Tag Archives: brulee

Empire Diner

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Almost eighty years ago, Empire Diner made its debut, but more recently, it was reopened, revamped, and about damn time I went. So, I was off to Chelsea for brunch to check it out. 

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As a genuine boxcar diner, it made me a bit nostalgic of the late Relish Diner in Williamsburg, one of my old favorite spots (RIP). Inside, the aesthetic is clean, crisp and modern, but still pays homage to the old school diner vibe. 

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Everything on the menu sounded amazing, but I had to start with the Bruleed Grapefruit (toasted brioche and cinnamon cream cheese). I’ve had a grapefruit brulee before, but this one was a bit different. Both delicious, but this one had a bit of a different play on it, incorporating the brioche and cinnamon cream cheese. I really loved this, the different flavors and textures compliment each other so wonderfully. The tartness of the grapefruit is offset from the crisp, sweetness of the sugar, the savory, buttery brioche, which is pretty unreal, and the creaminess of the cinnamon cream cheese.

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Then, for my entree I had to go for the Buttermilk Pancakes (fluffy pancakes, maple syrup, blueberry compote). Man alive, these were some incredible pancakes. They were light, pillowy, but still rich in flavor, and the blueberry compote was totally clutch. You can taste the simple freshness and flavor of the blueberries, unlike some of these overly sugared, artificially flavored versions at your run-of-the-mill diner. Pour some maple syrup on this bad boy, and you’ve got a slam dunk, right into my stomach. 

The Shorts:
Name: Empire Diner
Location: 210 Tenth Avenue, NYC
The Long and Short: Would I go back? Absolutely. The atmosphere is awesome, the food is delicious and the service was excellent. 
Would I recommend it? For sure, you won’t be disappointed. It’s also located right by the High Line, so, go have a great meal and take a stroll to then think about how awesome your meal was. 

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Cookshop

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This past weekend, I had brunch at Cookshop in Chelsea. With summer weather here, whether you sit outside at their outdoor patio, or inside in the airy, open, modern dining room, your experience will all pretty much be the same. Amazing. Their American cuisine is focused on humanely raised animals, support of local farmers and artisans, and seasonal availability of foods. 

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To start, I had their Grapefruit Brûlée (ruby red grapefruit, brown sugar, creme fraiche, mint). So, yeah, you gotta get this if you’re there for brunch. It’s the perfect, light starter, or, makes for a great, healthier dessert. The tartness of the grapefruit is cut from the crisp brown sugar and the whipped, creaminess of the slightly sweet creme fraiche. Everything goes so well together, and leaves you wanting some more. 

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For my entree, I ordered the  Frittata (roasted oyster mushrooms, stracciatella, basil-walnut pesto). This was another amazing dish. Served with a little bed of perfectly dressed mixed greens atop the eggs, this frittata was a slam dunk. The roasted oyster mushrooms were the star of the dish for me, tender and flavorful, and, when combined with the other components, each flavor and texture enhances the next. The stracciatella cheese marries the mushroom and the herby and nutty pesto so nicely, it’s a bit of a sad moment when it’s all gone. 

The Shorts: 
Name: Cookshop
Location: 156 Tenth Avenue, NYC
The Long and Short: Would I go back? Without a doubt. The food was incredible and the service was outstanding. 
Would I recommend it? I recommend it like dentists recommend brushing your teeth. And, the location is great too, right across the street from the High Line. So, have a fantastic meal, then take a walk along the High Line and enjoy what the view of the west side has to offer.