Elsewhere Espresso 05-25-2013

Location: 335 E. 6th St.
Time: 11:45am
People: RB and myself

Feelings: Abraco is indeed an East Village's coffee favorite, but if you want to avoid the crowd and enjoy an amazing cup of pour over coffee ($2.50) sitting down, Elsewhere Espresso on a block away is the place to be. With large windows and wooden benches and a few tables-- what a way to relax while reading through their Bazaar magazines and New York Times.

There is also a very clean and spacious bathroom in the back, which is a must for a relaxing cafe. If you are serving highly diuretic coffee, having a nice bathroom is a prerequisite. After finishing up their giant cup of Indonesian coffee from Coffee Lab Roasters, I can try different types of pour over. Drink and repeat.

Free wi-fi is also available, and the service is very personable with a good local hangout flavor. There is no attitude here, and it is indeed a neighborhood gem. Just enjoy a cup of smooth and bold coffee.

Melon Pan or Concha Bread? 06-13-2013

Feelings: Which one do you like better: Japanese melon pan or Mexican conchas? Melon pan is usually sweeter and more pastry-like compared to concha bread. But they both sound pretty good right now....

Storm King Cafe+Jones Farm 06-09-2013

Location: Storm King Art Center 1 Museum Rd, New Windsor, NY
              Jones Farm & Country Store 190 Angola Rd Cornwall, NY
People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: After about an hour drive and denying the temptations of Woodbury Commons, Storm King Art Center, an open-air sculpture preserve welcomes you with the works of modern masters like Isamu Noguchi and Richard Serra. It is an ideal place for a little urban escape especially if you go during the non cicada invasion season. We unfortunately picked the day when the cicadas were busy mating, flying and dying everywhere.

The admission is $12 (kids under five are free), and if you are not much of a hiker or walker, the trams are available as well as bikes. Many people pack a picnic, but the small outdoor cafe on the premise offers decent beverages and food with organic ingredients. PB&J ($3.95, Natural Bazzini peanut butter with Oregon raspberry preserves on whole wheat bread) is fresh despite being a pre-made product sitting in the fridge. The lemonade ($3) is a perfect blend of tangy and sweet and a welcomed refreshment after a long walk under the sun.

RB's ham and cheese sandwich was tasty but dry, and the chibatta was a bit too hard for his liking.

After a nice day at Storm King, the family operated and owned since 1914, Jones Farm nearby is a perfect spot for fresh homemade baked goods and pretty good iced coffee with coffee ice cubes. Their fresh and moist apple cider donuts are a must. Grab a couple and sit at their outdoor benches.There are plenty of toys and nick-nack galore upstairs for Hudson Valley souvenirs as well.

Don't be alarm by their friendly chicken named Snowball. He will approach you, but he just wants to be cuddled.

Habana Outpost 06-01-2013

Location: 757 Fulton St BK
Time: 1pm
People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: The Fort Greene outpost of a popular SoHo spot, Cafe Habana, screams Brooklyn summer. In fact, when I think of summer in NYC, I think of a place like Habana Outpost. With the same tasty menu and frozen cocktails, ginger lemonade and beers, you are in for a relaxing, laid-back outdoor scene. This eco-friendly Cuban eatery even generates its own electricity with the solar panels located near the picnic benches.

Patrons will place the order in the indoor space, but the food itself, including their famous corn, comes from the truck outside. On weekends, their small flea market features local artists, local DJs and many kids' activities, making Habana Outpost more than just a place to dine.

The veggie taco ($3) is fresh with full of creamy cheese while the pineapple ginger lemonade ($3) is too overly sweet for my taste. For those who crave icy sweet treats, Coolhaus' ice cream sandwich ($5) would hit the spot.

RB's Cuban sandwich ($8.75, roast pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickles, chipotle mayo) was overly salty. He was surprised and disappointed since he is a frequent Cubano eater at their Soho location.

The food might be as average as it could be, but in a fun setting like this, food comes secondary. Grab a cold drink, sit under the umbrellas, and enjoy the summer...all in Brooklyn!

Coffee+Cocktails at Amor y Amargo 06-01-2013

Location: 443 E. 6th. St
Time: 11:30am
People: RB and myself

Feelings: On the weekends from 11am to 4pm only, East Village bitters enthusiasts, Amor y Amargo (Love and Bitter!) are offering some serious coffee service. Being the first bar to focus on bitters in NYC, the menu involves intricate iced coffee cocktails ($9). Since I don't drink alcohol,  they were able to serve one amazing glass of Japanese style pour-over iced coffee using beans from Counter Culture.

It is always strange to hear "Japanese style pour over coffee." As coming from Osaka, I sort of only recognize real coffee as pour over or siphon coffee. My father who is a coffee addict always says, "I'm going to get a cup of awful coffee," which really means any non-pour over coffee. He even found a place in Osaka that serves "The best awful coffee in the city."

