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10 Boozy Lemonades to Help You Celebrate Summer

Nevin Martell July 12, 2018 Leave a Comment

It’s summertime, and the sippin’ is easy when you’ve got a spiked citrusy beverage in your hand. Check out these boozy lemonades to help you beat the heat this season.

Moxie’s Grill & Bar, Houston, Texas
The housemade hard lemonade might remind you of high school parties in the best way possible. Vodka powered, it features a burst of bubbles, thanks to some soda. Bonus: you don’t run the risk of getting busted by your parents while you drink it. Make a reservation at Moxie’s Grill & Bar.

Charlie Palmer Steak, New York, New York
The Queen B may be simple, but it’s oh-so-satisfying on a hot summer’s day. Sweetened with honey, the lemonade gets its buzz from plenty of vodka. A touch of fresh basil adds an herbaceous accent. Make a reservation at Charlie Palmer Steak.

Ambar, Washington, D.C.
When you want all the lemonades. There are three options: strawberry-rhubarb with vodka, rum- powered blueberry, and tequila accented by lots of grapefruit. Order one of each (and order a car service to make sure you get home safely). Make a reservation at Ambar.

Oceana, New York, New York
You could call this a G&L. Gin is mixed with lemonade and club soda to create an effervescent refresher. The pink potable is garnished with a trio of raspberries. Make a reservation at Oceana.

Caroline, Austin, Texas
Ascend to Upstairs at Caroline to access La Limonada. The breezy bevvie is braced with vodka and limoncello. A cayenne candy stir stick adds a hit of heat. Make a reservation at Caroline.

Streeterville Social, Chicago, Illinois
The Bee’s Knees is a tart sweetheart. Gin gives this ‘ade a boozy boost, while locally sourced honey from the Chicago Honey Co-op sweetens the deal. Just what you need when the mercury spikes. Make a reservation at Streeterville Social.

5 Gadol (Awesome) Modern Israeli Restaurants in America

Nevin Martell July 10, 2018 Leave a Comment

The cuisine of Israel is finally having the moment it deserves. Chefs are showcasing the eminently shareable, elegantly rustic fare at restaurants that embrace the traditions of the Holy Land, as well as its neighbors in the Middle East and North Africa. If you can’t travel there this summer, take a trip here in the states by way of one of these Here five gadol (awesome) modern Israeli restaurants to dine at right now.

Zahav, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Since opening in 2008, James Beard Award winner Michael Solomonov’s restaurant has been setting the gold standard for modern Israeli restaurants in the States (its name even means ‘gold’ in Hebrew). The menu is stripped down, straightforward, and supremely satisfying. You must begin with salatim; whatever they have on hand will be more than delicious. Yes, you must order the hummus. Scoop all of this up with warm, toothsome laffa bread fresh from the wood-fired oven. Then proceed to mix and match the small plates and grilled goodies. If you can’t make up your mind, the Tayim menu offers a little taste of everything. Make a reservation at Zahav.

Sababa, Washington, D.C.
The latest venture from serial restaurateur Ashok Bajaj (Rasika, Bibiana, The Oval Room, and others) takes its name from the Hebrew word for “cool” – and it lives up to its moniker. Executive chef Ryan Moore, a veteran of Minibar and Rogue 24, presides over the kitchen turning out dishes close to his heart; he spent time working in Dubai and his stepmother is Egyptian. Salatim – a collection of five dips and spreads, including thicker-than-Greek-yogurt labneh enriched with garlic and sweet, earthy beetroot relish – is a must. So is the super svelte hummus served warm with puffy pitas dusted with za’atar spice. The remainder of the menu is divided into small plates, large plates, and kebabs. Make a reservation at Sababa.

Shaya, New Orleans, Louisiana
The restaurant’s namesake is no longer in the kitchen, but Alon Shaya’s vision still shines brightly at the James Beard Award-winning spot. Start with an array of salatim, making sure to include ikra (paddlefish caviar spread), lutenitsa (roasted peppers, garlic, eggplant, and tomatoes), and labneh. Obviously, you need to order hummus. A version topped with lamb ragu and crispy, crunchy chickpeas is the way to go. Small plates are delightful, full of flavor and color, like challah toast dressed up with foie gras and tomato jam, and halloumi cheese brightened with lemon and fresh herbs. Those in search of a heftier proposition would be well served by ordering the bone-in lamb shank or the grilled chicken thigh. Make a reservation at Shaya.

