The Tailor & the Cook

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Shawnee

94 Genesee Street

Utica, NY 13502

(315) 793-7444

thetailorandthecook.com

I just made a reservation. For a return visit.

Thank you and congratulations to Tim Hardiman Chef/Owner, Chris Talgo Owner/Operator, Tim McQuinn Chef, Melissa Fraser Director of Operations and to the wonderful staff at The Tailor & the Cook. We visited your restaurant on your second day of being open. You have created a beautiful, rustic, comfortable experience. From the look and feel of the decor- to the flawless service to- the so really good and fresh (and did I mention really good) food.  We cannot wait to come back.

To future diners; Make a reservation, they are popular and you might be waiting a while without one. If you do happen to pop in looking for a two top and are offered the option of the communal table, take it, we did. They will seat you and another twosome at a roomey six top with a great view of both the chefs in action and the restaurant.

Come in early (they can only hold reservations for 15 minutes) and have a beverage at the full bar. They have a good wine list with 15 wines by the glass and over 25 by the bottle. Their selections include offerings from California (Napa, Livermore & Central Coast), France, Italy and New York state. If you like light dry reds as I do, try the Vino Mayor Tinto Robles Tempranillo, Spain $7.

For starters we ordered two to share. Our Pan Seared Scallops with Crisp Polenta, Oven Dried Tomato and Basil Coulis ($12) were cooked perfectly, the polenta was crispy outside and gorgeously creamy on the inside, the basil a vibrant complement.

Our Wild Mushroom Ragout with Herbs de Provence and Mountian View Dairy Colby Gougeres ($9) came with a substitution for the gougeres, crostini, but we hardly noticed as we were too busy piling the earthy mushrooms on the crisp bread and then torpedoing them into our mouths.

Included with our meal was a house-made bread (rustic loaf, dense but soft, with a maple and sea salt butter) and a salad of perfectly dressed organic greens from Aqua Vita Farms in Sherrill, NY.

We shared entrees as well.

The Grilled Leg of Lamb with Carrot and Sweet Potato Mash, Braised Greens, Fig Vinaigrette and Toasted Almond ($22). The Lamb is from a local farm and was cooked perfectly to my specification. It was a delicious combination of sweet mash, savory lamb, bitter greens and a playful vinaigrette with tiny crunchy figgy bits.

The Duck Duo of Leg Confit and Pan Seared Breast with White Bean Cassoulet and a Beet and Apple Salad ($21) did not last long at our table. The duck breast was juicy and the leg was delightfully crispy atop a flavorful and homey cassoulet, the beet and apple salad sweet/tart refreshing.

For desert we had a Lemon Curd Tartelette with Dried Fruit Compote and Macadamia Nut Cream ($6). All of their deserts are house made and our tart was delicious with a buttery crust and brilliant, tangy-creamy filling.

As we lingered over our desert and the bottomless glasses of water that never went empty we could not help but bask a bit in the warm convivial buzz of the restaurant and speculate a bit about the spring menu that we will be highly anticipating.

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Stone Cellar Wine Bar and Restaurant

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Shawnee

(315) 507-3011

257 Genesee Street

Utica,  NY 13501

I like to do bad reviews as much as I like to pay $100 for an inedible meal. Unfortunately that is exactly what I did last night so…I have to put my fork down on this one. Let’s begin.

The Good: The Wine

We walked into the newly opened Stone Cellar Wine Bar and Restaurant in Utica, NY. It was the happy hour and the crowd at the bar was young and professional. Jovial clusters of conversation exchanged in a warmly lit space. So far so good. We were there to eat so we opted to be seated in the bistro area just off the bar. We got a wine list and a couple of menus. Our options were a “bistro bites” menu or a dinner menu.

We started with the wine list. I opted to try the Cooralook Australian Pinot Gris ($7.50 a glass) which was delicious. Dry, bright, melon. Later, I tried the Caliterra Savignon Blanc ($6.00 a glass). According to the Caliterra website, the 2009 won a Silver Medal at the International Wine Challenge-UK in 2010. It was super- fruity -grapefruit right up front, which I love.

The Bad: The Food

Salt. Pepper. Heat. Three basic components to cooking, none of which were sucessfully applied to the preparation of our food.

The Lamb Lollipops with Mint Jelly, ($11.99). The is a “bistro bites” item, we ordered it medium rare. I love old school throwbacks like atomic green jarred mint jelly, so I was not put off that it was served with the lamb. However the Lollipops were raw and cold. Seared on the top and bottom but not cooked at all on the sides. Inedible, tasteless, baaad, lamb sushi.

The Butter, (free), comes with rolls. The butter is getting it’s own little shout out because it was a compound butter of garlic and brown sugar. Am I missing something here or did this taste as bad as you think it did?

The House Salad with Mango Yogurt House Dressing, (comes with meal). Iceburg lettuce (yawn) and mixed greens drenched in: Chiobani yogurt, heavy cream and mango preserves. It was at this time that I was noticing a pattern of bad choices. I wish I could say that I only blame myself.

