The halal guys

Food truck on 53rd and 7th - gyros or platters with rice - chicken gyro meat or falafel. Delicious white sauce and extremely spicy hot sauce (like mouth still on fire hot)!
Consistently among the top of food carts in NYC and cheap eats. Not sure what the magic combo is-but it's very very good.

Delicious ramen for lunch

Made stock with pork & chicken bones

Omnivore originates- fried clams

Tasting table had a recipe for fried clams that look relatively simple-

http://www.tastingtable.com/cook/recipes/fried-clam-recipe-how-to-cook-clams-tartar-sauce

I used little neck clams- popped them into freezer for 15 minutes then shucked them- ( my dad actually did the shucking- much easier after they are in freezer for a bit) and followed the pretty easy recipe. I used coconut oil for frying and the result was a delicious, crispy, non-greasy clam only improved by a drag through lemony tarter sauce. So good!

Omnivore Originates

Shopping at the local farm stand this time of year is one of life's greatest simple pleasures. Fresh fruit and vegetables, excellent bread and local cheeses are all abundant and require only simple preparation to be delicious!

Omnivore Originates - Beef Stew

Feels like a fall day in Vermont and I was craving a good Sunday dinner before heading back to work after a weeks vacation. Made a beef stew with a Harissa spiced coconut milk and puréed sweet potato base and added carrots and peas and served on yogurt mashed potatoes.  Salad of from my garden beans and tomatoes. Delicious.

Big Gay Ice Cream - West Village, NYC

Soft serve joint with Bea Arthur-esque decor and wild flavor combinations- think "salty pimp"- vanilla with dulce de leche, sea salt and dipped in chocolate shell.
Cones, shakes and floats- all whimsical and delicious. Place is mobbed all of the time, and for good reason. I went with vanilla with rainbow sprinkles because they looked too pretty.

Address: 61 Grove Street, New York, NY
Website: biggayicecream.com

L'Artusi - West Village NYC

Multi-leveled West Village Italian hot spot with staying power, L'Artusi is locally sourced, thoughtfully composed and consistently excellent.   There is a sleek comfortable marble counter that looks into the kitchen, and is a great place to be entertained while eating incredible food.  Not your average Italian, there are lots of vegetarian options as well as excellent, innovative crudos and many lighter dishes.  The pastas do, however, shine- both classics like Orecchiette with sausage or modern twists like gnocchi with rabbit cacciatore. 

Address:  228 West 10^th St, New York, NY

Website: www.lartusi.com

Omnivore Originates - Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini noodles

With zucchini coming out of gardens like mad, I tried a zucchini noodle recipe.

O Ya - Murray Hill, NYC

The best discovery at O Ya was that I found
my long lost sushi hero, Don from the now
defunct Geisha Table. It was a teary
reunion. Man does he have a
way with fish!!!

Sublime sushi tucked away inside the park south hotel in Murray hill. Two menu choices, either an 18 or 24 course tasting menu beginning with sushi (rather than sashimi -as it typically is done) and ending with some unbelievably delicious composed plates. Each bite is complex and precise. Up there as perhaps the best sushi, maybe even food, that I've ever experienced. This is still new- once people figure this one out, you won't be able to get a seat.  Click on to see some of the best of the 24 courses.

Website: O-Ya.Restaurant/o-ya-nyc/
Address: 122 East 28th, New York, NY 

Omnivore Originates - Grilled Pizza

Was craving pizza today. Made two kinds on the grill. Al Duccis dough and fresh mozzarella, shrimp with garlic, white wine, lemon and Parmesan cheese. Andouille sausage, broccoli rabe, onions and red sauce. Both were good, but the white shrimp one was really good.

Omnivore originates- woah! Pancakes

You will need 2 eggs- a banana and approximately 1/4 cup almond flour - I also used some coconut flakes just because. Mix in blender- grill like normal pancakes- and top with fruit, maple syrup whatever. Heathy- easy-gluten free- protein packed. You can substitute actual nuts for almond flour- I've done almonds and walnuts- both great.

Lobster Place/Chelsea Market - Chelsea, NYC

Whipped into this amazing fish market and found myself at the sushi counter eating more Uni.

