive atmosphere, fun team of mixologists and an energetic playlist will manage to make even the harshest critic a believer that in retrospect, the 70’s weren’t so bad.  And neither is the worthwhile trek up to West Harlem for a place as unique as this one.

Insider Tip: Take advantage of the season now by ordering up an outstanding “Hot Toddy” while it’s still featured on the menu.  Better yet, the monthly Drag Brunch amplifies the fun to unparalleled heights – with the next one slated for this coming Saturday.  Information is available here.

Admittedly, we had walked by the Murray Hill restaurant that boasts ‘Indian Culinary Bliss’ many times before. The 3D neon red lettering raised above a gray stone backdrop reading ‘Nirvana’ seemed to open up to a casual Lexington Avenue bar that appeared to also serve some Indian-inspired fare. But as it’s often said, looks can be deceiving – and a first time visit would unveil a restaurant that has quite a bit to offer in a neighborhood often derided for its lack of quality dining options.

With our reservation in hand, we were transported from the dimly lit first floor bar and lounge to a nicely decorated upstairs dining area, where flower-embroidered chairs and exposed brick walls were both inviting and eye-catching. Moderate music played in the background as we surveyed our surroundings, outfitted with decorative Indian borders and dark brown hard wood floors, setting a particularly cozy layout for the smorgasbord of tasty eats to follow. Although the vibe here is decisively mellow, the flavors and ingredients used in dish after dish are anything but – a testament to the authenticity of the restaurant.

Boasting a reasonably priced lunch buffet that attracts a slew of guests, Nirvana is actually quite popular during mid-week lunch hours. Our first visit however would take place on a weeknight, where the dining room would be littered with couples and families toasting to the holiday season. Unsurprisingly, the menu at Nirvana is quite vast though not quite overwhelming. For relative novices that prefer to dine in open-minded fashion, it is best to lean on your friendly server for suggestions despite the fact that many of dishes are all traditional – and truthfully, all delicious.

Succulent “Saag Paneer” –fresh spinach and cheese cubes ($15), decadent “Aloo Gobi Mutter” – cauliflower in a fresh ginger spice ($15) and even the mouthwatering “Garlic Naan” – toasted and flavored Indian-style pita bread ($6) proved to be wonderful tableside accompaniments for the main course offerings that quite literally filled us to the brim. Six of the restaurant’s roasted “Lamb Chops” ($30) packed particular flavor, marinated in the Chef’s special blend of spices. Paired with some hearty roasted potatoes and a smattering of greens, the juicy and tender meat pulled easily off the bone, highlighted by an array of marbled gristle that left our salted lips smacking.

To counteract some of the spice we encountered in the richly sweet “Chicken Vindaloo” (a steal at $14), we doused our plates with some of the aforementioned naan and plucked spoonful after spoonful of tasty rice from the coconut-like hotpot that house the “Shrimp Biryani” ($21). The immensely tasty dish was served piping hot, with decadently sauced bulbous shrimp tails jutting out from atop the container, lacquered in a creamy yellow-tinted coating. The combination of spices and herbs covering the rice and shrimp was otherworldly, with each starch-filled spoonful working to sufficiently satiate our formerly big appetites.

From the interior décor to the wildly flavorful cuisine, Nirvana of Murray Hill left upon us an indelible first impression. The outstanding service would serve to punctuate an otherwise terrific dining experience that won’t force you to take out a home equity line of credit to afford. Centrally located near Grand Central Station and equipped with a sea of dishes to satisfy even the choosiest of diners, Nirvana proves that once can reach a transcendent state of contentedness, even when dining out for traditional Indian fare.

  

While Murray Hill as a whole has seen a bit of a restaurant renaissance in recent years- with chefs like Morimoto, Bloomfield, Talde and Smillie all piloting successful outposts in the neighborhood- there had previously been a dearth of noteworthy eateries in an area known more for locales featuring 1980’s music, fifty flat screen televisions or the places with the name ‘Mercury’ in its title.  That began to change in 2014 when a contemporary American dining establishment propped up its flag on a busy corner of Third Avenue, an area that had been largely earmarked by the college rank and file ducking in and out of sports bars.  It was there on 37^th Street where Hendriks opened up shop, featuring a modern and industrial space that brought a rejuvenated feel to a block of storefronts begging for a contemporary makeover.  Earmarked by craft cocktails and a strong mixology program, the space had always been an ideal one for the Happy Hour crowd, and as we learned after subsequent visits, had also offered up a favorable weekend brunch menu, flexible enough for large groups or for visiting parents from out of town.

