Virgil's ,Telepan, Outback( NYC!)

On "Mardi Gras" February 16, I decided to return to an old favorite place right in the heart of Times Square, Virgil's. 44th Street between 6th & 7th Ave.  I had not been there in YEARS! It used to be one of our Phantom "regular" spots. The Girls in the show took me there on my birthday years ago ( it was twenty-something, that's all I'll say!). Their biscuits are not nearly as good as my grandmother's, but the maple butter is to die for! On this evening I had a "Mardi Gras Special", fried green tomatoes, delicious! They were topped with a crab sauce and shrimp. If it's offered, try it! I drank two big glasses of Diet Coke, since that's my weakness that I've given up for lent . But they have fun cocktails and of course, Stewart's Root Beer, regular & diet and SWEET TEA! Grade B+

Last Sunday I had Brunch at Telepan. 72 W 69th Street NY, NY 10023 212-580-4300 www.telepan-ny.com It seems to be VERY popular!  I had the apple crepes ( you get "Sweet Breads for the table), the bacon& aged cheddar omelette & hash browns. Very Nice, it also included a salad, thank goodness! My friend had the "Upper West Sider", which he described as "Bready", he was expecting it to be more "fishy" as would I.  I was there before and remember a terrific "Bellini", perfect for brunch! Grade A-


Ok as promised, I went to OUTBACK on 23rd Street between 5& 6th Ave! Yes, we have an Outback in NYC! I'm not a big steak eater, but it was pretty darn good! I had the four ounce , "Outback Special"and the chopped blue cheese/pecan salad. LOVE those! If you live in Manhattan and need an "escape" to the burbs, just walk right in, it really feels like I could be anywhere, USA! Grade B


Oh, I have to mention a new cheese I found ( or new to me). It's called "Prima Donna Red" a semi-hard cheese, found at "Gourmet Garage" on 66th betwen B'way & Amsterdam. I am a total Cheese addict,  but this seemd a bit "off" as a friend reminded me some "Prima Donnas" are! Pardon MOI!!! I'll try it again some time, to see if it was that batch...

Our drinks of the week ( Phantom folks) were  Gourmet Jello Shots  deemed "Giry's Gelees" . They were fun, never had a jello shot with bourbon!

Till next time...


Cheers!

Kimilee

www.kimileebryant.com

Brasserie Athenee & Osteria Laguna

Back with more!! Theatre district & near Grand Central...

February 18 after the show, I had such a great group of friends come backstage!

A few of us continued the celebration at Brasserie Athenee 300 W 46th St. www.brasserieathenee.com
212-399-1100. This was my second trip there, previously I had the Mediterranean tapas ( grape leaves, caviar, baba ghannoug etc) which I mostly liked a lot! I also had Bulleit Bourbon. They have a great-looking bar with a smallish flat screen so it's not a "sports" bar.
This past Thursday a friend and I shared the Cheese and Charcuterie plate : salami, bologna, blue cheese, brie, grapes, olives. You'll have to ask for more bread. Other friends got the chocolate mousse with fresh blackberries. They let me have a try and it was LOVELY! I had a Knob Creek and my friends had cappucino, corona and "copied" me with another Knob Creek. I'm pretty sure there were other basic dishes if you're not a Greek food fan, the cheese plate was not at all particularly "Greek". It's very close to our stage door just before restaurant row, though I suppose it can be counted among them. Grade B

Friday evening after I was cleared from the show ( I was on standby for Christine, not doing my regular 8 show a week gig which I'm back on now), I met a friend at Osteria Laguna 209 East 42nd Street 212-557-0001 www.osteria-laguna.com So nice and strange to be sitting at a restaurant at 8PM on a Friday night! I had the Insalata Rape e Caprino ( Roasted Yellow & Red beets, baby spinach,goat cheese in a lemon dressing) , SO good! Not usually a wine drinker, I opted for the Chianti Classico, which was the perfect choice, I thought , even though I had the Lemon Risotto with Shrimps.  That was delicious! I pretty much cleaned my plate! My friend had the veal, I shy away from that on principal , but he let me try and, I must say it was very tasty, indeed! They have two other locations in NYC, one in the theatre district so check out the website for more info. I should briefly mention the yummy breadsticks! Grade A

As they say in Swizterland " En Guete" or "Bon Appetite!"

