OTTO

A chilly day out on the town with The Homies, we scoured the Guggenheim, scratched our heads at Kandinsky, scared ourselves silly with Ethan Hawke, and closed off the day with this HOT (both figuratively & literally) meal.

ANTIPASTI: Brussel Sprouts & Vincotto, Salsify & Blood Orange

CHEESES: CT Coach Triple Cream, Sheep, FRI Parmigiano Reggiano

PASTAS: Spaghetti alla Carbonara (Pancetta, Scallions, Black Pepper, & Egg), Penne con Noci e Zucca (Zucca, Hazelnuts, & Ricotta Affumicata)

PIZZAS: Funghi & Taleggia (Mushrooms & Taleggia Cheese), Prosciutto Arugula (Tomato, Cacio, Mozzarella, Crudo, & Arugula)

Guinness, Chocolate, & Peanuts & Black & White

DESSERTS:
L&E: Olive Oil Coppetta (Olive Oil Gelato, Lime Curd, Concord Grape Sorbet, Blood Oranges, & Fennel Brittle) AND Gianduja Calda (Hazelnut Hot Chocolate & Whipped Cinnamon Crema)
K: Guinness, Chocolate & Peanuts (Dark Chocolate, Guinness & Salty Peanut Gelait, Coffee Bourbon Sauce, & Chocolate Crumble)
KM: Black & White (Milk Chocolate Chip Gelato, Hazelnut Croccante, Crème Fraiche Gelato, Chocolate Sauce, & Caramel)
M&C: Gelati & Sorbetti (Crème Fraiche, Olive Oil, Hazelnut Stracciatella)

Gelati Selection & Olive Oil Coppetta

Don't let the Italian words scare you. Mario Batali? Italian Food? Pasta? Pizza? Gelato? We're sure you've heard the rumors. We'll just have you know-- they're true.

Same thing next week, girls?


OTTO Pizzeria
1 Fifth Ave
(@ 8th St)

Pizza & Puffs

Did you know Joe's Pizza was featured in the movie Spiderman? Yeah...neither did we.

In a hurry to watch Takeshi do flips (SUGOI!!), E2K hit up the standing-room only pizzeria around the corner from the IFC. We were thinking quick & mediocre, but it was surprisingly delish! Recommended cheap eat if you only have 10 minutes to spare.

If you only have 10 minutes, you might wanna consider chewing a little faster (but don't burn your mouth like I did!) and allotting 2 of those minutes for dessert. After all....who could resist the temptation of Beard Papa's right next door?!

ps. My pizza pic doesn't do it justice, so no previews for you! But...I think you all can imagine what pizza looks like.


Famous Joe's Pizza
7 Carmine St.
@Bleecker St.

Beard Papa's
5 Carmine St.

G R O M

After having heard many great things about this gelateria, I finally got a chance to go. Twice in less than 3 weeks! The first time I stepped in there, I had no clue what flavor to get. Honestly, I should have done my research before making a spur-of-the-moment trip. I just do not understand the descriptions on their menu. I must not be sophisticated enough. But I will not make the same mistake next time. And of course, there will be a next time!

So far, we have tasted the Tiramisu (Yum! But not exactly what Tiramisu tastes like...), Baccio (YUM! Exactly what Baccio tastes like. Hazelnut + Chocolate), and Coconut (YUM and refreshing! It tastes like a sweet slice of fresh coconut).
Next time, I'd like to try the Zabaione or Stracciatella. I kept reading the sign, but never had the guts to order the flavor.

GROM
233 Bleecker
at Carmine

Red Bamboo

Recommended by friends of a friend, Red Bamboo definitely makes up for its lack of meat by its enormous variety. A completely vegan, soy-based restaurant, Red Bamboo has fake meat choices (from all parts of the fake chicken), Italian choices, Thai choices, Chinese choices... you name the choice, they probably have it. Fake meat included. I opted for the Soul Creole Chicken (appetizer) and the Sweet Potato Fries. The chicken had a realistic chicken texture, a nice spice, and a bit-too-crunchy crust. They were generous with the fries, but when judging them against other sweet potato fries, these fall short. If you're looking for a baked sweet potato with ketchup, that's a different story...

I'd go back. I hear (from friends of a friend) you've gotta try the desserts.

Red Bamboo
140 West 4th Street

Cornelia Street Cafe

A little late for a "brunch", but I guess it's the food that matters. And I wasn't all that impressed. For our private bachelorette party, we were given personalized menus - that was probably the best part about the place. A bread basket set on each table included various types, including the chocolate bread that I found delish! For my main course, I had their French Toast, and it was nothing special to say least (though it does look yummy, doesn't it?). Some other girls ordered the Eggs Benedict or the Mussels - I didn't try either, but heard both were unyummy. T__T

I believe we had a dedicated waitress, and yet the service was quite slow. Aside from the fun we made, I had no good memories of this place and would not go back - nor would I recommend it to anyone.

Cornelia Street Cafe
29 Cornelia St