What's The Name Of The Cafe?

Cafe. It's called Cafe Cafe. I'm not kidding about the name. Now, you might say that Cafe Cafe is unoriginal, but I beg to differ. The name is simple, yet unique because most Cafe's wouldn't think of naming themselves Cafe Cafe. It's just too easy. Anyway, this charming place in the beautiful SOHO, is on 470 Broome Street. My friend Christina, a foodie in a matching jacket, found it online so we decided to go on a walk on a rainy and gloomy day and reward ourselves with Cafe Cafe. For some crazy reason I decided to give up sweets for lent, although not for religious reasons, just because I felt like it. So of course I've been craving sweets more than ever now. The baked goods at Cafe Cafe didn't help either. They are baked every morning from scratch! The muffins look like they
were made by angels. Some of the detectible muffin options are blueberry crumb, apple crumb, iced pumpkin (YUM), and much much more that I just can't even mention because it's too tempting. Another pastry that caught my eye in addition to the muffins was the pecan pie. Pies are honestly my weakness. OK that's actually a lie; every baked good is my weakness. But this pecan pie just looked SO good I can't even describe it. I also noticed a HUGE oatmeal raisin cookie, a ginger cookie, and a peanut butter cookie that all looked just so wonderful. Anyway, while I was crying on the inside wanting to order the pecan pie, I decided to distract myself from the pastries and focus on the drinks. I ordered a Chai Latte, but the coffee smelled very nice (yes I could smell it, I have super senses for food) so I was in between the latte and the Cappuccino and the Macchiato. Christina ordered coffee and she was satisfied so that's saying something because she loves her coffee. Oh and the hot chocolate is made with Belgian chocolate...just saying. This picture I took is of the downstairs part of Cafe Cafe. After getting our drinks, we went up the stairs to the top of the cafe and sat at stools connected to a bar that looked over the lower-level of the cafe. This place is so cute.

 I can't decide if I want to get breakfast or lunch next time I go. When you see the menu you will understand. For breakfast, they have bagels and organic eggs, as well as some breakfast favorites: pancakes (with fruit) and French toast (made with French brioche bread and served on yogurt). SO GOOD. And for lunch, you can create your own salad and choose from basically every salad option you desire. I just noticed that they make homemade empanadas! Empanadas are little circles of dough with meat, corn, spinach, chicken, ham & cheese, or other fillings inside that are closed up into half-moon shapes. You don't understand how much I love empanadas. My parents make the best empanadas so I always get excited when I find them at restaurants and cafes. Cafe Cafe also offers quiches, homemade soups, and sandwiches. Some of the sandwiches include chicken milanesa (ahh another Argentinean food I love!) with avocado, prosciutto and sopressata salami, and they hava special sandwich of the day Monday-Saturday. So have I convinced you to go yet? If not, then what are you doing on this blog? But seriously, Cafe Cafe is a definite must. Just go for a walk in SOHO on a rainy day and reward yourself for getting outside by getting a muffin (or anything you're in the mood for) and something to drink at Cafe Cafe.

It Sure Lured Me In

The last day of Restaurant Week two friends and I made the best last-minute decision possible. We found a restaurant near us that we could go have lunch at for the fixed price of $25. Lure was the place that truly lured us in. This classy restaurant on the corner of Mercer and Prince st. is underground and decorated to look like the inside of a boat. So clever!

The menu for restaurant week had so many delicious options, including kabocha squash soup (which I ordered), oysters on the half shell, and salmon tartar as appetizers. For the main course, I picked the roasted Atlantic salmon with apple purée and mushrooms, but other options were honey-glazed cod and a sushi combo. And let's not forget the dessert! Before I tell you the piece of heaven that I ordered, I want to show you some pictures. When I go to a restaurant I like, I go crazy with pictures!

 This is the entrance of the restaurant, which looks like you are entering the subway station, except you're not! You're actually entering into another realm of deliciousness.


And this is a window on the inside; just like a boat! It was snowing/hailing/raining/disgustingness on the day we went so we ordered a nice coffee with our desserts and that was just lovely.




Brace yourself for the next pictures because they are quite amazing...

This was Mia's appetizer, fresh shucked oysters. Mmmmmm

 This was my kabocha squash soup. I had a cold and this soup was just what I needed. Good thing I don't lose my sense of taste when I have cold.

Christina ordered the Salmon Tartare. Yeah, she's pretty classy.

This was my main course, the roasted Atlantic

salmo with mushrooms and apple purée.

Now are you ready to see what I ordered for dessert? I don't think you are.

For dessert I ordered the Apple walnut crumble...

I swear, this is food porn.

