FeastMeetsWest

Living each day by each taste.

[feastmeetswest]

Malatesta: Italian Restaurant: West Village

Quality Italian food with affordable prices! Pictured above is the popular spinach gnocchi, tagliatelle ragu, and tiramisu. Everything was delicious. Tip: Cash Only.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/malatesta-new-york.

[feastmeetswest]

My Biryani Cart: Midtown West

I don’t know why they have only two reviews at three stars.. Under normal circumstances I wouldn’t have ordered from this cart but I didn’t have much time because I spent most of it buying gifts for my cousin-in-law. I decided to try this cart and ordered the chicken tikka masala and I was shocked that their chicken tasted better than Biryani Cart on 46th and 6th - it was so tender and soft. With the order, it also came with a side salad including olives, lettuce, chickpeas, and tomatoes.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/my-biryani-cart-manhattan

[feastmeetswest]

Ayada: Thai: Elmhurst, Queens

One of the most authentic Thai restaurants in NYC! Green Curry Fish and Drunken Noodles with Chicken.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ayada-thai-elmhurst

[feastmeetswest]

Biryani Cart: Halal: Midtown West I waited on line to order the Chicken Tikka Masala but the only menu items available were Biryani and Koti Rolls. On yelp there are 143 reviews mentioning the Biryani so that was an easy decision. The Chicken Biryani ($6) included four pieces of chicken with a boiled egg and a salad. It was very tasty and full of spices! http://www.yelp.com/biz/biryani-cart-new-york

[feastmeetswest]

La Cerveceria: Peruvian: East Village

One of the last days to sit outdoors unless the heating lamp can keep you warm - La Cerveceria's heat lamps didn't work so well!

We ordered the lobster guacamole, steak tacos, and beef causa. They were all savory and I would definitely come back again.

The Living Social deal I bought was $25 for $50 worth of food. Great deal and service!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-cerveceria-new-york

[feastmeetswest]

Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill: Japanese: Midtown West All I have to say is their oxtail fried rice with a side of red hot sauce is so delicious! I will go back for more! :) http://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-ribbon-sushi-bar-and-grill-new-york

[feastmeetswest]

SriPraPhai: Thai Food: Woodside, Queens

Rated as one of the best authentic Thai restaurants, they definitely live up to their reputation. We had the beef salad, green curry, and sautéed duck with eggplant and curry sauce. The quality of the food and service is worth 5 stars! Must try if you’re in NYC.

From the lower east side, it took me 45 minutes to get into Woodside, Queens where the restaurant is and it was worth it!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/sripraphai-thai-restaurant-woodside

[feastmeetswest]

Groupon Feasts: Ceci Italian Cuisine

Groupon Deal:

• $69 ($178 value) for a three-course prix-fixe dinner for two • Includes lobster tail, sirloin, and dessert for each, plus a bottle of wine

We ordered the Crispy Fried Calamari and Mussels to start. The Calamari was lightly breaded and good size. The Mussels were made in white wine and it was good-tasting. The Sirloin Steak and Lobster Tail with vegetables was ok - I can make a better Steak however the Lobster Tail dipped in butter was amazing - how can you go wrong with butter?! The Pork Osso Bucco, pork shank served over creamy risotto with peas and baby spinach was cooked to perfection. The full-flavored meat fell off the bones instantly. For dessert we had the Tiramisu and Cheesecake.

The staff was very friendly and attentive. The Calamari and Pork Osso Bucco was among our favorites. I would not come back even with a Groupon. I feel that there are other Italian restaurants with better quality and cost.

Also I have never been to a restaurant that cancels my OpenTable reservation when I use my Groupon. They canceled mine and their reason is that they pay OpenTable and since I’m using a Groupon, that’s a discount.

Ceci Italian Cuisine

46 West 46th Street

(Between 5th and 6th Ave)

New York, N.Y. 10036

[phone]

[feastmeetswest]

Winebar: East Village

When dining for two, no need to make reservations - just walk in and sit where you like! The hostess was very welcoming and polite. If you like outdoor seating like I do, you can sit under the heat lamps and stay toasty.

The Flatbread Chorizo was tasty. Although it could use a few more pieces of Chorizo as you can see empty spaces! The skirt steak cooked perfect - medium rare, however the sauce was lacking flavor - like watered down red wine sauce. After I took a bite of the croqueta de pollo (roasted chicken croquettes), I had to ask for hot sauce. No hot sauce so I sprinkled the red pepper flakes over the steak and the croquettes.

If I had to pay full price for these dishes, I probably wouldn’t do it again but I have two more Groupons so I’ll be back. I used my groupon $25 for $50 worth of food. I guess two orders of flatbreads next time!

Food definitely needs work, service was great and staff was very friendly! Great ambience inside and people watching outside.

