Silver Swan - The Gold Standard

Silver Swan - 41 E. 20th Street, New York, NY 10003

212.254.3611

R/W or 6 Train to 23rd Street

Dan and I dined here on a fun double date with friends, Rikki and Greg. Swan was Rikki's suggestion and she discovered it the other week, being that its neighbor Mizu is one of her favorites. What caught Rikki's eye immediately was their extensive beer selection--it's a German restaurant after all. And being passionate beer freaks, we decided it was time to uncover this untapped spot.

Atmosphere:

Relaxing, cozy and warm are my words of choice for this place. I was in a hurry when coming here straight from work but my frenzy melted away when I stepped inside these friendly quarters. The colorful walls are cheery and the front of the house bar offers a nice welcome from the biting cold.

They sat us in the back where the atmosphere was even more chill. Cookbooks from all walks of life line the walls and are positioned conveniently at eye level. They're perfectly accessible to patrons and so inviting in fact that we picked up a couple and leafed through them. Overall, Swan does a great job of making you feel at home--we all lounged around as if we were sitting in our home kitchen.

Food:

The style of cuisine is of course German-American but aside from typical German dishes, they also have European staples such as Hungarian Goulash. The four of us all ordered different entrees and couldn't wait to swap forkfulls to experience a bit of everything.

We started out with two appetizers for the table--red beet salad and crispy potato pancakes. The guys immediately lunged for the pancakes while we women were content with our pickled beets, paired with pickled onions--a flavorful and healthy option. But of course we couldn't resist the potato pancakes, which were crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside. They were even better when enhanced by fresh sour cream and apple sauce--reminding me of my beloved Hanukkah snack.

Entrees were also spot on and it has to be said that the portions are very generous. I ordered the Hungarian Goulash and I'd highly recommend this to anyone who likes slow-cooked beef. The meat was incredibly tender and the surrounding sauce was wonderfully potent and great for dipping bread. My sides included sweet red cabbage and dumplings which resemble the texture of gnocchi. They're actually called "nokedli" in Hungarian--what my grandmother calls them--or spatzle in German. But any way you put it, they're delicious and soak up the beef sauce perfectly.

The other big hit of the night was Dan's German Meatloaf--juicy and flavored by beef sauce and sides of mashed potatoes, creamed spinach and mushrooms. Rikki and Greg loved their dishes as well. Rikki got the Bratwurst and the coolest part of this were the tubes of different mustards for dipping. Greg was happy too because his Pot Roast came with a side of the beloved potato pancakes that were devoured in the beginning of our meal.

I'm not even sure how we managed to make room for dessert but we shared a Black Forrest Sunday. Also very delicious, it was topped with fresh whipped cream and decadent chocolate shavings. The only complaint was that you had to dig to the very bottom of the cup to get to the cherries and strawberries.

Last but not least, I cannot even begin to give the beer selection justice--it was that extensive. The beers come from all over Europe, including Germany, Holland, England, the Czech Republic and much more. I tried a British cider which was lovely, sweet and not too heavy.

Service and Cost:

The service here was just OK and my dining companions would agree. It took a while to take our orders and though our waiter was nice, he lacked personality. One strange thing was that although the Silver Swan is European, its waistaff lacks any trace of European heritage. And while our dishes arrived in good time, it took unnecessarily long to get our check and settle up.

The prices here are moderate for Manhattan--appetizers range from $5-$9.95 and entrees from $14.95-$24.95. They do offer a dinner special called the Complete Dinner which gets you an appetizer and an entree for $35--not bad. The beers are reasonable and you could get a large glass (14 oz) for just $8.

3 Mmmms

2 Dinners: Potato Gratin and Turkey Cutlets 2 Ways

One of these dinners was a fun collaboration between Dan and me and the other solely handled by Chez Dan. Try to guess which one!

Dinner 1: Turkey Cutlets and Potato Gratin with Olives

This meal was half healthy, half indulgent. The turkey cutlets were on the light side--sauteed in olive oil, garlic and onion. Some of the edges got a little well done but that's OK because they had extra flavor. The potato gratin on the other hand was the sinful indulgence. A sturdy dish, it resembled the great wall of potatoes--olives, chicken stock and silky cream served as the mortar for this structure. To say that we were full after this meal was putting it lightly. Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm.

