Guest Post- Milk Street Cafe NYC

Years ago when we took a trip to Boston we stopped off at the Milk Street Cafe for lunch.  It was so tasty and we all asked why no one had opened something like it in NY.  Circa had tried but no one can top the original.

2 weeks ago I was in the Financial District with my son for a dentist appointment and asked a friend where I could take him for dinner and he suggested the Milk Street Cafe.  It is easily located at 40 Wall street, Trump Tower.

Even better than its Boston location this store had several stations that can make everyone in your family happy.  When we first walked in we walked around to see all our options as there were many.

Dairy Salad Bar

Meat Salad Bar

Panini Station

Meat Station

Asian & Sushi Station

Barista Bar

I went with the Asian station and had a piece of salmon, stir fried vegetables and rice.  My son toured all the stations and wanted to start with french fries and a roll.  The salmon was so tender and delicious I took some home for the next day.

Afterwards my son enjoyed a smoothie and sampled many of their desserts.  The place was clean, and well staffed.  Everyone that worked there was more than happy to help and answer any questions.

I stopped by the next week for dinner and got a Rockfort Salad for dinner and picked up another salmon with vegetables for the next day lunch - all delicious, looking forward to not being there on the nine days so I can check out the meat station

I went back again the next night and picked up dinner and a salad for the next day.  The salad was so fresh that the next day it tasted like it was made minutes before.

Yes a glowing review but as I said Milk Street does it right.  Best part I think is that they serve both meat and dairy - everything  is given out in take out containers so if your husband wants meat, you want a great salad and your kids want sushi you can all be happy in one place at the same table.

Easily accessible by train and there is a parking lot in the next building.  Daily specials are listed on their website.  We have not yet sampled their catering menu but it was not hard to convince my office mate that next months office lunch should be ordered from Milk Street.

Milk Street Cafe

Manhattan

40 Wall Street

New York, NY 10005

Phone: 212-542-3663

Boston

50 Milk Street

Boston, MA 02109

Phone: 617-542-3663

http://newyork.milkstreetcafe.com

Who can think of food?

Spent Saturday night at the office and at Sammy's (interesting comment for another time) and yesterday at visiting day.

As we gear up for a fast day, I have no reviews today. As tomorrow is the day to dream of food, please send me your guest posts!

Sammy’s Bagels update AND Mikes Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen

I am pleased to announce that Sammy’s Bagels has finally stepped up to the plate and changed their layout.

The bagels are still where they were, but the register was moved to the end.

The soda fridge was moved to the end of the store. Basically, opening more room, if that is possible. No more gauntlet!

It felt a bit roomier, but they still have yet to get that Mr. Clean down pat. But hey, one step at a time..

In addition to the breaking news, I tried to meet a client for dinner on Wednesday night in the City. As it is the nine days, I couldn’t even get a place on line, let alone a table at Noi Due on West 69^th St (in the same building as where Levana’s used to be). From what I heard, the line was appropriate as the place rocks. Guess that will have to wait.

After trying My Most Favorite Foods new location on West 72^nd Street with the same outcome, we settled on high end Mike’s Pizzeria on Amsterdam and 92nd. As most people know, when you walk into any pizza store, you don’t look at the menu board. You look at what’s on display and what appears to be fresh rather than leftovers from the old kosher shop in Chernobyl.  Not Mikes. They have a full menu of appies and pasta, in addition to a large fresh selection of personal pies. It easier to find oil in Israel than a fresh kosher personal pie in NJ, but if you head across the bridge and down to the Upper West Side, you can find it.

While short on tables, they have a good cleanup crew that will flip a table quickly and bring you your food after you order it at the counter. Drinks are great and meter parking lines the street at all times.

All in all, a great place to stop for a good quick meal with many varieties.

Mike’s Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen

654 Amsterdam Avenue at 92^nd St, NYC

212-362-0700

Shelly’s

You know the summer is in full swing when it’s time to start eating dairy for most of the 9 days.

There is no better time to head out to Teaneck’s dairy restaurants, which I am a big fan off (see Mocha Bleu and Rabica posts).

This past Tuesday night, I went out to Shelly’s. Having worked there beginning with their second day of operation back in 1993, and having met my wife there, you might think I was traumatized (my wife doesn’t read this - maybe now she will). Not at all. As my Amex bills will show, I am a big fan of Noah’s Ark and Shelly’s. I challenge anybody to name a better sit down place where you can get a deli sandwich with your kids, without caring what you wear, and never a worry if there will be a parking spot.

