Amy Ruth: Soul Food Brunch -- eh, so so

Finally went to visit some friends in Harlem for a soul food brunch. Amy Ruth's is supposedly the place to go. I say avoid.

Service is terrible. Coffee was non existent and the server made my friend feel bad to send something back that had nuts on it.

Their signature Al Sharpton (Waffles and Fried Chicken) was blah and overcooked.

It's the Planet Hollywood of Harlem. Don't believe the hype.

Amy Ruth's Home Style Southern Cuisine
Price ($-$$)
113 W 116th St
New York, NY 10026
(212) 280-8779
Cross Street: Between Lenox Avenue and Seventh AvenueD
irections: 2, 3 at 116th St

Surviving Workers from Windows on the World Open Restaurant

As I wrote on my blog, some of the workers from Windows on the World (the restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center) are opening a new restaurant in my neighborhood. Colors, a 120-seat dining spot at 417 Lafayette St. (212-777-8443), will fully open to the public next week. The history of the workers and the proximity would be enough for me to want to check the place out (and encourage you to do the same), but on top of that, they have a unique structure where the employees are the owners. Let's hope the food is good, because I'd like to see them succeed.

-Lee

Italian: Del Posto - 85 10th Avenue (15th & 16th Streets)

Opened in December 2005, this is the most ambitious Italian restaurant in NYC. Co-owned by Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich, and Joe Bastianich, Del Posto is a 22,000-square-foot high-end Italian. While I think that Lupa is a far better value, Del Posto did deliver on atmosphere and several dishes (especially the Risotto with Pumpkin and Lardo - $50 for the table to share). The service had some kinks (but I went the second week they were open, so I'll give them a break there because it was pretty smooth overall), and it was nice to see both Mario and Lidia. I'm looking forward to going back with a large group of [rich] friends to try the roughly $200 "Per il Tavolo" ("For the Table") dishes:

- LEG OF LAMB with Carciofi, Almonds, and Rutabagas
- PORK LOIN al Arista with Wild Fennel and Fig Conserva
- SALT-BAKED ARCTIC CHAR with Cauliflower Ragu and Panelle

The place is extremely expensive, but has the potential to be a Michelin 2 star establishment, which is very impressive for an Italian restaurant.

-Lee

Del Posto ($$$$$)
85 10th Ave, New York 10011 (Btwn 15th & 16th St)
Phone: 212-497-8090

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