Root & Bone

Root & Bone is a restaurant that is opened by Top Chef alums Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth and has been on the to try list for ages for me and I. Maybe we have been anticipating it for too long, but the restaurant did not blow us away. The fried chicken was really good, but most of the other dishes were only ok.

Super cute tea cup for my alcohol :)  

Fried Green Tomatoes 
These were very well done and I enjoyed them. The outer layer was well seasoned and perfectly crispy and the tomatoes were fresh and tart. 

Grilled Peach Caprese - Gooey Pimento Cheese Croquette, Charred Peaches, Pickled Green Tomatoes, Baby Heirloom Tomatoes, Basil and Molasses Vinegar 
I was actually really looking forward to this item but it was quite disappointing. The peaches were not quite ripe enough and therefore did not achieve the caramelization from the charring. The pimento croquette was also much too small and the pickled green tomatoes didn't really fit in with the other flavors of the dish. 

Grilled Corn - Sweet Summer Corn, Cornbread Butter, Crunchy Hominy, Lemon PopcornThis was really yummy and the corn was grilled nicely. However, while I thought the addition of the hominy and popcorn was a cute idea, in terms of flavor it didn't really add anything to the dish and I preferred just eating the charred corn by itself. 

Drunken Pickled Eggs - Pickled Roots and Chips
These tasted a little funny as it was way too sour. 

Shrimp and Grits - VA County Ham, Brooklyn Lager Jus, Gulf Shrimp, Red Onion, Local Upstate Grits 
The shrimp was very fresh and plump but I disliked the addition of the ham. It tasted like the Chinese ham that you sautéed with vegetables and it just stringy and a bit tough. The addition of the cherry tomatoes also didn't do it for me and the grits weren't smooth or creamy enough.

Crispy Free  Range Fried Bird - Sweet Tea Brined, Lemon Dusted, Spiked Tabasco Honey 
This was the best dish of the night. The meat was very juicy extremely well flavored. The skin and coating was also crisp and not greasy at all. I also loved the tabasco honey (it tasted like the Mcwings sauce haha), it really made the dish pop. 

While some of the dishes were only ok for me, I wouldn't say that I had a bad dining experience here at all. The fried chicken was very well done and the mac and cheese looked really good on Yelp. I would not be opposed to coming here again but if you were visiting this would not be a must try. 

Root & Bone

200 East 3rd Street

New York

10009

Birds and Bubbles

Every once in a while, I have a craving for fried chicken. Birds and Bubbles sounded like a super cute concept: pairing fried chicken with champagne, so W and I decided to go there for a date night. It was a bit difficult to find as the store front was a little below ground level. The food was really hearty and delicious but I don't think it is a place that I would be dying to return to since fried chicken and southern food is not on my usual rotation of cuisines. However, I really did enjoy my dining experience here!

Forgot which drink this was but the bartender seemed adamant in saying that it's HUGE but honestly this was just dirt off our shoulders for Wyn and I :) 

Deviled Eggs 
Very decently made deviled eggs, the crispy bacon on the top was a nice touch

Shrimp and Grits This was probably one of my favorite dishes of the night. The shrimp was very plump and the sauce was extremely smokey and complex in flavor. The grits were very creamy and hearty. The table next to us ordered it as well and were so disappointed when they heard that it was sold out. The slithers of scallions was the perfect touch of freshness for this dish and the mushrooms and bacon added a great variety of flavors and textures. 

Seasonal Slaw - Apple, Pickled Mustard Seed, Sumac
This was very refreshing and I liked the addition of the apple for the different type of crispness and sweetness. This was definitely a nice refreshing change from our other more heavy dishes. 

Crispy Potato Salad - Shallot Aioli, Capers, Herbs
This was absolutely delicious and W and I both loved this! It was quite unique also and I've never really had a dish like this. The potatoes were at the perfect thickness and was so incredibly crispy while maintaining a light fluffiness inside. The shallot aioli was extremely flavorful and the creaminess was ideal with the crispy potatoes. This was absolutely addicting and a must order! 

Buttermilk Fried Chicken
This is everything you would expect from extremely well made fried chicken. The batter was very well flavored and the meat was super juicy. 

Birthday Cake 
This was probably the most disappointing dish of the night. This was very dense and nauseatingly sweet. 

It was a fine dining experience and I would recommend coming here if you have a craving for quality fried chicken and southern food. I wouldn't say that this is a place I would visit often but I would be happy to come and try other dishes! 

Birds and Bubbles 

100B Forsyth Street

New York

NY 10002

Clinton Street Baking Co. & Restaurant

Clinton Street Baking Co. & Restaurant is most famous for its fluffy pancakes, but I have actually never ordered them the two times I've been (haha and I don't have a picture of them here either... sorry). Don't get me wrong I did get a couple bites of them from my friends order but I usually just prefer savory breakfast items! The pancakes are really as good as they say it is and a must try if you like pancakes. The other items that I have ordered have also been yummy. I waited for 2 hours or more when I first went with Y and I didn't think I would go again. But when J visited we went and waited for around 40 minutes. I am so certain I have pictures from my first visit too... I will dig them up soon and do a second post since I tricked you guys who clicked in from Facebook into probably thinking there would be some close up drool worthy picture of the pancakes hehe.

