Gramercy, NY - Casa Mono (Michelin)

Bar Seating

Razor Clams a la Plancha

Upstate Burrata with Greenmarket Pepper Sambal and Anchovy Toast

Pulpo with Fennel and Grapefruit

Sweetbreads with Fennel al Mono and Marcona Almond Vinaigrette

Pig Ears Chilaquiles with Pickleback Ramp Sauce and Crema Fresca

Grilled Dorada with Sun Shrimp, Yellow Tomatoes and Squash Blossom Salsa

Rabbit with Habanero Cuajada and Mono Kimchee

Quail

Foie Gras with Cinco Cebollas

Espresso

Casa Mono
52 Irving Place
New York, NY 10003
(212) 253-2773 

Philadelphia: Oyster House + Jamonera

I was on a month of hiatus because I went skydiving in the beginning of August, I needed time to recover -joking, it was fun and since then I gathered so many food pictures that I was thinking of how to blog them. Enough procrastination.

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It was J's birthday and he wanted something mellow, nothing big, relaxing yet new. I saw Oyster House on Yelp as I was doing my usual browsing. The happy hour instantly caught my eyes and I knew that J would appreciate it.

We went early, since HH is 5-7pm on weekdays and 9-11pm on weekends. We dressed up for the occasion and let me tell you, walking in Philly with heels was a bit challenging. Our friend SS was having a hard time also, since she was also worrying about her dress...

HH only happens at the bar. We wasted no time and ordered 3 dozens once we sat down. The oysters comes out a dozen at a time regardless of the amount you order, but they come out quick. You can see the shuckers shuck away behind the bar and they do a quick and clean job, don't forget to show some love to them.

Oysters of the night were Watch House and they were delicious. With oysters you need to try one by itself and then the rest (if you like) with some vinegar and cocktail sauce and a bit of lemon juice, it'll help those that don't like the briney oceanic taste and brings the oysters to a more refreshing level.

Oyster crackers were sitting there in front of us, tempted, I tried one and it was the hardest and driest piece of cracker ever. You definitely need to place those in soup, eating by itself is just wrong.

I personally really like clams, that night they had these huge Cherrystone ones. J can see it in my eyes that I wanted. They looked beautiful. J and SS agreed they never had clams that were this good. No briney or harsh icky seafood taste, but instead was really fresh and easy to eat. As for myself, I enjoyed it either way.

We basically pre-gamed here and headed to Jamonera afterwards but literally came back the following night. It was that good! They had the same oysters and clams. But this time, the waiters/waitresses told us they over ordered a bunch of lobsters and determined to get rid of them (since they close on Sundays) are offering the lobster roll and grilled lobster for less.

The Split Grilled Whole Maine Lobster was excellent. Buttery and tender, it was like a lobster galore.

The best of the night was definitely the Lobster Roll - New England Style. I never actually like the New England style much just because of how much mayo is put on but this rendition was just perfect. Chunks of lobster and the mayo did not taste overpowering, plus the roll was buttered and toasted! I can't believe I would have to go back to Philly just to get this...

Oyster House is a must visit if you love seafood, and you bet I'll be returning if I'm in Philly.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Right after, we walked (big mistake) to Jamonera to have some tapas and drinks. The inside was dim and had that really nice wine bar vibe but since we didn't have a reservation, they asked if we want to sit outside. We didn't mind since it was really nice out, the only bad thing was that birthday boy keeps getting bug bites.

Started out with drinks. They were on the weaker side and nothing much to rave about, I did expected more from Jamonera. Should've really stuck with wine...

We ordered 3 small plates to share since we already had 3 dozen oysters in our stomach.

The Crispy Cana de Cabra was actually really good. I never thought I would like goat cheese. The fried goat cheese was creamy and crunchy which was really appetizing, for you non-cheese lovers, this can be a start. The Thai basil dressing was excellent, the only best dish we had here.

I should've known that the Charcuteria wasn't up to my expectations when I saw the photos on Yelp but I totally forgot and ordered it. The meats were really "meh" and have no salty kick or spice to it, kind of boring.

Finally, the Grilled Spanish Octopus looks and sounds amazing but they overcooked it! I was shaking my head as I took the first bite, I love octopus but this was a bit on the forceful side to eat. Plus, I'm not sure if this dish was suppose to be served cold...oiy.

