So happy holidays everyone! Even though I am temporarily across the country, visiting the folks in Santa Barbara, I still have a few things to talk about.
First up is an account of my last day in New York City 2008 and how it was spent in a beautiful way: holed up in the apartment with some beer and cheap pizza!
Of course my customary late night post airport burrito from Freebird's.
Then is the play by play of my christmas dinner for one.
So my flight out was relatively early Monday morning and Alex wanted to "bro it up" the day before. Unfortunately, it was freezing and we didn't have a solid plan aside from go to the neighborhood bar and have lunch. Instead we decided to avoid the outdoors as much as possible and be hermits. Because we were tired of wanting hot wings pizza and being disappointed when they say "[they] don't make that," we sorted through our pile of menus looking for a better pizza joint. Though Il Forno is usually our go to spot, when we saw what tony's was offering, it was too good to pass up: 1 Large Pie, 1 order of garlic knots, and 1 order of hot wings...all for just 15.00 dollars! We knew that that was the order for us. To settle the matter of beer, and who would make a dash across the street, we put on our gloves and booted up the classic Wii Boxing. Alex cleanly KO'd me in the second round and I snowsuited up! It was rough going but I made it out and back before the delivery guy. And when he arrived it was glorious (because we were starved). Alex and I settled on the couch to the first few episodes of Heroes while we ate ourselves sick. The pizza was hot and floppy, just as cheap pizza should be: you can fold it over itself many times over and make a sort of pizza stack. The garlic knots were greasy and rich. And the only problem were the disappointing hot wings. Not traditional, these more closely resembled the "sauceless hot wings" kfc tried to market as awesome when in reality was dumb. What can I say, I am a traditionalist. I mean they were still fried meat, so it was tasty, just not what one expects. And then we spent the rest of the day watching tv, playing starcraft, and continually eating/drinking.
A side note: the only thing worse than fast food is fast food in an airport. I was secretly disappointed when I couldn't find a burger king in LAX (it has become my traveling tradition to eat shitty burger king while in transit) but McDonald's sufficed. And certainly qualified in the shitty, overpriced area.
But when my plane landed, despite being delayed twice, losing my luggage, and being sicker than expected, it was all made better when my dear mother picked me up and took me for a delicious and hot midnight burrito. Freebird's, while tangentially related to the chain in Texas is unconnected in practice now. This place caters to the Isla Vista/UCSB crowd, knowing being open 24 hours is the best thing for business and serving up burritos bigger than expected. I forgot what it was like, after living in NYC, and even my regular burrito would put the nyc chipotles and qdobas to shame. This thing was a behemoth. Packed with seasoned rice, refried pinto beans (my favorite kind), grilled chicken, sour cream, fresh guac, pico de gallo, and tomatillo salsa, it was heavenly. I took that first bite and it felt like home. It was amazing.
Christmas was a lowkey event here. Because of the dietary restrictions of the folks (coupled with the different natural eating schedules) we parted ways over how to serve Christmas dinner and I was left to my own devices.
My Christmas menu:
Grilled Stuffed Pork Chops (I removed the fruits from the recipe and made it a little more savory, less sweet)
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Sauteed Sugar Snap Peas (I didn't follow a recipe but this is pretty close to what I did)
Grands Biscuits
IBC Soda (one of my all time favorite things)
Caramelized Apples over Vanilla ice cream (Again I didn't follow this recipe, it just seems an okay approximation of what I did)
How was it? Okay. Something about my kitchen here (maybe because it's all electric) that things never quite turn out how I expect them (mostly the potatoes and dessert). I guess a hot glass surface can never replace a true flame. Or something.
Read More......
Friday, December 26, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Even when it's bad, it's still pretty good
So, Mad and I missed a TNBC meeting because someone (me) fell asleep and skipped his afternoon class and someone (her) had pinkeye. The following week, even though the semester was over, we were determined to keep the tradition. No amount of cold would stop us. Being out of place, up in Peter Cooper Village, by Grammercy, we adjusted our dining selections and settled on New York Burger Company.
The ambiance of the place reeks of the sterile, cookie cutter homogeneity of any fast food place: white walls, static booths, open soda fountain, etc. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, but it puts one in a certain mindset.
I ordered a basic cheeseburger combo (I was tempted by the Dallas Burger but have started to watch how much I spend after Christmas shopping--ugh. The sauces are free so onion didn't really seem worth 1.25), medium rare. A place sporting such a chain atmosphere, how would they handle it?
In a word, poorly. My burger was a startling combination of bone dry and raw. I'm not sure how that was possible but all of the moisture left the meat without it seemingly cooking. I slathered on a sampling of their sauces to make up for it. The NY burger sauce (their self proclaimed 'steak sauce but better') and BBQ were essentially the same (though they tasted different there wasn't anything distinct about either of them that made them stand out as either type of sauce. A usual fan of mustard, I repeatedly tasted the maple dijon, which was disgusting. I really wanted to like a nice mustard but it was revolting. Mad loved the faces I was making. The Chipotle Honey was okay, as was the Chili Pepper Ketchup, neither too spicy though. The bun, much like the meat, was a little dried out and flavorless. To top it off, it was in my opinion too large for the burger it was accommodating.
The fries, while claiming to be fresh cut, were still reminiscent of freeze dried deep fried varieties. Not that it was bad, but it did not smack of the potato flavor I usually expect out of fresh cut versions.
Mad and I had a good time talking about radio music; New York Burger Company picked quite a good radio station. That is, if like me, you love to feel nostalgic and listen to the Matchbox 20, Fastball, and the ilk of your middle school years. So that was a plus.
So was New York Burger Company a failure? No; despite my harsh criticism, it was fine. It was certainly filling. It just seems, with the menu, to be reaching out for a status that both it's food and decor just don't understand. If you want fast food, it certainly can be out the chains. Which I guess is the market it needs to compete in since Shake Shack is a block away.
Read More......
The ambiance of the place reeks of the sterile, cookie cutter homogeneity of any fast food place: white walls, static booths, open soda fountain, etc. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, but it puts one in a certain mindset.
I ordered a basic cheeseburger combo (I was tempted by the Dallas Burger but have started to watch how much I spend after Christmas shopping--ugh. The sauces are free so onion didn't really seem worth 1.25), medium rare. A place sporting such a chain atmosphere, how would they handle it?
In a word, poorly. My burger was a startling combination of bone dry and raw. I'm not sure how that was possible but all of the moisture left the meat without it seemingly cooking. I slathered on a sampling of their sauces to make up for it. The NY burger sauce (their self proclaimed 'steak sauce but better') and BBQ were essentially the same (though they tasted different there wasn't anything distinct about either of them that made them stand out as either type of sauce. A usual fan of mustard, I repeatedly tasted the maple dijon, which was disgusting. I really wanted to like a nice mustard but it was revolting. Mad loved the faces I was making. The Chipotle Honey was okay, as was the Chili Pepper Ketchup, neither too spicy though. The bun, much like the meat, was a little dried out and flavorless. To top it off, it was in my opinion too large for the burger it was accommodating.
The fries, while claiming to be fresh cut, were still reminiscent of freeze dried deep fried varieties. Not that it was bad, but it did not smack of the potato flavor I usually expect out of fresh cut versions.
