I feel like it's always so hard to make plans for an after-work drink or dinner with friends in this city. Everyone is so busy and has so many things going on in their lives. So when one of my most busy and successful fashionista friends, Megan, was able to grab dinner with me last night, I was elated.

In honor of Megan's birthday (which was actually over the past weekend), we decided to have dinner at The Nolita House. Neither of us had been before, but we were both excited about what we'd seen on the menu via the website. Upon arriving at The Nolita House, we were seated immediately. After Megan and I caught up a bit and perused the menu, we decided to order: Hefeweizen beer (two-for-one Happy Hour special!), corn fritters, macaroni and cheese, and the wild mushroom papparedelle pasta. The corn fritters were fantastic, and honestly, I cannot stop thinking about them. An order of fritters comes with about five one-and-one-half-inch long treats that look similar to mini footballs. Crispy and golden on the outside, the fritters ooze with creamy, corny, cheesy goodness on the inside. We could not have been happier with this appetite teaser...until our main dishes arrived. The macaroni and cheese is served in a skillet with a salad on the side. The noodles weren't your everyday elbow macaroni noodles, but more of a rotini noodle swimming in the most rich, delectable cheese sauce I've had in a long time. Every creamy bite had a nice crunch from the golden brown bread-crumb crust/topping. The wild mushroom pappardelle was one of the best pasta dishes I've had in Manhattan. The pasta was HOMEMADE (which I appreciate so much), with chunks of wild mushroom, artichoke, red peppers and pine nuts throughout, and finished with a light cream sauce. The Nolita House is a wonderful restaurant and bar that really shines in every department. I can't say enough about the service, happy hour specials and food. Two thumbs up!!

9/23/07

I'd be a liar if I said that going to the same restaurant twice in one week is normal behavior for me. So on Sunday, September 23rd, I found myself at The Nolita House, once again. My favorite dining companion, Emily, and I arrived for brunch around 12:30. The restaurant was packed, but we were able to find two stools to sit at while we waited for a table (which I found to be a welcome relief; nine times out of ten, I end up standing during my thirty-minute table wait). About twenty-minutes later, Emily and I were seated. The brunch menu at The Nolita House is quite extensive; from omelettes, French toast and pancakes, to croque monsieur's and everything in between.

To our pleasant surprise, there was a live jazz band playing at the restaurant. The music was fantastic, and most importantly, not too loud. After perusing the menu and debriefing Emily on The Nolita House's famous mac n' cheese, we each ordered an omelette and split a side order of the mac.

For my omelette, I requested egg whites with: avocado, locally made sausage, caramelized onions and Brie cheese. My order also came with mixed greens, homemade herbed fries and a fresh-squeezed orange juice. I must say that this is one of the best omelettes I've had. The ingredients were impeccably fresh and I was particularly impressed that the buttery avocado chunks and brie cheese didn't overpower the omelette with a greasy aftertaste. Each bite was made more delicious when paired with the delicately seasoned (I'm guessing it was rosemary) herbed fries.

Emily enjoyed her breakfast, as well. She seemed to be very impressed by the mac n' cheese, as we devoured the entire dish and fork-fought for the last bite. The Nolita House wins again!