Stanton Social - NYC

Chicken Taquitos

FBdfdsDJHBsdfdgHSBGHSFSBFhbdhfbdshfbdsfvghfhsbfsv!!! OMG IT'S THAT GOOD.

I remember coming to Stanton Social when I was literally 17 years old. I know I don't look 100 years old, but I'm a lot older than 17. This place is like an ancient gold-mine for Manhattan standards. I have some really fond memories here as this place was such a huge "scene" to go to over the years. I've been here for literally any type of event that you could think of.

Ambiance: Trendy. Great music (all were Kygo remixes). 

I like to go to these trendy type places a few times in a short span of time as I know how these type of restaurants can be hit or miss sometimes. I went to Stanton Social as I was getting my hair done near the restaurant and it popped up on Yelp as being close by. We opted for the tasting menu which they offer on some days (can't remember which days but I assume weekdays?)

Tasting menu:
+++ Crispy Barrio-Style Chicken Taquitos with roasted guajillo sauce, avocado, creme - I was confused by the description as to exactly what this dish is but it's basically these balls filled with chicken, sauce that's a bit spicy, and avocado (drizzled with some creme). These are gherbfhjsbfbfhjbhbsdd good! So so so so so tasty. One of the best things on the menu, for sure.
+++ Chicken and waffles - I don't think I've ever had grilled chicken with waffles. I've only had the fried stuff which makes me feel like I'm going to have a heart attack shortly after. I believe that Stanton Social used to offer this dish fried but times are changing my friends! They offer chicken and waffles with brick GRILLED chicken. They don't overdo it on the sauce (maple syrup with a hint of balsamic) and this dish is absolute perfection. If you plan on having this dish,

BE
PREPARED.

You will literally come back two more times within the same week to eat this heavenly dish again (true story, happened to me). I literally ate at Stanton Social three times in one week because I was so obsessed with this dish (and I'm going there this week again). I just can't get enough of it!!!! Someone please help me! Is there a chicken and waffles Stanton Social rehab?
+++ Warm donuts with various dipping sauces - Self explanatory. If you need me to explain how good this dish is, please stop reading Yelp reviews.

+++ Lobster roll - Amazing. Usually lobster rolls are drenched with tartar sauce and/or mayo. Yuck. Who wants anything drenched in sauce? Not me. This is a perfect blend of lobster and sauce. It's seriously delish! 
+ Red snapper tacos - I've tried these before and thought they were meh. I've had some pretty awesome tacos in the same style before and I just didn't feel like this was a really strong dish on the menu. It's not that these aren't good, it's just that they aren't the best thing on the menu.

Service:
Hit or miss. I came here the first two times and the service was great. On the third time it was absolutely terrible. My only suggestion would be for them to just get their service together a bit more.

All & all, a solid place. Definitely also a place that I would recommend to people visiting from out of town. While it's not specifically a tourist infested place, it's a great place for locals as well as tourists to go.

Alter - Miami

Crab shumai

It's almost painful for me to write this. Why you ask? Because it forces me to reflect upon the fact that Miami has an absolutely awful culinary scene and that the people of Miami don't comprehend what excellent cuisine should entail. People will read this and say NO way! Miami has an awesome culinary scene. Uhhh...no. I'm sorry. Compared to Manhattan and even LA, Miami is pretty far behind but has so much potential. 

Why are there not restaurants like Alter on every block? 

Why do people flock to Prime 112 and the like? Where the portion size is so big it sends you into cardiac arrest.

I
don't
get
it.

My favorite little gem used to be Shikany. That is now long gone and I've had quite the bone to pick with Miami residents for not supporting such a truly unique culinary experience. What went wrong? Who knows...but Alter seems to have it all together.

Ambiance:
Alter has an artistic yet rustic down to earth vibe. I feel as if the food does't really fit with the ambiance but I think that for Miami you have to play it down because Miami isn't ready for the total package (amazingly high-end decor as well as food). You kind of have to pick one or the other. I get it.

My friend Tim who is a local sommelier recommended that I try Alter and I didn't waste much time. I went for lunch the very next day. I love that Alter offers a prix-fixe menu even for lunch. For $48, I felt like we were getting a deal actually.

