El Centro 06-01-2012

Location: 824 9th Ave.
Time: 12:45pm
People: Eric, LM, RS, SD and myself

Feelings: As we five coworkers tried to grab a quick bite at the new Thai restaurant with the scandalous name, Noodies, we quickly realized Friday wasn't the right day. It seems the entire Midtown workforce enjoys Friday lunches on 9th Ave. The wait for this naughty named noodle shop was about 20-30 minutes, so we went into next door Mexican spot, El Centro. Years ago, this location was occupied by Vynl, and if you look closely, the decor has not changed too drastically. As we were promptly seated, I reminisced of the summer of 2001.

...And we waited and waited. We waited for our food for about 20-30 minutes. The server did not refill our chips or water, and everyone started to check their phone for their work messages, looking hungry and frail. By the time we got our food, everything on our plates was shockingly cold. Needless to say, the service here is something to be desired.

I expected this Americanized Mexican place to serve food that was mediocre at best, but the flavors, despite the temperature, were quite satisfying. My two grilled mahi-mahi tacos (with caramelized onion, guacamole, and chipotle aioli, $10) were fresh and well seasoned. They were a bit overpriced for the portion but tasty nonetheless. SD's baja shrimp tacos (with negra modelo beer batter, cucumber pico de gallo, chipotle aioli and guacamole, $10) were also crispy and not too heavy. Eric ordered chorizo sausage and goat cheese quesadilla ($10). "As a fan of goat cheese I was really happy to taste the goat cheese prominently throughout," he said. "Some bites were more of only meat and some were really cheesy. The meat was ground finely and went well with the smoothness of the cheese. The surrounding tortilla was flaky and tasty on its own as well. Fresh pico de gallo on top was a welcome garnish." --This eloquent Queens native needs to start his own food blog immediately!

If you are going to El Centro with your coworkers on Friday, make sure to drink a lot of margaritas so you won't know how long you spent time waiting.They also have lunch specials for $9.95 with a side of salad or sweet potato fries. If you don't want to spend $10 and wait 30 minutes for two small tacos, I recommend calling them about these lunch specials and asking for a delivery or a pick up. Let me know how long that would take you.

Okonomiyaki Truck is Coming!! 06-01-2012

Feelings: Dear friend SaSha just informed me that there will soon be an okonomiyaki truck called Okadaman! Osakan pride! Read more about okonomiyaki here.

Gelato Ti Amo 05-26-2012

Location: 68 2nd Ave.
Time: 2:45pm
People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: CK has recently started his piano class in the East Village, and we have made it a mission to explore the food options in the area. I try not to do too much research since I enjoy being stumbled upon interesting places, and this Saturday afternoon, we did just that and came across a seriously good gelato place.

On our way to brunch, we witnessed two charming men exuding gelato happiness whilst unwrapping their brand new chairs out front. With sweet aroma stirring my emotions, "Forget food, we are eating gelato right now," I said to RB. This was perhaps the best decision I made since my six inch sandal purchase last week.

All natural. All fresh. This gelato chain from Italy may put other gelato places to shame. The three of us shared hazelnut and custard flavors ($3.80 for small) and were unable to decide which was better. The texture and consistency are perfect - creamy but not too heavy while the heavenly flavors hit your throat. The essence of fresh ingredients can really be tasted in this smooth gelato.

It is so damn freaking hard raising a child, but I am so thankful that I now have a reason to be near Gelato Ti Amo every Saturday.

Brooklyn Crab is Coming! 05-28-12

Feelings: Red Hook's Brooklyn Crab, projected to open in June, sounds like a perfect place for our summer outing! Seafood, mini golf, bocce, patio and roof deck--all can be found at this new spot brought by the owners of Alma on Columbia Street. They will even offer a shuttle service from the F/G Carroll St. station. According to their website, shuttles will be available every 20 minutes from 6-10pm Sunday to Thursday and 6-11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. I can't wait!

Gaia 05-19-2012

Location: 251 E. Houston St.
Time: 12:pm
People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: Gaia, a quaint Italian cafe in Lower East Side, is a classic New York hidden gem. The high quality ingredients are liberally used for their delicious Italian home cooked meal, created by the owner herself. Every flavor is made with love and care, and you would be instantly transported to Italy after the first bite.

They certainly do not have the fastest service, but with large tables and sunny room, dining here would be quite a treat that gives you a moment of relaxation. Many people dining here or picking up food are regulars, and the owner greeted them with a smile and casual conversations. It is really like a scene from a film.

My spinach and ricotta gnocchi ($7) was light and flavorful. Is there such a thing as light gnocchi, you may wonder. Gaia's food is not heavy--it is simple and well executed just like how authentic Italian cuisine is. The flavors are so well balanced with umami that there is absolutely no need for over seasoning and overbearing amount of cheese.

RB thoroughly enjoyed his Montanaro panini, which was delicious and thoughtfully executed. The speck, taleggio cheese and pickled vegetables were the perfect insert for the delicious freshly baked panini bread. He felt the sandwich surpassed any Italian sandwich he could find in Soho or Little Italy.

If you don't have time for food, just stop by for their home made custard cream with strawberry and a touch of coffee ($3). This simple dessert is airy light, and the fresh flavor of strawberries shine through. I know that we will certainly go back for this delectable dessert again and again.

I hope Gaia will be able to maintain their reasonable prices while serving excellent comforting food. They certainly offer the best value in Manhattan!

The Cardinal 05-12-2012

Location: 234 E 4th St.
Time: 2:30pm
People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: Dining out with a toddler is always a challenge, but we seemed to have figured out what makes CK dine quietly: Outdoor seating, delicious artisan bread, blasting music and dashing young servers. At The Cardinal, the North Carolina style comfort food joint in East Village, CK sat rather quietly throughout the brunch while flirting with our pretty waitress.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is quite charming with the quintessential East Village low key vibe.  It was also fun that they were playing all the late 90's hip hop hits. With Southern food and 90's hip hop, I felt I was back in my college days in Florida. All we needed was sweet tea.

