Dinosaur BBQ

In the four years my daughter attended Syracuse University, and then my step son as well, I never got to the Dinosaur BBQ.

It was always a madhouse & a scene as it would either be Parent's Weekend or a Sorority Weekend & mobbed with people, so when we heard that they had a place up in Harlem on

W 125th st. we were interested,, but still never went.

Now, I LOVE the Food Network & The Travel Channel. I watch Man vs Food & just love the host, Adam Richman. The show is Great. However, when you watch these shows, you get hungry!! Truly!! LOL

So, , the other day, before I was on my way upstate for the weekend, we were watching "The Best of " & also, BBQ Paradise & it was all about BBQ! The next thing I knew, we were in the car on our way to Harlem.

It was great!!! The place is so much fun- buzzing with people & the smells are fantastic!! This is the real deal- a true rib joint.

Now, I have tried many rib places and never was a big fan, although I do like Smokin' Al's- however- this place is 100o notches above that and the rest!!!

To- the best BBQ sauce I ever had!! They also have Texas BBQ Brisket, Pulled pork, and other items such as Burgers, Churrasco Chicken Breasts done numerous ways start, we had the Fried Green Tomatoes - delicious with a buttermilk dip. Next, the ribs & chicken, which were outstanding!! They were meaty , juicy & beyond amazing!! There is also a nice selection of meats- Beef ribs, rib eyes, skirt steak and a couple of fish items.

All this served with 2 sides of your choice and a large piece of cornbread .

The sides are incredible as well. BBQ Baked Beans, BBQ Fried Rice, Mac & Cheese, Corn, Cole Slaw, Syracuse Salt Potatoes, Veggies, and much more!!!

The Desserts- OH MY!!

Needless to say, any diet goes down the tubes here, but so worth it!

Travel, Food & Fun

Well, these past several days (& last weekend) I have been on the run. Lots of fun & interesting places!

Last week, I was at one of my favorite & FUN places- TJK's. This fabulous spot is on the service road of the Horace Harding Expressway (in between Little Neck & Douglaston)

when you first walk in,, you would think it is an Asian-Fusion restaurant as all the staff & owners are Asian- except for one waiter. However, the menu is sensational unique- creative & delicious. The place is filled with hundreds of different mirrors in every size & shape and the bar also serves as the place to watch the magnificent & spectacular desserts being made to order.

The menu is very eclectic. They have great appetizers- all served on towers- crab cakes, calamari, mini spicy tuna tacos, mini ribs ,etc.

The entrees consist of light & heavy options- meaning, you can order a fabulous salad or sandwich, or you can get one of their many incredible grilled fish selections, pork chops, chicken dishes, a grilled rib eye with chimmichurri, and pastas, including one of my favorites- a farfalle (bow tie) pasta in a light broth with shrimp & lots of shitake mushrooms- wonderful!!!

Now- dessert. Among the many amazing feast for the eyes as well as the stomach choices- are one of the most beautiful items- "Sammy's Surprise". OMG!! It begins with a pastry that is sliced in half & either filled with FRESH whipped cream, Ice cream or fresh custard. Then, it looks like a salad on top, when , in reality, it is julienne sliced granny smith apples, peaches, strawberries & bananas all shredded on top & then, more whipped cream!

ALL the ice cream concoctions are fabulous- the sundaes, the banana split, etc. & all the cakes are mouth watering as well.

Paddy McGees

Situated on Barnum Island in Island Park, NY are several Seafood restaurants & fun places to eat while dining on the water in the good ole' summertime. (almost over sadly)

Coyote Grill- a tapas style indoor/outdoor sleek contemporary water side bar & restaurant, with great Paella offered three ways, lots of great appetizers, sliders, chorizo sausage, guacamole, and much more.

