Living in New York, one forgets the dearth of exotic food choices that exists living almost everywhere else in the US. Anyone of who doesn’t grow up in a fairly large city will probably end up with their most adventurous meals being Italian, Mexican or Chinese. That’s how it was for me, so when I tried Thai food for the first time at the age of twenty-one year it was a mind-blowing experience for a blossoming foodie. It quickly became my new favorite variety of cuisine, replacing the oh so exotic Italian.
Flash forward six years later and Thai is no longer an amazing new discovery. Now it’s just another of the many world food choices that I can have anytime. Now it’s a matter of “Am I in the mood for Indian, sushi, Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Turkish, Dim Sum, Thai…etc, etc.” I just order some take-out Pad Thai at the closest place in my neighborhood and call it a day. It still tastes good, it just doesn’t seem as special anymore.
My nonchalant view of Thai food disappeared on my visit to Land, on the Upper West Side. Plans were made for dinner with a friend at 7 PM on a Tuesday. I was shocked to find out there would be a 30-40 minutes wait. It is a small space, but I wouldn’t have expected droves out so early on a Tuesday. Luckily, The Dead Poet is next door and you can enjoy a drink while you wait. The staff at Land will even give you a token for a dollar off at the bar and come find you when your table is ready, making it the most enjoyable wait for a table I’ve experienced.
Wait we did and it was well worth it. Between the three of us we tried to cover as much of the menu as possible. A satay sampler ($6.00) and mixed appetizer plate($7.50) gave us a chance to try a variety of starters. The mix included shrimp parcels, chicken curry puffs, and vegetable dumplings, which were all delicious, especially the vegetable dumplings. It was demanded by my friend, and regular recipient of Land’s neighborhood delivery, that I try the spicy beef salad ($7.50), while he opted for Wok basil with beef ($11.00) and the third ordered the Drunken Noodle with chicken ($9.00). Because of my love for potatoes and spiciness I also had to try a side of spicy potato ($3.50).
The spicy beef salad was indeed spicy and had perfectly tender hunks of beef that tasted amazing with the green apple slivers. Though I had to keep pausing to down some Thai coffee so I wouldn’t breathe fire, I thoroughly enjoyed the torturously delicious experience. I could go for salads liek this more often! The Wok basil and drunken noodle both were also amazing, flavorful choices.
This was some of the best Thai I had ever tasted and I’ve fallen in love with the cuisine all over again. I’ll still order my average take-out Thai and enjoy it in the same way I always have, but now I can dream of also enjoying something more exceptional.
Land
West Side 450 Amsterdam Ave, Btwn 81st & 82nd St
East Side 1565 2nd Ave, Btwn 81st & 82nd St
Hours:
Lunch Mon-Sun 12:30-3:30
Dinner Mon-Sat: 5:30pm-11:00, Sun: 5:30pm-10:30pm
Free delivery on orders of 10$
Accepts all major credit cards
www.landthaikitchen.com
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Quick Bite: Octopus balls and pancakes. Yum!
For take-out with a more exotic spin than typical fast food or Americanized Chinese, there is Otafuku in the East Village. There you can try the 'Takoyaki', a Japanese street foood which is basically doughy bread balls with octopus and 'okonomiyaki', similar to a pancake made of cabbage, your choice of meat, and more. Okonomiyaki roughly translates to "what you want cooked" I had the combo meal B ($8.00) that gave me 6 Takoyaki and 1 okonomiyaki, which I tried with shrimp, though pork, beef or squid are the other options.
There are no seats and the place literally can only hold two people so it’s really only a take-out place. Make sure you have a few minutes because they fry up the okonomiyaki fresh right in front of you, and then they top it with mysterious yet delicious sauces and toppings. It was plenty of food, plenty delicious and a new experience.