Food:
IF YOU DON'T GET THE TASTING MENU,
SHAME
ON
YOU!!!!

+++ Local Crudo with hibiscus ponzu, key lime curd, raw tomato, green apple - Started the meal off on an excellent foot. Extremely light and refreshing but bursting with flavor. I absolutely loved this dish. The plating was SPECTACULAR. Extremely creative and really well done.
+++ Blue crab shumai - with thai green curry, cilantro relish, kumquat, rice crisps - Again another really well plated dish. I seriously didn't want to eat it. So delicious. It melted in my mouth. 
+++ Risotto with royal shrimp, dill, boursin, preserved lemon - I've never had risotto with boursin cheese. Have you? If you haven't, what are you waiting for? I have stomach issues. Without going into much detail, I love risotto... BUT it literally destroys my stomach. It will hurt for like years. Boursin cheese? Light as air. It was so light and definitely the best risotto I've ever had. 
+++ Duck confit with pearl onion kimchi, young cabbage, cashew condiment, black garlic - I personally don't enjoy duck but I still tried it and it was pretty good although I cannot be an accurate judge of this. My friend tried it and loved it/ate my portion and loved it.
+++ Chocolate mousse with mint ice cream, chocolate streusel, hibiscus - Holy s#!T Helllllloo! Gosh this was amazing. I'm a huge chocolate lover AND mint ice cream lover. This sent me into bliss.

Service:
On point. It was lunch and the restaurant is relatively small so I don't think they will have issues as far as the service goes but I was not disappointed. 

For Miami, the food presentation of Alter is literally in its own class/category. There is not one restaurant that has this type of cuisine. None. Not only that, but the food is actually really delicious. The prices are extremely low for what this restaurant delivers and I just truly hope that Miami people will get their acts together and realize this!

Yum!

The Mark - NYC

Lobster

I'M LITERALLY GOING TO HAVE A PANIC ATTACK DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE MARK IS ONLY 3.5 STARS ON YELP. 

It's times like these I wish I could give a Yelp seminar on what makes a great restaurant. If someone were to ask me what my favorite restaurant is in Manhattan (I eat out LITERALLY every single day and most days, twice a day, usually at top notch restaurants) I would say The Mark. Why you ask? Well let me explain...

ATMOSPHERE
Upper east side traditional with a modern twist. The crowd is definitely the movers and shakers of the Upper East Side. The restaurant oozes modern luxury (the hotel does as well).

SERVICE
The service is always great. Sure maybe there are a few hiccups here and there but honestly nothing to get upset about or notice. The first time I ever came here my friend made a joke about it being a special night or something and the waitress brought over a complementary dessert. It's that small touch that brought me back here a second time with my family and friends.

FOOD
Here. We. Go!
I really don't enjoy eating at "fusion places" which blend different styles of food together or places that have large menu's. I feel like a restaurant should pick one thing and just be very good at that. Well, 

1- The Mark has a HUGE menu. HUGE. HUGE. HUGE. The Mark has everything from sushi to fresh seafood to steak to pizza, pasta, cheeseburgers, veal, lamb, chicken... do I really have to continue?! You will feel anxiety just reading the menu as the choices are honestly endless.
2- Definitely has a fusion of many different types of cuisine all on one menu. Yet all surprisingly well executed.

+ Seafood platter (small portion) - Absolutely delicious and was an amazing thing for 4 of us to share. I think it's honestly priced lower than it should be for a seafood platter of that size so take advantage of this!
+++ Lobster - ABSOLUTELY the best thing on the menu that I have eaten thus far. While it was plated differently the two times that I dined at The Mark, the flavor was still the same.
+ Lamb - My friend stated that this was one of the best lamb's he has ever had.
+ Crispy sushi - Really great. I was cautious with this dish as I eat sushi as some of the best sushi counters in the world and am extremely picky with raw fish but this was not bad. For a place with such a big menu, I was very surprised at how good this dish was. 
+ Char grilled octopus - Delish

I can't remember the other dishes that I had but those were the ones that really stood out to me.

