Veritasty: Truthfully Delicious

We've got the ~spirit~, let's hear it! This week, Veritasty is heading over to Edible Manhattan's Good Spirits event for some cleverly crafted cocktails and carefully curated comestibles.  We've got the inside scoop, and it sounds like some of our favorites will have a showing like Angry Orchard Hard Cider , Bruce Cost Ginger Ale, Bustan NYC , Neuman's Kitchen , and ROYCE' Chocolate! Judging by the balance of distilleries, breweries, and non-alcoholic beverage-makers, I'm definitely looking forward to some chic and sophisticated mixed drinks, and certainly pairing them with sweet and savory treats from cool restaurants from around the city. Who:      Edible Manhattan ( http://bit.ly/1PfshJh ) What:    7th Annual Good Spirits Where:   La.venue, 608 West 28th Street, New York, NY When:    Thursday, March 3, 2016 from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets cost $65 per person and can be purchased at  http://bit.ly/1PfshJh !...

It's not every day that you have lobster and caviar for breakfast. Unless you drop some serious cash at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Midtown for the Peacock Alley breakfast/brunch buffet. Brunch is held next to the sumptuous check in area.  The theme of the cavernous room seems to be elegance in darkness: the walls are rich dark wood, the carpet underfoot is dark, and there's minimal spotlight lighting on some of the food.  In one way, I guess it makes it fun since you feel like you're in an 19th century rich person's Victorian library.  In another sense, I would have loved for it to be a brighter, more minimalist and modern experience. Darkness aside, the spread was spectacular.  From the entrance of this delightful food maze, we have huge silver vats of soups, a veritable mountain range of bread rolls and pastries, and charcuterie plates with tons of meats and cheeses. Next door is a towering rack of little glass tumblers filled with none other than the ...

So many delicious-sounding places in the Upper West Side, so little time! On this 70-degree Christmas Eve, we explored the UWS to get some fresh air, exercise, and warmth before any potential winter weather in our future.  After a bit of Yelping, we found Bustan, a Mediterranean restaurant with some awesome signature dishes.  Bustan was a great find, and we left so full we were bustan a gut!  (Forgive me, everything I could think of to write about this restaurant is a pun) We got a few dippables and a lamb entree to share.  Though our waiter was the most nonchalant person I'd ever encountered, I appreciated his honesty when he told us 5 dips would be too much for two people to eat.  We narrowed it down to: tzatziki, taromasalata, and spicy feta (nixed the hummus and roasted eggplant).  The schmears came on a three-welled plate, each a huge mound from an ice cream scooper.  The true highlight of the appetizer, however, was the bread that acco...

Guys, listen up: I have had the best pretzel in my life.  Not in any German bierhall, not from a dirty water hot dog street cart.  The title of Prize Pretzel belongs to Pier A Harbor House down in Battery Park. Pier A is a revamped old pier jutting out into the Hudson River.  There is a spacious beer hall on the first floor and a fine dining room upstairs. We grabbed a seat by the huge open windows overlooking the water (and I got the scare of my life when a big wave crashed into the dock below us and nearly sprayed water through the open window!).  First, we ordered a big pretzel and I was dismayed at the price: $12!? This had better be some good pretzel.  We also got some beer, fish and chips (for Alex), and a truffle chicken salad sandwich (for me).  Needless to say, the food was delicious and I'd gladly go back to Pier A to eat, drink, and be merry. Let's talk about this blue-ribbon pretzel.  It's probably...

Oh, the long-awaited much-anticipated Eleven Madison Park lunch!  This was my first foray into the realm of Michelin restaurants and we aimed for the best.  I've been on a roller coaster of emotions for the past month about this lunch reservation: anxious, freaking out, even in tears because of the huge expense and fanciness I thought I couldn't handle; eager, positively giddy, and happy to have the opportunity. Our meal left us euphoric. Eleven Madison Park is housed in the Credit Suisse building. The lofty dining room is illuminated by daylight from the tall windows facing the park.  On the walls hang old photographs and art prints of New York City.  It was very classy decor that was warm and welcoming and woodsy, not overly sleek, minimalist, or clinical.  The ideological motif of the restaurant is to serve local, seasonal fare.  The literal motif of the restaurant is the stenciled drawing of four leaves, probably to represent the different seas...

In New York City, you often hear the names of hip and popular restaurants being thrown around.  One of these hallowed eateries that I've oft heard but never tried is Locanda Verde.  It has been featured on plenty of Food Network shows and highly rated on Yelp and Eater NY and all that jazz.  It had been on my NYC foodie bucket list for a while, and we finally had the opportunity to dine there!   Dinner at Locanda Verde was a highly cherished occasion for me.  Apparently, reservations at Locanda Verde are also highly cherished, since it was packed on a weeknight and it took a lot of sweet-talking to get us in. We had dinner with Alex's gregarious and wonderful cousin Sam and Sam's beautiful and talented girlfriend, Jenn - both of whom are very dear to me.  It was one of those meals you hope would never end: romantic, delicious, and shared with good company. Locanda Verde rocks a very sexy vibe, if that makes sense.  It's dark inside, eve...