New York’s # 1 Steakhouse 24 years in a row

I did it again.  I ate steak for the umpteenth time this summer and have therefore sworn off red meat until Christmas.  We just HAD to make a trip to Peter Luger’s  though, since we were in New York. 

I was worried about what to wear to dinner this night.  We had been at the U.S. Open all day and barely had time to shower before heading out to Brooklyn.  Once we got there, I realized I didn’t need to worry at all.  This is your no frills, good meat kind of steakhouse.  Nothing is fancy, no dim lighting, just good food all around.  Since there were eight of us at dinner, we ordered two “Steaks for Four.”  The big thing at Peter Luger’s is to share your steaks.  We also got tomatoes and onions with Luger sauce as an appetizer, creamed spinach, french fries and special German fried potatoes.

The meat is broiled and brought to your table and served.  It comes sliced so it’s easy to eat in a big group.  Some of the guys in the group (including Boyfriend) grabbed a bone to gnaw on at the end.  We all left stuffed and happy.  We did not order the “Holy Cow Hot Fudge Sundae” because we headed elsewhere for dessert that night…

Peter Luger’s only takes cash so go to dinner prepared.  This place has been around since 1887 and will probably be around for a looooong time with the quality of steaks they serve!

178 Broadway  Brooklyn, NY 11211

Our nook at Sarabeth’s

We went to Sarabeth’s Kitchen for brunch and I came out eating lunch.  We waited a good 45 – 50 minutes to get a table here but the food was definitely worth the wait.  We got to sit in a nook at the restaurant!  The five of us had our own nook in the corner to feel special and cozy in.  Loved it!!

Joy decided to be brave and eat her first eggs benedict.  She went with the Classic Eggs Benedict with authentic canadian smoked ham and hollandaise sauce.  Her first experience was “very yummy!”

I was actually eyeing this dish but Randall got it instead.  He went with the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Sandwich on an english muffin with matchstick fries, tartar sauce and a salad of frisee, watercress & apples.

Candace got a Vegetable And Gruyere Frittata.  I didn’t even know what a frittata was but it looks so beautiful.  It looks like an omelette but apparently frittatas are finished off in the oven, whereas an omelette is cooked entirely on the stovetop and folded.

Boyfriend is a big part of this website.  A loyal eater, faithful photographer and encourager of the blog.  The truth is, Boyfriend doesn’t always get what he wants at restaurants.  In fact, he often chooses something the restaurant has run out of… or has decided to discontinue altogether.  It’s happened so many times recently that it almost seems normal for him not to get what he wants.

Boyfriend went with Farmer’s Omelette: leeks, ham and chunks of potato with gruyere.  He had the option of choosing what kind of muffin he’d like on the side and chose a pumpkin spice muffin.  Perfect choice as this is one of my favorites and I assumed I’d get to steal a bite or two.  Of course, they had run out of pumpkin spice muffins!  So the story of his saga begins…

I went with a club sandwich.  It sounds boring, I know.  This one was NOT boring though and was very special as it had fresh mozzarella cheese in it!   It came with roasted turkey breast, fresh mozzarella, virginia ham, lettuce, tomato and ranch dressing on 7-grain bread.  The bread was excellent with wonderful flavors trapped between.  The salad on the side was light and a perfect complement to the sandwich.

I wish I had taken pictures of the decor at Sarabeth’s.  The restaurant was very open and bright and much larger than I originally thought because there is quite a large eating area in the back.  It’s in a great location because Central Park is waiting to be explored across the street and there is also great shopping on 5th Ave. 

What a beautiful day for a stroll in the park!  It’s like visiting the countryside in the middle of the city.  It was also a wonderful way to walk off some of the calories we had just consumed!

40 Central Park S.  (Between 5th and 6th Ave.)  New York, NY

Venezuelan Arepa Bar: Caracas

Every meal we ate in New York was wonderful in it’s own way but I think my favorite was at Caracas.  Randall took Candace, Boyfriend and I to this tiny Venezuelan Arepa Bar for dinner one night.

We started out with YoYos as an appetizer.  These are plaintains stuffed with cheese and then fried.  It comes with some sauce in a cup but to be honest, we didn’t even touch it.  I have no idea what kind of sauce that was but there is ANOTHER sauce that is so good that we had eyes for no other.

Arepas are these corn-flour medallions that look like English muffins from afar.  They are pockets stuffed with the goodness of your choice.  Candace went with A-5 La Pelua on the menu: shredded beef and cheddar cheese.

