Summer Restaurant Week 2012 - EE's Top Picks

Restaurant Week has pretty much become Restaurant Month, yet somehow it is still close to impossible to secure reservations at some of the top spots around Manhattan. Currently in full swing, Restaurant Week runs from July 16th through August 10th and features prix-fixe lunch menus for $24.07 and dinner for $35 at over 300 restaurants around the city. Check out some of our favorite destinations for a delicious meal on a budget. by Sarah Mintz, Contributing Writer

Pretzel Crab Cake, David Burke Kitchen

David Burke Kitchen 23 Grand Street nr. 6th Ave. Available for both lunch and dinner, David Burke Kitchen in SoHo offers a large prix-fixe menu, including 6 appetizers and 7 entrees for dinner all without supplemental charge. For dinner, wEE recommend the pretzel crabcake, short rib and cavatelli, black sea bass, and red velvet sundae. Also don't forget to stop by the Treehouse, the restaurant's outdoor bar for a drink before or after dinner!

Beignets, Riverpark 

Riverpark 450 East 29th Street nr. FDR Drive If you love Tom Colicchio as much as wEE do, head over to his east side spot, Riverpark, located right along and overlooking the East River. Beyond the breathtaking views, you can enjoy the entire Riverpark menu this Restaurant Week for both lunch and dinner at a discounted cost! A few of the menu items will hit you with a supplemental charge, but portion sizes and the flavors will knock your socks off. wEE recommends the avocado and hamachi salad, Spanish gazpacho, pork chop, and beignets.

Coffee & Doughnuts dessert, Quality Meats

Quality Meats 57 West 58th Street nr. 6th Ave. Participating in lunch only, Quality Meats is your spot for an affordable steakhouse experience in a trendy and sexy environment. wEE recommend the scallops, hanger steak (to get the biggest bang for your buck), and the coffee & doughnuts dessert.

North End Grill 104 North End Avenue nr. Vesey St. Get a taste of the Danny Meyer empire this summer's Restaurant Week. During Lunch from 11am-2pm only, try the best from Chef Floyd Cardoz. wEE recommend the chilled cucumber soup, pork loin with navy beans, mustard, and peach puree, and pistachio cheesecake with plums. Reservations are limited so book now!

Maialino, Gramercy Park Hotel 

Maialino 2 Lexington Avenue nr. 21st St. No restaurant week is complete without lunch at Maialino. Located in one of the quaintest parts of town inside the Gramercy Park Hotel, Maialino boasts charm without being pretentious. If you can stomach it, wEE recommends starting with the tripe. Served with pecorino, this tripe is perfectly tender yet not overly rich. Or, if you'd like to opt for something lighter, go with the artichoke mouse on toast or summer squash and ricotta salad. For your secondi, wEE recommend the Bombolotti All'Amatriciana - think suckling pig and pasta. Amazing, I know. Dessert is not even a question. Olive oil cake takes the cake.

Junoon 27 West 24th Street nr. 5th Ave.

Restaurant Week is the perfect time to be a little adventurous, right? Without breaking the bank, head over to Junoon in Chelsea for lunch or dinner and an extremely flavorful Indian meal. This luxurious and spacious restaurant combines contemporary elegance, creative cuisine, and is equipped with its own spice room. wEE recommend the piri-piri shrimp, lamb kolhapuri (warning: it's spicy!), and cardamon kulfi for dessert.

EE Restaurant Week Tips: 

1)       Don't go to restaurants that offer prix-fixe menus year round.

2)      Do check the menu before you go - some restaurants have "supplement" charges for certain dishes and might also be serving a few dishes that don't interest you.

3)     Do confirm that the restaurant offers Restaurant Week dinner - many of the best only serve lunch. Some offer both lunch and dinner.

4)     Don't ask for substitutions.  The menu is designed to give you a multi-course meal at an affordable price.

5)     Do bring a friend. Explore the menu together and try a little of everything.

6)     Do enjoy - then tell us about what you loved and why you loved it. 

Chefs wEE Love: How do you Cool Off, Chef?

New York - it's hot. When we're not dodging Miami-like afternoon thunderstorms and wiping our brow on the subway platforms, we're itching to cool off with something delicious, and we don't mean air conditioning. We're talking something thirst-quenching or mouth-watering. Some of our favorite restauranteurs, chefs and bartenders shared their favorite ways to cool off in the warm summer months - we'll give it a whirl. by Joleen Zanuzoski

Andy Ricker, Pok Pok Wing
137 Rivington Street nr. Suffolk St. 
This cool cat from Portland has brought his knowledge of Thailand to us and boy - how delicious it is! How 'bout those wings, New York? When we asked Andy Ricker how he likes to cool off in the warm summer months when he's not traveling to Southeast Asia and back and living a bi-coastal existence, his response was classic - "I like to fill my underwear with ice and watch March of the Penguins." While he luxuriates in his chilly panties, he enjoys snacking on Creamsicles. Brrrrr!

Scott James Teague, Demi Monde 

90 Broad Street nr. Stone St. 

This former Pegu Club barkeep is shaking things up in the Financial District, creating delicious cocktails and libations at the recently opened speakeasy/lounge/den of vice, Demi Monde. Close friends and patrons call him "Scotch" which is wildly apropos considering on the summer weekends, he can be found on the water in Connecticut "drinking iced cold beer and warm whiskey. The beer keeps me hydrated and the whiskey keeps me drunk." Spoken like a true man of his craft and another reason to trust anything he mixes up for us. 

