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Showing posts with label The City That Doesn't Sleep. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The City That Doesn't Sleep. Show all posts

Friday, August 27, 2021

#TheCitythatDoesntSleep #TheOriginal #YankeeTavern #Est1927 #JoeBastone #AmandaBastone @AaronBoone @Yankees #Bronx #NewYork #Italian #American #CornedBeef Summer 2021

Amanda Bastone, Joe Bastone and Yankees Manager Aaron Boone

It's never been who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and on occasion, Peachy Deegan takes the 4 to the Bronx to see Legendary Restaurateur Joe Bastone at Yankee Tavern!  This is his second feature; he was last featured in 2015:
On a hazy hot humid day in the summer, Yankee Tavern is a beacon of All-American deliciousness that has proven the test of time.  They've been around since 1927 and we can't wait until they turn 100.  They are the oldest bar in the Bronx.
Owner Joe Bastone with the Homemade Beef Meatballs and Linguine
Of course everyone is vaccinated here.
Legend of Hospitality and best neighbor anyone's ever had in the Bronx, Joe Bastone graciously welcomed us with Mother's Milk, while he had a Schofferhofer (it's grapefruit.) We just heard someone say, "How Come Peachy's Not Drinking Guinness." Well, Guinness is better in Ireland but based on our first experience at Yankee Tavern, Mother's Milk from Upstate New York is better here because it's local and fresh.  Also, though we don't know them yet they appear to be Irish.
You should know Joe is a sponsor of the 161st Street BID (Business Improvement District) and in 1988 he started the Merchant's Association of 161st Street.  Another fun fact is that Yankee Tavern was in the Budweiser Bud Light Commercial from the last world series.
They have been open the entire time in this age of covid with takeout and delivery and personally, Peachy loves to eat in the restaurant itself which you can of course do now.
Yankee Tavern has been famous for having actual Yankees visit throughout the ages from Babe Ruth in the late 1920's to Joe DiMaggio in the 1940s and Mickey Mantle.  Yogi Berra and Elston Howard came for lunch.  Joe Bastone Sr. with three partners bought Yankee Tavern in 1964, and Joe Bastone Jr. took over in 1985.  Joe Jr's daughter, Amanda Bastone is a current manager.
Everyone knows it's bathing suit season, and even if it's not, salads are always an essential part of a dinner menu.  We applaud that there are seven total salad choices and more taverns should be like Joe; it's not an accident that this venue has been thriving since 1927.  Above, meet the Garden Salad with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, celery and green peppers.  Also, we added the fantastic chicken marinated in honey dijon expertly grilled which is the right amount of pizzazz. 
Below, meet the Greek Salad which is also a winning classic with its lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, green peppers and feta cheese.  They listened and per request by Picky Peachy there was not dressing.  We were entirely impressed with both salads.
Pictures do not lie and you should know we never edit them.
You excel like Joe, or you don't.
The menu is extremely comprehensive and any hungry person on earth could find at least 20 items they'd want to try here.  Under Heroes, Wraps and Paninis alone we believe we count 25 choices.  The Yankee Tavern Cheese Steak is absolutely gorgeous and don't hate it because it's beautiful: devour it.  The oozing succulent cheese steak absolutely hits the spot and paired with onions and peppers, it is a home run in your stomach.
The sauces that are freshly home made at Yankee Tavern are reason alone to order the pasta.  We had Meatballs with Linguine and the meatballs are made with 100% beef and just delicious.  If you are more in the mood for a sandwich you should know you cannot beat a Corned Beef on Rye and it might have been our favorite!
Yankee Tavern continues to be Highly Recommended and it is the only place in the Bronx ever to be recommended, and the only venue in New York City outside of Manhattan to earn a second review.





