The End, cafe mozart

A week ago a friend came to the City to visit, so we hit the town to celebrate. Bitter Style, of course, so we dropped by The Hampton Chutney Co. between 82nd and 83rd on Amsterdam, to get dosas, then walked down to Cafe Mozart for dessert.

My friend had been dying to go to Cafe Mozart since I blogged about their luscious Hot Chocolate Souffle in June 2007, so we headed south umbrellas in hand, but not unfurled, sauntering down Amsterdam.

It was a nice evening, cool, but not cold. Quiet, but Citiesque. We dropped into the Jaques Torres store and bought some chocolate covered pretzels and dark chocolate covered almonds (Mmmmm). We browsed the flower selections at several corner shops and enjoyed the misting rain against our faces.

We chatted about old times and caught up on the new, and before we knew it, we were there. When we rounded the corner of the correct street, I was a little confused. The string of lights outside the restaurant were out. I double checked, yes, that was the restaurant, we'd turned on the correct street.

We chatted while crossing the street, ducked between a couple of parked cars, and around the scaffolding poles to the sidewalk shed, then shrieked in horror as we caught sight of this sign.



This is what it looks like inside.



What a sad day.

The Upper West Side's lost another one of their gems.

Oh, the memories. The good times. The birthday celebrations. The crazy wig for the birthday girl or guy. The decadent desserts and yummy food. (Can you tell I ordered dessert here more often than food?) We miss you.

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It took us a while to decide, but we ended up going to Grom instead. The pear gelato was fabulous of course.

-Bitter

Holiday Market, at columbus circle

Well, it's officially cold. I risked getting frostbite on various parts of my body in order to bring to you the following fabulous photographs. I hope you appreciate the sacrifice I made going out into the cold dark evening and facing the brutal winds that cut right through the liner to my ski parka.

Note to self: break out winter gear and find gloves.
_____________

So without further ado, I bring you the Holiday Market at Columbus Circle.



Somehow I've managed to miss this event for the past two years that I've lived here.

I discovered the market after strolling down Columbus Avenue last week during the Lincoln Center tree lighting celebration. I made it down to Columbus Circle and voila, there they were all these little booths set-up on the corner of Central Park.



Everyone was bundled up.



Here's the view facing the Time Warner building.



And a fabulous booth I found along the way. *grin*



Chocolate dipped strawberries.



And delicious looking candied apples. yum!




If you happen to stop by the holiday fair, drop us a line in the comments section to and let me know what you saw, bought, or ate. :)

-Bitter

The Shack Stack, at the shake shack

A burger, a burger.

Some of you may remember back in July when The Drama Teacher came to visit.

Determined to venture out into new parts of the City, and wanting to show a veteran NYC tourist something new she hadn’t seen before, I dragged her down to Madison Avenue & E. 24th Street (Flatiron District), to the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park.

I first heard about the Shake Shack two years ago when I read a blog post about their webcam. Apparently the Shake Shack is so popular that people come from all over the world to see it--well, tourists make a point of stopping by once they’re here--and the line can get a little long. So before you go, feel free to check their webcam to see how long the line stretches.

We took the R train from the Midtown and got off at 23rd Street, and then strolled past the Flatiron Building and along the bottom of the park before snagging a place in line. We then debated the merits of each of the menu items and which one to order. We had lots of time to ponder.



By the time we reached the window, we were determined to experience The Shake Shack to the fullest, so we both ordered the Shack Stack, (it looked like it was the ‘coolest’ burger they had) fries, and a drink.

After paying for our meal, we were handed an electronic pager that would alert us when our food was ready. Freed from hovering near the Shack, we wandered to a nearby table and plopped down into some empty chairs.

A blissful moment passed while sitting in that dappled shade; a gentle breeze kept us cool. My back was telling me, “Oh goodie, something to lean against." My feet throbbed in agreement, in all, it was pleasant to kick back and relax after running around Midtown all morning.

