New York Foodie Adventures - Al Coro

Al Coro

NEW YORK, NY

So this is the new restaurant that took over the space of my beloved Del Posto. I had to come in to see if they were going to do it justice as a replacement. To be honest and clear though, it is not a COMPLETE change as it is still Melissa Rodriguez at the helm of the kitchen. I tried to make a reservation via Resy but no dice. I put on a notify which went off but by that time I had other plans. I am a busy person people give me a break. That said, I decided to at least go to the bar for appetizers and drinks just to take in the space in that manner i.e. by the bartenders, cocktails and ambience. To start, I love what they have done with the space. It is sleek, modern with all clean lines to be seen. It reminds me VERY much of the feel of Crown Shy but then again it is the same family so no true surprise there. The bar stools are beautiful and incredibly comfortable. Thick and padded upholstery at its best if you ask me and the most comfortable bar seating that I have had in awhile. As I took in the space with my eyes, I was surprised that there were not many people in the restaurant but I chocked it up to that the night was yet young so I figured that I would hang around a little longer to wait and see what happened as the night progressed.

Salmas Lebanese

LAGOS, NIGERIA

Let me start by saying that Salma’s Lebanese cuisine is a restaurant that must be visited. It has a relaxed and yet busy vibe located just off the highway. I loved how welcoming everyone was to the restaurant. It felt different in an almost overwhelming manner. I knew that I was in for a treat with just that alone. I had not had Lebanese food in years after giving up on finding a good restaurant in the States. That is right. You read that correctly. I have found it hard to find a good Lebanese restaurant in the States. I found one in Virginia once when I went to grad school there but I forget the name and location since it was over ten years ago. You would think in New York, I would easily find one but I have been hard pressed as well. After this meal, I am going to have to search harder to find one at home because boy have I missed the cuisine. For Salma’s, they have quite a few options. It is a full booklet of menu items spread over a lot of pages. One could get overwhelmed with that, and I normally would, but instead I was thrilled by what laid ahead

Nok By Alara

LAGOS, NIGERIA

The Nigerian food scene has really surprised me so far I must say. Growing up, I never really explored what it offered because well, I was not really ever let out for an abundance of reasons but I shall not go into that in this write up. I am questioning if I will ever share that with you all at any point in time but I have not decided yet… stay tuned. When I was looking for restaurants to visit on my trip to Lagos, I was not sure what to pick but I found Nok by my standard search for a fine dining restaurant. I have to say that at the end of the meal, they certainly did not disappoint. There was something so sleek about the entire experience starting all the way from the entrance with the bold signage. The arrow beneath this signage pointing to the right just set a mood in my brain that registered, “Yes Fisayo… you are going to have a good time tonight”.

Chapter Lagos

LAGOS, NIGERIA

I have to say that I am REALLY IMPRESSED with what Lagos is doing with interiors and ambience of restaurants and Chapter Lagos is another gem in this forte. With large palm fronds surrounding the decor from being painted on the walls to actual fronds in the room of different varietals, they have created and transported me into a tropical paradise. I am particularly fond of the uniforms that the servers wear. They are white on black with one arm having a funky pattern. I find it somehow to be very cute and cheeky.

RSVP

LAGOS, NIGERIA

I had no idea about this restaurant. It was mentioned to me by an old high school friend when I said that I was coming in to town. I had looked at the menu online and was not particularly impressed by it because there were too many options from diverse cuisines. Now you might think, “what is wrong with that?” The answer is nothing. In my personal experience dining out at restaurants like this, I have found that they pull in a number of options across the board and are just okay in what they deliver on execution. While the food might taste good, it just does not wow me. There is a difference between this and fusion restaurants when different cuisines are pulled in and combined together creatively… now those I thoroughly enjoy when they are done right.