BLT Prime

A week ago, my friend posted an article about BLT Steak's 7th birthday party on 3.3.11 and to celebrate, BLT Steak and BLT Prime were offering reduced prices on some of their steaks ($33.04), sides, desserts and cocktails (all $3.03). I've been in the mood for steak for some time and this sounded like a perfect opportunity to go. BLT Steak had already run out of reservations but I somehow scored a 9pm rez at BLT Prime. I got Tom to go with me even though he told me he wasn't the biggest fan. Whatever, 22oz RIBEYE!! $3 sides! How do you go wrong??

Unfortunately we found out. The place was PACKED. I should've known better to go to a restaurant where it would be utter chaos. We got a table upstairs away from all of the hoopla but that also meant limited waitstaff. Well, for us at least... you see, our waitress took our order and was never to be seen again until the very end of the meal. Meanwhile, she was tending to all of the tables around us. Tom ordered a glass of wine and I had to ask another gentleman working there to get him one. He apologized for the delay and comped it, which was super nice.

Finally we started getting bread. It came with chicken pate which was served in a little jar and wooden spoon. Delicious. Tom kept talking about this bread basket that was heavenly... and sure enough, a waiter brought out a basket of the 2 largest popovers I had ever seen. It was light and doughy on the inside but still had a warm crunchy cheesy crust. The whipped butter that accompanied the popovers melted so nicely inside. It also came with a tiny card that had the recipe which is posted at the end.

Then came the steaks. Both still in the cast iron pan it was cooked in. The bone full of marrow and half a head of roasted garlic with a pat of herbed butter on top (which I did not like and put aside). Tiny gravy boats of sauce to accompany the steak were presented. For whatever reason, the peppercorn sauce was given to me (I also asked for their steak sauce) and the red wine sauce to Tom. I actually really liked mine, but the steak was so good on its own anyway. So here's the thing... we both ordered ours medium rare, and mine was cooked perfectly, but his was on the medium well side. TRULY the most disappointing thing ever ESPECIALLY in a steakhouse!(I know, I've been there... I'm looking at you SMITH & WOLLENSKY!!) Unfortunately, no one came around to ask how our meal was, and even if they had, Tom wouldn't let me say anything. Sigh. The rest of the sides were ok though. We had french fries (delicious), creamy spinach (a little too rich for my taste), stuffed mushrooms that were too salty, and I don't think I was in the mood for parmesan cheese which topped them, and onion rings which were ok, but wished they were crispy instead of doughy.

I was really excited for the Special dessert- nutella pudding with mini doughnuts. But since our waitress took so long to come by our table, they were out of it when I ordered! GRR. So I shared Tom's chocolate tart with the tiniest scoop of pistachio ice cream and ate the tiny squares they brought out "compliments of the chef".

Sorry BLT Prime. I know you were all really busy but we were already too insulted at that point to enjoy it. It's the 7th birthday, you would think that they'd know how crazy it gets and to get more waitstaff/fewer reservations. The night would've been great if Tom's steak was cooked correctly but it ruined the dinner. He is boycotting them, however I might go back just for the popovers and fries :D


Popovers
Makes 6 popovers
Ingredients
2 cups milk, warmed
4 eggs
2 cups flour
3/4 heaping tbsp salt
1 1/2 cups grated gruyere cheese
popover pan

Preparation
Place the popover pan in the oven. Heat the oven and pan to 350F. Gently warm the milk over low heat and set aside. Whisk the eggs until frothy and slowly whisk in the milk (so as not to cook the eggs). Set the mixture aside. Sift the flour with the salt. Slowly add this dry mixture and gently combine until mostly smooth.
Once combined, remove the popover pan from teh oven and spray with non-stick vegetable spray. While the batter is still slightly warm or room temperature (definitely not cool), fill each popover cup 3/4 full. Top each popover with approximately 2 1/2 tbsp grated gruyere.
Bake at 350F for 50 minutes, rotating pan half a turn after 15 minutes of baking. Remove from the oven, remove from the pan and serve immediately.

I ♥ Cheeseburgers

What is it about a slab of ground beef, grilled to juicy perfection, smothered in melted swiss, gruyere, monterrey jack or cheddar, topped with a leaf or two of boston lettuce, sliced tomato, onions, maybe avocado, bacon and/or pickles, adhered on a great soft bun with ketchup, maybe some mayonnaise or mustard that makes my mouth water???

One of life's great mysteries and delights, I guess.

There is no way that I could be a vegetarian. I've tried, and it just ain't happenin'. It is rare that I'll ever order a meatless dish at a restaurant. With that said, I have somehow enrolled myself on A Great Cheeseburger Search with Lauren, Jess and John- all coworkers/friends. It all started last week when Lauren, Jess and myself decided to get cheeseburgers. I suggested my tried and true favorite, Paul's Burgers, but Jess wanted to go to Corner Bistro and I had just gone to Paul's a week before with Will. Also, Lauren had never been to Corner Bistro and I've been wanting to go forever.


photo courtesy of Will Star

The first time I had heard about it was around four years ago when I had plans to get dinner with Eric K and his girlfriend at the time. However, the West Village is tricky, and this was before phones had maps, so after walking around in circles for 40 minutes, we ended up going to Lemongrass instead (far from a burger). Eager to finally step foot inside, we got to the West Village after work and tada! Corner Bistro shone in the moonlight. Unfortunately, about 40 other people had the same idea and the restaurant is tiny. We stood in the very back of the line for awhile before deciding to find another place. Foiled once again.