Winebar 65 2nd Ave (Between 3rd and 4th St.) New York, N.Y. 10003 tel:[phone] 

[feastmeetswest]

Wafels & Dinges: East Village: Belgium Wafels National Waffle Day on 8/24/13 Wafels and Dinges celebrated National Waffle Day by offering a free a topping on a wafel from 9-12pm and two free toppings on a wafel from 12pm-close. The only thing you have to do is bring a printed picture of a wafel truck or a 3D sculpture. I brought in a Wafels and Dinges truck picture and received my free leighster waffle with Nutella (free topping) and strawberry (add $1). The leighster waffle was a bit hard and not as soft as the Belgium waffle but that was the only wafel on promotion. It's also smaller in size compared to the Belgium. They have a self serve water faucet = awesome. I met my friends there and we had a great time. The restaurant is spacious, casual, and clean. The staff posted the printed pictures on the wall! Wafels and Dinges 209 East 2nd Street (Between Ave B & Ave C) New York, N.Y. 10009 tel:[phone]

[feastmeetswest]

Keens Steakhouse: Midtown West: Steakhouse This restaurant opened in 1885 and there is so much history from wall to wall filled with photos of actors, patrons, and newspaper clippings. Look up above and you'll find clay pipes with member's numbers on them. Patrons of this restaurant included Theadoore Roosevelt, Buffalo Bill, Babe Ruth, and Senator Robert F. Wagner and many more. Upon seating, they serve you warm bread and crudités. We ordered the prime fillet mignon, cream spinach, mash potato, and mushrooms. The food was delicious. The bar is pretty cool too so if you just want to get drinks, that's another option. If you have a question which you might, feel free to ask their knowledgable staff. They are friendly, professional, and have studied their material! You'll know what I mean once you step foot into this restaurant! :) Keens Steakhouse 72 West 36th Street (Between 5th and 6th Ave) New York, NY 10018 tel:[phone]

[feastmeetswest]

Noodle Village: Chinatown, Manhattan: Tasty Noodles

Their curry oxtail noodle soup is perfection. They give you a big portion of noodles and about five pieces of oxtail. The service is quick and the staff is nice.

[feastmeetswest]

Via Quadronno: UES: Best Tiramisu I have tried so many Tiramisus and this is hands down the best in NYC. If you know another place with good Tiramisu, please let me know! :)

[feastmeetswest]

Sunrise Mart: Midtown East: Salmon with Brown Rice When I crave Japanese food, I go to Sunrise Mart. This time I ordered salmon over seaweed with brown rice, eggplant and fishcake tempura, a mushroom, veggie dumpling, and a piece of pumpkin. I love how they add these side items to your dish for variety!

[feastmeetswest]

Louis’ Lunch: New Haven: First Hamburger

Louis’ Lunch: On a mission to taste the most highly rated restaurants in New Haven!

First Stop was at Louis’ Lunch. We came on a Sunday afternoon around 1:30pm and there was a line out the door. We decided to shop at the Yale bookstore and bought a sweater and a Hellokitty cup, which is great for the office! We returned to Louis’ at 3pm. Total time from line to burgers served was 1.5 hour which didnt seem so bad especially when we sat right where the action was - the counter.

The bar stools by the counter were the best seats in this luncheonette - where John takes the orders, serves drinks and desserts while Jeff cooks up the burgers. The menu is hamburger or cheeseburger and the only toppings offered are tomatoes and onions. I heard good things about the potato salad and the last cup was served right before me. The desserts ran out by 4pm! Do not ask for ketchup or you will be kicked out says a regular!

The burgers are cooked vertically clamped between metal clasps and the juices drip into a pan that has water and steams back into the beef. Cooked medium rare unless otherwise asked.

The Original Burger with beef, cheese, onions, and tomato are between two slices of pepperidge farm bread. It’s very simple and tastes good, I just wish I had some ketchup.

[feastmeetswest]

FeastMeetsWest: LES: Huevos Rancheros Better than Clinton St. Baking - the best Huevos Rancheros I've ever had. The ingredients are flax seed wrap, refried black beans, guacamole, salsa, ham, and two eggs sunny side up w/ siracha. Simple, healthy, and delicious.

[feastmeetswest]

Sunrise Mart: Midtown East: Pork Ginger Rice Burger

Pork Ginger Rice Burger is a variation of sliced ginger pork over rice. The brown rice bun was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with sliced pork and lettuce. Add some sriracha for flavor! The option to choose brown or white rice is great for the health conscious.

There are many food items to choose from: baked goods, coffee, sushi/sashimi, udon noodle soup, sandwiches, bento box, beauty and grocery section towards the back.

It is always packed during lunch time, however service is pretty quick and efficient. Most people get take-out and if you’re not in a hurry you can sit upstairs with the a/c. It’s a great lunch spot.

12 East 41st (Between 5th and Madison Ave) New York, N.Y. 10017