April 29, 2016

NYC: Chobani; restaurant review

Chobani  

152 Prince St./Thompson St., SoHo, (646) 998-3800.  M-F 8am-7pm, Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 9am-7pm; $. 

Promoting the mother brand Chobani Greek yogurt, this new small cafe’s website tells you where you can find the expiration date on a container of yogurt, but it is doesn’t do a good job of telling you where to find the cafe!  I just happened upon it and was drawn in from the sidewalk after viewing the cozy interior through glass-wall windows revealing diners happily munching away on yummy-looking items.  The menu is short, but what I liked was the large, thin, round sesame-seed bagel spread with labne cheese.  Hummus+Za’atar and Hamdi’s Rice Pudding looked good too, and the recipes are available to go on free postcards.  

interior of Chobani in NYC
interior of Chobani in NYC


interior of Chobani in NYC
interior of Chobani in NYC


bagel spread with labne cheese at Chobani in NYC
bagel spread with labne cheese at Chobani in NYC


dessert tray at Chobani in NYC
dessert tray at Chobani in NYC

  


More NYC attractions.

More NYC restaurants.


images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

April 27, 2016

Pacific Palisades, California: Kay 'n Dave’s (CLOSED); restaurant review

Kay 'n Dave's  

CLOSED  15246 Sunset Blvd., (310) 459-8118.

exterior of kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California
exterior of kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California


Mexican food at Kay 'n Dave's is prepared with fresh quality ingredients.  Corn tortillas and tamales are made by hand, and housemade soups include a spicy black bean or tortilla—both with no animal products.  No lard is used in anything, and vegan and gluten-free options are available.  The noise level is high as are the spirits of the many families who dine here with kids, so order up a wine margarita to weather the storm.

interior of kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California
interior of kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California


All meals being with plenty of thin fresh chips and salsa.

chips and salsa kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California
chips and salsa kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California


Slow roasted in banana leaves, cochinita pork pibl is a house specialty.  My favorite item is the cheese enchilada,

cheese enchilada plate at kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California
cheese enchilada plate at kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California


but my adult son is enthralled by the gigantic veggie burrito

veggie burrito at kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California
veggie burrito at kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California


and my granddaughter loves the squash flower relleno.  Next time I plan to try the crispy black bean tacos favored by my daughter-in-law. 

take-out counter at kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California
take-out counter at kayndaves in Pacific Palisades, California



 
More places to visit in Pacific Palisades.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

 

images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

April 21, 2016

La Mesa, California: Anthony’s Fish Grotto; restaurant review

Anthony’s Fish Grotto  

9530 Murray Dr./Grossmont Summit Dr., (619) 463-0368.  Sun–Thu 11am-8:30pm, F–Sat 11am-9pm. 

With an elaborate entrance designed to resemble a fish grotto, this old-time restaurant has huge windows that look out on a large manmade lake with a fountain and some ducks.  The interior of Anthony's Fish Grotto is rife with shell decor, and plenty of booths make it very comfortable.  Outdoor seating is available for nice days.  It is reputed to have the best seafood in San Diego.  Lunch has some bargains, including divine fish and chips (I love the combo featuring both cod and shrimp) as well as pristine versions of other prime fish-house suspects.

entry to Anthony's Fish Grotto in La Mesa, California
entry to Anthony's Fish Grotto in La Mesa, California


dining room and lake view at Anthony's Fish Grotto in La Mesa, California
dining room and lake view at Anthony's Fish Grotto in La Mesa, California


shrimp & fish plate at Anthony's Fish Grotto in La Mesa, California
shrimp & fish plate at Anthony's Fish Grotto in La Mesa, California




More things to do in La Mesa.

