Nomad

1170 Broadway, NY, NY 10001

Rating: A - Excellent
Visit #: 1
In brief: Great composition of tart lemon custard, crunchy almond shortbread cut with ricotta ice cream. One of those desserts that tastes good all in one bite.

Nomad, with Liz and Peter

1170 Broadway, NY, NY 10001

Rating: 2 - Super Happy
Visit #: 1
In brief: The service was especially slow this time around, but every dish rather delicious.


Our biannual lunch with Liza and Peter has been on the calendar for some time now though we almost slipped into March with the timing normally reserved for January. I've been to Nomad before for dinner but I found the lunch experience much more satisfying from a taste point of view. The service is another story, we ended up doing a lot of flagging, I felt like we were at the invisible table that no one is assigned to. Still we had a beautiful lunch, highlights including the radishes, the egg and the brussel sprouts. The portions are on the small side for the cost.

Made Fresh Daily

226 Front St, NY, NY 10038

Rating: B
Taste #: 2
In brief: It seems like everytime we have their cookies, it's a little different. Today's is  great in texture (crunchy chewy) but a little heavy on the sugar.

Pizza Fresca

31 E. 20th Street, New York, NY 10003

Rating: 4 - Just Fine
Visit #: 1
In brief: Today's lunch satisfied our craving, and hit the spot. However it's pretty expensive, and we were warned that the half portions were quite small.

It's good that the dishes were hearty, and the small portions weren't as small as the waitress warned us, but for the price for lunch, I wouldn't have minded a little more food. The pastas were decent, but the salad we shared for supplement was plain, and I don't want to know how much it was. I didn't leave hungry, but I was certainly ready to eat again by the time I got back to the office. It certainly won't be on our regular rotation.

Baked by Melissa

110 Fulton St, NY, NY 10038

Rating: B - Above Average
Visit #: 4
In brief: It is impossible for us to have these quite tasty little cupcake bites from Baked by Melissa without thinking, damn, what a racket. $4.50 for 3 little bites? We definitely wish we had thought of that first.

Mira Sushi

46 E. 22nd St, NY, NY 10010

Rating: 5 - Disappointed
Visit #: 7
In brief: Not that we have high expectations of this place, today it was a little underwhelming.

I'm really not a fan of crappy sushi. It probably has a little to do with me being Japanese. But there's plenty of crappy sushi in Japan too. It's just that I find it not worth my while. If you are eating something in its pure form (though I'm sure that statement can be debated) why eat it when it's no good? I will from time to time put up with passable sushi, because otherwise I will hardly ever eat something I love. But after today, I may just stay away from it until I splurge for a good sushi meal.

Petrossian

911 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019

Rating: 1
Taste #: 1
In brief: Canelés are one of my favorite desserts hands down. I'm not sure what Y has against them. But when she's away, that's what I want.

Petrossian's canelé is almost too crunchy on the outside, but is redeemed by the ultimate chew on the inside. Nice eggy-ness too. I'm a happy camper.

I Panini @ Eataly

200 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10010

Rating: 3 - Feeling Good
Visit #: 2
In brief: Some people will order anything that mentions "truffle". For me, that "it" ingredient might be capers. It could have been more interesting, but I wasn't disappointed either.

It's hard to bypass the prime rib sandwich from the Rosticceria at Eatly, but once in a while I feel like I should give some other places (that don't require a wait) some love. The Stefania was today's special, with Pork Loin, Bagna Cauda, fennel and capers. I was sold on the ingredients. And the execution? Unfortunately not too memorable, but I was happy enough eating it. I'm feeling generous today and will round it up to a 3 rating.

Haven's Kitchen

109 W. 17th St, NY, NY 10001

Rating: A - Excellent
Taste #: 2
In brief: If you like granola in any form, you will love the granola cookie from Haven's Kitchen. It's a little sticky, a little crumbly, a little crunchy, a little all good things put together in the form of a cookie.

Haven's Kitchen

109 W. 17th St, NY, NY 10001

Rating: 4 - Just Fine
Visit #: 3
In brief: A small, but carefully considered lunch menu. Everything tastes as fresh as can be.

Now that they changed the bar stools to something more accommodating, we might be more inclined to stop by Haven's Kitchen. The soup and half sandwich combo is a really nice option at only $10. It's definitely more for the ladies looking for a light lunch as nothing is heavy or too filling. A gentle place for a quiet lunch awash in sunshine.

Mille Feuille

552 Laguardia Place, NY, NY 10012

Rating: A - Excellent
Taste #: 2
In brief: We love Mille Feuille for its croissants but the lemon tart sits right up there for reliable deliciousness.

