Ramen and Friends

Ai Fiori 02-07-2012

2012-02-13T09:26:00.010-05:00

Location: 400 5th Ave. 2nd Fl.

Time: 12:30pm

People: Effie and myself

Feelings: I am skeptical of restaurant week since I am not interested in fine dining (except, perhaps, The Modern), and there seems to be a less inventive menu available. But since I heard a lot about Ai Fiori from many of my co-workers, I decided to give it a try.

Located in the Setai Hotel, Ai Fiori is not a particularly gorgeous restaurant. It is something your suburban mother-in-law would find it opulent, but for two Rick Owens and Alexander McQueen obsessed gals, it is rather dowdy and uninspiring. I felt it was a cross between a cruise ship and a funeral home. There is a wide view of 5th Avenue, but seriously, is anyone impressed with a view of 36th Street?

The dining was more casual comparatively to other conventional spots. I felt quite comfortable dining here thanks to their warm hospitality. If the interior of this restaurant was more minimalistic and modern, this would be a better fit for the service.

The restaurant week lunch menu ($24) consisted of three courses of appetizer, entree and dessert. All dishes carried the well executed and rustic locavore flavors. The insalata (seasonal greens, local baby carrots, manchego, aged sherry) was fresh and earthy beyond our imagination. Celebrity chef Michael White is known for his pasta, so of course we could not possibly wrong with the Tagliatelle (house made ribbon pasta, funghi ragout). The pasta was thick, chewy, and quite delicious, but the dish overall was rather lackluster. To finish off the meal, the Olive Oil Cake (lemon, espresso gelato) had a nice balance of subtle sweetness and light oiliness. It had a similar texture and flavor to Japanese castella. Effie's Milk Chocolate Cremeux was little too sweet and heavy and overshadowed the meal.

The food at Ai Fiori was quite delicious and modern with some intensely flavored and whimsical dishes. I would love for them to drop this suburban chic decor because I would love to be as far away from Long Island as possible. In the end, however, the food is all that matters.

Shelsky's Smoked Fish 02-05-2012

2012-02-08T12:13:00.013-05:00

Location: 251 Smith St. BK

Time: 12:30pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: I must consume about 300 bagels a year. My nutritionist would yell at me, but I just need my morning coffee and "butta bagel." If it's the bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon you crave, most New Yorkers would head to Russ and Daughters in LES. But us BoCoCa residents do have an option that does not require a Metrocard. We now have Shelsky's Smoked Fish. I think my annual bagel count is about to rise.

A fantastic array of smoked fish, salads and cream cheese are on display as you enter this small, but quaint shop. It feels like old New York, but when you look closely, there are several interesting items that are unique to gentrified Brooklyn. "House cured clementine and ginger salmon" ($11.99), "David Burke pastrami salmon," ($11.99) and a sandwich like "The Tribute" ($13, horseradish cream cheese, smoked whitefish salad and wasabi tobiko) prove that this is quite a modern Brooklyn place with an inventive menu.

I usually despise cream cheese, but when I tried RB's bagel with "Ben's Cream Cheese," all my prejudice disappeared. It was light and airy, and I could not believe it was cream cheese. Tasting more like whipped creamy butter, this cream cheese created a sinful spread of schmear. The bagel from Kossar's was a perfection as well. The crispy outer layer with soft and chewy inside was everything a traditional Brooklyn bagel should be-- I would eat this every morning.

Forget Atkins, forget brunch. Just grab a bagel with scrumptious schmears and stroll around the neighborhood. They have pretty decent coffee as well!

Cafe Bene 01-31-2012

2012-02-06T09:29:00.013-05:00

Location: 1605 Broadway

Time: 12:30pm

People: SaSha, AP and myself

Feelings: After Aussie pie spot, Pie Face and Korean coffee giant, Cafe Bene opened near my work, I have a new found appreciation for Times Square. I am completely obsessed with Pie Face's strong Aussie coffee, so it would be difficult for me to go elsewhere at the moment. But we walked in at Bene, hoping to find something for lunch.

It is an impressive, massive space. There is a large seating area in the back and plenty of food options to choose from. Even though this chain reigns from Korea, don't expect authentic Korean food. The most Korean product you could find here is Misugaru, traditional Korean smoothie.

There are savory and sweet waffles, pastries and donuts ($3.25) that looked and tasted suspiciously similar to DOUGH in Brooklyn. Plenty of pre-packed sandwiches, wraps, and sushi like shrimp inari were also available, and in that respect, it seemed quite similar to Pret. Bene, however, is much more reasonable. I got a "Ricotta, Spinach and Egg Wrap" ($4.99, with whole wheat tortilla) and a green tea panna cotta ($2.75), and it came under $9. Since when can we get a wrap and a dessert for under $9 in Times Square?!

Everything here tasted light and subtly flavored. Nothing was too sweet or salty which may contrast with the Times Square's flavor of Applebee's. But with their bold, strong coffee ($1.75 for small drip), I am certain they will attract wider range of audience. Perhaps the end of Starbucks is near thanks to Bene and Pie Face.

Sadie's Kitchen 01-27-2012

2012-02-01T09:47:00.006-05:00

Location: 243 Degraw St. BK

Time: 7pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: Most people would not look forward to oral surgery. For me, on the other hand, it was a mini vacation. I got to take a few days off from work, get some rest and watch terrible TV all by myself-- the kind of time I haven't had since the arrival of CK. Most people also tend to lose weight after dental surgery, but I successfully and sadly prevented this by my drug of choice (besides the Tylenol with Codeine) - mac and cheese.

I was never a fan of mac and cheese, mainly because of my lactose issue, but I also find the flavor to be bland and the texture to be boring. But at Sadie's Kitchen, a 30's style Southern food spot, defies my cheesy prejudice.

"Miss Sadie's," original mac and cheese, ($7, cheddar, stewed tomatoes, potato chip topping) was an amazing concoction of smooth cheese, fresh and tangy stewed tomatoes and perfectly cooked pasta. It was not overly heavy or salty, and it was a perfectly sophisticated portion of mac and cheese.

RB's "Ms Elba's Voodoo" ($10, fried bourbon chicken, cheddar, blue cheese, jalapeno, hot sauce)

was decadent and delightful. Instead of tiny pieces in the dish, he was pleasantly surprised by the large chunks of deliciously spicy chicken served as a topping to the pasta. The flavor of the chicken was amazing by itself, but the combination of the crispy chicken with the creaminess of the mac and cheese with a nice kick of heat was perfection.

The mac and cheese is the signature dish of this cafe, but their buttermilk biscuits ($2 each) are equally scrumptious with flaky outer layers and pillowy inside.

The tooth agony may have subsided, but my desire for Sadie's mac and cheese has not!

Pie Face 1-25-2012

2012-01-30T11:15:00.009-05:00

Location: 1691 Broadway

Time: 3pm

People: AP and myself

Feelings: To honor the eve of Australia Day (in fact, they are a day ahead in Australia anyway), we headed to a newly opened Australian meat pie chain, Pie Face. They serve both savory and sweet pies as well as sandwiches, pastries and delicious coffee. When it comes to Aussie pie shops, Tuck Shop and Dub Pies come to mind, but Pie Face is a nice addition only a block away from my work.

As we waited in line, the shop staff told us that espresso is huge in Sydney and that there are coffee shops everywhere. I recall how our Aussie friend, GB was quite particular about her coffee. As suspected, AP's regular coffee was full bodied, rich and delicious, and my decaf Americano was strong with a full of flavor. We'll no doubt be getting our morning coffee here from now on.

There are seven different savory pies ($5.95) to choose from, and they are also available in mini size ($2.95) if you are feeling guilty about consuming the buttery crust. For those who are more adventurous like AP, definitely upgrade your savory pie to a "Stack," ($7.95) which is topped with mash potatoes, gravy and peas. This Stack looks like a savory cupcake and is quite a reasonable meal. "I enjoyed the vegetarian option but found the meat pie flavorful and hearty," said AP.

Each pie has a different face, and the overall packaging is light-hearted and adorable. My "Tandoori Vegetable" was subtly spicy and scrumptious although the dough was not as crusty as I had expected. It is definitely more buttery and doughy compared to other Australian pies I have tried.

One small issue is that when you enter the store, there is a giant glass case. It is filled with cute pie faces, but it is so big that it creates this distance between the customers and the staff on the other side. With a loud traffic from Broadway, I may have to shamelessly shout, "One vegetable pie and coffee please! What? No, not a mini, a large pie!"

The Smile 01-23-2012

2012-01-25T09:58:00.009-05:00

Location: 26 Bond St.

Time: 12:30pm

People: RB and myself

Feelings: No matter how hard it tries, Manhattan is not Brooklyn. Such was my thought as I entered The Smile on Bond street. The rustic decor with exposed brick walls and littered with unemployed hipsters scream Williamsburg. Especially the lifeless waiter who was able to mutter, "Hey." Not "Are you ready to order?" or "Can I start with you guys with some drinks?." She just said, "Hey," as if we were in her way. A bit of irony for a place called "The Smile." In Brooklyn, at least in BoCoCa, most servers are extremely friendly and courteous regardless of how hip they seem. It seems the servers in Manhatten are too cool to even be in Williamsburg.

It is a good thing that the waiter was coquettishly cute, and the food was delicious. Prices were also reasonable for the large portion provided. The "Rosemary White Bean Spread Sandwich" ($10.50, with marinated swiss chard, housemade tomato jam on toasted multigrain) was creatively invented, and it is a heavenly option for vegetarians. The sweet tomato jam fused with the smooth beans followed by the texture of the greens created a dynamic flavor. You don't always need to resort to cheese and avocado to create tasty meatless sandwiches.

RB's Harissa Honey Roasted Chicken Breast ($12, with roasted red peppers, manchego and preserved lemon mayo on baguette) was tender and flavorful. Although it seemed like a simple sandwich, there was quite a delicious complexity of flavors and texture.

Both of our sandwiches were served with crispy potato chips and a bowl of delicious pickles. They made me smile, even if the servers were not. We enjoyed the meal and the atmosphere nonetheless.

The Modern at MoMa 01-19-2012

2012-01-23T09:43:00.025-05:00

Location: 9 West 53rd st.

Time: 12:45pm

People: FA and myself

Feelings: I am not a fan of fine dining. The pricing has a lot to do with it, but I've never felt fine dining to be romantic or extraordinary. It reminds me of the most stressful moments of finishing school and leaves feelings of distance and unapproachability. I am often bored to tears, and I much prefer cheap eats rather than having one fancy outing. The Modern at the MoMa, however, may have changed my mind.

The Modern, with a view of the MoMa sculpture garden, has contemporary architectural design that would match the museum itself. From each utensil, plate to a napkin holder, it is visually stunning, without the feel of gaudiness or trashiness that can be found at many fine restaurants. The service is impeccable but not over the top, and everything flows so naturally.

The price is not too bad either. At $55 for prix fixe lunch, you get two spoons of amuse-bouches, soup, two courses, dessert and chocolates. It isn't cheap, but if you went to a regular lunch spot and order four-five courses, you would spend about $50.

Every flavor was vibrant. All the senses were awakened on my palate, and there was not a moment of relaxation. It was quite a workout. The Seasonal Greens (goat cheese ravioli, beet carpaccio, and truffle vinaigrette) were light and delicate. The greens were flawlessly fresh, and the portion was bigger than expected. The gentle texture of Slow Roasted Scottish Salmon (poppy seeds, heirloom and sicilian pistachio emulsion) left me speechless. Exquisitely prepared, it was a piece of heaven. No wonder people at these fine restaurants are so damn quiet: the dishes grab your attention and leave you almost incoherent.

Along with La Colombe coffee, I finished the meal with Coffee and Vanilla Sundae, followed with an assortment of chocolates from the chocolate cart. This was an amazing end to our meal. The strong cocoa flavor of the chocolates refreshed and cleansed my palate, and I was ready to take on the rest of the day.

Don't get me wrong--I am still a cheap eat snob. I'd take a bowl of ramen over a French full course any day. But The Modern was able to create an intimate setting with artful dishes...all without losing that soulfullness. Who knows, I may start brownbagging and splurge on The Modern once a month.

Himalayan Yak 01-10-2012

2012-01-19T09:54:00.014-05:00

Location: 72-20 Roosevelt Ave. Queens

Time: 7:30pm

People: 15 Ramen and Friends: ALev, MGru, MLev, JT, JBH, BLee, Effie, JLam-MeSoHungry, SaSha (check out here for her Butter Tea report), MaSha, Rich, Merry, Yasmin, RB and myself

Feelings: To celebrate the new year with friends, we headed out to Himalayan Yak in Jackson Heights, located right under the train tracks. With a name like this one, you would think they would be serving yak meat everywhere, but it was quite the contrary. It was present on the menu, but the availability was nonexistent.

Unfortunately, the service was incredibly slow and inattentive - so much so, that we had to pay extra for our babysitter. If you are a parent and going out to Himalayan Yak, make sure that your babysitter is available for an extra hour. Rich does not like being too critical of waiters, stating, "We're a surprisingly large group and I feel like there's language and cultural barriers between us and the people working at the restaurants we like to go to." But even he felt the server didn't know what to do or wasn't paying much attention. Effie noted that they were nice when they were actually serving, however.

Appetizers such as lollipop chicken ($5.99), mung-bean jelly and momos were well received at the table. The momos were ethereal yet greasy, and the skin to filling ratio was excellent. They were not outstanding by any means, but they were tasty regardless.

The three different dipping sauces were the highlight of the meal. "Although the orange one was a little too herbal for me, they each added some interesting flavor and heat if needed," said Merry.

While waiting for our meal, we enjoyed butter tea and tingmo, Tibetan steamed bread. The tea tasted much like a milder version of royal milk tea with a hint of saltiness. The bread was similar to Chinese bun without any filling or flavor whatsoever. It is interesting to taste something without any added flavor, and I enjoyed every bite of it. The American culinary scene is all about strong flavors, so it is refreshing to see subtle, or even nonexistent flavors. With other prominent flavors on the table, this bread provided an excellent ying-yang combination. Just don't let the soft, pillowy texture fool you since this is incredibly filling.

When it comes to entrees, there were mixed reviews. Since it took such a long time for them to serve us, our butter tea was cold, and there is nothing worse than cold butter juice. Even Paula Dean would not dare to drink such a thing. BLee and JBH's meat dishes were cold by they time they arrived. SaSha enjoyed her cauliflower and potato dish (Aloo Kauli Ko Tarkari, $6.99) describing, "had a nice spice and heat to it." Merry also liked the beef tongue ($11.99). "The meat was tender and the sauce was nice--just enough heat."

Gyathuk, the hand pulled noodle soup Yasmin and I ordered ($8.99) were hearty and tasty with subtle flavor. Since other dishes had occasional spunky flavors, this was a nice little break for my palate. The American cheese curry dish we tried was interesting and "tasted like something from Chili's," Rich said.

Overall, as BLee said, we are not sure if they presented a fair demonstration of Tibetan food. "Tibetan food is heavy and starchy because the climate is cold and most people there are engaged in physical labor that requires lots of calories--it was not memorable and not good value," she added. JBH also felt that it was "nothing that we'd specifically come over there for."

I felt that the carb and vegetable dishes here are excellent and well priced, but it would be wise to avoid the meat dishes since most of them were tough and some inedible. Perhaps they only know how to cook yak after all.

Himalayan Yak would be great if you are:

1) with a large group who does not mind waiting and could use some extra time to catch up.

2) a vegetarian who enjoys carb loading.

3) eager to watch interesting Himalayan programming on their TV monitor.

4) in love with butter in a liquid form.

The Tea Set 01-05-2012

2012-01-17T10:03:00.020-05:00

Location: 235 W. 12th St.

Time: 12pm

People: Effie, JR and myself

Feelings: Most women, regardless of country of origin or age, enjoy three elements in life: a cute little French cafe, tea, and a buttery croissant. On a chilly Thursday afternoon, this cozy French cafe in West Village was packed with women, warming up to a beautifully brewed pot of tea. The attentive service from a charming French owner doesn't hurt either. If men go to a sports bar to release their overactive testosterone, this would be the place women can expell their estrogen without hesitation.

The extensive menu includes breakfast dishes like pastries, eggs, granola and lunch fare like soup, salad, quiches, and sandwiches. Even escargots can be found on the "Winter Day/Brunch" menu, served from 9am to 5pm. My Veggie Croque Croissant ($10, croissant, organic tomato, cheddar, bechamel sauce, organic salad) was not healthy by any means, but it was superbly constructed. The flaky, buttery croissant softly supported the fresh, tangy tomatoes and the creamy sauce. It was of course on a heavy side, but a pot of tea I ordered, genmaicha, soothed the digestion process.

Effie also enjoyed her Organic Eggs in Whole Wheat Croissant ($12, croissant, bechamel sauce, organic cheese, ham, organic salad) with a pot of "Organic French Kiss" tea (rosehip, orange peel. hibiscus, apple and apricot). The bright red-pink color of the tea matched her pink hair, and it was nice sitting across from such an aesthetically striking image of coordination.

JR tried their soy chai tea, but she was not too fond of the strong aroma. Needless to say, I grabbed and finished the rest of it. Thank you JR.

Overall, The Tea Set is a charming cafe with excellent food and tea. It is conveniently located by the 1 train, so why not relax here during your lunch hour over a warm cup of tea and buttery, heavenly croissant? Places like here make me happy to be a girl in NYC.

Akdeniz 12-29-2011

2012-01-11T09:46:00.008-05:00

Location: 19 W. 46th St.

Time: 12:30pm

People: JR and myself

Feelings: Virgo's characteristics: Independent, analytical, organized, cold and fussy. It is hard living as a Virgo. I am constantly trapped in a mental cage and just cannot ever let myself go. If something is not perfect, I get irritated and must fix it immediately or completely abandon it. My old friend JR, a fellow Virgo, understands how insanely fastidious we can be. We often discuss this over lunch and have a good laugh about it.

Today, JR and I met up at a Turkish restaurant, Akdeniz in Little Brazil row in Midtown. The restaurant was packed with tired office workers and cheerful holiday tourists. Don't let the hall-in-the wall vibe of the restaurant fool you. The prices here are not cheap by any means. I ordered humus ($6.50) and lebni ($6.50, thick home made yogurt with walnuts, mint and dill), which were both smooth and creamy but utterly overpriced. I am spoiled by all the amazing yet reasonable places on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, so paying $6.50 for a small plate of hummus does not sound like a good value. But the smoothness of hummus and yogurt went perfectly with their crispy bread, so I forgave the inflated prices.

Unlike my cold appetizers, JR's Greek salad ($8.95, grape leaves, olives, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, feta cheese and olive oil) was a great deal. With tons of cheese, it is something even non salad eaters would enjoy.

Since there aren't many Middle Eastern sit down restaurants in Midtown West, Akdeniz is a solid option for lunch. It is your standard Middle Eastern fare with good service, and if you avoid pricey entrees ($15 and up), you can enjoy salads and various tasty appetizers without spending too much. Overall, it was perfectly acceptable for two finicky Virgos in Midtown.

