tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89514420249423611642024-03-13T20:43:01.070-07:00Macaroni Bellissime - A Food and Travel BlogWe are two friends who share a love for food and exploring the world around us.AH & YYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05935325079364005398noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-60896071978386626222012-03-05T18:10:00.007-08:002012-03-05T18:34:41.107-08:00Brushstroke - NYC<span><span style="font-size: 100%;">Brushstroke, David Bouley's new-ish restaurant in Tribeca, has been getting so much press lately and each article keeps reminding me of the amazing birthday dinner I had there and how I have been neglecting posting on this blog. When my friend chose this restaurant to take me to for my birthday, I was so excited. I had heard about it and was so excited to try out "</span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiseki" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">kaiseki</a><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">" which is basically the Japanese version of a tasting menu. </span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Brushstroke was recently announced as <a href="http://www.gq.com/food-travel/restaurants-and-bars/201203/best-new-restaurants-in-america-alan-richman?currentPage=5">one of the top ten best new restaurants</a> of America in 2011 by GQ, awarded <a href="http://www.michelintravel.com/methodology/new-york-city-2012-starred-restaurants/">one Michelin star</a> for 2012, and also named the best <a href="http://nymag.com/bestofny/food/2012/chawanmushi/">chawanmushi</a> in NY by New York magazine (it was SO good - unfortunately I forgot to get a picture of that one between all the courses!).</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">My meal was a while ago so my recall isn't great. I'll just make three points and then leave the rest up to the pictures: (1) the restaurant is definitely worth all the praise it's gotten recently, (2) their pork belly was probably the best pork belly I've ever had, (3) they have amazing service - our waiter surprised me with a birthday dessert - I love that. Also, I unfortunately didn't get a picture of all the courses - there were about 12 courses.</span></span><br /><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDHYPN_CW_s/T1VzyvkzEbI/AAAAAAAAC7o/akXwRtOz4MY/s1600/DSC09455.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDHYPN_CW_s/T1VzyvkzEbI/AAAAAAAAC7o/akXwRtOz4MY/s400/DSC09455.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716602617618174386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span>amuse bouche - the waiter listed about 10 ingredients, so I didn't catch what this was exactly...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P5qzDFxypkM/T1VzyDdWBBI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/Qiy9qN5vTPE/s1600/DSC09456%2Btuna%2Bhamachi%2Byellowtail.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P5qzDFxypkM/T1VzyDdWBBI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/Qiy9qN5vTPE/s400/DSC09456%2Btuna%2Bhamachi%2Byellowtail.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716602605775750162" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u>sashimi</u></span></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GtmSkr8NX_w/T1Vzx2C79dI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/vZKrBgxhVDE/s1600/DSC09457%2Boyster.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GtmSkr8NX_w/T1Vzx2C79dI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/vZKrBgxhVDE/s400/DSC09457%2Boyster.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716602602175329746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">pacific oyster</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtdK_4pavDU/T1Vzxc_ktiI/AAAAAAAAC7E/sTlThsrBgsM/s1600/DSC09458%2Bseared%2Blobster%2Bwith%2Bedamame%2Bpuree.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtdK_4pavDU/T1Vzxc_ktiI/AAAAAAAAC7E/sTlThsrBgsM/s400/DSC09458%2Bseared%2Blobster%2Bwith%2Bedamame%2Bpuree.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716602595450336802" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u>lobster with kabocha squash</u></span></div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qZUdsiJjwU/T1VzxOwnKFI/AAAAAAAAC64/O1tgoRHIQ3o/s1600/DSC09459.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7qZUdsiJjwU/T1VzxOwnKFI/AAAAAAAAC64/O1tgoRHIQ3o/s400/DSC09459.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716602591629486162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">black cod topped with uni</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTexf42hhhI/T1VzCvKPdoI/AAAAAAAAC6s/RyhQmnW7bNA/s1600/DSC09460%2Bcod%2Bwith%2Bsea%2Burchin%2Band%2Bflaxseed.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTexf42hhhI/T1VzCvKPdoI/AAAAAAAAC6s/RyhQmnW7bNA/s400/DSC09460%2Bcod%2Bwith%2Bsea%2Burchin%2Band%2Bflaxseed.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716601792873068162" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-modg4nAlyE8/T1VzCQmt3GI/AAAAAAAAC6g/NCKjbk575jw/s1600/DSC09461%2Bpork%2Bbelly.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-modg4nAlyE8/T1VzCQmt3GI/AAAAAAAAC6g/NCKjbk575jw/s400/DSC09461%2Bpork%2Bbelly.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716601784671001698" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u>pork belly on top of cipollini onion puree</u></span></div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hDGw0-XCZQ/T1VzBTCQWqI/AAAAAAAAC6I/Q1ZIo5KZBb0/s1600/DSC09464%2Bsoy%2Bsauce%2Bice%2Bcream.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hDGw0-XCZQ/T1VzBTCQWqI/AAAAAAAAC6I/Q1ZIo5KZBb0/s400/DSC09464%2Bsoy%2Bsauce%2Bice%2Bcream.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716601768143510178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">soy sauce ice cream </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U15LuSXJwAo/T1VzBNOx5_I/AAAAAAAAC58/h7B_PWywgd4/s1600/DSC09465%2Bred%2Bbean%2Bpudding%2Bchocolate%2Band%2Bgreen%2Btea%2Bcookies.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U15LuSXJwAo/T1VzBNOx5_I/AAAAAAAAC58/h7B_PWywgd4/s400/DSC09465%2Bred%2Bbean%2Bpudding%2Bchocolate%2Band%2Bgreen%2Btea%2Bcookies.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716601766585427954" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u>sweet ending<br /></u></span><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-80690949047406326812011-12-26T17:38:00.000-08:002012-01-02T14:07:18.931-08:00Rouge Tomate - main restaurantThis is a long overdue review. Whenever I wait this long before posting a review, I don't have great recollection about each individual dish. One of my new year resolutions is to blog more often. <br />
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Rouge Tomate<span class="street-address"> </span><br />
<span class="street-address">10 E 60th St</span><br />
<span class="street-address"></span><span class="locality">New York</span>, <span class="region">NY</span> <span class="postal-code">10022</span><span class="street-address"> </span><br />
http://www.rougetomatenyc.com/<br />
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First Impressions:<br />
This is a huge restaurant, with two levels. The interior is very clean and simple with vases of fruit as decor. The aura really fits in with the restaurant's concept of healthy, quality, locally source food. My fiance and I thought this would be a great place for a wedding reception or large event.<br />
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Although the decor is more on the casual side, the service is equal to that of a five star restaurant - there's a maitre'd to attend to all of your needs. We went there with a groupon deal and the groupon prix fixe menu included a squab dish. I really don't like any kind of non-chicken poultry so I asked if they could replace that dish with something else. The maitre'd worked with the chef to replace my squab dish with a fish dish. <br />
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Dinner:<br />
I typically find it is difficult to find restaurants that serve more "creative" non alcoholic drinks, they usually only offer ice tea, lemonade, or Coke/Pepsi products. At Rouge Tomate, they make their own sodas and even offer non alcoholic cocktails. <br />
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I had the Nieve de Pina, which is pineapple juice, coconut water, vanilla, cinnamon, pineapple soda<br />
It was quite thick and foamy. I actually found it slightly bland, I think the vanilla and coconut totally downplayed the sweet taste of the pineapple.<br />
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Later in the night, we ordered the pineapple soda and the apple sour. I'm not a huge fan of their home made soda. It had a bit of a chalky baking soda taste. Not like fresh squeezed juice + carbonation that I imagined it would be. <br />
<br />The bread basket is actually a giant basket carried around by a waiter. They have a variety of breads - pumpernickel, sourdough, "peasant bread", etc. You choose the slice you want, but they do not leave extra bread at the table. <br />
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I thought the heirloom tomatoes were quite a nice and unique touch. <br />
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<b>Trio of Amuse</b><br />
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From left to right:<br />
1. local oyster / rhubarb / ginger <br />
2. cucumber / caviar / dill <br />3. mousseron / quail egg / mushroom cappucino <br />
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I really enjoyed these three items. The presentation looks incredible, very high class. My fav out of the three was the oyster - fresh, light, and with a citrus kick. The caviar was also quite good, but a bit too salty.<br />
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<br /><b>Cuttlefish salad</b><br />
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I loved this dish. It's very big on taste but light on your stomach. The cuttlefish is cut thin and tastes delicious with the citrus sauce. This dinner was pretty heavy on the citrus items. I guess that ties all the dishes together. <br />
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<b>Tomato Watermelon Gazpacho</b> - cucumber / basil seed / sourdough / sherry vinegar <br />
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Isn't this pretty? It tastes like gazpacho but made from jelly. I think this concept is interesting and the execution is good. However, the texture of the jelly made it difficult to eat too much of it. I started to feel a bit grossed out when I got to the bottom orange portion. I think for a cold soup like gazpacho, you definitely want to have some texture/something to chew on.<br />
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<b>Sweet Corn Farrotto</b> - Santa Barbara sea urchin / Maine crab succotash / basil <br />
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I have to admit, this was not a memorable dish for me. I remember the yellow foam of the dish had the rich buttery taste of sea urchin. That's about it. I think I actually forgot about the dish the night of the dinner. <br />
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<b>Thomas Farms Squab</b> - local strawberry / foie gras / endive / Sicilian pistachio<br />
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This is the dish I did not have. I am sooo glad I was able to get an alternative. My fiance said it tasted very "gamey" and a bit tough. He is more open to different types of meat and he didn't particularly like this dish because of the squab. <br />
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<b>Thai fish and shrimp</b> <br />
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I feel bad I can't remember the actual name of my dish because it was really good! The taste was very strong so this small bite is perfect. Maybe if I had the full sized dish I would think it was a bit overwhelming. <br />
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<b>Palate cleanser:</b> I think it's rhubarb soda + cream<br />
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Caraïbe Sphere - Pear / Frangipane / Dulce de Leche / Maldon Sea Salt<br />
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This is the most beautiful and unique dessert I've ever seen. I couldn't get a before picture of it, but it was basically a giant round chocolate ball. The waiter then pours hot chocolate sauce all over it and the outside melts away. If you really enjoy warm chocolate cake for dessert, then you would like this dish. <br />
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<b>Platter of small desserts</b> - complimentary<br />
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These desserts all tasted rather similar, fruit on creme and a pastry shell. <br />
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<b>Homemade Cranola</b> - complimentary<br />
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Final impressions: It seemed as though most of the dishes in our meal was served cold. By the time we finished dessert, both of us were basically shivering. This really took away from the experience. However, although we didn't really enjoy the cold dishes, the quality of the meal was apparent. The presentation was flawless and you can tell the ingredients used to cook was fresh and healthy. For healthy cooking, there wasn't an absence of flavor either, which is great! Because of its commitment to fresh quality "farm to table" meals, this is definitely a restaurant I would return to and recommend to others. Hopefully, next time we will order some warmer dishes.yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16980348541327068606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-26528992370524333422011-12-07T11:45:00.000-08:002011-12-07T11:54:53.048-08:00panya macarons - obsessed.<div>I got the best surprise today - macarons from Panya! Most people who know me know that I'm obsessed with macarons. those who know me really well know that I'm obsessed with green tea flavored-anything. So I LOVED this green tea macaron from panya. I was super excited when I opened the package. Then I bit into it and it had a red bean filling! My two favorite flavors in one macaron, topped with black sesames!</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hMQxDZPKHwA/Tt_DadNn08I/AAAAAAAAChM/mz-KUnZYqqM/s1600/IMG_0654.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hMQxDZPKHwA/Tt_DadNn08I/AAAAAAAAChM/mz-KUnZYqqM/s400/IMG_0654.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683476114050634690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Individually wrapped!</div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6aiSUPU6x0/Tt_DZ7_5u-I/AAAAAAAAChA/OujoqBH5SWo/s1600/IMG_0655.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6aiSUPU6x0/Tt_DZ7_5u-I/AAAAAAAAChA/OujoqBH5SWo/s400/IMG_0655.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683476105134717922" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--PJ9OcFMlDM/Tt_DZHXGHnI/AAAAAAAACg0/re53YpcmdIw/s1600/IMG_0656.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--PJ9OcFMlDM/Tt_DZHXGHnI/AAAAAAAACg0/re53YpcmdIw/s400/IMG_0656.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683476091004919410" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aH9XE9Mf_N4/Tt_DYu9CdkI/AAAAAAAACgo/5frv0XFuyHg/s1600/IMG_0657.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aH9XE9Mf_N4/Tt_DYu9CdkI/AAAAAAAACgo/5frv0XFuyHg/s400/IMG_0657.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683476084453176898" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46_CWJLQuaY/Tt_DYW-y1pI/AAAAAAAACgc/U8RaJzJACJQ/s1600/IMG_0658.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46_CWJLQuaY/Tt_DYW-y1pI/AAAAAAAACgc/U8RaJzJACJQ/s400/IMG_0658.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683476078018090642" /></a><br /><div>Perfect surprise! Also the macarons at Panya are only $1.50, much cheaper than other macarons around the city. The texture is slightly...air-ier than other macarons from typical French bakeries, with slightly less chewy-ness. You can get these macarons at the Sunrise Mart by Bryant Park or Panya in the East Village near St. Marks.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-73924993480569291512011-12-03T11:14:00.000-08:002011-12-07T09:15:44.631-08:00Laut - NYC<div>Michelin-starred Malaysian/Thai food? Even though I'm Asian, I was still kind of skeptical of how Asian food could be refined enough to be Michelin-starred. I was also hesitant to dish out the money, since Malaysian and Thai food can easily be found around the city at lower prices. Luckily, I found a deal on Groupon and decided to bring my family here for my dad's birthday dinner (my parents are so old school Asian that they would never let me spend that much money on them for food - only if there were some sort of coupon!). I'm a horrible food blogger - I'm trying to update more frequently and right after I eat a meal. Unfortunately, this meal took place over the summer so I'll just fill you in on the memorable details!</div><div><br /></div><div>We were at Laut relatively early for dinner, so I really enjoyed the setting (I'm a sucker for restaurants with exposed brick walls).</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XDBCJcHQIoQ/TjmU_JHPGSI/AAAAAAAABm4/yTFsIbAtscA/s1600/DSC09143.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XDBCJcHQIoQ/TjmU_JHPGSI/AAAAAAAABm4/yTFsIbAtscA/s400/DSC09143.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636700221129824546" /></a><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-echciCphoXs/TjmU-4chRlI/AAAAAAAABmw/gEUJ5KJ9M6Q/s1600/DSC09144.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-echciCphoXs/TjmU-4chRlI/AAAAAAAABmw/gEUJ5KJ9M6Q/s400/DSC09144.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636700216655693394" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chili Tofu</b>: fried tofu stuffed with cucumber, jicama, bean sprout & chili sauce</div><div><br /></div><div>This was my appetizer - I loved the sauce and toppings. Normally fried tofu at Thai restaurants are over-fried and don't really taste like much of anything - I liked that at Laut, the tofu still had a soft consistency on the inside.</div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3cHRw-77Fmk/TjmU-WpOi3I/AAAAAAAABmo/qM4Abmdolro/s1600/DSC09145.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3cHRw-77Fmk/TjmU-WpOi3I/AAAAAAAABmo/qM4Abmdolro/s400/DSC09145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636700207582186354" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Five Spice Pork Roll</b>: Marinated pork with five spice and fried</div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpLiTlj6rd4/TjmTsg44YiI/AAAAAAAABmg/I6JFBU2XySw/s1600/DSC09146.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpLiTlj6rd4/TjmTsg44YiI/AAAAAAAABmg/I6JFBU2XySw/s400/DSC09146.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636698801582924322" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chicken Satay</b>: Grilled marinated with spice on skewer with peanut sauce</div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sc4bGrZrvfw/TjmTsbsphMI/AAAAAAAABmY/l1EQSwdWvYs/s1600/DSC09147.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sc4bGrZrvfw/TjmTsbsphMI/AAAAAAAABmY/l1EQSwdWvYs/s400/DSC09147.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636698800189441218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Roti Canai</b>: Indian style crispy thin pancake with spicy curry dipping sauce </div></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VdapnaHu_OM/TjmTsG4fLZI/AAAAAAAABmQ/lrBZRfc8Fcg/s1600/DSC09149.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VdapnaHu_OM/TjmTsG4fLZI/AAAAAAAABmQ/lrBZRfc8Fcg/s400/DSC09149.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636698794601950610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ikaan Chili Garang</b>: Fried fillet of flounder with shrimp paste chili sauce</div><br />My dad ordered the fried fish and this was easily the best dish out of all of ours. It was extremely spicy but the chili sauce had actual depth in flavor, rather than just burning your mouth off.</div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iuzz6wgpJe0/TjmTrk1F19I/AAAAAAAABmI/rtCCBdLMNU8/s1600/DSC09150.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iuzz6wgpJe0/TjmTrk1F19I/AAAAAAAABmI/rtCCBdLMNU8/s400/DSC09150.