THE RESTAURANTS
Grand Sichuan Int’
If you have not been to China or to this restaurant then you have never had Chinese food. You will experience several incredible taste sensations from the impressive simplicity of the delicately seasoned greens (like Snow Pea Pod Shoots w/Garlic) to the powerful and complex sensations of the Spicy hot dishes (like Dried Spicy Beef w/Garlic, Black Pepper and Ginger).
That said, this is where it all began, “Johnny Tastebuds” and the “Spicy Club” Gang. . A lot has changed over the past few years. They have opened several other restaurants around the city. Having gone to all of them I would like to make 2 strong recommendations. To get the best food, only consider this original location with the original wait staff or the Lexington location (Grand Sichuan NY) were the original chief resides. To make your experience most pleasurable, ask for Julia, she will not only guide you through the ordering process, but will make sure the kitchen staff prepares it the way you like it. She knows me as “John” or “The Wine Guy” tell her I sent you.
That said, this is where it all began, “Johnny Tastebuds” and the “Spicy Club” Gang. . A lot has changed over the past few years. They have opened several other restaurants around the city. Having gone to all of them I would like to make 2 strong recommendations. To get the best food, only consider this original location with the original wait staff or the Lexington location (Grand Sichuan NY) were the original chief resides. To make your experience most pleasurable, ask for Julia, she will not only guide you through the ordering process, but will make sure the kitchen staff prepares it the way you like it. She knows me as “John” or “The Wine Guy” tell her I sent you.
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212-255-7193
Shatter your conception on Indian Cuisine. For some reason when Indian food is paired with the proper wine it truly changes one’s conception of the cuisine. .By working closely with the restaurant manager/chief “Shared” we are able to pair each dish with the proper wine, beautifully revealing the hidden exotic secrets of the spices and making each and every dish a memorable culinary experience. The wait staff is very friendly and accommodating. And “Shared” makes us all feel like royalty. He often comes out and answerers questions. In the fall look for more frequent dinners. He is planning to offer a special menu once a month representing different regions of India and kicking each special menu off with a JT Wine Dinner. Tell them Johnny Tastebuds sent you.
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Imagine the mouth-watering spicy-salty-sweet-sour flavors that come from the exotic variety of tropical fruits, vegetable, herbs, spices, chilies and meats that make up this dynamic cuisine. Now imagine being served a four course meal expertly paired with a different wine for each course At the scout dinner Kathy, the owner was such a sweetheart. Another guest said she felt like she was at someone’s home, not in a restaurant. Tell Kathy Johnny Tastebuds sent you.
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338 East 6 th St ( 1 st Ave)
New York , NY 10003
Please join us on another adventure to “Awash Ethiopian Restaurant”. I believe this cuisine to be the most misunderstood cuisine. Boge the owner/chief has managed to come up with some of the most complex and exciting blend of spices to accompany the fresh vegetarian, and meet entries. As mentioned before, several trips to Awash was necessary to nail down the wine parings. Consequentially we have an incredible selection of wines as well as entries. If you missed this one in February don’t miss it again. Boge the chief has another location uptown at 947 Amsterdam Ave. (106-107St.), New York, NY 10025, 212 961 1416. To get the most out of the experience try to go early and have a chat with “Boge” the owner or “Tova” the head waitress. They are both quite shy but quite interesting if you can coax them to talk. If you’ve had Ethiopian food before (and I mean perhaps Adams Morgan in DC) this will take you to a new level. The spices are fresh and Boge is meticulous when it come to kitchen cleanliness. Tell them Johnnny Tastebuds sent you.
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Check out this friendly Peruvian restaurant with it many seafood dishes that will astound. The restaurant gets its name from a small fishing village in Peru that has captured the imagination of owner Shared Rana, who opened the first Mancora in Brooklyn. The second restaurant is now in the east village. Mancora serves a seafood-intensive menu that includes eight different ceviches (seafood appetizers, like fish marinated in lime juice, papaya & spices), as well as inland meat dishes such as rotisserie chicken, which is marinated in beer and spices for two days. (Must call ahead, it’s well worth it) For excellent service (last time I didn’t have to do anyting) Roberto the manager is on top of it. Tell him Johnny Tastebuds sent you.
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Come on an adventure to a simpler time when good company, good food, good wine, friendly service and a very relaxed atmosphere were all and everything that mattered. Joelle’s (owner/chief) expertise covers al that is French as well as Moroccan, and has plenty of dishes in her repertoire to keep us coming back for more. Check out the review below by Gerry Franks.
Gerry Franks Reviews: You have to know about this tiny Soho establishment to find it! But once inside, you’ll appreciate the esthetic appearance to French country dinning. The service and atmosphere could easily be transplanted to any small village in France. The menu would weigh in as well, with items like homemade Country pate’ with anise and fruit chutney; a fabulous country salad with croutons, lardoons, blue cheese, and walnuts; vegetable couscous; snails in garlic butter; and steak a poivre with homemade French fries. The later ones the real thing, believe me! I love the informality of the place, the satiable portions, and the obvious delight the staff takes in showing guests what it is like to be treated by some good homebodies. Bon appetite!
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