Restaurant Review: Casa La Femme

Last month, I had the distinct pleasure of attending my friend Jessica's 21st birthday dinner. In honor of her daughter's newfound interest in Arabic language and culture, Jessica's mom decided to forgo the usual "birthday" restaurants and surprise her daughter at an Egyptian restaurant called Casa La Femme. Located just a block away from Hudson River Park at Pier 46 in the West Village, this beautiful space was not only luxurious, but also had some of the best food that I have tasted in a very long time. 

From the moment I walked in, I was immediately entranced by the decor. There were many similarities between this restaurant and many of the ones I had visited in Morocco, including carved moldings, mosaic tiles, and colorful carpets. I smiled inside, excited for the possibility of a memorable culinary experience. Thankfully, I was not disappointed. 

View from the lounge

The birthday girl was running a little bit late by the time I arrived, so I decided to relax and chat with her family at the bar. At their recommendation (not to mention that of our waiter, Ciprian), I ordered "The Lemonada," a sort of lemonade mojito. Having just turned 21 myself, I was curious to see what this drink tasted like, especially since I'm not very fond of the taste of alcohol. But to my surprise, it was delicious! Made of fresh squeezed lemon and lime juice, muddled mint, a simple syrup, Russian vodka, and topped off with champagne, the Lemonada tasted far more like a sweet summer refreshment than an "adult beverage." 

The Lemonada

I was making a mental note to remember the ingredients when Jessica arrived! She seemed very excited to see everyone, and once all of us were accounted for, we made our way to the table. Our waiter was very attentive and gave us our options right away. We could either order individually or through the $55.00 prix fixe menu, however, the decision had to be unanimous. Considering that we were given the option of appetizers, entrees, and desserts, we decided to order from the prix fixe menu. 

The first thing that came out was a warm flatbread and dip platter that we all shared. The dip trio consisted of a fava bean puree (fuul medames), hummus, and baba ganoush. I was familiar with the latter two and hesitant to try the fava bean puree, but surprisingly, it was the overwhelming favorite for all of us. Light, yet robust, and topped with spicy harissa, it was the perfect accompaniment to the flatbread. 

Mazzas Trio (l-r: baba ganoush, hummus, fava bean puree)

From there, we had the option of ordering individual appetizers. Jessica had the crab kofta, which was a sweeter, less dense version of the traditional crabcake. The kofta, although small, was very good. We all tried to guess the ingredients and ended up supposing that the "secret ingredient" that gave this appetizer its surprising sweetness and soft texture was either shrimp or lobster. Perhaps the world will never know. I, on the other hand, had the Ekhatboot Mashway, which consisted of grilled octopus slices under cherry tomatoes and arugula lettuce. Light, zesty and bursting with flavor, the salad was the perfect starter. 

Crab Kofta

Ekhatboot Mashway (Squid salad)

After that was the main course. It took us a long time to decide what to order, so Jessica and I decided to share our dishes with each other. She ordered the tagine Alexandria, a special that day, and I ordered the grilled branzino. The tagine was a bit different than I expected. "Tagines" are usually stews or braises, named after the terra cotta device in which they are cooked. In Morocco, where they can be bought on the side of the road as well as in the local shops, tagines are traditionally volcano-shaped. The shallow bottom dish holds the food and the large conical lid has a small hole at or near the top to release steam. But to my surprise, the tagine that this dish arrived in was completely different! Instead, the bottom dish was a deep container, reminiscent of a regular pot (although I am sure that the lid was still triangular). 

Tagine Alexandria

While I was initially disappointed that the tagine was shaped in that fashion, I quickly changed my mind when I saw what was in it. Huge prawns, potatoes, octopus rings, carrots, and more were swimming in a cumin spiked tomato-based sauce. Although it came with a side of Roz bil Saydeya (rice sauteed with caramelized onions), what I really wished for was more flatbread from earlier to sop up the leftover sauce. Although I was pretty full and had my own dish to eat, I was glad that Jessica offered to share her meal with me.

My meal was much more simple. "A whole grilled Branzino," our waiter explained over the music and finger-cymbals of the belly dancer (who had just arrived), was like "a Mediterranean sea bass." Perfectly cooked, sweet and meaty, seasoned simply and garnished with rosemary, it was a light and satisfying main course.

Whole Branzino

All in all, we were pretty pleased with the meal. But it wasn't over yet! The waiters brought out tiny rugelach-shaped pieces of baklava, which were delicately flavored and drizzled with honey, for the table, while the birthday girl had her own special dessert. I don't remember the name, but I could still see and taste it in my mind's eye: a singular round cake, crumbly and moist, with shredded coconut inside and scented with orange or rosewater and honey, this cake was absolutely worth eating slowly and savoring. 

