Sushi Yasuda

There are already enough blog entries out there that hail Sushi Yasuda to be one of the best sushi experiences that they've ever had, so I won't reiterate what's already out there. Instead, I just want to showcase my favorite pieces from the omakase.

Peter Luger Steakhouse

My idea of the perfect Friday: playing some old-school arcade games while drinking beer at Barcade followed by grabbing a couple porterhouse steaks and some obscenely thick strips of bacon at Peter Luger Steakhouse with friends. B and I shared a juicy medium-rare porterhouse for two and split a bowl of creamed spinach and potatoes with the rest of our group (HG, DL, and AK). The steak was cooked to perfection; every bite oozed with a buttery goodness only a true carnivore could appreciate. I also really enjoyed the bacon (who wouldn't like bacon) and the creamed spinach. If you're looking to check this place out, I would recommend coming with a group of four or five. The portions are massive and reasonably priced. If you are going in a group of three, I'd suggest starting with the Porterhouse for Two and see how it goes. Trust me, we were able to eat an entire second meal out of the leftovers. It's also a cash only establishment, so make sure you come prepared.

Marc Forgione

Have you had one too many WTF (Where's The Food) moments when you are brought the  plate? Does seeing another "deconstructed blah blah blah" make you want to smash something expensive? Do you ever find the most memorable part of a meal being the exorbitant cost? If so, then you need to check yourself in to Marc Forgione for some legit, no BS upscale dining.

Eighty One

I apologize for not writing for awhile! For the past week, I've been stricken with a nasty cough (residual of a cold) and haven't been able to put my thoughts together. Today, I'm feeling a lot better. At least good enough to finally review Eighty One (from last Friday).

Restaurant Week: Nougatine

The double date Restaurant Week dinner that I had been looking forward to for weeks fell way short of my expectations. Since Noutagine is a highly rated Jean Georges restaurant, which even shares a kitchen with the Jean Georges Restaurant, you would naturally assume that something was wrong with our company, and not the food. To the contrary, S^2 were quite wonderful to dine with (as I had already learned from our first eatventure) and my meal left me wanting. There were distinct "winners and losers" on the Restaurant Week menu, which averaged the experience out to "good, but not anywhere near great."

Restaurant Week: Dovetail

When A.G. of Always Eating alerted me to the pre-release of the Restaurant Week Winter 2010 participants list, I attacked OpenTable with the enthusiasm that I usually reserve for Gilt Groupe's Final 70% Off Sales. Dovetail was the restaurant that I confirmed reservations for (although it will be the second that I attend, after an unplanned dinner to Nice Matin). The lovely name "Dovetail" means to join together harmoniously. Technically, it's a joinery technique found in skilled woodworking. While the dishes weren't literal translations of the name (although the Rabbit Mille Feuille did look a bit like it), the concept was beautifully expressed in the taste and surroundings that my good friend A and I so happily enjoyed.

Blue Hill

I was inspired to celebrate my birthday this year at Blue Hill after being exposed to an issue of national importance. No, the Obamas' date night didn't have anything to do with it. As of late December, I have been immersed in Michael Pollan's book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma" during my routine commutes to work. Prior to opening this book and watching Food Inc., I pathetically had little knowledge about the food industry. To make a long story short, I became captivated by the progressive, yet also ancient practice of sustainable (polyculture) farming and organic (grass-fed) meat production. Driven by the notion of eating with integrity, I felt compelled to seek out somewhere or someone in the city that also shared the same point of view. Luckily, Dan Barber of Blue Hill was well ahead of me. He has been leading the farm-to-table movement for nearly a decade. Upon browsing Blue Hill's understated website, I knew that this was the right place to start the next chapter of my 20-something year old life.

The Botanist

This delightful lunch at The Botanist on Sloane Square in London almost made me forget the fact that I hate eating alone. But when dishes are this appetizing, who would want to share??? Top to bottom: Slow Cooked Duck Egg, Shredded Dorset Crab, and Foie Gras.

Zuma London

A fabulous contemporary Japanese dinner at Zuma in Knightsbridge, London. Top to bottom: Hamachi sashimi with some diced pepper and pickled garlic slice, ridiculously buttery seared teriyaki sea scallops topped with caviar, and the view from my seat.

Zuma
5 Raphael St
Knightsbridge, London
Reservations recommended