Better Late Than Never! Saigon Grill review

Alex in NYC responded to my scathing Max Brenner review by asking if I had visited another neighborhood eatery, Saigon Grill. I have since ordered takeout on two occasions from this University Place location of the chain and was pleasantly satisfied with the results.

Friday evening, Chef LaLaLa, Marathon Man and I decided to unwind after a long week with dinner and some drinks and were looking for somewhere inexpensive, casual but tasty. Chef LaLaLa suggested Saigon Grill and hey, I'll never refuse an opportunity to eat anything Asian.

I was the first to arrive and was surprised at the bustling dining room and the large crowd waiting to be seated. This is not your typical Asian take out joint and the large dining room (this used to be a Healthy Pleasures supermarket) was upstaged only by the impressive large bar and seating area at the front of the restaurant.

Despite the crowds, we were seated fairly quickly and by the time my dining companions arrived, I was enthralled by my impressive Grey Goose martini with three olives.

We started with an order of Goi Cuon Tom (shrimp summer rolls) a soft salad roll with large pieces of fresh shrimp, bean sprouts and lettuce along with an order of assorted steamed dumplings. While I did enjoy the dumplings, I have had better less doughy ones (for lack of a better word) but these certainly did the trick soaking up my generous serving of Grey Goose. Marathon Man made quick work of an order of Bo Nuong Sate (beef sate) and left us gals to devour the rolls and dumplings.

I think we barely set down our chopsticks when our main courses arrived. Marathon Man chose the spicy & tasty twin delicacies (sauteed prawns & scallops with bell peppers & onion) and a similar dish sans scallops for the Chef. I went with a spicy Saigon beef dish special with asparagus and red peppers for my main course and three orders of brown rice for all!

The service seemed a bit rushed at times but definitely more "attentive" than you find in most establishments. And in spite of the quick table turn over, the food came out well-prepared, seasoned and fresh. A nice option to have in a hectic neighborhood!

Alex in NYC - nicely done! Anywhere else you'd like me to give a try?

Lotsa Pasta on Black Friday

Marathon Man and Chef MJ threw a dinner party on Friday night in the beautiful loft space where MJ works and yes, I am so jealous - a cook's dream! The open kitchen in the loft has gorgeous granite countertops, more All Clad cookware than you could possibly need, two stoves, a stovetop grill, two subzero fridge, two dishwashers and beautiful exposed brick and hardwood floors.

Anyway, on to the reason we were there...to eat & drink! Since the couple had some wonderful sous-chefs (with both Moms in attendance) we simply relaxed, sipping champagne and noshing on sun-dried tomato bruschetta, bean dip w/crudite and a delicious cheese and cracker spread. All I need is some blue cheese and a hearty red wine and I'm in paradise!

After hors d'oeuvres, we had an intermezzo of sorts courtesy of Momma Marathon Man. Shrimp wrapped in pancetta, marinaded in garlic, white wine, various herbs and spices, then grilled to perfection on the aforementioned stovetop grill. The shrimp were firm enough to stand up to the saltiness of the pancetta and not the least bit rubbery which shrimp can do if they are over-marinaded. I have one word for this simple yet flavorful dish - OHMIGOD!

The pasta courses didn't disappoint either. There was a traditional rigatoni with meatballs, Chef MJ's signature pesto pasta, dairy-free homemade ravioli (hypo-allergenic for one guest), chicken parmigiana, hot and sweet sausage with peppers & onions, a mixed greens salad, and parmesean-garlic crusted toasts. Not too shabby for the day after Thanksgiving, huh?

Everything was fabulous and the company was equally delightful, a combination of family, friends and co-workers, all with a love of food, wine and our gracious hosts.

But wait there's more... after indulging in some more wine (RFW had moved onto Grey Goose dirty martinis at this point) we had dessert.

I brought a chocolate mousse cheesecake courtesy of my 'go-to' gourmet market, The Garden of Eden. Other tasty sweet treats included deliciously decadent cupcakes from Amy's Bread, apple pie, dairy-free chocolate cake, blondies, cream puffs and shortbread. Trying to sample as many sweets as my growing stomach could handle, I found each dessert to be better, richer and sweeter than the last.

After the "adults" had called it a night and settled in for a relaxing food coma, the girls hung around for a bit. I moved onto Frangelico, solely for the medicinal purpose of easing my sore throat of course, and we drank and helped load the dishwashers, sympathizing with the large pots that were going to be greeting Chef MJ in the morning. After a few more hours of drinking, dancing around to Rockstar's iPod, and then second and third helpings of pasta, we finally called it a night around 4am.

