Blue Plate Diner (Middletown, RI)

ABF & I took an impromptu weekend trip up to Newport, Rhode Island. Any New England getaway is fine with me! We stayed just down the road from Blue Plate Diner, which is fairly new but already popular with the locals. It's in Middletown, just a 5-minute drive from downtown Newport.

We stopped in there between the lunch & dinner rush, and I spotted the FourSquare sticker on the door. I checked in and they offered 5 dollars off our tab of 25 or more (we were apparently the first ones to use this deal, but it went through just fine)--you know I love saving money!

I wanted something marginally healthy, so I opted for a Cobb salad (one of my dishes I love to compare from place to place). This was so good. I don't know what they do with their hard-boiled eggs, but these were the best I've ever had: soft, flavorful, I even ate the yolks! Winner.

I also had a nice, piping hot mug of coffee with cream. It was freeeeeezing out that weekend!

ABF ordered the burger, and of course he offered me a bite! This was fresh, scrumptious, and juicy.
Our food came quickly, the staff were friendly, and every bite was so, so good.

Blue Plate Diner

665 W Main Rd

Middletown, RI 02842

(401) 848-9500

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Hinsch's is Back!

I posted last fall (amidst my London/Amsterdam posts) that Bay Ridge favorite Hinsch's was closing. That was true, for the moment. Weeks later, the shop REOPENED (I do feel a little toyed with, I'll admit it) for a new and improved version-- not only does the new Hinsch's offer free wi-fi, but they are now open late for dinner!

First things first--how is breakfast? Well now they offer fancier 'brunchy' options, so I gave the Eggs Benedict a whirl. Very good, but one of my eggs was overcooked. Kel encouraged me to send it back, something I have done perhaps twice in my life. Normally I wouldn't say anything, but the manager came over at just the right moment and saw the hardboiled yolk. 2 minutes later, I had a second, perfectly-poached egg. Much better! The sauce was good, English muffins perfectly toasted, and the fruit kabob was a nice touch.

My dish also came with a free OJ. Granted, it's literally a shot glass worth, but that's about all I need anyway. It is definitely fresh-squeezed, too!

Kel got her usual-- 2 eggs over easy, cheese fries and crispy bacon. Everything was perfectly cooked and she was quite happy.

A few weeks later, we tried them out for dinner seeing as, up until now, the only meals we've ever tried were their breakfasts or their burgers (both delicious).

It was around 8:30, late dinner for us, so we were one of only a few tables that night. The dinner menu is even more expansive than the old menu, which is saying something. It took me a while to make up my mind, but I settled on the spinach salad with crispy bacon, hard-boiled egg, mushrooms, and a lemon vinaigrette. I added some grilled shrimp for extra protein.

It wasn't just good, it was GREAT. I ate almost every bite (except for those still-kinda-creepy mushrooms) and will be re-creating this lemon vinaigrette at home. Tart AND mellow at the same time, no sicky-sweetness to it. Excelsior!

Kel ordered the cheese quesadilla, which was impressively large (easily enough for 2-3 people to share as an app, 2 people for an entree). It came with pickled jalapenos, sour cream, and guac. Good, but not anywhere near my salad's awesomeness.

Of course we split a Hinsch's famous sundae for dessert. One scoop of vanilla ice cream, one scoop of chocolate, and marshmallow topping. So good!!

Hinsch's

8518 5th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11209

(718) 748-2854

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Woolworth Tower Kitchen

ABF & I met for a mid-week dinner recently, and we popped back into a place that makes its mark on the downtown skyline: The Woolworth Tower, which is also one of America's oldest skyscrapers.

Inside the famed Woolworth Tower building (pop in the lobby of the main building to get a look at the STUNNING marble ceiling) is this fabulous eatery, Woolworth Tower Kitchen, where dishes are well thought out, fresh, and fabulous.

We each started with a drink--the Malbec for me (lovely!) and a dry gin & tonic for ABF. Life in London definitely gave him a new fondness for that drink. Me, I just can't do gin so much.

