Places of Note
So, you made it to NYC (or live here.) And you're visiting Chinatown.
Whenever I'm in Chinatown (or other notable foodie areas), here's a list of my mandatory "must-go" stops - and a newbie tip or two.
| Chinatown: Groceries and Supermarkets |
Bangkok Center Grocery - 104 Mosco Street (off Mott) Mosco Street is a small secluded allyway off Mott - not much is there, but a nice fried dumpling place...and Bangkok Center Grocery, which offers us dessert mongers a second place to find good Thai sweets n' snacks (the first is Udon's on Bayard.) |
Deluxe Food Market - 79 Elizabeth Street (Chinese) It's a block long spanning from Mott Street through to Elizabeth, like a corridor. It has everything. A solid selection of baked goods, cheap sushi, congee, lots of exotic entrees, and very good prices. They also have extremely well priced raw meats and seafood for home cooking. Eat with the crowd, sitting or standing at the cluster of tables in the common area. You have to be slightly persistent to be noticed at the counter, but persevere, and it's worth it. |
Dynasty Supermarket - 68 Elizabeth Street (Mixed) Isles and isles of authentic Asian groceries. Pungent smells of fish, bok choy, noodles, dumplings, and tons of stuff that you'll just stare at and wonder what the heck it is. A great introduction to the variety available in Asian cuisine. Go to the refrigerated section, and you will find $2.00 tins of various pre-prepared grab and go items, like bean curd and garlic octopus. Sometimes they give out free samples, too! |
Elizabeth Street Wine and Liquor Store - 86 Elizabeth Street This place seems to be pretty well stocked, better than the place I found previously on Mott Street. Lots of brands of sake, and they even have baby, tiny bottles of plum wine (Umeshu) for sale. Can't wait to start sampling the wares here... |
| Evergrand
Trading - 272 Grand Street (off Forsyth) A great medium sized Asian market that has haw flakes, melon seeds and a lot of other stuff, most of it in the $.75 - $2.00 range (in other words, really affordable.) They also have Bimbo breakfast food (it might be a drink, I'm not sure)! It's way off to the east, so it gets missed unless you go out of your way. And that area of Grand street is a good little excursion. If you're there, you should also check out Grand Century Market (281 Grand) and HK Manpolo (291 Grand) (this one is particularly good!) . Why not go and find out? |
Hong Keung Seafood and Meat Market - 75 Mulberry Street This is a treasure trove! Not only is there plenty of meat and fish, but there's lots of dirt cheap staples here! Kimchi in huge jars, tapioca flour, glutinous rice flour, and, well, everything! And reasonably priced, too! It doesn't look like anything from the outside, but you owe it to yourself to go in and look at the wares. I even found refrigerated durian paste buns (although I haven't tried 'em yet!) You should be walking down Mulberry Street anyway, to check out the Vietnamese restaurants. So while you're there, go in here. It's great for the do-it-yourselfer! |
| Hong Kong Food Market - 109 E. Broadway (Chinese) If you don't want to go to Dynasty (see above), Hong Kong Food Market's a good substitute. A little off the beaten track, but a good market, with all the right goods. |
| Kam
Man - 200 Canal Street (Chinese) A very large, 2 floor place right on Canal Street. In the basement, there's a sea of fascinating kitchen hardware - steamers, rice cookers, bowls and utensils. On the ground floor, you have a grocery store with snacks, frozen items. And in the front, you have grab and go munchies! The neatly packaged, moderately priced items (around $2.50) include such exotic Chinese goodies as chicken feet, cow intestine, bean curd and jellyfish. It took me awhile to realize this stuff was there (I was too busy looking at everything else), but it's a treasure trove of dim sum type snacks. And if that's not enough, there are also reasonably priced refrigerated and non-refrigerated bubble tea kits ($5.50-$7.00), and $.90 cans of sago dessert drinks (which is a major savings over a $4.00 sago drink at Sweet N' Tart). Give it a try! |
| New
York Supermarket, Inc. - 75 East
Broadway (Various ethnicities) Another good size supermarket to check out. It has a good general stock of alot of things, but what stands out for me is: A good selection of ice creams (durian, taro, etc.), and I saw rambutans in the courtyard. Haven't seen 'em elsewhere yet.... |
| Po
Wing Hong Food Market, Inc. - 49-55 Elizabeth Street, Inc.
Haven't bought anything here yet, but it's has a huge tea section, and you can also buy bird's nest to make at home... |
| Tan
Tin Market - 121 Bowery (Vietnamese) A Vietnamese market on the Bowery (a good street to explore, in general.) Like Udon's Corp (see below), Tan Tin has several pre-made, affordable munchies for $1.50 or so So sample some Vietnamese cakes or sticky rice rolls. It's very much worth the trip. A solid 3.4 stars! |
Tongin Mart, Inc. - 91 Mulberry Street Lots of Japanese stuff n' snacks here, and they also have sushi. Some of their wares are a little on the expensive side, but the variety available (and convenience of the location) makes up for it. Take a look! (Strangely enough, it's also where I found Tim Tub - a Thai dessert. |
| Udon's Corp - Thai and
Indonesian
Grocery - 81A Bayard (Thai) One of the few places to get Thai items. Here you can find frozen galangal, and several premade Thai delicacies such as Kanom or Noew Tud for the very reasonable price of $1.50 at the register. They have a particularly good snack - taro root with sugar and coconut milk, wrapped in sticky rice and banana leaf. I wish I knew what it was called. Worth a stop! (He'll have you buying everything in the store.) |
| Chinatown: Restaurants and Delis |
| Babycakes
-
248 Broome Street (between Orchard and Ludlow) A small (non-asian) bakery, located on the northern edge of Chinatown. An unassuming shoppe (with almost no signage), Babycakes specializes in healthy sweets, made with no wheat, gluten, eggs, dairy or even refined/artificial sugars. It's like Magnolia, done vegan style - offering snacks such as chocolate cake, cupcakes, gingerbread and cookies. Though somewhat expensive--averaging $3.00 per piece--the snacks are tasty. (The banana bread was particularly nice - with a sweet, moist texture.) Great for a change of pace - for those times when Taipan Bakery just doesn't get the job done! 2/4/07 Update - Since my visit to Babycakes, I've been around the block a few times...sampling the desserts available at several vegan joints (most on the westend). The results have been outstanding, and much more memorable than the sweets offered at Babycakes. So if you really, really want the perfect brownie or chocolate cake...consider Blossom or Sacred Chow as well as BC. Sorry baby - you've been outclassed! |
Banh Mi So - 369 Broome Street A great little Vietnamese deli, with Banh Mi's, candies, and an absolutely amazing Banh Day, for only $1.00. Go there, ye penitant! |
| Buddha
Bodai - 5 Mott Street (Vegetarian Chinese) AKA: Faux General Tso...Take Two! You can never have enough General Tso Chicken (veggie style). In NYC, there's more than one place to get the goods - especially if you happen to be walking down Mott Street. Of course, there's House of Vegetarian. But keeping walking south and you'll find Buddha Bodai - specializing in vegetarian/vegan/kosher cuisine. In vegetarian circles, BB is known for frighteningly realistic mock meat dishes, including Kung Pao Chicken, Abalone, Vegetarian Lobster, and yes, General Tso's - a dish which earns rave reviews from BB's many devout fans. Recovered from the unfortunate events at House of Vegetarian, I was ready to try again, and reach for the holy General Tso's grail (done up in Tofu, Seitan, or even Tempeh.) With dish in hand, I walked to the park and popped the lid, the dish steaming in the cold January night air. The appearance of the dish looked good - the breading just right in color and shape. The texture seemed....off....too mushy for classic General Tso (a little too yielding in the crust, and definitely too soft in the center. ) The portions were large and filling - perhaps too filling (leaving a feeling of heaviness which lasted for hours afterward.) Though not sweet enough to pass for the real thing, the flavor was fine - and close to true. Certainly the best veggie version I have seen to date. Not a masterpiece, nor was it worth the high price tag of $14.00....but a good dish nonetheless, and worthy of some praise. Given its high prices, Budda Bodai will never be a regular haunt - though maybe good for the occasional craving. As I walked to the subway, I reflected upon my recent veggie travels...again and again seeking good faux meat dishes, each time meeting with (at least partial) disappointment. Perhaps the state of the art just isn't there. Or perhaps the mission itself is wrong - instead of looking for fake meat substitutes, why not glory in the flavor of true, honest veggies? Grab a good steamed broccoli, or garlic sauce veggie platter and you can't go wrong. It's tasty, it's yummy - and darn it, it's the real thing. |
| Chinatown
Ice Cream Factory - 65 Bayard Street, off of Mott A famous ice cream store. And a favorite of my husband's. Exotic flavors available include lychee, almond, and taro, as well as the more conservative flavors like strawberry and pineapple. They say it's one of the best ice cream shoppes in the city - and they're a regular stop for Phil (my erstwhile husband.) Myself, I prefer Cold Stone Creamery... |
| Congee
Village - 100 Allen Street
(Chinese - Cantonese) I've heard that Congee Village is authentic, tasty - and the menu is intriguing. Among the offerings: sizzling eel, frog, and fish stomach casserole. The decor is somewhat cute too--replete with tons of theatrical bamboo. Admittedly, all that I've had here was a Lychee Martini - but it was a decent size, and very reasonably priced for a Manhattan drink. ($4.00). So - not bad for a start! |
|
Dim
Sum Go Go - 5 E. Broadway (Chinese) Then - give this small, classy dim sum joint a try. Located at the southern tip of Chinatown proper, Dim Sum Go Go is a great experience. Diners order straight from the menu (there are no rolling carts) but the options are delicious, and quite easy on the eyes. The vegetarian options are wonderful, too. While slightly expensive (at $11.00) I ordered the dim sum veggie platter - offering 10 delicately crafted dumplings, stuffed with soy bean, mushroom and/or white fungus (tinted everything from light green to bright fuscia!) Was it worth it? Yes - both in taste,
and aesthetics.
Give DDGG a try - and experience the next level in dim sum dining. |
| Dumpling
House - 118 Eldridge Street (Chinese) A great, cheap dumpling house. The service was a tad slow, but they're the best dumplings I've had so far in Manhattan - $1.00 for five. Beats Dumpling Man by a mile! |
| Fong
Inn Too (The Radish Cake and Soy Custard Guy) - 46 Mott Street
There's a guy on Mott who operates out of a tiny booth on the east side of the street. He serves Fried Radish Cake and Soy Custard (Taho) - both dirt cheap, and very good. There's usually a small line. Worth the wait. Note: as of 7//04, it appears the Radish Cake guy has moved inside. So go inside and partake - it's still worth the wait. 3/4/07 Update: Fong Inn has delicious Chee Cheong Fan - for only $1.00 a serving!!! Yet another reason to frequent this Chinatown staple. |
| Fortune Delight - 31 Division Street
(Chinese) Not much to say - I ordered sea cucumber here. Nice staff, but the dish and the sauce was rather underwhelming. BUT - they do have a nice sized $4.50 lunch special menu with good options, so I may try them again. |
| Fried
Dumpling - 106 Mosco Street (Chinese) Very plain, no frills - large fried dumplings and fried wontons. 5 for $1.00 - very filling! Usually, there's a large crowd. Too greasy for my tastes. |
| Fusion Crepes -
125 Bowery (Fusion Asian Fare) Located at the corner of Bowery and Grand - a fantastic little nook serving sweet & savory crepes - many with an Asian bent. On the savory side, creative menu items include salmon or sardines, potato curry crepes and spam and cheese (9 alternatives in all). Dessert options include classic nutella/fruits and ice cream wraps (including durian flavored, yum!) For group noshes, there's even a a $40.00 cake - featuring 20 layers of stacked crepes, loaded with fillings of your choice. (Regular menu items are priced reasonably, running around $5.00 for savory, $3-4 for sweets.) On my visit, I found myself actually preferring the savory crepe, called Nippon No Aji - a spectacular blend of tofu, mushroom, bonito flakes, okonomiyaki sauce and seaweed. But go for yourself - and try one of each. For me, this place is an instant favorite - and those ooey-gooey crepes really hit the spot! |
| Great
NY Noodletown - 28 Bowery
(off Bayard) (Chinese) Hardly a secret to Chinatown regulars, Great NY Noodletown is known for its Cantonese eats - serving up items from congee (with all the usual toppings) to numerous noodle dishes (including wide noodles, lo mein and wonton/dumpling soups. Filled with local clientelle (always a good sign), the space is bustling and admittedly cramped....but step inside and you'll immediately catch a whiff of the many salt-baked dishes available. During the Gaijin Girl trip, samples included vegetable dumplings (plain but satisfying) and Hong Kong style lo mein, with ginger and scallions (a simple meal, but you could really taste the ginger.) The food seems authentic, and it's dirt cheap - running around $3.00 for soup, and about $5.00 for a full meal..filling the average person close to bursting for less than $10.00. Is the stuff fancy? No. But it's satisfying....and that's a plus with me. |
| Healthy Desserts - 150 Centre Street I've walked by this place many times, wanted to go in, and never did. Today, I did, and I'm really glad. It's a very friendly, open and accessible smoothie-dessert type boutique. Bright, and clean, and just lots of nice, neat, different type treats. On my first try, I had a more expensive dessert - Sago pearls with bird's nest, papaya and watermelon. But they also have more affordable drinks, like Bird's Nest and Honey Jelly, at $3.20 a pop. Definitely gotta go! Several stars! (Let me go a few more times, and I'll give a definitive rating.) 9/2/06 Update: Upon walking down Centre Street today, I found a new sign in place at 150 Centre Street: an establishment called Whatever. Either Healthy Desserts has been renamed - or removed. The menu appears to be the same, leading me to believe the former. But only time (and a trip) will tell... |
| Hong
Kong Station - 128 Hester Street (Hong Kong/Chinese) A nifty little joint - specializing in Hong Kong style diner cuisine (establishments known in HK as Cha Chaan Teng). The food is tasty and dirt cheap...ranging from "western style" spam and egg sandwiches to custom-made noodle dishes, with toppings such as curry fish balls (a street vendor favorite), beef tripe and veggies. Other classic options include condensed milk toast, Horlicks and Lemon Coffee. If you're interested in western food, done HK style (known as soy sauce western), then give this place a shot. With noodles costing only $1.00, how can you go wrong? |
|
House
of Vegetarian – 68
Mott Street (Chinese Vegetarian) Owned by the same proprietor - two well known vegetarian haunts located in the heart of Chinatown (one on Mott, the other on nearby Pell Street.) Their menus blazoned with the same green and white Buddha, these restaurants serve up a number of dishes, done veggie style – from Orange Beef to General Tso...classic takeout fare, made with mock meat filling in for the real thing. As with many of their carnivorous brethren, the decoration is minimal – yet many vegetarians flock to their door – swearing by their flavor and authenticity. For the GG trip, the litmus test was chicken (General Tso at HOV, Sweet and Sour at VDS.) Both restaurants won points for variety...offering literally hundreds of options, from mock steak to Peking Spare Ribs. The creativity also impressed – made from yam, the sweet and sour chicken almost passed the texture test...though it lost for authenticity, being fried instead of battered. It passed the taste test, too – dipped in a vivid orange sauce, dappled with pineapple and green pepper. As for the General Tso? Well, they gave me the wrong dish - a bland vegetable medley, tossed with thin slices of tofu. Neither dish was bad – but neither stood out...either as culinary masterpieces, or otherwise authentic fare (at least judging by the green pepper sauce.) And the cost? Over $10.00 per dish (rice not included) – more than your usual takeout, with less flavor in return. I finished the
Sweet and
Sour in a nearby park – and gave the vegetable medley to a group of
homeless, after taking a few tentative bites. It wasn't worth
carting home, but I hate to see anything go to waste. Disappointed,
I headed for the subway – reflecting that a better choice would
have been honest, actual vegetables – stirfried by my local Chinese
takeaway. |
| Jaya
- 90 Baxter Street (Malaysian) Great drinks, such as Cane Sugar Drink, ABC and Cendol. Everyone's friendly (the best people I've met in any Malaysian restaurant so far), and you'll feel right at home. The bathroom is none too big or nice, but who cares? All the meals are delish - one of the great standouts is the Mango Chicken, which my husband ordered a few weeks ago. Sweet, spicy, and served in the Mango shell. You should go! |
| Jing Fong
- 20 Elizabeth Street (Chinese Dim Sum) One of the preferred dim sum halls in Chinatown. Huge and reasonably priced! It can sometimes be hard to get the carts to come over, though. |
| Joe's Shanghai - 9 Pell Street (Chinese) A place with a great rep - I just know it as one of the few places to get drunken crab. |
| Mandarin
Court - 61 Mott Street (Chinese) Recently went to Mandarin Court for dim sum, as it was recommended by some friends. The inside of Mandarin Court is modest - cafeteria style tables, no frills decor. Positives: the carts come by regularly, there's no chasing down the carts, like you have to do at Jing Fong. The food is tasty, mostly subtly flavored and steamed (since it is dim sum.) Negatives: honestly, I think there was less variety than Jing Fong - didn't see a single chicken foot the entire time I was there. The cost: reasonable. $12 a head for our party, and we certainly ate our fill. Will I go back soon? No. Would I recommend? Yes, although not with amazing passion. |
Mott Street Yes, just Mott. It's a great introduction to Chinatown - probably the first street you should wander through. Tons of stores, a few bakeries, and windy cross streets to explore. Although, as you become a veteran of Chinatown, you may find Mott Street looking too touristy. Check out Canal next. An important point: While both Mott and Canal are good starting points, it would be a grave mistake to travel their length and assume that you've seen all that Chinatown has to offer. The neighborhood is a large area, extending from Lafayette to Allan (East/West), and Delancy to East Broadway (North/South). As with much of life in general--it's the road less travelled that is the most interesting. So don't forget the perimeters, and tourist-free corners of Chinatown. That's where some of the good stuff is! |
|
Nha Sach Khan Tri – 145 Canal Street (off Bowery) (Vietnamese) A small, unassuming
storefront located on the corner of Canal and Bowery - nestled
between the Chinatown Busline and the Brooklyn Bridge. Decorated
with a plain yellow sign, Nha Sach cannot be found in Citysearch or
Menupages. But inside lies a treasure trove of Vietnamese snacks and
sweets, found nowhere else in Chinatown (at least by me). With a
menu to rival neighboring Tin Tan, the store offers a wide range of
munchies, from fried foods to sweet Banh Chay, bathed in warm syrup.
It's just a matter of time before the foodies find this one – so
dive into the Che...while its still hot and fresh! |
| New
Green Bo - 66 Bayard Street (Chinese) Don't know much about this place, other than they have the most reasonably priced winter melon soup I've seen $4.25. |
| Nyonya
- 194 Grand Street (Malaysian) Right on the edge of what's left of Little Italy. (They should just give up - we've always got Arthur Avenue, says the Bronxite.) Nyona is named after a particular type of Malaysian Cooking - Nyonya food is also known as Chinese Straits cooking - it's a mix of Chinese and Malay cuisine, heavy on the spices. Nyonya has a few desserts that I haven't seen at any other Malaysian place (like Penang or Jaya). While the food and the prices here have been decent, I've decided of late that Nyonya isn't spicy enough for my tastes. It's worth going to try, but don't expect a mouth-burning experience. |
|
Organic Grill – 123 1st Avenue (7th Street and St. Marks) (Vegetarian/Vegan) I expected better from Organic Grill. Located on the border of Alphabet City and the East Village, the diner has a cute, artsy flair – and a menu that just promises a wealth of tasty veggie treats…especially for brunch. I’d picked up a flier on one of my previous travels, and there were so many promising items that I found myself unsure of which to pick: Belgian Waffles with tofu whip, crepes with vegan ice cream, or the obligatory though tempting tofu scramble? Then there were the veggie desserts, ranging from oatmeal cookies to rugalah. But hey, it was Sunday brunch, which practically mandates pancakes…so I went for buckwheat berry pancakes, with a side order of soy sausage (and a chai latte…just because). My husband—not vegan—chose the French bread, with veggie bacon. Sadly, the vittles proved only so-so. The latte was tasty, but lukewarm. So were the pancakes, which were far from the heaping Sunday-breakfast size that I had been hoping to dig into. And they sat next to the smallest, driest little hunks of soy sausage that I’d ever seen. Not too impressive – though at least they looked like sausage. My husband’s bacon proved to really be slices of marinated tempe…tasty, yes. But was it bacon? No. Not that the meal
wasn’t okay. My
husband, in fact, loved his French bread – both for flavor and the
generous size of the platter. And the service was good – even despite a
crowd of customers which came in shortly after we arrived. But
based
on the menu, I’d been hoping for so much more. Ultimately, breakfast at
Organic Grill proved fair…but not fantastic. |
| Pell Street
A small little curvy street, right off of Mott Street (and below Canal). A great source of cheap barber shops. Haven't visited yet, but they were recently written up in Time Out Magazine. |
Penang - 41-43 Elizabeth Street (Malaysian) The peanut pancake here is absolutely amazing. The rest of the entrees are pretty good, too, and did I mention reasonable? My husband and I ate at Penang, had two appetizers, entrees and two beers - the amount came to a little under $40. Got to love it. |
| Pho
Pasteur - 85 Baxter Street (Bayard and Walker) (Vietnamese) Walk along Baxter Street, and you'll pass by a string of restaurants...offering Pho, Goi Cuon, and many more staples of Vietnamese cuisine. Nestled in the middle is a small, modest joint - just one of many, marked only by a plain white sign, hanging over an undistinguished storefront. Small and plainly decorated, Pho (New) Pasteur isn't much to look at. The tables are clean, and the prices are modest...and the Kho is fantastic....a deep, carmelized soup of veggies, spices, tofu, meats and/or seafood....poured over white rice, with a salty-sweet, complex flavor. Positive reviews on menupages overflow...calling Pho Pasteur "Best on the Block" and "The One and Only". Based on the Kho, I'd have to agree, and have vowed to return, and sample the myriad other Vietnamese staples that they offer, from Canh (soups) to the many Che desserts. Wow. I've got Sau Voi, Saigon Banh Mi, and now Pho Pasteur. My Vietnamese trilogy is complete! |
Pho Viet Huong - 73 Mulberry Street (Vietnamese) I didn't like this place. The day I went, the service was slow. I ordered a frog dish, and ended up chewing around vertebrae throughout the meal (and I don't mind that in general - I'm quite used to it with canned Salmon). But in this case, I actually was afraid of choking. But - that's just one experience, so don't let this review stop you if you're interested in trying Pho out. |
|
Pho
Tu Do – 119
Bowery (Vietnamese)
Already known to chowhounds, the restaurant has a
good
reputation...not to mention a fortuitous location, nestled between
the two best Vietnamese markets in Chinatown* But what brought me in
was the picture menu, advertising a few items that I'd found to be
rare – Banh Beo and Banh Uot. Two glutinous
delicacies in one stop - that was too good an offer to pass up. And
the experience was worth it...from the plain, neat decoration to the
friendly staff and comfortable vibe. A touch on the expensive side,
the menu nevertheless delivers on some harder to find items (such as
vegetarian Banh Khot.) Some typical dishes--such as papaya
salad--appear to be missing, but the good stuff makes up for it. At
least the Banh Uot did...a chewy, textural delight, flavored with
chili and fish sauce. Yes, I'll be skipping the blood Chao porridge
on my next trip – but at least I think I'll go back. 10/16/06 - What a difference two days can make – at least when you're looking in the right place, and the chowhound gods are smiling. Have completed a disappointing vegetarian survey, I was in the neighborhood, but on my way home. Minutes from the subway, I passed under the shadow of an old favorite haunt – Sau Voi. Curious as to what was on the menu, I stepped inside...and hit the Vietnamese mother lode. On the counter lay numerous exotic treats , glutinous snacks which I had been hunting for weeks. Sugary Xoi, Banh Bot Lac...and the Bahn Beo, which I had been so thrilled to find at Pho Tu Do. Though stuffed, I grabbed the first two items...and neither disappointed. The Xoi proved pleasantly sweet and the Banh Bot Lac became an instant, chewy favorite – more than a match for anything I had sampled at Pho. The cost of my purchase – the princely sum of $4.00. So cheap and tasty wins again. I'll keep Pho Tu Do in mind – but only for out of town guests, who insist on a sitdown experience! * Tan Tin Market and Nha Sach
Khan Tri. |
| Rice
to Riches - 37 Spring Street (between Mott and Mulberry) Located on the edge of Chinatown - a small, unique dessert shoppe specializing in rice pudding (available in a myriad of flavors, from coconut coca to rest in peach. The sweets are delicious and healthy (at least in theory.) The decor is classy, and the sweets are positively yummy - complete with a full range of toppings (including oatmeal cookie crumble and mixed nuts.) If you have the slightest sweet tooth, you have to give this place a try. Because rice pudding deserves another chance...! |
| Saigon Banh Mi - 138 Mott
Street (Vietnamese) This little shoppe can be easy to miss - nestled in the back of a jewelry store near the southern corner of Grand. The menu is small, offering quality over quantity - including Banh Uot (a rarity in Chinatown), Nem Sausage, and a refrigerated section with salads, canned drinks and sweet Vietnamese beverages such as Rainbow Che. Then there's the Banh Mi - tasty renditions of that Vietnamese hero sandwich, available with pork, chicken...and veggie versions as well! The staff is warm, pleasant and happy to offer suggestions - an altogether fun experience. And $3.25 for a delicious sandwich - let's just say you can't go wrong! |
| Sau Voi Corp -
101-105 Lafayette
Street, Store 3 - (Vietnamese) This place on the outskirts of Chinatown (conveniently a few steps off the #6 train) has alot of small dish samplers of Vietnamese food at the counter. They're going to keep me busy for quite some time, I'm sure. Candy items, and several great and cheap Bahn Mi sandwiches - one of the great things about Sau Voi (in comparison to Tin Tan and Na Sach Khan is that alot of their stuff is labeled...so you'll be able to identify what you like - and what you want to have again!) Plus - how can you not love a place with dishes to go of Bahn Bot Loc and Banh Beo!?! Highly recommended! |
| Sanur
- 18 Doyers Avenue (212-267-0088) (Malaysian) Not to be found on citysearch.com or the yellow pages, Sanur has two good things going for it - it's the only Malaysian joint in NYC that I know of that has Kueh, Kueh. And it serves something it calls an "economical breakfast" for $1.75 a pop (Nasi Lemak and other selections.) A cheap place after my own thrifty heart!!! It's also the only place I know that has Roti Telur. The service is gruff, and the entrees--well, most left me flat. But the Kueh and the cheap breakfasts are winners. |
| Sweet
N' Tart Cafe - 76 Mott Street (Other locations include 20 Mott
Street,
and Flushing, Queens) (Fusion) I am so glad I found this place! The 76th Mott Street version (the Cafe) is a
small, hidden
nook down a flight of stairs. With the small tables, sitting
across
from a stranger for your meal, it has an sleek, modern cafeteria
feel.