Otafuku
236 E. 9th St., New York, NY 10003
nr. Second Ave
212-353-8503
Cash only
Hours: Mon-Fri, 1pm-10pm; Sat-Sun, 11am-10pm
There are no seats and the place literally can only hold two people so it’s really only a take-out place. Make sure you have a few minutes because they fry up the okonomiyaki fresh right in front of you, and then they top it with mysterious yet delicious sauces and toppings. It was plenty of food, plenty delicious and a new experience.
Otafuku
236 E. 9th St., New York, NY 10003
nr. Second Ave
212-353-8503
Cash only
Hours: Mon-Fri, 1pm-10pm; Sat-Sun, 11am-10pm
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Effing Good Indeed
A friend once told me no matter how nice of a restaurant he was at he always ordered their burger because; “you can always judge how good a place really is by their burger.” I have another friend who has been prowling the city for great burgers after the demise of the bar that he claims served the best burger he’s ever had. In fact it seems the whole city is on a never-ending quest to find the best burger out there. For anyone taking up the quest, they should at least give Harriet’s Kitchen on the UWS a try.
Harriet’s even declares from their window on a hand-written sign to have “maybe the best effing burger in the city”. Though I’m not ready to go quite that far I discovered today at lunch they do serve a pretty darn good burger.
Because of the sign I of course had to order the cheeseburger ($ 6.75 w/ fries), but the rest of the traditional old-fashioned menu looked good too. I plan to return to try the down home fried chicken ($7.50-12.50; various portions and prices), Chicken Pot Pie ($10.50), and the Pulled Pork sandwich ($6.50). Along with the entrees, there is an array of the side dishes to select from. For my first visit I ordered just a cheeseburger and instead of the typical side of fries I ordered a side of mashed potatoes and gravy just because I’m crazy about mashed potatoes and always looking for the best.
Harriet’s Kitchen is not much to look at and is really more of a take-out place since they only seat 4 and have no space. If you’re fortunate enough to live in the area you can take advantage of delivery, but I placed my order to go. What the place lacks in appearance it made up for with service. I was kindly charged a lower lunch price even with the normally more expensive mashed potato side. While my burger was being freshly grilled, I had a friendly exchange with my order-taker. Then out came my order and off I went to give it a try.
And what a burger! It was covered in melted cheese and delicious caramelized onions that were full of flavor and a perfect complement to the meat. The 8 oz burger is huge and tasty, my only complaint being I asked for medium rare and it was a little overcooked. Still it was great and I could only imagine how much more I would have enjoyed a juicer burger. It had that great taste of a burger right off the grill at home, and I dare say I enjoyed it better than Burger Joint. I still won’t declare it the best burger in the city, but it’s on the list. And if my friend’s theory is true, I look forward to returning and experiencing more of what Harriet’s Kitchen has to offer.
Harriet’s Kitchen 502 Amsterdam at 84th street
(212) 721-0045
Free delivery on orders of 8$ or more between 70th and 96th St, CPW to Hudson River
Accepts all major credit cards
Open noon until 11:00 PM Daily
Harriet’s even declares from their window on a hand-written sign to have “maybe the best effing burger in the city”. Though I’m not ready to go quite that far I discovered today at lunch they do serve a pretty darn good burger.
Because of the sign I of course had to order the cheeseburger ($ 6.75 w/ fries), but the rest of the traditional old-fashioned menu looked good too. I plan to return to try the down home fried chicken ($7.50-12.50; various portions and prices), Chicken Pot Pie ($10.50), and the Pulled Pork sandwich ($6.50). Along with the entrees, there is an array of the side dishes to select from. For my first visit I ordered just a cheeseburger and instead of the typical side of fries I ordered a side of mashed potatoes and gravy just because I’m crazy about mashed potatoes and always looking for the best.
Harriet’s Kitchen is not much to look at and is really more of a take-out place since they only seat 4 and have no space. If you’re fortunate enough to live in the area you can take advantage of delivery, but I placed my order to go. What the place lacks in appearance it made up for with service. I was kindly charged a lower lunch price even with the normally more expensive mashed potato side. While my burger was being freshly grilled, I had a friendly exchange with my order-taker. Then out came my order and off I went to give it a try.
