Welcome back to BLD. This week we take a look at the Upper West Side. Hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed eating!

The Date: Saturday 6/12

11:00 am: I’m the first person to walk into Ouest – 2315 Broadway. Only moments after being seated, the crowd begins to stroll in. I’ve got a long day of eating ahead of me so I’m quick to order. Plus, one look at the menu and I know what I want. A glass of fresh grapefruit juice (why doesn’t every breakfast/brunch place offer this?) and an order of the brioche french toast. My only request is that the french toast be cooked crispy. It is. I’m happy. Two more glasses of juice later and I’m effectively drunk on grapefruit. This has been a fantastic beginning to a cloudy Saturday morning. Let’s hope I can find some sun at lunch!

2:00 pm: The weather sure is strange today. First it looks like rain, now it’s sunny and muggy. Not the best day to be outside – and that’s ok with me. I’m more than happy to spend it indoors, chowing down on some grub. And I’ve arrived at my destination: Recipe – 452 Amsterdam Ave. This place is small and narrow, providing terrific character. But I’m here for the food and their market fresh cuisine doesn’t disappoint. I’m all about the juice today and I’m happy to have their house made Arnold Palmer. For those who don’t know it’s half lemonade, half iced tea – a drink made famous by it’s namesake, golfer Arnold Palmer. To start I go with a simple salad of bitter greens, a can’t-go-wrong-dish and a perfectly light lead-in to my next dish: a pulled pork sandwich with granny smith apple, pickled turnip and cabbage slaw. Man was that good.

7:30 pm: It’s been a while since I really spoiled myself. I’ve had some great meals but I mean spoil. Which is why I find myself standing at 72 West 69th St. At Telepan. It’s not my place to play favorites so I won’t. But if there were a list of Upper West Side restaurants that were necessary to check out, Telepan would be on this list. After sitting down and ordering a glass of wine my food begins to make its way out. First up – vegetable bread soup. I happen to love bread soups and their twist with parmigiano is terrific. For my mid-course I opt for the roasted asparagus. Asparagus is one of those vegetables that anyone can cook well but only some can take it to that proverbial “next level.” This one’s right up there. For a main I choose the roasted chicken. The peas, polenta, and spring onions make for a perfect accompaniment. To finish – my favorite – blood orange parfait. Delicious.

Needless to say, this was quite the Saturday. I hope I haven’t made you too hungry. Be sure to tune in next week when BLD hits the Upper East Side!

“I wanna love you. BLD!” -Michael Jackson, kind-of.