TriBeCa – Rays Picks NYC

Chambers

Chambers
94 Chambers St #1,
New York, NY 10007
(212) 580-3572
Official Site

Racine, a wine bar in Tribeca, had been on my list of places to visit, but unfortunately, it closed before I had the chance. The closure followed the departure of the former chef, who left to prioritize his family. Rather than continuing Racine, the owners chose to renovate and launch a new concept, rebranding it as Chambers.

Much of the original team remains, including the distinguished master sommelier Pascaline Lepeltier, who has stepped into the role of managing partner. Ms Lepeltier, known for her work at the Michelin-starred Rouge Tomate in New York City, brings her expertise to this new venture. Leading the kitchen is Executive Chef Jonathan Karis, formerly of the one-Michelin-starred Gramercy Tavern. Under his leadership, Chambers earned an impressive two-star review from The New York Times.

Chambers boasts an open, airy design. A bar runs alongside the dining tables, with a bench stretching the length of the restaurant, offering comfortable seating. There’s also counter seating that overlooks the open kitchen, as well as a communal table at the front, encouraging diners to enjoy their meals in a variety of settings. The decor is minimalist, with exposed red brick walls and unfinished concrete floors, giving the space a clean, understated elegance.

The menu at Chambers is à la carte, divided into starters, entrées, and desserts, with about five dishes in each category. Dining here with my wife, we were able to share and sample a variety of dishes. Among the appetizers we tried was the fluke-kohibari, jalapeño. This dish was delicate, with a bright citrus presence and a lingering spiciness that pleasantly lingered on the palate. The heirloom tomatoes-stone fruits,pistachio ricotta were light and refreshingly vibrant. The richness of the ricotta perfectly subdued the acidity of the tomatoes, a combination that was brilliantly executed.

For entrées, we had the tilefish-broccolini, yuzu, hazelnuts. The fish was elegantly prepared, firm yet tender, and complemented by a citrusy cream sauce that enhanced its flavor. The slight bitterness of the broccolini added a pleasant contrast to the dish. We also shared the vialone nano risotto- artichoke, lemon confit, parmesan. This dish struck the perfect balance of richness, salt, and tang—an exceptional offering that we thoroughly enjoyed. The hanger steak-heirloom tomatoes, horseradish, steak sauce, while a bit messy in appearance, was cooked to perfection. The meat was beautifully pink and succulent, with the steak sauce adding a subtle spiciness that elevated the dish.

Our server recommended the peaches & pluots-clafoutis, almond ice cream for dessert. The tart, made with pluot (a cross between plums and apricots) offered a fruity sweetness, perfectly complemented by a peach compote that bordered on sugary. The almond ice cream added a smooth, nutty contrast, gently tempering the sweetness for a balanced and satisfying finish.

Dinner here was thoroughly enjoyable. The food was thoughtfully composed, with layers of complexity and an exceptional blend of flavors. While the presentation could be more refined, the remarkable taste more than made up for it. The portion sizes were ideal, leaving us fully satisfied without feeling overly heavy. One of the best aspects of dining at Chambers is the price—a dinner for two can be enjoyed for around $200.

The wine list, curated by Ms Lepeltier, is vast and expertly selected. French and European wines are well-represented, alongside an impressive selection of U.S. wines, including many from the local Finger Lakes region. The inclusion of Japanese wines is a pleasant surprise, reflecting the global reach of the list, which spans almost every wine-producing region in the world. Chambers places a clear emphasis on wine as the star attraction.

The service was relaxed, in keeping with the restaurant’s laid-back, neighborhood vibe. The staff was attentive and genuine, contributing to the overall warm atmosphere.

Chambers is more of a wine bar than a traditional restaurant, and unlike many other wine bars in New York City, where the food takes center stage, here it’s the wine that shines. The food, however, is some of the most flavorful and intriguing I’ve had in recent memory. There is much to love about Chambers, and while it’s currently listed in the Michelin guide, I wouldn’t be surprised if it earns a star in the near future.

Sushi Azabu *

Sushi Azabu
428 Greenwich St
New York, NY 10013
(212) 274-0428
Official Site

The best sushi is often a combination of the freshest fish and rice cooked to perfection. New Yorkers are very fortunate to have a multitude of sushi restaurants that understand and deliver this perfect combination. One of that easily comes to mind is TriBeCa’s Sushi Azabu.