I saw good things about Jamonera but I definitely didn't have that experience.

Oyster House
1516 Samson St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215)567-7683

Jamonera
105 S 13th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215)922-6061

Lunchin' @ Sophie's Cuban Cuisine - Cod Fish Stew

As you can see, I've been to Sophie's quite often lately (which can also explain the weight gain I'm seeing - not good!) because it's literally across from my building. The convenience of its location made it a lot easier and also more tempting to go there. They also have different dishes each day from Monday through Friday to spice up your taste buds.

I saw they had Cod Fish Stew on Friday and knew I had to try it. I love cod, it's one of the fishes that I can eat every day. When it's cooked just right, the meat of the fish would just flake off and it's of a milky white color.

At Sophie's, you get 2 sides with their meals. I refuse to ever order beans with it because I despise beans. Rather, I've gotten my Cod Fish Stew with Yellow Rice and Salad ($9.00).

Yes, it's pretty pricey for lunch but the portions are huge and can easily be two meal. I was so greedy and fat that I wanted it all in one sitting.

I was afraid the salad would be too soft because they might've left it in the fridge for a couple of days and that the dressing was too watered down. Boy was I wrong. The lettuce was still fresh and crunchy, same goes for the cucumber and tomato. The dressing was a strong vinaigrette which was very appetizing.

Onto my beloved stew. I have to say that Sophie's make really good stew, any kind of stew for that matter. I always get rice with it because I love the way the sauce seeps around the rice and covers it in every way. So dam good.

There was a lot of cod fish pieces which I appreciate. Stewed with onions and bell peppers, the taste was so aromatic. The fish was a bit tough but it's because it had been stewed for so long. Fish doesn't get softer when you stew it for a long time, meat does. The meal was still delicious and I would definitely get it again.

Sophie's Cuban Cuisine
Lower Atrium
805 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10022
(212) 308-1024

Lunchin' @ Sophie's Cuban Cuisine - Fried Pork Sandwich

So I hate thinking about what to get for lunch when noon reaches. I don't like being so indecisive while having so many options around me. I don't like how there's nothing around me that appeals to me half the time which sometimes makes me go back to eating the same thing. And I don't like spending a fortune for lunch just for myself. Yup, I'm a little cheap-y when it comes to getting food for myself.

After much contemplation, I decided on Sophie's. Although I wanted their cod fish stew, I'll just stick to a sandwich since it wasn't a Friday. I've read somewhere that the Fried Pork Sandwich is really good, and with the description the person gave, I know I must have it.

I went a bit after the rush hour of lunch so there was no one on line, success!
I told the lady behind the counter I wanted a Fried Pork Sandwich ($6.95), she got to work right away. Seeing her prepare my sandwich was like heaven. Seeing her stack the pork (which didn't look fried to me!), then the plantains (that's the surprise), then onions and then she squirted mayo and this green sauce (which I assume it was hot sauce). I was already salivating.

I was staring at the pork thinking that it would be dry cause it looked dry. But the second I bit down, it was so tender that it nearly fell apart. I was impressed. I also love how the sweet plantains gave the entire sandwich a nice twist in flavor. The onions were amazingly good, lightly pickled with cilantro to enhance the flavor. A really good sandwich.

Sophie's Cuban Cuisine
Lower Atrium
805 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10022
(212) 308-1024

Mexicue

J and I came in for a quick bite. I never knew they actually had a storefront, probably opened sometime recently? My initial reaction was - this place is quite small but little did I know that there was a second floor with all the seatings.

Their menu is pretty straight forward, you choose anything from a burrito to tacos to sliders (there's more) and then choose your type of meat. They also have sides and drinks. The wait wasn't that long and there were much people there on a Friday evening.

Our food was put together in no time and we started to head up the stairs. That flight up took forever because it was so narrow and steep. Good thing I wasn't the one holding the tray of food because there would probably be a high chance of me spilling everything. The second floor is extremely room-y, lots of seats and there's even pillows for you to use if you want to sleep after you ate (joking!).