5 Napkin Burger Astoria 01-01-2012

2012-01-09T09:55:00.014-05:00

Location: 35-01 36th St, Astoria

Time: 5:30pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: I thought about celebrating the traditional Japanese Oshogatsu with RB and CK. I really considered it, but I could not resist my beloved Muppets and Jan Svankmajer (Check out "Little Otik") whose exhibitions are currently held at Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria.

After the visit we were about to explore our old neighborhood, but then I saw 5 Napkin Burger conveniently stood across the street from the museum. The outpost of this Hell's Kitchen burger joint looks much like many suburban chain restaurants: Flat screen TV playing football, giant booth tables, gigantic food portions, and women who dress for men instead of fashion. This would not be an ideal place for RB and I to dine, but it is a perfect place for people with babies. There is even a large playroom for kids in the back, and they actually have a plenty of working high chairs available. Each booth is very roomy --Outback style, so you have an enough space to spread all the baby supplies and toys. This must be why people move out to suburbs.

The menu consisted of burgers, salads, sandwiches and lobster rolls, and for some odd reason, sushi. I am not a big fan of restaurants who do not specialize in one category, so my expectation was not high. But my 5 Napkin Veggie Burger ($11.95, 5N sauce, b&b pickles , lettuce, tomato on multi grain roll), voted as the best veggie burger in Village Voice, was unexpectedly decadent and delicious. Many veggie burgers try to mimic the flavor and texture of the meat, but this one has its own juicy non-meaty flavor. The fresh vegetables, pillowy buns, mayo-tartar like sauce and moist veggie patty created a perfect combination of a harmonious burger that may outdo the meat burgers. Here, veggie burgers are no substitutes.

RB's had the 5Napkin Burger ($14.95, 10oz custom ground beef, caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, rosemary aioli on soft white roll) with tater tots. The burger was as sloppy as advertised and may have exceeded the 5 Napkins mentioned. He wasn't terribly fond of the Gruyere cheese and thought it resembled Hollandaise sauce. Overall, RB felt it was a well cooked burger and a nice bun, with a lot of superfluous bells and whistles.

The service was nice and attentive, but the Outback-esque decor was a bit of turn off especially after seeing the surreal visual work of Jan Svankmajer.

But 5 Napkin Burger in Astoria would be a great stop if you are...

1) visiting the museum across the street and too lazy to wander around.

2) craving delicious veggie burgers.

3) with kids.

4) dying to watch Tebow on TV and want to be greeted by hot hostesses while wiping cheese sauce off of your chin.

Epicerie Boulud 12-27-2012

2012-01-05T09:58:00.013-05:00

Location: 1900 Broadway

Time: 12pm

Feelings: I finally found time to stop at the new Century 21 in Lincoln Center, formerly occupied by Barnes and Noble. I was sad to see Barnes and Noble close since I used to be a regular when I lived in the area. The new Century 21 ended up being a bit of disappointment since they did not stock nearly as much as the downtown location. (But I managed to leave with a pair of leopard print boots, of course.) After the madness of Century 21, where should an exhausted, shopped out girl eat? Epicerie Boulud, of course.

Mr. Daniel Boulud opened two spots near Lincoln Center back in May: Boulud Sud, a Mediterranean fine dining restaurant for the savvy Century 21 customers--and Epicerie Boulud, a cafe and bakery with takeout for ladies who bought too many pair of Choos.

There is no seating here--just some communal counters, so it is more take out friendly. There are breads, sandwiches, salads, soups, cheeses, meats and pastries, and their oyster and wine bar opens at 4pm. The ordering system was rather bizarre, and there were a lot of customers who seemed to be as confused as I was. From what I learned, you line up to place an order by the glass case, and wait in a new line at the register to pay or order desserts and drinks. I ordered the "Vegetable du Jour" salad ($7.50) with butternut squash. It was a very small dish, about 1/3 size of the standard New York salad bowl, but it was a meticulously created salad with powerful flavors and textures. So much so that if this was a big salad, it might be too overwhelming.

Since the salad was so petite, I also picked up my favorite French pastry, canele ($3). I prefer the outer layer to be crispier, but it was quite dense, chewy and scrumptious nonetheless.

Overall, the concept of Epicerie Boulud is similar to Bouchon Bakery. I feel Bouchon has more approachable look and simpler menu that would attract a wider clientele. The next time I am near Lincoln Center, which is rare indeed, I will make sure to go back to Epicerie Boulud for more delicious pastries.

Family Recipe 12-27-2011

2012-01-03T10:22:00.025-05:00

Location: 231 Eldridge St.

Time: 8:30pm

People: RB and myself

Feelings: When I tell people that I cook Japanese food for CK almost every night, I hear questions like, "You make sushi and ramen everyday?" Sushi and ramen are indeed delicious Japanese staples, but they are far from Japanese homestyle meals. I am sure if Japanese people ate those dishes everyday, the famous longest life expectancy rate would drop dramatically.

After meeting up with JLam and friends in East Village for some drinks, RB and I headed over to a new Japanese gastropub, Family Recipe in Lower East Side. Here, you can taste Japanese homecooking with a twist of different culinary cultures created by a Tokyo-born Akiko Turnauer whose resume includes Nobu and Kitchen Club.

The space is cramped but sleek. I recommend getting here early. There were some counter seats available, but we were asked to wait for few minutes for a table that was opening shortly. The service was prompt and friendly with Japanese hospitality. The staff was not Japanese, but they had the mannerism and politeness that exuded Japanese politeness.

The menu was a bit confusing. We were unsure what was an appetizer, tapas or main dish, but it seemed all were meant to be shared. There were many vegan and vegetarian dishes available, for most Japanese homecooking involves much vegetarian food with dashi. Japanese home cooking staples like tsukemono ($6) and fish could be found as well as a more New York favorite, pork belly buns ($12.50 for two). We skipped what seemed to be the smaller plates and just ordered two multi grain rice bowls: Slow-cooked grass fed 36 hour short ribs ($17 with spring onion, hot sesame miso sauce) and sesame burdock root and carrot ($12 with pine nut, nori, carrot sauce).

The rice bowls were served in small cast iron pots. People who are used to Korean cuisine might be disappointed by the lack of crispy rice, but we don't have a tradition of scraping crispy rice at the bottom. (although I wish we did) The subtle, clean flavor was present--no frills, not traditional Japanese cuisine by any means. It was just your tasty, everyday home meal. RB thought his short ribs were delicious. The scrumptious contrast of texture in the bowl added delight with every bite.

We finished the meal with Goat Milk Panna Cotta ($8) with green tea gelee which was very good. The panna cotta was airy and smooth, and goat milk gave a strong nutty flavor. But we couldn't help but envy the next table enjoying an adorable sextuplet of tiny ice cream cones.

The food was not mind blowing by any means, but it is something that I would crave and want to eat everyday. Family Recipe seems to give an answer to David Chang and the trend of Asian street food: Asian street food and home cooked meals don't need to have powerful flavors. It can be subtle, well balanced and thoughtfully executed. It doesn't need to cater to the mainstream palate or portion standard. I could taste the soulful flavors in a creative manner, and the chef's life story and different cultural influences are integrated in each dish at this intimate space. In the end, the food is about telling a story--from one chef to the customers.

Shake Shake DoBro 12-24-2011

2011-12-29T11:59:00.008-05:00

Location: 409 Fulton St. BK

Time: 4pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: I must admit I never really understood the hype of Shake Shack. When I used to work on 23rd Street and saw Madison Square Park get a complete makeover with a cute burger stand, I was excited but never expected to turn into a phenomenon. Shake Shack may be the pioneer of the New York burger trend , but is it really worth waiting in line for hours?

The new Brooklyn outlet of Shack opened recently right in front of the office of the Brooklyn Borough President, Mr. Marty Markowitz. I keep seeing him everywhere in the neighborhood, almost uncomfortably often, but I suppose this will be another place I could find our delightful local official. If I were the Brooklyn Borough President, I'd make sure that a ramen shop and Alexander McQueen will open in my building. Vote for me.

Thankfully, on Christmas Eve at 4pm, there was no line, but there were plenty of customers gorging on the burgers at this spacious location. The music was rather loud and interfered with our ordering process, and we didn't particularly appreciate rudely being told "What? I can't hear you!" with Micky D hospitality.

We ordered vanilla and chocolate frozen custard ($3.25 for single), and a Shackburger ($4.55 for single) for RB. The texture of vanilla was ever so smooth and velvety, but the chocolate tasted chalky. Perhaps it would be a better fit for Concrete. RB's burger was quite tasty but not overwhelming.

For those of you who had enough of Shake Shack in Manhattan, this location offers some Brooklyn exclusive $6.50 Concrete with cute names: Urban Lumbershack (vanilla custard, fried Belgian waffles, bananas, bacon peanut brittle from The Redhead), Fudge-effaboutit (chocolate custard, cinnamon fudge sauce and chocolate from Mast Brothers) and Borough Precedent (vanilla custard, Early Bird granola and seasonal fruit).

This Shack is supposed to help revitalize the neighborhood of Downtown Brooklyn surrounding the newly formed Jay Street Metrotech area (They now call it DoBro), followed with H&M and many other stores that are on their way. It won't be long before DoBro resembles midtown. Not sure that is much of an improvement.

$16 Foie Gras Burger+Wendy's in Japan! 12-29-2011

2011-12-29T11:34:00.004-05:00

Feelings: Wendy's re-opened its chain in Japan-- with $16 Foie Gras Burger and other interesting burgers like "Avocado Wasabi" "Truffle and Porcini Grilled Chicken" and "The Chili Burger." It looks like they are doing quite well: 200 customers lined up.

Raspberry-Chocolate Bûche de Noël 12-25-2011

2011-12-27T11:03:00.007-05:00

Feelings: I hope you had a nice holiday break full of deliciousness! This year, RB and I brought to the family Christmas dinner an even larger and more decadent Bûche de Noël ($50!), special ordered from Ceci Cela in SoHo. It was raspberry and chocolate flavored and resembled Black Forest Cake but far better. The subtle tart and sourness of the fresh raspberries brought the light flavor to the overall cake. The texture was soft and airy and gently melted in the mouth.

Being a flavor snob and finicky eater with all sorts of food restrictions, there are not many things I could eat at American suburban homes. So I look forward to these delicate and luscious French desserts. Whatever that is happening at the dinner table, these amazing desserts keep me grounded and remind me that my heart and soul belong to the big city-- the city that is full of options, full of umami and flavor possibilities-- and for a few brief bites, I am transported from this realm of strip malls.

Happy Holidays! 12-22-2011

2011-12-22T15:54:00.005-05:00

Feelings: Happy Holidays from Ramen and Friends! Hoping you are surrounded by love and warmth of tasty noodles this holiday season.
Thank you, Effie for this:

Japadog is Here!!! 12-20-2011

2011-12-20T11:38:00.003-05:00

Feelings: Vancouver's favorite Japanese style hot dog vendor, Japadog is opening before the New Year! See you at 30 St. Marks Place, between 2nd and 3rd Avenue in East Village.

Ramen Misoya 12-17-2011

2011-12-19T10:07:00.019-05:00

Location:120 2nd Ave.
Time: 12pm
People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: It is getting to the point when there are more ramen shops than Duane Reade in New York. But if it is miso ramen you crave, Ramen Misoya in East Village is a welcomed addition. Ramen Misoya is a chain from Japan, over 30 franchises including in Taipei and Brazil, but mainly in Chiba and Tokyo regions of Japan.

The space is rather cramped, and it was packed during lunchtime on this brisk Saturday afternoon. Ramen shops are traditionally based around a seated counter and open kitchen--similar to the sushi culture. You observe the masterful craftsmanship of ramen chefs and eagerly wait for the perfect bowl of ramen that warms up your soul. Here, instead of the open kitchen, you can watch the kitchen via closed circuit TV.

There are three types of miso flavors at this ramen shop:

1) Kome miso, red miso popular in Hokkaido
2) Shiro miso, white miso with lighter, sweet flavor from Kyoto
3) Mame miso, reddish brown miso popular in Nagoya.

Being an Osakan, I cannot possibly pass on the neighbor prefecture's famous shiro miso. In Kyoto, shiro miso is widely used for zoni on the New Year, but this is the first time for me to try in a ramen form. My veggie ramen with shiro miso ($11) was a hearty with subtly sweet broth. The tofu soaked up all the umami-centric miso broth, and the rather broad noodles were perfectly chewy. The portion here is certainly for a hungry adult.

RB's cha-shu ramen with kome miso ($13.80) was heavier but delicious nonetheless. The pork seemed a bit on the drier side, but had a nice grilled char on the edges. So what it lacked in moistness, it made up for in flavor. Hokkaido is the largest grower of potatoes in Japan, and this regional inspired ramen had a couple deliciously crispy fried potato slices. It was topped with a generous helping of corn which gave a pleasant sweetness to the heavy broth.

They even offered a seasonal menu called "Konayuki" (snow powder) ramen that consisted of miso, butter and cheese broth for those dairy lovers out there.

Ramen Misoya might not be the best, but it is definitely one of the better choices in the city. Absolutely no frills, no gimmicks here. The service is warm and friendly, and their robust bowl of ramen is just perfect for the chilly winter to come.

Holiday Gift Guide! 12-16-2011

2011-12-16T13:17:00.004-05:00

Feelings: Although I am usually a finicky Virgo who only appreciates cash or gift cards, I know that it is a gift giving season. Since I enjoyed Ms. Rath's 2011 Holiday Gift Guide (Thanks JR for your stylish inspiration!), I decided to do R+F version here. What's your favorite food gift?

1) Laduree's Les Macarons The Houndstooth Collection
They also have baby gifts, so why not bring a box of macarons and bibs to a new mom?

2) Bûche de Noël from Payard, Dominique Ansel, Ceci-Cela
Make sure to special order one!

3) Honey cakes by Bee Dessert

4) Gift baskets from Margaret Palca Bakes

5) Bialys from Kossar's

6) Milk Bar's flavored butter

7) Caneles from Dominique Ansel, Les Caneles de Celine

8) Chocolates from Mast Brothers

9) Gift cards for Bosie Tea Parlor

10) Wagashi from Minamoto Kichoan

11) Surprise her with a Japanese tea ceremony at Cha An!

My Favorite Thing: TJ's Dark Chocolate Lover's Bar

2011-12-14T13:23:00.010-05:00

Feelings: American cuisine is often all about the sweet and the salty, so it is welcoming to see lately restaurants start to acquire my favorite flavor of all: bitterness. The bitter flavor is one of the major components of Japanese cooking, which what my palate is used to and longs to. After all, we, Japanese are often shocked when they see Westerners pouring sugar into green tea. The best part of the green tea is that powerful bitterness, followed with ever so subtle hint of sweetness. And the word, "bitter" usually has a negative connotation in English, but in my world, any bitterness is always welcome.

Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Lover's Bar ($1.49) is literally for those who enjoy bitter, dark chocolate flavors. The package comes with not just one, but two individually wrapped chocolate bars. Each bar is slim and crispy and much easier to break compared to other TJ's chocolate bars.

As soon as you pop one of these vegan chocolates with 85% Colombian cocoa, it hits you with intoxicating aroma, followed with almost fruity, luscious note. It reminded me of the flavor of chocolate curls on creamy mousse you may find in gourmet French patisseries. Each small piece of chocolate has such an intense and complex flavor and aroma that you would be satisfied with just two or three pieces. Also, this is not the kind of chocolate you can snack while watching Tebow or the Kardashians. The powerful flavor will require your undivided attention from all your senses, so make sure to take the chocolate meditation when you open this package.

Dominique Ansel Bakery 12-08-2011

2011-12-12T10:01:00.021-05:00

Location: 189 Spring st.
Time: 12:45pm

People: StevenC and myself

Feelings: Since I wasn't able to attend StevenC's fabulous gallery birthday party, I took him out for lunch at a new bakery, Dominique Ansel in SoHo. The former tenant, Rheon Cafe was one of my favorite Japanese cafes in the city, so I was sad to see it go. But I knew that you cannot possibly go wrong with a Parisian style cafe from the former pastry chef of Daniel.

It turns out they kept most of the clean, minimalist decor and charming service from Rheon with the wonderful new compliment of an enclosed and heated outdoor seating area. This greenhouse with beautiful wooden shelves created a luxurious atmosphere for casual dining and is a much needed oasis in the bustling neighborhood of SoHo. Just to be able to sit at this space, I would choose this bakery over any other cafes in the area. The natural lighting and all white background also make this an ideal space for a photo shoot if you are thinking about updating your Facebook profile.

We skipped the beautifully crafted cookies and viennoiserie, and even his famous "DKA" ($5.25 Dominique's kouign amann: flaky and tender Breton style cake with caramelized layers) and went straight for the savories. I ordered what I thought would be a rather sensible lunch, Seasonal Salad ($9.50, arugula, creamy goat cheese, roasted red beets), but it was actually quite voluminous and sprinkled generously with tons of creamy goat cheese. The tasty beets were all hidden under the mountain of arugula, and there was no way I could finish even half of the dish.

StevenC ordered the bakery's popular sandwich item, Roasted Pork Club. ($12, six-hour roasted pork shoulder, pickled eggs, tomatoes, bibb lettuce and spicy mayo on sourdough) This triple decked sandwich looked quite decadent. However, he explained the sandwich as just "not bad." "It was clean tasting but not much punch," he said.

If you are lucky enough to work in SoHo or busy shopping in the area, why not stop by at the bakery, sip a cup of coffee and a bite of scrumptious canele ($3) or eclair at their beautiful greenhouse? Prices here a bit high comparatively, but hey, isn't it better than stuffing your face with a box of mediocre cookies and waiting something better to come along? This place is all about quality over quantity-- have a piece of heavenly delectable that completely intoxicates you. You deserve it.

MMM...Enfes @ Columbus Circle Holiday Market 12-06-2011

2011-12-08T10:58:00.014-05:00

Location: Columbus Circle

Time: 12pm

Feelings: When I was a little girl in Osaka, after monthly orthodontic appointment, my mother took me for a nice stroll in the city followed with a rather high end cafe for a plate of hot cakes and a glass of freshly squeezed juice. She must have felt bad that I was enduring agonizing pain, so the expensive plate of fluffy cakes and refreshing juice became a consolation prize.

This ritual has stayed with me to this day-- after my dental appointment, I took a nice stroll on Central Park South. Unfortunately I could not afford an expensive cafe brunch, but I did happen upon a festive scene at Columbus Circle Holiday Market.

There were plenty of great food options: empanadas, apple cider donuts, Wafels & Dinges, Bratwurst and Red Basil Thai Kitchen from Astoria. MMM..Enfes, a booth with Turkish pastries especially caught my eye. It seemed to catch the eyes of many men as well since there was a line of men drooling over their pastries and fetching booth lady. One guy was eagerly asking her, "What is Baklava?" C'mon, this UWS type must certainly have known what baklava ($1.50 each) was, especially since he pronounced it perfectly.

RB and I used to enjoy gul bourek almost every week when we lived in Astoria, so I, only female in line, craved a feta gul bourek ($6) and ordered one without hesitation. Since they re-heated it with oil on the grill, it was a bit greasy but overall delicious and filling. Their gul bourek is not bread-y by any means--it is all about juicy spinach and feta cheese. The dough was soft and slightly flaky, gently supporting all the ample inside. Overall it was incredibly soft and all gently melted in my mouth.