It wasn’t long before a buzzing filled the air as my pager rattled merrily against our metal table. So I did what any rational hungry person would do, I hopped up to get my food.

Here’s what it looked like.


The Shack Stack

The Shack Stack: sandwich of 2 cheeseburgers and a ‘shroom burger served with lettuce, tomato and shack sauce.


The Cheese Fries


Looks absolutely fabulous doesn't i? I do have to admit, I was a little let down by this food, however, you may find it perfect. The Drama Teacher gave it three thumbs up, and the party next to us gave it five. (How they got five thumbs when there were only two people sitting there is beyond me. Perhaps I should have checked to see if he had six fingers on his left hand.)

As for me, I thought it was too salty all-around, and maybe a little too cheesy. Yes, I know, I chose to get the cheese fries. We were going all out, I didn’t have a choice.

The issues I had with the Shack Stack.

You see, the burger only had two wimpy little--soft & thin--slices of tomato,--yes they were that red--and one piece of lovely lettuce. Beautiful? Yes. Satifying? No. Especially when you take into account the triple middle. Two beef patties, one with cheese, and a muenster cheese-stuffed-breaded and fried Portobello mushroom in the middle.

I like a little crunch from veggies in my burgers. Some onion, perhaps a little dill pickle (although perhaps not on the Stack). So the veggie department @ The Shake Shack gets a couple of thumbs down. But somehow I don’t think they care. I’m probably not the demographic they’re targeting anyway. I'm thinkin' this type of burger would be right up my brother's alley. Perhaps when he finally comes to visit, we'll go.

Side note: I’m sad to say that just today I learned that I could have requested onion and pickle, if only I would have known… However, if I’m getting a triple pattie on a burger entitled “stack” you’d think they’d give you a little more lettuce and tomato, so I’ll stick to the thumbs down on the veggie dept.

The Shack Stack was yummy, but I definitely got my caloric and sodium count in for the day if not for the week.

The fries were lovely. Crispy and fresh, I don’t have much to say about them except perhaps the cheese fries are overkill when eaten with the Shack Stack.

Would I go again?

Sure, I now need to go try out their shakes. Oh! So many choices. But as for the burgers, I think I'll leave them for when friends are in town.

When planning your visit, keep in mind that their hours are seasonal, so if you're hankering for a Shack Stack when there's a foot of snow on the ground, check thier website first to see if they're open. As of now, they're toying with the idea of new winter hours, but haven't firmed anything up yet.

For those of you who always look for a second opinion, here's a link to Serious Eats. They're famous in the food blogosphere, and love the Shake Shack.

And before I sign off, a simple word of caution, The Drama Teacher was given an open and half empty bottle of water. The staff was very nice about exchanging it for a new one, but it gets busy there and mistakes happen. So if you order water, double check to make sure that you’re the first one to partake.

For those of you, who have experienced the Shake Shack, tell us what you think in the comments section.

-Bitter

Mmmmm Pizza, freddie & pepper's

It was a rainy day similar to today when I stopped by Freddie and Pepper’s and snapped this photo. Hungry, I slipped inside and went downstairs to order a slice. Down a few cement steps next to the tiny kitchen and pizza ovens I went.

Eyeing what they had already cooked up, I said, “May I please have a slice of mozzarella, tomato, basil?” Ever polite, I smiled at the guy who took my order.

He nodded his assent to my request to take pictures inside; I snapped a couple to show you behind the counter.



A few moments later I was the proud holder of a hot slice of pizza. The thin and crispy crust warmed my hands through the paper plate. The steaming slice smelled delicious. I sat down at one of the black and white tiled tables in the back and began to eat.

The hot cheese burned my tongue but I didn’t care, because fresh basil, garlic, and tomato were having a happy party in my mouth. I could think of nothing else.

As I sat back taking a moment to savor the delicious flavors I realized I’d forgotten to take a picture. Here’s what my slice looked like after a couple bites in.