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Thursday, August 20, 2015

The City That Doesn't Sleep: Yankee Tavern Sports Bar and Restaurant The Original Est. 1927 by Joe Bastone Our Coverage Sponsored by Bergen Linen

Owner of Yankee Tavern, Joe Bastone.
With Peachy cheering to NYCFC (we say they will make the playoffs!):
Bergen Linen is a family-owned business that understands your need for quality linen cleaning and rental services. Your guests expect the best and we can help make that possible with our full line of services. From large at-home dinner parties to an extravagant wedding, we will work with you to create your vision. Table linens include tablecloths, napkins, overlays, chair covers and sashes. 

Are you a business owner? Bergen Linen has a menu of services for industries including restaurants, catering venues, boutique hotels, and spas. Allow us to create a program that works with your needs within your budget. And it doesn’t just stop at linens. Bergen Linen also offers full interior cleaning services and uniform sales.

Bergen Linen
172 Johnson Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601

If you are interested in our services, please feel free to email info@bergenlinen.com or call (800) 789-8115. A Bergen Linen team member would be happy to discuss your options. Schedule your complimentary consultation today.
 One of the saddest aspects of living in New York is that Peachy Deegan cannot go to Martin's Tavern every day.  We love the historic aspects of it and Billy's phenomenal dedication to keeping his family business alive and thriving; and obviously, the cuisine rocks (did you see Harry Truman's prime rib).  If this is your first time reading us, you should know that they boast a history back to 1933 and ever since, it has been run and owned by a Billy Martin (four of them, sequentially.  The first came from Galway).  We tell everyone that we believe exists in Washington how lucky they are that Georgetown is there (though in a perfect world, we'd move our favorite section of Washington right next to Central Park) and how lucky they are to go to Martin's Tavern as often as they like.
One of the happiest aspects of living in New York is the NYCFC and sadly for DC United, NYCFC made sure their most recent trip to New York was memorable (so if you are sad from Washington about your team, go see Billy to make you happy.)
Now clear your thoughts.
Being on time is paramount to success we believe, and we hate anything late, so we are almost never late, and the one time we can think of when Peachy was late was when she went somewhere last winter and the subway she was on broke down (you see we do not review the MTA.)  
We never, ever want to be late for a soccer game (so far, so good), so sometimes we are extremely early.  One day when we were, we explored the immediate area, and we met the absolutely terrific Joe Bastone, above in video format!  He did not know us and we did not say too much about how we also write on food.  Joe was already taking tremendous pride in his business, personally ushering people into his dining room (and may we say Joe puts the classy in the South Bronx with his dining room in the back) pre-game and Peachy was there as a soccer writer.  Yankee Tavern is packed and popular.   
Joe could not have been nicer, so at a later date we scheduled a post-game review.  Though Yankee Tavern is not in Manhattan, we think of Yankee Stadium and its immediate area as its own kind of principality because the soccer team has impressed us so much (have you bought your season tickets yet?).
To us, Yankee Stadium is for soccer.  And watching soccer makes us hungry! Joe and his place are one of the nicest surprises we've had this year, and you should know it is a destination in this spot.  A lot of big names and big brands you have heard of go there, and if you think we know a lot of people, you should look at the pictures on Joe's walls.  All pictures on the walls have been donated to the Tavern (because people love it there!).  Joe is not a name-dropper but you should know that one person that visited was George Steinbrenner.
You need to know that their kitchen is still open after a game until midnight or 1am depending on the day.
 First we will discuss the food.  It's casual cuisine done so well, and we truly did love everything we tried.   How many times have you heard us say that about a place we went to for the first time?  There's a reason this place has been here since 1927.  We can't wait for their centennial party!
 If you've read us before, you know Peachy Deegan was a connoisseur of the chicken parm grinder from Lower Dining Hall at Boston College.   She wasn't the only one that loved it, and the food at school was great.  It's a long way to Chestnut Hill though, and we found Joe's just as amazing on our first try.  The chicken was perfectly prepared and joined by fantastic sauce and mozzarella.  Did we mention Joe is Italian?
 Joe asked us if we liked pizza...of course!
 They make homemade pizza fresh and we'd highly recommend the Fresh Mozzarella with Plum tomato sauce.
 
