If you have wanted to experiment with healthy side dishes to balance out your Thanksgiving meal, this is a great year to get started! Since this year calls for Thanksgiving to be celebrated with just those in your immediate household, you don’t have to worry about everyone in your extended family’s meal preferences. We have found some great recipes for you to try to make in your Glenwood kitchen! Keep reading to find out more.

Vegan Creamed Spinach

Creamed spinach is one of my most favorite fall and winter side dishes! But, I know it is far from healthy, so this year I have found a great recipe from Bon Appétit that is vegan and I won’t feel as guilty going for that second serving! This recipe will serve approx. 4 people.

Ingredients:

• 11 4oz packages silken tofu, drained
• ¼ cup grapeseed, vegetable, or other neutral oil
• 8 scallions, thinly sliced
• 13″ piece ginger, peeled, finely grated
• 1 chile (such as serrano or Fresno), thinly sliced
• 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 4 bunches mature spinach (about 2 lb.), trimmed, torn into large pieces, pinch of Kosher salt

Directions:

Step 1:

Purée tofu in a blender until smooth and the consistency of heavy cream. Transfer to a small bowl.

Step 2:

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Cook scallions, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add ginger, chile, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is softened and mixture is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Working in batches, add handfuls of spinach, letting it wilt slightly before adding more and stirring occasionally, until all the spinach is in the pan. Cover and cook until spinach is wilted and bright green, about 3 minutes. Uncover and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in tofu mixture and cook until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Taste and season with salt.

Quinoa Salad With Sweet Potato and Kale

A beautiful, richly colored salad that has a fall flavor spectrum is a perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving meal. This recipe from Cookie and Kate is as delicious as it is healthy.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes (about ¾ pound total), peeled and diced into ½-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1 ¾ cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups stemmed and finely chopped curly kale
• ½ cup roasted, salted sunflower seeds*
• ⅓ cup thinly sliced fresh basil

Pesto dressing (yields about 1 ½ cups, so you’ll have extra leftover)

• ½ cup firmly packed fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup firmly packed fresh parsley leaves
• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup or agave nectar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. To prepare the sweet potatoes, transfer them to the prepared baking sheet and toss them with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and arrange in a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes, then toss and bake for 10 to 15 minutes longer, until tender and browning. Set the pan aside to cool.
3. Meanwhile, combine the rinsed quinoa and broth in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then decrease the heat to maintain a simmer, cover, and cook until the quinoa has absorbed all the liquid, about 20 minutes. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and set aside to cool.
4. To make the vinaigrette, combine all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until mostly smooth, but with small pieces of herbs still visible.
5. Transfer the chopped kale to a large serving bowl. Sprinkle with a dash of salt and then use your hands to “massage” the kale, grabbing big handfuls at a time and gently squeezing them in your fist until the kale is darker in color and more fragrant, about 15 seconds.
6. Add the sweet potatoes, quinoa, kale, sunflower seeds and sliced basil to the bowl. Drizzle with about ⅓ cup dressing and gently toss until all of the ingredients are evenly coated. Taste and mix in more dressing if desired.
7. Serve the salad at room temperature or cold. Leftovers will keep well in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 2 days.

I made this dish and loved it! I added some pomegranate and chickpeas because my husband loves them and served it inside a roasted squash!

Devilish Eggs

Deviled eggs are a great appetizer to put out for your family while you finish preparing your Thanksgiving meal! This deviled egg recipe by Ellie Krieger found on the Food Network has the same great flavor, but is in fact healthier!

Ingredients:

• 1 dozen eggs
• 2/3 cup silken tofu, drained
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce, plus more to taste
• 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Directions:

1. Place the eggs in a large saucepan and cover with water. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 9 minutes. Remove the eggs from water and run under cold water for about 1 minute or until cool enough to touch. Peel eggs under cold running water.
2. Slice the eggs in half lengthwise. Scoop out the yolks and discard 6 of them or save for another use. Set aside the whites.
3. Place the remaining yolks in a medium bowl and mash with the tofu, mayonnaise, mustard, hot sauce, horseradish and chives. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Spoon the mixture into the corner of a plastic bag and snip off the end. Pipe the yolk mixture into the egg whites. Arrange on a platter and sprinkle with paprika.