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636698785460901842" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Asam Lemak Udang</b>: Sour spicy coconut milk with shrimp lemongrass garlic cherry tomato okra</div><div><br /></div><div>Actually...I remember absolutely loving this dish too. Also very spicy. </div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AN27FJ1C_DY/TjmTrS8kd9I/AAAAAAAABmA/QqvypMVd_aI/s1600/DSC09151.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AN27FJ1C_DY/TjmTrS8kd9I/AAAAAAAABmA/QqvypMVd_aI/s400/DSC09151.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636698780660430802" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Beef Rendang</b>: Simmered until dry exotic spices lemongrass, lime leaves, grated coconut with thick coconut milk</div></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iePmcCZXdOQ/TjmRyTO2OOI/AAAAAAAABl4/qa_jTvOfrHY/s1600/DSC09152.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iePmcCZXdOQ/TjmRyTO2OOI/AAAAAAAABl4/qa_jTvOfrHY/s400/DSC09152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636696701972920546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chili Crab (with steamed bun)</b>: Spicy chili crab (soft shell), egg, garlic, ginger, tomato sauce, sesame peanut oil</div><div><br /></div><div>This was my order and it was very good. It was slightly on the sweeter side, but I didn't mind it.</div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eNj-P5vfN84/TjmRyAInI5I/AAAAAAAABlw/iMbFQkvLzTw/s1600/DSC09153.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eNj-P5vfN84/TjmRyAInI5I/AAAAAAAABlw/iMbFQkvLzTw/s400/DSC09153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636696696846492562" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1-F4jBv5uIY/TjmRx3hkqGI/AAAAAAAABlo/WRI0XxLVecI/s1600/DSC09154.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1-F4jBv5uIY/TjmRx3hkqGI/AAAAAAAABlo/WRI0XxLVecI/s400/DSC09154.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636696694535268450" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Mango with sticky rice</div></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r048d_3Dn5s/TjmRxkMxR5I/AAAAAAAABlg/yYsVFB9IDns/s1600/DSC09156.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r048d_3Dn5s/TjmRxkMxR5I/AAAAAAAABlg/yYsVFB9IDns/s400/DSC09156.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636696689347741586" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Green tea ice cream with toasted coconut flakes</div><div><br /></div><div>Their green tea ice cream was amazing! My mom was obsessed with this. It was not sweet at all and had a really deep matcha green tea flavor. I wish we actually asked them who supplies their ice cream, or if it's house-made. I've recently discovered really good green tea ice cream from the Maeda-en brand at Asian grocery stores - but the one at Laut was ten times better than even that brand!</div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7nRqsG1mmDU/TjmRxUTRj9I/AAAAAAAABlY/5ZnC0n85TGA/s1600/DSC09157.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7nRqsG1mmDU/TjmRxUTRj9I/AAAAAAAABlY/5ZnC0n85TGA/s400/DSC09157.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636696685080055762" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ginger candy with the check - I love these sorts of extra touches from restaurants!</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-759634134483100842011-12-03T06:31:00.000-08:002011-12-07T09:06:00.332-08:00Vapiano - NYC<a href="http://www.vapianointernational.com/vapiano/cms/upload/images_locations/boston/boston_07_noir-1_web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 354px; height: 536px;" src="http://www.vapianointernational.com/vapiano/cms/upload/images_locations/boston/boston_07_noir-1_web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div>A lot of times, my friends and I just want to meet up for a quick affordable meal to catch up, something low key. Yet, we always run in to the problem of finding a restaurant for our weekly catch up sessions - it seems like most restaurants in NYC are either too high maintenance or too casual, with more of a "fast food" feel. Even the restaurants that try to pass off as casual neighborhood spots have surprisingly high menu prices. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some of my college friends had an event at a sports bar near Union Square one night, while I had another event to go to in the same area so we decided to go to Spice for relatively affordable Thai food. I had only been for lunch before and was surprised that the dinner scene was much more high maintenance (think over done mood lighting and house music). There was also much more of a wait than I expected. After waiting for around 30 minutes, and running late for our respective events, my friends and I opted to go across the street to Vapiano, and were rewarded with a much more serene and elegant (yet affordable and low key) atmosphere where we could actually hear each other talk. They have an interesting system where they give you a card, you go to the respective meal station where you order and get your food, they swipe your card at that station, and upon leaving, you give the card to the cashier who then charges you for the amount reflected on your card.</div><div><br /></div><div>I loved the simple decor at Vapiano, they even had an olive tree growing in the restaurant (picture above is from their website). Their options of Italian and Mediterranean food also all sounded good. I only opted for a shrimp salad, but it was delicious! This is definitely at the top of my list now as a go-to for catch up sessions with friends.<br /><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oOjPDUICW9I/TbV4hDtDPhI/AAAAAAAABOk/kJTQPtzXqcY/s1600/vappiano.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oOjPDUICW9I/TbV4hDtDPhI/AAAAAAAABOk/kJTQPtzXqcY/s320/vappiano.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599514221030358546" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-32417838859243684582011-10-19T19:53:00.001-07:002011-11-13T18:15:13.721-08:00Whirlwind weekend in Atlanta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In August I took a trip to Atlanta for a work related trip. My fiance joined me Friday night and we spent the weekend touring the city. </div>
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My most memorable and unique experience in Atlanta was dining at a pirate themed restaurant (of course it's food related!). We stayed at the Intercontinental in the supposedly "upper crust" neighborhood of Buckhead and one of the top reviewed restaurants in the area was <b><u>Dante's Down the Hatch</u>.<i> </i></b>This is a fondue restaurant started by former Navy Seals and designed to resemble an old fashioned dock, complete with a pirate ship and an Alligator! (Unfortch, I could not see the alligator that night, so sad) We met up with a friend of mine and dined out on the "shore," but for an extra $5 per person one could dine on the pirate ship with a live band. </div>
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The menu looks like a band of actual pirate wrote it (aka disorganized) and for some bizzaro reason included chinese style entrees. But we stuck with good ol' traditional oil fondue:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmZofqDYXaTwWiXqWx4HQ4mCqDJPTCOu1GK3DXFgzI9OB2ToVQsupJwosyrxb5Xshsdzw6DYrR0mLVB2MBNJmrhCcPyJ7g9HoYqnsYNtgxC7dAqjipuoKdz_JpyBB2G0oqsl3AJOQcA4/s1600/IMG_4853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmZofqDYXaTwWiXqWx4HQ4mCqDJPTCOu1GK3DXFgzI9OB2ToVQsupJwosyrxb5Xshsdzw6DYrR0mLVB2MBNJmrhCcPyJ7g9HoYqnsYNtgxC7dAqjipuoKdz_JpyBB2G0oqsl3AJOQcA4/s400/IMG_4853.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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The boat meets the shore (left side greenish wood = ship):<br />
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The food was decent, not anything spectacular and not bad. The ambiance is really what sets this place apart. I think this is the ULTIMATE place for a first date. Food is not bad, and the conversation points are endless!</div>
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Oddly, the chocolate fondue dessert needs to be pre-ordered (how hard is it to heat up chocolate) so we didn't end up staying for dessert. Instead we went to <b><u>Bistro Nikos</u></b>, right across the street from our hotel. This is a french restaurant and boy does it get the fresh ambiance down! </div>
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The open kitchen is sooo cute! I stood there looking like a fool drooling over all the delicious looking bread loaves and cured meats. <br />
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From the kitchen, you walk into the main dining area, which also totally reminds me of a brasserie in Paris.<br />
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The only thing that is out of place is the TV at the bar, showing a football game. This is such an American thing, I feel like the french would rather be people watching or having a great conversation with their neighbors than stare at men in tights tackling each other.<br />
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I got bored and took pics of my spoon for some reason. So I'm posting it. <br />
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Our deserts:<br />
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This dessert is literally toast with some kind of chocolate spread. Meh, not so great.<br />
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I ordered a Sabayon without knowing what a Sabayon is. So when the waitress handed me a creme brulee, I was afraid to question it even though I suspected it was a creme brulee and not a Sabayon. I ate it of course...and when I was almost done my Sabayon came:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE3_vcxADI19b-SHmd4aB2cmhYOXwxw29FGk5nvAbNmKBvOMuF0Wy3Zhj8yJZUeWQfX0lh91ioOGEWEmvPNs1RMHZOyJBD1cVb8k2DCg5ScpHsJsXud541Z_AVURZHihTMGzBBafP3ZE/s1600/IMG_4876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE3_vcxADI19b-SHmd4aB2cmhYOXwxw29FGk5nvAbNmKBvOMuF0Wy3Zhj8yJZUeWQfX0lh91ioOGEWEmvPNs1RMHZOyJBD1cVb8k2DCg5ScpHsJsXud541Z_AVURZHihTMGzBBafP3ZE/s320/IMG_4876.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I really didn't enjoy the Sabayon (I like saying the word though!). It was liquidy and a bit sour. If you are feeling even slightly nauseous or unwell, this dessert could very well tip you over the edge. But my friend really liked it and helped me finish it.<br />
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My only complaint about this restaurant is slow service, but apparently this is typical for Atlanta restaurants.<br />
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If you're planning a trip to Atlanta (business or otherwise), there are many more things to do in the city than just stuffing your face (though I regret not stuffing mine full of shrimp grits). We purchased a citypass for Atlanta and went to:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReaX8C6QNr_fA7JbaMTN4HIixCUjTKF7vhvYbsqq3fKUyhG9SpXoP5zENuBJliFwHbk9aYZgN33etOAXYKLo2ibhDAd8l5M3AmXHhiTgklhOi_3a4W1UfGWr6TKCDrah2tK0sHVMUsPU/s1600/IMG_4911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReaX8C6QNr_fA7JbaMTN4HIixCUjTKF7vhvYbsqq3fKUyhG9SpXoP5zENuBJliFwHbk9aYZgN33etOAXYKLo2ibhDAd8l5M3AmXHhiTgklhOi_3a4W1UfGWr6TKCDrah2tK0sHVMUsPU/s400/IMG_4911.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Georgia Aquarium</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHMZnF387iCnVP7tlhhS0gDj4UIh9zh-yCimCxmPz8LkkhEGtRLiW5naWTSRmrNjO0sIZJ3a8ahyphenhyphen9oLWIRlP1XccbLK0CAhL7VkhLkV1k8GQcBBnFCPhahiHOnj9AOkviQen6SnRcDVw/s1600/IMG_5084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHMZnF387iCnVP7tlhhS0gDj4UIh9zh-yCimCxmPz8LkkhEGtRLiW5naWTSRmrNjO0sIZJ3a8ahyphenhyphen9oLWIRlP1XccbLK0CAhL7VkhLkV1k8GQcBBnFCPhahiHOnj9AOkviQen6SnRcDVw/s400/IMG_5084.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World of Coca Cola</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WUSET9dPE2D3hTcv6g0gX4lg-whrYiaDDjvxnelPvp0Tc2HWUzpkvd5mHQb1Npy8h7GFB7Fh9oyiVKrxxbcXWeF_TCJTfwsT1s_Y18W8eyNVIr1bICj5lVUJzIG8HYocyMRNe2xdtRc/s1600/IMG_5159.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WUSET9dPE2D3hTcv6g0gX4lg-whrYiaDDjvxnelPvp0Tc2HWUzpkvd5mHQb1Npy8h7GFB7Fh9oyiVKrxxbcXWeF_TCJTfwsT1s_Y18W8eyNVIr1bICj5lVUJzIG8HYocyMRNe2xdtRc/s400/IMG_5159.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CNN Center</td></tr>
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These were the three main attractions (they're all within walking distance of each other) and if you use all three tickets you'll probably save around $5 than without a citypass. Other tickets includes a choice of the art museum, museum of natural history, Atlanta history museum, the zoo. Out of these, I only really wanted to go to the Atlanta history museum, I heard the Swan House is a very nice tour. Unfortunately, the history museum was not very easily accessible by public transportation, and its hours were not very "weekend vacay" friendly.<br />
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<br />yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16980348541327068606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-12842467252472161352011-10-19T17:45:00.000-07:002011-10-19T17:46:06.159-07:00En- Round 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Guess where we went again? EN! We took advantage of the Google Offers
"groupon" and had an early dinner at our fav Japanese restaurant. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7kqIS5Zhk6K7NtXu7T2XHX12WEcVC1oaK-0Cf4IrtFh_5PqlF5in2DMnqzw1CriVsQ8YGtZEZzdY9O2XZFKZHmk8dP0gy8eOYoT3OgpjXirpsIhXBEx8hoP9VqYU5cdiXoLvwu43Sqw/s1600/IMG_4838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7kqIS5Zhk6K7NtXu7T2XHX12WEcVC1oaK-0Cf4IrtFh_5PqlF5in2DMnqzw1CriVsQ8YGtZEZzdY9O2XZFKZHmk8dP0gy8eOYoT3OgpjXirpsIhXBEx8hoP9VqYU5cdiXoLvwu43Sqw/s400/IMG_4838.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />I have to admit tho, this meal was pretty disappointing in terms of quality. Not quite what we expected from EN. But I still have to commend them on a visually beautiful meal.<br />
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First, bring on the alcohol! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sake Flight, Plantain Chips</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIW_cf9UN-avrc1H9vIBcQMS3XzCXj-8jGoZu3xy2GKJcrUvo9S0tFPRcNVTGGdy9BPLVx6T86bI3zQax36ThJdqUD4KW_rqeLVCNyf1bhO63O7_Ntt0W6VyfdrLpzc_cmsUDNIeInRN4/s1600/IMG_4842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIW_cf9UN-avrc1H9vIBcQMS3XzCXj-8jGoZu3xy2GKJcrUvo9S0tFPRcNVTGGdy9BPLVx6T86bI3zQax36ThJdqUD4KW_rqeLVCNyf1bhO63O7_Ntt0W6VyfdrLpzc_cmsUDNIeInRN4/s400/IMG_4842.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pineapple sake</td></tr>
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I have to comment on this pineapple sake I had. I've ordered this drink every time I've been at EN (so 3 so far). Why? Because it is the most delicious thing you can drink and still be buzzed. Usually, you just taste the fresh sweet citrusy flavor of the pineapple and not really the alcohol, but you definitely feel it so they did not skimp on the liquor. The past two times a handsome Japanese bartender was the one mixing drinks. I saw him take out a fresh cut pineapple and actually juice it on the spot! This most recent trip, it was a female bartendar (asian as well), and the drink just came out bland. No strong alcohol flavor but also no pineapple taste either. SO disappointing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IHl38AtqjoI8eOEdb_FQ2o_x-mbmEMjlYeBjL3Xjwa9Xq2T4Jf0MjpSReaKr8ox2JcwiW3s3Yy2q-jnq-rK1xHJIqz880aFkILf_iLnMtJ_6_Wo9j9Jrp0GZIhrmNMHn2tVSeAGejlk/s1600/IMG_4840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IHl38AtqjoI8eOEdb_FQ2o_x-mbmEMjlYeBjL3Xjwa9Xq2T4Jf0MjpSReaKr8ox2JcwiW3s3Yy2q-jnq-rK1xHJIqz880aFkILf_iLnMtJ_6_Wo9j9Jrp0GZIhrmNMHn2tVSeAGejlk/s400/IMG_4840.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salt Grilled Edamame</td></tr>
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Beautiful dish that has such a zen like presentation. But it is crazy salty! I know, it is rock salt grilled, what do you expect? How exactly are you supposed to eat this elegantly without going into a sodium induced coma?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRHsvHBW8VWQ1cd2-8ElhuRl5Fg9Jqu09_ziUmVuD63H7mZUEQTJkQXJlo1Xd0NXAgf9w_7Bp-QyO0oS6VxHNTLlSGXtTMoinwKu1wLLiM7rivqsB0QbM506exFZqz3bSFOnpui8_bhU/s1600/IMG_4843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRHsvHBW8VWQ1cd2-8ElhuRl5Fg9Jqu09_ziUmVuD63H7mZUEQTJkQXJlo1Xd0NXAgf9w_7Bp-QyO0oS6VxHNTLlSGXtTMoinwKu1wLLiM7rivqsB0QbM506exFZqz3bSFOnpui8_bhU/s400/IMG_4843.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Crab Miso Soup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This soup was MEH. It wasn't bad per se, but I feel like the crab might not have been super fresh. Plus, the crab meat was not really edible so I'm not sure what the point was of being in there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaYUDwrvWE2pWEb8BX8ODVdPoe7OktcaJXm-JHmuVEu_Kfs7tIas1_RZyyjrwxwvw8o8_nK8eRIcZ4JMceN5NvaBhi1g3Ngr-hyt2d9-5ihP03-xIb0bzlpfiQE6sutKIvAlBQA9vWqs/s1600/IMG_4846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaYUDwrvWE2pWEb8BX8ODVdPoe7OktcaJXm-JHmuVEu_Kfs7tIas1_RZyyjrwxwvw8o8_nK8eRIcZ4JMceN5NvaBhi1g3Ngr-hyt2d9-5ihP03-xIb0bzlpfiQE6sutKIvAlBQA9vWqs/s400/IMG_4846.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobster</td></tr>
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I think this lobster was covered with miso. This dish was also crazy SALTY. It overpowered the lobster meat. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWYoVV0LdurLxFihw_5Et2nE2YDmJIZ4WL3zG0gfvg2DL-Y1XHlmIfgD6pgV-6VgRQ6utMs_BXvY-YcuXvBydm2xYcgLvaUQ7JDgb7G-jqkXQjW7D6EGbYpohXG8-xTZf8EZPK2z6ArI/s1600/IMG_4847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWYoVV0LdurLxFihw_5Et2nE2YDmJIZ4WL3zG0gfvg2DL-Y1XHlmIfgD6pgV-6VgRQ6utMs_BXvY-YcuXvBydm2xYcgLvaUQ7JDgb7G-jqkXQjW7D6EGbYpohXG8-xTZf8EZPK2z6ArI/s400/IMG_4847.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mussels</td></tr>
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This dish was decent, still a bit on the salty side, but by this point I don't know if it was the salt from the previous dishes lingering on my tastebud or the actual dish.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5UkLWBl5n5vJbBGQs5JObF040EkmmZvyRoAveapYRHh-KGnIF6W0HDVyRUnrRS4M0QTiuhGIrhe6T1e59YTX0Yz2kj7XMjhCBciXrEwh20KLn-DINBXOWoUGZ8kNhHntcLt5bXBZTb0/s1600/IMG_4849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5UkLWBl5n5vJbBGQs5JObF040EkmmZvyRoAveapYRHh-KGnIF6W0HDVyRUnrRS4M0QTiuhGIrhe6T1e59YTX0Yz2kj7XMjhCBciXrEwh20KLn-DINBXOWoUGZ8kNhHntcLt5bXBZTb0/s400/IMG_4849.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miso Black Cod</td></tr>
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Another signature dish of EN's that we typically love. The execution on this was a bit disappointing too. Oye, so sad. The skin was not crispy and the meat was not flakey, but more mushy.<br />
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Not sure what happened to EN. We left around 7:30/8:00pm and the restaurant was still quite empty. Our waiter seemed to be pretty new and not quite sure what he was doing, and it seemed like the entire kitchen staff was new too!<br />
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I hope to give EN another chance in the future to redeem itself, but another disappointing meal would mean it gets cross off the "faves" list.yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16980348541327068606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-60966668103801601962011-08-30T21:26:00.001-07:002011-08-30T21:58:47.202-07:00Lessons From My Mother's Kitchen: Wheat ProteinsWe all would love to cook as well as our mothers. My mom's cooking is centered on healthy eating, which is so important in this era of fast food and eating out. So I want to start sharing some recipes my mom makes from my trips home.
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<br />This is a great for all the vegetarians out there. It has the chewiness of meat but is slaughter free, plus it won't be always the same old tofu dish.
<br />A warning, making the wheat protein by hand is very labor intensive.
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<br />1. Pour wheat flour into a giant bowl and add enough water for the flour to coagulate.