The birthday girl and her birthday "cake."

Finally, the end of the meal had arrived. Everyone stood up, all smiles, glad that Mrs. Culler had chosen such a different location to host her daughter's birthday party. It was exotic and refreshing to have such an unexpected culinary adventure, and I know that every single person was content with the wonderful evening. I know that I was, and I will definitely return to Casa La Femme in the near future. 

Jessica and the belly dancer at Casa La Femme

Restaurant Review: Toast

Now that I've had my first DSLR for a few months, I've had the opportunity to shoot new recipes, ingredients, and food products. While I am stubbornly trying to use manual settings only, I also have to admit that the photo quality isn't that good. That said, I'm still learning, and if I waited until my photos were perfect before drafting a post, I wouldn't be able to share about one of the best meals I've had in months. Without further ado, here is my review of Toast.

(photo credit: user Kent P. via Yelp)

I actually went to Toast for the first time on the same day that I got my camera. Since I go to school in Harlem and my friend (the Seller) lives in the area, he suggested meeting up after work. It was the end of a long day and we were both famished, so he suggested meeting at a restaurant in the area called Toast. 

Located off 125th street and Broadway, Toast seemed like an interesting place to visit. When we entered under the funky food-themed sign into the restaurant, the first thing I noticed was the happy buzzing of the locals watching TV, admiring the artwork, and catching up with one another over drinks. The second that struck me (which, as a born and raised New Yorker, I don't always notice) was how diverse everyone was: the host who sat us had a thick vaguely Slavic accent that I couldn't quite place; when the kitchen doors swung open, I could faintly hear the cooks calling out to each other in Spanish, and the customers seemed to be demographically mixed. In one corner was a bald, regal-looking Black woman holding court, at the bar were a few Midwestern hipsters and a couple of suits from Midtown, and then you had us: two young Latino college kids.

Would our paths have crossed otherwise? I asked myself. Apart from being on the same train car, perhaps? But probably not. In any case, I took a second to appreciate that all of us were convened in a tiny Harlem restaurant for one simple thing: tasty food.

Once we were seated, I quickly scanned Yelp for recommendations, the majority of which lauded its brunch options. I, being a breakfast girl, was rather tempted until something else caught my eye: a stuffed lamb burger and fries. My stomach immediately growled. 

After we ordered our food, I asked my friend his impressions of the place. He replied that he used to come here more often, but for the appetizer more than the meals. He considered the food "decent," I think to temper my expectations in case I didn't end up liking what I ordered. By the time our food came, we were both hungry and ready to eat. I was pleasantly surprised with myself, considering that I had ordered something a bit out of the ordinary: a medium-well, feta stuffed lamb burger on a brioche bun with tzatziki sauce on the side and fries. I generally liked all of those things, except that I'm not a huge fan of feta in large amounts and find brioche buns boring and often ill-suited to the juiciness of a good burger, so I hoped that I didn't order the wrong thing. 

Pictured: Toast's stuffed lamb burger and fries.

 

As you can see from the pictures, I didn't remember to take pictures until after I started eating, nor did I even take the time to fiddle with my settings beforehand. But I can assure you, it was amazing. Juicy, well-seasoned, and filling, this lamb burger was the easily the highlight of my week. The tzatziki, offered on the side, was a cool and garlicky addition that definitely took the burger up a notch. 

I was definitely pleased with my order-- so much so, that I barely paid attention to the fries (a first for me). They were good, too, hot and thick-cut, which I prefer, but I enjoyed the burger so much that I honestly could have passed on them or ordered a salad instead. 

In the interest of experiencing great food, we decided to share; and my friend immediately expressed regret that he didn't order the same thing, despite liking his meal. I, on the other hand, loved his chicken penne pasta. It was simple and creamy, chock full of sun-dried tomato pesto, and finished with fresh parmesan and black pepper, I could have easily eaten an entire pot if it were offered to me. It was comfort in a bowl.

At the end of the evening, we were both pretty impressed with Toast. Great food, inexpensive prices, and a relaxed atmosphere make this place a new favorite in my book and one of Harlem's underrated gems. I definitely recommend it and look forward to going back next time I'm in the area. 

Oh, The Weather Outside Is Frightful (Well, Not Yet At Least...)

