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Where can I buy hominy/cracked corn in NYC?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:28:37 GMT

Sounds like something you can buy at Ninth Avenue International Foods. I'm almost positive they carry cracked hominy, but give a call anyway before you go. They have it in their bulk bins, so you can purchase as little or as much of it as you want. HTH.

Malaysian restaurants in NYC

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:40:12 GMT

Do NOT go to Nyonya on Grand St. It is a watered down, bland, tasteless, yucky tasting so-called "Malaysian" food. I am a Malaysian living in NYC and I went there a couple of nights ago with my Msian friend who had not had Msian food for a long time. We had high expectations since it had so many good reviews and awards but after tasting their nasi lemak, indian mee goreng and pasembur - it was horrible!! Even the waitress admitted that the taste has been altered to suit the timid and less adventurous tastebuds of the gwailo Americans. We were so dissapointed, angry and so dissatisfied. We went to the next street on Elizabeth St to Penang hoping to find hokkien mee ladened with crispy pork fat but they said they did not have crispy pork fat (chee yow char) so we left. My conclusion is that if you are a real Malaysian who can handle the heat, go down to Queens and you can find 80% like original Msian cuisine at certain restaurants. There are NO authentic Malaysian restaurants in Manhattan because to make $$, they have to tone down the flavors for the benefit of the gwailos. Gwailos - stay in Manhattan and eat the watered down versions. Do not come to Queens and spoil the market for us who can handle the real stuff. Oh yeah, and also after eating at Nyonya, I had a tummy ache at night. Expensive and had to wait for half an hour somemore. Malaysians in NYC - Don't bother to eat Msian in Manhattan, go to the suburbs.

Looking for Oeufs en gelée in NYC?

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:45:17 GMT

Tried the Oeufs en gelée at Les Halles Lyon and brought some back from Grasse recently, bugt cannot find these anywhere in NYC. Anyone ever seen them? They are basically a soft boiled egg in aspic with some herbs, sometimes some meat. Delicious!

Tortas

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:03:33 GMT

the ones at la esquina are good, albeit not super authentic bc I think they use baguettes, but they are quite tasty

Chiles en Nogada

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:06:15 GMT

I have had Chiles en Nogada at Mexicana Mama in the West Village as a special a few times. Not sure when they would have it there but it is delicious and I order it whenever I see it.

Good Fried Shrimp?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:00:53 GMT

When i went to Johnny's Reef rest they served nasty frozen fried shrimp. the kind that is frozen already breaded. you might as well make your own from costco and save yourself the trip

Restaurant for Thanksgiving Dinner in NYC Metro Area

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:28:42 GMT

I'm trying to find a restaurant within 1 1/2 hours of NYC that would have a good Thanksgiving dinner. If it's at a or near nice inn/hotel that would be great too. Any ideas? Thanks.

Mastroianni Brothers Bakery

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:52:20 GMT

Does anyone know of stores in NYC that carry their bread -- particularly, their rolls?

Falafel

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:33:25 GMT

I think rainbow is the best falafel in the city. i used to get mamouns all the time then a chef i know told me to check out rainbows. the hot sauce is what made me change it all up. if you like spicy but with great flavor not just hot check it out and tell them to put extra hot.. its so worth it and you wont be regretting it the next day if you know what i mean:)

Russian black bread - where to find outside Brighton Beach/Coney Island?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:43:44 GMT

I love the type of Russian black bread that is served, for example, at those Russian restaurants on the Brighton Beach boardwalk. But is there anywhere else to buy it in NYC? Could be fresh-baked or packaged (as long as it's not too processed/artificial). Particularly of interest would be somewhere to buy the bread farther north in Brooklyn (anywhere in the vicinity of Prospect Heights/Fort Greene/Park Slope/Carroll Gardens etcetc), or else somewhere in Manhattan. Thanks for any ideas!!

Abura Ramen... or Abura Soba?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:18:25 GMT

Momofuku Noodle Shop serves a similar dish. I haven't seen it at any of the Japanese places around town.

Best meal in Alphabet City for $50pp

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:40:32 GMT

OK - New to the neighborhood and need a great restaurant to take a date to. Must be $50 (food only) or less per person and somewhat romantic. Prefer a place with fresh local ingredients and a good wine list.

