I am a person that enjoys coffee not just for the caffeine but because I love the nuances of flavor. New York does not have a shortage of independent coffee shops and although many of them exude the same feel and serve the same products, Cafe Grumpy also succeeds as a roaster (the Greenpoint location).

The Chelsea location is a muted but relaxing atmosphere that allows customers to enjoy their beverage while finishing up tomorrow’s brief. I would have loved to try every roast available, however, I wanted to sleep that night. I ordered the Cafundo roast from Brazil and it was smooth and slightly fruity. Aside from the quality of the bean, this “Grumpy” location is the sight of one of the last Clover brewing machines before Starbucks captured that company. A simple yet sophisticated approach to making coffee, the Clover gives the quality of a vacuum and French press without the leftover sediment. In addition to coffee and espresso drinks, the Cafe offers some baked goods to enhance your experience. Those wishing to bring a piece of Cafe Grumpy home can purchase their coffee, mugs, or shirts.

A cafe that welcomes and satisfies, Cafe Grumpy is well worth the visit from any in the Chelsea area. Since I don’t have a cafe rating system, just trust me when I say check it out. Don’t forget to check out their other locations as well.

Cafe Grumpy
224 W. 24th Street
New York, NY 10011

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

For the stars of the first round, the Tostas de Boqueron were salty but in a sea burst sort of fashion. The strength of the anchovies were eased with the creaminess of the avocado and the superb crunch of the toast. The lamb meatball, Montadito de Pepino y Cordero were alsa plump, tender, and cleverly accentuated with the pickled cucumbers. At last the Trio Charcutero was a welcome dish of three different cured meats, with the chorizo picante stealing the show. Seeing that not a single person was satisfied, we continued through the menu and experienced delight with the Pulpo a la Plancha and Pollito Tomatero. The pulpo was expertly grilled and simple to the palate and the Pollito, or poussin, was tender, and thankfully adorned with local vegetables and crispy smoked bacon.

Sadly, there were some dishes that failed to shine. The special of razor clams a la Plancha were overcooked and barely palatable with excessive “fishiness” and both desserts, the Torrija Caramelizada and Membrillo con Arroz con Leche, were tasty but overehelming. In the end, Salinas is a welcome addition to Chelsea and NYC as a whole. With a visual makeup pleasant enough for any set of eyes Salinas should be a future visit years to come. However, an underwhelming and unadventurous menu must be improved upon to survive in a city dominated by foodies.

Cuisine- Tasty but underwhelming

Wine List- Fun selections entirely from Spain; cocktails are adventurous and delicious

Decor- Aesthetically a masterpiece; ask for the “garden” room in the back for even more fun

Cost- Fair, but be careful since the ordering of many tapas can become unwelcome later once the bill arrives.

Rating- **

Salinas

136 9th Avenue ( between 18th and 19th Streets)

New York, NY 10011

(212) 776-1990

Sancerre is an area of France that is getting more and more notice as the years go on. Always home to experienced producers, Sancerre is getting the credit that they have deserved for quite some time. Located in the Loire Valley, Domaine Serge Laloue has developed a wonderfully crisp Sancerre that is perfect for a warm summer day. Composed of 100% Sauvignon Blanc, this wine opens up with strong floral aromas as well as some honey and citrus notes. It is a crisp wine that develops nicely after being open for about 10 to 15 minutes leading to further complexity. The flavor is quite strong with peach, white pepper and overall “sticky” fruit notes. The acidity is well balanced and in no way overpowering making it a wine that anyone can easily enjoy.

Rating: 15/20

Drink: Now through 2013

Retail Price: Roughly $25.00

When it comes to the wine list at Ai Fiori, although it does not supersede the likes of Veritas or Daniel, the list is extensive and full of excellent and affordable bottles. One specific area that was of interest to me was the large selection of grower champagnes, a rarity in many restaurants. With my meal I had a half bottle of Barolo “Terlo”, Poderi Luigi Einaudi 2005.  A fairly young wine, it really opened up well after thirty minutes of decanting and it paired nicely with both the agnolotti and vitello.

Ai Fiori is a restaurant that will not wow anybody through aesthetics or décor, but they make up for those minor factors with attentive, knowledgeable and friendly service as well as a superb menu with flawless culinary inventions. Michael White has once again proven his expertise in Italian and Mediterranean fare and there is no doubt that Ai Fiori deserves a spot at the top.

Cuisine-    Unique and Delicious

Wine List- Fairly extensive with many affordable selections; wonderful selection of grower champagnes

Décor- Muted but pleasant; beautiful orchids make up wall decorations

Cost- Fair

Rating- ***

Ai Fiori

400 Fifth Avenue

The Setai Fifth Avenue, Level Two

New York, NY 10018

(212) 613-8660