I tried to think of other burger joints in that area and Pop Burger came to mind. Ian had taken me there on our one and only date three and a half years ago and while I had never been back (nor did we order burgers), I heard they were tasty and recalled the French Fries being some of the best I had ever had.

It was better than nothin'.


two mini burgers come in this box. $6


Surprisingly filling


fries, obviously

The next day I met up with the girls again, along with John, and we went to Fanelli's to get their incredible bison burger. Now you're probably thinking, "Eating cheeseburgers two days in a row?! animals!" and yes, that's true.

While the service at Fanelli's was subpar (long wait, forgot my gingerale, no tablecloth, nice but ditzy waitress), I gotta hand it to them: Their bison burger is amazing. Though honestly, I don't think I'd be able to tell it apart from a cow. Probably with a combination of hunger, flavorful meat and a really good bun made this a delicious lunch. And I was good; I asked for salad instead of fries.

Sadly the lighting was terrible and I didn't want to rig up a makeshift tripod so this will have to do:


Anyway, we have a long list of other places to hit up in the city: One of which was Dumont Burger, which is actually where I got a late lunch today. It is considered one of the best places to get your fix. I went to Brooklyn to see my friend Adam who was only in town for a few more hours. He and his buddy Aaron were staying with Brett who suggested going (conveniently located several blocks away from his apt). He also had the brilliant idea of sharing an order of their mac and cheese. it had pieces of bacon in it. Amaaazzinngg.
The burger was alright. I got it with Monterrey Jack. I thought the bun was too dry... and in my opinion, a soft bun is one of the most important parts to the construction of a good burger. Also, I hate when the patty is smaller than the bun so the first few bites was all bread and no beef (Granted we ordered mini burgers, but still. Flatten it out a little!). The fries were pretty darn good though. I didn't whip out the camera this time, but if you find yourself in Williamsburg, check it out.

Other places worth mentioning:
-Big Nick's on 77th & Broadway. Try their "Bistro Burger" and waffle fries.
-Shake Shack- You no longer have to wait for the summer months to get them at Madison Sq. Park. Grab one year round on 77th and Columbus Ave.
-Blue 9... ignoring the fact it had once been shut down due to health code violation. It's fresh and delicious.

A Nice Little Sunday

What's the best way to spend a Sunday? Apparently, meeting up with some good friends for Brunch and scouring the East Village, West Village and Lower East Side for cafes, restaurants and bars over the course of 10 hours...

Saela called me up and invited me out to brunch at Life Cafe (On 10th St & Ave B) with Mike M. and Mike R. I originally wasn't going to eat, but I have zero willpower, so I ordered French Toast. I was REALLY sad to see they took their Kentucky Hot Brown off their Brunch Menu as it was the heartiest and least-healthy dish.


I'm pretty sure someone had a crush on me (or knew of my blog?) because my plate was the only one decorated all pretty-like! However, I did have 3 complaints.
1) it was cold-ish.
2) the promised cinnamon cream was non-existent
3) I had to get up to ask for maple syrup.

That aside, it was quite good and our waiter, Jake, was entertaining ;)

Also good, but not as pretty? Mike R's breakfast burrito and tempeh bacon.


Saela, Mike R. an I also hit up Dante's Cafe, (MacDougal between Bleecker and Houston St) to get some cappucinos. Mike got profiteroles. Service is notoriously bad, and the atmosphere may make you lethargic. But one thing is for sure... they know how to make coffee and desserts (including gelato!)

Cream Puffs with a chocolate mousse filling, smothered in a light white glaze (?) that almost resembles marshmallow fluff.

Also got seasoned french fries (that come in a cone!) at Mason Dixon (Essex between Stanton and Rivington). Unfortunately we did not try to Mechanical Bull. Next time, for sure.


Then got pizza at Two Boots (Ave A and 3rd St).

Normally I get a slice of the Tony Clifton which consists of onions, mushrooms with red pepper pesto:

(Photo from Seamless Web)
However, I decided to try something new and got The Earth Mother: vegan pizza with spinach, onions, peppers, artichokes and mushrooms).

(Photo from flickr)

All in all, a nice little Sunday.


***
Other food/drink establishments visited:
-A cute little Cafe, (albeit a little too quiet aka "intellectual" for our taste) on Ave A.
-Think Coffee on Mercer St. (too crowded)
-Esperanto Cafe on MacDougal (too crowded)
-Puck Fair on Lafayette and Houston (nice bar, but no one interesting to talk to on a Sunday night)
-Eastern Bloc (a gay bar clearly anti-straight people)
-Hi-Life Bar (clearly anti-fun! Do NOT go to this bar if you hate obnoxious bartenders)