Cedric Bistro

A few months ago, I was minding my business walking north on St. Nicholas Avenue when I noticed that Mojo had disappeared and Cedric Bistro had appeared.  I was intrigued but never really had the time to check it out.  Then Ms. R suggested we meet up one night and see what all the fuss was about.  The space on the corner of 119^th and St. Nick is a prime location. We got a great seat by the floor-to-ceiling windows. We chatted for a while then placed our order. Ms. R ordered a Cheeseburger.

It was a monstrous slab of beef! The side salad and French fries were generous portions. She enjoyed it but didn’t think it was fantastic.  I ordered the Fish and Chips.

I know, I know. Why did I think it was a good idea to order Fish & Chips at a French bistro? They probably put it on the menu for anyone who doesn’t know what to order. The fish was caked in batter and didn’t even look like fish. Once I got through the layer of batter, the fish was moist and well seasoned. But I was so turned off by the batter that I couldn’t really enjoy it. I should have gone with the duck.  Our dessert had an unfortunate addition so they brought us a new one.

The Chocolate Mousse was extremely rich and I definitely got a chocolate high.  We couldn’t finish it. I left Cedric feeling 50/50 about my experience, but leaning towards giving it another try. I refrained from writing my review because I felt partially responsible for my experience.  Don’t get me wrong, every dish at a restaurant should be perfectly executed, however I likely picked the worst dish on the menu. I was fortunate when my family surprised me with brunch at Cedric for my birthday. The brunch menu was more to my liking.  Way too many of us ordered the French Toast.

We all enjoyed it. MJ, my 23-month old nephew also approved, especially after he drowned each piece in syrup. It was nice that they had turkey bacon, but it wasn’t particularly delicious. The best looking and tastiest dish was the Ratatouille Omelet.

Ain’t it a beaut?! I definitely had major food envy.  Thankfully Y-squared was kind enough to let me have a bite. YUM! Stewed vegetables sandwiched between eggs. It was delicious!  The Omelet with Spinach and Goat Cheese was a little less good looking.

Apparently it tasted good though because by the end of the meal the plate was empty.  The highlight of the meal came at the end. Just as I got up and ready to leave, I was told we weren’t done.  And BAM!

Out comes Crème Brulee for meeee! It was remarkable! Much better than the mousse from earlier in the week. I could have licked the bowl if I wouldn’t have embarrassed my family.  My SiL also got dessert for her birthday.

The Profiteroles looked so great that MJ picked up a spoon and started licking his lips before digging in. It was a sweet ending to an awesome birthday weekend. I’m glad I waited before writing my review for Cedric. I can’t guarantee I will return for dinner but they’ll definitely see me for brunch again.

Hungry yet?

good

I love when my friends visit! When Mr. S, Ms. S and her Mr. K showed up a few weekends ago, I was thrilled.  We had a great time that weekend.  After a very late dinner on Friday, we went down to good for brunch.  We only waited a couple of minutes before we were seated.  That was enough time for us to notice the simple décor, which included photographs of utensils.  Mr. S claims that the furnishings are likely old items from an antique store.  The brunch menu at good is incredibly expansive.  We decided to each order the goodBrunch special.  Mr. K started with the Hand-rolled orange sour cream donuts.

Holey donut!! The donut holes were delicious! They were very sweet, but a delicious natural sweetness thanks to the flavor of the orange.  I was fortunate that Mr. K forgot the other donut when he left so I was able to enjoy it on Monday morning.  For his main course, Mr. K ordered the Basil & Goat Cheese egg scramble.  It was served over sourdough cherry tomatoes, asparagus and pesto. 

Quite the healthy alternative considering he just ordered donuts.  If not for the goat cheese, I probably would have ordered this too.  Ms. S ordered the Savory Cheddar Cornbread.

Yummers! The cheddar was thankfully not overwhelming. The bread was served warm which also added to its deliciousness.  It was crispy and had a little kick baked in.  For her main course, Ms. S ordered the special. Baked Eggs with gruyere and spinach on sourdough bread.

Props to Ms. S for getting through the entire plate. I’m pretty sure she ate half a dozen eggs.  Mr. S ordered the Banana Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast.

