May 23rd-
Since it was Memorial weekend, it just felt right to eat barbecue. So......we consulted Zagat to find the best barbecue joint near Mood, where I needed to go to pick up some fabric. Hill Country was one of those spots, so we decided to give it a try. Once you enter, you no longer feel like you are in Manhattan. The place is HUGE.....roomy, tall ceilings, two floors (they have bands play downstairs).....and it was pristine clean. I thought I was in Texas! If I had to describe the decor, I would call it "rustic cute". They hand you a card when you enter and direct you to three stations: meat, sides and beverages. We started with the meat. I asked for six ribs thinking these are those tiny little things smaller than my hand. Thankfully, the guy at that station told me that was "a lot", so I ordered three, like he suggested, instead. When he brought them out and plunked them down, I got the picture. They were almost as long as my forearm! We moved on to the side station next where they offered everything from green beans to corn pudding to salad to cucumbers to mac and cheese. We opted for the last two. The tables are all set with salt and pepper, hot sauce, barbecue sauce and a roll of paper towels. I think I used half of a roll during lunch. The barbecue sauce was pretty good. I drenched the ribs in it. I've come to realize it isn't really the ribs I like, but the sauce. I wonder what else I could slather in it? Hmmm... The mac and cheese wasn't bad, either. The cheese wasn't made from some horrible powder like I expected. It was actually real mac and cheese. The cucumber were marinated in vinegar and if left for a time, would become pickles. In fact, they almost tasted like those homemade pickles you get at the farmers market. As we were devouring our lunch like hungry wolves, I noticed the drink menu out of the corner of my eye. I had to read it sideways, of course, because my hands were dripping with barbecue sauce, but I could see it well enough to discover that they had a huge selection of beer, tequila and bourbon. Oooh la la! So....bourbon does in fact go very well with ribs, just in case you were wondering. I had to try it out, solely for educational purposes, of course. The pecan pie looked good too, but we opted out of dessert. I doubt it would have been better than my mom's, and then I would just be disappointed. All in all, this was a pretty fun place. It made me feel like buying a pair of cowboy boots and booking a trip to Austin. Hee haw!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Yuki
May 16th-
I don't even know where to start in this review of Yuki. It is definitely the best Japanese restaurant in my neighborhood, and my "go to" for takeout. Seriously, I think we eat from Yuki once a week. You can eat indoors, in its impeccably clean and modern space or when the weather is nice, you can eat outside like we did. What's good? What's not!? My favorite appetizers are the age tofu....so creamy on the inside, yet light and crunchy on the outside. How they get that tempura batter to stick to the soft wet tofu is beyond me. And, let's not forget the tuna tartar with quail egg, which is just so rich tasting, and colorful to look at......the deep red tuna playing against the bright yellow yolk of the egg.... mmm.......so decadent! I do love that the Japanese know that how something looks is just as important as how it tastes. You eat with your eyes first, after all. They also know how to make good sushi here. I have two choices for top sushi rolls. First, the shrimp tempura roll, because the shrimp is tasty and perfectly cooked, and the tempura surrounding it gives it a nice crunchy texture. They also sneak a tiny bit of a mayo based sauce on the inside, which makes it just that much more special. Second, I like the eel avocado roll. Eel coupled with avocado and eel sauce creates such an intense, distinct flavor. In all honesty, I've never had anything bad from Yuki, and I think I have tried a good portion of their menu. Their salmon sashimi is one of my favorites. I know, I know, you think there is nothing to that, but isn't there? In fact, it is the most important thing to do right, because when sashimi is bad, its really bad! At Yuki, the sashimi is awesome! First, the appearance.....it has an even, bold color, and all the salmon sashimi are the same size, the same thickness, and perfectly sliced, nothing measly and nothing obnoxious.....just the perfect size. Next, there's the smell.....fresh, like the ocean. Then, the texture.....just the right amount of firmness at first, and then, it melts in your mouth.....only the really good sashimi does this. Finally, the taste....full of gentle flavor. There is nothing like the perfect piece of salmon sashimi......with a good sake to wash it down! Last, I have one favorite entree.....just one because there is no way anything else can possibly compete with this one.....Saikyo Yaki, grilled black cod with saikyo miso flavor. Oh my god! Oh my god! It is to die for! I don't even think words can do it justice. It is the absolute best way to eat black cod, and once I had this dish, black cod became my new favorite type of fish. Yuki is never a disappointment. They even give you these little Japanese hard candies when you leave that feel like a crystallized drop of soda pop in your mouth as it dissolves-fun!
.
Sadly, Yuki is no longer in existence. Manhattan is a tough place for a restaurant.
.
