Yesterday my son went into NYC to for lunch at Toriko NY, a restaurant that has recently launched new lunch menu items. It was an opportunity for us to head to Greenwich Village on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and I used my time well, heading to the Guggenheim after lunch for a dose of modern art.

Toriko is known as one of the top Japanese yakitori and wine concepts from Tokyo Restaurants Factory, helmed by Chef de Cuisine Manabu Asanuma previously of MIFUNE New York.  As Japanese food lovers, we welcomed the opportunity to try out their new (rather reasonable!) lunch options. We looked forward to it.

After managing to park my car a half-block away, we made our way to the restaurant. The dining room itself is small, making the experience feel rather exclusive. It has a modern, Zen feel with wooden counter and walls. The chef stood in front of us the whole time, as we sat at the counter, and he made an effort to introduce us to the food we were served. We appreciated both the attention and explanations as the experience was a first for both of us.

We started out with an organic green salad for me; Toriko Mazesoba, a salty chicken broth (you can tell which one of us doesn’t eat meat!). The salad was fresh, and I loved the homemade ginger dressing. Then my son happily munched on a plate of six different chicken skewers. All free-range and hormone-free, the chicken comes from a local upstate farm and has lovely flavored toppings such as wasabi and other Japanese salts and spices such as fresh ginger. He especially liked the juice chicken hearts, and I was impressed that he ate them so whole-heartedly.

We topped off our meal with a plate of salmon and avocado rolls, which were presented beautifully. The fish was super fresh, the rice was soft and delicious, and the avocado was served mashed on top. It was a unique take on a dish we love. It was also fun sitting at the counter and watching our dishes get created rather skillfully.

Toriko also specializes in ramen, which I’ve promised my son we will sample on our next visit. For lunch, they are offering two soupless noodle bowls with the Toriko Mazesoba made with spicy minced chicken soboro, egg, garlic, leek, bamboo shoots, seaweed, bonit powder, onion, and scallions; as well as the Vegetable Mazesoba with seasoned egg, bamboo shoots, seaweed onion, spinach and scallions. These are featured along with their Toriko Wonton Shio Ramen and Black Garlic Paitan Ramen. Additionally, they now have two new Don Rice Bowls including the King Solmon Don with mushroom, ginger, seaweed and egg over rice, topped with salmon roe; and the Shirashi Don, five kinds of sashimi over sushi rice.

Hungry? So am I. This was a find for us, and I hope it will be one for you, too. Check out Toriko here and make a reservation to try it out. They are located at 76 Carmine Street, and their phone number is 646-596-8198.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary tasting to facilitate this review and others, but all opinions are my own.

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NYC continues to excite my culinary senses.

Last week I ventured out to Astoria for a Greek meal at Amylos Taverna. Other than a passion for Greek food and knowledge that the best Greek in NYC is found in this particular part of Queens, I knew very little and had low expectations. And, yes, the experience threw me quite a bit, in a good way. Owned and operated by the Arvanitis family (known for their involvement in the film “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” – the patriarch, John Arvanitis, also owns Omonia Cafe, which he opened in 1974.

As a result, the atmosphere is very family-friendly and very Mediterranean. The inside of the restaurant really lovely and is open to the outside, adding to its European sense. The Executive Chef, Konstantinos Troumouhis, worked on the Greek Island of Kos and has a good handle on the cuisine.

We (meaning my teenage son, Max) had big appetites, which was a good thing, as we were there to taste the food, after being invited by the owner. We started out with a big assortment of small plates that included Moussaka Croquettes, Veggie Chips, a crispy zucchini and eggplant tower (pictured above), Saganaki, a Greek cheese pastry with tomato jam, which was my favorite starter, Salmon Tartare, and a selection of spreads which included Tzatziki, Spicy Feta, and Melitzanosalata. Needless to say, we had to stop ourselves from over-eating. Everything was so fresh and flavorful. It was hard not to over-indulge.

For dinner, we had Fagri, a Mediterranean fish dish, and Lamp Chops with french fries with olive oil and lemon emulsion, which my son devoured. The menu is full of Greek touches and I loved the taste of the fish. The family’s matriarch Martha Arvanitis also contributes to the creation of the menu, so I want to give a shout out to her, too.

