They’ve got la nonna in the kitchen…

‘Comfort in a bowl’, that’s what I like to call a good old bowl of pasta. It’s what you’ll go for at Bianca, and it’s what you’ll return for. Truthfully, it’s also what you’ll be waiting in line for. Yes, the good authentic food here makes you wait…but boy is it worth it!

But don’t stress, Bianca is so cool they have a great relationship with the bar next door! Wait for your table at Von, grab a glass of whatever you like…before you know it Bianca’s hostess will be in to fetch you and let you know your table is ready…AND you can take your unfinished drink in to dinner with you, huh!

You’ll start your meal off with some Gnocco Fritto – fried dough paired with some soft fresh cheese. I also suggest the Fried Calamari. Now, I’ll tell you I’ve been lucky enough to have tried my share of fried calamari around the world…this is truly the best I have ever had. Soft and flavorful – just perfect!

Every single one of their dishes will sound and probably be amazing. Being my first time at the spot I decided to go for a classic. I try to do this when I’m trying new places out – if the classics are good I will probably make my way back to try the rest. So Spaghetti Bolognese it is! Amazing and surprisingly light!

Dessert at an Italian spot?! Tiramisu – my friends went insane on it, couldn’t even get a decent shot…they were decent enough to leave me a few bites though. =) Very creamy, a bit tangy and sweet…exactly like it should be.

I swear they’ve got an Italian grandmother hired and cooking in the kitchen. It’s the only way everything could taste so fresh, homemade and comforting…

Cash only – you’ve been warned.

Balthazar

Should I go as far to say this is and has been my favorite NYC spot for years and years to come? Yup…for sure.

Balthazar, a French New York restaurant will make you feel good. Haha the atmosphere here is as delicious as the food. Comforting, comfortable, fancy yet down to earth.

There’s a lot to choose from and their daily specials are insane…helloooo Saturday night! But I’ll run you through the staples I could eat there every day of the week.
Many go for the French Onion Soup as a starter – I don’t disagree – BUT I go for the Caramelized Onion Goat Cheese Tart. It’s as good as it sounds and better. The crust is so flakey and soft you won’t even notice it’s there, the filling – creamy sweet onion with a touch of goat cheese to break it up…hmmm.
Steak – I’ve been talking a lot about it. There are two places in NY where you can eat a perfect piece of steak (that I know of so far)…Balthazar is one of them. Order their Bar Steak (medium-well for me) – it will come to the table exactly like you ask for it! But what really makes this dish?! French fries…crispy on the outside, potato-y and soft on the inside – just like they should be!
For dessert, the warm apple Tart Tatin…end it French.
Make sure you make a reservation here or be ready to wait! Either way it’s worth it. Just like any other part of the city, Balthazar is certainly a place to people-watch.
As you exit watch out for their Boulangerie next door…but that’s a whooole other post!