Greeting Card

Thanks "M" for this card...I heartily endorse the sentiment!

Going to Italy without leaving NYC...

that's what it felt like once we were inside Cacio e Vino - a wine bar and Sicilian restuarant in NYC's East Village located at 80 2nd Avenue. The waiter had a thick Italian accent, the other customers were Italian and British and an Italian soccer match was featured on flat screen tv. The decor definitely said "wine bar", but it was warm and inviting. The wood burning oven could be seen from the dining room.

"J" and I stopped by for a late lunch. We tried Le Schiacciate - their Sicilian flatbread pizzas which are more like thin crust sandwiches. "J" started with a tomato salad and had the "Crudo" with fresh prociutto, sliced tomatoes, arugula and mozzarella ($13.95). I had the "Norma" with fried eggplant, tomato sauce, basil and pecorino ($14.95).

For dessert "J" had the apple tart which was large enough to share, served warm, with a cakelike crust ($7.95). I had the cannolo which was also large enough for two ($7.95). The filling was freshly piped into the crisp shell.

This was a great find and we will definitely return to try their pastas.

Baja Fresh

This chain has just landed in NYC's Times Square area at 1441 Broadway. It's a similar concept to Chipotle...all the food is made to order and they tout the freshness and nutrition. There is one line to place your order, wait for your check # to be called and go to the counter to pick up your order. There is also a serve yourself salsa condiment bar.

I tried two soft flour tortilla tacas - one pork carnitas ($2.98) and the other chicken ($2.75) - American style with tomatoes, lettuce and cheese. This was served with a bag of fresh nacho chips. Everything tasted good and fresh, but the nutrition info really reminds you how caloric tex-mex food can be.

Bocuse d'Or Presentations

During the Bocuse d'Or there were several presentations. I attended the Seminar: Understanding Foie Gras which was presented by Canadian foie gras supplier, Rougie. Afterwards they offered attendees samples of foie gras prepared three ways.

CIA Student Eats

While attending the Bocuse d'Or as a spectator "J" and I stopped by the student cafe for a snack and shared a sliced steak sandwich - topped with bleu cheese and caramelized onions and served with a side a fries. Not bad for $6.25, but for the CIA I was expecting something better.

Bocuse d'Or USA Winner

James Kent, sous chef at Eleven Madison Park, will represent the United States next year at the Bocuse d'Or. Kent, with commis Tom Allan, also of EMP. Kent bested eleven other chefs this weekend at the U.S. finals competition at the CIA in Hyde Park.

Kent's winning menu is below.
Chef Kent's Scottish “Label Rouge” Salmon Pavé with Leeks, Osetra Cavier and Sauce Fumet Blanc was elegantly garnished with the following: Roulade with Alaskan King Crab, Relish of Cucumber and Meyer Lemon; Chilled Mousse with Tartare and Roe; Pickled Heirloom Beets with Crème Fraiche, Dill and Black Pepper. The fish was provided by Scottish Quality Salmon.

For his lamb platter, Chef Kent presented Elysian Fields Farm Spring Lamb: Bacon Wrapped Saddle with Piquillo Peppers and Provençale Herbes; Vol-Au-Vent of Braised Gigot with Sweetbreads and Preserved Lemon; Zucchini with Lynnhaven Chèvre Frais and Mint; Tart of Tomato Confit with Basil, Niçoise Olives and Fromage Blanc. The lamb was provided by The American Lamb Board.

Keste Pizza & Vino

is located in NYC's Greenwich Village at 271 Bleecker Street and specializes in brick oven pizza.

"T" and I shared a Keste ($18 ) - tomato, prosciutto di parma, arugola, gran cru, extra virgin olive oil - and a Salsiccia pizza ($15) - tomato, fresh mozzarella, italian sausage, basil, extra virgin olive oil. They were cooked and served to us within minutes.

Both were very good. The Keste was light with arugola whole the Salsiccia was heavier with the sausage. The crust as a bit chewy. We would have preferred the crust to be slightly crisper and thinner.

And then we shared a Tiramisu ($6) - light and creamy - and Pizza ala Nutella ($10) - a warm nutella pizza sandwich covered with powerdered sugar.