I am, however, a massive fan of food festivals hosted in beautiful parks on sunny Saturdays, and the Great Googa Mooga is just that. You can check out the whole lineup of killer grub (more than 85 restaurants) here, but some of the highlights (in my opinion) include Big Gay Ice Cream, Crif Dogs, Fatty Cue, Momofuku Milk Bar, Northern Spy Food Co., Num Pang, Pork Slope, Red Hook Lobster Pound (MY FAVE), Roberta’s and so many more.

If you’re interested in the music, the Saturday schedule includes Matt & Kim, Jovanotti, Father John Misty, and about six other bands I’ve never heard of… I’m sure it’s really exciting!

Sadly, I cannot attend this glorious day of sunshine, beer and lobster rolls, as I will be on the beach in Portugal with my family (it’s a hard knock life), so I am giving away a pair of tickets for Saturday (May 18) to one lucky reader! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post (perhaps share which restaurant you’re most looking forward to trying at the Great GM, or you can simply  leave me a note to tell me how beautiful, smart and funny I am).  I’ll pick a winner on Wednesday, May 15.

The pair of tickets includes entry to the Great Googa Mooga in Prospect Park on Saturday, May 18^th.  You’ll also get access to Serve’s Kick Back Lounge: basically, the lounge is hosted by Serve from American Express and will have everything there for a great time, from live acoustic performances by Pearl and the Beard and Hot Sardines, to chef demos ranging from mastering the mocktail to making your own pasta at home from NYC’s top chefs, to fun giveaways, (like  American Express gift cards – natch).

If you win, I’ll send you the tickets via email by Thursday, May 16.

Disclosure: I am being compensated by M Booth on behalf of American Express Serve for this post. The opinions and experiences are that of myself. Transparency is everything!

I have tasted every single thing on the menu – and it’s all good. Fo’ real. But some of my favorites include: Black Bean Cake & Scramble (pictured, bottom left: a delicious chili and cumin-spiced veggie cake with fluffy eggs, arugula, and a yogurt & parsley sauce), House-Smoked Pork Hash & Poached Egg (pictured, bottom right: I’m not normally nuts for pork but this dish is heavenly), and the to-die-for bucket of Assorted Homemade Pastries (sticky buns, banana bread & muffins, oh my!).

The Bacon Bloody Mary is perfect. I really mean that. Fresh, delicious, perfectly potent and topped off with a shard of house-cured bacon. Hangover, be gone!

Sweet Chick will be open for brunch from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays (walk-ins only). @SweetChickBK / www.sweetchicknyc.com

On the menu at Lafayette there are, of course, plenty of traditional French dishes and a few more adventurous plates to choose from. As I was dining with only one other person and sat at the bar, we had to choose carefully, and I would recommend you follow our lead:

Baked Oysters “Sargent” with seaweed, $18

Duck au Poivre, organic grains, radish, smoked bacon (as well as candied kumquats & whole peppercorns), $30

Black Fettuccine, seafood and chorizo, $21

For dessert, we had to pick two. The warm Beignets were little pockets of fried heaven, with a caramel mousse or passion fruit dipping sauce.  The Sweet Cheese Cremant (the pastry chef’s ‘twist’ on Cheesecake) with pickled blueberry sorbet and cornmeal croutons got points for creativity and presentation.

According to the bartender, Lafayette will roll out lunch in the next few weeks, followed by brunch. Which I will absolutely be there for.

The damage: $152, before tip (2 people, 2 glasses of wine (ok, 3, one was comped!) and 2 gin & tonics)

380 Lafayette Street, ph: 212-533-3000

Chef Tom Sellers, Creative Edge Culinary Council from Libby Andrews on Vimeo.

This video is a bit old now, but I never got around to sharing it on my blog. Last year, when I was working for Creative Edge Parties, one of the best catering companies in New York City, we asked Chef Tom Sellers from London – previously of Noma, Per Se and Trinity – to join us as the head chef at a two-night pop-up restaurant at our West Village space. The whole event was just incredible, from the gorgeous transformation of the blank space into a 40-seat restaurant, to the 7-course meal with standout dishes like pumpkin with goats butter, smoked honey & lovage and scallops, cucumber, dill & cream.

I thought now would be a good time to share the video that tells this story, which also happens to be the name of Chef Tom’s new restaurant opening in London this April.