Our main courses were the Poached Salmon with a Red Pepper Cream Sauce ($17.99) and the Beef au Poivre ($18.99). We ordered the risotto as a side. The Poached Salmon could have been a lovley dish, it was a decent piece of fish. But it was cold, unseasoned, and covered with a cold, tastless, sauce. The Beef au Poivre was a repeat of the fish, unseasoned and covered with a cold, tasteless, beige gravy, which entombed an overly generous handful of whole peppercorns.

The Risotto? Gummy and so undercooked that it was crunchy.

Why So Bad?

Here’s the deal… Our server who along with the wine was the only other positive in our experience said they opened 4 weeks ago, had some drawbacks with the kitchen and are going to be redoing the menu for Jan 2012.

I hope they make big changes with the food, right now the only thing I can reccomend is the wine and I can get that at home.

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Zeina’s Cafe & Catering, Utica NY

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Shawnee
607 Varick Street
Utica, NY 13502
315.738.0297
http://www.zeinascafe.com/
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 8am-4pm

Tell them Henry sent you.

By, Shawnee Avila

I do not know Henry. I know someone who knows him. He told this someone about really great middle eastern food made by some really great people. He also said “when you go tell them Henry sent you”.

The sign on the building said Zeina’s Cafe. The handwritten note on the door said: Make sure to wish Albert a Happy Birthday. Walking in the first thing I noticed was the long open kitchen and then Layla of the husband and wife team that own the restaurant. “Hello! (She said with a huge smile) You called about the baklava”. I had called ahead to order baklava to go for Easter dinner. “Yes and um Henry sent me…”

Now I am not sure if it was because I evoked Henry’s name but as I waited for my order to be retrieved Layla started dolling out samples. A generous spoonful of cool creamy hummus, a tangy tightly rolled grape leaf with seasoned rice and lamb, a heap of juicy tabouli salad with a slice of fresh pita. While doing my best not to inhale the delicious treats I met her sons, wished her husband Albert a Happy Birthday, learned tidbits about their lives and sat happily on my stool feeling like I was a guest in their home.

Layla and Albert make my favorite kind of food. Delicious, fresh, bright and vibrant. It’s food that tastes alive, like it was made with love and like it has a story.

So after our family’s Easter dinner while we enjoyed the delicate baklava diamonds of sweet nutty gooey goodness and melt in your mouth layers of phyllo, I told a story. Only this time I started I the story by saying “tell them EatingUtica sent you”.

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Food Find: Picking Up Nettle Meadow Chevre

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Shawnee

Picking up Nettle Meadow Chevre with cheesy pick up lines.

To pick up Nettle Meadow Chevre, approach the cheese case. “There must be something wrong with my eyes, I can’t take them off you”.

Put the Chevre in your basket and proceed to check out stopping only to grab a box of biscuits. “Baby, you are so fine I could put you on a plate and sop you up with a biscuit”.

Take the Chevre home and savor every creamy, lemony bite. “Was that an earthquake or did u just rock my world”?

For a list of NY retailers that carry Nettle Meadows click here. Also I found it at The Hannaford in New Hartford, NY.

o

Nettle Meadow Chevre, Warrensburg, NY

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Chocolate Chip Cocoa Cookies with Pomegranate Molasses and Dried Cranberries

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Shawnee

Chocolate Chip Cocoa Cookies with Pomegranate Molasses and Dried Cranberries

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon teaspoon coarse kosher salt (with extra for sprinkling)
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 bag bittersweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 2 eggs

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Stir flour with baking soda, cocoa powder and salt; set aside. In large mixer bowl, cream butter with sugar, eggs, and pomegranate molasses. Blend dry mixture into creamed mixture. Stir in berries and chocolate chips. Drop 1 large spoonful of dough per cookie onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake at 375ºF for 8-10 minutes, slightly under bake.  Lightly sprinkle with coarse kosher salt and let cool.

Late night baking urge. Concocted by substituting white sugar and molasses for brown sugar and tossing in some cocoa and cranberries because I wanted to use them up.

 

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Food Find: Humous and Pomegranate Molasses Karam’s Middle East Bakery, Yorkville NY

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Shawnee

Karam’s 137 Campbell Avenue, Yorkville NY 13495 (315) 736-1728 karamsbakery.com

By, Shawnee Avila

I had heard about the Humous at Karam’s Middle East Bakery in Yorkville for a while. When Chef Chris Avila who also happens to be my beloved little brother and his charming wife Emily came up from the city for a visit I thought it the perfect destination for a little food adventure.

Opening the door we were pulled in by the smells of dry spices, baked bread, and rich simmered sauces. Our hunger was engaged. There were a few small tables, most full. Hipsters bent over their plates and men of a certain age lingering over a leisurely meal. We ordered a large humous (chickpeas, garlic, lemon, tahini and olive oil ground into a paste) and pita bread, to go. On crowded shelves holding rose water, various sauces and things floating in liquid Chris spied Cortas Pomegranate Molasses, “oh this is good”  and purchased it. Back at the house we consumed every last drop of cool, creamy, tangy humous smeared on every last piece of fresh, soft pita bread (AMAZING). Then Chris drizzled the pomegranate molasses over slices of fresh cut juicy pineapple.  The molasses was sweet and sour, like cherries and figs. We stabbed at the pineapple with toothpicks and chomped and smacked until it was all gone. And then we licked our fingers. Very Lord of the Flies and very worth the lapse in manners.

