NEW YORK 'S BEST BURGER

WHITE MANNA

Hackensack, NJ

One of The NEW YORK Area's

BEST BURGERS

And Coolest All-Around Burger Experience

In The NEW YORK METRO AREA

NEW YORK'S BEST BURGER

SHAKE SHACK

SHACK BURGER

NEW YORK'S TOP BURGER

KEITH RICHARDS COOKS

THE ROLLING STONE

KEITH RICHARDS FAVORITE COOKBOOK

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Keith McNally Closing Pulino

Keith McNally To Close Pulino's

A New Restuarant "Cherche Midi"

Will Be Opened in Its Place By McNally

Mr. McNally Will Be Doing What He Does Best

"FRENCH BISTROS"

Great Idea Keith

The Master of New York Restaurants "Keith McNally," forget it Drew "You Are Way Behind Keith," (Drew Nierporent), Mr. McNally will for the first time be shuttering a restaurant. Word has it that Keith McNally will be closing his Pizza Inspire Restaurant on the corner of Bowery and Houston "Pulino's" this January. McNally who has been a hugely sucessful restuarantuer since his opening of The ODEON in 1981, along with Cafe Luxenbourg, Nell's, Lucky Strike, Pravda, Balthazar, Schiller's, Pastis, Morandi, Minetta Tavern (my favorite for the past 3 years), and now we guess the unsucessful Pulino. Hey Keith, we love you, and I have been one of your biggest advocates, "Your a Genius" of the business, but lets face it, despite Morandi (which I never go to unless dragged there), "Italian Is Not Your Bag." Yes, Morandi is highly sucessful, but for me, a Italian-AMerican and someone who has been to Italy some 14 times, Morandi reminds me of a Italian Restaurant that would be in Disneyland, in-other-words, "Fake Faux Italian," and for me or anyone to say that about a Kieth McNally Restaurant, is not good. Morandi is for "non-Italian" Folllowers, and so too was and is "Pulino's." Lets get back to what mr. McNally is "Great" at, and that is French Bistros, which he does so well, brillantly in fact. From the Grand Bistro Brasserie Balthazar, to Pastis, and Luck Strike and soon to be Cherche Midi which we are sure will be wonderfu. "We're hoping anyway."

I's like to just mention someone who helped Keith McNally become the famed restaurantuer he is today. Let's remeber the Great Patrick Clarke who in my opinion was one of the Greates Chefs to ever don a Toque (Chefs Hat) in the great city of New York. Patrick Clarke was Keith McNally's first chef at his first restaurant The Odeon down on West Broadway in Tribeca. His food was marvelous, I know, I worked at Odeon and Luxenbourg for the man when I was a cook just starting out, a few years before I became a chef myself. Patrick was a black kid from Brooklyn who followed in hsi fathers and uncles footsteps as a chef. He attended New york Technical College Food & Restaurant program (as did I .. His uncle was 1 of my professors and cosuin one of my classmates). Patrick went on to study and work with Michel Guerard. Patrick came back to New York and was the Chef at the famed nightclub Regine's before being scoffed-up by McNally to head the kitchen at Odeon.  He was one of the Greatest Chefs in the history of New York, noone ever talks about him, so just wanted to give one of my idols a nod that he way more than deserves. Patrick Clarke passed away a few years ago at the age of 42 .. R.I.P. For those who really know about food and aren't one of the followers who go to places like Morandi, or watch thos "Horrible Food Host on The Aweful Food Network," they know of the Great Patrick Clarke, a "Real Chef" in every sense of the word.

So, yes Keith McNally is a master of the restaurant business and especially at creating wonderful French Bistros in New York. H e has great concepts, picks great locations, he actually creates neighborhoods like Tribeca and The Meatpacking District which were both dessolate and not very cool neighborhoods until McNally opened restaurants in Tribecca and the Meatpacking District. We look foward to Mr. McNally's Cherche Midi and wish him well. Bravo Keith!

Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

The CRONUT Is GOING on SHAKE SHACK MENU ???

CROUNUT HOLE CONCRETE DAY

at SHAKE SHACK

Chef Dominique Ansel

Shack Burger

A Foodie's Dream, it said on the Shake Shack Website, speaking of what was billed as

Cronut Concrete Day at The Shake Shack Flagship Madison Square Park location on September 17, 2013 to Benifit The NY Police Widows & Childrens Fund and The Madison Square Park Conservancy. Uber-Hot Pastry Chef of The Moment, the creator of the Uber famous Cronut, Chef Dominique Ansel joined forces with Danny Myer and Shake Shack combining what is arguably New York's Best and most beloved Burger Joint, The Shack Shack with 2013's Hottest Food Item and story the Cronut which is Half Donut & Half Croissant into one tasty little pastry. New Yorkers line up for both. They are both super tasty items that are at the top of their games, and both democratically affordable for just about anyone, with a Cronut going for $5.00 and a Shack Burger at just about 5 Bucks as well at $4.90 ...  They are both as tasty as can be, and I will  go on record for about the 20th time right hear and now, since we're speaking of it, The Shake Shack Burgers are without a doubt New York's Best, A # 1, Best Burgers in Town .. I don't care if you say it's The Black Label Burger at Minetta Tavern, "No Way," and actually thier less hyped Minetta Burger is the "better burger" at Minetta .. No, it's not The Brindel Burger which Josh Ozersky has now marked as his choice of NY'S # 1 Top Burger. No I like the Brindel Burger, but the Shack Burger has it beat for the true great American Burger. Yeah, I like the Burger at Peter Luger which is a sort of un-known secret and great value, but Shake Shack's Burger is better. I love PJ Clarke's and JG Melon is in my top 3 New York Burgers, but I'll still give an edge to Shake Shack. Well, there I go and said it again, Shake Shack Burger is the Best ..

Dam, I went off track there for a minute. Sorry, couldn't help it, when I'm on the subjects of Burgers and the awesome and wonderful Shake Shack.

Back to the Cronut and Cronut Concrete Day at the Shake Shack. The people at Shake Shack and Dominique Ansel, the Cronut Person put together a day to raise money for two great foundations, combining New York's Best Burger and NY'S Hottest new sweet dessert treat the Cronut. The Cronut offering was actually a collaborative effort combining Shake Shack's Butter Caramel Frozen Custard in a paper cup with Cinnamon Sugar Cronut Holes on top. Wow!

The day was a huge success with many happy fans of both items. And it has us wondering will Danny Myer be putting together a deal to bring the Cronut permanently to The Shake Shack? Hhmmm!!???? Would be interesting and quite wonderful. Time will tell ....

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

OLD-TIME NEW YORK BARS

    Grand Daddy of All Old New York Bars 1.   McSorley's Old Ale House .. East 7th Street, East Village, New York 2.   Old Town Bar ... East 18th Street, Union Square, New York 3.   Pete's Tavern  ... Irving Place, Gramercy Park, NY, NY 4.   White Horse Tavern .. Hudson Street, Greenwich Village 5.    PJ Clarke's ... 3rd Avenue at 55th Street, Midtown, NY NY 6.    Ear Inn  .... Spring Street, Soho  7.    Fanelli's Cafe  ... Prince Street, Soho 8.    Peter McManus ... 7th Avenue at 18th Street, Chelsea 9.    Minetta Tavern .. Macdougal Street, Greenwich Village

PJ CLARKE'S

 

 

 

photo Daniel Bellino Zwicke

 

 

 

 

 

WAVERLY INN

 

 

photo Daniel Bellino Zwicke

 

 

 

 

 

WHITE HORSE TAVERN

 

 

 

 

PETE'S TAVERN

 

Gramercy Park

 

NEW YORK,  NY

 

Since 1864

 

photo Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

 

 

 

 

OLD TOWN BAR

 

FLATIRON NEW YORK

 

 

Inside The OLD TOWN BAR

 

18th STREET

 

between BROADWAY & PARK AVENUE

 

 

 

 

A Beautiful Watercolor Painting of FANELLI'S

 

 

 

FANELLI'S

 

Prince Street, Soho,  New York, NY

 

Since 1847 ???