I was on the hunt for a relaxing, sunny break from The Big Apple when a friend recommended Isla Mujeres, a small island (only 4.5 miles long) off Cancun. One search of this place in “Google images” sealed the deal. On another recommendation, I booked a boutique hotel called Casa El Pio – more on that later – and soon after started to see this little island come up in travel features in The New York Times and New York Magazine. Natch.

Although I was expecting fresh guacamole and decent ceviche, I had no idea how many great restaurants were tucked away on this little island. We ate at a different spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the trip, and loved just about every bite. What’s more, the service on the island was excellent across the board. I left feeling like I made about a dozen new friends.

If you’re looking for a place to escape with beautiful beaches, delicious food, and a relaxing vibe (no Señor Frogs to be found), Isla Mujeres is where you need to book your next vacation.

Good Eats – Breakfast

La Cazuela M&J: I’m still dreaming about this baked egg ‘souffle’ dish served with a variety of spices, cheeses and meats in a ceramic dash, and homemade salsas, of course. I ordered mine with herbs, ham, tomatoes and mushrooms, with warm tortillas on the side. Heaven.

Elements of the Island Cafe: Go here for homemade bread, jams and a range of different breakfast options like Mexican eggs (divine), hotcakes and really good coffee. A bonus? They teach yoga on their roof daily.

Polo’s Mango Café: You’ll see the owner, Polo, running around greeting tables as you serve yourself organic Mexican coffee or order from a list of fresh juices – always a nice touch. Dishes like a Stuffed Chile Poblano and the Breakfast Quesadilla caught my eye, but I went for the Unique Eggs Benedict served over a buttery croissant with curried hollandaise. Need I say more?

Lunch & Dinner

Ballyhoo: Damn good baja fish tacos, ceviche and margaritas, served under a little tiki hut right on the water. It’s only a few steps north of where the ferry drops you off on the island, so this is the perfect place to have your first cocktail in Isla.

Olivia’s: If you’re bored of Mexican food (who are you?) or you’d like  to try something different, Olivia’s is your place. Set in a romantic garden area with an open kitchen and grill, this restaurant offers a taste of the Mediterranean in Mexico. Go for the Moroccan tapas to share and a mojito to wash it all down.

Qubano: Located right on the busy Av. Hidalgo drag, Qubano serves salads and sandwiches, perfect for a quick lunch. The Cuban sandwich – as you may have guessed – is great.

Beaches, Boats and Pools (What more could you ask for, really?)

Playa Norte: This beach is on the Caribbean side of the island, which means clear blue water for swimming. You can rent two chairs and an umbrella all day for 150 pesos (about $13) and the drinks, which are served right to your chair, are 2-for-1. You’ll have to deal with a few annoying locals trying to sell you their wares, but don’t shoo away the man selling ‘pepitas’ with hot sauce and fresh lime juice – a delicious mid-afternoon snack.

Zama Beach Club: You’ll probably have to rent a golf cart or take a $7 taxi to get to Zama, where you’ll find a private beach club with a pool, bar, restaurant and lush beds right on the beach. It’s a bit more expensive to rent chairs and drink margritas than other beaches on the island, but the service is great and the view is gorgeous.

Induna Charters: Book a three-hour afternoon or sunset cruise on this gorgeus catamaran. You’ll sail all the way around the island with great tunes, beer, wine, snacks and a crazy Aussie captain to boot.

Punta Sur: The southern-most point of the island is picturesque. Rent a golf cart for a few hours (totally legit) and cruise down south until you can’t go any further. You’ll get incredible views of the north end of the island and feel like you’re on top of the world.

The Digs

Casa El Pio: This is a gorgeous, quaint little hotel with only four rooms, located in the center of downtown Isla and is only a three-minute walk from where the ferry drops you off. The rooms are big, clean and modern, with comfortable beds and, in some cases, an ocean view. The manager, Jill, is wonderful, helpful and a great resource for where to dine on the island.

How to get there 

Take a direct flight to Cancun from NYC (4 hours), and organize a taxi through Mariel at Isla Mujeres Trips. From there, you’ll jump on a ferry and head to Isla. It’s only about 50-60 minutes from the airport to the island.

