Ah, Massawa…this is a little restaurant in Morningside Heights that offers amazing, tasty Eritrean and Ethiopian food! I have been going here for years and I can’t get enough! The owners are very sweet, welcoming and accommodating.

Now, the food: my favorite dish is the Special Kitfo, seasoned ground beef flavored with onions and jalapeños. Another good option is the Massawa combo, which gives you the opportunity to try a few options: beef, chicken and lamb accompanied by some vegetable choices. There are no forks or knifes here, although they do have them at your request, but that would be boring!! The dishes come with a side of injera bread, which is used to scoop up the food (my mouth is watering as I talk and think about this!) The menu also includes fish and vegetarian/vegan options.

To complement this delicious delicious food, you can have a glass of the honey wine, which is a little sweet for my taste, but it complements the spicy food so well! Not into sweet wines? no problem! They have a full bar and some specialty cocktails…my favorite: Ginger Pink Lemonade: vodka, fresh ginger and pink lemonade…mmmm!

The restaurant is small, and the decor is very simple…but you will forget all about it once you take your first bite of Ethiopian heaven!!

Cheers,

G&G

I LOVED the lunch menu and can’t wait to go back for dinner.  Tito Rahman who is one of the owners is very personable and offered us a glass of wine on the house.  I loved the ambiance in this beautiful restaurant, what a wonderful addition in Hell’s Kitchen!

Social Eatz: 

The picture you see is taken from the back patio at Social Eatz, a really cute American-Asian restaurant  on 53^rd street between 2^nd and 3^rd avenue.  We went to one of the  “Zagat Presents” events last night called “Comfort Food: Transformed”.   

Executive Chef and co-owner Angelo Sosa, the former Top Chef contestant, prepared an all-inclusive 4-course menu paired with cocktails and beers.  He featured dishes like slow-roasted pork belly with Asian pear applesauce and tuna pastrami with sweet and sour pickles.

He was very charming and made the rounds of all the tables, making each guest feel special and at home.

Today is a perfect day for the seasonal Prix Fixe lunch at Aureole.   

I started with the Duck Prosciutto salad which had a variety of nicely seasoned greens topped with a runny quail egg and surrounded by duck prosciutto, pickled peaches and scallions. 

I thought of being good for a second by getting one of the specialty iced teas: Raspberry, Ginger-Lemonade or Peach-Sage.  But the wine list was beckoning and I chose a glass of the Charlie Palmer Private Label, ISC Chardonnay.  

As my main dish I tried the Pulled Pork Salad. The pulled pork was served on top of iceberg lettuce tossed with a nice smoked mayo dressing surrounded by tomatoes and thinly sliced cucumbers. It was so tender, juicy and flavorful—yummmmm is all I have say.

I had a delicious glass of Pinot Noir, Charlie Clay, Sonoma, CA 2007. I love the extra large red wine glasses they give you at Aureole, they make me happy.  Chin Chin!

I received this bottle as a gift and tried a glass (or 2) last night.  I’m not a big Pinot Noir drinker but after trying this bottle I might have to change my ways.  It retails for $19.99 and I completely agree with the winemaker’s notes I found online:

winemaker’s notes:   On the nose, there is deep cherry and earth. On the palate, there is excellent weight and balance, with good structure, and substantial depth of fruit. It is a wine that offers immediate pleasure, either on its own, or better yet, in the company of a delicious meal. And though a good choice now and for any night of the week, this Cloudline is a classic Oregon Pinot Noir and can be enjoyed for several years to come.

critical acclaim:   “Bright red. Smoky red berries and cherry on the nose, with a hint of anise that gains strength with air. Light in body but chewy in texture, offering bitter cherry and redcurrant flavors framed by dusty tannins”. 

Chin Chin!

We really enjoy the De Gustibus cooking school events!!!  So glad the Fall season starts soon!  September 15th with Mark Ladner from Del Posto.  Not to mention, my favorite: the “Asian Adventures” series with some great chefs like Tien Ho, Angelo Sosa (top chef), Bradley Day and Ty Bellingham!  I love the summer, but this is a great reason to look forward to the Fall! Cheers!