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<br />2. Keep replacing the water and massaging the "dough" into a solid piece. This will rinse away all other components of the flour and leave you with the protein inside.
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<br />3. The final product should look like:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKufgv3-6VjETgFbr-ad7ZwuqSg1L1xWmTE4KPYPb1fQu85sWDBjMKuZm5TnsqrrtkMu7vlwYIB3TC5z4RCi4mtsUB_cq5d8CaR5JBNs-VhtGX9Pq6715jVczwb9L-vqPhV9vlwnux0Uc/s1600/IMG_6545.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKufgv3-6VjETgFbr-ad7ZwuqSg1L1xWmTE4KPYPb1fQu85sWDBjMKuZm5TnsqrrtkMu7vlwYIB3TC5z4RCi4mtsUB_cq5d8CaR5JBNs-VhtGX9Pq6715jVczwb9L-vqPhV9vlwnux0Uc/s400/IMG_6545.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646877078535108754" border="0" /></a>4. Cut out chunks of the protein ball and saute in hot oil
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg4_mJ6g3a26UhoOAE87UcLE3l53Oc7_S2GaH8lTQlcWhzH84JfTjUHcvi11TFiP61W3Tf0qE4wBgBthQuWoNVZpBjapHvTtmZWtly74VPnsW64L0rByo5Juqat1IMSqpexWWCF4uacE/s1600/IMG_6546.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg4_mJ6g3a26UhoOAE87UcLE3l53Oc7_S2GaH8lTQlcWhzH84JfTjUHcvi11TFiP61W3Tf0qE4wBgBthQuWoNVZpBjapHvTtmZWtly74VPnsW64L0rByo5Juqat1IMSqpexWWCF4uacE/s400/IMG_6546.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646877080918747106" border="0" /></a>5. Add in green peas and salt to taste
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yjDzfwGPm4ePnwQ4EKpPzjhZ7xNcisZoLisB9CyCwjWBblq9X6YgYDVrhnUzyiZ6S-rImPqjTtIQaM6uXRoi7F6hLHxRxjQaTcsfRzzq3cEPYFcai0qoYvpju9ptf6oJDMQdkuAEGao/s1600/IMG_6548.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yjDzfwGPm4ePnwQ4EKpPzjhZ7xNcisZoLisB9CyCwjWBblq9X6YgYDVrhnUzyiZ6S-rImPqjTtIQaM6uXRoi7F6hLHxRxjQaTcsfRzzq3cEPYFcai0qoYvpju9ptf6oJDMQdkuAEGao/s400/IMG_6548.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646877086342364322" border="0" /></a>6. Voila!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCzFg1FUBySDSYIapNXineS_3_2fw-Xi0qr3zgWAvim8i9qB0OVKeefjfo4u8H0d0mvo8aPjUDL154I9QsbcWMbsHXzf2mSKlEc2app2CeAKmaJmkZ_BzEfDqyYLFEikCyNs4Xs5fbAY/s1600/IMG_6551.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCzFg1FUBySDSYIapNXineS_3_2fw-Xi0qr3zgWAvim8i9qB0OVKeefjfo4u8H0d0mvo8aPjUDL154I9QsbcWMbsHXzf2mSKlEc2app2CeAKmaJmkZ_BzEfDqyYLFEikCyNs4Xs5fbAY/s400/IMG_6551.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646877094766005106" border="0" /></a>yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16980348541327068606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-33927943837207008482011-08-15T17:35:00.000-07:002011-08-15T17:49:37.794-07:00Brunch at Norma's - NYC<div>Norma's is one of the legendary brunch places in NYC - I've been wanting to go for a long time since breakfast/brunch is my favorite meal and especially because it was featured on Food Network's "Best Thing I Ever Ate" show for their decadent french toast made with slices of chocolate cake instead of bread - described on their menu as "Chocolate Decadence French Toast - Covered in Strawberries, Pistachios and Valrhona Chocolate Sauce"! (The restaurant was also featured on Gossip Girl!) However, the restaurant is not only in midtown, it's also in a hotel - which means it is pretty expensive. Thus, Giltcity's $20 for a $40 Norma's gift certificate presented the perfect opportunity for me to try it out!</div><div><div>
<br /></div><div>Walking into the restaurant, it is not what I expected. It is a lot smaller than I imagined and kind of felt like more of an extension of the hotel lobby (even though it is set apart from the lobby on a separate balcony area).</div><div>
<br /></div><div>On to the food...</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Complimentary banana, pineapple & guava smoothie shots to start off!</div></div><div>
<br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_9sY9VYvttA/Tkm8nrINmjI/AAAAAAAABq0/GeEB5riSnII/s1600/DSC09176.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_9sY9VYvttA/Tkm8nrINmjI/AAAAAAAABq0/GeEB5riSnII/s400/DSC09176.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641247398036347442" /></a>
<br /><div>My dining companion ordered the "Hudson Valley Duck Confit Hash à Cheval" - shredded duck with peppers, cippolini onions, and potatoes. I loved the use of cippolini onions in this rather than just normal onions!</div><div>
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DOSuX0-1d8k/Tkm8ncrmV_I/AAAAAAAABqs/xcxythtXBD4/s1600/DSC09177.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DOSuX0-1d8k/Tkm8ncrmV_I/AAAAAAAABqs/xcxythtXBD4/s400/DSC09177.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641247394158237682" /></a>
<br /></div><div>While I've been dying to try the chocolate cake french toast, I've been on a health kick lately so I opted for the "Egg White Frittata With Shrimp With Oven-roasted Roma Tomato and Spinach." I loved this frittata, the egg whites were surprisingly fluffy, and I loved that the tomatoes were roasted on top. It was a lot bigger than I expected as well - the frittata was pretty thick, and it sat on top of a pile of fingerling potatoes.
<br />
<br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5OdstJH4vv0/Tkm8nKqjoRI/AAAAAAAABqk/csRpY_Mfaqo/s1600/DSC09178.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5OdstJH4vv0/Tkm8nKqjoRI/AAAAAAAABqk/csRpY_Mfaqo/s400/DSC09178.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641247389322027282" /></a>
<br /></div><div>While we were waiting for the food to arrive, my dining companion and I suddenly noticed an incredibly delicious smell and looked around trying to figure out who ordered what food that smelled so delicious. It turns out to be the toast that comes with some of the dishes. I got multigrain toast with my frittata, served with butter, blackberry jam, and orange marmalade. Sometimes, simple warmed toast, spread with butter and jam just hits the spot!</div><div>
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEtN2NUAcIM/Tkm8mxLdW3I/AAAAAAAABqc/-3VOyXZ0Xi8/s1600/DSC09179.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEtN2NUAcIM/Tkm8mxLdW3I/AAAAAAAABqc/-3VOyXZ0Xi8/s400/DSC09179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641247382480706418" /></a>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-22888480015530709292011-08-03T17:17:00.000-07:002011-08-03T17:54:10.624-07:00Lunching at Del Posto - NYC<div>Del Posto is Mario Batali's Michelin-starred restaurant with 4-stars by the NYTimes. For dinner, the lowest cost tasting menu option of 5 courses is $115. For lunch, however, they offer a 3-course menu for $29 - one of the best lunch bargains in Manhattan, especially considering the amount of extras that they include in the three courses. They also include 3 different amuse bouches and an array of mignardises served after the meal, so it comes out to 3 courses along with 2 mini courses.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've read about this lunch bargain a few times and this has always been on my to-do list. I finally got to try it out earlier this year and it definitely did not disappoint!</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p0iLN1sqIO0/TjnpisFS1MI/AAAAAAAABpQ/2nMdsjFZtD0/s1600/DSC08618.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p0iLN1sqIO0/TjnpisFS1MI/AAAAAAAABpQ/2nMdsjFZtD0/s400/DSC08618.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636793190789076162" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZn1WRWNaeQ/TjnpiJ8eKNI/AAAAAAAABpI/33mm16uYMz4/s1600/DSC08620.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZn1WRWNaeQ/TjnpiJ8eKNI/AAAAAAAABpI/33mm16uYMz4/s400/DSC08620.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636793181625264338" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cZziW_6VgPE/Tjno_zH-nZI/AAAAAAAABpA/18bMpthbmbE/s1600/DSC08621.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cZziW_6VgPE/Tjno_zH-nZI/AAAAAAAABpA/18bMpthbmbE/s400/DSC08621.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636792591383960978" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qOf_NrQGksQ/Tjno_glO_dI/AAAAAAAABo4/FqH70huWXkA/s1600/DSC08623.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qOf_NrQGksQ/Tjno_glO_dI/AAAAAAAABo4/FqH70huWXkA/s400/DSC08623.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636792586406395346" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">butter & lard for the bread</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I've read online that some people seem to enjoy the lard that Del Posto offers its guests for the bread basket - I would recommend passing on the lard. I did not enjoy it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQF_vpzDaA4/Tjno_Y-BqeI/AAAAAAAABow/jumwjIvFjjk/s1600/DSC08624.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQF_vpzDaA4/Tjno_Y-BqeI/AAAAAAAABow/jumwjIvFjjk/s400/DSC08624.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636792584362895842" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FVFcZELTA-s/Tjno_K5SnII/AAAAAAAABoo/nQT3OXWUEj0/s1600/DSC08625.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FVFcZELTA-s/Tjno_K5SnII/AAAAAAAABoo/nQT3OXWUEj0/s400/DSC08625.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636792580584938626" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-penrlpZK5Co/Tjno-wRYhAI/AAAAAAAABog/JUkyPZX60WM/s1600/DSC08627.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-penrlpZK5Co/Tjno-wRYhAI/AAAAAAAABog/JUkyPZX60WM/s400/DSC08627.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636792573438231554" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Carne Cruda with truffled salsa, parmigiano-reggiano & wild watercress (supp $10)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't usually like red meat at all, but I actually loved this dish - the truffled salsa definitely helped! (Unfortunately, I wasn't the one who ordered it, so I couldn't steal too many bites...) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PBzEdnaaGY4/TjnnttW_YoI/AAAAAAAABoY/AOJdC8xoRSs/s1600/DSC08629.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PBzEdnaaGY4/TjnnttW_YoI/AAAAAAAABoY/AOJdC8xoRSs/s400/DSC08629.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636791181087040130" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Insalata Primavera della terra with sheep's milk ricotta dressing</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The salad that I ordered was almost too pretty to eat! </div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXzLaPDgnR0/Tjnns25B_II/AAAAAAAABoQ/Qm0ZzhhPXsM/s1600/DSC08630.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXzLaPDgnR0/Tjnns25B_II/AAAAAAAABoQ/Qm0ZzhhPXsM/s400/DSC08630.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636791166465866882" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Young lamb alla Romana, garlic yogurt with ceci & swiss chard ragu</div></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbP7Bej400Q/TjnnsiAbXoI/AAAAAAAABoI/3Z6Pdk3-5vg/s1600/DSC08631.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbP7Bej400Q/TjnnsiAbXoI/AAAAAAAABoI/3Z6Pdk3-5vg/s400/DSC08631.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636791160859745922" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Whole Wheat Tonarelli with spicy cichercie, rosemary, & shaved bonito flakes</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YF1RIqHu-pY/TjnnsPLQ2yI/AAAAAAAABoA/3rCyDsmnQAw/s1600/DSC08633.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YF1RIqHu-pY/TjnnsPLQ2yI/AAAAAAAABoA/3rCyDsmnQAw/s400/DSC08633.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636791155804920610" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div>I ordered this after reading about it as one of NYTimes food critic Sam Sifton's "<i><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/29/dining/29year.html">Best Dishes of 2010</a></i>." I've never ordered anything with bonito flakes before - when the waiter brought out the dish, the bonito flakes were moving! It freaked me out a little, but it tasted good - well as good as whole wheat pasta can taste. </div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mze-VwZAHPg/TjnnrfeoRwI/AAAAAAAABn4/pFIaF2ij4zc/s1600/DSC08634.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mze-VwZAHPg/TjnnrfeoRwI/AAAAAAAABn4/pFIaF2ij4zc/s400/DSC08634.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636791143001245442" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sfera di caprino celery & fig agrodolce & celery sorbetto</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This was another one of Sam Sifton's best dishes of 2010. While I enjoyed the novelty of celery sorbet, I was glad I ordered the chocolate ricotta tortino instead ~ amazing & it comes with olive oil gelato, which Mario Batali is famous for!</div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vErdfbjVvYo/TjnmXhLfQbI/AAAAAAAABnw/Ns2zS4JEw-o/s1600/DSC08635.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vErdfbjVvYo/TjnmXhLfQbI/AAAAAAAABnw/Ns2zS4JEw-o/s400/DSC08635.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636789700348821938" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chocolate ricotta tortino toasted sicilian pistachios & extra virgin olive oil gelato</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8Obh2bTgak/TjnmXeoC7bI/AAAAAAAABno/TDMzB7js_x4/s1600/DSC08636.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8Obh2bTgak/TjnmXeoC7bI/AAAAAAAABno/TDMzB7js_x4/s400/DSC08636.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636789699663293874" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">mignardises!</div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-df2hDheWBRs/TjnmXDxO4tI/AAAAAAAABng/hrjmIrQBNsw/s1600/DSC08637.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-df2hDheWBRs/TjnmXDxO4tI/AAAAAAAABng/hrjmIrQBNsw/s400/DSC08637.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636789692454068946" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4aD8-JLf9A4/TjnmW1wHjmI/AAAAAAAABnY/SgS6dbvGlaQ/s1600/DSC08638.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4aD8-JLf9A4/TjnmW1wHjmI/AAAAAAAABnY/SgS6dbvGlaQ/s400/DSC08638.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636789688691297890" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mIfZyFvoI6k/TjnmWldA9dI/AAAAAAAABnQ/FkpxwCoCLsg/s1600/DSC08640.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mIfZyFvoI6k/TjnmWldA9dI/AAAAAAAABnQ/FkpxwCoCLsg/s400/DSC08640.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636789684316206546" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As a parting gift, they also gave me a small box of 2 chocolate truffles - extremely rich and delicious!</div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The service was definitely one of the things that stood out about Del Posto - this is definitely the fanciest restaurant I've ever been to and that was reflected in the service. As I was settling in after just sitting down, I hung my purse on the back of my chair. Almost immediately, a waiter came over and put a stool down next to my chair for me to put my purse on. It was completely unnecessary and I've never seen anyone do this at a restaurant before! Needless to say, you get a LOT of attention at Del Posto!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-28665113501765327522011-08-03T11:38:00.000-07:002011-08-03T12:00:29.011-07:00Casellula - NYI love wine bars for dinner out with my girl friends to catch up. I've been meaning to try out Casellula since it is one of the most highly rated wine bars in Hell's Kitchen. Going in, it was not what I expected. I usually go to wine bars mostly for the intimate, cozy atmosphere. That is not what people go to Casellula for. Casellula seemed to be an extremely casual place, with none of the typical wine bar ambiance.<div><br /></div><div>Their specialty seems to be the "pig's ass sandwich" - which was a decent cheesy pork sandwich. The grilled cheese was also delicious - although people should be aware that I think there is goat cheese in the sandwich, which they don't note on the menu. However, the highlight of the food was definitely their chocolate cake. Upon arriving at the table, the waitress poured cream over the cake, and even after sitting in the cream for a while, the cake still tasted incredibly light!<br /><br /><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_6QHFvshvlc/TjmWJyRiCyI/AAAAAAAABnI/3fa87TXU_1Q/s1600/casellula.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_6QHFvshvlc/TjmWJyRiCyI/AAAAAAAABnI/3fa87TXU_1Q/s400/casellula.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636701503489182498" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /><i>Pig's Ass Sandwich / Fiscalini Cheddar / Fol Epi / Pickles / Chipotlé Aioli<br />Grilled Cheese Sandwich / Tomato / Green Salad </i><br /></u></span></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zTgakGCDrE/TjmWJs2qMvI/AAAAAAAABnA/EiXXHczHpPY/s1600/casellula2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zTgakGCDrE/TjmWJs2qMvI/AAAAAAAABnA/EiXXHczHpPY/s400/casellula2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636701502034293490" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Chocolate Cake / Meadowbrook Farm Cream </i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Casellula</b> ~ 401 W. 52nd St (& 9th Ave), New York, NY.</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-48981286026088678062011-05-14T09:02:00.000-07:002011-05-17T17:15:38.502-07:00K-Town - NYC<meta charset="utf-8"><div>I hang out in K-Town a lottt. I love Asian food and it's so much more convenient than Chinatown. When I used to go with my Chinese friends, the usual was tofu "soon dubu" or tofu stew, with an occasional Korean barbeque to mix things up. However, going to K-Town with my Korean friends introduced me to a lot of new dishes, such as this beautiful cheesy creation at Arang:</div><div>
<br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-lMFOO7E_Y/TdMPed17UOI/AAAAAAAABdw/xPDGAXlh5ng/s1600/arang.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-lMFOO7E_Y/TdMPed17UOI/AAAAAAAABdw/xPDGAXlh5ng/s400/arang.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607842977087705314" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">김치 제육 떡볶이 와 치즈 16.95 </div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Kimchee jaeyook Dduck boki and cheese </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sauteed kimchi, pork and rice cakes w/ melted mozzarella and American cheese</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's the oddest combination. Kimchi and cheese? Really?! But it definitely works. </div><div>
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLWMnVLAFJw/TdKc00rlJNI/AAAAAAAABdg/rIJfF6w5jVc/s1600/pocha.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLWMnVLAFJw/TdKc00rlJNI/AAAAAAAABdg/rIJfF6w5jVc/s320/pocha.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607716917338252498" /></a>
<br />Pocha would be an excellent after-dinner drinks spot in K-Town this summer if you go for the watermelon soju. When it was served, the smell of the watermelon was almost intoxicating. It smelled incredibly refreshing, but proceed with caution. You might not be able to taste the alcohol but it is definitely packed in there...</div></div><div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-32740285345211111542011-05-13T09:39:00.000-07:002011-05-14T11:57:27.968-07:00Macarons at Little Oven - LIC<meta charset="utf-8">I had heard about the opening of macaron bakery, Little Oven, in Long Island City and was especially excited after reading that the macarons were only $1.75. This is considerably cheaper than the macarons at Bouchon Bakery for $3 each.