Now there's something to be thankful for!

Run, don't walk to Bar Boulud!

Where do I begin with what is already is one of the culinary highlights of 2008?!?

I was invited to dinner this past weekend at Bar Boulud as part of the restaurant's "Friends and Family" event, a few days prior to the restaurant's official opening. For those who are not familiar with this common practice, the restaurant's staff will invite people to dine gratis (sometimes you need to kick in for beverage but should always tip and tip well) in order to sample the menu, work out some kinks, and receive feedback at the conclusion of the meal.

This is an opportunity to figure out what worked, what didn't and what could work better in all aspects: presentation, wait staff, kitchen and front of house service, wine list, decor, etc.

Think of it as a foodie focus group. I think of it as Ms. Foodie's fantasy come to life!

Chef MJ, Marathon Man, Rockstar and I began our meal with a tour of Bar Boulud's Charcuterie. Our selections included the Pate Gran-Mere (pork braised pate with chicken liver and cognac), Lapin de la Garrigue (terrine of slowly cooked and pulled rabbit, carrot, zucchini, spices and herbs), Compote de Joue de Boeuf (beef cheeks slowly braised with veal stock; shredded and combined with pistachio and beef gelee), and Saucisson Sec de Lyon (air dried sausage made in-house and hung for a minimum of one month).

If you read any of my posts recapping last year's trip to France, you know of my saucisson obsession. I wasn't disappointed. The thinly sliced, fatty, well-seasoned ham was so flavorful and complimented by the tart pickles and onions that accompanied it.

The terrines were equally impressive with just enough gelatin that it wasn't overly "gelatinous". The quality of the meat really came through and the terrines had just the right amount of spices with additional components to bring the dish together in perfect balance. My favorite of the terrines were the beef cheeks with the rabbit a close second.

I chose a glass of Beaujolais to start off my meal. For this event, we were offered wines by the glass and while our server recommended a glass of the Gevry, I chose the Beaujolais. I must say that I have not experienced Beaujolais this well-rounded since I returned from France! It was so good that I went back for a second glass before moving on to the Gevry, only to wish I had stayed with the Beaujolais.

You could really taste the terroir and it brought me back to our amazing visit to this region during their harvest. I echoed this sentiment to the manager upon exiting the restaurant, but I don't think he was as excited by this revelation as I was!

Next up was an item from the Cru et Custaces - the aioli. Chef MJ was very excited for this dish, having had enjoyed it earlier in the week. I wasn't sure of the draw until... the plate was put on our table.

The presentation was absolutely gorgeous! First to get a dunk into the aioli was one of the four thin perfectly salty bread sticks. I was instantly hooked! Each item was more delicious than the one prior, and keep in mind, this is mainly a dish of crudite! What's the draw? The shrimp was meaty, flavorful and not the least bit chewy. The oil poached cod was outstanding and even simple par boiled potatoes were fantastic. Once again, it just goes to show you that simple quality ingredients can make a huge difference. This is one of the more expensive items on the menu ($34 bucks) but don't let the name or the price deter you from trying this dish! I could have had this all night and been satisfied!

But wait, there's more....

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, out came the main event. Coq au vin! Daniel's menu description of the classic French dish is to marinade the chicken overnight in red wine and then braise in red wine and a rich veal stock. Finished with button mushrooms, pearl onions and lardons this dish is completely decadent and truly authentic. Rockstar couldn't believe it was chicken! The poultry was transformed into a rich Bourgogne classic! Incredible!

We ordered a couple of sides to go with our meal, including a whole roasted head of garlic served with toasted country bread. It was delicious but can you really ever go wrong with roasted garlic? We also had the pommes frites which were thinly sliced and well salted but I've had better (namely at Pastis). Perhaps the only semi-miss of the night.

Of course, we had to find some room for dessert. We shared the Pain d'Epices, gingerbread with caramel mousse, topped with orange supremes and orange cinnamon ice cream. The staff even brought over a lovely fruit plate for Marathon Man since he has a food allergy.

We also ordered three cheeses which I enjoyed with a lovely dessert wine. I was impressed by Daniel's description of the cheeses on the menu: bloomy, earthy, creamy, sharp, goat. What a innovative easy way to navigate your way through a cheese course and ensure a well rounded selection. We chose bloomy, goat and sharp with only the sharp being somewhat pedestrian. I was a fan of the 'bloomy'.

