With Fall and Winter quickly approaching (yippeee!), I’m starting to feel a bit nostalgic for some of my favorite Summer spots – Rouge Tomate, included.

Rouge Tomate, the sister to a restaurant in Brussels, is a midtown shopper’s dream decked in cool-understated luxury and a well stacked ‘power scene’.  The 15,000 square foot space is bright and airy, with a crisp yet sexy vibe.  I highly recommend this spot for business events as well as meetups with friends.

After one glance, it’s clear that Rouge Tomate gives careful consideration to ingredients and presentation.  Their in-house culinary nutritionist collaborates with the kitchen to ensure that all dishes include optimal ratios of meats to veggies and fruits to nuts.  Michelin Rated, I consider this twist on Modern-American cuisine a big hit.

My go-to order is the three-course ‘Business Lunch’ special ($29), which changes seasonally.  Their Vine Ripe Tomato and Watermelon Panzanella is a perfect appetizer, with cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, Sherry vinegar and basil.  I’m a pasta fein and love their Spaghetti Pomodoro with vine ripe tomato, caper, garlic, basil and summer squash.  It’s tough to find a ‘bad’ dessert here, but I favor the Lemon Shortcake with plum, lemon yogurt and buttermilk ice cream.  If you’re here with a group, kick-off with their Market Oysters, Concord Grape Mignoette, crispy ginger and chive ($16).

You won’t leave Rouge Tomate parched – there are over 200 wines to choose from, including a massive Organic section, plus house made juices, sodas, teas and cocktails.  I kid you not, their Rhubarb Margarita is one of my favorite drinks in the city ($14).

I’m SO over Summer – to tell you the truth, my impatience really just stems from an uncontrollable urge to bust out my chunky boots, woolly leggings and fur vest (yes, I wear all three together).  However, I’ll certainly miss the light and fresh food of the warmer months so instead of lamenting (a more sophisticated way of saying ‘whining’), I’m taking the time now to get it all out of my system. Last night I made this super easy recipe by Real Simple for Horseradish Crusted Salmon. Delicious and insanely easy to whip up.  I swapped out the mixed greens with crisp frisee and added gorgeous plump tomatoes from the Union Square Farmer’s Market for extra vitamins and color.

Thanks to previous posts, you’re already familiar with the gory details of my Raw Crunch and thinkThin snack-bar obsessions… now add to my eating on-the-go Billboard charts: KIND bars.

KIND’s all-natural snack bars are made from whole nuts and fruit and are 100% Kosher and gluten-free.  Ranging anywhere from 150-250 calories per bar, these are one of the best tasting snacks with great texture and flavor.  I like them specifically because they keep me feeling light and energized pre or post long marathon training runs.  Plus, and I’m not trying to compare my little ol blog to Ivy League school research…buuuuut, a new Yale study showed that eating two KIND bars a day helps to suppress appetite and reduce overeating.

I sampled my first bar after ordering thirty boxes of the Cranberry Almond + Antioxidant (190 calories, 50% DV of Vitamins A, C, & E & 3g fiber) for the crew of a pro yacht racing team (…a whole other story in and of itself) and am currently snacking on the Mango Macadamia + Calcium (190 calories, 50% DV of folic acid & vitamin D & 4g fiber).  Since most Americans are short about 20 grams of the daily recommended intake of fiber, you can guess that I’ll be trying the Blueberry Pecan + Fiber bar next.

Be kind to your body and start snacking!

Location: Concrete Jungle / Temperature: Hotter Than Hell / Solution: Popbar

There are few places in the city that offer a respite from the summer heat and humidity.  Thankfully, Popbar treats (literally) New Yorkers to refreshingly cool geato, sorbet and yogurt decked pops – all Kosher certified as well as gluten and preservative free.  Willy Wonka couldn’t have come up with a better concept.