Nothing on the brunch menu is close to anything remotely healthy. You will not find salads or fruit cups here. But all the flavors here are clean and polished with fresh, hearty ingredients. The portion they offer is also extremely large. It is no wonder they offer no appetizers here. I actually ate my sweet potato pancakes ($13 with pecan butter) for three days straight--it was that big. However, if you do crave appetizers, they have sides like biscuits, home fries and grits available.

RB's pork chops and eggs were quite hearty and tasty. The porkchops were well cooked and seasoned, and smothered in 'red eye gravy' infused with coffee, offering a very complex and interesting component to the meal. The strip of bacon that lay on top of the chops was sinful and delicious.

The Cardinal is famous for the beauty of the meats: Crispy free-range chicken, juicy grass fed beef, and heritage pork and bacon. If you are a devoted carnivore who enjoys simply good barbecue and Southern flavor, you will be pleased by the meat success The Cardinal offers. And for vegetarians like myself, there are plenty of fluffy, dense pancakes and biscuits to go around.

Abraço 05-05-12

Location: 86 E. 7th St.
Time: 3pm
People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: If you ever met a person who grew up in a big city in Japan like myself, you would know that we actually prefer rather small, compact spaces. The small space and tiny, narrow roads are quite normal and ultimately comforting. And when entering perhaps one of the best coffee shops in the city, Abraco, you will see that sometimes the best things come out of the tiniest place.

Abraco is a size of a New York apartment bathroom. But it certainly brews excellent bold espresso and  coffee. The service is friendly and polite, which is infectious to the customers. This is perhaps the only place in the city where people line up perfectly without a fuss similar to Japan. The flavor of iced coffee is ever so smooth and precisely balanced with a hint of refreshing acidity and a note of chocolaty delicacy.

All I have to say is this: Dear Abraco, you ruined me. There are many great coffee places in the city, but after experiencing this intoxicating, utterly addictive flavor of Abraco coffee, I will no longer be satisfied with any others. I also appreciate your unpretentious vibe and comforting small space.

Momofuku Milk Bar Carroll Gardens 04-28-2012

Location: 360 Smith St.

Time: 2pm

People: CF, CR, RB, CK and myself

Feelings: My dear friends CF and CR were in town from DC, and we met at Court Street Grocers for a tasty sandwich brunch in Carroll Gardens. Afterwards for dessert, we stopped at the newest Momofuku branch, Momofuku Milk Bar, conveniently located by the F/G Carroll Street stop on Smith Street. This location is the biggest of all but still with the same trusted menu. 

"Another Milk Bar?" is exactly what RB and I said when we saw that ubiquitous neon milk sign. But can we really complain about their blueberry&cream cookies and soft serve? If you have visitors, this is a great destination in the neighborhood. 

My coldbrew coffee, the staple summer drink in the city, was smooth and refreshing. We really can't go into a coffee shop not seeing a sign says,"coldbrew coffee" nowadays. Since I enjoy its bold flavor, I hope it'll be on the menu all year around everywhere. 

Besides the heavenly coldbrew, CR's salty pistachio softserve was a definite winner. "I dream about it.." said CF. "I liked it because it wasn't too sweet." I get the feeling that CR and CF will return to NYC perhaps just for the sandwiches from Court Street Grocers and this softserve. 

The noticeable difference about this location is its hours. This spacious Milk Bar is open everyday from 7am to 10pm. It'll be very difficult for commuters like us to ignore that coldbrew and bagel bombs on the way to work.

Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Therapy 05-05-2012

Feelings: The search for the chocolatiest chocolate ice cream is over. Chocolate Therapy was first released back in 2005 as a part of Mood Magic flavors, but now it is back with vengeance. If you are a casual chocolate lover, you will find this Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Therapy far too intense. It is incredibly rich, dark with chocolate Oreo-esque cookie crumbles and chocolate pudding swirls. The flavor is nothing but chocolate.

It is even tastier if you add whip cream to make the chocolate intensity a bit milder. But if you just want the amazing cocoa knockout, go ahead-- pick up a pint and enjoy it straight up. I wouldn't call this Chocolate Therapy, however. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful chocolate addiction.

STK Out 04-23-2012

Location: 1114 Avenue of Americas
Time: 12:30pm
People: Effie and myself

Feelings: The trendy Meatpacking steakhouse, STK, recently launched a take out kiosk near Bryant Park, serving burgers, wraps, and salads. All items on the menu are under $14, and there are some interesting sides available like mac&cheese bites ($4) as well as STK's famous frozen treats, including a birthday cake shake ($6).

The lobster wrap with arugula and avocado surely sounded delicious, and the STK burger with truffle aioli would satisfy many a midtown worker's burger cravings. I normally despise watermelon, but the high quality of the tomato watermelon salad with feta cheese ($8) surprised my palate. The watermelon worked almost like spongy tofu, soaking up all the juicy, tasty flavor of the ginger dressing and feta. STK Out recently updated their menu, and unfortunately I don't see this delicious, perfect summer salad on their new menu. What a shame! This could have been the only way to get me to eat watermelon.

Effie was not too pleased with the toasted veggie wrap ($8), which seemed very dry. The iced tea ($2) was nothing spectacular, and we continued on our lunch outing at out favorite spot, Blue Bottle.

I felt that many items on the menu were a bit overpriced, but the new menu is all under $10. Perhaps I should overcome my sorrow over watermelon salad and try some other items now that they are slightly cheaper.