RAY, Portland, Oregon
Chef Jenn Louis was named one of Food & Wine’s “Best New Chefs” and been nominated twice for a “Best Chef: Northwest” James Beard Award. Once the food starts arriving, you’ll know why. An epic egg-dotted, tomato-rich shakshuka for four can be amped up with merguez sausage or Israeli salad. The shawarma burger features a pair of lamb patties, crunchy sheets of iceberg lettuce, and harissa with a slow after-burn (don’t forget to order the skin-on, shawarma-seasoned fries spotted with garlic cloves and jalapeño rings). There’s hummus three ways, including a clever carrot hummus with braised lamb. And there’s a rainbow of small plates worth exploring, such as olives marinated in sesame and almonds, a coffee-braised egg zipped with za’atar spice, and a hearty lamb flatbread. Make a reservation at Ray.

Hottest Summer Menus: Dishes That Scream Summer Shuffle onto Seasonal Menus

Kelly Merritt July 9, 2018 Leave a Comment

Flip-flops. Drunken watermelons. Sandy shoes. The scent of suntan lotion. Fresh lemonade. Windows down, top 40 on the radio. The signs of summer are in full swing, along with humanity’s other favorite hot weather pastime: eating. Hunting the freshest menus that scream summer is as festive as it gets until September rolls around. All across America, summertime offerings shine in OpenTable restaurants on plates that make us all pile into convertibles, mini-vans, Jitneys, trains, and planes, searching for the best seasonal bites. Here are the hottest summer menus to try before straw hats and blue skies give way to fall colors.

Canteen, Toronto, Canada
One of Toronto’s best hangouts, Canteen’s new summer menu offers a bevy of veggie-forward comfort dishes. It’s part of the restaurant’s “eat to live, live to eat” section highlighting contrasts — think beet burgers and beef burgers, steak salad and steak frites. Between a list of smoothies and dishes like squash pad Thai, calamari, or sweet potato tacos and salmon poke, this is where to find a few favorite summer goodies and fuel up for all its diversions. Make a reservation at Canteen.

Tii Gavo, Sedona, Arizona
Dining at Enchantment Resort’s Tii Gavo is more like a mini-vacation than just a meal. Located in Sedona’s most picturesque hideaway spa resort, looking out at the red rocks of Boynton Canyon, the positive energy that goes into the cuisine here adds an uplifting element to dishes like aji-grilled churrasco with smashed potatoes, calabacitas, and corn puree, while heart-healthy summer specials like fresh apricots, cotija cheese, crunchy quinoa, and a lime-tajin vinaigrette atop a baby kale salad are the perfect starter for Tii Gavo’s grilled salmon with tomato and peach salad and a cilantro-epazote pistou. Make a reservation at Enchantment’s Tii Gavo.

Bocce USQ, New York, New York
Brand new to the Union Square crowd, Bocce USQ Italian restaurant is already turning heads for a refreshing take on old favorites. Chief among them, and perhaps the best thing to happen to Caesar salad since Caesar, is the Bocce Caesar, prepared with snap peas, Parmesan cheese, mint, and black pepper. The pizzas are works of art here, in particular, the farm pizza topped with fresh mozzarella, green garlic, market greens, and fresh herbs. Make a reservation at Bocce USQ.

Eden, Chicago, Illinois
In perhaps the finest reason to challenge Chicago’s July and August heat wave, Eden’s onsite greenhouse is where to find English peas, green asparagus, lovage, mustards, nasturtium, cherry tomatoes, and arugula. Chef-partner Devon Quinn and his father built the 1800-square-foot greenhouse and, of course, the best place to enjoy this bounty is on Eden’s renovated patio. Swoon-worthy dishes include umami doughnut with pork confit and black cherry or roasted mushroom miso served with warm raclette sauce, or roasted sunchokes with pine nuts, sage, preserved lemon and piperade. Don’t miss entrées like crispy chicken Ballotine with ricotta gnocchi and summer squash. Make a reservation at Eden.

Halifax, Hoboken, New Jersey
If the outdoor patio with Manhattan skyline and Hudson River views don’t catch your eye at this Hoboken gem, the summer menu at Halifax should. As temperatures soar, it’s Halifax’s housemade sorbet to the rescue. Bring friends to share the clam flatbread with roasted garlic, chives, Parmesan, and lemon with a bowl of summer gazpacho with poached Gulf shrimp. Diners are crazy about the summer panzanella salad with cucumber, fennel, tomato confit, and feta-dill vinaigrette, but for a hungry crowd opt for the seafood risotto or lobster roll on toasted brioche with scallions and celery. Make a reservation at Halifax.

