The Mediterranean Chicken Samosas are addictive: Chicken, cilantro, Greek yogurt, bell pepper scallion – Harissa Olive Oil

Try the Salmon A La Andalucia:  Seared organic salmon, zucchini, fennel, tomato, chickpeas, verdial olive, fresh oregano, garlic, lemon picual olive oil

Great brunch menu.  Make reservations before going – the wait isn’t something you would want to do.  If you like other sister restaurants like Balthazaar Resturant, Pravda, Balthazaar bakery, Lucky Strike you will like this one too.

Try the Eggs à la Basquaise : Poached Eggs w/Creamy Polenta, Peppers, Onions & Prosciutto

Anson Mills Stone-Cut Oatmeal w/Sautéed Bananas is a good choice if you want to go the healthy route.

One of my favorites and extremely popular with all my colleagues is the Kwik Gourmet  (a Vendy award nominee) on Park Avenue and 47th Street.  He also has a 24hour cart on 45th street and 6th avenue, Kwik Meal and Kwik Delight on 45th and 3rd.  Having tired all three I prefer the one on park avenue..for some reason slightly better.

Its all about the sauces!  From the light salad dressing to the white sauce (raita), the dull green (not so spicy) to the bright green (nice and spicy).  It will  hit every savory taste bud you have.

Try the Chicken and Lamb combo ($7.5)

While the combo is damn good its the fish that takes me back there every time.  You have to get there early before he runs out.  I prefer the Salmon (a generous portion) over the tilapia ($9.00).

Its small and quaint giving you the privacy you sometimes want in a restaurant.  The lighting and ambiance is perfect for an evening with friends where you just want good wine, good food and have lots of time to debate your usual topics.  This not to say its not good for ‘eat and run’: though much preferred for a long evening over drinks.

Sampler Sampler!  Starting at 9 o’clock going clock wise – Baba Ganoush, Spicy Walnut Pepper Salad, Grape Leaves, Hummus, Lentil Salad, Spinach

more to try.. Starting at 9 o’clock going clock wise – Baba Ganoush, Grape Leaves, Tzatziki, Hummus, Spicy Walnut Pepper Salad, Russian Salad

Best Turkey meatballs ever – Served hot with orzo or mushroom bulgur, and a side salad

MUST TRY’s – Spicy Walnut Pepper Salad and Turkey Meat Balls

I got an amazing deal through thrillist (which if you haven’t use yet, you must!).  Greed for flavor kept us going and we ordered way more than 2 people need to eat for Brunch.

It started with a Michelada Cocktail (Modelo Especial, Chile de Arbol, and Smoked Salt), 1 oz Sangrita and a shot of Tequila.  (Remember this is burnch!)

1st Course: Spicy Blue Crab Broth with a slow poached egg, plaintains, and shrimp.  The broth was to die for.

2nd Course: Fried Egg & Refried Bean Sope

3rd Course: Braised Short Ribs with almonds and raisins, served with tortillas and salsas

Dessert: Churros rolled in cinnamon sugar, plus masa-enriched hot chocolate

As if all that wasn’t enough ended up ordering – Skirt Steak with Chilaquiles, Mushrooms and Two Sunny Side Eggs

The decor is modern and the place is bright.  For those who live in the west village this felt like the usual spot where they walked in, read their news paper (or ipads) while enjoying a quiet breakfast at the bar.  A must try!  Wonder  how their dinner menu tastes..:)

I tend to always have home cooked goodies (usually from mom) in the freezer and this article really helped in figuring how to keep it tasting just as good as when it was freshly made.

First of all – “No matter how  many years the food is frozen, its perfectly safe to eat” – You knew that..:)

• If you thaw and refreeze the same food over and over again it has higher chances of getting freezer burn since it loses its moisture.  Pack your food in smaller portions.
• Don’t freeze cheese – it crumbles when it thaw’s (unless you don’t mind the crumbles)
• Ideally you want your food to go from normal temperature to frozen as quickly as possible.  Don’t add a lot to your freezer all at once
• and so much more..!

For more – Read up on the Freezer Guide!

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each one better than the last..

If you are in the area (Burbank, Glendale or Downey) give it a try!  Would love to hear which one was your favorite.

Appam this good is not hard to find in Kerela, though does get harder in NYC.

A table full of goodness.  Local whole fish wrapped and cooked in banana leaves (top left).  Lamb curry (center right).  One of the very few places in Cochin that will actually cook lamb .  Fish pakoras – to die for (bottom center).  To top it all off Chicken Biriyani (bottom right).

If everyone dining with you is in the mood for a different cuisine, its possible to satisfy all their cravings here.

I recommend a tasting platter to begin with..

What I really like is that their ingredients are authentic and not the substitutes you may find in India.  Loved the bow-tie pasta with tomato sauce and sausage.

Good ol Chicken Club Sandwich – Yum!

And of course needed the Asian influence..The Kung Pao Chicken was my least favorite of all though still prepared quite nicely.

In an effort to start off the day right, you could begin with Granola with Strawberry Yogurt and Fruit; pretty good.

I like places that offer omelets with just egg whites (granted a lot of places will do them if you ask for it).  Try the Spinnaker – Fresh spinach, mushrooms, crisp bacon and blended cheeses. Topped with combo cheese, tomato wheel and a sprinkle of chives.

Doesn’t it just make the meal that much sweeter if you can ‘customize’ a little; take away that one ingredient you don’t care for or add that extra kick that would make it perfect.

I had the Harvest Benedict (vegetarian) and added the ham to it – A vegetarian treat, an English muffin topped with cream cheese, sauteed spinach and fresh veggies. Finish it with poached eggs and creamy hollandaise. YUM!