PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of lucks[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
This is different… cute.
Please rate the Bar:
Nice, clean, welcoming, comfortable. And pretty. Yup, there definitely aren’t very many bars in NYC that are this pretty… feminine, almost. It’s sweet.
The bartender is a real peach. A decidedly Russian peach— but amiable, friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. In Soviet Russia, peach taste you. (Sorry, just couldn’t resist.)
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Good. Ample offerings here, especially in the "fresh juice" and, of course, vodka. Apparently, their specialty is infused vodkas— numerous (and some unusual) flavors like pomegranate, beet, cherry and seaberry. Tasty! Well-priced at $9 each ("fresh juice" is $12).
Good wine list, eclectic— but definitely skewed more toward the higher end. Fine beer selections and some house recipe cocktails as well.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Odd, but endearing. Like a doll’s house. Somewhat bright, due to the glare through the kitchen doors, but again, pretty. Probably not the most efficient use of space, but in Soviet Russia, space use… Oh, never mind.
Please rate the BOH:
The menu looks good, but not enough to entice me into a full dinner… yet. But, there’s a distinct possibility I’ll be back. The homestyle selections are appealing, plenty of Russian classics here, plus some good ole basics to satisfy even the most anti-Soviet appetite. Intriguing enough to add to my list…
How was the staff?
Fine. Authentic, but friendly.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Osetra, baby— with blinis. Hey, when in Moscow…
And yeah, it was good.
What did you like?
That seaberry vodka’s not bad. And the bathrooms are adorable.
What did you dislike?
Nothing really.
What was your last impression?
There sure are a lot of Russians in here.
Would you come back?
Yes, I think so.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thank you, it was a pleasure.
So, I know it’s been a while since I recommended any movies with F&B related themes. Well, I just found one! OK, so it’s not exactly F&B "related," but the scenery contains some of the most beautiful restaurants I have ever seen. Some of the exterior scenes are stunning as well. On top of that, the story is warm, engaging, endearing and beautiful. And it’s funny, too!
What more could you possibly ask for?
Watch If You Are the One. This month, it’s this film that’s undoubtedly The One for me.
:)
SHE’S BACK, BITCHES. That is all.
Listen to the newest single by Tracey Thorn, “Oh, The Divorces!” (and other tracks from artists of Strange Feeling Records).
Marquis Philips Roogle 2008 – Riesling – Australia
Cost: $13.99/Bottle
Light topaz in color, crisp and grippy on the palate, this Marquis Philips Roogle Riesling is quite a bargain find. Aromas and flavors expose a grapefruit, lime and tangerine dominated essence. It finishes strong with that citrusy lingering aftertaste, quite nice and refreshing. A perfect wine to match your favorite seafood dish.
Rating: 91
Opus One 1997 – Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley
Cost: $125/Bottle (purchased in 2000)
This is a dark ruby wine, full-bodied and velvety in texture, with a weightiness like blood. It’s rich and superb as it hits the front palate and glides through to the mid and back palate. Aromas are a bit funky, initially band-aid like, but yields to some juicy black cherry and currant fruit with plenty of suede and Timberland boot-like scents. The wine required some serious air time but could never eliminate that bandaid and suede nose, even by the end of dinner. Overall a decent wine, with quite a perfect mouthfeel and flavor profile, but the funky nose may not be for everyone.
Rating: 89
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of lucks[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
Industrial…
Please rate the Bar:
Spacious, nice, clean, rustic. Again, industrial. Fine— but not much more.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Decent cocktail list, with respectable ingredients. I never think of wine (except maybe for sangria) in a Mexican restaurant, so I completely forgot to look at the offerings. Ditto on the beer selection; sorry, I was too busy contemplating the cocktail list… which, although fine, isn’t quite outstanding. Prices are not bad; $10 for a Margarita, $11 for something called a Margarita Tamarindo…
Aaand the Margarita is OK— could be better.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Spacious, but… rustic and industrial. Reasonable use of space, but hardly what I’d call creative. The open kitchen dining counter in the back is interesting (but quite brightly lit).
Please rate the BOH:
Obviously still getting oriented— to be expected, I suppose. I like the concept behind the menu, but the execution probably needs more time…? Also, presentation clearly isn’t the point here.
How was the staff?
