Review: Old Town Bar Restaurant

45 18th St, Union Sq

I think I have inherited my Dad's affection for kinda dingy pubs. The place was old with a cool tin ceiling (that was pretty much it for ambiance). It's known for its perfect sized hamburgers, but I got the grilled ham and cheese and it was divine. Plus they have shoe-string fries that while tasty, would not have been up to AM (now AC)'s expectations. Prices were good for dinner out on Friday night, but not uber cheap. Service was speedy and with a smile.

Added plus: their seasonal ale was Magic Hat #9, one of my all time favorites

Added minus: there were tiny flies, gross.

Recipe: Megan's Taco Soup

This recipe has been past from roomie to roomie and is always a hit

3/4# ground turkey (or beef or, I've even tried chopped firm tofu)
1 onion, chopped
1 can corn
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can pink beans, rinsed
2 can diced tomatoes with chilies
1 can water
1 pck taco seasoning

Brown turkey with onion in a large sauce pan (or soup pan). Add all other ingredients (the 1 can of water just means fill up one of the tomato cans with water and add to pot before tossing in the recycle bin). Simmer with lid for as long as you can wait to taste (preferably 45 min). Enjoy!
note1. this is even better the next day
note2. RW would add a lot of fixin's: shredded cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, sour cream and even crumbled Frito's! All those additions are tasty, but I'm a taco soup purist (read too cheap and lazy to add them in)

Review: Beet (Thai)
7th Ave between 9th and 10th st, BK

Cool restaurant design on a budget. Great presentation. Price was right (for lunch). Food was OK. The tofu was really fried and yet still mushy.

what I had:
tofu Masaman curry , spring roll, water

Review: Stone Park Cafe

5th Ave, 3rd St, BK

As you enter this cozy establishment, your nose perks right up. Your taste buds arent left short either. It was comfortable seating and great service. The prices were a little higher then the LuLu standard, but worth it.

What I had:

Cod with ravioli, mushrooms and what I think were carrots in a wine sauce, with Riesling; Chamomille tea

Recipe: Dad's best Meatloaf

1 1/2 # ground beef (i've tried this with ground turkey, good too)
1/2 # hot sausage (dad says Jimmy Dean low fat is best)
1 egg
1/3 c bread crumbs
1/2 c ketchup (plus more for the rub)
3 T yellow mustard
1 t dry mustard
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 stalk celery (with leaves) finely chopped
4 dashes garlic salt
4 dashes seasoned salt
1 T blak pepper
2 bay leaves

Mix all but bay leaves well. Form into 2 (or more) loaves. Rub on ketchup (dad says either chili sauce, BBQ sauce will work too), top with bay leaf in center. Cook at 375 for 1 hour, occationally pouring out the grease that will accumulate in the bottom of the pan. Let sit 5 min. enjoy!

Recipe: Almond Couscous (from Cooking Light, March 2004)
serves: 4

1/4 c chicken broth
3/4 c water
1/4 t salt
1/8 t cumin
3/4 c uncooked couscous
1/4 c slivered almonds, toasted

Combine first 4 ingredients in a saucepan and bring to boil. stir in couscous. remove from heat, cover, let stand 5 min. Fluff with fork and add in almonds. Serve with Moroccan chicken, enjoy!

recipe: Moroccan Chicken (based on recipe from Cooking Light March 2004)
serves: 4

1 T flour
1 t grnd corriander
1 t grnd cumin
1 t paprika
1 t b.sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t salt
1/4 t garlic powder
1/4 t pepper
3 chicken breasts, cut in 1/4s
1 T EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
1 small onion cut in chunks
1/4 c chicken broth
12 pitted dates, chopped (insert lame joke about my singledom in the city here)
1 T chopped fresh cilantor

Preheat oven to 375. mix first 9 ingredients in a shallow dish. Dredge chicken in spice mix. save unused spice mix.
Heat oil in skillet over mediu-hi heat. Add chicken, cook 3 min on one side, turn, cook another 3 min. Put chicken in roasting pan, add saved spice mix, onion, broth and dates. Bake at 375 for 25 min or untill chicken is done (stir once while cooking). Add in cilantro. Serve with Almond Couscous, enjoy!

Review: Phebe's Tavern on 3rd Ave at 4th St. Manhattan.

Your basic burgers and beer kinda place. Rather spacious, great view of the illuminated trees at Bowery Bar and Grille across the street, but kinda slow service.

what I had:
Cheeseburger, salad, Stella