DESSERT
I'm actually not a  big sweets person. I used to be and then thankfully grew out of that stage (thankfully as in calories-wise). 
+++++ BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING - Salty, sweet, butterscotchy. Dear Lord! One of the best desserts that I have ever consumed in my entire life. I absolutely adored this.
+ Angel food cake - Delish but not as good as my butterscotch pudding ^
+ Vanilla ice-cream with chocolate sauce - Sounds very simple but this dish had a lot of flavor actually. It comes very nicely presented as well. 
+ Selection of sorbets - Also very well plated and tasty.

I am a HUGE fan and will definitely make this a regular spot.

Chefs Club by Food & Wine - NYC

Pavlova with rhubarb sorbet and strawberries

I have no idea how I found out about this glorious restaurant, but I did. I think I was actually searching through yelp, desperate to find something new that I had never heard of. I wanted to make a last minute Saturday evening reservation and of course everywhere was booked, well, everywhere except for Chefs Club by F&W.

DECOR
Amazing. Extremely modern and well done. It's modern with just a touch of romantic vibes.


FOOD
I've dined here twice so far and while the second time wasn't AS good as the first, the food was still very good.

+ Fluke crude - Absolutely delicious... light, refreshing, well-plated goodness
++++ SCALLOPS with quinoa and I believe sunflower seeds - BEST DISH ON THE MENU++++
FILET MIGNON with black trumpet mushrooms and onion glaze - Holy flavor overload! MUST ORDER.
++++ CHILLED PEA SOUP with espellette croutons, pea cream, and pickled pearl onions - While people tend to stay away from peas, trust me, this is one pea dish that is a must order!
- Johnny Cake - Out of all the particularly unique and flavorful dishes, I found this to be lacking in flavor compared to the other dishes


DESSERT
Seriously, the dessert takes the cake (ha ha - pun intended).
+++++++++ PAVLOVA with rhubarb sorbet and strawberries - 4 words


ARE YOU JOKING ME?!

STOP IT.

Okay that was 6 words. If you eat at Chefs Club and don't order this dessert, then you didn't truly dine at Chefs Club by F&W.

The End.

The Clocktower restaurant in The Edition Hotel - NYC

Uni risotto

Uhhhh....yes yes and did I mention YES?

Friends of mine were visiting from Miami (where there is also an Edition Hotel) for MDW and informed me that an Edition Hotel opened in NYC recently and that they wanted to have dinner there. I had no expectations and was blown away.

The staff was welcoming, knowledgeable, and actually acted like they enjoyed working there. I hope that over time this won't fade...

+ My water was constantly re-filled throughout the night and the staff seemed on point. 

Ambiance
Dark wood and perfect lighting. Need I say more? Very romantic vibe yet also could see business dinners conducted here. There are two rooms directly next to each other but yet separated so each room feels very intimate. We sat next to Fredrik Eklund (from Million Dollar Listing) so I assume a lot of "celebrities" will be pouring into this hotel.

Wine
+ They have great options for all price points. I was really surprised at the range. I wasn't let down as I had the Austrian wine (Gruner Vetliner, which I seem to find on every menu in NYC which leads me to ask who the hell is their wine rep?!) and it was yummy yet very inexpensive. 

Food
I ordered a salad to start. I can't remember the exact name of the salad and can't seem to find their menu anywhere online but basically it was just a mixed green salad with a light yet fruity vinaigrette dressing. The salad was excellent. I'm not usually a fan of paying a large amount of money to eat lettuce and I seem to always find that the dressing portion applied to salads are either too heavy or too light.
This
was
perfect.

A really light and refreshing way to start my meal. I would say this is a MUST ORDER.

I followed the salad with the uni risotto despite it being listed as an appetizer. I was still a bit hungry after the salad and risotto but not too bad. I wasn't in the mood for a huge entree and wanted a smaller portion for dinner as I had a late lunch. It was quite tasty and I would definitely order it again. It was a tad too creamy for my taste (I'm lactose intolerant yet still consume a lot of dairy, don't ask) but nonetheless was very good. My friends had the filet mignon (which was cooked perfectly) and the chicken (which she loved).