When we did receive a bill, it pretty much used to gauge how much to tip our server. It wasn't that outrageous considering the amount of food and wine we ordered and certainly affordable compared to other restaurants in the Daniel Boulud empire. Most entrees were priced in the low twenties and the portions were just right. I must admit I am a bit concerned the restaurant's close proximity to Lincoln Center. My fear is it will be overrun with tourists although I am sure that was part of the master plan.

Run, don't walk to Bar Boulud (which officially opens this week) - I only hope you'll be able to get a table!

Breakfast of Champions

This week was going to be really ridiculously busy and I knew I was not going to be eating well, so I decided to treat myself to a special breakfast.

After the NYC Half-Marathon, Chef Extraordinnaire MJ treated Marathon Man, Rockstar & I to some delicious pasta salad and fruit salad. Of course the bloody Mary's and mimosas went faster than the fruit so I decided not to let it go to waste and made some French Toast to start the week off right.

I whisked 1/2 cup of Egg Beaters, Vanilla Extract & cinammon and dipped 2 slices of wheat toast in the egg mixture. After a few minutes on each side in the pan, I topped the toast with the bananas, blueberries and peaches. Would have been even better with some butter and a little bit of syrup but the guilt of the calories prevented me from the extra splurge.

But there is something to be said about making a 'weekend' breakfast on a weekday - certainly starts the day off right!

Petey Holiday Party!

Awhile back, a few of my closest friends decided to call our group of girls the "Petey's" --- also sometimes Pete's, Peter's, you get the point. Anyway, every year we get together around the holidays, eat too much food, drink too much wine and exchange gifts a la Secret Santa/Hanukkah Harry. This year it was my (second) turn to host the gathering.

I made an appetizer and the main course. Thighs brought the cheese, crackers and crudite. Sockitome brought some well-seasoned asparagus, brussel sprouts, parmigiana and small rounds of fresh mozzarella from a local market, Rockstar brought dessert a la Fresh Direct - a dairy free lemon and a chocolate tart (Marathon Man, our lone dude for the evening, is allergic) and Chef MJ brought her famous deviled eggs and Caesar salad. Of course, everyone brought plenty of wine!

While Thighs was preparing a cheese, crackers and crudite plate, I was being the biggest hypocrite on the planet and preparing a Rachel Ray recipe! I KNOW!!!! I can't stand her Joker-grinned cheesy shtick but RRR had made her sage sausage bites with balsamic apricot dip and it was a big hit. As much as I loathe her and everything she stands for, I have to admit, this appetizer was super easy and quite tasty! The spice of the sausage was perfectly balanced by the herby sage and sweet dip with the right amount of tart from the balsamic. My few revisions to the dish (recipe on the link above) would be to put a bit more of the dip in the sausage, use hot sausage in lieu of sweet and to not make as much of the dip as the recipe calls for - I wound up with a lot left over!

Ms. Foodie made a rookie mistake when baking these tiny sausage meatballs... I used a flat cookie sheet instead of one with edges and before you knew it the kitchen was filled with smoke from the oil that was burning on the bottom of the oven! Oh well, it kept me and Thighs on our toes!

After devouring the sausage bites, we moved on to Chef MJ's deviled eggs which were deliciously rich and simply made using egg yolks, mayonnaise, dijon mustard and pepper. Fresh chives, paprika and a bed of purple cabbage added to the overall presentation.

Her Caesar dressing is even more impressive... made with one coddled egg yolk, olive oil, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies and lemon juice. I am not always a fan of Caesar, but MJ's is so light, flavorful and full of salty anchovy goodness that before you know it, you've gone back for seconds and thirds! Lucky for me, there was lots of dressing left over!

With my time being limited this week thanks to some late nights at work, I needed to make something less time consuming as the main course. I looked to that goddess of Italian cuisine, Lidia Bastianich, for a hearty pasta recipe and chose her bucatini with pancetta, tomato and onion. The recipe comes courtesy of my signed (how cool is that?!?) "Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen" cookbook and the complete recipe is on the link above.

The sauce was hearty and flavorful and actually tasted sooo much better the next day once the flavors had a chance to meld (as is often the case with sauces). We all found the bucatini a bit tough to eat and there was a lot of slurping; especially from my side of the table.

The best part of the meal was our gift exchange! We all know each others tastes so well and the gifts were simply perfect! I received a set of baking sheets from my Secret Santa, later revealed to be Comet aka Rockstar. The baking sheets came in a set of three different sizes with edges so I am sure not to repeat my sausage oil fire hazard stated above.