First, select a flavor…next, pick a chocolate dip or drizzle…then, roll everything in a crunchy topping – think chopped nuts, brownie chunks, coffee grains or biscotti crumbles.  I like the Strawberry Sorbet pop with a dark chocolate shell plus a few sprinkles of pistachio.  Whatever you pick, you’ll be obsessed with Popbar’s daily twenty-five rotating flavors of real fruit.  Prices range depending on order but expect to spend anywhere from $3.50-5.50.

Ice-cream Man who…?

Although I just posted about this restaurant on my other blog (M Marks The Spot), I feel like the info is too good/relevant to keep to just one domain! Read on…

I am absolutely obsessed with The Fat Radish – admittedly, I have only been there once, but you know what they say… first impression are everything.  Here’s the skinny on the Fat:

Decor: beautiful. rustic. warm. fresh. chic.

Food: seasonal. elegant. inventive. nutritious.

Service: informative. pretty. friendly. sweet.

Vibe: downtown cool + country breeze

We were completely blown away by our Beet Crumble appetizer, arriving to our table in a mini loaf pan swaddled among the folds of a bar cloth to retain the warmth of the melted goat cheese and aged cheddar… as if that weren’t enough, crushed hazelnuts and oats created an over the top (literally) crisp-slash-crumble ($13).  For entrees, I loved the freshness of my miso glazed fish but couldn’t hold back massive food envy for my uncle’s Cheeseburger with Duck Fat Chips and house pickles ($16).

Despite over eating, we ended the night feeling FIT and happy.

Up until the age of ‘not-too-long-ago’ I pretty much rejected (understatement) my Korean roots.  More specifically, I temporarily pretended my middle name was Elizabeth (instead of Sung) and avoided standing within a 2 block vicinity of anyone looking remotely ethnic in fear of being pegged as a miscellaneous sister (again, why do people think all Asians are related?!)

Thankfully, an older/wiser/more secure me, considers my heritage “tolerable.”  I also can’t lie, I often work my Asian-ness for a few neighborhood perks (discounted laundry service…an extra coat of quick dry at the nail salon – no harm/no foul).

As for the food of my [beloved] homeland… well, that’s something I have always embraced with a megawatt smile.  I particularly love grocery store renditions of traditional Asian-inspired meals.  Trader Joe’s offers a surprisingly tasty Shrimp Gyoza that come frozen and are easy to cook either in the microwave, pan or steamer.  Five pieces equals 250 calories, 8 grams of fat, 730 milligrams of sodium, 35 grams of carbs, 3 grams of Fiber, 2 grams of sugar and 11 grams of protein.  Sure, there are healthier things to eat with dinner, but when I’m wanting a dumpling fix, these are a great alternative than the local take-out joint – discount or not.

Sincerely,

Your Favorite Korean American

I recently met my friend, Super Skinny Sarah, for an impromptu Wednesday lunch (gotta love “working from home” days).  For some context, Super Skinny Sarah is a well “endowed”, half Asian, uber smart, pint size Hawaiian Tropics looking doll - lucky bi#ch.  Therefore, when we eat together I can’t help but muffle my inner craving for burgers and fries and instead, take her lead on ordering.

We went to bite.  Sarah ordered a salad.  M ordered a salad.  Sarah ordered a water.  M ordered a water.

Admittedly, our lunch was delicious and super filling. I had the Fresh Baby Greens with plum tomatoes, carrots, walnuts, golden raisins and exotic tuna ($6.50).  Super Skinny Sarah had a soup and Mediterranean Salad with baby greens, hummus, sauteed eggplants, roasted pepper tapenade, roasted almonds and pine nuts ($7).

It’s Sunday night…the start of the New Year…and I’m feeling my body creep into that dreaded “your metabolism hates you” stage thanks to a big month of over celebrating the holidays.  Quick, think fast! I dial up my favorite inexpensive hummus joint, Chickpea, come to find out that they’re closed for the night (who knew this could happen in NY…) What’s a girl to do?! Well, just like any good Fit Post-er, I call the new Mediterranean sit down/order out restaurant in Union Square – Nanoosh.