During our most recent visit however, the jam-packed and dimly lit space offered spillover folks a new experience, tucked just around the outdoor corner into Hendriks’ brand new Atrium, equipped with a fully stocked bar of its own and additional seating to accommodate greater guest count in a chic, private-like setting.  Better yet, the comfortable setup would also serve the classic Hendriks’ dinner menu, replete with offerings from the “Smoked Pork Belly Risotto” ($21) to the savory “Black Angus Burger” ($17), both of which we’ve sampled in previous visits.

The just opened space is still seemingly a work in progress but certainly showcases a precursor of things to come.  String lights lay just above the restaurant’s cozy cocktail cove where white exposed brick plays as a welcoming sight during the winter months- the lodge like feel here makes delicious drinks like the “Hendricks Old Fashioned ($12) and the Malbec and gin meshed “True Blood ($11) particularly enjoyable.  Just a few steps away from the bustling bartender’s hustle sits a relatively nondescript but utterly comfortable dining room- spacious enough for large work parties (like on this night) but also pleasantly quiet to allow dinner conversation to shine.

Although the food at Hendriks might not be transcendent, it is often quite good.  And given the overall options in this part of town, there might not be a finer dining option.  The “Maine Crab Cake” ($13) and “Chickpea Fritters” ($9) are both generously portioned, rich in taste and outfitted with delicious seasonings.   Hunks of lobster meat sit atop shells of nicely cooked ravioli (“Lobster & Ravioli” ($30)) rather than stuffed inside each envelope – but the dish works overall because of that sort of distinctiveness.  It is a serving that delivers far better in practice than it might be interpreted on paper, doused in a buttery sage sauce and surrounded by a smattering of seasonal vegetables.

While other items like “Beef Short Rib Au Jus” ($28) and the “Roasted Double Cut Pork Chop” ($29) might warrant the menu attention of your eyeballs, seafood-focused fare was the showstealer during our most recent trip.  From the “Clams Linguine” ($23) to the “Lobster Risotto” ($32) to the “Seared Branzino” ($29), an evening special that showcased masterful technique – it was clear that despite its attention by locals as a meat-lovers haven, Hendriks also has a fairly refined side to its cooking.  The “Rotisserie Free Range Chicken” ($19) was perhaps our favorite dish of the evening – served alongside baby carrots, whipped potatoes and Brussels sprouts the way any piping hot, home-cooked meal should.  And just writing about it in retrospect as temperatures begin to dip has us longing for a return visit to pour some red wine, grab a seat at The Atrium bar and do it all over again.

Multiple pillars stand perched outside of the Murray Street location of Benares Indian Restaurant, which when unobstructed by typically camouflaging New York City scaffolding, reveals a particularly sleek and modern ambiance just within the building’s dual doors. Outfitted with shiny brown floorboards and yellow banquettes, Benares is an inviting atmosphere that feels like a distinctive downtown haunt to dig into some savory Indian-inspired fare. With its unique interior layout and inventive contemporary menu, fans of this style of cuisine would be hard pressed to find a dining experience that delivers this much overall value – in a Tribeca neighborhood that is normally bereft of such a concept.

It is an early weeknight evening when we arrive at Benares. The small bar area is already buzzing as a ‘change of pace’ to the atypical area Happy Hours. Many of the tables are already filled, even at an early hour, filling us with anticipation as we situate ourselves to experience each course. Despite being utterly reasonable- there isn’t a dish that exceeds $26- the menu leans on the cuisine of Utter Pradesh, the Western state where the city of Benares is located. What that means for the New Yorker is a smattering of fresh seafood, meats and vegetables doused in delicious tomato sauce, using ginger, cumin and garlic among other spices to really showcase the authenticity of the region.

