Subject:

Robert Sietsema

  • Blogs

    September 6, 2011

    Big Lines for the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop, All Weekend Long

    Robert SietsemaLet the games begin!​ As we reported on Saturday, the opening day lines for the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop were long, constant, and festive. As we waited an hour for our American Globs waffle cone, the line behind us kept growing. And apparently it continued to do so all weekend lo ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 5, 2011

    Dish No. 32: Haitian Griot, or Grillot, at the Labor Day Parade

    ​The griot, or grillot, come with a luscious green salad. Griot (also spelled grillot) is one of the triumphs of Haitian Kreole cuisine, pork nuggets soaked in a solution of shallots and sour orange juice, boiled in the solution until the pan dries out, and then fried in lard, rendering the ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 14, 2011

    Smoked Brisket Sandwich at Fatty 'Cue, Dish No. 54

    ​The smoked brisket sandwich is a very lush production. The brunch menu at Fatty 'Cue is, in many ways, more approachable than the restaurant's regular menu. There are strange sandwiches, plates of ribs, and a soup among the 10 offerings.

  • Blogs

    July 6, 2011

    Eataly to Colonize Our Nation's Capital

    Robert SietsemaAll of this will soon be yours, Washington.​Now that Washington, D.C., has almost digested Shake Shack, it should start priming its collective gut for another New York export. As The Huffington Post reports, Joe Bastianich and Mario Batali are planning to open a branch of Eataly ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 6, 2011

    You Can Now Find Tanoreen in Midtown

    Robert SietsemaWhere angels fear to tread.​Although we're not really fans of FoodParc, we now have one reason to be grateful for its existence. That reason is Tanoreen.

  • Blogs

    June 29, 2011

    Robert Sietsema at Phayul; Lauren Shockey at The Astor Room

    This week in the Voice, Robert Sietsema gets a spicy surprise, namely "reconfigured Sichuan fare," at Tibetan café Phayul; Lauren Shockey discovers "totally passé eats" at The Astor Room.​ Sam Sifton approves of Empellón: "one of the more captivating restaurants to open in recent months, w ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 16, 2011

    Bark Will Sell Its Dogs on Pier 6's Roof

    Robert Sietsema​Bark Hot Dogs has parked itself at Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 6 for a few weeks now, and beginning this Saturday, it will add to its concession stand with a spot on the pier's rooftop. In addition to their wieners, Bark will be serving Gotham Project wine on tap and Sixpoint's ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 25, 2011

    Robert Sietsema at Dean Street; Lauren Shockey at Bi Lokma

    This week in the Voice, Robert Sietsema has a gastropub revelation at Dean Street in Prospect Heights, where chef Mike Franzetti "illustrates state-of-the-art principles in gastropub menu construction." Lauren Shockey heads to Bi Lokma for Turkish "chow just like babaanne--er, granny--used to make." ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 19, 2011

    Tomorrow: Our 10 Best Legal and Sort of Legal Picnic Spots

    Robert SietsemaNew Jersey, as viewed from Inwood Hill Park​ Although this week's weather could make you think otherwise, we have finally made it to picnic season. Picnicking in the city can be a fraught proposition: There are few other places in the country where you risk being dive-bombed by ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 19, 2011

    Xi'an Famous Foods Will Go Big With a Second Chinatown Location

    Robert SietsemaPlentiful and pungent savory lamb noodles.​A few months after sending out a Facebook message asking its fans for information on available storefronts in Manhattan and Williamsburg, Xi'an Famous Foods has officially announced the imminent opening of its fifth location.

  • Blogs

    March 30, 2011

    The Best Thing I Ate Yesterday: Choice Eats!

    Welcome to The Best Thing I Ate Yesterday, where we endeavor to remember the very best thing we stuffed down our gullets over the past 24 hours. Why? Because the only thing better than enjoying a meal is wallowing in the memory of one savored in the recent past. Today's fond reminiscences ...

  • Blogs

    March 9, 2011

    Robert Sietsema at Heartbreak; Lauren Shockey at Cocoron

    This week in the Voice, Robert Sietsema revels in authentic German at Heartbreak, proclaiming that "never has there been anything quite like Heartbreak, which seeks to elevate the culinary status of peasant classics." Lauren Shockey pays a visit to Cocoron, which is "poised to change the city's nood ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 2, 2011

    Fire at Avenue D Con Edison Plant

    via Robert Sietsema​Firefighters are currently responding to a fire at the Con Edison plant on 15th Street along the East River. One of the plant's transformers caught fire and 12 units have been on the scene for about half an hour. The fire is still ongoing, but no one is believed to be injur ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 31, 2011

