Roscioli NYC

What a waste of money. I was really excited about this place, but everything was so overpriced and underwhelming that I’m not sure I’d ever go back, not even to the upstairs salumeria (when it opens next month).

Roscioli is a famous eatery in Rome, which my wife and I loved when we went nearly 10 years ago. The NYC location just didn’t meet expectations. As you can see above, it was a fixed menu with additions available for a starter and wine pairings. The meal begins with a watered down negroni of sorts, and some nice bread.

The first course of panzanella and burrata was the best of the meal. Bread soaked in tomato and onion juice with cheese. Can’t really go wrong.

The added tuna appetizer for $28 was a total rip. It tasted like mediocre poke; occasionally stringy, cheap fish. Skip.

Then there was a blob of glue-like risotto. Meh.

The pasta was good, as expected (carbonara). But for the price and portion size I can think of a dozen other places off the top of my head that are just as good if not better.

The meatball sucked. Mushy, no character. I’ve had better free samples as Costco.

Then there were two hunks of slightly rubbery cheese with a delicious aged balsamic. I was hoping for that crunchy crystallized texture from the cheese. Nada.

And finally, runner up for best part of the meal (tied with the pasta), a humble tiramisu. I love this shit, but at $150 a head all-in (no wine pairings, and with tax and tip) they need to step up their game.

Over all, this place is a pass for me. It’s too bad Motz’s burger joint wasn’t open yet next door. I would have followed up a bad meal with a good one.

ROSCIOLI NYC
43 MacDougal St
New York, NY 10012

The Wayland

First, check out my Ride & Review video HERE:

The Wayland is a nice bar at the corner of 9th Street and Avenue C that serves up some great deals at Happy Hour. Namely, $1.50 oysters, and a $12 “beer and burger” deal.

Both are top notch quality, and they really do a nice job with cocktails too, like this shallot infused gin gibson.

I can’t wait to go back and try more stuff. That “Lost Lady” burger was a killer double patty with American and a great special sauce. Nice and simple. Get here!

THE WAYLAND
700 E 9th St
New York, NY 10009

San Loco Tacos

First, check out my Ride & Review video HERE:

This self proclaimed “gringo taco joint” is really great, in my humble opinion. This is basic stuff – sort of like a high end, better version of Taco Bell.

We tried two tacos and a handheld burrito during their lunch special pricing (two tacos $9, comes with drink; burrito plus guac and chips for $12, comes with drink).

Both were great, with the pork carnitas taco being the best of all. Better than the beef and better than the chipotle chicken. We opted to eat at the bar and upgrade our drinks to frozen margaritas (we tried tamarind and cactus pear).

Great spot. Can’t wait to go back!

SAN LOCO TACOS
111 Ave C
New York, NY 10009

Cubaton Sandwich Shop

Our best bite in Miami was the cubano sandwich from a small, relatively new shop called Cubaton. It was incredible!

Had I known it was this good, I would have went twice. We were leaving for home the same day we went here.

The frozen drinks were great too.

CUBATON SANDWICH SHOP
413 15th St
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Prime 112

Prime 112 overall score: 78

My wife and I had one night to squeeze in a steak meal when we were in Miami. Since most steakhouses in South Beach seem to be chains, we went with Prime 112 based on a totality of recs we got from friends. The other contender was Papi Steak (next time).

Flavor: 9

We had the t-bone and the veal rib chop. Both were nice, and aged flavor came through. Both solid 8/10 in my opinion. I was impressed for Florida steak!

Choice of Cuts & Quality Available: 9

There’s a good selection of cuts here all day long,. In fact the menu is pretty gigantic. There’s both a T-bone and a porterhouse, a rib eye for two and for one, bone-in and boneless strips. Plenty of dry aged selections as well.

Portion Size & Plating: 8

The portions are on the large side here. Sometimes I forget how small portions can be in NYC, even at steakhouses. Plating was on par with minimalist upscale modern steak joints.

Price: 7

Steaks for one here will range between $80 and $140, which is mighty high. They’re really raking the tourists over the coals here, but at least the food is good.

Bar: 6

The bar here is small. I was expecting a bigger, nicer/better bar for a hot spot like a Miami beach steakhouse.

Martini was nice, however.

Specials and Other Meats: 8

There are plenty of non-beef options to explore here, and as I mentioned earlier, the menu is massive. We tried the veal and we were impressed, so I think 8/10 is fair here for not having tried any other items.

Apps, Sides & Desserts: 6

We started with the foie gras and broiled Louisiana style oysters. The oysters were the better of the two, and they were great. After the apps, things went slightly downhill, and then they fell off a cliff.

I wish I knew the veal came as a composed dish with a side (spinach, cheese and breadcrumb stuffed tomato). I would have skipped the gummy creamed spinach and maybe even the scalloped potatoes.

Dessert would have been great if a couple of the mini donuts weren’t raw inside.

Inedible.

Seafood Selection: 8

Based on the quality of the broiled oysters, I think it’s safe to get all manner of seafood here and it will be good.

Service: 10

Our waiter was great, friendly and knowledgeable, so I have to give a full 10 here. A few things to note, though, was that there was a musty/moldy smell to the warm/moist towels they brought out for us between courses. Don’t use

The table bread was a nice assortment of cheese biscuit, nut roll and pumpernickel onion. Really liked this.

Ambiance: 7

This joint had a smell throughout that was wet/musty. It did just rain when we went there, and it is Miami/south Florida, so maybe this is common. But it was sort of like the entire place smelled like the moldy hand towel! Strange.

PRIME 112
112 Ocean Dr
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Regina’s Grocery

First, check out my short Ride & Review video HERE:

My wife and I finally got in here for a sandwich.

The place has been around for a long time, and I have to say, there’s a reason for it. The sandwiches are GREAT! This was a little expensive at $17, but when you compare to a place like Joey Roses ($8), which are smaller, the price makes sense. The quality is great from the bread to the Calabrian chili paste to the meats and mozz.

We went with the Uncle John (mortadella being the big selling point) and we added the chili paste.

I will definitely be back.

REGINA’S GROCERY
27 Orchard St
New York, NY 10002