Prime rib & Yorkshire pudding?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:27:51 GMT

Bumping this thread. I'm looking for this too. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Upscale bar menus at a discount?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:50:45 GMT

Pipa was great! But I went for a catch up dinner with a girlfriend there as well and it was a bit too crowded on a Saturday night to make it really enjoyable. I loved the food, but we wound up spending more money than "affordable." It was definitely hip and delicious (sangria was some of the best restaurant-made that I have ever had) but wouldn't recommend it for a relaxed evening of talking. It would be great for a date or meet up place before going out to the bars in the area.

Best Lunch for visiting family

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:10:44 GMT

Looking for a fantastic lunch for visiting relatives. Cost does not matter but they only like simple (but very tasty) food. Nothing too ethnic or fancy. Any area is okay.

Ice Cream Sundaes

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:52:18 GMT

Bklyn Ice Cream Factory is really good (though best in nice weather when you can eat out on the pier/park. Also in Bklyn, Sweet Melissa's, a lovely pastry shop, now has what they insist on calling a "cremerie" at both locations-- Court St. in Cobble Hill and 7th Ave. in Park Slope. Excellent quality.

place for 50th b'day

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:44:55 GMT

Give us more to go on, and I promise many recs? (Also, try Manhattan board--may be more appropriate.) Do you have a preferred cuisine? Or neighborhood? Classic "romantic" ambience or something very mod? Wherever you end, I hope it's a lovely evening.

Passionfruit/Maracuja

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:17:16 GMT

Hi Lisa, You cand find the frozen puree at Buzios and at Rio Bonito Market in Astoria (32-86 47th Street @ 34 Ave). I doubt you can find the fruit and if you do it will be so sour that you are better of with the puree....

wild lime leaves

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:25:01 GMT

We don't seem to have a guaranteed source here but two places that usually have them are Bangkok Center Grocery at 104 Mosco St and Udom's at 81 Bayard St., both in Chinatown. Bangkok Center is probably a little cheaper.

grass-fed beef

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:49:23 GMT

Although I haven't personally checked it out yet, Buenos Aires Argentinean Restaurant and Bar in the East Village is getting very good reviews on their grass fed steaks. Great posts. I second and recommend two superlative books, The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan and Righteous Porkchop by Nicolette Hahn-Niman ,an environmental attorney that eventually married Mr.Niman. Anyone interested in responsible, sustainable, healthy,organic, and delicious food, will find these two books illuminating. The Village Voice's Best of 2009 issue recently rated United Meats in Brooklyn as the best grass fed butcher shop. Stay safe and Buon Appetito,Phil <-----<<< United Meat Market Venue United Meat Market 219 Prospect Park West Brooklyn, NY (718) 768-7227 Edited Repost

Loft's Parlays bars

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:35:57 GMT

I lived in the Bronx as a youth and the entire family would, from time to time, have a fat attack so would drive to Krum's Candy on the Grand Concourse across from the Paradise moviehouse, a couple of blocks off Fordham Road and we'd stock up on Parlays (my all time favorite candy) Loft's butter crunch and milk chocolate cordials. The last place I found Parlays and the others was at a candy store in Parkchester back in the 80's so I and my mom would drive there for the Parlay's sometimes ............... my mom passed on back in 1990 and I never went to Parkchester again but now wonder if the candy store is still there and they have Parlay's. I doubt it as know Loft's was eventually sold to another candy company and these favored Loft candies fell by the wayside and became part of folklore for many including me. Great candies from equally great period in time meaning the 50's and 60's ....... far different from today in my mind. davidgmar@aol.com

Five-borough dumpling tour

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:05:06 GMT

Fried Dumpling @ 106 Mosco Street. Mosco St. is a short, steep street between Mulberry and Mott St.'s in Chinatown, within view of the park, not far from Chatham square. The pork and chinese chive dumplings are handmade in the wee store ( my Mom's kitchen is bigger). They are fried on one side while they steam. On the counter with 4/5 stools is a watered down soy/vinegar spritz and hot sauce. I would rate them a 7 out of ten. But get this. For college students on a budget.(or anyone:) ) or anyone that would just like to try em, they are only 5 for a dollar cooked. The female owner has all the charm of an ornery steer with an impacted tooth. But atmosphere and hostess with mostess flair are not the place's strong points. Freshly made and quite tasty, thin cocooned dumplings at a terrific price are. Stay safe and bon appetit, phil <-----L<<<

Chinese pickle noodle soup

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:48:51 GMT

Does anyone know where I can gett a great bowl of chinese pickle noodle soup in Manhattan's Chinatown?

