A Happy Accident - Craftbar

I had only planned on attending 5 restaurants for Restaurant Week, but on Friday my sister and I decided to go see Friends with Benefits (meh, it was ok) and she suggested we eat at Crafbar since it was across from the theater. Sure, I said. Then I received a text: "Craftbar is doing lunch for restaurant week!" Crap. Thus Craftbar turned into #6.

This was my first time actually dining at a Colicchio establishment, having only been to 'wichcraft for a quick breakfast. I really like where the restaurant is located because it's right in between Union Square and the Flat Iron. Super easy to get to and lots of stuff going on around the neighborhood.

First course I chose their Pecorino Risotto Balls that came on top of a spicy tomato sauce. It's no secret that I love fried food. I think that's what happens when you grow up in a Dominican/Peruvian household. These were unbelievably delicious but I would have liked them even more if they were filled with cheese. It's not that I don't like risotto, because I do, and I have great respect for people who can make it (apparently it's super easy to over cook), but there's something about fried-something with cheese inside that makes my heart melt. The sauce was just perfect with the right amount of kick. Easily an 8 out of 10.

Second course I went with something light because it was still early and I didn't want anything too heavy. In came the Eggplant & Goat Cheese Panino, marinated eggplant, eggplant chutney, goat cheese, and pickled vegetables. I really don't like eggplant and I avoid it at all costs. I have a love affair with goat cheese, however. So, whenever I see it's on a menu I really tend to lean towards that particular dish. This was one of the best paninis I've ever had. I don't know if the nostalgia of being in Paris hit me as I was eating it, or if it was the crunch of the bread that did it, but goodness I devoured the whole thing making sure to take my time on each and every bite. Paninis aren't exactly something different or new, but I wanted to be bold and get it because it had eggplant and I normally don't eat that. The pickles were also insanely delicious. This guy gets 9 out of 10. Also, honorable mention to my sister's main dish which was the Veal Ricotta Meatballs with Pasta. TC is known for his meatballs so she decided to give them a try and she was pleasantly surprised. Even called them the best meatballs she's had in NYC. #Challenge.

Lastly, for dessert I ordered the Sour Cream Cake with jalapeno poached cherry and creme fraiche ice cream. I've seen chefs put sour cream into pancake mixes, waffle mixes, etc, so I knew I had to go with this option because I've always wanted to try something of this nature. The cake was very soft and I could taste the sour cream just enough to not be disgusted by it. The ice cream on the other hand I could not eat. I've had this problem before! I couldn't eat the creme fraiche on top of the waffle at Morandi's either. Maybe it was just too strong? Either way the cake made up for the ice cream so dessert gets a 7 out of 10.

24 out of 30 - not too shabby. They also have a pretty ridiculous wine menu that completely overwhlemed me. Good thing I don't drink. And P.S. I apologize as these picture are kind of awful, but I'll be bringing my legit camera with me for the future.

Craftbar
900 Broadway

Centro Vinoteca

Centro Vinoteca has been on my list of places to dine ever since Leah Cohen made her Top Chef debut a few seasons ago. You might remember her as Hosea's forbidden-love-cuddle-buddy, but I digress.

CV is kind of in (what I believe to be) a very weird location downtown. I normally get lost down there because it's where the numbered and lettered streets intersect and become one big hodgepodge of confusion. A good way to remember its location is to recognize that it's not too far from Milk & Cookies (noms).

I chose the insalata caprese - house-made mozzarella, basil pesto, sea salt & local tomatoes to start. One can argue that an insalata caprese isn't all that original and something you can nosh on at pretty much every Italian restaurant you go to. And I completely agree. Which is why I chose to have it. Part of what I love about food is comparing it to other similiar dishes I've had at other places. This insalata caprese was really nothing special, but still a nice way to start a meal. I loved the yellow tomato they added because I happen to think yellow tomatoes are completely underrated. But the mozzarella itself was nothing that jumped out at me. I'd give it a 5 out of 10.

Second course I went with the sweet pea cappelacci with lemon pressed olive oil, mint & parmesan. I had never heard of capplacci until that night, but it's pretty much a ravioli-type pasta. One thing to know about me is that I absolutely love red sauce. If I ever get a non-red pasta dish it's usually a carbonara, but most of the time I'm not a fan of any pasta dish that has an olive oil base. This dish was an INCREDIBLE surprise. No one told me that roasted corn was a part of it. Corn is probably my favorite vegetable next to cauliflower (don't judge me). The pasta itself was cooked perfectly and the sprinkled parmesan added just enough flavor without overpowering it. I'd give it 8 out of 10.

Dessert. One of my biggest pet peeves is going out to eat with people and then hearing "Oh, I don't really want dessert" or "Eh, I'm kind of full." Seriously. Unacceptable. In fact, I love dessert so much that I refuse to go to a restaurant that doesn't have a good dessert menu. What's the point? So, naturally, this is one of the best parts about restaurant week because even if you go with someone who doesn't like dessert they're forced to order something because it comes with the meal. And then they don't eat it and I get it all to myself. Totally a win win situation. This particular night I was with two other people and there were three options on the dessert menu so we got all three: strawberry shortcake, mascarpone cream & lemon curd, lancaster farm organic cream panna cotta, with vanilla bean ice cream & fresh berries, and a chocolate bread pudding with ice cream and drizzle. The strawberry shortcake was by far the best, but the only thing I wasn't a fan of was the lemon curd. I've had better panna cotta but it was still nice and creamy and the chocolate bread pudding was equally satisfying. All in all dessert was a 9 out of 10.

That leaves us with 22 out of 30. I would go back and give some other dishes a try, for sure. The downstairs is a lot more inviting and fun than the upstairs. Looks like a fun spot for a drink or first date as well.

Centro Vinoteca
74 Seventh Avenue South