For dessert, we shared (don’t ask me how we had room!) Ekmek, honey syrup, angel hair, shredded wheat pastry, creamy custard, whipped cream, and toasted almonds on top and Yogurt Mastiha Panacotta with strawberry thyme sauce, and yes, wow, the flavors were bursting with sweet, fresh goodness. Everything was that good.

All in all, Amylos was a great dining experience for us both, and my son is already planning our return visit and what he’ll order. If you’re looking to try something new right in the center of Astoria on Broadway, give it a try. Give yourself plenty of time, order a few glasses of wine or cocktails, and let the experience transport you to a Greek island.

Disclosure: My meal at Amylos was complimentary to facilitate this review and others, but all opinions are my own.

·     

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If you’re looking for an exquisite meal and you love Israeli food, you simply must visit BUSTAN. I was invited for a tasting recently, which I went in for with zero expectations, and I came out with a new favorite NYC restaurant. For one thing, I adore Israeli food. For another, I’m a vegetarian, and I love Israeli ingredients – the fresh vegetables, spices, and flavors. BUSTAN nailed all of my passions and desires. I am not necessarily a foodie, but after a visit there, I may be converted to one.

I knew I was in for a treat from the moment I stepped in, as the restaurant possesses a middle-eastern, lovely kind of exotic ambiance. It’s hard to believe the restaurant suffered a fire last year, as BUSTAN just feels like it’s been there forever. Co-Executive Chef Eli Buliskeria and Pastry Chef Shir Rozenblat have prepared an absolutely delicious menu full of Israeli and Mediterranean dishes.

I base most of my Israeli cuisine experiences on the hummus – if they get that right, they can get most anything right, and I’m happy to report that the texture and taste were perfect right off the bat. It’s no surprise that Chef Eli served under Chef Yonatan Roshfeld who is a judge on the popular Israel iteration of TV’s Master Chef. He totally deserves that spot. Even the hummus ranks – it’s made with pure roasted sesame and tahini imported from Nazareth in Israel.

We started with a variety of small plates, which we shared, resembling a Friday night Shabbat in my house, where we indulged in the best dishes from the middle east. Everything is made in a custom hand-built wood-fired brick taboon, a Middle Eastern oven that has a 360-degree rotating base, which is something you won’t find in many NYC restaurants. We munched on the above-mentioned hummus, spicy feta yogurt, olive oil and sumac, Crudo, Eggplant Carpaccio that has been fire roasted with long hot pepper for a subtle spice, shallots, sesame, and fresh herbs and is to die for, and the most delicious salad made of market tomatoes I have ever had with shallots, feta cheese, za’atar, Moroccan olives, and fresh herbs.

After the appetizers, we were so content that we did not think dinner could get any better, but wait – it actually did. We had the Fish Chraimeh, a fish stew, Chicken “Musakhan,” roasted chicken with tahini-amba and herb salad served with taboon bread, and my other favorite dish, Roasted Cauliflower with labneh, crushed tomatoes, and sesame.

Dessert was inspirational. Pastry Chef Shir Rozenblat clearly knows a thing or two about applying her passion to sweets. My favorite was Kisses, her signature dessert, comprised of baked vanilla meringue that hides a tangy raspberry sorbet filling as well as Chantilly cream and mixed berries. My friend preferred the Nemesis, baked chocolate mousse, with salted caramel, caramel pearls, and ice cream – exquisitely presented and even more exquisite to eat.

And then there was the wine. I had a few glasses from Portugal which complimented my meal perfectly. They also have more classic middle-eastern cocktails including the Jaffa Mule (vodka or arak, ginger liquor, citrus, and Oleo Saccharum); a light and refreshing Persian Lemonade (vodka, rose petal jam and lemon juice); and the spicy and sweet Smoke & Fire (Schoog Tequila, Mezcal, celery, pineapple and lime)

And guess what? Back to my love for Shabbat dinners – they offer catering on Friday nights, featuring items from their menu for Shabbat. You know I am all about that. Shabbat Dinner: BUSTAN will be offering catering for Shabbat dinners featuring items from their menu, so guests can celebrate with their families at home.

BUSTAN is located at 487 Amsterdam Avenue, near W. 84^th Streets, Tel:
212-595-5050. Hours of operation: Sun.-Thurs. 5pm-10pm, Fri. & Sat. 5pm-11pm.