Good. Warm, welcoming, proficient but easy-going, undoubtedly experienced. No complaints.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Guacamole : Eh, I’ve had better. Hell, I’ve made better— in my kitchen at home (and I’m not a chef or Mexican). In the wise words of our founder: Just sayin’.
Picaditas de Jaiba : Not bad. Not extraordinary— but I’m apt to give them points on the pricetags; they leave less room for criticism. Hey, you get what you pay for. The crabmeat is fresh enough, and the flavor is fine.
Ensalada Morada : Good. Nice greens. Small, but tasty. But again, there are things I’d… just do differently, I guess.
Tacos de Pibil : Good. A little inconsistent on the portion size (and that’s just on one plate), but flavorful. Smaller than those offered by DUMBO’s contemporaries (La Esquina, Cabrito, etc.) but also lesser priced.
Burritos de Res : Eh. Yeah, this one could use a little tweaking. C-
Cecina : Fine. Homestyle. Just a tad overcooked though, but palatable and kind of hearty. I’ve been given worse for $16.
What did you like?
The pork tacos were pretty good.
What did you dislike?
I’d say "nothing." But, I also anticipate they’ll improve once they’ve settled in. There’s plenty of potential here.
What was your last impression?
It won’t replace my favorite Mexican by any means, but I’ll probably keep it in mind…
Would you come back?
Hmm, possibly? Nice location.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thanks and have a good evening.
This just in, from Juan Andres Garcia:
"That was taken at 44th St and 6th Ave at the southeast corner sewer. Yes, those are eels, and yes, they are real. Actually, three slithered out…"
Umm… Yum? Uh, excuse me, I have to go and vomit now.
Just released in theatres – March 5, 2010. Yay!
Watch Brooklyn’s Finest, starring Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes and of course, NYC nightlife superstar, Wass Stevens. Check out the official trailer (see if you can spot the temporarily revamped LaEsquina!)
* See also (earlier): " DON CHEADLE and WESLEY SNIPES… at LaEsquina"
Juliet Supper Club would like to announce it has forsaken BonBon Tuesdays (formerly hosted by Kenny Kenny and Susanne Bartsch) for… uh… hot angry lesbians?
Whatever! Get it, girl.
Starting TONIGHT…
**See also (earlier): "BonBon Tuesdays Now Defunct"
Hot Pot at Kittichai!
no, there is no stolen marijuana anywheres, silly— try not to get too excited. but it’s still pretty awesome nonetheless!
yah so last night i got to try the new "thai fondue" night (mondays) at Kittichai. and it was so good. basically, for a choice of either the "unlimited" selection ($45 per person / 2 person minimum) or the "a la carte" (about $9 and up per serving / $22 minimum) you too can enjoy the new steamy hot pot "fondue," which includes such mouthwatering offerings as shrimp, salmon, marinated beef strips, tender slivers of pork loin, lobster, scallops, sea bass, tofu "skin," taro root, bok choy, etc etc etc in a "tableside" tom yum broth (plus it comes with a shredded mango and green papaya salad to start).
and then after all that scrumptiousness, they take the broth from your "hot pot" and pour it over thin "angel hair" style noodles in a bowl with shrimp. holy cow so delicious.
i know you want to run over there and try if for yourself right now, but don’t forget, it’s only on mondays. oh! speaking of weekly stuff, did you even realize that sunday brunch at Kittichai is totally the jumpoff now? seriously, no joke.
i’m just sayin.
yay Kittichai!
:)
Everyone’s number one favorite Waverly Inn / Bowery Hotel superstar, Ivo Juhani, is… well… a Superstar! Get it, girl.
I SMELL BOOK DEAL.
:)
Love ya,
Your adoring fans at PX This.
Hey, how’d you like to take a tour through the gorgeous home of former nightlife superstar Athena Calderone? I thought so! OK, here ya go:
:)
Don’t mention it!
abbe diaz says:
Oh rilly, Sietsema? Well, I’m kinda irked by you both.
I’m no fan of A.A.Gill; lots of people more au courant than you already know this. And I don’t generally make of habit of reading you or other writers of your "genre"– (so, no offense) primarily because you’re all kinda a little full of it. (But that’s okay, cuz I’m pretty sure yalls don’t "read" me either, yah?)
