If you are out in Soho or the West Village and need a satisfying meal at any time of day, Jack's Wife Freda is a good place to try. This place has a big following, and it's because they aren't trying to do anything crazy- just simple food, done well. I love the Mediterranean influenced menu at this all-day bistro, as well as the warm & welcoming atmosphere. Stop by for a quick lunch between appointments, or meet friends for a lively brunch on the weekend!
loaded chia seed puddings
Sometimes breakfast can get monotonous and boring, but these totally loaded chia seed puddings will get your day started on a delicious, healthy, and satisfying note. I like to keep the chia pudding itself quite simple and not too sweet. The toppings are where you really get to be creative! Feel free to mix them up based on your preference, but more is always better. Just make sure you use toppings with a variety of textures, so your breakfast doesn't turn into a big pile of mush. Think toasted nuts, dried fruit, nut butter, fresh fruit, etc. These chia puddings are colorful and flavorful, not to mention packed full of healthy ingredients to ensure the most important meal of your day is one to remember.
Chia Seed Puddings:
1/2 cup chia seeds
2 cups almond mik
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground allspice
zest of one lemon
pinch of salt
toppings of choice (I used pomegranate seeds, goji berries, almond butter, fresh berries, toasted nuts, granola, dried coconut, and finished with frothy steamed almond milk)
Combine all ingredients in large bowl, stirring until combined. Let sit overnight to thicken. In the morning, serve with preferred toppings and enjoy!
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lilia
Ever since Lilia joined the New York dining scene, I'd been trying to find the perfect time to go indulge in a what I'd heard was a fantastic Italian meal. Chef Missy Robbins is bringing the best of Italy, think handmade pastas and wood-fired seafood, to Williamsburg, Brooklyn (in a converted auto shop, no less!). Reservations are almost impossible to attain, but my husband and I figured we'd test our luck right when they opened one rainy holiday weekend. No dice. The restaurant was already packed, but they have a lovely caffè with aperitivi and snacks to wait until your table is ready. We were seated pretty quickly, and soon began an Italian feast to remember. My husband got the opportunity to speak to Chef Robbins, as the vast, beautiful kitchen is open and on full display to diners. Her passion and creativity are truly evident in not only her words, but in each and every dish presented. Everything was so fresh and well balanced, not to mention cooked perfectly. As a starter, the cacio e pepe frittelle (think cacio e pepe pasta in a light & flaky beignet-type dough) were literally melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The handmade pastas, specifically the popular & uniquely shaped mafaldini, which is served simply with pink peppercorns and Parmigiano Reggiano, are some of the best I've ever had. Lilia has an amazing wood-fired oven, so it would behoove you to order a meat or fish dish cooked in this way. The grilled swordfish and veal flank steak were both cooked to perfection, with that slightly crisp, charred finish you can't get from other methods. As always, dessert was a must, and I loved the playful, yet sophisticated version of a build-your-own soft serve gelato bowl! We went with vanilla gelato, topped with lemony walnuts and amaretti cookies, however, I can imagine chocolate gelato with salted hazelnuts, chocolate stracci, and candied citrus would be to die for as well. Keep in mind that the caffè is open all day, so stop by for a cappuccino and pastry in the morning, or a sandwich and gelato in the afternoon! The fact that Lilia garnered three stars from Pete Wells, the New York Times food critic, is no surprise to me. I'm thrilled to add another highly impressive spot to my list of neighborhood regulars.
cafe mogador
Cafe Mogador is probably my husband's and my #1 go-to neighborhood spot. Although it's always super packed on the weeknights and for weekend brunch, we love going for a quiet weekday breakfast. Due to my husband working in a kitchen himself, which usually consists of very long hours and late nights, we get to go out for breakfast dates more often than dinner dates. It's quite nice to have the random Tuesday morning free together, and we love nothing more than indulging in breakfast at Cafe Mogador. We literally don't even look at the menu anymore, either. It's always the Middle Eastern eggs, poached, for me, and the Moroccan Eggs with a side of Merguez sausage for him. Plus a cappuccino and Americano, or two, of course. It really never lets us down, and is always so filling and satisfying. The fluffy za'atar pita bread is the perfect accompaniment for cleaning up every last drop from your plate. We love sitting in the enclosed "backyard" area, which has a bit of a jungle feel with all the greenery, and is the perfect temperature year-round!
santina
The coastal Italian menu with a strong focus on fish and vegetables drew me to Santina immediately. As part of the Major Food Group (think Dirty French, Carbone, Sadelle's etc.), the restaurant joins a list of popular, acclaimed restaurants, and in doing so has high expectations to fill. Upon entering Santina, you're greeted by bright colors and a welcoming, Mediterranean-inspired interior, which is a nice reprieve from the typical dark and gloomy New York restaurant. I love the colorful, hand-painted, and unique dishes used as well. I was excited to try the super creative (and not to mention beautifully plated!) squash carpaccio, and it did not disappoint. The delicate butternut squash was balanced nicely with a honey agrodolce, pink peppercorns, pumpkin seeds, and crème fraîche. The cecina (Tuscan chickpea pancake) was served in the skillet accompanied by a delicious avocado salsa verde, and came offered with a variety of toppings. We chose the spicy Calabrian tuna tartare, which was super fresh. with just the right amount of spice. The kale & sunchoke salad was light and refreshing, perfect before heading into our main courses. There are several seasonal rice and pasta dishes on the menu, and we thoroughly enjoyed our fusilli Santina with Merguez sausage & mussels (the guanciale e pepe rice dish, however, was quite underwhelming). The Guajillo chicken with eggplant yogurt was cooked perfectly and so full of flavor; the radicchio and frisée added a nice contrasting bite to the dish as well. We had plans for dessert elsewhere, but I would definitely like to return and taste the sweets, along with many other things on the menu! I love that Santina easily caters to meat-eaters, pescatarians, and vegetarians alike, with many fresh and creative dishes available for everyone. Although the prices are a bit high, it's on-par with the neighborhood, and the solid food & fun atmosphere ensure I'll be returning again soon.