A Taste of the Outback is as Close as 79th Street

Burke & Wills - Upper West Side
226 W 79th St., New York, NY 10024

Have you ever had a sudden craving for sweetbreads? Can't say that I have. What about kangaroo? Ever wake up one morning and crave a 'roo burger? Well, at Burke & Wills you can satisfy all the outback cravings you never knew you had.

The restaurant located at the 79th Street subway stop on Manhattan's Upper West Side isn't exotic in name or even decor. The small drawings and maps hanging on the wall are the only indications that the restaurant serves Australian fare.

Below the restaurant's skylight, we nestled into our two-person table against the wall and cracked open the leather menu to look for the typical one-page insert detailing the options for Restaurant Week. One did not exist. Instead, the waiter informed us that we could select from the regular menu--one appetizer, one entrée, one dessert each. Nothing was off limits, though a few items did explicitly indicate a $5 or $10 additional charge.

Justifying the additional $5 charge (when have I ever seen kangaroo on a menu?) I ordered the kangaroo loin to start, followed by the spiced duck breast, finishing with a warm chocolate cake. My Restaurant Week partner in crime ordered veal sweetbreads to start, and then enjoyed his kanga-experience in burger form for the main course. For dessert he had the affogato.

Kittery Is A Taste Of Maine In Brooklyn

Kittery - Gowanus
305 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY

Circo Combines Circus Whimsy With Fine Cuisine

What kind of place is Circo? It's a place to get a great meal, as I've already mentioned. But the restaurant has more depth than that. On a LivingSocial deal that felt like a hand-picked, secret discount just for us, we went back just a few nights ago to try it again. It didn't disappoint.

Circo is the kind of place where you can enjoy a beautiful meal outside watching passersby.

Circo is the kind of place that replaces your bread and water, rather than bringing in the "old" setting, when you move indoors due to the rain.

Circo is the kind of place where the Captain comes by to apologize for the rain--as if it were his fault.

Circo is the kind of place where a waiter comes by to fold your napkin in a point when you get up from your seat.

Circo is the kind of place that surprises you with a free sampling of red wine soaked cipollini onions when you show particular interest in the preparation. We are very happy when people really enjoy our food, they say.

Circo is the kind of place that gives you a free taste of Cointreau when you ask what type of liqueur you detect in the panna cotta.

Circo is the kind of place where the whimsy of the circus meets the gravitas of fine cuisine.