Although I don't have any more dental appointments the rest of the year, I hope to head back to the holiday market soon and try the Thai food from Astoria.

The 2011 Ramen and Friends Awards! 12-06-2011

2011-12-06T16:01:00.011-05:00

Welcome to The 2011 Annual Ramen and Friends Awards! It is now time to reflect on all the food we had this year. Curious about last year? Check it here.

Best Korean BBQ: Tong Sam Gyup Goo Ee

Best Korean in Midtown: Danji

Best Soba: Cocoron

Best Asian Food Court: Food Gallery 32

Best Christmas Cake: Bûche de Noël from Ceci Cela

Best Cantucci: Il Cantuccio

Best East Village Brunch: Goat Town

Best Cobble Hill Brunch: Bocca Lupo

Best Modern-Southern Brunch: Seersucker

Best Filipino Brunch: Maharlika

Best LIC Brunch: LIC Market

Best Scallion Pancake: Noodle Village

Best Falafel in SoHo: Ba'al Cafe

Best Beer for Growlers: American Beer Distributing Company

Best Vegan Lunch: 'sNice

Best Midtown Lunch: Good & Plenty to Go

Best Italian Lunch in Midtown: Piccolo Cafe

Best Burrito: 5 Burro Cafe

Best New Tea House: Bosie Tea Parlor

Most Unusual Takeout Packaging for Tea: Qi

Best German Snack: Hanuta

Best Swedish Candy: Sockerbit

Best Vegan Birthday Cake: Champ Family Bakery

Best Panini: Salume

Spiciest: Tangra Masala's Manchurian

Great Introductory Brooklyn Dining: Buttermilk Channel

Best Vegetable-centric Italian: Rucola

Best Ice Cream Sandwich: Coolhaus Truck

Best Ice Cream Bar: Magnum

Best Ice Cream Name: Schweddy Balls

Best Thai in Manhattan: Zabb Elee

Adequate Thai in BoCoCa: HopHap

Best Sicilian Bakery: Catania

Best Summer Memory: The Rockaways

Best Summer Hangout: Pier 6

Best Indoor Summer Hangout: Fonda Nolita

Best Bread Basket: Colonie

Best Atmosphere for Dim Sum: Nom Wah

Best Italian Sandwich: Torrisi

Best Vegetarian Sandwich: Van Horn

Best Caribbean in BoCoCa: Fisherman's Dawta

Best New Ramen in Midtown: Tabata Noodle

Best Modern Noodles: Hung Ry

Best Sardinian: River Deli

Best New Pizza: Sottocasa

Best and Cheapest R&F Outing: Uncle Zhou

Best French Bakery: Bien Cuit

Best Bar Food: 61 Local

Best Korean+ Uzbek: Elza Fancy Food

Best Coffee Cup Design: Birdbath

Best Pancake: Ryan Gosling Pancake

Best Pumpkin Milkshake: Moo Burger

R&F Hall of Fame:

Best Japanese: Hibino

Best Coffee: Crop to Cup

Best Pasta: Brucie

Best Japanese-Italian: Basta Pasta

Best Hummus: Mimi's Hummus

Best Vegetarian Ramen: Totto Ramen

Best Malaysian: Taste Good in Elmhurst

Best Falafel: Azuri

Best Dim Sum: Ocean Jewel

Birdbath SoHo 11-22-2011

2011-12-05T13:49:00.009-05:00

Location: 160 Prince St.

Time: 12:30pm

People: RB and myself

Feelings: When I moved to NYC and dating opportunities presented before me, I was astounded by the number of men who would not pay for a meal. Or if they paid, they seem to want something back in return. I believe if they make more, they should pay for a meal, and trust me, everyone was making more than I was back then. When I started dating RB, I knew right away that he was "the one" because he was 100% my type--tall, skinny, dark hair, creative--the list went on, but mainly because he always paid for our dates without a hint of hesitation. To this day, he lives by his late father's favorite saying after a family meal out, "I gotta feed you, don't I?" He is not loaded by any means, but he is incredibly responsible and devoted to his loved ones. The 60's selfless and heroic Paul Newman or Steve McQueen's characters will always be attractive to many women. Nowadays it seems many "boys" are self absorbed hipsters without any romance or dedication to others-- no wonder young girls are so obsessed with vampires instead.

When I helped RB with his suit shopping, he took me for a quick bite to eat at Birdbath nearby. "I gotta feed you, don't I?" he said. I know he didn't have much money left after a big purchase, so I appreciated this gesture. This Birdbath branch took over New York's most famous bakery, Vesuvio. They kept the sign and look of the beloved neighborhood institution, so you may pass by not knowing it is Birdbath. The service was particularly friendly but a bit aloof as you would expect from all Birdbath/City Bakery ventures.

Don't let the "healthy" atmosphere of Birdbath fool you. They have some tasty, stick to your ribs sandwiches and pizzas for all under $8.50. My falafel sandwich looked very light, but it was full of bold flavors. The grilled vegetables were smooth and succulent, and I was overall thankful that they did not have any calorie information available.

RB's favorite, the chicken cilantro sandwich, was delicious and decadent as always. He loves that it gives the appearance of a healthy lunch, but the delicious greasy bread and gooey cheese say otherwise.

Don't forget to take their organic, fair trade coffee that comes in a tastefully designed retro-chic cup. Just holding the cup makes you look instantly cool...so much so that when I was walking with it, some random tourists with Jersey Shore hair and tan asked me where Kim Kardashian's new boutique, "Dash" is. Oh America, I worry about you sometimes. Where are the modern day Steve McQueens and Paul Newmans?

LIC Market 11-19-2011

2011-11-30T10:29:00.009-05:00

Location: 21-52 44th Dr.

Time: 2pm

People: Effie, RB, CK and myself

Feelings: Effie and we spent a nice fall afternoon in her new neighborhood, LIC. We visited Effie's stunning new place and headed over to LIC Market, the New American restaurant, for some tasty brunch. This cozy restaurant adorns the rather industrial landscape of LIC.

It's been almost three years since I left Astoria/LIC area and moved to Brooklyn. It seems in the past three years, Greenpoint is slowly creeping its way into LIC the same way Williamsburg invaded Greenpoint. Reclaimed wood, communal table, rustic vibe and hipster mustaches--all can be found here as well as inventive New American flavors. The service was friendly, but they were not too comfortable or prepared with the presence of CK, which is often a good indicator that this neighborhood is still up and coming.

Our delightful brunch started with a plateful of scrumptious house breads and pastries. The carrot bread was as moist as a piece of heavenly cake. As I washed it down with a robust cup of coffee, I thought if my brunch were just this piece of carrot bread, I would have been quite happy.

I ordered "Frittata of the Day" ($8, open faced omelet with home fries and toast), which was perfectly executed with the right amount of seasonings. The eggs were smooth, and freshness of vegetables and crispy home fries shined through. RB and Effie's each ordered the "Slow Cooked Pork" ($10 long grain rice and black beans with two fried eggs). The gooey yoke provided a delicious and decadent compliment to the tender pork.

I miss you, dear LIC. If I had the same meal in BoCoCa, this would have cost at least twice as much. I am incredibly envious of the Citi Bank workers nearby although I am not at all envious of what they do for living.

61 Local 11-12-2011

2011-11-28T09:40:00.010-05:00

Location: 61 Bergen St.

Time: 2pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: I have never really lived in an American suburb, but I hear from RB that there are usually only two types of bars in the suburbs: weird old man bars and annoying young people bars. It's a good thing Brooklyn has the third option: a bar that celebrates the local community.

I pick up CK from daycare every day after work and walk pass 61 Local, a beer hall that also serves excellent food and locally brewed beer. The space feels like an art gallery: high ceiling, beautifully crafted tables and lights, exposed brick, and works of local artists. Every early evening, the space is packed with parents and kids as well as young professionals enjoying their kombucha, wine and beer on tap.

61 Local is also an excellent option for weekend brunch, especially if you have small kids. They don't have high chairs available, but the large space gives the kids some wiggle room. Since they have no table service, CK and I waited at the table while RB went up to the bar and ordered us a couple of sandwiches. To keep with the locavore theme, the food here is provided by excellent local businesses such as Bien Cuit and Sahadi's.

My "Tide is High Sandwich" ($7, fish roe, hard-boiled egg, salsa verde on pugliese bread with a side of seakraut) was fresh, and the sweet and salty combination brought the dish to the next level. The bread (from Bien Cuit) was soft and chewy with the tasty crispy edges and sustained all the scrumptious inside layers.

RB's Brooklyn Brat ($7, Bratwurst on pugliese bread with sauerkraut and mustard on side) was delicious-- The toasted bread again was on showcase in this simple but scrumptious bar sandwich.

61 Local has the relaxing, rustic atmosphere that makes you want to keep coming back. It is also an excellent space for events as we saw a wedding preparation at their space upstairs. Especially these cold days ahead, it will be difficult walking by 61 Local everyday and not stop for a cup of coffee with CK.

Happy Thanksgiving! 11-23-2011

2011-11-23T11:33:00.003-05:00

Feelings: Happy Thanksgiving from Ramen and Friends! If you didn't place a Thanksgiving pie order but got a last minute dinner invite? Head over to Birdbath in SoHo for their cookie basket ($10)! Tasty.

Dumpling Soup House@The Holiday Shops 11-15-2011

2011-11-21T10:10:00.016-05:00

Location: The Holiday Shop at Bryant Park

Time: 12pm

Feelings: I have to embarrassingly admit that I never visited the free ice skating rink in Bryant Park, partially due to my uncomfortableness with sharing shoes with strangers. I don't intend to ice skate this year either, but I do not want to miss this year's The Holiday Shop, which has all sorts of food vendors available to Midtown workers and tourists alike.

Daisy's Grits, Aroma Espresso Bar, Crepe Cafe, TopArepa, Pickle me Pete--There are plenty of snack and lunch options available. Dumpling Soup House of course caught my eyes. I waited in line, but I seemed to be the only Asian person. Not a good sign. Would I be committing the sin of eating strip mall-esque Asian food like P.F. Chang's or Ruby Foo's? I saw on the menu "Teriyaki Italian Sausage Noodle," and my expectation went down even more. It is never a good sign when you see "teriyaki" at an Asian joint.

I ordered Japanese curry potato noodle soup ($6.50). Yes, I managed to order no dumplings at a place called Dumpling Soup House. The broth was slightly bland with a hint of curry, and there were not enough vegetables in the soup and only two sad pieces of potatoes. However, the noodles were chewy and quite tasty. I'm glad that the curry flavor was so subtle that it did not overpower the noodles. As I worked my way toward the very bottom of the container, the flavor got stronger, so I'd urge you to stir vigorously before you dig in. At the price of $6.50 in Midtown, this is a great deal, but I just wish they would add more potatoes if you call the dish "Japanese curry potato noodle soup."

I heard some great things about Vegetarian Oasis last year, so I will definitely need to go back to Bryant Park soon. But absolutely without ice skating.

Steve's Craft Ice Cream "Bklyn Blackout" 11-09-2011

2011-11-18T11:17:00.008-05:00

Feelings: RB brought home a pint of charmingly packaged Steve's Craft Ice Cream from the local bodega. Steve's Ice Cream was originally opened back in 1973 in Massachusetts with the novel idea of mixing candy into ice cream. And here I thought Dairy Queen invented the concept. The revival of this brand happened last year, and they will soon be opening stores in BoCoCa and Midtown. I decided to drop my regular Ben & Jerry and TJ's ice cream and give this pint a try first.

The flavor I tried was called "Bklyn Blackout,"which was consisted of milk chocolate ice cream swirled with Brooklyn's Ovenly's chocolate stout cake pieces and dark chocolate pudding. The milk chocolate ice cream was heavenly creamy that reminded me of Blue Marble. I couldn't quite get a taste of pudding, but the prominent flavor of dark chocolate was present. I felt that some of the cake chunks were rather large, resulted in a few dry bites, but overall, it had an exquisite flavor and texture combination of luscious ice cream and dark chocolate. It is less sweet and more refined than Ben and Jerry's, and if you are dissatisfied with Blue Marble's lack of chunks, you would be very happy with Steve's. With their cute, desaturated designed website, it seems Steve's already have Brooklyn's stamp of approval.

I just wish the container was not plastic, however. I can't microwave the ice cream!

Date Day 11-07-2011

2011-11-16T09:58:00.008-05:00

Location: All over Cobble HillTime: 9am to 5pm

People: RB and myself

Feelings: It has been almost a year since we had a date. Since we had a day full of appointments in our neighborhood, we decided to take a day off from work. Between the appointments, I was able to have a bit of "date day" with RB.

Growing up in Osaka, many kids in metropolitan area spend their off days strolling and exploring the city in their trendy outfits. The pattern of shopping, cafe, strolling, cafe, shopping, followed by another cafe is a rather common way to spend a lazy Sunday. I miss doing that. Thankfully, I was able to do somewhat close to it this day.

Cafe # 1: A relaxing breakfast at Ted and Honey. RB enjoyed his breakfast wrap, the "Red Neck" ($6.50, with cheddar cheese grits, farmhouse eggs and Dines farm ham) while slowly sipping a cup of coffee and watching people walk by. I unfortunately had to finish some work emails but returned to my decaf coffee right away.

Cafe #2: Smith Canteen (343 Smith St.) is a spin-off cafe and takeout venture by Seersucker down the street. RB ordered a pain au chocolat ($3) and second cup of decaf for me while I watched a young couple struggling to feed their toddler. I started to feel a sense of guilt for this date day. The pain au chocolat was perfectly flaky and buttery, and together with the bitter-sweet chocolate center, it all melted in my mouth. Tasty coffee washed it all down.

Cafe #3: At The Chocolate Room (269 Court St.), RB and I shared quite a decadent drink: Dark Hot Chocolate with whip cream. ($4.75, whip cream $.75) It was rich yet not overly sweet and completely warmed up my soul.

Many people go to a spa or take a vacation in Caribbeans for a bit of relaxation, but I get most rejuvenated after my cafe hopping with RB. Of course, the sense of guilt never left me, and we picked up CK earlier from daycare.

Ryan Gosling Pancake! 11-15-2011

2011-11-15T16:07:00.006-05:00

Feelings: RB and I have been obsessed over the new Refn's film, "Drive," starring Ryan Gosling. And now, I would like a bite of this Ryan Gosling pancake, please.

Macchiato Espresso Bar 11-1-2011

2011-11-14T09:36:00.006-05:00

Location: 666 5th Ave.

Time: 12pm

Feelings: Thankfully I had a relatively easy pregnancy, but post pregnancy has been quite a difficult one, even 16 months later. I was diagnosed with severe vitamin deficiency, which left me rather lifeless and one less tooth. Before this experience, you would have never seen me eat salad for lunch, but I have been doing nothing but this past month. I ate more spinach than Popeye had in his entire life time. I have been gradually feeling better thanks to all these leafy greens, but I still don't grasp the concept of salad as a meal. I have tried countless salad places in midtown now-- Chop't, Europa, Cosi, Metro, Toastie's. I have tossed away so many of those plastic salad containers that my arugula-shaped green footprint is quite large.

I doubt I would miss any of these salads in the future except one: Tuna salad from Macchiato Espresso Bar ($9). This salad is extremely filling with a giant scoop of tuna salad, romaine hearts, cherry tomato, hard boiled egg, red onion, black olive and roasted red pepper. The dressing is honey dijon, which creates an unexpected flavor combination of tuna salad and honey. The salad is made to order, and they use fresh ingredients without any sogginess. The bread that is served with salad is also fresh and soft.

This tuna salad is not the healthiest of all, but with a relaxed atmosphere of Macchiato Espresso Bar and fresh ingredients, I could almost get used to the idea of a big salad as a lunch option.

Moo Burger 11-07-2011

2011-11-10T09:44:00.007-05:00

Location: 240 Court St. BK

Time: 5:30pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: After months and months of anticipation, the new organic burger joint on Court Street, Moo Burger, finally opened. There are many burger places in the area like Five Guys, two mind you, and two8two Bar & Burger, but Moo Burger looks to turn up the competition.

In Cobble Hill shortly before 6pm, what do you expect to see at a newly opened organic burger place? Kids and hipsters. They share similar obsessions with their comfort drinks (milk or beer) and self absorbed sensibility, so it is not a coincident that we often witness them at the same places.

The staff here is extremely attentive and experienced in serving kids. They brought out a high chair for CK faster than any other restaurants, and they were eager to help us as we were sitting with a ticking time bomb--if we stayed longer than 30 minutes, CK would probably start to scream.

We started off with the golden combination of pumpkin milkshake, fried pickles and beer. The milkshake is made by Blue Marble's ice cream, keeping it all locally sourced. It was creamy and smooth without too much sweetness, and the pumpkin portion sat gently at the bottom. It is not light by any means, so I recommend sharing this delectable creamy piece of heaven. The fried pickles were light and crispy and made with whole gherkins, and when I ate them accidentally with milkshake, it surprisingly complimented each other. I suppose Oscar the Grouch was right about his love for pickle ice cream.

I ordered Nova Scotia (smoked salmon, salmon burger, mustard creme fraiche), which I thought might be over salmon-ed, but it turned out to be a creation of tasty salmon on salmon combination. The light and fluffy whole wheat bun was from Brick City Bakery and held all the salmon-ness together inside. CK is possibly the most finicky eater in BoCoCa, but he could not have enough of the salmon burger and pillowy whole wheat bun.

RB's 'hangover' burger was deliciously sinful. He has grown fond of burgers with a fried egg, and this one did not disappoint. The 'melt in your mouth' tender burger, the bacon and cheddar all mixed with the gooey fried egg and the brioche bun, resulting in a delectable experience.

Moo Burger is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood, especially to those with kids. It has healthier options like salads, and the flavors are more clean and refined compared to other burger joints in the area (with the accompanying price tag--our total bill with tip was about $60). Overall, Moo Burger gives the typical laid back Brooklyn vibe without a hint of pretentiousness. With Brucie and Van Horn, Court Street really has become quite a food scene, and I hope more will come--but not to the point that our rent will keep rising.

Elza Fancy Food 11-06-2011

2011-11-08T10:32:00.023-05:00

Location: 3071 Brighton 4th St.Time: 2pm

People: 9 Ramen and Friends: Sekita from KiKaEats, Binx2, JLam from MeSoHungry, Todd & Elisa, StevenC, Effie, RB and myself

Feelings: When I heard about the Korean-Uzbek restaurant in Brighton Beach, I made sure to have our monthly outing at Elza Fancy Food. I managed to skype my dad, a retired history teacher before our adventure. "What's the deal with Russia and Korea?" He explained nearly 20 minutes about ethnic Koreans and their mass deportations to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It's a good thing Skype is free. It is fascinating that one restaurant could represent a piece of history...and make my dad speak non-stop for such a long time.

My Russian friend and I called several times to make a reservation, but we were all told, "No reservation." However, upon arrival, I was told they do indeed take reservations, so keep calling if you are going with a big group.

The space is a typical Brighton Beach Russian eatery. Women in rather flashy coats wash down their food with BYOV (vodka). Two Russian men quietly eat while watching Russian pop music videos on the wall. We don't see a hint of Korean influences except some kimchi-like objects in the display case.