Cheers!

Kimilee

Empire Szechuan Kyoto, Angus McIndoe, Santa Fe

So, Todd & I ordered Chinese ( such a NY thing to do, I suppose), on the day he got snowed in ( was supposed to leave for SC, but got stuck and at least got to see a couple more shows and hang with me). My regular place here on the UWS is the Empire Szechuan Kyoto 193 Columbus Ave Between 68th & 69th, it seems to get very low marks for service and I suppose when I have eaten "in" there, they are not the best in that department and they always fail to give you fortune cookies, utensils, napkins etc when you get food to go. When you ask for these things, it seems like you've asked for the MOOON!
HOWEVER, I love their Cold Noodles in Seasame Sauce & "Rock & Roll" sushi roll ( avocado & unagi). I very often order this when I have been away and come home to an empty fridge. Todd seemed to like his pad thai and my sister very often got the chicken fried rice. If you want better service & bells & whistles got to Ollie's on Broadway and about 68th, but you won't find sushi there! Grade B+ ( food only)

On Thursday the 11th, my pal Joe Gustern and his friends Brenda & Rick came to the show and we went out to Angus McIndoe afterward. It's at 258 W. 44th Street www.angusmcindoe.com They had actually had dinner there before the show and it's always a spot to find Broadway types after a show . There is a pretty good after 10 PM menu, which for me on this night included the Quesadilla de Carlo and of course a Maker's Mark. I suppose I should have had Scotch, since it's SO Scottish there! You might find your clan on the clan poster if that's your heritage... Grade B+ ( would have been higher, but music was TOO loud.


On Valentine's Day I ended up actually going out with a friend again on the UWS at Santa Fe   73 W 71st St. Between Columbus & CPW.  Two words: AGAVE MARGARITA! I had a frozen, no salt, my friend had one up with salt. SO GOOD! Maybe we should have ordered the Large ( oh, but I had to sing the next day). The  complimentary salsa & chips were nice and the guacamole we ordered was okay ( nothing compared to Rosa Mexicano). I had the Chipotle Chicken which I hoped would be a bit spicier since "Jalapeno" was mentioned. It was very good, but I might try something else next time. I have been there a couple of times ( I believe I had my standby Mexican dish of enchiladas and they were good). I will definitely go back. Service was good and the atmosphere pleasant, though it can get loud when crowded. Grade B+


Oh, quick mentin of "Red Stag" Black Cherry Bourbon, I thought it would taste like cough syrup, but was pleasantly surprised. I had it "neat" and like it! Of course Blanton's and Hudson remain my favorites...


That's it for tonight, I have Brasserie Athenee in the Theatre District, Osteria Laguna in East mid-town and Telapan in ( you guessed) Upper West Side to chat about and tomorrrow I am going to a CHAIN!! Meeting a friend at OUTBACK Steakhouse, I do love their chopped salads though!

Cheers!


Kimilee


pictured :Joe Gustern, Kimilee, Rick & Brenda backstage at the Majestic Theatre, Broadway February 11, 2010

The Gourmet Garage, JoAllen's, Bamboo 52

Nearly up to date, maybe in my next two editions I'll be caught up, but there have been so many friends and restaurants the last three weeks, lucky me!!
So, I thought I should just mention The Gourmet Garage which is near me on 66th Street between Broadway & Amsterdam Ave. There are other locations throughout the city. Anyway, I'm in there all the time to pick up cheeses and produce, but they have terrific take away meals, if you need something quick in the Lincoln Center Area. You might find a bench or take it over to the park when the weather is good. Melinda got me hooked on "Piave Vecchio" ( hard cheese) and Dalmatia Fig Spread, YUM!!

