Tag Archives: dining out

Restaurant Review: Osteria Accademia, Cozy Elegance on the Upper West Side!

osteria accademia interior shot 2 photo by gail worley
All Photos By Gail

It’s always fun and special dining at a restaurant with beautiful interior decor.  But you may agree that what’s even better is being invited to dine at the home of friends who live, say, in a posh but comfortable Brownstone. Such a night out exposes you to a new and enchanting environment while also making you feel relaxed and welcome. You might be surprised to hear that I’ve discovered an Italian restaurant that emulates the intimate feel of dining in the home of well-to-do friends, while offering a variety of excellent regional dishes unequaled in a venue of its size. Let me introduce you to your new favorite spot for enjoying delicious Italian cuisine, Osteria Accademia.

osteria accademia wreath photo by gail worley
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Restaurant Review: Get Your Effin’ Breakfast at Effin Egg

effin egg welcome sign photo by gail worley
All Photos By Gail

Do you remember the first time you heard the brand name Effen Vodka, and how it made you giggle and make adolescent jokes? While Effen, appropriately, means ‘smooth’ in Dutch, a new breakfast place in the Flatiron neighborhood, Effin Egg is all about getting some effin’ eggs, man! We are officially here for the eggs and the jokes, because Effin Egg — which celebrated its grand opening on September 8th  — is serving up a wide variety of  tasty breakfast treats with a side of hilarious snark. Win win!
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Restaurant Review: Masseria dei Vini Fine Italian Dining

pasta duo cover photo by gail worley
Pasta to Die For (All Photos By Gail)

Do you like Italian food? I sure do.  Since my favorite neighborhood  place closed before Covid, and Arthur Avenue is a long haul if you’re not already in the area,  I’ve been looking for a restaurant that strikes the perfect balance of location, service, atmosphere and, of course, delicious food, to steal my heart away. Little did I suspect that I would discover a new favorite Italian place in the excellent Masseria dei Vini, conveniently located around the corner from my office. Win win! Continue reading Restaurant Review: Masseria dei Vini Fine Italian Dining

Celebrate Restaurant Week With International Flair at UN Plaza Grill

restaurant signage exterior photo by gail worley
All Photos By Gail

Remember The Before Times, when NYC’s semi-annual Restaurant Week lasted just one week? Back then, you had to act fast or miss your chance to dine-out at a fancy, expensive restaurant for a bargain price.  Well, things are different now, and Restaurant Week continues for an entire month!  Wow! This means you still have until August 21st to take advantage of all kinds of special deals. Interested? I hear you, because dining out is awesome. If you’re looking for a place that serves eclectic fare, located in a neighborhood you probably haven’t spent any time in (in other words a Culinary Adventure), I’d like to recommend UN Plaza Grill, the city’s premier globally-inspired kosher restaurant. For what happens to be the 30th Anniversary of NYC Restaurant Week, UN Plaza Grill is offering a  three-course prix fixe for just $60. Let’s take a look at what they’re serving.

tigers mural photo by gail worley
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8282 Brings Elevated Korean Fare to NYC’s Lower East Side

interior with signage photo by gail worley
All Photos By Gail

There is much to be said in favor of being ‘unassuming,’ and when speaking of a new favorite dining spot, all the better. Picture a restaurant whose non-descript exterior hints at a place where they serve a mean poke bowl or avocado toast. Once you’re inside and seated, however, you’re swept away by a menu rich with wildly inventive, farm-to-table creations that would be right at home in a Michelin-starred establishment. This was my inaugural experience at 8282, a recently-opened LES eatery serving distinctive modern Korean fare in a casual, comfortable setting. If a restaurant was ever a hidden gem, this is it.

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