Tortellini en Brodo, per favore

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:36:46 GMT

I grew up next door to a lady from northern Italy, somewhere close to Switzerland. She used to have us over for long dinners and would kick things off with her soup called Tortellini en Brodo. The broth was rich, homey and amazing, served with a sprinkling of grated cheese. It was maybe chicken broth, probably simmered with a parmigiano heel giving lots of flavor. The tortellini were delicate and hand made. Some kind of meat. I still remember her oversized old-timey silver soup spoons and the wide flat soup bowls, and trying to resist the urge to tip the thing over to get the last drops. It was mind-blowingly good and I'd be happy on a rainy day (like today) to find myself sitting in front of a steaming bowl. I'm looking for restaurants in all the boroughs with delicious versions of this dish, with tortellini and broth that are home made (or at least seem that way).

Great, SAVORY Pumpkin Ravioli!

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:22:46 GMT

Rafetto's on Houston makes and sells them...haven't tried them in a while but I don't recall their being on the sweet side...

Wine Yeast

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:31:46 GMT

I found a recipe for ginger beer (Halloween party Dark & Stormies!) that calls for champagne yeast. Is there a place to get wine yeast in NYC? Internet searches are deadending on this one -- I see there's a place in Brooklyn Terminal Market but I don't have a car (live LES) nor time to go there. Manhattan and Brooklyn trajectory B'burg - Park Slope/Gowanus would be do-able. Thanks!

Sun-dried olives?

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:14:47 GMT

you can buy them online at olivepit.com they are out of california and I stop there every time we go there. Bobbie

non-factory farmed meat, dairy in the form of local delicious delights?

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:57:36 GMT

Hi Thanks for this...I didn't see your post in time. Great to know about these two though. If I recall, what we ended up doing was hitting 5 Leaves in Williamsburg for the burger. I got something else, but I think she enjoyed the grass fed burger. However, the service was very odd there! Not eager to return. We ate vegetarian Indian at Pongal (or is it pongsri?) in Murray Hill, which was very good. Had some gujarati curries. Since then, I discovered Fornino pizza on Bedford Ave uses mostly local ingredients. Thanks again!

Canadian thanksgiving dinner in Manhattan?!

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:22:07 GMT

Well after the fact, but there must be a number of Canadians among us in my neighborhood (Prospect Heights, Bklyn) - we went to 4 supermarkets on the 12th after the urge kicked in for a turkey and there were none to be found except frozen. We are apparently invisible but many.

piri piri sauce

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:17:09 GMT

Seabras Supermarket in Newark sells it and other Brazilian brands. It's in the Ironbound section where the Portuguese restaurants are excellent (Seabras Marisqueria is my favorite).

Best Lobster Rolls in NYC

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:25:30 GMT

Luke's Lobster on the northeast corner of E. 7th Street and 1st Ave, in Manhattan (between the two Caracas places), is brand new and has quite tasty lobster rolls for 14 bucks! No tails, like Pearl's, just claw meat and knuckle meat, but a very generous helping, with a bit of mayo and butter or plain or however you want it. They also have crab rolls and shrimp rolls at modest prices. And the bun is great! I've gone off Mermaid Inn for lobster rolls since the last couple times---they've been godawful: all mashed up shreds of lobster in a very nasty mayo-based mix. Pearl's and Mary's Fish Camp still the best, but the prices are twice what Luke's charges. Still, you get almost a whole lobster. These days, I prefer to go to either the Lobster Pound and buy a container of cooked meat and make the roll myself, or go to Chinatown and buy a whole lobster, since prices are way down.

Chocolate Cream Pie

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:17:12 GMT

I was thinking longingly of that great mile-high chocolate cream pie I used to get at Ratner's on 2nd Avenue. Closed for many, many years, but I was wondering if there's another bakery around that has so wonderful a thing?

help, no haggis please

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:24:58 GMT

you are asking on the new place, Highlands, in the West Village? this is opening week so they are probably serving everything with extra care. supposedly good. there is also a place on UES which is also scottish gastropubby, i think the name is JTB, or Jack Tammes Bairns, something like that. and, if not haggis, for what do you go to a specifically scottish joint for?

Flushing Chinese for a Newbie

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:22:40 GMT

what buttertart said, but go with M&T. just search outer boroughs, you'll get all kinds of hits (and very good guides too). for ease, just go to the Flushing mall with some friends and follow your eyes and nose.

peanut butter noodles

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:30:13 GMT

Was looking for a “peanut butter” noodle recipe came across this old thread. Yeah, some of those Chinatown restaurants, amazing. In the early 80’s we found the best cold noodles and sesame at this little corner Chatham Square NYC restaurant. Just like you describe, plain looking and with about an inch thick layer of sesame sauce on top, the BEST EVER. We use to go every week. I always order cold noodles every time I visit a new Chinese restaurant, have never found anything like them.

