It has been a long time since our last visit to Guantanamera on NYC's west side at 8th Avenue and 56th St. Decades ago we always dined near Lincoln Center at Federico's (which ultimately closed and became a Victoria's Secret and is now an Apple Store). We met the manager Mario Zarate there and we followed him to Old John's Diner for our pre-opera meals which closed ages ago as well. Mario subsequently opened Guantanamera (after trying a short run as an Italian place in the same spot--too much competition) at the beginning of this millennia and we have been going ever since. We joined our friend, Lauren Flanigan and enjoyed a couple of pitchers of their wonderful Red Sangria as we perused the menu, that has also remained unchanged for years.
Monday, November 28, 2022
GUANTANAMERA makes great Cuban on NYC's west side (11-25-22)
NYC's THE MODERN makes for a marvelous meal with TWO Michelin stars and a major money drain (11-23-22)
On Thanksgiving weekend, we often have a free night in NYC and have always headed to Ai Fiori for what was a fabulous Italian meal. Last year we had major disappointments there and have moved up to midtown where THE MODERN has been ensconced next to the Museum of Modern Art for some time now and now has earned two Michelin stars.
Monday, November 21, 2022
back at BLACKSALT (in the neighborhood) it's always one of the best (11-20-22)
We are so lucky to have BLACKSALT, one of DC's finest seafood establishments, just blocks away in the Palisades here in DC. We returned again last night and each and every dish is always near perfection. Our friends (from Malta) were impressed, and every detail was simply superb.
Everyone seems to go for the Key Lime Pie here with Blueberry Compote, Passion Fruit Caramel, Whipped Cream, Pistachio Milano Cookie, but there was no way I could eat more than a bite. We headed home full after a superb meal in the 'hood.
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
North Bethesda's JULII jiggles your taste buds (11-13-22)
We had been to JULII before when a friend of ours was chef there and it was delish, and it still is. We were at Strathmore for an opera an needed a place nearby, so Julii fir the bill at less than 7 minutes up the Pike! The menu is still Mediterranean like before and offers lots of nice options and the food is filling, tasty and good-sized, so no complaints at all. The service was excellent to boot, save for one Sprite seeming to take a while to arrive.
Monday, November 14, 2022
DC's ANJU is all awesome and MORE!! (10-19-21)
Six of us headed to ANJU near Dupont Circle last month for a dinner we won at March of Dimes and Chefs Danny Lee & Angel Barreto along with the fabulous manager Eric Chodkowski and our fab server Abby made this tasting menu and entire evening a truly awesome feast.