After the show on February 8th, my friend Todd came to visit from SC
 (pictured with me, Tonna Miller and Virgina Grasso backstage at the Majestic).
We finally found an open restaurant late on Monday night after the show ( there are only a handful of shows open on Mondays). Jo Allen's  at 326 W 46th Street www.joallenrestaurant.com is actually a place lots of actors end up after the show ( Rosie O'Donnell used to mention it all the time). Todd & I shared the Buffalo Chicken wings ( not spicy enough for me -I like "Shorty's" better) and the guacamole with endive leaves and tortilla chips. They have a HUGE menu, something for everyone, lots of apps for after the show and if you're hungry: steak, Lobster, burgers etc. Lots of specials, desserts and locations in Paris, London & Miami. It's not too expensive especially considering the location, and you can find something for your budget and still have a very nice dinner. The posters on the wall are all from Broadway "Flops". Some of Broadway's biggest names headlined those shows or composed/directed/produced. I'm proud to stay a poster from a show I did recently on Broadway is represented! The Pirate Queen, we ran for 85 performances on Broadway , just couldn't save the Queen. Sure was a talented group of folks though!


Tuesday Todd & I went for a late lunch at Bamboo 52 on, you guessed it, 52nd Street!  344 W 52nd to be excact between 8th & 9th Ave/ www.bamboo52nyc.com LOVED it! It was Todd's choice, and I'm so glad we went. Also a bit of a "fusion" place, we ordered the following rolls: Fantasy (shrimp tempura,banana,eel, avocado); Lovely ( Chilean Sea Bass, avocado, garlic sauce) and Spicy Bamboo 52 ( spicy tuna). They offer black or brown rice as an option to white. The black was really good ( apparently healthier), but it does get stuck in your teeth. I really liked everything and the service terrific as well! Grade A.


Happy Eating and Cheers!!

Kimilee

Citrus Grill, Salumeria Rosi, PD O'Hurley's UWS, NYC

So much food and drink on which to report and I'm so behind!! First the photo is from Madrid Summer 2009 with my friend Melinda, but it reminded me a bit of the place we went for "Italian Tapas" this month here in NY. Melinda has since gotten much skinnier, she is inspiring me!! I'm a carb junkie and she avoids them!

OK, Citrus Bar & Grill  320 Amsterdam Avenue at 75th Street. I love this place!! It's one of my favorites. A fusion asian/nuevo latino restaurant, also has great cocktails. I had the Key Lime Pie Martini, on this night, but have had their "Mango Margarita". Love them both! And my favorite sushi roll there is the lobster roll which has banana and mango. check out www.citrusnyc.com for info. I believe they are only open for dinner as I've been disappointed trying to go for lunch with friends. It does tend to get loud in the dining area on busy nights, but was pretty quiet in the bar February 6(Sat. about 9:30 pm) where we had our sushi. Grade A

Then we made our way to Salumeria Rosi Parmacotto 283 Amsterdam Ave. between 73rd & 74th Streets. www.salumeriarosi.com  Melinda had heard about this place on the food network and that one must try the "costina' ( a spicy spare rib ). It offers "small plates"  or tastes ( or like Spanish "tapas"), so one get too much to eat or not enough. Our server suggested we each get two or three plates. We both got our own "Costina", which to me was okay, but being southern gal, I prefer barbecue of the South , U.S. A.  She got the Brussel sprouts which were really good, and we shared a "Proscuito di Parma" aged 33 months, I liked it, Melinda was not so into it. I also ordered Pecorino Toscano Stagionato ( a 6 month old sheep's milk cheese), I thought this was divine! I believe Melinda had the Chianti--I stuck to water , but had a taste and it was lovely as well. It's a SMALL place, we made the mistake of NOT having a reservation ( which turned out just fine , so I had an excuse to go to Citrus Grill for a drink/appetizer). We were able to get another seating at 10 PM. Make a reservation, if you're a meat lover, this is a good place for you! It's interesting and I'd go back if a friend wanted to try it, but it's not going to be one my favorite UWS eateries. Grade B

We walked over to Crumbs bake shop and "drooled" over the cupcakes, but did not partake...this time. I will have to dedicate an entire blog to them and other cupcake shops, they seem to be taking over where Krispy Kreme left off a few years back...

Our evening was concluded at PD O'Hurleys with a Maker's for me and a beer for her. It's the closest Irish Pub to me ( on 72nd between Amsterdam& Columbus). It's fairly busy most of the time and serve full dinner ( Irish Fare) in the back, one of these days I'll try that...will let you know.

