Eating lunch in Anderson Cooper's family garage...

For Anderson Cooper, it's the family garage.  But to the rest of us, Tao is the largest and most popular Asian restaurant in New York City, and the fourth highest grossing restaurant in the nation (top honors going to Tao Las Vegas, which brought in $68.4 million last year!)

That's right, before becoming the current home of the 16-foot Buddha that "floats" on a koi pond, Tao was originally a 19th century stable for Anderson Cooper's ancestors, the Vanderbilts.  It was also renovated as a balconied cinema, before transforming into the present Asian wonderland.

Upon entering, you are literally instantly swept to a fantasy world that seems miles from the horns just outside on 58th street.  In terms of ambiance, it would be difficult to find a more awe-inspiring culinary gallery.  Our lunch was exceptionally delicious, as well.

Peking duck spring rolls drizzled with Hoisin sauce.  The sweet potato and garlic of the Hoisin rounded out the tender and savory duck to such perfection, you don't even really need the mustard dipping sauce.

At our server's recommendation, we ordered the satay of Chilean sea bass on grilled asparagus.  Never before has grilled sea bass given me goosebumps, and I need a bottle of the miso glaze in my refrigerator at all times.  

The steamed vegetable dumplings were better than most, and certainly tastier than any yasai gyoza I have tried anywhere.  Here, Tao successfully achieves a fresh garden filling with plump, al dente dumpling around a crispy cucumber salad.

Lobster wontons in shitake ginger broth.

Wok-seared New York Sirloin.

Kieran (one of the few people in my life who actually craves fine Chinese cuisine and refuses to order take-out) gave the Kung Pao chicken his stamp of approval.  I tasted this classic Szechuan dish, and would certainly have to agree... the chicken was exceptionally plump and juicy.

Shanghai scallion beef.

The only component of our meal that left us wanting, though not horribly dissatisfied, was in the dessert department.  The tempura banana was actually quite delicious, though sitting on a bed of what tasted like instant pudding.  The other two desserts we tried, a parfait and a fresh fruit sorbet, quite honestly sent me reminiscing about the cafeterias I used to love with my grandparents.  For such a magical setting with such well-executed dishes from all over Asia, the dessert was a bit of a let down.  In lieu of a dessert, I'd recommend trying one of Tao's cocktails.  The ruby red dragon was particularly delicious (Finlandia grapefruit, yuzu citrus, a dash of pomegranate, garnished with a candied orange twist.)  Certainly enjoy the chocolate fortune cookies with PG13 messages inside (you'll see what I mean...)

This post would not honestly be complete without sharing what was perhaps the most intriguing facet of the breathtaking decor...

Be extremely careful in the Men's room as the lights turn on with a motion sensor...  If you have trouble relieving yourself at an open stall, try peeing on a floor-to-ceiling waterfall with backlights that flash at you as you unzip your britches.  Thank goodness it was a full wall, because it startled me so abruptly that I... well, you get the idea. And I simply couldn't stop running the water in the open-sided sink that poured like a small fountain into a hole in the floor.  Tao undoubtedly wins the award for coolest bathroom... ever...

After settling the (very reasonable) bill, we felt as though we had just left the World Showcase at Disney's Epcot Center.  And once the rice started expanding in our stomachs (as it inevitably does), we needed to walk off a few calories.  I cannot more highly recommend a better post-Tao stroll than through the FAO Schwarz Manhattan megastore... We entered the famous giant, and Kieran yelped, "it's like were in Suri Cruise's bedroom!"

Kieran soft-shoed a riveting rendition of "Heart & Soul" on the "Big" Piano.

Matty was attacked by a Lego Chewbacca.

The store is literally three floors of rooms of toys connected by hallways of stuffed animals and dolls.

Matty and Kieran in the Clifford treehouse.

Though we had no energy left to ice skate ourselves, we concluded the afternoon in schadenfreude watching people fall at Wollman Rink in Central Park (click on the picture to make it larger...I count three skaters flat on the ice, and one on her way down near the bottom right!)  Talk about a perfect New York day... 

