LiamLicks: 1/23/11

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Mesa Grill in the Winter Chill

Restaurant Week! What about me?

Restaurant Week 2011

Jan 24-Feb 6-lunch $24.07

/http://www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek/

We have to try to get to "the city." That would be Manhattan which is what New Yorkers call the island off Long Island.

Every time we have tried to do something winter's whimsy has whacked us- snow, wind, sleet, hail, drifts, unplowed streets, canceled trains, thundersnow, lightning, power failures, downed trees.....

It is Winter Restaurant Week in NYC and we need a pick me up. Our choice:

Mesa Grill. Bobby Flay's signature restaurant. http://www.mesagrill.com/new-york-city-restaurant/
A New York boy who is a Food Network Iron Chef, has books, products, TV shows. He brings heat-meaning he cooks Southwestern with chilies, peppers, curry all that-read about him
.http://www.bobbyflay.com/

Bobby Flay

Our winter apparel will protect us from the chill outside.

Maybe Bobby's lunch can heat us from inside. Bring it on!

My train 11:39 AM to Penn

I leave in a snowstorm. They are calling it a snow shower-that is when they do not want to commit to saying snowstorm.

I have figured a way to stay underground as long as possible by taking the LIRR to Penn, then subway #1 to Times Square, the S to Grand Central, then the #5 down to Union Square. I never surface till the train pulls into Union Square and 14th Street. I am at Mesa Grill after a short walk through Union Square Park. Not tricked this time by that hypotenusing Broadway. Staying underground was key.

I check in. I am first. The place is buzzing with young suits, making business connections.

I text my fellow diners, they are about a half hour away. I take out my Kindle

Life is good.

Everyone arrives. So nice to meet, sit, toast, roast, laugh, and enjoy Bobby's food. It does warm us from the inside. And he has picked a wine for us, a Shiraz