Chopped - Retreat Edition

On my company retreat this past week, it was announced that everyone was going to be taking part in a chopped competition. We were all given a number with an associated basket. Slowly, my team member and I open our basket to find.....SALAD! Immediately  our smiles were placed with frowns and we new shit had hit the fan. Who could win with the salad course? Arugula, organes, jicama, and the rest I don't remember because I blacked out once I realized there was no way we were taking home the prize....

After a few words of encouragement to one another, we decided to make the most of it and just try our best. Before we knew it we had things cooking, dressing being made, and eggs frying...To make a long story short, we kept our eye on the clock and rocked the salad course out. 

I honestly don't even know where to begin with this concoction. It has no name and I don't even want to try and give it one...Arugula with toasted almonds, orange/soy sauce challah croutons, rice noodles, chili/soy potato bits, bruleed clementines, julienned apples, topped off with fried eggs and a citrus asian vinaigrette. All the flavors and ingredients married together quite amazingly. 

The end result????

Salvation Taco

Holy Guacamole, Salvation Taco...I heart you! 

Yes, tacos are all the rave right now. It's the current trend taking over and this is one trend I hope sticks around. April Bloomfield jumped on the taqueria bandwagon and opened up Salvation Taco in the Pod 39 hotel. I went the first week ST was open and I'm sure glad I did. Every single thing I ate, I loved....but then again, it is an April restaurant...

Spicy Beer Nuts

First bite, your welcomed by an unsuspected sweetness, then suddenly the spice kicks in. Accompanied by the crunch of the peanut, these nuts were the bees knees. 

Skirt Steak w/ Pecan and Chipotle

Moroccan Lamb Breast on Naan

Both were delicious! The steak, cooked to perfection, pulled apart with each bite. This was the more traditional of the two...The naan taco deserves an applause. I am in love with this creation. The rich lamb combined with the cooling cucumbers and yogurt sauce all on a freshly baked piece of naan....like are you kidding me? 

Confit Chicken Thigh Torta

Having the hardest time deciding which torta to get, I decided to ask the recommendation of our waitress. Without any hesitation she told us to get the confit chicken thigh torta. It was amazing. In a weird way this torta reminded me of peking duck. I love peking duck - so this is a great thing. 

Inexpensive & Scrumptious - Without a doubt, I will be returning to Salvation Taco, and you probably should too...

Salvation Taco 
145 E. 39th st.
New York, NY
212.865.5800

Amo El Toro Blanco

I mean really, did you expect anything less? Senor Chef Capon does it again! It's starting to seem like anything Chef touches turns to gold. Walking into El Toro Blanco on a Thursday at 9pm, expect to see a crowd of good looking Manhattanites, having a great time, enjoying muy bueno food, and downing delicious cocktails. 

 El Toro Margherita

guacamole x salsa

Guacamole is my jam, but a good guacamole can be hard to find. I feel like I'm constantly eating over mashed, over salted, and over all bad guacamole, but not here! El Toro's guaco is the real deal. The texture is dead on with just the right amount of acidity, not to mention the chips! Next, the salsa....Hello Diablo! At first bite, you wouldn't even know it was hot, but then it hits you...in the best way possible. Love that Diablo! 

Tostada Chopped Salad 

I know this doesn't look like much, but trust me, it's the picture... it just sucks. A bowl of romaine, black beans, roasted corn, jicama, avocado  queso fresco dressed in lime vinaigrette topped off with some crispy tortilla flats has never tasted so good. Light and crunchy, I could have eaten three more bowls of this!

Elote Verde Tamale

Here's a little FYI: I'm obsessed with tamales. Like all kinds of tamales - vegetarian, chicken, pork...as long as there's masa involved, I'll probably love it. El Toro's tamale is no exception. Doused in queso fresco and green chile salsa, I truly debated ordering another. 

Charred Octopus Tacos

Now, more then ever, I've been on an octopus kick. If octopus is on a menu, there's a 98% chance I'll order it, so when I saw octo-tacos, there was no holding back. Topped with citrus slaw, avocado, radish, cilantro, and roasted jalapeno aioli, it was a total party in ya mouth! 

Carne Tampiquena

I shared this dish with my friends and truth be told, I wish I didn't. I wish I ordered this for myself and ate the whole thing alone. Perfectly cooked [medium-rare..duh!] skirt steak with a Mexican cheese enchilada, salse verde, chimichurri, and cactus salad. It was like two for one! A plate of non-kosher amazingness. I made sure every bite of steak was accompanied by a piece of cheese enchilada and bathed in that green sauce. This dish is a must order! 