I don't even know where to start in this review of Yuki. It is definitely the best Japanese restaurant in my neighborhood, and my "go to" for takeout. Seriously, I think we eat from Yuki once a week. You can eat indoors, in its impeccably clean and modern space or when the weather is nice, you can eat outside like we did. What's good? What's not!? My favorite appetizers are the age tofu....so creamy on the inside, yet light and crunchy on the outside. How they get that tempura batter to stick to the soft wet tofu is beyond me. And, let's not forget the tuna tartar with quail egg, which is just so rich tasting, and colorful to look at......the deep red tuna playing against the bright yellow yolk of the egg.... mmm.......so decadent! I do love that the Japanese know that how something looks is just as important as how it tastes. You eat with your eyes first, after all. They also know how to make good sushi here. I have two choices for top sushi rolls. First, the shrimp tempura roll, because the shrimp is tasty and perfectly cooked, and the tempura surrounding it gives it a nice crunchy texture. They also sneak a tiny bit of a mayo based sauce on the inside, which makes it just that much more special. Second, I like the eel avocado roll. Eel coupled with avocado and eel sauce creates such an intense, distinct flavor. In all honesty, I've never had anything bad from Yuki, and I think I have tried a good portion of their menu. Their salmon sashimi is one of my favorites. I know, I know, you think there is nothing to that, but isn't there? In fact, it is the most important thing to do right, because when sashimi is bad, its really bad! At Yuki, the sashimi is awesome! First, the appearance.....it has an even, bold color, and all the salmon sashimi are the same size, the same thickness, and perfectly sliced, nothing measly and nothing obnoxious.....just the perfect size. Next, there's the smell.....fresh, like the ocean. Then, the texture.....just the right amount of firmness at first, and then, it melts in your mouth.....only the really good sashimi does this. Finally, the taste....full of gentle flavor. There is nothing like the perfect piece of salmon sashimi......with a good sake to wash it down! Last, I have one favorite entree.....just one because there is no way anything else can possibly compete with this one.....Saikyo Yaki, grilled black cod with saikyo miso flavor. Oh my god! Oh my god! It is to die for! I don't even think words can do it justice. It is the absolute best way to eat black cod, and once I had this dish, black cod became my new favorite type of fish. Yuki is never a disappointment. They even give you these little Japanese hard candies when you leave that feel like a crystallized drop of soda pop in your mouth as it dissolves-fun!
.
Sadly, Yuki is no longer in existence. Manhattan is a tough place for a restaurant.
.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Momofuku Ssam Bar
April 28th-
Before heading out to the Tribeca Film Festival, Nathan and I went for an early dinner at Momofuku Ssam Bar at 2nd Avenue and 13th Street. Since we were there so early (6:45ish), we were able to walk right in. It's a pretty small place, and they don't accept reservations, so go early, really late, or be prepared to wait. The interior is modern and clean, with dark wood paneling and a long sleek bar. The bar has the little hooks underneath for your handbag, which I love a little bit too much. There is an open kitchen in the back, but it isn't loud and distracting. They offer several types of Sake, various beers and have a huge wine list, which is handed to you in a thicker than you would expect, leather-bound book that they keep behind the bar. We ordered drinks......just beer and wine....since we had to stay awake for the movie.....and then moved on to the menu. The steamed pork buns from the small plates portion of the menu were the first thing we devoured. I thought Nathan might die from excitement when they came out. They were the cutest little sandwiches made up of soft, white, spongy buns and filled with moist, tender meat.....add a touch of hot sauce and yum! Next, we had the lamb tortelloni. It was so full of flavor and texture.....my favorite! As the special entree of the night, they were offering grilled himachi collar with daikon (crunchy radish pieces, basically), umeboshi (a tart little plum colored dollop of deliciousness) and ponzu sauce. Neither one of us had ever had collar of himachi, and we wanted to be adventurous, so we ordered it. The fish had a stronger taste than I usually like, but it was a bit masked by the tasty ponzu sauce, which was key. Nathan did not get enough of the pork buns, so we ordered another round of those, and were told by our waiter/bartender that that was a common occurrence......apparently there are never enough pork buns for anyone......ever. I am usually not tempted by dessert, but when I saw what was on the menu, I made sure to leave room. How could I have possibly refused pear sorbet with pumpkin ganache and gorgonzola dolce? I couldn't! Anytime something savory is offered as a dessert in a new, creative way, I can barely contain myself. It was amazing! What a combo....a new inventive melange of scrumptiousness! Delish! I will return.
Before heading out to the Tribeca Film Festival, Nathan and I went for an early dinner at Momofuku Ssam Bar at 2nd Avenue and 13th Street. Since we were there so early (6:45ish), we were able to walk right in. It's a pretty small place, and they don't accept reservations, so go early, really late, or be prepared to wait. The interior is modern and clean, with dark wood paneling and a long sleek bar. The bar has the little hooks underneath for your handbag, which I love a little bit too much. There is an open kitchen in the back, but it isn't loud and distracting. They offer several types of Sake, various beers and have a huge wine list, which is handed to you in a thicker than you would expect, leather-bound book that they keep behind the bar. We ordered drinks......just beer and wine....since we had to stay awake for the movie.....and then moved on to the menu. The steamed pork buns from the small plates portion of the menu were the first thing we devoured. I thought Nathan might die from excitement when they came out. They were the cutest little sandwiches made up of soft, white, spongy buns and filled with moist, tender meat.....add a touch of hot sauce and yum! Next, we had the lamb tortelloni. It was so full of flavor and texture.....my favorite! As the special entree of the night, they were offering grilled himachi collar with daikon (crunchy radish pieces, basically), umeboshi (a tart little plum colored dollop of deliciousness) and ponzu sauce. Neither one of us had ever had collar of himachi, and we wanted to be adventurous, so we ordered it. The fish had a stronger taste than I usually like, but it was a bit masked by the tasty ponzu sauce, which was key. Nathan did not get enough of the pork buns, so we ordered another round of those, and were told by our waiter/bartender that that was a common occurrence......apparently there are never enough pork buns for anyone......ever. I am usually not tempted by dessert, but when I saw what was on the menu, I made sure to leave room. How could I have possibly refused pear sorbet with pumpkin ganache and gorgonzola dolce? I couldn't! Anytime something savory is offered as a dessert in a new, creative way, I can barely contain myself. It was amazing! What a combo....a new inventive melange of scrumptiousness! Delish! I will return.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)