If the fiery “Khasta Gobhi” ($8) wasn’t the most tasty cauliflower we’ve ever tasted, it’s difficult to recall a finer version. Battered to a crisp with garlic and some peppers and served in a spicy red sauce, the dish resembled a similar mouthwatering stickiness of a great General Tso’s dish- but the all veggie version was definitely noteworthy. We grabbed slices of warm “Garlic Naan” ($4) and lathered each doughy morsel with the sauces from the cooked cottage cheese “Paneer Makhani” ($15) and the cinnamon and black pepper doused “Konkani Shrimp” ($14), bulbous prawns that were both tender and juicy.

While Benares certainly serves up their share of Indian staples – your “Chicken Tikka,” ($13) savory and piping hot “Adraki Samosas” ($8) and a zesty “Chicken Vindaloo” ($17), each seems like they are crafted meticulously. The carefully prepared and fresh fare allowed each dish to seemingly be tastier than its predecessor. Even the simply prepared “Lamb Chops” ($25) were perfectly slow cooked in a clay oven, deliciously seasoned with each juicy bite pulling seamlessly from the warm foil covered bone handle.

In all likelihood, there is a strong chance that we won’t ever find ourselves in the Western state of Utter Pradesh. But that said, it’s this sort of eclectic style of cuisine that is entirely worth celebrating in downtown Manhattan. Supplemented by some truly outstanding service, the expansive menu allowed us to sample a great many dishes and happily, it was tough to take much umbrage with anything that touched our table. The comfortable setting and wonderful aromas make Benares a hidden gem amongst Tribeca’s overhyped and often overpriced list of restaurants. And in a pleasant surprise, it’s also a restaurant we find worth revisiting to sample even more of the place’s massive selection of offerings.

We’ll be the first to admit it: we don’t spend a great deal of time in Bed-Stuy.  That’s not a judgment call; it’s that the travels of our daily lives don’t often draw us out toward the Brooklyn neighborhood.  On a recent sunny Saturday however, the sounds of savory brunch sang out to us, whispering ‘hey, give this a shot.’  And with our ears ringing, we boarded the C train headed toward Classon Avenue for a mouthwatering breakfast experience well worth the jaunt from Manhattan.

Alice’s Arbor is an adorably charming little bistro nestled quietly onto a relatively quiet neighborhood street, across from welcoming Crispus Attucks Playground.  Outfitted with a rustic interior, the energy-laden restaurant feels as if transplanted from a small country town yet is seamlessly transitioned onto a bustling Brooklyn street.  Decoratively, the place’s natural lighting illuminates the barn wood covered walls, exposed brick and inventive light fixtures and wooden tables placed around the dining room.  The entire setup feels completely comfortable as the easy-going staff seems equally at ease, despite hustling around to serve the crowded slew of table-sitters.

In between the dedicated service however, is a meal that manages to take the notion of an ordinary brunch and keep it inspired.  With much of the fare sourced from nearby farms, the ‘farm-to-table’ concept which has been done to death in New York, just feels fresh here.  Armed with your choice of a horseradish-fueled ‘Bloody Mary’ or a refreshingly crisp ‘Mimosa,’ the $19 ‘Prix Fix’ feels like a downright steal for some of the selections offered before lunchtime.    Take ‘The Jessie’ ($11), a simple croissant layered with egg, avocado, arugula and tomato.  But topped with a Cabot white cheddar and the combination works far greater than the sum of its parts might imply.  ‘The Cubano’ ($12) is equally as excellent, meshing warm roasted pork, ham and gruyere with mustard and tangy pickles atop a flauta.

Even a traditional ‘Eggs Bendict’ ($11) is enhanced when served ‘Carolina’ style- the ‘Carolina Benedict’ ($11) tops scrumptious buttermilk biscuits with the traditionally poached eggs – and some rich pulled pork with barbeque sauce to boot.  And the piping hot home fries are well seasoned and just as distinctive.  The creamy lemony hollandaise sauce atop a serving of fresh ‘Crab Hash’ ($11) and greens also manages to be a big winner, washed down with some of the Arbor’s tasty house brewed coffee blend.  By the time the decadent ‘Apple Strudel’ is served tableside, drenched with a sweet syrupy glaze and topped with fluffy whipped cream – we had admittedly had enough, in a good way.