Catering to the health conscious crowd, they offer whole wheat crusts (yes they have regular ones too) and soy cheese (yes they offer ‘normal’ mozzarella as well), and have a wide variety of toppings. Just take a look at the Gourmet Pizza section of their menu to get an idea. (You'll have to get to their menu the hard way, I can't get it to load by linking to it. Follow either link under menus.)

Whatever your hankering, Freddie and Pepper’s, near the corner of 74th & Amsterdam, is a great place to stop if you’re in the mood for a slice.

Grom, melt in your mouth goodness

A couple of weeks ago I noticed a new gelato place, named Grom, had opened up on 76th & Broadway next to Lush, and I thought to myself, fabulous! Next time I had my camera in tow, I’d stop by.

This past weekend, when The Drama Teacher came to visit and go to shows, I told her I knew the perfect place for an afternoon treat, and so we went. The weather was wonderful, not too hot and not too cool, so we strolled up through Central Park and then cut over to Broadway on New York’s Upper West Side.

We arrived at 12:30, with just enough time to eat a yummy treat and then book it down to the Theatre District in time to catch a matinee.



The staff was friendly and helpful, the décor clean and contemporary.





All of the flavors looked wonderful; I decided to go for something light and refreshing, so I chose to get ½ raspberry and ½ lemon sorbet.



The Drama Teacher went for the pistachio gelato.



With bits of pistachio and creamy goodness The Drama Teacher said she’d get it again and gave it three thumbs up. She asked Grom about the brownish-green color, and was told that since they don’t use artificial coloring it wasn't greener.

After snapping a few photos, we strolled down Broadway while eating our frozen treats. The lemon sorbet had a refreshing crisp tartness that was just sweet enough to keep a look of bliss on my face, and a pucker far, far away.

From the first bite of raspberry sorbet to the last, I felt like freshly picked raspberries were bursting in my mouth. The flavor was so delightful; it reminded me of picking raspberries as a child. For those of you who were lucky enough to have a raspberry bush in your back yard or a ‘pick-your-own’ raspberry patch nearby, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Worried that my photos might not have turned out, and maybe just a little bit interested in trying out the flavors once again (quality control, I’m sure) I headed back to Grom for a second time.

This time the line was just a little bit longer.



But it was worth the wait.

Incidentally, I don’t think the line is always this long, so don’t worry, just come. In the past few weeks while Grom’s been open, I’ve passed their storefront several times and not seen long lines. I think the fact that I snapped this photo on a weekend evening after a hot and steamy summer afternoon had something to do with the line’s length.

The lemon and raspberry sorbets were just as good as I remembered, and the chocolate gelato was divine. Rich and creamy, I felt decadent just letting it melt in my mouth. Simply remembering about the chocolate gelato makes me realize that with Grom being a hop, skip, and a jump away from work, it’s going to be torture to not run over there everyday at lunch.



If you happen to stop by Grom, report back and let us know what you ate and how it tasted.

-Bitter

Watch what the Today Show has to say about them, or read about them in the Gothamist or the NY Times.

Haru, yum tastes great

Yesterday as I left my air-conditioned office at work I was shocked when I walked into a wall of steamy heat. My first thought was, “Oh my gosh, I’m gonna to die.”

The second was, “Don’t breathe.”

The third flittered across my mind just as quickly. I still needed to get home. “Maybe if I don’t move very much,…and move really slowly it won’t be as bad.”

The subway was worse. Hot and sticky, the trapped heat pooled on the platform with nary a breeze to stir the air. After a long wait, my train arrived and I managed to grab a seat in the air conditioned car, not that it helped much. Sweat ran in rivers, people’s motions stilled, and grim thoughts surfaced each time the subway car doors opened and the sweltering heat from outside rushed in.

Summer has begun, and it is doubtful we’ll have respite until fall. Knowing the heat was coming, I saved this post until now. On hot days the thought of heating up the stove to cook a meal makes me shudder, and the though of eating out becomes more and more appealing.