I guess what I’m wondering is why you’re so many days late and quite a few dollars short. Cuz I mean like, for example, even I personally covered this angle eons ago. It just seems rather odd to me that when Graydon Carter hired A.A.Gill for his notorious "takedown" of Jean-Georges’s 66 six years ago, nobody really gave a shit (except maybe The Observer). And let’s bear in mind— that multimillion dollar restaurant no longer exists. (Coincidence? Perhaps. But certainly Vanity Fair didn’t help matters much, did it?)
So, is your article supposed to inspire me to indignation now? Sorry, to me it just comes off as kinda a little laughable. And irksome. Oh right, I already mentioned that.
I’m just sayin. (This is the "comment section," right?)
P.S. PX This – The Revised Edition and PX This, Too. ** Coming soon in the Spring of 2010!** Bitches.
*See also (earlier):
• "i’m going in…"
Kenny Kenny regrets to inform you that Juliet Supper Club has forsaken Tuesday night BonBon, co-hosted by Susanne Bartsch (and once by Tinsley Mortimer), for "the bottle-service crowd." He states, "Uck. See you at Vandam Sundays at Greenhouse!"
For shame, Juliet! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon/ Who is already sick and pale with grief… Oh forget it, never mind.
:(
Aaaand, that’s the state of nightlife…
** See also (earlier):
• "SPOTTED: Rosario Dawson at BonBonTuesdays"
• "VANDAM Fashion Week -by Kenny Kenny"
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of lucks[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
Hmm, nice.
Please rate the Bar:
Small, standing room only— that screams "club" to me; bleah. But, apparently it opens at 6PM so that’s slightly more appealing. It’s about 8:30PM right now and kinda quiet and cozy, just the way I like it. But, reportedly, it gets pretty "pumpin" later on.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Brief but impressive cocktail list— enough to tempt me into a cocktail, and I’m generally a liquor-neat/wine kind of guy. The wine list is (sigh) very hotel-esque; maybe skip it, or save your wine imbibing for ‘Inoteca next door, just like I did.
Please rate the Dining Room:
N/A. But, I think they’re serving goods from ‘Inoteca. Double check, though. I gather it’s a practice they haven’t quite officially implemented.
Please rate the BOH:
N/A; the BOH (for now?) is ‘Inoteca ("upstairs").
How was the staff?
Great. Everyone (including the doorman) was warm, welcoming, amiable, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. Kind of a contrast to the the sleek, frosty decor and apellation. They’re nice; I like them.
What did you eat?/ How was the food? No food, but I did try:
High jump? Or ski jump, was it? : The one with the Reykjavik vodka and frozen grapes. Delicious— not too sweet but flavorful. Clean. Very nice.
Terra Nova : With Don Julio, some other stuff, chocolate bitters, vanilla and— smoked salt? Huh. Very interesting flavor with that salt actually. Slightly sweeter (not my style) but pretty damned good overall. There is definitely some expert mixology at work here. $17 each; a little steep, but OK. It’s a hotel after all, and the volume of the drinks is at least somewhat appeasing.
Had to save some room for wine "upstairs," or I would have gladly tried another.
What did you like?
The staff. The drinks.
What did you dislike?
Nothing really. Although the location is sort of eh.
What was your last impression?
This is a rather delightful hotel.
Would you come back?
Probably.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thank you, it was lovely.
Cakebread – Sauvignon Blanc 2007, California
Cost: $58/bottle at Koi in the Bryant Park Hotel, NYC (Retails for about $35 at your fine wine shop.)
With a cornucopia of sushi, spicy shrimp appetizers and wasabi sauce, you need something cool and refreshing to wash it all down; what better dry white wine than a Sauvignon Blanc by Cakebread Cellars. Its ripe lime, lemon and grapefruit scents with just a touch of minerals, and overall citrus infused flavors certainly do the trick, harnessing the palate enough to still relish the cuisine while savoring the wine. Cakebread’s Sauvignon Blanc is superb with its crisp character, clean and long finish. Perhaps the best sauvignon blanc I’ve had in quite some time.
Rating: 93
Rosario Dawson at Tuesday night BonBon hosted by Kenny Kenny and Susanne Bartsch at Juliet Supper Club.
• See also (earlier): "SPOTTED: (Volume 20)"
* With special thanks to Kenny Kenny
= "personne extraordinaire"