Tag: cocktails

Grand Banks is a Manhattan Hidden Gem for dining

A New York City Hidden Gem – Grand Banks, NYC

Grand Banks is a New York City Hidden Gem for dining! I am always looking for great dining in New York City and this is my new favorite. Grand Banks is a seasonal oyster bar on the deck of a historic fishing boat. Located on Pier 25 Hudson River in Tribeca, right around the corner from Battery Park, the location is ideal. Combine a great meal with a stroll through a beautiful, waterfront neighborhood with views of the Statue of Liberty makes for a wonderful excursion. This beautiful restaurant shows you a side of Manhattan that tourists don’t usually think of as New York City.

We were in New York celebrating my daughters graduation from her Master’s program at the Fashion Institute of Technology. It was a night graduation, so a nice walk and fabulous meal at Grand Banks made for a perfect day celebrating all of her achievements. We went midweek around noon and did not have have a reservation but I would highly recommend getting one for this hidden gem in New York City. It filled up fast. We were very lucky to get a table when we did.

“Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.”

-Van Morrison

The four of us knew that we would be having a heavy meal later that night, so we decided to get some cocktails (there was time for a nap before the ceremony) and a little bit of everything. At the recommendation of the waitress, we decided on the Sailor Baby Oysters (Grand Banks very own!) and the Montauk Pearl oysters. Both were wonderful, but the Sailor Baby Oysters were the hands on favorite with this table. We added the crab dib, shrimp cocktail, french fries, and some lobster rolls. My daughter’s friend from Madrid had never had a lobster roll, so we were happy to introduce her. In addition, we ordered the Bread, Butter and Radish which I had never tried before. Now that I have, I will never be the same. It was wonderful!

The menu has so much to choose from which makes it so hard to decide. My daughter knows I always want to try out of the way places and hidden gems in New York City, not the tourist spots. She did not disappoint this weekend. Every choice was a winner, with Grand Banks standing out not only for the food, but for the atmosphere.

Being rated one of the World’s Best Waterfront Restaurants by CNN Travel and the Best Waterfront Restaurant in NYC by New York Magazine would give you the impression that it is stuffy and expensive. But in reality, it is comfortable and casual with amazing views. I highly recommend Grand Banks in New York City.

If you would like to see some of my other recommendations, check out the Restaurant Review section of my blog Sunday Chefs. Happy Dining!

Rintintin – Eclectic dining in New York’s Nolita neighborhood.

Looking for a great restaurant in New York? Maybe some eclectic dining in New York’s Nolita neighborhood? Rintintin located at 14 Spring Street in the Nolita section of New York City is an adorable little eclectic spot that will not disappoint. A short walk from Sara D. Roosevelt Park and the Elizabeth Street Garden. They are open every day for Lunch, Brunch, Dinner, Late Night and Drinks.

Every meal should be a small celebration

-Fannie Farmer

Our family is so happy that our oldest has moved to New York and is living her best life. We are thoroughly enjoying learning our way around and finding lots of little exciting dining spots to explore. This one day, we spent a long day walking and exploring on a beautiful Saturday in New York City. We were looking for a place to sit, rest and have some drinks, my daughter mentioned that Rintintin was a place she always wanted to try. But as a poor New York twenty something she never did. But with mom and dad there it was perfect timing. Safe to say, she was thrilled when we very quickly agreed.

We were lucky that it was beautiful out and a table was just opening on their pretty little outdoor dining area. I have to say, I love all the outdoor dining leftover from COVID. I hope that restaurants keep it up.

We ordered a hummus platter that came with veggies, warm pitta bread, olives, pickles and three kinds of hummus. We also tried the fig crostini. Warm bread with goat cheese and fresh figs all drizzled with honey was truly to die for. I have dreams about it. Even the fresh basket of hand cut french fries was amazing. We just got appetizers, but next time we will be doing the brunch as the the customers at the next table said that it was fantastic.

I hope you go out and try Rintintin in Nolita the next time you are in the area. I love nothing more than sharing great restaurants and recipes on my blog Sunday Chefs. I will be returning to Rintintin again.

Keeping it bubbly! – Trick to keeping Champagne and Prosecco bubbly

Smile…. There’s bubbly

Unknown
The easiest trick to save that leftover bubbly. Whether it be Champagne, Prosecco, Cava or even sparkling cider.


We like to celebrate things in our house. So it is not unusual for us to have a bottle of Champagne or Prosecco in the fridge. You never know when you will need to make a quick toast or have a Mimosa or an Aperol Spritz. But, we are not big drinkers so we tend to have some leftover and there is nothing worse than flat champagne. Well of course there are worse things, but you get the picture.

I used to work at a French company back in the day and after work on Friday’s we would buy bottles of champagne (good champagne) and celebrate the end of a good week.  That was a great job! There were a lot of tipsy train rides home but we were young and not driving, so who cared. My boss, who was French and grew up in champagne country taught us a trick to preserve the bubbles so you could finish the bottle the next day.

It’s very simple…… Put a spoon in the bottle and put it in the fridge…..That’s it!!!  It is so simple and it works. Thanks Thierry! This holiday season, I was telling someone and they did not believe me so we tested it…. and I was right. Everyone was extremely impressed.  My daughter even tried it with Sparkling Cider and it worked. It is a great tip, that you will probably never have to use…..because who has leftover Champagne or Prosecco or Cava!

I make Prosecco disappear, what’s your superpower?

-Unknown