Burger and Barrel

"M", "S" and I went to Burger and Barrel in NYC's SoHo located at 25 West Houston Street.

It's a nice casual place for dinner and drinks. "M" and "S" both had the Bash Burger ($14) with french fries. I had the fried chicken with mashed potatoes ($19). Although the chicken was moist the coating was too thick.

We topped it off with a salted caramel brownie sundae ($10). We were disappointed the brownies and caramel sauce were not warm.

Torrisi

"J" and I braved the crowds for the no reservation $50/pp prix fixe dinner at Torrisi. This unassuming old fashion Italian deli located in NYC's SoHo at 250 Mulberry Street turns into a foodie haven for dinner.

At 5:45 the hostess appears with clipboard in hand and we sign up for a table starting at 6pm.

At 6pm the doors are open and we are promptly seated.

The daily dinner menu is written on the large blackboard. The menu includes 4 antipasti, 1 pasta, 1 entree (your choice) and house dessert.

We both start with a glass of Oregon white wine ($9/each) served in small water glasses - old school style!

ANTIPASTI:
Warm Mozzarella, Da Vero Olive Oil, Milk Thistle Cream - creamy mozzerella served with garlic bread
Frank's Salami Bread, Baccala, Cured Lemon - buttery and with just enough saltiness

Veal Sweetbreads Nha Trang - very rich, buttery and could have been foie gras it was so rich, with a little sweet and sour tanginess
Spaghetti Alla Osvaldo - spaghetti squash with freshly grated cheese

MAIN:
Skate Francese - good, but not as interesting as the antipasti
Devil Chicken, Evans Farm Yogurt - very juicy and a little spicy

Before dessert we were served mini paper cups of lemon sorbet to "cleanse" our palates.

DESSERT:
House Pastries - pizzette cannolis, tricolor, mini cream puffs, mini cheesecake tarts with chocolate graham cracker crust, butter cookies with cherry and hazelnut filling

The entire meal was excellent and very filling. The service was also very good.

Although the space is small and it was easy to eavesdrop on the neighboring conversations this is a great place for dinner.

Tote Bag

I bought this cute cotton tote from the J Crew store in NYC's Soho before Christmas. It was originally $10 and marked down to $5.99 with an additional 30% off.

Burger & Barrel

I visited this new restaurant located in NYC's SoHo at 25 West Houston Street to try their burger.

I had the Classic ($13) - with lettuce, tomato, pickles, American cheese and "special" sauce with sweet potato fries.

The burger was served with two onion rings - the batter was great. The burger was very good and perfectly cook. The fries were the best I have ever had in NY - thin and crispy on the outside and tender and tasty on the inside with the perfect amount of salt.

I had a black and white milkshake ($6) which was just okay, but not thick and tasty enough.

La Esquina

...is located at 114 Kenmare Street. But the Brasserie is located downstairs below the Taqueria. If you are lucky to score a reservation you have to walk through the Taqueria, then be escorted downstairs through the kitchen to the dining room.

It seems very exclusive, but the food is authentic Mexican. No guacamole and salsa here!

"B" and "S" stared with Coronas ($7/each) while "W" and I braved the extra potent frozen margaritas ($12/each).

We shared several dishes:

Queso Fundido - warm cheese with plaintain chips ($12)

Chorizo Empanadas (2 for $5.50)

Tinga de Pollo Tostada - shredded chicken on crisp tostada shell (3 for $12)

Shrimp Taquitos (2 for $5)

Huitlacoche Quesadilla - it's corn fungus, but it tastes like mushrooms ($11)

Entree special Suckling Pig - very juicy with crisp skin ($32)

Avocado - sliced avocado ($4.50)

Grilled Corn on a stick - covered in butter and cheese ($1/each)

Platanos - fried sweet plaintains ($5)

Rice and black peas ($4.50)

And for dessert we shared the Mexican Chocolate Cake with cinnamon ice cream ($9) and the Bunuelos - caramelized banana napoleon with toasted almond ice cream ($9).

Muy delicioso!

Shrimp Chips

These are one of my guilty little pleasures...and now they are available baked and in a "hot" garlic flavor. Salty and spicy!

This bag was only $1.65 at Pearl River Mart on Broadway in NYC's SoHo.

Birdbath

...is the latest outpost from The City Bakery located at 160 Prince Street in NYC's SoHo in the former Vesuvio Bakery space.

I tried a raspberry bran muffin, blueberry corn muffin and large iced tea (each $3.50). The muffins were good, but not as good as their famous pretzel croissant.

Paris Sandwich

...is located at 213 Grand Street on the border of NYC's SoHo and Chinatown.

Vietnamese Banhi Mi sandwiches are one of my favorite lunch foods. There are several offered at Paris Sandwich are a great deal for $4 each. I tried the #4 BBQ Pork Baguette with pork and pate - delicious. with cucumber, shredded carrots and cilantro and vietnamese mayo. The baguette was warm and crusty.

They also offer other traditional Vietnamese fare and pastries.

Ed's Lobster Bar

...is located at 222 Lafayette Street in NYC's SoHo. Yes, it's a knockoff of Pearl's in Greenwich Village (one of my favs), but it's still a good restaurant.

Each place setting has a small bag of oyster crackers. We were given lobster risotto as a complimentary amuse bouche - delicious!

"J" had the fried Ipswich clams (MP $17) - big, plump whole clams lightly battered with cornmeal and the lobster roll with fries (MP $27) - always delicious. She also had a Schweppes ginger ale ($3).

I had the crab and cheese dip with toast points ($10) and lobster pot pie ($22) - both were very good and quite filling. I also had a Limeade ($5).

For dessert we shared a slice of cherry crumble pie a la mode ($7) which was very good with big, whole cherries.

And they gave us mini dark chocolate lobsters after dessert.

Another great meal!