Southern Breakfast - Two Eggs any Style, Sugar-cured Bacon, Cheese Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes 
This was really yummy and hit the spot. The fried green tomatoes were quite interesting and not something I've had before. Nothing spectacular, but well made and satisfying. The standout item on the plate was the SUGAR CURED BACON. I loved how the bacon was cut thickly and the sugary sweetness matched with the smokiness of the bacon was just pure perfection. I really loved putting all the components of the dish into one perfect bite. The eggs were runny and creamy and was so good with the crispy tomatoes, the bacon added that savory and smoky element, and lastly the cheesy grits ended it all with a bang! 

I think Clinton Street provides very satisfying and well made dishes in a bright and friendly environment, but I would not wait more than 2 hours a second time. The pancakes really do not disappoint so it is worth a wait if you've never been, but you should put your name down and go grab a coffee or shop around if you decide to come here.

Clinton Street Baking Co. & Restaurant

4 Clinton Street (between East Houston and Stanton)

New York

NY10002

Jacob's Pickles

I am actually not much of a pickles fan but T loves pickles and Jacob's Pickles was listed as one of yummiest restaurants in the UWS so I decided to come here with T during his NYC visit. It was only 1 subway stop away from me so it was a perfect pre-class lunch spot. Apart from its pickles, Jacob's Pickles is also famous for its biscuits. The servings are GINORMOUS so make sure you come hungry or be ready to pack some leftovers to go. The atmosphere was very cute and service was friendly and warm.

Deviled Eggs
The deviled eggs were well seasoned but the serving was just too big for two people. One half of the egg was enough for me. 

Chicken, Bacon, and Egg on a Biscuit with a side of Cheese Grits
The grits were very creamy and lush. I used to not like grits but I think it was just because I had a very horrible version of them. Now I know that they can be so delicious! The picture may be misleading but this biscuit was the side of my face and 1/4 of this would probably be enough to have me stuffed. The chicken was thick and juicy and the outside was crispy and not too heavily breaded. The biscuit was moist on the inside and delectably crumbly on the outside. 

Mushroom Gravy
Since I am greedy I also ordered the mushroom gravy. It was nice and creamy but I did not think it was mindblowing. It was a bit like Campbells cream of mushroom soup...? I have not have had a ton of gravy in my life so maybe that's how its suppose to taste like but I was not particularly amazed by this. 

Chicken and Pickles on a Biscuit 
The chicken was the same delicious type that I had and T said that the pickles were very good! 

Yolkporn oh yes

Jacob's Pickles is a great spot for lunch and I would definitely be happy to return. I don't think I can eat this too often as it is quite heavy but it was a very enjoyable experience.

Jacob's Pickles

509 Amsterdan Avenue 

Between 84th and 85th Street

Upper West Side
New York

NY 10024

USA

Spoonful

For the first two nights in LA we stayed at very interesting house with a homeowner named Tari. The house was seriously one of a kind with a trampoline, stripper pole, dance/yoga studio, and even a tight rope... We found this peculiar property on Air BnB and found Tari to be extremely friendly and welcoming. Tari initially asked if we wanted vegetarian food for lunch but that was politely shot down so we decided to eat at a cute little southern restaurant called Spoonful instead. Our server was very sweet and made us feel very at home at the small eatery. The menu was also quite enticing and it was a miracle that we didn't over order (my specialty).

Country Chili with Cornbread
The chili was rich, meaty, and of the perfect consistency. The flavors were spot on and it was really comforting and enjoyable to eat. The corn bread was some of the best I've ever had, it was moist and the sweetness of the corn really shone through. The cornbread along with the rich chili made a delectable combination. Yum! 

mmm golden goodness

Fried Chicken Plate with Collard Greens and Macaroni and Cheese
The chicken was super juicy and tender and was encased in a very well seasoned batter. The batter was perfectly crunchy and not overly greasy. The collard greens were a little bit too salty for my liking but it was interesting as I barely ever eat collard greens. The mac and cheese was quite decent and very cheesy and hot. I suppose the sauce could have used a more flavorful cheese as it wasn't very distinctly flavored but it was still tasty. 

Shrimp Po'boy with Sweet Potato Fries
This sandwich was delishhhh! The shrimp was large and juicy and was deep fried (yes I know this was definitely a fatty meal). The spicy remoulade gave the sandwich a nice kick and everything just went together so well to create a bomb sandwich. The sweet potato fries were subpar however as they weren't crispy enough.

The food was very decent and I enjoyed my lunch here. However this wouldn't be a restaurant that I would specifically want to return to when I am in LA as it wasn't mind blowing. But if you are in the area and want some quality southern food do stop by!