There is Monterey Bay- a very very large bar which attracts an interesting crowd and has a very casual menu including mussels, peel & eat shrimp, sandwiches, burgers, and more. There is Jordan's- the BEST place for Lobster- either raw to cook on your own in lots of sizes, a large array of fabulous side dishes in their lovely clear & clean display cases, or lobsters steamed or broiled to order, to either eat there, inside or at a picnic table in the patio/courtyard, or to bring home, They have clams, and a large assortment of fresh fish & seafood as well. Always FRESH & excellent. They also have a freezer case that has both baked clams, king crab legs, escargot and many more items to bring home.

Then there is Paddy McGees, which has been there for a long time and offers lunch & dinner, 7 days a week and a large Sunday Buffet Brunch.

I have never been a fan for dinner there- I have tried it a few times and was very never impressed. The bar is always very crowded & very noisy.

However, I do like lunch there very much.

The menu is quite nice- great salads, soups, entrees, and of course, Lobster.

Today, while dining with a friend, we both had wonderful salads.

I had the mesclun greens with glazed pecans, thinly sliced red onions, fresh sliced strawberries and large moist strips of grilled chicken (you can also have grilled shrimp or skirt steak) with a raspberry vinaigrette.

My friend had the Mediterranean salad chock full of feta cheese, olives, crisp greens, grilled shrimp and sweet plump cherry tomatoes.

Their giant crispy tall thin breadsticks served in a tall vase are the best!!!

The people at the next table had the grilled fish entrees, which looked great- especially the salmon and the Dorado, as well as the Lobster, which they offer as a special w/ corn on the cob & salad.

Enjoy what is left of the summer while you can!

Zucchini Blossoms

Every so often I get the chance to cook . Yes, believe it or not, I do!!

While I was out east this past weekend, I stopped at a Farmer's Market & found one of my favorite but scarce items- zucchini flowers.

These delicate lovely flowers grow when you grow zucchini in your garden, and most people unknowingly, throw them out- but don't!! If you ever see them for sale, , anywhere, as they are perishable and have short lived season, buy them & try stuffing them & sauteeing or lightly frying them- unbelievably delicious !!

I have tried making them several ways- stuffed with crabmeat & marscapone, goat cheese with sundried tomatoes, chopped meat with ricotta, and many other variations, but since I had some sausage, mushrooms & fresh mozzarella in the house, this is how I made them.

Basically, anything you like will work well as long as it had a bit of a creamy/cheesey base to hold it all together.

6 Zucchini Blossoms

1/4 cup grated parmesan reggiano

1/4 cup diced mozzarella

2 sweet italian sausage links (or turkey or chicken sausage) cooked lightly until crumbled & drained

1/2 teaspoon fresh chopped flat leaf parsley

1 garlic clove- crushed

1/2 shallot- diced

4 large mushrooms- diced

flour

1 egg- beaten

seasoned breadcrumbs

olive oil or vegetable oil

Take the zucchini Flowers and dust with flour.

Dice mushrooms, shallots, garlic & parsley & saute' with crumbled sausage meat in oil until lightly sweated. Add diced mozzarella cheese & parmesan cheese. Cool and stuff into blossoms. Lightly dust with flour, dip in beaten egg, roll gently in seasoned bread crumbs and lightly fry or saute' in oil until golden brown.

Serve with a good tomato sauce as a dipping sauce. Serves 2-3

YUM YUM YUM!!!! Make a fabulous first course, appetizer, hor d', etc.

The Harvest- Montauk , NY

I love The Harvest.

I have been dining there for years but when I re married several years ago, that is where we had our reception. It is on Fort Pond in Montauk, and just a beautiful setting with the most amazing food.

Now, they have a couple of sister restaurants as well- one is also in Montauk- East by Northeast- more of a large seafood place, and the other one is called Harvest on the Hudson- a spectacular place sitting directly on the Hudson located in Hastings on the Hudson (obviously) This place is just gorgeous- with vegetables gardens to stroll thru while you are waiting for a table or just to walk thru & have a drink at the magnificent bar or the patio tables before going into the floor to ceiling glass and rich wood dining room.

There are tables, booths & drawing rooms. A great place for a special occasion. The menu is very unique and the food is to notch.