Located in the basement of another restaurant called Greenwich Grill, this Michelin starred sushi spot can be a bit challenging to find. There are no signs outside, but for sushi connoisseurs, the location is something you simply must know.

When you arrive, a person in the front wearing a headset with a mouthpiece will ask you which restaurant you are here for. After it’s determined that you are there for Sushi Azabu, your arrival is announced through their wireless ear and mouth piece, secret-agent style. You are then escorted through a packed dining room and into a staircase were the scent of fish is noticeable as soon you begin your descent.

As you enter the underground sushi haven, a soft light drops neatly on top of the glossy blond tables and immediately you notice that there is no music. This combined ambiance provides Sushi Azabu a peaceful and calm setting.

There is a strong presence of Japan throughout the restaurant. The interior is designed with bamboo ceilings, stone floorings, and bright red walls. A long brown leather bench stretches at almost the length of the space. A large Japanese goldfish print overlooks a natural oak sushi bar that can sit about eight guests. It is the preferred choice of seating by many patrons that consist mostly Japanese and local TriBeCans.

The sushi at Sushi Azabu is plain and simple—no frills just traditional Edomai style. Fish and rice brushed with soy sauce according to the chef. There are several set menus that are available, as well as sushi’s al la carte. If budget permits, I suggest going for the omakase menu at $100 per person. In this menu, there are several hot and raw dishes to go along with the sushi.

I’ve had the omakase here before. It began with a mouthwatering oceanic taste, with a little sour and sweet chopped giant oyster. Chilled and served in half shell garnished with fish roe, scallions and soy sauce, followed by assorted sashimi that melts in your mouth with every bite. This was a fine introduction to a great meal. My personal favorite was the tuna.

Omakase:

The following courses were the only two cook dishes in the omakase, the first one was the savory Grilled Fatty Tuna. Beautiful chunks soft and milky fatty tuna meat with a slight sweetness from the marinade. Egg Custard, or in Japanese, Chawanmushi was the other cooked dish. This is one of the only few Japanese dishes that a spoon is used. It was a really nice ‘in between’ filler.

The next and last course before the sushi was the Pickled Clams that has a slippery texture and a salty and sour taste. Then a brief intermission, as the sushi chef looks at his paper, planning each piece that he will be serving.

The sushi pieces is as follows: Amberjack, botan shrimp, fluke, flavorful fatty tuna, red snapper, eel, salmon (my choice; the chef will ask you what would you like), uni and tuna scallion roll. They were all high quality, clean and some of the freshest seafood I’ve ever had. The rice was cooked to perfection with a vinegary touch of flavor. It was masterfully compacted and served at room temperature. Each piece explodes with flavor in every bite.

Miso soup is served before the dessert and their version includes a head of a large prawn that is bountifully infused in the soup, creating an abundance of seafood flavor.

I can’t barely remember the desert I had at the end of my omakase since my focus is more on the sushi.I do remember that it’s was a semi sweet green tea ice cream .

I’ve had many visits at Sushi Azabu and each time is better than the last. The most recent one where I had the Koi course (10 pieces of sushi and a miso soup for $35) was magical. The fish was extra fresh. To add to the sushi, the Grilled Black Cod marinated in miso sauce was a delightful hot dish. The cod was properly grilled tasting moist and buttery.

Sushi Azabu’s food is matched with a two paged list of sake that is imported directly from Japan. There is a good variety of sake, available in either full or half bottle.

Reservations are a must, and they require guest to be on time. There seems to be an unofficial time limit of about two hours per seating especially by the bar on a busy night. But the staff assures guest that they are able to enjoy their dinner during that time. The servers are well trained and approachable. Service never falters and reliable from my different visits.

Consistency and simplicity is the trade mark of Sushi Azabu and for a restaurant at this caliber the prices are reasonable. The quality of ingredients that are used, the flawless execution combined with the techniques that are applied in each and every individual sushi ranks Sushi Azabu among the elite of sushi restaurant in New York City.
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Thalassa

Thalassa
179 Franklin St
(between Greenwich St & Hudson St)
New York, NY 10013
(212) 941-7661
Official Site

Thalassa has always been on my radar as a restaurant to visit; when I did, I was very impressed and returned a few times, for drinks, then lunch and finally dinner. The restaurant, located along Franklin St. in TriBeCa, is among the most beautiful restaurant’s that I’ve seen in New York City.