 

 

 

MINETTA TAVERN

 

Macdougal Street & Minetta Lane

 

GREENWICH VILLAGE

 

 

photo Daniel Bellino Zwicke

 

 

 

 

 

PETER McMANUS

 

 

CHELSEA

 

New York, NY

 

 

La TAVOLA is NEW YORK ITALIAN

 

 

 

 

 

SUNDAY SAUCE

AMAZON.com

SECRET ITALIAN RECIPES

 

The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

 

The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

 

COLLECTED RECIPES of The DUDE

 

by Daniel Zwicke

AMAZON.com

 

 

NEW YORK'S TOP BURGER?

New York's Top Burger? I big question and one that will get a number of answers and some heated debate. Is it The Black Label Burger at Minetta Tavern? No way, and oh by-the-way, when it comes to Minetta and their Burgers, they have two the famed Black Label Burger and The Minetta Burger. Guess what? The Minetta Burger is much better.

New York's Best Burger, is it The Bistro Burger at The Corner Bistro which was voted new York's top Burger more than 30 and I would say is The babe Ruth of New York Burgers. Corner Bistro was thee Burger bar of Choice for a long time, way before the current Burger Craze which I think you can say satarted 5 or 7 years ago back around 2006  ... The Corner Bistro has been famous for it's burger since the 1970's ... The have a good burger, it's not great but good, but at just $6,50 and with $2.50 mugs of McSorley's Ale to go with it, the Corner Bistro, though no longer New York's Top Burger, it is though, New York's Top Burger & Beer Deal in the city.

New York's Best Burger, is it The Burger Joint? Nope, not even close. 

Well, I could go on even further  but I'll Spill The Beans here and now. New York's top Burger is at JG Melon. Or is it The Shake Shack. I don't know. Well, I do in a way. They're both # 1 in My Book. The Burger at JG Melon is awesome. It's tasty and quite possibly New York's Best, but then again I sometimes feel, it's Shake Shack. They're both excellent Burgers, that have  the true great burger taste. Both made from top quality meat and both cooked on Flat-Top Grills which is of utter importance in making a great burger. You can't make the Best Burger if you use a slotted grill or broiler to cook the burger. The Burgers must cook in their own fat on a Flat-Top Grill in order to reach the optimum tastiest burger taste possible. The burger needs to be completely browned and slightly crispy on every bit of surface on both sides of the burger. This browning  that caramelizes the beef and brings out all the tasty wonderful flavors can only be achieved in a Flat-Top Grill or pan. Those who use  a broiler or slotted grill will never acheive perfect bigger perfection no matter how hard they try, and the way that both the Shake Shack and JG Melon do. Shack Burger and JG Melon Burger are New York's Top and Best Burger, both tied for the Best.

BAR at JG MELON

BURGER 

SHAKE SHACK

BELLINO & MINETTA BURGER vs OZERSKY & BLACK LABEL

MINETTA TAVERN

  photo Copyright Daniel Bellino-Zwicke    

The BLACK LABEL BURGER

MINETTA TAVERN

GREENWICH VIALLGE, NEW YORK

READ About BELLINO'S BETTER BURGER

    MINETTA BURGER "IT'S BETTER THAN THE BLACK LABEL BURGER" Minetta Tavern, Greenwich Village, New York, NY   "Yes," Minetta Tavern's Second-Tier Burger, The "Minetta Burger" is without question thee "Better Burger" served at Minetta Tavern. Noted Foodie, Writer (The Hamburger) Burger Authority Josh Ozersky would disagree. Well, Mr. Ozersky is entitled to his opinion, as well as I and Thousands of others and the majority who like the Minetta Burger better than the now Highly Touted Minetta Tavern Black Label Burger, who some feel is the top burger in New York, even the World some say.