I looked through the menu and found that half of the menu consisted of salad, which was similar to Korean banchan. The eggplant hye ($3.99), funchoza noodle salad, fish salad ($6.99), and carrot salad were all refreshing and flavorful. They were not spicy by any means, but bright red chili colors were displayed everywhere.

While StevenC was underwhelmed by their food, RB thoroughly enjoyed borsch and braised cabbage with rice and meat ($4.29). He thought the borsch was delicate and delicious, and the braised cabbage was a tastier version of what his mother used to cook.

I know I should have ordered the Korean noodle dish, Kuksu ($5), but it seemed too beef-tastic so I decided to skip. The pilaf section of Plov ($6.50) was delectable with greasy and vinegary flavor from all the lamb juice on the top. As you may have noticed, it is not a vegetarian friendly spot.

If you don't feel like bringing your own alcohol, apple compot ($.75) is worth a try. It is rather mild and weak, but still sweet and refreshing. If you do feel like BYOB, the corner store offers a large variety of Eastern European beer. RB, JLam and Todd came back with a bag full of 99 cent Ukrainian beer they seemed to enjoy.

With $16 each (They added 18% service charge), we left full with a few bags of leftovers. "Definitely worth the trip, and I'd actually prefer to go there over Veselka if I have enough time in a day," said Effie. Elza shows us the glimpse of the culinary history of the ethnic Koreans, and even further to their cultural history. They survived the brutality of Stalin and created some of the most memorable dishes that can warm up your souls-- Only Orson Welles' line in Third Man could sum this all up. "In Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love-they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did they produce? The cuckoo clock."

Chance 10-29-2011

2011-11-02T10:44:00.010-04:00

Location: 223 Smith St. BK

Time: 2pm

Feelings: Cobble Hill is not the most diverse neighborhood in the city, and that often worries me as a parent. It is safe, the school system is fantastic, and people can care less when I walk around in 5.5 inch heels and a McQueen dress. But would I want my son to be the only Hapa kid in his class? What if he feels inferior to these blonde hair-blue eyed kids just like I did in Florida?

Smith street is a good example of this neighborhood. It has quite a lot of tasty new American spots and bakeries, but it is not known for authentic Asian cuisine by any stretch. There are countless American Asian restaurants that would cater to the neighborhood clientele. HopHap serves decent Thai and has been one of our delivery staples, but I usually have zero expectations for these other Asian spots on Smith street.

We ordered a lunch delivery from Chance, an Asian-French fusion spot on Smith street that specializes in dim sum and other pan-Asian dishes. The vegetarian dim sum box ($12, two dumplings of each--Chinese baby box choy, tofu & kumquat, ratatouille of Chinese vegetables, goat cheese & roasted peppers) was very, very interesting. The skin of the dumplings was fresh and had a nice chewy texture, but I am not sure if the cheese dumpling was a successful experiment. The flavors and textures seemed unpleasant.

My favorite was XO omelet fried rice ($9, seafood fried rice wrapped in egg omelet with house special xo sauce), which resembled omu-rice. The eggs were perfectly fluffy, and the seafood, especially scallop was fresh and well executed. With the tasty xo sauce, everything beautifully melted in my mouth. I appreciated the overall clean flavor.

Smith street may not have authentic Asian restaurants, but the French-Asian spot like Chance actually brings clean and adequate flavors. For now, we will remain in this neighborhood-- After all, this is NYC. Many authentic, diverse spots are available one train stop away.

Sottocasa 10-28-2011

2011-10-31T09:44:00.010-04:00

Location: 298 Atlantic Ave. BK

Time: 7pm

Feelings: Sottocasa, the new Neapolitan pizzeria in Cobble Hill serves perhaps the best pizza in the city. You can taste their amazingly addictive pizza if you can get through their incredibly annoying and busy phone line. Ordering a delivery from them is like a 13 year old girl calling a radio station for Def Leppard concert tickets and a backstage pass back in the 80's. On a Friday night, RB called, called and called (for about 20 minutes straight). Finally he got through to place an order. If you are not too lazy or not tied to a baby at home, I would strongly encourage you avoid the hassle and head to the restaurant on Atlantic Avenue for dine in or take out.

I am not a big pizza person after my pancreatitis experience, but Sottocasa's pizza is so tantalizing it deserves its own category. Our "Verdure" ($15 tomatoes, mozzarella, eggplant, radicchio, mushroom, caramelized onion) was a perfect combination of fresh flavors and textures. The crust was chewy with a mochi-like texture, and the slightly charred layer of crust created a perfect sweet bitterness to the rest of the flavor. The earthiness of the vegetables was the star of the dish while the crispy texture of radicchio shined through.

When we finished the pizza, RB and I actually wept and held each other. We wanted more Sottocasa. Alas, when we called back to order two days later, we gave up after 40 minutes of trying. So be careful before you try their pizza and know what you are getting yourself into.

Halloween Treats! 10-30-2011

2011-10-30T10:32:00.002-04:00

Feelings: If you are looking for tasty, devilish night treats for Halloween tomorrow, head down to Key Foods and pick up a can of 24oz Coors and a pint of Ben & Jerry's. It'll total $6.66! Don't ask me how I know.

Moo Burger Not Opened For Lunch! 10-29-2011

2011-10-29T12:52:00.005-04:00

Location: 240 Court St. BK

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: I got ready on Saturday morning to go to the new organic burger joint, Moo Burger on Court Street. I purposely arranged to get there during CK's nap time so we could fully enjoy their much anticipated fried pickles, zucchini fries and pumpkin milkshake without having to cope with CK's grabby hands. Unfortunately this was during the freak snow storm in October. We walked over, covered in the mixture of snow, rain and gross wetness. When we got there, we were welcomed by a sign that read, "Lunch service starts on Nov. 1."

Bouchon Bakery Cafe Columbus Circle 10-07-2011

2011-10-27T14:41:00.014-04:00

Location: 10 Columbus Circle

Time: 12:30pm

People: FA and myself

Feelings: I often go to Bouchon Bakery for occasional macarons or sandwiches, but I have never dined at their cafe, located in Times Warner Center just below Per Se (another Thomas Keller's venture). Of course Bouchon is not nearly as expensive as Per Se, but most of the lunch dishes such as quiche, salads and soup are all around $15-$20. The desserts go up around $10--quite a high price for a place that is supposed to be Mr. Keller's affordable restaurant project. The cafe does not take any reservations, so make sure to go a bit early since it gets rather crowded during the lunch hour with business lunch crowds and tourists alike.

My salmon tartare salad was fresh and carefully executed, but it was on a smaller side, and the bread was ridiculously hard to the point it was inedible. The server said it was supposed to be hard, but I don't think I was ready to lose another tooth.

For dessert, Chocolate Bouchons ($8.75, three small dark chocolate brownies with hazelnut praline ice cream, praline cremeux & shortbread crumble) was decadently rich and satisfying. I was thankful that the portion of the salad was so small that I could enjoy the dessert fully. If you always wanted to have a scrumptious dessert for lunch, Bouchon Bakery would be an ideal spot.

I personally prefer their quick and easy (and cheaper) take out bakery section with an ample dessert selection, but the cafe of Bouchon Bakery provides a solid experience with an exceptional, almost robotic service and light fare.

'wichcraft @ The Tunnel 10-12-2011

2011-10-24T11:13:00.017-04:00

Location: 269 11th Ave.

Time: 12pm

People: AP and myself

Feelings: It is important for me to find someone I can connect with at work. After all, I spend half of my days in the office. Although I am saddened by the recent departure of our coworker, FF, I still have my dear AP with whom I share my daily coffee.

AP and I have what seems to be an annual ritual. Before heading to our conference at Javits Center, we grab a quick bite at 'wichcraft in the Tunnel in West Chelsea. The legendary Tunnel in Terminal Stores is now a beautiful industrial space filled with boutique post houses and design studios. The streets were filled with beautiful art industry people, and just being in the vicinity is a wonderful little break from homely Midtown.

What's different about this year is that 'wichcraft decided to add the dreadful calorie information on their menu. I had no idea that sandwiches had so many calories--they look so sensible yet contain near 700-900 calories! Thankfully, my obsession of root vegetables triggered me to order "roasted squash, parsnip and beets" salad ($8.96, 439 cal, with sage, pumpkin seeds and organic mixed greens) instead. The salad was a perfect dish for the fall. The flavorful squash and earthy beets along with pumpkin seeds created a perfect fall flavor in my mouth. If you are health conscious and don't want to touch any pumpkin desserts, I would recommend ordering this for your Halloween lunch.

So next time when you need to trek to Javits Center, why not stop by at the Tunnel and reminisce the good ol' 90's mega club days? Oh good ol' Manhattan, it was vibrant and happening--now filled with salad, banks and conferences.

Ben & Jerry's Schweddy Balls 10-14-2011

2011-10-19T10:24:00.010-04:00

Feelings: I finally got a hold of Ben & Jerry's controversial new flavor, Schweddy Balls. This limited edition flavor pays homage to Alec Baldwin's character, Pete Schweddy, on SNL from the late 90's. On the skit, he would say, "Nobody can resist my Schweddy balls," referring to the holiday treats he makes such as cheese balls, rum balls, and other famous Schweddy balls. I am more into Larry David and Mr. Show and not much of a fan of SNL, but I certainly could not resist myself from picking up Schweddy Balls.

Apparently, a conservative parent group called "One Million Moms" is threatening to boycott this new ice cream flavor with a double entendre. I am sure the kids of these one million moms will have a bright future in banking and live in suburbs with a white SUV blasting U2 with two kids and a dog all due to their parents protecting them from Schweddy Balls. I usually enjoy Ben & Jerry's, but this Schweddy Balls was rather bland and unexciting. The ice cream was consisted of vanilla ice cream with a hint of rum with fudge covered rum balls and milk chocolate malt balls. I felt it needed to have stronger rum flavor or some sort of swirls in the vanilla ice cream.

Unfortunately, the glory of Schweddy did not live up to its name in the ice cream form. I somehow feel I can resist these Schweddy Balls. I will now go back to Phish Food, AmeriCone Dream and TJ's peanut butter cup ice cream.

Duane Reade Yogurt 10-18-2011

2011-10-18T15:27:00.003-04:00

Feelings: I just ate yogurt from Duane Reade on 50th and Broadway, and I am still alive. Just so you know. I don't think I would want to try their sushi, however.

IGK --International Gourmet Kitchen 10-14-2011

2011-10-17T09:27:00.011-04:00

Location: 505 8th Ave.

Time: 12:30pm

Feelings: I usually have a difficult time finding lunch after sample sales in garment district, and most of the time I find myself at Macaron Cafe. After finding out about a new lunch spot, cutely named "IGK" International Gourmet Kitchen, I decided to walk over to 8th Avenue.

The name, IGK is perhaps a bit misleading. It gives an impression of a modern food court like Food Gallery 32 and Eaterly, but what it really is just another deli with more Asian options. In that sense, it's somewhat similar to Cafe Duke, but IGK is more reasonable, spacious and clean, and they carry pho! I must have overheard at least two businessmen asking, "What's P-H-O?"

A sudden outbreak of a 102 degree fever and a severe sore throat last week left me weak, and all I could think of eating was my number one comfort food -- ramen. My fried tofu ramen ($6.95) was more Korean style with a bit of spiciness and egg drop. The noodles were a bit overcooked, but it was overall hearty and filling. It would be a perfect bowl of deli ramen for a brisk day to come.

IGK also offers other Asian treats like pad thai, yakisoba, and curry rice as well as your standard deli options such as salad and sandwiches. I actually even saw burritos near the entrance, so I suppose this place really is an international gourmet kitchen after all.

Uncle Zhou 10-11-2011

2011-10-12T15:10:00.026-04:00

Location: 83-29 Broadway, Elmhurst, Queens

Time: 7:30pm

People: 19 Ramen and Friends: ALev, JBH, Effie & Matthew, StevenC, JLam from MeSoHungry, Rich & Friend, KarenO, Greg, MGill, Jill, SaSha, MaSha, MerryL, Yasmin, Sekita, RB and myself

Feelings: Head over to the Henan style restaurant, Uncle Zhou (pronounced Joe), located in Elmhurst immediately before all the New York Times readers ruin this place. On this unusually warm Autumn night, this group of R&F regulars devoured the following interesting Henan flavors:

Sichuan button, also know as sansho in Japan--commonly used spice in authentic Japanese cuisine
Spicy crispy rabbits
Big tray of chicken
Lamb dumplings
Shaved noodles with tomato and egg
A sixer of BYOB Miller bottles

Organizing our monthly Ramen and Friends outings could always be hectic. Just thinking about the next outing gives me ulcers. The people at most restaurants we visit have difficulty speaking English and aren't used to very large groups. Making reservations can be extremely difficult. But Uncle Zhou made the event easy breezy-- 15 people, "No problem!" More people unexpectedly showed up--"No problem!" JBH accidentally knocked over a table and broke a plate with her bags- "No problem at all!" The service was friendly and accommodating, and our server was very knowledgeable and helpful.

We started off with two cold dishes, sliced tofu skin with vegetables and sweet and sour cucumbers, which were recommended by our lovely server. They were both refreshing and a great way to start off the spicy Henan cuisine to come. Their famous regional delicacy, "Big Tray of Chicken" ($12, big enough for 2-3 people) was extremely well received at our table. Chicken chunks and and pieces of bones along with potatoes ever so gently glazed in what seemed to be the best sauce ever created and piled high with garlic and chili peppers. "The sauce was amazing, and I loved that the potatoes in the dish soaked up the delicious sauce. I would go back just for that dish!" said SaSha. Sekita added, "The big chicken of chicken delivered on its cultish reputation. I wanted to drink up the sauce."

Spicy Crispy Rabbit in Big Tray ($16.95) caused a lot of stirs and palate chaos with the use of Sichuan buttons also known as Sansho in Japan. Sichuan buttons can almost be compared to a hybrid of dried chilies and eating a slice of lemon. I grew up eating Sansho, so it was interesting to see people's reactions. "It gave it that numbing sensation-- very strange," MerryL said. "It was an interesting sensation and my mouth was buzzing," said SaSha. "Even my water had a strange 'sweet' and lemony taste for at least 20 minutes!"

Dial Oil Hand Drawn Noodle ($5) was extremely garlicky, to the point that caused my eyes to tear. Even today my purse smells of the dish, so keep your Chanel at home. MerryL thought it was "very garlicky but nice spice and texture." On the other hand, Tomato and Egg Knife Shaved Noodle ($5) was light and refreshing and similar to Hiyashi Chuka. The noodles were thick, doughy and al dente, and overall it was quite filling.

The Lamb dumplings ($3) were also a big hit. Sekita enjoyed the Middle Eastern seasoning, but JBH felt that there was a bit too much of residual juice inside. The bread of Sesame Pancake with Beef ($2.75) was seasoned with cinnamon, and RB appropriately called them 'meat Cinnabons.'

With the volume and quality of food, we could not believe it was only $10.50 each person. (20% tip included.) I unfortunately woke up with a terrible garlic breath and still tasting a bit of lemon, but my wallet and stomach were quite content from the night before.

Pão de Queijo 10-01-2011

2011-10-10T11:48:00.029-04:00

Location: Ditmas/Flatbush in BK

Time: 7:30pm

People: CEbert, his friends, RB, CK and myself

Feelings: I don't know anyone who knows more about culinary cultures than my dear friend CEbert. I have gotten countless tips on hole in the wall restaurants from him. He is well traveled, cultured, intelligent beyond anyone's belief, and above all, he has a great sense of humor and a kind heart. It is no wonder my mother has had a mad crush on him since they met at RB and my wedding.

After spending the summer on research in Brazil, he came back to Brooklyn to entertain his friends with Feijoada Carioca, the bean stew with pork and rice, which is the Brazil's undisputed national dish. Unfortunately it was long past CK's bedtime and had to miss most of the amazing dishes he created. But we managed to taste pão de queijo, Brazilian cheese bun, also a popular snack in Japan. Many bakeries in Japan including a popular donut chain, Mister Donut carry pão de queijo, and I remember tasting the mochi like chewy texture growing up in Osaka. Some bakeries even offer various flavors such as matcha, chocolate, and bacon.

Pão de queijo is usually made with tapioca flour, so it is a great dish for those who are looking for gluten free bread, however, it is so moist and chewy inside that you wont even think it's bread. With the crispy layer, it is a heavenly, gooey, and addictive ball. It's the kind of a ball anyone would want to be around all the time. So parents, stop going nuts over Ben and Jerry's Schweddy Balls. These are the best balls in town.

Atlantic Antic 10-02-2011

2011-10-05T09:37:00.014-04:00

Location: Atlantic Ave., BK

Time: 12pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: This is my third Atlantic Antic, and while the loud noise coming from the street bothers us all day, every year I get excited about all the culinary possibilities. It seems the block between Henry and Clinton offers the most local vendors including many from Red Hook such as Steve's AUTHENTIC Key Lime Pies and Red Hook Lobster Pound.

The shrimp roll ($8, sweet Maine shrimp tossed in roasted garlic and tarragon mayo, served in a top-split JJ Nissen bun) from the Lobster Pound was fresh, and the portion of shrimp was generous. I was really able to taste the freshness and meatiness of the shrimp since it was not masked by sauce or any other condiments. The bun was buttery and crispy and played a fantastic supporting roll.

While I was finishing up the never ending shrimp, RB devoured a lamb and pork merguez from Brooklyn Bangers, the sausage sandwich venture from Saul Bolton from The Vanderbilt and Saul. Mr. Bolton himself was present at the tent and informed RB that he has a new Italian restaurant opening up on Atlantic between Henry and Clinton, formerly occupied by Mezcal.

Our recent favorite, Catania had a tent and attracted crowds with their superb Sicilian pastries and pizza. The regulars Damascus and Chip Shop were also present, and especially near the Chip Shop beer tent, there were countless number of older guzzler gentlemen rocking to the music. I told CK, please get all the partying done before 30 and avoid this sort of public humiliation. After 30, it just seems a tad sad and desperate. Oh wonderful Atlantic Antic-- you teach us some life lessons while giving us the opportunity for the amazing local culinary adventure.

Bien Cuit 09-24-2011

2011-10-03T10:10:00.013-04:00

Location: 120 Smith St.

Time: 4pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: We have an amazing Italian eatery, Catania, that beautifully crafts decadent Italian pastries and delicious pizza and pasta in the area. But I have not yet found a decent French style bakery until now. The hunt for French bread and coffee is officially over after this great addition to Smith Street.

With an open kitchen and a spacious seating area, Bien Cuit offers pastry, sweet and savory tarts, various bread, pizza and sandwiches. They also carry perhaps the best coffee in the city, Crop to Cup. Their tea and spritzer selection are also impressive. I even tried iced chocolate mint tea, which was refreshingly minty with a hint of chocolate flavor.

My chocolate covered financier was moist and very subtly sweet-- just as I like it. If you fancy more of rich, creamy and sweet pastries that would knock you out after three bites, you might be disappointed by their rather healthy, light fare. The bread is really the star here, so most of their pastries and tarts would be very light and subtle while letting the artistry of the bread or crust shine through.