Mad and I had a good time talking about radio music; New York Burger Company picked quite a good radio station. That is, if like me, you love to feel nostalgic and listen to the Matchbox 20, Fastball, and the ilk of your middle school years. So that was a plus.
So was New York Burger Company a failure? No; despite my harsh criticism, it was fine. It was certainly filling. It just seems, with the menu, to be reaching out for a status that both it's food and decor just don't understand. If you want fast food, it certainly can be out the chains. Which I guess is the market it needs to compete in since Shake Shack is a block away.
Read More......
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Happy Holidays!
Starting a couple years back, my friends and I started the tradition of doing a little holiday get together that many know as Secret Santa. I'm not gonna lie, it is one of my absolute favorite annual events of the year. We set it on that fateful day after classes end but before exams begin, to help alleviate some of the stress and to make sure everyone is still in town. And of course we have tons of treats to enjoy.
Starting with a joke from a party I was at my sophomore year, parties tend to include hot wings. And secret santa is no exception. For our 11 person gathering, we ordered the party platter (100 wings) from Atomic Wings to heat up our winter season. We stuck with the classic 'hot' designation of spiciness and I can say we were not disappointed. The wings were drenched in a generous pool of sauce that made sure you only ate these bad boys in the company of friends (because you're gonna look like a messy pig no matter how delicately you try). Thankfully though, Atomic not only packs with these plenty of napkins and plates but also many a wetnap to clean yourself up to open your pressies!
Of course that was not the only delicious treat on hand; though I don't particularly care for it, my roommate Alex made some homemade Egg Nog spiked with Captain Morgan's (instead of the traditional bourbon). It was a big hit and I am proud of him, because he tends to think he can't cook very well.
In this theme (of Egg Nog, not 'thinking I can't cook well'), my other roommate Julia decided to try her hand at Egg Nog Cupcakes. A nice seasonal touch on a classic party dessert. Again, these were a huge hit.
After some deliberation, I decided to try my hand at some Banana Chocolate Chip cookies. I altered the recipe a bit though. I replaced half of the white sugar with brown. After the first batch came out, I decided to add a hint of cinnamon to them. Also the bottoms tend to brown or burn fast so I dropped the oven temperature to 375 after the first batch and immediately moved them to cooling racks. The batch baked on my only air cushioned sheet fared much better and I heard parchment will also help prevent that. All in all though, people liked them; they came out VERY airy and cakelike which I especially enjoyed. Also, to maximize banana flavor, it bares repeating, use as brown as bananas you can find/get/wait for.
My friend Jill (who was the recipient of my gift: How to Survive a Horror Movie, an Insound gift pack, and little bottle of Jameson.) also made an amazing layered mexican bean dip. Though I don't have the recipe right now, I obviously will share it as soon as I get the opportunity. This thing is amazing. It's like bite size mexican food. Tortilla with cheese, meat, or vegetable. But seriously. It is really good.
Even Dunkin' Donuts got in the holiday spirit and gave my friend Tim huge discounts on the donuts and munchkins he brought to the party. That was nice.
For the record, my friend Elizabeth got me, and I received the coolest robot and monster plates and mac and cheese (kind of a thing with us). It was the best secret santa ever.
Read More......
Starting with a joke from a party I was at my sophomore year, parties tend to include hot wings. And secret santa is no exception. For our 11 person gathering, we ordered the party platter (100 wings) from Atomic Wings to heat up our winter season. We stuck with the classic 'hot' designation of spiciness and I can say we were not disappointed. The wings were drenched in a generous pool of sauce that made sure you only ate these bad boys in the company of friends (because you're gonna look like a messy pig no matter how delicately you try). Thankfully though, Atomic not only packs with these plenty of napkins and plates but also many a wetnap to clean yourself up to open your pressies!
Of course that was not the only delicious treat on hand; though I don't particularly care for it, my roommate Alex made some homemade Egg Nog spiked with Captain Morgan's (instead of the traditional bourbon). It was a big hit and I am proud of him, because he tends to think he can't cook very well.
In this theme (of Egg Nog, not 'thinking I can't cook well'), my other roommate Julia decided to try her hand at Egg Nog Cupcakes. A nice seasonal touch on a classic party dessert. Again, these were a huge hit.
After some deliberation, I decided to try my hand at some Banana Chocolate Chip cookies. I altered the recipe a bit though. I replaced half of the white sugar with brown. After the first batch came out, I decided to add a hint of cinnamon to them. Also the bottoms tend to brown or burn fast so I dropped the oven temperature to 375 after the first batch and immediately moved them to cooling racks. The batch baked on my only air cushioned sheet fared much better and I heard parchment will also help prevent that. All in all though, people liked them; they came out VERY airy and cakelike which I especially enjoyed. Also, to maximize banana flavor, it bares repeating, use as brown as bananas you can find/get/wait for.
My friend Jill (who was the recipient of my gift: How to Survive a Horror Movie, an Insound gift pack, and little bottle of Jameson.) also made an amazing layered mexican bean dip. Though I don't have the recipe right now, I obviously will share it as soon as I get the opportunity. This thing is amazing. It's like bite size mexican food. Tortilla with cheese, meat, or vegetable. But seriously. It is really good.
Even Dunkin' Donuts got in the holiday spirit and gave my friend Tim huge discounts on the donuts and munchkins he brought to the party. That was nice.
For the record, my friend Elizabeth got me, and I received the coolest robot and monster plates and mac and cheese (kind of a thing with us). It was the best secret santa ever.
Read More......
Sunday, December 7, 2008
On line or In line?
So there's a lot to mention in the past week or so, food-wise.
1. Thai food ala Lantern
2. Burgers courtesy of Paul's
3. Cool Kid Hot Dogs via Crif Dog
So I guess we should get started?
Lantern exudes that sort of typical New York milieu one imagines, if one is unfamiliar with the city. So it's rather fitting that when Julia's friends from home came for a visit, this is where we dined one night. The soft lighting and sophisticated-casual air of the night time crowd belies the simplicity and honesty of the food; it is easy to see that Lantern, with its tree arrangements and mirrored walls, is striving to go beyond a nice Thai place. With a well designed bar and snappy service, it certainly is getting there. The Lantern lemonade is a delightful Asian twist on a simple drink: the lychee pairs wonderfully with the triple sec in this vodka based cocktail, which isn't too cloyingly sweet.
I went with a simple wok-fried basil chili beef entree, hoping the spice would keep me warm in the middle of this dreaded east coast weather. And while I wasn't sweating bullets, it certainly brightened my palette. Delicious, yet unremarkable or forgettable. Lantern is an excellent way to seek out a taste of exotic, cultured, or chic without overwhelming oneself.
*As a side note: their bathroom is amazing. Check it out.
Tuesday came and marked another meeting of the TNBC (the week prior was cancelled due to the proximity of thanksgiving). Our destination of the evening was the East Village standby, Paul's. I had been here a number of times but my counterpart had not so we decided to pay a visit. Quaint and simple, its open kitchen, vinyl table cloth and (at heart) basic menu harkens back to greasy spoons. To ensure juiciness, Paul's is well known for using metal lids to steam their burgers on the cooktop, and while it doesn't promote the browning (due to the maillard reaction) it does seem to hold in the moisture (I put it to the test by ordering a medium-well burger versus my standby choice of medium rare). At 1/3lbs, it is certainly filling but when compared to the likes of Stand, seems dull. The Wonder Bread buns (of which I took notice a fresh delivery sitting on the counter) are another dull note. But at around $5.50, it's hard to challenge a better quality/quantity ratio (especially in these times of economic hardship).