Photo: Evan Sung    

Ed Schoenfeld, Red Farm
529 Hudson Street nr. 10th St. 
This Chinese food aficionado and successful restauranteur can be seen gracefully turning down hundreds of foodie hopefuls every night that are trying to snag one of Red Farm's coveted forty seats. What he does to cool off between turning tables and organizing his seating chart on his high-powered iPad? "On hot summer evenings after getting home from work I like to sit on my screened-in porch and enjoy a rose-flavored jasmine iced tea." 

Jehangir Mehta, Mehtaphor 
130 Duane Street nr. Church St. 
Chef Mehta, known for his South Asian fusion cooking at East Village's Graffiti and TriBeCa's Mehtaphor, there is usually nothing mild about his cooking - it's always robust in flavor and playful in nature. With the exotic spices and herbs, French technique and whimsical surroundings, Mehta brings it every time. When he's not heating up the kitchen (and our palates), he loves "slashing open a fresh coconut and gulping it down then scrapping the tender flesh." Even his cool-down method sounds enchanting - another reason we love him.

Julian Medina, Coppelia 
207 West 14th Street nr. Seventh Ave. 
Medina has taken over sophisticated Latin cuisine in NYC with his Midtown staple Toloache, downtown Yerba Buena and Yerba Buena Perry and the new Upper East Side Toloache 82. When he's not overseeing his restaurant empire, he likes to "cool off with a nice Michelada - Dos XX beer, lime juice and hot sauce over ice - and a simple, cold shrimp ceviche." Another reason to love Medina - he's spicy even when he's not in the kitchen - Ole!

Brian Bartels, Fedora
239 West 4th Street nr. Charles St.  
If I could pick anywhere in the West Village to cool off, it would be in the cozy confines of Fedora. The perfect haunt for early evening or late night cocktails, you can usually find head barman and libation aficionado Brian Bartels sipping on a refreshing gin and tonic. "I never used to drink them but I went to Spain with Chef Mehdi [Brunet-Benkritly] and Gabriel [Stulman], the way they prepared gin and tonics brought a new found appreciation. In Spain, they use tongs to grab the ice and serve serve them in big Burgundy goblets. So badass." You can find Bartels mixing up the finest G&Ts around with Fever Tree gin, but he loves experimenting and "playing around" with different gins all the time. Love it! 

Carmen Quagliata, Union Square Cafe
21 East 16th Street nr. Broadway

Chef Quagliata is an expert of Italian cuisine that has built a name for himself as executive chef and partner at one of the most well-respected restaurants in New York. If you've savored one of his insanely delicious seasonal pasta dishes, you know it's a true culinary experience. When he's not dishing out lobster ravioli, roasted pork pappardelle and fried veal brains, he likes to cool off with one of nature's most refreshing treats. "I always have a watermelon halved and I scoop it out with a spoon like sorbet, right out of the fridge, standing with the door open.” 

Oliver Gift, Lowcountry

142 West 10th Street nr. Greenwich Ave. 

With an amazing pedigree as the former sous chef of Commerce and learning from Dan Barber at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, this chef is one to keep your eye on especially with the hearty Southern comfort food he is creating at Lowcountry in the West Village. He's created a menu filled with sophisticated Southern fare with a focus on seafood. When he's not throwing one of Lowcountry's summer lobster boils on Sunday and Monday, he likes to cool off at the driving range at Chelsea Piers while drinking home made sun tea lemonade. How does Chef Gift cool off when he gets out of the kitchen? "I hop on my bike after work and head to Chinatown for my favorite late night snack - beef chow fun & black bean sauce. I bring it back to my place and enjoy it from my fire escape, [watching] what the East Village has to offer at 3am." Sounds like a plan to us! 

Sips & Stirs: 5 Budget Friendly Wine Finds in the Lower East Side

Wine bars are popping up all over the place but finding a quality glass of vino when you are on a budget seems to be the trickiest part. We've been loving the Lower East Side lately and sent out our resident wine expert Emily Goldman of Amateur Winos to pick some of the best wine options at her favorite wine bars. Amateur Winos is an excellent site for the person that loves a quality glass of grape but doesn't want to be bothered with all that fancy jargon and "wine speak." AW's simple and comprehensive wine reviews are fabulous and we are excited to welcome Emily's expertise in all things alcoholic to EE. 

5 Budget-Friendly Wine Finds in the Lower East Side

by Emily Goldman, Contributing Writer 

Bacaro's Vino Alla Salvia
Sage-inflused Bardolino Chiaretto
Photo: E. Goldman, Eatery Expert 