Now, Montauk. Situated facing Fort Pond, not far from the middle of town, is this lovely hidden treasure. The menu is mostly family style- large salads and appetizers that feed 2 -3, and the lamb ribs are a must!! OMG!!! When I had my wedding reception there, we were able to customize the menu a bit, and my family says they still dream about the tuna tartar on endive leaves and the lamb ribs . They are melt in your mouth (yes, a bit messy) good!

The fish dishes serve two, and last night we had the whole red snapper- quickly flash fried & then baked in the oven in a Thai Ginger Sauce that was heavenly, served over a bed of colorful veggies- that appeared to look like pasta- long thin strands of julienned zucchini, carrots, and scallions, and we also ordered a side of fresh baby spinach sauteed with mushrooms & shallots- fantastic!! The grilled salmon, lobster and mussels are also quite delicious, as is the steak.

The chocolate torte is to die for- a large slice of dense, rich & dark rich chocolate torte with a ganache top. So good. The table next to us got the ice cream sandwich- 3 huge squares of lightly baked filo dough ,layered and sandwiched in between vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and fresh berries- it looked incredible- what more could you ask for??

RARE-650 Syosset

AFter going thru alot of differem restaurants at this location in Syosset, including Sagamore Steak House, (fiar at best) they finally got it right!!

Rare 650 is a sleek, beautiful upscale restaurant with multi indoor & outdoor dining areas, a cool lounge, gorgeous bar & a very eclectic menu, featuring perfectly aged charred steaks, whole fish, and amazing sushi, made to order.

As we were seated, the wine list was presented to us and the specials were recited.

My only complaint at most laces are when they don;t mention prices of the items. Now, in all fairness, they did tell us the lobsters were $24 per lb., but never mentioned the other specials by price, so , although we already all anticipated an expensive but great dinner, we were a bit surprised at the "special salad" being $24 or the soup for $14.

Now, mind you, the salad was incredibly filled with lots of huge chunks of fresh moist lump crabmeat and full of shaved fennel & endive, it was excellent! The corn & crab chowder was exceptional as well.

We ordered a few sushi rolls and also the "house special" and they were gigantic rolls, and absolutely spectacular- the soft shell crab & spicy tuna with avocado was beyond sensational, and the house roll was also just as good, with tuna, crab, mango and avocado with the most outrageous sauce. It does take the sushi chef a while so be prepared to wait a while, but well worth it when it arrives.

The steaks were outrageously delicious!! (charred perfectly on the outside and cooked to perfection on the inside) The whole Branzino was mouth watering. The side dishes were the perfect compliment, and lots to choose from. The mushrooms were sauteed whole and tender, the creamed spinach was not overloaded in cream, with just a hint of nutmeg , the fresh asparagus was peeled, bright green and crisp , and the home fries and the jumbo baked potato were also great.

Dessert- many choices and we were a group of 8, so we selected 2- the Chocolate WOW- a huge slice of chocolate mousse cake topped with rich ganache and lots of whipped cream, and the banana split- a very large bowl, with sliced bananas, scoops of Haagan Daz Ice Cream, fresh berries and more!!

This is a MUST go!!! (be prepared to pay$$$) but so well worth it for a wonderful dining experience! *Reservations are a must as well.

Frost restaurant

Hidden away in a little neighborhood in Greenpoint in Brooklyn is a little treasure called Frost.

A small cozy local Italian restaurant that seems to get mostly "local" people on a regular basis, but I try to get there at least once a month or so, as do many others, I would imagine, as I fantasize about their linguine in white clam sauce.

The food is really authentic and the prices are quite reasonable.

The linguine in white clam sauce is one of the best I have ever had- chock full of meaty clams in a broth that makes you beg for a large spoon at the end (if you are not using one to twirl your

pasta)

The veal chops are enormous, wonderfully seasoned and cooked to perfection with loads of fresh mushrooms, and onions & peppers, if so you so desire. The chicken dishes, as well as many of the fish and pasta dishes are so terrific that it is worth going a little out of your way to find this place, especially for the traditional Sunday italian pasta dishes.

