Alex Urena's Pamplona

One of Ferran Adria's apprentice, Alex Urena, converted his up-scale Spanish place Urena and degustation menu to a Tapas place in 07' and it was regarded as one of the 10 best new restaurants of 07 by NY Times. With tapas places in the city popping up like mushrooms, we figure this would a a good place to check out.

The location in Murray Hill on 28th is a little strange, the quiet block isn't exactly hopping with restaurants and bars. It seems to be just on the outskirt of the hot zone in Gramercy. I got there early, so I got a passion fruit mojito and sat at the bar. Interesting twist on Mojito. There were many people just hanging at the bar area and getting a few tapas. I was just about to try the house specialty Calimocho (Half Rioja half Coke), when Connie got in. We were seated right away with the reso I made 2 days prior.

The one page menu is of pleasant simplicity. We got the Manchego cheese Bunuelos(above), Bacon wrapped Dates(above), Bacalao Croquettes and Chickpea frite. Cheese Bunuelos and Dates were really tasty. Bacalao was just ok and Chickpea frite is dressed up with diced tomatoes and Spanish peppers and drizzled with emulsion of peppers. With our pitcher of Sangria half way gone, we move on to the second round of our orders. A Bocadillo de Jamon, a simple tasty affair of Serrano ham and buttery Iberico cheese on a pressed grilled sandwich cut into bite sizes. Next came the disappoint of the night, the main dish Conchinillo (Confit of suckling pig, above right). I read about it and had high expectations coming in, but it turned out just ok. Skin was crispy, pork was tender but it didn't stand out at all. $35 for a main at a tapas place, it better impress. I would stick with the small dishes in the future.

We went for the chocolate Bunuelos for dessert on the waiter's recommendation and it was very satisfying. Fried balls of chocolate dough, sprinkled with sugar and filled with hot, thick chocolate sauce, what's not to love?

Overall, this is a fairly good tapas place. 6 out of 10 in my book. But with so many tapas place in the city, it would be a while till I circle back to Pamplona again. Definitely stick with the small plates and have some fun drinks while you are at it.

NetJet Showdown at the Garden

Ok Ok, call me a hypocrite. I blogged about how athletes from different eras should not be brought together in a match or even be compared, but when I was offered a ticket to catch the Sampras/Federer match at MSG, I jumped on it. AND it did not disappoint.

First of all, this is the first time I watched tennis at the Garden. My seat was in the 300 levels and it wasn't bad at all. It is comparable to Loge seating at Ashe during the open. So for the usual upper tier box Ashe seat holder like me, this is pretty sweet.

The match was much more entertaining than I expected. The crowd was mostly pro Pete. (of course, we love to root for the underdogs) But when Pete went up 5-2 in the 3rd and deciding set, the crowd turned towards rooting for Roger. Both guys are obviously having fun. But i would imagine if it was Agassi vs Roddick, the players would have a lot more fun with the crowd and crack a lot more jokes. For two guys who had been labeled "boring" by the tennis media, they did their part to get the crowd into it. One point during the match at a critical point, Pete handed the racket to Tiger Wood, who is sitting right behind the baseline. After Tiger touched the racket, Pete won the next point and proceed to do a 'Tiger-esque" fist pumping. Roger stood on the other side of the court laughing. Tiger was obviously guest of Roger's and sat with his wife, along with Roger's parents and his gf Mirka.

Ivan Lendl actually was the guy that put this show together, Johnny and Pat Mac, Billy Jean King, Roy Emerson were all on hand for the festivity. I also spotted Alfred Portale right behind the baseline. Who is manning the Gotham kitchen tonight? :)

I enjoyed the evening and marveled at the level of tennis Pete is still capable of. But at times, I thought maybe Roger is just toying with him, because there was one game, Roger held at love with four Aces. The debate will go on forever, who is the best in their prime. This Sampras Federer saga has gone 3-1 in Federer's favor. They were talking about another one in London. I maintain my position that legends should be left alone and not be compared. But if a match of this magnitude comes to my backyard again, I will be there again :)

Texas two stepping in Chelsea - Hill Country

Food critics like Frank Bruni and Ruth Reichl doesn't write a review for a restaurant until after 4-5 trips, in or out of disguise. So I waited until I tried Hill Country twice before writing this.

It is one of many BBQ joints that has been popping up in the city lately. It boast Texas style BBQ in a canteen like setting. Both times we were seated fairly quickly and reminded of the meal ticket system, a la Katz Deli. Basically each one gets a meal ticket and you order drinks with your waitress and then wait in line at the meat counter, the sides counter and dessert counter to pick out what you want. Essentially it is a buffet for your eyes, but you pay for everything you get, as oppose to paying one fixed price. It gets dangerous for a guy like me who orders a half pound of moist brisket(Must have!!!), 2 pork rib, 2 beef rib and a jalapeno cheese sausage. I bet most people order more than they can actually eat. Sides were interesting, but go for the medium or small size, the big side is deceiving huge and costs around $10.

The meat gets put on to a piece butcher paper and the guy skillfully wraps it into a boat shape and hand it to me. When I got it from him, I knew I had over ordered and I saw the back of my meal ticket 2/3 full with bar codes from the scale.

Did I mention the moist beef brisket and the beef ribs are out of this world? I would just come in here and get those next time. Sausages are good, but not great. Pork ribs are not the best I have had, but hey, it is Texas beef country!

Overall, it is a fun place, good food, quite repeatable. 6/10 in my book.