Thelassa, which means “sea” in Greek, explains the maritime inspired interior and decor. Upon entering this restaurant you are greeted by a sleek mosaic marble bar lit with oceanic colored lights with white cloths hanging above that give the image of a boat’s sails. At the end of the bar and toward the dining room is a marble table with exquisite fresh sea food in ice. This massive bi level restaurant showcases a luxurious main dining room with exposed red brick, white leather chairs and perfect lighting. Diners can witness Executive Chef Raphael Abrahante prepare their dishes from the open kitchen. Thalassa’s downstairs section, “The Wine Room” has a more casual setting. The room is equipped with its own bar and gorgeous custom made dark wooden tables; wine bottles are displayed on the walls from the restaurant’s extensive wine list.

Thalassa serves contemporary Greek cuisine with some of the freshest sea food found in NYC. The last time I was here I came for dinner. I started with one of their signature dishes, the Maine Diver Scallops wrapped in kataifi filo with sheep’s milk butter and a Kalamata balsamic reduction. I’m not a fan of scallops but this was delicious and the balsamic reduction really added to the flavor. My friend and I also order Fried Zucchini and Eggplant chips made with Tzatziki sauce and saganaki graviera cheese, it was recommended by the bartender and boy was he on point. The chips with the sauce melt in your mouth with every bite. For my entrée I had the grilled Mediterranean white fish and New Zealand langustine with lemon potatoes and haricot verts. The fish and langustine were cooked to perfection. To finish off the meal I had the Kataifi with cream, pistachios, and chocolate. The dessert was as good as the rest of the meal. Our server selected for us a bottle of sovignon blanc that superbly complimented our meal. The food at Thalassa is a bit pricey, entrées will run an average of $25-$35 dollars, but it is definitely worth the price.

The restaurant prides itself on its extensive wine list, but their small list of in-house cocktails is equally impressive. Their signature drink, The Agave Rocks, made by their friendly and knowledgeable bartender “Spiro” was amazing. The drink is made with Mango Muddled with Organic Agave Nectar, Combier, Cynar, Lime Juice and Silver Tequila, on the rocks. It’s sweet but not too sweet and very fruity – the combination of mango and agave nectar brings out the natural sweetness.

The service at Thalassa is great and consistent; everyone was friendly and very professional. I received the same service at each of my 3 visits. It’s massive space is ideal for events such weddings and fund raisers. It’s also great for a nice quite dinner . Thalassa has everything that a restaurant should have, great food, amazing service, an extensive wine list and last but not the least, the WOW factor – the incredible ambiance and décor. I truly recommend Thalassa to anyone who loves great sea food or great food in general.

For individuals who are ordering medicines online, there are several significant factors that must be considered. Internet is an ideal practice to get medicaments. Several medicaments are antifungal medicines. There are at least some medicaments for each sicknesses. Levitra is a medication set to treat few ailments. What do you have to consider about cialis vs viagra? When you buy remedies like Levitra you must ask your dispenser about viagra vs cialis. Many drugstores describe it as viagra or cialis. Many probably sure the forcefulness of Levitra is well documented. In addition, there are some of explanations and pharmacists are ordinarily able to pinpoint your problem through biological tests. Ordinarily the treatment options may include erectile malfunction medicaments or counseling. Your generic is for you only. Never give your drugs to other men even if their state appears to be the same as yours.

Vino Vino Wine Bar

*This venue is now closed.

I’m always looking to do something on a Sunday evening to ease my dreariness knowing that the weekend is over and its back to the grind. When I came across Vino Vino winebar in TriBeCa, I found what I was seeking.

Vino Vino is part wine store (Maslow 6) and part wine bar with one main entrance for both. The place is narrow and long with an exposed red brick wall and a glass partition at the center which separates the store from the lounge. At the end of the lounge is a bar that is hidden from the main entrance. The comfortable brown couches and stools and the lit candles on the tables gives Vino Vino a nice intimate and relaxing feel.

The wine list is impressive, 30+ plus wines are available by the glass. The food is also good, small tasty bites that complement the wine. What I love most is that it has one of the best deals in NYC; half off on all bottles of wine all day Sunday and Monday and half off from 5PM-7PM the rest of the week. On my last visit, my friends and I enjoyed two bottles of Les Saveurs white wine for a mere $30 bucks!!! That is unbelievable in NYC.

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I’ve been here on a few occasions (mostly on a Sunday night) and my experience has always been pleasant. The service is always good and consistent. Its nice quiet atmosphere allows you the pleasure of enjoying your wine while having a conversation in soft tones, rather than yelling above noise. The funky music playing in the background adds to the cool atmosphere, it does not overpower your conversations or your solo chill time. This is an excellent place to unwind after a long days work or just to meet up with friends.