+ I was impressed with how on point the experience was from start to finish despite it being a brand new restaurant.

I definitely will throw this restaurant into my rotation!

Bohemian - NYC

Whole branzino

I always feel that "hidden" spots never live up to their expectations. I get really high hopes when I hear of a place that is truly hidden. I had been to the Waverly Inn back when you had to literally walk in to make a reservation as the number wasn't posted online, various speakeasies which numbers are not posted online, and well, you get the picture.

A friend of mine from Miami (where I lived for 5 years before moving back to NYC 8 months ago) gave me the number to a place called Bohemian and told me that I "HAD" to try this place out. She said it was one of the best restaurants she's ever been to (and this woman frequents Michelin starred restaurants like it's her job).

That kind of an introduction to Bohemian wasn't taken lightly. I had called many times to make a reservation but nothing seemed to work out (as I generally try to make reservations last minute). I decided to make a plan to visit this place and was able to get a reservation at the bar about a week in advance.

When I walked in, my first reaction was "holy crap this place is tiny" but extremely quaint and cute. I really liked how intimate the vibe was. The Japanese style can be seen throughout, even down to the toilet. I was even sitting near a woman dressed in full Japanese kimono (not one of those sweater type things that are sold at Forever 21 and named "kimono" no no no people, REAL kimono down to the traditional thong shoes with socks on).

Enough with the decor and ambiance... Okay now on to the food...

We didn't opt for the tasting menu as I had a few minor medical issues related to food that week, and really wanted to enjoy the full experience (which I wasn't able to). It's an absolute steal as the tasting menu has their speciality dishes for an insanely reasonable price $55 or $58 (and I'm not talkin' at lunch time). I can't remember the exact price (whoops). Sorry if the $3 difference breaks your budget...

Ok now really on to the food....We ordered a ton (for 2 people).
+ Foie gras soba - This is a must order (like everyone else has stated in their reviews). The whole soba tastes like foie gras and it's truly sensational.

+++ Whole branzino - Houston we have landed! This dish was literally mind-blowing. I think there's still remnants of my brain laying around the restaurant as this was truly the best branzino (and maybe best fish) I've ever had in my life. I mean really people, look at the picture that I posted to Yelp. Doesn't it make you want to eat the photo?!

+ Ratatouille SPECIAL of the day - This was great. It came with a long piece of garlic bread that was absolute perfection. As weird as it sounds, I think the garlic bread made the dish. They brought out the broth to savor before bringing out the actual dish which was unusual but very unique. I liked that touch. The dish itself was very good but being able to savor the broth with a perfectly toasted piece of garlic bread (which I love) was heavenly. Usually garlic bread is downright disgusting in my eyes. It has either too much garlic, is over toasted, or doesn't have enough garlic. No one ever seems to get it. Well, I guess the Japanese can cook garlic bread better than the Italians!

- Japanese mushroom risotto - The only dish of the night that I wasn't too impressed with. It was really heavy and although pretty good, I would skip it. I'm a sucker for risotto and always order it and I wasn't such a huge fan of this one.

++ Toro taku roll - I usually don't like sushi rolls with the seaweed on the outside. I usually like them inside out. However, this roll was exquisite. Extremely tasteful even though I didn't use any soy sauce or add anything to the roll itself. It was my friends favorite dish of the evening.

+ Oysters - I didn't have any but my friend rather enjoyed them (although not a favorite of the evening).

++++ If you don't opt for the tasting menu but still want to try a few things, I would recommend 4 dishes... toro taku roll, branzino, foie gras soba, and then your pick!

This IS one of the best restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of dining in. The staff is very attentive, humble, and down to earth. The food lives up to the extreme expectations that come along with dining in an "exclusively hidden" restaurant. When you call to make a reservation, they WILL ask you the name of the person who you got the number from so don't think that just because you get the number that it's your Willie Wonka golden ticket. If you ever have the opportunity to eat here, DO IT. I don't comprehend why this isn't at least a 2 Michelin star restaurant as this restaurant is much better than some of the 2 Michelin starred restaurants that I've dined in.

Excellent!

