Tag: new york

Hurry into Uncle Chop Chop, NYC

Chop chop” means “hurry” and suggests that something should be done now and without delay.

Uncle Chop Chop is one of the hottest new restaurants in New York that is already attracting 5 star reviews from early visitors for very good reason. Opened by two brothers from Australia, Callum and Morgan, Uncle Chop Chop is a laid-back but sophisticated take on Asian Fusion in the heart of West Village.

Uncle Chop, Chop – 7 Cornelia Street, NYC https://www.unclechopchopnyc.com

The atmosphere is one of a buzzy buzzy Asian “chophouse” and bar and the style reflects the charming, laid-back hospitality of Australians. Here you can enjoy great food in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. Great for groups of friends!

The menu is a superb mix of salads, grills, appetisers and curries with the freshest ingredients and scintillating flavours. The accompanying sauces, jams and broths are perfectly balanced and add just the right touch of spice.

Dishes are generous and designed to share allowing diners to sample a wide range of the menu. Another reason why it is great for group dining.

We feasted on Green Papaya Salad with Scud Chili, Peanuts, Tamarind; Corn & Squash Fritters with Tomato Chili Jam, Iceberg lettuce; Dumplings with Rick and Morty Szechuan Sauce, Special Fried Chicken and Steamed Snapper with Bok Choy, Ginger-Soy Broth.

All the dishes were spectacular as were the cocktails, especially the Passion Pop with passionfruit pulp, cachaca and chartreuse.

And the Steam Date Pudding with Palm Sugar Syrup and coconut transported us back to Asia, it was a divine end to super delicious meal.

The service is friendly, fast and informative. Our waiter knew all about the menu and the ingredients and was able to guide us on how much to order. Mind you we were very full but very satisfied after our eating expedition.

In a city where Asian Fusion is not as easy to find as in Australia, Uncle Chop Chop is a standout!

So Chop Chop and hurry over ….bookings are essential already.

Uncle Chop, Chop – 7 Cornelia Street, NYC https://www.unclechopchopnyc.com

Wikipedia:

Chop chop” is a phrase rooted in Cantonese. It spread through Chinese workers at sea and was adopted by English seamen.[1] “Chop chop” means “hurry” and suggests that something should be done now and without delay. The word “chopsticks” likely originates from this same root.[2]

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Review: New York Nuance at Jean Georges’ Nougatine

It seemed only apt in the midst of the US primaries and all the hype about Donald Trump’s candidacy that we vist Jean Georges at the Trump Hotel on West Central Park. Recommended by friends and heralded as one of the best restaurants by Michelin judges and the foodie community, Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten’s stunningly located and beautifully designed restaurant is not short of acclaim.

Adjacent to the formal Jean-Georges restaurant is the more casual but still very elegant Nougatine dining room and outdoor Terrace dining. We had heard about the very reasonably priced Prix Fixe lunch menu – 3 courses for USD38 , so we made sure we booked in ahead of time.

Arriving at Jean Georges’ Nougatine

Arriving on a crisp, New York early Spring day for lunch, we were welcomed by the equally crisp(but warm) and professional Jean Georges reception staff. We were privileged to have General Manager Phillipe Vongerichten, Jean Georges’ brother, supervising proceedings on the day we visited – watching the floor like a hawk and elegantly keeping an eye on the dishes emerging from the immaculate open plan kitchen and the seamless service. You certainly never feel like you are getting “second best” being in Nougatine rather than the main restaurant.

The wine list is of course extensive but includes reasonably priced wines to complement your meal as well as out of this world offerings!

We were both in the mood for salad to start so chose the Shrimp Salad with avocado, tomato and Champagne sauce and the Warm Duck Confit Salad with Spring greens and grapes. The salads had similar crisp, leafy lettuces as a base but the individual combinations of sauces, herbs and accompaniments were deliciously different to each other.

Warm duck confit salad
Shrimp Salad

For mains, we just couldn’t go past the enticing fish combinations on offer and chose two types of fish we don’t see that much on menus in Australia- Crispy Black Sea Bass with caramelised cauliflower and a poppyseed, buttermilk vinaigrette and Roasted Hake with avocado, black beans and “cilantro “. The combinations of ingredients with  each of the unique fish flavours was delicious and perfect for lunch.

Crispy Black Seabass
Roasted Hake

We finished with the Citrus Pavlova with Satsuma cream and a brilliant blood orange sorbet which was stunning – citrusy, light and refreshing!