On a quiet counter in a nicely air conditioned room, RB enjoyed "Morning Stubble" (Ndaroini coffee from Kenya, Bonal, Gin, Rye, Tiki Bitters) with a small glass of extra iced coffee served straight on the side. It is a flavor heaven. The palate is triggered by the boldness and smooth sophistication combined with delectable sweet aroma. The whole experience is a true oasis in East Village. All this is conveniently located right next door to CK's Saturday piano class.

Irving Farm Coffee Roasters 05-14-2013

Location: 224 W. 79th St.
Time: 1:30pm

Feelings: The downtown coffee company, Irving Farm has now settled and become a part of Upper West Siders' lives. With their spacious and relaxing atmosphere and strong, robust coffee, it is almost impossible to find a better cafe anywhere else in the neighborhood.

In addition to the crisp flavored espresso and pour-over coffee, fresh sandwiches, beer and wines are available, so it is no wonder customers camp out here all day with their electronic device.

A coffee connoisseur friend mentioned that their four best baristas recently moved to their new Grand Central location that opened on May 20th. This may be why when I visited the uptown location, the service was slow and a bit odd. But luckily for me, I can now try "the best red eyes in the city" (a quote from the friend) created by the best baristas in the vicinity of my midtown office.

El Diablito Taqueria 05-25-2013

Location: 60 E. 3rd St.
Time: 12:30pm
People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: This new unassuming East Village spot is everything you could ask for in a taqueria. Amazing service, clean, handful of seating, and great quality at a decent price-- I didn't think this was possible in Manhattan, at least outside of a taco truck environment.

The best part is their breakfast menu. Although every breakfast burrito ($4.50) had some meat involvement, they were able to create a massive burrito with just eggs, cheese and homefries. The ingredients were fresh with full of clean yet bold flavors. Fortunate East Village residents can enjoy these breakfast burritos, sandwiches and omelettes as early as 10:30am when they open.

Although RB was still recovering from his cold, he devoured tacos with chorizo and carnita fillings. He found these tacos tasty and flavorful, and the accompanying hot sauce had a nice kick.

Tacos are $2.95, and the rest of the items on the menu is $8. Don't forget their crispy fresh chips and guacamole along with refreshing agua fresca ($2.50) too.

Grady's Cold Brew 05-18-2013

Feelings: Grady's Cold Brew is a cold press iced coffee concentrate that you can mix with your liquid of choosing in a 1:1 ratio. I was first introduced to this chicory iced coffee at Smorgasburg, but it is now widely available in NYC, and even on their website.

The unique thing about Grady's is that you don't have to drink this cold brew cold. Heating it just below boiling can get you a nice cup of hot coffee. I prefer to drink it with cold water and a little bit of coconut water, but there are also many other recipes available.

One large growler ($13-15) will get you eight cups of coffee and lasts for a month if refrigerated. But it will definitely not last for a month at our household. Who can really resist this refreshing sensation of chicory iced coffee?

"New York Fair 2013" in Osaka! 05-14-2013

Feelings: "New York Fair 2013" will be held at my favorite department store in Osaka, Hankyu, starting tomorrow (which is really today due to the confusing time difference).

Peruse this list of amazing list of food vendors here! It might be even better than most street fairs we have in NYC.

Can't read Japanese or open a PDF? Well here's the list:

Manhattan:
-Sarabeth's
-Ess a Bagel
-Lobster Place from Chelsea Market
-Famous Famiglia Pizza
-Original Soup Man
-Hallo Berlin
-Sigmund Pretzel Shop
-Sugar Sweet Sunshine
-Fat Witch Brownies
-Hudson Market Bakers (from Tokyo)
-Matsunosuke New York (from Kyoto)
-Ciao Bella Gelato
-Billy's Bakery
-Marie Belle Chocolates
-Harney and Sons Tea
-Various farmhouse cheese
-Rao's Pasta Sauce

Brooklyn:
-Junior's
-Brooklyn Roasting Company
-Brooklyn Brine

Bombay Duck Co.05-13-2013

Location: 190 Bleeker St.
Time: 12:30pm
People: RB and myself

Feelings: Just look at this Yelp review. 14 reviewers so far all gave five stars for this quaint new Indian spot that serves amazingly fresh home made comfort food. Many Indian restaurants add loads of butter and cream, but Bombay Duck Co's food is clean and delicate.

The setting is very casual and modern, and the service is welcoming.

Bombay fish curry is a must ($8.95). With nice acidity and a kick of spice, the mouthwatering depth of flavors will satisfy your palate. If you are not much of a curry person and love your dairy, "Mom's Toasties," grilled cheese with Indian flair, will be one of the best grilled cheeses you will have this year. Crab Toasties ($6.50) is especially scrumptious with crab meat, cheese, chilli powder and crispy buttery toasts.

The owner has explained to RB during his past visit that what they serve is all of his mother's recipes. That's the kind of a mother anyone would like to have, but in this economy of working families, it has become increasingly difficult to get a nice home cooked meal. However in NYC, we can always taste other parents' amazing recipes from all over the world...in this case, New Jersey.