Just met a friend  who's started this great idea called Neighborhood Eats
 (www.neighborhood-eats.com) . They offer a coupon book by neighborhood, It's value is about $1000 in food or drink,  but costs only $39.95. Right now they are just in the Murray Hill/Kips bay area, but he assures me the rest of Manhattan is coming! Can't wait for UWS , Mid-town and Greenwich Village. What am I saying, ANYWHERE in NYC!!

Cheers!!
Kimilee

February 6 in NYC F& B Alice's Tea CUP, UWS

Melinda still in town, we had much to explore... We planned a trip to Alice's Tea Cup for brunch. I had not been there in YEARS! Luckily we hit it at just the right time or we would have had a half hour wait minimum! It's a very small space on the UWS and seems to attract a variety of patrons. LOTS of little girls , of course , the gift shop is full of fairy wings, tea accessories, books and other fantasy fare. We ordered "Mad Hatter" tea for two , Rooibos Africana tea ( a red-they had pages and pages of teas from which to choose), 3 scones: a pumpkin, mixed berry and a savory one ( which I cannot remember, but I liked!). The mixed berry was my fave and Melinda like the pumpkin best.  Two sandwiches came with it, we chose cucumber & watercress ( I chose that as I thought it was such a "tea" thing to have, but it was disappointing). Melinda's choice was the curried chicken salad which was pretty good. The assorted cookies were all yummy ( especially the lemon poppy seed) and went well with the tea. The final touch was the "french vervain-infused lemon tart". Melinda wasn't that into it, I'm a HUGE lemon dessert fan and I liked it, but must admit have had better. Oh, forgot the mention the cream & preserves for the scones--delicious! We took stuff home, it was A LOT of food!  Address 102 W 73rd St ( CNR of Columbus) $37 before tax & tip.
Grade B

Must get to sleep, but will add Citrus Grill, Salumeria Rosi and PD O'Hurley's all between 75th & Amsterdam & 72nd tomorrow


photo: Author, Kimilee Bryant at Alice's Tea Cup West 73rd St in NYC, with all the goodies.

Food and Beverage February 5- 18, 2010 NYC!

Good Morning! just a brief one this morning to set this up and I'll get right to it tonight!

I thought I'd start this for my friends and myself! I want to remember all the yummy stuff I get to sample in this great city and on my travels. The past couple of weeks I've had some guests in town and some friends gong out ( more than usual) due to lots of events/holidays in NYC.

I'll start with  February 5 & 6 2010 in NYC:

The evening of the 5th, my friend , Melinda who traveled from Tampa, FL to see me perform "Christine" in the Phantom of the Opera went with me to celebrate at where else? Sardis!

We shared their cheese plate which is a perfect after show snack, and their raisin bread is my favorite. I'm usually not a big "bread person", but that is good stuff. I had my usual Maker's Mark bourbon. In the past I've had their strawberry signature dessert which is really yummy , the Cobb salad ( Huge & very tasty) and the Curry dish( I will have again and again). Melinda had a lemon drop martini-she said she liked! Grade B+

On Friday we had lunch at Sombrero in the Theatre district , it's just off 8th Avenue at around 47th street. Very laid back, moderately priced. I had the enchiladas chicken & cheese, really good ( hard to go wrong with those). Melinda had the black bean soup and I got a taste...that was great! Chips and salsa are complimentary and I had enough to take some of that lunch home as it also included beans and rice. Grade B

Friday night we went a bit lighter and ate the Edison Hotel Cafe. If you come to NYC, you MUST try their Matzo Ball soup, skip the salads though, lettuce is iceberg and doesn't seem the freshest, dressing (vinagrette) not so bad.  Melinda said her cheeseburger was okay and I've had one there before that was okay. Just go for the soup! Very inexpensive on 48th between Broadway & 8th Ave. Grade  A for soup, D for salads/burger

 Beverages that night: Amaretto sours at intermission at The Palace Theatre ( West Side Story). Normally I would not have one at a show, but they let us take our little "souvenir cups" back to our seats with a cover. I approve as long as you are discreet and don't make noises with your straws/cups during the performances! Grade A

After the show we went on a search for an Irish Pub Melinda had visited in July. We didn't find it, but went to O'Lunney's on 45th between 7th & Broadway which was lovely...been there before and more on that later... Oh, Powers Irish whiskey was my drink, of course! Grade A

11:15 AM gotta run to a coaching!

KB