Experience Korea without leaving Manhattan at COTE Korean Steakhouse

Of all the changes that have developed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (and there have been many), I miss travel most of all. Sure, it's not like my family and I jet off to Europe or Asia on the regular, but theoretically, we COULD if we saved our money and planned ahead. But while travel in some parts of the world is slowly making a comeback, I'll settle for watching my good friend Darley Newman's travel adventures on PBS while we wait for the girls to be officially vaccinated. Safety first, friends. 

Luckily for us, living in New York City offers an incredible advantage for the travel-starved. One could traverse the world countless times just by tasting the many cuisines available right here within the five boroughs. Simply put, food can transport us to another culture without ever leaving the table (though having a healthy imagination doesn't hurt, either). And if there's anything New Yorkers enjoy, it's going out to eat.

My gal Darley Newman and I recently visited South Korea by way of the Flatiron District at COTE Korean Steakhouse. The restaurant was awarded a coveted Michelin star (the only Korean barbecue restaurant in the world to have one, in fact) and while I can't claim to be the foodiest foodie of them all, I can confidently report that COTE offered up one of the best meals I've ever had. For example, I'm still thinking about our Korean "bacon" and jalapeño appetizer a week later.

I mean, just look at that crispy deliciousness (house-smoked crispy heritage pork belly with pickled jalapeño, to be exact)...

But let's not get too ahead of ourselves, shall we?

COTE is the culinary vision of restauranteur Simon Kim, who's successfully managed to combine the best of both Korean barbeque and the classic American steakhouse. With smokeless grills at every table, guests are given a front row seat to the dining experience unfolding in front of them. A feast for the senses, with a menu varied enough that there is truly something for everyone (though no surprises, vegetarians might have a small issue with all the meat being prepared around them). 

After showing our vaccination cards and entering the restaurant, we grabbed an inventive cocktail (my frosty Froze came presented with a flamingo straw; adorable!) at the bar and made our way to be seated.

Comfortably full without feeling overcrowded, COTE definitely feels like a scene, but in all the best ways. Guests are there to be fed (and fed well) and the vibe is upbeat, hip and positive. Maybe it's just that New Yorkers are excited to be out and about again, or more likely, that they are just super excited about the meal ahead of them. 

After checking out the menu with Wesley Sohn, COTE's Director of Hospitality, we started first with a couple appetizers, the aforementioned Korean "bacon" that I'm still dreaming about, and "Steak and Eggs", hand-cut filet mignon tartare with Kaluga Hybrid caviar on milk toast. Here's where I admit that I've never had caviar before. And, now that I've had it once, I'd like to know WHEN AM I HAVING CAVIAR AGAIN?! This appetizer was sooo tasty, so flavorful, and let's give some bonus points to that really cute purple tray, too, shall we?

Next, we moved on to the "Butcher's Feast", which offers a selection of the chef's favorite cuts of beef. Our night's selection included: USDA Prime hanger steak, 45-days dry aged rib eye, American Wagyu Flatiron steak and marinated short rib (my personal favorite). Korean accompaniments included in the Butcher's Feast are Savory Egg Soufflé, Spicy Kimchi Stew, Savory Dwen-jang Stew, Ban-Chan (pickled seasonal vegetables), Scallion salad and Red leaf lettuce with Ssam-jang. 

As we ate our way through the beef courses, there's no question that we began to get full. And since I don't think it can be overstated enough, let me say, when you come to dinner at COTE, come hungry, and maybe skip lunch that day. You're going to leave full (but not uncomfortably stuffed), as you will absolutely want to eat everything that comes your way. 

We loved it when Simon Kim stopped by to say hello, and he and Darley were able to discuss her work as Travel Ambassador to Korea (a tough job, but someone's gotta do it, right?). Her Korea episode will make you want to hop on a plane tomorrow, just be forewarned. I mainly gushed about the food, which was right on brand for me.

