NYC Restaurant Week

   Restaurant week in NYC was a couple of weeks ago and I wouldn't have missed it for the world.  So even though I've been running like a mad woman, I took an afternoon to go with my co-food critic Dawne.  Lol.  She is one of the most pickiest eaters I've ever known but this place got two thumbs up from the both of us. 

   Ilili restaurant is located at 236 5th Avenue and is definitely a must have whenever you're in the city.  Their cuisine is Mediterranean.  I loved the fact that for restaurant week they gave each of us two appetizers!  We had a feast and a half.  We picked the Mouhamara a walnut puree delicious and different, Moujadara a green lentil puree.  The BEST string beans ever but so simply cooked with lemon juice, garlic, salt, olive oil and dried mint.  The Phoenician fries are the best fries you'll ever have in your life they come with a garlic whip that is non-dairy and seasoned with Aleppo pepper.  The Aleppo pepper aka Halaby pepper is used in middle eastern & Mediterranean cuisine.  It has a moderate heat level with some fruitiness and mild cumin undertones it's similar to the Ancho Chile.  I have yet to find it locally but my next trip into the city I will be on a mission until I find it because it had such great flavor.  I had the braised lamb shank sandwich with roasted peppers it was so delicious that even when I brought it home and my boyfriend ate it cold out of the fridge he was amazed. Lol.  Dawne had the chicken wrap with garlic whip an they even put one Phoenician fry going down the middle to make it perfect!

  Our desserts were amazing!  I had the Ilili candy bar which had chocolate crunch, chocolate ganache, pistachio & fig caramel & finished with a warm chocolate sauce.  Tell me that's not one of the greatest desserts ever.  My girlfriend had the Awaimat.  That translates to a Lebanese beignet with orange blossom simple syrup.  I also had Arak which is a liquor.  It is mixed 1/3 Arak with 2/3 water because it is so strong.  It aids in digestion and has a licorice & anise flavor.  It's something to be sipped slowly and you have to have a strong love for licorice because that's exactly and only what it tastes like. 

   I want to urge you not to wait until next year for the next restaurant week try it ASAP!

www.ililinyc.com

Fine Turkish Cuisine in New City!

    Yesterday afternoon I had a few hours before my boyfriend had to go into work so, we decided to cruise around to try and find something different.  We did! A new Turkish restaurant in New City.  I recommend trying this place if you truly enjoy lamb and if you enjoy the simplicity of food.  Their recipes included whole grains like bulgar something I usually only see in health food stores.  We enjoyed our appetizer which was basically grilled eggplant, tomatoes and green peppers smothered with yogurt.  The lunch specials are great for the price.  Just 11.95 for a meal with an appetizer.  I ordered the stuffed cabbage with ground lamb meat and a very light red sauce.  My boyfriend enjoyed his lamb cubes served with bulgar wheat and a small salad.  For our appetizers I had a puree of lentil soup and Anthony had a refreshing salad of nicely chopped tomatoes and cucumbers that was such a refreshing dish so simple yet delicious.  I really appreciate food like that.  The restaurant is called Ephendi and is located at 191 S. Mai Street in New City there is no website but their phone # is (845) 708 5752.  I will quote my boyfriend as best as I can " You know your in an authentic restaurant when the English on the menu is terrible"  LOL!

My Sunday must have!

   Every Sunday I must go to J & B luncheonette to have my weekly eggs Benedict.  I have had eggs Benedict all over at some of the best restaurants in NY.  But, by far my favorite place to have this is at J & B luncheonette in Haverstraw on route 9W.  Their prices are great and their staff is so friendly they know everyone by name.   I do not like my eggs poached I like them scrambled so they scramble instead of poach my eggs and smother them in hollandaise sauce.  It's a very comfy and relaxed atmosphere and their homemade soups and Mexican specials on Thursdays are also a must.  This place has been there for over 20 years and the owner is one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet.  It's one of those old fashioned places that are hard to find.  It's a place where you'll find Joe sittin at his favorite spot at the counter where he's sat at for who knows how many years considering Joe is 90 years old.  With all the chain restaurants around it's nice to see a mom and pop restaurant still around.  A place where the community gathers and where the community is so loved in return.  Joann the owner is always cooking and donating her time to local organizations like The Arts Alliance, The 42 Club and where ever else she's needed.  Try my Sunday must have you won't be disappointed :)