Beet And Apple Salad

This recipe from Food & Wine by George Mendes blends fall flavor and color into a light, healthy salad perfect for your Thanksgiving table!

Ingredients

• 4 large beets (2 1/2 pounds) 
• 5 thyme sprigs 
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil (plus more for drizzling) 
• Salt and freshly ground pepper 
• ¼ cup apple-cider vinegar 
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 
• 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish 
• ⅓ cup salted pistachios (chopped) 
• 1 green apple (thinly sliced) 

Directions

Step 1:

Preheat the oven to 375°. In a baking dish, lightly drizzle the beets and thyme with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and roast until the beets are tender, about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Let cool, then peel the beets and cut them into 3/4-inch dice.

Step 2:

In a large bowl, whisk the vinegar with the mustard. Whisk in the remaining 1/2 cup of oil until emulsified. Add the horseradish and season with salt and pepper; toss with the beets and pistachios. Transfer the beets to a platter, top with the apple and serve.

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The Super Bowl is less than a week away — Sunday, February 1, 2015 — and even though our local teams were pretty terrible this season, at least we can all eat and be merry, right? If the beer-wings-bar scene is not your thing, we've amassed a list of alternatives!

Although New York City will not have the excitement of hosting the Super Bowl as it did last year maybe we get a better game.  If you have an apartment large enough to host your group of friends you're probably not looking to cook for a crowd. If you're looking to skip the craziness of NYC sports bars but are in search of a seat, a view, pitchers (or bottles) and a steady flow of food, we got you covered!

BBQ Food for Super Bowl 2015

Barbecue is a good idea any day as far as I'm concerned, but it also makes for an excellent game-day feast. Personal favorite Mighty Quinn's in the East Village has an awesome catering menu, as does the equally-great Hill Country in the Flatiron. Dinosaur Barbecue in Harlem will be serving up special Super Bowl ribs-and-wings platters, with all of their famous sides available in half-gallon buckets. Also superb barbeque food options are:

• Virgil's in Times Square
• Blue Smoke in Battery Park City
• Delaney's Briskettown in Williamsburg

Super Bowl Sandwich Spread

If a sandwich-based spread is more your thing for the Super Bowl, you should start your search at Parm in Nolita, which will be constructing a special three-foot version of their incomparable House Roasted Turkey hero as well as trays of Chicken and Meatball Parm, and Mario Carbone's Superbowl Lasagna. Speaking of meatballs, you can't go wrong with the crowd-pleasing catering menu from The Meatball Shop (personal note: don't shy away from their stealth-hit Chicken Balls with Mushroom Gravy). You may also want to check out Carmine's, whose signature big flavors and massive servings are perfectly suited for America's biggest party. For a classic NYC sandwich-and-sides experience, the 2nd Avenue Deli has a Super Bowl package as well. 

Watch Football and Enjoy Asian Cusine

Finally, for a feast of Asian-inflected snacks that go way beyond your Chinese-spot usual, check out David Chang's Momofuku Noodle Bar's "Super Bowl To Go" menu, featuring Korean style fried chicken wings, chilled spicy noodles, and roasted rice cakes. And if you've been invited to a party and put in charge of "bringing wings", my advice is to hit up Mudville 9 on Chambers Street for a hundred- or two-hundred pack of their slightly messy, slightly spicy beauties (comes with buckets of seasoned fries!), and you'll be a true Super Bowl hero.

So tell us: Where will you be watching the Super Bowl 2015 game? What's on your Super Bowl party menu?

