Wandering Fork

When I’m visiting Cortland, NY (about an hour south of Syracuse), I always drop in to Cosimo’s where they serve New York style pizza that seems to scratch that itch without driving to Manhattan.  Further, they have the best lunch deal: two slices of cheese and a drink for $3.95.  If you want two toppings on those slices, it will cost you only $4.65.  I prefer plain cheese, but if you request toppings they do not skimp. Lunch can be busy, and if you are ordering pies for the office, be sure to notify them ahead of time. 

 

In addition to pizza, they serve deli subs, and fresh-made pasta.  Yes, they make their own pasta (spaghetti, fettucini, spirals, and rigatoni), however I must warn diners that they prepare it well cooked as opposed to al dente.  A side of pasta is $4.95 and is enough for two people. And while their tomato sauce is competent, their meatballs ($1.00) are brilliant.  (In fact, you may be able to talk them into adding a meatball to your pizza!)

 

 

Plain Slices

 

 

Spaghetti

 

Cosimo’s

3 Huntington St.

Cortland, NY 13045

607.753.1000

no website

No Comments | In: Lunch, New York | tags: Lunch, New York, Pasta, Pizza. | #

Is breakfast the most important meal of the day?  When at home, my husband has to check to make sure I’ve eaten.  However when traveling, finding a fabulous new place for breakfast can start the whole day off with a perfect food moment.  (And really, isn’t life a little better when you have a perfect food moment?)

 

Since I had done a little too much the day before, my muscles were aching and (honestly) I was a little bit grumpy because the time zone change was catching up with me.  What brought a smile to my face before I even had my first cup of coffee was the whimsical bronze figures found in the subway at the 14^thStreet/Eighth Avenue station. The works are a collection called Life Underground by Tom Otterness (a Kansas native) and their small size had me searching as we walked through the station. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Underground)

 

Pennies for the Little People

 

Couple with Subway Token

 

Once again, the print edition of New York Magazine (http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/breakfast/47394) was my motivation for trekking this distance to 202 simply based on a French toast recommendation. 

 

 

202 is part of Chelsea Market in what used to be the former Nabisco Biscuit Company bakery.  When we arrived, the restaurant was not what I was expecting. It is located inside a large space that is also a Nicole Farhi “lifestyle store” with clothing, accessories, and furniture.  I was expecting a larger crowd for a Saturday morning, but there was no wait. Based on the other patrons, it seemed to be a place women gather with friends or en mass for a special event such as the bridal shower which was seated at a long table in the back.  

 

The wait staff was fine, but not outstanding. The kitchen was slow that morning, so it took some time for our meal to arrive.  At first I thought this was because of the bridal shower party, but later I discovered they had not yet placed their order.  The food was very good, with nice sized portions, and reasonable prices.  

 

202 Menu

 

French Toast with Bacon

 

202

75 Ninth Ave.

New York, NY 10011

(646)638-1173

http://www.nicolefarhi.com/

 

June 28, 2008

1 x French Toast           $11.00

1 x English Breakfast     $13.00

1 x Orange Juice           $  4.00

1 x Ice Tea                    $  2.00

Total                              $30.00

 

After breakfast, I wandered (but not aimlessly) through the rest of 202 and Chelsea Market.  There was one more destination for the morning:  Ninth Street Espresso.

 

 

Ninth StreetEspresso is the only place in Manhattan who uses Stumptown Coffee (http://stumptowncoffee.com/).  When Starbucks started automating the creation of espresso drinks, I refused to drink their coffee.  There is great craft (and artistry) in the creation of espresso drinks, from the way the beans are ground, to how they are packed, to how the shot is pulled.  When a shot is pulled by hand, you can really taste the difference both in the beans used as well as the expertise of the barista.  

 

When the barista heard I drink Stumptown Coffee almost exclusively, they asked me if the latte I was drinking was the best ever.  I said it was the best I had in New York, and that their craft was in line to what I experience as Stumptown locations in Portland, OR.

 

Decaf Latte

 

Ninth Street Espresso

425 W 15th St
New York, NY 10011
(212)228-2930

http://www.ninthstreetespresso.com/

 

June 28, 2008

1 x Latte                       $  4.25

Total                              $ 4.25

 

No Comments | In: Breakfast, Coffee, New York | tags: 202, Breakfast, Coffee, English Breakfast, French Toast, Manhattan, New York. | #

I have fond memories of a lobster roll I ate on the side of the road in Maine several years ago.  Maybe it is because I grew up in Kansas, or because my father is allergic to shellfish, but the first time I had a lobster roll I entered a decadent food heaven.