Pescado Veracruzano

With the success of Chef Capon's other restaurant, Lure Fishbar, we all know he does fish well, real well. The same goes for the fish at El Toro Blanco. The pan roasted snapper in a light Veracruz sauce is another must order. The fish had the crispiest skin that a fish lover could ask for. 

Elote de Calle 

Okay, okay - one more thing I'm obsessed with...grilled Mexican corn, with cayenne and Cotija cheese. I can't get enough of that shit, so when I saw it on the menu...yes, I had to order it! I'm sure glad I did. Cut off the cob was one of the most genius moves ever. Kudos JC! It relieves you from having to worry about getting the corn kernels stuck all up in your teeth. It's the chic way of eating corn ;) 

Writing this post and reliving my meal was a tease within itself. Take it from me, Eater, and all the other amazing write ups, that El Toro Blanco is the hottest restaurant in New York City. I'm calling tomorrow - totally have to reserve a table for Cinco de Mayo! ARIBA! 

El Toro Blanco

257 Sixth Ave.

New York, NY

212.645.0193

Grub Street Food Festival x Hester Street Fair

The third annual Grub Street Food Festival was this past Sunday and I had the honor of attending for all 8 hours of it! Brought to you by NYMag's Grub Street and Hester Street Fair, there was no surprise of how great the offerings were going to be. About 90 vendors later, it was time to narrow down exactly what I was going to eat. I was unsuccessful in hitting up everyone I wanted to try, but regardless the things I did get my hands on were delish! 

Working the BaoHaus tent like a pro! We were offering our Chairman & Haus Baos as well as a new featured item: Beef & Scallion Dumplings. People be loving the food! 

Chairman Bao

Haus Bao

Beef & Scallion Dumplings 

The abundunce of food entering my mouth continued on for the rest of the day...

Handsome Hanks Fish Hut

Oaxaca Taqueria

Arancini Bros.

LOVE Gefilte!

Pickle, Gefilte Fish & Borscht

Sticky's Finger Joint 

Macaron Parlour

Melt Bakery

Beurre & Sel

Wrap up: the eggplant & ricotta Arincini Bros. ball was beyond. Sticky's Finger Joint has turned the a plain old chicken finger into something amazing and Paul, the owner, knows what's good. Melt Bakery never fails and that gefilte from Gefilteria was right on! Great day, great food, great time being super full for the rest of the night....Not. 

Moustache Pitza

To answer your question...No, I'm not sure exactly how this word is pronounced. Like the rest of you, I'm assuming it sounds something like this...

However, I wasn't really worried about the name of the place, I'm was more worried about how the food was going to taste, but luckily there really wasn't anything to be worried about. 

Moustache is a Middle Eastern shop located in the heart of the East Village with two other outposts in East Harlem and the West Village. Personally, I love Middle Eastern food and I must say Moustache does it right. They aren't trying to hard to be something they're not. They're just doing what they love to do and it shows in their food. 

Pita

Hummus

Spinach & Chickpea Salad w/ Chicken Kebab

Lamb Kebab Plate

I ordered the lamb and loved it! Just the right amount of crisp on the outside with a flavorful tomato sauce underneath, I would definitely go back for these balls! My only complaint has to be the extra charge for the pita. It was placed on our table when we sat down and was hardly touched, but still they charged us for it. What gives Moustache?

Moustache Pitza

265 East 10th St.

212-228-2022

Burger Bash 2012

A congratulations is in order for the third time to Josh Capon for winning People's Choice at this year's NYCWFF Burger Bash! With another win under his belt and a new restaurant opening this month, it's clear that it is definitely Capon's year!! 

The Winning Burger - "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

The Championship Belt

Coming Soon: El Toro Blanco

 If you haven't heard the news already, my dear friend Chef Josh Capon of Lure Fishbar and B&B Winepub is making an addition to his already delicious empire with the opening of El Toro Blanco. Set to open sometime very very soon, it only seems appropriate Josh would do Mexican. When I think of someone I would want by my side at a fun filled fiesta taking swigs of Patron, it would be JC. For those of you who know Josh, you know this guy knows how to have a good time! 

Keeping his commute light, El Toro Blanco is opening just around the corner from Josh's other two restaurants, so for those of you interested in a night of bar hopping around town, you now can go from a pub to a yacht and then to Mexico! 

Here's a little preview of what's to come - http://eltoroblanco.tumblr.com/

Sonoran Cheese Crisp: Mexican cheese, poblano rajas, roasted tomate & epazote

Salmon Parillada

Lobster Puerto Nuevo

Chicken Enchiladas

Tuna Tacos

Food looks amazing! And if Josh's other restaurants are any indication of what El Toro Blanco is going to be like then I'm positive it's going to be great! CAN'T WAIT!!

El Toro Blanco

257 Sixth Ave, West Village

212-645-0193