Restaurant Week Dinners

It’s that time again! I love Restaurant Week. Three course meals for $29 for lunch, $42 for dinner in some of the finest restaurants in New York City. Of course I made a ton of reservations. I chose wisely and made reservations early, some of these go fast! Here’s my first round of amazing dinners!

Junoon

Junoon in the Flatiron district of New York has been awarded one Michelin Star a few years in a row, which in itself makes it a desired reservation in town. I haven’t had Indian food in a long, long time, and I was definitely craving these exotic flavors. And I was not disappointed.

I started off with Ghost Chili Murk Tikka, which is a Tandoor Chicken Thigh with cabbage slaw and cashew puree. It was very spicy, the Ghost Chili being one of the spiciest peppers around, I just loved it. My main course was Meen Manga Curry, consisting of Monkfish with roasted tomato and tamarind, which was just superb. The rice was Basmati rice imported from India, I never had such a light rice. The dessert was Ma’s Rice Pudding with candied almonds and caramelized bananas, very, very nice. I can’t think of a better way to spend $42 dollars, this was an outstanding dinner. If you make it there, please do accompany your meal with an East India Gin and Tonic, it’s unbelievable….

For more info click here

Riverpark

Riverpark is one of the most scenic restaurants in New York City with a stunning view of the East River skyline. In the summer the outside seating on the patio is a must for a foodie! The food promises excellence being that this gorgeous eatery is owned by Tom Colicchio, the Head Judge on the Bravo TV show Top Chef. I of course went with my sidekick Sasha.
Our appetizers were East Coast West Coast Oysters and a Spaghetti Carbonara, which were of course scrumptious. Our main courses were a Braised Short Rib over Smoked Barley, and Roasted Diver Scallops with Pomegranate, Celery Root and Black Couscous. Both were immensely flavorful as expected! The Scallop dish was so beautiful, I almost didn’t want to eat it!! For dessert Sasha had Salted Caramel and Rocky Road Ice cream, while I was wiggling in my chair waiting for the Cereal and Milk dessert. It’s a chocolate shell filled with vanilla malt cream on top of caramelized rice puffs, and as you crack the shell, it the cream pours all over the cereal, It’s not just delicious but also fun and an Instagram favorite! Great dinner…

For more info click here

American Cut

Did someone say Filet Mignon? Oh yes, I’m all over that. Yup, I love a good steak, and American Cut has a stellar reputation. I quickly booked a dinner for myself and a coworker (she’s slowly becoming a foodie herself).

We started the evening in this stunning restaurant with a Caesar Salad and a Beef Cheek Broth with tiny little Ravioli. We both chose the Filet Mignon, and our sides were Escarole with a fried egg, and Hassleback Potatoes with sour cream, bacon and scallions. The steak was topped with fried onions and cooked perfectly, the potatoes cut into spirals and baked. For dessert we chose a Cracker Jack Sundae with Peanut Brittle and Popcorn ice cream (OMG), and a Passionfruit and Pineapple Sorbet. Honorable mention goes to the awesome biscuit they serve with vegetable cream cheese in place of the bread basket! Everything was absolutely delicious and classic, we were beyond satisfied.