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Firebird, The Most Pleasant Surprise of the Year

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • June 14, 2012

When I think of NYC's "Restaurant Row", I think of crappy restaurants serving sub par food to tourists hitting up the theater. Needless to say, my expectations were low when I was invited to eat at Firebird; a Russian restaurant located on West 46th (Between 8th & 9th). I have never been more happy ... Read More »

Review Mole UES

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • June 13, 2012

You know you're doing something right when you have 4 successful restaurants in New York. This is the case with Nick Cervera and his wife Guadalupe Elizalde. I think their success has much to do with this lovely couple. Lupe mans the kitchen with her authentic Mexican fare and Nick charms patrons ... Read More »

Zutto: Amen for Ramen!

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • May 31, 2012

You're jonesing for ramen so you hit up the place around the corner where a huge bowl costs you $6. You've finished up the whole bowl. Suddenly you're feeling bloated (MSG). Then, 20 minutes later, you're starving and thirsty. THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE WILL HAPPEN IF YOU EAT AT ZUTTO The not so secret... Read More »

Casellula: A Perfect Spot in NYC

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • May 30, 2012

I am always in a search for fabulous places to get food. I would like to thank Lindsay (The Lunch Belle) for pointing me towards Casellula where we recently met up. What a lovely place. It has everything I love: great wines, innovative dishes that are small and geared towards sharing, and an attenti... Read More »

Pounds & Ounces: A Good Reason to Gain Them

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • May 28, 2012

Pounds & Ounces has taken over the Chelsea home of the Viceroy. I recently paid the restaurant a visit on a late night. The place was teeming with excitement. There were beautiful people everywhere, music blasting (which can be both a positive/negative), and plenty of things to eat. While Pounds & O... Read More »

Hill Cafe: Worth The Trip To Brooklyn

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • May 22, 2012

I was recently invited to try out Hill Cafe (a French restaurant) in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.  I took this invitation as an excuse to leave the island and catch up with an old friend, Cigall of Mazelmoments. Getting to the restaurant was an adventure. I had the smart idea to bring along Game of Thro... Read More »

Review Indie Food and Wine

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • May 18, 2012

I am one happy woman. Great restaurants keep sprouting up on the Upper West Side. I'll be busy writing about them all weekend long so that you can visit them and keep them in business for my tummy's benefit. The end of bad dining on the Upper West seems inevitable. We've got Indie Food & Wine, Vai, ... Read More »

Secrets of the Press Dinner

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • May 16, 2012

As a food blogger, I get invited to quite a bit of press dinners. Some are run perfectly, while others leave a bitter taste in your mouth. If you are a restaurant and are planning to invite press (including bloggers) to dine at your restaurant, here are some suggestions for you: 1. Research Your Wr... Read More »

At Jones Wood Foundry, British Food is More Than Good!

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • May 4, 2012

I have never in my life heard anything good be said about the cuisine of the UK unless it had to do with Indian cuisine. When I received an invitation to try out Jones Wood Foundry I had no expectations. I had even less expectations when I heard it was on the Upper East Side (76th & 1st to be exact)... Read More »

Lenny Kravitz May Not Cook For You, But You Can Eat His…

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • April 26, 2012

Sushi...why do you have such a dirty mind? I recently wrote about the sushi box that was designed by Lenny Kravitz for Sushi Shop's Madison Avenue location. When I arrived I could see exactly why the location was chosen. Sushi Shop is redolent of luxury and convenience. The first thing I noted was ... Read More »

The BLT Turkey Club at the Standard Grill: Today, Tomorrow, and Forever

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • April 26, 2012

It was Greek Easter Sunday and I was ready to have some Lamb. I figured it was a great time to try out Loi. When I got there, I found out that all they had for the day was an Easter Prix Fixe that consisted of about 6 courses. I was definitely not ready for that big of a lunch (although the lambs th... Read More »

Why Montanara Pizza sucks; it’s Zeppole with Cheese

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • April 19, 2012

Antonio Starita's new pizza place opened in February in Hell's Kitchen. It quickly rose to fame and I finally made my way over to see what all the fuss was about. Their specialty is  Montanara pizza. The dough is deep fried in the tradition of Naples. It is not deep fried in the traditional manner... Read More »

Balade: A Perfect Place to Get Acquainted with Lebanese

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • April 17, 2012

I recently stopped by Balade for a bite. It is located in one of my favorite dining locations, the lower east side and is steps away from Alphabet City. This means it is right around the corner from Spina, and a short walk from Bob White Counter. Balade is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I e... Read More »

Review Pera Soho

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • April 5, 2012

I had the pleasure of dining at two great Turkish restaurants last week. Savann and Pera SoHo. Both were wonderful and completely different. Savann was more traditional, what you would expect from a Turkish restaurant. Pera SoHo was trendy, modern and delicious. I think they both have great things t... Read More »

Review Savann Restaurant New York: Unassumingly Delicious

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • April 3, 2012

I recently received an invite to review Savann. I had no expectations when I arrived. It is located in an area I like to call a restaurant wasteland. This is the Upper West Side near 80th Street and Amsterdam. There are lots (and I mean LOTS) of restaurants here. Most are mediocre. I have noticed th... Read More »

Review the Roaring Fork Restaurant, Austin

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • March 15, 2012

Suddenly, my server pulled out a flashlight. I was thankful for it. I just had a 35th birthday and I was starting to think my vision was going.  My servers actions validated that the restaurant was extremely dark and that I was NOT going blind. Outside of that very brief vision scare, The Roaring F... Read More »

Review La Condesa Austin

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • March 13, 2012

I had been hearing that La Condesa had some of the best Mexican food in Austin. This was absolutely right. La Condesa is a more stylish option for delicious Tex-Mex, so when you have had your fill of delicious taco trucks, and are ready for a nice sit down, this is a great place to choose. The execu... Read More »

Review Blue Ribbon BBQ Austin

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • March 12, 2012

I'm at SXSW this week. It has been pretty disappointing. It took me 24 hours to get from NY to Austin. When we arrived, it was cold and rainy. Worst of all, there are way too many people here, so if you want to get into a panel, you have to wait on a line for an hour. Something that has not disappoi... Read More »

Review Azuri Cafe Midtown West

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • February 24, 2012

If you are looking for the best shawarma in NYC, Azuri Cafe may be it. I've been to this Hell's Kitchen joint three times and each time it has been wonderful. Here's the lowdown. Super tiny (I think there are 6 two people tables) Takes credit cards Kosher Cheap Delicious Vegetarian Friendly I mo... Read More »

Review Basil Brick Oven Pizza Astoria

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • February 23, 2012

I am constantly in the search for amazing pizza. Totonno's in Coney Island ruled my heart for years. I still love Totonno's, but on my last visit the crust was not as perfect as I remember. Could be a one time thing. I will have to return to see if this was merely a fluke. I recently met Bradley fro... Read More »

Fiorini Review NYC

  • Blanca Valbuena
  • February 22, 2012

Susan Rike invited me and a few other food writers to sample the food at Fiorini. The restaurant has been around since 2006 and is the creation of Restaurateur-Chef Lello Arpaia. This is one of those classic NYC restaurants. The space is large for NYC standards, very clean and open. The service was ... Read More »

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