And this was Christina and Mia's dessert...warm chocolate cake with salted caramel ice cream and candied popcorn. I honestly don't know which one looks better. Food is so beautiful.

 The entire meal was absolutely amazinggg. I have such a sweet tooth (nooo, really?) that I looked forward to dessert during the appetizer and entree. This is why the dessert menu should be hidden from me until after I finish my main course because if not, I just get distracted. The apple walnut crumble was seriously a gift from heaven. My goodness it was just perfection. I was in such an apple mood (could you tell? with the apple in the soup and puree in the salmon) that day and it truly satisfied all my cravings. Now that is hard to accomplish. Actually no it's not, I'm not picky at all, it's a problem, but that's a different story. If you want fresh seafood, delectable dishes and, not to mention, mouth-watering desserts, Lure is where it's at. It is not one of my cheap finds, but it is MOST DEFINITELY worth to splurge on a little. A meal at Lure meets the value it costs and surpasses it because it is honestly incredible. So treat yourself to an unforgettable meal. Or just have your boyfriend/hubby take you ;) 142 Mercer St.
 
P.S: I took all the pictures in this blog, but this is Lure's tumblr if you want to see the menu and more pictures: http://lurefishbar.tumblr.com/

Ramen Is The Best Comfort Food

So I crossed one of my list! I went to Ramen Takumi on 90 University Place with a fellow foodie friend convinced me to go last week and it's a good thing she did. I was sick and feeling kinda ehh but the Curry Ramen (#9 on the menu) not only cleared my sinuses, it was also just so delicious! And it wasn't just the food that made this place great. We walked in on a Friday night with no reservations and were instantly seated even though it was busy. The waiter was so cute and enthusiastic and he helped us decide what to order because, let's be honest, when is it EVER easy to choose what to order when EVERYTHING looks so tempting? Christina got octopus, vegetable tempura, and miso soup. It was my first time trying curry and I loved it...shocker! (not)
It literally took 6 minutes for us to get our food. I looked at the time as my stomach grumbled and next thing I knew I had this amazing plate of ramen in front of me. The octopus that Christina ordered was obviously fresh and my ramen was warm and delicious. Such a quick easy dinner and a wonderful experience with a friend.

The restaurant is quaint and has a nice, homey feeling with very authentic cooking and good people. I truly recommend it if you like ramen (and if you don't, what's wrong with you?) or seafood (again, who doesn't like seafood?) and other traditional Japanese foods like spicy miso soup. It's cheap too. Our bill was under $20 and we just kept ordering more and more small plates. So no excuses. This one is a must. And just look at how cute it is inside!

Here is some more food to make you hungry!

 

Octopus

 Vegetable Tempura

How can you resist? It look so tempting, right? You should probably just go right now. Oh and they don't have an official website so you're just gonna have to go to the restaurant itself and try it :)

More Than Just Cookies

If you comment on any of my posts, I'll buy you a cookie. I'm not kidding. Unless you're a creep. Then I'm not going to buy you a cookie. But if I like you I will take you to Rocco's Pasticceria. Now, if you've ever been to this bakery, you understand why this is such a good offer. It's amazingggg.

Am I right?! Of course I'm right. Just look at this delicious assortment of cookies. Beyond the cookies are more baked wonders. You can select from an abundance of cakes, gelato, mousse, pies, lobster tails and of course CANNOLIS. They make the cannoli creams every day and fill the shell right in front of you when you order. Mmmmm sounds so good. Next time I go, I'm getting a cannoli. I really shouldn't write these posts so late at night because I just get hungry. Anyway, the first time I stepped in Rocco's Pasticceria was with my Finding NYC class. I think our professor only took us inside so we could salivate because he let us look at the pastries for a good five minutes and then didn't give us time to order anything because we had other places to visit. It was torture!! So I just HAD to go back on my own time. So last October I went and ordered a Marshmallow brownie cookie. I honestly didn't even pass the cookie section so I didn't realize how many other things I could choose from. But I'm a sucker for cookies. And, trust me, it was one GOOD cookie. Still, when I go back to 243 Bleecker St. I might get the chocolate eclair, the chocolate lovers mousse, the turtle cheesecake, or tiramisu. You know what? I'm going to order a black & white cannoli, which is hand-dipped in white & milk chocolate. Ahhhh! I can't wait to go back. While I indulge in the world-famous cannoli, I plan on ordering a butterscotch hot chocolate. And no you did NOT just read that wrong. They actually make butterscotch hot chocolate, in addition to caramel, white chocolate, peppermint, and even a butterscotch white hot chocolate! This place has been on Bleecker Street since 1974 and is now run by Rocco's children. It opens at 7:30am every day and closes at midnight or later. What a hard-working family :) The prices are as awesome as the pastries. The large cookie I got was $3.00 and the famous cannolis are $4.25 at the most. The cake and pie slices all cost under $7.00. Actually everything on the menu is UNDER $7.00. As Chandler would say, could this bakery BE any better? And if you don't understand the reference to Friends, then just leave.... Nah I'm kidding you can stay. But you HAVE to go and eat/drink these authentic Italian treats. And yes, I am forcing you.