And its a treasure trove of exotic snacks. They have sago drinks,
blood congee, meals with duck tongue, snow frog jelly, you name
it.
It's a little more expensive than usual for me (my snacks are usually
$1.50
or less), but more than reasonable for the average person. At an
average cost of $4.00 per item, it's very much worth it. The
Restaurant
is 20
Mott Street - it's bigger, with a bigger selection of stuffs such
as
ice cream, and more entrees. I kind of like the Cafe better - it
has a more inviting vibe. But they're both worth a visit. 3.75 stars! |
| Tasty
Dumpling - 54 Mulberry
Street I *believe* this place is owned by the same people who own Dumpling House on Eldridge (it appears they have an identical menu). Anyway, 5 fried dumplings for $1.00 - a great deal. My only grumble - you can't order 5 boiled dumplings (which I prefer) - you've got to order 10 for $2.00. |
| Ten
Pell - 10 Pell Street (Chinese) Across the street from Joe's Shanghai. The place was empty when I went in, but it gave good soup dumplings. |
Thai So'n - 89 Baxter Street (Vietnamese) Not bad. Too touristy (read, clean, bright and commercial) for my tastes. But so far it's the only place that I've found Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crepe), and that--at least--was terrific. They're a bit on the pricey side, $5-9 for a dish. Phil ordered a chicken with lemongrass, which honestly tasted like your basic American Chinese takeout. But I have to say, the service was nice. |
| Wo
Hop -
17 Mott Street (Chinese/American) Long famous as a purveyor of greasy spoon Chinese American fare, Wo Hop is loved by some and depised by others (who dub it "Wo Glop."). Something of a Chinatown landmark, Wo Hop is split into two levels...with the more tourist friendly restaurant on the second floor, and a divey hole-in-the-wall room downstairs in the basement. Guess which one I picked? For those allergic to upscale, the vibe was just right - featuring walls plastered with pictures of quasi celebrities and numerous newspaper reviews. The small diner tables were somewhat cramped, and definitely populated --even on the rainy Saturday that I walked in the door. As for the food? Well, I have to admit to keeping the sample small...limited solely to an order of eggplant in black bean sauce. For seven dollars, the quantity was right...enough for two whole meals. As for the taste - really no different from the corner Chinese takeout store. No better, no worse...though the meal sat heavily in my stomach for a few hours afterwards, making me wish I'd stuck with the Dragon Fruit that I'd noshed on earlier. So is Wo Hop worth a trip? Nah. Though if you're hung over, and seeking munchies in Chinatown, it might just fit the ticket. |
| XO
Kitchen - 148 Hester Street (Elizabeth and Bowery)
and 96 Walker Street (Hong Kong) An authentic Hong Kong diner - specializing in dishes from frog congee to pork chop over rice...as well as a range of tempting desserts (such as Tang Yuan, various Tong Sui and Mango Pudding.) Available in two convenient locations, XO Kitchen has a cheap, fun Hong Kong vibe - not too fancy - with menu specials pasted on colorful bits of paper on almost every wall space available. The price is also awright, running about $6 for an entree and as little as $2.50 for a dessert. Recent excursions have focused exclusively on the sweet stuff: including Tang Yuan (peanut buttery delicious) and ginger milk (not bad, though not worth a second tasting.) But other desserts beckon - including double boiled milk, papaya sago with ice cream, and even odorous noshes as durian pancake and pudding. (God knows when I'll get to the savory stuff!) But no matter the timeline, this is one location worthy of further exploration. Taipan Bakery, eat your heart out.... 3/10/07 Update - Tried the durian pudding and double boiled milk. The verdict - both good, though not awe-inspiring. Topped with condensed milk, the pudding had a mild, slight durian tinge. The boiled milk was nice (though guilt inducing to my vegan principles...), laced with a light ginger flavor that really helped it along. Neither are worth a second trip. But there's plenty of other things worth trying at XO anyway... 3/11/07 Update - I can't stay away from this place! Today, the sample consisted of the honeydew sago dessert and the durian pancake. Both proved to be worthy...with the honeydew dessert a sweet compilation of black tapioca balls, coconut pudding and honeydew melon balls, bathed in either coconut or condensed milk. The durian pudding was even better - made from fried thin rice sheets, filled with durian flavored pudding. Mmmmmm. |
| Chinatown: Sweets and Bakeries |
Aji Ichiban - 37 Mott Street, as well as four other locations in Chinatown (Japanese) Also called Munchies Paradise. Aji Ichiban is a Hong Kong based snack food store, specializing in Japanese goodies. What makes Aji Ichiban amazing is that the snacks have little sampler bowls and they encourage you to eat them. They have dried plums, wasabi peas, and Candied ginger is a must. It's a good marketing strategy. Once you're stuffed, guilt demands that you buy something. It's not hard to find something worth taking home...Four stars! |
Economy Candy - 108 Rivington Street (between Ludlow and Allen) Okay - it's on the bare fringes of Chinatown, and it's not Asian food by far. But if you're in the area, you have to go to this place! Economy candy carries all of the old time stuff - chocolate cigarettes, satellite wafers, necco wafers, pez, and a ton o' gourmet chocolates like Lindt and Kinder. It's like being a kid in a--er, um--candy store? It's a nostalgic trip into heaven. Go. Enjoy. 3.75 stars! |
| Golden Fung Wong Bakery - 41 Mott Street (Chinese) Go there for their black sesame glutinous rice cake. It's terrific, and I've never seen it anywhere else in Chinatown. They also have a good solid selection of other bakery items, and even stock X-rated fortune cookies. Perfect for that special someone... |
| HW Cafe Bakery - 242 Canal Street (Chinese) A great overall bakery. Less commercial than some of the other bakeries. I especially love their glutinous (white) rice cake, which I haven't seen available elsewhere. |
| Taipan Bakery - 194 Canal
Street or 37-25 Main Street (Flushing) (Chinese-Taiwanese?) One of the larger, more commercial bakeries in both the Manhattan and Flushing Chinatowns. It's always bustling, always a line. The highlights: glutinous sugar rice cake, 'my bread' (a peanut butter and condensed milk sandwich on white toast) and a host of good ice cream sundae platters. (Try the German or Tiramisu sundae - they take awhile to make, but have plenty of ice cream, cake, and fresh fruit - and are just large enough to fill you up.) Also: they have a catering menu! |
| Ten
Ren Tea and Ginsing - 75 Mott Street (Bubble Tea) One of the bigger and more respected Bubble Tea chains. They have a ton of different mixes - although I haven't tried many as yet. |
| Chinatown: Non Food Topics |
BLT Supplies, Inc. (Martial Arts) - 77 Mulberry Street Did I mention? Other than being a foodie (or Chowhound, depending how you look at it), I'm also a Jujitsu martial artist (currently green belt in Jujitsu.) And I especially love beautiful edged weapons (like food, I like things that look exotic, that I haven't seen a million times before.) I also like cheap. And this place fits the bill with both aspects. They have a great book and video selection of martial arts instruction and really, really nice looking push daggers and fancy knives up front, some of which are only about $25 per (and they look very good.) So if you're into such things, by all means check this place out. It really beats the place on Mott Street! |
| Chinatown: Tips N' Tricks N' Travel |
|
| Flushing Chinatown |
| The other NYC Chinatown. I haven't explored the area fully yet, but it deserves mention. The main difference I've noted from Chinatown Major is that the Queens version is spread out almost like a suburb. It's not as concentrated, and covers a large enough area that to see it all it would be better to have a car. The majority of it runs along Main Street between Franklin and Northern Boulevard. Check out 40th street, it's particularly interesting, as is Roosevelt, which has places to explore extending about a block in either direction. There's also a noteworthy supermarket off of Kissena Boulevard. If you keep walking past Franklin, you'll eventually run into a bunch of Pakistani and Indian restaurants/groceries. FYI. In case you are arriving by car, note also that the area has Avenues and Streets, which are different roads, and the numbers don't run along the same sequence. (Not that there's much good parking, so warning!) By subway, simply hop the 7 to the last stop - that's how I did it on my second try. It seems way more authentic and less tourist oriented than Manhattan's Chinatown - though considerably smaller as well. Pro: more exotic, authentic food. Con: most of the signs and menus are therefore in Chinese - can't read 'em! Should you explore the area yourself, I have found two good sources of information:
|
| Bownie
-
143-05 45th Avenue (Flushing, Queens) - Sri Lankan The only Sri Lankan place outside of Staten Island! Bownie is a small, no frills kitchen - with good people, and a small, but tasty selection of Sri Lankan food. A bit of advice: go for the Pittu! Another plus - it's got parking on the street, and is relatively near to Flushing Chinatown proper. |
| Canaan
- 36-58 Main Street (Flushing, Queens) - Tiawanese It's in the food court, second stall from the last on the first floor. Haven't tried much here yet, but it's the one place I "know" to get stinky tofu (choudofu). And at $3.50 for most meals, the prices are good. |
| Curry
Leaves - 135-31 40th Road (Flushing, Queens) - Malaysian Yippee! Keuh Keuh that I like better than Sanurs! (And Sanur has decent Keuh.) Haven't tried the entrees yet, but will. This place is a small nook in the wall, so don't miss it while walking by. And don't miss the bright green Keuh with shredded coconut on top. The bright green one that looks like a burrito is pretty good, too! The only negative: you never know which Kueh they'll have, or when it will run out (and they run out alot). 3.9 stars! |
| Sago
Tea Cafe - 3902 Main Street (Flushing, Queens) Not impressed - the bubble tea I had was too expensive, not sweet enough, with not enough "bubbles". (Sigh) |
| Sentosa
- 39-07 Prince Street (Flushing, Queens) - Malaysian Haven't had an entree here yet, although I've heard the name many a time. It's a classy, clean and upscale looking place - and it has one thing that I can swear to: the only Roti Kaya in town. There's also one in New Jersey, so I hear. |
Unique Pastry - 135-23 40th Road (Flushing, Queens) - Chinese My first flushing linkable. This is a great easy-to-miss hole in the wall bakery right off the 7 line. They have terrific buns, filled with taro, spicy chicken (very good), and other stuffs. I also had an egg and chives pastry that wasn't bad. They're very nice and friendly, and it's only a little over a dollar a roll. If you're in Flushing, you have to go! 9/6/06 Bad news - I hear that Unique Pastry is no more, closed up shop. Good news: they've moved to Manhattan West Village, under the name Roll and Dough! Closer bings...yum! |
| Brooklyn |
| Barcade - 388 Union
Avenue, Brooklyn NY (Bar Only) Large as a warehouse--and about as decorative--the idea behind Barcade is intriguing. Good beer, combined with old fashioned video games - playable for the original $.25. For those who grew up in the 80s, Barcade seems the perfect synergy of adult and post-adolescent fun...the chance to tie one on, while playing blast-from-the-past classics such as Ms. Pacman, Centipede, and Gauntlet . Though great in concept, reality proves somewhat less than satisfying (at least for this old-timer.) During our trip, many of the games were broken (including old favorites such as Spyhunter, Galaga and Tetris.) And for those still operative, the thrill fades pretty fast. Compared to current standards, the graphics and play of the old arcades is pretty clunky...and there's only so many times you can play Berzerker before it gets old. (Okay, one time at best.) There are a few neat ideas here - including little tables besides each game, providing places to put your drink. But--for me at least--the trip out to Brooklyn just wasn't worth it. Want to play Ms. Pacman while buzzed? Buy a version for your PC, X-Box or Playstation - and pour yourself a comfortable drink at home. You'll never have to wait for a game...and it's less likely to be busted. |
Cambodian Cuisine - 87 S. Elliott Place, Brooklyn, NY (Cambodian) (CLOSED as of 5/06) The only Cambodian restaurant in NYC - the place looks like my style - small, very little decoration, and all about the food. I've only had the chicken amok so far, but I am looking forward to future exploration through their menu. |
Kabir's Bakery - 1425 Foster Avenue, Brooklyn and 29-05 36th Avenue, LIC (Indian/Pakistani) Haven't been to a physical location, but have had their products at my local Bronx deli. They seem to have a good variety, so they deserve at least preliminary mention. |
| Polskie
Delikatesy - 4703 8th Avenue, Brooklyn (off 47th Street) (Polish) A cute little bakery, located in the heart of Brooklyn Chinatown. There's not alot to be found here, but the small selection of cakes and pastries are really tempting. Worth a look if you're in the area...and looking for a new cuisine to sink your teeth into. |
| Primorski - 282 Brighton
Beach Avenue, Brooklyn (Between Brighton 2nd and 3rd Street) (Russian) Primosky's has been around for 23 years. Nestled in the heart of Coney Island's Little Odessa, the restaurant has distinguished itself as one of the few Russian establishments to offer its patrons a taste of Russian and Georgian cuisine. Serving as both disco-nightclub and restaurant, the dining area for Primorsky is surprisingly classy and the menu impressively large, with options ranging from very cheap ($5.49 lunch specials featuring soup, salad and entree) to dinner banquets (priced around $40 per person.) For those who know what they want, a la carte is also available - featuring everything from the ubiquitous staples of borscht, dumplings and crepes to the less familiar Georgian specialities (which for me were the culinary draw.) For those into exotic cuisine, there's alot here to try...offering unfamiliar names, and novel Georgian flavors. There's Satsivi -- featuring chunks of chicken bathed in a creamy walnut sauce. (A bit bony, reports my husband...though the sauce was rich and tasty.) Equally rich was the Kachapuri, a decadent stuffed pastry about the size and shape of a frisbee - the outer coating similar to a croissant, filled with thick, smooth Georgian cheese. (Oh God, if only they made one with soy cheese!) And there's stuff for vegans too - with large servings of Lavash Georgian bread, surprisingly tasty pickles (my actual highlight of the evening), rolled eggplant in walnut sauce and jonjoli salad - made from marinated acacia flowers. Not bad for a first trip...and there was definitely more to try - if only our stomachs had been a little bit bigger. The service? Pleasant. The bill? Not bad - with the tab running approximately $40 for four dishes and two Russian beers. In Brooklyn, two other restaurants also offer Georgian food - well praised establishments known as Tbilisi and Piromansi. So will Primorski be my favorite of the three? Only time -- and experimentation -- will tell. But in the meantime, Primorski made for a pleasant introduction to a new culinary frontier. Uncle Vanya's, eat your heart out. |
| Singapore Annual
Chili Crab Festival (2006) - 66 Water
Street An annual event hosted by Tiger Beer (now in its third year of operation), the Chili Crab Festival is billed as "a festival like nothing else found in New York, or even the US...(with) the vibrancy and excitement of a massive Singaporean Street Fair." Promised munchies for the event include chili crabs, and "other authentic Asian delectibles." Unfortunately, the reality was only a block long, and not all that impressive. The titular Chili Crabs were in evidence, yielding little meat for alot of hard (and messy) work. A few booths away, generic Laksa was available - ladeled into small styrofoam dishes. Not much other authentic food was available - at least for anyone already familiar with Singaporean cuisine. At the beginning of the fair, a sign was posted advertising "Roti Prata" (causing a spontaneous "Happy Gaijin Girl Dance")- but within the hour it had been turned against the wall. The promised Prata never emerged. Yet, the line for hamburgers and hot dogs stretched down the block. (A sad commentary on American tastes, as well as the available selection.) The only culinary discovery of the afternoon was made by my husband (the beer gourmand/brewer) - the realization that Tiger Beer is a decent light lager, perfect for quenching a summer day's heat. Which was fortunate, since (other than a few canned drinks) no exotic refreshements were available - no black jelly drinks...no ABC...just nothing special at all. Ultimately, the only highlight of the day was the raffle, offering a chance to win a trip for two to Singapore. But the festival was only worth about an hour of anyone's time. We ended up buying $10 worth of tickets, and left - feeling that the money could have been spent so much better at Sanur. At least they would've had the Prata. But then...we haven't heard the result of the raffle yet. If we win, maybe I'll feel a little differently...! |
Taking the Trini (and Guyanese) Challenge - A comparison of Nostrand and Liberty Avenues For chowhounds, travel can be both blessing and curse. A natural result of the food-hunting bug, travel becomes necessary as one's tastes mature - becoming more esoteric, rarified - and less easily satisfied in one's own backyard. Finding a good Chinese restaurant in your neighborhood? That can be difficult. Finding good Peruvian, South African, or (god forbid) Sir Lankan...? Now that can be a bitch - even if you're lucky enough to live in the East Village. It's enough to make you want to move to Queens. But there's a positive side as well, especially for native New Yorkers stuck in their home-turf ruts. Whether its stinky tofu, or Es Campur, searching for that elusive dish can be just the impetus needed to get us off our collective butts, out of our boroughs - and into the rest of this place known as New York City. It's a big place - and we really ought to see more of it than just Manhattan. On this occasion, the craving was for Trinidadian food: an urge to sample Shark and Bake, Cassava Balls - and find out just what the heck Bagani was... The web wasn't telling, and the Bronx sure wasn't providing. There was only one cure for it all - to whip out the unlimited Metro Card and head toward the wilds known as Brooklyn and Queens. Specifically, Nostrand/Utica and Liberty Avenues - located towards the ends of the 3 and the A. It must have been temporary insanity. From the Bronx, Canal Street is far enough. Riding the A train to the end? Now that's just nuts. But what could I do? It was a craving - and it had to be satisfied. The result: an impromptu walking tour of competing neighborhoods, a survey ultimately taking two weeks to complete. The first weekend belonged to Brooklyn - with a sampling of Nostrand and Utica Avenues. Targeted locations included Patsy's Authentic Trinidad on Utica, Trinidad Roti Shop and Trinidad Golden Palace Restaurant - picks culled from chowhound, citysearch, menupages and (of course) Robert Sietsema. Yet the vibe seemed off, and the menus uninspired - filled with nothing more exotic than average offerings of roti, a little macaroni pie - and the occasional jerk chicken. Nothing that White Plains road couldn't have provided...and with a friendlier atmosphere. You don't get a very welcoming feel on Nostrand Avenue - at least not on that day. Or was it just me? The second weekend belonged to Queens - a lengthy trip to the last stop of the A, at Lefferts Boulevard. A long ride - but worth every minute, if only to explore that strip of Liberty Avenue stretching from Lefferts to Van Wyck - a goldmine of Trini and Guyanese treasures. Here - the vibe was good, and so was the food...and the options. Doubles and roti shops of every stripe (including vegetarian) line the street, speckled with Guyanese restaurants (begging to be explored in future trips.) Though the well loved Singh's Roti remains to be sampled, highlights of the maiden voyage include Little Guyana Bake Shop, Hot and Spicy (aka Savi's Quik Serv) - and an upcoming restaurant known as Maracas Bay (with that title, it seems I'll get my Shark and Bake yet!) My experience with Liberty Avenue was thrilling - and it will definitely be repeated. As for Brooklyn? Well...the 3 line will have to do without me for awhile. So Queens wins the title - at least for this subjective round. Was it a fair food fight? Who knows....but at least I have my roti - and yet another reason to someday move to Queens. Now - where the hell can I find that &*^&^(* poi? |
| A Difference in
Taste - Foodswings vs. Bliss During a recent trip to Brooklyn, I was fortunate enough to be able to sample not one--but two--well known vegetarian restaurants, both located in the heart of Williamsburg. (Being a Bronx resident, I don't get out to Brooklyn too often...so you gotta scarf it down when the opportunity presents itself.) The result? An interesting contrast in culinary philosophies - ranging from austere to the ultimate in fast food indulgence...with proof that vegan/vegetarian fare need not be bland, one-note...or even healthy. Bliss - 191 Bedford Avenue (between 6th and 7th street) Specializing in organic vegetarian, Bliss Cafe has a healthy, hipster vibe. Known for its brunches, the cafe serves up a number of veggie staples such as fresh squeezed juice, tofu scramble and homemade granola with yogurt (available in both soy and regular non-vegan varieties.) When I arrived, I'd actually hoped to score a breakfast burrito with a side of cornbread (said by some to be quite addictive.) But breakfast was over - resulting in an order for the titular Bliss Bowl...a mix of brown rice, tofu, salad dressing and steamed vegetables. The result? A lot of food, but very little flavor. Even with the ginger dressing, the bowl proved bland...and no tastier than straight steamed vegetables from Shop Rite (something that even I--with my limited culinary skills--could have topped.) To be fair, it was only one dish--which did admittedly leave my stomach with a nice, light airy feeling. And the breakfast food might have been better. The service was great, and the atmosphere pleasant. So perhaps Bliss deserves another chance. But given the long trip to Brooklyn, that's unlikely to happen. Foodswings - 295 Grand Street (between Roebling and Havemeyer) Then there's Foodswings - conceptualized by its owners as a punk, unapologetic ode to fast food (done all-vegan style) There ain't a thing about Foodswings that's stylish. Decorated with all the flair of a school cafeteria, FS features loud music, no bathrooms, and disposable plates. Though not unpleasant, the counter staff's hardly attentive, and has a tendency to socialize on the job. (At least they did when I was there. Hey, who wants to pay attention to customers, anyway?) You know what? I really like this place. In stark contrast to vegan fare's reputation as healthy and bland, Foodswings serves up classic comfort food. The menu at FS reads like a Junk Food Hall of Fame, with items such as hotdogs, hamburgers, mac n' cheese, tuna salad sandwiches, pu-pu platters, chicken nuggets and even milkshakes (which are said to be awesome - with or without alcohol added.) Sure, the quesadillas have drippy vegan cheese - but they're warm and satisfying nonetheless! There's tofu jerky available at the counter, and various dessert options, depending on the day. (Though the cheesecake I had proved less than amazing...kind o' dry and heavy, and just not quite right.) The only drawback - certain items are only available late nights...so don't expect to satisfy your grilled ham and cheese craving during daylight hours. Okay, and the prices could be somewhat cheaper. Still - Foodswings is fun. Call me a proletariat, but given a choice between a Bliss Bowl and Vegan Fish n' Chips...? Well, there's just no contest. |
| Chelsea (14th to 42nd - Westside) |
| Blossom
Gourmet Vegan - 187 9th
Avenue (Between 21st and 22nd) Four star vegan The neighborhood known as Chelsea is not one of my regular haunts. Living in the Bronx--and working on Park Avenue--it's only natural that I'm an east-ender, roaming the green line to Canal Street or St. Marks - with rare reason to travel to the western end of the island. But on one evening, my routine had taken me west - beginning with a stop-off at Columbus Avenue, followed by a quick jaunt through Hell's Kitchen. I'd been meaning to sample Blossom Gourmet Vegan - and 22nd street was only a few blocks south. Even given the cold winter air, the opportunity was obvious. And it proved to be worth the walk. Because Blossom is truly a class act. When you're used to Chinatown, the decor at Blossom can take your breath away - an elegant, pristine space with candlelit tables and professional waitstaff. Unfortunately for my wallet, the prices are equally highbrow - resulting in a decision to forego the appetizer and head straight for the main course. My entree for the evening was the Phyllo Roulade - two crisp pastries filled with delicate lentils, and a side order of rainbow swiss chard. It proved to be a good choice - satisfying and light, with a complex mix of flavors, though somewhat small for an entree. But thank god, it left room for dessert. I had chosen the chocolate ganache, based on positive reviews that I had previously read. And well...it was truly fantastic - blowing previous experiences at Babycakes and Kates completely out of the water. Served with a side order of ice cream, the ganache was unbelievably rich for a vegan dessert...proving dairy unnecessary for sinfully rich sweets (and making me wonder how wonderful vegan cheesecake might be, if done by the right person.) Is Blossom ready for the common man? No - for the prices are steep, and the portions relatively small (which is actually nice, leaving diners unbloated after a full meal.) But Blossom does pass the taste taste - too rich for a day on the town, but well suited for extra special occassions - ones which require flavor, atmosphere and that extra special something. 2/17/07 - Dessert newsflash: the apple sticks with caramel sauce is terrific, too! Not particularly filling - but with plenty of taste in a small, delicate, phyllo wrapped package. Equal in taste to the chocolate ganache - and providing yet another reason why Blossom is tops in its class. |
| Da Bronx (my neighborhood) |
| Ali's
Roti Shop - 422 White Plains Road (Corner of
234th Street)
- Jamaican/Trinidadian Another great place in the Bronx (I like this trend, very much!) A friend of mine turned me onto this place. Open 7 days a week, decent prices, huge portions, and lots of Roti, Doubles and more. It's a small place, with lots of stuff inside. So if you're interested in getting a taste of the Carribean, go here - it's a quicker trip than Brooklyn (at least for me!) |
