Out West
HOLA FATTIES! Yes, I have commitment issues! My constant MIA status is incredibly embarrassing, and I’m SOOOO sorry for disappearing for the last 3 months. As usual, I have a ton of excuses to justify my absence, and numero uno is MY NEW JOB! I won’t tell you where I work on this uber professional-sounding blog, but if you’re tech-savvy enough, you’ll figure it out.
I’m going to rev up the fatty engine this time with a few of my new favorite places. Most of them are located in and around the West Village since, as you know, I’ve always loved exploring the neighborhoods I call home. My current ‘hood, West Village, has so much to offer, my favorites being small, quaint restaurants with a community following (typical Fatty Kat).
This place is right around the corner from my apartment (no wonder my lazy butt likes this place). I read a crave-worthy review about the restaurant last Sunday and decided within minutes to roll out of bed and park my huge appetite on Bank and W 4th. I was VERY happy with my Orecchiette with mint pesto, zucchini, toasted almonds and of course, sheep’s milk ricotta (HOLY @*#&$^*). The portion was definitely “American” to say the least. The rich creaminess and nuttiness of the ingredients really complemented the sharp, green flavors of the mint pesto. I loved this dish. To be fair, Andrew visited Tremont and specifically tried this dish a few days later (by my recommendation), but he said it was mehhhh… I really hope that was a one time flop because I really respect Andrew’s opinion as he’s one of my top fatty advisors. Still, I’d go just for the ambiance (this is what I call a “foochebag” word) since the restaurant is perfectly situated on a gorgeous corner of the West Village abundantly lined with trees and brick townhouses.
nymag.com
I’ve been dying to try this 24/7 Cuban Diner forever!! What could be better than rice, beans and plantains at 4AM????? Exactly my thoughts…nothing. I went to Coppelia with Jaimie with one thing in mind: plantains. I’m obsessed with plantains. They go perfectly with rice, beans and all types of meat and seafood. I might even need to go to PA (Plantains Anonymous…harhar…lame joke). Well, in the end, we didn’t really order anything plantain-related except the AWESOME guacamole and plantain chips.
I also went with the Mazorca (think Cafe Habana’s corn) and Fish Tacos. The corn was so-so, but I really loved the lightly friend flounder in the tacos.
I know…this dessert dish looks like every other one out there. Wrong! Our server recommended this warm bread pudding with a crispy, sweet plantain slice on top. Well, fatties and fatties, it was HEAVEN with whipped cream and unidentified crunchy stuff. Right Jaimie? We were basically fighting for the last bite (I won…being the bigger fatty has its advantages).
It only took me 3 years, but I did it! I finally tried Basta Pasta having worked next door at BLT Fish (right next door) for almost 3 years. I can’t believe it took me this long to finally savor the beautiful flavors and presentation at this Japanese-run Italian restaurant. Yup, weird right? Japanese people cooking Italian food? Well, we all know that the Japanese are awesome at everything, so this really should be no surprise. It’s one of those only-in-New-York kind of things, ya know?
The menu has some great ideas, but most importantly, their execution is completely on point. Jess and I weren’t expecting too much from this restaurant as it was a middle-of-the-week-let’s-catch-up dinner, which I randomly chose from my “to do” list. It didn’t cost like a middle-of-the-week-let’s-catch-up dinner, but it was well worth the damage.
Look at this purdy Tortino di Granchio…fancy speak for crab cake. It was really light and refreshing (yay for green apples and weird/jiggly/yummy grapefruit jelly) but nothing to write home about. I thought the basil aioli would do more for the crab. Still…pretty damn decent though.
All-knowing Jess ordered the magnificent Spaghetti con Prosciutto E Parmigiano. It was prepared and served in a parmesan wheel (god’s gift to my waistline), topped with beautiful prosciutto and finished with basil. It really doesn’t get any better than that. I know your next question and here’s the answer: the pasta was served al dente! Yay, can’t get any better than that.
I saw the words sea urchin (uni)…I was soooo easily sold. Loved the idea of uni, pasta, tomatoes, basil, etc. I just don’t think the execution of this particular dish was done very well. The uni had this weird consistency because of the pasta’s residual water, and that made the dish feel sloppy. The flowers went well together, but the tomatoes were a little too young for my taste. I like my tomatoes more robust.
Wait for it………………….OH MY GOD!!!!! This steak was phenomenal. I don’t remember what kind of cut we ordered, but it was the daily special. Close your eyes and imagine, a freshly shucked sweet corn ragu using the freshest tomatoes in the world. Imagine the most succulent/tender/juicy/perfect steak that just melts in your mouth. Imagine the two swirling around in your mouth in a heavenly cloud of rainbows and butterflies. Yup, I’m currently drooling as I type. And yup, I’m hungry. Damn.
Y’all know that I live for dessert, and this Tiramisu definitely didn’t disappoint. Still, it wasn’t any (life-changing) In Vino tiramisu. It’s purrrrrdy though.
This place is stellar.
Blame iPhoto. I can’t find a picture of Bee Desserts’ lovely Corn and Coconut Cake, but let me just say that it was the only thing that made me feel better after coming back from Brazil. Bee Desserts’ is a Brazilian cafe and restaurant (not very many around town), and it has an adorable exposed courtyard in the back. The spongey cake is rich, sweet and creamy, just like everything else that’s wonderful in this world. Expect dried coconut and corn bits in every bite!
Trackbacks