More things to do in nearby San Diego.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

April 19, 2016

Santa Monica, California: Trastevere; restaurant review

Trastevere  

1360 Third Street Promenade, (310) 319-1985. 

If you close your eyes, this trattoria-pizzeria feels so Italian that you might think you are in Italy.  However, part of the fun at Trastevere is watching the street parade, so seat yourself outside in good weather, open up those eyes, and enjoy the show.  You might even spot a star.  Inside, high ceilings and cloth-covered tables provide an equally inviting setting.  After ordering, a complimentary basket of bread and some tasty chopped olive spread appears.  Well-priced lunch specials include pastas, sandwiches, and pizzas.  My favorites on the regular menu are a really good eggplant-tomato pasta sauce on linguini.  I have my eye on pasta al salmone for next time, and many veggie options are available.  

exterior of Trastevere in Santa Monica, California
exterior of Trastevere in Santa Monica, California


bread and olive spread at Trastevere in Santa Monica, California
bread and olive spread at Trastevere in Santa Monica, California


linguine with shrimp lunch plate at Trastevere in Santa Monica, California
linguine with shrimp lunch plate at Trastevere in Santa Monica, California


vegetarian pasta lunch plate at Trastevere in Santa Monica, California
vegetarian pasta lunch plate at Trastevere in Santa Monica, California



April 14, 2016

Solana Beach, California: Wild Note Café; restaurant review

Wild Note Café  

143 S. Cedros Ave., (858) 720-9000.  L-D daily; $$. 

A large lunch menu at Wild Note Cafe gives you the choice of salads, sandwiches, sliders, burgers, and Mexican items.  I can vouch for both the taco salad and the hand-carved turkey sandwich (made with house-roasted turkey and big enough to share).  Seating is available in a pleasant inside dining room as well as outside on a porch that is perfect on warm days.  In the evening, music acts are booked into the Belly Up showroom in back.   


front patio at Wild Note Cafe in Solana Beach, California
front patio at Wild Note Cafe in Solana Beach, California


half turkey sandwich at Wild Note Cafe in Solana Beach, California
half turkey sandwich at Wild Note Cafe in Solana Beach, California




Things to do in nearby San Diego.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers


April 12, 2016

Santa Monica, California: 18th Street Coffeehouse; restaurant review

18th Street Coffeehouse  

1725 Broadway/18th St., (310) 264-0662.  Daily 7am-6:30pm. 

Rumored to be owned by Bob Dylan (no one wants to verify that), this cozy coffeehouse features a pleasant decor that includes broken-tile tabletops, booths, and an array of art.  When the weather is nice, an open-air courtyard is particularly inviting.  Choose from coffees and sweets—perhaps an iced coffee and a miniature lemon Bundt cake like I enjoyed.  As might be expected if the rumor is true, the background music at the 18th Street Coffeehouse is exceptional.  No Wi-Fi is provided and cell phones are discouraged, but many individuals camp out with their laptops.  Claims to fame include being the setting for episodes of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (“Denise Handicapped,” Season 7, 2009) and “Modern Family” (“Rash Decisions,” Season 6).  Free parking is available in an adjacent alley.  

exterior of 18th Street Coffeehouse in Santa Monica, California
exterior of 18th Street Coffeehouse in Santa Monica, California


interior of 18th Street Coffeehouse in Santa Monica, California
interior of 18th Street Coffeehouse in Santa Monica, California


patio at 18th Street Coffeehouse in Santa Monica, California
patio at 18th Street Coffeehouse in Santa Monica, California


mini lemon Bundt cake at 18th Street Coffeehouse in Santa Monica, California
mini lemon Bundt cake at 18th Street Coffeehouse in Santa Monica, California


early-on student ticket to see Bob Dylan concert at UCLA
early-on student ticket to see Bob Dylan in concert at UCLA



 
More things to do in Santa Monica.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

April 7, 2016

NYC: Zabar's; restaurant review

Zabar's  

2245 Broadway/80th St., Upper West Side, (800) 697-6301, (212) 496-1234. 

This famous market is filled to the rafters with good stuff.  Aisles are narrow, and rubbing shoulders with the other Zabar's customers is de rigueur.  Special counters are devoted to cheese, fish, and meat, plus there are deli items galore.  The bagels are great, as is most everything. 