He destroyed that beast, but he didn’t quite make it through the bananas.  I ordered the Migas.  It’s scrambled eggs with crisp corn tortillas, onions, peppers & cilantro spicy salsa.  This my friends is a first, I was so caught up in the many plates and glasses on the table that I actually forgot to photograph my own food!  I know, wild.

Truthfully, they didn’t look that great anyway so it’s probably best I didn’t photograph them. Haha.  They tasted alright though. They were a little lacking in kick considering they are supposed to contain spicy salsa.  We also ordered Chicken Sausages.

They were wrinkly but very delicious.  The Spicy Home Fries were excellent.  Not as stewed and tasty as others, but they were still an excellent compliment to the other items on the table.

Good was great! Having my friends in town is always such a treat and the way we eat it’s even better!

Hungry yet?

Barbounia

A long while ago, I met up with the ladies for a brunch “class.” With our crazy schedules, it had been a while since we got together. We selected Barbounia, a Mediterranean restaurant with lots of fantastic brunch options on the menu.  The restaurant is located on lower Park Ave. close to Union Square.  It has high ceilings and a variety of seating options. We selected the high tables to the right of the entry way.  Our meal started with an incredible loaf of bread.

The bread was steaming hot. The crust was lightly seasoned with salt and herbs.  Although the crust was hard enough to need the knife, the bread melted in my mouth because it was so soft on the inside.  The ladies selected a variety of dishes.  The Sweet Italian Sausage Omelette was a favorite at the table.

Aside from the sausage, it was filled with roasted peppers and goat cheese.  It was definitely delicious because there wasn’t a crumb left on the plate.  Ms. A ordered the Poached Eggs Barbounia.

Quite the presentation of eggs on an English Muffin with spinach, grilled tomato and yogurt sauce.  The Crab Benedict was also pretty popular.

Jumbo lump crabmeat with spinach and truffle oil. I ordered the Spinach Omelette.

It was filled with caramelized onions and fresh mozzarella. I loved it! The spinach was fresh and tasted remarkable with the mozzarella.  The potatoes were well seasoned and slightly spiced.  The salad was well dressed and provided balance to the plate.  We also had a couple of spices added to our table. They helped bring out more of the flavors of each dish.

Overall Barbounia was quite the success.  Put it on your list, especially if you’re looking for an AYCD brunch.

Hungry yet?

Nage

My trip to DC wouldn't be complete without seeing Mr. K. He met Ms. O and me for brunch at Nage. I chose Nage because of the opportunity to use my Scoutmob discount. It is located in a hotel so I was a little skeptical but figured it would be worth it. Our waitress forgot our order and brought us the wrong things and also took extremely long before she came to ask for our order. Eventually all was well and food arrived. Mr. K and I ordered the Smoked Salmon Frittata.

The eggs were cooked with red onion, tomato and dill. The dish was served with soffrito potatoes and a choice of toast. I went with English Muffin. The eggs tasted great. The balance of flavors was excellent. It did not taste too fishy which sometimes happens with smoked salmon. The potatoes were pretty good but I was slightly disappointed because when I saw soffrito I thought they'd be stewed or at least more flavorful.  Ms. O ordered Buttermilk Pancakes and a side of eggs. 

Her pancakes arrived with cinnamon-bourbon butter, which was apparently very flavorful. I've been thinking about trying more butter flavors so I might make that one sometime soon.

The food at Nage is good. I wasn't even that upset when I realized I forgot to use my Scoutmob. The service was somewhere between bad and awful but thankfully that didn't affect the quality of the food. I recommend trying Nage. Especially if you remember to use Scoutmob!

Hungry yet?

Busboys and Poets

I don't know how I've gone to DC so many times but never visited Busboys and Poets. Thankfully Ms. S made sure that this trip would include a visit. I arrived at the U Street location on 14th street a little early and spent quite some time admiring the space. There are multiple seating options including traditional tables, couches and a few things in between. I also explored the bookstore, which had some inspiring books, and I had to resist buying everything in there. When Ms. S arrived we were sitting in the room with the stage. The menu reminded me of a diner menu because it had so many options. I ordered the French Toast, eggs, and turkey sausage.

The French Toast looked really dry when it arrived and I wasn't sure I would enjoy it. Looks definitely deceive because it tasted incredible! The turkey sausage and eggs were pretty standard fare. Though I must admit that any restaurant with turkey sausage gets extra points from me! Ms. S was far more adventurous. She ordered the Peanut Butter Panini.