 

I have always wanted to go to Mary’s Fish Camp during my trips to Manhattan, but this was the first year I made it.

 

 

 

Mary’s does not take reservations, and because of its diminutive size I would be reluctant to try it during prime dining times.  The day we went, we arrived for a very late lunch, therefore the wait was minimal (10 minutes).  We ordered the gazpacho to start and two lobster rolls.  (Although sharing may make it taste better, in some situations it is better to acknowledge you want it all to yourself.)  The gazpacho was average, but the lobster rolls were brilliant: stuffed to bursting with shellfish goodness with a mayo-based sauce on a white bun.  The shoestring fries were a perfect salty complement.  My eyes rolled into the back of my head with pleasure. 

 

The only down side of the meal was the price.  I had not inquired about the market price for the lobster rolls when ordering and was shocked when the bill came.  Further, Nick, our server and an amiable guy, had trouble with arithmetic.  The green hand-written bill had a subtotal of $81.00, but based on the listed prices, it should have been $79.00, his addition came to $81.00.  I kicked myself for not double checking it at the time. (Note to Nick – Double check your math or slow down.) 

 

Gazpacho with lobster

 

Lobster roll with fries

 

Mary’s Fish Camp

64 Charles Street

New York, NY 10014

(646)486-2185

http://www.marysfishcamp.com/

 

June 27, 2008

2 x Lobster Roll             $64.00 (Market)

1 x Gazpacho                $  9.00

1 x Lemonade               $  3.00

1 x Ice Tea                    $  3.00

Total                              $79.00

 

No Comments | In: Lunch, New York | tags: Gazpacho, Lobster Roll, Lunch, Manhattan, Mary's Fish Camp, New York. | #

Manhattan’s vitality ranges from plush to gritty, and you have to be young (under 30) or have a healthy cash flow (or a great exchange rate) to get the most from day-to-day living in that metropolis. When I lived in Manhattan as a college student, I didn’t venture too far from the Upper West Side or the 1 or 9 trains.  I wish I had been braver and more willing to explore areas below the park. Now, as a weekend tourist, I embrace my visits with wild abandon: walking until my legs ache and my blisters are blistering, experimenting with new restaurants and shops, and gawking at the sights, sounds, and interactions of the natives.  

 

Breakfast is my favorite meal.  All rules are thrown out: sweets eaten first with a jolt of caffeine, followed by a coma-inducing meals of eggs, cured meats, and sauces.  I decided to try Balthazar after reading a blurb about the restaurant in the print edition of New York Magazine (http://nymag.com/). Although I prefer to eat earlier in the day, the time zone change worked in my favor for a 10:00 a.m. breakfast.

 

  

Frequented by European ex-pats and tourists, and individuals who were obviously in the fashion/lifestyle industry, the wait for a two-top provided ample opportunity for people-watching. Inside, the restaurant is loud due to its patrons and the acoustics, tables are intimate, servers are attentive and professional, and the food is delicious and presented with simple elegance. While the eggs benedict and English breakfast were very good, the donut was the standout with its cake texture and perfect sugar/cinnamon topping.  (It was so good, it was gone before a picture could be taken.)  Tom, our server, and the rest of the floor staff did a fine job of creating a pleasant dining experience.

 

Q (Wandering Fork) and Tom (Balthazar Server)

  

Latte Bowl (decaf)

 

Eggs Benedict 

(Another patron suggested substituting bacon for the ham on my next trip.  Either way, a solid dish with perfectly poached eggs and carmelized onions with the potatoes.)

 

Traditional English Breakfast Fry Up 

 

Where the donut used to be. 

 

Balthazar Restaurant & Oyster Bar

80 Spring Street

New York, NY 10012

(212)965-1414

http://www.balthazarny.com/

 

June 27, 2008

1 x Eggs Benedict         $13.00

1 x English Breakfast     $16.00

1 x Donut                      $  1.50

1 x Latte Bowl               $  5.25

1 x Ice Tea                    $  4.00

Total                              $39.75

 

No Comments | In: Breakfast, New York | tags: Balthazar, Breakfast, Donut, Eggs Benedict, English Breakfast, Manhattan, New York. | #