Nanoosh offers organic all-natural ingredients in their fresh hummus, wraps, salads and soups.  The few times I’ve walked by the restaurant I can’t help but notice how sleek, clean and modern everything looks – it’s as if the Jetson’s opened a Mediterranean food bar!  I frantically order delivery while mentally plotting out tomorrow’s workout plan.  Thirty minutes later, I chow down on a Hummus Chicken Plate with all natural chicken breast, organic onions and tahini ($10.95) – the wraps and tabouleh salads look delicious for next time.  I doubt that this will become my new go-to but I do like the change and am glad/resenting the fact that I didn’t get the delicious Blue Nine Burger I seem so trigger happy to order. 

I hate to continue to ride the Starbucks Hate Train but here’s yet again, another reason why Dunkin’ Donuts is number 1:

Aside from having better coffee at more reasonable prices, Dunkin’ is committed to offering healthier options with their new DDSMART menu. Look for this logo to find convenient ‘better-for-you foods and beverages’ that use 25% less calories, fat, saturated fat, sugar and/or sodium than their regular base product.  I had an iced black coffee and an Egg White Veggie Wake-Up Wrap this morning for breakfast – the egg white wrap included 150 calories, 6 grams of fat, 1 gram of sugar and 10 grams of protein.  The Egg White Veggie Flatbread is also delicious and a little more filling with 280 calories, 10 grams of fat, 3 grams of sugar and 16 grams of protein.  DDSMART also includes reduced fat plain cream cheese, multigrain bagels, reduced fat muffins and even lattes.

If America RUNS on Dunkin’…then it rolls on Starbucks.

I try to avoid Times Square if at all possible – it’s usually a cluster %$*#^@! of tourist traps and bad food.  Last Thursday I received an invite to try, for free, a new burger joint set to open to the public today at 41st and Broadway.  Times Square or not…free burgers certainly got my attention.

The Counter, with existing locations on the West Coast, offers a massive custom built burger menu – including 100% natural, never frozen, freshly ground Angus beef that is certified humane raise and handled, hormone and antibiotic free, all natural chicken and turkey, vegan veggie burgers as well as trans fat free oils and fat free options.  Don’t get me wrong, you can “custom order’ your burger into heart attack heaven (think fried egg, fried onion strings, black forest ham and soft ripened brie as toppings) but I opted to have a 1/3 lb veggie burger in a lettuce bowl (no bun) with sprouts, avocado, tomato and roasted garlic aioli sauce on the side ($8.95)

Order up!

Ah, I LOVE breakfast food.  Unfortunately, most of it is pretty high in fat not to mention tough to bust out in the morning at work…although, I am often tempted to see if anyone would react to a short stack of chocolate chip pancakes sitting on my desk.

My favorite morning treat, and I say treat because it usually ends up being a $7 breakfast, is something that a colleague/great friend led me on to: egg whites, one piece of swiss cheese, turkey cold cuts…thrown on the griddle sans butter and then rolled up in a whole wheat wrap.  So delicious and high in protein plus that tiny slice of melted swiss makes you feel like you’re having something sinful.  This is so hearty that you’ll likely need a small lunch later in the day.

The cold temperatures and thick layers make it pretty tempting to pack on extra winter pounds.  However, don’t forget that in just a few months (I promise, it will come sooner than you think) you’ll be pulling out the bathing suit regretting those winter lunchtime binge sessions.  Instead, use this time to eat healthy and get your body in tip top shape while no one is watching…

Green Olive, a new Mediterranean walk up lunch bar in Midtown, opened last month.  This certified Kosher cafe (oy! because we don’t have enough in the city!) is perfect for a lunchtime shawarma.  I devoured a piping hot whole wheat pita filled with fresh grilled chicken, zucchini, squash, tahini, baba ghanoush (eggplant spread) and hummus.  You can add other things like falafel or rice if you need something more filling but my $10 Mediterranean pocket kept me fueled for the entire day.

tis the season…to get fit!

