The Greenbriar Inn: Boulder, Colorado-Four Stars

{photo from Greenbriar Inn}

My husband and I decided to try out the Greenbriar Inn for First Bite Boulder.  The deal was that you got a three course prix fixe menu for $26.  Before our first course they brought us out a special foie gras amuse bouche which was incredible.  I don't think they have it on the regular menu, but if it is ever a special I would definitely recommend it.

For our appetizers we had the lemon parmesan fried escargot and the salmon crudo spring roll.  Both were tasty, but neither were particularly memorable.  For our entrees my husband ordered the petite filet and rock shrimp scampi and I had the duck en croûte.  The filet was definitely petite and the rock shrimp scampi was good, but the duck en croûte stole the show.  Unfortunately it is not on the regular menu, but I would imagine that the beef wellington would also have to be amazing.

The Greenbriar Inn is a very romantic restaurant, so if you're looking for a nice night out to cozy up to your loved one, I'd recommend the Greenbriar Inn.  In all I'd give the Greenbriar Inn three and a half to four stars, but five stars to the duck en croûte.

The Greenbriar Inn

8735 N. Foothills Hwy.

Boulder, CO 80302

303.440.7979

Fatty Crab: New York, New York-Five Stars

 {photo from the New York Journal}

If I had to choose a phrase to sum up my experience at Fatty Crab it would be "You'll eat so much that you'll have to move your belt over an extra notch."  

The food is a mix of southeast asian (mainly Malaysian) with some modern american twists.  They change their menu seasonally, but when I was there the nasi lemak and the short rib rendang were capital A-mazing.  There were three of us at dinner that night and we tried probably four or five dishes plus an appetizer because everything just looked so darn good.  And to wash it all down, don't forget to order a Chupacabra, I mean if a drink is named "goat sucker" it has to be good.

So seriously, wear your stretchy pants and be ready to get your eat on.

Fatty Crab West Village

643 Hudson Street

New York, NY 10014

212.352.3592

Momofuku Noodle Bar: New York, New York-Five Stars

{photo from The New York Times}

Mmmmm noodles.  I have a strange love for all things noodles.  Maybe it's because I spent a year in Italy.  Maybe it's because I'm half Asian and somehow noodles connect me back to my roots.  Or perhaps it's just because noodles are delicious.

When I first heard about Momofuku Noodle Bar I knew I had to go.  Not only is the chef touted to be one of the most innovative newcomers to the scene, but he was serving noodles for goodness sake!  

We started out with the shiitake steamed bun.  It was melt-in-your-mouth, moan-out-loud delicious.  And I don't even really care for shiitakes.  Seriously, if you go to Momofuku Noodle Bar you HAVE to get the shiitake steam bun.  My mouth is watering just thinking about them.

{photo from me}

The next thing we tried were tamales, a special that day.  They were good, but a little confusing to my palate.  It didn't quite seem to go with the other dishes.  I was expecting it to have more asian flavors, but it was pretty traditional.

Then we had what I was waiting for--the ramen.  We ordered the Momofuku ramen, which is pork belly, pork shoulder, and a poached egg.  It was amazing.  The noodles were cooked to perfection in a salty broth, paired with the seriously tender pork belly, shredded pork shoulder, sliced green onions, a perfectly poached egg, kamaboko (the fish cakes that are usually pink and white), and bamboo shoots.  Yum!  Apparently this dish is one of the saltiest in New York.  (Our waitress told us that after we started eating...ha).  I must say it is worth the salt bloat.    

But seriously, although the ramen was tasty, it paled in comparison with the shiitake bao.  You'll just have to try it to know what I mean.

Momofuku Noodle Bar

171 First Ave

New York, NY 10003

La Esquina: New York, New York-Four Stars

{photo from InStyle}

Hungry for some dirt cheap, late night, grungy taco stand munchies?  Or would you rather hang out at an exclusive, celebrity-ridden eatery?  You can do it all at La Esquina...that is, assuming you have a reservation.  No reservation?  Well you can still enjoy the tasty tacos served the the humble masses.


When we first rolled up to the taco stand I assumed that's all it was, a late night hole-in-the-wall taco stand.  The best kind of course.  And as I was settling in to chow down on my first taco, I noticed that there were some fabulously dressed couples going into the taco stand, but not coming out.  They were all headed downstairs.  This definitely peaked my interest, and luckily I happened to be with my favorite New York transplant couple who gave me the low down on La Esquina.  Masquerading as a mere taco stand, this establishment is actually quite luxe once you get downstairs.  


The tacos were great, but I'll have to leave the mysterious downstairs eatery for my next visit to New York.  I promise that once I finally get down there I'll let you all know what it's really about.


La Esquina
114 Kenmare St
New York, NY 10012
646.613.7100

Choptank: New York, New York-Four Stars

I recently travelled to New York for work, but despite how busy we were I was still able to come home with my belt a few notches looser.


The first night I arrived in New York I went out with a couple of my friends to a seafood restaurant called Choptank.  It was a great way to start my trip in NYC.