Flatiron Hall, with o.

38 W. 26th St, NY, NY 10010

Rating: 3 - Feeling Good
Visit #: 2
In brief: Moving up from our initial provision rating, Flatiron is proving to be a nice addition to the neighborhood. The space is pretty and calm with a slightly above standard bar menu.

We're still looking for a second dish to share with the burger, last time's deviled eggs where too salty and this time's bibb lettuce salad a bit too over dressed. But if they cut back on the grilled chicken and used only half the amount of dressing, that bibb lettuce salad would be pretty damn nice. The burger, second time around, is still a solid lunch with a that squishy potato roll we so love.

Balthazar Bakery

80 Spring St, NY, NY 10012

Rating: A - Excellent
Taste #: 12
In brief: An outrage at $2, but we love the Dreesen donut so much, it's occasionally worth paying for.

Noho Star, with Mark

330 Lafayette St, NY, NY 10012

Rating: 3 - Feeling Good
Visit #: 3
In brief: The quirkiest of old-time neighborhood spots, there are no tourists who wander in accidentally. Everything is a couple dollars more than you'd want to spend, but the menu is diverse and we are always pleased upon exit.

Noho Star is an oddball, but it's longstanding presence in the neighborhood lends it an aura of genuine authenticity that we love. Plus it's always pleasantly packed, never too loud, and the menu is whatever you want it to be. A perfect place to catch up with colleagues.

Bottega Falai

267 Lafayette St, NY, NY 10012

Rating: 4 - Just Fine
Visit #: 7
In brief: If the bread is fresh, the sandwich is stellar. If the bread is less than fresh, the sandwich is nice, but not fantastic.

I had a crazy morning where, for the period of an hour or so, I was frantically trying to track down my laptop left in a tote bag in the back of a taxi. In the midst of filing a lost property claim, a girl called and said she had my bag. She had gotten into the taxi after me and couldn't bear that I was without something so important. Elated, I rushed down to Soho for my laptop in the hands of a good Samaritan and stopped to pick up sandwiches from Bottega Falai for M. and I. The first couple times we ate here the freshness of the bread wowed us, but it hasn't come back up to snuff.

The Donut Pub

203 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011

Rating: 1 - Wonderful
Visit #: at least 30
In brief: The Donut Pub is pretty wonderful no matter what. Even on a off day, I just like this place so much, it really doesn't matter.

Today, I went at a bad time because they probably had 3 dozen donuts all together. Luckily they still had Y's favorite, the jelly donut. And I tried this apple crumble type thing. It wasn't as sweet as I expected, which is a good thing. I kind of liked it! Happiness on a Friday afternoon.

'wichcraft

1111 E. 20th St, NY, NY 10003

Rating: 4 - Just Fine
Visit #: 15
In brief: Our favorite sandwich here, the tuna, was not so good today. This might keep us from visiting even less.

While the sandwich of the day was nice, our go-to pole caught tuna sandwich was a disappointment today. For one, it was too salty and too flavor forward. Two, I think they've gone to flake tuna from solid tuna. Different flavor and different texture. All in all, it lacked the sophistication and restraint we loved. And the bread (which wasn't the same round shape as before) was not so fresh. We won't give up on them, but it might just be a while before we go again.

leftovers

Phyllis, in the office, is always chastising us for the endless amounts of sweets we share with everyone, but honestly we are such snack hoarders. The accumulation of weeks and maybe even months now.

Homes Kitchen

22 E. 21st St, NY, NY 10010

Rating: 2 - Super Happy
Visit #: 7
In brief: The dry sauteed string beans are worth going here time and time again.

As we were debating on ma po tofu or twice cooked pork to accompany our must have of dry sauteed string beans, I accidentally said twice cooked pork out loud as the waiter walked up to the table and before I knew it, he had taken our order, debate over.

Pret a Manager

655 6th Ave, NY, NY 10011

Rating: B - Above Average
Taste #: 2
In brief: You can count on Pret a Manager to make a good afternoon dessert cookie. M. tends to order the harvest cookie but I am really liking the sea salt pecan butter one we had today.

Hanjan

36 W. 26th St, NY, NY 10010

Rating: 3 - Feeling Good
Visit #: 1
In brief: Modern Korean in a modern setting, the kimchi daikon we could have eaten till the cows came home. On a first visit, we are liking the place.

I should add a caveat, we would like HanJan more if it weren't for the FREEZING temps of the dining room and the fact that by the end of the meal our toes were blocks of ice. Yeah, a little distracting. The crowd falls on the fashionista side, perhaps to complement the decor.