NYC Winter Restaurant Week 2010: Cafe Boulud

Spotted today at our Little Shop of Hors d'ouevres: a dragonfly presenting a Tiffany & Co. box from Audrey II to Blair Waldorf.  Has B finally found her "somewhere that's green?"  Will Chuck Bass "suddenly see-more" opportunity to regain B's affection? You know you love me...

xoxo
gossipgirl

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Sorry, I couldn't resist...  This odd picture (it does look like Leighton Meester and a wilting venus flytrap) was at eye level for our entire meal today, and we were definitely dining in gossipgirl's hood.  Despite the eccentric artwork and utter void of facial expressions from the overly-retouched upper east siders dining around us, lunch at Cafe Boulud ranks up there with one of my favorite New York dining experiences.

Half a block from Central Park, and a stone's throw from the Whitney Museum of American Art, Cafe Boulud resides in the reconceived former home of famous French chef, Daniel Boulud's eponymous restaurant... Daniel.

The service was absolute perfection.  We were guided through our meal with expert suggestions, and a touch of warmth and sincere hospitality often lacking in some of New York's more formal establishments.  The menu is inspired by four of Daniel Boulud's culinary muses, and as such, divided into four tempting quadrants: classic French cuisine, seasonal delicacies, the farmer's market, and cuisines of the world.  

Where else can you, in one meal, enjoy dumplings, wiener schnitzel, and agnolotti -- Asian, Viennese, and Italian -- prepared to sheer perfection by a master French chef?  That is exactly what we did!  And I could not more highly recommend a restaurant boasting such a variety that hits the target on virtually every dish.  Remember, not only do they offer a prix fixe lunch year round, but we enjoyed a bottle of sauvignon blanc for $24.

Our amuse-bouche, courtesy of our server, was black truffle arancini (fried rice balls) with a fontina center...

French mache salad (lamb's lettuce) with shaved fennel crudites, ribbons of gruyere cheese, and blood oranges.  This was one of the tangiest, most refreshing salads I have enjoyed.  Ordinarily, I am not a fan of oranges of any sort.  Though I love the flavor, the fleshiness of the actual fruit doesn't bode well with me.  But these blood oranges were tender, tart, and a great contrast to the other players in this salad.

The seared short rib dumplings were simultaneously hearty and delicate (a crispy golden base with a juicy filling), and paired with a dipping reduction of spiced orange, scallions, and ginger, these little guys didn't last long in their steaming basket.

 

Seared diver scallops with kohlrabi (the preparation of this German turnip was tender and earthy) with artichokes barigoule (tasty tiny cubes of meaty mushroom)...  Two of the scallops were drizzled with a whole grain mustard jus, while one was dressed in an herb crust.  This is how I would like my scallops.  Every single day.  Please, and thank you.  What a playful convergence of sea and earth, and it was just as much fun to eat.  Simply delicious.

The artichoke agnolotti was a showcase of the farmer's market, with browned butter and lemon, and wild arugula.

My lunch date had a good chuckle when I ordered the wiener schnitzel (say it a couple of times... vee-ner shnit-zul), but this dish was absolutely no joke.  This crispy golden, buttery slice of veal sat on a bed of braised cabbage and sweet gala apples, a lovely contrast to the whole grain mustard jus (making a reprise appearance from the earlier scallops).

The lemon tart and frangipane (a moist almond sponge cake) was crowned with drops of meringue, and accompanied by a fromage blanc sorbet (yes, cheese sorbet...)

The chocolate pot de creme, however, was the most decadent and delicious chocolate sculpture, with a foundation of praline feuillantine topped with a cloud of milk jam mousse, and vanilla bean ice cream.

And as a beautiful reminder that sometimes the simplest things are the most satisfying, our server brought us this basket of warm-from-the-oven miniature madeleines, dusted with confectioner's sugar.  At the end of an exquisite lunch, these tiny cakes and a cappuccino left the biggest smile on my face.  Thank you, Cafe Boulud, for a gorgeous reminder that New York does it like nowhere else.