Commentary on my Chinese Food Post

I received alot of e mails from many 'private' followers on my blog @ askila@gmail.com regarding my commentary on Chinese restaurants.

Most were pretty funny but a few were insulted that I find most Long Island Asian restaurants fair to mediocre, and listed their favorites. I must say- I HAVE been to ALL those you listed & recommended, and still find them "fair" at best, but I thank you & do suggest you try Pearl's if you don't want to go into Manhattan or spend that much for Asian food. although I doubt you will find jumbo Grand Marnier Shrimp anywhere like in Phillippe. Its exceptional.

Campagnola

Camagnola, on 1st Ave & 73rd. St , sister restaurant to Ecco (downtown on Chambers St.)

is in my top 25 of my top 100 in NYC.

While a bit on the expensive side, the food is wonderful, and the wine list is top notch.

When you sit, they give you a nice plate of large pieces of Parmeggiano Reggiano, salami, olives, and another great cheese whose names escapes me for the moment with wonderful crusty tuscan bread.

Last night, we started with the "pasta sampler" as an appetizer- 4 perfectly cooked al dente' pastas- mushroom ravioli with a wild mushroom sauce, gnocchi in a creamy pesto, mini penne rigati in a light pink sauce & fusilli in a zesty pommodoro sauce. Spectacular!

The whole Dover sole as an entree was fabulous, as was the whole grilled Branzino.

My guests had the chicken paillard which was topped with a fresh arugula, red onions & large chunks of fresh sweet tomatoes. The vegetables choices are broccoli rabe, of course, sauteed spinach or broccoli in garlic & oil.

We had already had ( I am embarrassed to say) eater earlier in the evening, prior to arriving here, some appetizers & drinks at a local Mexican joint, so we were a bit full and opted against dessert, but they are beyond heavenly.

Reservations are a MUST on Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings or almost any evening after 8PM, but we got there at 6, so we were good to go!! A must if you like good Italian and don't mind spending a bit more for top quality traditional cuisine and fine wine.

Chinese Food

Okay- here is my take on this subject. I am a huge snob when it comes to Chinese food. I admit it. Keep in mind, this is just MY opinion, but there are really no great chinese restaurants on Long Island, with the exception of two.

Now, remember, I am a Jewish girl ,so I grew up on Chinese food- as Billy Crystal once said in his fabulous show "700 Sundays" : "Jews eat Chinese food on Sunday- its written in the Talmud"

Growing up, when most of my friends & neighbors were going to the local chinese restaurant on Sundays for combination plates of egg rolls, spare ribs & fried rice, or chicken chow mein and egg foo young (whatever that might be), my Dad ,who was also a HUGE SNOB when it came to chinese food, would drive us to the Five Towns to Hewlett where we would have "special" soup-not your ordinary wonton soup- this came in a large bowl with loads of wontons and greens of course, but also gigantic shrimp, chunks of lobster, sliced roast pork, sliced chicken, and tons & vegetables . By now you can tell we were not Kosher.

Anyway, then we would have jumbo butterflied shrimp wrapped in bacon , sizzling sirloin steak & whole lobster cantonese with "special fried rice"

So, that said, I was never a fan of take out or local joints, although throughout the years, many many people have told me & tried to convince me of this place or that place they they say is great- I have tried most- not true. They are all basically the same typical cuisine.

If you are willing to venture into Manhattan for the BEST Chinese food-hands down- ( and I don't mean Chinatown- that is a different story) then do go to Phillipe ( my #1 Favorite on the upper east side) followed by Shun Lee Palace, and then Mr. Chow).

This is the real deal- superb cuisine and any different choices on the menu which you can decided for your self or, if you are a bit more daring, they will ask you want you like or don't like & bring you dinner- lots & lots of incredible items! A bit pricey but Outstanding!!

