Dining Reviews by The Lunch Belle
My Lunch Date with Joy Bauer
A little while ago, I had the pleasure of joining author-extraordinaire and nutritionist for the Today Show, Joy Bauer, for lunch. A handful of her websites partners and other health/food bloggers were invited to Nios, a restaurant thats located within The Muse (a Kimpton Hotel property), to celebrate the launch of her completely revised and updated book, Joy Bauers Food Cures. In her la...
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Recipe: BLT's Cheddar & Chive Biscuits
I had the pleasure of sampling these savory, carb-filled delights at BLT Fish last night and, to my most pleasant surprise, a recipe card was attached! Please enjoy!BLTs Cheddar & Chive Biscuits Yields 8 biscuits Ingredients • 1.5 cups flour * 2 teaspoons baking powder * 1 teaspoon salt * 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper * 3 tablespoons shortening * 3 tablespoons bu...
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TLB Consulting: Helping You Manage Your Office's Catered Meals
For those of you out there who are fortunate enough to be employed at a company who still offers daily catered breakfasts/lunches, Im not only green with envy for obvious reasons (we have water fountains at my office. Does that count?), but for the fact that, at one point in time, feeding hungry professionals used to be my day job. Most people cringe at the thought, the sheer gravity of ha...
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Strawberry-Lemon Cake Truffles
Holy crack. Theyve turned me in to a fiend. I could not not tell yall about the best thing that Ive put in my mouth since my meal at Melt Shop. On Monday night, I found myself around the perimeter of Madison Square Park, killing time between appointments. Beyond the treetops, I observed a blanket of white tents and recalled that, until June 4th, Madison Square Eats was in full-effect. Ye...
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Melt Shop
Melt Shop: A midtown lunch that will melt your heart.Restaurant: Melt Shop Cuisine: Grilled cheese sandwiches, fixins Location: 601 Lexington Avenue, at 53rd St. (north-east corner of Lexington Avenue & 53rd Street, down the stairs in the outdoor plaza ), Manhattan Phone: 212-759-6358 Atmosphere: Order at counter, outdoor seating Attire: Casual Ideal for: Weekday lunch, gra...
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An Interview With Magnolia Bakery's Bobbie Lloyd
When life hands you lemons, bake (lemon) cupcakes! How much do you love that quote? I saw it posted on my girlfriend, Staceys Facebook wall recently and smiled. A lemon-flavored cupcake sounded utterly delightful, summer-y, and definitely more satisfying than a glass of lemonade. No doubt about that. And speaking of everyones favorite hand-held dessert, Im curious: how do you eat a cu...
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Recipe: Calabacitas ("Little Squashes")
Calabacitas - Little Squashes - sounds more like the nickname of a famous Mafioso than that of one of my favorite side dishes. Not only is my Mexican-influenced recipe for little squashes complimentary to a plethora of entrees, but this version can also be used as a filling for enchiladas, quesadillas, and tacos. Or even as the stuffing component for a roulade. And best of all? My calabacitas...
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TLB Consulting: Help Me Help You
Sometimes, the eminent death of a restaurant/lounge is almost too obvious. At least to me it is. Picture it: Gorgeous space, awkward location, impossibly difficult menu (both in terms of price and ingredient comprehension), aloof staff who care more about staring at their own reflection in the decorative mirror located behind their guests heads, while explaining the evenings specials, tha...
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Lunch At Goodburger
For some reason, rainy days just scream burger and fries! And when those days happen to fall during the workweek, I find it fitting - and, why not - to also include milkshake. Take, for example, this past Friday: not only was it raining heavily, but the air temperature was frigid and the wind was unforgivable. The thought of leaving my desk to brave the conditions in search of lunch was a...
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Confessions of a Junkfoodie
Dear readers, I want to apologize for having gone M.I.A over the last little while. I hate to be inconsistent, especially with posting, but I recently enrolled in six-week nutritional course. No, Im not trying to change career paths or become a part-time dietician - Im taking this course completely for myself. Ever since I moved away from home twelve years ago, my diet - and by the word di...