The service, unexpectedly – was spectacular.  Barely 45 seconds passed before another friendly outstretched arm was filling up our coffee mug, grabbing our plate or asking if we needed any additional condiments.   The food, unexpectedly, despite being reasonable, was equally as satisfying.  Who knew that such quality was available at such an infrequently visited part of Manhattan’s sister borough.  The experience overall though was a commendable one- so much so in fact that Alice’s Arbor moves to the top of the list for places we can bring folks off-the-beaten path, looking for a high-quality brunch from start to finish.

Rundown of the Meal

Plates
Crab Hash ($11)*

Carolina Benedict ($11)*

Dessert
Apple Strudel*

* Meal Highlight

Hundreds of tastemakers, wine lovers and local food enthusiasts flocked to the immaculately designed IAC Building in Chelsea on Wednesday evening to experience an authentic evening of Spanish cuisine and culture.  The 24^th Annual Spain’s Great Match would be the evening’s drawing card, as some of New York City’s most famous Spanish restaurants would gather to prepare an oversized feast, coupled with more than three hundred varieties of Spanish wines.  The mood was festive throughout the particularly indulgent two and a half hour affair, where fresh cheeses, olives and slices of decadent serrano ham would serve to bring out some of the flavors of the regions finely paired bottles of vino.

Whether you’ve got a familiarity with the likes of an Albarino or Tempranillo grape matters little at the annual affair, where expert and novice wine drinkers casually sip together shoulder to shoulder.  Instead, the evening is more about discovery – finding a style that you prefer, a restaurant you’ve never visited, or perhaps a region of Spain that you plan on visiting.  At least that’s the hope of the event’s founders, Wines From Spain, a promotional organization that is committed to building awareness for Spanish wines throughout New York as well as the greater United States.

With an empty wine glass (and empty stomachs) we paced the room strategically, filling up first with a tremendous selection of bubbly – first from the likes of Campo Viejo, whose reasonably priced ‘Cava Brut Reserve, NV’ and ‘Cava Rose, NV’ were downright steals at just $11.99 a bottle.  Nicely balanced and tastefully fruit-forward, each was distinctive and in a word – classy.  The same could also be said for the pours of ‘Mahou 5 Estrellas Lager’ – a delicious and golden beer that we tasted for the very first time.  Served ice cold, the subtly bitter brew washed down some of the heartier fare that we enjoyed with great ease, as the lightest of the handful of beers being poured.   But as suckers for Sauvignon Blanc, it was the bottle of Marques de Riscal from 2016 that left us lingering tableside.  Introduced in the Rueda region, the delightfully pale yellow color furnished the inside of our wine glasses, replete with a fresh white fruit on the nose and a pleasantly clean finish.  There weren’t many French-inspired Spanish wines from which to sip on this night, making our discovery of this one a real highlight.

Where does one begin when describing an evening of outstanding eats?  Should we start at the perpetually excellent Socarrat Paella Bar, where their ‘Arroz Negro Paella’ came equipped with rich, black squid-ink rice and hunks of mouthwatering fresh seafood, like scallops, shrimp, white fish, calamari?  Or maybe we should mention Amada of Battery Park City, serving a scrumptious ‘Cordero Picado,’ a memorable lamb tartare served chilled, atop a crunchy chicharron for contrast.  Or perhaps mentioning Casa Mono is necessary – serving a phenomenal ‘Dry Aged Beef Tartare‘ with scallion ash and a creamy porcini mostaza which was just a touch more preferable to the bite-sized ‘Glidas’ from Huertas, with white anchovy poked through a ripe manzanilla olive and guindilla pepper with a plastic toothpick for one delicious bite.  For our money, the blood-sausage soaked ‘Mini Morcilla Hot Dog’ topped with sprout kraut from La Sirena was the hands down winner for our team.

