Category Archives: New American
ATERA: chef + forager + mad scientist + artist
Dear Food Diary:
For StalkerBoy’s birthday this year, I wanted to surprise him with a little more than just a “nice” meal. I was aiming for that ecstatic moment when you’re ripping the wrapping paper of a gift, only with every dish and each bite (which would save me on an actual gift! LOL). Atera’s concept of “foraged-food” (the first in NY) fit to a tee. I was only able to snatch a reservation on Friday the 13th (“lucky” us).
Foraging is a new movement adapted by many young chefs. At Atera, chef Matt Lightner brings nature to our plates through modern cooking techniques. Think man in the wild with the heart of a mad scientist, the sense of a creative artist, in an impeccable kitchen, serving up surprises, one after the other.
Nothing was what it seemed…
The Plaza Food Hall: Poor quality control. Where’s Todd?
Dear Food Diary:
On one of our first dates, StalkerBoy took me to The Plaza Food Hall after a movie at the Paris theater. It was a memorable night, not food wise, but because it was April Fool’s day and I made a pretty mean (funny to me and only me apparently) joke on him (glad he’s still around).
A year later, we went back. And while I could hold my thoughts about mediocre over priced food for the night in the name of “reminiscing” (yes, this Chubby is a romantic at heart), I couldn’t overlook the poor quality control that was happening right in front of us. I was glad this was an open kitchen, actually more like thankful! But even so, the lack of passion for the food was obvious to the point where I lost my appetite, which wasn’t really missing out on much anyways…
Riverpark: Farm in the city to table with a view
Dear Food Diary:
When Riverpark first opened, I gathered my chicas and went for dinner. The space is a little hard to find, add to that a stormy night and it almost seemed impossible. The gps on my phone wasn’t showing it correctly and the cabby suggesting crossing the East River!!! We somehow found our way into the restaurant, tucked inside a spacious window covered building. Dinner was good but it didn’t blow us away… however…
Fast forward to a contrasting sunny day, month later… Glorious blue and white sky. A quiet view of the East River, relaxing and pleasantly chill. An amazing Brunch, plus a sneak peak at their innovative farm in the city. Naturally it moved up to be one of my new favorite brunch places in the city.
Untitled: Dinner date at the Whitney Museum
Dear Food Diary:
StalkerBoy kept our date night spot a secret. I was puzzled while heading uptown towards museum row after dark on a Friday night (clearly dead). He kept hinting “museum” as I laughed at him while assuring him it was closed by now. Only to be pleasantly surprised by Untitled, a Danny Meyer’s restaurant in the basement of the Whitney Museum. I had no idea this place existed!
NY Restaurant Week (yet again… *sigh*)