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Snow, Pigskins and Mexican Food
Last Wednesday, we learned that Punxsutawney Phil did NOT see his shadow - meaning that, according to Groundhogs Day tradition, Spring will arrive early this year. However, judging by the winter that weve had thus far, I find that notion really hard to believe. Secretly, I love the snow. Blame it on my desert upbringing! As long as it doesnt ruin my plans. And that it didnt! This we...
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Tests, Tortillas, & Tennis Shoes: What's The 411?
Dear readers, I hope that this week is finding you well. And for my fellow NYers: are you ready for the approaching snow storm? I wanted to give you all an update as to what has been taking up much of my down time, lately: 1. After memorizing a hefty amount of study material, Im taking my Food Protection Certificate test this evening. I have to admit, Im kind of nervous! 2. I ...
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Recipe: Andrew & Bronson's Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies
Enjoy this recipe from the kitchen of one of the worlds most famous celebrity event planners, Bronson Van Wyck, and his partner, Andrew Fry. Read it & eat...and bake like a famous person, The Lunch Belle ~ ~ ~ Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies These cookies taste so good that they will make you feel better about just about anything, Andrew Fry & Bronson Van Wyck. Ingredien...
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Q&A with Amanda Simpson
Click. Drool. Repeat. Of all of the famous chefs, cookbook authors, and television personalities that Ive had the pleasure of interviewing, I have to say that Amanda Simpson, author of Food Porn Daily, The Cookbook, has been my favorite. After our nearly 30-minute phone conversation, I smiled and thought to myself, Now this is the kind of girl that I could become great friends with. ...
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Recipe: Andrew & Bronson's Cheese Bread
Enjoy this recipe from the kitchen of one of the worlds most famous celebrity event planners, Bronson Van Wyck, and his partner, Andrew Fry. Read it & eat...and bake like a famous person, The Lunch Belle ~ ~ ~ Cheese Bread with Gruyere, Cheddar and Scallions We love this bread because it’s delicious enough to eat without butter. If there’s any left, save it for the next mor...
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Recipe: Southern Style Green-Bean Casserole
Thanksgiving may have past but who needs an excuse to make this delectably simple green-bean casserole? While I probably wouldnt recommend this as a summer side dish, this Southern staple is suitable to serve from fall to early spring. ~ Ingredients * 2-16 oz. bags of French-cut string beans (*cook beans on stove according to package directions. Iinstead of water, I use chicken stock that...
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Recipe: Salted-Caramel Apple Pie
In taking inventory of my groceries and household items, I came across the plastic bag filled with apples that my friend, Justin, had brought me from his orchard in Vermont. When he presented them to me about a week ago, I remember thinking, What the heck am I going to do with ten apples? Lets face it, the only apples I consume are those found in fritters and Baked McApple Pies. By about...
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Interview with Food Network Star Claire Robinson
Having developed a mild girl crush on the Southern beauty from watching her commentary on The Best Thing I Ever Ate, I decided to check out a couple of episodes from Chef Claire Robinsons television series, 5 Ingredient Fix, on the Food Network. Like the name, the premise of Claires show is to prove that it is possible to create both delicious and eclectic dishes using five ingredients or fewer...
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Poynt: It Was Love At First "Click"
Look, Im as big of a sucker as the next guy for the latest and greatest mobile apps, but I do have a confession to make: more often than not, I sign up for applications like Four Square and, when someone asks me questions about the intricacies of how it works, Im stumped. Just last night, for example, as Ceci and I sat down to dinner at Macao Trading Co., I completely interrupted our conversati...
