Sushi - Splurge or Save?

A Little Antidote for you...

I am at dinner at the BEST steakhouse I have ever been to - Maestro's (more on this in a future post)- in Scottsdale, Arizona with my fiancee, his best friend and his girlfriend. It was the first time I had met the girlfriend properly and I loved her after this tale. She is from Mexico and her entire family rarely branch out of their native cuisine. She managed to get her family to a sushi restaurant, however, and when their first roll arrived, her father reached out and took a whole glob of wasabi. After his face had regained its normal complexion, his eyes had stopped stinging and his nose had finished tingling he exclaimed; "That guacamole is really spicy". Bless.
I thought that was rather amusing.... anyways...

Let me introduce to you the famous Nobu.

Nobu 57 holds a very special place in my heart due to the fact that it is where my fiancee proposed to me on Valentines Day of this year! But I am not going to bore you with the details of that but instead tell you of their delicious cocktails and exclusive menu.

What is so unusual about the location of this particular Nobu (West 57th Street) is that is so hidden.It is on a well-known block but it's secluded under an archway between two buildings. You would expect it to be so prominent on the block but in fact, I still easily walk past without noticing it! It's very mysterious in that way - with darkened out windows so outsiders can't see the amazing architecture of the restaurant.There are two floors, the lower consisting of the marble bar with its sexy bartender - and a small arrangement of leather couches and tables to enjoy appetizers and cocktails. The ceiling is fascinatingly high with huge, asian inspired, drooping chandeliers that hover over the bar.
Upstairs is a whole other world. The tables swamp the floor and there are three different sections that hold different moods. There is the quiet corner to the right of the staircase, the romantic corner that is closed off from the rest of the diners right at the back, and then the loud and bustling middle section which has a great view of the sushi bar itself. Here is how I suggest you plan you're evening:

Enter dressed to the nines ( have no fear, this restaurant is home to the Upper East Side Princesses and stiff-suited Lawyers). Order their signature 'Emporio Martini' - a smooth and satisfying mix of Tanqueray Gin, Hokusetsu Sake, Cranberry,
Lychee and Fresh Lime Juice. You will only need one, the contents are lethal! In regards to food - in my opinion, the best sushi meal should consist of the following:

-Edamame
-Sushi
- a handful of Regular Rolls
- and one or two Special Rolls
- and something you have never tried before.

So, in the case of Nobu 57 you need their warm Edamame with lashings of their rock salt, which goes perfectly with a crisp glass of their Chardonnay,
'Rully' Deux Montille 2008 or Chablis,'Montmains' Patrick Piuze 2008 (coincidentally both from Burgundy).

For the Sushi you have to experience the following - their tuna, salmon, shrimp, yellow tail and eel. Very simple, very regular but sometimes getting the simplest is the best way to go - even if you are at one of the best sushi restaurants in the world. I actually hardly ever eat Eel Sushi unless it is at Nobu! That should tell you how good it is.

A Bigeye Tuna Hand Roll is a must, I don't know why, but it just tastes better in a hand roll. As for your guilty pleasure of the evening, try not to count the calories and enjoy their delicious Shrimp Tempura Roll.
I'll leave the choice of Special Rolls up to you, the whole fun of dining is picking from the menu!

*** But if you are looking for something that is signature at Nobu get the Nobu Sashimi Tacos or Sashimi Salad with Matsuhisa Dressing.***

Now for the down side - $$$ Dollars $$$. This place is not cheap and I am not going to sugar coat it by saying it's the best sushi restaurant in the city: as quite frankly, I have eaten great sushi elsewhere. New York is also home to other fantastic sushi restaurants that are much more affordable such as Amber, Sushi Samba and Sushiya.

BUT what is so unique about Nobu and worth forking out your latest paycheck on, is the experience, the class, the cocktails, the wine, impeccable service and the want for more that makes you just keep coming back. You won't find another restaurant that has the longest reservation line on weekends, that is usually home to several celebrities a night as well as a grand decor that only makes your heels and dress look even more fabulous!

Tre è un fascino (Three's A Charm)

So given the fact that my fiancee is Italian, of course I am going to be biased and say that there is no food better than Italian food. But, in all seriousness, there really isn't.

I was lucky enough to be taken to Tuscany last summer (my first time in Italy) and I can say without a doubt, that it was the best vacation I had ever had. I ended up staying for a whole month and I ate out - breakfast, lunch and dinner - every single day. I put on quite a few pounds that's for sure.

After returning to New York you can imagine my cravings for real Italian dining. This is when my fiancee introduced me to a trio of restaurants, which have saved my life. I feel it is my duty to make these restaurants even more well-known than they already are.

They are all owned by the same Italian Stallion and all reside on the Upper East Side, within blocks of each other. These restaurants are;

1) Bella Blu - 71st and Lexington Avenue
2) Per Lei - 71st and Second Avenue
3) Baraonda - 75th and Second Avenue

I will first give you an insight to Bella Blu. This is the more sophisticated and traditional restaurant. It is always crowded and full of animated chatter, which also comes from the waiters and bus boys! There is a beautiful, rustic Pizza Oven in the center of the room, which is made out of brick and decorated with colorful mosaics. The food is literally a masterpiece and I sincerely recommend the Branzino, it just melts in your mouth. The atmosphere is warm and engaging, the perfect place to take your inlaws, have a friendly dinner and be with those you sincerely love.

Now for Per Lei - my favorite of all three. I cannot begin to describe the decor of this place. It's just fantastic and incredibly modern. 'Per Lei' means 'for her' in Italian, and it is the perfect place for a romantic date. The paintings on the wall are of beautiful women and a few in particular are actually of the owner's wife. So this restaurant is quite literally per lei. There is always such an electric atmosphere and the wait-staff have always been amazing to chat to when your dinner date goes to the bathroom! I adore everything on the menu but if it is your first time, take the veal and porcini raviolli and indulge!

Baraonda! This final restaurant is just pure, Italian, crazy, fun! The seating hostess is always dressed in elaborate and colorful outifts which completely set off the rest of the decor in the room. Its colorful and festive, and the ideal place to bring the girls (and the boys) for a night out of drinking and deleicious food. When it turns 10.20 pm the lights dim, the volume of the music increases, and you can continue partying and dancing with the entire restaurant- including the staff! There is also kareoke on particular nights, which I love, and makes a huge change of scenery from the dire, kareoke dive bars that swamp the city. Oh, and before I forget - the creme brulee is better than any creme brulee you will find in a French Restaurant - believe me I would know.

---- And if you want to take Italy home with you, all three restaurants sell the original, true Italian, Tuscan olive oil, used in both cooking and dressing. SOGNO TOSCANO; Super Tuscan Olive Oil.