Casa Lever

4 days ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Tucked away in midtown Manhattan, Casa Lever is a nice little cozy spot for after work drinks (or even dinner).  You may walk right by it and not notice it, though once you walk in you’ll be pleasantly surprised. While at the bar they serve some great complimentary snacks.  If you are in the mood [...]

Urbanbelly

5 days ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

I am sucker for good ramen/udon.  Hard to find really good options, but when you do its worth the trip everytime!  Check out Urbanbelly not too far outside downtown Chicago.  The location is odd, since its part of a strip mall, but once you step inside you forget where you are. Lamb and Brandy Dumplings [...]

Chinese Mirch

7 days ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Ever tried Indian Chinese?  If not give it a try at Chinese Mirch.  Its essentially infusing Indian spices and way of cooking into some Cantonese and Szechuan dishes. Try the Pinot Grigio, Zonin Della Venezie , 2008, Italy ($8) The steamed (or fried) momos, tibetan dumplings with chicken (6 pcs) ($6) are a nice and light start [...]

Recipe

13 days ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Recipe was such a good find!  Its amazing how little space you need for a good restaurant.  Not only is the place cute, they use the freshest ingredients (which is obvious when you taste their food) and have a great wine list. Recipe punch is delcious ($10) The jumbo lump crab cake ($11) is worth [...]

Seven’s Turkish Grill

15 days ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

The ambiance is a little overwhelming however the food is pretty good at Seven’s Turkish Grill. Try the mixed appetizer (Karisik-Mezeler): Includes Lebni (homemade yogurt with walnuts, garlic and dill), tabuleh (Bulgur wheat with parsley, scallions and a touch of olive oil), piyaz (white beans with onion, olive oil and vinaigrette dressing), eggplant salad (smoked [...]

Gino’s East

18 days ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Chicago Deep Dish. YUM.  There are so  many options,  Gino’s East being one of the more popular ones. Gino’s East Supreme – This one is 1/2 Sausage 1/2 Pepperoni with fresh onions, green peppers and mushrooms ($31.50).  This 8 slice pizza will take you a while to polish.  About 1.5 slices per person is plenty [...]

Greek Islands

20 days ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Lots of goodness to be found at Greek Islands in Greektown of Chicago.  They ship a lot of their ingredients from Greece including wines, cheese, seafood and their olive oil.  The scene on a Sunday afternoon is that of a ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’; very lively, everyone dressed up after church, a celebration in [...]

Wisconsin State Fair

22 days ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Wisconsin State Fair (Aug 5th – 15th), my first state fair.  What a treat! I believe Wisconsin’s is one of the best ones around. It all begins with the Wisconsin Baked Potato ($4).  Left: Potato topped with Cheese, Chili, Chives and Pepper.  Right:  Potato topped with Cheese, Chives, Salt and Pepper. and they love fry, [...]

Indus Express

26 days ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

There’s a good lunch deal at Indus Express.  Not the best ambiance for dining in; though perfect for pick up or stopping for a quick snack. Choice of Chicken or Lamb Curry with 1 vegetable, dal, rice, naan or roti ($8.95).  They don’t skimp on quantity and the food flavors are pretty good. Also try [...]

China Grill

29 days ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

China Grill has the perfect menu for sharing!  And its also one of the restaurants continuing its restaurant week menu through Labor Day. Try Confucius chicken salad with sesame oil vinaigrette ($21.00). The Wild mushroom profusion pasta with sake Madeira cream sauce ($29.00) is made to perfection.  Oh and the Wasabi mashed potatoes are unique [...]

Baluchi’s

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

More good Indian food!  You can’t beat the 50% off lunch DAILY 12 – 3 for the last 15 years at Baluchi’s.  The Chicken Malai Kebab ($8.95) are delicious. The Seek Kebab; minced lamb with onions ($8.95).  Tasty. From the entree I would reccomend Chicken Tikka Masala ($13.95), Lamb Rogan Josh ($13.95), Daal Baluchi’s ($9.95) [...]

Sofia Wine Bar

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Ambiance, Ambiance, Ambiance!  Sofia Wine Bar is absolutely adorable.  If you like exposed brick, wooden tables, dimly lit in candle light, cozy atmosphere, and some good wine, this place is an absolute must try. Its a good sign when the food menu is one page and the wine list five to six.   Try the stuffed mushrooms with [...]

Tanaka

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

In search for a good lunch deal?  Try the $8.95 lunch box at Tanaka. You get miso soup And a bento box with rice, california roll, two fried dumplings, salad and an entree (tofu, salmon, beef, chicken or something veg)!!  I trust their food overall, If you try it; do share your experience.

