Two of my absolute favorite things in life are a good glass of vino (preferably Chianti or Pinot Noir) and chocolate (any kind). I have the worst sweet tooth ever, and have been known to eat chocolate anywhere, anytime. The same goes for wine. I'm pretty good at slugging a whole bottle back all by myself.
When Ashley Ross , a fellow Gator and J-School alum, invited me out to Ayza, a wine and chocolate bar on West 31st, the answer was a no-brainer. The inside was pretty packed when we arrived, but we were able to get a small table outside by the entrance.
When Ashley Ross , a fellow Gator and J-School alum, invited me out to Ayza, a wine and chocolate bar on West 31st, the answer was a no-brainer. The inside was pretty packed when we arrived, but we were able to get a small table outside by the entrance.
Hot Artichoke Hearts
We each ordered a glass of wine to sip while perusing the menu. The Asian Steak Tartare made us salivate immediately. Unfortunately, the filet mignon with sesame soy wasabi marinade and creme fraiche wasn't available. Instead, we opted for the complete opposite end of the spectrum-- Hot Artichoke Hearts. The irish cheddar cheese and ripe tomatoes were the perfect compliment to the warm, rich artichokes. Whether eaten by itself or paired with the fresh pita, the artichoke fell apart in my mouth in a burst of creamy flavor.
White Truffle Pizza
Since Ashley and I both agree that anything with truffle oil is simply divine, our next appetizer, the White Truffle Pizza, was an easy choice. The dish made pizza feel fancy with a garlicky cream sauce, beef bresaola and white truffle oil. Not too greasy, the crust was satisfyingly crunchy. I rationalized that the small personal sized portion couldn't possibly be THAT unhealthy. Hey, a girl can dream.
Piano Chocolate
The restaurant's fresh handmade chocolate by Martine's are two for $7-- how could we say no? Ashley went for the Piano, milk chocolate filled with soft butterscotch caramel, while I ordered the King Tut, dark chocolate filled with hazelnut paste and chocolate. So rich and delicious, the small portions were the perfect way to end the meal.
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