More eating in the USA, and that's it!

Island Burgers
Still more eating experiences in the USA. This place is highly recommended, a small, but chic and comfortable burger joint in Hell's Kitchen. The most interesting thing on the menu is the long paragraph explaining, and apologizing, as to why they do not serve French Fries. It has to do with the fact that their space does not have the ventilation that a fryer would require. I ordered the Cowboy (barbecue sauce, onion, bacon, cheddar, ranch, sourdough) and anything labeled "Charasco" is a safe bet. One very big problem though, NO BEER!
Island Burgers, 766 9th Ave (bet. 51st 52nd Street), New York, NY 10019 Tel: +1 212 307 7934

Myth
I was a bit turned off when they asked for a credit card number for the reservation and told me "you must cancel within 72 hours, or else your credit card will be charged $25 per person". Um, OK. A bit snobbish, no? As if they would have trouble filling the table if I didn't show. Just to be safe, I gave them a made-up credit card number. This place was recommended to me by someone whose palate I trust dearly, therefore it was a must. I had the Seared Sweetbreads with Bacon, Quail Egg, Toast and Black Trumpet Mushrooms as an appetizer, which was fantastic, and Garganelli Pasta with Foie Gras Cream, Maitake Mushrooms and Marsala, which was even more delightful. I finished it off with a juicy Seared Duck Breast with Oranges, Corn Cake, Chanterelles, Spinach and Port Sauce. The wine was of course very overpriced, so we opted for the under $25 special, something from the 5 Vintners Winery, and it was perfect. I suppose I would recommend the place, but I was very turned off by the reservation bit and the helmet hair Asian hostess who seemed like she had an attitude. I really liked the interior.
Myth, 470 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133 Tel: + 1 415 677 8986, Web: www.mythsf.com
Price: $60 each, wine & tip included
(reservations strictly enforced!)

Enoteca Barbone
Ah, good old Avenue B, my old stomping ground. I remember when I moved to 11th Street and Avenue A in 1996, the only place in operation on Avenue B after 8pm was a laundromat which sold porno magazines and pot. Now, the street is bustling with restaurants, cafés, and bars. "The Hobo Wine Shop" is what its name translates to (or maybe it is someone's name), is a place with a serious Italian wine list that I can appreciate! Although, the usual excessive markups made most of the affordable-in-Italy items prohibitive. They even sold one of my favorites, Tenuta dell'Abate Giffarrò, but I was not about to shell out $55 for it, especially when I sell it for around $20. The menu was simple, similar to what you would find at an "innovative" restaurant in Rome. Think Italian with a spin of NYC funkiness. They did not go overboard with the silliness in naming the food, and that was good. The asparagus fries were delicious, and the polenta with truffles, fontina cheese, and a fried egg was even better. I ate the chicken liver ravioli with balsamic onions, which were especially nice. I highly recommend this place. The atmosphere is seductive and the service was cordial. We washed it down with a nice Montefalco di Sagrantino from Scacciadiavoli, a bargain at $30! This time when the weasly waiter came over to pour out my wine into my glass I told him that he needn't bother.
Price: $60 each, wine & tip included
Enoteca Barbone, 186 Avenue B (bet. 11th and 12th Street) New York, NY 10009 Tel: +1 212 254 6047, Web: www.barbonenyc.com