| Country Boyz
Jerk Yard - 1182 E. Gun Hill Road - Jamaican Got da ackee here.... |
A Tale of Two Itals Looking back, it was probably inevitable that I would be drawn to Ital cuisine. How could it be otherwise, given my newfound vegan status - amplified by a love for exotic, untried cuisine (not to mention tried--but true--favorites, such as roti and Trinidadian doubles?) Sure, it required trips into unknown neighborhoods. But hey, it was fate...with the promise of something new - not to mention tasty. And it was certainly unknown. One of the lesser known cuisines, Ital is the official cuisine of the Rastafarian movement. Derived from the word vital, the philosophy dictates food which is pure, natural...and straight from the earth - lacking processing, and chemical additives. In most instances, the cuisine is vegan - eschewing flesh and (most) fish products. What remains are vegetables, beans - and the occasional soy product. The cuisine is mostly vegan, with West Indian flavor...a nice combination, at least for people with my type of taste. As with most minority cuisines--such as Burmese, or Ghanian, or even Taiwanese--Ital isn't easy to find. Only certain neighborhoods carry the food. In the case of Ital, Brooklyn is the enclave of choice - with secondary options in Harlem, and White Plains Road, located in the Bronx. For me, Brooklyn proved too far a journey (I live in the Bronx, and work in Manhattan.) Fortunately, closer options did exist. Spurred on by a sense of adventure, I traveled first through the Bronx - and later to Harlem. A small price to pay, in order to get a taste of Ital...in all of its vegetarian glory. HIM Ital Organic Restaurant - 754 Burke Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467-6612 (Ital/West Indian) An enclave of West Indian cuisine, Burke Avenue (and nearby White Plains Road) are studded with patty and roti shops, serving authentic Jamaican (a refreshing chance, in a city filled with Golden Krust.) Among these--in the middle of Burke Avenue--stands HIM Ital Organic Restaurant, a small, narrow shop - visually undistinguishable from the surrounding storefronts. But inside, there is a difference. Unlike their beef patty brethren, HIM Organic sells Ital food. Strictly vegan, and very Rastafarian The choices focus primarily on juices and counter takeout. Choose two, or three dishes - or get four for $10.00 (resulting in a reasonable size plate - enough to fill a hungry stomach, but not cause discomfort.) Given the travel time to get across the Bronx, I resolved to make it worth my while, digging in heartily. Four tempting options were chosen, consisting of vegetables, grains, beans and yam. The service was pleasant, and so was the taste. And yet... I wanted to love it...but something was missing. Was it the spice, and the expected kick of curry? Whatever it was, the oomph was lacking - leaving a lasting impression of (good) cafeteria food. The meal satisfied the belly - but not the soul. I sadly walked away...vowing that I would give Ital food another chance. A cuisine combining West Indian sensibilities with vegan options? It deserved at least that much. Next stop - Strictly Roots! Strictly Roots - 2058 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd, NYC (Ital/West Indian) Yes, Virginia, there is Ital in Harlem - located close to the 125th street subway (just around the corner from the Apollo.) A small, comfortable shop, Strictly Roots specializes in Rastafarian cuisine - with hot dishes their specialty. Options include steamed veggies, fried plantains, rice, beans, and faux meat entrees...not to mention a host of sandwiches, soups, pastries and fresh juice blends. The service is good and meals affordable (four or so options costs $8.00 a plate, available for takeout or eat-in.) Mildly flavored, the dishes are unlikely to impress a hardcore spicer - but they have character nonetheless, and even a degree of flair. Especially the meat options, which look disturbingly real - from the stringy, well textured "lamb curry" to the fish dish - complete with a thin, black "skin" still attached. And as for the pastries...give them a try. Options range from apple pie to coconut cake (a sweet, crumbly cake that proved the highlight of my meal.) Is it worth a second trip? Not for me - but then, I thrill on Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese - my tastebuds demand more. But subtle can be nice, as well. If Strictly Roots were in my neighborhood, it would be a semi-regular haunt. |
King Taco - 9 East Mosholu Park Way (off Jerome) - Mexican My local source of Mexican food - not much to say, but I've had tasty flauta here, and am looking forward to the Pozole. Good to know, if you've a yen for Mexican, and you're around my way....(Unfortunately, no Champurrado on the menu...!) |
Philipino Food Centre - 234 E. Gunhill Road (Phillipino) Wow! Finally, something neat in my neighborhood! This is a decent little deli, with a good selection of desserts in the refrigerator. Better selection, in fact, than Elvie's Turo Turo. So take that, Manhattan! So if you live in the Bronx, check this place out (although beware, they don't keep strict hours - officially, they're open 9-7 every day.). 3.9 stars - this place is A-one, and the absolute best place for Philipino treats (Sapin Sapin, Yema, Macapuno Tarts, etc), especially on the weekend after they've had a shipment in! If only they kept firmer hours....! |
| Banh Mi in the Bronx Finally, another good source of munchies in the Bronx! Long ago, I had resigned myself to the culinary drought that is known as the Bronx (a.k.a. my neighborhood.) Okay, so there are great options - if you're into Puerto Rican, Dominican or other Spanish influenced meals. And--thank goodness--there is also the Philipino Food Centre on Gunhill, which can satisfy the odd, itchy craving for Sapin Sapin (assuming it hits sometime before 7 pm. No midnight Philippino snacks for you!) If you live around White Plains road, there's also a cornucopia of West Indian joints. But Asian food? Not so much. And on busy days, Chinatown seems a looooong train ride away. But thanks to a lead from Chowhound, there's now another option - a mix of Asian groceries, Thai desserts and even good old Vietnamese Banh Mi . All available near the Kingsbridge exit - a quick two subway stops off the end of the D train! Despite the obligatory Micky Dees, the area around Kingsbridge/Grand Concourse has alot of culinary potential. Near the train entrance--near the historical Poe Cottage--there's the Cambodian grocery store known as Battambang. Located at 2654 Valentine Avenue, it's stocked with the basics - including plenty of sauces, a few prepackaged desserts and even fresh durian, pre-chopped for convenience. As you head down East Kingbridge, several West Indian restaurants become evident - advertising cornmeal, oxtail and other ethnic munchies. On Jerome itself (2649 Jerome Avenue) there's even an African market. It's pretty sparse, but packed with a few solid staples (including Banku and Fufu powder, and Shito pepper sauce.) Phnom Penh-Nha Trang Market is right next door, at 2639 Jerome Avenue. Like Battambang, Phnom Penh has prepackaged goodies...and a decent supply of sauces, canned groceries, and other Asian stuff for the kitchen cupboard. Then there's Phung Hung Cafe - the Vietnamese restaurant located right across the street (2614 Jerome Avenue, off 193rd.) And yes - they gots the Banh Mi. While not the best rendition in the city, the Phung Hung version has all the good, downhome basics you'd expect in a Vietnamese hoagie - they're cheap, spicy and tasty, and available in three separate varieties (meatball, grilled pork or ground ham.) (Bless them, they even made a custom veggie version for my good ole' vegan self.) If sandwiches aren't your style, be assured that the menu offers plenty of other Vietnamese basics. There are grab n' go munchies at the counter - ranging from Goi Cuon (fresh shrimp spring rolls) to the rainbow colored glutinous rice dessert known as Banh Da Long. Other options include rice dishes (com), noodle dishes (bun) and lots of Pho. There are beverages too - from Da Chanh Lemonade to strong Vietnamese coffee/condensed milk - and a particularly refreshing drink known as Si Muoi, made from ice water flavored with salty preserved plum. Decent food, at decent prices. But what's truly refreshing is the simple existance of a Vietnamese restaurant, located in the heart of the Bronx. Okay, so it's not directly in my neighborhood. But it's close enough for a quick jaunt. And that's all that a Gaijin Girl could ask for! |
| B.
B African and American Restaurant - 1715 Webster Avenue (West
African) Recently, I've found myself craving african food. No, not Ethiopean, but harder-to-find fare - such as Nigerian and Seneglese. Fortunately, I live in the Bronx - home to several unofficial african communities...all within reach from my home base of Moshulu/Norwood. One such area is Webster Avenue - an elongated strip of road clustered with several west african spots - including a long established joint known as B.B. African and American Restaurant. Saturday night, I took the plunge - jumping on the D train at 7:30PM. Armed with knowledge from Hop Stop, it was a quick ride to 176th street - augmented by 10 extra minutes on foot. It was still light out when I arrived....not bad, considering that B.B. African is open 24 hours. Unfortunately, the food was almost gone. Some spinach remained - as did a sampling of their American fare. But as for west african? Not much. Hoping to take home at least some information, I asked for a menu - also unavailable. Yes, the service seemed fine...there was just no food. Disappointed, I turned sadly away...only to find myself greeted by a cockroach crawling slowly up the wall. As the only other customer, he at least seemed happy...pausing briefly to wiggle his attenae and stop for a moment's rest. For some reason, it made my day. Not unexpected company, at least in the heart of the Bronx. Honestly, I'd seen bigger in my own apartment (and I do keep things as clean as possible.) So the food still might have been good, tasty, and perfectly healthy. But the sight of the guy just summed up the experience, wiping out any interest I had accumulated in B.B. African's offerings. So I left BB on an empty stomach - perfectly content to do without. |
| Kingsbridge Comparison For those of us on the northern edge of NYC , Canal Street can be a bit of a trek - costing over an hour by subway (and that's if you're close to a main artery.) A substantial distance - especially for exotic food fans, seeking only to score one or two basic ingredients (such as dried thai pepper, canned jackfruit, or African fufu.) Fortunately, closer venues exist - including the following stops unearthed during a recent visit to the Kingsbridge area: African Market - 2649 Jerome Avenue (African) A small store, the African Market sells only a few basic items...a handful of DVDs, and some African staples. There's not much to see, but at least the essentials are available...such as homemade kenkey, and peppery Shintor sauce. Battambang Market II - 229 E. Kingsbridge/194th Street Another "essentials" store, Battambang offers a good selection of veggies, grains and rice paper wrappers. Located next to historical Poe cottage, it's a decent stop for your shopping needs...at least for Bronx-based Asian cuisine afficiandos. Phnom Penh-Nha Trang - 2639 Jerome Avenue (193rd Street) (Cambodian/Pan-Asian) Although owned by Cambodians, the focus of the store is pan-asian - with a decent selection of veggies, asian canned food and even basic thai desserts, available for impulse-buy near the counter. Nice people...and certainly worth a visit. World of Taste - 2614 Jerome Avenue (Jerome Avenue/193rd) (Vietnamese) A notable restaurant...if only because I've seen no other Vietnamese offerings anywhere near my neighborhood. Haven't been here myself, but according to the menu, alot of basic Viet staples are available - from Pho, to Banh Mi. So give it a try, and let me know! |
| Purity
Food - 3812 White Plains Road - Jamaican Tamarind balls and nice service. |
Rock-A-Tone Seafood - 3740 White Plains Road - Jamaican The only place I've seen bammies...nice. |
| Sankofa African
Restaurant - 2254 Webster Avenue - West African (Nigerian/Ghana) One of several such restaurants on the Webster avenue strip, Sankofa specializes in west african fare - serving up staples such as fish flavored with palm oil, fermented kenkey, and the cassava mash known as gari. As a practicing vegetarian, I gravitated towards the sides - ordering spinach, beans and two types of mash (a gut busting amount for only $10.) Though not spectacular, all proved to be servicably tasty. Not good enough to warrant a trip from other boroughs...but worth a try...at least if you're in the neighborhood. |
| Vegan's Delight
- 3565 Boston Road - Jamaican/Vegan A small little Jamaican joint--possibly Ital--located on the far end of Boston Road. Though not large, the store offers some good veggie staples - including mock meat, vegannaise and nicely priced bulk items like beans, grains and dried fruit. (They also have containers from the "Just Veggie" company, priced at a reasonable $3.99 per container.) A counter in the back offers a limited selection of decent tasting entrees - ranging from patties to steamed veggies and various mock meat dishes... (Prices run a little steep, with small one dish entrees costing $5.75.) But the service is pleasant...and it's nice to have something in the neighborhood. (Why should Brooklyn have all the veggie fun?) |
| Eastside (Upper Eastside) |
| Cafe Mingala -
1393 2nd Avenue, Ste. B. (between 72nd and 73rd) (Burmese) Burmese cuisine on the upper Eastside. Owned, incidentally, by the same people who run Village Mingala down on 7th street. I will say that the gentleman who waited on me during my recent run for Mohinga was very nice. But...I'm beginning to think that Burmese doesn't appeal to me, with the exception of the Thoke salads, which are wonderful. The rest is too...spicy, with nothing extra to it. (At least - at the Mingala restaurants - can't swear by the cuisine in general!) |
| Candle
79 -
154 E. 79th Street (between Lex and 3rd) (also operates Candle
Cafe) (Vegan) A high class vegan/vegetarian eatery located on the upper eastside (conveniently close to the 86th street subway.) Praised by fans as "the best vegetarian restaurant in the city", the menu offerings at Candle are creative both in name and ingredients: including Eggplant Napolean, Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Cake and Cumin Crusted Tofu. Desserts (and dessert wines) are also available - offering taste temptations ranging from chocolate to kumquat to Apple-Cranberry (a pie - not a wine.) Beautifully decorated - and clearly upscale - Candle manages to maintain a surprisingly open and inviting vibe - friendly, yet exceedingly stylish. The atmosphere simply can't be beat. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the food - or its affordability. One of the priciest of its breed, Candle appetizers and desserts average $11, and entrees reach towards $21.00. Portions tend towards small - at least based on my choice for the night (Ancho Seared Tempeh, with roasted sweet potato puree, fennel salad, mole sauce and pomegranate reduction.) Yet despite such an ambitious mix of ingredients, the result was just okay - far from the complex collision of flavors that one might hope to find. The dessert of the night was better - the Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bliss Mousse....a creamy sweet that satisfied, but failed to make an impression equal to Blossom's Chocolate Ganache or Sacred Chow's Brownie (even better and cheaper!) With its wonderful staff, it's easy to love Candle, a gourmet location far better than either Gobo or Zen Palate. But while the atmosphere shines, the flavor and quality are more lackluster. Sadly, it seems to be an eastside trend - pretty surroundings and adequate food - but not enough of a culinary paradise to justify $20 per plate. |
| Gobo
-
1426 3rd Avenue (80th and 81st)/401 6th Avenue (Waverly Pl and 8th
Street) (Vegan/Asian) A graceful vegetarian haunt sucessful enough to have spawned 2 locations - one in the west village, the other on the upper east side. Decorated with clean lines and pristine bamboo, Gobo is clearly upscale - as are its prices (averaging from $8 - $18 per plate.) For veterans of the veggie scene, the menu offers few surprises - plates of brown rice, dumplings, protein stir-fries and medlies. Sadly, the flavors skew towards bland - from the (understandably) subtle spinach dumplings to the Sesame Protein Nuggets (washed with the mildest of sweet and sour sauces.) At least the beverage options look promising - offering a full range of choices from smoothies to bubble tea. But the overall effect has an empty feel - resulting in a restaurant which is elegant, streamlined - but lacking in flavor, or individual personality. Given its looks, it's really too bad. Because who needs another Zen Palate clone? |
| Katagiri - 244
East 59th Street (Between 2nd and 3rd) (Japanese) A good, basic Japanese mart. Sushi, sashimi, wasabi, daifuku, etc. |
| Slice,
The Perfect Food - 1413 2nd
Avenue (73rd/74th) (Pizza) A little pizza shop on the upper eastside, selling up slices with a twist - fresh/organic ingredients...and lots and lots of options. The menu offers plenty of premade variations - from plain (the simpleton) to Barbeque Chicken or Taste of India (chickpeas, tomatoes and onions.) Customers can also mix n' match with different toppings, crusts and cheese (they're very vegan friendly at Slice, offering up both soy and vegan-cheese as alternative toppings. There's even lactose free parmasan at the counter!) The vibe is friendly - complete with the (occasional) free sample. Now, this ain't your Grandma's pizza pie - made from honey whole wheat crust, spelt or rice, the crusts are wafer thin, and best described as crackers. They're also somewhat weak, and hard to handle with the toppings that go on some of the slices. (I had a few collapse in my lap.) Though the slices run towards small--and look something like school cafeteria pizza--they are tasty, and surprisingly filling. (Some of them are also cut up into neat little sub-triangles, which just looks cute.) The downside? The cost is...er...upper eastside compatible, running up to $6.00 for a single slice. Really not quite worth the full bang for your buck. (My neighborhood joint Nicky's makes a slammin' good slice--about the size of a small horse--for $4.50.) And that's a shame, 'cause Slice is a neat concept. If only more pizza shops offered soy cheese alternatives! |
| Financial District |
| Little Lads Basket - 120 Broadway
(Lower Arcade) (Vegan... mostly) Talk about a hidden location! Invisible from the street, Little Lad's Basket is buried in the lower levels of a financial district building - accessible only after a walk through the stark corporate lobby of 120 Broadway...down a flight of polished, marble stairs. It's an unlikely spot for a vegan restaurant - but then, who says all veggie places have to be in the Village, or Brooklyn? Owned by Seventh Day Adventists, LLB is definitely unique...and not just due to locale*. The fare is mostly vegan, with a focus on organic natural ingredients - both for takeout and eat-in. Lined with tables, the foyer features selections of fresh fruit, nut and seed snacks, and lots of little pastry items in portable plastic bags. But at LLB, it's actually worth it to stick around. 'Cause between 11:30am and 3:30, Little Lad's offers a lunch buffet - giving diners the opportunity to load up a plate and bowl with whatever's on hand for the day...all for the low price of $3.99. Not surprisingly, the fare is kept simple. On the day of the Gaijin Girl visit, options included carrots, cabbage, tofu "chicken cacciatore" and split pea soup. A vegan mac and cheese proved particularly tasty...as did the blueberry pie and veg*n "nice cream" (only available on Fridays**.) Sadly, the much lauded shepherd's pie wasn't available...a dish which has earned many foodie fans. Though not gourmet or distinctively flavored, the food did satisfy, as did the little snacks near the cashier (including flavored popcorn, and a really good vegan mallomar.). The service experience is equally nice....featuring a courteous, sweet staff, and a noticable lack of religious pressure. (Reading material is available if you want to partake. But if you don't, that's fine too.) And here's the kicker - LLB works on the honor system. You eat and then you pay. Go ahead, we trust you. Wow, what a concept. All in all., a breath of fresh air - and a surprising oasis from the high stress world of Wall Street. It's a good place to go, relax, and grab an affordable bite. That's an attractive combination - especially for jaded New Yorkers like me. * Available in areas other than NYC, LLB also has locations in Bangor Maine and Portland, OR ** Okay, the pastries were extra. But still quite affordable. |
| Grammercy (14th to 42nd - Eastside) |
| Bonobos
- 18 E. 23rd (Vegan/Raw Food) I've been experimenting with raw food as of late. The natural, unprocessed food philosophy seems to make sense (as long as you leave the enzyme talk out of it.) I had previously given Quintessance a try - and liked it. On the other hand, I'd stuck my nose into Pure Food and Wine, found it too snooty/upscale - and left*. (Did the same with their quik-stop boutique located around the corner from the restaurant.) But a friend had praised Bonobos, and so I went. I'm glad I did. Longer than it is wide, Bonobos make you think of an old fashioned ice cream shoppe. The space is clean and brightly lit, with tubs of food on display under glass. The staff is friendly, and wonderfully free with the samples - an assortment of nut pates, soups, banana ice creams, salads and juices. Though everything is raw and natural, there's good variation to be found - from durian "ice cream" (take that, Chinatown Ice Cream!) to faux sushi. The only downside is the cost ($8.00 or so for a meal) - admittedly reasonable for the Chelsea area. But try Bobonos, and you'll leave with a happy belly - and maybe a new interest in raw food. And that 's the most important thing. * 4/21/07 Update - okay, I've since broken down and actually gone to Pure Food and Wine. And folks, it's really good. Too rich for my blood (except on really special occasions), but I apologize for the initial snub. I really, really do...! |
| Nirvana
Cafe -
218 3rd Avenue (off 19th) (Sri Lankan) Last weekend, I found myself walking along 3rd Avenue - strolling southbound towards Astor Square. For once, the target wasn't food related. With Halloween--and the requisite parties--only a few weeks away, I was headed towards the megastore known as Halloween Adventure, in search of (extremely) elusive toy guns for my costume. (Darn those gun control activists!) But as I wandered along, a new awning caught my eye: Nirvana Cafe, specializing in....Sri Lankan food! Sri Lankan? Now, there's a cuisine that's hard to find in Manhattan*. Indian? Sure - tons of it. Chinese? We're wallowing in it - from Cantonese to Hong Kong style. Even Malaysian has a larger selection of venues. But until recently, the only Sri Lankan restaurant was Sigiri in the East Village. A great place, to be sure...but us foodies want more choices and options. A search on the web turned up little in the way of reviews. So I waited...one week. By next Saturday, I practically ran to Nirvana, determined to try the place for myself. An elegant spot, Nirvana's only been open a few months - at least, as of this writing. But what it offers is promising. Yes, there are the standard items--instantly familiar to any fan of Indian food--such as curries, vada and mulligatawny soup. Then there are the Sri Lankan specialities (which of course interested me more) - including rice noodle bird's nests (known as String Hoppers), Kottu Roti (chopped roti mixed with veggies and egg), Hoppers (crepes served with egg and relish-sambol) and even Pittu (a rice flour dish, flavored with coconut, relish and curry.) Happily, they even have a side section of vegan options - though most dishes, they assured me, could be altered to veggie tastes. My options for the day? Mallung (a light, green leaf stirfry, flavored with a delicate hint of coconut) and Eggplant Moju (my favorite dish of the day - featuring fried eggplant, heavily spiced and curried.) And they even had Faluda - a drink/dessert that fans of bubble tea would love...a bright pink beverage, topped with bits of colored jelly (much like Malalysian Ais Kacang.) Now, that's something you can't get at Sigiri! As for the prices? Well, they proved slightly steep, though normal for Manhattan - running $8 for a side, and $12 for an entree. But the service is extremely gracious - good enough for a special night out. And for those on a shoestring there's also a lunch buffet, costing less than $9.00. Not bad for a new place on the block. Let's hope it sticks around...because Staten Island is just too far to go for your morning nibble of Moju. * For those located in the outer boroughs, there are Sri Lankan spots available on Staten Island. Willing to give them a shot? Bon voyage. |
| Harlem (East) |
| Akwaba
- 62 East 116th Street (Between Park and Madison) (African) I'm pretty much a neophyte with African food. I loooooovee Ethiopean (particularly Injera), and have greatly enjoyed a bowl or two of fufu. But I'm not that familiar with the range of African cuisine - and have wanted to remedy that problem for sometime now. After work today, I took the plunge - jumping on the 6 train to 116th street, en route to a restaurant called Akwaba. Akwaba is pretty small, and not all that decorative. But what a nice group of people. The staff graciously answered all my questions regarding the menu - and even substituted an item when requested! The menu is long enough to require a few more trips, laden with options such as Mafe (rice with peanut butter sauce), Attieke (ground yucca), and many entrees involving beef, chicken or fish. But the highlight of my maiden voyage to Akwaba was definitely the Thiakry. A sweet dessert made from fermented cream and millet, the thiakry was only $3.00 (and worth every bite.) Imagine yogurt - with an African twist. |
Tremes Jamaican Restaurant - 170 E. 110th Street (Jamaican) Near the ACAC (city animal shelter). They've got rotis, drinks, and other Jamaican stuffs. Basic place, with not the best service. 3/26/06 Update - Tremes is gone, with all that's left: a boarded up window, and a sign for rent. Ah well. Rest in peace, Tremes. |
| Harlem (West) |
| Florence's
Restaurant - 2099 8th Avenue (Between 113-114th Street) (African) Primarily Ivory Coast, Ghanian. A small cafeteria type place in West Harlem, where I had kenkey (only $1.00 as a side, or $3.00 with spices.). The hospitality is so warm here - they're very nice people, and deserve your patronage. PS: the food's good, too. |
| Raw
Soul - 348 W. 145th Street (St.
Nicholas and Edgecombe) (Steps from the 145th Street exit - D train.)
