Happy New Year

Wishing you and your families all the best in the coming year.
La Mediterranee

Renovations are going very well, Grand reopening soon

Happy New Year!!!! Wishing you all the best!!! Our kitchen renovation is going very well, stay tuned for the grand re-opening!!!!

To all our dear friends and followers

Dear friends,
On December 3, 2010, La Mediterranee suffered a fire. We are working to reopen very soon. Stay tuned for news and coming attractions.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
See you soon.
All of us at La Med

Tuesdays at La Med: Bill Zeffiro and Friends

La Mediterranee Bistro Provencal: Bill Zeffiro and Friends

Maestro Harold Jon

Maestro Harold will play for us Broadway and Classics. Maestro Harold plays Monday, Wednesdays and Sundays, from 7pm to 10 pm. Friday and Saturday, 6pm to 9pm.
Please call us at 212 755 4155 since schedule is subject to change.

Dennis Byrum

On alternate Wednesdays, from 8pm to 11pm. Please call us at 212 755 4155 to confirm schedule, Dennis will delight us with soft and romantic music. Open mic....

Trick or Treat?

Saturday Evenings with Stephen Bocchino

Join down under Jazz pianist and singer Stephen Bocchino as he sings and swings America’s greatest singers and songwriters including Cole Porter, Van Morrison, BB King, Ella Fitzgerald, George Gershwin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Johnny Mercer, Frank Sinatra and many others... Enjoy the surprise guest singers too!!!!! Saturdays 8pm to 11pm.

Steve Lowenthal, This Friday and Every Friday!!!!

Does Madame enjoy a bit of "open mike" with her dessert and coffee?
Does Monsieur wish to serenade her?
Steve's got your key ... playing and singing the Standards and Broadway - every Friday 8PM - 11pm, at cozy La Mediterranee !

Singer-pianist Steven Lowenthal has been a highly-visible presence on the piano bar scene for over three-and-a-half decades, and yet has always been something of an enigma. Known not only for playing every song by ear but having a dazzlingly-vast repertoire of nearly any and every musical style and thousands of songs therein, Lowenthal as a musician has always displayed utter confidence and showmanship. But Lowenthal as a person has never, until now, been particularly forthcoming about his past, or what led him to the piano bars of New York.

Born and raised in the Long Island town of Commack (which also includes Rosie O’Donnell among its native entertainers), Lowenthal’s childhood was nothing if not eclectic, and he felt misunderstood at times. “I'd say I was the kind of a kid who thinks he's funny even when he's hurting somebody, and got straight A's to boot. Then you get to the wider world of grades seven through twelve, where corrections must happen, and you are now officially misunderstood. A kid could get spooked. If misunderstood means lonely, then I was. As in Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bookends.' The usual, in other words. But other kids were more impressed that I played show tunes and a few pop hits on the piano. It makes it a bit harder to dismiss someone, because piano's always a cool instrument.” And even though he was honing his varied musical tastes from an early age, becoming a professional musician was the furthest thing from his mind. “I had no idea of becoming a musician. I thought I was clever, maybe, but only for the living room, like President Nixon's playing. I'd had two years of home lessons and rudimentary skills, but virtually no reading of music; we've never gotten to the bottom of that. I never liked to study, I was bad at following directions, and not sure which came first. Anyway," he continues, “my teacher, Mr Furrer, was giving the standard classical lessons even though he was a terrific stride player. And at nine or ten, I had no patience for learning my lessons, and just wanted to play. One day, Mr Furrer walks up to the screen door while I'm sounding out 'The Siamese Cat Song,' and also he sees that I've been playing my pieces from memory. He tells my folks that I'm not reading music and he's sorry, and that was the end of that. But I sure am glad we kept the piano, and must thank my mother for not telling me to stop all that banging; my grandmother would put her hands over her ears. Still, when you do it long enough and you’re just enjoying it, you learn to put a few things together. As for my musical tastes, dad kept the radio tuned to WNEW-AM 1130, New York's pride, where Willam B. Williams and Ted Brown spun the standards. And 'The Ed Sullivan Show,' where you got a dose of Little Stevie Wonder while you waited for Eydie Gorme. Well, I did, anyway. Also, my aunts gave me all the hit show albums every birthday or Chanukah from 1964 on: Dolly, Fiddler, Funny Girl, Mame, Cabaret, Bajour and all that Rodgers & Hammerstein. That accounts for my time at Marie's Crisis; it's all their fault,” he chuckles. "And of course, as much as I resisted anything written for teenagers, pop music gets into your head anyway. That was my 1960s; I was twelve when the Beatles got here, and when Louis Armstrong topped them on the charts with 'Hello Dolly.' You picked up every kind of music on the TV variety shows; it gave us all a very wide frame of reference, in contrast to that specialized, 'niche' mentality that exists now. It's a shame the way pop radio fragmented from all-inclusiveness to such narrow playlists, and finally to everyone's personal escape with earbuds; not conducive to ‘Dancin' in the Streets.’ I'm lucky to have been around back then; if I'd known what a great musical age I was living through, I'd have paid more attention,” he concludes.