Disclosure: My meal was complimentary to facilitate this review and others, but as usual, all opinions are my own.

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A few weeks ago, my family made the trip to Sunnyside, Queens for a night out on the town. Sunnyside isn’t an entirely new experience for us as we are huge fans of a Thai restaurant located here called Sri Pra Pra. Still, seeing that we live in Westchester, exploring the boroughs is always fun and a real treat. We love to eat and experience new places, particularly family-friendly ones, so when an invite came to experience Senso Unico, an Italian Osteria, I jumped.

Owned by chef/Owner Vincenzo Garofalo and wife Laura, natives of Avellino, Italy, Senso Unico stands on a quiet corner in the heart of Sunnyside. It’s a small, welcoming neighborhood kind of restaurant where locals probably head to every weekend for a dish or two of authentic Italian food. We were there on a Saturday night, and it was pretty crowded. so I’m happy to say that word has gotten out how good the food is (take that as a hint to book a table in advance).

We were very welcome as soon as we walked through the door and felt a real sense of authenticity. We somehow knew we were in for a legit Italian meal. It’s a very low-key space with local art on the wall. We were served by Laura herself, who told us that the restaurant was relatively new, and she and her husband hail from Italy. The chef studied at Michelin-starred Antica Osteria Nonna Rosa and Il Pellicano. After arriving here, he went on to further develop his talents with the Maccione family at Siro Ristorante in The Pierre Hotel and Le Cirque.

We opted to try a few starters and main courses to get a real lay of the land. With my aversion to shellfish (for Kosher reasons) and pork, it ruled out a few things so we tried Carpaccio de Carne, thinly sliced seared rib-eye, arugula, lemon and shaved Parmesan cheese, a special appetizer made of crispy polenta, burrata, and arugula, and fried baby artichoke Cacio e Pepe. It was fairly obvious after our starters that we were in for a unique dining experience.

And dinner only got better as pasta reigns supreme at Senso Unico. We had Fusilli Avellinesi, a dish from the chef’s hometown of Avellino made with the freshest spiral pasta and dressed in a tomato-truffle sauce.  We also tried Rigatoni Napaleonan Bolognese, which is traditional beef ragu, and Fettuccine al Pesto made of basil pesto and tomatoes. Other main dishes include Calamarata Ai Frutti di Mare, a plate of ring pasta, clams, mussels, calamari and shrimp, in a lobster and tomato sauce, Cuoppo, a light and crispy dish with fried fresh calamari, shrimp and vegetables with a fresh snap, served with a spicy aioli, Parmigiana di Melanzane, a traditional eggplant parmigiana with homemade tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil. Hungry yet? I am, just thinking about it.

Our selection of dessert was equally decadent. We tried Beer Tiramisu (yes, made with real beer but you hardly taste it in all its deliciousness),  Deconstructed Napoleon, stacked with layers of crispy filo dough, ricotta mousse, Amarena cherries and pistachios, and Torta Della Nonna, a vanilla custard dessert. Our tastebuds and belles were in explosion mode.

Aside from the food, Laura’s personal touch and friendliness made the night and her antidotes about the chef and food, which she clearly knows a lot about. For my family, the restaurant was a big win, with its emphasis on pasta and the yummy dessert. I have a feeling we’ll be back soon.

Check out Senso Unico’s menu here. Here are the deets:

Senso Unico Restaurant
43-04 47th Avenue
Sunnyside, NY 11104 
(347) 662-6101

Hours
Monday – Closed
Tues, Wed, and Thursday 4pm-10pm
Friday 12pm-11pm
Saturday 12pm-11pm
Sunday 12pm-10pm

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary meal to facilitate this review and others, but all opinions are my own.

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When I received the invitation last fall, I was pleased to be recognized as an American Jewish writer that made sense to invite to this prestigious conference. I had been concerned about the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora since Donald Trump had been elected, if not before, and the summit’s theme “It’s Complicated” called out to me.

The night started off on a good note We were in a beautiful setting – Zedekiah’s Cave, an underground limestone quarry under the Muslim Quarter in the Old City. I was drinking cocktails, meeting writers, and ignoring any signs of jetlag.

