Ok, so maybe it’s not even lunch time, but since when has that stopped me from day dreaming over a particularly delicious dish?! This slice of perfection is the Burrata pie from Nolita’s Emporio and, yes, it’s as good as it looks – maybe even better. Just a little something to brighten up this rainy Wednesday…
We have two words for you: chic and Italian. In light of such a fleeting day passing us by, we’d like to take the opportunity to draw your attention to some pretty remarkable Savored additions. These spots have something for everyone, from swanky dining to heartwarming Italian food. You can rest assured that you’ll find a classy dining room awaiting or mouthwatering Italian fare at these spots. Ok, you’re right, great restaurants joining Savored ranks is not as sporadic as February 29, but we couldn’t resist telling you about these.
Ciano's delicate gnocchi
Chef Shea Gallante has quite the pedigree, coming from the kitchens of David Bouley and Cru, so it’s no surprise he’s impressing diners with his inspired Italian cuisine at Ciano. Stop in for a taste of the old familiar and some new tweaks on rustic specialties, fireside in Ciano’s charming dining room.
Duo's chic dining room
There’s a new Savored Signature at Duo, and it is the epitome of decadence, offering you two glasses of wine and Duo’s famous black truffle pizza at an unbeatable price of $30. If the truffles aren’t enough, maybe Duo’s velvet walls, Swavorski crystals and illuminated menus will do the trick.
Savory mussels at Intermezzo
In a can’t beat Chelsea location, Intermezzo offers locals and visitors alike cozy Italian fare with a modern twist, attentive service that will make you feel like royalty, and a chic, upbeat atmosphere.
Colorful decor at Doppio Senso
While the savory Italian food and an upscale decor are nothing to scoff at, Doppio Senso‘s ‘La Cella,’ housing over 300 bottles of Italian wines, is reason enough to travel up to the Upper East Side.
Tapas have long been a favorite for group dining, and we can’t help but agree that anything worth sharing is better shared with friends. Today we’ve highlighted a few of our favorite spots serving up small plates with big taste and much, much more. So send that mass email and round up your group, because these places are not to be missed.
San Francisco's Txoko
Txoko serves up basque-style tapas right in the heart of San Francisco’s North Beach. Expect big and bold flavors from tiny dishes; standouts include the mushroom arroz, braised lamb shoulder and pan-seared day boat scallops.
NYC's Gastroarte
Gastroarte, in NYC”s Upper West Side, combines the beauty of an artistic view with the flavors of authentic Spanish cuisine, making for a truly unique dining experience made of savory and memorable small plates.
Chicago's Azucar
Serving up innovative Spanish-style tapas and specialty drinks, this Logan Square gem is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a social setting that will satiate any appetite. Be sure to start with Azucar’s crispy potatoes served in a savory brava sauce and topped with paprika aioli.
Washington DC's Zengo
Zengo, a hip boite in Washington DC, artfully blends flavors of Asia and Latin America, creating signature small plates (like their tuna wonton tacos) that are out of this world.
As the clock inches closer and closer to the long weekend, we can’t help but daydream about (what else?) food. With tantalizing menu and cuisine images a hazard of our everyday jobs, we’ve become all too familiar with a few hundred tempting restaurant offerings. Today we’ve chosen to share those impressive dishes we can’t seem to stop craving – who’s looking forward to lunch?!
Spina's Orecchiette with Lamb and Kale
An East Village gem, we can’t help but daydream about Spina’s dish of tender ear shaped pasta tossed with braised lamb and kale; finished in a lamb butter sauce
Pickled Watermelon and Crispy Pork from Zak Pelaccio's Fatty Crab
One of the specialties at the West Village and UWS outposts of the buzzworthy Fatty Crab, this tangy and refreshing shareable dish will leave you wanting to order another just for yourself.
Rye House's Perogies with Queso and Horseradish
A popular Flatiron mainstay, Rye House serves up pierogies made with Yukon potatoes and topped with solo gran queso and fresh horseradish – they’re the perfect complement to any bar selection.
'21' Burger at '21' Club
This classic menu item at the world-famous ’21′ Club is arguably the best burger in the city. Served on a toasted Parker house bun with frisée, preserved tomatoes, sautéed onions, haricots verts and French fries, it’s a NYC dish not to be missed.
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and for most New Yorkers, plans have yet to be made. In this season of romancing, we gals can’t seem to take our mind off everything from the food on our plate to the man on our arm for this special holiday, so we want to share some of our best ideas with you. Take a look at these exclusive Savored offers, from Savored Signatures to our regular 30% off deals, and start planning the perfect Valentine’s Day. We’re practically handing you cupid’s arrow – you can thank us later.
