Kristall is a Girl's Best Friend - Cafe Kristall (New York Spots)

Bring on the BLING!  Out with the old and in with the new and improved.  Cafe Kristall is FINALLY back and is now open with a new look and a new menu!  Because I can't do it all in one day here are my highlights from my first--of many--visits to the renewed Cafe Kristall:

Cascade by Vincent van Duysen

  

Open-Faced Sandwiches

Six very delightful sandwich choices.  If you can't decide, order them all like I did!

Open-Faced Sandwiches

• Eggs on Eggs
• Chicken & Foie Gras (my personal favorite)
• Matjes & Onion (Boilermaker's favorite)
• Smoked Salmon
• Smoked Ham
• Goat Cheese & Green Asparagus (my 2nd favorite)

If you visit Cafe Kristall's Happy Hour you can get the open-faced sandwiches for $2!

Entrees

They have many selections from red snapper to classic wiener schnitzel.  I am so glad Boilermaker likes to share food because I had no problem eating off her plate!

Spätzle

I tried so hard to pronounce this correctly but in the end I failed.  All that really matters is how good it was.  Boilermaker killed it!  Did I mention it has rock shrimp in it?

Spätzle

Chicken Carpaccio

This was very light and satisfying.  I was glad I choose this because it meant that I had room left for dessert!

Chicken Carppacio

Sweet Treats

I am a little ashamed of myself because I really didn't give the dessert the respect it deserves.  I blame all of the cocktails!  Boilermaker and I decided to try the Apple Strudel and Strawberry & Rhubarb Pana Cotta. Big fan of the pana cotta!

Other dessert options include--don't worry about trying to pronounce these either:

• Sorbet & Ice Cream
• Kristalltorte (I'm trying this one next visit)
• Fruchttarte
• Sachertorte (and this one too)

Pana Cotta

Apple Strudel

Before & After

In case you are curious about the transformation for Cafe Kristall, check out these before and after photos.

Before Bling

Bright & White

After Bling

The new Kristall bling feels very inviting and you can not get enough of all of the Swarovski Crystals!

Cafe Kristall Specials
Happy Hour
2-4-1 is what they are calling it.  Monday thru Friday from 5-8pm you can have two cocktails or wine for the price of one!  You are going to want to try the the drink formally called "White Kristall" and now just called "Kristall"!  The Blackberry Julep is also worth a try.

Blackberry Julep

SOHO Two-Course Lunch
Pick any two food items from the menu for $23.  When you are all done it is just a very short walk over to Swarovski Crystallized^TM and buy yourself a little--or large--bling.

Bring on the Bling

Flirty Dirty Thirty - Hotel ZaZa (Houston, TX)

The Occasion:  Dani D's Dirty Thirty

The Scene:       The Ultimate Ransom Room at Hotel ZaZa Houston

The Theme:      Latin Luxury

The Cuisine:     FANTASTIC

When my sister told me she was going to celebrate her 30th birthday at Hotel ZaZa in Houston a couple things crossed my mind:

1. The party itself will be cool because ZaZa Houston--originally Warwick Hotel--is a pretty chic spot.  
2. Not so sure about the food--let's be honest a lot of hotel banquet food is just so-so.  Drinks will be good but the food, I just don't know.

I had no idea that I was going to enjoy the food just as much as I enjoyed all of the festivities.  Oh, and the professional salsa dancers and salsa lesson was a hit.  Everyone was glad they were able to live out their Dancing with the Stars fantasies--I am mainly talking about myself!  Hats off to you baby sister for putting together an unforgettable super fabulous 30th birthday celebration!  Now on to the food.

Passed Hors d'oeuvres

Honestly D, you could have stopped with the hors d'oeuvres.  I got full off of them alone--I am NOT joking!

Rock Shrimp & Mango Avocado Relish on Plantain Chip

My mother says she ate about 30 of these bad boys!  I guess that means she liked them a little bit.

The Avocado Rock Shrimp

Chipotle Steak Kabobs

These went so fast!

Chipotle Steak Kabobs

Breaded Boursin Stuffed Mushrooms

I saved my favorite for last!  I chased our server down for these.  I love mushrooms and I am still thinking about these...often.

Boursin Stuffed Mushrooms -- My faves

Nibbles & Nosh
So if the hors d'oeuvres were not enough for you, there was no need to worry because there is more for you to nosh on.


Vegetable Crudité Shots
For those who were trying to stick to their diets, ZaZa had something for just for you.  I didn't feel bad for eating everything because I am pretty sure I burned 1,000 calories from dancing!

Vegetable Crudité Shots

"Ring a Ding" Salsa

Some of the guests parked in the "Salsa Room" and never left.  I do not blame them at all!

Chips & Dip Anyone

The Meat & Potatoes
I honestly was so full from all the nibbles and nosh I could not even think about eating anything else.  Good thing the Salsa professionals came in to help me build up my second wind!  


Churrascaria Station

Got Meat?

Although my sister is now claiming to be "pescatarian", she did not keep the meat away from her guests!  The Churrascaria Station included:

• Picanah Steak
• Leg of Lamb
• Chicken Legs
• Cheese Bread
• Hot Polenta
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Chili Lime Sauce
• Toasted Garlic Oil
• Chimichurri

"Trio" Potato Bar

This was a first for me--mashed potato martinis.  RI-DIC-U-LOUS!

Mashed Potato Martinis!

Three Potato choices:

• Whipped Red Potatoes
• Mashed Yukon Gold
• Sweet Potatoes

Add the following toppings to create your potato masterpiece:

• Bacon
• Chives
• Sour Cream
• Cheddar Cheese
• Crumbled Goat Cheese
• Blue Cheese
• Homemade Chili
• Wild Mushroom Ragout

Birthday Cupcakes

Strawberry, Pina Colada and Kahlua & Cream Cupcakes oh my!  I really loved how these sweet treats had their own space!

Kahlua & Cream, Strawberry and Pina Colada Cupcakes

I just love the space!

Flirty Dirty Thirty

 I had the best time celebrating Danielle's 30th birthday at Hotel ZaZa and I want to do it all over again!

Dirty Thirty done the right way!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANI D!  I LOVE YOU BABY SIS!