And so with pleasure, I bring to you Haru. A great sushi restaurant open in the evenings up on 81st and Amsterdam.

Before you run away because you hate fish, let me just say that not all sushi includes fish. I myself only like the vegetarian varieties. No, I’m not vegetarian, I’m just not to partial to raw fish.

Let me take you on a brief visual tour before I sign off for today.

They have nice outdoor seating if the weather happens to be nice.



They have nice spring rolls.


Vegetable Spring Roll with pickled plum sauce.

This is usually what I order. A vegetable roll and cucumber avocado roll.



Here’s a closer look.





And this is what the couple sitting next to me ate. Quite a feast for the eyes, isn’t it?



They are friendly, the food is yummy, and the ambiance is perfect for sushi. Just keep in mind that they open at 5:00 on weekdays, and 12:30 on weekends.

#4 Diet Style, with avocado and bacon

Today I’d like to tell you about another favorite sandwich of mine from Lenny’s. You may remember them from the time I wrote about the #10TC, or when I wrote about the time I took pictures of my Cape Cod potato chips. Well here you go, one more sandwich for your list.

The #4 Diet Style with avocado and bacon.
The second time I went to Lenny’s I found my favorite sandwich. I was feeling diety at the moment and it was a hot summer day, so I ordered the sandwich with the most amount of cool and refreshing veggies possible.

But I was hungry. And since I’ve counted calories from time to time, I know how very few calories are actually present in a pile of veggies. So I added a little avocado to the order. I reasoned, that avocado is a healthy fat and is full of flavor, thus the perfect addition. And the bacon? Why for the texture and flavor of course.



Sandwich description: Alpine swiss and alpine cheddar cheese with romaine lettuce, tomato, onion, carrot, cucumber, shredded red cabbage and alfalfa sprout on 7-grain whole wheat.

I usually pick up a packet of salt and pepper and sprinkle it on as I eat, the bacon is salty, but sometimes you need just a little extra to enhance the fabulous sensation happening in your mouth. The sandwich is cool and crisp, and oh so good. It leaves you feeling healthy and energetic, quite opposite from the feeling you get after eating wonderful mashed potatoes and fried chicken. (Oh yes, I’ll post about those later.)

I like this sandwich so well, that I order it three out of every four times I go to Lenny’s. It’s that good.

So there you have it, the #4 Diet Style with avocado and bacon. It comes highly recommended, with two thumbs up.

What’s that?

You want to know what I got the first time I went to Lenny’s?

Why a BLT on toasted white bread with mayo. Because let’s face it, if you’re going to have a BLT, a little white bread isn’t going to hurt you, and the mayo? Why, that’s one of the best parts. The next time I happen to order this beauty, I’ll snap a photo and post it for all of you to oogle.

-Bitter

Vienesse Hot Chocolate Soufle, i fall in love again

In March of 2006 I fell in love with a dessert named Vienesse Hot Chocolate Soufflé. It happened when I went out to celebrate a friend’s birthday at Café Mozart on the Upper West Side. There were five of us altogether, the only one I knew previously was the birthday girl Colette, who just happens to design custom wedding dresses for a living. You know the show Project Runway? Well that was her, she wasn't on the show, but went to school at Parsons under the direction of Tim Gunn himself. But that is a story for another day.

I’d never been to Café Mozart before, so I arrived a couple minutes early just to make sure I wasn’t late. Walking times vary in the City, and are wholly dependant on choice of footwear, state of (non/)exhaustion, and how trying one’s workday was.

We planned to meet at 9:30 and darkness had long since fallen. It was a fairly nice night for winter, not frigid and windy. Being semi-new to the City at that point, I set out from my apartment, bundled up in a winter coat, and booked it down Amsterdam toward 70th Street. The lure of “super yummy deserts” and a chance to wish my friend well drew me on.

