Tag Archives: Steak

Steak and Potatoes at Their Best at The Capital Grille

May 9, 2023 tremendousblog Leave a comment

The juicy, crisply seared steaks hit the table. This is the good life.

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Ralphie May immortalized The Capital Grille in comedy. And as the staff covered our table in meat and scrumptious sides, I grinned from ear to ear.

“The potato don’t come with it?”
Ralphie May

We began with bread and butter, my favorite way to judge a restaurant. At the best tables, they’re never an afterthought.

The basket was stuffed with three kinds of bread. My favorite was a dark loaf with raisins — wonderful with a thick pat of butter.

Next, I heaped my plate with crispy green lettuce in a light vinaigrette. What is it about fresh lettuce that goes so well with a steak?

It was time for the most exciting moment in life: when they bring your entree.

I watched the staff set plate after plate in front of my friends. I stared at the waiter, slackjawed and doglike, awaiting mine.

This is when seconds feel like hours.

It’s here! A beautifully seared filet, oozing juices.

Does heaven smell like this?

I gingerly cut into it, almost afraid to damage this masterpiece. The inside was a beautiful red — a perfect medium rare.

The steak was tender. I could taste the fire of the grill.

But my favorite part of a steakhouse just might be the side dishes. And Capital Grille did not disappoint.

The mashed potatoes are made with sweet cream and lots of butter. I probably took more than my share — all’s fair in love and war.

Asparagus can be a difficult dish. Restaurant after restaurant undercooks it, leaving it hard to chew.

But not here! It was just soft enough while retaining some crunch.

Ah, dessert.

My favorite was the flourless espresso cake. Less sweet than most, it has a deep coffee aroma.

It was the ideal end to a fabulous meal.

What are your favorite steakhouses? Leave a comment and let us know!

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From Fries to Pastry, Lafayette Shines

March 29, 2023 tremendousblog 1 Comment

It was ice cold and the pancakes in front of me were driving me nuts. Why can’t I eat them?

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The first time I went to Lafayette, I was only pretending to have brunch.

I was an extra on the Netflix show Kaleidoscope, filming on the patio in November. Why did they have to pick a restaurant with food so hard to resist!

As the scene finished, I asked a Production Assistant if I could finally eat the pancakes. She took mercy on me and looked the other way. 😁

Even stone cold, they were delicious.

So I had to come back and try Lafayette for real!

On a recent Wednesday, I wound my way down the stairs to the private dining room. I’d barely sat down when first rate bread and butter hit the table.

When you try the bread, you know how good a restaurant will be. At an excellent place, bread is never an afterthought.

Next: an inventive frisee salad with bacon and poached egg. If you hate salad, this is the one for you!

The smoothness of the egg white and oozing yolk tantalize. The crispy greens and unctuous lardons bring it home.

Think shrimp cocktails are over? Then you haven’t tried Lafayette’s!

I have never seen shrimp steamed so perfectly. Every time I come, they’re just right — neither underdone nor turgid.

Out comes a rich mushroom risotto. The mushrooms’ earthly flavor suffuses the rice.

To think we were only halfway through! Now, the main event.

First, a giant platter of fries…err, frites. Then, a steak bigger than your head, a poivre.

And just to make us look respectable, we also got some lovely cod.

The fries were the highlight for me. How do potatoes always manage to steal the show?

These taters were crisp and heavily seasoned, the way I like them. You can’t make a good fry without a pound of salt.

“Who was the first guy who’s like ’That was a good meal we just had. I’m full. Are you full? You wanna eat a cake?’”
Jim Gaffigan

No one needs dessert. But what’s life without it?

So I cracked the shell of a beautiful torte and watched the chocolate ooze out. Awesome.

I needed all my concentration to construct the perfect bite. A little cake, a little ice cream, scoop up some of the chocolate — chef’s kiss.

But perhaps the best thing I ate that night was the almond pastry. It was flaky, nutty and moist.

Lafayette is above all a bakery. And though they turn out a lovely dinner spread, pastry is where they truly shine.

Lafayette Grand Cafe & Bakery is located in NoHo just east of Washington Square Park. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week, Lafayette also has a lovely outdoor patio.

Give it a shot!

What are you favorite restaurants in New York? Leave a comment and let us know!

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The Kosher Kings of Reserve Cut

March 1, 2023 tremendousblog Leave a comment

Tiny tacos hit the table, oozing with juices of unctuous brisket. Good thing I got here early!

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Reserve Cut is a kosher steakhouse in the Financial District. Despite the emphasis on beef, Reserve Cut has something for everyone, from vegans to sushi lovers.

It was time for another taco. How can I grab one without anyone noticing?

Better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Next from the kitchen was a form of sushi I’d never seen. Rice was compacted and crisped to form a substrate for immaculate salmon.

Oh and there’s green stuff too! Scrumptious salad in fact — but no one else at the table seemed to notice. 🙂

The table grew tense with anticipation as the hour of reckoning approached. Entree time!

I had to be that guy. I ordered fish at a steakhouse.

No shame in my game — the Chilean sea bass was cooked to perfection. The chef knew exactly when to kill the heat, yielding a flesh flaky, tender and juicy.

The sauce was a silky smooth lemongrass citrus concoction. Acid is always a good pair with fish.

Feeling all healthy, I took the natural next step. I ordered a chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream.

As I cracked open the cake with my spoon, a river of fudge cascaded across the plate. Carefully, I scooped it up, grabbed a bit of cake, and surgically topped it with ice cream.

The perfect bite.

Reserve Cut is just off Wall Street and everything on the menu is kosher. But even for us Gentiles, it’s a heck of a meal.

What are your favorite steakhouses? Leave a comment and let me know!

Tremendous

Tag Archives: Steak

Steak and Potatoes at Their Best at The Capital Grille

From Fries to Pastry, Lafayette Shines

The Kosher Kings of Reserve Cut

An angel investor's take on life and business