L'Artusi - NYC

Himachi Tartare

Okay, so...I really really really (get the picture?) like L'Artusi. I had heard about this place from several of my friends and was advised that it is one of the new "hot spots". I have dined here on several occasions and was never let down in any way.

DECOR
Swanky. This multi-floor, modern set-up they have going on is so esthetically pleasing to the eye. The place is just beautiful. 

SERVICE
Pretty good each time that I've dined with L'Artusi. Definitely acceptable for a trendy restaurant but don't expect the best service you've ever had.

FOOD
De-freaking-lish! Sit down and buckle up because the ride is about to get good!
++ Escolar - with avocado, basil, and chiles. This was seriously yummy in my tummy. Probably the best dish that I've ever had dining at L'Artusi thus far. It's so light and refreshing and while I had never even heard of escolar, it did not disappoint. A MUST ORDER ++
+ Fluke ceviche - with pear, pomegranate, mint, and pumpkin seeds. Definitely an interesting take on the traditional ceviche. I am a huge fan of ceviche (and even make my own) and well, I had to be. I lived in Miami for the past 5 years and there are so many Peruvian influences throughout Miami that you can get ceviche pretty much anywhere. While I would say that this dish was also refreshing and light (and tasty) it was quite interesting. Don't expect your traditional ceviche. 
+ Hamachi tartare - with blood orange, cara cara, and pistachio. Again, another interesting dish. I love hamachi and could literally eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The flavors of this dish were also unique where at first I was like huh?! but after awhile I "got" the dish. 
+ Charred octopus - with potatoes, chiles, olives, and pancetta. I cannot eat at a restaurant with octopus on the menu and NOT order it. It's like against my religion (which I guess worships the octopus). Of course, I had to order this dish. It was also really delish. Octopus is really hard to cook and this tenderness was spot on.

I've also had one of their main course fish dishes but this is blurring together with another restaurant so I can't remember if it was the arctic char or the roasted cod. Hmmmm! 

Did I eat pasta at L'Artusi? No. Never have. I know you must be questioning whether I'm crazy or just simply pondering why I would eat at an Italian restaurant and NOT order pasta (even despite being heavily persuaded by the waitstaff each time). Well, I guess I will have to leave this up for my next L'Artusi adventure! 

Definitely worth the wait, definitely worth the money!

Neta - NYC

Leek Soup

One word: Omakase.

Listen up white people! Take a seat and take notes.

I couldn't believe what I saw when I walked into Neta. My friend advised me that Neta was an amazing sushi spot to go for Omakase and so after my 4-day juice cleanse was over, I ventured on over to Neta.

I walked in and saw all white people! WHAT? I looked at my friend and asked if he was sure that it was that good! Not just white people...white people eating rolls. Rolls?! WTF. Likely they were freakin' California rolls! I was definitely not confident that it would be a great meal. I'm white and listen, there's nothing wrong with white people eating at awesome sushi spots but I was just taken aback as usually when I go to "authentic" sushi spots, there are not many white people at all (like 1-2 max).

I was also surprised to see a mixologist behind the sushi counter in this small little bar area. He made me a great cocktail with soju vodka, yuzu juice, peychaud bitters, and simple syrup. It was quite strong and different but very tasty. 

We ordered the omakase (chefs choice) that had 8-ish prepared/cooked dishes to start (can't remember), followed by 10-ish courses of omakase sushi. I forgot the exact numbers but whatever, you get the point.

Are you ready to start this magical journey with me?

Prepared dishes:

+ Leek soup - This was like straight out of a 3-Michelin starred restaurant. It was so well presented that I felt terrible actually eating it. Honestly (see photo above) it was ridiculously good.
+ Toro Tartare with caviar 
+ White asparagus salad with miso tofu, scallion purée, quinoa, and pickled radish
+ Miso glazed seabass
+ Raw fish kara age
+ Wok fried lobster with miso and lotus root
********+ Wagyu beef with king mushrooms - I swear I almost damn near fell off my chair when I ate this. BEST PIECE OF MEAT I HAVE EVER CONSUMED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. Do I need to repeat this? Make bold letters and stars when you are taking notes about this. Legit, the best. It melted in my mouth.*******
+ Mochi rice (risotto) with uni and truffles - Is this for real?! Seriously. Come on guys, you can stop trying now. 

