Tag Archives: NYC Restaurant

Community Food & Juice: Fresh & Fantastic Fare

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Weekend=brunch. Sunny long weekend=outdoor brunch. There is no better place to settle in for a delicious cup of joe and ‘egg’cellent sunnyside-up-something, than my favorite UWS-get-your-morning-going hot spot, Community Food & Juice. Usually buzzing with Columbia students and adventurous eaters willing to explore a 3-digit neighborhood {located @ 112th/broadway across from the Tom’s, the infamous Seinfeld diner}, C F&J lures brunchers with seasonal, local and organic fare that is simple, yet unique.

Orange Juice sound good? Try blending it with their freshly squeezed carrot juice for an ultra-orange, vitamin C-packed morning refresher that will help clear away the fuzzy head. Or if you’re more of a hair-of-the-dog kind of person, I highly recommend the Wasabi Prairie Mary that features house made bloody mary mix and wasabi powder for that extra kick that any good Mary requires. As for the more substantial part of the meal, you really can’t go wrong. The blueberry pancakes with maple butter syrup are one of the most popular dishes and have diners sopping up that liquid gold and asking for more. My favorite dish is a slightly new twist on an old classic. The B.E.L.T. is what a true breakfast sammie should be — double cut applewood bacon, a runny sunny-side-up organic egg, lettuce, tomato & mayo served on sourdough toast with a side of carrot hash browns. Is there really anything more you need to start your morning out right?

The Skim: Forget the breakfast sandwich from the cart guy on the corner and treat yourself to fantastic, fresh fare at Community Food & Juice. While most restaurants consider brunch a money making complement to their main dinner menu, C F&J’s brunch is the standout favorite meal of the day. So go on and get Juiced! {2893 Broadway, btw 112th/113th}


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August in April

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You may think I’m talking about all the 70-degree weather we’ve been in having, but in fact I’m referring to dinner at August, a small refuge that satisfies both appetite and ambiance. Both the heated outdoor atrium and the narrow candlelit front room — showcasing a wood-fired oven and reminiscent of an underground wine cellar — provide ideal settings for a memorable meal.

We shared two starters, the first was a Striped Bass Tartar laden with fresh herbs, pistachios and a citrus vinaigrette, which had the perfect contrast of fresh and earthy flavors with a surprising, but subtle chili pepper kick. The second, was what they called an Asparagus Mimosa — I like it already! Farm fresh asparagus tossed in a light dijon sauce and topped with radish shavings, served with an unexpected poached egg custard dusted with bottarga. Mustard is my favorite secret ingredient, so this punchy, peppery, creamy, salty combination is high on my list. For my entree, I went with our waiter’s recommendation and something I would not normally order — Roasted Duck. Served with a ginger cavatelli, rhubarb, and spring onions, I again was overwhelmed by the unique earthy flavors with a pleasantly surprising zest in each bite. As much as I truly enjoyed my dish, I admittedly had a bit of food envy when I tried a bite of the homemade gnocchi served with merguez sausage, spring peas and stinging nettles. Nettle what? Do not be afraid, nettles are a plant with toxic, stinging hairs, which are perfectly edible once cooked. I hope.

If all that complex flavor talk scares you {and it shouldn’t}, then check out their casual ‘Pies & Peronis’ Sunday night dinners — featuring a selection of Old World Style pizzas from the wood burning oven, served with a bucket of Peronis for $25. Sounds like a perfect diversion from the fast approaching Monday morning blues.

The Skim: Beyond the A+ atmosphere, the menu contributes some very unique, but simple, fresh flavor combinations that makes August worth coming back to…in May, June, July or any other month. {359 Bleeker Street btw Charles & West 10th}


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