Then the night’s presentation started and I heard Trump’s name repeatedly which I’m not supremely used to hearing often in New York except on the news (which for me is generally CNN or MSNBC). The POTUS mentions started with Michael Oren, Former Israel Ambassador to the United States, who called upon Trump’s administration as the friendliest Israel has ever known. He pointed out that we can’t lose focus that the Trump administration wouldn’t be in the White House forever.

Oren cautioned that although President Trump heads “the friendliest administration this country has known since its founding in 1948, we can’t lose track of the fact that this administration will not be in the White House indefinitely.” When he said that, my heart skipped a beat and nearly fell out of my heart. As a Democrat, all I think about is the day we will no longer be in this position in the U.S. and that Trump will be soon led out of the White House in handcuffs.

Then a few moments later, David Friedman, U.S. Ambassador to Israel spoke about Israel’s ties with Trump. He said, “We are blessed to have a president who embraces the truth, whether with regard to Jerusalem, with regard to Iran’s malign activities or with regard to the anti-Israel bias at the United Nations.”

I was not sure, but it felt like all 159 writers in the room present cheered with joy. Friedman called us all vanguards of the truth, but I wasn’t hearing my truth on the stage and I feared the summit would abandon a liberal Jew like me. Fortunately, my friend, the comedian Avi Liberman went on soon after that and made me and everyone laugh. I put my worries behind me momentarily.

On the first day of the conference, all 160 writers stood together around a Jewish star in the shape of the number 11 to commemorate the victims of that awful tragedy, and I instantly became concerned that the photograph would be used as part of right-wing Israeli propaganda. But I had hope in this summit. I went in knowing that things in Israel are complicated but was hopeful I’d find my place in this group of traditional and new media.

Fortunately, the summit picked up a more balanced tone the next day with sessions about Anti-Semitism, about how Israel is portrayed in global media, Israeli politics, and the incitement of freedom of speech. We heard from both right and left wing journalists and politicians, the most memorable speakers for me being Anshel Pfeffer, a correspondent for the left-wing Haaretz, and Matti Friedman, an award-winning Israeli author who made headlines a few years ago in calling out Associate Press as displaying bias against the Jewish state, and Knesset members from various parts of the Israeli government talking about our role as members of the Diaspora.

Mixed into our education were treats anyone visiting Israel is lucky to experience: the Sound and Light Show at the King David Museum, lunch at the Montefiore Restaurant. On the second day of the summit we were allowed to choose a track: Start-Up Nation technology; a visit to the security barrier in the West Bank; an art and culture tour of Jerusalem; and a walking tour of the Old City, including the Temple Mount and the Jewish Quarter. I opted for a combination of two and went on the art and culture tour as well as Temple Mount. I admittedly should have gone to the security barrier but was concerned the point -of-view reflected would not be similar to mine. That was a mistake though I thoroughly enjoyed my day.

On the last day of the program, we were taken to President Reuven Rivlin’s residence. Rivlin is a member of Likud but he argues for a Greater Israel that would embrace all people and give the Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza full Israeli citizenship. His words were welcoming, if nothing else, but they seemed to gloss over the complications Israel is facing. “There is so much here that we are proud of what we want you to see and what we want you to share. Not just the advances in science, technology, and innovation; not just a secure state in the face of great enemies,” he said.

He was definitely going after the new media writers in the group. “We are also proud of the values that we work hard to protect. Israel is a Jewish, democratic state where the two go together and cannot be separated,” he said. “Show people what life is like here, picture by picture, tweet by tweet, face by face.” He concluded by saying, “Like it or not, the Diaspora and Israel are all in it together with the same goals, same needs.”

And so I did tweet and Instagram. I always do when I’m in Israel. It’s a place I love and am proud to be a part of. It was clear that the Israel Government Press Office had briefed Rivlin on the amount of influence that was in the room. And who can blame him for that? Once again, a photo was taken for press purposes, and influencers were given a chance to shoot a photo to send to their followers. Somehow, I was sat right in front of the President in the photo, this time looking down at my phone deep in thought.

Then we were taken on a tour of the Knesset, which was really interesting, and we even sat in on a session where a major vote was taking place. We weren’t exactly sure Netanyahu was going to give our group the time of day after a video appearance was called off the first night, but we knew that he had graced the presence of previous Jewish Media Summits so an appearance was inevitable.