And what a burger! It was covered in melted cheese and delicious caramelized onions that were full of flavor and a perfect complement to the meat. The 8 oz burger is huge and tasty, my only complaint being I asked for medium rare and it was a little overcooked. Still it was great and I could only imagine how much more I would have enjoyed a juicer burger. It had that great taste of a burger right off the grill at home, and I dare say I enjoyed it better than Burger Joint. I still won’t declare it the best burger in the city, but it’s on the list. And if my friend’s theory is true, I look forward to returning and experiencing more of what Harriet’s Kitchen has to offer.
Harriet’s Kitchen 502 Amsterdam at 84th street
(212) 721-0045
Free delivery on orders of 8$ or more between 70th and 96th St, CPW to Hudson River
Accepts all major credit cards
Open noon until 11:00 PM Daily
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Hot Dog!
In New York there is no lack of hip food joints for the basics. Burgers, pizza, macaroni, and of course even the unglamorous hot dog are no longer simple foods in this city. I have to admit this is a fact I enjoy when I have experiences such as the on I had today at the New York Hot dog Company. This simple space at the corner of Chambers and Church downtown, has the hipness factor of offering giant Kobe beef dogs ($4.50), the premium Japanese beef. So of course that is what I ordered. Fancy beef is one the draws to this place. I was hooked when I saw their list of toppings offered.
Keeping it simple for the first visit, I began with the standard (therefore free) toppings of sauerkraut and bourbon sauce. While eating and very much enjoying this hearty hot dog, I was already planning feature visits and combinations. For .50 I can add guac, which I think I would like with sour cream and salsa for an additional .25 each. How about I top a dog with Mac N' Cheese? And BBQ bread crumbs? So many choices! With 15 free toppings and an additional 18 offerings for a small fee, one can create many varieties of hot dog tastiness. And then how would I know which hot dog to select out of the 10 or so options. Bison dog ($3.50)?Chicken dog ($1.75)? I might not be able to return unless I map out my next selections, like making a battle plan.
I also decided to try their Healthy Fries ($1.95) (is this possible?) , but with cheese ($2.45) Oops! There went the healthy factor, if it even existed in the first place. Of course I'm at a hot dog place and not expecting to eat healthy. They were also good; baked waffle fries covered in melted cheese. Still no complaints.
If the food wasn't incentive enough to return, the service was amazing. Upon finding out it was my first time I was given a bonus treat and was even asked a couple times by friendly employees if I had enjoyed everything. For me the math of hip hot dog place with 32 topping options + 10 quality hot dog selections + great service = I will return.
Keeping it simple for the first visit, I began with the standard (therefore free) toppings of sauerkraut and bourbon sauce. While eating and very much enjoying this hearty hot dog, I was already planning feature visits and combinations. For .50 I can add guac, which I think I would like with sour cream and salsa for an additional .25 each. How about I top a dog with Mac N' Cheese? And BBQ bread crumbs? So many choices! With 15 free toppings and an additional 18 offerings for a small fee, one can create many varieties of hot dog tastiness. And then how would I know which hot dog to select out of the 10 or so options. Bison dog ($3.50)?Chicken dog ($1.75)? I might not be able to return unless I map out my next selections, like making a battle plan.
I also decided to try their Healthy Fries ($1.95) (is this possible?) , but with cheese ($2.45) Oops! There went the healthy factor, if it even existed in the first place. Of course I'm at a hot dog place and not expecting to eat healthy. They were also good; baked waffle fries covered in melted cheese. Still no complaints.
If the food wasn't incentive enough to return, the service was amazing. Upon finding out it was my first time I was given a bonus treat and was even asked a couple times by friendly employees if I had enjoyed everything. For me the math of hip hot dog place with 32 topping options + 10 quality hot dog selections + great service = I will return.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Quick Bite: Best Cookie Ever!