I do hope to be able to visit South Korea someday. Husband was in Pyeongchang for the Winter Olympics in 2018 (working for NBC Sports), and he came home with the most amazing stories of visiting Woljeongsa Temple (his photos are stunning!), the Imperial Palace and Seoul Tower, not to mention the amazing food, of course. Speaking of food, we topped off our dinner with vanilla soft serv ice cream topped with soy sauce caramel (ingredients I would never think to put together, and yet there it was, simply delicious). 

A week later, I'm truly convinced this is one of the better meals I've had in my life. Isn't that remarkable, to get to a certain point in life, and be able to think back on favorite meals you've experienced along the way? Because there's no doubt in my mind that dining at COTE was indeed an "experience", and one I hope I get to relive one day. 

 Here's to traveling the world via our favorite NYC restaurants. Korea, you were well worth the visit!

PLEASE NOTE: Per COVID guidelines, those 12 and older are now expected to provide proof of vaccination in order to dine indoors at restaurants in New York City. 

New Kids Pasta-Making Class at Nonna Beppa Soho!

If your children are big pasta lovers (aren't they all?), I've got a fun new weekend activity for you: kids pasta-making classes at Nonna Beppa in Soho! Taking place every other Sunday at noon, your child will learn how to make pasta from start to finish from one of Nonna Beppa's talented chefs. We got a chance to check out one of their classes last month, and my girls really enjoyed learning the process of creating ravioli and tagliatelle from scratch (of course, the best part was getting to eat what they made at the end).

Take a look at the photos below to see more of our experience at Nonna Beppa, but I can't promise you won't be hungry for Italian at the end. Of note: parents are encouraged to sit back with a glass of wine while kids take part in class, which I have to say was MY favorite part of the day! For more information and to book class reservation, head to their website. Ciao!

Nonna Beppa's rustic Italian restaurant is the perfect place for your child to try a pasta-making class, and a yummy place for the entire family to have lunch afterwards. Perfect for junior chefs or any child that likes to keep their hands busy!

Disclosure: While our attendance at the class was complimentary, all thoughts herein are my own.

Pizza-Making 101 at Rossopomodoro in the West Village

Ask any kid their top 5 favorite foods, and pizza will undoubtedly be at the top of the list-- let's face it, pizza is practically its own food group at our house. So, when we got an invite to Rossopomodoro for a children's pizza-making lesson, the answer was an obvious no-brainer.

This West Village neighborhood favorite serves up classic Neapolitan cuisine in a warm & inviting atmosphere. The space allocated for children's pizza classes is semi-private, sunlit, and perfectly situated right next to their shiny gold brick oven.

The girls were given a chef's hat, apron and rolling pin when we arrived, and they got to work rolling out their dough under the supervision of Achille Confuorto, a GM Partner at the restaurant who also teaches adults how to make pizza at their location inside Eatily. As you can see from the pics below, it was a really fun and well-run class, and most importantly, the pizza was DELISH! Classes begin this weekend (for $27, your child will receive the aforementioned chef's hat, apron, rolling pin as well as their pizza masterpiece after it comes out of the oven). Call 212.242.2310 to reserve your child's spot!

 

Rossopomodoro will also begin using this space soon for birthday parties -- such a fun way to celebrate! Side note: had a look at their $10 children's menu, too, and will be adding it to my list of kid-friendly restaurants.




Disclosure: While this class was complimentary, all opinions herein are my own.

NYC Dining with Kids: Playa Betty's on the Upper West Side

While there are a zillion restaurants to choose from in NYC, and many bill themselves as "kid-friendly," I wouldn't say that's an accurate description for all of them (no changing tables in the bathrooms, I'm looking at you). I suppose we all have different needs depending on what stage of the game we are with parenthood, but with that said, I can share that Playa Betty's hits all the key points for "kid-friendly" status with our fam.

First, it's a big restaurant! That matters, with or without the stroller. Maybe it's just the high ceilings, but room to breathe and unload your stuff without jamming into the person at the next table is a sight to behold in this town.

Second, the crayons and fun coloring sheets. Those are a must for our girls to keep them occupied while we figure out what to eat. Playa Betty's had both and they were super cute.