However, if you chose to stay here on the Island, and want the BEST- then go to Manhasset on Northern Blvd. to 'Pearls'- the closest you will ever get to top notch Asian cuisine here on LI. The food is really sensational. Truly wonderful.

The place is very pretty- a sushi bar in front, a large dining room and another large room in the back either for a private party or overflow on a busy night & when you go with large group, you get a lazy susan in the center of the table to make sharing much simpler.

Now, on the South Shore, there is Wild Ginger, which recently opened in Rockville Center after being so succesful in Great Neck.It is not as good as Pearl's or even similar in style, but very good, and far superior from ANY place here- no matter what anyone says or thinks- again, in my opinion.

Jimmy Hays in Island Park- again

Well, by now you can tell I am a carnivor. I love meat. What can I say. I love having dinner at Jimmy Hays, and while I almost always opt for the dining room as I enjoy sitting at a table for my dinner, last night the place was beyond mobbed with a large private party in the smaller dining room, so the place was overflowing & the entire restaurant was madness!

However, we did get 2 seats at the bar & enjoyed a wonderful dinner.

The bar menu consists of 10 items all priced at $15.00

Veal Meatball Sliders in a savory sauce are sensational & delicious!

There is a wonderful Crab cake sandwich, a tender Filet Mignon on Garlic Bread with melted cheese, and a chunky luscious Lobster Club just to name a few. The burger is enormous and juicy as well.

There is also a cold seafood selection that you may have as a tower of three or individual.

We opted for the regular menu and had perfectly tender baked clams & a jumbo shrimp cocktail to start and then shared a steak dinner which comes with a huge baked potato and a nice house salad.

The creamed spinach is additional, but so worth it!

There is always music on Friday evenings and 2 nice size flat screens at the bar for those who want to watch golf or baseball, and there are three booths as well in the bar area, if you are lucky enough to get one!

They only take reservations for 6 or more, so do allow a little time to wait for a table but the wait is never terrible and so well worth it.

Greek Delight in Merrick/Bellmore-NOT RECOMMENDED!!!!

OK, so here is the story.

As many of you know, I eat out (DINE) out- 6-7 night s a week. Truly, it does get to be a bit much sometimes, having large meals every evening, (not to mention fattening!) so last night, after having a rather large lunch with a client, and not being very hungry for dinner, I opted to change into some workout clothes & go for a bike ride on the boardwalk.

I still had my nice earrings on from the work day & was still wearing my eye makeup, so I didn't look like a total slob- PLUS, I was wearing some rather nice items from LU LU Athletica- so, I was not in a stretched out worn or torn tee shirt or shabby clothes. (although I wear those too!) (Regardless)

During my ride it started to rain, so I came home & we decided to have a "light bite" & took a ride to Merrick/Bellmore to try a place that opened recently called Greek Delight.

As I walked into the restaurant- small, no big deal, with one large party of 12 with balloons on the table for some sort of celebration, the manager began to shake his head "no". I came up to the bar & said "why are you shaking your head NO- you don't even know what I am going to ask you?" and before I could even ask for a table, he replied "SORRY- I am completely full tonight". I normally would have asked how long a wait for a table, but he was SO rude, it was a moot point.

I could tell that he did not want me there dressed in work out clothes!! (trust me- this place is nothing special- a local JOINT) so as my husband walked in, in his work out shorts,tee & sneakers, the manager continued to shake his head, so we turned around to walk out.

For those of you who remember the movie "Pretty Woman", with Julia Roberts, there is a scene where she is still in her 'hooker' clothes & goes into a fancy boutique on Rodeo Drive to by some clothes & before she can even ask, the manager tells her there is 'nothing in here" for her & asks her to leave.

The next day she returns, dressed to the nines, walks back in, and although they don't recognize her, she tells them who she was yesterday & replies "YOU work on commission, right?You made a BIG mistake- HUGE!! I have to go shopping now!" She walks out. leaving then stunned.