Yup! She sure did. It was filled with banana slices and honey. She really enjoyed it but did state it was too bready. I will say the sweet potato fries were delicious!!

My first trip to Busboys and Poets will certainly not be my last. I look forward to dining there for other meals and also attending an open mic night or two.

Hungry yet?

Linda Jean's Restaurant

After spending our first day in Edgartown, we decided to explore Oak Bluffs on day 2.  We started by heading to Linda Jean’s Restaurant for breakfast.  Located in the heart of Oak Bluffs on Circuit Avenue, the restaurant had a long wait but we didn’t mind sitting outside across the street for some quality people watching.  When we finally entered the restaurant, the decor reminded me of a suburban diner.  It was crowded but appeared to be well run.  I was pretty quick to order the Spinach and Cheese Omelette.

It was served with potatoes and a biscuit.  The omelette had a little too much cheese for my liking.  The biscuit was FANTASTIC. Light, flaky and buttery I had no choice but to devour it immediately.  The potatoes were also well flavored, but I wish they put more on my plate.  Z’s Cinnamon French Toast was also quite scrumptious.

It worked out well because the platter had everything Z was looking for, sweet and savory.  That’s one of the reasons I like eating at diners. The food at Linda Jean’s was great. Nothing too fancy, but definitely hit the spot and provided fuel for our walk around Oak Bluffs and eventually Vineyard Haven.

Hungry yet?

Among the Flowers

My summer has been filled with lots of weekend activities.  Most have been fun, but all have been exhausting.  Good thing that earlier this summer I planned a long weekend in Martha’s Vineyard with Z.  It was such a relaxing weekend and I totally needed it. It was my first time up in MV and I must say in many respects, it gave the Berkshires a run for its money.  (eeep!) Our first breakfast was not one of those occasions.  We went to Among the Flowers.  A cute little restaurant with tons of outdoor seating…you guessed it, among the flowers.

It was a little chilly outside so when they offered us a seat indoors we were happy to take it.  I was definitely looking forward to sampling some of the treats on the menu.  They took a little while to get our orders but once the waitress arrived it was no problem.  Z ordered the Wild Mushroom, Herb & Goat Cheese omelette.

I must say that although the omelette looked good, I was instantly turned off by the fact that it was served on a paper plate. I instantly started to question whether they had running water and if they valued the environment.  They brought the coffee in a mug so I’m not really sure the logic behind their actions.  When my French Toast arrived, I was equally annoyed with the paper plate.

However, the deliciousness of the dish made it easy to forget why I was upset. I scarfed it down and was left staring at the bottom of a paper plate. Hmmph!  The French Toast wasn't enough for me, so I also ordered a side of Home Fries.

They were well seasoned and the pan fried effect definitely was a good idea.  Overall the food at Among the Flowers was quite good, but the paper plates were a major turn off. I’m sure there were other breakfast spots that we could have tried out but this one was close, the food was good and the price was right. If you’re staying in Edgartown, you should try out Among the Flowers. Just close your eyes to the paper plates.

Hungry yet?

Spicy Vegetable Omelette

I almost didn’t write this post, but I figured it was a good example of how leftovers can work out.  I really have Bestie to thank for this meal.  Her concern regarding my lack of food meant she was doing the most when she was here about a month ago.  After our dinner at Do Hwa, we came home with most of our sides.  The next morning, she whipped up a magnificent omelette with some fresh veggies from Ithaca and some of our leftovers.

Ingredients

6 egg whites

¼ cup Kimchi

4 big leaves of Swiss Chard

¼ broccoli or any other vegetable you have

Mix the egg whites in a bowl, add the vegetables.  Heat a skillet to medium heat and add non-stick cooking spray.  Pour the eggs in there and turn to low heat.  This is a slow cook process because the vegetables are raw.  You want them to still maintain some crispness when you’re done but don’t want them to be completely raw.  After about 5 minutes, the eggs should solidify around the vegetables and the cooking process is over! Now cut in half and share with your best friend :)

We ate it with a slice of toast and it was way more delicious than I anticipated.  The kimchi added a nice spicy bite. Just goes to show you, sometimes you best bet is to dig in your fridge and make something out of whatever is there.

Hungry yet? 