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<br />Little Oven is in a tiny storefront on a less-developed stretch of Jackson Avenue – from the subway, it’s the opposite direction from the modern high-rises and more gentrified section of LIC. Once I stepped in to the bakery, I was kind of shocked at how tiny these macarons were! They are probably 1.5 times the size of a quarter! Comparing these to the gigantic macarons at Bouchon – it actually seems like Bouchon might be a better value!
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<br />I got matcha, pistachio, caramel fleur de sel (their most popular selling flavor), and dark chocolate. These are the descriptions from their website:<div>
<br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 1em; position: relative; left: 30px; "><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); line-height: 19px; padding-left: 6px; "><strong style="color: rgb(137, 176, 222); "><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-weight: normal; "><strong style="color: rgb(137, 176, 222); ">Matcha:</strong> Green tea macarons filled with a green tea and white chocolate ganache</span></strong></li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); line-height: 19px; padding-left: 6px; "><strong style="color: rgb(137, 176, 222); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-weight: normal; "></span><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-weight: normal; "><strong style="color: rgb(137, 176, 222); ">Pistachio:</strong> Almond macarons filled with a pistachio and white chocolate ganache</span></strong></li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); line-height: 19px; padding-left: 6px; "><strong style="color: rgb(137, 176, 222); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-weight: normal; "></span>Caramel Fleur de Sel:</strong> Almond macarons sprinkled with fleur de sel salt and filled with a caramel fleur de sel cream</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); line-height: 19px; padding-left: 6px; "><strong style="color: rgb(137, 176, 222); ">Dark Chocolate:</strong> Chocolate macarons filled with rich dark chocolate</li></ul></span><div>
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-myBatKeNkGU/Tc1gY59WTeI/AAAAAAAABcY/DtghKTv1I4E/s1600/little%2Boven.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-myBatKeNkGU/Tc1gY59WTeI/AAAAAAAABcY/DtghKTv1I4E/s400/little%2Boven.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606243092137397730" /></a>
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<br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XOgXAgbUsE/Tc1gB5n9gDI/AAAAAAAABcQ/aVAJLK9XYpo/s1600/little%2Boven2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XOgXAgbUsE/Tc1gB5n9gDI/AAAAAAAABcQ/aVAJLK9XYpo/s400/little%2Boven2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606242696910700594" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wgr5iqjtzrw/Tc1gB3-Bh5I/AAAAAAAABcI/LGTx_TPRih4/s1600/little%2Boven3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wgr5iqjtzrw/Tc1gB3-Bh5I/AAAAAAAABcI/LGTx_TPRih4/s400/little%2Boven3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606242696466368402" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-98GFNj4FBwk/Tc1gBkXRJbI/AAAAAAAABcA/PMoN9pls_wU/s1600/little%2Boven4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-98GFNj4FBwk/Tc1gBkXRJbI/AAAAAAAABcA/PMoN9pls_wU/s400/little%2Boven4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606242691203540402" /></a>
<br /></div><div>One of my favorite flavors in any dessert I try is pistachio so I started off with this.</div><div>
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nk0LtVagTMc/Tc1gBYBRY8I/AAAAAAAABb4/Yfp57Ti9g9s/s1600/little%2Boven5.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nk0LtVagTMc/Tc1gBYBRY8I/AAAAAAAABb4/Yfp57Ti9g9s/s400/little%2Boven5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606242687890056130" /></a>
<br /></div><div>I loved it! While the pistachio flavor wasn't too strong, it is pretty nutty. The almond in the macaron makes up for it. I was also a little hesitant after I saw that it was white chocolate cream inside - I generally think white chocolate is overly sweet, but it wasn't a problem with this macaron at all. I actually enjoyed this a LOT more than the pistachio macaron from Bouchon Bakery, which I thought was way too sweet. The texture of this macaron was also a lot better - it was very moist, while I found the macaron from Bouchon to be too crumbly (although I had gotten it later in the day so perhaps it had dried out a little as the day went on).</div><div>
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6fP1lxCFBv8/Tc1gBJG7XFI/AAAAAAAABbw/YQYcoIQNSd0/s1600/little%2Boven6.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6fP1lxCFBv8/Tc1gBJG7XFI/AAAAAAAABbw/YQYcoIQNSd0/s400/little%2Boven6.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606242683887246418" /></a>
<br /></div><div>I also really enjoyed the dark chocolate macaron - it was very rich, but somehow not heavy at all. I enjoyed the macarons at Little Oven, but I'm still not entirely sold on them given the price. Maybe for people who are more of a macaron fan than I am.
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<br /></div></div><div>Little Oven: 12-07 Jackson Ave (btwn 47th Rd & 48th Ave), Long Island City, NY.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-65405957917069366302011-05-11T20:47:00.000-07:002011-05-14T11:57:16.702-07:00OBAO - NYC<div><meta charset="utf-8">Tonight I got to try out OBAO, Michael Huynh's restaurant in Midtown East, which was recently Michelin recommended as a "Favorite for Good Value" for 2011. I definitely agree that this is an excellent value! I was actually using a discount that I had gotten online, but even without it, they have amazing deals. For their early bird dinner special from 4-6:30pm, you get a choice of appetizer + entree + soda for only $10. Their "212" happy hour specials from Thurs-Saturday 4-7pm are even more of a bargain - $2 Chang beer, $1 shot, $2 appetizer! This would be an excellent place to go for an after-work drink, especially with all the office buildings in the area! While we were eating, I also noticed a number of people coming in to pick up take-out orders after they got off work.</div><div>
<br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uEHjcxkdqMg/TctZXGckBWI/AAAAAAAABa4/oSFScz34YlQ/s1600/DSC09032.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uEHjcxkdqMg/TctZXGckBWI/AAAAAAAABa4/oSFScz34YlQ/s400/DSC09032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605672414594991458" /></a>
<br />We were seated in the front section, and I really liked the decor of the grass-covered walls. It was definitely a nice escape from all the office buildings - definitely an oasis in the chaos of midtown. We got there pretty early for dinner so it was still pretty empty.
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<br /></div><div>For appetizers, we got the crispy pork belly and crispy fried tofu with sweet and sour fish sauce. The pork belly was amazing! It reminded me of the pork often found in over-rice dishes in Chinatown, but a lot more delicate and significantly less greasy. The crispiness of the bottom of the pork was a nice textural contrast to the fatty belly - and the side of pickled papaya was a nice refreshing contrast between the bites of pork belly. </div><div><div>
<br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PE1z-QKh7n4/TctZEHUOIUI/AAAAAAAABaw/6WnSzlQFz0M/s1600/DSC09033.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PE1z-QKh7n4/TctZEHUOIUI/AAAAAAAABaw/6WnSzlQFz0M/s400/DSC09033.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605672088410923330" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><meta charset="utf-8"><div>CRISPY PORK BELLY ($9)</div><div>Caramel glazed and pickled green papaya</div></div><div>
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lcv4DFui1oY/TctZD8_TCiI/AAAAAAAABao/RcG4KKAiYno/s1600/DSC09034.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lcv4DFui1oY/TctZD8_TCiI/AAAAAAAABao/RcG4KKAiYno/s400/DSC09034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605672085638810146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">CRISPY FRIED TOFU ($5)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Scallion oil, spicy, sweet and sour fish sauce </div><div style="text-align: center;">— soy sauce option for vegetarian</div></div></div><div>
<br /></div><div>The tofu paled a little in comparison to the pork belly - although it was still good. My minor complaints would be that it was probably fried for too long and was a little dry, and I also wish they had given the sauce on the side so that you could dip the tofu in it. Since the sauce was on the bottom, it was a little hard to get to for all the tofu. You really want to get to the sauce, it's really good!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>The lemongrass kalbi short ribs were also yummy, they reminded me of the flavors in Korean barbeque. However, the meat was a little too tough for me (although I heard somewhere that Koreans actually like using tougher cuts of meat for short ribs?).</div><div>
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ajSj0ZU7Ow4/TctZDVJPa0I/AAAAAAAABag/fU0zM6s7uaY/s1600/DSC09035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ajSj0ZU7Ow4/TctZDVJPa0I/AAAAAAAABag/fU0zM6s7uaY/s400/DSC09035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605672074943097666" /></a>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><meta charset="utf-8"><div style="text-align: center; ">SPICY LEMONGRASS KALBI SHORT RIB ($16)</div><div style="text-align: center; ">Sweet Onion and sesame soy sauce marinade</div></div><div>
<br /></div><div>I decided to go with my favorite pad thai. I had read other reviews online raving about their pad thai and I would have to agree that their pad thai is pretty unique and easily one of my favorites now in the city. It stands out first of all by featuring a poached egg on top. While it was a nice touch, it would've been better if the yolk were still slightly runny so that I could mix it in with my noodles better. As it was, I pretty much ate the egg and noodles separate. One of my favorite parts of the pad thai were the peanuts. I think they may have been slightly caramelized or something because they added a lot of texture to the dish. While other Thai restaurants also add peanuts to their pad thai, the peanuts at OBAO added a lot more crunch. Even better than the peanuts, I loved the rice noodles that they used for the pad thai. They were so light, it reminded me of angel hair pasta or capellini in Italian cooking. While carb-heavy noodle dishes would typically weigh you down, I devoured the whole wok-shaped-plate of pad thai without being induced into a food coma!</div><div>
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ARUxAfJr63o/TctZDHrwk0I/AAAAAAAABaY/Rjgeht1iEgU/s1600/DSC09036.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ARUxAfJr63o/TctZDHrwk0I/AAAAAAAABaY/Rjgeht1iEgU/s400/DSC09036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605672071329780546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">PAD THAI ($11)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fresh rice noodles, shrimp, salted red snapper with </div><div style="text-align: center;">peanuts, poached egg, and chives </div><div>
<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZIhQ-087yc/TctZC8TsWWI/AAAAAAAABaQ/Ml-Qo4nbVi0/s1600/DSC09037.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZIhQ-087yc/TctZC8TsWWI/AAAAAAAABaQ/Ml-Qo4nbVi0/s400/DSC09037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605672068276050274" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><meta charset="utf-8"><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">
<br /></div></u></span></div><div>With the discount that I had, we only ended up spending $21 on all this food (it would've been $41 without my discount)! But even without any discounts, coming by for an earlier dinner or the happy hour specials would definitely be worth it!</div><meta charset="utf-8"><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">
<br /></span></span><div>OBAO: 222 E 53rd St (btwn 2nd and 3rd Ave), New York, NY.</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-21045334525581621412011-05-10T01:55:00.000-07:002011-05-10T11:35:06.305-07:00Spice Market - NYC<meta charset="utf-8">Spice Market is one of Jean-Georges Vongerichten's many restaurants in New York City and currently his only Asian restaurant in the city (Matsugen, a Japanese restaurant specializing in soba noodles closed recently). [His new restaurant, ABC Kitchen, just won Best New Restaurant at the James Beard Awards - can't wait to try that one out someday! My friends and I have been trying to go to brunch there.] Given Spice Market's location in the Meatpacking District, the overstated decor - described on the website as "a casual, sexy atmosphere" - seems to make sense. I'm not sure if I would agree with "casual," but the interior definitely transports you to what feels like a Southeast Asian palace. <div>
<br /></div><div>The food is supposed to amount to the "idealization of a Vietnamese street market or a Thai food stall" (per the restaurant's website), but I think this restaurant's exotic decor stands out more than its food, which seemed fairly middle of the road to me.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>First off, was "Salmon Tartare, Soy Ginger Dressing, Avocado and Radish." I love tartares and especially enjoy it when a restaurant offers a fish tartare not made with the predictable tuna. While the salmon was fine, I did think the pairing with avocado didn't really mesh too well - and the dressing definitely did not complement the salmon (perhaps a touch of acidity would have helped). </div><div><div>
<br /></div><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aGlu1GPCHV0/TchWXVbFHaI/AAAAAAAABaA/iNaZkOirjeM/s1600/DSC08762.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aGlu1GPCHV0/TchWXVbFHaI/AAAAAAAABaA/iNaZkOirjeM/s400/DSC08762.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604824695150288290" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>
<br /></u></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-RFOcvh7SU/TchWXKnqRNI/AAAAAAAABZ4/Tz9hsgU9oAk/s1600/DSC08763.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-RFOcvh7SU/TchWXKnqRNI/AAAAAAAABZ4/Tz9hsgU9oAk/s400/DSC08763.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604824692250264786" /></a>
<br /></div><div>We also got the Pork Vindaloo - I loved the plate that it came out on, it added to the authenticity of setting. This was perhaps my favorite dish because of its extreme spice factor. That being said, it still didn't match what I expected for a Jean-George's restaurant - although it does taste much better than what you would expect for average "Asian street vendor food." We also got an order of the "Chili-Garlic Egg Noodles with Seared Shrimp and Star Anise" because it was a favorite of my dining companion's and he had been craving it for a while. While this dish was pretty good, it almost tasted like house special lo-mein I could order from any generic Chinatown restaurant, and just adding some chili oil to it.</div><div>
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8NE0SqfuLi8/TchWW96VnQI/AAAAAAAABZw/tPCDXdsasZY/s1600/DSC08764.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8NE0SqfuLi8/TchWW96VnQI/AAAAAAAABZw/tPCDXdsasZY/s400/DSC08764.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604824688838941954" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Inside the Kitchen </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4f1ViUffyjU/TchWWtEZlrI/AAAAAAAABZo/TVYo5a8XWDY/s1600/DSC08766.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4f1ViUffyjU/TchWWtEZlrI/AAAAAAAABZo/TVYo5a8XWDY/s400/DSC08766.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604824684317742770" /></a>
<br /></div><div>While Spice Market's food didn't necessarily meet my expectations, it definitely won me over for their atmosphere. For dessert, we ordered ginger ice cream and it was served in this adorable take-out box. I'm a sucker for packaging and interactive food! The ginger flavor wasn't too overpowering - if I didn't know it was ginger, I probably would never have guessed it. It was a refreshing end to the meal!</div></div></div></div><div>
