Chobani Flip 11-21-2012

Feelings: One of my yogurt staples is Fage total greek yogurt with the sauce attached like a sidecar motorcycle. Their honey flavor is my usual favorite, but today I saw a different, more square shaped packaging at Duane Reade. It turns out it was actually Chobani's new product called Flip, currently only available in the Northeast. There are two flavors available: vanilla chocolate raspberry and honey banana.

The concept of Flip is the same as Fage's, but this one is chunkier, and the yogurt itself already comes with flavors sans the typical Greek yogurt thickness. The vanilla chocolate raspberry flavor I tried was, to me, no longer a breakfast product--it was dessert. The chunks of dark chocolate are mixed into creamy vanilla yogurt, and the sweet and tangy raspberry from the side compartment makes this yogurt even more decadent.

The portion of yogurt is very small, and the tartness is almost completely nonexistent. With 23 grams of sugar, I suppose this is indeed a sweet treat but a healthy alternative to ice cream with chunks.

Five Tacos 11-17-2012

Location: 119 St. Marks Pl.
Time: 12:30pm
People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: Sometimes simplicity is the best. Such is the case with the name of East Village taquerilla,  Five Tacos. They serve tacos with five different types of fillings: pulled chicken, pulled pork, vegetarian, spicy chorizo and ground spiced beef. Perhaps the world would be a much better place if everything is more simply named. "Hi, My name is Girl-from-Japan-who-likes-shoes-and-ramen." We would never have to waste any moment chit chatting with strangers at some boring party.

Five Tacos is owned by the people behind Ten Degrees bar next door. Since they are open late (4am on weekends), this little spot would be perfect for late night bites or hangover lunches. This white-tiled space is clean and inviting, and we had a relaxing lunch at the counter.

The vegetarian filling ($3.67 for taco) is made of ginger butternut squash and spiced red bell peppers, which was flavorful with interesting textures. Usually veggie tacos tend to be unexciting, and the only flavor comes from guacamole or cheese, but their veggie taco is uniquely flavored and inventive. I was disappointed by their bland tortilla, but it was compensated by their signature sauces.

The sauces are what make this place unique. There are five different sauces on the counter you can generously squirt. The Tequila chipotle mayo, Hickory bourbon BBQ, Spicy coconut masala, Hot habenero jerk, and the devil's sauce add interesting twists to each bite.

RB thought his pulled chicken burrito was flavorful and an interesting change from the typical mission style burrito. He really began enjoying it as he started squirting the sauces. The burrito is tasty, but the real selling point is sitting at the counter and trying a different sauce with each bite.

Actually, they do serve more than tacos. Quesadillas ($5.97), burritos ($7.35) and platos ($7.35) can be assembled with one of the five fillings. So they really should name themselves "Five Fillings," or perhaps "Five Sauces."

Happy Thanksgiving! 11-21-2012

Feelings: Happy Thanksgiving from Ramen and Friends! If you need to buy last minute Thanksgiving pie, check out this link!

Taiwanese Specialties 11-13-2012

Location: 8402 Broadway, Elmhurst
Time: 7:30pm
People: 10 Ramen and Friends: ALev, Yasmin, Deborah, MGill, Jill, Kavie, RoRo, Alexis, RB and myself

Feelings: The winner of the best Taiwanese in the Village Voice 2011, Taiwanese Specialties, formerly known as David's Taiwanese Gourmet serves nothing but that. There is a vast number of authentic Taiwanese foods on the menu, including an ambitious variety of offal dishes.

While the excited friends tried everything from pig's stomach soup ($5.25) to intestine dishes, the pungent aroma of the stinky tofu (fermented tofu) hit our senses hard. "This tastes like the F train," I said, and the others agreed. It was perhaps closer to the G train around 2am. Even as a natto lover, I could not bring myself to fully enjoy this distinct smell. Later ALev mentioned that it in fact tastes much better with the generous amount of sauce and garnish.

They featured many dishes over rice , and considering the brisk weather, hot pots seemed to be very popular among other patrons. Shredded pork and pork chops satisfied everyone at our table, but vegetarian dishes are almost nonexistent at this place. The house special rice cake ($6.25), which was of course accompanied by plenty of pork, was delicious and well flavored. I usually pick out non meat elements from meat involved dishes, but it was incredibly difficult to do so here since every dish had more than little meat. Meat lovers, rejoice! Vegetarians may want to stay clear of this place unless you enjoy licking the floor of the F train.

Reasonable prices, big portions, and fast service keep this place always busy. Taiwanese Specialties seems to be yet another reason for a visit in Elmhurst.