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Nougatine’s Citrus Pavlova with blood orange sorbet

Each course featured divinely balanced flavours and textures, featuring the freshest seasonal ingredients that Jean Georges is famed for. Throughout the meal you are aware that this is dining at it’s finest, yet being totally at ease. The lunchtime crowd, a buzzy mix of locals and tourists, adds to the atmosphere as you enjoy views across to Central Park. I think this is a must-visit experience in New York, whether you decide to blow the big bucks at Jean Georges or go for Big Bang for your buck at Nougatine. (Thanks Marie for suggesting we try it out.)

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Review: Super Catch in Meatpacker’s District NYC

Catch is one of the super trendy restaurants in Meatpacker’s featuring all-the-rage Asian fusion in a souped up warehouse like space over 3 levels in the Meatpacker’s district in New York City. With a wide ranging menu, and an expectedly seafood focus, menu decision-making is difficult but the over the top pricing for some offerings helps to cut down the options if you’re not straight from Wall Street.

Originally opened by by US Top Chef program winner, Hung Huynh, the menu features Raw Bar with Seafood Towers, rolled, cold and hot selections as well as US “entrees” and extensive sides. Here’s the current Dinner menu

We sampled the Tartare Trio of salmon, hamachi and tuna served with American Caviar and a wasabi creme fraiche, Crispy Prawns with a tangy mayonnaise, Chicken San Choy Bow, Wagyu on a Rock and the Charred Cauliflower. We also had a special on the night a “pizza” with figs, proscuitto, rocket and quail eggs and Parmesan which was super good. (The low key lighting makes it a bit challenging for good blog photos.)

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Tartare trio of salmon, hamachi and tuna with American caviar at Catch NYC

All the food was deliciously fresh with well balanced flavours and very reminiscent of Australian Asian-fusion cooking which we had been missing in our 3 weeks of travel in the US. The atmosphere and supercharged vibe however is definitely 100% NYC!! It is like having a great meal in a nightclub. Afterwards we wandered up to Level 3 rooftop bar for views over the Manhattan skyline. A great place to really feel you are in the Big Apple that’s for sure! Make sure you book.Visit Catch NYC

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Rooftop bar at Catch in NYC

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St Patrick’s Day at The Roger and Molly’s Bar NYC

Arrived in New York after 26 hours of travelling from Sydney at 4.30pm on St Patrick’s Day.

We were staying at The Roger, a boutique hotel on the Corner of Madison and East 31st, in the area still known as Nomad(north of Madison park). I remember staying in mid-town years back when I visited New York and it is certainly changing with many more trendy bars and restaurants and a much more vibrant and a far less grungy atmosphere.

Warm, stylish and welcoming foyer at the Roger NYC
Foyer bar at The Roger, NYC

The rooms are very spacious by New York standards and ours even had a seperate walk in wardrobe. Anyway, impressed as we were with our digs, we wanted a true New York Irish experience to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. After some quick online research, Adrian suggested Molly’s Bar about 15 minutes walk down in Gramercy, on 287 3rd Avenue just down from East 23rd st.

 

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Queues to get in at Molly’s Bar in New York on St Patrick’s Day

The tiny bar,established in 1960 and known to be New York’s most authentic Irish bar in New York, with sawdust on the floor and a log fire, was packed to the rafters with New Yorkers of Irish descent and every other descent celebrating St Pat’s Day – raucously! As loud as it was, we got there around 8.30pm and managed to avoid any queues and even to get a booth. Somehow  the noise seemed to diminish when we sat down and it was still fine to talk and enjoy our delicious meal of Irish favourites – corned beef served with cabbage, vegetables and mash and of course, Irish Lamb Stew.

Traditional Irish Food on the menu at Molly’s Bar in New York
Paddy’s party atmosphere at Molly’s Bar in NYC
A booth at Molly’s Bar in NYC for St Pat’s Day dinner

We knew we were in the US of A when the gigantic main  courses arrived, but just like the noise, the size of the dishes diminished when we tucked in! Both meals were delicious and served with complimentary traditional Irish Soda Bread. (Excuse the poor quality of the food pics but it was pretty dark in the booth!) Accompanied by Irish Harp Lager and a delicious glass of red wine from Washington State. Prices for meals and drinks are reasonable and tallied up to about $80 including tip for 2 of us, without an entree(appetiser) or dessert, but including more than 1 round of drinks!

Great green atmosphere on St Pats Day but I think it would be just as much, or even more fun, on a normal evening.

 

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