<br /></div><div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-50993800859788356572011-05-08T20:28:00.000-07:002011-05-15T19:39:23.145-07:00RambutanHave you seen this hairy fruit?<br />It's a Rambutan, it's related to the Lychee and native to Southeast Asia.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvvB5JiALqs65UBOfqOuHCYeV-moqddbm3rMD3eWKX6J1SBdK-jP_VI3_39RlHcgOc82PpovkOsPBsTV3OAXnEHESJng3P0pnotcNeTgEk0uWDZ-Lo7YrKYJ_12XXtTISsND-q6ZVKvM/s1600/IMG_6491.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvvB5JiALqs65UBOfqOuHCYeV-moqddbm3rMD3eWKX6J1SBdK-jP_VI3_39RlHcgOc82PpovkOsPBsTV3OAXnEHESJng3P0pnotcNeTgEk0uWDZ-Lo7YrKYJ_12XXtTISsND-q6ZVKvM/s400/IMG_6491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604555643572355634" border="0" /></a>Apparently, it's best to buy this fruit when it is still attached to the branches, because this reduces the likelihood the fruits are rotten or bug infested.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKcvuFFbWFMNo2j-VP_jtEyDYAgKgvQhXx14iJnBPb1eXW3NTBCapsyWp3YWiZuYMkXYNiN-EAxysxqXLVo8XzZBG48k8c5f6lz5IXgxnO5Ki87hXJWO-E40Ucgy2XKOBGqth92n2GcU/s1600/IMG_6492.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKcvuFFbWFMNo2j-VP_jtEyDYAgKgvQhXx14iJnBPb1eXW3NTBCapsyWp3YWiZuYMkXYNiN-EAxysxqXLVo8XzZBG48k8c5f6lz5IXgxnO5Ki87hXJWO-E40Ucgy2XKOBGqth92n2GcU/s400/IMG_6492.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604555651126047970" border="0" /></a>It looks prickly and scary, but its protruding stems are rather soft.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLdNkJhky75jlZbO3MjlE9W5cnbVQjt5GM2hJrKhD3sEGfyMij6_hHLP97wxdbSALrrAUz5OwQcn3jIJCXEiU_ALL0YMccPL0W4pJYjv0sjQaF7NNKrkFV9O9tmYSPyLBk6gKKYWScIw/s1600/IMG_6497.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLdNkJhky75jlZbO3MjlE9W5cnbVQjt5GM2hJrKhD3sEGfyMij6_hHLP97wxdbSALrrAUz5OwQcn3jIJCXEiU_ALL0YMccPL0W4pJYjv0sjQaF7NNKrkFV9O9tmYSPyLBk6gKKYWScIw/s400/IMG_6497.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604555654404669314" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU1iWNoqCKo3F4JnfHW4iMEWANUXxtcgEvYHdXYtx2xkDU4UqB6MGUneNg_oFglgBjeIVycsDY3Kn2O-BjFs7-BEIYHQidvRQ0T1S8TgOMWhMbICO3UEtyw_Z3pD2Z57mkSW34D84d9g/s1600/IMG_6498.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU1iWNoqCKo3F4JnfHW4iMEWANUXxtcgEvYHdXYtx2xkDU4UqB6MGUneNg_oFglgBjeIVycsDY3Kn2O-BjFs7-BEIYHQidvRQ0T1S8TgOMWhMbICO3UEtyw_Z3pD2Z57mkSW34D84d9g/s400/IMG_6498.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604555660954970578" border="0" /></a>The skin is much thicker than a lychee's so it takes much more effort to peel, but you can see the inside is just like a lychee!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62wpq7uRrKe_IrQL5f4lwNV4Mfzo_lClGDVzZQDe6pBoWbtxYE8JYY38BsYdGYInI-z7qRd7C2XJnKc7QFFGoN9LsR-cllU5ebV4tfxjGPMla1fR3wr_cMK5kCWNrhid7QoXrLl8vpZg/s1600/IMG_6503.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62wpq7uRrKe_IrQL5f4lwNV4Mfzo_lClGDVzZQDe6pBoWbtxYE8JYY38BsYdGYInI-z7qRd7C2XJnKc7QFFGoN9LsR-cllU5ebV4tfxjGPMla1fR3wr_cMK5kCWNrhid7QoXrLl8vpZg/s400/IMG_6503.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604555665068361298" border="0" /></a>But the taste?<br />I don't like it as much as a lychee. It doesn't taste as sweet or refreshing as a lychee. The ones I ate tasted overly sweet that it had an odd tart taste. I actually had to stop after two because it was making my throat dry. I saved the rest in the fridge and after 3-4 days, it seemed to have gone bad. So I would recommend saving your money for lychee instead. This was $3.99/lb at the local Korean market, I've been able to buy lychee at the same store for average $1.99/lb.yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16980348541327068606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-62608371145406034652011-05-08T19:46:00.000-07:002011-05-09T22:49:23.140-07:00Lure FishbarThis past saturday, we enjoyed one of our best dinner dates in NYC. <br />It started with us not being able to get a seat at Aquagrill because they were reserved until 9pm. So we chose another seafood alternative in the Soho area - Lure Fishbar.<br /><span class="street-address"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lure Fishbar</span> - <span style="font-style: italic;">142 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012</span></span><br /><br />Located on the basement level below the Prada store at Mercer and Prince, the lack of an ostentatious sign makes it easy to miss this gem.<br /><br />The dimly lit interior is decorated to conjure images of dining on your rich friend's giant yacht. The restaurant is intimate enough for a date and large enough to accommodate a group event.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3Go3mcD3NS7bQca_OZUIdfoyqgbKOnA1534hiBaLv-yqrzxVRGqrhOc_ptW4nJUjJaGgc9U3DODYn_Ui2nvHmXhB-tIaAL40dAuMjKArGXJLjqaeplQdJ63cmDEPs3W5curA8e4ulWM/s1600/IMG_6463.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3Go3mcD3NS7bQca_OZUIdfoyqgbKOnA1534hiBaLv-yqrzxVRGqrhOc_ptW4nJUjJaGgc9U3DODYn_Ui2nvHmXhB-tIaAL40dAuMjKArGXJLjqaeplQdJ63cmDEPs3W5curA8e4ulWM/s400/IMG_6463.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604544482611003186" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3FfYslpCu28Nij2X1YHqy-UNzN1SFnhWi9tdYkbaAGjysKUxJZI54HoRZli-tjHdlu_w1qhRm8DKkLSoDluqe-0xDpOej0T-4_wwEKVIIZ-oPFMaaB_jzKODMKD_E3d2H_NAFGoxnWg/s1600/IMG_6464.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3FfYslpCu28Nij2X1YHqy-UNzN1SFnhWi9tdYkbaAGjysKUxJZI54HoRZli-tjHdlu_w1qhRm8DKkLSoDluqe-0xDpOej0T-4_wwEKVIIZ-oPFMaaB_jzKODMKD_E3d2H_NAFGoxnWg/s400/IMG_6464.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604544489798994290" border="0" /></a>Of course, every date night meal will begin with some tasty cocktails..<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3NJdkSbN6RKHPQTIpiZP2BG1zg-IJaClgQywTRaBfYufSxdvKsI8v9wnpxnCIyjo7RZDITLdUtVs-WnvBZMyA1H1P2MZhve2A0d6m635dY5u_2hSyhQkdaD9p4Rui-5giPbjb5mHgtw/s1600/IMG_6467.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3NJdkSbN6RKHPQTIpiZP2BG1zg-IJaClgQywTRaBfYufSxdvKsI8v9wnpxnCIyjo7RZDITLdUtVs-WnvBZMyA1H1P2MZhve2A0d6m635dY5u_2hSyhQkdaD9p4Rui-5giPbjb5mHgtw/s400/IMG_6467.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604549811043658082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Blueberry Finn</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHv00a2zeoHMCXQUHRC-3cdLY49FLVwe1a-BTD2D5Cz7yQP0gWajbz7JoUGsZLT_14NEvt4xYPYqTyLyJhlvcqIEcy-7Qc2OKpB04wt7yUPMocIClRPSErTih7mqtPMq8WNhklBNo14jE/s1600/IMG_6465.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHv00a2zeoHMCXQUHRC-3cdLY49FLVwe1a-BTD2D5Cz7yQP0gWajbz7JoUGsZLT_14NEvt4xYPYqTyLyJhlvcqIEcy-7Qc2OKpB04wt7yUPMocIClRPSErTih7mqtPMq8WNhklBNo14jE/s400/IMG_6465.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604549801342252178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Pineapple Sage Daiquiri<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />The Blueberry Finn was perfectly sweet and fruit. The real standout is actually the Pineapple Sage. It is a bit of an acquired taste, but after a few sips I can really appreciate the sophistication of complementing the sweetness of pineapple with earthy sage. Also love that just one of these cocktails contain enough alcohol to give you that light relaxing buzz throughout dinner.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwH3hwI7bdJ9OOy2xCcSD4b-72yQcVr9MwpKwZe38_1XxFcfUxTAuHpE2q3uMeLDs1J2B6Y-R1wdtobKB6kGZSWOf6qy0_ayhCO1wT5Cy2TWfzV2qRX7dFAkxLtAvm8vou0svBp4nbyns/s1600/IMG_6470.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwH3hwI7bdJ9OOy2xCcSD4b-72yQcVr9MwpKwZe38_1XxFcfUxTAuHpE2q3uMeLDs1J2B6Y-R1wdtobKB6kGZSWOf6qy0_ayhCO1wT5Cy2TWfzV2qRX7dFAkxLtAvm8vou0svBp4nbyns/s400/IMG_6470.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604549814109355250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Tuna Tartare<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;">When we go to seafood or sushi restaurants, my fiance always orders the tuna tartare. I never quite understood his fascination with eating a giant chunk of raw tuna, but this dish at Lure has won me over. The vinaigrette, cherry tomatoes, olives, and salty caviar were in my opinion, the perfect seasoning. Much more complex and lighter on the palate than wasabi and soy sauce.<br /><br />For the entree, we decided to order from the raw bar and share a hot entree order.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7dfFPtzlUQlFCln0T4CfvJGk591DckoOJ8g5tXQDjOX9ctGgbysdNCrlEM_1aB8JEeA3V8l3oiPfQh0VXF0TpyaACqEB44sVooSdArkldjGY9-XDEuixWwmZErkOKkoYNG-5DlHpoNg/s1600/IMG_6471.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7dfFPtzlUQlFCln0T4CfvJGk591DckoOJ8g5tXQDjOX9ctGgbysdNCrlEM_1aB8JEeA3V8l3oiPfQh0VXF0TpyaACqEB44sVooSdArkldjGY9-XDEuixWwmZErkOKkoYNG-5DlHpoNg/s400/IMG_6471.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604549820002648914" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAc2F8LdVDhYXMW4PlQI6J3b5WalVzpKDyWHC1IjR0zEc74o5Kvcw4C__F-sei5-S1853FTDH7d1n6JR3b00dg_TtdhxADaDo9nPJ5Mz5pZWFfV1wy-e0sVP0BI3oJyZTKSKLzLYVFY_w/s1600/IMG_6474.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAc2F8LdVDhYXMW4PlQI6J3b5WalVzpKDyWHC1IjR0zEc74o5Kvcw4C__F-sei5-S1853FTDH7d1n6JR3b00dg_TtdhxADaDo9nPJ5Mz5pZWFfV1wy-e0sVP0BI3oJyZTKSKLzLYVFY_w/s400/IMG_6474.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604549821955770002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Empress crab claw and chilled whole lobster w/ cocktail sauce and spicy mayo</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccli63lOoLRCHzP21JydVOIKqokTgNh6dOrF5ey8iSRBDKClG5eaREADgxbp6fdJRU4HlzG74T9ugJ01tlNmNFHFhijjwbrWiGHhgyY-3v8khggf06ut-J5vmML7NtWfKGR2pk1qLoz4/s1600/IMG_6476.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccli63lOoLRCHzP21JydVOIKqokTgNh6dOrF5ey8iSRBDKClG5eaREADgxbp6fdJRU4HlzG74T9ugJ01tlNmNFHFhijjwbrWiGHhgyY-3v8khggf06ut-J5vmML7NtWfKGR2pk1qLoz4/s400/IMG_6476.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604553022623714514" border="0" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4U6mYcah2ljuzWmGa7ekmt3raBzpvaNeQZYD-1wi1Dwtc0e1B1CJ84O2TZiLZREfEgMPhqMNArms5_wLC_pWZlSS7WHzz5WBzrz70BIf1fmqUceiFmQgkoXqyYv5WBap80MvEKtOtKqw/s1600/IMG_6478.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4U6mYcah2ljuzWmGa7ekmt3raBzpvaNeQZYD-1wi1Dwtc0e1B1CJ84O2TZiLZREfEgMPhqMNArms5_wLC_pWZlSS7WHzz5WBzrz70BIf1fmqUceiFmQgkoXqyYv5WBap80MvEKtOtKqw/s400/IMG_6478.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604553027931129842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Lobster Roll w/ cole slaw and salt & vinegar chips.<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />On a side note, I was very impressed with the service at Lure. The waiter was attentive but not hovering. We ordered the lobster roll with the intention to share, but did not specify this to our waiter. He immediately picked up on this and offered to split the roll for us. I expected a roll cut in half on a plate, but it came on two separate plates, each with its own side of pickle and cole slaw. Impressed!<br /><br />Now on to the taste. The seafood from the raw bar? fresh and delish! The empress crab claws were tasty but a bit small, at 6 claws for $18, I don't think it was really worth the money. For just $9 more, you can get a whole lobster tail split in half. The lobster meat was easy to remove from the shell and came out in large chunks that tasted sooo amazing, we're absolutely addicted and planning on eating more this weekend!<br /><br />The lobster roll entree was also flawless as well. The chunks of lobster were not too chewy and not overwhelmed with mayo and seasoning. Personally, I really loved the brioche roll the lobster was on. It was soft, with a thin crispy toasted crust, and oh so buttery! I could've eaten 10 of these and subsequently gained 20 lbs. This entree was executed so well, even the chips were breathtaking. They were salt and vinegar chips (my fav), but the vinegar taste was not too strong. I believe these must've been home made chips, because they were warm when they came out. I love that they were so perfectly balanced - crunchy, but not too thin, flavorful, but not overwhelming. This cannot be easy to do.<br /><br />I also loved my meal here because the amount of food was just right. I tend to over eat at restaurants, but the food at Lure was light but just filling enough for dinner.<br /></span></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSDexHqEBexQFByPFW-vdMTUvRb3DgfKrKX8KBHlJfqpM0nUEen6JYZVq6kyKRE0NRK96GG-o3Sb13XANlReLWS8N-2zKGG20d7kMKKuL8TluqdAr2PIzEs0Iuwb75C8gJS9SjhSkeww/s1600/IMG_6487.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSDexHqEBexQFByPFW-vdMTUvRb3DgfKrKX8KBHlJfqpM0nUEen6JYZVq6kyKRE0NRK96GG-o3Sb13XANlReLWS8N-2zKGG20d7kMKKuL8TluqdAr2PIzEs0Iuwb75C8gJS9SjhSkeww/s400/IMG_6487.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604553029684490146" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIQ-B6_uaaulqLpCS1TDtFapu8bMMJ3WxnRgPC-ZBUDbp9OJRTxx8wT43bHMgSGD7ncpQBK7JLIlE1Mmw9RMcOZyApH3qmXj2XSGaA_WR4zyjj1zUQvVVYrXN9Toyd5-xh7FqOl1PaIE/s1600/IMG_6490.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIQ-B6_uaaulqLpCS1TDtFapu8bMMJ3WxnRgPC-ZBUDbp9OJRTxx8wT43bHMgSGD7ncpQBK7JLIlE1Mmw9RMcOZyApH3qmXj2XSGaA_WR4zyjj1zUQvVVYrXN9Toyd5-xh7FqOl1PaIE/s400/IMG_6490.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604553034775537042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie w/ pomegranate sorbet (substitution for peanut brittle ice cream)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Our desert was also proof on how great the service is at Lure. We wanted to substitute the peanut brittle ice cream for something a bit lighter, Pomegranate sorbet</span>. While alone, I casually expressed my concern that the sorbet does not quite mesh well with the peanut butter pie. Well, our waiter and the kitchen staff was way ahead of me, because the sorbet came out in its own little dish. Again, Lure managed to change my mind about dishes I typically do not enjoy. I only really like my chocolate and peanut butter inside a Reese's package. This pie came out in a pretty standard presentation of desert on square white plate with some decorations scattered in the empty space. The pie itself did not look especially enticing to me either. However, the taste more than made up for its appearance. It was a bit savory and sweet, not overwhelmingly sweet as most chocolate deserts can be. I especially enjoyed it with a bit of the light creme with each bite.<br /><br />This was one of those meals when you go home and reminisce about how perfect it was, both in terms of quality of food and service. It was a bit pricey at around $145 for two people excluding tip, but in our minds it was certainly worth it. How often do you have a date night that is perfect in every way? We could not imagine how Aquagrill could beat our experience at Lure Fishbar, but we will give it a chance to try. This is one of those restaurants I would gladly brave the Soho crowds for to eat at. Hopefully, one day we'd be able to make it to one of their "Happy Hours."<br /></div><br /></div><br /></div></div>yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16980348541327068606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-6013456436152972892011-05-04T20:53:00.000-07:002011-05-04T21:21:42.968-07:00Elderflower and Dinner at homeInspired by the royal wedding, I dropped by my local safeway to find some british food. YES, safeway has entire sections devoted to international foods. German, Indian, East Asian, British, Hispanic, etc.<br /><br />I picked up some Elderflower Presse<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIkIm2_OrW3fsMtmkphjB7CWKYg_Tj9xEkGj6MQ1inOqLM3T3wOJzUrV4fOhVFDs2Q6aTwtXs3f5bs1SRhNlH2k2YmscJZmhsq0yTv-iPhWA15TkW4HXt9-UGYiMafpWF0tgbL-lKN5Y/s1600/IMG_6420.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIkIm2_OrW3fsMtmkphjB7CWKYg_Tj9xEkGj6MQ1inOqLM3T3wOJzUrV4fOhVFDs2Q6aTwtXs3f5bs1SRhNlH2k2YmscJZmhsq0yTv-iPhWA15TkW4HXt9-UGYiMafpWF0tgbL-lKN5Y/s400/IMG_6420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603079511877269746" border="0" /></a>It's basically just water that's mixed with elderflowers<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BH2A7IzpvCzlUp6JBpwXLkI6IHcuCeySYNNsoc0lfe-81udu0Vyi-2wyRvcbCKi-OiSfYCvAK-GIhfABQuzejL3jLmQW3z8LK3tD24UoYRZ70s_sEJLp3dTiUGTg-vJ42hhp0C9k_tE/s1600/IMG_6419.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BH2A7IzpvCzlUp6JBpwXLkI6IHcuCeySYNNsoc0lfe-81udu0Vyi-2wyRvcbCKi-OiSfYCvAK-GIhfABQuzejL3jLmQW3z8LK3tD24UoYRZ70s_sEJLp3dTiUGTg-vJ42hhp0C9k_tE/s400/IMG_6419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603079522706852882" border="0" /></a>This is so Alice in Wonderland<br />Diluting elderflower with water dates back to the Victorian Era. It actually has some medicinal uses and have traditionally been used against influenza viruses.<br />The taste is quite sweet. The label says it's only water and elderflower, so I am surprised at how sweet it is. You can definitely drink this by itself, almost like juice, but I think it will taste better mixed with something else, like tea or alcohol.<br /><br />While at Safeway, we picked up some lazy people dinner.<br /><br />Bertolli's Mediterranean Style Garlic shrimp, Penne, and Cherry tomatoes<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhAUtqtSLn3ii0xGuzC3MCPsvwrTTmd1nOrHxd26gyQwgkw_kwe-8cuIdQZoMEfuLgPx5vt8ru7gH0faCIJaX4kVGLl4EkAWj5AYCwAL-x3qEl41rUsFzqV1vaV9nr5seBpfKqj1Bhtg/s1600/IMG_6426.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhAUtqtSLn3ii0xGuzC3MCPsvwrTTmd1nOrHxd26gyQwgkw_kwe-8cuIdQZoMEfuLgPx5vt8ru7gH0faCIJaX4kVGLl4EkAWj5AYCwAL-x3qEl41rUsFzqV1vaV9nr5seBpfKqj1Bhtg/s400/IMG_6426.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603079505151255378" border="0" /></a>So easy to make. Just dump it in the skillet, cover, watch tv for awhile, and turn off heat.<br /><br />A weekend dinner would not be complete without some Chardonnay and cheese.<br /><br />My recent fav is applewood smoke gouda- it tastes just like summer sausage!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieL61ve-mUYNoKF2-dO8M9Mh06ZmwV0p_jtlP6x6DLUgbxDChWgXv_3pSPz0XW4wSXnjtIts9AR8SWYjD1RVJyZYIEd6Raxv0Kaa6129yaCf7E0XAoUuTBpsVzJG8EtQxZYyt1evLDD4g/s1600/IMG_6427.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieL61ve-mUYNoKF2-dO8M9Mh06ZmwV0p_jtlP6x6DLUgbxDChWgXv_3pSPz0XW4wSXnjtIts9AR8SWYjD1RVJyZYIEd6Raxv0Kaa6129yaCf7E0XAoUuTBpsVzJG8EtQxZYyt1evLDD4g/s400/IMG_6427.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603079506977478162" border="0" /></a>yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16980348541327068606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-14738292467231189042011-05-02T03:52:00.000-07:002011-05-14T12:49:19.699-07:00Kittichai - NYC<div>Kittichai is one of those restaurants that are most appropriate for a dinner with your girl friends - or a date for any guys who are trying to impress their girlfriends. The setting is extremely chic and in my opinion, only something that girls would really appreciate. Once you walk up to the restaurant, the outside has has a wall of bamboo that I loved. It's something that immediately transports you from a relatively quiet street in Soho, to some place exotic. Once you walk inside, you are greeted with a wall of orchids held in glass jars and, for some reason, koi fish in a birdcage-fish tank. </div><div>
<br /></div><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4d5mmIo7wzE/TbX8zD3WJII/AAAAAAAABPo/GGeBrnIaJVQ/s320/DSC08699.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599659665846051970" /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gR4Q-ZhCKRE/TbX8yyLju-I/AAAAAAAABPg/jLaADEyE0uY/s320/DSC08700.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599659661098990562" /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JGHuZTtfJkA/TbX8ygGk2VI/AAAAAAAABPY/6ezt20d3en8/s320/DSC08701.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599659656246253906" /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The food was equally impressive. My friend ordered a Thai iced tea and it came out as a "DIY" drink, with the Thai tea, simple syrup, and condensed milk in separate glasses so you can mix and adjust to your desired level of sweetness. Call me childish, but I love playing with food so my friend and I were quite entertained by this.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qh2O6-Ay1oQ/TbX-G7t9HAI/AAAAAAAABQY/A-ZFwr9uC6A/s1600/DSC08688.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qh2O6-Ay1oQ/TbX-G7t9HAI/AAAAAAAABQY/A-ZFwr9uC6A/s320/DSC08688.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599661106768190466" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 11px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: capitalize;"><b>Thai Iced Tea</b></span></span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Next up was our tuna tartar appetizer. I didn't really think the "limestone tartlets" tasted like anything (it kind of reminded me of fried wonton skins?), but the tuna tartar itself and the accompanying ginger/lime sauce was pretty good.</div><div>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JkZURNz4-fA/TbX-GtbwjzI/AAAAAAAABQQ/qjApt52tAfU/s1600/DSC08689.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JkZURNz4-fA/TbX-GtbwjzI/AAAAAAAABQQ/qjApt52tAfU/s320/DSC08689.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599661102933774130" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, Garamond, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; text-transform: lowercase; "><cite style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1em; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-transform: capitalize; ">Meing Tuna Tartare</cite> limestone tartlets, peanuts, ginger and lime</span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>My friend and I were actually here for Restaurant Week (back in February), and for the starter, I got the sauteed mussels. I don't usually like mussels, but their version was pretty good and an extremely large portion. I hate wasting food, but I really couldn't finish it. I'm glad though because the prawns I got for my entree were HUGE. These were amazing. I loved the citrus red curry sauce and added the remaining sauce to eat with my rice. </div><div>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RYu91BSQLw0/TbX-GRlsdkI/AAAAAAAABQI/UHGPNScUlz4/s1600/DSC08694.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RYu91BSQLw0/TbX-GRlsdkI/AAAAAAAABQI/UHGPNScUlz4/s320/DSC08694.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599661095459255874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, Garamond, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; text-transform: lowercase; "><cite style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1em; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-transform: capitalize; ">Wok-Seared Tiger Prawns</cite> with a citrus red curry</span></div><div>