The Grammys Go Broadway

If you watched the Grammys this past Sunday night, you were undoubtedly wowed by a daintily dressed, drenched Pink dangling and dripping from the ceiling, and GaGa and Elton crooning at a baby hand... I mean, ummm, baby grand (what were those arms sprouting from the piano?)  But one of the performances getting the least buzz is one that, upon closer inspection, really excites me... the Broadway cast of American Idiot singing "21 Guns" with Green Day.

In anticipation of the show's arrival on Broadway this March, Green Day recently re-recorded their current hit with the Broadway cast.  Look closely, and you will notice the likes of John Gallagher, Jr. (Spring Awakening), Alysha Umphress (check her out on my YouTube videos from Musical Mondays at Splash), and Andrew Call (yes, the former bartender from our regular watering hole, The Ritz).

If you are currently on the fence about Green Day's album being morphed "into a high-octane rock opera about war, drugs, dreams and reality" (Playbill), watch the new video below.  I think this could be really exciting.  Give the whole video a watch, but it really gets my heart thumping after the three-minute mark...

Sangria Sundays at Calle Ocho

Calle Ocho has been a longstanding favorite of mine ever since I lived nearby on the Upper West Side.  Though I've always enjoyed the food, the star of the show has been their complimentary unlimited sangria bar offered on Sundays.  Yes, you read that correctly...  A free sangria buffet that features up to ten tasty concoctions, usually five red and five white.

The last time our group indulged in this outrageous deal, we... well, I'll attempt to salvage some dignity by merely saying that we all ended up sound asleep by 7:00pm that evening...  When we decided early last week that we would try it again, it seemed a much wiser decision to sample the evening menu.  Calle Ocho's brunch offers a tasty array of nuevo latino cuisine at a very affordable price point.  The sangria buffet shuts down around 3pm, and then reopens with the dinner menu from 5-10pm.  The evening menu is a little pricier, but the value is unbeatable (especially if you take advantage of the sangria).


When you first enter Calle Ocho from Columbus Avenue (between 81st and 82nd streets), you are met with a dimly lit bar, reminiscent of the lounges along the restaurant's namesake (Eighth Street) in Little Havana in Miami.  I have spoken with several friends who always assumed this was the extent of the restaurant, as it is also spotted with low tables and banquettes, offering a menu selection, as well.

At the far end of the lounge, however, is an arched brick passageway leading to the actual dining room.  Newcomers gasp at the vastness of the room, adorned in bold colors and rich metallics, illuminated by candle light.

 

We certainly took full advantage of the sangria spread, but the food was what caught us by surprise.  Brunch had always been enjoyable.  Last night at dinner, however, our group fell head-over-feet in love with this Cuban gem.

We built our own ceviche sampler: (1) Fresco (top left) Rock Shrimp, Grilled Tomato, Rocoto Pepper, Citrus Juice; (2) Salmon (top riight) House Cured Salmon, Aji Amarillo, Sour Orange, Pineapple; (3) Mariscos (bottom left) Maine Lobster, Shrimp, Jicama, Cucumber, Yuzu-Orange Mojo; (4) Tuna Tiradito (bottom right) Sliced Ahi Tuna, Cucumber-Jicama Salad, Grilled Pineapple, Avocado, Lime Mojo.

The ceviche was exploding with flavor, and one of the tastier samplings I have enjoyed.  Be extremely carutious with the Fresco, as the rocoto pepper forced me to extinguish the fire in my mouth with a glass of milk.  Not the best pairing with a Bacardi banana sangria, but definitely necessary.

Service and presentation were impeccable.  The empanada was removed from a cast iron empanada press, and placed on the tomato salad by the server, table side.

Mar y tierra (or surf 'n' turf) featured a mound of deliciously buttery petit filet and jumbo grilled shrimp on a pool of saffron cauliflower puree...

One of my favorite dishes was the Sunday special, the Lomo... adobo rubbed pork loin, with tobacco onion rings and a tangy roasted corn salsa.

