Restaurants We Love Now and So Will You
The new Ichiran USA in Times Square serves up Tonkotsu Ramen bowls, considered to be the most authentic and highest quality noodles. Born in Hakata, Japan the epicenter of the tonkotsu movement the eatery created the five original elements of tonkotsu ramen: Original Spicy Red Sauce, Aromatic Tonkotsu Broth, Solo Dining Booth, Order form and the Kae-Dama Ordering System.
The Times Square location has individual booths that can be opened up to dine with a partner. The no tipping and order form system allows an on the go dining experience for work lunches and casual dinners.
The menu is very simple with the classic tonkotsu ramen bowl as the centerpiece. Optional chashu, scallions, mushrooms, soft boiled eggs and white rice can added to the order.
The Ramen Bowls were simple, delicious, and very flavorful.
LEYLA is a new Mediterranean brasserie on the Upper West Side that serves upscale Turkish cuisine infused with mediterranean ingredients and recipes. Lots of seafood is on the menu. We started with the Branzino Crudo, which was light, fresh and full of flavor. The Karides Guvec, Shrimps with bell pepper, cherry tomatoes and shiitake mushrooms was our favorite. For meat lovers the slow cooked Rib-Eye pide was rich and satisfying.
There are many lamb dishes on the menu that we are told are guest favorites with The Leyla Lamb Burger being the most popular. We opted for the Branzino entree with caramelized onion, pickled za’atar. and green olives.
The atmosphere is festive and there was a wait for a table the night we went. Reservations are highly recommended and the visit well worth it for a fun night out, a romantic evening or a special occasion.
Plado Tasting Bar in the East Village is a cozy tapas bar with an international menu. The dishes are meant to be shared, the portions are quite good as far as tapas go. There is a large variety of tapas from the sea, garden and butcher as well as charcuterie options.
The Wagyu Carpaccio, Short Rib and Strip Steak were my meat loving companions favorites. I enjoyed The Tiger Shrimp, Baked Razor Clams, Paella, and creamy burrata salad. The wine menu is expansive and the staff can create a wine pairing experience. The Sangria was light, fruity and delicious!
8SIA NYC is a brand new Asian food hall that opened up in the heart of midtown near Grand Central Terminal. Five Vendors give fast food a new meaning serving Asian street food market cuisine in one comfy location. Rice-On specializes in sushi rolls and bowls. Yaso Noodle Bar showcases Shanghainese street food with with a selection of pan fried baos, noodles, soup dumplings, and much more. Curry 42 offers Southeast-Asian fare particularly from Malaysia and Thailand that centers around curry as the main ingredient. The restaurant will serve three signature curries in the bowls, Classic Thai Green Curry, Pua’s Yellow Curry, and Panang Red Curry.
Pasta Eater is a new Italian eatery near Union Square that features a casual homey decor and the freshest Italian homemade pasta. Owned by Chef Giusto Priola, who started his career as the owner of “Cacio e Pepe”,hence their most popular pasta dish. The menu steers heavily on pasta dishes with a large variety of salads and starters from the sea and land.
We enjoyed the Bruscetta, Tuna Tartare, Pan Seared Meatballs and Quinoa and Shrimp salad to start followed by the Troccoli Pasta with Lobster, Cacio e Pepe, Grilled Branzino and the Rib-Eye Steak. We finished our meal with a creamy cheesecake topped withy Nutella and Pistachio.
The restaurant is currently BYOB as they wait on their liquor license, when they will offer a full wine, beer and cocktail menu.
Posted on November 15, 2019, in Dining. Bookmark the permalink. Comments Off on Restaurants We Love Now and So Will You.
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