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Although you can easily get a nice variety of decent cuts these days at any Whole Foods, Fairway, or Citarella, every NYC neighborhood deserves a great butcher, preferably of the old-school, family-owned variety. Places like Ottomanelli Brothers, Lobel's, Ottomanelli & Sons, Schatzie, Harlem Shambles, and J. Baczynsky's Ukranian Meat Market will always beat the big guys on quality, especially for special occasions.

Now-a-days, a new breed of butcher has been changing the face of NYC meat markets, combining the old-fashioned personalized service with a contemporary commitment to locavore ideals and education. Let's take a look at some!

The Meat Hook in Williamsburg

First up is The Meat Hook, located in Williamsburg. Dedicated not only to providing you and me with excellent food, but also in establishing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with farmers. Not big agribusinesses- real, actual people, to ensure that every animal sold here was raised and slaughtered in a humane way. The farmers get three time as much from Meat Hook as they would from one of the big supermarket chains, so the incentive to do it right is firmly in place. All the beef is from grass-fed cows, and all the hogs and lambs were raised out in a pasture. Additionally, all the butchers are highly-trained, profile-worthy individuals.

There are also classes almost every day at their partner space, The Brooklyn Kitchen; a robust sausage program. And if that's still not enough reasons to head on over to Williamsburg… Right next door is The Meat Hook Sandwich Shop, which everyone says is the absolute best in the city, and which I personally can't wait to visit. 

Dickson's Farmstead Meats

Back in Manhattan, at the always-packed Chelsea Market (and with good reason: the food line-up here remains pretty stellar, even as it gets mobbed with tourists), there's Dickson's Farmstead Meats. Everything they sell here, all of the great steaks and chops, all of the bacon, sausages, and charcuterie, is butchered and created by the Dickson's Farmstead crew on premises. Even the condiments on the eminently satisfying sandwiches are made in the back! We suggest getting the roast beef with horseradish crema and pickled red onions. 

Dickson's Farmstead also offers classes (as you'll see, this is kind of mandatory for the new wave of butcher shops), both of the "demo" and "hands-on" variety, on topics such as sausage making, smoking, and jerky. Coming soon: visits to the farms and slaughterhouses.

Flying Pigs Farm

Flying Pigs Farm is physically located along the Battenkill River in Washington County, New York, but if you've ever eaten an amazing slab of pork at, say, ABC Cocina, Telepan, Gramercy Tavern, Back 40 West, or Jean Georges (among many others), you've likely been chowing down on one of Mike Yezzi and Erin Small's rare, heritage breed pigs.

You don't have to travel upstate to bring home the bacon yourself: every Friday in Union Square, and every Saturday in Grand Army Plaza, the Flying Pigs Farms crew sets up shop in these respective greenmarkets, with a wide array of cuts from humanely, sustainably raised pigs. There are chops, ribs, cutlets, and roasts, of course, but my go-to here is the breakfast meats. Simply put, the Flying Pigs Farm breakfast sausage is the best you'll ever eat. All of the bacon varieties are also top-notch, there's raved-about leaf lard for bakers, and the Flying Pigs Farm eggs have been a part of our weekend breakfast routine for years.

Fleisher's in Park Slope

Every piece of meat sold at Fleisher's, in Park Slope conforms to strict standards:

• All animals are pasture raised,
• No pesticides or herbicides, no antibiotics
• Strictly vegetarian diets
• Nose-to-tail cutting
• From farms within 50 miles of the butcher's original shop in Kingston, New York.

Like all the butchers in this article, Fleisher's pasture-raised meats are about 15% more expensive than what you might find in a supermarket, but considering how good it all tastes and the peace of mind it gives you, it is totally worth the extra few bucks. Plus, if you stick with Fleisher's excellent grinds and sausages (all made in-house), their free-range organic chickens, and their stew meats, feeding yourself and/or your family, while doing the right thing, is totally do-able even for those of us on a budget. 