<br /></div><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3XvMVZx9xps/TbX9SUEOxKI/AAAAAAAABQA/W4wXMwEPckA/s1600/DSC08697.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3XvMVZx9xps/TbX9SUEOxKI/AAAAAAAABQA/W4wXMwEPckA/s320/DSC08697.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599660202771006626" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, Garamond, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; text-transform: lowercase; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><cite style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1em; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-transform: capitalize; ">Flourless Valrhona Chocolate Cake</cite> with fresh cream</span></u></span></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3XvMVZx9xps/TbX9SUEOxKI/AAAAAAAABQA/W4wXMwEPckA/s1600/DSC08697.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div>
<br /></div><div>For dessert, I got the chocolate cake - which came wrapped in a banana leaf. I'm not sure what the banana leaf had to do with the cake, but it was pretty decent. Although not really what I expected. The cake was a little on the dry/crumbly side - which surprised me since flourless chocolate cakes are usually pretty dense and rich. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>My friend ordered the banana spring rolls, the burnt honey ice cream was definitely the highlight of that dessert.</div>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8dnsC428oUo/TbX8z57hpxI/AAAAAAAABP4/LJ04JgrWqGE/s1600/DSC08695.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8dnsC428oUo/TbX8z57hpxI/AAAAAAAABP4/LJ04JgrWqGE/s320/DSC08695.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599659680359098130" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, Garamond, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; text-transform: lowercase; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><cite style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1em; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-transform: capitalize; ">Banana Spring Rolls</cite> with burnt honey ice cream</span></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div></div></div></div></div><div><meta charset="utf-8">Kittichai would be a great place to take out of town guests and visitors to impress them with a "glamorous" NYC restaurant. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>One of my other favorite restaurants in the city for impressing visitors with a similar vibe is Buddakan. Other than the delicious food and drinks (Tranquility remains my all time favorite drink), the setting in the main dining room is gorgeous, and each section has its own theme (one of them being the "Library"). It's also actually pretty easy to eat for a reasonable price at Buddakan if you order their rice/noodle dishes!</div></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Kittichai: 60 Thompson St (btwn Spring & Broome), New York, NY.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-22925956885808961382011-05-01T21:47:00.000-07:002011-05-04T20:52:30.122-07:00Spring in DCWe took advantage of an unexpectedly sunny day and went to visit the US Botanical Gardens:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxuptrPPoZc4IYV-x5jy7d8tCpFfX0gUooSvD8LofCaEhEaXTj7Aaroa0KV9y0-_N6UX9VAKVdWkYBWxCvTsgE_8hmQzhSiz3H5StgarQqtSVUaM2y_RXkO-BLAe8-pLpsyT0EzlWT3E/s1600/IMG_6327.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxuptrPPoZc4IYV-x5jy7d8tCpFfX0gUooSvD8LofCaEhEaXTj7Aaroa0KV9y0-_N6UX9VAKVdWkYBWxCvTsgE_8hmQzhSiz3H5StgarQqtSVUaM2y_RXkO-BLAe8-pLpsyT0EzlWT3E/s320/IMG_6327.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601987799920879906" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOT09yhmPU05Klb36v1qiW1hPtx1M-Qv7yXpD3rVNN_F0NTF0JAQzpppJl8RBKvwOHWRVFeZivBS356ae5oa2qwnxDeeT0Vjtrs_sZk30UrYjEmn5rO6xTeh40DuMGMqUV0mfiOBiprkE/s1600/IMG_6316.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOT09yhmPU05Klb36v1qiW1hPtx1M-Qv7yXpD3rVNN_F0NTF0JAQzpppJl8RBKvwOHWRVFeZivBS356ae5oa2qwnxDeeT0Vjtrs_sZk30UrYjEmn5rO6xTeh40DuMGMqUV0mfiOBiprkE/s320/IMG_6316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601987796145723106" border="0" /></a><br />It's a rather small garden (duh! in the middle of the city!) but you can definitely spend a good hour or so looking at the beautiful flowers. They have an especially beautiful room of orchids.<br /><br />The museums close rather early here, 5:30pm, so we of course went looking for something yummy for our tummies.<br /><br />We found Pitango about a 15 minute walk away in Penn Quarter. Pitango serves gelato and sorbets made with all natural and organic ingredients. It's rather pricey, ~$5 for a small cup, but eating well is worth it!<br /><br /><span class="street-address"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pitango Gelato</span> - <span style="font-style: italic;">413 7th St NW</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="locality">, Washington</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="region">DC</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="postal-code">20004</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UtoCyqMtrtLB67xFLMO5hBD07aeDINgUY02pvjwmIJRkYySM-nf3j4PtdnYPbWPTLIH8IuqD3rxH0K9jFhKb9eJXIOBm1vTbFDWNU5MdCtgfaO_AgNt6iwrbDjbGXYPmqer-ZKbHpfY/s1600/IMG_6366.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UtoCyqMtrtLB67xFLMO5hBD07aeDINgUY02pvjwmIJRkYySM-nf3j4PtdnYPbWPTLIH8IuqD3rxH0K9jFhKb9eJXIOBm1vTbFDWNU5MdCtgfaO_AgNt6iwrbDjbGXYPmqer-ZKbHpfY/s320/IMG_6366.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603063698201612210" border="0" /></a>We had pomegranate and white grape fruit. The pomegranate did not taste as tart as I imagined, but the grapefruit is quite sour and tasty - just like biting into a fresh grapefruit, minus the peeling.<br /><br />For dinner we went next door to...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Oyamel, </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="street-address">401 7th St NW</span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="locality">, Washington</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="region">DC</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="postal-code">20004</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWzA1yplU3xabSedsXSIWJ0wUyGtSdq3FVo1SnzpsYVd2jSsgHu_-HhlN2SYY2t8ydP5nJxbGwtMpzwj564plOHVZkmizerWYFixDh0Sjkh4O1bnYYZPvEpfUM6eA1TULGLgnG0PPiLc/s1600/IMG_6394.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWzA1yplU3xabSedsXSIWJ0wUyGtSdq3FVo1SnzpsYVd2jSsgHu_-HhlN2SYY2t8ydP5nJxbGwtMpzwj564plOHVZkmizerWYFixDh0Sjkh4O1bnYYZPvEpfUM6eA1TULGLgnG0PPiLc/s320/IMG_6394.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601984583644272754" border="0" /></a>Instead of bread, they serve complimentary chips and salsa.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx981KvZ2Q5bHlztr3wF6eEVXnVkzOGdsIIrI_MrwUZnI8g-OqcHnJtRmxukZbJgfEpU1ATKq3NwBp0zOa3_qJgFwouhdd8pxanMswAO6Ta74xniWAEnqbv199D_WDvAVAmamtUoFGPHg/s1600/IMG_6368.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx981KvZ2Q5bHlztr3wF6eEVXnVkzOGdsIIrI_MrwUZnI8g-OqcHnJtRmxukZbJgfEpU1ATKq3NwBp0zOa3_qJgFwouhdd8pxanMswAO6Ta74xniWAEnqbv199D_WDvAVAmamtUoFGPHg/s320/IMG_6368.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601978260380316802" border="0" /></a> I decided to eat here because I saw them make fresh guacamole tableside through the window. One of the rare times I go to a restaurant without first consulting Yelp. So, guess what was our first dish?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ekv09GjQ-3n_S8kZPTZpOVrPcEAQdYEWQ9fWFsERJl0S3Fht_r7xFH7ZQ1rRYti7ClwRlzOpKIUC5FYC5iD4y_EUs5cguPEAS-7A8lYGcxdwVNlfo9qBJIxtVWoICjAVdW5lJFz7W9w/s1600/IMG_6375.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ekv09GjQ-3n_S8kZPTZpOVrPcEAQdYEWQ9fWFsERJl0S3Fht_r7xFH7ZQ1rRYti7ClwRlzOpKIUC5FYC5iD4y_EUs5cguPEAS-7A8lYGcxdwVNlfo9qBJIxtVWoICjAVdW5lJFz7W9w/s320/IMG_6375.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601978269490278498" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbwYN1WLcs2xJjfU6SYMYrxjmlMBKIS4dQ1iVv4COtUzNj4qz2HTqp7pwj-J3_YynwGKdLMTIKJS84AWuMGMqA46Ea5YBesSSPvhfivVNE7UnVvGjAvDQRXAKfFLfNy0PWMaWWfRx0Ok/s1600/IMG_6377.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbwYN1WLcs2xJjfU6SYMYrxjmlMBKIS4dQ1iVv4COtUzNj4qz2HTqp7pwj-J3_YynwGKdLMTIKJS84AWuMGMqA46Ea5YBesSSPvhfivVNE7UnVvGjAvDQRXAKfFLfNy0PWMaWWfRx0Ok/s320/IMG_6377.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601980951339833666" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2KujsePlBtgQwEFTesEZxIWrPO92BDMJMsjw9-9m5Xxi3TFHz8DeMathLZJLUD0hL_3453QkNn7NvkJEr0wmnn-b84fGntyD1Kphi7SpdEE1GNbiGNdt908xRESlQkuqsSuR2RXAdas/s1600/IMG_6382.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2KujsePlBtgQwEFTesEZxIWrPO92BDMJMsjw9-9m5Xxi3TFHz8DeMathLZJLUD0hL_3453QkNn7NvkJEr0wmnn-b84fGntyD1Kphi7SpdEE1GNbiGNdt908xRESlQkuqsSuR2RXAdas/s320/IMG_6382.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601980956941268082" border="0" /></a>This fresh guac course was around $14, and is definitely meant for a party of 4. I was stuffed to the brim after finishing the salsa and guac.<br /><br />We had the drink special Maximillian Affair<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzY0LM-aXb3L6iyjrzB3ImYA_47Exk5-R-Uzzi_UHbpjFwI5ihgUDoNZSYVN6GCo3C4z_cyJzP0ktu1xhSh2EqBb_NIvW9q0sk74wrgascIooy7Rl_SXn8G6-SUTvbiTnHQiITSZB8Dg/s1600/IMG_6373.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzY0LM-aXb3L6iyjrzB3ImYA_47Exk5-R-Uzzi_UHbpjFwI5ihgUDoNZSYVN6GCo3C4z_cyJzP0ktu1xhSh2EqBb_NIvW9q0sk74wrgascIooy7Rl_SXn8G6-SUTvbiTnHQiITSZB8Dg/s320/IMG_6373.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601978268236318578" border="0" /></a> and Oyamel's classic Ponche.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYNPpKHLN00kuP2EiPoiOmEcr0fID7Sh936bsRs-WLpSSbacRi_rJM0z0XTAbD3513mUmDkTn5Jc2HDKkFT4aJLY6410GhaWlEDlZfi5tcwz81GzfqSv4VA1qsYB0hCRokfs-JcONenc/s1600/IMG_6374.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYNPpKHLN00kuP2EiPoiOmEcr0fID7Sh936bsRs-WLpSSbacRi_rJM0z0XTAbD3513mUmDkTn5Jc2HDKkFT4aJLY6410GhaWlEDlZfi5tcwz81GzfqSv4VA1qsYB0hCRokfs-JcONenc/s320/IMG_6374.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601978270233506418" border="0" /></a>Neither were really memorable or tasty<br /><br />Oyamel serves tapas style dishes (Antotijos) and some menu choices were quite unique and exotic:<br /><br />- Coctel de camaron y jaiba:<span style="font-style: italic;"> Shrimp and crab served with tomato sauce, avocado, red onions, and tortilla chips </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2B2A4r1qObKcTvdtVncv17IwzH1kgBlE4hdr2bzetEP7j_caoyHtD2rYQYpuyZU9We2pXsXGYdDKIjQ4VCCicpob0060SkDZhUhg4UeYneKpIczC2HFxWz-bz_klTubGSLx2_aH9gugU/s1600/IMG_6384.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2B2A4r1qObKcTvdtVncv17IwzH1kgBlE4hdr2bzetEP7j_caoyHtD2rYQYpuyZU9We2pXsXGYdDKIjQ4VCCicpob0060SkDZhUhg4UeYneKpIczC2HFxWz-bz_klTubGSLx2_aH9gugU/s320/IMG_6384.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601980961043212850" border="0" /></a>-Tinga Poblana: <span style="font-style: italic;">stew of shredded chicken with potatoes, chorizo, and chipotle , topped with white onion. </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsAe_W4Ov2S0kl84qXojItXYSBuJhTMgO5uP-SynH15bQIf_kXBZuJy72llScgKM672ys6SNNvGXNeqkYa71qjPCzKUUYh9ImWqi6ZfhF0KA1GZcdoZSJMihq2hyXTGGyTY1X0RKR4z4/s1600/IMG_6386.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsAe_W4Ov2S0kl84qXojItXYSBuJhTMgO5uP-SynH15bQIf_kXBZuJy72llScgKM672ys6SNNvGXNeqkYa71qjPCzKUUYh9ImWqi6ZfhF0KA1GZcdoZSJMihq2hyXTGGyTY1X0RKR4z4/s320/IMG_6386.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601980963088508722" border="0" /></a>-Chapulines: <span style="font-style: italic;">sauteed grasshoppers, shallots, tequila, guacamole</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYI_cMxxFza-zS_wBfoecXCcpSWdslNYJtNOdRaaIi6u9QINo0MG6YhQmWyPmodXiZ_j_-hOX9VdxX6-T-Y0zFaWTjKd560q9bD4n4DpbpwOcnZioqP1PQeOm7Sbpyn2OBwke3ZiGk8E/s1600/IMG_6387.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYI_cMxxFza-zS_wBfoecXCcpSWdslNYJtNOdRaaIi6u9QINo0MG6YhQmWyPmodXiZ_j_-hOX9VdxX6-T-Y0zFaWTjKd560q9bD4n4DpbpwOcnZioqP1PQeOm7Sbpyn2OBwke3ZiGk8E/s320/IMG_6387.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601980967827246642" border="0" /></a>-Huachinango a la Veracruzana:<span style="font-style: italic;"> seared red snapper Veracruz-style, with tomatoes, onions, jalapeno, chiles, olives and capers</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYQvvOb7N27Cpx3nDQC0qcaaFGIeV7hwuBB8EiDsGZn1OZIAg43xqQiAs7QZo-Cki78S0UjuZJt2C8F9dkDCqoRDaFyFkqrUugPmUhGfqIn74ff6YePwW5-lbiu8kUsWMAJFhUfJMAHI/s1600/IMG_6391.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYQvvOb7N27Cpx3nDQC0qcaaFGIeV7hwuBB8EiDsGZn1OZIAg43xqQiAs7QZo-Cki78S0UjuZJt2C8F9dkDCqoRDaFyFkqrUugPmUhGfqIn74ff6YePwW5-lbiu8kUsWMAJFhUfJMAHI/s320/IMG_6391.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601984578718205970" border="0" /></a>- Nopal asado con salsa molcajete:<span style="font-style: italic;"> Grilled fresh cactus paddles served wtih a salsa molcajete of grilled tomatoes, tomatillos, green onions, chilantro and green chiles. </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePLvUiuWo9iu9vG-R4DeWjVlS839lm5ZTp5GzYE0EZi3UM7tFirjFQk3ezXpHVwZkQawPO8J46sDwdlblekCEkUEFwsCLbGqpS-EfXWOMC0WnFYhIfdvRGBOBeM30sWEsXLD6WnuUkg0/s1600/IMG_6389.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePLvUiuWo9iu9vG-R4DeWjVlS839lm5ZTp5GzYE0EZi3UM7tFirjFQk3ezXpHVwZkQawPO8J46sDwdlblekCEkUEFwsCLbGqpS-EfXWOMC0WnFYhIfdvRGBOBeM30sWEsXLD6WnuUkg0/s320/IMG_6389.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601984574129620290" border="0" /></a>Review:<br />My favorite dish is by far the shrimp and crab ceviche. I could eat this 24/7! Actually, my goal will be to reproduce this dish so I could actually have anytime anywhere. Imagine lounging by the pool and snacking on some fresh shrimp and crab meat served cold with the perfect hint of citrus.<br />The chicken taco is decent. Chipotle level for me. Which is not bad, since I love Chipotle.<br />The grasshopper taco = gross! We got this to be adventurous, because honestly, how many restaurants out there serve grasshopper? BUT...at the end we played rock paper scissors to see who will finish it. When it first comes out, it doesn't look like grasshopper, more like carne asada. But the sauce was too intense and not anywhere close to tasty (too much tequila?). To me it tasted a bit smoky/burnt. And although the sauce was strong, it wasn't strong enough to make you forget you are eating tiny grasshopper legs. Basically, it was two awful things at ones. Your taste buds are unhappy, and your brain is trying to make you puke by painting a vivid picture of dead grasshoppers as you feel their legs crunching between your teeth. Try it to be adventurous! and never touch it again!<br />The red snapper and cactus paddle are both good, but the sauce on top tastes very similar for both. The cactus paddle was another adventurous choice. I believe we had the prickly pear cactus. Apparently, cactus is very citrusy! as in super sour! This dish would have probably been better as a baby appetizer, because there is only so much sour one can take in one meal.<br /><br />Overall, this restaurant would be a good place for a date or brunch. The ambiance is very bright and festive, the restaurant itself is rooming and welcoming. But I feel like its the best enjoyed when the weather's nice and sun is bright. I wouldn't make a point to go downtown just to eat here, but if I'm in the area, I'd definitely drop by for some fresh guac and ceviche.<br /><br />My fav decor item: an orange flower "roof"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaI1RtpmSvCBwytexNQBHscg4soIA9Oar1kunJcsHEKOp3dBluV0SWTHWQnipn2ajSoNlvaiRhTMyd6_FHNvKlPHRLIF8Aj8u9a4GCIa982cNMNQWb0DPFkbIivhzjVxhGKkvBaDEnPjU/s1600/IMG_6396.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaI1RtpmSvCBwytexNQBHscg4soIA9Oar1kunJcsHEKOp3dBluV0SWTHWQnipn2ajSoNlvaiRhTMyd6_FHNvKlPHRLIF8Aj8u9a4GCIa982cNMNQWb0DPFkbIivhzjVxhGKkvBaDEnPjU/s320/IMG_6396.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601984592388469506" border="0" /></a>and the mexican infused decor:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_APbCd9pL-PzSqIjE5YE7mTtDz-IyDwQYnl6VSQkLin7iYMt9jy0gpA2bDru1xQ3jxf5NkfGkOM_F4K1gOd96FDzCAbrEO7pUoOErv9WQQQ81psso5156Z2-HRCMO8SmtTCRNm4sWso/s1600/IMG_6395.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_APbCd9pL-PzSqIjE5YE7mTtDz-IyDwQYnl6VSQkLin7iYMt9jy0gpA2bDru1xQ3jxf5NkfGkOM_F4K1gOd96FDzCAbrEO7pUoOErv9WQQQ81psso5156Z2-HRCMO8SmtTCRNm4sWso/s320/IMG_6395.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601984587507776802" border="0" /></a>yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16980348541327068606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-77529386988132753912011-04-25T11:10:00.001-07:002011-04-25T13:12:55.950-07:00Kin Shop - NYC<div>I'm a big fan of Top Chef, so Perilla (Top Chef Harold Dieterle) has always been on the top of my restaurants that I would like to try in NYC. It's one of the favorite restaurants of some of my friends in the city and it's gotten really good Yelp reviews. ...I still haven't been there yet, BUT I did get to go to his newer restaurant Kin Shop which is Thai fusion. One of my friends always insists on Asian food whenever we go out to eat, so I chose Kin Shop for her birthday dinner!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I really liked the understated decor of Kin Shop - it feels relaxed and doesn't try too hard. There is a green motif throughout and the marble-top bar area has gilted gold accents that gives the restaurant a bit of understated glamour.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I loved that the menu had a mini "glossary" explaining many of the menu items on the back page:</div>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0wFkdsEZ7LU/TbXPQsEbDnI/AAAAAAAABOw/_jMoYfA1Xgo/s320/DSC08255.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599609597319646834" />
<br /><div>The food definitely did not disappoint either. The noodles were good, but paled in comparison to the red snapper in green curry. The red snapper was perfectly tender and the sauce was so good that both my friend and I used our roti (which we ordered as a side) to soak up all the leftover sauce. This was definitely one of the more memorable and unique fish dishes that I've had in a while.