Auberge du Pommier, Toronto, Canada
On the floral terraces of this iconic Canadian dining destination, guests find classic French fare with that ever-so-slightly modern touch for which this country’s vibrant cuisine is known. Scrumptious dishes include smoked sablefish with bacon linguine, egg yolk custard, and black radish, and the impossible to resist black truffle risotto. Diners have had Auberge du Pommier on their list of summer favorites since 1987 when the doors of this rustic-chic eatery opened within the restored remnants of two 1860’s woodcutters’ cottages. Make a reservation at Auberge du Pommier.

Chianti–Mission Point Resort, Mackinac Island, Michigan
On Michigan’s legendary Mackinac Island, diners find a fresh take on Italian food at Chianti, where the bruschetta is prepared with roasted tomato and summer diners can dig into a chopped salad, housemade pastas, and Michigan-sourced fish, like seared wild-caught Lake Superior whitefish with lemon risotto, seared kale, and puttanesca sauce. Outdoor dining and live piano entertainment add to the lakeside atmosphere against the backdrop of Lake Huron. Make a reservation at Chianti.

Crossroads Kitchen, Los Angeles, California
As Crossroads approaches its five-year anniversary, this plant-based, Mediterranean cuisine restaurant is only gaining in popularity. The flavors of summer are on fire here in watermelon, corn, tomatoes, stone fruit, peppers, and green beans. Expect to find dishes like peach salad with blistered shishito peppers, Marcona almonds, and sumac mint yogurt dressing. Squash blossoms with almond ricotta are another delight, and, for dessert, tuck into the Key lime pie with kaffir lime-infused tequila. Make a reservation at Crossroads Kitchen.

Boulud Sud, Miami, Florida
The fireworks in July are on the menu at Boulud Sud Miami as the new summer dishes spice things up. This three-course menu at an affordable $39 includes chilled melon soup, summer chicken tagine, and lemon lavender cake – but several of the classics meld with summer munching, including octopus a la plancha, seared Mediterranean branzino, and summer cocktails like the lemonade imposter, a gin-centric ‘Lavandula’ with Mezcal, grapefruit, and lime. Make a reservation at Boulud Sud.

River Cafe, Calgary, Canada
In the middle of one of Alberta’s most picturesque locales, this Prince’s Island Park restaurant draws summer lovers to one of the most romantic places to dine in the province. The views from River Cafe include a quaint fishing hub from what was once the Park’s aging concession stand. This is the pace with which to spend a lazy afternoon, over plates of freshly shucked oysters, chicken liver terrine guanciale, and English pea flatbread or a fish and game board of smoked trout lox and bresaola. Make a reservation at River Cafe .

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, New York, New York
‘Tis the summer season to indulge at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse. Summer is all about juicy proteins on the grill, but better to beat the heat at a swanky steakhouse than sweltering in the backyard. Del Frisco’s has added a few tempting summer specials to the menu like their 14-ounce long bone veal chop served with that foodie-friendliest of all garnishes — crispy fried capers. On the veggie side, add a serving of butter-poached peas in a lemon-basil butter topped with grilled scallions and fresh basil. When available, Del Frisco’s offers a trio of Maryland soft shell crabs with summer strawberry tabbouleh with cucumbers, fresh mint, lemon, and a drizzle of black pepper butter. Make a reservation at Del Frisco’s.

Sally’s Fish House & Bar-Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, California
The new lunch menu has timeclock punchers ducking out to Sally’s Fish House & Bar. It’s an easy way to try a few different dishes and still have the energy to return to the daily grind. Notables include the ahi tuna and brown pearl rice poke bowl, wood-fire-grilled octopus and pan-roasted buffalo cauliflower, with satisfiers like the open-faced blackened swordfish and SoCal crab club. The basil-lime Greek yogurt laced quinoa-farro medley is a must for vegetarians, while the chilled scallop crudo with Meyer lemon oil and apple cider vinaigrette wins the prize for most flavor in a single bite. The chipotle fish tacos dish is a grand way to infuse some spice in an otherwise dull day along with a savory sushi menu. Make a reservation at Sally’s Fish House & Bar.