I have just discovered the worlds best cookie at a simple little place called Levain Bakery on west 74th st. Giant, slightly crisp on the outside and soft and rich on the inside. I quickly developed an addiction and I went back 2 more times in the next 4 days to have more. The walnut chocolate chip is great, but the chocolate peanut butter cookie is heavenly.
Go there and get a cookie, but be careful you might get hooked. I'm now trying to avoid the neighborhood so I can control my new cookie obsession.
Go there and get a cookie, but be careful you might get hooked. I'm now trying to avoid the neighborhood so I can control my new cookie obsession.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
A Veritable Smorgasboard
One day wondering about the city, my friend and I stopped for a glass of wine at a Scandinavian restaurant and also decided to try an order of Swedish meatballs. That was when I fell in love. A perfect combination of meatballs, mashed potatoes, and lingonberries. Forget IKEA, this was definitely the best thing to come out of Sweden.
So when I was invited to have lunch at the AQ café at the Scandinavia House with friends I was excited and dreaming of meatballs. A quick look at their menu had me stumped. I love the meatballs but should I branch out and try something else? There were actually quite a few tasty lunch options to choose from.
Café itself is no frills and looks like…a café. A clean, modern, IKEA furniture filled café. Not the most romantic atmosphere but for a new lunch experience it is worthwhile. Overwhelmed by my choices of sandwhiches, main courses, and cold plates, I decided to try a Gravlax club ($8.25) instead of my beloved meatballs. I was feeling guilty about not trying the Smorgasbord ($9.00) which was simply described as an assortment of Scandinavian delicacies. One of my friends ordered the Swedish meatballs ($9.50), while another went for the smorgasbord, so it seemed we had the menu covered.
My sandwich turned out to be huge and delicious. Great big pieces of salmon with an avocado and vegetable, though I don't seem to recall avocadoes being grown in Scandinavia, but why complain; it was an excellent complement to the salmon. I tried a bit of mashed potatoes minus the berries and meat and found them wonderful. My friend confirmed they were a great combo.
As for the smorgasbord, a word that conjures of images of piles upon piles of food, it did not live up to its name. It was a sampling, but it was mainly herring, which my other friend felt was too salty and left her feeling hungry when finished. There was one small delightful meatball on there, but otherwise a disappointment.
I left full and satisfied to return and try other dishes, so all in all it was a successful lunch. AQ cafe has a lot to offer and if you choose wisely its well worth it. Just don't get too rowdy with the IKEA furniture, which won't hold up as well as the meatballs.
So when I was invited to have lunch at the AQ café at the Scandinavia House with friends I was excited and dreaming of meatballs. A quick look at their menu had me stumped. I love the meatballs but should I branch out and try something else? There were actually quite a few tasty lunch options to choose from.
Café itself is no frills and looks like…a café. A clean, modern, IKEA furniture filled café. Not the most romantic atmosphere but for a new lunch experience it is worthwhile. Overwhelmed by my choices of sandwhiches, main courses, and cold plates, I decided to try a Gravlax club ($8.25) instead of my beloved meatballs. I was feeling guilty about not trying the Smorgasbord ($9.00) which was simply described as an assortment of Scandinavian delicacies. One of my friends ordered the Swedish meatballs ($9.50), while another went for the smorgasbord, so it seemed we had the menu covered.
My sandwich turned out to be huge and delicious. Great big pieces of salmon with an avocado and vegetable, though I don't seem to recall avocadoes being grown in Scandinavia, but why complain; it was an excellent complement to the salmon. I tried a bit of mashed potatoes minus the berries and meat and found them wonderful. My friend confirmed they were a great combo.
As for the smorgasbord, a word that conjures of images of piles upon piles of food, it did not live up to its name. It was a sampling, but it was mainly herring, which my other friend felt was too salty and left her feeling hungry when finished. There was one small delightful meatball on there, but otherwise a disappointment.