Karam's Middle East Bakery on Urbanspoon

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Herb Salad with Baby Artichokes, Fried Egg, Red Wine Vinaigrette & NYS Cheddar Grilled Cheese

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Shawnee

Baby Artichokes & Eggs

Baby Artichokes Cooking
Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar, Whole Grain Dijon Mustard, Kosher Salt, Pepper
Herb Salad & Vinaigrette
Herb Salad with Baby Artichokes, Fried Egg, Red Wine Vinaigrette, NYS Cheddar Grilled Cheese

 

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Food Find: El Canelo Salsa To Go

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Shawnee

El Canelo Salsa

1 pint $2.50

Made in house. Juicy, medium heat when just made and it gets hotter each consecutive day. Lots of cilantro. Very likely could be the most delicious salsa I have ever eaten. Chips are extra. Get it to go. Excellent on eggs.

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Hunt Country Vineyards Classic Red

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Shawnee

Hunt Country Vineyards Classic Red

Grapes: DeChaunac 47%, Merlot 20%, Chambourcin 15%, Noiret 14%, Rougeon 4%

Price: Retails for $9.99

This is the wine I crave when I know we are having pizza. It is a dry Chianti style blend of Finger Lake grapes, most if not all grown on a 6th generation family farm on Keuka Lake. Locally you can get it at Seneca Liquors in New Hartford. Recommended is a visit to the winery to taste their many award wining wines and tour the beautiful vineyards. Plan your visit to Hunt’s and other Keuka wineries at www.keukawinetrail.com.

 

 

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Review: Simmer Brasserie

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Shawnee

Le Dîner, Simmer Brasserie

By Shawnee Avila

According to Wikipedia, a brasserie is a type of restaurant with a relaxed, upscale setting, which serves single dishes and other meals. Simmer Brasserie in New Hartford has been opened for a while now and 472 people have given the modern day endorsement of liking them facebook. However Simmer has stopped serving lunch and I wonder how many customers that have liked them in the world of web 2.0, have liked them in the real world with a return visit. I have been to a couple of brasseries in the past and would return to both for different reasons.

At a brassiere in Paris I blindly ordered the choucroute garnie. I ended up choking down a platter of salt pork and blood sausage to the complete and unbridled delight of our snarky french waiter. I would go back, out of spite.

In NYC at Balthazar I dove into a basket of crusty, toothy bread smeared with creamy ice cold butter. I garnished a sampler platter of raw oysters with crunchy shallot mignonette and washed them down with a bubbly glass of Crémant d’Alsace, “Brut Réserve”. I would go back for love of oysters and champagne in the afternoon.

And now pulling up to Simmer Brasserie in New Hartford I wonder, will I want to return and why?

Pushing through the door at 7:35 on a Friday night we were immediately and warmly welcomed. First by the dark walls and soft lighting and then by a gregarious member of the staff. There was a chic little bar to our left, a bustling open kitchen to the right, and sultry jazzy musical notes swirling over head. Dinner was on the agenda, however I could see that this is the perfect place to pop in for a soothing cocktail when the mood strikes.

We were seated in the dining room and started with a glass of Paco & Lola Albarino, a white wine from Spain. Golden green, aromatic, citrus, mineral, delicious.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the wine came bread and dipping oil. The bread; crusty outside, soft inside, served with a dish of olive oil. Swirling the oil released salty grated cheesy bits from the bottom. A sort of cheese and olive oil snow globe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We ordered and next to arrive was the Roasted Beet Salad with toasted walnuts, virgin oil, balsamic vinaigrette & smoked bleu cheese. $9

Large nuggets of earthy ruby jems, chopped bright lettuce and creamy nibbles of smoked cheese.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our entrees were french classics.

Steak Frites; Hanger Steak, house cut fries & maitre’d butter.$21

The steak was perfectly rare, rested, juicy and tender.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cassoulet; confit duck leg & pork sausage over stewed white beans. $15.

Gorgeous crispy duck leg confit snuggled atop creamy white beans, garlic, tomato, smokey bacon, herbs, and savory sausage. Bold flavors intermingling with hearty ingredients, comforting, rustic yet elegant. It came garnished with a balsamic reduction drizzled around it though and in the future I will order this dish without it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We finished with the French Toast Croissant with white sugared powder, gelato, & brandied syrup. $8

A thick slice of buttery croissant. Pillowy, crispy and soft. Warm syrup, cool creamy whipped cream and gelato. Tart and sweet strawberries. Sorry, We were too busy eating to take a picture.

Simmer has a welcoming staff, convival neighborhood vibe, and simple deicious food. These combined components will bring me back. I will go back here for a drink and single dish. I will go back for another meal. I will go back

Simmer Brasserie on Urbanspoon

 

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