I decided on Pulled Pork Tacos ($9.25) since I didn't want anything heavy. I didn't realize that they come in triplets. Just looking at it makes me full. One thing though, the pulled pork taste like pho! Oh my god, it was like eating my favorite bowl of beef noodle soup. It was insane and it made me like it that much more. The pickled red onions were a great addition to the tacos because it gave it a nice crunch and wasn't too overly sour. You also had a choice better soft or hard shell but I chose soft since it's a lot less messier and easier to mold to fit my mouth.

J had the BBQ Brisket Sliders ($9.95), and of course we shared. I was surprised at how much they pack into that small bun. The brisket was a bit on the dry side for me, if only they had more BBQ sauce handy on the side. The slaw was good, I always like a contrast in texture when it comes to sandwich-looking kind of things.

Last but not least, the Green Chili Mac and Cheese ($2.95) was ordered because we were afraid the tacos and sliders wouldn't fill us up. We gotten the small and was so glad we did. The mac and cheese was really thick, packed a nice little kick to it with each bite. I probably wouldn't order it again since it tasted a bit weird to me as a whole.

For beverages, I had the Arnold Palmer and J had the Juarito bottle drink in grapefruit. Mine tasted bland while J's tasted good. Damn, the usual happened... he wins in the beverage ordering department also!

Will we return? Maybe? If we're in the neighborhood and we really want mexican food but other than that I doubt we're going to purposedly trek to Mexicue.

Mexicue
345 7th Ave
New York, NY 10001
(212) 244-0002

Weekday Lunch: Sophie's Cuban Cuisine

I've only had Sophie's once before and it was a nice experience, I just can't believe it took me this long to step my foot back into Sophie's again - it was about 4 years ago.

Ever since I changed my job location, I had to start all over and see what's around my office to lunch on. I totally forgot how Sophie's taste since it's been so long. They usually have different specials for each day of the week. I like the entrees that includes 2 sides, it's a sufficient amount that will definitely fill you up within $8-10 each. They even have sandwiches if you feel for a Cuban Panini but I like a hearty meal.

Ox Tail Stew w/ yellow rice and maduros

I always had a thing for ox tail (no not some crazy weird fetish thing), I just like how they taste. My mom would occasionally make soup with it and stewing it sounds quite fantastic also. I knew I had to get the Ox Tail Stew and what's better than having it with rice. The sauce from the stew soaked the rice making it taste so much better. I also really like the maduros, fried sweet plantains. A bit on the oily side but it was so sweet and I love bananas.

Sophie's Cuban Cuisine is a great place if you're in the mood for some home cook meals. They are a chain restaurant, so map them and maybe you'll be in luck if you have one near you.

Sophie's Cuban Cuisine
805 3rd Ave
Lower Atrium
New York, NY 10022
(212) 308-1024

Ideya Restaurant

J and I visited this place out of random. We intended to go to a newly opened restaurant that had a Mexican and Japanese fusion but apparently they weren't open for business yet. How disappointing. So, out of hunger and desperation, we needed to find a place to cure our stomach. Lucky enough, Ideya's front was bright and lively. J got drawn in by it so we gave it a shot.

I have to say, I was skeptical at first but J was persistent and not to mention I didn't want to annoy him anymore than I had.

Ideya was known for their mojitos. Claims to be the best in NYC so I just had to try it.

I love good cornbread and what's better than complimentary jalapeno cornbread. Not at all spicy or full of heat, you taste the fragrant of the jalapeno and the rest is just yummy cornbread. Soft and slightest moist, keeps you yearning for more.

Island Punch

Guava Mojito

The drinks are absolutely amazing here. J had the Island Punch which tasted heavily of rum, the taste is a lot more stronger so if you're a weak drinker or want something that's light, stick with the mojito. My Guava Mojito was very refreshing and really good. The best mojito I ever tasted.

Huevos Ideya

For some odd reason, J always seems to order the best dishes. Well, still works for me since I get to have some. A great twist on the classic eggs benedict, I love the corn arepas that substituted the english muffins and instead of ham/bacon there's the chorizo. The sweetness of the corn arepas really worked with the dish. Next time, I'm ordering this!

Salmón

My dish wasn't bad either, I was hungry so I wanted something big. The salmon was grilled nicely, even though it was charred on the outside, it was still moist on the inside. The piece of salmon was a decent size also. And the salad that came with it, superb.

I need to come back for some more mojito.

