All The Lobster (...And Other Delicious Seafood) Dishes You Must Try At Ed's Lobster Bar In NYC

Ed’s Lobster Bar, which serves everything from New England-style lobster roll to creamy lobster ravioli, is a Soho staple and one of the best seafood restaurants in the city.

Tuna Tartare

Big chunks of fresh, raw tuna is tossed in creamy aioli to create this perfectly shareable appetizer. The tuna tartare is surrounded by thin slices of crispy, fried zucchini.

Bacon-Wrapped Oyster Sliders

In between grilled sesame buns are bacon-wrapped and deep-fried oyster topped with fresh tomatoes and lettuce. These slides are out of this world.

Lobster Meatball

The lobster meatball is like nothing you have ever had before. The huge meatball is made of lobster meat, and then lathered in rich marinara sauce, cheese, and parsley.

Lobster Roll

This signature dish surely will not disappoint. In between buttered, toasted buns are huge chunks of sweet, succulent lobster meat (claws, tails, and everything in between!) lightly tossed in mayonnaise.

Lobster Ravioli

Another fan favorite, the lobster ravioli is filled with generous amount of lobster meat. The ravioli is cooked perfectly al dante, and is served in rich, cream sauce with mushroom.

Experience The DOVE Chocolate Journey From Bean To Bar With Its Partnership With CARE

Together, DOVE Chocolate and CARE will empower female farmers in Cote d’Ivoire

Mars Company, which produces DOVE Chocolate, recently pledged a donation of more than $1 million to CARE, a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty, to empower female farmers in Cote d’Ivoire where cacao beans used to create DOVE Chocolate are sourced. Together, DOVE Chocolate and CARE provide on-the-ground training and support to provide more opportunities, financially and socially, for women to advance their role within the community.

For its launch event, guests enjoyed an elegant West African-inspired dinner by Ivorian-born Chef Morou Ouattara while engaging with cultural performances and learning about DOVE Chocolate’s partnership with CARE promoting women’s empowerment in Cote d’Ivoire.

The family-style appetizer included palm-fried plantain with onion, garlic, scallion, jalapenos, and ginger; black-eyed pea fritters, which were made with onions and chili and filled with DOVE chocolate, and medium-rare lamb chops garnished with fried onions, smoked paprika, and coriander.

For Course 1, guests indulged in sweet butter poached lobster tail & claw atop tapioca risotto, seaweed, white melon seed sauce, and sriracha pearls.

The main entree - curry crusted cornish hen - was pleasant to the eyes and the mouth. A block of creamed corn shaped like honeycomb was accompanied by juicy cornish hen topped with toasted banana and maple-cocoa glaze made of DOVE Chocolate blueberry juicy infused with cranberries and vanilla flavored cashews.

The dessert had multiple layers of deliciousness. On top of nutty banana bread were two slices of charred bananas on top of chocolate pudding made with DOVE dark chocolate. On the side were crunch maple granola with banana gelato.

All The Divine (Crispy) Items You Must Try At Vandal In NYC

Inspired by Chef Chris Santo’s travel around the world, the exquisite menu at Vandal - the hippest new restaurant located on Bowery Street in New York City - highlights the eclectic cuisine of global street culture from New York to Korea to Italy and beyond.

1. Crab Tostadas

On top of crispy plantain chip is a generous lump of crab meat, fresh mango salsa, and aioli with a dash of pepper flakes and micro greens.

2. Sticky Rice Dumplings

These piping hot, fried dumplings are made with sticky rice for the much desired chewy texture on the inside and crispy outside, and filled with juicy char siu pork over a bed of sweet red chile oil.

3. BLT Pizza

A twist on everyone’s favorite sandwiches, the BLT Pizza features charred broccoli, crispy prosciutto, and fresh mozzarella atop thin and crispy pizza dough.

4. Crispy Bao Buns

These magical, fried buns are crispy and buttery, and packed with tender brisket and creamy Asian slaw for the perfect balance of eclectic flavor profile.

5. Crispy Eggplant

While the Crispy Eggplant only appears in the “Extras” section on the menu, this eggplant dish is perhaps the best eggplant I have ever tried. The miso-glazed exterior is charred to perfection for the crispy texture, while the inside is soft and moist to highlight the essence of the vegetable.

6. Two Pound Whole Lobster Scampi

Sure, this lobster dish lacked the “crispy” texture, but the massive, two pound lobster is stuffed with creamy garlic rice pilaf with spinach. The generous amount of lobster meat packs buttery, rich flavors.

