Kat's 9 Lives

It was getting really late at night and we had a full day in NYC already but our last stop of the night was at the The Breslin in Midtown West/Chelsea. I will admit that I was a bit skeptical when Ms. Lin suggested this gastropub for lamb burgers. There have been very very very few places where I have actually had a decent lamb burger that did NOT taste like feet. Don't get me wrong, I adore lamb and raw meat but I don't like the heavy herbs that over power the natural flavors and only makes the gaminess unbearable.
Since I have had many bad encounters, I was a bit cautious when she ordered. It was late at night and close to last call so we asked the guy to first put in an order of the lamb burger and THEN I will decide if I will have another one. Ms. Lin and him probably thought I was funny and since they have both had the lamb burger, they knew that the answer would be yes! Not that you couldn't tell from the title of this post, lol.
At first I was in a sour mood because nothing else on the menu appealed to me and the prices were mid-high for stuff that I did not want to eat. Prices in NYC always tend to be higher, but since I was not here for a real meal and I am surrounded by tons of great eats in this city I was hesitant to order the other dishes. Luckily I just waited to try the lamb burger and didn't!
If I wasn't so full from all the eating around NYC, I wish I stuffed another burger down the gullet! The Lamb Burger ($21) was topped with feta and served with cumin mayo and thrice cooked chips on the side. I am glad that the mayo was on the side because I don't really like cumin. The fries were piping hot and well seasoned. I really enjoyed the presentation on the cutting board. We cut the burger in half and I was delighted that the center was reddish-pink. It was a juicy, sensuous, and flavorful burger that completely melts in your mouth! Be sure to eat it while it is piping hot and before the juices leak out onto the bun. **Gobble Gobble**
We started the night off with the Caramel Popcorn ($5), which I thought was cutely presented. The name tag and date of birth was a great idea. It wasn't quite what I expected it to be and the caramel was quite sticky and chewy. For me, it was just okay but I did really like the packaging.
I have never heard of a Scotch Egg ($8) but Ms. Lin was excited and wanted to order it. What? I was a bit skeptical because I thought it was a bit pricey for something that has the word egg! For those who know me, I am not a big of eggs and wouldn't order it but I am glad we did. This was surprisingly tasty! Instead of a hard boiled egg inside, it was a nicely poached runny egg encased by meat then batter and fried to crisp perfection. Yum! It was crispy and savory. I actually thought the combination was very nice and was tempted to have another one. The portion size was pretty decent too.
We debated about another appetizer/snack and we decided to order the Beef and Stilton Pie ($7). The server described it as beef and cheese inside a tasty crust, so we thought sure bring us an order! I wished we ordered another scotch egg instead! Of course I wouldn't have known without trying so c'est la vie. The flavor of the beef was decent but there wasn't much cheese inside. To me it was just alright.
All in all it was a hip and tasty gastropub. They definitely sold me on their lamb burger and scotch egg! The menu might change often but I hope they keep those two on the menu! Ms. Lin was a little reserved about this place because it had been a while since she'd been here and since she was introducing this place to me, she wanted to make sure I'd like it too. Luckily, the burger was just as good as she remembered. Proving that when something is good, it can still taste just as good years later and not just be a memory.
The Breslin
16 W. 29th Street
New York, NY 10001
(212) 679-2222

The Doughnut Plant has been a coveted place in my heart since my first trip out to NYC. From the first time Ms. Lin told me about how the owner bested Bobby Flay on his show with his infamous Tres Leches Doughnut, we were hooked after one bite. That was many years ago and now they have expanded leaps and bounds with a new location near Chelsea.
This new location is super hip with funky doughnut decors that will knock your socks off. I simply fell in love with all the doughnut pillows on the wall. In my mind I can see a picture of Homer Simpson standing there with his mouth wide open and drooling! Oh wait, that was me! =) I'd be on cloud nine dreaming about doughnuts if I slept on those cute pillows!
Here you have space to grab a nice cup of coffee or a huge glass of milk to go along with your tasty doughnuts!
Of course my favorite doughnut is the Tres Leches, hands down! They are so moist and flavorful! Even if you bring them back to California for friends and family. They hold up pretty well and taste almost as great. Locked inside the sugared shell is a heavenly moist cake doughnut. I am not sure what magic he uses or what kind of drugs are inserted inside the doughnut to maintain the flavor, moisture, and tastiness! So addictive that it will keep you coming back for more!
Once you start, you can't stop! I have Ms. Lin bring it for me every time she goes to NYC. She has even frozen the doughnut in the freezer until I come up for a visit to finish them off. They might not taste as wonderful as a fresh made doughnut by then, but I'd gladly eat them! Yup, they are that tasty. Those in the know, really know! ^_-
From my previous trips, I have always liked the Pumpkin Doughnut. It's not quite as moist as their signature doughnut but I love the pumpkin seasoning. The little pumpkin seeds add a nice crunch to each bite. They only have it around certain seasons, so be sure to pick it up while you can.
They have a new treat called the Salty Peanut Doughnut that looked tasty. Sadly, I made the mistake of giving the doughnut to friends before I got to try it. So I will have to return again to sink my teeth into that tasty morsel!
Another new item they had was the Crème Brûlée Doughnut that I was intrigued by and high hopes for because of my devoted passion to the Tres Leches. There was a nice caramelized shell on the top, but I felt that for the price it was a bit tiny and that the flavor of the doughnut was not there. I say stick with what they are known for. It's fun that they are trying new things but this fell a little bit short for me.
All in all, I still LOVE and ADORE the Doughnut Plant! I just wish that he would open up one here and I'd visit it every day! That man really knows how to make one fantastic doughnut that will keep you dreaming and fantasizing about it. No wonder there are so many doughnut pillows on their wall. He knows what you will be thinking about in your sleep. lol

P.S. Someone send me or make me those doughnut pillows!! Nom Nom!!

Doughnut Plant
220 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10011
(212) 675-9100