Turkey Cutlets

Ingredients: (serves 2)

4 medium-large turkey cutlets

Olive oil (2-3 turns around the pan)

1/2 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves of garlic, chopped

3 eggs, whisked

1 cup of flour

1 cup of Italian breadcrumbs

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Season the turkey cutlets with salt and pepper. Then coat the cutlets--first in flour, then egg and finally the breadcrumbs. Shake off excess breadcrumbs in a bowl.

Heat olive oil in a sautee pan. Add the garlic and onions and cook until golden brown. Make sure to watch the garlic carefully--it can burn rather quickly. Then sautee the prepared turkey cutlets in the oil for 3-4 minutes per side. Place cooked cutlets on a platter and blot excess oil with paper towels.

Potato Gratin

I got this recipe from the March issue of Bon Appetit and it served me well. I wasn't too crazy about the capers that it called for so I substituted with olives, which still gave it a salty bite. Other than that, I followed the recipe, which was easy to understand but required meticulous work and special attention--slicing those potatoes paper-thin took concentration! Check it out here.

Dinner 2: Turkey Cutlet and Salami Tortellini

Ingredients: (serves 2)

1 package of fresh tortellini pasta--with filling of your choice

1/2 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

Turkey cutlets, cubed (see above recipe)

4-5 slices of Genoa salami, cut into quarters or eighths

1/4 cup of shredded smoked mozzarella cheese

Olive oil (2 turns around the pan)

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Boil pasta until it's al dente. Then heat oil in sautee pan and add garlic and onions. Like mentioned in the last recipe, make sure to watch that garlic so it doesn't burn. Then add the rest of the ingredients except the cheese. Set aside from heat when all ingredients get nice and brown and acquire crispy, golden edges (about 6-8 minutes). Sprinkle shredded smoked mozzarella on top and enjoy your hearty decadence, courtesy of Chez Dan (yes, you guessed it...pasta is his speciality).

Guest Foodista Courtney Gets It On At Marvin

Courtney is a hip NYC chickie. She's passionate about food--especially bananas! "I eat a banana every day. Whether it’s part of my breakfast in my cereal, my lunch on a sandwich or fried up with ice cream as a dessert--bananas are my favorite food." Courtney enjoys cooking for herself with top quality ingredients and even considers herself a "vegequarian" (cross between seafood and veggies--go figure). Below she reveals her unique experience at an inventive and elegant Washington D.C. eatery called Marvin--feast your eyes and enjoy!

Marvin - 2007 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

202.797.7171

www.marvindc.com

I had the pleasure of dining at Marvin in the ever so hip and historically rich U street area. Eric Hilton, one of two DJs that make up D.C.’s famous music group Thievery Corporation, opened up the restaurant in October of 2007. He named it Marvin after Marvin Gaye, a perfect fit for the corridor which has apartment buildings named for Langston Hughes and Duke Ellington just a few blocks away. Gaye, a native Washingtonian suffering from bankruptcy and drug addiction moved to Belgium to clear his mind, relax and refocus. The restaurant boasts a Belgian theme in his honor.

Atmosphere:

Like Hilton’s other business, the 18th Street Lounge, Marvin has no sign other than a simple metal plaque on the door (see above). The first floor is covered in rich cherry wood and smells like oak and cinnamon. Its warm and relaxing environment is paired with an equally friendly staff and warm comfort-food like cuisine.

Food:

The menu, prepared by Executive Chef James Claudio boasts a variety of European delights such as a moules frites (mussels and fries) and duck confit. For the southern soul foodies, not only can you order shrimp and grits, but also fried chicken on Belgian waffles. I shared a cheese appetizer which came with fruit and nut bread, honey and three different types of cheeses, including the best brie I’ve ever enjoyed. My friend Will ordered a steak which came smothered in blue cheese (his favorite) and an accompanying basket of crispy red peppered fries and a salad. My Alaskan halibut was a delicate dream accompanied by onion puree, tomato confit and beurre blanc.

