Weekender Lunch: Cafe Ruhlmann

The cool morning crawled into a hot afternoon last Sunday- an idyllic day for Fifth Avenue shopping. After weighing down arms with bags, we slipped into a table at Rockefeller Center's Brasserie Ruhlmann. Although the dining room (bottom image) is a bit frigid in contrast to the adjacent NBC Studios and flapping world flags, the outdoor dining section is pristine and social.

We sipped a bottle of sparkling water while nibbling the house-made bread. For lunch, I chose the blue crab (photo above) with mache salad and honey lime vinaigrette. The crab was extremely fresh, lacking any hint of brine. Julienne granny smith apples highlighted the lump meat's texture and endorsed the summer flavor. My partner requested the salad Ruhlmann with added shrimp. The massive bowl of greens looked to be dominate on radicchio and came with hearts of palm, corn and halved cherry tomatoes. The dish isn't one to knock your socks off, but certainly offers a healthy option for a quick lunch.

While Ruhlmann has mixed reviews online, I feel that is due mostly to the pricing, which is a bit on the high end. However, you're on the cusp of tourist attraction and power lunch venue- it comes with the territory.


Images: TheLuxurySpot, JohnMarinari

a dinner at Docks

We stepped into Docks in Midtown yesterday evening- with the raw bar and wine on the agenda. Though it was nearly 10:00pm, we were warmly greeted and the dining room was buzzing. After garnering a few seats at the bar, we selected a bottle of Rosa Regale from Banfi, Italy. The sparkling rose poured frothy rather than bubbly and was a bit on the sweet side- a detail that proved excellent in contrast to oyster craving.

With a quick glance of the menu, we requested a platter of chef's pick oysters in the half-shell. The server walked a through the selections from British Columbia, Long Island and Prince Edward Island. The plump and slippery oysters came served with the expected Tabasco, fresh horseradish, cocktail sauce and lemon wedges. The West Coast varieties were a bit overwhelming in their size and the Long Island fell a part- but the Prince Edward Island were spot on. The plate certainly satisfied, but the spot-on service is the detail that pushes Docks beyond other raw bars in Midtown. The bar keep was quite attentive, without being overbearing. She also exhibited knowledge, care and a down-to Earth demeanor.


Images: from my iPhone

a lunch at Naniwa of Japan

We settled into a Naniwa of Japan after the lunch crowd had dispersed. The servers seemed a bit ruffled over our 2:30pm arrival, but agreed to seat us. The interior offered a subtle elegance meshed with function. I imagine the tight space would be a bit overwhelming for some during peak hours.

We decided to share a few items on the menu: Sashimi Deluxe platter with Miso soup and Yakitori. The sashimi came in a generous portion and quite fresh. I would have preferred the fish to be cut a little thinner, but the variety of five types of fish including Yellowtail garnished with thinly chopped scallions and tuna with marinated seaweed- was quite lovely. The Yakitori (BBQ chicken on skewers) impressed me with the negamaki style scallion addition and awkward potato salad/strawberry decor.

The service tapered off towards the end--and we were basically asked to leave-- our server was clocking off. A bit awkward as we were only there for 25 minutes, but I suppose few linger at lunch in Midtown during the week.

Images: from my iPhone

black and white from 43, a photo series

empire state

cargo

midtown

Holiday Columbus, a photo series

1 citrus

2 berries

folks shadows

nyc

cities

3 blues

antique wash

the black and white

peering through.

the blue angle

chapeau

The Russian Vodka Room

I simply couldn't turn down an invite to the Russian Vodka Room. The dimly lit dining space survives on regulars and youngish couples warm with affection. To boot, the bar is decent sized with sunken back tables behind curtains- all serenaded by a piano player that occasionally sets his head down to rest.

Large vats of in-house flavored vodka are served in 2 ounce pours for $6. I chose the dill & garlic, my company, the horseradish. Sipped on the rocks, both were gorgeous enough to request a second. To be honest, I haven't been able to shake my affection for the venue. I'm planning to return soon- maybe tomorrow. Perhaps I'll sample the eats at some point as well.

image: via

After Dark Times Square, a photo series

smoke and yellow-

street vendor swoop-

a fan.

capture.

crossing.

market point.

polka stripes.

pol

second look.

in blues-1

compartmentalized-

in blues, 2.

Elevated Times Square, a photo series

dotted.

transport.

muppets among.

tour sale.

Stepping into Times Square, a photo series

fashion ave and 42nd.

In Costume.

the real deal.

a rap.

consider, stop.

rugby embrace, yellow pants.

1982 called...

yellow stop.

All Arrows Point

Barcelona Bar

I tend to judge people on the bar or restaurant they choose to meet at. This is a typically flawless system in gauging: character, interests and itinerary. Yesterday evening, I was summoned to Barcelona Bar, in Hell's Kitchen. The name provokes images of low-key wine bar, perhaps refined?

Greeted by a reasonably virile bouncer flashing a blue light in my purse and a chalkboard screaming "Best Shots in Town! Over 100 hundred Shots! $3 Silk Panties," I no longer regretted my choice to wear a flannel jacket and Frye boots.

(Queue 50 Cent's The Massacre)

I ordered a Silk Panties (when in Rome!) and suddenly came to terms with the fact that the men next to me had outrageous black wigs that could have easily been rat's nests. Mid 80's rock jammed the air and the bartenders were enthusiastically singing + dancing in time.



Barcelona Bar is best described as Coyote Ugly, if the bar keeps were dressed as wizards and allowed to use flames (yes there were flames, and the spraying of patrons with water from the soda gun!)

If I haven't sold you on the hot mess yet: there is a white gorilla story involved.

Cinema Cafe on 45th, a Midtown Lunch

In terms of Midtown business lunch- or a break from shopping with girlfriends- Cinema Cafe is the idyllic experience. Gorgeous presentation, tailored service and quality ingredients are the core. I settled in with Martin for iced tea while we mulled over the menus. After tossing around thoughts of crab cakes and salads, it seemed that Martin was in the mood for seafood. We decided to share a few plates:

Sliders: Miso Glazed Salmon Burgers with hot mango-cucumber salsa and cool chile verde. The burgers were surprisingly moist and well suited to the miso glaze. The cucumber-mango salsa came julienned and for my personal taste- could have had more kick. The one downfall was the bun. Both myself and Martin felt that it distracted from the other flavors. We chose frites over salad and found them to be quite excellent in complimenting the sliders.



On to the second plate: Louisiana Spiced Crab Cakes with cucumber tartar sauce and roasted corn and pepper salad. While the crab cakes were nearly 100% lump meat, I craved a bit of salt or other flavor present. The cucumber tartar sauce and corn salad was light, refreshing and unexpected.

To punctuate our meal, we sipped on espresso. I'd likely recommend Cinema to my colleagues...


(images from my iPhone).