Isla Mujeres Trips is also a great place to book your activities throughout your stay. Mariel organized our airport transfer along with our sunset cruise on the Induna catamaran. She is lovely and can recommend all kinds of great things to do and see based on your interests and budget.

Great news, people: April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman’s new taco spot – Salvation Taco – in the Pod 39 hotel (39th St. between 3rd & Lex) is now open for lunch, with dinner to start rocking on Monday (I got to sneak a peek of the massive dining room). Together, April and Fonda chef Roberto Santibanez created a menu of snacks, tacos and tortas, with nothing over $10.

Here’s a quick overview of what’s on the lunch menu, with some of my favorites in photos. I didn’t get a good shot of the pork belly and pineapple salad, which was the winner of them all.

Snacks ($3-10):

Spicy Beer Nuts

Crispy Pig Ears

Chips & Guacamole

Ceviche Verde Con Chicarones

Pork Belly and Pineapple Salad

Tomatillo and Jicama Salad (below)

Tacos ($3 each!): 

Roasted Cauliflower with Curried Crema

Skirt Steak with Pecan and Chipotle (above)

Moroccan Lamb Breast on Naan

Tortas ($7-9):

Grilled Lamb Tongue Torta

Braised Short Rib Torta

Confit Chicken Thigh

Seared Salchicha (hot dogs!) Torta (below)

…and the Sonora Old Fashioned (below) was the perfect cocktail to wash it all down: Bacanora, Silver Tequila, Chili-Honey, Grapefruit Bitters.

Salvation Taco
212-865-5800
145 E. 39th St.

I love April Bloomfield and her New York City restaurants all year long, but in the months of November and December, in the lead up to the holidays, there is no better place to have lunch than The Spotted Pig or The Breslin.

This season at The Breslin, the lunch menu is killin’ it with all kinds of lovely wintry dishes like a chargrilled lamb burger with feta, cumin mayo & thrice cooked chips, and an oven baked 3 cheese sandwich with onion marmalade and mustard, along with sides like roasted pumpkin with buttermilk dressing. Their salads are so delicious – mostly because they are the opposite of a “salad” by anyone’s standards – and I could eat April’s herbed caesar salad with anchovy croutons all day long. And don’t get me started on the oysters with dill pickle juice…

All of this washed down with a pint of lager makes for one of my favorite lunches in the city.

Cigars, Shishitos and Baba

They have $5 and $10 lunch deals (which you can’t beat with a stick if ya ask me) and a variety of classic Mediterranean dishes like babaganoush and shawarma for sharing. We ordered the baba and shishito peppers to start, and when we asked our server if there was anything we had to order she was quick to suggest the almond, mozzarella, basil and honey stuffed cigars (fried phyllo dough) which were insanely delicious.

We also loved their twist on a stuffed pepper – beets stuffed with lamb, yogurt sauce, chickpeas and cilantro – and perfectly cooked middle eastern chicken over carrot puree and, you guessed it, chickpeas. I don’t often say this, but our dessert was the best part and should not, under any circumstances, be skipped: basbosa semolina cake with cardamom syrup and shaved halvah drizzled with tahini and date honey. Stop. It.

Our bill came to about $25 each with tip, but I have to point out that we brought our own bottle of white wine (they are still waiting for their liquor license and in the mean time it’s BYOB), which is a great deal, especially for the amount of food we had (three small plates, one medium plate, two large plates, tons of pita bread and a dessert to share).

Zizi Limona is located at 129 Havemeyer Street (at Grand Street) and they are open 7 days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

At the risk of sounding like a complete lush, I am here to tell you about my new favorite thing: the “hangover prevention patch,” Bytox.

How does it work? Stick this badboy on your skin 45 minutes before you start drinking and keep it on 8 hours after you stop. Simple.

I was skeptical too, but I thought it was worth a shot and I really gave it a good test. I won’t tell you exactly how much I drank, but let’s just say it was a marathon, not a sprint, and involved tequila and wine. I woke up the next day without a headache and my stomach felt fine. I felt oddly guilty – surely after all I drank I was supposed to have a hangover? But no, I actually felt great. And my friend, who went drink for drink with me, let’s just say she was not feeling great.