Ideya Restaurant
349 W Broadway
New York, NY 10013
(212) 625-1441

Degustation

After watching Anthony Bourdain's No Reservation about El Bulli, J and I decided we needed to go to Spain one day and sit through the amazing 50 course meal that Ferran Andria put together. Small tapas dishes which taste absolutely over the top. Sadly to know that El Bulli is now closed and our hope of going there has been teared apart.

But, totally not bummed. I found a place right here in NYC that comes just as close to El Bulli as possible and I took my boyfriend their for his birthday. Degustation is literally a tapas bar that serves small but extremely flavorful dishes. The flavors that are incorporated into a dish is enough to surprise you.

We both chose to do the 10-course tasting menu (yes, I know we're pigs). Actually,  we are extremely greedy when it comes to food. The following will be photos of the 10-courses and a special add-on surprise. I'll try to explain the most that I can since half the dishes from the 10-course wasn't on the menu. And let me tell you this, each dish has so many components it would make your head spin.

A small menu with spectacular dishes.

Amuse

The appetizer dish. I really don't remember what was the item on the left but it sure does look like an oreo and taste nothing like it. The middle is a Spanish Tortilla with quail egg, total bliss right there. On the right is a ball, which is fried and the interior was really soft, the texture tasted like mashed taro.

Course #1 - Oyster, Egg White Foam

So light and amazing. The egg white brought out the flavor of the oyster.

Course #2

As you can tell, I don't recall the name or what was in this dish. Shame on me! One thing I can tell you, the red/pinkish balls in the middle taste a lot like cream cheese.

Course #3 - Coconut, garlic broth, sweetened cherry

A really nice soup. I actually ate my cherry too fast but it tasted so good with the milky soup. If I ever encounter this again, I'm dunking that cherry in the soup and mixing it because the flavor is superb.

Course #4 - Fried squid, egg whip, brioche toast, pepper flakes

One of my favorite dishes. I love anything fried and J wouldn't have agreed more. This was a crazy tease because the dish was so perfect.

Course #5 - Spinach ravioli, fava beans, shallots and razor clams

I was actually scouting around for the razor clams, I love seafood! But all I find was diced little pieces of it. I mean, I'm not totally disappointed. The ravioli were good, I just wished the fava beans were cooked a bit longer...

Course #6 - Egg mousse, crushed bacon

I've seen this dish everywhere. Always wonder what it was, apparently there's no egg in this egg mousse. It's a garlic infused cream with a stock broth underneath. I can't recall exactly what kind of broth but it was so good. And the spoon was just so cute with the egg shell!

Course #7 - Sturgeon, tapioca pearls, sea beans

Oh lord. I've never love fish this much before. The sturgeon was poached and served in its own broth! I didn't want this to end. The texture of the sturgeon was meaty and bouncy at the same time, heaven!

Course #8 - Flank, grilled vegetables, mustard sauce

It always make me do a double take when I see such a small piece of meat. I mean, I ask myself is it really good? It better be good since it's just a small piece! And of course, it tasted so darn good. Oh, I also never seen such a small eggplant before. Cuteness x100!

Interlude - Rabbit loin, cod belly risotto

Because we're greedy and after seeing dishes before served, and knowing the 8th course was our savory course, we quickly put down one more dish for ourselves. J saw this and was totally intrigued by it. The risotto was absolutely decadent and filled with immense flavor.

Interlude - Dogfish, red cabbage yogurt, corn

I wondered what dogfish was, and plus it was fried so why not?! I was thinking to myself, dogfish eh? Is it anything like catfish? What's with these weird names for fishes...
The fish was really good. Lightly fried and not oily at all. It was also nicely seasoned with lemon.

Course #9 - Yogurt, shaved ice

Our pre-dessert, I liked how the yogurt was just room temperature and the red top part counter-acted that. Amazing.

Course #10 - Caramelized Torija

This officially became my most loved dessert of all times!
A crispy sweet shell on top that was caramelized with a blow torch, and the interior was just unexplainable. It was light, fluffy, chewy, soft, sweet, bouncy... so many different textures. So stinking good!

So, I've developed a passion with this place. I mean, it is good. If you watch Anthony Bourdain and understand the gastronomy in food, then you ought to come here. It's definitely a quality over quantity kind of food and you need to appreciate food to be able to appreciate a place like Degustation.

Degustation
239 E 5th St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 979-1012