Suddenly we were all in the room with Netanyahu for what was introduced by our hosts as a 15-minute Q&A. As the minutes ticked during the session, it became increasingly obvious that the questions were not only pre-planned but only certain journalists would be called upon. None of the questions made complete sense to me. They were all easy. One could tell even the Prime Minister knew he was getting off easy. No one asked about the Palestinian conflict or about his relationship with the U.S. President. He shrugged off the issue of dealing with an anti-Semitic leader such as Jeremy Corbyn in the UK. His comfort zone was the topic of Anti-semitism, Iran, the Golan (which he said, of course, Israel will keep). When one journalist asked him about the disconnect between Israel and the Diaspora, he shrugged and moved onto the next question. He laughed a lot. He also made fun of the journalists in the room for not living in Israel.

After that, we were taken to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs where we had lunch and heard a few lectures before the summit wrapped up. Israeli Diplomat Emmanuel Nahshon told us that “the State of Israel belongs to all Jews around the world. So if you don’t like some policy of the state of Israel, fair enough. You don’t like this or that policy, that’s quite alright. And not only is it your right to express your dislike but in a way, it is also your duty because you are a shareholder.”

Okay, so the State of Israel belongs to all of us and they want me to express my truth. My truth is, as I learned at the Summit, it is more complicated than I ever realized.

However, I met truly informed and interested people at the Summit who want nothing more than the truth to be told about the State of Israel, no matter what truth that is. That, for me, was my greatest gift from the summit, and I came home with Jewish journalist friends from all over the world who I believe will continue their quest for the truth. I plan to learn from each and every one of them. Whether we are on the same side politically makes no difference – it’s about the stories that must be told. Israel is a story unfolding that is very complicated, and that is a simple and honest fact.

So, I’ll continue to write about Israel. Most likely it will be a travel or culture oriented piece, as I am working on a few stories that came out of this very trip on multiple travel sites. That is what the Israel Government Press Office hopes that I will do, I reckon, along with the other lifestyle bloggers who attended the Summit. Many of the more traditional journalists wondered why we had been invited. There were Kosher food, travel, culture, and other types of bloggers who attended the Summit. It even angered a few of them. But if Rivlin and Netanyahu understood our presence at the Summit, why couldn’t they?

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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Talley Beatty’s Stack-Up. Photo by Paul Kolnik.

Yesterday I was fortunate to attend Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater‘s special Family Matinee series in Manhattan at City Center. I took my 14-year-old son to witness the greatness that this group of modern dancers brings to their work and I hope he remembers it for years to come. The program was Timeless Ailey, featuring over a dozen treasures from Mr. Ailey’s wonderfully rich body of work, including highlights of seldom-seen gems Mary Lou’s Mass and The Lark Ascending.

The result was electrifying. My son had never been to a modern dance performance, let alone see the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and it is so beyond a great experience for any child, let alone an adult like me who needed a bit of Alvin Ailey in her life right now. We were also lucky because we were there for the timeless American masterpiece Revelations – one of the most well-known and respected ballets in the history of dance, acclaimed as a must-see for all. Since its premiere in 1960, Revelations has been seen by more audiences around the world than any other modern work, inspiring generations through its powerful storytelling and soul-stirring spirituals. Springing from Ailey’s childhood memories of growing up in the south and attending services at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Texas, Revelations pays homage to the rich cultural heritage of the African-American and explores the emotional spectrum of the human condition.

For me, that is why Alvin Ailey is so special – they celebrate African-American history in a way that no other artistic performance does. The dancers feel this history in their bones in their hearts, in their souls and it shines through their every move.

Additional premieres and repertory favorites highlighted on programs during the Family Matinee Series will include:

Stack-Up, Talley Beatty’s work depicting the emotional “traffic” in a community that is stacked on top of each other.

The Golden Section, a sizzling work set to a rocking score by David Byrne by Twyla Tharp.

Ella, Robert Battle’s tour-du-force duet set to Ella Fitzgerald’s virtuosic scatting in the song “Airmail Special.”