The sushi pieces were quite heavenly as well. Very fresh and VERY good.

We ended with the peanut butter ice-cream (THEY MUST HAVE KNOWN THAT I AM OBSESSED WITH ALL THINGS HAVING TO DO WITH PEANUT BUTTER) and I can definitely say that I was in heaven. For a good 2 hours, I was sitting in heaven.

Neta definitely ranks within the top 2 sushi restaurants in NYC in my book and I have been to pretty much all of the top sushi restaurants in the city.  YOU MUST GO and also make sure that you sit at the counter and get the omakase. Trust me, it's worth every penny!

Seaspice - Miami

King Crab

No. This place is not a 3.5 star place. Absolutely NOT. It is 5-star. Sorry but I am QUITE familiar with the Miami food/brunch/nightlife/you get the picture/ "scene". I lived in Miami for 5 years and believe me, I have done and seen it all when it comes to dining or going "out" in Miami/Miami Beach.

This place has changed the game.

First of all, it's in the middle of legit NOWHERE. Taking a taxi there was shocking as when we pulled up I was sure that it was not the right address. We were reassured that it was by the velvet rope and bouncer at the door. Ahh, of course. It wouldn't be a "scene" type of restaurant without those two elements.

We made reservations like a week or two in advance and they easily accommodated 2 additional guests that we had joining us. We did have to wait about 30 minutes but we were on this big plush bed so we didn't mind waiting at all.

I absolutely love the decor and VIEW. Yes, it's not of the greatest water ever, but it's still better than what restaurants are in existence today in Miami. It's still a unique view. Yes douchey men will pull up on yachts which makes no sense because the dock isn't even big enough for most of them and it just looks so out of character compared to the other restaurants and empty warehouses in the area. I'd say if you are thinking of boating here, don't do it. It looks tacky and douchey. This isn't the south of France, it's downtown Miami.

I digress. Anyways, we were all starving so we ordered immediately. We ordered the king crab, the pasta with king crab, and the risotto. The best out of the 3 was the king crab in itself. The worst out of the 3 was the risotto (but it still wasn't bad). Service? Terrible.

Forget the food, forget the terrible service, let's talk about the ambiance! Suuuure you came to Seaspice for the food (uhhhh no?) Yes, the food is good. I will give them that, but, the real attraction of this restaurant is the brunch scene. 

This
Place
Gets
Wild.

You will likely see celebrities (okay maybe just some real housewives ones but whatever, I'm trying to explain the ambiance) and really old guys with really young girls. Hey, it's Miami! Don't be surprised. You will see every type of plastic surgery job that is in existence and girls dressed to the 9's for a simple brunch. Again, it's Miami.

The bar scene is pretty busy in itself but people also dance at their tables and the whole place is just a party. So it's not bad if you can't get a reservation and you just go for drinks at the bar.

There will likely be someone playing the bongos and getting the party started and there will definitely be a DJ playing some really great music. The music was a mix of everything. 

We
Had
A
Ball.

+Make reservations for outside because the inside doesn't get as wild (unless you want to be more tame, then I would suggest to sit inside)
+Make reservations far in advance and go with more than just 2 people
+Stop hating on this place and just know what you are expecting when you go there!!!!! This place is really awesome.

Bagatelle - NYC

Tuna Tartare

Okay...if you only read one Bagatelle review, you need to read this one. I'm going to give you the FULL rundown of Bagatelle boozy-brunch Sundays.

SO! To start, you better make a reservation. Don't even think of trying to come to Bagatelle on a Sunday brunch day and expect to be seated at a table. That's laughable. You MAY be able to get in and stand at the bar but who the hell wants to do that? Reservation time? This depends on if you want to eat beforehand. If you want to eat in peace without sitting in darkness and hearing music so loud you can't talk to anyone at the table then make it for 2:30/3pm. That will allow you time to order food and eat it before the madness starts. At exactly 3:30 the music starts going full-on. Make sure you also arrive within 10/15 minutes of your reservation or you risk them not allowing you to sit at your reserved spot.