If you’re really interested in what it’s made of: Bytox is a specially-formulated hangover prevention patch which effectively replenishes the vital levels of vitamins and nutrients your body loses when you consume alcohol (which would explain why I smelled like a multivitamin all night – a small price to pay).   The innovative combination of B vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients help keep your body hydrated, which means you can enjoy a hangover-free morning. Basically your body will quickly replenish what’s lost during the consumption of alcohol.

Plus, unlike the alcohol consumed, the patch has zero calories. Like I said: New. Favorite. Thing.

The patches are only $14.99 for a pack of five – available online and in select stores. You can thank me in the morning.

If you’re visiting London for the Olympics this year, these East London spots won’t disappoint.

Coffee and Eggs

Nude Espresso, 26 Hanbury Street  London E1 6QR

Hands down the best coffee in East London. Most Americans are inclined to get a standard drip coffee, but you’ll be sorry if you miss out on a delicious latte or flat white. They also do delicious sandwiches, quiches and sweets if you’re after a bite to eat.

A Little of What You Fancy, 464 Kingsland Road, London E8 4AE

Located in Dalston (slightly northeast London), this café is off the main road of an area that is even more hipster-chic than Shoreditch. They do a really great breakfast with a seasonal menu including homemade granola and American pancakes. Plus, with a name like “A Little of What You Fancy,” you’ll feel extra British inside.

Victoria Park Pavilion Café, Victoria Park, Crown Gate West, E9

I love Victoria Park, and if it’s a nice day in London I suggest you take a long walk and forget you’re in a big city, and sit down for a coffee and a full English breakfast – or anything else on the menu made with seasonal, local and organic produce – outside and on the water. One of my all-time fave spots to sit and relax for hours.

Good eats

Brawn, 49 Columbia Road, London E2 7RG

Small plates featuring pig and a really good wine list. ‘Nuff said.

Poppies, 6-8 Hanbury Street, London E1 6QR

A very traditional “East End” restaurant and a must try for traditional fish and chips. Poppies has a fun atmosphere, delicious food and it’s a great spot to sit and watch East London pass you by.

Pizza East, 56 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JJ

Ok – all the guides tell you to try Pizza East but I have to recommend it because I worked there for a short time and although the food is slightly expensive, the NYC meatpacking feel is unique in London, the service is fantastic and the pizza is really, really good. They also do great cocktails, antipasti and desserts. It’s also one of the only East End restaurants that lets you book a table in advance. Perfect for a Friday or Saturday night on the town.

Pho and BanhMi11UK

The East end is the one and only place to get your Vietnamese fix in London. My favorites include the new Pho in Spitalfields for the best pho around, a selection of Vietnamese beers and a to-die-for papaya salad, and BanhMi11UK in Broadway Market (Saturdays only) serves up the world’s best banh mi for under a five-er.

Tayyabs, 83-89 Fieldgate Street, London E1 1JU

You’ll wait in line for a while but this place lives up to the hype. Skip all the horrendous, cheap places on Brick Lane for Indian and head straight to Tayyabs for authentic, family style Punjabi cuisine.

Brick Lane Beigel Bake, 159 Brick Lane, E1 6SB

The only place for late night eats when you’re out east. These bagels are less than $3 and the place is open 24 hours. Go for the salmon and cream cheese – and be warned, these are very different from traditional American bagels.

Cocktails

Bar Kick, 127 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JE

I love this place. I have hosted many a get-together at Bar Kick because they have an outdoor space for summer time, bar games and a great happy hour deal (which is hard to come by in London). The crowd is generally young ready to party.

The Redchurch, 107 Redchurch Street, E2 7DL

One of my favorite cocktails bars with cozy couches and friendly bartenders who know their stuff. A fancy alternative to the pint of lager.

The Royal Oak, 73 Columbia Road, London E2 7RG

Head here for a traditional British pub with a young, “east end crowd.” Keep a look out for celebs, too.

Markets and More

Photo credit: Kim Simons

I love the markets in East London because they all link together, and on the weekends you can start at Broadway Market and mosey through Columbia Road Flower Market, up through Brick Lane Market and Sunday UpMarket and finish with Spitalfields. It will take you all afternoon, but these markets are the best for unique, handmade clothing, jewelry, beautiful flowers and delicious and authentic street food.

]]> http://ravenouslibby.com/london-olympics-2012-where-to-eat-drink-and-shop-in-east-london/feed 1