Written by Andrew Martin

Ted Muzio, The Swinging Romantic

Ted Muzio, “The Swinging Romantic”, is a well-known and highly respected New York area singer/pianist, accompanist and music educator. He has a wide range and depth of experience in the performance and teaching of Classic pop singing. He taught voice classes in the Adult Continuing Education Department at St. John’s and has an extensive private teaching practice. He has performed in many restaurants, cabarets, and concert venues in the tri-state area, including regular stints at Danny’s Skylight Room, The Firebird and the Gramercy Park Hotel. And of course, La Med!!!!!

Angelo Ferrara, a childhood friend and longtime drummer for Tony Bennet, has declared, "In my sixty years in show business I've heard all the great male voices- and Ted ranks right up there with the best of them!"

Ted has been a member of the New York Singing Teachers’ Association and The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). His CDs, Ted Muzio Plays and Sings 3 A.M., and Dance have been well received and acclaimed.



Come listen to Ted sing and play the piano in this cozy French Bistro. You will feel like Ted is performing for you at your home!!!!!!! 8pm to 11pm.

Mitch Kahn, A Quintessential New York Entertainer in a Classic Setting!

Mitch Kahn presides over a weekly Thursday Night Soirée at La Med offering a musical menu of Great American standards, continental classics, contemporary favorites, Broadway, Hollywood and a bit of everything in between.
Come join us for a fun evening with great music, great food, good drinks and great company.
Thursdays 7pm to 11pm.

Bill Zeffiro and Friends

Every Tuesday....Featuring the musical genius of Bill Zeffiro ... and piano favorite Bill Zeffiro is a potpourri of exceptional talents from the worlds of Broadway and other songs from the American song book.

Bill Zeffiro wrote book, music, and lyrics for The Road To Ruin, currently slated for a Fall 2010 production directed by Broadway legend Pat Birch.

It was named one of the Top 10 Show Albums of 2005 on talkinbroadway.com and he has just released CD on Original Cast Records ‘Lost Broadway and More’, including never before recorded songs by the Gershwins, Arlen, Kern, and Coward.

Over the years Bill has entertained and or accompanied Nell Carter, Red Buttons, and Frank Sinatra among many others. He is considered an expert on the music of Kay Swift and produced the legendary 1986 Merkin Hall concert.

www.theroadtoruin.com

Stuffed Tomatoes

Well, no photo for this one!!!! I do apologize but I totally forgot to take a photo.
It was a cool evening and I had been on the road all day. Got to La Med and the owner suggested the special of the day: stuffed tomatoes. Am not a stuffed peppers or stuffed tomatoes person, but took the recommendation. A few minutes later... a plate was placed in front of me: two ruby red tomatoes, which had kept the shape, steaming with goodness. I could smell the tomato, the thyme and the veal ragou. All came together seamlessly. Took the first bite and WOW!!! The flavors simply exploded in my mouth. The stuffing had a bit of rice, just enough. I do not like the totally rice stuffed tomatoes or peppers. These were perfect. Just like the ones we once had at Grandma's house.

Vicki Sander... and then they all laughed!!!!!

Fish and Chips

A nice crispy Sauvignon blanc or just a cold beer will be great paired with this classic of classics. Fish and Chips. An updated version with beer batter, thin and crispy, not heavy at all, even if this dish is deep fried. The fries... crusty, a salty enough to savor this lemon sole dish. A bit of lemon juice and tartar sauce round up the flavor.
Enjoy!!!!

Crab cakes with avocado sauce

Crab cakes... one of my favorite dishes. Generous chunks of crab meat mixed with finely chopped onion and red bell peppers. Seasoned just right, these crab cakes are baked, not fried. Served over a creamy savory avocado sauce and topped with frisse, micro greens and potato shavings. Another good eat to cool off this summer.

Pate du Chef

Served with thin crispy baked seasoned home made mini toasts, the pate du chef is a wonderful starter or a bite to have at the bar while enjoying a drink or two. Made in the premises, this pate combines pork liver, pork fat, pork meat, onions, spices, garlic and parsley. The Chef would not reveal what spices!!!! Taste this pate on the baked mini toast and add a crisp cornichon. Bon apetit!!!!!

