It’s hard to go wrong with Momofuku Ssäm Bar for an after-work NYC dinner spot. With its small-portioned mix of eclectic creations and seasonal flavors, it doesn’t just curb your hunger, it adds a bit of fun to your dining experience. Although its overwhelming crowds have died down a bit since its initial opening, new yorkers still flock here for their famous plates like the steamed buns made with delicious, juicy pork belly. On my most recent trip, I opted for a sampling of seafood options including their  p.e.i. mussels followed by an order of their raw bar’s diver scallops … (read more).

The CassaDecor team took an after-work trip to  The Meatball Shop last night to chow down on some warm comfort food, L.E.S style. As we’re no strangers to this late-night dining hotspot, we knew what we wanted before even stepping foot in the door – spicy pork with parmesan sauce and chicken with mushroom sauce. Wanting something new, we also went with a good recommendation and ordered the  mashed potatoes, which are now a new personal side-dish favorite. We were too stuffed to sample their desserts, but if you have a sweet tooth the ice-cream sandwiches are another must-try! Check … (read more).

Happy first day of spring everyone! We couldn’t be more excited for the sunny weather to return so we wanted to try some sweet treats from Baked by Melissa to celebrate not only the start of spring, but this beautiful day in NYC! If you haven’t heard of Baked by Melissa, it’s an open air,  inviting little cupcake shop famous for their funky flavors and mini bites. Since I’ve never been before and new locations seem to be popping up all over the city, I decided it was time to check it out. Take a look below at some of … (read more).

We’re no strangers to the wonders of photo-sharing phenomenons like Pinterest and The Fancy, so naturally we were very excited to come across the image heavy FoodGawker. Combining some of the best food photography the web has to offer, FoodGawker’s app (and site) let your eyes do the picking when it comes to recipes. Its functionality is typical of most free apps, like the ability to save favorites and create notes for ingredient lists, but the depth of cuisines displayed after a search sets it apart from the others. So if you’re looking for  ‘breakfast,’ ‘tacos,’ or even ‘carrots’ you’ll get … (read more).

Given my affection for tacos, when I saw that Empellón had been receiving high praises from just about every NYC publication for their take on the dish, I knew it was time for a visit. Boasting what are arguably some of the best in city, this taquería definitely puts the Mexican staple in high culinary regards. You’ll not only find the usual offering of steak, chicken, and fish, but lobster, scallop and even tongue tacos to name a few, and just as they are in no short supply of taco options, their salsa choices are nothing to laugh at. Their … (read more).

If you’re on the Upper East Side and looking for your next reliable dinner date spot or power lunch locale, Atlantic Grill is the place for you. A member of dependable restaurant group BR Guest and something of an U.E.S. institution, Atlantic Grill offers a wide array of seafood interpretations from a raw bar with oysters and sushi to Maine lobster to blackened Atlantic swordfish. For the less fish-inclined, there are of course plenty of other staples to choose from, like organic thyme-roasted chicken, filet mignon, or a warm baked goat cheese and beet salad. On a recent dinner visit, … (read more).

Valentine’s Day is next week, and in our search for some of NYC’s best spots to celebrate the holiday, we ended up in Park Slope, Brooklyn to enjoy some delicious treats from The Chocolate Room. Famous for its Chocolate Layer Cake that’s been praised by Oprah, this spot is small, but if you get in before 7:00pm you’ll miss the after dinner rush. Ready for Valentine’s Day on a regular basis, each of their ‘signatures’ come with drink suggestions, and for the end of your chocolate meal you can choose from their variety of deliciously aromatic, flavorful teas and café … (read more).

Chinese New Year celebrations have started, and we wanted to enjoy the holiday by sampling some fine cuisine from RedFarm. This West Village hotspot boasts authentic Chinese food with a twist and, with an amazing selection of starters and dim sum, it’s easy to see why this restaurant has become popular. Starting off with the ‘Pac Man’ Shrimp Dumplings, this cute presentation was not just about the look. Filled with a whole shrimp, the spicy sauce surrounding the dish added an extra kick of flavor and the tempura battered, sweet potato Pac Man sits on a bed of guacamole, an … (read more).

Sometimes environmentally-conscious, nutritional and sustainable cuisine gets unfairly dismissed in the world of top-tier restaurants, written off as not indulgent enough, unnecessary, or just too complicated. Midtown NYC’s Rouge Tomate, however, proves just how wildly wrong that rejection is. With a fierce commitment to seasonal, local, and healthy ingredients, Michelin-rated Rouge Tomate offers incredibly flavorful and creative dishes that you can feel good about digging into, in a serene and chic setting. On our visit last week we enjoyed the three-course prix fixe lunch, the choices for which shows off the restaurant’s impressive and tempting variety of specialties. Our starter … (read more).

When I came across Recette on New York Magazine’s Top Restaurants for 2012, I knew the food would be tasty, but to say it was superb is an understatement.  Known for its pick and choose menu of small but absolutely delicious portions, you will find a combination of both the traditional and refreshingly modern at this cozy West Village restaurant. You are encouraged to order lots of food here, so it’s best to come in with an open mind for trying something new. To start the meal off a little unexpectedly, try the marinated hamachi, which is an instant  hit … (read more).