The great wine list, cool décor, relaxing atmosphere and amazing deal makes Vino Vino a treasure possessed by TriBeCan’s and envied by the rest of us. This place is officially my number one Sunday night spot.

Vino Vino Wine Bar
211 W Broadway
New York, NY 10013
(212) 925-8510
Official Site

For individuals who are ordering medicines online, there are several significant factors that must be elaborate. Internet is an ideal practice to get medicaments. Several medicaments are antifungal medicines. There are at least some medicaments for each sicknesses. Levitra is a medication prescribed to treat few ailments. What do you have to view about cialis vs viagra? When you buy remedies like Levitra you have to ask your druggist about viagra vs cialis. Many drugstores describe it as viagra or cialis. Many probably sure the forcefulness of Levitra is well documented. In addition, there are some of explanations and pharmacists are mostly able to pinpoint your problem through biological tests. Ordinarily the treatment options may turn on erectile malfunction medicaments or counseling. Your generic is for you only. Never give your drugs to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

MEGU (TriBeCa)

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Megu (Tribeca)
62 Thomas St.
New York NY 10013
Official site

*This venue is now closed.

Located in the heart of Tribeca, Megu is an elegant and exotic restaurant that I would classify as semi trendy, one of hot places to be. Megu wowed me with its slick interior combining modern with traditional Japanese. The chairs, tables and wall units were more or less modern, whereas the Japanese flag, a huge ancient looking bell suspended above an awesome Buddha ice sculpture (the restaurant’s center piece) were among the ancient touches.

My first stop at Megu was the bar or the “M Lounge,” there I had a drink while waiting for my friend. The M Lounge is pretty cool with very dim lighting and walls decorated with Japanese wallpaper (rolls of wallpaper of various designs encased in a glass.) A side section of the M Lounge allows you to view the main dinning room below through a huge glass partition, a great view. While at the bar I had Megu’s signature cocktail called “Blessing” – ”Megu” is the Japanese word for “Blessing.”I was blessed by the taste: Russian Standard, strawberry, and pomegranate juice, a rich strawberry/pomegranate taste, slightly sweet and mildly tart with a zing – yummy. Definitely Bless yourself at the M Lounge.

When my friend arrived and we got to the main dining hall, we were amazed by the ice Buddha up-close. Glowing from the light reflected around it and seemingly hovering above its watery seat filled with red rose petals, you get the feeling that the spirit of the Buddha is alive.

While waiting for our food we noticed a lively group behind us who at closer inspection we realized were members of City Council, of course Megu is often visited by celebrities, political figures and the like.

Megu lived up to the hype when it came to its high-end modern Japanese cuisine – the food was great!!! I began with Madai oriental salad, and then followed with Silver cod for the entree, and finally the Matcha Greentea Crepe for dessert. Everything was delicious especially the cod which was incredibly soft and flavorful. My friend started with sautéed scallops, and then had the Kobe beef for the entrée and finished with chocolate cake for desert. My friend raved about everything. The Kobe beef served on a bed of stone was everything it was supposed to be, the tenderest, smoothest and most appetizing meat you will every sink your teeth into.

The serving sizes are very small, but if you order a three course meal, at the end you will be satisfied but not full. Hardy eaters with homegrown stomachs may have to get some pre or post eats…lol. Appetizers are about $15-$30, entrees will run about $30 and up, and drinks are $17 up depending on how high-end you want to go. It’s pricey but worth the experience.

Before you leave Megu make sure you pour water on the ice Buddha and make a wish or say a prayer. Overall I highly recommend Megu, food and ambiance are great for impressing a date or a client.

For individuals who are ordering medicines online, there are several significant factors that must be elaborate. Internet is an ideal practice to get medicaments. Several medicaments are antifungal medicines. There are at least some medicaments for each sicknesses. Levitra is a medication prescribed to treat few ailments. What do you have to view about cialis vs viagra? When you buy remedies like Levitra you should ask your pharmacist about viagra vs cialis. Many drugstores describe it as viagra or cialis. Many probably sure the forcefulness of Levitra is well documented. In supplement, there are some of explanations and pharmacists are ordinarily able to pinpoint your problem through biological tests. Ordinarily the treatment options may turn on erectile dysfunction medicaments or counseling. Your generic is for you only. Never give your drugs to other men even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.