(Raw food) An oasis of raw food - serving the Harlem community an array of soups, salads, smoothies...and classic living food entrees (such as burgers, wraps and veggie/zucchini noodle lasagna.* There's a comfortable feel to Raw Soul - a vibe echoed both by staff and the elegant (yet streamlined) decor. Surprisingly spacious, the atmosphere is instantly welcoming - encouraging visitors to sit down, relax - and simply enjoy the food. As with many health food establishments, several smoothies and beverages are served - including coconut water, sorrel punch and mint flavored rejuvelac. Though the customer next to me raved about the wheatgrass, my ginger beer proved lackluster (and somewhat watery.) The dessert offerings proved better - running the range from papaya ice popsicles and live cheesecake (mine was topped with strawberry...and tasted basically like ice cream pie.) But the true highlight was the entree - an extremely satisfying tamale pie (made with chile spiced nut meat, and covered with a surprisingly authentic layer of raw corn bread.) The taste was complex - the portions generous (especially compared to many other raw establishments in NYC.) Other tempting options include quiche (made with nut crust, marinated vegetables and almond cheese) and the personal pizza - topped with a choice of pesto sauce or walnut cheese/mushrooms/peppers and sundried tomatoes. So next time, I'm focusing on the main dishes. Because at Raw Soul, there are alot of good tastes to choose from. *Educational as well as culinary, Raw Soul also offers food prep classes, for those interested in pursuing a living foods lifestyle. |
Strictly Roots - 2058 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd, NYC (Ital/West Indian) Yes, Virginia, there is Ital in Harlem - located close to the 125th street subway (just around the corner from the Apollo.) A small, comfortable shop, Strictly Roots specializes in Rastafarian cuisine - with hot dishes their specialty. Options include steamed veggies, fried plantains, rice, beans, and faux meat entrees...not to mention a host of sandwiches, soups, pastries and fresh juice blends. The service is good and meals affordable (four or so options costs $8.00 a plate, available for takeout or eat-in.) Mildly flavored, the dishes are unlikely to impress a hardcore spicer - but they have character nonetheless, and even a degree of flair. Especially the meat options, which look disturbingly real - from the stringy, well textured "lamb curry" to the fish dish - complete with a thin, black "skin" still attached. And as for the pastries...give them a try. Options range from apple pie to coconut cake (a sweet, crumbly cake that proved the highlight of my meal.) Is it worth a second trip? Not for me - but then, I thrill on Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese - my tastebuds demand more. But subtle can be nice, as well. If Strictly Roots were in my neighborhood, it would be a semi-regular haunt. |
| K-Town |
| Hidden away,
about a block long, on 32nd Street (off of 5th) - it's K-Town, NYC's
little Korea. It's not Chinatown, but it is another source of
great Asian food and exploration. You'll find things here that
just don't exist in the Chinese-oriented Chinatown. And if you
work in mid-town, it's also a darned site closer. Here are a few
of the places that I've found in the area so far: |
| Han
Ah Reum (Supermarket) - 25 W. 32nd Street A great overall supermarket, with a very large stock of seaweed and miso. They also have nice little dishes of Korean desserts, such as ddeuk (Korean mochi.) It deserves (and will get) further exploration! (Not as good as the one in Ridgefield, however - see both for more details...) Han Ah Reum (Supermarket) - 321 Broad Avenue, Ridgefield, NJ I have seen Korean grocery nirvana, and it is Han Ah Reum. About the size of a small K-Mart (and the same color scheme), is grocery store in Ridgefield, NJ is packed. It's got a full bakery section, including such terrific goodies as Hotteok and bungeo ppang (a fish shaped pastry filled with red bean paste.) And it's only twenty minutes or so by car from New York! There's also a small food counter/area in the back, and it's worthwhile exploring the rest of the Han Ah Reum mall, also - there's a decent liquor store with Korean beers right across the hall from the supermarket. |
| Hangawai
-
12 E. 32nd Street (5th and Madison) Located on the edge of K-town, Hangawai has indisputable class. Hidden behind heavy wooden doors, the restaurant is traditionally decorated - complete with low slung tables, floor cushions, caligraphy covered candles and even a strict no-shoes policy. Even stricter is the no-meat policy - for Hangawai is purely vegetarian (and almost vegan, with the exception of an occasional egg.) So Korean BBQ fans beware...there's no Galbi here. Don't even try. Fortunately, I'm vegan...so Hangawi seemed custom-made for my tastes, which skew towards a love of spicy Tteok Bokki, Veggie Mandoo, Injulmi and bowls of Bibimbop (with egg and beef removed.) You'd think it was a match made in culinary heaven. And it would have been - if Hangawi had any flavor whatsoever. The troubles started with the selection. Though painfully expensive, Hangawi does offer price-fixed lunches ($19.99) and dinners ($39.95) - a refreshing option, given the average price of $20 per main dish. Interested in a dash and run, I asked for the Mini Emperor's Lunch - complete with porridge, dumplings, stone bowl rice and the dessert of the day. A good value - if it had been available. Unfortunately, it couldn't be served to go. Though sad, I gamely took the takeout menu, finding several of the same items available (though at a more expensive price, of course.) They, too, turned out to be unavailable - offered only during weekdays. After a few go arounds--for there was no sesame porridge, either-- the meal was chosen: consisting of dumplings, spicy jeon pancakes, and a cinnamon broth for dessert, accompanied by fresh fruit. Lightly steamed--and somewhat large--the dumplings proved the best of the lot...fluffy and tasty (with thankfully no need for the plain, salty soy sauce served on the side.) The rest of the meal fared...well, significantly worse. Despite the pepper symbol on the menu, the jeon pancakes proved greasy, undistinguished...and just plain bland. And despite an enticing description, dessert proved to be a quarter of an apple, and a handful of pine nuts, floating in cinnamon colored water. (One look, and I found myself wishing I'd ordered the tofu pudding.) Given the Korean pedigree, I'd expected some spice and some flavor...but there was none to be had. Adding insult to injury, I was even billed for a second plate of dumplings (though they quickly and graciously removed the charge when notified.) The cost for the meal? $25.00. Without even a snippet of gochunjang on the plate. Don't get me wrong - there were a *few* highlights. Hangawi has atmosphere galore, the service is good, and the staff is sweet. But the food? Ah, there's the rub. Hahn Ah Reum grocery would have been a better experience. |
| Koryodang
-
31 W. 32nd Street A decent Korean bakery (a little on the fru-fru side for my tastes). But worth a stop. There's also one in Flushing, so I read. There's one amazing thing I've had here: the cashier simply called it mochi, but it was wonderfully different. Pure white, this mochi was assymetrically lumpy with a tiny gel-green leaf on top. Inside was a creamy white filling, with a taste that I can't place (shiro-an, white bean paste?). It was the softest mochi/daifuku type dessert I've ever had - I think it had soy bean flour (kinako) on it. Almost supernaturally soft! They had it right next to the register, and if you see it....get it! |
| KR-Space
(Deli) - 34 W. 32nd Street A good deli with a bunch of little prepackaged meals for takeout. What I've sampled here so far is Pat-Bing-Su, the shaved ice, fruit and syrup treat that's alot like Malaysian ABC. I'm sure it's available in other places, too, but this is the first place I've seen it. By the way - it's good! |
| Mandoo Bar
- 2 West 32nd Street (also, 71 University Place) If you're going to try Mandoos (Korean dumplings), have them here! They make them right in the window (a beautiful multicolored sight), and the appetizer of 4 Mandoos is only $5.00, which is way better than the usual price of $7.00 or more. Plus, the Mandoo menu is expansive, with plenty of varieties to choose from. |
| Natural
Tofu - 34 West 32nd Street (off 6th Avenue) There is no sign for Natural Tofu. There isn't even a listing in Menupages. But the place had been recommended to me, and so I went - up the small flight of stairs to the spacious second floor. Also known as Seoul Garden, NT is renowned for its Soon Tofu (soft tofu). So that's what I ordered. For only $10, you get quite alot of food. The Soon Tofu was nice, but even better were the banchan side dishes...one a sweet, lightly fried plate of tofu. The highlight of the evening was also banchan - a simple bowl of sweet black chewy beans - so good that I'll remember them long after the rest of the meal has faded into memory. (A wonderful side dish by the name of Kong JaBan) Perhaps most striking is the pleasant atmosphere at NT. You feel right at home the minute you walk in. It's bright and spacious, with no feeling of "stuffiness" - just comfortable. And so, the evening was a success. If only Korean cuisine wasn't so expensive, I'd go regularly! |
| Woorijip
- 12 W. 32nd Street Your basic Korean deli - with plenty of prepackaged snacks n' meals. 9/1/07 - A followup trip to Woorijip proved that this deli has just alot o' good things going for it. Tons of prepackaged snacks and meals (as I've been wont to mention previously) - including tasty tidbits such as pumpkin porridge (Ho bak Jook), cold cucumber soup (Oyi Naeng-Guk), lotsa Kimbap (Korean-style sushi rolls) and warm, freshly made rice cakes galore. Can't beat the prices, which run around $2.50 - $5.00. Awesome, and thrifty - a great combination in my book! |
| LES (Lower East Side) |
| 4th Street Food Coop
- 58 E. 4th Street (Bowery and 2nd Avenue) (Health Food) REALLY teeny, with a small selection. It's got a few decent vegan options (like Mac and Chreeze), but I have to say...ain't worth a special trip. Sorry! |
| Cake Shoppe Cafe - 152 Ludlow
Street (Vegetarian/Vegan) A little LES joint with alternative/college sensibilities - complete with a downstairs bar, a backstore record shoppe...and a snack counter upfront serving teas, soups, and a few vegan desserts (including cakes and cookies.) During my visit, I passed on the savories - choosing instead a prepackaged type of eskimo pie. Filled with peanut butter mousse, the choice proved tasty in a junk-foodie way (though not awe-inspiring.) Still, the sweets are relatively cheap - and convenient for a grab-n-go. Though not all vegetarian--and hardly gourmet--the soups looked promising, especially as options for any future visits. |
| Dean and Deluca - 560 Broadway
(Prince Street) (Grocery) Well known gourmet grocery store located in SOHO (with chains scattered around the city). Hoping to experience a NYC landmark, I visited D&D immediately after my first trip to Zabars. What a letdown! Sure, it has nice stuff (including a lot of gourmet chocolates and a pretty bakery)...but the place is on par with Whole Foods...with plenty of yuppie atmosphere and really little else. Blah. |
| Katz's
Delicatessan - 205 E.
Houston Street (Ludlow) A good old fashioned Jewish Deli, practically unchanged from the days of the great Depression - even down to the ticket method of payment. (The routine is part of the charm. Various lines are formed at the counter - with different queues for hot dogs, sandwiches, egg creams or other. Customers receive a ticket at the entrance, marked manually with the prices of every order. The spirit is self-serve: grab your food, grab a table - hold onto your ticket, and pay on the way out.) Used in the famous "When Harry Met Sally" scene, Katz's is full of Kitch...not to mention Kugel, Latkes, Matzo Balls and more. The hotdogs at Katz's are good. Rumor has it that the pastrami is heavenly. You'll have to discover that one for yourself - at $12 a plate (and my pescetarian status) - that's one item I didn't try. |
| NYC Vegan
Eat-Up
- 145 Stanton Street (Off Suffolk) - Last Sunday of every month.
Recommended. A meetup group, rather than a restaurant, NYC Vegan Eat Up is still quite worthy of praise. Put together by a few really friendly nice folks, Vegan Eat Up offers user friendly cooking classes, perfect for the culinary impaired among us (um, I'd raise my hand, but I think readers of Gaijin Girl probably already know that about me.) Located in the Junior High School at Stanton, the classes are a little hard to find first time around, but I *really* recommend the experience. Fun, good people...and useful stuff to learn. Between this and Vegan Dad, I'm gonna be an Iron Chef in no time!! :) |
| Russ and Daughters - 179 E.
Houston Street (Allen and Orchard) (Jewish) A small traditional specialty shop, stocked with lots of Jewish delicacies and goodies - from herring to halvah, cheeses, coffee beans and kosher pastries. Within a block of the landmark known as Katz's, R&D is worth a look (especially if you're already in the area.) Speaking from personal experience, I can say that the Rugelach is good. And the Babka cake is delicious. |
| Sweet Life - 63 Hester Street
(all the way east) A cute little sweets shoppe. Located all the way at the end of Hester, it's chock full of nuts, candies...and well, chocolates. Haven't sampled the wares yet, but it's worth a mention.. |
| Sushi-ya - 95 E.
Houston Street (in the new Whole Foods) (Japanese) Ever wish there were more dine and dash sushi options...above and beyond prepackaged deli cartons of spicy tuna, california roll and shrimp nigiri? If so, then head downtown for a visit to the latest installment of Whole Foods, found on the corner of Bowery and Houston...and sample a taste of kaiten-style sushi. Extremely popular in Tokyo and London (but hard to find in NYC), kaiten sushi is a nifty fast-food concept featuring little plates of sushi, placed on a rotating conveyor belt. Diners sit at the counter, eyeing the options as they pass - picking out items that suit their tastes and whim. The plates are color coded for price, running the gamut from veggie nigiri to numerous gunkan and maki rolls, and even dumplings. While the variety is limited--and the quality only so-so--the experience is a must try, at least once. For newbies especially, there's just something fun about watching the sushi roll by, looking for all the world like a model train hobbled together with little dim sum plates. Okay, so the rice had hardly any vinegar. And the veggie dumplings were sold out. But it was still a fun experience. And sometimes, that's all a chowhound needs! |
| Tiny's
Giant Sandwich Shop - 129
Rivington Street (off Norfolk) (Vegetarian-Friendly) Located on the corner of Rivington and Norfolk - a cute little joint serving a variety of classic sandwiches, with alternative veggie versions. The menu range is impressive, offering competant omni/veggie versions of chicken parmesan, BLTs, ham and swiss, and even grilled chicken po' boy (vegetarian - but unfortunately not vegan.) The veggie burger--known as Big Mack Daddy-- is particularly noteworthy, offering real comfort food flavor and feel...with a solid tasty bun, and just a hint of smoky aroma. Like most veggie burgers, BMD does tend towards mushiness, with a general inability to hold together after the first few bites (an ailment that I like to call TMB - the Too Mushy Blues.) Prices are good - especially for the area - with half size sandwich options starting around $4.50. Is Tiny's worth a special trip? Maybe not - but the food is competant, and solidly tasty. So if you're in the neighborhood, give it a shot. Whether you're vegetarian or carnivorous, there's plenty to choose from. |
| TeaNY - 90 Rivington
Street (Vegetarian/Vegan) A cute little tea shop on Rivington - serving teas, sweets and various vegetarian/vegan cuisine. Partly owned by Moby, the space has a clean, mod look - and a menu filled to the brim with veggie quick bites...including soups, salads, sandwiches, bagels and scones. (According to Vegan Friendly, their quiche is fab!) During the Gaijin trip, a sampling of the lighter options proved interesting:
|
| Little India |
| Looks like I've
found my new home - at least for a little while. The neighborhood is known as Little India - a short stretch of property running along the Lexington Avenue route....roughly between the blocks of 30th and 26th street. Not much of a distance, but what's packed into those 4-5 blocks makes it well worth the trip to Manhattan. If you're an Indian food fanatic, you probably already know the area...or at least the names of the residential restaurants. There are alot of chowhound favorites in the area - only some of which I've tried. But they're worthy of note, even if they haven't made the list (yet.) So if you're in the area (or just came up from nearby Union Square), be sure to check out a few of the following sites:
Then there are the food stores, offering a vast array of exotic spices, goodies and sweet ghee flavored confectionaries:
And so should you, if you're an Indian food fanatic - or just interested in trying something new. Cause this place is great. Finally, something to get me excited, beyond plain old Samosas and curry! Below, you'll find a few more thorough reviews (some from earlier, older initial visits...) |
| Chennai
Garden - 129 E. 27th Street (Indian) It's here that I got my Masala Gunpowder Dosa, which was very good (albeit slightly expensive) at $7.95. |
| Dosa Hut -
102 Lexington Avenue (Indian) A million different types of Dosas, and it's where I got Uppma. Although, the price is rather steep for my liking ($9.50 for the Uppma, which is basically mashed rice....!) I will say that they had one really neat touch - a fennel and mint mixture that you eat a little of after dinner, like an apparatif, in order to aid digestion. |
| Foods
of India - 121 Lexington Avenue (Indian) Don't ever go here. This deli store now has the distinct of only being the second place I've ever given a negative review to. Nothing whatsoever wrong with the food (and the only place I've seen Balushahi). But the service is beyond surly and nasty - and no-one deserves that type of treatment. |
| Katie
Rolls & Chaat House - 101
Lexington Avenue (27th/28th Street) I'd seen KR&C from outside, while driving down Lexington Avenue. It was a brief glimpse but the name just stuck, leading me to an unexpected obsession with Katie Rolls - a phenomenon which I had not heard of previously. For those not in the know, Katie Rolls are the equivalent of an Indian burrito - paratha bread wrapped around traditional Indian ingredients such as curried chicken, or veggie potatoes. They're pretty popular these days with the office crowd, offering Indian flavor in a convenient grab n' go package. Well, I just had to try it, and insisted on having one delivered today for lunch (sometimes it is good to work in midtown.) I have to give KR&C credit - they were gracious enough to deliver outside of their regular area, and the meal was worth it. Though somewhat greasy, the Katie Roll was satisfying...filled with spicy, stomach warming chickpea - and washed down with mango juice that also hit the spot. (KR&C sells quite a few juices and fruit flavored smoothies.) But the best was the Papri Chaat--another item which I had never had before. Somewhat indescribable, the dish was a mixture of potato, chili, yogurt and tamarind. An unexpected kaleidoscope of flavors...all of 'em good. Was the Katie Roll worth it? Yes...at least as a one time try. But the Chaat? Now, that's a dish that's going to warrant seconds, and probably thirds. |
Kalustyan's - 123 Lexington Avenue (International) What a difference one store away makes! Foods of India is horrible (at least for customer service) - but run right next door to Kaustyan's, where they have, among a million other nationalities, Turkish and Greek sweets like Baklava. Gawd, not another culture to eat through! Where can it end? Well, dive into the munchies here, they're really nice and different. |
| Masala
Bollywood - 108
Lexington Avenue (Indian) This is one restaurant which I might make a favorite - especially for the service. Stylish and clean, the atmosphere of MB exudes comfort - from the chairs to the white walls (lined with large, decorative photos of popular Bollywood stars.) There's a buffet set up in the corner...and I've heard (though not seen) that the bathroom is pretty neat, as well. I 'd only stopped for takeout (a combo order of Bhel Puri and Sev Puri), yet the staff gave me the full guest treatment. While waiting, I was offered a taste of the buffet...and served a complementary Mango Lassi! Now, that's service...and not bad for the price of two dishes of Chaat! Ten minutes later I left with bags in hand. But what a wonderful first impression. Good name, and good service... How can it possibly go wrong? |
Shaheen - 130 East 29th Street (Indian/Pakistani) A very nice little Indian type of Turo-Turo (Philipino for point point). They've got a decent sized case of sweets off to the right, a very nice, casual staff, and good food. Out there in the middle of curry hill. I've only been there once, and I like it already. |
Spice Corner - 135 Lexington Avenue (Indian) This place is TERRIFIC! 3.9 stars! The guy is the sweetest, nicest person you'd ever want to meet and talk to, and it's a great little shoppe for various sweets like Mysore Pak, and Burfi, sold by weight. |
| Little Italy |
| Feast of San Gennaro (Down
Mulberry Street, between Houston and Canal) Traditionally held in Little Italy (with equivalent celebrations near Arthur Avenue), the Feast of San Gennaro is NYC's biggest (and oldest street festival.) Held every year in mid-September, the festival features a huge number of carnie and food booths - places to win a stuffed toy for your sweetie - or stuff your face full of zeppole (whichever holds the highest priority on your list.) Okay, the food is no great shakes - just your standard sausage and pepper, zeppole, cannoli and raw clam options, as well as the obligatory Arepa booths (hey, what's up with that? That ain't Italian...!) So don't go there expecting any chowhound epiphanies. But it's fun to walk through once or twice, and larger than you'd expect, given the shrinkage of Little Italy in the face of Chinatown year by year. So have fun, pretend to be a tourist...and then get out while you still can - 'cause the crowds get really annoying, really quick...! |
| Midtown Manhattan (And Some Non-Asian
Places of Note) |
| Akane
- 216 E. 39th Street (2nd and 3rd Avenue) (Japanese/Sushi) A classy sushi joint in the heart of mid-town east. Good food, with decent vegetable roll options. Pretty popular with the business crowd, Akane gets pretty crowded near lunchtime... |
| Amish Fine Foods - 240 East
45th Street (off 2nd Avenue) (International) Neat place - and they've got kefir...as well as some WONDERFUL Sweet and Sara vegan treats, like marshmellow and huge, tasty S'mores "sandwich cookies". |
|
Bangkok
House
- 360 West 46th Street We were in Hell's Kitchen, searching for a place to eat. Tickets for Evil Dead, the Musical (no, I'm not kidding) lay nestled in our pockets...and we had an hour to get our fill. We started the search, wandering through the neighborhood. Real Pam Thai was crowded. A few blocks down, its sister establishment--Real Pam Thai Encore--looked...well, too glitzy. Delta Grill was packed. So we headed to Restaurant Row, a street I knew well. (10 years ago, I'd lived on the corner of 46th/9th...with a great view of the street life in a time before Disney had moved in, and cleaned up the neighborhood.) Little Saigon—a tiny Vietnamese eatery—was gone, leaving an even smaller sushi bar in its place. We continued down the street...uninterested in House of Brews, and even Hourglass Tavern (though I know the owner, who's a great lady.) We ended up at Bangkok House. It looked comfortable, and just the right amount of full* – so we took the plunge - and the experience was good. Without a wait – either for table or service – we took our seats, ordering a fried shrimp appetizer, Yum Woosen and Bangkok Steak (a house specialty.) Encased in a crispy cylinder of batter, the fried shrimp were tasty and light – without a hint of grease. The Yum Woonsen was mine – salad topped with a tangle of fiber thin glass noodles and peanuts. Though the dressing lacked complexity, it had a strong, pleasant lime flavor. And I'm happy to report that they took my request for spicy seriously – this dish had some heat. My husband (that carnivore) enjoyed the Bangkok steak...though wishing it had a little less spice. (But hey...that's his palate!) The sauce on the steak was especially good – tangy, with a hint of pepper...even tasty when used to season the remaining white rice. Okay, so the dessert menu was non-existent, offering the American Thai default of ice cream or grilled banana. So we went for the check. With dinner and three drinks, the tab came to $44. Not bad for a night out at the theater, in the middle of Manhattan. Good service, tasty food... No, Bangkok House isn't my usual hole-in-the-wall haunt, with balls to the wall authenticity and grubby decor. But a good time was had – and I have BH to thank. (Well, and Evil Dead, too...but that's another story.) *You know the drill – not too crowded, but with enough people in attendance that you trust the cuisine. |
|
Bayan
-
|
Bali Nusa Indah - 651 9th Ave, Ste. 145 (cross on 45th) (Indonesian) The only /Indonesian place in mid-town west. The staff is sweet, and they have Murtabak and Otak, Otak, which are only available there and at Eastanah (see below). But I doubt it's authentic. The food I've had here is bland, and I wouldn't rely on it as a mainstay or a place to learn about real Indonesian. |
| Boi
- 246 E. 44th (off 2nd Avenue) (Vietnamese) Located in mid-town east, Boi is an upscale restaurant, known for its high price range - and *occasionally* mentioned in best-of discussions when the topic turns to Vietnamese. Reviews for the restaurant are generally mixed, with some singing its praises...and others not so laudatory. Given the location, I had my doubts as to authenticity. But I work in midtown - and sometimes you gotta go with what's nearby. Besides, Goi Du Du was on the menu....and cravings must be satisfied. Maybe I'm picky - and I'm definitely a snob when it comes to holes in the wall. I prefer low key, with an emphasis on grub over glamour. And nothing about Boi was wrong. The atmsophere was refined, the service fast, and the staff relatively pleasant (though a bit pretentious, and lacking in, er, Vietnamese aura.) As for the salad - well - it definitely had some capascin action going, with an acceptable degree of mouth burn. Laced with a hint of vinegar, the salad seemed - lacking - and sadly bland. This is Vietnamese guys - I want my fish sauce! Ultimately, I left with my taste buds disappointed - and I doubt it was the fault of the dish. As I walked back to work, I found myself craving Som Tam - a chance to get the flavor punch that I had thought Goi Du Du would provide. But lesson learned - next time, I stick to places with less corporate credo - and more Nuoc Mam. |
| Chikubu - 12
E. 44th St (5th and Madison) (Japanese) Closed - 4/4/07
The only place that serves Hebo. I haven't
sampled much of the
menu yet, but it looks very authentic to my eyes - Chikubu is stylish,
and the people gracious (even with a Gaijin walks in, asking for
Hebo.) I think this is a place that deserves more exploration! |
| Chipotle - 150 E. 52nd
Street (Lexington and 3rd) (and a host of other locations)