Well, I turned to the manger & said, "We eat out every night of the week- in much nicer places than this & you just made a BIG mistake- huge- we have to go to Il Mulino now! & we walked out! LOL

We ended up having a very wonderful salad at Blue Moon in Rockville Center- a casual restaurant with a pizzeria on the other side and wonderful good comfort italian food.

It was a perfect evening.

La Piccolo Luguria

A charming continental Italian restaurant on Shore Rd. in Port Washington is my go to place for a romantic dinner for two or with some friends when we are in the mood for something a little special.

The ambiance is lovely- hand painted murals of scenes from italy adorn the walls., and carts with antipasto and desserts are on view and tempting from the moment you enter the dining space just past the bar.

Its not a very large venue but not too small and several tables have a water view across the street. It does get an older crowd most evenings.

The cuisine is superb with lots of novel ingredients .

The specials are recited (without notes) and there are MANY! You must listen carefully and pay attention to the long list of items! It is endless!!

The food is of the highest quality and the wine list is absolutely phenomenal.

Last night I had the stuffed zucchini blossoms with marscapone cheese and crabmeat and the rack of lamb was cooked to perfection. The Branzino was perfectly grilled with extra virgin olive oil, lots of thin slices of fresh garlic, and fresh lemon - just heavenly.

The last time I was there I had sweetbreads and the most delicious veal paillard with caper berries and baby arugula I ever ate!

All the pasta is made on the premises and there are many incredible creative pasta dishes that are awesome!

It is not inexpensive, but well worth it for a special occasion or a night out for a spectacular meal.

The desserts are just wonderful, and the staff is very attentive, friendly and very Italian.

Mangia!

Cheap Eats

Many of you private followers- those who choose NOT to be listed with your name as a "follower " & not logged in, have commented that I seem to only frequent "expensive" venues with "fancy ambiance".

Let me state, categorically, not true.

Yes, I do dine in nice places, but I have no problem going to a dive- In fact, search for them. I am not a big "diner" fan, but drives in dives, anytime!!

I saw & heard about Ted's, so since I am a big fan of Jackson Hole's burgers, I figured, why not? The place is not a dive, per se,, but small & luncheonette in feel- the steaming process is a riot! They built these 2 small metal cabinets that sit on the on the counter and the burgers are formed almost like mini meat loaves, in square pans & then placed into the cabinet for a minute or two to steam & cook. Then, places on a large bun with lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, raw or sauteed onions & pickles (you can choose more or less of any condiment)

They are moist, juicy & cheap! $3.95 for a burger- $4.95 for a cheeseburger

Yum!!

(the potatoes were a disappointment however- soggy home fries- no crispy French fries to my dismay

Oh well!! In Meriden, Conn on Broad Street- if you are traveling home form Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods, MGM Grand or where ever you may be!

a fun stop!

SUGO Cafe- Long Beach, NY

There are hundreds of eateries, restaurants & cafes from Point Lookout to Atlantic Beach, with Long Beach in the middle, going from the East end to the West.

Of all the many places, Sugo is my favorite in Long Beach.

It is more of a Cafe/bistro, although the menu reads like a top notch restaurant.

A nice bar with stools and club type chairs are all around, with candles, chandeliers and funky decor. Really a cool vibe.

The chef, Adam, recently was on the TV Food Network show "Chopped" and his unique and extremely creative dishes on the menu reflect his enormous talent.

Mon- Thursday they offer a 3 course $19 prix fixe dinner with a salad, an entree & dessert.

There are also many other "specials" each night, and Alan the owner walks from table to table, making sure everyone is fed & happy.

Last night, I decided to have one of the "specials"- the Crab Crusted Scallops over mushroom Fontina Ravioli and crispy ipswich clams in a caper tomato sauce. I must admit- I eat almost everything in the world- except for Scallops, but I was with a friend and we thought it sounded so wonderful, I decided to give it a shot & must say, it was fantastic!!! My friend chose another special- the grilled veal chop served atop a bed of mesclun salad dressed with aged balsamic , vine ripened tomatoes and fresh buffalo mozzarella. It was mouth watering good!

