a(muse), Rehoboth DE

a(muse)
44 Baltimore Ave.
Rehoboth Beach DE, 19971
302.227.7107
http://www.amuse-rehoboth.com/

Innovative modernits cuisine that doesn't sacrifice flavor for technique.  A picture is worth a thousand words.  Everything is as good as it looks:
 

Cool Hand Fluke
beet - potato - watercress

Toad in a Hole
farm egg - mustard greens
- pickled onion - old bay

A Taste of Spring
asparagus - cattail - buttermilk - mixed greens

Nanticoke Trail
venison tartare - sorrel - juniper - pine

Marvesta Shrimp Cocktail
caper - ice - horseradish - lemon

By Ocean, By Air
scallop - foie gras - cauliflower - leek tarragon

Textures of the Field
quinoa - barley - soy - wheat grass

Soft Crab
 pasta - roe - green onion - green almond

Tuna

Seaside
tile fish - oyster - black garlic - kale

Mixed Berries
with Mozzarella Ice Cream

Deconstructed S'more

The Beach
toasted grain - salted caramel
- grape - a (pearl.)

Cafe Istanbul, Midtown DC

2001 L St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 331-2055
Web: http://www.cafeistanbultogo.com/

Cafe Istanbul never seems to have anyone in it, but it's a good choice for a sandwich if you're in the neighborhood. I can't vouch for the Turkish buffet or the average-looking pizza as I've tried neither, but the Döner Pita ($5.99) is the real deal. The meat, which is much more lamby than an American gyro, is sliced from the traditional rotisserie and served on homemade pita with shredded lettuce and your choice of the usual toppings, like cacik (tzatziki), tomato and cucumber salad, hummus, babaganoush, and tabbouleh. Cafe Istanbul's version reminds me of the döners I used to get in Frankfurt, where one is available on nearly every street corner. I haven't seen too many in DC, and I like the one here. I'm not sure I'd travel across town for it, but it's a nice alternative if you're nearby and don't feel like standing in line for a gyro at the Greek Deli.

Original Post:  http://www.donrockwell.com/index.php?showtopic=18256

The Spotted Pig, West Village - NYC

314 W. 11th Street (Greenwich Street)

New York, NY 10014
Phone (212) 620-0393
Web: http://thespottedpig.com/
Menu: http://thespottedpig.com/food.php

For my last meal on a (too) brief trip to New York, I went to The Spotted Pig in the West Village. It was my first time at April Bloomfield's much-hyped Gastropub (an overused term that actually applies here), and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I started with a Spotted Pig Bitter ($10) from one of their two beer engines, an excellent rendition of the style. Next I went with a Smoked Trout Salad with Creme Fresh and Pickled Onions ($16), an arguala salad with chunks of good, lightly-smoked fish that seemed too heavily dressed at first, but the dressing had such a balance an brightness it worked. I paired a La Formica Soave ($13) with it that was a nice match.

For my main I had the special of the day, Pork Cheek Faggots (I swear that's how it was written on the board) with English Peas and Mustard, which were kind-of like football shaped sausages, kind-of like meatballs, and kind of like braised shortrib (though, obviously cheek), and, though over-salted, delicious. Despite the salt, I get them again without a second thought. I ordered a Domaine Jessiaume Pinot Noir with it that was also a good paring. All-in-all, for $90, it was not a bargain, but a nice meal in a place I'm eager to return to. Particularly for the burger, served with shoestring fries ($20), which many in the dining room ordered and which looks incredible.

Original Post:  http://www.donrockwell.com/index.php?showtopic=18248

Artinsenal, Kips Bay - NYC

2 Park Avenue (32nd Street),

New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 725-8585
Web: http://www.artisanalbistro.com/
Menus: http://www.artisanal...menus_index.php

For years, Artisenal has been my go-to lunch spot anytime I'm near Penn Station or Grand Central, though it's a bit of a hike from both. It's not a cheap lunch, but it has good food and wines by the glass. On my visit last Friday, I sat at the bar and started with six "East Coast" oysters (no place of origin was indicated on the menu or when they arrived, and I didn't care enough to ask) ($18) and a Hugel Reisling from Alsace ($14). The oysters were big and nicely briney, but served with a Mignonette that was basically red wine vinegar. This isn't typical and, regardless, a good oyster is a good oyster. I also ordered The Big Cheese, a killer grilled cheese with Fontina, Tellegio, Gruyere, and Emmenthaler ($15.50), to which I added tomato ($1.50) and bacon ($2.00), and subbed an under dressed green salad for the standard chips. Add another Hugel and the bill was $71 for a big lunch, which admittedly wasn't their finest effort (an anomaly, but still an enjoyable meal). Steep, yes, but you could stick to the sandwich itself or the excellent burger and leave for much less.   

Original Post:  http://www.donrockwell.com/index.php?showtopic=18247

Sushi Yasuda, Midtown East - NYC

204 East 43rd Street
New York City 10017
Phone: (212) 972-1001
Fax: (212) 972-1717
Web: http://www.sushiyasuda.com/

One of my favorite destinations in New York is Sushi Yasuda in Midtown East, one block from Grand Central. I've been numerous times, and my visit last week was typical of the remarkable experience I've come to expect. My meal last Thursday at the sushi bar was omakase and included, in order (all nigiri unless indicated): bluefin toro, branzino, yellowtail, mackerel and jack mackerel (I told the chef I loved mackerel), scallop, arctic char, Australian king salmon, giant clam, sea eel and frestwater eel, oyster, toro and scallion maki (two pieces), uni (on request), and more bluefin toro (also requested). Each was the best of its kind that I can recall and came with perfect (texture, seasoning, and temperature) rice and interesting sauces and garnishes (a lot of citrus in addition to the usual soy and fresh wasabi). The whole meal for two (we each had everything listed), plus 3 Kirin draft was $200, which, though not cheap, I consider an excellent value. And Yasuda has been remarkably consistent, though the one visit where I sat at a table and ordered a la carte the sushi was only merely "very good." But if you go to the sushi bar and let them choose their best, I doubt you'll find better sushi in the US, and possibly anywhere.

Original Post:  http://www.donrockwell.com/index.php?showtopic=18246