Midtown Munchies

Oh New York, how we love you. Especially with all that good food we can get here. It just seems to be getting better all the time. I find more and more great places, no matter where in the city I am. Midtown is very upscale for the most part, but you can honestly find just about anything here, from food trucks to Michelin Star restaurants, any kind of cuisine at any price point. So. I picked three of my favorite eateries in Midtown Manhattan to tell you about, that way I will eliminate the the guessing game!

Jams NYC

Most foodies who are knowledgeable about award winning chefs and restaurants, are familiar with Chef Jonathan Waxman. Having pioneered Californian Cuisine, he is well known in he culinary industry. Here in New York he owns two restaurants, Barbuto in the West Village, and Jams in Midtown. Jams is located inside 1 Hotel Central Park, and is just beautiful. (I love how hotels nowadays open their restaurant space to renowned chefs!} I went just recently for a brunch, and of course everything was spot on. I had soft poached eggs on whole wheat English muffins with mashed avocado and feta cheese, accompanied by a mizuna and pickled red onion salad. I didn’t feel like cooking that day, so I took a salad to go for later. I chose the roasted chicken salad with marinated beets, heirloom apples, mixed chicories, toasted walnuts, topped with a goat cheese and tarragon dressing. If this is California cuisine, I could most definitely live there. Both dishes were scrumptious.

For more information on Jams NYC click here

For more information on Jonathan Waxman click here

The Bar Downstairs

Across the street from the NYC Public Library on 5th Avenue is a hidden gem. Well, until now, it’s no longer hidden. One of my favorite chefs in NYC cooks here, chef Shorne Benjamin, I have been following his career for a couple of years now. Steadily rising, he has appeared on Beat Bobby Flay, and has cooked at the prestigious James Beard Foundation featuring Caribbean Food events, and the list goes on. I went to visit him at The Bar Downstairs, located inside the Andaz Hotel, and as expected everything was top notch. Everything here is served tapas style, and if you know me, you know I looooove it. I tried the Roasted Cauliflower with ajo blanco, currants and almonds. I could go vegan for this (for a day for so). I then tried the Mojo marinated skirt steak (personally marinated by chef Shorne) with chimichurri and lime, so delicious. Last but definitely not least I chose the seafood paella. Holy smokes, this may have been the best I’ve had! Stuffed with prawns, rock shrimp, mussels, clams and scallops, the amount of seafood was almost guilt inducing, but not really. I simply loved it. Be sure to have a cocktail here, they are exotic and different, delicious and definitely versatile. I adore this place, and I am excited to see where this talented young chef is going in the culinary world!

For more information on the Bar Downstairs click here

For more information on Shorne Benjamin click here

Butter

Smack in the middle of Midtown, on 45th Street, you find Butter. Alex Guarnaschelli, a well known chef of the Food Network, has opened this chic and spacious restaurant to bring us her cuisine. Chef Michael Jenkins, who also appeared on Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay and other TV shows, is Chef de Cuisine here, and we love it! I ate here during the latest Restaurant Week (yes, I know, it’s been a while), and it was outstanding. I started with Crispy Ham and Pecorino Croquettes with basil and Serrano Chili aioli, followed by Grilled Korean Style Short Ribs with a black vinegar glaze and spicy mustard greens. I finished my meal with a Lemon Panna Cotta with Blackberry-Cassis jam. It didn’t feel like Restaurant Week, I felt like I truly had an upscale gourmet experience. The beautiful restaurant, the great service and quality of my meal were second to none. I highly recommend!