Bacaro 136 Division Street nr. Ludlow St. This wine bar is both romantic and rustic. The upstairs has a much more local vibe and the downstairs caters to cozy dates or festive celebrations. This completely Venetian wine bar includes every type of wine pour from ½ tasting portions (3oz) to carafes, as well as an extensive by-the-bottle list with upwards of 100 varietals to choose from. Not a wino? Their cocktail list is stellar. Before you even take your seat, make sure to order the Spritz ($10), which is a mixture of Prosecco, Aperol, and club soda and will immediately transport you to a palazzo in Venice with its hint of orange and refreshing bubbles.
White: Bianco di Custoza, Falasco, Veneto 2010 (1/2 $6, glass $9, carafe $18), which is a light white with nice hints of apple and honey.
Red: Valtellina Rosso, Sandro Fay, Lombardia 2010 (1/2 $7, glass $10, carafe $20) pairs well with anything on the very shareable food menu or could easily be drunk on its own.
Spicy Red: Valpolicella Classico, Tommasi “Rafael,” Veneeto 2010 (1/2 $8, glass $11, carafe $22) boasts black pepper and bold cherry flavors.
Rosé:: Vino Alla Salvia, a sage-infused rosé: ($10), which is a real gem actually created at Bacaro on a whim. They infuse bottles of the Bardolino Chiaretto, Zenato 2010 with sage leaves to make a delicious, refreshing summer cocktail.

Jadis Wine Bar
Photo: Alexis, NYC Sunflower

Jadis 42 Rivington Street nr. Forsyth St. While the name may make you think you’re stepping into a strictly French wine bar, Jadis actually offers a wide selection of wines that range from Argentina to Oregon, as well as an unbelievably tasty menu of small plates. A true Lower East Side establishment, this place loves its regulars and gives a warm welcome to newcomers. And with a daily Happy Hour from 5-7p where the first four white and red wines on the menu are half price, prosecco is $5, and Stella is $4 there is no reason not to become one of the regulars. Or if you are looking for a special Monday night, all bottles over $30 are 30% off, so even those on a budget can try out some of the more specialty choices on Jadis’ extensive list.

White: Torrentés, “El Origen” Reserva, 2009 (glass $7, carafe $18, bottle $25) from Mendoza, Argentina if you are jonsing for a not too sweet white with notes of tropical fruits and citrus.
Red: Clot del Pila, Domaine Boudrau, 2010 (glass $7, carafe $18, bottle $25) from Côtes du Roussillon, France is not only the most reasonably priced red, but also one of the restaurant owner’s absolute favorites. This dry, fruit-forward wine is clean and smooth, while at the same time, complex enough to merit a few glasses (or a carafe).
Rosé: Cuvée, Cep d’Or, St. Tropez 2011 (glass $8, carafe $22, bottle $29) This was a major show stopper for me. It's a dry, medium bodied rosé with a great acidity that is the ideal complement to the warm summer months.

'inoteca in Lower East Side, NYC
Photo: 'inoteca

‘inoteca 98 Rivington Street nr. Ludlow St. ‘inoteca's rustic wooden tables, high ceilings, and outdoor seating make it the perfect location for after work drinks, a cozy date, or a birthday party with your closest friends. While by-the-glass options start at $9, none exceed $12, and they have well-priced half carafe and bottle options, too. Their exclusively Italian wine list may seem daunting with a book of over 600 by-the-bottle selections, but head honcho of the 'ino empire Jason Denton makes it easier to narrow down the selection with their own wine label. Does this place get any cooler?

If you are in the mood for food, go straight for their mix and match Bruschetta (one -$3, three -$7, five -$12, seven -$16), which really affords the ability to experience lots of flavors on one plate from pesto to caponata di melanzane to gorgonzola & fig (a personal favorite). Everything pairs fabulously with the wines, and add in a plate of assorted meats and cheese, and you’ve got a great meal for two or starter for a group.

White: The ‘inoteca Bianco, 2010 ($9) has a nice lean body with hints of pear and apple.
Red: The ‘inoteca rosso, 2010 ($9) is a 100% Nebbiolo grape featuring bright acidity and a light body that pairs well with many options on the menu, or can easily be drunk on its own.
Bubbles: Prosecco, Bollic’ino ($9) is simple and refreshing, great for a celebration on a budget.

Sweet Grapes Wine Bar
Photo: E. Goldman, Eatery Expert

Sweet Grapes 39 Essex Street nr. Grand St. Recently opened in 2011, this is the quintessential local wine bar hang out in the Lower East Side. Boasting a decent sized menu of wine and a few specialty beers, Sweet Grapes caters to a crowd wanting a low key evening of drinking while at the same time promoting local talent with its live music every evening from 9p-midnight. The wine menu ranges from $6 to $10 by the glass with choices from all around the world including Argentina, Austria, and Italy.

White: Vinho Verde, Portugal 2009 ($7/$28) is extremely reasonably priced, slightly effervescent, and has that nice light freshness typically associated with the grape.
Red:  Montepulciano, Selva de Canonici, Italy 2007 ($9/$36) is fruit-forward and easy to drink with the wide variety of tasty bar snacks including charcuterie, cheeses and more.
Bubbles: Prosecco, Victoria ($8/$32) This is the perfect easy-drinking sparkling wine to start or end your evening. 