The prices are not cheap- It's a French bakery in Cobble Hill, so what do you expect? The pastries are from $3.75, and they are on a smaller side. But their pastries and breads are meticulously created with high quality ingredients, and every flavor is memorable... and literally bien cuit!

Atlantic Antic Today! 10-02-2011

2011-10-02T10:20:00.003-04:00

Feelings: Atlantic Antic is happening today from 12-6pm. There will be some pop up shops by Uniqlo this year, which should be interesting. See you on Atlantic Avenue!

Mille Feuille 09-29-2011

2011-09-30T10:03:00.008-04:00

Location: 552 Laguardia Pl.

Time: 1pm

People: BLee and myself

Feelings: Laguardia Place is a bit of a nightmare: Young NYU students hurrying to their next class, terrible eateries reminiscent of outdoor mall food courts, and of course peculiar looking locals aimlessly wandering about. It is definitely the area people would spell and pronounce "macaron" as "macaroon." However, walking into the charming French bakery, Mille-feuille, you are immediately enveloped by the intoxicating sweet buttery aroma and are transported.

The croissants and baked goods at Mille-feuille are supposed to be one of the best in the city. The pastry chef is from prestigious Pierre Herme and trained at Ritz Cooking School, so the expectation was incredibly high.

The lunch special is a pretty amazing deal. A large French style sandwich with either two macarons, mille feuille or pastry--for just $10! The sandwich was pre-packaged, but the portion was large, and the bread, pain au lait (milk bread) was soft and slightly sweet while supporting all the ingredients of Le Niçois (white tuna, tomatoes, hard boiled egg slices, chives, creme fraiche, red whine vinegar, mayo and mustard). People who like their sandwich bread with more texture would be caught off guard by this gentle, pillowy sandwich.

My two macarons, espresso and salted caramel were both filling-centric. The center filling was rather voluminous and took over the entire flavor and texture. I personally prefer more delicate layer of the cream, but this was rather dense and satisfying.

The service is warm and inviting, and the staff is quite knowledgeable here. I will have to go back for their famous croissant at some point. They only have a small counter if you want to eat in, but why not grab their sandwich or baked goods, head over to the park while enjoying this perfect fall weather? You might feel like you are in Paris for that moment.

Tabata Noodle 09-19-2011

2011-09-26T13:46:00.014-04:00

Location: 540 9th Ave.

Time: 12pm

People: Effie, StevenC, and myself

Feelings: Midtown has more ramen shops than East Village at this point. There are high quality artistry ramen shops such as Totto and Hide Chan, but it was definitely always missing a low key spot with a quick bite of solid flavored ramen. Let's be honest, Sapporo does not deserve that much of a long line. This defies the definition of the ramen shop: a quick eatery. In Japan, people would line for hours for a mastery crafted ramen shop or high end places like Ippudo, but otherwise it is supposed to be a place for a quick bite.

Tabata reminds me of a neighborhood ramen shop I grew up going to. No frills, no fuss--but you can expect a good, fast service and satisfactory noodles. I wish the prices were $1-$2 lower, but overall, most dishes were $8.75-$10.75. When we went, they were not accepting credit cards, but they recently started, which is a big plus. Since it is located in outskirts of Midtown West, their clientele seems to be the ill-fitted business shirt types, but the restaurant was spacious enough to prevent you from hearing their conversations.

My tsukemen was chewy, and the dipping sauce was not overly salty. I mostly enjoyed the flavored hanjyuku eggs (half boiled eggs), which was complimented by the sauce. Effie ordered their popular item, Kyushu Ramen, which was a decadent bowl of tonkotsu based ramen. StevenC ordered Stamina Don, a donburi dish known for its strong soy and garlic sauce over pork and eggs. (It's supposed to give you "stamina" from garlic, eggs and pork.) It had an interesting flavor mixture of sweet, salty and spicy, I can assure you this will satisfy your hunger.

Overall, they serve standard ramen and rice dishes including curry. The flavors are just right, but do not expect anything fancy, modern or delicate. It has the similar vibe to Menkui Tei, and while I enjoy the refined mastery flavor of Totto, Tabata brings plebeian's ordinary ramen--the ramen that comforts me and brings me home to the lively neighborhood of Osaka.

Hung Ry 09-17-2011

2011-09-23T12:19:00.010-04:00

Location: 55 Bond St.

Time: 12:30pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: We have wanted to go to Hung Ry, an upscale hand pulled noodle joint, for quite some time but never got a chance until now. You know how New York food trends work: foodies find authentic, hall-in-the wall spots usually in Queens. Then similar authentic spots open in Manhattan. By the time some famous chefs start a modern take of the food downtown, the trend is near over. Hand pulled noodles have been on the same path since Xi'an made it on Anthony Bourdain's show. I usually prefer more authentic flavor to the modern take, but Hung Ry certainly did not disappoint. In fact, they may serve far better noodles than many places in Chinatown.

Do not go to Hung Ry expecting $5 hearty noodle soup you may find on Doyers street. The food portion is equally large, but Hung Ry is located across from Billy Reid and down the street from Daryl K and my most favorite shoe store, United Nude, so expect to pay at least $15-$20 for a bowl. The selling point of Hung Ry is that they use organic flour, and the ambiance is more upscale and chic while maintaining the low key vibe. The service was warm and friendly, and they even served us a complimentary amuse bouche. The linen hand towels in the bathroom also provided a pleasant and environmentally friendly experience.

My thick noodles with corn-ginger broth and seasonable vegetables ($14) had an utterly imaginative combination of flavors. The rich broth carried the mild sweetness of the corn with a hint of spiciness of the ginger. The vegetables were char grilled before placed in the soup, and they were smokey yet fresh, and the crispiness of the vegetables shined through. This was perhaps the first time I almost forgot about the noodles since the rest of the elements was so interesting and artfully created.

RB's was also pleasantly surprised by his thick noodles with duck breast, leg, long beans, Chinese broccoli and goji berry ($19). The duck was expertly cooked and deliciously tender, and the long beans and broccoli were pleasantly crispy and fresh. It is rare to find a bowl of soup where all the ingredients maintain their freshness yet blend so well together.

In the end, it does not matter if the food is authentic or modernized. In the end, it all comes down to flavor. I certainly saw the noodle magic happening before my eyes, and at the same time, it was nice to see them staying true to the authenticity of hand pulled noodles.

The Kitchen Block Party 09-17-2011

2011-09-21T09:29:00.012-04:00

Location: 19th Street between 10th and 11th

Time: 2pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: On a nice Saturday afternoon, we visited our friend StevenC, who was volunteering at The Kitchen Block Party, a free kid friendly street fair right under The High Line. There were dozens of free art and craft booths along with performance art and bands. CK was too young for many booths, but we enjoyed their unique photo booths and of course, food vendors.

Asia Dogs, Chelsea Thai, Choncho's Tacos, Coconut Rob, Je & Jo Ice Cream were available, and the lines were not too long. Since RB kept mentioning Asia Dogs near his work in SoHo, we decided to try their "Ito" (Japanese curry and kimchi apple) with a veggie dog, "Mel+Steve" (Asian sesame slaw, scallions and sesame seeds) with a veggie dog, and WangDing (Chinese BBQ pork belly and onions) with a chicken dog. The curry from "Ito" was bland and not as decadent as I had expected, but "Mel+Steve" was flavorful, and the tanginess and crispy texture of slaw complimented the dog. I assume the concept of Asia Dogs is similar to Japa Dog, a popular Japanese hot dog stand in Vancouver. It is a shame that they don't have Japa Dog in NYC, but Asia Dog would certainly suffice.

The Kitchen Block Party is a great way to welcome the fall season while celebrating the creativity and diversity of Chelsea. The Kitchen holds this event annually, so if you miss it this year, definitely stop by next year and relax at High Line afterwards.

Donna Bell's Bake Shop 09-16-2011

2011-09-19T10:02:00.009-04:00

Location: 301 W. 49th St.

Time: 12pm

Feelings: On our way to happy hour last week, my co-workers and I found a quaint little Southern bakery near work on the outskirts of Worldwide Plaza. The buttery smell as we approached was utterly intoxicating. This must be something you smell when entering Paula Deen's house. Since I am still on post-op diet, I could not try their coffee, but I decided to try out for lunch the next day.

Unfortunately when I arrived, most of the baked goods were gone, but I decided to order deviled egg salad sandwich ($8.25, with paprika, lettuce on multigrain sliced bread). The sandwich came pre-packaged since all sandwiches are made fresh each morning in the shop. When I opened a paper bag and saw a saran wrapped sandwich, it made me feel like I was getting good ol' American school lunch, just like I've seen on Full House or Alf back in Japan.

The bread was a bit on the hard side, but the texture complimented the smooth and creamy egg salad. I appreciated that the egg white chunks were left larger than most egg salads. It really tasted like flavorful deviled eggs in a sandwich form. It was overpriced nonetheless for a tiny sandwich.

The service was friendly and apropos for the southern bakery. I can't wait to recover soon and try their coffee and other baked goodness. "Whole wheat black olive walnut and rosemary biscuit" indeed sounds like a winner!

Latta Coffee Kefir! 09-14-2011

2011-09-15T13:40:00.012-04:00

Feelings: I can't have a cup of coffee just yet (food restriction saga), but there is still hope for me yet thanks to Latta's coffee flavored kefir. This non fat kefir is subtly sweet and carries sufficient flavor and aroma of coffee. The ingredients include: Cultured evaporated skim milk, coffee, evaporated cane and sugar, natural coffee flavor. Since this is non fat, it's not quite creamy, but it is ever so smooth and light. I enjoy yogurt and coffee in the morning anyway... why not combine the two to save some time? This is also a great introduction to non coffee drinker.

Telegraphe Espresso Bar 09-02-2011

2011-09-14T10:21:00.012-04:00

Location: 107 W. 18th.

Time: 2pm

Feelings: It is the weekend before my oral surgery, and in case I expire on that inclined dental chair, I needed to do an incredibly important thing: Go to the Barney's warehouse sale. I didn't know how long my face would be swollen for, so I had to make sure at least my outfits would be impeccable and distracting.

It turns out they had more interesting items available for RB and CK, and I left the sale sans shoes or dress for myself. To sooth my grief, I stopped at the Telegraphe Espresso Bar conveniently located nearby. Many people might enjoy the more popular City Bakery located a block away, but I have always prefered Telegraphe.

The space is cramped, but it maintains the vibe of an intimate neighborhood cafe where every patron is treated with fast and friendly service. You almost never see tourists here, and most customers are alone and quietly eating their salads and taking coffee breaks while watching stylish people walk on 18th street. It is perfect for quick bites and decent iced coffee.

All salads and sandwiches conveniently come in two sizes--half and full. My "full" goat cheese salad ($7.95, goat cheese, avocado, grilled pepper, tomato, cucumber, balsamic dressing) was fresh and crispy, and I was actually sad when I finished. I usually steer clear of salads since they tend to be a rather boring and soggy, fatty mess, but their version was none of this.

So next time when you're at Metropolitan Pavilion for sample sales or Barney's sale, why not stop by for a quick tasty meal and coffee?

Food Restriction! 09-12-2011

2011-09-12T15:58:00.008-04:00

Feelings: I had a tooth extraction last week that left my jaw rather swollen. Needless to say, I was advised not to eat certain food until it heals.

Mostly liquid or puree, slowly back on solids
No hot food
No soda
No straws

Now I know how CK feels. He and I actually share food now. Eating baby food or mushy food is not exciting especially when the food is lukewarm. I just miss my morning coffee and bagels.

Here's what I've been eating:

Yogurt
Cold soup
Overcooked and chopped pasta or noodles
Cold oatmeal
Fruit juice

Exciting!

River Deli 09-04-2011

2011-09-09T10:43:00.012-04:00

Location: 32 Joralemon St. BK

Time: 3:30pm

People: RB's LI family, RB, CK and myself

Feelings: A taste of Sardinia can be found in this hidden gem of residential Brooklyn Heights. This quaint restaurant, formerly occupied by a corner deli, has a charmingly rustic and comfortable atmosphere. River Deli is nothing like other Brooklyn Italian restaurants-not the New York Italian American family style or the hipster-run modern Italian eateries. This is real deal unpretentious authentic Italian, in fact run by a couple from Sardinia, and it resembles a neighborhood hangout in Italy.

It is a perfect spot for a dinner date or brunch with friends and family from out of the town. This is the type of a place only the locals would know, yet it is not overly posh or hip that your parents wouldn't feel comfortable. The space is cramped, but there is one large table in the back, at which we were promptly seated. If you have a large party or have babies, I recommend stopping here at 3:40pm, right before the brunch ends. The restaurant is nearly empty and you get to relax without worrying about other customers.

Our party ordered lasagna ($12), zucchine ripiene ($13, baked zucchini filled with eggplant, bread crumbs, garlic and tomatoes), Malloredus Sardi Alla Campidanese ($10, traditional short Sardinian pasta with tiny sausage meatballs), and I had scrambled eggs with salmon and home fries ($9). I am not sure why I ordered such a new American dish at an authentic Italian spot, but eggs were overcooked. I highly recommend avoiding the egg dishes here and go straight to the pasta. RB's family could not have enough of their perfectly cooked pasta and a subtle rosemary flavor from their lasagna. Even a vegetable hater, CK enjoyed the zucchine ripiene, and we were delighted to see everyone at the table happy and full.

River Deli is a solid neighborhood restaurant with simple recipes and ingredients. It doesn't offer many frills but boasts a polite staff, cozy atmosphere and delicious food. If you are looking for more artistry or modern twists, this is not the place for you. But if you are tired of hip Italian and want a taste of the basic heartfelt flavors, this is what you are looking for. In a way, River Deli is painfully Brooklyn Heights: simple, classic, and authentic. It is welcoming to see a homely and dependable neighborhood hangout that serves one of the best pasta in the area.

Chuko 09-03-2011

2011-09-05T20:32:00.007-04:00

Location: 552 Vanderbilt Ave. BK

Time: 5:30pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: We arrived at Prospect Heights at 5pm. Since Chuko, Brooklyn's newest ramen shop didn't open until 5:30, we decided to relax at a charming French cafe a couple doors down, Le Gamin. We ordered a couple of coffees and crepe with apples. Everything was delicious, and the service was impeccable. It is no wonder CK put up a fuss when leaving. Or perhaps he was trying to warn us what was to come.

The expectation of Chuko was high. Former chefs from Morimoto, using local and organic ingredients to cook ramen--could it possibly be any better than this? Despite the narrow space and the restaurant full of toddlers and babies, the service was flawless. (They do not have high chairs, and this space is far from baby friendly.) They were still waiting on their liquor license, so they did not have any beer which is a bit hard to fathom at a ramen shop, but they had wine and sake as well as a kitschy selection, UCC canned coffee ($3). I know that the chefs and owners were not from Japan, and this place is certainly Americanized, but I appreciated that they brought in a bit of playfulness by serving UCC while showing a bit of Japanese authenticity.

Perhaps we hit them on the bad night. A couple next to us sent back their ramen twice, and the restaurant comped their meal. Our appetizers, shishito peppers ($6) and fried green tomato bun ($5) were greasy and on a salty side, and overall they looked sloppy. I expected a delicate flavoring with a simple yet interesting presentation, so this was a big surprise. My soy broth ramen ($12) did not taste like soy at all, and the noodles were under-cooked and tasted a bit like playdough. It was disappointing since each ingredient was fresh and tasty, but altogether, it did not make a hearty, soulful bowl of ramen. I certainly hope this was a part of growing pains that comes with a newly opened restaurant. Otherwise, I would be quite upset that kids in Prospect Heights would grow up thinking that this is ramen.

CK usually enjoys restaurant outings and trying out different flavors and textures, but he did not want to stay in the restaurant for another minute or have a bite--Is he a ramen medium, perhaps?

Birthday Cake from Payard! 08-25-2011

2011-09-01T11:55:00.002-04:00

Location: Francois Payard Bakery, 116 W. Houston St.

Feelings: I can be so incredibly old school Japanese. Birthdays in Japan are mainly for small children, and I never got used to the idea of celebrating my own birthday. Celebrating your own birth would be considered boastful in my culture, and many elders consider birthday celebrations as another Western import. While many younger friends in Japan and even my parents have what seems to be the American style birthday celebrations, I still have my hesitation. I do love celebrating other people's birthdays, however.

Despite my hesitation, every year, there is one thing I request RB for my birthday: A delicious and decadent French style cake. This year, RB brought home a hazelnut "le gâteau roulé"--a roll cake from Francois Payard Bakery. This is not a hazelnut flavored cake in any shape or form. Hazelnut in a shape of roll cake might be a better description since the meat and shavings of hazelnut can be found in every bit of this cake. Every bite was scrumptiously nutty and smooth, and the sweetness was ever so subtle. Since we could not possibly eat it in one day, we kept the roll in the fridge for three days. As each day passed, the more flavorful it became. The spongy cake soaked up more flavor from the cream and hazelnut, and by the third day, it had become devilish, almost an immoral piece of post birthday thrill.

The service at this bakery can be a bit strange and inattentive, but when selecting this birthday treat, RB mentioned that the service was particularly good. This cake may possibly be the best birthday gift I could ever hope for.

Bis.Co.Latte 08-26-2011

2011-08-29T11:00:00.015-04:00

Location: 667 10th Ave.

Time: 12pm

Feelings: After experiencing 10 days of blackout in Astoria, and the Great Hanshin earthquake, a category one hurricane might not be a big deal. After all, I managed to put on makeup and curled my hair in the dark. During the MTA strike in 2005, I walked from Astoria to Midtown East in five inch wedge boots for three days. But I could not hide my nervousness on Friday.

I decided to take a walk to Bis.Co.Latte on 10th Avenue. Bis.Co.Latte is a quaint family-run cafe that specializes in tea, coffee (Illy coffee), baked goods and what else--over 60 variety of hand-crafted biscotti. If you want to pick up light lunch while you are here, they have savory offerings like cold and warm soups, frittatas, and risotto. After reading the reviews on yelp, I was nervous about their service that seems to involve a lot of shouting, but they were surprisingly warm and friendly.

I ordered iced decaf white raspberry tea ($2.75) and corn and leek risotto ($8.95) and to finish off, chocolate hazelnut biscotti ($1.15). The portion of risotto was quite small for $8.95, but it was fresh, buttery and hearty, and I would certainly order it again. It would be a perfect lunch for the crisp fall weather to come. The biscotti was chocolatey and scrumptious, and compared to cantucci from Il Cantuccio in West Village, it was more of the American style. I would recommend getting a warm cup of latte or tea to go with it.

Bis.Co.Latte is an adorable cafe with no-nonsense Hell's Kitchen mood, which means you need to treat this place as pre-Starbucks era--no laptop, no sticking around for hours without ordering--the basic code the "cafe" people have forgotten after the Starbucks invasion. So if you are tired of Starbucks full of tourists in Midtown, stop by here for a moment of serenity with delightful tea and biscotti.

What Did You Have for Lunch? 08-24-2011

2011-08-25T11:33:00.033-04:00

Feelings: I don't really care if Will Smith and Jada are staying together or how many dresses Kim Kardashian wore for her wedding, but I am always curious about what other people had for lunch. Here's the list of lunch people had on Wednesday, the 24th.

Most of the items below came from people who live in NYC, but some are from LA, Atlanta, DC, London and Beijing. Can you guess which one was my lunch?