 Yes you need to try this pizza.  We enjoyed every bite of it, even leftover for breakfast.  It is so good that you would have to be a nicer person than Peachy to share it.
 Their dough is homemade and a celebration of carbohydrates, which are a very good friend of ours! The cheese, however, was the best component.  Just look at it:
Yes, of course they make their own sauce and you will revel in it:
 
 
 As you can see, this is not bar food and if it were, we would not be writing on it!  Fresh vegetables arrive on a regular basis, and we enjoyed the Spinach Salad.  They were happy to put the dressing on the side (ranch and we liked it!), and the winning team of vegetables included in the starting line up: spinach of course, tomato, mushrooms and it also contained perfectly boiled eggs and delicious bacon.
 Then did we like corned beef Joe wanted to know?  Louder than saying how much you should be personally supporting the soccer team is our cry for how Irish American we are (have you heard of the Deegan expressway?  Did you know that Boston College was founded in 1863 by Irish immigrants?) and has been encouraged since birth.  We don't remember not liking corned beef, and guess who often had it at Shelly's Deli in the Hartford Civic Center prior to Whalers games...(which we were never late for either.) 
Clearly, you should have no concerns about going hungry near the principality Yankee Stadium.  The corned beef has been a staple of Yankee Tavern since 1964 and it comes from Desola Provisions of Hunts Point.  It is among the freshest we've had and it is perfect on rye with mustard and a pickle.  You don't have to wait for St. Patrick's Day to eat it either, and it's been our experience that Jewish people like it a lot too! 
 As with many other of our experiences, it is the Italians that are the ones that execute it best. (disclaimer: Peachy is not Italian.) 
Joe Bastone is an esteemed leader of his community, a terrific restaurateur and even more important, a nice person.   He is definitely the kind of person that should have a restaurant because he's got a cheerful, friendly personality.  
And for the history of Yankee Tavern?
The history at Yankee Tavern is just as outstanding as the food.  
Peachy's BC degree is in American History and maybe she's the first to make it professional American food history in life.  Another family started Yankee Tavern in the 1920's, and in 1964, Joe's dad, also Joseph Bastone bought the business with three partners.   From the 1920's to 1964, Yankee Tavern had several owners.  Both of Joe's parents are from Calabria, Italy and Joe himself was born only ten blocks away from Yankee Tavern. Here's Joe on the left, with his dad, on the right:
In 1966, the Joe we worked with on this visit started as a bus boy here at age 12, and the rest really is history!  Joe's a CPA by trade (we love smart people)...
The decor is original Art Deco with a Terrazzo floor.  Joe has expanded the spot multiple times over the years and you never know when he'll have a new business idea up his sleeve...
 Obviously, Peachy is drinking a Guinness.
 Yankee Tavern is for all sports!
Visit 72 East 161st street, literally across the street towards the Upper East side from Yankee Stadium!  They are an independent business, not affiliated with the Yankees...

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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

The City That Doesn't Sleep Meets Sporty Peachy: Manny's on Second by John Nelson Earns an Encore Our Coverage Sponsored by Bergen Linen

Meet Manny.  He'll be praying for the Rangers tonight in heaven we think.

Bergen Linen is a family-owned business that understands your need for quality linen cleaning and rental services. Your guests expect the best and we can help make that possible with our full line of services. From large at-home dinner parties to an extravagant wedding, we will work with you to create your vision. Table linens include tablecloths, napkins, overlays, chair covers and sashes. 

Are you a business owner? Bergen Linen has a menu of services for industries including restaurants, catering venues, boutique hotels, and spas. Allow us to create a program that works with your needs within your budget. And it doesn’t just stop at linens. Bergen Linen also offers full interior cleaning services and uniform sales.