Medici Ermete, Lambrusco Reggiano
at De Vino
Photo: E. Goldman, Eatery Expert

De Vino 30 Clinton Street nr. Stanton St. This mostly Italian wine store is owned by a man who lives and breathes wine, growing up on a vineyard in Italy, and now transferring his passion to the Lower East Side. While he has wines of all price ranges, there are a few standouts within the $15 and under range. If you are ever on the corner of Clinton Street, check out this delightful little wine boutique. It's New York City to the tee with tons of Lower East Side flavor.
Bubbles: Prosecco by Ombra ($15) is a standout when you are looking to bring something festive to a celebration and not spend major cash.
White: For a light, fresh, and almost salty white wine try the Casa D’Ambra, Ischia Bianco 2011 ($15), which would easily pair with oysters or selfish.
Red: With Lambruscos regaining popularity, check out the Medici Ermete, Lambrusco Reggiano ($12) with its light bubbles, cherry flavor, and tannic quality, it would pair with any fatty, fried food like pizza or prosciutto. And for a simple red, he sells the Rainoldi, Rosso di Valtenni, 2010 ($15), which is dry, medium-bodied, with light tannins and a mineral quality.

Battle Of The Best: Maharlika vs. Empellon

Everyday, we scour Manhattan looking for the best food it has to offer.  During our search, and after multiple dinners, Battle of the Best was born.  How it works:  We order, taste and then throw 'em in the rink to battle it out.  Our first battle; Adventurous eating in the East Village.

Battle: Adventurous eating in the East Village

Competitors:  Maharlika 111 1st Avenue nr. 7th St.  vs. Empellon Cocina 105 1st Avenue nr. 6th St.

Competitor 1:  Maharlika

Tito's vodka, honey, lemon & a splash of seltzer

Outcome: A true knockout.  This drink is refreshing, tasty and makes you want to ask for a pitcher all to yourself.

Lumpiang Barquillos: Crispy, tightly rolled rice paper filled with beef, pork, water chestnuts and carrots.

Outcome:  This Filipino finger food is cheap and tasty.  Especially when dipped in their house made pickled vinegar.  Perfect balance of savory and sweet!

BBQ Chicken:  Banana ketchup, honey, coconut vinegar marinade.

Outcome:  A huge blow to the competitor.  This chicken is moist, saucy and delicious! 

Tocino: Pork marinated in 7up.

Outcome:  Strike 1, Strike 2...almost a winner!
Marinating pork or any type of meat in 7up is a new one to me, but it more than works.  The tocino is perfectly marinated to create a sweet and delicious marinade.

 Competitor 2:  Empellon Cocina

Roasted carrots with mole poblano, mole and watercress

Outcome: Starting off strong, this dish highlights seasonal ingredients and flavors and the hint of dollop of yogurt on the bottom is the perfect touch.

Summer squash with arugula leaves and squash blossom buttermilk

Outcome:  It's certainly refreshing, and tasty.  However the squash blossom buttermilk's texture fails to impress.

Shrimp with crispy masa, sea urchin mousse and lettuces

Outcome:  The sea urchin takes the show.  The perfect texture; crispy, creamy and hearty pieces of shrimp.

Halibut with cape gooseberry, chipotle and masa cracker

Outcome:  Strike 1, Strike 2, Strike 3....

You so badly will want the gooseberries to be cherry tomatoes, but they just aren't! Their sweet and tart flavor brings this champion crashing down to the floor and it's over!

And the winner is...

wEE recommend Maharlika for a casual, fun dinner in the East Village with friends.  It's also a great spot for birthdays.  The food is great, and the price is right!

EE on the Road: Best of Montauk 2012

It's the weekend, New Yorkers! What's that mean?  For some, that means heading out East to bask in the sun, eat a lobster roll (or two) and see the same people that wear the standard suit and tie or office- casual shift dress sporting a naughty two-piece or Vilbrequin shorts.  You get it. It's the summertime migration. We are loving Montauk this year not only because it's vibe is more relaxed and less ootz ootz-y then other parts of LI, but it's becoming a culinary and social paradise. Here is the best of the best in Montauk. Enjoy our Guide to Montauk - 2012. by Lauren Saiger

Casual dinner in town

South Edison 17 S Edison Street. 

Brought to you by Chef Todd Mitgang of Manhattan's Cascabel Taqueria, he has created the perfect venue for a casual, cool dinner just steps from the beach.  The seafood-focused American fare features dishes such as seared yellowfin tuna and my personal favorite - the best fish and chips on the island.  They've also got an overflowing raw bar and an impressive cocktail menu that is a great option for happy hour. 

Photo:  wanderfly.com

Quick breakfast for the beach

Joni's South Edison Ext.

Whether you are hungover from the night before or you just finished a grueling session at the Barry's Bootcamp, Joni's got it all.  For breakfast, grab a fruit smoothie, oatmeal, health cookie, muffins, and my all-time favorite egg wrap.  There's almost always a line, but don't be overwhelmed - it moves quickly and in the end, you'll have one happy tummy! My favorite combination?  Eggs, spinach, bacon, swiss, avocado and caramelized onion in a spinach wrap.  After you've scarfed down a little nutrition for the day, it's time to hit the beach.  

Best Fish Tacos

668 The Gig Shop 782 Main Street. 

Need to get out of the sun for a quick lunch?  Not only is this place speedy and no nonsense, it's the home of the Gigshack's famous blackened fish or grilled shrimp Montacos accompanied with their mango salsa and is made in-house and crispy corn tortillas.

Hip Dinner Out

Crow's Nest 4 Old West Lake Drive

Yet another one of Montauk's gems, a restaurant with a magnificent view of the lake and always a great scene.  If you're spending a short weekend in Montauk, the Crow's Nest is a must.  It's first-come, first-served, but the truth is - you'll never be bothered by the wait.  The energy of the people along the numerous fire pits and complimentary marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers make you own s'mores make it a pleasure.  As soon as you snap a table, you will surely enjoy the locally-driven and delicious menu. 