Where Can I Buy Poilane Bread in New York

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:11:35 GMT

You don't need Poilaine bread in New York because in New York we have Eli's. Go to 80th and Third, ask for the Paris loaf or better yet a chunk of the Jerusalum Loaf. Get the raisin pecan loaf and the health loaf. you won't be disappointed.

Really good blueberry pie

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:09:07 GMT

did you ever find them, they also have a web site, and two of them are in our freezer now

Rye Bread

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:06:50 GMT

best one is still orwashers (sp) around 80 th st east side , i think

Mythical Chinese vegetable dumplings

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:24:51 GMT

KIM! I know you wrote this post 5 years ago...wow, long time, anyway if you're still active on this site I really hope you get this response! I know the exact place you re talking about and I too have been in search of these same type of dumplings, I dream about them too they were that good! I posted a similar question on Yelp and one of the places I visited yesterday in Flushing had very similar dumplings! they were delicious.. the place is called King 5 noodle and the vegetable dumplings I ordered are listed under breakfast items on their menu, even though we ordered them at dinner without a problem. I hope you can visit this restaurant and try the dumplings let me know if you do! http://www.yelp.com/biz/king-5-noodle-house-flushing

Underpopped Popcorn

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:22:33 GMT

I love these! I have tried to make them myself...unsuccessfully! The are not cheap, but worth it.

Kudampuli for Kerala Fish Curry/South Indian Grocery?

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:34:00 GMT

Next mission: Real asafoetida, not that diluted compounded crap. Last time I scored the real stuff was in Varanasi. I had to have a pundit friend scope out all the spice shops for the real deal (even in India, there's a lot of fake devil's dung). It took two days and US$100/kg (! that's a ton of loot in India and trust me, that's the local rate !) to score some primo stuff from Afghanistan. But oh man, you can smell this dung from two blocks away. Smells like heaven.

Thai eggplant (small, green, round)

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:50:27 GMT

I haven't seen the greengrocer on Bayard, but Asian Market on Bayard and Mulberry often has them, as does the stand on the Southeast corner of Grand and Chrystie.

zeppole on a regular basis

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:16:53 GMT

Don't know about Manhatten but if you're ever in Brooklyn around 18th Ave and 75th Street Vitorio's pizza has them all the time. They not bad when hot and crisp.

Where can I get zeppoles?

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:13:35 GMT

Vitorio's pizza on 18th and 75th street. They always have them, not bad if eaten nice and hot.

carnivore sized prime rib

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:28:08 GMT

If you are able to head eastward, in Roslyn on Long Island is a place called Bryant and Cooper. Their prime rib is enormous, and universally the best I've ever had. When you reserve a table, its a smart move to reserve as many cuts of Prime Rib as you intend to order, because they will run out (unless you're going ridiculously early). B&C is overall the best Steakhouse I've ever been to (best selection of cuts, best fish for appetizers or non-steakers, best crab cake, service, etc.), although I still think it's #2 when I'm in the mood for porterhouse.

Fabulous apple tarts in Brooklyn (or Manhattan)?

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:15:05 GMT

Anybody know of fabulous apple tarts in Brooklyn or Manhattan? Tarts that skimp on the fruit need not apply but any neighborhood (except W'burg) will do. TIA

Salty/Savory Soy Bean Milk (Ham Dao Jiang), Roast Bun (Xia Bao), Sticky Rice (Chia Fan) in NYC

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:56:58 GMT

China Fun has "Soybean soup Shanghai style", roast pork buns, sticky rice in numerous incarnations, and numerous other options with a Taiwanese bent for weekend brunch. (I've never asked the folks who run the place where they're from, but their accents are Taiwanese or Fujianese Chinese.) I'm not sure these are what you're looking for, and in truth, China Fun is not the best restaurant in NYC. But if you really want to avoid that trip to Flushing... http://www.chinafun-ny.com/menus/ChinaFunBrunchMenu.pdf

Romantic and Delicious Brunch Spot in Soho

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:02:31 GMT

This was an unexpected treat. A lovely, romantic spot for a weekend brunch. Great crusty bread, luscious butter, the fluffiest omelettes, abundant and yummy salads, pasta dishes and desserts. This place has never disappointed and is reasonably priced to boot. The people watching is great on a nice day when dining al fresco, but as the cooler weather approaches I look forward to trying dinner in their cozy indoors.