Back to Shelly’s. There is no better time to go than the 9 days (or Mother’s day). The menu is new, fresh and innovative. Since Noah’s Ark was closed, there was an abundance of servers/busboys/kitchen staff. So much so that I thought I was in an Ecuadorian town.  We ordered a great selection of appys, from cheddar and black bean stuffed potato skins to flat bread pizza.

For our mains, the sea bass melted in our mouth. We make it a point to order Mac n Cheese wherever we go. It takes a good chef to differentiate Mac n Cheese from Wacky Macs. This one hit it on the spot. The tuna tostados were spiced to perfection that even a non-fish eater would try them.

While we wished they had more ruggies for dessert, I probably don’t need any more of those after living on them for most of my teenage years. The mousse on a plate of brownies was clearly not on my diet, but definitely one of the upsides to going to a dairy place.

And thankfully, they had diet Dr Browns. Makes the mac n cheese go down healthier.

I tried to make sure the bathrooms were clean, but there was a line.

All in all, a great meal at an affordable price ($172 with tip for four people).

Shelly's 482 Cedar Lane, Teaneck

201-692-0001

http://www.shellyscafe.net/

Shelly's and another Guest Post- Chai KO

I had a great 9 days meal last night at Shelly's and will be back tomorrow to write about it. I'm in the field all day, so enjoy a Guest Post regarding Chai Ko on Cedar Lane

So the wife and I decided to use the Nine Days Kosher Kouponz $12 for $20 deal tonight at Chai Ko.  Previous experiences were underwhelming when compared to classic Esti Hana, particularly on the meat menu.  The honey baby ribs, shredded crispy beef, and steamed beef gyoza at Chai Ko don't match what I remember from my single days on the UWS at Esti Hana.  But this time, we stuck with sushi, and were impressed.  We shared the Godzilla, Tataki, and Volcano rolls, and all were well made and tasty.  Avocado was fresh and green.  The tempura was not greasy.  The volcano roll had a pleasant lemon or lime note that brought the dish together.  The simple California roll was fine too.  Chai Ko sushi tonight was better than Sushi Metsuyan, who have gotten a bit complacent.

Perhaps the difference was that the guy from Esti Hana was at the front desk tonight.  Or maybe the negative reviews finally forced them to get their act together.  In any case, Chai Ko is now worth another look.

Chai Ko- 515 Cedar Lane, Teaneck
201-530-5665
www.chaikotapas.com/

Guest Post- Clubhouse

I have been swamped at work the last week or so and sadly have not made it out to eat. Thanks to the readers who have sent me great guest posts and I apologize to those who have been suffering from withdrawal from my combination of sarcasm and kosher food. I will be out to eat soon!

Guest Post:

Well… word on the town is mixed for this little hole in the wall (literally- the restaurant is situated in the original walls of the building – look carefully when you are there and you will see the joints in the brick) just across the street from the famous La Marais steakhouse.  Opened by the same owner, but lacking much of the finesse, atmosphere and service of the former, Clubhouse Café is, well a Café.  The music is loud and usually good (though the night I went it was off for most of the meal and when it was on it was sappy elevator music.)  The menu is very short, pedestrian and unimaginative with a serious lack of variety but every single thing you will order is good.  I had the grilled tuna steak which was fresh, perfectly done and well flavored.  The sliders are always a hit and the salads are crisp and flavorful.  The hangar steak was very well done also.  No quibbles about the taste of the food; It is perfect for grabbing a quick bite if you are in a rush, or can’t get seated anywhere else, or you’re looking for SOMETHING edible late at night in NYC…

The prices are not café priced.  They are slightly below La Marais’s…

Clubhouse- 155 West 46th St, NYC
212-354-3838
 www.clubhousecafe.net

Guest Post: SOLO NYC

I liked the atmosphere of solo, not as cramped as prime grill.

Appetizers.. I had the veal sweat breads..it was good, not great and the portion was very small for being the most expensive appetizer..$24. I would not order it again if I went back. My wife had the Solo Porcini Mushroom Velouté (soup) which was fantastic and a generous portion. 

The main dishes..I had the Cowboy steak..hands down one of the best steaks I've ever had! nice size and every bite was amazing. My wife had the short ribs, also delicious. I just had the leftovers for lunch.

Desert...I had the Passion Fruit Meringue..it was awesome! a great cold desert..Wife had the Molten Chocolate Cake..same like everywhere else. 

All in all, it is pricey but the food was excellent...I would though ask people which appetizers are worth getting before you go and please get the cowboy steak! I would definitely go back!

Solo

The Sony Building @ 550 Madison Avenue
212-833-7800