Gourmet Dinner with a view

Harvest on Fort Pond 11 S Emery Street

I'm starting to feel repetitive, but the view here is spectacular like most views in Montauk tend to be.  Surprisingly, the view here isn't the main draw - it's the food!  Italian cuisine inspired by local seafood and produce.  Depending on the season, the menu is continuously changing but during the summer you'll be sure to enjoy their fresh corn and heirloom tomatoes.  It's family style so be sure to come with an appetite or with friends that like to eat!

Photo: Sprout Daily

Beachside Snack

Ditch Witch 40 Deforest Road

The Ditch Witch truck is located at the entrance of Ditch Plains - the Surfer beach of Montauk.  Whether you are looking for a yummy piece of fruit to cool you down or the best and most indulgent option - a Ditch Witch.  My favorite is the buffalo chicken wrap with yummy blue cheese dressing oozing from the sides. 

Best dish in Montauk

Dave's Grill 468 W Lake Drive

Set your alarm for 4PM on the dot and save their number in your phone - (631) 668-9190.  In case your wondering, that's when Dave's Grill starts answering their phones to accept reservations.  Dave's is a waterfront bistro located by the fishing docks on the Montauk Harborr.  If you were to ask me my favorite food anywhere, I'd kindly reply - hands down - Dave's 'Original' Cioppino: fresh fish, lobster, scallops, clams, shrimp, mussels and calamari in a think, rich fish and tomato reduction.  Are you calling yet?

Group/Family Dinner

Navy Beach 16 Navy Road

Navy Beach is located on their own secluded piece of waterfront so if you're with young kids they can frolic on the sand while waiting for your table.  Navy Beach serves comfort food at it's finest in addition to some healthier options as well.  Their buttermilk fried chicken, cheddar cornbread, house made slaw and spicy honey drizzle rivals some of the most noteable fried chicken out there.  Dining with a large group?  No problem.  Navy Beach offers a fantastic group prix fixe menu for $45 per person, served family style.  It's always crowded, so make sure to call ahead for reservations.

BYOB and Lobster Central

Duryea Lobster Deck 65 Tuthill Road

A family run business for nearly 80 years, Duryea consists of an outdoor dining deck, live lobster holding tanks and a retail fish market.  Just pick you lobster, have them prepare it and sit back and watch the waves on the dining deck.  Start with their steamed mussels and end with a juicy lobster or their delicious lobster roll.  Aside from the lobsters stealing the show, it's BYOB so bring your favorite bottle of rose and waste the night away with your red-clawed friends of the sea. 

Where The Action's At

Surf Lodge 183 Edgemere Street.

Morning, afternoon and night, The Surf Lodge is always bustling with a fun and good-lookin' crowd of beach goers.  It's avery hot hotel, but even if you don't have a room, you'll find yourself there at some point over the weekend.  Whether you're in the mood to sit on their porch looking over the lake for an afternoon drink or dining with friends at The Byron Restaurant, you will have a great time.  Continue the fun sipping on drinks and dancing to a always decent live band.  The menu is focused on clean, organic and seasonally driven ingredients - one of the many reasons to stop in and chow down. 

Best Place to Pull An All-Nighter

Ruschmeyer's 161 2nd House Road

Who says your too old for camp?  This is every camp lover's dream come true.  Ruschmeyers has a courtyard in the middle of the renovated cabins that have been turned into hotel rooms.  The courtyard is filled with a huge teepee, paddle board, ping pong tables and swings!  Inside, they've got a delicious restaurant brought to you by The Fat Radish team in Manhattan, and two bar rooms to enjoy cocktails and dance the night away.

Best Local Beach Bar

Sloppy Tuna 148 South Emerson Avenue

The name is just as amazing as the bar.  Whether you stroll in after a day at the beach or after dinner for live music and fun DJs on Fridays, you are bound to have stories to tell the next morning.  You'll find a young, fun crowd encouraging you to 'get your sloppy on!'

Best Dive Bar

The Dock Montauk Harbor

You know a place is great when all the locals go there, right?  Enter The Dock, a charming bar with a lot of character.  It's one of the few places that is lively even before high season.  Grab a beer, sit at one of their tables and do yourself - order some appetizers.  The steamed little necks and Montauk clam chowder scream to me each time I walk in the door. 

Happy Hour

Gosman's Topside 500 West Lake Drive

Enter Gosman's and look for the stairs that will lead you to Gosman's Topside, a restaurant and bar.  It's just the place to cool off after a hot day at the beach while taking in the views of the water, the passing boats below and the always epic Montauk sunset.  Before you know it, it will be time to go back to work and you'll be calling in <cough cough> sick on Monday.  That's what Montauk will do to you, folks.

