NYC: Weekend Review...Po, Luzzos, and Grand Sichuan

Just some outtakes from a super relaxed, uneventful, but perfectly delightful weekend :) It's been a while since we've had one of those!

Friday evening pizza delivery from Luzzo's + The Godfather + lots of air-conditioning. The heat in NYC has been unbearable for the past few weeks...have been trying to stay indoors as much as possible. Does this summer seem much hotter than our past summers, or is it just me??

We tore apart that Quartro Formaggio Pie from Luzzo's pretty quick. A wealth of mozzarella, gorgonzola, provolone, and parmesan. Caesar salad on the side, but that was secondary. I was really craving pizza from Artichoke...but alas, they don't deliver!

Saturday morning shopping + coffee with Lauren. We met at Caffeteria, but they were unfortunately closed for electrical repairs (will reopen on this Tuesday, 6/29). So we went a few doors down to Once Upon a Tart, for a bit of air conditioning, iced coffee for Lauren and Strawberry-Lemonade for myself.

White Bean Bruschetta

On Saturday night, Monsieur P and I had an early dinner at Po in the West Village. I've made a post on my first visit to Po about just a year ago. Since then, I've returned numerous times, for both lunch and dinner. It ranks high on my list of go-to eating spots in the city. My favourite table? Still that street facing nook to your right as you enter the restaurant. Food is excellent, and always reliable, plus I'm a complete sucker for that complimentary, super garlicky White Bean Bruschetta they start you off with. It's $2 for an additional serving ;)

We kept our meal light that evening, sharing a pasta and a fish dish of the Porcini Crusted Cod. On the side was borlotti beans with kale and sweet red pepper vinaigrette. Lovely, but in general, Po does a better job with meatier dishes.

And then the pasta! OH MAN. This White Bean Ravioli is an insanely wonderful dish, and I have to thank Zubair for introducing me to it. The ravioli, about ten to an order, are simple luxe triangular folds stuffed with pureed white beans, garlic and cheese. And if that wasn't heavenly enough on it's own, the pasta is bathed in a just thick-enough-to-coat balsamic brown butter sauce. A little basil and parmesan to finish. Make sure to save some bread to soak up any sauce left on the plate!

For dessert we went up the block to L'arte del Gelato. Maria was working the night shift, hooray! Ever since they opened the Chelsea Market shop I haven't seen Maria at the West Village location which I like more. We split a small with strawberry sorbet and coffee gelato. Not the perfect pairing, but Monsieur P wanted coffee and I wanted strawberry, and that's how we made things work!

Sautéed Chinese Broccoli

Sunday was a fun - Monsieur P took me to B&H Photo to pick out my birthday present! Whee!! But I can't open it till the day of my actual birthday...will make a post on that next :) In the afternoon we had a late lunch/early dinner at Grand Sichuan. Man, we go to this restaurant at least twice a week. It's really starting to feel like home.

We usually get the same dishes: wontons in hot oil, cumin beef, Cold Cucumbers in Scallion Oil (above photo), sautéed pea shoots...but we're trying our best to switch things up. So hard though, when you have tried and true favourites!

This time we kept the cold cucumbers in the mixed but added Minced Pork Vermicelli Noodles...

...and the Meatball Casserole with noodles, fungus and cabbage.

Am tucking in for an early Sunday evening...hope you had a great weekend! :)

Luzzo's
211 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10003
(212) 473-7447

Po
31 Cornelia Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 645-2189

Grand Sichuan
23 Saint Marks Place
New York, NY 10003
(212) 529-4800