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Not-So-Hatsuhana (Hot-Soo-Hana)
In anticipation of my 30th birthday, I decided a couple of months ago that it was time to quit smoking. Again. For good. Ive nixed the habit on two prior occasions with the help of Chantix, the blue miracle pill. Unfortunately, the cigarettes always seemed to have a way of seducing me back. The excuses/justifications that I made for succombing to the cancer-sticks were ridiculous. Here are som...
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Interview with Danelle of GoodGoodies
Like Giada DeLaurentis, Dannelle is one of those female foodie-types that you love to hate; not only is she gorgeous and blessed with a Barbie doll-like figure, but the girl really knows her way around a kitchen! To answer the age-old question, Is there such thing as a perfectly well-rounded person? Why yes, as a matter of fact, there is! Aside from her physical beauty - enviously high m...
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Elongating the Life of Berries
Now, I dont know about you, but I find that incorporating fruits and vegetables in my diet is, well, a chore. Buying produce is a total crap shoot, as 9 times out of 10, I end up with mealy apples and peaches or bruise-ridden avocados. Thankfully, I know that I can always count on Driscolls for consistently perfect berries. Sure, theyre more costly than the supermarkets brand, but Id rather sp...
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Croissant Pain Perdu with Brown-Sugar Butter
The ULTIMATE French twist on French toast! Easy to make and decadent to eat, this recipe is sure to impress! Croissant Pain Perdu with Brown Sugar Butter Makes 2–4 servings
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Japanese Dinner at Matsugen
Having had sushi for dinner the previous night, I nearly gasped when my visiting sorority sister requested that we meet for Japanese.Yalls sushi is just so much better here than it is in Houston, Shelby said. And though I didnt know firsthand, I could only assume she was correct.Knowing I didnt want to restrict dinner to a restaurant solely serving sushi/rolls, I made a reservation fo...
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Dinner at Nougatine at Jean Georges
For two glorious weeks in the dreadful doldrums of winter (exclusive of Saturdays), NYC Restaurant Week takes Gotham by storm.Over 250 participating restaurants charge $24.07 for a prix-fixed lunch and $35 for a prix-fixed dinner. Considering the tumultuous economy, Restaurant Week is an affordable excuse to experience that otherwise pricey French spot youve been dying to try.Allie an...
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Dinner at Artisanal
The last time I had dinner at Artisanal was a little over two years ago, when my mother (visiting from out of town) met my (now ex) boyfriend for the first time. While the meal was lovely, I’ve since avoided Artisanal like the plague after our bitter breakup (almost 2 years ago!). Me, hold a grudge? Never!Artisanal is famous for its namesake hand-picked cheeses procured from all over the w...
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Dinner at Dirt Candy
Allowing the other person to choose a restaurant can be as bad as sending an email to the wrong recipient. There is no going back. So when Allie suggested we meet for dinner at the East Village’s newest vegetarian restaurant, Dirt Candy, I was slightly frightened. What would a tofu-hater order from small, meatless menu?I decided to check out Dirt Candy’s website to view menus and figure ou...
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Dining in the Hamptons
When I think of weekend getaways outside of my beloved Manhattan, I become anxious:• How are the restaurants/food-shopping?• Is everything located in strip malls?• Will I get bored and homesick?With the exception of two or three destinations, I get depressed whenever I leave the Big Apple. I know, I know; just what is wrong with me? Shouldn’t I be happy that I’m on vacation?...
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Salted Caramel Ice Cream?! You Bet!
I almost had a coronary while I was watching the news this morning.Surely there was a mistake when the weatherman announced that “today’s high temperature will reach a record-breaking 101 degrees.” I fell in to a further state of shock when I noticed the reading on the bottom left hand corner of my television screen (where the news channel microscopically displays the current temperature)....
Read more...A Sweet Tin of Sin
How about a little game of charades, my dear readers? Are you ready?• I stand 2 inches tall and am about 1 inch wide. I am housed within a recycled tin that has been beautifully decorated with sketched artwork that supports new artists. I am all-natural, dairy- and gluten-free, and I will only cost you 140 calories. • So, what am I?If gum was your first thought, thats a clever guess...