Don’t miss going upstairs to peruse the vast selection of kitchen items.  I always wind up buying some small items I didn’t realize I needed—most recently a multi-colored set of measuring spoons and a tiny garlic grater—and this is where I bought my Bagel Biter, a much-loved and -used souvenir.  Speaking of which, you will also find well-priced souvenirs with the Zabar logo—coffee mugs, pot holders, kitchen towels—as well as a 3-D New York cutting board. 

exit at Zabar's deli in NYC
exit at Zabar's deli in NYC


California olive oil at Zabar's deli in NYC
California olive oil at Zabar's deli in NYC


cheese counter at Zabar's deli in NYC
cheese counter at Zabar's deli in NYC


lox counter at Zabar's deli in NYC
lox counter at Zabar's deli in NYC


bagel counter at Zabar's deli in NYC
bagel counter at Zabar's deli in NYC


 

More NYC attractions.

More NYC restaurants.


images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

April 5, 2016

NYC: Persepolis; restaurant review

Persepolis  

1407 2nd Ave./73rd St., Upper East Side, (212) 535-1100. 

It is fun at Persepolis to make a meal of appetizers and salads.  The flavorful Persian food includes Eggplant Mirza (a roasted puree with mint, tomato, garlic, and yogurt), refreshing Yogurt & Shallots, and Shirazi Salad (chopped cucumber, tomato, and parsley).  Since I was with a vegan I shared Khorest Ghormeh Sabzi (a green vegetable and red bean stew) and Khorest Gaimeh Badamjan (a split pea, eggplant, and tomato stew).  But what I really wanted was the Khorest Fesenjan (chicken with pomegranate and walnuts).  However, our veggie items were served over a sour cherry rice and a dill-fava bean rice and were very tasty.  I was here for a late lunch, so there weren’t many people dining then, but a man seated nearby was someone I recognize from PBS—but darned if I can remember his name or role, though I think it was a mystery.

Eggplant Mirza at Persepolis in NYC
Eggplant Mirza at Persepolis in NYC


Shirazi Salad at Persepolis in NYC
Shirazi Salad at Persepolis in NYC


sour cherry rice and dill-fava bean rices at Persepolis in NYC
sour cherry rice and dill-fava bean rices at Persepolis in NYC




More NYC attractions.

More NYC restaurants.


images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

April 1, 2016

NYC: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum; sights to see + restaurant review

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum  

1071 5th Ave./89th St., 212 423 3500.  14 F–Wed 10–5:45, Sat 10–7:45, closed Thurs.  09 $18, 65+ $15, under 12 free, audio tours free. 

NYC’s only building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is shaped like a flattened corkscrew.  The museum specializes in Modern art.  Take the elevator to the top and walk down, viewing the special exhibits displayed in descending circles.  Several smaller rooms on levels 2 and 3 hold the permanent collection, and level 5 usually presents a special show.

interior of Guggenheim Museum in NYC
interior of Guggenheim Museum in NYC


Alberto Burri exhibit at Guggenheim Museum in NYC
Alberto Burri exhibit at Guggenheim Museum in NYC


A cafe with a view of Central Park, which is just across the street, serves light snacks.

cafe at Guggenheim Museum in NYC
cafe at Guggenheim Museum in NYC


Note that everyone seems to head to a museum when it rains or snows.  Expect long lines then, sometimes situated outside the building.

exterior of Guggenheim Museum in NYC
exterior of Guggenheim Museum in NYC


Great lunch spots abound in this area. 
 
●Just on the next block in the Neue Galerie is Viennese Cafe Sabarsky
 
●Adjacent to that in the Church of the Heavenly Rest is the Heavenly Rest Stop by Bluestone Lane cafe.  Tucked in a former chapel under the limestone arches, this super-popular café is very small and so there is often a wait.  In good weather, seating spreads out onto a patio in front facing Central Park. 
 
●And a few blocks away, a branch of the fabulous Sarabeth’s awaits with its delicious pastries and all-day breakfast menu.  More about Sarabeth’s.   

interior of Sarabeth's Upper East Side in NYC
interior of Sarabeth's Upper East Side in NYC


farmer's omelette and fat English muffin at Sarabeth's Upper East Side in NYC
farmer's omelette and fat English muffin at Sarabeth's Upper East Side in NYC




More NYC attractions.

More NYC restaurants.


images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Popular Posts