Second of all, if you come with just a party of 2 for brunch, be prepared to have a shitty table. Yeah, I said it. I didn't see one party of 2 people that had an even halfway decent table. Two of the 2-top tables are literally in like the hallway/walkway of the restaurant so there will be tons of people blocking the view of the place. If you come to Bagatelle and want to do it right, get at least 4 people and make a day of it.

Third of all, at tables for large parties it's bottle service only. You can get some relatively cheaper wine bottles so it's not like you'll be shelling out thousands of dollars on boos but just keep that in mind that everyone will be pretty much drinking the same thing. They have this huge (I don't even know how to really properly describe it) almost like a vase thing filled with boos and there are like 10 straws in it so you can share (if wine and champagne isn't your thing). Basically, everything alcohol-wise is shared.

Food. Yes, order food here. It is after all, a brunch. I ordered the tuna tartare. I was a little skeptical because I hadn't had Bagatelle food in a long time and ordering raw fish was not the first choice for me but I didn't want something super sugary (pancakes/nutella) or super fattening (lobster mac & cheese/pizza) so I went with a much healthier option and it did not disappoint. Seriously, it was the best tuna tartare I've ever had (see photo that I uploaded with my review). It comes with chips to dip which I did not show in the picture, but seriously this is a must-order even to share as an appetizer (or main-course).

Now on to the scene. Yes every girl will be wearing a Chanel bag and look like she just took 7 hours to get ready. Yes you may see some creepy dudes with sunglasses on who look like they have a Jersey Shore audition after brunch but come on people, this is Bagattelle. It is to be expected. Just set your expectations properly.

If you order certain bottles of champagne and alcohol, they do their own show just for you in front of everyone. I believe it's $1,500 minimum but they deliver your bottle in really unique ways and never the same way twice. For instance, they can have 5 guys holding up one guy with your bottle and he's dressed as superman. The music cues as well so it's a big eye-catching production. If you want to see and be seen, I'd opt for that.

Now, on to the bill. I left early and gave him cash towards the bill for my portion of everything. I informed my friends of this and told them how much I gave so they could make sure that the bill was properly adjusted. He did not tell them at all that I had paid anything nor did he adjust it off of the bill. So, had I not told them exactly what I gave him, he would have tried to play it off like I never paid. I didn't like this at all because it just showed how shady he was. I think that they assume people get so drunk and want to take advantage as many others have stated in the reviews as well. SOOO be very careful with what your order. Even though you're having a good time, just try to monitor exactly what you guys order so that no surprises come at the end.

All & all, this is a really fun brunch spot for a special occasion. I wouldn't make this an every week thing, but it's a fun thing to do once in awhile. I have also had dinner here on regular nights and wasn't disappointed but the music was too loud for dinner. Anyways, for brunch, this is a go-to spot.

Vagabond - Miami

Cauliflower 

I moved back to NYC from Miami in September and haven't been back for a few months now. Upon my most recent trip, I had to get the 411 from many friends on what new restaurants opened while I was away. Vagabond was one name that kept coming up so of course I had to check it out. My girlfriend and I went on a Friday night and it was packed. We didn't have to wait long for a table and scored one right in the window.

AMBIANCE 
The atmosphere is unlike any other restaurant in Miami. It's a modern spin on the retro vibe. I absolutely loved it. The layout was awesome as well as you could see almost every table from wherever you are seated. Lastly, the kitchen is a part of the open layout, so you can see everything going on (and even sit at the counter by the kitchen to really get a closer look). 

The staff was on point and we didn't have to wait long for anything (water especially, which is a pet peeve of mine). He was quick and attentive and recommended some great dishes.

FOOD
+ Chicken wings - I'm from Buffalo so trust me, I KNOW what's up! I'm always skeptical to order wings anywhere because yes, the rumors are true, they are the best in Buffalo! I was advised that these were not just your ordinary wings, they are smoked over allspice leaves. The flavor really shined through as these were seasoned to perfection. They had a really unique taste that made these a favorite.

