>GYPSY CAFE + CRIMINAL INTENT>>

Wednesday night was lesson 1 of my French lessons and I decided to have it at the new Café Gitane in The Jane Hotel. Not having been there since its Socialista days, I went around Jane Street to the Horatio Street entrance before realizing that the entrance was through the main entrance of the hotel lobby. I passed through the café's wood and glass double doors and made my way over to the table at which my French tutor (and good friend), Vilmarie, was sitting.

I told her to order whatever she wanted, "on me" and even though I had originally planned on eating lightly, since Vilmarie was ordering an entrée, I figured I'd order one for myself as well.

Vilmarie ordered the Moroccan Couscous (with sausage) while I ordered the Yellowfin Tuna Ceviche. The Ceviche was wonderful! I've only had Ceviche once or twice before and both times it more closely resembled Carpaccio (to me). So when my server brought out a large bowl filled with rice vermicelli and vegetables, I was a little surprised and somewhat perplexed. (Is this the right dish?) But nonetheless, it was delicious...

The tuna was cut into small cubes and very lightly seared. All the ingredients (the tuna, as well as the greens) tasted wonderfully fresh! Nearing the bottom of the bowl I found 3 or 4 mango slices which paired very nicely. Still feeling a little peckish, I asked our server for some bread with which I sopped up the remaining dressing in the bottom of the bowl. --Fantastic! If you order this dish, it's the only way to finish it...

For our dessert was the Banana Tart which was covered in a layer of thin banana slices, ever so slightly caramelized and scorched.

(And did you notice Hyacinth Bucket's Royal Doulton with the hand-painted periwinkles??)

Next on the week's agenda was lunch with Cynthia at The Standard Bar & Grill. Thursday was the nicest day of the week and I suggested to Cynthia that we eat somewhere with outdoor seating. We were meeting in Chelsea, so I got off the train at 23rd Street and walked down 8th Avenue to try and scout out an open table in the sun.

Passing both Nisos (the best tuna burger) and Vynl (not a usual pick of mine, but they do have a $10 lunch special that isn't half bad) and not finding any sunny spots to dine in, I continued on to Meat Packing to check out the tables at Spice Market--but they didn't even have their outdoor tables set up. (but if they did, I totally would have had their Vietnamese Spring Rolls and Ginger Fizz cocktail)

I decided the only remaining option was The Standard Bar & Grill--a standard favorite of mine anyway.

As I headed towards the front entrance I noticed only one open table which happened to be in, at least, semi-sunlight. I swiftly beelined to the maître d' and asked her if there was a wait to sit outside; to my delight, she brought me right to the table I had my eye on. While I browsed over the menus, I soon realized the sun was slowly moving away from edge of the table. I asked a hostess, who had happened to be passing my table, if it wouldn't be too much trouble to move to a table inside. She expressed that it wouldn't and directed me to follow her (past Duff) inside.

Having already browsed the menus, I ordered a glass of Falanghina while I waited for Cynthia to arrive. Previously, I also noticed a selection of cured meats (3 for $11 or all 6 for $16) and Malpeques too, but Cynthia and I were on a supposed budget so I instead went with the Smoked Trout Sandwich ($11) with cucumbers, goat cheese and mache. Cynthia eventually arrived, debuting her spring look and ordered the Standard Ranch Burger, topped with blue cheese and bacon.

Upon its arrival, my sandwich was more "simply prepared" than I had anticipated, but after my initial taste, all reservations had left my mind. The trout was amazing--you could actually taste the smoke! (And the red potato salad wasn't bad either.) On to Cynthia's burger--I was blown away by what I was expecting to be a "bland burger." The meat was amazing, it tasted like Kobe beef. And I don't know what they do to their fries, but they, also, had a one-two-three-four punch!

At $14 for the burger and $11 for the trout, I may never go back to Vynl for lunch again (except to use their wifi perhaps).

Later that night Cynthia and I ended up, once again, at Blue Ribbon.

Even though it was only around 7 o'clock, there were no open tables in sight (except for the one deuce by the door which isn't really used). I waited until Magnus (the maître d') had a free moment before asking him if it was okay if Cynthia and I: "snag that table by the door--we just want to have some Beef Marrow & Foie Gras."

"Sure. Just place your order at the bar."

Cynthia and I excitedly awaited our Beef Marrow and Foie Gras...

I've recently come to the conclusion that I am addicted to Blue Ribbon; I usually think about the place at least once a day if not more. Additionally, every time I go there and savor yet another dish of Beef Marrow with oxtail marmalade, it somehow evolves and I end up having to go back there to enjoy it... again.

For those of you not well versed in the enjoyment of the Beef Marrow + Foie Gras combo, below, a step by step tutorial:

1. Cava is the best pairing for the Beef Marrow + Foie Gras combo. Order yourself a glass, to start.

2. Tell your server that you'd like both dishes brought out at the same time (the Beef Marrow takes about 15 minutes, but the Foie Gras just moments).

3. When the dishes arrive, spread the foie (like a heavy dose of butter) onto a toast.

4. Using the wooden fork supplied with your Beef Marrow, scoop out enough marrow to coat the foie.

5. With the same wooden fork, scoop up and sprinkle some oxtail marmalade atop the foie and marrow.

6. Using your fingers, pinch a small amount (or more, to your liking) of sea salt from the salt cellar and sprinkle it onto the marmalade.

7. Lastly, dress the top the your toast with 5-10 slivers of the julienned apple from the foie gras dish.

It was delectable!

Our final stop for the night was at the Mercer Hotel lobby for a few glasses of cava before finally heading (I uptown and Cynthia downtown) home and calling it a night. Once again, Cynthia and I were "very bad" and the next morning I posted on her Facebook:

Pat Bradley

I think we should have a talk show about eating out called "Criminal Intent"!

Pat Bradley

The first episode would be: Foie Gras - Who Cares?

We were very bad, indeed! > >