So, I'm wondering if some say the Minetta Black Label Burger is New York's Best and even the World's, does that make The Minetta Burger, according to myself and the majority of those polled, "New York's" even the World's Best Burger. "Not quite."

    This is a very subjective matter and one of personal taste. I can see why Mr. Ozersky loves the Minetta Tavern Black Label Burger so much, proclaiming it New York's Top Burger and I believe he "May" said it is The Best in The World, but I'm not absolutely sure, so don't quote me on that. Yes it is a Good Burger, and if you feel it is Great, than Yes it is Great to You and Everyone else who says it is Great. As for me, without question the "Minetta Burger" is Better, "Hell, It's Tastier" and that's all that counts isn't it. And I'll tell you why it's tastier.

   First off, the Blend and Quality of meat in the Minetta Burger is "Better for a Burger." Note that I don't say that the meat is just better, but better for making a Burger. Why? Well, Dry-Age Meat with it's powerful gamey taste is not the best taste for Ground-Meat and a Hamburger. Fresher Meat that has not been aged, is much Better for a Burger, an it Taste a Hell of a Lot Better than ground dry-aged beef which did you Know that in it's aging process is actually deteriorating? Some people like that taste. Fine. I do not, especially in ground meat and in my Burger. I'd much rather have my ground meat for a Burger Fresh.

    And did you know that the Ground Meat Blend from Pat La Frieda for the Minetta Burger is a Blend of Prime Beef Short Rib, Beef Brisket, and Beef Clod, and this blend was La Frieda's "Premium Blend" before he came up with the Black Label Blend which is Dry-Aged Rib Steak, and cost a lot more, thus the more Expensive Price of Minetta Tavern's Black Label Burger at $26.00 for the Cheaper and Superior $17.00 "Minetta Burger."

   Just because something is more Expensive, does not make it better, and the Minetta Burger vs The Black Label Burger is a Classic example of more Expensive not being better than cheaper.

Why? Well, because of our current state of a bad economy, New York Steak Houses, Restaurants, and Meat Purveyors such as Pat La Frieda and others found that expensive cuts of Beef like Prime Sirloin Steaks and Prime Dry Aged Rib Steaks were not selling as well as they used to. Expensive, people have less money. Put 2-And-2-Together. So, these meat purveyors found themselves not selling as much as the High-Ticket Cuts. What to do? Well, as a result of a Bad Economy and Boggers Loving Burgers for there Affordability and Blogability, Burgers have become Insanely Popular in the past four years or so. Pat La Frieda has a great idea, make and Market Ground High-End Cuts of Dry-Aged Beef, give it a Fancy name, "Black Label," and the rest is part of Hamburger History.

  As for me, I'll take the Better Tasting Burger that just so happens to be substantially cheaper to boot, the Minetta Burger.

by Daniel Bellino Zwicke

R.I.P. JOSH

Sadly since this posting Josh Ozersky passed away ... Josh was greatly loved by Foodies and Gourmands everywhere, but nowhere more than from his home-town fellow New Yorker's who called Josh our own .. Josh had a wonderful down-to-earth every mans look at the World of Food and dining out, and as a food-writer Josh had no equal with his special brand of food-writing and reporting that was uniquely Josh Ozersky. You've sadly passed Josh, but you'd be happy to know your great food journalism is till remembered and much loved, as are you.