+ Blistered Cauliflower with grilled goats milk and smoked trout roe - I am obsessed with cauliflower, like, obsessed. I could eat this for breakfast, lunch & dinner. The presentation of this dish made me not even want to touch it, as it was that well presented (see photo). This was like something out of a 3-Michelin starred restaurant. The flavor was even better than the presentation. Seriously delicious.  A MUST-ORDER. 

+ Octopus - Another thing that I'm obsessed with is octopus. Melanie and octopus are side by side in the dictionary. If there is octopus on the menu, I am compelled to order it. It's like an unspoken rule. All of my friends know this and so as soon as we saw this on the menu, my girlfriend was like I know what you're ordering...yup! It had rancho gordo bean, epazote, and hojasanta. Don't know what those are? Neither do I! What I do know was that the octopus was so tender it melted in my mouth. It's seared then braised then baked. What a process.

The food is really unique and not your traditional Miami restaurant with a wonderful scene and shitty food. This place doesn't disappoint. It's on par with some Michelin restaurants and is definitely making a splash in the culinary world in Miami.

COCKTAILS
I'm a wine drinker. Me and vodka don't get along (well we do but it's a love/hate relationship). We went to the pool beforehand to check out the vibe (with dj spinning and all) and I was talked into ordering a Vagabond Collins. It's with vodka, lemon, lime, angostura bitters, and topped with rekorderlig pear cider. Another MUST-ORDER. Stop by the pool before dinner and definitely order this. I could have drank those like water all night. Inside at dinner, I had another type of cocktail and of course after a few of those, I forgot what I had (oops). They have mixologists that can serve up a mean cocktail. 

Definitely check this place out and be prepared for an experience.

Quality Meats - NYC

Take 5 dessert

My go-to steakhouse in the city had always been Minetta Tavern. I was very loyal to the peppercorn crusted filet mignon but when a friend of mine was visiting New York City from Miami, I decided to tag along with him to his favorite steakhouse.

Upon entering Quality Meats, I was taken aback by the rustic yet warm decor. It's not your relaxed Smith & Wollensky vibe (even though they are owned by the same company). This is your go-to date night spot, as the ambiance is romantic but quite modern for a steakhouse.

The downstairs bar had a stalwart team of mixologists who made a tasty vodka gimlet straight up. These are the type of real mixologists that with a small amount of information about your preferences, are able to concoct a mean cocktail that is not on the menu.We were only able to order one and alas, our table was ready.

We were seated on the second level (there are three) at a cozy half booth half table. The waiter was quick and efficient, but it was really his food runner that stood out. She was constantly checking to make sure that everything was to our liking, bottom line, she was exceptional.

For my main course, I ordered the filet mignon, medium. This perfectly cooked piece of meat definitely raised my eyebrows in surprise. A steak that rivals Minetta Tavern? No! It couldn’t be. Could it? I gleefully admitted to myself that this steak was equally as good, if not better, than Minetta Tavern. It was so tender that it literally melted in my mouth. I could eat it in my sleep and it will definitely be in my dreams. It’s THAT good. But wait, I’m getting to the best part, dessert.

I typically do not even touch dessert menus or even sneak a peek as the thought of dessert sends shivers down my spine. Dessert equals hours of gym time that I would just rather avoid altogether. I would have to chain myself to a stair master for three hours if I had dessert after a steak. However, my friend mumbled under his breath “take 5” and I immediately perked up. Take 5 you say? I grabbed the menu in surprise and there it was, take 5 tart. What? Did they know that I did a brand "revival" of this candy bar in college? Did they know that Forbes rated this candy bar the most undervalued brand in the world? Quality Meats needs to go knocking on Hershey's door and help them realize that this candy bar is the absolute best piece of chocolate to ever hit the market. Let me give you a crash course. Take 5 is THE best candy bar to ever exist. It has milk chocolate, peanuts, caramel, peanut butter, and pretzels, hence the name, take 5. I have never seen this as a dessert, ever. I was shocked to see it on the menu. I ordered it and slipped blissfully into sugar heaven.

Needless to say, I will be making Quality Meats a regular go-to restaurant in my rotation.