<br /><div>
<br /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IN0QbuDChDI/TbXPRDPhDhI/AAAAAAAABPA/Ou1n1cwTrjs/s320/DSC08258.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599609603540192786" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, Garamond, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; text-transform: lowercase; "><cite style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1em; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-transform: capitalize; ">Fresh Egg Noodle & Maitake Mushroom Broth</cite> poached duck egg, green onions & spinach ($14)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, Garamond, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; text-transform: lowercase; ">
<br /></span></div><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EzqVtmKvjog/TbXPQ-slCNI/AAAAAAAABO4/FrF3ztgpjV4/s320/DSC08257.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599609602319911122" /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><div style="text-align: center;"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, Garamond, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px; text-transform: lowercase; "><cite style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1em; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-transform: capitalize; ">Green Steamed Red Snapper</cite> cashews, bok choy & kabocha squash ($27)</span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>The restaurant's dessert menu was extremely limited but we decided to go with the passionfruit pudding with buttermilk sherbet, topped with candied cashews. My friend thought the pudding was a little too tart for her taste - which was perfect for me because I prefer tart desserts nowadays and I actually thought the buttermilk sherbet was too sweet for me.
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpwJEpDIg8s/TbXQVYpdMfI/AAAAAAAABPQ/1aYEuUJHJks/s1600/DSC08259.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpwJEpDIg8s/TbXQVYpdMfI/AAAAAAAABPQ/1aYEuUJHJks/s320/DSC08259.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599610777517240818" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><meta charset="utf-8">For those that live in the West Village/NYU area, this is the perfect neighborhood restaurant. Amazing food and it doesn't feel like it's trying too hard. (Lately, I've been feeling like a lot of restaurants in NYC are just too high maintenance!) Perfect for when you can't think of a restaurant to go to (although given its popularity and rave reviews, you might end up with a long wait...).</div><div>
<br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-57541921308372060372011-04-24T17:29:00.000-07:002011-04-25T11:16:34.267-07:00Testaccio - Long Island City<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><div><meta charset="utf-8">I've been meaning to try out Testaccio since it opened last year and I read about it in this New York Times article: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/dining/13roman.html">In New York Restaurants, the Rise of Rome</a>. I hadn't gotten around to it though because when I looked at the menu prices, their pastas and second courses were all around $15-25. I just can't bring myself to pay those prices when I'm looking for a casual bite in my neighborhood. I have a mental barrier that, for $20+, it should be for a nice meal in Manhattan. However, I had a friend come visit me in LIC for lunch one day. I was craving Thai food at Tuk Tuk, but he wanted Italian, especially after I told him that the restaurant had been written up in the NYT. Testaccio it was!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>When we walked into the restaurant, I was absolutely blown away by how gorgeous the interior was! They have a gorgeous wine wall/display that separates the main dining area from the seating on the second floor, and really nice chandeliers as well. You would definitely not expect to walk into a restaurant like this off of Vernon Blvd in Long Island City. It would seem more suited for Soho or Meatpacking. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>The food also did not disappoint. The prices at brunch were a lot more reasonable than their prices at dinner. The bread basket alone made me happy - breadsticks, focaccia and regular rolls. The focaccia was warm and fresh (I hate when restaurants give cold bread baskets!) and I had to stop myself from filling up on that before our food came. I ordered the bucatini all'amatriciana (hollow spaghetti with guanciale, spicy tomato sauce & pecorino, $11), a nostalgic favorite from my study abroad days in Italy. It tasted exactly like I remembered from Florence. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>We also got the "Pizza con i funghi" with tomato, mozzarella, cremini, shitake & porcini mushrooms ($12). The crust was very thin and crispy. I'm not a super huge fan of pizzas, but I enjoyed it.</div><div>
<br /></div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnYb-RmyDxE/TbTBLnKdgnI/AAAAAAAABOU/dGXfIMIVMa0/s320/IMG_0111.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599312641963950706" />
<br /><div>I was already stuffed from the bread, pasta, and pizza, however my friend insisted that I order my favorite dessert, tiramisu...and really, he has the best ideas because this was definitely the star of the meal. When the dessert came out like this, we were extremely confused. The waiter chuckled at our expressions as he explained that it was a "do it yourself" dessert - you take the ladyfingers and dip it in the mascarpone sauce with bitter cocoa & the cup of espresso coffee next to it. I love interactive stuff and playing with food - so my friend and I loved this. Each component was also extremely well made.<div>
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXmVytpa01M/TbTBLnKoYSI/AAAAAAAABOc/YanFUsWFjMA/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXmVytpa01M/TbTBLnKoYSI/AAAAAAAABOc/YanFUsWFjMA/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXmVytpa01M/TbTBLnKoYSI/AAAAAAAABOc/YanFUsWFjMA/s320/IMG_0113.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599312641964663074" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">I didn't notice it at the time, but the menu actually lists this dessert as "tiramisu fai da te," so it tells you that it is DIY.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The service at Testaccio was also really nice. About halfway through our meal, we were the only table at the restaurant and it was really nice having the restaurant to ourselves! This is a new neighborhood favorite of mine!</div>
<br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-3602897950815670292011-04-24T17:07:00.000-07:002011-04-25T11:21:57.726-07:00Alpha Fusion - NYC<div>So it's been a while since our last post, keeping up with a blog is a lot harder than we thought it would be! Today's errands took me to the Penn Station area and lunch was at Alpha Fusion. I had heard that their Chelsea location was really good and they had really unique and inventive sushi rolls - like the kind from California that I always miss. Then Alpha Fusion came out with a Living Social coupon offer - $25 for a $50 gift certificate, which I quickly grabbed up. The 34th Street location is in kind of a random location between 8th and 9th - it's actually next to a small parking lot, and the inside wasn't too great either. Actually the inside was fine by itself, it had a modern decor, but they opened the restaurant to the outside that day so I couldn't really get past the random location. I don't know how to explain it...it seemed a little strip mall-ish to me. I guess it would be an okay place if you are already in the area but based on the atmosphere and out-of-reach location alone, I don't know if I would come back here.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>The food didn't make up for the location either. First off, we got the "Spicy Tuna on Pringles with Black Tobiko." Yes...that's raw tuna on a Pringle. I really liked the novelty factor, and their spicy tuna is pretty good, but I don't think it was particularly enhanced by the potato chip at all. I actually didn't really notice it.</div><div> </div><div>
<br /></div><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eL0mpoU4-2w/TbS8UeB3LWI/AAAAAAAABOE/oBQEAJ0nS74/s320/alpha%2Bfusion2.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599307296572648802" /><div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For sushi rolls, we got: the Volcano (chicken tempura roll topped with spicy tuna and chili pepper), Red Hot Dragon (shrimp tempura roll topped with spicy tuna and crunchy), and the Spicy Alpha (crunchy spicy salmon roll topped with tuna, salmon, and avocado) - each around $14. None of these rolls really stood out to me - I don't think their sushi rice was made that well. It seemed like regular white rice to me and didn't hold together well on some of the rolls (there was also just too much rice in my opinion). My favorite of the three would be the Red Hot Dragon, if I had to choose. They give a fair amount of spicy tuna on top of the Red Hot Dragon - the spicy tuna was probably my favorite part. As for the Volcano roll, it was my first time having chicken in a sushi roll...and I just don't think it's meant to be. If it was just chicken and rice - sure. But adding spicy tuna to fried chicken didn't do it for me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mmuZWqppCmI/TbS8UqGgVgI/AAAAAAAABOM/g-PqeO0F2ec/s1600/alpha%2Bfusion.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mmuZWqppCmI/TbS8UqGgVgI/AAAAAAAABOM/g-PqeO0F2ec/s320/alpha%2Bfusion.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599307299813348866" /></a>
<br /></div><div>The service at the restaurant was really nice though. They were attentive and I think the bartender was trying out different drink recipes at the time - the manager came around with free shots for us to try. However, my dining partner was dreadfully hungover from the night before, so we politely declined. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Alpha Fusion was definitely a good value with our gift certificate, but it probably won't be a repeat for me. The Chelsea location might be better? I also didn't think these rolls compared to the sushi I had in California!
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-42792676393567968812011-04-20T15:52:00.000-07:002011-04-24T22:25:09.775-07:00I'm back! with tons of FOOD!In this day and age, living without internet is extremely inconvenient! But I was determined to not fall into the trap of Comcast, so I chose to live in the stone age for awhile. Thus, I was not able to blog about my gluttonous activities for quite a while. But now I'm back to civilization. However, it's been so long since I took these pictures, I have very vague memories of the meals. So I'm just going to post it all in one giant brunch edition post.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">44 & X</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">- </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="street-address">622 10th Ave, </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="locality">New York</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="region">NY</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="postal-code">10036</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2Xc1Qg0E-1pl0bnhQx_to1DojlkxzwLWrRbiPAwXVp1Tp8HTV__zXTp36HSNMuv5ptZ0U8vGkKGVIze2vvjRcQvc0D7byaveMOHt4cRgUwazkeQFzCAt22rukxBr3gBki46V1Fsvw1w/s1600/IMG_0761.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2Xc1Qg0E-1pl0bnhQx_to1DojlkxzwLWrRbiPAwXVp1Tp8HTV__zXTp36HSNMuv5ptZ0U8vGkKGVIze2vvjRcQvc0D7byaveMOHt4cRgUwazkeQFzCAt22rukxBr3gBki46V1Fsvw1w/s320/IMG_0761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597808828040609042" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XJy7iDdWJ6vOg64XO151NftRP8za0JUlp16a8cLaf3vMxXGCEfBwP5aGlt8OCcAnFh5pJGeGNhY3WYLc0fYIbGhZwV7gwXeRFVN2sRxX-NwIWVnKwtq_o0Kr2af0eHPwNtxkw5OrZ2g/s1600/IMG_0759.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XJy7iDdWJ6vOg64XO151NftRP8za0JUlp16a8cLaf3vMxXGCEfBwP5aGlt8OCcAnFh5pJGeGNhY3WYLc0fYIbGhZwV7gwXeRFVN2sRxX-NwIWVnKwtq_o0Kr2af0eHPwNtxkw5OrZ2g/s320/IMG_0759.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597808821621310402" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiio4BuuUeFfijEnKJ9Hje_SO70mhUnYHIy9nP7g-LiXo4GTLM-kGdKilUGuO4aNS3HbMRHcNhWEueTPbEeh_WkwfyGhDisaF-N6Ee9v5d7q9Hr53NAZBPkJh6MJZMSEKYEsxGcwO-WED8/s1600/IMG_0764.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiio4BuuUeFfijEnKJ9Hje_SO70mhUnYHIy9nP7g-LiXo4GTLM-kGdKilUGuO4aNS3HbMRHcNhWEueTPbEeh_WkwfyGhDisaF-N6Ee9v5d7q9Hr53NAZBPkJh6MJZMSEKYEsxGcwO-WED8/s320/IMG_0764.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597808841114285922" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQcfI0RNAmHTuM0tLJ4DHQfbEzEtTfeIwTOm8bzOzfkGqxYE4wyteVaGK-jgOIuajkjvhrAemiFp2jcuCO38LsAsfo0XIoVc01fdHhOYzfUKRRjH0yrXFfFRh_Uqy0PbMLnrrXIimOWk/s1600/IMG_0767.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQcfI0RNAmHTuM0tLJ4DHQfbEzEtTfeIwTOm8bzOzfkGqxYE4wyteVaGK-jgOIuajkjvhrAemiFp2jcuCO38LsAsfo0XIoVc01fdHhOYzfUKRRjH0yrXFfFRh_Uqy0PbMLnrrXIimOWk/s320/IMG_0767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597808845920962690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkh1yuru_vK9kvKzI61dbx73EBG_i0nCwC6pHxSv0KkYykkrzWRi4ga8RfSGnY1GfgNbCyfWMT7SBdsTwW54dzI2WS3FwD8qIPfQC8AciL0oBu614D0us9tnLSKiEDZzjzl8UOkBFaAY/s1600/IMG_0766.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkh1yuru_vK9kvKzI61dbx73EBG_i0nCwC6pHxSv0KkYykkrzWRi4ga8RfSGnY1GfgNbCyfWMT7SBdsTwW54dzI2WS3FwD8qIPfQC8AciL0oBu614D0us9tnLSKiEDZzjzl8UOkBFaAY/s320/IMG_0766.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597808840352196290" border="0" /></a><br />My opinion:<br /><br />This place is definitely my go to brunch spot. Ambiance is very bright and pretty, with a fresh rose on every table. (The bathroom is magnificently decorated with candles and roses!) The cute waiters wear tight t-shirts that say "Heaven in Hell" (lol, get it?), food is solid, AND instead of bread, you get muffins and jam.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good Enough To Eat - </span><span style="font-style: italic;">483 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs5bAj86WW2Ibh26tcqadIC7ZQtGLob08kz0Z8NN_5_oyqap6M-ZSLSmd5-gGr0SUHh78l4Sdk-qMnneNlJaO-_QDG1ERqRlHxUlXjQ5LqIYgB0WSvAZJOIKBwSVlYU9r50rGWcXADRU/s1600/IMG_0788.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs5bAj86WW2Ibh26tcqadIC7ZQtGLob08kz0Z8NN_5_oyqap6M-ZSLSmd5-gGr0SUHh78l4Sdk-qMnneNlJaO-_QDG1ERqRlHxUlXjQ5LqIYgB0WSvAZJOIKBwSVlYU9r50rGWcXADRU/s320/IMG_0788.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597822496675740066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2Xc1Qg0E-1pl0bnhQx_to1DojlkxzwLWrRbiPAwXVp1Tp8HTV__zXTp36HSNMuv5ptZ0U8vGkKGVIze2vvjRcQvc0D7byaveMOHt4cRgUwazkeQFzCAt22rukxBr3gBki46V1Fsvw1w/s1600/IMG_0761.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMoRWCNovbJk_aktDjR-wpZAPuTzIXW5jzE8CqLlhpL2XwBwe8yQxD5yD9S-nL8ZOAfXEn62jaauf-aHzTLEmqL5lZ5k-9prxmiqnbvHYCtsjyqCmnxg3d_J7qumC3Z3PHZnRV4nDid8/s1600/IMG_0789.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMoRWCNovbJk_aktDjR-wpZAPuTzIXW5jzE8CqLlhpL2XwBwe8yQxD5yD9S-nL8ZOAfXEn62jaauf-aHzTLEmqL5lZ5k-9prxmiqnbvHYCtsjyqCmnxg3d_J7qumC3Z3PHZnRV4nDid8/s320/IMG_0789.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597822501073493570" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlwCwz7gBGvVKPXGQ0-oezEJK7IlE3MMIvrbwKJGFS6CjLShEr9f7QO9MWiF60-xYA3eN4tq6PeGejDekhTrd6SIWoCeBY3zZT7iS12ExVd4RQNBIFBvv8JB_Q2y_u7u-89i9KNAUCxo/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlwCwz7gBGvVKPXGQ0-oezEJK7IlE3MMIvrbwKJGFS6CjLShEr9f7QO9MWiF60-xYA3eN4tq6PeGejDekhTrd6SIWoCeBY3zZT7iS12ExVd4RQNBIFBvv8JB_Q2y_u7u-89i9KNAUCxo/s320/IMG_0791.