TABLE FOR ONE: SUSHI SEKI

Have you been to Sushi Seki yet? Have you heard of Sushi Seki? If you haven't, you need to know about this sushi joint. Why? Cause it is unbelievable, and one of the best sushi spots in all of NYC. Also, with the sushi bar open til 2:30 am, it is my pick for the best late night (after 11pm) sushi in NYC. 

I have been coming to Sushi Seki for some time now. Their chef comes from my favorite sushi joint, Sushi of Gari, and you can see the similarities. Every time I eat pieces of their sublime sushi, they melt in my mouth, and I have multiple culinary orgasms. Yes, I'm not afraid to admit it. The sushi here is amazing. It's definitely not cheap, but for me, the Foodie Magician, it sure is worth it. It's raw fish magic in my mouth. 

Sushi Seki
1143 1st Ave (bet. 62nd and 63rd)
New York, NY 10065
212-371-0238
www.sushisekinyc.com

TABLE FOR ONE: ANNISA

I had been wanting to eat at Annisa for years, Chef Anita Lo's West Village contemporaty American restaurant. My dream came true a few weeks ago, and I had a truly magical tasting ($78). The restaurant, tucked away on Barrow St, is modern and simple, yet casual. The vibe is positive and great. Chef Lo sends out inventive contemporary American cuisine, by combining flavors inspired by her Asian roots, her travels, and seasonal influences with her classic French technique. The food is outstanding. I had a truly pleasurable experience at Annisa, and I can't wait to go back!

The one dish you must try at Annisa is the seared foie gras soup dumpling and jicama. Not only was this the most memorable dish of the night, it was one of the best bites I've had in my life. A culinary orgasm is bound to happen. Just go with it. Enjoy the ride.

Razor clam ceviche with pistachio, hearts of palm, and green garlic, was delectable. Simple, light, and flavorful.

Miso marinated sable with crispy silken tofu in a bonito broth is also amazing. That broth had such a fantastic flavor, that silken tofu was heaven. The combo ingenious. Another memorable dish.

Smoked and slow-cooked wild king salmon with white asparagus and black truffle is also excellent. That fish so tender and beautiful. It was like butter. Pure deliciousness.

Grilled Wagyu beef with escargos, garlic chives, and Alba mushrooms, was a medley of tastiness.

Dessert at Annisa cannot be skipped- it is simply unbelievable! Pecan and salted butterscotch beignets served with bourbon milk ice is a revelation in awesomeness. I took one bite of a beignet and I swear, I cried. It was beyond a joyous experience. I wanted to take these beignets home with me and make babies. Order them.

A tasting of chocolate and malted desserts is also sensational. Truly magical.

Annisa is a great restaurant. Period. With great service, great food, and a great vibe. What more can you ask for? A magical meal awaits.

Annisa
13 Barrow St
New York, NY 10014
212-741-6699

www.annisarestaurant.com

TABLE FOR ONE: POK POK NY

I love Thai food. I have been excited about all the hype of the new Pok Pok NY, acclaimed chef Andy Ricker's outpost of his Portland hit. I recently went to check it out in the boonies of Brooklyn. I took a seat at the bar, in their small front room, as opposed to their tented backyard, where hoards of diners feast on Chef Ricker's take on Thai cuisine. The vibe is Thai shack in Brooklyn, and it's a cool spot. I will say I enjoyed my meal here immensely. The textures and flavors were unique and delicious. There was something different about this food, in a good way. 

Cha Ca "La Vong" ($14), Vietnamese catfish marinated in turmeric and sour sticky rice, fried in turmeric oil with scallions and dill, served on rice vermicelli with peanuts, mint, cilantro, and mam nem, is excellent. That catfish tender as can be, those vermicelli practically melt in your mouth. The flavors are perfectly balanced, the kick of dill a nice touch. Order it.

A special salad of the day of Northern Thai young tamarind leaf, tomatoes, onions, and pork, with aromatic curry paste was wonderful. This dish really opened up all your senses. A great balance of spice.

Kaeng Hung Leh ($14), Nothern Thai pork belly and pork shoulder curry, with ginger, palm sugar, turmeric, tamarind Burmese curry powder, and pickled garlic, is also really nice. Very tasty.

No need for dessert at Pok Pok NY, (my affogato with Chinese donuts was nothing special,) but for all you people looking for something non-alcoholic, try one of their drinking vinegars ($4). My pomegranate vinegar drink was refreshing as can be.