Fiorini Restaurant

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Nothing satisfies the desire for carbs better than a good plate of pasta.  Fiorini Restaurant has some great dishes to satisfy the craving! This appetizer portion ravioli di verdura; hand crafted ravioli filled with roasted vegetables, porcini mushroom ragu ($19) is plate licking delicious.  The porcini mushroom ragu has a fresh lemon/lime zest, that leaves you wanting more. Thank heavens [...]

Biriyani Cart

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

With a cart at pretty much every corner around the city, its hard to know where to go to and what to get!  One of my favorties is the Biriyani Cart(s) on 46th and 6th. They have Lamb over rice (cart on the left) which they claim is the best,  I’m not so sure, I [...]

Chin Chin

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Its been around since 1987, the Chefs at Chin Chin must be doing something right.  There are a few dishes that I would go back for.  The cold string beans and bean sprouts they serve complimentary are worth the trip; wish they had them on the menu!! jumbo prawns szechuan ($29.50), they have a nice kick [...]

Taksim

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Taksim.  The food is delicious and prices are reasonable at this middle eastern / turkish restaurant. One can survive just on the meze platter: eggplant salad, stuffed vine leaves, zucchini eggplant and peppers, cacik, tabuli and hummus.  Served with unlimited bread. But Why stop there..try the Lamb Adana Platter ($14.95) Squeeze some extra lemon for [...]

Eddie’s Pizza Truck

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

You gotta love NYC for its creativity; not that selling food out of a truck is a new concept; just the sheer number of trucks and the type of food they are selling is growing tremendously. Eddie’s Pizza Truck like many others have embraced technology as part of their business and marketing; they are on [...]

Haandi

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Haandi is symbolic of roadside truck stops in India/Pakistan; though in NYC its a cab stop.  If you can bear the hole in the wall feeling you could be in for a treat! Not everything is great (stick to the grilled stuff).  The chef is surely liberal with the oil in his/her cooking, though there [...]

Kalustyans

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

A proud post for Spice it up! Given Kalustyans in curry hill is known to sell over 4000 amazing spices, tea, snacks, cheeses, olives and a ton more from around the world. Rack after rack filled with spices one might not have even heard of.  Everywhere you look there is the bright yellow label describing [...]

Dhaba

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Since Indian food is so readily available to me at home, I usually don’t venture towards Indian restaurants, especially not buffets.  For $13 this buffet at Dhaba is worth trying.  Authentic flavors (not crazily spiced) and good ambiance (surprising!). Buffet typically has an appetizer, atleast two non veg dishes, 2-3 veg dishes, a ‘salad’ bar, [...]

Cellini

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Cellini, a tasty Italian in midtown.  Given where it is, it does tend to get the work crowd.  They serve complimentary cheese / olives along with the bread until you are ready to order..always a nice touch. Everything on their special’s menu looks great. Absolutely delicous.  Cileno “Gargano”: Brolied Chilean sea bass, salad of micro [...]

Momiji Sushi

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Its always a little sketchy when a restaurant’s menu looks like an album.  Makes you wonder how ‘fresh’ your food really is?  when was it REALLY made? How does a place manage to make 3000 things relatively well?  I don’t know the answer to those, but I do know Momiji Sushi has pretty tasty food [...]

Little Thai Kitchen

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Thai food is pretty easy to find in New York since there are so many options!  Really good Thai though is still harder to find.  This tiny restaurant, if you can call it that with 5-6 tables in midtown east lives up to its name: Little Thai Kitchen (LTK). Most dishes are pretty tasty and [...]

Tao

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

No matter how many times I go to Tao;  love it every time!  Its hard to go wrong with their menu. The lunch special is well priced and more food than you could want.  The food coma is totally worth it!  I recommend the Bang Bang Chicken Salad or the Peking Duck Spring Rolls.   The [...]

Hell’s Kitchen

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Mexican cuisine is probably in top 5 cuisines for me.  My second time at Hell’s Kitchen was just as satisfying as my first, with the exception of the Guacamole with homemade crispy guajillo corn tortillas ($11). Even though the tortillas are good, Guac is definately not worth it.  For Guac I would suggest Dos Caminos, [...]

The Plaza Food Hall

about 1 month ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

The Plaza Hotel opened its Food Hall on June 1st!  Location, quality, food and prices are all pretty good. A fun place to hang out and catch up with a friend.  Private; yet public.  It has the location and ambiance, though prices are reasonable given its the Plaza.  And if you are running out of [...]

Ghenet

2 months ago | Suman Thareja: Spice it up!..

Absolute favorite restaurant in the NY area: Ghenet (Brooklyn)…If you like your food to have a kick and don’t mind eating from the same plate with your hygenic friends..this is a must try! I suggest an appetizer and a combination platter (veg or non veg) for first timers.  Best value for your money too! Appetizer: Engouday [...]