Heritage Foods USA

Finally, take a look at Heritage Foods USA, which offers both a robust mail-order meat program based in Brooklyn and a small shop in the great Essex Street Market on the Lower East Side, AND a radio station, transmitting from the back of Roberta's in East Williamsburg. Heritage Foods partners with a small group of family farmers around the country who have committed to humanely raising rare and heritage breeds of pigs, cows, chickens, turkeys, sheep, lamb, goats, ducks, rabbit, bison. You've likely eaten plenty of Heritage Foods meat at all sorts of restaurants around town (including Spotted Pig, Fette Sau, Carbone, Salumeria Rosi, Momofuku Ssam, all of Batali's spots, and many, many more), but check out the website for a huge variety of cuts, grinds, sausages, charcuterie, and gift packages that you can have sent directly to your home.

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For a certain type of mood, and a certain type of meal, Danny Meyer's Shake Shack is near perfection. But you can't overdo it. For me, four to six Shack visits a year is about right; the flavors just seem more lively, the food more satisfying, with a bit of rest between meals.

That said, I always try to make it to one of the Shacks during Meyer's annual Shacktoberfest, when a half dozen or so sausage- and beer-based additions hit the Shake Shack menu, and I highly recommend you do the same. This is first-rate fast-casual dining, and you won't feel like you've had it all before.

The Menu's Sausage and Beer Additions

Now in its eighth year, the 2013 Shacktoberfest features five sausage items, two desserts, and 25-oz "collectible" steins of Shackmeister Ale for only $10; (only $7 if you're getting a refill!). I went to the Upper West Side Shake Shack to get my Shacktober fix, and really enjoyed my two meat dishes. The Cheddar Brat Burger, especially, was excellent, the brat oozing cheese and adding both snap and funk to the beef burger, and the fried shallots completing the package with crunchy goodness.

More Shacktoberfest Goodies to Enjoy

Also good from the special Shacktoberfest menu was the Polish Sausage, the smoked meat grilled just right, with a generous pile of "German-style slaw" (basically: crisp, vinegary sauerkraut) topping things off nicely. There's also a Currywurst dog that sounds pretty good, which is a Bavarian brat topped with more of those shallots and curry ketchup. The only regret of my Shacktoberfest feast was the German Chocolate Pecan Concrete, which combines chocolate frozen custard, coconut pecan caramel, and big chunks of chocolate truffle cookie dough, and was just way too much of a sugary thing.

New Shake Shack Location in Grand Central Terminal

In other Shake Shack news, last weekend marked the opening of yet another outpost in Meyer's burger-joint empire, this time in Grand Central Terminal. Located on the terminal's lower level in what has become a sprawling food court, Shake Shack Grand Central serves all of the expected Shake favorites–including the new-style "hand cut" fries–and, exclusive to this location, sells Shackmeister Ale in to-go bottles, handy if you're grabbing something for the train. With out-of-town visitor season approaching, you're likely to end up in hungry and in midtown more than once between now and the New Year, so keep this spot in mind. It's also right next to the famous whispering wall, which always impresses. Note: the Shake Shack GCT is the only NYC location NOT celebrating Shacktoberfest this year.

More Information: Shake Shack Shacktoberfest

The Shake Shack Shacktoberfest 2013 runs only through Sunday, October 13. You can get Shacktoberfest items at all Manhattan Shacks, except GCT.    

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When 83 1/2 opened last fall in the heart of Glenwood's Upper East Side territory, I was excited. With well-known Chef Ryan Skeen manning the burners–he of Allen and Delancey, Resto, and 5 & Diamond fame/notoriety, among others–and a modest, local-favorite sort of feel, it seemed like just the sort of place the neighborhood needs.

But then before I could get over there, Skeen left 83 1/2, and the place rejiggered itself as an Italian spot with new Chef Will Foden offering up a "Sicilian-inspired" menu. Hmmmm. Definitely less hype-worthy, but still, good, friendly places to eat that don't cost a fortune are always welcome in this or any other community. So last week I finally sat down for dinner at 83 1/2, and got excited all over again, thoroughly enjoying everything Foden could throw at me. 