Risotto

Risotto... seems so easy to make... and yet... requires a lot of patience and dedication. Soon to be added to the menu, as a side dish, appetizer or even main course, Risotto is one of the most versatile foods... and also comfort food.
The other day, Chef Edgar did not allow me to choose what I wanted to eat. He simply said he would make something special. And it was special!!!! He made risotto with peas and smoked trout. The first bite combined the creaminess of the risotto with a mild smokiness... such a beautiful perfume and texture... the bites of smoked trout revealed themselves as slivers in the risotto. The blanched peas added crunchiness and color. Finished with grated parmesan cheese... this was more than a good bite. It was the perfect bite.

I also tried the risotto with mushrooms... perfect alone or with duck breast. Just make sure you ask!!!!!!

Sliders and Gazpacho

This has been, and still is a very hot summer. One may not feel too hungry and may just want a small bite or simply some refreshing Gazpacho.

The gazpacho is the best soup for summer. Light, cold, refreshing, a bit chuncky. With tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, bell peppers... a bit of jalapeno for a kick and olive oil to smooth out this wonderful oasis. Some parsley or cilantro and voila!!!!
All this goodness in a bowl, will certainly help you cope with a hot summer and recover your energies at lunch or after a long day.

The sliders, in small potato buns with rosemary and caramelized onions, do not need any additional condiment. Just a small lunch if you are in a hurry or a bite when you are not too hungry. And the perfect late night snack.
Enjoy!!!!

Souffle: Grand Marniere

This is my favorite dessert. No matter the weather... is a wonderful dessert. Great for sharing too!!!!
This Grand Marniere Souffle is a not overwhelmingly sweet dessert. Is warm and melts in your mouth. The sauce completes this dessert that will knock your socks off. As for a recipe... well... come and try it first... Our Chef Edgar may reveal his secret recipe!!!!!
If your prefer a chocolate souffle... it is in the menu too and it is served with a warm chocolate sauce.

Crispy Roasted Duck with Dark Cherry Sauce

This crispy roasted duck is a wonderful choice of entree. When the chef says crispy, he means it. The duck has been oven roasted to a crispy skin, no fat left behind practically and when you cut into the meat, it is moist, tender and juicy. All the flavors explode in your mouth. A bit of sauteed cabbage, crunchy enough to give you that good bite, is a wonderful side for this duck. Now this is just if you want the duck served in a simple manner. When you add the dark cherry sauce... well... that is a wonderful gastronomic experience. This dark cherry sauce, starts sauteeing dark cherries at low temperature in a dark chicken stock with port and sherry wine. Once reduced for a few hours, add the shallots and herbs.

Pork Chop with Rosemary Apple Compote

Remember the other white meat? Well... here you have a wonderful opportunity to indulge in a juicy inch thick pork chop. Lavishly cooked to a moist well done, this pork chop is served with the signature pommes frites and a rosemary apple compote. The compote works like a sauce. Thick and silky, tangy and softly teasing your senses with the perfume of green apples and rosemary. It is not overwhelming. Just a touch. You may also want to accompany this luscious dish with sauteed spinach and mushrooms. If you do not want the pommes frites, creamy luscious mashed potatoes are available.
Bon apetit!!!!!

Pizzette a la Nicoise

Great for summer days or evenings, this cracker thin crust pizzette is a wonderful light dish. Goat cheese, tomatoes, zucchini, black olives, anchovies, juliened onions and peppers, topped with micro greens and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
And if you want a crunchy cool side dish... why not a Caesar salad... As always, anchovies are optional.
Bon apetit!!!!!!!

Our dishes

We will be posting featured dishes. Sometimes recipes so that you can try our dishes at home and why not? Give us more feedback while enjoying typical Provencal fair at home or when you are not in Manhattan and you miss us.
We will also post our visiting performers and keep you up to speed with what is going on at this Bistro located in the heart of Turtle Bay.
We are looking forward to hearing from you!!!!

Bon Jour!!!!!

La Med is located in Midtown East in Manhanttan. Our address is 947 Second Avenue
Midtown East, New York, NY 10022.
La Med offers French Provencal fair in addition to typical French dishes.
Come taste the Bouillabaisse, frog legs, mussels, cassoulet, fish soup, veal kidneys, sweet breads, nicoise salad, tripes a la mode de Caen, all prepared to perfection.
Join us for music, seven days a week. Check our events on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/lamediterranee or call us at 212-755-4155.
Our website is http://www.lamediterraneeny.com