On a rainy and blustery evening, feeling spring broken, I was in desperate need of some comfort; some place welcoming and cheerful where I could get a meal to soothe my weary soul. I found just that sort of place at New York Grilled Cheese Co.
You probably already know about Nuts About Yogurt, the tasty self-serve frozen yogurt bar on "The Drive" in Wilton Manors featuring fat-free, organic flavors and a host of every topping you can imagine, from fresh fruits to your favorite candies.
Well, if you take just a few more steps down the hallway inside, you'll step into a funky NY-style atmosphere with exposed beams and sleek, yet inviting seating and the most delicious array of gourmet grilled cheese you're likely to find anywhere.
I had the pleasure of meeting owner, Leor Barak at the annual Taste of the Island charity event a few months back when I passed by the Nuts About Yogurt booth: I was certainly impressed with Leor's enthusiasm about the quality of his product and was drawn in by his easy manner and gentle charm. It was immediately obvious that this is a guy who loves what he does- even his staff is psyched to work for someone with such an honest vitality and it shows.
The menu at New York Grilled Cheese Co. has something for every taste, all featuring recognizable names right out of the five boroughs. Choose from melty delights like the Broadway Classic, the Manhattan Grilled Mac-N-Cheese, the Brooklyn Porkster or the Harlem Jalapeno Melt, all made to order with top quality ingredients and an emphasis on taste and texture.
NYGC also has a small but well-rounded wine and beer selection and delicious frozen taste sensations borrowed from the frozen side if you find yourself in need of an adult treat; try the alcohol infused Frozen Mimosa and the Frozen Sangria. [I highly recommend swirling them together and saying 'yes' to the juicy bursting Bobba ball popper toppers.] You won't be able to have just one, I promise.
It was a tough decision, but I opted for the Soho Sweet Cheeses- a melt of brie with crispy-fried onions, perfectly crisp bacon sweetened by a berry-sweet marmalade on toasted oatmeal wheat bread and a glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. And of course I had to try a side of the Disco Fries (Poutine) smothered in fresh house-made gravy. Oh. My. Yum.
Each specialty grilled cheese is served with a sidecar of NYGC's creamy, herbed tomato bisque for dipping (it's also available as a large side) and you can even build your own sandwich from NYGC's stores of fresh ingredients and bread varieties. Oh, and did I mention they have Bacon Lollipops? New York Grilled Cheese Co. is as steeped in pork delicacies as it is in fine cheeses and though the flavors are upscale, the atmosphere is casual and inviting. There are even charging stations and USB plug-ins so all your gadgets will be right at home and the music piped is an upbeat and trendy club-style, motivating without being obtrusive, making it the perfect cafe to grab a snack when you're feeling peckish, need a coffee, a sweet treat or an adult beverage.
NYGC is open Sunday to Wednesday from 11 am to midnight and in true New York style, stays open until 3 am the rest of the week, making it the perfect stop if you're a late-night foodie like me. Get to New York Grilled Cheese Co. and tell 'em Carol Ann sent you...Leor and his team will take good care of you! New York Grilled Cheese Co.; it's another great way to Stay Foodie, Fort Lauderdale!
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