Henry's Express 11-03-2012

Location: 331 Henry St.
Time: 9am

Feelings: Located in between two amazing eateries, Hibino and Henry Public, Henry's Express is a reliable, no-fuss deli. There is limited counter seating, but at this Korean influenced spot, you can expect to take out some tasty breakfast sandwiches, philly cheese steak heroes, burgers as well as Korean dishes like bulgogi and bi bim bap. Coffee is never burnt or weak and far cheaper than the designer coffee shops in the area. The service is also quite efficient and very friendly. Upon RB's second time visit at this joint, the man behind the counter already knew what he was ordering. Either they are incredibly competent or RB left them some alluring, lasting impression.

My favorite, egg whites and tomatoes on whole wheat, is a perfect Saturday morning breakfast. The eggs are fluffy and perfectly cooked, and the tomatoes are superbly fresh. The exciting part is that their sandwiches come already well seasoned and flavored, so you really don't need to add anything unlike many delis.

Henry's Express is a simple place, mainly popular among the hospital workers across the street. But this is definitely a neighborhood staple, and it is refreshing to see an uncomplicated and tasty local place in this all-too-often posh and modern Cobble Hill.

Kulushkat 11-04-2012

Location: 446 Dean St. BK
Time: 12pm
People: CK, RB and myself

Feelings: Thanks to Sahadi's, Damascus, and Yemen Cafe, we are completely spoiled by amazing Middle Eastern eats in the neighborhood. In fact, RB has this rather interesting ritual every Sunday early afternoon while CK naps. He would quietly walk out of the apartment, grab a tall boy of beer from the corner bodega and a spicy falafel sandwich from Damascus Bakery, come home and enjoy them quietly while checking his Celtics blog. As financially strained parents, we don't have much luxury, but this is something he could look forward to every week.

We took a short trip over to the new Barclay Center and came across Kulushkat, an Israeli take out spot (with some stools and counter available) that serves amazing falafel with fresh, quality ingredients. The falafel here is magical. The falafel is incredibly crispy and dark, but when you bite into it, it is airy with full of flavors without much greasiness. This is falafel on the next level--similar to Taim's but more affordable (RB actually liked it better).

If you can't choose between shawarma and falafel like RB, Shawafel Pita ($10.50, chicken shawarma sauteed, falafel, hummus, red cabbage salad and tahini) is highly recommended. He thought the chicken was tender and deliciously spiced, and the falafel was moist and flavorful. He was also happy to see skhug, Isreali hot sauce on the menu but was disappointed by the added 50 cents.

I certainly love falafel, but not as much as RB where I would need a moment of silence to truly appreciate it. But there are two things that are worth hopping the train for here: the Israeli Breakfast ($6) and the lemonana ($3), Israeli style mint lemonade. The breakfast special includes: two amazingly flaky bourekas, hard boiled eggs with Israeli salad, madboukha and creamy babaganoush along with hot tea. What a great deal for $6!

The lemonade comes in a gigantic cup, full of mint leaves and refreshing lemon. It is never too sweet or bitter. Just right. I can't wait to explore the neighborhood in the summer with this rejuvenating, addictive cold drink.

I am not sure how the opening of Barclay Center would affect the business, but if you ever need a quick flavorful bite before or after the games, definitely stop by at Kulushkat. In this thriving, ever changing neighborhood, Kulushkat will certainly satisfy diverse clientele.

Treats Truck Stop 10-28-2012

Location: 521 Court St. BK
Time: 2:30pm
People: CK and friends, RB and myself

Feelings: The Sunday before the Hurricane Sandy, the neighborhood of BoCoCa was tense. The stores and restaurants were closing up early, and the people were packing up important last minute necessities like beer and wine. Despite the tension in the air, CK and friends had a Halloween get together at The Treats Truck Stop in Carroll Gardens. It was the last chance to get some wiggles out before the storm. Conveniently the Treats Truck outpost was hosting a Halloween party especially for kids. Free goodie bags, make-your-own- Halloween cookie plates, costumes were all available, and both kids and adults without kids were having a great time. Adults with kids were of course exhausted and barely moving.

The cozy and adorable front space is perfect for those adults in search of sweet treats and a giant bowl of tea from Harney & Son's sans child. They also offer strong coffee, breakfast and light lunch menu. If you are with child, however, check out the back room. This cozy niche is packed with toys and books with a view of the kitchen, which is an ideal space for kids.

The service is prompt and friendly, and the owner Ms. Kim Ima is truly delightful. It is no wonder why New Yorkers love Treats Truck, and I am certain this Treats Truck Stop will be a Carroll Garden staple, serving all the local kids and grown ups who are nostalgic of the retro treats.

Pret on 50th/8th Ave is Open! 11-05-2012

Feelings: Pret on 50th Street and 8th Avenue is now open--in case you are too cold to walk down to the 6th Avenue location. I just got my usual shrimp wrap which tasted just like any other Pret's.

Hurricane 11-02-2012

Feelings: My thoughts and prayers are with all the neighborhoods affected by Sandy. We are doing fine in Brooklyn sans internet connections and subways.