Top 9 Innovative Dishes You Must Try At NYC’s #1 Restaurant For Foodies

Embark on a culinary journey to explore the impressive menu at Kingsley, a modern American restaurant in Alphabet City of NYC that was voted as OpenTable’s #1 restaurant “Fit for Foodies.” Opened in December 2015, this hidden gem by the talented young Chef Roxanne Spruance seamlessly fuses seasonal, market-driven ingredients to all of its mouthwatering offerings.

Charred Octopus ($14)

Pieces of perfectly charred octopus that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside sit atop a bed of dandelion greens with pine nut butter. The foamy garlic milk adds a dimension of fun.

Roasted Bone Marrow ($14)

Rich bone marrow topped with shallot, tarragon, braised beef tongue, and tempura bites has all the flavors and texture you will ever desire. Wash down the richness of the dish with a shot of date-sherry.

Morel Mushrooms ($17)

Well-seasoned, chewy morel mushrooms is garnished with wood sorrel and dashi. You will want a spoon to eat this vegetarian dish to soak in all the poached egg yolk underneath the mushroom.

Chawanmushi ($15)

A classic dish found at a Japanese restaurant, Chef Roxanne’s chawanmushi (egg and dashi custard) has elevated to a new level. The fruity and savory flavors from king crab, green strawberries, buddah’s hand, rhubarb, and lovage are addicting to your palate.

Celeriac Agnolotti ($17)

Experience the ultimate flavor-and-texture firework in your mouth with this dish, which fuses rich seared foie gras, savory mesquite cake, and celeriac agnolotti with crunchy sunflower and sweet black pepper gastrique.

Mushroom Noodles ($15)

This glazed wide rice noodle dish is reminiscent of pad see ew, but with much more complex and sophisticated taste. Enjoy the variety of wild mushrooms sauteed in sweet soy sauce with Asian broccoli and silky rice noodle.

Scallops ($32)

Three beautifully seared, plump scallops maintain tyeir perfectly juicy and tender textures on the inside. The colorful beets are pleasing both to the eyes and the mouth. The flavor of the dish is further enhanced by the likes of horseradish, white soy ponzu, and wasabi

Monkfish ($29)

The monkfish, while slightly on the dry side, is drizzled with citrus-y, yuzu glaze and mint yogurt. The fish sits on a bed of crunchy green almonds and English peas.

Yuzu Curd ($13)

The combination of thick, rich yuzu cream with pate sucree, or pastry dough enriched with egg yolks and suga, is absolutely irresistible. The garnish on top is even more elaborate - rhubarb, crunchy pistachio, thin, crispy sugar “wall,” and a whisk of cotton candy that just melts in your mouth. You got yourself the perfect dessert to wrap up this amazing culinary journey.

Restaurant Review: From Presentation To Flavor, Hakkasan Delivers Delicious Dining Experience

Hakkasan Group

Dining at Hakkasan in Manhattan’s Theater District is more than just an experience - it’s an exquisite culinary journey through the restaurant’s innovative dishes that showcase traditional Cantonese cuisine with a modern twist. This year, I got to partake in Hakkasan’s celebration of the Year of the Monkey by attending its Chinese New Year dinner, which featured a limited edition menu created by International Executive Chef Ho Chee Boon.

Double Boiled Fresh Ginseng and Chicken Soup

Designed with the hope of bringing joy, luck, and prosperity to the diners, the elaborate pre fixe dinner began with a bowl of Double Boiled Fresh Ginseng and Chicken Soup. The soup was an excellent start to the meal as the flavorful broth enriched with ginseng, tender chicken breasts, bamboo pith, and wolfberry warmed my soul.

Diced Wagyu Beef & Pine Nut Golden Cup

The next course of “Small Eat” included Diced Wagyu Beef & Pine Nut Golden Cupand a selection of Hakkasan’s signature Steamed Dim Sum Platter. The finely diced, juicy wagyu beef and pine nuts were piled on top of lightly fried, crispy cup. Beyond the complexity of flavor and texture in the dish, I was impressed with the beautiful plating that highlighted natural colors of pomegranate seeds, micro greens, and flower petals.

Steamed Dim Sum Platter

There were four different varieties of dim sum in the Steamed Dim Sum Platter. My favorite was the Scallop Shumai. Wrapped inside chewy dumpling skin was a plump piece of shrimp and scallop with a scoop of caviar roe on top. The only disappointment in the platter was the Duck & Yam Bean Dumpling; the gravy-like, thick sauce on top of the dim sum, as well as the combination of mushy yam and salty duck, was not pleasing to the mouth.

Pipa Duck and Roasted Chilean Sea Bass

The shareable “Main” course featured a generous portion of four dishes and fried rice. My favorite was a tie between the Pipa Duck and the Roasted Chilean Sea Bass. The Pipa Duck had beautifully crispy, golden skin with juicy, albeit fatty, meat. The hoisin sauce at the bottom added pleasantly sweet end note. The Chilean sea bass, glazed with Chinese honey, was so succulent that it just melted in my mouth. I particularly enjoyed the tempura battered mushroom on top of the sea bass.