The next table tried the Duo- a Pulled pork tostada and a striped bass taco served with a roasted corn tortilla pie- they sound it was outstanding!!

They have a very nice selection of Brick Oven Thin Crispy Pizzas, with lots of interesting toppings, as well as numerous appetizers, fish, meat, chicken and pasta dishes. Among last nights many special appetizers were the Maytag blue cheese stuffed figs and a cold watermelon soup with a hint of orange citrus.

They also recently added a sushi bar which looked so wonderful.

Every few weeks, Alan makes a special evening menu- whether it's a Carribean menu, Texas BBQ, a Hawaiian Luau, etc. There is always something fun and delicious happening there.

Please don't miss Sugo- it's on the main drag- opposite the LIRR on Park Ave.

A must when in Long Beach.

Paris in NY- Benoit

As you walk down West 55t street,you pass the trendy Michaels, known for its pricey lunches, celebrities , fashion & media moguls. One time while dining there, I was seated in between the fashion icon Diane Von Furstenberg & her entrepreneur husband Barry Diller, and on the other side, the news team from NBC.

Down the block as bit is Cafe Milano, a bistro with outdoor seating in the spring & summer. Nice.

In between these two places is BENOIT. For those of you who may remember back in the 60's & 70's, the restaurant Le Cote Basque- this is it, but under new management & totally renovated.

It is like being in Paris- an authentic Parisian bistro/restaurant, & walking in was like stepping onto the Rue de la Pressbourg or standing behind the Palaise Royale in the gorgeous Le Grande Colbert . From the moment you enter, the warm woods, bistro tables, etched glass panels , large booths, beautifully set tables, huge french photos and paintings all over the walls, the all french staff, not snooty, but friendly, warm & inviting, and oh- the food!!!!

For lunch, the offer a very reasonable prix fixe- either 3 or 4 courses-, but the menu is vast and so wonderful. We started with the escargot- cooked to perfection and then had the 3 course lunch, which included several choices to start- I had the gazpacho, and my guest has the mini poached quail egg over field greens.

Next, salmon en croute- for me, baked with julienne vegetables all around the inside of the buttery crusty puff pastry in a light aromatic tarragon cream sauce. My guest has the Vol au Vent- veal, chicken & mushrooms in a puff pastry shell with sweet peas .

Dessert- of this this world!. Not only are they a feast for the eyes, they are incredibly delicious. The cart itself is something to see- a beautiful wood cart with 2 dozen little domes- each housing one of these delectable pastries and sweet petit fours! How to choose!!!

The couple next to us had the Pate' and then the Roast chicken, which looked & smelled amazing!!!

The Tarte Tartin is available for purchase to take home (& so worth it!) and they give you the most mouth watering cookies as you depart this lovely paris bistro on the west side of NYC.

There are several private salons available for a private event- the most stunning rooms, with 19th century antique pieces from Bordeaux.

This is a MUST stop when in Manhattan.

The Hamptons

Summer- It is the best time of the year, especially if you venture out east to the Hamptons.

From Starr Boggs, the Dune Deck or Annona in Westhampton to the Ice Cream parlor in Bridgehampton, to Bobby Vans for Steaks or Fish, to Pierre's on the border of Bridgehampton & Watermill to Southampton 's SILVERS (one of my all time favorites) to East Hampton to the Laundry to The American Hotel in Sag Harbor and so many others all the way to Montauk to the Dave's Grill or my all time favorite all the way out there- The Harvest, there is alot of wonderful dining to do.

In Southampton , a great town with lots & lots of wonderful little boutiques and eateries, there is unique restaurant/bistro called Silvers. A must go.

Garrett, the owner & 3rd generation of this wonderful " Paris-like" bistro, featuring my choice almost every time I am there- the French Picnic- with country pate', brie, grapes and cornichons, all served over a salad along with dijon and whole grain mustard and a crusty baguette. They call is "like dining in Paris without the airfare". I so agree.