ABF ordered their Chicken Paillard salad, which is one of their most popular dishes. Arugula, thinly-pounded chicken filets (buried under a pile of greens), sliced green apples, spicy candied pecans, and two lovely slices of brie topping it all. I think this is going to be something one of us orders every time we visit.

I opted for the Cobb salad with grilled chicken. They make it in the chopped style, which normally I don't care for, but these were manageable bites, and not pulverized pieces. The scallion ranch dressing was so good that I asked for an extra serving of it. Yeah, that's right! I don't think I'm ready to start saying I LIKE ranch dressing, but I think I like flavored ranch dressings (chipotle ranch, avocado ranch etc).

Our salads were both quite filling, but we still decided to get dessert. Our server told us that the chocolate mousse cake was really good, so we decided to share that, but we honestly weren't expecting it to be spectacular. And yet it WAS. Deep, rich, decadent chocolate, with a fluffy, almost spongecake-like base and velvety mousse filling--great googaly-moogaly!

Even if you're not in the financial district area, WTK is just a few steps from the R and the 2/3 train. It's the perfect spot for grabbing a bite before or after walking across the Brooklyn Bridge (which is our plan once the weather gets nicer)!

(Note: WTK is closed on weekends)

Woolworth Tower Kitchen
The Woolworth Building
9 Barclay Street
New York, NY 10279
(212) 571-2930

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Ayhan's Shish Kebab

Ayhan's is a delicious, dependable spot where you can eat a scrumptious dinner and still leave feeling like you're being pretty healthy (if that's what you're after, I mean).
ABF & I usually go to the one in a mall in Farmingdale, but we decided to try one a little closer to (ABF's) home, in Baldwin (that's still Long Island, for you non-NYers!)

First order of business--a bright, light pinot grigio to start off my meal--yum!

The bread dip at Ayhan's is the #1 reason I keep coming back. It reminds me of a Martha Stewart recipe I learned ages ago (but rarely make at home because bread is kind of a weak spot for me--I can't be left alone with it!)--oregano, lemon juice, olive oil, and other spices. This is cracktastic and I will dip any and every piece of bread I can find into this dip.

I usually get a chicken kabob, but the Energy Platter jumped out at me: 2 falafel, hummus, tabouleh, pita bread, and a farmer's salad. The falafel were just okay, but I liked that they were small and about the size of a big olive, not huge portions.

The hummus was really good, the tabouleh ok (I'm not a fan), but the farmer's salad was OUTSTANDING. I think I need to make this at home at least once a week! Diced cucumber, bell pepper, tangy red onion, and bits of feta cheese. Divine.

ABF got the classic Greek salad, and while they could totally just phone it in, here, Ayhan delivers a killer vinaigrette that jazzes up the whole dish.

ABF ordered his favorite--the sirloin kebabs, which came with two big chunks of perfectly charred, cooked steak, and a mushy but (so I'm told) tasty tomato in the middle. It also came with delicious rice pilaf and veggies.

We almost always get dessert at Ayhan's (unless we really pack in the bread--and yes, that can happen!), and this time we made room for our favorite dessert there: galactaboureiko, which is layers of phyllo dough alternating with delicious custard. They usually serve it hot, but ABF prefers it cold (note: it's better hot). I'm a nice girlfriend, so we got it cold. Either way, it's scrumptious--not as sweet as baklava but still a tasty way to end a delicious meal.

Ayhan's Shish Kebab
550 Sunrise Highway
Baldwin, NY 11050
(516) 223-1414

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I Trulli: Second Visit

For our quarterly staff lunch (courtesy of our oh-so-generous boss, Dr S), I suggested I Trulli. We got a spacious outdoor table on a perfectly lovely afternoon.

I had it on good information (from my last visit) that the mini calzones were a must try, so we immediately ordered a few plates of both the tomato/mozzarella and the scallion/mushroom (4 per order).