http://pasticceriarocco.com/

I Needed To Start A List

These past few days have been so busy that I haven't had time to post about some other places I've eaten at. I spent all of Saturday outside and while I walked from Chelsea down to Greenwich Village, I scouted for new cafes and restaurants that I want to try. I decided I needed to start a list because if not I'm just going to forget everywhere I want to go!

Doughboy Bake Shop- 435 Hudson St.

The Meatball Shop

Li-Lac Chocolates- 40 8th Ave 

French Roast- 78 W 11th St.
Magnolia Bakery- 401 Bleecker St.
Momofuku Noodle Bar- 171 1st Ave
L'Artusi- 228 W 10th St.
Vive La Crepe- University Place
Ramen Takumi- 90 University Place
MUD- 307 E 9th St
Il Laboratorio Gelato- 188 Ludlow St.
Saigon Market- 93 University Place
Village Taverna- 81 University Place
Mission Chinese Food- 154 Orchard St.
Clinton Street Bakery- 4 Clinton St.
Max Brenner- 841 Broadway
Eataly- 200 5th Ave
Balthazar- 80 Spring St.
Otto- 1 5th Ave
Sweetery NYC truck- usually on W. 4th St.
Murray's Cheese- 254 Bleecker St.
City Bakery- W 18th St
Ruben's Empanadas- 505 Broome St.
Di Fiore Marquet- 15 E 12th St.
Joe Coffee- 141 Waverly Place
Tertulia- 359 6th Ave
Caffe Vivaldi- 32 Jones St.
La Isla- 104 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ (I've heard great things about this Cuban Restaurant's breakfast, particularly Omar's French Toast and Hoboken is so nice!)
SEA- 835 Washington St.
Camaje Bistro & Lounge- 85 Macdougal St.
Jack Stir Brew- 138 W 10th St.
Havana Alma de Cuba- 94 Christopher St.
Mary's Fish Camp- 64 Charles St.
Marie Belle- 484 Broome St.
sNice Cafe- 45 8th Avenue
Chocolate Bar- 19 8th Avenue
Bee's Knees Baking Co.- 113 W 10th St.
Taboonette- E 12th St
Mamoun's Falafel- 119 Macdougal St.
Risotto Bar- 270 Bleecker St.
Murray's Cheese Bar- 268 Bleecker St.
Ayza (Chocolate wine bar)- 1 7th Ave
Do Hwa (Korean)- 55 Carmine St
Market Table- 54 Carmine St.
Berimbau (Brazilian)- 43 Carmine St.
Cafe Blossom- 41 Carmine St.
Prodigy Coffee- 33 Carmine St.
Sushi Samba- 87 7th Ave.
Grano Trattoria- 21 Greenwich Ave.
Perla- 24 Minetta Ln.
Zucca- 95 7th Ave.
La Bonbonniere- 28 8th Ave.
Murray's Bagels- 500 Avenue of the Americas
Birdbath Neighborhood Green Bakery- 160 Prince St.
La Churreria- 284 Mulberry St.
Ovenly- 31 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn
Aska- Kinfolk Studies 90 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn
Pok Pok NY- 127 Columbia St, Brooklyn
Mile End Deli- 53 Bond St.
Milk & Cookies Bakery- 19 Commerce St.
Hanjan- 36 W 26th St.
Home Restaurant- 20 Cornelia St.
MOJO Coffee- 128 Charles St.
Westville




This is a work in progress and since I'm going to keep passing and hearing about so many good places, I'll just add them to the list! If you have any recommendations, PLEASE comment and let me know! Us foodies need to stick together!

When It's OK To Stuff Your Face

I love food. Of course you already know that, but seriously, I'm not picky at all and I'm not afraid to try different cuisines. Blue cheese, cucumbers, and kiwis are the only three foods that I can honestly say I don't like. So when my friend told me about this place called Veselka, I was curious to try Ukrainian food. It was a very spontaneous decision that we made around 3 am after Salsa dancing. We were looking for a 24-hour breakfast place and we couldn't have picked a better place than Veselka. The place was packed! It's obviously very popular, even at 3 am. I took this picture of the wall because it encouraged me to stuff my face.

