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.

Txikito

...is located at 240 Ninth Avenue in NYC's Chelsea.

"A" started with a glass of Zurrakapote - white wine sangria cocktail ($9) and I had a glass of Sidra ale ($9) which is closer to a wine.

"A" had the Txiki Txanpi - shrimp and mushroom grilled cheese ($8) and the Rusa - potato, egg and tuna salad ($9). The grilled cheese were doll size and the salad was good, but the tuna part was a little salty.

I had the Foie Micuit - terrine on toast ($10) and the special Conchillo - roast suckling pig ($30).

The foie was rich and delicious and the pig had crisp skin and was moist.

And we shared the Torta - Almond tart ($8) which was light and delicious.

Maialano Again

...this time for dinner at the NYC Gramercy area restaurant located at 2 Lexington Avenue.

A rustic basket of breads and olive oil was immediately served to our table.

"M" had a bottle of Pellegrino ($7), "J" had a ginger ale ($3) and I had a glass of Prosecco Brut ($8)

I had the Carciofini Fritti (fried artichokes) with & anchovy bread sauce for an appetizer ($11). "M", "P" and I shared the Maialano Forno (house speciality suckling pig with potatoes) for $72. "J" had the Spigola sea bass, mizuna & preserved lemon ($27).

For dessert we shared the Crostini Frutti (berry tart) for $8 and Olive Oil Cake for 9 - both with country cream (the thickest, richest whipped cream I have ever tasted).

"P" had cup of Americano caffe ($3) and "M" had a cappucino ($4.25).

I would like to return to try some of the pastas.

August

August Restaurant is located in NYC's Greenwich Village at 359 Bleecker Street. This small, cozy restuarant has a wonderful enclosed back garden area.

There are 3 tiny kitchens that create wonderful American fare.

"E" had the Salad ($9) and "K" and I both had the Asparagus Mimosa ($9 each). The Asparagus had a fried poached egg perched on top and a tangy mustard flavored sauce.

"E" had the Breem ($24) which was a hearty filet.

"K" had the Striped Bass ($26) - served whole, but requested it to be filleted.

I had the Conchilla Asada ($25) - suckling pig.

And we shared an order of Fries ($8).

"E" had an espresso ($4) and "K" had a cappucino ($5).

For dessert we shared the Apple Pretzel Tart ($9).

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.