Crif Dog conjurs everything I expected out of New York (in fact the whole night kind of did): you take a low class object, the hot dog, and hype it with style and hipster goodness. The place is filled with anti-establishment memorabilia, 70s arcade games, and used to carry cans of PBR (for that extra ironic hipster touch). The night began with seeing a movie with my friend Jill. After our plans of eating dinner beforehand were halted by time constraints, our tummies were rumbling even during the scenes of vampire feeding. We headed to late night East Village favorite, Crif Dog. I had my usual, a Chihuahua (bacon wrapped and topped with avocado and sour cream) and a Tsunami (also bacon wrapped, drowned in teriyaki sauce, and topped with pineapple and scallion) washed down with good ole root beer (the beer signs have been taped over, stating BYOB). Deep fried goodness. On reflection, though I love avocado, I think the bacon might be a bit overpowering on the chihuahua. However, on the Tsunami, its savory flavor plays wonderfully with the sweetness of both the teriyaki and the pineapple. Love them to death.
We also had the bonus of watching people watch other people go into PDT. Short for Please Don't Tell, PDT is a speakeasy-esque cocktail lounge that requires reservations which people fight to get into. Also super NYC-y. While I have never been, as I've been writing this, I've decided I really want to go to one of these places soon, just so I can know the experience (and sound way cooler to out of towners). Maybe impress a date there.
SO hey, if you have an at PDT (or Milk & Honey or Angel's Share or any of the other establishments I don't want to embarrass myself in) please take me along.
Read More......
1. Thai food ala Lantern
2. Burgers courtesy of Paul's
3. Cool Kid Hot Dogs via Crif Dog
So I guess we should get started?
Lantern exudes that sort of typical New York milieu one imagines, if one is unfamiliar with the city. So it's rather fitting that when Julia's friends from home came for a visit, this is where we dined one night. The soft lighting and sophisticated-casual air of the night time crowd belies the simplicity and honesty of the food; it is easy to see that Lantern, with its tree arrangements and mirrored walls, is striving to go beyond a nice Thai place. With a well designed bar and snappy service, it certainly is getting there. The Lantern lemonade is a delightful Asian twist on a simple drink: the lychee pairs wonderfully with the triple sec in this vodka based cocktail, which isn't too cloyingly sweet.
I went with a simple wok-fried basil chili beef entree, hoping the spice would keep me warm in the middle of this dreaded east coast weather. And while I wasn't sweating bullets, it certainly brightened my palette. Delicious, yet unremarkable or forgettable. Lantern is an excellent way to seek out a taste of exotic, cultured, or chic without overwhelming oneself.
*As a side note: their bathroom is amazing. Check it out.
Tuesday came and marked another meeting of the TNBC (the week prior was cancelled due to the proximity of thanksgiving). Our destination of the evening was the East Village standby, Paul's. I had been here a number of times but my counterpart had not so we decided to pay a visit. Quaint and simple, its open kitchen, vinyl table cloth and (at heart) basic menu harkens back to greasy spoons. To ensure juiciness, Paul's is well known for using metal lids to steam their burgers on the cooktop, and while it doesn't promote the browning (due to the maillard reaction) it does seem to hold in the moisture (I put it to the test by ordering a medium-well burger versus my standby choice of medium rare). At 1/3lbs, it is certainly filling but when compared to the likes of Stand, seems dull. The Wonder Bread buns (of which I took notice a fresh delivery sitting on the counter) are another dull note. But at around $5.50, it's hard to challenge a better quality/quantity ratio (especially in these times of economic hardship).
Crif Dog conjurs everything I expected out of New York (in fact the whole night kind of did): you take a low class object, the hot dog, and hype it with style and hipster goodness. The place is filled with anti-establishment memorabilia, 70s arcade games, and used to carry cans of PBR (for that extra ironic hipster touch). The night began with seeing a movie with my friend Jill. After our plans of eating dinner beforehand were halted by time constraints, our tummies were rumbling even during the scenes of vampire feeding. We headed to late night East Village favorite, Crif Dog. I had my usual, a Chihuahua (bacon wrapped and topped with avocado and sour cream) and a Tsunami (also bacon wrapped, drowned in teriyaki sauce, and topped with pineapple and scallion) washed down with good ole root beer (the beer signs have been taped over, stating BYOB). Deep fried goodness. On reflection, though I love avocado, I think the bacon might be a bit overpowering on the chihuahua. However, on the Tsunami, its savory flavor plays wonderfully with the sweetness of both the teriyaki and the pineapple. Love them to death.
We also had the bonus of watching people watch other people go into PDT. Short for Please Don't Tell, PDT is a speakeasy-esque cocktail lounge that requires reservations which people fight to get into. Also super NYC-y. While I have never been, as I've been writing this, I've decided I really want to go to one of these places soon, just so I can know the experience (and sound way cooler to out of towners). Maybe impress a date there.
SO hey, if you have an at PDT (or Milk & Honey or Angel's Share or any of the other establishments I don't want to embarrass myself in) please take me along.
Read More......
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Turkey Day
“I believe the most important tool you can have in the kitchen is a good table—a place to sit down around and talk and share as a family. Where you serve the food is as important as where you cook it—maybe more so. To me, eating is primarily a communal activity. There is no meal that can fix bad company, but I’ve seen great company fix meals.” -- Alton Brown
So how does one who loves cooking and dining (and also takes Alton Brown's word as gospel) survive a Thanksgiving for 14 in an apartment where the main dining space is about 6 inches from a computer monitor? Or why sometimes one misses spending Thursday with an empty dorm and a turkey sandwich.
I suppose it started last year, when my friends and I hosted the first of our self sufficient thanksgiving dinners. Like a minority of college students, I never returned home to see family for the holiday. As everyone grew older, it became a little more common and finally last year, a handful of my friends convened and celebrated the holiday ourselves. A small gathering of seven friends.
This year, in a new apartment, talk began as early as in the summer about the anticipation of our next thanksgiving meal together. So great was our enthusiasm that it finally persuaded our roommate to change her plans and stay with us, rather than return home. And our group adds a member.
Her excitement grew and she invited all of her old high school friends to join us, thinking that they'd already have plans of their own. To her surprise (and secretly to my chagrin) they all responded positively to the idea of seeing each other, being in NYC, and having a nice meal. And so the party grows by another five.
A few more names get tossed in and out and long story short, eventually the guest list gets finalized at 14.
In a feeble attempt to coordinate with people in several cities, I try to open an internet forum to discuss things. It more or less fails and raises my anxiety level just a hair. Repeated discussions with the roommates about seating, food, liquor, and lodging are repeatedly left for future discussions. I get secondhand accounts of who wants to try making what, maybe. Less than reassuring.
I go through old cookbooks and also review the most influential show not only for this meal, but for my cooking style in general: Good Eats. I start making shopping lists, compiling ingredients, make notes, and mentally visualize the timing and mise en place of the day. I have several restless nights, with the pressures of the day already weighing on my shoulders weeks in advance.