Pok Pok NY is a true culinary adventure. First you must get there, and then you will be led on a culinary adventure unique to your taste buds, as well as New York. Take the trip, a magical adventure awaits.

Pok Pok NY
127 Columbia St.
Brooklyn, NY 11231
718=923-9322
www.pokpokny.com

TABLE FOR ONE: DANJI

Awesome modern Korean bites await you at Danji in Midtown. I'd been wanting to check this place out for a while, and after a meal there last week, I was beyond amazed. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!

I rarely order tofu dishes, but the bartender recommended the tofu with ginger scallion dressing ($8), and a soy vinaigrette, I trusted him. This was a smart move, because the dish was incredible. Lightly fried, and with just a small little kick, the flavor and texture of this tofu was unlike any I'd encountered before. Tofu greatness!

Spicy pork belly sliders ($12), with scallions, cucumber julienne, and kochujang are absolutely delicious. A wonderful balance of flavor and texture.

Poached sablefish ($18), with spicy daikon is fabulous. I never really eat sablefish, but this fish was so perfectly cooked, it practically melted in my mouth. The sauce was out of this world too.

Definitely check out Danji when you get a chance, you'll be glad you did.

Danji
346 W. 52nd St. (bet. 8th and 9th)
New York, NY 10019
212-586-2880
www.danjinyc.com

NYC FOODIE QUICK BITE: BLUE RIBBON SUSHI IZAKAYA

I love all of the Blue Ribbon restaurants, and was excited to try their new baby, Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya. This new spot, located in the old Shang space in the Thompson LES Hotel, is great! I stopped in last month, ate a lot of food, and loved it all. This is the perfect place for drinks and great Japanese bites. It is a Japanese tavern, with great food. The fact this place is open til 2am, is also awesome, for it will be satisfying my late night downtown Japanese cravings for years to come! 

We started with an assortment of their vegetables, which were refreshing, flavorful, and perfect.

Horse mackerel sashimi, is magically presented.

Short rib skewers were delicious.

Sea Scallop and miso butter skewers were unbelievable and orgasmic. A must order. Wow!

Beef tongue, with daikon, shitake, and black truffle teriyaki was tasty as can be.

Oxtail and bone marrow fried rice is absolutely mindblowing! The best fried rice dish I've ever had. My second culinary orgasm of the evening. Order it, trust me.

The fried chicken served here is also something to talk about. Why? Because it is beyond awesome! Some of the best in town, you must order it too. You can thank me later. I would describe it as "Awesome Squared". The Colonel would be proud.

End with a green tea creme bruleé, and your evening will be complete.

The Lower East Side of Manhattan can get a little nutty at night, with hoards of drunkards ruling the streets. Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya offers a fabulous escape to tickle your taste buds, and satisfy your thirst, in a space geared for eating, drinking, and conversing. It's a great place.

Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya
190 Allen St. (second floor of the Thompson LES Hotel, entrance on Orchard)
New York, NY 10002
212-466-0404

www.thompsonhotels.com/hotels/nyc/thompson-les/eat/blue-ribbon-sushi-izakaya

TABLE (SEAT) FOR ONE: ATERA

I had dinner at Atera 3 weeks ago, but it's not really dinner, it's an experience. A magical experience. The cuisine at Atera could be categorized as "modern foraging". The place settings, decor, and dishes themselves, all take on an "earthy" quality. Some dishes are literally served on rocks. Some dishes look like rocks. This is one of the most unique dining experiences of my life. All your senses are tested at Atera. The food may not be what it seems. Atera is not for everyone, especially at $150 before tip or drink, but Atera, is for those culinary adventurers looking to expand horizons. If you are a "foodie", or someone who is interested in unique dining experience, Atera is for you. It really is dinner and a show. You sit at the chef's counter and chef Matthew Lighter and his team begin their show. This is like a Momofuku Ko, or a Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare. There were many snacks and dishes I can tell you about. I'll let the food porn do the talking. Sit back,relax, and enjoy the show. A magical culinary adventure awaits.

