Category Archives: Featured
Cocina Economica: Home-style Mexican on the UWS (CLOSED)
Dear Food Diary:
I was shocked when Recipe – one of my favorite brunch spots on the UWS closed last year. Shorty after, Cocina Economica’s sign was up. I wasn’t amused. Why close a great place beloved by so many?
Word in the barrio was that chef/owner David Bank was so impressed with his Sous Chef Pedro’s home-style Mexican meals (cooked for staff) – he wanted to showcase it. Changing everything from name to decor.
Lucky for us, we get to try a really different take on Mexican food.
Fatta Cuckoo: Fried chicken with a sweet touch
Dear Food Diary:
I’ve never met anyone who didn’t absolutely love fried chicken. Yes, there are a few health nuts who takes the skin off and swear by the evidence of flavor even so (whatever *rolling eyes*). Anyways…
When Gilt City had a deal for Fatta Cuckoo’s fried chicken dinner for 4 ($80), I rung up my ChubbyChicas immediately. But shortly after, I was off to Japan and missed my finger lickin’ date.
My friend J reported “best fried chicken I’ve ever had”.
abc cocina: Flavorful tapas and small plates
Dear Food Diary:
Like abc kitchen, abc cocina is a beautifully decorated space within abc carpet & home store.
Jean George plays with latin flavors, while adding his own twist. Flavorful tapas and small plates style menu, meant to be shared.
Sushi Yasaka: Amazingly affordable omakase on the UWS
Dear Food Diary:
As I looked back at 2013, Sushi Yasaka turned out to be my most visited restaurant (Opentable is probably sending my rewards check as I type).
A neighborhood Japanese spot that serves an amazing yet affordable omakase ($45) and mini omakase ($24).
[TOKYO] TORI TAMA: No limit chicken tasting. Sashimi and unformed egg.
Dear Food Diary:
If you ever thought getting a reservation in NYC was hard, try Japan with zero Japanese. It’s almost impossible.
We wouldn’t have gotten to eat at this amazing chicken spot if my friend Y (a local) wasn’t in Tokyo. To get us into Tori Tama, she called several times just to be on the waiting list and when seats opened up, she begged the Japanese locals who were first on the list to let her “american” friends try this no limit chicken yakitori and sashimi place before leaving.
One of my favorite and most unique meals in Tokyo. I didn’t even know chicken had so many parts and textures.