Bergen Linen

172 Johnson Avenue

Hackensack, NJ 07601





If you are interested in our services, please feel free to email info@bergenlinen.com or call (800) 789-8115. A Bergen Linen team member would be happy to discuss your options. Schedule your complimentary consultation today.
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
The Stanley Cup Playoffs, covered in NHL Peachy.
Sometimes it is great to watch in your own space, and sometimes you want to go out.
If you want to go out, we suggest Manny's.
It's not who you know, it's Whom You Know, and we feel like we know Manny, the late canine inspiration for this great Upper East side sports bar.  Manny's on Second is a New York Rangers bar, and it was first featured a year ago to celebrate The Stanley Cup Playoffs:
It's the brainchild of owner John Nelson and has been going for six years strong now.  This time, we were delighted to meet him for the first time, and he's quite the entrepreneur.
We sipped on a Guinness, and ordered an appetizer, a salad and an entree to correspond with each of the periods in that order.
The Chili Bowl was our appetizer selection and it was quite good.  We commend their home made tortilla chips which are fantastic-crisp and fresh, essential qualities for a chip.  The chili is beef chili and it's topped with cheddar, sour cream and onion.  We'd try this again.  If you are looking for an appetizer that would be easy to share-go for this.  Be careful-the chili can be drip so be sure to have your napkins ready.  
Of the three items we tried, we were most impressed with this Salad.  It is not too often that you see quality salad served in this kind of setting, but you can be assured of the fresh competitiveness of Manny's Low-Cal Salad.  Mixed greens with grilled chicken, cucumber, avocado, chopped walnuts, low-cal shredded cheese and craisins teamed up for a game winner.  We even liked the lite vinaigrette they thoughtfully put on the side - excellent.  The chicken was tender and superlative.
Aside from the culinary pursuits, as a bar note that the tv's are consistently fabulous all around the bar.  We don't find that everywhere and we went in and out of a lot of others to check out Manny's competition.  If you're going to spend 3 hours watching a game with great food and the television is not good, it's not worth it.  Also we love that the bathrooms at Manny's are clean and well-lit consistently.
The juicy Manny's Half Pound Burger pays homage to carnivores everywhere.  Gorgeously delicious, it is a hand made angus beef burger grilled to order and topped with lettuce, tomato, red onion and Manny's burger sauce on a fresh Brioche Bun. We added mozzarella, and it was ideal.  We like how the shred the lettuce on it, and it's the best burger we've had in 2015 so far.  It arrived medium, as ordered.
Manny's is a great place to watch a game with appropriately delicious and fresh game food!
Peachy Deegan and John Nelson

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Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Introducing Mick Mellamphy from Cork City and James Gerding from Michigan, Owners of Ryan's Daughter of the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Huge NYCFC supporters!

It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we were recently delighted to meet Mick Mellamphy and James Gerding, owners of Ryan's Daughter, a fantastic welcoming spot to watch a game or match.  They are huge NYCFC supporters -do you know where Khiry Shelton went to celebrate his first MLS goal?! - and Mick is known to travel to away games as well.  
Khiry was nominated for MLS Goal of the Week:
Read our full coverage of the 2-2 tie including exclusive player post-game interviews here:

We will not be reviewing Ryan's Daughter as they do not officially serve food but we can attest to the fact that Mick makes a superb Shepherd's Pie, even when he did not know it was going to be served to a critic.  We like their football and soccer quotes on the wall.
Do not miss all the fabulous New York Rangers action on tv's here too!
P.S. UP CORK!!!  We know we have a lot of Cork readers...



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Friday, May 30, 2014

Del Frisco's Steakhouse in Manhattan, a Peachy's Pick, Continues to Be Highly Recommended by Whom You Know! Del Frisco's Is the Perfect Place to Eat and Watch the New York Rangers' Quest for Lord Stanley's Cup! If They Win, Maybe The Cup Can Come Dine With Us? King Henrik: Let Us Know What You Think Please and Fuel Up on Filet Mignon to Keep the Pucks Out...Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins





16 oz Bone In Filet Mignon to-die-for!

