Alta-nate menu!?

At Alta in the W. Village, they cater to making sure that people with nut allergies and those that are gluten free can enjoy their dinner as much as anyone else. For those chefs that like to use nuts in their food and not tell you, is scary. For those of you who can’t eat gluten, it’s hard for you to go out to eat. But Alta – proves this theory wrong.

For example, at Alta for dinner one night, I mentioned that I had a nut allergy. Out comes this “nut free” menu! Talk about a VIP feel!!! I started to notice that some of the items were not on the menu. But when I realized that the lamb meatballs weren’t on there, I asked the waiter why. Turns out the chef likes to use a type of walnut or pine nut in the chopped meat for the meatballs. Something that is not stated on their regular menu.

So for the nut allergic and the gluten free, this place is great! (well, let’s be honest, for everyone this place is great!). The regular menu has over 40 items of small plates! Go with a large group and get every small plate on the menu for $480 bucks. Sounds like a lot, but you’ll get over 40 plates of food.

Try the sangria – it’s fabulous.

Note: Alta only takes cash and American Express. So bring your boyfriend and a wad of cash!

Allergy Info:
This place has a nut free and gluten free menu! What could be better?

Foodie Rundown:
Although I haven’t tried every dish, due to allergies and or lack of stomach space, here are some favs:
Pulled Pork Empanadas
Brussel Sprouts (can you tell this is a theme of mine?)
Pastrami Ravioli
Fried Goat Cheese
Grilled shrimp and chorizo skewer

Address:
West Village (64 w. 10th st)

http://altarestaurant.com/

Mr and Mrs Smith

If you guessed that the tomato soup was from The Smith, you were right!

Trendy, great drinks and in the heart of the east village. Full of youngsters, hipsters and students alike. The food, never disappoints, the prices are a little high, and you can’t sit unless you’re entire party is the there (sounds great, right?). Sit near the open window to enjoy some interesting people watching. You’ll see everything in the E. Vilalge. Make sure you get a drink (or 2) as the drink creations, muddlers and somewhat tastey whiskey flavored drinks are all worth dinner at the Smith.

Note: Bring your loud voice, screaming to your friends across the table will be necessary, as the acoustics aren’t great.

Allergy Info:
Allergy friendly! On the menu, The Smith states: “ Please alert your server of any food allergies, as not all ingredients are listed on the menu. Eating raw or undercooked fish, shellfish, eggs or meat increases the risk of foodborne illnesses.”
Also on their menu – The Smith supports local, natural, sustainable and organic practices whenever possible.

Foodie Rundown:
Tomato Soup – best in the city? My 3 friends during dinner thought so! For someone who doesn’t love tomato soup, no offense, I just think it tastes like tomato sauce, but this tomato soup was pretty amazing. Thick, with cheese and some croutons in it, it’s like French onion soup gone tomato, definitely a must try! (pictured)
Brussel Sprouts – now these are up my alley, if you think Crispo’s Brussel sprouts are good? Make sure you try there, because they are outrageous. (pictured)
Special: Thursday night – Sticky Ribs Special
Mussels with Fries (not quite flex mussels, but definitely great)
Ricotta Gnocchi with truffle creak sauce – a fan favorite at the table - when in doubt? Truffle it out! (pictured)

Locations:
E. Village (11th and 3rd)
Midtown (51st and 2nd)

Diamonds are Forever…So are Foie Gras Burgers

THE ORIGINAL db BURGER at Daniel Boulud’s DB Bistro Moderne is the most decadent of burgers. This $32 burger ($34 in Miami, $38 in Singapore), comes with all the fancy trimmings. A sirloin burger filled with braised short ribs, foie gras and black truffle, served on a parmesan bun. Comes with pommes frites or pommes soufflées (for those of you who don’t speak French, that’s fancy for fries). Go here before a Broadway Show for a 3-course $45 pre-theater menu (note the burger is not on the pre-theater menu)

Now although it’s burger week (on foodergie), it’s also restaurant week from July 16th -August 10th. (Please go to the official website for an all inclusive list of restaurants that are participating http://www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek/). DB Bistro Modern offers a great menu! Note again that the burger is NOT on their $35/meal restaurant week menu, but don’t pass up on any of their other meals, as the restaurant is delicious, gorgeous and would be a great date spot if you’re really trying to impress someone!

Allergy Info:
For those who don’t have allergies ;)

Foodie Rundown:
The Original db Burger

Locations:
NYC - 55 W. 44th St (44th between 5th and 6th)
Miami – 255 Biscayne Boulevard Way
Singapore - 2 Bayfront Ave

http://www.danielnyc.com/dbbistro.html

Bareburger – Spare it all, but the Bun!