This Saturday, 12/29, you can attend Kairos, The Call, Revelations at 2 pm, and I urge you to go. Tickets starting at $29 are on sale now at the New York City Center Box Office, through CityTix at (212) 581-1212, or online at www.alvinailey.org or www.nycitycenter.org. Discount tickets are available for Ailey Super Fans who purchase tickets for more than one performance, for students with an appropriate ID, and for groups of 10 or more (discounts do not apply to $29 tickets). For further information about  The Family  Matinee Series during Ailey’s 2018  New York City Center season and Ailey Ascending 60^th Anniversary Celebration, please visit www.alvinailey.org/citycenter and www.alvinailey.org/ailey60.

At the end of the performance, I leaned forward, took a deep breath and told my son “That was pure joy.” There were children around me standing up to give the group a standing ovation. My son was not truly one of them. I am not sure he knew exactly what to think of what he had just seen, but he knew it was important. He knew it was historic. I know it is something we will both look back on for years to come.

Disclosure: I was provided with complimentary tickets to facilitate this review but all thoughts are my own.

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If you’re looking for an unusual and delicious kid’s menu entree for kids in Manhattan, you have to head to Wokuni, an upscale Japanese seafood restaurant in midtown. It’s their first-ever kid’s menu and it’s called Captain Kuni’s Treasure Ship. Plus, it’s at an incredible value – $10 for kids under 12 years old, served at both lunch and dinner. My son and I were eager to try it, and other things on the menu, so we set a date and tried it last week.

The restaurant is very modern and trendy, yet inviting and comfortable. We slid into a private table and gazed up at the high ceilings and bar with stacked shelves. The sushi chefs stand in the back of the restaurant at their station where they prepare the very fresh fish and also greet patrons walking in to the restaurant. The owners run a chain of restaurants in Japan, so they understand the value of fresh seafood, and the fish literally melts in your mouth, whether it’s raw or cooked.

Courtesy of Wokuni.

Speaking of the chef, Kuniaki “Kuni” Yoshizawa happens to be a new dad, and he crafted a kid’s meal by combining fresh seafood and children’s favorite bento items, such as octopus-shaped sausages and karaage fried chicken. My son, who happens to be a real sushi connoisseur, was a reluctant recipient of the meal but he ended up loving it, much to his surprise. The kid’s meal comes out in a wooden ship, and the waiter told him there was a surprise well positioned at the bottom of the plate for when he was done. The meal also includes fresh Salmon Sashimi on a bed of rice, Yamaimo French Fries, Edamame and Fruit. The hidden surprise was gummy fish and chocolate coins, a treat he definitely appreciated.

For adults, the menu consists of traditional izakaya dishes and it’s extremely unique. The tastes and flavors are truly out of this world and I love the way the chef took . You may just want to try everything after you read what we shared: Kimpira (Stir Fried Burdock, Lotus Root, Carrot & Sesame), Ohitashi (Spinach Salad Steeped in Savory Dashi with Shimeji Mushroom), Buri Carpaccio (King Yellowtail topped with Jalapeno), Agedashi Tofu (Fried Tofu bedded in Savory Dashi), Suzuki Green Chili Sauce (Grilled Branzino Ginger Jalapeño Sauce), and Yellowtail and Tuna Rolls. My favorite dish was the Branzino, a dish with beautiful flavors – honestly so sublime that I am dreaming about it now.

So, for the kid’s meal, the Branzino, the fresh fish, and the low prices for this type of exquisite meal, I highly recommend Wokuni.

Disclosure: I was provided with a comp’ed meal to facilitate this review and others but all opinions are my own.

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Photo credit: Max Fink

Last week my son and I played tourist in New York City. When I asked him what he wanted to do, he suggested Gulliver’s Gate. I was impressed that my son brought an idea to my attention so I quickly set the wheels in motion to take him there.

Never heard of it? Gulliver’s Gate is a miniature world experience that offers an interactive display representing various regions of the world and famous landmarks, as well as moving trains, planes, wagons and people of the past and present. There are levers along the way which people pull to create motion within the exhibit.

The results are simply stunning. Scenes from around the world include NYC (from Grand Central to the Highline), the Middle East ( I was happy to see a nice-sized section devoted to Israel), the Great Wal of China, they Pyramids in Egypt, the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, the Colosseum, and much more.  My son was transported into worlds he had not seen before, and for that, I was grateful.

Plus, there’s a full-size miniature airport near the exit, full of runways and replica plans. He absolutely loved it.