Being home sick is never fun – TV, naps and too much time on my pleather sofa gets old quickly.  However, it is the perfect time to take advantage of New York’s incredible on demand delivery service.  I mean where else in the world could you think of the most obscure craving and have it arrive to your 5th floor walk up at random hours of the day?!

Well, I don’t live on the 5th floor (thank god) and it is still daylight…but I d0 feel compelled to call upon this great city’s help and order something to kick the onslaught of an achy cold.  I’m dialing up Liquiteria for fresh steel cut oats topped with cinnamon, apples, bananas and walnuts plus an order of The Killer drink (served hot) which includes green apple, ginger, lemon, cayenne and a secret immunity boost concoction.  Their oatmeal reminds me that by adding a few extra things to the mix, a fairly bland breakfast item can quickly turn into a hearty and nutrient filled meal.

peace out bad cold. hello strong immune system.

‘Year End’ seems to catalyze a wave of work related meetings via food and alcohol – don’t believe me…just take a look at your office mates post January 1 (i.e. men’s pants get a litttttttle shorter and the women, well…we can hide it with the right dress).  To avoid the Holiday Corporate 15, I schedule business rendezvous at restaurants with healthy and fresh menu options.

The National, a new midtown bistro, is work appropriate but also offers a range of menu items specializing in ‘Modern American’ cuisine.  Created by top chef Geoffrey Zakarian, (most noted for his time at Delano, Patroon, TOWN, Country and The Lambs Club), The National advertises ’all occasion dining’ …well, whatever the hell that means (?) I’m a fan because their food is delicious but simple.  One of my favorites is the Rosemary Chicken Sandwich with avocado, red onions and jalapenos served over a bed of fresh lettuce ($13).  The bread basket is a must so I tend to surgically remove the innards of the sandwich and eat as a salad to balance my carb intake (don’t judge).  Also, the Fennel and Arugula Salad with pecorino, oranges and olives is a great starter item ($9).  If you’re rocking a larger expense account, the Brook Trout with apples and horseradish always smells incredible ($19) – just don’t forget to request dressing or sauce on the side of anything that you order so you can better control the extra calories/fat/sugar.

…talk about a Power Lunch.

I’m not ashamed to admit that my father packed my school lunch for me up until the day that I left for college – and when I say packed, I mean thoughtfully put together a balanced and fun meal complete with a note on my napkin (sometimes written in Latin depending on if I had an exam that day in class).  I miss Dad packed lunches…

Thankfully, one of my favorite organic NYC restaurants has rolled out (literally) a food cart on 53rd and Park!  Operated by Gustorganics (see full post 10/21/09), this first ever USDA-certified organic street cart is operated with a sustainable focus.   All of the food is cooked fresh daily and packaged in either biocompostable or 100% post-consumer recycled cardboard imprinted with soy ink.  Straws and utensils are made from potato straw and a solar panel on top of the cart powers the refrigerator.

Stop by between 11AM and 4PM to pick up a tasty certified organic and local lunch for less than $10 (breakfast menu coming soon!) See below for their menu:

• Tapito – over a bed of quinoa or fresh greens – tenderloin ($9), chicken ($8) or grilled veggies/vegan ($7)
• Empanadas – with either meat, capresse, humita, ham & cheese or fugazzetta ($4)
• Salad/vegan ($7)
• Soup of the Day ($5.50)
• Huumus with Chips/vegan ($3.75)
• Homemade Drinks – lemonade ($3), fresh squeezed OJ ($5)
• Fair Trade Iced Coffee or Tea ($2.50)
• Super Purified NYC Water in Biocompostable Cup ($1.50)

*napkin note from Dad not included.