Need First Date Ideas? 10 NYC Couples Share Their Delicious Beginnings

We get tons of inquiries at EE from young men and women that want the perfect place for a first date in NYC. Some are willing to spend some serious dollah billz and others are more conservative, not wanting to splurge on fois gras and Barolo until they have confirmed their date isn't a certified loony bird. We asked some of our favorite New York City couples for their first date stories and all the juicy details about that special day. Obviously they picked the ideal spots because they are still going strong. Single people - take notes. by Joleen Zanuzoski

Tom Costello, 28; Technology Account Manager & Melissa Savino, 28; Ad Agency Accountant 
First date: Wine:30 41 East 30th Street nr. Park Ave. S. A cozy wine bar with small plates for sharing and thirty wines by the glass is just the ticket to get your romance off to the right start. Costello and Savino shared the grass-fed beef sliders with Gruyere and pickles on Brioche mini-buns with house-cut Old Bay potato chips on the side. After dinner, they strolled uptown to The Campbell Apartment to imbibe on the deadly Prohibition Punch (rum, Grand Marnier, passion fruit juice, topped with Moet) and the rest, from what they remember, is history.

Elisa Horn, 21; Legal Manager & Amanda Ireton, Writer
First date: Shabu-Tatsu 216 East 10th Street nr. Second Ave. It didn't take long for Horn, a native Upper East Sider and Ireton, an LA girl to the core, to figure out they were "glutinous porkers with wildly different palates." Their official first date was at Supper in Alphabet City but since Amanda's LA palate "wasn't used to solid food", they "dined nervously for three hours on what would become a twenty-dollar bottle of Pellagrino." That phase didn't last long and finally they found true foodie love at Shabu-Tatsu, "a Hogwarts for couples with its bubbling cauldrons and interactive meals," says Ireton. Choose from a list of proteins like prime rib-eye, shrimp and pork to name a few and toss in a few vegetables like sweet potato, hakusai, watercress and Enoki mushrooms and get your Japanese hot pot goin'. Never has a first date been so steamy.

Jamie Robbins, 27; Lawyer & Heath Shyman, 28; Maritime

First date: Barbounia 250 Park Avenue South nr. 20th St. The romantic decor and dim lights of this Mediterranean favorite in the Flatiron neighborhood weren't the only things that drew this happy couple to Barbounia for their first date. They fell in love with the scrumptious mezze, the excellent cocktail list, Chef Efraim Naon's famous flatbread - and each other. Who knew tzatsiki was the secret sauce to create true love? 

Justin Brown, 25; Visual Merchandiser & Nick Daniele, 28; Communications Specialist 

First date: Bocca di Bacco 828 Ninth Avenue nr. 55th St.  Although they found each other online, Brown and Daniele's first date was at Bocca di Bacco in Hell's Kitchen. It's a place that finds the right balance on so many important first date factors: not too loud, not too quiet; not too young, not too old; not too casual, not too dressy. They sat at the bar and had a few glasses of wine. As Nick drank white and Justin drank red, they started to kindle one of the best duos in town. Although the actual bar at Bocca is relatively small, they have large, stone high top tables right beyond it. Their recipe for a perfect first date? Sit down, order some divine Italian small plates, drink more wine, and fall in love. 

David Zuckerberg, 30; Associate Publisher & Liz Schnur Zuckerberg, 28; Specialized Education Teacher

First date: Haru 220 Park Avenue South nr. 18th St. Two days after they met each other, David and Liz knew they needed some sushi and sake to set the tone of their first date. They just celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary, so obviously "sharing fish with a stranger that you think you may fall in love with" is just the recipe to get to the alter, ladies. As they got to know each other, they enjoyed the edamame dumplings, miso black cod and tons of sashimi and washed it all down with order after order of dry sake. Details are a little fuzzy following all those sake carafes, but all you need to know is it ended perfectly.

Lauren Ruicci, 29; Owner of LARUICCI & Steve Walker, 31; Graphic Designer

First date: Pisticci, 125 La Salle Street nr. Broadway Ruicci is a mega-watt jewelry designer, decorating the wrists, cuffs and lobes of notable performers such as Rihanna, Mary J Blige and Beyonce. Walker, her equally high-powered graphic designing boyfriend, courted her in Michigan and then they moved to Harlem, eating Spicy Specials and sharing an apartment with another couple that enjoyed activities such as those chronicled in Fifty Shades of Grey. To escape the bondage, they went on their first NYC date at Pisticci. Ruicci raves about their Maltaglianti with ricotta, spinach and lamb - "it's topped with a heavenly dollop of creamy ricotta that melts in your mouth and makes my mouth water just thinking about it." Ruicci and Walker's love of Italy and Italian food started in Harlem and has since migrated to the West Village where they frequently cook Italian food for each other between frequent trips to Florence. 

                                                        Photo: Brian Lynch

Demetre Daskalakis, 38; Infectious Diseases Doctor and founder of Men's Sexual Health Project  & Michael Macneal, 27; Fitness instructor & creator of The Monster Cycle

First date: Robertas 261 Moore Street nr. Bogart St., Bushwick, Brooklyn

There is nothing tame about this Brooklyn power-couple and it all started with a wild and crazy first date. Macneal wanted to do something unique and fun so he invited Daskalakis to Roberta's Sunday Tiki Disco. Every second and fourth Sunday from May to September, Roberta's hosts this party in their outdoor garden, filling it with straw tiki huts, disco DJs, frozen gin and juice and most importantly, Roberta's epic pizza.  Macneal thinks this is the ideal place to bring someone you are trying to get to know better because "it brings out the person's true personality... or lack there of." Obviously, Daskalakis was all about the gin and juice, tequila shots from the unsavory ice sculpture, tiki huts and his date because they recently tied the knot and are happily married. They have Roberta's garden filled with fresh pizza toppings and that tequila ice sculpture to thank for igniting their special spark. 

