tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59757868182523991032011-09-16T11:49:47.928-04:00A temperamental tour of the NYC dining scene...The Grumpy Gourmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959793735757201397noreply@blogger.comBlogger111100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975786818252399103.post-44566432531871546902009-09-08T15:01:00.000-04:002009-09-08T15:46:29.509-04:00

Without ever having set foot in Scarpetta, I already had formed an opinion – I was primed to hate it. On the surface, it seems to conform to the stereotype of a Meatpacking restaurant that is surrounded by entirely too much undeserved hype, with snooty staff and underwhelming food to match. However, besides Scarpetta’s fringe Meatpacking address, which unfortunately does draw an unsavory "too

The Grumpy Gourmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959793735757201397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975786818252399103.post-89018120545035631012009-07-23T14:01:00.000-04:002009-07-23T18:24:50.435-04:00

Although cursed with an unappetizing name and tucked away on a nondescript street running along the edges of the East Village and the Lower East Side, Prune is reminiscent of a well-worn bistro one might find in a Parisian arrondissement. Rather than classic French bistro dishes, Prune's menu is comprised of trendy New American favorites like duck breast, lamb chops, and cuts of offal. A cute,

The Grumpy Gourmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959793735757201397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975786818252399103.post-39607938775090866482009-06-28T11:43:00.000-04:002009-07-23T18:25:23.269-04:00

Since returning from Spain, I have been craving great paella, which, frustratingly, is almost impossible to find Stateside. Not paella in name only, which is what you often get in Manhattan restaurants. Glorified saffron flavored risotto in a large shallow pan does not a paella make. An authentic paella can NOT be missing the crunchy, just shy of burnt, top and bottom layers of rice in the pan,

The Grumpy Gourmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959793735757201397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975786818252399103.post-27790507077610281322009-06-05T00:16:00.010-04:002009-06-05T21:57:48.745-04:00

As the cult of David Chang continues to grow, I thought I would revisit the runt of the Momofuku litter, Momofuku Ssam Bar. I used to frequent Momofuku Ssam Bar in its infancy, when the concept behind it was that of a burrito bar, the Korean answer to Baja Fresh. And god, did I love it. It was inexpensive and the Asian-inspired burritos filled with kimchi, red bean paste, and chicken were

The Grumpy Gourmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959793735757201397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975786818252399103.post-22799837255596019662009-06-01T14:07:00.005-04:002009-06-01T18:16:39.276-04:00

Michelin stars literally abound in the Basque countryside surrounding San Sebastian. If you are visiting, with cash to burn, and are into molecular gastronomy, by all means check out Arzak and Mugaritz. For those of middling means, however, I have compiled a list of more moderately priced restaurants in San Sebastian’s Old Quarter that truly wowed me.Restaurante Urepel (Plaza Slamanca 3,

The Grumpy Gourmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959793735757201397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975786818252399103.post-5377562803027961822009-05-25T17:44:00.009-04:002009-05-26T04:49:32.128-04:00

Madrilenos live a charmed life—not only do they get to enjoy my favorite Spanish tradition, the splendid afternoon siesta, but the best restaurants in the Spanish capital rival those of Manhattan. From a simple rustic tavern to a temple of molecular gastronomy, here are my best bets for your next trip to Madrid:Posada de la Villa (Cava Baja 9, 011.34.91.2661.860)If you go before ten in the

The Grumpy Gourmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959793735757201397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975786818252399103.post-37320506291234357342009-05-19T14:07:00.002-04:002009-05-19T14:07:10.418-04:00

I am off for a ten day jaunt to Madrid and San Sebastian, so although you won't be getting NYC dining reviews from me while I am gone, check back soon for my postcard reviews from abroad...Have a great Memorial Day weekend.

The Grumpy Gourmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959793735757201397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975786818252399103.post-47646132588468033602009-05-17T20:53:00.024-04:002009-05-18T15:34:08.318-04:00

Our first stop on my critical tour of the NYC dining scene is the Sunday Supper special at Irving Mill in Gramercy, where my sister and I met for dinner. I will say that one benefit the Great Depression Part Deux has brought us New Yorkers is great restaurant deals. I am not talking about pedestrian drink or early bird specials that some restaurants try to foist on their patrons; if you are

The Grumpy Gourmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959793735757201397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975786818252399103.post-54663919463341732332009-05-16T12:20:00.015-04:002009-05-18T13:53:45.410-04:00

Every critic needs a rating system that readers can identify with and intuitively use when deciding on a restaurant. So obviously before I dive in and start giving you my restaurant reviews, let me introduce you to what I have dubbed the "Grumpy Scale."I really enjoy the simplicity of a 4 star rating system, so that's what I am going with. I can't stand half stars or quarter stars--just make a

The Grumpy Gourmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959793735757201397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975786818252399103.post-86552753844176319652009-05-14T15:38:00.005-04:002009-05-16T19:43:17.406-04:00

So what do you say when one of the most divisive restaurant reviewers in New York Times history puts down his pen and leaves his post as restaurant critic at the Gray Lady?Many people in the industry disliked Mr. Frank Bruni and thought he should spend more time opining on the food on his plate and less on witty wordplay and clever similes in his reviews. But I for one often found myself nodding

The Grumpy Gourmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959793735757201397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5975786818252399103.post-21860592187054602682009-05-14T09:46:00.003-04:002009-05-16T19:42:49.748-04:00

Before anyone even thinks of listening to my opinion about the dining scene in NYC, I thought I should introduce myself. I am a 29 year old lawyer who grew up in the restaurant business as a product of a Greek immigrant family. I have lived in the West Village for six of the last eight years, so as you will discover I have a bit of a downtown bias. I love nothing better than going out to

The Grumpy Gourmandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959793735757201397noreply@blogger.com1