Read more...Green Eggs and Ham
Quietly tucked away on picturesque tree-lined East 39th Street is Icon, the haute New American restaurant located within the W New York — The Court Hotel. Step inside to a dim oasis of grand space, chic design, and modern flare. Pending lovely weather, make sure to grab an after-meal cocktail on Icons gorgeous Miami-esque back terrace.These days, more and more restaurants are jumping on th...
Read more...Coffee Talk
During the five-day work week, The Lunch Belle spends her days managing one of her firm’s offices in midtown Manhattan. Luckily for me, our two New York locations are located right across the street from one another, so whenever I have to get a signature from our CFO or fetch invoices to/from our accounting team, I dont have to walk very far.So on a recent trip across 59th Street, I stroll...
Read more...The Lunch Belle Brings Ethnic Gourmet Home
Stranded. It was early Sunday evening, and I began to feel a rumble in my stomach. As I rummaged through the fridge, it dawned on me that earlier in the week: I had opted not to order my diet-delivery meals for the weekend.Now I would be forced to make the tough decision of, “Do I order Chinese or pizza, or should I make the trek to Whole Foods and pick up something healthy?” After remembe...
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FreshDirect Delivers
For people like me (a busy New Yorker), even running the simplest of errands is sometimes overwhelming and daunting. Maybe its just me being lazy, but I literally have to talk myself into getting off of the couch to pick up my prescriptions, toiletries, laundry, etc.When I first heard about FreshDirect, I was elated that I could finally check one errand off of my list—that dreaded bi-month...
Read more...Market Table: Naturally Fresh and Delicious
After going back and forth between all of our crazy schedules, Emily, Nora, and I finally got a girls’ night dinner date in the books at the uber-haute new restaurant, Market Table.From the street, one would never be able to discern the restaurant’s rustically charming interior. The front door invites patrons inside a two-roomed space, one comprised of a market/hostess stand/kitchen and ps...
Read more...The Lunch Belle Goes to Market
For our inaugural read in the new book club that I joined, Rick Braggs national bestseller All Over but the Shoutin’ was chosen. This autobiography depicts the authors rough upbringing in the South (there is a happy ending, but so far, this is all Ive personally read). The first chapter in the book describes a Southern meal in precise salivating detail, making me hungry for some made-from-scrat...
Read more...Dinner at Perilla: From Farm to Table
My new foodie soul mate, Dana, and I decided to plan our second dinner date at Perilla, a relatively new farm to table restaurant revolving around the use of fresh, seasonal ingredients.Opened by Top Chefs inaugural winner, Harold Dieterle, Perilla is located on a charming and quiet street in the picturesque West Village neighborhood. From the outside looking in, the restaurant is quite un...
Read more...NuKitchen Saves the Belle!
People always assume that because I write about food, I must cook all the time. A question I get quite often is, “What do you eat for dinner at home on the nights that you don’t go to a restaurant?”When I respond with “Usually frozen meals,” people look at me like I’m an alien with 11 heads. Seriously though, cooking on a larger scale is much easier than whipping something up for one....
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The Lunch Belle’s Famous Organic Green Chile Cheese Enchiladas
St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan in 387 A.D., once said, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” while referring to the Church in Rome fasting on Saturdays—which is not something they practiced in Milan. The moral of the story was to follow the custom(s) of where you are visiting.So when I’m in my hometown of El Paso, Texas, I like to eat as the El Pasoans do. Is West Texas famous for Italian, Ja...
Read more...15 East Japanese Restaurant
After attending a Tory Burch trunk show that lasted until 8 p.m., my friend Linda and I decided to make a night of it by grabbing some dinner afterwards. Debating about which cuisine wed prefer, we finally chose to go with sushi. Eating a healthy meal sounded right. I suggested we try 15 East after reading the rave reviews on my favorite interactive foodie blog, www.chowhound.com.After per...
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