The stats of the exhibit are pretty incredible:

• ·  This is a 50-nation display withe 300 small scale scenes.
• ·  There are more than 1,000 miniature trains, 12,000 wagons, 10,000 cars and trucks.
• ·  The smallest items designed and produced are vases for the bars and free standing coffee machines.
• ·  There are approximately 100,000 people in the entire exhibit

Gulliver’s Gate is located at 216 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036. Opening hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, with last entry at 7:00 p.m. For additional information and to purchase tickets online, visit https://gulliversgate.com.

Here’s the low down on costs:

$36 for adults at door
$27 children (ages 3-12) and seniors (ages 65+)

$44 to scan yourself and create a 3-d model, and become a model citizen (i.e. be placed in the attraction)

Disclosure: I was provided with complimentary tickets but all opinions are my own.

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Photo source: www.cityguideny.com

Last week my son and I ventured downtown to experience THE RIDE. We had admittedly been lucky enough to experience it before, only this time it would be the virtual reality version. I chose it because my son is a techno geek, and I figured it would be something new and interesting for both of us. I also love NYC with all heart, so I’m always open to different ways to experience and learn more about the city.

One thing I have to say that I love about THE RIDE in general is the tour guides. Like on our last tour, we had a fun, excited guide take us on our 90-minute tour. She told us story after story which complimented our virtual reality tour of Lower Manhattan’s diverse history, from the George Washington era to the stock market crash in 1929 to soaring (literally almost!) above the One World Observatory. We also had a guitarist join our tour, a solemn serenade from a man on the street singing a song in honor of 9/11 as we drove by the memorial, and other interactive entertainment. Our guide would tell us a story or two, and then we would be transported into another world when we put the VR glasses on. Note: Don’t do this if you are prone to carsickness.

As a long-time New Yorker, the tour appealed to me, though I must admit I may have been the sole New Yorker on the bus, haling from Westchester, but considering myself a true New Yorker after living through 9/11. Everyone else was from out of town. I liked learning the history of lower Manhattan, as well as facts I didn’t know.

The Downtown Experience is a luxury bus, with floor-to-ceiling windows. The seating is stadium style, and there are no bad seats. The views are tremendous and you truly see everything. We saw the Statue of Liberty, always a sobering experience for me, and certainly one that is very symbolic now. Adding to the overall experience, the buses are equipped with state-of-the-art audio and video technology to enhance the journey.

I was impressed, as was my son, who isn’t always easy to please, and we decided we’ll be tourists in NYC anytime.

Rides leave from 200 Water St. downtown. For reservations, visit experiencetheride.com.

Disclosure: I was provided with complimentary tickets to facilitate this review and others, but all opinions are my own.

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Photo courtesy of Vatan.Last week I ventured to Murray Hill to an Indian restaurant I’ve never been to called Vatan. The experience ended up being an absolute delight and one that I recommend to all of you.

Vatan is a traditional Indian restaurant, only it is very unique. They only offer a prix fixe thali style menu ($34 per person), which if you have never had this type of meal, it’s a series of small dishes and whatever more you like of each dish, as you can order as much as you like. The cuisine is distinct as it features only vegetarian dishes of Northwestern Indian state, Gujurat. Gujarat is located off the subcontinent’s western edge of India, bordered by Pakistan and the Arabian Sea where interesting spices, potatoes, rice, and vegies come from. It’s even Kosher! Vegetarian, all you can eat, did I mention gluten-free?, and nut free!, they offer delicous cocktails, and such tasty food which I would soon find out.

Photo courtesy of Vatan Restaurant.

The restaurant itself adds to the authenticity of the experience. It resembles a Gujarati village with a big bunyan tree against the far wall, where a statue of an Indian elephant-headed god, Ganesh, presides over the room. The walls are hand-painted with scenes depicting Gujurat village life and tables are decorated with vivid images of Indian men and women. Our server was very clearly from Gujurat, dressed in the region’s traditional garb, with a subtle manner and extensive knowledge about the food. We felt very comfortable and very much a part of a tradition we wanted to instantly know more about.