    Rachael Ray and Serious Eats Look for the Country's Best Hot Dog

    Robert SietsemaWill Bark's dog be top dog?​A year after conducting an exhaustive search for the country's best pizza, Everday With Rachael Ray has turned its attention to wieners. The magazine has once against enlisted the folks at Serious Eats to determine the winner; this time, they've narro ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 20, 2011

    Tomorrow: Our 10 Best Tofu Dishes in NYC

    Robert SietsemaThe bean curd skin salad with sesame oil dressing at Henan Feng Wei in Flushing.​ Ah, tofu. Although it's all but synonymous with a wholesome (read: bland) vegetarian and vegan lifestyle, the coagulated soy milk enjoys innumerable manifestations in a wide variety of cuisines. As ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 19, 2011

    Robert Sietsema at Lievito; Lauren Shockey at Junoon

    This week in the Voice, Robert Sietsema discovers a new and delicious breed of pizza bones at Lievito; Lauren Shockey likes the food, but not the boring beige room, at Junoon.​ Sam Sifton finds hits and misses at Lyon: "Some of the food is excellent. ... Best of all are the restaurant's offer ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 5, 2011

    Robert Sietsema at Lima Limon; Lauren Shockey at L'Artiste

    This week in the Voice, Robert Sietsema indulges in "Peruvian Viagra" at Lima Limon in Little Latin America; Lauren Shockey discovers classic bistro fare at L'Artiste in Astoria.​ Sam Sifton awards a mostly enthusiastic two stars to Millesime: "holy cats, is there a beautiful, even exciting b ... More >>

  • Blogs

    December 29, 2010

    Robert Sietsema at Lotus of Siam; Lauren Shockey at Karloff

    This week in the Voice, Robert Sietsema is happy to discover that Lotus of Siam delivers "a level of pungency rarely seen in Siamese restaurants on this coast," but advises not to "stop trekking to Queens just yet." Lauren Shockey settles into Karloff, where the food "isn't fancy but has that cooked ... More >>

  • Blogs

    December 17, 2010

    The Best Thing I Ate Yesterday

    Welcome to The Best Thing I Ate Yesterday, where we endeavor to remember the very best thing we stuffed down our gullets over the past 24 hours. Why? Because the only thing better than enjoying a meal is wallowing in the memory of one savored in the recent past. Today's fond reminiscences ... Vic ... More >>

  • Blogs

    December 15, 2010

    Robert Sietsema on the New York-Montreal Food Connection

    This week in the Voice, Robert Sietsema explores the relationship between New York and Montreal food. Sam Sifton awards two stars to Harold Dieterle's Kin Shop, even though it's not quite authentic Thai: "[It's] an American restaurant that serves food prepared using Thai flavors, a restaurant that ... More >>

  • Blogs

    December 13, 2010

    The Best Thing I Ate Yesterday

    Welcome to The Best Thing I Ate Yesterday, where we endeavor to remember the very best thing we stuffed down our gullets over the past 24 hours. Why? Because the only thing better than enjoying a meal is wallowing in the memory of one savored in the recent past. Today's fond reminiscences ... Vict ... More >>

  • Blogs

    December 13, 2010

    The Eataly Effect Is Felt on West 23rd Street

    Robert SietsemaArtisanal dairy products = rent hikes.​Much as Keith McNally may have inspired landlords in the vicinity of Pulino's to raise their rents, Eataly seems to be giving their West 23rd Street counterparts a few ideas.

  • Blogs

    December 10, 2010

    The Best Thing I Ate Yesterday

    Welcome to The Best Thing I Ate Yesterday, where we endeavor to remember the very best thing we stuffed down our gullets over the past 24 hours. Why? Because the only thing better than enjoying a meal is wallowing in the memory of one savored in the recent past. Today's fond reminiscences ... Risot ... More >>

  • Blogs

    November 24, 2010

    The Meatball Shop Will Grab Bedford Avenue by the Balls

    Robert Sietsema​ The Meatball Shop's much-feted expansion to Williamsburg now has an address: Per the Times, it's 170 Bedford Avenue, which sits midway between North 7th and 8th streets. The block is home to a few restaurants, a couple of organic grocers, the Salvation Army, a bar, and a late- ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 13, 2010

    Robert Sietsema at Manzo in Eataly

    This week in the Voice, Robert Sietsema finds the food thrilling, but the premises not so much at the beef temple that is Manzo in Eataly. Sam Sifton slums it on the Lower East Side at Xiao Ye, which he deems "an artful misfire: the sort of place that, as [chef-owner Eddie] Huang sadly appears to d ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 7, 2010

    Tomorrow: Our 10 Best Vegetarian Restaurants

    Robert SietsemaThe kanchipuram idly at Sapthagiri, a strictly vegetarian Indian restaurant in Jersey City.​Having already explored the inside of a pig's cranium this week, we've decided to venture in a slightly different direction for tomorrow's Our 10 Best. While New York abounds with excel ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 28, 2010

    Bill's Bar & Burger Is Now Open and Serving the Multitudes

    Robert SietsemaBill's burger, up close and personal.​The mothership has finally landed: as of today, Bill's Bar & Burger is officially open for business in Rockefeller Center.