Chocolat Restaurant Lounge

A while back, in my hotel living days, I walked by Chocolat frequently. I was tempted enough that I ended up going to brunch with Ms. R. I ordered the French Toast and was quite happy with they way it turned out.

It was well flavored, rich but not overdone. The glutton in me couldn't help ordering the potatoes.

It was good but not great. Definitely not worth ordering especially when there's a delicious plate of French Toast worth eating. Ms. R ordered the Eggs Benedict.

After my one adventure late last year, I definitely stay away. Apparently she should have stayed away from this one. She noted that the hollandaise sauce was a mess. In short, she said, "I've had better eggs Benedict." Ouch! While we were eating we spied a delicious treat in the form of a Calamari Salad. Though I was tempted, we managed to contain ourselves. But I vowed to return so I could devour the calamari. Several months later, I made good on my promise. This time, I was accompanied to dinner with Ms. K. We started with the Sesame Calamari.

It really was everything I hoped for. Hot pieces of crispy calamari gently placed on a bed of greens and drizzled with a delightful miso ginger dressing and peanut sauce. Wow! This definitely could have been my entree. Every bite was perfect!! We also tried the Shrimp and Crab spring rolls. 

Womp womp! Greaseball central. My fingers were greasy and the wrapper was crumbling. The filling was unappetizing and I couldn't keep eating after a few bites. Before our entrees arrived, we were asked to move tables because they had a party of four coming in and there wasn't enough space. What an odd request. Well we got up and moved.  I guess it’s a good thing that the restaurant was so full on a Sunday night. Eventually our entrees arrived. Ms. K ordered the Beef Short Ribs. It was served with a creamy saffron risotto. 

Apparently the meat was so tender it reminded her of the one her mother used to make. She really enjoyed it. I ordered the Miso Glazed Salmon with bak choy and basmati rice.

The glaze was a little heavy and the rice slightly undercooked. The flavors were good just not perfect. By far the best thing we ate was the Calamari. It was amazing and I could definitely see myself going back for that. Everything else was take it or leave it, including the service. I recommend Chocolat but I think it's best you go there with muted enthusiasm. It definitely seems like a hit or miss on many levels.

Hungry yet?

Stone Street Tavern

After celebrating Ms. O's birthday in style the night before, I woke up famished. Thankfully we had already agreed to head to Stone Street Tavern for brunch. While sitting outside was an option we decided to stay indoors and enjoy a little of the air conditioning. The brunch menu has a lot of options and they had an additional menu with some specials. After spending a little time with the menu, we were ready to order. Considering the size of our group, our food arrived pretty quickly. Unfortunately, it was riddled with errors.

Mr. J ordered the Stuffed French Toast, which he had been raving about since the night before.

He knew immediately that there was something wrong with it. Turns out they sometimes stuff their French toast with bananas. That's called Bananas Foster French Toast. Mr. J's order was corrected and this arrived.

Yup, definitely what he wanted. Blueberries, mascarpone and vanilla sauce. That's what he signed up for.  Mr. M and the elder Ms. O ordered the Huevos Quesadilla.

The quesadilla was filled with cheddar jack cheese, jalapeño, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream. It also was advertised as coming with a fried egg. The egg was barely fried it was running all over Mr. M's plate. The waitress told Mr. M that the quesadilla was served with steak fries. Lies!! No fries were delivered. Ms. O's Hangover Burger was served with fries.

The burger was filled with cheddar, bacon, fried egg and onions. Ms. O also asked for mayonnaise and hollandaise. Our waitress forgot - shock! Mrs. A ordered the Omelette Special. The spinach, tomatoes and goat cheese were what made it special but she asked them to hold the goat cheese. It looked really good and I definitely had some food envy.

Mr. A ordered the Bacon Egg and Cheese sandwich. No cheese of course. He seemed to enjoy his sandwich.  

I ordered the Salmon Scramble. I asked for no cream cheese.

Of course it was served with cream cheese. The waitress was just not on it. I would put her name out here but I'm hoping it was just an off day. It was also just way too salty! I could barely stand to eat it. The home fries were good though. The company was great so the meal was worth it. If they got our orders right it would have been even better. They may have just been punishing us for sitting inside instead of out.  Overall I can say I was definitely underwhelmed, not whelmed and definitely not overwhelmed.

Hungry yet?