No Momofuku for me (or you)

Just a quick note of thanks to Frank Bruni for giving three stars to the latest jewel in the David Chang crown, Momofuku Ko in today's New York Times review.

It was next to impossible to get into any of Chang's restaurants (Momofuku Noodle Bar, Momofuku Ssam, and now Momofuku Ko) prior to Bruni's glowing review but now... there's no way in hell you're getting a reservation!

So while I wait (about five years or so) for the buzz around Chang to subside, I can at least take comfort in the fact that I was able to eek out a review of my own at Momofuku Noodle Bar awhile back.

BLT Fish

The week of dining continued when my LA pal came in and we had dinner at BLT Fish. My inaugural visit to BLT had been at the more casual "Shack" on the townhouse's ground floor. The restaurant had just opened and the upstairs dining section wasn't completed yet. I knew RRR and I had picked a winner when I noticed my neighbor (a former Babbo chef) enjoying dinner with his wife and we enjoyed a great meal.

Since then, chef Laurent Tourondel has received raves for his freshly prepared fish and has quickly expanded the BLT franchise to include BLT Steak, BLT Prime, BLT Market and BLT Burger. You would think he'd be a little BLT'd out at this point...

Mussy and I skipped the appetizers and dove right into the entrees which we enjoyed with a lovely Riesling from BLT's well-rounded wine list (with inflated prices to match). I chose the pine nut crusted Maine sea scallops with sweet pea arugula pesto and Mussy had one of the evening's specials - fluke with fried artichokes.

The scallops were well cooked, perfectly crusted with the pine nut topping and I used the fresh fish to sop up all of the pesto I could fit on my fork. We also shared a side of the grilled asparagus with gremolata and the goat cheese risotto. The risotto was the stand out side here, creamy and rich complete with a few double roasted cherry tomatoes on top to add a bit of sweetness to the dish.

The fish was wonderful and fresh but I was a bit surprised by the high prices of the entrees. I find it difficult to spend over 35 per pound for a two pound fish (the menu states that most fish weighs between two and three pounds each). Who eats two pounds of fish in a sitting? And why the high prices? The cost of shipping in the fish from out of state purveyors?

Judging by the many businessmen who crowded the beautifully decorated minimalist dining room with an open ceiling, they don't have a problem paying over 70 bucks for an entree. I guess BLT Fish is the calorically responsible businessman's steak house?

No knock to Mr. Tourondel but I think next visit, I'll be eating at the "Shack" where it's a little easier on the wallet.

A Carnivore's Dream at Hill Country

On Tuesday evening, Goldie, Smunch and I headed to Hill Country for a second trip and a long awaited review. It took so long before I got around to writing the first review that I forgot most of our meal! After a bit of debate on whether to go to Hill Country or try Wildwood Barbeque, the latest to hit Gotham's burgeoning bbq scene, we decided to stick with what we knew to be quality.

The restaurant was pretty crowded for a Tuesday evening and there was a pretty long line at the barbeque counter. The good news was it gave us some time to take a peek at Kevin Bacon, who was dining with an older couple (his parentals perhaps?). After reviewing the extensive meat offerings, we decided on a sampling of everything!

We started out with what was the last beer can hen of the evening. To that we added beef ribs, pork ribs (just for moi!) and some lean brisket just to keep the gluttony in check. And then we hit the sides counter and got some beer braised cowboy pinto beans (again just for moi), white shoepeg corn pudding and some pickles (just for Goldie).

The hen was the standout item and that came as a bit of surprise to this trio of carnivores. There was a great hickory smoke on the crispy yet juicy skin of the hen and even if it was the last hen of the evening it was still moist and tasty. The ginormous beef ribs were tender with a nice layer of fat and I was a bit torn whether I preferred the beef ribs or the peppery slightly leaner pork ribs. If memory serves, I might have enjoyed the pork ribs more on the first visit, the beef ribs on the second. Either way, it's a win win for me... and a vegan's worst nightmare!

The corn pudding was sweet and rich but I think we were a bit more impressed on the previous visit. The beans were okay, and just okay, not a lot of flavor there with the exception of the strong green pepper flavor that came through even with a healthy dose of bacon. But then again, at Hill Country it's all about the meat, right?

I somehow found a bit of room for some sweets and we shared (although I semi-commandeered the dessert) Hill Country's banana cream pudding and hot apple cobbler. The cobbler was a bit dry and we had a better dessert on the previous visit. I did enjoy the banana pudding, however, it doesn't come close to my favorite Magnolia rendition.

Speaking of Magnolia, over dinner, Smunch presented me with a thoughtful gift of the "More From Magnolia" cookbook. Yes, the bakery that inspired the great cupcake debate! This could be trouble! Sugary, fattening, amazing, wonderful trouble!

NOTE: Smunch's beautiful photography is going to put me out of a blogging gig!