Website: LobsterPlace.com

Address: 75 9th Avenue, New York, NY 

Chelsea Market - Chelsea, NYC

Chelsea market is a much evolved, bustling food court/shopping center filling the entire city block of ninth/tenth avenue between 15 & 16th streets. It's been the long time home of places like Amy's bread, the fat witch bakery and the Chelsea wine vault. It now is a hugely popular and touristy destination for everything from exquisite flowers to excellent butchers to lobster and sushi.

Website: ChelseaMarket.com
Address:  75 9th Avenue, New York, NY

Omnivore Originates - Father's Day

Pretty cauliflower!

Father's Day Dinner Menu
* Gazpacho with avocado and crab
* Kale and mint salad w spicy peanut dressing
* Roasted Cauliflower
* Grilled bourbon marinated sugar steak
* Potato stack (scalloped)
* Rhubarb lemon almond flour cake with hand made local strawberry ice cream from the Chocolate Barn in Shaftsbury, VT. ( the best!!! www.thechocolatebarn.com )

Omnivore Other Stuff - All the Rain

Irises

The rain has brought incredible growth and color to my gardens.  Absolutely stunning!

All'onda - Union Square, NYC

View from the street.

My favorite restauranteur in NYC is Michael White. He does Italian food incredibly well-and I love his seafood preparations. The chef at All'onda cooked with Michael White and there are a lot of similarities with his menu and the menu at Marea or Ai Fiori. Anyway, I also am obsessed with sea urchin recently and read about a specific sea urchin pasta that I needed to try. I ventured to this union Square hot spot and was not disappointed.

Website: Allondanyc.com
Address: 22 East 13th Street, New York, NY

Omnivore Outdoors - Strawberry Picking

Strawberries.  Go pick some if you have a chance - they taste so different than the ones you buy at the grocery store. Juicy and sweet and delicate.  I made jam - just like my grandma used to make. Yum.

Omnivore Originates - Scrambled Eggs with Morels

Scrambled Eggs with Morels-
If you have morels burning a hole in your pocket and its breakfast time, you can sauté them with shallots and put them on your scrambled eggs and toast.   Delicious 👍

Omnivore Observations - Shake Shack

Shake shack now does breakfast in some locations and it's good.  Really good.

The Clam - West Village, NYC

This was my second time at this quaint west village eatery. The room is inviting with exposed brick walls, a metal tiled ceiling and a sleek marble bar. Heavily focused on seafood, and as the name implies, clams, the menu has both the predictable and the unexpected. The food is seasonal, simple and really fresh tasting. 
Great neighborhood spot with friendly casual vibe- seemed like a lot of regulars/locals.

Website: Theclamnyc.com
Address: 420 Hudson Street, New York, NY

Soto - West Village, NYC

Sushi bar- was packed shortly into the evening

Simple, almost austere sushi joint that has stood the test of time. High quality fish prepared in creative ways. Great uni dishes- my most recent sushi obsession.


Address: 357 6th Ave, New York, NY
Website: Link to Menu

Maestro's Steakhouse - Midtown, NYC

From Maestro's website.

Good for an expense account, large group dinner. Huge multilevel mid-town place that could be anywhere, Miami, Vegas anywhere. Packed with large parties, it's a lively and efficient place to drop a lot of money on good but not great food. I forgot to take photos of the steak and sides- what you would expect with a NYC steakhouse with a couple of standout dishes- king crab black truffle gnocchi and lobster mashed potatoes were scrumptious.



Address: 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY
Website: MaestrosRestaurants.com

Omnivore Observations - Cold Warrior Juice

Cold Warrior from Juice Generation- I'm feeling a cold coming on... Hopefully this will help fight it off.  Will let you know.

Via Carota - West Village, NYC

The bar at Via Carota - great place to dine solo

After enjoying my meal at Buvette so much, I found myself at another of chef Jody Williams restaurants last night, Via Carota. This is a joint venture with another popular West Village chef, Rita Sodi of I Sodi fame.  The menu is Italian and heavily leaning toward well sourced preparations of local and seasonal foods- loads of veggies.  The restaurant is simple and welcoming, with a huge marble bar and bistro style tables with mismatched flea market chairs and antique decor.