We get most of our supplies delivered the Sunday beforehand by Fresh Direct. With an internet coupon, not only did we save a lot of money, but we didn't need to carry an 18.5 lbs frozen bird back to our apartment. The funny thing is, after we got our delivery, we received another box, containing half of our order repeated. About an extra 40 dollars worth of free stuff, not bad at all.
The night before, with everyone out in their respective groups, I begin the most crucial step: brining the bird. Though it had been thawing for 4 days, including a two rush soak in water to help it along, when I opened the packaging, I was left with the last thing I wanted to see: a still partially frozen bird. Cursing my luck, I went ahead with the soak, hoping it would still pick up all the flavor as it finished defrost.
Day of, I was out of bed by 8am and in the kitchen with my trusty iPod by 8:30, bounds ahead of the others (I had already flipped the bird at around 4:30, when I awoke in the middle of the night). The morning began with a pot of coffee set to brew and 10lbs of potatoes washed and peeled. One by one, the others wandered in and out, to grab some toast or casually offer some help (though with little space in the kitchen, nor the adequate tools to share, I politely declined...besides they all had friends to play with). I rinsed the bird off, gave it a good dry, stuffed some aromatics into its cavity, and stabbed in my thermometer; it was ready to face the fire. It was in the oven by 11:30.
The Deas brothers went off to lend a hand at the satellite kitchen (where rumor had it sweet potatoes, apple pie, cheesy potato bake, and dinner rolls were to be made). Julia and her friends went out to see New York City, promising to be back in time to put on the final touches.
The beans were promptly washed, trimmed, and blanched (awaiting the final saute nearer to dinner). The garlic and onion were minced and diced in preparation for later. Used utensils were washed and dried. Furniture was rearranged to accommodate seating. Cornbread was mixed. Wine was uncorked.
Watching my thermometer, I realize the bird is cooking a little faster than I was anticipating. Knowing I might need an extra set of hands, I call Kyle and ask him to return by two. He obliges and shortly later, our friend Evan shows up. When the bird is done, we lift it out, move it and I begin the gravy. I turn on the stove and start cooking the potatoes as well. I prepare a roux to thicken the gravy. The cornbread starts to bake.
Julia and company return and the final table settings are made. I pop open the biscuits, start the stuffing, and sweat an onion for the green beans.
In the mashing process, I absent-mindedly grabbed a red hot bowl and have burned my hand (second degree). I almost smash the bathroom sink in pain as I desperately look for aloe vera. Most of the food was done by now though, so dishes were set out and I began the carving (though needed help as my right hand has become a sort of dead appendage at this point).
Food was plated up and glasses were filled with wine and/or southern comfort+cider.
The final menu looked as follows:
Whole Oven-Roasted Turkey
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Sweet Potatoes*
Sauteed Green Beans
Stove Top brand Stuffing
Vegetarian Stuffing*
Pillsbury brand Grands biscuits
Trader Joe's brand cornbread
Ocean Spray brand cranberry sauce
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pie
Apple/Caramel Pie*
Trader Joe's Pecan Pie
Edy's Vanilla Ice Cream
Apple Cider spiked with Southern Comfort
14 bottles of wine
Egg Nog with Bourbon
The only recipe I can really point to from the Good Eats turkey episode, linked above. Everything else was a)store bought b) altered and refined at the last minute or c) made by Kimmy and Holly Fox (denoted with a *).
The turkey came out dry, the gravy ran thin, the mashed potatoes were dull, the biscuits burned, and the green beans bland. I was in enough pain though (from the burn), that I just proceeded to drink as much as I could and forget my troubles. And it's not like anyone else was gonna say anything disparaging. In a word, disappointing. And that's the end of my story.
"There is no meal that can fix bad company, but I’ve seen great company fix meals."
Indeed, indeed.
Read More......
So how does one who loves cooking and dining (and also takes Alton Brown's word as gospel) survive a Thanksgiving for 14 in an apartment where the main dining space is about 6 inches from a computer monitor? Or why sometimes one misses spending Thursday with an empty dorm and a turkey sandwich.
I suppose it started last year, when my friends and I hosted the first of our self sufficient thanksgiving dinners. Like a minority of college students, I never returned home to see family for the holiday. As everyone grew older, it became a little more common and finally last year, a handful of my friends convened and celebrated the holiday ourselves. A small gathering of seven friends.
This year, in a new apartment, talk began as early as in the summer about the anticipation of our next thanksgiving meal together. So great was our enthusiasm that it finally persuaded our roommate to change her plans and stay with us, rather than return home. And our group adds a member.
Her excitement grew and she invited all of her old high school friends to join us, thinking that they'd already have plans of their own. To her surprise (and secretly to my chagrin) they all responded positively to the idea of seeing each other, being in NYC, and having a nice meal. And so the party grows by another five.
A few more names get tossed in and out and long story short, eventually the guest list gets finalized at 14.
In a feeble attempt to coordinate with people in several cities, I try to open an internet forum to discuss things. It more or less fails and raises my anxiety level just a hair. Repeated discussions with the roommates about seating, food, liquor, and lodging are repeatedly left for future discussions. I get secondhand accounts of who wants to try making what, maybe. Less than reassuring.
I go through old cookbooks and also review the most influential show not only for this meal, but for my cooking style in general: Good Eats. I start making shopping lists, compiling ingredients, make notes, and mentally visualize the timing and mise en place of the day. I have several restless nights, with the pressures of the day already weighing on my shoulders weeks in advance.
We get most of our supplies delivered the Sunday beforehand by Fresh Direct. With an internet coupon, not only did we save a lot of money, but we didn't need to carry an 18.5 lbs frozen bird back to our apartment. The funny thing is, after we got our delivery, we received another box, containing half of our order repeated. About an extra 40 dollars worth of free stuff, not bad at all.
The night before, with everyone out in their respective groups, I begin the most crucial step: brining the bird. Though it had been thawing for 4 days, including a two rush soak in water to help it along, when I opened the packaging, I was left with the last thing I wanted to see: a still partially frozen bird. Cursing my luck, I went ahead with the soak, hoping it would still pick up all the flavor as it finished defrost.
Day of, I was out of bed by 8am and in the kitchen with my trusty iPod by 8:30, bounds ahead of the others (I had already flipped the bird at around 4:30, when I awoke in the middle of the night). The morning began with a pot of coffee set to brew and 10lbs of potatoes washed and peeled. One by one, the others wandered in and out, to grab some toast or casually offer some help (though with little space in the kitchen, nor the adequate tools to share, I politely declined...besides they all had friends to play with). I rinsed the bird off, gave it a good dry, stuffed some aromatics into its cavity, and stabbed in my thermometer; it was ready to face the fire. It was in the oven by 11:30.
The Deas brothers went off to lend a hand at the satellite kitchen (where rumor had it sweet potatoes, apple pie, cheesy potato bake, and dinner rolls were to be made). Julia and her friends went out to see New York City, promising to be back in time to put on the final touches.
The beans were promptly washed, trimmed, and blanched (awaiting the final saute nearer to dinner). The garlic and onion were minced and diced in preparation for later. Used utensils were washed and dried. Furniture was rearranged to accommodate seating. Cornbread was mixed. Wine was uncorked.