If I don't select that as my lunch of choice, and am a big hungrier, I have the enormous hamburger- served on a brioche roll with large slices of farm fresh red ripe tomtates and field greens. The meet is antibiotic and hormone free and is beyond juicy & char gilled to perfection!

The homemade soups- (there are many) are served in large bowls- a bit pricey but a meal in itself, served along side is a large bowl of crusty bread sitting atop extra virgin olive oil, a touch a fresh garlic & parsley- just heavenly. From the lobster bisque with pieces of tender lobster , to the potato leek (so hearty) to the cabbage soup, the clam chowder, and one of my favorites in the fall & winter- his homemade chicken soup- just like MOM used to make.

The sandwiches are all huge- served on thick tuscan bread such as the enormous and incredibly delicious BLT- not your standard one- trust me! and salads are beautiful and full of the highest quality and freshest ingredients including the lobster salad, over baby greens with fresh steamed asparagus in a light vinaigrette, or the fresh mozzarella, tomato & basil salad.

If you have room for dessert, the chocolate pot au creme is to die for, and are many of the others choices.

If there is room at the bar/counter, you may wish to dine more casually there , which many of the locals do, and there is a lovely wine list as well.

This is a must for lunch when you are out east.

Smith & Wollensky- The ultimate steakhouse in NYC

After originally planning on going into Manhattan last night on a gorgeous summer evening and dining "alfresco" at an outdoor patio for Lobster, we drove by one of my favorite NYC Steak 'meateries" - Smith & Wollensky, and happily decided to go there instead.

Steak is something I NEVER get tired of.

There are numerous steak houses in Manhattan, and while I adore a few, this one is on my top 5 in NYC. The Palm cannot hold a candle to this place, sorry to say.

Thee staff is friendly and warm- never snooty or standoff-ish. They make you feel at home. They offer to carve your meat for you, table side, should you so desire, suggest and describe in great detail the evening's specials or offer to help navigate the long wine list, including a page called "The Kitchen Sink", which is a little of every type of wine after you have read pages of specific regions and reds & whites.

This is a carnivore's heaven. In addition to the enormous, thick & juicy perfectly grilled porterhouses, cowboy rib eyes, bone in sirloins, and filet mignon's (the latter crusted with the best blue cheese or topped with crabmeat & asparagus- Oscar style) , they have lobster, whole roasted chicken carved table side, and so many other items.

The beautiful multi-level restaurant has several locations all over the country- but this one is my favorite. (Miami is my second favorite)

To start- the seafood tower is a show in itself- large chilled shiny red lobsters, oysters,

colossal -sized jumbo shrimp and huge chunks of lump crabmeat all nestled in tiered towers over crushed ice, numerous dipping sauces, and lots of slices of fresh lemon is of the highest quality and just so good.

The place is always a buzz- during the day for lunch, its a 'power-suit' scene with lots of regulars, but in the evening, (among the regulars), are tourists, locals, and the like, so the place is filled with a terrific vibe and all the people watching the many carts go sailing by to showcase what other diners have ordered, as there are so many possibilities.

While the "typical" order is a porterhouse steak for 2 or 3 or 4, steak, their world famous hash browns and creamed spinach (which are all wonderful) we choose to go the bone in sirloin route, with some fresh sauteed broccoli a ridiculously huge baked potato, (enough for two) which arrived accompanied by four silver bowls of "potato toppings"- sour cream, of course, fresh chives, fresh crisp pieces of bacon (not "bits" ) and mounds of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

So, after a great ice cold crispy Caesar salad, (the way a salad should always be served- on chilled plates), and enjoying a wonderful bottle of wine, we had the jumbo shrimp cocktail with two dipping sauces, and then our dinner, which was outstanding.

Unfortunately, we were too full for dessert as they are all decadent, enormous and delicious.

I had just finished drinking the last few sips of my wine, when they sent over "on the house" 2 glasses of the house "RESERVE" for us to enjoy ,which was lovely.

I highly recommend Smith & Wollensky- I promise, you will not be disappointed!!!