(American-Mexican) A popular Mexican chain, located at branches throughout the city. The philosophy at Chipotle is simple - specializing in customizable burritos, served at a fast food pace (lines are long, but tend to move quick.) While not gourmet, the result isn't bad: enormous burritos - packed with chicken, beef and veggie versions -at a relatively cheap $6.00 and up per serving. Okay, they're not authentic - but these babies do taste good, and they'll fill you up for hours! |
| Chiyoda
- 16 E. 41st Street (Madison/5th Avenue) (Japanese) A nice little space, located next to Book-off and Yagura Grocery. Serving both as deli and restaurant, Chiyoda is separated into two sections - the front decorated by a counter offering various takeaway sushi options in the obligatory plastic bentos. Those who venture towards the back--beyond a strategically placed curtain--will find Chiyoda's more formal dining area...a small, elegant space serving primarily Japanese clientelle (always a good sign.) During the Gaijin Girl visit, the sampling was limited...consisting of two sushi rolls and three separate orders of the Yuzu-Pepper Pasted Chicken. (What can I say? My coworkers have the same culinary tastes.) Marked by a relaxed, leisurely atmosphere, the service proved slow...taking over 20 minutes for the food to arrive. Somewhat bland, my chosen entree (the sushi) failed to shine...a real dealer breaker in my book, given my love of a good handroll. The chicken, however, earned several rave reviews - so that's three in favor, and only one against (hey, maybe I was just grumpy). Given the other classic options on the menu--such as Chawanmushi and Agedashi--there's plenty more worth sampling. So visit Chiyoda yourself - because it just might be worth a second try. |
| Franchia - 12 Park
Avenue (34th/35th) (Korean - Vegan) A nice little gem in the center of midtown, Franchia is primarly a teahouse (as is obvious from their website, filled with tons of tea related links, including the history of tea, health benefits, yada yada yada.) But if that was all, it probably never would have made the annuals of Gaijin Girl. Sure, tea's nice. But I ain't payin' the big bucks for it. Thing is, Franchia's also vegan. Korean-Fusion in flavor, Franchia offers a decent selection of vegan rolls...more than your average sushi joint. Nicely prepared, offerings include spicy "tuna" roll, "shrimp" avocado roll, "chicken" sate...you get the idea. Artfully presented, and looking pretty much like the real thing, Franchia's rolls provide a nice change from the limited vegan fare available from your neighborhood sushi-ya. Other options include dumplings, noodles, Bibimbap, and even a few neat cocktails. The space is also pretty classy - perfect for an elegant date, or a special occasion. All that said, Franchia is a little on the pricey side (my dumpling and two roll order ran me $20. Though granted, I *do* tend towards cheap.) As for the taste? Good. Not howlingly great - the rice in my rolls lacked the vinegared flavor of my regular joint, Sushi Time...and the kimchi dumplings had very little kick. But as a vegan, it was nice to look onto the plate and see something more substantial than a sad, cucumber maki roll and a lump of artificial wasabi. So Franchia gets a thumbs up... Was it worth a visit? Yes. But will it replace Sushi Time as my personal stand-by, in terms of flavor or value? Not at those prices... But it's nice to know it exists. |
| Grand
Sichuan
- 1049 2nd Avenue (close to 55th) (Chinese - Sichuan) Part of a large chain of Sichuan Restaurants. Can't speak for this restaurant too thoroughly (positive or negative), for I've only had only entree there. But - for those of us stationed mid town east during the workday, its good to know it exists. Sidenote: the baby shrimp with garlic sauce I had? Flavorful, not *too* hot - but not all that memorable, either. But give the place a try yourself. Who knows? |
| Hakata
Grill -
230 W. 48th Street (Bway and 8th) (Japanese/Hawaiian) A classy little Asian fusion place in the middle of the Theater district - serving sushi, sashimi - and Hawaiian Poke (quite a rarity in NYC!) |
Health Nut - 835 2nd Avenue (44th Street Cross) (General health food) They've got amazake, acai drinks, kefir, and teff grain and flour. Wickedly narrow aisles though. If you're into raw, you have to check out the Raw-E-O cookie, or the Temple Balls (made with sesame, dates, walnuts n' stuff.) |
| Hop
Won - 139 East 45th Street (Lexington and 3rd) A good place to know...at least when searching for Chinese food in the heart of mid-town east. Marked by a generic white sign, there's not much that distinguishes HW from a million other Chinese food joints in Manhattan. A casual look inside only reinforces that impression...revealing a prominent buffet table serving up American classics such as lo mein, roast pork and tons o stuff with brown sauce. But slightly further in is a separate counter where customized orders are served - with a range of options from sour cabbage with chicken, to bitter melon over rice, and Shanghai rice cake. Though not spectacular, the fare is solid and satisfying. The price? More than reasonable for mid-town, and the portions are huge (my $4.00 bowl of vegetable noodle spanned at least six inches, with a depth of four.) So give Hop Won a try. If you work in mid-town, you might become a regular. |
| Korea
Palace - 127 E. 54th Street
(Lexington/Park) (Korean) Nice, hi-brow, classy place (albeit a little expensive, but on par for Manhattan Korean). Complete with a piano player and full bar... |
| Leon Bakery -
695 9th Avenue (Mexican) Not Asian, but a cute little nook in the wall where I tried my first sopes. Cool. |
| Maeda
Sushi - 16 E. 41st St. (Madison/5th) (Japanese) A classy sushi restaurant (right next to Yagura) with Awabi on the menu. |
| Minamoto
Kitchoan - 608 5th Avenue, Ste. 1 (on the SW corner of 49th)
(Japanese) An exquisitely packaged Wagashi shop, near Rockefeller Center. I'd been here years before, and recently revisited. Same as I remembered, the shoppe was full of mochi, yokan and lots of sweet bean paste confectionaries - done up in delicate, wonderful wrappings. Unfortunately, the prices are strictly Fifth Avenue - daifuku (for instance) costs three times what you'd pay at Sunrise, JASMart or even closeby Katagiri (on 59th and 3rd Ave.) But its very, very pretty - and worth window shopping, at least once. You might even try some, if the urge strikes deeply enough. I'm sure they're quite tasty. On the other hand, you could head down to St. Mark's...for the better value/bargain...! (Besides, then you won't have to deal with the *&()&*&(^% crowds!!) |
| Old Bridge Deli - 373
Lexington Avenue (39th Cross) (Mixed, some Japanese, some Korea) Just recently reopened after major renovations, Old Bridge has a nice sushi bar, with a few decent Korean options near the bottom of the menu. (June 24, 2005 note: a recent visit sadly showed that the Korean offerings had been removed from the menu. But they've built an upstairs - maybe it's still available there!) |
| Oms B - 156 45th
Street (3rd and Lex) (Japanese) A little place in midtown, specializing in gourmet onigiri. Very pretty offerings, a little on the pricey side. Nice when you want to treat yourself, although it has to be said that regular $1.00 onigiri at Yagura or Jasmart are just as tasty. (Although not as decorative!) |
| Organic Market - 375 7th Avenue (near 27th
Street) (Health Food) Good in a pinch, with an okay selection. No great shakes, though. Just your basic, everyday health food store... |
| Panini Tost
Cafe - 589 1st Avenue (Sandwiches) Not Asian, but one of the few places in my work area that I was able to find a Cubano sandwich. Not bad - don't know if it was authentic, but they were nice. |
| Pump
(aka
The Pump) - 40 W. 55th Street (5th and 6th Avenue) (Health Food) 112 W. 38th Street (6th Avenue and Broadway) 113 E. 31st Street (Park and Lexington) 31 E. 21st Street (Park Avenue and Broadway) A NYC chain specializing in health food...much of it with a sports nutrition twist. Both omni and veggie options are available...running the gamut from grilled chicken sandwiches, to egg white omelets and more vegan friendly options as salads and whole wheat veggie wraps. While working late tonight I decided to sample the menu - ordering a grilled tofu wrap, vegetarian chili and a green juice shake (supplemented with soy protein.) An interesting combination, which unfortunately failed in every aspect. The tofu proved rubbery, the chili bland. The veggie juice was the highlight, with a decent (though unmemorable) taste. Too bad - for the concept behind Pump is admirable. With a little more spice and seasoning, the food could be, too. |
| Rice
-
115 Lexington Avenue/28th Street (Pan-Asian) (A Seamless Web Review) A popular mid-town restaurant, known for Pan-Asian/Eclectic cuisine. Though never officially on my list, I've read many glowing reviews of Rice, praising both the food and the affordability. Thanks to Seamless Web--and another late night at the office--I finally gave Rice a try - ordering a full selection of appetizer, entree and dessert. The appetizer? Carrot rice balls - basic maki rolls made with brown rice, and topped with green salad. Not bad...though a little dry. Served with a side of sticky rice, the Thai coconut curry was wetter, with a mild, pleasant flavor. Hardly awe-inspiring (though the leftovers made for a great breakfast the next day.) The dessert was perhaps best (and closest to authentic) - a Thai banana leaf wrap, filled with sticky rice and plantain....definitely the most authentic item of the meal. Ultimately the food proved competant, and pleasant enough for a casual meal. But is Rice memorable, and worthy of extra praise? Not to my mind. (or taste buds). But then, at Seamless Web there's always Sushi Time...and that's good enough for me. |
| Sakagura
- 211 E. 43rd Street #B1 (2nd and 3rd Avenue) - Japanese Marked by only the smallest, least obtrusive of signs, most people walk right by Sakagura, and never even know its there. What advertising exists has been largely through word of mouth - with fans of the restaurant praising its ambiance, authentic Japanese fare, and its vast, varied selection of shochu/sake. Not that Sakagura is easy to find. Located in the heart of midtown east, the restaurant lies in the basement of a plain office building; the lobby decorated in standard corporate decor, with a small sign pointing down a flight of stairs. When you finally reach the restaurant, the sudden change of atmosphere comes as a bit of a shock. Because beyond the stairwell and its white, concrete walls is a true Japanese enclave - decorated with bamboo, muted lighting, and a clientelle that is overwhelmingly Japanese. The overall effect of Sakagura is one of elegance...completed by a menu filled with small, carefully arranged plates and entrees. Fans have referred to the dishes as "Japanese tapas", and the description is apt. At Sakagura, the focus is on presentation--not quantity--with lots of authentic (read "un-Americanized") dishes available. While there is no sushi, there are plenty of traditional offerings such as soba, sashimi and Oyako Don (chicken and egg over rice.) The menu pairs each plate with an appropriate shochu, and further recommendations can be gained from the knowledgable, attentive waitstaff. Then there are the specials, such as Omakase, and tasting dinners with shochu (running approximately $65.00 a head.) During the Gaijin Girl trip, the dishes included duck, cold tofu/ginger salad, Saikoro steak and grilled eggplant flavored with three types of miso sauce. Though not awe-inspiring, the vegetarian dishes proved satisfactory....and definitely gorgeous. My husband scored higher, raving about the duck, and enjoying his diced steak entree. The prices at Sakagura are standard for mid-town, ranging around $7-$15 (for both appetizers and entrees). So despite having room for more, we went straight to dessert. And that's where Sakagura truly shined. Despite its reputation, the black sesame creme brulee proved the least amazing - especially next to my husband's choice: a small chocolate souffle paired with ice cream and aged shochu (perfect together.) And then there were the signature truffles - available in green tea and black sesame flavors. If you try nothing else at Sakagura, you should definitely treat yourself to a black sesame truffle. The little tidbits are amazing - and well worth the trip to mid-town. You can even get them to go. The overall experience? Certainly favorable - though with a rating that depends somewhat on one's priorities. Perfect for a first date, Sakagura offers class, style and service - and the chance to be transported out of Manhattan and into Toyko (without that bothersome plane ticket or day long flight.) Yet--despite it's artful appearance--the food seemed somewhat ordinary. Not quite in the same league as the lesser praised Sharaku in the East Village..and somewhat more expensive. So is it an unqualified success? No - but Sakagura is a good place to know. And you absolutely have to have that truffle! |
| Sichuan
Palace - 310 East 44th Street (1st/2nd Avenue) - Chinese An elegant midtown establishment near the UN, with reasonably priced fish maw and shark's fin soup on the menu. |
|
Say
Cheese - 649 9th Avenue (45/46th) - American Comfort Food |
| Sukhadia
-
17 W. 45th Street (5th and 6th Avenue) (Indian) (Vegetarian) Reading the menu at Sukhadia can be positively exciting, filled with items ranging far beyond americanized curry...or even the somewhat popularized southern staples of dosas and iddly. A treasure trove of the exotic, Sukhadia offers unfamiliar Indian snacks such as dhokla cakes, patra...and the many varieties of street food known as Chaat. Though I've focused so far on appetizers, the entrees look enticing too...with lots of vegetarian options like Pav Bhaji (bread served with spicy veggie curry, lemon and onions.) Fortunately for me, I'm taking a class in the area. So further sampling of Sukhadia's wares is inevitable - at least for the next few weeks. And that's a good thing - because there's lots on the menu to try. A word of caution regarding the service: Though the counter service has been good, a recent experience has led me to question the management over at Sukhadia. While waiting for an order, a superviser came over...and proceeded to argue with the server for a full five minutes. While it wasn't in English, the intention was clear. Right in front of the customer. Delayed my meal - and (more importantly) was embarrassing for the poor server. Not good for customer relations...which is a shame, 'cause I think Sukhadia has alot to offer. |
Sullivan Street Bakery - 533 W. 47th (10th and 11th Avenue) (Bakery/Bread) (Also: 73 Sullivan Street) Located on the far westend of town - a small classy bakery, specializing in loaves and other baked goods. Specifically interesting are the pizza slices - made from thin slices of bread, decorated with toppings such as potato, tomato or mushroom. (Vegans take note: several of the options are cheeseless....and wow, the mushroom slice is very good.) On the GG trip, I also sampled the whole wheat loaf - which proved to be substantial and tasty-chewy. While I wouldn't trek all the way across town for it, fans swear by this place, calling it the best bread in NYC. So give it a try - either at the Hell's Kitchen location, or the original spot downtown on Sullivan Street. |
| Sushi
Time -
821 2nd Avenue (43rd/44th Street) (Japanese) (Seamless Web Review) One of my favorite restaurants, when ordering from Seamless Web. For me, sushi is comfort food - maki and hand rolls never fail to make me happy...especially when prepared spicy/crunchy. So when the workload requires those late night hours, Sushi Time is inevitably my choice. No, I've never actually seen the physical location - but have come to love their varied selection of veggie rolls (filled with ingredients such as Avocado, Mushroom and Pickles), ordered with an appetizer of seaweed salad (very yum.) They're quick to deliver, and always tasty. Hey - with Sushi Time and Oms B in the vicinity, who ever needs to leave midtown? |
Tibetan Kitchen - 444 3rd Avenue (Tibetan) Near 32nd street, on the side. It's very small, but elegant. Haven't explored it well enough to rate it, however. |
| Whole Foods Market - 250 7th Avenue/Cross is 24th
Street
- also 14th Street at Union Square (International Grocery Store)...and
a host of other places (God, this chain is really breeding!!) Just a great grocery store, with an international variety. Not quite as good as it could be (if you know your stuff and are looking for something really specific), but worth going and gawking anyway. Additional note (03/08) - One warning/caveat about Whole Foods markets. They're just TOO *&()^((*&(*& crowded. Honestly, the places are so packed that it's positively unpleasant to shop in WF these days. And since they're not really as well stocked as, say, Lifethyme or even Heath Nuts, it's just not worth it. Whole Foods, it just ain't all that...! |
Yagura - 24 E. 41st Street (Japanese) A reachable Japanese grocery mart if you're stuck in mid-town and need a fix.... |
| Yum Yum
Bangkok - 650 9th Avenue (off 46th street) (Thai) Not a bad little place - with great papaya salad. |
| Zen
Burger - 465 Lexington Avenue (between 45th and 46th) (Veggie) While *some* people have knocked this place as just another fast food joint, I have to say that I like it for what it is - a decent spot in midtown that offers good ole junk food - vegan/veggie style. Yup, at Zen Burger you can get veggie burgers (of course), as well as "chicken fingers", fries, and soft serve vegan ice cream. If you feeling like going just a little more healthy, there are wraps too...with fillings such as thai veggie and faux tuna. Call me low brow, but I like the place. It's a fun change of pace, the idea is great...and it's a hell of alot closer during the week than Brooklyn or any of the usual veggie joints in the village. If there's any negative to the place, it's that there really aren't many vegan options...just the Thai Wrap, the ice cream, and one or two other items. But at least they're identified (with a little V on the menu), and that's a decent start right there... Zen Burger, I like your style - even if I ending up indulging only occasionally! |
| Zenith
-
311 W. 48th Street (Vegetarian) A well meaning restaurant - offering vegetarian/vegan cuisine in midtown west. Despite a menu full of colorful descriptions (from Green Pyramid to Fireworks Squid), the food is bland, unmemorable - and suspiciously similar to neighboring Zen Palate (straight down to the complimentary bottle of wine, delivered with each order.) The staff seems genial - and the presentation is nice. But ultimately, it's taste that counts - and Zenith just doesn't make the grade. |
| Zen
Palate
- 663 9th Avenue (46th Street) (Vegetarian/Asian) (Also 34 East Union
Square - 16th Street) One of the older vegetarian haunts, Zen Palate has two locations: one in Union Square - the other in Hell's Kitchen (within delivery range of the corporate office where I work.) Many months ago, I had ordered the Sweet & Sour Sensation (a soy protein/broccoli dish, coated in sweet and sour sauce.) Though memory of the dish has begun to fade, I remember the result as ...underwhelming. The sauce too sweet, accompanying an otherwise bland dish (with a side order of unremarkable spring rolls.) But everyone deserves a second chance. Besides, I was working late - and getting hungry. This time, the order included Shredded Melody, a choice incorporating more shredded soy, bathed in a garlic sauce with celery, zucchini and brown rice. A salad completed the meal, made from simple lettuce leaf and cubes of fresh fruit. Well, the salad was refreshing, and the presentation elegant (the main dish served in a sleek plastic bento box - very classy.) But the taste disappointed. Both the rice and the veggies were tasteless - bringing to mind visions of canned Chow Mein (or french green beans, bathed in veggie stock.) And those little taro springs rolls were there yet again - a little oily, small, and...well...unremarkable. Not to be harsh - the meal wasn't bad. But neither was it memorable - standing in stark contrast to the culinary delights of a Red Bamboo or Vegetarians Paradise. They say that the Union Square location is better. But that's two strikes already. Is it worth going for three? |
| Zip
Burger
- 300 E. 52nd Street (1st/2nd Avenue) A hip looking burger shop located in midtown east. The menu offers a full array of gourmet options - including sourdough bread, whole wheat buns, and a nice choice of "extras" (such as roasted peppers and grilled mushrooms.) The veggie burger is tasty - made from a combination of lentils, barley and vegetables. (A word of warning - the texture is mushy, and liable to fall apart in your hands!) A good burger - but the prices made me nostalgic for a Chinatown Banh Mi. $5.00 and up for a patty? Now that's just wrong!!! |
| Soho |
| Eastanah
- 212 Lafayette Street
(Malaysian/Indonesian) The Malaysian restaurant in Soho (the cross street is Spring). Its best selling points are that it has Murtabak and Otak Otak, which are only available elsewhere at Bali Nusa. The staff is very pleasant, but it tends to be a bit on the expensive side, and I begin to wonder how authentic it is, out in Soho. With Chinatown so close, why go unless for these two items? |
| St. Marks (and the surrounding East
Village, including Alphabet City) |
Angelica Kitchen - 300 East 12th Street (1st/2nd Avenue) (Vegetarian/Vegan) An east village landmark, Angelica's has been around since 1976 - serving organic vegan fare before it was popular, hip and celebrity-endorsed...and before the existance of relative newcomers to the scene (such as Blossom, Candle Cafe, Pure Food and Wine, and the venerable though grungy Kate's.) Not surprisingly, many longtime vegans view Angelica with fondness, and more than a touch of nostalgia. With its many fans - and rave reviews--Angelica's was an inevitable stop on my tour of the New York veggie scene. This Friday I took the plunge, and walked into Angelica's to sample the wares. My interest was takeout (which at Angelica's is served from a separate section, adjacent to the main dining area.) It was lunchtime, and despite Angelica's reputation for long lines, the wait time was minimal. Though sometimes known for their stuffy demeanor, a chat with the staff proved equally pleasant, with the woman behind the counter happily discussing the various dessert and cornbread options. In the interest of variety I ordered the picnic plate sampler, accompanied by a side of wheat free cornbread, and apple crumb pie (topped with whipped cream made from maple syrup and tofu.) Given my sweet tooth, the pie went first - the smooth slices of apple and chewy bread crumb combining into a perfect texture. Sweet--but not too heavy on the stomach--the pie proved to be a great start to the meal. Unfortunately, it was also the highlight. I had chosen five options for the picnic platter (the maximum available) - sampling the walnut lentil pate, pickled vegetables, ruby kraut, a live curried cashew spread and kinpira (burdock root, carrots and ginger, tossed with a teriyaki sauce.) Given the pickles and kraut, the plate was colorful...but the taste uniformly bland, with barely a hint of ginger in the kinpira, and almost no punch to the pickles (which are hard to get wrong.) The walnut pate had barely any taste - a true disappointment given the complex flavors recently experienced at Jubbs Longevity (a live food establishment located in nearby Alphabet City.) Despite its popularity, the signature cornbread proved no better - nicely moist, and generously large, but devoid of flavor. The only flavor to the meal was the curried cashew spread - which was terribly salty, and barely curried. It was too bad. After all, I'd enjoyed the staff and the apple pie. Fans at Angelicas rave about the food - calling it phenominal and awesome, an experience which I somehow missed. True, there remain other untried favorites at Angelica's - from the famous dragon bowl to soba noodles and marinated tofu sandwiches. But time is limited, and despite five different tastings, the picnic platter fell terribly flat. So for me, there won't be a return trip. |
| A Salt and Battery - 80
Second Avenue (British) (Second location at 112 Greenwich Avenue) An English fish n' chips shop near the heart of St. Marks. I haven't had entrees there - my main attraction to this place is their infamous deep fried Mars Bar dessert. Yes, you heard right. A deep fried Mars Bar. Around Easter, they also have deep fried Cadbury Eggs. Extremely unhealthy, but quite yummy. Not Asian, but definitely a must-try. |
| Atlas
Cafe -
73 2nd Avenue (between 4th and 5th) (Vegetarian/Vegan) A nifty east village sandwich shoppe with lots of vegan/vegetarian options. Other goodies (both veggie and omnivorous) include breakfast platters, crepes, smoothies, and a whole slew of tasty (yet animal-free) cakes and sweets. Not bad - and with the summer months a'comin', they've also got outdoor tables...! |
|
Avenue
A Sushi - 103 Avenue A (Between
6th and 7th Street) With options this tasty, who needs toro? |
| Awash
- 338 E. 6th Street (Ethiopian) This is a second location for an already existing Ethiopian restaurant on the upper West side. This place is terrific! It's between 1st and 2nd avenue, at the end of a long line of Indian restaurants. It's tiny, elegant, longer than it is wide, with a neat bar in the back for Tej (honey wine). I've just been won over to Ethiopian food, and this place serves it quite tastily. Go! |
| Beard
Papa's - 740 Broadway (Astor Place) (Japanese) They say it's the best place around for cream puffs. I'm actually not a cream puff type, but I did stop to sample the Chocolate Fondant. Not bad. Chocolately - but hardly transcendant. But if you're a cream puff fan, you should know where this place is located. There. Now you're duly served. Try 'em and let me know. |
| Benny's
Burritos
- 93 Avenue A (6th Street) (US-Mexican) A small cafe offering a wide range of Mexican entrees - including nachos, quesidillas, tacos and enchiladas - as well as their namesake burritos. The options at Benny's are impressive, with fillings ranging from shrimp to chicken to soy. (Alternative diners take note - Benny's is very veg-friendly, offering both soy cheese and tofu sour cream for no extra cost.) Portions are hearty. Prices are Village standard, running from $7.25 to $13 (for a burrito with the works.) The taste itself runs neck and neck with Chipotle - neither is transcendant, but the grub is good and satisfying enough for a quick bite. |
| Cafe
Zaiya - 69 Cooper Street A cute little Japanese bakery, tucked right around the corner from the mouth of St. Marks. A treasure trove of pan (Japanese bread), Zaiya is filled with a bunch of other delicacies and Japanese sweets: Bread and buns are available in a load of varities, such as green tea or cheese flavored. Grab and go quickie meals are also available, including onigiri, yakisoba (fried noodles) on a bun, and ham and cheese in a croissant. During my visit, I personally tried a soba noodle salad - consisting of veggies, ginger dressing and a nest of cold soba buckwheat noodles. But honestly, the salad didn't begin to compare to the yummy (reasonable priced) sweets that followed. Among the must haves at Zaiya: A whipped, green "fruit jelly" in a cup - light, flavorful, sweet and filling, and tasting strongly of green tea. The highlights of the trip: Zaiya's Yakimochi - with baked glutinous rice dough, surrounding a filling of sweetened adzuki bean paste - and an Adzuki Donut (featuring a similar filling, but with a more Westernized, sugary exterior.) Not planning on a trip to the East Village in the near future? Then be informed that Zaiya *does* have another location - 18 E. 41st Street (right near Yagura.) So if you work in Midtown East - you might just be in luck. |
| Caracus
Arepa Bar - 93 1/2 E.
