Eat Eat Eat in New York City

Morimoto---in Phily

2006-01-21T01:01:00.000-05:00

(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

2006-01-19T21:53:00.000-05:00

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

2006-01-15T22:05:00.000-05:00

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

2006-01-13T23:52:00.000-05:00

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

2006-01-13T23:31:00.000-05:00

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

2006-01-10T23:31:00.000-05:00

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

2006-01-09T22:41:00.000-05:00

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

2006-01-06T20:24:00.000-05:00

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

2006-01-06T11:25:00.000-05:00

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

2006-01-05T23:20:00.000-05:00

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

2005-12-26T21:54:00.000-05:00

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

2005-12-16T22:02:00.000-05:00

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...

Orlogio

2005-12-12T22:35:00.000-05:00

It means clock in Italian...so u will see clocks everywhere in this cute Italian restaurant.
I went to this place for my birthday, the service was superb...
Food was great...nice portion, great price...
Gosh...i should go back to this place again...all i can remember is how good the food is...but...dont remember how they called...geeze...

Orologio
162 Ave. A (10th & 11th st. New York, NY 10009
Tel: 2122286900

Book Chang Dong--Korean Tofu pot!

2005-12-12T22:17:00.000-05:00

Best for cold weather like this...Spicy tofu pot(well, you can get miid to very spicy)...you can choose from different ingredient to cook with, my personal favorite--Oyster! The tofu is serve in a hot pot...u will be given an egg...drop the egg in while the pot is still hot!! that's my favorite, tender yolk...yummy
This place opens 24hr! but it's not in the city...u have to go to FLUSHING...
but still...it's worth the trip.

Book Chang Dong
152-22 Northern Blvd., Flushing, NY 11354
Tel: 7189612001

Chumley's

2005-12-06T20:31:00.000-05:00

This what my friend's and I called...the "secret steak house". There's no sign whatsoever...If you wanna get good steak under $20...this is the place...
but remember, CASH only...
and you have to find bedford street first...I always get lost in that area...
(and i saw dogs in, so i guess it's a dog friendly place)

Chumley's
86 Bedford St. New York, NY 10014
Tel: 2126754449

Billy's Bakery

2005-12-06T20:22:00.000-05:00

Cupcakes cupcakes cupcakes, it's a cozy little bakery...with Great cupcakes...and Ooooh...the peanutbutter pie is my favorite.
Think Magnolia for Cupcakes...well...personally...i think billy's tastes better...and without the lines...

Billy's Bakery
184 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Tel:2126479953

Shabu-Tatsu Restaurant

2005-12-06T13:18:00.000-05:00

The best place to go in a cold snowing night...
You can get really good Shabu-Shabu (Japanese style hot pot), Yakiniku (Japanese style BBQ), and Sukiyaki in this place.
Just...the BBQ smell will follow you for a long time...
Make reservation first...the lower the temperature the harder to get in.

Shabu-Tatsu
216 E. 10th st. New York, NY 10003
Tel: 212-477-2972

The Angus 'shroom & swiss from Burger King

2005-12-05T18:13:00.000-05:00

Sometimes...it is allowed to have some junk food... :P
Especially GOOD junk food...hahah....really...compare to McDonald...BK is better!
The Angus 'shroom & swiss is sooooooooooo yummy...
Why there's no fries in the picture? Aiyaya...I finished it! (before I remember to grab the camera... :P)

RENWOOD 2002 Zinfandel "Sierra Series"

2005-12-04T22:16:00.000-05:00

Nothing much on the lebal...

My review
Fruity---VERY
Smooth--Yes
Spicy--not quite
and a tiny hint of wood...which I can't tell which
Price-- $9.99

Will buy another bottle-- yes.

Wild Lily Tea Room

2005-12-04T21:40:00.000-05:00

Looking for a nice quite place to talk with you friend over nice tea? Wild Lily is the place to go...you can stay there and chat with you friends as long as you feel like...
Nice dim sum to go with various asian teas... I tried the Lychee iced tea...very nice...nice presentation of everything...from menu to drinks...
also...saw Sofia Coppola there last time I visited wild lily...

Basilica

2005-12-01T21:11:00.000-05:00

Cheap yet great Italian place...very cozy with very nice service.
My friend and I were just looking for something to eat,and we found this great place.
The Calamari is sooooooo good. I especially like Gnocchi a la Basilica...the basil sauce is really good.
Better...a whold meal won't do much damage to ur pocket...

Basilica
676 9th ave. New York, NY 10036
Tel: 2124890051

Ravenswood 2002 Zinfandel

2005-11-30T23:36:00.000-05:00

From the label " Full, dark, spicy, fruity", "it's bursting with the varietal's trademark raspberry and pepper character, backed by enough oak to lend it presence and give it backbone."

My review

Full--- neh...
Dark--- not so much
Spicy--- no
Fruity--- a bit
Smoothy---YES
Price---$9.99

Will buy another bottle--I will have to think about it...

Well...this one is the first Zinfandel I've ever tried. First thing I could feel was...Ravenswood is very smooth...
(but after I have Zingaro today...Ravenswood...is PLAIN!)

Zingaro 2000 Zinfandel

2005-11-30T23:24:00.000-05:00

from the label " you'll find this friendly, approachable zinfadel alive with succulent plum and berry flavors, polished tannins and hints of cracked black pepper and zesty cassis."