Menu! So my family and I love tacos, rice & beans and anything in the Mexican food arena. Playa Betty's describes its menu as "California-style beach food," and that's close enough for us. We got guacamole to start, which was fun as it comes with a handful of toppings that you can add yourself depending on what you like. We also got the Mexican corn appetizer... tasty!

The kids menu is $10 across the board, and it includes a drink of choice (apple juice of white or chocolate milk), entree (cheese quesadillas or chicken finger tacos with tater tots or brown rice bowl with chicken, sweet potato & zucchini) and ice cream for dessert. They chose tacos and chicken & rice, which they both enjoyed, though full disclosure, V wouldn't eat the sweet potatoes so I had to jump in there. I love that they offer this healthier option, though. It's such a pleasant change from the normal fries and mac & cheese.

Moving on, Husband got tacos -- YUMMY -- and I got a steak & spinach rice bowl, as I was feeling healthy for once in my life. It was both yummy tasting and filling, and I left the restaurant not feeling like I'd just gained 5 lbs, which is apt to happen when I leave any sort of Mexican-style restaurant.

But back to being unhealthy for a moment... our margaritas were delish (that probably should have gone at the top of my list for family-friendly restaurant qualifications- ha!) and I loved this churro vanilla bean ice cream sandwich. Soooo good. Other points worth noting: bathroom is downstairs and DOES have a changing table, and the restaurant offers high chairs and a delicious brunch menu on the weekends, too.

Worth a try, friends!

Disclosure: We were invited to try Playa Betty's for potential review. All opinions, as always, are my own.

Children's Tea Time at The Russian Tea Room

Millie just turned 7 (SEVEN!), and while she floated many an idea on how to celebrate her birthday, she finally decided a tea party with a couple close friends would be a fun way to ring in her special day. I looked at several options for children's tea parties, and ultimately we decided on The Russian Tea Room, both for it's gorgeous, over-the-top decor that I knew the little girls would get a kick out of AND the fact that it seemed more reasonably priced (surprisingly) than other options.

photo credit: Husband extraordinaire

I'm happy to report that the birthday girl and her friends had a blast! The tea itself was delicious, the ambiance was amazing, and the staff couldn't have been more accommodating. Our waiter made sure we visited the Bear Lounge before we left, home of the Tea Room's famous dancing bear fish bowl and Faberge egg tree. While this certainly seems like more of a "special occasion" place to us, if you're visiting NYC or live here and have never been, all I can say is... GO. This NYC institution is quite the experience, and it's one my brand new 7 year old won't soon forget.

menus for minis

Today I'm excited to feature a guest post by Carla Sullivan, founder of MiniMunchers. This informative website is the first to list and rate all NYC restaurants that feature menus for children. So genius! I will be doing a Guest Muncher review in the coming months and am excited to contribute to this valuable resource for NYC families. If there's one thing I know, it's that we all like going out to eat. A lot. MiniMunchers helps take the guesswork out of what to order the kiddies.

As a mom of two, I know first hand how difficult it is to come by healthy restaurants that cater to children. Many experts will advise parents to order off the adult’s menu for tots when eating out to avoid fried/starchy foods (i.e. chicken nuggets, French fries, grilled cheese), which can get pricy (not to mention a little difficult for kiddies who are used to crayons and ketchup with restaurant dining). But MiniMunchers has uncovered a few great spots in the city with dedicated children’s menus that are sure to please both parents and kids alike!

1. Moomah - A great spot to bring your tot in TriBeCa. Not only is the extensive menu local, seasonal AND organic (with dairy-free and gluten-free choices) but kids are encouraged to play while they eat with incredibly beautiful and engrossing (yeah) art projects! If you visit on Friday or Saturday the back room (“Funky Forest”) is open for kids to run around and explore!

2. Candle Cafe - Leave your stroller at home (or bring a collapsible) when visiting this UES, organic, vegetarian mecca. This jewel-box restaurant has one of the most extensive organic menus (kids and adults) in the City. The children’s menu has everything from pizza margarita (with tapioca cheese) to seitan skewers. Ask your server if you have any questions - they keep a book at the counter with every menu items ingredients listed and described in detail.