Service and Cost:

I heard that the service was poor and the staff not so nice before I went, but this was simply untrue in my experience. The waiters all look like they had once been Malcolm X’s personal assistant. They were cool and formal, but attended to our every need and offered great recommendations for food and wine.

The appetizers were around eight to fifteen dollars and the main courses were all under thirty. The wine and beer menu is full of rich flavor and decent prices, particularly the premier Belgium ales (around $8-$10)—a must have treat at Marvin.

The Perfect Night Cap...
After two Irish coffees, we strolled upstairs to check out the lounge area. We found a long, fully stocked bar and large outdoor patio space with plenty of mushroom shaped heat lamps to keep the winter loungers warm. The lounge is a laid back, emerald colored and perfect for philosophical musings or just catching up with old friends. Marvin left us feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside and I intend to go back there many times to enjoy the comfort food and the promise of Thievery Corporation’s excellent music under D.C.’s night sky.

3 Mmmms

Astoria Restaurants Give Back

image by www.foodbanknyc.org

Ovelia and 718 are stepping up and joining more than 8o NYC restaurants for the 5th Annual Time Out For Hunger event on March 2nd.

Ovelia and 718 will donate 10% of their profits that day to aid starving New Yorkers--a beautiful cause and a smart decision.

I will surely visit one of these eateries that day. To make a reservation for any participating restaurant, click here or give these places a call.

718: 718.204.5553

Ovelia: 718.721.7217

Dillingers - 25 Cent Wing-a-linckin' Good!

click to enlarge calendar

Dillingers Pub and Grill - 46-19 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103
718.267.0900
R/V/G Train to 45th Street

I showed up at Dillingers last night to mix with some Astorians--literally Astorians from Astorians.com. And while this cheery Irish pub is a bit far from my neck of the woods, I decided to bite the bullet, battle the cold and get out there. All in all a very fun evening--the 25 cent wings and $10 pitchers of beer are definitely worth coming back for!

Atmosphere:
This is a typical, friendly, Irish pub that's very much a neighborhood spot. You're likely to find a lot of regulars and a boisterous atmosphere. It's great for a casual hangout with friends from the 'hood.

Dillingers has fun daily specials--a whole calendar of them in fact. Give them a call and find out what's happening each night. You can also request to be added to their contact list and receive a list of specials via email. Or...see current February calendar of specials above--courtesy of fellow Astorian, Fitch.

Food:

As I mentioned, besides for the company I also came for the wingies. And they were damn good! We decided to go all-in and ordered 50 wings for our side of the table. It seemed like an obscenely huge amount but once they got there, they disappeared just as quickly--see our empty plate?

And although we ordered medium Buffalo wings, they were actually not spicy at all--a plus in my book! They were fresh, piping hot and nice-and-meaty--far from the sad, pathetic scraps you sometimes find at pubs. These were big, hearty, juicy wings that simply were not messing around. My favorite part was the side of thick blue cheese dip. Not your ordinary blue cheese dressing, this one was mixed with sour cream, giving it silky, rich texture and a refreshing taste. And the tubs in which the dip was served were big--also a plus!

Service and Cost:

The service was pretty standard--nothing too spectacular but the food and beer sure made up for it.

Cost-wise, you already know that this was a bargain--25 cent wings and $10 pitchers. 1950's prices are always fine by me.

3 Mmmms

I Love Fatty's But They Misled Us

You might remember me (and Joey in Astoria) mentioning a Fatty's V-Day drink special last week--all in good fun and to celebrate singlehood.

I wanted to report back to you that Dan and I went there last Thursday--excited to drink our booties off--but no cigar. Not only was there no "party", there were absolutely no drink specials. I'd like to mention that the Fatty's employee I spoke with said "fun shots and drink specials start at 10p"--but there was no such thing. Pretty disappointing to report about a place that I love and respect so much.

Dan and I ended up staying and drinking their regular priced drinks and playing gin. We had a good time--of course--but couldn't help feeling deflated about Fatty's Fat Fib. Not cool.

I can only speak for myself, but I presume that the let-down is shared by others.

Make it up to us Fatty's--the 'hood wants a raincheck!