The tomato/mozz were insanely delicious--that flaky, fabulous dough alone is worth the trip. I didn't care for the scallion version, though. Long, stringy bits of scallion greens that were just not for me.

I ordered the Caprese salad, which came with crispy prosciutto on top. Where has crispy prosciutto been all my life? This was outstanding. I dared to share a bite or two with neighbors, even though I wanted to gobble it all up in two seconds flat. Pace yourself!

Another colleague ordered the pumpkin soup and said it was outstanding. It smelled like everything wonderful about fall.

CJ ordered the lasagna, which looked like a stunning work of art on its own. CJ confirmed it was as delicious as it was beautiful.

I did not waver-- I knew going in that I was going to get the 'dish that got away' last time--the rigatoni with lamb meatballs and goat cheese. So good. Where do they get this goat cheese? I need more of it in my life!

A few other folks ordered the fish dishes on that day's menu and raved about how great they were. They LOOK fantastic, don't they?

This group doesn't skip dessert, either. We ordered one of almost everything and shared.

I will not be sharing the tiramisu next time. Mine! All mine!

Another standout: the apple tart! I tried that last, expecting it to be a flat disappointment, but the crust was melt-in-your-mouth wonderful, the filling perfectly spiced, and I went back for seconds. Bravo.

The second visit confirms it--I Trulli has heavenly hand-made pasta, delicious salads, and shut-your-mouth desserts. Definitely put this place on your list!

I Trulli Ristorante/Enoteca

122 E 27th St # 1

New York, NY 10016

(212) 481-7372

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Cubana Cafe--Brooklyn

I can always count on Jen A to be up for a good meal, drink, or walk through Brooklyn. I met her after work one sunny day for Cuban food on Smith Street--Cubana Cafe!

I enjoyed the look and feel of this spot--including the colored tile floor!

I definitely enjoyed their Wall o' Jarritos--colorful and delicious! Jarritos is a brand of soda made in Mexico with real sugar (no corn syrup) and lots of bright, fruity flavors. I got hooked on this in Tulsa & Houston and only recently have I been spotting it around NYC!

We were early for dinner, so we got a primo spot right by the open front of the restaurant, taking in prime people watching and enjoying the warmer weather. We started with a half-pitcher of red sangria ($15).

It was sweet and refreshing, and you couldn't really taste the alcohol. It wasn't too strong, and I would have liked more fruit, but it's still a good deal for the price.

We were hungry, so everything looked good. We decided to share a soup and a salad, you know, spread out the calories and the choices!

We shared the tortilla chicken soup. This was a huge, hearty portion--juicy shredded chicken, chunks of avocado (maybe a little underripe but still yummy), and tons of veggies.

Another must-have according to Jen A is the chickpea salad: a generous portion of seasoned chickpeas with greens dressed in a light drizzle of a creamy-garlicky dressing. This was deeeelish.

It was also a big portion--easily enough for 2 people.

We also shared the chile relleno, stuffed with seafood, cheese, and rice. There was something about the cheese sauce that I wasn't wild for, but the seafood (shrimp and calamari) was well-cooked, tender, not rubbery, and the rice and beans were really, really delicious.

After our sangria, we each got a mojito, too--a requisite for any Cuban spot. I ordered the original version--I rarely mess with the basic rum, lime juice and seltzer. This was crisp and cooling; not too sweet. Jen A ordered the strawberry and wasn't crazy about it.

Dessert was only three dollars (THREE!), so we decided to split the tres leches cake. There was something about the texture of this cake that I didn't enjoy--a little mealy instead of spongy, I guess? The flavors were nice, though, lots of cinnamon, drenched in the milk mixture. I'd probably opt for a mojito instead of dessert next time, though.

It was very slow that day, so it did take a long, long time to put in our order, and an even longer time to get the check, but we were happy to sit and visit. Definitely not the place to be if you're in a rush, but do stop by and enjoy the food, the prices, the atmosphere, and the mojitos!

Cubana Cafe
272 Smith Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 858-3980 ‎

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