I slowed my pace then nonchalantly rounded the corner of Broadway and 70th, and swept my gaze along the street. Anxious not to look out of place, I strolled down the street and scanned the signs without looking like a rubber-necker. My relief was palatable when I spied my destination without fuss. Now, all I had to do was linger outside by myself, while I waited for everyone else to show up.



Another girl arrived at the same time I did, she joined me in trying to look normal while waiting by herself just a few steps away. Turns out we were both in the same party. We had a good laugh about that.

The restaurant itself feels cozy and intimate. Low ceilings painted to resemble those of a chateau, the walls are decorated with 18th century flair, coupled with fun modern twists. Classical music adds to the ambiance, they periodically have live musicians performing. Check their website for a schedule. (And no, I don’t know if the performers dress up in period costume. And yes, I do remember that early music ensemble that made us dress up and wear white wigs.)

One of us ordered dinner, a chicken cesar salad that looked delicious. I can’t remember what anyone else ordered since I was too enamored of my new find. It was hot gooey melt in your mouth goodness.



Vienesse Hot Chocolate Souffle: Warm chocolate soufflé cake, fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

Café Mozart is one of those places where you can just sit back and relax. Chat with your friends, or admire the view by yourself. No, they don’t really have a view. However, they do have a nice stack of papers you can read from.

The servers are friendly and are the type that don’t rush you. (At least they are that way when I’ve gone during off hours.) They remind me of the time I ate at a Chinese Restaurant just off the Champs Elysees. But that’s also a story for another day. Let’s just say, they’re quite content to let you sit and chat to your hearts content. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a nice dinner out, or dessert after catching a concert at Lincoln Center.

And now back to our night out for a quick wrap-up, because I know you’re dying to know how they celebrate birthdays. Well it’s grand. There we were chatting and enjoying our time, when I noticed that the music had changed to a tympani led drum-roll which heralded an orchestral version of Happy Birthday. The servers came out with a goodie bag, made Colette wear a tall Mozart-type wig, and snapped her photo. I think another dessert was involved, but can't remember. It was quite an event, and was great fun.

• Have I celebrated a birthday there since March 2006? No.
• Do I know if they have changed and celebrate them differently now? No.
• Should I go anyway and celebrate my birthday there? Absolutely.

And that dear readers is how I came about finding and then falling in love with the Vienese Hot Chocolate Soufle at Café Mozart.

Edit 10/5/08: I discovered on Sept. 27, 2008, that this restaurant is closed. Sad day.

Wok Basil with Beef, mmmmm

For the year that I lived on West 81st Street, I frequented Land Thai Kitchen all the time. Not only is their food fabulous, but their take-out is fast. It quickly became a favorite of mine! When I got off work, I’d phone in my order, and by the time I’d walked to Land just ten minutes away, my order was ready.

Land serves great food, the staff is friendly, and the ambiance is fun. It is definitely a “do not miss” when you come to the UWS, (that’s Upper West Side for those of you non-locals).

One of my favorites. The Root Vegetable Spring Roll, parsnip, carrot, beet, lotus root, and glass noodle served with a plum sauce. I’m a lover of spring rolls and am always on the look-out for the best. These definitely qualify as one of the best. Crispy and sweet, I get them each time I come.



Another of my favorites? Why the Wok Basil with Beef, long bean, red pepper, chili-garlic puree and Thai basil sauce. I order it mild and it still clears my sinuses and burns mouth. For those of you fire lovers out there, this one’s for you. Tender beef, flavorful sauces, fragrant rice. Mmmmm.



They serve a Lunch Prix Fixe each day between 12:00 and 3:30. I usually get take-out at dinner, but in honor of taking these photos, I went for lunch (the smaller portions are shown here).

Land is typical of most NYC restaurants, long and skinny the tables sit close together to maximize seating in the small space. The high ceilings make it feel open and spacious, and the modern clean lines and dark woods combine to create an elegant Asian feel.