While some people were gorging down the Ukrainian Meatball Hero sandwich, with mushroom gravy and sauerkraut on a challah bagel, and the Baczynski, which is polish ham with Ukrainian salami, podlaski cheese, and pickled vegetable relish on potato bread, I settled on pancakes. The pancakes are made from scratch! So, because of my love for Jack Johnson, I ordered banana pancakes. If you haven't noticed, breakfast food is my favorite and these pancakes were sooo good. They also have Ukrainian-style crepes called blintzes and buttermilk waffles made from scratch. And challah french toast! Yummmm! And of course, how could I forget oatmeal? Old-fashioned and slow cooked with milk. I have yet to try it but when I go back I'll order oatmeal with a warm mixed berry compote or a crunchy vanilla topping for $6.50. Breakfast food isn't all, however. Homemade soups, such as the Ukrainian borscht, and sandwiches among other specials are offered. Everything on the menu is so tempting that you're not going to be able to make up your mind. Oh and burgers! They have a traditional lamb & feta burger and appetizing Ukrainian specials like grilled kielbasa, goulash, beef stroganoff. I definitely have to go back. Comment on this and we'll go together! Either way, promise me you will go to Veselka. Traditional Ukranian soul food in the East Village, 144 Second Ave at the corner of 9th street. Grab your coat, gloves, a hat and go!

What's A Knish?

Last semester I took a class called Finding NYC where one of my assignments was to go to a NYC food place that contains a lot of history. So on 137 East Houston Street on the Lower East Side, a small place called The Original Yonah Schimmel Knishery exists and has been there since 1910. This small, cozy place only has seven tables and smells like freshly baked dough and potatoes. Yum!  Yet, do you know what a knish even is? Because I had no idea before I went and I had never tried a knish until I visited this knishery, but let me just tell you, there probably isn't a better place to try your first knish. Yonah Schimmel's offers all different kinds of knishes, including blueberry with cheese, apple strudel, and even cabbage. However, the difficult decision is whether to order a sweet knish, like a dessert, or a salty one, like the more original knishes. The menu explains that a knish is a snack food from Eastern Europe that was made popular in North America by Jewish immigrants. A knish is baked, never fried (healthy!) and it contains the filling of your choice. Oh and Yonah Schimmel’s is the oldest Knishery in America! Isn't that interesting? The menu also taught me that most traditional knishes have fillings made of mashed potato, onions, kasha, or cheese. Yonah Schimmel's menu includes all these options, in addition to more modern knishes made with sweet potato, fruit, broccoli, spinach, and jalapeño fillings. One knish is less than $5! The menu even has the recipe for how to make your own knish at home! I'm not going to tell you the recipe, however, because I encourage you to visit Yonah's Schimmery, try a knish, fall in love with it, and then write down the recipe yourself.

I finally decided on the spinach knish. On the walls, pictures and newspaper articles hang and have headings that say, “Lucky City Dwellers Know Their Knishes” and “New Twists on the Knish Tradition” and “A Knish Giant Celebrates 100 Years.” Obviously, the public adores this knish place and it has a great reputation. So go! See for yourself! People also sent the knishery postcards that are also on the walls and say, “Best Knish Ever” and “The knishes are AMAZING”. Praise the knish!

The last thing I noticed during my visit was especially remarkable. At the end of each of the tables lies a journal that says  “Memories in Yonah Schimmel Knishery” on the cover. I flipped through it and read entries in English, French, Spanish, and even Swedish. Ok I couldn't exactly understand the  entries in Swedish, but I can tell you that people from all over the world visit this place. One of the entries from 2009 says that he (the person who wrote the entry) started coming to the Yonah Schimmel Knishery in 1980 and loves it just as much every time he returns now. The journal is completely filled up with comments, but I managed to squeeze in a little comment at the end and I wrote, “Just had my first knish and it was delicious! Thank you, I will be back!” and signed my name. I'm telling you, go visit The Original Yonah Schimmel Knishery. I promise, if you like dough and fillings and just food in general (which you should because if not why are you on my blog?) you will enjoy a knish. I know that I will go again to try perhaps the sweet potato or maybe the blueberry cheese knish. And just remember, in the words of the knishery itself:

P.S: I forgot to take pictures while I was there (I know, how could I?!) so the picture of the spinach knish is from Google so don't give me credit for it. Don't worry, next time I'll take a picture myself ;)

P.P.S: I saw some people eating the knish with mustard on it. I guess that's common. Well, I'm not a very big mustard fan but if you are, go for it!