July | 2013 | Happy Noms

NYC: Atera (May 2013)

July 18, 2013 Victor Leave a comment

Authors: Victor and Monte
Restaurant: Atera
Exec Chef: Matt Lightner
Website: http://ateranyc.com/about/information/

Date: May 29, 2013

Victor:

We recently got the chance to eat at Atera again! I’ve been too lazy to make reservations the usual way (online via CityEats), so I just made this one spontaneously via Facebook. Occasionally, the Atera Facebook page will post about last-minute openings (due to cancellations), and… I’m usually online enough to see the occasional opening and reply quickly! (Yeah, I have no life hahaha.) Anyway, that’s how I made this reservation, and Monty and his sister, who was visiting, decided to come with!

We all really enjoyed this meal. Monte said something that I think summed up the meal well: “I have really fond memories of the previous meal here, and it’s nice to know that my memories aren’t totally off. The food really is that amazing. I feel, you know, vindicated in my beliefs!”

Then again, it could have been the whiskey talking. Everyone’s always a little happier with alcohol! All in all, it was a great meal with great friends!

Click here to see pictures of the amazing meal!

Categories: Eating, New York City, North America Tags: food, michelin, new york, new york city, nyc, photography, restaurants

NYC: Empellón Cocina: The Push Project: Part III (June 2013)

July 3, 2013 Victor Leave a comment

Authors: Victor and Maria
Restaurant: Empellón Cocina (Push Project III)
Chefs: Alex Stupak and Chris Cosentino

Date: June 28, 2013
Dinner

Victor’s Notes:

We recently went to Part III of the Push Project, which was a collaboration between Alex Stupak and Chris Cosentino, the chef of Incanto in SF and the winner of Season 4 of Top Chef Master. Chef Cosentino is famous for offal, as he has believes in eating the whole animal—from head to tail.

The meal had some interesting flavor combinations and ingredients, but I thought most of the courses were delicious—which is what matters, right? On another note, the two diners next to us definitely did not look too happy with the courses haha. I feel like they were expecting something else and got… this meal (which consisted of courses where Stupak and Cosentino were trying to be more creative and add their own influence). Oh well!