Del Frisco's Private Reserve Cabernet 2011, California, background by the NHL & NBCSN



The Brilliant Team of Executive Chef Elvis Inniss and Regional Manager Scott Gould

Fresh Origins is America’s leading producer of Microgreens and Edible Flowers. Combining the benefits of an ideal climate with a deep passion for quality and innovation, Fresh Origins products are sought after by the finest restaurants and top chefs. The farm is located in the picturesque rolling hills of San Diego County, where the near perfect weather allows for production and harvest all year. Fresh Origins produces almost 400 Microgreens, Petitegreens, Edible Flowers, Shoots, Tiny Veggies™ and related items. Many are not available anywhere else, with new introductions nearly every month. Fresh Origins products are on top of the finest cuisine in the world! Fresh Origins supplies distributors of specialty produce who serve fine dining restaurants and resorts nationwide. There are also a few online sources of their products available to private chefs and home cooks. Read our first Culinary Queen interview with Kelly Sasuga:
For more information about Fresh Origins, visit their website at 

Akin to signs on hotel room doors that say "Do Not Disturb," those that actually know Peachy Deegan know that this is the sacred season of NHL Playoffs when ordering is done and words are spoken only during commercials.  It just got far more serious only hours ago when the New York Rangers advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1994.  In 1994, Peachy made the pilgrimage from Connecticut to see the cup on parade lifted by the likes of fellow CT native and Boston College Alum Brian Leetch, Cup-Guarantor Mark Messier, Mike Richter and the gang.  We first formally reviewed Del Frisco's in 2011, and this Boston College Eagle loved the Double Eagle Steakhouse so much, even The Peachy Deegan was served there (stay tuned for the Star Vodka relaunch.)  
We've been looking high and low for the finest places to both watch the New York Rangers win the cup and dine (if we've liked you in the past, we recommend you install a tv now!  The Rangers in the Stanley Cup Finals is definitely more important than eating to us), and Del Frisco's hits the high mark on both of them thanks to the devotion of stellar Regional Manager Scott Gould (he's from Hockeytown which you all know is Detroit), who has got to be one of the very best in his position anywhere in on the East Coast.  We never work with any kind of manager, we work with owners, HOWEVER, we work with Scott because he is in a class by himself (Del Frisco's is publicly traded), and so is this venue.  Those that work with him at the restaurants also strive for the best in service, which cannot be beat.  There's serious depth of talent on this team from the Management to the awesome Sommeliers!   Scott's the Regional Manager, so he also handles the Boston location and the upcoming Washington D.C. location at 950 I Street NW...stay tuned to hear what we think of those as we haven't been yet, as well as Del Frisco's Grill.
Del Frisco's Steakhouse opened its doors on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan on March 7, 2000 and Executive Chef Elvis Inniss has been there the entire time and even before, as he started January 11, 2000.  Scott Gould joined in August 2002.  A final note-the tv's at Del Frisco's we believe from memory are Samsung and top quality for viewing.  
 
The perfect start is a glass of the Del Frisco's Private Reserve 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa (far enough away from the Los Angeles Kings...!)  It's ripe and robust and pairs well with both faceoffs, forechecking and defensive play.  When the Rangers score, sip to celebrate.  When King Henrik makes a stellar save, sip to celebrate.  Even during the National Anthem it is engagingly laudable...(and did you know the team on this review actually did sing the National Anthem during an NHL game.)
 
 

Though we are most interested in dinner menus, if we have been to a place before we may choose to deviate from our standard procedure and look at all the menus.  What jumped out at us on the Del Frisco's Steakhouse Bar Menu were the Petit Lobster Rolls.
 Four arrive: a center, we named it Brian Boyle;  a left wing, and we thought Chris Kreider had a nice ring to it;  a right wing that can only be described as sensational as Martin St. Louis; and a defenseman, which we named Ryan McDonagh, though we were tempted to call it Ulfie since that was his position when he played.  (Ulf Samuelsson is the Assistant Coach.  We first met him his rookie year when he arrived in Hartford from Sweden and hadn't yet learned English.) It is ok to name your food during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  The goal of this lobster roll team is to delight your tastebuds and conquer your stomach.  With lobster from Maine paired with tarragon citrus mayonnaise, they had a winning strategy.
 He shoots, he scores! 
 Scott and bartender Jennifer Mara  
 Our esteemed panelist is a bit more francais-motivated than All-American Peachy, so she chose the wonderful Bordeaux: Chateau Laplagnotte-Bellevue 2010 St. Emilion which was also a victorious face-off. 
 