Speaking of delicious, with hundreds of bottles from which to taste – jot down the following for future Spanish wine sipping:

- Teso la Monja ‘Almirez 2015′ ($25)  – a delectable, blueberry and lavender focused red that is very well-balanced

- Teso la Monja ‘Victorino 2007′ ($60) - a luxury bottle that is the snapshot of a perfect Tempranillo, sourced from 45 year old vines and aged in French oak for 18 months.  It is just hitting its ripeness

- Raimat ‘Albarino 2016′ ($12) - A real value bottle here, full bodied, ripe white citrus fruits and a delightfully floral nose with a nice clean finish

- Las Rocas ”El Renegado’ Red Blend 2013′ ($14) - slightly oaky, this blend of Syrah and Garnacha, the light-bodied red wine is plush and ripe

- Pares Balta ‘Mas Irene 2014′ ($35) - Aged for 13 months in new French oak, this is an organic mid-priced wine with a wonderfully smooth palate and excellent acidity

In all, the affair was another swimming success, affording guests the opportunity to sip and taste some eclectic and authentic wines and dishes- direct from Spain – but right here in Manhattan.

- Dave Gendelson

In the fleeting minutes of daylight at New York City’s iconic Central Park Zoo, hundreds of well dressed eventgoers gathered to celebrate one of autumn’s most fun-filled food-centric events.  The Fifth Annual ‘Sip For The Sea’ would bring together some of the city’s finest chefs and restaurants inside of the Park’s legendary space for a festive frenzy of food tasting, wine sipping and animal watching all in the name of a great cause.  The Wildlife Conservation Society’s annual affair would benefit the New York Aquarium, which is undergoing a sizable transformation to unveil a new exhibit dubbed ‘Ocean Wonders: Sharks!.’  The 500,000 gallons of water display will play host to sea turtles, rays, sharks and of course, fish – slated to open in 2018.

Until then though, there was plenty to get excited about inside of the Zoo itself.  Following an interactive demonstration courtesy of some of the most adorable looking sea lions you’ll ever see, guests were encouraged to parade around the space for glimpses at monkeys, penguins and birds, all of which were more than happy to soak up the attention of awed onlookers.  Meanwhile, as the music of The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn filled the open air in the background, talented culinary masters and their staffs were putting the finishing touches on their expertly crafted dishes, somehow cooked to completion right on site.

We’ve extolled the virtues of Luke’s Lobster over and over again on these very pages.  But there’s quite simply a reason that their model has allowed new locations to successfully pop up all over town – and it’s the same reason that their lines typically tend to be the lengthiest at similar food-focused events.  The food is downright excellent.  Their ‘Maine-Style Lobster Roll’ was absolutely mouthwatering, lathered in some lemon butter and mayonnaise and doused in Luke’s ‘secret seasoning’  You would be hard pressed to find a more delicious sandwich – with tasty hunks of fresh lobster meat spilling out from the perfectly soft split-top bun.  Not to be outdone, Seamore’s ‘’Big Red’ Poke’ was similarly flavorful, replete with chunks of fresh watermelon surrounding a sole piece of soft and delicious tuna.  The candied cashews gave a touch of textural contrast to the dish, with a sweet crunch breaking up the creamy avocado and harissa medley.

We continued to pace between tables, marveling at the likes of Esca’s ‘Crudo del Mercato’ and Shuka’s sesame seed-laden ‘Yellow Fin Tuna’ dishes, before quickly devouring each of them.  Fittingly, the evening paired each tasty dish with a different sustainable wine offered by Bonterra, where the likes of their ‘Viognier,’ ‘Rose’ and ‘Pinot Noir’ really set the stage for our palates to allow the food and drink to dance in kind.  We slurped some ‘Whitestone Oysters’ from Bowery Meat Company, crushed on some ‘Brioche Crusted Crab Cakes’ courtesy of The Tuck Room and indulged in some ‘Taramasalata,’ a smoked trout roe with potato in a pita shell from Amali before waving the white flag on any further delicacies.  Okay, one more half ‘Lobster Roll’ from Burger & Lobster and a few handpicked ‘Pumpkin-Spiced Donuts’ from Doughnut Plant and THEN we were all finished up for the evening.

With food events of this caliber, it’s really easy to get wrapped up in the festivities of the evening.  But amid such an incredibly unique setting, as the sea lions in the Central Park Zoo looked on, we were fully aware of the impact that our donations would be making.  And with that in mind, at ‘Sip For The Sea,’ the savory foods and delicious pours of wines each tasted that much better.

- Dave Gendelson