Watching my thermometer, I realize the bird is cooking a little faster than I was anticipating. Knowing I might need an extra set of hands, I call Kyle and ask him to return by two. He obliges and shortly later, our friend Evan shows up. When the bird is done, we lift it out, move it and I begin the gravy. I turn on the stove and start cooking the potatoes as well. I prepare a roux to thicken the gravy. The cornbread starts to bake.
Julia and company return and the final table settings are made. I pop open the biscuits, start the stuffing, and sweat an onion for the green beans.
In the mashing process, I absent-mindedly grabbed a red hot bowl and have burned my hand (second degree). I almost smash the bathroom sink in pain as I desperately look for aloe vera. Most of the food was done by now though, so dishes were set out and I began the carving (though needed help as my right hand has become a sort of dead appendage at this point).
Food was plated up and glasses were filled with wine and/or southern comfort+cider.
The final menu looked as follows:
Whole Oven-Roasted Turkey
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Sweet Potatoes*
Sauteed Green Beans
Stove Top brand Stuffing
Vegetarian Stuffing*
Pillsbury brand Grands biscuits
Trader Joe's brand cornbread
Ocean Spray brand cranberry sauce
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pie
Apple/Caramel Pie*
Trader Joe's Pecan Pie
Edy's Vanilla Ice Cream
Apple Cider spiked with Southern Comfort
14 bottles of wine
Egg Nog with Bourbon
The only recipe I can really point to from the Good Eats turkey episode, linked above. Everything else was a)store bought b) altered and refined at the last minute or c) made by Kimmy and Holly Fox (denoted with a *).
The turkey came out dry, the gravy ran thin, the mashed potatoes were dull, the biscuits burned, and the green beans bland. I was in enough pain though (from the burn), that I just proceeded to drink as much as I could and forget my troubles. And it's not like anyone else was gonna say anything disparaging. In a word, disappointing. And that's the end of my story.
"There is no meal that can fix bad company, but I’ve seen great company fix meals."
Indeed, indeed.
Read More......
Monday, November 24, 2008
Hot & Crusty
Not the most appetizing name right? Well, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet." And Hot & Crusty may not sound good but their buffalo chicken pizza is the stuff of dreams.
A combination of beer and friends and pizza and hot wings makes everything in the world fall away and be just happy, if only for a short time. And the effort it takes to get this pizza, the struggle, the confusion, the repeated arguing, makes everything doubly amazing. It's a feat in and of itself. Amazing.
Read More......
By any other name would smell as sweet." And Hot & Crusty may not sound good but their buffalo chicken pizza is the stuff of dreams.
A combination of beer and friends and pizza and hot wings makes everything in the world fall away and be just happy, if only for a short time. And the effort it takes to get this pizza, the struggle, the confusion, the repeated arguing, makes everything doubly amazing. It's a feat in and of itself. Amazing.
Read More......
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
heaven knows what you've got to prove...
Tonight's Tuesday Night Burger Club convened at the delightful Stand, right near the heart of NYU.
To navigate a long day in the classrooms, the unwinding with a nice treat is the proverbial carrot at the end of the stick that gets me through the day. Couple that with Stand's 'Off Peak' deal combo of burger + draught beer, and it's something that not even a movie delving into the cannibalism that occurred during WWII could shatter my appetite.
The milieu of the restaurant was quite chic, indeed Jonathan Morr's influence (of Republic fame) is not unnoticed. Thankfully (perhaps because it was "off peak", being only 5pm), Stand was not nearly as crowded nor as noisy; Madelyn and I were able to lazily chat about James Bond and, when the right songs appeared, let Garbage bring us back to the 90s. But just as Republic took the concept of Noodle Bar and made it New York-trendy, so too does Stand elevate the burger.
I ordered the classic with cheddar, and just as the picture may show, was not disappointed. A personal favorite of mine is when places ask "how do you want your burger?" and because I love making a mess, I always say "medium rare." Some people tell me that I'm rolling the dice, that one of these days I'll get sick. But I've lived through food poisoning before, and enjoying a meal now seems a worthy return for possible trouble later.
When Stand first opened, it was criticized, basically, for a shitty bun. Since then, that problem has been wonderfully addressed. The brioche bun absorbs so much of juices that the patty drips, it's like a second slab of meat. Yet, it holds its integrity. Thick on all accounts, one may feel it's a little overwhelming to wrap one's mouth around (insert joke here). And while I wish, after last week, I could say I am a pickle convert, today I was left plucking them out. The onion, lettuce, and tomato, as per usual, partnered wonderfully. Their homemade ketchup was a surprising treat as well, full of tomato-y flavor (for the less inclined, the table keeps heinz, mayo, and mustard on hand as well), I was quite the fan, slathering on a second layer. And while I've had, heartier, tenderer, richer, or heavier patties, Stand has a unique seasoning and flavor that deserves mentioning. To get a better understanding of it, perhaps to try and unlock it for my own, I took long bites of just the meat, letting it wash over my taste buds. Indeed, I may try to recreate it one of these days.
*Side note: I was supposed to get my beer half off since it was happy hour and when I brought this to the attention of my waiter (the bill charged us full price) he didn't fix it, he dropped the beer from the bill completely. And that's how you earn an extra tip. And to think I usually only like to tip extra nice when my waitress is extra cute.
I paired my burger, as you may recall, with a regional draught beer. Though the menu was not up to date with what they had on tap, I enjoyed a Weyerbacher Hops Infusion, described as "big, hops, spice, citrus". It was quite good; as indicated it had hints of sweet fruit to it which made me think of summer days (a nice reprieve from the dreadful cold). I also just love that their draught beers are of these regional sorts, letting me try beer I normally don't encounter. I'd go back and keep pairing burgers and beers until I had exhausted my options, if I could.
Madelyn and I split both an order of shoestring fries and onion rings. The shoestring fries were definitely something to get if it's what you're into, crisp and salty. Similar in many regards to potato sticks, except these actually taste like potatoes. Personally, I enjoy an airier and fluffier texture inside so I'd probably go back to the regular french fries. The onion rings, after last week's discovery, were lighter and, ultimately, forgettable. A little too salty for my pallet and I was a little too underwhelming in flavor department (hardly tasting like the fried vegetable they're supposed to be). Their texture was divine, however; exactly how onion rings should come out: crisp, light, batter clinging to the onion for dear life. If I weren't worried the juice was sog everything it came in contact with (and that half of it wasn't gone in approximately 5 seconds), I probably would have considered placing a ring or two on my burger, for a little contrasting texture and added decadence. Live and learn.
Stand is a wonderfully upscale casual place that any burger connoisseur should check out. While I would not think of it as a first date place (again, a lot of dripping meat and fried sides), think of it like a place to take your girlfriend for a date, after dinner for two has kinda faded from the norm. It's nice, fun, and makes hamburgers feel like the grown up food they could be.
Read More......
To navigate a long day in the classrooms, the unwinding with a nice treat is the proverbial carrot at the end of the stick that gets me through the day. Couple that with Stand's 'Off Peak' deal combo of burger + draught beer, and it's something that not even a movie delving into the cannibalism that occurred during WWII could shatter my appetite.
