After dinner tonight at Flex Mussels I nearly had to roll myself the 10 blocks home to my apartment after the massive amount of food we consumed. The space is deceptively small from the outside but when you get to the back room there are high ceilings and warm decor. In fact, the sign out front may confuse less seafood-conscious consumers to think that the restaurant is even a gym, well, for those who can't spell Muscles anyway. We waited at the crowded bar for a few minutes before our table was ready. When we reached the table we each ordered one of the many original bottled beers. I got one that had a touch of apple in it. Yum!

Image Courtesy: New York Journal

Since I was doing a restaurant review (not because I'm a pig) we decided to do lots of splitting with our friends (I will not tell you how many since then you won't realize how much we actually ate). We ordered a lobster roll to split as an appetizer, which came with fries too. Having been an avid fan of Mermaid Inn I was nervous to depart but I was happy I did. This lobster roll kicked MI's butt. Next we split 3 pots of mussels, the Thai (curry coconut broth, lemongrass, coriander, lime, garlic, ginger), Parma (parmigiano cream, meyer lemon, scallions, toasted garlic and shallots) and Fra Diavlo (San Marzano tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, fresh basil). Each pot was a delectable tureen of delicious morsels. But I gotta say the best part of the pot was the sauce. We soaked up piece after piece of bread in the savory broths. The Thai and the Parma were definitely the table faves. Yum, my mouth is watering just thinking of them.

You may worry that all this seafood could get nauseating in the massive quantity in which we consumed it but it wasn't. In fact, we were even ready to order 6 donuts and a Deep-fried Whoopie Pie. The donuts were a huge hit among everyone. They literally melt in your mouth and are each infused with something different (lemon, blueberry, chocolate, hazelnut, etc.) Oh and in case you aren't feeling fat enough there is a creamy dipping sauce that's to die for. The whoopie pie is filled with a cream cheese frosting and covered in some sort of crusty coating. The chocolate cake was pure decadence. Apparently the pastry chef is going to be on the next season of Top Chef, Desserts Only. Our waitress told us he's a very entertaining little Diva so remember to watch out for him.

This is an amazing restaurant that people are flocking to try. If you like seafood I strongly recommend. Yum! Oh, did I mention we saw (well, BF's cousin pointed out) Gabourey Sidibe! She was so adorable, or shall I say precious (ba-dum-pshhh). I couldn't stop staring.

Photo Courtesy: HaveYouHeard.com

I hit up Covet’s restaurant opening the other night, hosted by Ramona Singer, of Real Housewives of NY fame, and I was definitely impressed. (Though secretly, I love RHONY so much even if the food had been terrible I would have been psyched to see her). The space is two floors, the first of which hosts a large dining room with a gorgeous chandelier and cozy booths.  As for cuisine, think Mediterranean meets Pacific Rim, chef John Keller (formerly Bruno Jamais) will be serving up creative dishes with a twist–featuring signature dishes such as Hamachi Duo, Lobster Brulee, and Wild Boar Tenderloin.

After dinner you can descend to the lower level where creative cocktails are stirred and there are plenty of cubby holes and couches for you to snuggle up in.  The ambiance is cave-like, cave-chic, LOL. It’s spattered with animal skin pillows and cushions.  It’s like a naughty cave, though I think the theme they're going for is secretive, saucy, ski lodge. The lounge is open until 4am. This is going to be a great, late night spot for swanky patrons to get a nightcap before heading up to lavish upper east side abodes.

Photo Courtesy: NY Magazine

Cocktails range from $18-$24, unless you’re a baller looking to impress that special someone–the Icarus is a $160 bevvie that packs in house flambé, premium saffron, Louis XIII Rémy Martin Cognac, and of course hand chiseled ice. I’m available any night of the week if anyone wants to buy this for me, bt-dubs.

The apps were delish, though I have to go back to try the food. Judging by the menu, be prepared to indulge in inventive cuisine—but bring your credit card, it don’t come cheap. 

Lana'i City Grille at Hotel Lana'i is a true gem that's worth it's high price tag in my opinion.  Afterall, nothing is locally grown on Lana'i so everything has to be either shipped or brought onto the island.  The food was nicely presented, generous and very tasty.  The drinks were poured with love and the Aloha spirit.  The restaurant is owned by a husband and wife who have poured their heart and soul into the menu and ambience.  Michelle Kommes, the restaurant manager and wife of the brilliant chef greets patrons with a warm and cheerful smile and walks around to make sure everyone's meals are perfect.  This meal is definitely splurgeworthy, we felt like we had truly had a unique Lana'i experience.

For appetizers we had the crabcakes and the seared tuna with a coconut sauce. Both of them were perfect and tasty.  The crabmeat was especially fresh and wonderful. 

We also got a salad, which if you're trying to save money I'd skip and stick to the mouth watering appetizers, which are some truly creative and mouth-watering dishes. 