7. Matcha Lemon Semifreddo

Perfect for sharing, this dessert features a scoop of semi-frozen green tea custard over blueberry compote, and topped with crispy, zesty candied lemon.

8. Vandal S’Mores

The deconstructed s’mores at Vandal includes moist, rich brownie topped with fluffy marshmallow meringue, with a scoop of graham cracker ice cream sitting on top of crispy, thin chocolate “spoon.”

Best Bites At The Stanton Social, One Of The Trendiest Restaurants In NYC

A collaboration by one of NY’s hottest team of restaurant creators, The Stanton Social offers a unique menu that features shareable dishes full of flavors.

1. French Onion Soup Dumplings

A fusion of soup dumplings and French onion, this signature dish is heaven in your mouth. Dumplings are topped with generous amount of cheese. Use the toothpick to pick them up and dunk in your mouth.

2. Potato & Goat Cheese Pierogies

Crispy, pan-fried pierogies stuffed with potato and goat cheese and topped with caramelized onions. Dip them in truffle creme fraiche served on the side for additional flavor.

3. Beef & Broccoli

This dish has a wide range of textures and flavor profiles, from the crispy sticky rice cake to the creamy broccoli puree to the savory braised short rib.

4. Maine Lobster & Squid Ink Tagliatelle Pasta

Generous amount of Maine lobster, coupled with juicy cherry tomatoes and wild mushrooms in creamy lobster Riesling broth. The squid ink tagliatelle pasta is cooked perfectly al dante.

5. Warm Doughnuts

Straight-out-of-the-fryer, warm fluffy doughnuts with powdered cinnamon sugar. Have your pick at three dipping sauces, ranging from caramel to chocolate and berry.

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!

A Hearty Meal With Generous Portion At A Parisian-Style Brasserie

Gaspar Brasserie

You will feel like you have been transformed into a Parisian brasserie upon enteringGaspar Brasserie. Located in SF’s Financial District, the restaurant exudes all the flairs and ambiance of a Parisian brasserie, starting with its warm and vibrant interior featuring crimson leather seats, textured wooden walls, and antique chandeliers, as well as a menu that features classic French dishes with a Northern California influence.

Les Plateaux de Fruits de Mer ($66/$100)

The imposing Les Plateaux de Fruits de Mer ($66 for petit, $100 for grand) highlighted a selection of fresh, chilled seasonal seafood. According to our knowledgeable waiter, the small tower is appropriate for a group of 2-3, while the large is fit for 4-5 people. Our small tower included three varieties of oysters (half dozen total) served with champagne mignonette, jumbo shrimp with cocktail sauce, poached octopus with green olives, and a half lobster. All the seafood, from the perfectly seasoned octopus to the plump shrimp, was extremely fresh and mouthwatering.

Grilled Côte de Porc ($27)

Per the waiter’s recommendation, I opted for the Grilled Côte de Porc ($27). Over a bed of herbed spaetzle and shaved Brussels sprouts was a big piece of lightly seared, bone-in pork loin with juniper-mustard sauce and heirloom apple. The lean piece of pork was a bit pink nearer to the bone, but I enjoyed the balance of sweet and savory from the apple and the mustard sauce. I wished the spaetzle, which was unfortunately a bit “flat,” had a chunkier, chewier texture. The portion was extremely generous.

Braised Beef Short Rib ($28)

I also tried the Braised Beef Short Rib ($28), another entree with a huge portion. The tender, fatty short rib was glazed with Bordeaux gastrique and topped with sauce verte atop a bed of baby root vegetables. Like the pork, the short rib also had an interplay between sweet and savory from the glaze and the green sauce. The baby root vegetables of colorful heirloom carrots, beets, and cipollini onion highlighted fresh, seasonal vegetables.

Moelleux Au Chocolat ($10)

The Moelleux Au Chocolat ($10) was like an exciting firework in my mouth, providing a memorable sensory journey through its different flavors and textures. Accompanying a moist chocolate lava cake with warm, ooey center was a dollop of cool chocolate mousse, crunchy “cocoa puffs,” and creamy vanilla-rum anglaise. This chocolate lover’s dream was such a delightfully sweet ending to a hearty meal at Gaspar Brasserie.