  • Blogs

    September 22, 2010

    Robert Sietsema at Strong Place; Sarah DiGregorio at Gourmet Sweets & Restaurant

    This week in the Voice, Robert Sietsema reckons that Strong Place "might be the most perfect evocation of the Brooklyn bistro to date." Sarah DiGregorio finds that the food at Gourmet Sweets and Restaurant "is a testament to all the many wonderful things one can make with humble cuts of meat, lentil ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 17, 2010

    Former Sintir Space to Become (Another) Tapas Restaurant

    Robert SietsemaTapas on the horizon.​When Sintir opened on East 9th Street last spring, Our Man Sietsema wasn't particularly impressed by its boastful claims, flavorless meatballs, and aggressively upselling waitstaff. Apparently others weren't, either: the place closed earlier this month.

  • Blogs

    September 15, 2010

    Robert Sietsema at Bab al Yemen; Sarah DiGregorio at Hawkers and Bai Cha

    This week in the Voice, Robert Sietsema enjoys simple roasted meats, Yemeni-style, at Bab al Yemen. Sarah DiGregorio deems Hawkers and Bai Cha, "a late-night kill-a-craving joint" and "adequate lunch spot," respectively. Sam Sifton approves of Nuela: "There is good eating at Nuela, if only you can ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 13, 2010

    Eataly Still Singlehandedly Reducing New York Unemployment Numbers

    Robert SietsemaThis could be your office.​Eataly may have opened with a staff of thousands, but judging by Craigslist, it's still looking for a few thousand more. A quick scroll through the past three days' worth of job postings turned up no less than nine ads for positions ranging from restau ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 2, 2010

    The Asian Feastival Comes to Queens This Monday

    Robert SietsemaM&T's sautéed pine nuts and corn.​If you don't have any Labor Day plans, consider yourself lucky: that means you'll have the opportunity attend the Asian Feastival, a culinary fantasia taking place in Queens.

  • Blogs

    September 1, 2010

    Eataly Hits Flatiron Like a Ton of Prosciutto

    Mario Batali presses the flesh with his many fans.​ "Eataly, what a cute name!" a young woman exclaimed as she attempted to navigate the crushing crowd that surged into the Italian food megaplex shortly after 4 p.m. yesterday. By 4:30 there was a line to get into the door, monitored by a silv ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 1, 2010

    Robert Sietsema at Testaccio; Sarah DiGregorio at Olio Pizza e Più & Camp de' Fiori

    This week in the Voice, Robert Sietsema discovers true Roman fare at Testaccio in Long Island City; Sarah DiGregorio samples the pies at two new pizzerias: Olio Pizza e Più and Campo de' Fiori. Sam Sfiton awards two stars to Il Matto: "Nothing about the restaurant is perfect... The cocktails... ar ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 30, 2010

    Mad. Sq. Mark't Returns With Fatty 'Cue, Hill Country, and Roberta's

    Robert SietsemaFatty 'Cue's coriander bacon.​On September 25, Mad. Sq. Mark't is returning, sans useful vowels, to the west side of Madison Square Park for its second year. While the vegan handbags and cotton tunics on sale will undoubtedly be an attraction for some, we're more interested in w ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 20, 2010

    Reminder: There Will Be a Ton of Ice Cream at the New Amsterdam Market on Sunday

    Robert SietsemaThe Bent Spoon's pumpkin ice cream.​This weekend's New Amsterdam Market will feature a dairy onslaught, courtesy of its very first Ice Cream Fair on Sunday. The $20 ticket will get you six mini ice cream cones with the flavors of your choosing from the Bent Spoon, Van Leeuwen, M ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 11, 2010

    Robert Sietsema at I Sodi; Sarah DiGregorio at Co Ba

    This week in The Voice, Robert Sietsema shares his appreciation for I Sodi: "one largely overlooked restaurant in town that has succeeded in reproducing an actual Tuscan bill of fare, such as you might find in roadside osterias near Cortona or Gaiole-in-Chianti." Sarah DiGregorio files on Co Ba in C ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 4, 2010