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597822502052488690" border="0" /></a><br />Review: The highlight of this meal was the <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">strawberry</span> butter! I could eat that stuff all day every day. Other than that, this place is pretty ordinary in my opinion. The restaurant is pretty small and for some reason it's very popular. So prepare to wait in line to be seated.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanksgiving Dinner </span>- <span style="font-style: italic;">Home, NYC</span>,<span style="font-style: italic;"> cooked by roomie</span><br /><br />Ever seen how brussel sprouts grow naturally?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kMtuJBgdyFOzdQBrwNK1iQt4rzRz_lcruNisNmObYYtvW1E4BJcGEDPE7RRhyphenhyphenoUKA2Oc-BM_M3wqXFsmT1KHTHTijfgQjpLP4I-LDCTXLbHUQbuEfaXj8Te2JQ_JyIHtrEFEfETcvGw/s1600/IMG_0934.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kMtuJBgdyFOzdQBrwNK1iQt4rzRz_lcruNisNmObYYtvW1E4BJcGEDPE7RRhyphenhyphenoUKA2Oc-BM_M3wqXFsmT1KHTHTijfgQjpLP4I-LDCTXLbHUQbuEfaXj8Te2JQ_JyIHtrEFEfETcvGw/s320/IMG_0934.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597828330727685314" border="0" /></a>$1.99 per STALK at the grocery store in Chelsea Market. It's a Thanksgiving miracle! Picture shown half "de-sprouted." Roasted in the oven with oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Addictingly delish!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJk3yDXufmzfCc6p8SWdDmhGyPsGFIRarlQvHn8nhxpEK2D4TaqAtuhTYzHxqOLI2iXIdCWr6AI4wu7vigT0rSOYNJqsexIa7dIp6_3BRXUTtnFbo8LlpPcyNuOLrnhV4n6XarK8NdNM0/s1600/IMG_0939.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJk3yDXufmzfCc6p8SWdDmhGyPsGFIRarlQvHn8nhxpEK2D4TaqAtuhTYzHxqOLI2iXIdCWr6AI4wu7vigT0rSOYNJqsexIa7dIp6_3BRXUTtnFbo8LlpPcyNuOLrnhV4n6XarK8NdNM0/s320/IMG_0939.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597828335078377522" border="0" /></a>Lobster Thermidor. Lobster purchased from Fresh Direct. So fresh that after being in the fridge for 3 nights and 2 days it was still alive! Poor lobster, thank you for providing us sustenance.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAce5tAwHtVnW7y41LGAJ3f-1hHEf9vejv4CY8fEz94hqbtGNPx5wdks0cr5NPLLuijz44dqbw3-ZFYjeF_6QJ2Qa83rkdtEYEaSr31V-7M_j4rIbgw0XM8y9tSV79ccoxeaGBlFePrk/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAce5tAwHtVnW7y41LGAJ3f-1hHEf9vejv4CY8fEz94hqbtGNPx5wdks0cr5NPLLuijz44dqbw3-ZFYjeF_6QJ2Qa83rkdtEYEaSr31V-7M_j4rIbgw0XM8y9tSV79ccoxeaGBlFePrk/s320/IMG_0943.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597828339362092370" border="0" /></a>Cornish Hen stuffed with apple stuffing? Raw hen and mashed potatoes in background both from Fresh Direct. Apple stuffing - randomly made up.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNzF0iEorFzIdHdLUw-FXqOtJfrndLCMChqXUmYCZMt9rhfjOHfQ15RC5xZ470ktFErBUxLqCUhEjLvxO4qJq-8JU6CCxQpISj3JrsNXkZKWsp-qnagCeehMk8CaH79GPgZ2rqRGNB1E/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNzF0iEorFzIdHdLUw-FXqOtJfrndLCMChqXUmYCZMt9rhfjOHfQ15RC5xZ470ktFErBUxLqCUhEjLvxO4qJq-8JU6CCxQpISj3JrsNXkZKWsp-qnagCeehMk8CaH79GPgZ2rqRGNB1E/s320/IMG_0938.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597828331159073602" border="0" /></a>A view of our humble but fulfilling thanksgiving feast.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cafe Henri </span>- <span style="font-style: italic;" class="street-address">1010 50th Ave</span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="locality">, Long Island City</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="region">NY</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="postal-code">11109</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPwS4T4ChMOkvXsyvhkaR31F5KJeq-1a_8FZLUUnrPMxxp1KZ5GrA058aPbtVgpQ15uVFyIu6PlBEwy_mqJjDpFGLA-oOPYkYce6EGtnB6eXpbCiJ6dRpt_2evQCGis55qyXw53YCWzM/s1600/IMG_6034.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPwS4T4ChMOkvXsyvhkaR31F5KJeq-1a_8FZLUUnrPMxxp1KZ5GrA058aPbtVgpQ15uVFyIu6PlBEwy_mqJjDpFGLA-oOPYkYce6EGtnB6eXpbCiJ6dRpt_2evQCGis55qyXw53YCWzM/s320/IMG_6034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597835076333604258" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ps7FWylsgaSsWFcwc05LBuBDMNyA-cy-JxH0Rd1Yswk92_a_UHYXdqSutvGbYg486A1RAnO-INperbUjgkzOtSV_NRYQfhZIOutFt5lbs9o14h6vM1lULy84jWZZ00uuLNTrpgA4J_0/s1600/IMG_6046.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ps7FWylsgaSsWFcwc05LBuBDMNyA-cy-JxH0Rd1Yswk92_a_UHYXdqSutvGbYg486A1RAnO-INperbUjgkzOtSV_NRYQfhZIOutFt5lbs9o14h6vM1lULy84jWZZ00uuLNTrpgA4J_0/s320/IMG_6046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597835082651711266" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRsSDxjbox__NSgnf-w9Y6uAKBkNWTd7_ZVWAC3STz1ZShUvFVrPwGko6XNcj3Kd2gOf3tsKzlJO7qLoRQcoiOeiOpo3PxEQJT0LHtlAv4EbctXaCRECmCv3zltASj9ImdtxNJHMOwaA/s1600/IMG_6045.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRsSDxjbox__NSgnf-w9Y6uAKBkNWTd7_ZVWAC3STz1ZShUvFVrPwGko6XNcj3Kd2gOf3tsKzlJO7qLoRQcoiOeiOpo3PxEQJT0LHtlAv4EbctXaCRECmCv3zltASj9ImdtxNJHMOwaA/s320/IMG_6045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597835080991285170" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iz0tVwiStClrjdiGS2FZTIUobuBW3Qnp5zOQem6E_XsrEvJLDvrw7y0rAh8-lVq9gAR8ZeBbHnfFaWV8tG5M1ZjhoO7AusBJyo_llRoO0WtUFNXRGXfSVBln1CmtKtXxvq9IfkkZXBM/s1600/IMG_6043.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iz0tVwiStClrjdiGS2FZTIUobuBW3Qnp5zOQem6E_XsrEvJLDvrw7y0rAh8-lVq9gAR8ZeBbHnfFaWV8tG5M1ZjhoO7AusBJyo_llRoO0WtUFNXRGXfSVBln1CmtKtXxvq9IfkkZXBM/s320/IMG_6043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597835081034703474" border="0" /></a><br />Review:<br />Lol, as you can see, I was too busy eating that I forgot to take a pic of the escargot until there was only 1 left! I love that there is a good brunch spot right in LIC. So those days when I'm too lazy to commute into the city, I can enjoy a relaxing meal just a few steps away from home. The food here is pretty typical of what you'd think of when you say brunch. I thought the savory crepes were quite special and not something you can find in ever NYC brunch spot. We went during a cold winter morning, so the hot chocolate was especially inviting. They present it in such a large cup! The one I got has Grand Marnier mixed in. It actually became a bit too bitter for me to handle, I would have preferred something lighter and sweeter. But I have the commend their service. I asked for my left over hot chocolate to go and they gave me a piping hot cup of it. So they must have either heated it up again, or gave me a brand new cup! It was very thoughtful.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Uncle Ben's Chili Bowl</span>- <span style="font-style: italic;" class="street-address">1213 U St NW</span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="locality">, Washington</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="region">DC</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="postal-code">20009</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8dpytgf-XXQNELKAXdO-ct4oRgHqOkTxsNvnIxSfJIw94r9E_yFsk2RkCuO3f8-Ke2XbR-WM7mb9kpSo886FE6daqw7W9ONS87nmR9kVfVdMQGRr5uL-M5A9wl9F2kgXPSDCT9m2iXg/s1600/IMG_1161.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8dpytgf-XXQNELKAXdO-ct4oRgHqOkTxsNvnIxSfJIw94r9E_yFsk2RkCuO3f8-Ke2XbR-WM7mb9kpSo886FE6daqw7W9ONS87nmR9kVfVdMQGRr5uL-M5A9wl9F2kgXPSDCT9m2iXg/s320/IMG_1161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597857934424178642" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DPRDU3j7vMxSJG6DIMWE0nSVcUEewHEz_eNeMAUbKjdShYNgOSsCT6kQJp7uU4KPC-VtFCfCE2eGEvT9mxbC-6m5Un3eD06omW41fMtWZddAfQGcIwhOZgsToDirO-d37PMt0zqnVBM/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DPRDU3j7vMxSJG6DIMWE0nSVcUEewHEz_eNeMAUbKjdShYNgOSsCT6kQJp7uU4KPC-VtFCfCE2eGEvT9mxbC-6m5Un3eD06omW41fMtWZddAfQGcIwhOZgsToDirO-d37PMt0zqnVBM/s320/IMG_1165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597857938560476034" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mSICX_hQ18_gltsQISQO2BKF0vEnaewYo_T3igPEeq455zY_LFsvOzgkwVR4Qnfwj50CF6rYQIwuqYqYPgfVQGJq-DxK0kEqq4pxCsTjR7lrQBP403ZyYJqAdrP2nEqND43pAZAGmrg/s1600/IMG_1166.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mSICX_hQ18_gltsQISQO2BKF0vEnaewYo_T3igPEeq455zY_LFsvOzgkwVR4Qnfwj50CF6rYQIwuqYqYPgfVQGJq-DxK0kEqq4pxCsTjR7lrQBP403ZyYJqAdrP2nEqND43pAZAGmrg/s320/IMG_1166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597857943167835714" border="0" /></a>Review:<br />Uncle Ben's Chili Bowl is a DC food institution. It's beloved by everyone from Bill Cosby to Barack Obama, who are the only people allowed to receive free food from this chili joint. The restaurant is right next to the metro exit and very easy to find as it has a patchwork multi colored bear randomly sitting outside. Due to its popularity, its almost always crowded and being inside can be a bit claustrophobic. We ordered a half smoke and some chili fries. To be honest, the chili was tasty but I did not think it was extraordinary. The half smoke hot dog with chili is definitely a better choice than the chili fries which just weighed you down.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">M. Wells</span> - <span style="font-style: italic;" class="street-address">21-17 49th Ave</span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="locality">, Queens</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="region">NY</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span class="postal-code"><span style="font-style: italic;">11101</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="postal-code"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAajM8TcoThdBEIFtK9UHgWS0vmO0hzlPhF2HkDGgFIjC4ry1wbkYxnXhiIyJ_NyhqxhD8L_qkSMyRHCsCbjghlg-sY8NdrHGP1fvzYnaVwHOPDOlC6PxYozt2kr-QuzUOJ6ogXmyMnE/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAajM8TcoThdBEIFtK9UHgWS0vmO0hzlPhF2HkDGgFIjC4ry1wbkYxnXhiIyJ_NyhqxhD8L_qkSMyRHCsCbjghlg-sY8NdrHGP1fvzYnaVwHOPDOlC6PxYozt2kr-QuzUOJ6ogXmyMnE/s320/IMG_1198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597857946905392482" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL-TH52gkKxoN4it3pOEDDSQcNGNqJaSjMP_JnKDU2ftpdiMr-IYK9_-DNSuXzfbvLHqCsaSDglM6tmX5N4YWDI9-fjzOL8pVg44TkNSUMSWu9OgzXkxeXyYjScDsR5FQGSQFQFhhUjU/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL-TH52gkKxoN4it3pOEDDSQcNGNqJaSjMP_JnKDU2ftpdiMr-IYK9_-DNSuXzfbvLHqCsaSDglM6tmX5N4YWDI9-fjzOL8pVg44TkNSUMSWu9OgzXkxeXyYjScDsR5FQGSQFQFhhUjU/s320/IMG_1199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597857950273806610" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfZQqLgkzr0CSzUyF8LLzWxOQrk3pDOOhhGu9eeUGd2hKAVl14YzkoB3qmTi5hUw09NiPKwqX6WX2qptyIMmKedeV_tvtouq4LXeZnvXnFo4P1OkBSCKH3ljTpW6oo4g7kb9V9DGwX-w/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfZQqLgkzr0CSzUyF8LLzWxOQrk3pDOOhhGu9eeUGd2hKAVl14YzkoB3qmTi5hUw09NiPKwqX6WX2qptyIMmKedeV_tvtouq4LXeZnvXnFo4P1OkBSCKH3ljTpW6oo4g7kb9V9DGwX-w/s320/IMG_1200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597862031724547058" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NDJ8NJ02L5hLa1c1h30DCFgWewrIbVcThLLPTqWeYesDZgB43PeMTe7C1KS26ryJ8EwApZ9-L6vFxIm7K9R300fY5f800Y0AcZzKCL06rOCQIlpj6dqxKBMG01vk7K2Lzd4PtqIsUiU/s1600/IMG_1205.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NDJ8NJ02L5hLa1c1h30DCFgWewrIbVcThLLPTqWeYesDZgB43PeMTe7C1KS26ryJ8EwApZ9-L6vFxIm7K9R300fY5f800Y0AcZzKCL06rOCQIlpj6dqxKBMG01vk7K2Lzd4PtqIsUiU/s320/IMG_1205.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597862036837663362" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_yCczIvG0z1XvZZ8hL5iUSKOSUivLKOHhIg2dT3YDsESsYYAPezXk30Pkl9pSiU8ALhz2lb8cHnlA_knIm2ZnSHojgbhUVlX2sPQZ2X4ukvj8NohgFZdv02EPvZwNxiwozjfY1e4KQc/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_yCczIvG0z1XvZZ8hL5iUSKOSUivLKOHhIg2dT3YDsESsYYAPezXk30Pkl9pSiU8ALhz2lb8cHnlA_knIm2ZnSHojgbhUVlX2sPQZ2X4ukvj8NohgFZdv02EPvZwNxiwozjfY1e4KQc/s320/IMG_1204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597862040254017986" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_u7L79cV7QnLgGk5Zf3W8vQNYG0RkwkVhK_LpXfkr8sPmW2BkDLmLDicRarOs8nldKL7buZbIqOAUxH5TiL9A82hf0DSQqSB9maC5mQasltV1MWlkQinG7Ce7UlECJTEklsBX9QrNbS0/s1600/IMG_1203.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_u7L79cV7QnLgGk5Zf3W8vQNYG0RkwkVhK_LpXfkr8sPmW2BkDLmLDicRarOs8nldKL7buZbIqOAUxH5TiL9A82hf0DSQqSB9maC5mQasltV1MWlkQinG7Ce7UlECJTEklsBX9QrNbS0/s320/IMG_1203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597862035745825506" border="0" /></a><br />Review:<br />This place was quite a shocking contrast for me. It's located in a pretty isolated area in the industrial section of Long Island City. It's basically an old fashion diner cart plopped on the side walk of an everlasting construction area. There is very little seating due to the size limits of the restaurant and nearly no space to wait your turn. The plus is that in such a small area, there is nowhere to hid the kitchen, so you can basically watch your food being made. The menu itself is quite different than expected. It includes upscale restaurant faves such as bone marrow and foie gras. I ordered the Biscuit and Jam and was surprised at what I received. Visually, it looked like a mess. But the apple sauce like raspberry "jam" was quite delish and refreshing. We were served our order of steamed eggs with bonito flakes in a cute little cauldron. I especially enjoyed this dish since it reminded me of the steamed eggs my mom made for me when I was still living at home. I have to say, I've only seen this dish in Chinese and Korean restaurants, so it was pretty unexpected for me to find it at M. Wells. That bone marrow you see? Hides a couple of escargots underneath all that marrow! From our entrees, the one that stood out the most was the lobster roll. It was decently sized and you can taste each bite of the fresh lobster meat. The one I enjoyed least was my breakfast sausage. I really just picked it for the "pickled jalapenos" that was on it, bad idea. It was too heavy for breakfast. Overall, I felt this place was a bit overrated. True it has a creative menu, but the taste was just not there for me to make that trek out to this part of town again.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XJy7iDdWJ6vOg64XO151NftRP8za0JUlp16a8cLaf3vMxXGCEfBwP5aGlt8OCcAnFh5pJGeGNhY3WYLc0fYIbGhZwV7gwXeRFVN2sRxX-NwIWVnKwtq_o0Kr2af0eHPwNtxkw5OrZ2g/s1600/IMG_0759.JPG"><br /></a>yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16980348541327068606noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8951442024942361164.post-15783980505921602342010-10-08T10:42:00.000-07:002010-10-08T10:49:20.784-07:00My Favorite & Most Important Meal of the DayI am obsessed with breakfast and brunch foods. I could eat breakfast foods any time in the day. This morning, I made myself french toast for breakfast, and for lunch, I made scrambled eggs with chiptole salsa and just buttered toast (plain butter on white toast is such a simple comfort). I felt like the scrambled eggs deserved a special post because of my newly discovered trick of putting MAYONNAISE in EGGS. I have neverrr heard about this idea, but this morning, I couldn't think of what I wanted to eat for breakfast so I googled "easy breakfast recipes" and found suggestions on adding a little bit of mayonnaise (1 tsp. per 2 eggs) to eggs (I then opted to make the eggs for lunch, not breakfast). They came out delicious! The eggs had a much springy-er texture. I actually haven't made scrambled eggs in a while - I usually eat sunny side up eggs, but after discovering this trick, I might be making it for breakfast more often!<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0