Tag Archives: NYC restaurant

All Greek and Loving Every Bite

Maria Loi, owner and chef

When Maria Loi, owner and chef of  Loi Restaurant  in NYC, read my Kosher Like Me business card she grabbed me by the hand and insisted that I follow her. I slung my bag over the back of my chair before I had even taken my seat,  waved to my dinner companions, who looked both amused and  baffled (I could hear them thinking, “Oy, here we go again“), grabbed my I-phone for pics (I thought it was an OFF night) and allowed myself to be steered into the inner sanctum of this busy NYC restaurant kitchen. It was brightly lit, immaculate and humming with focused activity. Continue reading

Candle 79 Lights the Way

 

photo: Mimi Giboin

I’ll admit to feeling a quick flutter of excitement when friends suggest eating together and the expectation is that I chose the “perfect” spot.

I rapidly flip through my mental rolodex, wondering if they want the meal to comfort them or blow them away with offbeat creations? Do they want a hip, cacophonous environment or a conversation friendly dining room?

When I ask these questions, I often get the hand-wave and hopeful “YOU chose”. Continue reading