Cremated Kobe

Going back to my old neighborhood Lower East Side, the vibe has changed dramatically. Artsy and intellectual group is long gone. Now it's more like frat party. Nonetheless, there are many new resto in the LES that are worth the adventure. The warmly decorated wood interior has attracted me to try the Spitzer's Corner. The selection of beer on the tab was extensive. Kobe burger sounded like a good idea and Vegetable pappardelle is a good compliment dish with the meaty burger. After a long 45 minute wait, my Kobe burger was totally cremated to a dry, salty jerky patty. And the garden fresh veggi pappardelle was tasteless. The overall experience was disappointing. But i hope my food-porno will not misrepresent the taste. 

Lower East Side: 101 Rivington St., New York (Rivington St x Ludlow St)

Allen x Delancey

An elegant restaurant with notable chef Neil Ferguson serving the unique contemporary American  in Lower East Side. The dimly lit windowless space was cozy decorated with comfortable horseshoe-like seating booth. Celebrating the special occasion with close friends, we started off with the old English favorite beef-bone marrow with caviar and puree shallot, seared fois gras, peekytoe crab ravioli, Hamachi topped with pink grapefruit beads, and yellowfin tuna were all amazingly prepared with its own distinct taste. The meals gets better as the night goes by. Even though we're stuffed after our entree, we all had our sweet tooth moment. So we ordered almost all the desserts from the menu and the combo cheese plate. We took our time enjoying the meal for at least 2 hours and was never rushed from our waitress. But on the other hand, our bus-boy really tried to keep our table clear before i can even lick my plate clean.

Lower East Side: 115 Allen St ( x Delancey), New York, NY

Muffin? Pastry? Pie?

What's better to do in the morning then enjoying a delicious breakfast at the busy corner of New York. 1st Ave and 1st St. Veselka Cafe. Watching drivers running thru red lighting, busy people rushing down to the subway and i'm just sitting in the urban park enjoying my weekend breakfast. Yes, my favorite way to start my weekend.

Bumble Bee Muffin?!? It doesn't really look like a muffin at all. Got to try it out to see exactly why it's called a Bumble Bee Muffin.

This yummy muffin is more like puff pastry then a muffin, covered with honey glazing topping and surprising there is no bee in the muffin but delicious hidden apple treasure. I'm not an apple lover but the pastry muffin is infused by the granny smith apple like an apple pie. Worth a try!

LES - 1st Ave x E1st St., New York

Momofuku Ko - Open Reservation

Some NYC restaurants are popular, and not because their meals are always great. It’s because they’re hard to get --- IN. Momofuku Ko, reservation by internet only; 10am the 7th day reservation opening release; 2, 4, or 6 persons only. How much more difficult can it be? I just wanted to taste the food. I’ve been trying for the past month; 4 weeks; 31 days; everyday; 10am it’s fully booked. How can it be? It’s exactly 10am. Out of the blue on a Saturday afternoon i checked once again. Open reservation ...tonight...9pm...4 person table only. Of course i had to make the reservation even though i don’t know who the 3rd and 4th person would be. J would always venture to eat almost anything with me but who could the #3 and #4 be... D + C, the adventurous couple. I was so concerned to be on schedule. I could not believe that i FORGOT my camera.
The 14 course meal with wine pairing was amazing. You need to be very adventurous to eat a Menu-less fix price meal. Starting with a Mini-chive english muffin, followed with a fluke fish sashimi, another fish sashimi, then a pea soup with crawfish; berkshire belly pork; poached egg on onion and chips; snail ravioli topped with spring vegetables and ricotta sauce; grill trout with pink pickled radish, bacon puree, and almond..... The highlight -- Shaved frozen foie gras with lychee, riesling gelee, and pine nut brittle. This is not the end yet, there are at least 5 more dishes. By the 10th dish i was so full that I could not sit but stand. The meal was so ‘intense’ as my friend D described it. All the dishes were amazing but i don’t know when my stomach will be ready for another 14 course meal.

East Village - 163 1st Ave @ E10 St., New York