Julie Orchier, 28; Marketing Director & David Zucker, 32; Sales Executive

First date: Desnuda Winebar & Cevicheria 122 East 7th Street nr. Ave. A  and Il Bagatto 192 East 2nd Street nr. Ave. B.  This food-lovin' couple is in the process of planning a delicious September wedding and if it's anything like their first date, it's going to be a night to remember. They kicked if off at Desnuda Winebar - dimly lit, romantic, and they go back every year for their anniversary to savor the tuna and hamachi ceviche that they first enjoyed together. After they both declared in unison that "they don't do Riesling" after a waiter's wine recommendation, they quickly realized that their palates were the same and before they knew it, they were eating off of each other's plates and waxing poetic about food. Still hungry, they scurried over to Il Baggato and shared a bowl of delicious spaghetti scuié scuié. Talk about love at first bite!

Amy Elbaum, 27; Sales Executive & Michael Kramer, 30; Graduate Student 

First date: Mercadito Avenue B 179 Avenue B nr. 11th St. This recently engaged All-American couple kicked off their lifetime of happiness at Mercadito in Alphabet City over a variety of tacos and spicy pineapple margaritas that Elbaum claims "are the best in the city - they have the perfect combination of fresh fruit with a kick" and when paired with the carne tacos, it's a match made in heaven. This couple thinks Mercadito is the ideal first date spot - cozy and cute without being "obviously romantic" and the small plates are ideal for sharing. 

Evan Machowsky, 28; Financial Advisor & Lauren Saiger, 28; Founder of Eatery Expert
First date: A Voce 41 Madison Avenue nr. 26th St. Of course these food aficionados would go to A Voce, a three-star New York Times rated-restaurant and the chef at the time, Andrew Carmellini, is a James Beard Award recipient. Machowsky wasn't fooling around when he called Saiger an hour before they were supposed to meet and told her to head to Madison Square Park. From there, they walked to A Voce. Machowsky knows his way around the kitchen, but he also can skillfully navigate a menu and this caught Saiger a bit off-guard. He proceeded to order a three-course meal before Saiger had time to get over the $$$ prices, and she ordered the cheapest thing on the menu at the time - the chicken. Always one to under-order and steal bites from other people's plates, Lauren knew Evan was the one for her when she didn't even have a chance to mooch some steak off his plate because he was already cutting it in half to share with her. After munching on doughnuts dipped in chocolate and finishing off two bottles of wine, they ended one of the most memorable meals of their relationship. And Lauren's been stealing bites from Evan's plates ever since. They are engaged to be married in October at another foodie mecca - Chef Dan Barber's Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Bedford, NY. 

Top 10: Best Beach Reads for Foodies

Nothing feels better than laying on the beach with an icy beverage and digging into a good book, especially when the book has to do with something delicious. Here are our favorite summer reads that are fit for the food-loving beach bum. Now, pass that margarita. by Joleen Zanuzoski

Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton, 
Chef, Owner Prune 54 East First Street nr. Second Ave. 
You know you're about to dig into something juicy when Mario Batali says he "will read this book to my children and then burn all the books I have written for pretending to be anything even close to it." This book is actually all it's cracked up to be - it's an inspiring, delicious read for anyone that appreciates the art of every bite.

Haven't been to her East Village restaurant? You're missing out. Prune is an excellent choice for brunch (get there early, expect a wait) and a cozy, romantic dinner at one of Hamilton's coveted ten tables.

Heat: An Amateur's Adventures As Kitchen Slave, Line-Cook, Pasta Maker, And Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany by Bill Buford
Former fiction editor of The New Yorker 
Just because author Bill Buford could whip up a decent pasta dish in the comfort of his own home, he thought he could conquer the depths of a restaurant kitchen. Of all the kitchen's he selection, he went to Mario Batali's Babbo in the West Village to experience the art of restaurant cooking. His love of Italian food led him to Tuscany to a restaurant where Mario Batali cooked as an apprentice. He uncovers the secrets of pasta and how to prepare and cook meat properly. The best part - he shares it all with us. The worst - you want to eat pasta for breakfast, lunch and dinner immediately following each chapter.

Julie & Julia by Julie Powell After watching the movie starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, I needed to read the book that was its inspiration. Julie Powell, trying to break out of the rut of her nine-to-five job commits to cook each of the 524 recipes in Julia Child's 1961 epic cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking and blog all about it. As she maneuvers around her tiny Queens kitchen, she brings the reader along with her hysterical tales of crazy friends, her unsatisfying career and her attempt to try to break through the monotany of life. Through Powell's journey through each recipe, you realize that entering your thirties isn't so scary as long as you have a bottle of wine and some bœuf bourguignon. Maybe a little butter, too. 

I had to find out where this Queens girl likes to eat when she isn't roasting a chicken or killing lobsters at home. "I've been spending my life at Lounge 47 in Long Island City. Min Chen has come up with a lovely menu." Powell helped conceptualize some of the dishes, so naturally she is a big fan. Her favorite dishes? "The fried brussels sprouts with sriracha are addictive, and I could eat the scarlet-hued beet fusilli with mint and poppy seeds every day." In Manhattan, she is "faithful to old favorites" and mentions Lupa and Prune as oldies but goodies. When she needs a good dose of Chinese food, she craves the dumplings and au zhou chicken at Grand Szechuan on 9th Avenue. 

Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson
Chef, Owner Red Rooster Harlem 310 Malcolm X Boulevard nr. 126th Street
At three years old, Marcus Samuelson was orphaned in Ethiopia and adopted by a middle-class family in Sweden where him and his sister were raised. His Swedish grandmother instilled in him a love of cooking and from that point on, you couldn't get him out of the kitchen. New Yorkers that have been following the restaurant scene for a while remember at the age of twenty- four, Samuelsson earned a three-star rating by The New York Times for running the kitchen of Aquavit, a seasonal Nordic restaurant in Midtown East. He has since parted ways and opened the hottest place Harlem has seen in years - Red Rooster. Downtowners that never venture above fourteenth street are hopping on the 2 train and savoring every bite of Sugar Hill steak, Harlem chowder and sweet potato doughnuts that will have you coming back for more.

Tender at the Bone: Growing up at the Table by Ruth Reichl
Former restaurant critic of The New York Times
My girl crush with Ruth Reichl started when I read this book years ago. The beautiful and touching way she writes about her experiences with Comfort Me with Apples and Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise. This former restaurant critic for The New York Times and editor in chief of defunct Gourmet magazine speaks about food in the most beautiful and appetizing way possible. In Tender at the Bone, Reichl shares how she discovered that "food could be a way of making sense of the world...if you watched people as they ate, you could find out who they are." This memoir tells us about the people who shaped Reichl's world and led her to discover her passion for food - it is part of what led me to mine.

Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook It by Anthony Bourdain
Former chef of Brasserie Les Halles 411 Park Avenue South nr. 29th St.  What would a book list filled with chef tales be without Anthony Bourdain? His first book, Kitchen Confidential was the first "tell-all" book about what really goes on and who is really cooking your food in some of the most high-end kitchens in Manhattan. Medium Raw is the sequel of Bourdain's journey from degenerate and druggie to globe-traveling professional eater and father.

Want to visit Bourdain's old stomping grounds? Les Halles is an excellent option for lunch in Flatiron, as well as a bustling French bistro that turns out all the classics for dinner. My favorite? Sharing an order of their delicious pommes frites and a nice bottle of Bordeaux with someone special. Incroyable!

It Must've Been Something I Ate by Jeffrey Steingarten
Vogue magazine food writer 
Steingarten is known for his glamourous and mouthwatering food writing for Vogue and a compilation of his work for the magazine is showcased here. His first book The Man Who Ate Everything was equally as brilliant, with stories of his travels, food experiences and meeting some of the most notable tastemakers in the business. Some of the essays aren't even about food - his search for phen fen and his chronicles of obtaining a coveted reservation at the hottest restaurant in New York City are two of my personal favorite stories in the collection.

Letters to a Young Chef by Daniel Boulud
Owner, Daniel 60 East 65th Street nr. Park Ave. 
Even though I'm not an aspiring chef and the thought of cooking perfect dishes and timing courses appropriately for hundreds of people every night gives me the shakes, I love to know the way amazing and accomplished chefs think and that is exactly what Boulud shares with us in his part memoir, part cookbook, part how-to book. His "10 Commandments of a Chef" is a great list for food novices and experts, alike. There is a reason why he is the king of a huge, expansive restaurant empire - read this book to find out why.

The crème de la crème of his restaurant empire, Daniel, is one of only five Manhattan restaurants to earn a four star rating from The New York Times and is an ideal option for a special occasion romantic dinner, a fancy pre-theatre prix fixe (three courses with a wine pairing, $125) and a fantastic place for vegetarians - Daniel's $108 three-course vegetarian prix fixe is one of the best options for food-loving plant-eaters around.

Restaurant Man by Joe Bastianich
Owner, Del Posto 85 Tenth Avenue nr. 15th St.  
This memoir is nothing short than nonstop entertainment, chronicling the rise of Bastianich as a mega-successful restauranteur and vintner. He grew up in a working-class family in Queens and now oversees an Italian empire with Mario Batali. Babbo, Del Posto and Eataly are three of his success stories, not to mention that he runs the New York City marathon every year, is a skilled business man and entrepreneur and is a well-respected name around the streets of New York.

Want to experience one of the Batali/Bastianich creations? Head to Italian palace called Del Posto in Chelsea. Indulge in the seven-course "Tradizionale" prix fixe ($145), filled with decadent dishes like the Timpano alla Tucci which was made famous by Stanley Tucci in Big Night. A buttery pastry crust is filled with pasta, meatballs, ragu, peas, chicken and mozzarella. And that's just one course.

Don't Try This At Home: Culinary Catastrophes of the World's Greatest Chefs by Kimberly Witherspoon and Andrew Freedman
Over forty of the world's most notable and accomplished chefs  tell stories of their worst flubs in the kitchen, making cooking novices feel better about every amateur mistake they have ever committed. Dan Barber talks to fish, Scott Conant writes about the persistence of eels, Michael Lomonaco feeds Pavoratti and Bill Telepan waxes poetic on the "Fish Guys" versus "The Meat Guys." These outrageous tales almost seem to crazy to be true, but they are and it makes us love our favorite chefs even more.