Best of all, many Gujarati foods are also healthy and nutritious. They use moderate amounts of sugar in the food, which sets this particular type of food apart from those of other regions of India. There’s something special about Gujarati cuisine, it’s a bit hard to explain but I do know that it’s rich in proteins and is distinguished by lovely mild to spicy (your call) seasoning. Our server actually asked us our spice range, from mild to spicy, right after appetizers. Cuisine dishes of Gujarat nice balance of the spicy and sweet yet my tastebuds were on fire, in a good way. I’m  a vegetarian so it was just a very interesting experience – to have so much choice.

A Typical Gujarati Thali Meal

A typical Gujarati thali meal comprises of Gujarati Kadhi, dal, shaak or subzi, aamras or mango pulp, rice, rotli or phulka or chapati and a few snacks like dhokla, muthiya, and more. I honestly think I tried all or most of these at Vatan. That’s what I liekd the most about it – all the new dishes I was experiencing in one meal. Once the food started coming out, I realized I was in for a huge, massive, tastebud mind-blowing treat.

Photo credit: Max Fink

The appetizer thali is served on a big tray and includes the following:

• Chana Masala (tender garbanzo beans spiced with onions and coriander)
• Khaman (puffed cream of wheat flour cake)
• Muthia (steamed flour with spinach)
• Mirchi Bhajia (fried hot peppers with garam masala)
• Batatavada (fried potato balls in chickpea flour batter)
• Ragda Patis (potato cutlet in white bean sauce)
• Sev Puri (crispy bread filled with potatoes, garbanzo beans, yogurt & chutney); and
• Samosas (triangular savory pastries filled with spicy potatoes and green peas).

Everything was simply divine. I devoured it all. I especially enjoyed Muthia, Chana Masala (I just love the name of that dish and everything inside it), and the Ragda Patis which were all flavorful and fresh. The muthia had the savoring taste of mint and tamarind chutney. They serve lovely sauces and spices along the side which I used as condiments (I like my spicy dishes), all recommended by my server.

Now I must add that I was not alone. My son came with me to Vatan. He’s a huge Indian food eater, and he enjoyed the meal so much and tasted nearly everything (he’s not into chickpeas). When the entrée thali came out, we were equally curious how it would go down. In addition to the food, the entrée course is accompanied by Pulao (boiled white rice with peas), Khichdi (lentils mixed with rice and assorted vegetables), and Kadhi (soup with yogurt and spiced chickpea flour). The sole add-on options are Rotla (flatbread from black millet flour served with garlic chutney) and Paani Puri (bread stuffed with potatoes, onions, chickpeas and chutney).

Also served on a large tray it included:

• Toor Dal (boiled lentils in Indian spice mixture)
• Bhaji (sautéed spinach & corn)
• Ful-Cobi (cauliflower & green pees sautéed in savory sauce)
• Batakanu Sak (potatoes cooked in mild red gravy)
• Chole (chickpeas cooked with garam masala)
• Puri/Roti (puffed whole wheat bread/whole wheat flatbread)
• Papadam (thin lentil wafers)
• Kheer (rice pudding with dried fruit)
• Aam Rus (mango pulp, available upon request)

I had opted for spicy; my son mild. Mine was definitely on the hotter side, which accentuated the flavors and brought them out even more. We each got puffy puri to fill with our rice dishes. I gently poured yogurt on everything, added sauce, and breathed in the scent of the aromas rising from my dishes. I liked the addition of the rice pudding and mango pulp, which really balanced out the taste.

Photo credit: Max Fink

For dessert, we had homemade Indian ice cream, Gulab Jamun (waffle balls in sugar & rose syrup), and Masala Chai (Indian tea cooked with cardamom, ginger & milk). It was the perfect ending to one of the most uniquely authentic, traditional meals I have ever had (outside my own home where I make many Jewish dishes). I had only asked for a refill of one dish, there is a lot of food, and didn’t leave busting. I’m not a fan of buffets and all-you-can-eat, generally, as I don’t like leaving stuffed to the rim.

Vatan is a good stop for anyone who loves Indian food, needs a dose of tranquility, and wants to try something incredibly unique.

Vatan is located at 409 3^rd Avenue, New York, NY b/w 28^th & 29^th Street.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary meal to facilitate this review, but all opinions are my own.

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The post A Night Out at Vatan in NYC and Experiencing Food From Gujurat appeared first on The Culture Mom.