Snacks

Courses

Yogurt: nuts, freeze-dried fruit, beet

Diver Scallops: citrus, gin botanicals

Fluke: barbequed onion, coriander, fennel seed

Squid: cured pork fat, squid broth

Dried Beet: trout roe, crustacean sauce

Soft-Shell Crab: brown butter

Skate: beef tendon, greens, chicken bouillon

Squab: pickled wild onion

Lamb Collar: root beer, hickory nuts

Dessert Rock

Parsley Root Split: banana ice cream, meringue

Oak: wintergreen, brown butter

So there you have it. The food porn. To describe in detail every dish, well, I think it's something you need to experience for yourself. It's an adventure. Looking back on the meal, it makes me want to go back. I want my taste buds to relive those ingenious flavor combinations. Did my buds love every flavor? Maybe not. But I was so happy they were introduced to a new world. A culinary world that is unique, that made me see and taste food differently. It was like being in a forest, and everything was coming to life, and everything was edible, everything was magical.

Atera
77 Worth St. (bet. Broadway and Church)
New York, NY 10013
212-226-1444

www.ateranyc.com

TABLE FOR ONE: LUPE'S EAST L.A. KITCHEN

Get your Mexican cravings satisfied in west Soho at Lupe's East L.A. Kitchen. I stopped by a few weeks ago for lunch, after reading someone's mind the night before who thought of this spot. This gritty joint hits the spot for sure. It pays to read minds.

Lupe's East L.A. Kitchen
110 Sixth Ave. (and Watts St.)
New York, NY 10013
212-966-1326
www.lupeskitchen.com

TABLE FOR ONE: DESMOND'S

A new group reservation dining website called gDine (www.gDine.com), invited me to check out their site and choose a restaurant to dine at a few weeks ago. I chose Desmond's, a British American restaurant, across the street from Bloomingdales. Housed in a former bank, the space is soaring, highlighted by a huge British flag on one wall, playing homage to their head chef. I dined on a Monday night, and the place was practically empty, which is a shame, because I dined on some excellent fare. I really enjoyed every dish.

I started with a nice complimentary biscuit, and then had the tuna tartar ($14), with watermelon and ginger vinaigrette. It was excellent. I loved how that watermelon added a nice sweetness and refreshingness to the dish.

Pork belly ($14), with salted caramel and apple salad, was perfect, and a pleasure to consume.

Desmond's version of surf and turf, scallops, oxtail, and cauliflower puree ($28), was quite delicious as well.

A side of English cheddar mac and cheese might tickle your fancy too.

End with an awesome sticky English toffee pudding, it was orgasmic.

Desmond's
153 E. 60th St. (bet. Lex and 3rd)
New York, NY 10065
212-207-4949
www.desmondsny.com

TABLE FOR ONE: TULSI

Great Indian cuisine awaits you at Tulsi, a fabulous Indian joint in Midtown. I don't eat Indian too often, although I do enjoy it, and a small tasting at Tulsi made me reconsider my lack of Indian meals per year. If you enjoy Indian food, Tulsi is a top notch destination. The chef is Hemant Mathur and he can work the room just as well as he works a tandoor. The night I dined he swept through his dining room, playing host and ringleader, greeting guests, and then sending out a tasting for little ole me. The food packed with great flavors and textures was excellent. The service superb. This is a great restaurant, and a pleasure to dine at.

Tulsi, a magical Indian adventure awaits.

Tulsi
211 East 46th St. (bet. 3rd and 2nd)
New York, NY 10017
212-888-0820

www.tulsinyc.com

TABLE FOR ONE: GOTHAM BAR AND GRILL

Chef Alfred Portale's Gotham Bar and Grill has been around since 1984. Many people I talk to love this place, and after a recent meal there, I could see why. It's the perfect American restaurant.

Their famous yellowfin tuna tartare ($22),with Japanese cucumber, shiso leaf, and sweet miso is very good, and perfect. 

A roast suckling pig ($40), with broccoli rabe, sweet onion marmalade, and crushed potatoes, in an apple cider jus, was absolutely amazing, and one of the best pig dishes I've had. Pure deliciousness.

Dessert cannot be skipped at Gotham Bar and Grill. Pastry Chef Deborah Racicot's affogato ($14) blew my mind. Chicory ice cream, hazelnut financier and espresso sauce, with a vanilla mascarpone sorbet, was mind-blowing. I really loved this dish, and wanted to take a bath in it.

Gotham Bar and Grill is an institution in New York City. A truly fabulous restaurant all round. A mainstay. A treasure.

Gotham Bar and Grill
12 East 12th St, (bet. University and 5TH)
New York, NY 10003
212-620-4020

www.gothambarandgrill.com