Lobster Risotto, Pumpkin Burrata, And Much More At Grand Bar, A NYC Restaurant Worth Multiple Visits

With so many restaurants in New York City, rarely do I make a second trip to the same restaurant. . However, I may have found a place that is worth second, third, or even fourth visit - Grand Bar at Soho Grand Hotel. 

Located on the second floor of this elegant boutique hotel in SoHo neighborhood, Grand Bar offers exceptional cocktails and delicious food in a classy yet comfortable atmosphere with marble top oak bar, rich wooden floors, and woven leather seating.

The food menu at Grand Bar highlights local, seasonal ingredients. For appetizer, the Burrata is an absolute must. Creamy, fist-sized burrata - topped with pickled red onion, sorel, and carrots with a sprinkle of chia - sits atop two pieces of kabocha pumpkin. There are cubes of root vegetables, such as butternut squash and roasted parsnips, as well as a swipe of deliciously smooth butternut squash puree, to add additional flavors and complexity to this beautiful appetizer.

Try the Lobster Risotto, an off-the-menu item, before it's gone. This surf and turf risotto features succulent lobster tail and moist sweetbreads, flavored in rich bone marrow broth. The arborio rice is cooked to perfection with right amount of texture and consistency. 

The Harvest Vegetable Fazzoletti also highlights everyone's favorite assortment of winter squash. Made with wide, "handkerchief" shape pasta that is extremely doughy and chewy, the dish consists of everything from cubes of butternut to thinly sliced delicata with crunchy pepita in rich, creamy sage brown butter sauce. 

Order a side of Sweet Potato Fries to share. While a little bit of seasoning would have elevated the flavor of the fries (perhaps a dash of salt would have done the magic!), the sweet potato fries were nonetheless a perfect complement to our entrees. The fries sliced just the right size to be crispy on the outside and still maintain the starchy texture on the inside.

Best Barbecue, Best Seafood, and Best of Everything Else at Thrillist's Fest of the Best

It's not often that you get to have the best bites of different cuisines and types of food all in one night. But at this year's Fest of the Best, attendees got to do just that...all under one roof! From the best bagel to best Mexican to best of pretty much everything that New York had to offer, here are just a few of my highlights.

Best Barbecue: Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

Started as a mobile concession stand in the early 1980s, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is a standout chain with locations across Upstate New York and beyond. With numerous accolades already under its belt, including the Number #1 BBQ on Good Morning America, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que set out to impress the attendees with its delicious pulled pork sandwich, which highlighted tender Memphis-style pulled pork rubbed in sweet BBQ sauce and topped with Jack Daniel's onion relish in between fluffy potato buns.

Best Seafood: Luke's Lobster

You know you are getting the real deal when you are presented with a lobster roll that packs...a whole lobster claw. Luke's Lobster is all about using high-quality and big quantity lobster sourced from the gulf of Maine. Don't expect something that is drowning in mayonnaise. Luke's Maine-style lobster roll contains chunks of chilled lobster meat on top of buttery, toasted split-top bun with a dash of mayonnaise, a drizzle of lemon butter, and a touch of secret spices.

Best Burger: Saxon & Parole

This equestrian-themed restaurant in the Lower East Side specializes in "grilled domestic meats and aquatic delights," but the burger at Saxon & Parole is the true gem on the menu. The S+P Burger features dry aged Angus burger with possibly the moistest, juiciest beef patty I have ever tasted. Top it off with Pennsylvania Havarti and candied maple bacon in between toasted sesame buns, and you've got yourself the best burger in NYC!

Best Bakery: Sprinkles

As the world's first cupcake bakery, Sprinkles Cupcakes concocts handcrafted baked goods that are as delicious as they are beautiful. A trio of adorable, bite-sized cupcakes were almost too cute to eat...almost! My favorite was the signature Sprinkle Cupcake made with sweet, moist birthday cake topped with creamy vanilla frosting decorated with colorful nonpareil sprinkles. 

Best Dessert: Ample Hills Creamery

There is no way to resist scoops of ice cream with whimsical names like "Ooey Gooey Butter Cake," "Chocolate Milk & Cookies," and "The Munchies." Ample Hills Creamery - the recipient of Best Dessert - produces handmade ice cream with unique and creative flavors you haven't seen anywhere else. The Munchies, for example, is absolutely addicting. This pretzel-infused ice cream mixes in savory and sweet flavors with clusters of Ritz crackers, potato chips, pretzels, and mini M&Ms. You will be going back for seconds and thirds!