Butterfield Market Review

The best thing on the Upper East Side after E.A.T. is the Butterfield Gourmet Market.  They've been around for almost a century so they certainly know what they're doing.  Besides being a mini gourmet supermarket they make fantastic sandwiches either by request or ready-to-go.  Their chicken salad on challah with chopped celery and walnuts is one of the best in the city.  Sometimes chicken salad gets killed with mayo and you're basically eating a mayo sandwich - not here.  There are big chunks of chicken and the walnuts and celery balance very well with the creaminess of the mayonnaise.  The pre-packed sandwich comes on a challah roll, but if challah is not your thing, they have a bevy of freshly baked breads to choose from.

This little gourmet market is on my way from the subway to one of my tutoring clients, so I've been slowly making my way through their sandwiches and salads and none have disappointed. Points for their choice of dressings, whatever kind of bread the turkey sandwich is on, and the general homey feel of the market.  As others have pointed out it's small, but the food is well selected and well prepared. I have a feeling it's the kind of place you go if you live around here and don't feel like cooking. It's a little pricey, but that's what I'd expect for this part of town.

1114 Lexington Ave
(between 77th St & 78th St)
New York, NY 10021
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
(212) 288-7800

The Institute of Culinary Education Review

So I took a Tuscan cooking class here back in 2009 and wasn't too keen on the experience. The teacher was crabby, the food was ok and I felt like I didn't really learn much as I felt rushed during the entire process. It wasn't ALL bad, but I wasn't thrilled.

Fast-forward to 2012 where I signed up for 2 different baking courses hoping to learn how to bake from a pro and not Martha Stewart. Well. The experience was a complete 180 from the previous. The class begins with an overview of all the recipes, with some quick tips thrown in which only an experienced baker would know about. Then we're split up into pairs and we get to pick what we want to make. I loved that we got to choose, because I REALLY wanted to make the most complicated recipes on the list. What better way to learn than head first!

Anyway, we all baked to our hearts content and at the end got to decorate our little projects to our liking and even got to swap treats with the other students. All in all, I really have no complaints. The teacher was amazing, patient and knowledgeable which was why I decided to take both classes with her. I learned so much and was left feeling like I can take on the baking world!!

50 W 23rd St
(between 5th Ave & East 23rd St)
New York, NY 10010
Neighborhood: Flatiron
(212) 847-0700

Cooking By the Book Review

What a fantastic experience!

I went to Cooking By the Book during the holiday season for a company celebration, and the entire experience from beginning to end was amazing.  The staff is extremely friendly, patient, and accommodating - a feat that can be difficult when working with 40 unruly adults.

Our group was divided into three groups - appetizers, entree, and dessert.  Surprisingly, there were plenty of tasks for everyone to be involved, The cooking environment was huge and clean with professional grade equipment.  There is no doubt that we all had fun, and the food was simply delicious. Some light beverages were served, and we were able to BYOB.

Another shocker - this establishment is actually the owner's home.  Her dining room is converted into a lovely casual dining room with large round tables.  Another nice touch are the walls covered by bookshelves and hundreds of cooking books.

I would definitely recommend Cooking By the Book for a function, but it is probably better suited for larger groups.

13 Worth St
3rd Fl
(between Hudson St & Broadway)
New York, NY 10013
Neighborhood: TriBeCa
(212) 966-9799

Punjabi Grocery & Deli Review

Punjabi is a hole in the wall with a bright green awning, so eat a slice of humble pie before walking in.  It's very modest and the space gets cramped if more than about 5 people go in.  I've found the clerks to be very friendly and personable and will meet your smile with one of their own.

All of their food is vegetarian.  You pick a size container, order by number (1-6), put it over rice, and decide if you want them to microwave it for you.  They also have samosas, pakora, and various sweets.  The food is good value and it's another place that won't hurt your pocket.  It's not for everyone, but it's worth a visit if you like Indian food and have an open mind.  If you're further tempted, they sell CD's, movies, tea, and other groceries.  Oh, and another little tidbit of info if needed is that they have a bathroom in the back.

I'm not a vegetarian by any stretch, but I always stop in for a meal here when I'm around the LES or driving back into the city from Brooklyn.  It's worth it for the food alone and the genuine smile is the cherry on top.

114 E 1st St
(between 1st Ave & Ave A)
New York, NY 10009
Neighborhoods: East Village, Alphabet City
(212) 533-3356

P C Richard & Son Review

In my attempt to go green and buy appliances from mortar and brick stores (thus cutting down on the triple shipping that is the baneful effect of internet shopping), I hit up multiple stores on the UES and downtown to find the perfect microwave.  Trying to find a store with a large selection of microwaves in New York is sort of like trying to find reasonably priced groceries here: Good Luck!

At Bed, Bath and Beyond, there were three microwaves to be seen.  At Best Buy, I think it was down to two.  At P.C. Richards, they had somewhere around 30 microwaves.  Wait, wait...am I still in New York?  Hey, and the sales lady even talked to me!  Plus, when I chose the microwave where the only one left was the display microwave, they bubble-wrapped it, carried it for me out the door, and flagged down a cab.  I am all done with internet shopping for appliances.  A good service brick and mortar store deserves what few bucks I might have to spend. (I think I see vacuum cleaner shopping in my future...and maybe a splurge on a blender.)

205 E 86th Street
New York, NY 10028
(212) 289-1700

Java Green Review

After spending much of my visit to D.C. struggling to find vegan food, this eatery provided much relief to my protein-deprived body. I had the Chicken Guava sandwich. It was okay for me ... more of a taste preference than anything. It had a spicy kick and reminded me of pimento cheese, which I've never been a fan of. I also had the Turkey Club. It was really good and satisfying. I also had a small vanilla milkshake. It wasn't the best I've ever had, but it was good enough. There are plenty of vegan options, which make this place an oasis for any vegan. My only disappointment was that they weren't open late or on Sundays. I would've loved to have tried more things on the menu.

1020 19th St NW
(between N K St & N L St)
Washington, DC 20036

(202) 775-8899

Harmony Café Review

My vegan friend took me here years and years ago. I actually haven't been in about a year. My mom and I used to come here regularly. I don't see why you'd come here and get the meat version of a dish.  I find the only reason to come is to try the veggie stuff. Shitake mushrooms and the crispy tofu are the two best appetizers. My favorite entrees are the veggie fish and crispy eggplant in garlic sauce. Since my first visit over 10 years ago, I have not seen another worker in the front. It's been that lady the whole time. I feel bad for her when it gets packed and she's running around like a headless chicken. She's really friendly and if you go enough, she'll remember what you want. I've always wondered if she's ever been on vacation.

3287 M St NW
(between N Potomac St & N Eton Ct)
Washington, DC 20007
Neighborhood: Georgetown

(202) 338-3881