Holiday Eats with my Mama

This past week, my mom came to town! We had a blast exploring the city, celebrating the New Year, and catching up over wine and food. So of course we decided to eat at some new places, specifically ones in Midtown and Downtown. Here are some of the great restaurants we ventured to:

1) Union Square Cafe (21 E 16th St, New York 10003): On Saturday we headed to Union Square to check out the greenmarket, as well as have brunch at the Union Square Cafe. The Cafe is very well known around the city (even my chef instructor worked in the kitchen at one point), so we had to pay a visit. The rather large restaurant is filled with smaller rooms and antique decorations, making the atmosphere warm and cozy. The service is beyond amazing. Never once did I ask for anything other than what I planned on eating! Oh and the food...delicious. My mom and I shared an apple and walnut salad, light-as-air ricotta gnocchi, and a lobster omelet. Everything we tasted was cooked beautifully and seasoned perfectly. Now that we've had brunch, we're dying to experience dinner, so we'll definitely be back.

The lobster omelet and a side of warm spinach and fingerling potatoes, at Union Square Cafe 

2) Saleya (65 W Broadway, New York 10007): After a day of running around NYC, we wanted to have dinner at a restaurant close to my apartment. My mom had read about a small, Mediterranean style restaurant called Saleya, so we gave it a try. Turns out, it was great! The restaurant is a small, all-glass store front nestled in Tribeca. As we walked in, we immediately sat down and order a glass a wine. For food, we shared a flat bread pizza, then we both had a bowl of soup. The food was really delicious and the service was efficient and friendly. If you're looking for a quick but great bite to eat downtown, definitely check out Saleya.

The flatbread pizza and salad with chickpeas and red onion, at Saleya

3)Kitchenette (156 Chambers St, New York 10007): After a long day of class at the International Culinary Center, I was hungry and ready to have dinner with my mom, so we ventured to a small restaurant in Tribeca called Kitchenette. The owner of Kitchenette actually graduated from ICC, so I was excited to try her food. When you walk into the restaurant, you immediately feel like you've been transported to a 50's diner. There is glass deli case filled with cakes and pies, and behind it rests an old fashioned milkshake blender. The menu also replicates diner classics and down-home cooking. I had a classic BLT, as well as garlic rosemary fries. My diet coke was even served in a mason jar. The menu also had chicken and waffles, mama's meatloaf, and classic cheeseburgers. Kitchenette was a perfect taste of home on a chilly New York night.

4)Colicchio & Sons (85 10th Ave, New York 10011): For New Year's Eve, my mom and I decided we wanted to have a nice dinner to ring in the new year. We had been to Colicchio & Sons to have drinks, but never to eat. After a little searching, we found that the restaurant was having a four course NYE meal, and we quickly made reservations. The restaurant is located on the west side right by Chelsea Market (aka foodie paradise). When we walked in, we were greeted with a warm welcome and taken to our seats. The ceiling was covered with balloons and there was champagne waiting for us. The service was impeccable; we had over five different individuals waiting on us and each was well informed and professional. And the food, just amazing. Each course had about four different items to pick from, and along with the four courses, we got a few extra bites. All in all, Tom Colicchio knocked it out of the park, and my mom and I had a full belly as 2013 came to a close.

Hamachi with orange and jalapeño, at Colicchio & Sons

 

The warm chocolate tart, deconstructed key lime pie, and assortment of chocolates, at Colicchio & Sons