Chicken and kale
Lamb korma with nan
Ham and cucumber sandwich with mayo
Thai tofu and eggplant
Virtual lunch
Pizza
Harusame soup
Pesto with tortellini and a brownie
99 cent pizza and a Pepsi
Eggplant with cannellini beans and a side of fries
Thai yellow curry with chicken with a side of calamari
Pork and veggie dumplings and a scallion pancake
Spinach salad and chocolate marble yogurt muffin
This spicy half crepe, half omelet thing that was folded into this burrito looking mass and a bottle of strange iced tea (All for $1!)
Egg, cheese and potato wrap
Spicy grilled chicken hot wrap
Green smoothie (avocado, mango, spinach and frozen berries)
Veggie burger, hummus and Swiss cheese sandwich
Roasted chicken with steamed rice, a banana

What did YOU have for lunch?

City Sandwich 08-22-2011

2011-08-24T11:29:00.019-04:00

Location: 649 9th Ave.

Time: 12pm

Feelings: Sandwich shops are usually not vegetarian friendly, one of the reasons I don't care for sandwiches. While I enjoy my occasional sandwiches from Despana, Salume, and Van Horn, the section of vegetarian friendly sandwiches is always quite limited. Midtown especially lacks modern gourmet sandwich shops that incorporate vegetarian dishes, so I almost never have one during workdays.

City Sandwich, Portuguese and Italian influenced sandwich shop in Hell's Kitchen, is an ideal place for pescetarians, vegetarians and vegans alike. All the sandwiches are categorized into three: Without meat (includes seafood, color-coded with green), With Meat (color-coded with red), and With Eggs (color-coded with yellow). Alas, non meat eaters will never have to be left with one sad avocado and alfalfa on toast any longer.

I ordered "Nonna," ($7.25, omelet, sauteed onions, fresh oregano, melted mozzarella, olive oil), which was generous in portion, especially with substantial amount of eggs. As a Lactaid popper, I appreciated that it did not come with too much cheese, and also as a result the overall sandwich did not taste greasy. It remained as a rather light and simple fare. The eggs were overcooked, but the softness of the bread and the kick of oregano kept the soul of the sandwich intact.

I can't wait to try their octopus salad sandwiches since I hear that it is quite fresh and delicious. Sardines play an important role in Portuguese culinary culture, so I should obviously try their sardine sandwich as well. For those of you who are anti-carb, all of their sandwiches can be served without bread or as open sandwiches. The wait here is rather long, so I would recommend to call ahead and order as a pick up. You will save about 10 minutes and take more time enjoying your succulent Portuguese sandwich.

Fonda Nolita 08-20-2011

2011-08-22T11:06:00.016-04:00

Location: 267 Elizabeth St.

Time: 5pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: I have many, many phobias. So much so that when I watch "Monk" re-runs, I wonder why people think it is funny. Here is my main list of phobias:

1) Nature

2) Summer, warm weather

3) Sweating

4) Any strong smells

5) Uncleanliness

6) Suburbs, anywhere that I cannot find Duane Reade or sample sales within 20 minutes.

So where do people like myself go to enjoy the end of the summer? It certainly is not the beach, inhabited with too much nature, sweat and strong sunscreen smells. My summer spot is Fonda Nolita, a bit of the Yucatan oasis in the heart of Nolita. This garage with high heel friendly concrete floor and skylights decorated with a laid back Mexican beach theme is hands down my perfect vacation spot.

Tacombi, a VW taco bus located inside of this lofty garage, serves one of the crispiest and freshest fish tacos outside of San Diego. Their crispy fish taco ($4) is incredibly crunchy without the unwanted oiliness and grease. The batter to fish ratio is a perfection, and all the fresh ingredients shine through. The seared Veracruz fish taco ($4) is not at all boring either. The fish in a serrano rub, pickled chiles, onions, and green tomatillo and avocado salsa created layers of delicate and tasty flavor with a slight kick.

RB's Chorizo Breakfast and Mexicana Breakfast Tacos ($4 each) were spicy and scrumptious treats. RB has always been a fan of breakfast sandwiches, and any place offering all-day breakfast tacos is truly after his heart.

I also recommend their refreshing hibiscus tea or watermelon water ($3), which comes in a gigantic glass that I could not finish. This is also a kid friendly spot, and as a part of kid friendly menu, all of their tacos can be split into two mini tacos sans hot sauce.

Fonda Nolita is a relaxing and kid friendly oasis with tasty tacos and quality ingredients, located in walking distance of all the Nolita boutiques. Many people may prefer to spend their summer weekends on the beach, but I prefer to spend them next to people in designer shoes, devouring delicious tacos.

Ramen Dim Sum Set at Saburi 08-20-2011

2011-08-20T20:42:00.003-04:00

Feelings: My faviorite Wafu-Chuka (Japanese style Chinese food) restaurant, Saburi in Midtown is serving $9.75 Ramen Dim Sum set--appetizer, dim sum, and ramen-- in the celebration of their 6th anniversary. Tasty!

Japan Block Fair Tomorrow! 08-20-2011

2011-08-20T20:37:00.003-04:00

Location: Madison Ave and 44th
Feelings: If you are in Midtown tomorrow, Sunday the 21st, head over to "Japan Block Fair." There will be 40 vendors selling Japanese food and various merchandise!

R&F+Japanese TV @ Ippudo! 08-18-2011

2011-08-19T14:20:00.022-04:00

Location: 65 4th ave.
Time: 7:30pm
People: 12 Ramen and Friends: ALev, MGru, SaSha, Effie, JT, BLee, RB, Gisela, LauraE, RoGo, Alexis and myself PLUS Japanese TV crew filming us slurp the noodles!

Feelings: I received an unexpected phone call. A TV Tokyo producer from my father's favorite show in Japan, "Ariehen Sekai!" wanted to film our monthly Ramen and Friends outing for a ramen in America segment. I was excited and hesitant. After all, gathering the right number of people at the last minute is incredibly challenging. But the VIP treatment, a great group, and 50% off the bill at Ippudo made all my stress melt away in the end.

Getting a table at Ippudo on Thursday night usually requires an hour of wait, perhaps two, but we were escorted to their back table shortly after we arrived exactly at 7:30 PM. Do people like Ippudo because of the wait and expectation? Would their broth and noodles be as tasty if I don't have to build up anticipation?

The answer was yes. Their noodles were incredible regardless of the wait. The top-notch high end service definitely helped, but both the broth and noodles held clean, dense and sophisticated flavors. "If I had never been to Totto, I'd think Ippudo is hands down the best. But Totto definitely gives it some competition," said SaSha. Both Totto and Ippudo serve some glorious ramen, but if you want more up-scale, schleping Louboutin worthy spot, Ippudo is the place.

Ippudo regulars ALev and MGru and most of the guests in their general vicinity ordered "Akamaru Modern" ($15, miso paste, chashu, cabbage, kikurage, scallions and garlic oil). MGru wished her egg topping was hard boiled instead of soft since it would create a nice texture difference. SaSha thought the noodles had the perfect texture, and the broth was porky and rich. Contrary to MGru, SaSha thought the soft boiled egg added an extra layer of silky richness. While JT thought the noodles were a little on the overcooked side, he thoroughly enjoyed the broth and eloquently referred to it on camera as "pork milk." He added, "I would happily pour the broth on my breakfast cereal."

My "Wasabi Shoyu" ($15, soy sauce and vegetable based, topped with bean curd, wasabi, menma, spinach, nori, scallions and wasabi infused oil) was light and resembled a hot bowl of Tokyo style soba noodles. The noodles were thin and chewy, and it was overall a perfectly dreamy bowl of noodles.

I know that many people tend to think Japanese food is healthy, but ramen is quite caloric and high in sodium. In order to prevent unwanted heart burn and fat intake, I always drink oolong tea ($3). Oolong tea supposedly helps absorbing extra fat content you consume. I don't know if that is 100% accurate, but I love the taste of oolong anyhow.

After the TV crew left and we finished our soupy noodles, we all went to Sundaes and Cones nearby. It was gratifying to know that I was with a group of exceptional people who truly appreciate the diverse New York culinary culture regardless of the presence of camera. In this Facebook era full of self absorbed people who seek 15 minutes of fame, it was swell to be able to spend time with them and know that there are great people out there to share tasty bowls of ramen with.

Sockerbit 08-10-2011

2011-08-15T09:54:00.009-04:00

Location: 89 Christopher St.

Feelings: Don Draper drinks scotch to bond with his colleagues. In 2011, scotch has been replaced by the candy jar, usually filled with Hershey's products. While I'm not much of a candy person, Mr. Goodbar and Special Dark compliment my 3pm decaf break. I do wish they were a few bitter and rich German chocolates, but sometimes chalky American delights that call themselves "chocolate flavored candy," sans cocoa, do justice.

But today, we had special treats from Sockerbit, a new Swedish candy shop located next door of Il Cantuccio in West Village. They come from Sweden to kick Hershey's in the butt. Marshmallow bears dipped in chocolate, Dumle, Vanilj Praliner--and many other authentic Swedish candies that are sold at their grocery stores can be found here. At $13 a pound, you can save a trip to Ikea or Sweden and enjoy 3pm Fika at your desk. They are certainly sweet treats, but they go absurdly well with a strong cup of coffee. Now, I just wish I had some real coffee at the office and co-workers who actually have time to take a coffee break.

Nom Wah Tea Parlor 08-09-2011

2011-08-12T10:01:00.021-04:00

Location: 13 Doyers St.Time: 7:30pm

People: 16 Ramen and Friends: Binx2, SaSha, Rich & Friend, RoGo, Alexis, KaV, Punj, JBH, StevenC, Effie, JR, MKang, JLam from MeSoHungry, RB and myself

Feelings: The gentrification of many New York neighborhoods has kicked many locals out of the city, and for those who can barely afford to live here, we see a vanishing New York: a giant mall on the island of Manhattan filled with banks, Duane Reade, Starbucks and condos. Sometimes the loss of traditional culture is a good thing--it makes people less prejudiced and opens their culture to others. In the case of New York City, each neighborhood used to represent unique traditional customs and food, but when those started to disappear and replaced by yuppies and hipsters, what do we have left?

In the midst of this change, what happened to Nom Wah is a miracle. The oldest dim sum joint in the city was recently renovated while a new owner faithfully preserved the old dining area. His mother must be a Tiger Mom like mine--I would not even question destroying the 90 year old historical space. Respecting the elders, traditions, and history is something I want to cherish in this youth oriented culture we live in now.

Since the face-lift, Nom Wah has been a beloved spot for both tourists and foodies alike. When I entered the restaurant, it instantly brought me back to Wong Kar Wai's highly stylized masterful drama, "In the Mood for Love." Although I missed the graceful presence of Tony Leung in perfectly tailored suit, this modest spot will take you back to the mid-century feel without a hint of irony or theme restaurant ambiance. Both Effie and RB mentioned that it was the first time they have seen check patterned tablecloth at an Asian restaurant. "I fully expected to start eating Italian," said RB.

Although they serve dim sum, this is not one of those large dining halls with cart service you may see in Chinatown. This is a tea parlor after all. Just like Vegetarian Dim Sum House nearby, you mark your selections with a pencil and give the sheet of paper to them.

Except the still frozen-in-the-middle vegetable dumplings ($2.50), almost all the members at the table enjoyed the food and service. The "Shrimp Sui Mai ($3.50) and scallion pancakes ($3.50) were my favorites. And I actually liked the taste of chicken feet, go figure," JBH said. Our resident tea aficionado SaSha enjoyed the tea selection and said that tea is usually free in restaurants like this, but for the price we got a strong, satisfying pot of oolong that easily served three of us. "Much better than the free tea at most restaurants." The pot of oolong tea unquestionably complimented their famous almond cookie. If you are not a big dim sum fan, I'd recommend you to stop by for just the tasty, soft almond cookie and a pot of tea. If there was a Chinatown version of Seinfeld, I could easily envision Jerry and George hanging out here over some tea.

It is a fact that in recent years, the best Chinese food is found in Flushing, not Manhattan Chinatown. And while my favorite dim sum spot remains Ocean Jewel in Flushing, and as StevenC thought the food at Nom Wah was not the highest of the quality, sometimes it is not just about the food. It is about the dining experience. It is about history. So why not take your future spouse to Nom Wah for your first date? You could someday come back to the same location with your grandchildren and say, "I took your grandmother here on our first date." Be a part of their history--I'm sure the history of Nom Wah will live on.

Westerly is Open! 08-11-11

2011-08-11T12:09:00.003-04:00

Feelings: Westerly is open again after renovation! If you need instant oatmeal, it's only $1.99 (normally $5), and they are giving away free samples of Cliff bars at the register.

Free Food: Foreign Language Food Truck 08-11-11

2011-08-11T11:12:00.004-04:00

Feelings: Free food! 1745 Broadway between 55th and 56th, from noon to 5pm. Click here for more details.

Torrisi Italian Specialties 08-04-2011

2011-08-10T09:28:00.016-04:00

Location: 250 Mulberry St.

Time: 1pm

People: SaSha and myself, along with RB's picture above

Feelings: After the much anticipated Alexander Wang sample sale, battling through crowds of half naked women trying on various dresses, we were ready for lunch. Torrisi, an authentic Italian-American joint, serves dinner with $50 prix fixe menu and hours of wait, but lunch is certainly more accessible and affordable.

The only vegetarian option of the sandwich menu, potato, egg and provolone on hero ($10, $8 for rolls) was tasty and filling. There is nothing dainty about this sandwich. It was greasy and salty in a good way, and fresh ingredients really shined through. While I appreciated the sandwich, I missed more of delicate, clean flavors with artisan bread and pretty presentations. Torrisi is like a beautiful girl I knew in college-- every guy she was with ended up being gay after dating her. It seemed she was their last resort. "If I can't be turned on by her, it is 100% certain I am gay." If I cannot be turned on by this amazing Torrisi, my palate must really not be accustomed to Italian American cuisine. But if you grew up in New York, this will make you feel nostalgic for old New York.

The tasty pictures above are RB's turkey sandwich, which he occasionally gets for lunch. He is a New Yorker to the core, and he sure knows his sammichs. He refers to it as possibly the best turkey sandwich in town and highly recommends the spicy sauce.

Overall, Torrisi lunch is cute and flavorful, and most people will agree that they serve a delicious sandwich. I unfortunately have tried one of the best sandwiches in town and have realized I'm playing on the wrong team.

Seersucker 08-07-2011

2011-08-08T14:52:00.008-04:00

Location: 329 Smith St.

Time: 1pm

People: FA, DA, RB, CK and myself

Feelings: CK is at the age where he cannot sit still for a second. He wants to explore the world and chases after pretty ladies and shiny objects. Having a son makes me really realize that men do not change that much as they grow up. How many men do you know who can hold still without the help of electronic devices or ladies?

Fortunately, Seersucker, located right in front of Carroll Park is sophisticated yet kid friendly Southern inspired spot. (It was even voted as one of the best toddler-friendly new restaurants by New York Magazine.) The hostess was perhaps the most genuinely delightful and courteous person, which matched with their Southern theme. A true Southern hospitality can be found here. If you live in BoCoCa and go for a brunch, you usually will encounter at least two or three kids, but this place was particularly courteous to kids and the parents. They treated us just like any other patrons, but with extra care and thoughtfulness. There was a 45 minute wait for a table, but they took my cel phone number on their iPad, which gave us a bit of play time at Carroll Park.

As with the other tables, there was a bit of a wait for our food to arrive, so if you are hungry, I would suggest to order big glasses of drinks since they don't quite have many appetizers for brunch. They also serve complimentary house filtered still or sparkling water.

The food was worth the wait. My "Vermont cheddar omelette" ($11, with salad and biscuit) was perfectly cooked and seasoned without any distractions from cheese. There were no bumps or lumps on the eggs--it was as if the omelette was wearing Spanx.The eggs just melted in my mouth ever so smoothly. This is eggs, I thought. Now I am not sure if I could ever eat all those overcooked, runny or misshaped eggs from the rest of the New American brunch spots in the area.

I used to live in Florida for almost six years, and while I miss almost nothing about the state, I miss the good biscuits. The craving was handsomely satisfied by the Seersucker's version. Their biscuit was cubic and minuscule, yet significant compliment of the brunch. It was moist, smooth, and soft without being sickeningly buttery. Perfection.

There are indeed tons of modernized Southern restaurants in the area, but Seersucker truly brings the refined flavors of Southern comfort food. When you hear "Southern food" and think of gigantic, greasy food that overstuffs you, this is not the place for you. The portions here are small, but every bite is incredibly powerful and hearty--sans extra calories and Tums. Who knew "quality over quantity" would successfully work with Southern cuisine?

$32 Bieber Sundae.. 08-08-2011

2011-08-08T14:04:00.006-04:00

Feelings: I don't know anything about Justin Bieber, but his $32 ice scream sundae called, "Bieber Bocker Glory" at Harrods sounds tasty.

Where is Magnum? 08-04-2011

2011-08-04T10:26:00.004-04:00

Feelings: Ever since I found out that my beloved Danish born Magnum Ice Cream landed in the U.S., I have been looking for them everywhere. These wonderful treats are widely popular in Europe, and with cult followings in Japan, it is about time they start the distributions in the U.S.

RB was able to find a couple of boxes of double caramel and double chocolate flavors at Key Food, but by the following week, they were all gone. I would love to tell you how wonderful these treats are, but it is almost impossible to find, and I must warn you they are utterly addictive. Once you taste the crispy rich chocolate, luscious caramel or chocolate sauce along with the smooth vanilla ice cream, there is no going back. RB is currently going through Magnum withdrawal symptoms: overall anger towards all non magnum-ice cream.

If you see them anywhere, please let me know.

Fisherman's Dawta 07-30-2011

2011-08-01T09:37:00.012-04:00

Location: 407 Atlantic Ave. BK

Time: 3pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: While I enjoy Caribbean flavors, it has always been difficult to find vegetarian friendly dishes. It's a good thing I occasionally eat seafood. It turns out Fisherman's Dawta, located at the former Loretta's next to Bedouin Tent, is serving vegetarian options as well as Caribbean favorites like jerk chicken.

Their backyard patio was still intact from Loretta's and decorated quite cheerfully. If you don't suffer from allergies or the bugs don't seem to annoy you, this is a bit of oasis in Downtown Brooklyn. At this BYOB and counter service joint, you can just kick back and relax a steamy summer afternoon.

There were four dishes on the menu: Jerk chicken ($10), basa fish ($15), shrimp ($15) or Ital stew ($8). All dishes come with generous amount of rice and beans and steamed cabbage. My vegetarian Ital stew was flavorful with a hint of coconut milk, and every vegetable soaked up all the tasty flavors. CK, quite the finicky eater, thoroughly enjoyed this stew with rice and beans, and he managed to finish half of my plate.

RB's jerk chicken was tender and delightfully seasoned. He enjoyed the long lasting but not overpowering heat.

Some people enjoy going to the Caribbeans for vacation, but I almost prefer this mini Brooklyn vacation at the vibrant backyard of Fisherman's Dawta. No packing, no high priced flights, no lines-- just great food and a relaxing time.

