The Harrison

...is located in NYC's Tribeca at 355 Greenwich Street.

"E", "K" and I had a lovely dinner there.

We all started with glasses of white wine. "E" had the baked gorgonzola stuffed pear ($7). "K" had the marinated olives ($4) and I had the Gnocchi with oxtail, horseradish, kale and pecorino ($12).

"E" had the Atlantic Salmon with cauliflower salad, leek puree and lemon confit ($24). "K" and I both had the Potato Wrapped Trout with sunchokes, french beans, almonds and grainy mustard ($24). And we shared a side order of Sauteed Spinach ($8).

For dessert "E" and "K" both had french press coffee ($5) and we shared the brownie ice cream sandwich ($8).

Everything was wonderful.

Petite Abeille

Has 3 locations in NYC. "N" and I went to the one in Tribeca at 134 West Broadway. We both had the Petite Abeille burger for $13.50 - with cheddar and bacon served on a brioche bun with special sauce with fries. Very juicy.

We also had lemonades ($3.50/each).

Kitchenette

...is a cute little cafe/bakery located in NYC's Tribeca. They had their own version of this Hostess cupcake so I tried it for $4.50. The cake was dense and quite chocolatey, but the cream filling lacked flavor.

Nobu Next Door

...is literally next door to Nobu at 105 Hudson Street in NYC's Tribeca.

"M" and went there for NYC Restaurant Week to take advantage of the 3 course prix-fixe for $35/pp.

"M" had a bottle of Nobu Special Reserve beer ($12/bottle) and I had a Pineapple Martini ($16).

"M" started with the Yellowtail Tartare and I had the King Crab Tempura with Amazu Ponzu. Both were very good, but on the small side.

We both had the assorted sushi entree which had several pieces of sushi and a tuna roll. The sushi was good, but not fantastic.

And there was no choice for dessert - we both received the bento box with molten chocolate cake and green tea ice cream. This was a very generous size cake and the ice cream did not have a strong green tea flavor.

Forge

Marc Forgione is the son of Larry Forgione, chef/owner of An American Place, and has opened his own restaurant in NYC's Tribeca area at 134 Reade Street.

The decor is cozy and rustic with exposed brick walls, wooden doors and a 100 yr old wood burning oven. Each table is graced with delicious rolls that are baked in this oven. When they are extracted from the oven they are generously brushed with melted butter and sprinkled with kosher salt.

Then we were presented with an amuse bouche - a small spoon with carrot puree and a small dish of tartare (not sure what fish).

"J" had the special appetizer of lamb bolognese with papperdelle pasta and mint ricotta cheese ($14) and a ginger ale ($5)

I had the Kona Kampachi Tartare with avocado, saratoga chips, toasted pine nuts and served with a separate small spoon containing a Seczhuan "button" which looked like a tiny yellow wildflower and made my mouth tingle ($18) and a Spiced Apple Cider cocktail ($12).

We both had the Beer, Bacon & Butter entree - braised suckling pig, spiced red cabbage and smoked whipped potatoes ($29 each). We both thought there was too much liquid which made the pork and potatoes too soggy. Although we thoroughly enjoyed the large sheet of crackling served atop our dishes...delish!

For dessert I had a tough time deciding on just one...I finally selected the Mini Meyer Lemon Pies - with lemon ice cream and "crumbles" ($12). They were warm crescent shaped donuts filled with lemon curd and dusted with powdered sugar.

Corton

is located in the former Montrachet home in NYC's Tribeca at 239 West Broadway. They offer two menus: "Menu" which is a 3 course prix fixe for $85 and an 8 course "Tasting Menu" for $140.

Even though the Menu it looks like 3 courses it really is about 8 courses with the amuse bouche, little side dishes that accompany the appetizer and entree, the sorbet before dessert, the petit fours after dessert and the mini cakes presented with the check.

I had the following (sorry there are no photos, but the restuarant asked guests to refrain from cell phone use and photography in the dining room)

Amuse Bouche - foie gras with truffle foam

Appetizer - Foie gras (pate in ball form), concord grape, chioggia beets, cataluna spices with brioche toast

Entree - Lola Duck, honey, turnip gelee, mead jus

Palette Cleanser - Lemongrass Sorbet

Pre dessert - lychee and passion fruit candies

Dessert - Macoun apple, caramel chestnut crust, yogurt and rosemary

Petit Fours - pumpkin spice macaron, violet and blueberry macaron, salted caramel chocolate, hazelnut chocolate

Fried Chicken Live

On Wednesday, 10/7/09 Time Out Dining & Libation Society presented Fried Chicken Live at Locanda Verde located in NYC's Tribeca at 377 Greenwich Ave. The chef, Andrew Carmellini, was the inspiration for Momofuku fried chicken dinner. For the past 4 Mondays Locanda Verde has offered a special Monday night fried chicken dinner, but reservations were impossible to obtain (I know - I tried several times each week, but was unsuccessful).

For $75/person ticket the dinner included:

Starter: thick-cut double-smoked bacon (from guest chef Matt Greco of Char No. 4) and butter beans

Main: fried chicken, family-style (yes, it was as good as its reputation - light and crispy crust enrobing moist, tender chicken)

Sides: country-style potato mash with gravy, butter biscuits (light and airy, topped with honey and butter - one of the best biscuits I've ever tasted), collards with honey and pepper vinegar, slaw with pickled jalapeno and chunky tomato, red onion and cucumber salad

Dessert: pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream and apple crumb pie topped with vanilla ice cream (by pastry chef Karen Demasco)

Libations: Basil Hayden Bourbon Smash and Radeberger Beer

The food and drinks were unlimited!

Each attendee also received a little goodie bag that contained mini salt pepper bottles and a stirrer from Basil Hayden.

And we will each be sent an autographed copy of the pastry chef, Karen Demasco's, new dessert cookbook "The Craft of Baking" which has not yet been released.

We were seated in the private room which has a great, warm rustic feeling. There was a live 4 piece band from Brooklyn called The Woes and a bevvy of waitstaff.

The chef and pastry chef both visited several times throughout the night. And after dinner they both said a few words to the group.

What a great way to eat fried chicken!

Locanda Verde will bring back their fried chicken dinners in 2010.