Eating My Way Through NYC -Day 2

The big meal of the day was definitely at Eataly, the Mario Batali project on 23rd and 5th. This place is eatery combo food and kitchen wares market. The thread that holds it all together is Italy.

There are 3 different sit down spots within Eataly. All 3 have their own seating and hostess. They are veggies, seafood, pizza/pasta. Additionally there are the following other spots- raw bar, wine bar, salumaria (ass't cured meats, salami being one of them), rotisserie chicken, gelataria, coffee bar, dessert bar and sandwich bar. These spots had limited seating and in some areas people were just milling about standing and noshing on a plate of cured meats and cheese whilst balancing a glass of wine.

Eataly also sports a scratch bakery, butcher, seafood bar, produce and other staples like milk and eggs.

While waiting for our table I spent some time looking around. So many types of pasta-lasagna noodles at least a foot long, all manner of cork screw and curly q's and everything in between. Barilla pasta is a major sponsor of this venture and their product was prominent. However there were at 20 varieties of Barilla Regionals all of which were new to me. Also many types of sauces, pesto's, jams, oils, and exquisite balsamic vinegars and balsamic reductions/creams that i must try.

I won't spend much time discussing the other offerings, but if it was Italian they had at least 5 varieties of it!

We ate in the pizza/pasta area. Our waiter was fantastic. Despite how busy they were food came quickly and was freshly made. We decided to split lasagna al forno ragu and margarita pizza. The lasagna was at least 10 delicate layers of pasta with an amazing meat sauce between each layer and just enough grated cheese to give it some contrasting sharp flavor. This was not your standard heavy ricotta dish. It was light and yes I will say it again, delicate. The pizza came out screaming hot. San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzerella and fresh basil on the thin crisp crust. It was exactly how I like my pizza. The sauce was slightly sweet but very tomato fkavored. The basil made it all pop.

We grabbed Zoe a gelato on the way out. She picked vanilla, and it was very good. Not the best one I have ever had but quite good.

We went on Friday night. It was beyond packed. I heard it was pretty packed on a Thursday afternoon too though. My only complaint was that I was required to keep checking in with the hostess to see if our table was ready. As unNew York as it is a buzzer would have been better. I could have kept exploring and not worrying about my table. That aside I do recommend!

Eating My Way Thru NYC-Night #1

So immediately upon arriving in NYC we made a beeline for food of course. We had a place in mind, but arrived in town a little late and couldn't make that work. So we were walking and a place with yellow lettering in their window caught our attention. Words like homemade pie, thick shakes and fried chicken ALWAYS catch my eye! So we thought what the heck, let's give it a whirl.

In we went to Hill Country Chicken on 1123 broadway, corner of 25th. It had a feel of friendly Southern diner, lots of tables on the main floor and the basement level had wonderful huge booths, perfect for big groups. The place is counter service only, and I have to say the service was better than usual for NYC, downright friendly.

Zoe got the kids coop for $6.50-2 giant hand battered chicken tenders, a lunchbag full of fresh handcut fries and a small drink. I got a salad for $10.50 - mixed greens, grape tomatoes, craisins topped with 2 tenders and honey mustard on the side. The tenders were juicy, hot and fresh. Truly the best I have had. My biscuit was a little dry, but in retrospect I probably should have gotten the honey for it. Zoe's fries were hot, fresh, thin, lightly salted. My salad greens were fresh and plentiful. The pickles- sweet bread and butter kicked up with hot pepper flakes. They are addictive. They serve Boylan's soda made with cane sugar which was yummy. Michael had a giant chicken breastwith the most interesting coating on it that was crisp, spicy yet a touch sweet. It was fresh, juicy and well worth the $6. He got a side of cheesy fried mashed potatoes that i had to stop myself from stealing. Smashed potatoes, smashed fries, cheese and bacon all in a heavenly cup of love.

They also have an assortment of shakes like black and white, and one made with their homemade ice cream and the pie of the day. Speaking of pie, they make several varieties in little personal sizes-cheddar apple, peach raspberry, coconut cream. Michael enjoyed a mini apple.

I wouldmost certainly recommend and go again. Great spot for families, and if you dont get enough to eat it is most certainly your fault.

Delicious.