7th Street (1st Avenue and Avenue A) (Venezuelan) A tiny east village stop, serving variations of arepas and other venezuelan munchies - including empanadas, tajadas (sliced plantains with cheese) and tequenos (deep fried cheese sticks.) One of the few Manhattan restaurants to serve Venezuelan, Caracus is a refreshing change of pace in a neighborhood awash with many interchangeable Thai and Japanese establishments. Though meat and cheese heavy, the menu is also veg-friendly - offering baked tofu as a substitute in many of its recipes. Interestingly enough, the weakest spot on the menu appears to be the arepas themselves. Fried - and a little hard to hold together - the snacks are scarcely bigger than an egg mcmuffin (a shock, given the $4-6 price tag.) Fortunately, other temptations beckon...from desserts such as Obleas (thin wafer sandwiches filled with dulche de leche) to sweet sugar/lime drinks and chicha rice/cinnamon smoothies. The GG verdict? Explore Caracus for the edges of the menu, filled with exotic treats that can't be found anywhere else. But for those seeking the titular sandwiches...well...there's always the Arepa lady in Queens! |
| Caravan
of Dreams - 405 E. 6th
Street (Between Avenue A and 1st) (Vegan) One of the better known vegan restaurants, serving up a wide variety of salads, smoothies, sandwiches (and even "raw food" snacks ranging from soup to meatballs.) Balanced on the edge of Alphabet City, Caravan's decor is hip and cute - and somewhat classier than its weather-beaten exterior might lead one to think. The staff is nice, and the food is fair. During the Gaijin Girl trip, the pesto pizza proved tasty (though hardly worth the $15 price tag). A "live" brownie was also pleasant (though paling in comparison to Pure Food and Wine's Chocolate Ganache.) The unchicken nachos saved the day - offering great comfort food, buried under mounds of guacamole, salsa, blacks beans...and a shredded seitan that felt and tasted like really good chicken. Now those babies might be worth a second trip...if it weren't for the overblown prices! |
| Cecil
Cafe Crepe - 135 First
Avenue (St. Mark's and 9th) (Fusion/Japanese) A cute little creperie, located between St. Marks and 9th. Like many Japanese influenced boutiques, the space is small, classy and pristine - sure to catch your eye as you wander along first avenue. Which is a good thing, since CCC is not well advertised on the net (as of this writing, there were no postings in either citysearch or menupages. Averaging around $7.00 per item, CCC serves crepes both sweet and savory - medium sized, delicate wraps filled with ingredients ranging from capers, ham and/or tuna to ice cream, sweet red bean and/or cream. (Not all at once of course...capers and ice cream? Oh blechhh!) Both sides of the spectrum are tasty, though none transcendant. But the crepes themselves are light, and enjoyable...with a texture that proved the most memorable aspect of the trip for me. So if you're in alphabet city, you should stop by and pick up a wrap. You might really enjoy it. |
| Cha
An Teahouse - 230 East 9th Street (Japanese) Despite its location in the centre of Little Toyko/East Village, Cha-An is a somewhat hard to find. The sign announcing its presence is modest - a simple brown placard with the name printed plainly. No splashy signs or advertisements for Cha-An...just a narrow flight of stairs leading upward to an intimate little teahouse - and a needed oasis from the streets outside. There are times in every New Yorker's life that you just need a break from the surroundings, finding yourself driven to someplace peaceful, quiet...even serene. In mid-town that place is Sakagura, or even the upstairs area of Old Bridge Deli. In the East Village, it could well be Cha-An. Decorated in bamboo, the small space exudes class - whether one chooses a table, a booth, or the small bar near the kitchen. (I've been told the restrooms are equally stylish - complete with seat warmers and other Japanese amenities. But then, I failed to visit those, and resist the urge to digress...) At Cha-An the speciality of the house is--of course--tea. Not surprisingly, there's a full menu available - offering everything from green tea, pu-erh tea, and more intoxicating items such as sake and lychee cocktails. Lunch and dessert are also served, both in "sets" ranging around $20, or ala carte items running $7-8 each. Savory dishes (which have apparently received mixed reviews) include soy milk quiche, porridge and salmon. But the sweets are what I came for - ordering a black sesame brulee, green tea truffles and the winter bean soup known as Zenzai. Sweet and warm, both the Zenzai and the brulee proved tasty - though not worth a special trip across town. But nothing could have prepared me for the truffles - an absolute dessert delight of rich deep chocolate, wrapped in the softest of mochi dough. Wow, was this good...equal to Sakagura's green tea truffles, and the white mochi treats at Koryodang. And that's saying quite alot. Finally, the time came for me to leave. Full of dessert -- and glowing with truffles - I paid the bill (cash only at Cha-An), and wandered into the noise of the streets below. Was it expensive? Somewhat - and the portions are admittedly small. But it made for the perfect special treat. And sometimes, a moment of peace is worth the expense. |
| Chikalicious
- 203 E. 10th Street
(Dessert and Wine Bar) I'd heard about Chikalicious, and had wanted to try it for awhile. Finally I was in the neighborhood (actually, I'm around there often), and stopped in. The place is small, pristine, with an upper middle class preppie vibe. I must say this: the service is a real class act - nice, sweet friendly people that go out of your way to make it a pleasant experience. As you probably already know, Chickalicious only serves desserts and wine (usually paired), with a prixe fixe available. So I had some. The dessert was nice, enjoyable - the port wine was terrific. The sizes...well...I had been forewarned, and the sizes were nouvelle cuisine, laughably small. And the tab came to $20 plus tip. Now, I'm famous for being a skinflint with money. I'm also more comfortable in places with a homey slightly grunge touch. I am glad to have tried the place out. It was fun., and I recommend everyone either try it once, or just stick your head in to take a look. But honestly? Once was just enough. |
| Chickpea
-
23rd 3rd Avenue A hip little falafel joint on the edge of St. Mark's. Now, I don't know all that much about falafel, but I *do* know this stuff was tasty! Better than the other falafel I've had (at Cinderella Falafel)...and a nice change for days when you just don't want any daifuku... |
| Cinderella
Falafel - 129 2nd Avenue Three words come to mind - just not impressed. The falafel here is brown and blah, with slow service, and just none of the zing of Chickpea. Nuff said. Sorry guys. If I'm on this end of St. Mark's, I'll go to Paul's Burger or Pomme Frites - not this place. |
| Crooked
Tree (The) - 110 St. Marks Place It's Belgian, not Asian - but they're worthy of note for serving Belgian Waffles, Ice Cream, and $4-$6 crepes that are small, but extremely yummy with various toppings like fresh fruit, Nutella, or Belgian Chocolate. |
| Curly's
Vegetarian Lunch - 328 East 14th Street (Vegetarian/Vegan and some
Omni Stuff) My new favorite comfort-food stop - an unassuming vegetarian/vegan joint offering lots o' tasty (but not necessarily gourmet) stuff...including Maryland crabfakes, soy mac and cheese, and all-day breakfast options like pancakes and scrambled tofu. With entrees ranging from burritos to sloppy joes, there's also stuff for the omnivores in your life. But for me, the vegan options are the highlight of the show - especially the dreamalicious deep fried banana-chocolate chimichanga (with soy ice cream, no less!) Other tempting desserts include sopapilla y nieve, with a fried tortilla, ice cream and maple syrup drizzle. All that, and it's easily accessible from the 14th street green line stop (and the service--while not sterling--is pleasant enough.) Kate's, eat your heart out! 3/26/07 Update - came back to try the sopapilla. No, it wasn't all that I 'd hoped for. But as long as they've got the chimichanga, Curly's dessert are still aces in my book. |
| Daphne's
- 233 E. 14th Street (Jamaican) A very, very small place - and even though their menu is pretty impressive, they don't seem to have everything available. Daphne's usually looks only partially stocked. I will say this - their rum cake is quite good! |
| Do
Sirak
- 30 E. 13th Street (Korean) A not-bad Korean place in the East Village, a little bit east of St. Marks. Rather on the loud side, and the banchan (side dishes) weren't flowing as much as you'd think. But its okay if you're craving Korean, and you're in the area. |
| Dumpling
Man - 100 Saint Marks Place (Asian) A small place, specializing in dumplings. Pros: very fresh, nice dumplings - a great way to get your fix when in the East Village. Cons: At 4 for $3 and change, they're considerably more expensive than in Chinatown. Also, the dumplings are a little on the small side. But its a classy, tasty place - worth a trip if you're in Saint Marks. |
Elvie's Turo Turo - 214 1st Avenue (Filipino) This is the only place I know to get Baluut (fertilized egg), so I'll forgive the fact that it isn't Chinatown. Elvie's isn't fancy - just a few cafeteria tables, and a selection of food. (The name Turo Turo means Point Point--ie: point at the food, and you shall receive--and is traditionally where Filipinos go for a snack (called merendia). The two entrees I've tried so far were blah and undistinguished, but it's worth knowing if only to try the Baluut! |
Go - 30 St. Mark's Place (Japanese) Go is a nice little place - and I really wanted to like it. Honestly, I don't actually think it's Go's fault - but the fates were just against me from the start. Recommended to Go by a reader, I made a special trip to...well, go to Go. First impressions were good - Go is a small nook-in-the-wall, with alot of Japanese patrons (always a great sign.) I ordered the Udon/Chirashi combo - with raw fish, a salad, and a small cup o' Udon. Then things started to conspire against me. Nothing big, and I have to say that staff was good. But the food took awhile, and was a little on the pricey side (my dish cost $12) There was no takeout menu available (which I really did want, since Go's hard to find in Citysearch.) Then the coup de gras. I had ordered the Udon, er, "to go." - and while I'm walking down the street, the crumpled lid came loose. Then goes the Udon, pouring all over the bag. Well, the half that was left tasted good. My overall impression? Not negative, as most of it just wasn't Go's fault. But I left underwhelmed - which is a little sad. On a positive note - the menu looks quite authentic, and they have (ta-da!) Okonomiyaki. So don't take my word for it - give Go a try on your own. Perhaps the fates will smile. |
| Great
Jones Cafe - 54 Great Jones Street (Cajun/Creole) A nifty little hole in the wall, located near the south end of the east village (competitively close both to ACME and Mara's - two other cajun joints in the neighborhood.) Loud and packed with diners, Great Jones isn't the place for fancy eatin' (the menu--which is limited--is written right on the wall.) Nor it the place *overly* authentic (then again, what NYC place is, following the demise of Cooking With Jazz?) The hurricanes seem a little on the light side, and there's no bread pudding to be found. But the service is warm and friendly, the portions large...and the food is tasty (highlights of our trip included veggie jambalaya, blackened fish and really good sweet potato fries.) In other words, basic Cajun comfort food. So if you've craving a po' boy, Great Jones is a good spot to know. Just don't dress up like you're headin' to Bayou! |
| Health
Conscious Express - 45 First Avenue (between 2nd and 3rd Street) (Jamaican) A small little Jamaican joint - marketing mostly vegetarian munchies such as patties, lotsa juices and a few raw desserts. Slightly on the expensive side (though normal for Manhattan)...but the place is small, friendly, and convenient. All good things, if you're in the area! |
JAS Mart - 35 E. St. Marks Place (East Village) and 2847 Broadway (between 110th and 111th) (Japanese) . Okay, it's not Chinatown. But JAS Mart is a nifty Japanese grocery. On street level there's a small Japanese diner where you can get a good Onigiri. But the real attraction is downstairs, where there's an honest to goodness grocery store. There you can find snacks, mochi ice cream, pocky, miso, everything your little Japan-o-phile heart desires....! I'm starting to find Tongin better, though. |
|
Jubbs
Longevity – 508 E. 12th Street, NYC (between Avenue A
and B) (Vegan/Raw Food) Located in the far reaches of alphabet city, a small café/boutique serving up a variety of living (uncooked) foods – including soups, smoothies, desserts and surprisingly complex pates. Though the vibe (and the prices) are strictly gourmet, the staff is wonderfully warm and accomodating – happy to answer questions and provide free tastes for the undecided. Newcomers to the cuisine may be surprised by the variety, and what can be accomplished without the use of heat – including re-imagined culinary staples such as wraps in lettuce leaf, dehydrated hamburger buns, and even live pasta (made with thin strips of veggies.) Everything
sampled on my trip lived up to expectation: including a complex, rich
brazilian nut milk, pesto pizza on a dehydrated cracker-crust, and
lemon cheesecake (a rich pastry, with a subtly sweet candy taste.) The
only negative proved to be the price, running $9.00 and up even
for the smaller bites. And that’s a shame, because the fare is
vibrant, healthy…and really a breath of fresh air. I’d eat it on
a regular basis – if only it were a bit more affordable! |
| Kate's
Joint
- 58 Avenue B (between 4th and 5th Street) (Alphabet City) (Vegetarian) Most vegetarians have heard of Kate's Joint - and opinions vary. Hidden on the edge of Alphabet City, this small, downscale diner has no pretensions. The space is larger than the average city site, with multiple tables, an actual bar - and minimal decor (complete with ripped seats, patched with tape.) Those who frequent Kate's don't come for the atmosphere....they come for the grub - vegetarian comfort food, such as burgers, sandwiches - and even dessert. Based my visit, Kate's does a good job...especially with two dishes which often recieve praise - their Veggie Burger and Buffalo Wings. Presented on hardy, whole wheat bread, the Super Veggie Burger was the best I've eaten...relatively firm, good sized and tasty (and not particularly greasy, either - despite it's junk food status.) Though floppy, the breaded wings had just the right amount of tang and heat. And the chocolate cake was tasty too (though admittedly the least impressive of the three, and somewhat drier than your "average" non-vegan sweet.) But more visits are clearly needed, in order to sample the other items on the menu - such as pizza, and the tempting breakfast plates (including Vegan French Bread, Tofu Scramble and Whole Wheat Pancakes.) The only negatives were location related - getting there requires a bit of a walk, and the prices are (unfortunately) Village Standard (running around $7.00 per dish.) But the service was nice and helpful, creating an all-round good time. Proving once again that atmosphere ain't what counts - it's the service you get, and what ends up on your plate. Based on my experience, this place is already one of my favorites. 2/2/07 Update - A return visit was definitely in order. This second time around, the choice was Vegan Delight Pizza - a floppy pie (large enough for two) - piled high with non-dairy ricotta and grilled vegetables. The taste - terrific (and in interesting contrast to Whole Earth Bakery's pie, which has a very crispy/chewy crust.) Happily, Kate's came through again. If only it wasn't so far away! |
| Kenka
- 25 St. Marks (Japanese) A funky restaurant in the heart of St. Marks. I originally had a very fond view of this place, but that's recently changed, giving it the dubious distinction of 1 of only about 2 places that I'm really displeased and negative about. Just came back from a run to Kenka for, yes, turkey testicles. (Don't giggle!) They just kept striking out on so many levels. 1) You can't order "to go". 2) It took an inordinately long time to get the order. 3) The $6.00 order turned out to be the size of four large lima beans.... 4) When I approached the waitress to give her the money, because I had to get going and it was getting late, I got an attitude in return. It's a real shame, because I'd planned to sample a few more things on the menu, and now I've got--well--a bad taste in my mouth about the place (no, it wasn't the testicles!). I seriously doubt I'm going back. Oh well. |
| Krystal's Cafe
- 171 1st Avenue (Filipino) Clean and bright, this cafe is a winner! It's got Sago Gulaman, which I've seen nowhere else. It also has a very good list of entrees that I haven't tried yet. The Filipino Food Center in my Bronx neighborhood still trumps it for desserts, but when in Manhattan, I'll definitely go to Krystals! (There's also a Krystal's near Sripraphai in Woodside, Queens, at 69-02 Roosevelt Avenue). |
| Lan
Cafe -
342 E. 6th Street (1st and 2nd Avenue) (Vietnamese/Vegan)
(Note: does not take credit cards) Nestled on the culinary strip known as 6th street, Lan Cafe stands as the lone vietnamese restaurant - surrounded by a myriad of Indian establishments and diverse ethnic cuisines from Ethiopean to Cajun and Peruvian. Small and modest, Lan has found a niche, specializing in vegan versions of vietnamese standards (its menu filled with Banh Mi, shredded salads and Pho soups, all free from meat and the ubiquitous shrimp pastes and fish sauce.) Though they won't rock your world, the results are pleasantly tasty - especially the veggie ham salad - which was light with a complex mixture of sweet/sour tastes. A mixture of caramel stewed eggplant and tofu was also good, though not as spectacular as the Kho dishes found at New Pasteur. Yes, other outlets of vegan vietnamese do exist - most notably Saigon Banh Mi, which will prepare veggie hoagies and even Banh Uot upon request - but no other restaurant offers a full vegan menu. Worry free vietnamese, with a pleasantly light price tag? In my opinion, might be worth a visit (though honestly too bland for my taste!) |
| Little
Pakistan Deli - 200 Second
Avenue (Pakistani) A gem of a teeny place. Several Pakistani dishes, and a decent selection of Indian/Pakistani sweets, purchasable by the piece. You should see this place - and the guy is really nice to talk to. |
| Lula's Sweet Apothecary - 516 E.
6th Street (Avenue A/B) (Vegan ice cream) All I can say is...it's about freakin' time! Yes, now the East Village boasts a fun and tasty (albiet small) vegan ice creamery...offering all of your childhood favorites, from hot chocolate sundaes, to banana splits...complete with a bunch of "Cold Stone" type toppings...including coconut, sprinkles and even vegan gummy bears (YUM!). Made in-house, the ice cream's good, and reasonably priced for the Manhattan crowd (around $6 for a sundae.) The size is slightly small (at least compared to my memories of Friendly's), but it definitely satisfies an ice cream craving. A quick conversation with the proprietor revealed that there'll be even more options in the future...including raw ice cream and lots of other sweet stuff. So give Lula's a shot...especially if you're in a treat-yourself mood. |
| M2M
(Morning to Midnite) - 55 3rd Avenue (PanAsian) (Other locations:
2935 Broadway, and 25 W. 32nd Street) A very large, clean and well stocked chain of Asian deli/grocery stores. I know there's more than just this one, although I don't have those addresses handy. The M2M's have quite a bit - daifuku, korean munchies, noodles, mochi ice cream, and on and on. Check one out! |
| Mancora
- 99 1st Avenue (off Seventh Street) (Peruvian) Yet another foray into the the non-Asian world of cuisine - this time with a positive score! Having never had Peruvian (and drawn by the attractive signage outside), I finally wandering into Mancora. Granted, it hadn't gotten all the best reviews in Citysearch, but I felt I had to try. Sushi lover (and spicy eater) that I am, there was really only one choice to make - the ceviche mixtu, a spicy serving of raw fish marinated in lemon. Score one for the gipper. There was nothing I didn't like. Low carby, high in raw fish tangy yummyness. The food came out quickly (what really was there to do?) and the staff were all nice and personable. Granted, I've got quite a few new Malaysian places to hit next...but once I'm done, Mancora has me sold. They're worth going back to. |
| Mara's
Homemade
- 342 East 6th Street (Cajun) Right next to Awash Ethiopean - this small, family owned restaurant offers Cajun/Creole fare, along with a decent helping of Southern food such as Fried Green Tomatoes. Cajun menu items include crawfish by the bucket, jamabalaya, and other southern style munchies (drinks include Hurricanes, and the dessert menu has the obligatory bread pudding.) I find Mara's just okay, and too expensive to justify. But it's my husband's favorite place - so if you want Cajun, give it a try. Then again, other decent options include Delta Grill (with a somewhat upscale feel) and ACME (for downhome, cheap n' tasty fare.) So pick your fav, and celebrate Cajun style. |
| Max Brenner (Chocolate by
the Bald Man) (Dessert) - 841 Broadway (in Union Square, off 14th
Street) Newly opened, and decorated in rich brown hues, Max Brenner's is a Willy Wonka wetdream - complete with a matrix of chocolate colored pipes crossing the ceiling, and sample tubs of varied confections gathered at the mini store near the entrance. Beautifully rendered, the glossy menus are pure (chocolate) food porn, with artfully photographed pictures of shakes, fondues and other chocolately goodness. Does the concept work? Mostly. The atmosphere is fun, and the service...acceptable. Of the three items that we personally sampled, only one was truly great. The cookie shake was good, but powdery (though fun to drink, presented in an "Alice in Wonderland" sipping cup, complete with metal straw.) The peanut crepe was rich - too rich, with an overpoweringly peanut butter flavor. Ah, but the chocolate pizza with marshmellows? Now that was inspired - complete with rich, melted chocolate and gooey marshmellows. Half a pizza was enough - and definitely worth the overall trip. As for the atmosphere - suffice it to say that Max Brenner's isn't haute cuisine in the chocolate dept. - the vibe is strictly Cheesecake Factory, so those with higher pretentions will probably be turned off. But for the rest of us Max Brenners might be the perfect celebratory stop, say - once every year? Go at least once - and experience Max's Love for yourself. |
| Moishe's
Kosher Bake Shop - 115 2nd Avenue (off 6th Street) A tempting little kosher pastry shop, right in the heart of Saint Marks. Pretty darned cheap, and the munchie's look tasty (I've personally tried the Kichel and Bowtie Pastry...and held off on the rest!) |
|
Momofuku Ssam Bar – 207 2nd Avenue (13th Street) (Fusion) Located on the edge of the East Village, this newly opened restaurant has created a bit of a buzz, offering a fusion menu filled with grilled rice cake, raw oysters, sake, and their signature wraps, loosely based on Korean Ssam (lettuce leaves, filled with spicy meat and rice.) Breaking with tradition, Momofuku’s version offers a more customizable/ have-it-your way experience. In addition to lettuce, diners may choose flour tortilla or grilled nori wraps - filled with a choice of meat or tofu, and supplemented with extras such as kimchi, edamae or bean sprouts. The result is an impressively large wrap (which holds together admirably, despite the generous portions.) Delivery speed is equally impressive. Though decorated with an upscale sensibility, Momofuku works at a fast-food pace, delivering the goods within ten minutes, tops. The only downside is the price – running $9 for a flour wrap, and $12 for traditional lettuce. But the result is tasty. No match for a good Banh Mi, but your stomach will be happy – and pleasantly full. |
| New Manilla
FoodMart and Restaurant - 351 East 14th Street (Filipino) Small, but nice owners, and it's got a few things that my Bronx treasure trove (Filifipino Food Center) doesn't have - for instance, fresh lumpia! |
| Otafuku
- 236 East 9th Street (2nd/3rd Avenue) (Japanese) Yummers! It's a nook in the wall place around the corner from St. Mark's, and they only make three things: Takoyaki, Okonomi Yaki, and Yakisoba. That's Octopus Balls, Japanese Pizza/Pancake, and Fried Noodles. (It's kind of a Okonomi Japanese version of Pomme Frites, a Belgian Fry place that's also around the corner. They only make Belgian Fries--the best in the city I may add--and Otafuku only makes the holy yaki trilogy. It takes awhile to get an Okonomi, because they're made fresh. But do it, and get all the yummy brown sauce and fish flakes on top of it! |
| Pak Punjab - 40 East 3rd (Pakistani) A Pakistani deli with cheap meals, and Kheer for $2.00 a dish. A good pitstop, when you're slightly south of St. Marks. |
| Pukk
-
75 1st Avenue (4th and 5th Street) (Thai) Thai restaurants are not hard to find in New York. According to menupages, over 170 exist in the city, 22 of which reside in the east village alone. One of these is Pukk - a unique little spot specializing in vegan cuisine (from tofu tom yum to Thai iced tea with soy.) Small but stylish, Pukk wins major points for atmosphere - decorated in pure east village hip, complete with funky white and green tiling and clear jelly seat cushions. The service is warm, and the prices are right - running around $4.00 for appetizers and $8 per entree. If only the food lived up to the acclaim. Many have praised Pukk's mock duck, prepared in meals such as Prik King Duck and Spicy Watercress. My choice of the evening was Perfect Protein Duck - a dish flavored with chickpeas, peanuts and onion. But despite the spices, the effect proved bland and far too mellow in flavor - especially for a cuisine as striking as Thai. Overall a disappointing meal, somewhat alleviated by the vegan dessert - a slim slice of blueberry cheesecake. Hardly authentic, but tasty nonetheless - with a creamy, satisfying texture. Does Pukk pass the taste test? No - but then, I've long been spoiled by Sripraphai. Still - vegan thai is a great concept, and I'm glad they tried! |
| Punjabi
- 114 E. 1st Street (Pakistani) East and South of St. Mark's, this very tiny taxi pitstop has very cheap, good Pakistani meals, and Kulfi in the refrigerator. Yum. Open very late night, if not 24 hour.... |
| Pure
Food and Wine - 54 Irving
Place (between 17th/18th Street) Pure Juice and Takeaway - 126 East 17th Street (3rd Avenue/Irving Place) A gourmet establishment dedicated to raw vegan cuisine, featuring specialty dishes such as spicy thai lettuce wraps, chanterelle/kalamata raviolis, and white corn tamales....all prepared at temperatures under 118 degrees. Desserts are on the menu, too, with options such as ice cream and caramel bars... items that you'd think couldn't be done without dairy, let alone without cooking. While reviews for Pure seem to be hit or miss, my choices for the evening succeeded on all levels. One of their flagship recipes--the lasagna--was especially intruiging, made from a blend of sliced zucchini, tomato and pinoli pesto. While far from true pasta, the dish was complex and rich - quite tasty by its own standards. (Not bad, for something which was basically a salad!) The chocolate tart was equally delicious with a rich, creamy and sinfully dark flavor - proof that raw cuisine can be extremely well done. In keeping with the gourmet ethos, portions at Pure are modest (okay, they're small.) And with appetizers, entrees and desserts running into the double digits, the experience doesn't come cheap. While less formal, the takeaway boutique is equally expensive, though a little less intimidating for the "common man". But the taste is definitely worth trying once - at least, I was glad that I did. |