 Del Frisco's reminded us of how phenomenal their crabcakes were.  With cajun lobster sauce accentuating the genuine crabbiness that can only be equaled when a puck flies by King Henrik (a rarity, to be certain!), these proved to embody the kind of CRABBINESS you want to achieve and enjoy in life.   We've eaten many crabcakes now and are seasoned reviewers; this is still one of the best crabcakes we've had.

 The Del Frisco's Salad is triumphant and we found the avocado ranch dressing, homemade croutons and bacon particularly notable.
 Sommeliers Jessica Certo and Faith Fulginiti
 Jessica suggested we try the Cabernet-Hess "Allomi" 2011 California which proved to be even fuller than the earlier glass.  As the berries are smaller there is more pulp, and the structure is found in the skin.  Our panelist has visited the Hess vineyard on her last trip out; we understand it's closer to Napa, between Napa and Sonoma high in the mountains.
 



 As you know, the steak is more flavorful when the bone stays in it and to that end, we ordered two different steaks that kept their bone, and ordered both medium and they were grilled to perfection.  Note that Del Frisco's takes notes on every client and how they like what they ordered done...that's a huge rarity among restaurants that have more than one location in our experience and is more like a single venue philosophy.  Above is the divine bone-in 16 oz Filet Mignon.  Every bite of this will melt in your mouth and we believe this is tops on the menu.  






 This is the Bone-In Ribeye which is absolutely fantastic and tips the scales at 22 oz.  Salt, Pepper and Salted Butter dress up the steaks at Del Frisco's, which are so high quality they don't need dressing up.  And note from a service standpoint, on the menu itself it says: "Del Frisco's was created for the pleasure and enjoyment of our guests.  We strive to create a world-class dining experience that exceeds even your highest standards.  If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with the service or cuisine, please ask for me." and it is signed by Scott Gould.  We can't think of another menu that says such a thing and you know we've seen somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 on the East Coast by now.  Not many managers are willing to rise to this level of responsibility and service, but this guy is watering this grass and it is green.

We can't recall ever being delighted with cauliflower before.  Del Frisco's has changed all that with their Cauliflower and Brie au Gratin.  What the menu does not say that it should is that it is topped off with WHITE TRUFFLE OIL which makes all the difference.  Slow-roasted on low heat, this cauliflower is phenomenal.  Your fork will want to hug it.  The asparagus are top-quality and robust in their color, nutrition and diameter.  This is not some wimpy pencil asparagus.  The asparagus at Del Frisco's is for red-blooded hockey fans. 
 We have had the Potatoes Au Gratin before and they are absolutely delicious and we would miss them if they didn't make an appearance on the red carpet of our table.  Highlighted by the talents of bacon, green onion and cheddar, the Potatoes Au Gratin should be part of your order.
 We also tried the sweet potatoes with ground pecan above, and the maque choux corn that was teamed up with tasso ham.  Both were good but we were definitely overly obsessed with their competition of the three dishes above.
 If you think you will not be able to eat dessert, you are wrong. 
 For Peachy the long-suffering chocoholic, a chocolate souffle is always the right answer especially when it involves ice cream and raspberry drizzle!  And the lemon cake with six layers and heavenly contrasting textures is light and delicious for summer.
 
 Let's Go Rangers!
No matter what the score is in the game, the score in your stomach will be a Stanley Cup winner at Del Frisco's in New York.  Being that he is from Detroit, maybe Scott will come up with an octopus dish for you to throw into your stomach (rather than on the ice in Joe Louis Arena...)









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