The milieu of the restaurant was quite chic, indeed Jonathan Morr's influence (of Republic fame) is not unnoticed. Thankfully (perhaps because it was "off peak", being only 5pm), Stand was not nearly as crowded nor as noisy; Madelyn and I were able to lazily chat about James Bond and, when the right songs appeared, let Garbage bring us back to the 90s. But just as Republic took the concept of Noodle Bar and made it New York-trendy, so too does Stand elevate the burger.
I ordered the classic with cheddar, and just as the picture may show, was not disappointed. A personal favorite of mine is when places ask "how do you want your burger?" and because I love making a mess, I always say "medium rare." Some people tell me that I'm rolling the dice, that one of these days I'll get sick. But I've lived through food poisoning before, and enjoying a meal now seems a worthy return for possible trouble later.
When Stand first opened, it was criticized, basically, for a shitty bun. Since then, that problem has been wonderfully addressed. The brioche bun absorbs so much of juices that the patty drips, it's like a second slab of meat. Yet, it holds its integrity. Thick on all accounts, one may feel it's a little overwhelming to wrap one's mouth around (insert joke here). And while I wish, after last week, I could say I am a pickle convert, today I was left plucking them out. The onion, lettuce, and tomato, as per usual, partnered wonderfully. Their homemade ketchup was a surprising treat as well, full of tomato-y flavor (for the less inclined, the table keeps heinz, mayo, and mustard on hand as well), I was quite the fan, slathering on a second layer. And while I've had, heartier, tenderer, richer, or heavier patties, Stand has a unique seasoning and flavor that deserves mentioning. To get a better understanding of it, perhaps to try and unlock it for my own, I took long bites of just the meat, letting it wash over my taste buds. Indeed, I may try to recreate it one of these days.
*Side note: I was supposed to get my beer half off since it was happy hour and when I brought this to the attention of my waiter (the bill charged us full price) he didn't fix it, he dropped the beer from the bill completely. And that's how you earn an extra tip. And to think I usually only like to tip extra nice when my waitress is extra cute.
I paired my burger, as you may recall, with a regional draught beer. Though the menu was not up to date with what they had on tap, I enjoyed a Weyerbacher Hops Infusion, described as "big, hops, spice, citrus". It was quite good; as indicated it had hints of sweet fruit to it which made me think of summer days (a nice reprieve from the dreadful cold). I also just love that their draught beers are of these regional sorts, letting me try beer I normally don't encounter. I'd go back and keep pairing burgers and beers until I had exhausted my options, if I could.
Madelyn and I split both an order of shoestring fries and onion rings. The shoestring fries were definitely something to get if it's what you're into, crisp and salty. Similar in many regards to potato sticks, except these actually taste like potatoes. Personally, I enjoy an airier and fluffier texture inside so I'd probably go back to the regular french fries. The onion rings, after last week's discovery, were lighter and, ultimately, forgettable. A little too salty for my pallet and I was a little too underwhelming in flavor department (hardly tasting like the fried vegetable they're supposed to be). Their texture was divine, however; exactly how onion rings should come out: crisp, light, batter clinging to the onion for dear life. If I weren't worried the juice was sog everything it came in contact with (and that half of it wasn't gone in approximately 5 seconds), I probably would have considered placing a ring or two on my burger, for a little contrasting texture and added decadence. Live and learn.
Stand is a wonderfully upscale casual place that any burger connoisseur should check out. While I would not think of it as a first date place (again, a lot of dripping meat and fried sides), think of it like a place to take your girlfriend for a date, after dinner for two has kinda faded from the norm. It's nice, fun, and makes hamburgers feel like the grown up food they could be.
Read More......
Friday, November 14, 2008
Eating with knitting needles
"We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink, for dining alone is leading the life of a lion or wolf." -- Epicurus
Sometimes when life kicks you down, there are worse decisions than picking yourself up and walking away toward a pile of grease, salt, msg, and company.
Tonight, some people came over (Madelyn and my old roommate Yeison).
As soon as Madelyn came in, she said "I should have eaten something before I left!" I responded with "I knew you were gonna say that." Because she always does. The point I am trying to make is that I refrained from starting dinner because I knew she was coming over. Instead, I waited until she arrived and then we all ordered Chinese food, from my go-to place: Yummy House. While I have had food that has been better or cheaper, no place balances the two so well and to top it off, no place is quite as quick at delivery. Plus, I think I just have a soft spot for the place, since it was weekly ritual for me and my roommates during freshman year, as I may have mentioned.
I think the real importance here, as the quote mentions, that Madelyn brought up food and I had her in mind beforehand, so that we could all eat together. Food, especially dining out or ordering in, is not so much about the necessity to eat, but about sharing an experience, joy even. It's just something better that's done in good company. It can bring people together. Tuesday Night Burger Club, for example. And lately it's just nice to know, sometimes, that you've still got friends. What do they say? "No man is an island."?
Yes, while dining alone has other certain qualities that I enjoy (that'll be another post, I'm sure), it's not something I do often. And it's not something I often lseek out. At the very least, you should have someone nearby for the Heimlich maneuver.
Because of it being Madelyn's favorite, we shared an order of sesame chicken, joined with an order of beef lo mein, pan fried pork dumplings, and of course white rice. I am convinced that every chinese place in the city uses the same fried chicken pieces and sauce for all of their main dishes: sesame chicken, General Tso's chicken, and orange chicken. Sure there are minute flavor differences but it hardly makes a difference (which is why it's always kind of a headache because each of my roommates 'loves' only one of the three...plus no one ever wants to exclude it in favor of branching out and trying, say, the Mongolian Beef, the Kung Pao, or Sizzling Noodle Platter (my personal favorite, I mean food that makes noise is doubly delicious (see fajitas))). But, as always, Yummy House lived up to their name and served some yummy, greasy, sweet, fried chicken bits. If you like this kind of food, you'll love it, otherwise you won't.
The lo mein was good too, in that generic "this is what I was expecting and didn't disappoint" way. And even though it was beef, and not veggie, it was pretty light on all of those vegetables I have come to know and love: snap peas, scallion, bamboo. Save for a scant few shreds of carrot and a bean sprout or two, it was mostly noodle. At least there were no mushrooms (not a big mushroom fan, sorry folks). Another thing, lo mein, because it's mostly just delicious noodles, is probably the best bang for your buck as far as food goes. A heaping tray full is like $6.50 at most places in NYC (I know the city is expensive, I've gotten used to it) and when three people have each taken a large serving and the container looks like you could slap the lid back on and call it full, you know you've got a lot of food. I'm always a little excited to have reheated lo mein lunch day after. So if you have a lot of people to feed, lo mein is the way to stretch the side dishes.
The pan fried pork dumplings were nothing to write home about (for great dumplings, it's usually better to rely on actual dumpling houses...since you know, it's their specialty), the dough a little thick and tough and the dipping sauce, trying to be fancy and just coming out watery. I ate them anyways though. Of course.
And what ever happened to those old 80s stand up jokes? Eat chinese food and be hungry 30 minutes later. I ate dinner about 5 hours ago and still feel like a beached whale.