Mombar - Triple Tajine Slam-Dunk

Mombar - 25-22 Steinway Street, Astoria, NY 11103

718.726.2356

N/W Train to Astoria Blvd

Mombar has been on my must-list of restaurants for quite some time. Margot and I have been meaning to try it for the last year or so and finally made it here just yesterday. Dan joined us as well, not knowing what to expect and surprisingly he was the one who liked it most.

Atmosphere:

The most impressive part of the look-and-feel of Mombar is the evident sweat and tears that went into it. I can't stop thinking about what Kari--a fellow Astoria blogger--said about the decor and mosaics in this establishment. "...the beautiful dining room and the mosaics were all decorated and made by Moustafa (the owner) himself. Apparently, it took him seven years to finish while he ran a copy machine repair shop to finance it. SEVEN YEARS." That's absolutely incredible and the hard work really shows.

Our mood immediately transformed upon walking into Mombar's relaxing, dimly-lit dining room. The cushy seating with colorful pillows and the mosaic work-of-art tables made us stop and take everything in. I tell you...we didn't feel like we were in the U.S. anymore and if Egypt is anything like Mombar, sign me up. But what brought us back to reality and made us realize we were still in Astoria was the diverse clientele. In front of us was a middle aged man who was clearly a regular, speaking to the waiter in Arabic and to our right was a young couple, decked in some pretty trendy garb. So, as you can see--like typical Astoria--anything goes!

Food:

I had really high expectations in the food department--and after so many stellar reviews from Astorians, I couldn't imagine how any of them could be wrong. After my experience here, sadly I cannot join the raving. While I did think the food was good, it wasn't exceptional and Margot agreed. Dan on the other hand loved it and would go back in a heartbeat. Here's what we tried:

Complimentary House Bread: By far my favorite dish of the night. The bread was fried and had a flaky consistency. The inside reminded me of "pao de queijo"--Brazilian cheese bread. Although Mombar's bread did not have cheese, it was luxuriously soft and stretchy, the best part being the spicy, sesame dip that came with it. The three of us devoured it quickly and if this was a preview of what was to come, we couldn't wait.

Mombar Sausage: Also very good stuff and not heavy. The sausage was soft and very different from the Greek homemade sausage I've tried at Ovelia. The filling had both beef and rice and various fragrant spices. Margot and Dan both noted that the filling reminded them of the guts of a stuffed pepper or cabbage--and I tend to agree. What I also liked about this dish was the soft garbanzo bean and tomato sauce that was poured over the sausage. It would've been so perfect for dipping but our bread was looong gone.

Lamb Tajine: I was looking forward to this and I cheated by looking at the menu ahead of time. I love anything that comes in a tajine--clay pot--and is falling off the bone. The lamb itself was tender and juicy and the veggies that surrounded it formed a mouth watering stew. The dish was served alongside a pyramid of couscous with dried cranberries--a good idea and I've tried this myself before. Although I couldn't finish my entire clay pot, I managed to pick out all the meat and share a bit with my companions.

Chicken Tajine and Rabbit Tajine: Margot and Dan both got their own tajines--Dan opted for chicken and Margot got adventurous with the rabbit. Both enjoyed it and I had the chance to try them too. Of the two, I liked the rabbit better and as Margot pointed out, it tasted like chicken. Although Dan loved his chicken dish, I thought that the actual meat was very dry.

Overall, while the food was tasty, I couldn't help but compare it to the Moroccan restaurant, Walima. Margot and I both agreed that the food was far better there and especially their tajines.

Service and Cost:

Our waiter was wonderful--a portly man with a friendly disposition. All dishes arrived in good time and were steaming hot. He was polite about taking our order and when the check came, we didn't feel pressured to leave. All in all, a very relaxing and pleasant meal.

In terms of the moolah, it's moderate and in my opinion a little overpriced. I can't help it but once again, I compared it to Walima. Mobar Tajine--$18, Walima Tajine--$12.95. I'm not lying when I say that the portions at Walima are bigger too. Dinner at Mombar will cost you about $30 per person--including a drink and an appetizer. At Walima, you are looking at $20-$22.

2 Mmmms