Did you know oysters were an aphrodisiac?
Renowned institutions Lucid Absinthe and New York Oyster Company sure are setting the mood this year, offering you the ‘twin aphrodisiacs’ this Valentine’s Day at the Upper West Side’s Pigalle. Mee-ow.
Trattoria Cinque's ultra-chic dining room
Wine and dine your loved one all the one downtown to TriBeCa and feast on Italian specialties at Trattoria Cinque, an OpenTable Diner’s Choice Award Winner in both 2009 and 2011.
Need we say more?
Wine and Chocolate tasting. Valentine’s Day. Enough said.
A savory feast at La Palapa
Make your Valentine’s Day a fiesta this year at La Palapa, a charming East Village spot serving up authentic Mexican specialties.
Richard and his girls
Just because you’re single this Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you can’t romanticize. Book this private consultation with famed matchmaker Richard Easton and turn your dating game up a notch.
A sweet ending to an intimate evening at Inside Park
What’s more romantic than famed St. Bartholomew’s Church and decadent American Nouveau cuisine? Close to nothing…and that’s why Inside Park at St. Bart’s is an ideal destination for a night of swooning.
Celsius' swanky dining room
Impress your date with a mouthwatering three-course Valentine’s Day menu at Bryant Park’s Celsius, and finish up with a lovely skate around the rink.
The perfect cocktail can work wonders. Never girls to pass up a drink after a stressful day, we’re always on the hunt for the best new libation around. We believe that the right concoction can make any great meal greater, and these Savored spots are sure to prove us right. Whether you’re in the mood for something fruity to take your mind off the bitter cold of winter or something to take the edge off a long day’s work, we promise you won’t be left disappointed after sipping on these creative refreshments. Cheers!
'Viejo Bandido' at The Tar Pit
West Hollywood’s bar and restaurant The Tar Pit is renowned for its expert mixologists, creative cocktails, and eye-catching presentations, and the Viejo Bandido is no exception – made with mezcal, agave, ‘miracle mile chocolate-chili bitters’ and flamed grapefruit, this exotic drink will shock your senses in the best way.
'Three Gees' at 10 Downing Food & Wine
Want some tart with that? Try the ‘Three Gees’ at 10 Downing Food & Wine, a triple offering of gin, ginger and grapefruit in one, making this a purse-your-lips-lickin’-good cocktail on a warmer New York evening.
'Elixir Magnifique' at Sustain Restaurant + Bar
Sip this liquor-laden beverage made with vodka, St. Germain, Chartreuse, strawberry, black pepper and lemon at Miami’s Sustain Restaurant + Bar to battle anything the Miami Heat may bring.
'Full Moon Margarita' at ChoLon Bistro
Craving tequila with a side of spice? Try this icy margarita at ChoLon Bistro in LoDo to unwind after a hard day.
You certainly won’t find any clamoring tourists, an hour long wait or any sort of snooty dining in this week’s spots! Off the beaten path are restaurants that may not always be seen, but should surely be heard. They have hearty portions of flavor, presentation and imagination that allow them to contend with the Big Guys, and, in some cases, decor that we’d dare call brilliant. So veer off-course (for once) and venture into the unknown with these Hidden Gems.
Ofrenda
Few could argue with the long list of enticing cocktails and extensive Latin American beer selections at this West Village hideaway, but Ofrenda‘s real draw is the menu filled with Mexican homestyle dishes.
Step away from the generic shacks spots (plus their long lines) and venture on to something even better – and we may add, juicier. Here, hidden in the East Village, Brindle Room serves burgers that surely won’t disappoint your taste buds!
From the Neapolitan, wood-oven pizzas to the flavorful pastas, it is hard to find Southern Italian cuisine that parallels Tiella, our Upper East Side gem.
Add French-Italian Fare (well hello, Croque Monsieur!), to the sweet aroma of tables topped with fresh cut flowers, and there you have it – Ze Cafe.
New year, new us. With 2012 in full swing, we’re all about trying new things and dining at new places. While some resolutions will certainly fall by the wayside this year, we’ll be sure to follow through with this Savored bucket list. Put aside your new workout regimen and take a look at what we’ve got planned for the upcoming year – we hope we’re a bad influence.
Gastroarte
Helmed by Chef Jesus Núñez, Gastroarte is an Upper West Side destination that’s a treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds, serving up contemporary Spanish cuisine in artistic surroundings.
Tiramisu Class at Dolce Vizio
Why not bulk up your kitchen skills in the new year with this Dolce Vizio Signature? Held at Dolce Vizio’s cozy location in the West Village, this class will make you a pro in the art of the decadent Italian dessert.
