The Grand Dame- Orchids at Palm Court

                                               

                                          

   Art Deco at its Finest

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

                                                                          
                                                       


      Birthday Celebration!






                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                         

     Hudson Valley Fois Gras
 Pomegranate, Citrus Foam and  Funnel Cake







                                                                                                 
                                                                     

              Heirloom Cauliflower
Radish, Mullet Bottarga, Preserved Lemon and  Caper Vinaigrette





One cannot mention Orchids at Palm Court without commenting on the incredible art deco surroundings, comparable to Radio City Music Hall or Rockefeller Center.  Take the time to absorb the fine details that surround you. Orchid is located in the Carew Tower as part of the Hilton Netherland Plaza Hotel at 35 W. 5th St , Cincinnati, Ohio, which is on the National Historic Register and is a National Landmark. 

Our dining experience was definitely a "mixed bag".  The first selection  of wine was not in stock; neither was the second. Not a good way to start a birthday celebration. We are not big eaters, but like to experience different dishes. There is a good variation of  appetizers, so we decided to order several to share.  Often we will have an appetizer and one entree to split. Our server seemed genuinely surprised that we wanted to do this.

The amuse bouche (gift from the chef) was wonderful. Served in an egg shell, a sublime combination of egg, creme fraiche, chives and bacon was just yummy!    The sweetbreads (no this is not a dessert, if you don't know what they are, don't ask) was accompanied with a vanilla carrot puree which overpowered the delicate taste of the meat. Next came the spring rabbit which, quite frankly, was a bit dry but tasty when eaten with the ramp peperonata.  We were politely asked during each course if everything was to our liking- oops, we just as politely told them! The Chef then sent out the heirloom cauliflower which we did not order. It was a masterful blend of flavors. The tartness of the preserved lemon played off the saltiness of the microplaned mullet eggs and the cauliflower was a perfect backdrop. Our last course was again confusing. The fois gras was slightly overdone and served atop a funnel cake . The dish just didn't come together. 

I must say the service was impeccable and restaurants no longer go to this amount of detail any more. Yes, we will return, as this is a wonderful and unique overall experience and everyone has an "off" day. There is a bar section in the Palm Court, and for a cocktail or after dinner libation, it is one of our favorite places.  
At the far end of the hotel lobby is a small brochure "Walking Tour & Pocket History" of the Netherland Plaza. I would encourage readers to find this, as the history and tour are such a part of the Orchids.  For reservations call: 513- 421-9100.  

Fun and Fabulous in Cincinnati

                                                         

                                                        Abigail Street

Open kitchen, tagines lined up, ready for action.

                                                          Terry with Chef Salazar

               

Opened since the end of  2011, this is the name of the restaurant, not the address.  Located at 1214 Vine St. in the Over-the-Rhine area of downtown  Cincinnati (513) 421-4040, it is right next to its sister restaurant, Senate.  I only mention this because Abigail Street has a teeny tiny sign in the left hand corner of the window and can be a bit difficult to find. But the search is well worth it!

Jose Salazar left the prestigious Cincinnati Palace restaurant in the Cincinnatian Hotel to be Chef here, and we applaud owner Daniel Wright's foresight.  Daniel being the 2012 Food & Wine Magazine's "Peoples' Best New Chef"- Great Lakes Winner. The menu has a terrific variation of dishes based on the "small plates" style of dining; although the portions are meant for 2 or more to share. Our server, Sarah, recommends 3 or 4 plates to share per 2 people, which is plenty, unless you are a BIG eater. Our group of 4 made little piggies of ourselves by ordering the following:  Pan Roasted Monkfish; Wood Grilled Hanger Steak; Gambas De Ajo (shrimp); Mechoui Tangine (lamb) and the Mussels Charmoula.  The further descriptions on the menu testify to the creativity of Salazar. Each plate made us look forward to the next one!  There are also many vegetable dishes as well as a cheese plate with 6 different choices.

Matt the mixologist/sommelier was very helpful with his descriptions of the many choices on the wine list. A full bar is available.

Just to note, Abigail Street does not take reservations but they also do have a communal table and seats at the bar. AMEX is not welcome here.

