The Best Of 2010 NY Restaurants

What were the best foods of 2010? The best restaurants? The best dishes? The New York Times regular Sam Sifton tackles these question in today's New York Times Dining section. he lists the best and the tastiest. There are also a fewI'd like to add in too.

Of course Da Posto, New York;s finest restaurant is listed. Everyone loves Lidia Bastianich's great gourmet restaurant. the recipe from there is a whole wheat spaghetti graced with bonito flakes and spicy chickpeas. There is a recipe for this in the paper and I guess if you can't find the bonito flakes then sparingly use flaked tuna in oil as a sub in. Sifton also mentions burgundy snails from the Mark restaurant. This is an homage to when new York had some of the finest French eateries outside of Paris. He also lists a great guacamole des frutas at the Mexican restaurant Toloache. It is a guacamole dip that has cranberries pears and apples added to it for a sweet twist.


New York has held a lot of good places for me too - not as pricey as Mr. Sifton's list but still good. Nothing beats every dish at Marinella;s on Carmine Street int he West Village (on the same block as Our Lady of Pompeii). This restaurant has homemade polenta and cold cuts similar to what my Piedmontese relatives and ancestors made. it also has excellent and elegant desserts. Another fave is Le Grainne at 21st and 9th. This is the poor man s French restaurant. For a reasonable price you can get melt in your mouth crepes. This to me is the best food ever and I plan to go back for the new Year. For unbeatable German food there is Rolf''s on Third Ave near Gramercy Park . I love this place because its like my grandfather;s family recipes are made here. There are hearty potato pancakes and thick wursts to chow down on.This is hearty food and it's perfect if you're visiting the city this winter.

These are some of the Times; favorites and mine. New York has amazing places that have to be discovered. Come to the city and pick your favorites of the upcoming year!

A Good Taste Of France

Yesterday I wrote about the goodness of French food and with good reason. I had just come off a haute cuisine high after eating at Le Grainne in Manhattan's Chelsea. This was followed up with a quick trip to one of New York's best patisseries, La Bergamote a block away. I was in French food heaven.A bistro lunch ending with buttery pastries.

Le Grainne's is probably one of Manhattan's best kept secrets however its a huge local hangout. There is a line at its' door on Sunday morning which makes it impossible to get a table at the small bistro. baby carriages are literally lined up outside its; one wall and the there is no end of customers. I had to wait until a Friday to get in there. I can see why. There are buckwheat crepes stuffed with everything from ratatouille to champignons to ham and cheese. there are melt in your mouth quiches along with the traditional croque monsieur's.Even the accompanying salad that came with my crepe was perfection. The dressing was an almond infused oil and vinegar that mad eme want more. Even the bread and butter was divine. with fresh unsalted butter that tasted more like cream.One day I will go there and try dessert or better yet one of those huge Gallic cups of fresh hot cocoa.

Down th e block from Le Grainne is the La Bergamote. This is a must see (as is Le Grainne) for anyone vi sting Manhattan during the holidays. Try the unusual tangerine Danish which is a buttery sweet tart combination that melts in your mouth. I also love their chocolate croissants which are flaky and full of chocolate and almonds.La Bergamote sells all sorts of coffees, teas and iced drinks too which I didn't get along with candies (which I did buy/ they r;e so cute and decadently delicious . They'll make nice X-mas gifts)

If you' r; in Manhattan for the holidays stop in Chelsea and visit Ninth Ave. it;s full of Gallic flair and food thanks to Le Grainne and La Bergamote. This is where you can get a slice of French foodie heaven .