Monthly Archives: February 2012

Interview with Seasonal Chef Bill Telepan

BillTelepanHeadshot

After working in high-profile NYC kitchens including Gotham Bar & Grill, Le Bernardin and Judson Grill, chef Bill Telepan opened New American restaurant Telepan in late 2005.  Since then, the elegant Upper West Side eatery has been widely celebrated by diners and critics for its seasonal menu and use of fresh, local ingredients. “We buy locally, we buy as much organic as we can,” Telepan says. “It’s important because seasonal and local means you’re getting the freshest ingredients that are really well grown by someone I know. It’s just a better product.”

I recently spoke with chef Telepan about his passion for seasonal cooking, helping make schools healthier, and more. Continue reading →

It’s a Duck-Off: Duck for Good at Jimmy’s No. 43

duck crossing

Get Ducked! On Sunday, March 4th, Jimmy’s No. 43 is hosting the Second Annual “Duck-Off.” Proceeds from all ticket sales will benefit Food Systems Network NYC, a not-for-profit dedicated to “ensuring the health and well-being of New Yorkers through access to good, wholesome, nutritious and safe food and to supporting a strong, sustainable regional farm and food economy.” Continue reading →

Neighborhood Spotlight: SoHo

jessica-soho2

My SoHo isn’t one of designer boutiques and hoards of tourists squeezing into shops along Broadway. The neighborhood I call home is just west of all this chaos, in a leafy area that was once full of Italian immigrants. If you look closely, remnants of this Italian past remain, in the bakeries, butcher shops, and elderly residents speaking their native tongue.

The neighborhood is also full of restaurants, markets, and specialty shops that I think any Clean Plates reader would appreciate. Here are five of my favorite spots in SoHo, from brunch spots to smoothie joints.

Aurora in SoHo1. Aurora
510 Broome Street (near West Broadway)

It’s easy to overlook Aurora, an Italian restaurant and wine bar on Broome Street, practically in the mouth of the Holland Tunnel. But once you’re past the door and settled into the exposed brick dining room in the back, all this noise disappears. Aurora offers a brunch special, but skip it — here, it’s the Italian dishes that really shine. All the pastas are made fresh on-site with organic eggs. My favorite is the wide cut spinach pappardelle. Continue reading →

Bareburger Expands in East Village, UES and Queens

bareburger1

Bareburger is spreading like rapid fire.

The NYC-based chain, which is Clean Plates approved and has options for meat lovers and vegans alike, is rapidly growing its footprint on the city, thanks to its recent expansion in the East Village and a new Upper East Side location scheduled to open tomorrow. Additional locations in Queens are also in the works; when they open, Bareburger will have nearly as many locations (10) as it does burger varieties (that would be 12). Continue reading →

Pick Up Bare Foot Organics CSA at PRINT Restaurant

CSA Produce

PRINT — a Clean Plates approved restaurant in Midtown West — announced recently that it will be a pick-up location for the Bare Foot Organics CSA.

For the uninitiated, “CSA” stands for “Community Sourced Agriculture” — a great way to access fresh seasonal produce directly from farmers. Bare Foot sources from two farms in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. For more information or to sign up, visit the Bare Foot Organics website or email phil@barefootorganics.us.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Emily Carlin.

On Our Radar: Spring Natural Kitchen

springkitchen

The new Spring Natural Kitchen on the Upper West Side offers something for every diet and mood. Following in the footsteps of its sister restaurant, Spring Street Natural — a SoHo institution for 30+ years — Spring Natural Kitchen is a flexitarian’s delight, offering everything from vegan soups and pasta to organic fish and chocolate-glazed ribs.  Continue reading →

5 Valentine’s Day Date Spots

valentinesday

Sparks will fly this Valentine’s Day thanks to creative chefs whipping up romantic feasts citywide. Here are our five favorite options:

The Place (West Village)
310 West 4th Street
Reservations: 212.924.2711

Charm a date by snagging a reservation at one of the 22 intimate tables at The Place in the West Village. Dine by candlelight on housemade sweet potato ravioli with fresh herbs or soy glazed Scottish salmon with baby bok choy, and bask in the romantic atmosphere, complete with original beamed ceilings and multiple fireplaces.

Northern Spy Food Company (East Village)
511 East 12th Street
Reservations: vday@northernspyfoodco.com

The four-course Valentine’s Day menu at Northern Spy features duck breast over mead-braised cabbage, among other mouthwatering treats. For dessert? Chocolate Earl Grey truffle cake with Meyer lemon curd and honey or Pistachio Financier with bing cherries and rosewater sorbet. We’re in love. ($60 per person) Continue reading →

Woodstock Hidden Kitchen Brings Sustainable Moveable Feasts to You

Woodstock Hidden Kitchen: Sustainable Moveable Feasts

Picture this: A delicious, seven-course meal made with sustainable and local ingredients, prepared by a professional chef, with delicious scents wafting from the kitchen…all in the comfort of your home.

You can make this fantasy come true with Woodstock Hidden Kitchen: Sustainable Moveable Feasts, a company founded three years ago by private chef Deanna D’Angelo. Her mission: support New York State farmers and deepen people’s connection to the food they eat.

“We serve in private homes because we want to promote an ‘eat in’ mentality and change the way we eat and produce food,” D’Angelo says. Continue reading →

5 Tips for Superbowl Sunday in Manhattan

football-giants

Whether you plan to order delivery or snag a seat at a bar for the big game, here are five spots serving up Superbowl fare:

1. Brinkleys
406 Broome Street at Centre Street

For a lively atmosphere on game day, head to Brinkleys in Soho. This pub and kitchen is known for healthy versions of classic comfort food, such as the half organic chicken or grass-fed burger topped with beefsteak tomato. If you’d rather munch on shared plates throughout the game, order up sweet chili quail wings or pigs in a blanket. Local New York beers are on tap.

2. Dirty Bird To Go
204 West 14th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues

If you’re hosting a Superbowl bash and cooking isn’t your thing, let Dirty Bird do all the work . Continue reading →