For those of you gluten free friends out there, don’t let your burger be bare at Bareburger! Eat the burger WITH the bun! Popping up all over the place in NYC, Brooklyn and Queens, this organic, all natural, free range, grass fed burger sensation will be sure to delight all family members.

Whether you are looking to stay lean with a multi-grain roll, wheat or lettuce wrap, looking to keep your cholesterol down with a turkey burger, veggie burger, or chicken patty, or just trying to make up any excuse to eat a beef, elk, bison, or ossie burger, go to Bareburger!

Foodie Rundown:
Start with some pickles for the table, don’t want to fill yourself up before the big meal
Fries…or Onion Rings? Can’t decide? Get the basket combo with both!
The Western (This was the burger I had, with a gluten free bun, out of this world!)
Maple Bacon Chesesebarburger (This was the burger my friend Tara had, on multi-grain, that was described as the “best burger ever”)
The Roadhouse (Turkey burger, on a wrap, the healthy version that my friend Jolene tried)

Allergy Info:
Not Nut Friendly (100% peanut oil is used for all the fried items)
BUT
Veggie Friendly
Gluten Friendly
Cholesterol Friendly
Organic Friendly
Beef Friendly
Chicken Friendly

Locations:
Manhattan
Laguardia Place, NY, NY - Washington Square Park
3rd Ave - Murray Hill
8th Ave, - Chelsea
2nd Ave – East Village
1st Ave – Upper East Side

Queens
31st Ave – Astoria
31st St. – Astoria
Austin St. – Astoria
Bell Boulevard – Bayside, NY

Brooklyn
7th Ave – Brooklyn, NY

Check out my Buns!

Happy Bun-Day! Today’s Happy Hump day goes to Fun Buns!

A cart I found outside my office today. Fun Buns is food truck that offers pork belly, braised beef and braised chicken on little buns!

These “Fun” Buns come topped with Pickled Mustard Greens, crushed peanuts, and cilantro! Myself and my colleagues were happy to indulge in these little guys, as they were full of flavor and not overwhelming large! This means were full, but not stuffed! (in the foodie world - that's perfect!)

Allergy Info:
Not peanut friendly - Crushed Peanuts on the buns (which are so good)
Seafood friendly – but be careful of the salt and vinegar chips, they claim to have seafood in them!

Foodie Rundown:
Fun Bun Combo – a tasting of 2 or 3 buns with chips and a drink!

Locations:
Follow them on twitter @funbunsnyc to make sure you know where they are each and every day!

Shake Shake Shake...Shake your booty!

Shake it for Shake Shack!

For those of you who haven’t had Shake Shack, I suggest you going immediately. Tell your boss you're sick and leave work! A secret special sauce, and a juicy fast food burger that does dances in your mouth. Make sure you factor in a 30 to 60 minute wait at all shake shack locations (at least the ones in NYC).

Allergy Info:
Seafood free (no seafood on the menu)
100% all-natural Angus beef, vegetarian fed, humanely raised and source verified. No hormones or antibiotics
Although there are no peanuts/ peanut oils used for the burgers, they have peanut butter sauce and flavored ice cream for dessert
Vegetarians, hope you like mushrooms! Veggie friendly ‘Shroom burger

Green Friendly? YES!
100% of Shake Shack’s electric usage is offset through wind power and Renewable Energy
Each Shack is constructed from recycled and sustainable materials

Foodie rundown:
Shack burger with fries (for the bold and hearty appetite, try the double shack burger!) with fries and a vanilla shake -- make sure to head to the gym soon after as this burger has 490 calories and 29 grams of fat.

http://www.shakeshack.com/

Locations:
New York
Connecticut
Florida
Washington DC
Pennsylvania
Dubai
Kuwait City

Welcome to Good Burger Home of the Good Burger, may I take your order?

Welcome to Burger Week! Allergy friendly and not so friendly burger places to be reviewed by Foodergie!

First, we will start with Rare Bar and Grill. A veggie friendly, nut friendly gourmet burger restaurant that won’t break the bank.

Both locations (Chelsea and Murray Hill/Midtown East) will be pleasant and enjoyable experiences. Don’t forget to head up to the rooftop for some beautiful views after you stuff your face (see pictures).

Menu distinctly asks to inform your server of any allergies, so be safe, and don’t forget to mention your allergies and preferences!

Allergy Info:
Veggie burgers available
All burgers are 100% grade “A” American beef

Foodie Rundown:
Frickles
Build your own burger
Any burger with brie cheese
Fries with all the dipping sauces! (BBQ, Mexican, chipotle aioli and honey maple)
If you’re above ground beef, enhance your burger experience with a steakhouse burger

Locations:
Chelsea – 26th between 6th and 7th
Murray Hill / Midtown East – Lexington and 37th