Colonie 07-23-2011

2011-07-28T10:00:00.016-04:00

Location: 127 Atlantic Ave. BK

Time: 12pm

People: BLee, Shaumo and myself

Feelings: When you cross Atlantic Avenue to the North side, the neighborhood becomes Brooklyn Heights, utterly beautiful but not the most exciting area of Brooklyn. It is perfect for families if you can afford to live there, but it is so underwhelming and culinarily challenged that it makes you feel like you have moved to the suburbs. I have always wondered why so many celebrities live in this area since it lacks restaurants, bars or stores. Perhaps they just follow steps of the former Brooklyn Heights resident, Truman Capote and say, "I live in Brooklyn. By choice."

Needless to say, Colonie, the only farm to table restaurant in Brooklyn Heights is often packed with the locals as well as Manhattanites. When I think of a farm to table restaurant in Brooklyn, I automatically picture skinny guys with mustaches reading off extensive beer and wine selections, but Colonie promotes itself in a more Brooklyn Heights/Manhattan friendly and less Hipster Brooklyn way. The prices are also Brooklyn Heights friendly with $2 or $3 more for each dish than Smith or Court Streets. The service is excellent and professional, and the staff was in what seemed to be a uniform-- tailored denim shirt with black bottoms.

It was already crowded before noon with the brunch crowd. With extensive drink selections, the menu consisted of "crostini," "cheese," "meat," "baked goods," "salads," "sides," and regular brunch dishes. Pastry lovers BLee and I of course had to get "Basket of baked goods." ($7, tart cherry scone, lemon pistachio muffin, donut, blueberry jam and butter) All three items were excellent and moist, and I especially enjoyed the scrumptious and slightly tart muffin. BLee's favorite was the donut, "which was really a beignet covered in sugar," she said.

My "Asparagus Gruyere Scramble" ($12 with rosemary potatoes) was well executed, and the potatoes were crispy, delicate and flavorful. But as BLee and I both thought, our food was rather unmemorable. Don't get me wrong-- they were plates of exquisite food with best ingredients and executions. "It reminded me of a lot of chic, vaguely French-styled bistros in Manhattan that serve flawless food but have no personality," added BLee. Colonie is like that "perfect guy" you date and can't find any flaws, but you somehow find yourself not being attracted to him. He lacks the oddities, charisma and charm. Colonie is a great, necessary addition to the neighborhood, but alas, we are indeed spoiled by the rest of eclectic, eccentric and budget friendly Brooklyn culinary scene.

Piccolo Cafe 07-25-2011

2011-07-26T09:28:00.009-04:00

Location: 274 40th St.

Time: 12:30pm

Feelings: You would not expect Piccolo Cafe to exist in this dull and dingy area of Manhattan. Sure, there are Boi Noodles, Muji, and Inakaya on the same street, but a quaint Italian cafe with reclaimed wood decor and organic and local ingredients is not something that comes to my mind when you see Port Authority across the street. Finally, there is a place for skinny pants and ill fitted business suits to co-exist in harmony. Piccolo Cafe's original location resides in Gramercy, more appropriate location for this type of Italian eatery.

There are too many items to choose from--panini, salads, pasta, all day organic egg sandwiches and omelettes (comes with free coffee), and I even saw $15 Lobster Roll on their chalkboard menu. The service was friendly, and I promptly received my take out order of Pasta with Pesto ($9) and Lemonade ($3) after five minutes of ordering. From what I observed, it seemed many customers were calling ahead to place their take-away orders to avoid the wait.

My pasta was fresh and chewy, and needless to say, incredibly filling. For high quality savory ingredients, $9 was quite a great deal unless you prefer bland ample sized pasta from Duke's at a cheaper price. Also, their pricing includes tax for those of you who do not like to carry change.

As I listened to the old albums of Les Savy Fav and Fugazi on my new Spotify account and devoured the tasty pesto, I realized that having pesto for lunch at work is never a good idea. I had to come to terms that I would need to brush my teeth continuously the rest of the afternoon.

Zabb Elee 07-16-2011

2011-07-22T09:53:00.013-04:00

Location: 72 2nd Ave.

Time: 12:30pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: It has been two years since we moved to Brooklyn from Astoria. Sure, the restaurant scene is impressive in BoCoCa, and Barney's Co-Op and TJ's are here, but when it comes to Asian food, there is no question that Queens is far superior. We especially miss our favorite Thai restaurant, Poodam. (now closed)

It turns out the former Poodam's chef now can be found at Zabb Elee's new Manhattan location in East Village. Zabb Elee in Elmhurst has been offering traditional Isan Thai to the local Thai families and foodies. Opening of their new Manhattan location means we no longer have to take the 7 train to Sripraphai in Woodside or Ayada in Elmhurst and make an event out of it.

Just like the authentic Thai joints in Queens, you will not see Pad Thai or Curry here. Also, vegans and vegetarians alike might have a difficult time since most of the items on the menu include seafood or meat, and of course, heavy fish sauce. They certainly have a vast selection of salad dishes and interesting dish such as sauteed morning glory, however.

The space is small, and with their recent write up on New York Magazine Cheap Eat list, you may wait a while for a seat for dinner. If you want to try this place without the wait, try the weekend brunch time. The restaurant was nearly empty when we got there. The service was friendly and attentive, and I even heard the waitstaff explaining almost the entire menu to a group of Thai food novices.

My Yen Ta Fo ($7.5, sour and spicy noodle soup, fish ball, squid, fried tofu) was not spicy but overpoweringly fishy. It was tangy and slightly sweet, but this dish is for either Thai natives or those of you who cannot get enough of fish sauce. I realized after eating that they really tone down the fishiness at Ayada and Pure Thai.

RB's Ped Peola with Pandanus Boiled Rice ($8, duck stew) was quite tasty. He enjoyed the nice and simply prepared duck without much added flavor but with good texture and tenderness. He also enjoyed his Pandanus Boiled Rice, which was much like plain congee.

It is welcoming to see the real, authentic Thai cuisine finally arriving on the island of Manhattan. American food is all about the fusion cooking, many times with overpowering flavors of grease, sweet and salty. But Manhattan is officially ready for umami and major fish sauce. I hope more restaurants will stop catering towards the stereotypical American flavors and actually serve their authentic dishes. After all, we are not just regular Americans-- we are urbane New Yorkers always onto the new flavor, aren't we?

Microwave + Ice Cream 07-21-2011

2011-07-21T13:57:00.003-04:00

Feelings: FF and I were discussing how long we microwave a pint of ice cream. I do 23 seconds, FF does 13. I like my ice cream to be gooey soft goodness with easily identifiable chunks. Do you microwave your ice cream?

Catania 07-17-2011

2011-07-19T11:35:00.010-04:00

Location: 193 Atlantic Ave. BK

Time: 1pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: Catania, a Sicilian style cafe, opened just this past spring, but I went for the first time this weekend. The food of the former occupants, also Italian, was dreadful, and I did not expect much from yet another Italian spot. But Catania turns out to be more than a pleasant surprise.

In a quiet, serene atmosphere, friendly owners from Italy take pride in their food, pastries and coffee here. I tried Iris al Cioccolato ($3.25, Crispy Brioche with Chocolate Cream), which was by far the best breakfast treat or daytime dessert in the neighborhood. The outer layer was crispy with panko like crumbs, and filling of the chocolate pastry cream was smooth and succulent. Overall this Italian style donut was light and not overly sweet at all.

As for their delicious coffee, they use organic fair trade beans from Stone Street Coffee Co. in Brooklyn and Miscela d'Oro in Sicily. Where can you find organic coffee and espresso at $1.75 nowadays? My iced decaf Americano ($2.75) was shaken like a martini, and the flavor was strong. It really is a coffee lover's heaven.

I cannot wait to try their pasta, pizza, salad, cakes and many other Sicilian specialties they carry. With Sahadi's, Damascus, Yemen Cafe, Atlantic Fruit and Veg, and now Catania, the area of Court Street and Atlantic Avenue is quite a culinary destination of Brooklyn.

Pier 6 Brooklyn is Tasty! 07-17-2011

2011-07-17T17:11:00.004-04:00

Feelings: I have mentioned before about a bit of food scene at Pier 6 Brooklyn Bridge Park, but they now also feature Milk Truck Grilled Cheese and Blue Marble as well as tasty Bark Dogs! What an awesome and relaxing weekend food destination.

Enoteca on Court 06-26-2011

2011-07-15T13:30:00.023-04:00

Location: 347 Court St. BK

Time: 6pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: Since Carroll Gardens used to be a predominantly Italian neighborhood, there are countless Italian restaurants and specialty stores to choose from. Lucali is perhaps the most famous pizzeria, but they are cash only, don't deliver and are overpriced. So if you are looking for a mid range price with refined flavor that is more Italian than American Italian, look no further than Enoteca on Court. Don't worry, they of course have a wood burning oven.

Enoteca offers small plates of cheeses, bruschetta, and salumi that would be perfect with wine. If you are not much of a pizza lover, they also serve excellent salads, panini calzones, pasta and spiedini (Italian skewers). My other Italian neighborhood favorites, Brucie, Bocca Lupo, Rucola are the experts of non pizza dishes, so stick with pizza here if you can.

The oven baked pasta dishes such as baked ziti ($7) are quite tasty, but their beet salad ($9) has more sleek flavor that comes with seriously powerful Gorgonzola cheese and subtly sweet orange fig dressing.

Their small vegetarian pizza ($13, large is $19, tomatoes, mozzarella, eggplant, zucchini and peppers) is not actually very small. Its cracker thin crust is baked to perfection. The crust is perfectly crispy, and both the sauce and cheese are fresh and high quality. They also have Nutella pizza with strawberries!

While Brucie and Rucola might attract outer borough residents, Enoteca is a solid neighborhood restaurant that would live up to its expectation every time. Places like Enoteca make our neighborhood so appealing--and make us stay here despite its ever rising rents.

The Shop at Andaz 5th Ave. 06-28-2011

2011-07-13T09:50:00.012-04:00

Location: 485 5th Ave.

Time: 12:30pm

People: FA and myself

Feelings: I always pass by The Shop at Andaz after picking up lunch from Sunrise or Mai on 41st Street and wondered what it was. It turns out it is Andaz Hotel by Hyatt with the dining spot called The Shop. This farm to table restaurant serves many downtown New York favorites--from Russ and Daughters, Pickle Guys, Katz to Il Laboratorio del Gelato and Sullivan Street Bakery.

The prices are business lunch friendly; appetizers from $10-$16, sandwiches from $14-$18, and entrees at $17-$30. This would be a great place to introduce business associates outside of NYC to the quick highlight of our downtown culinary world...while staying in midtown.

We started off with "spinach and lentil dhal with chilies on toasted bread," which was light, flavorful and really a perfect summer appetizer. We both ordered Lobster Rolls, which was full of lobster chunks and a hint of mayo. The bread was not as soft and buttery as I hoped to, but the meatiness of the lobster compensated.

The best part of this restaurant is their coffee from Blue Bottle Coffee. It is always difficult to find a decent cup of coffee in Midtown. Why not stop at The Shop for an amazing cup of coffee and tasty baked goods from Sullivan Street Bakery without trekking all the way to 10th Avenue? They also carry chocolate from Mast Brothers as well--The Shop is indeed a little downtown in Midtown.

The Rockaways! 07-09-2011

2011-07-11T09:50:00.022-04:00

Directions: The A train to Broad Channel, switch to the Shuttle to Beach 105th St if you want to follow this R&F adventure. Most people got off at 98th st station for the main food court area.

People: 21 Ramen and Friends: ALev, MGru, JBH, TH, BLee, MKang, Jill, JT, Rich, SaSha, MaSha, HaSha, NoaSha, MerryL, Yasmin, Sekita, Rachel, Binx2 & Friend, RB, CK and myself

Feelings: Even the NYT mentioned that Far Rockaway is the food destination of this summer, and Grub Street referred it as the summer weekend Williamsburg. I was skeptical about a beach in Queens, but Rockaway Beach is a lovely family friendly surfer community which is clean compared to Coney Island. If you want a local destination accessible by train to pick up hipster girls in bikinis or enjoy the area's newly found foodie culture, I suggest you hop on the A train.

Itinerary:

1) Blue Bottle Coffee (Boardwalk, 106th St.)

New Orleans style iced 'New Orleans style' chicory coffee is subtly sweet and delicious. This is a good spot to meet with friends since the area is not overly crowded.

2) Caracas (Boardwalk, 106th St.)

The famous arepas and empanadas from the East Village spot can now be found on the beach. JBH enjoyed her fish empanada and said, "It was tasty and spicy but not hot spicy, and very good dough." It was not traditional pie crust for empanadas but fluffier like hush puppies. Also, if you like unsweetened tart flavor, I recommend refreshing hibiscus iced tea here.

3) Food Court on 96th St-- Babycakes, Motorboat & The Big Banana, Rockaway Taco, Ode to the Elephants

They serve alcohol here, and this was perhaps the most crowded area of the beach and expect a long wait at each station...except Babycakes. I suppose not many people in bikinis want to eat sweets on the beach whether vegan or not. I am not a big fan of their LES location either, and both JBH and I did not enjoy the frozen cookie sandwich that contained icing instead of ice cream. It was all too rich for the hot weather.

Ode to the Elephants, a Thai joint, was overpriced and overcrowded. SaSha waited approximately 45 minutes for her papaya salad. BLee's chicken and shrimp spring rolls ($7.50) were "greasy and flavorless, and the wait was ridiculously long."

The winner of this area was the fish Po' boy from Motorboat & The Big Banana. Yasmin also added that their fried shrimp and fries were tasty.

This particular Rockaway Taco, despite its name, does not serve tacos. Their chips and guacamole and "Cukes" (Cucumber, mango and jicama tossed with lime and red chili paste) were fresh, flavorful and overall perfect for the beach finger foods. Both Merry and I felt the guac was too salty, but if you are enjoying your beer after sweating on the beach, saltiness might be just what you need.

4) Original Rockaway Taco (95-19 Rockaway Beach Blvd, Beach 95th St.)

Although left off the menu at the previous location, you can acquire their famous fish tacos here. The wait is long but well worth it.

5) DiCosmo's Italian Ice (a cart on boardwalk near 95th St.)

Cucumber-lime Italian ice is tart and amazingly refreshing.

6) Bungalow Bar (377 Beach 92nd St.)

We could not believe the view from this neighborhood restaurant bar. It is hidden behind McDonald's, and once you reach their back deck, you have a stunning, vast view of Crossbay Bridge and Jamaica Bay. The restaurant itself reminded me of a suburban Long Island spot with girls in sundresses and muscle bound dudes, but the scenery makes you feel like you are on an amazing vacation. Order the frozen lemonade or margarita, kick back and enjoy the sunset. If you don't enjoy the beach or nature like myself, just taking the A train here is worth a trip.

Bouchon Bakery Rockefeller Center 06-23-2011

2011-07-07T10:55:00.010-04:00

Location: 1 Rockefeller Plaza

Time: 1pm

People: SaSha and myself

Feelings: I have always enjoyed Bouchon Bakery's macarons, but Columbus Circle is a bit of a walk from my work. Conveniently, another location opened closer in the former location of Dean and Deluca. Yes, I now see Bouchon's logo behind Matt Lauer's head every morning. How tempting.

What's great about their opening is that we now have a cute place for a lunch pick up after a trip to Anthropologie. If you are a fashion and budget conscious Midtown worker and don't want to shop at H&M every month, you most likely go to the Anthropologie's sale section. It is difficult to find a lunch spot in Midtown that caters this crowd, so go with your frugal fashion friends for shopping plus a lovely lunch or snack.

Considering the location, it was crowded with tourists, but the line moved quickly without confusion or disorganization. They had a wide range of beloved French desserts and pastries as well as savories like quiche, salad, soup and sandwiches. The prices are higher that most lunch spots in the area-- sandwiches are around $10 and pastries from $5 to$10 (cookies are cheaper and under $5)--but when it comes to quality dishes from Thomas Keller, these prices might be considered a great deal.

While SaSha enjoyed her sandwich with smoked salmon, I picked up a French classic, Tuna Nicoise. ($9.95, tuna salad made with creme fraiche, bibb lettuce, red onions, garlic mayo and olive tapenade on a palladin roll) It was a light fare while maintaining a delectable flavor and perfect combination of crunchy and smooth textures.

Their sandwiches are not heavy or greasy, so you can fully enjoy their decadent desserts. I would usually choose macarons or mousse, but I tried Chocolate Chunk Cookie, which was simply luscious and heavenly. It was the utmost sensuous, creamy yet delicate chocolate experience. I never thought I could expect such an elegant flavor from a chocolate cookie. It is pretty big and filling, so I was left completely stuffed.

Bouchon Bakery certainly is a Francophile's sanctuary in Midtown. An Americanized boulangerie with an excellent service and food--what else can I ask for after a little shopping during lunch hour?

Bark Hot Dogs at Pier 6+ Governor's Island 07-04-2011

2011-07-05T10:01:00.030-04:00

Location: Governor's Island: An island in Upper New York Bay, free weekend ferry available from Pier 6 on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn and the Battery Maritime Building from Manhattan.

Feelings: I absolutely despise the summer and outdoors--I can't handle the beach or any nature related events. It is mainly because I fear the sun, and if you go to Japan, you will see a lot of women like myself, avoiding the sun and walking with a parasol in hand, liberally spreading SPF100 every hour. Asian skin has hyper-pigmentation issues to begin with, and we consider porcelain white skin to be a part of standard of beauty. But once CK was born, I no longer could avoid the sun and live in department stores. Spending time at Pier 1 and Pier 6 have become a part of our weekend life.

On this 4th of July, we decided to take a free ferry from Pier 6 to Governor's Island. This former military base has become a great destination for public open space in recent years. The food and drinks are overpriced, and unless you are satisfied with vending machine hot dogs and Mr. Softee trucks, I highly recommend bringing food from Sahadi's or Damascus on Atlantic Avenue for a picnic. Alcohol is not permitted on the island, but Damascus has pretty strong, tart and delicious organic lemonade that would be perfect for a nice Summer afternoon.

The island reminded me of my college campus with fraternity houses, mixed with some scenes from Antonioni's L'Avventura. Perhaps it was too much nature for me at once-- I felt trapped and could not wait to get back. Without Duane Reade, ATMs, and coffee shops within walking distance, my cryptic neurosis took over me.

Thankfully, as soon as we landed back on the island of Brooklyn, recently opened Bark Hot Dogs roof terrace on Pier 6 was there to provide a metropolitan oasis. This Park Slope based gourmet hot dog spot serves burgers and hot dogs as well as veggie dogs, cheddar bratwurst, and sides of homemade coleslaw and baked beans. Their beverage section is quite impressive with iced coffee with condensed milk, beer and wine on tap.

Can it be any more American than eating a hot dog, drinking a beer and looking over the skyline of Manhattan (sans fireworks)? In Brooklyn, I suppose we do it with a twist: with a $6 gourmet veggie dog, a locally brewed beer, and a pair of Ray Ban wayfarers.

B&B Empire 06-11-2011

2011-07-01T10:06:00.014-04:00

Location: 200 Clinton St. BK

Time: 8am

Feelings: "Coming Soon! Empire Bagels and Bakery Cafe" was written on a sign that was hung at the former walk-in medical clinic for quite some time. Every morning on my way to work, I would see the progress of this soon to be opened Montreal style bagel shop. When I saw a giant wood burning oven in the window, I knew the time was soon.

