Restaurant of the Week: David Burke Kitchen

Photo via http://www.davidburkekitchennyc.com

Every time there is someone visiting me from out of town, the one place I will take them is David Burke Kitchen. From beginning to end your meal will be spectacular. The menu is different but not different enough that you’re wondering why they are serving you Nutella with your salmon. Atmosphere is simple farm chic and during the summer they have an outdoor garden and bar. You can even make reservations specifically for an outdoor table (those who live in New York know this is a small miracle). To top it all off they have a drink menu that will have you leaving there…happy, yes, let’s say happy. Check out some of the great dishes they are serving up!

How did I never think of this? Peanut Butter and Maple Bacon Dates

First time I tried this dish, actually saw it on the menu I was convinced that the night was surely going to go downhill if this is the first item on their menu. Instead, just the opposite happen. It is the first thing listed on the menu for a reason! The peanut butter is a nice play off of the dates with a bit of sweetness from the maple and then the crispy bacon. Order this first and you will realize what a culinary experience you are in for.

Always a solid. David Burke’s Pretzel Crusted Crab Cake

Those who aren’t ready to dive into the deep sea of strange concoctions like peanut butter and dates, this one is for you. This simple yet smart dish has thin stick pretzels lining a crab cake. A great starter that will leave you content but with plenty of room for your main.

This dish that keeps you coming back. Pork Chop

My hands down favorite is the Pork Chop. The plate is layered, yes layered with goodness. Your dish is covered in a mango chutney, which makes you forget you ever ate apple sauce with your pork chop. On top of the warm chutney sits your juicy pork chop, which is cooked to perfection so it doesn’t need anything super fancy to be drizzled on it. On top of your pork chop you’ll find two large cilantro turmeric onion rings which actually pair up very nicely with a little bit of the mango chutney. Finally coming out of the onion rings you’ll find thick maple bacon. Now, I love bacon, I have tried it far and wide, from steak house to hole in the wall, this is something special. I for one would propose they just include it on every dish.

You better have saved room for dessert. Toffee Monkey Bread

I am not going to be able to put this dessert into words. I will never nearly do it justice and for that I apologize. The Toffee Monkey Bread (which they say is for two but your waitress will be honest with you and tell you it could feed four) is the grand finale on an ideal meal. Baked in an old school metal tin, it is prepared table side as your waitress take the monkey bread loaded with bananas, pecans and caramel and mixes it with maple pecan ice cream and some extra banana caramel and whip cream. Hail the Toffee Monkey Bread.

David Burke Kitchen can be found in Soho at 23 Grand Street, New York, NY 10013.

 

8 Summer Shopping Destinations in NYC

Where to shop in New York City

Are you ready for the summer? Well if you haven’t shopped for some new summer clothes yet, what better place to start than New York City! Summer is quickly approaching and if you need some retail therapy, or are just curious to see all of what New York has to offer, we have a couple of popular suggestions for you.

You can hop-off the Uptown Treasures and Harlem Tour or the Downtown Tour as you travel and shop to all eight of the following locations in one weekend!

Times Square

Whether as a couple, alone, or with family there’s a lot to do in Times Square. Why not check out the biggest Forever 21 I have ever seen with four floors! Oh and it gets better, the kids will love Toys R Us, especially when they see the Ferris wheel inside. Yes I said, it!

South Street Seaport

Okay, here’s one of my favorite places of New York. If you want to shop, eat, and fill a cool breeze by the harbor too, hop off at South Street Seaport. You can be able to shop at Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch and Coach while listening to a live band by the water. Starting on Memorial Day weekend they will be offering a variety of new activities, diverse food, outdoor films, and cultural experiences throughout the whole summer.

SoHo

Do you want to stand out at that party you just got invited to? SoHo is known for their trendy boutiques filled with clothes that you might not see in an average clothing store. You can also find stores such as Guess, Bloomingdales, and Prada.

Macy’s on 34^th Street

If you want to find a gift last minute, or want to be somewhere where you can find just about everything, hop off at Macy’s. You can always trust the most popular department store of NYC! This Macy’s on 34^th Street has always been known as one of New York’s landmarks.

Union Square

If you love shoes, especially inexpensive shoes, try DSW. Union Square is known as the most popular places to shop with stores such as Banana Republic, Victoria Secret, and even a food market called Whole Foods.

Chinatown/Canal Street

Can’t find a souvenir for your friend back home? Chinatown has plenty of vendors filled with souvenirs, stylish shirts, hats, bags, shades, clothes, pretty much anything you can find for cheap prices. Oh, and if you ever wondered where to find knock-off designer clothes or bags, Chinatown has it all.

Greenwich Village

Is your heart in high-scale clothing stores? Greenwich Village is filled with designer labels such as Marc Jacobs, Micheal Kors, Ralph Lauren, etc.

Harlem 125^th/Harlem Market

Are you a bargain shopper? Harlem is filled with stores with trendy clothes and urban wear for cheap prices. You can also find MAC, American Apparel, and H&M. You can also check out The Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market where they have African-style hand-made clothes and jewelry for women, men, and children.

It’s a lot to choose from, but that’s the beauty of New York City! Hop on a double decker bus tour and shop as much as you want.

What’s Cool: The City Grit Experience

Here at CitySights New York, we like things that are cool.  We also like things in New York.  So cool things in New York.. They’re the best.

More importantly, our goal is to show you how cool New York really is, whether it’s while riding on one of our famous bus tours, or while reading about it on our blog.  That is why every Friday we bring you ‘What’s Cool’, where we will tell you, well, you guessed it: something that’s pretty cool in New York City.  Get ready for the weekend because here’s what’s cool:

Jim N’ Nick’s BBQ Event, January 2012
Photo: citygritnyc.com

Have you ever had the urge to go both furniture shopping and out to dinner at the same time?  You know, I’ve never thought about it either.  It seems like such an odd combo, but realty it makes so much sense.  How many times have you sat down in a restaurant and thought to yourself, “Wow, this chair is comfortable,” before the meal has ended?  Well, here’s something new for you.

By day, it’s a show room.  By night, it’s a restaurant.  But really, it’s both.  “If you like the food, you can buy another ticket to a dinner tomorrow, if you like your chair you can buy it and take it home today!” What a crazy concept.  You go out to dinner and you can buy just about anything that you see!

Now, I’m still not entirely sure what goes into this place, or how it works.  But when I heard about it, I just knew that it had to be in our next What’s Cool.  It’s just so crazy that it seems really cool!  I hope to give the restaurant/show room a try soon, and if/when I do, I’ll let you know how it goes.  Until then, take a look at their schedule and try it out yourself.

City Grit NYC is located on Prince Street in SoHo.  Hop-off stop #8 (SoHo) and you’re just around the corner.