The White Bull, Decatur, Georgia
Literally inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s reference to the blank page as “the white bull,” this White Bull’s claim to fame is farm-forward fare. Georgia is home to some of America’s finest agricultural purveyors, the likes of which include Finch Creek Farm, Tucker Farms, Riverview Farms, Aluma Farm, Stone Mountain Cattle Co., Levity Farm, and others. More than a dozen summer dishes change daily at The White Bull based on farmers’ bounty, but a few to tempt include duck egg, polenta, chanterelles, blackberries, and green tomato. We’re loving the elotes with chili-espresso aioli, feta, lime, and peanuts. And potato gnocchi with Sea Island red peas, bacon, and tomato is a standout. The pastas here are unique to The White Bull, prepared with single-ingredient whole wheat flour stoneground in-house every day. Make a reservation at The White Bull.

Straight from the Source: Top Hawaii Restaurants for Authentic Poke

Tiffany Hill July 6, 2018 Leave a Comment

Today, every big city has a poke joint or three. Eating poke is a way of life for people in Hawaii, long before the U.S. Mainland got in the raw-fish frenzy. In Hawaiian, “poke” means “to slice, cut crosswise into pieces,” the essence of this fresh, bite-size staple. Asian influences in Hawaii led to the invention of the poke bowl — poke served over white rice. Traditional poke is simple: It’s freshly caught and cubed fish, mixed with sea salt, ground kukui nut, salty limu or ogo, which is Hawaii seaweed, crunchy sweet onions, and chili pepper water.

“Poke is everywhere here,” says Stephan Bel-Robert, the owner of Pacific’O restaurant on Maui. “From luaus to every restaurant and grocery store to even liquor stores!”

The ingredients used to make this elemental dish are often found only in the islands — like the limu or kukui nut — and prepared by skillful people trained to make it authentic.

“While we love that people across the country are discovering a favorite dish of ours, we are concerned about the impact of poke’s rise in Mainland popularity,” says Anna Brown, the assistant dining room manager at Hilo Bay Cafe on Hawaii Island. “At Hilo Bay Cafe, we are fortunate enough to be able to serve ahi caught in our waters by fishermen we know…. We’d love to see Mainland restaurants try poke using fish that are locally available to them and seeking more sustainable ways to source their fish. Additionally, some tasty and highly-sustainable alternative options can be made using veggies.”

While the poke trend continues its wave of popularity across the Mainland, the best place to eat it will always be straight from the source in Hawaii. Here are four top Hawaii restaurants for authentic poke – locally caught, of course.

Moku Kitchen, Honolulu, Oahu
In Hawaiian, “moku” means district or island, so you know the food at Moku Kitchen in Honolulu is locally sourced. The eatery is helmed by Hawaii Regional Chef Peter Merriman, who owns restaurants on Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai and is known for fostering relationships with the Islands’ farmers, ranchers, and fishers and cultivating regional menus. And for a traditional Hawaiian staple like poke, it’s no exception. Moku Kitchen offers two varieties of the classic on its lunch and dinner menus. There’s the Ginger, Ahi, Shoyu Poke, made with Maui onion and served on local taro chips. For a modern twist on the classic, order the Hapa Poke. It comes with perfectly cut local ahi and ono (wahoo fish) mixed with kukui nut, sesame, shoyu, and jalapeño pepper for a kick. Make a reservation at M0ku Kitchen.

Pacific’O, Lahaina, Maui
Pacific’O is a Hawaiian Regional Cuisine restaurant so it stands to reason this Lahaina, Maui, beachfront establishment has poke on its dinner menu. The Local Style Poke features locally-caught ahi tossed with ogo seaweed, inamona (toasted and ground kukui nuts), and charred onion. The poke is served with Molokai sweet potato chips. Pacific’O is owned by Stephan Bel-Robert, who also owns O’o Farm in upcountry Maui. This results in a farm-to-table dining experience, paired with fish from the nearby Lahaina Harbor. Make a reservation at Pacific’O.

Hilo Bay Café, Hilo, Hawaii Island
The Hawaiian Ahi Poke has been on the menu at Hilo Bay Cafe since the restaurant opened in 2003. The restaurant gets its fish from Hawaii Island fisherman — not only for the poke, but also the Kona lobster, snapper, wahoo, and more on its menus. The Hawaiian Ahi Poke is made with fresh tuna, white onions from Oahu, shoyu, and Hawaiian chili pepper oil. It’s served with a side of Hilo Bay Cafe’s housemade Okinawan purple sweet potato chips. Want a stellar sunset with your dinner? Book a table at Hilo Bay Cafe in the evening and ask for a table by the water. Make a reservation at Hilo Bay Café.

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