Blue Smoke

Blue Smoke and Jazz Standard
116 East 27th Street
New York, N.Y.  10016
between Park and Lexington
212-447-7733
www.jazzstandard.net

Blue Smoke never disappoints.  No matter what kind of Bar-B-Que your in the mood for they can fill the bill.  This is a Danny Meyer restaurant and lives up to the high standard and quality his restaurants are known for. (See Union Square Cafe or Gramercy Tavern) And he is a driving force behind the Big Apple Bar-B-Que block party held in Madison Square Park every June.  So you know he knows his Que.  And Blue Smoke has a gluten free menu - always a bonus for me.

We started with appetizers.  Annie ordered fried pork ravioli and I had a garden salad.  The ravioli came out crisp with just the right amount of sauce.  My lightly dressed salad was fresh and full of salad veggies.  Two yums! 

Baby Back

Saint Louis

Annie ordered the juicy, sauce slathered saint louis ribs and I ordered the tender, dry rubbed baby back ribs.  Sides of collard greens, mashed potatoes and vinegar coleslaw; we were in hog heaven.  The saint louis style are juicier and well marbled.  The baby backs are leaner.  Several sauces are on the table, all are good.  They are even available for you to take home.  I have their rub sitting on my spice rack right now.

Vinegar slaw on top and collard greens on the bottom.

Being full we skipped dessert.
A full wine, beer and cocktail menu rounds things out perfectly. 
There is a separate jazz performance venue downstairs but you'll never hear it unless you venture down there.  The restaurant can get crowded and they do take reservations.  Good place for special occasion dinners for family or just dinner for two friends.  This is my son's favorite birthday place.

Bottom line -
Dinner including 2 appetizers, 2 half racks, 3 sides, soft drinks, wine and tip was $102.00
Would I eat there again - oh yes and yes.

TIO PEPE in NYC

TIO PEPE in NYC
168 West 4th Street (just west of 6th Avenue)
212-242-6480
www.tiopepenyc.com



This Thursday Annie and I found Tio Pepe while wondering east on West 4th Street.  As we were looking at the menu posted at the entrance, we were warmly greeted and invited in.  We couldn't resist the charm of both the host and the atmosphere.

We sat at a tiled top table near the front of the restaurant.  The storefront windows were completely opened adding to the cafe charm.  But this is not a small place.  They also have a garden greenhouse in the back.  The decor is Castilian Spanish by way of Mexico.  And to some degree so is the menu.

Annie started with a straight up Mojito.  I opted for the Tequila version with sprit and orange juice added to the Mojitos sugar, lime and mint.  Chips and a nicely spicy salsa came also.  Both were yummy.

We shared nachos for an appetizer.

You never know what you're gonna get when you order nachos.  Everyone uses the same ingredients - its the architecture that varies.

These were the kind that are individually made, each with its own healthy piling of creamy black bean, melted cheese and topped with a ring of jalapeño.  In the center of the plate was some shredded lettuce and sour cream.  Good for this type nacho.  Just the right amount of each ingredient on a just the right amount of crisp chip.  I wondered why there was no guacamole on the plate and then saw the mobile table side guacamole station roll by.  Guacamole is made fresh to order at ones table.  (Next time!)



Annie ordered the Mariscada en Salsa Verde but asked for the Ajillo sauce instead - no problem.  The dish was lobster, gulf shrimp, clams and mussels in garlic and olive oil.  Annie loves shell fish and lobster.
It must have been good cause she picked that crustacean clean, not an occupied shell left on the plate.

I ordered Lubina a la Vasca - sea bass, clams, mussels and gulf shrimp in parsley, garlic and white wine.  As usual I talked to the waiter about my gluten intolerance and was told that there was no flour or various other gluten products in our selections.  And if I wanted my dish prepared another way that would be no problem.  The sea bass was perfectly cooked as were the shell fish.  The sauce was light and not distracting and the fresh peas added just the right amount of fun and color.  I enjoyed it very much.

Both entrees came with yellow rice - which was soft and creamy in texture yet not at all mushy.
Very good food along with very nice customer service.  Water glasses were filled promptly when they got low, plates were cleared as they were emptied and the staff were very attentive even though they were 2/3 full.

Bottom line
Dinner with 2 drinks, 1 appetizer and 2 entrees including tax and tip $100.00
Would I eat there again - Yes
Special feature - Atmosphere - people watching if you opt for the front dining room, romantic if you opt for the garden.