Tanuki Tavern
This Meatpacking destination puts the chic into sushi. Offering Japanese specialities in modern, yet relaxing surroundings, Tanuki Tavern is a must for us in 2012.
Fishtail by David Burke
We’re traveling to the Upper East Side to get a taste of critically renowned Chef David Burke’s dishes at Fishtail, offering the finest renditions of seafood specialties in an elegant yet understated atmosphere.
The stockings are hung, the Menorah is lit, and the festivities are just about to begin. Any real holiday celebration starts with a meal, and Savored’s gifts to you are some special recipes to ensure this holiday is as delicious as it is merry.
These aren’t just any old recipes. We’ve spanned the Bay Area, from Oakland to Portrero Hill, to bring two of our most highly esteemed partner’s signature recipes for you to enjoy. A special cocktail recipe from Skool and a short ribs recipe from Hudson will be sure to impress your family and friends, and will certainly make this holiday season one to remember! Happy Holidays!
Skool’s Bearskin Rug
Renowned chef Toshihiro Nagano helms the sushi bar at this SoMa spot, serving up a sustainable and innovative menu with international accents. A cool, soothing interior helps you relax either indoors, or soaking up the sun outside on the lavish patio. With cocktail time just lurking right around the corner, give Skool’s signature Bearskin Rug libation a try. Angostura Bitters and a hint of allspice make this an exceptional holiday thirst quencher.
Bearskin Rug
2oz Don Q Anejo Rum
.5oz Benedictine
.5oz Dolin Rouge
Barspoons of Marachino Syrup and Allspice Dram
Dash of Angostura Bitters
Shake and strain into a Coupe glass.
Hudson’s Braised Short Ribs
As a long-established and highly successful restauranteur family, it comes as no surprise that this Hurly & Hafen oasis is such a success. Just across the Bay Bridge in Oakland’s historic Rockridge District, Hudson serves up some of the finest American brasserie dishes with a touch of modernity. Share their knack for elegant yet comforting dishes with this savory braised short ribs recipe with your family. Each and every careful step of this recipe will be proof of your love for your family.
Braised Short Ribs
4 Servings
2lbs. Center cut Shortribs- Seasoned w/ salt and Pepper
2ea. Carrots (peeled), onions, celery ribs- medium sized chop
2 qt. chicken stock
1 small can of plum tomatoes-seeded
Sachet of 3ea. Cloves, 2ea. Whole allspice, 5ea. Peppercorns, 4 sprigs of thyme- wrapped and tied in cheesecloth
½ bottle of red wine
Olive oil for cooking
Method:
Season the short ribs with salt and pepper the day before cooking and let them sit in the refrigerator over night uncovered.
Remove the short ribs about an hour before cooking.
Heat a large sauté pan to medium heat and add just enough oil to cover the pan. Add short ribs and brown on all sides except bottom. When short ribs are browned, remove from pan and set aside. Add cut vegetables and turn heat down to low so that you can caramelize the vegetables without burning them. Make sure to season the vegetables lightly with salt and pepper as soon as they are added to the pan. Once the vegetables are soft and browned (about 20 minutes), add the red wine and reduce to half the original volume.
Once the wine is reduced, add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. While the chicken stock is coming up, put together your sachet of spices and herbs. Put the short ribs in a roasting pan, add vegetable/wine/stock mixture to cover the short ribs by half and cover with foil. Put into a 300 degree oven and cook until ribs are fork tender (about 3 hours). When ribs are cooked take out of oven and let cool completely, cover with plastic and let ribs sit in the braising liquid over night.
The next day, reheat ribs in 300 degree oven until warm throughout, take out of oven and remove from pan. Serve with braised vegetables and mashed potatoes. For an over the top experience, make a little gremolata and sprinkle over the top of the ribs.
Mama mia, do we love pizza! Savory and gooey with just the right amount of crunch in the crust, pizza encompasses everything we love about food. Top it with new and exciting ingredients, or get a taste of the old familiar with plain cheese. Either way, you’ll finish your meal feeling full and satisfied. Here are some of Savored’s most coveted pies, just to get your wheels turning…
Gran Gusto's Neapolitan-style Pizza
Olio's Cotto Pie
Spacca's Margherita Pizzas
Along with Spacca‘s warm and inviting ambience, you’ll find authentic pizzas including a mouthwatering classic Margherita pizza that will only leave you wanting more.
Fratelli's Bufala Pizza
As you can guess from the name, the Italians at Fratelli la Bufala know their bufala, so try it on a wood fired crust atop house made tomato sauce, and eat as the Italians do without even leaving Miami.