The New Menu Under Chef Will Foden

The 83 1/2 menu has an appealing Stuzzicare section, with a special of any three snacks for only $13. Clearly this is the way to go, and I was rewarded with three-out-of-three winners: a fat, crispy pair of tomato risotto fritters, studded with oxtail and just the right hint of sweetness; a small pile of soft poached tuna drizzled in olive oil and paired with grilled ramps; and a mound of fluffy ricotta accompanied by a thick, pesto-ish sauce. Both of these last two came with oily toast which, when combined with the first-rate bread basket, red pepper spread and (more) olive oil, all makes for a snappy start to a meal. 

Delicious Italian Food and Promotional Deals

After all the snacking, I figured that a single pasta dish would leave me plenty satisfied, and I figured correctly. All four or five "Primis" on the 83 1/2 menu sounded good, but I went with the Tagliatelle (cooked perfectly), tossed with tender cuttlefish, rich smoked tomatoes and some peperoncino to give it a jolt. This was terrific dish: thoughtful, nicely balanced, prepared with care and considerable skill. The only thing that concerns me about 83 1/2 was the lack of customers. True, I was eating early, but when I left around 7:00, on a Thursday night, only a couple of tables were taken, giving the restaurant a dangerously low energy level. Owner Vincenzo Mangiafridda is trying to liven things up, with promotions like a new happy hour, and there was a "pop-up" dinner in June with Chef Daniel Holzman, of the always-packed (with a young crowd) Meatball Shop, and they're even encouraging diners at 83 1/2 to Instagram their meals by offering a free affogato if you post and hashtag your food pics. I hope something works. We could really use more places like 83 1/2 in the neighborhood. 

More Information: 83 1/2 Restaurant

83 1/2 is located on 83rd Street just west of First Avenue, and is open on Tuesday through Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., on Sunday until 9:00, and on Friday and Saturday to 11:00. Closed Mondays. For more information and a look a sample 83 1/2 menu, visit 83 1/2 online!

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There are probably a hundred restaurants in this town that look exactly like Gajyumaru, especially, perhaps, on the avenues of the Upper East and Upper West Sides. You know the type of place: narrow, travel posters as decor, outdated color scheme, random menu, an overall feeling of fatigue.

I've been burned by these generic spots over the years more times than I care to admit, so when I find a neighborhood restaurant that looks unremarkable but serves food that's anything but, well… it is a good eating day indeed. So: meet my new go-to sushi spot on the Upper East Side, Gajyumara. 

Plenty of Seating at Gajyumara

Located in the heart of Glenwood UES territory, at 1659 First Avenue between 86th and 87th, Gajyumara has apparently been around since 2006, though for some reason the awning still says "Shimanchu", which I can only assume was the name of whatever came before. (I asked the staff to explain; they could not). Needless to say, it's a little confusing, which is why I included the number in the address above. Also confusing: when you walk into a NYC restaurant that Yelpers seem to love, and that received a recent rave from one of the best food blogs around, Immaculate Infatuation, and the place is totally, totally empty. Yes, it was early when I went, but still. 

Gajyumaru's Fresh Fish Sushi Dish

Of course, a sushi spot lives or dies based on the quality of its fish, and here Gajyumaru does a fine job. I ordered the Chirashi, and was rewarded with a generous if unsurprising selection of (mostly) raw fish–tuna, salmon, fluke, shrimp, yellowtail, pollack (aka "crab"), some roe–and pickled veggies, served over sticky, vinegared rice. You won't want to travel from all over town to eat this, but for only $20, if you're a local with a craving? Gajyumaru is definitely your move.

