Halcyon Flavors from the Earth - NC

I had the pleasure of having a business dinner at this Uptown restaurant located at 500 S. Tryon Street in the Mint Museum.

My party started with a cheese board ($14) and the Nest of spaghetti squash ($9). "J" and I had the Short Ribs ($19) while "A" and "C" had the Cider Pork Chop ($22).

For dessert we shared the Almond Bread Pudding ($7) and Doughnuts and Coffee ($8) - tiny beignets with a chocolate espresso pot du cream.

Delicious!

We loved the open kitchen and reclaimed wood tables and lighting fixtures. Plus the view over S. Tryon Street was very pretty.

Bar Basque

"J" and I visited this new restaurant in NYC's Midtown located at 845 Sixth

avenue for Restaurant Week.

For $35 per person we had a great 3-course meal. We both started out with fruity cocktails (Vanilla Strawberry and Rasberry Smash, $12/each).

"J" had the beet salad and I had the crispy egg salad.

For entrees "J" had the short ribs and I had the suckling pig ($8 supplement) and we ordered garlic spinach as a side dish ($8).

For dessert we shared the chocolate flan (tasted like pudding) and meyer lemon cake.

Fatty Crab

"C" and I went to the original Fatty Crab in NYC's West Village located at 643 Hudson Street.

"C" had a Dark & Stormy ($13) and I had a Rum & Coconut ($14 - served in a fresh coconut shell).

We shared the Fatty Duck ($22), Shrimp Sambal ($17) and Rendang (short ribs $25).

Everything was delicious! The duck was served with rice and the meat was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. The shrimp had a little kick to it, it had lettuce for wrapping, peanuts, veggies and a dipping sauce. The short ribes were fantastic - very meaty and flavorful and serviced over rice.

We were given complimentary dessert - a mochi-like cake. It was a bit chewy and dense.

Zengo

...is located at 622 Third Avenue in NYC's Midtown near Grand Central Station.

"J" and I took advantage of the NYC Restaurant Week 2010 $35 prix fixe 3-course dinner offerings.

"J" had a Limonada de Fresa - vodka, lemon, strawberry and sour mix. It was fruity and delicious.

I had a glass of Riesling - very light and sweet...just the way I like them.

"J" started with the Green Salad - Togarashi candied pecans, orange, cabbage and piloncillo-ginger vinagrette. It was very flavorful and had nice texture.

I had the Covina Ceviche - Aji Amarillo, red onion, cucumber, apple, tomato and sisho. It was served with homemade yuca chips - yummy, but very watery.

For entrees "J" and I both ordered the Braised Short Ribs - with oaxaca cheese potato puree, shitake, huitlacoche and dragon sauce - very tender.

For dessert we shared the two offerings:

Mexican chocolate tart - with cocoa nibs, cinnamon whip and chili ancho anglaise. This was very light and anglaise had barely any chili.

Lemongrass Panna Cotta (no photo) - with passionfruit sorbet and passionfruit caramel. Very light and melted in your mouth.

Westside Tavern

10850 Pico Blvd. in the Westside Shopping Mall.

LC shared the daily charcuterie board which had various sliced meats and cheeses.

LC had the Beef Short Ribs with Chubby Carrots (yes, they were stubby and fat), whipped potatoes and orange gremolata $20.

I had the Seared Sashimi Tuna & Artichoke Nicoise Salad with fingerling potatoes, green beans, boiled egg, capers, tomatoes and smoked onion mustard $19.

For dessert we shared the Hot Fudge Pudding Cake with Tahitian Vanilla Ice Cream and Candied Walnuts $8.