After tax and tip, this 30 dollar delivery could have easily covered 4 people, which is not a bad deal for not having to go outside. And, all in all, not a bad way to spend a Friday night, with some familiar faces. Beats the snot out of frozen pizza for one.
Read More......
Sometimes when life kicks you down, there are worse decisions than picking yourself up and walking away toward a pile of grease, salt, msg, and company.
Tonight, some people came over (Madelyn and my old roommate Yeison).
As soon as Madelyn came in, she said "I should have eaten something before I left!" I responded with "I knew you were gonna say that." Because she always does. The point I am trying to make is that I refrained from starting dinner because I knew she was coming over. Instead, I waited until she arrived and then we all ordered Chinese food, from my go-to place: Yummy House. While I have had food that has been better or cheaper, no place balances the two so well and to top it off, no place is quite as quick at delivery. Plus, I think I just have a soft spot for the place, since it was weekly ritual for me and my roommates during freshman year, as I may have mentioned.
I think the real importance here, as the quote mentions, that Madelyn brought up food and I had her in mind beforehand, so that we could all eat together. Food, especially dining out or ordering in, is not so much about the necessity to eat, but about sharing an experience, joy even. It's just something better that's done in good company. It can bring people together. Tuesday Night Burger Club, for example. And lately it's just nice to know, sometimes, that you've still got friends. What do they say? "No man is an island."?
Yes, while dining alone has other certain qualities that I enjoy (that'll be another post, I'm sure), it's not something I do often. And it's not something I often lseek out. At the very least, you should have someone nearby for the Heimlich maneuver.
Because of it being Madelyn's favorite, we shared an order of sesame chicken, joined with an order of beef lo mein, pan fried pork dumplings, and of course white rice. I am convinced that every chinese place in the city uses the same fried chicken pieces and sauce for all of their main dishes: sesame chicken, General Tso's chicken, and orange chicken. Sure there are minute flavor differences but it hardly makes a difference (which is why it's always kind of a headache because each of my roommates 'loves' only one of the three...plus no one ever wants to exclude it in favor of branching out and trying, say, the Mongolian Beef, the Kung Pao, or Sizzling Noodle Platter (my personal favorite, I mean food that makes noise is doubly delicious (see fajitas))). But, as always, Yummy House lived up to their name and served some yummy, greasy, sweet, fried chicken bits. If you like this kind of food, you'll love it, otherwise you won't.
The lo mein was good too, in that generic "this is what I was expecting and didn't disappoint" way. And even though it was beef, and not veggie, it was pretty light on all of those vegetables I have come to know and love: snap peas, scallion, bamboo. Save for a scant few shreds of carrot and a bean sprout or two, it was mostly noodle. At least there were no mushrooms (not a big mushroom fan, sorry folks). Another thing, lo mein, because it's mostly just delicious noodles, is probably the best bang for your buck as far as food goes. A heaping tray full is like $6.50 at most places in NYC (I know the city is expensive, I've gotten used to it) and when three people have each taken a large serving and the container looks like you could slap the lid back on and call it full, you know you've got a lot of food. I'm always a little excited to have reheated lo mein lunch day after. So if you have a lot of people to feed, lo mein is the way to stretch the side dishes.
The pan fried pork dumplings were nothing to write home about (for great dumplings, it's usually better to rely on actual dumpling houses...since you know, it's their specialty), the dough a little thick and tough and the dipping sauce, trying to be fancy and just coming out watery. I ate them anyways though. Of course.
And what ever happened to those old 80s stand up jokes? Eat chinese food and be hungry 30 minutes later. I ate dinner about 5 hours ago and still feel like a beached whale.
After tax and tip, this 30 dollar delivery could have easily covered 4 people, which is not a bad deal for not having to go outside. And, all in all, not a bad way to spend a Friday night, with some familiar faces. Beats the snot out of frozen pizza for one.
Read More......
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tuesday Night Burger Club
The other weekend, my friend Madelyn was hungry and wanted burgers, except that it was Halloween so all we ate was candy and booze. By Tuesday, she still had not filled her craving and left me a text while I was in class. From there, Tuesday Night Burger Club was born.
Our first official meeting convened at the ever classic Shake Shack. Since it was November 4th (I voted absentee), there was no line despite nice weather. My roommate and friend Julia joined us and we enjoyed Danny Meyer's best idea since opening a restaurant. Otherwise, it was pretty uneventful.
This past weekend, it also happened to be Julia's birthday. As we are all huge How I Met Your Mother fans, we went all the way out to Brooklyn for laser tag. It was amazing.
Anyways, Madelyn and I got a huge craving for onion rings (there's a quote from the show) and thus put next on TNBC's agenda some delicious onion rings with our meal. After some preliminary research I had a good idea for a few places to go.
We settled on SOHO Park, a charming little place with a simple menu. It came highly recommended, and the title alone, Herbed Buttermilk Red Onion Rings, made my mouth water.
Though we were starving, I clearly remembered reading "this is the second time I’ve just had these onion rings as my dinner" and we decided to split one order with our burgers. Best idea ever, because even with the three of us devouring the flavorful goodness, we couldn't quite finish the last of the massive pile.
The burgers themselves were also delicious. A perfectly portioned patty in one of the best potato bread rolls, complete with the thinnest shredded lettuce, tomatoes, sweet pickles, and sauce. Though I am typically not a fan of pickles on my food, these accented all of the flavors with a delicate sweet and tangy flavor that was not as overwhelming as I am usually wont to find. I was quite pleased. The cheese was not amazing and at an extra dollar, if you can live without it go ahead (I, unfortunately, LOVE cheese on my burger and cannot).
Finally, though they had only one dessert on the menu, it's all they needed: a classic brownie sundae topped with your choice of ice cream. Presented with a chocolate ganache, a cherry, and a sprig of mint, this was the type of presentation I was always taught and could never master. Wish I had a picture to share. I'll try to start bringing a camera to these meetings.
So if you're in the east village and jonesing for some quality onion rings and a nice burger to keep them company, you could do worse than SOHO Park. Just bring a friend or two so not a morsel goes unsavored.
Have a place to recommend? Leave a comment! I am always up for a culinary adventure!
Read More......
Our first official meeting convened at the ever classic Shake Shack. Since it was November 4th (I voted absentee), there was no line despite nice weather. My roommate and friend Julia joined us and we enjoyed Danny Meyer's best idea since opening a restaurant. Otherwise, it was pretty uneventful.
This past weekend, it also happened to be Julia's birthday. As we are all huge How I Met Your Mother fans, we went all the way out to Brooklyn for laser tag. It was amazing.
Anyways, Madelyn and I got a huge craving for onion rings (there's a quote from the show) and thus put next on TNBC's agenda some delicious onion rings with our meal. After some preliminary research I had a good idea for a few places to go.
We settled on SOHO Park, a charming little place with a simple menu. It came highly recommended, and the title alone, Herbed Buttermilk Red Onion Rings, made my mouth water.
Though we were starving, I clearly remembered reading "this is the second time I’ve just had these onion rings as my dinner" and we decided to split one order with our burgers. Best idea ever, because even with the three of us devouring the flavorful goodness, we couldn't quite finish the last of the massive pile. The burgers themselves were also delicious. A perfectly portioned patty in one of the best potato bread rolls, complete with the thinnest shredded lettuce, tomatoes, sweet pickles, and sauce. Though I am typically not a fan of pickles on my food, these accented all of the flavors with a delicate sweet and tangy flavor that was not as overwhelming as I am usually wont to find. I was quite pleased. The cheese was not amazing and at an extra dollar, if you can live without it go ahead (I, unfortunately, LOVE cheese on my burger and cannot).