  
Christmas season may be over, but Old Man Winter is gunning for a comeback....we think. This past weekend, Washington DC was blanketed by a severe winter storm. Rumor has it that NYC is next. This is causing a bit of a frenzy, as people rush to pick up shovels, salt and last minute groceries. Even NYC public schools are closed (which almost never happens)! But I, on the other hand, am free from this snowmageddon panic. I figure, if it snows, I'll shovel and if I have school, then so be it. What I'm more concerned about is how to best take advantage of this expected downtime.

When I have some free time, I usually cook. But in the event that I do have school, I will not have the time to. So I decided to do so today. In honor of the coming snowstorm, something hot seemed like the most appropriate dish.

But the question was "what?" Chili? No, I had it this past week. Chicken soup? Too boring. But Mexican chicken soup would be more flavorful, no?

And then it hit me...Sopa de Res. 

This dish was inspired by a favorite chain restaurant located around the corner from my church. La Estrellita Poblana, located on Westchester and Castle Hill avenues. Full of authentic Mexican cuisine, this restaurant, known simply as "Mexico" to the locals, never fails to deliver authentic Mexican food. While my two mainstays are the inexpensive, yet filling sopes and the cool, creamy horchata, there is absolutly nothing like their sopa de res.
  
 This is no ordinary beef stew. Instead of cubed chunks of beef, this stew has bone-in beef shanks that impart a rich flavor that can only be expected when beef marrow is part of the equation. Big chunks of vegetables, such as corn on the cob and chayote squash permeate the dish, providing substance to this soup. When served, a squeeze of lime and sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro and minced onions impart it with a lasting flavor that isn't soon forgotten. Full of heat, both in temperature and spice, this soup is the perfect way to warm up from the cold. Today, I attempted to recreate it at home.


The Ingredients: 
1 lb. bone-in stew beef chunks or shanks
3 stalks celery, chopped
3 medium carrots, cut into half moons
1 1/2 chopped onion, plus more for garnish
3 small potatoes, roughly chopped
1 corn on the cob, cut into rounds
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 chayote or zucchini, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced 
salt & pepper, to taste
adobo or garlic/onion powde, to taste
cumin, to taste
cayenne pepper, to taste
vinegar, to taste
1 bunch cilantro, plus more for garnish
3 tablespoons canola oil


The Preparation: 
Heat oil in the bottom of a large (preferably thick-bottomed) soup pot over high heat. Season beef liberally with salt, pepper, and adobo. When rippling, add beef to the pot, turning every so often to ensure that all sides are browned evenly. Remove from the pot and store to the side. Reduce heat to medium low, then add onions, carrots, and celery and sweat for a few minutes. Add garlic and let cook for around 30 seconds. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and cumin. Add potatoes. Do not allow vegetables to soften fully. Remove while still crisp. 


Add can crushed tomatoes, season to taste with salt, pepper, cumin, and adobo, and place beef back in the pot. Add 1 cup water and let simmer, cover askew, on medium to medium low for about a half hour, adding more water as needed. Water line should be about 1/2 inch above the beef. After a half hour, add vegetables and potatoes. Add a handful of chopped cilantro, two or three capfuls of vinegar, cayenne pepper, and season to taste with salt, pepper, cumin, and adobo, as needed. Let simmer, cover askew, for another half hour, or until the potatoes soften. Keep in mind that the ratio of ingredients to broth will be about 2:1, so the soup will be thick. If you would like more broth, or the potatoes to cook faster, add about a cup more water. Simmer everything until the potatoes are done. Depending on the amount of fat on the beef, the meat should be spoon-tender. If not, just remove from the pot and shred manually, while leaving some on the bone. Place beef back in the pot. Lower heat, add the corn, and heat until just cooked through (I used leftover corn on the cob. If using fresh, then add with the potatoes). Turn off heat, and throw in the squash and more cilantro, stirring occasionally. Serve immediately, as squash cooks quickly. 


Best served with corn tortillas or white rice on the side. When served, garnish with cilantro, a wedge of lime, and minced onions, if desired. Breathe in the spicy goodness and enjoy! 


All in all, I was very pleased with the end result, despite some setbacks. I had originally purchased some jalepeno peppers for heat, only to discover that they were about as spicy as a green bell pepper! So that's why I had to resort to cayenne pepper instead. Nonetheless, it did the job. Also, while I doubt adobo is an authentic Mexican seasoning, I added it mostly for the onion and garlic powder, which I didn't have on hand. I look forward to making this in the future, and experimenting with more traditional fillings, like cabbage and green beans. But for a first hand attempt, this soup more than delivered. Spicy and flavorful, with loads of cilantro, I felt like I was back at "Mexico." Whether it snows or not, one thing's for sure: I'll won't be cold with a nice, hot bowl of flavorful sopa de res waiting for me when I come home. Mmmmm.
Some pictures of the process:

The finished product

Simmering

Aerial view

So, for those of you who would like to try something new and exciting, now is the time. Either homemade, or store bought, this Sopa de Res is not your average beef stew. Enjoy! 