Monnies' Food Tip: Tired of buying fresh herbs only to have them wilt and beg to be thrown out?  Try cutting 1/2" off the ends, placing them in water in a deep glass or mug.  Put a thin plastic bag (the kind you put your veggies in at the grocery store) over the top.  Twist the excess part of the bag a few times, then tuck up into itself. If using a mug, tuck the excess into the handle. Refrigerate.  This way they'll last and you can tell which herb is which cause the bag's not that thick!

Bon Appetit!

Vivien and Terry Monnie 

Dining on Bedford Avenue- Brooklyn NY

To most people who have even heard of the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, the area was known mostly for the Hasidic community. By 1917, the neighborhood had the most densely populated block in New York City.  Between South 2nd and South 3rd streets, more than 5,000 people were housed there, due to the building of the Williamsburg Bridge in 1903.  

Currently there is a new wave of immigrants.  Artists, designers and crafts people of all backgrounds and gender have been finding Williamsburg a welcome home away from the high prices and very different mentality of Manhattan. Large dilapidated warehouses are being transformed into light and airy spaces while retaining the wide beams and brick interiors.

This is how I came to have many splendid dinners on Bedford Ave. My daughter, Nicole, and her Pratt classmate are involved in a new venture- an upscale clothing/accessory boutique.  Swords-Smith is located at 98 South 4th St C in Williamsburg just around the corner from Bedford Ave (have to put in a plug for them!).  After many hours of painting, scraping & cleaning, I would excuse myself promptly at 6:00 p.m. to be in time for "Oyster Happy Hour" at 2 locations that run from 4 - 7 p.m.

Morgane's- 340 Bedford Ave. (347) 599-0699 is a small bistro complete with zinc bar.  Their selection of oysters is very limited but the menu is more varied than the other oyster establishment.  The lamb shank tangine comes with a choice of two sauces, one a bit spicy, the other with lemons and olives. I actually ordered this same dish on 2 separate nights, it was the best lamb I have ever had! 

Maison-Premiere- 298 Bedford Ave. (347) 335-0446 also has "Oyster Happy Hour" and their selections of oysters is much larger but the menu, while interesting, is quite limited. Maxwell the mixologist does a splendid job! The place can be quite crowded and noisy. Both resturants had the freshest of oysters and both were extremely careful in schucking to preserve the precious oyster liquor, so important to true half shell lovers!
Oh, did I mention during the 4-7 p.m. (not at Maison-Pemiere on Fri or Sat) the oysters are ONE DOLLAR APIECE?

Potlikker- 338 Bedford Ave. (718) 388-9808. With a tiny two man kitchen, the attention to detail in their preparation is second only to Parisian establishments. The kitchen is visible to the bar patrons and is so quiet! I had the duck confit croquetta with cream poached kohlrabi, grilled rutabega and pear with huckleberry bearnaise topped with pickled mustard sees (see what I mean?). I longed to try the rabbit braised in cider vinegar, juniper berries and bay leaves with mustard cream spaetzle, but alas I was full.

Since I was put to work during the day, we did a bit of take-out. I must mention Rabbithole- 352 Bedford Ave (718) 782-0910.  The quinoa salad with grilled artichokes and parmesan cheese was a wonderful blend of flavors- also one of the few places I found my beloved Marker's Mark! The staff and owner were terrific and the sampling of their scones was delicious.

New York Muffin- several locations, I went to the one at 287 Bedford Ave (718) 218-9080. Their almond croissants are some of the best ever (sorry Paris) and flew their last one home to share with Terry. 

Bedford Baking Studio- 347 Bedford Ave (347) 278-4548 has both great coffee and all kinds of baked goodies. Aside from the various muffins, I did manage to have a slice of the coconut creme pie- the creamy part was not overly sweet and the texture was soft pillowy perfection- ahh.

Many of the eateries in this area only take cash. Visa & Mastercard would be the credit cards of choice. Please keep in mind all of the above was within a four  "short " block area- the rest of Bedford is calling. I did manage to dine in several other wonderful places in the Greenpoint area of Brooklyn, but that's another story. 

If traveling to New York City, take the time to visit this area-reminded us alot of Europe.

Bon Appetit!
Vivien Monnie