Address: 51 Grove Street, New York, NY
Website: ViaCarota.com

Omnivore Originates - Easy Breakfast

Breakfast-not breakfast- toasted sourdough with a slice of Swiss, tomato, cucumber, avocado, basil and a hard boiled egg. Fuel for the day and so good!

Omnivore Outdoors - Baker Peak Hike, Danby, VT

The views from the summit are incredible.

This is a great 3 -3 1/2 hour round trip hike in Danby, Vermont. It's roughly 3 miles to the peak- and pretty much relentlessly uphill ending in scrambling the last 10th of a mile on exposed rock.

Omnivore Originates - Sunday Dinner

Scoop the custard onto the toast add asparagus spears and speck.
Yummmmmmmmmmy.

All of the hiking and gardening makes you hungry.  I made the April Bloomfield Spotted Pig recipe for Parmesan custard.  A meal itself- served with roasted asparagus, grilled bread and a few slices of speck (prosciutto would obviously work as well).

This dish practically cooked itself. In my tagine,
lamb shank with red wine, Harissa, carrots, radishes
and peas. Braised for 4-5 hours. Served with Israeli
couscous.  So good.

Omnivore Other Stuff - Gardening

The omnivore likes to dabble in gardening too.  Hello veggies. Hope the bunnies leave you alone.

Omnivore Observations - JJ Hapgood Store, Peru, VT

If you hike up to the top of Bromley, you are entitled to pizza from JJ Hapgood. Wood fired pizzas made with organic ingredients. This is the Hawaiian- pineapple ham and roasted red peppers. So good.


Address: 305 Main Street, Peru, VT
Website:  JJHapgood.com

Solo Farm & Table - South Londonderry, Vermont

We are lucky to know the proprietors of this secluded Vermont farmhouse sophisticated dining spot. In an unassuming renovated home with lovely gardens and grounds, you'll find impeccable service, incredible Spanish influenced food and a super cozy relaxed place for an ideal date night.


Address: 95 Middletown Road, South Londonderry, VT
Website: SoloFarmandTable.com

Buvette - West Village, NYC

Chalk wine map on the wall highlighting wines
by the glass and where they are from

This neighborhood gem is another no-reservations, cramped space that serves some well-prepared, simple, heavily French influenced "gastroteque" fare. The chef, Jody Williams, made a name for herself in mostly Italian spots, but does casual French well. Be prepared to be shoe horned into impossibly tight seats and to hear every word of your neighbors conversations.


Address: 42 Grove Street, New York, NY
Website: Buvette.com

Omnivore Observations - Green Juice

In keeping with the latest detox fads- obsessed with green juice with activated charcoal. Evidently charcoal attracts impurities in your system and flushes them out of your digestive tract improving your digestion, skin and breath. Drink your veggies (and charcoal)!

Omnivore Observations - Zucker's Bagels

Zucker's bagels- hand rolled, kettle-boiled. Toasted everything with veggie cream cheese and 2 slices of Lucky's tomatoes. You can thank me later.  www.zuckersbagels.com

Omnivore Observations - Avocado Toast

If you haven't had avocado toast with lemon for breakfast, you're missing out.

The Spotted Pig - West Village, NYC

This British gastropub turned celebrity hang out is on a quiet west village side street. You'll know you've found it when you see the crowds of people swarming around the front door. It's fame has only risen with the success of chef owner author April Bloomfield's recent book "a girl and her pig" as well as her having been awarded a Michelin star at two of her 3 NYC restaurants .

Lovely and lively bar scene- the seats are first come first serve- no reservations- don't be fooled this is a full contact competition for a spot. On a rainy Tuesday night at 830 I waited for 40 minutes.

I'd say half of the people in the restaurant were having the burger- for good reason. This is the chargrilled burger with Roquefort cheese and shoestring fries served with spicy Dijon mustard and ketchup. This is the reason for the Michelin star. Trust me-this is a damn near perfect burger.

Address: 314 West 11th Street, New York, NY
Website: theSpottedPig.com

Crabmeat Toasts - Omnivore Originates

Ten minute elegant light hors d'oeuvres.

1) Can of crabmeat
2) Mix with finely diced shallot, one jalapeno pepper seeds removed, mint leaves, juice from two limes, salt and pepper
3) toast some baguette slices with olive oi
4) serve and enjoy! So yummy.