Randall, Boyfriend and I all went with A-20 La Surena: grilled chicken and chorizo with avocado slices and spicy chimi-churi sauce.  the meat was flaavored oh-so-perfectly and everything balanced each other so well.  The crispy outside balanced out with the steamy softness on the inside.

I am usually NOT a sauce person but the “secret sauce” on the table worked it’s magic well.  The arepa would be amazing without it because of the tenderness of the meat and wonderful flavors but this sauce takes it to the next level.  I wish I took a picture of the bottle to share with you but that wouldn’t do it justice.  I put at least three quirts on each bite I took.  It’s this reddish/orange, semi-sweet but spicy sauce that words can’t possibly describe because it’s just THAT good.  After Googling “secret arepa sauce” after we got home that night, we read that the bottles are sold at the restaurant  for $8 each.  If we are unable to recreate it, we’ll have to buy a few bottles and bring them back next time!!

Sadly, we all only ate one arepa a piece.  We had just eaten a snack (which will be blogged about another time) and were planning on going out to dessert after.  Now, I wish I had ordered one more pocket of goodness so I could have slathered it with sauce and basked in the greatness!  Hindsight is always twenty/twenty.

P.S. If anyone knows of a good arepa place in the Bay Area, please let me know!

93 1/2 E. 7th St.  New York, NY

Back to the Westside!

 NYC was amazing. 

The food, as you can see, was also amazing.

Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today…

I am off to The Big Apple today!!  We are headed there for 3 full days which is a very short trip.  It does not give us nearly as many meals as I would like but it will have to do.  I’m so glad it’s the city that never sleeps and always eats.  I’ll update when I get back… I will probably need to be on a diet by then.

We’re definitely headed to Peter Lugar’s Steakhouse in Brooklyn on Saturday night after the U.S. Open!  I think that should be the last time I eat red meat until at least Christmas.  Hopefully also going to Serendipity, Sarabeth’s, Calle Ocho, Balthazar’s, Pommes Frite, and many, many others. : D

Philippe’s french dip sandwiches!!

I lived in LA for many years and never heard of Philippe.  I heart french dip sandwiches so I don’t understand how this went under the radar and slid by me.  I heard about it on “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” (have I mentioned that I’m obsessed with this show lately?!?) and decided I NEED to try it the next time I’m in LA!

It’s an institution, really.  It’s been around since 1908.

It was packed!!  I felt like I was at Disneyland waiting for a ride.  We went on a Saturday afternoon and stood in line for quite awhile before we got to order.

We all ordered our sandwiches double dipped since you don’t get a side of au jus to dip into on your own.  Unfortunately, our lady only dipped one side.  Billy stood in another line because he got stuck in traffic and got his double dipped.  Stacy and I ordered lemonade and Boyfriend and Kio ordered sides. 

I would go back (preferably on a weekday) to get my sandwich double dipped!  It was good but would probably make it to great status with double dippage. 🙂

1001 N. Alameda Street  Los Angeles, CA

Sushi by the sea…

I used to go to Katsu just about once a week with my co-workers when I worked in El Segundo.  They are one of my favorite sushi places to go for lunch and you’re right by the beach.

All lunches usually come with salad and miso soup.  I love the dressing on the salad.  Ponzu with olive oil.  It’s very light but flavorful.

I always, always go with the chirashi.  You get a great mix of fish and everything is so fresh, I love it!!  I always save my hamachi slices for last because those are the best.

Boyfriend went with a nigiri/spicy tuna roll combo.  Aren’t they beautiful??  His lunch came with salad and miso soup as well.  The meals also both came with green tea ice cream for dessert!  What a perfect meal.  It’s calming to look at the ocean out the window while eating and also makes you feel good about the fish being fresh.

306 Rosecrans Ave.  Manhattan Beach, CA

Birthday cupcakes!!

Jill brought me birthday cupcakes to dinner!!  Boyfriend and I were spending the afternoon at Manhattan Beach and we ran into Jill.  She tried to play it off like she goes there often to hang out.  Although I didn’t remember her ever telling me she went to Manhattan Beach to “go shopping” as she put it, I didn’t think much of it.  Little did I know that she had this cupcake plan in play!

Like a true food blogger, I took a picture of them before I blew out the candles.  They are so cute with the candles!

I chose a red velvet with cream cheese frosting and sprinkles. Mmmmm. : )  Thanks Jill!!

1120 Manhattan Ave.  Manhattan Beach, CA 90266