I left full and satisfied to return and try other dishes, so all in all it was a successful lunch. AQ cafe has a lot to offer and if you choose wisely its well worth it. Just don't get too rowdy with the IKEA furniture, which won't hold up as well as the meatballs.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Burgers and what?
Some food unions seem meant to be. Peanut butter and chocolate, chips and dip, a burger with fries. Notice I did not name burgers and cupcakes. It would be hard to believe that combo existed but since there are two location of Burgers and Cupcakes restaurants in Manhattan it is apparently a thriving combination.
Having a burger craving with some co-workers we opted to give this unique concept a try and called for delivery. I can't vouch for the atmosphere of the restaurant, only the quality of food that arrives after traveling 7 blocks. We of course ordered both a burger and a cupcake because otherwise what is the point?
First the burger: Nice and thick, with a crispy bottom and the taste of quality meat, nestled in a delicious bun. Although my medium cooked burger was a little dry, all in all this is a burger! Impressive and an almost equal match to many of the Manhattan burger greats except one complaint. The basic burger I ordered was 7.95 with no cheese or toppings included. For another dollar an item you can spruce up you burger meaning you'll drop 10.00 on what boils down to is a high quality fast food burger. Though I recommend the burgers and they are great, for my moneys worth I would still recommend Shake Shack or Burger Joint.
Now the cupcake: Strawberry Cheesecake sounded great and the first bite had echoes of strawberry shortcake. I was delighted, but a few bites more I found this 2.95 cupcake to be dry and not so impressive. Definitely not on par with the cupcake masters of the city. I only tried one flavor but the cupcakes were not top notch.
After spending about 15.00 dollars on a lunch of a burger, a cupcake and some fries,
I learned there is no need to combine burgers and cupcakes. Even had the cupcake been great there was really no need to eat it after the burger. I had it a few hours later anyway because the thought of throwing a cupcake on top of my burger and fries almost made me ill, or at least think of the restaurant more as Heart Attacks and Diabetes. In this city full of food trends a new quirky restaurant does not a good idea make. I guess in realizing the ridiculousness of this combo, I won't listen to a co-workers idea to open a hot dog and Strudels restaurant. Maybe it would have taken Manhattan by storm but some things are not meant to go together
Having a burger craving with some co-workers we opted to give this unique concept a try and called for delivery. I can't vouch for the atmosphere of the restaurant, only the quality of food that arrives after traveling 7 blocks. We of course ordered both a burger and a cupcake because otherwise what is the point?
First the burger: Nice and thick, with a crispy bottom and the taste of quality meat, nestled in a delicious bun. Although my medium cooked burger was a little dry, all in all this is a burger! Impressive and an almost equal match to many of the Manhattan burger greats except one complaint. The basic burger I ordered was 7.95 with no cheese or toppings included. For another dollar an item you can spruce up you burger meaning you'll drop 10.00 on what boils down to is a high quality fast food burger. Though I recommend the burgers and they are great, for my moneys worth I would still recommend Shake Shack or Burger Joint.
Now the cupcake: Strawberry Cheesecake sounded great and the first bite had echoes of strawberry shortcake. I was delighted, but a few bites more I found this 2.95 cupcake to be dry and not so impressive. Definitely not on par with the cupcake masters of the city. I only tried one flavor but the cupcakes were not top notch.
After spending about 15.00 dollars on a lunch of a burger, a cupcake and some fries,
I learned there is no need to combine burgers and cupcakes. Even had the cupcake been great there was really no need to eat it after the burger. I had it a few hours later anyway because the thought of throwing a cupcake on top of my burger and fries almost made me ill, or at least think of the restaurant more as Heart Attacks and Diabetes. In this city full of food trends a new quirky restaurant does not a good idea make. I guess in realizing the ridiculousness of this combo, I won't listen to a co-workers idea to open a hot dog and Strudels restaurant. Maybe it would have taken Manhattan by storm but some things are not meant to go together
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