Wok-Fry Lobster, Hericium Mushrooms, and Scallop & Crab Fried Rice

Other dishes in the “Main” course included Wok-Fry Lobster in spicy truffle sauce with asparagus, mushroom, and carrots, and the vegetarian Hericium Mushrooms stir fried with lotus root, asparagus, and lily bulb in black pepper sauce. The Scallop & Crab Meat fried rice was the perfect accompaniment to the generally salty main entrees.

Golden Halo

To sweeten the palate, the dinner concluded with Golden Halo, an intricate dessert of soy caramel, cubed banana with edible gold flakes, chocolate truffle, and candied peanuts. Oh, and don’t forget about the dust of gold on the plate! At the end of the dinner, I also got to write my wish on a gold ribbon to hang in the restaurant and received a farewell gift of Year of the Monkey gold coin as a sign of good fortune. I have a feeling 2016 will be a prosperous year after this delicious Chinese New Year meal at Hakkasan!

Ultimate Guide To Experiencing The Mississippi Gulf Coast, The Pearl In An Oyster

Spanning a total of 12 cities along the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is like a glistening pearl inside an oyster that has yet to be discovered. While each of these cities has its own unique characteristic - from the charming Bay St. Louis to the beachfront Biloxi - one thing about the Mississippi Gulf Coast remains consistent across all cities: its perfect blend of natural beauty with exhilarating activities and genuine Southern hospitality will make you want to visit the region over and over again.

How to Get to Mississippi Gulf Coast

Located between Mobile and New Orleans, Mississippi Gulf Coast can be best reached from the nearby Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, the hub for those traveling from afar. The airport serves three major airlines including American Airlines, Delta, and United with direct flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, and Houston. You can also take a scenic, 1-hour drive along the coast from New Orleans to the west or Mobile to the east.

Where to Stay on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Suite-style lodging at the South Beach Biloxi Hotel & Suites

Sonheim Photography

While there are several casinos and mega hotels lined up along Beach Blvd. in Biloxi, opt for the cozy yet spacious South Beach Biloxi Hotel & Suites for a suite-style, family-friendly lodging. As Biloxi’s only hotel located directly on the beach, this all-suite hotel offers a breathtaking, panoramic view of the gulf from the balcony where you can watch the sun rise or catch a sunset. Some suites are also equipped with a full kitchen, washer and dryer, and other amenities to provide a feel of being at home.

What to Do on Mississippi Gulf Coast

Revive the rich history at Beauvoir

J.D.R. Hawkins

A former home of Jefferson Davis, the only President of the Confederate States of America, the beautifully restored Beauvoir is a majestic, 51-acre estate that features a rose garden, confederate soldiers’ cemetery, nature trails, and the Presidential Library. Revive the rich history of the American South by visiting the gulf-facing, National Historic Landmark where Jefferson Davis once wrote his memoirs.

Discover the coast from a new perspective withPaddles Up

Whether you are a newbie or an experienced paddle boarder, you can be at one with the water when you take a stand up paddle boarding or a yoga session with Paddles Up, which offers lessons, rentals, and retail in stand up paddle boards and accessories. Row out to the gentle gulf on a paddle board, where you can test your balance and strengthen your core, all the while discovering the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast from a whole new perspective.

Tour a craft brewery at Chandeleur Brewing Company

Started by twin brothers Cain and Cam Roberds, Chandeleur Brewing Companyoffers tour and tasting at its brewery located in downtown Gulfport. With the purchase of a ticket, you can get a behind-the-scenes look at craft brewing and sample delicious beers made using the freshest malted barley, hops, and local ingredients. Try a sample of Surfside Wheat Ale, which has an interesting flavor profile of spicy Germany hops and fresh pineapple juice, or Curlew’s Toasted Coconut Porter, which is infused with a touch of coconut.

Enjoy the natural beauty of Deer Island

Bask in the natural beauty of Mississippi Gulf Coast by taking a quick boat ride or kayaking toDeer Island, which is located just a quarter mile away from the shore. Boasting rich resources and wildlife with beautifully conserved walking trails managed by theDepartment of Marine Resources, Deer Island recently welcomed a new, 170-foot pier on its north side to expand public access to the island and to promote eco-tourism on Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Learn about the Sea Life at the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum

With the mission of preserving the maritime history and heritage of Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts and photographs that focus on the wealthy sea life in the region. The newly built, three-floor museum features an array of exhibits that ranges from charter boats to shrimping to net making, as well as valuable artifacts like the original Ship Island lighthouse lens and the U.S.S. Biloxi bell.

Get pampered at Senses Spa and Salon

IP Casino Resort

Rejuvenate your mind and body at Senses Spa and Salon at the IP Casino Resort in Biloxi. Indulge in spa treatments inspired by nature, including a full body massage based on traditional Swedish techniques of long strokes that soothe muscles and increase blood flow. Additionally, the spa offers a complete facial, manicure, and even a special treatment designed for men. You can also enjoy a relaxing sauna or work out at its state-of-the-art gym before your treatment.