Spoonful

3413 Cahuenga Blvd W

Los Angeles 

CA 90068

USA

Restoration

Ugh been on a hiatus again but thanks to the persistent T I promise that I will be churning out backlogged reviews in the upcoming days! I've been dying to try Restoration since a friend told me about the amazing Christmas meal that she had there. Southern Creole food is not something that I have very often and reviews have been incredibly favorable for Restoration. I was told that it was a good idea to go with a big group since servings are quite large and after scanning the menu I noticed that everything was quite heavy as well. I when I finally got a group together so I could order everything to my hearts content (anyone who knows me well would know how greedy I am and how much I love over-ordering). My mom always limits the amount of dishes I order which would cause me to very upset. I don't waste the food either I am always extremely keen on leftovers but she just feels that it is excessive, meh.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is quite charming and comfortable. The space is small and dimly lit and we were promptly given a nice warm loaf of bread and butter. The hostess was very friendly and made some helpful recommendations of wine. Service could be slightly more attentive in terms of the other waiters as there were multiple times where I had to search around for a server. One other small note was that at the end of our meal the we could hear the junior chefs talking amongst themselves and swearing and that was not very professional. 

Seafood Gumbo - Crab, Shrimp, Oysters, Popcorn Rice 
I think it may actually be my first time having gumbo! The gumbo had a strong and robust flavor and had generous amounts of seafood. The consistency was just thick enough without being too lumpy and it definitely piqued my appetite for the meal ahead! 

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes - Lemon Aioli, Herb Salad, Basil Oil
The crab cakes were filled with lovely chunks of crab meat and the outside was fried very well. The flavor was also well done. I think it was a TAD too soft for my liking but overall this was a very solid crab cake. 

Stuffed Blackened Catfish - Jumbo Lump Crab Filling, Lemon Brown Butter
Bestie C told me that this was her favorite dish when she dined here so I made sure to order it. I think the dish was actually flavored well but when I cut into the middle segment I realized that my piece was completely raw! It was a bit nauseating but since the rest of the food was so good I did not want to make a big deal out of this. I told the waitress who apologized but this was a bit shocking as the fish was quite thin and should be cooked quite easily! Hopefully I will be able to enjoy a properly cooked version of this dish on my next visit since I have faith in C's taste.

Crispy Pork Belly, Slow-cooked, Molasses BBQ Sauce
This was another one of C's recommendations and it was absolutely glorious. Every fatty bite was worth the calories. The skin was deliciously crunchy and the meat did not turn dry even though it was deep fried. The fatty bits did not feel disgusting greasy and was decadent and flavorful. I would definitely spend an extra 30 minutes on the treadmill for this!

Jack's Fried Chicken - Tobasco Aioli, Watermelon Pickles
This dish is one of Restoration's most famous dishes and I can definitely see why! Fried chicken may seem like a simple food but as J and I discussed very GOOD fried chicken requires a lot of skill. The batter was just the perfect amount, not too thick not too thin. This crispy flavorful batter encased the juicy succulent chicken meat and although I was already quite full I could not stop nomming on a massive piece of this chicken. The tobasco aioli was also the perfect compliment to the chicken by providing a luscious creamy component with a spicy kick. 

Rosemary Fries
mmm these were very very good. Just order them! 

M7 Australian Wagyu Porterhouse
I usually don't swear too much on this blog but holy shit this steak just blew my mind. The fat was distributed meticulously throughout the meat and it just melted in my mouth. The flavor of the meat was also flawless and each bite resulted in another "omg" look from every one of us. My friend J claims that he usually is not a big fan of steak but even he was won over by this steak. The bone was such a treat and J, M, and I took turns nomming on it.

Ridiculousness - Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich
The cookie was thick and relatively chewy but the ice cream left much to the desired. It tasted like whipped cream and was not creamy or rich enough at all. We initially actually thought it was the whip cream and asked for an extra scoop of ice cream. It was only after this that we realized this whimpy glob was the ice cream. 

Bourbon Pecan Pie
This was not exactly the most photogenic dessert out there but it was quite rich and decadent. I haven't had a lot of pecan pies before so I can't be the biggest judge of how good this was but this overall was decent. The crust could be slightly more flaky and once again the horrendous ice cream was present.

Banana Fosters - Spiced Rum Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream
UGH this ice cream just won't leave me alone! This was easily my favorite dessert but it also makes you wonder why you are paying such a premium price for a dish that can be easily recreated at home. Apart from this, this dish was a lovely sweet end to our meal that wasn't too heavy.

Spiced Pumpkin - Graham Cracker, Apple, Bleu Cheese, Vanilla Ice Cream
I swear this vanilla ice cream is in every single dessert... This dish was quite frankly disgusting. The bleu cheese did not go well with the pumpkin pie at all and presentation wise this was also rather ugly. 

Root Beer Float
I am not a huge fan of root beer and that blasted ice cream was also in this again but my friends thought this was good.

Overall I enjoyed my dining experience at Restoration very much. The food was really good apart from the catfish and the desserts. I think Restoration DEFINITELY needs to improve its ice cream quality along with its desserts but I would return again just for the appetizers and mains.

Restoration

1/F

No. 68 Wyndham Street

Central

Hong Kong