My dish was flawless, and truly a festival of deliciousness.  Paella is so very hit-or-miss for me, but Calle Ocho has created a masterpiece with this phenomenal version.  My saffron rice was a succulent scavenger hunt of plump shrimp, mussels, clams, and chorizo.  At the top of my plate was half a lobster, dressed with a tender grilled calamari and tomato salad.  Though the other dishes at the table were wonderful, I will return for this again and again and again...

We ordered a sampling of desserts for the table, and one of my favorites was the crema catalana, a traditional Spanish caramelized dulche de leche (a rich cousin of creme brulee).

Cocos are toasted coconut and chocolate crusted coconut ice cream in a pool of pineapples and raspberry coulis.

The Cubanito was a peanut butter crust, filled with chocolate hazelnut mousse and topped with Cuban coffee ice cream.

The Bombas were little cinnamon-dusted doughnuts, filled with warm pastry cream.  Spread a little bit of the banana ice cream on the top, and you have the perfect ending bite to the meal.

Sunday Morning Mimosa at MiX Cafe + Lounge

Nestled in the heart of Astoria, amidst the myriad of Greek cafes and Irish pubs, just a block off of Steinway is one of the most unconventional brunch spots around.  Combine a croque monsieur with yucca fries, a wig, rhinestones, and red velvet, and you've got yourself a unique MiX.

MiX Cafe + Lounge was recently named Best Gay Bar by Best of Astoria 2009.  But part of the uniqueness of MiX is the very element its name suggests... a mix.  Owner Xavier Leon has successfully designed a warm, flirtatious, but ultimately welcoming lounge where patrons from virtually every walk of life gather.  And though MiX is perhaps best known as a lounge with delicious cocktails (try the Nutty Caramel with a caramelized brown sugar lined glass), it has rapidly become the scene of one of the tastiest (and certainly the most entertaining) brunches this side of the East River.

Sunday brunch is hosted by the comedy team known as Sunday Morning Mimosa.  And though the team may involve men in wigs and brassieres, they are anything but a typical drag show.  Sunday Morning Mimosa is more of a comedy team, with character-based hilarity as the central driving force.  Also a podcast, SMM features two primary characters, as well as several recurring secondary characters (beautifully and ridiculously woven together for over 100 episodes...)

While you nosh on Sundays, Anita Buffem and Gina Marie regale you with their tales and torments of the week, including family holiday debacles, parental struggles (Gina Marie has a gay son and a daughter dating a black man),  as well as live musical performances that range from standards such as The Trolley Song ("clang, clang, clang went the N train... ") to current club hits such as Lady GaGa's "Bad Romance"... and yes, Anita and Gina know the full choreography.

Ever since our introduction to Gina Marie and Anita, our group of friends has brunched at MiX multiple Sundays in the past few months.  Sunday Morning Mimosa, though gut-bustingly raucous and fun, provides an entertaining commentary on current issues, through the voices of two ordinary Astoria girls.  The comedic timing, dry wit, facial acrobatics, and vocal talent combine for a show you simply have to try at least once.  And the food is scrumptious, too.

Just keep in mind that you are attending a performance brunch, not a fast food drive through.  The server/bartender/cashier/busboy/barback (yes, all one person) has his hands full, and works exhaustingly all day long, so service may take a minute.  Come ready to relax and laugh with two truly brilliant comedians, and you won't even notice if your coffee mug isn't refilled as often as your Sunday morning foggy head may require.  And when the food finally does arrive, you'll certainly be glad you waited.  For a unique and thoroughly guffaw-inducing brunch, it is well worth the trip to the corner of 30th Ave and 41st St in Astoria.

Xavier's special recipe for Mac 'n' Cheese... a delicious, bubbly blend of fontina and cheddar.  One of our group's favorite items, someone always orders it.

Smoky egg tacos with garden vegetables and avocado drizzle.

Rice and scallion croquettes, topped with Greek salad.

Zucchini Parmesan bruschetta.

If you plan on coming with a large group (merrier the more!) just give a call in advance (347-642-4840).   MiX is usually extremely accommodating, and the head's up just assures you'll have a better vantage point for the show.

Want a free brunch?  Try the dating game hosted by Anita and Gina Marie on Thursday nights at MiX.