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Friday, February 20, 2015

Terrific Takeout: Vinus and Marc Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins

The delicious pan seared Branzino

Fresh Origins is America’s leading producer of Microgreens and Edible Flowers. Combining the benefits of an ideal climate with a deep passion for quality and innovation, Fresh Origins products are sought after by the finest restaurants and top chefs. The farm is located in the picturesque rolling hills of San Diego County, where the near perfect weather allows for production and harvest all year. Fresh Origins produces almost 400 Microgreens, Petitegreens, Edible Flowers, Shoots, Tiny Veggies™ and related items. Many are not available anywhere else, with new introductions nearly every month. Fresh Origins products are on top of the finest cuisine in the world! Fresh Origins supplies distributors of specialty produce who serve fine dining restaurants and resorts nationwide. There are also a few online sources of their products available to private chefs and home cooks. Read our first Culinary Queen interview with Kelly Sasuga:

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Vinus and Marc, first featured in the fall of 2013, has evolved into much more than a cocktail bar.  Located on second avenue on the Upper East side, Vinus and Marc advanced to Peachy's Picks in the spring of 2014, and we continue to be impressed.  We visited recently, and began our review with the pan-roasted chicken salad.  The rosemary and garlic marinated roast chicken was fabulously flavorful as it danced among the lettuce and green beans, and the uber-popular, ultra trendy avocado.  They were careful to listen to our instruction and put the house-made creamy Caesar on the side.
For our appetizer, we chose a warm and comforting entry: Duck Confit.  Marinated duck leg with Spanish onions and fresh herbs perches on potato and gorgonzola gratin, and is highlighted by a duck gravy sauce.  It was rich and tasty, and only confirmed the fact that you should never go to Vinus and Marc for a cocktail or two alone without sampling their great cuisine.
We were most impressed with the Pan Seared Branzino: Mediterranean white fish served with faro, langoustine, green beans, garlic-toasted tomatoes, and finished with a truffle oil proved to be succulent and far beyond standard cocktail-bar fare.  We liked the flavor and the moistness of the fish.  Do not let the craziness of the second avenue subway construction keep you away from visiting this lovely gem of a spot!  

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