Winter Feasting

I don't care what people say about this so-called 'mild winter'. It's cold out there. Really cold. And that makes me hibernate and eat like a sad, cooped-up person. To wit, today I ate: A banana, some yogurt, two bowls of Rice Crispies, four cups of coffee, Tasty Bite Spinach Dal (in a foil bag), eight wasa crackers. And so on. I just couldn't do it. Go out there. Not after last night's resto debacle. Graffiti, a literal hole in the wall in the East Village, was a sore disappointment. Trying hard to be an Indian/Spanish fusion wine bar meets tapas, it was just a little too funky. Bright spots included the Green Mango Paneer ($7) and the hamburger sliders ($15); low points were anchovy and seaweed pizza ($12) and chili shrimp ($15). However, the desserts were primo.

Other recent excursions:

Hearth: Loved, loved, loved it. I would go here for the Californicated Tuscan cuisine again and again. They have a tasty assortment of non-alcholic bevs, including vintage grape juice.

Extra Virgin: Friends in from out of town, and it did exactly what we needed: suitably impressive dinner, with hip atmosphere on a show-off block in the West Village. A staple.

Caviar Russe: For power brokers in midtown and us on V-Day. Skip the menu, go straight for the Osteria and don't look back (or at the prices.)

Brown Cafe: Cute as a button seasonal, organic fare in the East Broadway nabe; poster child for "Stuff White People Like".

Franny's Pizza: Mouth-gasm. Did I say that? But much like a hot Russian hooker, I didn't want to pay as much as it actually cost. It was still good. Too good. Give it to me!

Mr.Chow's: To my surprise, it was not over-rated. I loved it and its terrible 80s decor. There was some tender buffalo thing and succulent shrimp, and fish dumplings. Go for it. Drop the cash. (No menu, but it's $65 each and then some.)

Grand Sichuan: The cumin beef was crazy good and different. And the Sichuan Dumplings fiery hot. Cheap, surly and tasty.