They truly saved the best for last here. The oven baked chocolate chip cookie was absolutely the most amazing dessert I think I've ever had. And I am pretty discriminating when it comes to my chocolate chip cookies since my dad makes them the best but this ooey gooey cookie bursts with warm oozing dough when you take the first bite.  It would be worth visiting Lanai City Grille if only for this. 

Pictured above was what survived.

Visit Lana'i City Grille's website for more information and to make reservations.  It gets pretty packed at night so make sure to make your reservations early.

You may also want to see our review of Four Seasons Lana'i Manele Bay and Four Seasons Lodge at Koele.

This vegetarian haven rocks. It's cheap and fresh and pretty healthy too. They serve pitas, salads and hummus bowls (served with 2 falafal balls). They have an array of dipping sauces too that all rock. The peanut sauce is not to be missed! I love the African sandwich.

I eat here at least once a week. If you just get a sandwich you can definitely get out for under $10. 

But I can never resist their homemade iced teas. Especially the Passion Rooibos. Yum! They're available sweetened or unsweetened or semi-sweetened. Because they're awesome.

Also offer whole wheat pitas, which are outta this world. 

They use organic ingredients when they can. 

They don't have tons of seating options but it's still just as "crisp" when you get it back to your office.

Has anyone else tried this fab fast lunch option? 

Try both locations:

Before 7PM get the best lobster roll in New York City at the Mermaid Inn. Get the Blue Plate Special for $20 and it buys you a lobster roll and a Fire Island Pale Ale! Normally a lobster roll alone is $26 (still not bad).

If you go, you MUST get the Seared Calamari with wild mushrooms. To dieeeeeee for! It’s such a romantic place. Great for a nice date but not too expensive and very laid back. And who doesn’t love mermaids? Plus they give you complimentary chocolate pudding and one of those sweeeeeet fortune telling fish at the end of your meal!

Visit their Upper West Side Location or Lower East Side Location and ask for extra Old Bay Seasoning. Yum!

96 2 Ave, New York

568 Amsterdam Ave, New York

Visit http://www.themermaidnyc.com/ for more information.

Manhattan has so many wonderful gems…but they’ll cost you. There comes a point in a couple’s life when you start caring less about atmosphere and fruity martinis and just want good food at a reasonable price. We’ve reached that point.  While there used to be a time where weekly dates lead us to Rosa Mexicana for dinner sometimes you don’t feel like spending your entire paycheck. Furthermore, sometimes you want authentic Mexican food!

I came across a review on the internet last night when I was searching for a neighborhood Mexican restaurant and came across the Great BUrrito. Now, let me tell you that I’m quite picky. If a restaurant has as much as a drop on the menu and I won’t come back. Don’t even get me started on bathrooms. I’m very easily grossed out.  Point is, I’m picky and won’t compromise cleanliness for price.  Not to mention “dirty dive” places to me are just dirty. I don’t care how good the food is. Which is why you should recognize how special it is that I was enamored with Great Burrito. 

While I don’t want to describe it as a hole in the wall, at first glance you may think that’s what it is. Let me just tell you, best Mexican food I’ve had in the city since I moved here. I mean real Mexican. Authentic and tastes exactly like my favorite restaurant (Los Carboncitos) in Playa Del Carmen. The cooking here is done right out in the open with super fresh ingredients. The salsas are fresh and are to DIEEEEE for. There is a red (mild) and a green (spicy). Un-F-ing-believable. The burrito was amazing. Fresh tortillas. Great refried and black beans. Nuff said. Go. Go. Go! Oh and they have great authentic Mexican sodas. The grapefruit is amazing. They also play really cute Mexican music. 

Did I mention how inexpensive it is? Nachos are like $10 (with Guac) and a bean burrito is like $8.50. The Burritos are HUGEEEEEEEE by the way and that is going by my piglet standards!

405 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10024 
nr. 80th St.

This place is a gem! Apparently Zagat thinks so too as it was voted best Korean and Vegetarian 2 years in a row. You should seriously run before the word gets out. When you walk in you must remove your shoes, which at first I thought was rather irritating but came to enjoy it was part of the experience. Word to the wise though, SOCKS. You sit on the floor for your meal as waiters hustle and bustle around you. Great service. Wonderful tea. The Ginger tea is quite possibly the most delicious thing ever. When I go back I must ask them what they do to make it so delish. I had a TOFU rice bowl for my entree, which was to die.

How much you ask? Well it’s a pretty middle of the road type place. Maybe a little pricey for lunch but as I said it was so fabulous. I went in thinking I didn’t like Korean and I came out an annoying co-working wanting to drag my fellow attorneys there on a weekly basis. Appetizers run from about $8-$10. Entrees are about $15.

Visit HanGawiRestaurant.com for more deets!

12 E 32ND St, New York, NY 10016-5419
(212) 213-0077

*They had no idea I was reviewing their restaurant for a website*