We have Mile End in our neighborhood that features Montreal style bagels, but it is a bit far and often too crowded. B&B has a peachy warm neighborhood vibe without any hint of hipster pretension, which is rare for a new establishment in the area. The space almost reminds me of many bakeries in Queens--no nonsense, friendly service, and reliable food. It almost seems like B&B has been here for years.

The bagels are hand rolled and made fresh in a wood-fired oven at B&B, and they are more dense and sweeter than Brooklyn bagels due to eggs and honey in the dough. They have interesting whole wheat flavors like whole wheat oats and whole wheat sesame, and they also carry mini bagels for those of you who want to keep the carb consumption low. I often expect delis or bagel shops to serve terrible dish water coffee, but their coffee is actually quite tasty.

B&B Empire is a welcoming addition to the neighborhood, and I admire them for opening up a Montreal style bagel shop in the middle of Brooklyn! That's the thing about Brooklyn. We take culinary diversity seriously.

Ice + Beer 06-29-2011

2011-06-29T10:26:00.010-04:00

Feelings: Have you ever put ice in your beer? Well, now you can if you're in Japan. Kirin's "Ice Plus Beer"--beer specifically marketed to be consumed with ice-- will be released this summer, and they even made sure that the flavor and aroma of beer will not be watered down.

Japan's new setsuden, electricity conservation culture is behind this new product. People are really participating in conserving energy in Japan, especially after the wake of the nuclear power plant disaster. My parents no longer use the air conditioners even in terrifyingly muggy Osaka summer. Japan's famous street vending machines are turned off. More people are looking for a new way to cool down, and beer with ice sounds like a great idea. Some people put ice in their wine--so why not beer?

Happy Birthday CK! 06-25-2011

2011-06-28T09:36:00.016-04:00

Birthday cake from Champs Family Bakery: 176 Ainslie St. BK

Feelings: Happy Birthday CK! RB's family threw CK his first birthday bash out on Long Island. They took care of all details from food to balloons, but we decided to bring a vegan birthday cake that CK can enjoy. He has not shown any signs of lactose issues that have haunted both RB and I our entire lives, but I just wanted to make sure he would not purge his first birthday cake.

Upon searching for a vegan cake, our vegan baked goods connoisseur PeeWee recommended a new bakery, Champs Family Bakery in Williamsburg, which serves all vegan pastries and cakes. I found it funny that their Yelp page lists the ambiance as "Hipster." Who knew the term Hipster has become an adjective, and what vegan bakery in Williamsburg is not, by default, hipster.

We ordered a nine inch strawberry cake with chocolate frosting and "Happy 1st Birthday!" written on top. This was easily the heaviest cake I have ever carried in my life. The sponge was extremely dense and moist while the chocolate 'butter' cream frosting was light and sweet. It was a bit sweeter than I would like and tasted more like a pastry than a cake. But more importantly, I was incredibly impressed by their adorable writing and delightful presence of the cake. The cake brought a hint of Brooklyn and creative flair to the Long Island birthday party, and everyone was impressed and curious.

Did CK enjoy the cake? It turns out he too, just like us, does not have much of a sweet tooth.

Salume 06-10-2011

2011-06-23T14:22:00.008-04:00

Location: 330 W. Broadway

Time: 12:30pm

People: RB and myself

Feelings: On this particularly hot Friday afternoon, I naively decided to check out the Opening Ceremony sample sale. The line was insanely long and completely wrapped around from Howard street to Crosby. There was no way I would stand for hours in this scorching heat. (even for Alexander Wang...90% off.)

In Japanese, there is a term: "i"(clothing), "shoku" (food), and "jyu" (shelter)-- the three necessities in life. When defeated by a sample sale, I ran to the next on the list, "shoku." Coincidentally, RB was available for lunch, and he took me to a Milanese style Italian panini shop, Salume. In the U.S., panini are referred to as pressed sandwiches, but an authentic panino is usually never pressed. Instead, the bread is lightly toasted.

At Salume, you can taste the best of real unpressed panini. The decor is a bit circa 2000 casual modern vibe, but it is very clean, and the staff is friendly. They also serve beer, wine and desserts like chocolate salami and tiramisu.

They utilize the best of ingredients for their panini. My "Bellazio" ($9.5, Gorgonzola, fennel and tartar sauce) was full of powerfully pungent cheese, sandwiched between fresh Italian roll. Thankfully I had four packs of Lactaid handy, otherwise I would have been in a big trouble. The aroma of cheese was so strong that I could not taste anything for a while. I am not a wine drinker, but I really wanted to wash down the flavor with a glass. This sandwich would be a cheese lover's heaven.

RB's "Cortina" ($12, speck, fontina cheese, roasted peppers, tartar sauce) was fresh and delicious. The tender and flavorful spec was complimented wonderfully by the cheese and crispy bread.

The panini here are not cheap, and the portion is not large, so if you are looking for a voluminous New York style Italian sandwich, I would recommend Alidoro instead. However, if you are a believer of "less is more" and enjoy high quality Italian sandwiches, this is the place for you. Often times, sandwiches are not considered as a part of sophisticated food, but Salume succeeds in a creation of high quality, delicately flavored panini.

Tangra Masala 06-14-2011

2011-06-20T10:08:00.027-04:00

Location: 8709 Grand Ave. Elmhurst

Time: 7:30pm

People: 15 Ramen and Friends: BLee, JBH, MGill, Jill, Sekita from KikaEats, JLam from MeSoHungry, Rich, Rich's Mom, JT, Yasmin, Mark, PMont, RB, Jocelyn and myself

Feelings: There are several restaurants in Queens that serve Indian Chinese cuisine, known as Hakka. I was completely unfamiliar with this cuisine until Sekita recommended to have our monthly outing at Tangra Masala in Elmhurst. Honestly, I have never had a bad meal in Elmhurst, so any opportunity to dine in the neighborhood sounded great to me. If I wasn't so vain and not completely obsessed with fashion, brown stones and cute shops, I would move there in a second.

Tangra Masala is a small no nonsense neighborhood eatery that, even on this Tuesday night, was packed with locals. Although they do not take reservations, they kindly kept two tables for us. The service was helpful and friendly, and they gave us a free appetizer of tasty fish pakora ($5.95) for each table.

MGill thought it was kind of funny that that their menu was broken down to three different preparations: the hot and garlic Tangra Masala, the brown and ginger Manchurian, and the yellow curry powder Singapore. "Maybe there is more subtlety than that, but this was how it seemed and how the waiter broke it down for us when we asked," he added.

If I can sum up the flavor of Indian Chinese cuisine, it would be HOT. Most of the dishes on the menu have the "hot & spicy" sign next to them. BLee appropriately said, "Although the dishes were spicy, I definitely don't think that detracts from the restaurant at all. I think it makes it more interesting!" The waitstaff saw us being delirious from all the heat, and he came around with a pitcher of iced water and jokingly said they would make it less spicy next time. Most of the restaurants outside of Queens tend to compromise of their authentic flavors, so we were appreciative that they did not discriminate and served their authentic flavors to us.

Pretty much everyone ordered their famous lollipop chicken ($5.95), an addictive crispy appetizer that came with spicy mayo sauce that resembled Calexico's infamous Crack Sauce.

"The best Gobi Manchurian I've had in the city is at Dhaba on Lex," MGill said, but he also liked the dish at Tangra. Many dishes came with "dry" or "wet" (with gravy), but he thought in the wet vs dry debate, it depended on the dish. "Our gobi was wet, and that worked for cauliflower, but I like the dry chicken Manchurian as it was."

If you are a light weight when it comes to spicy food, they also have plenty of mildly flavored dishes. "I liked my chicken and broccoli, and I can't say it was anything special, but the chicken was quite tender," said JBH. I do not handle spicy food very well, but I bravely chowed down my vegetable Manchurian chow mein ($6.95) without foreseeing what was ahead. It was chewy and full of bold flavor, and I enjoyed the every bite. However, about three minutes later, my entire body was on fire and every pore releasing greasy hot sweat. It was similar to the feeling of getting drunk for the first time. Ironically, this restaurant does not serve alcohol or allow BYOB. But when you get this much heat, all you need is a nice glass of iced water...or two...or three.

Buttermilk Channel 06-12-2011

2011-06-17T09:42:00.012-04:00

Location: 524 Court St.

Time: 12:30pm

People: Laura, RB, CK and myself

Feelings: Could Buttermilk Channel in Carroll Gardens be any more Brooklyn? The new American bistro with the modern take of comfort food like butter milk battered fried chicken, house made pickles, and jelly donut... is so incredibly Brooklyn that it was difficult to find a man without beard and skinny pants. They serve grass fed beef, organic Gimme Coffee!, and a communal table can be found. You get the idea.

Although we were told that the wait was 40 minutes, we were promptly seated within 15 minutes. However, it took them nearly an hour to serve us our food, so the wait was close to 40 minutes after all. The waitstaff was friendly and apologetic to the fact that food was delayed, and we were even given four free jelly donuts. Also, while waiting for our food, a bird decided to relieve itself on our outside table. It was almost as if the bird was saying, "This is my neighborhood! You get this with your fancy bacon and organic coffee." In this case, the waitstaff seemed sympathetic and cleaned out the table right away.

My scrambles with roasted mushrooms, spinach and goat cheese ($11) was fresh and tasty although the eggs were a bit runny. Laura enjoyed her decadent and colorful house cured salmon platter ($12, with fried capers, green onions, cream cheese, pumpernickel and organic green salad). RB thought his short rib hash ($12, sunny-side up eggs, toast and organic greens) was overcooked. The menu stated that the brunch included a choice of juice, mimosa, bellini or sparkling wine although the server made no mention of them. Make sure to order your drink to get your money's worth!

Buttermilk Channel certainly has a fun menu with a cool vibe, and food is tasty but not exceptional. If your Manhattanite friend is visiting you in the area, this would a great introductory Brooklyn dining experience. For BoCoCa locals, I would recommend more of neighborhood gems with solid food execution and less beard: Brucie, Prime Meats, and Bocca Lupo.

Rucola 06-11-2011

2011-06-15T13:40:00.029-04:00

Location: 190 Dean St.

Time: 1:30pm

People: Shaumo!, BLee, RB, CK and myself

Feelings: I have been vegetarian and occasionally pecatarian for almost entire life, but it does not stem from any political, ethical or religious purposes. I have nothing against people who love bacon cheese burgers. I just do not like the taste, smell and texture of the meat. For this reason, I rarely enjoy vegetarian or vegan restaurants and their fake meat menu. Someone must have heard my prayer--We have a new addition in our neighborhood: a lovely vegetable-centric Italian bistro, Rucola, in Boerum Hill. There are many fabulous quaint Italian spots in Cobble Hill such as Brucie and Bocca Lupo, but a bistro that highlights the locally grown vegetables sounds like a little oasis in this recent meat-centric Brooklyn restaurant scene.

Rucola is a charming neighborhood restaurant that also serves as a bakery in the morning and a bar at night. The rustic decor and stylish staff might lead you to believe you have entered another Brooklyn Hipster restaurant with reclaimed wood, but Rucola has a more prominent neighborhood vibe. The menu focuses on fresh seasonal vegetables, and while this is not a vegetarian restaurant, several meatless dishes can be found here. The service is incredibly friendly, and it has a lively and nonchalant atmosphere. The noise level could get a little high since they have quite a lot of tables in a small space.

Compared to many brunch spots on Smith and Court streets, Rucola is more reasonable, and all dishes were under $12. My lemonade was exceptional without being overly sweet, and RB was happy with their good beer selection on tap.

We started off with scrumptious house made bread ($4,with jam and farmstead butter). The jam tasted solely of fruit with a hint of tasty bitterness from the skin. My baked eggs with broccoli rabe was subtly flavored and put all the spotlight on the freshness of the eggs and vegetables. With fresh, locally grown produce, you really don't need to over-season the dish--just like when I'm well rested, I don't need too much undereye concealer, so I hope.

There are of course dishes available for carnivores, but vegetables maintained their spotlight. BLee enjoyed her pork sandwich ($8, with escarole, red onion, taleggio, tomato jam) and thought it was fresh and light. The tomato jam was the highlight of this delicious dish. Shaumo's eggs and polenta ($12, with Italian sausage) was also well executed, and the tomato from the dish I tried was sweet and superb.

RB's whole stuffed artichoke ($7, breadcrumbs, herbs and lemon) was somewhat difficult to eat but tasty nonetheless. He felt artichoke is not quite polite public food since it goes in the mouth and back on the plate like olives pits.

The portion is on the small side, so if you are hung over and prefer to have a greasy egg dish with fries and salad drenched with dressing, I would stay on Smith street. But if you appreciate clean flavors and fresh vegetables, Rucola will be your instant favorite. I hope more vegetable-centric restaurants like Rucola, not vegetarian restaurants, will be available in the city.

Sukeroku from Mai 06-10-2011

2011-06-13T09:24:00.008-04:00

Location: 16 E. 41st St.

Time: 12:30pm

Feelings: Yes, I am incredibly Japanese when it comes to lunch. I usually have some sort of bento-esque rice meal or noodles like soba or udon. It is common for hungry, carb loving Osakans to get a "udon set" consisting of a bowl of udon with a small donburi or inari zushi. This is my ideal meal, but in New York, I have to choose between rice and noodles, which is the Sophie's Choice of the carb lover.

At Mai in Midtown, however, I do not have to choose. Their version of Sukeroku (the set of inari and rolled sushi) comes with soba sushi and inari with rice. If you are tired of sushi with brown rice, soba sushi would be a healthy alternative since buckwheat is made of vitamin rich complex carbs and has twice the protein found in rice. The smooth texture of soba makes this dish somewhat similar to Vietnamese summer rolls.

Mai's Sukeroku is incredibly filling, and at the price of $7.99, quite a great deal. You still have some money left to get some pastry from Panya next door located inside of Sunrise Mart. Soba, rice and bread--That's some carb hopping.

FREE Ice Cream Sandwich from Sweetery 06-08-2011

2011-06-10T15:23:00.003-04:00

Feelings: My coworker, SN, is like walking Midtown Lunch. She knows about every single food truck, especially those within walking distance. Due to our incredibly slow internet at work, I often consult her about food options. She also recently started using Sweetery (previously known as Street Sweets) as our caterers for meetings, which have become much happier and lively since.

Today, she left an ice cream sandwich on my desk. Apparently, Sweetery gave her six of them for free! You should probably use them as a caterer for your office so you might be able to get the similar tasty treatment from them.

The ice cream sandwich was rather small, especially compared to Coolhaus, but the flavor was understated and more sophisticated. Most ice cream sandwiches result in a big mess and stains on your shirt, but this particular sandwich did not even get my fingers dirty. The cookies were lusciously chewy despite some parts a bit frozen and difficult to eat, and I appreciated the strong dark chocolate flavor. This is definitely an ice cream sandwich for grown ups.

I hope to try more of their ice cream sandwiches soon... or perhaps my coworker will share another one with me again.

Food Truck+Alcohol 06-10-2011

2011-06-10T15:09:00.005-04:00

Feelings: Turkish Taco Truck in Central Park now offers beer, wine and cocktails. However, the customers are only allowed to consume the alcohol within the seating area. This news would make my friends in Denmark and my father quite happy since they all asked when they were here, "How come they don't sell beer at Central Park? We get thirsty at the park."

two8two Bar & Burger 05-29-2011

2011-06-07T14:45:00.016-04:00

Location: 282 Atlantic Ave. BK

Time: 3pm

People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: BoCoCa is a baby friendly area. It is not an overstatement to say that babies and kids followed with yuppie parents and post hipster singles rule this area. It is so baby friendly that I curiously managed to become pregnant shortly after I moved here, and I often see babies at bars and parties with their parents. My father used to take me to izakaya when I was little, which is a common practice in Japan, but bringing your baby to bars in New York is rather a new phenomenon, which might make some people cringe and may come shocking to people outside of the city.

For many people, bars and alcohol may have the negative connotation of partying, hook ups and binge drinking that may lead to ill behaviors and loss of control that are not appropriate for children. However, in BoCoCa, bars are often about social gatherings of friends and beer connoisseurs, which reminds me a lot of the 90's coffeehouse scene.

When you enter two8two Bar & Burger during brunch time, you notice right away that it is completely occupied by kids and parents. The back patio and kids menu help in attracting the demographic. I overheard parents ordering, "No butter, no salt for his dish," and the wait staff

accommodating the complicated orders with a smile.

RB wished they had more exotic and rare beer selection, but he enjoyed Victory Donnybrook Stout. All of the dishes are reasonably priced at $6-$9, but here's the catch: everything is a la carte. You would have to order the side of onion rings, French fries, or sweet potato fries at $3 each.

My veggie burger ($7, with lettuce, tomato and two8two sauce) was moist and flavorful, and it was a bit greasy. It was overall tasty, but I wish it had more texture either from the burger or the bun since it was almost to the point of mushy altogether.

RB's two8two burger ($9, with roasted poblano chiles, cheddar cheese and two8two sauce) was well cooked, but he had a similar complaint. The soggy poblano chilies mixes with the gooey sauces and cheese lacked a bit of texture.

If you like burgers, beer and kids, this would be an ideal place for you during brunch time. It was a bit too kid friendly for our taste if that is even possible. It's also quite interesting that a bar/restaurant across the street from the detention center is such a kid friendly place. Only in Brooklyn!

Coolhaus Truck 06-03-2011

2011-06-03T10:07:00.010-04:00

Location: Atlantic Avenue between Henry and Clinton

Feelings: I often see Coolhaus ice cream sandwich truck in Midtown during my lunch hour, but when I saw them parked on my block in Cobble Hill, I was slightly confused. It is a sleepy section of Brooklyn, so I actually thought they were just parking there or on their way to nearby gas station. It turns out they were actually there for business, so RB picked us up a Guinness Chip ice cream sandwich made with vegan chocolate chip cookies ($5).

The sandwich was cleverly presented with an edible wrapper made of potatoes, which reminded me of a wafer to wrap a dose of powdered medicine from my childhood. It is always pleasant to see an environmentally friendly vendor, and I hope more food trucks will participate in bringing down the waste.

The Guinness ice cream was refreshing and smooth without being overly creamy or sweet. It reminded me a bit of coffee or tea ice cream flavor and really complimented the moistness of the cookies. If they used extra creamy ice cream like Blue Marble, this sandwich would be overpowered with heaviness and quite sloppy, but the consistency of their ice cream was perfectly done right for the purpose of ice cream sandwiches.

Since we have an ant problem at home, we shared the sandwich using a knife and spoon on a plate in the kitchen, but this would be a wonderful summer treat to devour right out of your hand. Actually, the sandwich is actually quite big, so you might need both of your hands.

Coolhaus on My Block! 06-02-2011

2011-06-02T20:07:00.004-04:00

Feelings: It's not everyday I see food trucks on my block in Brooklyn! I have no idea why, but Coolhaus ice cream truck is parked in front of Last Exit bar. According to their Twitter, they'll be in the area until 9pm tonight. Get your Guinness ice cream!