3. Counter - When in the LES of Manhattan, Counter is a great healthy alternative for families. Not only are they a vegetarian Bistro, but they serve organic wine and martinis. The children’s menu features the standards – but with a twist – Tofu Nuggets, Grilled Cheese (with vegan cheddar) – and some info on famous vegetarians; Susan B. Anthony, Albert Einstein and Mahatma Gandhi.

4. Fig & Olive - Midtown West Location only - Ok, so they only have a kids menu at brunch on weekends – but the best part about the menu (for us moms with little ones) is that they have Earth’s Best Organic Baby Food. So NICE to not have to schlep food for baby!

Visit MiniMunchers for the complete children's menus of these great restaurants and many more!

i'll have the pureed zucchini, please

In short, Baby S is not taking to solid food. I'll leave the less-than-thrilling details out, but sufficed to say, she's not a fan. At all. And we have the stains to prove it. The general advice, after checking the Internet and talking to family/friends and anyone who will listen seems to be "try, try again." Ugh... though nothing ventured, nothing gained, I suppose? We'll keep foraging on, with images of a pea-covered-Baby S dancing in our heads. We'll need those photos to embarrass her with when she's a teenager, of course.

When we DO finally convince her that the world of semi-adult food isn't all that terrible, I want to try out GustOrganics, an organic restaurant here in NYC. Not because I'm all that healthy a consumer (let's face it, after a less-than-pleasant Baby S throwing up experience on Saturday, Husband and I felt we deserved Lucky's Famous Burgers for dinner).

No, on this dining out occasion with Baby S, we'll be ordering her baby food off the menu. That's right, off the menu. And it won't be in a jar, either. There's baked squash. Tenderloin beef puree. Macaroni. Lest we forget dessert, there's Banana & Dulche de Leche. All made with 100% USDA certified organic ingredients (and they deliver, too). That last little nugget officially falls under the category: Why Didn't I Think of it First? You can find the detailed menu here.

I can't imagine this would be a weekly outing (it's rather expensive & the word 'messy' comes to mind), but I do think it would be fun to try once. After all, Baby S does get quite curious when we're in a restaurant and she sees us eating. I think this time I'll be the one curious about her food...

Baby's First Brunch at The Half King

New Yorkers and the weekend brunch are as instinctual as a moth to a flame. Or, in the case of this blog, Baby S to my boob (too much information?) Husband and I were brunch pros long before Baby S came along. We had our standard neighborhood haunts, knew when to arrive to avoid a crowd and could spot a 'prix-fixe with drink included' sign a mile away. Looking back on those erstwhile days, I'm fairly sure we took each culinary outing for granted.

photo credit: www.kellyinthecity.com

For the past few months, mimosas and eggs benedict have been on the *ahem* back burner. Between the arrival of winter and a certain bambina, we've rediscovered our oven and Menupages. The results haven't been half bad, despite a little something we're calling The Blackened Waffle Incident.

This past weekend, we decided to venture out for our first sit-down meal with Baby S in NYC. We didn't go far, and yet, for some reason, it felt like we were miles away. The Half King is a block from our apartment and on the weekends serves a hearty brunch with included alchoholic beverage (after 12 due to NY state law). Getting through the front door with a stroller is simple as there are no steps. Hurrah! The main dining room is large and the two aisles are big enough to get a stroller through without attracting a lot of attention. We arrived at 11am and there were probably less than 10 people in the restaurant at that time. While that may be a bad sign to some, it's more likely that the neighborhood hadn't woken up yet. We noticed at least two other families dining while we were there, which added to the comfort level for us. (Side note: weather-permitting, there is an adorable outdoor garden with tables, though it's considerably smaller than the main dining area).

While we chowed down, Baby S sat comfortably in her stroller. Eventually falling asleep, she awoke only when the bill arrived at our table. Too bad she's too young to pick up the check...

2 thumbs up for The Half King.