Morimoto---in Phily

(well...phily is just an hour drive from the city...so...)
I got my very first O-toro(fatty tuna) in Morimoto...very nice,very yummmy...(I don't eat raw fish...still)
That's why I could only order...yeah...fried fish...damn...
but...from those two pieces of sushi, one o-toro and one unagi...they are GOOD...
and I tried some of the dishes my friends ordered...the "omagase" (i think...) the testing menu...very very nice...
But...well...for me...kinda pricy...but the service there is really nice...they will explain everything...and we were sitting at the bar (walk-in no reservation...), we saw Morimoto in person...
and one of the chef is really good looking!

Morimoto
723 Chestnut street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Tel: 215-413-9070

TAIT The Ball Buster 2004--Australia wine

Shiraz (74%), Cabernet Sauvignon (14%)Merlot (12%)

From the label " G'Day Mates, I dont know what aromas and flavors you'll find when you try this wine - wine appreciation is so subjective and often too pretentious for my liking. i make my wines the way I like them -big , thick, juicy and deep in color"

cute copy for wine label dont you think?

My review

Thick--yeah
Juicy--shiraz is really strong...
Spicy--yeah...
Smooth--not quite
Price--dont know...friend gave me...

Outback

Well...when you live in the city...usually...you won't want to go to a chain restaurant like outback...since...there are way too many nice restaurants...(according to one of my friends...she was saying that if you eat out for all three meals...it will spend you good 40 years to try every restaurants in New York City...)

anyways...on our way back from snowboarding...we went to this outback in Fort Lee, NJ. Not bad...well...for a chain restaurant...i used to have this thing about chain restaurants...that is...I like them...Danny's, IHOPS, cus... there NONE in the city...so i am always very excited when i am traveling...so i have chance to try them...

I got their prime ribs...should've make it medium rare instead of medium though...but...still...it's not a bad piece of meat...for that price.

Outback...
EVERYWHERE! :P

Grand Sichuan Int'l

Want spicy, greasy Chinese food...Grand Sichuan is the place to go...
Well...their appetizer is really really good...try their thin slice pork with garlic sauce, and if you want to try what Chinese really eat...try their "fu-chi-fai-pien", it's beef stomach slice and meat mixed with very very spicy sauce. It's my favorite...

As for entree, if you can't take very spicy...try their roast pork with chestnut...for the spicy side...there's one beef dish...in Chinese it's "beef cooked with water" i dont know how it gets the name...but...it's coverred with CHILI! Very very very spicy...

Grand Sichuan Int'l
229 9th ave. (24st.)
Tel: 212-620-5200

but...dont bother to make reservation...they are always over booked...

Prosecco--sparkling wine from Italy

Cute label, dont you think?
nothing much on the label...only know it's from Italy...
Sparkling wine...a bit on the dry side...but after I ate some pepery slices of turkey breast ...YUM YUM YUM...
very nice taste...
Just...i dont know how much it costs or where to find it...(drank at friend's)

found this artical talking about this kind of wine...take a look if u have time.

http://www.azcentral.com/home/wine/articles/0303prosecco03.html

Lewinsbrook Creek Shiraz Cabernet Merlot 2001--From Australia

Shiraz(69%) Cabernet(16%) Merlot(15%)
From the label--the wine is deep cherry-red in colour with soft berry aromas and underlying venilin oak from maturation in a mix os American French and Hungarian hogsheads from 12 months.
The flavoursome palate is of medium weight with attractive red berry flavours and a soft tannin and oak finish.

My review--
Berry flavor--yeah...i can feel it
Oak finish--very strong
Smooth--very
Price--i have no idea...under $10 i guess

will buy another bottle--yeah...the mix is kinda nice

Paradou

A cute franch place in meat packing district. Very cozy...the price is not bad comparing to other restaurants in that area.
First time i went there...their cooking is kinda earthy...second time...they changed...hmmmm...not sure if the change is good...i miss the old menu...but still...a nice little place worthy to check out..
oh oh oh ...the crepe thers is very very yummy...simple with just butter and sugar...simple is the best!

Paradou
8 little west 12th St. NY, NY
Tel: 212-463-8345

Ninth street espresso

Why...why...why good coffee place is alway far from subway station...
Try their triple shot...if u really into espresso. A bit heavy on the acid side though...but...really nice espresso.
But...they open till 6pm only...sigh...and it's near ave. C...really really far away from the station.

Ninth Street Expresso
700 9tyh street, NY, NY 10009
(212)358-9225

La Paella

I really like this place...especially their sangria...yum yum yum.
This is a Spanish place where you can get really nice tapas (from vegetable ones to meat and seafood...)and...of course...Paella. A very cozy place suitable for party of 4 or 5...you will be charged 20% service fee if your party is 6.
Still...a very nice place to get drunk...(well...i did ...over sangria...)

La Paella
214 E 9TH St
New York, NY 10003-7551
(212) 598-4321

Milk and Honey

wow wow wow...i was really lucky that i got into this place...RSVP only bar...there's no sign outside...maybe i should not post it here...but...a bar that need to be buzzed in...it's pretty rare...
the address for this cool place is 134 Eldridge st. new york, NY...number...i have no idea...
the drinks there are really GREAT...just tell the bartender what u like...u will be very pleased...

FETZER Vintage 2002 Zinfandel

From the label "People who love Zin are as complex as the wine. That's a good thing. On the North Coast, we'r learned from our Italian forefathers to craft Zins with a deep ruby color and concentrated aromas of black pepper and spice, blanced with and intensity that fill your mouth with wonderfull dark berry flavors. It's a rich, soft wine when you drink it."

my review--
pepper & spice--yeah...i can feel it
Dark berry--hmmm...a bit
Smooth--Yes
Price--$8.99

Will buy another bottle--yeah...i think so...

Fourth Zinfandel so far...I think I like Zinfandels...

FETZER Vintage 2003 Shiraz

From the label " From the deep purple coler ot aromas of white pepper, plum, blackberry and licorice, you get a sense of adventure. Our Shiraz is medium-heavy, with a lingering finish tat is very satisfying."

My review:
White pepper--Yeah...kinda strong
Fruity--Yeah
Smooth--sorta
Price: $8.99

Will buy another bottle--Not really...