Food Euphoria

Food Euphoria

Overview:

Casual Italian at it's best. If you can't get a reservation at Mario Batali's rustic communal style Roman trattoria, put your name on the bar list and pray for a seat. Dinner/lunch is the same menu but most of the menu choices are delicious and lunch is less hectic than dinner so I prefer eating at the bar.

Started with simple clams and fregola, interesting but slightly under seasoned. The second time I went I had the Veal Sweetbreads with Shishito Peppers, nice. Next have the Mozzarella di Buffalo, DOP with grilled leeks on crusty bread, lovely and creamy like Burrata. A favorite. Refreshed with the Escarole, Walnut, Red Onion & Pecorino, simply dressed but I loved it.

It is hard to find great Spaghetti alla Carbonara but Lupa does a nice job. I loved the Ricotta Gnocchi with Fennel & Sausage. Next try the Heritage Pork Belly with Scorzonera & Pears, heaven. Finish off with Amaro Coppetta with Cardomom Gelato & Espresso Croccante (crunchy, espresso almond brittle), good.

Prices are moderate and it is great for larger parties because of the long tables and kid friendly.

Special Dishes:

Spaghetti alla Carbonara, Ricotta Gnocchi, Heritage Pork Belly, Amaro Copetta with Cardomom Gelato

Food Euphoria

Overview:

My son moved to Allen Street a couple of months ago but with school and a busy social life he has not had a chance to explore the neighborhood restaurants, of which there are many fantastic choices. So, we decided to make it our mission to try a new place each week. While I frequent many great spots on the lower east side I had not yet been to A Casa Fox.

A Casa Fox is a small, dimly lit rustic Latin American restaurant with Nicaraguan influence owned by Chef Melissa Fox. There is tapas, some salads, empanadas and small plates served in a cozy atmosphere with an open kitchen, nice food presentation but a tad overpriced. We enjoyed the refreshing Encortido salad and spicy shrimp which we washed down with a very nice mojito.

Special Dishes:

Risotto croquettes with bacon and Fontina Spicy shrimp with lime zest Encortido (cabbage, tomato, scallion and poblano salad) Spiced beef and tomato empanadas

Food Euphoria

Overview:

Best thing to do is go down there and put your name on list for a table and hope you get it. There are lots of places to go for drinks while you are waiting. If you don't get in you can always go across the street to Blue Ribbon! Price point is $ to $$$$ though. This is such a great area for food with a short walk about you might stumble on a great little place.

Special Dishes:

Food Euphoria

Overview:

The chef gave us a demonstration on how to make rolls and then served a ten course tasting of maki with crabmeat, stuffed crispy shrimp with avocado and salmon tartare, duck balls, pasta stuffed with cabbage and pork, eggplant with pork, shrimp and pecans, fish with crispy rice crust in a miso moron sauce, white fish tiradito (a light marinade of lime which might include olive oil, ginger, and aji peppers) with ginger foam. This was quite a beautiful meal and presentation.

Special Dishes:

Duck balls, Fish with crispy rice, White fish tiradito, Pasta stuffed with cabbage an pork, Eggplant with pork, Maki

Food Euphoria

Overview:

A trendy, progressive but warmly decorated restaurant. Food is just as good as Central but not small plates and heartier fare. We went without the group before we had to catch our flight home. The young cute chef warmly greeted us and spent a lot of time chatting with us, explaining his vision and asking us how we were enjoying our meal.

Thai chicken wings were delicious. Guinea pig with sweet potato and peanuts cooked at low temperature for six hours. First time for us. It tasted like mild pork and was very tasty. Mussels tempura over avocado and cucumber cilantro vinaigrette, sublime. Tamarind yellow fin tuna ceviche with "leche de Tigre" or tiger's milk (a citrus based marinade) was also delicious. Veal cheeks with penne pasta and Parmesan sauce with a dulce de leche foam, which was lusciously creamy, and the veal cheeks were beautifully tender. Lovely meal. I preferred this restaurant to Central

Special Dishes:

Thai chicken wings, Guinea Pig, Mussels tempura, Tamarind yellow fin tuna ceviche, Veal cheeks with penne