Gajyumaru Restaurant on the Upper East Side

Gajyumaru is located at 1659 First Avenue between 86th and 87th Streets. As stated above, the signage outside says, not Gajyumaru, but rather Shimanchu, but don't be fooled, this is the place. Gajyumaru serves lunch on Tuesdays through Sundays from 12:00 noon to 2:45, and dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00. Closed Mondays. For more info, including a link to online ordering via Seamless, visit Gajyumaru on Menupages!

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Dulce Vida Cafe and Bakery, Lexington Avenue restaurant, is the type of place that you'd probably hurry past a hundred times without much more than a glance or two in the window. Inside, the mishmash of table-clothed dining to your right, huge food photos plastered to your left (are those coffee beans?), combined with the Comic Sans-ish signage… it's all more confusing than intriguing. But, you've got things to do, so you'll maybe investigate later.

Unless you or someone you love is of Colombian heritage, that is. Then all it would take is one glance at the menu, or a quick peek into the display case of baked goods and desserts, to lure you in. That's because Dulce Vida Cafe is one of the only dedicated Colombian food restaurants in all of Manhattan, serving up familiar favorites to a house of happy ex-pats. And non ex-pats, like us, who happen to love Latin food. 

Dulce Vida Cafe's Empanadas

We finally made it to Dulce Vida Cafe the other night for the first time, tipped off by one of those "Neighborhood Joint" columns earlier this year in The New York Times, and had a great time sampling as many of the Colombian dishes as we could handle at 5:30 in the evening. We started with a trio of mini empanadas which, while obviously not exclusively Colombian, are nonetheless too tempting to resist. Our Dulce Vida empanadas were fried, nicely moist, generously stuffed, and slightly sweet from the cornmeal shell. The cheese was probably the winner here, but the chicken and beef were also solid starter snacks, especially when dipped in the fiery green sauce they brought us in a little bowl. In fact, that green sauce went really well with our other dishes as well. Also necessary at Dulce Vida Cafe: the salt and pepper, helpfully supplied without asking, diner-style. 

Dulce Vida Cafe's Authentic Colombian Food

Anyway, after self-seasoning with the above we definitely enjoyed our choice from the "Sopas Colombianas" section of the Dulce Vida menu, the Ajiaco. This was an almost stew-like concoction of potatoes, shredded chicken, capers and a dollop of cream, which, after adding in the half avocado and a mound of white rice, made for a comforting, hearty dish. Also hearty (and also needing previously suggested seasoning) was our Cazuela de Frijoles, a casserole of red beans, sweet platanos, avocado, and "chopped chicharron", which wasn't the crackling fried pig skin we were expecting–more like large, difficult-to-navigate hunks of skin, meat, fat, bone–but, once we figured it out, was good nonetheless. Dulce Vida Bakery usually serves one of our all-time favorite desserts, Tres Leches cake, but were sold out on this night. Maybe next time–or a guava paste goodie? or some flan, quizas? All of which should be paired with a cup of their first-rate Columbian coffee.

Dulce Vida Cafe and Bakery

The Dulce Vida Colombian Cafe and Bakery is located on Upper East Side between 82nd and 83rd Streets, just a few blocks from Glenwood's Cambridge apartments. This Lexington Avenue restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 on Saturdays, and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 on Sundays. For more information and a look at the complete Dulce Vida menu, visit them online! 

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It was 2006 when Erin McKenna opened up BabyCakes, slinging her amazing gluten-free (and vegan) baked goodies from a cute, tiny storefront on the Lower East Side. We first stumbled across BabyCakes about a year later, during intermission of a "Shakespeare In the Parking Lot" performance going on around the corner, and though we were initially skeptical about the whole concept, not being gluten-free or vegan ourselves.

McKenna and her creations instantly won our heart, and we've been Babycakes fans ever since. Funny thing, though, even as more and more people we know are being diagnosed as celiacs, or with gluten allergies, beyond Babycakes there remains very few specifically gluten-free restaurants in this town… and even fewer still that are actually good enough for even non-celiacs to seek out. 