BELLINO'S BETTER BURGER

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MINETTA TAVERN "The COOLEST RESTAURANT In TOWN"

Yes "The Coolest Restaurant In Town" It's The Minetta Tavern, "nothing can touch it" in The Cool Department .. This Gem of a Restaurant has  "Thank God" been preserved by Restaurant Master Genius Keith McNally who acquired the space which luckily no-one had foolishly messed with any of the marvelous 1930s Greenwich Village Decor. McNally just spruced the Tavern up and inserted renowned Chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson as Co-Executive Chefs. Keith added his special touch "He's a Master" and the rest is New York Restaurant History .  As with most of McNally's establishments Minetta Tavern quickly became the Hottest Restaurant and Hardest Table in Town, filled with: A-List Celebs and all the right people needed to make any place "Thee In-Spot" in town, the place every wants to be. Everyone in the know. In doing so, Keith McNally and his Minetta Tavern quickly became the # 1 Hottest Restaurant in town and dethroned Graydon Carter's "Waverly Inn" as the Top Celebrity Central Restaurant in New York, and a few years down the road, Minetta Tavern still is "The Place to Be."

Photo Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

 

 

 

    The place has the most wonderful ambiance imaginable, with tons of energy (from the Crowd), and Very Good Solid Bistro-Steak House Fare, along with two of the top Burgers in Town.     And speaking of the Burgers, take it from an expert "Me" The Minetta Burger is Superior to The Black label Burger which all the "Followers" think is the better of the two "Not." !!! Hey they're followers.    Yes Minetta Tavern is The Coolest Restaurant in town, with wonderful Cool, warm and exciting ambiance, excellent service, and dam good Eats. Check it! 

  Daniel Bellino Zwicke

MINETTA TAVERN

GREENWICH VILLAGE NYC

Photo Daniel Zwicke

SUNDAY SAUCE

NEW YORK ITALIAN RECIPES

CLICK HERE !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keith McNally to Re-Open MINETTA TAVERN

Keith McNally, the man who brought New York some of its most wonderful Landmarks in the form of the ODEON, Cafe Luxenbourg, Lucky Strike, Pravda, Balthazar, and Pastis is at it again. He has purchase the venerable old Greenwich Village institution "The MINETTA TAVERN" on Macdougald Street at the corner of Minetta Lane. Mr. McNally will be opening the Minetta Tavern sometime in the early part of 2009 with Executive Chefs RIAD NASIR and Lee Hansen who both helped Keith open and operate Balthazar, Pastis, and Schiller's. The food is supposed to be Classic French.

COOLEST PLACES to EAT in NEW YORK

Here are three "GREAT" places to go to eat in Downtown Manhattan;El Quijote at the famed Chelsea Hotel on West 23 rd Street for great Lobsters and Paella. The bar is

a great place to have a couple Great Cocktails as the ambiance

is Cool of Another Era Tacky. "You gotta Love IT!!"

Pearl Oyster Bar on Cornelia Street in The Village makes thee

BEST LOBSTER ROLLS in New York, even Maine. The

New England Clam Chowder is tasty as well.

Raoul's for our money is the Coolest, Hippest, Best All Around French Bistro in New York.

The food is really good, Classic Bistro Fare. The ambiance is Cool as Hell and the Music they

play, is the Best in the City. Raoul's is on Prince Street near Sullivan in Soho. "It's Great!!!!"

MINETTA TAVERN, Macdougal Street at Minetta Lane, Greenwich Village, New York ...    Without Question the Coolest Restaurant in Town ... This great old Greenwich Village Bar / Restaurant was the In-Spot of Prize Fighters, Newsmen, Sports Fihures, and the Downtown Elite way back in the 30s & 40s when the affable Eddy Minetta rant the joint. For the past 30 years or so, Minetta Tavern was run quietly and devoid of any fanfare by a string of owner who never did very much with the place. The Master Restaurantuer KEITH McNALLY got his hands on the place, kept everything more-or-less the same (allof the wonderful old decor was intact). Keith spruced the place up a bit, hired a couple great chefs, lent his Magic Touch and the place has been packed ever since. A major New York Celebrity Haunt as all of Keith's restaurants are, Minetta Tavern is the coolest place in town. Famed for its wonderful decor, massive Steaks done French Style, Marrow Bones, and Burgers, The Black Label Burger and the Minetta Burger .. Minetta Tavern can't be beat.


  Article and all photos Copyright Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

Original article 2008 .. Updated 2014