Where to Dine on Mississippi Gulf Coast

Sweet and savory biscuits at The Greenhouse on Porter

The Greenhouse on Porter, a quaint cafe on the quiet west end of Porter Avenue in Ocean Springs, specializes in delectable, homemade biscuits (plain or sweet potato) with a rotating menu of special biscuits, such as onion biscuit roasted with cheddar and mushrooms or Louisiana strawberry biscuit with ricotta and citrus marmalade. Top it off with various fixin like pimento cheese, seasonal fruit jam, honey butter, or goat cheese fluff, and add a cup of pour over coffee for the perfect way to start your morning.

Innovative blend of cuisines at Corks & Cleaver

A Gulfport native, Chef David Dickensauge of Corks & Cleaver has worked at highly acclaimed restaurants across the country - from New York to Chicago to Miami - before packing his knives back to his roots to introduce the Deep South to his culinary ingenuity. Sourcing only the freshest ingredients, Corks & Cleaver highlights a creative menu with items that seamlessly fuses cuisines from around the world, including tuna poke over a bed of seaweed and edamame salad with kimchi puree and duck confit beignets with bok choy kimchi, smoked date marmalade, and cayenne powder sugar.

Seasonal menu with local ingredients at Vestige Restaurant

Featuring a constantly evolving menu that highlights local, seasonal ingredients,Vestige Restaurant in Ocean Springs serves modern American cuisine with a Southern flair. Start your meal with a couple small plates to share, including the tender, slow cooked pork cheeks over local rice risotto or house-made orecchiette pasta with garlic cream and parmigiano-reggiano. Highlights from the main course includes juicy, sous-vide pork chop with seasonal vegetables and pan-roasted fresh catch of the day with purple sweet potatoes.

Upscale dining in a historic house at Mary Mahoney’s

Located in the historic Old French House built in 1737, Mary Mahoney’s provides an upscale dining experience in one of the oldest homes in the U.S. Satisfy your hunger with the ultimate surf and turf menu of stuffed snapper, lobster, and filet mignon while enjoying the elegant ambiance of high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and open fireplaces. Don’t forget to leave room for Mary Mahoney’s famous bread pudding with rum sauce.

Island-style, patio dining with gulf view at Shaggy’s

With three locations across Mississippi Gulf Coast, Shaggy’s is a favorite spot among locals and tourists alike. This family-friendly, beachfront restaurant offers fresh seafood, burgers, and drinks on a colorful patio with a stunning view of the gulf. Enjoy shareable appetizers like fried green tomatoes topped with house-made remoulade and crab meat or blackened shrimp or a platter of boiled, cajun-spiced crawfish. Beach tacos with an assortment of seafood or meat selections like blackened mahi, fried oyster, or pulled pork enhance Shaggy’s lively, island ambiance.

Finger-licking, authentic Southern barbecue at Murky Waters BBQ

Get ready to use all 10 fingers while enjoying authentic, Southern barbecue at Murky Waters BBQ. Murky Waters smokes everything from tender brisket to fall-off-the-bones ribs for an ultimate BBQ experience. Try three different types of homemade BBQ sauces, including regular (sweet), spicy, and vinegar, and mix + match different sides like baked beans, fried okra, and sweet potato fries to create the perfect meal. The restaurant also hosts some of the south’s most renowned Blues musicians.

Authentic, Home-Style Chinese Cuisine At Fang Restaurant In San Francisco

Forget typical Chinese American entrees like General Tso’s chicken, Mongolian beef, or sweet and sour pork when you dine at Fang Restaurant. This eponymous, family-owned and operated restaurant highlights authentic yet experimental Chinese cuisine sourced from seasonal, local ingredients.

White River Soup

An interesting fusion of complexity and delicacy, the hearty White River Soup includes a whole fried fish simmered with aromatics, tofu puff, pork wontons, vermiciili, julienne scallions, and ginger. All the ingredients in the dish bring out the rich, intense flavors to the creamy, white broth. I would have personally preferred the fish to be steamed rather than fried. The big, chunky pieces of wontons have the perfectly chewy skin with juicy meat inside.

Fang’s Crispy Honey Chili Shortribs

One of Fang’s signature dish is the Crispy Honey Chili Shortrib. Served as a skewer, the tender, fall-off-the-bone shortrib is lightly fried on the outside with sprinkles of black sesame seeds and cilantro. Both the spicy chili oil and the sweet soy sauce accentuate the flavor of the dish.

Five Spice Whitefish

While the identify of the mysterious “whitefish” used in the Five Spice Whitefish remains a mystery (halibut? tilapia? cod?), this delectable dish of moist fish filet with caramelized red onions and spinach is a must. The tender fish seasoned with salt and pepper goes well with the vegetables, which provides a nice mix to the texture. dish heightens your senses with The dish is a bit salty so be sure to get a bowl of white rice on the side to balance out the palate.