Sea Thai Restaurant and Bistro~ Brooklyn, NY

Okay folks. Get ready to break out the (non-alcoholic!) champagne, because this is my first ever restaurant review!
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Sea Thai Restaurant and Bistro

114 N 6th St

Brooklyn, NY 11211

                                                                                        
I was pleasantly surprised when my good friend texted me a few weeks after summer began to invite me out for a belated birthday dinner.

"Have you ever had Thai food?" she asked me curiously.

I'd had pad thai before, but unfortunately, that was the extent of my foray into this particular cuisine. When I told her as much, I could sense her excitement through her next text. "Ooh, I know just the place to take you!"

This place was called, simply, Sea.

Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Sea Thai Restaurant and Bistro (which is its full name, although everyone I know refers to it as "Sea"), was a treat for the senses. A short walk away from the L train, Sea's brick exterior looked completely unassuming... but the interior was a completely different story.

It took me a second to register the isolated bar/island directly at the front of the restaurant. Nor did I see the silver beaded curtain to its immediate left, beyond which sat a mosaic tiled sink in between the two, airplane style bathrooms. These details (along with the hanging bubble swing/chairs) were unique enough on their own and I definitely checked them out afterwards, but in that initial moment, nothing distract from the restaurant's focal point: a full size, indoor pond smack in the center of the room.

With my jaw dropped, we were seated at a table right next to the it and I watched as a traditional looking wooden boat covered  in bright flowers gently floated on the water.  

When we received our menus, I absolutely could not decide what I wanted to eat. Not because I was unfamiliar with the menu, although I was, but because I was overwhelmed by how good everything looked, sounded, and smelled (from the other tables). We split the chicken satay with peanut sauce for the appetizer and the fried ice cream for dessert, my friend had the Pad Thai and a Lychee iced tea, and I had Drunken Noodles with Chicken.

Chicken satay with peanut sauce.

We almost forgot to take a picture of the appetizer; we were clearly distracted by eating it! The chicken itself was incredibly juicy--to the extent where I wondered whether it was fully cooked. Honestly, it didn't matter. Compared to most of my experiences chewing dried-out, overcooked meat-on-skewers, I'd much rather have this. And the peanut sauce was cool, creamy, and sweet. 

My friend, fork at the ready, about to dig into her Pad Thai.

Sweet, savory, and bright with acidic lime juice, Pad Thai, is most American's introduction to Thai food. Hers smelled wonderful and tasted even better.

Drunken noodles (broad rice noodles), with sliced chicken, red pepper, and Chinese broccoli in a spicy sauce.

My drunken noodles with chicken did not taste of alcohol, for which I was very grateful--what it did have was tender slices of chicken layered above long, flat, and chewy noodles in a slightly spicy, sweet, and salty sauce. Although this was the first time I had ever heard of this dish, as there were few Thai restaurants in the Bronx where I grew up, the dish seemed immediately familiar and comforting. I was extremely pleased with my selection and can't wait to try it again at a higher spice level.  

Lychee iced tea in a tall, thin glass.

This was my friend's lychee iced-tea. I didn't try it (so as to not contrast with the strong flavors of my Thai iced tea), but I'd been hearing about it since before we had arrived at the restaurant and it was the first thing she ordered. I loved the almost lava lamp-like colors and the floating lychees in the glass. I made a mental note to order it next time. 

Fried ice cream

Last, but not least, was dessert: fried ice cream! By the time we were ready to order, I was already stuffed, but I figured that a bite or two couldn't hurt. I don't regret having it at all, but I do regret not having my camera at the ready when it arrived! Before I knew what was happening, the waiter placed the dish on the table, drizzled some sort of liquor onto the ice cream and lit it on fire!

While I knew certain dishes (bananas foster, crepes Suzette) were traditionally flambeed, I couldn't imagine that this would bode well for the ice cream. But it was fine! The ice cream, encased in some sort of tempura batter, was pretty good, but again, I could only fit one or two bites. I guess I'll have to try it again for a better review.

Despite the ridiculously long trek (for me) to Brooklyn, I would definitely go to Sea again. The food was very good, the atmosphere was beautiful, and Williamsburg is interesting as I'd been told. 

Has anyone else been to Sea? I'd love to hear what you all think of the restaurant.

Until next time!