{photo from Haute Living}

Our meal started off with a plate of fresh oysters that slid down my throat so easily it was almost like drinking them and an appetizer of perfectly fried fish sticks.  Fish sticks always used to remind me of childhood, since that is the only time most people eat them.  But these were hot and crispy on the outside and wonderfully flaky on the inside, not quite the same as the frozen fish sticks of our past.  After the fish sticks we had Choptank's signature crab dip and chips (which is free and not on the menu).  My friend had raved about this dip and it definitely lived up to her praises.    


For dinner I had the best burger I've had in a long time.  It was juicy, flavorful, and best of all, cooked exactly how I ordered it.  One of my biggest pet peeves is when waiters will ask how you want a piece of meat cooked and then serve a well-done burger or steak.  If they're going to serve it well-done, they shouldn't even ask how I want it cooked.  That way I'm not surprised when a piece of gray rubber comes out on my plate instead of the medium rare steak I ordered.


And to wash it all down I had a glass of the Quattro Mani which was unexpectedly good for the price (although I think I paid as much for the glass as I could have for the whole bottle at a wine store).


So if you're in the area and want a delicious juicy burger at a seafood restaurant (a bit of an oxymoron I guess) head into Choptank, and don't forget to ask for the crab dip and chips!


Choptank
308 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10014
212.675.2009
www.choptanknyc.com

Lily's Cafe & Pastries: Malibu, California-Five Stars

{photo from The Kitchy Kitchen}

Lily's breakfast burritos are God's gift to the hungover.  Or the hungry surfer coming in after an early morning session.  Or even the Barbie mom in her pink jumpsuit yelling for her nanny to hurry up and get the kids out of the car.  


And on any given day at Lily's you'll see all three huddled together over their warm, gooey burritos scarfing them down like there's no tomorrow.  Regardless of who you are, anyone with tastebuds is able to enjoy this little piece of heaven wrapped up in a warm tortilla.


Imagine crispy bacon, fluffy eggs, melted cheese, moist refried beans, and hearty potatoes wrapped in a soft, warm tortilla.  It's so good for the soul.


Nestled unassumingly in a strip mall in Malibu, this is the place locals come for breakfast.  Just make sure to call ahead to order your burrito or you could wait up to an hour for it.  But trust me, even if you have to wait it's worth every minute.


Lily's Cafe & Pastries29211 Heathercliff RoadMalibu, CA 90265(310) 457-3745‎

Gondolier on Pearl in Boulder, Colorado-One Star

{photo from gondolier on pearl}

For Valentines Day my husband and I went skiing (it was a powder day at Breckenridge), ordered take out, drank some red wine, and watched a movie.  He ordered a pepperoni pizza and I ordered the meat lasagna from the Gondolier on Pearl.  


It was by far the worst lasagna I have ever had.  There was a lot of sauce in the take out container, but none in the lasagna itself, the ricotta cheese was dry and flavorless, the meat tasted like it had been cooked a week ago, and the top layer of mozzarella was hard, not melted and gooey, like the top of every lasagna should be.  I ate about a quarter of it and then quit and ate some of my husband's pizza.  I even tried to melt more cheese on top of it, but it was still so dry it gave me cottonmouth.  


I've had one other dish by them and it was also pretty bad, but I was willing to give them another try.  Never again.  Gondolier on Pearl is the worst Italian restaurant I've been to in Colorado and I would recommend that everyone steer clear of this place.


Gondolier on Pearl
1600 Pearl Street #1
Boulder, CO 80302

Sherpa's in Boulder, Colorado-Four Stars

Sherpa's is a wonderful Nepali and Tibetan restaurant run by actual Sherpas.  Not only can they cook a mean meal, but they can dance circles around you while lugging your stuff up Mt. Everest.  The restaurant is located in an old Victorian on Walnut Street in downtown Boulder and the staff will always bring a smile to your face.  Sherpa's is very popular so you're likely to have to wait for a table, but the smiling Sherpas who finally seat you and the delicious food make it all worth it.

{photo from the creative connector}

Most of the curries sound and look similar, but they taste very different.  My absolute favorite dish there is Jal Fregi which has a sweeter tomato base with tons of fresh veggies and/or meat.  I think there is a bit of coconut in the sauce which accounts for the sweetness of the dish. Paired with an order of naan and you have a wonderful meal.  To wash it all down order a cup of hot chai which they will keep refilling as long as you're sitting at the table.  I highly recommend Sherpa's if you're looking for delicious food in a friendly, bustling setting.

{photo from devner westword}

Sherpa's Adventurers Restaurant & Bar

825 Walnut Street

Boulder, CO 80302

303.440.7151

sherpaascent.com/restaurant.htm

Food love

Hello fellow foodies!  I've created this blog to document my journey of tasting my way through the foods of this world.  As an uncompromising foodie I promise to honestly write about everything from the most delectable, melt in your mouth dishes to the horrible, not even suitable for pet food, crap, and everything in between.


I hope you enjoy every mouth-watering moment with me!

{photo from wikimedia commons}