Pip's Place Beginnings

Enter Pip's Place: The Gluten-Free Cakery, which opened last summer in the Yorkville neighborhood of the Upper East Side and, if a recent visit is any indication, is cranking out a wide and tempting array of baked goodies to a steady stream of happy customers. Owner and baker Denise Cumming named the gluten free bakery after her daughter Olivia, nickname Pippi, who found out she was a celiac at age 14 and, after just a short time of eating Cumming's new, gluten-free food, never felt better in her life. "Mom," said Pip, "do people really feel this good every day?" And that was the moment that Cumming knew she had to share the gluten-free love with the world. 

Gluten-free Treats on The Pip's Place Menu

Pip's Place has a full menu of gluten-free treats both expected, like cookies, muffins, cupcakes, layer cakes by the slice or by the whole shebang, and also unique, like Sour Cream Coffee Cake, Pecan Tartlet, bags of granola, Banana Cherry Coconut Loaf, and the awesomely sweet and gooey Canadian Nanaimo Bar (picture above). Novel and quite delicious at Pip's Place are the "cookie sandwiches", stuffed with intensely flavored cream. The Peppermint Pip, below, is particularly recommended. Pip's Place is always bustling, too, so clearly the turnover is high, and everything looks (and, as far as we've gotten through the vast array of gluten-free delights on display, TASTES) fresh. There's a lot of love going on here at Pip's Place, and it shows.

Pip's Place: The Gluten Free Cakery details 

Pip's Place gluten-free bakery is located on 1st Avenue between 89th and 90th Streets, and is open weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Saturdays from 8:00 to 8:00, and on Sundays from 9:00 to 8:00. For more information to buy gluten gree food in NYc and a look at just a small sampling of the Pip's Place menu, visit them online! 

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A solid neighborhood spot–friendly, reasonably priced, consistently good and with enough variety to keep things interesting–is always worth getting excited about, and Le Moulin a Cafe is no exception. Serving French food, Le Moulin opened this summer and just recently started serving a full dinner menu. Located on York Avenue near 77th Street (and right across from Glenwood’s historic Pavillion), Le Moulin a Cafe is lively and comfortable, open all day, with counter service up front (perfect for breakfast, lunch, or for one their terrific pastries and a coffee) and a cozy dining room in the back. In other words: French restaurants like Le Moulin is the type of place that every neighborhood wants, and that this Upper East Side neighborhood now has. 

We have friends who swear by Le Moulin a Cafe’s  French menu for lunch, (the Quiche, the Croque Monsieur, the Salad Nicoise),  to-go or to-stay. This visit, we decided to sit in the warm, almost romantically-lit back room and sample the French cuisine on their dinner menu. Results were mixed, but still, Le Moulin a Cafe is the sort of French restaurant that we find ourselves returning to again and again. 

Le Moulin’s menu is filled with French classics, and the Frisee aux Lardons was a terrific straight-forward version of that old bistro standard: the greens were crunchy and bitter; the poached egg runny; the generous sprinkling of bacon chunks smoky and chewy; the whole pile snappily dressed in a vinegary drizzle. A good start. Unfortunately, the kitchen really fell down with our entree, one of only three on the menu, and clearly not an area of their offerings into which we’ll be venturing a second time. Le Plat in question was a Demi Poulet Roti, a half chicken roasted until flavorless and parched-dry. The fries, too, tasted only of the ketchup with which they needed to be dunked. We ate about a third of this before giving up. 

So skip those French entrees at Le Moulin restaurant, stick with the sandwiches, soups, and salads. Also the french desserts, which were all first-rate, especially the moist and buttery Praline Financier, as well as those bite-sized vanilla-y treats near the register up front with a bit of custard hidden inside. The staff at Le Moulin a Cafe are smiley and helpful, the prices easy to swallow, the music indie-light (Decemberists, Death Cab, Modest Mouse) and turned down low. A nice addition to the Yorkville community. 

Satisfy that French Cuisine Craving at Le Moulin a Café

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