Happy Thanksgiving! 11-28-2013

Feelings: Oh, Thanksgiving feast, vegetarian style--turkey ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins + Ceci Cela's apple tarte tatin. Happy Thanksgiving from Ramen and Friends!

Happy Thanksgivukkah!!! 11-26-2013

Happy Thanksgivukkah everyone! ...and there's a bagel shop in Queens that's serving great ramen. Amazing.

Potatopia 11-13-2013

Location: 378 6th Ave.
Time: 6:30pm

Feelings: Potatopia, a really complicated word for me to pronounce with my Osakan-British-Florida-New York accent, is a spud focused chain out of New Jersey. With all natural ingredients, this place is all about choices. Think potato utopia of Chipotle.

You can either choose from their signature meals like "Frequent Friers ($6.75)" and "Curly Sue," or build your own freestyle. The possibilities would make me want to scream, "Just go freakin' make it yourself." First you pick the method of potato cooking: smashed, skin chips, curly, au gratin, baked, shoe string, baked sweet potato, sweet potato crinkle, or potato chips. Add toppings, protein, and sauce, and voila, you've got yourself a splendid starch heaven.

"Smashed Hit" (Mashed potato, house salt and pepper, cheddar cheese, asiago cheese, green onion, red onion, garlic, cilantro with roasted pepper, eggs or meats for extra) is flavorful with overflowing amounts of various cheeses and garlic. If you are doing a take out, be aware of angry stares on the F train towards the pungent aroma of french fries and onions. It might not be the best date spot, but it is a perfect place for late night munchies or decadent lunches. (open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays)

But tragically poutine is unavailable at Potatopia. Where is the Canadian love, eh?

A.B. Biagi 11-02-2013

Location: 235 Elizabeth St.
Time: 4pm
People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: A.B. Biagi brings tasty Italian gelato to Nolita by way of Mr. Biagi's home, Sao Paolo, Brazil. Until now, it was always difficult to find a decent gelato shop in the area unless you head to West Village or Lower East Side. But thanks to this cute and crafty A.B, Biagi, local shoppers and tourists can all enjoy this authentic Italian treat in the heart of Soho.

The gelato is made in premise in a small kitchen in the back. They cover all Italian classics like hazelnut and pistachio, but there are definite Brazilian influences here. Passion fruit, acai, bergamot, herbs and lighter notes of the sweet delights can also be found in this bright yellow shop.

The texture of the Chocolate with Tonka gelato (small $4.75) is smooth and creamy. The rich chocolate was complimented by the 'cinnamon-y' hint of the Tonka beans. It is literally as if eating a chunk of high quality chocolate in a form of luscious gelato. Decadent vegan peanut butter is also available for vegans or anyone who enjoys peanut butter.

Best ingredients, lovely customer service, perfect location-- what else can you ask for? Enjoy a scoop of their scrumptious, creamy treat is perfect even in 40 degree weather!

The Pickle Shack 11-10-2013

Location: 256 4th Ave. BK
Time: 1pm
People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: Brooklyn Brine pickles + Dogfish Head Brewery = Delicious pickle-centric, vegetable focused establishment without all that nasty fake meat. With Runner and Stone's bread, large selection of infused beer and all house made condiments, this place is a perfectly delicious Gowanus/South Slope destination.

The fried pickles ($6) are a must. Battered in cornmeal and served in a small cast-iron skillet, the dish is not too greasy or salty. They are just right and the sour dipping sauce is a perfect compliment. Various hearty sandwiches ($9-$14) are also available as well as pickle plates, fries, pretzels and usual pub favorite with a twist. The artichoke sandwich is divine. Fluffy rustic bread, chipotle carrot pickles, grilled artichoke with babaganoush-- a true match made in vegetable heaven.

RB's mushroom and egg sandwich is very nice indeed--the cantrell mushrooms have a great flavor and texture, and the bread is wholesome and fluffy.

When the weather is nice, their 40-seat backyard would be ideal for a lazy outdoor gathering that is oh-so Brooklyn. Regardless of the temperature outside, the good people of the Pickle Shack will take a great care of your food and beverages.

If you order fries, definitely ask for extra house made ketchup that is tangy and sweet. We were ready to buy it right there, but it was sadly not for sale. Dear Brooklyn Brine people, please sell this ketchup immediately.

SCRATCHbread+Dough Donuts 11-02-2013

Location: 1069 Bedford Ave, BK (Scatch)/305 Franklin Ave, BK (Dough)
Time: 10:30am
People: RB and myself

SCRATCHbread is a small bakery and comfort food counter located in Bed Stuy, conveniently located in walking distance from CK's Saturday Japanese School -- and for the record, I did not choose the school based on this. From blocks away you will see the line of 20 somethings, all groggy from the night before waiting for a delicious hangover cure.

SCRATCHbread serves pastries, breakfast sandwiches, custom made stone-mill grits and other savory and sweet breadie treats out of a small window on the side of the building.

RB tried the grits ($3 for small, $6 for large) with avocado, thick bacon, and soft egg ($1 extra each). This delicious concoction was a perfect breakfast and in a convenient to-go cup, something that other restaurants do not offer. The gooey egg poured over the al-dente grits and the crisp bacon was a nice contrast of texture. The cup-o-grits is a perfect quick alternative for someone who wants the convenience of a bagel, with the heartiness of a southern breakfast.

After our grits adventure, we walked over to Dough, an artisan doughnut shop located of Lafayette Ave. Offering so many interesting and decadent circular pastry options, we found it difficult to choose just one. To our delight, as we reached the head of the line, they put out a fresh batch of salted chocolate and caramel, and our decision was made. This is not a treat that is eaten easily or without a handful of napkins and wetnaps, but we were all smiles. All salted choclate caramel glazed smiles.