Finally, though they had only one dessert on the menu, it's all they needed: a classic brownie sundae topped with your choice of ice cream. Presented with a chocolate ganache, a cherry, and a sprig of mint, this was the type of presentation I was always taught and could never master. Wish I had a picture to share. I'll try to start bringing a camera to these meetings.
So if you're in the east village and jonesing for some quality onion rings and a nice burger to keep them company, you could do worse than SOHO Park. Just bring a friend or two so not a morsel goes unsavored.
Have a place to recommend? Leave a comment! I am always up for a culinary adventure!
Read More......
Sunday, November 9, 2008
City Favorites
While I love branching out and exploring new places, sometimes you just have to go to your old standby for the perfect fix. I make no claims that my tastes are anything new, 'indie', or otherwise noteworthy; they're just where I like to go, simple as that.
Burgers:
Shake Shack -- Madison Sq. Park.
Yes, everyone already knows about it. Yes, it's always packed. There's a reason, it's some damn good food.
Pizza:
Artichoke -- 14th St. between 1st and 2nd ave
Yes, everyone already knows about it. Yes, it's always packed. There's a reason, it's some damn good food.
Mexican:
El Cantinero -- University between 11th and 12th
No, it's not the best. But it's my favorite. The cheesy atmosphere, the bar upstairs, the garden, the all you can eat monday special. The college memories. No it's not for everyone, but if you want something a little better than chipotle (though, I'll be honest; I'm a sucker for chipotle too) have a margarita and some sizzling fajitas. Bring a few friends and tell the waiter it's someone's birthday...it's worth it to watch them wear the goofy sombrero.
Diner:
Cosmos Diner -- 2nd Ave at 23rd St.
Their pies need a little work but this place was the center for my reborn interest in diner fare this past year; like an episode of Seinfeld, we sat in our booth, ordered some food and talked the triviality of our days away. While kinda gruff, we totally became BFFs with the staff.
Chinese:
Yummy House -- 3rd Ave between 11th and 12th
I lived across this place for a year when I first moved here. Every weekend my roommates and I ordered take out from here and we've been fans ever since. A little nicer than some of the hole in the wall places found around the city, the you feel that they really are trying to be a restaurant and not a take out food service. And though I am 'Asian', I'm a huge sucker for the American-Chinese fare: Orange Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Lo Mein, Egg Rolls, etc.
So no, these are not the best places for food in New York City. But they are damn good, hold some precious memories associated with them, and won't break the bank. Here's to hoping I keep this project alive for a year and get to update this list with new places.
Read More......
Burgers:
Shake Shack -- Madison Sq. Park.
Yes, everyone already knows about it. Yes, it's always packed. There's a reason, it's some damn good food.
Pizza:
Artichoke -- 14th St. between 1st and 2nd ave
Yes, everyone already knows about it. Yes, it's always packed. There's a reason, it's some damn good food.
Mexican:
El Cantinero -- University between 11th and 12th
No, it's not the best. But it's my favorite. The cheesy atmosphere, the bar upstairs, the garden, the all you can eat monday special. The college memories. No it's not for everyone, but if you want something a little better than chipotle (though, I'll be honest; I'm a sucker for chipotle too) have a margarita and some sizzling fajitas. Bring a few friends and tell the waiter it's someone's birthday...it's worth it to watch them wear the goofy sombrero.
Diner:
Cosmos Diner -- 2nd Ave at 23rd St.
Their pies need a little work but this place was the center for my reborn interest in diner fare this past year; like an episode of Seinfeld, we sat in our booth, ordered some food and talked the triviality of our days away. While kinda gruff, we totally became BFFs with the staff.
Chinese:
Yummy House -- 3rd Ave between 11th and 12th
I lived across this place for a year when I first moved here. Every weekend my roommates and I ordered take out from here and we've been fans ever since. A little nicer than some of the hole in the wall places found around the city, the you feel that they really are trying to be a restaurant and not a take out food service. And though I am 'Asian', I'm a huge sucker for the American-Chinese fare: Orange Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Lo Mein, Egg Rolls, etc.
So no, these are not the best places for food in New York City. But they are damn good, hold some precious memories associated with them, and won't break the bank. Here's to hoping I keep this project alive for a year and get to update this list with new places.
Read More......
Informal Introductions
Everybody eats. Almost everybody loves to eat; I know I do. And I hate work, so after I gave up on one blog, I'm starting another...you know instead of doing real work. I've spent over three years in New York City and still feel like a tiny speck in the sea of cuisine out here and I hope to change that.
Some things you should know about me:
1. I'm an NYU student (kinda broke) minoring in Food Studies (found it too late to make it my major [chemistry]).
2. I grew up in Southern California and have a soft spot for amazing Mexican cuisine.
3. My meal of choice is probably cheeseburger, curly fries, and a coke.
4. I'm easily pleased by even the cheapest, greasiest, or generic foods...as long as it's what I was supposed to expect.
5. Like most New Yorker, I believe waiting in line for an hour seems to make the food that much better.
6. I love potatoes, meat, cheese, breads, and spicy...in that order.
7. I'm mildly allergic to shellfish, so aside from a taste of my friend's entree, I rarely eat it.
8. I hate eggplant, am wary of vegetarian options disguising themselves as meat (tofurky comes to mind), and am often criticized for my dislike of "bits in my things" (for example: nuts in brownies, seeded baguettes, or chunky peanut butter).
9. Though I love breakfast, I am not a morning person...so unless it's like a 1pm brunch, chances are I won't be able to make it.
10. I used to be a distance runner (before my knee injury) but tend to still eat like it (aka, as much as I want without abandon). I'm trying to grow up a little...with little success.
So here's to what should hopefully be a good read. Or at least a fun distraction.
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Some things you should know about me:
1. I'm an NYU student (kinda broke) minoring in Food Studies (found it too late to make it my major [chemistry]).
2. I grew up in Southern California and have a soft spot for amazing Mexican cuisine.
3. My meal of choice is probably cheeseburger, curly fries, and a coke.
4. I'm easily pleased by even the cheapest, greasiest, or generic foods...as long as it's what I was supposed to expect.
5. Like most New Yorker, I believe waiting in line for an hour seems to make the food that much better.
6. I love potatoes, meat, cheese, breads, and spicy...in that order.
7. I'm mildly allergic to shellfish, so aside from a taste of my friend's entree, I rarely eat it.
8. I hate eggplant, am wary of vegetarian options disguising themselves as meat (tofurky comes to mind), and am often criticized for my dislike of "bits in my things" (for example: nuts in brownies, seeded baguettes, or chunky peanut butter).
9. Though I love breakfast, I am not a morning person...so unless it's like a 1pm brunch, chances are I won't be able to make it.
10. I used to be a distance runner (before my knee injury) but tend to still eat like it (aka, as much as I want without abandon). I'm trying to grow up a little...with little success.
So here's to what should hopefully be a good read. Or at least a fun distraction.
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