In the evenings and during lunch, Land is always packed. (Have I mentioned take-out?) They don’t take reservations so plan to arrive early or wait for a few minutes to get in. Either way, it’s worth the wait. Of course if you live nearby, this yummy food is only a phone call away.

Besides, the NY Times like them too.

-Bitter

Columbus Circle

The first few times I came to visit NYC, I spent my time in Midtown and Downtown, and never visited the Upper West Side. So close, only a hop, skip and a jump away, yet I never managed to head uptown. Of course I was busy shopping up a storm in Chinatown, but that is a story for another day.

Today I’d like to tell you about a favorite place of mine, Columbus Circle. It is here a weary traveler can find refuge from the merciless streets of NY. It’s a haven of peace tucked in the midst of the traffic melee that circles it like a vulture seeking it’s prey.

Behold the circle at night.



When my old DC Roommate came to town to bid me farewell before setting off to travel the world, literally, we spent a couple of blissful hours sitting under the shadow of Christopher Columbus, and listening to the rush of water that surrounded us.



In the middle of the round-about, is a sitting area perfect for resting your aching feet and your heat-stroked-self. Shooting fountains ring the statue producing a cooling affect to the ease the weary traveler, block out the sound of circling trucks and taxis, and the groups of people sitting a few paces away. Broad benches mirror the curved water features providing a great place to sit.

If you’re hungry and need sustenance, delis and restaurants are just around the corner, but my favorite place to grab food, at Columbus Circle, is at Whole Foods just a few paces away. They have choices for even the pickiest of eaters, pizza, sushi (the wasabi packets are darling), soup, Indian food, sandwiches, and a few huge salad, hot food, and dessert bars, plus much, much more.

To get to Whole Foods, cross the street toward the Time Warner Building. Enter the building, take the escalator downstairs, you can’t miss it. Whole Foods is the downstairs.

Things to do at Columbus Circle:

• When inside the Time Warner Building, take a picture of yourself next to the giant bronze statues of the naked man and woman (get your mind out of the gutter! they stand about thirty feet apart). I’ve never done it, but everyone else clamors to snap a picture.
  
  
• Go see Jazz at Lincoln Center, conveniently located in the Time Warner Building.
  
  
• If you want a really NICE sit-down dinner you have several choices inside the Time Warner Building. Might I suggest the Cafe Gray, a daughter of a friend worked there as a pastry-chef.
  
  
• Walk up to Lincoln Center, the lights are pretty at night, or catch a concert.
  
  
• Hire a pedicab to wheel you around Central Park or anywhere else your heart desires.
  
  
• Buy a framed pictures or prints of NY Cityscapes from the stand that is ALWAYS set-up next to the row of pedicabs.
  
  
• Or just amble through the Park on foot to the East Side. This part of the park is quite safe. Wander at will
  
  
  Disclaimer: As a rule, don’t go to any NY parks at night, especially if you are alone. The only exceptions to this rule is if you’re taking a ride in a carriage around the park, or if there are lots of people out and about, for example after a concert in the park, or during the New Year’s Eve fireworks, etc.

-Bitter

Lenny’s #10TC on Rye

On my first day out roaming the streets of NYC with my shiny new camera, I stopped off to grab a bite to eat. Now you might wonder how I could choose between the many wonderful purveyors of cuisine on the Upper West Side, but it was easy.

I wasn’t in the mood for sushi (vegetarian of course), I didn’t want anything too spicy, and heavy comfort food was out as well. So what did that leave? Lenny’s of course, one of my favorite neighborhood cafés.

I didn’t get the usual, and went for something I hadn’t tried before. The #10TC on Rye. My co-worker gets this baby all the time, so I thought I’d give it a whirl. It was light, tasty, and hit the spot. Next time I think I’ll try it on marbled rye.



The menu description is: turkey and corned beef with coleslaw and russian dressing. Simple yet sublime. Lenny's sandwiches look like a work of art, and I’ve itched to take a picture since I spied my first one. Wish fulfilled.

The next time you are near a Lenny’s step in and try a #10TC.