Soba Totto Night 10-27-2008

"One night with Soba."

Location: 211 E 43rd St
Time: 7pm
People: RB and myself

Feelings: Just like its sister eatery, Yakitori Totto, this Soba restaurant brings the best food, service, and ambiance. We started off with two Yakitori dishes, which were elegantly flavored and prepared. Our Soba was slightly overcooked, but the nutty sesame sauce made the experience more enjoyable. The creative dessert menu was also impressive. We chose Soy Milk Blanc-Manger and Soba Pudding, which were sweet and silky and satisfied us with delicate portions. There may be better food and Soba in the city, but the superb service and romantic atmosphere set the mood for this place. It makes you feel as if you were spending one amazing night with Soba.

Rizzo's Fine Pizza Night 10-26-2008

"I heart you, Thin Crust"

Location: 3013 Steinway St
People: RB and myself

Feelings: After we discovered our usual Pizza place had closed, we had some researching to do. According to Google, when you crave pizza in Astoria, you must run to Rizzo's on Steinway. And of course, Google did not let us down. Not only did RB got some free pizza tasting but also we got an amazing Primavera pie. The veggies were fresh and crisp, the sauce was tangy sweet, and the crust was cracker thin. Rizzo's could possibly be the best Pizza in Queens... at least in Astoria.

Chili Cook-off 10-18-2008

"Chili Cook-Off 2008!"

Location: 949 Grand St
People: A lot of people

Feelings: JLam from MeSoHungry had another great backyard party at LockInn Bar in Williamsburg. This time was Chili Cook-off 2008 where various different chili dishes competed for the glorious hookah trophy in the crisp autumn weather. The winner was Chili Verde: a spicy blend of Tomatillo sauce and tender pork. JLam's new creation, Chili Pumpkin Pie was actually quite tasty and spicy-sweet, and it captured people's imagination and their bowels. The night was accompanied by live performances of JOTU, David Dondero (Amazing!), and White on White Rice.

Post Party Snacks: Fabiane's 142 N5th St

Feelings: We discussed Chili dishes over decadent Chocolate Caramel Cup and took home some Coconut Macaroons. Delicious way to end the night.

Chez GB Vegan Dinner 10-16-2008

Pictures courtesy of BeBe and Sa-Sha

"Tofu + Cashews = Ricotta"

Location: Secret Greenpoint location
Time: 7pm
People: Showtime Ops Crew!

Feelings: GB invited the Showtime Ops Crew for a night of nice vegan meal. She entertained us with amazing homemade stuffed zucchini and baked Ziti, and Sa-Sha brought flavorful cauliflower with curry spices. We were pleasantly surprised by baked Ziti: When you combine tofu and cashews, it gives the exact texture and flavors of Ricotta cheese! Both vegans and carnivores equally stuffed themselves with variety of delicious vegan home cooked meals. One night of vegan meals was a success. Well done, GB!

Other Feelings: PeCi makes awesome party music.
Major Discovery at GB's house: Banana Bunker - This protects a banana from bruising and provides steady flow of saucy conversations.

Tokyo Bar Night 10-14-2008

"Ketchup, Safe Sex on the Beach and the place of seduction."
Location: 277 Church St.
Time: 7pm
People: 15 Ramen and Friends :KN, PMont and "the Boss", BeBe, Sa-Sha, GB, BLee, CarlA, TrishP, JLam from MeSoHungry, RB, MGru, ALev, JV and myself

Feelings: Ramen and Friends ventured out to Tribeca's new Japanese Yoshoku style (modern Japanese food with Western influences) restaurant. The place was decorated meticulously by pop creative director, Mr. Kashiwa Sato. A mural of a Japanese model dressed in a French maid outfit laying on a bed, a Manga binder mosaic, and beautifully illustrated anime characters punctuate this eye popping yet minimalist aesthetic. Every detail of the place was kitschy yet modern with metropolitan Tokyo vibe. Their attentive Japanese style service was even better than the decor, and they made sure that our dinner was enjoyable. As for food, they offer authentic Japanese Yoshoku menu as well as Izakaya tapas and various alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks such as "Safe Sex on the Beach" and "Mint Cooler." Omu-Rice, Curry, Takoyaki, and Calamari- every dish we ordered reminded me of the real Tokyo style Japanese food. If I had to list one negative reaction to this cute little theme bar, it would be the "Napolitan" Spaghetti. Although it was delicious, it is made with a ketchup based sauce. This is typical of Japanese Napolitan sauce, but perhaps it should've been cheaper than $13? How much is ketchup anyway?