| Quintessence
- 263 E. 10th St (Raw Vegan) I've been wanting to go here for awhile (yes, I know that it's not Asian, but I've been interested in the concept of raw food, and wanted to see what its was like at a good restaurant.) For the record, Quintessence is a small, elegant type nook, located between 1st Avenue and Avenue A on the eastside. I had a full three course meal, of a kamut crust pizzalet, yellow squash pasta, and a "live" pecan pie. I have to say, it was good - the pizzalet was rather small, but quite yummy, and the sauce for the "pasta" was scrumptious. (The pasta itself was pretty nifty.) Cost? Too much, for me to ever turn the place into a regular hangout. But I'm glad I went. Other nice thing? Because the food is raw, it only took 10 minutes for preparation!! |
| Rai
Rai Ken – 214 E. 10th Street
(Between 2nd/1st Avenue) – Japanese/Ramen Located just off the main strip of Little Tokyo (once known as St. Marks), Rai Rai Ken is a name well-known to Ramen noodle fanciers. A small space, RRK is furnished simply with few decorations – the central feature being the long, weather beaten bar used to serve its patrons. Which is fine – because at RRK, the focus is on the food…and especially the soup. Specializing in only a few dishes, RRK is best known for its Ramen noodle soup, available in three varieties (Shoyu/Soy Sauce, Shio/Seafood and Miso Based Broth.) Traditional appetizers/toppings for the soups are of course available – from Edamame soy beans to Kimchi (okay, so that’s Korean. Oh well.) Other forms of pasta are also available, including chilled noodles (Zha Jian Men), Soba and stuffed Gyoza dumplings. If noodles aren’t your thing, there’s even beef curry (though why go to RRK if not for the carbs?) (A warning to the vegetarian/vegan group…there ain’t much here that’s animal free, though word has it that they’ll whip up a water broth upon request.) Though not dirt cheap, prices are reasonable, ranging around $7.00 for a huge serving of soup (enough to feed me twice.) As for the flavor? Well, the GG trip featured a serving of the Miso Ramen, which proved to be quite pleasant…with a mild, curry taste that complimented the noodles well. The Menma (marinated bamboo shoots) were meant to be eaten with the soup, but also proved tasty on their own. Comfortable, and a nice oasis from the buzz of St. Marks, Rai Ken is a good place to know about – especially for anyone in search of a late night nosh. |
| Saint's Alps Teahouse -
39th Third Avenue (There are other locations also) (Taiwan) On first glance, I rather like this place. It's a little on the pop-mod-stylish side, and they've got a ton of very reasonably priced snacks, great for sampling. And it's got bubble tea, of course. Since I'm not sure how traditional the place is (ie: are their munchies proprietary or served elsewhere?), I'm going to break tradition and list quick thoughts about their offerings here (as opposed to on the usual food pages: Coconut Butter Pancakes - Very sweet and nice, a good spin on hotcakes! Matcha (Green Tea) Butter Toast - Bright green (had to tell friends it wasn't mold!) In actuality, a very mild flavored snack. So-so. |
| Satsko - 202 East 7th Street
(Japanese, Pan Asian Sake Bar) In alphabet city, between Avenue A and Avenue B - its a teeny, tiny bar, specializing in sake and fusian asian appetizers with a Japanese bent. Great intimate place to learn about the different types of sake - on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, they have a $25 sake sampler, including 6 shots of your choice, and a belly filling appetizer to keep you from getting too sloshed. And Warren the bartender has a good beginner tutorial on which sake is which. |
| Sharaku
-
14 Stuyvesant Street (right around the corner from St. Marks, in Little
Tokyo - near Otofuku.) (Japanese) Ah, a Japanese restaurant that has earned the Gaijin Girl prized 3.999999999 stars rating! This place was visited on a whim, and turned out to be great. Very reasonable prices, fresh takes on sashimi and sushi - classy surroundings, good service...what is there to say? Oh yes, go upstairs (lots of stairs there), and get a seat by the huge picture window, for a wonderful view of the village at night. Let's just say that my friend who was visiting from DC and I have agreed. One visit, and from now on, it's going to be a tradition. Whenever she's here - its Sharaku. Recommended. |
| Sigiri - 91 1st Avenue, NYC (Sri
Lankan) Finally - a Sri Lankan restaurant in the midst of Manhattan. This one's a keeper. Reaching Sigiri is simple. Walk along Curry Lane (6th Street in the East Village), dodging restaurant wranglers along the way. Continue past Awash., past Mara's - taking a right at the 1st Avenue Junction. Halfway down the block, a tall flight of stairs lead upwards--under a simple black awning--to a narrow, stylishly decorated dining room. You have now reached Sigiri. Prepare to be pleased, by both the service and the food. All the traditional staples are available at Sigiri. Comprehensive and complete, the menu offers a full sampling of Sri Lankan cuisine. For those comfortable with Indian fare, Sigiri serves up a full selection of curries (spiced to Sri Lankan tastes), and familiar items such as Mulligatawny soup. For the more adventurous, truly exotic (and uniquely Sri Lankan) items await, including coconut flavored Pittu, bowlshaped Hopper pancakes, and Shredded Kotthu Roti. For those with a sweet tooth, the mango cordial is a must, as well as a full coterie of authentic desserts available for the end of the meal - including Watalappam pudding and Aluva fudge. There's no Americanized ice cream here - thank goodness for that! The service is equally good - pleasant, warm and welcoming. A gracious man, the owner spoke with me at length on my first visit, explaining the difference between black and coconut curries, willingly converting my dish from chicken to vegetarian - and went so far as to print up microwave directions for the Lamprais dish that we had ordered to go. Now where can you get service like that? Even if you could...why bother? Because Sigiri already awaits. And it feels like home. |
|
S’Mac
– |
| Soba-ya - 229 E. 9th
Street (in Little Tokyo) (Japanese) In search of authentic fresh soba, I ran across Soba-Ya in the pages of the Oyaji Life website - which gave it a full 5 out of 5 stars. Smack dab in the middle of Little Toyko, the interior of Soba-ya does impress. It's decent sized for an East Village haunt, with a classy interior - filled with a Japanese clientelle (and not the tourist crowd.) Once inside, I quickly bellied up to the bar and ordered a cold soba serving. (Sadly, Soba-ya does *not* order to go.) The soba was served with wonderful presentation, though I found it too bland for my tastes - which admittedly run more towards a passion for Korean Jjol, or Tteokbokki. Not worth the $8.24 per plate (at least for my finnicky needs.) Fortunately, the highlight of the meal was still to come: my first taste of a classic Japanese dessert known as Anmitsu. Variations of the dessert include sweet bean paste, cubes of agar agar jelly, ice cream, syrup and bits of chopped fruit. Soba-ya's version had the first four ingredients, and really hit the spot on this hot July afternoon. Tinged with bits of ginger flavor, the animitsu was refreshing, cold, everything you could wish for in a summer treat. Soba-ya's the only place I've seen it served. So while the noodles don't impress for a spicy palate such as mine, the desserts may have me coming back - at least through the summer months! |
Sunrise Market - 4 Stuyvesant Street, 2nd floor (near 9th Street and 2nd Avenue) (Japanese) Around the corner from JAS Mart in the East Village. This street is Manhattan's J-Town, although there's not all that much there other than Sunrise and Otafuku. But this market is a gem. Decent sashimi cuts, snacks and some daifuku. |
| Sushi
Lounge - 132 Saint Mark's Place (Avenue A) (Japanese) A competant sushi joint, located in Alphabet City (on Avenue A). Similar to Sushi Park, the Lounge offers 50% off on sushi (though with a $10 minimum, after rebate.) The rolls seem decent, including a few tasty veggie rolls (such as natto, squash and pickle.) Not quite as yummy as nearby Avenue A Sushi - but if you buy enough, the rebate makes for a decent bargain. |
|
Sushi Park – East 121 2nd Avenue (between 7th and 8th Street) On Christmas Eve, a Gaijin Girl's thoughts naturally turn to mistletoe, christmas lights, cranberry sauce...and sushi? Okay, my tastes are far from normal. But it was Christmas evening, and there were still gifts to buy...so the East Village—and Saint Mark's Comics--beckoned. I'm often in the East Village, and one place that I'd been meaning to try for quite some time was Sushi Park. Located next to Toy Tokyo, Love Saves the Day, and the landmark Pomme Frites, it's a place I pass by often in my travels. (It's also just around the corner from Jimmy's—one of my husband's favorite haunts, so I know the exterior of Sushi Park quite well.) It was finally time to try the interior. On Christmas Eve, we went inside. One of the great draws of Sushi Park is their half-off special: 50% off on sushi (no takeout, please) with a $14.00 minimum. My husband ordered beef teriyaki and tempura. Naturally, I dove into the sushi. It turns out that Sushi Park has an impressive number of veggie options (a definite plus in my book, since most places stick with California Roll), so I went for three maki rolls: pickled daikon radish, tofu/avocado, and kimchi. Yes, kimchi. From what I can tell, Sushi Park is actually Korean owned (hence Park in the name). It even has a page of Korean dishes in the menu - worthy of future exploration. A glass of Umeshu (plum wine) and Pepsi topped off the order...which came quickly. Everything proved satisfying. Served in a hot bubbling dish, the terriyaki was flavorful, winning the Phil “Seal of Approval.” The breading on the tempera? Light and airy, with a delicate crunch. And the rolls? Good—though not mind-blowing--and not made for a sushi gourmand (the rice came plain, with no vinegar seasoning.) But the veggies were fresh, tasty...and a decent size – a nice change of pace from my usual spicy tuna sampling. The only complaint of the evening was the Pepsi – which came without ice. No ice? How dare they! Hardly something to ruin the evening..especially with a full belly of maki. We walked away from Sushi Park happy and full. All in all, a good experience...one worthy of return trips. It
was a Merry Christmas for all. And for all...and tasty good night. |
| Tsampa
- 212 E. 9th Street (Tibetan) Elegant (perhaps too elegant for me), dimly lit and situated on the same block as several Japanese restaurants. I've only had cheese soup here so far, but it's worth knowing about, since there are only three or so Tibetan joints in the city... |
| Ukrainian
East Village Restaurant - 140 2nd
Avenue (9th Street and St. Mark's) (Ukrainian) A small East European restaurant, located in the heart of Saint Mark's. Decorated with a plain burgundy-white banner, UEV specializes in homestyle Ukrainian cooking - from Kasha to Beef Stroganoff and Borscht (very affordable, at less than $3.00 per soup.) While surprisingly well decorated, service can be brusque. And on my one visit, the food proved uninspiring - the pierogi/varenykys soft, buttery and bland. While better, the dessert (apple strudel) was just...okay. Was it the fault of UEV, or just normal for Ukrainian fare? Given my lack of exposure to the cuisine, I can't be sure. But the sampling was small, and first impressions have been known to be wrong. So try this place yourself - and be sure to report back! |
| Veniero's
- 342 E. 11th Street (Italian Pastries) A spectacular Italian bakery - filled to the brim with rich cannolis, pastries and tons of delicious (sinful) treats. Though I've known the place for only 15 years, the place has been a NYC institution for over a century. With that kind of track record, you have to go and try a pastry...at least once! |
| Village
Mingala - 21 E. 7th Street (Burmese) One of the only Burmese restaurants in NYC. At first glance, it looks like it will be a quasi regular haunt of mine. Small, but classy interior (and right next to Brewskis, which is great if you like gourmet beer.) So far, I've had only one thing - the green tea leaf salad, which was wonderful and different from anything I've had with other cuisines. So - go! |
| Viva
Herbal Pizzeria - 179 2nd
Avenue (11th/12th Street)(Pizza) Cafe Viva - 2578 Broadway (97th Street) A small Italian franchise specializing in organic, vegetarian/vegan versions of all the classics - including Stromboli, Calzones, Ravioli and Gourmet Pizza. Made with whole wheat, spelt and even corn meal crusts, the slices look particularly good. Heavily layered, versions include Il Fiore (grilled eggplant, onions and roasted pepper) and Canja (made with Hempseed Needs, Miso Tofu, and Basil). On my visit, I tried the Zen Vegan - made with Green Tea Miso-Tofu, Shittake Mushroom and Sundried Tomato. Though beautiful, the taste was bland - impacting only minimally on my taste buds, despite an impressive range of ingredients. Dessert--a small chocolate snowball--was equally plain, and chewy (with only the slightest hint of sugar.) In both cases, better versions could have been had at Whole Earth Bakery. That's too bad - 'cause I'd been looking forward to trying the ravioli! |
Waikiki Wally's - 101 E. 2nd St (1st Avenue and Avenue A) - Hawaii Fusion More an alphabet city haunt - and probably not that authentic. But a fun establishment, brought to you by the people who own Lucky Cheng's. I'm personally fond of Waikiki Wally's - with an appreciation of its two great claims to fame: 1) It's only one of two places where I know I can find Poke. 2) Their Coconut Kiss drink is positively great! |
Whole Earth Bakery and Kitchen - 130 St. Marks Place A cute little vegan bakery and mini deli. The guy behind the counter is really nice (and always offers a taste of the smoothie currently being blended.) The foods a little pricey, but not unreasonably for the area. And hey - it's vegan, so that's nifty/neat. The vegan pizza's tasty - although don't expect regular pizza taste - rather, it's crunchy, chewy, with a taste all its own. Oh - and try the snowball sweets - deep, rich chocolate, unlike the snowballs found in the junkfood isle. |
| Queens |
| Ihawan
- 40-06 70th Street, Woodside, NY (Filipino) A nice, solid eatery. Nothing fancy with the decorations, but who cares? What does matter is the tasty (and cheap!) Filipino food to be had (right across from Phil Am Foods). Especially good is the BBQ, and the Lumpia Sariwa. Amazingly cheap, this place has Sago at Gulaman for $1.50!!! Thanks to Mike, my friend (and my only Filipino contact) who introduced me to this place. |
| Krystal's -
69-02 Roosevelt Avenue, Queens, NY (Filipino) See above (Manhattan location) for review. |
| Little
Guyana Bake Shop - 116-04
Liberty Avenue/124-13 Liberty Avenue (Guyanese) Spacious and neatly organized, a Guyanese bakery full of brightly colored confectionaries, cakes and general grocery items. Well displayed and clearly labelled, the sweets line the back of the store...offering everything from sugar cake to pera balls. Much bigger than the name implies, this bake shop is a great first stop if you're learning about Trini/Guyanese snacks. This place seems to have it all. |
| Minangasli
- 86-10 Whitney Avenue, Elmhurst, NY (Indonesian) Located in Elmhurst Queens, a small Indonesian cafeteria - decorated even more sparsely than neighboring Upi Jaya. The menus are similiar, with Minangasli offering renditions of Ketoprak Jakarta, Lontong Sayur - and colorful drinks from Es Teler to Durian Juice (!). Prices are comparable (and equallly comfortable), running around $7.00 per dish. As comparisons go, the atmosphere of Upi Jaya runs more to my style, based on welcome warmth and ambiance. As for flavor? Neither restaurant seemed overly spicy -- a shame in my book -- but still a nice option, given the alternatives in Manhattan. |
| Phil-Am
Foods - 40-03 70th Street, Queens, NY (Filipino) I didn't think it was possible, but here's a Filipino bakery that make my neighborhood place (Filipino Foods) look meager. Really nice selection of desserts and general snacks here - when visiting Sripraphai, take a walk over and browse here, also! |
| Hot and Spicy
(aka Savi's Quik Serv) - 120-23 Liberty Avenue (Trinidad/Guyana) One of the best stops on the Liberty Avenue Line, this establishment has it all - pleasant service, great prices, a nice casual atmosphere, and a wide variety of tempting treats, from snacks to full fledged meals. A great place to learn about Trinidadian/Guyanese cuisine, Hot and Spicy offers a full menu of options - including an impressive variety of roti, both vegetarian and carnivorous. Alternative dishes also beckon - and this is where Hot and Spicy truly shines - offering local treats such as aloo (mashed potato) pie, macaroni pie, Trinidadian Low Mein and Egg Balls (made from deep fried cassava with a boiled egg center.) Then there are the sweets - filling the counter with kurma crisps, pine tarts and local desserts like pone cassava cake. Not that you'll have room - but isn't that what take home is for? |
Sripraphai (See-pra-pie) - 64-13 39th Avenue, Queens, NY (Thai) Wow. 4 stars. A must go if you want to taste real Thai. It's got a small, plain-Jane white and green sign outside, and the inside is no more decorative. It's got all the stylish class of a small elementary school lunch room. And that's just how I like it. The food is very good (I've had the jungle curry so far), but I'd go there if only for the crowning glory - an amazing array of ready-to-carry desserts at the front counter and in a side refrigerator. It puts Udon's in Chinatown to a sad, sad crying shame. And--honestly--not that far of a train ride - just take the 7 to Woodside. Yum! (Thanks to Scaredy-Cat for turning me on to this place!) 8/12/06 - Long overdue update: Sripraphai has renovated. I haven't seen the space myself, but have been told by the best of sources that it's gone more upscale in atmosphere. Same good food - so what's to lose? 9/8/06 - A quick trip to Sri proves that the food is still sterling. The service seemed somewhat confused, with a snafu in the bill putting a light kink in the evening. But the place was packed, and the taste was there. So if you've never been - you should go. It's worth the taste. (But my next stop...will definitely be Zabb, if only for the change of pace.) |
| Tibetan Yak - 72-20
Roosevelt Avenue, Jackson Heights (Tibetan) The only place I know of to get Lephing. Also, they're pretty gracious - I ordered my Lephing to go, and got complimentary bocha while waiting. |
| Upi
Jaya - 76-04 Woodside Avenue (Indonesian) An unpretentious, tasty Indonesian restaurant - located in the foodie heaven known as Queens. Granted, the neighborhood offers quite a bit of culinary competition, covering enough Asian ground to warrant a geography lesson. The temptation to stop is great, for the drive brings a foodie past several formidable alternatives - from Tibetan Yak to Sripraphai's northern Isaan competitor, Zabb Thai. But the goal tonight was Upi Jaya - and I'm glad I persevered. Like many of the best Queens restaurants, the space in Upi Jaya is small, but neatly decorated. The service is warm and cheerful - and the menu makes the trip worthwhile. For alongside classics such as Rendang Daging and Opor Ayam are items that you just can't find in Manhattan....including Ketoprak (vermicelli rice, with bean sprouts, tofu and a peanut gravy) and Lontong Sayur (a curry vegetable dish, served over compressed cubes of glutinous rice.) Then there's the drink/dessert menu, offering items never dreamed of in Max Brenner's philosophy. Thankfully going past the standard Americanized offerings of ice cream, Upi Jaya serves sweets such as Kueh Ku and Lupis (glutinous rice patties with ground coconut and palm sugar.) A full selection of sweet drinks finishes the night, from Es Teler to Es Pokat (a thick avocado shake, blended with chocolate, sugar and condensed milk.) The food could have been spicier - but the sweets were just right. As was the price - $15.00 for the cost of dinner, dessert, and an Es Pokat. I think I've found a new favorite (and yet another reason to move to Queens.) |
Warteg Fortuna - 51-24 Roosevelt Avenue, Queens (Indonesian) 718-898-2554 The size of a (small) backyard shack, Warteg is right off the 7 train, at the 52nd street stop. Its claim to fame is a small number of traditional Indonesian meals for $3.00 and less. And the proprietress is a really nice person. |
| Staten Island |
| New
Asha Sri Lankan Restaurant - 322 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island,
NY (Sri Lankan) The only place to get Sri Lankan around these here parts is Staten Island - the Manhattan locations are gone, closed. So far, I have only been to New Asha once - it was small and geared to cafeteria takeout (rather like Sripriphai, the Thai restaurant in Woodside.) During my visit, I got a curry that was standard, but tasty. For $6.50, the portion was huge (good enough for my husband and I combined). But what I'd really come for were the hoppers and the puttu. Sadly, I found that they're only available in the evening (they take awhile to prepare.) So warning - if you're going anywhere for Sri Lankan, make it for a dinner. That's when everything's ready to go! |
| New
Sunshine Restaurant - 3 Corson Avenue, Staten Island (Sri Lankan) A few doors away from New Asha, New Sunshine has a much more polished look. Rich colored red and gold tablecloths, and even a TV in the front. It's still a small space, but very, very friendly, with several things on the menu that aren't available at New Asha. For instance, the desserts Wattalapam, and Yogurt and Treacle. Recommended! (Although, so is New Asha...) |
| Westside (Upper Westside) |
| Casbah
Rouge - 2841 Broadway (Moroccan) I was really, really looking forward to this place - invited for a birthday party, and I'd never tried Moraccan before. Always up for something new, I waited all week to go there. And besides, I'd never had a hookah, and that was just...intreguing. I got there, and the place did have good ambiance. Dark, kind of mystery-murky, with really NICE lights. But then...the food and drinks came. The drinks - well, they were just your average Manhattan cocktails. Too expensive, and just okay/sweet. As for the food? I eagerly waited for the Moraccan cigars, which came out deep fried (probably a normal thing, but they just reminded me of your average Chinese takout egg rolls.) Then the Tangine. Another neat concept - but in practice...it was just a stew. Honestly, the best two things about this place? A really good looking waiter...and AMAZING bread/hummus dip. No, it wasn't worth it. But now I can say I tried. |
| Singapore
Day (Central Park - Wollman Rink) (Singaporean) Well, I tried to go. I'd received the emails, inviting me to the first-ever Singapore Day in the Big Apple - a fun filled day of music, culture and --most importantly--authentic Singaporean street food. The dishes described looked quite tempting - ranging from fried carrot cake to kaya roti...featuring many items not easily available in restaurants downtown. Looking forward to the trip, I packed a Metrocard and headed towards Wollman Rink in Central Park West. Though a New Yorker, I've seen almost nothing of Central Park - it's too big, and too out of the way to either home or office. But the walk was beautiful, offering a glimpse of a green oasis that should really be visited more often...if only as an occasional break from everyday city life. The path to Wollman Rink twisted and turned, requiring many stops along the way to ask for directions. Finally, the banners for Singapore Day appeared above the horizon. I'd reached the goal , salivating in anticipation. (Okay, that's melodramatic license. So sue me.) ...and then I saw the lines. Though invitation only, the turnout was massive, with a crowd reaching back as far as the eye could see. A veteran New Yorker--and used to waiting patiently--I staked my spot in line, pulling out my trusty reading material to wile away the time. But to no avail. They were letting in people one at a time, with the line advancing at a crawl. In ten minutes, I'd moved less than a foot, with over two blocks to go. Even worse, the event was blocked by walls - allowing no sneek peek at the vendors inside.... The propect of standing in line for an hour loomed, with no visual proof that would be worth the wait. I gave it another five minutes, gaining about one inch of distance. Then I surrendered, and broke from the pack. Dusting myself off, I headed back towards the subway, away from both Singapore Day and Central Park. It might have been great...but I'll never know. Seeking a different culinary adventure, I headed downtown instead. The result - an impressive first taste from the famed NYC Dosa Cart. Success - though with a different nationality and flavor. So it's true what they say. Every cloud *does* have a silver lining. Or at least a tasty one.... |
| Uncle
Vanya
- 315 W. 54th Street (8th and 9th Avenue) (Russian) Located near Columbus Circle - a small, semi-casual restaurant considered by some to serve the best Russian cuisine outside of Brighton Beach. Though neglectful and slow, the service comes with a smile - and the fare is certainly affordable (with Blinis or a cup of soup running slightly over $5.00 each.) On Valentine's day, we sampled what Uncle Vanyas had to offer - choosing a round of Borscht, Blini, Vareniki, and Golubtsy (cabbage rolls). Sadly, both appetizers and entrees proved bland - especially in contrast to the desserts (Cherry Dumplings and Walnut Tort Cake) which were both quite good, clearly providing the highlights for the evening. Were the flavors authentic? Maybe - but (with the exception of dessert) the flavors proved unmemorable - leading to an unfortunately disappointing Valentine's Day Dinner. |
| Westerly
Natural Market - 913 8th
Avenue (54th Street) (Health Food) A top notch health food market, with alot of hard to find stuff, like Vega Bars and Dr. Cow Cheese. The raw section (found in the back) is pretty fab, too! |
| Zabars - 80th and Broadway (Grocery
- Multi-ethnic) Known as a NYC institution, Zabars is truly a wonderland of multi-ethnic eats, treats and sweets. Located in the upper westside (where everything else looks like a culture desert), the aisles of Zabars are a delight to browse - filled with gourmet chocolates, dried fruits, tons of meats/cold cuts, pastries...and a hoppingly busy bakery. Wander to the second floor for even more fun - a fully stocked arsenal of cookery gadgets and gizmos. I hadn't expected much when I visited. I left with my jaw on the floor, and happiness in my culinary heart. |
| West Village (and the surrounding area) |
| Balducci's
-
81 8th Avenue (near 14th Street) (Gourmet Groceries) Another gourmet grocery store, similar in theme to Dean and Deluca. There are alot of greens here, dried fruits, and gourmet goodies, snacks and treats. (The chocolate selection is pretty nice.) Good to know its there - though I personally think I'll continue to frequent Stop and Shop...! |
| Chocolate
Bar
- 48 8th Avenue Again, not Asian. But worth a quick note as one travels through the West Village area. A popular coffee/chocolate joint - stylish, upscale and known for celebrity sightings. A quick summary says it all: tasty chocolate (though surely not the best in town) - with prices that are too high, though fair for the image that they're trying to project. |
| Choga
