The City Ep. 2

Where Did we Eat Today?

I know little about the three places up today, but my friend Elly knows a little bit about Tenjune.

First up:

Phillipe (33 E. 60th Street). Two things about this place 1) Olivia and her cousin Nevan went here, so I already don't love it. It will either be too expensive for us "commoners" or it will be too stuffy for those of us with a pulse. Although, I will admit it looks pretty nice and resembles a wine bar not too far from my apartment, but I am still not completely convinced. (By the way I am totally aware of the wrath that would come down upon me if my blog was even semi-popular and I bashed Nevan for a number of reasons that I will not go into seeing as he too must be pretty "cuuuuut-throat". So since my blog is still somewhat new and I don't judge too harshly I won't say anything, but if you want to know more...Google can answer all questions.)

So again, since I know nothing about this restaurant I will rate everything on a scale of 1-5, but just keep in mind, I have never been here. (If you have email me at TresFetch@gmail.com and I will sure to post a review!) The decor: as shown on the website and The City gets a 5, it looks cute. The website: gets a 3, the music is turning me off, too stuffy. The menu: 0, I know I said 1-5, but seeing Shark Fin Soup on the menu has led me to lose all respect for this restaurant. Now I know, the rarer, the more exclusive, but shark fining is a serious crime that really bothers me. You wouldn't want your arms and legs cut off by some fisherman, but that's not even the worst, after that they just dump you back into the ocean alive (well, not for too long, when a shark doesn't swim it can't breathe, and we all know when you can't breathe, you die). Now granted, the site says that they do not use endangered sharks, but in my opinion this is a fate that no shark should have to endure and it doesn't make it right. So that's that, I seem to like this restaurant as much as I like the way Olivia and Nevan are represented on The City. Let's hope that they didn't order the morally reprehensible soup.

Cafe Noir (32 Grand Street) Part Tapas. Part Bistro. Part, I am going home hungry tonight. I don't enjoy Tapas or a Bistro unless I know I don't want to eat a lot, so buyer beware, don't ever go to a Tapas bar starving or you will be disappointed. (As will your boyfriend once he figures out that you said Tapas, not Topless) However, if you are looking for something light Tapas bars usually offer up some really great food and unique food. The plus about eating at a Tapas bar: You can eat new foods without being worried that you will hate it because you can share with your table and the portions are small enough to not worry about not finishing it all. To be honest though, this place is much more bistro, less tapas. The Entrees look good and the pitchers look very tasty, plus great for big groups. If I were to go to this restaurant I would definitely try the Hanger Steak with red wine shallot sauce.

Tenjune (26 Little West 12th Street) Elly was able to go to Tenjune for a promotions party when it first opened a couple of years ago with her friend Krystal. The place had a lot of promise, but it didn't necessarily live up to its expectations. When asked about her Tenjune experience she said, "It was cool, but a lot smaller than I thought and not too much dancing space." So there you have it, as usually a New York City hot spot turns out not to be as big as once thought, that's NYC for ya!