Post ketchup experience: B Flat Bar 277 Church St. Right next door, owned by the same people of Tokyo Bar
Feelings: The best bar with best dessert dishes! They have amazing Sake ice cream, tasty cocktails, ultra attentive service, clean bathrooms, and fantastic Jazz music. We had come to the conclusion that this is THE place to seduce your lady friend.

Otafuku Afternoon 10-12-2008

"Excuse me New York Magazine, but this stuff is from my hometown, Osaka! Not Tokyo."

Location: 236 E. 9th St
Time: 6pm
People: RB and myself
Feelings: Coming from Osaka, I know Osakan soul food: Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki and Yakisoba. This place is probably the only authentic place in Manhattan that reminds me of an Osakan street vendor and even makes me forget that I'm actually in New York... except for the fact that you will NEVER wait 20 minutes for any food in Osaka. My people are known to be quite impatient when it comes to food, and the customers would probably just yell at them and move on. The reason this place is still popular and surviving is because this is the ONLY place in the city that serves take away convincing Osakan street food. If you have a severe craving for Takoyaki, but you don't have $1200 plus fuel fees to fly to Osaka, you should make an emergency run here.

Thank you Foodist Colony!

These are exciting times at Ramen and Friends. Our Rockmeisha- Batch Night was featured in Foodist Colony! Thank you Foodist Colony!

Gobo Night 10-04-2008

"Yum yum Yucca Fries!"

Location: 401 6th Ave
Time: 6:30pm
People: RB and myself
Feelings: I have my go-to vegan spots around Manhattan, and Gobo is one of them. They have the best appetizers (bring on more Yucca Fries please!) and many selections of organic gluten free beer and tea. We can enjoy variety of flavorful vegan dishes that prove their tag line, "Food for Five Senses." My Green Tea Noodles with Vegan Bolognese was sweet and sour and pefectly resembled Bolognese sauce. RB's Nori Wrapped Tofu in Thai Red Curry Sauce was delicious and inspired us to try making them at home. Their service is always amazing, and overall, they have yet to dissapoint us. Some more Yucca Fries for the road please!

Chelsea Thai Wholesale 10-03-2008

"No drama, just good Thai."

Location: 75 Ninth Ave inside Chelsea Market
People: RB and myself
Feelings: When you pass all the the shelves packed with South Asian groceries and get to the counter, you're ready to order deliciously chewy Pad See Ew and Pad Gra Pow. Their quick and friendly service and generous portions make this place a perfect take out Thai. The food is fresh and perfectly spiced, but it is a bit on the greasy side.

Bann Korean Restaurant Week Lunch 10-03-2008

"The place for KoFu first timers!"
Location: 350 West 50th Street
Time: 12:30pm
People: Lovely DeeC & JS from Marketing
Feelings: DeeC & JS invited me out for lunch at midtown's chic Korean fusion joint, Bann during Korean Restaurant Week. The place has a wonderfully relaxing ambiance, and the menu is very creative. Of course, if you want authentic Korean food, you would need to head down to K-Town, but this is an excellent posh spot in midtown for Ko-Fu (Korean Food) first timers. In fact, this was JS's first Korean food experience, and she enjoyed her Dolsot Bi Bim Bap, finishing all the yummy crispy rice! DeeC and my made-to-order Artisanal Tofu had delicate flavors, and the sauce gave the dish more savory and complex tastes.

Mizu Night 10-01-2008

"Dance around and eat. Gong. Sake bombs on the next seat."

Location: 29 E 20th St
Time: 7pm
People: PMc, JuleR, and myself
Feelings: Mizu is an unpretentious Sushi bar that brings good sushi with relaxed pricing and a fun atmosphere. What makes this place interesting is the blasting Top 40 music with the occasional sound of Gong after customers finish their sake bombs. Need I say more? Bad music + Sushi + Good friends = Good Ramen and Friends Night! SOLD!

Breeze Lunch & Kyotofu with Showtime Ops! 10-01-2008

"Cute and yummy lunch with lovely coworkers is impeccable!"

Location: 661 9th Ave
People: Showtime Operations Crew
Feelings: This is a very cute Thai-French fusion spot in Hell's Kitchen. You can order your standard Thai dishes such as Pad Thai, Pad See Eew and Curry while delicious Wild Mushroom Dumplings give a little French twist. Their slightly unhelpful service gave us a bit of annoyance, but every dish was solid, and the reasonably priced lunch specials were hard to beat.

Post noodle dessert: Kyotofu, 705 9th Ave
Feelings: This vegan friendly Japanese cafe has the best soy soft ice cream! Everything here is delicately presented and gives you a pleasant dessert experience. Chikalicious has found its rival.