- 145 Bleeker Street (Japanese/Korean) A decent, stylish joint in the West Village - offering both Japanese and Korean fare. Not much seems to distinguish Choga from the millions of other Japanese and Korean spots dotted throughout the city. The interior is classy. Like alot of places with Korean food, it's a tad on the expensive side (definitely not a cheap, tasty grab n' go like Han Ah Reum.) But the menu has a decent breadth of choices - from Japanese comfort food such as OmeRaisu (omelet rice) - to Korean mainstays like Bulgogi. The ethnic mix is probably the best reason to give Choga a try - it's a chance to have your sushi, and Bibimbap too...all in one big multicultural meal. |
| Employees
Only - 510 Hudson Street (Bar) A classy bar, with classy drinks. Okay, it's a bit on the expensive side, but not a bad experience at all...and the back room is really pretty. (PS: I still think that Mt. Fuji's Femme, and Cheesecake Factory's Chocolate Martinis are my best drinks to date. But what the heck do I know? I'm just your average prole....!) |
| Hiroko's
Place - 75 Thompson Street (Japanese) I went there for the Ome-Raisu. I had the Neopolitan Spaghetti. I stayed there (and will probably go back) for the ambiance. I'd discovered the name and address of Hiroko's Place while searching the web for a good spot to try Ome-Raisu, the Japanese fast food dish consisting of fried rice, encased in an omelet and covered in ketchup. As I wandered through the West Village (unfamiliar territory for me, who is much more acquainted with the East Village) I found another place by the name of Choga, and grabbed the Ome-Raisu there. But - I was already downtown, so after Choga I kept wandering, over to where I knew Hiroko's to be. Thought I'd just stick my head in, then keep going. But once I was there, the ambiance really impressed. Hiroko's is a cute, open spaced Japanese coffeehouse, complete with a bookcase of Manga, comfy spacious couches to lounge on, and just a great casual feel. I'd heard great things about the coffee, so I came in, ordered some Neopolitan spaghetti to go, and soaked in the atmosphere. I'm not a coffee fiend, but the coffee was in fact tasty. Hiroko's has a small but interesting menu, which seems geared to Japanese fast/comfort food such as the Ome-Raisu, dumplings and spaghetti dishes. The prices are decent - average for the Village. The dessert menu is equally cute, with ice cream and agar jelly offerings. While I can't say I was thrilled about the Neopolitan, I did fall in love with the atmosphere. It was enough to keep me there, slowly nursing my coffee and reading the latest version of the Onion - just so I didn't have to leave too quickly. Hiroko's seems like a great West Village Haunt - the perfect place to buy a cuppa (and maybe a small, sweet dessert), and just while away the time. Central Perk watch out. Cause this place is better. |
| Integral
Yoga -
229 W. 13th Street (near 8th Avenue) (Health Food/Raw) A solid little health food store, stocked with a wide variety of staples (including lots o' grains, TVP, and other sometimes-hard-to-find items.) There's also a food counter in the back, serving up smoothies, various entrees and sweets (alot of them raw!) Like most health food stores, Integral Yoga suffers from high price because-we're-healthy syndrome. (The raw burger ran a hefy $8.50, slices of cake were priced around $6-7.) The food won't rock your world, but the stuff is decent and convenient. So I'm glad to see them there. |
|
Jacques
Torres – |
| Lifethyme Natural
Market
- 410 Sixth Avenue (off 9th Street) (Health Food/Veggie) Wow, this place is a vegan's dream come true! Tons of veggie pho meats, cheeses, raw snacks, a juice bar...and even a vegan bakery on premises! Reasonably priced (though not dirt cheap), Lifethyme even has tons of premade stuff, like vegan knishes, un-tuna sandwiches, etc. Already my choice shopping venue, it's enough to make me want to move to the West Village! (Though with the prevailing real estate prices, it ain't neva gonna happen...) |
| Magnolia
Bakery -
401 Bleeker Street (off 11th Street) Made famous by Sex and the City, the cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery are touted as tasty, superlative...and generally irresistable. Today, I strolled over to Magnolia - to test the theory myself. The counter offers an array of cupcakes with do it yourself service, as well as several other sweet desserts (such as cheesecake and bread pudding.) The atmosphere is preppy, and the space a little crowded (expect a line, though it moved fast for me.) As for the cupcakes? Surprisingly reasonably priced (given the location), they only cost about $2.00 a pop - and the super sweet icing was the best part. The cupcake itself was no great shakes - and certainly not worth the return trip. Bottom line? If desserts are your thing, its probably worth checking out once. But don't expect an earth shattering experience... |
| NY
Dosa Cart - Washington
Square Park (W. 4th and Sullivan) (Sri Lankan) Nominated for the 2007 Vendy Awards, this street cart is famous in the west village - and much loved by the NYU crowd. Manned by Thiru Kumar, the cart specialty is dosas, accompanied by a handful of snacks/extras (such as vegetable rolls, Jaffna patties and Pakoda.) Thanks to its popularity, the lines are quasi-long, but the food is well priced (only $5.00 for a decent sized dosa). Fresh off the griddle--and pleasantly fluffy--these babies do hit the spot. And as an extra bonus, they're vegan! |
| Peanut
Butter and Co - 240 Sullivan
Street (off Bleeker) Recently, my culinary whims have been steering me towards specialty shoppes - novelty establishments with one or two items on the menu (both Asian and American). A surprising number of such places exist in New York, fetishing comfort foods such as: Okonomiyaki's
(Otafuku)
Located in the West Village, PB&C continues
the trend - offering a million and one ways to make that American
culinary staple, the peanut butter sandwich. Pricier than your
mother's PB, the $6 - $7 items on the menu run from classic
sandwiches, to Fluffernutters with marshmellow fluff. Other
artery clogging offerings include peanut butter with chocolate,
jelly or nutella - on a variety of breads from bagel to wheat
(vegan options available.) The service is pleasant -and
though expensive, these munchies are filling - having ordered the
cookie dough sandwich, I found it tasty - but too rich to eat more than
half. Macaroni and Cheese (S'Mac) Grilled Cheese Sandwichs (Say Cheese) Given the cost, places such as Peanut Butter & Co. are destined to remain novelty acts. Good for one evening out on the town, but unlikely to garner repeat business. Still - its a cute idea...nicely presented. Besides, any place offering a menu item called "The Elvis" wins a spot in my memory book - for creativity at least. |
| Pegu
Club -
77 West Houston Street (near Wooster) (Cocktails) I have now found my favorite place for cocktails...at least for very special occasions. Unobtrusively located between Laguardia Place and Wooster--and marked solely by a glass-etched lion--Pegu Club is very easy to miss. But once upstairs, the (extremely) high class atmosphere is hard to forget. And so are the signature cocktails, running from their own version of mojitos to sake laced beverages, and my favorite - a Rum/Ginger beer mix known as a Jamaican Firefly. (It's also known as a Dark and Stormy, but that name is trademarked.) The drinks are reasonably priced for upscale Manhattan - $12.00 for the standards, and a little more for specialty drinks. (You also get a decent amount...at least there was for my D&S.) They also serve tapas type eats, but who cares? Patrons of Pegu are there for the atmosphere and the liquid refreshment. This place is class personified - perfect for that special date, or celebratory drink. So take a trip and see for yourself. And have one on me. |
| Red
Bamboo
- 140 W. 4th Street (6th Avenue and McDougal) For the food obsessed, the area around West Fourth Street is hard to beat. Culinary treasures abound, and transportation is amazingly easy, with quick access to the A,C, E and D. Those with Asian and/or vegetarian leanings will be particularly pleased - faced with a delicious range of options including Roll and Dough (on West 3rd), Vegetarian's Paradise 2 (on West 4th) and Red Bamboo, a vegan/vegetarian restaurant specializing in multi-ethnic comfort foods, from Roti Canai to Creole Chicken. A small space, the decor at RB is a touch classier than Vegetarian's Paradise (located right next door.) But the philosophy of both establishments are similar - expansive (and somewhat expensive) menus, focusing on mock meat dishes, many with Asian themes. The results are tasty and genuinely close to meat, with enough chewy/meaty texture to impress carnivores and vegetarians alike. Though mushy, the Seoul Pancake (Panjeon) wasn't bad - an eggless version good enough to satisfy Korean cravings. Then there's the Barbeque Chicken - a stroke of genius, smothered in sweet sauce...and authentic down to the bone (made from a wooden skewer.) The only bad choice of the evening proved to be the dessert - an overly large Brownie Bottom Cheesecake slice with a leaden texture and slightly artificial aftertaste. Both overall, the menu holds much promise, offering options from Caribbean Jerk Seitan to Salmon Teriyaki. And the wide range of choices is perfact for groups, where everyone has their specific tastes and preferences. Which is better? Given a choice, I'd choose Vegetarian's Paradise first...it's a little more "comfy" (read, less "elitest" atmosphere), and they've got (great) ice cream for dessert. But Red Bamboo is a definite class act - offering yet another reason to head to the Village. |
| Roll
and Dough - 135 W. 3rd
Street (6th Avenue and McDougal) Hidden throughout Flushing Chinatown are many tiny gems - small shoppes serving cheap, tasty edibles - items not readily available in the tourist heavy haunts of Manhattan. One of the best was Unique Pastry, a miniscule shoppe offering $1.50 steamed buns, and bings (flattened fried buns, coated with sesame seeds and stuffed with a variety of fillings.) In the past few years, the snacks have become famous in certain foodie circles, earning the owner of the shoppe (Elizabeth Ting) the name of Bing Lady. In August 2006, the shoppe moved to Manhattan/West Village, around the corner from the basketball courts. Renamed Roll and Dough, the shoppe offers the same tasty snacks - and a more easily accessible location. Despite the Manhattan address, the price remains reasonable - juices are sold for $3.00, bings/buns run from $1.50 - $2.00. The menu seems expanded, offering a wide range of flavors, from spicy pork to veggie. Though slightly cold, the bings I sampled (both sweet and savory) were tasty. Since Taro had sold out, I tried the sweet banana filling - nothing amazing (though satisfactory.) The hot and sour vegetable bing - that had punch, and flavor...the clear winner of the taste test. But there's always the red bean to try out - for yet another day. In the end, I walked away from Roll and Dough happy - wishing the best for Ms. Ting's expanding business. It's good to see culinary diversity thrive in the West Village... It's also good to have access to bings - without having to ride the 7 train to get them. |
| Sacred
Chow - 227 Sullivan Street
(Bleecker and W. 3rd) (Vegetarian) Located in the west village, a small, quirky vegan restaurant specializing in tapas and assorted quick bites (such as soups, salads, smoothies and sweets.) The tapas--which take front billing--are numerous, ranging from orange blackstrap BBQ Seitan (chewy, shredded and tasty) to Indonesian Root Vegetable Latkes (particularly good, with a quirky, addictive flavor.) Divided into Protein and Complex Carb subcategories, other small plate options include soy meatballs, curried broccoli and roasted indonesian tempeh. For those who miss their morning eggs, Sacred Chow also does brunch - featuring sumptuous tofu omelet spreads (decorated with Sicilian tomatoes), Tofu Scrambles with biscuits and gravy, and even waffles (with flax seeds, nonetheless.) All good tasty options...though arguably overpriced, with small plates running $5.00 and over (and well, they're really small) - and brunches costing more than $10.00. Fortunately, the crowning glory at Sacred Chow is clearly the sweets, with particular praise for the Velvet Triple Chocolate Brownie. Sweet, moist and spectacular, this dessert equals Blossom's chocolate ganache - at about half the cost. So skip the plates and go straight for dessert. You, your wallet - and particularly your tummy - will be glad that you did! |
| S'Nice - 45 8th
Avenue (off W. 4th) (Vegetarian) A hot new name in food, S'Nice is a comfy sandwich shop located in the West Village (a few doors down from the Chocolate Bar). Despite its liberal use of tempeh and tofu, it's hardly an Asian establishment - not even in the fusion sense of the word. As of late, my tastes have run astray...leading me on a temporary detour through American comfort foods and staples - from Pizza, to (veggie) dogs...and trendy sandwich shoppes like S'Nice. Vegetarian themed, S'Nice offers a good selection of sandwichs, wraps and salads - from Tempeh Reubens, to a Thai Chicken Salad Wrap. The staff is casual, friendly...and the prices are good (at least for West Village wallets, at $7.00 a pop.) Geared to the sandwich gourmand, the fare may not be Banh Mi - but it is tasty, filling and perfect for the vegetarian palate. Full of panini, I left happy and satiated, thinking how nice it is when an establishment lives up to the hype. Or is that S'Nice...? |
| Vegetarian's
Paradise 2 - 144 W. 4th
(Between 6th and Macdougal) (Close to the W. 4th Subway Stop) Buddhist Chinese can be hard to get right... Many restaurants try, offering up mock-meat versions of General Tsos, Kung Pao Chicken...and many more classics. This visit was my fourth attempt. Three other times, I had ventured to vegetarian establishments, seeking the perfect Seitan, Tofu and Tempeh dishes. First House of Vegetarian, and Vegetarian Dim Sum...and then Buddha Bodai, but to no avail - the dishes all proved disappointing. Pretty perhaps (at least in the case of Buddha Bodai) - but not as satisfying as the real thing. The fourth trip was to Vegetarian Paradise 2 - a small, stylish restaurant located in the heart of the West Village. This time - the food was just right! A vegetarian treasure-trove, the menu at VP2 offers a wealth of options, pulling from various asian cuisines. Dishes tempted around every corner, including Meatless Siu Mai, Rice Ball Dumplings, Grilled Mahi-Mahi, Mango Chicken and even Vegan Ice Cream. But the goal of the evening was Peking Duck - served on crepes with shredded scallions, pineapples, lychee and hoisin sauce. Within ten minutes, the food was there...and it was good: light tan and dimpled like true duck skin - with just the right, chewy texture. Accented with the crisp vegetables, and the slightest sweet touch of the fresh lychee, this was one dish that really worked, wiping away all memory of the soggy General Tso that I had dined on earlier in the week (ordered from Budda Bodai.) Even the hoisin sauce tasted good. My only complaint - the crepes, substituting in for the floppy, soft wafers that had accompanied the real Peking Duck that I had tried in the past. But the crepes were tasty on their own - so it was a sin that could be forgiven. I even willingly begrudged the $10.95 price tag - despite the inherent thriftiness of my soul. Surprisingly, the best was yet to come - because VP2 serves banana splits - three generous scoops of vegan ice cream drizzled with chocolate and sprinkles. Now that, my friends, was a truly happy ending. Finally, a vegetarian restaurant that I enjoy - and can truly recommend. Tonight, I walked through the West Village a happy Gaijin....thanks to Vegetarian's Paradise 2...and a little dish called Peking Duck. |
| Multiple NYC Locations |
| Go Sushi A NYC chain, serving up the standards with a fast-food mentality. The menu offers plenty of the classics - such as spicy tuna, handrolls and soba salad. Though it ain't Nobu, the fare is perfect for a dine-and-dash. It's not transcendant...but sometimes fresh and tasty is all you need. |
| Jamba Juice A fast food juice bar offering a range of juices, smoothies, and blends (made with ingredients such as green tea, yogurt, mango, strawberry and OJ.) While not life-changing (and a bit on the expensive side), the beverages are tasty - and can be supplemented with handy extras (called boosts) such as protein powder, vitamin C and calcium. At the JJ I visited, the staff was quite cordial, and willing to supplement the dairy ingredients for soy...which made for a nice overall experience. |
| Subway
(American) A well known fast-food chain, offering a range of heros...from chicken and ham to roast beef. Though a true review would be out of place, it's worth noting that the Veggie Delight Sandwich isn't half bad--especially with a wrap--offering hungry pedestrians a decent quick-bite option...definitely a few steps up from McDonalds! |
| Out O' Town |
| Angkor Watt - 136
Shirley Avenue, Revere, MA (Cambodian) (Grocery) (781-286-2667) A cute little place a few doors down from Floating Rock. It's got a little of everything - groceries that are Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and (of course) Cambodian. As with most small grocery shoppes, it's the impulse items in the front that are most interesting - including deep fried banana or shrimp fritters, and bags o' multicolored mini muffins. At $.50 a shot, you can't go wrong... |
| Angkor Thom Market
- 157 Shirley Avenue, Revere, MA (Cambodian) (Grocery) (718-289-2834) The larger of the two Cambodian groceries on Shirley Ave., Angkor Thom Market has lots of little must-tries...from bags with glutinous dough waffles, to plastic glasses of white or black fermented rice (known in Singapore as Tapeh.) Then there are the standard pan-Asian items - including soy sauce, Vietnamese Banh Xeo batter, and any number of fermented fish sauces. So go and stock up the pantry...but don't forget to stop off at Floating Rock before you leave! |
| Floating
Rock - 144 Shirley Avenue, Revere, MA (Cambodian) It's hard to admit that NYC isn't always the center of the universe. Occasionally, however, the facts are incontrovertible. At such times, New Yorkers must simply bow their heads in shame, and submit to the inevitable truth. Such is the case when it comes to Cambodian cuisine...a soft spot when it comes to NYC's claim to the title of restaurant capitol of the world. For despite our reputation (and what must surely be a decent sized Cambodian community) Cambodian restaurants do not shine in Gotham. Yes, we once had a restaurant known as Cambodian Cuisine...a small joint in Brooklyn known to Chowhounds (despite its out of the way locale.) But the menu was primarily Chinese, with a hit and miss reputation. As of this date, CC has closed...leaving the Cambodian inquisitive with little to nothing to sample...no Angkor Watt specialties, no Ansom Chek, and certainly no Amok. Damn it, we're supposed to have everything. Not true – but thankfully, there's still Massachusetts. Located in the small town of Revere, one can find Cambodian salvation. The street is known as Shirley Avenue...home to a small treasure trove of Cambodian businesses...including two (count 'em, two) grocery stores...and Floating Rock – a Cambodian restaurant beloved in the annuals of Chowhound.com. Like
many tasty
gems, the restaurant known as Floating Rock is pretty small –
numbering approximately seven tables, with only the most modest
décor
(and a TV in the corner, playing Cambodian videos.) Getting to the
bathroom requires a trip through the kitchen, waving to the smiling
chefs (who you'll be thanking profusely by the end of the evening.) But
the food is more than plentiful, authentic...and they ROCK
(depending on the dish.) Among the highlights...ginger marinated
mussels, spicy seafood, hot and sour beef...and a mango/seafood salad
that rivals even Sriprathai in flavor complexity. Yes, they have
issues about the Red Sox. But damn it, Massachusetts has Floating
Rock. The dessert menu isn't much to look at, and the prices are
average (running $10 per entree or appetizer.) No, it's not dirt
cheap, but the entrees are truly flavorful, and authentic - served
with warm and friendly service. And that makes it worth the trip –
even it if it is five hours or more! |
| Minado - 2888 Route
10 West, Morris Plains, NJ 07950 (Japanese) A chain of Japanese restaurants located in various spots throughout NJ, NY, MA and even PA. Elegantly decorated, Minado specializes in all-you-can-eat seafood buffets (a concept which might make Nobu regulars sneer.) Yet the food is surprisingly good...especially the sushi. Available in a wide range of variations--both veggie and seafood--the rolls are fresh, artistically presented, and in ample supply (with chefs on hand to quickly refill as supplies run low.) The hot entrees are high quality, too. No, there's no Okonomiyaki, but almost everything else is available - including tasty renditions of kinpira salad to udon, soba, tempura and chicken teriyaki. Desserts include fresh fruit, strawberry yogurt and little pastries such as chocolate or carrot cake. If you're in the mood, there's even Japanese beer and plum wine to finish off the meal....resulting in quite the satisfactory dining experience. Running $16.50 for a weekend lunch, the prices are a little high...but the food is arguably worth it. Given the friendly atmosphere and variation, Minado is perhaps the perfect place for introducing a newbie to Japanese fare (not so scary, with lots to choose from.) No, it ain't Sakagura, but the Inari sushi and grilled eggplant are really to die for. What more can you ask for - especially in the middle of New Jersey!? |
| Mitsuwa - 595 River
Road, Edgewater, NJ (Japanese) Not exactly what you'd expect in the middle of New Jersey, this Japanese-only food court and mall offers a range of produce, condiments, and even delicate goodies from the likes of Minamoto Kitchoan. The booths at Mitsuwa come complete with plate glass window displays featuring plastic replicas of their menu options - with dishes from Tonkatsu to Soba noodles. The food court is equally elegant - with the polished wood tables overlooking an expansive view of the Hudson River. For Japanese culinary fans, Mitsuwa is worth the trip....which isn't all that bad. Open 365 days a year, there's a bus available from Port Authority. So even if you don't have a car, it's a reachable destination! |
| Miya's Sushi - 68 Howe
Street, New Haven, CT (Japanese/Ethnic Fusion) (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!) Miya's Sushi has been on my go-to list for quite some time. Ever since that fateful day that my husband brought home the menu - a hefty sized booklet, marked by the largest list of veggie sushi that ever I'd seen - as well as myriad seafood options, appetizers, colorfully named sake cocktails...and even a dessert roll called "seven deadly sushi" (a deep fried, one bited wonder made with banana, peanut butter, blueberries, chocolate and ice cream.) Mixing sushi roll philosophy with unexpected flavors, Miya's offerings include ingredients such as Ethiopean berebere sauce and injera, mango chutney and miso/avocado. (Okay, not all in the same maki roll. Now that would be crazy!) Over 15 pages long, the menu is filled with wonderfully creative names, such as Rikki Tikki and Voompa Rolls - and even includes footnotes in the back, explaining the background of some of the (more) exotic dishes on the list. Recently, we took the plunge - braving both traffic and bad weather for the trip out to New Haven. Arriving 10 minutes late on the reservation, we settled down at the table - more than ready for a taste of the menu, and a celebratory birthday dinner. (Whatever you do, don't ask how old.) Needless to say, it was worth it. As is the natural way of such things, drinks came first...a wonderful sampler of seasoned sakes, including Dragon Lady (with ginger, lemongrass and honey), Emerald Witches Lips (infused with green pinecone) and Ultraviolet Kisses (ume sake, best distinguished by it's overwhelming salt flavor, somewhat reminiscent of...um, never mind.) But best of all, there was Chinese Firecracker Sake - made with citrus and hot chili pepper - a pinkish red drink hotter than cinnamon gum, with a wonderfully addictive burn (winning it an immediate place in my list of all-time favorite drinks.) And then there was dinner. With so many options to choose from, we feared missing out and chose two bleu plate specials - featuring seven seafood rolls and twelve assorted veggie bites (including options such as killer faux squid, ginger eggplant teriyaki roll, and the hot-headed cowgirl roll (a coconut covered roll made with cream cheese, papaya, and burdock.) Though there were definitely favorites, the meal didn't disappoint, filling us both to bursting. (My only regret - that the rolls and drinks weren't individually labelled, making it difficult to identify or remember the name of each item. ) We even chatted with chef Bun Lai - son of the eponymous Miya. Creative and energetic, Bun was happy to discuss the menu...even offering to veganize the veggie rolls, where needed. We left Miya's happy - determined to come back for samples of rolls that we had not tried. Though somewhat high in price, the food was clearly worth the cost* (even for me, the queen of cheap.) A small price to pay for a night of true Asian fusion - done *right* for a change (unlike most NYC sites, which pretend to diversity and fail miserably.) As for the drive to New Haven - not so bad, given the payoff. And if it keeps crowds away from my seat at the table, all the better. Conneticut, here I come. * Prices at Miya's do run steep, with rolls costing between $3 - $15. Normal for NYC...but worthy of note, for those on a budget. ** Miya's - Part Two: In the beginning of October, we ventured to Miya's yet again - introducing a friend from Boston to the fusion world of Miya's Sushi. This time around, I have to say that I didn't find the rolls *all* that intriguing. Creative, yes. Filling? Definitely. But just a tad bit bland...paling in comparison to Sushi Time's Ume Crunch Rolls (perhaps my all time favorite, located conveniently in mid-town Manhattan.) But my friend loved the dinner, and the Firecracker Sake still proved to be specular. And Bun? He's still the absolute best. So if you're in the area, give Miya's Sushi a shot, and decide for yourself. :) |
| Sunflower
- 6304 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA (Vegan) I'd been wanting to going to Sunflower for some time. A friend in VA had recently become interested in vegetarianism...and I was looking forward to taking her for her first veg restaurant experience. I'd done the foodie research - and Sunflower came highly recommended by previous patrons. So I had extremely high hopes...all of which were sadly dashed. Okay, so the service at Sunflower is pleasant and gracious...but that's the best possible thing that could be said about it. The atmosphere? Not so great, with basic kitchen seating and cartoony tshirts worn by staff and sundry. Then there's the food...a travesty of blandness, from the tasteless gogi berries in my salad to a curry that had so little spice, my husband automatically named it "baby's first curry" (subtitled, curry Chef Boyardee.). And no, that wasn't being harsh...just factual. Okay, perhaps I'm used to mainlining kimchee, and sucking down the occasional gob of wasabi. But darn it, there's only so many times a gal can read about a tasty, tantalizing Asian fusion dish on the menu....only to find that it has all the style of canned Chop Suey. Darn it, Asian food deserves better. And so does vegetarian/vegan cuisine! All in all, a very disappointing meal. At least the tab wasn't too steep - only $58 for three meals. But now I have to take my friend to a decent veg restaurant in Manhattan - if only to show that all veg food isn't as disappointing as Sunflower. Blossom and Curly's, here we come! |
