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.                

Can't Wait for Matsunosoke! 05-13-2013

Feelings: Kyoto based New York style bakery, Matsunosoke will soon open in West Village!! They specialize in pancakes and NY-style cakes like apple pies and cheese cakes. Kyoto delicacy + NY decadence = Uber Americana deliciousness!

Cronut? 05-13-2013

Feelings: Yasmin told me about Dominique Ansel's Cronut (Croissant+Donut hybrid) last Friday. I wonder if things can be any better than a rose-flavored glazed fried croissant with vanilla cream?

Ok, I might have found something better: Parfait + Cake. My hometown Osaka never lets me down.

Munchies Joint 04-14-2013

Location: 179 Essex St.
Time: 2pm
People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: Menupages is telling me that Munchies Joint in Lower East Side is now closed, but I hope it's not true--for the sake of the funnel cake fries. This snack spot for the late night drunk individuals, or those who appreciate a nice mid day snack offers all sorts of treats: White Castle burgers, brownies, pizza stuffed pretzels, mini puff pancakes, churro bites, grilled cheese, whoopie pies..the list continues.

The funnel cake fries are exactly what you would expect. The crispy outer layers of funnel cake and soft and fluffy inside are combined in the shape of fries, completed with generous amount of powdered sugar. As you bite into it, the greasy sweetness lingers. Alas, these are perfect snacks to avoid horrific hangovers or perfect pick me up for distressed parents of a two year old.

If Menupages is wrong, you will find their vintage inspired Marquee light on Essex Street, illuminating and guiding those late night customers.

Things That Should Be Illegal: Nunu's Chocolate Covered Potato Chips 05-04-2013

Location: 529 Atlantic Ave. BK
Time: 3pm
People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: A quick stop at Nunu Chocolates after Brooklyn Flea has steadily become our weekend ritual, but there is one thing they carry that is just plain sinful: Dark chocolate covered North Fork potato chips. Nunu's amazingly creamy hot chocolate and beer or sake ganache can make anyone smile, so what can a flavor combination of bitter+sweet+salty do? Apparently make anyone completely silent from the shockingly delectable flavor journey. This is not a snack for the faint of heart.

Unfortunately, or fortunately for me, these chips are only available in the store due to their fragile nature. Good things are worth the walk.

RB Raves About Bombay Duck Co.!! 05-02-2013

Feelings: RB will not stop raving about the new Indian home cooking spot, Bombay Duck Co. in West Village. I can't wait to try their "Toasties," grilled cheese with Indian flair!

Wallaby Organic Greek Plain Lowfat Yogurt 05-01-2013

Feelings: I have been a longstanding and loyal Wallaby yogurt fan. Its smoothness and clean flavors have captivated me for years--so much so that I even liked their Facebook page, which I rarely do unless they are film auteurs or 60's fashion icons. And the logo and package design are always adorable.

Not surprisingly, Wallaby's new Greek yogurt did not disappoint. It is indeed a delightful organic alternative to Greek yogurt favorites like Fage or Chobani. The sensory experience is mild and incredibly smooth, and the consistency is thinner than regular Greek yogurt. The creaminess is still richly intact, and it is overall a very satisfying treat.

I can't wait to try their different flavors and nonfat version!

La Perrada de Chalo + Cannelle Patisserie 04-28-2013

Location: La Perrada de Chalo 8312 Northern Blvd, Jackson Heights
               Cannelle Patisserie 7559 31st Ave, Jackson Heights
Time: 2pm
People: JB, DD, Yasmin, Deborah, RB, CK and myself

Feelings: After my first experience with Colombian hot dog at Los Perros Locos in LES, I had to see what more authentic version was all about. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the R+F crew headed to Jackson Heights on the 7 train. It turns out this section of Northern Blvd, around 82nd and 83rd streets, is quite fabulous. Drag shows, flamboyant bikini shops, over-the-top vibrant colors-- It resembled scenes from many Almodovar films.

Being so authentic, this Colombian "pack of dogs" burger and hot dog spot would of course not have veggie dogs available. Vegetarian dishes are almost nonexistent here, but if you are a hungry carnivore on a budget, this is indeed the place to be. Various types of hot dogs with diced pineapple and crumbled potato chips are all under $4, and some insanely packed burgers and sandwiches are under $9. Their Hawaiian Burger ($4.85) with pineapple and potato chips is the most popular one of all.

I honestly don't know what is all in the hot dogs. RB took a bite from his "con todo" hot dog, and a shrimp fell out! For vegetarians, their yucca fries are decent and not too greasy, and the side of frozen limonada is a refreshing option.

If you are still not convinced on a trip to Jackson Heights, Cannelle Patisserie will make it worthwhile. In the middle of nowhere, deep in East Elmhurst area, a regular suburban style strip mall welcomes you with Modell's, GameStop, and Pearl Vision. Skip the temptation from Carvel, and next to the grocery store's recycling station, there it is-- Cannelle Patisserie, perhaps one of the most classic inexpensive French patisseries in the city. What a view...of a parking lot.

Their Paris Brest is only $3, perfectly filled with airy praline cream. Foret Noire, the French black forest cake is mousse-y and light. Long lines await for the delicate Saint Honore and Napoleon and decadent Red Velvet. "Together there was a good balance of the subtle chocolate in the red velvet cake and the cream cheese frosting. I'd go there repeatedly," said JB.

There is nothing too inventive or new about this spot, but the variety of well executed classic desserts at this price is nothing but a pastry heaven. Thank you, Queens, for your continuous culinary authenticity.