I also received a box of Jacques Torres chocolates! Oh me and my love - reunited at last! It's been too long! What a great way to kick off the holidays!

A foodie's weekend journal

What a weekend of eating! It began on Friday evening, when I met up with Chef LaLaLa and Marathon Man at Canyon Road on the Upper East Side. There was quite a bit of a wait for a table, so we bided our time with some chips, salsa and "sangaritas". The sangaritas are frozen margaritas with sangria; pretty good and they certainly pack a punch! During dinner, I had moved on to the cactus pear margarita which was a bit too sweet, explaining my Saturday morning hangover. I've been spoiled by the amazing cactus pear magaritas at Mesa Grill.

For our meal, I ordered the duck burrito in a mole sauce. The duck was smoky and perfectly balanced the savory chocolately mole sauce. There was a bit more mole than I would have preferred and the duck perhaps a tad overcooked but overall a pretty decent dish. There are so many great Mexican restaurants in the city so the bar is raised pretty high - so I would put Canyon Road in the middle of the pack.

On Saturday evening, I joined Piggytails, her neighbor and her neighbor's co-worker at Foodie's perennial favorite, Havana Central in midtown. Piggytails' super was playing there and we were treated to a front row seat to hear some great music over a great meal. We enjoyed two delicious bottles of jammy Tempranillo and I had one of the evening's specials: two garlicky pork chops with spinach. There was a mashed root vegetable of some sort that accompanied the chops but it was a bit loud so I did not hear my waiter. It didn't matter it was creamy & delicious!

Service was a bit spotty however, perhaps because the restaurant was a bit hectic. Our appetizers never arrived but when we saw our massive entrees, we all figured it was for the best.

We finished up our second bottle of wine with a farmer's cheese plate: gouda and manchego cheeses along with guava paste, grapes and bread drizzled with caramel. The perfect blend of salt, savory and sweet. We were also treated to a complimentary bottle of champagne as we were finishing off our cheese - it pays to be with the band!

I spent Sunday morning at the gym, trying to undo some of the caloric damage I did on Friday & Saturday. I eventually made my way to City Bakery to grab some lunch. I just love City Bakery's salad bar! It is expensive but well worth the cost. It took every ounce of strength I had, but I was able to resist the melted chocolate chip cookies and the decadently rich hot chocolate... this time!

NOTE: I'd link to their site but it is kinda annoying - good thing I love their food so much!

What I did wind up with is the seared tofu with chili sauce, sauteed radicchio with chick peas, sauteed broccoli, cilantro chicken, lentil salad, jasmine rice with beans and squash with Asian pears and hazelnuts. I am not sure what they do to their veggies to make them so flavorful, but I am going to guess it's not low-cal. But it did provide me with enough nourishment and energy to tackle making my last batch of tomato sauce for the long awaited meatball tasting happening this week!

I can't stand the excitement for meatball madness, can you?

DRUNCH!

Sunday afternoon, I met up with Mother Jugs & the Marathon Man for drunch which I quickly found out means "drunken brunch". We had been to brunch at Il Bastardo with the publishing gals and found the service & food enjoyable. MJ & MM have been back on a few occassions since, taking advantage of the $8 all-you-can-drink Bloody Mary's, Mimosas and Champagne deal.

Il Bastardo was closed for a private party so we went to Sette, the restaurant next door which shares a kitchen with Il Bastardo. After much debate, I decided on the Eggs Benedict with Maryland crabcakes (although they only serve one crabcake) on MJ's recommendation from a previous visit with a friend.

MJ suggested I cut the crabcake in half and put on top of each poached egg and I am certainly not one to argue with a culinary school grad. The crabcake was crispy on the outside and moist inside with just the right amount of crabmeat and light on the breading. The eggs were cooked through just the way I like it. I did the occassional dip in the Hollandaise, but the dish really didn't need any additional sauce.

The highlight of our meal was probably the sideshow... the lady who was living out of her car on Seventh Ave and the sidewalk patron who thought she could communicate with the dragonfly that landed on the table next to her. Either that or things just got more amusing as the alcohol kept flowing.

After quite a few bloody mary's & champagne for MJ, MM opted out of our post-brunch excursion to Loehmann's (go figure!) and as of tonight I am still not sure what I bought.

My first drunk shopping experience... guess there are worse ways to spend a beautiful Sunday afternoon!