Jackson Hole Restaurant

Staying on the Upper West Side of NYC has it's charms and many of them are food related. It is home to stores like Zabar's, Cinterella and Fairway Market, and as we discovered while wandering one morning, Jackson Hole. Little did I know at the time that this is primarily known as a local "burger" restaurant chain with 8 locations citywide. Our breakfasts were so substantial it could easily close up by noon and still make profits.

It was so early, we didn't even bother to look at anything other than the breakfast menu and too bad it was, because I completely missed the fact that they offer egg creams. That goes with breakfast, doesn't it? Just as well, since there was no room on the table for one; it was a scramble just to find room for coffee.

My partner in crime ordered the french toast with bacon ($9). The 3 very thick slices were rich, filling, and a good value, since I believe it came with juice and/or a hot beverage. I would have been totally satisfied with a plain waffle ($6.50), but the bananas ($1 extra) were calling to me that morning. What a great partner maple syrup makes for a banana. We thoroughly enjoyed that breakfast and would be happy to try their burger next trip.

http://www.jacksonholeburgers.com/menus.asp?crypt=

517 Columbus Avenue at 85th Street
New York NY 10024

Mon-Thu 7AM to 11PM
Fri 7AM to 1AM
Sat 8AM to 1AM
Sun 8AM to 11PM

Patsy's Pizza

John's, move over, Patsy's get's my vote for a great Italian style pizza in NYC. The restaurant is family friendly, moderately priced, comfortable and considering there is no carpeting, you do not need to yell at your companions to have a conversation. How did they manage that?

Their regular pizza is the star. The sauce is sweet as though every tomato in it was vine ripened. The mozzerella was fresh, rather than the aged mozzerella of typical restaurant pizzas. Together with the fresh basil leaves you have a little slice of heaven in your hands.

The dinner rolls seemed freshly baked and had the texture of a sourdough, although they were sweet. I admit that what appeared to be a little "pig face" kept distracting me, so I finished off the roll as soon as possible. If you are a meatball and spaghetti fan, you will not be disappointed by the veal meatballs; if that was beef, they fooled me completely.

The cheese ravioli with pistachio sauce was lovely and delicate in taste. They were beautifully subtle in flavor. Originally when the plate was served, I believed it was a rather small portion, but it was just the perfect amount for pasta served dressed with such a rich sauce.

Click on the first photo for adresses.