My review...
Fruity---Yes
Smooth--Yes
Spicy--a bit
Price-- $9.99

Will buy another bottle--YES!!!

Saigon Banh Mi--the best sandwich!

2005-11-30T20:07:00.000-05:00

Who could have thought that u can find the best sandwich in Chinatown!
It's a tiny store in the very strange corner of Chinatown. They sale only Banh Mi(vietnamese style sandwich) and some drinks...
Crispy baguette with tasty meat sauce and ham...with chili peper and hot sauce...gosh...i wish i have one in hand now!
Huge sandwich for just 3 bucks!
Again...the catch...good food with good price in town always has a catch!!!
You have to be there before 3pm...they always run out by 3...call in advance is never a bad idea...or u might wait for about 30 mins...

Saigon Banh Mi
88 E. Broadway Mall, Unit # 108 New York, NY 10002
Tel: 2129411541

Basta Pasta

2005-11-30T18:11:00.000-05:00

It's a ...Italian place, but from chef to waiters...all made in Japan. So u can find some Asian ingredients in your dishes,like taikon radish, in a very subtle way. I like the food..(a bit pricy but worth it)
I especially like the layout of the restaurant, open kitchen, nice seating.
The service is excellent, from coat checking to the way they serve food. We ordered steam mussel and clam for starter...very few restaurant would give u a spoon for the soup without asking. (i used to use the shell...hey!don't judge me... the soup is always the best!!)
Go try it...see if u like Japanese style Italian and service...

Friend of a Farmer

2005-11-30T13:07:00.000-05:00

Another place for good brunch...if u can get up early...and another important thing is...ur friends who go with u can get up early too...
This place is famous for its RULE of not letting people having a table...when ur entire party is not there...if u get pass it, think u r lucky, NO!!! The late comer won't be able to order food(Worse, sometimes they won't even have chance to get in!) This is their RULE...if u can't accept it ...don't go.
I like this place because they give u this cute little individual bottle of maple syrup when u order french toast or pancake. Home fries is good.
Just...the line outside can be very very long on weekends...

Friend of a Farmer
77 Irving Pl
New York, NY 10003
Tel:(212) 477-2188

9th street market--Great Brunch place

2005-11-29T21:12:00.000-05:00

Looking for a cozy nice place to have brunch...9th streeet market is the place to go...but the catch is...u either have to wake up early or ...WAIT...
If ur party is more then 3...i'll say...forget about it...it will take u forever ...
Must try is their french toast...full of fresh fruits...
Great home cooking i would say...
need to try their dinner someday though...

9th Street Market
337 E. 9th st. New York, NY (between 1st ave and 2nd ave)
Tel: 2124730242

YANGPYUNG SEOUL HAEJANGUK--it's Korean

2005-11-29T20:48:00.000-05:00

My two cents...
when u can't even pronounce the name of a asian restaurant (non-chinese ones...i read chinese)...it's good!
This one is really KOREAN food...better...they put picture on every item they have...so u know what u will get...instead of guessing.
My favorite of all time--their spicy potato stew with pork! but if u can't take spicy food...skip it...i go there for spicy food.
The other dish require at least 3 people to share...it's huge! It's cooked in spicy soup with bacon, tiny ham, napa cabbage, stiky rice cakes, and noodle...it's so filling and so good!
Their appetizers are also good!
Try it when u want something spicy and really KOREAN.

YANGPYUNG SEOUL HAEJANGUK
43 W. 33ST. NEW YORK, NY10001
TEL: 2126295599

Island Burger & Shakes

2005-11-29T20:10:00.000-05:00

This is a place u can get tons different dressing on ur burger. From BBQ to Thai sauce. The size is HUGE. (at least for me...,every time i have to finish it Atkin style)
The shake is ok...well...it's really too heavy to have shake with burger...
No Fries though...for some reason, but good thing is there no greasy smell...
Service...OK...
but what do u want more when u can get a huge nice burger for under 10 bucks!

Island Burger & Shakes
766 9th Ave between 51st & 52st.
Tel: 2123077934

OTTO

2005-11-29T18:33:00.000-05:00

The very first time i went OTTO was with a bunch of friends, we were just having wine and deserts...desert was good...
Second time, finally I had real food...
I should order pizza...but..instead...I orderred carbonara on pasta...tsk tsk tsk...first the sauce was too salty...second...the paste was not al dante...it's half cooked...
but...will i go there for the third time...oh yeah...i will give it another chance.

OTTO
One Fifth Ave. New York, NY 10003
Tel: 212-99599559

Soup Man

2005-11-29T14:59:00.000-05:00

Soup man a.k.a. Soup nazi. (if u watch Seindfeld, u know)
I've been to his old spot few years ago, the soup was really really good. However, he closed it...I missed the soup!
Good news is, he just opened a new one accoss street from my office.
Soup taste the same (i guess), the line is still long (yeah...10 mins at least), but u dont have to worry about the RULE. So, Soup Nazi is not Soup Nazi anymore? Sigh...i kinda like the old way...

INI ANI

2005-11-29T14:11:00.000-05:00

"INI ANI" in Lower East Side.
It is such a nice coffee shop...stylish...good coffee, cool neighborhood...(and ...good looking customers!)
The owner (i think) is a famous architect named Lewis Tsurumaki...
It is a must check-out coffee shop!

INI ANI
105 Stanton Street New York
Tel: 2122549066