    Robert Sietsema at Plein Sud; Sarah DiGregorio at Cienfuegos

    This week in The Voice, Robert Sietsema finds the food looks amazing, but tastes terrible at Plein Sud. Sarah DiGregorio reports hits and misses at Cienfuegos, but gives a nod to the champagne punch. Sam Sifton approves of Tamarind Tribeca, which: "might rate a pleasant shrug [in Indian cuisine-hap ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 3, 2010

    Asian Feastival Comes to Queens for Labor Day

    Robert SietsemaM&T's pepper with bean curd sheets.​Food nerds still hemming and hawing about making Labor Day plans, take note: September 6 witnesses the first "Asian Feastival," a smorgasbord of eats in Queens.

  • Blogs

    June 30, 2010

    Robert Sietsema at Casabel Taqueria; Sarah DiGregorio at Seersucker & Peaches HotHouse

    This week in the Voice, Robert Sietsema squeezes into Casabel Taqueria, where "the tacos are happily similar to something you might get from a truck parked on Roosevelt Avenue." Sarah DiGregorio sees Brooklyn heating up with two new Southern-accented newcomers: Seersucker and Peaches HotHouse.​ ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 30, 2010

    Notes on a "Vibrating Monstrosity"

    Robert SietsemaBig, gay, delicious.​"The entire enterprise makes me laugh constantly, all day long. It's just too weird: how did I go from playing bassoon full-time to standing around in this vibrating monstrosity of a truck and slinging ice cream to the people of New York?" -- The Big Gay Ice ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 10, 2010

    Did You Know NYC Had Its Own All-Girls Misfits Cover Band, Ghoul's Night Out? We Didn't Either.

    all photos by Robert Sietsema News we learned too late: NYC has its own all-girl Misfits cover band, Ghoul's Night Out. Make that "had." Comprised of front-woman Glen-nora Danzig, guitarist Aileen, bassist Tibbie X, and drummer Miss Carrie, the foursome, who predominantly came out on Halloween, pla ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 26, 2010

    Pies 'n' Thighs Begins Nighttime Delivery

    Robert SietsemaNow available at your doorstep.​Now available at your doorstep.​If you live in the environs of Pies 'n' Thighs, enjoy eating at night, and are often too inebriated to walk but just sober enough to pick up a phone, then you're now in luck: the restaurant has started a night ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 19, 2010

    Robert Sietsema at Kenmare; Sarah DiGregorio at Pulino's

    This week in the Voice, Robert Sietsema braves the scene at Kenmare, where "the ingredients were unimpeachable, the facile preparation of entrées was a deadly sin." Sarah DiGregorio samples everything plus the pizza at Pulino's, deeming the toppings "undeniably tasty, especially the dryish, concent ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 17, 2010

    Mile End Will Begin Dinner Service on Wednesday

    Robert SietsemaMile End's smoked meat poutine: g-u-t-b-o-m-b.​Starting this week, lucky Brooklynites (and anyone else who wants to hop on the F train) will be able to eat pastrami and poutine into the late hours of the night: On Wednesday, Mile End will begin serving dinner. Owner Noah Bernamo ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 5, 2010

    Robert Sietsema at Maima's; Sarah DiGregorio at Paulie Gee's

    This week in the Voice, Robert Sietsema has the "one of the hottest things" he's tasted all year: Liberian pepper shrimp at Maima's in Jamaica, Queens. Sarah DiGregorio samples the pie at Paulie Gee's, where the crust "burrows into your brain -- a stretchy, bubbly, char-spotted pillow of a bread, th ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 29, 2010

    Queens, A Taste of the World Coming to Citi Field May 18th

    It's more expensive than our own Choice Eats, but Discover Queens' eating event, Queens, A Taste of the World, will feature some interesting (and Voice-approved) restaurants.

  • Blogs

    April 28, 2010

    Send Us Your Burning (Food-Related) Questions

    Ladies and Gentlemen, Fork in the Road has a new feature: Ask the Critics. So send us your questions and either Robert Sietsema or Sarah DiGregorio will answer them here. Two weeks ago, we took on the question we get asked the most: My parents are in town, where should I take them? And last week, ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 22, 2010

    Ask the Critics: Can I Take Leftover Food From Another Table Once the Party Has Departed?

    beefaficionado/blogspot.comThe luscious Wagyu flat-iron steak at WD-50​ Here's the second installment of our new feature Ask the Critics. (Find the first installment here.) If you have a question for Sarah DiGregorio or Robert Sietsema, please send it to fork@villagevoice.com Seth G. writes- ... More >>

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