La Maison du Macaron

132 W. 23rd St, NY, NY 10010

Rating: B - Above Average
Taste #: 1
In brief: Based on the impressive taste-price ratio of the strawberry danish at La Maison du Macaron last week, we didn't hesitate to pick a kouign-amann for dessert today. Sadly its taste-price ratio is not as fantastic. Consider that Dominique Ansel's DKA costs the same $5.75, we much prefer to indulge in the DKA.

Indikitch

25 W. 23rd St, NY, NY 10010

Rating: 3 - Feeling Good
Visit #: 1
In brief: We are liking fast casual newcomer, Indikitch. Serving up Indian food in the Chipotle style of customization Very reasonably priced too.

Doesn't the little red flag in the background make you want to take out your horn and toot toot announce PORK!? We're excited about Indikitch opening in the neighborhood. It's not your childhood Indian bestie's mom's cooking, but it's a great place to have a bit of pork vindaloo over basmati rice with curried lentils. The space is nicely laid out and spacious, with clean graphics. As they say, the main portion of the "feast" meal is indeed fired up right there in front of your eyes. Takes no longer than ordering a beef burrito. We are liking it.

Lara's Bake Shop

Bagel Mill, 1700 1st Ave, NY, NY 10128

Rating: B - Above Average
Taste #: 2
In brief: Don't be fooled into thinking these are our beloved Tate's, they're not, but for a packaged oatmeal raisin cookie, Lara's isn't bad.

Tres Carnes

688 Sixth Ave, NY, NY 10010

Rating: 4 -Just Fine
Visit #: 4
In brief: There's seating, but the pumping music and chilly winter temps are not conducive to a lingering lunch. Does not stop the lines from forming.

We have a bunch of places that need visiting this week but we couldn't bear to leave the comfort of the block, winter is starting to bear down. Maybe we should have made the effort, Tres Carnes is a fine concept and all but the seating area is not at all conducive to a cozy lunch. It's loud and cold, which does not deter anyone from taking their lunch back to the office. That's not our mission though so we might have to save Tres Carnes for the spring, after the winter and before the air conditioners kick in.

Made Fresh Daily

226 Front St, NY, NY 10038

Rating: B+, Nice
Visit #: 3
In brief: It's a little sweet for our liking, however the texture, with the almost ground nuts, yields a 'not your ordinary'  and tasty cookie.

L'Express

249 Park Ave So, NY, NY 10003

Rating: 4 - Just Fine
Visit #: 2
In brief: It's open 24 hours, carries nostalgic value and serves ordinary bistro food.

The roast chicken was better than expected but I always think a French bistro should serve french fries with their omelets. L'Express goes classic American and serves them with breakfast style home fries.

La Maison du Macaron

132 W. 23rd St, NY, NY 10010

Rating: B - Above Average
Taste #: 1
In brief: It never occurs to us to look for desserts at La Maison du Macaron, aside from macarons that is, but M. ventured in and found a wide array of reasonably priced desserts including this rather nice strawberry danish.

Artie's Delicatessen

2290 Broadway, NY, NY 10024

Rating: 3 - Feeling Good
Visit #: 1
In brief: Jewish comfort food in a diner setting at its best.

We started a new project in the UWS ever so conveniently located a block away from Artie's, that long time purveyor of matzoh ball soup and heaping piles of pastrami. A new owner took over in 2010, and maybe I haven't been since then, but nothing seems to have changed. The matzoh ball soup is as comforting as ever and the pastrami divine.

Chocolate chip cookies

Some leftover chocolate chip cookies from a Tết party I threw this past weekend. Not a very traditional Vietnamese New Year food but when you throw a party potluck style, there is no way I'm complaining if someone wants to bring chocolate chip cookies.

Choza Taqueria

66 Madison Ave, NY, NY 10016

Rating: 4 - Just Fine
Visit #: 2
In brief: Not sure how to explain the constant crowd, everything we've had has been just ok.

Choza sees a steady stream of traffic though I'm not entirely sure why. Last time we tried rice bowls, this time tacos, both times neither bitterly disappointed nor astonishingly awed. It's not worth going in the winter, unless you are taking it back to the office. The door opens with too much frequency directly onto the small dining area. M. said her carnitas tacos were slightly better than the carne asada ones I tried.

Rosticerra @ Eataly

200 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10010

Rating: 2 - Super Happy
Visit #: 7
In brief: The prime rib sandwich is absolute awesomeness, the others are okay to pretty good.

The prime rib at Eataly was especially fatty today, something a food lover will deeply appreciate. M. is out today and I needed something I could eat while holding a book in one hand, finishing those last pages for book club, again under the gun. You would think for someone who reads so much I would stop procrastinating, but no.